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Concord plans ahead for biking and walking
CYNTHIA ARMOuR
BIKE CONCORD
Earlier this month, the City Council approved the Downtown Corridors Plan. The document lays out concrete recommendations for a revitalized, more walkable and bikeable downtown Concord. It looks in particular at three corridors, which together form the eastern half of a “green frame” defined in the Specific Plan: Oak Street, Grant Street from Oak Street to Salvio Street, and Salvio from Grant to Broadway. Data from the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Safe Routes to Transit Master Plan tells us that this area has some of the highest demand for walking and biking. There have been numerous injuries involving bicyclists and pedestrians in downtown – more than 50 from 2009 to 2013. The forward-thinking designs approved by the city should go a long way toward making the streets safer and more enjoyable for everyone. The downtown schools, shops, transit centers and destinations should be able to offer residents and visitors friendly streets for walking and biking. As usual, a main obstacle
for these projects is funding. The city is doing a good job of going after competitive funding, but it would be great if there were more regular, stable funding available for the city to fix potholes and complete these projects. We have an opportunity on Nov. 8 to secure that funding for Concord. Bike Concord and Bike East Bay want you to vote yes on Measure X. Contra Costa County’s Transportation Expenditure Plan will bring the 2004 halfcent sales tax up to a full cent, generating $2.9 billion over 30 years. Of that, $664 million will go to local streets and roads. An additional $290 million will fund improvements to major thoroughfares. This could be Monument Boulevard, for example. The measure includes $64 million for Safe Routes to School and $115 million to fund bike, pedestrian and trail facilities. Recent cuts in state funding make the expansion of this tax critical to keep the local transportation system up to date and to keep transportation services running smoothly for everyone. To keep Contra Costa moving, to fix potholes, triple funding for bicycles and give Concord a bright future, please vote yes on Measure X. Armour is the advocacy manager for Bike East Bay, a regional bicycle advocacy organization and partner of Bike Concord. Bike Concord is an organization of local residents working to make bicycling a safe, convenient transportation option. Email her at cynthia@bikeeastbay.org, or call 510-845-7433, ext 5
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com Sponsored content
By Dr. Armando Samaniego
When illness begins, chicken soup or Tylenol may offer comfort and the hope of uninterrupted daily routines. However, not addressing persistent symptoms early may lead to
September 23, 2016
Timing is everything when it comes to your health
extended downtime in the long run. Certainly, persistent symptoms are not always a sign of a more serious medical issue, but as one presidential candidate can attest, powering through respiratory issues can lead to bronchitis or even pneumonia. Those who experience shingles often recall the initial painful rash. It is best to seek medical attention as soon as signs of a potentially more serious illness emerge. Here are the telltale signs for pneumonia and shingles, plus a bit of trivia which may of interest. What do Rice Crispies have in common with pneumonia? A combination of a per-
sistent productive cough (coughing up phlegm), chills, fever or feeling rundown may suggest bronchitis or even pneumonia. Your physician will listen to your breathing for the presence of a cracklinglike sound created by the pneumonia bacteria infection (Yes, sounds like milk pouring onto Rice Crispies); or if needed, view your lungs on x-ray.
like a roof shingle or its ‘belt of fire’ appears on either side of the body. It is a reoccurrence of the chicken pox virus and may emerge during times of significant stress. STAT MED Urgent Care provides expert care alongside an outstanding experience whether it’s for illness, injury, physicals or vaccines. With ER trained physicians, and onsite x-rays and labs, we What do roofs have in common strive to diagnose and treat you with shingles? as efficiently and effectively as Shingles can appear as a possible. red band-like skin rash that can burn as if touched by a hot Samaniego is the founder of iron and can be very painful if STAT MED Urgent Care. For not caught early. Shingles more information, visit statmed.com coined for its horizontal shape or call 925-234-4447.
Dead birds in Concord lead to West Nile alert in Contra Costa
With four dead birds in Concord testing positive for West Nile Virus, officials are reminding residents that the mosquito season is not quite over. “We had several days of hot weather over the past week and saw a bit of a resurgence of West Nile virus activity,” reported Steve Schutz of the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District. “We need to continue to take precautions to prevent mosquitoes and mosquito bites.” Since Aug. 9, four dead birds have been found in the
94521 ZIP code area of Concord. The birds were at Glazier and Armand drives, Michigan and Washington boulevards, Glazier Drive and Mercer Court and, most recently, at Denkinger Road and Wilson Lane on Sept. 8. Two groups of mosquitoes have also tested positive for the virus. Since 2005, 55 people in Contra Costa County have been diagnosed with West Nile virus. In 2006, two people died from the disease. Residents can reduce their risk of contracting mosquitoborne diseases by:
• Dumping or draining standing water. • Using repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. • Avoiding outdoor areas when mosquitoes are present, typically dawn and dusk. • Maintaining neglected swimming pools. Just one stagnant pool can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away. • Reporting dead birds to the state hotline at 877.968.2473 or to the
California Department of Public Health at www.cdph.ca.gov/. • Calling the mosquito district to report mosquito problems at 925. 771.6195. • Visiting vector control to get free mosquito fish for ornamental ponds, horse troughs or neglected swimming pools. The office is at 155 Mason Circle in Concord. For a current list of West Nile virus activity, visit www.contracostamosquito.com.