Inspire Art Exhibit at Dove Gallery
Submitted by Carol Manasse Hamilton
Dove Art Gallery in Milpitas is having a Grand Opening for the “INSPIRE Art Exhibit.” Creative works by numerous artists portray topics of personal inspiration. Natural wonders, honored heroes, great originality, national pride and biblical themes are some of the many topics on display. Professional, emerging and student artists as young as six years old are participating in this eclectic showcase of local talent.
San Jose artist Laurie Barna is exhibiting a compelling drawing titled “All About Liberty.” The Artwork is number 45 of her “Liberty Series” which includes over 100 unique portrayals of the Statue of Liberty. Barna uses calligraphy to create her image and incorporates the words of a poem by Emma Lazarus. Additionally, Barna is displaying number 40 of her Angelic series titled “Snow Angel.” It is a multimedia work that brings the joys of winter fun to the viewer.
Fremont artist Jan Small is exhibiting several biblically themed artworks. “The Lion Roars” is a portrayal of God’s call for repentance in America. The painting was inspired by the scripture in Hosea 11:10 “For someday the people will follow the Lord. I will roar like a lion and my people will return trembling from the west.” Jan Small is also displaying a moving artwork titled “Did You Learn To Love.” She depicts herself standing before the judgement of Christ and under the banner of 1 Corinthians 13…which describes the qualities of godly love.
Student artist Shivi Chopra shares her appreciation of music in a drawing titled “Teenage Dream.” She says music inspires her to think big, achieve her goals and enjoy life. Chopra is also displaying several digital artworks. “I am a Woman. I am a Goddess” is meant to inspire a positive self-image for women.
Rushil Bandikalla, a student artist from Milpitas, is exhibiting an acrylic painting titled “Birch Forest.” The artwork shows illuminated trees glowing amidst the darkness of night.
The public is invited to view this wonderful collection of artworks at the Grand Opening on Sunday, February 18. The Gallery will be open 12 noon – 3 p.m. every Sunday thereafter through April 14 (Easter Sunday excluded). Dove Gallery is located at the back lot of Park Victoria Church in Milpitas.
Inspire Art Exhibit at Dove Gallery
Feb 18 – Apr 14
Sundays, 12 noon – 3 p.m.
Grand Opening
Sunday, Feb 18
12 noon – 3 p.m.
Dove Gallery
Park Victoria Church
875 S. Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas
Oakland Zoo provides care for seized marmoset monkey
Submitted by Isabella Linares and Erin Dogan
Photos courtesy of Oakland Zoo
On January 20, Oakland Zoo worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Wildlife Confiscation Network (WCN) to rescue an illegally owned female marmoset in a seizure of the monkey from a private residence in southern California. The owner was arrested on other charges unrelated to having the female marmoset and was made aware in advance that the animal was to be seized by authorities. Oakland Zoo was contacted after San Diego Zoo and Los Angeles Zoo (other Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited partners) could not take in the marmoset due to the capacity concerns related to other WCN rescues they were involved with.
The female marmoset has been affectionately named Estrela, after the Portuguese name for the species–mico-estrela—and for the star-shaped spot of fur on her forehead. Marmosets are native to South America and commonly found in Brazil.
Estrela is currently under the care of the Zoo’s Veterinary Hospital. She underwent an extensive and thorough exam under anesthesia to test for diseases like TB, SIV (non-human primate version of HIV), and rabies, along with blood work and a CT scan. During the exam, evidence of a pre-existing fracture in her left radius and ulna was discovered, likely due to trauma experienced during her private ownership. Estrella was kept in a large birdcage, which is not suitable housing for monkeys and their movements or behavior, which likely led to her accidentally injuring herself.
“In all likelihood, this injury is from the animal being housed inappropriately. The bones had healed but were malaligned, which can impact her movement. She appears to be compensating well, but we continue to watch her mobility closely,”says Dr. Ryan Sadler, Senior Veterinarian at Oakland Zoo.
Estrela will remain in the care of the Oakland Zoo and housed in their Veterinary Hospital until she has completed her quarantine period. She will then move to her forever home at the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in Texas.
Animal care involves many factors beyond just healthcare. Veterinary Hospital Keepers are keeping Estrela occupied with new enrichment items like puzzle feeders and foraging toys and providing her with audio-visual stimulation through music and videos. Estrela is building trust with her keepers and enjoys “grooming time” with them through a barrier.
Oakland Zoo has a history of rescuing animals from the illegal wildlife trade. Most of its residents are rescues, many of which were victims of this multi-billion-dollar industry. For years, animals confiscated by officials at SFO, and the Port of Oakland have been brought to Oakland Zoo for treatment, care, and permanent sanctuary.
“The best intentions of private owners, while understandable, in no way compensate for the innate needs of the individual animals housed as pets, many of which suffer the effects of chronic stress, malnutrition, and other maladies,” says Darren Minier, Director of Animal Welfare and Research at Oakland Zoo.
Primates are social creatures, and only their fellow-primates can meet their social needs. Estrela was kept alone in a parrot cage, which posed several health risks for her and the humans around her. Oakland Zoo continues to evaluate her for emerging signs of possible behavioral effects of long-term chronic stress.
The popularity of e-commerce and social media has led to a rise in exotic pet ownership. These platforms make it easy to advertise and showcase live animals, putting animal and human health at risk by spreading zoonotic diseases. Illegal wildlife trade is a significant threat to global wildlife, with thousands of species at risk of being traded unlawfully. It is considered the fourth most lucrative transnational crime, after drugs, human trafficking, and arms trafficking.
ARCAS, Oakland Zoo’s partner in Guatemala, is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing hundreds of illegally trafficked exotic animals yearly.
To learn more about the Zoo’s efforts in Taking Action Against the Illegal Wildlife Pet Trade, visit oaklandzoo.org/endthetrade. To support Oakland Zoo’s efforts to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need, donate at oaklandzoo.org/supportanimals.
Plethos Productions to open new creative space
By David R. Newman
Photos by Cathy Breslow/Breslow Imaging
For the past seven years, local theatre company Plethos Productions has been delighting audiences with their fresh, funny, and often quirky productions. Past shows include Avenue Q at TwiningVine Estate Winery in Castro Valley, Pride & Prejudice at Heirloom East Bay, and Mysterious Masquerade, a three-hour, murder mystery bay cruise set aboard the U.S.S. Potomac. They also put on regular stand-up comedy shows at JP’s Restaurant in Castro Valley and Drake’s Barrel House in San Leandro.
Without a stage of their own, the nomadic troupe has had to rely on various East Bay business partners to help share their unique joy with the community. Until now.
Plethos Productions is planning on opening their own dedicated performance space in 2025. According to founder Karin Richey, it’s an idea that was inspired by PianoFight, a San Francisco theatre club that recently closed. “I just loved the idea of this bar/restaurant space with multiple stages. You could breeze in and see somebody playing piano, then buy a ticket for a standup comedy show in the next room. I’ve also seen playwrights put on their original works there.”
Operating as a mobile theatre company has certainly been challenging. While they don’t have to worry about paying rent, they have had to pay a hefty monthly fee for a storage unit to house all of their props, sets, costumes, and tech equipment. And even though Richey has loved partnering with local businesses, it often takes up most of her energy. “It is always a stressful scramble to find venues that can accommodate our audience, which has increased to thousands per year,” she says. “Plus, our show schedule has become super busy, and we always need places to rehearse. Since 2020, we’ve only been able to secure outdoor venues, so this has taken a huge toll on our equipment and forced us to squeeze 12 months of shows into the only 4 months of the year when the weather is reliable.”
Needless to say, Richey and company are looking forward to the day when their performances aren’t interrupted by wildlife cameos. “We’ve seen it all,” she laughs. “Last season a cat ran through the audience during a performance with a mouse in its mouth. We’ve had to eliminate matinee performances almost entirely due to it being too hot (for audiences and equipment!) during the day. And we’ve had to perform while competing with the background sounds of grocery stores, frogs, and coyotes.”
To turn their dream of a space just for them into a reality, Plethos Productions is on a mission to raise $150,000. This money, along with city grants, will allow them to lease and transform a location in downtown Hayward (formerly the Chalk It Up pool hall) into a live performance art hub for musicians, actors, dancers, and writers, eager to showcase their talents. They will be partnering with a handful of like-minded groups like Smalltown Society, Ray of Light Performing Arts, and catering company MAD Creationz to help manage and run the place.
Their flagship fundraiser is called Camp Monologa, a three-day, two-night camping retreat for young adults. “It’s basically a conference but with a whimsical, nostalgic, kids camp vibe,” says Richey. Activities will include performing arts workshops, campfire sing-alongs, swimming, hiking, and yoga. There will be catered food and wine, vendors, and farm animals for emotional support. Richey hopes that it will be an experience that is both educational and fun. “Like ComicCon for theatre nerds,” she laughs.
For more information, to register for Camp Monologa (running Friday, July 26 – Sunday, July 28, at Heirloom East Bay), or to simply make a donation, visit: https://givebutter.com/letsplethos.
Plethos Productions
Recognizing the Vital Alameda County Community Hotline 211
Submitted by Bridget Schultz
February 11th (2/11) was 211 Day – an annual observance celebrating the go-to, 24/7 three-digit (2-1-1) phone resource that helps millions of people in the U.S. and Canada – including those in Alameda County – be connected to information about local resources and services.
211 is a vital resource leveraged by tens of thousands of Alameda County residents who need assistance with disaster, food, health care, mental health, insurance, stable housing, utility payments, veteran services, childcare, transportation, and other related needs.
“211 helps people, improves lives, and strengthens communities,” said Alison DeJung, Executive Director of 211 Alameda County. “During 211 Day, we celebrate this service that has helped so many Alameda County community members, including people like Keisha, who found help with her utilities and rent that started with a phone call to 211. That is just one of the many call examples that our team of Community Resource Specialists help with every day.”
Last fiscal year, in Alameda County, 211 responded to 69,660 calls and texts and provided 113,161 referrals to services in the community that people can access as help for immediate or long-term challenges.
Of the data collected from 2023, compared to 2022, numbers show there was a spike in help with utilities in Alameda County. This coincides with bill increases throughout California. A recent LA Times article spotlighted how 211’s data helps pinpoint community needs. There are continued efforts by various groups, including the 211 CA Network and United Way Worldwide, that are trying to get policymakers and others to appreciate, invest in, and leverage our rich data to better serve communities in need.
Established in 2000 by the Federal Communications Commission as the three-digit number to reach information and referral services for health, human, and social organizations, 211 has become a resource for help and hope in communities across North America. Last year, the 211 network received 18 million requests and made a total of 19 million referrals for local services.
For more information about 211 Alameda County, visit 211AlamedaCounty.org.
Local teen honored by Mayor Lily Mei and Fremont City Council for STEM Excellence
Submitted by Vi Le
On February 6, 2024, Aarav Sharma, a Junior at Archbishop Mitty High School, was recognized as a 2023 STEM Winner and received a certificate from Fremont Mayor Lily Mei and the city council at a ceremony held at Fremont City Hall. This recognition was in honor of his STEM Achievement at the 2023 Synopsys Championship, where he was selected as a winner for his Science fair project titled “Leveraging Computer Vision To Establish a Correlation Between Eye-Gaze Estimation and Saccades” under the category of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.
Aarav’s remarkable journey in STEM began to unfold during his early years at Stratford School in Fremont. His passion for science and experimentation had been evident since elementary school, and in middle school, he actively participated in regional science fairs dedicated to addressing environmental issues. His projects included “Optimizing Biosensitizers to Increase the Light-Harvesting Capacity of Solar Cells” and “Comparative Analysis of Biomolecules as Fire-Resistant Coating on Construction Wood.”
His dedication and hard work paid off, earning him numerous awards, including a Certificate of Merit at the 2019 Golden Gate STEM Fair, a First Place Award in the Energy, Environmental, and Earth Sciences category at the Regional Synopsys Science Fair, and the prestigious 2020 Broadcom Foundation Nomination for an outstanding performance in a science fair affiliated with the Society for Science and the Public.
However, during his first year at Archbishop Mitty High School, Aarav’s journey took a significant turn. A personal experience involving the limitations of mammograms in detecting tumors in his grandmother's breast inspired him to delve deeper into the world of Science and technology.
Determined to make a difference, Aarav began meticulous research, reading scientific articles and even completing an edX course titled “Introduction to Biology: The Secret of Life.” This course introduced him to CRISPR/CAS9 technology, a method for modifying the DNA of living organisms. He also independently studied machine learning algorithms through a Coursera course.
