Weekly Update - May 25, 2023

Honoring Our Nation's Heroes This Memorial Day Weekend

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend as we thank and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives serving our Country.

Memorial Day Events Near You

San Ramon Memorial Day Program, May 29, 9am, San Ramon Memorial Park, 5001 Bollinger Canyon Road. Honoring fallen service members with patriotic music, remarks from city officials and Veterans' groups, and a field of flags.

Walnut Creek Memorial Day, May 29, 10am, Civic Park, 1375 Civic Drive, the annual tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Remarks from Mayor Cindy Silva, and a keynote address by retired Army and National Guard helicopter pilot Patrick Leary.

Danville 31st Annual Memorial Day remembrance, Monday May 29, 10:30am, at Oak Hill Park, 3005 Stone Valley Road. Jim Taylor, Medal Of Honor recipient, is the speaker.

Lafayette Memorial Day Vigil, Monday, May 29, 5:30pm, Lafayette Hillside Memorial - All are welcome to attend.

Danville Memorial Mount Diablo Beacon Lighting Ceremony

The Beacon on Mount Diablo will be lit at Sunset on May 29, 2023, to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Military.

Join Supervisor Andersen, as she joins local veterans and the Mayor of Danville, at 8:20 pm by the Flagpole in front of the Veterans Memorial Building in Danville as they press the button to light the Beacon on Mount Diablo.

The Veterans Memorial Building will be open to the public from 7pm to 9pm. A proclamation was signed on February 25, 2022, in the Veterans Memorial Building in Danville to light the Beacon on Mount Diablo not only on Pearl Harbor Day, but also on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Military Recruit Ceremony

The Veterans Memorial Building Committee of the San Ramon Valley honored local high school graduates who have chosen to join a US Military Branch or have been selected into a Military Academy. This annual ceremony was held on May 21st at the Town Green, adjacent to the library in Danville.

The first ceremony was held in 1998, the local community has honored over 150 graduating students in this manner.

These graduates are worthy of our respect and recognition as they depart their community to serve and protect.

Delays on Diablo Road in Danville this Summer, Detours Recommended

Eucalyptus Tree Removal: The 2023 winter storms have significantly eroded the soil around the Eucalyptus trees along the south side of Diablo Road, between Alameda Diablo and Fairway Drive. These trees were originally slated to be removed during the Diablo Culvert Replacement Project, but doing so would have extended that project timeline. The Town of Danville expects to begin removing the trees the first full week of June, which will require partial lane closures.

Diablo Road Widening: The private developer of the Magee Preserve project will be widening the road in the westbound direction of Diablo Road at Green Valley Road in order to extend the westbound through lane by a couple of hundred feet. This improvement was part of the Town’s conditions for approval of the project permit, and is expected to start the first week of June. The objective is to conclude in early fall.

Mt. Diablo State Park has recently announced its closure of North Gate Road and have re-directed all bicycle and vehicular traffic to the South Gate Road access point.

Given the construction planned on Diablo Road this summer, it is recommended to take the detour route as shown on the map below.

Contra Costa Fire Hosting Wildfire Preparation

Town Hall Meeting in Lafayette

County Office of Education Wellness Together Event

The Wellness in Schools Program, in partnership with the Mental Health Student Service Act, County Behavioral Health, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education, is thrilled to announce the very first virtual event designed exclusively for middle and high school students in Contra Costa!

Board of Supervisors Recognize May as Mental Health

Awareness Month

At the May 23, 2023 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Supervisors proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month. They were joined by members of the Contra Costa Mental Health Commission and graduates of SPIRIT, a 9-unit college course taught in collaboration with Contra Costa Behavioral Health and Contra Costa College which teaches students how to develop core skills to empower themselves by attaining and maintaining recovery and resiliency through self-awareness and peer/family support, while learning to assist others in doing the same.

Mental Health Awareness Resource Fair & Fundraiser

Crisis Center Celebrates 60th Anniversary

The Contra Costa Crisis Center celebrated its' 60th anniversary on Tuesday, May 23rd. This milestone could not be possible without the combined efforts of hundreds of caring and compassionate people who have enabled the agency to grow and thrive over the years.

Pictured on the right, Supervisor Andersen displays the Board of Supervisors' resolution with Tom Tamura, Executive Director.

Click Here to Learn More About The Crisis Center

Youth Skill Building Summer Camps in Alamo

Ages 7-14 years, 6/19-6/23

Ages 6-12 years, 7/24-7/28

Contra Costa County Probation Department Launches Innovative Partnership with Talkspace

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Contra Costa County Probation Department is launching a partnership with Talkspace, a pioneer in virtual therapy, featuring a nationwide network of licensed clinicians who provide culturally reflective and linguistically relevant behavioral health care services. These services are available in 32 languages for adults and adolescents and can be accessed via their secure, HIPAA-compliant online platform and mobile application.

The partnership will allow clients under probation supervision to engage in therapy with a dedicated provider, matched based on individual needs. Additionally, clients and eligible family members will have round-the-clock, confidential access to a robust catalog of self-guided classes and resources via Talkspace Self-Guided that address a variety of topics related to mental health and wellness.

