03-22-22 Articles

Retro theater keeps it reel

By Stephanie Gertsch

On highly-trafficked Castro Valley Boulevard, you’ll find a remnant of the past; a retro single-screen theater. Opened in 1950, The Chabot theater ran films continuously until 2019.

But, like with the rest of the Bay Area, development threatened. Jared Callahan, one half of the theater’s programming team, explains, “It was going to get sold and turned into condos. It was the end of the life of the theater.” Paul Keim, founder of community arts organization Smalltown Society, called a meeting with local leaders. Smalltown Society “went in the last minute and said, ‘No, this is important to the community. It could be a landmark. It needs to be reinvested in.’”

First Presbyterian Church of Hayward advanced a loan to save the theater, and now owns The Chabot, although Smalltown Society is still involved. Per Callahan, the mindset was, “Give us two to five, however many years to try. And you can sell it then. But at least give us a shot to keep it.” Callahan, a local filmmaker himself, became acquainted with the theater while it was already under the new management. “I was editing a project and needed a break. So, I just looked up local movies, and came to a screening of ‘Joker’ during the day on a weekday, and sat… by myself and loved it. When I walked in, I felt like I had been here before. It just had that welcoming vibe.”

But the vibe was short lived. After reopening in July 2019, the theater was forced to close its doors the next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The second programming director, Alex Largusa recalls, “We had a good eight months of trying to figure it out until March 2020, and then it shut down.” The team started doing livestream ‘riff-alongs’ of classic camp movies in a theater that had only ever done first run films. Largusa says, “During the pandemic, especially towards the beginning, that was really our one way to still connect with our audience.”

A slower schedule was a chance to do needed work on the old building. Callahan explains, “Part of the responsibility of running a retro theater is to be aware that you’re constantly revamping a space.” The expansive theater comprises a stage, regular and expanded rows of seating, bar top tables on the side aisles and a couch. It’s an ideal event space.

 

After a soft opening in 2021, The Chabot held its grand opening in 2022. Largusa says, “We got to a point in February where we went, ‘Hey, the space feels pretty much there. Our events feel kind of dialed in…We were like, OK, we feel more ready to go.’”

 

The grand opening took place over three days: Vibe Check, an art and music showcase; a Locals Only Film Festival, and a free showing of Moneyball. Callahan recalls, “We had over 80 films submitted, and we chose 13 made by local filmmakers to play. It was great because they came and did a Q&A with the audience about their films.”

 

“They got to see what they made on the big screen,” Largusa adds, while Callahan chimes in, “That’s the ultimate gift…We spend so long making films on laptop screens; getting to see it in 20 by 30 feet, it’s so special.” Largusa remembers, “One of the filmmakers who showed their short and won third place, grew up in Castro Valley…coming to this theater. And he was able to show his film here at his childhood theater.” Callahan adds, “He called it his life goal.”

Right now, The Chabot shows big budget movies Friday through Sunday and Tuesdays, and smaller “Movie Club” events on weeknights. For $1 per month, you can join the club and vote on upcoming screenings.

Largusa calls popular films the “tent poles” of the theater. “Showing Batman or Spiderman, allows us to do the things that we want to do, like highlighting local artists.” He continues, “We can’t just be a movie theater. We frankly will not make it if that’s the case. For a single-screen independently owned theater there is no competing with Century 16, Regal or AMC. So how can we not even play that game, but do something different?”

 

If people come for the movies, they stay for the memories. Callahan says, “We weekly are in conversations with people telling stories of how they came when they were a kid 50 years ago and they would never want it to close.”

There are more special events in the works, such as a showcase where local filmmakers will make music videos for local musicians. Follow The Chabot’s Facebook or Instagram for live riff-alongs, trivia and special screenings. If you just want to catch a movie, “The Lost City” will be showing at the theater starting Thursday, March 24.

The Chabot

2853 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley

(510) 582-2555

https://www.thechabot.com/

Flowers that bloom in the spring

Photos courtesy of East Bay Regional Park District

Gilbert and Sullivan captured the essence of spring in their operetta, The Mikado, with the light-hearted ditty – The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring – welcoming longer days and warmer weather. Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve and Ohlone Wilderness, part of the East Bay Regional Park District, is also welcoming spring flowers with a series of events and activities that encourage visitors to experience the beauty and fragrance of wildflower season.

Planned activities include guided wildflower walks, naturalist hikes and an art contest to express through journals, painting, photography and poetry, appreciation for nature’s bounty. Those who enjoy painting surrounded by their subject can join Plein Air artists who prefer Mother Nature’s studio environment for inspiration.

Park staff reminds visitors to come early since park capacity is limited and these popular activities attract many guests. Most in-person programs will be available for sign-up on a first come, first served basis at Sunol Visitor Center.

Wildflower Walk

Saturdays & Sundays

10 a.m.

March 26 – May 1

Nature Journaling (virtual)

March 26 & April 23

Spring Story Time

Saturdays

2 p.m.

March 27 & April 30

Bird Walk – Wildflowers and Birds

2 p.m.

Saturday, April 2

Flower Walk (Let’s Get Outside Club)

2 p.m.

Sunday, April 3

Family Wildflower Walk

2 p.m.

Sunday, April 17

Flower Photography (virtual)

2 p.m.

Saturday, April 30

Wildflower Art Contest

Categories: nature journal pages, painting, photography, poetry

Submit to: [email protected]

Submission accepted March 1 – April 16

Recognition Ceremony: April 30

Plein Air Art Invitational

March 26 – May 1

Email [email protected] to sign up

Additional information available at:

Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve Wildflower Season | East Bay Parks (ebparks.org)

Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve

1895 Geary Rd, Sunol

(510) 544-3249

www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol

‘Visions of Spring’ Exhibit

Submitted by Winifred Thompson

“Visions of Spring” Art Exhibit presented by artists, musicians and writers of the National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW) – Diablo/Alameda Branch runs Saturday, April 2 – Tuesday, May 31 at Bankhead Theater in Livermore. The public is invited to the opening reception with refreshments Saturday, April 2.

Visual artists include Charlotte Severin and Usha Shukla. Co-Chairs of the event include Winifred Thompson-Branch Presiden
t, Julie Cohn, Debra Collins, Margaret Davis, Pat Doyne, Jo Ann Frisch, Elizabeth Hack, Pam Holloway, Ann Maloney-Mason, Ruey Syrop, Chandana Srinath, and Azar Vaghefi.

Mary Fineman, composer and pianist; Margaret Davis, singer and Celtic harper; and Debra Nimmer singer and composer will perform. Writers Susan Wight, Connie Rusk, Genie Lester, Pam Holloway and Pat Doyne will be presenting.

In 1897, when women were routinely excluded from professional groups, NLAPW was established to create support and inspiration for women. Members included Pearl Buck, Georgia O’Keefe and Eudora Welty. Eleanor Roosevelt, a prolific writer, was an enthusiastic Pen Woman while in the White House and beyond. For more information visit www.nlapw.org.

Visions of Spring

Saturday, Apr 2 – Tuesday, May 31

Reception

Saturday, April 2

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Free

Bankhead Theater

Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center

2400 First St., Livermore

(925) 373-6100

https://livermorearts.org/

www.nlapw.org

Most transit workers meet vaccine mandate

Submitted by AC Transit

In the hours leading up to the Friday, March 18 deadline for employees to meet a COVID-19 vaccination mandate, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) officials said that more than 80% of them have complied.

In December, AC Transit personnel were mandated to complete the regimen of one of the three FDA authorized vaccines within a 60-day implementation period, which began on January 12.

Implementation of the vaccine requirement followed weeks of discussions with employee unions to finetune processes, regulations and compliance requirements. Additionally, a December vote by members of AC Transit Board of Directors also required them to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 without a testing option.

AC Transit officials said the vaccine requirement does permit exemptions for sincerely held religious beliefs and medical conditions. They said that employees who decline the vaccine or an exemption could be issued a notice of intent to terminate as early as Friday, March 18.

As a result, AC Transit said that riders could see a reduction in the system’s frontline workforce could affect service. If that happens, advanced measures would be implemented to avoid any cancelation of service. However, if service modifications are required, riders would be alerted that delays or the temporary suspension of low-use bus lines are possible. In keeping with established policies, AC Transit said it would marshal resources to support the bus lines in greatest demand, including those lines critical to riders in under-resourced communities.

“We are encouraged by the lifting of restrictions by public health officials,” said AC Transit General Manager Michael Hursh. “Nevertheless, recovery for public transit, will not be as simple as the transition from the term pandemic to endemic. Instead, AC Transit’s pandemic recovery will involve a multitude of considerations, including retirements, new hiring and training, and funding support from our state and federal lawmakers. As a result, our recovery will be slower and executed in timed phases.”

Real time service updates, transit maps and trip planning tips are posted on the AC Transit website at www.actransit.org.

Got junk? Dispose of it properly

Submitted by Newark Police Department

A Community Cleanup event, co-sponsored by the City of Newark Public Works Department and Republic Services, is set for Saturday, May 21 for Newark residents who want to discard unwanted household items.

The event will be at Newark Service Center, 37440 Filbert St. Appointments are required; no walk-up service will be available. Only Newark residents are eligible to participate, and they must provide proof of residency by bringing a California driver license or ID card and a utility bill with a current Newark address with them. Appointments can be made online by sending an email to [email protected].

Participants are limited to one standard-sized pickup truck load per household. No trailers or commercial vehicles will be permitted. The event may close early if the trash bins become full.

Accepted items:

• Appliances
• Reusable household goods
• Furniture
• Mattresses
• Metals
• Wood
• Carpeting
• Tires
• Electronic waste

Items not accepted:

• Household trash
• Dirt, rocks, concrete, construction material or demolition rubble
• Household hazardous wastes (paint, batteries, motor oil, chemicals, light bulbs, etc.)
• Motorized equipment
• Propane tanks, gas cylinders, lawn mowers or anything else that previously stored hazardous materials

Community Cleanup Event

Saturday, May 21

7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Newark Service Center

37440 Filbert St., Newark

Free; open only to Newark residents

Appointments required by email: [email protected]

(510) 578-4806

Local students win 1st place at Robotics Competitions

By Annika Singh

Photo courtesy of Sunil Chintakindi

Named after the famous anime series Attack on Titan, Team Survey Corps won first place in the First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Competition in the NorCal region. Comprised of six Hopkins Junior High students of Fremont, the team worked to produce an outstanding LEGO robot named Sasha.

