Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Ready to join hundreds of “zombies” roaming downtown Martinez for beer?
Happening soon: Pacheco's Artisan Fair on the Martinez Patch calendar
Hey hey Martinez! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️
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In today's newsletter:
- Ready to join hundreds of "zombies" roaming downtown Martinez for beer?
- Will Martinez really let you walk downtown with a cocktail?
- How repeated releases led up to a deadly Martinez daytime burglary
Also on today's calendar: Pacheco's Artisan Fair and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 88 and low of 58 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 89, low: 59.
- Thursday: Sunshine and a few clouds, with a high of 84 and low of 60 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Martinez Zombie Brew Crawl (contracosta.news) — Downtown Martinez is gearing up for its 13th Annual Zombie Brew Crawl, where costumed "undead" can sample more than 30 craft beers at local businesses. With a costume contest, designated-driver options, and strict ID and cup rules, organizers are inviting Martinez residents to plan a safe, spooky night out right in the heart of downtown. 
2. You May Soon Stroll Martinez With a Cocktail as "Entertainment Zone" Moves Ahead Bay Area Telegraph (bayareatelegraph.com) — Downtown Martinez is on the verge of allowing open-container "entertainment zone" events, where adults could carry drinks between participating businesses during approved festivals. The City Council is set to adopt the ordinance and management plan on August 19, with first events possible later this fall or winter under strict safety, permitting, and alcohol-service rules.
3. Once an engineer with a bright future, murder suspect's life collapsed over 18 months (theoaklandpress.com) — A recent daytime burglary attempt on Francis Court in Martinez ended in the fatal stabbing of 68-year-old retiree Todd Stewart, a longtime engineer and neighbor. The piece traces suspect Marcos Iriarte‑Valdez's rapid descent from well‑paid engineer to facing serious charges, detailing prior domestic violence allegations, burglary cases in Orinda, and court decisions that kept releasing him before the Martinez killing.
4. Martinez Girl Named Youth of the Year (martinezgazette.com) — A Martinez Boys & Girls Club member nicknamed Elly has been named Junior Youth of the Year for the entire Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley. Her leadership at the Martinez Clubhouse spans creating a popular Karaoke Club, helping launch a community garden and pollinator space in Martinez, and mentoring peers through drama and arts programs that continue to grow.
5. Serial Lafayette residential burglary suspect from Martinez arrested (contracostaherald.com) — Police say a Lafayette residential burglary suspect who lives on Alhambra Way in Martinez was arrested after a multi-agency search and is now jailed at the Martinez Detention Facility. The 34-year-old Martinez resident faces numerous felony charges, a high bail amount, and a court appearance in Martinez Superior Court, with investigators still seeking additional information from the public.
📸 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!
★ Featured events ★
- Pacheco's Artisan Fair →
Pacheco Community Center, 5800 Pacheco Blvd, Pacheco
9:00 am
Saturday August 22
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Computer Docent Help at Martinez Library
Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
10:00 am - Native Plant Parley
John Muir National Park Meet on the grounds of the historic orchard.
1:00 pm - Martinez Library Storytime
Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
10:00 am - Martinez Library Book Club
Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
6:00 pm - County Planning Commission Meeting →
Contra Costa County Hybrid MeetingThe Zoning Administrator m - ABCD's of Medicare
Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
11:00 am - Computer Docent Help at Martinez Library
Martinez Library 740 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553
10:00 am - 2026 Bay Area Craft Beer Festival at the City of Martinez Sesquicentennial Festival →
Waterfront Park, 245 N Court St, Martinez
12:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
Saturday August 29
📣 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
- Drop-In Knitting & Sewing
Contra Costa County Public Library 1750 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
6:00 pm - Bingo Night for Kids
Contra Costa County Public Library 1750 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
6:30 pm - Computer Help
Contra Costa County Public Library 1750 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
10:00 am - I Heart Toddler Art
Contra Costa County Public Library 1750 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
11:00 am
Tuesday August 18
Wednesday August 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
Kida was LOST on August 15, 2026 in Pacheco, CA 94553 near First ave pacheco Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Mountain View) - ⚠️ Magnitude 2.61 earthquake reported
Aug 17 at 1:18 AM PDT: 2.61 magnitude earthquake occurred near Concord, CA. More than 11 neighbors felt it. (Nextdoor )
- Chevron Stations, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Representative in Martinez. Apply here.
- Mr. Electric posted a job opening for Journeyman Electrician in Concord. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinez here.
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: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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