05-02-23 Articles

Bay Area Book Festival returns

Submitted by Bay Area Book Festival

The 9th annual “Bay Area Book Festival” will bring its literary magic to all ages again this year. In that spirit, all events––except the headliner programs on Saturday and Sunday night––will now be offered at no cost. The festival’s 74 indoor programs and 24 programs on outdoor stages will feature the most lauded and exciting authors and thinkers of today––from W. Kamau Bell to Joan Baez, Cory Doctorow to Tricia Hersey, and many more––representing a diversity of backgrounds and writing across many genres.

Highlights from adult programs include Nicole Chung speaking about themes of adoption, identity, and grief in her second memoir A Living Remedy; a panel of Native American and First Nations authors who write in genres encompassing mystery, thriller, and horror to look at history from an indigenous perspective; and Dean King speaking on his new nonfiction Guardians of the Valley, which tells the story of John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson coming together to preserve Yosemite Valley in all its wilderness glory.

Literature is for all ages, and kids are welcome at the festival. Young adult (YA) and children’s programming will provide an array of events and activities for families and young readers to unite around a shared celebration of books and reading. Award-winning YA, middle-grade, and picture book authors & illustrators from the Bay and around the world will appear on indoor and outdoor stages. On Sunday, May 7 (one day only), Downtown Berkeley’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Park will be home to a magical youth expo and Family Fun Zone brimming with author booths, games, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts, and other interactive fun. All youth programs are free.

Other highlights for young readers and families include a story time with authors from around the world, where authors read their tales of family tradition and culture; a discussion on new Native American kids’ literature, led by UC Berkeley Native American Studies librarian Laurel Goodluck; and panels on YA horror and thrillers aimed at teen readers.

The full schedule is available on the Festival website: baybookfest.org. All Saturday programs will take place indoors, while Sunday’s are both indoors and outdoors. Tickets to headliner events are $15.

Bay Area Book Festival

Saturday, May 6 – Sunday, May 7

Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Downtown Berkeley; various venues

baybookfest.org

Free admission; Tickets to headliner events $15

East Bay native plants garden tours

By Rob Klindt

Birds, caterpillars, butterflies, and moths. Those are elements found in a happy, healthy, and harmonious garden, according to Kathy Kramer, a Bay Area native plant gardening enthusiast.

Kramer is founder and coordinator of “Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour,” which hosts annual tours through the yards of homes in Alameda and Contra Costa counties where native plants have replaced thirsty lawns and non-native shrubs, plants and trees. She founded the program in 2005 “to inspire, encourage, and help people to garden with California native plants.”

Now in its 19th year, the tour has grown in popularity and has blossomed into a two-day online and in-person event. Kramer said online tours, which were prompted by the COVID-19 shutdown, have been a surprise success. “Prior to the pandemic it was just a one day in-person event,” she explained. “When the pandemic came, we switched horses in mid-stream, canceled the tour at the very last minute and turned it into an online event that went on for two years.”

Online tours were so successful, they were added to the annual schedule. This year’s online tours were held April 15 and 16. “We had about 400 viewers on Saturday and almost 300 on Sunday,” Kramer said, adding that the online aspect offers a good introduction to the program. The hope is online viewers will also attend the in-person tours on May 6 and 7. Kramer said she has not heard of any area gardens negatively impacted by recent heavy rainstorms or strong winds.

The value of native plants

Kramer said native plants are valuable to local wildlife – particularly birds. “All baby birds must have insects, particularly caterpillars, which thrive in California native plants,” she explained. She added that butterflies and moths, which are also important to birds, seek out native plants to lay their eggs. “So, if you don’t have California native plants you won’t have caterpillars, and if we don’t have caterpillars, we won’t have birds,” Kramer said.

In Fremont, homeowner Joel Lym, who will be showcasing his native plant garden on May 6, said buckwheat is a good native plant people should consider starting their garden with. “Buckwheats are great, very easy and keystone plants, which means they support an abundance of beneficial insects. We have a few local to the Bay Area such as coastal buckwheat and California buckwheat. Red flowering buckwheat, although not local to the Bay Area, is also a good one.”

Stefanie Pruegel has been growing native plants at her San Leandro home since 2016. She suggests people look for native alternatives to non-native plants with similar functions and colors. “For example, if you have agapanthus in your yard – which is not a host plant to any California caterpillars – you could consider replacing it with silver bush lupine which is also blue, drought tolerant and beautiful.” She added that it is also a host plant for countless native butterfly and moth species. Pruegel’s home is also part of the tour on May 6.

Green home features

For the second year, Kramer said visitors to some of the 54 homes on this year’s tour will be able to see green home features such as solar panels, enhanced weather stripping, insulation, and smart electrical panels, which all can help the environment.

Tourgoers can even go inside four of the homes to see green home updates. Every home will have volunteer hosts to answer gardening questions and some will have electrification volunteers who can offer green home upgrade tips and tricks.

Solar panels have been an especially good green home feature for Lym. “My solar panels significantly reduced my reliance on electricity from the grid, and also reduced gasoline consumption by charging my cars,” he said.

For Pruegel, a simple green home feature such as a backyard clothesline to dry laundry by sunlight has been very effective. But she also has solar panels with battery storage, an upgraded “smart” electrical panel, ductless electric mini-split heat pump, and an induction stove. That’s in addition to double-pane windows, and fiberglass insulation in the attic, walls, and under the floor.

The lasting impression Kramer hopes people will get from the tours is from the gardens themselves. “People will be surprised at how beautiful these gardens are…and how lovely a well-designed garden is,” she said.

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour

Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

In-person garden tours; various East Bay locations

Free; $15 donation suggested

Registration: www.bringingbackthenatives.net

‘Hawaiians in Hayward’ exhibit celebrates AAPI month

Submitted by Hayward Arts Council

This May, Hayward will kick off Asian American, Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with an art exhibition co-sponsored by Hayward Arts Council and Hayward Public Library. “Hawaiians in Hayward” presents the city’s rich history of culture and aloha, curated by award-winning Hawaiian musician, author, educator, and Bay Area native Patrick Kahakauwila Kamaholelani Landeza.

“Hawaiians in Hayward,” takes us back to the 1830s with William Heath Davis and his contributio
ns, touches on the migration of Hawai`i people to Hayward, and celebrates the rich Hawaiian culture that lives in the Heart of the Bay.

The art of Makaiwa Tong Kanui, a Native Hawaiian artist based out of the Big Island of Hawai`i will be on view. Makaiwa spent much of her time in Hayward attending Mills College where she graduated in 2015. “There were always Hawaiian events happening in Hayward; I really never felt like I left home” said Makaiwa. In addition, exhibiting artists Hetal Anjaira, Anna May, Chandana Srinath, and Ruey Syrop will be showcasing an array of media.

“Hawaiians in Hayward” will be on display at the Hayward Public Library from Tuesday, May 2 to Saturday, June 24 with an opening reception on Saturday, May 6. At the reception there will be speakers, live music and pupus. All are welcome.

Hayward Arts Council (HAC) stimulates community interest in the arts and encourages the participation of artists in all media. Hayward Public Library Galleries exhibitions are curated by HAC Board Member Karla Lopez. Visithttps://wwwhaywardartscouncil.org/ for more exhibitions and programs.

Learn more about Patrick Kahakauwila Kamaholelani Landeza at www.patricklandeza.com.

Hawaiians in Hayward AAPI Month Exhibit

Tuesday, May 2 – Saturday, Jun 24

During library hours

Opening Reception

Saturday, May 6

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Hayward Public Library Galleries 2F

888 C St., Hayward.

(510) 538-2787

https://wwwhaywardartscouncil.org/

Fremont’s bee decree

By Daniel O’Donnell

Drive around Fremont and you will eventually see a vehicle with a bumper sticker that reads ‘Beekeeping is not a crime.’ Although beekeeping was never illegal in Fremont, until recently there were regulations and fees that hindered potential beekeepers from starting a hive.

However, this spring Fremont amended its animal ordinance in a collaboration between local beekeepers and city staff. Thanks to a revision that went into effect on April 6, 2023, impediments to urban beekeepers were reduced. Other Bay Area cities in past years have amended ordinances in support of beekeeping, such as Oakland’s ban on city use of neonicotinoid pesticides. Fremont’s amended ordinance is a good model for other cities who want to take similar steps.

Fremont’s mitigation of regulations and fees will benefit both beekeepers and residents in general because of the significant benefit that bees bring to the environment. One of the most significant changes to the ordinance is that a city permit is no longer required to keep bees. Beekeepers must, however, register their hives with their county via beewhere.calagpermits.org. Another is that hives are now allowed on balconies and patios of multi-family properties. These revisions allow more people to enter the world of beekeeping. Other changes include less restrictive regulations on beehive placement from adjacent property lines, elimination of the limit of beehives a beekeeper can have, and a reduction in the City’s oversight.

New and veteran beekeepers benefit greatly from joining local beekeeping clubs or by taking apiary classes. Fr***********@go**********.com is a great way to get information from local beekeepers or ‘beeks’ about bee issues in the immediate area. Alameda County Beekeepers Association (ACBA), alamedabees.org, is a long running club that holds monthly meetings, often with presentations by expert speakers. The yearly membership fee is $10 which gives members entry into a Google forum for advice, access to the club’s extensive library, low-cost honey harvesting equipment rentals, and mentorship opportunities.

As with most new hobbies, there are initial expenses to beekeeping. Some of the necessary items include a bee suit with a mesh veil, elbow length beekeeping gloves, numerous hive tools, and a smoker which is essential for calming and distracting the bees while the hive is open. The beehive is another expense. There are numerous styles of beehives, but the Langstroth style that consists of stacked boxes and removable frames is the most popular. Unfortunately, Sam’s Downtown Feed Supply in San Jose permanently closed, making America’s oldest and largest manufacturer of beekeeping supplies, Dadant & Sons’ online store, dadant.com, one of the best options to purchase equipment.

The Local Bee Initiative (LBI), alamedabees.org/local-bee-initiative, is a branch of ACBA that promotes acquiring bees from their Bee Share program or purchasing them from local recommended suppliers. The bee sharing program acquires bees by catching a swarm or making a split from another member’s hive. Although there is no fee for bees from this program, an ACBA membership is required. Hopefully, beneficiaries of shared bees will reciprocate and supply someone else once their hive is thriving.

One of the ways that the Local Bee Incitive supplies people with bees is by capturing swarms as mentioned above. A bee colony will grow its number of worker bees during the spring and summer. Bees begin to look for a new place to build a colony as the available hive space in an unmanaged hive becomes smaller. When ready, the colony will divide with one group staying in the current hive and the other moving to a new location. The mass exodus of one group from the colony is called a swarm. The Queen cannot fly long distances so the swarm often finds a temporary resting site where the bees gather around her as she rests. This is one opportunity to capture the swarm. Another is to put out a swarm trap, which is a box baited with honey frames or pheromones.

Capturing a swarm is usually better than allowing the bees to find their own home. A bee colony can end up in home walls, chimneys, dog houses, and other places that are not good for them or for people. Alameda County Beekeepers Association offers free help with honey bee swarms. Call (510) 898-6696 if a swarm moves into an unwanted place, and a volunteer will take information and arrange for quick, safe, free relocation of the bee colony. Donations are accepted, and in certain situations if a colony is established in a home wall or attic, a fee may have to be negotiated because the removal process is more complicated. Although captured swarms go to local beekeepers, requesting swarm help is also a great way for non-beekeepers to participate in supporting bees. More information about swarms is at alamedabees.org/get-help-with-a-honey-bee-swarm.

Honey bees are susceptible to climate change, toxic chemicals and pollutants, diseases, urban sprawl, and many other challenges just like many other plant and animal species. It is nice to know that in Fremont, red tape is not one of their challenges anymore.

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

Newark scholarship program gives students of Latino heritage a path to college education

By Alfred Hu

In Newark on Wednesday, April 26, 26 students were recognized for academic excellence and awarded the Avanzando Scholarship to pursue a college education.

Their academic interests lie in a broad spectrum of fields, including nursing, business administration, construction management, biological sciences, psychology and political science. They are currently attending or will enroll in academic institutions such as Ohlone, San Jose State, Cal State East Bay, UCLA, Cal State Poly, and University of Chicago. One student received the $3,000 Vivien Larsen Scholarship Award, two students received the $2,000 Richard Valle Scholarship Award, while the rest received scholarships of $1,500 each.

To be eligible for the scholarships, students must not only possess a strong academic record but must be of Latino heritage, display pride in Latino culture, live or attend school in Newark
, be active in the community, and write an essay describing their challenges, hopes and dreams. “We want them to achieve the American Dream,” says Sucy Collazo of the scholarship recipients. Collazo served as Newark City Council member since 2011, is currently Vice Mayor of Newark and one of the founders of the Avanzando scholarship program.

Collazo spoke of her immigrant parents, who came to America from Mexico, settled down, started a tortilla business and raised a family. Collazo also added that the scholarship would take the students to “wherever their dreams would take them.” The parent of one scholarship recipient, a student who will attend Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo to study construction management, mentioned that her son looks forward to the opportunity and how much he loves the college.

The Avanzando (meaning “going forward” in Spanish) scholarship program started in 2008 by a dedicated team of Latino community members whose mission is for the advancement and empowerment of Latino youth, their families and community through education, leadership and networking opportunities. Thus, an increasing number of Latino students would have the financial support to pursue a college degree.

According to Jacinta Arteaga, Board President who was at the awards ceremony, only 14 percent of those with Latino heritage hold a Bachelor’s Degree. “The Avanzando program should strengthen the resolve to complete four years of study,” says Arteaga. “As long as you stay in school, we’re here to support your journey,” she added. When Avanzando was created, scholarships worth $500 each were funded by pancake breakfasts, and proceeds from selling raffle tickets and member donations. Then the members of Avanzando created a partnership with another non-profit organization known as Latinos Unidos de Newark Avanzando (LUNA) to sell July 4th fireworks. From that point on, funding for Avanzando greatly increased, and the first scholarship event took place in 2010. Since then, scholarship amounts increased and currently donations to the program also come from Arteaga’s Food Center, Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle, Mexico Tortilla Factory and Rotary Club of Newark.

