After a quick review of Yelp! it seems Marin County is loving the new addition of Mi Pueblo. There were some concerns of the new big store having an impact on the smaller mom and pop stores but overall it seems it’s brought employment to the local neighborhood which is a good thing.

Mi Pueblo has lived up to their mission listed on their Website:

We strive to create an ambiance reminiscent of the fresh-food markets of Mexico and Latin America, while also carrying all the grocery items generally available in mainstream supermarkets, always welcoming everyone with a warm smile.

I was in the neighborhood so decided to stop by Mi Pueblo out of curiosity. I had already eaten and did not need any groceries so I just walked around the place.

My first impression upon walking in was that Mi Pueblo was a happy place to shop! Festive Latin music in the background, a colorful, fun Taqueria located right in the store, Pinatas hanging above the produce. The place made me smile and the music made me want to start dancing.The employees were super friendly and welcoming, every one we walked by said hello and smiled.

Shopping at Mi Pueblo is a cultural experience. It has everything you would find in a traditional grocery store including organic produce PLUS all sorts of Mexican and Latin American food. It’s a great opportunity to try new food and drinks. I bought a Mango Agua Fresca – it was delicious and refreshing.

I took a stroll through the produce. I was happy to see the produce looked very fresh, there were organic options and special produce from Mexico and other Latin American countries; things like Mexican Squash – stuff you might not find in a traditional “American” grocery store.

They were making handmade hot tamales ready to eat for $1.49. I was kind of wishing I was hungry so I could try one.

Mi Pueblo is located in the Canal are of San Rafael
330 Bellam Blvd
San Rafael, CA 415-578-3971

More information:

http://www.youthinarts.org/ispf.html

http://twitter.com/youthinarts

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I’m a member of the San Rafael Dominican University Toastmasters group. I’m actually the VP of Public Relations.

I joined Toastmasters because I realized I was losing the art of verbal communication. I was spending so much time on my computer networking online with others that I was starting to lose my voice, literally. You know the saying, ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’.

I joined Toastmasters because I wanted to get more comfortable with public speaking but I’ve learned there is so much more you can get out of Toastmasters. Since joining a year ago I’m more confident negotiating deals, I’m a better listener and I’m comfortable taking charge in group situations. I’m also quicker to think on my feet.

In the past while at dinner parties I’d often freeze up during interesting conversations. My mind would just go blank and I’d have nothing to contribute, until later that night after the party was over I’d think of all sorts of interesting and intelligent things to say. Since joining Toastmasters and regularly taking part in the activity called Table Topics I’ve found that I’m now able to “think on my feet” and participate in these conversations.

Our group meets every Tuesday from 12-1. We meet at Dominican University but the group is open to the public. Our members consist of students, teachers, faculty, staff and community members (like me). We are a very relaxed and fun group.  Our number one focus is on having fun. We welcome guests and new members! If you’d like to visit our group please stop by any Tuesday at 12.  Currently we are meeting in Guzman Hall, Room 201. Check our Website to confirm location, we occasionally change room locations.

For more information visit: Dominican Toastmasters
We’re also on Facebook and Twitter.

To find out about Toastmasters in your area visit the Toastmasters International Site.

PS. If you are thinking about joining Toastmasters but feeling a little intimidated… just do it! If you want to talk more about our group feel free to contact me directly. And if you are worried about the cost, it is very affordable. There is a one time $20 new-member fee, then $27 dues every six months. (pro-rated if you join in mid-term).

I have to admit, I had never heard of Vin Antico before Twitter. Thanks to Twitter I discovered this wonderful little gem in downtown San Rafael.

Vin Antico uses local, mostly organic food. They cure their own meat and make their pasta by hand.

I was impressed with the turnout of our lunch group on this very rainy day. I told the restaurant to expect 10-12 people, we ended up with 18! For many of us this was our first time at Vin Antico (example of how the power of social media brings new customers to restaurants). I heard many people (including myself) say they would be back!

Thanks Vin Antico and Chef Justine for the wonderful food and the great experience!

If you are a restaurant that would like 10-20 paying customers to come dine at your place, 10-20 customers who will offer FREE amazing word of mouth advertisement about your establishment to thousands of people via social networking then contact me (@Sally_K) to coordinate a TweetUp at your place (and maybe even offer me a complimentary drink or gift card… Thank You’s go a LONG way with me. Hint Hint).

Hello! Did you read that? 10-20 paying customers who are going to be your evangelists! What more could you ask for? I seriously do not understand why there are still restaurants who are not tapping in to the power of social media to connect with their customers and future customers. If you’re not sure how to do that, I can help you.

The show is on Sunday, June 13th, 2010. Doors open at 6:30pm.

