Shadelands leadership would like to know what you think and how you feel about the Shadelands business and lifestyle center.

Please visit ShadelandsSurvey.com and complete a brief survey, sharing your thoughts about how Shadelands can better serve your needs and expectations.

For your participation, your name will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $500 gift card!

The survey runs through August 31, 2023. Thank you for your participation!

To enter the drawing for a chance to win without completing the survey, mail your name, phone number, and postal address to:



EMC Research Surveys

720 3rd Avenue, Suite 1110

Seattle, WA 98104

Held Saturdays, 9am–1pm, year round (rain or shine) in the tree-lined parking lot at Wiget Lane and Mitchell Drive set with canopied tables that display fresh fruits and vegetables exhibiting all colors of the rainbow, the Diablo Valley Farmers' Market (DVFM) has been the place to find high quality, seasonal produce, locally grown and brought to market fresh and unprocessed by certified farmers since 2009.

Named in 2022 the #1 Farmers’ Market in the San Francisco Bay Area by the American Farmland Trust, the DVFM placed #5 in the entire State of California. Loyal shoppers come back week after week for top-quality produce, flowers, and non-ag food products, making the DVFM one of the fastest growing farmers’ market experiences in the area.

"As part of California Farmers’ Market Association, we’ve got a 30-year history of running markets,” says Market Manager Warren Cox, who has directed DVFM’s explosive growth in offerings and popularity the past two and one-half years. “We have the experience to put on good markets that appeal to everyone interested in healthy food choices and a variety of farm and non-ag offerings."

DVFM is a certified farmers’ market, which means that the farmers are licensed by the Department of Agriculture and grow what they sell— farm-fresh produce ripened at the source, with no third party re-selling.

So, what will you find at the farmers’ market in August? Among dozens of other seasonal delights, you’ll find stone fruits, melons, grapes, summer squash, zucchini, peas, green beans, heirloom and dry-farmed tomatoes, and prized Brentwood sweet corn.

“Shoppers trust us as a resource for a family friendly experience that goes beyond checking off items on a shopping list," says Warren. "They come to the market happy and ready to spend time here, shopping, having breakfast or lunch, listening to live music, doing kids activities with their children and showing them, first hand, where their food comes from."

Check out the award-winning Diablo Valley Farmers' Market, Saturdays, 9am. Enjoy the bounty of fresh, in-season produce picked at the peak of ripeness—from farm to table.

Diablo Valley

Farmers' Market

Saturdays | 9am–1pm

North Wiget Ln. at Mitchell Dr.

Walnut Creek

Open year round, rain or shine

You may have seen the eye-catching pink #5 Contra Costa County fire engine on display at June’s Made in the Shade festival, or driving the streets of any number of cities in Contra Costa, or parked at hospitals or cancer treatment centers, grabbing the attention of passersby.

Project Pink Wheels is a show of support and a resource for those touched by cancer in our county. While the color pink symbolizes breast cancer, Project Pink Wheels’ intention is to raise awareness of all cancers and to support those struggling with the disease.

“Our main purpose is to be a cancer support vehicle, providing rides for cancer patients' first or last chemo or radiation appointment," says Retired Captain Chris Leimpeter, a 24-year veteran of United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, and the spark for Project Pink Wheels.

“No matter the age of our riders, everyone is really pumped when the pink fire engine shows up at their home, with the siren going. They hop on, buckle up, and take a ride like no other,” says Chris. "And then, when we deliver them back home, we announce ourselves in a big way with the siren and lights, making it a very special return ride for them."

The story of Project Pink Wheels is a personal one, born from Chris’ own experience with cancer 18 years ago when his wife, 33 at the time, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

During that time, Chris and his family received unwavering support from family and friends, as well as from his fellow firefighters and leadership of United Professional Firefighters, Local Union 1230.

When his wife's treatments were over, Chris wanted to give back in a meaningful way.

With financial support and volunteer help of Local Union 1230 in collaboration with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Project Pink Wheels came alive.

The department found a fire engine that was to be decommissioned and designated it as the Project Pink Wheels vehicle.

