The Board of Supervisors has declared October to be Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month. Please take advantage of this opportunity to speak to your children and friends about the dangers of fast moving storm water and the almost certain fate that awaits anyone who goes into rain swollen creeks and channels. The flood control channels are part of our community's infrastructure and, like freeways or railroad tracks, should never be used for recreation.

The Rotary Club Foundation of Danville/Sycamore Valley is sponsoring a Mental Health First Aid Course from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 16th and 17th, at the San Ramon Regional Medical Center, Conference Room, South Building. The course teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with the signs and symptoms of a mental health issue or crisis, and how to connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care.  This 8-hour first aid course is open to first responders, college students, teachers, leaders of faith communities, parents, grandparents and caring citizens. For more information or to register please email Kathy Chiverton by clicking here or call at (925) 837-0505.

The Lafayette Reservoir Run is the city's most popular"family affair," involving kids, parents, grandparents, and thousands of serious runners from throughout the Bay Area. 2,300 participants compete in a 10k, 5k or 2 mile race through the heart of downtown, around the reservoir, and back.  Sprinters, walkers, the "stroller brigade," and many of Lafayette's top four-legged residents share the streets on this festive Sunday morning. The Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette are cosponsors of the Run which is being held on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Beneficiaries of the event are the local schools and the services and programs of the Lafayette Chamber. New for 2013!! ONLINE REGISTRATION: click here. 

How Do We Keep Our Young Drivers Safe?

Enroll is the CHP's Start Smart Program 

By Michael McDonald, Chairman, Alamo Municipal Advisory Council

A study has been underway in Alamo for the past year to update what is called the Alamo Area of Benefit Project list. The Alamo Area of Benefit ("AOB") was formed by the County Board of Supervisors in 1985 to provide for the collection of funds from new development in Alamo to help pay for roadway and other transportation related improvements needed to accommodate the new development.

read more 

• What escape routes avoid falling hazards?
• How do you help family members, neighbors and co-workers with disabilities?
• How do you plan for pets?
• What supplies do you store for 7 days?

For more information:

American Red Cross Emergency Plan: www.redcross.org/prepare 

How to Prepare a Communications Plan: www.redcrossbayarea.org/beredcrossready 

Join the Friends of the San Ramon Creek on October 5, from 9:00 a.m. - noon  when they meet at 1 Meadowbrook Lane & El Poral in Danville to clear the invasive giant reed, Arundo, from a creek bank south of El Portal Bridge at the boundary of Danville and Alamo.  Arundo, commonly known as Giant Reed, or Giant Cane, grows extremely fast; it can grow up to 4 inches per day, and reach 30 feet tall. It often colonizes stream banks and damp areas and thrives in many of our local areas. Arundo is a fire hazard that can burn even when green. Its height and dry leaves and stalks make it a fire-ladder that enables flames to reach up into nearby trees. It can turn stream channels, which are usually damp, fire-resistant barriers, into pathways for fire to travel.  For more information, click here to email Jennifer Stern or  click here for information about Arundo. 

Street Smarts Advisory Board Members; San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson, Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich, San Ramon Valley School Board President Ken Mintz, and Supervisor Andersen accept a check from State Farm Representatives to benefit traffic safety education programs at the 2013 Media Kick-Off event on September 26th.  

On Sunday, September 22, 2013, Supervisor Andersen joined other elected officials i honoring community members who help senior at the Culture to Culture 6th Annual Senior Volunteer Awards, held at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center.  Culture to Culture Foundation, founded by Chia Chia Chien, is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to promoting mental health and emotional wellness within the San Francisco Bay Area's growing Asian-American community.  To learn more about the Culture to Culture Foundation, click here.

Rob Roy is a sailing canoe, originally designed by John MacGregor in 1865 and named after his famous Scottish outlaw/hero grandfather. This canoe was built by members of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club, and conforms to the original plans. Fifteen members invested more than 1200 hours in the creation of this one-of-a-kind wood and canvas masterpiece. MacGregor sailed his originals over 1,000 miles on major European waterways and rivers. Rotary's Rob Roy is now on a public tour as part of a major fundraiser for the Club. 

read more

The Board of Supervisors has declared October to be Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month. Please take advantage of this opportunity to speak to your children and friends about the dangers of fast moving storm water and the almost certain fate that awaits anyone who goes into rain swollen creeks and channels. The flood control channels are part of our community's infrastructure and, like freeways or railroad tracks, should never be used for recreation.

The Contra Costa Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisory Committee is seeking applicants to fill four (4) public seats-3 regular seats and 1 alternate. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of integrated pest management and interest in and commitment to improvement of IPM practices in Contra Costa County. Applicants must live or work in Contra Costa County.

Applications must be received by 4:30 PM on Monday, November 4, 2013 in the office of the Clerk of the Board: 651 Pine Street, 1st Floor, Martinez 94553.  All persons who apply by the deadline will be interviewed on Monday, November 18, 2013 starting at 9:00 AM in Room 101, 651 Pine Street, Martinez.

The IPM Advisory Committee is appointed by the Board of Supervisors to advise them on issues involving pest management and pesticide use on County-owned and County-maintained property. The 13-member Committee is composed of representatives from the County Departments of Agriculture, General Services, Health Services, and Public Works; the County Stormwater Program; the County's Public and Environmental Health Advisory Board; the County's Fish and Wildlife Committee; a local environmental organization, the County's current pest management contractor; three public members, and a public member alternate. The Committee's purview includes pest management in County facilities, in County landscaping, and along County roads and flood control channels. Regular meetings of the IPM Advisory Committee are held on the first Wednesday in the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November from 10am to noon at the County Department of Agriculture in Concord.

