Applications due 6/1/23

BART is currently recruiting to fill positions in two civilian advisory committees critical for public safety and accountability.

The BART Police Citizen Review Board (BPCRB) is a civilian advisory committee with the authority to provide BART riders and the public with transparency and input into BART’s policing services. We are seeking a District 2 position candidate who will be appointed by BART Director Mark Foley.

The BART Transit Security Advisory Committee (TSAC) is the citizen and community oversight committee that works to ensure Assembly Bill 716 — which allows BART Police Officers the authority to issue prohibition orders to offenders who are cited or arrested for certain offenses — is implemented as the Legislature intended. BART is currently looking to fill several open positions.

Below are full announcements for both BCPRB and TSAC positions.

The BART Board of Directors is currently in the process of recruiting for the BART Police Citizen Review Board (BPCRB) for the District 2 position to be appointed by BART Director Mark Foley. 

Applicants don’t need to reside in District 2, however they must be a resident of Contra Costa (including Antioch), Alameda, San Mateo, or San Francisco.

Members of the BPCRB work to increase the public’s confidence in BART’s Policing services by:

• Reviewing, recommending and monitoring the implementation of changes to police policies, procedures and practices
• Receiving citizen allegations of on-duty police misconduct
• Advising Board of Directors, General Manager, Independent Police Auditor and Police Chief
• Participating in recommending appropriate disciplinary action
• Meeting periodically with representatives of the BART Police associations
• Participating in community outreach

Read more about the BPCRB and  download the District 2 Application

Application period closes on Thursday, June 1, 2023

Call (510) 464-6083 or email CitizenReviewBoard@bart.gov with any questions.

BART’s Transit Security Advisory Committee (TSAC) is currently looking to fill several open positions and is accepting applications until June 1, 2023. 

TSAC is the citizen and community oversight committee that works to ensure Assembly Bill 716 (Dickinson) — which allows BART Police Officers the authority to issue prohibition orders to offenders who are cited or arrested for certain offenses — is implemented as the Legislature intended. The oversight group, comprised of at least five citizens, serves as a volunteer review body for the implementation of BART’s prohibition policy.

Board-appointed members of TSAC are professionals in the areas of mental health, homelessness, public safety and youth advocacy and cultural awareness. Drawing from their private and public sector experiences, the committee brings a diverse set of skills to the review and execution of the prohibition policy. The advisory committee reports directly to the BART Board of Directors.

BART Transit Security Advisory Committee is currently looking for the following Open Seats:

• One (1) Alternate Committee Member for the Mental Health, Youth Advocate, or Law Enforcement Representative Seat
• Two (2) Public at Large Representative Seats
• One (1) Mental Health Representative Seat
• One (1) Law Enforcement Representative Seat
• One (1) Youth Advocate Representative Seat

Final Filing Date – Application Deadline Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 5:00 P.M. (PST)

Please download the application here and return the application form and relevant attachments to the BART Office of the District Secretary at:

2150 Webster Street, 10th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612

Applicants may email to TransitSecurityAdvisory@bart.gov

Feel free to call (510) 464-6083 with any questions. Learn more about the TSAC here.

During their meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation declaring May as CalFresh Awareness Month (See below)

More Contra Costa County residents are encouraged to apply for the food assistance program.

CalFresh food benefits stretch household budgets, enabling recipients to afford nutritious food, including more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy options. In Contra Costa County, 93,169 Contra Costa County residents are receiving CalFresh as of March 2023. But many more may be eligible. Learn more, including how to apply, at ehsd.org.

CalFresh Facts:

• CalFresh Food benefits can be used at most grocery stores and even select online retailers; and matched dollar for dollar at participating farmers markets.
• Adults 18 years or older can be eligible for CalFresh, and may apply on behalf of their children, including non-citizen parents who may apply on behalf of their U.S.-born children.
• CalFresh benefits have contributed $297 million to our economy from April 2022 through March 2023 in Contra Costa County.

