02-14-23 Articles

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Local Food Truck Does Community Outreach

By Charlene Dizon

Photos Courtesy of 5SikhSeva

 

At the height of the pandemic, two Bay Area Sikh families decided to create 5SikhSeva, a non-profit organization whose sole purpose was to provide free meals to first responders via a food truck. Since then, 5SikhSeva has served over 20,000 meals in various communities and remains steadfast in continuing its journey of assisting those facing food insecurity.

 

5SikhSeva was catapulted into motion when Madan family founders and CEO Manmeet Singh had a conversation in 2020 with first responders at Washington Hospital. The first responders revealed that heading out for lunchtime was not a simple task. Staff had to follow a specific safety protocol–changing out of scrubs and personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizing, and putting it all back on upon their return–that took well over an hour. 5SikhSeva member Kamal Anandpuri states, “Because we wanted to help the hospital staff, we decided to get a food truck that would be on site and provide free meals. This way, they would not have to travel as far and undergo that hour-long process.”

 

Thus began 5SikhSeva’s visits to Washington Hospital and eventually Kaiser Hospital. Expert chef Rajinder Singh was selected to drive the food truck out and cook fresh, hot meals. Soon enough, the team began preparing to expand its services. More members were onboarded, including Kamal Anandpuri, Jaskaran Hothi, and Prabhneet Singh. After various logistical details were established, 5SikhSeva officially registered itself in February 2021 as a California non-profit charity.

 

The organization’s name connects to Sikhism. Anandpuri explains, “The ‘5’ represents the five rivers of Punjab and ‘seva’ means to selflessly serve. It ties back to our heritage in Sikhism, where the first Sikh Guru emphasized the importance of feeding others and treating everyone equally. We follow and practice these teachings.”

 

With this in mind, 5SikhSeva volunteers are hands-on in ensuring nutritious vegetarian meals are served. The options offered are diverse, consisting of burgers, burritos, pasta, rice, and beans. The menu is seasonal and changes depending on availability of local produce. The organization visits not only local hospitals but homeless and women’s shelters, schools, and special city events upon request.

 

The Family Resource Center has been a particularly beneficial collaboration. Anandpuri says, “The center is a great place with resources focused on family outreach that align with our values. We engage with them whenever they have events or conferences.” 5SikhSeva provides three hundred meals at these events, along with passing out free produce and groceries, from canned goods to sealed beverages. Uniting with other like-minded organizations has been a wonderful avenue for spreading awareness and increasing accessibility to the community. 5SikhSeva hopes to participate in more events focused on assisting those facing food insecurity, as Kamal adds, “Please reach out to us for collaboration with any local events occurring in the community that can benefit from our services.”

 

The operations of 5SikhSeva have largely been maintained thanks to the help of investors as well as donations. “Our investors and founders have had the heart to fund our non-profit for two years now and not once have they hesitated. They are fully committed to our goal to help feed the hungry,” Anandpuri states. Donations are just as encouraged and appreciated. 5SikhSeva accepts a variety of foods, from canned goods to produce to grains. Online donations may also be made. These funds and provisions go directly toward the meals and supplies offered to the community.

 

Starting a non-profit has been a heartwarming experience for 5SikhSeva. Many families and individuals experience food insecurity daily. “The Fremont community is supportive and generous with what we do, and we truly appreciate that,” Anandpuri shares. “To see the smiles on people’s faces is all the proof we need that our services are beneficial.” With 5SikhSeva’s dedicated and passionate team, many communities have the opportunity to prosper and persevere.

 

 

For more information about 5SikhSeva, please visit 5sikhseva.org.

Donations are accepted at 5sikhseva.org/donation/.

For questions, please contact do****@5s*******.org.

 

 

 

NorCal Reptile Expo

Submitted by Alameda County Fairgrounds

Photos courtesy of NorCal Reptile Expo

 

On February 18 – 19, the “NorCal Reptile Expo” returns to Alameda County Fairgrounds for two days of family-friendly fun. Formerly known as the Bay Area Reptile Expo, this event brings a unique variety of vendors including specialized breeders, wholesale supplies, cages, plus amazing animal displays and activities for children.

 

In addition to snakes, geckos, and chameleons, the 40+ vendors will feature bugs, plants, terrariums and vivariums, and paleo art. Note: Some vendors may be CARD ONLY while others take cash; please come prepared.

 

 

NorCal Reptile Expo

Saturday, Feb 18 – Sunday, Feb 19

Sat: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sun: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Alameda County Fairgrounds

Enter Gate 8 off Valley Ave., Pleasanton

alamedacountyfair.com

norcalreptileexpo.com

Tickets: $15 adults, $7 children ages 6-12

Parking: $15 – Credit Card Only

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day: origin, history, and celebration

By Dhoha Bareche

 

Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 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 Valen
tine, 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!

 

 

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/

 

 

 

AlgoSTEM: Nurturing students worldwide

By Priyanka Shah

 

Although AlgoSTEM has now grown to be a non-profit enriching students worldwide, it began as a small initiative from two students. Akshaj Gupta and his sister Arushi began their tutoring efforts in March of 2020, not knowing how large their outreach would become. An idea sparked in them when students weren’t able to access the adequate resources for distance learning. Additionally, many classes were canceled due to the vast change in learning environments.

 

The siblings were driven to alleviate learning challenges that students were facing, and decided to create a YouTube channel called Algorythm. Their videos were aimed at helping students, and even experts, learn more about STEM subjects. Previous STEM experience helps the Guptas provide guidance: Akshaj qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam and receive a Mathematical Association of America distinction award, while Arushi has research experience in machine learning and competed in the USA Computing Olympiad Gold Division. But they didn’t know the success and reach that their YouTube channel would gain. “Our channel grew rapidly and hit 1000 subscribers within a few months, and we realized how big of an impact our tutoring services could have on the world,” Akshaj said.

 

As their YouTube channel began to grow and gain a wider reach, the siblings began publishing their courses and lessons on Udemy, a company that serves as a platform for virtual learning and teaching. “These courses focus more on teaching specific algorithms and techniques rather than just problem-solving. We also expanded our content to include biology, physics, math, computer science, and more,” Gupta explained.

 

With thousands of students nationwide viewing AlgoSTEM’s courses and tutoring sessions, they were finally established as a non-profit organization. Who knew that a small project dedicated to their school during quarantine would mature into a major non-profit organization, educating and enriching students throughout the world? It was hard for the Guptas to believe as well, and although their mission was fulfilled, they had many more ideas in the works. Currently, AlgoSTEM has 58,000 students on Udemy from more than 180 countries and more than 1,400 subscribers on YouTube. They have also coached more than 400 students in their virtual classes.

 

There are many unique skills that students gain from attending courses and camps hosted by AlgoSTEM. For example, several courses are inclusive of people from all age groups. Courses like “Mastering Coding Interviews & Competitions” and “Python for Beginners” teach students about basic syntax, data structures, various functions, and other techniques.

 

On April 4th, AlgoSTEM is hosting “The AlgoSTEM Mind of Gold Tournament,” a math tournament created for under-resourced schools to immerse their students in STEM subjects, specifically math. This is a twenty-five-minute test, consisting of twelve math questions, that will be given to students during their lunch period. Students can participate in the tournament through the sign-up form on AlgoSTEM’s website. There are further instructions on the website, but if students want to participate, they can inform their school’s math club or a faculty member, who will then register for the student.

 

The Guptas plan to continue in their efforts with AlgoSTEM throughout college and hope to organize future events and activities to enrich the education of students from all around the world. This is only the beginning of AlgoSTEM’s impact on education as they still have much to offer for the future.

 

 

AlgoSTEM

www.algostem.o
rg

 

 

 

Exotic Bird Mart and Expo returns

Submitted by Exotic Bird Mart & Expo

Photos courtesy of Exotic Bird Mart & Expo website

 

Experience a market like no other and socialize with hundreds of bird enthusiasts! The “Exotic Bird Mart and Expo” aims to create a fresh and unique experience for long time pet lovers, while attracting the new interest of clientele through education, shopping, and fun. Shop hundreds of accessories, get educated, and make friends.

 

We are dedicated to encouraging conservation, education, and research on avian behavior. Birds presented at our shows are companion pet birds. Our vendors consist of pet/bird store owners, bird product manufacturers, veterinarians, aviculturists, and more.

 

Tickets are sold only at the door.

 

 

Exotic Bird Mart & Expo

Sunday, Feb 19

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Alameda County Fairgrounds

Gate 8 off Valley Ave., Pleasanton

http://www.exoticbirdmart.com/

Welcome To The Alameda County Fairgrounds

Tickets: $10 (ages 1+)

Parking: $10

 

 

 

It Starts with One: Beat the Bystander Effect

By Jessica Kim

 

You are on the bus with your headphones on, ready to wind down after a long day at work, when you see a passenger verbally harassing a woman wearing a hijab. Would you know what to do?

 

It is easy to feel powerless amidst the ever-growing number of hate crime reports, but on Sunday, February 5, the Tri-City Interfaith Council invited Usman Alloo from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) to provide Bystander Intervention Training designed to teach principles of nonviolence and de-escalation techniques. Hoping to empower the public to overcome their hesitations and step up when necessary, Alloo outlined three values one must consider when approaching a sensitive situation.

 

Safety: De-escalation is the safest way of responding, but one must be conscious of how intervening may affect the safety of the various persons involved.

 

Support: One should ask the targeted person if they want help. The goal is to shift the attention to the targeted person by ignoring the attacker.

 

Solidarity: Nonviolence is the most courageous way to respond. At the same time, it is crucial to recognize that one is supporting the targeted person in solidarity — not as a savior. As Alloo highlighted, “We are not calling the targeted person the victim because we want them to retain agency in the situation.”

 

Understanding these values, what should one do when witnessing Islamophobic harassment?

 

1. Assess the situation: Once evaluating the circumstance, from the placement of exit routes to the body language of the aggressor, one should also do what Alloo described as “a mental health check-in with yourself. Am I ready to step in? Am I emotionally and mentally prepared to step in?”

 

2. Beat the bystander effect: Get others involved and proactively give directions on how to intervene.

 

3. Intervene calmly: Introduce yourself to the target and quietly explain you noticed what was happening and would like to support them.

 

4. Ignore the attacker: Even if the instigator escalates verbally, focus on the targeted person, whether it is by complimenting their outfit or talking about the weather.

 

5. Support the targeted person: Once the attacker leaves, stay with the targeted person and help them arrive at their destination.

 

While Alloo charted the general steps of intervening as a bystander, he also recognized how different scenarios prompt varying intervention techniques. For instance, Alloo referenced an incident where recording a harasser provoking a Black family at a picnic de-escalated the situation, suggesting social media can be a helpful tool. And when asked the age-old question, “When should I call the police?” he emphasized that it depends on a multitude of factors. Immediately calling the police risks escalation, but waiting until a situation becomes violent can have devastating consequences.

 

As a culmination of the program, Alloo presented scenarios from a customer stopping a transgender woman heading into a bathroom to a man harassing a Sikh man for wearing a turban. Although there is no perfect step-by-step guide on bystander intervention, it starts with one to beat the bystander effect. By embodying the values of nonviolence and de-escalation, practicing these real-life applications, and following one’s discretion, the public can work together to create a safer community environment.

 

 

 

Mission Peak Village members meet the neighbors

Submitted by Evelyn LaTorre and Jane Mueller

 

Cohousing is all about neighborliness, so it follows that Mission Peak Village, which will be the first cohousing community built in Fremont, is reaching out early to its future neighbors.

 

Recently, the group mailed letters to owners and residents in the immediate area around the future site on High Street in the Irvington District. In the letters, they introduced themselves as the people who will eventually live in the condominiums they will be building. They described the plans that are being submitted to the City of Fremont. Neighbors who live close by on High Street and Lincoln Street also received the offer to have Mission Peak Village members stop by in person on February 18 with renderings of the designs they are submitting. Members will answer whatever questions their future neighbors might have.

 

“I have been wondering what will be happening on the property,” says Indy, one of the High Street neighbors. “I’m glad they will be sharing the inside track on information with us.”

 

Interest in the cohousing concept has been growing, especially in areas where demand for housing falls short of supply. As the Monitor, a publication of the League of Women Voters of the Bay Area, points out: “The Bay Area housing affordability crisis is changing single-family home ownership as residents explore variations on
the dream, turning to creative solutions like cohousing that offer community and cost-of-living advantages.”

