Out and About in Martinez: Ghosts, Turtles, Martinis, Volunteers and Classic Country

Armando’s - September 28, Happy Hour and a Half will be Classic Country Open Mic at 4:30 pm, this is a free event; Zazi is featured at 8:00 pm; and on Saturday, September 29, The San Francisco Music Club at 8:00 pm.

September 28 - If you haven’t attended the Downtown Martinez Ghost Walk make your reservation NOW, contact Main Street Martinez at 925.228.3577. The tour begins at 8:00 pm at the Main Street Martinez office, 649 Main Street. Cost is $25.00 pp. www.mainstreetmartinez.org

September 29 - National Public Lands Day - Special planting and clean-up at the John Muir National Site, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, volunteers will be planting around 2,000 native grasses and forbs, or grass-land flowering plants such as sunflowers. Participants will meet at the John Muir National Sites Visitor’s Center parking lot for an introductory talk. For additional information: 925.228.8860.

September 29 - Western Pond Turtle Workshop from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, Mt. View Sanitary District, 3800 Arthur Road. Learn about California’s only native turtle species, this event is free, registration - 925.228-5635, ext. 19.

September 29 - Martinis on the Plaza - Martinez…the birthplace of the Martini! Enjoy an evening at the Plaza Ygnacio Fountain across from City Hall. The attire is festive, vintage or cocktail, the music of Big Cat Tolefree and the Hypnotics is sponsored by Connolly & Taylor, the food is provided by our fantastic Martinez restaurants, free horse drawn carriage rides around the Plaza are sponsored by the John Muir Best Western, tickets include a commemorative photo, 2 specialty martini’s (or the beverage of your choice) and there will be a spectacular silent auction. It all begins at 6:30 pm, there are a few tickets left, don’t miss out on this event, call the Martinez Chamber of Commerce at 925.228.2345 and get your tickets today!

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

October 6 - Downtown Martinez Restaurant Tour - Proceeds sponsor Oohs, Ahs, & Giggles, 1:30 - 4:00 pm - this year there are 20 participating restaurants - $15.00 pp , adults only - 925.372.3510

October 6 - Shell / MEF Pasta Feed - Martinez Senior Center - $15.00 pp, children under 6 years of age are free - 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

October 7 - 10th Shell / MEF Run for Education - 925.313.5562, leave your name and telephone number - Pre-registration is $25.00 for the 5K and $30.00 for the 10K, day of registration is $30.00 for the 5K and $35.00 for the 10K. Registration is easy, log on to: www.theschedule.com and scroll down to the Shell / MEF Run

 Special Note: Volunteers are needed for the Shell / MEF Run for Education on Sunday, October 7. If you can help out, please email Barbara at: bjkapsalis@aol.com. For more information you can call the Race Hotline at 925.313.5562 and leave your name and telephone number.

October 11 - Chamber Mixer - 5:30 to 7:30 pm - Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, co-hosted with Englund’s Catering

October 13 - Fall Cemetery Clean-Up 10:00 am to 2:00 pm - Alhambra Cemetery - for additional information: 925.372.3510

October 13 - Martinez Library presents Author Marty Brounstein giving a presentation on his book Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust. This event is free and begins at 1:30 pm.

October 13 - Martinez Historical Society Home Tour - www.martinezhometour.com or call Carolyn Duncan at 925.864.8457 for details. Tickets are $25 and the tour is from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

October 13 - Rock Around the Clock at a benefit for Christmas for Everyone at the Veterans Memorial Hall, dress to impress in your 50’s best! The fun begins at 7:30 pm, advance tickets are $15.00 pp and $20.00 at the door. There are a limited amount of tickets, don’t be left out, call 925.228.2233 for reservations.

October 14 - Friends of the Library Wine Event - for tickets: ggerlack@aol.com

October 20 - Zombie Brew Crawl - www.mainstreetmartinez.org

October 23 - Candidates Forum, 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Alhambra High School

October 26 - Martinez Mayor’s Cup - Martinez Chamber of Commerce: 925.228.2345 or Main Street Martinez: 925.228.3577

October 28 - Spooktacular Trunk or Treat - www.mainstreetmartinez.org

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 Markets: Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm through October 25, Court Street, between Main & Escobar Streets - Sunday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm year round - Main Street between Castro & Ferry Streets.

Do you have an event that you would like to share with our Patch readers? Please send the information to: Gay Gerlack at ggerlack@aol.com.

See you around Martinez…