Pages From The Past/Mike Read
(Editor’s Note: Pages From The Past is compiled by the Novato Historical Guild from the pages of the historic Novato Advance.)
The fertile, rich earth of Novato
100 Years Ago
December 1923
– That the climatic conditions here in Novato, are conducive to anything a man may want to grow, is shown by the success attained by William Kock, Pine Knoll Fruit Ranch. Mt. Koch won five blue ribbons, in strong competition, at the Fourth Annual Horticultural exhibit, held at the University of California, at Berkeley. The prizes won on almonds – I. X. L., Unexcelled, Peerless and Texas Prolific. Quinces – Pineapple Quinces. Quality fruit to be grown at Novato from now on, will be undoubtedly the password at our Farm Center meetings, as several orchardists have announced their intention to exhibit their fruit next year.
– The post office has been moved across the street and is now situated in its new quarters.
– Monomobile auto oil, 100 percent pure, $1 per gallon at Samuels’.
– The Cain brothers have installed an electric light across the street from the Community House. Good service.
75 Years Ago
December 1948
– Mr. and Mrs. Andy Anderson, who reside on Simmons Lane, celebrated 50 years of happily married life. In honor of the occasion, they entertained friends and neighbors at an “open house”. Over 100 dropped by to extend their felicitations to the couple. Last Sunday a group of 22 relatives and friends dined at Maison Marin with the Andersons as honored guests. The former Elizabeth Hay and Andrew Anderson were married in Scotland on Nov. 30, 1898, and one year later came to the United States, where they settled in Colorado. Half of their married life they have lived in Novato, coming here 25 years ago. Two daughters were born of the union, Mrs. Wm. Johnson of Novato, and Mrs. James Lusk, of Mississippi, and they have three grandchildren.
– The largest night crowd in Novato’s history, according to traffic experts of the Sheriff’s office, thronged here last Saturday night for the first American Legion dance at the Community House and the dance at the IDESI Hall. The American Legion dance, under the auspices of Lloyd Andrews Hamilton Post, No. 540 drew a record crowd at the Community House, more than 200 tickets being sold at the door, plus the large advance sale. The Post will hold another dance in the Community House New Year’s Eve, with tickets on sale at the Perrott Cage. The capital door prize, a $50 radio, was won by Al DeLucchi of Ignacio.
– A merger combined Marin county’s two daily newspapers this week, the morning Marin Journal and the afternoon San Rafael Independent. The newspaper will be called the San Rafael Independent & Marin Journal and will be published as an afternoon daily from the
independent plant.
50 Years Ago
December 1973
– The city and county scramble for the 477 excess acres at Hamilton Air Force Base may have been premature according to information just released to city manager Charles Brown. The so-called 477-acre excess turns out to be only 300 plus acres, Brown said today, and a portion of that may be taken over by the Army rather than released for civilian use. “There’s a good possibility that the prime lands and buildings may be lost to us,” Brown said. The government was in error, Brown said, when it said there were 477 acres. Although the original map of the excess area is correct, the number of acres it represents has been mistakenly shown as 477. Release of the excess area at Hamilton was to have been on the House Armed Services Committee agenda yesterday. It was suddenly yanked off so that the Army could take a “second look” at the acreage.
– Grant Avenue Florist, 1129 Grant Avenue, has been sold. The buyers are Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Cometta of Martinez. The shop will be run by their daughters, Jill and Karen. Jill is the former manager of a flower shop in Davis. In addition to flowers the shop will carry gift items, including macrame done by Karen. Jill and Karen are now living in Novato. Former owners of the shop are Mr. and Mrs. Victor Raggio. They have been in business in Novato for 10 years. They owned a nursery on First Street before opening the florist shop two and a half years ago. The Raggios plan to take an extended vacation before deciding on future plans.
– A new barber shop has opened in the Downtown Shopping Center at 1769 A Grant Avenue, the space formerly occupied by Amber Griffin Books. The new addition to the center is the Yankee Clipper Barber Shop, owned by Roger Quintana. Quintana and Gary La Rocca will be stylists and barbers, and more are to be added later. The shop will offer hair styling and haircuts for men and boys and also for women and girls.
25 Years Ago
December 1998
– The superintendent of the largest elementary school district in California has been chosen to lead the Novato Unified School District. Novato school trustees last night voted unanimously to appoint Dr. John C. Bernard as superintendent. “Overall, I think he’s a terrific match for Novato Unified,” said School Board President Cindi Clinton. Clinton and trustee Ellen Mayer traveled to Bakersfield Monday to interview Bernard’s colleagues, the teachers and school staff who have worked under him, and the parents who have dealt with him. Bernard comes to Novato from the Bakersfield City School District, which serves 41 schools and 27,000 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. He is also the former assistant superintendent of the Mount Diablo Unified School District in the East Bay. Bernard’s career in education began as a teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District, where he later served as a principal and district administrator.
– Cheryl Lind, whose physical therapy practice in Novato is thriving, is giving because, “It’s a way I can give back to the community that’s been so good to me.” Lind, whose 20-year-old son grew up in Novato, has pledged $5,000 to help restore the old Novato Theatre and transform it into a jewel of a performing arts center. Why is she giving to the theater project rather than, as she puts it, “the other obviously worthwhile” causes in the community? “Because this is something that’s going to be here for years and years and years. It will be here for my grandchildren and their children,” she said. “It will go on and on and benefit our community.” The Novato Theatre opened its doors in 1946 and showed movies—mostly “B” movies— until 1991, when competition from the multiplexes led owners Al and Clara Bowman to close it. In 1994, Novato residents, polled by the Downtown Revitalization Committee, identified the reopening of the theater and the creation of a performing arts center as highly desirable additions to the city’s downtown. The idea took flight with the creation of the NTRC.
– Patricia E. Albini, who with her husband owned and operated Novato’s Creekside Bakery for many years, died at her home in Novato after a short illness. She was 65. She was born Patricia E. Righetti in Santa Rosa. She grew up in Petaluma, where she graduated from high school in June 1952. “She graduated on a Friday, and we got married the following Sunday,” said her husband, Tony Albini, a native of Tomales. The Albinis made their home in Petaluma before coming to Novato in 1957. The couple owned and operated the California Bakery on San Rafael’s Fourth Street for 20 years. They opened the Creekside Bakery in the Downtown Novato Shopping Center in 1983 and continued to operate it until retiring last April.
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