Get set for the season at the Danville Fall Crafts Festival on October 25 & 26, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m, at Hartz and Prospect in Downtown Danville. This popular event features arts and crafts from more than 200 artisans, along with food, music, and entertainment for the whole family. Children can also participate in the Halloween parade on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., and enjoy safe trick-or-treating throughout the day. The Danville Fall Crafts Festival is free and open to the public. To learn more, call (925) 837-4400 or visit click here.

The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District urges residents of California to take precautions from mosquito bites while enjoying the outdoors. According to the California West Nile Virus website, click here, at this time last year there were only 86 human cases compared to 129 this year, and 907 dead birds compared to 1733 this year. Mosquitoes carrying the virus can infect humans with just a single bite.

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Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month! Did you know that many people don't test their smoke alarms as often as they should? When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. You need working smoke alarms to give you time to get out.
 

Join the Moraga-Orinda Fire District at their Fall Open House and Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, October 4th, from  8:00 a.m. to

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Millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:16 a.m. on October 16* during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. Registration is open to families, groups, businesses and agencies. By participating, you can ensure peace of mind that you, your family, your co-workers and millions of others will be better prepared to survive and recover quickly from our next big earthquake! Share the ShakeOut with your neighbors!

To learn more or to register click here.

Join the community and celebrate the Town's 40th Anniversary at Saint Mary's College on Saturday, October 18. Social hour is at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m. Reservations for dinner are required by October 10. For $75 per person, guests will enjoy hors d' oeuvres, wine, salad, pork loin or grilled salmon, dessert, a commemorative wine glass and a fun-filled evening of stories and remembrances. To Purchase Tickets or for additional information contact Susan Sperry at (925) 376-3053.

In addition to the District 2 vacancies listed below, Supervisor Andersen would like to draw your attention to the following list of countywide advisory bodies that currently have At Large Seats available, such as the Advisory Council on Aging, Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity, Affordable Housing Finance Committee,

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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 September which impact the residents of District 2: 

Authorized a $1.00 increase in fees for certified copies of marriage certificates, birth certificates, death records, and fetal death records, effective January 1, 2015, for the purpose of providing funding for governmental oversight and coordination of the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative and Family Justice Centers.

Adjourned in memory of Margaret C. May, resident of Danville, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Approved the Fiscal Year 2014/15 Dougherty Valley Maintenance County Service Area M-29 budget totaling $18,057,638, San Ramon-Dougherty Valley (covers Internal Road Maintenance, Street Landscaping, Park Maintenance, Open Space Maintenance, Flood Control Services, Police Services, Community Facilities, Overhead to the City of San Ramon.

Approved the second extension of the Subdivision Agreement for a project by Shapell Homes, San Ramon-Dougherty Valley.

Approved the second extension of the Right-of-Way Landscaping for a project by Shapell Homes, San Ramon-Dougherty Valley.

Approved/Authorized purchase of Swiftwater Rescue Equipment for the ConFire Swiftwater Rescue Program to support ongoing training exercises and rescue use.

Declared the intention to order an assessment for the annexed territory of the Elworthy Ranch Development to the Wiedemann Ranch Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD): Fixed a hearing for October 28, 2014 to consider the proposed assessment and any protests against the assessment.

Authorized County Counsel to initiate and prosecute legal action to recover funds for completion of improvements for a defaulted project subdivided by the developer Thomas A. Halaszynski; Authorized completion of the subdivision improvements and to use any recovered funds for that purpose, Walnut Creek.

Recognized September as National Recovery Month in Contra Costa County.

Declared September 2014 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Contra Costa County as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Kicked Off the 2014 Contra Costa County Employees Combined Charities Campaign.

Recognized Mary Elizabeth Ostrander at the celebration of her 100th Birthday, on September 14, 2014, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Recognized the 50th anniversary of Rossmoor, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Proclaimed September 2014 as National Preparedness Month in Contra Costa County.

Adopted Ordinance regulating private off-street parking facilities.

Declared vacant the Trustee 2 Seat of the Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District Board of Directors effective immediately; Directed the Clerk of the Board to post the vacancy, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Approved/Authorized a Cooperative Agreement with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, and the City of Walnut Creek, to enable disbursement of Measure J (2004) Subregional Transportation Needs Program funds to the County to fund transportation projects and programs.

Amended the adopted the 2014 State and Federal Legislative Platform, to include support for improved funding and care for U.S. military veterans and families.

