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Community Corner

🌱Regional Parks, Open Spaces Closed For Fire Risk + Free Sammies!

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)

Hello all! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening in Concord.Keep scrolling for the scoop.

I'm taking the long weekend off, but I'll be back at it and back in your inbox on Wednesday next week!

📣 Our readers love to celebrate good news! You can now shout out your big announcement at the top of the Concord Daily newsletter. Whether it's a grand opening, new product for sale, birthday, anniversary, engagement, wedding or new baby, let everyone celebrate alongside you! Submit your announcement here.

First, today's weather:

Hot with sizzling sunshine. High: 99 Low: 61.

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Here are the top five stories today in Concord:

  1. This is a very disheartening story. A Walnut Creek father of a young family who was diagnosed with deadly cancer got the runaround from the EDD for his disability claim. It's true and legitimate, that huge amounts of fraud stressed the system and made the processes take longer. What is disheartening is the apathy toward this man's situation when it was clear that he was in need, with a legitimate claim, and no one would help. At one point, James Caswell became so frustrated with getting nowhere, he decided giving up so he could spend the time with his kids might be a better use of his time than getting someone at EDD to look at his claim. That's when 7 On Your Side stepped in. Caswell now has all $15,000 owed to him and he can spend the time he has with this family. (KGO-TV)
  2. Contra Costa County is under an excessive heat warning as temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees over the Labor Day weekend and beyond, creating dangerous conditions. At the recommendation of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, the City of Concord has closed its open space areas including Lime Ridge Open Space and the open space areas within Newhall Community Park from Thursday, Sept. 1 through Tuesday, Sept. 6. (Concord Patch)
  3. Ike's Love & Sandwiches — a San Francisco-born, fast-growing sandwich chain that melds pop culture, unique sandwiches and its signature "Dirty Sauce" — opened it newest location Thursday on Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton. Diners can choose from such sandwiches as: the "Steph Curry" with turkey, Ike's yellow BBQ sauce and provolone; the "Marshawn Lynch" with fried chicken, bacon, spicy Beastmode BBQ sauce and cheddar; the "Menage A Trois," Halal chicken, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, honey, Pepper Jack, Swiss and cheddar cheeses; and "Reading Rainbow" featuring avocado, Ike's red pesto and cheddar. The grand-opening celebration Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. will feature free T-shirts and sandwiches for the first 50 in line, plus a meet-and greet with Ike's founder, Ike Shehadeh. Ike's is currently hiring for the Pleasanton location. For more information, follow this link. (Patch)
  4. PG&E is reminding its customers that if they are enrolled in PG&E's free Power Saver Rewards Program they will earn credit off their bill when they use less energy during Flex Alerts and any other days deemed a Power Saver Rewards event by PG&E - including this weekend. It is asking all of its customers to cut their power consumption as much as possible this weekend as the temps climb. Might as well get a reward for it through the Power Saver Rewards Program. (Claycord.com)
  5. Per the order of the East Bay Regional Park District's Fire Chief, due to possible high fire risk, the Park District will be closing the following several parks and open areas beginning Sunday, September 4 thru Monday, September 5. A total of 40 parks and open spaces are on the list for closure, including Tilden Park and Black Diamond Mines. Check the list before heading out! And, if you do decide to go out, bring plenty of water! (News 24/680)

Today in Concord:

  • Head over to the Orinda Farmers Market for the last berries of the season. Say "good-bye" to summer with some berries and whipped cream for dessert! (9 a.m.)
  • The Antioch Speedway is where the action is tonight! They'll have IMCA Modifieds; IMCA Sport Modifieds; IMCA Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks fighting it out for the titles. (5:30 p.m.)
  • Popular blues guitarist Mighty Mike Schermer debuts his new album at Vinnie's Bar in Concord! (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • According to ConFire, all of the fires in Concord are caused by human activity and are preventable. Please use extreme caution when you must be outdoors this weekend to prevent inadvertent wildfires. Register for the County's emergency alerts: https://cwsalerts.com/. Download the Contra Costa Residents Guide for Wildfire Prep & Evacuation: https://cccfpd.org/wildfire-pr...
  • The Walnut Creek Downtown Rotator Classic Car Show is Walnut Creeks homage to iconic cars and the people who meticulously care for them. This event, on September 18, is where Bay Area car owners and admirers connect while soaking up the sun with a cold one. Attendees vote for their favorite cars and the top two voted cars take home a Trophy. Want to include your classic car? Register to participate here.
  • All Contra Costa Libraries will be closed Monday September 5 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

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You're all caught up for today! 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

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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