Supervisor Candace Andersen
                            
                       News from Around the District
 January 2014  return

In This Issue
New Mayors in D2
Northern Waterfront Economic Development
Creekside Cemetery Update
Fire Study Town Hall Meeting
S&P Upgrades County's Rating
Library Strategic Plan Update
Soccer Uniforms 4 All
Moraga Seeks Volunteers
Rossmoor Event Center Opening
Alamo Women's Club Crab Feed
Danville Hosts Travel Seminars
Lafayette Businessperson of the Year
Moraga Goal Setting Workship
Youth-to-Youth & She's All That Events
Community College District Celebrates 65 Years
Street Smarts Storybook Poster Contest
Orinda Awards
PG&E Opens Gas Monitoring Center in San Ramon
January Safety Tips
Connecting the Olympic Corridor
Homeless Veterans Housing
Cultural Arts in San Ramon
VESTIA Toy Drive
Board of Supervisors Actions
 
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District 2 Staff

Gayle Israel
Gayle Israel
Chief of Staff
Field Representative;
San Ramon &

Danville

Email Gayle
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Jill Ray
Jill Ray
Field Representative;
Canyon, Moraga & Orinda

 

   Lauri Byers

Lauri Byers
Scheduler, Field Representative;
Lafayette

 

   

Donna Maxwell
Field Representative;
Alamo, Parkmead, Rossmoor & Saranap

Email Donna

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 District Offices 

San Ramon Valley Office

 

309 Diablo Road

Danville, CA  94526

 

Hours:

Monday - Friday

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Phone: (925) 957-8860

FAX: (925) 820-3785

  

Danville Office   

Lamorinda Office

Fire Station #15

3338 Mt. Diablo Boulevard

Lafayette, CA  94549

 

Hours:

Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   

and by appointment, please call

 

Phone: (925) 646-6067

FAX: (925) 646-6068


Lafayette Office
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Greetings!

My staff and I wish you a very Happy New Year!  People often ask me how the past 18 months have been, whether I am enjoying serving as County Supervisor.  Without hesitation I tell them that I love my job.  Each day I look forward to going into my office to serve the people of District 2 and all of Contra Costa County.   As I look through past issues of this e-Newsletter I am reminded of how busy it has been!

 

I wouldn't have it any other way.  It is very satisfying to be able to solve problems for constituents, help make government more transparent and efficient, ensure that our taxpayer generated revenues are expended wisely, our communities safe, that we foster a business friendly environment and support the infrastructure needed for it to expand; and that the unique and special quality of life throughout the communities in District 2 is protected and preserved through wise land use, sustainability, and transportation decisions. 

 

I am elected to serve you.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you ever have questions or concerns about County issues.

 

Best regards,

 

Updated Signature 06182013
 
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Meet the New Mayors in District 2 

With the exception of San Ramon, all of the cities in District 2 rotate their Mayors among elected Councilmembers each year. In the busy month of December, Candace was able to stop by the Installation Ceremonies at all of the cities in her district.   

  

read more 

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Northern Waterfront  Economic Development Initiative Public Forum   

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and EC2  are bringing together the public and private sector interests in a public forum to discuss and promote the economic revitalization of the County's Northern Waterfront, running from Hercules to Oakley.

  

read more 

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Creekside Memorial Park Cemetery Update 

Danville resident Sid Corrie is proposing to develop a new cemetery in the Tassajara Valley called Creekside Memorial Park.  It would sit on approximately 58.7 acres of a 221.66� acre site located off Camino Tassajara in unincorporated Contra Costa County.  

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Town Hall Meeting

Regarding Fitch Draft Fire Study 

ConFire Logo On the evening of Wednesday, January 22, a town hall meeting will be held in Martinez to present the draft operational  study of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and seek feedback from the public. In February 2013, the Board of Supervisors, serving as the Board of Directors of the Fire District, approved a contract with Fitch and Associates, LLC to conduct a study of District operations, and make recommendations for future service delivery options.  

