The Super Fresh Art Gallery at 906 Grant Avenue is a tasteful new venue that is not only exhibiting thematic artwork that revolves around food; it is also a book exchange for kids, an eclectic store and a place for community events.
Owners Jennifer and Matthew Carden know their subject matter(s) well. Jennifer is a chef and author and Matthew is the artist whose works currently hang in their new gallery. Daughter Claire is keeper of the store’s Book Nook. Super Fresh has become quite the popular stop-in for shoppers and looky-loos during the Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings (4-8 p.m.).
Women’s Initiative Closes Novato Office
Local members of the SuccessLink program at the Women’s Initiative for Self Employment were shocked to find out that the Novato office will close its doors in the Woodside Officer Center at 7250 Redwood Boulevard effective July 31st.
In an email to members, interim CEO Nicole Levine said, “Women’s Initiative’s executive team and Governing Board have made the strategic business decision to refocus resources in key urban markets. We know that there is more demand for our services in urban markets, and by focusing our resources in San Francisco and Oakland, we will be able to more efficiently serve women in the Bay Area. We believe that the decision to refocus resources will strengthen the organization and enable us to serve more women in the long run.“
The Women’s Initiative is a training ground for socioeconomically challenged women. Their program(s) help them get back on their feet financially and give them the training and support they need to start new businesses. Among the Marin Board members are Kim Kaselionis of Circle Bank, Dana King of CBS, and Denis Lucy of Dominican University.
North Bay Business Journal Announces Best Places to Work 2012
Novato’s own made the seven-time winners list of the North Bay Business Journal’s annual listing of the “best places to work.” Ghirardo is a tax, accounting, and business services firm, which serves Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties. Ghirardo was one of five companies tied for third place in the 20 to 50 employees category. of Novato also made the top ten list for this category and was one of seven companies tied for fourth place. came in a four-way tie for sixth place.
Only one Novato company placed in the 51 to 100 employee category. came in a three-way tie for seventh place. In the 101 to 250 employee category, . came in a three-way tie for sixth place. No Novato companies made the 251 to 500, 501 to 1000, or > 1000 employee categories.
Mission Lodge Development Approaches Next Phase
At a Novato City Council meeting in May 2009, Novato residents presented a petition opposing plans to build a Walgreens store on the site of the Mission Lodge at 935 Front Street. A little over three years later a new set of plans will soon be submitted for City approval(s).
The “research and design” phase ends August 20th according to the architect’s (Architectural Dimensions) website set up for the project. The next phase will be the “entitlement process” which will involve; making formal submittals for amendments to the general plan, rezoning (to allow for housing), and design and environmental reviews. If all continues to go to plan, drawings for construction will begin next June and construction could start in February of 2014.
Leslie Schaaf, a Novato resident said of the project, “I think when they start building it people in Novato will be quite shocked at the size and bulk of the building. It is completely out of scale with the rest of the neighborhood. The closing of Front Street at Diablo may very well be the end of the rest of the resident-serving businesses on Front Street."
Novato’s ITG Nominated for Two EMMAs
The Forum for Expatriate Management has nominated ITG Worldwide for awards in two categories at this year’s Global Mobility Summit in Las Vegas to be held on September 13th and 14th. The two categories are Best International Benefits Provider of the Year, and Best Global Mobility’s Rising Star.
ITG Worldwide is a Novato-based firm that specializes in international insurance. They are one of the few agencies dedicated to helping employers mitigate insurance risk associated with global mobility. They specialize in providing individuals and organizations assistance with their needs related to expatriate health insurance, business travel, and special risk and war zone coverage.
Fireman’s Fund Appoints Paul Fuegner as V.P. of Brand Management
Fireman’s Fund announced that Paul Fuegner would be taking the role as steward of the Fireman’s Fund brand and identity as Vice President of Brand Management. Fuegner comes to Fireman’s Fund from ViVa Beverages where he served as chief marketing officer. He also has had executive marketing roles with the Griffin Group, SKYY Spirits and Diageo. Throughout his career, he has managed a variety of established global and start-up brands across multiple distribution channels.
Juliene Conway, chief marketing officer at Fireman’s Fund said, “His leadership and expertise will be instrumental with our company’s upcoming 150th anniversary next year.” Fuegner holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from College of the Holy Cross and a master’s in business administration from Northeastern University.
According to the website the new building is going to be an apartment complex for seniors. City Specific Plan "The Mission Lodge site is underutilized and does not take advantage of its prominent location at one of the key gateways to Downtown. The development concept for the site includes replacement of the Mission Lodge with multiple commercial uses in the "village design" concept. An incentive for development of this "village design" is the closure of Front Street adjacent to the site, incorporation of the night-of-way into the project site, and a suitable dedication of property along the First Street boundary to allow for the widening of First Street to two-way traffic, construction of a sidewalk on one side, and appropriate landscape buffers to the adjacent neighborhood." http://www.ci.novato.ca.us/cd/dsp/dspexecu.html