First Night, What?

Are you a bit weary about having spent all that money on your new home? Are there signs in your neighborhood that home prices are dropping? Is your neighbor, the guy who once worked for Coldwell-Banker planting For Sale signs in front lawns now home all day? Is the real estate agent across the street walking the neighborhood with flyers for starter homes? These could all be signs that the bubble has burst and you over paid for that house in Contra Costa County.

If you want the real skinny on whether the market is still fat, tune in tonight to Channel 2, at 10:00, and listen to County Assessor and Real Estate agent Mark Ross talk about the market and if the ball has dropped, if the bubble has burst, or if the bottom has fallen out.

Speaking of the ball dropping- a traditional New Year's Eve event, someone dropped the ball on New Year's Eve First Night in Martinez. Every finger is pointing to City Manager, June Catalano for her postponement of First Night on New Year's Eve because of rain and the rescheduling of it this past Saturday evening, making it Twenty-ninth night.

The back room whispers here at the county building are brutal and Catalano may have put another mark on her not so progressive career. Behind the scenes she is taking a lot of the heat for not getting redevelopment moving a bit faster and for not having a sit down with the Mayor about what the current council is doing.

But the First Night on the last weekend of January was a flop. This should be a message to every community in the country that has a First Night celebration- DON'T POSTPONE IT. THAT'S WHY IT IS CALLED FIRST NIGHT.According to research, Martinez is the First Community to hold a First Night on the 29th night.

How foolish was that?

Martinez would have been smarter to have held a Chinese New Year Celebration. Well, maybe not.

First Night Martinez barely works on first night, never mind some 28 nights later. What was the point of scheduling a New Year's Eve celebration in Martinez at the end of January. The town is no fun during normal, celbratory events. What would entice people to come to town now. A meth party? A bocce court camp-out? A tour of the RV vehicles downtown? All have possibilities, but none have the draw or the power to attract a crowd.

The city spent an unheard of amount of money for generators, fireworks and other costly items to hold the event. And, there were more people signed up for the vioxx class action suit on the first day the suit was announced than there was at Furst Night, Postponed.

There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to the foolishness that continues in Martinez. A blunder like the First Night fiasco, with all of 14 people walking around downtown should be highly suspect as to why it was held in the first place. Who is picking up the cost of this foolishness? And, on top of all this the restaurants were not even open.

I bet the organizers had a few drinks after seeing the bottom line and what the non event-event cost.

Another coup for Martinez.

Tune in tomorrow as we analyze those two high-powered political activists, Paul Craig and Rich Virale, and take a closer look at who is behind their recent letter writing campaign.

Still after the pork

The picture to the left is of an order of French Fries and a burger from In and Out Burger. Keep that in mind.

And, don't show this to Federal Glover. It will just excite him. Mark DeSaulnier obviously knows what they look like.

You can certainly say one thing for the Contra Costa County Board of Supes- they are resilient. Especially that one goofy-guy, Mark DeSaulnier. He’s been chasing pork, as in political extras, for so long, that he’s beginning to think he can use his political life to help his business life.

On Tuesday, DeSaulnier, who claims he is an "activist" when it comes to fast-food, led the charge to curb the number of fast-food restaurants that could be built in unincorporated areas of the county. Obviously, DeSaulnier's intake of something else should be banned so that he stops this fookishness.

First his position is a definite conflict of interest. He owns a restaurant. Secondly, his attempt to ban other restaurants is over- stepping the authority of the board. Doesn't the Anti-Ronald realize that if he hadn't spent all of the county's money on frivolous expenditures- like a press spokesperson- he wouldn't have had to cut so many services, costing so many their jobs, making it financially unfeasible to eat in other place except fast food joints. His actions have helped make the buck-a burger line at the Ron's big house, longer.

It is also amazing that DeSaulnier can speak out of two sides of his mouth. When was the last time you saw tofu on the menu at T.R.'s in Concord.

For all of those who don't know it, DeSaulnier operates TR's restaurant in his real life. And although the menu items do not equal the price of gold he's feeling the crunch from the fast food places that offer food more reasonably priced, and at about the same quality as he does. Confilct of interest? I'd say so.DeSaulnier, I guess has now become a foodie statesmen. I am sure that he will be working the organic booth at the Farmer’s Market on Thursday’s.

But I guess he doesn't eat at his restaurant very much, or he just eats from the health food bar and ignores the menu- which by the way is full of fast, fried, food.