As a member of Avanzando, Collazo is a strong supporter of education and believes that while hard work gets us where we want to go, education makes getting there easier. She and other members of Avanzando (currently are six members including the Board President) hope the scholarship program continues well into the future. “We hope to continue it as long as we’re alive and we’re always looking for new members” says Collazo.

The 2023 Avanzando Scholarship recipients are:

• Karla Amaton
• Destiny Anguiano
• Mariana Contreras
• Arturo Gomez Galeana
• Lloali L. Gallegos
• Ismael Cosio Garcia
• Leslie Hernandez Garcia
• Valeria G. Avina Garcia
• Arianna A. Grillo
• Erika Ruiz-Guillen
• Bryan E. Lopez
• Sebastian Lopez
• Celene Amaton-Lozano
• Fario Abdel Martinez
• Sulema Ojeda
• Alyssa Y. Ornelas
• Jonathan Renteria Orozco
• Alexa S. Hernandez Quintanilla
• Julian Sanchez
• Mariana M. Brambila Sanchez
• Brianna Nani O’Kekai Santos
• Elena Suarez
• Diego Torres
• Andres Parra Valdez
• Adelina Vera
• Yvette Vinegas

“Thank you for your educational achievement. May it be the first of many to come,” said Arteaga to the students as the awards ceremony came to a close. Finally, members of Avanzando added, “Felicidades a los padres y a los estudiantes (congratulations to the parents and to the students)” as an acknowledgement to all the parents for helping and supporting their youths in pursuing their academic dreams.

BART unveils reimagined schedule aimed at increasing ridership

Submitted by Bay Area Rapid Transi

Starting September 11, 2023, BART will roll out a reimagined service plan that is responsive to post-pandemic commute patterns and ridership growth opportunities.

The new schedule ends all 30-minute frequencies on nights and weekends and significantly increases service every day on BART’s Yellow Line (Antioch-SF), which has the highest ridership but is only served by one line.

No BART rider will wait more than 20 minutes for a scheduled train no matter what hour of the day or day of the week. Currently BART riders experience wait times of 30 minutes on nights and weekends (except for daytime 15-minute service on Saturdays on the Yellow line).

The Yellow line will now have trains arriving about every 10 minutes before 9 p.m., Monday-Friday, instead of every 15 minutes.

To make this significant investment in service on nights and weekends, some weekday service will be slightly scaled back based on ridership trends and areas of the system where riders are served by multiple lines with the option to transfer. BART’s Blue Line to and from Dublin will have 20-minute frequencies at all hours, marking an increase on nights and weekends, but an added 5 minutes between trains during weekday daytime hours. BART’s Blue (Dublin-Daly City) and Orange (Richmond-Berryessa) lines serve the fewest riders in the system on weekdays.

Riders coming from the Richmond and Berryessa/North San Jose direction will now have a train about every 10 minutes on weekdays during daytime hours instead of a train every 7.5 minutes. BART will increase communication on these lines about the option to take an Orange Line (Richmond-Berryessa) train and transfer if necessary to complete their trip.

SFO and OAK Airports will be Better Served

The new schedule improves service to and from San Francisco International and Oakland International airports. During the daytime, 9 trains per hour will serve SFO instead of 8, and on nights and weekends, trains will arrive and depart every 20 minutes instead of every 30 minutes.

All Red Line trains will now stop at SFO before heading to Millbrae, this will streamline the customer experience to and from the airport. Currently the Red Line passes through Millbrae before heading to the airport. There will also be more trains on nights and weekends to OAK.

Improved Reliability

This new service plan will also improve on-time performance and improve reliability during the peak commute because there will be less train traffic and congestion through the core of our system. Trains won’t stack up as frequently as they will be better spaced apart, allowing us to recover from delays faster.

BART will still maintain a clock-face schedule seven days a week offering a consistent timetable for easy planning no matter what day of the week, but now it will be with 20-minute common headways.

Changes in Frequencies

The maps below display the changes to the number of trains per hour for each line for weekday daytime 5-line service, weekend 5-line service, and evening 3-line service.

Local high schoolers create teen-run market

By Nanki Kaur

For today’s teenagers, shopping from small businesses and thrift stores, commonly referred to as “thrifting,” is all the rage. From visiting antique stores to flea markets, the appreciation for handcrafted goods and upcycling clothing has increased amongst the youth of our community. Along with the passion for
purchasing from these vendors, many students have started businesses of their own. That’s why local high school juniors Julia Joseph and Kayla Cristina Presa decided to bring together teen shoppers and vendors and begin their own organization for the small business community, Bay Area Teen Market Association.

Joseph and Presa began the organization as a way to gain experience in the business world, a field Presa is interested in pursuing. “I felt like pursuing a project like this would give me a really good experience in business and marketing because [we’d] have to market and advertise a project like this,” Presa noted. The two then began reaching out to youth-owned businesses to serve as vendors to host at a teen-run flea market. Currently starting off in the Tri-City area, the association’s goal is to eventually foster the small business community throughout the Bay Area. “I’m really excited for this project, because it is creating a community of like-minded entrepreneurs so they could connect with each other and uplift each other,” Joseph shares about her vision for the project.

On Saturday, April 22, Bay Area Teen Market Association held its first teen vendor market in partnership with Niles Main Street Association’s farmers’ market. Crowds of interested marketgoers rushed in to view the beautifully crafted products of the talented teen vendors. “It’s honestly great,” shared Patrick Tan, a local senior selling custom-made keyboards. “There are a lot of people here, and it’s a pretty niche hobby, so there’s been a lot of interest in these keyboards. Whether or not I sell, it’s really cool to expose people to the hobby.”

Though planning out the market’s logistics started as a chaotic process for the two, Joseph and Presa were more than delighted with the turnout of the event. “In the beginning, it was pretty stressful, just being our first time, but after a while, it was really nice to get to know our vendors, and a lot of people checked [the market] out, and it turned out really good!” Joseph said. “We’re elated that it worked out really well, and it’s great to see teens with their friends or families coming out to support,” Presa agreed.

Grateful for the success of their first event, Bay Area Teen Market Association will donate 15 percent of the profits from each vendor to a local nonprofit organization. They hope to continue supporting teenagers and their small businesses and giving back to the community.

Bay Area Teen Market Association

Instagram: @bayarea.tma

Beer on the Rails

Submitted by Niles Canyon Railway

For 2023, Niles Canyon Railway is holding two “Beer on the Rails” train rides—and the first is coming up on May 7! Enjoy a leisurely train ride with beer tasting from local breweries, great scenery, and food. The train departs from Sunol Station at 1 p.m., and returns at 3 p.m. Guests must be 21+ at time of boarding; ID is required at the ticket window. Non-alcoholic beverages and a complimentary lunch will also be included. No outside food, children or pets.

Proceeds from this event fund programs and projects of Niles Canyon Railway, an all-volunteer, non-profit railroad museum.

Beer on the Rails

Sunday, May 7

1 p.m.

Sunol Station

6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol

(510) 996-8420

ncry.org

Tickets: $65

Building Futures’ Jazz it Up Gala

Submitted by Building Futures 

Join Building Futures for an inspiring evening of great food and drinks, live music, and celebration. More than 150 community leaders and supporters will gather in-person at this festive community event marking 35 years of Building Futures. Since their founding, Building Futures has provided Alameda County families with shelter, domestic violence support and advocacy and housing services.

The event will be held at Nido’s, right at the edge of Jack-London Square. Nido’s private, covered oasis “La Plaza” is reserved for Building Futures and guests. The menu includes an organic taco bar, arroz mexicano, frijoles pintos, house-made tortillas, and their famous salsas. The event’s signature drink is crafted from El Silencio mescal, citrus liqueur, tempranillo-hibiscus syrup, and lime, with a salt rim.

Enjoy live sultry jazz with vocalist Daria Nile and Friends including Grammy award-winning trombonist Mara Fox joined by Spencer Allen on piano, Michael Jones on bass, and Renzel Merritt on drums. Daria has performed in some of the most popular and prestigious clubs in the Bay Area and recorded albums with Omar Sosa, Josh Jones, and the Idris Ackamoor Ensemble. The Emcee for the evening will be Nicole Hankton.

Guests also have the opportunity to participate in the raffle, with a grand prize of a full week for up to 6 guests at 5-starPueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort near the city of Mazatlán, with a private beach. Suggested raffle donation: 1/$25 or 5/$100. Need not be present to win.

Jazz it Up Gala

Thursday, May 11

5 p.m. – 8pm

Toasts at 7 p.m.

Nido’s Backyard, Outdoor Restaurant

104 Oak St., Oakland

(510) 357-0205 ext 204

https://bfwc.org/jazz-it-up-2023/

Tickets: $35

Chaparral Ranch

By Jack Alcorn

Photos courtesy of Chaparral Ranch Instagram

Riding horses is a great form of exercise with many benefits. It provides open space nature encounters, plenty of fresh air and a way to remove yourself from the digital dungeon. Horses are highly intelligent gentle creatures that quickly develop communication and friendship with their riders and students. Equestrian activity also strengthens many core muscles and improves balance and ambidexterity.

Chaparral Ranch in Milpitas is a rich community of equestrians and outdoor lovers. People visit Chaparral from all reaches of the Bay Area. Enjoy an unforgettable mounted adventure through the breathtaking hills of Milpitas or learn basic horse care and riding in a safe, hands-on environment. No riding experience is required to enjoy a trail ride at Chaparral.

Chaparral is a hub for horse riding lessons and adventurous trail rides. They offer a wide selection of programs to help develop your equine skills with options for everyone. A well-trained staff provides engaging supportive instruction to students of all ages. Their excellent horsemanship skills ensure safety and reassuring guidance on trails and in the arena.

Horses have a lot to teach us, especially children. Several horse “camps” at Chaparral ranging from 3 to 10 days offer a variety of learning and physical activities for youth aged 3 to 17 years. Learn about horse care: grooming, feeding, bathing, and even horse first aid! Saddle a horse, learn about tack, and explore different styles of riding. Each camper gets a horse to ride and care for throughout the camp session.

When not riding at camp, kids get to play games, make new friends and learn arts and crafts. All of the camps are within a beautiful county park system which allows the campers to enjoy nature hikes and explore the countryside.

Adult classes at the ranch teach the fundamentals of western riding or improve your existing skills. They offer beginner and intermediate courses. 30- or 60-minute lessons can instill confidence for the trail or immerse you deeper in the techniques of mastering a western saddle.

Chaparral also offers staff enrichment events for corporations and small businesses. Teams of people are very similar to herds of horses. Horses need a leader they can trust and respect just like humans need leadership in the workplace. Working with horses helps reveal the hidden dynamics within any team. These events focus on building trust and communication in a fun collaborative atmosphere.

The kid friendly ranch also hosts birthday parties
. There are different options for all ages, starting at two years old. They include time to learn about and groom a horse and options for lessons or pony rides.

Milpitas.chaparralcorporation.com has simple, calendared booking for lessons and trail rides. The website gives comprehensive details for horse camps, lessons and guided trips and also has a map.

Saddle up at your leisure or try an early bird excursion on the weekend. Expert guides will lead you on an experience you won’t forget. Feel the cool breeze on your face and soak up the sun and serenity of the East Bay Chaparral.

Chaparral Ranch

Wednesday – Sunday

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Ed Levin Park

3077 Calaveras Road, Milpitas

(408) 726 – 8453

Milpitas.chaparralcorporation.com

mi******@ch******************.com

Cohousing Association of the U.S. to hold open house days

Submitted by Jane Mueller and Evelyn LaTorre

Fremont’s Mission Peak Village is joining cohousing groups across the country to celebrate National Cohousing Open House Days. On Sunday, May 7, Mission Peak Village will conduct walking tours of the neighborhood where the first cohousing community in Southern Alameda County will be situated. Tours are free, but advance registration is required at the group’s website: www.missionpeakcohousing.org.

National Cohousing Open House Days are sponsored by the Cohousing Association of the U.S. to demonstrate the variety of existing communities and to shed light on why interest in cohousing is surging:

• People are seeking a way to better foster connection and community
• Cohousing communities maintain their common facilities through participatory governance
• Cohousing communities are committed to sustainability
• Cohousing communities address the changes in current household demographics

Cohousing communities are intentional, collaborative housing developments that combine extensive common facilities with private homes to create resilient and successful neighborhoods. Design features and neighborhood size (in Fremont, 32 homes) promote frequent interactions and close relationships. Neighbors play together, cook for one another, share tools, and work collaboratively. Common property is managed and maintained by community members themselves, providing more opportunities for growing relationships. Most are organized as condominium developments with a self-governing homeowners association. Cohousing is not a financial or legal model but rather a descriptive term that shows the intent of these developments to cultivate a strong sense of community.

Interest in cohousing has surged in recent years. While this trend is driven by empty nesters seeking a downsized, community-oriented and environmentally friendly lifestyle, cohousing is gaining traction among millennials as they search for contemporary neighborhoods more conducive to raising children than isolating single-family homes. The pandemic only further emphasized the benefits of neighborhood-based support.

Since the first cohousing community was completed in Davis, California 30 years ago, more than 180 communities have been established across the country, another 20 are currently being built, and over 100 more are in the formative stage. The Cohousing Association of the U.S. maintains a directory of communities on its website at www.cohousing.org/directory.

Why people are choosing cohousing

Cohousing fosters connection and community. Physical spaces allow neighbors to easily interact with others just outside private homes. As social scientists confirm, we’re happier, healthier, longer-living people with daily social interactions and connections. “A wonderful aspect of cohousing is that you can enjoy your privacy and individuality in your home, and you can also simply walk outside to enjoy the connections all around you,” explains Peter Lazar, a member of Shadowlake Village Cohousing in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Cohousing is democracy in action. Cohousing communities collaboratively decide how they will live together and maintain their common facilities through participatory governance. Members work together to enrich their lives and improve their community and the larger neighborhood.

Cohousing communities are committed to sustainability with features such as composting and recycling, community gardens, bike storage, carpooling, charging stations, solar panels and other green features as their budgets allow. “The intention is for people to come together and share resources rather than pull into the garage and close the doors, never interacting with your neighbors,” says Shawn Mulligan, who lives at Stone Curves in Tucson.