 

Cohousing—or collaborative housing— is a design in which people live in private residences and benefit from shared spaces like workshops, gardens, and a common house with a large kitchen and dining area for parties and occasional shared meals. The design emphasizes settings where people can interact casually or intentionally and get to know each other. Especially in the wake of pandemic isolation, the sense of community has become a valued attribute. PatZy Boomer, an eight-year resident of Mountain View Cohousing, says she would have been miserable trying to survive COVID in her previous house, where she and her husband knew none of the neighbors. She considered it a blessing to be able to step outside her door in her current neighborhood, appropriately distanced, and work alongside her neighbors in the garden.

 

“When we go knocking on doors on February 18, we will already be familiar faces to some,” remarks Caroline Harris, who will be moving to Mission Peak Village from her present home just three blocks away. “Maybe we will find a few more families who want to join us.”

 

 

This article is part of an ongoing series on cohousing. To learn more on the topic of cohousing, visit www.cohousing.org.

 

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

 

 

 

Age Well Center holds annual crab feed

From Patch.com

 

In 2023, the always-popular “Crab Feed” provides the best of both worlds in 2023, consisting of a drive-thru AND dine-in event. Funds from this event benefit the Age Well Center’s affordable meal program. This is the only major fundraiser of the year! Both the drive-thru and dine-in crab feed will take place at the Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth on Friday, February 17.

 

For those who enjoyed eating the crab at home last year with whom they choose, the drive-thru meal pick-up time will be 12 noon – 1 p.m. One-and-a-half pounds of succulent crab with all the fixings will be provided.

 

Likewise, for those who enjoy being around the energy of others, purchasing adult beverages and trying their luck at our raffles, doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The crab dinner will be all-you-can-eat, like in years past. No outside alcohol is allowed, but we will have adult beverages for sale at the dine-in event.

 

Each crab dinner is $75. To purchase your meal, go to the Age Well Centers page on Fremont.gov, stop by the center between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, call (510) 790-6600 or email ag************@fr*****.gov. Credit cards only.

 

 

16th Crab Feed

Friday, Feb. 17

 

Drive-Thru Pickup

12 noon – 1 p.m.

 

Dine-In

Doors open 5:30 p.m.

Dinner 6 p.m.

 

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont

https://www.fremont.gov/government/departments/human-services/age-well-centers

Meals: $75

 

 

 

19th Annual Preschool and Enrichment Fair

Presented by FUN Mothers’ Club

 

The Preschool and Enrichment Fair (PSEF) is a Tri-City-wide event that brings together various schools and extracurricular programs designed for children ages six months through 12 years. All under one roof, this is a unique opportunity to research what options are available for your child for preschool and beyond in the Tri-City area.

 

Admission is free for both club members and the public. Bring your friends!

 

 

Preschool and Enrichment Fair

Saturday, Feb 25

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Centerville Presbyterian Church

4360 Central Ave, Fremont

Admission is free

 

 

 

Higher energy costs impacting many utilities customers

Submitted by PG&E

 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) officials know that higher energy costs this winter has been a challenge for many of its customers and is sharing why bills are higher and how the company is supporting its customers.

 

The increased cost of natural gas on the West Coast and colder-than-normal temperatures have caused a spike in energy bills. Gas price increases this winter have been driven by higher demand and tighter supplies in California, Oregon and Washington, as customers use more natural gas for heating during colder temperatures. Power plants are also using more natural gas to meet electricity demand. More cold and dry weather is expected this week with daytime highs forecast below normal and chilly overnight lows in PG&E’s service area.

 

Like other utility companies, PG&E does not control the market prices it pays for gas and electricity nor does PG&E mark up the cost of the energy it purchases on behalf of its customers.

 

As of January 25, PG&E projects that residential combined-use gas and electricity bills will be about 32% higher from November to March, compared to the same months last winter. Bills for individual customers vary based on factors including how much energy they use. However, if gas prices fall and weather warms, bill impacts could be less severe.

 

Why natural gas prices are up

Natural gas prices change daily and have been much higher on the West Coast than the rest of the country since November. Between January 19 and 25, California’s average daily prices were five times higher than the U.S. benchmark prices and those in New York and Chicago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

 

Colder temperatures in the West have caused customers to turn up the thermostat and use more energy. PG&E customers have used more natural gas this winter than the past five-year historic average, with November usage 20% higher, December 10% higher, and January to date about 3% higher.

 

Bill relief from California Climate Credit

PG&E is actively engaging with federal and state regulators, policymakers, and lawmakers on ways to provide bill relief. On February 2, the California Public Utilities Commission authorized an earlier distribution of California Climate Credits to residential customers impacted by recent increases in natural gas prices. Part of the state’s efforts to fight climate change, the credit is administered by PG&E and other California utilities. Residential customers who receive both gas and electric services from PG&E would receive a total bill credit of $91.17.

 

Separately, more than 300,000 customers who experienced financial hardships during the pandemic were to receive an automatic one-time bill credit before Feb. 3 under the California Arrearage Payment Program. Customers don’t need to apply for the credit and amounts will vary.

 

Meanwhile, here are three tools that customers can use now to manage winter bills:

 

• Keep bills predictable. Level out monthly payments and offset high seasonal bills with Budget Billing, a free tool that averages your annual energy costs to help manage monthly bills.
• Flexible payment arrangements. Extend your bill due date or make a payment arrangement. Access your online account for details.
• Customers may also qualify for financial assistance programs including the LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally-funded assistance program overseen by the state that offers one-time residential utility bill payment.

 

Here are three ways customers can lower energy use to save money:

 

• Dial down your thermostat. You can save about 2% of your heating bill for each degree that you lower the thermostat (if the turndown lasts a good part of the day or night). Turning down from 70 to 65 degrees, for example, saves about 10%.
• Lower your water heater temperature. By setting your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit you can reduce the amount of energy it takes to produce and maintain hot water
• Keep areas around vents open. Furniture and carpet can block heating vents, which makes heating systems work harder and prevents rooms from heating quickly.

 

 

 

Investigating Space: Our Big, Bright, Universe

Submitted by Chabot Space and Science Center

 

How do space telescopes see more than what meets the eye? Scientists measure the light of the electromagnetic spectrum as radio waves, ultraviolet, infrared, gamma rays, microwave, visible and x-ray. Join the expanded “Investigating Space” program on February 19 for a constellation of demos, hands-on activities, workshops, films and talks that will demonstrate each of these unseen phenomena.

 

Light Lab

10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. (Theater)

In this lab, uncover the nature of light to understand what light is, where it comes from, and how the electromagnetic spectrum can reveal the invisible universe.

 

Beyond the Violet

With Ron Hipschman

11:30 a.m. (Theater)

When you make light waves shorter than violet, we can no longer perceive them with our eyes. Ultraviolet waves can still cause things to glow, and can still burn you.

 

Seeing Stars: Using Visible Light to Study the Cosmos

With Gerald McKeegan

12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. (Nellie Telescope, Observation Deck)

How do astronomers use visible light to study planets, stars, clouds in space, and galaxies?  Learn about spectroscopy, absorption lines, and redshift. See how astronomers form beautiful Astro photos.

 

First Results from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope

With Alex Filippenko

1 p.m. (Theater)

The 21-foot diameter James Webb Space Telescope was launched in December 2021, and in July 2022 the first images were released. So far, the results from this telescope, which is sensitive to heat radiation, have been spectacular!

 

The Milky Way in X-rays

With Ben Coughenour

3 p.m. (Studio 3)

There are nearly 100 million black holes in the Milky Way Galaxy. We typically only see black holes when they’re eating – material falling in heats up to millions of degrees and shines in X-rays! To study them, we rely on satellite X-ray telescopes in orbit.

 

Gamma rays

With Wenbin Lu

3:30 p.m. (Theater)

Gamma rays from the universe are blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere. Dr. Lu will discuss the many secret ways GRBs affect human life — prehistoric extinction events, nutrition, nuclear weapons, batteries, noble metals, clocks, and more.

 

ACTIVITIES, WORKSHOPS, AND DEMOS

 

The Microwave Secrets of Our Universe, Young and Old

With Anton Baleato Lizancos

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Studio 3)

See the Universe through the eyes of a microwave telescope with these immersive visualizations of real data from the ESA Planck space observatory.

 

Space in Your Face! presents RADIO WAVES!

With Julie DeMarines and Howard Isaacson

11 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. (Lab 2)

Join Julia DeMarines and Howard Isaacson to explore radio waves, radio telescopes, and what the universe looks like in radio light. Bring something that transmits radio waves (garage door opener, car key fob, or walkie-talkie) to add to our live demonstration.

 

What’s in a rainbow? Exploring optics and astronomical imaging

With Sophia Risin

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Studio 3)

Join Sophia Risin, astrophysics undergraduate at UC Berkeley, to build your own telescope or spectrograph and learn about how astronomers build telescopes to see into the distant cosmos.

 

Peeking Inside a Microwave Oven

With Zeke Kossover

1:30 p.m. (Studio 3)

Ever wondered how microwave ovens cook food? Join us for some experiments in our trusty microwave oven that will help us separate fact from fiction.

 

With Galaxy Explorers student volunteers

 

Uncovering Color

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Studio 2)

Enter a room where a special light bulb has removed all the colors. Learn about how this Low-Pressure Sodium vapor lamp emits visible electromagnetic radiation in a very narrow band of the spectrum, about 589nm (one nanometer = one billionth of a meter), making your eyes perceive grayscale.

 

Spectra Cart

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Studio 2)

What are rainbows? How do astronomers identify distant gases? The answer is spectra! Look at different light sources with a special tool to split their light into different colors.

 

Build a Spectroscope

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Studio 2)

Build your spectroscope! Learn how diffraction grating divides light into its component colors.

 

Solar Viewer

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Observation Deck)

It’s dangerous to look directly at the sun unless you have the right technology! Different materials block different amounts and kinds of light.

 

 

Investigating Space: Our Big, Bright, Universe

Saturday, Feb 18

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland

(510) 336-7300

Home Page

Free with admission

 

 

 

Visit Old Mission San Jose for President’s Day

Submitted by Gary Dorighi

 

Old Mission San José will be open President’s Day, Monday, February 20.

 

Your kids are out of school for the holiday and you are off work. Why not bring them to the Mission? Get all the information they need to complete their school project, or simply take an interesting tour. Our Museum and Gift Shop will be open the entire President’s Weekend, February 18, 19, and 20 for your convenience.

 

Remember, February is Student Mission Model Month, and we have the best Mission San José models on display to help you visualize your school project. And Our Mission San José 4th Grade Packet has everything you need for your assignment: The Story of Mission San José booklet, five color postcards, Mission Church guide sheet, and welcome brochure. The packet is available in the Gift Shop or online. We also have educational material for all the California Missions.

 

While you’re here, take a self-guided tour that explores the Mission Museum, Church, and historic cemetery, concluding in our beautiful garden. Mission San José, 14th of the 21 California Missions, has been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and the California State Historic Landmarks Commission. The history is explained in our 18-minute educational video.

 

The museum was formerly the living quarters or Convento for the padres. Constructed in 1809, it is the oldest standing adobe building in Alameda County and displays historical treasures from the pre-Columbian era, Mission era, and Rancho period. Many consider the beautifully reconstructed 1809 Church to be the highlight of their visit, and it includes many original artifacts. You can follow our handy guide sheet to identify its many treasures. A walk through the historic cemetery reminds us of prominent early settlers such as Livermore, Bernal, and Alviso. And the Garden contains plants primarily from the Mission period including 200-year-old olive trees.

 

 

Old Mission San Jose President’s Day hours

Monday, Feb 20

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Old Mission San Jose

43300 Mission Blvd., Fremont

(510) 657-1797

https://missionsanjose.org

 

 

 

Yes, there are dogs in the library!

By Staff

 

The hardworking dogs of Ohlone Humane Society’s (OHS) pet therapy program are known for providing moral support for hospital patients and staff. But they don’t stop there! At the Read-to-a-Dog program, kids get the chance to practice their reading skills to a friendly and non-judgmental furry audience.

 

According to the website for Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program, “Children who are learning to read are often hesitant about their reading abilities. Many kids feel more at ease reading to pets, who are simply there to listen—not to judge how well they are reading.”

 

At Read-to-a-Dog, trained therapy dogs attend with their handlers. Kids can choose a book from the library, or bring one from home. The event is free; arrive 15 minutes early to receive a ticket.

 

Masks are required in the library for humans ages two and up.

