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Edwardian Ball
Full entertainment lineup announced
Submitted by Kevin Kopjak
PARADOX Media and Vau de Vire have announced the full entertainment lineup for “The Edwardian Ball 2024,” taking place at San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom on Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27, 2024.
Set in a re-imagined “Edwardian Era,” this multi-city, multimedia extravaganza has grown over the past 23 years from an underground club party into an internationally recognized festival of the arts, now operating with the blessing of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust. Presented over two nights, with both Friday and Saturday offering the full experience, ticket options are available for one or both nights and available now at edwardianball.com.
On Friday, January 26 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., guests are welcomed to The Edwardian Eve —a newly reimagined opening night experience. Explore an enchanted and immersive twilight, discover moonlit magic in our Museum of Wonders, enjoy a tapestry of performances in the Grand Ballroom, and peruse the world-class wares in the Vendor Bazaar.
A list of vendors and performers is available online. Among others, the lineup for Friday includes:
WHISKERMAN
Over the last seven years, this Oakland band has developed an underground reputation for tackling the sublime with their ambitious songwriting, thunderous stage show, and acute lyricism. They have since emerged as an engine of the Bay Area’s revitalized psychedelic and festival scenes.
BRAD BARTON, MENTALIST
Brad Barton has performed for over 20 years for corporate clients, arts festivals, TED talks, and more. His charming, laid back style of true interaction with an audience is what has earned him international success.
DARK GARDEN
Dark Garden offers bespoke handmade corsetry, designed and created in San Francisco. They have been partners with the Edwardian Ball since its inception in 1999.
KINETIC STEAM WORKS
Kinetic Steam Works is an Oakland-based nonprofit dedicated to steam powered kinetic art. We explore and repurpose the artifacts of clockwork modernity, blending vintage steam power, industrial art, and education.
On Saturday, January 27 from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., guests will be treated to an all-new live performance of Edward Gorey’s classic tale, “The Remembered Visit,” a grim story of travel, intrigue, loss, and… paper. Night fades as a new day dawns, bringing the excitement and elegance of a warm and vibrant new day! Ballroom dancing and high kicking cancan fill the floor, as music, theatre, and fashion grace the Ballroom and Museum stages. Guests can explore the world-class wares of the Vendor Bazaar and discover the many hidden worlds of our patron saint, Edward Gorey.
The full lineup for Saturday includes:
KUGELPLEX
Kugelplex is the West Coast’s rockin’-est purveyor of klezmer and old-world music. Formed in 2001, the group plays wild, soulful dance music at concerts, festivals and Jewish lifecycle events throughout the United States
LE CANCAN BIJOU
Le Cancan Bijou is an award-winning, specialty-themed dance troupe based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The talented dancers of Le Cancan Bijou bring a new excitement and playful spirit to the traditional, high-kicking French Cancan.
SYDNI DEVERAUX
Sydni Deveraux is a 2x Burlesque Hall of Fame award winner, avid lifter, perfume loving, amateur dj-ing babe. She will host our Saturday vaudeville cabaret in The Museum of Wonders.
IAN STEVENS
Ian Stevens is a longtime Edwardian Ball collaborator that helps design our darkly alluring Museum of Wonders. This year he will be creating an oddities parlor, where you can relax with your friends amidst a collection of curiosities.
The Edwardian Ball Vendor Bazaar will be open to the public on Saturday, January 27 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. and will feature goods from the finest artisans, craftspeople, and merchants to make sure that you attend the Ball (and all your days thereafter) in the most exquisite style. Discover fashion, accessories, gifts, crafts, and more. This daytime event is free and open to the public, and offers a quieter endeavor without the delightful hubbub of the evening events. All ages are welcome.
The Edwardian Ball
Friday, Jan 26 & Saturday, Jan 27
Evening party: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. both nights
Bazaar: 12 noon – 5 p.m. on Saturday
San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom
1300 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
edwardianball.com
Tickets: $75 – $145
Our critical moment to save Newark Wetlands
Submitted by Taran Singh
Like many people worldwide, nature was my refuge during the early days of the pandemic, when much was in lockdown. Every evening, I would walk along the shoreline trails to catch the tidal breath, unwind, and be inspired by the beauty and life that resonates in the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Newark has been a home for my family for more than 15 years now, and to be part of this awe-inspiring landscape of marsh, wetlands, and booming life has become a keystone of freedom, grounding, and connection for us.
With a limited number of parks and open spaces in the Newark area, the Refuge attracts people from near and far. On my evening walks, I noticed trash piling along the side of trails, entrances, and parking lots. My beliefs have propelled me to respect the environment from early childhood. I started bringing a trash bag and picker. Still, it was overwhelming, so I worked with our local community to organize multiple cleanup events where residents, scout groups, and other concerned folks helped in our efforts. Together, we were able to make a difference.
Then I heard about plans by developers to build hundreds of houses on the Baylands right next to the Refuge, and I had to get involved. This area, called “Newark Area 4,” is more than 500 acres of undeveloped open space that contains large areas of existing wetlands and low-lying uplands that San Francisco Bay scientists say will be incredibly important to mitigate damage when sea levels rise. It’s also an area that for decades has been identified for potential inclusion in the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wil
dlife Refuge.
Developers are proposing to build over 200 bay-front houses at the site of the Pick-n-Pull auto yard at the end of Mowry Avenue. Replacing an auto yard might, on paper, sound like a good idea—until you look into it. The auto yard is on land zoned for parks and open space, surrounded on three sides by wetlands, creeks, and the bay, and is almost entirely in a FEMA flood hazard zone, expected to be inundated by rising sea levels. It simply doesn’t make sense to develop here. Instead, we should restore these lands to wetlands and embrace our Baylands by adding Newark Area 4 to the Refuge.
As a long-time Newark resident, with my children born and raised here, and planning to live out the rest of my years here, the health and future of our city is vital to me. I want to see Newark thrive – and that requires us to think about the future and plan prudently. We might think that climate change and sea level rise are not going to impact us, but the Bay Area is looking at an estimated two feet of sea level rise by 2050—within the life of a home mortgage—and as much as 3.5 to 7 feet by 2100. Cities all over the Bay Area are preparing for this – developing sea level rise plans and embracing the critical role of natural wetlands to protect communities from flooding while also creating new parks and recreational opportunities for residents. I firmly believe Newark can lead in this space and be a role model city for sustainable development.
There is no question that housing is a critical need in the Bay Area, especially after the pandemic. As a parent, I want my children to have an opportunity to live in our community. But I also want our children to be safe. Housing advocacy organizations East Bay for Everyone and Greenbelt Alliance have spoken out against the development of Newark Area 4, arguing that cities should not be building housing in locations at risk from flooding and climate hazards. These groups encourage Newark to focus on infill development—building housing within the city’s existing urban footprint. The area around the new Costco is one example of a neighborhood that could support denser housing—enlivening our city without threatening the bay. Our choice now can make Newark more vibrant and connected and uplift our neighborhoods that need modern investment and redevelopment.
As a parent, I often look at the world through my children’s eyes. How will my actions now shape the world that they will be living in? For the sake of our children’s future, I hope residents of Newark take notice of this critical moment to protect our Baylands while we still have a chance. Our choices today can ensure that Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge will continue to be a refuge for future generations, and we can build a vibrant and thriving Newark by focusing on innovative development and caring for our current communities.
The City of Newark is reviewing the proposed “Mowry Village” development, and it will be up for vote in coming months. This is our moment to guide our local government in making a wise decision in the face of climate vulnerability.
Learn More:
Community-driven effort to Save Newark Wetlands and protect Newark Area 4: SaveNewarkWetlands.org
Proposed “Mowry Village” development project on the City website:
Sun Gallery kicks off 2024 Children’s Book Illustrator show – and debuts API exhibit
Submitted by Paki Ahkoi
Images by Berkeley Illustrator Rose Ernst from “What Did You Find Today”
The Hayward Sun Gallery’s 33rd Annual “Children’s Book Illustrator show” starts Thursday, January 25 and runs through March 16, 2024. Local Bay Area artists display their illustrations in our main gallery, along with their books for sale. This is a popular event for the Sun Gallery as well as for schools holding field trips.
We will have our artists reception on Saturday, February 3. This event is free and open to the public.
We also have running concurrently our first annual Asian Pacific Islander exhibition, with works by artists of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage, or ones inspired by those cultures. The exhibit will be up in the gallery on the same dates, with an artists reception held the same day.
As always, gallery admission is free. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, find us online at sungallery.org or call us at (510) 581-4050.
Children’s Book Illustrator show & API Exhibition
Thursday, Jan 25 – Saturday, Mar 16
Thu – Sun: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Opening receptions
Saturday, Feb 3
API Exhibition: 12 noon – 3 p.m.
Children’s Book Illustrator show: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sun Gallery
1015 E. St., Hayward
(510) 581-4050
30 X 30 California
Submitted by California Natural Resources Agency
Photo courtesy of www.californianature.ca.gov
30X30 is the goal to conserve 30% of California lands and waters by the years 2030.
California’s 30X30 initiative aims to conserve lands and waters in ways that:
1) Protect and restore biodiversity
2) Expand access to nature
3) Mitigate and build resilience to climate change
This effort will occur across ecosystems, watersheds, land and water uses, governments and jurisdictions.
The California Natural Resources Agency’s Pathways to 30X30 document describes California’s 30X30 conservation framework and outlines strategic actions necessary to achieve 30X30. 30X30 Conservation Areas include land and coastal water areas that are durably protected and managed to sustain functional ecosystems, both intact and restored, and the diversity of life that they support.
Progress to Date:
- Lands conserved – 24%
- Coastal Waters conserved – 16%
What if natural lands and water areas aren’t “30X30 Conservation Areas”?
There are many lands and waters essential for conservation that will not be included as 30X30 Conservation Areas. The 30X30 initiative is only one piece of conservation. It is critical that the Conservation Areas are adjacent and connected to complimentarily conserved natural areas so ecosystems will thrive and species can move as the climate changes.
Actions you can take to support 30X30
- If your lands fit the Conservation Areas criteria, make sure they are registered at: www.calands.org.
- Practice complementary conservation actions.
- Look for programs and funding opportunities for enhancing the conservation of your lands or local parks and open spaces.
30X30 Conservation Areas as well as potential future conservation sites can be explored using the CA Nature Applications:
- Conserved Areas Explorer
- Biodiversity Explorer
- Access Explorer
- Climate Explorer
All available at: www.californianature.ca.gov/pages/ca-nature
Key conservation actions protect soil health, water quality, and at-risk fish and wildlife, protect biodiversity, and combat climate change. Additionally, actions to expand access and educate the next generation will ensure long-lasting conservation.
Complementary Conservation Actions:
Include, but aren’t limited to:
- Practice wise water use
Links: Saveourwater.com; gardenplanner.calscape.org; water.ca.gov/Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency
- Avoid pesticides & toxic chemicals
Link: cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pestmgt/ipminov/overview.htm
- Provide habitat for wildlife
Link: homegrownnationalpark.org
- Enhance soil health
Link: cdfa.ca.gov/healthysoils
- Build resilience to climate change
Link: resources.ca/gov/Initiatives/Building-Climate-Resilience
- Promote access to nature
Link: resources.ca.gov/Initiatives/Access-for-All
Opportunity for affordable homeownership
Submitted by City of Hayward
An opportunity for affordable homeownership is now available in the new La Playa Place community of single-family homes by builder D.R. Horton near Southland Mall located at 24701 Calaroga Avenue.
The application period to enter the lottery to purchase these homes is open now through Monday, February 5 for three four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom homes available to moderate-income buyers and for two three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom homes available to low-income buyers. The four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom homes restricted to moderate-income buyers are priced at $463,356. The three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom homes restricted to low-income buyers are priced at $183,925. Moderate income is considered up to 120 percent of area median income. Low-income is considered up to 80 percent of area median income.
To find out more about how to apply:
- Visit www.housekeys8.com/coming-soon-la-playa-place-by-dr-horton
- Or contact Housekeys, Inc., the below-market-rate (BMR) housing administrator for builder D.R. Horton, at [email protected] or 1-877-460-KEYS.
Castro Valley Reads 2024
Submitted by Chris Selig, Castro Valley Library
Castro Valley Reads is an annual literary event that asks our residents to read and discuss the same book. It builds community by encouraging a thoughtful exchange of ideas and celebrates the joy of reading together. Castro Valley Reads is facilitated by Castro Valley Library and generously funded by Friends of the Castro Valley Library. This year we will be highlighting the history of unions and the rights of workers to protest unfair labor practices with a propulsive and entertaining novel entitled The Cold Millions by best-selling author Jess Walter.
The Cold Millions tells the tale of two brothers swept up in the turbulent class warfare and free speech fights of the early 20th century. As one reviewer wrote, “The Cold Millions is a literary unicorn: a book about socio-economic disparity that’s also a page-turner and a beautiful, lyric hymn to the power of social unrest in American history. It’s funny and harrowing, sweet and violent, innocent and experienced; it walks a dozen tightropes.”
“Castro Valley Reads is an invitation to come together as a community to grow in our understanding of important ideas and events,” said Dawn Balestreri, Manager of the Castro Valley Library. “Nearly 1,000 community members have accepted our invitation over the past 7 years. Will you join us this year?”
Registration for 7th annual Castro Valley Reads has started and you can register for a Library-facilitated group or you can form your own group with three or more people. To learn more about discussion groups and to register, visit aclibrary.org/castro-valley-reads.
Our Kick-Off Event is Sunday, February 4 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. You’ll learn more about the book and be able to pick up a free copy, while supplies last. We’ll sing along as local horn ensemble fun’SQ leads us in rousing renditions of union songs from the 20th century. There is no need to register for the Kick-Off event itself, but please register for a discussion group online before you arrive. Through mid-April, in addition to discussion groups, we have a great line up of programs related to the themes of the book. And on Sunday, April 14, featured author Jess Walter will be joining us in person at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts for the Finale event.
