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Alameda County Fire Department Log
Submitted by ACFD
Tuesday, January 5
• At 12:24 a.m. crews were dispatched to the 15000 block of Washington Ave. in San Leandro for a traffic collision with a vehicle on its side and an occupant trapped inside. Crews extricated the driver who was taken to a hospital for medical assistance.
Wednesday, January 6
• At 4:41 a.m. firefighters were dispatched to an outside fire between Sweetwater Drive and Highway 238 in San Leandro. The fire created a lot of smoke and took more than two hours to extinguish, requiring assistance from Cal Trans using their front loader machine. No injuries reported.
Water district manager caps 30-year career
Submitted by Sharene Gonzales
After 30 years of service with the Alameda County Water District (ACWD) and more than six years as General Manager, Robert T. Shaver recently announced that he will retire July 1.
Shaver joined ACWD in 1991 as a project engineer and was promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2010 and General Manager in 2014. “I am honored and humbled to have been entrusted to deliver the district’s mission as ACWD’s general manager,” Shaver said in a statement released January 4.
“Throughout my career, I have enjoyed working with extremely capable colleagues both here at ACWD and industry-wide. Although my retirement is bittersweet, the district will continue its path as a well-respected agency because of the leadership of the Board of Directors, Executive Management, and a truly dedicated staff that serve our customers.”
Under Shaver’s leadership, ACWD efficiently administered a $175 million annual operating and capital expense budget. During his tenure, Shaver participated in or oversaw many capital improvement projects including the construction of several water treatment-related projects, retrofits and seismic upgrades to critical facilities and pipelines in the earthquake-prone region, and construction and expansion of the Newark Desalination Facility in 2003 and 2010, respectively.
Shaver has also emphasized watershed protection and stewardship, including the construction of fish passage facilities along Alameda Creek and the enactment of the ACWD Groundwater Protection Act, which was unanimously approved by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2009.
“A three-decades-long commitment to ACWD proves Bob’s dedication to his work, community and public service,” said ACWD Board President Aziz Akbari. “I am sincerely grateful for his leadership and the lasting contributions he’s made to ensure a reliable supply of drinking water for our customers. His ACWD career spans water quality, environmental and regulatory changes requiring adaptiveness and resiliency,” Akbari added.
A longtime resident of Fremont, Shaver plans to travel, enjoy the outdoors, and continue his service to the community through his volunteer work with the Fremont Rotary Club. He also is a board member for the Bay Area Water Agencies Coalition and CalDesal and serves as the Board Chair for the California Urban Water Agencies.
The ACWD Board of Directors is recruiting for a new General Manager, and Shaver is remaining on board during the transition process. Interested candidates can learn more about the job at www.koffassociates.com/opportunities or by visiting the ACWD website at www.acwd.org/jobs.
Grow Frilly, Bold, and Unique Amaryllis Indoors
By Melinda Myers
Photo Courtesy of Longfield-Gardens.com
When squirrels are busy storing nuts for winter, it is time for gardeners to start gathering amaryllis bulbs to sustain them through the dreary months ahead. Ordering now will ensure you have lots of choices, so you can select an assortment of different flowers styles, colors, and bloom times.
The flowers of double amaryllis are packed full of petals and sure to brighten any day. Double King lives up to its name with three or more layers of brilliant red, velvety petals. Each bulb produces multiple flower stems, so you will enjoy weeks of blossoms.
Sweet Nymph is another double and its softer coloring is equally beautiful. The flowers feature layers of creamy white petals with coral pink stripes and are sure to add a bit of romantic charm to your winter.
Add some energy to your indoor décor with amaryllis Dancing Queen (www.longfield-gardens.com). The bold 8-inch blooms are comprised of layers of ruffled snow-white petals with delicate scarlet-red stripes.
The flowers of Exotic Star have an unusual shape and color that have earned them lots of fans. The asymmetrical petals are parchment-white with narrow, garnet-red stripes and apple-green highlights.
Bring in some fresh spring green color with amaryllis Evergreen. Pale chartreuse petals give it a fresh, modern look. Each bulb produces two stems with four to six flowers each. Enjoy them as a living bouquet or cut a few stems to display in a vase.
Grow Ice Queen when looking to add elegance to your winter décor. Its enormous, frosty white flowers have lime green accents and combine nicely with evergreen boughs and holiday decorations.
Charisma is another variety that blooms in early winter. The two-tone petals have a unique ombre effect. Enjoy the changing colors this variety exhibits as it transforms from bud to fully open flower.
Amaryllis are long-lasting cut flowers and the variety Picotee is no exception. Each of its pure white petals is outlined with a very thin red line. A lime-green center adds freshness. Beautiful displayed in a pot or in a vase.
Rosy Star is another eye-catching amaryllis with snowy white blossoms that are decorated with brush stroke highlights in three shades of pink. The apple green throat adds to this variety’s elegance and appeal.
As more people discover the joy of growing amaryllis, flower breeders are busy introducing new cultivars. Gervase is a good example of these exciting new options. Each blossom is a little different, with ruby-red petals adorned with variable stripes and veining. You will have plenty of blooms to enjoy as large bulbs can produce twelve or more spectacular blossoms.
Maximize your enjoyment by growing your amaryllis where you can watch the daily transformation, from the first bud breaking through the soil until the flowers begin to unfurl.
Growing amaryllis indoors will keep you gardening all year round, no matter where you live. You will enjoy the mood-boosting benefits and stress relief, and the colorful blossoms are sure to brighten your winter days.
Melinda Myers has written numerous books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” 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 was commissioned by Longfield Gardens for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.
American Airlines is grounding emotional-support animals
By David Koenig
AP Airlines Writer
DALLAS (AP), Jan 05 – American Airlines is banning emotional-support animals in a move that will force most owners to pay extra if they want their pets to travel with them.
The airline said Tuesday that it will allow animals in the cabin free of charge only if they are trained service dogs. The change takes effect Monday, although passengers who already bought tickets can fly with a companion animal until Feb. 1.
The move follows a similar decision by Alaska Airlines and is likely to be copied by other carriers. The U.S. Transportation Department cleared the way for the crackdown against companion animals last month.
American said passengers with a service dog will need to complete a government form vouching for the dog’s health, training, and temperament.
Other animals, including dogs not trained as service dogs, will only be able to fly in the cargo hold or a kennel that fits under a seat in the cabin. Either way, American will collect a pet fee ranging from $125 to several hundred dollars.
