Pot Ballots and John Muir's Place

It's WEDNESDAY, March 2, 2011. As the battles roil on in the Mideast and Wisconsin, right here at home at least one battle might be leaving the field — it appears that the blowback from the proposed cannabis dispensary ordinance was enough to convince the Martinez City Council to punt, as it were, and send the decision to the ballot box instead. Martinez Patch readers have seen firsthand the level of interest this issue has generated, and there were even threats of recall, which no politician wants to hear. Still, it seems an anticlimactic end to what at first seemed like a fairly courageous move, since it was allegedly predicated on concern for those who were suffering and in pain. That leads us to the first of today's 5 Things:

1. The Martinez City Council meets tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss a number of items, including a proposal to build a , and to decide the fate of the — whether to approve it or send it to the voters to decide in November 2012. The council meets in the City Hall Board Room, 525 Henrietta St. 
2. You know how people who live in New York City never go see the Statue of Liberty? Don't be like that — take the tour of the John Muir House at the and see where the great naturalist wrote some of his most important work and helped to conceive the national park system. The site is under renovation, but you can see it all, and Wednesdays are good because it's not very crowded. Tell your boss you have an appointment with history. Or that you have the flu. One of those should work. 
3. It's Mom's Day Wednesday on Martinez Patch today, in case you haven't noticed. Check throughout the day for features such as Whiz Kid, Frugal Families, Great Escapes and more. We want to make sure Martinez Patch is where you go for news, information, and stuff to help make your hectic life a little easier.
4. The Martinez Music Foundation gave $4,000 to the various music programs throughout the Martinez Unified School District on Monday at the school board meeting. Recipients of the gift were John Buschiazzio at John Swett Elementary, $500; Mark Gouveia at Morello Park Elementary, $500; Gina Graziano at John Muir Elementary, $500; Jessica Loomis at Las Juntas Elementary, $500; at Julianne George at both Martinez Junior High ($1,000) and Alhambra High ($1,000). These programs are all incredible and deserve the support.
5. Finally, be sure to bring your umbrella with you wherever you go today. It's supposed to rain pretty much throughout the day.