The library will provide an ASL interpreter for any event with at least seven working days’ notice. Please call (510) 667-7900 or TTY 888-663-0660.
Castro Valley Reads 2024 Kick-Off Event
Sunday, February 4
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 608-1137
aclibrary.org/castro-valley-reads
Celebration of Life
Submitted by Treasures Unleashed
Join us for a sweet and whimsical afternoon “Celebration of Life! Candy Land Edition” on January 27 where we’ll transform 971 B Street in Hayward into a magical Candy Land wonderland.
Step into a world of vibrant colors, sugary treats, and childhood nostalgia. Explore our interactive candy-themed event, where you can immerse yourself in a life-sized Candy Land board. Stroll down the Peppermint Forest, cross the Gumdrop Mountains, and remember to visit the Gingerbread House.
Throughout the event, we have a lineup of exciting activities and entertainment for all ages. Join in on the candy-themed games, participate in art activities and storytelling, and enjoy live performances by local artists.
Whether you’re young or young at heart, our event promises a delightful experience filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of candy. Ticket purchase supports our mission in continuing the work we do in the community!
Celebration of Life! Candy Land Edition
Saturday, Jan 27
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Treasures Unleashed
971 B St., Hayward
www.treasuresunleashed.com
Adults: $10
Youth 4 – 17: $5
(Plus online fees)
We’re in Crab Feed Season!
By Staff
Many local organizations are having their annual crab feed fundraisers. Below are a few of the ones coming up at the end of January and in February.
Boys and Girls Club of San Leandro Crab Feed
Saturday, Jan 27
5 p.m.: Cocktail hour
6 p.m.: Dinner & raffle
San Leandro Boys & Girls Clubs
2200 San Leandro Blvd., San Leandro
https://tinyurl.com/CrabFeed24
Tickets: $75
Our Lady of Grace Crab Feed
Saturday, Feb 3
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Our Lady of Grace Church
3433 Somerset Ave., Castro Valley
tinyurl.com/OLG-CYO
Tickets: $85
Castro Valley High School Athletic Boosters Club
Saturday, Feb 3
6 p.m.: No-host bar
7 p.m.: Dinner
10 p.m.: Dance
Cherryland Community Center
278 Hampton Rd., Hayward
http://cvhs-athletic-boosters-club.square.site
Tickets: $95
Kiwanis Club of Milpitas 20th Crab Feed & Auction
Friday, Feb 9
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Milpitas Community Center
457 East Calaveras Ave., Milpitas
www.eventbrite.com
Tickets: $80
RCS Booster Club Crab & Tri-Tip Dinner & Auction
Saturday, Feb 10
4 p.m.
Redwood Christian Middle & High School
1000 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo
https://www.rcs.edu/
Tickets: $75
17th Fremont Age Well Center Crab Feed
Friday, Feb 16
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6600
Dine-in and Drive-thru options
Deadline to purchase: February 1
Tickets: $80
Crab & Jumbo Prawn Feed & Dance
Saturday, Feb 24
5 p.m.: Doors open & no-host cocktails
6p.m.: Dinner
8 p.m.: DJ and dancing
Swiss Park Bar & Grille
5911 Mowry Ave., Newark
(510) 793-6272
Tickets: $75
(Purchase at Swiss Park)
Earthquake Preparedness Grant Program Available for Fremont Homeowners
Submitted by City of Fremont
Attention Fremont homeowners! You can now register for a chance to receive grant funding to help strengthen your home against earthquakes.
Registration just opened for California’s Earthquake Brace + Bolt program, which offers eligible homeowners up to $3,000 toward a residential seismic retrofit. The program aims to help homeowners lessen the potential for damage to their homes during an earthquake by “bracing” the crawl space, when necessary, and “bolting” the foundation to the frame. Only raised-foundation wood-framed homes built before 1980 qualify for the program. For income-eligible homeowners, a supplemental grant above the $3,000 may be available.
Registration is only open for a limited time, so check now to see if you qualify. The program is sponsored by the California Earthquake Authority and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
See if you qualify and register at www.earthquakebracebolt.com
Hayward Regional Shoreline
By Jack Alcorn
Hayward Regional Shoreline offers over 10 miles of mostly flat
, hard packed trails for walking and biking. The 1,811 acre park extends from the Breakwater Avenue entrance at the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center in South Hayward to the Grant Avenue entrance in San Lorenzo. The West Winton access point, midpoint of the trails, has a restroom. All three gates have parking and signage.
The park consists of 1,811 acres of San Francisco Bay coast and seasonal wetlands. This bayfront nature preserve includes miles of graveled public trails along the shoreline. You can also hike through several distinct, mapped marsh areas on maintained trails. The marsh trails are elevated by levees. The levees were originally built in Hayward and San Lorenze to create land for salt production.
Cogswell Marsh, a 250 acre tidal marsh restoration and enhancement project, was completed in 1980. This area, once restored to tidal action, rapidly became an established saltwater marsh. The 145-acre Hayward Marsh, completed in 1985, is made up of five managed ponds and has fifteen islands that are utilized as habitat by many species of nesting birds. Oro Loma Marsh was constructed in 1997 and consists of a 364-acre tidal marsh with seasonal wetlands and transitional uplands.
A short walk from the West Winton Avenue gate leads to a bridge over the flood control channel. The bridge provides an excellent fishing spot. Comestible fish that can be caught from the bridge and shore of this park include Brown rockfish, Red rock crab, California halibut and Chinook (king) salmon. A California State Fishing License is required for those age 16 and over.
Hayward Regional Shoreline provides access to the 500 mile SF Bay Trail. The scenic journey around the Bay offers a diversity of topography, shorebird habitat and native plant species vital to our unique local ecosystem.
An outdoor excursion to the Hayward Shoreline guarantees encounters with interesting wildlife. Falcons circle above eyeing squirrels and rabbits in the sloughs and thickets below. Rare shorebirds, wild turkeys and California sea otter routinely pose for park visitors. Benches are located along the main trails.
Many trail segments are wheelchair accessible. Dogs are allowed on some sections of the shoreline trails. Park area hours vary. Signage at each entrance provides specific information for these concerns. The park grounds are maintained by East Bay Regional Park District.
Saturday, January 13 Naturalist Erin Blackwood led more than two dozen park goers on an escorted educational journey through a short loop in the park. Each year, East Bay Regional Park District provides the tour to educate visitors about King Tides. “King Tide” describes very high tides, caused when there is alignment of the gravitational pull between sun, moon, and Earth, occurring near winter solstice.
The next King Tide Walk at Hayward Shoreline is scheduled for Saturday, February 10; 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m at West Winton staging area. For more information visit www.ebparks.org
Fremont Cares: Sharing the Stories of Fremont’s Unhoused Residents
Submitted by City of Fremont
The city is proud to share our Fremont Cares story series, an ongoing initiative to help amplify the stories of our unhoused residents. These stories shed light on the real-life experiences of Fremont’s unhoused residents, highlight the homeless response services provided by dedicated city staff and partner agencies, and hopefully inspire our community to get involved and help.
The City of Fremont is committed to connecting its unhoused residents with the life-changing services they need to find permanent housing. We know that each person we help has a unique and often complicated story. The following is one of these stories:
When our city staff met “Rita,” we knew we had to assist and reunite her with her family. Rita was introduced to the City’s Human Services Department when both concerned library staff and other unhoused residents referred her for help. Julie Sakai, a case manager, met Rita after focused outreach with Abode Services, the city’s partner agency. In her 70s, Rita was living in a tent near the library in Fremont’s Central Park. She had memory issues, no identifying documentation, no income, and untreated diabetes and dementia.
In December 2022, Julie enrolled Rita in the city’s Winter Relief program soon after it opened for the season, but because Rita lacked any form of income or identification, alternative housing options would not be available for her when the program was scheduled to close in the spring. Julie knew she had to intervene and develop a plan to prevent Rita from returning to homelessness. While in the Winter Relief program, Rita received intensive case management support, which included receiving diabetes treatment and successfully locating her family.
Her children, all of whom were living abroad in Canada and the Philippines, expressed interest in reuniting with their mom. Working closely with the Philippine consulate in San Francisco, Julie obtained travel documents for Rita and facilitated her safe journey home. Rita now lives in the Philippines with her family.
Rita’s family has expressed their gratitude to Julie and the city for helping them reunite with their mom. They keep in touch with Julie and send her photos, including the one attached to this story of Rita and her family celebrating her most recent birthday. Family members also recently reached out directly to the City’s Human Services Director Suzanne Shenfil to reiterate how much they appreciate what the city did to take care of their mom. The city is proud to help Rita and other unhoused residents find permanent housing and improve their quality of life.
Two stories of Fremont’s unhoused residents are currently available, and more are on the way in 2024. We hope that by reading these stories and learning more about the city’s homeless response efforts, you can help support our goal of making sure that every member of our community feels valued and supported.
- To read current Fremont Cares stories visit www.fremont.gov/Home/Components/News/News/665/1267?backlist=%2fresidents%2fhomeless-response%2fhomeless-news
- To receive future stories by email or text message, sign up for the City’s Homelessness Interest List at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAFREMONT/signup/37496
- To learn how you can help, visit www.fremont.gov/residents/homeless-response/how-to-help
Jared Freiburg returns to Castro Valley
Submitted by Terry Liebowitz
There’s going to be “a whole lot of shakin’ going on” at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, Saturday, February 3, as Jared Freiburg, featuring the Spinouts, returns by popular demand.
Castro Valley Arts Foundation Vice-President Mary Ann DeGrazia is excited that Jared can bring his show back to Castro Valley. “Everyone that saw him in 2022, wanted to invite their family and friends back to his electrifying show. It is definitely high-octane!”
Jared and the Spinouts, a San Francisco-based 3-piece band, celebrate the big names of the 50s and 60s, from Elvis to Sinatra with a healthy serving of Jerry Lee Lewis and the Big Bopper.
Purchase tickets at cvartsfoundation.org or call (510) 889-8961. Parking is free. Bart is within walking distance from the venue.
Jared Freiburg concert
Saturday, Feb 3
7:30 p.m.
Castro Valley Center for the Arts
19501 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley
(510) 889-8961
Tickets: $36 – $40
Call for artists for Annual Juried Photography Exhibit
Submitted by Arathi Satish
It is time to get ready to display your photographs again! The 29th annual “Juried Photography Exhibit” for Fremont residents and Fremont photography club members will be held from March 23 to May 4. The month of April is designated as Arts, Culture and Creativity month, and the Photography Exhibit will be held in conjunction with the celebration.
The event is a joint venture of Fremont Cultural Arts Council (FCAC), the Fremont Photographic Society and the City of Fremont. Photographs selected by a panel of judges will be on display at the Fremont Main Library. An opening night reception will be held on Saturday, March 23.
This is a juried photography show, open to Fremont residents, students, employees of Fremont businesses, and members of FCAC and Fremont Photographic Society. Images submitted may be manipulated, but all image contents must be the creation of the photographer and the image must be primarily photographic in nature. Entries must also be acceptable for general viewing.
Entries by minors under the age of 18 must have the approval of a parent or guardian. Entries must be submitted by the original photographer who is the sole owner of the copyright of any image submitted. The entry fee is $6 per photograph, with a maximum of five prints per entrant. There are two categories for photo submissions: Student category for entries by full-time students under 25, and Open category for everything else.
By entering the contest, photographers agree to have their submitted photographs, including non-winning entries, displayed on the FCAC website without any fee or other form of compensation. Photos may also be used in promoting the FCAC Annual Photography Show, displayed in show, and retained for archival purposes.
Photos may be credited to the photographer named in the entry form. Entries will never be used by FCAC in any manner for sale. In the event that ownership is contested, FCAC retains the discretion to disqualify that photograph and discontinue its use.
Photos must be submitted as digital images in JPG high quality format. Images smaller than 1600×1600 pixels may be rejected. The maximum size is 5 MB. No watermarks, signatures, or copyright notices may be added to images. Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying beauty or a concept.
Judges will select the digital images that will be included in the show. A list of selected photos will be posted on the FCAC website and emailed to entrants. Judges will select winning photos in the Open and Student categories. In addition to the awards selected by the judges, visitors at the opening night reception will vote for the “People’s Choice Award.”
All prints accepted into the show, color or black and white (including digital), must be at least 5”x7”(with frames no smaller than 8”x10”) and must not be larger than 16”x 20” (with frames no larger than 20”x24”). Prints must be framed, under glass or acrylic, and ready for hanging with wire on back (no saw tooth hangers); eye screws must not protrude beyond the frame back. To reduce the weight, frames larger than 16”x 20” should be covered with acrylic and not glass.
Specific details and information, along with the entry forms, can be downloaded from www.fremontculturalartscouncil.org. Participants must attach a label with their information to the back of the prints. They can use the fillable PDF available to generate the labels.
The submission deadline is Midnight February 18. Photographers will be emailed regarding selected photos to print on February 25. Prints can be picked up at the library on May 3 or 4, or at the FCAC office during normal business hours May 6 or later.
For more details, contact [email protected] or Exhibit Chairperson Rajeev Shankar at (510) 399-3049.
Juried Photography Exhibit
Saturday, Mar 23 – Saturday, May 4
Submission deadline:
Midnight February 18, 2024
Opening night reception
Saturday, Mar 23
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
www.fremontculturalartscouncil.org
Year of the Dragon – Time for prosperous financial moves!
Submitted by Iris Kwong-Hu, SVP, Bank of America
Starting on February 10, 2024, the Asian zodiac transitions from the year of the skillful and creative rabbit to the powerful, noble and highly successful dragon. In many cultures, the Year of the Dragon predicts abundance, prosperity and good fortune. So, it’s no surprise that dragons often symbolize money!
Bank of America understands these characteristics and helps clients build pathways to financial stability and success. As we welcome the Year of the Dragon, here are a few tips to improve your financial health during this fortuitous year.
1) Track your spending/build a budget. Tracking your spending can give you a better sense of where your money is going each month, so you can decide where and if you need to cut back or invest more. Using technology can help. Mobile phone apps, along with mobile and online banking, offer easy ways to track spending, follow a budget and maximize your hard-earned dollars.
