News from Around the District

Over the next few weeks we can all expect our mailboxes to become stuffed with political mailers, our television and radio airwaves filled with endorsements, and online popup ads advising us how we should vote. That, combined with one of the most contentious presidential races we've seen in years might discourage some from going to the polls, but I hope that is not the case. Voting is one of our most important opportunities as citizens to express our viewpoints. One of my favorite slogans I saw a few years ago in the town of Waimanalo on O'ahu, Hawaii was "No Vote, No Grumble."

Despite a larger volume of ballot measures and candidates to vote on than in recent years, our staff at the Contra Costa County Elections Division is prepared to run a smooth election. They're adding new ways to make it more convenient than ever to vote.

The Elections Office wants to remind voters that, unlike the complicated primary election in June, you can vote for presidential candidates from any party this time. And while much of the attention is on the race for President, there are many important local issues that have more of an impact on our daily lives on the November ballot.

The Elections Office anticipates a higher-than-normal turnout this November. Because of that, they are adding a number of ways that Contra Costa residents can vote early and at their convenience. The Election Division's goal is to allow you some flexibility when it comes to managing to fit voting into your busy schedule. No more having to rush on Election Day.

Once again, the San Ramon Valley, more specifically the San Ramon Community Center on 12501 Alcosta Blvd., will be one of the sites for Contra Costa Elections' Regional Early Voting program. The Lafayette Library is also one of the Regional Early Voting sites.

The program will kick off on October 31st, a week ahead of the November 8th election. All registered Contra Costa voters will be able to vote at any of 7 locations around the county.

These Regional Early Voting sites will be open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday October 31st through Friday November 4th, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 5th.

In addition to these sites, vote-by-mail voters can continue to drop off their ballots at "CoCo Vote-N-Go" drop-off boxes at all 19 city and town hall buildings and the County Administration building at 651 Pine Street, Martinez. No postage is required.

Because of the number of items on the ballot, it's quite a bit thicker than usual. Postage to mail your vote by mail ballot back this election is $.68.

The Elections Office is adding 6 new drop-off locations, including the Dougherty Station Library in east San Ramon.

One more program worth considering is that Elections Office staff members will be at local libraries, senior centers and farmers markets to collect vote-by-mail ballots. Again, no postage is required! The Ballot Express program will be at the Orinda Senior Village, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 20th and the San Ramon Senior Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on November 1st.

Your voter information guide should arrive around the end of September and vote-by-mail ballots will be mailed out the week of October 10th. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day. For more detailed information or to see if you are registered to vote, click here. Voting has become much more convenient than it used to be, so please take the opportunity to vote this November.

Project Homeless Connect needs Volunteers

National Recovery Month

At the September 13th Board of Supervisors meeting, the Supervisor's recognized, "National Recovery Month." Mental and/or substance use disorders affect millions of Americans and directly touch the lives of individuals, family members, neighbors, and colleagues. Families often deal with the complex dynamics of supporting a loved one in recovery while at the same time learning how to take care of their own well-being. Given the widespread impact and societal cost of these behavioral health conditions, it's important for communities to make prevention, treatment, and recovery support services available and accessible for all who need them.

Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsors National Recovery Month to increase awareness of behavioral health conditions. This celebration promotes the message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover from mental and/or substance use disorders. For more information about National Recovery Month, or to find help and treatment, click here.

Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run

The 24th Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run will be held on Sunday, October 30, 2016. The Lafayette Reservoir Run is a fun Halloween event for the entire family; wear your costume!

The run begins at 8:00 a.m. downtown Lafayette. Parking is available at BART.

The schedule is as follows:

2 MILE FUN RUN 8:00 a.m.

5K RUN 8:30 a.m.

10K RUN 8:45 a.m.

FAMILY BICYCLE RIDE 9:30 a.m.

Following the event there will be a kid zone, live music and a healthy lifestyles fair.

The proceeds from this event help to support local education. To register or to learn more, click here.

