Short-Dogs Come Out and Play!
Sappho Dog Mom’s East Bay Short-Dog Playgroup happens this Saturday, May 16th, at Cesar Chavez Park. Small and Medium sized dogs are welcome. (Up to 35 pounds-ish.)
. 3rd Saturday of the month . 1-3 PM . Cesar Chavez Park (in the Berkeley Marina)
Come sit in the sun, share homemade dog treats, trade stories and show off our latest tricks.
Lesbians with and without dogs are welcome. Come join us!

SPECTRUM LGBT CENTER HOSTS FREE NETWORKING EVENT
Mixer at Integrated Design Studio in Mill Valley offers a unique meet-up opportunity for business and community members

Spectrum Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Center invites you to an evening of networking for businesses and community members at Integrated Design Studio (IDS), 219 Shoreline Drive, Mill Valley on Thursday, May 21, 6-8 PM.

Everyone is invited; there is no charge to participate. Food, wine, and a raffle will round out the festivities at IDS, which boasts a lovely outdoor garden patio perfectly suited for social events and special occasions.

Nick Tara, a Junior at Marin School of the Arts, will be performing acoustic music while guests mingle. Nick has been playing and writing since the 2nd grade. Currently, he is performing as a solo artist and is regularly featured at open mics and youth showcases around Marin.

“During these uncertain economic times, networking is important not just for businesses, but for the entire community,” says Paula Pilecki, Executive Director of Spectrum, the North Bay’s nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equality and justice for LGBT people. “Spectrum has contact with a particular market niche - LGBT people and the supportive community surrounding them - that makes this kind of networking event attractive to local business.”

Marketing surveys conducted over the past few years indicate that LGBT people prefer to do business with companies and brands that demonstrate support for the gay community. A 2007 survey conducted by market research firms Harris Interactive and Witeck-Combs Communications revealed that two-thirds of LGBT adults would be very or somewhat likely to remain loyal to a brand they believed to be very friendly and supportive to the gay community - even when less friendly companies may offer lower prices or be more convenient.
The 2007 survey concludes that LGBT people “remain loyal to companies that support causes that are important to them, and are highly motivated to learn about corporate social responsibility in all its forms. They are among consumers most motivated to vote with their dollars.” (HarrisInteractive.com)
Sponsored by Bank of Marin and Integrated Design Studio, the networking mixer will showcase at least two dozen businesses representing a diverse offering of services, from insurance to real estate to landscape design and improvement.
Participating businesses to date include: AAA - Larkspur; Anspach Financial Group; B2B Incentivz/ Ohmy Advisors; Bank of Marin; Balance & Zumba Marin; Bay Area Community Resources; The Business Writing Company; Don Kline Financial & Insurance Services; Finch’s Flowers; The Girls in the Vineyard; IHOP - San Rafael; Indulge Caterers; Integrated Design Studio; Irwin-Wells Associates; Jen Pennington, Pacific Union; Katharine Holland, Coldwell Banker; London Productions; Marin Country Day School; Marti Guerra, Alain Pinel Realtors; Mato Business Solutions; Marin Local Music; Mountain Biking Marin; Mountain Play Association; PG&E PrideNetwork; Paula Helene Beard Tax Practice; Robert Wintrode, Northwestern Mutual; Shepard Design Associates; Toyota Marin/Scion Marin; Union Bank of California - Kentfield; Virtual Simplicity; The Yardsquad
To participate in Spectrum’s networking event, contact Andre Morand at (415) 381-9500 or by email: andre@spectrumLGBTcenter.org.
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ABOUT SPECTRUM: Founded in 1982, Spectrum LGBT Center promotes acceptance, understanding, safety, and full inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. For more information, visit www.spectrumLGBTcenter.org.

FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:

WHAT: Spectrum’s Business and Community Networking Night
WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
WHERE: Integrated Design Studio, 219 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley
COST: Free
RSVP to Andre Morand, andre@spectrumLGBTcenter.org or (415) 381-9500. MORE INFO: www.spectrumLGBTcenter.org

Spectrum Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Center invites you to an evening of business and community networking at Integrated Design Studio (IDS), 219 Shoreline Drive, Mill Valley on Thursday, May 21, 6-8 PM. This is a free event open to the entire community. Food, wine, and a raffle will round out the festivities at IDS, which boasts a lovely outdoor garden patio perfectly suited for social events and special occasions. The networking event is sponsored by Bank of Marin and Integrated Design Studio. RSVP and more info: Andre Morand, (415) 381-9500; andre@spectrumLGBTcenter.org.