2) Pay down debt. After the holidays, most household budgets are ready for some financial fitness. You can be savvy about paying down debt by breaking it down and paying off what you owe a little at a time. Remember, there are various types of debt and not all debt is created equal. More information about how to pay down credit card debt can be found under “Strategies for paying down debt” at BetterMoneyHabits.com.
3) Save for emergencies. It’s wise to have enough savings to cover three months of living expenses, and many banks, including Bank of America, can help with automatic savings transfers. Start small, with just a few dollars a month or per paycheck. Your savings should be accessible, not locked up in accounts that charge you to access your money. However, it shouldn’t be too accessible; consider a separate, interest-bearing Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured savings or money market account.
4) Invest in yourself. Saving for retirement is an investment in your future self. Look at how you’re planning for retirement to see if you’re maximizing your contributions or if can you contribute a little more to your 401(k) or IRA. Remember, retirement plans often offer tax advantages, so do some research and take advantage of the available options. Bank of America and Merrill advisors can help.
For more tips, Bank of America has a free financial education website, BetterMoneyHabits.com that can help build financial know-how on topics like budgeting, saving, managing debt, homeownership, and retirement and more. Bank of America also offers free financial education workshops in multiple languages to local groups and organizations.
Financial expertise can help families pass along knowledge—and fortune—to their children.
SOS Meals on Wheels Tri-City Mixer
Submitted by Service Opportunities for Seniors (SOS)
Join us for our first event in the Tri-City area! We are looking forward to getting to know members of the Fremont, Newark, and Union City community. Come by and say hi! Hear from our leadership team about our recent expansion into the Tri-City area, as well as our plans to continue to best serve older adults in the community. Appetizers provided, no-host bar, door prize.
We are an 501c (3) nonprofit and we recently acquired the Fremont, Newark, and Union City Meals on Wheels program that was previously administered by LIFE Eldercare. We hired all of the Fremont staff, and maintained the same volunteers, as well. As part of the expansion, we joined the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and will be hosting a community mixer. The event is FREE.
SOS Meals on Wheels Tri-City Mixer
Wednesday, Jan 31
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Billy Roy’s Burger Company
3909 Thornton Ave., Fremont
Free
Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. at local church
By Akila Cuddalore
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Christian minister who inspired and led nonviolent activism in the mid-1900s against racism and segregation. His unwavering resolve resulted in the American government banning segregation and restrictions to rights on the basis of race in 1964. However, not everyone in America has supported creating an inclusive society. Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
Beginning her thirty-three years as the first African American instructor of the Newark Unified School District in 1954 while Dr. King was still alive and segregation was still practiced, Mrs. Jean Ficklin is a revolutionary in the local community. In 1974, Ficklin founded the Afro-American Cultural and Historical Society (AACHS) because she recognized the positive change Dr. King’s work created but also that the fight for racial equity has not ended. The AACHS has since organized events and spread information to connect Black Americans to the culture of their ancestors, to instill pride for their peoples, and to remove educational and socioeconomic barriers that still threaten the ability of many racial groups to thrive in this unjust society.
AACHS hosted their 47th annual Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. on January 14 in the First Presbyterian Church of Newark (FPCN). Responsible for the assembly and looking ethereal was Mrs. Ficklin—the queen of the event. She was dressed in a black robe and a cap, both bedazzled with gold and bronze studs.
Mrs. Mildred Williams and Reverend Karl Shadley presided over the commemoration. The presence of Mayors Mark Salinas (Hayward), Carol Dutra-Vernaci (Union City), Michael Hannon (Newark), and Lily Mei (Fremont) as well as other retired and active local politicians testified to the event’s importance. The mayors took turns paying their respects to Ficklin and discussing the importance of remembering Dr. King. Mayor Mei spoke briefly of the “virus of hate” or racism, which she fears more than COVID, still ahold of the country, while Mayor Salinas talked about what people must do to combat the racism by considering “another person on the street as [our sibling] through [God].”
Reverend Shadley of FPCN commented on the turnout as he looked towards the crowd: “We’re a little church; we don’t usually fill up this much.” Reverend Shadley acknowledged that—intentions aside—we’re all “convicted of what we haven’t done to remove racial inequities.” Then, he pulled out his ukulele to lead the first musical prayer of the evening “Kumbaya, My Lord.” Included in the litany were requests to the Lord to “sharpen our political will” and to “help us to be there now.”
Bill Taylor kept his role at FPCN just long enough for the 47th MLK Celebration. On his last day as director of the celebration ringers, Taylor conducted their solely instrumental bell performance. The group acknowledged and celebrated the artistic contributions of African Americans by playing gospel music.
Representing the Hayward chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was the young Mahdi Fugfugas. He advocated for “good trouble” or activism, which he described as analogous to knowing and living your rights. Quoting Dr. King that “freedom is never given voluntarily by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed,” Fugfugas encouraged everyone to take action against the injustices they face rather than waitin
g for someone else to save them.
People sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Written by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900, the poem acknowledges that the Black American community has won progress that their ancestors were dreaming of: “Yet with a steady beat, / Have not our weary feet / Come to the place for which our [parents] sighed?” Johnson calls for hope and perseverance in efforts to free the world of oppression: “Ring with the harmonies of Liberty … / Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, / Let us march on till victory is won.”
Reverend Tammy Long of South Bay Community Church summarized the major take-aways from this gathering, remembering Dr. King and honoring his legacy. Defining cowardice as “ignoring the problem that’s sometimes…in front of us,” she defined courage as taking action despite fear. Reverend Long echoed Dr. King’s message of wisdom: “The ultimate measure of a [person]…is where [they] stand in moments of challenge and controversy.” Speaking through Dr. King, she calls for action because “change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes with continuous struggle.”
Afro American Cultural Historical Society of the Tri-City Area and Hayward
Inaugural Nonprofit Summit coming February 1
Submitted by Tina Fernandez Steckler, TCNPC Co-Founder
“Nonprofit Champions Summit: Unite & Uplift” is Tri-City Nonprofit Coalition’s (TCNPC) first-ever in-person summit. This free event will take place at Fremont’s Depot Café in Centerville and will feature three speakers representing diverse nonprofits and skillsets.
The evening will kick off at 6 p.m. with wine and other refreshments followed by a panel discussion featuring Lucy Hernandez of Bay Area Community Health, Lance Nishihira of Daily Bowl, and Muirgheal Forro of HERS Breast Cancer Foundation speaking on community engagement, technology, and social media, respectively.
TCNPC Co-Founder Kathy Kimberlin shared that “this summit will connect nonprofit champions and will help energize their mission outlook for 2024. TCNPC is committed to building community nonprofit ties because we are stronger together.”
To reserve your spot at this free event via Eventbrite:
http://tinyurl.com/TCNPCSummit2024.
The panel discussion will include a Q&A session and registered guests will be automatically entered to win a “Nonprofit Survival” kit featuring self-care items and educational materials. (The value of the free drawing is $150!)
Register today using TCNPC’s QR code or visit http://tinyurl.com/TCNPCSummit2024.
TCNPC is a nonprofit organization with the mission of strengthening the ability of all Tri-City nonprofit organizations to successfully accomplish their respective missions by collaborating, sharing information, and raising community awareness. Find out more at https://tcnpc.org.
Inaugural Nonprofit Summit
Thursday, Feb 1
6 p.m.
Depot Café
37260 Fremont Blvd., Fremont
Free; reservation required: http://tinyurl.com/TCNPCSummit2024
‘Pictures of Belonging’ book discussion
Submitted by Marcess Owings
Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS), in partnership with Hayward Public Library and Eden Township JACL (Japanese American Citizens League), are hosting Dr. ShiPu Wang, Professor of Art History at the University of California, Merced, as he discusses the exhibition and book Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Mine Okubo. The program will take place on Saturday, January 27 at the Hayward Public Library in the Fremont Bank Room. Registration is requested online at www.haywardareahistory.org.
Pictures of Belonging explores the artwork, stories, and connections of these three exceptional Japanese American women, who are often overlooked by traditional American art history. All three lived in California prior to World War II. Miki Hayakawa lived in San Francisco, Mine Okubo in Riverside and Berkeley, while Hisako Hibi and her family made their home in Hayward. Prior to incarceration in 1942, the Hibi’s paintings were given away to friends and supporters of the Japanese community in the Hayward area. One of those paintings made it to the HAHS collection and is included in this national touring exhibition and book.
Hibi and Hayakawa knew each other from art school. Hibi and Okubo were incarcerated at Topaz together and were involved with the Topaz Art School. While the three artists had different lives, they shared a common connection as unique and very talented women who stepped out of their expected roles in society.
The beautiful book, Pictures of Belonging, will be available for purchase and Dr. Wang will be signing copies. All proceeds from book sales go to support HAHS and the Hayward Public Library. The program is free and refreshments will be provided courtesy of Eden Township JACL.
Pictures of Belonging book discussing
Saturday, Jan 27
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Hayward Public Library
Fremont Bank Room
888 C St., Hayward
(510) 581-0223
Free; register in advance online
Solve for Tomorrow with Team Solaraclean!
By Marc Vicente
Photos provided by Katy Kuei
Samsung has recently announced their 300 State finalists for their Solve for Tomorrow competition this 2023-24 season. The contest applies STEM learning to solve a community problem with clear objectives and planned activities to reach the intended goal. Finalists consist of teachers and their students from various middle schools and high schools across North America, including Mission San Jose High School’s Honors Chemistry teacher Katy Kuei, an
d her high school sophomores, collectively calling themselves Team Solaraclean.
Teaching for the summer Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP) Chemistry program for UC Berkeley–on top of the 15 years she had been teaching Honors Chemistry at Mission San Jose—Kuei shares critical thinking skills gained from chemistry to help her students enjoy both overcoming challenges and learning from them in the process. Her leadership had also allowed her Mission San Jose High to be Samsung Solve for Tomorrow State Winners for the past two years.
High school sophomores Aaron Li, Victor Luo and Ian Yong were selected by their fellow students as the Samsung representatives for this year. Team Solaraclean’s name reflects how students have been working together to utilize a combination of both the sun’s energy and other eco-friendly chemical processes (namely chlorine, ozone and nanotechnology) to provide a sustainable method to purify water from lakes, rivers and other natural bodies of water. Peer critiques and project presentations are scheduled to occur throughout the year, so that everyone in the class will still be able to continue learning from the experience as they wait for the results of the contest.
“A big hurdle was the need to teach students how to read scientific primary literature in a short amount of time,” Kuei says about the process that her team took to reach their solutions for their entry. “That can be a daunting task at first, so I used the first few weeks of school teaching research methods and primary literature reading so the students can productively brainstorm for project ideas. As a result, we’ve learned so much together, and have had some great breakthroughs in the past few weeks.”
According to the competition’s web page, Solve For Tomorrow started on August 29, and each competitor worked on their entries up until November 14. If Team Solaraclean gets selected as a State Winner (to be announced between January 30 to March 7), they will not only earn the $2,500 worth of Samsung products and other supplies as State Finalists, but will also receive the opportunity to collaborate with a Samsung Employee Mentor on an upcoming project. Other nominations they can receive later on in the competition include the Employee Choice Award or Community Choice Award. Becoming one of three National Winners grants them both $100,000 worth of Samsung products and classroom resources, and the chance to take a trip to the venue of the final judging event.
“The experience of the actual process in solving a problem from research, planning, and solution is precious and rewarding in itself,” Kuei states. “Though we have been Samsung Solve for Tomorrow State winners for the past two years, we will continue to emphasize on the learning process itself through different stages of the competition.”
Read more about Samsung’s Solve For Tomorrow Competition through their FAQ page. www.samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow/faq/.
The Start of Spring
Submitted by Winda Shimizu
Hayward Arts Council (HAC) invites you to attend “The Start of Spring” Exhibition artists’ reception and free brush painting demo by artist Haijing Hu on Wednesday, January 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Hayward Public Library on the second floor.
“The Start of Spring” showcases the works of Haijing Hu, Kenka Chu, Pan Yuchuan, and Mingming Liang and is in celebration of the Lunar New Year. These four local artists are members of the Hayward Arts Council, as well as Hayward Yueming Art Studio, and Chinese Art Association of SF. On display are ink brushwork paintings, oil, pastel, and colored pencil artworks. The show will be on view until February 19, 2024.
The free art demo on Wednesday, January 24 will be presented by Hayward artist Haijing Hu who has a degree in Fine Arts from Guangzhou Academy in Canton China and more than 20 years of art education experience.
“The Start of Spring” Exhibition is co-sponsored by Hayward Public Library and Hayward Arts Council.
‘The Start of Spring’ reception and art demo
Wednesday, Jan 24
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Show runs through February 19
Hayward Library Galleries
888 C St., Hayward
510-538-2787
Help for Stuttering is as Close as Your Library
Submitted by Patty Reed of the Stuttering Foundation
Thanks to generous donors, the Stuttering Foundation has donated books and DVDs to public libraries across the country, including the Hayward Public Library. Stuttering Foundation books are directed to parents of children who stutter, adults who stutter, speech pathologists, pediatricians, family physicians, nurses, health care professionals, hospitals, schools, clinics, day-care centers, and all those concerned with the problem of stuttering.
The DVDs feature some of the world’s leading therapists with children who stutter. Since the original publication, Foundation materials have reached millions of individuals worldwide. “More than three million Americans stutter, yet stuttering remains misunderstood by most people,” said Jane Fraser, president of The Stuttering Foundation. “Myths such as believing people who stutter are less intelligent or suffer from psychological problems still persist despite research refuting these erroneous beliefs.”
Sixteen books and DVDs produced by the 76-year-old nonprofit Stuttering Foundation are available free to any public library. The Foundation has provided free materials to over 20,000 public libraries nationwide. A public library that will shelve them can e-mail [email protected].