Cohousing addresses the change in household demographics. Cohousing neighborhoods offer a model for creating supportive networks based on proximity, something that will be ever more important as our national demographics continue to change, with an increasing number of singles, small families, and elders.

This article is part of an ongoing series on cohousing. To register for Mission Peak Village’s free walking tours on May 7, visit www.missionpeakcohousing.org/events.

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

Unity in our Community: 3rd Alameda County National Day of Prayer

Submitted by David Haubert

As the First District Supervisor and Vice Chair of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, I am pleased to invite you to the 3rd Annual “Alameda County National Day of Prayer” on Thursday, May 4 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds Amphitheatre. This interfaith event will begin with a reception and light refreshments at 9 a.m., with the program scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

National Day of Prayer has a rich history dating back to the founding of our nation. During times of national strife, our country’s leaders have sought this day to bring the country together in prayer and reflection. It is a day that transcends religious and political affiliations, reminding us of our shared values and the need to come together in unity.

As domestic division and global conflict continue to dominate the news cycle, it is becoming increasingly common for members of our community to feel that the lack of compassion and unity that once unsettled us has now become the new norm. If we are not mindful of the effects cynicism has on us, we risk projecting negativity back onto the world. Therefore, as leaders in our community, it is our responsibility to bring together individuals from all walks of life to pray for our nation. Doing so reminds us that despite our differences, we share a common humanity that we cannot afford to take for granted.

This year’s program featuring a diverse lineup of speakers representing various faiths, as well as musical performances and moments of reflection.

“The Hindu community is proud to again join with other world religions for National Day of Prayer, calling on God Almighty to bless our nation.” – Easan Katir, Hindu American Foundation

“The event provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with other faith leaders in a spirit of fellowship and unity as we stand together in prayer for our leaders and nation.” – Father Joseph Arsanious, St. Mary & St. John Coptic Orthodox Church

“The world and its inhabitants are more in need of prayer now than ever before.” – Feraidoon Mojadedi, Muslim Community Center

Over 15 leaders from many different faiths will participate in this time of reverence and thankfulness
for the blessings of our country. I encourage everyone to seek refuge from our tribulations and join us in prayer for the greater good.

Reservations are encouraged but not necessary and everyone, regardless of religious belief, is invited to attend. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, email La*********@ac***.org or call (510) 272-6674.

Dave Haubert represents the First District on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, which includes the cities of Dublin and Livermore; most of the city of Fremont; the unincorporated community of Sunol; a portion of the City of Pleasanton; and most of the unincorporated area of the Livermore-Amador Valley.

Alameda County National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 4

9 a.m. Reception and light refreshments

10 a.m. Program starts

Alameda County Fairgrounds Amphitheatre

4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton

RSVP: La*********@ac***.org, (510) 272-6674

See how the other half lives in Chanticleers Theatre’s Six Degrees of Separation

By Hugo Vera

Mario Puzo, the Italian-American author who penned The Godfather once said, “A man with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns,” and such is the underlying theme of the Chanticleers Theatre’s production of Six Degrees of Separation.

Based on the 1900 Broadway play written by John Guare, director Jacob Russell-Snyder has confirmed that his local production of Six Degrees of Separation draws inspiration from the 1993 film adaptation starring Stockard Channing, Will Smith and Donald Sutherland. Set in New York City’s glitzy upper east side in the 1990s, the play follows the plight of Ouisa and Flan Kittredge, a wealthy white couple trying to close a multi-million dollar deal with a South African business associate. Their meeting is upended by the unexpected arrival of Paul. A young black man who claims to be the son of actor Sidney Poitier and a close friend of the Kittredges’ children who attend Harvard, Paul charms his way into being the grateful and prodigal son that Ouisa and Flan never had. However, revelations come to light as the interactions of the trio escalate into a relevant commentary on class, race, sexuality and how street-level crime really is not all that different from white-collar crime.

The breakout performances are undoubtedly those of the core trio of Ouisa (played by Megan Columbus), Flan (Ron Talbot) and Paul (Jonah Bessellieu). Columbus and Talbot expertly channel the everyday mannerisms and antics of a married couple struggling to play the parts of successful socialites as well as good parents. Complementing their arc is Bessellieu’s powerhouse performance that seamlessly blends “sweet-talking” charisma with racial and societal trauma to convey the plight of the Black man in America, which has not fundamentally changed that much in the 33 years since the inception of this story.

Chanticleers Theatre veteran (a term which now feels like an understatement given his number of acting credits) C. Conrad Cady once again breathes new life into an otherwise secondary character of Dr. Fine. While most of the play is seen through the lens of the “old guard” of New York’s elite, supporting actors Selin Sahbazoglu, Max O. Chang, Victor Davila and Will Livingston’s portrayal of the Kittredge children and their equally-privileged friends offer another perspective through the eyes of a new generation conflicted about their status and privilege. The interactions between parent-and-child range from absurdly hilarious to poignant.

Additional performances such as those of Thomas Nguyen, Amanda Clemmons, Ellen J. Kim, Dan Tuden, Jon Gergen and Kenny Silberberg once again prove the classic saying, “There are no bit-parts, only parts.” This plethora of tertiary characters represent the best and worst of high society.

The production quality is also worth noting, especially in regards to props representing the artwork of abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky. A two-sided piece by Kandinsky is featured heavily in this production and the practical effects used to portray all literal sides of this prop speak to the greater attention to detail applied to the production as a whole.

At roughly 105 minutes (the show does not have an intermission), the Chanticleers Theatre’s production of Six Degrees of Separation is not to be missed. Though set in 1990s New York City, its central themes are timeless and especially applicable to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2023. Given the language, adult themes, and references to sensuality, this play is best suited for adult audiences only.

Chanticleers Theatre’s Six Degrees of Separation

Friday, Apr 28 – Sunday, May 21

Fridays and Saturdays: 8 p.m.

Sunday matinees: 2 p.m.

Special student performance: Thursday, May 18 @ 7:30 p.m.

Chanticleers Theatre

3683 Quail Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 733-5483

www.chanticleers.org

$30 General Admission

$25 Senior / Student

$10 Thursday Special Student Price

Spring School Jazz Festival

Submitted by John Soulis

On Friday, May 12, East Bay Traditional Jazz Society and Fremont Christian School will hold the 20th Spring School Jazz Festival. Our last festival was produced in 2019 and we have been “dark” during the Covid Pandemic. We are happy to produce this festival again and provide a venue for our students/musicians to show their skills in the “Jazz Idiom.”

Two of the bands, Fremont Christian Tradition Jazz Band and the Jazzinators, will play Traditional Jazz of New Orleans. The High Schools from John f. Kennedy, American and Irvington will play a latter idiom of “Big Band Jazz.” You may hear tunes from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Glenn Miller era, as well as other composers.

Below is a schedule of bands for the event:

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: JFK, directed by David Bickel

5:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.: Jazzinators, directed by John Soulis

5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: AHS, directed by Richard Wong

6:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.: Jazzinators, directed by John Soulis

6:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.: IHS, directed by Charlie Rodda

7:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Jazzinators, directed by John Soulis

7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.: FC Trad Jazz Band, directed by Thomas Banuelos

8:15 p.m.: Combined Jam

This year we are teaming up with the Street Eats event sponsored by Fremont’s Chamber of Commerce. Please join us to listen to our student/musicians and have a dinner from Food Truck Mafia!

This is a free event; donations will be accepted to defray the cost and provide a stipend for each band’s performance.

Spring School Jazz Festival

Friday, May 12

5 p.m.

Event Center Outdoor Plaza

3500 Capitol Ave, Fremont

(510) 657-0243

www.eastbaytradjazz.org

Local lifeguard shows that where there’s a will there’s a way

Submitted by Danielle Cranon-Jones

Bonnie Oceguera will never forget the day that she received a postcard in the mail advertising Lifeguard positions available at Silliman Activity and Family Aquatic Center in Newark. Silliman Center started a Lifeguard Academy in the fall of 2022 due to a shortage in lifeguards. With Oceguera’s background in the U.S. Military, as a medic, then moving on to a career as an EMT, and retiring as a financial data analyst with NASA, she thought that becoming a lifeguard would be a great way to challenge herself in her retirement as well as giving back to her community. However, at over 60, she had reservations due to her age, especially as her soon-to-be “classmates” were all younger.

Oceguera began inquiring about the lifeguard position, and once she showed her eagerness to learn and push herself in the swimming pool, Senior Recreation Supervisor Peter Beireis and Aquatic Coordinator Ryan Storms encourag
ed her to begin the lifeguard academy. At first, Oceguera could only complete one length across the pool with her head out of water. However, she did not give up. She came in two days a week for the academy and continued to work on her swimming skills as a lap pool guest. Beireis and Storms worked tirelessly to improve her form and encouraged her to continue so she could meet the baseline requirements to begin the training course once she was finished with the academy.

After two months, Oceguera began to question whether she could actually complete the process to become a lifeguard. However, she did not stop reserving her lap pool time. One day she came in for a lap swim reservation, and Beireis and Storms began to watch her swim as if this would be her test—and it was! Oceguera felt the pressure, but continued swimming. Once she was finished, Storms let her know that she passed! She was overwhelmed with excitement to know that she was able to push herself, and move onto the lifeguard class. Oceguera committed to another six weeks of training to complete the course alongside the “young classmates” that she was slightly intimidated by when she began her journey.

Oceguera is currently shadowing shifts and will soon be on the lifeguard staff on her own. When asked what she would tell others in her age group that want to push themselves to try new things, but feel they are too old, she simply responded, “Don’t doubt yourself, you are NEVER too old to try new things.” Her advice to younger people going through the process to become a lifeguard is to “know that the position that they hold as a lifeguard is to save lives and help people, and to always take that seriously.”

Oceguera is an example of “Where there is a will there’s a way,” and gives true meaning to “You are NEVER too old!”

Santa Clara County expands mental health crisis hotline campaign

Submitted by Santa Clara County Public Affairs

The County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) has teamed up with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) as part of a high-visibility, multi-lingual campaign to raise awareness about critical mental health services. The campaign aims to let the community know that they can access mental health crisis and suicide prevention services any time – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – by dialing 988.

High-profile ads on public transit are the latest addition to a yearlong campaign encouraging residents to use new the new mental health service. The new ads – including a wrapped bus and placards inside and on VTA vehicles, and at transit stops throughout the county – promote the County’s Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline (CSPL). Ads highlight that CSPL is the number to call when you are having a mental health crisis or are concerned about someone else who may need help.

The 988 lifeline makes it easier than ever to access the kind of critical help that is needed for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Santa Clara County has staffed mobile crisis teams to respond in the field when necessary.

The campaign has rolled out in phases, each focused on a different community in Santa Clara County, including those who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Tagalog, and Farsi. These communities are reached through native language ads online, social media, television, and radio, as well as in print.

The 988 lifeline is staffed with teams of trained counselors. Since its unveiling in mid-July, more than 15,000 calls have been handled by 988 crisis counselors. County officials expect calls will increase in the coming months as more people learn about the service.

The lifeline will provide quick, compassionate and fitting support for people experiencing a crisis that could result in harm to themselves or others. This can often be done through a phone consultation, with referral and connection to ongoing support as needed.

988 in Santa Clara County also supports those experiencing emotional or mental health distress such as feelings of fearfulness, or other mental health or substance use crises. Loved ones and others can also call 988 if they are concerned for someone else.

Callers seeking mental health and substance use crisis support should know:

• The 988 service is free, anonymous, and confidential.
• 988 is staffed 24 hours a day by trained counselors.
• Language interpretation is available.
• The mobile crisis team can respond in-person.
• The lifeline serves as a connection point for social services.
• 988 callers from a phone without a 408, 650 or 669 area code can access the lifeline by calling 800-704-0900 and pressing 1.

Niles Birthday

By Stephanie Gertsch

On Friday, April 28, community members and leaders gathered at Niles Depot to celebrate the junction’s 153rd birthday! As determined by local historian Victor Wong, April 28, 1870 was the day of the official switchover from the previous San Jose railroad junction to the one we know in Niles.

Attendees included: Krysten Laine of Niles Main Street Association; Janet Barton, who is involved with the preservation of the Chinese Bunkhouse at Shinn Park; historian Victor Wong, who also shared the story of Niles junction; Kelsey Camello, president of the Washington Township Museum of Local History; Henry Baum, president of Pacific Locomotive Association, Niles Canyon Railway; and County Supervisor David Haubert, with Kathy Kimberlin, field director for the Supervisor.

David Haubert also shared that the Niles Main Street Organization recently applied for a grant from the County, and a two-year $10,000 grant will be approved to help out Niles.

If you weren’t there to hear Victor Wong explain the railroad history, we covered his research in a previous article in our May 2, 2022 issue. Search tricityvoice.com/05-03-22/ to read the archived issue online.

Niles Spring Fever Car Show

Submitted by Niles Main Street Association

The Niles Spring Fever Car Show for 2023 will be held in downtown Niles on Sunday, May 7. This entertaining day for the whole family will have live band performances, food and refreshments for purchase, and a 50/50 raffle (must be present to win). Shops will be open along Main Street for your shopping pleasure.

Niles Spring Fever Car Show

Sunday, May 7

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Downtown Niles, Fremont

www.niles.org

Poster Contest Winners Announced

Submitted by Alameda County Resource Conservation District

Four elementary school students from unincorporated Alameda County won prizes for their outstanding entries in the “Help Keep Good Bugs in the Garden” Earth Day poster contest. The contest was open to all 3rd and 4th graders in unincorporated Alameda County and sponsored by Alameda County Unincorporated Area Clean Water Program.

The top four prize-winning posters, two each from 3rd and 4th grades, will be displayed at the Castro Valley Library now through May 29th.

To enter the contest, participating teachers held a brief classroom lesson on using less toxic ways to deal with weeds and pests and keeping good bugs in the garden. They also showed a video starring Clean Water Program mascots Fred Frog and Izzy Egret. Titled “Fred’s Healthy Garden Getaway,” available for viewing on YouTube. Students then creatively expressed what they learned in their artwork.