 

read more 

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Contra Costa County's S&P Rating
Increased to 'AAA
'  
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised its issuer credit rating (ICR) to 'AAA' from 'AA' for Contra Costa County, based on recently released local general obligation (GO) criteria. At the same time, Standard & Poor's raised its long-term and underlying rating (SPUR) to 'AA+' from 'AA-' on the county's existing lease revenue bonds and pension obligation bonds (POBs).
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County Library Strategic Plan Update 

The development of a new Strategic Plan for Contra Costa County Library had been a central and exciting focus for Library Administration and staff during 2013. These efforts coincided with the Library's 100th birthday, and while many things have changed over the past century, it has been the past seven years that have been especially fulfilling for the Library as the objectives and goals outlined in the 2006 Strategic Plan became a reality.

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Visiting with the Boy Scouts 

 
On Wednesday, December 6, Supervisor Andersen met with Boy Scout Troop 206 of Danville to talk about County Government and the responsibilities of a County Supervisor.
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Soccer Uniforms 4 All

Share those discarded soccer uniforms with the world! Soccer 4 All is a partnered project with the Orinda Rotary and the The Orinda Association Orinda Association that has been delivering youth soccer uniforms and equipment to underfunded soccer teams world-wide since 2003. All donated team sets are hand delivered to youth soccer programs in need by Rotary International, local churches and high school volunteer organizations. If you are interested in collecting and donating your teams' soccer uniforms to help with this year's project, please contact Kate at 925-254-9353.

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Moraga is Looking for Volunteers
Moraga depends on volunteers to serve on all the boards, committees and commissions that require citizen involvement.  Details on the current and upcoming openings are available on the Town's website  click here. Please submit your application, questionnaire, a letter of interest and resume to the Town Clerk's Office, 329 Rheem Boulevard, by 4:00 pm on Friday, January 24, 2014. There will be openings in 2014 for the Audit and Finance Committee, Design Review Board, Park and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
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Event Center Grand Opening in Rossmoor
A ribbon-cutting was held on Friday, December 6th, for the $11 million facility on Stanley Dollar Drive in Rossmoor. More than 100 people attended the ceremony. The 20,200-square-foot center can seat up to 400 people for performances and other gatherings. It also has meeting rooms and a full-service kitchen. Supervisor Anderson praised the facility's beauty and also the combined efforts it took to get it built.  
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Alamo Women's Club 5th Annual  

Crab Feed Fundraiser

The Alamo Women's Club will host their Annual Crab Feed to benefit the many organizations they support.  

 

Saturday, January 25th, 2014 @ 6:00 p.m.

1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo

Seats are $50.00 per person

Tables of 10 receive a bottle of wine!

 

For information and reservations contact Lucy Oneto at 925-989-6393 or email by clicking here. See the list of charitable organization supported by the Women's Club by clicking here.

 

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Danville Offers "Taste Of" Travel Seminars
Interested in traveling to different parts of the world, but want to know a bit more before you go? The Town of Danville has the answer, with a new series welcoming adults, ages 21 and over, to experience different regions around the world in the
Taste and Toast of... series. 
 
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Lafayette Honors Businessperson of the Year

On Saturday, February 1, 2014, Lafayette Businessman Brian Aiello will be honored at a celebration dinner, that will include Mayor Don Tatzin's State of the City address.  The event will be held at the Lafayette Park Hotel; beginning at 6:00 p.m. Brian and his wife run Pinnacle Apparel & Promotions in Lafayette.  Brian is involved in a number of Lafayette events and organizations. He is described as not only a "family man, entrepreneur and coach; but a dedicated volunteer to the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, the Reservoir Run and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce." If you are interested in attending, click here to make reservations. 

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Moraga Town Council Goal Setting Workshop
  The Moraga Town Council will consider the community's goals and priorities for 2014 under the leadership of Mayor Ken Chew on Tuesday, January 14, 2013, at 6:30 pm, at Hacienda de las Flores, in the La Sala building. This annual Goal Setting Workshop is an opportunity for the public to provide their input on Town priorities for the coming year. Visit the town's website for more information by clicking here.

