Mark Read/Pages From The Past
(Editor’s note: In this feature we recount Marin history through the pages of the Novato Advance. The Novato Advance can still be delivered to your doorstep by calling 415-892-1516.)
100 Years Ago
November 1920
— Manuel Thomas Silveria, a well-known resident of Novato died at his home this week at the age of 80 years. The deceased was the husband of Ana T. Silveria and father of Mrs. Rose Azevedo of Larkspur, Mrs. Emelia Azevedo of Novato, and John T. Silveria of San Francisco. He was well known in Marin County where he had resided most of his life.
75 Years Ago
November 1945
— Frank Jaques, president of the Novato Sanitary District reported to the Chamber, that every means possible is being taken for the early installation of a sewage system for Novato, including that applications had been filed for state and federal post-war funds to help defray the cost of the sewer and treatment plant costs plus funds for plans and engineering work. Mr. Jaques further reported that Novato’s share of the overall cost would have to be met by a sewer bond issue, the exact amount of which will be determined when the engineering cost survey is completed.
50 Years Ago
November 1970
— Dignitaries attended the grand opening of the Alvarado Inn Sunday, jamming the newly remodeled facilities with an estimated 1900 total of visitors. Frank Galli, self-styled mayor of Ignacio, and Novato Mayor Douglas Merrill pose at o painting of Juan Baptiste Alvarado, California governor from 1836 to 1842. He was governor at the time the land grant of the Rancho de San Jose was established, where the remodeled inn now stands.
— Bay Cities Ambulance, which lost the county contract to United Ambulance for emergency service when United was awarded the low bid of $2.50 per empty response, likes Novato business so much that it declines to leave town. Instead, Bay Cities has established itself in a new headquarters location, at 1610 Hill Road across the street from Indian Valley Medical Center and will ask the city council tomorrow night to steer Novato emergency calls its way through “hot lines” from the police and fire departments. United Ambulance has a vehicle stationed in Ignacio, where Bay Cities formerly had its Novato area ambulance, so Novato now has two companies operating two ambulances in this area (United’s backup vehicle is at Civic Center). How long this situation of two ambulances will continue to exist is a good question.
— Mrs. Mary Simonds, a pioneer Novatan, will celebrate her 101st birthday Wednesday. In contrast to her 100th birthday, when 200 friends and relatives helped her celebrate, this year’s party will be a quiet affair. Only a few old friends and relatives will be there. She is a native of Christchurch, New Zealand. She was a young child when her parents emigrated to San Francisco. She and her husband, Walter, came to Novato in 1910 and settled in Indian Valley.
25 Years Ago
November 1995
— Edward E. Wiggins of Blake’s Auto Body has been elected president of the Novato Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Wiggins will lead a new board that includes Famous Holt of All State Insurance, president-elect; Nohemi Beissmann of Rodex of California, corporate secretary; Clare Connell of W. Bradley Electric, treasurer; and Jim Walker of Walker and Co., past-president
— Novato’s former Roger Wilco markets officially become Bell Markets today, much to the delight and benefit of several local organizations, including the Boy Scout Council of Novato. At an official celebration marking the change from Roger Wilco to Bell Markets Tuesday evening, Harley Delano, President of Cala Foods, owner of Bell Markets, presented a contribution of $500 to Boy Scout representative Dennis Hagerty, while Lorraine Westwood, manager of the Ignacio Bell Market applauded. Bell Markets also made similar contributions to the Margaret Todd Senior Center, the Marin Humane Society and the Novato Youth Center.
— The Novato Theatre restoration project took another step toward revitalization of the classic neighborhood movie house when the Novato City Council agreed to provide $7,500 for a feasibility study for the project. The renovation calls for remodeling the theatre built in 1947 and building a premier cinema and performing arts center. The plans call for installing 32S seats, a balcony, a revolving stage and a state-of-the art sound and lighting system. When the two-year project is completed, the theatre will offer a full repertory of performing arts, art, foreign and classic films, seminars, live performances and community events. The center will also be available for corporate meetings and teleconferences. Novato attorney Jean Lewis is leading the volunteer-driven project. The board of directors for the tax-exempt Novato theatre Restoration Committee includes Penny Hershman, Bill Kelly, Denis Carrade, Phyllis Cope and Lewis.
— Looking for that perfect gift? Dollhouse and Crafts of Marin may just be the answer to that Christmas list The recently expanded shop at 14 Commercial Blvd. in Bel Marin Keys offers a wide range of gift ideas for children and the young at heart From a dollhouse village to a full set up and running train room, the shop is sure to be the destination of choice for Christmas shoppers. Owned and operated by Linda Becker of Novato, the shop opened a year ago and has just expanded into a warehouse and gotten all of its displays up and running.
— The community is invited to tour the newly renovated Novato chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Center Road and Kendon Lane. After almost two years of remodeling, the church gained a pitched roof over its classroom wing, new heating and air conditioning systems, a sound system with facilities for the hearing impaired, new lighting, a spruced-up kitchen and other improvements. The building is home to the congregation and its organizations — Including the Relief Society for women, and the Primary, for children. It’s also home to the Boy Scout troop the church sponsors, and for the teenagers who get together each school day morning at 6:15 to study their faith. The open house includes light refreshments. The Novato congregation is led by Bishop Richard V. Harris, who is assisted by Ron Clare and Rodney Holland.
Cl says
Whatever happened to the promise of the newly remodeled state of the art reproduction of our classic theater?
To think that we were going to use additional taxes to gift the Historical site and facilities of the Alvarado Inn to the homeless. We would have lost another treasured foundation of the essence of Novato
Thank you for the memories which brings the evolution of Novato, a city we cherish, into a memorable perspective!