🌱Mayor Flaherty Recaps State of the City + Saturday Brews Festival

Hello, everybody! I'm here to explain everything that's fit to print about our community. Including:

• The Brenden Theater has a cool new mural!
• The Moraga-Orinda Fire District was awarded $800,000 for a fire mitigation pilot.
• Try a Fossils and Flowers Hike today at the Shell Ridge Open Space.

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But first, today's weather:

Rain, a thunderstorm. High: 55 Low: 45.

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📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Concord who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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Here are the top stories in Concord today:

1. The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy is offering a $30,000 grant for "proposals surrounding special status species and habitat management." Successful projects will be awarded a two-year stipend as well as being granted access to "the conservancy's 14,000 acres of conserved lands in east Contra Costa County." Proposals are being accepted until July 27. (Claycord.com)
2. Check out the mural on the Willow Pass side of the Brenden Theater next time you're down there. It's really cool! It looks like it was ripped from the pages of a graphic novel. According to the artist, the piece is "a female heroine, as the focal subject, in a modern aesthetic that feels futuristic. Within the imagery the hero takes action in a 'choose your own adventure' for the viewer, intriguing them to wonder where the hero is going." (Claycord.com)
3. In a piece in The Pioneer, Pleasant Hill Mayor Tim Flaherty outlines the main points from his State of the City address. He extols the strong financial underpinnings of the city, talks about the Draft 2040 General Plan and provides an update on the city's by-district voting initiative.
4. With a third day five-fish weigh-in of 15 pounds, 13 ounces, Nick Salvucci brought his tournament total to 54-10, winning all three days of the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Western Division tournament on the California Delta, and cementing his tournament victory. "With the victory, Savlucci earned a $24,795 paycheck. He also now sits atop the standings in the Angler of the Year race ... The final event will be back on the Delta from April 19-21. Salvucci plans to be there." (Contra Costa News)
5. The Moraga-Orinda Fire District received an $800,000 grant subaward from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. The money will be used for a three-year pilot program to hire two wildland fire experts to work with local residents on fire mitigation plans. (lamorindaweekly.com)

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Today in Concord:

• It's Family Fun Night at the Solano Drive-in in Concord. "Adults $6, kids 5-11 $2. 4 & Under free. Most screens are double features - 2 movies for 1 price." (5:30 PM)
• Paint a Paschal Moon at Painting with a Twist in Pleasant Hill. All ages welcome. (6:30 PM)
• "DJ Delta Dave provides free line dancing lessons with a country-themed night" at Vinnie's Bar in Concord. (8:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• "Got your tickets for the Spring Brews Festival happening Saturday, March 25th in Todos Santos?🍺 It's that wonderful time of year when 50 world-class breweries come to Downtown Concord!" (Visit Concord via Instagram)
• "Build a Lego creation at the Lego Builders Club at the Pleasant Hill Library! With Duplo for small hands to Technic for advanced creators. No registration required. All ages and abilities welcome." The event takes place Saturdays at 2:00 pm.
• Head over to the Entrance to Shell Ridge Open Space in Walnut Creek today for a Fossils and Flowers Hike! "Enjoy spotting birds and wildflowers as we meander through the oak woodland to view million-year-old fossils in Shell Ridge." The event is free!

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Third Act Rally 11am to 1pm (March 21)
• Band Classics (March 21)
• VistAbility's Spring Hiring Event (March 22)
• Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Yard Sale (March 25)
• Open House - 5274 Alhambra Valley Road (March 26)
• Successful Retirement in a Year of High Interest Rates, High Inflation, and High Market Volatility (March 28)
• Add your event

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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...

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