Like all of Mill Valley's landmark events, Winterfest, the 94941's annual holiday celebration, will look a little bit different in 2020.

But much like our friends at the Mill Valley Film Festival, Marin Theatre Company, MV Memorial Day Parade and, well, every business and nonprofit organization in town, the COVID-19 crisis has made 2020 the year of the pivot. Through these months of #MaskUp and social distancing, we know the community has a pent-up desire for fun and creative inspiration – more than ever.

With that in mind, Winterfest is indeed happening in 2020!

In lieu of the event's usual "live" slate – rides down a massive slide, a visit from Santa, a full day of live entertainment and music, children's activities, amazing local food and Tree and Menorah Lighting ceremonies – this year will be both virtual and dispersed.

The festivities kick off Nov. 27 with the Winterfest Holiday Hunt, a three-week, scavenger hunt-style contest at more than 40 businesses throughout Mill Valley. The contest centers around Silver Stars, which business owners will place in storefront windows or inside their businesses. Kids accompanied by a parent will take photos of silver stars, as selfies in front of the stars they choose, in at least eight participating businesses, including some amazing local restaurants and retail shops.

The Holiday Hunt kicks off Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 18. Holiday Hunters who find at least eight stars will be entered into a raffle contest for one of 20 $40 gift cards.

Rules for entry:
1. Kids, accompanied by a parent, must go to at least eight participating businesses and take photos of silver stars, as selfies in front of the stars if they choose.
2. Email a minimum of eight photos as attachments to info@millvalley.org. Include the name, age and telephone # in the body of the email.
3. One gift card awarded per raffle winner.
4. The participant who takes and submits photos of the most silver stars at businesses around town will win one of the gift cards without being placed in the raffle.

Look for a series of clues about participating businesses for Holiday Hunters on the EMV Blog on Nov. 27.

The other half of this COVID-friendly Winterfest is a film that highlights the spirit of this landmark event, featuring local arts organizations, a pre-recorded tree lighting and, of course, appearances by Santa Claus at locations around town, including the Mill Valley Fire Department, as seen above. Marin filmmaker Norm Hunter, who has spearheaded our ongoing EMV Films series highlighting some of the myriad creative businesses, organizations and people in Mill Valley, is helming the Winterfest film.

We'll be debuting this Winterfest film on the EMV Blog via YouTube on Sunday, Dec. 6, the usual arrival of Winterfest.

Perhaps the most important part: ​While kids and their parents scurry around town looking for the Silver Stars, we hope they'll do plenty of #ShopMV holiday buying!

Questions? Email us at info@millvalley.org.

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There simply hasn't been a more critically important public servant in Marin than Dr. Matt Willis over the past year, as Marin County's public health officer has steered us through an unbelievable year of medical and economic turbulence, from a rollercoaster of COVID-19 data to the decisions governing the reopening of the economy.

At a virtual Outdoor Art Club event over Zoom on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 1pm, Willis will speak to what Marin is doing to mitigate the virus’s impact, the status of antibody testing, and progress in vaccine development. A victim of COVID himself, he will also focus on the lessons we can learn from the pandemic and how we can prepare for future outbreaks. GO HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT.

One day earlier, on Wednesday, November 18 (11am-3pm), the OAC hosts its semi-annual Community Blood Drive. Anyone over 18, in good health, and weighing over 110 pounds can donate blood. NOTE: All social distancing and safety protocols mandated by Marin County will be observed. GO HERE to sign up for an appointment  or contact Carol Werschky at 415-302-2854. The blood drive is held in conjunction with non-profit Vitalant, formerly known as the Blood Centers of the Pacific.

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In a year in which the COVID-19 crisis has forced a Cirque du Soleil-level of flexibility upon arts organizations, the Marin Theatre Company has been at the forefront of adaptability, unveiling its 54th season's slate of productions last month that span a lineup of creative productions via Zoom and – fingers crossed – in person productions by late 2021. 

“Our team of artists have put in an enormous amount of dreaming, research and theorizing to create a season that launches with three thrilling productions in the digital and virtual realms,” MTC Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis said in unveiling the slate. “I am so proud of the effort that everyone has made to think outside the box, inside the box, through the box and down the rabbit hole to create pieces with visionary formats that match their unique voices and stories."