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Youth-to-Youth & She's All That! Annual Conference in the San Ramon Valley
Youth-2-Youth is a conference for ALL middle school students  (boys and girls).  This is the 20th year that the San Ramon Valley has been home to the Youth to Youth Conference...and this promises to be the biggest and best conference ever. This AMAZING conference is an opportunity for middle school teens to spend the day with high school leaders who believe in themselves and making healthy choices and decisions such as being drug, alcohol, and tobacco free.

 

read more 

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Contra Costa Community College District Celebrates 65 Years of
Service to the Community
The Contra Costa Community College District  celebrated 65 years of service to the Contra Costa County community on Saturday, December 7, 2013. The showcase celebration took place at the Universal Sports Academy in Martinez. The District honored the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors for their historical role in establishing the District and their continued support and contribution to the District and its students.

read more
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 Calling All Elementary School Artists for the 2014 Street Smarts Storybook Poster Contest!  January 8 - February 5

 

Candace presenting at last year's awards ceremony
Photo by Alex Lopez
The 10th Annual Street Smarts Storybook Poster Contest presented by Sunset Development Company starts on January 8! Elementary school children from throughout the San Ramon Valley are encouraged to draw illustrations for Street Smarts' 2014 traffic safety storybook, Teddy's Around the Nation Vacation, which focuses on helmet safety.

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Orinda Volunteer of the Year & Environmental Awards 

 

The Orinda Association has announced the recipients of the Volunteer of the Year and the William Penn Mott Environmental Awards for 2013!

 

Volunteers of the Year:

The Orinda Junior Women's Club 

 

William Penn Mott Environmental Award:

Orinda Action Day Team

 

Save the Date for the  Volunteer of the Year dinner which will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2014. Click here or contact the Orinda Association at (925) 254-0800 for additional information.

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Candace Helps PG&E Open State of the Art
Gas Monitoring Center 
PG&E unveiled a $38 million gas control and dispatch center in San Ramon on December 6th that will serve as the main monitoring facility for the utility's gas system and 70,000-square-mile service area. The facility is "PG&E's around-the-clock nerve center," that receives real-time information to help staff better anticipate and respond to public safety issues. The center is located in the Bishop Ranch Business Park off of Interstate 680 in San Ramon.  
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Disaster Preparedness: January Safety Tips

Winter seasons bring cold temperatures and the need to heat your home.  When using the fireplace consider how the flame and fuel need to be contained.
  • Keep fireplaces small 
  • Always use a screen to prevent sparked from entering the room. 
  • Never burn trash, paper, decorations or Holiday trees in the fireplace.
  • Discard ashes into a closed metal container located away from the house. 
  • Keep all fixed and portable space heaters at least 3-feet away from all fuels.

For more information click here.  

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Connecting the Olympic Corridor

On Thursday, December 5, 2013, representatives from the County, the City of Lafayette, and the City of Walnut Creek, along with Alta Planning, held a meeting at Parkmead Elementary School in Walnut Creek to discuss proposals for the Olympic Corridor Bike path.  Community members looked at 3 maps Alta  Planning prepared for consideration.  After a short overview, the attendees broke into 4 groups to look at and discuss ideas and suggestions related to the 3 plans.  Many of the ideas were written down and brought back to the entire group to discuss.  Although the idea of connectivity between the Iron Horse Corridor and the Lafayette-Moraga Trail was supported by the participants, many questions arose on the feasibility of it.  The section that passes under the 680 Freeway between Walnut Creek and Lafayette provides a number of engineering challenges. Alta Planning anticipates identifying the leading route by Spring, 2014.  If you are interested in attending the next meeting, contact our office at 925 957-8860 or  click here to learn more.

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Help for Homeless Veterans in
Contra Costa County

 
Shelter, Inc. has completed their second year of operation in Supportive Services for Veterans Families.  They served 259 Veterans Households, 87% of which were in housing at the time of exit.

