In brief: Concord seeks new Homeless Strategic Plan representatives

One representative from the LGBT, another from the business community is sought. Applications are due by 5 p.m. May 26.

CONCORD

On May 2, the Concord City Council amended the composition of the Homeless Strategic Plan Working Group to include one representative who is from, or who has experience working with, the LGBT community and one representative who is an active owner or manager of a business based in Concord.

The council has opened a recruitment for the two positions, and applications for them are due to the city clerk by 5 p.m. May 26. The Homeless Strategic Plan Working Group will assist the city as it begins developing its plan. The Working Group acts as an advisory body to council, staff and the project consultants and meets in person once per month, at minimum, for about nine to 12 months to hear, discuss and provide feedback as the strategic plan is shaped. Members are expected to attend all meetings, read all materials and be prepared to listen and engage on the topics discussed.

The Working Group’s first two meetings occurred on March 22 and April 24, and the next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 22 at the Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. Applicants are encouraged to attend the May 22 meeting.

Information about the Homeless Strategic Plan Working Group is online on the city’s webpage at cityofconcord.org/1051/Homeless-Strategic-Plan-Working-Group, and the application form is available at cityofconcord.org/264/Applications-for-Boards-Committees-Commi.

— city of Concord

WALNUT CREEK

Garden club’s next meeting June 12 in Elks Lodge

The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) will hold its monthly meeting June 12 in the Elks Lodge at 1475 Creekside Drive in Walnut Creek.

Registration will start at 9:30 a.m., followed by a brief business meeting, social time and educational program. The program “Trees, Parks and Volunteers” will be presented by Roger Ravenstad, the city of Fremont’s parks, planning and design manager.

Previoulsy a landscape architect for the city of Berkeley, Ravenstad will share lessons he’s learned in his 25 years designing and managing the growth of premier city park systems. Ravenstad says he feels strongly that great public places are defined by their ability to enhance people’s quality of life, sense of community and connection to the natural environment.

The WCGC welcome the public to visit their meetings and become a part of the club. Visit walnutcreekgardenclub.org online for more information.

— WCGC

Tee Off for Education Golf Tournament slated for May 22

Yours Humanly will start its fourth annual Tee Off for Education Golf Tournament at 10 a.m. May 22 on Walnut Creek’s Rossmoor Golf Course at 1010 Stanley Dollar Drive. A silent auction, raffle and awards presentation dinner will follow the tournament.

A global nonprofit, Yours Humanly (yourshumanly.org) transforms the lives of children in need around the world by providing access to quality education and equitable resources. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support Yours Humanly’s mission to lift children out of poverty and other challenging situations through the power of education.

“This is a great way to be outdoors enjoying the game of golf with friends and family, while being a part of something very special for children in need,” says Sunny Singh, Yours Humanly’s founder and chief executive officer.

Same-day registration will begin at 10 a.m., at which time the putting green and practice range will be open for registered golfers. The putting contest will start at 11 a.m., followed by scramble format tournament play beginning at noon. The awards dinner will follow at 5 p.m. To register in advance, visit yourshumanly.regfox.com/tee-off-for-education online.

— Yours Humanly

CLAYTON

Funds being raised for new Mount Diablo visitor center

The 501(c)(3) all-volunteer organization Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA) for nearly 50 years, has partnered with Mount Diablo State Park to provide stewardship of the park and its visitors. Now the MDIA is overseeing a $3 million campaign to replace the current 25-year old portable trailer that currently serves as a visitor center in Clayton’s Mitchell Canyon with a more spacious, permanent education center that is compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

Located within easy access for the whole Bay Area, the new education center will greatly increase access to the park and its programs for everyone, and particularly for people with disabilities and school children from our community’s lower-income neighborhoods.

In addition to being a resource for community members and students, the new building’s energy-efficient, environmentally responsive design will serve as a model for other structures in urban-wildfire interface zones — a consideration of increasing importance due to California’s expanding fire season.

The MDIA has been deeply gratified by the early response to its fundraising efforts. Generous investment from community members and the MDIA board clearly demonstrates broad interest in this project. Since starting the fundraising campaign last fall, the MDIA has raised more than $600,000 toward a goal of $3 million.

These early contributions have come from the MDIA’s board (more than $180,000); community partners (more than $30,000 from Save Mount Diablo and the Mount Diablo Audubon Society); and many individuals who responded to the MDIA’s first Giving Tuesday request with more than $120,000 in donations.

The MDIA has received challenge grants of $30,000 from Save Mount Diablo and $50,000 from an anonymous donor and now calls on its friends and neighbors who love Mount Diablo and share the group’s vision for a new Mitchell Canyon education center to help the MDIA meet this $80,000 matching goal by July 31. Doing so will play a major role in ensuring the MDIA raises its first million dollars for the center by Dec. 31.

— MDIA

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