Living Creeks - Native Fish in Urban Waterways Forum

On October 12 th at 5:30 p.m. at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, Walnut Creek Watershed Council will host their 2 nd annual community event entitled Living Creeks: Native Fish in Urban Waterways. The speakers and panel will focus on fish and wildlife in the watershed, describe successful projects in nearby watersheds, and discuss the challenges to restoring our watershed. Attend a tour of the Lafayette Creek Project introduced by Lafayette Mayor Mark Mitchell at the beginning of the event. Also, as a follow up to the Living Creeks event, the Friends of the Creeks will be hosting a cleanup on October 29th that will focus on both cleaning up the creek and educating the community on the importance of a healthy watershed. For more information or to register, click here.

San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Fair

Supervisor Andersen attended the San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Fair on September 24th at San Ramon Central Park. She learned valuable readiness tips from the many booths, including emergency backpack instructions from the Boy Scouts. The backpack can be kept in a safe place outside your home or in your car for surviving the first 72 hours of a disaster on your own before help is available to the non-injured. For more information on how to be prepared and supplied for an emergency, click here.

Contra Costa County Libraries Partner with the Food Bank

Bring Food Items to your Branch to Enter Contest

Visit a participating Contra Costa County Library branch in October and take part in this year's Discover & Go Month, which celebrates the Library's ongoing partnership with Bay Area museums and cultural venues. Enter drawings for some great prizes, and help give back to the community at the same time.

The Contra Costa County Library is partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. For every donation of nonperishable food items patrons bring to a participating branch, they can enter to win prizes including premium awards for some of the Bay Area's most popular attractions. They can also enter an easy on-line contest, "Why I Love Discover & Go". In addition, there will be a series of cartooning classes for kids hosted by Discover & Go favorite, the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Classes will be held Saturday, October 15th at 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Walnut Creek Library, and 2:00 p.m. at the Lafayette Library. Details are available by clicking here.

Discover & Go is a nationally recognized partnership between libraries and museums offering free and low-cost passes for world-class cultural venues to library cardholders from every community and background. Library card holders age 16 and up can go online at discover.ccclib.org to check out a free pass all year long. For more information about the program, please contact Virtual Library staff at [email protected] or (800) 984-4636.

Danville Police to Host "Drug Take-back Day"

Danville residents looking to get rid of unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs will have the opportunity to do so October 22, 2016 when the Danville Police Department joins with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to hold a drug disposal event at the Danville Town Offices, 510 La Gonda Way. At the event, officials will accept pills and other solids such as patches, and liquids in consumer containers. For ease of disposal, participants are asked to place the medications in a sealed bag for drop-off.

For the free and anonymous event, citizens can bring their prescription drugs to the Town Offices from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and drop off their medications for disposal.

"This event encourages residents to get rid of unwanted pharmaceuticals, reducing the possibility of abuse or theft of drugs," said Danville Police Chief Steve Simpkins. Individuals who cannot attend take back day are still able to drop off pharmaceuticals, including sharps, in bins at the front desk of the Danville Police Department during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Kan at (925) 314-3707 or email by clicking here.

Contra Costa County Drug Disposal Survey

Contra Costa County is considering how to address the disposal of unused, left-over, expired or unwanted prescription medication. While there are collection sites for non-controlled prescription medication at local police stations and periodic take-back events for controlled substances (such as narcotic pain medication), there are other options being considered to dispose of drugs. Please help by taking a quick survey that seeks to determine if additional or more convenient options for disposal are desired by Contra Costa residents.

The misuse of prescription medication has become a serious public health issue. For many years the most common cause of accidental death for people aged 25 to 64 was automobile accidents. This is no longer the case. Today, the most common cause of accidental death in this age group is from drug overdose, and prescription pain medication is leading the way. Disposing of unused or left-over medication reduces the potential for misuse of these drugs, including the potential for theft and overdose.

This is an anonymous survey. No personal identifying information will be asked or retained.

CalFresh Program Ensures that Individuals and Families Don't Go Hungry and Have Access to Nutritional Food

No one in our community should ever have to suffer what Mary went through before learning about the nutrition assistance program CalFresh. The Contra Costa County CalFresh Partnership works to improve food security and benefit the local economy by increasing CalFresh enrollment among eligible residents. The CalFresh Program improves the health and well being of qualified households and individuals, like Mary, by providing them with monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy groceries at most food retailers. If you or someone you know qualifies for CalFresh, click here to enroll.

