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November 24, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we head into the holiday season, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for you, for our community, and for the opportunity to work together.

Thank you for showing up, sharing ideas, and holding us to a high standard. It’s an honor to serve you.

Topics:

• Marin Celebrates 175 Years
• Novato Sanitary Celebrates 100 Years
• Holiday Happenings
• Fresh Starts Culinary Academy
• Let's Connect!

Marin Celebrates 175 Years

This year marks an impressive milestone: the 175^th Anniversary of the County of Marin!

At our Board of Supervisors meeting on November 18, we adopted a resolution commemorating Marin’s 175 years of history and achievement.

We invite you to join us for a community celebration at our Holiday Light Spectacular on December 15 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Marin Center Fairgrounds. At the event, you can help us mark this special occasion by writing a “Letter to the Future” for our 175^th Anniversary Time Capsule. 

We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you!

Looking Back ...

Marin County rests on the unceded ancestral lands of the Coast Miwok people including the Marshall Indians, Marin Miwok, Tomales, Tomales Bay, Hookooeko, and the Bodega Miwok (Olamentko) who lived throughout this region before the arrival of European explorers in the 1500s. 

Formally established as a county on September 16, 1850, just months before California was admitted to the Union, Marin was one of the state’s original 27 counties. At the time, Marin was organized into four townships: Sausalito, Bolinas, San Rafael, and Novato, with a population of just 323 residents.

In our early years, Marin served as a critical food and lumber source for San Francisco’s bustling population. European immigrants and settlers created thriving dairy farms, fruit orchards, and hubs for fishing and hunting.

Agriculture remains a fundamental way of life for today’s coastal and rural areas of western and northern Marin while the bayfront corridor on our eastern border grew into a more densely populated suburb. The creation of schools, colleges, business districts, and incorporated towns and cities attracted more residents in the early 20^th century.

We saw a population boom with the opening of the Hamilton Army Air Base in 1935, the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, and the Marinship shipyard facility in Sausalito in 1942.  

In the 1960s, Marin experienced another period of transformation, marked by the completion of the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge, the opening of the iconic Marin County Civic Center, and the expansion of Highway 101.

Yet even amid growth, Marin held fast to its values. Residents championed environmental preservation, successfully blocking large-scale coastal development and helping to establish the Point Reyes National Seashore. With natural treasures like Muir Woods National Monument, the Marin Headlands, and numerous state parks, Marin continues to set an example in open space preservation and public access to nature.

As we honor our history, we also look toward the future. Together, we will continue to protect our natural beauty, celebrate our diversity, and strengthen the sense of community that makes Marin such a special place to call home. Here’s to the next 175 years!

Recognizing Marin County's 175^th Anniversary with county staff and community members at the Board of Supervisors meeting
on November 18, 2025.

Novato Sanitary Celebrates 100 Years

The County isn't the only one with a big anniversary this year. The Novato Sanitary District is celebrating 100 years! 

Established by a vote of residents in 1925 to protect public health, it is interesting to note that the Novato Sanitary District was established before Novato had a city government, fire district, or even a water system.

The Novato Sanitary District has grown from a small local system to a state-of-the-art, award-winning facility known for environmental leadership. With 13 years of perfect water quality compliance and programs that recycle 550 million gallons of water each year, Novato Sanitary continues to set the standard for sustainability.

Congratulations on a century of dedication to Novato’s health and environment!

 Supervisor Rodoni and I recognizing the Novato Sanitary District
with their Board of Directors and General Manager Sandeep Karkal. 

Holiday Happenings

Happy Holidays! The holidays are upon us and there are a ton of great community events in store. I hope to see you at one or more this holiday season! 

Bank of Marin Turkey Trot 

Thursday, November 27, 2025
8:00 AM
1800 Ignacio Boulevard (IVC soccer fields), Novato

This run is fun for the whole family, with 1 mile, 5K, and 10K options. For more information and to register, visit the Turkey Trot Website.

Marin Civic Center Light Spectacular

I’m excited to share with you a new free event to celebrate the holiday season! Bring your friends and family to the Marin Holiday Light Spectacular.

November 28 through January 4
Daily, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Marin Center Fairgrounds & Marin County Civic Center

Enjoy a magical evening filled with lights, color, and holiday cheer! Stroll along twinkling pathways, explore creative light sculptures, and experience an immersive light tunnel. Entry is through the Exhibit Hall at 20 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael.

This is sure to be an enjoyable, new tradition for all! Visit the Holiday Light Spectacular website for more information and schedule.

North Marin Community Services Holiday Share & Toy Drive 

In its 53rd year, this community tradition will help bring holiday magic to over 300 children in North Marin. There are several options for getting involved. Visit the NMCS website for more information. 

Novato’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival

Saturday, December 6, 2025
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Downtown Novato - Grant Avenue

Enjoy live music, dance performances, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, vendor shop and strolls, and a special visit from Santa! For more information, visit the City of Novato's website. 

SMART Holiday Express Toy Drive 

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Bring a toy and enjoy holiday cheer aboard SMART. During the toy drive, each train passenger who brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate rides free on SMART. Santa will be aboard the Holiday Express Train for trips 5 and 6. See the SMART website for details.

Grand Menorah Lighting

Sunday, December 14, 2025
5:00 PM
In front of Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Ave, Novato

Enjoy donuts, latkas, music, and a fire truck Gelt drop! For more information and to RSVP, visit the Chabad Jewish Center of Novato website.   

Bouncy Ball New Year 

Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Noon
Intersection of Machin Ave and Sweetser Ave, Downtown Novato

Kids of all ages (and their families) are invited to see what happens when thousands of small bouncy balls are dropped from a ladder truck 40 feet in the air! Visit the Downtown Novato Business Association Event Page for details.

Fresh Starts Culinary Academy

Learn core skills with Homeward Bound of Marin's Fresh Starts Culinary Academy.

This 11-week program lets trainees learn alongside professional chefs to earn a Certificate in Culinary Arts. The program is free of charge for eligible students. Apply by December 15 for the class that begin Monday, January 5. Learn more at the Homeward Bound of Marin website.

Let's Connect!

As your Supervisor, I welcome and encourage you to connect, share your concerns, and your ideas. We want to hear from you! Please use the contact information below to reach out to the District 5 Team. A reply to this email doesn’t come directly to my office, and I’d like to respond to you in a timely manner.  

Supervisor Eric Lucan  
(415) 473-7339 
Eric.Lucan@MarinCounty.gov  

District Staff: Tanya Albert    
(415) 473-7371 Tanya.Albert@MarinCounty.gov  

District Staff: Leslie Weber    
(415) 473-7395    
Leslie.Weber@MarinCounty.gov