Team members viewed the competition as an opportunity to learn about robotics and grow closer as Girl Scouts and friends. Their robot is basically a “brain attached to a frame with wheels” with four motors. Sasha needed to be able to accomplish “missions” such as closing a door. For the competition, the students needed a basic understanding of code.

“To tell the program to do something, you have to be very specific, or the robot won’t do what you want,” Survey Corps Team Member Aaranya Chintakindi explained. One of the things the team had to learn throughout their preparation process was working together efficiently and listening to each other’s ideas. “We all have very different personalities and ways of thinking, so it was very hard [to collaborate],” Team Member Anvi Mishra commented.

While building the robot, the team was required to reach out to people in their community — neighbors, friends and family — to gain a new perspective on their project and ways to improve. During the competition, the team ran the programs they had previously coded through goals FLL had set. Team Member Netra Shukla commented, “We also had to learn to quickly work through problems that came up during the robot game. For example, our code was very changeable — meaning that it would work some days and be chaotic another.”

Despite the challenges the team faced throughout their preparation meetings, their hard work paid off when they placed second overall in the first round of the competition, and first in the regional round. Team Member Saanvi Shah said the team created a GoFundMe with a goal of $1,500 in order to implement more safety features in their robot. They have raised $1,000 so far, and hope to reach their goal soon.

“[Another one of our achievements is that] towards the end of our [robotics] season, we grew comfortable talking to people and collecting data. We had started off a bit [uncomfortable] with outreach,” shared Team Member Neha Puttichanda.

Following their win at regionals, the team hopes to move to the next level of FLL: First Tech Challenge (FTC), in which participants use real metal parts instead of LEGO parts. Team Member Anika Srinivasan hopes that with the feedback and
knowledge they have gained throughout their experience, they will be able to turn their robot into a true, patented product and add new features. The team is excited to participate in more competitions in the near future, and hopes to continue improving their robot.

Friends of the Library spring book sale

Submitted by San Leandro Public Library

Slip into spring at “Friends of San Leandro Library Spring Book Sale,” Saturday and Sunday, March 26 and 27 at the San Leandro Main Library. Thousands of books, novels, history, mysteries, westerns, romance, science, collectible volumes and more will be featured.

On Saturday, sale hours between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. are held for Members of the Friends. Then, from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m., the sale is open to the public. Sunday’s “All-day $2 a Bag Sale,” is open to everyone.

All proceeds benefit San Leandro Library.

Friends of San Leandro Library Spring Book Sale

Saturday, Mar 26 – Sunday, Mar 27

Saturday, Mar 26

9 a.m. – 11 a.m.; Members

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Open to public

Sunday, Mar 27

12 noon – 3 p.m.

San Leandro Public Library, Estadillo Room

300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro

(510) 686-1824

www.sanleandro.org/162/[email protected]

Fremont Area Writers

Submitted by Tish Davidson

On Saturday, March 26th, Fremont Area Writers’ monthly Zoom gathering will host Alameda County Arts Commissioner, Margaret Thornberry. She’ll explain some of the fine arts grants available from private and government sources in our area.

Thornberry fell in love with the arts at age four during her first stage experience, a magician’s assistant, for which she was paid one baby white rabbit. She last “trod the boards” in her high school’s production of “Drums of Death,” but she’s continued to take the stage programs designed to advance fine arts in Alameda County. Having served for over 20 years on the Fremont Cultural Arts Council and four years as an Alameda County Arts Commissioner, to say she has her finger on the pulse of our creative arts scene is a huge understatement.

“I have a special interest in writers and visual artists,” she says. “Their words and symbols can have a huge effect on human emotions and actions.”

Thornberry will be cluing writers in on government and private grants, as well as other programs that are there to assist fine artists. “Too many of us have no idea of what these grants are there to do. It’s not exactly ‘free money.’ Grants are offered to finance specific types of creative projects. I’ll give an overview of who gives them, who gets them and why, and help you get started in researching what you might be eligible for.”

To get your Zoom link please email scottfrombaysideahoo.com. Please sign in by 1:50 p.m.

Fremont Area Writers

Saturday, Mar 26

2 p.m.

Via Zoom

Request link from: scottfrombaysideahoo.com

Free

In Remembrance

Submitted by Susan Swerdlow

San Francisco Bay Area Chamber Choir (SFBACC), conducted by Music Director Scot Hanna-Weir, presents “In Remembrance,” a concert reflecting upon loss, rest and peace. Particularly as we enter our third full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced loss in so many ways as a community. In Remembrance gives us a moment of pause and reflection, confronting our grief and pain with music of hope and consolation. Eleanor Daley’s haunting and mournful a cappella Requiem anchors the program along with spirituals and part songs.

The program includes:

Eleanor Daley – Requiem

Undine Moore – We Shall Walk Through the Valley

William Dawson – There Is a Balm in Gilead

Moses Hogan – Abide With Me

Ralph Vaughan Williams – Rest

Charles Parry – Music, when soft voices die

Steven Paulus – The Road Home

The Sunday, March 27 performance is part of Mission San Jose’s 225th anniversary celebration. Founded in 1797, the Mission has a vibrant history of bringing music to the community, boasting its own choir and orchestra during the Spanish Franciscan era. SFBACC has enjoyed a decades-long relationship with the Mission, luxuriating in the lively acoustics of its historic sanctuary.

Carry on this tradition of live music as we perform in one of our favorite venues!

In Remembrance

Sunday, Mar 27

4 p.m.

Mission San Jose

43300 Mission Blvd, Fremont

(510) 473-2387

[email protected]

sfbaychoir.org/tickets

Tickets: $10 – $35

LOV Spring Fling

Submitted by Shirley Sisk

Time to celebrate League of Volunteers’ (LOV) “Spring Fling!”

The event will be at Hilton Double Tree in Newark on Friday, April 8. There will be a champagne cocktail hour with beer tasting, thanks to Das Brewery, followed by a four-course gourmet dinner—wine included. For entrees, guests can choose either grilled flat iron steak or a vegetarian option of Ratatouille. Dessert is chocolate fudge cake with raspberry drizzle. Besides a fantastic evening of dining, there will be music, live and silent auctions, and a gift card egg-stravaganza. Emcee for the evening is Mayor Emeritus Dave Smith.

Dress code is business casual. For reservations, call (510) 793-5683 or send a check to LOV at 8440 Central Ave., Ste A/B, Newark, CA, 94560.

LOV Spring Fling

Friday, Apr 8

6 p.m.

Hilton Double Tree

39900 Balentine Dr., Newark

(510) 793-5683

https://lov.org/

Tickets: $85/person

$750 table of 10

Mirchi launches streaming App for North American audience

Submitted by Sehba Shah

Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL), the company that operates the Mirchi brand in the United States, announced the launch of its streaming app, available on Apple and Android devices. The Mirchi app brings 12 live FM stations from 11 cities in India including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad (Telugu and English), Kochi, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, and Patna. More cities will be available in the future.

The city-wide local streams provide a convenient shortcut for the expat community in the US as feeds have been adjusted to mirror local day broadcasts. For example, a listener hailing from Mumbai but living in San Jose, will be able to tune in at his morning time for the Mumbai morning show and so on. US-based listeners get a feel of home via real-time developments taking place in their home city in India in the areas of music, movies, traffic, stock markets, and more.

The app also has an on-demand feature that includes hundreds of hours of curated “audio stories” across multiple genres. Mirchi staples like RJ Naved’s lighthearted Murga prank calls, “The Devdutt Patnaik” mythology show, and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s “What Women Want” interview series with top Bollywood celebrities will be available on the app.

Prashant Panday, MD & CEO, ENIL says, “Mirchi, India’s leader in radio and one of its most-loved entertainment brands, is now embarking on a digital journey with the launch of its app. We’ve been leaders in FM radio in India for more than 20 years and now we are making all our radio stations and a lot more audio content available to our listeners outside the country. The app offers brands and marketers across geographies the opportunity to connect with diaspora audiences in the US.”

The Mirchi app can be downloaded from MirchiUSA.

Park It

By Ned Mac
Kay

As of the end of this month, there’s a great new access point to McLaughlin Eastshore State Park, which is managed by East Bay Regional Park District. It’s Brickyard Cove, located at the Bay end of University Avenue in Berkeley.

For many years, Brickyard Cove was essentially a dump site for dirt and other debris from industrial activity. But thanks to a $5 million grant from California State Parks, the debris has been removed, the site has been re-graded, and significant wildlife habitat has been restored.

Amenities include bike racks, restrooms, a water fountain, interpretive panels, and walking paths for recreation and nature study that connect to the San Francisco Bay Trail. There’s parking for 47 vehicles. The project also was designed to protect the natural habitat from sea level rise.

McLaughlin Eastshore State Park extends 8.5 miles along the bay shoreline from the Bay Bridge to Richmond. It includes 1,833 acres of upland and tidelands habitat.

Farther down the Bay shoreline, there’s a lot to see and do at Crown Beach in Alameda.

For instance, there’s a story time program from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25 at the park’s Crab Cove Visitor Center. Every Friday afternoon, the park’s interpretive staff will read stories about insects, animals, the season or something found nearby. Topics change each week. Then the kids can meet a real animal, complete a craft project, or go on a scavenger hunt. Rain cancels.

Or, if you don’t mind getting a bit dirty, join naturalist Susan Ramos for a minus low tide walk from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 26. The group will explore the mudflat and rocky shore in search of clams, seaweed, crabs and more. Wear old shoes or rain boots.