“We know that many of our clients are struggling with a variety of emotional and mental health concerns,” stated Chief Probation Officer Esa Ehmen-Krause. “The partnership with Talkspace allows us to create a pathway to wellness for those we serve, and access services in a convenient manner.”

While Talkspace has a demonstrated history of working within the public and private sectors assisting employees, the partnership with the Probation Department, to serve clients, is the first of its kind. The program began May 24.

“It is our goal to provide clients and their families with access to essential mental health services at no cost,” said Ehmen-Krause, “and we are committed to reducing the stigma so many people face while battling mental health issues.”

Learn About CalFresh Awareness Month

CalFresh Awareness

Virtual Mental Health Town Hall

Forest Homes Farms Annual Hootenanny

District 2 Summer Concerts & Movies

Alamo Concert Series at Livorna Park - 6:30 – 8:30PM

June 23– Forejour

July 7– Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boys

July 21– The David Perez Band

August 4– The Sun Kings

Alamo Movies at Livorna Park – Movies start at 8:45PM

June 30– The Goonies

July 28– Shrek

Danville Music at Oakhill Park - Concerts: 6 - 8PM

June 24- Jacob Westfall

July 8– The Shania Twain Experience

July 22– Project 4, R & B, Soul and Funk

Danville Movies at the Town Green – Movies begin at 8:15pm

June 16– Shang-Chi & The Legend of the Ten Rings

June 30 – Lightyear

July 14 – Emperor’s New Groove

July 28 – The Karate Kid

Lafayette Rock the Plaza Concert Series at the Lafayette Plaza – 6 to 8PM

June 2 – Sausalito

June 9 – The (925) Band

June 16 – Hot Dog Chicken

June 23 – Lamorinda Idol

Moraga Summer Concerts the Bandshell at Moraga Commons – 6:30 to 8:30PM

June 8 – Beaufunk

June 15 – The Cocktail Monkeys

June 22 – Aja Vu

June 29 – The Uninvited Band

July 4 – Houserockers

July 13 – Native Elements

July 20 – Zebop

July 27 – The Big Jangle

August 3 – The Sun Kings

Orinda Summer Movies at the Orinda Community Center Park – Movies begin at Dusk

July 7 – Minions: The Rise of Gru

July 14 – Night at the Museum

Are You Passionate about Early Childhood Education?

Caltrans Wants Your Input

In honor of Bike Month, Caltrans would like to solicit your opinion on bicycle travel in the Bay Area. No need to stop by our Bike to Wherever Energizer Station tomorrow in Oakland to take the survey, simply click here: Caltrans Bay Area Bike Plan Update Survey

The 14-question survey queries bike riders about their cycling habits and most heavily traveled routes. Participants may also opine on how to best upgrade local trails and facilities. Caltrans uses the survey data to inform decisions on the Caltrans Bike Plan, available here: Caltrans District 4 Bike Plan Update

The survey will remain online for at least two weeks. Like many organizations that support bike travel in the Bay Area, Caltrans will operate an Energizer Station tomorrow on Bike to Wherever Day with giveaways and promotional material for Bay Area cyclists. The station will be located at 111 Grand Avenue, Oakland.

One Stop for Your County Needs

California Digital Equity

Join East Bay EDA in Oakland next month for Broadband for All, a Bay Area-wide Digital Equity, and BEAD Planning Workshop. We are excited to partner with leaders in digital equity and access for this community event.

Free Virtual Home Composting Workshop

A FREE Virtual Home Composting Workshop will be offered by the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. All Contra Costa County residents are welcome.

To register, please sign up on Eventbrite here.

To learn more about composting or recycling, please visit www.cccrecycle.org. This is the second of a series of workshops on composting and the complete listing can be found here.

Volunteer Opportunities

Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board-

The Contra Costa County Alcohol & Other Drugs Services (AODS) Advisory Board seeks applicants to fill several open seats. The board is comprised of 11 volunteer members and three volunteer alternates. All members are appointed by the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors.

The advisory board offers the opportunity to directly address substance use in Contra Costa County by helping local government identify gaps, develop, and improve policies regarding alcohol and other drugs. The board produces an annual report and selects recipients for the annual People Who Make a Difference awards. Applications are due by June 16, 2023.

Measure X Community Advisory Body - Measure X Information

An individual who represents broad and diverse voices and perspectives is needed to fill the District 2 Alternate Seat. To be considered for this seat, candidates must either live or work in District 2. The Measure X Community Advisory Board currently meets monthly. Please contact our office at (925) 655-2300 if you are interested in applying.

Measure X is a countywide 20-year, ½ cent sales tax approved by Contra Costa County voters on November 3, 2020. Collection of the tax began on April 1, 2021. The ballot measure language stated that the intent of Measure X is “to keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers, emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential county services.”

For more information or to access the application, click here: contracosta.Appointed-Bodies-Committees-Commissions