Jessica Tyler, American’s president of cargo, said the rules will help passengers with service animals and protect employees on planes and in airports.
The number of passengers flying with companion animals grew rapidly in recent years, with some saying the animals helped them overcome anxiety and other issues. Passengers only needed a note from a health professional, and a cottage industry sprang up to provide those notes along with vests and other accoutrements for their animals.
Airlines and particularly flight attendants took a more critical view, saying passengers were exploiting a loophole in federal regulations to avoid pet fees. In a few cases, including some involving serious injuries, companion animals bit other passengers.
Last month, the Transportation Department settled the matter, siding mostly with the airlines. It said carriers were free to ban any animal other than dogs formally trained to help people with physical or psychological disabilities.
The department estimated that under the new rules airlines will scoop up $59.6 million a year in pet fees.
BMW 330e Plug-In Hybrid: Old Favorite, Now Electrified
By Steve Schaefer
BMW has been a pioneer in electric cars, offering the unusually styled i3 hatchback since 2014. More all-electric BMWs are coming soon, but today, you can choose from multiple BMW plug-in hybrids, including the 330e.
As a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), the BMW 330e combines an engine and a motor. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine puts out 181 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The integrated electric traction motor adds 107 horsepower and 77 pound-feet of torque. The combined output is 288 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
A high-voltage 12 kWh lithium-ion battery under the rear seats powers the motor. The eight-speed automatic transmission can electronically choose the most efficient gear for the current driving situation.
U.S. EPA rates the 330e at 75 MPGe using electricity plus gasoline, and a more modest 28 mpg with gasoline alone. The official electric range is 23 miles, with a total range is 320 miles. EPA Green scores are 7 for Smog and 8 for greenhouse gas. The sticker says you will save $1,000 over five years compared to the average car.
Because the 330e is not a full-electric car, the battery is small, so you can’t go too far on electricity alone. It’s essentially an EV for commuting, shopping, and errands. When you take it on longer trips, the 330e works like a hybrid, using gas and electricity efficiently. Charging takes only a couple of hours at 240 volts (Level 2) or overnight on regular household current (Level 1). No need to invest in a dedicated charger—just plug it into the garage wall before you go to bed.
On my first trip, I set the control in my Alpine White test car to “Electric,” so it would use only electric power. When it ran out of juice at 22 miles, it automatically switched to “Hybrid” mode, displaying a message on the center dash screen. My destination was 24 miles from home, so I almost made it petrol free. The mostly gas-powered return trip was nearly as quiet as the electric leg of the trip, which means a smooth and quiet engine and plenty of sound insulation. The car starts out in Hybrid mode by default, so if you want to drive electric only, push the “Electric” button on the center console.
I went to a rehearsal with my three bandmates, who, through careful planning, became part of my COVID bubble (before the current lockdown). Because it was only 4.2 miles away, I drove both ways without using any gasoline at all.
The downside of a PHEV is that you may have the best of both worlds, but you also must lug along the hardware of both words—engine + motor, battery + fuel tank, and so on. Some of those parts need periodic service, while battery-electric cars have little service other than tire rotations.
On the outside, the 330e is undoubtedly a BMW, with a reasonably proportioned twin kidney grille and Hofmeister kink in the rear side window. BMWs have edgier interiors than they used to, but everything is up to date and electronic. You still control the dash screen with a dial on the center console. There is a bit of a learning curve to program the numerous custom features—German engineering brings German complexity.
My tester came with numerous upgrades. The Cognac Vernasca Leather inside ($1,450) looked and smelled wonderful. The Dynamic Handling Package ($1,400) sportified the brakes, suspension, and steering. The Drivers Assistance Pro Package ($1,700) offered extended traffic jam assistant, which I luckily never needed to use. The M Sport Package ($3,800) included the SensaTec Dashboard and more. The Parking Assistance Package ($700) included handy surround view with 3D View in the center console, helping you know exactly where the car is when you are backing up or entering the flow of traffic. The Executive Package ($2,600) included a heated steering wheel, adaptive LED headlamps, a head-up display, active blind spot detection, and gesture control.
The base price is $44,500; however, with all the extras, my tester came to $59,645. I think that people buy and love 3-Series BMWs because of the model’s long history as The Ultimate Driving Machine®. Inevitably, it has grown larger and less sprightly over the years, as most 45-year-olds do.
I tested my first 3 Series in 1992, shortly after I started writing my car column and loved the blend of useful space and sporty handling. My older son currently leases one, and I am hoping to move him into a 330e when his lease is up. My younger son’s first car was a used 2000 3 series coupe.
While a regular hybrid can eliminate half a car’s CO2 emissions, a plug-in hybrid, driven locally most of the time, can do even better.
BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD
Friday, December 31
• At 6:27 p.m. a man identified by police as Misgun Derson, 20, of Oakland was arrested at the Fremont station on suspicion of public intoxication. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail.
• At 8:21 p.m. a person identified by police as Cass Lloyed was arrested at the Hayward station on suspicion of public intoxication and booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Beverly R. Wolf
Resident of Newark
December 9, 1944 – December 29, 2020
Beverly R. Wolf was born on December 9, 1944 in Albany, CA and passed away on December 29, 2020 in Fremont, at the age of 76. She is survived by her son Steven, her daughter-in-law Maria and granddaughter Demitra.
Beverly married on October 27, 1962. She had many friends, she was very generous kind person and loved her two dogs “Cary” and “Spanky”. Her favorite organization was the ASPCA
In honor of Beverly, please send a donation to ASPCA every gift saves lives. Please make a “one time gift” if you are not able to make a monthly commitment.
She is predeceased in death by her husband Hiram on January 4, 2013 and her son Robert on September 8, 2007.
A Chapel Service will be held on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 10:30 AM, Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Blvd., Fremont. Burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd., Hayward.
Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900
Biden inauguration to feature virtual, nationwide parade
AP Wire Service
WASHINGTON (AP), Jan 03 – President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration will include a “virtual parade across America” consistent with crowd limits during the coronavirus era, organizers announced Sunday.
Following the swearing-in ceremony on Inauguration Day on Jan. 20 on the west front of the U.S. Capitol, Biden and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, will join Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband in participating in a socially distanced Pass in Review on the Capitol’s opposite front side. Those are military traditions where Biden will review the readiness of military troops.
