Smog checks available now—always ready when you are

Hamilton's Smog

We test all vehicle, all ages 1976-2025. 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

We test all vehicle, all ages 1976-2025. Experience quick and convenient service at Hamilton's STAR Smog Check, your local Novato inspection...

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...

Hi. I'm Nathanael. I started RentGear (<a href="http://www.rentgear.us" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.rentgear.us</a>) a company renting camping gear, with free delivery, pickup and cleaning when you're done. Serving all of the Bay Area, including Novato. Please call if you want to know more (415-729-4327).

Putting more fun in camping

Local Voices

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

Event: Two-week, four-session training – Senior Peer Counseling Program
When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, April 28, 29 and May 5,6, from 10am-1pm. 
Cost: Free of charge
Details: 
The Marin County Senior Peer Counseling Program will offer a two-week four-session training, Tuesdays and Wednesdays on April 28, 29 and May 5,6, from 10am-1pm. Led by Marin County Community Mental Health staff professionals, the training prepares volunteers, 55 and older, to provide supportive counseling to seniors, 60 and older, in Marin County. Volunteers will receive education on the issues of aging, training in basic counseling skills and information on community resources.Trained volunteers then make weekly visits to clients in their homes, supporting them in coping with aspects of aging while providing emotional support and practical resources. Volunteers also attend biweekly supervision groups, facilitated by mental health professionals with expertise in healthy aging.
If interested, please contact Michael Turrigiano, 415-473-4358, <a href="mailto:Micheal.Turrigiano@MarinCounty.gov">Micheal.Turrigiano@MarinCounty.gov</a>

Local Event: Senior Peer Counseling

Senior Peer Counseling

Event: Two-week, four-session training – Senior Peer Counseling Program
When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, April 28, 29 and May...

First Presbyterian San Anselmo

The amazing Katie Sontag -- her music has been described as "a big hug" -- is coming to Marin **this Wednesday, April 29th!** Come join us in San Anselmo for community singing: easy-to-learn songs of hope, resilience, belonging, and joy at the drop-in, open-to-anyone Opening Night of our Joyful Voices Chorus community choir with Guest Songleader Katie joining Marv. This is Katie's only California event on this trip down from Oregon! You can see Katie in action here: https://tinyurl.com/KatieLeading2
You don't have to be a member of our choir to sing with us Wednesday, you don't need any singing experience, and there's no music to read -- all voices are welcome! **Click the link for details, more Katie songs, and tickets** Come co-create the magic!

Local Event: Community Singing With Katie & Marv!

Community Singing With Katie & Marv!

The amazing Katie Sontag -- her music has been described as "a big hug" -- is coming to Marin **this Wednesday, April 29th!**...

Nativity Of Christ Greek Orthodox Church

Pop-up GYRO FEST-TO-GO this weekend - May 2 &amp; 3, 11am to 7pm @ Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Novato

- Traditional and authentic Greek Gyros, Fries, Baklava, Frappé iced coffee and sour cherry soda

- Orders "TO-GO" plus outdoor seating available
- Preorder online or stop by our church kitchen to pick up!

Local Event: Pop up GYRO FEST-TO-GO this weekend May 2 & 3!

Pop up GYRO FEST-TO-GO this weekend May 2 & 3!

Pop-up GYRO FEST-TO-GO this weekend - May 2 & 3, 11am to 7pm @ Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Novato

-...

Karen's Piano Studio, San Rafael, CA, 94901

Join us for a FREE Introductory Piano Session....
(There is NO obligation to sign up for lessons!)
Saturday, May 2&nbsp; &nbsp;1:00 pm
San Rafael
RSVP at www.KarensPiano.com

Learn how Simply Music is a Breakthrough Method that has students playing immediately.
*Australian- developed method
*Popular, Classical, Blues and more
*Students of All ages- Children, Teens, Adults, Seniors
*Beginners playing 40 – 50 pieces within twelve months
<a href="https://www.karenspiano.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.KarensPiano.com</a>

Local Event: Free Introductory Piano Session Sat, May 2

Free Introductory Piano Session Sat, May 2

Join us for a FREE Introductory Piano Session....
(There is NO obligation to sign up for lessons!)
Saturday,     May 2   1:00 ...

Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall

The 8th Annual Garagiste Festival: Northern Exposure is coming back on May 2, 2026 to give you rare access to the region's best small, hard-to-find winemakers. At this intimate event, you will discover and taste amazing, cutting edge wines from over 40 high-quality, micro-production, commercial wineries from Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Sierra Foothills, and more.
Find out for yourself why we’ve been selling out our events for ten years and why we were named the #1 Wine Festival in the Country by USA Today! Meet the winemakers and hear directly from them about the ins and outs of their winemaking styles.
Over 90% of Garagiste wineries do not have a tasting room, so this is truly a singular chance to discover and meet the next great winemakers and get the opportunity to taste their amazing micro-production wines.&nbsp;Your appointment to try these wines is all in one room, right here! You won't be able to duplicate this tasting experience at any other wine event.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Meet the winemakers, taste their passion!
2026 Winemaker Participants include:&nbsp;Absolution Cellars, Amalgam Wines, Burning Bench Cellars, Carpenter Wine, Cazadero Winery, Chaney Family Winery, Cormorant Cellars, Crosby Roamann, Diablo Paso, Flora Ranch Co., Forgotten Union Wines, G &amp; C Lurton Estate, Gothic Noir Wine, Greyscale Wines, Jambe de Bois Wines, Kaleidos Wines, Kendric Vineyards, Krueger Vaught, Lussier Wine Co., Maybach Family Cellars, McCarter Cellars, Mersenne Wines, Mon Premier Wines, Nicolina Wines, Oxlee Graham Wines, Panther Ridge Vineyards, Pine Mountain Vineyards, Rock &amp; Clay Wines, Schermeister Winery, Shick Family Wines, Spur Road Wines, Staysail Cellars, Tercero Wines and Y.B. Wine Co.
&nbsp;GRAND TASTING: 2:00-5:00pm - Includes unlimited tasting with over 30 small lot winemakers, complimentary cheese, bread and charcuterie, as well as samples from local artisan vendors.
RARE &amp; RESERVE EARLY ACCESS: 1:00-5:00pm&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Entry an hour early at 1:00pm and enjoy access to Rare &amp; Reserve wines only being poured during this hour. Limited tickets available to create a less crowded experience.&nbsp;Only 150 Tickets are available to this session.&nbsp;

Local Event: Garagiste Wine Festival: 8th Annual Northern Exposure

Garagiste Wine Festival: 8th Annual Northern...

The 8th Annual Garagiste Festival: Northern Exposure is coming back on May 2, 2026 to give you rare access to the region's best...

Garagiste Wine Festival: 8th Annual Northern Exposure

Red Hill Shopping Center

See a variety of EVs and Ebikes all in&nbsp;one place! Talk to EV/Ebike owners, and&nbsp;find the EV or Ebike that’s right for you.&nbsp;Learn how to switch to electric and save money with incentives, enjoy a better riding and driving&nbsp;experience, charge at home and on the road, power up with your EV during an&nbsp;outage. Sponsored by Ride and Drive Clean, Town of San Anselmo, Town of Fairfax.

Local Event: Free EV and EBike Show

Free EV and EBike Show

See a variety of EVs and Ebikes all in one place! Talk to EV/Ebike owners, and find the EV or Ebike that’s right for you. Learn...

🌱 Patch AM: Were you near Vineyard and Sutro...

Happening soon: Senior Peer Counseling on the Novato Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: Were you near Vineyard and Sutro during Friday’s hit-and-run?

Community Corner

Across California

Severed Finger In The OJ: Suit | Homes Made Of...

Catch up with the latest CA consumer and business news, plus under-the-radar stories and the week's best sales and freebies.

Severed Finger In The OJ: Suit | Homes Made Of Straw | How In-N-Out 's Burger Stacks Up: CA Business News

Business

Driver Hits 8-Year-Old On Bike In Marin, Speeds...

A passerby stopped to help the child, who had minor injuries, police said. The good Samaritan called 911.

Driver Hits 8-Year-Old On Bike In Marin, Speeds Away 

Crime & Safety

🌱 Patch AM: Could that permit payment email...

And on the Novato Patch calendar - Treasure Hunting in Petaluma - Vintage Finds & Timeless Treasures Await

🌱 Patch AM: Could that permit payment email really be from Novato City Hall?

🌱 Patch AM: Are Novato students really feeling...

Also, don’t miss "We The Sculptors…" on the Novato Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: Are Novato students really feeling safer on campus this year?

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

Local Voices

Putting more fun in camping

Nathanael Miksis, Neighbor

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