February: Month of Purification
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Were you born in February? Did you know that your birth flower is the glorious Violet?
From the Latin word Februarius, meaning "to purify", February was known as the “Month of Purification” during ancient Roman times.
It is a transitional time, finding itself just after a month of reflection and new year's resolutions.
Violets convey the meaning that you will always be true.
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Supervisors Adjourn in Memory of Local Residents
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Brentwood Resident Meredith Nunn
Meredith Nunn, 54, the owner/proprietor of The Farmer's Daughter in Brentwood, passed away Saturday, Feb. 8.
"Meredith passed surrounded by family and love," said family members Kelli and Hailey Nunn in a joint statement to The Press. "We are heartbroken and in shock."
Meredith was part of an agricultural legacy that spans more than 100 years in Brentwood. Using the inheritance from her grandfather at 19 years old, she purchased land and carved out her own farming niche, establishing the famous big red barn at the corner of Walnut Avenue and Marsh Creek Road where locals and tourists alike have spent many summers picking their own fruit and purchasing produce and pies from the stand.
Photo and article courtesy Brentwood Press
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Concord Resident
Joe Barratt
On February 10, 2020,
Concord High Schooler
Joe Barratt was walking home from the library when he was struck by a hit and run driver.
Though he received medical treatment at John Muir's Trauma Center for the next three days, his injuries were ultimately determined to be non-recoverable. On February 13, Joe was removed from life support.
Joe had recently visited the DMV to get an ID, during which time he learned about organ donation, and signed up to be a donor.
On February 17, 2020 - Joe’s organs were able to help many people in need. The organ donation team of 300 worked their magic, and within 12 hours, Joe was saving others lives with his heart and lungs.
The typical organ donor donates between 3.2-3.4 organs; Joe was able to donate 7 organs save 6 lives!
All these lives were saved by Joe because he signed up to be an organ donor!
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Donate Life California saves lives by creating opportunities for all Californians to sign up on the official state organ, eye and tissue donor registry.
Supervisors encourage everyone to sign up today!
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Donate Blood - Save a Life!
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How Blood Donations Help Patients
There’s no substitute for blood. When a patient receives blood, it was given in advance by a generous donor.
Who Can You Help by Donating Blood?
Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Here are just a few of their stories.
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Novel Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions
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Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and its partners are working closely with state and federal health agencies to monitor a new coronavirus that originated in China in Dec. 2019.
What is the risk?
Contra Costa residents are at low risk of becoming infected. Only people who recently traveled to China or have had close contact with someone who became ill with the novel coronavirus after recent travel in China could be exposed.
How can I avoid getting sick and what should I do if I have symptoms?
- Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for information on staying healthy as well as common symptoms and what to do.
- What is being done in Contra Costa?
- All hospitals in the county, including Contra Costa Regional Medical Center & Health Centers, are asking patients about symptoms of coronavirus and recent travel to China. People calling 911 will also be asked about their symptoms and recent travel to China.
- Contra Costa Health Services has sent information about coronavirus to local medical providers, ambulance paramedics and schools.
- County health officials are in ongoing contact with the CDC and the California Department of Health to get the latest information.
This a rapidly evolving situation with new information emerging every day.
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Be a part of the historic Dutch Slough Tidal Marsh Restoration
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Join the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, the California Department of Water Resources, Friends of the Marsh Creek Watershed, and Reclamation District 2137 on February 29, 2020 from 9 AM until 12 PM at a volunteer planting day at the Dutch Slough Tidal Marsh Restoration!
We are looking for volunteers to plant native Tule plugs to this historic 1100-acre tidal marsh/wetlands restoration in Oakley, CA. This will be an amazing opportunity to leave your mark and help us plant tule plugs that you can watch grow and restore this amazing property.
ONLINE REGISTRATION ENDS AT 3 PM on Feb. 28th
At this time, we are only allowing 75 registrants due to parking constraints on the site. We encourage carpooling and are still working with the Department of Water Resources to determine the maximum number of people we can hold. If we are sold out, please join the waitlist in the event that we release more tickets. And if you can please carpool or get dropped off!
!!!ANY RAIN CANCELS THIS EVENT!!!
What to Bring:
- A Completed WAIVER
- Sturdy Shoes that you don't mind getting dirty
- Water Bottles
- Gloves
- Trowels/Small Shovels
We will have some of these tools on site, but it will be easier if you can bring your own!
If you have questions about this event or would like to know more about this project, please contact Ben Weise at
bweise@ccrcd.org
or at (925) 690-4145.
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Supervisor Burgis shows how easy it is to Vote by Mail!
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You are eligible to register to vote if you are:
- A United States citizen,
- 18 years of age or older on Election Day,
- Not currently in state or federal prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony
- Not found to be mentally incompetent by a court of law.
You need to update your registration if you:
- Move to a new residence,
- Change your name, or
- Want to change your political party affiliation.
