Fall 2009

The Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center

will host the 32nd Mill Valley Film Festival

October 8-18th:

The Mill Valley Film Festival celebrates its 32nd year this October and we would like to invite Fourth Street merchants to get involved with the spirit of the Festival by participating in our ANNUAL MERCHANTS WINDOW DISPLAY CONTEST. Show your support for this exciting international event and make the 2009 Mill Valley Film Festival a community celebration! HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:

Participate in the 32nd Mill Valley Film Festival by creating a special window display at your store that reflects a film theme

Each store that participates in the window display contest will receive:·

A voucher good for a pair of tickets to any regular screening during the Festival·

The chance to win tickets to the Mill Valley Film Festival’s Opening Night Gala!·

Recognition on the MVFF website (photos of displays will be taken and posted online)·

A feature on the Downtown San Rafael Web site

OUR DISTINGUISHED JUDGES:

Participating merchants will be judged by the following individuals:

· AL BORO Mayor, City of San Rafael

· ELIZABETH DURAN Development Associate, California Film Institute

· MAUREEN GALLIANI Executive Assistant, California Film Institute

· JOHN MORRISON Manager, California Film Institute Outreach and Education

. HOLLY ROACH Programming Administrator, Mill Valley Film Festival

to participate in the window display contest; please (click here) to download form

Farmers' Market Festival Moves To The

West End of Fourth Street for October:

Please join us for the Downtown West End Fall Farmers' Market Festival. Thursday nights October 1, 8, 15 and 22nd from 5-8pm on the West End of Fourth Street.

SUMMER MIGHT BE OVER. BUT THE MARKET CONTINUES!

The Farmers' Market features local produce, specialty foods and great music every week. It is fun for the whole family. Bring your re-usable bag for fresh veggie shopping and discover what the friendly merchants of the VILLAGE have in store for you.

For more information or to inquire about a vendor booth please

(click here)

"Devils" are a comin' to Downtown

on Saturday, October 31st

from 1-2:30pm

Every year, the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) hosts a free and safe Trick or Treating experience for kids on Fourth Street. Hundreds of families visit our friendly merchants handing out goodies and sweets to kids in costume! Starting at the Downtown City Plaza or in the West End Village, kids and their parents can pick up a list of participating businesses. Then the walk down 4th Street commences, giving kids a chance to show off their costumes and merchants a chance to showcase their businesses. Come join these cute little devils and find out what surprises are in store for you from Lincoln to the West End of Fourth Street.

This year we have added a Haunted House; courtesy of Saint Raphael's School located in Downtown at 1100 Fifth Avenue. The Haunted House, designed for all ages will be spooking kids from 11-3pm. Stop by and play games or make a craft before the trick or treating begins.

TRICK OR TREAT DOWN 4TH STREET is on Saturday, October 31st beginning at 1:00pm. Trick or Treaters must be in costume and accompanied by an adult. It continues until 2:30pm.

For more information, contact the BID at 720-5591

Tree Trimming and Twinkle Lights:

The City of San Rafael will be replacing the existing Downtown street tree “Twinkle Lights” with energy efficient lights, from Lincoln to “D” Streets. This effort will reduce electricity usage significantly, replace lights that have been worn out from a decade of use and exposure to the elements, and continue to maintain the Downtown’s “Alive after Five” ambiance.

Replacing twinkle lights is actually a four phase project as it is a chance to complete related work along Fourth Street. The project will therefore include the following steps:

1) removal of existing lights,

2) trimming the street trees,

3) upgrading/repairing the power plugs and lines, and

4) installing the new lights.

The whole process will take place over the next two to three months. Fourth Street parking will be temporarily restricted, no more than a few blocks at a time (one side of the street), for contractors to complete their work and to maintain pedestrian safety. All parking limitations will be posted 48 hours in advance.

For more information call 485-3383.

Helpful Resource for San Rafael Businesses

Could your businesses benefit from FREE professional advice related to securing capital, help with your marketing or reviewing your strategic plan? Need some fresh professional advice regarding your product or service?

The San Rafael business community is fortunate to have a wonderful resource available to us: The Small Business Development Center, or SBDC. The SBDC is an organization that provides no cost, confidential, results focused and custom designed counseling to business owners in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Their business advisors are knowledgeable in a broad scope of industries and aspects of business management and the appointments are held at the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce at 817 Mission Avenue.

To learn how the SBDC can help you, visit their web site, www.santarosa.edu/sbdc or call (707) 524-1770.