In brief: Antioch museum to dedicate 1929 Red Caboose on Nov. 18

All aboard for a blast to the past! Join in for an experience from a bygone era as Antioch’s community unveils a vintage 1929 Red Caboose. The free dedication event will start at 11 a. m.

Nov. 18 at the Antioch Historical Museum at 1500 W. 4th St.

Visitors will get to see this restored red beauty and enjoy the museum filled with treasures and memories. From noon to 4 p. m.

, also enjoy a light lunch while supplies last. For more details, visit . California state Sen.

Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, joined community leaders in a recent groundbreaking ceremony at the Concord Community Youth Center, handing over an oversized check for $2 million that represented the state funds he was able to secure for the organization this year. “The Community Youth Center’s restoration and expansion is all about paving the way for our youth to succeed,” Glazer said. “We were able to make a strong case to the legislature and the governor that this center has a successful track record of helping children of all ages and backgrounds.

“This $2 million dollars in state funds will be matched with local donations to make the expansion of the previously named ‘Big C gym’ a reality. ” The city of Concord also provided assistance in this project, securing $1. 5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The investment will allow the center to expand its reach and programs that include sports activities such as wrestling and basketball; and after-school tutoring through the CYC’s “academic excellence” program, which gives youth a place to get homework and tutoring support that they might not get at home. CYC offers scholarships for families who need extra assistance. “The CYC offers youth throughout Concord a safe place to come to after school even if they cannot afford the membership,” Glazer said.

“Without the support of community leaders, CYC would not be able to serve our community and provide our children with such great opportunities to thrive and stay healthy and safe. ” Are you a resident of Brentwood looking to get involved? The city of Brentwood is accepting applications from interested residents to join its Arts Commission; Parks and Recreation Commission; or Planning Commission. Applications are due Dec.

1 and can be submitted online at . Walnut Creek’s Diablo Vista Chorus took eighth place Nov. 4 at the Sweet Adelines International Chorus Competition in Louisville, Kentucky.

This year’s competition included the top 33 qualifying choruses from all over the globe, including those from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. This was Diablo Vista’s first time qualifying for the international event. The chorus competed in the semi-finalist round Nov.

2 with two songs, “I’ve Got Rhythm” and “With You. ” With 76 members on stage, their performance placed the chorus in the top 10 and qualified them to advance to the competition finals, where they performed their show package of songs from the movie “Mary Poppins. ” Sweet Adelines International is an organization dedicated to elevating women singers worldwide through education, performance and competition in barbershop harmony and a cappella music.

The organization has more than 500 member choruses. Diablo Vista Chorus is open to new members, regardless of past singing experience, who wish to participate in the fun and comradery of being part of a group of dynamic women who love singing and making music with other like-minded women. The chorus rehearses every Tuesday night from 6:30 to 9:30 p.

m. at Grace Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek. For more information, visit online.

In Northern California, wildfire season now runs all year long, so to address the risks posed by catastrophic wildfires, Walnut Creek-based CSAA Insurance Group earlier this year announced a $25 million commitment to the California Wildlife Innovation Fund, a climate-solutions strategy that aims to decrease the severity and frequency of catastrophic wildfires by supporting economic development related to forest restoration. CSAA developed the fund in partnership with Blue Forest, the nonprofit group behind the Forest Resilience Bond, which deploys private capital to finance forest restoration projects for wildfire prevention. CSAA was also one of the first investors in the Forest Resilience Bond.

“We are confident that this new fund will deliver meaningful outcomes for our customers, our communities and anyone that recognizes the importance of protecting California from the threat of wildfire and climate change,” said Jeff Huebner, CSAA’s chief risk officer. Alongside a financial return, the California Wildfire Innovation Fund is expected to deliver numerous environmental, economic and social benefits, including climate and ecological resilience, community safety, job creation and positive health outcomes. For more information about the fund, visit online.

Applications for the city of Antioch Small Business Facade Upgrade Program are now open for small businesses in Antioch. Related Articles Forward, a partner in program administration for local governments, has partnered with the city to administer the program, which is designed to provide a facade upgrade reimbursement payment for eligible small businesses that have experienced a negative financial impact from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The city has allocated $450,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through its Small Business Facade Upgrade Program to help Antioch small businesses alleviate the economic challenges faced by pandemic measures, offering them much-needed assistance to maintain and repair the facades of their businesses.

“The city of Antioch is dedicated to investing in Antioch small businesses through its Facade Upgrade Program and in providing an easy application process for applicants,” said Kwame Reed, Antioch’s acting city manager. “This program further solidifies the city of Antioch’s continued partnership with Forward and the shared commitment to financially empower and assist the Antioch small business community. ” Antioch small businesses that meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to learn more and apply online at .

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