Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What we know about the two-alarm apartment fire in Novato

And check out Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Presbyterian Church San Rafael on the Novato Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 24th Patch AM
Wednesday December 24th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

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:

  • What we know about the two-alarm apartment fire in Novato
  • Will Caltrans finally fix those frustrating Novato Narrows carpool hours?
  • How Sausalito’s new hillside rules could influence Novato’s future growth

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Presbyterian Church San Rafael and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Novatofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Novatofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: A few showers, with a high of 58 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Thursday: Windy with occasional rain, temps: high: 55, low: 46.
  • Friday: Rain; breezy in the morning, with a high of 52 and low of 43 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• In Your Town for Dec. 24, 2025 (marinij.com) — Tenants were displaced after a two-alarm fire damaged a third-floor apartment at 401 Ignacio Blvd. in Novato, though no significant injuries were reported. Fire crews evacuated residents and knocked down the blaze, while investigators continue to look into the cause. The same roundup also notes separate incidents in Marin City and Bolinas.
   

• Caltrans to review, update carpool lane hours after commuter backlash (northbaybiz.com) — If you battle traffic through the Novato Narrows, Caltrans is rethinking the longer carpool lane hours that have worsened congestion since September. After a wave of commuter complaints, the agency will analyze traffic data, set new permanent HOV hours by late January, and roll out updated signs in February 2026, potentially easing daily drives through Novato and beyond.
   

• Sausalito mapping supports hillside building ordinance (marinij.com) — Novato is highlighted as one of several Marin cities that already use hillside zoning rules, as Sausalito moves toward adopting similar protections after devastating 2019 landslides. Geologic mapping there shows most parcels are on steep, slide-prone slopes, prompting calls for stricter building review. The discussion could foreshadow how future regional standards might influence development expectations in Novato’s own hills.
   

📸 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 ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Thursday December 25
  • Raise Your Spiritual IQ
    Hill Community Room , 1560 Hill Road , Novato
    6:30 pm
    • Friday December 26
  • Jazzercise Novato CardioSculpt HIIT Class
    Margaret Todd Senior Center , 1560 Hill Road , Novato
    9:15 am
  • Holiday Break Gymnastics Camp (FRI)
    Novato Gymnastics Center , 950 7th St , Novato
    10:00 am
    • Saturday December 27
  • Saturday Cinema: Roman Holiday
    Novato Library , 1720 Novato Blvd , Novato
    2:30 pm
    • Monday December 29
  • Jazzercise Novato CardioSculpt HIIT Class
    Margaret Todd Senior Center , 1560 Hill Road , Novato
    9:15 am
    • Tuesday December 30
  • 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

📣 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

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:

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

  • Nick of The Happys we got a lot of local shows coming up, follow us on bandsintown.
    Including Mad Caddies at Fairfax 1/24. Also I’ve cleared out 1000s of bottles out of Novato Creek, Hamilton Etc, here to thank everyone who’s been… (Nextdoor West Novato)
  • Dear Santa,
    I’m going to fire up my grill this year……. Wondering if I’m Just getting one lump of coal or if possible may u bring me a big bag of coal this year…… (Nextdoor NE Novato)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Novato. Apply here.
  • Old Navy, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate - Vintage Oaks in Novato. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Novato here.

🗞 Nearby News

San Rafael

  • Preps of the week: Morgan leads host San Marin to tournament title (marinij.com)
  • BioMarin to Acquire Amicus Therapeutics for $4.8 Billion (njbmagazine.com)
  • Marin IJ Readers' Forum for Dec. 24, 2025 (marinij.com)

Fairfax

  • Editorial: Misguided state housing rules have Fairfax spinning (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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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