Aarav’s passion for biology and artificial intelligence led to the development of a groundbreaking project. He created a Novel Dual-Layered Random Forest model with null handling capable of accurately predicting breast cancer. To expand his research, he made a mobile, user-friendly app that allows people to get their detection with the help of entered parameters.
Aarav’s innovative work received recognition and awards, including a Certificate for Outstanding Research and the Kerry Veenstra Award in the Biological Science & Engineering category at the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship. He also received the Naval Science Award, a medallion, and a letter of congratulations from the Office of Naval Research – United States Navy/US Marine Corps.
In 2023, Aarav was honored with an Honorable Mention Ribbon in the Biological Sciences and Engineering Category Awards. His research interests expanded to Computer Science, Machine Learning, and Computational Biology.
Aarav’s accomplishments earned him a spot in the competitive summer program, the California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS), where he spent four weeks focusing on Computers in Biophysics & Robotics. His dedication to research led to his scientific articles being published in the Journal of Science Research.
Currently, Aarav is diligently working on understanding the role of genes in autistism detection to contribute to advancements in healthcare. Aarav’s future goal is to blend AI and healthcare to improve disease management and medications.
Aarav Sharma’s remarkable journey from a young science enthusiast to a budding scientist and innovator showcases the power of passion, dedication, and hard work in STEM. His achievements continue to inspire the local community and pave the way for a brighter future in Science and technology.
Abode Housing Development Held Grand Opening for Senior Housing
Submitted By Chris De Benedetti, Adobe Public Information Officer
Abode Housing Development was excited to join community partners and local stakeholders recently to celebrate the grand opening of Doug Ford Community Apartments — a new permanent supportive housing development for seniors.
Louis Chicoine, CEO of Abode Housing Development and Abode Property Management served as emcee of the ceremony at the housing site at 41191 Fremont Boulevard.
Doug Ford Community Apartments provides 90 new units of permanent supportive housing on a 1.4-acre property in Fremont’s Irvington District. The housing community is available to people age 55 or older who are very low income and/or have experienced homelessness. The development has 81 one-bedroom units, and 9 two-bedroom homes. Residents’ amenities include a community room, activity room, tenant storage rooms, locked bicycle storage, large outdoor courtyard, and a covered rideshare waiting area. Laundry facilities are available on each floor. Abode Services, one of Abode’s family of agencies, provides on-site services.
Doug Ford is a longtime advocate for supportive housing who channeled his expertise and passion for fighting poverty to craft a lauded, enduring career dedicated to helping those in need. His many contributions have included serving as Abode Services board president, and as a board member for its maximum number of terms. Ford also joined Chicoine in co-founding the organization now known as Abode Housing Development, the area’s first anti-poverty housing developer and an agency that developed the housing site named after Ford.
“We are very excited to open this housing development because a home is the best solution for homelessness,” Chicoine said. “We also are celebrating Doug Ford, a longtime friend and dedicated partner in our mission to end homelessness and make our communities stronger.”
Abode Housing Development has partnered on this site with the City of Fremont, Alameda County Housing and Community Development, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, Community Vision Capital and Consulting, California Department of Housing and Community Development, Enterprise, and Chase.
About Abode
Established in 1989, Abode’s mission is to end homelessness. Abode’s family of agencies now include Abode Services, Abode Property Management, and Abode Housing Development. Those entities work together in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Napa, and Solano counties, combining housing and services to assist homeless families and individuals in establishing stability and independence. Abode has provided homes to 10,243 adults and children since 2020. Last year, Abode assisted 15,050 people and ensured that on any given night 6,807 people slept in a home rather than on the street. To learn more, visit www.abode.org.
African Americans in the Arts
Submitted by Marcess Owings
The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS), in partnership with Hayward Arts Council and Hayward Public Library, is proud to host a panel of black artists in conversation for 2024 Black History Month’s theme of “African Americans and the Arts,” on February 24 in the Fremont Bank Room at the Downtown Hayward Library at 10:30 a.m.
The program is moderated by visual artist Vanita Lee-Tatum with a panel of Hayward area artists including Khristel Johnson (textiles), Saleem Gilmore (author and cartoonist), Russell Foote (photographer), and Mark Sublett (mixed media).
The panelists will discuss how their art represents their experiences as African Americans, their thoughts on the preservation of Black history, and how art is a form of empowerment, among other topics. Artworks by each artist will also be on display during the program, as well as “The Joy of Textile Art: Works by the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland” in the Library’s exhibit spaces.
Additional information about African Americans in the Arts and program registration is available at www.haywardareahistory.org.
African Americans in the Arts
Saturday, Feb 24
10:30 a.m.
Downtown Hayward Library
888 C St., Hayward
(510) 581-0223
All Girls Scout Troop wins Indoor Rally Competition
Submitted by Eve Little
For the first time in the history of the Indoor Rally, the competition has been won by the all-girl BSA Troop 2273 from Union City. This troop had all of their scouts work hard, and they placed in five of the six categories during the night by winning two first places and three second places amongst 23 troops competing for the title.
This annual competitive championship challenges the BSA troops in the Newark, Fremont and Union City areas on a series of tasks such as first aid, navigation, knot tying and other activities. Twenty-three different troops with over 350 scouts came out to this competition in late January and worked hard at the series of challenges over the three-hour event. One of the favorite events in the evening was the sled pull, which has scouts run together while they pull their scout leaders behind them.
But at the end of the evening, these hardworking young ladies from Troop 2273 earned their time to shine on stage. Union City Mayor, Carol Dutra-Vernaci, who served as one of the event judges, took the opportunity to meet the championship scouts at the end of the evening and was impressed that they had represented her city so well.
Boy Scouts of America has been around since 1910 and recently allowed girls to join the non-profit organization in 2018. Since then, girls have risen through the ranks and have achieved so much in the community and in their personal development. For more information about scouting in your area, check out www.beascout.org to find a unit close to you.
What is Ash Wednesday?
By Dhanya Ganesh
This year’s Valentine’s Day marks Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent, this day occurs exactly forty-six days before Easter. Ash Wednesday is mainly observed by Western Christian traditions such as Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, and a few Protestant denominations. This annual day serves as a moment for Christians to gain repentance by confessing their sins, reconnecting with God, and remembering the mortality of humans.
The origins of Ash Wednesday start with the history of Lent. Lent is the 40-day period focused on fasting and praying to prepare for Easter, with six Sundays of period being “feast days.” This time of the year is for people to prepare for the day of the resurrection of Jesus by reflecting on and imitating the moment when Jesus fought the devil. In AD 325 at the Council of Nicaea, it was decided that the day for Easter would be celebrated between March 22 and April 25. The Council also agreed on a 40-day period for Lent because of different writings in the bible, but mainly because the days represent the time Jesus spent fasting and resisting the devil’s attempts at temptation. In AD 601, Pope Gregory marked the first day of Lent, now known as Ash, Wednesday, exactly forty-six days before Easter.
In the present day, Ash Wednesday is one of the most attended non-Sunday masses. During the day, the priest gives a penitential and reflective sermon, and afterwards there is a group reading of scripture. People will then participate in communal confessions before individually expressing their sins to the priest. These confessions are a form of asking forgiveness and healing from God, making them vital to the purpose of Ash Wednesday. The reason for the namesake of the day is done after all this, when attendees have ashes in the shape of the cross placed on their heads. These ashes are made from the burning of palm branches from the past week’s Palm Sunday, a day for remembering Jesus’s arrival into Jerusalem, addressed by people waving palm branches. While the priest is putting the ashes on the attendee, he will utter the phrase, “From dust you came and to dust you will return.” This phrase is meant to represent the fickle lives of humans and the ease it takes for them to return to their original form of dust. Ash Wednesday is in place to reflect on a person’s wrongdoing remembering that these sins’ consequence is death.
The use of ashes dates back to centuries following ancient ideologies. In the book, The History of the Church, it was written that an apostate, Natalis, dressed in sackcloth and ashes came to Pope Zephyrinus begging for forgiveness. During the Middle Ages, priests would shower suffering people with ashes while saying the aforementioned phrase. The ashes symbolize the main purpose of repentance by reminding the people of their mortality, and act as the beginning of the journey to forgiveness during Lent through resisting temptations just like Jesus did to fight the devil.
Sources:
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-ash-wednesday-why-do-christians-celebrate-it.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lent
Auditions for Just My Type
Submitted by Chanticleers Theatre
Chanticleers Theatre in Castro Valley is holding auditions for their upcoming musical Just My Type, with a book by Charlotte Jacobs and Michael Sally, and lyrics by Rita Abrams. Auditions will be held on February 19 and 20, with callbacks February 22. Rehearsals begin on March 12, and the play will run from May 3 to May 22.
In this musical, Psychologists Kate and Ben face a deadline to write a book on personality types, based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® assessment. They choose four couples from their practice to show how different types affect one’s loves and life, for better or worse. Kate and Ben learn something about themselves in the process.
Chanticleers is looking to cast two to four mature men and women to play multiple parts from 30s to 70s. They are open to diverse casting. Strong comic character experience and dance/movement ability required. Vocal range: Strong baritone and alto who can both preferably sing a G3.
Actors should prepare one comic song and one ballad (16 bars each). Send a pdf copy of the music for your audition ahead if possible to drodriguezchavez@berkeley.edu. Actors will also be reading from the script.
Email any questions to Jan Brown: planetjanb@gmail.com.
Auditions for Chanticleers’ Just My Type
Monday, Feb 19 and Tuesday, Feb 20
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Callbacks: Feb 22
Rehearsals Begin Mar 12
Performances: May 3 – 26, (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Chanticleers Theater
3683 Quail Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 733-5483
https://chanticleers.org/
Black History Month – 70's Party
Submitted by Treasures Unleashed
This is your invitation! In honor of Black History Month, Treasures Unleashed is hosting the 70’s BBQ Dance Party on Saturday, February 17, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. in downtown Hayward at 971 B Street.
The 70’s BBQ Dance Party pays homage to the contributions of Black History and culture while grooving to the beats of the 70’s with a touch of Afro-beats. You’ll witness stunning art highlighting Black beauty and talent, activities and art for the children, games, BBQ, free books for the youth, and more. Plus, a few of our talented performer friends will stop by and share the sounds of Africa and abroad.
Come dressed up in 70’s garments or come as yourself; the choice is yours. This community event is going to be one to remember!
Your ticket purchase contributes to our community events. Spread the word and let others know about this fabulous event!
70’s BBQ Dance Party
Saturday, Feb 17
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Downtown Hayward
971 B. St., Hayward
www.treasuresunleashed.com/tickets
Tickets: Ages 0 -3: Free; 4 – 17: $5; 18 & up: $10
Black History Month
By Annika Singh
Each year in February, the country joins hands to pay tribute to the many generations of African Americans who overcame adversity in many different respects of life to achieve full citizenship and equality in American society.
Noted historian Carter G. Woodson believed that the truth could not be hidden and that reason would prevail over prejudice. He wanted to raise awareness of African American contributions to civilization and founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1915. He announced the “Negro History Week” more than half a century after slavery was abolished, and the event was first celebrated during a week in February 1926, coinciding with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. It was received with enthusiasm by most individuals.
The 1920s was nicknamed the decade of the New Negro and considered the rise of creativity with the Harlem Renaissance, a name given to the Post-World War I generation because of its rising racial pride and consciousness. Urbanization and industrialization had brought over a million African Americans from the rural South into big cities. Slowly, the expanding Black middle class became participants in and consumers of Black literature and culture. Black history clubs soon formed, inspiring teachers to share the achievements and struggles of the African Americans with their pupils. White scholars and philanthropists also stepped forward to support the effort.
Woodson died in 1950, but by this point Negro History Week had already become a national phenomenon. Mayors across the nation issued proclamations noting Negro History Week. The Black Awakening of the 1960s resulted in greater consciousness of African Americans about the importance of black history. The Civil Rights movement and the contributions of African Americans to our history and culture also became a national celebration. The celebration became a month-long event in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial. President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” In the same year, the association decided to host the nation’s first Black History Month. Since then, each American president has announced Black History Month proclamations, while the Association Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) promotes the study of Black culture and history.
Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society—from activists and civil rights pioneers such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks, to the leaders in industry, politics, science, and culture.
Furthermore, since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. For 2024, the theme is “African Americans and the Arts,” which explores the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression.