Biden will also receive a traditional presidential escort with representatives from every branch of the military from 15th Street in Washington to the White House. That, the Presidential Inaugural Committee says, will be socially distanced too, while “providing the American people and world with historic images of the President-elect proceeding to the White House without attracting large crowds.”
Workers in recent days began dismantling an inaugural parade reviewing stand in front of the White House as Biden’s transition team continues to prepare for festivities that will be mostly virtual. Accordingly, organizers also said they will hold a virtual parade nationwide to “celebrate America’s heroes, highlight Americans from all walks of life in different states and regions, and reflect on the diversity, heritage, and resilience of the country as we begin a new American era.”
The parade event will be televised and feature “diverse, dynamic” performances in communities across the country, the inaugural committee promised. Participants will be announced in coming weeks.
“We are excited about the possibilities and opportunities this moment presents to allow all Americans to participate in our country’s sacred inaugural traditions,“ said Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Maju Varghese said in a statement.
Alameda County CARES Grant Program
Submitted by Alameda County
On January 4, Alameda County announced that it has issued more than 1,900 grants to small, local, and emerging businesses under the Alameda County CARES grant program. The program was made possible by the action of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in November 2020 to redirect up to $8 million in CARES Act funds to assist small businesses in response to the economic, health and safety impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to CARES Act funds from Alameda County, the program included nearly $2 million in matching funds from 10 cities, including Fremont, Hayward, Newark, and San Leandro. East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) provided administrative oversight and coordination of the program on behalf of the County.
More than 7,700 applications were submitted for the Alameda County CARES Grant program, roughly four times the number of grants available from the total $9.8 million funding pool. Each grant awarded through the program was $5,000 and is intended to assist small businesses with covering necessary costs incurred due to business interruptions associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency between March 17, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
“Alameda County and our local city partners are pleased to be able to provide these grants to small businesses who have been disproportionately impacted by the effects of the pandemic,” said Keith Carson, vice president of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and chairperson of the East Bay EDA. “Small and local businesses are part of the backbone of our communities and it is crucial that we do everything that we can to help them continue to operate while concurrently following public health guidance to keep people safe.”
For more information about the Alameda CARES Grant program, visit www.eastbayeda.org/grants.
Carol Lee (Lowe) Hernandez
May 20, 1933 – January 5, 2021
Age 87
Resident of Fremont
Carol Lee was born in Shafter, CA and grew up in Bakersfield, CA. She was the daughter of Lawson Lee Lowe and Edith Estelle (Kameyer) Lowe. She attended Occidental College and UC Berkeley. She was a loving mother who raised six children in Fremont, CA. She became a special education aide at Bakersfield HS. She volunteered in various capacities; always conscious of those in need. She spoke Spanish, enjoyed reading, played the ukulele, and spent time at her family cabin. She loved to travel and experience new cultures and foods. She was fond of sweet treats from Dewar’s in Bakersfield. She had a delightful sense of humor. She cherished her family and friends. She is survived by her sister Beryl Raven, her children; Lorie Hernandez, Cherie Walter and son-in-law Marty, Terrie Smith and son-in-law Doug, Sandi Bettencourt and son-in-law Jeff, Richard Hernandez and daughter-in-law Sol, and Lizzie Ahrens; grandchildren, Lia, Brian, Craig, Renee, Alex, Kevin, Lawson, Jenna, Eryn, Hailey, Natalie, Rico, Bryce, Mario, and Eva; great-granddaughters, Adeline and Brinley. Services to be announced on a later date.
Online COVID-19 vaccine Q&A set
Submitted by Fatima Khawaja
As the COVID-19 vaccine begins to roll out, many people still have questions about how it works and when they will be able to get it. To help answer these and other questions, Youth Emergency Preparedness Council (YEPC) will host a free webinar about the COVID-19 vaccine from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 13.
The webinar will include healthcare experts from across California speaking about the science of the vaccine, current rollout plans, and how people can be prepared. Online visitors will have an opportunity to ask questions.
Guest speakers will include Dr. Omai Garner, UCLA Director of Clinical Microbiology; Dr. Dianne Martin, Washington Hospital Infectious Diseases Specialist; Lina Huang, Washington Hospital Pharmacist.
The webinar is free and open to all; online registrations should be made at https://forms.gle/L8sKY67xCCgwmo4y8.
The zoom link is www.tinyurl.com/YEPCvaccinezoom. In case maximum capacity is reached on the webinar, a live stream will be played at: https://youtu.be/T_ohHYEUFuk
For more information email in**@ye**.net or visit the YEPC website at www.yepc.net.
COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar
Wednesday, Jan 13
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Registration: https://forms.gle/L8sKY67xCCgwmo4y8
Email: in**@ye**.net
Free
Crab lovers: get ready for a delicious feed
Submitted by City of Fremont
Officials at the Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth (formerly the Fremont Senior Center) are asking for community support and participation at their 14th Annual Crab Feed: Safe Home Edition.
The popular event, set for Friday, February 19, is the center’s only major fundraiser of the year. Funds raised help support the Age Well Center’s Lake Side Café, where affordable meals are cooked by trained Chefs David and Luis. Since January 2020 the kitchen has made 24,437 meals for seniors and unsheltered people in the community. This year, because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns, officials are encouraging people to enjoy their crab meal safety at home.
Meals will include succulent crab, pasta, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Individual crab dinners are $60, with 4-packs available for $240. Dinners can be purchased in advance online at https://bit.ly/Crabfeed2021awc or by calling (510) 790.6600. Credit card purchases can be made by emailing ag************@fr*****.gov.
Dinners can be picked up on Friday, February 19 at 1 p.m. or 3.30 p.m. at the Age Well Center in Fremont. When picking up dinners, people are asked to stay inside their vehicles with a mask on; Age Well staff members will place food in the vehicle’s trunk or rear cargo area.
Meanwhile, during these difficult times the Age Well Center is in need of community support and is seeking sponsors for the event. For details, call Aisha Jasper at (510) 790-6606 or send her an email at aj*****@fr*****.gov.
14th Annual Crab Feed: Safe Home Edition
Pickup: Friday, Feb 19
1 p.m. or 3.30 p.m.
Age Well Center
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont
https://bit.ly/Crabfeed2021awc
Development Services Center remains closed until further notice
Submitted by City of Fremont
To limit the spread of COVID-19, City of Fremont’s Development Services Center will remain closed until further notice. The majority of city staff will be working remotely.
