E-Brief: August News and Opportunities to Help Grow Your Business

San Rafael Business E-Brief August 2011

In This Issue

Spotlight: Bank of Marin, Kaiser Permanente

Chamber: Get Ready for Business Showcase

City: New Fee Schedule Approved

Leadership: Sign Up Now!

Member News

Coming Events

Business After 5 Mixer

Wed. Aug. 10

View Flyer

Business Showcase

Wed. Sept. 14

Information

Health Insurance

Lunch & Learn

Tues. Sept. 27

View Flyer

Click on image
for detailed calendar.

- Diamond -

- Platinum -

More Members of
Leaders Circle

Links of Interest

City Manager's Update

City of San Rafael Business Assistance

Renewals
& Membership Milestones

42 Years

Four Points Sheraton Hotel

40 Years

Farnsworth Moving

31 Years

Luther Burbank Savings

More Milestones

Welcome New Members

123 Target Marketing

A. Point. Marketing

Altschuler Center for Weight Loss & Wellness

Balanced Bookkeeping, Inc.

CooperCakes

Glass Concepts

Global Medical+Safety

Greg's Locksmith

House Call Dentist

Inside Out Business Systems

Marin City Community Development Co

Marin Ventures

Meals of Marin

Click here for details on new members, and please visit their websites for more information.

Our Staff

E-News edited by

Beth Galleto

Emily Maloney

Administrative Assistant

Joanne Webster

Director of Marketing and Community Promotion

Leonard Weingarten

Business Development

Jean Kramers
Membership Development

Rick Wells
President and CEO

How Your Membership Helps You Grow Your Business

Laura Bertolli.
Chair, Board of Directors

One of the San Rafael Chamber's goals this year is to spread the message that Chamber membership is essential for your business, providing you access to the people and resources that make San Rafael a great place to work, play and live.

To fully realize the value of the Chamber, you need to get outside your business, get involved and give back to the community. If you haven't been to a Chamber mixer in some time, make an effort to do so this year. And if you're a faithful Chamber networker looking for a deeper connection, join the Ambassador group, or volunteer for a committee.

The Chamber mission statement states that we are a member-based business advocacy organization providing a strong voice in support of the economic vitality of our community. Recently I spoke in front of the San Rafael City Council urging them to approve bringing a professional baseball team to Albert Park. When we polled our members, 96% of the respondents were in favor of the proposal. The business community agrees that baseball would be good for the local economy. This is just one example of what the Chamber is doing behind the scenes, working toward our mission. If you have a business issue you would like the Chamber to look into, please feel free to email me: cargrrrl@bertollis.com. Read more.

Yours in good business,

Laura Bertolli

Bertolli's Auto Body Shop, Inc.

Spotlights
Bank of Marin Believes in Giving Back to the Community Bank of Marin offers business and personal banking, private banking, wealth management and trust services, while placing a strong focus on supporting the local community. It takes pride in having the distinction as the top community and business bank in Marin County. Read more. Visit website . Kaiser Permanente: Helping you Live Well and Thrive Kaiser Permanente is "thriving" on several fronts to help you to receive the best care and to live an active and productive life. Examples are the expanded Parking Structure and Emergency Department at San Rafael Medical Center and Kaiser's worksite wellness program, HealthWorks. Read more. Visit website .

Chamber News

Lights! Camera! Action! Is Your Business Red Carpet Ready?

Don't miss the chance to connect your business to thousands at the Business Showcase, Wednesday, September 14 at the Embassy Suites Hotel. This show will sell out. Reserve your space now. Come to the Showcase to see San Rafael business' newest and best. View our video. Click for registration form.

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Chamber Endorses County Work-Readiness Certification

The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has endorsed the Marin County Work-Readiness Certification program, managed by the Marin County Office of Education. The program is designed to verify that students have the basic workplace skills that Marin County businesses require. Read more.
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Lunch and Learn Presents Health Insurance Solutions

The Health Insurance Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, September 27 will discuss the San Rafael Chamber's exclusive cost-saving health insurance program as well as other topics such as health care reform and its impact on your business. Complimentary lunch included. Read more.

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Chamber Supports Professional Baseball at Albert Park

The Chamber has endorsed a plan to bring professional minor league baseball to San Rafael. This proposal is scheduled to return to the City Council August 15. Read more.

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My Mapbook Offers Advertising Opportunities for Local Business

MyMapbook, LLC announces a new and highly effective advertising platform for local business, the San Rafael and Central Marin Community Mapbook, to be published September 2011.

MyMapbook and the Chamber have agreed to offer a 10 percent discount for Chamber members.

Click here for details or contact Bernard Catalinotto, Bernard@mymapbook.com or (301) 717-1077.

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Special Member Rates for Ad in SF Chronicle

A "Shop San Rafael" ad will run in special sections in the San Francisco Chronicle Aug. 17, Sept. 21, and Oct. 19. Ad reservations and art are due Aug. 12. Click here for more information.

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Click here for additional Chamber News.

City News

City of San Rafael Approves New Fee Schedule

The San Rafael City Council has approved a new Master Fee Schedule. Read story in Marin IJ.
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Food & Wine Festival Offers Delicious Treats

San Rafael's Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, August 13 at Falkirk will feature wine tasting from regional wineries, beer tasting from local breweries, and local restaurants serving up some of the best cuisine in Marin County. Read more.

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City Holds Meeting to Start Recruitment for Police Chief
The City of San Rafael is seeking community input prior to starting recruitment to replace Police Chief Matt Odetto, who retires 8/29/11. A Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 11. During recruitment Captain Jeff Franzini is serving as Acting Chief. Read more.

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San Rafael Volunteer Program Holds Fourth Saturday Parks and Paths Service Days.
For this and other volunteer ideas click here.

Leadership News

Sign Up Now for 2011-2012 Leadership Class

Class of 2010-2011. Photo by Trevor Henley

Spaces are filling up fast for the San Rafael Leadership Institute 2011-2012. Learn what it takes to be an effective leader in our community. Enroll by August 26 for Early Bird discount. Click here for information and application.

Member News

Lectures presented by Dominican University's Institute for Leadership Studies highlight extraordinary individual, organizational and societal leadership. Read more.

Art Works Downtown has announced plans for a Wine Tasting Experience during its monthly 2^nd Fridays Art Walk. Read more.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Marin and Sonoma Counties seeks table captains for a fundraising breakfast on September 27. Read more.

The 18th Annual Spirit of Marin Awards Luncheon, hosted by Bank of Marin, will take place Friday, September 23 at St. Vincent's School for Boys. Read more.

The California Film Institute is offering "That's the Ticket!" (TTT!), a merchant engagement program with the 2011 Mill Valley Film Festival for local businesses. Read more. For sponsorship opportunities with the 34th MVFF click here.

More Member News

Chamber members: Please send your business news for this section to frontdesk@SRChamber.com. Deadline for the September issue is Tuesday, August 30. Please put "Member News" in the subject line.

Our Core Values --Strengthening the Local Economy --Promoting and Connecting the Community --Providing Quality Networking Opportunities --Representing Business to Government --Political Action. Click here for information about how to join the Chamber.