County Announces New Librarian

The Board o f Supervisors announced the appointment of Melinda Cervantes as the next County Librarian effective October 3, 2016.

Ms. Cervantes holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Bowling Green University and a Master of Library Science Degree from Kent State University. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Pima County Public Library in Arizona, after holding posts as Executive Director and County Librarian for the Santa Clara County Library District, Deputy County Librarian for our own Contra Costa County Library, Library Director for the City of Tigard Public Library in Oregon, among other positions.

Melinda was awarded the California Library Association 2010 Librarian of the Year, was recognized by State Senator Joe Simitian as the 11th State Senatorial District 2011 Woman of the Year, and her Management Team was awarded the California Library Association 2011 Librarian in Support of Literacy, in addition to earning many other accolades.

Melinda looks to build upon the Contra Costa County Library's reputation by promoting the rich resources of the library. To learn more about Contra Costa County Libraries, click here .

Leadership In Sustainability & Green Building Awards Gala

Supervisor Andersen, along with Supervisor John Gioia, had the honor of presenting some of the winners at Sustainable Contra Costa's 2016 Leadership In Sustainability & Green Building Awards Gala on September 21st at the Concord Hilton. The Supervisors are pictured above presenting the Leadership In Sustainable Resource Management award to Ken Etherington, Executive Director of RecycleSmart (Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority). For more information about the Leadership in Sustainability Awards or Sustainable Contra Costa, click here.

Owl Box Installation Prevents Rodents

On August 27th and 28th Boy Scout Henry Helstad, from Troop 815, led a team of youth to build and install an owl box in Alamo's Livorna Park. The project was performed under the direction of Mike Carlson from Contra Costa County Public Works, Henry Helstad and Dan Chavez.

Over 140 hours of time was volunteered to propose, plan and complete this project. Volunteers distributed handouts to communities that surround Livorna Park to inform the neighbors of the project and the environmental benefits.

The owl box was designed to provide a nesting place for a Barn Owl, which is between 14 and 25 ounces. Barn owls eat voles, mice, rats, gophers and squirrels and a family of owls can consume 3,000 rodents during a 4 month nesting period.

Scouts discussing the location for the owl box

Scouts successfully installed the Owl Box

Free Family-Oriented Science Workshops and Demonstrations at Contra Costa Discovery Day in Concord

The 2nd annual Contra Costa Discovery Day is new hands-on science day at the Cal State East Bay campus in Concord. At the event, students will explore the STEM fields, discover new interests, and create lasting memories. The event is completely free with plenty of parking. Teens will have the chance to explore STEM careers with a variety of STEM mentors and professionals through our career-mapping workshop.

The Contra Costa Discovery Day is a community effort organized by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla's office, the Bay Area Science Festival, CSU East Bay - Concord, and the Institute for STEM Education at CSU East Bay. Click here for more information and to learn about other Bay Area Science Festival events.

Rotary Club of Alamo Names Citizen of the Year

Supervisor Andersen was the keynote at the Rotary Club of Alamo meeting on September 21st, where she spoke about County issues and upcoming planning projects specific to Alamo. The Rotary also honored their Citizen of the Year, Sharon Schuyler.

How Will the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Affect Your Community?

Join ADAPT Lamorinda, ( Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention Team) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 20th in the Sarge Littlehale Community Room at Orinda City Hall to get informed.

Learn about how it will affect:

Young People
Schools
Law Enforcement
The Environment
Neighborhoods

Sponsored by Contra Costa Health Services and the Center for Human Development.

7th Annual Orinda Olive Festival

Supervisor Andersen Speaks to the Tuesday Forum

Supervisor Andersen was the guest speaker at the Tuesday Forum's Annual Community meeting on September 20th at Scott's in Walnut Creek. Pictured above with Candace are Terry Bowen and Orinda Unified School District Superintendent Carolyn Seaton.

Board of Supervisors Recognizes September

as Anti-Hazing Awareness Month

AHA! Movement's Founder Debbie Smith spoke about her son, Matt, and her work to create awareness about the dangers of hazing at the Board Supervisors meeting on September 27, in recognition of Anti-Hazing Awareness Month.