If you’d prefer to stay dry, go with “Duck, Duck, Goose” from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. the same day. It’s a program all about the waterbirds that frequent Crab Cove.

All three of these programs are free of charge, and no registration is required. Crab Cove Visitor Center is at the end of McKay Avenue off Alameda’s Central Avenue. For information, call (510) 544-3187.

Birds are also the focus of a program from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 27 at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. Naturalist Christina Garcia will lead a bird walk designed especially for people new to birding. Learn how to find and identify birds by sight and sound. Bring binoculars if you have them.

There’s no admission fee for this program, and no registration is required. Ardenwood is at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just north of Highway 84. For information, call (510) 544-2797.

At Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley, naturalist Trail Gail Broesder will lead an exploration of the watershed area, while talking about water needs and supply. It’s a walk from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, free of charge, with no registration necessary. Meet Trail Gail at the Environmental Education Center, which is at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. For information, call (510) 544-2233.

Wildflower beauty is the reward of a hike from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 27 at Diablo Foothills Regional Park in Walnut Creek, led by naturalist Kevin Dixon.

The four-mile hike is for ages 10 and older. It will cover some steep and uneven ground in search of blooms, so wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and bring food and water. The hike is free of charge, but registration is required. For registration and information, call (888) 327-2757 and select option 2.

There are lots of other activities on the regional parks calendar, both drop in and registration required. For full information, visit the www.ebparks.org and click on “Things To Do.”

Health screenings available veterans

Submitted by Hayward Public Library

Military veterans in the East Bay will have a chance to meet with members of Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Mobile Medical Outreach Team when they visit Hayward on Thursday, March 24.

During the visit, team members will provide examinations, consultations and referrals to veterans enrolled in the VA health system. They will also work with veteran’s spouses, caregivers, family members and survivors by providing information about veteran enrollment for VA healthcare.

No appointment is necessary. 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.

The three-hour program is held in front of Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall on Main Street. Veterans who want to participate must bring military discharge papers (Form DD-214) and a list of current medications they are taking.

Veterans must also have proof of service documents to participate in the event. Those who need to obtain the documents can get assistance by calling the library’s information desk at (510) 881-7980 or by sending an email to Hector Villaseñor at [email protected].

Hayward Public Library is launching its Veterans Connect @ the Library program, a statewide outreach to Veterans sponsored by the California State Library, with this event. Follow us on Instagram at #haywardlibrary and Facebook at www.facebook.com/haywardlibrary.

The free program is a collaboration between VA Mobile Medical Outreach Team, Veteran Connect @The Library Program, Hayward Public Library and Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall.

Health screenings for veterans

Thursday, Mar 24

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall

22737 Main St., Hayward

(510) 881-7980

[email protected]

www.facebook.com/haywardlibrary

Free

EARTHTALK

Preparing the next generation for climate change

From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Any ideas on how to talk to my kids about climate change?

— J. Rowe, Alea, Hawaii

As our understanding of the human-caused effects on our environment deepens, we find ourselves changing our habits, but we also carry the responsibility of preparing the next generation. A National Public Radio (NPR) poll shows that 84% of parents think children should learn about climate change while only 45% of parents report having a conversation with their kids on the topic. Breaking the silence around climate change is a key step in developing intergenerational solutions.

Clinical psychologists like Wendy Greenspun caution that parents take a “developmentally sensitive” approach when preparing for climate change conversations. David Sobel, an environmental educator at Antioch University agrees, recommending that children younger than age 6 spend time outdoors to foster a close relationship with the natural world. Additionally, Sobel suggests that teaching good habits at a young age is also great place to start. A 2015 study from Brown University shows that routines and habits are formed by age 9, so lessons like turning off the lights to save energy and recycling to reduce plastic pollution will stick with children who learn to do so early on in life.

Addressing tougher climate topics should wait until kids are 9 years old, according to Sobel. Keeping in mind that your child may have already heard about climate change, gauging how much they know can be a jumping off point. To introduce the science, Robin Gurwitch, a professor and psychologist at Duke University, suggests using the “blanket analogy
,” which explains that the Earth is protected by a layer, like a blanket, that keeps it at the right temperature. Climate change, caused by gases that people put into the air by using lots of energy, adds more blankets around the earth, making it too hot. If questions arise that you are unable to answer, take the opportunity to learn together and keep the conversation going.

The climate crisis is a difficult topic. While maintaining open communication, it is also crucial to avoid damaging the mental health of yourself or your children. Susie Burke, senior psychologist at the Australian Psychological Society, suggests three big-picture responses to cope with climate anxiety. First, emotion-focused coping, which can include anything as simple as spending time with loved ones and taking a break. Next is problem-focused coping which is to “…try to mitigate the actual problem that is causing the stress.” The third is meaning-focused coping, thinking about “how to frame the problem so that we can continue to hope and not collapse into cynicism….”

While interpreting climate change for children involves teaching about seemingly unending challenges, it is important to emphasize the solutions. Children should know that there are scientists all over the world working hard to solve the problem and that regular citizens can help in meaningful ways. Suggest ways to be a part of the solution with small actions that you do together as a family, like a meatless Monday tradition or participation in the Turn It Off Campaign that encourages not idling your car when it is parked. These things help make your children part of the solution as they learn about the problem.

ONLINE CONTACTS:

Natural Resources Defense Council:

nrdc.org/stories/your-guide-talking-kids-all-ages-about-climate-change

NPR:

npr.org/2019/10/22/772266241/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-climate-change

EarthTalk is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss for the nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https//earthtalk.org. Send questions to: [email protected].

HISTORY MATTERS

By John Grimaldi and David Bruce Smith

March 16 through 31

Military history

In 1778 — during the Revolutionary War — a fort was constructed along the Hudson River in Upstate New York. Known as West Point, it played a critical role — then and now — in the defense of the country. On March 16, 1802, an act of Congress declared it to be the home of the U.S. Military Academy [USMA].

According to the official USMA history, General George Washington recognized the strategic importance of West Point’s commanding plateau, and called on Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish military officer and engineer, to design fortifications that would support America during its campaign to achieve independence.

Washington also envisioned its transition into a military school. In 1783 he penned a document called, “Sentiments on a Peace Establishment,” and wrote: “A Peace Establishment for the United States of America may in my opinion . . . [include] Academies, one or more for the Instruction of the Art Military; particularly those Branches of it which respect Engineering and Artillery, which are highly essential, and the knowledge of which is most difficult to obtain.”

For more information, the Grateful American Book Prize recommends “West Point History of the American Revolution” by The United States Military Academy.

Cherry blossoms

Each year since 1912 tourists from all over the world have visited Washington D.C. to catch a glimpse of the cherry blossoms.

Cherry trees are not native to the United States, but they are in Japan. First Lady Helen Taft spent a good portion of her time there when her husband, William Howard Taft, was President of the Philippine Commission. Her friend and socialite, Eliza Scidmore, knew of Mrs. Taft’s love of the cherry blossoms, and suggested that Japan create a field of them as a gift to the people of Washington D.C. Scidmore even helped finance the endeavor. When the Japanese consul in New York heard of the plan, he endorsed it.

In June of 1910, 2,000 cherry trees arrived from the Japanese government, but they didn’t take; two years later, another 3,020 appeared — from an anonymous Japanese citizen.

The Grateful American Book Prize recommends “Cherry Blossoms: Sakura Collections from the Library of Congress” by Mari Nakahara and Katherine Blood.

Historic vote

The 15th Amendment, ratified on February 3, 1870, states: “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” The following day, Thomas Peterson-Mundy of Perth Amboy, New Jersey became the first African American to vote in an election to determine whether to revise — or abandon — its township.

That year was replete with triumphs for bygone slaves. “Hiram Rhodes Revels, a Republican from Natchez, Mississippi, became the first African American ever to sit in Congress. Although African American Republicans never obtained political office in proportion to their overwhelming electoral majority, Revels and a dozen other African American men served in Congress during Reconstruction, more than 600 served in state legislatures, and many more held local offices,” according to History.com.

The Grateful American Book Prize recommends “Stolen Justice: The Struggle for African American Voting Rights” by Lawrence Goldstone.

This feature is courtesy of The Grateful American Book Prize, which is an annual award given to authors who have created outstanding works of historical fiction or nonfiction for seventh to ninth graders.

News and notes from around the world

Submitted by Association of Mature American Citizens

No parking

Jay Ohrberg won the Guinness record for the world’s longest car in 1986. The auto was originally 60 feet in length but, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC], Ohrberg, whose business was customizing automobiles, decided to extend it to 100 feet long. The super-limousine hadn’t been seen in quite a while until another car buff, Michael Manning of Nassau County, New York, found it recently, apparently abandoned and in disrepair. “I first found the car at an autobody show in New Jersey and it was garbage. It was covered in graffiti, the windows were broken, the tires were flat, but I fell in love with it anyway.” Manning decided to rebuild it and the folks at Guinness, once again, declared it to be the world’s longest car. If you’re wondering how you can find a parking space for an auto that long, don’t worry; Manning has put it on display at the Dezerland Park Car Museum in Orlando, Florida. See video of the car on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNE_dqkmLF0

A rewarding meal

Michael and Maria Spressler have been dining out at The Lobster House in Cape May, New Jersey for 34 years and Michael’s favorite starter is usually a dozen clams on the half shell. On a recent visit to the eatery, their loyalty — aided by Michael’s taste for clams — earned them not only the reward of a satisfying meal but a .35-inch pearl, as well, that could be worth several thousand dollars. But Maria told KYW-TV, Michael has “eaten dozens and dozens of clams, and we’ve never found anything like that, so it was pretty exciting … [and so] I would like to have it set into a nice piece of jewelry, maybe a mermaid or something nautical. It’s a beautiful remembrance of that day and what we have is so special.”