The first play of the new season is American Dreams, a digital co-production with the Working Theater, by Lebanese American playwright and actor Leila Buck. Directed by Tamilla Woodard, the play, live via Zoom, is an interactive game show in which the audience helps to decide who wins citizenship to the U.S. The participatory play seeks to define online theater and changes every night while exploring "how we navigate between fear, security, and freedom; who and what we choose to believe—and how those choices come to shape who we are as citizens, and as a nation."

Buck, who also co-stars as one of the game show hosts along with Jens Rasmussen, has created "a tone (that) is doggedly upbeat, with bombastic music" and "hopeful contestants all eager and pleasant and just plain nice," writes Marin Independent Journal Theater Critic Sam Hurwitt. "It’s apparent that there’s no good reason why all three shouldn’t be fine candidates for citizenship, were it not for the fact that all three represent nationalities that the current administration has targeted as people that it wants less of.

Hurwitt writes that director Tamilla Woodard and video designer Katherine Freer have created "a slick production but not too slick, with enough roughness around the edges to produce a nagging undercurrent of unease. Created amid a political environment in which anti-immigrant hysteria is continually whipped up from the highest levels of government, a play like this is guaranteed to take a grim turn eventually."

"It’s a thoroughly engaging play that pays tribute to the ideals that attract so many to this country while also reminding us how far short of those ideals we sometimes fall in the name of somehow “protecting” ourselves from new arrivals who want only to be Americans, too," he adds. 

The 411: American Dreams opens Nov. 10 and runs online via Zoom through Nov. 15. Tix $25-$30. MORE INFO & TIX. 

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UPDATE 11.12.20: Hohoho, Santa Claus is coming to town, and has already been spotted around town, most recently on a visit to Tony’s Shoe Repair to get his boots, belt and buckle polished to shine bright for the Holidays. Santa will mostly be coming to you virtually this year, enabling us to see each other joyously and safely. For pre-registration for virtual personal meetings with Santa and socially distant events, email hohoho@santaclausvirtual.com.

In the coming weeks, children throughout Mill Valley and Marin will be making their holiday gift lists.

But in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, how will they get them to the portly, jolly, white-bearded fellow? 

Mill Valley's Santa, aka longtime local resident Ken Brooks, has it all figured it out. Brooks is offering virtual meet and greets with Santa Claus via Zoom.

"We all need something to wish for!" Santa told the EMV Blog. "It has been a very, very adventurous ride this year, and – responsibly,  safely and personally – we want to be there to celebrate the Holidays together with you in style, with optimism, gratitude and joy. That is why this year Santa will be coming to you virtually."

Santa has been spotted in town this week for a “sharp-stop” at the Shavery Barbershop on East Blithedale Ave., and Rudolph was seen around town as well in the Depot this past Halloween.

"Starting on Thanksgiving, you can schedule your virtual meet + greet with Santa for the Holiday Season to come to your home, office or social distance safe event," Santa says. "For more information, and pre-booking requests for both live and virtual distance events, email us at Santa@SantaClausVirtual.com."

Santa will be launching a website in the coming weeks – stay tuned.

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After launching Terra Marin Micro-Schools in August and drawing media coverage from the likes of NBC Bay Area and the Marin Independent Journal for its use of 12-student cohorts that visited  locations throughout the Bay Area and conducted school in nature five days a week, Terra  Marin Schools, Wendy Xa continues to innovate through the COVID-19 crisis.

Xa, who opened Terra Marin School and the Terra Mandarin Preschool in late 2018 in the former Ring Mountain Day School space on Lomita Drive in Mill Valley, says Terra Marin received its waiver from the state giving the schools its blessing to open under its extensive safety plan.

Xa says Terra Marin now has all of its students back on campus preschool through 8th grade and "we are operating successfully with new safety guidelines and protocols for all including parents when they are off campus." Terra Marin has rolling admissions so they are accepting applications for both the current school year and the 2021-22 school year.

Xa says they offer three distinct programs for ages Preschool-8th grade, including a Mandarin Immersion Preschool & TK, an on campus progressive K-8 program and our completely outdoor in nature K-5th grade Micro-School.

With that in mind, Terra Marin Schools are hosting Open Houses Nov. 14, Nov. 15 and Dec. 6:

• Terra Mandarin Preschool & TK - November 15 or December 6 at 9:30am
• Terra Marin K-8 - November 15 or December 6 at 1:30pm
• Terra Marin Micro-School K-5 - November 14 at 9am

If you are interested in the Outdoor Micro-School or can not make the scheduled Open Houses, inquire about a tour at admissions@terramarin.org; 415-906-2220.

