Stay Safe, Be Aware This Holiday Season

COVID Cases are Rising in Contra Costa County

Order Free COVID Test Kits from the County for the Holidays

COVID cases are rising in our County, and Contra Costa residents can now receive 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.

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

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.

Orinda Mayor Amy Worth Retirement Celebration

On Sunday, December 4th, Supervisor Andersen attended the retirement celebration for Amy Worth, long-time Council Member and Mayor of Orinda.

Pictured left to right are Supervisor John Gioia, Amy Worth, and Supervisor Candace Andersen.

Amy Worth was elected to the Orinda City Council in 1998, serving six terms for a total of 24 years, and serving five of those years as Mayor. Amy also served on a number of regional and local boards and committees. Photo by Jeff Heyman @heymanfoto.

Amy's thoughtful approach, kindness, and respect will be greatly missed by everyone who worked with her.

Alamo Tree Lighting

The Rotary Club of Alamo once again hosted Alamo’s annual tree lighting, which always includes entertainment from our local schools, including the Stone Valley Middle School Jazz Band, and the San Ramon Valley High School Chamber singers. Pictured here with Supervisor Andersen are the emcee for the event, Mary Ellen Mancino, on the left, and Katia Atanassov on the right.

Supervisor Andersen Thanks Outgoing Mayor and

Welcomes New Mayor of Danville

On Tuesday, December 6th, Supervisor Andersen attended Danville’s annual Mayoral Installation and Community Awards event. Outgoing Mayor Newell Arnerich was lauded for his 32 years of service to the Town of Danville, and Robert Storer was voted in as the new mayor. This is Mayor Storer's third year as mayor after joining the Council in 2009.

Contra Costa County Public Works Announces Episode 2 of Their “Inside Public Works” Series on Contra Costa Television

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department is excited to announce that the second episode of their regular series entitled “Inside Public Works” will premiere this Monday, December 12, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. on Contra Costa Television (CCTV). The episode will replay on Wednesday, 12/14/2022 at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, 12/15/2022 at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, 12/17/2022 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12/18/2022 at 5:30 p.m.

CCTV broadcasts on the following channels: Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, Astound 32 & 1027, and can also be viewed at: www.contracostatv.org. For additional show times throughout the months of December 2022 and January 2023, you can view the schedule for CCTV at the Contra Costa TV Program Guide. After its premiere, you can view this episode as well as previous episodes by visiting www.cccpublicworks.org.

Free 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.

Veterans' Voices "Best of 2022" Show to Air

On Monday, December 12th, at 7:00 p.m., the Veterans’ Voices show will premiere its “Best of 2022” show, highlighting some of the best moments from the past year. It will showcase some of the most interesting interviews from a wide range of topics important to the Veterans community. The show will feature Veterans from all branches of service sharing their experiences. It will also include an interview with the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Vito Imbasciani.

The Veterans' Voices program is broadcast on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) on the second Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. It can be seen live online at facebook.com/veteransvoices1. You can find an archive of past shows and show resources at contracosta.ca.Veterans-Voices or on their YouTube channel Veterans’ Voices of Contra Costa. The show is re-run multiple times on CCTV on Comcast Channel 27, Astound Channels 32 and 1027, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99.

Lafayette is Offering a Shopping and Restaurant Shuttle on Thursdays in December

The City of Lafayette is pleased to announce a pilot program for a Shopping & Restaurant Shuttle in Lafayette’s business district. The shuttle is a white minibus that is part of the City’s year-round Lafayette Spirit Van Program and the vehicle will have “Lafayette Shopping & Restaurant Shuttle” on the sides.

The pilot program will be offered on the following Thursdays in December 2022: 

December 8, 15 and 22

• The shuttle will run in a continuous loop from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The loop takes approximately 45 minutes and goes in a clockwise direction. (See stop location numbers on the route map.)
• The shuttle is open to people of all ages and has a wheelchair lift.
• No pets allowed.
• Seats are limited. The Shuttle has 8 passenger seats. Standing is not permitted.
• The shuttle will arrive at its first stop (Lafayette Chateau, 3512 Moraga Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549) at 10:00 a.m.
• Passengers who are at a shuttle stop at or before 2:00 p.m. are ensured a return ride.
• Copies of the route map will be available to passengers.



The City Council allocated American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds for the business district shopping shuttle pilot project to support the economic recovery of small businesses impacted by the pandemic. To see the route map, visit LoveLafayette.org/SpiritVan.

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 also several other programs in Contra Costa County that can use your help during the holidays and all year in feeding those in need.

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.

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.

San Ramon Valley High School Football Team Going to State

The San Ramon Valley High School community is excited to share that their football team will be going to the State Championships for the first time ever!

The team will depart San Ramon Valley High on Friday, December 9th at 7:00 a.m., and be led by Danville Police in a motorcade down Hartz/Danville Avenue. Go grab a cup of coffee and cheer them on as they make their way to Saddleback College in Mission Viejo to play in the big game vs Granite Hills!

Listen live to the game on Max Preps starting at Noon Saturday: 

https://www.maxpreps.com/news/BXLmT_svck-b37SDkAr9Mg/listen-live-saturday-san-ramon-valley-vs-granite-hills.htm.

San Ramon Valley Unified School District Committee

Members Needed

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) is seeking applications and nominations to indicate interest to serve on one of three community committees:

• Facilities Master Plan (FMP) Committee
• Profile of the Learner Committee
• Facilities Oversight and Advisory Committee (FOAC)

For the Facilities Master Plan (FMP) and Profile of the Learner committees, please go to the Interest and Nomination Form to learn more. The form will remain open through December 14, 2022. For the Facilities Oversight and Advisory Committee (FOAC), information on member composition and the application link itself can be found on the FOAC section of the website. The FOAC application closes on December 16th.

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. 

No-Cost Virtual 2023 Labor Law Update for Businesses

Looking for Alamo Residents Interested in Police Services in their Community

Did you know that Alamo pays into a special police district (P2B) and Alamo residents get to help decide how the P2B money is spent? 

P2B covers the west side of Alamo, South of Hillgrade Avenue, all neighborhoods off of Livorna Road and Miranda Avenue, and the Stone Valley Road neighborhoods up to Round Hill Country Club on the north side of Stone Valley, and all the way to Monte Vista on the south side. There are 3,400 homes in the P2B area.

Are you interested in serving your community, making decision about how to spend your police district tax dollars, and receiving updates from the Sheriff’s Department about what is happening in Alamo? There are currently two seats available. Please reach out to Cameron Collins at Cameron.collins@bos.cccounty.us or 925.655.2300 if you would like to apply.

The Community is Invited to Make Comments on The

County's Housing Element

Contra Costa County’s Housing Element is one of the required Elements of the General Plan and is mandated by the State of California. It will identify policy direction to meet the housing needs of the county, both by preserving existing homes and by clarifying priorities for housing creation.

The Housing Element will include an overview of housing policies and programs and will identify locations that can accommodate future housing in unincorporated Contra Costa areas. Due to State-required adoption deadlines, the Housing Element will be prepared on a separate but parallel track as the General Plan. 

The public comment period to review the Draft Housing Element is currently open until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2022. Comments can be sent to Maureen Toms at Maureen.Toms@dcd.cccounty.us. 

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.

You must reside in the P2B area of Alamo to serve on this committee

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 committee

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)

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

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/.