🌱 Patch AM: Gold Rush Jewelers Recognized For 'Amazingly Personal' Customer Service

Good morning to you Novato! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why one Novato jeweler feels more like visiting close friends
• Morning blaze guts downtown Novato liquor store, no injuries reported
• What changes come with Novato’s newly appointed mayor and mayor pro tem?

Also on today's calendar: Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in Santa Rosa, CA! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 57 and low of 51 degrees.
• Friday: A couple of afternoon showers, temps: high: 62, low: 51.
• Saturday: Cloudy with afternoon rain, with a high of 64 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Gold Rush Jewelers Recognized For 'Amazingly Personal' Customer Service (patch.com) — A Novato resident is spotlighting Gold Rush Jewelers in the Best of 2025 series for going above and beyond to repair a diamond bracelet in time for her visiting daughter’s birthday. She praises Margaret and the staff for their warm, personal service and says shopping in Novato feels like visiting friends, encouraging others to nominate their own local favorites.
   

2. Downtown Novato Liquor Store Damaged In Large Morning Fire (patch.com) — An early-morning fire heavily damaged Old Town Liquor on Grant Avenue in downtown Novato, drawing a coordinated response from Novato Fire Protection District and mutual aid partners. Crews attacked the flames from the front and roof, preventing spread to the attic or neighboring buildings, and no injuries were reported while the cause remains under investigation.
   

3. Novato City Council selects Rachel Farac as new mayor, Kevin Jacobs as mayor pro tem (localnewsmatters.org) — Novato has new city leadership, with Councilmember Rachel Farac appointed mayor and Kevin Jacobs named mayor pro tem during this week’s City Council reorganization meeting. Farac, serving as mayor for the first time, emphasized thoughtful growth and community listening, while outgoing Mayor Tim O’Connor reflected on his historic term as Novato’s first immigrant mayor.
   

4. Marin marks Hanukkah, reflects on Bondi shooting (marinij.com) — Novato’s Jewish community gathered Sunday for a menorah lighting led by Rabbi Menachem Landa of Chabad of Novato, honoring Hanukkah while mourning victims of the Bondi Beach shooting. A larger countywide show of solidarity continued Monday in Sausalito, where interfaith leaders, families, and officials emphasized resilience, joy, and standing together against violence.
   

📸 Around Novato

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Novato

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday January 11

• Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in Santa Rosa, CA!
  Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Country Line Dancing
  HopMonk Tavern Novato , 224 Vintage Way , Novato
  6:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Jazzercise Novato CardioSculpt HIIT Class
  Margaret Todd Senior Center , 1560 Hill Road , Novato
  9:15 am

Saturday December 20

• Story Time with Mr. Brian
  South Novato Library , 931 C St , Novato
  11:00 am
• Holiday Sip and Shop and Photos with Santa
  1017 Reichert Avenue
  3:00 pm
• COME ONE, COME ALL - 4th Annual Caroling Fun for the Whole Family
  Hamilton Amphitheatre Park , 500-598 Hamilton Pkwy , Novato
  3:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Winter Solstice: A Magical Sound Bath Journey
  333 Ellen Dr , San Rafael
  6:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Jazzercise Novato CardioSculpt HIIT Class
  Margaret Todd Senior Center , 1560 Hill Road , Novato
  9:15 am

Tuesday December 23

• Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays - World Famous Hot Boys
  World Famous Hot Boys , 807 De Long Ave , Novato
• Grace Generation: Evening Kids Program
  Presbyterian Church of Novato , 710 Wilson Ave , Novato
  5:30 pm
• Josh Brough String Band | Free Beergarden Show
  HopMonk Novato , 224 Vintage Way , Novato
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Jazzercise Novato CardioSculpt HIIT Class
  Margaret Todd Senior Center , 1560 Hill Road , Novato
  9:15 am

📣 Novato Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Novato PatchAM possible:

• Maud Powell String Institute
  Local to Novato Pay-What-You-Can music program
• Hamilton's Smog — (415) 493-8801
  Smog checks available now—always ready when you are

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hello neighbours, i am a high school student and trying to make some money for this christmas.
  I am going to wash cars, both interior and or exterior. Thanks (Nextdoor The Vistas)
• Mid-December gifts.
  A neighbor's roses on San Felipe Way to brighten your day. (Nextdoor San Marin)

• i9 Sports Corporation posted a job opening for Sport Coordinator - Flag Football in Novato. Apply here.
• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Maintenance Clerk in Novato. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Novato here.

Ok Novato! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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