NAMIWalks
 Last weekend, I had the utmost pleasure of issuing a commendation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). While attending their event, NAMIWalks, I was impassioned by the amazing turnout and their impactful mission, and my belief in our community’s spirit was reinforced. Seeing local coalitions, businesses, law enforcement, and first-responders supporting this initiative was empowering and indicative of the strong relationships we have within Alameda County.
Mental health disorders are highly stigmatized by society, but organizations like NAMI provide advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that individuals affected by mental health challenges can build better lives. Navigating through everyday life can be overwhelming, but uplifting one another by extending resources is critical, and the NAMIWalks event was a pleasant reminder of this important lesson.
Livermore Valley Wine Auction
 Attending the Livermore Valley Wine Auction fundraising event at Wente was a privilege, and I was overjoyed to see so many Tri-Valley residents supporting this noble cause. A key beneficiary of this event was Fostering Wishes, a non-profit organization committed to helping foster children in the Tri-Valley. By supplying essential items and offering moral encouragement, they help reduce the uncertainty in kids' lives as they transition into and through the foster care system. I want to thank the many wineries involved and everyone who contributed to making this a very successful fundraiser.
ENGIE Panel
 It was a pleasure to be a panelist for the Need For and Future of Microgrids panel hosted by ENGIE, a group dedicated to reducing carbon emissions through feasible methods. I had the opportunity to do a presentation on the Santa Rita Jail Microgrid project and represent Alameda County’s interests for climate action and sustainability. The SRJ Microgrid (located in Dublin), pioneered advanced technological solutions for energy efficiency in 2012, fostering the use of green solutions throughout the country. The importance of protecting our environment through such strategies cannot be overstated, and I offer my sincerest thanks to Kelly Fergusson and ENGIE for inviting me to participate.
Mark your Calanders!
 Please join District 1 Supervisor David Haubert on November 9 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss and share your thoughts about a possible $10 to $20 billion Bay Area-wide affordable housing bond that is being proposed for the November 2024 ballot.
Click here to register or click here to view remotely!
Arts Leadership Award Recipients
 In commemoration of National Arts and Humanities Month, I was honored to present commendations to Chris Carter and Alvin Minard on behalf of District 1. Alameda County instated the Arts Leadership Award Program in 2003 to formally recognize prominent artists across all 5 districts.
Chris Carter is the Executive Director of Livermore Valley Arts, which hosts over 250 art events annually. He made significant efforts to keep this organization active throughout the pandemic by creating free online art classes, camps, concerts, and an online interview series.
Alvin (Al) Minard, a long-time member of the Fremont Cultural Arts Council, is a dedicated resident of Fremont who strives to make arts, history, music, and dance an integral part of his city's identity.
These contributions are invaluable, as art is an indispensable part of a thriving society. It allows cultures to engage and communicate through a language that’s timeless, as art transcends geographical and ideological barriers. It also provides spiritual nourishment and is essential for establishing a meaningful connection with our surroundings, and I encourage individuals in our District to promote this unique form of expression.
Thank you, i-Gate
 Earlier this month, my office awarded a 25-thousand-dollar grant to i-Gate, a non-profit organization striving to cultivate a prosperous start-up environment in the tri-valley for emerging industries like biotechnology and food-tech. They help aspiring start-ups through structural assistance, providing office spaces, and introducing entrepreneurs to existing networks by connecting founders and innovators. Tech start-ups are proliferating in the greater Bay Area, and i-Gate’s role in connecting the Tri-Valley to this rapid growth is very valuable.
This ambitious undertaking holds great promise, as it outlines the pathways for innovators to flourish in the Tri-Valley. A business-friendly space is instrumental in our District’s continued success, and I commend i-Gate for their unwavering efforts.
Departmental Spotlight
There are many residents who lack safety net services within Alameda County, and the Social Services Agency endeavors to provide vital resources for them. Recently, the SSA has been integrating updates that will make the application process for benefits more efficient, giving users enhanced accessibility to their services. Through their operating departments, the SSA provides adult and aging services, children and family services, and much more. Click here for more information.
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Traffic Advisory: Road Closures!
Please note that there will be a full Closure of Southbound I-680 in Pleasanton between I-580/I-680 Connector and Koopman Road the Weekend of November 3-6, 2023. Click here for alternative routes and more details.
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