Construction projects are still allowed to proceed in Fremont per State and Alameda County guidelines. To help projects move forward, the city is encouraging the public to use the following online permit services:
• Online permit process and payments for planning, building, fire, and engineering permits using Citizen Access – https://aca-prod.accela.com/cof/Default.aspx – city’s public permit portal
• Online building permit process for basic home upgrade projects like water heater replacements, roof replacements, and minor kitchen/bathroom remodels – www.fremont.gov/562/Basic-Home-Upgrade-Permits
• Online solar permit process for small residential roof mounted solar systems – www.fremont.gov/2994/Solar-Permits-and-Power-Storage-Unit-Per
City services not impacted by the closure of the center include Building Inspections and Code Enforcement. For more information, call Building Inspection at (510) 494-4400 and Code Enforcement at (510) 494-4430. For updates about reopening, contact the Development Services Center at (510) 494-4443 or visit www.fremont.gov/372/Development-Services-Center.
Development Services Center
39550 Liberty St., Fremont
(510) 494-4443
www.fremont.gov/372/Development-Services-Center
EARTHTALK
What are Biden’s environmental plans?
By Sophia Jacobs
Dear EarthTalk: What will President-elect Joe Biden’s top environmental priorities be once he assumes office — and who is he tapping to head up key environmental positions in his administration?
— J. Woodbine, Saddlebrook, New Jersey
The world collectively faces the threat of climate change driven by human-made pollutants and environmental degradation. President-elect Joe Biden has made it clear that he intends to work to address and mitigate the climate crisis as the U.S. president.
The President-elect has set a goal to reach net-zero emissions within the U.S. by 2050, promises to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord immediately upon entering office, and aims to create 10 million new jobs within the clean energy economy.
The Biden Plan outlines his strategy to address climate change while securing environmental justice and equitable economic opportunity. One thing that the Biden Plan prioritizes and engrains into every aspect of its proposal is the importance of creating jobs and workers’ unions throughout the transition to a more sustainable economy.
The Biden Plan will cost around $2 trillion. This covers investments in infrastructure, an American-based energy efficient automobile industry, increased public transportation options, a sustainable power sector, weatherized buildings and housing, scientific innovations, climate-smart agriculture and conservation, and efforts to promote environmental justice.
Despite his lack of clarity on whether or not he supports the Green New Deal (GND), Biden has worked together with several key players such as Bernie Sanders and the youth-driven Sunrise Movement to develop his own climate plan. After these collaborations, the main differences that still stand between the GND and the Biden Plan are how much would be spent ($10 trillion in the GND versus $2 trillion in the Biden Plan), their goals for carbon neutrality (GND aims for carbon neutrality in 10 years, while the Biden Plan aims for 2050), and their outlook on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract oil and gas.
In addition to his climate plan, Biden’s cabinet will also play a large role in pushing through his environmental agenda. Deb Haaland, Biden’s pick to run the Interior Department, would be the first Native American to hold a cabinet secretary position. Biden also nominated Michael Regan as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator and Brenda Mallory as Chair of the Council of Environmental Quality. They would be the first Black man and woman to hold these positions.
Some of Biden’s Obama-era nominees include former EPA head Gina McCarthy as national climate adviser, John Kerry as the international presidential envoy on climate change, and Tom Vilsack as agriculture secretary. Overall, there has never been a cabinet with so much focus on climate. One of the biggest ways we can help as individuals is to urge our Senators to confirm Biden’s cabinet choices.
How much of Biden’s climate and environmental hopes and dreams come true depends on many factors, but one thing that’s for certain, he will likely go down in history as one of the greenest presidents ever.
EarthTalk is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss for the nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https//earthtalk.org. Send questions to qu******@ea*******.org.
Park It
By Ned MacKay
With the arrival of the New Year comes another annual Trails Challenge in the East Bay Regional Park District. In its 28th year, Trails Challenge is a free and self-guided hiking and bicycling program, which offers everyone an incentive to explore new parklands or seek out new trails on familiar ones. The challenge is sponsored by the park district, Regional Parks Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente HMO. Every year at least 10,000 people participate.
To enroll, visit the park district website at www.ebparks.org/tc and download the Trails Challenge guidebook and maps of the 20 trails listed in this year’s challenge. Hike or ride any five of the listed trails or 26.2 miles of trails within the park district. Submit your trail log online or by mail by December 1 and receive a commemorative pin, while supplies last. The pins will be available in late June.
The park district has also scheduled free distributions of guidebooks and commemorative t-shirts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and/or Sundays at tables set up in front of visitor centers. One t-shirt per person and one guidebook per family will be available, while supplies last. The t-shirts are always popular, so supplies may not last long. Check with your nearest park district visitor center before you go.
All 20 featured trails are now available on the AllTrails app. First download the free app, sign-up and log in, then visit www.alltrails.com/lists/ebrpd-trails-challenge-2021 and click on “Copy to my lists,” followed by “Continue in App.” The featured trails will show under ‘Lists’ in ‘Plan.’ The app indicates where you are on the trail, enabling easy return to the trail if you stray from it. You can also record your hikes, share your photos, post comments, and so forth.
A challenge trail is present near you no matter where you live in Alameda or Contra Costa counties. They range in difficulty from easy to strenuous, so there is something for every fitness level. Examples:
• Easy hikes – Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area in El Sobrante, and Brushy Peak Regional Preserve near Livermore.
• Moderate hikes – Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park in Richmond.
• Challenging hikes – Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon, and Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley.
The guidebook also has ample information on safety, equipment, and hiking with kids and pets. Unfortunately, we are still contending with the effects of COVID-19. So, the park district urges everyone to visit the parks only with immediate family or household members. Also, please observe social distancing of 6 feet and have masks available for use when social distancing is impossible, such as on narrow trails or at park gates. Please pack out your trash; do not leave trash or dog waste bags on the trail.
Although all visitor centers remain closed to the public, several parks that were initially closed have now reopened. These include Round Valley south of Brentwood, Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton (with boat launch by hand only), and Sunol Regional Wilderness in southern Alameda County.
For up-to-date information on what is open or closed, click on “COVID-19 Closures” at the top of any page at the park district website.
