HEALTH ALERT: 7/26/13 - West Nile Virus Attacking East County!

Posted:  26 July 13
Courtesy of:  My neighbor.  Thanks, AJ!

News Release - West Nile Virus
Pittsburg and Oakley newest cities for virus detection
Posted Date: 7/25/2013 NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 25, 2013

Contact: Deborah Bass
Public Affairs Mgr.
(925) 771-6112 - office
(925) 260-4670 - mobile
dbass@ContraCostaMosquito.com
www.contracostamosquito.com

WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY RAMPS UP WITH SIX MORE INFECTED DEAD BIRDS 

Oakley and Pittsburg newest cities for virus detection 

1.  THREAT:  CONCORD, CALIFORNIA - - The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District (District) announces that six more dead birds are positive for West Nile virus. Five of the birds are American crows and one is a Western scrub-jay. Two birds were found in Pittsburg, and one bird each was found in Antioch, Brentwood, Concord, and Oakley. Location details can be found on the District's website. 

• "We'd like to thank our residents for reporting dead birds to the state hotline," said Deborah Bass, public affairs manager for the District. "Dead birds allow us to locate where West Nile virus activity is taking place so we know where to concentrate our mosquito control efforts." 
• [Editorial note:  If you find a dead bird, particularly a crow, jay, magpie, raven, sparrow, finch, or raptor, or dead tree squirrel, please file an online report at www.westnile.ca.gov or call toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473) -- you can see what these creatures look like by a Wikipedia or Google search]

2.  UNDERSTAND:  Birds are the reservoir for West Nile virus. People can become infected when a mosquito bites a bird and then a person. West Nile virus symptoms of the mild form include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, and swollen lymph glands. While the illness can last only a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for several weeks. West Nile virus of the severe form can be fatal. 

3.  GUIDELINES:  Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines: 

• Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes can't begin their life without water. 
• Defend yourself against mosquitoes using repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. 
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically dawn and dusk. 
• Report neglected swimming pools by calling 925-771-6195 or visiting www.ContraCostaMosquito.com 
• Anonymous calls accepted. Just one neglected pool can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away. 

4.  HISTORY:  Since 2005, 42 people in Contra Costa County have been diagnosed with West Nile virus.

• In 2006, two people died from the disease. 
• Recent studies have shown that the majority of cases are not diagnosed and grossly under reported. 
• For 2013, a total of four groups of mosquitoes and 11 dead birds have tested positive for the virus. 

5.  ACTION:  Visit the District's website for current West Nile virus activity or to receive automatic emails for when the District fogs for adult mosquitoes.

• Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord. 
• Call the District to report mosquito problems at (925) 771-6195 
• or visit their office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to get FREE mosquitofish for ornamental ponds, horse troughs or neglected swimming pools.

6. [HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL RELEVANT LINKS -- Editor]

1. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention [West Nile Virus]
2. State of California, WestNile.ca.us
3. West Nile Virus [Wikipedia discussion]
4. West Nile Virus [WebMD Section]
5. Mosquito Activity Forecast [Weather.Com] -- by zip code or...

County Library System -- SUMMER TOWN HALL MEETINGS (City-by-City)

Posted:  26 July 13

COUNTY-NEIGHBORS GET TO HELP 

SHAPE THE LIBRARY SYSTEM 

THE WAY WE WANT IT!

Ref:  (a)  COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWSLETTER - July 2013 (another award & more!)
          (b) PITTSBURG: LIBRARY BIRTHDAY BASH & GRAND REOPENING - 7/27/SAT/11:00

1.  Purposes

To highlight the neat calendar contained in reference (a).  You don't want to miss this.  It really is a neat thing to take a peek at.  I thought I'd duplicate here to be more sure that you won't overlook this.
(Nicely done, Library System!)

To remind County-neighbors to come and check out the great changes at the Pittsburg branch, as indicated in reference (b).  [An After-Action report on this event may be viewed by clicking here]


2.  In the library system's own words:

Contribute to the future of Contra Costa County Library as we shape our new strategic plan!

This summer and fall, each community will be hosting a town hall meeting where residents and stakeholders can share their vision and voice their opinions on the Library and what its priorities and goals should be.

For dates, times, and locations of the Town Hall Meetings, please see our events calendar. If your city or town is not yet listed, it will be as soon as the dates are confirmed!


3.  I'll Just Bet:

I'll bet that at least one of the dates can work for you.  Doesn't have to be in your own City, if the date proves inconvenient.