 

 

Read to a Dog program

Fremont Main and Centerville libraries

 

Second Saturdays

11 a.m. – 12 noon

Centerville Library

3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont

(510) 795-2629

Homepage

 

Third Tuesdays

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

(510) 745-1400

https://aclibrary.org/

 

 

 

Silk Painting Workshop

Submitted by Wendy Spellman

 

Olive Hyde Art Guild’s next mini workshop is silk painting on Tuesday, February 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Artist Walter Stevenson will be giving a beginners lesson that covers an overview of the silk painting medium, showing how specially manufactured dyes work on silk and how resist may be used to articulate sharp lines. Each par
ticipant will have their own 8″ piece silk stretched on a hoop along with dye sets to experiment for themselves. This is a free workshop.

 

Stevenson works with dyes on silk, watercolor, pen and ink, and tempera. He applies the bright colors that echo the freshness of nature. Stevenson resides in San Francisco with wonderful access to the beauty of the California coast and he spends his summers in South Lake Tahoe taking in the beautiful scenery, fascinating local artifacts, and breathtaking views of the lake and its mountain terrain. His work is enhanced by his study of Shibori and other dye restraint art processes. He has studied under David Foster and Addie Chernus of South Lake Tahoe.

 

Visit the following website to sign up for the workshop: https://olivehydeartguild.org/news-events/upcoming-programs/

 

 

Silk Painting Workshop

Tuesday, Feb 21

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd., Fremont

(510) 791-4357

https://olivehydeartguild.org/news-events/upcoming-programs/

 

 

 

Free pass programs available for state parks

Submitted by California State Parks

 

With the spring season and warmer weather coming soon, California State Parks and California Natural Resources Agency officials are reminding Californians about three park pass programs that allow visitors free access to many state parks.

 

They include:

 

California State Park Adventure Pass

This is the second year of the three-year pilot program made possible by Assembly Bill 148, signed by Governor Newsom in July 2021. To date, more than 26,000 passes have been provided to families.

 

Championed by the First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, whose California for All Kids initiatives support children’s physical, mental and social-emotional well-being, the California State Park Adventure Pass Program expands the opportunity for fourth graders and their families to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature, each other and their communities. The pass for this school year’s fourth graders is valid until August 31, 2023.

 

Obtaining a free pass online at ReserveCalifornia.com is simple. All that is needed is for a parent and/or guardian to provide a name, address, phone number and email address. Individuals who do not have access to a smartphone, computer or printer, and/or do not have an email address, can still request a pass by visiting a State Parks Pass Sales Office or by calling (800) 444-7275.

 

California State Park Library Pass

In partnership with the California State Library, State Parks launched the California State Park Library Pass in April 2022 with a total of 5,000 passes distributed to 1,184 public libraries across the state. As part of a three-year pilot program, each library jurisdiction received an average of at least four special day-use hangtags to circulate, allowing library cardholders to check out the pass for the allotted number of days allowed by the local library.

 

State Parks and the California State Library recently announced that an additional 28,000 park library passes are being distributed statewide to all public libraries, bringing the average number of passes available at each branch to 24.

 

The Library Pass program is being expanded to also include tribal libraries throughout the state. The pass is valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with a capacity of up to nine people, or one highway-licensed motorcycle, at more than 200 participating state park units. The program also includes grant funds for public libraries to host programs and conduct outreach in their communities to promote the passes, state parks and the benefits of the outdoors.

 

Golden Bear Pass

State Parks and the California Department of Social Services made it easier for CalWORKs families to receive a free, annual vehicle day-use pass for use at more than 200 state parks and beaches.

 

Created in 1977, the Golden Bear Pass Program was relaunched last spring with the goal to directly notify approximately 300,000 families receiving CalWORKs about their eligibility and the overall health benefit of spending time in the outdoors. To date, more than 35,000 Golden Bear Passes have been distributed since the relaunch. Individuals participating in SSI and low-income adults 62 and over can apply for Golden Bear Passes online at ReserveCalifornia.com, by mail, or in person. Additionally, all adults 62 and older can apply for a Limited Use Golden Bear Pass, for off-season access.

 

More information about all three State Park Pass programs is posted on the Outdoors for All Initiative webpage at parks.ca.gov/OutdoorsForAll.

 

 

 

Aarna Nair wins student speakers contest

Submitted by James Varghese

 

Aarna Nair, a 10th grade student at Valley Christian High School, San Jose, has taken the first step to winning scholarships for college by winning a local competition sponsored by the Lions Club of Hayward Silicon Valley.

 

Nair was among five selected contestants in the annual California Lions Student Speakers Club Level Contest organized by the Lions Club of Hayward Silicon Valley. This program is sponsored by Multiple District 4 (the California division of Lions Clubs International) to emphasize the importance of public speaking as a critically important life skill.

 

“The Lions Club Speaker Contest was very well organized and I really enjoyed how much the organizers and attendees cared about the topic,” the 16-year-old from San Jose said. The speech was evaluated by a panel of judges Dr. Ajit, Priya, Jibu, Maya and Suja (all experienced in judging speaker contests) on originality, supporting evidence, strong conclusion, enunciation, poise, logic, organization, persuasiveness, and adhering to the topic, “Social Media: Connects us or Isolate us?” The judging was held on February 4 at California Cross Point Academy in Hayward.

 

Lions Club of Hayward Silicon Valley President Khush said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at the contest. “It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about current events. I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their views and skill.”

 

Aarna Nair will
advance to the Zone Level contest, which will be conducted on March 5 in Veterans Memorial Hall in Hayward. Fifteen District Level winners will receive $4,500 each, four Area Level winners will receive $6,500 each, and the final winner will receive a total of $21,000 in scholarships. Lions Clubs California Student Speaker Foundation spends over $100,000 every year promoting public speech for students, former District Governor James Varghese said.

 

“Our club is proudly promoting Ms. Aarna Nair as she advances in the competition, and we hope that her self-expression and independent thinking inspires the public’s perspective on this topic,” speaker contest chairperson Koshy John said.

 

Besides the winner Arna Nair, other talented contestants Yashica Agadi, Adalie Miller, Jay Yu, Anthony Zuo were also honored for their participation.

 

 

 

Help is available for filing tax returns

Submitted by City of Fremont

 

Tax season is quickly heating up and this year’s April 18 deadline to file returns is around the corner. And with new tax laws in place, along with changing deductions and income levels, completing the forms can be a challenge for some taxpayers. But help is available.

 

Most taxpayers or households that made less than $75,000 during 2022 are eligible for free income-tax preparation assistance provided by trained volunteers from the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

 

In Fremont, in-person, drop-off and virtual services are being offered through April 18 at the Fremont Family Resource Center on Liberty Street, near City Hall. Additionally, in-person only tax preparation services are available in Newark at the Newark Senior Center and in Union City at Union City Family Center. All services are by appointment only.

 

For details, visit the Fremont Resource Center tax help page at http://city.fremont.gov/taxhelp or call (510) 250-2606.

 

 

 

Alameda County Library launches new tool lending collections

Submitted by Alicia Reyes

 

As a Valentine’s Day gift to library members, Alameda County Library announces two new tool lending collections at the Irvington and Centerville Libraries. Imagine a book library with tools; instead of purchasing tools that might be used once, or a couple of times a year, library members can borrow them for free.

 

“With free access to tools, we are removing cost barriers and creating opportunities for our communities to learn, build, restore and cultivate sustainable neighborhoods. Much like book lending, tool lending encourages the reuse and sharing of resources that reduce our environmental footprint,” said Cindy Chadwick, County Librarian.

 

Each tool lending collection is unique:

 

The Irvington Tool Lending Library has tools to tinker, repair, make, and build with. Tools in this collection include a ladder, pipe wrench, heat gun, orbital sander, multi-bit screwdriver, claw hammer, and mechanics tool set. The collection can be used for home, car, and phone repairs as well as DIY projects like building a fence. Irvington Library also has a makerspace. As the makerspace expands, it will include sewing machines, 3D printers, a heat press, a die cutting machine, and more. Unlike the tool lending library, the makerspace equipment is for indoor library use only and cannot be borrowed.

 

The Centerville Gardening Tool Lending Library has gardening tools to dig, plant, pick, weed, prune, and trim with. Funded by the California State Library, the collection has a sustainability focus that features electric and battery powered garden equipment and hand tools to reduce noise and air pollution. Tools in this collection include a shovel, hoe, weed popper, tree pruner, fruit picker, manual lawn edger, lawn aerator, and battery-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers. The collection will lower the cost of garden maintenance, reduce waste by sharing resources, assist communities in adopting greener technology tools, and improve outdoor spaces. This summer the library will host educational programs to teach members how to use the tools and create greener neighborhoods.

 

These collections are small to start with, but will grow as the library collects feedback from members.

 

How tool lending works:

• An Alameda County Library card and signed waiver is required before borrowing tools.
• Tools can be borrowed for up to three weeks and cannot be renewed or placed on hold.
• Tools must be picked up at and returned to the owning library.

 

The Centerville Gardening Tool Lending Library is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

 

 

Centerville Library

Tues: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wed: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Thurs: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sat: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Mon, Fri, Sun: CLOSED

3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont

(510) 795-2629

https://aclibrary.org/

 

Irvington Library

Wed – Fri: 12 noon – 6 p.m.

41825 Greenpark Dr., Fremont

(510) 795-2631

https://aclibrary.org/

 

 

 

VA mobile medical outreach team to visit Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall

Submitted by Hector M. Villaseñor

 

Hayward Public Library, and American Legion Post 68 will host the VA Palo Alto Mobile Medical Outreach Team at the Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall. They will facilitate examinations, consultations, and referrals for veterans who are enrolled in VA healthcare system onsite. VA resource information will be available.

 

Veterans uncertain of their benefits eligibility are encouraged to visit as requirements have changed, and VA health care may complement current medical coverage. VA representatives will also provide information or assistance with questions and enrollment for VA healthcare.

 

Veterans should bring military discharge papers (Form DD-214) and a list of current medications. For m
ore information or assistance obtaining proof of service documents prior to the event, contact the library’s information desk, (510) 881-7980, or email Hector Villaseñor at he***************@ha********.gov.

 

 

VA Mobile Medical Outreach Team

Thursday, Feb 16

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall

22737 Main St., Hayward

(510) 881-7980

www.facebook.com/haywardlibrary

 

 

 

2023 Kia EV6: A Real Sweetheart

By Michael Coates

 

Humans have been anthropomorphizing their automobiles since the first Olds Curved Dash left the assembly line in 1901. We name them. We decorate them. I suppose getting a valentine for one is not that much of a stretch. If so, I’ve picked my valentine for 2023—it’s the all-electric Kia EV6.

 

This relatively new SUV EV has been drawing attention since it was introduced a little more than a year ago. For me, it was love at first sight. The car is a stunner, a testament to Kia’s focus on design as a leading feature on its cars. I got to spend a week with my intended valentine and it just reinforced that she is not just a pretty face. The rear-wheel drive Wind trim EV6 felt like a good-looking, but normal car. Everything worked well.

 

Acceleration was crisp from the 225 horsepower (with 258 foot-pounds of hard-pulling torque) electric motor driving the rear wheels. Freeway merging and passing was seamless and handling was similarly sharp, aided by the stability from the 77.4 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery back stashed below in the chassis. All-wheel drive is an option.

 

So much to love

Not only was the EV6 fast off the line, but it was speedy at the electric vehicle’s equivalent of the pump. With internal hardware and software designed to handle the fastest 800-volt DC fast-charging systems, the EV6 can potentially add 217 miles of range in an 18-minute pit stop. Of course, it will also charge up overnight on a home 240-volt system.

 

The EPA rates the range of the EV6 Wind I drove at 310 miles, a comfortable margin for all but long-distance drives. With its charging capability and the growth of the DC fast-charging network, the EV6 seems poised to be a real choice for those interstate trips as well. Around town or out on the road, the EV6 shines in its efficiency. On some of my trips I averaged more than 4.0 kW/mile, which is exceptional.

 

Technology is sexy, too, and the EV6 is loaded with it. I was impressed with its lane-keeping capabilities, which seemed on par with Tesla’s, currently one of the benchmarks for the class. The steering wheel gave good feedback on backroads and highways. As with many EVs, the only noise on the road was the radio and a slight hum from the tires.

