Packaging design agency offering displays, labels, boxes, POS, retail promotional, specialty packaging & printing by Packagingarts

Packagingarts is  a creative and marketing production agency that offers brand development and strategy, design and manufacturing, retail displays, labels, print, customized packaging, custom promotional products, fabric banners, eco-friendly manufacturing, rigid containers, shrink labels, brochures, wood boxes, point of sale. 

About Packagingarts

Packagingarts started from printing and production management. Today, they have partners with many global resources, continuing to deliver high-end products to the marketplace.

The Company’s design capabilities extend across a variety of disciplines including: brand strategy and identity, packaging and retail merchandising, print collateral and online interactive media.
They believe that the product they offer is a truly special model and are successful because of the experiences that they deliver.

Approach

Packagingarts is an integrated team of designers, printing, packaging and structural specialists. 

The team has three simple goals: 

  • First, create and produce works that connect brands with consumers.
• Second, build and extend a brand’s vision through innovation and inspiration.
• Third, to simply be the best, always delivering on the promise they make with the clients.

Our People

The packagingarts team is comprised of individuals who add value through creativity and innovation and whose experiences cover a broad range of disciplines.

They are a team of comprised individuals who add value through creativity and innovation and whose experiences cover a broad range of disciplines.

The versatility and talent are they company’s strongest assets. At Packagingarts, they allow people to achieve their best – because it’s the best to satisfy the clients, please consumers, and deliver innovation and excellence.

Design Services

Packagingarts has always had two main goals: 

• First, provide clients with strategic design solutions that meet marketing/brand objectives
• Second to deliver quality, value and great service.

Design services include:
•         Brand development & identity
•         Product & label design
•         Packaging design
•         Retail promotions
•         Point-of-sale
•         Collateral
•         Environmental graphics/signing systems

Packing Services

Packagingarts is committed to deliver results. From designing and producing award-winning custom packaging to straight-forward brand extensions, they have the experienced team to make it happen.  They create solutions and efficiencies that deliver value and do not compromise quality for budget. They guarantee to deliver excellence.
On-pack promotions
Gift boxes
Specialty packaging
Wooden cases
Shippers & displays
Labels

Structural Services

Packagingarts also assume the competitor’s products have basically the same technologies and pricing. Design and function are what differentiates one product from another in the marketplace. The goal at packaging arts is to maximize a brand’s vision and create impact on the retail floor through our understanding of the marketplace.
Promotional displays
Retail fixtures
Wooden racks
Corrugated displays
Trade show

Production Services

Production, project management and printing of labels and boxes are where Packagingarts started as a company. Today the changing needs of the marketplace require innovation and technical solutions. They have been able to meet these changes through the expertise and experience of our team. Packagingarts has earned a reputation of providing quality products, relationships and experiences and is one of the most respected production and design groups in the industry.
Print management
Production management
Sourcing & pricing
Fulfillment

Branding Services

At packagingarts, helps the clients build successful new brands in emerging product categories as well as assist them in revitalizing and extending their existing brands. The team is consistently produces effective design solutions to connect emotionally with consumers and build brand equity.
brand assessment/research
brand positioningbrand engagement
naming
product development

For packaging design and brand development solutions call Packagingarts at 707-562-2787. Visit  www.packagingarts.com/.              

The Emerging Status of Nonprofits And the Bystander Effect

On March 13, 1964, Kitty Genovese was returning home from work as a bar manager in New York. She parked her car and walked towards her apartment, just a 100 feet away. Suddenly she heard footsteps racing behind her. Before she could react, the assailant stabbed her twice. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she cried for help; repeatedly. No one came.  She died two hours later.

As investigators and reporters began piecing the story together, they were shocked by the lack of citizen intervention. At least two dozen people heard the screams over a 30-minute time span. Politicians, psychologists and clergymen were outraged, calling it another example of our apathetic social decay.

But two psychologists weren’t so sure. They wanted to know why Kitty was offered no help. Over the course of the next year, they conducted a series of experiments in crowded and private situations to understand what triggers and doesn’t trigger a response from bystanders. Here’s what they discovered:
Crowds behave like schools of fish – they group think. If there are no reactions to a stimulus, no one in the crowd will act. They found that “no one wants to stands out in a crowd.” This was proven time and time again as experiments were conducted on busy New York streets.

But as they tweaked their experiments, they finally discovered the answer and what instigates a reaction.
In today’s version of the “bystander effect,” one of our most precious socially important industries continue to pattern their future in the same methods as the past. As funds continue to dry up, many nonprofit agencies continue to seek financial help by using a single method of revenue generation: writing grants.

In comparison, a growing legion of innovative nonprofits across the globe are building “social enterprises,” and generating income through their own sales and services. One important result of this type of income is that grant-makers are more inclined to approve funds to organizations that are proving their ability to diversify their resources and gain greater self-sufficiency.