East Bay Regional Park District Launches Annual Trails Challenge Program
Submitted by Jen Vanya
For the past 31 years, the East Bay Regional Park District has encouraged the public to explore their Regional Parks through its annual Trails Challenge program. The free program connects people with nature and healthy recreation by providing 20 designated trails for each year’s challenge.
The 2024 Guidebook includes 20 trails available for all levels of fitness, ranging from easy and moderate to challenging. There are trails open to hikers, bicyclists, dogs, and equest
rians. Trails Challenge 2024 also offers increased accessibility with trails that have been evaluated and identified as usable by persons with mobility limitations.
To complete the challenge, hike five of the 20 trails, or 26.2 miles (the distance of a marathon) of trails within Park District. You can submit your log, online or by mail, by December 1, 2024, and receive a commemorative pin while supplies last.
Trails Challenge is made possible in partnership with the Regional Parks Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, who have both sponsored the Challenge since 2005.
Download the 2024 Trails Challenge and learn more at ebparks.org/TC.
Tips for the Trails
East Bay Regional Parks are popular with hikers, bikers, equestrians, and nature viewers, among others. Help keep trails enjoyable for all by following these tips for the trails:
Hikers: Stay to the right and stay alert
Bikers: Slow down around others and call out or ring your bell when passing
Equestrians: Keep to the right around other trail users and let them know how to pass your horse safely
More tips for trail safety can be found on our Trails are for Everyone webpage: www.ebparks.org/about-us/whats-new/news/trails-are-everyone.
Lead Physician Assistant offers tips on staying healthy and avoiding winter ailments
By Alfred Hu
The winter holiday season is a time when lots of people travel to pursue winter sports, spend time with families and friends or to celebrate holiday festivities. These activities are on the rise since many people feel that the Covid pandemic is over and thus tend to lose their guard against common winter ailments, including the common cold and influenza both of which are transmitted by a virus.
However, in recent months, according to the Center for Disease and Control (CDC), Covid is again on the rise, oftentimes caused by the new JN.1 variant. Nationwide, the last week of December 2023 saw a huge surge in emergency department admissions for COVID-19 and influenza, according to the CDC website. And in addition, California stands among the states with the highest respiratory virus activity. After JN.1, the next most common strain in the U.S. right now is the HV.1 sub-variant, which comprised about 22% of cases as of Dec. 23 (today.com). Symptoms of these new Covid variants include sore throat, congestion, runny nose, cough, fatigue, headache, difficulty breathing, nausea, loss of sense of taste and smell, muscle aches, high fever, and chills. Thus, getting a fresh COVID-19 and flu vaccine this winter is beneficial. Yet many still have not yet done so.
In spite of rising cases of respiratory illness and other winter maladies, the winter season does not need to look grim. Gabriel Smith, Lead Physician Assistant at Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care, offers some tips to stay healthy. First of all, he recommends wearing a mask and gloves in crowded areas or in packed public transit such as BART or Muni and always washing hands thoroughly and keeping them away from your face. “I joke with my family members every year, ‘If a small child tries to hand you anything, it’s a virus; don’t touch it,’” says Smith. He also emphasizes doing exercises such as walking and running, as well as mobility and strength training three times a week. In addition, he advises eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoiding overly processed foods, or anything with a lot of sugar.
The most common conditions Smith and his team treat are cough and congestion. These could result from Covid, flu, the common cold, or allergies, and can be truly annoying. Smith added, “I always recommend a non-drowsy antihistamine in the morning and a nasal spray an hour before bed. These medications, along with a bedroom humidifier and nasal saline rinses, will dramatically cut down on nighttime cough and morning sore throat. You can also use a tablespoon of honey for yourself or children over the age of two as well hot teas to help with any cough.” Furthermore, he suggests seeking medical advice if cough and congestion persist for more than a week. He also mentions that Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care offers virtual visits, allowing patients to be seen online for cold symptoms and many other complaints.
As for Covid, some people claim that there is a prescription nasal spray to keep the disease at bay, but according to Smith, no such spray is being marketed at this time. Those spray products that claim to create a temporary barrier to the Coronavirus are ineffective. He therefore insists that the best preventive measure is, once again, wearing a well-fitting mask. Once a person catches Covid, Smith advises staying home and isolating to avoid spreading the virus. “If you cannot avoid being around others in your home, wear a mask, and make sure to have plenty of hand sanitizer,” he advises. “Wipe down surfaces with a good antimicrobial cleanser and avoid going out in public. Covid is highly transmittable, and you never know who you may be around that has major health problems.”
“Being a vigilant and a good citizen with care and concern for others is of utmost importance,” stresses Smith. “Your health and the health of those around you is more important than work. You will have many jobs in your life, but you only get one life. Take care of yourself and stay healthy to lower your chances of catching these viruses, and STAY HOME if you are sick.”
Finally, while respiratory illnesses, including Covid, spike during the winter, each one of us can do our part in keeping healthy and in preventing the spread of germs by following guidelines and recommendations by health care experts. And by keeping the number of cases and hospitalizations to a minimum, we can greatly reduce the strain on the public health sector.
Learn About Working with a Book Illustrator
Submitted by Tish Davidson
Fremont Area Writers invites all writers and artists interested in learning more about working with a book illustrator to a free Zoom talk by Maine illustrator Agy Wilson on Saturday, January 27. Wilson will speak about what to expect from your illustrator. Bring your questions.
Wilson grew up with lots of time to draw, lots of paper to draw on because her father was a paper coating engineer, and a love of books and art. Yet, despite her interest and talent, when she grew older, people kept telling her she could never make a living as an artist. This left her with the determination to not grow up.
Instead of running away to the circus, Wilson
ran away to the Portland Art School, now known as Maine College of Art. There she studied a variety of art disciplines with skilled artists. She has been an art teacher, a wax artist, an egg artist creating Ukrainian Easter eggs, a calligrapher, and a painter of endangered species for the Wilde-N-Wonderful Gallery at Busch Gardens in Florida. Then came the idea to combine her wide-ranging interests into the perfect career—writing and illustrating books.
Wilson has written and illustrated both traditionally and independently published books. She also illustrates and designs covers and interiors for books by other authors. Her experience ranges from developing baby books and books for emergent readers to graphic novels and adult coloring books.
Anyone interested in the ins and outs of book illustration should bring their questions to the Fremont Area Writers Zoom meeting. FAW events are free and open to anyone who has an interest in writing, from aspiring beginner to published professional. More information is available at https://cwc-fremontareawriters.org
To attend the Agy Wilson Zoom meeting, request a Zoom link from Scott Davidson at [email protected]
Agy Wilson, book illustrator
Saturday, Jan 27
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Request the Zoom link from Scott Davidson:
The power of the youth vote
Submitted by Valerie Stewart
On January 13, 2024, high school student leaders from Fremont and Union City met with Julie Dunkle and other members of the League of Women Voters to develop and train for the presentation they will give at local high schools during upcoming voter registration drives. The final training is taking place January 21. The registration events begin on January 24 at Robertson High School in Fremont.
Led by local teens and adult volunteers, Youth Voter Movement (YVM) conducts voter registration events for local youth and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) actions. Since 2018, YVM has registered over 10,000 new voters.
The registration events consist of a presentation that highlights the history of voting, the power of the youth vote, and the breadth of voting issues. YVM Youth Leaders conduct the presentation and lead students through the voter registration process. Social Science teachers bring their classes to hear the presentation and complete the registration process. YVM is a project of the League of Women Voters FNUC. Here is the current schedule to register students in time to vote in the March Primary election.
Robertson HS, Fremont – January 24
Mission HS, Fremont – January 25
Washington HS, Fremont – January 29
Logan HS, Union City – January 31
Irvington HS, Fremont – February 2
American HS, Fremont – February 5
Newark HS, Newark – February 9
Bridgepoint/Crossroads HS, Newark – February 12
Conley-Caraballo HS, Hayward – February 14
Youth Rally in Fremont!
In March, before the Primary Election, Bay Area students will gather to show the power of the Youth Vote and celebrate voting with postcard and phone bank drives, voicing concerns with local electees, registering voters, and a march to City Hall to mail primary ballots and postcards. The Rally will take place at Fremont Main Library at 2400 Stevenson Boulevard.
Youth Voter Movement
youthvotermovement.org
HISTORY MATTERS
By John Grimaldi and David Bruce Smith
January 16 through 31
The First Corvette
America’s first gasoline powered automobile appeared in 1893. Sixty years later, the Chevrolet Corvette ambushed the market with a sports car that snatched a devoted following of ten thousand buyers annually.
According to History.com, “in the early 1950s, Harley Earl (1893-1969), the influential head designer for GM, then the world’s largest automaker, became interested in developing a two-seat sports car. At the time, European automakers dominated the sports car market. Following the debut of the Corvette prototype at the Motorama show in January 1953, the first production Corvette was completed at a Flint, Michigan plant on June 30, 1953. The car featured an all-fiberglass body, a white exterior and red interior, a relatively unremarkable 150-horsepower engine and a starting price tag of around $3,500 (not including taxes or an optional AM radio and heater).”
For more information, the Grateful American Book Prize recommends books such as The Complete Book of Corvette by Mike Mueller.
California’s Gold Rush
Although California didn’t become a state until 1850, it was a territory in 1848 – just in time for America to benefit from the discovery of gold on January 24, 1848 in Sutter’s Creek, CA.
“A tributary to the South Fork of the American River east of the Sacramento Valley and San Francisco, Sutter’s Creek was named for a Swiss immigrant who came to Mexican California in 1839,” reports History.com. “John Augustus Sutter became a citizen of Mexico and won a grant of nearly 50,000 acres in the lush Sacramento Valley, where he hoped to create a thriving colony … Sutter hired the millwright James Marshall to build a sawmill along the South Fork of the American River in January 1848. In order to redirect the flow of water to the mill’s waterwheel, Marshall supervised the excavation of a shallow millrace … Marshall was looking over the freshly cut millrace when a sparkle of light in the dark earth caught his eye. Looking more closely, Marshall found that much of the millrace was speckled with what appeared to be small flakes of gold, and he rushed to tell Sutter. After an assayer confirmed that the flakes were indeed gold, Sutter quietly set about gathering up as much of the gold as he could, hoping to keep the discovery a secret. However, word soon leaked out and, within months, the largest gold rush in the world had begun.”
The Grateful American Book Prize recommends The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream by H.W. Brands.
The 13th
Amendment
On January 31, 1865, the 13th Amendment– ratified by the House of Representatives—stated “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude … shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
According to History.com, “when the Civil War began, President Abraham Lincoln’s professed goal was the restoration of the Union. But early in the war, the Union began keeping escaped enslaved people rather than returning them to their owners, so slavery essentially ended wherever the Union army was victorious. In September 1862, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all enslaved people in areas that were still in rebellion against the Union. This measure opened the issue of what to do about slavery in border states that had not seceded or in areas that had been captured by the Union before the proclamation.”
The Grateful American Book Prize endorses Slavery and the Making of America by James Oliver Horton and Lois E. Horton.
This feature is courtesy of The Grateful American Book Prize, which is an annual award given to authors who have created outstanding works of historical fiction or nonfiction for seventh to ninth graders. Visit them at gratefulamericanbookprize.com.
News and notes from around the world
Submitted by The Association of Mature American Citizens
‘Tidy Mouse’
Eek! Do mice get a bum reputation? According to experts on the subject, mice “are fastidiously clean animals.” Rodney Holbrook of Builth Wells, Wales can attest to that; he noticed that “stuff” in his tool shed was being relocated each night in an orderly fashion. He planted a hidden camera and, sure enough, he caught what he calls a “tidy mouse” gathering nails, small tools, etcetera and neatly putting them in a small tray. The mouse usually works alone but sometimes has help from a “brother mouse.” As Wells put it to the BBC, “I don’t bother to tidy up now, I leave things out of the box and they put it back in its place by the morning.” Watch the industrious critter on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLDPzQ42kws
This guy is no ‘pettifogger’
Chris Williams at Michigan’s Wayne State University is head of a Word Warriors program, an effort to bring back “long-lost” words. The University started the program 15 years ago in an effort to remember words that most of us have forgotten over the years, words such as Rawgabbit. That’s what they once called a person who tries hard to sound like he knows what he’s talking about. Do you know what “thunderplump” means? It’s all about heavy rains during a thunderstorm. How about blatherskite. It’s what they used to call someone who doesn’t make sense when he’s talking. Oh yeah, a pettifogger is someone who is underhanded or disreputable. Listen to the whole story at WWJAM: On-Demand: https://omny.fm/shows/wwjam-on-demand/twankle-and-rawgabbit-are-among-the-10-words-the-w
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Australian Kathleen Murray of Sandford, Tasmania says “now my back yard looks like a real-life Hungry [hungry] Hippo game. I also have an echidna [a spiny anteater] that helps, and some chooks [chicken].” Kathleen is the proud winner of the first-ever World’s Ugliest Lawn competition. As she puts it, “I used to think the bandicoots [Australasian marsupial mammal] were wildlife of mass destruction invading my lawn, but now I see that they’ve actually liberated me from ever having to mow it again. I’m all for guilt-free weekends, especially since my ex-husband left with the lawnmower back in 2016.” See the prize-winning yard on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7jBz8tqQXU
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.
Social Security Matters
By Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor, AMAC Foundation
Ask Rusty – Can someone work while collecting Social Security Disability?
Dear Rusty: If a person is collecting Social Security disability benefits, can they, at any point, work at all? If they can, what is the maximum they can earn and still keep the disability benefit? I am asking because my husband is still young, but his injuries will not allow him to go back to the job he had prior to his injuries and surgeries. He does not just want to sit at home doing nothing! Signed: Concerned Wife
Dear Concerned: Actually, the Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages those collecting SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits to attempt to go back to work, and they provide considerable leeway for them to do so. The monthly earnings limit for those collecting SSDI benefits in 2024 is $1,550 and as long as your husband earns less than the limit while working, his SSDI benefits will not be in jeopardy. Your husband should contact Social Security’s Ticket to Work program directly to protect his disability status and discuss returning to work while collecting SSDI benefits.
