California School for the Deaf hosts Clerc Classic Basketball Tournament

By Andrew Joseph

The California School for the Deaf (CSD) Eagles of Fremont hosted the 21st annual Clerc Classic national basketball tournament for deaf schools, on January 12 to the 14 in Fremont.

The Clerc Classic is a great opportunity for deaf high school basketball players from around the country to showcase their talent. Both boys’ and girls’ teams participated in the tournament which included schools representing Fremont, Riverside, Washington D.C., Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Texas and Maryland.

The tournament is named after Laurent Clerc, who is the French co-founder of the Hartford Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf in 1817. It is the first and oldest existing school for the deaf in North America. Clerc also assisted with the opening of Gallaudet University, a higher education school for the deaf, in 1864.

The Fremont CSD boys’ team beat Alabama 56-48, and the Fremont girls’ team lost to Washington D.C. 46-33.

Eagles’ junior, Elijah Fabela, had a team high for the boys with 15 points. Senior, Bodhi Amann, added 12 points, and freshman, Aiden Shupe, added nine points. Fremont girls’ team was led by senior Shaelyn Johnson’s 19 points and Jasha Brock’s additional six points.

“The goal for us at this tournament is to shock the world and keep the championship trophy here in Fremont,” said Eagles boys’ head coach Joshua Weinstock. “I want my players to make lifetime memories here.”

The Fremont boys came into Friday’s game at a 2-10 regular season record and a five seed underdog in the tournament. They trailed 10-7 at the end of the first quarter. Everything changed in the second quarter when Amann hit a 3-pointer to begin the second quarter to tie the game at 10-10. The Eagles then went on a 15-5 run heading into halftime with a 25-15 lead and all the momentum they needed.

“Our defense is what helped us get the lead and we also played with good ball movement,” said Fabela. “We have not had a good season so far, but doing well at this tournament can change things around.”

Solid defensive play, points in transition, and trips to the free throw line kept Fremont’s momentum going in the second half. An offensive rebound and finish at the rim by Deven Thornton in the fourth quarter gave the Eagles an 18-point advantage, its largest lead of the game. Fremont consistently scored in the paint and made their free throws down the stretch. Alabama tried to make a late run in the closing minutes by scoring quick and fouling, but Fremont was victorious.

“Our mindset tonight was to show the deaf world who we are and what we are capable of, and we executed it,” said Amann. “This means a lot to me because it is my first time ever playing in the Clerc Classic and we won in our own home despite our underdog seeding.”

The Fremont girls’ team started off slow in their game and were down 11-3 at the end of the first quarter. Johnson hit a 3-pointer to start the second quarter to lead a 6-0 run, making it just an 11-9 deficit. Washington D.C. was able to score a lot of their points in transition and went into halftime with a 20-13 lead.

“Our focus coming into tonight’s game was to hustle, play our best defense and have good teamwork,” said Johnson.

The Eagles tried to mount a comeback in the second half with offensive efficiency getting to the rim and finishing. Fremont tied the game at 28-28 to begin the fourth quarter, but never took the lead in the game. Washington D.C. was able to continuously draw fouls and went on a 12-5 run to close out the game.

“In the first half we moved the ball well and defended our rim, but we made too many mistakes in the second half,” said Eagles girls’ head coach Kevin Bella. “The team has been putting in the work and we want to see them continue to grow as ball players and as individuals.”

This tournament not only brings deaf athletes from across the country together, but puts them in a place where they have the opportunity to get recognized by those who can help them continue with the sport and their education.

“My father is actually the founder of the Clerc Classic and it is basically a showcase of our nation’s prep deaf athletes,” said Weinstock. “We have Gallaudet University here scouting all the teams at this tournament.”

For more on the Clerc Classic visit www.clercclassic.com

For information about California School of the Deaf Fremont visit www.csdeagles.com

Winter floods fill reservoirs

By Jack Alcorn

Winter storms continue to pound the rain-soaked East Bay. Dangerous weather has forced evacuations, knocked out power and stranded thousands of travelers. It comes after months of severe drought in the region that left water levels in the state’s reservoirs well below historical averages.

The deluge has caused dozens of local rivers, creeks and aqueducts to crest over their banks. Overwhelmed waterways and storm drains flooded many streets and freeways. Hayward’s A Street remains closed indefinitely between 4th and 6th Streets.

The unrelenting downpours have brought much needed water to our drought-stricken state. According to the National Drought Information System, San Francisco reported 5.5 inches of rain on December 31, marking the second wettest day in over 170 years. Water levels at Shasta Lake, the state’s largest reservoir, have risen 21 feet since December 26. Coyote, Uvas and Almaden reservoirs are all currently over 100% capacity. Although most of California’s major reservoirs are still below their historical averages, these increasing water levels are a good sign.

“While short-term drought conditions are very much improved, a few intense storms may not be enough to make up for a multi-year drought,” said Sharene Gonzales, Public Affairs Supervisor for Alameda County Water District (ACWD). “Major reservoir storage levels remain at drought levels. Lake Oroville, which supplies about 40% of ACWD’s water, is at 39% capacity [as of January 5, 2023]”

ACWD provides safe, clean water to 345,000 Fremont, Newark and Union City residents.

The storms are fueled by a long plume of moisture over the Pacific Ocean. A current of fast-moving air is acting like a conveyer belt that’s moving storms across the Pacific and sending them into Northern and Central California. The new weather pattern has been named an “atmospheric river.” In addition to flooding, the parade of storms has brought high winds, mud slides and widespread damage to the East Bay. While no impacts to water service are anticipated, ACWD stated that high water flows have contributed to debris, causing superficial damage to a fish ladder and other equipment near Mission Boulevard.

As the wet and windy onslaught battered the state, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in early January, authorizing mobilization of the National Guard and other resources. Authorities warned residents to stay at home during the dangerous conditions. “We anticipate that this may be one of the most challenging and impactful series of storms to touch down in California in the last five years,” said Nancy Ward, director of the California Office of Emergency Services.

Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) had a significant rise of water in local reservoirs. As of January 9, water gauge information reported cumulative capacity for all reservoirs was 38% full. Valley Water again activated its Emergency Operations Center on January 4 to help protect public life and property from flooding and high winds. Valley Water has also seen high demand for sandbags and has distributed more than 100,000 sandbags during this rainy season.

Most of Alameda County is in a federally designated floodplain. Flood protection and control systems such as levees, pump stations, dams, and reservoirs were introduced in the 1950s when the Alameda County Flood Control & Water Conservation District was created. Prior to that, large swaths of the county often flooded. Uncommon Bay Area flood warnings from the National Weather Service have persisted in recent weeks.

Here are some tips for flood readiness:

• Know your area’s flood risk.
• Protect homes with sandbags and drainage.
• Develop a family emergency plan.
• Keep a 3-day emergency supply kit.

Alameda County Water District

https://www.acwd.org/

Valley Water

https://www.valleywater.org/

Celebrating 12 years of improvising

By Stephanie Gertsch

The last few years have taught us that even in the worst of times, humans still need to laugh. Made Up Theatre has been providing the Tri-City area with a chance to connect and de-stress through the art of improv for over a decade, and on January 21 they will celebrate their 12th anniversary with a special themed show.

Currently, Made Up Theatre (MUT) resides at the Five Corners in the Irvington district, but it began much less obtrusively in the industrial area of Fremont, near Fry’s Electronics. Sean Taylor (one of three founders still with the theatre), recalls “It was like a grassroots theater. It was essentially in a garage for a few years.”

In 2018, MUT took over a space previously occupied by Broadway West, a local theatre company that been there for 20 years. Says Taylor, “They retired that year, and they contacted us wanting to see if we wanted to take over the lease. And we were like, ‘Yeah let’s do that!’ Because it’s a prime spot in Fremont.”

He continues, “We were coming close to our ten-year anniversary, so it was a nice move to something a little more noticeable, and people would actually pass by us naturally. They’d have to be specifically coming to us to know that we’re there at our old space. It’s a cool building too. I think it was built in 1876 and there’s a lot of signatures backstage.” The building, Clark’s Hall, was originally built for the International Order of Templars, and dedicated on May 4, 1876.

Apart from short term stints in San Francisco, Orange County, and Denver to perform in festivals, MUT has stayed in their current location. The group has from 20-25 actors who rotate Saturday night improv shows based on audience suggestions. Other offerings include improv classes, team building events, and open mic nights.

During the pandemic, everyone was improvising. While MUT had been uploading training videos to YouTube, they began streaming Saturday shows for the first time. “There was no point for us to stream shows until we HAD to stream,” notes Taylor, laughing. Since Taylor lives with co-founders Bobby August, Ben Stephens, they began streaming from their living room, with 100 devices following along in the chat and giving suggestions. A virtual format showed that people who couldn’t attend in person still wanted to participate.

“That’s something we wouldn’t have discovered without the harshness of the pandemic. It did force us to adapt as a way to reach people,” explains Taylor. “It was humbling to see how many people wanted that escapism and that moment of ‘Hey, let’s just laugh even though we’re in the midst of something we’ve never been faced with before.’”

The experience highlighted that MUT had fans out of state and even overseas. “A lot of people from very different parts of the world do tune in,” says Taylor. “There’s a guy also from the Middle East who uses my videos as a way to train his group. And he’s even messaged me before and said ‘hey I really appreciate it,’ and he’s shared some stories with how he trains his group using our improv as a reference point.”

Naturally, virtual improv looks a little different. You can’t feed off the energy of people around you the way you can in person. But where traditional improv is pantomimed with no backgrounds or props, a virtual format allows flexibility. “That was something I stressed to everybody,” says Taylor. “‘I know this kind of seems weird, and awkward that we’re just on Zoom doing improv…Let’s do our best to try to think outside the box. Your cat crawls onto your lap? That’s part of the scene now. There’s a prop there that feels like it could lend itself to the scene? Go for it!’”

“Have fun,” he says. “Because if you’re having fun, your scene partner is having fun and the audience is having fun…Because if we surprise our audience sometimes, we’re surprising ourselves too.”

MUT reopened for in-person shows in 2021, and now they are continuing the work of bringing back programs and shows to get the theatre back to pre-pandemic form. Shows are still streamed on YouTube, although now suggestions come from the in-person audience, not the chat. In addition to the current lineup, Taylor is hoping to bring other groups of actors to perform at the theatre.

The Saturday anniversary show will be in the same audience-inspired format, but themed around the theatre’s milestones over 12 years. But of course, the final product is up to the performers and audience. Taylor concludes, “This is the first anniversary show since the pandemic when we’re actually going to have a live audience and I think it’s going to feel a lot more alive. That’s been something that’s been missing from our big milestone moments, is having that crowd with us, which we thrive off of.”

Made Up Theatre 12th Anniversary Show

Saturday, Jan 21

8 p.m.

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St., Ste B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

http://madeuptheatre.com/

Free bike repair with BikeMobile

Submitted by Nissa Nack

Want to ride your bike, but need a little repair? The BikeMobile is coming to Union City Library to provide free tune-ups and repairs to get your bike back on the road!

The BikeMobile can fix flat tires, adjust brakes and gears, and even replace broken or worn-out parts like chains, seats and tires. The only thing they cannot do is replace missing wheels or gears. While BikeMobile mechanics work on your bike, they will explain how to keep it running smoothly.

Bike or no bike, everyone is welcome to attend to learn about maintenance, safety and more!

No registration required. This is a first come, first serve event. Space is limited to 20 people.

The BikeMobile hosts bicycle repair clinics at schools, libraries, recreation centers and community events across the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, see their website at bikemobile.org or visit their Facebook page.

Learn more about this and other library programs at https://aclibrary.bibliocommons.com/events

All library programs are free!

BikeMobile repair program

Saturday, January 28

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Union City Library

34007 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City

https://aclibrary.bibliocommons.com/events

Black History Month Call for Artists

Submitted by Erin Ewing

Union City Community & Recreation Services is accepting submissions for artwork to be displayed in the month of February in celebration of Black History Month!

This annual art showcase honors, recognizes and celebrates African American history, culture, stories and artists. Submission examples celebrating Black History Month include all media, such as the following: Photography, Mixed Media, Paintings/Drawings, Ceramics/Sculptures, Installation Art, Cultural Fashion/Fabrics.

Submit your art today! The application deadline is Friday, January 27. Submission drop-off is Tuesday, January 31 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Scan the QR code to submit your work.