This year, the Smithsonian is holding the exhibition “Cultural Expressions” which is a circular space dedicated towards African American and African diaspora culture. The National Gallery of Art is also celebrating sixteen renowned Black artists and their works. Some works like those of American artists Glenn Ligon and Dread Scott reference signs that Black sanitation workers in Memphis carried while on strike in 1968. The exhibition also displays the work of famous photographers like Glenalvin Goodridge and James Van Der Zee. Other featured artists are Faith Ringgold, Dindga McCannon, and Kay Brown, who banded together in 1971 to form a collective for Black women artists named Where We At. Frustrated by being unable to participate in the male and white-dominated arts movements, they created pieces focused on both gender and racial equality.
The National Gallery of Art has also added a new addition to their collection: 248 early photographs by and of African Americans that give us a glimpse of Black life, entrepreneurship, and self-expression during the mid to late 1800s. In several photographs, African American subjects hold objects that represent their achievements and freedom after receiving the right to exercise their civil rights.
Our nation has come a long way from slavery to its abolishment and now, individuals across the nation are proudly celebrating our rich cultural heritage, which African Americans greatly contributed to.
Sources:
https://www.blackhistorymonth.gov/About.html
https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/guide
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
https://asalh.org/about-us/about-black-history-month/
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/cultural-expressions
https://www.nga.gov/stories/16-black-artists-to-know.html
https://www.nga.gov/stories/rare-early-photographs-african-american-life.html
Coffee with a Cop returns to Fremont Starbucks
Submitted by Fremont PD
Mark your calendar for our first Coffee with a Cop of the Year!
Stop by Starbucks and have a chat with our officers and our command staff. The event offers an informal and friendly setting for community members to meet and greet with members of the Department. Come discuss public safety or neighborhood concerns and get acquainted! Event sponsored by Starbucks.
Coffee with a Cop
Wednesday, Mar 6
11 a.m. – 12 noon
Starbucks Coffee
3950 Mowry Ave, Fremont
New cohousing communities promise of relief from loneliness
Submitted by Evelyn LaTorre and Jane Mueller
Loneliness is gaining attention as a public health concern that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. An increasing number of individuals feel isolated, despite living in densely populated urban areas such as the Bay Area. According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, one in two adults in America report experiencing loneliness. As this dilemma continues to intensify, there is growing recognition of the need for lifestyle adjustment. One promising solution is the concept of cohousing.
Cohousing Encourages Community Connection
Cohousing—a living arrangement that emphasizes interaction with neighbors, shared spaces, and a sense of community—is emerging as a potential remedy to the aptly named “loneliness epidemic.” In cohousing, residents actively participate in the design and management of their homes and community spaces, fostering a strong sense of belonging and mutual support. The shared spaces and collaborative decision-making processes create opportunities for residents to build meaningful connections with their neighbors.
Forum Showcases Three New Cohousing Communities
Appearing in Fremont on Saturday February 24 is Katie McCamant, one of the two architects who introduced the cohousing concept to North America from Denmark 35 years ago. At a forum entitled “The Art of Neighboring,” she will describe the origins of cohousing, why it is especially timely now, and where it is headed. Also speaking will be Danny Milman of the development firm UD+P, the only U.S. developer working on multiple concurrent cohousing projects. She will describe what it takes to get from concept to completion. In addition, the Mission Peak Village, Washington Commons, and Berkeley Moshav cohousing communities will talk about their projects. A member of each group will discuss their project’s development timelines and distinctive features.
The forum will take place at the Us Together Center in the Irvington District of Fremont beginning at 1 p.m. The program will be repeated in Berkeley on Sunday afternoon, February 25.
The Trend is Growing
Interest in cohousing is on the rise internationally, with more people exploring how to combat loneliness. The Cohousing Association of the U.S. estimates the American cohousing movement to currently include more than 165 occupied communities and about 140 that are in formation. In the Bay Area alone, people are living in cohousing communities in Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Pleasant Hill, Santa Rosa, Cotati, Sebastopol, and Mountain View. What began as a simple idea has evolved into vibrant communities where individuals of all ages and backgrounds find not just shelter but a profound sense of belonging.
Instead of returning to empty homes after long days at work and school, residents return to a place where they are greeted with warmth, camaraderie, and often a waiting meal prepared for them by their neighbors. Through the simple act of coming together and sharing their lives, these neighbors are demonstrating that loneliness is not an insurmountable problem. Instead, it is a challenge that can be overcome with compassion, cooperation, and a willingness to embrace the idea that we are all in this together.
To register and get location information for either session of The Art of Neighboring, please go to www.cohousing-solutions.com/artofneighboring. For information about Mission Peak Village, please visit www.missionpeakcohousing.org.
Mission Peak Village is composed of individuals and families forming Southern Alameda County’s first cohousing community in Fremont. Memberships are still available. Call Kelli at (510) 413-8446 or visit Mission Peak Village at the website above or on Facebook and Instagram.
The Art of Neighboring forum
Saturday, Feb 24
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Us Together Center
3755 Washington Blvd., Fremont
(530) 478-1970
www.cohousing-solutions.com/artofneighboring
Fremont Creates February 2024
Submitted by Phyllis Wood for Fremont Creates
On Thursday, January 18, Fremont Creates held an Informational Meeting for all artists and culture keepers interested in participating in April is Arts, Culture & Creativity Month. Over 35 people attended along with representatives from the City of Fremont, including City Councilmember Raj Salwan and Recreation Department staff. Several people signed up to perform, display or volunteer for Fremont Creates in April, and there are still many more opportunities available. Visit our website, FremontCreates.com, to see how you can participate. Arts and culture organizations are encouraged to schedule events in April that will be promoted by Fremont Creates through its publicity channels.
We are excited that several artists were able to meet at this informational session and join together to host an Open Studios event the first two weekends in April, fulfilling one of our stated goals: bringing local artists together for a shared artistic experience, to exchange ideas and feature their expertise. For more information on Open Studios, go to fremontopenstudios.com. For specific questions, email info@fremontopenstudios.com.
Fremont Creates is proud to be recognized by Californians for the Arts (caforthearts.org), the statewide arts advocacy organization, for the work Fremont Creates is doing for Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) in April. Fremont Creates will be featured presenters as part of a statewide webinar, discussing how Fremont Creates has evolved and serves as an example of local advocacy for the arts through ACCM every April.
Make sure to check the Fremont Creates online calendar often to see what exciting performances, exhibits, and events are going on throughout the city in April. Mark April 27 on your calendar for the free Grand Finale event at the City of Fremont’s Downtown Event Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We continue to welcome sponsors, whether through monetary or in-kind support, to help with this fully volunteer organization. We are striving to engage businesses and community partners to support Fremont Creates acknowledging the arts as a necessary part of a vibrant and inclusive community.
A special thank you to our sponsors:
City of Fremont
Supervisor David Haubert, Alameda County Supervisor, District 1
Niles Rotary Foundation
Brandon T. Sass, Primerica Investment Advisor
Scott Capen Photography
Olive Hyde Art Guild
Tri-City Voice
Fremont Cultural Arts Council
Collective Discovery
Fremont Bank
Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: Responding to Gun Violence
Submitted by League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark, and Union City
Gun violence in the United States is a public health and safety epidemic and is now the number one killer of children. In 2023 there were more mass shootings than there were days in the year. As devastating as these high-profile shootings are, they represent only a small percentage of the gun violence deaths in our nation. Most gun deaths are less-publicized tragedies that occur in homes and in our communities.
The League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark, and Union City (LWVFNUC) invites you to a program on the topic of gun violence prevention (GVP) on Saturday, March 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Niles Discovery Church in Fremont.
The League is featuring activists from Brady United Against Gun Violence for this presentation. Brady is one of the oldest GVP organizations in the country, and its history of success goes back decades. Learn facts about gun violence, Brady’s programs to reduce gun violence, and what you can do to support sensible changes to keep our nation safer.
Shikha Hamilton is Vice President of Organizing at Brady and has worked on the issue of gun violence since 2000 in various roles, including Chapter Leader, State Chapter President, and member of the Board of Trustees. Kath Tsakalakis is a Brady National Board Member, NorCal Regional Council Co-Chair, and co-leads the San Francisco Brady Chapter. Toni Shellen is Past President of the Tri-City Alameda County Brady Chapter and served as a member of the CA Brady Executive Committee for ten years.
We invite you to join us to find out what we can do beyond “thoughts and prayers” to help prevent gun violence at home, in our community, and in our state and nation. We are more powerful than any problem when we work together. Brady invites us all to “Take Action. Not Sides.”
Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: Responding to Gun Violence
Saturday, Mar 2
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Niles Discovery Church
36600 Niles Blvd., Fremont
https://lwvfnucmembership.clubexpress.com/
Open to the Public and Free of Charge
HERS Breast Cancer Foundation’s People with Purpose Gala – April 27
Submitted by HERS Breast Cancer Foundation
HERS Breast Cancer Foundation is excited to announce its annual spring fundraiser, “People with Purpose,” scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the stunningly renovated Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton.
The gala, the nonprofit’s 15th, aims to support its vital assistance programs, which provide essential post-surgical products like breast prosthetics, compression garments, and wigs to low-income, under-insured, and uninsured breast cancer patients. Renowned for their compassionate patient care, the dedicated team at HERS operates from multiple locations including Fremont at Washington Hospital, San Leandro at Kaiser Permanente, and Livermore at CommonPoint Nonprofit Center, ensuring comprehensive support for hundreds of individuals across the Bay Area.
Each year, the gala honors outstanding individuals and organizations for their unwavering commitment to the foundation’s mission and patients. The 2024 HERS awards will recognize Michael Powers, the Fremont Police Department & the Fremont Police Association, Gonzalves & Kozachenko, Attorneys at Law, and Haller’s Pharmacy.
The evening’s festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception featuring silent auction bidding, a live auction preview, fundraising games, and entertainment. Guests will indulge in a delectable three-course gourmet dinner served with wine. Emceed by Heather Holmes of KTVU Fox 2 news and auction pro Zan Aufderheide, the event promises an evening of lively entertainment. Live auction highlights include a Las Vegas Raiders Getaway and a one-week Costa Rica vacation.
This year’s People with Purpose gala promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with compassion, celebration, and support for those affected by breast cancer.
Individual tickets ($150) and tables of eight may be purchased at https://hersbcf.ejoinme.org/2024pwp. Donations may also be made at the link.
Sponsorship and advertising inquiries may be sent to info@hersbreastcancerfoundation.org or call (510) 790-1911 ext. 104.
People with Purpose Gala
Saturday, Apr 27
6 p.m.
Castlewood Country Club
707 Country Club Cir., Pleasanton
(510) 790-1911
https://hersbreastcancerfoundation.org/
Join H.A.R.D. for Earth Day!
Submitted by Yadira Ayala
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.) is thrilled to invite community members to participate in a series of Earth Day Volunteer Projects. This is a unique opportunity for individuals, families, and groups to contribute to conserving and beautifying our local parks and recreational areas. Together, we can make an impact on our environment and foster a deeper connection with nature.
These projects are a part of our Volunteers in Parks (V.I.P.) program where H.A.R.D. provides tools, leadership, and snacks and volunteers help keep our parks clean by picking up litter, pulling weeds, spreading mulch, and more. It’s the perfect way to give back to our community and show our love for local parks. There is no better day to become a V.I.P. than Earth Day, an annual event to demonstrate support for protecting our planet and environment.
The theme for this Earth Day is Planet vs. Plastics. Our volunteer projects include tree planting, park maintenance, and graffiti clean-up.
To register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/HARDvip.
Volunteer Events:
Weekes Community Center
Saturday, Apr 20
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Via Toledo
Monday, Apr 22
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Sorensdale
Monday, Apr 22
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Adobe Park
Saturday, Apr 27
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Look at the King Tides!
By Stephanie Gertsch
On Friday, February 9, this reporter hiked around Alviso Marina County Park and the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge Environmental Educational Center. Both these locations are on the salt pond and marsh in San Jose. The flat (if muddy) hiking trails are a great place to view the especially high waters of the Bay during this high tide event. In this flat area, the water often mirrors the sky, but sitting on a bench with the water reaching almost up to the boardwalk, the division between sea and sky seems to break down, creating a liminal space.
“King Tides” isn’t a scientific term—it basically refers to any tides that are unusually high due to the alignment of the sun, moon and earth. Because tides are caused by the moon’s gravitational pull, tides will be more or less extreme based on the moon’s current position relative to Earth. King Tides are a natural phenomenon and occur on a predictable schedule. In 2024, King Tides occurred on January 10 and 11, and February 9 (at around 11:30 a.m.).
Even though they’re not caused by humans, King Tides are a good way to visualize the effects of climate change and sea level rise. If this becomes the new baseline, how safe are our neighborhoods and cities? King Tides highlight the importance of spongey marshland that can absorb fluctuations in the water level much better than, say, a parking lot.