The AHA! (Anti Hazing Awareness) Movement was created in the memory of Matt Carrington who was killed in a water hazing event while pledging a fraternity, and provides significant leadership in the area of community involvement in the education of our youth. The AHA! Movement promotes making better choices, understanding that there are consequences for actions, respect for one another, personal development, and finding alternatives to hazing, and is committed to end the senseless and tragic cycle of deaths from hazing by reaching out to empower and educate our young people. For more information about anti-hazing awareness and the AHA! Movement, click here.

Contra Costa's New Traffic Congestion Relief Plan

Contra Costa County has seen a remarkable recovery as we have come out of the Great Recession these past five years. Our unemployment rate has reached a historic low. We are creating jobs and businesses are thriving. But with this improvement in economic development, traffic and demand for transit are increasing.

If you commute or travel on Interstate 680, you know that in the morning the southbound lanes may be a virtual parking lot, with traffic just as heavy in the evening traveling northbound. The situation is similar on State Route 24, State Route 4 in East County, and Interstate 80 in West County. BART cars are full, and running at capacity.

Our Cities and the County work very hard to improve and maintain our roads and infrastructure. Nevertheless, it is estimated that Bay Area drivers spend as much as $1000 more on car repairs each year because of the poor condition of our roads.

Much of the funding for the maintenance and improvement of our roads historically came from the State through the gas tax we all pay at the pump. Unfortunately, as gas prices have gone down and fuel-efficient vehicle use has gone up, our gas tax revenues have plummeted.

We are a "Self Help County," which means we raise revenue locally to improve our transportation system. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county's transportation sales tax program and to do countywide transportation planning. City Council members and County Supervisors are the authority board members. The CCTA is responsible for maintaining and improving the county's transportation system by planning, funding, and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go.

CCTA has a proven record of success. Through voter approved Measures C and J, CCTA has shown that our local dollars can be leveraged to get additional federal and state funding for our local projects, such as the 4th bore of the Caldecott Tunnel, BART extensions, and carpool and auxiliary lanes. These projects have come in on time and under budget.

Over the past two years CCTA has worked regionally throughout the county to bring together partners concerned about transportation: concerned citizens and taxpayers, the business and building community, transit operators, advocates for transportation for seniors and the disabled, environmental groups, bicyclists, and labor -- working together to draft a Transportation Plan identifying the solutions needed to keep traffic moving.

The New 30-year Transportation Expenditure Plan will:

Repair potholes and fix roads
Improve BART Capacity and reliability
Improve Highways 4, 24, 80 and 680
Enhance bus and other transit for everyone -- including seniors and those with disabilities
Enhance safety for bicyclists and pedestrians
Improve air quality
Reduce traffic on our roads
Utilize existing and new innovative transportation technology

Voters in Contra Costa will have the opportunity to decide whether or not they want to fund these transportation solutions. Measure X, a half-cent sales tax increase that will raise $2.9 billion over 30 years specifically for these transportation improvements will be on the November ballot. To view the new 30-year Transportation Expenditure Plan, or for more information about CCTA, click here.

Join the 20th Walk to School Day

Celebration on October 5th!

Street Smarts San Ramon Valley suggests the helpful tips below for Walk/Bike to School Day on October 5, 2016. They have listed some walking tips, which can be referred to all year, that are posted on the Street Smarts website. Please view the page by clicking here. Information provided by National Center for Safe Routes to School. Please view their website for additional helpful information.

A healthy walk to school has to start with safety. The physical environment, drivers and a pedestrian's own behavior all play a role in safety. Children learn by watching others, so modeling safe pedestrian behavior is the best way to teach these valuable skills. What safe walking skills do children need to know?

Consider these tips for Walk to School Day and every day:

Choose routes that provide space to walk and bicycle, have the least amount of traffic, and have the lowest speeds.
Obey all traffic signs and signals.
Look for traffic at all driveways and intersections.
If possible, cross with a crossing guard at an intersection with a walk signal or at a crosswalk.
Stop at the curb and look for traffic in all directions (left, right, left, to the front and behind).
At an intersection it is important to look in front and behind to check for turning vehicles. The second look to the left is to re-check for traffic that is closest to the pedestrian.
Wait until there's no traffic coming and start crossing: keep looking for traffic while crossing the road.
Walk across the road. Do not run.
Wear reflective gear if it is dark or if conditions like rain or snow limit visibility.
Encourage adults to talk with kids about what traffic safety decisions they are making and why as they walk and bicycle together.

