PITTSBURG
The city of Pittsburg plans significant improvements to its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) permitting process and accessibility with the release of its ADU guidebook and permit-ready plan set for residents.
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The city received grant funding from the Senate Bill 2 Planning Grants Program to develop helpful tools and resources to further housing production. Pittsburg’s permit-ready ADU plan set was drafted to aid in the overall cost to construct and reduce review timelines.
The plan set is available for free Pittsburg residents looking to build an ADU within city limits and consists of 750 square feet with two bedrooms, one bathroom and a separate living and dining area.
As part of the guidebook’s development, the city identified commonly asked community questions pertaining to ADU construction in the city. Staff used this information to draft the guidebook in a “How-to-ADU” format to create an easy-to-read guide for public use. The guidebook provides an in-depth review of ADU basics, frequently asked questions, permitting and other resources.
“Pittsburg strives to meet the housing needs of all community members,” said John Funderburg, Pittsburg’s assistant director of community and economic development. “The release of the ADU guidebook will increase public knowledge of the different types of accessory dwelling units available.”
For more information, call the city of Pittsburg Community and Economic Development Department’s Planning Division at 925-252-4920 or visit the city’s ADU webpage at bit.ly/3UBFpVp.
— city of Pittsburg
CONCORD
Council OKs provision of $150K to seven local nonprofits
The Concord City Council on April 23 authorized the distribution of $150,000 to seven local nonprofit groups to support projects in the areas of workforce development; youth drug prevention and education; and mental health and substance abuse services.
The funds, which will be distributed in fiscal year 2024-25, were received from retail cannabis businesses in Concord as part of the city’s Cannabis Community Benefit Fund. These are voluntary contributions from the developers of the business as part of their development agreement with the city of Concord.
In 2022, the City Council established this fund and last year determined a procedure for distributing funding through grant awards based on applications reviewed and recommended by Concord’s Community Services Commission.
Funding was also allocated to support the city’s recreation scholarship program, which supplements the cost of summer camps and swimming programs for youth from lower-income households.
More information about youth scholarships, including eligibility and a list of popular summer programs is available at cityofconcord.org/youthscholarship. City residents are encouraged to apply now.
— city of Concord
WALNUT CREEK
Church to celebrate 30 years of LGBT inclusion, activism
Walnut Creek United Methodist Church (WCUMC) will celebrate its 30th year this June as a reconciling congregation. This means that everyone is welcome, including members of the LGBT community. No one is asked or expected to change who they are, and everyone is loved, seen and appreciated.
Since 1994, the church has been involved in advocacy and activism: participating in countless LGBT pride events throughout the Bay Area, supporting same-sex marriages and working with other organizations in the community to provide safe spaces and events for members of the LGBT community.
WCUMC plans to celebrate 30 years of inclusive love this June with special messages from their pastor, the Rev. Mantu Joshi, and honors for those who have created and championed safe spaces for those in the LGBT community. All are invited to attend. For more information, visit walnutcreekumc.org online.
— WCUMC
OAKLEY
District next Friday to celebrate School Lunch Hero Day
Between preparing delicious food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies and offering service with a smile, Oakley Union Elementary School District (OUESD) nutrition professionals have a lot on their plate.
To celebrate their hard work and commitment, OUESD schools will celebrate School Lunch Hero Day on May 3. This day, celebrated annually since 2013, was designated by the School Nutrition Association and Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series.
School Lunch Hero Day provides an opportunity for parents, students, school staff and communities to thank those who provide healthy meals to nearly 30 million of America’s students each school day. Federal nutrition standards ensure that school cafeterias always offer low-fat or fat-free milk, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
The importance and nutritional value of school meals are well documented. For many children, school lunch is the most important and nutrient-rich meal of their day. Get the details about School Lunch Hero Day at schoollunchheroday.com. To learn more about the school nutrition program for OUESD visit ouesdnutrition.com.
— OUESD
LAFAYETTE
Garden club to hear two speakers at next monthly meeting
The monthly meeting of the Lafayette Garden Club (LGC) will start at 9:30 a.m. May 9 for social time and light refreshments before a short business meeting at 10 a.m. At 10:30, club member Liz Whiteford will give a talk on “Transforming to a Native Garden: Chaos to Charm.”
At 11, the LGC’s guest speaker, Katherine Bergman, a top designer in big demand in the Bay Area, will inspire the club with floral designs incorporating David Austin roses from her Walnut Creek garden, where she grows more than 120 roses.
The club meets in the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center at 3780 Mount Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. Visit lafayettegardenclub.com online for more details.
— LGC
Nursery school’s annual Science Day of Discovery on May 4
Lafayette Nursery School’s 47th annual Science Day of Discovery will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4. Make a volcano explode, shoot a rocket, make slime, dig for dinosaur bones and test your senses. These are just a few of the many hands-on activities that will be on hand during this great experience for the whole family.
Experiments are designed for children preschool ages through third grade. Proceeds are donated to a local math or science-based charity.
The cost is $5 per child, and the event will take place at in the Lafayette Nursery School at 979 First St. in Lafayette. For more information, visit lafayettenurseryschool.org online or call the school at 925-284-2448.
— Chelsea Bowman
Lifestyle Tour of area homes to raise funds set for May 4
For 25 years, the Lifestyle Tour presented by Lafayette Juniors has continued to be one of Lamorinda’s most beloved events and the group’s largest fundraiser. The Lafayette Lifestyle Tour is a self-guided event featuring beautiful Lafayette homes with masterfully designed, unique and awe-inspiring indoor and outdoor spaces.
