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Community Corner

🌱 Clayton Accounting Process Review + Orinda HS Arts Competition

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Concord.

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Jeri Karges, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Friday, people of Concord! Here's everything you need to know going on locallytoday.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 60 Low: 31.

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Here are the top five stories in Concord today:

  1. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors officially responded Tuesday to a civil grand jury report from last year that said the county has a serious homeless animal problem that's not being addressed. Released Nov. 30, the report concludes the county can improve the Contra Costa County Animal Services Department by sharing resources with other municipalities and better distributing resources by geography. "The county plans to implement a new service agreement with the cities in Fiscal Year 2022/23," the written response says. "The county anticipates that under the new city agreements, there will be a greater level of service throughout the county." However, in its grand jury response, the county rejected some recommendations, saying there's not enough funding for more outreach concerning available animal services and there's a lack of funding and "logistical complexities" making it too difficult to embed animal service officers at some police stations. (Claycord.com)
  2. A police officer was on patrol in North Concord on Wednesday evening when he made a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle, which led to the arrest of two suspects. During the officer's investigation, CPD K9, Nikki, alerted the officer to the presence of contraband in the vehicle, according to police. The suspects' names were not released by police. (Claycord.com)
  3. Although the Clayton City Council received a "clean" opinion on the audit of the last fiscal year, a Cropper Rowe auditor noted some "material weaknesses" in the city's accounting process. Key problems Rojas highlighted were a lack of continuity due to staff turnover, issues with closings procedures and the need for an IT review. City staff is already working on an improvement plan, including addressing accounting software issues, increasing cybersecurity, and hiring an outside CPA to develop a long-term succession plan and bring records up to date. Staff will return to the council next month with details such as a timeline and financial impact. (Pioneer Publishers)
  4. On Wednesday, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe held a surprise news conference announcing the appointment of Dr. Steve Ford s new interim chief of police. "We are no longer a small town on the delta; we are one of the fastest growing cities in the bay area as well as one of the most racially diverse cities in the Bay Area," said Thorpe who thanked interim chief Anthony Morefield for his service and the Antioch Police Department for keeping the community safe. Morefield took the position as interim police chief after Tammany Brooks retired in September of 2021. (East County Today)
  5. The 19th Annual High School Visual Arts Competition (HSVAC) is both live in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library this month and virtual on the Lamorinda Arts Council website from April, 2022 to April, 2023. The exhibit showcases original art in four categories: 2D, 3D, photography and the Lamorinda Arts Alliance Digital Art category. All work is by high school students who live in or attend public or private schools in Orinda, Lafayette, or Moraga. This includes Acalanes, Campolindo, Las Lomas and Bentley high schools plus the Acalanes Center for Independent Study. For details concerning this exciting event, visit www.lamorindaarts.org/vac/. (https://theorindanews.com/2022...)

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Today in Concord:

  • For The Masses (tribute to Depeche Mode) will be performing live at Retro Junkie in Walnut Creek. (7:00 PM)
  • BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL, the Broadway icon, who won a Tony Award for the 1999 production of "Kiss Me, Kate," will be at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. (7:30 PM)
  • See the magic and comedy of Kerry Ross at California Magic Club in Martinez. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Here's your weekend weather forecast, Concord! (Concord Patch)
  • The least expensive single-family home currently for sale in the city of Concord will set you back $550,000. For the price, buyers will get a three-bedroom, one-bath home described as a "cosmetic fixer" with a "tremendous amount of potential." (Concord Patch)
  • Actress Marilu Henner will certainly be talking about her role in the 1978 hit TV sitcom series, "Taxi" during her one-woman show at the Orinda Theatre March 6 at 5 p.m. for the "Live at the Orinda" concert series. Her show, called "Looking Back; Moving Forward," encompasses her acting career, books she's written, health, relationships and much more.

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Events:

  • Kurt Ribak Trio live at Roxx on Main! (February 25)
  • Broadway Legend Brian Stokes Mitchell in Concert (February 25)
  • Virtual Remodeling Seminar (February 26)
  • Open House - 1724 Lucille Lane, Pleasant Hill (February 26)
  • Sin Silver live at Roxx on Main! (February 26)
  • Fillmore West legends Lydia Pense & Cold Blood with Zen Voodoo (February 26)
  • Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 28)
  • Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
  • Taxes in Retirement Webinar (March 1)
  • Many Faces of Colorectal Cancer (March 2)
  • Navigating the Labor Shortage Webinar (March 3)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Jeri Karges

About me: Jeri Karges has been living in and loving the Sacramento region for over 30 years. Her passion is finding new and unique ways to enjoy the city and surrounding areas. On weekends, you can find her pestering her friends to sample the restaurant that doesn't have silverware, or try their hand at throwing an axe. Jeri also enjoys writing about retirement planning at https://rockinretirement.subst...

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