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Contra Costa Census 2020 Training Workshops
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The future of your community starts with Census 2020.
The Census count comes once a decade, to account for every person in the United States. Not only does the count determine congressional districting, it also allocates critical funding for our communities including roads, affordable housing, schools, and parks. 9 questions. 10 years of impact.
Contra Costa County's Census 2020 Complete Count Steering Committee has been building a network of trusted messengers to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2020 Census. In order to get a complete count, it will require strong collaboration between the County, cities, and community partners.
As part of this effort, the Committee has awarded Census Outreach and Assistance Grants totaling $280,000 to about 55 organizations to ensure a complete and accurate count, and an additional $70,000 in
Phase II mini-grants
that are available on a rolling basis through May 2020.
The Committee is hosting a series of Regional Census Training Workshops to better understand the importance of the Census, learn about outreach resources and tools, and how to help our community members complete the Census form.
The Training Workshops are mandatory for Contra Costa County grantees and open to anyone interested in volunteering as a
Census Ambassador
to assist in census outreach and education in Contra Costa County.
The County's Census effort also focuses on "hard-to-count" Census Tracts, which amounts to 212,356 people in Contra Costa. Every person missed in the Census count is estimated to cost $2,000 a year in lost federal funds. If Contra Costa County undercounts by 5%, we would lose $1.1 billion over the next ten years.
Please join us to become a trusted 2020 Census Ambassador
East County Census 2020 Kick-off & Training Workshop
March 2, 2020, 11am to 1:30pm
Oakley Senior Center
215 2nd Street
Oakley, CA 94561
•••
Spanish translation services provided upon request. Light refreshments available.
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Talk. Read. Sing. It Changes Everything.
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Boosting your baby's brainpower starts with you.
Talk. Read. Sing. It changes everything®.
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Who is it for?
CalFresh is for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.
Expansion of CalFresh to SSI/SSP Recipients!
Beginning June 1, 2019, recipients of SSI/SSP benefits may be eligible for CalFresh Food benefits for the first time! There is no change to the SSI/SSP monthly benefit. To learn about this policy change, see the
Expansion of CalFresh to SSI Recipients
Partner Flyer located here: (
English
) (
Spanish
).
For more information on how SSI recipients may apply for CalFresh Food benefits, visit
CalFreshFood.org
CalFresh Info Line 1-877-847-3663.
Available in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Russian.
For speech and/or hearing assistance call 711 Relay.
The CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. The CalFresh Program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs.
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Blue Water Navy Benefits for Veterans
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As of Jan. 1, 2020, VA extends benefits to Veterans who served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam, or in the Korean Demilitarized Zone during a certain time period, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides, such as Agent Orange. Learn what the
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act means for you.
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Spotlight: Contra Costa Television (CCTV)
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Contra Costa Television (CCTV) is the flagship channel of Contra Costa County's cable television programming, bringing you special events, government meetings and produced shows.
CCTV currently broadcasts six channels – CCTV, City Channel, Ed TV, Community Access, Hercules Community TV, and Delta TV.
The Contra Costa Television network provides public, education and government access services for users in Contra Costa County, in the cities of Antioch, Clayton, Danville, Hercules, Martinez, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, and San Ramon.
CCTV is also proud to partner with Contra Costa County Veterans Services to produce the monthly
live, call-in talk show Veterans' Voices
,
focusing on the issues veterans face as they transition back to civilian life.
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East Contra Costa Fire Protection District “We are listening.”
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Cancer Support Community Grand Opening
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Cancer Support Community provides free services that are
open to all people with cancer and their loved ones.
Programs are always free of charge and led by highly skilled professionals.
Click on documents to open.
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Learn about Cancer Support Community by coming to an individual welcome session.
Contact: Zenaida Burgos, East County Program Manager at
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D
ementia and Caregiving Program
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Caring for someone with memory loss or dementia can be challenging.
Come and find ways to balance managing your own health and well-being while acting as a caregiver.
Learn simple skills to handle troubling behavior, tools to help you reduce stress, coping skills, and find community resources to support you.
This FREE program will be offered in English and Spanish.
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East Bay Intended Wildfire Evacuation and PSPS Event Study
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Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley are conducting a study to better understand wildfire evacuation decision-making and the recent October public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events.
The UC Berkeley team is asking residents from East Bay communities to fill out a survey about their choices in a future wildfire evacuation. The team is also interested in learning about residents' experiences during the recent PSPS events.
Survey-takers will be entered into a drawing for 1 of 5 $200 Amazon gift cards.
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Do you have Medicare? Are your prescription drug costs too high?
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Are you having difficulty paying for your Medicare Part B premium? Has your Medicare Advantage plan changed over the years? Will you be signing up for Medicare soon and are confused about your choices? Did Medicare deny a medical or ambulance bill?
