CLAYTON
The Ssaku Secondary School in Nsawo, Uganda, has received $30,000 in grant funding from the Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club (CVCSRC) for expansion and modernization of its computer lab. With 700 students, the school’s computer lab has had a computer/student ratio of 1 to 20, and many of the computers were aging laptop models. The grant has allowed Ssaku to buy more computers and upgrade operating systems, providing students the opportunity to achieve national-level computer science certification.
Through the Adopt-A-Village initiative, Clayton’s Rotary club has had an eight-year community development relationship with the town of Nsawo, providing funding and other resources for medical, infrastructure, economic and educational projects. With the motto “Ending poverty one village at a time,” the club has worked with Nsawo residents on construction projects including a medical clinic, drinking water, and sanitation systems. Since 2011 childhood malaria in Nsawo has decreased by 95%, along with decreases in other water-borne diseases. Other local Rotary clubs, including Rossmoor, Martinez, Concord, Orinda, Danville/Sycamore, Concord Diablo and Diablo View have contributed to the Adopt-A-Village initiative.
— CVCSRC
AAUW fashion show to help send girls to science camp
The Clayton branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) is inviting the public to a fashion show fundraiser at 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St. in Clayton. Clothes from the J.Jill store in Walnut Creek will be modeled by branch members and door prizes from J.Jill and local businesses will be offered. Reservations are not required, and there is no admission charge. Donations will be gratefully accepted to fund the sending of local middle school girls to a Tech Trek science camp next summer at a local college or university. For more information, e-mail Marhart2@aol.com or deebilleter@yahoo.com.
— AAUW Clayton branch
LAMORINDA
Register for AAUW-OML Techbridge STEM conference
Registration will open Jan. 24 for the fifth annual AAUW-OML (American Association of University Women — Orinda Moraga Lafayette) Techbridge STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) conference for middle school girls being held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 21 at St. Mary’s College in Moraga. For online registration and more information visit the conference webpages via the link on AAUW-OML’s website at oml-CA.aauw.net. The conference registration fee is $25 per student. Space is limited; early registration is encouraged. The conference offers hands-on workshops led by STEM professionals, a morning parents workshop for attendees’ parents and a keynote speaker to open the conference. This year’s keynote speaker is Jane Chen, the co-founder and CEO of Embrace Innovations.
— AAUW-OML
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Taxpayers group to hear housing legislation projections
At the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association (CCTA) monthly breakfast, Lisa Vorderbrueggen, the Building Industry Association/Bay Area East Bay’s executive director for governmental affairs, will give an overview of housing legislation signed into law in 2019 and look ahead to what 2020 may bring. She will also provide statistical and historical perspective on the Bay Area housing crisis.
The breakfast will be at 7:45 a.m. Jan. 24 in Black Bear Diner, 807 Camino Ramon in Danville. Reservations are required; the cost is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Register by email at info@cocotax.org. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 27/Martinez, CA 94553, or you can pay (checks and cash will be accepted) at the event. Please RSVP before the event, though. Online registration can be found under “Upcoming Events” at cocotax.org. For more details, contact Denise at denise@cocotax.org.
— CCTA
OAKLEY
Recreation Department has new year of fun planned
The city of Oakley’s Recreation Department is offering many new and returning programs for spring 2020, and there is a lot to do for all ages. Adult and seniors can enjoy several craft, fitness, yoga, and baking classes. Kids and teens can have fun in martial arts, tennis camp, dance and other activities. Families can come together for special events like the Taste of Oakley, Rock the Chalk and Friday night Bites. The full guide and registration is available on the city of Oakley’s website at oakleyinfo.com. Space is limited, and preregistration is required for all classes. For more information, contact the Oakley Recreation Division at 925-625-7041 or email hicks@ci.oakley.ca.us.
— city of Oakley
MARTINEZ
Buy a bag of books, CDs and DVDs for just $5 on Feb. 8
Friends of the Martinez Library (FML) will hold a book sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 (with early-bird entrance for members at 10 a.m., membership forms will be available) in the lower level of the Martinez Library, 740 Court St. in Martinez. Each shopper can fill a bag with a variety of gently used adult and children’s books, CDs and DVDs for just $5. All proceeds from the sale will go to support programs at the library for children, teens and adults.
— FML
CENTRAL/EAST CONTRA COSTA
Free preparation of 2019 taxes available in February
Free tax preparation for the 2020 tax season is available starting in February from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way Bay Area’s Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS) programs. Tax preparers are trained and certified by the IRS, both programs serve taxpayers of any age, and there is no income limit.
