Summer 2009

West End Village Celebration:

Sunday, July 19th from 11:00am to 8:00pm

 Downtown San Rafael's renovated West End Village invites you to enjoy its highly acclaimed "SUMMER FUN DAY". This year's street faire promises to excite and entertain the entire community with a Public Skateboard Park & Professional Demonstration, Free Kids Games & Activities, Great Food from Downtown Restaurants, Local Artist & Business Tents and over 16 Live Acts on 2 stages.

The West End Village Celebration is a festival that emphasizes family and community through innovative events. On Sunday, July 19th, your friends and neighbors will be delighted to discover four city blocks at the beginning of the famed Miracle Mile packed with an exposition of the finest cultural aspects our diverse area offers. The entertainment will be interactive and ongoing and will satisfy a wide variety of palettes.

For more information, (click here)

Downtown Parking:

The Business Improvement District (BID) welcomes Vince Guarino; the new City Parking Services Manager. I was honored to participate on the interview panel back in May and have a voice in the decision of this important managerial position for the City of San Rafael. Vince comes from a long history of parking experience, including private industry experience with AMPCO System and public experience at the University of California San Francisco.

The BID continues to collaborate with Parking Services to make a successful parking program in the Downtown area.  We seek to continue our mission of increasing business for all merchants in the Downtown area and to make Downtown a fun, safe and friendly place in which to eat, shop and live. Most recently, in response to many merchants' concerns, Vince and I worked collaboratively to create a program to educate shoppers, diners and visitors on how to avoid a citation. The 5 useful tips ( below) will be seen around the Downtown, on parking meters and on small informational cards available at Parking Services and local merchants interested in carrying them.  Please read these tips and offer these suggestions to your customers and visitors Downtown. 

Our goal is to reduce the number of citations issued.

Useful Downtown San Rafael Parking Tips

1. PARK SMART:  To avoid parking citations, park in either of the City’s off street parking garages at 3rd & A and 3rd & C Streets. These locations have the added convenience of accepting credit cards.
2. GET VALIDATED:   Look in the window of your favorite merchants for a green decal indicating their participation in the City’s downtown business validation program.  If your merchant doesn’t participate, encourage them to become a member of the program.
3. SAVE MONEY:  Buy a frequent parker card.  Costing $25, the card cuts your City garage fee in half.  That’s a 50% savings!  With 250 uses, it’s sure to carry you through the whole year.
4. KNOW RED ZONE:  You might be surprised by the number of people who park at a red curb “just for a minute.”  Next time you’re tempted to grab a quick ice cream, make a laundry pick-up, or stop at the ATM, remember that parking in a red zone carries a hefty fine.
5. FEED ME:  Most parking tickets in San Rafael are written for expired meters. To avoid a ticket, add more time to the meter than what you think you’ll need.  Additionally, keep a small stash of coins in your vehicle

To find out more about the City’s parking programs; visit www.cityofsanrafael.org/parking.

If you have other suggestions or comments on how to avoid a citation, please contact Joanne at director@downtownsanrafael.org

Downtown Farmers' Market Festival Gets Cookin':

The Downtown San Rafael Farmers' Market Festival has added some new features to its line up this season. Now you can you stop by the information booth and have a candid conversation with a City Council member, sample the pick of the week and enjoy a Chef's Demo starring some of our local restaurants. David Haydon from Il Davide located at 901 A Street had a great turnout last Thursday night has he whipped up his signature dish "Orecchiete Davide". The Chef's Demo was so popular that other Fourth Street restaurants are lining up to get on the schedule. The next cooking demos are planned for July 30th and August 31st.

"See ya Thursday night"

New BID Executive Committee 2009-2011:

President: Stan Gibbs- Art Works Downtown

Vice President: Joelle Jones- Rafael Town Center

Secretary: Steve Mack- Framing Interiors

Treasurer: Ken Martin- Mikes Bikes

Congratulations to the newly approved Executive Team and the entire BID Board of Director's.

We would like to encourage all business owners to attend our monthly meetings the first Friday of every month. We meet in the third floor conference room of City Hall at 1400 Fifth Avenue from 9:00-10:00am. If you would like to receive the monthly agendas please email director@downtownsanrafael.org

All members welcome!

San Rafael Food & Wine Festival:

                               Saturday, August 15th 11am  to 5pm

                                Falkirk Cultural Center

Steven Restivo Event Services, LLC and the Historic Falkirk Cultural Center are presenting the 3rd annual San Rafael Food & Wine Fesival on Saturday, August 15th from 11 am to 5pm. The Fesival is located on the grounds of the Falkirk Cultural Center at 1408 Mission Avenue in San Rafael.

Festival-goers will enjoy food from area restaurants and sample wines from 25 of the region's outstanding boutique wineries. In addition, there will be a chef's demonstration area featuring a number of area restaurants.

While tasing the gourmet fare, attendees will hear smooth jazz and classical music by the area's best musicians. The Falkirk Cultural Center provides the perfect back drop for this celebration.

 for ticket information please (click here)

Second Friday's Art Walk: 

Occuring the Second Friday of every month. Next is August 14th

 

Summer Sidewalk Washing:

will take place starting Tuesday, July 28th.

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