Vacation Alert

It's THURSDAY, April 28, 2011. Keep your eyes open for some interesting changes that are getting ready to take place at Martinez Patch. Over the next couple of weeks, you'll see some new features we're very excited about. Of course, next week you won't see me at all - I'll be in New Orleans at the Jazz and Heritage Festival, doing extensive research for my. . . well, actually just having a much-needed vacation in the second most wonderful city in America (Martinez being number one, of course). Meanwhile, here's what is going on today:

1. As we gear up for this year's grand opening of the Martinez Farmer's Market on Sunday, May 1, you can still enjoy the in Concord from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with great live music and many local farmers selling food as fresh as you can get it. 
2. In case you missed it yesterday, the city is seeking input on it is proposing - one for a new park on Center Avenue near the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, and the other for improvements to the existing Waterfront Park. These meetings are important because the more input the city gets from its citizens, the better chance it has of landing the two state grants that would fund these park projects. See the story for a list of meeting dates and times. 
3. Watch this morning for this week's Whiz Kid. Due to a publication error on my part, it did not run yesterday as scheduled, but when you see who this week's Whiz Kid is, we think you'll agree it was worth the wait.
4. And watch this afternoon for a story about the Martinez Marina. Many people have called this the "jewel of the city," though right now it's ready for the pawn shop. The city is presently embroiled with the state in negotiations for loans, grants, and legislation, and while we have some very good staff people in charge of leading this effort to save the marina, the city is definitely up against some serious challenges to keep it going. One official even called for its closure. Stay tuned.
5. And finally, don't forget tonight's by the Martinez Police Department on the 3700 block of Alhambra Ave. There is never a good time to drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, of course, because you're taking other people's lives into your impaired hands when you do. Tonight, if you're caught, you're going to jail. So call a cab, or a friend, if you've been indulging in ways that impair your ability to drive.