October 29, 2021
sharing your gratitude
When was the last time you sent someone a handwritten thank-you note? If you can’t remember, at least you’re in good company. While one-to-three-paragraph thank-you notes in a person’s own writing are an age-old tradition, most people today see them as, at most, something you write or nag the kids to write after getting a personal and expensive gift from someone you’re really close to. In any other case, why go to all that trouble when you can send a text, dash off an e-mail, post something on your Facebook account, or at most buy a preprinted “thank you” card and just sign your name?

Well, the truth is that people are still human, and they love to know that you see them and what they do for you as deserving more than can be checked off a to-do list in five minutes. If you want to really make an impression on someone—send a handwritten note of appreciation. It really takes a just a few minutes more, and the effect is lasting.

Researchers have proof that writing thank you notes is a good thing to do. A study by two University of Chicago business professors, published last year in Psychological Science, found that people routinely underestimate the positive impact of expressing gratitude. People who get thank you notes are enthusiastic about people who send thank you notes.

Who's up for the challenge? I dare you to handwrite a thank you note (and send it!) to someone each week in November--that's only four notes--you can do it!
mark your calendar
National Take a Hike Day
Grab your boots, trail mix, and some water because on November 17, it’s National Take a Hike Day! This annual event gets you outside for scenery and exercise by tackling America’s 60,000 miles of trails. It’s also a great way to get that heart pumping while you breathe in pristine air.
Check out a Concord park or trail or travel a little further by exploring an East Bay Regional Parks trail.

Don't forget to make and pack this yummy Sweet & Salty trail mix!
  • 2 cups California raisins
  • 1 cup lightly salted sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup whole natural almonds
  • 1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
  • 1 cup roasted and salted pistachios
  • 1 cup dark chocolate M&M's
Letters to Santa
Holiday elves are delivering a very special mailbox for children to drop off their letters to Santa! Make sure to drop off your letters between November 30-December 8 so that Santa can respond!

Mailbox will be located in Centre Concord’s lobby (5298 Clayton Rd) weekdays from 9:00am-4:00pm. Letters can also be mailed at the City of Concord’s Tree Lighting and Mayor’s Sing-Along at Todos Santos Plaza on December 3 from 5:30-8:00 pm.
Don't forget to fall back an hour for time change on November 6!
what's happening
Family fun
Looking for a way to be active, maybe try something new or be creative? Check out the 30 Days of Fall Activities calendar below and see how many of these items you can accomplish! Candy corn anyone???
NEW! Chicago Ball is coming to Concord!
Softball with a fun and exciting twist! All female players hit using an 11-inch Softball and all male players will hit the 16-inch ball. This will be a 7 week league played on Friday nights. All teams will make the single elimination playoffs.
programs & classes starting soon
The City of Concord will continue to follow state and county guidelines regarding COVID-19 restrictions, safety precautions and the use of face coverings. Click on the link below to view youth or adult classes beginning in November (and quickly complete your online registration) or click on the bolded class title in the spotlighted classes below.
Cookies Galore: begins Nov. 3
It's never too late or too early to get your kids cooking in the kitchen! Your kiddo will learn to make a variety of different cookies, including sugar, lemon pudding, chocolate chip, and gingerbread.
 
begins Nov. 13
During skill development, kids will learn how to pass, serve, and set with drills and small sided competitions. Our amazing staff brings out a positive change in each player. This class includes a free t-shirt!
 
Nov 22-24
This three day coed basketball camp is designed to make your child feel more confident with a basketball. With ball handling drills, shooting fundamentals, defense, passing and team concepts your child will walk away a better player.
Ukulele Beginners: begins Nov. 3
Gain a basic understanding of the ukulele, learn to strum chords with ease, and play familiar tunes like Jambalaya and Blue Hawai'i! Join us for a light-hearted and fun class learning how to play your ukulele with step-by-step instruction.

Everyone can practice yoga! You will gain strength and flexibility and leave your stress behind in this Iyengar style class. Zoom link provided upon registration.

Line Dance Beginning: begins Nov. 5:
Forget about the worries of the world. Listen to a variety of music. Get a real buzz dancing and dancing. Find your own personal space and socialize. Line dancing is just what it says. Use similar steps and dance all together in unison.

