HAPPY Holidays, Everyone !!
I first want to wish everyone a happy and prosperous Holiday Season!!
MUMC’s year-end 2011 Holiday Promotions are all set, thanks especially to our generous Holiday Donors and to the support of all current-year MUMC Members. MUMC’s 28-foot Holiday Tree is up in the Bank of America Plaza at 18th & Castro, our bright red bows greet everyone driving and walking along Upper Market Street - on the median palm trees between Octavia Blvd. and Castro Street - and the Imperial Court plans gift wrapping and caroling in the neighborhood as a fundraiser on Monday, November 28 from 4-9:00pm, and on Sunday, December 18 from 1-7:00pm, both at Jane Warner Plaza (at Castro-Market-17th Streets). Also, check out MUMC’s big “Thank You, Holiday Donors” Banner that goes up on the side of Bank of America Saturday the 26th. Then join the crowds for the official kickoff at MUMC’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony this Monday evening, November 28 at 6:00pm in front of the Tree at BofA Plaza, 18th & Castro. Donna Sachet will emcee a brief, fun-packed program featuring carols and music of the Season, greetings from City Hall dignitaries, a blessing of the Tree by The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and the exciting arrival of Santa and his Elf, just in time to officially light the Tree. We’ll urge the crowd to “Shop, Eat, Drink and Stay in The Castro” Monday evening and throughout the Holiday Season. We hope all MUMC Members and other merchants will stay open late and offer specials that evening, and extend a special, friendly WELCOME to everyone who makes The Castro their “Home for the Holidays” this Season.
Several of the music groups that will be at our Tree Lighting have special concerts and events during the Holidays, to help you keep the cheer flowing. Check out programs by the Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band at www.SFLGFB.org, the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco at www.LGCSF.org, the S.F. Gay Men’s Chorus at www.SFGMC.org and music and other events at the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) at www.MCCSF.org.
Join our community on Thursday, December 1 when we pause to commemorate World AIDS Day. In addition to special gatherings at several locations, “30AIDS,” a coalition of 16 leading HIV/AIDS organizations in San Francisco, is coordinating “Paint the Castro RED” - see more information at www.30AIDS.org. MUMC will note the day by flying a special red ribbon atop the Rainbow Flag at Harvey Milk Plaza.
As 2011 comes to a close, we have had a very active year in the neighborhood. MUMC – over 250 current Members strong! - continues as one of San Francisco’s largest, most-respected, and most-influential neighborhood business groups. Negotiations or actual construction are moving several area storefronts closer to new occupants. We welcomed many new businesses this year, which have added breadth and depth to our food, fashion and overall shopping offerings, including A & M Merch, Alex Fitness, Canela, Criolla Kitchen, Fiat Lux, The Good Feet Store, MAAS & Stacks, Mollie Stone’s Castro Market, Soup Freaks, and Sui Generis Illa. As we move into 2012, I am confident that this trend will continue.
MUMC’s Members Meeting this coming Thursday, December 1 at 9:00am at EVRC will be our last Meeting of the year. Remember that we then take a January hiatus, so the next Members Meeting after this week will be on February 2. At the December 1 Meeting, we’ll hear from two businesses planning changes or a new location on Upper Market. It’s also your chance to get the new yellow MPC-25 “No Trespassing” posters which are required starting January 1 for the first half of 2012. MPC-25’s also will be available at AutoErotica (4077-A 18th Street near Castro), Sterling Bank (2122 Market near Church), P O Plus (584 Castro near 19th Street), and S.F.P.D.’s Mission Station at 17th and Valencia Streets. See the full Agenda for the December 1 Meeting in the Blog Post on MUMC’s website at www.CastroMerchants.com.
In closing for this year, I want again wish everyone a happy and prosperous Holiday Season and best wishes for a successful 2012!!
THANK YOU for supporting MUMC! - Steve
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