So in collaboration between Renaissance Marin and the Marin Community Foundation, we’re launching our best effort to break the bystander effect. Open to the first 20 nonprofits, this is an opportunity for agencies to learn the methods for building their own social enterprises. Think about the alternative: stay steady on your current course and watch your grant dollars diminish. The cost is also exceptionally affordable with some tuitions at $100 - less than seven percent of a popular national training program.

This is the one and only time we’ll be offering this training in 2013. The program is tailored made for nonprofits with little or no experience with business modeling. Not only will you learn all the essentials, you’ll have an opportunity to pitch your concepts to a panel of well accomplished business and social entrepreneurs. For ten groups that finish this two-month program, personal consultation will be provide to help you take your concepts to reality.

In addition, the workshops have been developed to respect your busy schedule. We’ll be meeting once every Thursday morning for three hours during the eight-week program starting January 31.

To get all the information, we urge you to attend the upcoming orientation on Thursday, Dec. 13; 10am at Renaissance Marin, 1115 3^rd Street, San Rafael.

This program is specific to nonprofit agencies in Marin County and highly recommended for organizations receiving their funding through MCF.

For reservations to the orientation, please call us at 415.755.1115.

If you find yourself among of sea of bystanders unwilling to help you, what the researchers found was to target a single individual, get in front and make a plea. They found that tactic was the most effective way to gain help because a single individual when alerted stops group-think and becomes personally responsible. 

North Bay Bohemian Best of 2013 Readers Poll (Marin)

Survey ends January 11 at 05:30 PM.

Once a year, it’s your turn to vote! Vote in the Bohemian Best of the North Bay Readers Poll.

The Survey runs between now and Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. 

Keep in mind that any big-box corporate entities will be tossed out in favor of our prized independents; we’re all about supporting local businesses and people. Sit down with the ballot and vote for your favorites today!

Take the Survey!  

http://posting.bohemian.com/northbay/Survey 

This survey consists of 168 questions. You must answer at least 50 questions in order for your answers to be counted.

RenCenter event: Increasing Revenues for Your Nonprofit

Renaissance Marin will conduct an orientation on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10 am for nonprofit agencies who need to supplement their existing revenues by creating a social enterprise.

This program comes through the sponsorship of the Marin Community Foundation which saw a need to help many of its own grantees to diversify their revenues streams.  Renaissance Marin will be launching this workshop on January 31 to the first 20 organizations that sign up and pay the low-cost tuition, based on a sliding scale.

The workshop will provide:  

* Classroom instruction

* Real-world practices

* One-on-one assistance and 

* An opportunity to pitch your concepts to a panel of  experts.  

If you've explored taking a workshop on this very subject, you know the costs are upwards of $1500.

In this workshop, the tuition costs: 

Annual Revenue                                  Tuition

to $100,000                                           $100

$101,000 to $250,000                             $200

$251,000 to $500,000                             $300

$501,000 to $1,000,000                          $400

Over $1,000,000                                     $500

The training will take place at the Renaissance Center Marin in San Rafael. It will run three hours per session, once a week on Thursdays at 10am for eight weeks. Following the class sessions, a number of hours have been reserved to provide one-on-one assistance to individual agencies to help them launch their enterprises.

So, if your agency has been searching for new ways to generate revenue, we urge you to attend this orientation, meet the staff and the main instructor. We'll give you the full picture about the program because we all know that many nonprofits continue to operate at less-than adequate financial levels.

Please RSVP to reserve your seat by calling 415.755.1115. Please note: this workshop is for Marin County Nonprofit Agencies only.  

Renaissance Marin

1115 Third Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 348-6300

http://rencentermarin.org/

Kahl Consultants just completed a website redesign for Groundswell Marketing of San Rafael, CA.

The former Groundswell website was built in flash. Unfortunately flash is not supported by Apple mobile devices such as iPhones and iPads. 

The Groundswell site was therefore converted to a mobile ready Wordpress CMS (content management system) site. It uses a responsive design to adapt to mobile devices and various monitor sizes. 

Groundswell offer clients around the world marketing and event planning services including:

• Marketing Program Management
• Conference Planning
• Event & Tradeshow Marketing
• Customer and Press Events
• Sustainable Events
• Sustainability Marketing

To see the new Groundswell site visit them online at:
http://www.groundswellmktg.com

Joanna Intara Zim is a Licensed Psychotherapist (MFT 38453, Life Coach and Spiritual Teacher and Guide in the Sonoma and San Francisco Bay Area.

Joanna offers psychotherapy and guidance to people from the Bay Area, Marin, and Sonoma County areas, and coaching and consulting in those areas and beyond. She is dedicated to continue her training, education, collaboration, and consultation for further growth and continuously deepen and mature her skills.

