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What's Up Downtown Martinez
A weekly newsletter for downtown news and events!

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Main Street Martinez
PO Box 776
Martinez, CA 94553
925.228.3577

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Main Street Martinez News & Events
Bay Area Blues Festival

THIS WEEKEND! 
Sat & Sun, Sept. 24 & 25
10am-6pm

The event will feature amazing Blues music on two stages, Arts and Crafts Exhibitors, Gourmet Food booths, local Restaurants, community booths, kids activities, a Farmers Market, craft beer and fine wines, and of course chalk art!  Kids can also purchase chalk to create their own design and have some creative fun!

For more information visit www.bayareabluesfestival.com

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Farmers MarketMartinez Farmers Market
Stop by to pick up your locally grown produce and support the market this year!

Buy local produce and visit local shops and restaurants too!

Sundays, 10am-2pm
YEAR-ROUND!
Main St. between Castro & Estudillo St.   

Visit www.pcfma.com

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Zombie Brew Crawl
Sat, Oct. 22
2:30-5:30

The Main Street Martinez 4th annual Zombie Brew Crawl is happening on the streets of Martinez and everyone is encouraged to join the crowd. Zombies will be walking around the downtown corridor of Martinez, sampling beers great craft breweries stationed at various small businesses along Main Street.  

For more info and tickets visit zombiebrewcrawl.com

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Dia de los Muertos Festival of Altars

Sat, Oct. 29

2:00pm - 8:00pm

Main Street Martinez, Martinez Arts Association and Artcelerator present:

Dia de los Muertos
Festival of the Altars
featuring Food, Vendor Booths, Folkloric Dance Demonstration and Interactive Altars.

Also join us for these events:

Nicho Workshop
Sat., Oct. 15
1pm-3pm
Martinez Library, 740 Court St.

Art History Discussion - Jose Guadalupe Posada
Tues., Oct. 18, 6pm
Martinez Library, 740 Court St.

For more information call 925.228.3577 or visit mainstreetmartinez.org

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Halloween Trunk or Treat Spooktacular Halloween Spooktacular

Sunday, Oct. 30

10am-2pm

The 7th annual Trunk or Treat in Downtown Martinez!
Join us at a SAFE, FUN, and FREE Halloween Spooktacular!

We're teaming up with local businesses and residents to provide a safe place for you to enjoy Halloween festivities. Visit creatively themed and decorated car trunks and shops lining downtown Martinez to collect candy and treats.

For more information and to sign up your business to participate

Click Here!

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DC Solar Downtown Holiday Ice
Announcing the 2016-17 dates!
The DC Solar Downtown Holiday Ice Rink will be open Nov. 19, 2016 through Jan. 8, 2017.

Stay tuned for more information about the Skating School, Private and Corporate Parties, Birthday Parties, and more!

This 7-week event is a great way to promote your business with a sponsorship and on-sight advertising to the thousands of skaters and visitors. If you would like more information about becoming a sponsor, call us at (925) 228-3577 or email director@mainstreetmartinez.org

Until then, please enjoy this 5 minute video with time-lapse footagefrom last year of the rink set-up.

Click here to watch the video  

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Available Property Downtown Martinez
Are you in the market for commercial space in downtown Martinez to relocate or open a new business? Visit our NEW website for available property listings and information about doing business in Martinez.

We'd be happy to meet with you and help you find the perfect space and get your questions answered!

Visit   http://www.martinezmeansbusiness.com
More spaces recently added!

Recent Press!
Read the East Bay Times article HERE!
Watch the KPIX story HERE!

Main Street Martinez
PO Box 776, Martinez, CA 94553
925.228.3577
www.mainstreetmartinez.org
 
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Main Street Martinez is a designated Main Street America community!
What sets Main Street Americaâ„¢ apart is the powerful network: the unique combination of grassroots dedication to comprehensively improving quality of life at the local level, integral support and expertise provided by Coordinating Programs at the city, county, and state level, and leadership and direction from the National Main Street Center (NMSC).

