🌱 Patch AM: Which Contra Costa students just earned National Merit Semifinalist honors?

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In today's newsletter:

• Which Contra Costa students just earned National Merit Semifinalist honors?
• How one Pleasant Hill counselor turns sidewalk chalk into student confidence.

Also on today's calendar: Lafayette to Host Free ALT Fair Exploring Alternatives to College and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Do you know what the two sides of a circle are? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 90 and low of 60 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 83, low: 53.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 81 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Contra Costa County celebrates 103 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists (contracostaherald.com) — From its Pleasant Hill headquarters, the Contra Costa County Office of Education is celebrating 103 local seniors named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, including College Park High School students. The list spans 18 high schools and one homeschool, highlighting strong academic programs countywide and the next steps these students will take to compete for scholarships through 2027.
   

• 17 Ideas From Educators to Start the School Year With Joy (berkeley.edu) — A Pleasant Hill school counselor shares how she helps anxious students use sidewalk chalk to write upbeat messages outside their school, making arrivals feel more welcoming. Her idea appears alongside 16 other joy‑focused strategies from educators nationwide, offering local teachers and families simple ways to start the school year with more connection and positivity.
   

📸 Around Pleasant Hill

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Pleasant Hill

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday September 24
• Lafayette to Host Free ALT Fair Exploring Alternatives to College →
  Don Tatzin Community Hall, 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
  5:00 pm
Friday September 25
• Walnut Creek Oktoberfest: Prost to a Weekend of Brews, Brats & Bavarian Fun! 🥨🍻 →
  1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
  5:00 pm
Saturday September 26
• Walnut Creek Oktoberfest: Prost to a Weekend of Brews, Brats & Bavarian Fun! 🥨🍻 →
  1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
  12:00 pm
• You're Invited! Preview Open House →
  20 Alhambra Hills Dr, Martinez
  1:00 pm
Saturday October 3
• Donuts & Demos! →
  Greenlight Driver Training, 730 Camino Ramon, Danville
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday September 24
• Understanding Geriatric Health: Common Challenges & Smart Solutions →
  Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill
  10:30 am
Saturday September 26
• Live Music @ WiseGirl →
  WiseGirl, Pleasant Hill
• 2026 Annual Young Children's Issues Forum - What Comes Next? →
  Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
Sunday September 27
• Pleasant Hill Seminar: Carnivorous Container Gardens →
  Sloat Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Hill
  10:30 am
• Love and Service Group Weekly Speaker Meeting →
  Hope Center Church, 2275 Mprello Ave., Pleasant Hill
  6:00 pm
Saturday October 3
• The Great Contra Costa Crystal Fair →
  Civic Park Community Center, 1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
  10:00 am
• Finding Binkey: When Your Ancestors Choose You with Michael A. Willis →
  Contra Costa Co. Genealogical Soc. via ZOOM
  10:00 am

📣 Pleasant Hill Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Pleasant Hill PatchAM possible:

• DN Gifts for Life — (925) 775-9337

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• UPDATE****
  I am trying to figure out how to update pawboost and my original post TWENTY-EIGHT weeks ago… but I have amazing news - PALO IS ALIVE AND (almost)… (Nextdoor Grayson Creek)
• Can someone help me understand why Sequoia Elementary school has a young lady with a stop sign assisting cars out of the parking lot to make a left hand turn on Boyd?
  I watched her allow maybe 10 out of the parking lot to turn left while a line of cars stopped. When she stepped away from the middle of the street,… (Nextdoor Poet's Corner)

• Boot Barn posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate (Seasonal) in Pleasant Hill. Apply here.
• Albertsons Company posted a job opening for Retail Sales and Store Support in Pleasant Hill. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Pleasant Hill here.

🗞 Nearby News

Martinez

• Chancellor Mehdizadeh retiring from Contra Costa Community College District (pleasantonweekly.com)
• Contra Costa County Superior Court Announces Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge for 2027-2028 (contracosta.news)
• Local Event: You're Invited! Preview Open House (patch.com)

Walnut Creek

• A 55-Year-Old Walnut Creek Bar Says It May Be Forced Out Bay Area Telegraph (bayareatelegraph.com)
• Manager, Business Operations (aaa.com)

Concord

• Gas Prices Hurting Animal Rescue In Contra Costa (patch.com)

Ok Pleasant Hill! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The inside and the outside ! (Thank you James M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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