In fact, it might be a good chance to meet some distant County-neighbors --- and explore other County branches -- all are unique and worth checking out and taking fullest advantage. [And, you just might learn of powers you might never have imagined the system could give you and your family.]

As their accumulation of awards and our own great personal experiences with them proves, they are taking all of this seriously, for a better future for us all.  Lucky us!


4.  Suggestion:

Mark your own calendars, right now -- lest you forget


D. Nelson

WHY PITTSBURG IS SO GREAT -- Reason No. 4739

THE RAILROADS ARE LAID OUT SO WELL

Have you stopped to realize how lucky we are with all the neat, interesting, and eye-pleasing railroad overpasses and underpasses that ease city traffic flows here?

I believe that many other towns -- of crucial industrial, agricultural, or geographic importance -- such that they need a conspicuous railroad presence, too -- have single or more tracks running across the major streets, even in several or more places.

And, if they have to handle a lot of mile-long freight trains as a result -- look out.  Those marvelous machines often have to creep forward a distance, stop for a lengthy period, then back up again -- as they do whatever road-blocking thing they are doing  -- such that drivers regularly suffer agonizingly boring, costly, and inconvenient delays.  Sometimes those trains are even long enough to block all the cross-streets at the same time.  (Yikes! No options)

And so, what should be a five minute cross-town trip becomes an unavoidable 30 minute hassle -- though you do get the opportunity to study the details of freight car design and graffiti.

I suspect there are more than a few towns that endure many such disruptions during a given day, with many such days per week.  Just a guess.

For example, Terre Haute (a charming little City near the western border of Indiana) is trapped by such a plight -- and my heart goes out to them -- though, I suppose one can get used to most anything. But, when I visit there, it's glaringly obvious that they could use Pittsburg's strategy -- if only there were money to retrofit (and, I suspect, the political resolve).

I hope I get a chance to investigate (or that someone will tell me) -- how this very life-enhancing civil engineering feature came to be -- what foresight.  What could have been a terrible inconvenience has been turned into an entertainingly dynamic aspect of life here.  Perhaps there are natural advantages of topography -- but whatever the circumstances, lucky us.


David Nelson

All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

Senator Boxer: Strengthening Afterschool Programs

On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 5:52 PM, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer <barbara.boxer@boxer.enews.senate.gov> wrote:

ABOUT THE SENATOR CONSTITUENT SERVICES ISSUES & LEGISLATION PRESS CONTACT - - - - - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA - - - - - February 14, 2013 Dear Friend: Today I joined with Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Patty Murray (D-WA) to introduce the Afterschool for America’s Children Act (S.326), which would ensure that more than a million children have access to high-quality afterschool programs.  To read more, please click here. When the school bell rings, too many of our children go home to empty houses because their parents work and cannot afford afterschool care. This bipartisan bill would help working families by making sure that our kids have a safe and enriching place to go between 3 and 6 p.m. – the critical period after they leave school and before their parents come home. Sincerely, Barbara Boxer United States Senator Share on Facebook Tell a Friend E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: E-MAIL UPDATES Yes, please periodically send me e-mail updates.* Click Here *By subscribing to my e-mail updates, you are authorizing me to send regular e-mail updates from my office to your e-mail account.

Senator Boxer: Celebrating Black History Month

On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 5:35 PM, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer <barbara.boxer@boxer.enews.senate.gov> wrote:

ABOUT THE SENATOR CONSTITUENT SERVICES ISSUES & LEGISLATION PRESS CONTACT - - - - - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA - - - - - February 01, 2013 Dear Friend: Every February, Americans celebrate Black History Month and the extraordinary contributions of African-Americans to our nation. This year’s theme – “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington” – honors two vital anniversaries: the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation set the United States on the path to end slavery.  A century later, on August 28, 1963, hundreds of thousands of Americans of every color and creed marched to the Lincoln Memorial to redeem the Proclamation’s pledge of freedom and the Declaration of Independence’s promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for every American. These great milestones in our country’s history are an inspiration to us all and a challenge to keep marching forward until every American has equal rights and opportunities – including the right to vote without intimidation or obstruction, the right to equal justice under the law, and full and equal access to health care, education, and employment. During Black History Month and beyond, I hope you will join me in honoring the memories of the countless African-Americans who have shaped our nation’s past, present, and future.  Their accomplishments are an integral part of American history and should be celebrated and shared – not just this month, but every day of the year. To read more about this February’s events and African American history, visit the special Library of Congress web page at http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/index.html. Sincerely, Barbara Boxer United States Senator Share on Facebook Visit my Website If you would like to learn more about my work in the U.S. Senate, to visit my website Tell a Friend E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: E-MAIL UPDATES Yes, please periodically send me e-mail updates.* Click Here *By subscribing to my e-mail updates, you are authorizing me to send regular e-mail updates from my office to your e-mail account.

