To color and protect interior wood and furniture use high performance Brushing Wax from English Country Pine & Design.

Brushing Wax is the quick way to a completely natural wax finish. Simply brush on and buff off.

Based on customers’ demands, John Varney of English Country Design developed a revolutionary new high performance BRUSHING WAX finish.

English Country Pine & Design is a custom woodwork shop established in 1986 in Marin County, CA by John Varney, an English Craftsman and Designer with patience and an eye for detail.

English Country Pine & Design is woodwork green company. They use low-low VOC emissions for their water based products brushing wax.

Why Brushing Wax?

No worries!

No More Water Rings

Heat Resistance

Non-Yellowing

Sensuous Waxy Feel

UV Stabilized

Sheen of Wax

Ideal for Tabletops

Water Base

Easy To Use

Effortless Clean-Up

Low V.O.C.

Choice of Colors

Great Sealer for Faux Finishes

Works on Metal & Plaster

Water Resistant

Heat Resistant

 About John Varney and Brushing Wax

English craftsman, designer, John Varney has an eye for detail as a master of art. He runs English Country Pine for over 25 years. He has lectured for the A.S.I.D. on furniture design addressing how to incorporate modern technologies into a traditional design.

Originally the finishes would be in dark stains and varnished in an attempt to mimic the quality high end furnishings. That’s why he developed a revolutionary new high performance BRUSHING WAX finish. The quick way to a natural wax finishes enhancing the natural beauty of the wood.

To order Brushing Wax contact John@ 415-485-3800. http://brushingwax.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. 

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

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.

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. 

Custom Van and Truck Conversions by Gary Miller and Personalized Vans & Trucks. Shop located in San Jose, California

We only do conversions – so think Personalized when you think custom vans and trucks.

Owner Gary Miller is known with his satisfied customers for his trademark personalized service.

Maybe you would like some custom van upholstery? How about some running boards for your sprinter van? Or any other type of custom van interiors? Think of us when you think of custom van and truck conversions.

We only use the best accessories for our custom work.

We are a proud dealer for Flexsteel and LLEBROC van seats and other vehicle seating as well as Fiberine fiberglass tops.

Our fully-equipped custom van shop is centrally located near the International Airport in San Jose, CA. The shop is at the intersection of Highways 101 (Bay shore Freeway) and 880 (Nimitz freeway).

About Personalized Vans & Trucks

You say pleasure is your business?

How about a camping van with TV and VCR, sofa bed, A/C D/C refrigeration, dual battery system, a sunroof and few extra windows to enjoy the view?

A windsurfing van with raised fiberglass top may be more to your liking.

With a sleeping area… and your surfboard, of course!

A full line of accessories is available.

We custom build door panels, headliners and walls, and install carpet kits and running boards.

How about comfortable, easy-to-sit-in seats for your vehicle? We use Flexsteel pick-up, RV and van seats in our customization.

And we can’t forget the alarm to protect your gear or the stereo to keep you company, now, can we?

We also build and customize the not-so- out-of-the-ordinary trucks and vans. Also among our specialty:

Utility vans built for commercial work, loaded with metal shelving with partitions separating driver and passenger from the cargo area,

Sub flooring, rubber mats, and ladder racks to

Contractor’s trucks with storage boxes, metal racks and bed liners.

The Shop

Our Capabilities

With twenty-five years’ experience in building and personalizing vans and trucks, we have the capability to 

build everything!

From a mobile office, to a totally self- supporting dog grooming van complete with bathing facilities, to catering vans and much much more.

Services

Camper Vans

Custom Vans

Dog Transport and Grooming Vehicles

Kite boarding Vehicles

Mobile Service and Mobile Shop Trucks

Office Vehicles

Sport Vehicles

Sprinter Vans

Surfing Vehicles

We custom build vans and trucks

1.       Sprinter Vans

2.      Office Vehicles

3.      Mobile Service and Mobile Shop Trucks

4.      Surfing Vans

5.      Camper Vans

6.      Sport Vehicles

7.      Custom Vans

8.      Dog Transport and Grooming Vehicles

9.      You name it!

Accessories

Our Full Line of Accessories

TV

VCR

stereo

sofa bed

A/C D/C refrigeration

dual battery system

a sunroof

extra windows

bathing facilities

raised fiberglass top

sleeping area

alarm system

metal shelving

sub flooring

rubber mats

ladder racks

storage boxes

metal racks

bed liners

door panels

headliners and walls

carpet kits

running boards

comfortable Flexsteel seats

driver and cargo area partition

To know more about the services offered by Personalized Vans & Trucks please visit http://www.personalizedvans.com/ or call 408-436 8244 .

Retail Real Estate Consultant, Expansion Planning, Medical Retail Planning - Jeff Green Partners

Jeff Green Partners is a leading consultant in Retail Real Estate Feasibility, Retail Expansion Planning, Medical Retail Planning, Location Analysis and Commercial Land Use.

