🌱CoCo Assessor Works To Reduce Your Taxes + Don't Touch The Seal Pups

Hey, Concord! Let's get you started this Saturday with everything you need to know going on today in Concord.

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First, today's weather:

Sunny and pleasant. High: 76 Low: 48.

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Here are the top five stories today in Concord:

1. The Contra Costa Water District Board of Directors has decided to fill a vacancy on its Board by appointment, as provided under state law. The vacancy is due to the resignation of Division 1 President Lisa M. Borba. Division 1 includes the District's service area in the cities and communities of Concord, Pacheco, Clyde, Bay Point, and Pittsburg. Thursday, May 19 is the deadline for interested parties to submit an application. Applications are now available at District offices and on the District's website, www.ccwater.com/907. To be eligible, applicants must live within the boundaries of Division 1 and be registered to vote. The Division 1 Director's seat will be placed on the ballot for the November 8 general election.(EastCountyToday)
2. Contra Costa Water District officials called on the county's residents this week to begin reducing their water use by 15 percent in light of the state's ongoing drought conditions. The district also plans to hold a public hearing in June to consider a potential 15 percent water use surcharge, which would amount to roughly $0.28 per day for average customers that use 260 gallons of water per day. Information on water saving resources and rebates for reduced water use can be found at https://www.ccwater.com. (Claycord.com)
3. Presently Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer and several other assessors throughout California are working to increase the homeowner's exemption from $7,000 a year to $100,000 a year minimum. This would give every homeowner almost a $1,000 a year reduction in their property taxes. "We're working with the Jarvis Gann group," Kramer said. "If there was ever a time to help homeowners this is the time with inflation, increased values, and increases in interest rates." As this proposition develops, he will keep the public informed, Kramer shared. (Contra Costa Herald)
4. At 6:13 pm Thursday, the Pittsburg Police Department responded to the 2200 block of Loveridge Road in the City of Pittsburg on the report of vehicle versus a tree. By 6:20 pm, this was reported to be a fatal crash by Pittsburg Police. CHP reported a shooting on Highway 4 near Loveridge around the time of the vehicle crash and they are investigating to see whether the shooting was related to the crash. (East County Today)
5. Looking for things to do this weekend in Northern California? Patch has you covered. Patch has rounded up fun, interesting and entertaining events throughout Northern California — from the beaches of Santa Cruz, through the South Bay, East Bay and the Peninsula, to the uppermost points of North Bay and Wine Country. Check them out, here! (Patch)

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Today in Concord:

• Come join the Friends of Lime Ridge Open Space as they celebrate Earth Day by helping to restore the natural and native habitat. (10:00 AM)
• The City of Oakley is excited to bring back the annual Rock the Chalk event this year as Art in the Park at Civic Center Park! (10:00 AM)
• Join fellow watercolor connoisseurs for the Closing Reception for "Watercolor - A Happy Medium" Art Show at the Art Cottage in Concord. (2:00 PM)
• The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra is performing "Beethoven's Belated Birthday Bash" at the El Campanile Theatre in Antioch. (2:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Bay Area beachgoers were advised this week to steer clear of harbor seals during pupping season, and to not mistake baby seals left alone as orphans. Disturbances could cause deaths in the newborn seals, contribute to overall lowered birth rates, reduce habitat use, and abandonment of seal haul-out sites. The largest breeding grounds for harbor seals are at Point Reyes National Seashore and popular haul-outs and pupping — a term used to describe seals giving birth — are at Drakes Bay, Bolinas Lagoon and Tomales Bay. (Claycord.com)
• There will be Ukrainian singers and dancers, an organist, professional trumpeter, Jewish Cantor, Filipino choral group at the Interfaith Ukrainian Peace Concert at 6 p.m. on Saturday May 7 the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 2200 Country Hills Drive in Antioch. The event is free with good will donations accepted. All proceeds go to refugee assistance. (Antioch Herald)
• Paymun Real Estate & Development, in collaboration with the City of Orinda and Taste of the World Market food trucks, have organized a community fundraiser to benefit the people of Ukraine on Thursday, April 28 from 5 – 7 p.m. in front of the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way. Bring the family to enjoy entertainment for kids, great food and a local band, The Mule. (The Orinda News)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Lime Ridge Earth Day Celebration (April 23)
• BLUES: Laurie Morvan Band at Almost Famous Wine Lounge (April 23)
• Jinx Jones Rockabilly Dance Party at Roxx on Main (April 23)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (April 25)
• National Hug A Plumber Day (April 25)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (April 26)
• Coming Soon to Pleasant Hill - Poet's Corner home for sale (April 29)
• Virtual Remodeling Seminar (April 30)
• 2022 Hike for Hope (May 14)
• Add your event

Gigs & services:

• Faulty Outlets? (Details)
• Add your gig or service

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• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at Concord-Ca@Patch.com

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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...