Mark Read/Pages From The Past
(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights Marin history through the pages of the Novato Advance.)
100 Years Ago
September 1920
— DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP JOSEPH GAMBETTA, JR., and WILLIAM F. NAVE, who have hereto been co-partners carrying on the business of dairying on what is known as the Valencia or Canepa ranch at Ignacio, Marin County, California, hereby give notice that said partnership has been dissolved, and all partnership business and transactions, and outstanding liabilities due from said partnership have been fully adjusted and settled. The said Joseph Gambetta, Jr., will remain on said ranch, conducting the business of dairying thereon in the future on his own individual account. The said William F. Nave has withdrawn from said ranch and will hereafter conduct the business of dairying on his own individual account. Dated October 2, 1920. WM. F. NAVE, JOSEPH GAMBETTA. JR. First publication October 7, 1920.
75 Years Ago
September 1945
— Ground has been broken and the foundations are being laid for Novato’s first movie theatre now being built by A.W. Bowman on the site of the former Pini store. He has leased the new store next to the theater to the Borden Co., which will open a fountain service under the management of Mrs. Ells Perott of Larkspur. The other store has been leased to Cliff Cook, who will open an electric appliance shop featuring radios, etc.
— Tech Sergeant Raymond Torassa, honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, is now at home with his parents. It is reported that now that the war is over the Torassas plan to reopen their Novato Barkery.
— Mrs. Louis Salmina, who has been employed by Rayburn’s Grocery for the past few years, resigned her position last Saturday, and will have a few weeks’ vacation before taking up her new duties in Harry Hale’s.
50 Years Ago
September 1970
The Novato Grove of Druids will be hosts to Noble Grand Arch Joseph Defrane and his corps of grand officers at 8 p.m. Thursday at Druids Hall on Grant Avenue and Reichert Street. The Novato Grove is headed by Noble Arch Lou Robinette and the vice arch is Harold Greenwald. Those attending will receive reports from the grand officers, including reports on the state scholarship program and the hospital benefit plan.
— Recently deactivated after 16 years of service at Hamilton Air Force Base, this diesel locomotive sits “at rest” in the base storage area, awaiting reassignment. The 3.3 miles of track that still outline the perimeter of the base and run through the base near the supply area provide the only reminder that the locomotive was active for many years at Hamilton, pulling as many as 10 tank cars, each carrying 10,000 gallons of fuel. The locomotive has eight wheels and is equipped with a 300-horsepower diesel engine.
— It looks as if this year’s Western Country Fair will end up about $1,386 in the black. That is about $300 more than last year. A financial wrap-up was presented at Monday night’s general meeting of Western Weekend, Inc., and it was reported that receipts — WW’s share of income from booths and the carnival — amounted to $1945 over expenses. Not taken care of yet is an $1118 bill from the city for extra police department services necessitated by the Country Fair. Western Weekend plans to bill the carnival operator for half of that amount. This year’s bill for police services was $835 more than last year. The bill for police services and a $925 insurance premium — $700 more than last year — cut into income more heavily than expected.
— A November 1 grand opening is planned for Alvardo Inn, which has been known as Rancho Rafael at 6045 Redwood Highway and has been undergoing extensive refurbishing under the new ownership of Hotel Laundries Inc. New furniture and carpeting has been installed in 40 motel units and all buildings have been repainted inside and outside, reports David C Kahler, president, who says banquets and special meetings are now being booked and that kitchen, dining room and bar managers have been hired.
25 Years Ago
September 1995
— After hours of grueling discussion and an attempted last-minute finagling, the City Council was unable to reach a franchise agreement with Chambers Cable at Tuesday night’s meeting, and the fate of the Novato’s television signal remains up in the air. Meeting with Chambers into the wee hours Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, the City Council finally concluded that it had reached an impasse with the cable company and voted unanimously to reject a tentative franchise renewal agreement, citing Chambers’ unwillingness to negotiate further. “I think over the years Chambers has put the people of Novato in a very difficult position,” said Councilwoman Pat Eklund. “I am very disappointed that you’re not willing to move any further at this difficult time.”
— The Novato Garden Club has chosen new officers, including its first-ever male president, Jerry London. Leading the Garden Club in its efforts to beautify Novato this year are Florence Ofinger, Bunny Hallet, Margarita Heck, Betty Harrington, Marita Frost, Joan Whitten and Nick Troug.
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