Black History Month Art Exhibit

Opening Night: Friday, Feb 10, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Gallery hours: Thursdays, Feb 16 & 23, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Studio 11

34626 11th St., Union City

unioncity.org/589/Arts-Culture-Studio-11

Cohousing helps residents feel more secure when away from home

Submitted by Evelyn LaTorre

Like many future Mission Peak Village cohousing residents, my husband and I love to travel. As a writer, I would like to be able to report our adventures on social media as we go, especially when traveling to foreign lands, because friends and relatives at home say they want to hear and see what we experience as it unfolds. For fear of revealing that our current home is unattended, however, I post very little about our travels until after we return.

This precaution won’t be necessary after Mission Peak Village is built on High Street and we are living in our cohousing home. When we are living with the 31 other cohousing families, we will know our neighbors and feel our home is safe—even when we are away for long periods of time. Our neighbors will be aware of our plans and keep an eye on our condo, and we will gladly do the same for them. One of the benefits of cohousing is an increased sense of safety and security.

Even prior to moving into Mission Peak Village, however, the families who are already members have a mutual feeling of community. For example, when one couple fell ill, the rest of us brought them meals. Last August, when my husband and I were departing to attend the International Cohousing Convention in Madison and needed to be at San Jose airport at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m., fellow Mission Peak member Maria Caluag drove us there. Just this month, when we were returning from a month in Morocco, two cohousing members offered to meet and get us home. If other cohousers need transportation, we will be there for them.

I expect even more Mission Peak Village neighbors will be available to provide future airport transportation using the community-owned electric vehicles we’re planning. And, as indicated above, when we live in cohousing, I won’t have to worry about our home’s safety. Neighbors will keep an eye on the aftermath of downpours and power outages when my husband and I are abroad exploring. I’ll feel more comfortable sending reports and photos on social media in real time of experiences like riding camels in the Sahara Desert and viewing mosques. With our cohousing development still at the City approval stage, however, I will give you a sample of the travel adventures in Morocco.

I’d have loved to post photos on social media of my husband and me in Morocco’s capital of Rabat as we waited hours with the crowd of tens of thousands to cheer for the Moroccan soccer team after their impressive play in the 2022 World Cup. The Lions were the first African or Arab football team to reach the World Cup semifinals. On the evening we were in Rabat, the team was on their way—in business suits, not their red uniforms—to have dinner with their country’s King Mohammad VI.

The enormous and beautiful Hassan the Second Mosque in Casablanca is the second largest in the world, after Mecca. It can accommodate up to 105,000 worshipers at a time (25,000 inside; 80,000 in the courtyard) and is located next to the ocean. The mosaics are breathtakingly beautiful shades of turquoise, ocher and gold.

When we join Mission Peak Village, we can upload photos and reports in real time.

This article is part of an ongoing series on cohousing, a type of development designed by the residents themselves with ample common spaces surrounded by private homes. Shared spaces typically include a common house with a large kitchen and dining room, recreational areas, and outdoor gardens, in which neighbors play together, cook for one another, share tools, and work collaboratively. To learn more on the topic of cohousing, visit www.cohousing.org. 

Mission Peak Village is a group of friends forming Fremont’s first cohousing community. Memberships are still available. Call Kelli at (510) 413-8446 or visit Mission Peak Village on Facebook, Instagram, or the www.missionpeakcohousing.org website, where you can register for a monthly walk to explore the neighborhood around the future site in the Irvington district of Fremont.

Learn college admission tips and tricks

Submitted by Nathan Silva

High school students who want to boost their chances of standing out to college admission officers should mark Tuesday, January 31 on their calendars. That’s the day Castro Valley Library is sponsoring an online “Preparing for College and Career as Underclassmen” program featuring Tiffany Phu, a certified college and career counselor.

During the one-hour program, Phu will discuss how college admissions work and offer tips on activities to avoid and how to prepare for college early in a student’s high school journey.

The program is free and will meet using Zoom software; participants must have an internet-connected computer, tablet or mobile device. Registrations are required and can be made by visiting the Alameda County Library website at www.aclibrary.org, then selecting the Events link and entering “Preparing for College and Career as Underclassmen” in the search field and following the link that appears. Registrants will receive a Zoom link 30 minutes before the event. For details, call (510) 667-7900.

College Admission tips

Tuesday, Jan 31

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Castro Valley Library

Via Zoom

Free; registration required

www.aclibrary.org

(510) 667-7900

New Haven Schools Foundation announces 2023 Diamonds in Education Gala

Submitted by Helen Kennedy

The New Haven Schools Foundation (NHSF) is thrilled to present its highly anticipated annual fundraiser, “Diamonds in Education” which supports student scholarship and teacher grant programs. The event will take place on Saturday, January 21 at the Mirage Ballroom in Fremont with live and silent auctions, casino games, music and dancing, and more. To purchase tickets and VIP Tables to the event and bid on prizes go to: diamondsineducation.com.

Fatima Silva, NHSF Board Member and star of Reasonable Doubt on Discovery+ will emcee the event. Ms. Silva, a James Logan High School graduate, is a real-life trial attorney who also stars in the highly acclaimed true-crime docuseries.

The 2023 Gala auction will feature the talents of Ellen Toscano, the Singing Auctioneer. Toscano, a Sonoma native, was a long-time performer in Beach Blanket Babylon. Her roles included the cheeky Pineapple Princess, the sultry Chiquita Banana as well as her favorite roles, Amy Winehouse and Sarah Palin among many others.

Donations and auction pledges help NHSF continue to make a difference for the students and teachers of the New Haven Unified School District. NHSF student scholarships are helping aspiring teens achieve their dreams of attending college and moving onto careers in healthcare, teaching, science, law enforcement and many other careers. NHSF teacher grant programs have funded books, gardening supplies, music programs, emergency supplies, various accelerated or special experience education programs and much more.

NHSF will honor two long-time supporters of the Foundation at the Gala. The Tom Kitayama Business Award recognizes Washington Township Medical Foundation, and Guy Emanuele Service Award will be awarded to Tracie Noriega.

Many auction items are up for bid. Online bidding is also available for all but live auction prizes. Choose from items such as: Las Vegas Getaway, Exclusive Dinner for 10 at the Masonic Homes, Gold Country Wine Weekend, electronics, jewelry, events and much more.

“Financial support is making a real difference for the students and teachers of New Haven Unified School District. These programs are why fundraising events like the gala are so important,” commented John Shockley, NHSF President.

Diamonds in Education sponsors and supporters include Fremont Bank, Alameda County, Washington Hospital Healthcare System, Washington Township Medical Foundation, Masonic Homes, Cindy and Mike O’Brien, Chabot Las Positas Community College District.

Diamonds in Education Gala

Saturday, Jan 21

6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Mirage Ballroom

4100 Peralta Blvd., Fremont

www.diamondsineducation.com

www.NHSFoundation.org

Tickets: $125

Local Community Celebrates 46th MLK Commemoration

By Anushka Vasudev

On January 8th, amidst stormy weather, the Newark community gathered in the First Presbyterian Church to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and dream. Dressed in formal attire, people of all ages attended the 46th Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., hosted by the Afro-American Cultural & Historical Society (AACHS), and learned about their role in creating change in their community. The theme for this year’s commemoration was “It Starts with Me: Cultivate a Beloved Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems.”

After an introduction from Jean Ficklin, founder of this commemoration program, the event commenced with a vibrant performance from Pastor Eluda and Music & Dance International. The singing and beats of traditional drums echoed throughout the church, giving attendees an enthusiastic welcome. Following this, local violinist Pamela Page and the Havenscourt Community Church, also took the stage to give a lively musical tribute.

After these introductory performances, the program continued with speeches from local mayors, school administrators, and other elected officials. First, Newark Mayor Mike Hannon commented on how such celebrations reflect the values and culture of his city, saying “You don’t look at the color of their skin. You don’t look at what they believe in daily. You look at them as a contributor to your community, and you welcome them in every day, and that is what the city of Newark stands by.” He continued on to express gratitude to all performers and artists who make such events possible, saying, “Let’s make sure we continue this event so we have the opportunity to appreciate others in our community that bring something we all need to understand and have a greater appreciation for.”

Following Mayor Hannon, Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, Assemblymember Alex Lee, and Senator Aisha Wahab all took turns to express similar sentiments, capturing how the event honors the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr., and to discuss how important it is for everyone to actively work to inspire change. Senator Wahab summed this up by saying, “The rights we all share as different ethnicities, different community members, differ
ent people, are because of the dream [Martin Luther King Jr.] shared with the world. The work we do together just depends on one voice speaking up.”

While these speeches concluded the first segment of the program, the second half quickly resumed with the traditional song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” With accompaniment from one of the previous performers, Jana Cole, on the piano, the entire audience stood up to deliver heartfelt and uplifting lyrics together, once again emphasizing their faith and power. Then, Rev. Garrett Yamada spoke a few words, sharing personal anecdotes and quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. One of his messages that stuck with the audience was, “Wherever there is somebody who needs to be lifted up; if there’s a voice and they don’t have it, then you might be able to be that voice and make a difference.”

After a few more speeches and performances, the commemoration came to a close, leaving the audience with inspiring messages about the power they hold to change mindsets and transform their community.

Calling local artists: Olive Hyde Art Guild Members Juried Show

Submitted by Judy Anglin

The Olive Hyde Art Guild Members Juried Show takes place every other year and is an exhibition of two and three-dimensional art held in Mission San Jose at the Olive Hyde Art Gallery in Fremont. Submitted works may be in painting, mixed media, photography, digital media, ceramics, glass, sculpture, jewelry, fiber art, or works on paper. The juror will judge selection into the show from digital images only.

The deadline to enter the 2023 show is Friday, February 24. The in-person show will run from April 6 to May 27, with an opening night reception on Friday, April 14.

The juror is Zoë Latzer, Associate Curator and Director of Public Programs at the Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose. Monetary prizes will be awarded at the Opening Night Reception.

Best of Show – $250

2nd Place – $200

3rd Place – $150

Merit Awards and People’s Choice winners will receive gift cards.

Visit the Guild website at OliveHydeArtGuild.org to learn more and submit your work.

OHAG Member’s Juried Show

Virtual Exhibit Online: March 30 – May 27

In-Person Exhibition: April 6 – May 27

Opening Night Reception: Friday, April 14, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd., Fremont

(510) 791-4356

OliveHydeArtGuild.org

Our Lady of Guadalupe School invites YOU to their Open House!

Submitted by Constance Dalton

Before Christmas, the Student Council of Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) School organized two drives to collect food, toys, books and socks for those who especially need help this winter. Giant shipping boxes in the school office filled with contributions from OLG families wishing to create a bright holiday season for others in our community. As Christmas break arrived, the contents were delivered to St. Vincent de Paul and Moreau Catholic High School Campus Ministry for distribution.

Now the Student Council would like to share Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is close to the hearts of its students and families, with other community members. On Sunday, January 29, at 12:30 p.m. (following 10:30 a.m. Mass) students, administration, teachers and families will welcome friends, new and old, to the Fremont campus.

Call the school office at (510) 657-1674 or visit our website: olgweb.org for more details. As the smiles in the photo above show, we can’t wait to see you!

Our Lady of Guadalupe open house

Sunday, Jan 29

12:30 p.m.

40374 Fremont Blvd., Fremont

(510) 657-1674

olgweb.org

Last call to enter Optimist Club Essay Contest

Submitted by Darryl Reina

The deadline for the annual Newark Optimist Club (Club #20261) Essay Contest is just around the corner. The Club is encouraging all Tri-City area students to contemplate the phrase:

“Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?”

The contest is open to Newark, Fremont, and Union City students who were under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2022, and have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. There is no minimum age.

The top three Club essays will receive cash prizes ($200, $100, $50) and medallions, with the first-place essay advancing to the District Level competition with an opportunity to win a $2,500 college scholarship.

“The Essay Contest is designed to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live,” said Essay Contest Chairman Darryl Reina. “As Optimists, it is our goal to bring out the very best in each of them.”

Completed essays and contest applications must be received by 12 Midnight, on Friday, January 20, 2023. The essays and applications are to be sent via email to Darryl Reina, Chairman, at

da*******@ao*.com











.

Winners will be notified and recognized at an Optimist Club meeting on February 15. For more information and application, that includes the official rules, students may go to Optimist.org.

Newark Optimist Club Essay Contest

Submission deadline: Friday, Jan 20 by Midnight

Email Darryl Reina at

da*******@ao*.com

Winter reading is a close as your computer, tablet or smartphone

Submitted by Mariana Walker

Officials from the Santa Clara County Library District are busy preparing for the 2023 Silicon Valley Reads program which is marking its 20th year serving readers of all ages.

