Justin Jarratt has always been interested in being a part of a profession that helps people. At the age of six, he suffered the loss of a parent, and since then has spent a good deal of time talking with people about grief and loss, speaking from the heart, and empathizing with others facing crises. Justin joined the Contra Costa Crisis Center, located at 307 Lennon Lane, in July 2012 as a volunteer.

“I saw that I could be of value at the Crisis Center, helping others cope with their feelings as they seek support and answers,” said Justin, who originally signed on to be a grief counselor. “With time and training, I came to discover the depth and breadth of the work the Crisis Center does—and I knew this was where I belonged.”

Today, Justin manages the Crisis Center Call Center, overseeing a team of more than 50 highly trained staff and volunteers who handle the crisis and suicide phone lines, which offer services 24/7.

Every call specialist is cross-trained to answer both 211 calls for information and referrals, and 988 calls to the acute crisis and suicide help line.

Most calls are 211 callers asking for help accessing basic services, such as food, shelter, healthcare—life sustaining services that are just out of their reach.

Then there are those moments of deep connection with people on the 988 crisis and suicide lines when the teams find themselves saving lives.

“Suicide is preventable.,” said Justin. “Not only can we provide immediate help by being there for callers, but there are practical steps we take to create a safe environment for them—one of hope as we talk with them, listen to them, and meet them where they are in their crisis."

Justin Jarratt, Contra Costa Crisis Center Call Center manager—"The greatest value we provide is the human element."

Contra Costa Crisis Center

Serving Contra Costa County

Call or text:

Crisis & Suicide Helpline 

988

Information & Referral

211

24-hour access to resources and emotional support

Visit 211cc.org

In 2023, the call center handled 70,000 calls to both lines. In the month of April 2024 alone, the center handled 2,400 calls to 988.

Are you interested in helping your neighbors? The Contra Costa Crisis Center invites you to attend its monthly volunteer orientation. Check the schedule and sign-up online.

Food Truck Thursdays is located in the parking lot of Kaiser Permanente Park Shadelands Medical Offices at 370 Lennon Lane.

Open to the public Thursdays, 11:30am–2pm, Food Truck Thursdays is presented by Taste of the World Market, whose motto is Taste International. Support Local.

In July, look for:

• July 11 | Groovy Gorditas

• July 18 | Loretta's Kitchen



• July 25 | OG Tacos

Bring your appetite, family & friends!

Food truck line-up and food truck appearance are subject to change.

Food Truck Thursdays

11:30am–2pm

Kaiser Permanente

Park Shadelands Medical Offices

370 Lennon Lane

Walnut Creek

Groovy Gorditas, July 11

Shadelands Pediatric Dentistry

(SPD) has been serving the community for ten years, providing oral care to children of all ages, from newborns and teething babies to teens up to 18 years of age.

To celebrate this milestone, SPD is hosting a birthday party on Saturday, July 13, 11am–2pm.

Free and open to all, this is SPD's way of saying Thank You! to the community for supporting the practice and the team.

Shadelands

Pediatric Dentistry

10th Birthday Celebration

Saturday, July 13

11am–2pm

Free & Family Friendly

Taco Truck • Music

Frozen Yogurt • Games

Dancing • Giveaways



RSVP

Shadelands

Pediatric Dentistry

520 Lennon Lane, Suite A

Walnut Creek

925.900.5276

"We're excited to celebrate a decade of growing healthy smiles," said Melissa Lopez, DMD, owner of Shadelands Pediatric Dentistry, which provides traditional and innovative pediatric dental services, while educating children in the practice of good oral hygiene

"It's been a truly rewarding journey creating a warm and welcoming—and fun—office where kids actually look forward to seeing their dentist."

Summer 2024 has only just arrived, and it's already been a season of extreme heat here and around the world, prompting health officials and good sense to tell us to find shade, use sunscreen, stay hydrated, and take steps to cool down.

Outside exercise and play are important for mental and physical health, but do so cautiously.

Dress lightly in loose-fitting clothes, and recognize the signs of heat stroke: feeling faint, confusion, tiredness, headache, muscle aches, chills, intense thirst, nausea, fever, and rapid breathing.

