Martinez Mayor Rob Schroder Shorn for a Good Cause

As he did last year, Creek Monkey Tap House owner Jim Blair staged a fundraiser on March 2 for St. Baldrick's Foundation, which conducts research into cures for cancer. Blair's daughter had a classmate in kindergarten who contracted leukemia, and he decided to stage the fundraiser as a way to do something.

Another Martinez resident who has been touched by cancer is Mayor Rob Schroder, whose wife Carol fought a battle with cancer for many years before it took her life several years ago. Schroder agreed to shave his head when she first learned she had the disease, as a way to make her more comfortable with the side effects of chemotherapy.

This year, he again agreed to shave his head as a way to raise money to fight the disease. Schroder joined more than a dozen people who lined up to have their hair shaved off by Candice Gliatto, owner of Citrus Salon, and stylist Tessa Rangel.

Schroder seemed a little dazed as he stepped out of the stylist chair and lined up for photos with the Oakland Raiderettes, who were also out supporting the cause.

"I can definitely feel the breeze," he said.

The day raised more than $14,000 for St. Baldrick's Foundation, and gave a lot of people the satisfaction of knowing they did something to help others.