Five Things - Cutting the Ribbon and Punning Pasta

It's FRIDAY, Feb. 18, 2011. A big shout-out to the maginificent Janice Wells for taking the reins of this space in my absence. I've been in the Great Northwest tending to family business, and the sun's been shining most of the time, unlike in sunny California. The Oregon and Washington areas are truly beautiful places, but for my money there is no finer spot than Martinez. Even when it's soggy. Let's get to our five things for today and the weekend:

1. is today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Armando's, 707 Marina Vista. This is your chance to come by and meet the staff, have some free food and drinks, and win some prizes. There will be live music and lots of fun involved, and as a relatively new business and member of the , we will be cutting our red ribbon to officially welcome Martinez Patch into the city's business community. 
2. Don't forget local theater, and tonight that would be the production of a musicial about immigration at the turn of the 20th century, and by all accounts a show not to be missed.
3. There is a wealth of local music going on this weekend. has the tonight, for some excellent jazz, and tomorrow night is in the house with blues, R&B and New Orleans Fonk, though I'm not going to mention that because it wouldn't be appropriate, especially to point out that both shows start at 8 p.m. Tonight through Sunday at it's and its sweet mix of rock and country covers.
4. If you're a gal, this palooza's for you: Saturday, it's the on First Street in Benicia. Relax, shop and get pampered (if you can stay dry, that is). As for us guys, perhaps we can take care of those to-do lists around the house and rack up some extra points. Or just go to the movies. 
5. Finally, who doesn't enjoy humor? If you didn't get enough of that at this week's City Council meeting, perhaps you should take in Saturday's show at the Shell Clubhouse in Martinez. It's a full lineup of comedians to entertain you, and the beneficiary of the funds raised is Shelter, Inc., which houses homeless families. It's a win-win, unless the jokes fall flat. If that's the case, fear not. There's another City Council meeting in the near future.