 

Not blind to her faults

Like with even the best sweethearts, I wasn’t blind to the shortcomings in the Kia EV6. Those good looks do come with a price. Our Wind edition had a sticker of $48,710 delivered. The only paint option was the Glacier Pearl. That’s the EV6 starting price. Add all-wheel drive, move up to the GT-Line or the new GT and you’re quickly topping $50,000 – $60,000. Incentives are available locally and statewide. Federal incentives are still being worked out, so check with your dealer on those.

 

The EV6 did have some quirks. That sweet design created some blind spots in the rear. All of the technology on board created a massive amount of info on the car’s screens, which can be confusing. The exterior design had some interesting details like ribs around the wheels, but with a sweetheart like this, you can look past these little blemishes.

 

While I was smitten by the EV6, I was aware it had some cousins that have also drew suitors—the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Genesis GV60. All share the new Hyundai Group EV platform, but have their own execution when it comes to exterior design and interior features. I was all fine with my favorite until I heard about the EV6’s new sister model—the GT. It claims a 3.4-second 0-60 time, 576 hp and is dressed with cool neon green brake calipers on its 21-inch wheels. Now I’m conflicted and can’t wait until next Valentine’s Day.

 

 

 

News and notes from around the world

Submitted by The Association of Mature American Citizens

 

The Grubhub Kid

Remember that old TV show, “Kids Say the Darndest Things”? They are also likely to do the darndest things, says the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). Take the Grubhub Kid in Chesterfield Township, Michigan, better known as 6-year-old Mason Stonehouse. His dad, Keith, let him play with his cell phone one evening unaware that he had left his Grubhub app open. All of a sudden, a stream of delivery drivers were knocking at the door with arrays of fast-food orders — some $1,000 worth of shrimp dishes, pita wraps, French fries and lots and lots of ice cream and pizzas. According to CNN, it took Keith a while but he finally figured it out and confronted his son. “I was trying to explain to him that this wasn’t good,” he said. But, he added, Mason put his hand up and interrupted him saying, ‘Dad, did the pepperoni pizzas come yet?’ I had to walk out of the room. I didn’t know if I should get mad or laugh.” See video of food deliveries on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n92qz2LZSqQ.

 

It was a very close call

There they were, the Sasaki family, getting ready for an evening of TV in their new home in Honolulu when the unthinkable happened, according to AMAC. Three giant boulders came rolling down a hill and one of them smashed through a wall, causing havoc and narrowly missing Caroline Sasaki just as she made her way into the living room to watch TV. It was a close call but no one was injured. How big was the boulder? It was big enough to crash through a cinderblock outer wall, hit the family car, break through a glass door into the living room and then break through another wall, winding up in a bedroom. See video of the aftermath of the boulder crash on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iNPj1N5AuM.

 

A dream come true

Nine-year-old Molly Sampson of Calvert County, Maryland dreams of becoming a paleontologist when she grows up; she wants to study the history of life on Earth, reports AMAC. Meantime, she likes to search the local beaches for sharks’ teeth and recently came across a rather large tooth that belonged to the biggest shark that ever lived — a giant 15-million-year-old shark known as a Megalodon. She took it to the Calvert Marine Museum on Solomon’s Island where the paleontology department confirmed her find. See video of the massive
shark’s tooth on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go7qCqP71_o.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Park It: Black Diamond Mines Wildflowers

By Ned MacKay

 

One of the East Bay Regional Park District’s best venues for wildflowers is Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch. And although it may seem a bit soon in the year to be talking about wildflowers, several varieties are early bloomers.

 

At this time of year, manzanita puts out its small, delicate white or pink blossoms at Black Diamond Mines and other open space throughout the East Bay. And under the manzanita, you will often find Indian warrior, a magenta-colored flower that looks a bit like the pompon on a band uniform cap. Indian warrior is an interesting plant. It is semi-parasitic — it relies on the roots of manzanita and other shrubs to provide supplemental nutrients, although it can also flourish independently. To see both Indian warrior and manzanita in bloom at Black Diamond Mines, climb up the Chaparral Loop Trail to the Ridge Trail and turn left toward the ridge top.

 

Besides Black Diamond Mines, another great place to see both manzanita and Indian warrior is the aptly named Manzanita Loop trail at Sobrante Ridge Botanic Regional Preserve in El Sobrante. Sobrante Ridge and Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve in Oakland are home to the rare and endangered Alameda or pallid manzanita.

 

Naturalist Kevin Dixon will lead an “Early Bloomers” hike from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 19 at Black Diamond Mines. The hike is for ages eight and older; parent participation is required. The path may be steep and rocky, so wear sturdy shoes.

 

This is a free, drop-in program; registration is not necessary. Meet Kevin in the parking lot at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4 in Antioch and about a mile past Black Diamond Mines’ entrance kiosk. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended. For information, call (510) 544-2768.

 

 

Drop by Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley for a Delta-themed story time from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 18 with naturalist Miriam Klingler. Bring a blanket and a snack. This is a free program and registration is not required. It’s for all ages; parents must accompany children.

 

Or you can become a volunteer community scientist by joining in a project tracking the health of the delta by testing Big Break water samples. Testing is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Sunday morning. No registration is necessary; parent participation is required. Staff is on hand to help out. Meet at the visitor center for either program. Big Break Regional Shoreline is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. For information, call (510) 544-3050.

 

 

Many waterbirds spend the winter on East Bay shorelines. You can see some of them during an easy walk from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 19 at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez with naturalist Jessica Kauzer. It’s free and no registration is necessary. Meet Jessica in the first parking lot off North Court Street, across the railroad tracks from downtown Martinez. Bring binoculars if you have them; a few will be available for loan. For information, call Black Diamond Mines at (510) 544-2750.

 

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland will be the venue of a naturalist-led “Hikes for Tykes” activity from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21. This is an easy half-mile walk for parents and their small children at Arrowhead Marsh, to see squirrels and watch for shorebirds. Bring a snack. Tools for exploration will be provided. Rain cancels the program.

 

No registration is needed. Meet at Arrowhead Marsh, whose entrance road is on Swan Way off Doolittle Drive near the Oakland airport. For information, call (510) 544-3187.

 

 

Vintage technology will be put to work during a rope making and hay hoisting program from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 19 at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. Find out how rope is made from natural fibers, using a machine that is more than 100 years old. Then work as a team to lift and swing a 75-pound bale of hay into the Ardenwood barn.

 

Programs at Ardenwood recreate life on a 19th century farming estate. The farm is located at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just north of Highway 84. Admission fees apply; parking is free. For information, call (510) 544-2797.

 

 

These are just some of the many programs scheduled in coming days in the East Bay Regional Parks. For a complete list, go to www.ebparks.org/things-to-do.

 

 

 

Snail slime

By Pat Kite

 

I have tried to like snails. They emerge from damp brush piles, leaving silvery mucus slime trails easing their path over rough spots. I tell myself they are nature’s creatures and have their place in nature’s world. Snails are nature’s garbage destroyers, using saw-like teeth to reduce garden garbage. Snails also used their teeth-tongue to eliminate seedlings.

 

Sometimes I try to nicely tell my 60 trazilion burping snails to go away. Snails look at me via their light sensitive upper tentacles, or eye parts. They continue grinding. This is war. I step on a few. Squish. Snails being related to oysters, they are mostly water. The other snails pause. A few stick out their lower tentacles…their tasting parts. The ones that like my tomato seedlings seem to signal others. I step on a few more. Squish. I feel guilt.

 

Over the years, I have tried kinder alternatives. I put out trays of cheap beer so snails will drown. My snails get tiddly, crawl out, and disappear into brush piles. In the morning, there is not a single snail in my beer trap. Once I did get a slug. Slugs are snails without a visible shell. A very small shell is there hidden by the body. There are 40,000 snail types. Did you know the biggest snail, the Giant African land snail, is eight inches long. The smallest? Less than 0.3 inches.

 

For readers who like stories, “Ureongi gaksi” or “the Snail Bride” is a Korean folktale. Once upon a time, there was a poor rice farmer who lived with his mother. He became lonesome. The man saw a snail shell in his rice paddy
. He took it home and kept it in a jar. From that day on, some invisible being cooked a meal for the man and mom. Curious, he hid to see where the meal came from. A beautiful maiden snuck out of the snail shell and cooked. The farmer ran out, asking the maiden to marry him. She agreed. However, one day the wife was delivering lunch when local judge came riding by. The wife hid. The local judge still saw her and carried her away. The rice farmer looked all over. He became so sad, he died. He was reborn as a blue bird. His wife also died. She became a fine-tooth comb.

 

One garden snail can have 430 offspring. They hatch from eggs. Each can live up to five years. Predators include rats, mice, turtles. Want to get rid of snails? Try sprinkling cinnamon or coffee grounds. Suggestions welcome.

 

 

 

Can’t help falling in love (with these 5 plants)

By Daniel O’Donnell

 

Bouquets of flowers are given to lead Broadway actors after spectacular musical productions, to Tour De France athletes after grueling stage wins, and prima ballerinas after mesmerizing dance performances. There are many other times that athletes, performers, friends, and loved ones are given bouquets of flowers, including Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, these displays soon dry out and die even though the admiration for the recipients lives on. One way to keep appreciation and love going long after Valentine’s Day has passed is to give not a bouquet of cut flowers, but a living plant that symbolizes the ongoing affection and devotion felt for that person.

 

Valentine’s Day is marked by giving friends, family, and significant others chocolate, love letters, and flowers. Giving flowers has a long-rooted history in Western culture. One of the earliest examples is in Greek mythology. It claims that red roses were created by Aphrodite’s tears and her lover Adonis’ blood spilling on the ground where he died. Red roses henceforth became a symbol of love until death. There are many traditions explaining why flowers are given on Valentine’s Day. Giving a live plant symbolizing love is a modern-day tradition that is more sustainable and longer lasting.

 

Below are five plants that can be given on or around Valentine’s Day to symbolize love, appreciation, and devotion. The admired recipient will enjoy the gesture for not only a week or two around Valentine’s Day, but year after year.

 

Love Lies Bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) might not sound like the most romantic plant to give someone on Valentine’s Day until the meaning of its name is understood. The botanical name was derived from ancient Greek meaning “unfading flowers” because they last a long time. Over time, the deep red panicles began to symbolize endless love pouring out of the heart. Although the plant is an annual, it is still longer lived than cut flowers. A single plant can produce enough seeds to share with wild birds, harvest for culinary purposes, and still have some left over for planting the next year.

 

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) is another plant with a not-so-romantic sounding name. However, the name is quickly forgotten when many of the plant’s arching stems are covered in dangling pink heart-shaped flowers. Each flower has a white petal that looks like a droplet falling from the bottom of the heart, hence the name Bleeding Heart. This shade-loving plant can bring life and color to corners of the yard which do not get much love from the sun.

 

Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) has a great name that represents the symbolic giving of chocolate and flowers on Valentine’s Day. Although the plant produces many dark maroon to brown daisy-like flowers, their chocolate color is not the inspiration for its name. The name comes from the flower’s chocolate-like fragrance, which is created by a compound called vanillin that the plant produces. Chocolate Cosmos flowers will keep the garden smelling sweet well into summer—unlike a box of chocolates which will satisfy a sweet tooth for only a few days or a week.

 

Sweetheart Hoya (Hoya kerrii), also known as Valentine plant, is a succulent vine with green heart-shaped leaves. One would think that giving a mature vine full of green hearts would be the more impressive gift but many choose instead to give a single heart shaped Hoya leaf in a small pot for Valentine’s Day. Perhaps the best thing about giving this plant to someone is that the “heart” leaf comes with very few strings attached. Since it is a succulent, it needs little care to keep beating.

 

Purple Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a North American tree that has dark maroon heart-shaped leaves. There are a number of different varieties. It is the perfect plant to express a growing and forever love for someone. Although it drops its heart-shaped leaves every winter, each year it comes back with more. Just before the leaves open, clusters of showy magenta flowers bloom in early spring. The tree can get up to 30 feet tall and have thousands of heart-shaped leaves, which can symbolize a lot of love!

 

Valentine’s Day comes once a year and it is a nice way to remind people of the love and devotion that is felt towards them. Traditional gifts of cut flowers and chocolates are always appreciated but will be gone soon after February 14th. Giving a living Valentine-themed plant will not only be a reminder of those emotions throughout the year but will also grow like your love for that person.

 

 

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 Board

February 9, 2023

 

Action Items:

• Delivery of Groundwater Monitoring Report and Survey Report; adopt resolutions relating to the Replenishment Assessment Act. Motion unanimously adopted.
• Public hearing and board vote to consider revisions to ACWD water rates, fee schedules, drought surcharges, private fire service rates, customer assistance program and other fees and charges.