This year’s theme is “Journey to New Beginnings” and will kick off with an in-depth conversation with featured authors Tommy Orange, Amanda Skenandore and Kai Harris at De Anza College’s Visual & Performing Arts Center in Cupertino at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 26. The event also will be streamed online. Admission is free, but in-person and online registrations are required and should be made at siliconvalleyreads.org/events.

Silicon Valley Reads will continue through Mar
ch with more than 150 free in-person and online events including book readings, discussions, classes, workshops, films and exhibits at locations throughout Santa Clara County.

Complete details and event schedules are posted on the Silicon Valley Reads website at www.siliconvalleyreads.org.

Silicon Valley Reads

Thursday, January 26

7:30 p.m.

Register at siliconvalleyreads.org/events

De Anza College

Visual & Performing Arts Center

21250 Stevens Creeks Blvd., Cupertino

www.siliconvalleyreads.org

Start Smart: Teen Driver Program

Submitted by Nathan Silva

California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Castro Valley Library present “Start Smart: Teen Driver Program.” CHP officers will discuss traffic collision avoidance techniques, collision causing factors, driver/parent responsibilities, and seatbelt usage. Additionally, testimonies will be provided by officers who have investigated fatal collisions involving teens, and by family members who have lost love ones in traffic collisions.

The Start Smart program is a driver safety education class which targets new and future licensed teenage drivers between the age of 15 and 19 and their parents/guardians. A parent/guardian is required to attend the class with their teen.

This program will be held IN PERSON at the Castro Valley library in the Chabot/Canyon room. Registration is required for this FREE program. To register, call the Library Information Desk at (510) 667-7900 or register online at www.aclibrary.org.

The library will provide an ASL interpreter for any event with at least seven working days’ notice. Call (510) 667-7900 or TTY (888) 663-0660.

Monday, Jan 30

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Castro Valley Library

Chabot/Canyon room

3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

https://aclibrary.org/

Sunol Glen Flood Recovery

Submitted by Sunol Glen Parent-Teacher Organization

Photos source Sunol Glen School District

At the turn of the 2022-2023 year, parts of Sunol Glen School grounds were flooded by Alameda Creek which runs adjacent to the campus. The creek rose so high above the bank that water entered 3 raised portable classrooms on the north side of campus, and the force of the water borne debris collapsed the fence along the east edge of the grounds.

The flood waters even pushed several huge storage containers onto the adjacent playground, settling one against the building. As the waters receded, a lot of debris and a thick layer of mud settled on the blacktop playground, garden and fields. Luckily, no other classrooms were affected by the storm, but it will take time to plan the repair and replacement of areas that were damaged.

The Sunol Glen community has reached out about how they can help towards the recovery efforts .We have been overwhelmed by all the support. If you, or anyone you know would like to contribute funds, we greatly appreciate donations that will be passed along to the school towards replacement of art supplies, books, games, furniture and anything else that needs to be repaired or replaced.

To donate to the recovery effort please send a check or money order payable to Sunol Glen Community Club, mailed to Sunol Glen School, 11601 Main St, Sunol CA 94586. Thank you to everyone who understands what a tremendous impact any donation amount will make to our wonderful gem of a school, Sunol Glen.

We’re greatly appreciative of all the love from everyone supporting our school. Thank you so much! Go Eagles!

Gofundme page: https://bit.ly/3GCIdtd

Union City Lions prepare for annual Crab Feed

Submitted by Michael Ritchie

The Union City Lions are back at it again this year with another fantastic all-you-can eat Crab Feed on Saturday,February 25, 2023! This is the first “Union City Lions Club Crab Feed” since 2020! The Lions trust the community will be as engaged in this event as they have been in the past.

Tickets to the Crab Feed are $75, which includes salad, pasta, bread and, of course, crab. There will be a live auction, raffles and door prizes. Finally, there will be a No-Host Bar and, of course, the fellowship of like-minded members from our community who, like you, are participating in this event to help others! Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit youth and elderly groups, provide for eye and ear medical examinations, and other Lions Club community service projects.

Seating is limited to 250 guests to provide ample room to move around in the hall of the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church.

This year, tickets for the Crab Feed may only be purchased though our web page at www.UCLions.com. Raffle tickets may be purchased on-line or during the event. Drink tickets may only be purchased during the event. Please do not delay in purchasing your event tickets.

In 2021 the Lions Club hosted a Crab Feed non-event where Lions sold shirts announcing the Union City Lions Club was ‘Pardoning the Crabs’ for the year! If you purchased one of these shirts, remember to wear it to this event and receive 10 raffle tickets free of charge when you sign in on the night of the event.

Union City Lions Crab Feed

Saturday, Feb 25

5 p.m.: Happy Hour

6 p.m.: Dinner Service begins

Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church

32975 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City

Tickets: www.UCLions.com

$75/person

Too Busy for Self-Care? 18 Strategies for the Overworked, Overstressed and Overwhelmed

By Anne Chan, PhD, MFT

What is one thing that a parent, student, small business owner, caregiver, and a healthcare provider have in common?

Besi
des stress and overwork, all of the above people would likely say they are too busy for self-care. Yet, those who spend a lot of time taking care of others are the ones who are most in need of self-care. Often, however, people who most need to care for themselves do not do so. There are several reasons why this happens. Sometimes, they are so depleted that they can’t even summon up the energy to think about self-care. They might not have a clue about how to take care of themselves. They might feel selfish. Or they might feel guilty about being “unproductive.” Others don’t realize how important self-care is. They might see it as a luxury for Hollywood celebrities rather than a necessity.

Let’s set the record straight: Taking care of yourself does not mean that you are selfish. Self-care is not about thinking solely about yourself and your needs. Nor is it about indulging in chocolate and spas (although these can be wonderful too). Self-care is about taking care of yourself just as you would make sure that a loved one is taken care of. You wouldn’t drive your car unless you performed regular maintenance, like changing the tires and cleaning the windshield. But busy people often neglect to refuel, recharge and reflect.

Self-care does not have to be elaborate, expensive or time-consuming. Even the smallest moment can be nourishing and revitalizing. So think of small, doable actions, not unachievable goals like going to a monastery in the clouds. Here are some questions to help you get inspired to take care of yourself:

What brings you joy?

What puts you in a peaceful frame of mind?

What energizes you?

Here’s a New Year’s Challenge – how about taking as good care of yourself as you would your car or a loved one?

Here are strategies designed specially for the overworked and stressed:

One of the most important things you can do to take care of yourself is get enough sleep. However, caregivers tend to burn the candle at both ends AND in the middle. If you can change one thing that will change your life, make sure you get your quota of sleep. Put your sleep needs first so you can take excellent care of others.

If you have PTO, use it for a mental health day. You do not have to be physically sick to take time off. Your mental and emotional health is just as important as your physical health. Taking care of how you feel could actually save you time and money in the long run.

Establish a short routine either in the morning or at night for yourself. Even a three-minute meditation can do wonders. Make self-care a part of your routine, like brushing your teeth.

Those who are givers tend to give, give, and give, but they will not ask for assistance. If they are offered help, they are likely to say no. One way to take care of yourself is to ask for help. Most people enjoy helping and making a difference, so please accept offers of help.

New mothers are often told “Sleep when your baby sleeps.” But I would wager that most are not following that advice. Instead they use the time to catch up on their chores, such as cooking, cleaning, and folding laundry. No wonder moms are so exhausted. Please remember to sleep when your baby sleeps or sleep when the opportunity arises.

Learn to say no so you can say yes to yourself.

Identify people who can be sources of support and take 10 minutes each week to connect with them.

Break up your self-care – you do not have to have a whole day or even half a day off to take care of yourself. Fifteen minutes here or even five minutes there is better than nothing.

Laugh – watch a funny movie or read something that makes you truly laugh out loud.

Eat healthily so you can nourish yourself and your body.

Shave off time from social media and use that time for yourself.

Step outside, breathe in some fresh air, feast your eyes on nature, even if it’s just a patch of grass or a lone tree in a parking lot.

Schedule your self-care time before you schedule any other commitments for others. Block off time on your calendar and devote that time to a very important meeting with YOU.

Eat away from your screen – go outside or eat with a friend instead.

Take a breathing break

Pray and/or meditate.

Cut down on complaining. Instead, fill that time with an activity, thought or image that brings you peace.

Do an activity that sparks joy, such as coloring, a crossword puzzle, or Wordle.

For the start of the year, please give yourself permission to take care of yourself. You put in an immense amount of time and effort into having quality relationships with others. You, too, are worth putting in a little time and effort to have a balanced relationship with yourself. Happy New Year, everyone!

Anne Chan is a career counselor and licensed psychotherapist in Fremont. She specializes in helping people find happiness in their careers and lives. You can reach her at

an*********@gm***.com











© Anne Chan, 2023

How do NASA Spinoffs help solve problems on Earth?

Kailash Kalidoss, Aerospace Enthusiast

Let’s begin the new year with an article on how NASA impacts everyday lives here on earth through research spin-offs. NASA Spinoff projects refer to the transfer of technology and innovations developed by NASA for use in the commercial sector. These projects have had a wide-ranging impact on everyday life and have helped drive technological progress in many industries.

One of the most well-known Spinoff projects is the development of memory foam. NASA engineers were tasked with creating a material that could provide cushioning and support for astronauts during the intense G-forces of takeoff and landing. The result was a type of foam that conforms to the shape of an object placed on it and then returns to its original shape once the object is removed. Today, memory foam is used in a wide range of products, from mattresses and pillows to athletic shoes and protective gear.

Another example of a Spinoff project is the development of water filtration systems. NASA needed to find a way to purify and recycle water for use in space missions, and the technology they developed for this purpose is now used in water filtration systems for homes and businesses. Similarly, NASA’s work on creating efficient and lightweight solar panels for use on satellites has led to the development of more efficient solar panels for use on Earth.

Medical imaging is another area where NASA Spinoff technology has had a big impact. NASA’s research on high-resolution imaging systems for use in space has led to the development of advanced medical imaging technology, such as CAT scanners and MRI machines.

Another important Spinoff technology is the development of precision GPS navigation. NASA developed the first navigation systems for space missions, which have since been adapted for use in a wide range of commercial applications, including precision agriculture and disaster response.

NASA Spinoff projects have had a major impact on the field of computing, thanks to the development of computer chips that can withstand the harsh conditions of space travel, which made the technology in general better. This has led to the development of more robust and reliable computing systems for use in a wide range of applications, including transportation, manufacturing, and healthcare.

In conclusion, NASA Spinoff projects have had a profound impact on our daily lives, and the technologies developed by NASA continue to be used in a wide range of industries and applications. From memory foam to precision GPS navigation and water filtration, NASA’s innovations have led to the development of technologies that have improved the way we live, work, and play.

Kailash Kalidoss is an aerospace enthusiast and educator serving the Bay Area. Kailash first fell in love with aerospace as a teenager when he learned about aviation from his father’s role as a Ground Operations Manager. Kailash has since spent his efforts sharing knowledge about aerospace, astronautics, aviation, science, technology, and of course, the night sky. Kailash also represents the Civil Air Patrol and NASA as a volunteer.

News and notes from around the world

Submitted by The Association of Mature American Citizens

A whale of a tale

It is said that the top two reasons to go whale watching are the experience and the thrill, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens ([AMAC). But surely the passengers aboard Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari off the coast of California recently got much more than an experience and a thrill of a lifetime recently. They got to watch a whale giving birth to an offspring. “For a minute, many of us thought it may be a shark or predatory event. But no, instead of the end of life, it was the beginning of a new one,” according to a passenger who got it all tape. See the video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=umajENuHqaw.

Moose on the loose

Craig Lapointe, a homeowner in Saskatoon, Canada, returned home one afternoon recently to find two broken front room windows, apparently the work of a moose on the loose in his neighborhood, reports AMAC. Lapointe suggests the moose was foraging for food, got too close to his home causing a pet dog and a pet cat to make their presence known which, in turn, riled the moose causing it to break the windows. Ryan Brook, a wildlife researcher, says it is a likely explanation. “If there was a pet, and in this case, there sounds like there was more than one pet, the animal may have hit more than once on purpose. Moose can be very aggressive. They’re big. Often the biggest animal around. They have a tendency, if they’re startled by animals or people, they may go on the offensive.” See damage caused by the moose on video: saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon-homeowner-blames-moose-for-broken-window-1.6217998.

