Category Archives: Concord

It’s an end of era. It’s the final night of Mr. Christmas light show. Concord resident known as Mr. Christmas will be shutting off his light permanently tonight. His light show will start a 6pm tonight and end at 10pm.

Mr. Christmas, also known as Bruce Mertz, is 85 years old. He has put tougher this living piece of folk art every year for 36 years, partly in honor of his late wife. It has grown bigger every year in terms of spectacle and neighborhood importance. Mr Christmas has faithful served this community by bringing Christmas joy in the form of a 50,000 bulb Christmas light display that attracts thousands each year.

So before you go party the night away, take a trip down the infamous Olive Dr and his Mr Christmas’s house at 5208 Olive Dr Concord and say farewell to one of Concord’s most unique house and it’s incredible resident. If you have never seen it it’s worth it. For best viewing, pull over, park and get out of the car.

Thank you Mr. Christmas for the amazing memories year after year. Your contribution to this community has impacted so many. Your light display will be remembered and missed for years to come.

Click here to watch a short documentary on Mr. Christmas.

Share your memories of Mr Christmas! What year did you first visit the lighted house? Favorite moment? Comment below!

On the slopes, disaster can strike. Are you prepared?

Whether you ski, snowshoe, snowboard or snowmobile in the backcountry, recognition of avalanche danger is an essential as well as learning potentially lifesaving skills. REI is hosting a FREE Avalanche Awareness Seminar where travelers can learn where and why avalanches occur. The course provides a basic approach to managing risk in the backcountry. Learn to access local avalanche bulletins and weather reports, recognize basic signs of avalanche danger, and learn simple ways to help avoid avalanche danger.

To register for this class, visit REI’s website by clicking here.

There will be a DUI checkpoint on Saturday in Concord! We will be releasing the times and locations of the checkpoints soon! Stay Informed!

If you would like to updated on DUI checkpoints in Contra Costa, it’s HIGHLY recommended that you joining our email list, Facebook page, twitter feed or bookmark us and check back often!  We will continue to make people of Contra Costa County aware of DUI Checkpoints, Smog Checkpoints, Saturation Patrols, and other travel related events. As far as we know, DiabloReporter.com is the ONLY site that gives out specific times and locations of checkpoints in the County.

Law enforcement throughout Contra Costa County will be cracking down on drunk drivers this weekend. As part of the Avoid the 25, the anti-DUI task force will deploy officers countywide to arrest drunk drivers and keep the public aware of the dangers of driving while impaired. People making plans for weekend trips and parties are encouraged to use a designated sober driver to prevent arrests or accidents. Drive safe and be responsible.

To report a checkpoints or for more information on the legalities concerning checkpoints, please visit or DUI page.

If you happen to drive through the checkpoint tonight, send us your pictures or videos to diabloreporter@hush.com or submit the info here and we would be happy to share them with the rest of the community!

The New Year is always a time for reflection.  It is a time to decide what we would like to improve in our lives.  This New Year, we should all vow to take a closer look into our lives and to choose to live consciously, intentionally and more authentically than ever before.

Check out these important, practical and life changing resolution:

1. Spend time and nurture relationships with individuals that WANT you in their lives. Life is too short and your energy is too precious to expend it on people who do not value you and recognize your worth. Period. If nothing else remember this, “You should never have to fight for a spot in someone’s life, they should make room for you.” If they value you, they will make room. If they do not, wish them well and send them off and go on your way. There are plenty of people out there that love you and like you simply because you are you!

2. Get out of debt NOW! Currently the number one threat to this country is it’s debt. Debt equals slavery and you don’t want to be in debt to anyone! For more information on debt bondage, click here. We also recommend you watch Maxed Out (Netflix) and In Debt We Trust (Youtube).

3. Reduce your expenses. Getting out of debt is considerably easier when you have control of your finances. Don’t waste your time and money trying to keep up with the Jones. Chances are the Jones’s are most likely in debt and struggling too. It’s much wiser to save money for investments as opposed to wasting money on unnecessary expenses to impress others. Next time your tempted ask yourself “Do I really need this?”.

4. Ditch the clutter! Having an abundance of stuff requires a lot of time, money, and energy to keep it, clean it, store it and maintain it. Worst of all, most people are unaware that this stuff causes mental, emotional and sometimes physical damage to it’s owners. Have a garage sale! By selling extra items you will have less stuff to distract you from what’s really important. Plus clean, organized environments often increases the happiness and productivity of it’s occupants. Walk through your home and see what can go. You will feel great when you have some extra cash and a more open space.

5. Save money for an emergency fund. In a recent study it was discovered that most family could not come up with $1,000 cash if they needed it for a disaster or emergency. Could you? Having a stash of cash at home is safety net that will help keep your family going in the event of a long term power outage when ATMs are unavailable. Make it a goal to have enough cash to keep your living situation afloat for minimum of 30 days. 

6. Life’s too short to worry, so quit it. DO NOT WORRY. Worry comes from insecurity. It is born of an insecurity and disbelief that all will be well. You can’t predict the future but you can prepare for it. By preparing for it and facing it head on you will be able to say with confidence “I got this!”.  Remember, Now is all that there ever is. If your head is in the future, who is taking care of your now? It’s the now that sets you up for the future!

7.  Be good to yourself! The world can be harsh to ourselves. Make sure to take time and take care of you. You will be no good to anyone if you can’t take care of yourself. Sometimes, people are hard on themselves for past issues. Learning to forgive yourself and understanding that you are worthy of love will allow to you heal and grow from your experiences. Be gentle with yourself. You are a unique and incredible person and no one else can offer the world what you have to offer. Spend time on yourself, doing things that are renewing to your spirit and rewarding to your body like taking a bath, going for a walk, hugging a friend etc. Life is short. Cherish every moment and be grateful for it all!

Do you have any resolutions that should be added to our list? What is your New Year Resolution? Got any tips or tricks for keeping your resolution? We would love to hear it in the comment section below!