Avalanche Awareness & Mountain Safety Class – Free


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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.

  • Date: 2/4/2015
  • Event Location: Concord REI
  • Event Fee: Free
  • Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM PST
  • Leader: Mountain Adventure Seminars
  • Group Size: 40.

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

FREE Admission to National Parks – Jan 19


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Anyone looking to explore a national park for free in 2015 should mark his or her calendar. The National Park Service has nine fee-free days on the calendar in 2015. On the dates, all 401 national parks will offer free admission, though only 133 usually charge admission, according to the National Park Service (NPS). See the list below for this years dates and plan a trip to your local park. If you’re active military or family, you can also get a FREE Annual Pass to the National Parks.

Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-FREE dates in 2015:

  • January 19, 2015
    Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • February 14-16, 2015
    Presidents Day weekend
  • April 18-19, 2015
    opening weekend of National Park Week
  • August 25, 2015
    National Park Service Birthday
  • September 26, 2015
    National Public Lands Day
  • November 11, 2015
    Veterans Day

Yosemite Great Falls, US

This includes some of the most stunning places on earth including:

  • FREE Admission to Denali National Park in Alaska
  • FREE Admission to Yellowstone National Park in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming
  • FREE Admission to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
  • FREE Admission to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
  • FREE Admission to Yosemite National Park in California
  • FREE Admission to Olympic National Park in Washington
  • FREE Admission to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
  • FREE Admission to Zion National Park in Utah
  • FREE Admission to Acadia National park in Maine
  • FREE Admission to Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado

View list of participating National Parks HERE

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

GRAPHIC: Naked Man Causes Scene at 711 – VIDEO


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Warning the video you are about to see, stunned police and nearby witnesses. It’s not something you see every day!

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The following video was sent to us from Dan B. of Concord who had an eventful early morning. This video was taken around 4:30am of the 711 on Olivera Rd in Concord.

“I stopped by to get a drink and this was going on. I got there before the cops and this guy was running around naked in the store.”

The word on the street is this is the second time this week, this man has gotten caught doing this.

See some crazy stuff on your travels around town? Tell us all about it and email us your pics and videos at DiabloReporter@hush.com

Chipotle Offers FREE Burrito, Bowl, or Tacos – Jan 26


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Love Chipotle? Here’s how you can get a free meal.

People who order the burrito chain’s newest protein option, organic tofu Sofritas, on Jan. 26 can get their next entrée for free.

That’s right — save the receipt from your Jan. 26 Sofritas purchase, and you have between Jan. 27 and Feb. 28 to show it at any U.S. location for a free burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos.

Sofritas are made with organic tofu from Hodo Soy that’s shredded and braised with chipotle chilis, roasted poblanos and spices, according to the Chipotle website.

Check out the location Chipotles to receive your FREE entree!

  • 60 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
  • 785 Oak Grove Rd, Ste E-1, Concord, CA 94518
  • 1061 Arnold Dr, Martinez, CA 94553
  • 1158 Locust St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
  • 3518 Mt Diablo Blvd, Ste F, Lafayette, CA
  • 4418 Century Blvd, Pittsburg, CA 94565
  • 33 Railroad Ave, Danville, CA 94526
  • 2696 Pinole Valley Rd, Ste A-&Amp;&Amp;-B, Pinole, CA 94564

Winter Backcountry Travel – Safety and Survival Class


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Members of the Pinecrest Nordic Ski Patrol are coming to REI to help you prepare for your winter adventures. Whether you are sledding or skiing for a day, or going long and deep into the snowy backcountry, this class will leverage the proven skills and techniques of seasoned patrollers. Get great tips on trip planning, equipment, gear, weather, and basic backcountry skills. Learn the basics of safety: how to set yourself up for success, and what to do if something goes wrong. This class is intended for anyone who desires to have fun in the outdoors during the winter months.

    • Date: 1/21/2015
    • Event Location: Concord REI
    • Event Fee: Free
    • Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM PST
    • Instructor: Pinecrest Nordic Ski Patrol
    • Group Size: 40

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

Learn to Prune Roses & Fruit Trees – Free


Learn tips and tricks from the experts! Navlet’s gardening classes are free, and each covers a timely topic in the garden. So learn from the pros, meet new friends, and have some fun. Classes are held at one of Navlet’s four East Bay garden centers, located in Concord, Danville, Martinez, and Pleasant Hill. Class size is limited, however, so it’s best to call ahead and reserve your space.