This just in

And the award goes to a gutsy, young bar-tailed godwit that dared to fly non-stop for 11 days from Alaska to Australia, a daring 8,435 miles, reports AMAC. How does the Guinness World Records know that the bird didn’t land for a rest enroute? Eric Woehler of Birdlife Tasmania explains that other species of birds might land on the water to rest and feed but not a godwit. If it lands on water, “it’s dead. It doesn’t have the webbing in its feet, it has no way of getting off. So, if it falls onto the ocean’s surface from exhaustion, or if bad weather forces it to land, that’s the end.” The previous record for such a flight was held by another godwit that flew 8,218, according to the record keepers at Guinness. See video of the record-breaking bird on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY8M2aNFVtk.

The Association of Mature American Citizens is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing membership in Washington, D.C. and in local congressional districts nationwide. More information is available on its website at www.amac.us.

Park It: Check before you visit regional parks

By Ned MacKay

The winter storms that have pummeled the Bay Area have caused a lot of damage to East Bay Regional Parks and other public open spaces. Forecasts indicate that more storms are likely on the way.

As a result, some regional parks may be closed temporarily to protect the public and complete repairs. So, if you are planning to visit a park to join a program or explore on your own, be sure to check beforehand to make sure that the park is open and the program will proceed.

After the first storms, all the regional parks were closed for public protection. Then the regional parks along the bay shoreline and delta were reopened.

As of January 12, five regional parks were closed until further notice: Anthony Chabot, Del Valle, Sunol, Ohlone Wilderness and Tilden Nature Area. Although the rest of the regional parks were reopened, some were accessible only for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Paved inter-park trails including the Contra Costa Canal, Iron Horse, and Lafayette-Moraga trails are also open.

The situation is evolving as the weather changes. Up-to-date information on park status is posted at the top of the home page on the district website, www.ebparks.org. Or you can call the visitor centers at the phone numbers listed with program descriptions.

Even if a park is open, some entrances, trails and roads may be closed due to flooding or other storm damage. Please cooperate with any signage warning of hazards and any instructions from district staff. Also, when you are visiting parks, be mindful of conditions and exercise caution. The ground is highly saturated.

Weather permitting, here are some of the activities planned in the regional parks in coming days:

If high water intrigues you, join a “King Tides Walk” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 21 with naturalist Erin Blackwood at Coyote Hills.

This is a mostly flat, paved walk along the San Francisco Bay shoreline for ages 10 and older, with parent participation. Find out how high tides affect plants, animals, and humans. Wear good walking shoes and bring water.

Or you can join in a “Storywalk Along the Marsh” at Coyote Hills from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. the same day. A naturalist will lead an exploration of the park’s marshland with stories, songs and movement. The program is for all ages; parent participation is required, and registration is not necessary.

Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. Meet at the visitor center for either program. Both programs are free. If the entrance road is open to vehicles, there’s a parking fee of $5 per car. Otherwise you have to bike or walk in. Parking for a fee is available at the nearby Dumbarton Quarry Campground. For information, call (510) 544-3220.

Speaking of K
ing Tides, there’s another tidal walk from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 22 at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline with naturalist Jessica Kauzer.

The walk is on flat, unpaved trails. Dress for the weather, wear boots, and expect to get a bit wet. Bring water and snacks.

The program is free, and registration isn’t required. Meet Jessica in the parking lot off North Court Street in Martinez. For information, call Black Diamond Mines at (510) 544-2750.

With the rainy weather, newts are on the march. Newts are a variety of salamander that lies dormant in woods and fields during the dry season, then migrates to ponds and streams during the rainy season for purposes of reproduction. Newts are about four to six inches long, brown with gold-colored bellies. They’re cute. You may see them crawling across roads and trails on their way to water.

If parks are open, the best places to see newts include South Park Drive at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley (closed to vehicle traffic during the winter to protect them) and the Maricich lagoons at Briones Regional Park south of Martinez.

If you see newts, please do not pick them up or otherwise disturb them. For one thing, their skin has a poison to protect them from predators. And it is illegal to collect and remove any plants or animals from regional parks.

These are just a few of the programs scheduled in the regional parks. For the full list, go to www.ebparks.org/things-to-do. Be sure to check for weather-related closures and cancellations.

THE ROBOT REPORT

Orbbec, Microsoft launch 3D vision camera

By The Robot Report staff

3D camera manufacturer Orbbec launched its latest product, the Femto Mega, at CES 2023. Femto Mega was built in partnership with Microsoft. The depth camera uses Microsoft’s time-of-flight technology for precise scene understanding over a wide 120 degrees field of view and a broad range from 0.25m to 5.5m. The 1 mega-pixel depth camera is complemented by a high-performance 4K resolution RGB camera with 90° FOV.

A built-in NVIDIA Jetson Nano is used to run advanced depth vision algorithms to convert raw data to precise depth images. This eliminates the need for an external PC or compute device, Orbbec said.

The camera can be directly connected to servers or the cloud using the Power over Ethernet connection for both data and power. The device also has USB-C 3.2 and DC power supply connectors. A 6DOF IMU module provides orientation. The universal trigger control system provides accurate frame synchronization and uses standard ethernet cables for multi-camera and multi-sensor networks. The SDK enables setup and registration, and a set of APIs allows integration with various applications.

“Orbbec’s Femto Mega extends the use of Microsoft’s depth technology, used in Hololens and Azure Kinect DevKit, to a broad range of industrial applications,” Jon Yee, the depth PM director at Microsoft, said. “This camera is a result of a close collaboration between our teams and will be an essential tool helping AI developers to add depth perception to computer vision.”

“Our large-scale cargo digitization solution is built using Microsoft’s Azure Kinect and Azure and is commercially deployed in Singapore. It is also in commercial trials for flight capacity optimization and digital handling at multiple international airports,” Dr. Suraj Nair, CTO at Speedcargo Technologies, Singapore, said. “Orbbec’s Femto Mega enables us to maintain compatibility with our current system while reducing the size, cost and complexity of our solution. This will enable ease of scaling our operations to new locations.”

“Femto Mega is aimed at expanding the use of 3D vision in various industry solutions,” Amit Banerjee, head of platform and partnerships at Orbbec, said. “We’re excited to introduce this new category-leading intelligent camera as part of Orbbec’s new depth vision platform.”

Read more about Orbecc products and 3D vision technologies at www.orbbec3d.com. More news about business and applications of robotics is posted on The Robot Report website at www.therobotreport.com.

An asSALT of flavor on the senses

By Daniel O’Donnell

People got their salt intake prior to the Stone Age from eating wild game. During the Stone Age as societies became agrarian, people began to use salt water to flavor their vegetables. Six thousand years ago, the Chinese were fighting wars over control of salt reserves while the Egyptians were using it for food preservation, seasoning and mummification. The oldest known European town, Solnitsata, was located on the site of an ancient salt production facility. Salt was used for tanning, dyeing, and for soap and pottery production in the Middle Ages as well as for seasoning and food preservation. Salt uses are even more numerous in the modern world but it is most commonly thought of as a seasoning. Unlike our ancient and pre-modern ancestors, we have many different types of salts and flavors to choose from.

Salt is an essential element for humans. It is also one of the basic tastes. However, too much salt can cause health issues. The average American consumes about 1.5 teaspoons of salt per day which is above the FDA’s recommended amount of about 1 teaspoon. Most of the consumption come from processed food. When cooking at home where the salt usage can be monitored, different types or flavored salts can elevate a recipe while staying within the FDA guidelines. The common iodized table salt that fills most the majority of American salt shakers does add flavor. However, other salts can add alternative flavors and textures to food.

Sea salt is a term for salt harvested from evaporated water from saltwater lakes, bays, or oceans. It is less processed than table salt, allowing small amounts of minerals to remain on the salt crystal. These minerals add flavor and color distinct to the body of water from where they were harvested. Hawaiian Black Lava Sea Salt is a great example of a flavored salt unique to a specific place. The coarse black salt has an earthy flavor and a mild smoky taste. It is healthier than table salt because it contains important minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. It is also lower in sodium.

Fleur de Sel is another unique sea salt. The collection process is more complicated than with other sea salts and is what makes it exquisite. The process involves collecting flaky layers of salt during certain weather conditions from shallow pools of seawater along the coast of France. It is more expensive than other salts, but a little goes a long way. It is added to the top of a dish just before being served. The delicate white flakes add a mild briny flavor, coarse texture and attractive appearance.

Evaporation is the oldest method of processing salt. Salt mining is the second oldest method. This process too can produce distinctive
salts. Pink Himalayan salt is an example that comes from six mines in the Himalayan foothills. It is hand mined by workers using traditional methods. Salt from these ancient underground sea deposits is free from mining machine pollutants and full of beneficial minerals, which give it the distinctive pink color.

Salt infusions are yet another way salt can be elevated to a gourmet level. Common infusions found in grocery stores include smoked salts, citrus salts, savory umami salts, truffle flavored salts, BBQ salts, and garlic salts. Specialty stores might even offer collections that feature one particular ingredient. There are spicy collections offering salts infused with different hot peppers, bacon, and various flower, just to name a few.

You do not have to be at the mercy of what is available in stores or online. Making infused salts at home is fun and easy. Herbs, fruit, vegetables, or flowers grown in the garden can all make delicious infused salts. The process is mostly the same for all. Dry the prospective ingredients, combine with a coarse sea salt and grind in a coffee grinder until the desired consistency is achieved. Place infused salt in an airtight jar and use when needed. When using a liquid such as red wine, mix ingredients together and let the salt dry out on parchment paper until the liquid has evaporated.

There are plenty of recipes online to follow or to use as a baseline for how much of an ingredient to add to salt. Being creative is not difficult. If salt is regularly used on pizza, try making a basil infused salt. Habaneros make a great salt infusion for the rim of a margarita glass. Vanilla beans infused with salt make a great topping for ice cream or brownies. The combinations are endless and the flavors will be exciting.

Salt has played a crucial role in the development of civilization. It made it possible to store food out of season and to transport it over long distances. Today, different types of salt and infusions are revolutionizing the culinary world. While they may not affect civilization as dramatically as table salt, they can make our world more palatable.

Daniel O’Donnell is the co-owner and operator of an organic landscape design/build company in Fremont. www.Chrysalis-Gardens.com

Governor: California faces budget deficit of $22.5B

By Adam Beam

Associated Press

California faces a projected budget deficit of $22.5 billion for the coming fiscal year, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Jan. 10, just days into his second term. It’s a sharp turnaround from last year’s $98 billion surplus.

The deficit, while unsurprising, could signal the end of a decade’s worth of economic growth in the nation’s most populous state.

Newsom, a Democrat, is proposing to close the hole by delaying spending in some areas and changing how others are funded. His budget appears to avoid significant cuts to most major programs, although it does lower proposed spending on climate change initiatives by about $6 billion. The state hopes to restore that spending in 2024 or offset it with federal money.

Among his climate maneuvers: He’ll shift $4.3 billion in spending on zero-emission vehicles from the state’s taxpayer-funded general fund to a special fund paid into by polluters. He’s also delaying by a year $3.1 billion in climate and transportation funding.

The state still has about $35.6 billion in reserves. Newsom stressed that California would continue robust spending in public and higher education, climate change, health care, and responding to drought and wildfire. “We’re keeping our promises,” he said.

Newsom’s presentation offers the first glimpse of his spending and policy priorities as he launches his second term, but it’s not the final say on how the state will dole out money. He’ll reassess the state’s finances in May after tax revenue has come in, and he’ll sign a final budget in June.

The California Republican Party quickly blasted the proposal, saying Newsom has for years failed to adequately tackle issues like homelessness and wildfires despite record spending.

“Now with a massive budget shortfall projected, it’s time for Gavin Newsom to finally get serious about smarter spending to resolve the many issues that are plaguing our state and driving long-time residents away,” party Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson said in a statement.

Newsom’s proposed cuts to climate spending, including in programs designed to boost zero-emission vehicles, drew criticism from some of his traditional environmental allies. The budget reduces hundreds of millions in spending on programs to expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure in low-income neighborhoods and to transition delivery trucks, airplanes, rail lines and other transportation sources away from greenhouse gases.

“Investing in climate solutions is the only way to ensure a better California for all who live here,” said David Weiskopf, senior policy adviser for the climate group NextGen California. His proposed budget isn’t all cuts — Newsom wants to give an additional $1 billion to local governments to combat homelessness, although he wants more accountability from local leaders. In the fall, he threatened to withhold funding for such programs. He’s also proposed spending more on cash assistance programs for low-income and disabled Californians.

