NH2 Salon Owner a Finalist in National Philanthropic Award

Nicole Hitchcock, co-founder of in the , has been named a finalist in the national “Caring is Sexy” hair stylist award.

The award is co-sponsored by Sexy Hair Corp. and the company, Look Good…Feel Better, a nonprofit that helps more than 50,000 women who are undergoing cancer treatment cope with appearance-related side effects.

Nominated by her mother, Hitchcock was chosen as a finalist and given a video camera in order to produce an entry video. 

Hitchcock has long been helping cancer patients in Marin County. She worked with many of her clients to help them get emotionally ready for chemotherapy and then again after hair loss to provide coping skills.

“I’ve helped women find a wig … styling to make it look just like their own hair,” Hitchcock said.  She also helps women when their hair grows back to adjust to changes in the color and texture.

She realized the importance of providing that support after her sister Brandy was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, 10 days after giving birth to her son.  

“She was so strong and I never saw her cry until she was told she was going to lose her hair,” Hitchcock said.

Sadly, within three months of diagnosis, Brandy succumbed to treatment-related heart failure.

The 10 stylists at NH2 Salon now contribute their efforts to the cause. “Seeing the emotional impact, we’ve made it a complimentary salon service," Hitchcock said.

Hitchcock’s caring extends to other causes as well.  In 2007, her son was diagnosed with autism, around the same time that her salon opened.

She now volunteers for Jenny McCarthy’s Generation Rescue and her salon has been a sponsor of Bay Area events for Autism Awareness Month, including this year’s Comedy for Kids with Autism held in San Francisco.

Through the organization, Hitchcock serves as a Rescue Angel to help other moms and dads of children newly diagnosed with autism navigate and find support resources in the community.

She manages all of her volunteer work and her high-end salon with the help of her husband, James Davey, who has made taking care of their son his full-time job.

Hitchcock says that her husband’s support is important. “Because he’s with our son, I can focus on my clients while I'm at work. They deserve 100 percent of my attention.”

“I can’t say that I do it all perfectly, but I start each day with the intention to have balance and to do the best I can with each endeavor.”

To vote for Nicole Hitchcock for the "Sexy is Caring" award, click on this link to her video entry and hit the “like” button. Votes must be received by Nov. 4.

NovatoSpirit Receives Grant from Supervisor

The nonprofit NovatoSpirit received a $500 gift from County Supervisor Judy Arnold to help disadvantaged youth in Novato to participate in sports.

“This county funding is a blessing to us at this time, when we are helping an increasing number of youth,” said NovatoSpirit Executive Director Marian Schinske in a press release. “Due to the economy, many families hope for financial assistance for sports and other health-related needs.”

NovatoSpirit offers scholarships to low-income kids in Novato to participate in fitness programs, such as karate, tae kwon do, dance and soccer. For more information about NovatoSpirit, call 892-5118.

The Garden Restaurant Re-Discovered

Leslie Harlib's review of in the Marinscope newspapers  praises chef-owner Hilda Hattar's food as "good to exceptional." Harlib said the special she tried (pan-seared dayboat scallops) "was like eating something I’d expect to pay big bucks for in a five-star fine dining establishment."

The Ignacio restaurant is off the beaten path but Hattar's Mediterranean cuisine has a well-established fan club in Novato and beyond.

Here is the full review.

Hennessy Advisors Announces Dividend

The board of directors of Novato-based Hennessy Advisors, Inc. announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.025 per share, according to a release. It will be paid on Dec. 8 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 15.  This payment brings the total dividend payments for the 2011 calendar year to $0.10 per share, an 11 percent increase from the last annual dividend of $0.09 paid in November 2010.

"We feel very good about continuing to pay such a strong dividend to our shareholders," said Neil Hennessy, the company's president, chairman and CEO. "The current dividend yield of 3.30 percent ... is actually higher than that paid on the entire Dow Jones Industrial Average and better than the current 30-year U.S. Treasury bill."