A Final Thought On Council Remuneration

Yesterday's Five Things outlined the Mayor and City Council salaries and benefits for last year. By any standards, the salaries are not more than stipends. But there is a feeling among some in the community that the benefits are not appropriate, particularly if, as is often the case, the recipient already has benefits through their day job. In this instance, the councilmember can choose to take a cash amount instead, though only for themselves, not their families. Councilmembers Lara DeLaney and Mark Ross and Mayor Rob Schroder have the full benefit package through the city - the other two take the cash. It could be argued that, in times like this, when the city budget is such that a mid-level manager is facing layoff (more about this later in today's Martinez Patch), it's perhaps good leadership to forego this particular stipend, as a gesture of sacrifice. One could also argue that the so-called "part-time" nature of being a city council member is much closer to full time, given the amount of work involved, and the small recompense is well deserved. These are not discusssions that generally occur in flush times, but these are definitely not flush times. It will be interesting to see what the final budget looks like when it is passed in June, and how the council members respond to having their own portion of the budget subject to the same glaring light as the other line items.

1. Tonight is a mini-music festival at Armando's: from 4:30 to 6, it's the singular sensation for Happy Hour and a Half. Sin will be singing favorites and originals and tinkling the ivories, and there is no cover charge for this favorite event. Then, at 8 p.m., it's the , starring Gina Graziano. It's quite a night.
2. Tomorrow is the on Main Street, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's billed as one of the largest antique shows in northern California, and on hand will be John Humphries, an appraiser who will take a look at your item and price it for you. This is always a fun event, though I liken it more to a giant garage sale than an antique show. Regardless, it's worth coming down and looking around.
3. Are you feeling creative? Then spend tomorrow afternoon getting in touch with your inner (and outer) charcoal with Red Brick, as he takes you through the processes of learning to express yourself by making marks. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at , 411 Ferry St.
4. Of course, if you want to take the kids to something they are not likely to forget, take them to see the animals who don't forget. Today is the Oakland Zoo's Day, a big event and one for which you won't need a trunk. They'll already be at the zoo.
5. We'll leave Sunday alone, in case the guy who is prediting the end of the world on Saturday happens to have it right. We're betting against him, but you never know. Have a spectacular weekend.