Our Town

On July 4th, community members obtained a permit from the City to paint Black Lives Matter on Court Street in downtown Martinez. Once the mural was completed, an unidentified white male and white female arrived. While the male made comments to a group of onlookers his companion began painting over …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Summer is here, the corn and tomatoes are being harvested, the planting of fall crops has begun, and your local farmers’ markets continue to supply good wholesome fruits and vegetables, even in the midst of a pandemic. We are looking for the light at the end …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Lawmakers across the state continue to weigh the pros and cons of reopening farmers markets, even though they have been declared essential businesses. It is still up to individual cities and counties to make the final decision on whether to reopen, leaving us with a patchwork …

The American Red Cross is reporting a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals willing to donate are needed now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. “I used to donate every 8 weeks. 9/11 was the …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS The Martinez Farmers Market on Sunday mornings is still going strong through this tough time, offering some of the best fruits and vegetables and other foods to you directly from the farm. We are pleased to announce that now the first hour of the market, 9AM …

In a normal year, the Winter Nights Family Shelter in Contra Costa County is blessed with over 3,500 volunteers. Each week some 100 helpers from faith congregations, scout troops, and service groups prepare and serve food, plan children’s activities and assist with laundry. The new shelter in place rules have …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Amid the continuing safety concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic, some Bay Area farmers markets have closed, but there are many that remain open because they are considered essential businesses. Customers and farmers alike depend on direct-to-consumer fresh quality produce and other market products to feed …

Seven Bay Area County Health Officers, in collaboration with their six County Superintendents of Schools have made a unified, regional decision to extend school closures and student dismissals from regular school attendance through May 1, 2020, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible. The safety and …

Art Gluskoter passed away on the morning of February 26th after an extended illness shortly before his 87th birthday. Born to Max and Irene Gluskoter in 1933, Art graduated from Alhambra High School before volunteering to join the military in 1952 during the Korean conflict. A lifetime Southern California native, …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS A fresh new crop of olive oil is headed your way ! This first press, or “olio nuevo,” is highly regarded by olive oil connoisseurs because it offers superb flavor, a slightly peppery taste, and lovely color. This gives an impressive advantage to California producers—they get …