“Pesticides are one of several ways the health of our local waterways, such as Castro Valley and San Lorenzo creeks, is threatened,” says Allison Rodacker, Clean Water Program representative. “Helping kids understand the connection between their neighborhoods and local water and wildlife can help reduce pesticide use that can harm
helpful garden bugs and pollute the waterways.”

The contest received over 100 creative entries prompting the organizers to include more prize winners. Instead of only one winner per grade, they awarded the top two entries in 3rd and 4th grades with prizes, and the top 10 entries received certificates. Winners received a Hydroflask reusable water bottle and a spiral notebook with the student’s artwork printed on the cover.

Six classrooms submitted entries from every student and were entered into a raffle. Two classrooms were awarded a $100 Amazon gift card each.

Third grade winners were Kevin H. from Mrs. Cartwright’s class at Dayton Elementary School and Maddie C. from Ms. Kundert’s class at Marshall Elementary School.

Fourth grade winners were Angelo S. from Ms. DeCarli’s class at Corvallis Elementary School and Aria F. form Ms. Dorighi’s class at Sunol Glen Elementary School.

The classroom Amazon gift card raffle winners were Erin Kundert, 3rd grade teacher, at Marshall Elementary School and Kim Hayes, 3rd grade teacher, Dayton Elementary School.

When people use pesticides in the garden, those chemicals can wash into gutters and storm drains with water from garden hoses, sprinklers, and rainfall. From there, the polluted water flows untreated into local creeks and San Francisco Bay, where it harms fish and other wildlife. Each spring, Alameda County Unincorporated Clean Water Program reminds residents how important it is to use non-toxic methods to control unwanted pests. “Keep Good Bugs in the Garden,” to do that job for you!

For more information, visit www.cleanwaterprogram.org

‘Your Wildest Dreams’

Submitted by Nicole Roa

Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) is please to host an exhibit of paintings of wildlife by award-winning local artist Rita Sklar (www.ritasklar.com) on display at the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center. The show highlights the scenic beauty of California and beyond. The exhibit is on display from now until August 31, during regular business hours on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

‘Your Wildest Dreams’ Art Exhibit

Until Aug 31

Fri & Sat: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center

4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward

(510) 881-6723

www.haywardrec.org

Fremont resident appointed Federal Consultant to serve on the US Defense Logistics Agency

Submitted by Zafar Yousufzai

Fremont resident Zafar Yousufzai was selected for a new role working as Federal Linguist Consultant with DoD/Defense Logistics Agency, along with the Defense Language National Security Education Office (DLNSEO). He began his role on April 24, 2023.

Yousufzai will serve when a mission arises that best utilizes his language and skillset. He has been an active member of the National Language Service Corps (NLSC) since 2007, a public organization comprised of United States citizens proficient in foreign languages and cultures of countries that interact with the United States. In 2007, he was also a recipient of the National Security Education Program (NSEP/EHLS) scholarship to pursue full-time study at the University of Washington.

Prior to the current appointment, he had also served as a cultural adviser/SME (Southwest Asia counter-intelligence) for the US mission in Kuwait. He also worked at the US Central Command HQ (MacDill AFB) in Tampa, Florida as social media analyst/Editor of the Urdu team. He received an Award of Excellence from Gen. David Petraeus in Dec. 2009 at a special ceremony held in the Centcom HQ.

Yousufzai was born, raised, and educated in Karachi, Pakistan. He holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from University of Karachi and an LL.B from Sindh Muslim Law College, Pakistan, in addition to receiving certificates in four languages: Arabic, Bengali, Persian, and Russian while attending Law College. He was joint editor of the student magazine “Law Collegian,” and earned an MBA in Management from Lincoln University San Francisco.

Yousufzai hosted three weekly radio programs for the community broadcast from San Francisco: Voice of Pakistan,Subrung, and Watan Ki Awaaz for Pakistani immigrants in the Greater Bay Area. He was an active board member and media secretary of the Pakistan Cultural Association.

EARTHTALK

TikTok for Environmental Change

By Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss

Dear EarthTalk: How are environmental advocates using TikTok to raise awareness and gather support for their causes? — B.K., Seattle, Washington

Social media has become a powerful tool for environmental activists to raise awareness and advocate for change, and no social media network is hotter these days than TikTok. This fast-growing platform where users create and share short videos has quickly become one of the most popular apps in the world—as of 2023, the app has more than 1.5 billion active users. As such, it has also become a powerful tool for activists to reach a large audience and raise awareness for environmental issues. Indeed, environmentalists have taken to TikTok to share their messages in creative and engaging ways, using humor, music, and personal anecdotes to connect with viewers.

One of the advantages of using TikTok for activism is the platform’s reach to younger audiences that may not be as engaged in traditional forms of environmental and climate activism. More than two-thirds of TikTok’s user base in the U.S. is under age 40, while 10–19-year-olds make up the single largest group by age on the platform. By using TikTok, these younger demographics can be reached and inspired to take action on environmental issues, organize petitions and fundraisers, and get involved in other ways.

One of the most popular environmental advocates on TikTok is Carissa Cabrera, a marine biologist and activist from Hawaii who has been creating TikToks for more than five years and has a large following on the platform—her @Carissaandclimate account has more than 250,000 followers of her educational content.

“Generation Z wants to get information and tools at their fingertips, and it’s all packaged in an entertaining way,” says Cabrera. The fact that most TikToks last less than 30 seconds makes it a challenge to grab the user’s attention, so Cabrera usually gets to the point in the first three seconds and then employs comedic stories and/or dances to round out the post. Her goal is to create catchy content that’s quick and easy to memorize and that makes users want to watch it over and over and share with others so as to get more and more people to act on behalf of the planet.

Cabrera also contributes TikToks via EcoTok, which features innovative videos from a core group of activists and educators with the common goal of showing followers ways to live more sustainably.

“EcoTok started with a group of people looking for an outlet to share their frustrations,” Cabrera reports. “Climate change is a daunting subject that can be hard to face alone.” She adds that their early arrival into TikTok helped build a committed, strong community, with more than 100,000 followers and millions of “likes.”

Of course, only time will tell if recent discussions in Congress about banning TikTok in the U.S. over fears of data mining by the Chinese government—the company behind the app is based in China—could mean the end for a valuable channel where environmentalists have been able to reach younger potential sympathizers here and inspire them to join the climate movement.

ONLINE CONTACTS

• Carissa and Climate

tiktok.com/@carissaandclimate

• EcoTok

tiktok.com/@eco_tok

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. T
o donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: qu******@ea*******.org.

News and notes from around the world

Submitted by The Association of Mature American Citizens

The sky’s the limit for these seniors

It was a sight to behold at Skydive Perris in Orange County California when 101 freefalling 60-year-old senior citizens jumped from five airplanes in a record-breaking snowflake formation. The next day 95 of them broke another record when they leaped from their planes in a “sequential” formation. The organizers of these events are seeking recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records. Watch these daring old men on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bKLepiRVnQ.

A thirsty tale

Shortly after the turn of the last century, Frederick Miller first brewed his famed High Life beer and called it the Champagne of Beers. More than a hundred years later it is still promotionally compared to Champagne, much to the chagrin of the French brewers of their famous bubbly wine. Although Miller Beer is not exported to France, a shipment of more than 2,000 cans of it was making its way via Belgium recently. French Champagne brewers asked the Belgian Customs Administration to seize the shipment and destroy it, which they did. For sure, the Comité Champagne said Merci. See the suds being disposed of: apnews.com/video/business-currency-markets-europe-european-union-financial-ae034f3d558c45339670033e734c3ac4.

Arnold is back

The former “Governator” of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is still ready to do what is needed to serve the state’s citizens. Most recently, the actor-turned-politician took it upon himself to roll up his sleeves, grab a shovel and fill in a pothole on a road near his home in Los Angeles. As he put it in a Twitter post, “Today, after the whole neighborhood has been upset about this giant pothole that’s been screwing up cars and bicycles for weeks, I went out with my team and fixed it. I always say, let’s not complain, let’s do something about it. Here you go.” And it was all caught on film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnwCf7vNOTY.

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

 

 

Virgo’s Galactic Harvest

By David Prosper

May is a good month for fans of galaxies, since the constellation Virgo is up after sunset and for most of the night, following Leo across the night sky. Featured in some ancient societies as a goddess of agriculture and fertility, Virgo offers a bounty of galaxies as its celestial harvest for curious stargazers and professional astronomers alike.

Virgo is the second-largest constellation and largest in the Zodiac, and easily spotted once you know how to spot Spica, its brightest star. How can you find it? Look to the North and start with the Big Dipper! Follow the general curve of the Dipper’s handle away from its “ladle” and towards the bright orange-red star Arcturus, in Boötes – and from there continue straight until you meet the next bright star, Spica! This particular star-hopping trick is summed up by the famous phrase, “arc to Arcturus, and spike to Spica.”

This large constellation is home to the Virgo Cluster, a massive group of galaxies. While the individual stars in Virgo are a part of our own galaxy, known as the Milky Way, the Virgo Cluster’s members exist far beyond our own galaxy’s borders. Teeming with around 2,000 known members, this massive group of galaxies are all gravitationally bound to each other, and are themselves members of the even larger Virgo Supercluster of galaxies, a sort of “super-group” made up of groups of galaxies. Our own Milky Way is a member of the “Local Group” of galaxies, which in turn is also a member of the Virgo Supercluster! In a sense, when we gaze upon the galaxies of the Virgo Cluster, we are looking at some of our most distant cosmic neighbors. At an average distance of over 65 million light years away, the light from these galaxies first started towards our planet when the dinosaurs were enjoying their last moments as Earth’s dominant land animals! Dark clear skies and a telescope with a mirror of six inches or more will reveal many of the cluster’s brightest and largest members, and it lends itself well to stunning astrophotos.

Virgo is naturally host to numerous studies of galaxies and cosmological research, which have revealed much about the structure of our universe and the evolution of stars and galaxies. The “Universe of Galaxies” activity can help you visualize the scale of the universe, starting with our home in the Milky Way Galaxy before heading out to the Local Group, Virgo Cluster and well beyond! You can find it at bit.ly/universeofgalaxies. You can further explore the science of galaxies across the Universe, along with the latest discoveries and mission news, at nasa.gov.

This article is distributed by NASA Night Sky Network. The Night Sky Network program supports astronomy clubs across the USA dedicated to astronomy outreach. Visit https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm to find local clubs, events, and more.

Park It: Bi-lingual program at Coyote Hills

By Ned MacKay

Hearing and identifying sounds of the natural world is the goal of a program in English and Spanish, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. This is the latest in a series of bi-lingual programs with naturalist Martha Cerda. The program is drop-in; registration is not necessary. All ages are welcome; parent participation is required.

Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. Meet Martha at the visitor center. Coyote Hills has a parking fee of $5 per vehicle; the program is free. For information, call (510) 544-3220.

Commemorating the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945, staff of the East Bay Regional Park District and National Park Service will host a walk and program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, in Concord at the future Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50.

During the mostly-paved, two-mile stroll, staff will tell stories of the dedicated service members who worked at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine, and describe the lasting social impact of the war.

Attendees should bring water and lunch, dress for full sun and warm weather. Restrooms will be available. The program is free, but registration is required. Attendance is limited.

For registration and information, visit www.ebparks.org/things-to-do or call (888) 327-2757 and select option 2.

“Stop and Smell the Flowers” is the theme of Family Nature Fun Hour, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on both Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, at the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove in Alameda. The visitor center’s interpretive staff will lead a walk to see the blooms within the park. The program is free and registration is not necessary.

Or you can join a naturalist from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 7, for a two-mile stroll along the beach from the visitor center to the Elsie Rohmer Bird Sanctuary. On the way back, see what the tide has brought in.

Both programs are free and registration is not required. Crab Co
ve is at 1252 McKay Ave. off Alameda’s Central Avenue. For information, call (510) 544-3187.

Learn how to spin yarn without a spinning wheel, using your hands and a drop spindle, during a program from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at Tilden Nature Area in the Berkeley hills, with naturalist Jenna Collins. The program is drop-in and free of charge. Meet Jenna at Tilden’s Environmental Education Center, which is at the north end of Central Park Drive. For information, call (510) 544-2233.

Find out what it takes to live like an animal at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, during wildlife games led by the park’s interpretive staff. The program is from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday, May 7. It’s free of charge and all ages are welcome. Adult participation is required. Meet at the sand pit.

Big Break Regional Shoreline is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. For information, call (510) 544-3050.

There’s some good news. Del Valle Regional Park south of Livermore has partially reopened. No drinking water is available and there is limited access to restrooms. Facilities now open include the East and West Sides, Arroyo Staging Area, and hiking trails (but use caution when encountering signs advising storm damage). The boat launch is open, but no bait or boat rental are available. The campground and visitor center remain closed.

These are just a few of the programs and activities planned in coming days in the East Bay Regional Parks. For the full calendar, go to www.ebparks.org/things-to-do. And before you visit a regional park, be sure to check “Alerts and Closures” on the Park District website to be sure that storm damage repairs or other factors have not resulted in park closures or limited access.

THE ROBOT REPORT

Researchers create responsive ankle exoskeleton algorithm

By Brianna Wessling

Researchers at the University of Michigan have created a responsive ankle exoskeleton algorithm that uses direct muscle measurement to handle changes in pace and gait. The algorithm could potentially support a user who switches between walking and running with ease.

The researchers hope that the algorithm will bring us a step closer to ankle exoskeletons that help people extend their endurance. In particular, the algorithm could help researchers develop exoskeletons that automatically adapt to individual users and tasks, eliminating or greatly reducing the need for manual recalibration in between each task.

“This particular type of ankle exoskeleton can be used to augment people who have limited mobility,” Leia Stirling, U-M associate professor of industrial and operations engineering and robotics and senior author of the study published in the journal PLOS ONE, said.

“That could be an older adult who wouldn’t normally be able to walk to the park with their grandkids. But wearing the system, they now have extra assistance that enables them to do more than they could before.”

Current exoskeletons typically must be tailored to a single user performing a single task, like walking in a straight line. Changing tasks or users requires a lengthy set of manual readjustments. This new algorithm has demonstrated the ability to handle different walking speeds as well as changes in gait between walking and running.