The hypothalamus, located near the base of the brain, is the body's thermostat. So, a cool towel or ice pack on the back of the neck will reduce the body's over-heated temperature almost immediately.

When temperatures climb, find cooler, well-air conditioned spaces out of the heat, such as libraries, coffee shops, indoor shopping malls, and movie theaters. And consider taking elderly or vulnerable neighbors with you.

We know it's critical to stay hydrated, but did you know that high-moisture foods count as hydration? Watermelon, honeydew, grapes, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, and celery, for instance, are packed with water.

Sweat causes fluid loss and the loss of electrolytes: essential minerals, such as sodium, calcium and potassium, that are vital to body function. While hydrating, remember to replenish electrolytes, as well, with naturally rich sources of electrolytes, such as prunes, nuts, bananas, and coconut water.

The New York Times published an enlightening article about What Extreme Heat Does to Your Body (August 2023).

For additional resources, visit Contra Costa County's excellent Heat Health page:

• Extreme Heat (CDC)

• Heat Wave Safety (American Red Cross)



• Heat Illness Prevention (OSHA)

Contra Costa County will see record highs and triple digits in July 2024 as extreme heat sweeps the world.

Splash pads are a popular cooling center for the younger set.

Drink plenty of water, even if you're not thirsty—dehydration is the #1 contributor to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

High-moisture foods count as hydration.

SPF 30+ sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and wide-brimmed hats are a must in the scorching sun.

In need of your morning craft coffee and pastry or specialty toast? You're in luck. Koin Coffee is opening soon in Shadelands at 325 N. Wiget Lane, next to Kaiperm Credit Union, with plans to serve the community 7 days a week, 7am–4pm.

Entrepreneurs Donna Allen and Tristyn Johnson are readying their craft coffee shop for a September opening.

Among its wide variety of coffees (brewed and beans), Koin will specialize in Brazilian coffee to accompany its pastries, homemade breads, high quality toasts, and other breakfast foods with seasonal flavors, along with lunch items, afternoon snacks, and specialty teas.

The name ‘Koin’ was influenced by the word koinonia, meaning community and fellowship.

"The backbone of our philosophy is community," said Donna, "and for us, that means offering a space with comfortable chairs, tables and sofas—indoor, outdoor seating—where everyone can gather together, have moments of connection, and foster relationships, while enjoying a cup of craft coffee."

Opening September 2024!

Entrepreneurs Donna Allen (l) and Tristyn Johnson (r) are bringing kraft coffee to Shadelands, September 2024.

Koin Coffee

325 N. Wiget Lane

Suite 100

Walnut Creek

925.553.4894

The City of Walnut Creek continues roadway improvements and repaving projects in Shadelands to make getting around safer and easier.

Next up is the N. Wiget Lane Pavement Rehabilitation Project, which will begin late July and is expected to be completed in two months.

This project will repave N. Wiget Lane from Ygnacio Valley Road north to Lennon Lane, following the repaving and improvements on Lennon Lane in 2022.

Repaving will be performed during night hours, and is expected to last four nights.

The City requests that businesses along N. Wiget Lane turn off their sprinklers adjacent to the roadway during the nights of the paving work. Dry conditions are essential for the overall quality of the paving work; irrigation water does interfere with both the workers and the fresh asphalt.

Signs will be placed in the project vicinity before paving operations to notify businesses and drivers of the exact dates of the work. During construction “No Parking” signs will be posted in advance of work.

In addition to repaving work on N. Wiget Lane, a protected bike lane with posts will be installed separating the bike lane from the vehicular lane, similar to the construction on Lennon Lane.

The project also includes improvements to the Contra Costa Canal entrance on N. Wiget Lane including a crosswalk, curb ramp, concrete path, and streetlights. 

Thursday, July 4, 6-7pm

Walnut Creek Civic Park

1375 Civic Drive, at Broadway

4th of July

Free Concert in the Park

presented by the

Walnut Creek Concert Band

Bring a blanket & picnic,

family & friends.

Weather forecast calls for plenty of red, white, and blue!