December 2021
Welcome to the December edition of "The Backyard Brief." In this edition, you'll find information about Dublin's transition to EBCE's Renewable 100 service; a Public Hearing to discuss the proposed East Ranch Project; COVID-19 updates; remembering a Dublin hero; holiday safety tips; and more!
Celebrate the Holiday Season with the City of Dublin!
38th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
The City of Dublin has several plans in store for the holiday season. On Thursday, December 2, come out to Dublin Civic Center (100 Civic Plaza) for the traditional lighting of the holiday tree. Santa's elves will be busy decorating the Civic Center parking lot and turning it into Dublin's very own Winter Wonderland. Take a stroll through the decorated lot; grab a bite to eat at one of the food trucks; enjoy music from our local school bands and choirs; and help us count down as the tree is illuminated. Also, be sure to be on the lookout for a special guest from the North Pole. The parking lot opens at 5:30 p.m. The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. Free to attend.
Breakfast with Santa
Santa Claus is coming to Dublin! On Saturday, December 4, families are invited to enjoy a delicious hot pancake breakfast served with sausage, fruit, coffee, and juice, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus! This event benefits the Dublin High Music program, which will provide lively holiday music during the event. Santa will also pose for photos following each breakfast. There are three time slots available - 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. The cost is $15 for residents/$18 for non-residents, per person, all ages. Register here.
"The Snow Queen" Ballet
Join the City of Dublin and Radiance School of Ballet at a presentation of Hans Christian Andersen's beloved children's story, The Snow Queen. Journey with Kai and Gerda in this winter story ballet. When Kai is placed under the spell of the Snow Queen, it is Gerda who sets off to find and rescue her beloved sister. Join these young sisters as they adventure through faraway lands encountering dancing flowers, robbers, a raven, evil snowflakes, a reindeer, and the Snow Queen herself. This is a story of selflessness and purity’s triumph over evil. There will be two showings of this event - on Saturday, December 4, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at Dublin Center for Performing Arts and Education (8151 Village Parkway, Dublin). Tickets are $17 to $26, and can be purchased at www.radianceballet.com.
Handel's "Messiah" Ballet
This unique cultural fine arts production presents George Frideric Handel’s 1742 masterpiece, Messiah. Classical ballet and excerpts from Messiah are paired for a holiday performance that will delight sight and sound. Handel’s Messiah ballet provides the perfect opportunity for a holiday outing for all ages and an immersion into the majesty of the cultural fine arts. There will be two showings of this event - on Sunday, December 5, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at Dublin Center for Performing Arts and Education (8151 Village Parkway, Dublin). Tickets are $22 to $28, and can be purchased at www.anastasisballet.org.
"Deck the Homes" Holiday Decorating Contest
There's still time to register for the "Deck the Homes" Holiday Decorating Contest! This year's contest will feature the following categories:
* Seen from Space Award (Best Use of Lights)
* Winter Wonderland Award (Best Lawn Display)
* Holiday Classic Award (Best Holiday Theme)
* Deck the Halls Award (Best Apartment/Condo/Townhome)
* Gingerbread House Award (Best Neighborhood) - This is three or more homes, either directly next door or across the street from each other in the same block, promoting cooperation in their efforts.
The deadline to apply is Friday, December 10, at 4:00 p.m. The Parks and Community Services Commissioners will serve as the judges, with judging taking place December 13 - 17, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The category winners, along with a grand prize winner, will be selected at the December 20 meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission. Category winners will receive a yard sign to display, along with a $50 gift card to a local Dublin business. The grand prize winner will receive a Holiday Spirit Award in the form of a $100 gift card, and a yard sign. Winners will also be recognized at a January meeting of the Dublin City Council. A map showing all entries will be available in early December so that residents can visit the many decorated homes all around town. Enter the contest.
Protect Yourself and Your Property This Holiday Season!