What sets this control algorithm apart from ones typically used in exoskeletons is that it directly measures how quickly muscle fibers are expanding and contracting. It uses these measurements to determine the amount of chemical energy the muscle is using while doing work and then compares that measurement with a biological model to determine the best way to assist movement.

Current methods use broader measures of motion to determine how to assist movement, making them less accurate than this method, which measures muscle physiology directly.

The University of Michigan researchers chose to focus on the ankle because of the key role it plays in mobility. The team found that assisting the muscles in the ankle could have a dramatic impact on our ability to walk further and faster.

While the team was unable to test on humans because they were working during COVID-19 restrictions, they did use data on existing exoskeleton devices and muscle dynamics to simulate and test their algorithm. During testing, the team made adjustments to make their algorithm more responsive to changes in speed and gait.

The team’s next step will be to perform tasks on humans. During testing, the team will use ultrasound to measure muscle fibers in real time. The study was funded by the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering under Air Force Contract No. FA8702-15-D-0001.

Brianna Wessling is an Associate Editor, Robotics, WTWH Media. She can be reached at bw*******@wt*******.com.

THE ROBOT REPORT

Cruise expanding 24/7 robotaxi service in SF

By Brianna Wessling

Cruise is expanding its robotaxis to operate 24/7 in most of San Francisco. According to Kyle Vogt, the company’s co-founder and CEO, the expanded service area will be rolled out in stages, with Cruise employees having access first, then members of the public.

“Operating robotaxis in SF has become a litmus test for business viability. If it can work here, there’s little doubt it can work just about everywhere,” Vogt said on social media. “You’ll soon see us open up full operations in other cities. The capabilities and machine learning systems we’ve built to handle things in SF have proven themselves in many other cities around the world.”

The service area for Cruise employees, known as “Cruisers,” covers all of San Francisco except for a few select residential roads and high-speed streets that the company doesn’t drive on. “Power Users,” or members of Cruise’s rider community, will still only have access to a limited service area while the company ensures its service is ready for them and then the general public.

Cruise operates its robotaxi service in San Francisco, Austin and Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. Rides in Austin and Chandler began in December 2022. A few months later, in February 2022, the company announced that it reached one million driverless miles just 15 months after the company gave its first fully driverless ride.

The company has recently started testing its purpose-built Origin vehicle on public roads in San Francisco. Origin is a fully autonomous vehicle with no front seat or steering wheel, designed specifically for giving autonomous taxi rides.

While Cruise has had much success in rolling out its robotaxi services, it hasn’t been without challenges. Earlier this month, the company issued a voluntary recall of 300 Cruise vehicles with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall was in response to a minor collision where a Cruise robotaxi hit the back of a San Francisco bus.

Cruise’s autonomous driving system is also currently being investigated by NHTSA. In a filing, NHSTA said it was interested in two different issues that had been reported to the administration that both result in the robotaxis becoming hazards for others on the road. The first is an issue with the robotaxis breaking too hard when approached from behind. The second issue, unrelated to the first one, involves Cruise’s vehicles becoming immobilized on the road.

Finances remain another potential issue. Cruise, the autonomous vehicle division of General Motors, lost $561 million in the first quarter of 2023. It earned $30 million in revenue for GM, though most of that money comes from interest and other non-operating sources.

Brianna Wessling is an Associate Editor, Robotics, WTWH Media. She can be reached at bw*******@wt*******.com.

Trash Talk

The Pickup Artist, who writes Trash Talk, is on hiatus for a few months taking care of family business, but will return with an issue in July. Feel fr
ee to contact him at Th******************@Ou*****.com with comments or ideas for future articles.

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)

April 25, 2023

Consent Calendar

• Award a contract to Cratus, Inc., for construction of the Wildcat Pipeline Improvement, El Cerrito.
• Award a contract to Disney Construction, Inc., for construction of Palo Seco Pumping Plant and Madrone Regulator Replacement, Almond Pumping Plant Flowmeter Replacement, and Madrone Reservoir Demolition Project.
• Authorize a direct award contract to Fluid Conservation Systems Inc., for supplying handheld leak detection equipment.
• Award a contract to Dell Inc., for supplying two Dell storage servers, one security server, and six Distributed Control Systems (DCS) host servers for the upgrade of the Lafayette Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Walnut Creek.
• Award a contract to NTT America, Inc., for supplying two CISCO network hardware configurations for the upgrade of the Lafayette and Walnut Creek WTP DCS.
• Award a contract to Buhler Commercial for construction of the Main Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP) Operations Center Improvements Project.
• Authorize an amendment to the agreement with Aetypic, Inc. for additional design services and engineering services during construction for the MWWTP Operations Center Improvements Project.
• Authorize an agreement beginning on or after with Alisto Engineering Group for field identification and creation of an inventory of existing pipe materials on customer-service laterals formerly served by a District lead service lateral.
• Authorize an agreement with the City of San Ramon for gate valve pot upgrades.
• Authorize amendments to the agreements with Ahern Rentals Inc., Coast Counties Peterbilt PacLease, Doc Bailey Construction Equipment Inc., Gloria Washington Trucking, Inc., Herc Rentals Inc., Ibarra Team Construction Services, Inder Trucking, JS Cole Company, Monticello Trucking LLC, Nor Cal Rental Group, Pape Machinery Inc., S&L Transport, LLC, Sky Rock Inc., Sunbelt Rentals, Inc., Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC, TriWest Tractor Inc., and United Rentals Inc. for bare equipment rentals through January 11, 2026.
• Approve the March 2023 Monthly Investment Transactions Report.
• Amend the Fiscal Year 2023 Wastewater System budget to accommodate higher debt service on the system’s outstanding bonds.

Lesa McIntosh                        Aye

John Coleman                         Aye

Marguerite Young                   Aye

Andy Katz                               Aye

Doug Linney                           Aye

William Patterson                    Aye

April Chan                              Aye

Park District acquires Finley Road Ranch Property

Submitted by East Bay Regional Park District

East Bay Regional Park District has purchased the 768-acre Finley Road Ranch property located off Finley Road in Contra Costa County at the western edge of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and southern edge of Mount Diablo State Park. The acquisition preserves forever one of the largest remaining pristine open spaces adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park. The property was officially acquired on April 24, 2023. Park District board of directors voted to authorize purchase of the property on March 7, 2023.

“The acquisition is an important step toward a long-desired staging area at the end of Finley Road,” said Park District Board Director John Mercurio. “Access to western Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and southern Mount Diablo State Park has been limited over the years and this property is an important step toward improving public access.”

The Finley Road Ranch property includes a flat, accessible area for a potential staging area that would provide access to the property and significantly improve public access to the Park District’s Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and the adjacent Mount Diablo State Park.

“The Park District thanks our partners for their contributions toward the acquisition, including the California Coastal Conservancy and Save Mount Diablo,” said Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “The acquisition supports the Park District’s mission of habitat preservation and providing public access for recreation, and furthers California’s 30×30 Initiative goal of conserving 30 percent of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.”

The Park District is a supporter of the state’s 30×30 Initiative and participates in the initiative’s partnership coordinating committee, which works toward implementing the policies of the 30×30 Initiative and facilitates coordination among state and federal public agencies, tribal partners, and other non-governmental partners.

Fremont Senior Citizen Committee (FSCC)

April 28, 2023

Reports

• A report was presented by Nita Prasad, Clinical Supervisor of the Aging and Family Services (AFS), on the Older Adult Support Services (OASS) and Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP). Both programs are offered at no cost.
• OASS provides short-term (up to 2-3 years) assistance to frail clients that have complex medical health challenges, social challenges, and mental health issues. Services are provided in-home and/or community locations. Some of the services OASS provides are:
• Assisting clients with transitions from hospital to home.
• Stabilization of clients in the home.
• Helping clients connect to needed services with multi-language support.
• Helping clients find housing (currently 20% of OASS clients are homeless.
• Coaching on insurance needs.
• Transport to medical appointments.
• Medication review with pharmacists and doctors.
• MSSP provides long term assistance to clients at least 65 years of age and on medical living in the Tri-City area, Hayward and Sunol.
• Provides clients with medical equipment, personal care items, and protective supervision.

To find out more about both OASS and MSSP programs call (510) 574-2041 or email AFS.Fremont.gov.

Opportunities to help senior citizens

• Volunteers are needed for the Community Ambassador Program for Seniors (CAPS) which is an award winning, nationally recognized volunteer program offered by Fremont. CAPS volunteers provide information and support to senior citizens. A training session for CAPS will be held on May 22 and 23. For more information call (510) 574-2063 or email me*******@fr*****.gov.
• Five open positions for commissioners on the FSCC. The FSCC meets on the fourth Friday of the month at the Lake Elizabeth Senior Center, Wing A, 40086 Paseo Padre Parkway. Call (510) 574-2062 for more information.

Age Well Centers

• Pop Singing class on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. offered by the Age Well Center in South Fremont.
• The Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth offers A Celebrating Diversity Circle on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There are guest lecturers, discussion of current events, film, music and LGBTQ+ topics.

FSCC Members:

Monique Chapman

Carol Evans

Kathy Fischer

Rebecca Garewal

Barbara Hamze

Krishnaswamy Narasimhan

Claudette Surma

Linette Young

Milpitas City Council

April 18, 2023

Public Hearings

• Approve the 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Program. Unanimously approved.
• Approved the Fiscal Year 2023-24 User and Regulatory Fee Schedule. Unanimously approved.

Community Development

• Adopt a resolution and certifying election results and adding the properties located at 1752 and 1810 Houret Court into Community Facilities District No. 2008-1. Unanimously approved.

Consent Calendar

• Consider opting into settlement agreements with pharmacies and manufacturers of opioids; Teva, Allergan, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart.
• Authorize the the Improvement Agreement for a residential development at 308 Sango Court.

between the City of Milpitas and Milpitas Pacific Associates, L.P.

• Authorize the agreement for completion of public improvements as part of the Innovation Campus Project between the City of Milpitas and Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD).
• Authorize the purchase order with Core and Main for the purchase of hydrants and blow-off valves.
• Authorize an agreement with Willdan Energy Solutions for the replacement of natural gas water heaters with electric heat pumps in City facilities.
• Award a construction contract to Tucker Construction, Inc. for the Fire Training Tower Concrete Repair.

Items Removed from Consent Calendar

• Amend Chapter 1 of Title VIII of the Milpitas Municipal Code relating to water service charges. Vote: Aye 4, Nay 1 (Phan)
• Amend Chapter 2 of Title VIII of the Milpitas Municipal Code relating to sewer service charges. Vote: Aye 3, Nay 2 (Lien, Phan)

Mayor Carmen Montano                     Aye

Evelyn Chua                                        Aye

Gary Barbadillo                                   Aye

Hon Lien                                             Aye, Nay 1

Anthony Phan                                     Aye, Nay 2

Ohlone College Board of Trustees

April 12, 2023

Consent Agenda

• Approval of March 2023 Payroll Warrants
• Approval of Personnel Actions
• Advisory Committee appointments for occupational programs and special programs for 2023-2024
• Approval of Resolution No. 28/22-23, Emeritus for Lesley Buehler
• California Community College Trustees Board Report
• Revised Noncredit Courses for 2023-2024
• Review of purchase orders
• Ratification of contracts
• Ratification of College Connection Program Agreement – Newark Memorial High School
• Approval of Memoranda of Understanding for Retirement Incentive – United Faculty of Ohlone (UFO)

Lance Kwan                Aye

Rakesh Sharma           Aye

Greg Bonaccorsi         Aye

Suzanne Lee Chan       Aye

Betty Ho                      Aye

Restoration efforts boost Steelhead in Alameda Creek

By Sharene Gonzales

In a milestone for the re-establishment of a viable steelhead run in Alameda Creek watershed, high-tech fish monitoring by two local water agencies tagged, detected and documented a juvenile trout this past week, migrating downstream from the upper watershed through lower Alameda Creek toward San Francisco Bay.

For the first time in over 50 years, steelhead, salmon and other anadromous fishes can migrate from the Bay upstream to reach spawning and rearing habitat in upper Alameda Creek watershed. This is thanks to Alameda County Water District (ACWD) and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) new fish passage facilities, in both the lower creek in Fremont and upper creek in Sunol Regional Wilderness. Within the first two months of the lower ladder’s operation, upstream migrating adult chinook salmon and pacific lamprey were observed using the new structure to bypass a former barrier known as the BART Weir, with adult steelhead expected to use these ladders as well.

For over 20 years, ACWD, SFPUC, and Alameda Creek Alliance have been working collaboratively with other stakeholders to address migration barriers and enhance stream flows to allow steelhead to access inland spawning habitat, spawn, and rear in the upper watershed. In October, SFPUC biologists tagged juvenile trout in the upper watershed using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) technology. This week, one of those tagged fish was detected 15 miles downstream by specialized antennae located in ACWD’s fish ladder in lower Alameda Creek.

“This epic event of fish passage demonstrates how communities and stakeholders can come together with a united goal of improving such an important resource. It is wonderful to see this positive first sign, and it shows that even in an urban environment we can have natural beauty and functioning ecosystems – right here in our own backyard,” said ACWD Board President Paul Sethy.

“Restoration efforts in complex stream systems like Alameda Creek involve long, painstaking processes,” admitted SFPUC biologist Brian Sak, who added that his agency’s monitoring program began back in 1998. “We’ve always expected that some of the resident rainbow trout in the upper watershed, that have been shown to be directly related to the system’s historic steelhead, make it out to the Bay and ocean when the conditions are just right. But we have been hoping that reservoir water releases designed to improve spawning and rearing, along with passage improvements, would make things easier for fish. Having confirmation for the first time that trout from upstream are making it downstream to at least Fremont is wonderful news for the countless people that have worked so hard for the shared goal of bringing steelhead back to Alameda Creek.”

“We’ve made incredible progress building fish migration infrastructure in the lower urban portion of our watershed, allowing spawning adult salmon and steelhead to swim upstream to reach good habitat,” said Jeff Miller, director of Alameda Creek Alliance. “But the successful downstream migration of juvenile fish is just as critical; it’s gratifying to be able to document some of our trout moving toward the Bay to complete their life cycle.”

