Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which Martinez teacher just earned countywide recognition for excellence?

You won't want to miss Lafayette to Host Free ALT Fair Exploring Alternatives to College on the Martinez Patch calendar

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Hey hey Martinez! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Martinez teacher just earned countywide recognition for excellence?
  • How did Martinez pitch in for Coastal Cleanup Day?
  • What made this year's Pride in Martinez feel so different?

Also on today's calendar: Lafayette to Host Free ALT Fair Exploring Alternatives to College and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one wall say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Clouds giving way to sun, with a high of 77 and low of 53 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and warmer, temps: high: 90, low: 55. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy and warm, with a high of 90 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Brentwood, Orinda educators named Contra Costa Teachers of the Year (contracostaherald.com) — Martinez residents can cheer on Katie Collins of Martinez Junior High School, who was honored as a 2026–27 District Teacher of the Year in Contra Costa County's annual celebration. The countywide event in Concord spotlighted standout educators from 17 districts, with Brentwood's Rebecca St. Michel and Orinda's Stephanie Sado advancing to the state Teacher of the Year competition.
   

• With gloved hands, litter-pickers and trash bags, Pinole volunteers clean up the coastline (richmondconfidential.org) — Martinez joined seven other Contra Costa County cities in this year's California Coastal Cleanup Day, as volunteers fanned out to clear trash from local shorelines and waterways. In nearby Pinole, about 80 people, many of them teens and families, collected hundreds of pounds of litter, reflecting a broader regional push to keep the bay and creeks cleaner over time.
   

• Celebrating queer culture in the Contra Costa County seat (richmondconfidential.org) — Hundreds of residents and visitors filled Martinez's Waterfront Park for the fourth annual Pride in Martinez, turning the Carquinez Strait shoreline into a colorful celebration of queer culture. With more than 50 vendors, performances, and strong city support, organizers emphasized creating a safe, family-friendly space that reflects both Martinez's small-town feel and its growing LGBTQ community.
   

📸 Around Martinez

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Looking to find a tennis instructor for beginner level adult.
    Happy to have a high schooler or college student teach too. Can have sessions on courts close to Village Oaks Center. Please DM! (Nextdoor Village Oaks - Martinez)
  • Hi neighbors!
    Does anyone have a local recommendation for a jeweler who repairs broken jewlery? (Nextdoor Holiday Hills Dr)
  • City of Martinez, CA posted a job opening for Recruitment Reopen! Police Dispatcher- Per Diem in Martinez. Apply here.
  • Michaels posted a job opening for Early Morning Stocking Team Member in Pleasant Hill. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Martinez here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pleasant Hill

  • Good Roots Psychotherapy celebrates third location with Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Sept. 24 (contracostaherald.com)
  • They fostered 16 children. Now, they've found a way to help hundreds more (nbcbayarea.com)
  • Contra Costa County High Schools earn top spots in 2026-27 U.S. News Rankings (contracostaherald.com)

Concord

Danville

  • Danville Teen Builds App To Help Other Teens Find Local Job (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: I'll meet you at the corner! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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