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 December Highlights | |
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A recap of City news and events in December:
To get the latest information on City news and events, you can sign-up for our e-Notification service on a variety of topics, including news releases, community events, and planning updates. |
| SMART to Upgrade Railroad Crossings in Novato | |
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As soon as January 8, 2013, SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) will be upgrading railroad crossings throughout the City. Work at each location will last one to three days and will involve partial street closures. Electronic message boards will be posted at each location two weeks in advance of a closure.
The following is the tentative work schedule for each location:
Olive Avenue--Jan 8-11
Golden Gate Place--Jan. 12-13
Grant Avenue--Jan. 15-18
Rush Creek Place--Jan.18-19
Franklin Underpass Ped-Crossing--TBA; see website
Ignacio Ped-Crossing--TBA; see website
Roblar Dr.--TBA; see website
For the latest updates, please visit the SMART website. |
| Novato turns 53--Come Celebrate! | |
| City Offices Project Update | | |
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First section of shoring at the east end of the construction site
Shoring was installed this week at the east end of the site to accommodate upcoming work on the footings in this area. Other work included grading the basement floor, installing under slab drainage pipes, pouring concrete into the elevator pile caps and installing a shoring system for the sump pits. Additionally this week, City maintenance staff cleaned up and graded the old depot site at the east end of Grant Avenue in preparation for contractor parking in early January.
Weather permitting, work over the next few weeks will include installing crushed rock base and edge forms for the basement slab, and waterproofing and rebar installation for the sump pits, elevator pit and remaining footings at the east end of the building. Construction crews will be on site Wednesday through Friday during both the Christmas and New Years' weeks. The project remains under budget.
To see the progress, check out our webcam, and get more information on our City Offices project webpage.
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| Novato Youth Speaks | |
Photo courtesy of the Novato Patch/Brent Ainsworth
On December 13, members of the Youth Council--a joint project of the Novato Blue Ribbon Coalition for Youth ("Coaltion") and Healthy Novato--presented their findings from a six-month project, "PhotoVoice."
Through PhotoVoice, the teens explored community attitudes and conditions that lead to underage drinking through photographs and peer interviews. They presented their findings through an exhibit at Novato City Hall, which also included their recommendations for creating change--in what they found to be an accepted social norm of underage drinking--in the Novato community.
In 2013, the Coalition will work to expand partnerships with the Healthy Novato project--which also works on goals related to reducing underage drinking and bullying--and other community partners and is planning a "Bullying Prevention Forum" for March that will be open to the community. Stay tuned for details.
The Coalition welcomes new members and volunteers: please visit their website or contact Samantha Kimpel at 415-899-8236 for more information. |
| Parks, Recreation, and Community Services: Keeping Novato Fit & Active | |
As the days grow shorter and weather turns cold, staff at the City's Lu Sutton Child Care (LSCC) program look for ways to incorporate indoor fitness activities at the end of each day. They created an opportunity for LSCC children to develop their minds and bodies through one of their favorite activities--video games.The late afternoon period was typically a tough time to keep all motivated and active, until Nintendo Wii fitness games arrived on-site.
The Wii gaming system is now used as a physical fitness and skill development tool,and has been successfully incorporated into the LSCC program for nearly six months. Some of the games that the children participate in are: Wii Fit, Just Dance, Zumba Fitness, Wii Sports, and Wii Resort.These games help the children by improving their hand-eye coordination, balance, posture, strength, and aerobic activity. Find out more about the classes, camps, and childcare offerings by our Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept.
Additionally, the PRCS gymnastics program offers recreational and competitive opportunities for Novato children of all ages. The Novato Gymnastics Center hosts an annual recreational Winter Wonderland Gymnastics Meet each December, and this year, 40 students participated in the Dec. 15 meet, with more than 150 spectators on-hand cheering them on.
The event features Levels 1, 2, and 3 students who perform individual routines on vault, bars, beam and floor exercise for coaches, family and friends. Often this meet is a student's first experience on how it feels to "compete" in gymnastics and despite the pressure of performing routines individually, all did very well, and the meet was successful in every way. "Judging" duties are performed by current Novato Gymnastics Team members. Team members look forward to this annual event, and although they do not formally judge, they do write notes about each performance to encourage ongoing participation in gymnastics. This method of encouragement and assessment also gives the Team members the additional benefit of experiencing a meet from an observer's perspective.
