ARTrageous Gallery Planned for Grant Avenue

ARTrageous is new art gallery co-op that is in the works at 857 Grant Ave. and is scheduled for a Dec. 1 grand opening.

Karen Duarteau, who is also the owner of , is opening the gallery near the corner of Sherman and Grant to create another reason to draw customers to the downtown.

“There’s a need for a gallery,” Duarteau said. “We want Novato as a destination, and we need more going on.”

Sweet Potatoes, a children's clothing store, previously occupied the spot adjacent to the .

According to Sharlyn Sawyer, the gallery coordinator, ARTrageous will have its soft opening on Nov. 15. It will be open Tuesdays through Sundays with late hours on Thursday evenings.  

Sawyer says ARTrageous would like to become a small mecca for the arts, artists and the art-inspired. She says the plan is to also make the 1100-square-foot gallery available for rent as an event space for private receptions and cultural events.

Even with the slow economy, Duarteau said she was motivated to open the gallery to help reverse the trend of vacancies on Grant Avenue that include several closures next to her clothing boutique. She even supports the idea of other art galleries and clothing boutiques coming to the downtown to keep people shopping in Novato.

“I believe you need competition,” Duarteau said. “I believe in growth and changing and giving everybody an opportunity.  I welcome competition. There’s always room for more.”

Key Appointments at Fireman's Fund

, Novato’s largest employer, appointed of David Zona as chief underwriting officer and Kathleen Zortman as chief field executive, the company said Wednesday.

Zona is responsible for setting the direction and priorities for commercial and personal insurance product lines and has primary accountability for driving profitable growth, according to a release. Previously, Zona was responsible for the commercial insurance product team at Fireman’s Fund. Prior to joining Fireman’s Fund in March 2010, Zona held leadership positions at Nationwide and AIG.

Zortman is responsible for leading the field underwriting, customer service and sales teams to create a consistent experience for Fireman’s Fund agents and broker partners. A 24-year veteran of the insurance industry, Zortman previous worked at Professional Risk Solutions, PLI Brokerage, Chubb and Deloitte Consulting.

Circle Bank Reports Positive Quarterly Results

Circle Bancorp, parent company of Novato-based , reported a slight increase in third quarter earnings per share over one year ago and a 3.8 percent jump in net incomem, it said in a release Wednesday.

Net income applicable to common equity was $215,000, or $0.19 diluted earnings per share, up 2 cents from same period last year. The figures in the third quarter of 2010 were $207,000, or $0.17 per share.

Kim Kaselionis, CEO/chairman of Circle Bank, attributed the performance to strong customer loyalty and solid relationships with local customers.

The bank reported its 49th consecutive profitable quarter. Total assets were $316.7 million for the periods ending Sept. 30, 2011 and 2010, according to the  release.

Bank of Marin Earnings Call on Monday

(NASDAQ:BMRC) will webcast its third quarterly earnings conference call at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24 to discuss the results of its fiscal third quarter that ended Sept. 30.

Chief Executive Officer Russell A. Colombo, Chief Financial Officer Christina J. Cook and Chief Credit Officer Kevin K. Coonan will present the quarterly earnings results and highlights.

Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet through Bank of Marin’s website under “Latest Press and News.”

To listen to the live call, the company recommends listeners go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay will be available on the site shortly after the call.