Contra Costa County has a wonderful free Medicare counseling program, HICAP, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program. HICAP can help you apply for low-income programs that can help with Medicare-related costs, if you qualify. It can give you information to help you make the best plan choices for you.
For help with these issues and more, contact HICAP toll-free from a landline phone at 800-510-2020 or at (925) 602-4163. HICAP offers “Welcome to Medicare” talks countywide each month. For a complete listing, please visit
www.cchicap.org
.
HICAP offers unbiased individual counseling throughout the county. HICAP is not associated with the insurance industry and does not earn commissions. Counseling is provided by Medicare counselors registered with the California Department of Aging.
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Railroad Trespass Prevention
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The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) invites you to attend one of
six free, two-day Railroad Trespass Prevention and Grade Crossing Technology Summits
planned across the United States. The goals of these Summits are to raise awareness of the dangers and impacts of trespassing, to seek out low-cost solutions to local trespassing issues, and to discuss practicable ideas for technological improvements at grade crossings.
For more information or to register, please visit
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Community Care Corps Request for Proposals
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Community Care Corps Request for Proposals: Innovative Local Models to Provide Non-Medical Assistance to Older Americans, Persons with Disabilities, and Family Caregivers
Community Care Corps seeks proposals for innovative local models in which volunteers assist family caregivers or directly help older adults or adults with disabilities with non-medical assistance in order to maintain their independence.
Community Care Corps will award
competitive grants between $30,000 and $250,000 to establish, enhance, or grow volunteer programs.
A wide range of nonprofit entities, such as faith- and community-based organizations, aging services organizations, Centers for Independent Living, institutions of higher education, and service organizations, as well as state, county, and local governments are encouraged to apply.
Community Care Corps seeks to fund local models that represent a diverse cross section of the nation reflective of geography, urban/rural/frontier and Tribal communities, underserved and limited English-speaking populations, communities with limited support programs, and more.
For more information, including information on the application process and deadlines, and to access the RFP, click
here
.
Contact:
Nanette Relave
Senior Director, National I&R Support Center | ADvancing States
241 18
th
Street S, Ste. 403, Arlington, VA 22202
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Citizen Advisory Boards and Commission Openings
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The Board of Supervisors receives valuable input and community participation from numerous citizen advisory boards on a range of issues. Boards usually meet monthly on a regular basis.
Candidates for these positions must live in District 3 or any specified boundary area for special districts. District 3 is comprised of the cities of Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood, and the unincorporated communities of Blackhawk, Diablo, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen and Discovery Bay.
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District 3 Committee Openings
Assessment Appeals Board
1 Alternate seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Assessment Appeals Board conducts impartial hearings on property assessment disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. Based on the evidence presented at these hearings, the appeals board determined the value of the disputed property or determines other matters of property tax assessment within the board's jurisdiction.
Qualifications:
Applicants should possess five or more years of professional experience in California as one of the following: licensed real estate broker, attorney, certified public accountant (CPA) or public accountant, property appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized professional organization, property appraiser certified by the Office of Real Estate Appraisers, or property appraiser certified by the State Board of Equalization.
Compensation:
This is a volunteer position. Assessment Appeals Board members are compensated for their time at hearings and reimbursed for their mileage to attend assessment appeals hearings.
The Assessment Appeals Board meets every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. located at 651 Pine Street, Room 107 in Martinez.
County Service Area, P-6 Citizen Advisory Committee
(Discovery Bay)
4 seats
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The County Service Area P6 Citizens Advisory Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Discovery Bay community for extended police protection services which shall include, but not limited to, enforcement of the State Vehicle Code where authorized by law, crime prevention, and litter control.
The Committee meets quarterly on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:00p.m. located at the Discovery Bay Community Center, 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd. in Discovery Bay.
Library Commission
1 Alternate seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian; provides a forum for the community to provide input concerning Library operations, and recommends proposals to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian which may improve the Library.
The Commission meets on the 4th Thursday of every other month at 7pm located at 777 Arnold Drive in Martinez.
Mental Health Commission
1 Consumer seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
To review and assess the community's mental health needs, services, facilities, and special problems, in order to advise the Board of Supervisors concerning local mental health services and programs.
The Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. located at 550 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill.
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Background: The Board of Supervisors receives valuable input and community participation from numerous citizen advisory boards on a range of issues. Boards usually meet monthly on a regular basis.
Candidates for these positions must live in District 3 or any specified boundary area for special districts. District 3 is comprised of the cities of Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood, and the unincorporated communities of Blackhawk, Diablo, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen and Discovery Bay.
Applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board's office 925-335-1900 located at 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553.
For more information, including on how to apply, you may contact Supervisor Burgis' Deputy Chief of Staff, Lea Castleberry at 925-252-4500 or
Lea.Castleberry@bos.cccounty.us
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