"The events will be virtual, interactive and fun, with "the goal of truly giving the parents and their children a feel for the programs and why they are so unique.”  Xa says. The open houses for each of the above dates are set for:

RSVP at terramarin.org or call 415-906-2220

MORE INFO & REGISTER.

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As part of our EMV Films series highlighting some of the myriad creative businesses, organizations and people in Mill Valley, we're spotlighting the family-centric businesses of Miller Avenue, including Tam Bikes, Super Duper Burger and Tamalpie. Sponsored by Redwood Credit Union, this series will be highlighting more businesses, nonprofits and arts organizations throughout 2020 and beyond!

The City of Mill Valley's 18-month, $18 million Miller Avenue Streetscape Project was a beast of a project, a once-in-generation re-imagining of approximately two miles of one of Mill Valley’s two main arteries and far and away the biggest road improvement project the City had undertaken in decades. It was a long slog for City staff and its contractors, a major impact for businesses along the corridor and an inconvenience for the community.

But in the end, Miller Avenue is a massively more vibrant street, much safer for all of its users with continuous bike lanes, improved sidewalks, enhanced crosswalks, and new pavement, storm drains, sewer pipes and much more – all while retaining and even enhancing Miller Avenue’s distinct character.

Two years after its completion, Miller Avenue is teeming with multi-modal users, from families riding bicycles up and down the street – with regular stops at Tam Bikes – to pedestrians from adjacent neighborhoods walking to dinner at places like Super Duper Burger and Tamalpie. Sponsored by Redwood Credit Union, this series will be highlighting more businesses, nonprofits and arts organizations throughout 2020 and beyond!

Watch the film below. ​Video by Summertime Films, commissioned by the Mill Valley Chamber. Thanks to Norm Hunter and his team and to Wilson Tengnguyen and his team at Redwood Credit Union for their sponsorship.

Many more films to come showcasing the boundless innovation, community vitality and entrepreneurial spirit of Mill Valley!

Here are some of the previous videos from our Enjoy Mill Valley Film Series:

Health & Wellness

Mill Valley's Foundational, Historic Businesses

Inspired Chefs

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What a $&#&%^* of a year.

That's the word from the folks at Equator Coffees at Proof Lab, and to show their gratitude to their diehard supporters through a year that seen one too many major calamities to contend with, they're throwing a Customer Appreciation Day on Friday, Oct. 30. ​

"We have been so appreciative of our customers in Marin, and especially Mill Valley," Equator co-founder Helen Russell says. "Equator Proof Lab will be giving out Johnny Doughnut holes for the first 150 customers who come by in appreciation for all their support during COVID-19."

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Forty-two days after Marin County came out of a herky-jerky appeals process with the California Department of Public Health and moved into the red tier 2, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services officials said Tuesday that CDPH has moved Marin into the the statewide Blueprint for a Safer Economy COVID-19 framework's less restrictive orange tier, effective immediately.

To do so, Marin continued to show fewer daily cases, a reduction in the proportion of positive tests among those who are tested, and progress in addressing the county’s lowest-income communities factored. Marin’s high rate of testing combined with a measured approach to reopening has contributed to the orange status achievement, Marin County Health officials said in a statement. 

“We’ve all made sacrifices to get in front of this pandemic in Marin,” Marin Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis said. “This progress is a sign of what we can do. But it is way too early to let up. Just last week, Marin reached 100 COVID-19 deaths. It’s important to rethink the traditions to gather during the holidays, especially as flu season arrives. Our collective actions over the next few weeks will decide if we can retain this level of reopening.”

As a result of the move into the orange tier, several business sectors are able to increase their indoor density, particularly retail, restaurants and fitness facilities. Here's a breakdown of the improved conditions for businesses in the orange tier. The change with perhaps the biggest economic impact might be that offices can now open, with modifications. According to a Marketing Charts report, office workers spend $200/week on local purchases in the office neighborhood.

Mill Valley business owners said they were heartened by the continued progress after a summer of some backsliding through the reopening process, but they emphasized the need for continued diligence and a heightened awareness that increased indoor density only matters if consumer confidence rises.

