Regional Complementary Currency for the Bay Area

 What: You are invited learn about a regional complementary currency for the Bay Area

When: Thursday, November 21^st  2013

Time:  9:30 to 11:00~  Refreshments will be served

Where: MarinLink offices at Northgate Mall, 5800 Northgate Mall Ste 250,  San Rafael  (Mezzanine)

Cost:  FREE~ Space is limited~ Please RSVP to Nancy Boyce nancy@marinlink.org   415-472-0211

Bay Bucks is a barter-trade exchange and a complementary currency for the SF Bay Area. We help local businesses cut costs and increase revenue while building local resilience.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TbYMiFtlkI

What is Bay Bucks?

Bay Bucks is a regional currency that aims to foster economic justice and resilience in the greater Bay Area. It solves the problem of the lack of cash in communities, which causes a downward poverty spiral. It also democratizes money as it enables participating members to create Bay Bucks as and when they need it. The money each member creates is backed by their own goods and services. Bay Bucks is not convertible to US dollars. This means 100% of Bay Bucks re-circulates in the region to build local prosperity.

We launched in Jan 2013 in San Francisco, and already have more than 100 local businesses in our network. They include: medical doctor, jeweler, bookkeeper, organic fair trade coffee, web developer, baker, marketing consultant, caterer, holiday rentals, business signs, architect, and many more. Most of our members are in San Francisco and Santa Cruz.

Bay Bucks and Marin

We would like to roll out Bay Bucks to local businesses in Marin. Marin is critical to the success of a regional currency because it is the agricultural powerhouse in the Bay Area. In turn, we will be able to connect Marin based businesses to businesses in the greater Bay Area and help create a regional collaborative network.

Tree Service, Tree Removal, Landscaping by Sonoma Marin Arborists Inc

Got Green? Let Sonoma Marin Arborists Help You!

Established in 2007, Sonoma-Marin Arborists Inc. is a small, woman-owned, licensed tree and landscaping company offering certified arborist consultation, certified line clearance arborists, a licensed timber operator, CCO, and master green building professional service in the 6th year of their operation. With over 20 years experienced in the field, SMArborists explore green waste recovery and salvage opportunities while delivering quality, communication, & craftsmanship.

Sonoma-Marin Arborists Services:

*Licensed Tree Service

*Stump Removal

* Landscaping Contractor

* Tree Trimming

* Hazard tree assessment from trimming to total tree removal

* Certified Line Clearance Arborists

* Salvaged Redwood lumber for sale from saw logs

* Large-scale brush chipping with excavator

* Invasive species, tall grass, weed mowing & mastication

* Tractor & excavator work

* Hauling of wood & chips

*Certified Line Clearance Arborist

* Class A commercial trucking license & 65 foot rear mount bucket truck

* Crane services with Ad-Lite Crane & Precision Crane Services

* On-site wood milling available

* Tree mulching for overall health & vigor

* Firebreaks done in participation with local fire & fuel load specialists

* Overseeing spraying for SOD

* Tree assessment in conjunction with Consulting Arborists

* Safety pruning with regard to high target & traffic areas

* Fast response to storm emergencies

Trees and the land are integral parts of the ecosystems that SMArborists advocate for, but they also view them, in a much broader sense, as directly interconnected to our larger planet, as a whole.

The most exciting & rewarding part of SMA’s tree & landscaping projects is seeing the benefits of proper tree & land care, with regards to sustainability, aesthetics, & the multifaceted functionality of trees, plants, & earth, well placed. The Sonoma Marin Arborists are working for the Planet!

Proper tree care is necessary. It should be done by a licensed arborist. They are specialists in proper trimming of trees. Pruning or removal can be dangerous. We can help!

For tree service and landscaping contact Sonoma Marin Arborists Inc. at 415-455-8733. Visit www.SMArborists.com.

Going Mobile!

Was your small business or nonprofit website built before 2012? Back then mobile sites were not required for business.

This has changed in the last year. Over half of all internet searches are now done on mobile devices.

If your site does not respond to the size of the device screen or does not have a mobile version then it is time to upgrade!

There are several ways to get a mobile-friendly site, from a site with a responsive design to a separate quick-loading mobile-friendly version.

Please contact Kahl Consultants if you would like to learn more about your options and the costs.

Eliminate negative emotion; learn Emotional Intelligence through Warrior Mind-THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION

Eliminate negative emotion; learn Emotional Intelligence through Warrior Mind-THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION

A Warrior Mind is a book that gives advice on how to use the Mind-Body connection to get healthy. Learn about Emotional Health. Promoting health by eliminating negative emotions

Bill Hool, the writer of A Warrior Mind, is promoting good health through understanding the emotional component of illness. His belief is that only when negative emotions can be eliminated from an individuals mind-body can true health be realized. He says that although diet, exercise, and nutrition are important they are, as science is proving, all secondary to a positive mental attitude or BEING HAPPY.  In other words, the human body will always perform less effectively if one is emotionally drained by fear, shame, anger, or loneliness and no amount of physical activity or conditioning will truly compensate.

Bill is constantly searching the internet for the latest scientific studies that point up the importance of understanding how emotions impact our health and, when he finds them, he posts them under categories so that the reader can explore whichever negative emotion is pertinent to them. And, when he finds posts that give clues as to how to deal with those negative emotions, he posts those as well. He also lists the steps he has found helpful to him in eliminating negative emotions and he lists them under FOUR STEPS on the website.

THE BOOK: THE CASE FOR A WARRIOR MIND

Bill has written a book for his young son about all the things he wants his son to know that will probably not be gained from other sources – the things that schools and books may never provide – most especially about sex, drugs, addiction, old age, and being healthy.  He also presents his perspective on Alzheimer’s disease and why he believes it to be an emotionally caused disease that can, like all illnesses, be prevented by mindful awareness. The book can be downloaded free of charge from the website or ordered through Amazon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bill says his interest in the mind-body began when, at twenty years of age, he faced a life-threatening illness and came to realize the importance of emotions on health. Since that time he has made it his goal to promote the importance of understanding and eliminating negative emotions through mindful awareness. Bill has been, among other things, a police sergeant for 17 years, a registered nurse for 28 years, a small business owner for 23 years, and an elementary school teacher. He is presently employed by the City of San Francisco, Dept. of Public Health as an RN within Jail Medical Services. He lives in San Rafael, California and spends as much time as possible at a home in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia.

For more information on how to eliminate negative emotions and health promotion contact Bill Hool at 415 479 6079. Visithttp://www.awarriormind.com/

California Comfort Food for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Left Coast Depot in Old Town Novato.

California comfort food restaurant in Old Town Novato, Left Coast Depot hired Kahl Consultants for their web services.

Left Coast Depot is a casual Marin County eatery created by Chef Mike Garcia to celebrate California’s culture and the amazing resources for food, wine and beer right here in our backyard.

This California comfort food restaurant is a family-friendly dining establishment serving homemade food using local and fresh produce and featuring a bar with an assortment of specialty micro brews.

About

Chef Mike Garcia developed a menu utilizing as many local ingredients from our “Left Coast” as possible. Mike and his team prepare the food in a simple and approachable manner with a large enough menu to please all palates.

Mike was born and raised in the Bay Area growing up to work in and manage many San Francisco kitchens. Most recently he become the Executive Chef and co-founder of Toast restaurants in Mill Valley and Novato. His experience has brought him to this point of pleasing people daily with his approach to comfort food. He says, “There is no reason why an everyday restaurant can’t serve fresh, high quality cuisine.”

Left Coast Depot starts serving breakfast as early as 7:00am until 9:00. Show up the kid in you with different flavors of pancakes. Make it more appealing by adding chocolate chips, M & M’s, pecans, walnuts coconut and raisins. Lunch is served after 11:00am with homemade soup of the day and dinner starts at 4:30pm.

Left Coast does not take reservation, so a group of 6 or more is advised to call to accommodate.

Special Events

Left Coast Depot also offers catering. Chef and owner Michael (Mike) Garcia has extensive experience with catering stemming back from his experience at the historical Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

Mike Garcia has coordinated events ranging from sit-down dinners for 30 people all the way up to extravagant wedding buffets on Treasure Island for 850 people. Mike enjoys doing catering events. Let Mike do something unique and special for your event!

For catering services call Left Coast Depot at 415-897-7707. Visit http://leftcoastdepot.com/.

Turkish Ouds & Neys Oud Strings, Brass Gluepots and Hide Glue available at MusiCaravan

Master Luthier HANK LEVIN offers:

 

• Quality Ouds and other Middle-Eastern Instruments

• Hand-Made Ouds Strings

• Specially designed Luthier's Gluepots for instrument construction and repair

MusiCaravan sells high quality Turkish ouds (lutes) and neys (flutes), as well as offering professional repairs on these instruments, and concert quality strings for Turkish and Arabic ouds. We also sell brass gluepots for hot hide glue used by instrument makers and fine cabinet makers, as well as the hide glue itself, of the highest quality. Repairs are also offered on ouds, neys and bendirs.                                              

The Gluepot

With great pride, MusiCaravan  presents their exclusive hand-made Brass Luthier's gluepot---a craftsman's tool of heirloom quality!

    • Especially designed by a master luthier Hank Levin, to the exact requirements for heating the hide glue traditionally used by violin, lute and guitar makers, as well as for fine workers in wood inlay, decorative veneering and marquetry.

    • Hand-crafted of hammered brass, highly polished, with an ornate lid and brass wire handles---destined to be both an heirloom and centerpiece!

    • An Electric Gluepot Warmer is available separately, that keeps the glue workable at exact temperatures.

The finest specialty woodworkers have relied for centuries on the unique qualities of hot hide glue in their work. Even with the advent of modern epoxies, yellow glues and cyanoacrylates, hot hide glue's special properties and strength make it irreplaceable in instrument making and repair. Besides being an indispensable tool for the finest detailed woodwork, the exquisite highly ornamented appearance of this wonderful little gluepot ranks it as the finest choice of gift item for craftsman or non-craftsman alike. Hand crafted of hammered brass, highly polished, and fit with its precious ornate lid and delicate brass wire handles---in your workshop or on your coffee table, it is sure to provoke comment and conversation indeed, it looks almost too pretty to use. But make no mistake---the Traditional Brass Luthier's Gluepot is made to be used! Rugged and heavily built, it will be part of your family for many generations, a memorial to the honored craftsmen who used it. Weight: 1 lb. 5 oz. Packaged weight: 1 lb. 8.5 oz. Outer diam: 4" Height (with lid): 4" Height (without lid): 3.25" Capacity inner pot: 3 oz. Capacity of water jacket (outer pot): 18 oz.

Musical Instrument Strings

Arabic Style Oud Strings

Introducing the MusiCaravan new long-awaited Arabic String set, made with the same precision and high quality as our famous Turkish sets (described below). Approved by prominent makers and players, they are designed for standard Arabic tuning, from bass to treble, of C, E (or F), A, d, g, c', or slight variations thereof.

Turkish Style Oud Strings

Turkish Style Oud strings are made to exact specifications in collaboration with Oud virtuoso Üstad Necati Çelik [pronounced “Nejatee Chelik”], and MusiCaravan supplies him with these strings. Necati is considered by many to be the foremost classical Oud player in Turkey today.

These strings compare very favorably to Pyramids. The trebles are true and even, and the bass strings last many months without going out of tune with themselves. When I change strings, it is because they are literally wearing out, or have lost too much brilliance to perform with an ensemble---not because they are going out of tune. The only other strings I can say that of are the Pyramids, and they cost a lot more.

There are two different Turkish sets. One has a label bearing Necati Çelik’s name and is designed for the tuning that he prefers, from bass to treble: B (or C#), F#, b, e, a, d'. This tuning is preferred by most Turkish classical musicians today because of its increased range and versatility when transposition is necessary.

The other set is called the MusiCaravan set, and is for the tuning E, A, b, e, a, d. This is a very common traditional tuning, and is often considered the “standard” tuning in the United States. It is widely used by Armenian musicians.

The sets are identical except for the two bass strings. The two treble courses are high quality non-rectified nylon. The cost of either set is $19 US.

Ouds, Neys & Frame Drums

Inventory includes the finest Turkish ouds, neys and frame drums (bendirs and daires), specially selected by Hank Levin in Turkey. Hank's experience as both a maker and performer on all of these instruments insures that MusiCaravan sells only the finest quality instruments in perfect adjustment. Help and advice in maintaining your instrument, as well as limited instruction, are also available.

About Hank

MusiCaravan.com is the manifestation of Hank Levin's lifelong passion with World Music, its various musical instruments, and their manufacturer.

Hank Levin originally played classical guitar and lute, and later studied Middle Eastern rhythms and modes (makam) on oud with Maestro Necati Celik, and ney with maestro Sadreddin Ozçemi. Hank's repertoire includes Turkish, Armenian, Azerbaijanian, Persian, Sephardic, Arabic and Greek pieces. He also plays various percussion instruments. He has made numerous presentations at colleges, at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, and on Pacifica Radio (KPFA). He has appeared with renowned Persian vocalist Ustad Naser Masoudi, with the Latif Bolat Sufi Ensemble, and with Persian santurist Ustad Asghar Azarvand, and with Turkish maestros Oudi Necati Çelik and Kanunji Halil Karaduman. Hank is the director of the Turkish Classical Music Ensemble of San Francisco.

 

Order Ouds, Oud Strings, Frame Drums, Neys, Gluepots and Glue online at http://musicaravan.com, or call MusiCaravan at 1-800-799-3733.

 

San Francisco Bay, Marin wetlands get international designation aimed at protection

The San Francisco Bay estuary and many associated wetlands in Marin have been added to a list of protected areas under a 1971 international treaty among 163 countries meant to limit damaging development along ecologically important waterways.

Ramsar Convention officials on Friday announced the U.S. government had added the bay as the nation's 35th "wetland of importance" under the treaty. The designation takes effect Saturday, World Wetlands Day.

While the designation will not result in new legally-binding protections for wildlife and habitat in the bay, it does focus international pressure on agencies to step up conservation efforts and may lead to additional funding for wetland restoration. The designation also means the country is committed to not promoting projects that alter designated ecosystems.

"This designation should be a point of pride for anyone living in the larger San Francisco Bay Area," said Beth Huning, coordinator of the Marin-based San Francisco Bay Joint Venture. "Despite intense urban pressures, San Francisco Bay nonetheless endures as one of our country's great natural treasures."

There are a number of waterways and wetlands in Marin that are part of the designation: Richardson Bay, Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Reserve, Marin Islands, Petaluma Marsh (which includes Bahia), Angel Island, China Camp, parts of Olampali, Bel Marin Keys, Simmons Slough, Tiscornia Marsh, Triangle Marsh, San Rafael tidelands, Beach

Park, Gallinas Marsh, Pickleweed Park and a number of other smaller sites.

San Francisco Bay is the largest estuary — about 400,000 acres — on the Pacific Coast and it is widely recognized as one of North America's most ecologically important estuaries. It accounts for 77 percent of California's remaining wetlands, providing key habitat for a broad suite of flora and fauna — over 1,000 species of animals, including native and conservation status species, including wintering shorebirds.

It also provides a range of ecological services such as flood protection, water quality maintenance, nutrient filtration and cycling, and carbon sequestration.

Melissa Pitkin, spokeswoman for PRBO Conservation Science — the former Point Reyes Bird Observatory — said decades of research led to this designation.

In 1998 the Bolinas Lagoon was given a similar designation. That body of water is home to 23 rare, threatened and endangered species and 50,000 migratory birds that come though every year.

"It is a great day for the bay and a gesture of promise for its future protection," Hunning said of the designation of San Francisco Bay. "We have entered an era of restoration, a renaissance of the bay."

http://www.marinij.com/ci_22502765/san-francisco-bay-marin-wetlands-get-inter...