Item split for voting into three segments:

• Authorize revisions to fee schedules and miscellaneous charges. Motion unanimously adopted.
• Authorize amendments to Help on Tap customer assistance program, and reflect previously approved adjustments to facilities connection charges. Motion unanimously adopted.
• Authorize a drought surcharge fee of 4% effective March 1, 2023 and 4% in 2024 and commodity charges and updates to drought surcharges and private fire service rates. Motion adopted 4-1; Weed voting no.

 

 

Consent Calendar:

• Approve minutes from January 12 regular board meeting
  and January 26 special meeting.
• Ratify payment of audited demands dated January 6, 13, 20 and 27.
• Reaffirm a State of Emergency resolution pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 regarding COVID-19 pandemic health and safety concerns that impact the ability for meetings to be held safely in person.
• Resolution honoring Rebecca Swann upon her retirement from ACWD.
• Authorize a boiler replacement at ACWD headquarters.
• Authorize a change order for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project.
• Authorize a funding agreement application with California Department of Water Resources for ACWD Urban Community Drought Relief Projects.
• Authorize an amendment to a professional services agreement for groundwater modeling of Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District’s low-flow channel modification.

 

 

Paul Sethy, President              Aye

John Weed                              Aye; 1 Nay

Aziz Akbari                            Aye

James Gunther                        Aye

Judy Huang                             Aye

 

 

 

Fremont City Council

February 7, 2023

 

Consent Calendar

• Allow City Council and legislative bodies of the City of Fremont to continue holding meetings via videoconference.
• Adopt the City of Fremont’s Salary Schedule.
• Approval of plans and specifications; award of construction contract to Golden Bay Construction, Inc. to implement Fremont Boulevard and Walnut Avenue Protected Intersection Project. Passed 6-1; nay, Shao
• Approval of plans and specifications; award of construction contract to Redgwick Construction Co. to implement Fremont Boulevard protected intersection improvements at Grimmer Boulevard and Eugene Street. Passed 5-2; nay, Shao, Keng
• Award a construction contract for RIX Park Basketball Court Project to Silicon Valley Paving, Inc.
• Authorize an amendment with the County of Alameda, for the City to provide access point and housing resource center services.
• Approval of final map, improvement plans and agreement, and dedication of land and public easements for Tract 8205, located at 37899 Niles Boulevard (Niles Gateway). Passed 5-2; nay, Shao, Kassan
• Extend agreement and issue purchase orders with Netsmart Technologies, Inc.
• Accept and appropriate a total of $20.5 Million in state funding grants for the Sabercat Bridge and Trail Extension Project ($12 Million), the Central Park Community Center Project ($8 Million), and the Housing Navigation Center Operating Costs ($500,000).
• Approval of agreement for on-call consulting services with RailPros, Inc. for the development of Railroad Quiet Zone Projects.
• Authorize Alameda County to review and submit Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) on behalf of the City of Fremont.

 

 

Mayor Lily Mei          Aye

Raj Salwan                  Aye

Teresa Cox                  Aye

Yang Shao                  Aye, 3 nay

Teresa Keng                Aye, 1 nay

Jenny Kassan              Aye, 1 nay

Desrie Campbell         Aye

 

 

 

Hayward Area Park and Recreation District

Board of Directors Meeting

February 6, 2023

 

Public Comments

• Support was voiced for increased education programs and staffing at Sulphur Creek Nature Center.

 

Agenda Items

• Acceptance of Sorensdale Park ADA Improvement Project and approval of a budget change to cover the total project cost. The Five-Year Capital Improvement Program 2020-2025 (CIP) includes $1.89 million for Sorensdale Park ADA Renovation Project. Passed 5-0
• Approval of Castro Valley Unified School District agreement with Bothman Construction for Canyon Middle School Sports Fields Project. Passed 5-0
• Approval of an emergency vehicle access easement for Madrone Terrace Project. Passed 5-0
• Approval of a task order with Sandis Engineers, Inc. for stormwater consulting and Qualified Stormwater Practitioner (QSP) services for San Lorenzo Community Center Project. Passed 5-0

 

Consent Calendar

In November 2016 voters approved Measure F1, a $250 million bond to update, repair and maintain local parks, facilities, and trails and construct and acquire sites and facilities. With the passage of Measure F1 the District agreed to establish, populate and empower an independent Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee to provide citizens an opportunity to oversee that the language on the ballot measure be carried out. The Committee will review recommendations for expenditure of bond proceeds to ensure conformance with the bond measure. The Committee will also annually review the audits and reports of expenditures of bond proceeds and inform the public concerning the same. The Board President appoints the Committee members with the concurrence of the Board of Directors. Total membership on this Committee is five residents of the District. The District received three applications for the vacant seats. President Hatcher has reviewed the eligible applicants and is recommending the following residents to serve on the Committee: Brian Foster; Peter Hempel; Linda Schmid.

 

 

President Rick Hatcher           Aye

Paul Hodges                            Aye

Peter Rosen                             Aye

Louis Andrade                        Aye

Sara Lamnin                           Aye

 

 

 

Jones joins Newark School Board

By Staff

 

Katherine Jones has been involved in education for over 40 years. She graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo with a BS in Home Economics focusing on Interior Design and Textiles. She went into business for 4 years, before atten
ding Santa Clara University, where she received her teaching credential.

 

Jones began teaching for Newark Unified School District (NUSD) in 1988 and retired in June of 2022. Throughout her career, she worked in curriculum development, sales, and staff development facilitation. Jones was a key member in the creation of the district’s sophisticated Educator Effectiveness and Evaluation (E3) system, a process which includes evaluation and self-reflection for educator growth and improvement.

 

Jones also completed Cal State East Bay’s Educational Leadership Academy in 2000. As a lifelong educator, she understands the needs of teachers, classified staff, and students. She has worked with many parents, listening to their concerns and promoting open communication with all stakeholders. Jones has been a resident of Newark since 2000 where her two children attended NUSD beginning in elementary school.

 

She looks forward to helping the district reach its goal of creating a world-class education for all students and a respected environment for the staff to work there. Elected in November, the freshman Board member’s term ends December 2026.

 

 

 

Newark elects Nancy Thomas as School Board President

By Staff

 

Nancy Thomas was elected to the Board of Education in November 2022, having previously served on the Board from 2002 to 2019. She received her BS degree from San Jose State University and her MS degree from Stanford University, both in Electrical Engineering. She retired from Hewlett Packard after 25 years. During the latter she helped develop the company’s K-6 Hands on Science Program in which Newark Unified participated.

 

During her 17 years on the school board, Thomas developed a deep understanding of the issues facing school districts. She was a 10-year member of the California School Board Association (CSBA) Delegate Assembly and served as CSBA’s representative to the California Interscholastic Federation for five years. She participated in many CSBA professional development courses including their comprehensive Masters in Governance program.

 

President Thomas’ community involvement includes memberships in the Newark Rotary Club and Newark Optimist Club. Thomas has lived in Newark for 50 years. She is a widow with three adult children and five grandchildren. She enjoys cycling, playing bridge, and traveling with her family.

 

 

 

Newark City Council

January 26, 2023

 

Business Items

• Adopt resolution proceeding the formation of Area Improvement District No. 35 for Lindsay Tract, providing approval of the Engineer’s Report, declaring intention to order formation of the assessment district and to levy and collect assessments, establishing Property Owner Assistance Program for City -Sponsored Assessment Districts, and setting a public hearing date of March 23, 2023. Not passed 2-1-1, nay Bucci; abstain Freitas, Collazo.
• Adopt a resolution terminating the local emergency due to COVID-19 effective February 28, 2023. Passed 3-0-2; recused Freitas and Collazo.

 

Consent Calendar

• Approval of audited demands.
• Acceptance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the period ended June 30, 2022.

 

 

Mayor Michael Hannon          Aye

Vice Mayor Collazo               Aye

Luis Freitas                             Aye

Mike Bucci                             Aye

Matthew Jorgens                     Aye

 

 

 

Newark Unified School District

February 2, 2023

 

Consent Agenda

• Personnel Report
• Personnel Seniority List: Classified
• Criteria for determining order of seniority for employees with the same date of first paid service.
• New Position: Nutritionist
• Procure necessary materials, equipment and services to provide distance and/or in-person learning for staff, teachers, and students to mitigate the effects of Covid-19.
• Monthly Purchase Order Report
• Notice of Completion for Landscaping and Irrigation Group 2: Coyote Hills, Newark Memorial High School, MacGregor and the District Office.
• Contract amendment: Ratcliff Architects
• Purchase: Controllers and Access Points- Colligo Systems LLC
• Field Trip- Senior Cruise

 

 

President Nancy Thomas        Aye

Bowen Zhang                         Aye

Katherine Jones                      Aye

Aiden Hill                               Aye

Phuong Nguyen                      Aye

 

 

 

Meet Senator Wahab

By Staff

 

State Senator Aisha Wahab was elected in 2022 representing the cities of Hayward, Union City, Newark, Fremont, Milpitas, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara.

 

Aisha is a community leader. In 2018 when she won her seat on Hayward City Council, Aisha made national headlines as the first Afghan-American woman elected to public office in the United States. As Mayor Pro Tempore & City Council Member of Hayward, Aisha has implemented policies that reduce economic inequality, expand homeownership opportunities, support small businesses, and strengthen safety nets for seniors, women, children and working families.

 

Aisha was placed in foster care after her father was brutally murdered and her mother died at an early age. Her experiences inform her understanding of the struggles many silently face. Senator Wahab was fortunate to be adopted by a young, self-employed couple in the Bay Area who taught her the values of hard work, perseverance, and pride in their American identity.

 

Aisha and her family have struggled with the cost of living. In 2011, her family home was foreclosed, her parents lost their business, her father’s health began to deteriorate, and Aisha was laid off from her job.
After being priced out of their community, Aisha and her family moved to Hayward where she began to attend council meetings and advocate for affordable housing.

 

Aisha entered public life to amplify the voices of renters and build a community that everyone can afford to call home. As a Senator, she continues to work as an advocate and organizer for seniors, women, and children. Aisha is dedicated to addressing issues including housing affordability, civic engagement, education, and economic inequality.

 

Aisha previously served as the Chair of the Alameda County Human Relations Commission and a Board Member for the nonprofits Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She has served as an Alameda County Public Health Commissioner, speaker at the Bay Area Women’s March, and was selected to join the White House Roundtable of Afghan-American Leaders. Prior to her career in public service, Aisha worked at non-profits, community organizing, and technology.

 

 

 

San Leandro City Council

February 6, 2023

 

Action Items

• Approve an exception to the 180-Day waiting period for post-retirement employment for Sandra Colwell. Passed unanimously.
• Approve a proposal from Municipal Resources Group to evaluate City Clerk reporting options and direct the City Attorney to negotiate a consulting services agreement. Failed 3-4; nay Ballew, Bowen, Gonzalez, Reynes.

 

Consent Calendar

• Nominate Joseph Trujillo as the District 3 Representative to the Community Police Review Board for term ending December 31, 2023.
• Authorize amendment #3 to the existing consultant services agreement with Fehr & Peers for On-Call Transportation Engineering Services.
• Authorize a consulting services agreement with HF&H Consultants, LLC to develop a procurement process for solid waste recyclables, and organics services contracting.
• Adopt a Resolution Extend the confirmation of a Proclamation of Local Emergency and declare its termination in line with the termination of the Governor’s State of Emergency.
• Approve a Communication and Integrity Policy for solid waste contract procurement.

 

 

Mayor Juan Gonzalez             Aye

Bryan Azevedo                       Aye

Celina Reynes                         Aye

Victor Aguilar                         Aye

Fred Simon                             Aye

Xouhoa Bowen                       Aye

Pete Ballew                             Aye

 

 

 

BART Police Log

Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD

 

Monday, February 6

• At 10:38 a.m. a woman identified by police as Emma Grace Malone, 26, of Vacaville was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. She was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

• At 7:19 p.m. a person identified by police as Harmony Powers, 31, was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of battery on an officer and resisting arrest. Powers was issued a prohibition order and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

Wednesday, February 8

• At 5:23 a.m. a man identified by police as Anthony Aguilar, 25, of Oakland was arrested in the parking structure at Hayward station on suspicion of possessing a concealed dirk or dagger and a probation violation. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

• At 6:05 p.m. a person identified by police as Deshawn Laverne, 38, of San Francisco was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of battery on a transit worker. Laverne was issued a prohibition order and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

 

 

Fremont Police Log

Submitted by Amy Gee, Fremont PD

 

Tuesday, January 31

• A 911 caller from manufacturing company reported that employees saw an unknown person driving a white van and threatening to shoot people walking on Quantum Drive. Arriving officers check the area but did not find the van or any crime victims. About two hours later, officers responded to a similar call where a reporting party indicated a person in a white van was brandishing a firearm near Quantum Drive. Later, another person called 911 reporting someone in a white van brandished a black rifle and threatened to shoot him. Officers located the suspect vehicle on at Innovation/Ambition streets and made an enforcement stop. The suspect, an adult Fremont resident, was arrested. Officers seized a black pellet rifle from the vehicle.