Main Street America is also a special mark of distinction. It is a seal, recognizing that participating programs, organizations, and communities are part of a national movement with a proven track record for celebrating community character, preserving local history, and generating impressive economic returns.

Since 1980, over 2,000 communities have been part of Main Street, bringing renewed energy and activity to America's downtowns and commercial districts, securing $65.6 billion in new investment, creating more than 556,000 net new jobs, and rehabilitating 260,000 buildings.

View interactive map of 2016 Main Street America communities

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Visit our Downtown YouTube Channel
Visit the Downtown Martinez YouTube Channel to watch videos about the 4th of July Parade, Snow Park, Bay Area Craft Beer Festival and much more.

Click here!
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Join us on Facebook! facebook
Did you know that Downtown Martinez has a Facebook page? We have over 7,000 great and loyal fans and we want you to be part of the social experience and fun!
You'll get regular updates about events, new business openings, special sales, and more!
Click on the link below to see the page and don't forget to hit LIKE once you're there!

Like us on Facebook

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Main Street Partner News 
14th Annual Shell/MEF Run for Education

The 14th Annual Shell/MEF Run for Education will be held downtown Martinez at 8:30 am on Sunday October 2nd. You can run or walk in the 5k through the streets of downtown Martinez or run in the 10k through the hills of Carquinez Scenic Drive.

The Run is the major fundraiser for the Martinez Education Foundation each year, and all the proceeds from entry fees and sponsorships goes to MUSD schools in the forms of grants for them to enhance classroom teaching.

Race day registration begins at 7 am. For more information and to pre-register, go to the MEF website http://martinezedfoundation.com/run-for-ed/
 
 
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MAC 30 Day Class Challenge

The MAC (Martinez Athletic Club) wants to get you moving this fall! Attend as many classes possible from October 5 to November 3 for a chance to win a $500 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods or Lululemon! 

 

For more information, rules, tips and to sign up for the MAC 30 Day Class Challenge

 

Click here! 


 
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Historic Home Tour

The 10th annual Historic Home Tour will include 7 private homes in Martinez constructed between 1914 and 1949 in such styles as Tudor Revival and Craftsman. The Tour begins with complementary coffee at the Shell Clubhouse. Buses with tour guides will depart every 10 minutes. Docents will greet you at the homes. A special treat this year will be a visit to a private garden where wildlife are rescued and rehabilitated. The Tour also includes the Martinez Junior High School, a 1931 Spanish Revival Building, with more docents on hand to assist you and answer questions.
 
The Shell Clubhouse will be filled with special exhibits for the day. Since this is an election year, there will be an extensive display of vintage political memorabilia. A complementary exhibit will feature 20th Century press cameras - plus examples of the camera models used by past presidents, first ladies and other politicians.

Come enjoy the homes, the antique automobiles parked at the curbs, the exhibits, the booths, local musicians, and optional stops at the museums in town.
 
Saturday October 8th
10am to 4pm    
Click here for more information and tickets! 
 
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Art Happy Hours at La Tapatia  

Make a creepy Halloween wreath in this easy, fun, guided Art Happy Hour. Your artistic guide will walk you step-by-step to create a wreath to take home with you. . . all in the space of 2 to 3 hours!  All materials are provided so all you have to do is show up and create. Cheers to a creative happy hour!

Art Happy Hours
Tues, Oct. 11, 2016, 6:30pm 
La Tapatia Restaurant
536 Main St
Downtown Martinez
 
www.ArtHappyHours.com 
 
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Cars Kids and Coffee at the Cobra Experience!

Getting the next generation involved and excited about cars of any kind!

Every 3rd Sunday from 8:30 to 10:30 we will casually get together with our cars and enjoy some coffee and mutual interests!  Rain or shine, any year, make or model!