Joanna offers individuals and groups assistance with personal growth, teaches the need to come together as community, to listen to one another, and to work together to address the larger picture of integral planetary healing. She also offers consultation services for MFT Trainees and Interns, in addition to practice building consultation services for people in psychology and related professions. She is committed to continued development of these professional endeavors.

Her work speaks in this way as well…

“In the hushed hours of the night, an old, familiar whisper sighs…something isn’t working.  Can you continue to smother the voice that is calling you to all that is real, all that is unlived, unloved, and all that is missing from your waking life?  For many people each day is a struggle, a compromise and a resignation.  They are just waiting to live.  They dream of the other shore where life truly begins. Guiding people to cross over to the other side is my life calling.

I show people how to break lifelong patterns once and for all, so they can end a lifetime of silent suffering.  They are finally free to fully express the peace and aliveness that is waiting to pour out of them.  It really matters to me that you can learn to be truly happy and not fake happy. Together we can walk through the matrix of the unnatural shadow self you have long carried, and release the life force to create the true desires of your soul. 

When you reach that real place inside yourself, your instincts are naturally restored and your life begins to flow. You no longer experience burnout, emptiness, or unnecessary separations that cause humans pain.

When you are living from your genuine self there is a native relaxation.  Life, love, and work spring from a natural internal state of rest. So do joy, creativity and play.

I am here to walk beside you, as your authentic self emerges and you begin to live in the simplicity of your being. I offer you a heart that truly cares and a keenly intuitive perception to witness the gifts awakening inside of you.

Psychotherapy Practices

Adult Therapy - Couples Therapy - Teen Therapy - Group Therapy - Trauma Therapy

Common Issues that often lead people into therapy/counseling

Abuse Recovery (Physical, Emotional, Mental, Sexual, and Neglect) - Multi-Generational Trauma & Recovery – Difficult Childhoods - Family of Origin Issues - Releasing & Resolving Shame and Guilt

Anxiety – Panic – Terror / Depression including Grief & Loss Issues (including pet loss)

Anger, Rage – Power & Domination Issues

Creativity – Artist Challenges

Couples Issues –  Relationship – Interpersonal Conflicts/Challenges  -  Divorce – Separation Codependency Issues

Eating Disorders – Body Image – Body Detox Effects

Money Issues – Wealth & Inheritance Issues – Compulsive Spending Problems

Multi-Cultural – Immigrant Issues

Parenting Your Teenager –  Separation – Individuation Issues - Gifted Adults/Teens Work Issues – Stress management – Professional Job Burnout – Job Loss - Entrepreneurs

SPIRITUAL WORK

Sacred Prayer

Yoga & Meditation

Spiritual Inquiry

Earth Wisdom

Sacred Feminine

MENTORSHIP & COACHING

Coaching

Coaching is different from psychotherapy or spiritual guidance work in that the process focuses on the development of a new vision of your overall mission in work, personal or other area of life, via the development of specific tasks and goals, and a pragmatic, simple and clear approach to accomplishing and manifesting them within a very specific period of time. Whereas therapy focuses on the underlying feelings, motivations, and underpinnings within any situation, coaching does not delve into these areas, but instead goes directly into the work, action, and movement that is required to move from point A to point B and to embody that work effectively and clearly.

I offer the coaching packages below to suit your individual needs. Choose one and begin to embody your authentic life or business spirit, occupational destiny calling and mission now. If you have tried this before and struggled, please come, and begin again today.  Supervision and Consultation for MFT Interns and Licensed Individual.  Trainings Offered For MFT Interns and Agencies.

In addition to supervision, consultation and practice building services, Joanna is also available to counseling centers and training facilities to provide trainings. Her training style is warm, interactive, and multi-dimensional. Also she is sensitive to the needs and vulnerabilities of new trainees and interns. Training offers:

•         Developing Presence as a New Practitioner

•         Beginning To Work With Countertransference

•         Clinical Issues at The End of Therapy

For Psychotherapy, Spiritual Guidance, or Coaching services, please call Joanna Intara Zim at 415 923 0481. Visit http://joannaintarazim.com/

Lotus Restaurants Give Back to the Community for Thanksgiving

For the eighth year in a row, the Lotus Family of Restaurants gives back to the community by hosting the annual FREE Thanksgiving Dinner

San Rafael's Lotus Cuisine of India and Fairfax's Cafe Lotus will serve a free Indian buffet at these two locations on Wednesday, November 21, the night before Thanksgiving.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. No reservations.

Lotus invites anyone in need a good free meal!

Come enjoy our healthy tasty Indian food FREE.

This year Lotus Restaurants will also be collecting donations for local Marin Community Food Bank. We thank all of you who can donate for your generous support.

This is their way of saying THANK YOU to the community.

Please help spread the word by forwarding this message to someone you know. Anyone who is homeless, needy, poor, or hungry is welcome to join us for a wonderful meal.