 

Wednesday, February 1

• Officers responded to a report about a jewelry swap at an apartment complex on Fremont Boulevard. A victim was sitting in the courtyard when two people approached her and showed them pieces of fake jewelry. Then they placed a fake gold necklace over the victim’s neck and simultaneously stole the victim’s real gold necklace. The subjects fled in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with no license plates. The case is under investigation as a grand theft.

 

Saturday, February 4

• Officers responded to a report about a residential burglary on Capulet Circle. The male occupant said he was asleep and awoke to sounds of someone rifling through his personal belongings. He confronted the suspect and an argument ensued. Soon, the intruder left and the victim was not injured. Police said the intruder entered through an unsecured living room window.

 

Monday, February 6

• Officers spotted a suspicious truck near an apartment complex on Fremont Boulevard and stopped to investigate. The truck had two occupants; the driver tried to walk away from the vehicle as soon as he saw the officers. Officers determined the vehicle was stolen and detained and later arrested the driver and the passenger on various charges. Both were adult males from Fremont.

 

 

 

Hayward Police Log

Submitted by Hayward PD

 

Monday, January 30

• At 7:30 a.m. a male was wa
  lking near the intersection of Panjon Street and Huntwood Avenue when he was approached by several people in a vehicle. The driver exited the car, brandished a handgun and demanded property from the victim. The suspect then fled the scene in their vehicle.

 

• At 8:38 p.m. a person entered a business near the 27000 block of Hesperian Blvd. and used force to try and take property from a store employee. As the suspect fled, officers arrived on scene. The suspect tried to run away but was taken into custody a short distance later.

 

Saturday, February 4

• At 4:03 a.m. a person entered a business near the 100 block of Harder Road and brandished a handgun, then took property from the business and fled the scene by unknown means.

 

 

 

Newark Police Log

Submitted by Newark PD

 

Sunday, January 1

• At 11:43 a.m. Officer McCuin investigated a hit and run collision in the 39000 block of Cedar Blvd.
• At 12:07 p.m. Officer Taylor arrested a 41-year-old man in the area of Sycamore Street and Rich Avenue on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia a probation violation. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

Tuesday, January 3

• At 10:53 a.m. officers investigated a report about a bomb threat in the 6000 block of NewPark Mall Road. The threat was determined to be unfounded.

 

Friday, January 6

• At 3:05 a.m. officers responded to a vehicle collision into three parked vehicles in the 36000 block of Walnut St. Officer Rivas arrested a 27-year-old Hayward man on suspicion of DUI. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

Saturday, January 7

• At 10:35 a.m. Officer Jackman investigated a report about a tree down on Thornton Avenue. While at the scene, officers found a vehicle license plate that indicated the tree was felled by a vehicle collision. Officers located the driver, a 27-year-old Hayward man and forwarded a complaint to the District Attorney’s Office for charging.
• At 8:17 p.m. officers located a stolen vehicle in the 39000 block of Cedar Blvd. While there, they contacted two Oakland men, ages 29 and 26. During their investigation, officers located a loaded “ghost gun.” Both men were arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen property, carrying a loaded firearm in public, parole violation and being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition respectively. They were booked at Santa Rita Jail.

 

Monday, January 9

• At 8:45 p.m. officers responded to a report about a collision involving two vehicles in the area of Thornton Avenue and Cedar Boulevard. Officers arrested a 37-year-old Fremont man on suspicion of DUI. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

Tuesday, January 10

• At 5:21 p.m. officers responded to a report about a person using a flashlight to look into resident’s windows in the 38000 block of Aralia Dr. Upon arrival, officers found and arrested a 21-year-old Union City man on suspicion of possessing a concealed dagger, a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and a probation violation.

 

Thursday, January 12

• At 9:34 p.m. officers started to investigate reports of multiple overnight thefts of catalytic converters in the north end of the city.

 

 

 

Five teens arrested in Castro Valley armed robbery spree

Submitted by Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

 

Over the weekend of February 4 deputies responded to three armed-robbery reports in Castro Valley involving multiple victims.

 

Robberies were reported in the 4300 block of Omega Ave., the 19700 block of Center St. and the 20300 block of Forest Avenue. Victims walking in those areas told Sheriff’s Department dispatchers they were held at gunpoint (gun concealed in a jacket) while their cellular phones, car keys and other personal items were taken. They said the suspects fled in a red sedan and appeared to be juveniles.

 

Sheriff’s Office officials said that after the robbery on Forest Avenue, the juveniles used a set of keys taken during from one of the victims to steal the victim’s unoccupied black 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle was later recovered.

 

Deputies later spotted the suspect’s red sedan near Omega Avenue and tried to make an enforcement stop. The driver sped away, but eventually crashed into barriers in the roadway on Redwood Road.

 

Inside the vehicle deputies found three juveniles, personal effects from the robberies, and a P-80 lower receiver ghost gun with a laser. Two more juveniles who matched the descriptions provided by the victims were located on foot near the Castro Valley BART station.

 

The suspects, who were all identified by the victims, ranged in age from 13-17. A record check showed they all had prior robbery histories in Oakland, Berkeley and Pleasanton. They were arrested on various felonies and taken to the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center.

 

 

 

Chabot College president to retire

Submitted Dionicia Ramos

 

After a 36-year community college career, including 11 years as a college president, Chabot College President Dr. Susan Sperling is retiring July 31. Sperling is the ninth president in Chabot’s 61-year history, the second female president and the second-longest-serving president following founding President Dr. Reed Buffington.

 

During her time as president, the college passed two bond measures, securing funding for major infrastructure projects across the campus. Under her leadership, Chabot saw the establishment of the Dream Center for undocumented students, the Black Cultural Resource Center and more than a dozen agreements and partnerships with feeder K-12 school districts.

 

“In a society that continues to be challenged by inequity, the California Community Colleges represent the democratic vision of equal access to education and a better future for all Californians,” said Sperling. “It has been my great honor to lead Chabot College in bringing that vision to reality for our students and communities.”

 

Sperling first arrived at Chabot as an anthropology instructor and, in that role, developed a new program curriculum. Over the years she served in a variety of faculty leadership roles, including faculty union president, c
ollege curriculum chair and dean of social sciences.

 

An anthropologist by training, Sperling received her doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley, and later completed postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Francisco. This led to early career academic posts at UC Berkeley, San Jose State University and several community colleges.

 

“President Sperling’s dedication to Chabot College and its surrounding community will be felt for decades to come,” said Chabot-Las Positas Community College Board of Trustees President Tim Sbranti. “Her ability to advocate for funding and build critical partnerships will ensure that prospective students in our community have a path to higher education and a rewarding career.”

 

A nationwide search for a successor to Sperling is underway.

 

 

 

Fire department welcomes new deputy chief

Submitted by Fremont Fire Department

 

Heather Mozdean, a veteran firefighter with nearly two decades of experience in the profession has been named the newest Deputy Fire Chief with Fremont Fire Department.

 

Mozdean joined the department in January after serving with Oakland Fire Department in various capacities including firefighter/emergency medical technician, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and deputy fire chief of operations.

 

Mozdean was selected from a wide field of candidates based on her experience and ability to foster strong partnerships with city government officials and community-based agencies. Additionally, Mozdean is an advocate for women in fire through her participation in various professional groups including California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee, I Women, Driven to Serve and the NorCal Women in the Fire Service Girls Fire Camps.

 

She is a graduate from University of California at Berkeley and also holds State of California Company and Chief Officer certifications and is working on the Center for Public Safety Excellence Chief Fire Officer Certification.

 

 

 

Fremont waterpark team receives safety award

Submitted by City of Fremont

 

Water Safety Team members at Fremont’s Aqua Adventure Waterpark have been awarded the Gold International Aquatic Safety Award for 2022 by a national aquatic safety organization.

 

The award from lifeguarding agency Jeff Ellis & Associates followed a series of unannounced audits that included undercover observations of lifeguards and staged simulated emergencies to observe how Aqua Adventure Waterpark’s teams recognize, respond, and render aide to various staged emergencies.

 

City officials said the award places Aqua Adventure Waterpark in the top 20% of aquatic facilities throughout the world.

 

 

 

Honor Roll

 

Clarkson University, New York

Fall 2022 graduate

• Emilie Wong of Milpitas

 

The Citadel, South Carolina

Fall 2022 Dean’s List

• Austin Miles-Curtsinger of Newark

 

Hamline University, Minnesota

Fall 2022 Dean’s List

• Alex Villanueva of Hayward

 

Emerson College, Massachusetts

First Place Winner, 2022 International Public Debate bracket

• Aayush Bajpai of Fremont

 

 

 

Newark resident appointed to state dental board

Submitted by Governor’s Press Office

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced February 6 that Naleni Tribble-Agarwal, 52, of Newark, has been appointed to the Dental Hygiene Board of California.

 

Tribble-Agarwal has worked as a dental hygienist at various Bay Area dental offices since 2007. In her appointed position, which does not require Senate confirmation, the compensation is $100 per diem.

 

 

 

Fremont police chief to be honored

Submitted by City of Fremont

 

Fremont Police Department Chief Sean Washington has been selected as one of State Assembly District 24’s Black History Month honorees.

 

Washington will be honored during a one-hour ceremony starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 18 at South Bay Community Church in Fremont. Assemblymember Alex Lee, Senator Aisha Wahab and Fremont City Councilmembers Teresa Cox and Desrie Campbell will be participating in the celebration which is open to all.

 

 

Black History Month celebration

Saturday, Feb 18

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

South Bay Community Church

47385 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont

(408) 262-2501

 

 

 

Alameda County leaders mourn supervisor’s death

By Staff

 

In the days following longtime Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle’s death on Tuesday, February 7, colleagues and community leaders throughout the region shared their memories of him and his contributions in the community.

 

Valle, 73, was elected as District 2 Supervisor in 2012 to represent residents in Hayward, Newark, Union City and parts of Fremont. Prior to that he served 13 years on the City Council in Union City where he was instrumental in developing a business model for Tri-CED Community Recycling that is based on employing and providing job training for disadvantaged youth.

 

Here are portions of some statements released by local leaders:

 

• Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley:

“I am devasted to learn of the passing of my colleague and friend. Richard Valle was a champion for his District, especially his hometown of Union City. During his 10 years of service on the Board of Supervisors Richard fought for safety-net service
s, mental health programs and was a tireless supporter of Saint Rose Hospital. He uplifted community volunteers through a highly successful annual volunteer appreciation event, promoted walkable neighborhoods through the Niles Canyon Stroll and Roll and educated the community about STEM programing through Science in the Park.”

 

• Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price:

“We are saddened to hear about the passing of Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle. My Office sends its condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew him in Alameda County. Rest in peace Supervisor.”

 

• Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci:

“While it saddens me to have lost a neighbor, friend, and fellow colleague, his kindness and dedication touched the lives of countless individuals as Richard always worked to improve the lives of others. He advocated for those whose voices might not have been heard. He has certainly left a lasting imprint on our community and will be missed by all that knew him.”

 

• Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas:

“While Supervisor Valle’s main office was in Oakland, he always had one of his district offices in Hayward. He did this because he was committed to Hayward and although he lived in the Decoto Neighborhood in Union City, he was a champion for Hayward kids, families, and all the agencies responsible for serving children and families. One of his biggest recent contributions to Hayward is negotiating with Kaiser Hospital the seed money that launched the beginning of development of The Stack Center in South Hayward…. Supervisor Valle’s legacy in Hayward will be millions of dollars of investments in programs, services, and buildings that ensure healthy and strong kids and families into the future.”

 

Additionally, members of the Newark City Council and Alameda County Water District Board of Directors expressed their gratitude to Valle and his work during their regular meetings held Thursday, February 9.

