Unsung Hero Award

Each year, the Rotary Club of San Ramon recognizes several volunteers, either San Ramon citizens or residents from other communities that serve the citizens of San Ramon, who have distinguished themselves in their service.

12th Annual Taste of Lafayette 

Alternatives to Toxic Pesticides

Orinda's Sleepy Hollow neighborhood has been recognized as a Firewise Communities/USAŽ site by the national Firewise Communities program for its efforts to reduce the vulnerability of homes and landscapes to wildfire. The award will be presented during the Sleepy Hollow Firewise Community Meeting at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School in Orinda on Thursday, May 8th.  

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San Ramon Art and Wind Festival

The event takes place Sunday and Monday, May 25-26, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at San Ramon Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd. in San Ramon.

Board of Supervisors Actions  

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 April which impact the residents of District Two:    

Honored Assistant Fire Chief Richard D. Grace on the occasion of his retirement from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Report from the Fire Chief on the District's plan to utilize the 2013 SAFER grant.

Report from the Fire Chief on the District's preliminary response to the Fitch Evaluation and Options Study as well as initial findings on the District's own internal assessment.

Declared April 2014 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month in Contra Costa County".

Proclaimed April 6 - 12, 2014 as "Week of the Young Child".

Proclaimed April 6-12, 2014 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week in promotion of victims' rights and to recognize crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.

21st Annual Cesar Chavez Celebration.

Denied appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to approve a modification to an existing church (902 Danville Boulevard, Alamo) to allow a new 7,935-square-foot multi-purpose recreational building and related improvements, variances to various zoning standards, and removal of code-protected trees.

Approved the Camino Tassajara Shoulder Widening, south of Highland Road/north of Windemere Parkway project, San Ramon.

Recognized the 2014 Youth Hall of Fame honorees of the 21st Annual Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Celebration.

Approved/Authorized the transfer of revenue from Police Area 5 Round Hill to replace a vehicle.

Supported Governor's January 2014 Budget Item " Statewide Library Broadband Services", which allows public libraries to join major high-speed broadband network operated by the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California.

Supported Prop. 41, the Veterans' Housing and Homelessness Prevention Bond Act of 2014, a proposition that reduces the number or homeless veterans and contribute to a comprehensive, coordinated, and cost-effective approach to respond to the full spectrum of housing and service needs of our veterans.

Approved/Authorized contract with the Housing Authority of Contra Costa County to fund an investigator from the District Attorney's office to investigate suspected housing fraud cases.

Approved/Authorized Request for Proposals for a receiving center to provide shelter, food, clothing, and medical services to children who have been removed from their homes.

Honored Rollie Katz for his many years of service to Contra Costa County.

Recognized the April 2014 as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Recognized April 2014 as Alcohol Awareness Month.

Signed a letter addressed to the leadership of the State Legislature advocating that funding for future water storage projects, levee protection, and other protective measures be included in future State water bond measures.

Named the new outpatient Wellness Center in Martinez in honor of Congressman George Miller and his wife Cynthia Miller.

Authorized a Request for Proposals for a consultant to analyze the viability of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District providing emergency ambulance services.

Received report regarding the proposed Pacific Gas and Electric Company Pipeline Pathway Project and the potential general overall impacts to the residents of Contra Costa County.

Fiscal Year 2014/15 Recommended County and Special District Budgets.

Approved the Subdivision Agreement for a project developed by Morgan Capital Investment Properties/Lafayette - King Drive Associates, LLC, Lafayette.

Accepted completion of the warranty period and release of cash deposit under the Road Improvement Agreement for a project by Shapell Homes, San Ramon-Dougherty Valley.

Approved the Notice of Intention to Sell Property owned by Contra Costa County located at 1420 Livorna Road, Alamo.

Honored Battalion Chief Andrew Steffen on the occasion of his retirement from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Recognized the 100th Anniversary of the Orinda Library, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Appointed Fritz Brunner to the Walnut Creek Local Committee seat on the Advisory Council on Aging.

Re-Appointed Richard Chapman to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Advisory Fire Commission.

Proclaimed May 2014 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Contra Costa County.

