Weekly Update - May 23, 2024

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The City of Walnut Creek is hosting its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Civic Park on Monday, May 27, from 11:00 a.m. until noon. Join friends and neighbors to pay respects to those who served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Enjoy the talents of the Walnut Creek Concert Band. The event will conclude by gathering across the street from Civic Park at the Veterans Memorial for a brief closing ceremony.

The City of San Ramon will hold their annual Memorial Day event, Monday, May 27, starting at 9:00 a.m. at Memorial Park, 5001 Bollinger Canyon Road. Join neighbors and friends as they honor fallen service members. The Memorial Program will last for approximately 1 hour. 

32nd Annual Memorial Day Remembrance at Oak Hill Park in Danville.

The Town of Danville is proud to support local military veterans and their families this Memorial Day as groups organize remembrance events honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. 

The Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley will hold their Annual Memorial Day Remembrance at Oak Hill Park. The public event will take place at the All Wars Memorial in the park. There will be live music starting at 10:00 a.m. with the program scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. This year’s speaker will be Bill Green. Oak Hill Park is located at 3005 Stone Valley Rd. in Danville. 

Board of Supervisors Proclaim May as

Jewish American Heritage Month

At the May 14th Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Supervisors proclaimed the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month.

On April 20, 2006, the Federal Government proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, stating, “As a nation of immigrants, the United States is better and stronger because Jewish people from all over the world have chosen to become American citizens".

The achievements and contributions made by members of the Jewish community, commitment to civic engagement and how Contra Costa County has been enriched by local Jewish institutions and synagogues were recognized by the Board of Supervisors.

To read the full resolution to go Jewish American Heritage Month.

Supervisor Andersen joined other elected officials at the Danville Town Green honoring this year’s local military recruits and Military Academy appointees at patriotic swearing-in event with local veterans, Veterans Service Organizations, current service members, and many proud parents, family and friends.

Supervisor Andersen had the opportunity to visit the Contra Costa Crisis Center this past week. She met with new executive director Elaine Cortez Schroth, pictured on the left.

The Contra Costa Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping everyone in need in the county for free, around-the-clock, providing both crisis and suicide prevention support, as well as information and referrals to support services.

People experiencing emotional or psychological suffering can receive support, therapy, and hope from their committed staff and volunteers every day by calling 988, 800-273-8255, or texting "HOPE" to 20121.

The Contra Costa Crisis Center also supports individuals during times of need, and connects them to community resources. This assistance can be accessed by dialing 211. To learn more about the center and their programs, please visit Contra Costa Crisis Center.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors proclaimed May 2024 as Foster Care Month in Contra Costa County, acknowledging the enduring and valuable contribution of foster, relative, and non-relative caregivers.

Contra Costa County recognizes the importance of ensuring children live in safe, healthy, and loving environments, and the value of the resource families or foster caregivers who can help provide this stability, support reunification efforts, and strengthen child and family well-being.

This year's National Foster Care Month theme "Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities." shines a light on how we can best support young people and help them successfully transition to adulthood.

To read the full proclamation go to Foster Care Month.

Supervisor Andersen joined the Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley and the San Ramon Valley Kiwanis Foundation for their annual Grants Ceremony at the Bay Club-Crow Canyon on Thursday, May 23. The Kiwanis presented grants to 25 non-profit organizations which are all making a difference in our community. She is pictured here, with Elaine Welch of Mobility Matters and Kent Screechfield, the Secretary-Elect of the Kiwanis.  

These grant awards are possible because of the fundraising efforts of the club, including soliciting sponsorships for the Danville 4^th of July Parade, attended by over 40,000 spectators, which the Kiwanis organize and conduct each year.  To learn more about the Kiwanis Club San Ramon Valley, please click here.

The "Building Safety Through Community" Fundraiser, dedicated to supporting the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, was held on Thursday, May 16th at the Pleasant Hill Community Center. The event included and auction, entertainment, and a glimpse into the promising future of the Family Justice Center.

Click Family Justice Center to learn more.

Pictured on the right, Supervisor Andersen, Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski, and Supervisor Diane Burgis.

Are you concerned about the risks of mis- and disinformation in our media? Or the potential impact of AI-generated images and video? Are you worried about the impact of mis- and disinformation on our culture, our communities, our election, and ultimately on our democracy? 

If so, please join the League of Women Voters Diablo Valley for a presentation on Mis- and Disinformation -- how to spot it, stop it, and report it, with a special focus on the 2024 election. The presentation is open to all and will be held at the Walnut Creek Library's Oak Room on Tuesday, June 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Parking is available at the library.

Click here to register in advance. Drop-ins are also welcome.  

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) are proposing the Interstate 680 (I-680) Northbound Express Lane Completion Project to address the existing express lanes gap, relieve congestion, reduce travel delays, and improve operations. You can learn more about the project and share your thoughts at ccta.net/expresslane.

The public comment period is from May 8, 2024, through June 24, 2024. All comments must be postmarked by June 24, 2024.

Beginning in late June, BART will begin a project to replace 16 interlockings between MacArthur Station and 19^th Street Station in Oakland. During construction, which will occur on irregular weekends throughout 2024, a free bus bridge will replace BART service between Rockridge, McArthur, and 19^th Street stations. The current interlockings, which operate like interchanges between tracks, are more than 50 years old and in need of replacement.

Riders can expect delays of up to 40 minutes between these stations and less frequent service systemwide on work weekends. Work will occur between MacArthur and 19^th Street BART stations one weekend a month, most months, through June 2026. The construction weekends in 2024 are as follows: 



• June 22-23
• July 20-21
• August 17-18 
• September 21-22 
• October 19-20 
• November 2-3  

More information about the service impacts can be found in our passenger bulletin

The San Ramon Art & Wind Festival is scheduled for Sunday and Monday,  May 26-27, 2024 in San Ramon's Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Boulevard from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days.