The King Tides are over for this winter, but if you want to explore and learn about some of the Bay Area’s few remaining salt ponds and marshes, Alviso Marina County Park offers a flat trail where you can walk out into the bay on a series of boardwalks and dirt paths.
Alviso Marina County Park
Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
1195 Hope St., Alviso
Learn more about King Tides, sea level rise, and other topics at: https://www.coastal.ca.gov/kingtides/.
Stratford Milpitas Beresford Square Students Celebrate the Year of the Dragon!
Submitted by Stratford School
Photos courtesy of Stratford School
Nonprofit Champions Summit: Unite & Uplift!
Submitted by Tri-City Nonprofit Coalition Founders Kathy Kimberlin, Lisa Stambaugh and Tina Fernandez-Steckler
Thank you to all who joined the Tri-City Nonprofit Coalition’s inaugural Nonprofit Champions Summit on February 1 at the Centerville Depot Café.
We were inspired by this gathering of over 30 passionate individuals from various nonprofit organizations in a casual and friendly atmosphere. The opportunity to connect, share experiences, and discuss ways to uplift our communities and causes was enjoyed by all.
Our engaging panel discussion featured 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.
We plan to hold a summit each new year to energize and inspire us for the upcoming year.
Based on the positive feedback, we are moving to more in-person events, combining presentations with networking and further engagement between all of our organizations. Our next in-person event will be in April, with a presentation about leveraging social media to develop strategic content to amplify your vision, increase your reach, and engage with your community. Keep an eye on our website and social media for details.
Sign up for our mailing list via the website www.tcnpc.org and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tcnonprofitcoalition!
Special thanks to our event sponsors, the Depot Cafe and Tri-City Veterinary Hospital, and our event photographer, Scott Capen!
Unlock Your Artistic Journey: San Leandro Arts & Culture Grants
Submitted by Paul Sanftner
The City of San Leandro and the Arts, Culture and Library Commission are administering a civic grants program to support San Leandro-based nonprofit organizations and individual creators, artists or culture bearers living in San Leandro. The Arts & Culture Grants Program is seeking applications of high artistic and/or cultural quality, with an emphasis on activities that support and celebrate the San Leandro community.
Arts and culture projects that are eligible for grant funding through this program include dance, music, theater, visual, literary, culture, media, interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary, traditional/folk, and performing arts. Nonprofit organization-led projects will be supported with grants of up to $10,000. Individual-led projects will be supported with grants of up to $5,000. Please review the Arts & Culture Grants Program Guidelines thoroughly and the appropriate application, including instructions before applying for a grant.
Application Deadline: Thursday, Feb 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Apply: https://www.sanleandro.org/1290/Arts-Culture-Grants-Program
If you have any questions, email libraryinfo@sanleandro.org
$1.1 Million in Grants Available to Prevent Waste
Submitted by City of Fremont
StopWaste is offering grants with a total of $1.1 million available in funding for projects in six categories. The focus is on innovative approaches to preventing waste in Alameda County and supporting local communities. Stopwaste is distributing funds in six different grant categories:
- Food Waste Prevention and Recovery (up to $30,000 per grant)
- Surplus Food Donation Equipment (nonprofits only, up to $10,000 per grant)
- Community Food Systems (up to $10,000 per grant)
- Reusable Foodware (up to $25,000 per grant)
- Reuse and Repair (up to $25,000 per grant)
- Reusable Transport Packaging Equipment (up to $10,000 per grant)
Businesses, nonprofits, and institutions are eligible for funding, unless noted otherwise. Application deadline is Thursday, March 14. Proposed projects must be located in and/or service the residents and/or businesses of Alameda County.
StopWaste Grants to Prevent Waste
Applications Due: Thursday, March 14
Grant Awards Announced: Wednesday, May 22
For more information visit StopWaste's webpage at www.stopwaste.org/at-work/stopwaste-grants
Swing into Summer Camps!
Submitted by City of Fremont
Summer is just around the corner! The City of Fremont Parks and Recreation has your child covered during the summer break with a variety of camp options. Camps are offered weekly for ages 5 to 17. Campers will make fun memories with new and old friends. Camp themes include: Academic Enrichment, Art and Cooking, Aquatics, Dance and Theater, Sports, and Traditional Camps. Extended care is offered to select camps.
Camps run weekly from June 3 to August 13 with full day and half day options. From STEAM to traditional camps, Fremont has everything your child needs to stay active, engaged, and having fun this summer. Check out the Recreation Guide to see a list of available programs. Don’t delay: www.fremont.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/camps-classes/camps/summer-camps
For more details, call (510) 494-4300 or send us an email at regerec@fremont.gov.
Teen Cohort for Outdoor Education
Submitted By Hayward Area Recreation & Park District (H.A.R.D.)
Calling all teens (13-17 years)! Join H.A.R.D. for our new Outdoor Education and Excursion program: Get Outdoors and Go H.A.R.D. Starting February 17, we’ll meet every Saturday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Ashland Community Center until the end of the program on March 23. Together, we can explore local parks and learn about nature, environmental stewardship, and careers in Recreation. You’ll get to meet new friends, build outdoor skills, and get to know your community as we participate in activities, such as Hayward Shoreline Hike and Clean-Up, Quarry Lakes Excursion; Coyote Hills Excursion; Fishing; rock climbing on our 28-foot rock wall, hiking; and a Sulphur Creek Guided Tour. Please note that these locations and activities are subject to change due to weather. Participants must bring their own snacks, lunch, and water.
Registration is required to participate. Register at https://www.haywardrec.org/. Class: #28812. Questions? Please contact: Noel Munivez at (510) 317-2303 or munn@HaywardRec.org; Mike Maine at (510) 888-0211 or maim@HaywardRec.org.
Outdoor Education and Excursion Program
Saturdays, February 17 to March 23
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ashland Community Center
1530 167th Ave., San Leandro
(510) 317-2303 or (510) 888-0211
Register at https://www.haywardrec.org/
Admission Fee: $248
Valentine’s Day: origin, history, and celebration
By Dhoha Bareche
February 14, marks the most romantic time of the year – Valentine’s Day. It’s become common practice for couples, friends, and family to express their love and affection to one another via cards, chocolates, roses, and more. However, this day wasn’t always associated with romance. It dates back to the Roman pagan holiday of Lupercalia – a fertility festival dedicated to the Roman God of Agriculture as well as the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus – which later became Christianized and associated with Saint Valentine of the third century. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that February 14th became a celebration of romance that continues to this day. From the U.S. to South Africa, Valentine's Day has become a universal holiday, observed in many cultures.
While this romantic holiday is known to be associated with Saint Valentine, there’s confusion regarding his true identity. According to History, the Catholic Church recognizes two different saints named Valentine who, some argue, are the same person. One legend contends this romantic day is associated with Saint Valentine of third century Rome. He was imprisoned, and later killed, by Emperor Claudius II for marrying people in secret after it had been outlawed because the Emperor deemed that single men were better soldiers. During the saint’s imprisonment, he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and, prior to his execution, wrote her a love letter and signed it “Your Valentine.” For this reason, he became associated with love. Others contend it’s Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop who was also killed by Emperor Claudius II. Nonetheless, both legends suggest Saint Valentine was a heroic, loving figure
In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as Valentine’s Day. During this time period, it became customary to send “valentine” greetings to loved ones, replaced by hand-written notes in the 17th century. In the U.S., exchanging valentine’s notes dates back to the 18th century when Esther A. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” became renowned for mass-producing valentines decorated with lace, ribbons, and more. Beginning in the early twentieth century, Hallmark’s Valentine’s Day cards were introduced and replaced hand-written notes. According to Hallmark, over 145 million cards are sold every year.
Over the past decades, Valentine’s Day has grown to be one of the most expensive holidays in the country. Since 2009, consumer spending on this holiday has increased from $14.7 billion to $21.8 billion in 2021, according to Statista. Countries across the globe commemorate this romantic holiday and incorporate unique customs. In Denmark, for example, people exchange white pressed roses called snowdrops while Italians like to enjoy Baci Perugina, small, chocolate-covered hazelnuts wrapped with a romantic quote printed in four languages. In South Africa, women wear their hearts on their sleeves – literally – by wearing a pin with the name of their loved one.
Although Valentine’s Day is widely regarded as a holiday enjoyed by couples, love and appreciation between friends and family can also be included. This Valentine’s Day, remind the people in your life how much love there is to go around!
This article is a reprint from 2023.
References:
History of Valentine’s Day: https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2
Statistics on Valentine’s Day spending: https://www.statista.com/statistics/285028/us-valentine-s-day-sales/
Valentine’s Day traditions around the world: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-valentines-day-traditi_b_9190888
By-the-numbers fun facts about Valentine’s Day: https://nypost.com/2022/01/31/valentines-day-2022-by-the-numbers-fun-facts-about-the-holiday/
Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid: Checking All the Boxes
By Michael Coates
When you’re looking for a new car, if you’re like me, your mind immediately goes to an extreme use case. For many that means a vehicle that can multitask. It should be efficient around town, reliable, affordable, and maybe able to handle a road trip with multiple adults (there’s your extreme case).
This month’s test car fills the bill—the Kia Sportage PHEV (for plug-in hybrid, more on that later). It’s a five-passenger compact SUV that checked every box on the list, including an extended road test of more than 800 miles.
Efficiency
The PHEV nomenclature has been back in the headlines recently as some automakers rethink their electrification paths. The plug-in hybrid sits with one foot in the all-electric world and one foot in traditional internal combustion engines. In the Sportage’s case, that meant 34 miles of all-electric range on a full charge and an average of 35 mpg on the road when the battery is depleted.
With a 240-kW home charger, available through Kia dealers and multiple other locations, you could use that 34-mile range to handle most electric drives. It should take only two hours to fully charge the Sportage’s battery. In an “extreme case,” like the one I put the Sportage through, I fell a little short of the promised 35 mpg average, but attribute that to some high-speed highway driving traversing the state. It was still an economical ride.
The efficiency for the non-electric side of the Sportage comes from its 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cyinder engine, which was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. With the addition of an electric motor, the package produced a combined 261 horsepower, more than enough to get the car up to freeway speeds safety and executive critical passing maneuvers.
Reliability
For reliability measurement, I’ll defer to the trusted independent, non-profit authority, Consumer Reports Magazine. They survey vehicle owners to get the real story on vehicle’s durability. The Kia Sportage PHEV was called out as one of the top of all compact SUVs in reliability. The car also has a 100,000-mile warranty, one of the best in the business.
Affordability
Whenever you’re talking affordability, SUVs tend to make the conversation difficult with their elevated price points. Add in the electrification element (PHEV again), and the dialogue reaches an even higher level. Our top-of-the-line Sportage X-Line Prestige AWD didn’t have any options because it had hoovered up virtually all of the accessories Kia offers. Even with that, the final price with the freight and handling charge was $44,285, not outrageous in the current SUV market.
The Sportage lineup is extensive, though, with other PHEV models that start about $5,000 less ($39,500), hybrids for $10,000 less than that ($28,590) and gas-only models starting at $27,190. With the Sportage PHEV, the potential of running on your home’s electricity for most of your local miles presents a real value proposition, while also giving you the extended range from its gas engine.
The Road Trip
What really sold me on the Sportage was taking it on that 843-mile trip. Handling on a variety of road surfaces was excellent. We had three adults in the car for a good portion of the trip and received no complaints about rear seat legroom or luggage space (Kia says is best in class in both).
The panoramic sunroof let us take in more of the scenery on our drive, while the Harmon Kardon premium audio unit made sure we were entertained.
The Sportage also has a full safety suite of technology from the Kia/Hyundai corporate bin, from lane-keeping to collision avoidance to rear cross-traffic warning. The so-called “safe exit warning” is a great feature that alerts you to oncoming traffic before you fully open your door.
The whole package checks all my boxes, including that “extreme case.” The Kia Sportage PHEV does it with style and a fun package.
HISTORY MATTERS
By John Grimaldi and David Bruce Smith
February 1 through 15
Satchel Paige
Joe DiMaggio said Leroy “Satchel” Paige was the “best and fastest pitcher I’ve faced.” Even so, it took Paige 50 years to be honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame – on February 8, 1971- as the first Negro League veteran to earn the recognition.
According to History.com, Paige was “a pitching legend known for his fastball, showmanship and the longevity of his playing career. Born in Mobile, Alabama, most likely on July 7, 1906, although the exact date remains a mystery, he earned his nickname, Satchel, as a boy when he earned money carrying passengers’ bags at train stations.
