🌱 Patch AM: Want to watch your Martinez ballots being counted this election?

Good day Martinez! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Want to watch your Martinez ballots being counted this election?
• How dangerous are Martinez's refineries, and what officials plan to do

Also on today's calendar: 5th Annual Spooktacular Halloween & Oddities Market and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Sunny, brisk and cool, with a high of 69 and low of 50 degrees.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 75, low: 49.
• Monday: Partly sunny, showers around, with a high of 76 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Contra Costa County tests ballot-counting machines ahead of election (ktvu.com) — Contra Costa County just ran a major accuracy test of its ballot-counting machines inside the Martinez elections office, and residents can watch both testing and Election Day counting in person. Officials say the 25,000 test ballots were tallied correctly, and they're inviting Martinez voters to observe, learn about security measures, and even double-check their own ballot markings before dropping them off.
   

• Northern California Community Wants Stronger Oversight of Dangerous Refineries Nearby (insideclimatenews.org) — Martinez residents packed a local school auditorium demanding tougher oversight of the Marathon Martinez Renewables and Martinez Refining Co. plants after years of violations, flaring, and alarming incidents. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier and union leaders discussed safety failures, ongoing worker lockouts, and new public tools like a refinery incident dashboard aimed at protecting neighborhoods and holding operators accountable.
   

📸 Around Martinez

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Martinez

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday October 10
• 5th Annual Spooktacular Halloween & Oddities Market →
  Scout Hall, 991 Loring Ave, Crockett
  11:00 am
• You're Invited! Open House →
  4966 Bayleaf Ct, Martinez
  12:00 pm
• Michelle Lambert Live at Lucca's! →
  Lucca Bar & Grill, 439 First St, Benicia
  1:30 pm
• Don't Stop Believin' - '80s Gala for Dogs and Cats! →
  Springbrook Masonic Temple, 101 Temple Way, Vallejo
  6:00 pm
Sunday October 11
• Sama-Sama Fest →
  Union Landing, I-880, Union City
  11:00 am
Tuesday October 13
• Music from the Shadows →
  Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
  7:00 pm
Friday October 16
• You're Invited! Poet's Corner Estate Sale →
  60 Stevenson Dr, Pleasant Hill
  9:00 am
Saturday October 17
• Open House Celebrating American Archives Month →
  Contra Costa County Historical Society, 724 Escobar St, Martinez
  10:30 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday October 11
• Open Air Market →
  Martinez CA
  9:00 am
Saturday October 17
• Pacheco Community Center's Parking Lot Rummage Sale →
  5800 Pacheco Blvd, Pacheco
  8:00 am
Friday October 23
• CLARINET FUSION This is Halloween Concert 2026: Martinez →
  City of Martinez Senior Center, 818 Green St, Martinez
  7:00 pm
Sunday October 25
• Diablo Symphony Opens Season with Sibelius Symphony and Prokofiev Piano Concerto →
  Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
  2:00 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!

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Martinez PatchAM possible:

• Jasmina Pique, Travel Agent
• Thousand Friends of Martinez
• Devine Records & Vintage — (925) 316-5953

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

• We took "Tiny Tiny" to the Humane Society southwest WA to keep her safe
  First took her to vet to see if chipped, unfortunately not They will hold her for 3 days Then we might have to claim her as ours. Prettiest little… (Nextdoor Martinez)
• Hello any recommendations for AC repair?
  I noticed one line is frozen on the outside unit, and the vents are cold but not blowing cold air. Thank you, (Nextdoor Pacheco Blvd)

• Wendy's posted a job opening for Crew Member in Martinez. Apply here.
• The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Kitchen Designer in Concord. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinez here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pleasant Hill

• Oct 10: Pleasant Hill Harvest Festival Takes Over Downtown (contracosta.news)
• Leslie's bankruptcy forces closure of dozens of stores nationwide (newsbreak.com)

Concord

• Concord Voter Guide 2026: What's On The Ballot, Voting, & More (patch.com)

Danville

• Danville Voter Guide 2026: What's On The Ballot, Voting & More (patch.com)
• Meet The Danville Candidate: Robert Storer (patch.com)
• Meet The Danville Candidate: Pratima Sonavne (patch.com)

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: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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