Approved/Authorized a contract with FCS International, Inc. (dba First Carbon Solutions / Michael Brandman Associates) for the preparation of the environmental impact report for the proposed Tassajara Parks Project located in the Tassajara Valley.

Approved/Authorized a contract amendment with Area West Environmental, Inc. to add one additional sub-contractor and extend the term with no change in the original payment limit to complete necessary environmental compliance work for the Camino Tassajara Shoulder Widening, east of Blackhawk Drive to Finley Road Project, Danville.

ConFire Presentation of response to a 3-alarm, multi-agency fire incident in the City of Lafayette.

Accepted report from the Fire Chief and representatives from The Ludwig Group regarding the financial feasibility of the ConFire providing emergency medical services transport.

Authorized preparation/submittal of a proposal for emergency ambulance services when a final request for proposals for Emergency Response Areas I, II, and V, is issued by the Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Services Agency and to engage a consultant to assist District staff in preparing a proposal to provide emergency ambulance services for Emergency Response Areas I, II, and V.

Proclaimed September 2014 Adult Literacy Awareness Month.

Presentation of the 2013-2014 Annual Report from the Contra Costa County Juvenile Justice-Delinquency Prevention Commission.

Authorized the Conservation and Development Department to initiate a study for an amendment to the County Code to allow the raising of small farm animals for non-commercial purposes on smaller residential properties.

Adopted a position of "support" on Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014.

Adopted the FY 2014-15 Adopted Budget as finally determined.

Approved/Authorized a Memorandum of Understanding between Contra Costa County and the City of Dublin to conduct a traffic study and initial preliminary engineering for the Camino Tassajara/Tassajara Road Realignment Project.

Added Article 416-6.6 to the County Ordinance Code to permit the Animal Services Department to issue administrative penalties for violations of dog and cat licensing requirements; Fix September 23, 2014 for adoption.

Authorized a letter of interest to accept funding from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to provide grants to nongovernmental entities that provide community recidivism and crime reduction services.

Recognized September 2014 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Gerold Loenicker, Mental Health Supervisor and Rhonda James, Director of Contra Costa Crisis Center.

Recognized Scott Anderson for his years of service to the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission.

Accepted the presentation from Contra Costa Regional Medical Center on the Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center's Welcoming Policy.

Approved with modifications, a draft letter on the 2014 Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update; Authorized the letter transmitting the comments to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority.

Accepted an update on the Emergency Medical Services Agency Request for Proposals process and receive a presentation from the Contra Costa County Executive Fire Chief's Association on Advanced and Basic Life Support services.

Recognized Dr. James M. Hale for more than 21 years of service to the County Fish and Wildlife Committee.

Recognized the 40th Anniversary of the Town of Moraga, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Honored the Walnut Creek Lions Club on their 90th Anniversary, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen and Supervisor Mitchoff.

Reappointed John Speakman and David Schweppe to the District II and District II Alternate seats, respectively, on the Emergency Medical Care Committee, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Appointed Mary McCosker to the Trustee 2 seat of the Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District Board of Directors, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

Approved Appropriation and Revenue Adjustment authorizing new revenue in County Service Area P-2B (Alamo) and appropriate it for the purchase of two Radar Feedback Display signs and funding for a Crossing Guard for Alamo Elementary School.

Approved/Authorized contract with the City of Walnut Creek to pay the County for continuation of the operation of the Adult Interim Housing Program.

Accepted update from the Employment and Human Services Department, Aging and Adult Services Bureau, on the services provided as a part of the continuum of programs which seek to promote maximum independent functioning for elders and adults with disabilities in Contra Costa County.

• What escape routes avoid falling hazards?
• How do you help family members, neighbors and co-workers with disabilities?
• How do you plan for pets?
• What supplies do you store for 7 days?

For more information:

American Red Cross Emergency Plan: click here 

How to Prepare a Communications Plan:  click here 

Info on Hayward Fault: click here  

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The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District urges residents of California to take precautions from mosquito bites while enjoying the outdoors. According to the California West Nile Virus website, click here, at this time last year there were only 86 human cases compared to 129 this year, and 907 dead birds compared to 1733 this year. Mosquitoes carrying the virus can infect humans with just a single bite.

Members of the Family Justice Center Working Group, including Supervisor Andersen's staff member Donna Maxwell, gathered to address the Board of Supervisors on September 9th.