ACWD’s second fish ladder, completed in December of 2022, was built in cooperation with Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The first fish ladder was completed in 2019. Both ladders were built to provide passage around water supply and flood control infrastructure for steelhead, federally designated as a threatened species, and other migratory fish species of concern to reach freshwater spawning and rearing habitat in upper Alameda Creek and facilitate the return of juvenile fish to the Bay and ocean. The Lower Alameda Creek Fish Passage Improvements Program is an $80 million investment, with $33 million in grant funding, to address environmental and water supply needs. All told, ACWD has constructed seven fish passage and water supply projects over the past two decades, in cooperation with 24
agencies and stakeholders.

The SFPUC removed Sunol and Niles dams, which were identified as fish passage barriers in Niles Canyon, in 2006. The agency also incorporated Calaveras Reservoir environmental water releases in 2019 and reduced water diversions in 2021 into Calaveras Dam Replacement and Alameda Creek Diversion Dam (ACDD) projects. Both are focused on maximizing steelhead spawning and rearing habitat downstream of each facility. The ACDD project included the construction of a complex fish ladder that incorporates PIT tag technology capable of detecting tagged adult and juvenile fish moving upstream and/or downstream through the ladder. The SFPUC conducts a variety of annual monitoring projects designed to document rainbow trout and steelhead spawning, rearing and downstream movements, fish population and community characteristics, and water quality conditions in portions of the upper watershed above and below its facilities.

Background

Since steelhead in the Bay Area were listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 1997, a consortium of organizations and agencies has cooperated on restoration projects to allow migratory fish to reach spawning and rearing habitat in upper Alameda Creek. Partners in Alameda Creek Fisheries Restoration Workgroup have completed nearly two dozen fish passage projects in the watershed since 2001, including removing small dams and other fish passage barriers, construction of fish ladders, replacement of road culverts, and installation of fish screens at water diversions. Water agencies are also working on projects to improve stream flows and restore stream and riparian habitats along Alameda Creek and its tributaries. These restoration projects now make up to 20 miles of potential spawning and rearing habitat in Alameda Creek and its tributaries accessible to ocean-run salmonids.

Steelhead, salmon and some lamprey are anadromous fishes, living out their adult lives in the ocean and migrating up freshwater streams and rivers to spawn, with their young rearing in suitable habitat when available. Resident rainbow trout and steelhead are different life forms of the same species, Oncorhynchus mykiss – rainbows remain in a stream environment throughout their lives, while steelhead migrate to the ocean and return to their natal stream to spawn.

Union City Commissions Recruitment

Submitted by City of Union City

The City of Union City encourages people to become involved in their local community. One way to do so is to serve in an advisory capacity on one of the city’s various commissions.

Current Recruitments:

• Arts & Culture Commission
• Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
• Human Relations Commission
• Parks & Recreation Commission
• Planning Commission
• Senior Commission

How to Apply:

If you are a resident of the City of Union City and would like to apply for any of these positions, please contact the City Clerk at Ci*******@un*******.org or access the application at: https://www.unioncity.org/201/Commissions

Union Sanitary District

April 24, 2023

Reports

• General Manager Paul Eldredge stated that Board Officers will be considered at the next meeting (May 8th).

Motions

• Authorize amendment no. 2 to task order no. 2 with Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. for the Pump Stations Chemical System Improvements Project.
• Award hauling & disposal of sewer debris contract to Compactor Management Company.
• Authorize a memorandum of agreement to participate in the Regional Purified Water Pilot Project Phase 2 – Public Outreach and Grant Funding Opportunities.

President Anjali Lathi              Aye

Pat Kite                                   Aye

Manny Fernandez                   Aye

Jennifer Toy                            Aye

Tom Handley                          Aye

Alameda County Fire Department Log

Submitted By ACFD

Friday, April 21

• At 5:28 p.m. ACFD responded to an encampment fire in San Leandro at Fairway Blvd & West 140th Avenue. Firefighters knocked down the fire in under 30 minutes and kept the fire from extending into adjacent buildings with no reported injuries.

BART Police Log

Submitted by BART PD and Les Mensinger

Monday, April 24

• At 9:07 p.m. a man identified by police as Salaman Ayubzal, 35, from Hayward was taken into custody in the free area of the San Leandro station and booked into the Alameda County jail in Dublin.

Tuesday, April 25

• At 10:03 a.m. a person identified by police as Tiwawn McIntosh, 45, from Oakland was contacted in the free area of the San Leandro station. McIntosh will be booked into the Alameda County Jail upon being medically cleared.

Thursday, April 27

• At 1:26 p.m. a man identified by police as Chris Phillip Tuiasosopo, 18 from San Francisco was contacted off-property near the BART station in Pleasanton. Tuiasosopo was arrested and booked into the Alameda County Jail in Dublin.

Fremont Fire Log

Submitted By FFD

Saturday, April 22

• Just after 4:30 pm, a total of 15 ducklings were rescued from a storm drain in Mission San Jose and happily reunited with their Mama.

Fremont Police Log

Submitted by Fremont PD

Tuesday, April 11

• Officers responded to an armed robbery at the parking lot of a local credit union. A female victim withdrew cash and walked toward her parked vehicle. A subject approached her, brandished a knife, and demanded her money. Officers immediately responded, but could not locate the subject or any associated vehicle. This case remains under investigation.

Thursday, April 13

• Fremont Police officers assisted Newark Police in an incident that led to an officer-involved shooting (OIS). The shooting took place within the jurisdiction of Newark Police Department, and Newark PD is the lead investigating agency. For additional information regarding the shooting, please visit https://www.fremontpolice.gov/OIS.

Friday, April 14

• Officers responded to a fast-food restaurant on Grimmer Blvd. to the report of a vehicle following an individual. The individual reported seeing multiple subjects in the vehicle; one subject possibly brandished a firearm at one point. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect vehicle. This case remains under investigation.
• Officers responded to a local grocery store regarding a robbery. The subject entered the store and began filling a duffle bag with cases of energy drinks. The subject walked toward the exit, and a store employee confronted him. The subject threw a lighter at the employee and threatened the victim before he fled. This case remains under investigation.

Saturday, April 15

• Officers responded to an in-progress commercial burglary on Osgood Rd. A community member reported seeing three subjects enter a gated construction site. Multiple units, including the drone team, responded and set up a perimeter. Two subjects emerged and fled on foot through an open field. Officers were able to detain both subjects without incident. The third subj
  ect later emerged, attempted to escape, and ultimately surrendered. The reporting party positively identified all three subjects. Three adult subjects out of Fremont were arrested.
• Officers responded to a residential burglary on Abuelo Way. Two subjects entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and used the garage door opener to access the victim’s garage. The victim confronted both subjects as they made entry into the garage. Both subjects then fled in a vehicle. This case remains under investigation.

Sunday, April 16

• Officers responded to a report of two subjects fighting in the parking lot to an apartment complex on Glenmoor Dr. Officers arrived and contacted one of the heavily intoxicated subjects, and the other subject fled on foot. One adult subject out of Fremont was arrested for being intoxicated in public.
• A subject called to advise that he was inside a pharmacy at the Fremont Hub and wanted an escort outside because people were waiting to harm him. The store employee also contacted FPD to report that the subject had armed himself with scissors and pulled them out whenever someone walked near him. Officers arrived and contacted the subject. The adult subject out of Fremont was placed on a mental health hold.

Monday, April 17

• Officers responded to a home improvement store on Ice House Terrace to the report of a robbery that had just occurred. The reporting party provided a description of the subject and stated that the subject walked toward Grimmer Blvd. Officers arrived on the scene and located the subject, who immediately surrendered. One adult subject out of Oakland was arrested.

Hayward Police Log

Submitted by Hayward PD

Tuesday, April 11

• Handgun in plain view recovered during traffic stop; driver arrested.

Wednesday, April 19

• Arrest made in 2019 homicide that occurred near Santa Clara Way and Yolo Street.

Milpitas Fire Log

Submitted by Milpitas Fire Department

Saturday, April 8

• At 6:40 p.m. Milpitas Fire Department received a call for service on I-880 at Dixon Landing Road. Milpitas Fire responded to the incident with two units. Engine 86 and Rescue Medic 86 arrived and administered Advanced Life Support care on scene. Patient was transported by to Valley Medical Trauma Center for further treatment.

Newark Police Log

Submitted by Newark PD

Thursday, April 13

• At approximately 3:20 p.m., Newark Police were alerted by community safety cameras that a carjacking suspect vehicle entered the City of Newark on Mowry Avenue. Officers located the suspect vehicle in the 39000 block of Cedar Boulevard. Additional officers including members of the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force and Fremont Police Department, arrived on scene and a high-risk stop was conducted. During the encounter, an officer involved shooting occurred. Officers immediately rendered aid, but the suspect did not survive. A second suspect was transported to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A weapon was recovered on scene. No involved officers or bystanders were injured.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Newark Police Department Investigations Sergeant Yama Homayoun at (510) 578.4920 or Ya***********@ne****.org. Information can be left anonymously on the “Anonymous Tip” hotline at (510) 578.4965.

Union City Police Log

Submitted by Union City PD

Wednesday, April 12

• At approximately 8:40 a.m., officers responded to a robbery at a business in the 32200 block of Alvarado Boulevard. The suspect entered the establishment, pointed a firearm at the victim, and demanded money from the cash register. The victim complied, and the suspect fled in a dark gray car. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 5’10” tall, weighing 160-170 lbs., wearing black clothing.

Friday, April 14

• At approximately 5 p.m., officers responded to a vehicle collision in the 33300 block of Alvarado Niles Road. Upon arrival, they learned one of the involved drivers displayed objective signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Officers placed the driver under arrest for driving under the influence.
• At approximately 9:20 p.m., officers responded to a theft in the 33300 block of Alvarado Niles Road. Three Hispanic male adults left a restaurant without paying their bill, then entered their vehicle in the parking lot. One of the two security guards stepped in front of the suspect vehicle as it fled, and the suspect drove toward the victim, striking him with the car. The victim ultimately suffered a fractured rib, and the suspects were gone before the police arrived.

Monday, April 17

• At approximately 6:15 p.m., Field Training Officer Olson and Officer Aguayo contacted a subject in the 30100 block of Industrial Parkway. A records check revealed he was on probation. The officers searched him, found 17 grams of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and arrested him.

Tuesday, April 18

• At approximately 7 p.m., officers responded to a carjacking attempt on Railroad Avenue and Westgard Street. The victim told police he was being followed by a white vehicle and decided to pull over. The white car pulled up next to him, the driver exited, pointed a gun at his head, and demanded his phone and wallet. The passenger then exited, pointed a gun at the victim’s head, and demanded his car keys. The victim could not find his keys quickly enough, so the suspects fled in the white car with only the victim’s phone and wallet. The first suspect was a Black male, thin build, wearing black clothing. The second suspect was a Hispanic male of a thin build, wearing black clothing and a black ski mask.

Anyone with information on local crime or any of the listed incidents should contact the Investigations Division at (510) 675-5275. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the tips line by calling (510) 675-5207 or email ti**@un*******.org.

Cougars Report

Submitted by Rachel Kahoalii

Champions of Character

The following Newark Memorial High School athletes were recognized as Champions of Character by their teammates this week:

Softball

Varsity Senior Jasmine Villanueva is a very hard worker on and off the field. She is a great leader, an amazing role model and someone to look up to. She strives for the best and is a very supportive teammate.

Junior varsity Sophomore Dakota Gardea pushes herself to the max every practice and works hard to learn new positions.

Baseball

Freshman Julian Munoz is a great contributing factor to the team and is a good friend off and on the field and has worked hard to learn a new position.

Junior Kamaile Noa has been recognized as a great teammate who always brings positivity to the team. He always picks people up whenever they are down and works hard every day.

Cal State East Bay Women’s track and field invitational

Submitted by CSUEB Athletic Communications

Cal State East Bay (CSUEB) women’s track & field competed Saturday, April 22 at the Chico Invitational. For several runners on the Pioneers, notably distance runners, it would be their final regular season meet before the 2023 CCAA Championships.

Below are a few highlights from the track on Saturday for CSUEB.

• Ariel Van Riper placed first at 3000-meter
  steeplechase with a time of 12 minutes, 51.78 seconds.
• In the 1,500 meters, Alyssa Escay met a personal record of 5:05.37 as did Anya von Euw with a time of 5:10.82.
• Jenna Rodriguez ran her fastest 400-meter time of 59.21 seconds. Ashley Trout also had a personal record in the 400 meters of 1:01.14.

San Leandro Beats Mt. Eden on Senior Night

By Andrew Joseph

The San Leandro Pirates baseball team beat the Mt. Eden Monarchs on senior night Friday, April 28^th at home in a conference game to move into second place in the Western Alameda County Conference (WACC) Shoreline League.

With the win the Pirates improve to 6-2 in league play and 11-9 overall. They sweep the season series against the Monarchs who fall to third place in the WACC Shoreline League. The team decided to make the game the official senior night because it was the last home game on a Friday of the regular season. The bleachers were packed with fans, students, friends, and family for the epic home stand.

“Our big emphasis this year has been execution over expectation,” said San Leandro head coach Brian Supnet. “We have seven seniors on the team this year and watching them grow and develop is really exciting to see.”

The game started with Mt. Eden scoring the first run in the top of the second inning when Oscar Reyes was hit by a pitch from Xavier Marquez, which allowed Elijah Lopez to walk home and give Mt. Eden a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of third inning Demorie Sherman hit a ground ball single to get to first base. Then Marquez was walked to first and later stole second. That set up Eli Seligman who then hit a double to drive in both runners home and give the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

“On that double that I hit they threw a fastball inside and I went up the middle with it, said closing pitcher Seligman. “The two runs scored on that play was a turning point in the game.”

In the bottom of the fourth inning Julian Diaz was walked to first and Christina Orta was also walked to first. Sherman hit a single which drove in Diaz to score one run. Marquez then hit a double to drive in Orta and Sherman to home plate making it a commanding 5-1 lead for San Leandro at the end of the fourth inning.

“On that double I had I found my pitch to hit with a good two strike approach and I shot the ball in the gap and was able to score,” said Chabot College commit Marquez. “We have a lot of confidence heading into the league playoffs.”