 

Valle’s cause of death was not immediately released.

 

 

 

Pioneer Softball wins both games in Concordia Kickoff Classic

Submitted by CSUEB Athletics Communications

 

The second day of the Concordia Kickoff Classic took place Saturday, February 4 at Great Park. The Cal State East Bay softball team won both of its games on Saturday, including an 8-3 win over Central Washington followed up with an 11-6 win over UH Hilo.

 

Cal State East Bay 8, Central Washington 3

In the bottom of the first inning, the Pioneers started with five runs. Sarah Duran led off with a single, and after reaching scoring position on a wild pitch, scored on an RBI double from Cynthia Carrillo. Runs continued to score in the inning from an RBI single from Ysabella Cortez, sacrifice fly from Serena Cadena, RBI single from Jeslyn Cuellar and a run was scored by Gabriela Rivera on a throwing error.

 

The Wildcats scored a pair of runs in the top of the second, but in the bottom of the third, Carrillo delivered a bases clearing double, driving in three runs for an 8-2 lead.

 

Although one more run was scored for CWU in the top of the sixth, the Pioneers finished with their first win of the season, 8-3 over the Wildcats.

 

Cal State East Bay 11, UH Hilo 6

With the bases loaded in the top of the first, Annelise Garcia doubled to drive in a pair of runs for a 2-0 lead. The lead grew to 3-0 on an RBI single from Rivera.

 

Two more runs were added to CSUEB’s lead in the second inning. Duran scored on a wild pitch and Sydney Littles was driven in on an RBI single from Garcia.

 

The Pioneers’ offense continued to show its presence in the fourth inning with their bats and capitalizing on miscues in the field by the Vulcans. The first run in the inning was a result of an RBI single from Garcia. Adriana Martinez and Garcia scored off fielding errors, then Sarissa Block tripled to drive in a pair of runs. The final run of the inning was when Block scored on a wild pitch.

 

UH Hilo scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth, greatly reducing the possibility of a loss by run rule. Dyoni Garcia hit a two-run home run and Kanoe Piltz hit a bases clearing double. Through four innings, CSUEB led 11-5.

 

The Vulcans added a run in the bottom of the sixth on a wild pitch, but the Pioneers prevailed with an 11-6 win.

 

Claire Sua-Amundson, head coach of the Pioneers, following Saturday’s victories:

“I am happy we were able to bounce back and pick up two wins. We had some great offensive performances from [Sarah Duran], [Adriana Martinez] and [Cynthia Carrillo]. [Anamaria Beard] was really efficient in her outing.”

 

 

 

Arroyo beats San Lorenzo on Senior Night

By Andrew Joseph

 

The Arroyo High Dons basketball team beat the San Lorenzo Grizzlies 60-38 at home in the last game of the season Friday, February 10 in a Western Alameda County Conference (WACC) game.

 

Leading scorers for the Dons include sophomore Jeremiah Faumuina with a team high 22 points, Miles Pollard with 14 points, and Khaleed Odumuyiwa who added eight points. The Grizzlies were led by senior Manny Cabiltes with a game high 25 points and Aja Bynum’s five points.

 

“The mindset heading into tonight was to get the win for our seniors on senior night,” said Pollard. “Last year on senior night we were heartbroken losing by two points so this win feels good.”

 

San Lorenzo opened the game with a 3-pointer for the first points of the game. Their last lead of the game was 3-2 in the first quarter. Arroyo’s perimeter shooting and finishes at the rim helped them gain the lead and maintain it. Pollard scored the last shot from the field at the end of two quarters, including a layup in transition after a defensive steal. The Dons went into halftime with a 30-21 advantage. “We made some adjustments defensively at halftime to p
ut more pressure on them,” said Arroyo head coach Mike Budge.

 

Arroyo went on a 20-5 run in the third quarter that was fueled by great energy and efficiency on their defensive end. They were able to get to the free-throw line seven times in the second half and scored many of their points in transition. “Our intensity really stepped up in the third quarter and helped us get the big lead,” said Pollard.

 

Turnovers became a problem for San Lorenzo, giving the Dons more opportunities to score fast-break buckets. Arroyo’s largest lead of the game was 24 points. The fast-paced play and dominant score proved to be too much for the Grizzlies. The Dons sweep their conference rivals this season, beating San Lorenzo in their first meeting 75-54.

 

“We doubled our wins from last season and I’m happy with the way we finished,” said coach Budge. Arroyo finishes the season at 13-13 and 3rd place in the WACC conference. San Lorenzo ends with a 7-19 season record and just 2-8 in conference play.

 

 

 

Letter to the Editor

 

 

 

 

Join the Third Act

 

It’s time for the Third Act! That’s when older Americans perform and change some  things 

for the better. We have the life skills and resources to make huge positive differences.

If you have money in the bank or the bank bond system, chances are that your money is bankrolling 

climate destruction.  That’s because some of our biggest banks are funding coal, gas and oil 

companies.

 

Chase, Wells Fargo, CitiBank and Bank of America have decided to continue these 

practices, but we can send them the message to STOP! How about transferring your credit cards to 

other banks? Maybe this ACT will wake them up to the changes they need to make to protect the 

future. Go to Third Act.org to learn more about the power of mature people who don’t want their 

career money used to destroy our planet.

 

The Green Team

Niles Discovery Church

 

 

 

Feed the Beast at Chanticleers Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors

By Hugo Vera

Photos Courtesy of Jacob Russell-Snyder

 

Horror meets comedy in the Chanticleers Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. Based on the 1982 and 1986 musical adaptations of the 1960 film, Director Sue Ellen Nelson’s retelling of the story expertly blends macabre concepts with slapstick-humor and real-world commentary about the dangers of ambition.

 

Set in the “Skid Row” neighborhood of Los Angeles in the 1950s, Mr. Mushnik (played by C. Conrad Cady) struggles to keep his flower shop afloat while his timid, adoptive son Seymour (Julian Hensley) tries to rescue his distressed coworker and crush Audrey (Eva Li) from an abusive relationship with a sadistic dentist named Orin (Ray Holt). Seymour then comes into possession of an exotic alien plant with a hunger for human blood—which he then names “Audrey II.” As the strange plant propels Seymour and the shop to success, Seymour must then choose between the pursuit of fame, fortune and love, or protecting those around him by putting an end to Audrey II’s bloodlust before it’s too late.

 

Accompanying the core cast are the musical’s “Greek-chorus” style narrators Chiffon (Chelcy Hedgspeth) and Crystal (Willow Mae) as well as Curtis Pollard who plays the ‘bit parts.’ While the entire cast brings iconic tracks such as “Dentist!” and “Feed Me” to life, it is Hedgspeth and Mae’s rendition of “Don’t Feed the Plants” that delivers an ending which is both open-ended yet satisfying all at once.

 

Hensley’s portrayal of Seymour is a masterclass in comedic acting as his mannerisms and demeanor expertly convey Seymour’s willingness to compromise his morals in order to achieve what he believes is the greater good. Eva Li stuns as Audrey, giving a character that is otherwise seen as a stereotypical ‘damsel in distress’ a compelling backstory that relates to the struggles that many women endure to this day. Veteran stage-actor C. Conrad Cady excels in painting Mr. Mushnik as a paternal figure to Seymour but one whose greed and ego ultimately backfires. Audiences will simultaneously be repulsed and charmed by Ray Holt as the chameleon of an actor seamlessly plays a plethora of characters ranging from the primary antagonist to an old lady, a Dick Tracy/detective-type character and many more.

 

The breakout performances, however, come from two actors whom audiences will not even see until curtain call. Curtis Manning, the voice of Audrey II, steals the show with his immaculate singing talent and swagger which makes the carnivorous plant every bit as charismatic as it is intimidating. Max O. Chang, who puppets the various forms of Audrey II, ingeniously moves every flap, vine and part of Audrey II in sync with Manning’s voice acting which is clearly no easy feat given the scale of production.

 

The crux of any retelling of Little Shop of Horrors is the physical presence of Audrey II, and artistic director Jacob Russell-Snyder and the entire Chanticleers team of puppet masters, costumes, stage and lighting deliver tenfold. Through their efforts, Mr. Mushnik’s flower shop transports audiences to the seedy atmosphere of 1950s Skid Row while the ever-increasing size of puppets representing Audrey II convey the creature’s metaphorical and literal growth.

 

Catered to teenage and adult audiences, fans of the original 1960 film as well as the 1986 musical starring Rick Moranis will surely enjoy the Chanticleers production of what many consider to be the first horror-comedy.

 

 

Chanticleers Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors

Friday, February 10 – Sunday, March 5

Thursdays: 7 p.m.

Fridays/Saturdays: 8 p.m.

Sundays: 2 p.m.

Castro Valley Community Park Center

3683 Quail Ave., Castro Valley

Tickets: $30 general, $25 Senior/Student, $15 Y
outh 12 and under

Tickets and general info: www.chanticleers.org

 

 

 

MVAL Wrestling Championship Showdown

By Eric Donato

 

Newark Memorial High School hosted one of the most anticipated local high school wrestling events of the year this past Saturday, February 11.

 

The Newark Memorial school gym was abuzz with excitement as local high schools’ wrestling teams, and individual athletes had their eyes on the prize for the 2023 Mission Valley Athletic League (MVAL) boys, girls, and junior varsity (JV) wrestling championship titles.

 

MVAL is a collaboration of eight schools, seven of which are in the Tri-City, with one in Hayward. MVAL is part of the Bay Shore Conference in the North Coast Section (NCS). The participating schools in the weekend’s MVAL championships included James Logan (Union City), Kennedy (Fremont), Mission San Jose (Fremont), American (Fremont), Washington (Fremont), Irvington (Fremont), and Newark Memorial (Newark).

 

The boy’s championship bracket battled across fourteen weight classes while the girls had twelve weight classes. The JV championship finals were in three weight classes. The James Logan Colts displayed dominance by winning half of the first-place titles throughout several weight classes in the boys’ brackets. Likewise, the American Eagles took the overall lead in the MVAL girls’ division with their number of first-place titles across the weight divisions. The 2023 MVAL Girls Wrestling championship trophy was also awarded to the American Eagles, who edged the Colts in total team points and overall titles.

 

Boy’s championship first-place results:

• 108 lbs – Kevin Ruiz Perez (James Logan)
• 115 lbs – Nick Francisco (James Logan)
• 122 lbs – Devin Dimapasoc (James Logan)
• 128 lbs – Isaiah Davis (James Logan)
• 134 lbs – Alex Chiu (James Logan)
• 140 lbs – Casey Jackson (Kennedy)
• 147 lbs – Elijah Sudaria (Kennedy)
• 154 lbs – Michael Pickett (Kennedy)
• 162 lbs – Xavier Vargas (American)
• 172 lbs – Andrew Kwok (Irvington)
• 184 lbs – Dominic Debo (James Logan)
• 197 lbs – Jayden Tadeo Gosal (Kennedy)
• 222 lbs – Anthony Kangas (Mission San Jose)
• 287 lbs – Geovanni Valverde (James Logan)

 

Girl’s championship first-place results:

• 103 lbs- Kylia Mease (James Logan)
• 108 lbs – Alyse Domingo (Washington)
• 113 lbs – Mitali Sarnobat (American)
• 118 lbs – Mia Maharaj (American)
• 123 lbs – Kristy Zhu (American)
• 128 lbs – Teagan Rees (American)
• 133 lbs- Mariam Wahba (American)
• 139 lbs – Harshana Jawahar (Irvington)
• 152 lbs – Mahlyah Sao (Newark Memorial)
• 162 lbs – Kathy Bjornson (Kennedy)
• 172 lbs – Kira Bjornson (Kennedy)
• 237 lbs – Daniela Gomez (James Logan)

 

Junior varsity championship results:

• 122 lbs – Miguel Rodriguez (James Logan)
• 128 lbs – Alex Perez (James Logan)
• 134 lbs – Gurtej Deol (Irvington)

 

 

 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

 

Authors needed for animal welfare legislation

 

Friday, February 17 is the deadline for introduction of new bills in Sacramento. Most legislators keep a “gut-and-amend” bill handy for emergency situations. Here are three in need of an author:

 

• Amend current rodeo law, Penal Code 596.7, so as to require on-site veterinarians at all rodeos and Mexican charreadas. The “on-call” vet option allows for much animal suffering and under-reporting of injuries. Racetracks, horse shows, endurance rides and the PRCA all require on-site veterinary care. So should all rodeos and charreadas.