In order to qualify for SSVF, a Veteran household needs to earn less than 50% of the area median income and:

*          Must have been honorably or general discharged-DD-214
*          Must be Homeless or at risk of losing housing

 
Call the Supportive Services for Veterans Families hotline at (925) 957-7579 for more information.  
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Cultural Arts Opportunities in San Ramon

 

San Ramon Youth Symphony Concert

Monday, January 27 at 8pm -Dougherty Valley Performing Art Center, 10550 Albion Rd, San Ramon

 

Be entertained and inspired by San Ramon's Youth Symphony under the direction of David Sego. The concert will feature 45 young musicians playing both classical and contemporary music. Bring the entire family to this fun free concert at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. Visit SanRamonPerformingArts.com for more information.

 

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Making Spirits Bright! VESTIA Toy Drive
 

Thanks to our many generous constituents and the hard work of the California Highway Patrol, numerous children were given toys and other gifts for Christmas this year that they might not have otherwise received.  Contra Costa County's Volunteer Emergency Services Team in Action (VESTIA) collected the toys to distribute to children throughout the County to help fill the need of the many families who cannot afford to buy gifts.  Candace is pictured above with VESTIA Coordinator, Anne Struthers.   

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Seeking Volunteers to Represent District 2seekingvolunteers

Supervisor Andersen is looking for volunteers from her district to fill seats on the following committees:

  • Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board - Click here  for more information
  • In Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee - Click here  for more information
  • Mental Health Commission (1 Consumer Seat) - Click here  for more information
  • Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (1 youth representative-Alamo resident) - Click here  for more information
  • County Service Area P-5 Citizens Advisory Committee (One Regular & two alternate seats - Residents of: Roundhill, Regency Woods and Windsor Green) - (no website available)

Link to the Application: Click here for more information

 

In addition, there are many at large seats available on a variety of advisory bodies. To find out what is available and to fill out an application, visit Contra Costa County on the web by clicking here.
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Board of Supervisors Actions boardactions  

 

Ever wonder what your Supervisor does at that weekly Tuesday Board of Supervisors Meeting? Here are some of the board actions from the month of December which impact the residents of District Two:    

 

Received interim report on Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Fire Study from Fitch & Associates, LLC.

 

Received report from the ConFire Chief on the effectiveness of Emergency Medical Services two man Squad; Authorized the Fire Chief to extend the trial period for an additional period of 90 days.  

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:: 
The full text of the articles in this newsletter follow. We have provided a preview of the articles above for easier reading.  
Meet the New Mayors in District 2 newmayors

With the exception of San Ramon, all of the cities in District 2 rotate their Mayors among elected Councilmembers each year. In the busy month of December, Candace was able to stop by the Installation Ceremonies at all of the cities in her district.  On December 3rd, she congratulated Kristina Lawson, serving her first term as Mayor in Walnut Creek's 100th year as a city (below left); and in Orinda she honored Sue Severson (below right), serving her second term as Mayor.  

 




 







Also on December 3rd, she welcomed Danville's first-time Mayor Robert Storer (below left). In San Ramon on December 10th, she congratulated Mayor Bill Clarkson, elected for a second term (below right).












On December 9th she was in Lafayette with Don Tatzin as he was sworn in as Mayor for the sixth time (below left); and on December 11th, she was in Moraga with second-time Mayor Ken Chew (below right).


 
  
 










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Northern Waterfront  Economic Development Initiative Public Forumnorthernwaterfront

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and EC2 are bringing together the public and private sector interests in a public forum to discuss and promote the economic revitalization of the County's Northern Waterfront, running from Hercules to Oakley. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about current and future economic development opportunities along Contra Costa County's northern shoreline and network with business leaders, elected officials, and agency representatives. Click here to learn more about the Northern Waterfront Initiative.  

WHEN: Friday, January 10, 2014, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
(registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and networking; lunch will be served)

WHERE: Antioch Community Center-4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch

Click here to register for the forum.
Click here for printable brochure on the forum.

The Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative is an effort to gain a better understanding and insight about the northern waterfront's historical and current economic role, and, in cooperation with public and private stake-holders, strategically plan for the northern waterfront's economic future. Approximately 50 miles of Contra Costa County's northern waterfront, from Hercules to Oakley, is an important economic asset to the San Francisco Bay Area region. This waterfront has several unique features such as a deep ship channel, marine terminals, and it is served by two Class-1 railroad lines, Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.  For more information, click here or email Rich Seithel by clicking here.   

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Creekside Memorial Park Cemetery Updatecreekside

  

Danville resident Sid Corrie is proposing to develop a new cemetery in the Tassajara Valley called Creekside Memorial Park.  It would sit on approximately 58.7 acres of a 221.66� acre site located off Camino Tassajara in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The proposed project requires approval of a Land Use Permit for the operation of a cemetery, including the site improvements and entitlements necessary for project implementation, along with a variance to allow for a lot line adjustment between two parcels. While this project falls entirely within District 3, it is immediately adjacent to properties that are within District 2. We anticipate the Final Environmental Impact Report to be heard by the County Planning Commission sometime in the spring of 2014.If you would like to review the documents related to this project, click here.    

 

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Town Hall Meetingfitchtownhall

Regarding Fitch Draft Fire Study 

 

ConFire Logo

On the evening of Wednesday, January 22, a town hall meeting will be held in Martinez to present the draft operational  study of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and seek feedback from the public. In February 2013, the Board of Supervisors, serving as the Board of Directors of the Fire District, approved a contract with Fitch and Associates, LLC to conduct a study of District operations, and make recommendations for future service delivery options. Since that time, the consultants have been meeting with stakeholders throughout the County and conducted three public town hall meetings in August 2013. The District has been dealing with severe budget cuts that have resulted in decreased services and fire station closures.

 

The town hall meeting is scheduled for January 22nd, 2014 and will include a public education component regarding the study and a public forum - a chance for the public to speak directly with the consultants regarding their views of District service delivery and operations. The meeting will take place at the following location:

 

Date: Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Board of Supervisors Chambers

651 Pine Street, 1st Floor - Room 108

Martinez, CA 94553

 

Fitch plans to present study findings to the Board of Supervisors February 25th, 2014. For more information regarding Fitch and Associates, LLC and the Fire Study, please click here.   

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Contra Costa County's S&P Rating
Increased to 'AAA
'sprating  

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised its issuer credit rating (ICR) to 'AAA' from 'AA' for Contra Costa County, based on recently released local general obligation (GO) criteria. At the same time, Standard & Poor's raised its long-term and underlying rating (SPUR) to 'AA+' from 'AA-' on the county's existing lease revenue bonds and pension obligation bonds (POBs). The outlook on all ratings is stable. The lease revenue bonds are secured by base rental payments paid to the Contra Costa County Public Financing Authority from the county for use of certain facilities under a master trust agreement. Under a lease-lease back structure, the county leases the facilities to the authority, and the authority leases them back to the county. As part of the lease transaction, the county has covenanted to budget and appropriate lease payments, to maintain two years of rental interruption insurance to mitigate abatement risk, and to fund a debt service reserve. The POBs are secured by any available source of county revenues. The county has no general obligation bonds outstanding. Currently only a handful of other California Counties have the AAA rating.

The rating reflects S&P's assessment of the following factors for the county: 
  • Very strong economy, which benefits from participation in the broad and diverse San Francisco Bay Area economy; 
  • Very strong management, with strong financial policies; 
  • Very strong budgetary flexibility, with 2012 audited reserves at 18% of general fund expenditures; 
  • Adequate budgetary performance; 
  • Very strong liquidity, providing very strong cash levels to cover both debt service and expenditures; and 
  • Adequate debt and contingent liabilities position, driven mostly by its high net direct debt.

Click here to read the full S&P report.  

 

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County Library Strategic Plan Updatelibrary 

The development of a new Strategic Plan for Contra Costa County Library had been a central and exciting focus for Library Administration and staff during 2013. These efforts coincided with the Library's 100th birthday, and while many things have changed over the past century, it has been the past seven years that have been especially fulfilling for the Library as the objectives and goals outlined in the 2006 Strategic Plan became a reality.