NOTE:  The free Thanksgiving Meal Offer is ONLY valid at our other Lotus restaurants (Lotus Cuisine of India in San Rafael and Cafe Lotus in Fairfax), but NOT at Lotus Chaat.

Fresh off the Cart!

Nothing Beats Fresh Homemade Sorbet from Sweet Peabody’s, a Northern California Mobile Vending Cart

Made in the Napa Valley, Sweet Peabody’s sorbet is handmade weekly in small batches with an emphasis on fresh seasonal flavors. It's available by the scoop or in pre-packaged pints.

Sweet Peabody’s mobile vending cart can be found at the following Farmer’s Markets:

Benicia:  Thursdays,  4 – 8p.m.

St. Helena:  Fridays, 7:30a.m. – Noon

Napa:  Tuesdays and Saturdays, 7:30a.m. – Noon

Sweet Peabody’s can also cater your private party or event up to 500 people, be it a birthday, wedding or even a corporate event.

Why Sorbet?


By far, the healthiest alternative to ice cream and gelato, sorbet is naturally fat free, and the calorie count can be half that of ice cream.

It's all dairy and gluten free! Because it's made from fruit you can assure the nutritional value of sorbet. Typically less than 28 grams of sugar per serving so its good for everyone... especially kids!

Party with Sweet Peabody's!
Are you or is someone you know planning a holiday party? Does your company need some employee recognition? Sweet Peabody's Homemade Sorbet Vending Cart would be the perfect addition!  Available throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Napa Valley.

For more information about Sweet Peabody’s Homemade Sorbet call 707-373-2764 or visit http://www.sweetpeabodys.com/

Warm Wishes Holiday Campaign 2012

We provide  5,000   “StreetPacks”   for  our  street  communities

 

Our 19^th Year of providing Warm Wishes!

Each “StreetPack” is filled with NEW gloves, scarf, hat, rain poncho, socks and holiday card made by local school children to offer warmth and Warm Wishes! during the coldest months of the year.   Filled “StreetPacks “ are distributed throughout the entire Bay Area through over 40 agencies and on the streets by volunteers~ like YOU!

Call  415- 472-0211 to  volunteer or donate  go to www.warmwishes.org

     Send your tax deductible donation to

Warm Wishes!  5800 Northgate Mall Ste 250,  San Rafael, CA 94903

  

We need your suppport this holiday season to continue to serve the following agencies: We serve……Adopt a Family, Asian Women’s Shelter, BOSS - Building Opportunity for Self Sufficiency, BOSS – Oakland,

BOSS Berkeley - MASC Multi Agency Service Center, Helen Vine-Buckelew, Catholic Charities Family Support Center, Cedars, Conservation Corps North Bay, Cotts Shelter, Faithful Fools Street Ministry, Interfaith Winter Shelter, Family Service Agency, Gilead House, Homeward Bound, Interfaith Street Chaplaincy/Shelter, Marin Juvenile Hall  and Probation, La Casa De Las Madres ( SF), Lucas Valley Community Church, Marin City Clinic & The Outreach Collaborative, Ritter Center, San Geronimo Valley Community Center, Sacred Heart Church in Olema, SF Community Clinic Consortium @Street Outreach Services- Mobile Medical Vans, St. Anthony's, St. Vincent's Dining Hall, Stinson Bolinas School, Sunny Hills, Timothy Murphy School for Boys, Urban Ministry/InnVision, West Marin Services West Marin Services, Westminster Church, Novato Human Needs Center, Thursday Soup Kitchen, Chinatown Community Development Center, American Red Cross, Treasure Island Permanent Housing, Compass Community Services, St. Joseph’s Family Center,

                        W.O.M.A.N….and on the streets throughout the Bay Area…

Volunteer on Saturday, December 1, 2012 

               Help us assemble Warm Wishes “StreetPacks” at  

                                  Unity In Marin, 600 Palm Drive, Novato

9:00 AM  SHARP!  Suggested donation: Adults $10.00/children FREE!  (no one turned away!)

 “I wondered why somebody didn’t do something, then I realized I was somebody.”   Author Unknown           

Wynne Law Firm specializes in Overtime, Wage and Consumer Class Actions

Overtime laws in California are often not followed by employers, resulting in overtime lawsuits. Make sure you have the right overtime lawyer.

Do you work in any of the following industries?

          Retail/Restaurant and Hotel

          Computer Software

          Banking/Financial Services

Interested in finding out more information regarding California Labor laws?

          Meal Periods

          Rest Breaks

          Outside Sales Exemption

          Commission Based Exemption

          Administrative Exemption

          Executive/Managerial Exemption

          Vacation Benefits

          Deductions

If you have questions about any of these items please call Wynne Law Firm right away for a free consultation.