I have been recommending the Stage Road Trail at Diablo Foothills in Walnut Creek as a good, relatively mud-free place to hike. However, I was out there recently after light rains, and a lot of the trail is soft under foot. The mud is not deep, but it is slippery – not to mention the four stream crossings within the park. Pine Creek has been bone-dry but will likely be wet now that it has rained.
This time of year, a good tactic is to have a cardboard box and a pair of dry shoes in your vehicle. After the hike, you can put your muddy boots in the box and wear the spare shoes home.
Film museum acquires historic theater
By Rob Klindt
Photos courtesy of Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
Tucked away in the historic Niles area of Fremont is a cinematic treasure trove of silent movies, vintage projectors, cameras, posters, photographs and movie memorabilia. Welcome to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum and its recently acquired Edison Theater.
Located at 37417 Niles Blvd., the museum and theater are in a two-story building constructed in 1913. It was just down the street from the now-demolished Essanay Studios building, which produced hundreds of movies during the early 20th century and was home to comedian-actor Charlie Chaplin. One of his most famous films, “The Tramp” was filmed in Niles in 1915.
“Preservation and education of early film history and Niles history” is an important goal of the museum, said Museum President Dorothy Bradley. In recent years, the Edison Theater, just behind the museum, has become a favorite spot for film aficionados to screen silent films with live music. Sadly, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum and theater are currently closed to the public, but museum officials are hopeful the facility will reopen late this year.
After renting the facility since 2004, the non-profit museum association acquired the building in 2020 following the death of landlord Vickie Lopez, who put the building and an adjacent parking lot in a trust to be donated to the museum. Now, as owners, the museum association is intent on renovating, restoring and upgrading the property to meet the needs of the community.
Renovation and construction
The museum association recently hired Berkeley architect Todd Jersey to come up with plans for the space – including restoring an archway façade that graced the building’s entryway when it was built.
At about 3,000 square feet, the structure was originally designed as a multipurpose building with two apartments above, two storefronts facing the street, and the theater in the back. Films were played there until the early 1920s. Later the space was used as The Egyptian Ballroom, and in subsequent years as a photo studio and a karate studio.
“In the 1950s the building was remodeled; they took out a bit of the entryway trim and archway,” explained David Kiehn, the museum’s historian. The plans call for the restoration of decorative spindles and the archway, he added.
Kiehn said the east side of the building looks similar to the original design, but the west side does not and will be restored to match the eastern wall. Practical challenges include updating 107-year-old plumping fixtures, a slanted floor and uneven walls. Plans also call for new construction in the back to house the museum’s library of 10,000 films in a climate-controlled space.
Moviemaking history
From about 1913 to 1920, Niles was a hot spot for producers of silent movies. Essanay Studios, a large Chicago-based movie production company built a western production studio in Niles to take advantage of the area’s natural beauty and good weather. The studio brought multitudes of actors, directors and support crews to the area to film early westerns, comedies and romance movies.
Arriving in 1913, Charlie Chaplin is arguably the most famous performer to have appeared in silent short movies in Niles. His most famous film, “The Tramp,” was filmed in 1915 and included numerous scenes shot in the bucolic Niles Canyon roadway in the hills just east of town.
Other well-known players of the time are also part of Niles’ cinematic history, including Broncho Billy Anderson (who shot a series of popular westerns), Ben Turpin, John Rand and Edna Purviance, who starred alongside Chaplin in more than 30 films. By the early 1920s the Essanay and most of the movie productions had moved away from Niles to Southern California, including Chaplin who was said to have preferred that area.
Today, the museum has many rare and unusual items in its collection including an original barn door from the Essanay studio. The most treasured item is an honorary Oscar statuette given to Broncho Billy Anderson in 1958. It was acquired by the museum from the estate of Diana Serra Cary who performed as “Baby Peggy” in silent films and Vaudeville. “We only bring it out on special occasions,” said Kiehn.
Memberships and donations
Although museum officials have big plans for renovating their facilities, the estimated $2 million price tag is big too. Fortunately, the Kiehn said project can be done in phases as funding becomes available. He said the easiest way people can make a tax-deductible donation is to visit the Niles Silent Film Association website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org, then click the “Donate” link and follow the prompts. Bradley added that direct checks are also appreciated because they are not subject to a third-party online service fee. Checks can be mailed to 37417 Niles Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. For details, call (510) 494-1411 or (510) 796-1940 and leave a message.
Editorial
The Fire Next Time
American novelist James Baldwin (1924-1987) published a widely acclaimed pair of essays in 1963 under the title, The Fire Next Time. In the midst of tremendous national turmoil, his voice reflected the contradictions and angst of the racial divide in our country and how each generation relays experience and attitudes to those succeeding them. The first essay, “My Dungeon Shook”, a letter to his nephew, speaks frankly about the conditions of racial prejudice on both perpetrator and recipient following 100 years of “emancipation”. In the second essay, “Down at the Cross”, Baldwin delves into the role of religion and its effect on racial inequity. Both are unsettling as they bear testament to the ravages of slavery, inequality and basic human rights.
We have now lived and “evolved” for over 50 years since those tumultuous times. In recent days, we have witnessed the promise and detriment of the result. What was considered normal behavior and racial consciousness, has both progressed and declined simultaneously. This contradiction is the result of changes that are not new to our country – continued immigration, misogyny, racial prejudice and, at least, partial recognition of past injustices to those forced to immigrate as slave laborers. Reaction toward a goal of equal opportunity and ideals of a welcoming and tolerant country is mixed. In the cauldron of a world-wide pandemic, paired with civil unease due to racial and value-oriented divergence, some have resorted to extreme and violent behavior that threatens the foundation of our democratic republic. This is not only intolerable, but the very antithesis of the ideals we aspire to achieve.
For those who believe destruction is the only viable path to achieve their goals, I ask, what lies at the end of that road? Peaceful coexistence or a barren landscape, devoid of harmony? It is not essential to agree with everything Baldwin wrote, but it is necessary to understand the pain and anguish behind those thoughts. Whether considered in the context of civil rights, liberty, religious values or common decency, Baldwin says that change is only possible when the issue is confronted. He writes, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
The difference between dissent and descent is ours to make. The events of last week in Washington, D.C. and other locations throughout the country, are a reminder that a thin veneer separates rational discourse of differing viewpoints from vicious, senseless and unreasonable behavior. Vocal opposition and persuasive arguments will not always prevail, but violent, riotous, destructive behavior only leads to one result… fear, pain, chaos and unhappiness. Those who believe their position in society depends solely on the restriction of opportunity for others are fighting a losing battle. This is not the message of the United States of America!
