Plethos Productions presents Pride and Prejudice in Castro Valley
Submitted by Karin Richey
Photos by Tim Wong
Get ready for a hilarious twist on a classic tale as Plethos Productions proudly presents Kate Hamill’s uproarious rendition of “Pride and Prejudice.” This comedic adaptation ain’t your grandmother’s Pride and Prejudice, so buckle up for an evening of laughter and charm that’s perfect for audiences of all ages.
In this zany adaptation, the timeless love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy is presented in a relatable and fresh new way. Follow Elizabeth’s journey as she navigates the treacherous waters of high society, where manners, marriage prospects and meddling mothers collide in the most hilarious ways.
Director Camille La’akea Wong has pulled out all the stops to make this a show to remember, including incorporating costumes flown in from Hawaii, hand-made by incredible costumer Kimmerie Jones. The show will be performed outdoors on the meadow stage at Heirloom East Bay in Castro Valley Friday – Sunday September 8-10 and 15-17.
Tickets are on sale now and disappearing faster than a dance partner at a ball! Grab yours at plethos.org.
Pride & Prejudice
Friday, Sept 8 – Sunday, Sept 17
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Heirloom East Bay
9990 Crow Canyon Rd., Castro Valley
$15
Trains! Trains! & More Trains! – Rail Fair at Ardenwood Historic Farm
Submitted by Jacque Burgess
Bring the family to Ardenwood Historic Farm on Labor Day Weekend (September 2 – 4) for “Rail Fair!” Everyone will enjoy the fun at our yearly celebration. Activities and train rides are FREE with the price of admission!
Train rides will happen all weekend, pulled by “Katie” our diesel locomotive. The Railroad Museum at Ardenwood only brings out their collection of rare, historic railroad cars once a year at Rail Fair. While riding the train you will also get to see the museum’s first steam locomotive, the 1910 Argent Lumber Co. No. 5.
The farmyard will be full of model trains of all sizes! The Bay Area Garden Railway Society (BAGRS) will bring a variety of real scale steam locomotives to operate. These small but mighty engines work exactly like a full-size steam engine (Saturday and Sunday only). Diablo Pacific Shortline’s large modular G-scale railroad has both freight and passenger trains, as well as a Thomas the Tank Engine train. This railroad is built low so the littlest railroad fans can follow the trains around this huge layout (all days). The California Central Coast On30 Railroad will also be back with their wonderful On30 scale layout (all days). And the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be bringing an even larger version of their Lionel toy trains layout (all days).
Besides the train layouts, there will be other activities for the children such as stilts and tabletop games (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.). For toddlers, there is a special spot set aside with multiple wooden trains that they can play with, and the Train Book Library will be there so you can read stories (10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.).
There will be great music too! We welcome back all three music groups. The California State Old-Time Fiddlers will play traditional American string band music, including many rare old fiddle tunes and Appalachian-style music (Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.). The Apple Butter Brothers will play American folk music with an emphasis on train songs (Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.). And Against the Grain will return for their second time at Rail Fair (Monday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.).
The magnificent Patterson House will be open for tours (all 3 days). Sign up for house tours on the Patterson House porch.
Food will be available for purchase at the Farmyard Café (or bring a picnic). The Farmyard Café also has ice cream, treats and cold drinks.
New this year is Fancy Faces by Kelly. She does really fun face painting designs (for an additional fee).
Don’t forget your hats and sunscreen! Activities are spread out throughout the farm and you may be in the sun at times.
Get your tickets online and avoid the line! Tickets are on sale in advance now through September 1 (no online ticket sales on event days). Tickets will be sold at the gate on event days (credit cards preferred, cash accepted). Parking is free. Buy your advance tickets by scanning the QR code or going to the activities page on the East Bay Regional Parks website. You can also purchase advance tickets by phone through September 1 at 1 (888) 327-2757, option 2.
NOTE: Activities vary daily. All activities and times will be included in the event handout which you will receive when you enter the park.
Rail Fair is presented by the all-volunteer Railroad Museum at Ardenwood, operated by the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources (SPCRR), in conjunction with the East Bay Regional Park District who operates Ardenwood Historic Farm. Learn more about SPCRR at www.spcrr.org.
Rail Fair
Saturday – Monday, Sept 2 – 4
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (children’s activities close at 3:30 p.m.)
(510) 544-2797
Admission: $15 Adults (18+); $13 Seniors (62+); $12 Children (4–17); 3 and under Free
Celebrate Scottish Heritage, Tradition and Culture
Submitted by Sabine Zimmerhansl
Photos courtesy of thescottishgames.com and by Mark E. Robertson
The Caledonian Club of San Francisco is proud to host the 157th “Scottish Highland Gathering and Games” this coming Labor Day Weekend, September 2 and 3 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.
A Bay Area tradition since 1866, the 157th Scottish Highland Gathering and Games offers the very best of Scottish culture, competition and entertainment for all the family to enjoy. T
his year’s Games features over 20 events including Scottish Heavy Athletics, Piping and Drumming, Highland Dancing and Soccer competitions, Sheepdog Trials, Birds of Prey and Celtic Animal exhibitions. Live entertainment includes Scottish folk singers and Celtic rock bands, fiddlers and harpists, and Scottish Country and Irish Dance performances on stages throughout the fairgrounds all weekend.
Visitors can find their connections to the old country in the Glen of the Clans where the clan-folks showcase their tartans and family trees, and they can learn about Scotland’s storied past in the Living History re-enactment area. A host of vendors will be selling Scottish sweet and savory delights including scones, cakes, pies, scotch eggs, bangers (sausages) and fish and chips, as well as Scottish goods including kilts, tartan-ware and jewelry. As always, the Games Whisky Tasting event offers a variety of Scotch, Irish, American and international brands for both novice and seasoned aficionados alike.
“The Games Committee has put together a truly stellar competitive and entertaining program for us all to enjoy this Labor Day Weekend,” comments William Hardie, Chief of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco. “We are especially delighted to host the 2023 Women’s World Scottish Heavy Athletics Championships, and we also welcome back our guest pipe band, the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band, who will be performing in the Grandstand Show closing ceremonies each day.”
“One of my favorite parts of the Games is the Grandstand Show.” says First Chieftain, Ron Dunne. “It brings all the traditional ceremonial, competitive and entertainment elements of the Games together in one place.” The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band and a guest military band will be performing in the Grandstand Show alongside the perennially popular Massed Bands—one of the iconic highlights of the Games—where the guest bands and all competing pipe bands come together to perform as one band, a truly unique experience.
Gates open at 8 a.m. each day. The Games will end around 6 p.m. when the Massed Bands march off from the Grandstand Show closing ceremonies.
157th Scottish Highland Gathering and Games
Saturday, Sept 2 – Sunday, Sept 3
Gates open 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Alameda County Fairgrounds
2005 Valley Ave Gate 8, Pleasanton
Back to School
Submitted by Cheryl Reiss
With back to school around the corner, here are seven tips for parents to have in their back pockets.
- Keep them hydrated! Remember that autumn days in the Bay Area can quickly change from cool and foggy to hot. Staying hydrated will help kids adjust better to temperature swings. Drinking enough water regulates body temperature, supports joints, gets rid of waste and may even improve cognitive function in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids and teens drink five to eight cups of water per day, depending on age. Kids can start the day off right with a full cup of water. Double-check their water bottle is full when they go to school and empty when they return. Refill it once they are home.
- Protect against upper respiratory infections. Health professionals expect an uptick in cases of COVID-19, influenza, and the common cold this fall and winter. The best way to prevent upper respiratory infections is to stay up to date with vaccinations, such as COVID-19 boosters and flu shots. If your child becomes ill, contact your pediatrician to discuss symptoms and determine if any treatment is needed. Alleviate symptoms with children’s pain relievers, antihistamines, throat lozenges or decongestants. Offer plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and loosen congestion.
- Stock your medicine cabinet. The start of school is a great time to inventory your medicine cabinet. Check expiration dates and make sure you have prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, a thermometer, ice packs and a first aid kit that includes bandages in a range of sizes. Ensure you have your preferred pain-reducing/anti-fever medication on hand.
- Prevent infectious diseases with clean hands. About 80% of infectious diseases are spread by touch, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Put hand sanitizers in backpacks and the car. Have everyone wash their hands when they get home. Teach kids to cough into their elbow.
- Set and communicate allergy and asthma action plans. If your child has asthma or an allergy that can cause anaphylaxis, have a documented plan in place at school in case of emergency. Ensure the school has your child’s EpiPen and inhalers on hand.
- Review and update immunizations. COVID-19 boosters, HPV vaccines, flu shots and other immunizations protect against some of the most common and preventable diseases. Work with your pediatrician and school administrators to ensure your kids are current on all required immunizations.
- Know your options for after-hours medical help. Plan where you will take your child if they become sick or injured after normal business hours.
Dignity Health-GoHealth offers pediatric urgent care designed for kids and staffed by pediatric specialists during the day, after hours and on weekends. For more information, visit www.gohealthuc.com/dignity.
Introducing the Comedy Den: Castro Valley’s Newest Entertainment Experience
Submitted by Priya Guyadeen
Laughter is about to echo through the streets of Castro Valley as the Comedy Den opens its doors to bring a fresh wave of humor and entertainment to the community. Get ready to experience side-splitting laughter, unforgettable moments, and a night of pure comedic delight.
The Comedy Den, located in the heart of Castro Valley, is thrilled to announce its grand opening on September 16, 2023. This new hotspot is set to become the go-to destination for locals and visitors seeking a night of laughter and camaraderie. The venue is a familiar space: JP’s Family Restaurant and Sports Bar. Its cozy and intimate setting is perfect for fostering a strong connection between the audience and the talented entertainers who will take the stage.
“We’re excited to bring a new level of entertainment to Castro Valley,” said Priya Guyadeen, the founder of Comedy Den. “Our mission is to provide a platform for both seasoned and up-and-coming enter
tainers to showcase their talents, while also creating a space where the audience can relax and share in the joy of laughter.”
Hypnotist Dr. Dave will headline on September 16, and Magician Dan Chan and Comedian Jeff Applebaum will perform on following weeks.
For more information about the Comedy Den, including show schedules, ticket information, and special event announcements, please visit www.thecomedydencv.com. Stay connected with us on social media @thecomedyden_cv for the latest updates.
Don’t miss out on the laughter that’s about to take over Castro Valley. Join us at the Comedy Den for an unforgettable night of camaraderie, and good times.
Comedy Den Grand Opening
Saturday, Sept 16
6 p.m. & 8 p.m.
JP’s Family Restaurant and Sports Bar
3600 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley
social media @thecomedyden_cv
Tickets: $20
Correction
In the August 22 issue of Tri-City Voice, in the WACC Football Season Preview, Part 2 article was a mistake in the caption of the right photo. The team shown in the photo is Tennyson High School.
We apologize for the error.
Correction
In the August 22 issue of Tri-City Voice, in the article Pickleball surge tests local facilities, was a name error. The correct name is Todd Kramer.
We apologize for the error.
The Old Castro Valley Library
By Jack Alcorn
Amid emotional public testimony rebuking a multi-story housing development, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council received an update from the county’s Economic and Civic Development Department regarding the old Castro Valley Library on Redwood Road.
The Redwood Road library building has remained vacant for the past 14 years. Its doors closed when the new Castro Valley Library opened on Norbridge Avenue near the Castro Valley BART station in 2009.
In 2022, after briefings throughout the year from the county Community Development Agency (CDA) and Castro Valley Veterans group, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council recommended to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to keep the structure for use as a veterans’ services facility. The county’s Parks Recreation and Historical Commission also recommended keeping the structure and placing it on the County and California Historical Register.
The Board of Supervisors directed CDA staff to pursue use of the property for the development of veterans’ affordable housing and related uses. At the time, renovation costs were estimated between $2 – $9 million depending on the level of improvement. A mixed-use facility is under consideration – veteran residences with some affordable housing units included and ground floor space for veteran services.
