The 2023-24 Enjoy Mill Valley Guide Has Arrived – Time to Celebrate Our Amazing People, Places & Connections!

In recognition of the path we’ve traveled and the road ahead, we chose “connectivity” as the overarching theme of the 2023-24 Enjoy Mill Valley Guide that recently arrived on your doorstep and in your inbox. 
The Guide’s content emphasizes the bonds we developed, the lessons we learned, and, perhaps most importantly, the patterns we changed for the better, as many residents set aside the rat race commutes in favor of more time spent with family and friends in the 94941, engaging with our incredible restaurants, dynamite boutiques, nonprofit orgs and amazing service businesses.
The pandemic also inspired more collaboration among businesses and nonprofits – see our recent collaboration with Tam Junktion/Vintage Ruse to raise nearly $3,000 to support the Maui Food Bank after the horrific fires there.
We’ve all got plenty to share with one another – and we’re all stronger for those connections. The Guide takes a macro view of our connections to each other, to nature, to art, to joy and laughter and to vitality within Mill Valley’s breathtaking beauty. The incredible cover image from Mill Valley resident Bob Hemstock places you at one of the gateways to our community. Full Story.

Go Here For The Full 2023-24 Emv Guide.
(click on the images below to go individual pages)

Bob Hemstock, Whose Gorgeous Photo of the Downtown Clock Tower Graces the Cover of the Guide, Is Our Artwalk (Sept. 5, 5:30-7:30pm) Spotlight 
"Just like the iconic Clocktower on the Ferry Building in San Francisco, Mill Valley’s Clocktower is at the heart of the action then and now." 
Full Story.

Green Business Seminar Moved to Tuesday, Sept. 19, 12-1pm via Zoom. Register for Free Below
When it comes to sustainability, there's the carrot and the stick. The carrot is a series of cost-saving steps you can take for your business, while the stick is avoiding sustainability consequences – the Foodware Ordinance is now in effect and enforcement begins Nov. 10th. The free seminar features Green Business Coordinator Mark Chhabria and Danielle Staude, the City of MV's sustainability coordinator. Full Story. 
Register Here.
More Info.

Live Music Abounds!

Sound Summit Returns to Benefit Mt. Tam, Unveils Loaded Lineup Headlined by Lord Huron – Sept. 9
Founder Michael Nash produces the event as an annual celebration and fundraiser for Mt. Tam State Park by Roots & Branches Conservancy nonprofit. Sound Summit has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in support to Mount Tam. Full Story.

Get Your Groove On: Arts Commission’s Free Concerts in the Plaza Return – Sept. 9-10
While the buskers and the bands keep playin’ year-round, one of the most exciting live music events returns September 9-10 as the Arts Commission’s brings back the Concerts in the Plaza series with two full days of live music featuring an array of acclaimed local bands, as well as a few exciting special guests. Full Story.

Stay Ready: City of MV Unveils Emergency Preparedness Docs
This month, City officials unveiled a preparedness guide specifically for Emergency Preparedness Guide for Leaders, under the auspices of the County of Marin's Office of Emergency Management. You Can View And Print The Latest Guide Here. If you are interested in receiving more info about emergency preparedness and businesses/organizations, reach out to Michelle Terrell, Community Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected]. Full Story. 

In conjuction with the theme of preparedness, we're back at it again on Sept. 12 (5:30-7pm) with an EMV After Hours at City Hall. We'll once again learn more, both as businesses and individuals, about how best ways to prepare ourselves even if we are in a better spot this season (so far) because the historic rainfall has reduced fire danger. 26 Corte Madera Ave., 5:30-7pm. More Info.

A Mill Valley Week-Long Restaurant Rally Is Set for  Host a Sept. 10-17!
To celebrate downtown Mill Valley’s recent makeover, restaurants around the plaza are uniting to host a one-week Restaurant Rally. The promotion encourages diners to discover restaurants along the square and revisit their old favorites. Restaurants will offer diners a special 3-course prix fixe menu for $55 (September 10-17), as well as an $8 specialty cocktail to complement their meal. Full Story.

Co-Powered by MV Residents’ Firm, a 250-Unit Affordable Apt. Project Near San Quentin For Teachers & County Employees Moves Forward
The project, dubbed Oak Hill, aims to make a substantial dent in the dearth of housing, with a building of 115 affordable apartments for low-income and extremely low-income families. Full Story.

Seager Gray Gallery Shows Marin Sculptor Joe Brubaker’s Famously Whimsical Characters – Sept. 1-Oct. 1
Since his 1997 exhibition at Susan Cummins’ MV gallery, Brubaker sculptures have been populating collections from coast to coast. He's enjoyed an enviable exhibition history and remains ever fascinated with the creative process. Full Story.