3rd Sunday of every Month beginning Oct. 16th - 8:30-10:30 am

Visit cobraexperience.org 
   
 
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Martinez Museum Gala! party_candles_cake.jpg

Celebrating our 40th anniversary and the museum restoration. Featuring food, interactive activities for children, a short program, and of course, a viewing of the museum.
 
After months of being closed due to much needed renovations, the museum is almost ready! Thanks to help from Shell and many community volunteers, the lovely Borland Home at 1005 Escobar Street, which houses the Martinez Museum, received a foundation, new flooring, fresh paint and many updated displays.
 
Please join us on Sunday, October 16, 2016 from noon to 4 p.m. for a wonderful afternoon and a chance to see the new and engaging displays featuring much of the history of this area. The event begins at noon with a short program at 1 p.m. and food to follow. This event is free to the public.
 
Also, if you're interested in being a docent for the Museum, come to Docent Day on Friday, September 30 from 6-8 p.m. at the Martinez Museum, 1005 Escobar St. Light refreshments will be served and you'll get a sneak peak at the new displays and learn what is involved in being a docent. Please contact Andrea Blachman at (925) 387-5385 if interested.
  
 
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Little Gems from the Martinez Historical Society

There are many interesting & beautiful images hidden in the negative & slide
archives of countless historical collections around the country. Because of funding limitations and lack of technical training, these images will remain hidden. How-ever, the Martinez Historical Society is organizing & digitizing the images in its own collection, and now invite you to see some of the impressive results.

Sun., Nov. 13
1:00pm
Veterans Memorial Hall
930 Ward St.
No admission charge. Refreshments will be served. 
 
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Bar Cava - coming soon to Downtown Martinez

An upscale Wine bar w/gourmet Coffee Cheese & Charcuterie.

Passionate and Love for the crafts that we are emerged in is the catalyst for our motivation.  

Wine Club, Private events, Winemaker Dinners, Pop Up Kitchens, Wine Classes, Wine Pairing Dinners With Bar Cava
 
718 Main St.
Downtown Martinez
www.barcavawine.com 
 
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Furniture Chalk Painting Classes
Have you always wanted to learn how to paint with chalk paint?

Lavender Moon Interiors in Downtown Martinez is offering Furniture Chalk Painting Classes. Click the link to get the details.

739 Ferry St.
Martinez, CA 94553
925-285-1380
www.lavendermooninteriors.com 

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Celebrate at the Martinez Event Center
 
Book the Martinez Event Center for for your special event! Weddings, birthdays, seminars, corporate events, business fairs, celebration of life, reunions.

Comfortably accommodates up to 200 people. Private balcony available for parties up to 50. 

For more information and to book your event call us or visit our website today!

524 Main St.
(925) 229-3030
www.martinezeventcenter.net 

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$99 Website: Design & Hosting

Here at Print'em All, our slogan is "Everything marketing" for a reason! Right now we're offering a $99 website which includes design and first year hosting services! And we can even help you secure your domain.

$99 website includes:
Up to 3 pages
Up to 9 photos
Social media links
Web Hosting for 1 year

Additional Services available:
Domain registration
SEO metadata embedding
Social media management
E-commerce
Much More

Print'Em All
Everything Marketing
www.printemall.com

510-275-3824  
 
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Shell Martinez Sponsors "Community Service" Student Essay Contest
Martinez Unified students and parents - school is back in session, and the Shell Martinez Refinery essay contest is coming up with a deadline of Oct. 14. The topic is community service, and there are three levels - elementary, junior high, and high school. Write an essay, and you could win a prize! Click on the link for all the information.The picture shows some of our employees doing community service.

More...

