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Outdoor dining has returned to Walnut Creek, one of the many changes that arrived last week with the lifting of the Bay Area regional stay at home order restrictions. Contra Costa County remains in a challenging situation with local COVID-19 case numbers, but there are hopeful signs as well. Please see our updates below on a variety of related topics, from a vaccination update to how outdoor dining options might be able to withstand winter weather.
Questions, comments about this update or anything else? Email me at CMUpdates@walnut-creek.org.
 City Council meeting Tuesday, February 2, 6:00 p.m.
The City Council will meet tomorrow evening via Zoom, and you're welcome to join us virtually. Each year, the City Council considers and adopts a legislative agenda covering areas of interest that will be coming before the state legislature. The Council will discuss those on Tuesday. Additionally, a public hearing will be held regarding the community benefits program that allows for additional development potential in exchange for developer-provided community benefits. The next regular City Council meeting will take place on February 16. Find all of the agenda and viewing information on our public meetings webpage.
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Back to Purple: regional Stay-at-Home Order lifted
If you have have been missing the creative outdoor dining options so many Walnut Creek restaurants created last fall, many of them are now reopened under the terms of the latest health rules. The City is working closely with businesses, Walnut Creek Downtown and the Fire Department to establish guidelines for winterizing outdoor structures and allowing for safe outdoor heaters. The City Council approved a grant program in January to provide eligible restaurants with grants of either $5,000 or $10,000, and funds are being distributed beginning this week. Visit the City's Rebound website to get the latest on openings and happenings in Walnut Creek.
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Vaccination Update: more than 127,000 doses administered in Contra Costa County
Contra Costa Health Services is focusing its COVID-19 immunization efforts on seniors who are 65 or older. The County Health Officer has set a goal of administering one million doses before July 4. So far, 11% of the County's population has received the first dose already, including thousands of front line medical workers. All vaccinations are given by appointment only. For Walnut Creek residents, a new location for vaccinations has opened at Tice Valley Gym just outside of Rossmoor. The City responded quickly to a call from the State and County to offer a location that can accommodate as many as 450 vaccinations per day, and the site opened last week.
If you are 65 or older, click here to request an appointment or call 1-833-829-2626. It is still critical to follow masking and distancing guidelines, even if you have already had your first dose. Testing remains important as well, and it is now much easier now to schedule online or by phone. Find all the latest COVID-19 information, including what is open and what remains closed, at the County Health Department's COVID-19 website.
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Kinder Morgan Pipeline cleanup continues
It's been more than two months since a leak was detected in the Kinder Morgan pipeline that runs through a County flood control channel in Walnut Creek. Nearly 20,000 gallons of fuel has been recovered from underground in the channel, which is about half of what is estimated to have leaked from the pipeline. City officials continue to monitor the cleanup, which is regulated by several State and Federal agencies. Visit the State's Office of Spill Prevention and Response website for updates. |
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Stormy weather winding down, but sandbags still available
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After last week's storms, now is the time to take stock of your home or business to see if sandbags might help prevent damage during the next round of winter weather. The City has 5 locations where you can get free bags and sand. Find locations and other details on our website.
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Stay informed - make sure you can receive emergency updates from the City of Walnut Creek
Text WCALERT to 888777 to receive critical updates on evacuations, severe weather, road closures and more. Sign up online for more options for your alerts.
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 New Community Development Director joins City of Walnut Creek
The City of Walnut Creek has selected Mark Wardlaw to oversee the Community Development Department. Wardlaw has been San Diego County’s Director of Planning & Development Services for the past eight years. Prior positions include Community Development Director for the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Deputy Director and Planning Manager in Culver City, and more than a decade of planning and redevelopment work in the City of San Diego.
Wardlaw has considerable experience with engaged communities and stakeholders, and is eager to begin working with internal and external partners in the City. “Walnut Creek has enviable opportunities for both business and residential growth,” said Wardlaw. “I am looking forward to helping guide our City team in development services, housing, planning and sustainability as we keep an eye on the big picture of Walnut Creek’s needs.”
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Live! from the Library presents - author of "Dark Tomorrow": February 17, 7:00 p.m.
Plan an evening with author and attorney Reece Hirsch as he discusses how he turns cutting-edge privacy and cybersecurity issues into thrillers. In addition to being the author of six thrillers, Reece is the co-head of the privacy and cybersecurity practice of an international law firm. Reece will share how he draws upon some scary and surprising real-world issues from his legal practice in crafting page-turning thrillers, the latest of which is Dark Tomorrow. Reece will be in conversation with Terry Shames, the author of the Samuel Craddock mystery series. Register in advance online.
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Civic Park Preschool & Community Center launches a pen pal and art exchange
Community Arts Preschool and the Civic Park Community Center are collaborating to connect preschool children and senior community members together through an art share and pen pal exchange. Students at Community Arts Preschool are sharing their artwork with seniors in the community through the weekly food delivery service with hopes to add some cheer to their day. Preschool students and other senior community members are now pen pals as well, exchanging letters by mail. Preschool children work as a class to write a letter to their pen pals and look forward to receiving and reading their responses. This art share and pen pal program help to foster kindness and empathy for one another as our entire community works together to stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
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Flexing your creative writing muscles
Thanks to funding from the Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation and the Community Arts Foundation, Center for Community Arts is partnering with Civic Park Community Center to offer free virtual creative writing classes to senior community members. Participants will take part in weekly virtual classes with creative writing teaching artist Emily Dezurich-Badran and engage with fellow writers. No experience necessary - come ready to write and share! Register online here.
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