CalFresh Awareness Month news cards are posted on ehsd.org and on the County website. Also, social media posts @ContraCostaEHSD on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. 

Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors

Proclaiming May 2023 as CalFresh Awareness Month

WHEREAS, CalFresh food benefits stretch household budgets, enabling recipients to afford nutritious food, including more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy options; and

WHEREAS, encouraging eligible residents to enroll in the CalFresh program will increase the health and well-being of eligible families and individuals by helping provide a means to meet their nutritional needs; and

WHEREAS, EHSD’s community partnerships, including the Food Bank of Contra Costa County and Solano, help raise awareness and visibility of CalFresh; and

WHEREAS, adults 18 years or older can be eligible for CalFresh, and may apply on behalf of their children, including non-citizen parents who may apply on behalf of their U.S.-born children; and

WHEREAS, CalFresh Food benefits can be used at most grocery stores and even select online retailers; and matched dollar for dollar at participating farmers markets; and

WHEREAS, 93,169 Contra Costa County residents are receiving CalFresh as of March 2023; and

WHEREAS, CalFresh benefits have contributed $297 million to our economy from April 2022 through March 2023 in Contra Costa County; and

WHEREAS, Contra Costa County is one of 34 counties in the state to offer the CalFresh Employment and Training Program, providing CalFresh participants training and assistance towards job readiness, job security, work norms and access to higher education; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim May 2023 as CalFresh Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, and honors all of the individuals, organizations and agencies working to ensure that all County residents have access to safe, nutritious food and support in achieving sustainable economic health.

By Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq, CEO, California CASA Association

In observance of National Foster Care Month, California CASA highlights the work of Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers who advocate for the needs of children and youth in foster care. Thank you to the 11,000 CASA volunteers statewide for being a consistent presence and reliable resource for 12,700 children and youth during times of uncertainty and transition.

With more than 78,000 children and youth in foster care in the state—victims of neglect, abuse, or exploitation—we need to do more. A CASA volunteer often represents their only stable, trusted relationship with an adult; the one person who will speak up for them—in court, in school, and in the community—to make sure their voice is heard, and their needs remain the top priority. 

The CASA volunteer model works. Youth in foster care supported by a CASA volunteer are more likely to do better in school, receive more services, secure a permanent home, and have higher levels of hope.

California CASA works in partnership with our state’s 44 local CASA programs. Our vision is to ensure every child in foster care in California can have access to the transformative services and support of a CASA volunteer.

You can help foster more hopeful futures—one child, one CASA, at a time—by making a gift to California CASA today. Your gift will enable us to expand our collective impact so every child in foster care has a chance to thrive, with the skilled and compassionate support of a CASA volunteer.

By Marisa Greenberg, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, 4CD

The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) has selected Dr. Pamela Ralston as the seventh permanent president of Los Medanos College (LMC). The 4CD Governing Board will vote on ratification of her contract at their June 14, 2023, meeting. The announcement was made following a search that began in February 2023.

“Dr. Ralston brings tremendous experience and commitment to improving student success and student equity by working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators,” said Interim Chancellor Mojdeh Mehdizadeh. “Through the development and support of strong, innovative programs, and in designing a supportive environment where both students and staff feel respected and appreciated, I am confident we have chosen a leader who is a great fit for 4CD, Los Medanos College, and the East County community.”

Over the course of a two-decade career in public higher education, Dr. Ralston has served as the Interim President at Los Medanos College, President at Santiago Canyon College, and Executive Vice President of Educational Programs at Santa Barbara City College, where she led the academic and student services programs. A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, Dr. Ralston has worked to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, with special attention to the strengths that their cultural backgrounds and ethnic identities bring to their college experiences.

Dr. Ralston earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Oregon and Master of Arts and doctoral degrees from the University of Washington in Comparative Literature.
“I am honored to be selected to lead this incredible higher education institution,” said Dr. Ralston. “I am eager to help maintain and expand LMC’s legacy of educational excellence, promote community college as a great choice for our students, while building stronger connections and partnerships with our community.”

