Alamo Rotary Annual Tree Lighting - December 4th

Don't Miss This Annual Lafayette Celebration

Order Free COVID Test Kits from the County for the Holidays

Order Free COVID Test Kits from the County for the Holidays

Contra Costa residents can now get free at-home COVID test kits from Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) through a new mail-order program. 

People can order up to 4 free at-home test kits per household by filling out this online form or by calling 833-829-2626. There are two tests in each kit. CCHS will mail the kits directly to people’s homes within approximately 5-7 business days. You must be a Contra Costa County resident to be eligible. 

The County’s mail-order program will run through the holidays and perhaps longer depending on our supply of at-home test kits. 

Contra Costa residents also can pick up free at-home test kits at county libraries. People can also get free test kits through their healthcare providers. For more information, visit the Home Tests page.

Free Adoptions through Contra Costa Animal Services Until December 11

In partnership with the Bissell Pet Foundation, Contra Costa Animal Services (CCAS) is offering free adoptions of all animals from December 1-11 to help reduce the shelter population and find loving homes for the pets in their care. Licensing fee may apply.

Interested adopters can take advantage of this free adoption promotion by visiting CCAS’ Martinez adoption center to meet the animals and adopt their new family member. You can also view animals available for adoption online by visiting their Available Animals Page.

Supervisor Karen Mitchoff Honored at Retirement Dinner

Friends and colleagues came together on Wednesday, December 7th at the Pleasant Hill Recreation Center to honor and thank Supervisor Mitchoff upon her retirement, which will be effective at the end of this year.

First elected to her District 4 seat in 2010, Karen represents Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill, most of Walnut Creek, and the unincorporated Contra Costa Centre. Karen reflected on decades of public service, her achievements, and her future plans.

On Tuesday, December 13, the Board of Supervisors will honor outgoing Supervisor Mitchoff at its regularly scheduled meeting. 

2022 San Ramon Chamber Business & Community Awards

Supervisor Andersen attended the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce's Business & Community Awards Dinner on December 1st and provided certificates for the awardees. She is pictured above with Ambassador of the Year honoree Angie Toussaint Billingsly (on the far right) and Business Services & Economic Development Program Manager for the Contra Costa Workforce Development Board Patience Ofudu, and her husband, Valentine.

This year's honorees are:

Citizen of the Year

Dall Barley, Treasurer of the San Ramon Historic Foundation and City Hall Docent.

Business Person of the Year

Annestelle Maes, CEO, The Maes Group @ Keller Williams Realty 

Employee of the Year

Joe Gorton, City Manager, City of San Ramon 

Educator of the Year

Christine Huajardo, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, San Ramon Valley Unified School District 

Ambassador of the Year

Angie Toussaint Billingsly, Founder/CEO, KMT Technical Services & Network Media Associates 

Teen Citizen of the Year

Fatimah Hussain, 11th Grade, Dougherty Valley High School Student

Sandbags Available Near You

With rain expected again over the weekend, Contra Costa County and local cities are offering sandbags to residents. Here is a list of locations and options.

Danville

Free sandbags are available to be filled at 1000 Sherburne Hills Road, off of Camino Tassajara next to the Town of Danville Post Office. Residents are asked to take a maximum of 20 bags. Sandbags and a shovel are available for use; simply take a bag from the container, fill it with sand and then tie it closed with the attached strings.

Lafayette

During the rainy season, fill-them-yourself, 24/7 sandbag stations are set up for Lafayette property owners at the following two (2) locations:

• Corner of Mt Diablo Boulevard at Village Center (across from the Veteran’s Memorial Building)
• Corner of Camino Diablo and Loveland (west of the public works corporation yard).

To ensure sufficient sand and bags are available, please only take what you need. If the station needs supplies, notify Public Works at 925-934-3908. (The station is re-stocked during normal business hours.) Sandbags can also be obtained from local home improvement or construction material stores for a nominal fee.  