CDA staff in partnership with Castro Valley Veterans group engaged an economics firm to determine if reuse of the site was feasible for affordable housing and veterans’ services. An architecture firm and a separate historic architecture firm were also engaged to propose housing development options that would fit on the site and to prepare a Historic Resource Evaluation (HRE) of the site.
The 33-page Historic Resource Evaluation found that the old library building “…retains sufficient integrity to convey its historic significance,” making it eligible for the California Historic Register. However, Historic Register listing does not protect the structure from allowable demolition for replacement.
Options for development include a 3-story structure with 36 housing units and a 6-story structure for 52 units of housing for veterans. Larger projects are more efficient for developers to pursue, and less expensive to build and operate on a per unit basis.
Using the architectural studies, CDA reached out to affordable housing developers to gauge interest in the site. Several affordable housing developers expressed interest in the old library property.
Opponents of the development cited increased burdens on the unincorporated area’s aging infrastructure; inadequate parking availability; additional crowding of public and commercial spaces; and degradation of the aesthetic and small-town nature of the neighborhood.
Since 2017, Volunteers with the American Legion Post 649 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9601 have pushed for a veterans’ community center at the 10,239-square-foot library building since 2017.
Retention of the library structure as-is remains an option. The Alameda County CDA will continue site evaluation per county Board of Supervisors direction and will provide updates to the Castro Valley MAC as requested. The Board of Supervisors retains decision authority regarding the future of 20055 Redwood Road.
Fatima Khawaja: Anti-tobacco advocate receives Diana Award
By Vedesh Kodnani
On June 30, James Logan High School student Fatima Khawaja was granted the Diana Award in recognition of her anti-tobacco work. In addition to receiving the award, which spotlights youth involved in social change, Khawaja was offered mentoring to expand her efforts.
Khawaja first became involved in anti-tobacco advocacy after witnessing an epidemic at her high school. “It definitely struck a more personal chord when I bumped into a friend in the high school bathroom and she was holding a vape pen,” Khawaja said. Since then, she has joined the City of Fremont’s Youth Advisory Commission and interned for the Alameda County Department of Public Health. “During that time, I actually helped gather over 500 petitions to move the city council and mayor toward implementing anti-tobacco ordinances. That was my first engagement or encounter with legislation.” She later joined the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, where she is now a national ambassador, in order to learn more about legislative efforts.
Now, Khawaja is working as a research intern at Stanford University to analyze the tobacco industry
’s marketing practices. “The tobacco industry paints itself as an eco-friendly industry that does not harm the planet, even though it does exactly the opposite of that,” she explained. Khawaja believes that exposing companies’ predatory advertising campaigns can promote awareness about the very real harms of tobacco-use. The World Health Organization has partnered with her team to publish the research and by the end of the year, the New York Times will be interviewing specific researchers due to their novel insights.
After hearing about the Diana Award from friends who had previously received it, Khawaja reached out to her internship manager at the Department of Public Health for a nomination. “The nominator has to write a couple of essays on why they believe you should get the award. He wrote an essay for me and I think he also reached out to one or two other people who know me, my work, and my work ethic,” she said.
Several months later, Khawaja received an email from her internship manager titled “Diana Award Update.” Khawaja said, “I wasn’t sure if I should have opened it right then, but I did … I was speechless.” As an awardee, Khawaja joins more than 180 changemakers across 31 different countries. “The other people from the US who got it are having a really great influence on national and global scales … Honestly, it’s just an honor to be in that rank or near it,” she said.
In the future, Khawaja hopes to continue her anti-tobacco work while exploring new subjects. “When I am [in college], I want to preferably major in computer science or data science as well as public health to have a double major,” Khawaja said. “I’m just hoping that I’ll have better tools to work at the intersection of public health and technology to really escalate my impact.”
Doolittle Bay Trail Expansion improvements to Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline
Submitted by Jen Vanya
On Monday, August 21, the San Francisco Bay Trail Gap and Improvements Project was officially opened at Oakland’s Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project took nearly a decade to complete and was made possible by the ongoing partnership between the East Bay Regional Park District, Caltrans, and the Port of Oakland.
“The Park District is proud to showcase the most recent improvements to this park,” said General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “The completed project provides safer access to the park, the Bay Trail, and the waters of San Leandro Bay for the community who live closest to it and those who spend time there, while also improving nearby natural habitat.”
Bridging the gap on this section of the San Francisco Bay Trail provides safer passage for trail users, who can now walk, ride or roll on 2,300 feet of new paved trail. This segment closes a half-mile gap in the Bay Trail and greatly improves safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by eliminating the need to use the shoulder of busy Doolittle Drive. The SF Bay Trail is a planned 500-mile walking and cycling path around the entire San Francisco Bay.
The project also upgraded the boat launch staging area adjacent to the trail, including a repaved staging area parking lot, renovated ADA-accessible boat, kayak and paddleboard launch area, enhancing recreational opportunities and access to the shoreline for neighboring communities. The project also restored one acre of marsh habitat.
“Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline is a beautiful space in the middle of our urban landscape,” said East Bay Regional Park District Board Member Ellen Corbett. “It’s a place where people can take a hike, walk their dog, have a picnic, go birdwatching, and can now enjoy enhanced access to the SF Bay Trail and Bay Water Trail.”
The San Francisco Bay Trail Gap and Improvements Project was made possible through funding from the California Department of Transportation, Alameda County Transportation Commission, California Natural Resources Agency Urban Green Infrastructure Program (Proposition 68), Wildlife Conservation Board, Measure CC, and the Park District.
Doors Open California 2023
Submitted by Kelsey Camello
Seven local historical sites (and 70+ across the state!) are participating in year two of the state-wide event, “Doors Open California,” which is hosted by the California Preservation Foundation (CPF). Get rare & special access to amazing architecture and hidden histories during the weekend of September 9 and 10.
Visitors with a Doors Open bracelet, which gives access to all sites on the weekend, need simply show their bracelet. Otherwise, visitors will need to verify entry requirements for each location they visit.
Locally Participating Organizations:
Washington Township Museum of Local History (Mission San Jose)
Learn about the history of Fremont, Newark and Union City, from the Gold Rush to present day. Visitors will discover how people who moved here have lived, worked, and established community. On view: “Depicting Historical Places: Tri-City Artists & Their Work,” featuring creations by local women of the past, including mosaics by Alice Ebright, photographs of historic buildings taken by Julianne Howe, and writings by Milicent Shinn. Artist Nancy Pratt’s watercolors of the five villages of Fremont round out the exhibit. Donations appreciated. www.museumoflocalhistory.org
Old Mission San Jose – Behind the Adobe (Mission San Jose)
Learn about the history of Mission San Jose, a California Historic Landmark and a registered National Historic Place. Doors Open guests will be given a special viewing of historic vestments and the silver processional candlesticks and crucifix from the Mission’s earliest days, plus an opportunity to ring the 200-year-old bells in the bell tower. You may take a self-guided or guided tour of Old Mission San Jose grounds. Tours include a walk through the historic cemetery, as well as a visit to the garden’s historic roses, 200-year-old olive trees, and Mission grapes. www.missionsanjose.org
Rancho Higuera Historical Park (Warm Springs)
Guests are invited to the Galindo-Higuera adobe, located on the Rancho del Agua Caliente. Imagine what this place looked like with no fences, and rancho cattle dotting the hillsides. This adobe and its current 20 acres represent an important chapter in Spanish-Mexican history in California.
Learn about the restoration of the adobe and try your hand at brick making, branding with paint, designing-a-brand, corn husk and/or clothespin dollmaking, candle dipping, and horseshoes. Donations are appreciated. www.museumoflocalhistory.org
Shinn Historical Park & Arboretum (Niles)
Dr. Milicent Shinn’s child development studies were carried out at the Shinn ranch. In addition to observations about language development and motor milestones, Dr. Shinn also recorded details of family and ranch life. Learn about this important woman and her work. The park is also raising money to restore the fragile 100-year-old bunkhouse from the Shinn ranch “China Camp.” The restored building will highlight the role of the Chinese immigrants at Shinn ranch and in the community. https://sites.google.com/view/shinn-historical-park/
Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum & Edison Theater (Niles)
Film historian and filmmaker David Kiehn will share stories about his research on “A Trip Down Market Street,” post-earthquake footage from 1906 San Francisco, and a Circus Parade from 1902 that were featured on 60 Minutes and other programs. Find out how the state of construction of buildings, listings in city directories, even rain puddles can help document a time and place. Donations are appreciated. Doors Open pass gains you access to the special lecture presentation in the 100-seat 1913 nickelodeon theater. This event is Sunday, September 10 only at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.https://nilesfilmmuseum.org/.
Niles Canyon Museum Development Concept (Niles)
The town of Niles was one of the most important for Bay Area railroads in the 19th and 20th centuries. Pacific Locomotive Association, Inc., owner-operators of the Niles Canyon Railway, will be running excursion trains and will present their concept plan for developing a full museum at this location. Regular fare Doors Open train rides are at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. departing from Niles Station. Reserve event tickets online at NCRY.org. See the website also to register a free hour-long presentation for Doors Open participants (at 9:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 2:30 p.m. in the tent at the south end of the property). www.ncry.org
Hidden Treasures of Patterson House at Ardenwood Historic Farm (Fremont / Newark)
The Pattersons had a successful farm and became pillars of the community. Their family story around this house reaches from 1857 to 1964 and over several generations. Learn about how their lives intertwined with the history of Southern Alameda County. There will be special architectural tours at 11 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Regular farm entrance fee applies—includes a train ride, regular house tour, and other Historic Day activities. Doors Open pass gets you an architectural tour and access to view special artifacts. www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood
Verify exact hours before visiting any location. For more information about local sites, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/funthingstodofremonthistory/home
For more state-wide information on “Doors Open California,” visit: https://californiapreservation.org/doca/
Doors Open California
Saturday, Sept 9 – Sunday, Sept 10
Various Times and Locations
Painting with alcoholic ink on ceramic tile
By Lina Melkonian
Fremont Art Association (FAA) is delighted to have fellow member, Durba Sen as the guest artist at its virtual General Meeting and Art Demo on Wednesday, September 6, at 1 p.m.
Sen is an innovative and multifaceted painter whose work has migrated from portraits and realistic landscapes to abstracts. Her bold and vibrant works exude a sense of passion, sparkle, and warmth. She primarily paints in oil and acrylic as well as colored ink. In her demo, “Painting with Alcoholic Ink on Ceramic Tile,” Sen will demonstrate how to transform tiles into versatile coasters and framed art using colored ink. Participants are invited to paint along. Supplies needed: plain 6″x 6″ ceramic tile, two- or three-color alcoholic ink, rubbing alcohol, straw or hair dryer, and thin brushes (optional).
Born and raised in India, Sen’s creativity and expressiveness were entrenched early in life beginning with classes in art and classical Indian dancing. Growing up she focused on drawing and painting and exploring various subjects and mediums. When Sen moved to the U.S. and turned her attention to raising a family and a career in banking, art receded into the background. It was when she relocated to India for a few years that Sen’s passion for art was re-ignited.
Sen’s expansive body of work captures the vibrant colors of India including the intense hues and textures of fabrics and spices, the spontaneity of the people and spirit of its festivals. Her work, inspired by nature, world travel, and life experiences and observations, often addresses issues of social justice. Sen is a board member of Northern California Women’s Caucus for Art (NCWCA). She actively participates in exhibitions and juried shows and is part of ArtSpan in San Francisco.
You may view Sen’s works at:
Instagram: @durbasenarts
The demo (free to attend) will be held via Zoom. Participants must register in advance and will receive the Zoom link via email. All details may be found on the Fremont Art Association webpage: www.fremontartassociation.org/monthlymeetinganddemo.
FAA General Meeting and Art Demo
Wednesday, Sept 6
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Register at:
www.fremontartassociation.org/monthlymeetinganddemo
Park District workforce development programs benefit local youth
Submitted by Dave Mason
The East Bay Regional Park District is expanding and focusing its youth workforce development programs to support wildfire prevention and trails maintenance while increasing benefits for Bay Are
a at-risk youth.