The Ticket to Work program assists those now receiving SSDI benefits who wish to test their ability to return to work without putting their SSDI benefits at risk. The program provides considerable assistance, including new career training opportunities and connection to potential employers. It is voluntary and costs nothing. Here is a link to Social Security’s information on the Ticket to Work program: https://choosework.ssa.gov/.
It’s not mandatory for your husband to enroll in the Ticket to Work program, but, in addition to other available assistance, he can request a Trial Work Period (TWP) which would allow for nine months, over a rolling five-year period, during which he can earn any amount (even over the normal monthly limit mentioned above) without risking his SSDI benefits. Within the Trial Work Period, only those months he earns over the normal monthly SSDI limit would count as a Trial Work Month. For example, your husband could work part time, regularly earning under the normal monthly limit, and if, in some months (up to nine), he earned more, it wouldn’t affect his SSDI benefits.
So, your younger disabled husband can, indeed, work while on Social Security disability for as long as he wishes while earning under the monthly SSDI limit (the SSDI earnings limit changes yearly). He may also wish to enroll in Social Security’s Ticket to Work program for assistance with developing a new career. Plus, he can take advantage of using trial work months in the event his work earnings will, at times, exceed the monthly SSDI limit. If your husband earns over the SSDI limit for more than the ni
ne trial work months, and his benefits are consequently stopped, he can—within the 5-year Trial Work Period—have his benefits reinstated (without again going through the full application process) if his disability still renders him unable to work full time.
For starters, I suggest your husband contact Social Security’s Ticket to Work program directly at 1 (833) 889-0108 to discuss returning to work part time. Social Security will guide him through the entire process.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at [email protected].
Tri-City History A-Z in Photographs #1: Academia
By Kelsey Camello, for the Washington Township Museum of Local History
Starting in 2024, the Tri-City History column will start going through the alphabet, with historical photos on a shared theme for each letter.
Academia (noun): The life, community, or world of teachers, schools, and education
Students at Curtner Seminary for Young Ladies in Irvington, CA (approx. 1896)
The second Centerville Grammar School, built in 1913.
The 1940 Irvington Grammar School was designed by George Ellinger of Oakland.
Washington High School teachers examine class offerings, 1961.
Let’s explore local history through themes and photographs. Have a topic or idea you’d like us to explore? Email us at [email protected].
LEAF is on the move
By Daniel O’Donnell
Photos courtesy of LEAF
American writer Elbert Hubbard coined the phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” in 1915. Lemons suggest sourness or something unpleasant, but taking lemons and combining them with honey or sugar makes them sweet or desirable. When life gave Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (LEAF) a lemon, they immediately set out to make lemonade.
LEAF is a nonprofit volunteer organization based in Fremont whose goal is to grow food using regenerative agricultural practices and provide it to residents of need in Alameda County. LEAF is also focused on providing environmental education to the community through workshops, garden volunteering opportunities, offering rental raised beds, and running the “Students for LEAF” summer comprehensive gardening educational camp for middle and high school students.
LEAF is able to provide these opportunities from two of their agricultural locations. One is at the LEAF Center in the California Nursery Historical Park in Niles, and the other is (but won’t be for long) at the LEAF C.R. Stone Garden. Unfortunately, this land was sold in Spring of 2023, and LEAF must move out of this location.
Dr. Chris Stone offered a free, long-term lease for a half-acre of land behind her Mission Valley Veterinary Clinic to LEAF in late 2014. This site was named the LEAF C.R. Stone Garden after Dr. Stone’s father. LEAF took advantage of the generous offer and created a wonderful regenerative garden, bee sanctuary, and educational facility. When the land was sold and LEAF was informed that they could not stay, it was a devastating blow after ten years of creating a productive, educational, and environmentally friendly garden. However, after being given this “lemon,” Elaine Owyang, President of LEAF, managed to secure a location adjacent to the C.R. Stone Garden. Through Elaine’s tenacity and the generosity of the Alameda County Water District, the lemon of eviction was made into lemonade.
There were many things learned from trial and error over the past ten years at the Stone Garden. The relocation of the garden will end up being a positive event because of this. It is never easy to relocate a productive garden. However, given enough time to plan the exit, an opportunity can arise. The new garden is actually a third-acre larger than the original, and there will be a dedicated parking area for volunteers and visitors which the Stone Garden did not have before.
There was a continuous fight to keep gophers at bay over the past 10 years at the Stone Garden. Vegetables will be grown in gopher-proofed raised beds at the new location instead of directly in the ground which should alleviate the problem. Using raised beds will also make planting, maintenance, and harvesting less demanding. Another change coming from lessons learned: Of the three growing structures, only the two glasshouses will be relocated to the new location. Volunteers found it is much easier to regulate an optimal temperature for germinating seeds and growing plants in glass. The plastic greenhouse took a lot more work to keep it from overheating.
There will also be the addition of a worm farm at the new site. Food donated to the Fremont Food Bank that has since spoiled will be collected and returned to LEAF. It will be used to feed the worms, which will in turn produce worm castings used to fertilize fruit and vegetable plants. The harvested food will be donated back to the Food Bank, completing a sustainable loop.
Recently, LEAF had success with bio-reactive composting which takes a little less work than using the traditional method of regularly having to turn compost by hand. Plant material and horse manure are placed in wire towers and regularly watered. The process creates a dark nitrogen-rich compost in about nine months. Currently, there is one bio-reactive tower in use at the garden. The new site will host more.
LEAF considers their gardens to be living classrooms. Volunteering to work in the garden is a great hands-on way to learn about regenerative agriculture practices and become stewards of our local envir
onment. There are volunteer opportunities outside the garden as well.
Gardening: For gardeners and handy-people (four hours per week, or as needed)
Financials: To review monthly statements (four hours per month)
Web: To post updates (four to eight hours per month)
Social Media: (four hours per month to post to Facebook and Instagram)
LEAF can be contacted for volunteering opportunities and information about upcoming events at fremontleaf.org. They can be emailed at [email protected].
Daniel O’Donnell is the co-owner and operator of an organic landscape design/build company in Fremont. www.Chrysalis-Gardens.com.
Alameda County Water District
January 11, 2023
6:30 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Ratification of Payment of Audited Demands dated December 8, December 15, and December 22, 2023
- Authorization for Directors to attend a Water Education Foundation Tour of the Lower Colorado River on March 13-15, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Creation of Advisory Committee regarding Lake Del Valle use and operations
- Resolution honoring Jacqueline Lenci upon her retirement from district service
- Authorization of Purchase Order for SCADA Servers for the WTP2 SCADA Replacement Project
- Authorization of Purchase Order for SCADA HMI Software for the WTP2 SCADA Replacement Project
- Authorization of Purchase Order for SCADA Historian Software for the WTP2 SCADA Replacement Project
- Rejection of Bids for Procurement of Ion Exchange Media in Support of the Groundwater PFAS Treatment Facility – Phase 1 Project
President James Gunther Aye
Vice President Judy Huang Aye
Aziz Akbari Aye
Paul Sethy Aye
John Weed Aye
Castro Valley Unified School District
Board Meeting
January 17, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Superintendent’s Report
CVUSD Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi reported that a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration was held Monday the 15th. She enjoyed listening to all the student speakers. Also, the adult school just received a grant of $330k for an English Learning Health Care program to encourage those learning English as a second language to get into the health care field.
Consent Agenda
- Approve Purchase Order Report for December 1, 2023 through December 22, 2023
- Approve new and closed positions on the Request for Personnel Action Board Report as of December 22, 2023
- Adopt Resolution 26 – 23/24, Disposal of Obsolete and/or Surplus Property
- Accept donations to the district
- Adopt new 2023-2024 course of study outline for Castro Valley High School
- Adopt the Castro Valley High School Program Planning Guide for 2024-2025
- Adopt Resolution 27 – 23/24, declaring February to be African-American History Month
- Approve Upcoming District-Sponsored Overnight Field Trip
- Approve 2022-2023 School Accountability Report Cards
- Accept Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures Quarterly Report Ending December 31, 2023
President Lavander Whitaker Aye
Michael Kusiak Aye
Dolly Adams Aye
Sara E. Raymond Aye
Gary C. Howard Aye
Fremont City Council
January 9, 2024
7:00 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Approve the plans and specifications for the Aqua Adventure Water Park Slide Refurbishment Project; Appropriate $500,000 in the Recreation Cost Center Fund 189 Operating Improvement Reserve, and award a contract to Safe Slide Restoration for the base bid amount of $596,247.43, plus alternate #1 for $14,152.20, and alternate #2 for $37,199.48; plus a 10% construction contingency amount of $64,759.91, for a total construction contract amount of $712,359.02.
- Authorization to execute a third amendment to a master service contract with Alameda County Probation Department for programs supporting at-risk youth and families, through June 30, 2024; appropriate additional funds, and make findings of CEQA exemption.
- Adopt a Resolution Acceptance and Spending Plan of the 2023/24 State of California Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) grant.
- Authorize the Facilities Maintenance Agreement with New Image Landscape Company.
- Approval of the plans and specifications and award of contract to Spencon Construction, Inc. for the 2024 Citywide Concrete Repairs and Intersection Ramps Project (PWC8483-H), for the Base Bid, two Add Alternates, plus a 14% construction contingency, for a total construction contract amount of $2,978,579; make findings of CEQA exemption.
- Approve the plans and specifications for the California Nursery Historical Park Interpretive Signage Installation Project, PWC8837; and award a contract to Square Signs LLC dba Front Signs for the base bid amount of $240,430, plus a 15% construction contingency amount of $36,065, for a Total Construction Contract Amount of $276,495; Find the project is consistent with the adopted California Nursery Historical Park Master Plan, for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was previously prepared and certified in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
- Approval of cooperative agreement with Caltrans to support the project approval, environmental clearance and design phases for the I-680/North Mission Boulevard Interchange Modernization Project (PWC 9021).
- Approval of plans and specifications; award contract to GradeTech, Inc. in the amount of $1,755,135.72 (includes 10% contingency) for the Fremont Boulevard and Country Drive Protected Intersection Project (PWC9050); appropriation actions; and make findings of CEQA exemption.
- Authorize a service agreement with WestGate Ventures for project management services to prepare a land development plan for the city-owned parcel at the corner of Fremont Boulevard and Decoto Road; reallocate funding.
Mayor Lily Mei Absent
Vice Mayor Teresa Cox Aye
Raj Salwan Aye
Yang Shao Absent
Teresa Keng Aye
Jenny Kassan Aye
Desrie Campbell Aye
Apply to be a Fremont Commissioner or Advisory Board Member
Submitted by City of Fremont
Looking for a way to make a difference in the Fremont community? Consider serving the City of Fremont as a commissioner or an advisory board member. Current board and commission vacancies include the following:
- Art Review Board
Vacancy: One
- Economic Development Advisory Commission
Vacancy: One At Large Representative
- Environmental Sustainability Commission
Vacancy: One Development/Construction Representative
- George W. Patterson House Advisory Board
Vacancy: One Mission Peak Heritage Foundation Representative
Vacancy: One Washington Township Historical Society Representative
- Historical Architectural Review Board
Vacancy: One
- Human Relations Commission
Vacancy: Three
- Library Advisory Commission
Vacancy: One
- Mobility Commission
Vacancy: One Driving Representative 1
- Recreation Commission
Vacancy: One
- Rent Review Board
Vacancy: One Landlord Representative
Vacancy: One Tenant Representative
Vacancy: One Third Party-Alternate Representative
- Youth Advisory Commission
Vacancy: Three
The City Clerk’s Office welcomes applications for all Boards, Commission and Committees throughout the year. For more information about each board and commission, or to download an Advisory Body application, visit our website. You may also obtain an application from the City Clerk’s Office at 3300 Capitol Ave., Building A. For more information contact (510) 284-4060 or send an email to: [email protected].
Historical Architectural Review Board
Thursday, January 18
6:30 p.m.
Election of Officers
- Alta Adamson was elected as Chair. (unanimous)
- Thomas McLauchlan was elected Vice Chair. (unanimous)
Public Hearing Items
- Item 1. WITHERLY LANE HOMES – 750 – 830 Witherly Lane – (PLN2023-00143) – To consider a Discretionary Design Review Permit, Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 8546, and a private street in conjunction with a proposal to subdivide the three-lot, 4.15-net-acre site that contains the Register-eligible Gallegos House Resource into 10 single-family lots at 830 Witherly Lane in the Mission San Jose Community Plan Area and to consider a finding that no further environmental review is required pursuant to an exemption from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, as the project is consistent with the land use envisioned for the site as established by the General Plan for which an Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2010082060) was previously prepared and certified, and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15164, as none of the circumstances requiring preparation of a subsequent or supplemental EIR have occurred. Project Planner – Marc Cleveland, (510) 494-4543, [email protected]
Motion
Approve the project based on findings and subject to conditions of approval.
Item 1 approved unanimously.
- Item 2. SUNDERER BOOT SHOP / WELLS FARGO STATION – EMERGENCY DEMOLITION – 43341 Mission Boulevard – (PLN2023-00285) – To consider a request to demolish the fire-damaged Sunderer Boot Shop / Wells Fargo Station building, a City of Fremont Register Resource, at 43341 Mission Boulevard in the Mission San Jose Community Plan Area, and to consider a statutory exemption per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15269(c), Emergency Projects, and on a separate and independent basis, a finding that no further environmental review is required pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, as the project is consistent with the land use envisioned for the site as established by the General Plan for which an Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2010082060) was previously prepared and certified, and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15164, as none of the circumstances requiring preparation of a subsequent or supplemental EIR have occurred. Project Planner – Mark Hungerford, (510) 494-4541, [email protected]
Public Comments
- Seven Fremont residents spoke in favor of the Board denying demolition approval for the Sunderer Boot Shop. Reasons stated included professional testimony for salvageable nature of the structure; preservation of tangible representation of the area’s history; Fremont Historic Construction Standards; and reconsideration of the emergency condition.
Motion
The Board does NOT approve demolition of the Sunderer building because alternatives have not been presented to show there are immediate or prompt hazards present.
Item 2
approved unanimously.
Chair Dave Jacobs
Vice Chair Alta Adamson
Kel Kanady
Thomas McLauchlan
Milpitas Unified School District
January 9, 2024
Consent Agenda
- Adopt resolution honoring January 15, 2024 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Approve Purchase Order Report of January 9, 2024
- Approve Field Trip Requests of January 9, 2024
- Award Contract to Bosco Construction Service Inc. worth $127,000 plus a $25,000 Unforeseen Conditions Allowance from Bond Fund 213
- Approve MUSD Agreement with Seneca Family of Agencies worth $104,907 for the 2023-2024 school year
- Approve Personnel Report
Items Removed from Consent Calendar
- Signet Testing Labs, Inc. Amendment to the Innovation Campus Agreement Using $54,726 from Bond Fund 213 (Tabled until next meeting)
President Minh Ngo Aye
Vice President Kelly Yip-Chuan Aye
Robert Jung Aye
Anu Nakka Aye
Chris Norwood Aye
New Haven Unified School District
Board Meeting
December 16, 2023
6:00 p.m.
- New Haven Schools Foundation held a presentation on the success of their scholarship program in 2023. $192,650 given in scholarships in 2023. $1.7 million in scholarships have been granted to local students since 2011.
- In 2023, grants were received from PG&E ($20k), Kaiser Permanente ($25k), and Alameda County District 2 Supervisor Richard Valle ($50k). Sixty-two classroom grants were funded totaling about $102k. Grants also helped fund the Kwanzaa celebration, CPR training program, and Mics for PAC (Performing Arts Center).
Consent Agenda
- Monthly expense report, December 2023
- Payroll warrant numbers/cancelled warrant numbers December 2023
- Approval of multiple days/out of state field trip request(s)
- Approval of contracts less than $10,000
- Award RFP #834-A, CalSHAPE Ventilation Professional Services
- Award bid for the Makerspace/Media Center Project at Tom Kitayama Elementary School
- Change Order No.2, Delaine Eastin Elementary School Makerspace Project
- Award bid for Independent/Professional Audit Services
- Approval of agreement with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. for Retiree Health Benefits Actuarial Valuation
- Approval of agreement with Furman Construction, Inc. for Inspection Services for the Tom Kitayama Elementary School Makerspace/Media Center Project
- Ratification of amendment No.1 for the Agreement with SVA Architects for the Makerspace Classroom Project at Alvarado Elementary School
- Ratification of agreement with Furman Construction Inspection, Inc. for Inspection Services for the Makerspace/Media Center Project at Guy Emanuele Jr. Elementary School
- Ratification of agreement with Evra Construction, Inc. for the Makerspace/Media Center Project at Guy Emanuele Jr. Elementary School
- Approval of agreement with Chabot-Las Positas Community College District for TK Early Childhood Development Program, 2023-24
- Approval of Local Assignment Option – High School
- Approval of the 2023 School Accountability Report Cards
- Approval of amended agreement with Dignity Consulting, LLC for 2023-24
Lance Nishihira Aye
Shruti Kumar Aye
Michael Gonzales Aye
Shamsa Rafay Aye
BART Police Log
Submitted by BART PD
Thursday, January 11
- At 7:11 a.m. a man identified by police as Markus Strong, 35, from Oakland was located in Hayward station and arrested for willfully disobeying a court order. Strong was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
- At 7:15 a.m. a man identified by police as Mohammad Samin, 34, from Hayward was located on a train at Bay Fair station and arrested for willfully disobeying a court order. Samin was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Saturday, January 13
- At 1:11 p.m. a man identified by police as Gerardo Jacob, 40, from Turlock was contacted for fare evading into Bay Fair station. A record check revealed Jacob had three outstanding warrants for larceny. The warrants were out of Milpitas PD, Santa Clara County, and Palo Alto PD, totaling $25,000. Jacob was arrested and booked at Santa Rita Jail.
Sunday, January 14
- At 7:49 a.m. a person identified by police as Tallon Avery, 28, from Richmond was contacted in the free area of Castro Valley station and taken into custody. Avery was booked into Alameda County Jail for willfully blocking the free movement of another person in a public transportation system facility or vehicle.
Monday, January 15
- At 2:23 p.m. a woman identified by police as Brittaney Quewon-Owens, 38, from San Jose was taken into custody in the paid area of Fremont station. Quewon-Owens was booked into Alameda County Jail for trespassing on railroad property.
CHP Log
Submitted By California Highway Patrol Hayward Area Office
Thursday, January 11
- At approximately 7:05 p.m. officers assigned to the CHP’s Hayward office were dispatched to a call of a freeway shooting that occurr
ed on northbound I-880 near the Hacienda Avenue overcrossing. Following the shooting, the driver of the victim vehicle pulled to the right shoulder and determined two minors seated in the back seat had been struck, one in the leg and one in the lower abdomen. Paramedics arrived on scene and transported both minors to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
All lanes of northbound I-880 were closed for approximately 30 minutes to allow officers to search for evidence. CHP detectives are actively attempting to determine a motive and identify the suspect(s) and vehicle(s) involved. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to call the CHP Investigations Tipline at (707)917-4491.
Tuesday, January 16
- Our officers were on the scene of a crash conducting an investigation on I-880, when a vehicle crashed into the rear of their patrol car, causing significant damage to both vehicles. The crash occurred because the driver was driving too fast for the wet and rainy conditions. There were no one was injured.
Check roadway conditions for incidents and closures: https://roads.dot.ca.gov
Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Fremont PD
Friday, January 5
- A victim was walking near Mission View Dr. and Fremont Blvd. when two subjects in a vehicle approached her. One subject exited the vehicle and placed a gold necklace and ring in the victim’s hand. The subject then hugged her and removed the gold necklace the victim had been wearing. The victim immediately noticed that her necklace was missing, but the subject returned to the vehicle and fled. This case remains under investigation.
- Fremont Fire Department requested assistance with an ongoing hazardous material leak at an ice supply company on Fremont Blvd. FFD requested assistance with traffic control and issuing a shelter-in place order to surrounding neighborhoods. FFD was able to contain the leak, and the shelter-in-place was lifted later that day. There were no reports of injuries to community members, firefighters, or other public safety personnel.
Saturday, January 6
- Officers responded to a bank on Warm Springs Blvd. regarding an activation of their silent robbery alarm. A robbery via note had occurred, and the subject fled before police arrived. This case remains under investigation.
- An alarm monitoring company reported an in-progress burglary at a pharmacy on Fremont Blvd. Officers responded and, with assistance from Fremont Fire Department’s drone and ladder, located forced entry on the roof. The subject had broken into the neighboring business’s roof, then broke through the connecting wall and gained access to the pharmacy. The loss included pharmaceutical products, cash, and a safe containing medication. This case remains under investigation.
- Officers investigated a residential burglary on Northland Ter. Subjects had entered the residence via a second-story window and ransacked the interior. The loss included a safe that contained several pieces of jewelry, a laptop, and firearms. This case remains under investigation.
Monday, January 8
- Officers responded to a restaurant on Warm Springs Blvd. regarding a subject who was threatening people. The subject had walked into the restaurant and began eating customers’ food. When a staff member told the subject to leave the restaurant, he advised that he was going to get his gun and come back to shoot everyone. The staff member was able to walk the subject out of the restaurant, but he began to push on the doors to get back inside. Dispatch then received a call from another restaurant, reporting that the subject was “airboxing” in their restaurant and had a knife. Officers arrived and arrested the subject.
- A victim was walking her dog near a pet store on Argonaut Way when she was approached by two subjects who asked her for directions to the freeway. The victim gave the subject directions, and the subject hugged her. Later that evening, the victim discovered her gold necklace was missing. This case remains under investigation.
- An officer located a suspicious vehicle displaying fictitious license plates near Grimmer Blvd. and Irvington Ave. The plates were photocopies of license plates that did not belong on the vehicle. Contact was made with the registered owner of the license plates, and they were confirmed as stolen. Officers responded to the address of the vehicle’s registered owner in case the vehicle was also stolen. The apartment’s front door had been pried open, and the unit had been ransacked. A follow-up search of the vehicle yielded drugs, paraphernalia, identity theft materials, and more suspected stolen property. Officers arrested the driver of the vehicle.
Hayward Police Log
Submitted by Hayward PD
Thursday, January 11
- Officers responded to the report of a woman spray-painting graffiti on the back of a commercial building without permission.
Because the area was difficult to access, officers deployed a drone to see if the woman was still on scene. Low and behold, officers saw her actively spray-paint the building for several more minutes before she walked away.
As the woman left the area, she was located and detained by officers, still holding numerous cans of spray paint. The manager pressed charges against the woman for vandalism who was arrested and later released with a notice to appear.
Tuesday, January 16
- Officers found a car parked in a residential neighborhood that had a 30-day seizure/impound warrant. While the car was being towed, the registered owner walked out of his house to talk to officers.
A record check of the man revealed him to be on formal probation with a full search clause. The man was detained, and a probation search of his house was conducted. Officers located two unregistered handguns, over a thousand prescription pills that were packaged in small plastic bags, suspected narcotics contained in several small plastic bags, and a large quantity of U.S. Currency.
The registered owner was placed under arrest for a probation violation as well as various weapons charges and possession of narcotics for sale charges.
Milpitas Fire Log
Submitted by MFD
Wednesday, January 17
- At 6:19 a.m. the Milpitas Fire Department responded to a structure fire on the 80 Block of South Park Victoria Drive. Milpitas Fire Units responded with a full alarm assignment to find a business fully involved with fire inside, and smoke showing through the roof of the strip mall. First unit on scene arrived at 6:23 a.m. and an offensive fire attack strategy was implemented to quickly extinguish and limit fire spread to the adjacent businesses.
A second alarm was requested by the Incident Commander and neighboring Fire Departments assisted with our Fire Suppression efforts. Cause of the fire is under investigation; no injuries or fatalities were reported at the time of the incident.
California Highway Patrol welcomes new officers
Submitted by Hayward Area CHP Office
On Monday, January 15, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Hayward welcomed four new CHP Officers who recently graduated from the 26-week CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
Currently, the four new Officers are completing their orientation week at the office. Next week, they will move on to their four phases of field training with a Field Training Officer that will last approximately three months. During their field training, the new Officers will receive on the job training and learn about the communities they will be patrolling.
If you are interested in a career with the CHP, please visit www.jointhechp1000.com
Newark Police Log
Submitted by Newark PD
Monday, January 8
- 11:52 a.m.: Officer Williams was dispatched to the area of Jarvis Avenue near Lido Boulevard to investigate a male subject looking into vehicles and rummaging through garbage cans. While checking the area, Officer Williams observed a 42-year-old male out of Newark painting a signal control box. He defaced the entire side of the control box and was also in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Tuesday, January 9
- 1:35 p.m.: Officer C. Torres investigated a hit-and-run collision that occurred in a parking lot on Lafayette Avenue. The suspect vehicle was described as a blue pick-up truck that fled the area prior to police arrival.
Wednesday, January 10
- 11:47 a.m.: Officer Williams was alerted to a stolen vehicle on Mowry Avenue and I-880. He observed two other vehicles trailing the stolen vehicle. Shortly after, those vehicles were also reported stolen from the area. Officer Williams followed the vehicles north on I-880 but lost observations. Major Crimes Task Force (MCTF) Agent Damewood and his team responded to assist with the investigation. All three vehicles were located in a neighboring city. All three stolen vehicles were located, and contact was attempted by an allied agency. One of the three suspect vehicles crashed into parked vehicles and the driver fled on foot. He was quickly detained, and a firearm was recovered. The suspect was transported for medical treatment. Case still under investigation.
Friday, January 12
- 12:53 a.m.: Officer S. Torres contacted a 29-year-old male out of Fremont in the area of Newark Boulevard and SR-84. Officer S. Torres arrested him for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. He was issued a citation and released from the scene.
- 7:35 a.m.: Officers were dispatched to the area of Oak Street after a resident in a neighboring apartment reported masked individuals leaving an apartment currently under renovation. Officers arrived on scene quickly, and Officer Frentescu observed a motorcycle leaving the area with a large “shop vac” attached to the rear of the motorcycle while the rider was holding a bucket of tools. The motorcycle was stolen and the driver, a 30-year-old unsheltered male, was taken into custody. The owner of the apartment responded to the scene and positively identified some of the property attached to the motorcycle. The property was returned to the owner, and the perpetrator was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail for burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Union City Police Log
Submitted by UCPD
Monday, January 15
- A community member reported a reckless driver doing “donuts” at the intersection of Regents Blvd. and Cabello St. on the second week of January.
UCPD Traffic Officers took quick action and obtained a court order to seize the vehicle with a 30-day hold. The vehicle was located and seized on Monday, January 15.
Chabot Women’s Basketball: Great Expectations
Submitted by Chabot College Athletics
The Chabot women’s basketball team, ranked No. 16 in the state and No. 9 in the North, has played a highly competitive nonconference schedule and will enter the Coast-North Conference season with high expectations. Returning All-State player Kelly Tumlin, a California High graduate, leads the way.
“We expect to compete for the league championship,” Chabot head coach Mark Anger said. “We have positioned ourselves to be one of the top teams in Northern California. We are very excited and looking forward to the challenge and a long playoff run.”
The Gladiators (12-6) opened Coast-North play against rival City College of San Francisco on Friday, January 12. The Rams (11-5) are ranked No. 12 the CCCWBCA January 8 poll. Chabot won the game with a score of 78-65.
Like the Chabot men’s team, the women’s team has faced the best. All but one of Chabot’s losses have come against top 10 teams in the state. “We have a balanced, deep team with good leadership from our captains Kelly Tumlin and Leilani Gonzales,” Anger said.