Orinda

Sand and sandbags, which residents fill themselves, are available for Orinda residents at the following Moraga-Orinda Fire District locations:

• Station Number 43 - 20 Via Las Cruces (nearest cross street Charles Hill Road)
• Station Number 44 - 295 Orchard Road (nearest cross street Moraga Way)

San Ramon

Sandbag supplies have been made available for public use. San Ramon residents or businesses that require sand or sandbags must bring a shovel and helping hands to one of four locations for supplies (bags and sand provided):

• Athan Downs, Montevideo Drive near San Ramon Valley Blvd
• Central Park, Alcosta Blvd adjacent to the San Ramon Community Center
• San Ramon Sports Park, Sherwood Way
• Fircrest Lane – one pallet of filled sandbags

Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek stocks five sandbag stations as a service for its residents. Sand and bags are available from the City of Walnut Creek at the following locations:

• Lancaster Road near Orchard Lane
• Heather Farm Park Community Center parking lot (north end)
• Larkey Park parking lot
• Howe Homestead Park parking lot
• Rudgear Park parking lot

Bags and sand are provided for residents at the sandbag stations. However, shovels are not provided. Please bring your own shovels.

For more information on sandbag pick-up or other locations in the County, go to Sandbag information.

Help Local Families With a

Donation to the Food Bank

No one in our County should go to bed hungry. Each year Contra Costa and Solano counties raise funds for the Food Bank through a friendly competition. The county that raises the most funds per employee will win the Big Apple trophy, but the real winners are the recipients of the funds you raise, those who need the help the most in our communities.

To join Supervisor Andersen in helping fight hunger by donating to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County, click here.

There are a number of programs in Contra Costa County that can use your help at the holidays and all year.

Meals on Wheels provides meals to Contra Costa residents 60 years of age or older, who are homebound and unable to purchase or prepare regular nutritious meals for themselves and have no one else available to do so.

Meals on Wheels.

CalFresh Food is offering application assistance to those interested in a CalFresh Card, which enables residents to buy food at participating grocery stores and Farmers' Markets. CalFresh Food.

Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa County is continuing to serve the Contra Costa Community through "to-go" meals and pre-filled bags with food pantry items. Loaves and Fishes.

White Pony Express Holds 3rd Annual Star Program

White Pony Express (WPE) is launching their 3rd annual Star Program with the help of local businesses. This unique holiday program uplifts lives throughout the county during a season where warmth is meant to be shared! Each star is hand-decorated and lists a specific item needed by an adult or child experiencing challenges.

Your business can display the stars in any creative way you choose. Your clients and friends can select a star and purchase the item listed on the star. White Pony Express will schedule a time to pick up the gifts which will be beautifully wrapped and then delivered with love to our neighbors in need. In this way, we can all make the holiday season sparkle a little brighter. 

To request your Star Program Kit, please contact Mandy at mandy@whiteponyexpress.org or call 925-322-0604 Option 4. All of us taking care of all of us! Learn more about WPE at whiteponyexpress.org.

VESTIA Holiday Helpers Program

The VESTIA Holiday Helpers program has changed to increase impact in the community. Despite the pandemic shut down for 3 years, the VESTIA Board of Directors and Volunteer & Emergency Services staff have continued to provide support for the most vulnerable residents of Contra Costa County through community grants. 

In lieu of gifts, please donate to the Holiday Helpers program to help support vulnerable children and families in VESTIA's partnership with other nonprofits in the community. 

To date, the Holiday Helpers program has provided support to the following organizations:

• Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano

• Employment & Human Services – Children & Family Services Bureau

• Bay Point Community All-N-One

• Love a Child Mission

• Monument Crisis Center

• West County Youth Services Bureau

To learn more about VESTIA and other ways you can volunteer or donate, visit VESTIA.

