Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What does Novato Unified’s “qualified” budget mean for local schools?
Make time for NEW YEAR'S EVE 70s BASH FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! on the Novato Patch calendar
Hello Novato! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What does Novato Unified’s “qualified” budget mean for local schools?
- How much more will Novato workers earn starting Thursday?
Also on today's calendar: NEW YEAR’S EVE 70s BASH FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Novatofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Novatofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 56 and low of 47 degrees.
- Wednesday: Periods of rain, temps: high: 52, low: 46.
- Thursday: Periods of rain, with a high of 53 and low of 51 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Novato school district approves budget with ‘qualified' status (marinij.com) — Novato Unified’s budget has been downgraded to “qualified” status, raising concerns about whether reserves will fall below state minimums by 2027-28 and forcing the district to plan cuts and possible layoffs. Trustees approved a $131.5 million spending plan while awaiting state funding decisions and debating whether voters might support a higher parcel tax to stabilize local schools. 
• In Your Town for Dec. 30, 2025 (marinij.com) — If you work in Novato city limits, your minimum wage is going up Thursday, with new rates tied to business size under the city’s 2019 wage ordinance. The roundup also notes a failed molestation appeal in San Rafael and a parole denial in a decades-old Bolinas murder case.
📸 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
★ Featured events ★
- NEW YEAR’S EVE 70s BASH FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!
Fairfax Pavilion, Fairfax
7:30 pm - 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
Wednesday December 31
Sunday January 11
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Jazzercise Novato CardioSculpt HIIT Class
Margaret Todd Senior Center , 1560 Hill Road , Novato
9:15 am - Bouncy Ball New Year’s Eve
Downtown Novato Center , 1761 Grant Ave , Novato
12:00 pm - Bouncy Ball New Year
Downtown Novato Center , 1761 Grant Ave , Novato
12:00 pm - New Year's Eve Meditation & Songs — Sukhasiddhi Foundation
Sukhasiddhi Foundation , 7110 Redwood Blvd , Novato
6:00 pm - Stu Allen & Mars Hotel | New Year's Eve
HopMonk Tavern Novato , 224 Vintage Way , Novato
8:00 pm - Jazzercise Novato CardioSculpt HIIT Class
Margaret Todd Senior Center , 1560 Hill Road , Novato
9:15 am - 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
Wednesday December 31
Friday January 2
Tuesday January 6
📣 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
- 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 - Jazzercise Novato CardioSculpt HIIT Class
Margaret Todd Senior Center , 1560 Hill Road , Novato
9:15 am - El Chit Chat Club - English conversations group
Marin County Free Library , 3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 427 , San Rafael
6:00 pm
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
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:
- Hamilton's Smog — (415) 493-8801
Smog checks available now—always ready when you are - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - 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
- I have two cats that I need to rehome to a good home.
They’re two sisters once a little shy the other ones outgoing they’re very sweet cats. I I just can’t keep them right now. They’re 11 months old… (Nextdoor Hill Park) - Winter, day 7.
Stay safe and have a wonderful week everybody. (Nextdoor San Marin)
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Novato. Apply here.
- Guidepost Montessori posted a job opening for Infant Teacher in San Rafael. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Novato here.
🗞 Nearby News
San Rafael
- Pilot Program To Halt Financial Abuse Of Older Residents Launched In Marin County (patch.com)
- Family with Marin connections unveils ‘Holy Grail' of baseball cards (marinij.com)
Fairfax
- The story of the Bay Area's queen of jeans who dressed the icons (fresnobee.com)
- 5 fun New Year's Eve events in Marin (marinij.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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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