Mt. Eden scored one run in the top of the sixth inning when Andy Figaroa hit a single to drive in Jayden Schafer to score making it a 5-2 game. No further runs were scored by either team after that and the Pirates earned the victory.

“Our only goal right now for this season is to win league,” said coach Supnet.

San Leandro also beat American High of Fremont by a score of 7-6 on Saturday, April 29^th in a non-league game. The Pirates have just three games remaining in the regular season including a nonleague matchup against James Logan on Tuesday, May 2^nd at home. Mt. Eden’s next game is at home on Wednesday, May 3^rd at home in the first of two games in a league series against Encinal.

Elizabeth Holmes delays going to prison with another appeal

By Michael Liedtke

Associated Press Technology Writer

Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes has avoided starting her more than 11-year prison sentence on Thursday by deploying the same legal maneuver that enabled her co-conspirator in a blood-testing hoax to remain free for an additional month.

Holmes’ lawyers on Wednesday informed U.S. District Judge Edward Davila that she won’t be reporting to prison as scheduled because she had filed an appeal of a decision that he issued earlier this month ordering her to begin her sentence on April 27.

The appeal, filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals late Tuesday, automatically delays her reporting date because she has been free on bail since a jury convicted her on four counts of fraud and conspiracy in January 2022. The verdict followed a four-month trial revolving around her downfall from a rising Silicon Valley star to an alleged scam artist chasing fame and fortune while fleecing investors and endangering the health of patients relying on Theranos’ flawed blood tests.

The tactic deployed by Holmes mirrored a move made last month by her former lover and subordinate, Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, to avoid a prison reporting date of March 16. After the Ninth Circuit rejected his appeal three weeks later, Davila set a new reporting date of April 20.

Balwani, 57, is now serving a nearly 13-year prison sentence in a federal prison located in San Pedro, California after being convicted of 12 counts of fraud and conspiracy.

Although they had separate trials, Holmes and Balwani were accused of essentially the same crimes centered on a ruse touting Theranos’ blood-testing system as a revolutionary breakthrough in health care. The claims helped the company become a Silicon Valley sensation that raised nearly $1 billion from investors.

Holmes, 38, last appeared in court about a month ago, shortly after giving birth to her second child in an attempt to persuade Davila to allow her to remain free while she appeals her conviction. Davila, who scolded Holmes for betraying Silicon Valley’s history of innovation when he sentenced her in November, subsequently rejected that request.

Davila had recommended Holmes be incarcerated at a low-security prison camp in Bryan, Texas, but it has not been publicly disclosed if that is where she has been assigned to serve her sentence.

The news of Holmes’ latest legal maneuver emerged the same day that it was announced one of the federal prosecutors who helped convict her is leaving the U. S. Attorney’s office in San Jose, California. Jeffrey Schenk, who also helped convict Balwani in that trial, will specialize in defending people accused of white-collar crimes as a partner for the law firm Jones Day in Silicon Valley.

Yosemite valley to close over flood threat as snowpack melts

Associated Press

— Much of the famed valley at California’s Yosemite National Park will be temporarily closed starting Friday due to a forecast of flooding as rising temperatures melt the Sierra Nevada’s massive snowpack.

Park officials said Tuesday that the eastern section of Yosemite Valley will stay shut at least until May 3. Reservations for campgrounds and lodging in the eastern valley will automatically be canceled and refunded.

Other sections including western Yosemite Valley will remain open, officials said. Day hikers who have purchased wilderness permits for areas that will be off limits can have them rescheduled for alternate trailheads as space allows.

Spring weather is quickly melting huge amounts of snow that accumulated in mountains from a series of epic winter storms.

California’s state climatologist Michael Anderson warned this week that rising temperatures will speed up the snowmelt and double the amount of water flowing into some of the state’s reservoirs.

Water managers will determine whether they need to release more water from reservoirs but most residential communities are not expected to see immediate flooding due to the warming trend, he said.

Mattel introduces first Barbie with Down syndrome

Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Associated Press

Toy company Mattel revealed its first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome on April 25.
Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to create the Barbie and “ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome,” the company said.

Design features of the new Barbie were made under guidance from NDSS, Mattel said. In addition to portraying some physical characteristics of a person with Down syndrome, the Barbie’s clothing and accessories carry special meaning. The blue and yellow on the doll’s dress, accompanied by butterflies, represent symbols and colors associated with Down syndrome awareness. And the three chevrons on the Barbie’s necklace represent how people with Down syndrome have three copies of their 21st chromosome, Mattel said.

In addition, the Barbie wears ankle foot orthotics, which some children with Down syndrome use. “This means so much for our community, who for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them,” NDSS President and CEO Kandi Pickard said in a statement. “This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Down syndrome is the “most common chromosomal condition” diagnosed in the U.S. today. About 6,000 babies are born across the country each year with Down syndrome, the CDC said. Barbie’s new doll representing a person with Down syndrome is part of Mattel’s 2023 Fashionistas line, which is aimed at increasing diversity and inclusivity. Previous dolls that have been introduced to the Fashionistas line include a Ken doll with a prosthetic leg, a Barbie with hearing aids and dolls with a skin condition called vitiligo. “We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play,” Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, said in a statement.

Dragon bursts into flames during popular Disneyland show

Associated Press

Spectators at Disneyland’s popular “Fantasmic!” show got a shock on April 22 when the feature’s fire-breathing animatronic dragon suddenly burst into flames. No injuries were reported following the blaze on the night of April 22 at the Southern California theme park, the Anaheim Fire Department said.

Ryan Laux, a frequent Disneyland visitor, said fire has always been a part of the “Fantasmic!” presentation. But he said he knew something was awry when flames didn’t come from where they usually do. “The head started going on fire instead of the fire projecting out,” said Laux, who lives in Los Angeles and captured the blaze on video. The show was stopped almost immediately “and then right after that, the dragon started catching fire and the whole body was up in flames,” he told The Associated Press on April 23.

The show takes place twice nightly near the park’s famous Tom Sawyer Island. The climax features Mickey Mouse battling a giant dragon named Maleficent. Laux said Mickey vanished from the stage as soon as the dragon’s head became engulfed in flames. The extent of the damage wasn’t immediately known.

Pope voices willingness to return Indigenous loot, artifacts

By Nicole Winfield

Associated Press

Apr 30, 2023

Pope Francis said Sunday that talks were underway to return colonial-era artifacts in the Vatican Museum that were acquired from Indigenous peoples in Canada and voiced a willingness to return other problematic objects in the Vatican’s collection on a case-by-case basis.

“The Seventh Commandment comes to mind: If you steal something you have to give it back,” Francis said during an airborne press conference en route home from Hungary.

Recently, Francis returned to Greece the three fragments of the Parthenon sculptures that had been in the Vatican Museums’ collection for two centuries. The pope said Sunday that the restitution was “the right gesture” and that when such returns were possible, museums should undertake them.

“In the case where you can return things, where it’s necessary to make a gesture, better to do it,” he said. “Sometimes you can’t, if there are no possibilities – political, real or concrete possibilities. But in the cases where you can restitute, please do it. It’s good for everyone, so you don’t get used to putting your hands in someone else’s pockets.”

His comments to The Associated Press were his first on a question that has forced many museums in Europe and North America to rethink their ethnographic and anthropological collections. The restitution debate has gathered steam amid a reckoning for the colonial conquests of Africa, the Americas and Asia and demands for restitution of war loot by the countries and communities of origin.

The Vatican has an extensive collection of artifacts and art made by Indigenous peoples from around the world, much of it sent to Rome by Catholic missionaries for a 1925 exhibition in the Vatican gardens.

The Vatican insists the artifacts, including ceremonial masks, wampum belts and feathered headdresses, were gifts. But Indigenous scholars dispute whether Native peoples at the time could have freely offered their handicrafts given the power differentials at play in colonial periods.

Francis, the first-ever Latin American pope, knows the history well. Last year, he travelled to Canada to personally apologize to Indigenous peoples for abuses they endured at the hands of Catholic missionaries at residential schools.

In the run-up to the visit, Indigenous groups visited the Vatican’s Anima Mundi museum, saw some of their ancestors’ handiwork, and expressed interest in having greater access to the collection, and the return of some items.

“The restitution of the Indigenous things is underway with Canada – at least we agreed to do it,” Francis said, adding that the Holy See’s experience meeting with the Indigenous groups in Canada had been “very fruitful.”

Indeed, just a few weeks ago in another follow-up to the Canada apology, the Vatican formally repudiated the “Doctrine of Discovery.” This theory, backed by 15th-century “papal bulls,” was used to legitimize the colonial-era seizure of Native lands and forms the basis of some property laws today in the U.S. and Canada.

Francis recalled that looting was a common feature during colonial-era wars and occupations. “They took these decisions to take the good things from the other,” he said.

He said going forward, museums “have to make a discernment in each case,” but that where possible, restitution of objects should be made.

“And if tomorrow the Egyptians come and ask for the obelisk, what will we do?” he said chuckling, referring to the great obelisk that stands at the center of St. Peter’s Square. The Roman Emperor Caligula brought the ancient obelisk to Rome more than 2,000 years ago, and it was moved to the square in the 16th century.

The Vatican Museums are mentioned in the 2020 book “The Brutish Museums,” which recounts the sacking of the Royal Court of Benin City by British forces in 1897 and the subsequent dispersal in museums and collections around the globe of its famed Benin Bronzes.

In the appendix, the Vatican is listed as one of the museums, galleries or collections that “may” have objects looted from Benin City, in today’s Nigeria, in 1897.

The Vatican Museums hasn’t responded to requests for information. The Nigerian Embassy to the Holy See, asked recently about the claim, said its “contact in the Vatican is currently looking into the issue.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Portland’s Valentine’s Day Bandit revealed in death

Apr 24 2023

By David Sharp

Associ
ated Press

The identity of the so-called Valentine’s Day bandit, responsible for leaving hundreds of red hearts in downtown Portland for more than four decades, has been revealed in death.

Kevin Fahrman, of Falmouth, was chief instigator of a group of feel-good pranksters who struck every year on Feb. 14, family and friends said, a tradition that put smiles on people’s faces while leaving behind an enduring mystery of who was responsible. He was 67 when he died late Thursday.

Portland Mayor Kate Snyder said it was sad to lose such a local treasure ”and bittersweet to have him revealed.”

“The Valentine’s Day bandit has given so much to the Portland community. His gift of love was anticipated by so many each February. I hope the tradition continues – it would be a wonderful tribute to someone who brought love and hope to all of us annually,” the mayor said.

The love and levity started in the mid-1970s before Fahrman took it over in 1979.

Over the years, simple white sheets of paper with large red hearts appeared in Old Portland and in downtown on Feb. 14. The hearts were plastered on storefronts and business windows.

It grew more elaborate over the years, with larger hearts appearing in unusual places, like Fort Gorges in Portland Harbor, and over the entrance of the the Portland Library. This year, a big heart was draped from the city’s tallest building, an 18-floor apartment tower, which is still under construction.

It was a courtship made in heaven – Fahrman loved Portland, and Portland loved him back.

Fahrman was an accomplished photographer, and one of his favorite subjects was SailMaine. Fahrman’s daughter was involved in sailing, and she was one of his subjects.

The Valentine effort went to great lengths.

It was no small feat to put a giant heart on an old fort in the Portland Harbor, reachable only by boat, by the dark of night in February, or from high vantages like the top of an 18-floor apartment building, the state’s largest building.

His wife, Patti Urban, told the Portland Press Herald that she was a Valentine’s Day widow. She said her husband was usually too wiped out from his late-night shenanigans to enjoy the day himself.

Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown, marveled at the work that was accomplished in one night.

”We have always thought it was one-part magic, one-part sea salt and one-part fairy dust, but that’s just our guess,” he said.

SeaWorld euthanizes sick sea lion found on San Diego freeway

Associated Press

Freeway, the sea lion rescued after wandering inland from his ocean home and crossing busy San Diego thoroughfares, has been euthanized after falling ill. The sea lion earned his name in January 2022 after being found on State Route 94, a freeway several miles from shore, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The SeaWorld San Diego team that got him to safety said he’d been previously spotted at San Diego International Airport and in a storm drain in the Logan Heights neighborhood.

Since being rescued last year, Freeway had contracted a “progressive disease that our animal care experts diagnosed,” SeaWorld said in statement on April 23. “Despite extensive treatment, the disease caused his health to deteriorate over time,” the statement said. Given his decline, the team made the decision to humanely euthanize him, SeaWorld said.

Freeway was first rescued in November 2021 when he was found on a busy road near North San Diego Bay. A rescue crew rehabbed him at SeaWorld for a week, fitted his left flipper with an orange tag and brought him back to the sea. SeaWorld never figured out why the sea lion kept wandering so far from the ocean. When animals wander out of their habitat, it’s usually for food, SeaWorld officials told the Union-Tribune last year. But Freeway’s weight was good and he appeared healthy at the time. “His adventurous spirit won the hearts of all San Diegans and he will be remembered for that and so much more,” SeaWorld said.