When we called to see what type of gourmet cuisine was on the menu at T.R.'s Bar and Grill we found that the supe servers super BLT sandwiches, steaks and pasta, and of course chicken breast sandwiches and burgers.

Much of the food is fried, and a lot comes in the back door frozen, or in those large number ten cans. Although we couldn’t get the kitchen staff to talk on the record, heart health is not that apparent on the menu.

And, according to Leah Dancer, one of the waitresses at TR's, they have a large call for Buffalo Wings, Calamari, and of course, French Fries.

"We serve the real thin fries. Just like In and Out Burger, Dancer said.

And who can argue with that.

Get them some Pet Tags

First off, let's establish one thing - Contra Costa County District Attorney, Bob Kochly has bigger things to worry about than what the new building that will house his team of prosecuters in downtown Martinez looks like. If he had design and architectural interests, he would have gone to Architectural School rather than Law School.

So what does that say about the new DA's building that has been the center of so much controversy of late? Well, maybe the elected officials of Martinez, the people that control the boundaries of where the building sits, should be speaking up regarding the design of the building with a stern and assertive attitude. What's up with Gayle Uilkema, Contra Costa County Supervisor, Martinez Mayor Rob Schroeder, and City Council members Mark Ross and Janet Kennedy.

I received a lengthy letter the other day claiming that Mayor Schroeder was quoted in the paper as saying "there are
many factors that must be taken into account regarding the City's official position on the [D.A.] building. It is very difficult to define what is a historic look."

Once again, Schroder is performing the steps that will eventually reward him a place on "Dancing With the Stars". Schroder's hands are tied on this one. His family has long friendships and connection to Kochly. For Schroeder, who is about to get his political butt kicked in the upcoming election for his lack of moxie when it comes to the redevelopment issue for Martinez, he cannot afford to have any more of his political allies hold up the approval paddle with anything less than a 6 on it.

Schroder has done more to upset his constituents during his term than any mayor Martinez has had in recent years. He navigated around redevelopment and allowed it to float by as though it were an orange juice carton in Alhambra Creek on New Year's Day.

Give Schroder a break. He can't break ties with Kochly.

Pan to Mark Ross for a moment. His hand has been held high with index finger extended to judge the wind of the public for so long he needs an arm brace to hold it up. Ross will not make a decision on the building until the last moment, until his poll is done and he has had a few Starbuck's meetings to see how the piblic feels about the crap they are about to construct downtown.

One of the bigger disappointments and surprises on the Martinez Council is Janet Kennedy. We all know Flamingoes change color when their feathers are ruffled, but Kennedy, who has been a major dissappointment to her supporters in many respects, should have teamed up with Lara De Laney months ago to take control of the council. The two women, instead, are more distant now then before they met. Kennedy spurned any force joining suggestions in order to not break ties with Schroder, who she feels obligated to for her appointment. But Kennedy needs to watch more West Wing. Once you win the election on your own, you can vote the way you want.

But take a closer look at the men on that platform. Are they the rough and tumble types Martinez is known for? No. These guys are whimperers. They need pet tags . Are these the backroom politicians that led the town when it was thriving? No, of course not. These guys are acting like they are Volvo driving vegans who are sitting back waiting for something to drop from the heavens. ( Don't get us wrong, we love Volvos and Vegans, but not when it comes to Martinez' political makeup. If we wanted that type of individual we would have elected Beth Rainsford.) Show us the beef.

They are totally not the strong type leaders that Martinez needs to move into whatever century they are attempting to leave behnd, and now, Bill Wainwright, who is working out in some political gym, somewhere, is garnering all of the support right out from underneath Schroeder, Ross and Kennedy, by grabbing on to the Historic Building scaffolding and running with it. It will prove to be one of his strongest campaign planks in his bid for mayor.

What somebody needs to do is go to a Contra Costa Board of Supervisor's meeting, stand before the board of dummies and read them the riot act.

Let's try this.

