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Community Corner

🌱 Contra Costa MLK Ceremony + Concord DUI Patrol

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)

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

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and cool. High: 50 Low: 39.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Concord:

  1. Energy company Kinder Morgan Energy Partners will pay $2.5 million in fines, penalties and assessments following the November 2020 underground gasoline spill that sent over 63,000 gallons of gasoline into a Walnut Creek waterway, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced. Maintenance workers first reported a compromised pipeline on Nov. 20, 2020 near South Broadway in Walnut Creek. After an extensive investigation of the incident from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, The Department of Justice deemed Kinder Morgan Energy Partners' SFPP system in violation of two state codes. The energy company pleaded no contest to the criminal charges. (Claycord.com)
  2. Contra Costa County will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 44th Annual Ceremony in 2022. The Board of Supervisors invites the public to the ceremony on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 11 am. This year's theme is "One People, One Nation, One Dream." Countywide recognition will be given at the ceremony to the Adult Humanitarian of the Year, Gigi Crowder, Executive Director of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a Concord resident, and the Student Humanitarian of the Year, Kaia Morgan, a senior at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord. (Contra Costa Herald)
  3. Concord Police arrested two drivers on suspicion of DUI while conducting a DUI enforcement patrol on Thursday. Concord Police remind the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol, some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. (Claycord.com)
  4. A large number of cars, apparently operating in concert and in a manner intended to split and confuse police, descended on Walnut Creek early Saturday morning. A sizable number of local law enforcement, made up of officers from various jurisdictions, were on hand to monitor the group, with some officers pulling members of the group over in apparent enforcement stops. As in past gatherings, group members kept police guessing by splintering off from the main body and traveling in different directions. (News 24/680)
  5. After two years of collaboration, a plan to expand the Bay Area's housing opportunities was approved during a public hearing, Thursday night. The plan requires communities in Contra Costa County to add 43,970 housing units, almost 10% of the total, during the time period, with Walnut Creek (5,805 units), San Ramon (5,111) and Concord (5,073) being allocated the highest number of housing units, followed by Richmond and Antioch being allocated 3,614 and 3,016 units, respectively. (Contra Costa Herald)

Today in Concord:

  • Cousins Maine Lobster will be at the Walnut Creek Farmers Market. (9:00 AM)
  • Have breakfast with Santa at the Luxe Theater at the Veranda. (10:00 AM)
  • Paint a Holiday Martini at Wine & Design in Pleasanton. (2:00 PM)
  • Unity of Walnut Creek is delighted to present the poetic and powerful music of Daniel Nahmod. (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Public health officials in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma counties as well as the City of Berkeley encourage anyone eligible who needs a booster dose to get one as soon as possible. To find a booster shot appointment or drop-in booster location in Contra Costa County, please go to coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-vaccinated. Appointments at Contra Costa Health Services' (CCHS) no-cost vaccination clinics are available online or by calling 1-833-829-2626.
  • Unfortunately crime does not take a break around the holidays. The Pleasant Hill Police Department would like to help keep this holiday season joyful with some simple safety tips. Read about them here.
  • Don't miss the strolling holiday music while you're shopping at the Veranda! The Dickens Carolers will be performing on Dec. 19 from 4-8 pm and the Northgate High School Choral groups on Dec. 22 from 5-8 pm. (Twitter)

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  • Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD's Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
  • Christmas Comedy Bash Starring Kabir Singh from AGT LIVE in Pleasanton (December 23)
  • New Years Eve Party at Roxx on Main (December 31)
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That's it for today. I'll see you 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...

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