Here Comes The Sun

Today is WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2011. Sunshine is back, and apparently it's here for a while, so leave your long sleeves and umbrella at home. Summer has arrived. And with it, a lot of buzz in terms of possibilities for outdoor celebrating. We can finally begin making plans for outdoor events without the constant threat of inclement weather, which is, after all, how we roll around these parts. So let's be grateful for the sun, and don't forget the sunscreen.

1. Speaking of outdoors, the 2011 graduating class of High School and Independent Study School will receive their honors tonight beginning a 7 p.m. at the John Muir Amphitheater. The commencement speaker will be Vice Mayor Janet Kennedy. Martinez Patch wants to congratulate each and every one of the graduating class, and wish them the very best in their coming adventures.
2. Today a group of homeschooled kids and their parents, hosted by Dasha Milson, will be touring the city, including downtown, Waterfront Park, and other locales. If you see them, say hello and show them what a hospitable city we are. 
3. Reminder: Sunday is the kick-off picnic for the , beginning at 11 a.m. at Susana Street Park. Music, food, and information booths will be featured. 
4. Make plans now to attend the on June 18 and 19 at Waterfront Park. This two-day event features a great lineup of music, and a variety of booths selling all kinds of things. That includes food, though if I have one complaint about this event, it's that the public cannot sample the BBQ that is part of the competition. Something to do with the county health department rules. It would be worthwhile, seems to me, to sit down with the various people involved and try to negotiate something, because while Back 40, Kinders and Bulldog will all be selling BBQ there, it seems silly not to be able to sample the BBQ that is, after all, the point of this event.
5. Have you signed up for the field trip to Redwood City on June 17? It is the first in a number of workshops and field trips planned as part of the General Plan update now underway. These events are specifically aimed at gathering ideas and visions for downtown. The trip to Redwood City is to demonstrate what that community did to transform itself from "Deadwood City" to the thriving community gathering place it is now. Today is the last day to RSVP to Laura at City Hall for the field trip - call 372-3523 or email laustin@cityofmartinez.org.