One of the things that was very clear to me on Saturday is how different the world is from the one beavers first visited in Martinez. And how very, very pivotal our story has been in the transformation.
From the many believers who came because they read about us in Ben’s book, to the proud locals that have followed this story from 
the beginning, to the happy new mayor that actually brought her children to the event And the chamber of commerce sent its blessing in the form of Marina the beaver mascot.
Beavers are in a new world. Martinez is a new world.
Now CDFW is talking about how good beavers are on the landscape and people are lining up to have beavers reintroduced on their land, There are several people in California trained to install flow devices and there were city workers from Fairfield and Vacaville who had dealt with beavers in the past and attended the festival!
Beavers have passed through the looking glass and everything looks different on the other side.
This is Michael in 2024, a member of scout troop 429 who worked at the festival and is posing with Marina the beaver from the Martinez Chamber of Commerce.
I will have lots to say about yesterday eventually. About how packed it was and how positive. About Amy’s amazing artwork and all the thankyous from parents and old timers. About the mayor and her family enjoying the event. About the outstanding musical performers and the helpers who made it all happen.
