Pot (Not), Death Metal

It's THURSDAY, March 3, 2011. Today will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and highs in the 50s.

1. Speaking of highs, there won't be any from a Martinez any time soon. That notion was abruptly killed by a clearly shaken Councilman Mike Menesini on Wednesday night as he faced off against an outraged crowd dressed in red and ready for political blood. Signs reading "No Pot Shops In This Town" and the like were hoisted, and the mood was decidedly nasty, as only Martinez nasty can be. Even after Menesini pulled the plug, becoming a momentary hero to most in attendance (after spending nearly two years urging Councilwoman Lara DeLaney to have courage and forge ahead with their efforts crafting the brave new marijuana ordinance), a dozen speakers took the podium to denounce the pot ordinance. Several spoke in favor, but to no avail. The deal was done, and the celebrating was intense after the matter was tabled. Attorney and opponent Tom Greerty, one of the organizers of the 'no' effort, walked through the crowd as though he had just won an election. Forgotten in all the noise and self-righteous political parading Wednesday were the people whom the law was  intended to help — those suffering from various and serious maladies for which more traditional therapies don't offer relief. For the opponents, pot is a child of the '60s that needs to get a job and a haircut no matter what the law says about it these days. 
2. Are your nerves shot? Feeling stressed and in desperate need of relaxation? Perhaps what you need is a good death metal show, and we have just the ticket. Tonight, you can catch Florida's , plus Full Blown Chaos and The Absense at the New Parish, 758 18th St. in Oakland. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. Have a good time. At the death metal show.
3. Perhaps you would prefer a good dose of Latin jazz tonight, in which case, much closer to home, you can catch Ray Obiedo and Derek Rolando at beginning at 8 p.m. 
4. Today is Must See Thursday on Martinez Patch, and there will be some pretty cool things to see. Catch Scott Williams' Walk About Martinez at 5 p.m., see a gallery of amazing photographs by Nicole diGigorgio at 3 p.m., and view a list of things to do this weekend, coming up at 1 p.m. At noon, Jeanine Gendar's For the Birds column takes flight. Check it out.
5. Finally, you can take in the art show at called It's a show by artist b jAXON that features portraits of African-American jazz greats, as well as other singers, musicians and comedians. It runs through March 15.