The conference’s top player, Tumlin is ranked 12th in the state in scoring at 20.1 ppg, shooting 45 percent from the floor, 39 percent from 3-point range, and 79 percent on free throws. Tumlin tied the school record with 38 points (6 3’s) in a 59-47 win over Shasta on January 4, which preceded a ro
ad loss to Redwoods, 62-57, on Monday, January 8. She had 27 points against current State No. 2 Mt. San Antonio. She has over 30 points in three games this season.
Anger gives Tumlin, who has received an offer from Cal State East Bay, high marks. “She’s an excellent shooter who will set the all-time record for 3’s,” Anger says of Tumlin. “Great team leader, good ball-handler, excellent passer.”
Anger also noted she’s worked hard on her defense. and changed the culture of the program. Freshman guard Alexa Pletschette (14.3 ppg) and Jadyn Anderson (11.9 ppg), a sophomore forward, are also enjoying a strong season.
CHABOT BY THE NUMBERS
Quality Wins: Diablo Valley 11-2, #14 north; Mission 10-5; Pasadena 11-6, #21 State; Cuesta 11-4; LA Valley 7-7, #14 South.
Top Glads:
Kelly Tumlin: 20.1 ppg; 3 30-point games; 27-point game against #1 Mt SAC.
Alexa Pletschette: 14.3 ppg; school record 8 3’s against Mission College
Jaydn Anderson 11.9 ppg, 6 rpg; 20 points 9-10 from floor against Palomar, #3 in State.
Nia Hunter: 9.8 ppg, 4 ast, 4 reb
Renegades end calendar year with wins over No. 3 Cabrillo, Alameda
Submitted by Ohlone College Athletics
The Ohlone College men’s basketball team closed out the 2023 calendar year with a pair of victories, including a 73-66 win at College of Alameda on December 30 and an impressive 75-74 upset of No. 3 state-ranked Cabrillo College on December 19.
Easily their biggest win of the season, the Renegades used a total team effort to knock off Cabrillo and hand the Seahawks their first loss of the season. Cabrillo entered the contest with a perfect 12-0 record.
Ohlone sank 10 three-pointers, including the game-winner by Jason Cibull with 8 seconds left to play, and outrebounded Cabrillo by a 40-32 margin. Jude Jennings had a huge game with a team-high 20 points to go with 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Matthew Villanueva and Cibull were just as impressive, posting double-doubles in the game. Villanueva totaled 17 points and 10 boards while Cibull had 13 points and 11 assists. Kayne Gilmore also chipped in with 13 points.
Jennings again led Ohlone in the win at Alameda, posting 21 points and 8 rebounds. Villanueva (15 points), Cibull (12 points), and Gilmore once again scored in double digits.
Renegades’ head coach Jordan Lee hopes the momentum from the two contests will carry over to the new year and into Coast Conference North Division play.
Junior Warriors Basketball Program
Submitted by Union City Recreation
Once again, the Sports Center in collaboration with Beast Mode Basketball will be teaming up the Golden State Warriors for the Junior Warriors Basketball program! Participants will be placed in age and skill-appropriate groups and participate in fun games and drills which includes shooting, passing dribbling, and defense. Each class ends with a game to practice these skills. This is a 6-week course with games held on Sundays at the Mark Green Sports Center. Price includes a Junior Warriors reversible jersey.
Junior Warriors Basketball Program
Through Sunday, March 3
Mark Green Sports Center
31224 Union City Blvd., Union City
(510) 675 – 5808
Registration: Residents: $295; Non – Residents: $330
Newark Futbol Club Spring Recreation 2024
Submitted by Newark Futbol Club
It’s time to get registered for 1974 Newark Futbol Club Spring Recreation League 2024.
The recreation league is open to players born between 2019 – 2010. Practice begins Monday, March 18 and will take place once to twice a week. Teams will have seven to eight games in the season with the first games starting the weekend of April 13-14 (dates subject to change). Team space is limited and friend requests are not granted.
Registration costs $250, which includes game uniforms and end of season awards.
For more information visit www.newarksoccer.org; to register visit elitesoccerca.byga.net/programs/gllgmmtwwe/signup
Pioneers receive PCSC Weekly Honors
Submitted by CSUEB Athletic Communications
The PCSC (Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference) announced its weekly award winners for swimming action from January 7-13. From Cal State East Bay women’s swimming, two Pioneers received honors from the conference. Hannah Sharp was named PCSC Female Swimmer of the Week while Reese Veron was named a co-recipient for PCSC Female Freshman of the Week.
Sharp had an outstanding week in a pair of meets at Pioneer Pool. She won the 200-yard backstroke on Friday (2:06.70). On Saturday, Sharp won the 100-yard backstroke with a personal best time of 57.50 seconds. She followed up with another 200-yard backstroke win in 2:04.26. In her final event of the weekend, Sharp placed second in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:14.92.
Veron placed s
econd in the 200-yard butterfly on Friday in 2:13.67 and on Saturday with an even faster time of 2:07.60 in the same event. In Saturday’s 100-yard butterfly, she placed second with a time of 58.23 seconds.
The Pioneers return to action for their regular season finale on Saturday, January 27 with a double dual meet in Fresno against Fresno Pacific and The Master’s College. Start time for the meet is set for 10 a.m. from Sunnyside Aquatics Center.
Letter to the Editor
Author Needed: Bill to Ban “Steer Tailing”
Back in 1994 the California Legislature passed a bill banning the Mexican charreada’s brutal “horse tripping” event. Almost immediately the U.S. Charro Federation changed their rules for the entire country. Progress!
Charreadas feature an even more brutal event, “steer tailing,” (aka “colas” or “coleadero”), wherein a mounted charro grabs a running steer by the tail, wraps the tail around his leg, then rides off at an angle, slamming the hapless animal to the ground. Tails may be broken, stripped to the bone (“degloved”), even torn off. “Steer tailing” is not a standard ranching practice anywhere in the U.S., and banned in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties (1993), and the State of Nebraska (2008). Hundreds of these events are held in California annually.
It’s likely that passage of a California ban would result in a U.S. Charro Federation rule change banning “steer tailing” nationwide. Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) authored such a bill back in 2002. SB 1306 reached the Senate Floor, but was abruptly and inexplicably dropped, despite major support, including that of Cesar Chavez. Time to try again.
Bill introduction deadline is February 16.
Email pattern for all legislators:
Let your representatives hear from you!
Sincerely,
Eric Mills, coordinator
ACTION FOR ANIMALS
P.O. Box 20184
Oakland, CA 94620
Letter to the Editor
Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) becomes the First California Public School District to offer Hindi as a World Language
There was a palpable tension in the room, and then it finally happened. At approximately 10 p.m. on January 17, 2024, the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) School Board voted 4 to 1 to start a pilot program offering Hindi as a world language in the school’s curriculum. The pilot, which is approved for Horner Middle School and Irvington High School for the 2024-2025 school year, makes Fremont Unified the first public school district in California to offer Hindi.
To the Indian-American community, whose kids constitute almost 70% of the student body at Irvington High School and Horner Middle School, this initiative symbolizes a triumph of perseverance and unity. As the voting concluded, the room reverberated with expressions of joy, hugs, and handshakes, as the community reveled in the fulfillment of a hard-fought battle for cultural representation and a more relevant education.
The proposal to add Hindi was first broached with the principals of the respective schools, who were both receptive and supportive. Stanley Hicks of Fremont’s Irvington High School was extremely welcoming of the idea, especially given the high percentage of Indian-American students in his school. From there, over a four-month period, community members presented relevant data and statistics at monthly school board meetings to support their assertions of strong student demand and community interest in having Hindi offered as a world language in Fremont schools.
In fact, prior to the December 2023 school board meeting, community members conducted a grassroots outreach to gauge interest in Hindi for the 2024-2025 school year, specifically focusing on one area: Irvington. The response was significant, with approximately 500 unique student respondents from across Fremont expressing their strong interest and level preferences. Based on the data, it was clear that many Fremont schools had enough students to support full-time teachers at various levels.
In response to community demand, Superintendent CJ Cammack, Assistant Superintendent Leticia Salinas, and their team presented a detailed proposal at the January 17th, 2024, school board meeting to offer Hindi Level 1 at two Fremont schools as a pilot. The presentation also included a recommendation that the board approve this pilot. If successful, all other Fremont schools will be able to adopt Hindi for following school years.
The proposal to offer Hindi, unfortunately, faced some criticism and opposition, with concerns raised under the guise of equity, effectively sidelining the wellness of some students because of a perceived inequity to other students. These arguments failed to convince a majority of the board trustees. Despite the opposition, FUSD board members Vivek Prasad, Sharon Coco, Larry Sweeney, and president Yajing Zhang showed strong support for the proposal, citing the welfare of students as a major factor in their decision.
“I look at the demand, and I look at the value that this Hindi offering will produce for the community…for me it’s a no-brainer,” said Trustee Vivek Prasad while endorsing the pilot.
“If this is successful, and if other schools want to offer Hindi, they will be able to in the future… so at this moment in time I’m in favor,” was the calm response of Trustee Sharon Coco.
“Sometimes it can be very difficult to make the right decision…I’m positive that [the pilot] will go to all high schools and middle schools, and they will embrace it,” stated Trustee Larry Sweeney.
President Zhang applauded the superintendent and the staff for doing the necessary groundwork and laying out thoughtful options that facilitated the decision.
The addition of Hindi to the FUSD curriculum has sparked attention from parents and students across California who are eager to replicate these results in their school districts.
As FUSD embarks on this historic journey, the community expresses gratitude and commitment to ensuring the success of the pilot, envisioning its evolution into a full-fledged offering across a
ll schools. The decision reflects FUSD’s dedication to a students-first approach and positions the district as a guiding light for others across California.
Grateful Indian-American Community Members
Fremont
25 Years of Service
Submitted by City of Fremont Human Services Department
Dagmar Stonas was recognized at the January 9 Fremont Council Meeting for 25 years of work with the City of Fremont’s Human Services Department as a Public Health Nurse Case Manager.
Her efforts paved the way for hundreds of our most frail elders to stay where they wanted to be through the end of their lives, in their own homes. With her comprehensive nurse-care management skills, she has regularly visited seniors in their homes, guided them in making healthcare decisions, and adjusting to lifestyle changes that accompany the aging process. She provided them with the support and supplies they needed.
Dagmar’s mentorship to nursing students helped us grow and bring up the next generation of “care managers”, giving them the opportunity to experience the rich rewards that come with helping older adults. Her passion for the work, commitment to excellence, and collaborative spirit are appreciated by the entire Human Services team. Congratulations Dagmar on this remarkable achievement!
Honor Roll
Oregon Institute of Technology
Fall 2023 President’s List
- Hubert Bui of Hayward
University of the Cumberlands
Fall 2023 Dean’s List
- Ariana Pereira of Newark
- Sambidhan Kattel of Hayward
Utah Tech University
Fall 2023 Dean’s List
- Sara Pim of Newark
Trine University
Fall 2023 Graduates students complete degrees
- Kushal Mukesh Kothari of Union City
Master of Business Administration
- Asraruddin Mohammed of Fremont
Master of Science in Information Studies
- Nahida Haq Nworen of Fremont
Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Ji Shern Tan of Fremont
Master of Science in Engineering Management
- Shreyas Vijaya Kumar of Fremont
Master of Science in Business Analytics
Fremont’s Young Marine of the Year
Submitted by The Young Marines
The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has announced the Division 6 Young Marine of the Year, Akshaya Krishna, 16, of Fremont.
Krishna is a member of the Sacramento Young Marines. A sophomore at Irvington High School, Krishna will represent Division 6 in competition with five other division winners for the title of National Young Marine of the Year, the highest honor bestowed by the Young Marines organization nationally. Outside of Young Marines, Krishna is the Competitions Director and the CyberPatriot Team Leader for the Cybersecurity Club at her high school. She has achieved high rankings in both individual and team-based competitions at the national level.
Microsoft’s new AI key is first big change to keyboards in decades
By Matt O’Brien
Associated Press Technology Writer
Computer keyboards are making room for an artificial intelligence chatbot button as Microsoft unveils its first major keyboard redesign in three decades.
Starting this month, some new personal computers that run Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system will have a special “Copilot key” that launches the software giant’s AI chatbot.
Getting third-party computer manufacturers like Dell to add an AI button to laptops is the latest move by Microsoft to capitalize on its close partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and make itself a gateway for applications of generative AI technology.
Although most people now connect to the internet __ and many AI applications __ by phone rather than computer, it’s a symbolic kickoff to what’s expected to be a competitive year as tech companies race to outdo each other in AI applications even as they haven’t yet resolved all the ethical and legal ramifications. The New York Times last month sued both OpenAI and Microsoft alleging that tools like ChatGPT and Copilot formerly known as Bing Chat are infringing on copyrighted news articles.
The keyboard redesign will be Microsoft’s biggest change to PC keyboards since it introduced a special Windows key in the 1990s. Microsoft’s four-squared logo design has evolved, but the key has been a fixture on Windows-oriented keyboards for about three decades.
The newest AI button will be marked by the ribbon-like Copilot logo and be located near the space bar. On some computers it will replace the right “CTRL” key, while on others it will replace a menu key.
Microsoft is not the only company with customized keys. Apple pioneered the concept in the 1980s with its “Command” key marked by a looped square design (it also sported an Apple logo for a time). Google has a search button on its Chromebooks and was first to experiment with an AI-specific key to launch its voice assistant on its now-discontinued Pixelbook.
But Microsoft has a much stronger hold on the broader PC market through its licensing agreements with third-party manufacturers like Lenovo, Dell and HP. About 82% of all desktop computers, laptops and workstations run Windows, compared to 9% for Apple’s in-house operating system and just over 6% for Google’s, according to market research firm IDC.
Dell Technologies on Thursday was the first to unveil a Copilot key on its newest XPS laptops.
Microsoft hasn’t yet said which other computer-makers are installing the Copilot button beyond Microsoft’s own in-house line of premium Surface devices. It said some of the companies are expected to unveil their new models at next week’s CES gadget show
in Las Vegas.
Continuing Events:
Tuesdays
East Bay Games Meet
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
German/Euro style board games and card games.