Contra Costa County Library BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: 7/21/SUN/ 12 to 5 pm / Pleasant Hill

Posted:  20 July 2013

Contra Costa County Library Birthday Celebration: This Sunday!

Contra Costa County Library is 100 years old! Please join us on Sunday, July 21, at Pleasant Hill Park for a special celebration featuring arts and crafts, children's performers, music, and fun for the whole family. Check out our guide to performances and activities for everyone. Sunday, July 21 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pleasant Hill Park 147 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill

COUNTY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER - July 2013 (another award & more!) CONGRATULATIONS!

Posted:  17 July 13

HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM FOR WINNING ANOTHER PRESTIGIOUS AWARD WITHIN THE LAST 8 MONTHS!  

In November 2012, they won the coveted "2012 National Medal for Museum and Library Service," in Washington, DC. (see this blog article).  

And now this, the " 2013 National Association of Counties Achievement Award for Veterans Connect," (see below) 

OH, VERY WELL DONE!!  LUCKY US!

Library Survey: Give Us Your 2¢ Contra Costa County Library is asking for your input on its services in order to better serve the needs of the community. Your feedback will help us greatly as we work on our new strategic plan. The link to the brief online survey, which runs until July 31, isccclib.org/mylibrary. Please share the survey link with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues so they can voice their opinions too. Town Hall Meetings Contribute to the future of Contra Costa County Library as we shape our new strategic plan! This summer and fall, each community will be hosting a town hall meeting where residents and stakeholders can share their vision and voice their opinions on the Library and what its priorities and goals should be. For dates, times, and locations of the Town Hall Meetings, please see our events calendar. If your city or town is not yet listed, it will be as soon as the dates are confirmed! Contra Costa County Library Birthday Celebration: This Sunday! Contra Costa County Library is 100 years old! Please join us on Sunday, July 21, at Pleasant Hill Park for a special celebration featuring arts and crafts, children's performers, music, and fun for the whole family. Check out our guide to performances and activities for everyone. Sunday, July 21 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pleasant Hill Park 147 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill Read! Discuss! Act! Put words into action by reading a great book, discussing it with others, and using your new-found knowledge to engage in a community service project related to the book's topic. Hercules Library is hosting book to action events featuring Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Learn more. Summer Reading is Delicious Get out of the heat and give yourself a treat! Summer Reading festivities are happening now at our community library locations. Please check our calendar for events taking place near you. More Upcoming Programs and Events Inclusive Storytimes Hercules Library Every Tuesday 6:00 p.m. - 6:25 p.m. A fun family storytime for everyone! This inclusive storytime is for all children, including children with disabilities, ESL learners, and anyone looking to hear some fun stories. There will be a simple craft afterward. Meet the Pinole Police Department Pinole Library Monday July 29 at 2:00 Police come to the Library to talk about safety issues for kids. Contact the library for more details. OneBEAT Drum Circle Program for Kids, Teens and Adults El Sobrante Library Monday, August 12 from 7:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Join us for an exciting evening of community drumming with facilitators from DRUMMM Rhythmic Events! Achievement Award for Library's Veterans Connect Contra Costa County Library received a 2013 National Association of Counties Achievement Award for Veterans Connect, a library project that connected county veterans with critical information resources. These resources included Welcome Home events staffed by the County Veterans Service Officer; job recruiters from Google, the FBI, and the County Sheriff's; library cards to homeless veterans; library books; and a library subject guide. Art Passages Launches Library Exhibit The public is invited to see the new exhibit, Contra Costa Libraries: A 21st Century Look at our County's Libraries, featuring the work of artist Philip Liborio Gangi. The exhibit is housed in the Contra Costa County Administration Building at 651 Pine Street in Martinez. Read more. ©2013 Contra Costa County Library | 1750 Oak Park Boulevard | Pleasant Hill CA | 94523 | You are receiving this e-mail from Contra Costa County Library because you told us it’s okay to contact you with library news, or you signed up for eNews via the Online Library or in person. Thank you for your interest and support.

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