Open registration for Session 4 of Gymnastics begins February 5. Session lasts for 7 weeks from February 22 - April 20.
New Year--New Possibilities
Ready for something new to do after the holidays? Want your children to stay active and engaged during the winter months? Time to get online and check out the Novato Winter/Spring Activities Guide.
New Tiny Tot class sessions start in January at both Hamilton Community Center and Lu Sutton Child Care locations. Novato School of Dance begins Winter sessions mid-month with classes for children ages 3 - 12 years in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip-Hop. New classes include Pom-Pom Dance Classes for 4-12 year-olds and Rhythm and Movement for your 3 year-old. The Wild Things Drama Project (Grades K-2) or the Harry Potter Drama Project (Grades 3-5), offer creative and fun ways to incorporate and explore theater in late February. Both are taught by professional teaching artists form the Marin Theatre Company at the Hamilton Community Center.
Ages 8-17: GREASE is the word! Don't miss the chance to be part of this classic rock n' roll production of Grease. All registered participants will have a role in the production! Auditions are January 26 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Hamilton Community Center West Wing. Sign up now.
Improve your sports skills and sign up for Novato Basketball Academy classes running January-May, or get ready for the baseball season with February, March and April Baseball Camps for 7-12 year-olds. Taekwondo classes are offered for all ages and skill levels at the Hamilton Community Center.
Our adult programs offer a huge array of fitness and educational classes. Fitness programs run the gamut from Yoga, Qi-Acise, Strength Training, Zumba, Boot Camps, and Coed Softball and Volleyball Leagues. Need a mental jumpstart to understand that new holiday iPhone, iPad, or Digital DSL camera? We have just the class for you and they also start in January!
Find the Guide online and imagine the possibilities! |
| Community Resources | |
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In the wake of the tragedy in Connecticut, Marin County Schools Superintendent Mary Jane Burke shares some communication resources for families:
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75 Rowland Way, #200 Novato, CA 94945
city@novato.org
www.novato.org
415.899.8900
415.899.8213 fax
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City offices are closed from Dec. 21-Jan.1. The Novato Police Department is open every day. For emergenices, please call 911. For non-emergencies, please call 897.4361, and after business hours, call 897.1122. Happy Holidays!
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- City offices holiday closure Dec. 21-Jan 1
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day--City offices closed Jan. 21
- Tues., Jan 8, 15, & 29
City Council Meetings
@ 6:30 pm
- Wed., Jan 2 & 16
Design Review Commission
- Mon., Jan 7
Planning Commission
- Thurs., Jan 10 & 24
Zoning Administrator
For updated information, please see our calendar. |
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Novato for the Holidays & 2013
SAVE THE DATE |
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Old Town stays open late on Friday nights thru Dec 21
Paint the Town Red
Novato's Birthday Bash
Fri., Jan. 18, 2013
6-10 pm
Margaret Todd Senior Ctr
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Winter Storm Preparedness
 Tips:
- Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding
- Avoid crossing where water is above your knees
- Avoid driving over flooded roads--if your call stalls, abandon it and seek higher ground
- Avoid unnecessary trips in your car
- Tune to local radio or tv stations for emergency info
- Only call 9-1-1 for emergencies
- Places to get sandbags
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Beso Bistro & Wine Bar is now open!
Located in a City-owned building at Hamilton, next to the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Beso is open for lunch & dinner from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. every day. Check them out on Facebook or call 883.6700. |
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GREEN Holiday Tips
from the Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association
- Use reusable ornaments and natural items like popcorn and pinecones to trim your tree. Avoid fake snow and tinsel as these products can impact water and air quality when trees are put out for recycling.
- Get creative with gift-wrap alternatives. Place a gift within a gift by using a holiday tin or reusable shopping or tote bag instead of paper. Or, go "old school" and use newspaper comics to make gifts more fun.
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Our Town
E-Newsletter Staff
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