Mayor's Weekly (June 23 – June 29)

On my Mind
The best 4th of July Parade in the North Bay is just a few days away.  The parade has it all from decorated basset hounds to World War II vehicles from Joe Garbarino’s Museum.  This year’s Grand Marshals are Ernie and Charlene Zunino, who retired from business in September 2013 after running the oldest continuously operating family business in Novato, Zunino’s Shoe Repair on Grant Avenue. The parade begins in Old Town at 10AM on Friday where about 100 entrants and floats will make their way down Grant Avenue.  There is probably no better event that epitomizes our unique community—a vibrant city of over 50,000 people with a small town character that both natives and new residents embrace.

Year after year, the event is organized by the 4th of July Parade committee who start the planning process in January so that everything is perfect come 10AM on the 4th.  The night before, many spectators will scope out their spot along Grant and park a myriad of lawn and camping chairs along the sidewalks.  Early the next morning there are plenty of activities before the parade begins. If you want to start the morning with some great pancakes, the 61st Annual Presbyterian Church Buckaroo Breakfast starts at 7AM in the Redwood Credit Union Parking lot.  Then you can get in some morning exercise with the “Firecracker 4” four mile road race & “Mayor’s Mile” one mile walk/jog through Novato.  Last year, my wife and I ran the 4 miler, but this year I will be running the Mayor’s Mile race and have a challenge for the kids.  Any kids 12 or younger who register to run and beat me in the 1 Mile race will get a voucher for a FREE child’s size gelato at Powell’s Sweet Shoppe to be redeemed on the 4th.  You can sign-up for the race here.  Special thanks to Powell’s for offering the gelato!  

Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 4th and probably some really fast kids early in the morning.  Also, as a follow-up from a great comment by Susan Wreden, let's be sure to acknowledge and appreciate our veterans in the parade.  How great would it be to give them a standing ovation as they make their way down the Grant?

Around Town
Is your home ready for wildfire? – This past Wednesday, I met Fire Chief Mark Heine for coffee.  Our meeting was long overdue, but I have been extremely impressed by the job he has done since taking the helm.  We also got to talking about the fire dangers that exist this summer.  Here is a great website where you can learn how to create defensible space and be prepared.  http://www.readysetgomarin.org/

Bay Trail Grand Opening at Hamilton – On Thursday, June 26, the 2.7 mile Bay Trail segment at Hamilton was officially opened.  If you haven’t been, you really should go check it out.  There is even an app you can download which will provide 1 minute information audio tracks along points of interest on the trail.

Food Trucks at Vintage Oaks – I didn’t get a chance to make it on Thursday, but curious if anyone stopped by the food trucks?  If so, what did you think?

Grand Re-Opening for Sports Authority – If you were at Vintage Oaks at all this week, you may have seen some of the grand re-opening promos for Sports Authority.  It was great to cut the ribbon with the employees on Saturday morning.

The Week Ahead
Tuesday (July 1):
No City Council Meeting this week

Friday  (July 4):
4th of July Parade – 10AM (Downtown Novato)
http://novatoparade.com