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Community Corner

🌱Martinez Declares Local Emergency + BART Trains Slowed By Weather

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)

Hi all! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Concord Daily. Keep reading to find out all the local news you need to know right now.

  • All of Northern California is a mess and it's not getting any better any time soon!
  • A decision on the Naval Weapons Station reuse project was delayed until January 28.
  • Kids Club at the Veranda celebrates Chinese New Year.

But first, today's weather:

Winds subsiding with rain. High: 55 Low: 48.

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Here are the top stories today in Concord:

  1. Due to the severe weather, the City of Martinez declared a local emergency yesterday. Creeks in the city are rising, with major erosion in some places and debris accumulation in others. "These storms have caused significant impacts to the community, which has included mudslides at seven locations, downed trees at six locations, flooding at four locations, along with multiple road closures," according to a statement from the city. (Contra Costa News)
  2. Martinez isn't the only Northern California city seeing major impacts from this series of storms. Evacuation orders, closed highways and rivers that are exceeding flood levels are the order of the day. Ben Lomond (where I grew up), in the Santa Cruz Mountains, saw the highest rainfall total from the last storm with 4.39 inches in 24 hours. Even mail delivery is being impacted in Soquel because of floods and evacuation orders. (East Bay Times)
  3. BART reduced speeds on all of its trains on Monday, due to the weather. The transit service recommended adding 20 minutes to your plans vs. the usual travel time. More storms are on the horizon, so it's probably not a bad idea to continue to assume it's gonna take longer to get wherever you need to go, regardless of how you're going to get there. (Claycord.com)
  4. After a nine-hour marathon meeting, the Concord City Council had still not reached consensus on the term sheet for the Naval Weapons Station reuse project, so the decision was delayed until January 28. Opponents "say the term sheet as presented does not meet the 25% affordable housing requirement after adding more than 3000 units to the original 12, 275 homes planned." The term sheet and a video of the special City Council meeting can be found here. (Pioneer Publishers)
  5. Ahead of the next storm, Contra Costa Health is expanding capacity at the local homeless shelters. CCH is also increasing supplies for the shelters, and your help is needed. "Our outreach teams are in need of — in order of importance — sleeping bags, gloves and beanies, tarps and blankets. Donations can be dropped off at 2400 Bisso Lane, Suite D in Concord." (News 24/680)

Today in Concord:

  • There's no better reason to brave this storm than to get some of the freshest produce around at the Concord Farmers' Market at Todos Santos Plaza! (9:00 AM)
  • It's Salsa Tuesday at Retro Junkie in Walnut Creek. (7:00 PM)
  • "DJ Delta Dave provides free line dancing lessons with a country-themed night" at Vinnie's Bar in Concord. (8:00 PM)

Given the current weather conditions, it's probably a good idea to verify with the venues that these activities are still on before you head out the door.

From my notebook:

  • Why not try Comfort Food Month? "All month long, indulge in Concord's most delicious, decadent eats and treats. Find special deals at participating restaurants, weekly themes highlighting, a grand giveaway and more.Some food fuels your body, but some also fuels your soul. January is the perfect month to cozy up and enjoy the indulgent, rich flavors that will warm you up from the inside out." (Patch)
  • Three free fine arts events hit the Orinda library in January. "First, is a talk about the exhibition 'Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs,' currently on display at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. The Orinda Library talk is at the Library Auditorium on Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Jan. 21 at 2 p.m., the Orinda Library hosts a Lion Dance Performance, also held in the Library Auditorium, in celebration of Lunar New Year. Next, on Jan. 23, Pauline Tsui will begin a series of four workshops (that day and the three following Mondays) highlighting the 'Joy of Chinese Brush Painting.'" (theorindanews.com)
  • Kung Hei Fat Choy! Join friends and neighbors for this Kids Club at the Veranda where attendees "will be delighted with a martial arts demonstration, a Lion Dance Show, and a craft and calligraphy corner led by local calligraphy artist Jojo Liu." (visitconcord.com)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday! I'll see you soon.

— 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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