Baseball was segregated when Paige started playing baseball professionally in the 1920s, so he spent most of his career pitching for Negro League teams around the United States. During the winter season, he pitched for teams in the Caribbean and Central and South America. As a barnstorming player who traveled thousands of miles each season and played for whichever team met his asking price, he pitched an estimated 2,500 games, had 300 shut outs, and 55 no-hitters. In one month in 1935, he reportedly pitched 29 consecutive games.”
For more information, The Grateful American Book Prize recommends Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend by Larry Tye.
SCOTUS
On February 1, 1790, Chief Justice John Jay opened the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS) inaugural meeting on Broad Street in New York.
According to History.com, “The… Court later grew into arguably the most powerful judicial body in the world in terms of its central place in the U.S. political order. In times of constitutional crises, for better or worse, it always played a definitive role in resolving the great issues of the time.”
The Grateful American Book Prize recommends William H. Rehnquist’s The Supreme Court.
The Teddy Bear
When Theodore Roosevelt refused to slay a bear during a hunting trip, the incident prompted a New York City inventor-toy store owner, Morris Michtom, to fashion two stuffed bears that were approved by the president. On February 15, 1903, he placed them in his window.
According to History.com, “Reports differ as to the exact details of the inspiration behind the teddy bear, but it is thought that while hunting in Mississippi in 1902, Roosevelt came upon an old injured black bear that his guides had tied to a tree. While some reports claim Roosevelt shot the bear out of pity for his suffering, others insist he set the bear free. Political cartoonists later portrayed the bear as a cub, implying that under the tough, outdoorsy and macho image of Roosevelt lay a much softer, more sensitive interior.”
For more information, the Grateful American Book Prize recommends A Collector’s History of the Teddy Bear by Patricia Schoonmaker.
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
Happy Birthday, Edie
Edith “Edie” Recagno Keenan Ceccarelli was born in the town of Willits, California and still lives there. She’s the oldest resident in Willits, a town with a population just shy of 5,000 residents. In fact, at the age of 116 years, she’s the oldest woman in America and the second oldest woman in the world. Each year, on February 5, the whole town comes out to celebrate her birthday and Edie wonders, “Why am I still here? ” As one of her best friends put it, “God has a plan for you.” See the story on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbOv88hWEkM
As the song goes, ‘Can’t Stop The Spring’
Punxsutawney Phil had good news for those of us who can’t wait for the warm and sunny days of springtime. The “biggest meteorological holiday of the year” took place on February 2 when that famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phill, emerged from his den. It was a cloudy day, so Phill did not see his shadow, the sign that springtime is just a few short weeks away — maybe. Since 1887 Phill had it right 48% of the time but was wrong 52%. Your pick! Watch the historic weather prediction on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC2PUDJmOz4
How did he get in there?
Somehow three-year-old Ethan in Queensland, Australia managed to work his way into a claw machine via the chute through which prizes are dispensed. In this case it was a Hello Kitty plush toy machine. Using hand gestures Dad signaled his boy to stand far back in the machine’s container allowing police to smash through the glass pane. All’s well that ends well. When the ordeal came to a successful end, one of the police officers told Ethan, “You won a prize, which one do you want?” Watch the rescue on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-iJlLxhbog
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.
Potatoes
By Pat Kite
For fun, try growing a few potatoes. Once you have eaten a fresh potato, you will regard all market spuds as having the flavor of wallpaper paste.
You can use a big pot, about five gallons. An old garbage can with drainage holes might do. Whatever you use, it must be at least 18 inches deep. Put in about six inches of good soil (not our local clumping clay).
For novices, purchase certified potato seeds at a local nursery. (Yes, you can try your kitchen potatoes IF they have sprouts.) Add two seed potatoes. Put the pieces about seven inches apart. Plant gently with sprouts facing up, cut side down. Cover with about three inches of soil as the plant grows. Put in sunlight. Add some good soil but keep six inches of plant visible. Water but don’t drown.
Wait. You will see lots of leaves. After about three months, the potato plants will bloom. Wait. In another two weeks, the leaves start to die. When the plant looks dead, dig carefully and glom onto the potatoes. Leave outdoors to dry for an hour or so. At this point I clean, put in the microwave and eat. Do not refrigerate.
Potatoes first grew in South America about 2,500 BC. They were teensie. Spanish soldiers figured out their food value in 1536 and carried samples to Europe. About 50 years later, Sir. Walter Raleigh brought samples to Ireland. By the 1800s, Irish farmers were eating about 10 potatoes per person per day. Potatoes are so filling and tasty, they increasingly filled most of the daily menu. Then came a fungus that quickly spread, plus more than ample rain. The one-variety potato crop died. Over a million people died of starvation. Survivors emigrated. The ships they travelled on were called “coffin ships” because so many passengers died on board.
Old potato tales include this one from Italy. In Italy, superstitious folk would print the name of an enemy and pin it to a large potato. This was a curse, and hopefully the enemy would die. Other superstitions include putting a warm potato in a pocket to cure your rheumatism, or putting a potato on a muscle to take away pain. One medium potato has 43% of necessary daily vitamin C and 21 % of our daily required potassium.
How many potatoes do we eat? Some say about 124 pounds per year. That includes French Fries, which Thomas Jefferson apparently introduced at a White House dinner.
Five nurseries your Valentine will love
By Daniel O’Donnell
Valentine’s Day is celebrated throughout the world. It is a day when people express friendship or love towards others by giving them a Valentine card, chocolates, and/or flowers. Valentine’s Day gifts can also be acts of appreciation such as cooking a favorite meal or taking care of a chore. Taking a plant lover to one of a handful of charming Bay Area nurseries to pick out a flowering plant or two combines the act of appreciation and gift giving.
Many Christian theologians believe that Valentine’s Day started being celebrated in mid- February after the year 269 when Saint Valentine was martyred. Other religious scholars believe that the Christian church placed Valentine’s Day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” a pagan festival dedicated to the Roman God of agriculture called Lupercalia. Pope Gelasius officially declared February 14th St. Valentine’s Day at the end of the of the 4th century.
Originally the holiday was more of a religious celebration than a romantically-themed holiday. However, during the Middle Ages people associated mid-February with love and romance because it was the beginning of mating season for birds. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to record Valentine’s Day as a romantic observance in his poem Parliament of Foules in 1375. The custom of giving flowers on Valentine’s Day is often attributed to King Charles XII of Sweden. He was introduced to the concept of the language of flowers while on a trip to Persia. He learned in particular that red flowers represent passion and that the rose was the favorite of Venus, the Goddess of love. Thus, red roses became popular on Valentine’s Day.
Today, many people give cut flowers of all types and colors on Valentine’s Day. However, many gardeners and plant lovers might prefer a live plant that they can enjoy for years to come, as well as have the experience of picking it out as they wander through a tranquil nursery. Below are five nurseries to take your plant-loving valentine to. Each one has a special feature.
Regan Nursey (regannursery.com): 4268 Decoto Road, Fremont
Since roses are rooted in Valentine’s Day history, Regan Nursery makes the obvious choice for the top of the list. Regan is known for having one of, if not the largest, selection of roses in the Bay Area. The rows and rows of roses will make it hard to decide which one to purchase. Regan also has a quality selection of house plants, trees, garden plants, fruits and vegetables, as well as gardening supplies and trinkets.
Alden Lane (aldenlane.com): 981 Alden Lane, Livermore
Alden Lane nursery has an attractive chateau-like building and is situated in a grove of old oak trees, which makes it a pleasure to stroll in, even around Valentine’s Day when weather can be cool and wet. They offer an extensive selection of trees, flowers, perennials, shrubs, indoor plants, orchids, and garden accessories. It is worth the trip to visit them during one of their garden shows, festivals, or weekend classes.
Evergreen Nursery (theevergreennursery.com): 350 San Leandro Boulevard, San Leandro
If you want to go big with flowers for your Valentine, head to Evergreen nursery for their large selection of fruit trees, which will be in bloom shortly after Valentine’s Day. They also have a large selection of flowering plants, organic vegetables, and a wonderful assortment of houseplants. They feature a complete line of bulk materials such as mulch, different soils, soil blends, compost, and stone materials.
Flora Grubb Gardens (floragrubb.com): 1634 Jerrold Avenue, San Francisco
Flora Grubb Gardens offers an amazing garden experience even if you do not purchase any plants. There is a coffee shop located in the garden center where you can purchase specialty coffee drinks to enjoy on any number of benches and patio tables set throughout the nursery. There are also artistic garden features throughout, including a living wall, sculptures, creatively planted ceramic pots, and a classic car turned into a planter. They also specialize in handmade ceramic, imported Italian, glazed, cylindrical, fire clay, terra cotta, small houseplants, and lightweight garden pots.
Annie’s Annuals and Perennials (anniesannuals.com): 740 Market Avenue, Richmond
Annie’s is worth a trip at least once for anyone who loves plants. As a Valentine’s Day trip for a plant lover, the nursery will not disappoint. They offer a wide selection of hard-to-find flowers and plants as well as commonly-sought native wildflowers. Almost every plant is sold in the same size 4” container which is accompanied by a colored tag representing the price. They offer extensive information sheets that give botanical, characteristic, and care information on various plant groupings.
Taking your plant-loving Valentine or friend to a local nursery around Valentine’s Day is a great way to cherish your relationship. However, these nurseries can be visited at any time of the year to show your love or appreciation for someone as well.
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
February 8, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Ratification of Payment of Audited Demands dated January 5, January 12, January 19, and January 26, 2024
- Authorization of Agreement for Filter Press Industrial Painting Services
- Authorization of Professional Services Agreement for Engineering, Environmental, and Cultural Resources Services for the New Cedar Aquifer Reclamation Program Wells Project
- Authorization of Agreement for Procurement of Ion Exchange Media in Support of the Groundwater PFAS Treatment Facility, Phase 1
President James Gunther Aye
Vice President Judy Huang Aye
Aziz Akbari Aye
Paul Sethy Aye
John Weed Aye
Fairview Municipal Advisory Council
February 8, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Public Announcements/Open Forum
- East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Ward 7 Director and former Fairview MAC member April Chan announced that the water supply in the upper San Leandro Reservoir is 85% full at the moment. Due to this fullness, they are releasing water. No drought is forecasted.
Regular Calendar
- Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Fireworks Ordinance Update – INFORMATIONAL ITEM
Sergeant Moises Gomez gave a presentation on an update to the Fireworks Ordinance. Last year, 400 lbs. of illegal fireworks were recovered. The Sheriff’s Office is working to amend the existing ordinance which allows hosts to be accountable for underage drinking to include firing off illegal fireworks. Essentially, if you are hosting a party and a guest begins lighting fireworks, you are accountable for their actions. The fine for a first offense is $750, second offense is $1,500, and $2,500 for the third and subsequent offenses.
- Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, Sulfur Creek – INFORMATIONAL ITEM
Darcie DeLashmutt, Bond Project Manager for Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, presented an ongoing update of the Sulfur Creek Nature Center. There will be new signage at the entrance, making it easier to see from D Street. There will be a new amphitheater with cut down eucalyptus tree logs used for seating. There will be a new outdoor learning area, welcome kiosk, and more. Construction is expected to finish by Fall 2024.
- Consideration of Recommendation for Adoption of the Community Climate Action Plan Update and Safety Element Amendments (versions dated January 2024) – ACTION ITEM
Alameda County Planning Department Planner Alison Abbors gave a presentation on an update to the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and amendments to the Safety Element (SE). The CCAP and SE were last updated in 2013 and 2014. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, staff has worked to ensure there will be no significant environmental impacts by the adoption of the CCAP and SE. Staff found no significant environmental impact and is in the process of preparing an Initial Study/Negative Declaration. Comments on the Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration can be sent via email to Alison.Abbors@acgov.org or phone to 510-670-5428. The final document is expected to be presented to the Planning Commission on April 1.
Sally Philbin Aye
Dale Silva Aye
Chris Higgins Aye
Todd Anglin Aye
Shane Henderson Aye
Preparing for the upcoming March 5th Primary Election
Submitted by Jo A.S. Loss, President, League of Women Voters Eden Area
The League of Women Voters Eden Area wants to share ways for you to prepare for the upcoming Primary Election. It is earlier this year than before and ballots will be mailed on February 5, so it is time to start becoming an educated voter.
The League of Women Voters California has published an Easy Voter Guide. It can be downloaded from https://lwvc.org/easy-voter-guide-primary-2024/. The guide contains information on how to register and vote. It reviews how to vote for a Presidential candidate on March 5th. The guide also tells you all about Proposition 1: Mental Health Care and Addiction Treatment Reform & Bonds to Build Places for Treatment and Housing.