 

• Ban the charreada’s brutal “steer tailing” event, already outlawed in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, Los Angeles and the State of Nebraska. The steers’ tails are routinely stripped to the bone, even torn off. “Steer tailing” is not a standard ranching practice anywhere in the U.S.

 

• Ban the importation of non-native frogs and turtles for human consumption. All are diseased and/or parasitized. The majority of the bullfrogs carry a chytrid fungus (Bd), responsible for the extinctions of 100+ amphibian species worldwide in recent years.

 

Email pattern for all state legislators:

• se**************@se****.gov
• as*********************@as******.gov

 

Let them hear from you!

 

Eric Mills, coordinator

Action for Animals

Oakland

 

 

 

Continuing Events:

 

Tuesdays

Bilingual (English/Spanish) Tiny Tot Story Time

9:30 am -11:00 am

Kinder readiness class for 0-5 years old

Union City Family Center

725 Whipple Rd, Union City

(510) 476-2770

bit.ly/3GaTamI

 

Tuesdays

Practice Your English-Tuesday Chat! R

4:00 pm -5:00 pm

Improve your English by talking with native speakers

bit.ly/3jqnz86

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

 

Tuesdays & Thursdays

Spectrum Fall Prevention Presents “Enhance Fitness” R

9:30 am, 11:00 am

Program to energize & empower 60+ adult

San Leandro Senior Community Center

13909 E 14th Street, San Leandro

(510) 577-3462

SpectrumCS.org

Register in person or call (510) 881-0300 x 270

 

Wednesdays

Zumba Gold $

11:30 am -12:30 pm

Workout while dancing

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

 

Wednesdays

Tropics Bingo

7:00 pm

Flash games

Tropics Mobile Home Park

33000 Almaden Blvd, Union City

(510) 471-8550

the-tropics.net

 

Thursdays

Chair Yoga R

10:00 am -11:00 am

Consists of breathing & stretching techniques

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3DXhsyW

 

Thursdays

International Folk Dancing in Mandarin R$

11:30 am -12:50 pm

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3DXhsyW

 

Thursdays

Chronic Pain Support Group (online)

12:30 pm -2:30 am

Group guidance from Stanford Pain Management Clinic

(510)-790-6600

ag************@fr*****.gov

Email for zoom link

 

Thursday -Sunday

Animal Feeding

3:00 pm -3:30 pm

Feed livestock & learn about their favorite food

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

 

Fridays & Saturdays

Telescope Viewings

7:30 pm -10:30 pm

Experience the awe & wonder of the universe

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

(510) 336-7300

chabotspace.org

 

Fridays

Knit & Crochet Circle

2:00 pm -4:00 pm

Come & learn knitting & crocheting

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

 

Saturdays

Laugh Track City $

8:00 pm

Improvised games & scenes

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St suite B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

madeuptheatre.com

 

First & Third Saturdays

Pacific Bus Museum $

10:00 am -2:00 pm

Open house

Pacific Bus Museum

37974 Shinn St, Fremont

pacbus.org

in**@pa****.org

 

Mondays

Advanced Math + Science Tutoring

5:30 pm -7:00 pm

Free high school & college-level tutoring

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

aclibrary.org

ca**********@ac*******.org

 

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

Showers for Adults 55+ R

1:00 pm -2:30 pm

One shower per day

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

AND

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy

(510) 790-6606

 

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays

Spectrum Fall Prevention presents “Enhance Fitness” R

9:30 am, 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm

Program to energize & empower 60+ adult

Cherryland Community Center

278 Hampton Road, Hayward

(510) 626-8522

SpectrumCS.org

Register in person or call (510) 881-0300 x 270

 

First Thursday, December 1 – April 6

Bill Savings Assistance with Spectrum

3:00 pm -5:00 pm

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

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

bit.ly/3gWSjfq

 

Wednesdays, December 7 – November 22

Qi Gong Meditation & Exercise Classes

2:00 pm -4:00 pm

Relieve stress & anxiety by joining Falun Dafa classes

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

 

Thursdays, December 8 – June 8

Cover to Cover Book Discussion

1:00 pm -2:30 pm

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/3DyAJaM

 

First & third Friday, December 16 – Jun 16

Mobile Food Distribution

10:30 am -11:30 am

Available for first 80 families, please bring your own reusable bag

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Line starts at 9:30

 

Tuesday, January 3 – May 30

Baby Bouncers Lapsit

11:30 am -11:45 am

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

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

 

Tuesdays, January 17 – May 16

Read to a Dog

4:00 pm -5:00 pm

Come and read to trained therapy dogs

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Mask required for 2+

 

Thursday – Saturday, January 19 – March 18

Tree talk

12:00 pm -5:00 pm

Art works & poems by Dotti Cichon & Nelly Capra

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd, Fremont

(510) 791-4357

olivehydeartguild.org

 

Thursdays, January 19 – April 20

Health services for people experiencing homelessness

1:30 pm -3:00 pm

Get help with checkup, medications, appointments, referral & food assistance

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

 

Monday – Thursday, January 23 – March 16

Embracing the World

9:00 am -5:00 pm

Multicultural & multimedia works from various artists

John O’Lague Galleria

Hayward City Hall

777 B street, Hayward

(510) 538-2787

haywardartscouncil.org

 

Saturdays, January 28 – March 25

Saturday English Conversation

10:00 am -12:00 pm

Open English conversation for all skill level

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/3DyAJaM

 

Tuesdays, January 31 – February 28

Tag/Teen Tuesdays R

4:00 pm -6:00 pm

Join the teen advisory group, play, make art & poetry

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

bit.ly/3kO3Krm

 

Wednesdays, February 1 – February 22

Black History Month – Little Bookworms Storytime

11:30 am -12:00 pm

Let’s read sing & honor black resistance together

Cherryland Community Center

278 Hampton Road, Hayward

(510) 626-8522

aclibrary.com

Mask required for 2+

 

Thursdays, February 2 – February 23

CleanStart Mobile Hygiene Unit

12:00 pm -2:00 pm

Access to a shower & laundry for people experiencing homelessness

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

 

Saturdays, February 4 – April 15

Free Tax Assistance from VITA

1:00 pm -4:00 pm

Trained volunteers prepare & file taxes for households earning less than $66,000 in 2022

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org, earnitkeepitsaveit.org

 

Sundays, February 12 – April 9

Dove Gallery Competition Exhibit

12:00 pm -3:00 pm

Eclectic showcase of local artist

Dove Gallery at Park Victoria Baptist Church

875 S Park Victoria Dr, Milpitas

(408) 464-5011

dovegallery.com

Do**@Pa**********.org

 

Wednesdays, February 15 – June 7

Youth basketball clinic R

4:30 pm -5:30 pm

Free basketball clinic for Hayward students ages 12 – 17

Matt Jimenez Community Center

28200 Russ Rd, Hayward

(510) 887-0400

hayward-ca.gov/pal

 

 

Upcoming Events:

 

Tuesday, February 14

Tot Time for Ages 0-2

8:30 am – 9:30 am

10:00 am – 11:30 am

Kinder readiness program Room B8

Barnard White Middle School, Room B8

725 Whipple Rd, Union City

(510) 471-5363

 

Tuesday, February 14

Free Haircut for Valentine’s Day

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Hair cut offered on a first come, first served basis.

Washed hair only

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

 

Tuesday, February 14

Valentine’s Day Celebration $

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Enjoy a special meal & live performance with your loved ones.

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

 

Tuesday, February 14

One Mystery at a Time Book Club R

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Book discussion groups for 4th & 5th grade

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

bit.ly/3RnWKh4

 

Wednesday, February 15

Diversity Circle

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Enjoy inspiring lectures, discussions, film, music & more

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

(510) 790-6606

bit.ly/3Y6nvJO

 

Wednesday, February 15

Career Ready: Perfecting the Interview R

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Workshop on getting career ready

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

bit.ly/3jMzfC7

 

Thursday, February 16

How to manage weeds safely & effectively R

5:00 pm

Learn techniques to ensure fewer weeds

Register: bit.ly/3JWldZs

 

Thursday, February 16

Story time with Pamela Adler

10:30 am

Reading of “Maddy & Mia: TriPaw Tales”

Banter Bookshop

3768 Capitol Ave Ste.F, Fremont

(510) 565-1004

banterbookshop.com

 

Friday, February 10 – Friday, March 3

Black History Month Art Showcase

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Photography, paintings/drawings, ceramics/sculptures

Studio 11

34626 11th St, Union City

(510) 675-5825

instagram.com/studio11gallery

 

Friday, February 17

16th Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser $R

Dine in: 6:00 pm

Drive through pickup: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

1.5 pounds of succulent crab with all the fixings

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

(510) 790-6600

Drive through pickup registration: bit.ly/3YhXjM8

 

Friday, February 17 – Sunday, February 19

Vex Robotics Tournament

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Signature Championship High School

India Community Center

525 Los Coches St, Milpitas

(408) 934-1130

indiacc.org

 

Saturday, February 18

We all scream for ice cream

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Learn how ice cream is made in an old-fashioned way

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

 

Saturday, February 18 – Saturday, February 25

Free Camp Open House R

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Get the scoop on new 2023 camps & clubs

Code Ninjas Fremont/Warmsprings

46525 Mission Blvd, Fremont

(510) 400-1466

bit.ly/40yq2hg

 

Saturday, February 18

Investigating Space $R

10:00 am -3:00 pm

Our big bright universe

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3xeBeCd

 

Saturday, February 18

Scavenger Hunt Hike for All Ages

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Find natural & seasonal treasures on the trail

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3HUjOj8

 

Saturday, February 18

Black History Month online presentation R

10:00 am – 11:00 am

Black Resistance by VP “Black women organized for political action”(BWOPA)

bit.ly/3jOV7gk

 

Saturday, February 18

Author Event (Eugenia Yoh & Vivienne Chang) R

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Meet the author of “Not My Home”

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/40F4TSy

 

Saturday, February 18

Music Hour at the Library

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Relax & enjoy the music with your favorite book

Union City Library

34007 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City

(510) 745-1464

aclibrary.org/locations/UCY

 

Saturday, February 18

Story Time

10:30 am – 11:00 am

Book reading for kids

Banter Bookshop

3768 Capitol Ave Ste.F, Fremont

(510) 565-1004

banterbookshop.com

 

Saturday, February 18

Track & Field Mini-Clinic $R

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Events: Racewalk, hurdles, javelin, triple jump and more

Chabot College

25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward

(510) 304-7172

lw***@nh***.us

bit.ly/3lhrowI

Reg: 8:00 am – 9:00 am

 

Saturday, February 18

Spring Into Reading

10:00 am

Pick up a game board to join reading challenge

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

aclibrary.org

ca**********@ac*******.org

 

Saturday, February 18

Jose Mari Chan & The Company love concert $R

7:30 pm

Spectacular night of music

Historic BAL Theatre

14808 E 14th St, San Leandro

(510) 614-7700

bit.ly/3IaArbW

 

Saturday, February 18

Chabot/Redtail Ridge Trail Run $R

7:30 am

50K, 30K, 1/2 Marathon, 10K, 50K race

Lake Chabot Regional Park

17600 Laker Chabot Rd, Castro Valley

(888) 327-2757

bit.ly/3jPbsla

8.5 hour time limit for the 50K

 

Saturday, February 18

Book Sale $

10:30 am – 3:30 pm

Pop into the bookstore on the 1st floor

Hayward Public Library

888 C St, Hayward

(510) 293-8685

hayward-ca.gov/public-library

 

Sunday, February 19

Marsh Adventures

10:00 am – 11:00 am

Walk through the marsh & discover the plants & animals residing there

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3UGfdGr

 

Sunday, February 19 – Monday, February 20

VEX Robotics Tournament

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Signature championship middle School

India Community Center

525 Los Coches St, Milpitas

(408) 934-1130

indiacc.org

 

Tuesday, February 21

House of Samba Kids Drumming R

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Interactive children’s music

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

bit.ly/3YCL38L

ca**********@ac*******.org

 

Tuesday, February 21

Silk painting workshop R

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Beginners lesson about an overview of Silk painting medium

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd, Fremont

(510) 791-4357

bit.ly/3KfVlbd

 

Tuesday, February 21

Stop Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate R

6:30 pm

Learn about how you can help stop hate

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

bit.ly/3RP1b55

ca**********@ac*******.org

 

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