“Youth workforce development programs offer the Park District’s Fire Department one of the important tools in our toolbox for fuels reduction, especially when wildfires can endanger park visitors, wildlife, and the diverse habitats in our many parks,” said Park District Fire Chief Aileen Theile.
The Park District works with service providers, such as Civicorps, to assist local young adults, typically ages 18 to 25, who may be facing challenges in life from dropping out of school, to early parenthood, to not having job or career training opportunities.
“It takes dedication to do this work and to appreciate the significance of protecting people and our lands,” said Robert Kennedy, Park District Chief of Maintenance and Skilled Trades. “We are currently building and expanding a cohesive, coordinated team for the small trails crew that undertakes important work to improve and maintain trails, remove hazards, and help reduce wildfire fuels, all in an urban forest setting.”
Kennedy highlighted the wrap-around services that Park District employees provide for program participants, from one-on-one coaching and mentoring to assistance with resume building, how to apply for jobs online, practice interviewing for jobs, and more.
The partnership with the Oakland-based nonprofit Civicorps continues to provide the Park District, including the fuels reduction team and small trails crew, with young adults who receive additional education, job training and support. Youth participants working with EBRPD rotate through assignments, including current ones with the small trails crew where they gain experience and provide public service in working on small trail grading, retaining walls, culvert repair, riparian zone restoration, tree clearing, fuels reduction, and split rail fencing installations.
As the Park District works to meet its goals to provide youth employment programs and potential pathways for job and career opportunities, including for at-risk youth, it also seeks to maximize participation in its workforce development programs so that we can reach all of the communities we serve.
Meet the Innovators showcased biotech and biomedical visionaries
Submitted by Christina Ocon
Bringing innovation to life, East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EDA) hosted the fourth “Meet the Innovators” event on August 17, 2023. Bonneville Labs welcomed a diverse and enthusiastic group of attendees. The event series is dedicated to showcasing pioneering organizations in the East Bay and celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of the region. This event focused on leaders who shared their stories in the realm of biotech and biomedical innovation, with a spotlight on Hayward and its surrounding areas.
Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas underlined Hayward’s comprehensive educational ecosystem, encompassing their school district, community college, state university, and vibrant job market. Kinkead Reiling, Founder of Bonneville Labs, spoke on the lab’s new location in Hayward.
Attendees then heard from panelists, including Faraz Ali, MBA – CEO, Tenaya Therapeutics Inc.; Becca Levin, PhD – Head of Corporate Strategy, Eikon Therapeutics, Inc.; Samuel Mazin, PhD – Founder and Chief Technology Officer, RefleXion; and Dr. Renee Saville – Director of Technology Development and Innovation, ATUM. Kelly Johnson, Talent Outreach Program Manager, Berkeley Lab and Board Chair Alameda County Workforce Development Board, served as the evening’s moderator.
Samuel Mazin offered a peek into RefleXion’s journey, underscoring their mission to expand options for stage four cancer patients through advanced technology. Notably, he revealed that they treated their very first patient on the very day of the Meet the Innovators event.
Faraz Ali delved into the initiatives of Tenaya Therapeutics Inc. in supporting patients battling heart disease, including strategies like gene therapy, editing and regeneration. Their commitment to addressing an unmet medical need struck a chord with the audience.
Becca Levin shed light on Eikon Therapeutics, Inc.’s focus on hardware engineering, especially their incorporation of microscopy technology. Their leadership also advances technological progress across other enterprises within Hayward.
The Meet the Innovators event series is part of East Bay EDA’s efforts to tell positive stories about the East Bay and showcase the region’s innovation and creativity. The series included a total of four events leading up to East Bay EDA’s signature event, EAST BAY NOW, taking place on Thursday, September 14.
Spend the day in Mission San Jose
Submitted by Mission San Jose Chamber of Commerce
Photos by Don Jedlovec
Come on out to the Mission San Jose area of Fremont on September 9 for “Taste of Summer,” a free street festival at Ellsworth Street and Washington Boulevard. Stroll around the safe and vehicle-free zone to enjoy market vendors, entertainment, kids activities, “get-moving-and try-it-out” exercise classes, food trucks, beer/wine, and community.
A year ago, hundreds of Fremont residents were drawn to this same intersection for Mission San Jose Better Block, a community-building event where 89% of attendees said they wanted to see more of these events. In response, MSJ Chamber of Commerce picked up the mantle and started planning more street fairs, starting with Arts Mosaic in April 2022. The Taste of Summer event on September 9 builds on the successes of Better Block and Arts Mosaic, bringing in even more exciting local vendors and food trucks, and introducing activities for all ages at the Montessori School of Fremont’s parking lot just across the street. Try out a short yoga or dance-based fitness class presented by Keep Moving with Sherri, Sol Studios, Sun Bollywood, and Zumba with Christina. Or keep the kids busy with games and art.
While you’re in the area, we encourage you to “Spend the Day in Mission San Jose” by walking around the neighborhood to visit other special events happening at the same time. Across the street from Taste of Summer is the Olive Hyde Art Gallery featuring the 53rd Annual Textile Exhibition (olivehydeartguild.org). The historical Mission San Jose Museum (missionsanjose.org) is open from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with a public tour at 11 a.m., or you can take a self-guided tour of the church, historical cemetery, and gardens at any time. A few blocks down is the Ohlone College Flea Market from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., where you can find treasures and deals.
Parking can be found along the streets adjacent to the area, along Mission Blvd, and at Ohlone College. For more information about Mission San Jose Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Summer Street Festival, visit msjchamber.org or facebook.com/msjchamber.
Taste of Summer
Saturday, Sept 9
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ellsworth St. & Washington Blvd.
msjchamber.org
Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro to host Night of Exploration fundraiser
Submitted by Chantal Lamers
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro announces its second annual “Night of Exploration.” Proceeds from this signature fundraiser support vital youth and teen programs in San Leandro, San Lorenzo, and surrounding communities.
Night of Exploration will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, September 8 at the recently renovated Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro. In addition to dinner and cocktails, the evening includes interactive experiences designed by staff for guests to learn more about everyday life at the Club. Best Buy, Lawrence Hall of Science, and Monarch Bay Golf Course will also host hands-on activities. Other sponsors include Amazon, Rotary International, General Roofing, State Roofing, ABC Supply, Fremont Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Waste Management, and McNely Construction Company. Tickets are $250 and may be purchased through August 31 at bgcsl.org.
We’ll kick off the evening with a first look at one of the Club’s newest additions, the Teen Café. In partnership with UrbanBloc and Zocalo Coffee, the café is housed in a renovated 30-foot container painted a punchy shade of magenta and placed on the Club’s grassy courtyard. As part of the Club’s innovative workforce development program, participating teens will receive real-life experience learning to create business and marketing plans and developing inventory control strategies while maintaining outstanding customer service. The café is scheduled to open this fall.
But that’s not all. Walk around, and you might hear beats coming from our Best Buy-funded studio. Listen to recordings created right here, or ask a teen to help you create one of your own. Then add your name (or very best doodle) to our “Greater Futures Start with U” canvas to be displayed in the Clubhouse. Before you leave, take a spin in our 360-degree photo booth, and capture the memorable, festive scene unfolding all around.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro is celebrating 76 years of service to San Leandro and surrounding communities.
Night of Exploration
Friday, Sept 8
6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro
2200 San Leandro Blvd., San Leandro
Tickets: $250; available through August 31
(510) 483-5581
bgcsl.org
Skip, Skip, Skip to My Lou and Longevity
By Karen MacLaughlin
A Harvard medical school blog (www.health.harvard.edu) reported that dance has been shown to have all the benefits of other forms of exercise, such as increasing aerobic capacity, lowering blood pressure, and reducing fat. In other words, doctors have figured out that dancing is good for your health. The report goes on to say that dancing to music is even better for your health than just plain dancing because the music stimulates the brain’s reward centers! Furthermore, square dancing to music is best for your health because it not only gets your heart going and stimulates your brain’s reward centers, but it can take some wind out of the sails of that pesky contemporary hobgoblin: cognitive decline. How does square dancing do that? By developing the listening and remembering skills you need to follow the caller while you’re on your feet.
“You have to learn the language,” says Paul DiGrazia. “I like that challenge.” He and his wife Lynne began dancing when they retired in 2005. In a pre-retirement counseling session, Lynne was strongly encouraged to find an activity that met her “physical, social, and cognitive” needs. She decided that square dancing fit the bill, but Paul was not convinced. “I’ll go once and that’ll take care of it,” he thought. He went once and liked it better than she did. For two years they danced three nights a week at different clubs and attended hoedowns on weekends. By the end of those two years, they were ready to join an advanced group. When asked about the difference between basic square dancing and advanced, DiGrazia said, “In advanced, you’re moving as an individual rather than as a couple. A lot of calls also start from the left hand, too, which is different.” Like all square dancers the DiGrazias say they have formed lasting friendships through dancing. “Where else can you go to dance where there’s no liquor served?” asks Lynne. “It’s just plain fun.”
Mike Hicks is a second-generation dancer. He and his wife Debbie want to see the legacy continue. Debbie notes that they have learned over 100 steps since joining Farmers and Farmerettes and regrets not having started square dancing earlier in life. In addition to the mastering the moves, it’s about showing courtesy to your fellow dancers. “You learn so much more than just the steps. Respect is one of the things you learn from square dancing.”
In addition to intellectual, social, and physical fitness, emotional equanimity is another benefit that can be gained from square dancing. Vanda Pand has been dancing with Farmers and Farmerettes for a little over a year. “You’re holding hands and moving around people, so it gives you a sense of belonging and community since you’re working together,” she says. She is quick to note that the activity is “low-impact” and “collaborative, not competitive.” Pand finds the class to be the perfect after-work cooldown. “When I’m square dancing, I don’t really think about all the stress in my daily life since I’m just focused on getting the moves right or enjoying the caller’s music!”
As for any drawbacks, Pand observed that some dancers might get a little grumpy when a square occasionally “breaks down” (similar to, but less fatal than, a pileup on the freeway), but she chooses to be hopeful. “I know the caller can eventually fix the square and teach the move again so all the dancers can get it right the next time.”
Getting it right is good, but getting your heart pumping, rousing reward centers, and beating back memory loss is much better. Beginner classes start next month with Swinging 21ers at the Elks Club.
Be there and be square.
Beginner Square Dance Classes
Tuesday, Sept 12
Swinging 21ers Square Dance Club
38991 Farwell Dr., Fremont
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
(510) 887-5605
https://www.fremontelks.org/swinging-21ers-square-dance-club/
First 3 lessons free
Parking in Elks Lodge parking lot
Beginner Square Dance Classes
Wednesdays, January 2024
Farmers and Farmerettes Square Dance Club
Newark Pavilion
6430 Thornton Ave., Newark
Hours TBD
https://www.farmersandfarmerettes.org
Parking in Newark Pavilion parking lot
Tri-City Animal Shelter joins Greater Good Charities & Ameriflight to Transport Maui Animals
Submitted by Fremont PD
In the wake of the Maui wildfires, the City of Fremont Tri-City Animal Shelter joins Greater Good Charities in partnership with Ameriflight to transport more than 80 Maui shelter dogs and cats to the Bay Area to find forever homes. Dogs transported into Fremont are now available at www.TriCityAnimalShelter.org/Adopt.
This emergency flight is part of a larger effort, led by Greater Good Charities, that delivered humanitarian supplies to the people of Maui and airlifted more than 100 shelter dogs off the island to new homes Marin, Berkeley, Fremont, and Alameda.
Greater Good Charities is working with veterinarians on the ground in Maui to ensure the safety and health of the shelter pets boarding the flight. Once they’ve arrived at the receiving shelters, all the pets are evaluated and receive any follow-up medical care needed before being put up for adoption.
This transport is part of Greater Good Charities’ plan to provide immediate support and aid in the island’s long-term recovery. This emergency airlift will make room for the expected influx of injured and displaced pets that are arriving at Maui Humane Society because of the wildfires. Only shelter pets that were at Maui Humane Society prior to the wildfires will be transported to the Bay Area.