The Easy Voter Guide is available in Spanish, English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. VOTE411 is also now available for you to learn more about the votes you will make in March. VOTE411 is an unbiased online guide to elections covering federal, state, and local races in California. www.VOTE411.org.
To use VOTE411, you enter your address, and you will see your full, personalized ballot. You will hear directly from the candidates about their positions on critical issues, and their vision for their communities. Local Leagues have prepared specific questions that apply to that position to give you detailed information on the candidates’ knowledge and plans. This allows you to compare candidates side by side before making your selections.
There will be clear explanations of ballot measures and their funders. In addition, VOTE411 will allow you to check where, when, and how to vote, including your polling place. There will be an option for you to keep track of your choices to make voting easier.
The new VOTE411 platform is user-friendly and mobile-responsive. It will offer a variety of features tailored to the unique needs of California voters. VOTE411 will be accessible across all devices and will continue the League’s rich history of providing voters with non-partisan, factual, and trusted electoral information.
Please vote on March 5th!
https://lwvc.org/easy-voter-guide-primary-2024/
Local Measures for Primary Presidential Election March 5, 2024
By Jack Alcorn
Measure A
Amend the Charter of Alameda County to change the notification period of each civil service examination from not less than 25 days to not less than 14 calendar days.
Measure B
Amend the section of the Alameda County Charter governing the recall of elective and appointive County officers to replace the current language with “California state law applicable to the recall of county officers shall govern the recall of Alameda County elected officers.”
Measure I
Authorize $550,000,000 in bonds, levy approximately $60 per $100,000 of assessed value, raising approximately $35,200,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, to upgrade aging local classrooms, labs, career training facilities, learning technology, art/ music classrooms, fields; improve earthquake/ fire safety/ emergency communications/ school security; improve accessibility for students with disabilities; update plumbing/ electrical heating/ cooling systems for Hayward Unified School District.
Measure J
With no increase in current estimated tax rates, San Leandro Unified School District shall renovate/ construct classrooms; repair roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems; remove hazardous materials, and construct below-market rental housing to attract/ retain teachers/ staff, authorizing $174 million of bonds with levies averaging $37.28 per 100,000 of assessed value (raising $12 million annually).
Proposition 1 (state)
Authorizes $6.4 billion in bonds to build mental health treatment facilities for those with mental health and substance use challenges; provides housing for homeless.
Milpitas City Council
February 6, 2024
7:00 p.m.
Public Forum
- More than 30 residents of Milpitas attended to support a half dozen speakers who encouraged continued enhancement and expansion of municipal pickleball facilities.
Consent Calendar
- Receive City Council Calendar of Meetings for February 2024
- Receive the preview list of anticipated items for the next regular city council meeting
- Receive and review the list of agenda items requested by city councilmembers
- Consider recommendations from Mayor Montano for appointments to City Commissions, and Accept Commissioner Resignations
- Adopt a resolution declaring weeds on certain properties to be a public nuisance and set a public hearing for March 5, 2024
- Approve a site development permit to allow development of a 1,200 Square Foot Single-Story Pavilion with a 125-square-foot standalone bathroom, construct a 76-square foot bathroom addition to the existing guest house, and a new in-ground pool at an existing single-family residence on 6.13-acre site at 1350 Country Club Drive
- Accept Additional FY 2023 Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) Grant for Front-Line Law Enforcement Services and approve the appropriation of funds to the police department’s FY2023-24 operating budget
- Accept the FY 2024 Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) Grant for Front-Line Law Enforcement Services and approve the appropriation of funds to the police department’s FY 2023-24 operating budget
- Approve project specifications, award construction contract to Villalobos & Associates, Inc. for the 2023 Annual Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Repair Project No. 3426
- Receive an update on storm drain system emergency repairs and improvements at Evans Road and Piedmont Creek and determine that the condition continues to constitute an emergency
- Approve Final Tract Map No. 10591 for a Residential Project at 1752 Houret Court; and approve the subdivision improvement agreement between the city and City Ventures Homebuilding, LLC
- Authorize the maintenance agreement with Creekside Milpitas 3, LLC, for the Maintenance of the site improvements located within Lot A of the Amazon Parking Lot Project Located at 1207 N. McCarthy Boulevard
- Authorize an agreement for completion of public improvements as part of the Rajyoga Meditation and Research Center Project
Mayor Carmen Montano Aye
Vice Mayor Evelyn Chua Aye
Garry Barbadillo Aye
Hon Lien Aye
Anthony Phan Absent
Be an informed voter this March 5th California Primary
Submitted by League of Women Voters Fremont, Newark, Union City
The California March 5 Primary Election is right around the corner. You should have already received your Official Voter Information Guide in the mail. The State begins mailing ballots on February 5.
On February 17, our local chapter of the League of Women Voters will present the Pros and Cons of State Proposition 1, as well as Alameda County Measures A and B. The discussion will be led by League members. This meeting is open to the public, so please invite your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. Become an informed voter because…
Democracy is not a spectator sport!
State Proposition & County Measures pros and cons
Saturday, Feb 17
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 am
Niles Discovery Church
36600 Niles Blvd., Fremont
Open to the Public and Free of Charge
San Leandro City Council
February 5, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Authorize an Agreement with Amazon Services, LLC (Amazon Business) to Use Amazon Business’ Online Marketplace for Purchases of Various Goods, Utilizing the OMNIA Partners Cooperative Contract
- Accept Gift Funds in the Amount of $34,210 from the Friends of the San Leandro Public Library and Appropriate Gift Funds to Enhanced Library Card Sign Up Month, Summer Library Program, and Programs at Manor Branch
- Authorize Purchase Orders for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 with Dell Technologies for Computers and Technology Equipment Using the State of California NASPO ValuePoint Master Price Agreement for the Combined Not to Exceed Amount of $300,000
- Motion to Table the Nomination of Nicholas Foster as San Leandro's Community Representative to the Oakland Airport/Community Noise Management Forum
Mayor Juan Gonzalez Aye
Victor Aguilar Aye
Bryan Azevedo Aye
Pete Ballew Aye
Xouhoa Bowen Aye
Fred Simon Aye
Hayward Mayor to deliver State of the City Address
Submitted by City of Hayward
Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas will deliver a first public State of the City Address on behalf of the City of Hayward on Thursday, February 29, at California State University, East Bay, at a free event being hosted by Cal State East Bay President Cathy Sandeen.
Mayor Salinas plans to cover recent city accomplishments, opportunities for progress, and strategies for meeting current and future facility needs, as well as report on his Education City initiative among other topics.
The State of the City Address will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 29, at University Theatre, Cal State East Bay.
Admission to this civic event is free but the City and University request that individuals planning to attend register in advance for planning purposes.
To register to attend the State of the City Address, click on the button below. To learn more about city facility needs and the role Hayward’s half-cent sales tax plays in meeting them, go online to the City of Hayward website here: www.hayward-ca.gov/forward
Hayward State of the City Address
Thursday, Feb 29
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
University Theatre
Cal State East Bay
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward
Alameda County Fire Log
Submitted by ACFD
Thursday, February 8
- ACFD responded to an intense garage blaze at a two-story residence within the 36000 block on LaSalle Drive in the city of Newark. Though the flames threatened, the home itself was spared, suffering only smoke infiltration through an upper window. In the aftermath, assistance from the Red Cross enabled four adults, two children, and their dog to secure temporary housing. There were no injuries. The investigation into the fire's origin is ongoing.
- The Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) swiftly responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Interstate 580 and Eden Canyon Road in Castro Valley at 7:30 a.m. One driver was safely extricated from their vehicle, while the other was fortunate enough to walk away unharmed. Serious injuries were avoided. The investigation into what caused this incident is ongoing.
BART Log
Submitted by BART PD
Wednesday, January 31
- At 10:43 a.m. a man identified by police as Michael Adams, 58, from Oakland was arrested at Hayward station for brandishing a gun and carrying a concealed dirk or dagger. Adams was issued a BART prohibition order and booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Thursday, February 1
- At 3:40 p.m. a man identified by police near San Leandro station as Miguel Angel Soberanis, 47, was detained for being inside a stolen vehicle. Soberanis was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail for grand theft and receiving stolen property.
Friday, February 2
- At 9:54 a.m. man identified by police as Ateian Fritz, 32, from San Francisco was contacted for fare evasion at Hayward station. Fritz had an outstanding $6k misdemeanor warrant for petty theft out of Colma PD. Fritz was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail for his warrant.
- At 5:43 p.m. a man identified by police as Elijah Jones, 26, from Los Angeles was contacted aboard a train at Hayward station. Jones was taken into custody for public intoxication and booked into Alameda County Jail.
Saturday, February 3
- At 9:50 a.m. a man identified by police as Carlos Garcia, 26, from San Leandro was contacted at Hayward station for fare evasion and having an open container of alcoholic beverage. He was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail for violating the rules of probation.
Sunday, February 4
- At 8:42 a.m. officers responded to San Leandro station where they located, identified and detained Zachary Deakin, 33, from Berkeley. Deakin was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail for vandalism and violating the rules of probation.
- At 9:26 p.m. a man identified by police as Shawn Stringfellow, 43, from Garberville was contacted at Milpitas station. Stringfellow was found to have a No Bail Felony warrant out of Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office for multiple probation violations. Stringfellow was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Jail for the warrant.
Monday, February 5
- At 8:03 p.m. a man identified by police as Lloyd Cobb, 34, from Florida was detained for fare evasion at Bay Fair station. Cobb was booked into Santa Rita Jail for an Out-of-State Warrant.
- At 11:04 a.m. a woman identified by police as Amanda Green, 37, from San Francisco was arrested at Hayward station. Green booked into the Santa Rita Jail for an arrest warrant.
East Bay Regional Park District Police Log
Submitted By EBRPD
Monday, January 29
- East Bay Regional Park District Police Department Communications Center received an automated call for help from an Apple device via ‘RapidDeploy’ of a “hard fall help needed alert.” The coordinates of the accident were provided by the device and assisted with locating the victim on Stewartville Trail in Black Diamond Regional Park Preserve. Our Dispatcher was able to communicate with the bicyclist.
East Bay Regional Park District Police Officers, Park District Rangers, and our Police Air Support Unit Eagle 7 responded to the remote scene, where the bicyclist was located. Eagle 7 directed Contra Costa Fire and ambulance directly to the victim where he was treated and transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Thursday, February 8
- On patrol, one of our motor officers entered the Tidewater staging area located at MLK Regional Park in the city of Oakland. The officer noticed suspicious activity occurring between an occupied red van and an occupied purple sedan. The vehicles left the area at a high rate of speed. Officers later located one of the vehicles and discovered it to be stolen. Some of the occupants of the vehicle fled the area. EBRPD officers, along with a CHP K-9 officer searched the area and located one of the occupants nearby. A search of the vehicles resulted in officers locating a loaded firearm along with stolen documents. The suspect was also found to have narcotics in his possession. The suspect was booked for multiple charges at Santa Rita Jail. There is no threat to public safety at this time.
Thursday, February 8
- EBRPD Police arrested a commercial burglary suspect in Oakland, near Lake Merritt. Through diligent work by Police Detectives, the suspect was linked to two separate burglaries at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley. The suspect was arrested and transported to Santa Rita Jail on felonious counts of 459 PC – Burglary.
Hayward Police Log
Submitted by HPD
Wednesday, February 7
- An officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for various equipment violations. A records check of the driver found him to be driving without a license. As officers prepared to cite the driver and tow the vehicle because the man was unlicensed, the driver decided to run away!
Officers caught up to him a short distance away and placed him under arrest. Officers found an unregistered rifle inside the car, along with drug paraphernalia. The driver provided the officers with a fake name and had an outstanding warrant. He was also on probation, which prohibited him from possessing any firearms.
Newark Police Log
Submitted by Newark PD
Monday, January 29
- 2:38 a.m.: Officers responded to the area of Central Avenue and Newark Boulevard on the report of a vehicle collision. A 27-year-old male from San Jose was taken to Santa Rita Jail for driving under the influence and possession of a firearm in the vehicle.
- 1:28 p.m.: Officer Williams observed a vehicle with no license plates near Bettencourt and Haley Streets. A 42-year-old male from Hayward was taken to Santa Rita Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and narcotics.
- 7:16 p.m.: Officer McCuin contacted an unsheltered 42-year-old male near Graham Avenue and Sycamore Street in possession of narcotics paraphernalia. The male was provided with a citation and released on scene.
Tuesday, January 30
- 11:30 a.m.: Officer Medina was dispatched to the 8100 block of Merion Drive for the report of threats. A 57-year-old male from Newark was arrested and taken to Santa Rita Jail in violation of court orders.
