How the Loss of LucasFilm Project Impacts Us

Lucasfilm on a new production film studio at the old Grady Ranch in San Rafael is being characterized as a historic loss for Marin County. Closer to home, the  CEO, Coy Smith, said the employment provided by the project would have had been a key driver for our city's economy.

“There’s a good chance that a bunch of the people that would have been employed by this expansion would have lived, shopped, banked, bought houses, put their kids in schools, etc. …here in Novato,” Smith remarked in an e-mail to Novato Patch.

Novato City Manager Michael Frank said there would have been all sorts of benefits to having Grady Ranch developed.

"The Lucas proposal is the best kind of corporate partner and neighbor," he said. "They produce high paying jobs, are a clean industry, are not traffic intensive, and have numerous secondary support businesses.

"As a community and county, we need to figure out how, if we are only residential, we are going to pay for the services, parks and roads in our significantly aging population."

Reader comments on the Patch article reporting the failed project have taken an interesting turn. Some suggest that George Lucas consider two sites in Novato for expansion: the old building or the two hangars at Hamilton that were vacated in 2010 by .

A few readers are encouraging an email letter-writing campaign to the Novato City Council and Supervisor Judy Arnold asking them to woo Lucasfilm to Novato. The city, by the way, no longer has a redevelopment agency to lure businesses to Novato. However, Frank said he will make a budget proposal at the April 17 council meeting that includes the hiring of an economic development director.

Pet Shop Moves Down the Street

has relocated a short dog-walk distance from its former location and into the space at 834 Grant Ave., right behind the downtown clock. It's the same spot  stationery and gifts left last August.

Owner Liza Metz said the new space is brighter and bigger. With the shop directly at the end of Sherman Avenue, she expects more a bit more walk-by traffic as well. The ample floor space will allow for an expanded inventory. Metz said small dogs already like the layout with room to run down the center aisle.

“The old location was just too small and dark," Metz said. "With a much larger floor plan we can display and present so much more for our visitors."

With low rents and a still uncertain economy, said she locked in great terms and will be in town for at least the next several years. Special parking in the rear will be available for easy load out, with another dedicated parking spot for the disabled.

Metz said Klyde Street Pets' claim to fame is it has one of the largest open treat bars in the county. Bring your well-behaved pooch to check it out. Track down more details at 899-7387 or www.klydestreetpets.com.

Novato Restaurants Reviewed

There were good reviews for two Novato restaurants and two head chefs who are bringing an interesting mix of flavors to their menus.

head chef and owner, Marx Passos, has the menu standards you'd expect from a casual American cafe, including Italian dishes. But, according to the Marin IJ review, Passos also creates some daily specials with the Brazilian flavors he grew up with. The reviewer remarked positively on the "freshness and substantial portions."

At , chef/owner Gustavo Ramos brings a mix of Spanish and Italian dishes to his menu. The Marin IJ reviewer said the risotto and paella are not to be missed and called the Chicken Cherry (not cherry but sherry) irresistible.

Both restaurants have been added to my must-try list.

A Tavola By Any Other Name

I was thinking over the situation where for violation of trademark. 

Coppola has trademarked the Italian phrase “a tavola” (“at the table”) as a type of off-menu service that is featured Tuesdays at his Rustic restaurant in Geyserville.

owners have been so grateful for the support they are getting from diners and they have posted a public grazie on their Facebook page.

But, if Coppola insists on pulling out all the legal stops to go forward, the Novato restaurant just might have to change the name to and cost of attorneys. 

I have a few suggestions that might save on printing and signage. The first is to add four letters to the name, making it “Notatavola.” Clear enough, Mr. Coppola?

Scrambling the existing letters would create another option, “Volata.” It can mean “rush” or “final sprint” in Italian and has a nice ring to it — and it can be sung to the tune of “Volare.”

Any other ideas?

Novato Patch's Brent Ainsworth contributed to this report.