James Baldwin gave the publication of his essays a title, “The Fire Next Time” as a warning of what was to come. Culled from a spiritual slave song, “Mary don’t you weep”, it is a biblical reference to the flood of Noah’s time:
God gave Noah the rainbow sign
No more water, the fire next time
Apparently, we haven’t listened closely enough in the past, will we do better in the future?
Recovery for California’s Businesses and Jobs in 2021 Budget
Submitted by Governor’s Press Office
Building on supports for California businesses before, during, and through the pandemic, the Governor Gavin Newsom on January 5 previewed the following 2021-22 budget proposals:
Small Business Grants
Before the pandemic, small businesses created two-thirds of new jobs and employed nearly half of all private-sector employees. To help keep these businesses afloat, the governor is proposing a total of $1.075 billion for the state’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
To put money into the hands of the most impacted small businesses as quickly as possible, Newsom has proposed immediate legislative action on $575 million in additional grants. The investment will add to the initial $500 million allocation announced in November. The program offers grants up to $25,000 to micro and small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. These grants will be distributed across the state, with priority given to regions and industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, disadvantaged communities, and underserved small business groups.
The $575 million Early Action Budget proposal includes $25 million for small cultural institutions, such as museums and art galleries, that have been constrained by the pandemic in their ability to educate the community and remain financially viable.
California Jobs Initiative
The budget also proposes sustained investments to preserve California’s competitiveness. The California Jobs Initiative, a $777.5 million proposal, focuses on job creation and retention, regional development, small businesses, and climate innovation, including increased funding for:
• California Competes Tax Credit (CalCompetes), which incentivizes businesses to locate in California to stay, grow and create quality full time jobs in the state and creates a new CalCompetes grant program to support job creation and investments in infrastructure ($430 million)
• Extended Main Street Small Business Tax Credit to encourage hiring new employees and rehiring former employees ($100 million)
• Mitigating the SALT deduction limitation for S-corporation shareholders
• California Dream Fund to seed entrepreneurship and small business creation in underserved communities ($35 million)
• Additional funds for the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank’s (IBank) Small Business Finance Center to provide small business loan and disaster loan guarantees ($50 million which will be leveraged to provide $250 million in loans) and for the California Rebuilding Fund ($50 million.)
• Expanded sales tax exclusions through the Treasurer’s Office to reduce the cost of manufacturing equipment to promote innovation and meet the state’s climate goals ($100 million)
This funding also includes $12.5 million allocated, in partnership with the Legislature, in late 2020 to fully capitalize the California Rebuilding Fund to support $125 million low-interest loans to underserved businesses.
Workforce Development
The budget proposes one-time and ongoing investments totaling $353 million to support California’s workers as they adapt to changes in the economy brought about by COVID-19. These investments lift proven workforce development strategies like apprenticeship and high-road training partnerships and encourage greater collaboration and coordination among California’s institutions of higher learning and local workforce partners.
Fee Waivers
The budget proposes $70.6 million for fee waivers to individuals and businesses most impacted by the pandemic, including barbers, cosmetologists, manicurists, bars, and restaurants. These waivers will assist those who have not been able to operate or are operating at reduced capacity during the pandemic.
Deferred Maintenance
In recognition of the job-creating potential of infrastructure projects on state-owned properties, the budget includes a $300 million one-time General Fund for the most critical statewide deferred maintenance, including greening of state infrastructure. This proposal will help create jobs in California while achieving our state’s climate goals. Projects include the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at state-owned facilities.
Housing
Through the Infill Infrastructure Grant (IIG) Program, this budget proposes $500 million to create jobs and long-term housing development to unlock more than 7,500 new permanently affordable homes. IIG grants to local governments and developers bring the cost down for new housing by defraying costs for things like sewers, roads, and site preparation, all while putting thousands of people to work in good jobs building this housing-related infrastructure.
Zero-Emission Vehicles and Vehicle Infrastructure
Building on California’s historic commitment to requiring sales of all new passenger vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035, this budget proposes an additional $1.5 billion investment to accelerate our state’s progress toward these goals while creating jobs. The proposal will support jobs and economic growth and provide air quality benefits and support for low-income residents to purchase cleaner vehicles.
Funds will support purchases of clean trucks, buses and off-road freight equipment, and Clean Cars 4 All programs. It will also support job-creating construction of electric charging and hydrogen fueling stations necessary to accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption.
Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD
Tuesday, December 29
• Officers responded to a report about a disturbance at a GNC store, 39308 Argonaut Way near the Fremont Hub shopping center. A male stole a hat on his way out of the store after he was asked to leave because he was not wearing a mask. He returned a short time later and punched a male employee, then exited to the parking lot and vandalized the employee’s car and then left. A short time later he attempted to carjack a vehicle at a nearby Valero gas station. Police identified the suspect as Matthew Aquino, 31, a transient from Fremont. He was arrested and faces various charges.
• Officers responded to a robbery report at the Whole Foods supermarket, 3111 Mowry Ave. in central Fremont. A man was confronted and detained by security while he was attempting to steal alcohol. The man, identified by police as Stephen Finney, 40, a transient from Fremont, was arrested by arriving officers.
Sunday, January 3
• A man walked up to three people on Howard Common in the Centerville area and told them to empty their pockets. When they did not, the man brandished a knife. The victims were able to flee and notify police. The suspect, identified by police as Darshon Algere, 43, of Fremont was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery, brandishing a weapon, and making criminal threats.
Fremont Unified Board Meeting Highlights
Submitted by Brian Killgore
At its January 6 meeting, Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) Board of Education:
• Received Future Return to In-Person Instruction Update – Alameda County Office of Education and Alameda County Public Health continue to make adjustments to the guidance and regulations related to returning students to campus for in-person instruction. Now the district is in the purple tier (as of Saturday, December 18, 2020), with the waiver process suspended.
Furthermore, Alameda County remains under a revised stay-at-home order. The order does not impact school operations related to distance learning, meal pick up, or related work within FUSD, as all those are considered essential work within the current order. Staff presented information to the Board of Education at the December 16, 2020 Board of Education meeting. They will continue to provide updates regarding changes in regulations, plans for a safe return to in-person instruction, and progress toward creating learning hubs for small stable cohorts.
