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Community Corner

🌱Walnut Creek Bank Robberies + Campolindo High Hero

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, friends! It's me, Jeri Karges, your host of the Daily. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and hot. High: 100 Low: 60.

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Here are the top five stories in Concord today:

  1. Bed Bath & Beyond said Wednesday it is closing 150 stores and cutting 20 percent of its workforce, though it's unclear if the home goods retailer plans to shutter any of its East Bay stores. The retailer has stores in Antioch, Dublin and Pleasant Hill, but it has not released the list of closures, so it's still a waiting game to see if the local stores will be on the chopping block. "We are embracing a straight-forward, back-to-basics philosophy that focuses on better serving our customers, driving growth and delivering business returns," interim CEO Sue Gove said in a press release, adding, "The customer underpins our decisions and we are committed to delivering what they want while driving growth, profitability and financial returns." (Concord Patch)
  2. SBLive has a lot to say about some local high school football players. "Antioch running back Charles Brown, a Pittsburg transfer, is an immediately (sic) Player of the Year candidate," it posits. It also said that "Acalanes-Lafayette legendary coach Floyd Burnsed still knows how to develop quarterbacks — in this case two." Liberty High in Brentwood gets a mention as do the teams from Danville and San Ramon. It sounds like it's going to shape up to be another great season for the North Coast Section this year. (Scorebook Live)
  3. Everybody's talking about it, and it's going to be painful. What is it? The heatwave that's going to hit the East Bay and much of California this weekend. The weather patterns will create "on-shore winds that compress the marine layer to the point where the marine layer really doesn't exist," NWS meteorologist Braden Murdock said. "Once that happens, the thermometer just goes up and up." That's an understatement. Brentwood is forecasted to be the hottest spot in Contra Costa, but Concord and Walnut Creek are not far behind. Climate scientist and weather expert Daniel Swain wrote on social media that the heat wave may be "prolonged, dangerous and almost certainly record-breaking." Stay inside. Stay hydrated and check in on your neighbors, especially if they are older. (The Mercury News)
  4. A suspect was arrested in Walnut Creek on Tuesday on suspicion of bank robbery and attempted robbery. Two different banks were the target of his spree and the crimes were committed just minutes apart. According to Claycord.com "officers and detectives quickly located the suspect. There were no weapons involved and no one was injured." (Claycord.com)
  5. Jake Hammerman is an amazing young man. During the pandemic, he found a way to give back and then give back again. He used his skills gained from being on the Campolindo varsity tennis team to get kids outside and get them some exercise during the tough days of the pandemic. He gave the lessons for free. That would be impressive enough, but he also knew that homebound seniors were needing more home delivered meals than ever during the lockdown, so he opened a Go Fund Me to benefit Meals on Wheels. He asked parents of his tennis students to donate, if they could, in lieu of paying for lessons. He raised $15,000 in the first four days of giving lessons! He's kept up the tradition, even after the pandemic is over, and has raised over $30,000 to date! According to The Pioneer "Jake's efforts earned him an interview on Good Morning America, and he was awarded the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors 2022 Youth Hall of Fame Volunteerism Award, which recognizes young people who have a commitment to service and community." Way to go, Jake! And, thank you! (Pioneer Publishers)

Today in Concord:

  • Are you prepared for an earthquake or other natural disaster? The City of Concord is hosting an Emergency Preparedness Fair. Stop by Todos Santos Plaza to pick up useful information and free giveaways from local emergency service organizations. (4 p.m.)
  • Orinda Community Center is hosting Food Truck Night Orinda. Take the night of kitchen duty. (5 p.m.)
  • Head over to Todos Santos Plaza for Music and Markets with a great line-up of wonderful Bay Area musicians playing Salsa, jazz, zydeco, blues, and more. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • The Antioch Police Department Citizen's Academy is back! Participants of the academy will be given the opportunity to experience some of the activities Law Enforcement Officers and department personnel perform as part of their duties. Interested residents can apply at https://www.antiochca.gov/police/citizen-academy/
  • The Orinda Starlight Village Players will close its 38th season in the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheater with George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion," directed by Amy Cook. Performances run Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:30 p.m., Sept. 9 through Oct. 1, with a Sunday matinee at 4 p.m. on Sept. 25 and a Thursday performance at 8 p.m. on Sept. 29. For more information, visit www.orsvp.og or call 925.528.9225.
  • Head over to the Pleasant Hill Library to learn about the amazing society of honey bees, demonstrated by Ms. Ellen and Uncle Jer through storytelling and puppetry. Learn the bee dance, taste honey and see live bees in a safe observation hive! No registration necessary. Everyone is welcome!

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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...

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Concord Daily? Contact me at Concord-Ca@Patch.com

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