Tim Fleming, managing partner and exercise physiologist at Endurance Performance Training Centers, has had a seemingly eternal wait to get to just 25 percent density. Fitness facilities have been one of the slowest moving sectors through the county and statewide COVID-19 reopening frameworks, and thus among hardest hit financially. In July, Fleming and his team laid the groundwork to open outdoor eCycling and personal training in approximately 4,000 square feet of parking lot across the street from Endurance on Madrona Street, and did just that on Aug, 15, the first day they were allowed to do so.

"We've been extremely grateful to have a flexible and supportive landlord who has allowed us to use the parking lot, and we've been able to lean on 16 years of goodwill in this community," Fleming says. 

Fleming says the move to be able to use 25 percent of Endurance's 3,800 square feet indoors is great. "We can open up three of the six services we provide with confidence – it's exciting. But we have plenty of clients who will continued taking remote classes – the real turning point will reveal itself with the arrival of a vaccine and client comfort," Fleming adds. 

Piazza D'Angelo co-owner Felicia Ferguson agrees. "We aren't rushing to open at 50 percent density inside," she says of the orange tier's allowance for restaurants. "We're focusing on making sure we are maximizing the frequency of fresh air flow through our space and we want to continue to take advantage of our outdoor space – that's where our customers feel the most safe."

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, business owners like Ferguson and Fleming have been laser focused on innovating their way through turbulence. For Ferguson, it's been working with the City of Mill Valley and the Mill Valley Chamber to transform spaces like Miller Avenue into an al fresco dining room for as long as possible. And for Fleming, it's been breaking the mold on pricing structures and doing things remotely that he'd never thought possible, from remote physiological measurements and online classes to remote exercise testing and training plans.

"In a weird way, it was the necessary spark that we needed," he said. 

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Vasco owner Paul Lazzareschi was one of the few restaurant owners in downtown Mill Valley whose eatery stayed open during the early hours of PG&E's Public Safety Power Shutoff Sunday night.

​But he'll have to wait a bit before he can reopen since the power came back on, as a fire broke out in Vasco's kitchen in the early hours of Monday morning, according to Southern Marin Fire officials. 

Lazzareschi says he set up a portable generator just outside his restaurant to power his walk-in refrigerator to keep his food inventory cold overnight, but the generator's heat bore through the stucco wall leading to his kitchen and sparked the fire. The fire was reported just before 8 a.m. at the restaurant at 106 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley fire Batallion Chief Scott Barnes told the Marin Independent Journal.

Authorities shut down the intersection of Throckmorton and Miller Avenues at Bernard Street, the IJ reported, as crews extinguished the fire. No one was injured. 
There were no reported injuries.

Vasco sustained approximately $10,000 in damage, and Lazzareschi says he hopes to keep his closure brief – "hopefully 7-10 days."

Here's an ABC 7 news report on the incident:

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Anyone who's stayed at the historic West Point Inn over the course of its 116 years atop Mount Tamalpais knows that it's an inimitable experience – a rustic, off the grid, community-oriented facility completely surrounded by nature.

But despite being resilient enough to survive the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic that killed 50 million people, the closure of the Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway that sparked its creation and the impact of World War II, the West Point Inn is facing its most serious hurdle amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The damage inflicted by the coronavirus has been two fold. First, the inn's all-volunteer board hasn't been able to reopen it because its configuration – the inn and six cabins – has always been more like a hostel than a hotel. As a result, despite the fact that Marin County Public Health gave hotels and short-term rentals the green light to reopen in August, the guidelines don't allow for operations like the West Point Inn, where the kitchen and bathroom, for instance, are communal.

Secondly, because it depends heavily on rental revenues that have been frozen since March, the board and innkeepers have continued to maintain the property and has burned through a substantial portion of its reserves. The organization also draws revenue from its approximately 600 association members.

With that predicament in mind, head innkeeper David Durr has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to support its reopening and partially reconfigure the space, as possible, to improve COVID-19 safety. The campaign seeks to raise at least $20,000, and has raised nearly $8,000 to date. 

​In addition to the GoFundMe, the board is accepting donations directly via its website. The board is weighing the possibility to offering limited stays for a minimum of three days, as well as the possibility of auctioning off stays over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, as well as New Year's Eve.  

MORE INFO ON THE WEST POINT INN.
MORE INFO ON THE INN'S GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN.
YOU CAN ALSO DONATE DIRECTLY ON WEST POINT INN'S WEBSITE.