Dublin Police would like to remind the public to please be extra cautious and vigilant in protecting yourself and your property during this busy holiday shopping season. Shoppers should report any suspicious activity to the police department by calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line at 925-462-1212. If you see something, say something.
Throughout the holiday season, Dublin Police will be deploying extra staff to highly traveled commercial areas to conduct a Holiday Crime Suppression Detail. The operation will target crime trends that are common during the holiday season. The increase in staff will include marked and unmarked patrol vehicles, and officers on foot patrol and bicycles. Additional patrols will also be on the lookout for those driving under the influence.
In the event of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
Join Dublin Police Services in Remembering Deputy John Paul Monego
On December 12, 1998, Dublin Police Deputy John Monego was killed in the line of duty while responding to a robbery. Please join Dublin Police in honoring his memory at an annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 11, at 6:00 p.m. The event will take place in the lobby of Dublin Police Services (6361 Clark Avenue). Following the tree lighting, light refreshments will be served.
Dublin City Council to Hold a Public Hearing to Discuss the East Ranch Project
At its meeting to be held on Tuesday, December 7, at 7:00 p.m., the Dublin City Council will hold a Public Hearing to discuss the proposed East Ranch Project. The Applicant, Trumark Homes, has proposed to develop a 573-unit residential project on Croak Road, east of Fallon Road. The site is 165.5 acres and straddles the existing Croak Road with Jordan Ranch to the west; Positano to the north; and undeveloped land to the east and south, with I-580 beyond.
The project plans feature:
* Six neighborhoods
* Two neighborhood parks totaling 11.5 acres
* Affordable housing, which would be dispersed through four of the six neighborhoods.
The first study session to discuss the project was held in May, and residents were invited to provide comment. Two additional community meetings were held in mid-September.
The project was recently approved by the Planning Commission on November 16, by a vote of 3-2. The public is invited to comment about the project during the Public Hearing at Tuesday's meeting.
Visit www.dublin.ca.gov/AgendasMinutesVideo to learn more.
Dublin Electricity Accounts Will Transition to 100% Renewable Energy in January 2022
East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) began serving Dublin residential, business, and municipal electricity customers in 2018. Customers were placed on EBCE’s Bright Choice service, which is priced one-percent below PG&E rates and is approximately five-percent more renewable energy than PG&E.
To help meet the greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals set in the City of Dublin’s Climate Action Plan 2030 and Beyond, the Dublin City Council voted in January 2021 to set the default electricity option for Dublin residences to EBCE’s Renewable 100 service, starting in January 2022. All municipal electric accounts in Dublin have been powered by Renewable 100 since July 2019.
Renewable 100 service is sourced from California wind and solar facilities, including a new wind farm in Livermore. Renewable 100 costs an additional one-cent per kilowatt-hour above PG&E rates. That’s about five dollars more per month for a typical Dublin home.
Customers who prefer to power their home with Bright Choice are welcome to do so by visiting ebce.org/Dublin and clicking on “Remain on Bright Choice,” or by calling 1-833-699-EBCE (3223) during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). Take action by December 22 if you prefer to avoid automatic enrollment in Renewable 100. Customers who are on CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline programs will remain on Bright Choice service automatically, but can still choose Renewable 100. Customers can change their EBCE service or return to PG&E service at any time.
To learn more about your electric service choices, please visit ebce.org/compare-plans-residential/. Customers can also contact EBCE’s call center at 1-833-699-EBCE (3223) during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Coronavirus Updates
Drop-in COVID-19 Testing at the Dublin Senior Center
Are you worried about possible exposure to COVID-19 or are you feeling unwell? Every Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Dublin Senior Center (7600 Amador Valley Blvd.) offers free, contactless COVID-19 testing for all ages. Please bring your ID and insurance card (if you have them) to the site to receive your test. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the test and it is available for both the insured and uninsured. You may schedule an appointment at cur.tv/dublin, but walk-ins are welcome. Turn-around time to receive results is one to two days.
Monoclonal Antibody Treatments for High-Risk Individuals, Ages 12+
Free, FDA-authorized monoclonal antibody (mAB) treatment is available for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and meet criteria. Treatment can help reduce symptoms and avoid hospitalization. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that help boost the immune system to fight off viruses and may be used to treat adults and adolescents who are at high risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19. Learn if you qualify for this life-saving treatment:
• Are ages 12 or older and at least 88 lbs., and
• Recently tested positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms OR were exposed to someone with COVID-19, and
• Are part of a group of people who are at high risk for hospitalization or death.
Visit https://covid-19.acgov.org/antibody-treatment for more information.
COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Recommended
Just before Thanksgiving, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommended that all adults who have received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccine at least six months ago should get a booster shot, as immunity may wane over time. The CDC had previously recommended that adults who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over two months ago should get a booster shot. A different vaccine than their original series may be chosen as a booster.
The Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson booster doses are the same dosage as the original vaccine received in the series, while the Moderna booster dose is half the dosage of the original vaccine series. An individual can receive their booster from any location, not necessarily where they received their initial vaccine series. Booster appointments are also available through MyTurn.ca.gov.
The Wave to Host "Kids Night Out" on Friday, December 17
Need a night out to get some holiday shopping done, or simply to carve out some quiet time? Drop off your youngsters at The Wave (4201 Central Parkway) on Friday December 17, at 6:00 p.m.
Children ages 6 - 12 will enjoy swimming, pizza, games, and more! Register for the event at DublinRecGuide.com.
Kids Night Out will also take place on Friday, January 21.
The Wave to be Closed Later This Month for Maintenance
The Wave will be closed from Monday, December 20, 2021, through Monday, January 3, 2022, for essential pool maintenance. The Wave will reopen for programming on Tuesday, January 4. For questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Visit www.dublinrecguide.com for programming information.
City of Dublin Seeking Nominations for the 2021 Citizen, Young Citizen, and Organization of the Year
The City of Dublin will accept nominations for the 2021 Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Organization of the Year through Friday, January 21, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
The purpose of these awards is to recognize outstanding individuals and groups who have contributed to the quality of life in Dublin in 2021. The Young Citizen of the Year recognizes the volunteer service of a Dublin youth currently in the 1st – 12th grade.
Nomination criteria for the awards are based on five established criteria: the Dublin Integrity In Action’s 10 Characteristics (i.e., Responsibility, Respectfulness, Caring, Giving, Positive Attitude, Trustworthiness, Cooperation, Doing One’s Best, Honesty, and Self-Discipline); originality and uniqueness of the activity/project; overall relevance and importance to the community; time and effort spent; and challenge(s) in accomplishing the activity/project.
The Organization of the Year receives a $500 cash prize, and a $300 donation is given to each of the Citizen and Youth Citizen of the Year’s favorite non-profit organization. The Mayor also selects a "Mayor's Award" winner for outstanding work done in the previous year; and the "Mayor's Legacy Award," for outstanding work done over a long period of time.
The winners will be announced at an event to be held at the Shannon Community Center in March 2022 (date TBA). To nominate an individual or an organization, visit www.dublin.ca.gov/vre.
Do You Know a Talented Teen? Registration is Now Open for the Teen Talent Showcase
A Brighter Day, a local organization founded to help teens and young adults recognize and cope with stress and depression, is holding a Teen Talent Showcase. The Cities of Dublin, Danville, Pleasanton, and San Ramon, are sponsoring this event.
Teens are encouraged to register for the event by city, and submit an audition video, no longer than three minutes long. Videos will be uploaded to YouTube and family and friends are encouraged to "like" the video. Ten finalists - five with the most "likes" and five picked by judges - will compete in the finale. All contestants will also be entered into a $100 gift card giveaway.
The deadline to register is Friday, January 7, at 5:00 p.m.
All Contestant videos will be on the YouTube Channel Playlist to view and vote for fan favorites on Monday, January 10. The livestream YouTube Show will be held on Saturday, January 22, at 4:00 p.m.