In 2001 the County Board of Supervisors adopted a Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative, forming a public/private partnership designed to reduce domestic violence, family violence, elder abuse and human trafficking in Contra Costa County. Last month the Board of Supervisors expanded efforts to bring a network of Family Justice Centers to Contra Costa County. With this action, Contra Costa County becomes the first county in the nation to establish a countywide network of Family Justice Centers, with plans underway to establish additional centers in central and east Contra Costa County, expanding the success of the center in Richmond, which was established in 2011.

Recent events and an increased awareness through social media have brought the importance of an all in one service center for victims of domestic violence to the forefront. Domestic violence is occurring in all socio-economic sectors and recognizing this, the Board of Supervisors has taken action to develop the Family Justice Center Network in Contra Costa County.  

Proven outcomes of justice centers include reduced homicides; enhanced police investigation; increased convictions, victim safety, and the autonomy and empowerment for victims; reduced fear and anxiety for victims and their children; and enhanced efficiency and coordination among service providers.

The Family Justice Center in Richmond has successfully provided families and victims of domestic violence a place to access comprehensive, integrated services in Contra Costa County. By expanding the network geographically, and increasing resources, an environment will be created in our County where victims of abuse, their families, and the community are safe and thriving. The West Contra Costa Family Justice Center is located at 1210 Hilltop Mall Road in Richmond and can be reached at (510) 965-4949 or online at www.wccfjc.org. The center will be moving at the end of the year to a new facility currently under construction at 254 24th Street in Richmond.

The Justice Center for Central County, which will also serve the residents of District 2, is not open yet, but staff from our office and over 100 Stakeholders have been working together with Concord Police Chief Guy Swanger to implement a plan. To learn more, or if you would like to support this effort, please contact Chief Swanger's Administrative Assistant, Debbie Pena by clicking here.

Also last month, Contra Costa County's Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative  was selected as one of just four sites nationally for the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women's Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Demonstration Initiative. Contra Costa will receive $650,000 for two years as part of a multi-year effort to implement a nationally recognized domestic violence homicide prevention model called the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) in Brentwood, Concord, and Richmond.  

Anyone in need of immediate help should contact STAND! For Families Free of Violence ("STAND!"). Founded in 1977, STAND! is one of the largest providers of services for people affected by domestic violence in Northern California. STAND!'s services include emergency shelter, transportation, comprehensive legal advocacy, transitional housing, clinical therapy for children and adults, therapeutic child care, vocational services, education, outreach, and prevention and batterer treatment programs. The STAND! crisis line is 1-888-215-5555, or visit their website by clicking here.  

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Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month! Did you know that many people don't test their smoke alarms as often as they should? When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. You need working smoke alarms to give you time to get out.
 

Join the Moraga-Orinda Fire District at their Fall Open House and Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, October 4th, from  8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m.), at Station 41 - 1280 Moraga Way, Moraga.  Kids and adults can meet their local firefighters, tour the fire trucks, and gather important fire safety and disaster preparedness information from MOFD and other local agencies.  Smokey the Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog will make special guest appearances throughout the day.  There will be a child ID and fingerprinting station, a bounce house, popcorn, and much more!

The pancake breakfast is sponsored by firefighters from Local 1230 and the Moraga Lions.  All proceeds will be donated to the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. For more information on the foundation click here.  

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In addition to the District 2 vacancies listed below, Supervisor Andersen would like to draw your attention to the following list of countywide advisory bodies that currently have At Large Seats available, such as the Advisory Council on Aging, Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity, Affordable Housing Finance Committee, Agricultural Task Force Committee, Countywide Bicycle Committee, County Connection Citizen Advisory Committee, Economic Opportunity Council, Emergency Medical Care Committee, Fish & Wildlife Committee, Hazardous Materials Commission, Homelessness Advisory Board, Juvenile Justice/Delinquency Prevention Commission, Local Child Care & Development Planning Council, Managed Care Commission, Public & Environmental Health Advisory Board, Commission for Women, and the Workforce Development Board. To apply for any of these seats, you can  click here.  

� Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board - click here 

� In Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee -click here 

� County Library Commission (1 Alternate Seat) - click here 

� Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (1 youth representative-Alamo resident) -click here 

� County Service Area P-5 Citizens Advisory Committee (1 Alternate Seat - Residents of: Roundhill, Regency Woods or Windsor Green)   

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