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Mill Valley resident Betty Goerke, the chairperson of the Miwok Archeological Preserve of Marin (MAPOM) and a professor emeritus at College of Marin, is about as steeped in the Coast Miwok history and culture and as anyone could ever hope to be.

The Milley Award winner continues to be the gift that keeps on giving to teachers and their students when it comes to this subject. The author of the groundbreaking Chief Marin has written a new book of historical fiction for children called Adventures of Two Coast Miwok Children. Written for third and fourth graders, it imagines Chief Marin's childhood growing up in the village of Anamas (Mill Valley) and that of his frient Mottiqui, who lived in an nearby village.

Illustrated by Native artist Edward Willie, Adventures of Two Coast Miwok Children is being published by the Mill Valley Historical Society in two editions – a Teacher's Edition and a trade paperback for kids. This is the first book publishing venture for MVHS, which is expanding its publishing efforts beyond its Mill Valley history Review. 

The Historical Society is giving the Teacher's Edition as a gift to all Marin County public and private elementary school teachers who teach a unit (usually in the third or fourth grade) on southern Marin's indigenous peoples. The printed Teacher's Edition is currently being distributed.

Like Chief Marin, the new tome is based on archaeologist-anthropologist Goerke's 30 years researching the Coast Miwok.

​MORE INFO.

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From wildfire victims to Scout Hall's renovation, just to name two, the Mill Valley Rotary Club has been a force for good in the 94941 for 94 years.

The organizations effort show no sign of relenting, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.
​
Mill Valley Rotary's Emily Uhlhorn recently delivered a check for $2,800 to the Marin City Food Pantry at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, one of five Rotary donations totaling $28,000 to help Marin individuals and families struggling because of COVID-19. Other recipients include Canal Alliance, Adopt a Family of Marin, ExtraFood.org and the Mill Valley PTA Food Pantry.

Ulhorn shared her experiences with Yaker Kawoh and Wyna Barron, at center in the image above, the co-managers of the St. Andrew's pantry, which serves those in need on Mondays, 10:30-12:00. Barron has deep roots in Marin City and is the daughter of workers who came from the South to work in the Marinship shipyard in Sausalito, where 93 ships were built during World War II.

MORE INFO ON THE MILL VALLEY ROTARY CLUB.

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Any hopes that we could avoid a Public Safety Power Shutoff during another horrific fire season AND amidst the COVID-19 pandemic have been dashed. Due to expected severe weather conditions, PG&E plans a PSPS from Sunday evening 6-8pm through at least Monday evening, depending on conditions.
​
What that means: As of this moment, PG&E's Future Power Outages Map indicates that the commercial district in Tam Junction, Alto and Strawberry will be largely spared, as will most of Miller Avenue until you get beyond the Mill Valley Lumber Yard as you come into Downtown, which will be almost entirely impacted by the PSPS.

PG&E has indicated that they would deploy backup diesel power generators at the Alto Substation on Roque Moraes to provide backup power to those impacted, BUT they cannot do so for those businesses and homes located within the High-Fire-Threat District, as determined by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Most of Downtown is within that High Fire Threat Map.

GO HERE TO LOOK UP YOUR ADDRESS TO SEE IF YOU WILL BE BE IMPACTED BY THE PSPS.
GO HERE to look up your address here to see if your business is located within the High Fire Threat Map. 
GO HERE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON PSPS.
AND HERE'S A REMINDER FROM 2019 ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO BE READY.

As part of the Red Flag warning, parking restrictions on Miller Ave. will also be in effect during this time period in the Residential and Employee Permit areas. For emergencies, call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance. For non-emergencies call 415.389.4100.

MORE INFO.

RESIDENTS: As stated above, PG&E's Future Power Outages Map indicates that the commercial districts in Tam Junction, Alto and Strawberry will be largely spared, as will most of Miller Avenue. The Mill Valley Lumber Yard was initially within the affected area but that impact was reversed by PG&E. Downtown will be almost entirely impacted by the PSPS.

Within affected area but open:
Mountain Home Inn
Bungalow 44
Piazza D'Angelo: Open for lunch
Mill Valley Market: Open as normal – will have charging station starting Monday morning.