About Wynne Law Firm

Wynne Law Firm's office is located in the Drakes Landing office complex in Greenbrae, California, near the Larkspur Landing ferry terminal and Highway 101 at the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. exit. After working at Righetti Wynne for the past 13 years, Edward J. Wynne decided to open his own office.

Wynne Law Firm will continue to represent plaintiffs in federal and state courts throughout the nation in cases involving violations of state and federal law such as unlawful employment practices, employment discrimination and unfair business practices.

Attorneys at Wynne Law Firm are well known in their area of expertise and have reputations for professional integrity, vigorous advocacy and remarkable achievements. Our expertise extends to both trial and appellate advocacy. They possess the specialized legal skills and the financial resources necessary for prosecuting large, complex cases. They take great pride in our responsible and innovative approach to the practice of law.

Many of the cases start as the result of a complaint by one or a handful of persons. If you believe you have been harmed by an unlawful employment practice, a fraud or a deceptive or unlawful business practice, contact Wynne Law Firm for help.

PRACTICES AREAS

Employment Litigation

          We can help you with these questions:

          Do you know your rights as an employee in California?

          Are you being paid correctly under wage and hour laws?

          Are you being paid correctly pursuant to the overtime law in California?

          Are you entitled to overtime pay?

          Are you paid on an hourly basis?

Employment Discrimination

Employment discrimination occurs whenever an employer or its representatives adversely single out employees or applicants on the basis of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion and a variety of other reasons.

Generally, employers can't discriminate against you in any aspect of employment, such as:

·         Hiring and firing

·         Compensation, assignment, or classification of employees

·         Transfer, promotion, layoff, or recall

·         Job advertisements

·         Recruitment

·         Testing

·         Use of company facilities

·         Training and apprenticeship programs

·         Fringe benefits

·         Pay, retirement plans, and disability leave

 

Contact Wynne Law Firm at (415) 461-6400 regarding California Labor Law Attorney, CA Overtime Law and California Overtime State Law. Visit us online at http://wynnelawfirm.com

EcoLogic Landscaping provides ecological Landscape Architecture, Construction, and Maintenance Services for Marin and surrounding counties.

EcoLogic Landscaping provides Landscape Architecture, Construction, and Maintenance Services for Marin and surrounding counties.

 

With over 14 years in sustainable landscaping in Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area, Ecologic Landscaping has the knowledge and expertise to create your garden from concept to completion. 

 

Whether renovating an existing landscape or creating a new garden, the company is committed to excellence that show in every detail. 

 

Ecologic Landscaping primary goal is to facilitate a dynamic, meaningful relationship between people and the land. They create gardens that are not only beautiful, but also provide an abundance of fresh food. Lets not forget the use of all-organic materials and highly efficient low water use irrigation systems.

About Ecologic Landscaping                        

 

Leith Carstarphen is the landscape designer and project supervisor for Ecologic Landscaping. He holds degrees in Landscape Architecture and Horticulture. Leith has been working in the San Francisco Bay Area in the field of landscape architecture, construction, and maintenance since 1994. He regularly leads workshops and classes on sustainability issues and has a passionate commitment to edible and useful plants, and is an avid home gardener.

Quality, Commitment, Service

With more than a decade of experienced in landscaping, EcoLogic Landscaping has mastered the knowledge and expertise in creating a garden from concept to completion.

 

The crews have extensive skills in constructing gardens of exquisite craftsmanship and lasting beauty, using sustainable and organic materials and methods.

 

The services include all facets of landscape construction: patios and pathways, rock walls and retaining walls, waterfalls and fountains, decks, arbors, fences, drainage systems, irrigation and dramatic lighting.

Sustainability

 

Ecologic Landscaping believes that the best gardens grow naturally.  Using only the finest organic fertilizers to help your landscape grow and mature. They never use harsh pesticides or herbicides but instead rely on non-toxic alternatives that are safe for your family and pets. They support thriving ecosystems, and pests are controlled naturally, by beneficial insects such as ladybugs. Flowering plants will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and songbirds to your yard. They also create thriving ecosystems for all the microclimates of Northern California, whether shady or arid, and we strategically design landscaping to optimize growth and conserve water.

Edible Gardens

 

Ecologic Landscaping creates gardens that are not only beautiful, but also provide an abundance of fresh food. Imagine strolling through your garden with your children and harvesting perfectly ripe berries, vegetables, and culinary herbs. Landscape Services:

Architecture - Creative landscape designs are the specialty of EcoLogic Landscaping

 

Stonework - Custom stonework improves the lay of the land while adding a timeless quality to any garden

 

Carpentry / Gates - Wood helps define the boundaries of the garden, while providing structure and shade

 

Gates - Gates create a definition of spaces.  They create a separation of private from public space

 

Planting - Plants are what bring gardens to life! Plants attract hummingbirds and butterflies

Tree Care - Provides care for trees of all ages to treat diseases such as 'Sudden Oak Death'

Outdoor Kitchen - Increase the usability of your garden, and take advantage of California's mild climate with an outdoor kitchen

 

Waterfalls - Water in the garden soothes the spirit and completes the garden experience.