Baa

Heather Hogarty, a shepherdess in Northumberland, U.K., was showing off her newborn lamb for the cameras recently. The lamb was born with five legs but the extra limb
doesn’t seem to bother it. And Heather says it is quite healthy. Although it’s a one-in-a-million occurrence, 10 years ago one of her sheep gave birth to a five-legged lamb called Quinto and had a long and healthy life. See video of the lamb on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewcastleChronicle/videos/679690483177116/

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

Real Estate Notebook: Homebuying not for the meek or timid

By David Stark, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Bay East Association of REALTORS®

Highlights from a recent telephone conversation with Steve Medeiros, a life-long Fremont resident and 2022 President-Elect of the Bay East Association of REALTORS® is simultaneously sobering and hopeful.

David Stark: Is the Fremont real estate market “insane” – and you don’t have to answer “yes” or “no.”

Steve Medeiros: It is incredibly hot right now.

DS: Is it hot for buyers, or sellers, or both?

SM: It’s hot for sellers because their properties sell in a heartbeat and it’s hot under the collar for buyers because these are the most challenging conditions I’ve seen for buyers during my career.

DS: Homes are selling quickly so even if it’s painful for buyers, they seem to be staying in the market and they seem to be able to put up with the heat. So, what’s going on with buyers?

SM: That’s the key, keeping buyers engaged and positive when they’ve been in a competitive market for so long.

DS: What’s keeping them in the market?

SM: There are buyers out there who are willing to compete in these conditions. Buying right now is not for the meek or the timid. You’ve got to really want it.

DS: How long is this going to last, is there a light at the end of the tunnel for buyers and should sellers start adjusting their expectations?

SM: My expectations are it’s going to continue for a while. The uptick in mortgage rates hasn’t seemed to dim anyone’s demand at all. I know our inventory, while at an all-time low, is still up over 50% since this time last month. More inventory will relieve some pressure on offers and prices, but it hasn’t happened yet – unless mortgage rates really skyrocket.

DS: Do you think sellers will need to adjust their pricing?

SM: If rates do increase, they may have to do that. So far, they haven’t had to adjust pricing because there are plenty of buyers.

DS: Do you see buyers exiting the market, which will bring demand down and then prices down?

SM: It’s possible, but there would have to be a paradigm shift for that many buyers to drop out of the market. I keep thinking we’re going to have buyer fatigue, but it hasn’t happened yet.

DS: Do you think sellers are going to look at these market conditions and decide now is the time to sell and will that bring more supply and bring prices down?

SM: I think sellers might be at the point where they are saying, ‘We’ve got to get out while the getting is good.’ I’m very encouraged by the fact that our inventory of homes for sale has gone up this past month.

THE ROBOT REPORT

GE’s Pipe-worm robot clears, maps pipeline networks

By Brianna Wessling

GE has upgraded its worm-like tunneling robot with highly-sensitive whiskers, similar to a cockroach’s whiskers, that give it enhanced perception capabilities for industrial pipeline monitoring, inspection and repair.

The Programmable Worm for Irregular Pipeline Exploration, or “Pipe-worm,” is GE’s latest adaptation of its autonomous giant earthworm-like robot. It was recently demonstrated at the company’s research campus in Niskayuna, were it traveled over 100 meters of pipe.

During Pipe-worm’s demonstration, it used its whiskers to navigate turns, as well as changes in the pipe’s diameter and in altitude. The robot uses artificial intelligence (AI) and the sensory data it gathers from its whiskers to automatically detect turns, elbows, junctions, pipe diameter and pipe orientation, among other things. The robot uses this information to create a map of the pipeline network in real time.

Cockroach whiskers are super sensitive, and are able to detect slight changes in the air and the environment around them.

“GE’s Pipe-worm takes the concept of the plumber’s drain snake to a whole new level,” Deepak Trivedi, a soft robotics expert at GE Research who led the development of Pipe-Worm, said. “This AI-enabled autonomous robot has the ability to inspect and potentially repair pipelines all on its own, breaking up the formation of solid waste masses like fatbergs that are an ongoing issue with many of our nation’s sewer systems. We’ve added cockroach-like whiskers to its body that gives it greatly enhanced levels of perception to make sharp turns or negotiate its way through dark, unknown portions of a pipeline network.”

Like the autonomous giant earthworm robot, Pipe-worm has powerful, fluid-powered muscles, which make it strong enough for heavy duty jobs. In 2020, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA’s) Underminer program awarded GE Research with a 15-month, $2.5 million project to demonstrate the feasibility of a robot-like Pipe-worm. The robot can also be used in support of military operations.

GE Research’s Robotics and Autonomy team are looking to apply Pipe-worm’s capabilities to other inspection and repair applications, like jet engine and power turbines in the aviation and power sectors. According to Trivedi, this application would involve a scaled-down version of the robot.

Brianna Wessling is an Associate Editor, Robotics, WTWH Media. She can be reached at [email protected].

Social Security Matters

By Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor, AMAC Foundation

Ask Rusty – My Husband Still Works; Must He Enroll in Medicare at age 65?

Dear Rusty: There is confusion between my husband and me on when he should file for Medicare. My husband will be 64 in July. While he does plan on continuing to work to age 67 and continuing with his employer’s insurance plan, I believe there’s a requirement that he file for a certain part of the Medicare retirement plan at age 65, otherwise there’s some penalty at some point in the future after retirement. There’s lots of confusion with this, and I’m hoping you can explain exactly what the process is in filing for Medicare at age 65 and after reaching full retirement age. Also, please comment on whether continuing with employers’ insurance is an option or if you should file for Medicare at age 65. Signed: Confused About Medicare

Dear Confused: There are two main parts of Medicare to be aware of for this discussion – Part A which is coverage for inpatient hospitalization services, and Part B which is coverage for outpatient services (doctors, medical tests, etc.).

Medicare Part A: Assuming your husband is eligible to collect Social Security when he turns 65 (he needn’t be collecting it, only eligible to), there will be no premium associated with Medicare Part A (thus no penalty if he delays claiming it). If his employer coverage is “creditable” (which is a group plan with at least 20 participants), then he can defer enrolling in Part A until, 1) His employer hospitalization coverage ends, or 2) He starts collecting his Social Security benefits (enrolling in Part A is mandatory for those who are collecting Social Security after age 65).

He may also wish to check with his employer’s HR department to see if his employer plan requires him to enroll
in Part A when he turns 65. However, if your husband enrolls in Part A and has a Health Savings Account (HSA) through his employer, any contributions made to his HSA account after the month before he is 65 will be subject to an IRS penalty and become taxable income.

Medicare Part B: There is a monthly premium associated with Part B, but if your husband has “creditable” healthcare coverage from his employer when he turns 65, he can simply defer enrolling in Part B until his employer coverage ends and there will be no Late Enrollment Penalty for waiting. When his employer coverage ends, he will enter an eight month Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) during which he can enroll in Part B without penalty. But if he doesn’t enroll during (or before) his SEP and enrolls in Part B later, he’ll be subject to a Late Enrollment Penalty which would increase his Part B premium by 10% for each full year he goes without “creditable” coverage after age 65.

FYI, your husband can also enroll in Part B shortly before his employer coverage ends and specify that he wishes his Medicare coverage to start on the 1st of the month following the end of his employer coverage (to avoid any gap in coverage). When your husband enrolls in Part B, he must also enroll in Part A (at no additional cost). FYI, Part B premiums can increase yearly – the standard 2022 Part B premium is $170.10/month.

There is another Medicare element called “Part D” which is coverage for prescription drugs. Prescription drug costs are not covered by Medicare Parts A/B and such coverage must be acquired separately if desired. When your husband’s prescription drug coverage from his employer plan ends, he’ll need to separately acquire (through a private insurer) drug coverage during his SEP, or there will be a separate Part D late enrollment penalty for acquiring drug coverage thereafter.

The bottom line is this: If your husband’s healthcare coverage from his employer is “creditable” he can simply defer enrolling in Medicare until his employer coverage ends, and there will be no late enrollment penalty for doing so (unless he waits beyond his SEP to enroll).

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at [email protected].

Take a color-themed approach for more attractive arrangements

By Melinda Myers

Photo courtesy of Longfield-Gardens.com

Growing dahlias is a must for anyone who loves cutting and arranging flowers. But there are hundreds of beautiful dahlia varieties to choose from, and that can be overwhelming. To make the selection process easier, choose compatible colors that will look good together in the garden and in arrangements.

The combination of peach and burgundy is both striking and sophisticated. Peach-colored flowers add a fresh and soothing feel to the garden. Dahlia American Dawn is a blend of peach, mango, and papaya with plum-purple highlights. Good partners include other varieties in the same warm, sunset tones, such as dinnerplate dahlia Belle of Barmera, decorative dahlia Great Silence and ball dahlia Maarn.

Planting dahlias in a perennial garden ensures non-stop color from July into October. The fluttering, melon-colored blooms of HS Date work particularly well, due to this variety’s maroon foliage and open growth habit. Complete your peach and burgundy theme with the dark-hued flowers of Rip City. These large, velvety flowers are almost black in the center and soften to wine-red toward the petal edges. Add ball dahlia Jowey Mirella for blooms that are smaller in size yet equally striking.

For another eye-catching color combination, narrow your selection to dahlias with purple and hot-pink flowers. Historically, purple was associated with royalty, spirituality and knowledge. While pastel purple evokes a sense of calm and serenity, deeper tones add drama and excitement. Dinnerplate dahlia Lilac Time is an heirloom variety with fluffy, lavender blooms that can measure eight to ten inches across. Be sure to also include flowers in juicy grape and violet hues such as dahlias Thomas Edison, Cartouche and Purple Taiheijo.

Complement these moody purples with vivid pink dahlias. Burlesca is a cute little pompon dahlia with tightly rolled petals that reveal hints of peach, burgundy and violet. Fascination’s rose-pink, semi-double flowers contrast beautifully with the plant’s dark foliage and the blossoms are irresistible to bees and butterflies. Ball dahlia Rocco is an all-star variety that is long lasting in both garden and vase.