Greater Good Charities conducts life-saving airlifts and supports ground transport for at-risk pet populations with a heavy focus on disaster relief, harder to adopt large dogs, homeless cats, and asymptomatic heartworm positive shelter dogs. All shelter pets transported via Greater Good Charities will be done so in compliance with the USDA interstate regulations.
To learn more about how to support Greater Good Charities disaster response in Maui, please visit greatergood.org. Contact: An***********@fr*****.gov
www.TriCityAnimalShelter.org/Adopt
Anxious at the Doctor’s Office? Try Visiting a Virtual World
By Connie Cheung
Imagine sitting in a room under bright fluorescent lights, waiting amidst clunky medical equipment and wondering what will happen once the doctor arrives. Looking up, you see a life-sized dragonfly circling lazily through a starry purple universe, while a soothing voice instructs you to pay attention to your breathing.
This experience, offered through a virtual reality headset, is what some children have encountered while waiting in exam rooms at the pediatric urgent care clinic in Fremont’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF). By putting on a pair of goggles, young patients can pick a digital character and participate in a short-guided meditation featuring fantastical landscapes like starry skies, lakes, meadows, or mountains.
This initiative was dreamt up ten months ago by Dr. Julia Fung, a pediatrician who is also a parent to two young boys – Ethan, 10, and Henry, 4. When Ethan expressed mounting dread in the days leading up to his flu shot, Dr. Fung found mindfulness to be a useful skill that helped her son manage stress.
Mindfulness practice has gained popularity in both scientific and popular literature for many years. It involves adopting an open and non-judgmental attitude while paying attention to one’s breath, emotions, and thoughts. Studies have shown the positive impacts of this behavior on psychological well-being, such as minimizing anxiety while increasing focus. Some experts believe that mindfulness is especially effective for children because their developing brains are primed for new neural connections, resulting in a greater ability to acquire lifelong skills like patience and emotional regulation.
There are many everyday environments in which children can learn to face adversity.
“In healthcare settings, a child may need to feel pain or anxiety in order to feel better—for example, when getting blood drawn or stitches,” Dr. Fung said, adding that healthcare providers usually try to address this discomfort by “distracting younger patients with gifts, toys or stickers.”
Rather than using screen time as a tool for distraction, Dr. Fung thought there was an opportunity to “use technology to help rather than hinder growth.” She partnered with Take-Pause, a company that specializes in mindfulness-based VR apps, to introduce meditation to young patients at PAMF Fremont’s urgent care clinic.
Where conventional children’s programs might appear overstimulating or noisy, Take-Pause’s content assumes a soothing rhythm and slower pace, immersing the user in a calm, magical world.
While this type of content may not captivate all children—especially younger ones—for long periods of time, a significant number of pediatric patients in Fremont chose to complete the entire five-minute duration of the VR program instead of opting to exit early. Dumeetha Luthra, the founder of Take-Pause, described her company’s “slightly off-kilter, slightly surreal” virtual environments as designed to “help kids create a sense of wonder and awe.”
Healthcare providers report that using the headset has positively impacted both ch
ildren and their caregivers, who are often already feeling strained given the unplanned nature of urgent care visits, which disrupt a family’s daily routine. The clinic has found that of the patients who completed the guided meditation, roughly 70% reported decreased levels of anxiety, and those who were the most worried prior to their session found the greatest improvement afterwards.
In fact, even if some kids weren’t too stressed to begin with, the new technology can be a lot of fun to try.
“I want to put it on again,” Ethan and Henry said repeatedly, as they reached for the headset at the end of a product demonstration.
For both PAMF Fremont and Take-Pause, the hope is that even a short encounter with mindfulness will be useful again for a child in future unexpected situations. As the narrator who guided the meditation said reassuringly, “Remember, you can always come back here in your mind.”
EARTHTALK
Stemming The Tide Of Marine Fiberglass Pollution From Boats
By Eidan Miana
Dear EarthTalk: Is there any way to stem the tide of fiberglass pollution from aging and discarded boats fouling marine ecosystems? —Jared Grissom, Summit, NJ
It’s summer vacation and you’re ready to let loose on the water. Time to head out to the lake house, bring the boat out of the driveway, and cruise around the lake. Now imagine that same vessel 10 years from now, rotting away and destroying the local marine ecosystem. Nobody wants to kill off Nemo and Dory when boating on the bay, but sometimes innocent pastimes have unintended consequences. The fiberglass in these watercrafts has a rippling wave of destruction on our marine friends, damaging aquatic organisms’ organs and leaching toxic chemicals into public soils and seas, affecting life even on land.
Okay fiberglass is pretty harmful, we get that, but then why is the boat industry still chock full of it? For one, fiberglass is much stronger compared to boat material alternatives like aluminum. Fiberglass simply resists adverse weather conditions better than other materials. Boats are more flexible than aluminum, giving them more maneuverability and versatility. The fiberglass allows for better hydrodynamics, increasing efficiency when venturing into the open water. In addition, boats made out of fiberglass allow for more surface area actually inside the vessel, a favorable advantage for fishermen and families alike.
To call degrading fiberglass damaging is an understatement, as the material’s effects have had astounding impacts globally. The microplastics present after fiberglass breaks down over time silently enter the bodies of aquatic organisms. These microplastics can disrupt their biological organs, like the endocrine system which is responsible for regulation of hormones. Toxic chemicals like lead and copper dilute in the water and break apart precious, coastal ecosystems like estuaries and coral reefs. These same heavy metals can stay in the soil and leach into clean groundwater, contaminating healthy resources.
Amplifying the problem is the difficulty of disposing of fiberglass boats. It is complicated, costly and, time-consuming. A lack of education about the true severity of abandoning vessels further contributes to a carefree release of fiberglass toxicity into our marine ecosystems.
Thankfully, the ship of environmental remediation hasn’t fully sunk. Ships in good condition can be sold used, and others can be reused piecemeal as parts. Organizations can help as well. Groups like the Vessel Disposal and Reuse Foundation, U.S Coast Guard and others can help organize the recycling process.
The federal government, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has collaborated with organizations like the Lynnhaven group and has granted almost $2 million in debris removal initiatives.
There is still hope for optimism that we will solve the fiberglass issue. It is crucial to educate ourselves and our neighbors about the harsh dangers of fiberglass to really emphasize the magnitude of the issue. We can speak our minds to local legislatures for tighter regulations on the disposal of boats. While the issue of fiberglass pollution is still plaguing our waterways, we have many tools at our disposal to fight back.
CONTACTS
- The Environmental Hazards of Fiberglass Boat Disposal
www.partsvu.com/blog/the-environmental-hazards-of-fiberglass-boat-disposal/
- Fiberglass Pollution: Abandoned Boats A Growing Problem In VA
www.chesapeakebaymagazine.com/fiberglass-pollution-abandoned-boats-a-growing-problem-in-va/
EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: qu******@ea*******.org.
Solar Flares disrupting technology worldwide: impacts, precautions, and ongoing research
Kailash Kalidoss, Aerospace Enthusiast
Solar flares, powerful bursts of solar energy, have recently wreaked havoc on technological systems across the globe, causing power outages, radio blackouts, and GPS confusion. Solar flares occur when stored magnetic energy in the sun’s atmosphere, often above sunspots, is released. The resulting flash of bright light travels at the speed of light and is absorbed by the sunlit side of Earth’s upper atmosphere. While these flares are not directly harmful to humans, understanding the consequences and implementing precautions is crucial in this era of increasing solar activity.
On August 7, 2023, a powerful X1.5-class solar flare shook North America, disrupting radio and navigation signals. This marked the 20th X-class flare, the most potent category, in the current 11-year solar cycle, which is expected to peak in the coming year.
The solar cycle describes an approximately 11-year cycle of solar activity driven by the sun’s magnetic field and indicated by the frequency and intensity of sunspots visible on the surface. During solar maximum, a large number of sunspots are visible at mid-latitudes, and during solar minimum a very small number (sometimes zero) of sunspots are visible at the equator. When the solar cycle is at peak activity—solar maximum—space weather can pose a risk to communications on Earth, satellites and even spacewalking astronauts.
The August 7 blackout caused by the solar flare was a strong category 3 on the five-point scale developed by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA.) T
he event affected most of the sunlit areas—US and Canada, including the Pacific Ocean. Frequencies below 5 Mhz were most affected, and navigation signals degraded. In extreme cases, these charged particles may pose a radiation hazard to astronauts in space and passengers and crew on aircraft traveling over polar regions. They can also damage satellites in orbit. Power outages caused by solar flares can disrupt daily life, posing risks for transportation and affecting critical infrastructure such as hospitals. Additionally, disruptions in radio and GPS signals have significant economic and safety implications.
To safeguard against adverse effects, experts recommend several precautions. Faraday fabric is one surge protector, consisting of a flexible fabric made of interwoven conductive metallic thread. It can block electrical charges or electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) radiation from entering or escaping whatever is enclosed, shielding against solar flare radiation. Metal screens made of copper, aluminum, or steel chicken wire can also minimize the impact of solar flares by providing electromagnetic shielding with holes smaller than the radiation’s wavelength. In more critical situations, preemptively shutting down the electrical grid can protect vital infrastructure from solar flare-induced damage.
Experts at NOAA warn of an approaching major peak in solar activity, potentially starting by the end of 2023. The researchers at NASA apply an AI method using “deep learning,” which trains computers to recognize patterns of solar flares based on previous examples. However, accurately predicting solar flares remains challenging due to variances in the solar cycle, statistical sampling and limited imaging observables that can be accomplished using traditional methods such as a telescope. There is also the matter of requiring a huge data set for training the deep learning algorithm in case of the AI method.
Kailash Kalidoss is an aerospace enthusiast and educator serving the Bay Area. Kailash first fell in love with aerospace as a teenager when he learned about aviation from his father’s role as a Ground Operations Manager. Kailash has since spent his efforts sharing knowledge about aerospace, astronautics, aviation, science, technology, and of course, the night sky. Kailash also represents the Civil Air Patrol and NASA as a volunteer.
The RobotReport
Sewts brings in $7.6M to automate the textile industry
By Brianna Wessling
sewts, a German tech startup that creates autonomous robots that handle textiles, has raised €7 million, over $7.6 million, to shape the future of robotics and automation in the textile industry. The company plans to use the Series A round to accelerate the rollout of its sewts.VELUM system.
sewts.VELUM, launched in 2022, is a robotic cell designed to help industrial laundries overcome challenging labor shortages and strengthen operating efficiencies. The system automatically picks crumpled, laundered towels and feeds them into folding machines to reduce manual workflow at a human-like speed.
This software combines commercially available robots, grippers, and cameras into one intelligent system. sewts.VELUM’s multi-camera system uses the Ensenso S10 3D camera and models from the uEye CP camera series.
sewts.VELUM can significantly increase laundries’ throughput and increase their profitability, even in uncertain staffing situations. The company also hopes to add more applications outside of textiles to the system in the future.
Emerald Technology Ventures led the round, and CNB Capital, EquityPitcher Ventures, and Nabtasco Technology Venture joined as new investors. The funding round also included participation from existing shareholders Bayern Kapital, APEXX Ventures, and HTGF.
“Physical AI will enable the automation of complex, laborious tasks which so far had to be done by humans,” Michal Natora, Investment Director at Emerald and lead investor, said. “We think that, through physical AI, freed-up human capital will be one of the biggest productivity drivers in the next decade. Our investment in sewts comes from the conviction that this company has the ingredients to become one of the leaders in physical AI. sewts entered the market by bringing industrial robots to commercial laundries for the first time, generating very strong market demand for its initial product sewts.VELUM.”
sewts’ long-term vision is to automate clothes production. In particular, the company is planning to automate the handling of returned clothes in e-commerce, and has created a prototype for this use case with the help of German Otto Group.
“Our long-term vision is a “moonshot” idea – to revolutionize the production of textiles,” Alexander Bley, co-founder at CEO at sewts, said. “To get there, we first dedicate ourselves to the most promising niche markets and then approach the big vision step by step.”
