“Small Business Saturday” is the new “Black Friday”

Small Business Saturday is the new Black Friday!

American Express has launched an initiative to help promote small business during the Thanksgiving Day Weekend. A weekend that has traditionally been known for its heavy shopping traffic amongst large retailers, has gained a little local flare.

In today’s economy, when everyone is suffering losses, it’s nice to see the efforts American Express is putting forth to assist those business who are usually left in the dark, due to lack of funding and resources.

American Express has created a Facebook page to promote “Small Business Saturday” and has attached incentives for both business and consumers who “like” their Facebook page, which can be found here.

For businesses that want to participate: The first 10,000 businesses that sign up get $100 in Facebook advertising, and any business can download promotional materials to use in their stores or sites to help promote “Small Business Saturday”

For American Express cardmembers: The first 100,000 can register their card and get $25 statement credit when they shop in an independently owned business on Small Business Saturday (not for franchises or online-only stores).

Get with the program and don’t forget your local businesses during your holiday shopping! From Piedmont Avenue to Oakland to beyond!

Find more about “Small Business Saturday” by visiting their website here.

New Proposed Tolls Make San Francisco Even Less Accessible!

We are all aware money doesn’t grown on trees, but apparently it grows on highways, to and from, San Francisco.

The San Francisco Transportation Authority (SFTA) is considering a proposal to create a virtual toll plaza between San Mateo and San Francisco County lines. Vehicles will be charged $3 in both directions during rush hour time periods. This is not too surprising. Nothing screams San Francisco more than the words “virtual” and “toll”.

Representatives of the SFTA claim this proposal has very obvious benefits. It would decrease traffic and commute times by 20% because people will alter their travel methods and commute times. Also, the financial returns will help fund efforts for pedestrian, transit, bicycle, and road improvements in San Francisco.

Unfortunately, commute times do not dictate what time you have to be at work. If you’re late… you’re late. Also, transportation improvements are great, but none have been specified to benefit the South Bay. Sounds like a great plan for people who live and work in the city. As for South Bay Residents, benefits seem far from obvious.

A similar plan was proposed in New York City, but quickly died. Some people would consider NYC the most efficient city in this country. Read between the lines!

To read more about the proposal in the San Jose Mercury, click here: http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_16631051?nclick_check=1

Keep the A’s in Oakland

As some of you might know, there have been negotiations for the Oakland A’s to move San Jose. While A’s owners, Lew Wolff and John Fisher, are advocates for the move, many Oaklanders are not.

The City of Oakland has proposed a waterfront area in Jack London Square as a for a new baseball stadium. Mayor Ron Dellums and Mayor Elect Jean Quan have made it clear they are fighting to keep the A’s in Oakland.

Waterfront baseball stadiums in the past have proven to be successful in redeveloping areas as seen in San Francisco with AT&T Park and Petco Park in San Diego. Hopefully Major League Baseball makes the connection between Waterfront Baseball Stadiums and success.

Don Perata was an advocate for the Oakland A’s moving to San Jose. Good thing he lost.

East Bay Express has more information on the developing story: http://www.eastbayexpress.com/92510/archives/2010/11/16/breaking-news-oakland-picks-site-for-new-as-ballpark