If you prefer pastels to brights, choose dahlias in shades of pale yellow, soft pink and cream. The enormous flowers of dinnerplate dahlia Café au Lait are a must. Complement them with ball dahlias such as peachy Linda’s Baby or buttery Boom Boom yellow. Decorative dahlia Fluffles has taffy-pink petals that fade to white, while Milena Fleur’s are a mélange of pink, peach and pale butterscotch.

When you start with flowers in compatible colors, designing floral arrangements becomes so much easier. You’ll have all you need to quickly create a centerpiece for any gathering, an impressive bouquet for your own home, or an informal handful of blooms to share with friends.

For more tips about cut flowers, read the Longfield Gardens article How to Design a Cutting Garden (www.longfield-gardens.com).

Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Longfield Gardens for her expertise to write this article. Her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.

Irvington alumni prepare for charity game

By April Ramos

With high energy and a playful attitude, Irvington High School alumni team is preparing for the Robert J. Turbin Charity Reunion Game on Saturday, March 26. The fourth annual charity event is spearheaded by Superbowl Champion and Irvington alumni, Robert J. Turbin. This event, which draws the attendance of the community, serves a larger purpose than just a family friendly event and a competitive basketball game. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Irvington High School sports program, as well as Turbin’s Runnin4U Foundation. Runnin4U is committed to raising awareness of and solutions for Cerebral Palsy and Multiple Sclerosis.

The alumni team led by Coaches Cheryl Namoca and Jerry Trujillo, is comprised of Irvington alumni: Lamar Anderson, Nicole Ho, Scott Ho, Shaun Ho, Serge Chavez, Hannah Lee, Katie Owen, Ryan Leonard, Henry Wyatt and Robert J. Turbin.

The team was formed in the winter of 2019, but never had the chance to play the Irvington varsity team due to COVID-19. “This team in particular went through a lot and they stayed together the entire time,” explained Turbin. In the 2019 game, the varsity team came out on top against the Viking alumni, but this year might have a different outcome as 2011 graduate Shaun Ho shares, “I’m feeling pretty confident about [the game.]”

Attendees will have a chance for a meet and greet with Robert J. Turbin and special guest for photos and an autograph. There will also be face painting, food, raffles, giveaways, a musical performance by Preston Pohl and more.

Tickets and information about the event, and Runnin4U Foundation is available at robertjturbin.com.

Robert J. Turbin Charity Reunion Game

Saturday, Mar 26

Pre-game festival

12 noon – 3 p.m.

Game tip-off

4 p.m.

Irvington High School

41800 Blacow Rd., Fremont

Tickets: robertjturbin.com

$5 students, $10 adults

Pioneer track and field distance team

Submitted by Eric Harding, Cal State East Bay Athletics

Cal State East Bay (CSUEB) men’s track team competed in the 5000 meters in the Occidental Distance Carnival and UC Davis Spring Break Classic.

Cole McKain led Pioneer runners in the event, completing the distance run in 14-minutes 45.72-seconds. McKain placed 42nd overall among 246 total runners in the men’s 5000 meters.

Two other Pioneer runners competed in the Aggie Open at UC Davis. Dylan Shubert finished the men’s 1500 meters in 4:17.97, while Sebastian Garcia completed the 3000 meters in 9:34.06.

Women’s Recap:

In the Occidental Distance Carnival and Spring Break Classic, Claire Fisher led CSUEB women’s track team, finishing the distance event in 17:40.35 seconds, placing 14th. Other CSUEB top-20 finishes included Chase Worthen’s 15th place finish, less than a second behind Fisher, at 17:41.03 and a 19th place finish by Leza Cassidy, with a finish of 17.48.95.

Two Pioneers also competed in the 800 meters in the Aggie Open. Veronica Valenton and Ashley Trout finished with times of 2:27.10 and 2:36.08 respectively.

Tri-City track and field face off

By April Ramos

After two years of canceled seasons, three Tri-City high schools gathered on Wednesday, March 16 to kick off the 2022 track and field season. Newark Memorial High School (Newark), American High School (Fremont) and James Logan High School (Union City) competed in their first meet of the season. Bleachers were filled with family and friends at Logan High School’s stadium, eager to watch the action.

With a full heat, eight varsity girls took off at the sound of the gun to run the long sprint of 400-meters or a complete lap of the track. Off of the 300-meter curve, Logan High School’s Simryn Parikh pulled ahead of fellow Logan Colt, Lena Jones. Parikh gained some distance and reached the finish line a full second before Jones. Both Logan athletes secured first and second place with times of 64.18 seconds and 65.44 seconds. Srinidhi Sampath of American High School took third place, three seconds after, with a time of 68.79 seconds.

Varsity boys were up next on the block for the same event. Newark Memorial sprinter Zach Kim, took first place with a full two second lead and time of 54.8 seconds. Second and third place went to American sprinters, Ryan Arakal with a time of 56.89 seconds, and Karan Singh at 58.15 seconds.

The 300-meter hurdles began with a few stumbles, but that did not discourage the varsity athletes. All three hurdlers pushed through the challenging event and reached the finish line. Vijay Murali was first to cross the finish line with a time of 45.41 seconds. Following Murali was Newark Memorial Cougar, Kelvin Aquino at 48.72 seconds. Behind him came Ryan Arakal, fellow American Eagle, at 53.41 seconds.

The 4X400 meter relay was the final event of the evening and it was worth the wait. Varsity sprinters on the American and Logan girls’ team were the only two on the track. After the first three runners passed the baton, it was up to the anchors to claim the win. Coming off the final curve, the anchors were neck and neck and closed on a photo finish. It was only by checking the photo that Logan was declared the winner by milliseconds at 4:38.56 to 4:38.61.

For more results, visit diablotiming.com and click on results.

Alameda County Water District Board

March 10, 2022

Consent Calendar:

• Approval of minutes from February 10 board meeting and February 17 special board meeting.
• Ratification of payment of audited demands dated February 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2022.
• Authorization for directors to attend Water Alliance Annual Summit: Tap into Resilience in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Reaffirm a State of Emergency resolution to continue conducting board meetings remotely due to COVID-19 pandemic health and safety concerns pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.
• Resolution to award a construction contract for Blending Facility Low Flow Modifications Project.
• Authorize a professional services agree
  ment for Blending Facility SCADA Replacements Project.
• Resolution honoring Laura Rodelas upon her retirement from ACWD.
• Resolution nominating John H. Weed to the Executive Committee of the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority.

Action Items:

• Resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of an Installment Purchase Contract, a Continuing Disclosure Agreement, and an Official Statement for the 2022 Water System Revenue Bonds, and approving the sale of the bonds. Motion unanimously adopted.
• Resolution honoring Traci Fung upon her retirement from ACWD. Motion unanimously adopted.
• Fifth public hearing to receive public input on the transition from at-large to zone-based elections for Board of Directors members and consider adopting an ordinance approving the change, to start in November 2022. Motion accepting staff recommendation for Zone Map No. 3 unanimously adopted.
• Authorization to implement certain COVID-19 related temporary employee benefits provided by Senate Bill 114 with certain district provided enhancements. Motion unanimously adopted.
• Resolutions approving further amendments to the amended and restated Water Supply Agreement between the City and County of San Francisco and wholesale customers in Alameda County, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County and approving a minimum purchase transfer from the City of Mountain View to the City of East Palo Alto. Motion unanimously adopted.

John Weed, President              Aye

Aziz Akbari                             Aye

James Gunther                        Aye

Judy Huang                             Aye

Paul Sethy                               Aye

Returning money to California taxpayers may aid state budget

By Adam Beam

Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), March 9 — California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to send people another round of government checks, this time to help offset the record high cost of gas, will do more than just win him political points in an election year — it could help him balance the state’s budget.

California had a record surplus last year and while not as large this year the excess could still reach $29 billion. The state constitution limits how much money the Legislature can spend each year through a complex formula based on how much money the state collects in taxes. The state has rarely surpassed the limit in the more than four decades it’s been on the books.

But revenues have been climbing so fast that Newsom expects the state to be at least $2.6 billion past the limit this year and perhaps much more. Newsom and state lawmakers have a few options to get back under the limit. They can cut taxes, spend more money on things such as infrastructure and public education, or return money to taxpayers. That last option has been the most popular choice. Last year, the state sent billions in rebates to taxpayers who met certain income requirements.

Newsom had not proposed any new rebates so far this year. But on March 8, he included a surprise proposal in his annual State of the State address: A rebate to help people pay for the high cost of fuel. His announcement came just hours after President Joe Biden banned oil imports from Russia in response to that nation’s invasion of Ukraine, a decision that will likely further increase California’s record-setting gas prices.

“There’s news that’s evolving every day on these questions, and we’re trying to keep up and make sure that we can keep up with protecting Californians,” said Jason Elliott, Newsom’s senior adviser.

The proposal is so new there aren’t many details. Dee Dee Myers, another Newsom senior adviser, said one idea is to make the rebate available for people who have a car and live in California, regardless of their immigration status. She said the cost “will be in the billions” but it’s unclear how much people would get individually. It’s likely the state’s Democratic legislative leaders will want to focus the rebate so the rich don’t get the same amount as the poor.

It’s also not clear how much the proposal would help keep the state under the spending limit. In general, every $1 above the limit requires $1.60 of response. Newsom has already proposed $19.2 billion in spending on things such as building maintenance, drought response and transportation projects to help get the state under the limit.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office says more action will likely be needed. The agency predicts there is a 90% chance that revenues for the current budget year will continue to grow and could exceed expectations by as little as $5 billion or as much as $20 billion.

That means any rebate proposal likely won’t be enough on its own to address the problem. Myers said the Newsom administration is more focused on how the rebate would help drivers instead of how it would help meet the spending limit. “This would put money directly into the pockets of people,” she said.

California’s gas tax is 51.1 cents per gallon, the second highest in the nation. It’s scheduled to increase slightly for inflation on July 1. Newsom has proposed pausing that for one year, a move that would save drivers about $1.30 per month, according to Transportation California, a nonpartisan business and labor coalition.