The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The 4CD serves a population of 1,200,997 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. 4CD is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez. For more information visit www.4cd.edu.

For agricultural, arts and crafts, childcare, energy, housing, worker-owned cooperatives, etc.

By Alicia Sloper, Admin. and Communications Support Specialist, California Center for Cooperative Development

The Cooperative Movement is well positioned to play a critical role in the larger movement for social and ecological justice. The California Center for Cooperative Development (CCCD) will host its annual California Cooperative Conference at Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose on Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3, 2023. CCCD will be showcasing innovative leaders in the cooperative movement and promoting a commitment to local economic development and underserved communities. Statewide cooperators and changemakers will have the opportunity to network with leaders in the cooperative ecosystem, share insight from experience in cooperative development, and discover the cooperative difference.  

The CCCD is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes cooperatives as a vibrant model to address the economic and social needs of California’s communities. CCCD supports the myriad of cooperatives in California (agricultural, arts and crafts, childcare, energy, housing, worker-owned, etc.) with start-up, management, and other technical assistance. The Center’s Community and Economic Development Programs specifically highlight cooperative projects that promote opportunities for people with low and moderate incomes, as well as economically disadvantaged communities, regions, and neighborhoods.

This year’s California Co-op Conference is honored to host Keynote speaker Gopal Dayaneni, who will be speaking on Cooperation for Collective Liberation. Dayaneni has been involved in working for social, economic, environmental, and racial justice through organizing, campaigning, teaching, writing, speaking, and direct action since the late 1980’s. Currently, Dayaneni supports movement building through his work with organizations including The Climate Justice Alliance, ETCgroup, NDN Collective, the Center for Story-based Strategy and People’s Solar Energy Fund, among others.  

The event will feature panels and workshops covering a wide range of topics surrounding the co-op movement, with opportunities to learn and take part in both English and Spanish. Some workshops of note include Herramientad de Comunicaion Efectiva para Nuestras Cooperativas with Claudia Arroyo and Ana Castano (Prospera Community Development), Legal workshops on Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives with Karen Tiedemann and Erin Lapeyrolerie of Goldfarb and Lippman LLP, and Cooperative Businessing with Elisabeth Barton (Echo Adventure Cooperative). 

In addition, the California Co-op Conference will provide opportunities to network, with hosted lunches and a Co-op Social. Conference participants be directly connected with statewide cooperators to share their resources, products, and services at exhibitor tables during the conference. Please join CCCD at the California Co-op Conference in San Jose as we build connections, strengthen our learning, and use co-ops to create a just economy.  

More information about the conference, including a full list of workshops, speakers, and links to registration are available via our QR code, at www.cccd.coop, by emailing info@cccd.coop or calling 530-297-1032. Individuals must be registered to attend.    

Please let me know if you are interested in covering this story. I can be contacted via email at asloper@cccd.coop or phone at 530-297-1032 to discuss the details further. I look forward to hearing from you.  

By Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach and Engagement Specialist, Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder’s Office

The Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder’s Office, in partnership with the California Department of State Parks, will be offering “Destination Weddings” on top of Mount Diablo on Friday May 26, 2023. Sixteen marriage ceremonies will be performed at the summit by Clerk staff between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Couples may have up to 30 guests, but there is limited seating available during the ceremony (16 chairs).

“Destination Weddings on Mount Diablo is always a favorite location for our customers,” Clerk-Recorder Registrar of Voters, Kristin Connelly said. “We are excited to be able to offer couples this accessible opportunity for a unique day to remember at the summit of a Bay Area jewel.”      

Mount Diablo State Park is a Contra Costa County landmark.  On a clear day visitors have views westward beyond the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands; South to Mount Hamilton and the Santa Cruz Mountains, North to Mount Saint Helena; and East over the Delta waterways. The stunning views provide a special backdrop for wedding ceremonies.

Because of the event’s popularity, all ceremony appointments for this Destination Weddings event have been booked, and no unscheduled appointments will be accommodated. 

