Saturday Afternoon Drive Edition

February 17, 2009

Thanks to Jason Lewis at Marin Nostalgia for this groovy photo that makes one tear up with a sense of nostalgia and intense longing to return to the simpler times when you could take a picture of 101 and not see one car.

HOV Honeymoon

Everybody is saying the new HOV lane is cutting down commute and congestion times. How long will the honeymoon last?

Respect The Van

TAM and 511 Rideshare announced today that, effective immediately, they are offering financial assistance of up to $3,600 to new vanpools with a Marin County origin or destination.

The End of An Era

I get “the sad” whenever I think about Yardbirds in San Rafael closing. Unlike the company that bought them out and ruined them, Yardbirds employees were always knowledgeable and helpful. Since our family does not have the DIY gene, we are particularly needy for hardware store knowledge to keep us from the real possibility of electrocution or flooding. Let’s hope that the retail gods spare Pini Hardware in Novato, or else there will be literally nowhere in North Marin to get good advice on any hardware for the home. Let’s try to throw whatever money is left towards Pini, they are our only hope. The big boxes were never a great idea, let’s keep our money local in the future.

I also got a note that Elephant Pharmacy is closing all their stores (including the one in San Rafael) indefinitely. I really liked the store and liked the concept of a place where you can find natural cosmetics and other products, and take a yoga class. Too bad.

Cha-cha-cha-cha-Changes

I am looking at the plans for Pacheco Lifestyle Village and notice the empty space where Taki Restaurant is supposed to be. Are they really going to take away my sushi spot? I also notice that there is a 23, 404 sf space available where the Ignacio Safeway used to be, plus a lot of conspicuous available retail spaces. Nigel from Marin Retail Buzz, speculates who might take the Ignacio Safeway spot as the MarinIJ reports movement on getting that anchor tenant.

Autodesk lays off 135 employees locally.

San Rafael $1.5 million out of the elementary school budget for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years. The district board plans to meet with parents at each of San Rafael’s elementary schools to hear their suggestions for potential reductions, including eliminating school buses and cutting back on administrative staff.

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