🌱 Patch AM: What did cartoons reveal about Novato’s housing and commute headaches?

Good morning Novato! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What did cartoons reveal about Novato’s housing and commute headaches?
• Which Novato restaurants closed and opened around town this year?

Also on today's calendar: Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in Santa Rosa, CA! and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Periods of rain, with a high of 58 and low of 53 degrees.
• Friday: Breezy with rain and drizzle, temps: high: 60, low: 54.
• Saturday: Rain; breezy in the morning, with a high of 61 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• George Russell: 2025 cartoons year in review (marinij.com) — Novato residents get a lighthearted look back at 2025 through George Russell’s editorial cartoons, including one on the school district’s slow-moving workforce housing plans. The collection also pokes fun at regional issues like Highway 101 HOV changes and local housing debates that affect daily life around Marin.
   

• What's come and gone in Marin's food scene in 2025 (marinij.com) — Novato diners saw big changes in 2025, from Dragon Cafe’s closure after 35 years to new arrivals like Rustic Bakery’s Hamilton Marketplace location and The Keg Stand Brewing replacing Indian Valley Brewing. Several other Novato spots, including Aloh-O Poke And Tea, Mantra Wines’ tasting room, and Local Kitchens, also shut their doors, reshaping local options for eating and drinking out.
   

📸 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

Friday January 2

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

Tuesday January 6

• Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays - World Famous Hot Boys
  Novato Chamber , 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 January 7

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

Thursday January 8

• Noontime Networking - January 2026
  Vinny G's Pizza and Cocktails , 1535 South Novato Blvd. , Novato
  12:00 pm
• 2026 Novato Chamber Honors Dinner
  Bill and Adele Jonas Center , 1800 Ignacio Blvd. Building 19 , Novato
  5:00 pm

Friday January 9

• 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!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday January 2

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

Tuesday January 6

• Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays - World Famous Hot Boys
  Novato Chamber , 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

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:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Hamilton's Smog — (415) 493-8801
  Smog checks available now—always ready when you are
• Maud Powell String Institute
  Local to Novato Pay-What-You-Can music program

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

• Hi Neighbors!
  After an apartment fire that happened last weekend my family continues to stay at a hotel. If anyone knows of any resources or assistance programs or… (Nextdoor Ignacio Valley)
• My husband lost his 18k gold wedding ring here in Novato, around Olive Ave and Dog Parking.
  The name in to his Ring is Angela is engraved inside. If anyone finds it, please contact us. We will be giving a reward. Thanks (Nextdoor West Novato)

• Target posted a job opening for GM and Food (General Merchandise, Closing, Fulfillment, Inbound, Food and Beverage ) (T0692) in Novato. Apply here.
• The Bay Club Company posted a job opening for Housekeeping in Kentfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Novato here.

🗞 Nearby News

San Rafael

• Sports Briefs: Aguillon propels San Rafael boys in 2OT victory (marinij.com)
• San Rafael complex approved for affordable housing deal (pressdemocrat.com)

Fairfax

• Police Hunt For Robbery Suspect at Fairfax Chase Bank (wehoonline.com)

Petaluma

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 just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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