Back From the Big Easy

Greetings. I'm back from a week off, and glad to be home. New Orleans is, to my mind, the most beautiful city in America, certainly the most musical. That's especially true during the two weeks of the Jazz and Heritage Festival, or Jazz Fest. It's kind of a misnomer, because if you've not been before, you might think that it's a festival of jazz music. While there is plenty of traditional and other kinds of jazz at the Jazz Fest, there are all forms of American music represented, with the exception of what could be called "serious," or classical music. After absorbing a week of all-day, all-night jamming and performing by some of the world's best perpetrators of gorgeous noise, it's good to be home. And here, for your Tuesday pleasure, are today's Five Things:

1. Karen Quest will perform a series of cowgirl tricks at today's Oohs, Ahhs, and Giggles performance beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Martinez City Hall, 525 Henrietta St. This is part of an ongoing free family event sponsored by the Martinez Restaurant Tour. Phone 925-372-3510 for more information.
2. The Martinez Planning Commission has cancelled both its meetings this month. We'll see them again in June.
3. Get your tickets now for the Friends of the Martinez Library Pasta Feed, this Saturday, May 14, at the Shell Clubhouse. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for kids 6 to 14, and little ones are free. It starts with a 6 p.m. Happy Hour, dinner at 7 p.m., and all proceeds go the Friends of the Library. Live music will be provided by Spinning Wheel. Call 925-370-6553 for tickets.
4. Take advantage of free health insurance counseling for seniors today, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Senior Center, 818 Green St. Counseling is by appointment, which you can make by phoning 925-370-8770.
5. Finally, May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and Five Things thinks it's a very good idea for you to be aware of some of the symptoms of a stroke, since fast action can prevent disaster. A stroke is basically when a blood vessel that carries oxygen to the brain is blocked or ruptures. The symptoms of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, difficulty walking, talking and seeing, as well as a sudden and severe headache. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately and let the operator know a stroke may be involved.