🌱 Patch AM: How will Martinez’s waterfront be transformed without new taxpayer costs?

Good morning Martinez! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How will Martinez’s waterfront be transformed without new taxpayer costs?
• Thinking of running in 2026? Start at Escobar Street in Martinez

Also on today's calendar: Local playwrights looking for teen actors.

Today's riddle: I’m trying to think of a new cloud joke. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 53 and low of 42 degrees.
• Monday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 53, low: 40.
• Tuesday: Fog in the a.m.; mostly sunny, with a high of 51 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Martinez City Council approves exclusive negotiating agreement to advance Waterfront and Marina revitalization (contracostaherald.com) — Martinez has just taken a major step toward overhauling its aging Waterfront and Marina, approving a 24‑month exclusive negotiating agreement with Tucker Sadler Architects. The plan could rebuild the marina, add parks, hotels, an amphitheater, and new public spaces, while shifting reconstruction costs to a private developer and potentially ending the city’s annual marina subsidy. Community input and environmental review will begin in 2026.
   

• Signatures-In-Lieu of filing fees collection period for June Primary candidates open through Feb. 4 (contracostaherald.com) — Potential candidates for the June 2, 2026 Primary can now collect signatures in lieu of paying full filing fees, with forms available at the Contra Costa County Elections Office on Escobar Street in Martinez. This optional process runs through February 4 and can also count toward nomination signatures. Residents considering a run for state or county office should note these deadlines and redistricting changes.
   

📸 Around Martinez

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Martinez

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 31

• Brian Scott Magic
  Martinez Library , 740 Court Street , Martinez
  2:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Martinez Library Storytime
  Martinez Library , 740 Court Street , Martinez
  10:00 am

Tuesday January 6

• Local playwrights looking for teen actors
  Hillcrest Congregational Church , 404 Gregory Ln , Pleasant Hill
  6:00 pm

📣 Martinez Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 28

• Museum Day - New Year — Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center
  Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center , 315 Cortsen Rd , Pleasant Hill
  11:00 am

Monday December 29

• Drop-In Shop for Adults
  Contra Costa County Public Library , 1750 Oak Park Boulevard , Pleasant Hill
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 30

• Read to a Dog
  Lafayette Library and Learning Center , 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd , Lafayette
  3:00 pm
• Drop-In Knitting & Sewing
  Contra Costa County Public Library , 1750 Oak Park Boulevard , Pleasant Hill
  6:00 pm
• Keith Miles Music & Smiles
  Contra Costa County Public Library , 1750 Oak Park Boulevard , Pleasant Hill
  6:30 pm
• Martinez Swingers Square Dance
  Pacheco Community Center , 5800 Pacheco Blvd , Pacheco
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• I Heart Toddler Art
  Contra Costa County Public Library , 1750 Oak Park Boulevard , Pleasant Hill
  11:00 am
• Downtown Pleasant Hill Annual “Noon” Year
  Downtown Pleasant Hill , 60 Crescent Dr , Pleasant Hill
  11:30 am
• Noon Year's Eve Storytime
  Lafayette Library and Learning Center , 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd , Lafayette
  11:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Martinez PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Meet Pippi!
  She needs a forever home. She is a super sweet happy girl who is available for adoption through the Martinez shelter. -Lovable. Wants to be with… (Nextdoor Vinehill)
• Free electric clothes Dryer - it was working great, then today stopped.
  Free to anyone who can pick up. Possible easy project for a handy person. (Nextdoor Mountain View)

• The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Lot Associate in Martinez. Apply here.
• Molly Maid posted a job opening for Residential House Cleaning Professional in Concord. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinez here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pleasant Hill

• SF's New Free NYE Block Party in Chinatown "Commercial Break" (SF) (funcheap.com)

Concord

• Iconic retailer on verge of fading away after closing more than 3,000 stores (pennlive.com)
• Judge Blocks ICE Arrests at Immigration Hearings in Some Areas Of California (latintimes.com)
• SF's Iconic Punchline Comedy Club: Secret Guest List (Carlos Rodriguez) (funcheap.com)

Lafayette

Ok Martinez! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I haven’t the foggiest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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