Thursday, February 1
- 2:13 p.m.: Officer Dale was dispatched to a trespassing incident at the 7000 block of Mowry Avenue. Upon arrival, an unsheltered 35-year-old male and a 25-year-old male out of San Jose were located with outstanding warrants and narcotics. Both subjects were arrested and transported to Santa Rita Jail.
Friday, February 2
- 1:28 p.m.: Officer Dale was dispatched to the 6300 block of Jarvis Avenue regarding a theft in progress. A 67-year-old unsheltered male was arrested for theft, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and released with a citation to appear.
- 11:49 p.m.: Officers responded to a 911 call in the area of Cherry Street and Plummer Avenue. On scene, it was determined a dispute occurred between a rideshare passenger and driver. A 37-year-old male from Newark, was taken to Santa Rita Jail for attempted theft of a vehicle, public intoxication, and robbery.
Saturday, February 3
- 8:31 a.m.: Officer Williams conducted proactive policing in the 35000 block of Bettencourt Street. One subject was released with a citation while an additional seven subjects were arrested for a range of offenses including fraud, narcotics, outstanding warrants, and possession of stolen property. All arrestees were booked at Santa Rita Jail.
Sunday, February 4
- 8:54 a.m.: Officer Lara responded to a disturbance on the 5800 block of Jarvis Avenue. A 52-year-old male from Newark was arrested for violating the terms of probation while in possession of narcotics paraphernalia. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
- 10:39 p.m.: Officer Orozco was dispatched to a robbery call in the 7600 block of Thornton Avenue. An unsheltered 27-year-old male from Newark was arrested for robbery and booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Suspects identified in UCPD Attempted Murder on a Deputy Investigation
Submitted by Union City PD
Michael Dorthick, 56-year-old-male from Union City
Lizzette Chann, 54-year-old female from Union City
UCPD obtained search warrants for the location where they were residing. After attempting to establish contact with Dorthick and Chann for several hours, UCPD SWAT operators located both suspects with apparent gunshot wounds and were pronounced deceased.
UCPD Detectives believe these two individuals were responsible for the shooting of the ACSO deputy, and no other suspects or victims were located inside. The preliminary findings of the investigation support evidence that the suspects died as a result of a murder-suicide. This investigation remains active and there is no existing threat to the public at this time.
The UCPD Investigations Unit is actively investigating the incident and anyone with information is encouraged to contact UCPD or your local law enforcement agency. If you wish to remain anonymous, information may be left at (510) 675-5207 or at tips@unioncity.org.
Union City Police Log
Submitted by Union City PD
Tuesday, January 16
- At approximately 9:00 a.m. a maintenance worker hailed an officer in the 2500 block of Medallion Drive. The worker told police that he was repairing a resident's door when suddenly, a male appeared from the bedroom, claiming the worker had stolen from him. The suspect brandished a knife at the victim and attempted to stab him several times. Officers located the suspect, still inside his residence, and placed him under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon.
Thursday, January 18
- At approximately 5:40 p.m. officers contacted a subject sleeping behind the wheel of his vehicle on Alvarado Niles Road and Decoto Road. The vehicle was still in “drive” when he was contacted. The driver displayed objective signs of alcohol intoxication and refused to submit to tests. Due to his probation status, officers searched the car and found a firearm on the floor of the vehicle. Officers placed him under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of a loaded firearm.
Friday, January 19
- At approximately 8:15 p.m. officers responded to a robbery in the 1600 block of Decoto Road. Five suspects entered two stores within minutes of each other and stole money from the cash registers. The suspects were a Black female juvenile, a Black male juvenile, and a Hispanic male juvenile, along with two additional unknown suspects. They all fled in a black Kia.
Monday, January 22
- At approximately 11:50 a.m. officers responded to a robbery in the 30000 block of Dyer Street. Three unknown Black males, 20-25 years old, wearing dark-colored hoodies and surgical masks, entered the money center and produced a note stating they had a gun and demanded money. Employees handed over the cash, and the suspects fled on foot.
Tuesday, January 23
- At approximately 9:00 p.m. officers responded to an assault in the 32400 block of Dyer Street. Completely unprovoked, the suspect approached the victim with an 18-inch machete and held it to the victim’s throat. The victim quickly disarmed the suspect and entered a business for refuge. The suspect followed the victim into the business but quickly fled. The suspect was described as a bald Asian male in his thirties, wearing a blue shirt.
Friday, January 26
- At approximately 5:30 a.m. officers responded to two consecutive robberies in the 34600 block of Alvarado Niles Road. Two suspects, described as either Hispanic or Black and in their twenties, entered the businesses and stole the cash registers. In one, they battered an employee. They fled in a gray vehicle.
CCAA Pitcher of the Week After Pioneer Debut in Circle
Submitted by CSUEB Athletic Communications
After an outstanding performance in the circle on Saturday during the Concordia Kickoff Classic, Cal State East Bay softball junior pitcher Ashlee Toy was named CCAA Softball Pitcher of the Week for January 29 – February 3.
Toy pitched a complete game shutout on Saturday in what became a road game at Azusa Pacific where the Pioneers won 6-0. In the 7.0 innings of work, Toy had three strikeouts and allowed six hits with no walks.
Toy was the first pitcher for Cal State East Bay to win CCAA Softball Pitcher of the Week since 2015 when Emily Perlich earned the weekly award at the start of the season.
Chabot Gladiators of the Month
Submitted by Chabot College Athletics
Hunter has some serious game
Congratulations to Chabot freshman guard Nia Hunter on being selected as women’s Gladiator of the Month for January. A big-game player with a bright future, she scored 17 points (8-16 fg) in the Glads’ clutch win over CCSF to open conference play. She also poured in 20 points against Skyline.
The Lady Glads are ranked 19th in the state and 11th in the North.
Edwards smooth in transition
The Chabot men’s basketball team is one of the state’s hottest teams, and Marcellus Edwards is a freshman sensation. A mover and shaker on the court, Edwards is averaging 13 points with 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists on a deep team. He is in the top three in the Coast-North Conference in field goal percentage, at 53 percent.
The Men’s Glads team (18-4, 6-0 Coast-North) moved up four spots to No. 4 in the most recent State Poll. Guided by head coach Keenan McMiller, Chabot has a knack for overpowering.
Chabot Gladiators Open Season with Doubleheader Split
Submitted by Chabot College Athletics
The Chabot softball team opened the spring season by splitting a doubleheader with Porterville, dropping the first game 5-1 and taking the second in a six-inning, 13-4 blowout that featured 13 Chabot hits.
Marissa Dorr pitched well in the first game, and the Gladiators made some excellent defensive plays. Chabot, which has a roster with all freshmen but four players, also hit the ball hard and only needed to find a few gaps to spark a big rally.
The second game was an offensive showcase for the Glads (1-1), who came out hot.
Ka'Naya Newton singled and stole a base. Yubi Aguayo singled to advance Newton to third with one out. Kayla Hidalgo and Lani Taufete'e drew walks to produce the first run of the game. Nia Burnett smacked a two-run single to make it 3-0.
In the next inning, Melina Vizcarra singled in the gap, Newton reached on a fielder’s choice, and stole second on the next pitch. The speedy Newton stole third and scored on Dorr's two-run RBI. Hidalgo tripled, scoring the third run of the inning. Lani Taufete'e singled, scoring Hidalgo. The Glads ended the inning up 7-0.
The Pirates were able to extend the game by scoring a few runs in the fourth and fifth, but the Glads scored two more on a walk-off double by Kiarra Taimani, scoring Burnette and Lani Taufete'e.
Burnett pitched an amazing game, with three strikeouts over six innings. Dorr had the hot bat, with four RBIs, two runs and a double and a triple; Kayla Hidalgo went 3 for 3 with two triples, three runs, three hits, and three RBIs. Burnett also had three hits, a run and 3 RBIs.
2024 Early Bird Summer Camp Preview Night
Submitted by Union City Recreation
Mark your calendar and get a head start on planning your child’s summer vacation! Union City Community and Recreation Services wants to assist you in organizing summer activities for your child. This is your opportunity to pick-up Summer Camp fliers before they become available online, meet Day Camp Staff, verify your Rec 1 account and ask questions. This is your opportunity to receive Day Camp details until registration opens. We will NOT be taking any registrations this evening.
Early Bird Summer Camp Preview Night
Monday, Feb 26
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Holly Community Center
31600 Alvarado Blvd., Union City
Moreau Mariners Rally Squad head to Nationals
By April Ramos
Photo Source MCHS Rally Squad Instagram
Moreau Catholic High School’s Rally Squad is headed to the USA Spirit National Championship Competition. After competing at Deer Valley in the Regional Competition, the Mariners Rally Squad of Hayward qualified for Nationals in Anaheim on February 15 – 18.
“Our 14 athletes have worked all season in preparation for this event,” shared the team’s head coach Juanita Castillo. The Mariners have practiced through all seasons cheering at football, basketball and volleyball games perfecting their individual skills as well as team routines.
Nationals is the last stop on the team's competition journey and this year the Mariners have qualified for two divisions at Nationals. “We will be competing in the Varsity Novice Song-Pom division as well as the Varsity Crowdleader division. This is Moreau’s first time competing in the Crowdleader division at Nationals so we are excited about that,” explained Castillo.
Varsity Novice Song Pom is in the dance division. This style emphasizes dance technique, strong arm movement and captivating choreography all within a two minute and thirty second time frame. The Crowdleader division is an enhanced version of the traditional sideline cheering seen at football games. This style includes high energy cheers, chants and stunts drawing in the attention of this crowd in a four-minute routine.
Castillo, along with assistant coaches Brianna and Kira, are looking forward to seeing the team’s hard work and talent shine through on the stage. A lot of admiration is expressed for the young athletes by their head coach as she shared, “It takes a huge amount of time and commitment to be both sideline and competition teams. We are proud of the teams’ accomplishments made thus far and look forward to seeing them compete against other teams from across the West Coast.”
Washington High School hosts Mission Valley Athletic League Wrestling Championships
By Vidyuth Sridhar
Concluding the 2024 season, the Mission Valley Athletic League (MVAL) Wrestling Championships were held on Saturday, February 10, at Washington High School in Fremont.
With Washington being selected to host the event, many preparations were made behind-the-scenes. “The challenges were coordinating [facility use] with the other sports that also practice here, and making sure we had enough volunteers. Thankfully, we had a lot of parents and wrestlers from other schools helping the event run smoothly,” Washington High School assistant coach Eli Johnson said.
The championships kicked off at 7 a.m. with competitor weigh-ins, before commencing the first match at 9 a.m. Athletes were organized into a competition bracket based on their sex, weight-class, and whether they were in Junior Varsity or Varsity. Contenders battled amidst a raucous crowd of spectators, coaches, and fellow wrestlers across Washington Main Gym’s three mats.
Though the event featured seven schools and more than 50 respective wrestlers, several star athletes emerged victorious in their respective class brackets, delighting fellow teammates and onlookers. In the Boys’ Varsity 152-pound weight-class finals, Washington wrestler Jacob Barajas faced off against James Logan High School’s (Union City) Abdul Quraishi, grappling back and forth in a gritty matchup that entranced many crowd members. Barajas eventually prevailed 9-3, causing Washington supporters to erupt in cheer. “Heading into the match, I knew [Quraishi] was a good wrestler; I’d wrestled him before – the first time he beat me and the second time I beat him. I just tried to clear my head, and work my moves,” Barajas reflected.
In the Girls’ Varsity 172-pound finals, Newark Memorial High School (Newark) wrestler Thalia Hernandez’s performance drew deafening applause from the audience, echoing throughout the gym. Hernandez, who returned from injury in her first season contest, deftly pinned her opponent, John F. Kennedy High School’s (Fremont) Kira Bjornson to submission. “I was a bit scared … since it’s been a while since I’ve actually wrestled that much. [But] when the time came, you just had to lock in, and I locked in,” Hernandez revealed after the match.
In addition to competing for a title, many wrestlers took the opportunity to bond with teammates and improve their skills. Bouts of practice fights, coaching instruction, encouraging conversations, and team meetings occurred in the background throughout the day. “Since it’s a full-contact sport, we really missed it [during the pandemic]. It’s good to have everyone back and interested in the sport,” Johnson said.
For athletes selected by MVAL or who have been accepted as “at-large” nominated entries, their postseason continues at the North Coast Section (NCS) Championships on February 16 and 17. The NCS Boys Championships will be held at James Logan, whilst the NCS Girls Championships will occur at Albany High School (Albany).