Other ways he’s closing the spending hole including pulling back on $3 billion designed to help the state deal with inflation. Newsom has been warning of a potential budget shortfall for more than a year, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office said in November the shortfall could be around $25 billion.

In September, Newsom publicly scolded lawmakers for sending him dozens of bills that, when added together, would have allowed billions in new spending. Newsom vetoed those bills, saying he has “made it crystal clear that we are seeing economic headwinds.”

Dealing with a deficit will be a change of pace for the state, where spending has more than doubled in the 10 years since the last recession. Officials have launched a dizzying number of new programs and services — including committing to pay for all 4-year-olds to go to kindergarten and agreeing to cover the health expenses of all low-income immigrants who are living in the country without legal permission.

The money has come mostly from a soaring stock market that launched a parade of California-based tech companies. Those companies — including the likes of Uber, Airbnb, Lyft and Pinterest — made lots of people very rich, creating a new class of millionaires and billionaires in a state with a progressive tax code where nearly half of all income taxes come from the top 1% of earners.

Since then, lots of economic factors — led by runaway inflation, supply chain disruptions and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — have had a chilling effect on the economy. The S&P 500, a key indicator of the health of U.S. stock markets, has fallen more than 18% since its peak at the end of 2021.

With rich people not making as much money, they are paying less in California state taxes. So far this year, California’s tax revenues have been $4.6 billion below expectations — not includ
ing some one-time corporate tax payments that state officials say they can’t count on.

Money from capital gains taxes is projected to be about 5.5% of the state’s revenue, down from 9.75% last year, Newsom said. Still, California appears to be well-positioned to weather an economic downturn. Of the $131 billion in general fund surpluses the state has had in the past four years, most of it — about $80 billion — has paid for things that do not require ongoing funding, like construction projects. Just $10 billion of surplus spending has paid for ongoing commitments, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Constitutional limits prevent lawmakers from emptying reserves to cover a deficit. And unlike the federal government, California’s budget must be balanced. Newsom and lawmakers will have to tighten state spending to cover all of the shortfall — something that Senate Budget Committee chair Nancy Skinner said is doable.

“We funded things at such record levels, and a lot of the programs that we funded haven’t even gotten going yet, so we still have room to make some adjustments if needed,” she said. “I’m very optimistic because we’re in good shape.”

German ministers urge leniency for taking thrown-out food

Associated Press

Two German government ministers are calling for authorities to relax the application of rules enabling the prosecution of people who take food that is still fit for consumption from supermarket garbage bins.

Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said in a statement Jan. 10 that they wrote to the justice ministers of Germany’s 16 states to suggest a “practical solution” to the issue. In the highly decentralized country, it is the states that would have the power to make the change.

The practice known in Germany as “containering” counts as theft for legal purposes. The ministers’ statement said that around 11 million tons of food are thrown away every year in the country, about 7% of it in the retail sector due to factors such as traders ordering more than they can sell. Another 17% comes from restaurants, canteens and the like.

“If people take home food that has been thrown away without causing damage or unlawful entry, then, in my opinion, that should no longer be prosecuted,” Buschmann said. Ozdemir said refraining from prosecuting such cases “is one of many elements in the fight against food waste.”

The two ministers called for state governments to support a proposal by Hamburg’s local government under which a clause would be added to prosecution guidelines to specifically address “containering.” No actual change to the law would be required.

The proposed clause would state that, in cases where the value of the stolen goods is low and no criminal complaint was filed, there is, as a rule, no public interest in going ahead with prosecution. Cases which involve damage or trespassing that goes beyond “overcoming a physical obstacle without deploying significant effort” would still be prosecuted.

Fremont City Council

January 10, 2023

Consent Calendar:

• Adopt an ordinance amending Fremont Municipal Planning and Zoning Code, Affordable Housing.
• Allow the City Council and the legislative bodies of Fremont to continue holding meetings via videoconference.
• Authorize a purchase order to Dell Technologies for an additional server and storage system and execute a service agreement with Eplus Technology Inc. for the annual hardware and software support and maintenance of the Rubrik Enterprise Backup Solution.
• Vacate a portion of the Emergency Vehicle Access Easement at 44408 Pacific Commons Boulevard in Bayside Industrial Community Plan Area.
• Approve agreements for on-call architectural design consulting services with Interactive Resources, Inc.; Joseph Chow & Associates, Inc.; Aetypic, Inc.; FOG Studio; and Shultz and Associates, Inc.
• Amend the professional services agreement with T.Y. Lin International, to increase funding for final design services related to the I-880 Innovation Bridge and Trail Project.
• Amend agreement with Environmental Logistics Inc. to increase the annual compensation for services to respond to hazardous materials emergencies.

Mayor Lily Mei           Aye

Teresa Keng                Aye

Raj Salwan                  Aye

Teresa Cox                  Aye

Yang Shao                  Aye

Jenny Kassan              Aye

Desrie Campbell          Aye

Planning Commissioner Dan Goldstein was appointed to the City Council on Monday, January 9 to complete the unexpired term of the council seat vacated by Mark Salinas following his election and swearing-in as Hayward Mayor.

Goldstein was appointed on a 5-0 council vote with one member abstaining after finishing third among eight candidates for two open council seats in the Nov. 8 election. He joins newly elected Councilmembers Julie Roche and George Syrop on the seven-member Council.

Prior to his appointment, Goldstein, a civically active 17-year Hayward resident and father of two teenagers, had served on the Planning Commission since September 2015.

A cyber security professional, Goldstein is an investor and consultant for Voluntas, a provider of volunteer management software systems to public school districts. He is a member of the board of directors of the Hayward Education Foundation, a Hayward Rotary Club member, a participant in the East Bay Section of the Amateur Radio Relay League, and an emergency communications radio team volunteer to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

Prior to appointing Goldstein, the council pared a list of 45 qualifying applicants to a list of five finalists who were invited to answer questions and make opening and closing statements during a special public meeting of the City Council on Monday.

Hayward Unified School District

January 11, 2023

Consent Items:

• Appointments, changes of status, waivers, retirements, leaves of absence, and terminations.
• Overnight study trips
• Staff out of state travel
• Single Plan for Student Achievement
• Approve memorandums of understanding: Contra Costa County Office of Education; Raising Leaders-Alameda County Juvenile Probation Department.
• Approve contracts: California School Boards Association; Freedom Soul Media Education Initiatives; BlazerWorks; Jabbergym, LLC; FAIR Schools LLC; Coast Personnel Services; Martin Romero Rivera Ballet Folklorico; 360 Degree Customer Inc.; Hatchuel, Tabernik & Associates; STEM Center USA; UBEO West, LLC; Jigsaw Learning, LLC; El Puente Comunitario.
• Measure H Contracts: Geo-Engineering Solutions, Inc.; SCA Environmental, Inc.
• Measure H Notices of Completion: FE Controls Corporation; O’Grady Paving; Overaa.
• Approve California State Preschool Program 2023-24 continued funding application.
• Authorize legislative body meetings remote teleconferencing for the period of Jan 14 – Feb 13, 2023.
• Approve continued funding application – General Child Care contract.
• Approve mid-year revision signature card – authorized agents.

President Peter Bufete             Aye

April Oquenda                        Aye

Joe Ramos                               Aye

Ken Rawdon                           Aye

Sara Prada                               Aye

Milpitas Unified School District

January 10, 2023

Consent Items:

• Approve Purchase Order Report of January 10, 2023.
• Approve Jahn Plumbing’s agreement to repair Weller’s stage.
• Approve TD Sports Group’s agreement to extended netting at Rancho.
• Approve agreement between Milpitas Unified School District and Beacon School, Non-Public School for the 2022-2023 school year.
• Approve agreement between Milpitas Unified School District and Esther B Clark School, Non-Public School for the 2022-2023 school year.
• Approve agreement between Milpitas Unified School District and The Stepping Stones Group for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year.
• Authorize the continued funding application which allows for the continued collaboration of Milpitas Unified School District and California Department of Education-Early Education Division, with the purpose of providing preschool services to qualified students.
• Authorize the continued funding application which allows for the continued collaboration of Milpitas Unified School District and California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Division, with the purpose of providing child care services to qualified school-age students.
• Approve Personnel Report of January 10, 2023.
• Adopt the MUSD COVID-19 Testing Plan.

President Kelly Yip-Chuan                 Aye

Chris Norwood                                   Aye

Minh Ngo                                           Aye

Anu Nakka                                          Aye

BART Police Log

Submitted by BART Police and Les Mensinger

Saturday, January 7

• At 8:46 p.m. a man identified by police as Terrance Washington, 28, of Richmond was stopped at Milpitas station on suspicion of fare evasion. A record check showed a warrant. He was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.

Sunday, January 8

• A man identified by police as Geraldo Garcia, 32, of Oakland was arrested aboard a southbound train at South Hayward station on suspicion of attempted murder and attempted robbery. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Tuesday, January 10

• A man identified by police as Monte Williams, 68, of San Jose was arrested at Milpitas station on an outstanding warrant. He was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.

Keeping bees? Here is what you need to know

Submitted by Fremont Police Department

Captain Matt Snelson and Animal Services Manager Kelly Miott from Fremont Police Department will lead a virtual webinar regarding rules and guidelines for beekeeping in Fremont on Wednesday, January 18.

The free hourlong program will start at 6:00 p.m. using Zoom software; participants must have an internet connected computer, tablet or mobile device.

The Zoom meeting webinar ID code is 822 6166 4550.

Passcode is 403934.

The meeting will be closed captioned and recorded for future viewing. For details, call (510) 790-6800.

Fremont Police Log

Submitted by Monica Leon, Fremont PD

Tuesday, January 3

• Officers responded to a report about an unoccupied vehicle with its engine running and a firearm inside of it in a business parking lot on Boyce Road in south Fremont. Arriving officers spotted the vehicle as it was being driven away and made a traffic stop. The driver, identified by police as an adult from Antioch, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm.

Friday, January 6

• Officers responded to a report about two people stealing from a discount store at Fremont Hub shopping center. During the theft, the suspects threatened harm to employees, then fled on foot. Officers later spotted the suspects, later identified as juveniles from Fremont, near Paseo Padre Parkway and Capitol Avenue. Both suspects were taken into custody then booked into Juvenile Hall.

Saturday, January 7

• Officers responded to a report from a person on Baylis Street in the Irvington area that an unknown person was under his car possibly trying to remove the catalytic converter. Officers located the adult male suspect nearby and made an arrest.
• Officers responded to
  report about a residential burglary on Union Street in the Irvington area where an unknown person entered the home through a kitchen window and began loading a bag with items. The resident intervened, escorted the person out of the residence, then waited 15 minutes before reporting the incident to police. Arriving officers were unable to locate the suspect. The case is under investigation.
• Officers responded to a report about a residential burglary at an apartment complex on Central Avenue in the Centerville area. The female occupant of the apartment found an unknown person inside and alerted police. Arriving officers found the suspect, identified by police as an adult from Union City, in the parking lot and made an arrest.

Monday, January 9

• Officers responded to a report about a theft in a business parking lot in the Pacific Commons area in south Fremont. A person reached into the open door of a vehicle and grabbed a purse as the female victim was loading merchandise into the vehicle. A second person was involved and they both fled the scene before officers arrived. The case is being investigated as grand theft.

Unwanted guns? Dispose of them safely

Submitted by Fremont Police Department

Turn in your guns and get paid, no questions asked. That’s the idea behind an anonymous gun buyback event sponsored by Fremont Police Department.

The goal of the event is to prevent gun violence and get unwanted, unsafe, and illegal guns out of local communities. Participants turning in guns will not be asked about who owns them or where they came from. The five-hour event will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 21 at Fremont Fire Training Center on Stevenson Boulevard.

Exchange details:

• Firearms must be operational (they will be examined)
• $100 will be paid for handguns, rifles and shotguns
• $200 will be paid for ghost guns and assault weapons
• All guns must be unloaded and stored in the trunk of participants’ car
• Participants must remain inside their vehicle
• The price per firearm will be determined by Fremont Police Department
• Each seller is limited to a $600 buyback total
• Non-operative firearms can be turned in without buyback
• Buybacks are available first-come, first serve or until funds run out

For details, call (510) 790-6800 or visit fremontpolice.gov, then look for “Gun Buyback Event” in the Events listings.