California Republicans have backed a competing proposal that would suspend California’s gas tax for six months. Republican Assemblymember Kevin Kiley, the author of that proposal, said it would be “the quickest and easiest and most meaningful form of relief we could offer.”

“There’s no need for any sort of complicated rebate program that’s going to take a lot of time,” Kiley said.

Republicans, however, don’t have the numbers in the state Legislature to pass their bill. The top two Democrats in the Legislature — Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins — don’t support it, and they also don’t support pausing the gas tax increase, saying “our focus cannot be a small cut to the gas tax that might not get passed on to consumers.”

Suspending the gas tax, they say, would take “critical funds away from road repair and improvement.” Instead, the leaders indicated they would do something similar to what Newsom proposed by seeking “tax relief from the General Fund.”

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in California was a record $5.57 on March 9, the highest in the country, according to AAA. In the small community of Plumas Lake, about 30 miles north of Sacramento, regular gas was selling for just under $6 per gallon on March 9.

“It’s crazy. But, I mean, what am I going to do? I can’t do anything about it,” said Viridiana Manriquez, 26, as she filled up her car.

George Thelen, 78, paid $74.65 to fill up his work truck on his way to a job. He said he routinely drives more than 100 miles per day for his construction business. Thelen said he’s raised his prices to compensate for rising fuel costs. But a fix is on the way: He’s ordered an electric car he plans to turn into a work vehicle by removing some of the seats.

Meanwhile, Thelen said he’s not too worried about customers getting upset with him about raising his prices. “There’s a labor shortage,” he said, pausing to pull his ringing cellphone from his front shirt pocket. “And my phone is ringing off the hook.”

Fremont City Council

March 15, 2022

Consent Calendar:

• Authorize maintenance agreements for Aqua Adventure Waterpark with National Aquatic Services, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $99,000 annually and Skyblue Pool Supply ‘N Serv
  ice in an amount not to exceed $99,000 annually.
• Authorize a public road improvement agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Dusterberry Way Improvement project.
• Approve construction contract for Babbling Brook and Mammoth Picnic Area Renovations in the amount of $494,0007.50 to IBS USA, Inc.
• Authorize continuation of Winter Relief Non-Congregate Shelter Program with KB Son Inc. in an amount not to exceed $71,000 with new total not to exceed $170,000.

Ceremonial Items:

• Proclaim March 2020 as 20^th Annual March for Meals Month. Outreach Manager Deepa Chordiya of LIFE ElderCare [Meals on Wheels] accepted the proclamation.

Public Communications:

• Positive comments on Safe Parking pilot program and Homekey.
• City focus should focus on traffic conditions, crime & safety, homelessness issues instead of walking bridge for Sabercat trail. Bike lanes on Washington Boulevard, traffic signals and sidewalks better use of funds.
• Importance of interconnected trails.

Items Removed from Consent Calendar:

• Enroll City electricity accounts in EBCE Renewable 100 rate plan.

Scheduled Items:

• Public Hearing to approve General Plan Amendment to Tech Industrial for 40517 Albrae Street. Add condition of fully solar-ready.
• Public Hearing to consider annual report on 2015-2023 Housing Element of General Plan. PASSED 6-0-1 (Kassan, abstain)

Other Business:

• Adopt Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Short term goals (0-3 yrs): add dog parks, pickleball courts, outdoor fitness amenities, parks foundation funding, acquire land in underserved areas.

Mid Term goals (4-5 yrs.): leverage partnerships for Pacific Commons Sports Park, Update Historical Parks, update & expand Community Centers, Expand active adult programming.

Long Term goals (5+ yrs.): New multigenerational multipurpose Recreation Center, replace, renovate and add restrooms, increase environmental sustainability, maximize access and trail connectivity.

Mayor Lily Mei                                   Aye (absent through public communications)

Vice Mayor Raj Salwan, District 5     Aye

Teresa Keng, District 1                       Aye

Rick Jones, District 2                          Aye

Jenny Kassan, District 3                     Aye, 1 Abstain

Yang Shao, District 4                          Aye

Teresa Cox, District 6

City recruiting students for Youth Commission

Submitted by City of Hayward

Applications are being accepted from students who would like to serve on the Hayward Youth Commission.

To be a successful, candidates should be students who are eager to represent the interests, needs and concerns of young people of Hayward. Youth Commission members also provide input about issues that affect youth to elected officials in the City of Hayward, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, and Hayward Unified School District.

Youth Commissioner responsibilities include attending meetings the first and third Monday of each month from September to June, except holidays. Currently, meetings are held online via Zoom in compliance with COVID-19 pandemic guidelines. Students also work on various special projects that address current issues in Hayward.

To qualify for the commission, students must meet several criteria:

• Be between 13 and 20 years old at the time of appointment.
• Live in the City of Hayward or within the boundaries of Hayward Unified School District.
• Applicants younger than 18 must have parent/legal guardian consent to participate and need to complete a Parent Agreement and Contact Information form.

The deadline to submit an application is Friday, May 20. Applicants will be notified by mail when an interview time is confirmed. Interviews are one day only and are scheduled for Thursday, June 2.

Applications and forms are available online at www.hayward-ca.gov/hyc or by calling (510) 583-4400 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

Immigration questions? Help is available

Submitted by Chabot-Las Positas Community College District

Free immigration legal services are available to people who need help to determine their immigration status, rights and options. The services are offered through Chabot Dream Center at Chabot College in Hayward in partnership with East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC).

Individuals can consult with an immigration attorney or legal advocate about immigration options, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, naturalization, family-based petitions, asylum and status for victims of crimes or abuse.

All consultations and services are private and confidential. Following the consultation, each individual will have a dedicated immigration attorney or legal advocate to guide them through the process. Financial assistance, including the $495 DACA filing fee and $725 naturalization fee, is also available.

The services are available to students attending, or interested in attending, Chabot College, Las Positas College, or any other college in the California Community College System (CCCS). Staff and faculty of the CCCS also qualify to receive services.

Consultation and immigration services with EBCLC immigration attorneys and legal advocates are currently held virtually or over the phone. For program details, and to schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney or legal advocate, visit the Chabot College website at www.chabotcollege.edu/, then enter “Dreamers Resources” into the search field and follow the link.

Milpitas City Council

March 15, 2022

Proclamation:

• March 19 was proclaimed as Chez the Ice Cream Man Appreciation Day.

Consent Calendar:

• Adopted a resolution granting acceptance of the public improvements for Ellison Park Residential Project Public Improvement Plan.
• Adopted a resolution granting acceptance of the completed public improvements for Lucente Residential Project, Public Improvement Plan.
• Adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a six-year sole-source services agreement with Symbium Corporation for the unlimited use of proprietary web- based tools (Symbium Plancheck and Build Business) as a cloud-based service.
• Adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the 2021 amended and restated Water Supply Agreement between the City and County of San Francisco Wholesale Customers in Alameda County, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County; and another resolution approving a Minimum Purchase Transfer Agreement from the City of Mountain View to the City of East Palo Alto.
• Amended a resolution delegating authority to the Public Works Director to take emergency action and award emergency contracts without giving notice soliciting competitive bids.
• Received the 2021 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and Housing Successor Agency Annual Report and authorized the submittal of both reports to California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR).
• Awarded a construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder submitting a responsive bid, Mercoza for the Citywide Sidewalk Repair Project.
• Approved a Fee Waiver for the Milpitas Kiwanis Club Foundation Crab Feed on April 8, 2022 at the Milpitas Community Center and a Fee Waiver for the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce for an ADU Community Educational Event on April 30, 2022, at the Milpitas Community Center.

Public Hearing:

• Following a public heari
  ng adopted a resolution directing the County of Santa Clara Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency – Weed Abatement Program to abate the nuisance, keep an account of the cost, and embody such account in a report and assessment list to the City Council in accordance with the Milpitas Municipal Code.

Support Services:

• Received a report on results of the 2022 Citywide Community Engagement Survey.
• Considered Council priority items for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and provided directions to staff on any required modifications to the ARPA Investment Plan to allow for the additional allocation; and provided input to staff on proposed process for future changes to the ARPA Investment Plan.

Requested Item by Councilmember Chua:

• Requested the City Attorney to explore ways to make the City’s Lobbyists Ordinance more robust and up to date.

Item Pulled from Consent Calendar:

• Approved the Pickleball Pilot Program at Gill Park Handball Courts.

Rich Tran (Mayor)                              Aye

Carmen Montano (Vice Mayor)          Aye

Anthony Phan                                     Aye

Karina Dominguez                              Aye

Evelyn Chua                                        Aye

Representative Eric Swalwell Secures $1.7 Million for Safe Routes to Schools Program

Submitted by the Alameda County Transportation Commission

ALAMEDA COUNTY, Calif. – The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) program will receive $1.7 million to help students in Alameda County travel to school safely thanks to Representative Eric Swalwell’s efforts in passing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, which will fund the Federal government through September 30, 2022 and includes Community Projects Funding.

Alameda CTC’s Safe Routes to Schools program is committed to creating safe environments surrounding school campuses. The SR2S program is a comprehensive countywide program that aims to increase safe walking and biking and encourage alternative modes to school with the goals of reducing congestion and harmful pollutants around schools and increasing the safety and physical activity of students.

Alameda CTC Chair, and Emeryville Mayor John J. Bauters said, “Investing in active transportation is a priority of the Commission, and we are excited to receive this funding for our Safe Routes to Schools Program, which will improve pedestrian and bicycle safety around schools and encourage sustainable travel and active transportation for youth throughout the County.”

Representative Eric Swalwell meets with Hayward High Leadership Class

Submotted by the Hayward Unified School District

HAYWARD, Calif., March 17 – Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) students and district and site leaders met with Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) during a virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 16. Students were able to ask questions of Rep. Swalwell, who was on-site at the U.S. Capitol while Congress was taking votes.

Hayward High School students Calvin Yang, Nick Falk and Hannah Aunger asked the congressman questions about becoming more involved within their communities and the civic process. Rep. Swalwell, who called in from his phone, was able to share real-time images of the Capitol with the students.