Continuing Events:

 

Tuesdays

Poker Tournaments

6:00 pm

Weekly tournaments for beginner or a seasoned player

The Clubhouse Bistro & Bar

4020 Technology Pl, Fremont

(510) 651-2500

bit.ly/3GllRwI

 

First and third Tuesdays

Mobile Food Distribution by Tri-City Volunteers

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Bring your own bag

Fremont Adult School

4700 Calaveras Ave, Fremont

(510) 793-6465

tri-cityvolunteers.org/food

Tuesdays

Bilingual (English/Spanish) Tiny Tot Story Time

9:30 am – 11:00 am

Kinder readiness class for 0-5 years old

Union City Family Center

725 Whipple Rd, Union City

(510) 476-2770

bit.ly/3GaTamI

Wednesdays

Trivia Night R$

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Play & win prizes

The Clubhouse Bistro & Bar

4020 Technology Pl, Fremont

(510) 651-2500

fremontclubhouse.com

Wednesdays

Zumba Gold $

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Workout while dancing

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

Wednesdays

Tropics Bingo

7:00 pm

Flash games

Tropics Mobile Home Park

33000 Almaden Blvd, Union City

(510) 471-8550

the-tropics.net

Wednesdays

Ping Pong

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Activities for people with Parkinson

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

mt*****@fr*****.gov

First Wednesdays

Talkin’ Dirt R

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Online gathering of gardeners

Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (LEAF) Center

36501 Niles Blvd, Fremont

bit.ly/3UPp51i

First Thursdays

Plethos Comedy Lab $

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

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

Castro Valley Market Place

3295 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley

(510) 901-1001

castrovalleymarketplace.com

Thursday -Sunday

Animal Feeding

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Feed livestock and learn about their favorite food

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

Admission fee applies

Thursdays

Mahjong

1:15 pm – 3:00 pm

Enjoy the Chinese game of strategy, skill, & good fortune

Multipurpose Room, Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

Thursdays

Chronic Pain Support Group

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Group guidance from Stanford Pain Management Clinic

510.790.6600

Email for zoom link: ag************@fr*****.gov

Thursdays

International Folk Dancing in Mandarin R$

11:30 am – 12:50 pm

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

Thursdays & Saturdays

Story Time

10:30 am – 11:00 am

Picture book story time

Banter Bookshop

3768 Capitol Ave Ste.F, Fremont

(510) 565-1004

banterbookshop.com

Fridays and Saturdays

Telescope Viewings

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Experience the awe and wonder of the universe

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

(510) 336-7300

chabotspace.org

 

Saturdays

Laugh Track City $

8:00 pm

Series of improvised games and scenes

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St suite B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

madeuptheatre.com

First and Third Saturdays

Pacific Bus Museum $

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Open house

Pacific Bus Museum

37974 Shinn St, Fremont

pacbus.org

in**@pa****.org

Saturdays & Sundays

Recreational Swim $

12:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Activity pool, waterslides, lazy river, and more

Silliman Activity and Family Aquatic Center

6800 Mowry Ave, Newark

(510) 578-4620

bit.ly/3nxo0is

Mondays & Thursdays

Fruit Tree Gleaning

9:00 am – 10:30 am

Donate fresh fruits from your garden

LEAF CR Stone Garden

55 Mowry Ave, Fremont

fremontleaf.org/glean

in**@fr*********.org

Saturdays and Sundays, April 1 – May 6

Juried Photo Exhibit

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Images judged by professional judges with cash awards.

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 399-3049

fremontculturalartscouncil.org

fc***************@gm***.com

First and Third Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Trivia Night

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Gather your team, grab some beers, and compete to win prizes.

Drake’s Brewing Company

1933 Davis St #177, San Leandro

(510) 568-2739

bit.ly/41JWX2A

Wednesdays, December 7 – November 22

Qi Gong Meditation & Exercise Classes

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Relieve Stress and anxiety by joining Falun Dafa classes

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

First and Third Friday, December 16 – Jun 16

Mobile Food Distribution

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Available for first 80 families

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Please bring your own reusable bag

 

Wednesdays, February 15 – June 7

Youth basketball clinic R

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Free Basketball clinic for Hayward students ages 12 – 17

Matt Jimenez Community Center

28200 Russ Rd, Hayward

(510) 887-0400

hayward-ca.gov/pal

Tuesdays, March 21 – December 19

Chess Mix

12:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Drop in for some casual chess games

San Lorenzo Library

395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo

(510) 284-0640

aclibrary.org/locations/SLZ

First Tuesdays, April 4 – December 5

BACH- Healthcare & Enrollment

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Learn about the services & programs available at Bay Area Community Health.

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Tuesdays, April 4 – September 5

Lego & Duplo Time

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Create your own design using your imagination and engineering skills.

Centerville library

3801 Nicolet Ave, Fremont

(510) 795-2629

aclibrary.org/locations/CTV

Wednesdays, April 5 – September 6

Board Game Night

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Play board games with family, friends, or make new friends

Centerville library

3801 Nicolet Ave, Fremont

(510) 795-2629

aclibrary.org/locations/CTV

Thursday – Sunday, April 6 – May 27

Member Juried Show

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd, Fremont

(510) 791-4357

olivehydeartguild.org

Fridays, April 7 – May 12

Tech Literacy for Seniors

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Email/website navigation/internet searching/smart phone basics/safety online

Cherryland Community Center

278 Hampton Road, Hayward

(510) 626-8522

bit.ly/3TWpFKE

Thursdays, Fridays, & Sundays, April 13 – June 30

Historic Days

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Involve in activities like ride a train, tour the museum, and more

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

bit.ly/40K0fBD

Admission fee applies

First Wednesday& third Sunday, April 16 – November 19

Shinn House tour

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Visit Shinn House on a docent led tour

Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum

1251 Peralta Blvd, Fremont

(510) 790-5541

bit.ly/3TWli28

Mondays, April 17 – May 22

STEM Building with LEGO for Grade K – 8th

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Build anything using your creativity & skills

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

bit.ly/3KgiM2j

Mondays, April 17 – December 8

Job Lab

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

One-on-one help for jobseekers

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

bit.ly/3mbW8Qz

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

Tuesdays, April 18 – May 2

Volunteer Docent Training Via Zoom R

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Leading activities & special events, cooking, demonstrations and more for ages 16+

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(510) 544-3284

dc****@eb*****.org

Monday – Thursday, April 24 – May 11

2023 Annual Ohlone College Juried Student Art Exhibition

11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Artist Reception & Awards Ceremony

Tues, May 2:12: 30 pm – 1:30 pm

Ohlone College

43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont

ohlone.edu/artgallery

Mondays, April 24 – May 22

Modern Brush Pen Calligraphy $

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

The basics of using, holding, and writing with brush pens & more

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

(510) 790-6606

bit.ly/3Y6nvJO

nj*****@fr*****.gov

Fridays & Saturdays, April 25 – August 31

Your Wildest Dreams, an exhibit

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

An exhibit of wildlife’s paintings by Rita Sklar

Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center

4901 Breakwater Ave, Hayward

(510) 670-7270

haywardrec.org

Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays, April 28 – May 21

Six Degrees of Separations by John Guare R$

Shows: Fri & Sat: 08:00 pm

Sun: 2:00 pm

Student night: Thu, May 18: 7:30 pm

Chanticleers Theatre

3683 Quail Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 733-5483

bit.ly/3LjFsk7

ch**************@gm***.com

Thursdays, May 4 – August 24

French Conversation Circle R

2:00 pm – 3:45 pm

Practice your French

Hayward Public Library, Meeting Room C

888 C St, Hayward

(510) 293-8685

bit.ly/HPLFrench23

**@ha********.gov

Saturdays, May 6 – May 13

Volunteer Docent Training R

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Leading fun activities & special events, including crafts, games, and cooking

demonstrations, and more for ages 16+

Ardenwood H
istoric Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

Register: (510) 544-3284

dc****@eb*****.org

Admission fee applies

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, May 2

Photography in the garden

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Learn photography technique with Scott Capen

Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum

1251 Peralta Blvd, Fremont

(510) 790-5541

bit.ly/3AeHdIH

Tuesday, May 2

Face Job & Resource Fair

12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Meet with local employers & service providers

Fremont Adult School

4700 Calaveras Ave, Fremont

(510) 793-6465

face.edu

Face mask strongly recommended.

Tuesday, May 2

After School Movie Time

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Ferdinand

Hayward Public Library

888 C St, Hayward

(510) 293-8685

bit.ly/3HmIwtg

Tuesday, May 2

Anime Workshop R

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm

Step by step drawing program for ages 12 – 18.

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

bit.ly/40HsrFf

Tuesday, May 2

Sticks & String Knitting Circle

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Knit, crochet, and sew with sticks and string

Hayward Public Library

888 C St, Hayward

(510) 293-8685

bit.ly/41xxf1q

Wednesday, May 3

Eden Area Resource Fair

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Learn about education or employment opportunities, housing, or utilities assistance

Eden Area AJCC

24100 Amador St, 3rd floor, Hayward

(510) 670-5700

bit.ly/40IyJEM

di****@ru*************.org

Wednesday, May 3

Brayan Bielanski @ Bistro $

7:00 pm

Live performance

The Bistro

1001 B Street, Hayward

(510) 833-3470

the-bistro.com

Wednesday, May 3

Fun with Art

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Fun with art for children ages 2 – 5

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

bit.ly/422IQW2

Thursday, May 4

Washington Hospital annual Golf Tournament $R

9:00 am

Golf Tournament & Bocce Ball

The Club at Castlewood

707 Country Club Cir, Pleasanton

(925) 846-2871

bit.ly/41GGexf

All proceeds go directly to support the Washington Hospital.

Thursday, May 4

Crafts around the Galaxy

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Celebrating Star Wars Day by playing star war inspired games & crafts

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

bit.ly/3Nsubz4

Thursday, May 4 – Friday, May 5

Playwright Festival $

7:00 pm

10 min. plays and musicals

Smith Center at Ohlone College

43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont

(510) 659-1319

bit.ly/3ncnA11

Friday, May 5

IHS Dynamics Euphoria Benefit Concert $R

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Variety of performances to benefit nonprofit Boldly Me

Irvington High School, Valhalla Theater

41800 Blacow Road, Fremont

bit.ly/3ncLDNw

Friday, May 5

Garden Club Plant Sale

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Variety of indoors and outdoors plants for sale

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth, Wing A

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

(510) 790-6606

bit.ly/3Y6nvJO

Friday, May 5

Cinco De Mayo

6:00 pm

Live entertainment, kid’s activities, & light refreshments

San Leandro Senior Community Center

13909 E 14th Street, San Leandro

(510) 577-3473

bit.ly/3V8Dar0

eh******@sa********.org.

Friday, May 5

Friday Cinema – Double Matinee

1st show: 11:00 am

2nd show: 2:00 pm

Different genres will be screened

Cherryland Community Center

278 Hampton Road, Hayward

(510) 626-8522

bit.ly/44hWir0

Friday, May 5

Climate series: What is weather $R

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Expand your understanding of what weather is & how it works

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

(510) 336-7300

bit.ly/41MAeTM

Friday, May 5

Double Header $R

7:45 pm – 9:00 pm

Improv comedy show headlined by two epic acts

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St suite B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

bit.ly/3Vb1loM

Friday, May 5 – Sunday, May 7

Friend of the Library Book Sale

Fri: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Member Preview

Sat: 10:00 am – 4: 00 pm

Sun: 1:00 pm – 4: 00 pm

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

bit.ly/3LiuqdI

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

Saturday, May 6

Music Hour at the Library

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Local musicians perform on piano & other musical instruments

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/3L9ac5N

Saturday, May 6

Budding Birders

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Learn some bird facts, examine feathers up close, and try birding by ear! Ages 7+

Sunol Regional Wilderness Visitor Center

1895 Geary Rd, Sunol

(510) 544-3245

bit.ly/3AyYzQH

Parking fee applies

Saturday, May 6

Sounds in Nature (English/Spanish)

10:00 am – 11:30 am

Explore unexpected sounds heard across Coyote Hills

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3VsJZnP

Parking fee applies

Saturday, May 6

Geology Rocks!

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Hike & discover how rocks were formed. Ages 5+

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3LCfbh1

Parking fee applies

Saturday, May 6

Gardening Series: Edible Gardening Basics

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Learn the basic gardening techniques

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/40GDxue

ne***********@ac*******.org

Saturday, May 6

Family Funday Series – Character Tea Party

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Come dressed in your favorite character and enjoy tea and sweets

Mt. Eden Mansion

2451 W. Tennyson Road, Hayward

(510) 881-6700

bit.ly/44fARH5

jw**@ha********.org

Saturday, May 6

Documentary “The Apology” R

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The stories of Russell City residents & their descendants

Hayward Veterans Memorial Building

22737 Main Street, Hayward

bit.ly/446T6OL

RSVP: st***@st*************.org.

Saturday, May 6

Comedy Shorts Night $R

7:30 pm

The Fireman (1916) followed by Bumping into Broadway (1919), The Goat (1921), & The Second Hundred Year (1927)

Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

bit.ly/3LdwXph

Saturday, May 6

Meek Architecture Tour $R

2:30 pm – 3
:30 pm

Explore the exterior architecture and interior design of Meek Mansion led by docent

Meek Mansion

240 Hampton Ave, Hayward

Ticket: (510) 581-0223

bit.ly/3NjVz2v

Saturday, May 6

FESCO Shuffle and 5K Run

6:45 am

Annual run/walk

Moreau High School Track

27170 Mission Blvd., Hayward

(510) 886-5473

Register: fescoshuffle.org

sm*****@fe****************.org

Saturday, May 6

Saturday at the Library

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Performances from East Bay Youth Orchestra

Hayward Public Library, John Pappas Legacy Room

888 C St, Hayward

(510) 293-8685

bit.ly/3VeOd1V

Sunday, May 7

Victorian Table top games

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Play old times game

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

bit.ly/3nc9ZHc

Admission fee applies

Sunday, May 7

Fun with Felting

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Learn to make felt from sheep’s wool & make a felt toy

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

Admission fee applies

Sunday, May 7

Borshoboron 2023 $R

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Bengali New Year celebration with traditional food, cultural functions and more

Fremont Downtown Event Center

3500 Capitol Ave, Fremont

(510) 742-7510

bit.ly/40LLuhP

Sunday, May 7

Compelling Cattails

10:00 am – 11:30 am

Explore the habitat of cattails, discover its importance & different uses

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/40NSUB7

Parking fee applies

Sunday, May 7

ICC Dancepiration Springfest 2023 $R

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

A colorful & energetic showcase of a variety of dance forms

Castro Valley Center for the Arts

19501 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley

(510) 889-8961

bit.ly/41EAvrR

Sunday, May 7

Niles Spring Fever Car Show $R

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Pre-registration required for the vehicle to be in the show.

Entrance: Niles Blvd and J St.

bit.ly/3LbC2OV

Sunday, May 7

Reptile Meet and Greet

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Meet reptiles of the area and discover what can we do to protect their habitat.

Sunol Regional Wilderness Visitor Center

1895 Geary Rd, Sunol

(510) 544-3245

bit.ly/40QCrfj

Parking Fee applies

Sunday, May 7

Oro Loma & Waste Management Learning Session

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Learn how to sort your waste for a sustainable environment

San Lorenzo Library

395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo

(510) 284-0640

bit.ly/3LdFkRR