Gun Buyback Event

10 a.m. – 12 noon

Fremont Fire Training Center

7200 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

(510) 790-6800

fremontpolice.gov

California invests $52 million in opioid prevention and treatment

Submitted by Governor’s Press Office

As part of California’s continuing efforts to combat the opioid crisis, the Department of Health Care Services is awarding $52 million to providers of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services. These funds, announced January 11, will support the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of opioid and substance use disorders, as well as recovery.

“It is critical that treatment providers on the front lines of the opioid epidemic have the lifesaving resources they need, when they need them,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Today’s efforts, in coordination with the federal government, bolster our state’s multi-pronged approach to tackling this ongoing crisis and protecting as many Californians as possible.”

The awards, of up to $1,848,000 each to 105 service providers, will fund the development and implementation of opioid and substance use disorder treatment “hubs” and “spokes” throughout California. The “hubs” may be narcotic treatment programs or other MAT providers; the “spokes” are federally approved office-based prescribers.

The funding comes from the State Opioid Response III grant, awarded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The timeline for this funding is January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

More information about the California MAT Expansion project is posted online at https://californiamat.org.

San Leandro Police Log

Submitted by San Leandro PD

Thursday, December 29

• At about 2:00 a.m. officers responded to a suspicious person call on the San Leandro Unified School District Campus on the 14700 Block of Juniper St. Upon arrival, officers spotted a parked green sedan with no license plate and heard the sound of a power tool in the distance. A suspect, later identified by police as Omar Rivera, 46, of Stockton was detained by officers near the vehicle. Officers then saw a flashlight being used under a school bus. There, they found a suspect, they later identified as Ramon Ramirez, 43, of Oakland, with burglary tools. He was detained without incident. Investigators later determined the two were attempting to steal catalytic converters. Both were arrested.

Monday, January 9

• At about 10:45 p.m. officers responded to a report about a catalytic converter theft in progress on the San Leandro Unified School District Campus on Juniper Street. When the two suspects saw officers, they ran to their SUV and fled the scene with officers in pursuit. The SUV stopped under the I-238 freeway at Mission Street. With assistance from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol, both suspects were arrested on various vehicle pursuit- charges. Additional charges involving catalytic converter theft were pending.

Union City Police Log

Submitted by Union City PD

Tuesday, December 20

• At about 3:00 p.m. officers responded to a report about a robbery in the 3000 block of Belize Way. A female victim parked her car at her residence, then an unknown person approached and smashed the passenger side window. The suspect, described by police as a Hispanic male in his 40s, reached inside the car and grabbed the victim’s property and fled to an awaiting vehicle. Officers were unable to located the suspect

Thursday, December 22

• At about 5:00 p.m., officers responded to a report about an armed robbery in the 4100 block of Dyer St. The victim, a delivery truck driver, was seated in her truck when she noticed a man stealing packages from the rear of the open truck. The driver confronted the suspect, they struggled for the packages, then the suspect pointed a handgun at the victim, telling her to let go. The victim complied, and the suspect ran off with an accomplice and the property. The first suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his 20s, about 5-feet-7-inches tall, 150 pounds. The second suspect was described as a Black male, in his 20s, about 5-feet-3-inches tall, 110 pounds. Both suspects fled the scene in a black sports utility vehicle.

Saturday, December 24

• At about 2:00 p.m. officers responded to a report of a robbery at a Union Landing business. The suspect approached the victim as he exited his vehicle and snatched the victim’s cell phone. The suspect tried to flee, but the victim grabbed onto the suspect’s sleeve, and they both struggled over the property. The suspect then struck the victim in the face with a pocketknife, causing a small laceration. The suspect, an unknown race male, then fled on foot.

Thursday, December 29

• At about 5:00 p.m. Officer Scarbrough made a traffic enforcement stop in the 2900 block of Whipple Road. A record check showed the male driver was on searchable probation for firearm charges and had a prior conviction for an attempted murder charge. He also had a warrant out for his arrest. A search showed the driver had a box of ammunition. He was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Sunday, January 1

• At about 4:00 a.m. officers responded to a report about a shooting in the 1800 block of Whipple Road. Upon arrival, officers found a 36-year-old woman who had sustained gunshot wounds. She was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The incident is being investigated by detectives as attempted murder.

Honor Roll

Fall 2022 Dean’s List

American International College

• Danica Johnson, Fremont

Bradley University

• Melina Thomas, Milpitas

University of the Cumberlands

• Ariana Pereira, Newark

Fall 2022 graduate

Knox College

• Thao Luong, Fremont

Lehigh University

• Alexis Guzman, Hayward

Pennsylvania Western University

• Lahari Sajja, Fremont

Mount St. Mary’s University, Maryland

• Alyssa Alexander of Fremont

Fall 2022 graduate

Ohio Wesleyan University

• Bella Hintzman of Fremont

Newark’s Holiday Shopping Event

Submitted by Rachel Kahoalii

Newark Memorial High School Athletics was busy over the break with all winter sports teams competing and a few community service events, including a community shopping event. Newark Memorial Athletics partnered with a community donor, Newark Unified School District (NUSD) Parent Partners and Newark Memorial Puente student volunteers to host a “Holiday Shopping Event” where NUSD families were able to come and shop for free gifts for their families. Our efforts were able to provide gifts to over 250 NUSD students. I want to thank all who helped with this event!

Renegades’ turn around season

Submitted by Ohlone Basketball

Photos by Don Jedlovec

Ohlone College Men’s Basketball began its Coast North Conference competition this week including am 89-61 rout of Cañada College from Redwood City on Monday, January 9. The win against Cañada followed a conference opener versus San Mateo College on Saturday, January 7 in which the Ohlone Renegades won 86-67.

Ohlone Men’s Basketball, led by first year Head Coach Jordan Lee, has opened with a remarkable 13-3 record after taking over a program that went 2-25 the year prior. They have been led by Sophomores Jayelen Jones, Joshua Niusulu, and JP Patague along with a flurry of Freshman contributors.

In their game versus Cañada, Josh Niusulu (#23) and Jude Jennings (#5) led the way with 21 and 22 points, respectively.

Their full schedule and further information can be found at www.ohloneathletics.com.

Electric vehicles win truck, utility of the year awards

Associated Press

Electric vehicles took two of three categories for the first time in this year’s North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year awards.

Ford’s F-150 Lightning electric pickup won the truck category, while Kia’s EV6 battery-powered EV was named the top SUV. The Integra, a small sedan from Honda’s Acura performance brand, won car of the year.

Six of the nine finalists were powered by batteries, and analysts say the more of the awards are likely to go to electric vehicles in the future as the industry spends billions to roll out multiple new EV models.

Fifty automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada are judges for the three awards, which are announced every January. They’re chosen from dozens of candidates and must be new or substantially changed for the current model year. Automakers often use the awards in advertising. The judges evaluate finalists on innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction, user experience and value. The selection process started last summer.

In addition to the Integra, finalists for the car of the year included the Genesis G80 electric sedan, and the Nissan Z sports car. The Lightning’s finalist competitors were the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 off-road pickup and the Lordstown Motors Endurance electric commercial pickup. Utility vehicle finalists included the Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV and the Genesis GV60 electric SUV.

The (Not-So) Little House on the Prairie: Alviso
Adobe House comes alive in new interactive tour

By Hugo Vera

Immersive art installations are quickly becoming a global phenomenon, as seen with the successes of last year’s “Immersive Van Gogh” exhibit and this year’s “Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience.” In the East Bay, Milpitas Historical Society (in partnership with City of Milpitas) is using immersive art to tell the colorful history of the city’s oldest standing structure.

Known commonly as the “Alviso House,” the nearly 200-year old adobe ranch house lies nestled in the Milpitas foothills in what is now Alviso Adobe Community Park. On Saturday, January 14, Milpitas Historical Society President Bill Hare and Director of Educational Services Outreach Joseph Ehardt led an hour-long tour that used visuals projected onto the two-feet thick walls of the Alviso House and audio recordings to transport visitors to pre-colonial era Milpitas.

“Native Americans or ‘First Peoples’ have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for at least 4,000 – 5,000 years before making contact with the Spanish colonists who led the De Anza expedition of 1776,” states Ehardt who also serves as Vice Chair of the Milpitas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Commission. “The Muwekma Ohlone specifically inhabited this region of Santa Clara County which is now Rancho Milpitas, and each presentation begins with an acknowledgment of their presence and legacy.”

The presentation starts with gathering visitors in the sala (living room) of the house as visuals and recordings explain how Mexican rancher Francisco Alviso first petitioned the then-governor of Alta California for land in 1830s before being granted it and beginning construction of his ranch house by the 1850s. As the tour progresses, guests are able to see faithful reconstructions of the Alviso bedrooms as well as traditional Spanish-Mexican clothing worn by the Alvisos though the end of the 19th century.

Vibrant animations tell the story of Lucia Cussigh who sailed from her native northern Italy in 1907 to New York before traveling cross-country by train to Milpitas where she was reunited with her future husband Giuseppe Cuciz. The Cuciz family would go on to purchase the house from Francisco Alviso’s descendants in the early 1900s and would remain its stewards until the City of Milpitas acquired the house and opened Alviso Adobe Park in 2013.

“In the almost two centuries that the house has existed, only two families have owned and inhabited it: the Alvisos and the Cucizes,” says Hare. “Giuseppe and Lucia Cuciz lived in this house up until their deaths in the 1970s and at that point they had seen most of the noticeable changes not only on this ranch but in American society in general.”

Tour guests will be able to see a vast array of relics that tell a whole other story about life in Milpitas. Everything from Great Depression-era electrical outlets to a copy of San Jose’s oldest phone book, to a 1950’s-era General Electric refrigerator in the kitchen, illustrate the Bay Area’s evolution in industries, technology and lifestyles.

“The Alviso family primarily used the land for ranching, hence why this was a ranch house,” adds Ehardt. “By the time the Cuciz family came along, Milpitas had transitioned to agriculture. And then of course events like the opening of the Ford Motor Company plant [present-day Great Mall of Milpitas], World War II and the ‘Silicon Rush’ transformed this sleepy town into a bustling hub of tech and opportunity now 80,000 people strong.”

The Immersive Alviso Adobe Tour is open to the public every Saturday (weather permitting) with three tours available from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. between now and November 11, 2023. Admission is free, but spots fill up fast so those interested are advised to reserve their place by visiting: www.eventbrite.com and searching “Alviso Adobe.”

Alviso Adobe Tours

Second Saturdays

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

2087 Alviso Adobe Ct., Milpitas

Register on Eventbrite.com

Hayward beats Arroyo in comeback win

By Andrew Joseph

The Hayward High Farmers boys’ basketball team beat the Arroyo Dons on Friday, January 13 at home in a Western Alameda County (WACC) league matchup.

Farmers’ leading scorers were junior Quincy Lavender with a game high of 22 points, Jacob Bolden had 18 points, and Jaydon Bonds added 11 points. Arroyo was led by Miles Pollard’s 18 points, Jeremiah Faumuina’s 18 points, and Macio Budge’s 12 points.

“My focus tonight was to attack the glass and have a dominant presence in the paint because they don’t have a big man that can match up with me,” said Lavender. “This is one of the first games we played together as a complete team.”

Arroyo controlled the pace of the game in the first half and continued making multiple open 3-pointers. The Farmers struggled to find an offensive rhythm at the beginning and also had multiple turnovers that led to points for Arroyo. The Dons went into halftime with a 33-24 lead.

“At halftime we made an emphasis on securing the rebounds and pushing the pace of the basketball,” said Hayward head coach Sunny Aujla. “We did a great job in the second half after making adjustments shutting down Pollard who had 18 points in the first half.”

The comeback for Hayward started in the fourth quarter with a 10-3 run sparked by great defense. The Farmers’ Jaydon Bonds made a 3-pointer to give them their first lead at 50-49 with just five minutes left in the game. Hayward’s defense was able to get steals from Arroyo in the closing minutes that created fast break points in transition on the other end.

“Our man to man defense worked the best for us because we were able to deny a lot of shots and keep them from scoring,” said Bolden. “Our defensive rebounding is what really helped us and sparked our offense in the second half.”

Lavender scored on three of Hayward’s last four possessions, including a finish at the rim that he was fouled on to give the Farmers a 59-55 lead with one minute remaining. Arroyo did not go away as they fouled four times while making the last two shots of the game, including two three-pointers that made it a one-point game as the clock expired.