Adult Poll Worker's Needed - High School Aged Too!

Also - Attention all high school students: Did you know that you can still participate in the Elections process... and make $125?

Contra Costa County offers high school students the opportunity to work on Election Day as poll workers. Under the "Youth With A Vision" program, you can receive a stipend for assisting us, along with fulfilling community service requirements and adding experience to your resume! Perhaps, most importantly, you get to be a part of the community and see democracy in action.

Here are the rules to participate. A student:

Must be 16 years of age at the time of the election.
Must be a citizen of the United States or a Lawful Permanent Resident.
Must have a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Must provide own transportation.
Obtain written permission from your parents or guardians to participate in the program.
Consult with your principal or your assistant principal to let you participate in the program.
If application is approved, must complete training.
Must arrive on time at the assigned voting site.

Click here for more information about the high school program and to apply. Click the picture above for adult poll worker information and application.

The Board of Supervisors Recognized Poll Worker Appreciation Week in Contra Costa on September 27th

Library Holds Exploration Stations

This year the Contra Costa County Library is celebrating a Year of STEAM. Programming at all 26 library locations across the county is focused on engaging students and library visitors in new, fun activities designed to introduce them to science, technology, engineering, art and math. As part of the celebration this fall, the Contra Costa County Library is hosting three Exploration Stations at library branches around the county. Each will have a different theme.

The second exploration station will be held Saturday, October 22nd from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way. The theme will be Rad tech. Learn about flying drones, building robots and virtual reality. Click here to learn more.

October Community Events in San Ramon

October 15th - Oktoberfest

11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy live music, great food, craft beer, dancing, family activities and dachshund races! Ticket required. Sponsored by the San Ramon Historic Foundation. Click here for tickets.

October 29th - Trick or Treat at the Farm

Come in your Halloween costume for a Trick or Treat adventure. Travel around the farm to different activity stations, have some hands on fun and take home some farm treats.

Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Fundraiser

Pictured are some of the members of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary who are involved in the construction of a custom-made teardrop trailer they are building from scratch. When completed it will be raffled as a club fundraiser. Seen here is a working prototype. The cabin of the finished product will be constructed of varnished sapele mahogany, with ash accents. Tickets, which may be purchased at the festival, are $20 each or six for $100. The club is known to many as producers of not one, but two, handsome artisan-crafted canoes, both of which were huge successes as fundraisers. As with the canoes, trailer raffle proceeds will help support a variety of ongoing community-service programs, including Interfaith Housing, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties, Las Trampas and HOME team.

Library Offering Online High School

The Contra Costa County Library is joining approximately 40 other California libraries in offering Career Online High School (COHS). They are partnering with the California State Library and Gale, part of Cengage Learning, to offer adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate online. This is a great opportunity for adults who want to earn their high school diploma and enhance their career opportunities, but who have transportation or child care challenges that preclude them from attending an in-person class. The library will be providing scholarships to 10 qualified adults. More information is available by clicking here.

County Flood Control District Seeks Public Input for Ambitious Creek Restoration Project

The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District will host a public workshop on Tuesday, October 4th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 255 Glacier Drive, Martinez to receive public input for the planning phase of an ambitious restoration project for Lower Walnut Creek.

The Walnut Creek watershed is the largest in Contra Costa County, contains eight cities and more than 300,000 residents. The restoration project area consists of the most downstream 4 miles of this watershed that drains to Suisun Bay and is called Lower Walnut Creek.

The community workshop will feature presentations describing different alternatives for the restoration of Lower Walnut Creek and will create a community forum to offer feedback about the direction of the restoration project. The public can also participate in the ongoing conversation about Lower Walnut Creek on the project's Facebook page which can be accessed by clicking here. There, the public can learn more about the project and view a multi-episode video series produced by the District called Lower Walnut Creek Adventures.