Recognized the new Bay Area Green Businesses for 2014.

Ratified the Agreement for Sale of Conservation Credits between the County and Ohlone Preserve Conservation Bank  for the County's purchase of  California red-legged frog and Alameda Whipsnake mitigation credits for habitat impacts associated with the Camino Tassajara Shoulder Widening East of Blackhawk Drive to Finley Road project, Danville.

Recognized Marianne Gagen as the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation Endowment Honoree of the year, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Appointed Gordon Berke to the County Service Area P-5 Citizens Advisory Committee, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Appointed Supervisor Candace Andersen to the ABAG Executive Board #2 seat.

Approved/Authorized a Land Conservation Contract for 124 acres located at 18181 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon. 

Unsung Hero Award

Each year, the Rotary Club of San Ramon recognizes several volunteers, either San Ramon citizens or residents from other communities that serve the citizens of San Ramon, who have distinguished themselves in their service.

The criteria for selection are that they: (1) be unpaid volunteers; (2) have given many hours to their respective organization; (3) have made positive contributions; (4) might be, but are not necessarily, in leadership positions; (5) are NOT generally known to the community at large; and (6) are NOT Rotarians.

This year, Pat York, a longtime volunteer at the Alcosta Senior and Community Center was one of four individuals selected for the Unsung Hero Award. Pat has volunteered for the City of San Ramon since 1998 and has put in over 3000 hours. She is currently the Group Leader for the Front Desk Volunteers, volunteers at the front desk, assists when needed at special events and with the lunch program and will step in whenever she is needed. Pat also is a dedicated volunteer for the City's Bah Humbug and 4th of July family runs. Pat is a true asset to the senior center and the community and is most deserving of this recognition. Congratulations Pat for your award!

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12th Annual Taste of Lafayette 

Alternatives to Toxic Pesticides

Orinda's Sleepy Hollow Recognized as Firewise

Orinda's Sleepy Hollow neighborhood has been recognized as a Firewise Communities/USAŽ site by the national Firewise Communities program for its efforts to reduce the vulnerability of homes and landscapes to wildfire. The award will be presented during the Sleepy Hollow FireWise Community Meeting at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School in Orinda on Thursday, May 8th. Along with Sleepy Hollow residents, representatives from the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, Cal Fire's Santa Clara Unit, the East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Orinda City Council, Orinda City Staff, the County Board of Supervisors, the Orinda Union School District and the California State Fire Marshal have been invited to attend. For more information about the Firewise Communities program, click here.  

Discussion topics will also include the Sleepy Hollow Neighborhood's Evacuation Plan, preparing for the 2014 fire season - "Ready, Set, Go - Lamorinda" and reviewing the Sleepy Hollow Elementary School's realigned emergency path project.

WHAT: 2014 Sleepy Hollow FireWise Community Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, May 8th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Broom in Bloom Warns of Wildfire Danger 

May is the month when seeing French Broom in its final bloom should trigger you to step up your wildfire prevention activities. Does your home have defensible space?  Do you know what invasive plants are lurking nearby increasing your wildfire risk?

The yellow hillsides signal the coming fire season.  As the blossoms fade, seed pods form, ready to explode the next generation of plants. 

French broom (Genista monspessulana) is especially prevalent in our region.  It was introduced as an ornamental landscape plant, but is an aggressive invader that can jump the garden fence.  These leguminous plants produce thousands of tiny seed.  The seeds are literally dispersed explosively up to 9 to 12 feet when the pods shatter.  The seeds can live for years in soil and sprout when conditions are right.  In addition, the mature plants can resprout from the root crown if they are cut or grazed.

From a wildfire perspective, broom is particularly worrisome because it rapidly grows into dense brush fields, outcompeting other plants.  It easily grows to heights over 6 feet tall.  This all translates to an enormous amount of material that could fuel a wildfire.

There are many treatment options to reduce French broom: 

ˇ         Scrape the seedlings when they are just coming up. 

ˇ         Pull it while it is small.

ˇ         Cut it when it is older and treat the stumps

ˇ         Graze it to pre-treat.

ˇ         Or girdle it.