“We secured funds to get the rig wrapped in pink,” says Chris, “and launched the fire engine and the program in 2020.”

Three years later, Project Pink Wheels has a large and thankful following. And while the program gets calls from around the SF Bay Area, services are currently only available to residents covered by the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230 service area.

To raise awareness, Project Pink Wheels is available to work public health fairs; cancer awareness and fundraising events; and community festivals, parades, and fundraisers.

Visit Project Pink Wheels for more information and to schedule a ride for yourself or a loved one.

Project Pink Wheels is a collaboration between United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Project Pink Wheels

contracostapink@yahoo.com

A community service

support vehicle

for those battling cancer.

(l-r) Project Pink Wheels lead Retired Captain Chris Leimpeter; Engineer/Paramedic Garrett Knapp; Captain/Paramedic Sean Carder.

Project Pink Wheels was a hit at the June Made in the Shade Festival in Shadelands.

Names, signatures, and messages are added to the pink fire engine “In memory of (passed fighters)” and “In honor of (survivors)” written with permanent pen.

A young cancer warrior heading to his cancer treatment in style,

Email requests or questions to Chris Leimpeter, Retired CCCFPD Captain, contracostapink@yahoo.com.

511 Contra Costa is a countywide program that strives to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality by providing information about mobility options beyond driving alone and incentive programs designed to promote green commuting.

We know, for instance, that there are many ways to get to Shadelands for work or school without having to drive alone. You can take the free BART shuttle, bike along the Canal Trail, and carpool, among other options. Thinking about driving less?

Apply for a free $25 Drive Less Commuter Incentive from 511 Contra Costa!

When you pledge to drive less by replacing at least one car trip alone each week to work or school, you will receive your choice of a $25 gift card from Starbucks, Amazon, or Target. If you want to multiply the effect of your efforts, you can use your incentive to have 25 trees planted in your name.

Learn more about eligibility and apply at 511 Contra Costa.

More good news:

• 511 Contra Costa’s E-Bike Rebate Program provides a $150 cash rebate when you purchase a new e-bike. Larger rebates available for low-income households.

511 Contra Costa

Hello@511cc.org

925.969.0841

• When you bike, walk, carpool, or take transit to work and/or college in Contra Costa, you will have a free Guaranteed Ride Home. If there’s an emergency and you need to get home fast, 511 Contra Costa will reimburse your Lyft/Uber ride home, up to six times/year, per guidelines.

Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) has good news for pet owners and animal lovers.

• ARF pet adoptions are now open seven days a week, noon–6pm. Having cut back on adoption days and hours during the pandemic, ARF has reset its adoption schedule and is ready to connect people with pets all week, every day—saving lives and offering second chances at love.

• ARF's 4th annual SiSit, Stay, Smile Photo Conteste Photo Contest, running now through August 27, showcases treasured pups and kittens, dogs and cats. Submit your favorite photo of your dog or cat, and then encourage your family and friends to vote for their picture by donating to ARF. The top pets will be featured in ARF’s 2024 calendar and the #1-voted animal will be featured on a Del Cielo Brewing Co. beer can.

• Save the Date, September 23, 2023, for ARF's re-imagined Wandering Wine & Whiskers. Step into a behind the scenes world of discovery and explore ARF through an immersive rescue experience, with animal encounters along the way. Tickets now on sale.

Animal Rescue Foundation

2890 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek

925.256.1273

Sit, Stay, Smile, now through August 27

Walnut Creek

Chamber of Commerce

Civic Affairs Forum

Presented by Wells Fargo

State Legislative Matters

That Impact Business

Tuesday, August 8 | 9–10am

Free | Virtual only

Register

Special guest

Adam Regele

Vice President

Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships

California Chamber of Commerce

Adam Regele is the Vice President of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships at the California Chamber of Commerce, specializing in environmental policy, housing and land use, and product regulation issues. He'll discuss state legislative issues, including job killer bills, and provide an end of legislative session report with suggested action items for business leaders.

Walnut Creek

Chamber of Commerce

1280 Civic Drive, Suite 100

Walnut Creek

925.934.2007

Adam Regele, VP, Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships, California Chamber of Commerce