This year’s tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4, and funds raised will directly support Lafayette Juniors’ local beneficiaries: Hospice East Bay, CASA of Contra Costa County and Girls Crushing It. Tickets are available online at lafayettejuniors.org.
— Lafayette Juniors
DANVILLE, ALAMO AND WALNUT CREEK
Garden tour to fundraise for education of women and girls
Get ready to refresh your spirit — the American Association of University Women, Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek (AAUW DAW) garden tour is returning for the 22nd time in 2024.
Continuing last year’s theme of “Gardens That Inspire,” the 2024 tour will feature six lovingly curated landscapes for tour attendees to visit. The gardens are in Walnut Creek, Danville and Alamo and will cover a fascinating range of styles from California natives to extravagant flowers to a beautiful rose garden.
The self-guided tour of six gardens will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10-11. Tickets are $40 per person before May 1, $45 thereafter, and proceeds provide will college scholarships for local women, STEM educational activities for middle school girls and other educational programs. For tickets or more details, visit daw-ca.aauw.net/2024-garden-tour online.
— AAUW DAW
WALNUT CREEK
Local veterans’ stories sought to be shared on Memorial Day
The city of Walnut Creek is hosting its annual Memorial Day ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon May 27 at Civic Park. Everyone is welcome to attend and pay respects to those who served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Many residents have very personal connections to Memorial Day, having lost a relative or friend during a wartime. City officials and staff hope to hear those stories of people who made an impact and why, whether he or she was a family member or friend.
The city will highlight some of the stories received during the Memorial Day ceremony, with elected officials reading an assortment of narratives submitted by Walnut Creek residents. Stories can be emailed to WalnutCreekListens@walnut-creek.org. Mayor Loella Haskew will reading each submission as it is received.
“It will be an honor to read those personal stories about someone who has touched the lives of our residents,” Haskew said. “We are looking forward to sharing those accounts with the broader Walnut Creek community.”
The names of 65 former Walnut Creek residents are on plaques outside City Hall. Those are the names of people who lived in Walnut Creek and were killed in the line of duty, but submissions for Memorial Day can share personal stories regardless of where the service member lived.
Memorial Day is one of the city’s most cherished traditions. In addition to the readings, the Walnut Creek Concert Band will perform, and the event will conclude with a gathering across the street from Civic Park at the Veterans Memorial for a brief closing ceremony.
— city of Walnut Creek
May 13 golf tournament to fundraise for the school district
The Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF) has opened registration for their third annual “FORE! Education Golf Tournament” at Rossmoor’s Dollar Ranch golf course May 13.
Funds raised are invested in our Walnut Creek public schools to support the education of 5,000 students. This year, WCEF will raise $1.5 million to fund critical programs and salaries not paid for by the state. This includes weekly art, music and science lab classes for elementary school students, as well as a credentialed librarian.
Middle school students have access to more electives including robotics, computer programming and world language. High school students benefit from a fully staffed Wellness Center, advanced placement classes for college readiness, dozens of visual and performing arts classes, four world languages, career pathways in medical and engineering fields and so much more.
These opportunities are available because our community supports public education and donates to WCEF every year. Interested in playing? You can sign up online at wcefk12.org/golf or donate at wcefk12.org/donate.
— WCEF
CONCORD
Free Saturday postseason tax clinics will start on May 18
Do you need tax help after April 15? Did you request an extension and now need to file a tax return? Have you received a letter or notice from the IRS or FTB? Do you need to file a prior-year tax return? Do you need to amend a tax return? Do you have a tax question?
Tax-Aide volunteer counselors are available to help, and the free service will be available on Saturdays in the Concord Library at 2900 Salvio St. in Concord from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 18, June 15, July 13, Aug. 17 and Sept. 14. Those interested should bring the following:
• a government issued photo identification (a California driver’s license or state identification card, U.S. passport, etc.; this is required) for you and your spouse;
• proof of Social Security Numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for you, your spouse and all dependents on your tax return (this is required);
• copies of any IRS and/or California Franchise Tax Board notices received;
• a copy of your most recent state and federal tax returns;
• all your income and deduction forms, including 1099-SSA, 1099-R, W-2, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, 1099-MISC, 1098, etc. for the relevant tax year;
• any other documents that report income or deductible expenses, such as real estate tax paid, DMV renewal fees paid, charitable contributions, etc.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 925-471-5686. For more details online, visit taxaide.aarpfoundation.org.
— AARP Foundation
City’s popular Music & Market concerts to return June 6
The city of Concord has announced that its popular concert series, Music & Market, will return June 6 to Todos Santos Plaza for the summer and early fall. The four-month concert series features a lineup of talented local artists representing an array of musical genres.
The events also include a vast farmers’ market hosted by the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA), where visitors can shop all the great produce, snacks, home goods and more that the Bay Area has to offer, including food trucks.
The concerts will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Thursday from June 6 to Sept. 26 (excluding July 4), with the farmers’ market running from 4 to 8 p.m. The full concert lineup for this year’s Music & Market concert series can be found online at cityofconcord.org/DowntownEvents.
— city of Concord
To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least a week before print publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com and jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words and include a short headline along with the name of the group or individual to credit for it.