More info here: http://marysfutons.com/Futon_Comedy_94903.html

All Beverage proceeds benefit Spectrum LGBT Center of Marin
Join us for our no-host bar before the show,
And help us celebrate Paula Pilecki’s Birthay!

*warning strong language in video

Not sure what to call our group that is forming. The Twitter Ladies, The Women of Twitter, The Marin Mafia Mom’s & Co, Twitter Lunch Ladies and Occasional Man, People who Tweet & Like to Eat <– oh I like this one!

We had a new guest man today: Mike Wolpert. We met Mike thanks to FourSquare. Peggy & Hannah have been competing to be Mayor of Café Gratitude and for quite some time have been stealing the mayorship back and forth from each other and then out of nowhere last week this guy named Mike Wolpert steps in and takes over mayorship. The Marin Ladies of Twitter Who Tweet & Like to Eat while checking in at FourSquare were up in arms that their mayorship had been taken by this stranger! So we did what we do best and stalked him on Twitter.

So today the People Who Tweet & Like to Eat met at Thai Smile again but it was a semi-different crowd this time. We had @PoButler, @Fun_Master, @MomnTwins, @Sally_K, @WorkFromWithin, @DianeFischler, @WhatsCooking, @MikeWolpert and a non-Tweeting friend of Hannah & Peggy named Becky who @momntwins (Hannah) tricked in to coming (I think she is trying to convert her in to being a Twitter addict).  Becky was nice enough to take this photo of us!

The People Who Tweet & Like to Eat are planning to go to Pacific Catch in Corte Madera next Wednesday, 5/12 at 1:00pm. I heard the Pacific Catch in Corte Madera was the best location out of all the Pacific Catch’s around. If you are in the neighborhood please feel free to join us for lunch!

This was a lunch full of Marin’s Powerful Women! I was honored to be sitting with all these fun and inspirational women! Look who came out to have lunch with us: Nancy of @ATOMsanRafel, Diane of @dianefischler, Lissa of @LissaRankin, Tara of @TaraFirmaFarms, Lisa of @LisaKiftTherapy, Peggy of @PoButler, Hannah of @momntwins, Cathy of @CurtisFinancial (who came all the way from the East Bay to join us), Marilyn of @Fun_Master, Michelle of @DrMichelleXO, if I forgot someone please shoot me now.

@SFDoug heard us talking about our plans on Twitter and asked if lunch was for women only. We said of course not and invited him. So Doug was the lucky guy who won the Player badge on FourSquare for checking in with 3 or more people of the opposite sex at the same time. Doug you owe us a drink for or something. Maybe at Rick’s Wine Cellar…

It was great fun! Thanks everyone for coming out! The food was delicious and affordable.

Here are some of our Thai smiles.

Where's Doug?

This show is a benefit for Spectrum LGBT Center in Marin for their Youth Leadership Action Program. The Youth Leadership Action Program trains youth to be leaders to make their schools safe and inclusive learning places for all.

The performance is on May 2nd at 6pm at the Osher Marin JCC.

To purchase tickets go to: http://spectrumlgbtcenter.org/Kate-Clinton.html

Listen to Kate talk about her upcoming performance at the Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael on Sunday, May 2nd.

Tickets: www.spectrumLGBTcenter.org
(Kate said .com she meant .org) 

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I also discovered (actually remembered) that BZhive is located in walking distance to one of my favorite deli’s!  This makes me happy because as you know, I like to eat. BZhive is also in walking distance to my Chiropractor. This also makes me happy because I like to feel good and getting regular chiropractic adjustments makes me feel good. You should try it!

@fun_master popped in and snapped a picture of us working in the conference room.

Another fun fact I learned about BZhive is that Hila (co-owner) is an artist and makes some pretty cool things she sells on Etsy. I hope she brings in some of that jewelry for me to see.

BZhive is the new coworking office space in San Rafael. Come in and check it out. They have lots of community events happening in the evenings (most are free).

Bikes & Beans, formerly located by the 7-11 near China Camp, has moved to a brand new and bigger location while still close to China Camp thus being very convenient to stop by before or after riding China Camp. In particular if you like coffee, bike talk with knowledgeable people, and good deals on bikes and parts.

Check them out!

I like stopping by to get my coffee fix since I am not drinking beer these days. The stores offers a cozy place to hang and yummy coffee and I keep hearing great reviews about the Commencal and Jamis bikes Justin (the owner) sells in his this store.

I also like the selection of cool hip bike clothing… I have gotten a pair of cool shorts that made me feel like a hot shot

And the best of all, I like it that Justin kept decorating the shop with local artist work (some of his own work!). This mural is right by the bike mechanic shop area!

Check out Celia’s previous blog about Bikes & beans to get a better sense of what this bike shops brings to Marin county.