 

Now it's time to refocus efforts on a new Strategic Plan that will identify new goals and new objectives to work to fulfill over the next three years to ensure the library system remains an accessible and vital resource to residents and an anchor in each of our communities.

 

To this end, staff has undertaken extraordinary efforts to gather your input. From community surveys, to town hall meetings, to in-depth one-on-one interviews with community movers and shakers, they are in the final stages of pulling this research together into a clear way forward for your Library in 2014.  

 

Click here to find an update on the progress to date and an outline for the 2014 Strategic Plan.  

 

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Danville Offers "Taste Of" Travel Seminarsdanvilletravel
Interested in traveling to different parts of the world, but want to know a bit more before you go? The Town of Danville has the answer, with a new series welcoming adults, ages 21 and over, to experience different regions around the world in the
Taste and Toast of... series. 
 

The first of the series, Taste and Toast of France, is scheduled for January 9 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Danville Senior Center, located at 115 East Prospect Avenue.  This program will be a stimulating and fun event for adults to experience France through food, demonstrations, and books. Adults will enjoy fine French wines and delicious cheese, scarf styling from a Nordstrom representative, savor delights during a cooking demonstration, peruse an exhibit of fine French items, and Rakestraw Books will present their favorite French picks.

 

The second event in this series, Taste and Toast of Ireland, will be held on March 13.   The cost is $5 residents, $6 non-residents and $8 at the door.   For more information about this new series or to register, call the Danville Senior Center at (925) 314-3490.

 

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Youth-to-Youth & She's All That! Annual Conference in the San Ramon Valleyyouthtoyouth
 

Youth-2-Youth is a conference for ALL middle school students  (boys and girls).  This is the 20th year that the San Ramon Valley has been home to the Youth to Youth Conference...and this promises to be the biggest and best conference ever. This AMAZING conference is an opportunity for middle school teens to spend the day with high school leaders who believe in themselves and making healthy choices and decisions such as being drug, alcohol, and tobacco free. But this conference is about so much more than drug and alcohol prevention, it's about leadership, self-confidence, and empowering young people to make positive choices that impact their future. This fun filled all day event, consists of games, team building activities, inspirational speakers, workshops, small groups sessions, and so much more all focusing on helping teens to make positive choices in their lives. The day ends with an awesome DJ and dance.

 

She's All That! is a one-day conference for 5th to 8th grade girls and their parents. It includes keynote speakers, an expo, lunch, and numerous workshops for girls and parents to choose from.  She's All That! is an exciting and distinctive conference that past participants have said should be mandatory for all middle-school aged girls. "I think it's great that the girls are getting this attention and information - that there are people in the community who care enough about the girls to do this for them" was the feedback from one parent last year. Another mentioned that she and her daughter waited a year to participate and it was "everything I could have hoped for." 

 

The conference includes an inspirational keynote presentation and a choice of three of the available workshops for girls. The popular Live Your Dream! expo will include numerous informational exhibits again this year. The adult workshops have been expanded and new ones are being offered. For the registration link -click here.
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Contra Costa Community College District Celebrates 65 Years of
Service to the Communitycollege
Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, College District Board Member Vicki Gordon, and Candace displaying their commemorative awards.

The Contra Costa Community College District  celebrated 65 years of service to the Contra Costa County community on Saturday, December 7, 2013. The showcase celebration took place at the Universal Sports Academy in Martinez. The District honored the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors for their historical role in establishing the District and their continued support and contribution to the District and its students. The showcase event featured programs and services offered by the District through its colleges - Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and the San Ramon Center, and Los Medanos College and the Brentwood Center.  The District also recognized "Unsung Heroes" for their unknown, unique and/or aspiring contributions they have made for students. Awards were  given out in 8 categories: Faculty, Classified Staff, Manager, Student, Alumni, Retiree, Volunteer and Community Partner.  To learn more about the College District, click here.

