Community Focus
War orphan Sylvia Ruth Gutmann to speak at Martinez library
A woman who became a war orphan after her parents were killed at Auschwitz is telling her story at Contra Costa County libraries that includes a talk Tuesday at Martinez Library. Sylvia Ruth Gutmann has written her memoir, “A Life Rebuilt: The Remarkable Transformation of a War Orphan,” about her experiences, according to an announcement […]
Park It by Ned MacKay: Coyotes
It’s nearing the time of year when coyotes den up and give birth to pups, in the regional parks and other open space. And since there have been a lot of coyote sightings lately, this seems a good time to offer some information about them. Coyotes are common throughout the western United States and beyond. […]
Ribbon-cutting opens newly named John Sparacino Park
MARTINEZ, Calif. – Surrounded by members of John Sparacino’s family and friends, Martinez City Council used a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday afternoon to mark the renaming of a city park in the former mayor’s memory. Then Sparacino’s sister, Nina, 100-years-old, was handed the hefty silver scissors for a repeat performance. Sparacino, often called “Mr. Martinez,” […]
At Home With Vivian: Have scarf, will ski
I was a Recreation major in college. I took the necessary recreation business and management classes but always looked forward to the courses highlighting different recreation possibilities. I studied scuba diving, synchronized swimming, nature crafts, archery, and many more fun classes. My mother used to laugh saying I was the only person she knew who […]
Park It by Ned MacKay: Tilden Fungal Fair
The rainy season is mushroom time in the woods and fields. Varieties ranging from edible to poisonous spring up under the oaks and elsewhere in the East Bay Regional Parks. Collecting mushrooms is against the rules in the parklands. Besides, it’s dangerous, unless you are expert at identifying the edible varieties. However you can view […]
Martinez Business Beat, Jan. 30, 2019
J.B. Balingit Opens Vic’s At Former Foster Freeze Site Vic’s, a new restaurant named for the grandfather of owner J.B. Balingit, has opened at 1500 Pacheco Blvd., a building that has been home to restaurants after its years as a Foster Freeze ice cream stop. The new eatery’s name logo has been painted by hand […]
Park It: Peregrines at Castle Rock
It’s time again for closure of the Castle Rock Formations that overlook Diablo Foothills Regional Park in Walnut Creek, to protect the resident peregrine falcons during their mating season. The rocks will be off limits to human visitors from Feb. 1 to July 31, so the birds can nest, lay eggs, fledge the young and […]
Grandma’s Peach Pudding
The Martinez Historical Society is embarking on a delicious and fun project! Kathy O’Connell and Mary Goodman are compiling a Martinez family cookbook. One of the elements that will make this cookbook special is that they are requesting that a short anecdote accompany each recipe. The instructions can either be specific and measured or they […]
World Book
By JEFF ROUBAL Martinez News-Gazette Columnist Last summer, we sailed on a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate our 40th anniversary. It was a glorious three week vacation spent visiting exotic ports from Barcelona in the west to Athens in the east. Our favorite city on the cruise was Florence, Italy. Vivian and I had visited once […]
At Home With Vivian: Hello Kitty
“Meow!” my chocolate-striped grandcat Tina complained when I opened the door to the guest room this evening. It was five minutes after her usual dinner time and she was not happy that I was late. “It’s only five minutes late!” I said with exasperation. She stared me down with her big green eyes until I […]
