Smog checks available now—always ready when you are

Hamilton's Smog

Grab a coupon or to book online: https://sites.google.com/view/hamiltons-smog/home?pli=1 We test all vehicle, all ages 1976-2026. Experience quick and convenient service at Hamilton's STAR Smog Check, your local Novato inspection station. Since 2021, we've been serving the community with efficient smog checks for all types of vehicles, including gasoline, diesel, and hybrid cars, as well as large trucks and RVs. Our certified technicians perform both STAR and non-STAR inspections, ensuring your vehicle meets all state requirements. Simply drive in for a hassle-free inspection, with most vehicles completed in under 30 minutes.

Marin County

Albert Gregory

Bay Area

Novato

California

Grab a coupon or to book online: https://sites.google.com/view/hamiltons-smog/home?pli=1 We test all vehicle, all ages 1976-2026. Experience quick...

Gaspare's Pizzeria Ristorante & Bar

Gaspare’s Pizzeria Ristorante &amp; Bar is a family-owned Italian restaurant proudly serving the community since 2008. We offer a full menu of classic Italian dishes, handcrafted pizzas, and comforting favorites made with quality ingredients. Whether you're joining us for a relaxed dinner, meeting friends for drinks, or catching the game at the bar, you can expect great food and genuine hospitality every time. Visit us and experience the difference.

San Rafael

Gaspare’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Bar is a family-owned Italian restaurant proudly serving the community since 2008. We offer a full menu of classic...

Local to Novato Pay-What-You-Can music program

Maud Powell String Institute 

We are a high quality and highly accessible music nonprofit for immigrant and underserved communities in Novato, CA. We have a Pay-What-You-Can tuition system in place for low income families. We also provide the instruments to all our students.

We are a high quality and highly accessible music nonprofit for immigrant and underserved communities in Novato, CA. We have a Pay-What-You-Can...

Novato Nerf Nation is proud to be celebrating one year of having Nerf wars together! Come to our epic celebration war including awesome new game types, a raffle for a Nerf Stryfe, and CAKE!!! IT SHALL BE LIFE CHANGING!!!

Novato Nerf Nation One Year Anniversary

Community Corner

San Anselmo-Fairfax

Sonoma County

Angela Woodall

Petaluma

Larkspur-Corte Madera

Mill Valley

Sonoma Valley

Contra Costa County

Pinole-Hercules

El Cerrito

Rohnert Park-Cotati

Alameda County

Albany

The Sonoma Valley community will gather at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park for the 68th Annual Sonoma Valley Joint Memorial Day Observance, presented by the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park Association. The location address is: 126 First Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476 (Adjacent to the Sonoma Veterans Building). 
This year’s Guest of Honor and keynote speaker will be retired United States Marine Corps Colonel Harry “Bucky” Peterson, a Sonoma resident and distinguished 33-year Marine Corps veteran whose service included combat and leadership assignments in Vietnam, the Middle East, Somalia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During his military career, Colonel Peterson commanded units ranging from rifle platoons in Vietnam to an entire Marine Infantry Regiment. Following his retirement in 1999, he returned to active duty after the September 11 attacks to help oversee Marine operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. His military honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, and three Combat Action Ribbons.
The ceremony will include the traditional Grand March of Veterans, with all veterans encouraged to arrive by 10:30 a.m., as seating is limited. Additional program highlights will include patriotic performances by the Sonoma Hometown Band under the direction of Therese Pasquale Hill; Color Guard presentations by both the United States Marine Corps and the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Color Guard; and a Rifle Salute presented by local veterans’ organizations.
Musical tributes will feature the National Anthem performed by Miss Sonoma County 2026 Addison Carver, “God Bless America” sung by vocalist Cathy Slack, and ceremonial selections by bagpiper John Noonan and bugler Therese Pasquale Hill. Korean War veteran Olyn Hicks will present a Memorial Day poem, while regional pageant titleholders will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Additional participants will include Sonoma Mayor Ron Wellander, who will deliver an official proclamation; Vietnam veteran Gene Campagna, who will offer the invocation; and Reverend Peadar A. Dalton, who will deliver the benediction. The ceremony will also feature a civilian aerial flyover provided by the Sonoma Sky Park Aviators.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies will be Carl “Chip” H. Allen, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and former U.S. Navy Polaris submarine officer.
Immediately following the ceremony, guests are invited to attend the complimentary “All-American Picnic” hosted by the three Sonoma Rotary Clubs and the Native Daughters of the Golden West at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building.
Guests will also have an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing Star of Honor pledge drive, which supports the preservation of Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park and its black marble Star of Honor Fountain — a lasting tribute inspired by the late World War II Navy veteran James “Jim” L. Parks.

Local Event: The 68th Annual Sonoma Valley Joint Memorial Day  Observance 

The 68th Annual Sonoma Valley Joint Memorial...

The Sonoma Valley community will gather at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at Sonoma Veterans Memorial Park for the 68th Annual...

The 68th Annual Sonoma Valley Joint Memorial Day  Observance 

🌱 Patch AM: Eight Bands, Two Days: Novato's Art...

Be sure to catch The 68th Annual Sonoma Valley Joint Memorial Day  Observance  on the Novato Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: Eight Bands, Two Days: Novato's Art, Wine & Music Festival Drops Its Full Lineup

Across California

Newsom Warns Californians To Avoid Chevron This...

Newsom: “Big Oil is already making billions off Trump’s Iran War; don’t let them rip you off even more by overpaying for the brand name.” 

Newsom Warns Californians To Avoid Chevron This Holiday Weekend, Citing High Gas Prices

Politics & Government

Napa County

Napa Valley

Judgment Of Paris: Wine's Power Shift 50 Years...

The "Judgment of Paris" was a geopolitical event in food culture that still reverberates 50 years later. 

Judgment Of Paris: Wine's Power Shift 50 Years Later 

Los Angeles County

Los Angeles

Ice Cream, Chips And Seasoning Blend Recalled...

Authorities are warning Californians not to eat certain ice creams, seasoning blends and chips due to contamination issues.

Ice Cream, Chips And Seasoning Blend Recalled In CA Ahead Of Holiday Weekend Summer Kick-Off

Health & Fitness

Video Shows Driver Possibly Sleeping Behind The...

Video of driver slumped behind the wheel of a moving Cybertruck, raising questions about self-driving technology and driver responsibility. 

Video Shows Driver Possibly Sleeping Behind The Wheel Of Tesla In Marin County

Crime & Safety

Quail Party Of 5: Photos Of The Week 

Patch loves photos! Share your photos with your local Patch, and your work could be featured.

Emily Rahhal 

3 Marin Restaurants On 2022 Wine Spectator List

A glass of wine is nice with dinner but these Marin restaurants go above and beyond with their extensive lists and service. 

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Community Corner

Novato Nerf Nation One Year Anniversary

Davis Diercks, Neighbor

More from Novato

Video Shows Driver Possibly Sleeping Behind The Wheel Of Tesla In Marin County

Eight Bands, Two Days: Novato's Art, Wine & Music Festival Drops Its Full Lineup

Celebrate Memorial Day Near Novato For America’s 250th

The 68th Annual Sonoma Valley Joint Memorial Day  Observance

Gaspare's Pizzeria Ristorante & Bar

Hamilton's Smog

Maud Powell String Institute