Weekly Update - November 18, 2022

Thanksgiving Greetings. Pumpkins and dry leaves on a dark wooden background. Top view. Flat layer

We will not be sending a newsletter next week. Best wishes to you, your family, and friends as you gather together with gratitude. Please stay safe and healthy, and enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday!

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. 

 

“We want these test kits to be a staple in people’s medicine cabinets like aspirin or band-aids,” said Dr. Sofe’ Mekuria, deputy health officer for the County. “Testing gives people the information they need to make healthy choices and reduce the spread of COVID, especially during the winter holiday season when families and friends gather indoors.”

 

Health officials strongly recommend people get tested if they feel sick or if they’re planning to attend a large indoor gathering. Anyone who tests positive for COVID, even if they don’t have symptoms, should isolate at home. See the COVID-19 Patients & Contacts page for more information about what to do if you test positive. 

 

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.

Help Local Families in Your County With a

Donation to the Food Bank

No one in our County should go to bed hungry. Each yearContra 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.

VESTIA Holiday Helpers Program

The VESTIA Holiday Helpers program has changed to increase impact in the community. Despite the pandemic shutdown 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.

Traditional Lighting of The Old Oak Tree

On Friday, November 25th, several downtown Danville Streets will be closed for the annual Lighting of the Old Oak Tree. This traditional event will take place rain or shine. The evening program starts at 5:15 p.m. on Diablo Road. Hear from Chamber Leadership, the Mayor and Danville Town Council, Father Christmas, the Snow Angel - and More!


Pick up your Holiday Gift Guide and enjoy Holiday festivities and music from the Danville Girls Chorus, the San Ramon Valley High School Choir, and the Monte Vista Chamber Singers.


Father Christmas and the Snow Angel will light the tree followed by entertainment and refreshments at Downtown Danville businesses.


Be sure to stop by Supervisor Andersen's office during the event for Hot Cocoa and her homemade Butterscotch Brownies!

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

November is Homelessness Awareness Month

November is Homelessness Awareness Month. The 2022 Homelessness Awareness Month Toolkit includes opportunities to Learn, Engage and Recognize.


  • Data on homelessness in Contra Costa
  • Information about what cities are doing to address homelessness
  • How to connect to services with special guidance for families, Transition Aged Youth, older adults and veterans
  • Calendar of events
  • Opportunities to volunteer and donate, with special guidance for landlords and faith communities
  • Recognition of people with lived experience of homelessness, outstanding volunteers and outstanding landlords in our community


To learn how you can help go to Homelessness Awareness.

Update on Election Results – Votes Still Being Counted

The Contra Costa Elections Office continues to count ballots from the November 8 Election. An update will be posted on Friday afternoon and election results can be found here.   

 

Why does it seem to be taking so long?  Most people utilize the mail-in ballot sent to every voter. It takes longer to tabulate those votes than when the majority of people used to go to polling places.

 

As of Wednesday, 387,479 ballots had been counted, which constitutes 55.2% of registered voters. However, there were still approximately 6800 ballots left to be tallied. These remaining ballots are the most time-consuming because research is involved to assure the voter is eligible and hasn’t already voted.  Some ballots lacked signatures, or their signatures did not match the record on file. Each voter who had one of these problems was mailed a notice and they have until November 30 to cure their signatures.

Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Webinar: The Future of Freeways

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is exploring new strategies to better manage Bay Area congestion more sustainably and equitably, while also addressing the lasting impacts of 20th-century policies. As part of this effort, MTC will conduct two webinars on The Future of Freeways to inform participants about the challenges and opportunities before us and to collect community input to help envision the future of this vital infrastructure.


Join the conversation live and help craft solutions for the Bay Area, together.


  • Webinar
  • Tuesday, November 29, 2022, | 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Participate on Zoom 
  • Webinar ID: 830 5959 1588
  • Passcode: 393107
  • Call in: (408) 638-0968 or (669) 444-9171



Can’t join live? The webinar recording will be posted on or after November 18. Comments are welcome - submit them here.

Local Blood Drives - Help Save Lives!

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.

Contra Costa County Announces Innovation

Fund Grant Program

Contra Costa County is seeking ideas for innovative projects that respond to local public service needs, can improve equitable access to public services, can remove structural barriers that cause inequities and poverty, provide the greatest impact for every dollar spent, and have the potential for transformative change.


Up to $2 Million in grants will be made available on a competitive basis to nonprofit, tax-exempt community-based organizations to fund the planning and implementation of one or more selected projects in the following categories:


1. Safe & Engaged Communities – Improving health, wellness, and public safety outcomes through community outreach/awareness, education, and engagement.

2. Agriculture and Food Systems – Improving environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.

3. Economic Vitality – Providing education, job training, decent jobs, and viable businesses to reduce the number of people at a poverty level.

4. Clean & Sustainable (Clean and Green) Environment – Safe food and water, proper waste disposal, clean air, pest control; preventing waste.

5. Reliable & Accessible Infrastructure – Modernization, technology, or equity in digital access, cybersecurity, and resilience.


Phase 1 of the Innovation Fund grant process offers Five Thousand ($5,000) to each of up to ten (10) selected projects to fund the development of a comprehensive Phase 2 Project Grant proposal.


Statements of Qualifications and Concept Papers may be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on November 28, 2022, by clicking on the Grant Portal.

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 CommitteeThe 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/.