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Community Corner

🌱Concord Man Triumphs Over Illness + Concord Shoe Thief Still Active

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)

Hello, friends! It's me, Jeri Karges, your host of the Concord Daily — here to tell you all the most important things happening in town. Including updates on...

  • Kirker Pass name change initiative moving out of Concord and to unincorporated Contra Costa and the City of Pittsburg. Find out why in the story below.
  • Five county schools were honored with the Blue Ribbon Award for 2022. Was your school one of them?
  • Can't miss event, The Walnut Festival, is back in Walnut Creek for its 86th year!

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 85 Low: 58.

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Here are the top stories today in Concord:

  1. Kirker Pass Road, named for James Kirker, who settled in the area of Contra Costa County in 1850, is up for a name change. After officials found out that he was accused of killing several Apache men in Chihuahua, Mexico, the name debate began. But those leading the effort are now changing their tune — a bit. After having met with displeasure by residents in Concord who do not want the burden of changing their addresses on everything from their driver's license to their kid's school records, the scope of the project has been changed. The Board of Supervisors is now looking only to change the name of the road in unincorporated Contra Costa County and the City of Pittsburg, where residents support the change. (Claycord.com)
  2. What an inspirational story this is! A Concord man, Bob Banks, was diagnosed with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) seven years ago. Within months of his diagnosis, he was legally blind. Rather than giving up his favorite sport, golf, he doubled down, grabbed a sighted coach and started playing in blind golfing tournaments. Now, he's hosting one! According to The Pioneer "Banks is hosting the 76th Blind Golf National Championship in Sacramento next month, still basking in his third-place win in last year's nationals." The Blind Golf National Championship runs Oct. 24-26 at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento. The event includes workshops for visually impaired youth. For more information, visit www.usblindgolf.com. (Pioneer Publishers)
  3. Five Contra Costa County schools were selected as 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The Blue Ribbon School Award honors schools that help close achievement gaps and expect students to achieve high learning standards. One Orinda school and four San Ramon schools made the cut. They are: Orinda Intermediate, Coyote Creek Elementary and Gate Ranch, Iron Horse and Windemere Ranch Middle Schools. (East County Today)
  4. Last week the Walnut Creek Chamber Civic Affairs Committee hosted a Crime & Safety Forum with Chief Jamie Knox, WCPD and Simon O'Connell, Chief Deputy DA CC County, on regional trends, prevention, and the prosecution process. You can listen to a recording of the full forum at this link. (Walnut Creek Magazine)
  5. There's (still) a shoe thief on the loose in Concord. The thief struck last July and has returned to the scene of the crime. The culprit stole an additional three pairs of shoes from the porch of the same unlucky homeowner yesterday morning. I guess the only remedy is, unfortunately, to keep your shoes inside or on the back porch, at least for this homeowner. Bummer. (Claycord.com)

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Today in Concord:

  • Do NOT miss the 86th annual Walnut Festival in Walnut Creek! It's four days of Food, Music, Entertainment, Artists Craftsman Vendors, Beer Garden, Kids Zone, and a Carnival at Heather Farms Park. (5:00 PM)
  • Tacos, Margaritas, and Mariachi are muy bueno! Stop by Celia's Mexican Restaurant in Antioch and listen to the entertaining sounds of the Mariachi San Miguel Band! (6:00 PM)
  • Head over to Todos Santos Plaza for the second-to-last Music and Market of 2022! It's a Farmers' Market and free music concert in the Park with a great line-up of wonderful Bay Area musicians playing Salsa, jazz, zydeco, blues, and more! (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • STAND! will welcome award winning author Stephanie Land as the keynote speaker for the 30th Rebuilding Lives event on October 20! Stephanie's memoirs inspired the multi-Emmy nominated hit Netflix series Maid. Get your ticket today! (STAND! For Families Free of Violence via Facebook)
  • Are you registered to vote? 🗳️ Check your status, update your address, or register online! https://registertovote.ca.gov The General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and all California voters will received a vote-by-mail ballot (City of Concord, California via Facebook)
  • The 15th Annual Taste of Concord promises to continue the tradition of good family fun strolling around Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord on Sunday October 2. Sample food from menus of some familiar and new dining establishments for a donation of $30. The net proceeds will go towards supporting the Key Club leadership programs at Mt. Diablo HS, Concord HS, and Clayton Valley Charter HS and other worthwhile non-profit organizations. Find out what restaurants are participating and how to get your tickets at this link.

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That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— 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...

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Concord Daily? Contact me at Concord-Ca@Patch.com

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