The congressman told those on the call that he was sincerely impressed by this generation of young people who have experienced unique and unprecedented hardships due to COVID-19, social justice movements and more.

“It means a lot to me that you invited me to do this. What a time right now to be alive,” Swalwell said during the meeting. “It’s an honor to represent you in D.C. as we face some of the greatest challenges we have ever faced. You are living through times that have tested all of us, but you’re in this pivotal moment, and you all have persevered, and you all are making it through this.”

Rep. Swalwell also shared opportunities to get involved within their communities. He told students about internships within his Castro Valley and Washington D.C. offices and an upcoming initiative to be a part of a Youth Advisory Council that would consult him and his staff on issues.

Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne said he was proud of Yang, Falk and Aunger for their initiative to invite the congressman and thanked Rep. Swalwell for his continued support of HUSD.

“These students are our future leaders, and we are incredibly proud of them for reaching out to their congressional representative and staying involved in their civic duties,” Wayne said. “Eric Swalwell has truly been a partner to our schools, and for him to show up in this way and give our students this really unique learning opportunity speaks to that.”

HUSD Board of Education Trustee Peter Bufete was present and helped students to organize the meeting. He said it was an honor to have Swalwell visit with the students.

“As we look to the future of our community and working with Rep. Swalwell, we know we’re in good hands,” Bufete said. “A special thanks to our students Calvin, Nick and Hannah who led this event. We could not be more proud of how well they represented Hayward Unified School District during the meeting with the congressman.”

US grew wealthier, better educated in 2nd half of 2010s

By Mike Schneider

Associated Press

The U.S. grew wealthier, better educated, less impoverished and less transient during the second half of the last decade, according to data released March 17 by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Median household income for the nation, which had been almost $59,000 from 2011 to 2015, rose to almost $65,000 during the 2016 to 2020 period, which was the final stretch of the longest expansion in the history of U.S. business cycles, according to American Community Survey 5-year estimates.

With the exception of Colorado, the states with the biggest gains in household income were primarily on the coasts. The Rocky Mountain state joined the District of Columbia, California, Massachusetts and Washington with household jumps ranging from $9,000 to $14,000. The smallest gain was in Louisiana, at almost $1,800, and household income declined by almost $1,500 in Alaska.

The data released March 17 capture the second half of a decade-long expansion in the U.S. economy that followed the Great Recession. The expansion ended in spring 2020 as the coronavirus started spreading throughout the U.S., forcing businesses to close and workers to be laid off. The data captured only a small part of the initial impact from the pandemic, according to the Census Bureau.

The nation’s poverty rate dropped significantly in the last half of the decade, going from 15.5% in the 2011 to 2015 period, in the aftermath of the Great Recession, to 12.8% in the 2016 to 2020 period. With the exception of Alaska, where its change wasn’t statistically significant, poverty decreased in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Along with the increase in household income and decline in poverty, home sizes got bigger. The number of owner-occupied homes with at least four bedrooms jumped from 29.7% to 31.3%

People were s
lightly less mobile in the last half of the 2010s, with 86.2% staying in the same home in the 2016 to 2020 period, compared to 85.1% in the 2011 to 2015 span. Young adults, who tend to move more than any age group, also slowed down their mobility, with 76.4% of people between ages 25 and 34 staying put compared to 75% between 2011 and 2015. Demographers say overall mobility in the U.S. has declined in recent years because housing construction hasn’t kept pace with population growth, and the increase in the debt people carry makes moving more difficult.

The U.S. became better educated in the second half of the 2010s, with almost a third of the population over age 25 having a bachelor’s degree or higher between 2016 and 2020, compared to 29.8% between 2011 and 2015.

Income inequality was slightly higher at the end of the decade, and it was at its highest level in the 2010s than in more than five decades that records have been kept. It declined in the District of Columbia and Texas, and it rose most significantly in Wyoming.

The American Community Survey provides the most comprehensive data on American life by asking 3.5 million households each year questions about commuting times, internet access, family life, income, education levels, disabilities, military service and employment. Disruptions caused by the pandemic produced fewer responses in 2020. Because of the low response rate, the 1-year version of the survey capturing year-to-year changes didn’t measure up to Census Bureau standards and it only was released in an experimental format.

For the 5-year version of the American Community Survey released March 17, the Census Bureau revised its methodology to reduce the impact from the lack of responses.

BART Police Log

Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD

Monday, March 14

• At 8:57 a.m. a man identified by police as Alan Zeitz, 36, of San Pablo was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on a no bail warrant issued by Alameda County Sheriff’s Office charging buying or receiving a stolen vehicle. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail.

• At 2:08 p.m. a man identified by police as William Scott, 32, of Richmond was detained at San Leandro station on suspicion of fare evasion. He resisted the detention and provided false identification. He was arrested on suspicion of resisting an officer and booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Tuesday, March 15

• At 5:56 a.m. a man identified by police as Devondre James, 19, of Brentwood was detained at Warm Springs/South Fremont station on suspicion of fare evasion. He was later arrested on suspicion of obstructing an officer and booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Thursday, March 17

• At 7:12 p.m. a man identified by police as Rafael Casillas, 18, of Hayward was arrested at Milpitas station on suspicion of carrying a concealed dirk or dagger and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.

Friday, March 18

• At 6:50 a.m. a man identified by police as Lamont Abbitt, 42, of Oakley was arrested at Warm Springs/South Fremont station on multiple warrants issued in Oakley, Napa and Martinez. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Fremont Police Log

Submitted by Yanneth Contrada, Fremont PD

Friday, March 11

• At about 1:31 a.m. a person called police after hearing a metal cutting sound outside in the area of Almond Avenue in the Irvington district. The caller reported seeing two suspects leaving the area in a vehicle. Arriving officers located a vehicle at the scene with its catalytic converter removed.

• At about 2:40 p.m. a female standing near the intersection of Auto Mall Parkway and Osgood Road began to swing a butcher knife and threatened to kill two people inside a vehicle waiting at a stoplight. She was last seen walking toward a nearby 76 gas station.

• At about 11:20 p.m. officers located a stolen vehicle being driven into the Glenmoor Green Apartment complex, 38822 Farwell Drive in central Fremont. Two suspects inside the vehicle, identified by police as Steve Gonzalez, 22, and Brianna Herrera, 28, both of Fremont were arrested.

Monday, March 14

• Between 7:25 p.m. and 8:03 p.m. someone smashed windows from about six vehicles and removed items from inside the vehicles in a parking lot near Toro Sushi, 43785 Boscell Road.

Tuesday, March 15

• Shortly after 5:00 p.m. police responded to a report about a shooting in a residential area on the 4200 block of Doane Street near the Irvington district. Arriving officers found a male suffering from gunshot wounds; he later died at the scene. Officers located a male suspect nearby and took him into custody. During the investigation, police closed Lindenwood Street between Crestwood and Doane streets for about three hours. The identities of the victim and the suspect were not immediately released, pending additional investigation.

UPDATE:

On March 15, 2022, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Fremont patrol officers were dispatched to an “Ascertain the Problem” call in the area of the 40000 block of Lindenwood St.  As officers were responding, the incident was upgraded to a shooting and several callers advised that the victim was lying on the ground.  The suspect also called Dispatch and advised that he had shot the victim and would await the arrival of officers.  He advised Dispatch that he would relinquish his firearm when officers arrived on scene.  Officers arrived on scene and located the shooter, who was identified as 77-year-old Colorado resident Franklin Earl Lynch.  Lynch was taken into custody after he surrendered his firearm as instructed by responding officers.  Officers and medical personnel provided medical aid to the 34-year-old victim; however, the victim was pronounced deceased at 5:32 p.m.

While investigating this incident, it was determined that a disturbance had occurred between the involved parties and escalated into a shooting.  Lynch provided a limited statement to detectives; however, several witness statements have also been taken.  The Fremont Police Department is currently investigating this case as a homicide and detectives are still conducting follow up to determine a motive.  Lynch was booked at Santa Rita Jail and the case was presented to the District Attorney on March 17, 2022.  The District Attorney’s Office has charged Lynch with one count of murder, and numerous enhancements, including the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are asked to contact Detective Jacob Blass at 510-790-6900 or via email [email protected].  We also accept and welcome anonymous tips. To send a web tip, go to https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/5788118 or text your tip, by typing TIP FREMONTPD followed by your short message to 888777.

Hayward police want to hear from you

Submitted by Hayward Police Department

A community survey seeking feedback from the Hayward residents, business owners and visitors about services provided by the Hayward Police Department (HPD) is posted online.

According to HPD officials, feedback from the anonymous survey also will be used to help the department learn what are the most important concerns community members have when it comes to crime in the Hayward.

The 14-question, multiple-choice survey is posted at

www.surveymonkey.com/r/QS7KVZ8 and will be available through March 31.

Man accused of stealing parking meters

Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP), March 7 — A Topeka man is accused of stealing more than two dozen park
ing meters from the downtown area. Police say the 32-year-old suspect was arrested March 7 and faces several charges.

Officers had been investigating the theft last week of 26 coin-operated parking meters. Around midnight on March 7, a caller told police they saw someone walking with a shopping cart in an area of downtown and possibly stealing meters.

Officers arrived and arrested the suspect. They say he was in possession of several recently-stolen meters. The man is jailed without bond.

Letter to the Editor

Shooting in Fremont

After the Tesla tragedy, I am shocked that another Fremont resident was killed in a residential area. This is sad news to the entire neighborhood.

And don’t blame it on mental health issues. Logically, it is the weapon that should be blamed.

The first and foremost question that arises is who authorized him and where did he get this weapon from and for what purpose? If this is bought for safety or defense then it should not be taken out in the street to kill your neighbor. But if the gun owner has the intention to kill another person, then this weapon should not have been sold in the first place.

I am puzzled by this question and come to the conclusion that gun dealers are selling assault weapons to the general public without a background check, like a passport to kill. At this juncture, the state of California has to overhaul the rules/regulations for issuing licenses to only those who are mentally fit.