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Gardening Class: How to Prune Roses

From Floribundas, Hybrid Teas and Climbers to English and Tree Roses, we’ll teach you how to prune your roses like a professional. Come learn everything you need to know about pruning, fertilizing and disease control. Bring in your questions and let the learning begin.

Class Location: Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez & Danville  Date: Sunday, January 18 Time: 11:30a.m.

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Gardening Class: Pruning Fruit Trees 

Proper pruning and spraying can help sustain the life of your garden, improving the quality and quantity of your fruit and flowers. Our pruning class teaches you the proper techniques for your fruit trees for optimal health, appearance, and yield. We’ll show you the right way to prune your fruit trees, berries and grapes. Our method encourages healthy plants and promotes the best crops possible.

Class Location: Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez & Danville  Date: Saturday, January 17 Time: 10:00a.m.

Navlet’s Garden Centers is pleased to present free gardening classes that each covers a timely topic in the garden. So learn from the pros, meet new friends, and have some fun. Click on the link below for a complete list of classes and locations.

2015 Navlet’s Class Schedule

Happy Gardening!

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Winter Brew Fest 2015 – Unlimited Tasting From 50+ Breweries


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The Brewing Network will host its 6th Annual Winter Brews Festival in Todos Santos Plaza, Concord on Saturday, January 24, 2015 from noon to 4pm, featuring more than 50 breweries and benefitting the Coral Reef Alliance.

The event, nestled between the weekend of the NFL Playoffs and the Super Bowl, will showcase dozens of award-winning craft breweries, including local favorites, 21st Amendment, Drake’s, Heretic, and Lagunitas, as well as great new breweries such as Calicraft and The Rare Barrel.

Live music from Ralph Woodson and Purple Haze will set the mood for an afternoon of great beer and a worthy cause. Sponsors of the event include The Hop Grenade Taproom & Bottle Shop, the 21st Amendment, Drake’s Brewing Company, Hop Tech Homebrew and White Labs, and proceeds will benefit the local environmental non-profit, the Coral Reef Alliance.

Tickets are now on sale and are $40 pre-sale or $50 at the gate and include unlimited pours and a commemorative glass. Designated Drivers pay only $5, however this is a 21 and over only event.

The event, which will, for the first time, take over the entire Todos Santos Plaza, is conveniently located just two blocks away from the Concord BART station, making it easy to get to and from the festival safely.

Rain or shine, we’ve got you covered. This afternoon event will be sure to satisfy locals wanting to enjoy some awesome beers. SORRY, NO DOGS OR CHILDREN  WITHIN FESTIVAL GATES.

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY – DON’T MISS THIS EVENT!

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CHECK OUT LAST YEAR’S EVENT REVIEW!

Tickets include Unlimited Tasting From Over 50 Craft Breweries

The brewery list is still being built so stay tuned, but below is a look at last years lineup to give you a good idea of how many wonderful breweries attend:

  •  21st Amendment Brewery
  • Drakes Brewing Company
  • Ale Industries
  • Almanac
  • Anchor Brewing
  • Altamont Brewing
  • Baeltane Brewing
  • Ballast Point Brewing
  • Bear Republic
  • Black Diamond
  • Boulder Beer
  • Cali Craft Brewing
  • EJ Phair Brewing Company
  • Faction Brewing
  • Firestone Walker Brewing
  • Flat Tail
  • Golden Road Brewing
  • Gordon Biersch Brewing Company
  • Half Moon Bay
  • Headlands
  • Heretic Brewing Company
  • Hermitage Brewing
  • Highwater Brewing
  • Iron Springs
  • Karl Strauss
  • Kona
  • Lagunitas Brewing Company
  • Lost Coast Brewery
  • Marin Brewing Co.
  • Moonlight Brewing
  • Moonlight Meadery
  • Mraz Brewing
  • Ninkasi
  • North Coast Brewing Company
  • Oakland Brewing Company
  • Ohana Brewing Co.
  • Rock Steady Brewing
  • Russian River Brewing Company
  • Schubros
  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
  • Society
  • Speakeasy
  • Stone Brewing
  • Sudwerk
  • The Bruery
  • Triple Rock Brewery
  • Triple Voodoo
  • Tioga-Sequoia
  • Uncommon Brewers

For more information on the event please visit: BNbrewfest.com.