Get Out! Novato Weekend Planner July 22-24

Friday:

The is presenting a free home ownership seminar at its downtown Novato branch. Topics will include: buying bank-owned foreclosures and short sales, the mortgage approval process, tax benefits of home and investment property ownership, and smart budget planning and loan conversion techniques.

If you go: Register early by calling 415-898-1778 ext 221. The seminar is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at , 1010 Grant Ave. in Novato.

Saturday

Bring your sweet pup out for the Paw Prints Dog Walk at McInnis Park in San Rafael. Paw Prints is a great way for you and your canine companions to help raise funds, and awareness, for the Marin Humane Society shelter animals.

If you go: The registration fee is $25 and begins at 9 a.m. From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. participants will take a leisurely walk around scenic McInnis Park. Choose from a 1.7 mile walk or take the shorter route of just over one mile. Hang out after the walk to watch agility demonstrations and visit vendors with fun stuff for you and your canine companions. McInnis Park is at 310 Smith Ranch Road in San Rafael.

Saturday

The Marin Open Garden Project encourages backyard gardeners to bring the excess from your garden to exchange with other gardeners every Saturday in Novato. What a great idea!

If you go: The exchange is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at , 1035 Seventh St. in Novato.

Sunday:

The Marin County Bicycle Coalition and Whole Foods Market present Tour de Marin. Join all classes of cyclists on a 40-mile ride through scenic Marin and then watch the final stage of the Tour de France (Champs-Élysées) in the afternoon. There will be great food all along the ride, including fine gourmet cuisine from Marin artisan cheese and bread makers. You'll ride past Big Rock, see redwood groves and horse stables, and take in a feast at the Nicasio energizer station.

If you go: Tour de Marin registration is $40 with all proceeds going to MCBC's efforts to open the Alto Tunnel to bicycles, which will complete Marin's North/South Bicycle Greenway. The registration fee includes an organic cotton ride T-shirt to first 200 riders, pre-race breakfast treats at Whole Foods Market, a well stocked energizer station at Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, a swag bag featuring Whole Foods Market vendors and bike stuff and support and SAG wagon The 40-mile benefit ride will start and end at Whole Foods Market’s San Rafael Store. After the ride, cyclists are encouraged to head to Pizza Orgasmica to watch the final stage of the Tour de France on the large screen. All ride levels welcome, no one is left behind. The ride will be supported with ride leaders, sweepers and course marshals from the Marin Cyclists and a SAG (support and gear) wagon courtesy of Mike's Bikes. To register click here.

Sunday:

West Coast Songwriters is a community of committed members who actively seek guidance and support. If you’re interested in managing a band or want to work for a record label, WCS is right for you! Introductions to emerging bands, music industry luminaries and the chance for an “insiders” look at the world of music are the best way to get started.

If you go: The event starts at 6 p.m. at , 224 Vintage Way, in Novato.

 Do you have a weekend event we did not list? Go ahead and add it in the comments to let everyone know other cool stuff going on in the community. Is your event not in our calendar? You can add your own events quick, easy and for free just by clicking here.