To Read the Latest Contra Costa Covid-19 Information and To See the Data Summary, Visit COVID-19 updates

Ringing in the Holiday Season in Danville

Danville held their annual "Old Oak Tree Lighting" on Friday, November 25th, complete with the Snow Angel, the Danville Town Council, (pictured above, Dave Fong, Vice Mayor Robert Storer Supervisor Andersen, Mayor Newell Arnerich, and Renee Morgan,) and so many friends and colleagues visiting Supervisor Andersen's office, which happens to be in the courtyard where the festivities take place.

With the help of staff member Jen Quallick and Candace's husband Phil, around 600 cups of hot cocoa and 500 homemade butterscotch brownies were served. It’s such a fun way to kick off the Christmas and holiday season.

Local Blood Drives - Help Save Lives!

Mental Health Community Forum

Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services (CCBHS), a division under the Contra Costa Health Services provides mental health and substance use treatment services to Contra Costa residents accessing the public behavioral health system and is holding a "virtual" community forum on December 15th. 

This forum is an opportunity for community members to learn about the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and to help inform the MHSA Three-Year Plan and future use of MHSA funding. 

We value your unique experience, especially as a client/consumer/peer, family member, or member of the community, and appreciate your input. 

This virtual forum is being held on December 15, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Click here to register.

Celebrate Holidays at the Museum of The San Ramon Valley

This holiday season exhibit is a celebration of trains, toys, dolls, and the many cultures of our area.

The main exhibit area will have a wonderful model train exhibit. The feature this year is the G Scale Christmas train. These large model trains are exciting for young and old alike. A large beautifully decorated Christmas tree and lots of other holiday decorations fill the room.

Children will enjoy a playhouse, which is also a great photo opportunity. Young visitors will also have a location to write letters to Santa that are guaranteed to be delivered to the North Pole.

Before you leave Holiday in the Valley take a moment and visit the memory tree. This is an opportunity to write down your "Most Exciting Holiday Time." This is a great way to spread the holiday spirit.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Avenue in Danville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 1:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. For more information visit museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.

Joy and Bliss You Won't Want to Miss

It's time to bring back the joy of shopping. This season, do less scrolling and more strolling while supporting small businesses in Danville.

Use the new 2022 Danville Picks Holiday Gift Guide to plan a relaxing shopping experience, enjoying the crisp air as you find one-of-a-kind gifts for the special people in your life - and maybe treat yourself along the way. 

Would You Like to Serve on a Contra Costa County Committee, Commission, or Board? There are Opportunities Available

District 2 Volunteer Opportunities 

Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B/APSAC)

To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.

1 Regular Seat

1 Alternate Seat

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo community for police services.

The Measure X Community Advisory Board - Supervisor Andersen is seeking an individual that represents broad and diverse voices, and perspectives. To be considered for this seat, candidates must either live or work in District 2. The Community Advisory Board currently meets monthly. Currently, the meetings are via online conferencing. For more information about Measure X, please click here.

Fish and Wildlife Committee - The Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications from individuals to fill two (2) At-Large Member Seats on the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee. Existing members seeking reappointment and individuals seeking a new appointment may apply. Applications are due by November 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. For more information regarding the Fish and Wildlife Committee, please visit the Committee’s website at https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/4317/Fish-Wildlife-Committee-FWC. A fillable application is available on the website for your convenience.

County Service Area, P-2A Citizen Advisory Committee (Blackhawk)

Expiring Seats - incumbents should reapply

The County Services Area, P-2A Citizens Advisory Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Blackhawk community for extended police services which shall include, but not be limited to, enforcement of the State Vehicle Code, crime prevention, litter control, and other issues.

You must reside within the Blackhawk community to serve on this board.

Police Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public and are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM, at the Blackhawk Police Service District Office at 1092 Eagle Nest Pl.

County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only.

Expiring Seats - incumbents should reapply

The P-5 Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.

Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee

Expiring Seat - incumbent should reapply

Provides input to the County and the cities of the County on bicycle projects for Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds to construct bicycle/pedestrian projects and also provides advice to cities and the County on bicycle planning matters.

Find out more information about volunteering for an advisory body here co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418. To apply online go to www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/.