Zafar Yousufzai

Fremont

Residents celebrate 70 and 90 years

Submitted by Joan Fontes and Lou Cuneo

Moving into their first home in Niles in 1955, just three years after their marriage, Bill and Mary Fontes. They chose to raise their family and plant their roots, as well as their backyard garden and orchard, here in Fremont. Bill and Mary recently commemorated 70 years of marriage in February 2022. And, in April of this year they will celebrate their 90th birthdays. They were born on the same day, April 21, 1932.

Mr. and Mrs. Fontes raised three children in Fremont, all of them graduating from Mission San Jose High School. Their daughter, Joan, was born in the back seat of their 1953 Pontiac on New Year’s Eve, in 1956, on their way to Eden Hospital, since Washington had yet to be built. Their youngest son, Joe, was born at Washington Hospital.

Bill volunteered as a coach for his daughter’s softball team and son’s baseball team. He retired from Safeway as an industrial engineer and Mary retired from banking in Niles. After retirement, she volunteered at Fremont Senior Center for about 22 years. Mary was elected president of the Builders Fund and served for seven years in that capacity. Bill also volunteered at the Senior Center in a few capacities, including photographer for membership cards.

Bill and Mary are now fully retired from service and enjoy their personal pursuits, which include gardening, and quilting for Mary. They also enjoy seeing their great-grandsons grow up in Fremont and Livermore.

They have watched Fremont grow from a rural orchards and farmland area into the great city it has become today. A total change from when they first moved to the city 67 years ago.

Honor Roll

Saint Francis University, Pennsylvania

Fall 2021 Dean’s List

• Aarati Sarikonda of Fremont

PayPal enables customers to send money to Ukrainians

By Ken Sweet

Associated Press Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP), March 17 — PayPal said on March 17 that its users will now be able to send money to Ukrainians, both in the war-ravaged country as well as those now refugees across Europe.

Previously, people in Ukraine were only able to use the payments platform to send money out of the country. They will now be able to receive funds, as well as make transfers within Ukraine and abroad.

The decision by PayPal came following a request from the Ukrainian government to open up its services to its citizens. “Thank you for supporting Ukraine and peace!” said Mykhailo Fedorov, the country’s vice prime minister, on Twitter. It’s the latest measure by banks and other financial services companies looking for ways to help Ukrainians impacted by Russia’s invasion. PayPal cut off Russia from its services last week.

Since the war began, Americans and other supporters of Ukraine have been looking for ways to financially support Ukrainian refugees as well as those still in the country. People have booked Airbnbs in Kyiv or sent cryptocurrencies to Ukrainians. Money transfer companies like MoneyGram and Western Union have seen surges in demand as people look for ways to send money to friends and family in the region.

PayPal, which is based in San Jose, California, said it will waive fees on transfers of funds to Ukrainian accounts, or for anyone receiving funds in Ukrainian accounts until June 30. The funds in a PayPal account can be then transferred into the user’s local bank or used as a virtual Visa or Mastercard, which is more common in Europe than in the U.S. Physical cards will also be eligible to receive PayPal funds.

PayPal’s Xoom international remittance service is also waiving its transaction fees, the company said.

IAD032222

CONTINUING EVENTS:

Tuesday, February 8 – Monday, April 4

Climate Change Art

M – T: 12 noon – 8 p.m.

W-Th: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sa: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Su: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Learning Center Windows (thru 3/31)

Gallery Wall (thru 4/4)

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

www.aclibrary.org

Thursday, January 20 – Saturday, April 2

Journey of Color

Virtual Exhibit: 1/20 – 4/2

In-Person Exhibit: 1/27 – 4/2

Gallery Hours: Thurs – Sun, 12 noon – 5 p.m.

Traditional Asian techniques with contemporary processes

Olive Hyde Gallery

123 Washington Blvd., Fremont

(510) 791-4357

www.olivehydeartguild.org

https://fremont.gov/3065/Current-Exhibition

Thursday, January 20 – Sunday, March 27

Double Take: Art and Literature Side by Side

Thurs -Sun, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Blending together of word and art

Bankhead Theater

2400 First St., Livermore

(925) 373-6800

www.LivermoreArts.org

Saturdays & Sundays, February 12 – April 17

Niles Canyon Railway Train Rides $

Departures from Sunol Depot at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

$25 for adults

$15 for seniors (62+) and children (3-12)

6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol

https://www.ncry.org/

Sunday, February 13 – Sunday, April 17

Dove Gallery Annual Juried Art Exhibit

Gallery Open Sundays from 12 noon – 3 p.m.

Artworks of various media and style by 80 artists

Park Victoria Church back parking lot

875 S. Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas

[email protected]

Friday, March 4 – Saturday, April 16

Painting Through the Pandemic: Artwork as a Relief

Fri – Sat: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Pandemic era art from Sun Gallery members and new artists

Sun Gallery

1015 E St., Hayward

(510) 581-4050

http://www.sungallery.org/

Saturday, March 12 – Sunday, April 10

Villainy in the Vineyard

Saturdays: 8 p.m.

Sundays: 2 p.m.

Fridays 4/1 & 4/8: 8 p.m.

Kaye Syrah tries to keep her family vineyard alive

San Leandro Museum/Auditorium

320 West Estudillo Ave., San Leandro

Tickets: $20 general; $15 seniors & under 12

(510) 895-2573

www.slplayers.org

Saturday, March 19 – Saturday, April 23

Fremont Cultural Art Council Juried Photo Exhibit

During library hours

Photos from community members on the theme “Scenes of Fremont”

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

Exhibit Chairperson Rajeev Shankar: (510) 399-3049

[email protected]

https://fremontculturalartscouncil.org/

UPCOMING

Friday, March 18 – Saturday, March 26

“High Fidelity: The Musical” $

3/24, 3/25: 8 p.m.

3/26: 2 p.m.

Las Positas College

Barbara F. Mertes Center for the Arts

3000 Campus Hill Dr., Livermore

http://laspositascollege.edu/theater/

https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/60386

Thursday, March 24 – Sunday, March 27

Animal Feeding

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Check for eggs and feed livestock

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

www.ebparks.org

Thursday, March 24

VA Mobile Medical Outreach Team

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Exams and consultations for veterans enrolled in VA healthcare

Hayward Veterans Memorial Hall

22737 Main St., Hayward

(510) 881-7980

Thursday, March 24

Place Matters R

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Virtual community conversation led by La Familia

www.tinyurl.com/LF-Place-Matters

Thursday, March 24

Women Leaders

6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

Panel of non-profit women leaders

Lecture Hall

San Leandro Library

300 Estudillo Ave, San Leandro

www.sanleandro.org

Friday, March 25

Roy Orbison Returns $

8 p.m.

Wiley Ray & The Big O Band

Bankhead Theatre

2400 First St., Livermore

(925) 583-2306

www.livermorearts.org

Saturday and Sunday, March 26 – 27

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale

Sat. 9 a.m. – 11a.m. for members, 11a.m. – 3 p.m. open to all

Sun. 12 noon – 3 p.m.

San Leandro Library

300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro

(510) 686-1824

 

Saturday March 26

Fremont Area Writers

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Alameda County Arts Commissioner talks about fine arts grants

Request Zoom link from Scott Davidson:

[email protected]

https://cwc-fremontareawriters.org

Saturday, March 26

Neighborhood Clean-Up R

8 a.m. – 12 noon

Learn about money-saving programs that support the environment

Mt. Eden Park

2451 W. Tennyson Rd., Hayward

www.eventbrite.com/e/march-2022-khcg-beautification-event

Saturday, March 26

Rope Making & Hay Hoisting

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Make a rope using an antique machine

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

www.ebparks.org

Saturday, March 26

Storefront Storytime

11 a.m.

Ms. JoEllen reads “Dibble & Dabble”

Books on B

1014 B St., Hayward

(510) 538-3943

Saturday, March 26

Free Open House Prize Preview Event

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Step into Spring Silent Auction & Raffle

Attendees receive a free raffle ticket

Our Lady of Guadalupe School

40382 Fremont Blvd., Fremont

https://one.bidpal.net/olg2022

Saturday, March 26 – Sunday, March 27

Nectar Garden Exploration

11 a.m. – 12 noon

Discover native pollinators and plants

Coyote Hills Visitor Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont

www.ebparks.org

Saturday, March 26

Budding Birders R

9 a.m.

Playful activities to learn basic bird identification. Ages 7+

Sunol Visitor Center

1895 Geary Rd., Sunol

www.ebparks.org

Saturday, March 26

Pokean: Make a Native American Game

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Use cornhusks and feathers to make your game

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

www.ebparks.org

Saturday, March 26

Serpentine Surprises

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Discover colorful and unique rock, Ages 7+

Sunol Visitor Center

1895 Geary Rd., Sunol

www.ebparks.org

Saturday, March 26

78^th Annual Hayward Chamber of Commerce Gala $

4 p.m.

Dinner with awards honoring local businesses, plus auction

In-person and live streaming

Life Chiropractic College West

25001 Industrial Blvd, Hayward

www.hayward.org

Saturday, March 26

4^th Annual Spring Ball Charity Reunion Game $

12 noon – 3 p.m.: Pre-Game Festival

4 p.m.: Game Tip Off

Food, entertainment, raffles, fun activities, special guest

Irvington High School

41800 Blacow Rd., Fremont

www.robertjturbin.com

$5/ student, $10/ adults

Saturday, March 26

Sharing Stories + Walk

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

New non-profit Rcoz hosts story sharing and walk

Old Mission Park

Pine St., Fremont

https://bit.ly/3MSE9am

Sunday, March 27

Birding 101

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Learn how to find and identify birds

Bring binoculars

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

www.ebparks.org

Sunday, March 27

Un-bee-lievable Pollinators

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Learn about native pollinators and plants

Coyote Hills Visitor Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont

www.ebparks.org

Sunday, March 27

Meet the Chickens

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

Discover why chickens like to scratch and peck the ground

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

www.ebparks.org