The bounty of the city at the tip of the county

Often when friends ask me about the appeal of being in Martinez - the city that keeps the county seat - I am surprised by their reaction. It isn't that they think Martinez is bad per se, but it's the stigma behind the little town that has a history. Yet I also surprise them with my enthusiastic response...

I too used to think this town didn't have much more than refineries, run-down buildings and too many antique stores. Yet mingling with the people; both in conducting business here as well as befriending so many within this artistic and creative place, has modified my thinking. I'm sharing that with others every day!

In the course of the last 5 years, this opinion has been founded by the birth of new restaurants, venues (music and artistic). It’s a renewed sense of pride in a town that has strong ties to history in relating to California's significance as a state. And perhaps also it's the newly revised thinking that mega-mansions were “so 2006” and before...that we're aiming for a 'back to basics' mentality.

The little homes, unique architecture, comfortable climate being near the Carquinez Straight and the people are what make this gem of a town something for which we can all be proud to share. The European-like feel when I’m strolling downtown and see homes nestled in the hillside, or the attention to detail in some of the homes here. It's a place to support. A reminder to 'think about the small businessperson' instead of big-box-monoliths that clearly don't work anymore. And it's an affirmation that the more we, all of us, can engage and be a part of by participating in going to the restaurants, venues (Armando's, tThe Station, the California Magic Theater to name a few of several), art events and street fairs--the more we all be a part of this, the better this continues.

I look at it this way:  When reflecting on my own childhood, growing up in the 1970s in a neighborhood where we knew each other’s parents, siblings and extended family, with strong community support (‘it takes a village’) and ties to help raise children with strong morals and character...that’s the stuff that towns – great, unforgettable ones – are made of.  That’s the stuff that helped create the good in people and the hope for the good of our future.  And that’s the stuff I’d like to think embodies this wonderful little town at the end of the county.