Welcome to Our Handy New Dine & Donate Feature

Not really a cookie dough buyer? The thought of buying yet another roll of gift wrap from a kid make you feel all Grinch-like? Like the idea of helping out schools, whether you have kids enrolled or not? What if just by the simple act of, say, going out to dinner, something you happen to be doing anyway, you could donate money to a Novato school?

That’s the genesis for this new feature on Novato Patch. I mentioned to Patch Editor Brent Ainsworth awhile back that it would be really cool to have all of the fundraisers put on by the various schools in a home of their own on Patch. (Let my involvement here be a lesson to all of you: if you’re going to make a suggestion, be prepared to then take it on.) Since Patch is meant to be a place for all of us to lay claim to, I’m laying claim to this.

If you’re running a fundraiser for a Novato school, public or private, and you want to get the word out about your next Dine & Donate event, send me an email and I’ll include the scoop here.

And if you really want cookie dough or wrapping paper, let me know, and I’ll hook you up with one of the fine young salespeople who live with me.

Here is the first installment!

Fall Fling

5-8:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4

It’s the Fall Fling, featuring music students from both Hamilton and San Jose, with a heaping serving of the Lots-A-Pasta buffet catered by Pasta Kings. It’s a great opportunity for the community to eat, dance and listen to some wonderful music. Tickets at the door are just $12 for those 11 and older and just $10 for the younger crowd. An Atkins aficionado? Just $5 will get you through the door for music and dancing without the carb dinner.

Drive Smart for Your School

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6

It’s time to upgrade the computer lab at Novato High. Come on out to Novato High and test drive a brand new Lincoln. Lincoln will donate $20 back to NHS Academic Boosters for every test drive up to $6,000. There is no cost to you. There will be no pressure to buy. You just get to experience that new car smell while someone else donates the cash.

Stars & Stripes – Vets & Cadets

6-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10

Marin Catholic High School, 675 Sir Francis Drake, Kentfield

“Honoring our veterans and supporting our students,” that describes this event in a nutshell. This is the largest fundraiser for the Air Force JROTC at each year. It is an all-American evening of music and nostalgia with an informal dinner and auction. You can attend for a $50 donation. If you’re a veteran, you can attend free as an honored guest. If you’re interested in attending or donating any items to the auction, please call Betty Angerman at 924.0770 or visit www.buildingbettercitizens.org for more information or to attend.