“This win is really big for us, getting the victory in front of our home crowd,” added Lavender. “We’re putting the league on notice and whoever said that Arroyo is number one, counted us out.”

Hayward improves to 6-7 for the season and 1-1 in league. Arroyo falls to a 6-11 overall record and 0-2 in league play.

StarStruck’s Matilda: Nothing Short of a Miracle

By David R. Newman

Photos by Rosaura Studios

With a new year comes a host of
brand new theatrical productions! We are lucky to live in a region overflowing with theatre companies, where actors, musicians, writers, directors, dancers, tech crews, and other creatives.

One of those groups is StarStruck Theatre, a Fremont-based youth non-profit founded by Director Lori Stokes over 25 years ago. Mixing a professional environment with the fun and enthusiasm of kids’ community theater, Stokes’ baby has blossomed into one of the premier youth theatre organizations in the Bay Area, producing two musicals a year in the Smith Center at Ohlone College.

Their productions are consistently top notch, and I’m pleased to say that their latest does not disappoint. It’s “Matilda the Musical,” based on the Roald Dahl book, and it’s filled with memorable moments and outlandish situations. With a book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, this Royal Shakespeare Company creation debuted in London in 2011 and on Broadway in 2013. It was made available to regional companies in 2018.

As I sat there on opening night with my teenage daughter, you could feel the excitement. Months of hard work led up to this moment: hours of rehearsal (four times per week, beginning the first week of October), coordinating the army of parent volunteers, designing and publishing programs, etc.

Says Stokes, “It’s been an incredible experience, mostly because this is the first time being in such big production for a lot of the younger kids. It is probably one of the hardest shows for young kids to do because of all the difficult dancing and lyrics.”

Matilda is the story of a precocious, highly intelligent 5-year-old with psychic powers who loves to read. She lives with her abusive parents and is terrorized at school by the despotic headmistress Miss Trunchbull. As with all Dahl stories, it pits the innocence of youth against the insane ugliness that can be adulthood.

A diminutive and spunky 11-year-old, Araceli Herrera, makes her debut as the title character, and she hits all the right notes. She delivers her lines, and there are many, with vigor and tenderness, a totally believable portrayal. Although plagued with mic issues, Herrera was undeterred.

In fact, the whole cast of 40+ kids shines throughout the show, especially in the large group numbers. Choreographer Francesca Cipponeri, another StarStruck debut, has managed to wrangle these youngsters into performing complex show stopping numbers. I particularly enjoyed “When I Grow Up”, where the stage is transformed into a giant playground, complete with four giant see-saws, a slide, and kids gliding across on scooters. The scene perfectly captured the spirit of chaos. Says Cipponeri, “I’m so proud of these guys! They trusted me and they let me play. It made my heart smile to see their camaraderie.”

“Revolting Children” is also a standout scene, where the children finally get their revenge on the evil Trunchbull. The energy had the audience cheering. As Stokes points out, the lyrics can be fast and tricky to pronounce, especially while using an English accent, but the cast does an admirable job of singing loudly and clearly, no doubt thanks to the expert tutelage of Musical Director Nancy Godfrey.

All of this young talent coming at you full force makes the quiet moments all the more important. Gracie Wagner plays the kind teacher Miss Honey, who takes Matilda under her wing, and delivers some touching solos. Herrera also has her moment in “Quiet,” a difficult song with the words coming a mile a minute, only to resolve into a tender lullaby.

Of course, no Dahl story is complete without a villain. Casting Christopher Apy as the former world champion hammer thrower Miss Trunchbull is n absolute genius. He is hilarious, eccentric, and completely mesmerizing in every scene he is in. He offers us a refreshing take on Trunchbull with biting wit, while staying true to the original character.

Matilda’s parents provide much comic relief, played superbly by Garrison Garcia and Gemma Krotz. It would be easy to overplay these roles, but the humor is never forced. Garcia takes full advantage of this when he croons “All I Know” with son Michael (Kamran Motahari) to open Act 2. And Krotz brings the audience to tears of laughter in “Loud”, where she tangoes her way across the living room floor with her dance instructor, played by the marvelously flamboyant Brian Loh.

I also liked the librarian Mrs. Phelps (Lily Davis). As she gets lost in Matilda’s stories, we see how magical books can be. In the play, as Matilda weaves her tale of an escape artist and an acrobat who fall in love, actors portraying these characters appear on stage and echo her words. A child’s drawings spring to life, animated on screen, which further enhances the effect. It’s well thought out and a nice touch.

The sets are simple and playful. It’s a testament to the expertise of Director Stokes and her team that everything moves smoothly with no stumbling or bumbling about, every child focused on their own task.

I have much more to say, but word count prevents it. Maybe it’s the excitement of seeing live theatre again. Or maybe it’s because it’s just that good, and one of the best ways I can think of to start off the new year – with hope and heart and a little miracle.

Matilda the Musical

Friday, Jan 13 – Sunday, Jan 29

Fri / Sat: 7 p.m.

Sun: 2 p.m.

Smith Center at Ohlone College

43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont

(510) 659-1319

https://starstrucktheatre.org/pages/matilda-playingnext

Tickets: $25-30

Mission San Jose beats Irvington in riveting wrestling match

By Angela Xiong

On Wednesday, January 11, Mission San Jose High School (Fremont) went head-to-head against Irvington High School (Fremont) in an intense and dynamic wrestling match. The match kicked off with three girls’ events where MSJ claimed swift victory against Irvington in all three matches.

Moving into the boys’ matches, MSJ was up by 12 prior due to two forfeits. The first boys match began with both players in a tackling headlock position. After taking multiple shots, Irvington wrestler Jonathan Ruiz executed a takedown on MSJ wrestler Rylan Dancel-Ragland, pinning him on the mat. Ultimately, with persistent escape techniques, Dancel-Ragland was able to escape, shifting his momentum to take down his opponent. Equally matched in strength, Ruiz was able to escape and secured his victory with a lateral drop pin. The grueling match lasted into the second period, and was one of the longest matches of the night, resulting in a team score of MSJ 12 Irvington 6.

Due to a forfeit in the third round, the score tied at 12-12. Tension picked up in the third boys’ match – where strategy and patience came into play. MSJ wrestler Roland Lee acted deliberately with a single leg drop. Irvington wrestler Fernando Ruiz quickly reversed positions, escaping and pinning Lee to the mat. Lee tenaciously fought and reversed his position, standing up briefly before being pinned down onc
e more by Ruiz’s pancake move. However, due to the period coming to an end, the two wrestlers returned to starting position where Lee was able to turn the tides by executing a reversal and takedown, bringing the score to 15-12. Due to a forfeit on the MSJ team, Irvington gained the upper hand with a team score of 18-15.

In the following match, the pace shifted as MSJ wrestler Nikolaos Kalekos, who placed 4th in his weight class at the 2022 NCS MVAL Championships, lifted Irvington Wrestler Vincent Le and slammed him onto the mat with a double leg takedown, bringing the score to 21-18. Following a series of four forfeits on Irvington’s side, the match ended with a team score of 45-36, MSJ claiming the victory.

Reflecting on the match, Varsity Co-Captain senior Terry Chan said “the game was pretty good, our JV team had a really good learning experience and the Varsity team did really well. I think the most important factor to our success today was all the hard work that we put into training over winter break and thanks to the coaches’ technical advice, we got the win toda

Bear chooses family’s backyard deck to hibernate

Associated Press

A Connecticut family is letting a sleeping bear lie for now after discovering it hibernating under a backyard deck. Vincent Dashukewich of Plainville told WTNH television he was shocked to see the black bear looking back at him when he went to investigate why his dog was growling about in early January.

Since then, Dashukewich has taken the advice of the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and let the bear be as long as it is not causing problems. An agency employee said the animal would likely leave by the end of the month.

“He’s been super chill; I’ve gone out to check on him a few times and he hasn’t really moved” Dashukewich said. “He’s looked at me a few times but he’s pretty calm right now.” A video of the sleepy bear posted to TikTok has been viewed millions of times.

After Dallas Zoo leopard escape, cut found in monkey habitat

Associated Press

Police investigating after a clouded leopard escaped her enclosure at the Dallas Zoo say a cutting tool was used to intentionally make an opening in the fence of the small cat’s habitat, and a similar cut was found at a habitat for small monkeys.

Dallas police said Saturday evening that they did not know if the two incidents were related. None of the langur monkeys escaped and none appeared to be harmed.

On Friday, arriving zoo workers discovered that a clouded leopard named Nova was missing from her habitat. A daylong search ensued, during which the zoo was closed while staff and police combed the 100-acre (40-hectare) grounds. She was discovered by late afternoon near her habitat.

After it was determined that Nova wasn’t injured, the zoo said that she spent Saturday with her sister, Luna, in their habitat, “perched up on a high branch while oh-so-many guests stopped by to wish her well.”

Police and zoo officials have said they have reviewed surveillance footage but would not say what it showed or whether there were potential suspects.

Animals have escaped enclosures from the Dallas Zoo before. Most notably was in 2004, when a 340-pound (154-kilogram) gorilla named Jabari jumped over a wall and went on a 40-minute rampage that injured three people before police shot and killed the animal.

Dead humpback’s 311-pound flipper to be displayed at North Carolina park

Associated Press

By Mark Price, The News & Observer

For the second time in a month, an endangered humpback whale has been found dead on one of North Carolina’s barrier islands. In this instance, however, parts were saved for permanent display.

The latest discovery involved a 31-foot female found Dec. 28 on North Core Banks, inside Cape Lookout National Seashore, according to a Jan. 10 news release. A cause of death has not been released, but a necropsy was performed and samples were collected, officials said.

In an unusual step, Cape Lookout National Seashore was given permission to take parts of the humpback for public display, park officials said.

“A NC Marine Mammal Stranding Network … team assisted the park in collecting one of the whale’s front flippers and a 4-foot-long section of baleen from the whale’s mouth,” the park reported. The sections will “be processed and eventually used in an exhibit at the Harkers Island Visitor Center.”

Photos shared by the park on Facebook show the flipper was longer than the park biologists sent to inspect it. The flipper measured at “around 13 feet” and 311 pounds, officials said.

At Cape Hatteras National Seashore, just north of Cape Lookout, a 30-foot humpback was found beached Dec. 5 on Hatteras Island. A necropsy was also performed on that whale, but no cause of death has been reported.

All species of humpbacks are listed as endangered in U.S. waters, NOAA Fisheries says. The most common causes of fatalities are fishing gear entanglement and being struck by vessels, experts say.

Humpbacks can reach 40 tons and 60 feet, and live as long as 90 years, experts say.

Because large whales take a long time to decompose, the National Park Service typically buries them when researchers are done collecting samples, McClatchy News reports.

Justice Jackson working on a memoir, titled ‘Lovely One’

Associated Press

By Hillel Italie

AP National Writer

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is working on a memoir. Jackson, the first Black woman appointed to the court, is calling the book “Lovely One.”

“Mine has been an unlikely journey,” Jackson said in a statement released Thursday by Random House.

“But the path was paved by courageous women and men in whose footsteps I placed my own, road warriors like my own parents, and also luminaries in the law, whose brilliance and fortitude lit my way. This memoir marries the public record of my life with what is less known. It will be a transparent accounting of what it takes to rise through the ranks of the legal profession, especially as a woman of color with an unusual name and as a mother and a wife striving to reconcile the demands of a high-profile career with the private needs of my loved ones.”

No release date has been set for “Lovely One.” Jackson, 52, was born Ketanji Onyika Brown. The book’s titl
e comes from the English translation of Ketanji Onyika, the name suggested by an aunt who at the time was a Peace Corps worker in West Africa.

Jackson joined the court last year after President Joe Biden named her to succeed the retiring Stephen Breyer. She had previously been a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

“My hope is that the fullness of my journey as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, litigator, and friend will stand as a testament for young women, people of color, and dreamers everywhere,” Jackson added, “especially those who nourish outsized ambitions and believe in the possibility of achieving them.”

“Lovely One” is Jackson’s first book, but not the first by a current member of the Supreme Court. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Sonia Sotomayor are among those who have released books in recent years. Justice Amy Coney Barrett has a deal with the Penguin Random House imprint Sentinel.

Financial terms for “Lovely One” were not disclosed, although interest in her makes it likely her advance is at least comparable to the 7-figure deals negotiated in the past for memoirs by Sotomayor and Justice Clarence Thomas.

