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Community Corner

🌱 Contra Costa Lifts Mask Order + Antioch Fire Station Fire

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)

Good morning, neighbors! Jeri Karges here with the latest Concord Daily.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 73 Low: 44.

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Here are the top five stories today in Concord:

  1. With a judge's approval, Ross Farca who was found guilty of violating the civil rights of Jews, building an illegal AR-15-style assault rifle and threatening a police officer, could soon be released through California's mental health diversion program. Farca's arrest in Concord in June 2019 alarmed members of the Bay Area Jewish community after they learned he had posted online about a mass shooting involving Jews. Though Farca has spent the better part of two years behind bars for violating the terms of bail and remains incarcerated, sentencing has been postponed to give his lawyers time to argue for the alternative. The diversion program gives California judges broad latitude to grant people charged with certain crimes a chance to undergo psychological treatment. A hearing on the diversion petition is scheduled for Feb. 28. (The Jewish News of Northern California)
  2. The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors today appointed Dr. Ori Tzvieli as the county's new Health Officer. He fills a vacancy left by Dr. Chris Farnitano, who has stepped down from the role in preparation for retirement. (Claycord.com)
  3. In alignment with the State, the Bay Area counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and the City of Berkeley will lift universal mask requirements for most indoor public settings beginning Wednesday, February 16. Unvaccinated individuals over age 2 will continue to be required to wear masks in all indoor public settings. Businesses, venue operators and hosts may determine their own paths forward to protect staff and patrons and may choose to require all patrons to wear masks. (News 24/680)
  4. At 5:15 pm Tuesday, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District responded to a fire at one of their fire stations after a homeless encampment caught fire and extended to the fire station in the City of Antioch. Station 81, located at 315 W 10th Street, was briefly on fire. Firefighters were returning to the station after a service call when they got the report of a fire at the station and located a column of smoke. By 5:23 pm, the fire was knocked down and under control. It is unknown if the fire was accidental in nature or intentional arson. (East County Today)
  5. A potential five-story, mixed-use building on the edge of downtown Pleasanton that drew protest from some residents was rejected as proposed last month, according to city officials. Had the project application been approved as presented, a 48,000-square-foot building with 3,000 square feet of retail space and 37 units of almost entirely lower-income housing would have been constructed at 4884 Harrison St., near the Pleasanton Public Library, with only ministerial review allowed beforehand. Community development director Ellen Clark told the Weekly that staff's rejection was "based on a conclusion that the project does not qualify for ministerial approval because it was found to be inconsistent with applicable government code." (Pleasanton Weekly/ subscription may be required)

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Today in Concord:

  • Don't miss Food Truck Thursdays at the Antioch Community Center and Water Park. (5:00 PM)
  • Come out for Dinner & Outdoor Movie: Coming to America at Retro Junkie in Walnut Creek. (6:00 PM)
  • Ken Cooper will bring his acoustic stylings to Rocco's Ristorante Pizzeria in Walnut Creek. (7:00 PM)
  • Jerry Law is performing at Tommy T's in Pleasanton. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • The body positive lingerie store Third Love is coming to Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek. Check out their online selection here. And the furniture store Ethan Allen is coming to Broadway Pointe in Downtown Walnut Creek where H&M used to be. Check out their online selection here.
  • Want to support the local arts and be immortalized at the same time? Get yourself a custom, laser-engraved paver that will be prominently located on the new Rudney Plaza outside of the Lesher Center.
  • The community is invited to attend an online presentation of the 2022 Lafayette State of the City address by Mayor Teresa Gerringer tonight at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom teleconference. Questions can be submitted on Zoom during a Q&A session, or emailed in advance to Suzanne Iarla, Communications Analyst at siarla@lovelafayette.org. At the time of the event, click this link to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84261229957?pwd=cHVhd0FOSmNMcVBnOVgxMXkya2NjZz09

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Events:

  • Can Tax Planning Cut your 2021 Taxes? (February 10)
  • V1ST Veterans First BINGO (February 11)
  • Northern California R&B Supergroup at Almost Famous Wine Lounge (February 11)
  • Open House - 7 Limewood Place, Pleasant Hill (February 12)
  • Crab Feed to-go special at Roxx On Main (February 12)
  • SIR Br8 - Discussion of the Future of Renewable Energy at the Member Luncheon on February 14 (February 14)
  • Add your event

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll be back 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...

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