Free “Music Man” Showing At Campbell Theater
A showing of the movie “The Music Man” will start at 1 p.m. today in the Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Martinez City Manager Report Available Online
The most recent City Manager’s Monthly Report is available online at http://www.cityofmartinez.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=17389. This month’s issue has announced plans for new lighting at the downtown plaza next to Alhambra Creek, which should be in place for the Shell Summer Concerts and Movies that start July 12 and continue through Aug. 16.
It also describes how Martinez became the setting for some of the episodes of the Netflix show, “Thirteen Reasons Why,” details work done on infrastructure, introduces new employees and explains how residents can report homeless encampments. The Senior Community Center’s Summer Bunco registration begins July 9 and applications for openings on advisory panels are being sought.
NASCAR Weekend AT Sonoma Raceway Raises $212,500 For Youth Groups
Charitable programs raised more than $212,500 for area youth groups during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Sonoma Raceway.
That event, June 22-24, raised money for the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) that has distributed more than $6 million to youth-serving nonprofit organizations since 2001.
The fundraisers began June 22 with the Children’s Champions NASCAR Banquet at Cline Cellaars, Sonoma, with Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley, the grand marshal of the race who gave the command to drivers to start their engines. Also featured were FOX commentator Michael Waltrip, NASCAR NEXT driver Hailee Deegan of Temecula and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Matt DiBenedetto of Grass Valley.
The track’s live action, including rides with reigning champion Martin Truex Jr. and past champion Kyle Busch as well as a wine package from Danica Patrick Somnium and a “Sip and Spin” with Ram’s Gate Winery, raised $181,450. Another $6,000 came through donations from the Transporter Drivers of Motorsports Association, participants in the eighth annual NASCAR Hauler Parade June 21, and track and race sponsor fundraising. Other donations are being accepted by calling Cheri Plattner, 707-933-3950 or emailing her at cplattner@SonomaRaceway.com.
MCE Offers Payments For Excess Solar Power
Marin Clean Energy (MCE), the community aggregate utility that has been chosen by Martinez City Council as the city’s primary electrical provider, has an annual cash-out for rooftop solar customers that offers $1.8 million in check payments to purchase excess solar power generated by customers, according to MCE’s marketing manager, Kalicia Pivirotto, who provided the information
MCE supports more than 10,000 solar customers in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chief Executive Officer Dawn Weisz said. Those include area schools and public agencies. MCE’s statement said the utility lets customers who earn credits of $100 or more to cash out their credit balance or roll them over to the next year up to a maximum of $5,000. Those with credits less than $100 have their credit automatically rolled over, the utility said.
Customers also can transfer credits to programs that serve disadvantaged communities, and MCE allocated $345,000 toward low-income solar rebates, and in partnership with GRID Alternatives’ Energy for All, it offers $900 rebates to low-income customers who install solar panels.
Solar power has overtaken gas and wind as the biggest source of new power in the country, according to information provided by MCE.
Second Sunday Open Air Market July 8
July’s Second Sunday Open Air Market, featuring vintage, collectibles, antiques, arts and crafts and other merchandise will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 8, on the 800 block of Main Street.
Upcoming on Main Street Martinez’s agenda is the 2018 Thursday Summer Concert and Movies series, which will start July 12 on Main Street Plaza. The musical lineup and the movies to be shown are being selected and will be announced later. The Concert and Movies series will run for six consecutive Thursdays.
ATA Martial Arts Leadership Academy Offers Summer Camps
Daily Martial Arts Summer Camps are being offered through Aug. 16 by ATA Martial Arts Leadership Academy, 1124 Arnold Drive Suite 101B, according to the Martinez Chamber of Commerce. Some sessions have a theme, such as ninjas vs. pirates, or a particular weapon, such as staff or kama.
Registration may be made by phone at 925-957-9383 or by visiting bay-ata.com/summercamp.
Business News Welcome At The Martinez News-Gazette
The Martinez News-Gazette’s weekly Martinez Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about business-oriented news, such as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services.
Submissions will be edited for length and content. Please include who, what, when, where, why and how, preferably in the body of an email; and please provide contact information.
The deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items to appear in the following Wednesday edition. Please e-mail news releases and accompanying high-resolution photographs and logos to martinezgazettereporter@gmail.com and put “Attn: Business Beat” in the subject line along with the name of your business.