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The COVID-19 crisis has ravaged every sector of Mill Valley's economy over the past seven months, but few industries have faced as many whiplash-inducing fits and starts as restaurants and food-serving businesses.

But as we begin to inch our way toward the orange tier 3 within the statewide Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework as soon as Oct. 27 – such a move would allow several business sectors to move from 25% to 50% density indoors – it's time to seize some momentum.

Given the multi-layered positive impact that restaurants have on all types of nearby businesses, the Marin Council of Chambers and the Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCVB) are teaming up for "Marin County Cares ~ Restaurant Appreciation," a more than two-month-long, Restaurant Week-style promotion in partnership with local chambers in Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausailto, Tiburon, West Marin and the Hispanic Chamber.

“We encourage residents to keep dining at their favorite restaurants while also trying someplace new," says Corte Madera Chamber Executive Director Julie Kritzberger. "Your business and support will make a difference to our restaurant community, many of whom are family-owned businesses that have contribute greatly to their respected communities and enhance the overall tapestry of what makes Marin County so special."

“Marin County Cares – Restaurant Appreciation” kicks off October 22 and runs through the end of the year. Each participating restaurant is either showcasing a special offer or an existing menu feature to welcome guests back to their establishments. There are no tickets or passes required and although most restaurants are open on a first come, first serve basis, many do appreciate a reservation for outdoor dining, and indoor dining if available.

Most importantly, if there is a special offer, such as a discount or free item with purchase, customers must mention “Marin County Cares” to their server to receive special offer. The best way to view this promotion is to check out the “Marin County Cares – Restaurant Appreciation” website, which lives on the Visit Marin website.

Important Highlights:

• Participating restaurants are offering take-out, outdoor dining and some have limited indoor dining available. Most restaurants do offer outdoor dining on a first come, first serve basis, however, reservations are always encouraged, especially if a reservation platform is available.
• Participating restaurants had a choice on what to showcase for this promotion. Many are showcasing a special offer, such as a discount off or a free item with purchase. For restaurants who cannot give a discount or a free item, a special menu item is featured instead, such as a happy hour with discounted food and beverages, or a favorite menu item.
• To access the restaurant’s special offer, please read the special offer or feature carefully; it’s very important to tell your cashier, server or bartender that you are at the restaurant for “Marin County Cares” promotion to ensure that restaurant honors the special offer. If the special offer is on take-out or online orders, please use specific codes on the offer or tell the restaurant that you are calling for the "Marin County Cares" online offer.

For customers who love to take pictures of their food and drink while dining, Marin CVB will be hosting social media contests with Marin CVB swag gifts to lucky winners; please take pictures and include #marincountycares and #visitMarin on all posts.

Here are the participating restaurants in Mill Valley. Click on their image below to get more details on their special offer and/or featured item:

AND GO HERE FOR THE FULL LIST OF ALL OF THE PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS IN MARIN.

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Dan Malugani Sr. opened Malugani Tire Shop 72 years ago. It's safe to say that none of those 72 trips around the sun have matched 2020 for pandemic-induced stress.

But like so many Mill Valley business owners, Malugani’s third-generation owner Kendal Savelli, along with her husband John and her cousins Ken Monge and Michael Monge, all of whom run the business as partners, have hung in there through the massive ebbs and flows of the past seven month, leaning on resiliency and innovation.

And from Nov. 11-13, the quartet is turning to a tried-and-true tradition: the Annual Malugani Tire Center Customer Appreciation Sale, which serves up the shop's best tire prices of the year and a $50 coupon for wheel alignments with purchase of tires.

"This year we couldn’t be more appreciative of the support we have received," Kendal Savelli says. "We have always known how lucky we are to be in business here and it has never been more apparent!"

​"Malugani has done this annual sale since the late 1990s with a focus on great service and the lowest prices of the year," she adds. "We usually do food all day (we are Italian!) but this year we will keep it simple and safe – just tires. We are so appreciative of the support we received while we were closed and also that our customers waited for us to return and even kept in touch with supportive emails while we were closed. This is our way of saying thank you and keeping the business local while offering a discount that is meaningful. Customers start asking about the sale in September and this year is no different." 

The 411: Malugani’s Tire Shop hosts its Annual Malugani Tire Center Customer Appreciation Sale Nov. 11-13. Savelli recommends calling ahead to schedule. "We fill up fast," she says. 493 Miller Ave. 415.388.1800. MORE INFO.

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