In brief: Concord granted $7.9M for street lighting, safety improvements

CONCORD

The city of Concord has been awarded $7.9 million in grant funds from the California Transportation Department (Caltrans) to support a massive street lighting and safety improvement project. This is the largest grant allocation to any Bay Area agency from Caltrans’ recent effort to provide $225 million for projects designed to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on city and county roads.

The funding for Concord will go toward installing new lighting, upgrading existing street and intersection lighting, installing pedestrian countdown signals, modifying signal phasing and installing three new rectangular rapid flashing beacons and four HAWK (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK) traffic signals — systems that are used to alert motorists to crossing pedestrians. Funds will also be used for upgrading uncontrolled crosswalks, installing additional bicycle safety improvements and the entire LED upgrade for city streetlights.

“We are grateful to Caltrans for recognizing the value of these projects to enhance safety in Concord,” said Mayor Laura Hoffmeister. “This funding represents a significant investment in the implementation of Concord’s Local Roadway Safety Plan, which includes various components toward the goal of achieving zero severe and fatal injuries by 2033.”

Over the last year, Concord has been successful in securing additional grants to fund its transportation safety projects. The city received $4.19 million from the One Bay Area Grant program; $2.8 million from the Active Transportation Program/Caltrans; $632,000 from Congress; and $183,000 from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. For more information, visit bit.ly/concordcivicalerts online.

— city of Concord

ANTIOCH

Group named Outstanding Nonprofit Organization

The California Park & Recreation Society District 3 on March 8 bestowed the Celebrate Antioch Foundation with its award for Outstanding Nonprofit Organization Partner in Parks & Recreation for their continued contributions to the city of Antioch through their year-round community events as well as their collaboration and implementation of
Antioch’s sesquicentennial events throughout 2022.

Sign up kids for Max Academy’s martial arts classes

The well-known Max Academy has been astounding in teaching self-defense and life skills such as focus and perseverance. Currently, Max Academy has a class of 20 youth and offers monthly martial arts classes for ages 4 to 6 in its Pandas class and 7 to 12 in its Juniors class. Sign up for one of the next sessions with the keyword “Max Academy” at antiochca.gov/register.

— Antioch city manager’s office

WALNUT CREEK

Preschool’s Earth Day-themed fundraiser April 23

Grace Cooperative Preschool officials invite all to attend their event “Growing with Grace,” an Earth Day-themed fundraiser 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 23 at the preschool in Walnut Creek at 2100 Tice Valley Blvd. The event is free, but donations are welcomed, and will include free crafts for kids a raffle for prizes and more.

Raffle prizes will include a two-night stay at a rental house in Capitola, wine tastings, gift cards and much more. A food truck will be available to buy lunch from as well as the Kona Ice truck for dessert. All proceeds from donations and the raffle will go towards Grace preschool programs, including a new play structure. Those who cannot attend but want to buy raffle tickets can email gpsfundraiser@gmail.com.

— Grace Cooperative Preschool 

Children’s author to read from book March 25 at library

Local children’s author Kara Navolio will read her new picture book “Maggie Discovers the Rainbow” during a book launch party that starts at 11 a.m. March 25 in Walnut Creek’s Ygnacio Valley Library. The Walnut Creek Library Foundation will provide art activities, a rainbow photo booth and refreshments. The book’s illustrator, Tracie Timmer, will also be on hand to share her process in illustrating Navolio’s book. All are welcome.

— Kara Navolio

Garden club’s next monthly meeting happening April 10

The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) will hold its monthly meeting on April 10 in the Elks Lodge at 1475 Creekside Drive in Walnut Creek.

Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a brief business meeting, social time and an educational program, “Floristry with Materials from Garden Pruning,” presented by Steven Brown, the department chair of environmental horticulture and floristry at City College of San Francisco (bit.ly/ccsfhorticulturedept).

Brown will show techniques in floral arrangements using cuttings available from the garden, including use of geraniums in floral arrangements. We welcome the public to visit our meetings and join the club. For more details, visit walnutcreekgardenclub.org online.

— WCGC

PLEASANT HILL

Chinese school to hold second open house on March 25

The Contra Costa Chinese School (CCCS), one of the East Bay’s longest-running Chinese-language schools, is holding their second annual open house from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m March 25 in Diablo Valley College’s Liberal Arts Building at 321 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill.

Families can come and learn about the school’s history of more than 45 years, its Chinese learning environment and classroom spaces as well as meet its teachers and administrators. Visitors also can attend live demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy and brush painting by its instructors. The school offers kindergarten to 10th-grade Mandarin instruction during the school year, as well as a summer programs for children ages 5 to 9. Visit cococs.org online for more information.

— CCCS

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