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 Calling All Elementary School Artists for the 2014 Street Smarts Storybook Poster Contest!  January 8 - February 5streetsmarts

 

Candace presenting at last year's awards ceremony
Photo by Alex Lopez
The 10th Annual Street Smarts Storybook Poster Contest presented by Sunset Development Company starts on January 8! Elementary school children from throughout the San Ramon Valley are encouraged to draw illustrations for Street Smarts' 2014 traffic safety storybook, Teddy's Around the Nation Vacation, which focuses on helmet safety. Eleven illustrations will be chosen for inclusion in the final storybook, which will be distributed to thousands of children in the San Ramon Valley. The winners will each receive a bicycle safety kit and an art kit. The winning artwork and final storybook will be unveiled at an awards ceremony on March 12 at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center in San Ramon. All submitted artwork will also be exhibited at the event.

 

Elementary school students attending school or residing in the San Ramon Valley communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, and San Ramon are eligible to participate. Beginning on January 8, entry forms and contest information will be available at: public elementary schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, the Danville Community Center, the Oak Hill Park Community Center, the Danville Library, the San Ramon Library, the San Ramon Community Center, and the Dougherty Station Library. The contest ends February 5, 2014. For more information, please click here or contact Cathy DeLuca, Street Smarts Program Coordinator, at (925) 314-3382.

 

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Candace Helps PG&E Open State of the Art
Gas Monitoring Centergascenter 

 

PG&E unveiled a $38 million gas control and dispatch center in San Ramon on December 6th that will serve as the main monitoring facility for the utility's gas system and 70,000-square-mile service area. The facility is "PG&E's around-the-clock nerve center," that receives real-time information to help staff better anticipate and respond to public safety issues. The center is located in the Bishop Ranch Business Park off of Interstate 680 in San Ramon.  

 

The bone-chilling temperatures that blasted California in early December prompted PG&E to provide a record-breaking amount of natural gas to homes and businesses throughout its service area from Bakersfield to Eureka.  The new control center enabled the utility to push more than 4.5 billion cubic feet of gas through its system to warm buildings statewide.

 

Employees at the state-of-the-art center use a 90-foot-long video wall and smart boards that allow them to keep an eye on regional data in real time. Center employees monitor 6,750 miles of transmission pipeline and 42,000 miles of distribution pipeline, according to utility officials.

 

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Cultural Arts Opportunities in San Ramonsanramon

 

San Ramon Youth Symphony Concert

Monday, January 27 at 8pm -Dougherty Valley Performing Art Center, 10550 Albion Rd, San Ramon

 

Be entertained and inspired by San Ramon's Youth Symphony under the direction of David Sego. The concert will feature 45 young musicians playing both classical and contemporary music. Bring the entire family to this fun free concert at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. Visit SanRamonPerformingArts.com for more information.

 

Monkey See Monkey Do... Family Friendly Improv!

Sunday, January 12 at 2:00pm

Front Row Theater, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon

Tickets: $10

 

This one hour short form improv show is designed especially for kids! Our family friendly show is completely made up on the spot based on audience suggestions. Best of all, kids will have opportunities to participate and a chance to be on stage and take part in the fun. Click here for ticket information.

   

Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company

Friday, January 31 at 8pm - Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Rd, San Ramon

 

"...A combination of subtly clever intellectual comedy and slapstick nonsense that packs a powerful punch." - The Austin Chronicle. Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company is a comedy powerhouse! America's premier school for improvisational comedy comes to San Ramon! Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company was founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh and has provided the foundation for such performers as Ed Helms, Jack McBrayer, Ellie Kemper and many more. The Upright Citizen's Brigade Touring Company will bring the very best of their New York and Los Angeles theaters to San Ramon. See the stars of tomorrow live on stage. Visit SanRamonPerformingArts.com for ticket information.

 

High School Acoustic Night

Friday, January 31 from 7:30pm-10:00pm - Dougherty Station Community Center, 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon

Grades 9-12

Entry fee $5

 

On January 31st the City of San Ramon will host its annual acoustic night at the Front Row Theater. The night will be filled with music from local bands that are on track to becoming the next big music sensation. High School students with a valid SRVUSD ID are invited to come support their favorite band while enjoying the company of friends. Click here for more information.