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Arts & Entertainment

armandosArmando's
Live Music at Armando's 

Friday, September 23
4:30pm
  Happy Hour & A Half
8:00pm
  THE NEW FRANTICS

Saturday, September 24 , 8:00pm
  THE STEVE FREUND BLUES TRIO

Sunday, September 25 , 4:00pm
  THE SUNDAY PAPER

Monday, September 26 , 7:30pm
  BLUES JAM

Thursday, September 29 , 8:00pm
  CHUCK PROPHET & STEPHANIE FINCH

Dinner & Show Special: Have dinner at local favorite, Haute Stuff , and mention "Dinner and a Show special", (wed-sat, 5-6) after dinner come to Armando's for a FREE beverage of choice that evening.
More Details
 
707 Marina Vista Ave. (925) 228.6985
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California Magic Club 
Gerry Cal Magic Supper Club and Magic Shop  

SEPTEMBER 23RD & 24TH
BOTH SHOWS SOLD OUT!
Magician Extraordinaire - RON SAYLOR
A "Tour-de-force of entertainment" is the only way to describe the magical performance of Ron Saylor. A true master of the fine art of magic, this busy gentleman's schedule has him performing hundreds of show a year all across the United States. His next stop...The California Magic Club in Martinez for two nights of GREAT fun. We look forward to entertaining you in grand style!... with your magical host Gerry Griffin
 
SEPTEMBER 30TH & OCTOBER 1ST
Comedian / Magician - KERRY ROSS
Kerry is a polished veteran of magic and show business. Full of great magic and surprises, this delightful gentleman's entertainment credits include performances everywhere from the Magic Castle in Hollywood to The Playboy Mansion, Houston's Magic Island, Disneyland and to over eight different cruise lines and appearances on television. We've got him for two nights on our stage and you don't want to miss him, so, We'll see you here!.. with your magical host Gerry Griffin

Doors Open at 7:15 PM
514 Main St.
For show and ticket info click here
 
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Live at the Campbell Theater
Onstage Repertory Theatre presents
The Last Romance by Joe DiPietro
Directed by Helen Means A comedy about an 80-year old widower embarks upon a "fantastic love affair," much to the dismay of his jealous sister.

Now through Oct. 1 Thurs, Fri, Sat at 8pm
Sunday at 2:30pm

Martinez Campbell Theatre
636 Ward St.
For Reservations call (925) 518-3277  

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Creek Monkey Tap House Creek Monkey Tap House

Every Tuesday
Open Mic Night 

611 Escobar St.
Downtown Martinez
925-228-8787

For a complete calendar of events and more visit www.creekmonkey.com

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Martinez Gallery

Martinez Gallery Reception 
 
The public is invited to the opening of Meditation on Friday, October 7 from 6p-8:30p. Stop in and meet the artists, see the new work and enjoy light refreshments.
 
The gallery is located at 610 Court Street (corner of Escobar). Anyone visiting the gallery will see a variety of artworks - from painting, photography and art glass to jewelry and fabric art - and will have the opportunity to meet and chat with one of the artists who regularly staff the gallery.  A wide range of fine art and affordable gift items are always offered. 
 
The artist co-op and gallery was founded in 2007, and is made up of members who have been vetted by a jury of their peers. The non-profit gallery is a branch of the Martinez Art Association (MAA) and donates 15% of sales as Art Grants to local schools. Regular hours are Monday-Saturday from 11 am-3 pm.
ail:  info@martinezarts.org. 
 
For additional information on the gallery visit   maagallerymartinez.weebly.com or call 925-370-6270
Like our Facebook page click here! 

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Nu-Rays

FRIDAY - Grey Hair Don't Care birthday party for Mario and Kory.. We will have a DJ from 9-1 playing all your favorite tunes!!

SATURDAY - Atomic Groove will be rocking the house from 9-1 with all your favorite dance tunes!!

SUNDAY - Open Mic with Steve Starr from 8-12!!

Drink specials, Live Music & More

709 Ferry St.
(925) 370-7090


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Roxx on Main roxx logo art

Live Music in September  

Friday, September 23rd - GRAND REOPENING An Evening with Sin Silver

Saturday, September 24th - Reminisce (Pop covers duo)

Thursday, September 29th - (ROMTOM) Roxx on Main Thursday Open Mic

Friday, September 30th - Harrison Flynn & Friends
 

627 Main St. 
www.roxxonmain.com

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Martinez History
Contra Costa County History Center

The History Center is not basically a "museum" or a place where yesterday's artifacts sit mute in dusty corners. Rather, it is designed to be primarily a living archive-a treasure trove of the records, the letters, the pictures, maps and books-the thousand and one records that tell the story of our past.