• Received Presentation Update – The Rix-Glankler Early Learning Center Project is proceeding according to the original plan as it pertains to the timeline and budgets. Currently, the project was submitted to City of Fremont for review. Per City of Fremont’s review comments, there is an additional scope of work requested that required additional funding. Staff and the consultant are providing the latest design progress to the board for information.
Golden State Stimulus and Extension of Eviction Moratorium
Submitted by Governor’s Press Office
As millions of Californians struggle to make ends meet because of COVID-19, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced two immediate action items in his 2021-22 State Budget proposal to help low-income Californians.
First, the Golden State Stimulus would provide a $600 rapid cash support directly to roughly four million low-income Californians who, coupled with federal stimulus, could receive at least $1,200 of direct relief. The state’s stimulus will also reach low-income Californians who are excluded from the federal stimulus, like undocumented households that file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), including parents with U.S. citizen children.
The Golden State Stimulus would refund $600 to all 2019 taxpayers who received a California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) in 2020, as well as to 2020 taxpayers with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) who are eligible for and receive the CalEITC in 2021. Californians with annual incomes of $30,000 or less may be eligible for the CalEITC.
Second, the governor is calling for immediate action to protect more Californians from eviction by extending critical eviction protections enacted by AB 3088. Under this proposal, California renters who are experiencing financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic and pay at least 25 percent of their monthly rent cannot be evicted for unpaid rent.
Newsom is also ensuring that California’s $2.6 billion share of federal rental assistance is distributed according to greatest need and with accountability – $1.4 billion of which is allocated directly to the state and $1.2 billion of which is allocated to entitlement jurisdictions – all targeting low-income California households, while helping stabilize small property owners who are also struggling.
Google workers form new labor union, a tech industry rarity
Jan 04
By Matt O’brien
AP Technology Writer
A group of Google engineers and other workers announced Monday they have formed a union, creating a rare foothold for the labor movement in the tech industry.
About 225 employees at Google and its parent company Alphabet are the first dues-paying members of the Alphabet Workers Union. They represent a fraction of Alphabet’s workforce, far short of the threshold needed to get formal recognition as a collective bargaining group in the U.S.
But the new union, which will be affiliated with the larger Communication Workers of America, says it will serve as a “structure that ensures Google workers can actively push for real changes at the company.“ Its members say they want more of a voice not just on wages, benefits and protections against discrimination and harassment but also broader ethical questions about how Google pursues its business ventures.
Google said Monday that it’s tried to create a supportive and rewarding workplace but suggested it won’t be negotiating directly with the union.
“Of course our employees have protected labor rights that we support,“ said a statement from Kara Silverstein, the company’s director of people operations. ”But as we’ve always done, we’ll continue engaging directly with all our employees.”
Unionization campaigns haven’t historically been able to gain much traction among elite tech workers, who earn big salaries and other perks like free food and shuttle rides to work. But workplace activism at Google and other big tech firms has grown in recent years as employers call for better handling of workplace sexual harassment and discrimination, opposition to Trump administration policies and avoiding harmful uses of the products they’re helping to build and sell.
Google software engineer Chewy Shaw, who has been elected to the new union’s executive council, said he and others decided to form the group after seeing colleagues pushed out of the company for their activism.
“We want to have a counterforce to protect workers who are speaking up,” Shaw said.
The union’s first members include engineers, as well as sales associates, administrative assistants and the workers who test self-driving vehicles at Alphabet automotive division Waymo. Many work at Google’s Silicon Valley headquarters, while others are at offices in Massachusetts, New York and Colorado.
“One of the reasons why it’s taken a while for workers to get to this point is because the leaders of these companies did a good job of convincing workers they were these benevolent folks who were going to provide for them, kind of a paternalistic model,” said Beth Allen, communications director at the CWA.
“That got them a long way,” Allen said, but workers have increasingly realized they need “to come together and build power for themselves and have a voice in what’s going on.”
The National Labor Relations Board typically recognizes petitions to form new unions when they get interest from at least 30% of employees in a given location or job classification in the U.S.; a majority of affected workers must then vote to form one. Alphabet has a global workforce of roughly 120,000.
Allen said the Alphabet Workers Union is not currently planning to pursue official recognition as a collective bargaining group. Instead, she said it will work similarly to public sector unions in states that don’t allow public employees to bargain collectively.
“We’d love to get direct legal representation, but the focus right now is we’re not going to depend on that,” Shaw said.
Hayward Arts Council winter members show
Submitted by Winda Shimizu
Photos courtesy of Hayward Arts Council
Physical galleries might be closed, but you can still enjoy the Winter 2021 Members Show for the Hayward Arts Council starting Tuesday, January 12. The show will be online through March 12.
Winter Members Show
Tuesday, Jan 12 – Friday Mar 12
https://www.haywardartscouncil.org/
School District accepting applications for Board of Education member
Submitted by Dionicia Ramos Ledesma
To fill a vacancy on the board created by Dr. Luis Reynoso, Hayward Unified School District’s Board of Education is accepting applications until Monday, January 25. Dr. Reynoso was elected to an open Chabot-Las Positas Community College District seat in the November 2020 election.
The appointee will hold office until the next regularly scheduled Statewide General Election for governing board members, which will take place on November 8, 2022, or if and until a special election is required by a petition of district voters.
To be eligible to serve on the board, a person must be (as per Education Code 35107):
• 18 years of age or older
• Resident of the school district
• Registered voter
Any person who has been convicted of a felony involving the giving, accepting, or offering of a bribe, embezzlement or theft of public funds, extortion, perjury, or conspiracy to commit any such crime, under California law or the law of another state, the United States, or another country, is not eligible to be a board member except when he/she has been granted a pardon in accordance with law. Additionally, current employees of the Hayward Unified School District are not eligible to serve on the school board.
To submit the application, visit https://bit.ly/3s3jvtE.
Board of Education Vacancy
Application Deadline: 5 p.m. Monday, Jan 25
https://bit.ly/3s3jvtE
Honor Roll
McDaniel College, Maryland
Fall 2020 Dean’s List
• Marlowe Embry of Milpitas
Palmer College of Chiropractic, California
Winter 2020 graduate
• Sabena Mangat of Newark
Concordia University, Nebraska
Fall 2020 graduate
Ashley Terry of Hayward
Mount St. Mary’s University, Maryland
Fall 2020 Dean’s List
Alyssa Alexander of Fremont
Local equestrian program makes horse riding accessible
By Andrew Cavette
Photos courtesy of Horses With Styles
Samuel Styles loves horses. He started Horses With Styles, an equestrian education program based in Fremont, to help inner city youth gain access to horse riding.