 

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Fancy Blue Divider

Board of Supervisors Actionsbosactions boardactions  

 

Ever wonder what your Supervisor does at that weekly Tuesday Board of Supervisors Meeting? Here are some of the board actions from the month of December which impact the residents of District Two:    

 

Received interim report on Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Fire Study from Fitch & Associates, LLC.

 

Received report from the ConFire Chief on the effectiveness of Emergency Medical Services two man Squad; Authorized the Fire Chief to extend the trial period for an additional period of 90 days.

 

Approved/Authorized a 2013 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the purchase of cardiac compression devices, an aerial apparatus truck, and high-rise/standpipe hose, nozzles, equipment, thermal imagers, and related training.

 

Approved/Authorized an interagency service agreement with the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District to pay Contra Costa County Fire Protection District for the provision of certain fire prevention and fire investigation services.

 

Honored the Contra Costa Community College District in its 65th Year of Service.

 

Adopted the 2013 California Building, Residential, California Green Building Standards, Electrical, Plumbing Code, and Mechanical Codes, with changes, additions, and deletions, including adoption of related California Environmental Quality Act.

 

Adopted ordinance increasing the fees to match actual cost of private autopsies and attendant investigation at the written request of the decedent's legal next of kin completed by the Office of the Sheriff-Coroner.

 

Report on updates to the Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department, by Joseph E. Canciamilla, Clerk-Recorder, including significant improvements to the website. Click here to see new website.

 

Adoption of formal policy governing special revenues.

 

Adjourned in memory of Masud Mehran, who with his son Alex, developed San Ramon's Bishop Ranch Business Park; Barry Taylor, the Taylor Family Foundation co-founder; and the thousands of people who have died as a result of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The Board of Supervisors encouraged residents to donate to the American Red Cross.

 

Approved sale of real property no longer required for County highway purposes located adjacent to Bear Creek Road and 4 Sandhill Road, Orinda, to Larry and Julie Abramson.

 

Accepted completion of improvements for the Subdivision by Brennan O'Brien and Karla Leibowitz, Walnut Creek.

 

Approved/Authorized the Transportation Service Agreement with the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) for a shuttle service for County Service Area T-1 residents, unincorporated East Danville.

 

Recognized PG&E's new State of the Art Gas Operations Center in Bishop Ranch, San Ramon, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

 

Ratified the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District's and San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District's adoption of the 2013 California Fire Code with local amendments and with County's modifications.

 

Established a new Schedule of Fines and Charges for the Contra Costa County Library, effective January 1, 2014.

 

Re-Appointed Robert Leasure and Laurie Ulrick to the Advisory Council on Aging.

 

Authorized new revenue from the State of California for the Evidence-Based Practices To Improve Public Safety Project grant.

 

Authorized new State Subvention Fund revenue for staff and training costs for the Veteran Services Department.

 

Approved/Authorized application/execute grant award agreement with the Board of State and Community Corrections for funding of the Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Program.

 

Approved the conveyance of the old Lafayette library at 952 Moraga Road, Lafayette, to the City of Lafayette.

 

Proposed establishment of new Schedule of Fines and Charges for the Contra Costa County Library.

 

Approved/Authorized agreement between CCC and the Town of Moraga to provide map checking, right-of-way engineering and professional land surveying services to the Town of Moraga.

 

Approved/Authorized the Stormwater Utility Area Agreement between the District and the City of Walnut Creek, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and San Ramon to authorize the District to execute the Amended and Restated Inspection Program Agreement.

 

Appointed Moraga resident Cheng-Liang Liaoto the Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee.

 

Appointed Tom Shepard to the Affordable Housing Finance Committee.

                                  

Approved/Authorized grant funding from Maddie's Fund, to provide medical and/or behavioral rehabilitation of homeless dogs and cats and facilitate their placement in loving homes.

 

Approved/Authorized a contract with the City of Walnut Creek to pay the County for administration of the City's Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program.

 

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