From: Bruce Forrester
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2023 3:14 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: I support the West End Block Party with live, amplified music.
Hello,
I am writing to the San Rafael City Council to give my strong support for amplified, live music for the West End Block Party for the dates and times requested by the applicant. I wish that I could attend the 7/17/23 meeting in person to express my support. I am a property owner in San Rafael's West End district. I personally enjoy the music and mellow and happy atmosphere that the block party provides. Having a vibrant downtown with live entertainment is a benefit to my tenants and increases my property values. Downtown San Rafael needs this music and nightlife!
Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully yours,
Bruce Forrester
owner San Rafael
From: Dan Gabel
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2023 12:51 PM
To: Micah Hinkle <[email protected]>
Cc: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Re: City of San Rafael - San Rafael City Council - West End Block Party Agenda Item for July 17, 2023
Hi Micah,
Thank you for this update. I want to be on the record as a homeowner just a half-block from the event site (I'm at and the only resident owner on my block). I fully support the West End Block Party series because I see how it has built a sense of community here in the West End, and how it has business effects as well. I have lived in this location since 1996, and I've seen the West End go through ups and downs, with businesses struggling to make it and then the more recent surge of new life in the West End. It is healthy for downtown San Rafael to bring people in for a positive experience, and the music events here always have that feeling. I realize there are a few folks who have concerns, but the big picture is one of building community and business here, which is good for San Rafael as a whole.
It is also true that most of the other surrounding Marin communities have outdoor music series that bring people to their downtowns. San Anselmo, Fairfax, Terra Linda, Corte Madera. San Rafael should be among the cities that are supporting downtown businesses by bringing folks to the area.
And finally, I'll say that I run a music-related business (Peghead Nation), and we teach thousands of people to play musical instruments online. The benefits of music go far beyond the business impacts on a community. Music does connect people in a deeper way, it forges connections that folks call on to celebrate, mourn, educate, and engage. It stimulates learning in kids. It does all the things that we claim to want to infuse in our local communities. Having people experience live music does all of this, too, and it is good for San Rafael.
Thanks so much for your time and efforts. Take care,
Dan
Dan Gabel | Co-Founder and President | Peghead Nation