In addition to the community workshop on October 4, the District invites the public to participate in Lower Walnut Creek field tours. These site tours offer a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the restoration potential of Lower Walnut Creek. Seats are limited and registration is required. To see available dates or register, click here .

The Dangers of Driving While Intoxicated Workshop

Save the Date

San Ramon's Bah Humbug! 5K Run & Walk

Start the holiday season off with a healthy fun run or walk through San

Ramon. Participants will receive a holiday long sleeved t-shirt and the famous Bah Humbug! ornament. The Bah Humbug! is a chip timed race.

Registration Fee: $35 for online and postmarked registration by Sunday November 27th. Registration fees increase to $45 starting November 28th through race day. Preregistration family rate for 3 or more is $30 per person and increases to $45 on November 28th. Must be immediate family only, and all entry forms must be submitted at the same time. Race day registration tables are open 7:30am to 8:45am. Registration details will be available online at www.active.com - search Bah Humbug, or on the City of San Ramon website. Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted.

Spread Holiday Cheer: Runners are requested to bring a can of food to be donated to the Contra Costa County Food Bank to assist those in need during the holidays. Canned food donations will be collected near the registration table.

Run Awards: Medals are given to the first three finishers in each age division. This is the first run of the Mayor's Crown, which will award the lowest combined times of the 2016 Bah Humbug! and 2017 Run San Ramon pre-registered 5k runner. The Mayor's Crown winner will be recognized at the 2017 Run San Ramon.

Costume Contest: Make sure to come dressed in costume and in the spirit of the run. Costume awards will be given for most Grinch-Like, Best Holiday Spirit, and Best Group Theme.

Danville "Shop Local Survey"

Danville residents and local consumers are encouraged to complete a

"Shop Local Survey" to seek feedback on residents' shopping and dining preferences. The survey can be found by clicking here . Results from the Town of Danville's survey will be used in an action plan and to provide merchants and the business community on the needs of the local consumer.

Survey participants will receive a reusable Danville designed shopping bag and be eligible to receive a $100 mobile Danville Gift Card. You are encouraged to invite Facebook friends who live or shop in Danville to participate. The survey closes on October 15th.

Kid's Country Celebrates 30 Years of After School Care

Supervisor Andersen helped Kid's Country celebrate 30 years of providing quality after-school care to the families of the San Ramon Valley at their Greenbrook Elementary School site on September 21st. She is pictured above presenting a congratulatory certificate to Kid's Country Executive Director Stacy Litteral.

STAND! Rebuilding Lives Luncheon

Join STAND! for an inspirational afternoon with guest speaker Tony Porter, a long-time advocate for men playing a role in ending violence against women. As the CEO of A CALL TO MEN, Tony is internationally recognized for his efforts to prevent violence against women while promoting a healthy and respectful manhood. He is a leading voice on male socialization, the intersection of masculinity and violence against women, and healthy, respectful manhood. Tony's 2010 TED talk has been named by GQ Magazine as one of the "Top 10 TED Talks Every Man Should See."

STAND! will honor Ellen's Guild with the Rollie Mullen Award for their work making the Rollie Mullen Center a haven for survivors of domestic violence.

The luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 6th at the Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd, Concord. For more information or to register for the luncheon, click here.

Moraga Pear Festival

Moraga held its 18th Annual Pear & Wine Festival on September 24th at the Moraga Commons Park. The family friendly event with activities for all ages celebrating Moraga's Pear history included live performances, wine tasting with the Lamorinda Wine Growers Association, pear pies, local artist booths, and community booths. Field Representative Jen Quallick is pictured above with Moraga Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathe Nelson.

"Othello" at CalShakes

Autos of Alamo

Chief of Staff Gayle Israel visits with Alamo Improvement Association President Roger Smith at the September 15th annual Autos of Alamo event.

Contra Costa County Volunteer Opportunities

Looking for a way to give back? Interested in getting involved and learning more about County Government? Do you have special talents that you would like to use to benefit your community? Check out these Volunteer Opportunities!

District 2 vacancy available:

Iron Horse Corridor Management Program Advisory Committee - Alamo Seat Click here for information about the committee.

Two members of the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (Alamo MAC) will be retiring, leaving two vacancies in December. Please contact our office if you live in Alamo and are interested in serving. Click here for information about the MAC.