Terrestra, the 30 Miller Ave. Shop Its Owners Described as a “Museum Store Without the Museum,” Moves to Sacramento
“Our webstore Terrestra.com features all our most popular designers and many more items than our Mill Valley store. We loved having our beautiful space in Mill Valley but most of our customers are now all over the country, and we need to focus on them equally.” Full Story.

Speaking of Live Music...

IJ’s Vicki Larson Laments Neighbor Complaints About Outdoor Live Music, Urges Cities to ‘Let the Bands Play On’
“Live music isn’t all that welcome anymore in recent years, at least outdoors, and I can’t help feeling we’ve lost something that made us “just a little out there,” as our county tourism gurus deemed us.” 
Full Story.

SF Bay Adventures’ Schooner Freda B Is Raring to Go for a Quartet of Labor Day Sails – 9/2-9/4
For more than a decade, Marina O’Neill has honored the adventurous spirit of her grandmother, Freda Marie Been, in thrilling fashion, naming the flagship boat of her Sausalito-based SF Bay Adventures – an 80-foot, gaff-rigged tall ship available for private tours for up to 49 people and public sails – the Schooner Freda B. “She was an amazing woman,” O’Neill says. Full Story.

Tom Zizzo Shows Paintings at Johanna Becker’s Moonstruck Fine Jewelry – First Tuesday Artwalk is Sept. 5th
Moonstruck is set to spotlight the work of Mill Valley artist Tom Zizzo (see image, at left) in September under the exhibit name, “Nature’s Dream.” The exhibit begins September 5 as part of the Mill Valley Arts Commission‘s monthly First Tuesday Artwalk, 5:30-7:30pm. Full Story.

Marin SBDC Unveils Fall Workshops for Your Biz

Social Media Strategy: Optimizing Your Efforts | Save time with a strategy and content calendar plus tips on how to best use keywords, captions and hashtags to get noticed in the sea of social media. Thur, Sept 7 | 12:00pm – 1:30pm I Register Here

Instagram, Threads & Reels |Learn how to promote yourself through your visuals. and what it takes to create an image or video that has impact, draw and pull to get followers. Wed, Sept 13 | 12:00pm – 1:30pm | Register Here

Storytelling Marketing Through Video And Image

Learn what it takes to create an image or video that has impact, draw and pull so that your clients want to connect and follow you on platforms. Tues, Sept 21 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Register Here

Digital Marketing Fundamentals

Learn the best channels for your business to increase your results and understand how to track data and build campaigns. Thurs, Sept 28 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Register Here

How To Leverage Ai For Better Digital Marketing Results

Learn how to integrate machine learning with tools to save time and develop targeted campaigns. Practical tips and strategies for leveraging AI tools to achieve better results.

Thur, Oct 19 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm; optional Q&A 1:00pm - 1:30pm | Register Here

Full Story.

Mill Valley Chamber Members With Storefronts! Our Print Version of the Enjoy Mill Valley Map is coming back this fall!
Hello Mill Valley members with storefronts! Our print version of the Enjoy Mill Valley Map is coming back this fall! As a Chamber member you’ll be listed free, but if you want to really stand out, you can opt for a 2”x2” logo ad. Reach thousands of residents and visitors--30,000 maps will be inserted in the December issue of Marin Magazine. Hurry, there are just 6 spaces left! Secure your spot by Sept. 5th by visiting  this link and select “Print Map Logo Ad.” Ads are only $750 for year-long exposure. Nonprofits, please contact Susan to receive a 10% discount. Need more info? Contact Susan at [email protected].

MTC Dives Into 2023-24 Season With ‘Odyssey,’ Written and Directed by Lisa Peterson – Runs Thru Sept. 24
Set in a present-day relocation center for refugees on the Isle of Lesbos, four young women fleeing conflict in Middle Eastern, North African, and Eastern European countries await the next step of their quest for home and family. Full Story.

Last Chance! Curtain Theatre in Old Mill Park With Shakespeare’s: ‘Romeo & Juliet’ – Sept. 2+3+4 (2pm) 
Having produced free theater in Old Mill Park for more than 20 years, and with performance dates that span Aug. 12+13, Aug. 19+20, Aug. 26+27 & Sept. 2+3+4. (all showtimes 2pm), it comes as no surprise that the theatrical juggernaut is the subject of a recent Mill Valley Historical Review piece.
 Full Story.

