It's Tuesday, April 10, 2007 and I've just come home from picking up my favorite handbag from Zunino Shoe Repair (904 Grant Ave., Novato). A 50-plus year old eelskin pouch, it's been through one life with my mother and the last fifteen years with me with lots of wear and plenty of tears. Since 1965, when our family moved to Novato, I can't tell you how many times that bag has spent in "rehab" at Zunino's -- not to mention the countless shoes and boots that needed the "Zunino Touch."

As always, today I came home with the same feeling about Charlene and Ernie Zunino -- they are excellent people who do excellent work. My only complaint is they charge far too little for the care and the skill they put into every repair. Their work is always sterling and the friendliness and charm of Mr. and Mrs. Zunino keep all of us coming back. As far as our family is concerned, Zunino Shoe Repair is not just the best shoe (and leather) repair in Novato but the best in all of Marin County run by two of the best people the town of Novato can call its own.