Agricultural Advisory Task Force

In addition, Supervisor Andersen would like to draw your attention to the following list of countywide advisory bodies that currently have seats available:

Advisory Council on Aging

Affordable Housing Finance Committee

Airport Land Use Commission

Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board

Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee

County Connection Citizen Advisory Committee

Developmental Disabilities Area Board

CCC Local Planning Advisory Council for Early Care & Education

Economic Opportunity Council

Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity

Contra Costa Council on Homelessness

Juvenile Justice Commission/Delinquency Prevention Commission

Managed Care Commission

Contra Costa Commission for Women

Workforce Development Board

To apply for any of these seats, click here .

September Board Actions

Ever wonder what your Supervisor does at the Board of Supervisors Meeting held on most Tuesdays? Here are some of the board actions from the month of September which impact the residents of District 2:

Authorized the Fire Chief to execute a contract with Willdan Financial Services to perform an Impact Fee Study, including the possibility of forming Community Facilities Districts in areas of new development.

Accepted report on the award of HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers to the Housing Authority from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Heard a Presentation from the Mental Health Commission regarding the issues and concerns with the County public mental health care system.

Approved the annexation of 16 lots near Tice Creek into Flood Control and Water Conservation District Drainage Area 67A and the levy of annual benefit assessments for financing drainage and flood control services, Walnut Creek.

Took actions to preserve federal funding for the Health Care for the Homeless Program, which included the establishment of a County Health Services Department Health Care for the Homeless Program Co-Applicant Board and operating by-laws, and execution of a Co-Applicant Agreement in compliance with new federal funding requirements.

Retitled the Disproportionate Minority Contact Task Force to the Racial Justice Task Force, appointed individuals to the Task Force and took related actions.

Approved/Authorized the Public Works Director to execute a memorandum of understanding between Contra Costa County and the Town of Danville for the Camino Tassajara SAFETEA-LU ("Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users") Improvements Phase II Project, for the repair and improvement of the westbound lanes of Camino Tassajara between Sycamore Valley Road and the eastern Town limits, Danville.

Accepted completion of private improvements for the Drainage Acceptance for a project by Toll Brothers, Inc., San Ramon-Dougherty Valley.

Accepted completion of improvements for the Road Improvement Agreement and Offer of Dedication for Roadway Purposes for Boulevard Way land use permit for a project by Sufism Reoriented, Walnut Creek.

Established warranty period for a Subdivision for a project developed by Shapell Homes, San Ramon-Dougherty Valley.

Accepted completion of the warranty period for the Subdivision Agreement (Right-of-Way Landscaping) and release of cash deposit for faithful performance, for a subdivision, Hummingbird Playground, for a project by Shapell Homes, San Ramon-Dougherty Valley.

Declared September 2016 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Recognized September as National Recovery Month.

Recognized September 2016 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Contra Costa County.

Honored Contra Costa Association of Realtors 95th Anniversary.

Recognized the 40th Anniversary of the Contra Costa Child Care Council.

Appointed Anthony Anastanio to the 2nd Alternate seat on the County Service Area P-5 Citizens Advisory Committee, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Appointed James Robert Donnelly to the Danville Alamo Local Committee seat on the Advisory Council on Aging.

Reappointed John Spearman to the District II seat on the Emergency Medical Care Committee, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Accepted resignation of Gregory Wiener, Declared a vacancy in the Alamo Area seat on the Iron Horse Corridor Management Program Advisory Committee and Directed the Clerk of the Board to post the vacancy, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Reappointed Barbara Serwin to the District II Consumer seat on the Contra Costa County Mental Health Commission, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Reappointed Marilyn Cachola Lucey to the District II Alternate Seat on the First 5 Children and Families Commission, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Approved/Authorized the Health Services Director to execute a contract with the City of Walnut Creek, to pay the County for the operation of the Adult Interim Housing Program.

Approved/Authorized the Health Services Director to execute a contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive funding for the County's Homeless Destination Home Program.

Approved/Authorized the Health Services Director to execute a contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive funding for the Permanent Connections Supportive Housing Program.

