Out and About in Martinez

Martinez Entertainment:

Armando’s - Friday, December 21, 4:30 pm: Happy Hour & a Half w/ “A Bell Boy Christmas” with Dave Bell, Johnny Smith and Dan Hicks - Friday, December 21, 8:00 pm: Matt Lay and Nearly Beloved - Thursday, December 27, 8:00 pm: Mal Sharpe’s Big Money in Jazz Band - Saturday, December 29, 8:00 pm: Chelle and Friends - Monday, December 31, 9:30 pm: New Year’s Eve Party w/Late Harvest - for full details and event calendar log on to: www.armandosmartinez.com

California Magic Club - Doors open at 7:30 pm - December 21 & 22: Magician Hank Morfin, December 21 SOLD OUT - December 28 & 29: SOLD OUT - January 4 & 5: Michael Peterson and Host Gerry Griffin - January 12 & 13: Shawn McMaster an Host Gerry Griffin - Shows sell out early, make your reservations, ask questions, or to purchase gift certificates: www.calmagic.com

Roxx on Main - Shows begin at 7:00 pm - January 5, 2013: The 2 of Us - January 12: Jim Caroompas and the Sisters of Mercy - for full details and event calendar log on to: www.roxxonmain.com

Send your entertainment calendars to Ggerlack@aol.com

Martinez Events

December 1 through 24 - Martinez Kiwanis is once again selling See’s Candies in two great NEW locations this year. The main store is located at 1135 B Arnold Drive in the Village Oaks Shopping Center between the Village Café and Togo’s, open daily from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm. The second location is downtown Martinez at 712 Main Street, next to Starbucks, open weekdays from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, the downtown location will close and move all remaining candy to the Village Oaks shop, buy today!  During the 2011-2012 year the Martinez Kiwanis pledged $12,500 in academic and vocational scholarships to graduates of local high schools and awarded over $20,000 to community and youth service projects in Martinez. If your business or group would like to place a large order please contact: Marlene Haws at 925.370.6553 or marlenehaws@yahoo.com.

December 7 through 23 - Martinez Art Association Christmas Boutique at the Old Train Depot, open Thursday and Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm - Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Information: Marlene Haws at marleneaip@yahoo.com

Visit Santa Claus downtown at Santa's Little Red House located at the Main Street Plaza Saturday, December 22 and 23 from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm, and then Santa is heading back to the North Pole to pack his sleigh!

Honor a Veteran by purchasing a brick for the Memorial Walkway at the Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street, Martinez - contact: Carl Edwards 925.372.0133 or George May, Jr. 925.825.7761

January 2 - 4, 2013 - Winter Mini Camp, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Nancy Boyd Recreation Room, 90 Church Street: Crafts, games, cooking, tennis, sports, and theme activities for ages 4-11. Cost: $18 - $20 per day, $48 - $51 for three day session. Call: 925.372.3510 for registration.

January 5 - Ice Berg Swim for ages 10 and older, 9:00 am, Rankin Aquatic Center. Donuts, bagels, and hot beverages will be served, $6 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the swim programs. Costumes are encouraged! RSVP: 925.372.3510.

January 6 - John Muir National Historic Site Story Time and will continue at 1:00 pm on “first Sundays” - Hear about some of John Muir’s greatest adventures. FREE. Additional information: 925.228.8860.

January 12 - Boys and Girls Club 34th Annual Crab Feed, & Raffle -Boys & Girls Clubs of the Diablo Valley, 1301 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez -- Doors open at 6:00 pm - Tickets are $50.00 each and includes all-you-can-eat crab, not a fan of crab? Don’t worry, we are also serving your choice of a chicken or pasta dinner - Call 925.228.2896 ext 102 to purchase tickets

January 19 - American Legion, Post 29 is hosting a Crab Feed and Raffle at the Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street - Save this date, details to follow.

January 26 - Martinez Historical Society Annual Meeting - Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street, Martinez - Noon to 1:00 pm - Everyone welcome, this is a FREE event for additional information: ggerlack@aol.com

January 26 - The Lions Club will host their Annual Crab Feed - details to follow - save this date

February 9 - Soroptimist International of Martinez Crab Feed - 5:30 pm - Lower Court Oakwood Athletic Club - $45.00 per person - tickets are available from Soroptimist members, contact: ggerlack@aol.com

February 9 - The 19th Annual Martinez Historical Society Crab Feed will be held at the Shell Clubhouse. Doors open at 6:00 pm for happy hour and dinner will be served at 7:00 pm. Call Marlene Thompson at 925.228.7065, or Annie Holter at 925.372.8710 for reservations. Seats go quickly, so call early.

FREE ongoing activities in Martinez: the Martinez Museum, www.martinezhistory.org or 925.228.8160; the John Muir National Historic Site, www.nps.gov/jomu or 925.228.8860; the Shell Museum, open Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, Pacheco Boulevard and Arreba.

Martinez Farmer’s Market Sunday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm year round - Main Street between Castro & Ferry Streets.

Community Service:

Christmas for Everyone - is a non-profit volunteer organization serving people in need during the Christmas season - please help by volunteering or donating - contact:   www.christmasforeveryone.com - telephone: 925.228.2233 - email: TWC98PEREZ@COMCAST.NET

Christmas For Everyone donation barrel is located at:

Altera Signature Properties, 531 Main Street, Martinez
http://www.alterasignatureproperties.com/

The UPS Store, 1155C Arnold Dr., Martinez (off Morello) - is collecting coats for the One Warm Coat Program until December 31. Then we ship them to St. Vincent de Paul in Pittsburg.

Martinez Music Mafia - Big thanks to Kelly and the gang at Studio Triskellion, who'll be hosting the MMM Toy Drive Barrel - stop by and say hello and drop off a toy or two.Need ideas? Teens and infant gifts are always needed - teens can be tough but we've been told $10 gift cards are great - and give them some independence - We are also passing new or lightly used coats, blankets, warm hats and gloves etc ($5 food gift cards are also great) to the Martinez/Pacheco Homeless Outreach Program - gas cards to aid in their rounds are also gladly accepted.

Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind has been running continuously for 62 years! Over 25,000 blind youth, adults and their families have enjoyed the unparalleled access to wilderness and adventure, and confidence building of Enchanted Hills. As you can imagine, some our buildings and furnishings are growing tired, and are in need of a renovation. Also, we have begun supporting our blind camp by renting the facilities for church groups, off-site meetings, family reunions and weddings when camp is not in session. We are about to embark on a remodeling project on our Lakeside Cabins to update them for campers and retreat groups alike. We are very grateful for a donations, please contact Tony Fletcher at 415-694-7319 or afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org

For Entertainment, Dining, and Shopping - Support Martinez Businesses!

The Martinez City Council decided to allow free parking in the downtown from now through January 6, 2013. The electronic meters will have a message on them starting tomorrow.  The city is asking that customers observe the time limits posted on the meters to allow others to park, shop, and dine.

I am going to be wife, mom, and grandma during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, I will resume “Out and About” in January, until then - See you around Martinez…