A marriage license must be obtained before a ceremony can be performed. Couples must purchase a license before their ceremony appointment at the County Clerk-Recorder’s office in Martinez. The fee for a public marriage license is $86, while a confidential license is $90. The civil marriage ceremony fee is $60.

For information about marriage license and ceremony services, go to www.contracostacore.us or call the office at 925-335-7900 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.

Buy your season passes at a discount by Friday, May 26, tickets and reserve space for the Antioch Water Park, today!

The park opens Saturday, May 27 and the season runs through Sept. 4.

Season Passes during pre-season discount pricing are $60 (reg. $75) for Antioch residents and $72 (reg. $92) for non-residents.

To purchase your tickets click here.

To purchase season passes click here.

For schedule, special events more details about the Antioch Water Park located inside Prewett Family Park at 4701 Lone Tree Way visit www.antiochca.gov/water-park.

Trains will bring visitors to celebrate at a site unique to California’s African American history

50% discount

By David Lipari, San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is holding its annual celebratory Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In partnership, Amtrak San Joaquins has scheduled a special stop at the park for multiple trains, bookable at a 50 percent discount rate to bring travelers to the historically significant Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.  

The town of Allensworth was established in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and at one point was home to more than 300 families. The park is a California state treasure because it was the first town in California to be founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park became a historical landmark in 1974.

The Juneteenth Festival is a key annual event hosted by Friends of Allensworth (FOA), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to support, promote, and advance the educational and interpretive activities at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. The Juneteenth holiday commemorates the June 19th, 1865, arrival of Union Army troops in Galveston, Texas, bearing news that the institution of slavery had been terminated, officially spreading news of the freedom of all enslaved people.

“Amtrak San Joaquins has been a long-time partner to the FOA in connecting the people of California and visitors with the historic town of Allensworth” said FOA President, Sasha Biscoe. “We encourage any individual that is interested in immersing themselves in the rich, ethnically diverse history of our state to consider taking advantage of the affordable, convenient, and fun transportation option provided by Amtrak San Joaquins and join us on June 10th to celebrate this important holiday.”

Event activities will include square dancing, self-guided tours of historic buildings, historic games with prizes, storytelling, and arts and crafts. Food and refreshment vendors will also be present. Travelers can also bring their bikes and chairs aboard Amtrak trains and Thruway buses.

The southbound trains that will be running for the event include trains 702, 710, 712, 714.

Antioch Station departure and arrival times at the park: 710 – 7:50 a.m. and 11:56 a.m.; 712 – 10:50 a.m. and 2:56 p.m.

When purchasing train tickets, a 50 percent discount will automatically be applied to the ticket purchase. Additional discount programs regularly available to riders includes: 

• Infants under 2 years of age ride for free 
• Children 2-12 years old ride half-price every day
• Seniors (62+ years of age) receive 15% off 
• Veterans & active military members receive 15% off 
• Disabled riders save 15% off 

Visitors attending the Juneteenth Festival will be able to take Amtrak San Joaquins trains to the Allensworth station. From there, riders will be met by a free shuttle for the short ride to the main property. The Allensworth station is normally a whistle stop on the San Joaquins available to be booked by groups desiring to visit the park. 

Train tickets to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park can be booked online at www.amtrak.com/san-joaquins-allensworth-juneteenth. For more information on how to book a group trip to Allensworth, please contact Carmen Setness, community outreach coordinator for San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), at Carmen@sjjpa.com. 

About Allensworth State Historic Park

The town of Allensworth is located in the heart of the Central Valley, about 30 miles north of Bakersfield, and has a rich history that is of interest to students, families, history buffs, minority community organizations, and anyone else looking to spend a fun day exploring the historic community and its restored buildings. In 1908, Allensworth was established as a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. There were a series of challenges impeding the town’s long-term survival, but it is celebrated as a key historic icon, and in 1974 California State Parks purchased the land in order to maintain it as a site for visitors to learn and explore the Colonel’s house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, and library. 

About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)

Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile San Joaquins Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com.

Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Amtrak San Joaquins is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Amtrak San Joaquins Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno.