November 2023
Welcome to the November 2023 edition of the "Backyard Brief." In this issue, you'll find information on the installation of the Iron Horse Trail Bridge Overcrossing; the upcoming Hometown Heroes celebration; unscheduled Commission and Committee vacancies; a groundbreaking for Wallis Ranch Community Park; the Holiday Craft Boutique, the Holiday Tree Lighting, and other seasonal events; and more.
Iron Horse Trail Bridge Installation a Success!
Additional Closure of Dublin Boulevard Required, November 4 -5
In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 22, the Iron Horse Trail Bridge was craned into place over Dublin Boulevard near Scarlett Drive. Dublin Boulevard was expected to be closed from Dougherty Road to Hacienda Drive for a full 24 hours, but the bridge installation was completed in about 10 hours, allowing for traffic to flow again on Dublin Boulevard by 12:30 p.m. The primary objective of the Iron Horse Trail - Dublin Boulevard Overcrossing Project is to provide a safe crossing for Trail users and facilitate improved traffic flow along Dublin Boulevard by providing a bridge crossing over Dublin Boulevard for pedestrians and bicyclists.
An additional full closure of Dublin Boulevard, from Dougherty Road to Hacienda Drive, will be required from Saturday, November 4, at 11:00 p.m., to Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 7:00 a.m., in order for crews to pour the concrete walkway on the bridge. Detour signs will again direct traffic south to Pleasanton. Local vehicular and pedestrian access will be allowed to travel up to the road limits of Scarlett Drive and Sterling Street. Please be aware that there is a possibility, due to unforeseen circumstances, that the dates and times of the closure may change. Any updates to the schedule can be found on the City’s website at: https://www.dublin.ca.gov/IHTBridge.
The bridge is expected to be open in Spring 2024, as additional work requires construction of touchdown landings with graduated ramps on the north side of Dublin Boulevard within Don Biddle Park, and on the south side of Dublin Boulevard within the existing Iron Horse Trail right-of-way.
Dublin City Council Breaks Ground on Wallis Ranch Community Park
On Friday, October 13, the Dublin City Council held a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Wallis Ranch Community Park, to be located on three separate parcels along Tassajara Road, adjacent to the Wallis Ranch residential neighborhood. The park design theme selected is titled, “Windswept Grassland,” and will feature a dog park; tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts; onsite parking; restrooms; fitness stations; group and individual picnic areas; children’s play areas; informal grass area for free play; and more.
City of Dublin Seeking Applicants to Fill Unscheduled Commission and Committee Vacancies
The City of Dublin is seeking applicants to fill unscheduled vacancies on the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission, Parks and Community Services Commission, and Senior Center Advisory Committee. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 3, at 5:00 p.m. Applications are available on the City’s website at www.dublin.ca.gov/commissions.
*Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission has one unscheduled vacancy with a term ending December 2026.
*Parks and Community Services Commission has one alternate unscheduled vacancy with a term ending December 2024.
*Senior Center Advisory Committee has one alternate vacancy with a term ending December 2024.
For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (925) 833-6650.
Celebrate Our Military at the Annual Hometown Heroes Veterans Day Luncheon
Please join the City of Dublin and the Rotary Club of Dublin in honoring and recognizing all of the courageous servicemembers in the United States Military, past and present, at the annual Hometown Heroes Veterans Day Luncheon, on Wednesday, November 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite: $35 per person; $350 per table of eight. Veterans and active military are welcome free of charge, but must RSVP on Eventbrite. Those purchasing tables help to support the complimentary meals for those who serve our country.
For additional information, please text or call (925) 321-5319.
EBCE is Now Ava Community Energy
Since 2018, the City of Dublin has been a member of East Bay Community Energy (EBCE). EBCE is our not-for-profit public power provider. With EBCE, we have access to green energy, low rates, and a variety of community benefits.
On October 24, East Bay Community Energy became Ava Community Energy. This name change is part of a larger brand refresh for the agency. Since its inception, EBCE (now Ava) has regularly added new customer programs and expanded its service territory. The agency now serves the city of Tracy; Stockton and Lathrop are slated to join in 2025.
Through research, it became clear that many residents in these San Joaquin County cities did not see themselves as part of the “East Bay,” and a name more inclusive of their diverse constituents was needed. The name Ava Community Energy is shorter, more memorable, and subtly nods to the agency’s service territory which spans from Alameda County to the San Joaquin Valley.
Beginning with your next billing cycle, the generation page of your PG&E bill will show the Ava name. Similarly, their website (avaenergy.org), emails, newsletters, and other communications will come from Ava, not EBCE, going forward.
As a customer, there are no actions for you to take. Your service and rates will not change. Your benefits will continue to increase, however, as Ava Community Energy has new programs–including the largest eBike lending and incentive program in California–coming your way soon.
For more information, please visit avaenergy.org/brand. For questions about your bill or the service in general, email customer-support@avaenergy.org or call 1-833-699-3223.
City of Dublin to Host a Community Blood Drive on Friday, December 8
On Friday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the City of Dublin will host an American Red Cross blood drive in the Regional Meeting Room at the Dublin Civic Center (100 Civic Plaza). There are currently 12 spots available for the December blood drive. To make a donation, visit RedCrossBlood.org, and use the sponsor code, "DublinCommunity," or zip code 94568, to find Dublin's blood drive. You may also call 1-800-733-2767 to register. Every donation collected can save up to three lives!
Donors may streamline the donation process by visiting www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass on the day of the blood drive to complete the pre-donation reading and health history questions. The Red Cross asks anyone who feels unwell on the day of their appointment to postpone their donation.
The City of Dublin hosts regular blood drives at the Dublin Civic Center on the first Friday in February, April, June, October, and December.
City of Dublin to Host Third Annual Youth Mental Health Forum
Join school counselors, local therapists, teachers, coaches, and others who work with youth, on Thursday, November 9, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., at Shannon Community Center, for the Third Annual Youth Mental Health Forum. Join us as we work toward ending the stigma of talking about youth mental health.
The format for the event will include an introduction from each panelist, followed by questions from the Youth Advisory Committee that each panelist will have time to discuss, followed by questions from the audience. The forum may include students who have experienced mental health issues and wish to share their stories. Discussion topics may include anxiety, depression, isolation, and other mental health struggles.
Confirmed panelists and partner tables include:
* Rainbow Club (LGBTQ Club) at Fallon Middle School
* Representatives from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Tri-Valley
* Fallon Middle School Peer Education and Counseling (PEAC)
* Dublin Police Services (DPS) Behavioral Health Unit (BHU)
* A Brighter Day
* Dublin High National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Club
For information about this and other events hosted by the Youth Advisory Committee please email youthadvisory@dublin.ca.gov.
Jump Start Your Holiday Shopping at the Dublin Senior Center's Annual Holiday Craft Boutique
The City of Dublin's annual Holiday Craft Boutique will be held on Saturday, November 18, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Dublin Senior Center (7600 Amador Valley Blvd.). You'll find unique and handcrafted items, such as jewelry, pottery, soaps, lotions, clothing, and more, created by local senior artists, artisans, and crafters. This event is a great way to kick-start your holiday shopping.
Holiday Tree Lighting
Come out to the Dublin Civic Center on Thursday, November 30, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m, for the annual lighting of the holiday tree! Over 15 tons of snow will be brought to the Civic Center to create a true Winter Wonderland in Dublin! Enjoy performances by local musicians and the Dublin Unified School District choir. All guests will help count down as the 30-foot holiday tree is illuminated. Of course, it wouldn't feel like the holidays without a special visitor from the North Pole!
Breakfast with Santa
Santa Claus is coming to Dublin on Saturday, December 2! Families are invited to enjoy a delicious hot pancake breakfast served with sausage, fruit, coffee, and juice, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus! Santa will pose for holiday photos following each session.
There are three available sessions: 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. $15/residents; $18/non-residents, per person, all ages.
Holiday DancEscape
Celebrate the holiday season with friends at the City of Dublin's annual Holiday DancEscape on Friday, December 8, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Dublin Senior Center (7600 Amador Valley Blvd.). You'll dance the night away to the sounds of a live, big band orchestra, The Cool Tones. This event is for ages 21+.
Tickets are $10/residents; $13/non-residents. Register here. Guests may also pay $15 at the door on the evening of the event.
Do You Like to Decorate for the Holidays? Enter the "Deck the Homes" Holiday Home Decorating Contest
Each year, the City of Dublin hosts the "Deck the Homes" Holiday Home Decorating Contest to celebrate those who create festive holiday displays around town. The City's Parks and Community Services Commission serves as contest judges. Winners receive a yard sign for display, and a gift card to a local business, and are recognized before the Dublin City Council.
2023 Contest Categories:
Seen from Space Award - Best use of lights and color
Winter Wonderland Award - Best use of music, movement, and technology
Over-Inflated Award - Best use of inflatables
Deck the Hall Award - Best decorated apartment/condo/balcony/door
Dashing Debut Award (New category!) - First-year contest participant
Spotlight Award - Judges' choice
Enter the contest here!
Coming Soon: Pickleball Courts at Don Biddle Community Park
Pickleball is coming to Dublin! On Monday, October 23, four pickleball courts were lined on the two existing tennis courts at Don Biddle Community Park. These courts are the first pickleball courts in Dublin. Two portable nets will be stored at the park for public use. The courts are expected to be available for pickleball use in the coming weeks.
From sunrise to 1:00 p.m., Court 1 will be for priority Tennis use, and Court 2 will be for priority Pickleball use. Courts will be first-come, first-served unless a permit has been issued. Use is limited to one hour if other groups are waiting to play. (Please see full pickleball court rules to the left.)
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, additional courts will be added at the Wallis Ranch Community Park, which is currently under construction.