 

For more information about green landscape architecture services call Ecologic Landscaping at 415-454-8903. 

Nonprofit Charity, Fiscal Sponsor and Incubator, MarinLink serves Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area

Who is MarinLink? A San Rafael based organization providing fiscal sponsorship to individuals and groups in Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area. An Incubator for community based projects.

MarinLink is Marin County's Community resource. For over a decade MarinLink has helped community-minded people realize their dreams.

About MarinLink

MarinLink finds and fills community needs by connecting resources, ideas, and expertise.
MarinLink helps community-minded people realize their dreams, serving as an incubator, fiscal sponsor, and multi-faceted resource for real solutions:

Homeless services,

Community gardens,

Environmental education projects,

Veterans programs,

Health and transportation initiatives.

Marin Link Projects

There are dozens of nonprofits projects that have benefited from working with MarinLink.
Connecting people to resources and expertise, MarinLink identifies and fulfills unmet community needs, strengthening Marin with nimble, solution-based innovation, and collaboration.

Sample Projects:

Warm Wishes distributes 5000 “StreetPacks” filled with new warm globes, scarves, hat6s, wool socks, and rain ponchos to homeless men and women throughout the Bay Area every winter. 

GetMoneySmart.Info provides a comprehensive resource for financial education, trainings, and counseling in Marin.

Earth Day Marin is a family-oriented, environmentally centered annual celebration at Marin Civic Center.

Marin Trolleys is working for a demonstration line providing connectivity from SMART to Fairfax. The vision is for six lines connecting Marin’s cities and linking to regional transit. Marin Trolleys is rooted in “Back to the Future.” Marin County was established along rail lines, making Marin unique in that 70% of urban Marin is still within ½ mile of an original rail right-of way.   Most of the original rail routes in Marin still exist. www.marintrolleys.org

Stroke Directory – The Marin County Stroke Directory — Resources that may save your life or someone you love.

Fiscal Sponsorship Program and Projects

Through its Fiscal Sponsorship Program, MarinLink assists individuals and community organizations engaged in projects consistent with its mission by providing administrative support and tax-exempt status.

For more information about MarinLink and their fiscal sponsorship program visit, http://marinlink.org or call (415) 472-0211.

What are Warm Wishes? Winter Holiday Backpack Donations packed by Volunteers for Homeless in Marin County and Bay Area

What is Warm Wishes? 

Warm Wishes is nonprofit distributing warm clothing items to San Francisco Bay Area homeless. Warm Wishes is a MarinLink project founded by Bill Hamm.

Mission

Warm Wishes creates a personal relationship between our volunteers and the street community when once a year volunteers distribute 5,000 “StreetPacks” or backpacks stuffed with new, warm gloves, scarves, hats, wool socks and rain ponchos to homeless men and women and children, living on the streets of the Bay Area. The winter accessories, manufactured under the direction of and funded by Warm Wishes, help them survive the difficult weather months.
One of the most valued pieces in each StreetPack is the heart-warming, personal holiday card hand-written by one of 5,000 Bay Area children.

Join Founder Bill Hamm on Distribution Day for this year on Saturday, December 1, 2012 8:00am. Volunteers, including families and their children, meet at Unity in Marin (Novato) and within two hours assemble the StreetPacks. They then take to the road to personally distribute the packs to the Bay Area homeless. The purpose is for the homeless people to stay warm; perhaps to save a life. But Warm Wishes purpose is for volunteers to reap the rewards of looking into the eyes of a stranger, of coming closer to understanding his or her plight, and filling with the feeling of doing good for others.

This year Warm Wishes is requesting donations at the door on Distribution Day to offset the cost of the items for the homeless. Suggested donation is $10.00 for adults (children FREE) but please be as generous as you can. Warm Wishes is committed to providing NEW items that are purchased specifically for this population and need your support.

Volunteer on Warm Wishes Assembly & Distribution Day 

Come one, come all and join in the fun! Experience the true meaning of giving this holiday season. This project is for anyone; of any age–so bring your family, friends or just yourselves. Warm Wishes needs volunteers to stuff backpacks and/or distribute them to the homeless. They have items that include gloves, socks, caps, rain ponchos and holiday cards that all need to be put inside 5000 backpacks (StreetPacks). And will then literally distribute them to over 40 agencies that serve the street communities, and go out into the Bay Area streets and shelters to distribute them one on one to homeless people.

Warm Wishes Art Project

Are you a teacher? Warm Wishes needs your help with a special project that will brighten up the lives of the homeless during the Holiday Season. This year, they will be handing out 5,000 backpacks filled with a pair of socks, a scarf, gloves, knit cap, and a rain poncho. Warm Wishes would love to include a holiday card from a local child to warm the heart of the recipient.
The card should say “Warm Wishes” and the FIRST NAME ONLY of the child who makes the card.

