June 2008
Green Ribbon Committee:
We had a great response to our call for people to serve on our new Green Ribbon Committee and Green Teams. Over 30 residents and members of the business community submitted applications to be a member of the committee/teams. Once the Committee and Teams are established, their work to develop a Climate Change Action Plan should begin in early May. Two of our own B.I.D. board of directors will sit on the committee; Jennifer Islas - Pleasures of the Heart and Maika Llorens- Sabor of Spain.
Emergency Preparedness Plan:
The Business Improvement District and The Chamber of Commerce have met with The Operations of Emergency Services manager Steven Hancock and we have begun to look at how the Office of Emergency Operations can incorporate public and private sector agencies into a comprehensive San Rafael emergency management organization. We will first be offering free 2hour Get Ready classes to our members that will target the specific preparedness information needed for business owners. We will also be jointly hosting a tailored Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to meet the more specific needs of businesses in the event of a real diaster.
The Office of Emergency Services will also be seeking the participation from the BID and the Chamber in developing San Rafael's diaster recovery plan; i.e. our own OPEN FOR BUSINESS Plan. If you are interested in joining our task force please contact Joanne Webster at director@downtownsanrafel.org for more information.
Please look for more information to come about the above classes.
Dominican Discount Program:
The Business Improvement District (BID) has partnered with Dominican University to offer a student and faculty discount program in Downtown San Rafael. The program is intended to get more students and faculty shopping and dining in Downtown. Many merchants have already signed on to offer students a discount, a buy one get one free deal or, perhaps a small one time gift from each establishment when a Dominican student or faculty show their i.d. card.
In return, the Associated Students of Dominican University will advertise your establishment across campus via several vechicles (i.e., webpage, newsletter, posters, word of mouth, annoucements at student gatherings, etc.)
This is a win win for all. If you are interested in participating please email student volunteer:
David Ramirez at davidramirez4116@hotmail.com
Marketing Committee:
The B.I.D. marketing committee, under the direction of Broken Drum owner, Noah Berry, has partnered with Power Bucks to produce an exclusive Downtown San Rafael coupon booklet for distribution to 15,000 residences in Marin County. The cost to each individual merchant will be $250 and you will receive a full page. If you are interested in this inexpensive advertising opportunity, you can email Mark Lyons at mightylyons@yahoo.com or wait for Mark to pay you a visit.
Year Round Parking Validations
Businesses in Downtown San Rafael can now purchase validations good for one hour of free parking at a low, introductory price of only 10 cents.
Validations are redeemable in the city parking garages located at the 3rd & A Street and 3rd & C Streets.
For more information or to order validations, please call Parking Services Division at 458-5333 or mobile 720-3349 or email parkingservices@cityofsanrafael.org
2nd Fridays San Rafael Art Walk!
On the 2nd Friday of every month, visit the open studios in the labyrinth of artisits at Art Works Downtown, then tour the venues of businesses along 4th Street, including Artisans and Donna Seager Gallery. Click here for more information: www.cityofsanrafael.org
Reaching People Over Sixty:
The BID is working with Whistlestop, a non-profit long trusted by seniors in Marin, to develop an advertising opportunity to those Downtown merchants that service Marin's seniors.
Whistlestop is launching 2 new initiatives that could benefit your business....
The Silver Express Whistlestop newsletter that will reach every senior household (people over 60 = 30,000 households) in Marin starting this July. The Silver Express is focused on the particular interests of our senior community, and includes a full calendar of events, feature articles/columns, professional design, and very reasonable ad rates. Business sponsors of the publication will gain premier recognition in conjunction with the trusted Whistlestop brand name.·
The Silver Thrift Card will be sent by mail to all Marin adults over 60 and is designed to foster repeat business. The Silver Discount Card highlights businesses where senior discounts are given and offers extra discounts to build ongoing patronage. The card is free to all seniors and will be mailed in October. A donation to Whistlestop will be requested, but not required from the user.
For more info. contact Sandrine De Rienzo at sdirienzo@yahoo.com