Brianna Wessling is an Associate Editor, Robotics, WTWH Media. She can be reached at bw*******@wt*******.com
Make gardening with kids enjoyable
By Melinda Myers
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com
Gardening is good for the mind, body, and spirit. It is also good for the youngsters in our lives. Research shows gardening helps relieve stress, improve focus, positively impacts mood and psychological well-being, builds a sense of confidence, and more.
Look for creative ways to get children involved in gardening. Tap into other interests or skills like art, reading, writing, insects, math, and computers if you need to persuade reluctant participants into growing plants.
Include lots of colors and unique plants that kids will love. Crested celosia resembles brains, making it a good choice for the zombie fans in the group. Eyeball plant (Acmella oleracea), balloon plant (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) with its hairy inflated seedpods, snake plant, and kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos favidus) are a few to consider. Gardeners of all ages will appreciate the popcorn plant (Senna didymobotrya) with its buttered popcorn-scented leaves or bat-faced cuphea and the hummingbirds it will attract.
Consider adding features that make the garden a fun space to visit. There is a reason bean teepees, sunflower houses, and tunnels in the garden have remained popular with kids of all ages for decades. Or grow a garden shaped like a slice of pizza planted with all the key ingredients, or a salsa garden. Everyone
will benefit when using freshly harvested ingredients to create these dishes.
A pot or flat of grass makes a nice field for superheroes and a lawn for dolls. A bare patch of soil is perfect for digging, driving cars and trucks, or sculpting hills and valleys. All these build skills that can be applied to future gardening efforts.
Plant some salad radishes that are ready to harvest in 25 to 30 days. This will help keep the kids interested in the garden when waiting for the tomatoes, beans, and other vegetables to ripen. Call it harvesting when you are thinning the radish planting. Use these greens as a snack or in a salad. Harvesting and eating is more fun for all of us than just thinning excess plants.
Use rainy days to create plant labels from paint sticks or stones. Paint individual words on some of the stones and place them in the garden. Let children leave messages for each other or write poetry. Or repurpose pickle jars into garden treasure jars. Have children decorate the jars. Then you fill the jars with messages or treasures before hiding them in the garden.
Explore ways to reuse and recycle landscape trimmings. Put twigs to use creating small-scale wattle fences for a fairy, gnome, or zombie garden. This is great practice for building a larger-scale wattle fence for the garden.
Go on a bug hunt to see who is living in your garden, yard, or neighborhood. Look for good bugs like lady beetles that eat plant-damaging aphids, and bees that pollinate our flowers. Then log what you find in a backyard journal.
Gentle guidance, realistic expectations, and age-appropriate activities will help get kids excited about gardening. The gardens they create and the plants they grow are often amazing. But more importantly, it is the experience of growing together that makes it worthwhile.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition, and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Boards and Commissions Openings
Submitted by Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Marquez
Alameda County Boards and Commissions – District 2 openings for residents of Hayward (incorporated), Union City, Newark and portions of Fremont.
To qualify, you must either live or work in District 2. For further information, contact Ginny DeMartini, gi*************@ac***.org and/or (510)670-6150. Please send a resume and request an application.
Read about the Commissions – https://www.acgov.org/bnc/#/board
- Civil Service Commission:
- Objective: The Commission may adopt rules for the enforcement of the civil service provisions of applicable state laws, the Charter and ordinances not inconsistent therewith.
- Qualifications: Commissioners shall be appointed only from electors of the county who have been residents of the county for 5 years preceding their appointments and whose names are upon the assessment roll at the time of appointment. No commissioner shall hold any other county salaried office.
- Term: 5 years
- Meetings: Every two weeks on Wednesdays
- Location: 1405 Lakeside Drive, Oakland
- Consumer Affairs Commission
- Objective: Established to improve the business climate in Alameda County, educate the citizenry, and advise the Board of Supervisors regarding issues that affect the quality of life for everyone.
- Qualifications: Must be a resident of Alameda County and must reside in District 2
- District 2: Two slots open and available to District 2 residents
- Term: 2 years
- Meetings: 2nd Thursday of each month from 4 pm – 6 pm
- Location: Board Conference Room, 1221 Oak Street, Oakland
- Housing and Community Development Advisory Board
- Objective: Define needs relating to funding projects of Federal Housing and Community Development Act
- Qualifications: Must be residents District 2
- District 2: One opening available for residents interested in Housing issues
- Term: 4 years
- Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of odd months, 7:00 p.m.
- Location: 224 West Winton Avenue, Room 108 Hayward
- Public Health Commission
- Objective: To review and assess emerging health needs; initiate and improve health and disease prevention programs and policies; make recommendations regarding opportunities for building community capacity as related to public health priorities; and advocate for adequate resources and increased County action to improve community health.
- Agency: Health Care Services Agency
- Qualifications: The PHC membership is open to all Alameda County residents who are supportive of the improvement of the health and well-being of residents living in Alameda County. New members shall be recruited through an extensive outreach process, taking into consideration PHC’s strong commitment to ethnic and geographic diversity.
- District 2: One opening available to District 2 resident
- Term: 2 years
- Meetings: Monthly 12 months. Contact staff for meeting dates, time and location.
- Location: 1000 Broadway, Suite 500 Oakland CA 94607
Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council
August 21, 2023
Informational Items
- Old Castro Valley Library Update – Eileen Dalton, Director, Economic and Civic Development Department
- Fire Safety Bond, Measure X Update – William McDonald, Chief and Eric Moore, Deputy Chief, Alameda County Fire Department
- Economic and Civic Development Update – Jaimie Orfanos, Assistant Director, Economic and Civic Development Department
Chair Bill Mulgrew
Vice Chair Al Padro
Ken Carbone
Shannon Killebrew
Chuck Moore
Tojo Thomas
Ilya Prokopoff
Milpitas City Council
August 15, 2023
Consent Calendar
- Authorize a Stormwater Management Facilities Operation and Maintenance Agreement between the City of Milpitas and Alps Lodging 2, Inc for the Springhill Suites Hotel Project at 1201 Cadillac Ct.
- Amend the Master Agreement with Santa Clara Valley Water District for Flood Protection Improvements within Lower Calera Creek, Lower Penitencia Creek, and Lower Berryessa Creek.
- Authorize reimbursement to Santa Clara Valley Water District for city improvements completed as part of the Flood Protection Work.
- Authorize Fee Reimbursement Agreement for Transit Area Specific Public Facilities and Public Improvements at the 308 Sango Court Project by Milpitas Pacific Associates, L.P.
- Review the FY 2022-23 Annual Report of Sole Source Contracts.
- Adopt a resolution of the City of Milpitas approving the Investment Policy for FY 2023-24.
- Authorize Mutual Aid Assistance Agreement with the City of Fremont for Emergency Response Services.
- Authorize the blanket purchase orders and purchase agreements with National Auto Fleet Group and Mission Valley Ford San Jose, and execute purchase agreements and approve sole source with Mission Valley Ford, San Jose.
- Approve three Youth Advisory Commission Community Service Scholarships of $600 each.
Mayor Carmen Montano Aye
Vice Mayor Evelyn Chua Aye
Gary Barbadillo Absent
Hon Lien Aye
Anthony Phan Aye
Workers ramp up pressure for legislative action on paid sick days
Submitted by Jenna Thompson
This August, members of the California Work & Family Coalition, workers, community supporters and elected officials urged the California State Assembly to expand California’s legal guarantee of paid sick days from three to seven each year. Only three weeks remain for legislators to pass Senate Bill 616 (Gonzalez).
“We know from experience, that three days of sick time is not enough for working parents who need to take care of a child with COVID-19. It was not enough during the height of the pandemic, and it is not enough now,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D – Long Beach). “Families no longer have the temporary protections afforded by COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave, which ended last year. This back-to-school season, let’s commit to ensuring that parents can take the sick leave they need to take care of their health and the health of their children.”
The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear how crucial it is for workers to have an adequate number of paid sick days. When workers run out of paid sick days, staying home can mean losing their job, not being able to pay their rent or put food on the table, forcing many workers to keep working while sick. One person working while sick has the capability to infect an entire community.
Says Curtis Chan, MD, MPH, California Conference of Local Health Officers, “Three paid sick days per year is simply not enough to protect public health because the infectious period for communicable diseases is often days longer. We don’t want someone with a bad cough to work in our childcare centers, classrooms, factories, or nursing homes. SB 616 will protect community health by affording sick individuals the time to rest, heal, and isolate, while also enhancing protections for co-workers against workplace outbreaks and customers against infections.”
Now California is facing the threat of rapid spread of disease with children going back to school right as a new variant of COVID-19 is rising (www.cbsnews.com). Evidence shows (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) that paid sick days stops the spread of COVID-19. California’s workers need more paid sick days so they can keep a child home from school if they’re sick and not spread the virus throughout the school.
“When kids get sick, working poor families too often face terrible choices: they either send their children to school so they can keep earning their whole paycheck, or they lose a chunk of the money they desperately need to keep a roof over their children’s head and food on the table,” said Jim Riffel, Instructional Aide Sacramento City Unified School District. “These families are walking a tightrope—with a very long way to fall. When that happens, the whole family experiences trauma: homelessness, social dislocation, massive amounts of stress. The other option is to send your child to school, and that is clearly not a good thing, especially when diseases like COVID, RSV, and the Flu can spread like wildfire. Sick kids don’t learn. Their families don’t have a good choice, and the entire community suffers.”
First human case of West Nile virus in Alameda County in 2023
Submitted by Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District
Alameda County Public Health Department along with Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District (ACMAD) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) for the 2023 season. The first positive mosquito pool was reported in January 2023.
The affected individual is a resident of the City of Alameda. Additional details are not being released to protect the identity of the resident. The district is working with Alameda County Public Health Department to disseminate information about West Nile virus to residents and local healthcare providers.
To date, ACMAD has found a total of 5 WNV-positive mosquito pools within Alameda County. The district traps and tests mosquitoes for the virus throughout the year. While the district has not found West Nile virus positive mosquitoes in the City of Alameda this year, we will continue to trap and test mosquitoes, along with conducting mosquito prevention efforts, such as treating catch basins, removing standing water and educating residents.
Transmission of West Nile virus most commo
nly occurs through a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes can receive West Nile virus from biting an infected bird. In turn, the mosquito can pass the virus to humans. The best thing the public can do to protect themselves from West Nile virus is to avoid mosquitoes and report dead birds. Ways to avoid mosquitoes include:
- Using a repellant that contains DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil or IR3535
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks when outside, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
- Draining or covering any standing water around your home
- Irrigating lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for several days
- Scrubbing and changing water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools and potted trays at least once a week, if not more
- Making sure window and door screens are “bug tight” and repair or replace torn screens
- Reporting dead birds to the West Nile virus call center: 1(877) 968-2473 or online at https://westnile.ca.gov/
There is no cure for West Nile virus. The mild form of the disease is commonly referred to as West Nile fever. Symptoms include headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue. People typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks. The more severe form is often referred to as West Nile neuroinvasive disease. Most people who are infected have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms. Less than 1% of people infected with West Nile virus become severely ill. However, people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to the disease and are more likely to experience serious consequences.
The Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District reminds residents of the importance of taking personal and community protective measures to safeguard against West Nile virus. For more information about West Nile virus visit Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District (mosquitoes.org).
BART Police Log
Submitted by BART PD
Thursday, August 17
- At 12:24 a.m. officers identified and contacted Samin Mohammad, 33, from Hayward on a train at Bay Fair station. Mohammad was arrested and booked into Alameda County Jail for disobeying a court order and violating the terms of probation.
Friday, August 18
- At 10:50 p.m. a woman identified by police as Dolly Lindsay, 38, from San Leandro was taken into custody near Bay Fair station. Lindsay was booked into the Alameda County Jail for an outstanding arrest warrant.
- At 11:22 p.m. a man identified by police as Howard Paisley, 59, from Oakland was taken into custody at San Leandro station. Paisley was booked into the Alameda County Jail for disobeying a court order.