It is intended as a focus for scholarly activity, offering valuable resources available for serious students and writers of history and a place where teachers can find prime source material on the County's past to share with their students.
  
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday - 9:00am to 4:00pm
Third Saturday of each Month - 10:00am to 2:00 pm
Also By Appointment

Call to confirm hours (925) 229-1042

Find out more about the History Center here www.cocohistory.org 
 
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Visit the Martinez Museum

The Martinez Historical Society was created in 1973 to save this 1890 Victorian cottage from becoming another parking lot in downtown Martinez. Convinced that our city deserved a repository where historical papers, documents, photographs and artifacts could be housed, we prevailed upon the City of Martinez to join with us in acquiring use of the "Borland House" for this purpose. A lease was obtained from the Contra Costa College District, and we took possession in February of 1974.

Martinez Museum
1005 Escobar St.
Downtown Martinez

The museum is undergoing renovations and is closed for 4 months.  You can follow construction progress on Facebook.
The research facilities remain open by appointment.  Call 387-5385 or email MartinezHistory@att.net  

Visit www.MartinezHistory.com for more information

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Visit the Shell Museum Shell Museum
Open Tuesdays & Thursdays
10am-2pm
Pacheco Blvd. at Arreba

After two years of luncheons, bus trips, and holiday excursions, the Shell Martinez Complex Alumni turned their attention to the assembling of artifacts for a museum.  Shell Oil Company provided the building and financing for the initial stages of the remodeling. Alumni members and their spouses donated  their time and expertise from carpentry, to plumbing, to gardening, to computer programming, and spent  hundreds of hours outfitting the museum.     A ll pictures and  objects are identified and catalogued and the information stored in a computer.  The museum is staffed by  Alumni members who also  conduct tours.   The museum was dedicated and opened for visitors September 22, 1990 and is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  More... 
 
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The Martinez Special - An American Icon martini_drink.jpg


By Robin Parker
The true story about the invention of the martini and the battle between the City of Martinez and the City of San Francisco over the right to claim its birthplace.

Click here to watch! 





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John Muir National Historic Site  John Muir

Fruit Rancher, Family Man, Writer...
Father of the National Park Service!

John Muir played many roles in his life, all of which helped him succeed in his role as an advocate for Nature. As America's most famous naturalist and conservationist, Muir fought to protect the wild places he loved, places we can still visit today. Muir's writings convinced the U.S. government to protect Yosemite, Sequoia, Grand Canyon and Mt. Rainier as national parks.

For information and events click here


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Martinez Chamber of Commerce
Martinez Chamber of Commerce chamber logo

Monthly Mixers

Thurs., Oct. 13
5:30pm-7:30pm

Connolly & Taylor Funeral Chapel
4000 Alhambra Ave. 

Great networking, food, beverages & raffle prizes! Bring a raffle prize and have your business name announced!

For  more information about the Martinez Chamber events and ribbon cuttings, please visit www.martinezchamber.com

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City of Martinez 
City of Martinez City of Martinez logo

Visit the City of Martinez website for all the latest news and information, meeting dates and times, schedule of events, and more!

www.cityofmartinez.org
 
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Who we are and where to find us
msm logo
Main Street Martinez, Inc.
For downtown shopping, dining,
and events, visit www.mainstreetmartinez.org
     
Sincerely,
Leanne Peterson, Executive Director
Main Street Martinez
925.228.3577
director@mainstreetmartinez.org

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We do our best to provide accurate information however, dates and times can change without notice. If you find any errors or if you have an item to include in future emails, please email us at director@mainstreetmartinez.org