We provide market analysis and strategic planning and consulting services including:

● Shopping Center Feasibility

● Distressed Center Repositioning

● Retail Real Estate Planning and Investing

● Retail Market Research and Strategies

● Retail Expansion Planning

● Retail Strategies for Municipalities

● Medical Retail Planning

● Location Analysis

● Commercial Land Use

● Urban Redevelopment

● Retail Master Plans

A LEADER IN RETAIL REAL ESTATE FEASIBILITY

Jeff Green Partners was founded in May of 2004 in response to a growing demand for a new level of expert consulting services in the retail real estate marketplace. Led by President and CEO Jeff Green, Jeff Green Partners provides a full spectrum of analytical and interpretive services for property owners and developers.
Beyond feasibility studies and demographic profiles, the firm provides the kind of in-depth full spectrum analysis that generates critical context, penetrating insight and valuable strategic direction to many of the country’s leading retailers, commercial and retail real estate developers, and health care facilities. From project-specific guidance to long-term national expansion strategies, a wide range of national and regional retailers, property owners/managers/developers and medical practitioners look to Jeff Green Partners for the firm’s expertise and unparalleled knowledge of key retail markets nationwide to find out what is happening, what is going to happen, and how it will impact their businesses.

To succeed in today’s changing market, developers, retailers and medical practitioners all require more than just a consultant; they need a fresh perspective. They need a professional partner with the experience to make sound judgments, the vision to understand the broader perspective, and the keen insights needed to help them navigate the evolving complexities of a rapidly changing industry. For Jeff Green Partners, serving clients means providing them with the tools they need to achieve success in today’s competitive environment.

By providing in-depth analyses and comprehensive strategic support, Jeff Green Partners offers the vision; insight and adaptive innovations that helps them accomplish this goal.

A RANGE OF SERVICES

Jeff Green Partners provides comprehensive market analysis and strategic planning services, tailored to the specific needs of our clients.

Where appropriate, we emphasize close coordination and continuity with existing market research. We also have assisted many companies in establishing or expanding their research departments.

Our Services Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Shopping Center Research
• Location Analysis
• Consumer Profiling
• Tenant Mix Evaluation
• Distressed Center Repositioning and Redevelopment
• Assessing Center Viability Long-Term
• Marketing
• Expansion (or Contraction) Opportunities.

Retail Expansion Planning

• Site Feasibility Studies
• Customer Profiling
• Definition and Analysis of Trade Area
• Target Customer Profiling (Demographic and Psychographic)
• Competitive Review
• Determination of Expenditure Potential
• Sales Forecasting
• Cannibalization (Sister Store Impact) Analysis
• Prioritization of Expansion Opportunities
• Overall Strategies for New Market Entry or Existing Market Expansion
• New Store Format Development
• Image Analysis

• Urban Redevelopment

• Location Analysis
• Retail Master Plans for Downtowns
• Highest and Best Use Analysis
• Supportable Space Analysis
• Retail Void Analysis
• Tenant Mix Recommendations
• Adaptive Reuse
• Mixed Use Developments

• Retail Real Estate Planning and Investing

• Underwriting Retail and Real Estate Credits for Acquisitions Financing in the Public and Private Market
• Investment Strategies
• Asset and Securities Underwriting
• Liquidation of Assets
• Valuations
• Repositioning Retailers’ and Developers’ assets

• Litigation Support

• Market Analysis
• Market Research
• Retail Store Leasing
• Retail Marketing

• Medical Retail Planning

• Site Feasibility Studies
• Definition and Analysis of Trade Area
• Target Customer/Patient Profiling (Demographic and Psychographic)
• Competitive Review
• Sales Forecasting
• Image Analysis
• Overall Strategies for New Market Entry or Existing Market Expansion

• Hotel Feasibility

• Competitive Analysis
• Supportable Format
• Size and Amenity Recommendations
• Revenue Projections

• Office Space Research

• Analysis of Existing Market
• Existing and Historical Absorption
• Supportable Space Recommendations
• Analysis of Target Tenants
• Revenue Projections

• Single and Multi-Family Residential Feasibility

• Assessment of Existing Housing Stock
• Measurement of Supply and Turnover
• Analysis of Historical Absorption
• Analysis of the Demand for New Housing
• Supportable Residential Type (single-family, condominiums and/or apartments)
• Forecast Sales and Recommend Price Range, Amenities, etc.
• Project Absorption

• Training and Technical Support

Jeff Green Bio

Jeff Green is the owner and proprietor of Jeff Green Partners. Jeff has extensive consulting experience on a wide range of research projects ranging from feasibility studies for development projects across the US and internationally to sales projections for specific retailers. Mr. Green is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences sponsored by industry organizations such as the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the Food Marketing Institute and Urban Land Institute (ULI).

Mr. Green was President of Market Insite Group which specialized in developing web based tools to assist retailers and property owners in site and tenant selection. In addition, Mr. Green headed the professional services division for Market Insite Group providing feasibility studies for property owners and national expansion plans and sales forecasts for a wide range of national and regional retailers.

Mr. Green was also President and Owner of The Green Group which merged with Market Insite Group in 2001. The Green Group had a 35 year history of providing consulting services to retail, restaurant and entertainment tenants.

Mr. Green is a graduate of Michigan State University and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Food Marketing Institute, American Marketing Association, ULI, International Downtown Association and the Value Retail Association.

For more information visit http://www.jeffgreenpartners.com/ or call 602.795.8351 for appointment.