Line Dance Intermediate: begins Nov. 3
Line dancing is a low-impact activity that will help keep you fit, exercise your memory, create happy endorphins in your brain, all while dancing to popular tunes. You'll learn all the basic steps in line dancing by learning one new dance each week with reviews of previous dances taught.
50+ update
50 & Better Camp
Camp Concord is the perfect setting for a relaxing and/or adventurous vacation - your choice! Adults 50 years or older can join in the fun during our 50 & Better weeks. This four night, five day stay in beautiful South Lake Tahoe includes: hiking, canoeing & kayaking, painting, social hours, dancing, campfires and more. All meals and on-camp activities are included in the fee.
 
Fees: $291.00 for Concord Residents, $320.00 for Non-Residents
 
Registration & Camp Dates
Concord Residents - registration opens November 29, 2021
Friends of Camp Concord Donor - registration opens November 30, 2021
Non-Residents - registration opens December 2, 2021.
Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on the dates listed above. Friends of Camp Concord members please call the Camp Director 925-671-3006 to register.
 
To register online click the week you are interested in below.
UPCOMING CLASSES 
Bingo + Exercise = Bingocize®!
Bingocize® strategically combines the game of bingo with health education, exercise, nutrition, and falls prevention. Check out this video to see what Bingocize® is all about!

Bingocize® is FREE but advance registration is requested. Click here to register or call (925) 671-3320.

Concord Senior Center
Thursdays, 10 -11 a.m.
**No Class: 11/11, 11/25 and 12/30
This introductory class for 50+ is the basic of hula. It will be a fun and educational experience. Enjoy the beautiful motions of yesterday's and today's hula. No experience needed.

Qigong: begins Nov. 16
Qigong, also known as moving meditation is an ancient Chinese discipline that combines the use of gentle physical movements, stretches, mental focus, deep breathing and self-massage. It increases your strength, flexibility, energy, endurance, stability and balance and combats anxiety and depression and relieves stress. The low-impact exercises are especially easy to learn and are perfect for beginners and people with health conditions.
instructor spotlight
Meet Nancy Chang, Qigong
Nancy grew up in New York City's Chinatown and was exposed to Qigong at an early age by her parents, who both practiced Qigong. As a teenager, Nancy grew to love dance and studied many forms of dance – from ballet, jazz, modern and Afro Haitian. She studied dance in college but Qigong was always a part of her life. She has studied from different masters from various parts of China and taught Qigong at a local park as a way of getting to know people and giving back to the local community. Nancy passion in life is helping others to enhance their physical and mental well-being by getting them to move with dance and Qigong.
a few reminders...
COVID-19 Update
The City of Concord continues to follow state and county guidelines regarding COVID-19 restrictions and safety precautions. Recent Contra Costa Health Services health orders directly impact our City recreation programs and services as follows:
  • Entry into any City facility requires a face covering
  • All classes, programs and events held at indoor City facilities require wearing a face covering unless actively eating or drinking
  • All recreation classes and programs in which participants engage in an activity with elevated breathing will require every participant (age 12 and older) to show proof of COVID vaccination or a negative test result before entering the facility
  • For all indoor event rentals serving food/drink, the individual renting the facility is required to verify that guests (age 12 and older) shows proof of COVID vaccination or a negative test result before entering the facility

If required to show proof of vaccination or negative test results, please have have your vaccination card, copy or photo of card or negative test results ready upon request. The California Department of Public Health has a quick and easy way to show your vaccination record--go to myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov to get your digital card today!
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Stay in the know...
Check out our new page, What's Happening!, on the Parks & Recreation website. Stay on top of new recreation programs, park updates, reopening logistics, community blood drives and more can be found here.
contact us
We are here for you! The Parks & Recreation team is delighted to reach a point where we can safely activate more quality of life enhancing programs, facilities and services. The Parks & Recreation Department's business offices and community centers are open as listed below.

Centre Concord
Facility hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm
In-person registration available from 10am-12pm and 1-3pm (or anytime online at concordreg.org)

Concord Senior Center
Facility hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm

Willow Pass Center
Facility hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm
In-person registration available from 10am-12pm and 1-3pm (or anytime online at concordreg.org)

Concord Community Pool
Lap Swim
  • Short and long course available
  • Visit website for specific days and hours

You can also reach out to us by phone:

Centre Concord: (925) 671-3382
Concord Senior Center: (925) 671-3320
Willow Pass Center: (925) 671-3423
Concord Community Pool: (925) 671-3480
Concord Registration: (925) 671-3404

The Parks & Recreation Department will continually update the City web page dedicated to the COVID-19 issue as it relates to City programs, events, activities, and facilities so please check back often.