Honor Roll
University of Hartford
Fall 2023 President’s List
- Genevieve Medina of Union City
Seton Hall University
Fall 2023 Dean’s List
- Leo Chu of Castro Valley
Linfield University
Fall 2023 Dean’s List
- Cecilia Saenz of Hayward
University at Buffalo
Fall 2023 Dean’s List
- Jiani Dong of Milpitas
- Jiaqi Wei of Union City
Georgia Tech
Fall 2023 Dean’s List
- Yulun Hsiao of Fremont
Georgia Tech
Faculty Honors for Fall 2023 (4.0 gpa)
- Sashank Batchu of Fremont
- Ansh Gupta of Fremont
- Marwan Hassan of Fremont
- Jenny Hou of Fremont
- Leo Jiang of Fremont
- Gerald Lu of Fremont
- Vivek Vijaykumar of Fremont
Georgia Tech
Fall 2023 Graduates
- Juan Balaguera of Newark
- Swapnaja Budihal of Fremont
- Deborah Chang of Fremont
- Gladies Chang of Newark
- Allen Chen of Newark
- Kun Chiang of Milpitas
- Aish Dahal of Fremont
- Keerthana Dronamraju of Milpitas
- Yiran Duan of Newark
- TianQi Fu of Fremont
- Chayan Jagsukh of Fremont
- Love Kumar of Milpitas
- Huanchen Li of Hayward
- Yu Lin of Fremont
- Sudipto Lodh of Fremont
- Krithika Mayilvaganan of Fremont
- Krishna Mehta of Fremont
- Madhu Mudigonda of Milpitas
- Joshua Ngotiaoco of Fremont
- Maohua Pan of Milpitas
- Ray Sethi of Fremont
- Lynn Shao of Fremont
- Jennifer Su of Fremont
- Niharika Tiwari of Fremont
- Kevin Tran of Fremont
- Adithya Vasudev of Fremont
- Vivek Vijaykumar of Fremont
- Rishabh Wason of Fremont
Fremont Receives First-Ever Platinum Designation for Advancing Solar Energy
Submitted by City of Fremont and SolSmart
The SolSmart program, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has announced that Fremont is the first-ever recipient of the SolSmart Platinum designation. This designation recognizes Fremont for outstanding leadership at the local level, including a strong focus on the just and equitable deployment of solar energy. The SolSmart program offers no-cost technical assistance to help local governments adopt nationally recognized best practices that advance solar market growth. Over 500 cities, towns, counties, and regional organizations-home to over one third of U.S. residents-have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016.
Fremont is the program’s first-ever Platinum designee, a new level of SolSmart designation that recognizes high-impact local achievements to advance solar energy use and make this clean energy resource more widely accessible. Fremont originally earned SolSmart Gold designation in 2016 and has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. “DOE would like to congratulate the city of Fremont on being the first-ever SolSmart platinum designee and commend the city for prioritizing clean energy for its residents, including automated permitting with the adoption of SolarAPP+,” said Dr. Becca Jones-Albertus, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy at the U.S. DOE. “DOE encourages cities throughout the United States to take advantage of the assistance SolSmart provides to enable American homes and businesses to better access affordable and clean solar energy.”
“Fremont’s achievement of the SolSmart Platinum designation marks a significant milestone in our commitment to a sustainable and clean energy future,” said Fremont Mayor Lily Mei. “By actively promoting the adoption of renewable energy and streamlining the solar permitting process, we are empowering our community to reduce our community-wide greenhouse gas emissions and advancing our vision towards a climate ready Fremont. This remarkable designation is a credit not only to our dedicated city staff but also to the unwavering commitment and active participation of our incredible community. Together, we stand proud of this extraordinary achievement, which showcases the collective effort and shared vision of a brighter, greener future for all.”
In order to achieve SolSmart Platinum designation, the City of Fremont:
- Adopted instant permitting through the SolarAPP+ program
- Posted public metrics and numerous online resources for residents interested in adding solar to their homes
- Installed solar PV on multiple city-owned properties
- And undertook community partnerships to equitably expand solar in the city by leveraging funds from foundations and state government. That included partnerships with affordable housing developers, and groups such as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley.
These initiatives set Fremont apart in the extent to which it has adopted nationally-recognized best practices to accelerate deployment of solar energy, and provide an example for other communities to follow. SolSmart designees can be found in 43 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Any city, town, county, or regional organization is eligible to join the program and work toward Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum designation. Interested communities can learn more at SolSmart.org.
Tesla ordered to pay $1.5 million over alleged hazardous waste violations in California
Associated Press
STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) — A California judge on Friday February 2 ordered Tesla Inc. to pay $1.5 million as part of a settlement of a civil case alleging the company mishandled hazardous waste at its car service centers, energy centers and a factory, multiple county district attorneys announced.
The complaint filed in San Joaquin County alleged illegal disposal of hazardous waste and violation of laws involving storage and management of the waste, according to statements from several of 25 district attorneys’ offices in California involved in the case.
Tesla did not immediately respond to an Associated Press email seeking comment. The district attorneys' statements said Tesla cooperated with the investigation and acted to improve compliance with laws that were brought to its attention by the prosecutors.
“Electric vehicles play a role in environmental betterment, yet it’s imperative to recognize that their production and maintenance yield detrimental waste,” said San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas.
Tesla owns and operates approximately 57 car service centers and 18 solar energy facilities in California, and manufactures electric vehicles in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Fremont.
The settlement includes $1.3 million in civil penalties, $200,000 to cover costs of the investigation, training of employees and third-party waste audits.
Continuing Events:
Tuesdays
East Bay Games Meet
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
German/Euro style board games and card games.
Swiss Park
5911 Mowry Ave., Newark
(510) 936-2523
meetup.com/east-bay-games
Tuesdays, January 23 – May 28
LEGO® Time
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Use your imagination and engineering skills to create your own LEGO® designs.
Centerville library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
Drop-in. For everyone.
Tuesdays, January 23 – March 26
Music and Storytime
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for stories, music, and movement.
Cherryland Community Center
278 Hampton Road, Hayward
(510) 626-8522
For babies, toddlers, kids, and preschoolers.
Tuesdays, January 23 – March 26
Comfort & Joy Ukulele R
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
A group of ukulele players practice familiar songs as well as learning new songs.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Tuesdays, January 23 – March 26
East Indian Seniors R
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Anyone who is retired and of Indian origin or interested in Indian culture is welcome to join us.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the month
Wednesdays, January 10 – March 27
Folk Dancing Social R
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Join together in the spirit of dancing and savor music from all over the world.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Wednesdays, January 10 – March 13
Book Club AWC R
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
The book club meets for stimulating discussions.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
Second and fourth Wednesdays of the month
Thursdays, January 4 – March 28
International Folk Dancing R$
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 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
Thursday, Jan 25 – Saturday, Mar 16
Children’s Book Illustrator show & API Exhibition
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sun Gallery
1015 E. St., Hayward
(510) 581-4050
Friday – Saturday, through April 27
‘Birds! Birds! Birds!’ exhibition
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Exhibit celebrates beauty and diversity of birdlife
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward
(510) 670-7270
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 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
Saturdays
Teen Cohort for Outdoor Education R$
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
We can explore local parks and learn about nature, environmental stewardship, and careers in recreation
Ashland Community Center
1530 167th Avenue, San Leandro
Noel Munivez (510) 317-2303
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
info@indiacc.org, info@samarpanmeditationusa.org
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, February 18 – April 14
Inspire Art Exhibit at Dove Gallery
12 noon – 3 p.m.
Dove Gallery
Park Victoria Church
875 S. Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas
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 and Thursdays
Food Garden Volunteer
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learning from experienced gardeners.
LEAF CR Stone Garden
55 Mowry Ave., Fremont
volunteer@fremontleaf.org
Volunteer agreement form is required.
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, February 1-February 29
We Are Unstoppable
12 noon – 6:00 pm
Showcase the great achievements of African-Americans, past and present.
Black History Museum & Learning Center
890 Jefferson Ave., Redwood City
(650) 921-4191
www.hoskinsblackhistorymuseum.org
Monday, February 5 – February 26
Movies at the Morrisson
7 p.m.
Douglas Morrison Theatre
22311 North 3rd St., Hayward
(510) 881-6700
https://douglasmorrissontheatre.thundertix.com/
Cost: $10
Wednesday, February 14
Valentine’s Day Celebration
12 p.m. – Special Lunch
12:30 p.m. – Singing Performance by Jimmy Shao
Enjoy a special meal and a dynamic performance by Jimmy Shao. Please dress in red and white to commemorate the sweetest day of the year.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont
(510) 790-6600
Wednesday, February 14
An Evening of Romance: The Billie Holiday Project
7:30 pm
Spend the evening listening to the timeless music of Billie Holiday
Douglas Morrisson Theatre
22311 N. Third St., Hayward
(510) 881-6700
Thursday, February 15
Cover to Cover Book Discussion Group
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Do you enjoy reading across genres? Like sharing your thoughts on the book? Enjoy hearing others' perspectives? Informal and lively discussion.
Newark Library
37055 Newark Blvd., Newark
(510) 284-0675
Thursday, February 15
The Tales of Tenali Rama
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Sujatha Balakrishnan from Bangalore Little Theatre present “The Tales of Tenail Rama” for elementary children and their parents or guardians
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1400
Thursday, February 15
Identity: An Artistic Celebration of Self & Diversity
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
MEGA & BASU present an art show celebrating the diverse identities of Mt. Eden’s students and staff. Work on display through March 6th.
Mt. Eden Gallery
Room L4
2300 Panama St., Hayward
(510) 723-3180
Friday, February 16 – Sunday, February 18
Tet Festival
Fri: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Sat & Sun: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Eastridge Mall, San Jose
(408) 646-9211
ustarproductions2012@gmail.com
www.eventbrite.com
Admission and parking: Free
Friday, February 16
Jewelry Making
4:00 pm -5:00pm
Join us to design and create a pair of earrings! All supplies will be provided.
Irvington Library
41825 Greenpark Dr., Fremont
(510) 795-2631
Friday, February 16
AWC Crab Feed Dinner – Dine-in/Four/Two /One Pack $R
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
bit.ly/awclecf2024
Saturday, February 17
The Art of Hip Hop
3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Works from local artists across a variety of media, featuring elements of Hip Hop culture
Studio 11
34626 11 St., Union City
(510) 675-5445
www.unioncity.org/589/Arts-Culture-Studio-11
Saturday, February 17
Read to a Dog
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Read to Bentley the trained therapy dog. Bring your favorite book to read to Bentley, or choose one at the library the day of.
Centerville Library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
510-795-2629
Saturday, February 17
Hello from Japan!
New Multimedia Exhibition Presents Contemporary and Ancient Traditions. Experience present-day Tokyo and explore ancient and contemporary traditions of Japanese culture.
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
180 Woz Way, San Jose
www.cdm.0rg
Saturday, February 17
Chinese Zodiac Crafts
Learn the story of the Chinese zodiac and what each animal symbolizes, then join us for a fun craft to take home.
Ardenwood Farms
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
Sunday, February 18
Inspire Art Exhibit Grand Opening
12 noon – 3 p.m.
Dove Gallery
Park Victoria Church
875 S. Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas
Sunday, February 18
Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America Screening
2 pm – 4 pm
The documentary draws a stark timeline of anti-black racism in the United States
No advance registration required.
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
Monday, Feb 19 and Tuesday, Feb 20
Auditions for Chanticleers’ Just My Type
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Callbacks: Feb 22
Rehearsals Begin Mar 12
Performances: May 3 – 26, (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Chanticleers Theater
3683 Quail Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 733-5483
https://chanticleers.org/
Tuesday, February 20
Smart Social Security Planning for a Secure Financial Future
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Optimizing your Social Security benefits with a seasoned Registered Social Security
Analyst.
Fremont Main Library
Fukaya Room A
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 936-1318
Registration Link: tiny.cc/RSSA-registration022024
Saturday, February 24
African Americans in the Arts
10:30 a.m.
Downtown Hayward Library
888 C St., Hayward
(510) 581-0223
Saturday, February 24
The Art of Neighboring forum
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Us Together Center
3755 Washington Blvd., Fremont
(530) 478-1970
www.cohousing-solutions.com/artofneighboring
Saturday, March 2
Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: Responding to Gun Violence
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Niles Discovery Church
36600 Niles Blvd., Fremont
https://lwvfnucmembership.clubexpress.com/
Open to the Public and Free of Charge
Wednesday, March 6
Coffee with a Cop
11 a.m. – 12 noon
Starbucks Coffee
3950 Mowry Ave, Fremont