Saturday, August 19
- At 6:03 a.m. a man identified by police as Eduardo Chavez, 60, from Union City was located inside Castro Valley station and arrested for an active warrant. Chavez was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Sunday, August 20
- At 4:53 p.m. Gregory Posey, 63, from Oakland was taken into custody at Bay Fair station and booked into Alameda County Jail for unlawful possession of a stun gun and tear gas.
- At 9:39 p.m. a man identified by police as Aidan Lopez, 18, from San Jose was contacted for fare evasion at Milpitas station and taken into custody. Lopez was booked into Santa Clara County Jail for public intoxication.
Monday, August 21
- At 9:22 a.m. an officer identified and contacted Michael Brown, 31, from Hayward on the platform at Hayward station. Brown was arrested and booked into Alameda County Jail for battery on public transit.
Tuesday, August 22
- At 8:53 a.m. officers identified and contacted Sione Teputepu, 36, from Fremont on a train at Bay Fair station. Teputepu was arrested and booked into Alameda County Jail for an outstanding arrest warrant.
- At 7:11 p.m. a man identified by police as Jermaine Henry, a 45-year-old transient was contacted for fare evading into Bay Fair station. He was arrested for an outstanding warrant and booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Wednesday, August 23
- At 7:51 a.m. a man identified by police as Erick Rodriguez, 27, from Oakland was contacted on a train. Rodriguez was arrested at Bay Fair station for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Rodriguez was booked into Alameda County Jail.
- At 7:47 p.m. a Fare Inspector Officer at Bay Fair station administered two doses of NARCAN to an unresponsive male subject who appeared to be suffering from an apparent drug overdose. The subject was transported to a local hospital for further medical evaluation.
Thursday, August 24
- At 2:26 a.m. a person police identified as Noe Hernandezcamacho, 54, from Hayward was arrested at South Hayward station for public intoxication and probation violation. He was booked into the Santa Rita County Jail.
Hayward’s Community Academy
Submitted by Hayward PD
The Hayward Police Department (HPD) hosts a community academy where residents can participate in a series of classes to enhance their knowledge of the Hayward Police Department.
HPD’s Community Academy program returns to in-person sessions this September.
The Hayward Police Department’s Community Academy is a certified educational program designed to give community members a working knowledge of how the Police Department is organized and operates in Hayward. Goals include, developing partnerships between the Department and community members, and promoting open lines of communication.
Community Academy participants also will receive information on the City’s Neighborhood Alert Program and how to become a Neighborhood Alert Block Captain, as well as about the Department’s Volunteers in Police Services (VIPs) pr
ogram.
Community Academy sessions are held once a week on a designated evening for two hours. Beginning in September, the English-language Community Academy is scheduled to be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, September 7 thru November 2. More information, links to Community Academy registration forms, and the full session schedule can be found on the Community Academy program page: hayward-ca.gov/police-department/programs/community-academy
Space is limited and participation is restricted to individuals 18 years of age and older.
Community Academy
Sept 7 – Nov 2
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
hayward-ca.gov/police-department/programs/community-academy
Public Comment for Emergency Operations
Submitted By Alameda County Office of Emergency Services
The 2023 Alameda County Emergency Operations Draft Plan (EOP) is available for review and comment. Your input is crucial to crafting an EOP that truly reflects the needs and dynamics of our community. By collaborating with community members, response agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local jurisdictions, and various stakeholders, we ensure that the plan is well-rounded, inclusive, and responsive to the unique challenges we may face. Your experiences, expertise, and perspectives enrich our understanding of the risks and strengths that define our area, making the plan more effective and adaptable.
For more information visit www.acgov.org/government/emergency-operations-plan.htm
Stolen Bike Recovered
Submitted by Hayward PD
When Teddy got his bike stolen, it wasn’t just the bicycle he lost. It was his hard-earned money for upgrades and hours he poured into building the bike into his perfectly customized mode of transportation. Teddy was obviously upset when Officer Troche arrived to take the report. Luckily for Teddy, Officer Troche used some of his knowledge from working in the area for so many years and was able to track the bike down.
As it turned out, another young community member took the bike, but both families were cooperative and friendly, and Teddy’s family opted to resolve the theft with a ‘warning.’ Overjoyed when Officer Troche hand delivered the bike to him, Teddy was eager to take a picture to memorialize the reunion. While there aren’t always happy endings to these kinds of stories, we are sure happy to share this one.
Traffic stop leads to large weapons haul
Submitted by Hayward PD
Officer Adami observed a car with an equipment violation and tried to pull it over to cite the driver. The driver fled from the officer, ran a red light, and turned on the next street to seemingly get away. Officer Adami did not pursue the car, but looked down the street where the driver had turned to see where the car was headed. Officer Adami saw the car was now parked a short distance away, so he and other officers did a traffic stop and detained the driver. A record check of the driver found him to be on searchable probation.
The driver was detained, and a search of the car was completed. During the search, Officer Adami found an abundance of contraband including weapons, burglary and robbery tools, etc., such as machetes, a medieval style club with metal spikes, large fix blade knives, a CO2 arrow gun, a lock picking set, masks, ammunition, and nearly two pounds of unsealed marijuana.
This is one example how a traffic stop for an equipment violation can lead to the lawful discovery of other more serious offenses. Officer Adami’s proactive enforcement resulted in the confiscation of the weapons and tools. The driver was also arrested for various charges, including being in possession of dangerous weapons against the terms of his probation.
Pioneer named Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Submitted by CSUEB Athletic Communications
The California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) announced that Delia Moore, from Cal State East Bay women’s basketball, was named CCAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2022-23.
The award is voted on and determined by Faculty Athletic Representatives from the 12 institutions throughout the CCAA as the focal points are success in the classroom, community and the student-athlete’s respective sport.
Moore had an outstanding career with the Pioneers both on and off the court. On February 4, she scored a career-high 28 points capped off by a game-winning layup with 1.5 seconds remaining to lift the Pioneers to a 59-58 win over Cal State San Bernardino. She averaged 12.1 points-per-game and 4.1 rebounds-per-game in her senior season.
Below are the accolades she received athletically and academically this past season.
- Academic All-District
- All-CCAA Second Team
- CCAA Player of the Week (Jan. 30-Feb.5)
- CCAA Winter Academic Honor Roll
- CCAA All-Academic Award
- D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award
Before 2022-23, Moore was a two-time recipient of the CCAA’s Dr. Hal Charnofsky Memorial Award. Other major past awards from the CCAA include a two-time Elite 13 Award winner.
It was the third academic year in a row in which a student-athlete from Cal State East Bay has been named a CCAA Scholar Athlete of the Year as well as the fifth year out of the last six a Pioneer received the distinguished honor.
To be considered for nomination for the CCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, individuals must have a 3.5 grade point average or higher at a CCAA institution, complete their final season of eligibility and participate in a CCAA-sponsored sport.
Letter to the editor
A recent commentary
In his 2014 book, “The Meaning of Human Existence,” famed
Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson writes that we humans are “innately dysfunctional.” So it often seems.
CASE IN POINT: The California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) annually issues import permits for some TWO MILLION American bullfrogs (commercially-raised), plus an estimated 300,000 freshwater turtles (mostly red-eared sliders, and various softshell species, all taken from the wild) for human consumption, non-natives all.
The issue was on the Tuesday, August 22 agenda of the State Fish & Game Commission at their public meeting in Fortuna (Humboldt County), Item #12, with a report and recommendation from a market “Stakeholders’ Group,” after five years of study. (See Commission website for online participation info.)
The frogs and turtles—along with chickens, ducks, pigeons, gamebirds and more—are sold at live animal food markets throughout California: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, Sacramento and elsewhere. Animals are kept in crowded and unsanitary conditions, often butchered while fully conscious.
State Penal Code 597.3, “Live Animal Markets” (enacted in 2000), states (in part) that, “Every person who operates a live animal market shall do all of the following: (1) Provide that no animal will be dismembered, flayed, cut open, or have its skin, sales, feathers, or shell removed while the animal is still alive,” and “Provide that no live animals will be confined, held, or displaced in a manner that results, or is likely to result, in injury, starvation, dehydration, or suffocation.” Sounds good on paper, but rarely enforced.
NOTE: These markets are nearly identical to those in Wuhan, China, likely source of the Covid-19 pandemic. Various Health Departments should be all over this issue.
Again, none of the frogs or turtles are native to California, and all are diseased and/or parasitized, though it is illegal to sell or import such products (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 236). Numerous necropsies have documented cases of E. coli, pasturella and salmonella (all potentially fatal in humans), plus cases of giardia blood parasites, even one case of malaria. Local health departments should be all over this issue.
Worse, the majority of the bullfrogs carry a dreaded chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, or Bd), responsible for the extinctions of 100+ amphibian species worldwide in recent years. The market animals are sometimes purchased en masse by “do-gooders,” then illegally released into local waters. According to a May 20, 1998 San Francisco Police Blotter report, one such aborted incident involved a 14-member Buddhist group caught red-handed about to release “60 squabs, 40 Chinese quails, 53 turtles and 140 pounds of frogs” into Lake Merced and its environs. Bullfrogs generally do not succumb to the chytrid fungus, but they certainly do disperse it when released into local waters, along with other diseases and parasites.
PRECEDENT FOR BAN – Both Oregon and Washington outlawed the non-native bullfrog imports years ago; Oregon also banned the importation of all non-native sliders and soft-shell turtles. California’s Santa Cruz County banned bullfrogs back in 2012. Clearly, California should follow suit. The CDFW did its own in-house 2014 study, “Implications of Importing American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus = Rana catesbeiana) into California,” which recommended a ban on the frog imports as the best solution, yet the permits continue.
The State Fish & Game Commission has twice voted to stop the permits, recommendations consistently ignored by the Department. Since the mid-1990’s the Commission and the Department have received more than 3,000 letters in support of stopping the permits, from sporting and environmental organizations, animal welfare groups, veterinarians, university herpetologists, and the general public. The late San Francisco Judge William Newsom (Gov. Gavin Newsom’s father) wrote in support of the ban, as did former Resources Secretary Huey Johnson (twice), all to no avail.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Contact the powers-that-be, urging the proposed ban on the frog/turtle permits. Easy fix: allow import of frozen frog/turtle parts only for human consumption.
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary Resources, email se*******@re*******.gov“>-se*******@re*******.gov
Chuck Bonham, Director, CDFW, email – di******@wi******.gov
CA Fish & Game Commission, email – fg*@fg*.gov
All may be written c/o Resources Building, 1416 Ninth Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814.
Email pattern for all CA state legislators:
as*********************@as******.gov
The Governor and all state legislators may be written c/o The State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Eric Mills, coordinator
ACTION FOR ANIMALS
Oakland
New Human Services Director in San Leandro
Submitted by Paul Sanftner
City Manager Fran Robustelli appointed Jessica Lobedan as the city’s first Human Services Director. Her first day in the position was July 3, 2023. With a decade of community service experience, Lobedan recently served as the Community Services Manager for the City of Hayward and was responsible for various efforts to address homelessness in the community. She was also the Mayoral-appointed staff member to the Alameda County Homelessness Technical Working Group and supported the development of the St. Regis Behavioral Health and Housing Campus.
“It is a pleasure to appoint Jessica to this role,” stated City Manager Fran Robustelli. “As I researched Jessica’s background, her references informed me that she is a consummate collaborator and a problem solver having a gift of bringing all ideas and people together to reach solutions. I am grateful Jessica will use her talents, skills, and abilities to uplift San Leandro residents and stakeholders.”
“I am truly excited to join the City of San Leandro and support the Council, City Manager, and community to expand support for the unhoused community, enhance the services currently provided to seniors, and implement innovative community health services,” stated Lobedan.
Lobedan will serve as the successor to Eric Engelbart, who was recruited to rejoin the City of San Leandro following his previously announced departu
re in 2021, and served as Acting Director of the Human Services Department this past year.
