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Community Corner

BioMarin Exec to Be Honored at Spirit of Marin Awards

Annual luncheon hosted by Bank of Marin recognizes philanthropic leadership and volunteerism of Marin business leaders. Other businesses featured: SolarCraft, Birkenstock, Premiere Networking Group, Solvatech, & Moylan's Brewery & Restaurant.

Mark Wood, vice president of human resources and corporate affairs at BioMarin in Bel Marin Keys, will be one of Marin County’s 12 chambers of commerce honorees at the 18th annual Spirit of Marin Awards luncheon hosted by on Sept. 23 at the St. Vincent’s School for Boys in San Rafael. 

The awards luncheon recognizes the philanthropic leadership and volunteerism of Marin business leaders. Keynote speakers at the event include David Coon, superintendent and president of ,  and Mary Marcy, president of Dominican Univeristy of California

Luncheon tickets are $50 per person if reserved before Sept. 16.  For more information, go to Bank of Marin Spirit Awards Luncheon.

SolarCraft Announces Rebate

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Novato-based SolarCraft announced the reinstatement of the Marin County Solar Energy Rebate Program for solar energy system purchases made by residents and businesses in unincorporated areas of Marin County, as reported in a North Bay Business Journal article.

The goal of the program is lower energy bills and promote sustainable energy sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The qualifying systems include: photovoltaic systems, $500 rebate; solar domestic hot water heater, $300 rebate; and solar pool heater, $200 rebate.

Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Birkenstock Chases Runners Market

Competitor Magazine’s executive editor Somyr McLean Perry recently interviewed Shelly Glasgow, director of product development and merchandising at Birkenstock, about the company’s marketing campaign to educate runners on the benefits of the iconic “hippie” sandal with its contoured cork footbeds for post-run recovery.

Glasgow said the company is actively positioning the product by attending running events and marathons across the country.

To read the interview in full on Competitor's online site, click here.

Premiere Networking Group

Founded nine years ago by Roberta DiPrete of Century 21 Real Estate, Premiere Networking Group meets every Wednesdays from 7:15 – 8:30 a.m. at the Novato to share referrals and promote each other’s products and services.

Membership is limited to one company per industry category and members are chosen based on reputation and reliability. The group is seeking members in open categories who “approach their business with passion and integrity.”  For more information, check their website at www.PNGnovato.com.

Local Website Company Mentors MSA Students

Solvatech, a Novato web-based communications company has partnered with students from the at Novato High School to create unique website and marketing materials to help the business community.

The company has formed a mentoring program that allows MSA students to design artwork for logos, marketing materials and website homepages.

Sahir Khan, a digital artist and alumnus of MSA joined the mentoring program with Solvatech and said he’s learned to look at web development differently since joining the program.

“I’ve even been able to improve my own portfolio significantly,” said Khan in a news release.

Susan and Martin Fisher formed Solvatech in January 2010 and have worked with local companies including Al Karaama Massage, Full Spectrum Fitness and Coffee Adventures to not only build websites but help link their clients with fundraising opportunities that support the students at the Marin School of the Arts.

Belated Birthday Wishes to Moylan’s

Moylan’s Brewery & Restaurant celebrated 16 years in business on Aug. 24. Looking at the old press from 1993, when project first went before Novato’s planning commission, it seems hard to believe that it faced opposition from those who considered the pub a “danger to the youth of Novato.”

Today, the family-friendly restaurant serves non-alcoholic beverages alongside their award-winning ale and is a convenient stop for dinner before a movie across the street at the theater. Owner Brendan Moylan has also been a generous community sponsor of events such as the Hamilton Hometown Festival, the Novato Festival of Art, Wine and Music, Novato Theater restoration fundraisers and all sorts of nonprofit events. Congrats to the team at Moylan’s.

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