Approved/Authorized the Employment and Human Services Director to execute a contract with the Contra Costa County Office of Education to provide services to youth involved in the juvenile justice system in accordance with the County's Youth Justice Initiative.

Approved/Authorized the Employment and Human Services Director to execute a contract amendment with National Council on Crime and Delinquency, a non-profit corporation to extend the term and increase the payment limit for the continued services of the Phase II Lethality Assessment Program Implementation for Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention and Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Project.

Amended Resolution authorizing the issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Notes to finance the construction of the Riviera Family Apartments in Walnut Creek.

Authorized the issuance and sale of "Lafayette School District General Obligation Bonds, Election of 2016, Series A (2016)" in an amount not to exceed $30,000,000 by the Lafayette School District on its own behalf pursuant to Section 15140(b) of the Education Code.

Authorized/Requested the Auditor-Controller to release money from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund for costs associated with the update and distribution of 5,000 "Wildlife in Your Backyard" brochures.

Reallocated the class of County Librarian - Exempt on the Salary Schedule; and appointed Melinda Cervantes to the position of County Librarian effective October 3, 2016.

Approved/Authorized the Chief Engineer of the Contra Costa County Flood Control & Water Conservation District to execute two Limited Land Use Permits between the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, for the operation of Rain Gauges located at the Camino Tassajara Scenic South Reservoir, Danville.

Proclaimed October 1, 2016 as Bay Day in Contra Costa County, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Recognized September 22-28, 2016 as Falls Prevention Awareness Week in Contra Costa County, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Recognized the MultiFaith ACTION Coalition for receiving the Community Allies Award, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Recognized Frances Schreiber for receiving The Frances Perkins Award, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Recognized Kevin Van Buskirk, Labor Leader of the Year, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Recognized Jennifer Russell for 37 years of service to the City of Lafayette, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Recognized and honor Dan Pellegrini for a lifetime of public and community service to the citizens of Contra Costa County.

Approved/Authorized the Health Services Director to execute a contract from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive homeless assistance funds, payable to the County for continuation of the Project Coming Home addressing addiction to alcohol program.

Accepted report from the Health Services Department on the implementation of Laura's Law (Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program) in Contra Costa County.

Abolished outstanding performance pay steps for the classification of Director of Human Resources - Exempt, effective October 17, 2016; Appointed Dianne Dinsmore to the position of Director of Human Resources.

Adopted the FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget as finally determined, as recommended by the County Administrator. [Insert link to the Budget]

Declared October 2016 as Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month, Accepted the status report from the Public Works Department and the Flood Control & Water Conservation District on the Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Program, Directed the Public Works Department and the Flood Control & Water Conservation District to continue with implementation and the annual campaign of a Countywide sustainable Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Program.

Recognized Poll Worker Appreciation Week in Contra Costa County, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Recognized September as Anti-Hazing Awareness, and throughout the year in Contra Costa County, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Approved/Authorized the Public Defender to apply for and accept a grant from the California Endowment for the Proposition 47 Outreach Program.

Approved/Authorized the Employment and Human Services Director to execute a contract amendment with STAND! For Families Free of Violence to extend the term with no change in the payment limit to continue providing Phase II Lethality Assessment Program implementation for domestic violence homicide prevention.

Approved/Authorized the Employment and Human Services Director to execute a contract amendment with Community Violence Solutions to extend the term and increase the payment limit for continued services to victims of human trafficking.

Approved the report "Pipeline Safety in Alamo, and surrounding areas within Contra Costa County, California" and staff recommendations in response to the report.

Authorized the issuance and sale of "Walnut Creek School District General Obligation Bonds, Election of 2016, Series A (2016)" in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 by the Walnut Creek School District on its own behalf pursuant to Section 15140(b) of the Education Code.

Continued the emergency action originally taken by the Board of Supervisors on November 16, 1999, and most recently approved by the Board on September 13, 2016, regarding the issue of homelessness in Contra Costa County.

To view Board of Supervisors Meeting agendas, click here.

District II Supervisor Candace Andersen

309 Diablo Road | Danville | CA | 94526| (925) 957-8860

3338 Mt. Diablo Blvd. | Lafayette | CA | 94549 | (925) 646-6067