Dear Board of Supervisors-
Maybe it doesn't matter to you, because nothing seems to phase you, but as a representative of the City of Martinez, I would like to point out that eveyone knows that you are totally responsible for screwing up the county. Now, you have decided to contiunue to foul up downtown MArtinez with the approval of this corrugated monstrosity that has taken on a life all its own. It is apparent that you all lack taste. And, that you are really only concerned with saving your butts after being turned down by the Assistant County Administrator on your lucrative job offer. But, we are appalled at the approval you are about to give to the building that nobody in Martinez wants. Mr. DeSaulnier, you have had enough exposure to builders, through your vast connections with Shappell to know what an ugly structure can do to a town. Coming from Lowell, Massachusetts, the Historic Heart of America, would this building suffice there? Give us help Mark. And, John, are you just Jealous that Martinez will look better than Richmond, is that the problem with your vote. Federal, what about those beautiful historic buildings in downtown Pittsburgh. We want one of those. Mary, are you so far out of the loop that you don't care at all about Martinez. We need your help and support on this.

But Gayle, you take the cake. Make a decision for God's sake. We are most surprised and dissappointed with your actions. We know it is difficult to decide whether to support Mr. Kochly, so that your daughter who is an assistant DA won't get any heat, or shoplifting cases. But you do have an obligation to the district you serve. It is bad enough that you are considering approval of legislation that will give your daughter a very full pension, while you turn your back on other county workers. But in this case, why not vote so downtown Martinez can get a building constructed that won't be an eyesore.

Or, should we just get a sign made to raise on top of the building which reads... The best thing about being inside this building is that you don't have to look at it.

Pet tags with big diamond studded collars and a little red leash may be the way to go.

Stopping at Cheers on the Way to a Political Graveyard

The picture was taken at the famous Concord Graveyard in Concord, Massachusetts. The site sits on a sloping hill just off the center of town. Surrounded by landmarks the graveyard serves as a final resting place for many of the eras poets, writers, politicians and scholars. The all rest next to one another, proving that you are only as good as your last press release.

The funeral flowers can be sent to the Board. The correlation between Contra Costa Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier and someone famous is actually phenomenal. I finally figured out who it is. It has been haunting for the past year since I realized that DeSaulnier, a Contra County Supervisor who at times acts more like a dehydrated marathon runner than a government leader, must have charted his career after someone well-know in the political world.

Hell, everyone from the Boston area fantasizes about politics. And, just because DeSaulnier was raised on the outskirts of Billerica in a, doesn’t make him any dream any less of one day entering the world of the Boston Brahmins.

It would seem appropriate, then, that Sir Mark begin his political career in Concord, California, that city that sports the same moniker as the historic town which boasts the famous ride of Revere, Concord, Massachusetts. It seems that the latter and more famous Concord was just a short 21 miles from Lowell and that the young Markster always had his eyes set on being Mayor of Concord. Some Concord. Any Concord.

For those unfamiliar with his steps to the Contra Costa County Supe's seat, Sir Mark served as Mayor of Concord in the mid 1990’s. As a restaurant and bar owner in that community, Mark is pretty well known and a popular guy. It is only natural then, that DeSaulnier didn’t look towards the Kennedy’s when he began his career. He stepped out of the political closet as a Republican, then changed his mind and became a Democrat.

He certainly would not have felt right about following in the steps of Henry Cabot Lodge if he had any thoughts of switching parties.

With politics in mind, he opted to name his business, T.R.’s Bar and Grill after Teddy Roosevelt. But is it really the Rough Rider Mark emulates? No. It is Sam Malone.

And, Malone, in his day was a very good politician. Think about it. He knew when to put the moves on Diane. He always was accepting, in a pretending to listen sort of way. He had a tremendously open ear for Frazier, and, of course, he always helped the needy, Cliff and Norm. And let us not forget about Coach. And, Woody. How could we forget about those two.

Yes, Sam Malone of Cheers, and Mark DeSaulnier have a lot in common. Malone pitched for the Red Sox for a Few seasons, DeSaulnier pitched politics to the people of Concord.

Malone had Coach. DeSaulnier had Sweeten.

Malone had Frazier. DeSaulnier has Tandy.

Malone had Carla. DeSaulnier has Uilkema.

Malone had Diane. DeSaulnier has Peipho.

Malone had Woody. DeSaulnier has Gioai.

Malone had Norm. DeSaulnier has Glover.

Malone had Cheers. DeSaulnier has TR’s.

Malone went on to marry Mary Steenburgen and become good friends with the Clinton’s. There is still hope for DeSaulnier, even though he’s losing his Coach and Frazier. But we all know what happened to Cheers when Coach and Frazier left Malone. I guess that explains why DeSaulnier signs his letters, Cheers. Tune in next time as the episode continues.