This annual event features fine arts, crafts, and specialty food vendors, three entertainment stages headlining international music, party bands, and a variety of entertainers, children's shows, gourmet food courts, family amusement zones, professional choreographed kite flying demonstrations, and free kite making workshop. 

The Art and Wind Festival is a pet-friendly, bike-friendly, and family-friendly event.

Starting on June 3, 2024, EBMUD crews will begin installing a new water pipeline to enhance water service in some Lafayette neighborhoods. Please refer to the detour map below to see how St Marys Road will be affected. Side streets intersecting with St Marys Road will also experience temporary impacts as work progresses. The project is expected to continue until October 2024, and the duration of construction on each street may vary. Final paving will follow the completion of construction. For details on the affected work area, please review the detour map.

Work hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Traffic control will be provided. Residents may experience delays of up to 10 minutes when entering and leaving the work area. If you have special needs, please call and every effort will be made to accommodate.

What work is happening near you? Use our map.

You can email questions or concerns to: construction-east@ebmud.com or call 510-287-2053.

Caltrans has scheduled a partial closure of southbound Interstate 680 between Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon and the I-580/I-680 connector in Pleasanton from Friday, May 17 through Monday morning, May 20, and Friday, May 31 through Monday, June 3.

In both closures, three left lanes of southbound Interstate 680 will be closed between Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon and the I-580/I-680 Connector in Pleasanton from 9:00 p.m. Friday through 4:00 a.m. Monday morning.

Two right lanes of I-680 will remain open during both closures. However, motorists are encouraged to take alternative routes to alleviate traffic congestion within the construction work zone on southbound I-680 in the cities of San Ramon and Dublin.

In addition to these closures on southbound I-680, the far-left lane (Express Lane) and left shoulder will be closed on northbound I-680 between Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin and Alcosta Blvd in San Ramon. 

Though lanes will be open, it’s best to avoid the area if possible. If you do access the freeway, **Please be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting the construction zone and slow for the Cone Zone.**

During the closures, the contractor will replace a portion of the existing deteriorated roadway with new pavement on southbound I-680.

For more information, please visit the Alameda County Transportation Commission website at  https://bit.ly/43dKwg1.

Do you love animals? Are you seeking employment in a field that will allow you to apply your passion and skills to serve the community? CCAS is currently seeking applicants for the position of Animal Services Officer. 

The challenges and rewards of a career in Animal Services are extensive. Contra Costa County's Animal Services Department (CCAS) is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of all people and animals in our community. We shelter homeless, abandoned, and lost pets; work to keep and place animals in safe, caring homes; and provide education and services to enhance the lives of people and their animal companions.  

Contra Costa County is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Contra Costa County not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, handicap, sexual orientation, or other unlawful discrimination.



To view the announcement, check out our Job Opportunities page or click the link below. 

Animal Services Officer (Open through June 3, 2024)

Crow Canyon Road is closed to through traffic between Mile Marker (‘MM’) 5.25 and the County Line (Bollinger Canyon Road) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The road is being closed to facilitate reconstruction of the roadway and replacement of three cross culverts at MM 5.83, 5.91 and 6.10. The closure is in effect through August. 

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the construction area and use alternative routes. It is recommended that motorists use I-580 and I-680 as the detour route between Castro Valley and San Ramon. 

For more information on the project, visit the project page, email info@acpwa.org, or call the construction hotline at (510) 670-5591.

Don't Wait to Abate!

Weed Abatement Deadlines:

San Ramon Valley Fire - May 31, 2024

Moraga Orinda Fire - June 1, 2024

Contra Costa County Fire : June 3, 2024

The basic objective of Weed Abatement programs is to eliminate the incidence of grass and rubbish fires, where possible, and to reduce the severity of such fires where they cannot be eliminated.

Every year, fires threaten homes and properties because of unnecessary combustible debris and vegetation. It is every property owner’s responsibility to eliminate these fire hazards on their property that may endanger their neighbors and the community at large. Every property owner, regardless of type – including residential, commercial, and parcels of land — is ultimately responsible for managing their vegetation to meet Fire District requirements.

To learn more visit CCCFPD.

The Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee is now accepting grant applications from non-profit organizations, schools, and government agencies interested in enhancing the fish and wildlife resources of the County. 

Go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/grant for more information, or call 925-655-2909.

Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Public Safety Realignment

Central County Residents Preferred

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Public Safety Realignment was established by the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) Executive Committee in December 2012 to provide input on community needs; assess implementation of the realignment plan; review data on realignment outcomes; advise the CCP on community engagement strategies; offer recommendations for ongoing realignment planning; advise County agencies regarding programs for implementation in the County; and encourage outcomes that are consistent with the County’s Reentry Strategic Plan. 

Submit an Application Online here. Questions? Contact: The Office of Reentry & Justice, by phone at (925) 313-4087.

For more information on CAB membership duties and activities, please visit their website contracosta.ca.gov/4165/Community-Advisory-Board-CAB. 

Mental Health Commission - https://cchealth.org/mentalhealth/mhc/

The primary purpose of the Commission is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and to the Mental Health Division and its staff. Mission Statement: To influence the County's Mental Health System to ensure the delivery of quality services that are effective, efficient, culturally relevant, and responsive to the needs and desires of the clients it serves with dignity and respect; and to be the advocate with the Board of Supervisors, the Mental Health Division, and the community on behalf of all Contra Costa County residents who need mental health services.

Find out more information about volunteering for an advisory body here co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418.