A user named Mike Faires sent me this letter:

"Just came across your Marin Nostalgia Site. Fantastic job! Love it! I wrote a memory note aways back, and posted it to FB. That note spurred a group on FB called "I Grew Up In Novato In The 60s and 70s". It's been a blast, remembering "shared" memories with new and old friends. Thought I would share that note with you. Do with it what you will, but more than anything, just thought you might like to read it."

I decided to post his attached memory note below...

"I miss double features at Novato theater, with a big pickle from Perrys Delicatessen, and a huge Charms sucker that would last through both movies.

I miss Rock Climbing in the field on San Andreas Dr (before houses). And I can never forget the infamous fire Mark Fissee, myself, and my brother John started there back in 67?, 68?.... Smokey the Bear says Dont play with matches!

I remember hiking to the top of Mt Burdell whenever we were lucky enough to get snow, only to get to the top and it already melted. I remember running down the mountain as fast as we could, so The Mean Old Rancher wouldnt shoot us with salt rock.

I miss the commercial we shot for Schuman Chevrolet. I was gonna be a star! well maybe if I didnt throw up on my Commercial Dads jacket on the way out to Point Reyes for the shoot!

I miss the Easter Egg Hunts up on San Andreas or was it San Marin Dr. You would actually win a baby chick, or a duck!

I remember Miwok Park before it was Miwok Park I remember digging for Arrowheads and finding bones, what an adventure! I miss playing army with Tim Murphy, Bill Marweg and Mike Marweg, in the creek behind my house, and dieing with style! I miss my Tree Fort, where I ran away from home.. until I got hungry!

I miss stealing Pomegranites from the farmer who owned ParkHaven before it was ParkHaven. Again with Salt Rock! I DO NOT miss getting caught and being held by the police at 9 years old! Scarey!

I miss Cardboard Sliding in the summers off Novato Boulevard! Give me a big piece of cardboard, and I was happy for hours!

I remember Pick-Up football and baseball, Smear the Queer (it wasnt incorrect back then) games with Mike Marweg Steve Leonard, Bill Marweg, Tim Murphy, Steve Nash, and a few others. Tide does not get those stains out!!!

I remember San Ramon Recreation Carem tournaments, and even the Recreation Camp Outs way out Novato Blvd, before OHair Park was O Hair Park

I miss mowing lawns for a dollar! I miss walking to TG&Y and buying Baseball Cards with my weeks earnings! 10 packs for a dollar, and the gum was awesome. If you didnt chip a tooth on it first!

I remember 6th Grade listening to Alex? And Ms Hakansen play guitars and banjo. So good!!! I remember Mike Weems and myself competing to be her Teachers Pet.

I remember riding our horses to the top of my sister Lorettas best friends property, which is now OHair Park and Verissimo Hills Preserve. Up to the Witchs Tree. My brother John, my sisters Leanne and Loretta, so much fun!!! I remember riding our horses and racing across the High School grounds in the summer. The finish line was the far end zone on the football field! Shhh dont tell.

I remember delivering the Novato Advance on my bike up in Wild Horse Valley God those people were a pain in the ass! That's a long ride! Every night a complaint! Its a once a week paper for gosh sake!

I miss our Daisy BB Gun hunts over by San Marin Club, or our hikes up the hill in back of the football field (before houses) to watch the Hang Gliders, and make sounds in back of Steve Nashs hair so he would roll down the hill thinking we just lit his hair on fire. I also remember trying my best to be the Daredevil I always was, and jumping the last hill with my made up BMX (it was just a Stingray), because Bill, and Tim dared me to. Then laying at the bottom with a shattered leg! And Steves Dad Mr. Leonard coming to my rescue. A cast for 6 months!

I remember Tim, myself, Bill, and Mike riding our bikes out to Stafford Lake to try and catch some Blue Gill Not much luck though. I miss riding bikes with my sisters ALL THE WAY out Novato Boulevard to the Cheese Factory!! OMG that place stunk!

And I want to give special note to what Carrie Black remembers.

Soap box derby, Halloween parade, tree climbing, frog catching, Western Weekend and school carnivals...gotta love San Marin and Novato :)

I remember riding in the back of pick up trucks.

I remember playing softball in the field at the end of our street.

I remember water balloon wars.



We had fun in that little town!

My Hometown!

My humble beginnings



By Mike Faires"