Please note: No glitter,  crayons or paint (or anything that will run or come off on  the clothing in the pack). 

Call for more information: 415-472-0211

Send your student’s cards to (or drop them off):

Warm Wishes/MarinLink
5800 Northgate Mall Ste250
San Rafael, CA 94901

Bocce Tournament Fundraiser

Every year Warm Wishes hold its Bocce Invitational fundraiser to benefit the Homeless Holiday Backpack Project.

Warm Wishes ask philanthropists for their support with a Bocce Ball Court Sponsorship and they as businesses to donate items for auction.

All proceeds are then used for the Warm Wishes Street Packs project.


For more information and to volunteer please call Warm Wishes at (415) 472-0211. Visit http://www.warmwishes.org/ .

Lotus Cusine of India got voted Best Indian Restaurant in Marin County by the Bohemian

The North Bay Bohemian is a weekly magazine with news, culture and reviews for Sonoma, Marin and Napa Counties.

In their Best of the North Bay 2012 poll, the Bohemian readers agree that Lotus Cuisine of India is THE BEST Indian Restaurant.

Congrats to Lotus Cuisine of India and thanks to all the Bohemian readers who voted for Lotus!


http://www.bohemian.com/northbay/best-of-2012-food-and-drink/BestOf?oid=2282669

Renaissance Marin is a nonprofit small business development center assisting Marin County small business

Renaissance Marin opened their offices in San Rafael in 2012. Renaissance Marin is a project of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center dedicated to starting & growing local small businesses.

Mission

The mission of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is to empower and increase the entrepreneurial capacities of socially and economically diverse women and men, and thereby strengthen our communities through the creation of sustainable new businesses, new jobs, and the promotion of financial self-sufficiency.

Launched in partnership with the Marin Community Foundation, Renaissance Marin provides critical access to training, resources and support services designed to help aspiring and established entrepreneurs achieve their dreams of small business success and financial independence.

Whether you are a retailer, designer, manufacturer, contractor or bookkeeper — in the startup or expansion phase — Renaissance Marin will provide you with the training, tools, resources and networks needed to create your own thriving business.

Located at 1115 Third Street in San Rafael, Renaissance Marin provides office space in our small business incubator as well as drop in co-working space.

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center

Launched in 1985, Renaissance has served tens of thousands of clients in a wide range of industries – from food, fashion and graphic design to education, technology and healthcare.

We offer small business training and resources at four locations:

• Renaissance SoMa, San Francisco (headquarters)
• Renaissance Bayview, San Francisco
• Renaissance Mid-Peninsula, East Palo Alto
• Renaissance Marin, San Rafael

SERVICES:

Classes & Workshops

Renaissance’s intensive business planning and introductory business classes will assist business owners in developing the marketing, finance, operations and management skills needed to write a comprehensive business plan and put you on your path to entrepreneurial success.

Advanced classes and workshops will hone your business skills. Both classes and workshops will give the opportunity to learn from successful small business owners, industry experts, graduates and your peers.

Business Incubator

Business Incubator provides both emerging and established small business owners with a vibrant and supportive community of peers and professionals.

They offer low cost office space, professional consultations tailored to business’ needs, conference rooms and building services to support the daily operations and growth.

Renaissance Marin’s building hosts 11 small businesses in a professional and supportive entrepreneurial community designed to help businesses grow and prosper. Tenants benefit from a full menu of amenities and services.

Consulting

At Renaissance Marin you will meet other business owners and industry experts who will guide, support and inspire entrepreneur in achieving their business goals.

Commercial Kitchen

Open Workspace

The Open Work Space is a collaborative community of entrepreneurs and those seeking a cross pollination of ideas to improve their concepts whether for business startups, community projects or personal development.

For more information about classes and business opportunity visit http://rencentermarin.org or call (415) 348-6300.

Go Native! Chef John Farais from indigenousedibles.com to appear at Guest Chef in Oakland from Oct 9 - 21, 2012.

Have you heard of Guest Chef? Guest Chef is a restaurant in Oakland that invites different chefs to cook there. Guest Chef will be featuring chef John Farais for two weeks from Oct 9 through 21 to introduce his very own native edible food menu.

John Farais is a Marin County chef, lecturer, and cooking instructor with a very unique passion. He is one of the few, if not the only, Bay Area chefs who specialize in the history, taste, and promotion of The Americas’ indigenous edible plants. John uses ingredients that are native to The Americas, both North and South America. 

Although his cooking incorporates American Indian techniques, it is not necessarily American Indian cuisine, nor is John a Native American. John's company is aptly called INDIGENOUS EDIBLES.