Jessica is in the process of becoming a credentialed government leader recognized by the Northern and Southern California Municipal Management Associations. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Davis, in Organizational Sociology, with a minor in Community Development. Her Master of Public Policy is from Mills College, focusing on social policy, program evaluation, and local planning.
Hayward pandemic recovery programs win statewide excellence recognitions
Submitted by City of Hayward
The City of Hayward Economic Development Division earned two prestigious awards from the California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED) for outstanding pandemic recovery initiatives.
CALED, the premier statewide professional economic development organization sited the Hayward Economic Development Division’s forging of partnerships, particularly with California State University East Bay and Chabot College, as an outstanding feature of its work.
At CALED’s annual conference June 22 in Los Angeles, the City of Hayward received an Award of Excellence for Together for Hayward, a set of six initiatives fostering economic development and recovery among small businesses and other affected industries, enhancing access to workforce training and skills development, and local business promotion.
Together for Hayward involved video promotion of local business adaptation to COVID-safe operations; activation of downtown through staging of live performances; a new shop-local e-gift card program; and an array of small grant programs to help local businesses close revenue gaps and reopen, retool, refurbish exteriors and adapt to post-pandemic consumer trends.
The city also received an Award of Excellence for its Open for Business video series, which involved a collaboration with Cal State East Bay’s College of Business and the East Bay Small Business Development Center to amplify the city’s vibrant and diverse business community by producing 12 promotional videos that showcase local enterprises.
To learn more about economic development at the City of Hayward, visit the Economic Development Division webpage on the City of Hayward website www.hayward-ca.gov.
Honor Roll
Mount St. Mary’s University
Spring 2023 Dean’s List
- Alyssa Alexander of Fremont
California store owner fatally shot in dispute over Pride flag; officers kill gunman
Associated Press
CEDAR GLEN, Calif. (AP) Aug. 20 — A California business owner was shot and killed after a dispute over a LGBTQ Pride flag displayed outside her store, according to authorities.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials said Laura Ann Carleton, 66, was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting Friday night. Sheriff’s officials said that during the initial altercation at Carleton’s clothing store, the suspect “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store before shooting Carleton.” He then fled the scene.
Deputies were able to locate the armed suspect and he was fatally shot after a confrontation with the officers. The man had not been identified as of Sunday.
Carleton, who preferred to be called “Lauri,” is survived by her husband and nine children in a blended family. She owned and operated the Mag.Pi clothing store in Cedar Glen. The unincorporated community in the San Bernadino Mountains is roughly 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles.
An LGBTQ group in nearby Lake Arrowhead said Carleton didn’t identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but spent time helping and advocating for everyone and was defending her Pride flags placed in front of her shop on the night of the shooting.
Law enforcement agencies in several states have investigated the destruction of rainbow Pride flags as potential hate crimes in recent years.
5 Years, $8.5 million in classroom technology & supplies for public schools across America
Submitted by Sharon Oh
The partnership of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and DonorsChoose, the leading nonprofit for supporting preK–12 public schools, celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2023. This collaboration, centered around Samsung’s national Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition, has delivered $8.5 million in Samsung technology and classroom supplies to nearly 500 schools participating in Solve for Tomorrow competitions.
DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier, speaking this May at the final round of the 2022-2023 Solve for Tomorrow competition in Washington, D.C., described how the Samsung partnership aligns with the DonorsChoose mission, “We know from our regular communications with teachers that despite the challenges of their work, most teachers would want to remain in their jobs for the next ten years. Our job as an organization and as a broader society is to make their work sustainable, and Solve for Tomorrow provides exactly the kind of support teachers need to broaden student participation in STEM.”
Tabulating and tracking each school’s specific technology choices and arranging the delivery of the right gear to the right school, starting at the State Winners round of competition on up to our National Winners, is handled through a support system developed by DonorsChoose expressly for Solve for Tomorrow. As the 14th Solve for Tomorrow competition kicks off, we’re adding to the celebration of our partnership by launching a new $25,000 prize, the Rising Entrepreneurship Award.
Public school teachers can submit their entries now through Friday, October 27, 2023.
To learn more about Solve for Tomorrow and to apply for the national STEM competition, please visit www.samsung.com/solve.
*$2 million prize is based on an estimated retail value.
Igniting Gen Z Innovation and Ingenuity: Samsung Launches 2023-2024 Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition
Submitted by Sharon Oh
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of our 2023-2024 “Samsung Solve for Tomorrowcompetition,” a nationwide competition that empowers students in grades 6 – 12 to harness the power of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to create innovative solutions addressing critical issues in their communities. U.S. public middle and high school teachers are invited to submit an application that applies the principles of Problem-based Learning (PBL)—active, hands-on learning through real-world problem-solving—and entrepreneurship.
In recognition of Gen Z’s entrepreneurial spirit, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is offering a new national “Rising Entrepreneurship Award” valued at $25,000 for one winning school. The Rising Entrepreneurship Award, as well as our Sustainability Innovation Award (created in 2021 in response to Gen Z’s deep passion for the planet) are part of prize packages that will put more than $2 million* in Samsung technology and classroom supplies in the hands of STEM teachers across America.
Ann Woo, Head of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics America, noted, “We’re excited to witness the energy and creativity of our young participants, who represent the future…And we’re thrilled to celebrate the fifth year of our partnership with DonorsChoose, the leading way to give to preK–12 public schools.”
Through Friday, October 27, 2023, U.S. public school teachers can apply for this year’s STEM competition. In prior years, participating students have designed STEM-based concepts that address food waste and insecurity, urban decay and blight, inequality, mental health, and the influence of climate change on extreme environmental events.
The application process takes a few minutes—and you don’t need to be a STEM teacher to apply. (Public school History, Arts, and Physical Education teachers, plus coaches and administrators, are welcome too!) All that’s needed is an initial idea outlining how students would use STEM to address a critical need in their local community.
Once applications are submitted, schools will have the opportunity to move ahead to the following competition phases:
- 300 State Finalists (at least five from each state) will receive a $2,500 prize package.
- 50 State Winners will receive a Samsung Video Kit to assist with their “STEM solution pitch video,” as well as $12,000 in Samsung technology.
- One of the 50 State Winner schools will be recognized with aSustainability Innovation Award, and an additional $50,000 prize package.
- One State Winner will be selected for the Rising Entrepreneurship Award worth $25,000 in Samsung educational technology.
- 10 National Finalist Schools will participate in a live pitch event where they present their project to a panel of judges. Seven will be awarded $50,000 in Samsung technology and classroom supplies.
- A Community Choice Winner will also be determined through online voting by the general public, for an additional $10,000 in prizes.
- An Employee Choice Winnerwill be selected by Samsung employees to receive $10,000 in prizes in addition to their National Finalist winnings
- Judges will name three National Winners, for a prize package worth $100,000.
To enter Solve for Tomorrow and for official competition rules, visit Samsung.com/solve. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, October 27, 2023.
*$2 million prize is based on estimated retail value.
San Leandro falls to Redwood in Season Opener
By Andrew Joseph
The San Leandro Pirates football team ended their first game of the season on a frustrating note. The Pirates received a no-call by the refs on a questionable passing interference on Jamal Perry’s incomplete catch during a fourth down play, with about one minute left on the clock. The team ultimately fell 17-15 to the Redwood Giants on Friday, August 25, at home in the exciting season opener.
“The refs called incidental contact on that play that could have won the game,” said Pirates Head Coach Brad Bowers.
The Pirates defense played strong in the opening quarters forcing two punts, one missed field goal, and one sack on third down in the first half. The first score of the game came with one minute remaining in the second quarter when Giants running-back Ronin Zaim ran over 20 yards across the field for a touchdown. The score at halftime was 7-0 Redwood.
“The mindset heading into today was that we knew Redwood has been a playoff team in years past and it was going to be a challenging game,” said Pirates Head Coach Brad Bowers.
San Leandro got on the board during the opening drive of the third-quarter when star running-back Martis Ferguson Jr. found an open lane and ran 40 yards for the Pirates first touchdown of the season. “On that first touchdown I saw their linebacker weren’t really coming off the trap then there was no safety at the top, so there was an open lane and I’m fast enough to where they can’t catch me,” said Ferguson Jr.
Redwood opened the fourth-quarter with a touchdown by Jackson Walker who scored on a third-down play. The Pirates responded with a big kickoff return by Jamal Perry to the Redwood 47 yard-line. That set up another touchdown run by Ferguson Jr. and a completed two-point conversion to give San Leandro the lead 15-14. “Martis has been running strong since last season and he really showed out tonight,” added Coach Bowers.
The Pirates defense held the Giants to a field goal with just over five minutes left in the game and the score 17-15. When it looked like San Leandro had an opportunity to win the game with a pass to Perry on a fourth-down in the red zone, there seemed to be a pass interference as the receiver fell down. No flag was thrown and Redwood took a knee after the turnover on downs to run the clock out and leave with the win. “At the end of the day if the refs threw a flag on that play, we win the game. It’s not even a question,” said Jamal Perry.
It was a hard-fought game, but it was San Leandro’s three turnovers on fumbles that also contributed to their loss. It is a long season and the Pirates look to be on track to have a successful year. They play their next game Friday, September 1 at Monte Vista.
Vikings Football Welcomes New Coach
By Eric Donato
“I got 27
sons”, Coach Anthony Jackson responded when asked about the coach-player relationship with his new football team, Irvington Vikings (Fremont). His caring and mentoring of young players has a long legacy. Jackson said, “I’ve easily coached, mentored or worked within camps, with easily, 2,500 kids a year. Over the course of my career, I think I’ve worked and coached over 40,000 young people.” Coach Jackson added, “And to me, this is a ministry. I’m trying to preach, and teach more than just tackling. I’m trying to teach young men how to be productive in their families, home and community.” Guiding young people is a natural calling for Coach Jackon, who is also currently a student counselor at Cal State East Bay and an assistant coach for Lincoln University (Oakland). “Young people are my life,” he proudly declares.
Coach Jackon takes on the helm of the Irvington Vikings as the new head coach. He officially started with the Vikings in February and worked with the team this summer to rebuild the program and prepare for the new season. The Bay Area native and long-time Hayward resident, brings a wealth of football playing and coaching experience. Coach Jackson was an all-league football player with Tennyson High School (Hayward) and moved on to play college ball with Chabot College (Hayward), Missouri Western University, and played his senior year at Minot State (North Dakota). His deep football coaching resume includes Hayward and Tennyson High School, Chabot, Laney (Oakland), Contra Costa Colleges (San Pablo), and for the Bay Area Panthers (San Jose), the indoor football team.
In revamping the football program at Irvington, Coach Jackson calls out the challenge of building a young team. He elaborated, “We’re really young everywhere. You point to every position, and there’s probably a kid that hasn’t played in that position or level in his life. Every play, there’s something to coach.” He added, “I tell all my assistants if you haven’t said something on every play, then you’re not coaching every single play.” His general approach to training is: make practice harder than the game. He explains, “Make practice as productively stressful as possible for the players so that the game is almost like a calming experience.”
Weight training is an integral part of the Vikings football program. “We want our linemen to be able to have power that they can transfer.” he said. Coach Jackson added “We also want our skilled position guys to build up their bodies in a way that they can take on two collisions in each place. So, we try to build up their shoulders and their arms and make sure their legs are strong, and build them up in a way that they can withstand the hit from the defender and then them going to the ground in a way that doesn’t break us up.”
When asked about the current Vikings roster, he said, “We got weapons out there. We got guys that can be dangerous.” Coach Jackson noted the strength of the Vikings’ wide receivers and backfield. He also praised the two quarterbacks’ game IQ and the kicker’s long-range field capabilities.
The Vikings showed an impressive season debut against Novato High School in a home non-conference game on August 26. They displayed an explosive second quarter, putting thirteen points on the board delivered through deep penetrating runs and long passes. Despite the effort, they fell short of earning their first ‘W,’ slightly edged out by the visiting Hornets fourteen to thirteen. Irvington had driven deep into Novato Hornet territory on its final game drive, but the Hornets spoiled the potential winning end zone push with a game-sealing interception with nine seconds left on the clock.
