🌱Contra Costa Declares Local Emergency + Menagerie Fire Rescue

Hello, all! I'm here right on time with your Thursday edition of the Concord Daily, filled with all the local news you need to know right now. Today's briefing includes news about...

• If you're headed up to Mt. Diablo, North Gate Road or Summit Road are your best bets.
• A Pleasant Hill company may have the answer for affordable housing.
• Get 20% off Chef Kev's Specialty Foods, for Concord Comfort Food Month.

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But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 55 Low: 33.

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Business owners and marketers in Concord: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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Here are the top stories today in Concord:

1. The state of the economy is making it more difficult for municipalities to comply with state mandates for affordable housing. One Pleasant Hill company may have the answer. "Pleasant Hill-based Comfort Casitas uses SIP — structurally integrated panels — to build small, modular homes in residential backyards." Known as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), the simple construction process with energy efficient materials makes it a win-win and easier to get permit approvals. "Community members who have participated in the Housing Element update have spoken favorably for ADUs," Clayton Community Development Director Dana Ayers told the Pioneer. "We are factoring them into our regional housing needs for the city."
2. Contra Costa County declared a local emergency, due to the series of storms that ravaged the county. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors ratified the proclamation. "This Local Emergency Proclamation will allow our County to access needed Federal and State funds to help us recover from the extensive storm damage," said Board Chair John Gioia." (News 24/680)
3. Have you heard of the "tri-demic?" It's the triple whammy of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that's hitting us this year. "Contra Costa Health and Kaiser Permanente have partnered to launch a public health education campaign to inform the community about simple self-care recovery tips and virtual treatment options for common illnesses." The partners developed an English and Spanish website to help people plan for, and recover from, these illnesses. (Concordchamber.com)
4. If you want to head out to Mt. Diablo this weekend, North Gate Road or Summit Road may be your best bet. South Gate Road is scheduled to reopen today, but "several sections are narrow due to sandbags on the shoulders of the roadways, and there are a few new one-way sections where the roadway has completely washed out." Parking lots and trails are open. (Claycord.com)
5. Con Fire responded to a home in Martinez on Tuesday and encountered three residents and 70 cats and dogs! All were evacuated. Authorities and neighbors all pitched in to help rescue the critters. One person required hospitalization. (Contra Costa News)

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Today in Concord:

• "Learn to Sew in the library makerspace! In this beginners workshop, you'll learn the basics of how to use a sewing machine and create a simple project to take home! For tweens and teens" at the Pleasant Hill Library. (3:00 PM)
• It's Salsa and Bachata Dance Night at Vinnie's Bar in Concord! (8:00 PM)
• Don't miss Live Band Karaoke at Retro Junkie in Walnut Creek. (9:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• "Get 20% off of your next purchase from Chef Kev's Specialty Foods with promo code for Concord Comfort Food Month." (Visit Concord via Instagram)
• "To help those looking to purchase a home in the Concord area, we've listed two recently listed properties, with information included on the next scheduled open house." (Concord Patch)
• "To kick off the 2023 concert season, Live Nation has announced the Megamonsters tour coming to the Concord Pavilion this April! Two heavy metal bands, Mastodon and Gojira, will be headlining the show on Thursday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m." (City of Concord, California via Facebook)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Indie Pop Star Michelle Lambert Plays Market and Main in Martinez! (January 19)
• Basic Food Nutrition Life-Skills Course (January 20)
• Forejour: Popular Tribute Band to FOREigner and JOURney returns to Walnut Creek! (January 21)
• Publicizing Diablo Women's Chorale "SINGERS WANTED" (January 23)
• Add your event

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow 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