John taught himself the natural history of California Indians, ethno-botany and native anthropology before concentrating on indigenous ingredients as food and native cookbooks. It is his goal as a chef, to help diners rediscover our proud, ancient, history of native edibles. This approach has developed a cuisine that combines the historical natives with contemporary tastes, discovering a Real “California Cuisine”.

John has lectured for Slow Food, Oakland Museum, SFSU, College of Marin and California native Garden Foundation. 

John has also cooked for Carlo Petrini, the creator of Slow Food International, Actor Peter Coyote, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, and many private clients in Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, and San Jose.

John is a board member of the Museum of the American Indian, Slow Food USA, and Chef’s Collaborative. A portion of his proceeds will go to starting a foundation to help Native Americans regain their heritage food ways, through native plant agriculture, and teaching future generations how to grow, cook and eat whole foods.

Guest Chef is located at 5337 College Ave, Oakland, CA
telephone:  (510) 658-7378
website:  www.theguestchef.net
John Farais is online at www.indigenousedibles.com

CERT Advanced Training: October 13th - Refresher & Exercise - FREE‏

Are you CERT CERTified?

CERT is the Community Emergency Response Team. It consists of volunteers who assist the Fire Department and Emergency Response professionals in case of any major disasters. We encourage all our readers to take a CERT class and BE PREPARED!

If you are a CERT member in Marin County then this announcement is for you:

 

One of the most consistent comments that we receive after CERT Basic Training is that students would like more hands on exercises, especially in first aid and search & rescue. 

We are pleased to invite you to our third Marin County CERT Advanced Training for 2012, which will be held Saturday, October 13th, in   San Rafael from 9 am-3 pm. Our training will be held at the old McPhail School off San Pedro Rd., a great location for a simulated disaster!

The exercise will host fire department personnel, emergency management staff and CERT volunteers, who will conduct three refresher mini-sessions in the morning and two disaster simulations in the afternoon. Participants will be able to practice and review basic skills and work as teams during the simulations.

Please check out a brief description of the day, which we've included below. Advance registration is requested so we have enough staff for our exercises. We are limiting participation to 50 so sign up today!  There is a place for everyone in CERT and in this exercise.

 

Oct. 13, 2012 

9:00 am      Check-in and welcome

9:30-10:30   Disaster Medical Operations

10:30-10:40  Break

10:40-11:25  Search & Rescue

11:30- 11:55 CERT Organization (how to work as teams)

12:00-12:30  Lunch  Bring Your Own

12:50- 3:00  Simulations 1 & 2

2:45-3:00    debriefing & thank you's; check-out

Let us know if you'd like to volunteer to help on the day of the exercise.

 

We hope to see you on October 13th!

 

For more information or to register: 

415-485-3409

coordinator@marincountycert.org

www.marincountycert.org

Need a manufacturer & supplier of superior quality beef & chicken for the Philly Cheesesteak? Ask Liberty Bell Steak Co.!

Over 25 years old and going strong, Liberty Bell Steak Co. has been producing excellent quality beef chip steaks for what is widely known as the famous “Philly Cheesesteak”. Philly Cheesesteak is the favorite of millions of people, not only in Philadelphia but all over the US. Liberty Bell prides itself in offering “The  Real Authentic Philly Steak Sandwich Meat” for the meal that has become a Philadelphia institution.

People enjoy the true taste of Philly with Liberty Bell Steaks. Liberty Bell offers a variety of steaks of both beef as well as chicken, in a number of portion sizes and bulk packaging that will suit any customer’s menu. They do private labeling and can provide customized packaging for the customers.

Company History

Gus Pahides founder of Liberty Bell Steak was an independent food service distributor and looking to expand his family owned business. In 1986 he started Liberty Bell Steak Co. in order to better serve his customers with the best steak meat in the city. Today, Liberty Bell Steak Co. is headed by President and CEO John Vellios who has experienced continued growth and expansion over the years. Liberty Bell Steak Co. is recognized as an industry leader with distributors throughout the U.S and Canada.

Liberty Bell Steak Co. is a Federal USDA inspected facility that maintains the highest degree of quality control standards for their product.  The steaks are made from the choicest cuts of solid-muscle domestic steer beef.  They demand superior standards and consistency from the meat suppliers, with whom they have built strong and reliable relationships. It is their belief that business starts and ends with the customer and the success depends on meeting those needs best they can.

About Philly Cheesesteak

The foundation of their business is the flavorful sandwich steaks.  But when potential customers want to know what makes Liberty Bell Steak superior to the competitors, they promise these differentiators: 

• dependability and flexibility for the customers
• efficiency, proficiency, and rich Philly history
• NEVER compromise the quality

For a list and description of available Philly Cheesesteak refer to the Liberty Bell Steak product sheet and website at http://www.libertybellsteak.com or call tel. 215-537-1256.