Tax-Aide and EKS volunteers help households receive the best possible refunds by assuring they claim all available deductions and tax credits. For example, the federal Earned Income Tax Credit can provide eligible families with three or more qualifying children a $6,557 credit. Families with multiple children also can claim the maximum California Earned Income Tax Credit of almost $3,000, plus a new $1,000 credit for families with children age 5 or younger.
For information, including what to bring, and to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites in Central Costa County call 925-726-3199; for sites in East Contra Costa County call 925-989-7492. For information on EKS sites call 2-1-1 or visit earnitkeepitsaveit.org.
— AARP Tax-Aide and EKS
PLEASANT HILL
Final proposed EIR for library, related projects released
The proposed final Environmental Impact Report for the Oak Park Properties Specific Plan — which envisions a new library building, park and 34 homes on Oak Park Boulevard — has been released. Copies are available for review at Pleasant Hill City Hall (100 Gregory Lane), the Pleasant Hill Library (1750 Oak Park Boulevard) and the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development (30 Muir Road in Martinez). The Oak Park Properties project is a partnership of Contra Costa County (the principal landowner), the city of Pleasant Hill and the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District. It comprises two components, a civic project at 1700 Oak Park Blvd. and a residential project at 1750 Oak Park Blvd.
The civic project includes construction of a new library building, a park with athletic fields, and improvements to the Grayson Creek corridor. In addition, the civic project includes significant improvement to Monticello Avenue and Oak Park Boulevard. Construction of the new library building, along with infrastructure improvements, is anticipated to begin this year and finish in late 2021. The construction schedule for the new park is to be determined.
The residential project includes demolition of the existing county-owned library building and vacant administrative offices, and construction of 34 single-family homes, seven accessory dwelling units and a new pocket park. Construction could start as early as fall 2020. For more details on the Oak Park properties project, visit pleasanthillca.org online.
— city of Pleasant Hill
Nominations for community awards open through Jan. 24
Nominations for the Pleasant Hill Community Awards are being accepted through Jan. 24. The awards celebrate the contributions of the people, nonprofits and businesses that enrich Pleasant Hill’s quality of life. The winners will be announced April 14 during a special event at the Community Center.
There are eight award categories open for public nominations: Business of the Year; Nonprofit of the Year; Teacher of the Year; Teen of the Year; Education Supporter of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; the Green Award; and Citizen of the Year.
Detailed information on award criteria, along with links to nomination forms, is available at pleasanthillca.org/awards. The Community Awards are hosted by the city of Pleasant Hill, the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce, the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District, the Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education and the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation. Those with questions may contact Gayle Vassar, Community Relations Manager, at 925-671-5229 or gvassar@pleasanthillca.org.
— city of Pleasant Hill
WALNUT CREEK
Presbyterian church to celebrate Martin Luther King Day
The Social Justice Alliance of The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County and the Mount Diablo Peace and Justice Center will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and message at the Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 20. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Toinette Eugene, a retired Provost of Crozer Theological Seminary and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Oakland. The program will also feature St. Benedict’s Gospel Choir and Dwight Stone’s piano music.
The title of Eugene’s presentation will be “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House” and will focus on the 13-month mass protest known as the Montgomery bus boycott that ended with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses is unconstitutional. Following the program, attendees can meet and talk with the speaker and engage in informal conversation. Refreshments provided by Starbucks, Noah’s Bagels, Costco, Safeway and Sprout’s will be served. Tickets for the event are not required; just come and enjoy an uplifting celebration of King’s life and contribution to social change.
— Frank Burroughs
AAUW branch to hold discussion of 2020 ballot initiative
The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek and San Ramon Branches of the American Association of University Women invite you to learn about and discuss The League of Women Voters’ presentation of “Schools and Communities First,” an initiative for the 2020 ballot. The initiative would reclaim $12 billion per year for K-12 schools, community colleges and local communities; close commercial property tax loopholes; and protect all homeowners and renters by maintaining tax protections for all residential property.
After the discussion, there will be an informal poll on AAUW endorsement of the initiative. The discussion will take place Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Danville Congregational Church at 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in Danville. The event is open to all, admission is free, but a suggested $10 donation would be appreciated. Please RSVP to daw.aauw@gmail.com.
— Elle Bonn
PITTSBURG
Knights of Columbus Crab Feed happening on Feb. 1
At the Church of the Good Shepherd Hall on Feb. 1, the The Knights of Columbus Pittsburg Council #2956 is sponsoring a fund-raising Crab Feed Dinner. Tickets are available by calling the parish office Monday through Thursday at 925 432-6404. Tickets are $50 each or $45 each for a table of eight or more. No tickets will be sold at the door.
— Robert Calone
To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least a week before publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com and jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words, include the name of the group or individual to whom it is to be credited and should also include a brief headline.