Free Movies in the Park Series Continues With ‘Monsters University’ – 9/8 at Old Mill Park @ Sundown
Ever since he was a kid monster, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) has dreamed of becoming a Scarer. To make his dream a reality, he enrolls at Monsters University. During his first semester, he meets Sulley (John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. Sulley and Mike engage in a fierce rivalry that ultimately gets them both kicked out of MU's elite Scare Program. To make things right, Mike and Sulley -- along with a bunch of misfit monsters -- will have to learn to work together. Here's The Trailer.

Marin Mag Unveils 2023 Best of County, And MV Businesses Can Bask in the Acclaim!!
In the words of the esteemed late rapper Heavy D, Bay Area residents and guests “Got Nuttin’ But Love” for Mill Valley’s shops, restaurants, galleries, arts organizations, service businesses and much, much more! Marin Magazine unveiled its countywide honorees earlier this month in Sausalito and Mill Valley was once again wildly successful in Marin Magazine’s 2023 Best of County issue. Full Story.

Mamahuhu Celebrates One Year in Mill Valley With a Giveaway of Asian Flavors of Dairy-Free Soft Serve – Sept. 16, 11:30am – 4pm
Customers who dine in, order takeout or even stop by to get to know Mamahuhu can enjoy the flavors and paper coloring at Mamahuhu’s kids’ table and more. Full Story.

Paseo: A California Bistro Toasts 75th Anniversary With Chef Sylvain Montassier’s $75 Prix Fixe Menu Thru 2023
They’ve also debuted Courtyard Jazz on Thursdays, inviting jazz lovers to a rhythm-filled night of delightful tunes and good vibes in Paseo Bistro’s courtyard every Thursday. Music starts between 5-6pm and goes for 2 hours. Full Story.

Bacchus Management Group Shuts Down Pizza Antica in Strawberry Village
Pizza Antica is shuttering its longtime Mill Valley location in the Strawberry Village outdoor mall, bringing that concept down to two locations in Santana Row and Lafayette. Full Story.

Attention MV Chamber Nonprofit Members: Here's Your Chance to Raise a Banner!
Your friends at the Mill Valley Chamber have the 17 banners along Miller Avenue for the month of December. We're excited to split the banners and the associated cost with another nonprofit Chamber member organization. Interested? 
Let Us Know Here.

MVFF, MVFAF Sponsorship Opportunities

Step into the Spotlight: Elevate Your Brand with MVFF46 Sponsorships! 
Lights, camera, sponsorship! Embrace the extraordinary opportunity to shine alongside national, regional, and community businesses as a valued sponsor of the highly-acclaimed MV Film Festival. MVFF46 (Oct 5-15) is calling for partners to join forces in an unforgettable cinematic celebration. Visit MVFF's Sponsorship page and email [email protected] to secure your place in the limelight. More Info.

Become a Sponsor of the Mill Valley Fall Arts Fest: Invest in Art, Invest in Your Brand
You are the heartbeat of our rich tradition of bringing art and culture to Mill Valley and we can't do it without your help. 
Don't miss this chance to get your brand on posters, programs, mvfaf.org, social media (4K+ followers) and on our next e-news blast (6800+ opt in subscribers). Get in touch today! More Info.

Step Up & Volunteer @ MVFAF!!
MVFAF organizers are also on the hunt for volunteers on Sept. 23-24 in the majestic redwoods of Old Mill Park. Join the team and help make this beloved festival a success (and ask your friends to help too!). Volunteers get free admission, t-shirt and the chance to interact and have fun in the sun with guests, artists and other volunteers. Go Here, follow the volunteer tab & Sign Up!

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts Hosts Singer/Songwriter Karen Drucker and Her Band for an Evening of ‘Positive Message Music’ – Sept. 10, 4-6pm
The latest edition of the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts’ mindset features award-winning singer/songwriter Karen Drucker and her band for an afternoon of original, fun-positive-message music, featuring songs from her 22 albums. Joining Drucker will be master musicians John Hoy on guitar, Andrew Higgens on bass and cello, and David Rokeach on drums. Full Story.

Indoff Biz Products Specialist Cliff Waldeck Expands Product Offering, Gets Tapped to Southern Marin Fire Board in Latest Public Service Role
While Waldeck continues to expand grow his business with Indoff, he remains deeply committed to his community and the betterment of the town. Full Story.

Whether You’re a Lifelong Muir Woods Visitor or a Brand Newbie, SFGate’s Got Your FAQs
With all the people and the need to plan ahead, is it worth visiting Muir Woods? YES, writes Kelly O’Mara in a special to Sfgate. Full Story.

Makers Market’s Open Air Markets Return to the MVLY – Sept. 9
The free markets, take place surrounded by the beautiful boutiques and eateries of ‘the Yard,’ offering a stroll around the gorgeous MVLY with great food and drinks from Watershed, Eddy Bar & Bottle, Millie’s Crepe et Creme and Flour Craft Bakery. Full Story.

Solstice Gallery to Show the Visual Art Work of Renowned Musician Daniel Lanois – Oct. 14 
“Lanois’ stunning imagery transports viewers through time and space,” says Julie Greene. “Taking a cue from nature and often overlooked details of everyday life, Daniel creates stimulating, thought-provoking images that tap into the deeper aspects of man’s relationship with himself and the world around him." Full Story.

Milley Awards Return on 10/22 to Honor a Quintet of Creatives
The Milley Awards for Creative Achievement are back! The in-person annual gala returns to the MV Community Center to honor those who have distinguished themselves in their creative field or have contributed to the MV creative life. The honorees include... Full Story.

Equity

SF Chronicle Digs Into City of Mill Valley’s Affordable Housing Efforts and Friends of Hauke Park’s Lawsuit That Cites ‘Continued Discrimination’ Against Residents in Eastern Part of Town

The San Francisco Chronicle is the most recent news organization to take notice, with reporter Emily Hoeven quoting Jenny Silva, a YIMBY watchdog and board chair for the Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative, as saying “it’s disingenuous to claim a fair housing violation when the area in question is 70% white and has a median household income of about $124,000. This is not a poor neighborhood by any stretch of the imagination.” Full Story.

Speaking of Equity: City, MVFREE and MVPD Continue With Anti-Bias Campaign, Showcase Bias-By-Proxy Video
MVFREE’s greatest work in recent months has been an anti-bias campaign involving educational flyers being mailed to homeowners containing three steps that teach white people how to curb the over-policing of Black people. Full Story & Video.

2023 MV Music Fest's In the Books!

The Mill Valley Chamber‘s Mill Valley Music Festival gathered upwards of 10,000 people across two amazing days to ingest arts and culture and community! We did that by bringing world-class music to our little hamlet. But…we welcome your feedback and we know we can do better. We are committed to the cause of making Mill Valley an exciting, engaging and equitable place to live in the coming years. Full Story.

Some of the best coverage we've seen so far. (Amazing photos by Jon Bauer)

Didn't Get Enough Of That Lineup?
Listen To The 2023 Mvmf Spotify Playlist Here.

MVMF Simply Does Not Happen Without Our Sponsors & Vendors – Please Continue To Support Them!!

More Info

Reminder: All requests for promotion must be made by Monday at 12pm for inclusion in that week's Friday Flash and EMV Blog. Thank you!. 
Questions? We're Happy To Chat.

Go Here For The Full 2023 Emv Guide.

Discounts Abound With the Chamber Saver Card for Businesses & Consumers!
Our Chamber Saver Discount program an easy, effective way to encourage our Chamber Members to support other Members, Shop Local and save money while doing so, is now 7 years old! It's this simple: Members offer other members discounts at whatever level they choose. Email us if you want to participate and offer a discount; email us if you have questions; and email us if you need a new card. More Info.

Curated News You Can Use

Curated News From Mill Valley & Beyond – Week of August 28
We hope you agree that we’re one of the best sources of news and information in Marin, a communications pipeline that directly connects to the broader 94941 and Bay Area via maps, magazines and the Enjoy Mill Valley Blog.
Full List Of Stories.

EMV Film Series

Our EMV Films series highlights some of the myriad creative businesses, organizations and people in Mill Valley. Thanks to filmmaker Norm Hunter and his team. To date, we've put the spotlight on historic family businesses, inspiring chefs, nightlife, MV Lumber Yard, health & wellness and the family-centric spaces of Miller Ave. – more to come!
Go Here To Check Out The Films We've Released To Date.

Wondering What Our
Members Think Of Our Work?
Watch This Video.

Member Spotlights
(click image for full story)

Monthly Membership Plans!
For your convenience, we offer monthly, subscription-style billing for our Mill Valley Chamber members through Stripe. Email us with questions, and let us know if you'd like to switch over to a monthly plan when you're up for renewal!

Sign Up for City's New MV Connect E-Newsletter
Looking to catch up on what's happening with the City of Mill Valley? The MV Connect e-newsletter has it all. Click here to sign up for it. If that doesn't satiate your thirst for City news, the E-Notification program has dozens of topics about which you can sign up to receive email blasts. Click here to read the latest edition. 

Click Here for more information about Mill Valley Chamber Of Commerce Newsletter - September 1, 2023