Mike Reed/Pages From The Past
(Editor’s Note: Pages From The Past is compiled by the Novato Historical Guild and recounts news from the past that appeared in the Novato Advance.)
100 Years Ago
March 1923
– Peoples’ Garage Has Them. Apparently, Henry Ford is not taking any chances. A minister at Santa Rosa was declaiming against the desecration of the Sabbath by autoists and denounced the Ford car as having driven more people to hell than anything else. An old lady in his congregation exclaimed: “Hallelujah! hallelujah!” On being requested to explain herself, she replied: “I know the Ford car. I have two of them, and if it gets you there, it sure will bring you back.”
– Charles F. Schuetz, builder of the Community House, has been awarded the contract for the construction of a 13-story steel and concrete community dwelling house in San Francisco. Tuesday in May (May 5),” said Sonia Seeman, Novato’s Deputy Director of Redevelopment. The Novato market runs Tuesday evenings on Sherman Avenue in front of the City of Novato office campus. “We have a contract with the Marin County Farmers Market, and we have been having meeting preparing for a May opening,” Seeman explained. But, even as Novato plans for its market, the Marin Farmers Market’s political problems escalated when former executive director Lynn Bagley sued 14 persons
75 Years Ago
March 1948
– An explosion occurred in the kitchen at the home of Mrs. Antone Mello. while she was rendering out lard on a gas stove. The lard caught fire resulting in considerable damage to the home. Unable to call help as the telephone was out of order, the wires being broken, she was compelled to wait until the flames died out. Meanwhile the. family Is living in the basement of the home until the insurance adjuster estimates the loss. The stove was wrecked.
– The new Novato Greyhound bus depot on Highway 101 and Grant Avenue, opened for business Tuesday, – O. E. Smith agent.
50 Years Ago
March 1973
– Tom Daley, who took over management of Black Point Inn last month, expects to open a swim club at the Inn no later than May 1. His plan is to enroll at least 50 families for a nominal annual fee (as yet unset) and, in return, provide swimming facilities seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for parents, teenagers and children no younger than four or five. He says he will “manicure” the present pool and deck setting and add a wading pool and play facilities within a fenced area which will be under supervision. The Inn is now open for luncheon and dinner daily and caters small banquets. Entertainment is provided Thursday through Sunday evenings, as well as Sunday afternoons. Come summer, Daley hopes to have outdoor Sunday afternoon jam sessions and dancing- under the stars on warm weekend evenings.
25 Years Ago
March 1998
– Novato will have a farmers’ market – Marin market turmoil continues, former executive director sues – While political turmoil continues to swirl around the Marin Farmers Market, plans are moving forward for a May opening of the market in Novato. “We are expecting to open the first associated with the market, including three current directors. Bagley is the founder of the market and was its executive director for 14 years before being fired by the board of directors last November.
– California consumers may see gasoline prices continue to drift down, according to the California Energy Commission. Commission analysts say low crude oil prices caused in part by a mild winter, decreased fuel demand in Asia, increased global oil supplies and low winter production costs are triggering the relief at the gas pumps. The average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in California is $1.23, down 20 cents from the. mid-September 1997 high. The Energy Commission says prices below $1.19 can be seen in some areas of the state. In Novato regular unleaded gas is currently selling at from $131 to $1.37 a gallon.
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