Community Corner

šŸŒ± Patch AM: 'Lord Of The Rings' Star Given Key ToĀ Novato 30 Years Later

Be sure to catch "The Importance of Being Earnest" Fairfax Theatre Co. Sept. 11 - 26 on the Novato Patch calendar

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Friday September 11th Patch AM
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Hey there, Novato! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Novato's long-lost key to Elijah Wood finally finds its owner
  • How Novato firefighters helped after Skywalker Ranch scaffolding suddenly collapsed
  • Novato executive charged in alleged $100 million Bay Area investment fraud

Also on today's calendar: "The Importance of Being Earnest" Fairfax Theatre Co. Sept. 11 - 26 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Not as hot, with a high of 83 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 76, low: 50.
  • Sunday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 82 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 'Lord Of The Rings' Star Given Key To Novato 30 Years Later (patch.com) — Novato finally delivered a long-prepared Key to the City to actor Elijah Wood, more than 30 years after he filmed scenes for the movie "Radio Flyer" in town. A Novato staffer's son brought the forgotten key to a San Francisco fan convention, where Wood was reportedly surprised and moved that the city had kept it safe for decades.
   

2. Multiple People Injured in Accident at George Lucas' Famed Skywalker Ranch (suggest.com) — Emergency crews from Novato, San Rafael, and Marin County helped rescue workers after scaffolding and large display screens collapsed during event setup at George Lucas' Summit Skywalker Ranch near Nicasio. Five men were injured, one seriously, and state workplace-safety officials are investigating what caused the structure to fail.
   

3. Founder and CEO of Bay Area real estate investment fund charged in multi-year fraud scheme (irs.gov) — A Novato resident who served as COO of Pacific Private Money has been charged alongside the company's Tiburon-based CEO in an alleged multi‑year fraud scheme involving more than $100 million in investor funds. Federal prosecutors, IRS investigators, and the FBI say the pair hid mounting losses and shifted money between funds; both men face potential prison time if convicted.
   

4. San Rafael man pleads guilty to 2 attacks (marinij.com) — A San Rafael man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in two 2024 San Rafael attacks and previously admitted to tear-gas and imitation-firearm offenses at Novato's Islamic Center of North Marin. Novato readers learn that the earlier mosque assault, handled separately, resulted in a two-year sentence, while the new plea could bring additional jail time at October sentencing.
   

5. 9/11: Marin first responders recall tragedy 25 years later (marinij.com) — Novato residents are part of Marin's 25th-anniversary remembrances of 9/11, with Novato Fire Protection District crews gathering at Station 61's World Trade Center beam memorial. The story shares reflections from local fire and law enforcement leaders and recalls Jeffrey Coleman of Novato and other Marin victims, emphasizing how their memories still shape community service and remembrance today.
   

📸 Around Novato

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Novato Can Keep Its Word on Marin Valley —Mike Little Read on Patch
  • Your Novato Water Bill, Explained —Marc Hunter Lewis Read on Patch
  • Love where you live.
    Looking northeast towards Sonoma while walking along the Rush Creek Trail this morning. Have an amazing day everybody. (Trailhead from the Bahia… (Nextdoor San Marin)
  • Bodega Head a few days ago.
    Thanks to the whale watch volunteers we were able to spot a pod of humpback whales- way off in the distance. (Nextdoor West Novato)
  • City of Novato California posted a job opening for Deputy Building Official in Novato. Apply here.
  • TridentCare, LLC posted a job opening for Lead Mobile Phlebotomist in Novato. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Novato here.

Ok Novato! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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