Swiss Park
5911 Mowry Ave., Newark
(510) 936-2523
meetup.com/east-bay-games
Tuesdays, January 23 – May 28
LEGO® Time
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Use your imagination and engineering skills to create your own LEGO® designs.
Centerville library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
Drop-in. For everyone.
Tuesdays, January 23 – March 26
Music and Storytime
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for stories, music, and movement.
Cherryland Community Center
278 Hampton Road, Hayward
(510) 626-8522
For babies, toddlers, kids, and preschoolers.
Tuesdays, January 23 – March 26
Comfort & Joy Ukulele R
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
A group of ukulele players with volunteer leaders to practice familiar songs as well as learning new.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Tuesdays, January 23 – March 26
East Indian Seniors R
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Anyone who is retired and of Indian origin or interested in Indian culture is welcome to join us.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the month
Wednesdays, January 10 – March 27
Folk Dancing Social R
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Join together in the wonderful spirit of dancing and savor the beautiful music from all over the world.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Wednesdays, January 10 – March 13
Book Club AWC R
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
The book club meets for stimulating discussions.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Second and fourth Wednesdays of the month
Wednesdays and Saturdays, January 10 – December 20
Free Open House Nature Learning Center & Pollinator Garden at Central Park
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sat: 10 am to 2 pm
See native mammals and birds, explore a compost worm bin and much more.
Nature Learning Center at Central Park
40204 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
Confirm details before attending.
Thursdays, January 4 – March 28
International Folk Dancing R$
11:15 pm – 1:00 pm
Celebrate the cultural roots and traditional life of various countries.
Age Well Center at South Fremont
47111 Mission Falls Ct., Fremont
(510) 742-7529
In English and Chinese.
Thursdays, January 4 – March 28
Bocce Ball Class R
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learn how to play Bocce Ball.
Age Well Center at South Fremont
47111 Mission Falls Ct., Fremont
(510) 742-7529
Rain will cancel class.
Thursdays, January 11 – March 28
Chinese Calligraphy Social R
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bring your own supplies and socialize and have fun while doing calligraphy.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
There is no teaching on site.
Thursdays, January 11 – March 28
Chinese Music Ensemble R
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Open to all who are interested in performing traditional Chinese music.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Thursdays, January 18 – February 22
Family Board Game Night
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Play together with family and friends, or make some new friends at the library.
Centerville library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
Board games will be provided.
Thursdays, January 25 – September 26
The Peaceful Poets
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join a Milpitas-based group of writers and appreciators of poetry.
Milpitas Public Library
160 N Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
For teens, adults, and seniors.
Last Thursdays of the month
Thursdays and Saturdays
Story Time
10:30 am – 11:00 am
Picture book story time
Banter Bookshop
3768 Capitol Ave. Ste. F, Fremont
(510) 565-1004
bit.ly/3VFpbcz
Fridays, December 29 – May 10
Go: The Game R
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Go is an ancient game of strategy. To learn the game or to play it.
Union City Library
34007 Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City
(510) 745-1464
All ages and levels.
Fridays, December 29 – November 29
Qi Gong Meditation & Exercise Class
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Falun Dafa classes provided by the Classical Arts Foundation.
Milpitas Public Library
160 N Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
Language: English, Mandarin, Vietnamese.
Fridays, January 12 – March 29
African Dance and Culture R$
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Experience the joy and vitality of African Dance!
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Fridays, January 12 – March 29
Aloha Vibes R
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
A group of musicians (all instruments welcome) who wish to share multi-cultural and familiar music with others.
Age Well Center at South Fremont
47111 Mission Falls Ct., Fremont
(510) 742-7529
Second and fourth Fridays of the month
Fridays and Saturdays
Free Telescope Viewings
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing!
Chabot Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
(510) 336-7300
chabotspace.org/calendar
Weather permitting.
Saturdays
Laugh Track City R$
8:00 pm
Series of improvised games and scenes
Made Up Theatre
4000 Bay St. suite B., Fremont
(510) 573-3633
madeuptheatre.com
Saturdays
Free Beginner Pickleball Lesson
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Free pickleball lesson taught by a USPA professional.
Hall Memorial Park
304 La Honda Dr, Milpitas
(408) 586-3210
Drop-in. Weather permitting.
Saturdays, January 13 – March 30
History Museum Visit $
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Visit the various halls that highlight the fossils of the San Francisco Bay area.
Children’s Natural History Museum
4074 Eggers Dr., Fremont
(510) 790-6284
Self-guided tour.
Sundays
Weekly meditation Session R
8:30 am – 9:30 am
Explore the effortless way to ultimate bliss.
India Community Center
525 Los Coches St., Milpitas
(408) 934-1130
samarpanmeditationusa.org
[email protected], [email protected]
Sundays, January 7 – February 25
ICC Chess Classes R$
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Kids will learn the fundamentals of chess.
The India Community Center – Table Tennis Center
1507 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas
(408) 945-9556
Age 5+.
Sundays – Saturdays
Recreational Swim $
12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Attractions may vary.
Silliman Activity and Family Aquatic Center
6800 Mowry Ave., Newark
(510) 578-4620
bit.ly/3nxo0is
Sundays
Larry “O” Teen Workshop
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Used bikes, bike parts for sale and bike repair.
Larry Orozco Teen Workshop
33623 Mission Blvd., Union City
(510) 675-5487
www.unioncity.org/723/Larry-O-Teen-Workshop
Donation accepted.
Second and fourth Sundays of the month
Mondays, December 18 – May 20
Advanced Math + Science Tutoring
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Offering free high school and college-level tutoring in math, physics, and more.
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
Mondays – Fridays, January 16 – March 7
“Something Minimal” Art Exhibition
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
HAC member exhibition.
John O’ Lague Galleria
777 B Street, Hayward
Located within Hayward City Hall.
Mondays – Fridays, October 12 – February 7
“Meet the Hayward Arts Council” Art Exhibition
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
HAC board member exhibition.
John O’Lague Galleria
777 B Street, Hayward
Located within Hayward City Hall.
Mondays and Thursdays
Food Garden Volunteer
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learning from experienced gardeners.
LEAF CR Stone Garden
55 Mowry Ave., Fremont
Volunteer agreement form is required.
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, January 23
Public Workshop – Building Permits 101 R
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
This workshop will cover building permit basic principles and ways to save time and money.
San Leandro City Hall, Surlene Grant Community Room
999 East 14th St., San Leandro
Reservation: http://tinyurl.com/ycxa2r46
Tuesday, January 23
Mastering the Resume and Job Application R
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The workshop will cover the basics of resume creation and provide an overview of the employment application process.
Online Events
For teens, adults and seniors.
Tuesday, January 23
Online Author Talk – “Your Retirement: Dream or Disaster?” by Rajiv Nagaich R
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learn how to avoid the hidden traps in retirement planning advice.
Online Events
hayward.librarycalendar.com
Registration: libraryc.org/haywardlibrary/37395
Tuesday, January 23
Motivation and Self-Worth – with Dr Lora Park $R
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Discover positive ways to motivate yourself, develop your sense of self-worth and get more out of life.
Online Events
Tuesday, January 23
Prompt-Engineering for Open-Source LLMs R
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Examine what it takes to prompt-engineer on an open-source LLM with RAG to boost performance.
Online Events
Tuesdays, January 23 – January 30
Let’s Art – Botanical Printing
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
From treating the paper with alum water, to make greeting cards or books out of your masterpieces.
Newark Public Library
37055 Newark Blvd., Newark
(510) 284-0675
For teens and adults, and at all levels.
Wednesday, January 24
Adult Book Discussion Group – “Easy Beauty by Chloé Cooper Jones”
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
You are invited to join in the lively discussion.
Milpitas Public Library
160 N Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
Wednesday, January 24
Sing-A-Long Sign Language Storytime
10:30 am – 11:15 am
Children, parents, and caregivers will have a blast laughing, and singing with Teacher Bill, author of the book, Signs of a Happy Baby.
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
For babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Wednesday, January 24
Puzzle Day Craft for Ages
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
To celebrate National Puzzle Day, create your own puzzle to put together.
Centerville library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
Age 7+
Wednesday, January 24
Kawaii Doodles and Coloring with Faber-Castell® Goldfaber Sketch Markers R
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Dive into the whimsical world of kawaii doodles and unleash your creativity with our free online class!
Online Events
http://www.michaels.com/classes
Age 13+. All levels. Zoom.
Thursday, January 25
The 2024 PIT Homeless Count R
5:00 am – 10:00 am
The PIT Count is an essential element in our effort to end homelessness. Volunteers needed
Fremont City Hall
3300 Capitol Ave., Fremont
(510) 248-4000
Registration: alameda24.pointintime.info
Thursday, January 25
Kids Club: Valentine’s Rock Painting with Michaels R
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Valentine-themed themed Rock Painting class!
Online Events
http://www.michaels.com/classes
Age 6+. Beginner level.
Thursday – Friday, January 25 – January 26
Register to Vote
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Staff from Alameda County Registrar of Voters will be at the library to assist with voting registrations
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1400
Friday, January 26
AWCSF Cinemas “Blackberry” Presented by On Lok PACE R
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Explores the incredible growth and tragic collapse of the world’s first smartphone and more.
Age Well Center at South Fremont
47111 Mission Falls Ct., Fremont
(510) 742-7529
Friday, January 26
Career Fair: Exclusive Tech Hiring Event R
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
A virtual tech career fair with startups and Fortune 500 companies in technology in the US/Canada.
Online Events
Upload resume: careerscrossroad.com/signup?code=TechCareerFair
Friday, January 26
Hidden Treasures – Art Reception
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Meet the artists and enjoy the night with fellow art enthusiasts.
Olive Hyde Art Gallery
123 Washington Blvd., Fremont
(510) 791-4357
bit.ly/FremontOHAG
Free admission
Saturday, January 27
Water, Water, Everywhere
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Explore the watershed, discover where your water comes from, and learn how we are connected and more.
Coyote Hills Visitors Center
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
Drop-in; all ages
Parking fee applies
Saturday, January 27
Community Science Bio Blitz
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learn how apps like Seek, iNaturalist, and more are used to help scientists gather data, while enhancing your next hike.
Sunol Regional Wilderness Visitor Center
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3245
For all ages.
Parking fee applies.
Saturday, January 27
Newark Holy Ghost Crab Feed $R
3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Annual Newark Holy Ghost crab feed – all you can eat.
Newark Pavilion
6430 Thornton Ave., Newark
(510) 793-4062
Ticket: (510) 203-3825, (510) 455-6386.
Saturday, January 27
Pictures of Belonging with Dr. ShiPu Wang R
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Discusses the exhibition and book – Pictures of Belonging.
Hayward Public Library
888 C St., Hayward
(510) 293-8685
Registration: www.haywardareahistory.org.
Saturday, January 27
Rock Painting Zone
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Help us complete the TEEN Rock Garden, located in the teen zone.
San Lorenzo Library
395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo
(510) 284-0640
For teens, adults.
Saturday, January 27
Fiber Art Makers
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join fellow fiber art makers to work on a current project.
Centerville library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
For teens, adults. This is not an instructional class.
Saturday, January 27
ACT Practice Exams R
10:00 am – 1:15 pm
Get ready for the ACTs by taking a practice test with us.
Milpitas Public Library
160 N Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
Registration: sccld.org/teens.
Saturday, January 27
A Fungus Among Us
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Looking for examples of these life forms and learn more about their importance in our world.
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
All ages. Drop-in.
Admission fee applies.
Saturday, January 27
Invitation for FOG India Republic Day Celebration $R
11:00 am – 7:00 pm
75th India Republic Day Celebration
Bishop Elementary School
450 N Sunnyvale Ave., Sunnyvale
(408) 522-8229
www.facebook.com/events/1164869187816
203/
Saturday, January 27
Dino02 Dinosaur Science: The Plant Eaters $R
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Students will learn why the biggest dinosaurs were plant-eaters, and more.
Children’s Natural History Museum
4074 Eggers Dr., Fremont
(510) 790-6284
Age 7 – 10 yrs.
Saturday, January 27
Boys & Girls Clubs Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser $R
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Meet our kids, learn about our programs and indulge in great crab, pasta, salad and more!
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro
2200 San Leandro Blvd., San Leandro
(510) 483-5581
Ticket/Registration: https://tinyurl.com/CrabFeed24
Sunday, January 28
Improv Drop In Class
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Take a one-day deep-dive in a specific concept of improvisation! This workshop is designed for women and trans, nonbinary and gender expansive (TNBGE) people.
Made Up Theatre
4000 Bay St. suite B., Fremont
(510) 573-3633
Age 18+.
Sunday, January 28
Teatime Trot and Treat
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
One-mile hike in the hills to identify and gather some of our local edible plants to be made into delicious tea.
Coyote Hills Visitors Center
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
All ages. Drop-in.
Parking fee applies.
Bring your own mug.
Sunday, January 28
Sunday Make Break: Pom-Pom Penguins R
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Learn how to make cute pom-pom animals out of yarn.
Michaels Stores
Fremont, Milpitas, San Leandro, Union City
Beginner level. All ages.
Free class.
Monday, January 29
Sawgrass Tips & Tricks to make Valentine’s Gifts R
10:00 am – 11:00 am
This class is your guide to turning ordinary items into extraordinary expressions of love.
Online Events
Age 18+. All levels
Friday, February 9
The 20th Annual MUSD Crab Feed and Auction $R
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Presented by Milpitas Kiwanis – a night of delicious crab, and exciting auctions.
The Milpitas Community Center
457 Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas
Contact: Dennis @ (408) 205-7103
Friday, February 16
AWC Crab Feed Dinner – Dine-in/Four/Two /One Pack $R
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Enrollment is from now till 2/1/2024.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Purchase tickets now
bit.ly/awclecf2024
Saturday, February 24
Union City Lions Club Crab Feed $R
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Register now. Feature musing, raffle prices, and auction. Proceeds will benefit community programs.
Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church
32975 Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City
(510) 471-2581
Purchase tickets now
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