We’re looking forward to a great football season with the Irvington Vikings and wish Coach Anthony Jackson the best with his new team. The Vikings host the Napa Grizzlies in another non-conference home game on Friday, September 1.
Continuing Events
First Tuesdays
Open Mic on the Labyrinth
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Share your music, poetry, comedy, and spoken words in one of Fremont’s most beautiful settings!
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
2791 Driscoll Rd., Fremont
(510) 490-0553
Tuesdays
Poker Tournaments
6:00 pm
Weekly tournaments for beginners or a seasoned player.
The Clubhouse Bistro & Bar
4020 Technology Pl., Fremont
(510) 651-2500
bit.ly/3GllRwI
Tuesdays
East Bay Games Meet
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
German/Euro style board games and card games.
Swiss Park
5911 Mowry Ave., Newark
(510) 936-2523
meetup.com/east-bay-games
sf*********@ya***.com
First and Third Tuesdays
Mobile Food Distribution with 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
Wednesdays
Tropics Bingo
7:00 pm
Flash games
Tropics Mobile Home Park
33000 Almaden Blvd., Union City
(510) 471-8550
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
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
cutt.ly/zwdxcR1t
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
Thursdays
Chair Yoga R
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Breathing and stretching techniques
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
bit.ly/3VFpbcz
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
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
bit.ly/3pehdLx
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
bit.ly/3HKIhsa
Saturdays
Sip & Shop Maker’s Market
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Enjoy delicious drinks while browsing offerings from local vendors!
Castro Valley Market Place
3295 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley
(510) 901-1001
castrovalleymarketplace.com/calendars
Sunday – Saturday
Summer Recreational Swim $
Mon – Fri: 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Sat – Sun: 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Attractions may vary.
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
bit.ly/42e4FlR
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
shorturl.at/gqZ49
Fridays, January 20 – January 5
Knit & Crochet Circle
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Learn knitting and crocheting
Milpitas Public Library
160 N Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
shorturl.at/iGST9
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
shorturl.at/ehsRS
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
bit.ly/3VTzrhF
Fridays & Saturdays, April 25 – August 31
Your Wildest Dreams, an exhibit
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
An exhibit of wildlife paintings by Rita Sklar
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward
(510) 670-7270
Fridays, May 5 – October 20
Fremont Street Eats $
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Food trucks and community fun!
Fremont Downtown Event Center
3500 Capitol Ave., Fremont
(510) 742-7510
bit.ly/2VfuSgv
Saturdays, May 27 – December 30
Divine Satsang Sabha
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Know techniques of living a virtuous, harmonious, & meaningful life
SMVS (Shri Swaminarayan Mandir)
36665 Cedar Blvd, Newark
(650) 585-5325
bit.ly/4380OGV
First Monday, June 5 – December 4
Teen Junk Journaling Workshop
5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
Learn the basics of junk journaling and start your own journal!
Hayward Public Library
888 C St., Hayward
(510) 293-8685
rb.gy/igtdy
em**********@ha********.gov
Wednesday, June 13 – September 27
Little Listeners Storytime
11:00 am – 11:45 am
Storytime for preschoolers Parent presence required
San Lorenzo Library
395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo
(510) 284-0640
rb.gy/9lrtx
sa********@ac*******.org
Wednesday, June 14 – December 27
Little Bookworms Storytime
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Come read, sing, and be silly with us
Cherryland Community Center
278 Hampton Road, Hayward
(510) 626-8522
rb.gy/5nlam
sa********@ac*******.org
Monday – Friday, July 10 – August 30
Arts & Letters Member show
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Hayward City Hall
777 B St., Hayward
(510) 583-4000
haywardartscouncil.org
Tuesdays, July 11 – September 5
LEGO® Time
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Use your imagination and engineering skills to create your own LEGO® designs.
Centerville library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
rb.gy/cpnae
Tuesdays, July 18 – September 5
LEGO® Time
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Use your imagination and engineering skills to create your own LEGO® designs.
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
rb.gy/107pa
Tuesdays, July 18 – August 29
Little Learners Storytime
10:30 am – 11:00 am
Learn through stories, songs, and movement activities.
Centerville library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
rb.gy/t448y
Tickets will be issued 15 minutes prior to the event.
Tuesdays, July 18 – November 28
Baby Bouncers Lapsit
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
A baby and caregivers program including nursery rhymes, lap bounce, body rhymes, songs, & picture books.
Milpitas Public Library
160 N Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
rb.gy/lwm72
Wednesdays, July 19 – November 29
ESL Conversation Club
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Improve your English skills and learn about other cultures.
Milpitas Public Library
160 N Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
rb.gy/tszda
First & Third Friday, July 21 – December 15
Mobile Food Distribution
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Food distribution for the first 80 families. Please bring your own bag.
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1444
rb.gy/3s1qh
fr*****@ac*******.org
Fourth Monday, July 24 – November 27
Adult Tai Chi
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Come enjoy a gentle, energizing class with modified Tai Chi movements
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1400
rb.gy/n1llh
First Saturdays, August 5 – December 2
Music Hour at the Library
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
An hour of music by local musicians.
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 284-0685
shorturl.at/npY26
js*****@ac*******.org
Thursday – Saturday, August 10 – October 7
53rd Annual Virtual and In-Person Textile Exhibition
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Olive Hyde Art Gallery
123 Washington Blvd., Fremont
(510) 791-4357
is.gd/IUUSZT
First and Third Thursday, August 17 – October 19
Homeschool Preteen Social Hour R
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Board games and craft supplies with other homeschoolers
Registration opens at 12 noon
Newark Public Library
37055 Newark Blvd., Newark
(510) 284-0675
t.ly/Q8fjY
Tuesdays, September 5 – December 19
Music and Storytime
11:00 am – 11:45 am
Story, music, and movement with children.
Cherryland Community Center
278 Hampton Road, Hayward
(510) 626-8522
t.ly/M2lnv
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, August 29
Career Night R
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Career Counseling on Real Estate
Keller Williams Advisors
39465 Paseo Padre Pkwy # 1500, Fremont
(510) 796-7900
rb.gy/pwgu7 fr**********@kw.com
Tuesday, August 29
Medicare: What you need to know
11:00 am
Seminar on overview of coverage provided by Medicare, supplement insurance, prescription drug coverage and more.
Washington Hospital, Anderson Auditorium
2500 Mowry Ave., Fremont
(510) 248-1600
whhs.com/seminars
Tuesday, August 29
Beyonce Dance Program
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Celebration of Beyonce’s upcoming show with a craft and dance party featuring her music. Ages 5 – 16.
Milpitas Public Library
160 N Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
rb.gy/rb8kj
Wednesday, August 30
Music and movement
4:15 pm
Singing, dancing, and instruments for kids ages 5 – 11.
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1400
musicforminors2.org
Wednesday, August 30
Information on fair housing resources and services
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Come ask a Project Sentinel expert about fair housing and how you can better understand your rights and responsibilities.
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1400
t.ly/ypASU
Wednesday, August 30
Moon Gardening
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Garden by the light of the full moon. Gloves, tools, and good vibes will be provided.
Centerville library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
t.ly/5wpym
Wednesday, August 30
Ice cream with a cop
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Show your appreciation for law enforcement and engage with entire police team
Fremont Plaza Shopping Center, Baskin Robbins
3850 Mowry Ave, Fremont
fremontpolice.gov
Wednesday, August 30
Bingo Night
5:30 am – 7:00 pm
Food for purchase
Chick-fil-A Mowry Avenue
5245 Mowry Ave., Fremont
(510) 608-5771
fremont.macaronikid.com/events
Free to attend
Thursday, August 31
The Peaceful Poets
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Writers & appreciators meet
Milpitas Public Library
160 N Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
Thursday, August 31
Wills and Estate R
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Seminar on the advantages and disadvantages of a last Will and Testament.
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth, Wings A Street Side
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6606
city.fremont.gov/awcclasses
Thursday, August 31
Music Together: Presented by Early Start Music R
10:00 am – 10:45 am
A morning of music, movement, and fun for ages 0-5.
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
t.ly/y3IIW
Thursday, Friday, & Sunday, August 31 – September 3
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
Admission fee applies
Friday, September 1
First Fridays: Stellar Ending Death of Stars $
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Discover the science behind the exciting endings of white dwarfs to supernovae and black holes
Chabot
Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
(510) 336-7300
rb.gy/4gb3h
Friday, September 1
Friday Board Games Night R
6:00 pm
Board games for all skill level.
Bigger Better Games
4588 Peralta BLvd # 13, Fremont
(510) 516-5383
rb.gy/dbpwh
Saturday – Monday, September 2 – September 4
Rail Fair Advance Tickets $R
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Enjoy train rides, operating model trains, historic railroad equipment displays, live music, and more
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
spcrr.org
Admission fee applies
Saturday, September 2
Nature Writing: Creeksside Reflections
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Join for a relaxing morning by the creek, practicing nature writing and enjoying the sounds and sights of Sunol.
Sunol Regional Wilderness Visitor Center
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3245
rb.gy/bq3aj
Parking fee applies
Saturday, September 2
Dumbarton Quarry Campfire – Fascinating Fire
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Explore the fascinating history, science, and magic of fire.
Dumbarton Quarry Campground
9400 Quarry Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
rb.gy/poqy2
Parking fees apply where charged
Saturday, September 2
Sip and Hike $R
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
5 pm hike: Easy hike with moderate terrain (75 minutes)
6:30 pm hike: Moderate hike with some hills (90-120 minutes)
Chabot Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
(510) 336-7300
rb.gy/4gb3h
Saturday, September 2
Visit Meek Mansion $
10:30 am – 2:00 pm: Self-guided tour of the first floor of this beautiful Cherryland gem!
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Guided tour to explore how the home and work on the Meek property run.
Meek Mansion
17365 Boston Road, Hayward
haywardareahistory.org/calendar
Fee included for guided tour only.
Saturday, September 2
Build a Kids Microscope R
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Free workshop for kids (4 – 12) to build their own wooden masterpieces.
The Home Depot
5401 Thronton Ave, Newark
(510) 494-1205
rb.gy/n0ff0
Saturday – Sunday, September 2 – September 3
157th Scottish Highland Gathering $R
8 am – 6 pm
Scottish competition, ceremonies, cuisine, and entertainment.
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton
(925) 426-7600
rb.gy/inltm
Enter Gate 8 or 12 off Valley Avenue
Sunday, September 3
Coffee with the Birds
8:30 am – 10:00 am
Walk along the marsh with coffee to see the birds hanging out in the area.
Coyote Hills Visitors Center
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3215
rb.gy/ylgqm
Parking fee applies
Sunday, September 3
Botanical Embroidery
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learn to mimic patterns and forms from nature in stitch.
Sunol Regional Wilderness Visitor Center
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3245
Parking fee applies.
Tuesday, September 5
Let’s Art Together – Neurographies and Watercolor R
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
An evening of art to relax and leave feeling motivated.
Newark Public Library
37055 Newark Blvd., Newark
(510) 284-0675
t.ly/JpFa6
Registration starts Tuesday, Aug 29
Summer Concerts
Niles Concerts on the Plaza
Saturdays; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
September 9 – David Luning with The Hurricane Roses
October 7 – Jinx Jones & the Kingtones with Three on the Tree
Niles Town Plaza
37592 Niles Blvd., Fremont
niles.org
H.A.R.D and Hayward Odd Fellows Summer Concert Series
Sundays, August 6 – September 24
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
(no concert September 3)
September 17 – Oasis Big Band, East Bay Youth Orchestra, and In Full Swing
September 24 – Hayward High School Marching Band & Jazz Band, and East Bay Symphonic Band
Hayward Memorial Park
24176 Mission Blvd., Hayward
Summer Outdoor Movies
Free Outdoor Movies
8 p.m.
Bring picnic dinner, low-back chairs or blankets, and flashlights
September 8
Hotel Transylvania 4
Meek Park
Movies Under the Stars
September 22 – Super Mario
October 13 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Central Park, Fremont
(510) 494-4300