In announcing Jackson’s book, Random House called it a story she tells with “refreshing honesty, lively wit, and warmth.”

“Justice Jackson invites readers into her life and world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her,” the announcement reads in part, “from growing up in Miami with educator parents who broke barriers during the 1960s to honing her voice as an oratory champion to performing improv and participating in pivotal student movements at Harvard to balancing the joys and demands of marriage and motherhood while advancing in Big Law and, finally, to making history upon joining the nation’s highest court.”

Ukrainians honor dead fighter at outdoor funeral in capital

Associated Press

By Andrew Meldrum

Ukrainian soldiers, family and mourners gathered in frigid weather in Kyiv on Sunday to pay tribute to a soldier killed fighting against Russian forces in Bakhmut, the strategic city under siege on the eastern front.

An open casket, outdoor service was held in Kyiv’s Independence Square for Maj. Oleh Yurchenko who was killed in Bakhmut on Jan. 2. Fellow soldiers carried the coffin while others knelt on the ground. A bugle played and later a male quartet sang solemn hymns as an Orthodox priest conducted the service attended by about 200 people.

Yurchenko, 45, nicknamed “Happy,” volunteered for the army after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24. He had been head of security for TIU Canada, an energy company operating in Ukraine, according to a Facebook post.

Yurchenko was well-known as a Ukrainian patriot as he had been a participant in pro-democracy demonstrations in 2004-2005 and later in 2014 which ousted Viktor Yanukovych as president. Kyiv’s Independence Square was the center of both demonstrations so it was fitting as the site for the religious ceremony for Yurchenko.

“He was the best Ukrainian, a kind father, a very responsible person,” said Yurii Zhukovskyi, a Ukrainian soldier. “It is a very heavy loss, because these are the best people in Ukraine, and they are dying. It is a great pity. And no matter how many enemies are killed, we are sorry for (the death of) one such person.”

Another fellow soldier, Ruslan Boyko, praised Yurchenko’s positive outlook.

“He was a very brave, very cheerful person who always tried to help everyone, to be ahead in any situation,” Boiko said. He said that Yurchenko was always ready “to take on more responsibility, more tasks and protect everyone as much as possible.”

Olesia Yurchenko, the fallen soldier’s 22-year-old daughter and eldest child, said the family is grieving his death but trying to live by his principles.

“It is about everyone cherishing their virtues: hard work, kindness, honesty, loyalty to their country, their family,” she said. “Because this is what my father taught me. Not to give up, not to retreat.”

She said that her father “always said that we still have to build the country … build Ukraine.”

Continuing Events:

 

Tuesdays

Practice Your English–Tuesday Chat! R

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Improve your English by talking with native speakers

bit.ly/3TH2keU

jl**@ac*******.org

Wednesdays

Zumba Gold $

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Workout while dancing

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

Wednesdays

Tropics Bingo

7:00 pm

Flash games

Tropics Mobile Home Park

33000 Almaden Blvd, Union City

(510) 471-8550

the-tropics.net

First Wednesdays

Talkin’ Dirt

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Online gathering of gardeners

Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (LEAF)

6501 Niles Blvd, Fremont

bit.ly/3UPp51i

Thursdays

Chair Yoga R

10:00 am – 11:00 am

Consists of breathing and stretching techniques

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

 

First Thursdays

Plethos Comedy Lab $

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Ever-changing lineup of Bay Area comics (18+)

Castro Valley Market Place

3295 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley

(510) 901-1001

castrovalleymarketplace.com, plethos.org

Second Thursdays

Diaper Distribution Program

11:00 am

Diaper and wipes for low-income household

Hayward Public Library

888 C St, Hayward

(510) 293-8685

hayward-ca.gov/public-library

Saturdays

Laugh Track City $

8:00 pm

Improvised games and scenes

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St suite B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

madeuptheatre.com

Please show proof of vaccination

Thursdays – Sundays

Animal Feeding

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Feed livestock and learn about their favorite food

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

Fridays & Saturdays

Telescope Viewings

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Experience the awe and wonder of the universe

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

(510) 336-7300

chabotspace.org

First & Third Saturdays

Pacific Bus Museum $

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Open house

Pacific Bus Museum

37974 Shinn St, Fremont

pacbus.org

Second Saturdays

Lazy Saturdays?

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join members of LEAF & tackle various projects

Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (LEAF)

6501 Niles Blvd, Fremont

fremontleaf.org/volunteer

vo*******@fr*********.org

Saturdays – Sundays

Discovery On Demand

10:30 am – 3:30 pm

Explore, investigate and craft to satisfy your natural curiosities

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3UGfdGr

Second Saturdays

Alviso Adobe Tours $

1:00 pm

Docent-led tours & video presentation

Alviso Adobe Park

2087 Alviso Adobe Ct, Milpitas

(408) 586-3210

bit.ly/3Wcmgau

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

Showers for Adults 55+ R

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

One shower per day

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

Mondays

Advanced Math + Science Tutoring

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Free high school and college-level tutoring

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

aclibrary.org

Thursdays

International Folk Dancing in Mandarin R$

11:30 am – 12:50 pm

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

Saturdays, November 12 – February 5

13 Weekly (Grief Share) sessions R

9:00 am – 10:30 am

Prince of peace church

38451 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

(510) 793-3366

popfremont.org

First Thursdays, December 1 – April 6

Bill Savings Assistance with Spectrum

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

In-person assistance on completing 2022 LIHEAP and/or LIHWAP application forms

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

bit.ly/3gWSjfq

Wednesdays, December 7 – November 22

Qi Gong Meditation & Exercise Classes

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Relieve Stress and anxiety by joining Falun Dafa class

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

Thursdays, December 8 – June 8

Cover to Cover Book Discussion

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/3DyAJaM

Second Mondays, December 12 – May 8

ASL (American Sign Language) Story Signing

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Preschool – 2nd grade: 6:30 – 7:00 pm

3rd – 5th grade: 7:00 – 7:30 pm

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

First and third Fridays, December 16 – Jun 16

Mobile Food Distribution

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Available for first 80 families

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Please bring your own reusable bag. Line up starts at 9:30

Saturdays & Sundays, December 20 – January 22

Winter Brick Show $

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Exhibit of various LEGO structures

Bay Area Family Church

2305 Washington Ave, San Leandro

(510) 483-4712

bafc.org

Tuesdays

Bilingual (English/Spanish) Tiny Tot Story Time

9:30 am – 11:00 am

Kinder readiness class for 0-5 years old

Union City Family Center

725 Whipple Rd, Union City

(510) 476-2770

bit.ly/3vcTYRA bit.ly/3GaTamI

Wednesdays, December 28 – January 25

Folding Books R

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Used books makeover project

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/3DyAJaM

Sundays, January 1 – February 26

Snake Talk

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Discover the importance of snakes to the ecosystem

Sunol Regional Wilderness Visitor Center

1895 Geary Rd, Sunol

(510) 544-3245

ebparks.org/parks/Sunol

Tuesdays, January 3 – May 30

Baby Bouncers Lapsit

11:30 am – 11:45 am

Nursery rhymes, lap bounce, songs & picture books for 12 months & younger

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

Wednesdays, January 4 – January 25

Little Listeners Storytime

11:00 am – 11:45 am

In-person story time with, songs and other fun for preschooler

San Lorenzo Library

395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo

(510) 284-0640

aclibrary.org/locations/SLZ

First Wednesdays, January 4 – May 31

Pen Pal Club

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Create a card and write to your pen pal friend from Portola Branch Library in SFO

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

First Saturdays, January 7 – March 4

Music Hour at the Library

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Platform for the community to come together to perform, share and enjoy music

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/3WyERy6

Saturdays, January 7 – January 28

Story walk along the Marsh

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Enjoy the stroll with stories, songs, and movement

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3UGfdGr

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, January 13 – January 29

Matilda The Musical R$

Fri & Sat: 7:00 pm

Sun: 2:00 pm

Ohlone College

43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont

Smith Center

ohlone.edu bit.ly/3Zeges0

ASL interpreted performance on January 27

Tuesdays, January 17 – May 16

Read to a Dog

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Come and read to the trained therapy dogs

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Mask required for 2+

Thursday – Saturday, January 19 – March 18

Tree talk

During gallery hours

Art works & poems by Dotti Cichon & Nelly Capra

Art reception: January 27; 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd, Fremont

(510) 791-4357

olivehydeartguild.org

Thursdays, January 19 – April 20

Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Get help with check-up, medications, appointments, referral, food assistance, & more

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

By ACHCH (Alameda County health care for the homeless)

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

 

Second Thursdays, September 8 –
June 9

Café Dad

6:00 pm

Father and father figures to obtain resources

HUSD Parent Resource Center Hub

24823 Soto Rd, Hayward

(510) 723-3857

husd.us/hub

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, January 18

Teen Gaming Club R

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Enjoy role playing game: honey heist, and other board games

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

bit.ly/3Zub7Eq

Wednesday, January 18

Diversity Circle

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Group meet for inspiring lectures, discussions, current events, films, music & LGBTQ+ topics

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

(510) 790-6606

Wednesday, January 18

Community Meeting Regarding Beekeeping

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Webinar about beekeeping in the City of Fremont

Zoom ID: 822 6166 4550

Passcode: 403934

Wednesday, January 18

Age well/Drive smart R

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Senior driver traffic safety seminar

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

bit.ly/3iwW2kN

Wednesday, January 18

Career Ready – Dynamic Resume Workshop R

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Learn current trend, industry-specific languages, and build your resume

Fukaya Room A

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

bit.ly/3CKAAQe

Wednesday, January 18

Abby K @ The Bistro

7:00 pm

Live music

The Bistro

1001 B Street, Hayward

(510) 833-3470

the-bistro.com

Thursday, January 19

Shoulder Pain: Causes & Treatment Plans R

3:30 pm

Review possible cause of shoulder pain & treatment options

whhs.com/events, youtube.com/whhsInHealth

Friday, January 20

Urban Cycling 101 R

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Learn to equip your bicycle, fit helmet, avoid common hazards & basic road rules. Own bike & helmet required

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

Register: (510) 845-7433

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

Saturday, January 21

Science Saturday: Structures R

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join your kids (5 -10) in exploring, creating & testing structures

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

bit.ly/3Zyskg0 aclibrary.org

 

Saturday, January 21

Lunar New Year Parade

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Hold banners & march around the library with music

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/3DyAJaM

Saturday, January 21

Concert: Saxophone quintet – fun’SQ R

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Musical celebration of innovation: anime, classical, jazz, & more

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/3H20UYo

Saturday, January 21

Music hour at the library

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Read while enjoying light music performed by local musicians

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Mask required for 2+ years.

Saturday, January 21

Snowman Picture Frame Workshop R

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Let your little one build with experts; kit provided

LOWE’S, Union City

32040 Union Landing Blvd, Union City

low.es/3J1C7p9

Saturday, January 21 – Sunday, January 22

Royal Theater Academy’s Seussical R$

Sat & Sun: 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Cat in the Hat, lazy Mayzie, Horton & Jojo are coming with the musical

California State University, East Bay

25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward

(510) 885-3000

bit.ly/3WmGG0h

Saturday, January 21

Gun Buyback (Operational firearms only)

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Turn in your gun, no questions asked

Fremont Fire Tactical Training Center

7200 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

fremontpolice.gov

Saturday, January 21

King Tides Walk

9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Get to know about king tides while strolling around SFO Bay Shore

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3XwBJ5F

Saturday, January 21

Plant & Cutting Swap

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Share your labeled plant cuttings, extra plant or seed starts & basic care information with other gardeners

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Sunday, January 22

Teen Figure Drawing (13 – 18) R

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Practice your drawing skills. Volunteers pose for you to sketch

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Sunday, January 22

Rabbit Rendezvous

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Learn why rabbits are great hoppers & how they use their ears to sense danger

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

Monday, January 23 – Tuesday, January 24

Ride-On Tri-City Travel Training R

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Jan 23: Learn how to use buses & Bart; get $15 cash value in your clipper card.

Jan 24: Field trip

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

Register: (510) 574-2053

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

ri***********@fr*****.gov

Monday, January 23 – Sunday, February 5

Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt

10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Find all 12 zodiacs loose in the children section & receive a prize

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

aclibrary.org

Saturday, January 28

2023 Crab Feed Fundraiser R$

5:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Featuring raffle basket, silent auction, live DJ & a crab dinner

Holy Spirit Gymnasium

37588 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

bit.ly/3Z9fOn3

Ticket available on eventbrite