Do hazardous materials policy issues interest you? The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission is seeking applicants to fill an Environmental Engineering Seat. 

You may apply if you ...

         - are nominated by an environmental engineering organization; or firm

         - live or work in Contra Costa County;

         -  have demonstrated knowledge of hazardous materials issues;

        -  can commit to regular attendance at monthly Commission meetings

        and a monthly Committee meeting.

The Commission is a voluntary body appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and makes policy recommendations to the Board and County staff on issues concerning hazardous materials and hazardous waste. The Commission's 13 members serve four-year terms and include representatives from industry, labor, civic groups, environmental organizations, environmental engineers, the general public, and the Mayors Conference.

To obtain an application form, or for further information, click here or contact Michael Kent, Executive Assistant to the Commission, at (925) 313-6587. Applications may also be obtained from the Clerk of the Board located at 651 Pine Street 1st Floor, Martinez CA 94553. You may also download an application from the County's website by clicking here. Applications must be postmarked by October 4, 2013 and mailed to the Clerk of the Board.

Supervisor Andersen is also looking for volunteers from District 2 to fill the following positions:

• In Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee
• Mental Health Commission (1 Consumer Seat)
• Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (1 youth representative - Alamo resident)
• County Service Area P-5 Citizens Advisory Committee (1 Reg. & 2 alt. seat - Roundhill Resident)

District 2 includes: Canyon, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Parkmead, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Saranap, and Walnut Creek (west of Main Street).

How Do We Keep Our Young Drivers Safe?

Enroll is the CHP's Start Smart Program 

No parent wants to be given the news that their teenage son or daughter has been killed in a horrific traffic collision.  The statistics are frightening.  Teen drivers are found at fault in 66% of ALL FATAL collisions that they are involved in, although they only represent 4% of the state's licensed drivers.  The leading cause of DEATH for Americans 15 to 20 years old is motor vehicle collisions.  What can a parent do to prevent this horrible tragedy from happening to their teen?

The California Highway Patrol, Contra Costa Office conducts a two hour driver safety education class called Start Smart, which targets new and future licensed teenage drivers 15 through 20 years of age and their parents or legal guardians. To enroll yourself and your teen in one of the upcoming Start Smart classes contact the California Highway Patrol, Contra Costa Office at (925) 646-4980.  The next available classes will be at the CHP - Contra Costa Office, located at 5001 Blum Road, Martinez, California 94553.  The class starts at 6:00pm for the following 2013 dates: October 7th and 8th, November 4th and 5th, and December 2nd and 3rd.   

return to articles 

By Michael McDonald, Chairman, Alamo Municipal Advisory Council

A study has been underway in Alamo for the past year to update what is called the Alamo Area of Benefit Project list. The Alamo Area of Benefit ("AOB") was formed by the County Board of Supervisors in 1985 to provide for the collection of funds from new development in Alamo to help pay for roadway and other transportation related improvements needed to accommodate the new development. Following adoption of the AOB, a list of improvement projects was developed and this list has been periodically modified and updated since then. It was last updated in 1998, so at the urging of Supervisor Candace Andersen, the county Public Works Department began the current update at the end of 2012.  

An important milestone was reached in this process at the end of August when a new project list was approved by the Alamo MAC for recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. This list of projects was developed after public input was received at three community meetings and presented to the public and the MAC at a fourth meeting in August. It now moves on to the Board of Supervisors.

Three important priorities came out of the public meetings which were reflected in the recommended project list. These were:

• Pedestrian safety downtown and around schools
• No desire to expand or increase capacity on Danville Boulevard
• Protect trees and other aspects of Alamo's semi-rural character

The priority relating to no expansion of Danville Boulevard was probably the most talked about and of most concern to Alamo residents who attended the meetings. This has been a long standing issue and reflects a concern that some county and regional transportation planners see Danville Boulevard expansion as a way of relieving congestion on the freeway. But at least as far as the AOB project list is concerned, there will be no expansion or increase in capacity.  In fact, a project from the previous AOB list involving further work at the intersection of Danville Boulevard and Stone Valley Road which would have allowed more traffic onto Danville Boulevard was removed altogether.

Consistent with the priorities that came out of the public meetings, the new projects recommended by the MAC include:

• Pedestrian safety improvements on Danville Boulevard in the downtown area
• Pedestrian and bicycle improvements on Livorna and Stone Valley Road
• Pedestrian safety improvements at Stone Valley Middle, Alamo Elementary, and Rancho Romero Elementary Schools
• Safety improvements at the intersection of Danville Boulevard and Hemme Avenue

In addition to these new projects, the list includes projects related to bicycle and pedestrian safety on Stone Valley Road and Miranda Avenue carried over from the prior list.

return to articles 

Rob Roy is a sailing canoe, originally designed by John MacGregor in 1865 and named after his famous Scottish outlaw/hero grandfather. This canoe was built by members of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club, and conforms to the original plans. Fifteen members invested more than 1200 hours in the creation of this one-of-a-kind wood and canvas masterpiece.

MacGregor sailed his originals over 1,000 miles on major European waterways and rivers. Rotary's Rob Roy is now on a public tour as part of a major fundraiser for the Club. All proceeds benefit Rotary International and local club projects, such as the HOME Team (Home Maintenance for the Elderly), LN-4 replacement prosthetic hand for victims of land mines and other injuries, clean water and sanitation projects in Tanzania, Las Trampas Incorporated (Lafayette-based center for adults with developmental disabilities), the formerly homeless families of Garden Park Apartments (operated by Contra Costa Interfaith Housing) and the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano. You can win this beautiful craft (including the custom-built trailer) AND support these essential projects! Raffle tickets are $20 each or six for $100.  click here or email cmroberts@aol.com for more info.  

return to articles