“When it comes to riding horses, sometimes kids don’t know how to get into it and it’s (normally) very costly,” Styles said from a truck parked in front of their main corral.
Horses With Styles is a family run business and has been operating in Fremont for over a year. They serve all ages of new riders. Most of his riders are children, but many adults contact him too. Styles customizes each experience – from nervous, first-time riders, to those with physical disabilities or people suffering trauma, and still others with autism.
“I see people who don’t want to ride. They just want to feed and brush the horses,” Styles said. “I created this program for anyone who could benefit from being around horses.”
“Cowboy Styles,” as he is called, grew up in Oakland. At age five he went to the annual Oakland Black Cowboy parade and loved it. At age six he rode his first horse around the Oakland hills.
Styles remembers “four black men who owned horses,” would visit his neighborhood. “It was maybe $25, if that… You would ride, get off, get back in line and hope that you would get on a different horse,” Styles recalled. By age 10 he had taken a few private lessons, but they were expensive. Styles then attended a summer camp run by the Oakland City Stables. His mom could afford two weeks of camp, but not the entire program. “I was the happiest kid ever,” Styles said.
The people running the camp liked that Styles had some previous experience. By the middle of the week he was helping other campers learn how to groom and clean the horses. Styles helped out at the camp for the rest of the summer. Then on minimum days at school, he would go to the stables, clean a few stalls and be allowed to ride.
At first, Horses With Styles was not a business. Styles had his own horse and rode with organizations like Oakland Black Cowboys and Spurred Up. People would ask him to bring his horse to birthday parties, but not much else. He also let friends and family ride during barbeques; a chance for the adults to relax and for the kids to “get off the cell phones and experience the outdoors.” He saw the benefits of letting people be around horses, but friends pushed him to shape this experience into a business.
Styles started teaching one enthusiastic young man. While teaching him, a girl wanted to visit the stables for her birthday. The girl was so taken with the experience that by the time she got home, her mom was on the phone with Styles asking for lessons. Both the enthusiastic young man and the birthday girl are now part of the Horses With Styles team. “Cowboy Chill” and “Cowgirl Haze” regularly help at the ranch and compete in competitions.
The staff and regular riders have become like family to Styles. “They are part of my motivation, they bring me back to my childhood of riding horses…the love and the joy of being up in the hills on horses,” Styles said.
Styles teaches people horse ridding, but he is more interested in what horse riding teaches people. He will see a timid child get bored sitting on a horse that’s just eating grass. When that child finally pulls hard on the reigns and takes control, they gain confidence. If another child demands too much from a horse, that horse will sometimes stop and the new rider learns about being humble. Styles mentioned that a rider has about eight seconds to either correct a horse or give it praise before the animal forgets. Styles said this short window of learning for the horse teaches people how to let go of small things and move on.
Horses With Styles operates on land owned by Fremont Unified School District. Styles has ideas about how they might expand their program, but said none of it matters until after COVID is over. “We’ve had a lot of people asking if they could come ride,” Styles said. Since March, he has allowed limited visitations only to his staff and to people with their own horses, all at designated times.
“I would love to be able take out these horses and let these kids ride a parade,” Styles said. “The last parade we did was the Oakland Black Joy parade at the beginning of [2020]. The kids that rode it still talk about it today.”
Horses With Styles
(650) 273-6953
ho**************@gm***.com
https://www.horseswithstyles.com/
https://www.instagram.com/horseswithstyles/
CONTINUING EVENTS:
Monday – Saturday
Free COVID-19 Testing
M-F: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sa: 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Drive through, drop-in, and walk-up testing by appointment
Bay Area Community Health
39500 Liberty St., Fremont
(510) 770-8040
http://bach.health/covid/
Mondays and Wednesdays
Parenting During COVID R
Tue: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wed: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual support group to help families cope with challenges encountered during COVID
To register: www.fremont.gov/3060/Caregiver-Support
(510) 574-2100
Tuesdays
Free Virtual Sing-Along
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Zoom choir meeting hosted by Mission Peak Chamber Singers
https://www.chambersingers.org/
Contact: in**@ch************.org
Tuesdays, January 26 – April 13
Grief & Loss Support Group
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
An online space for individuals experiencing loss
Deadline to join: 1/15/21
(800) 260-0094
jw********@cr***********.org
Wednesdays, January 20 – April 14
National Geographic Live Virtual Events $
7 p.m.
1/20: Life on Other Worlds
2/10: Scientific Exposure
2/24: Reimagining Dinosaurs
3/17: Feats of Filmmaking
3/31: Mysterious Seas
4/14: Women and Migration
LivermoreArts.org
(925) 373-6800
Nationalgeographic.com/events
Wednesday – Saturday
Free COVID-19 Testing
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Drive through and walk-up testing by appointment
Make appointment at: https://ac.fulgentgenetics.com/
Glad Tidings Church
1000 Glad Tidings Way, Hayward
Wednesdays and Sundays
McNevin at The Mudpuddle
6 p.m.
Dinner time tunes, oddservations, and bad jokes
Via Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/mudpuddlemusic
Thursdays
First Presbyterian Church of Newark Virtual Youth Group
6:30 p.m.
Youth and young adults, students welcome
Contact: br***@ne*********.org for Zoom Meeting ID#
www.newarkpres.org
Thursdays, January 14-March 4
Life Review Group
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Life is a journey. Explore the story of your life
1-800-260-0094/ jw********@cr***********.org
Saturdays
Virtual Telescope Viewing R
9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Free on Facebook Live
Join resident astronomers live from Chabot’s observation deck
https://chabotspace.org/calendar/
Saturdays
Online Comedy Shows R$
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Made Up Theatre’s interactive comedy has gone to YouTube!
Sundays
Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church Family Service
10 a.m.
Via ZOOM
For link, call (510) 471-2581
Sundays
First Presbyterian Church of Newark Virtual Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Sunday School, Ages K – 6th grade
Contact: of****@ne********.org for Zoom Meeting ID#
www.newarkpres.org
Sunday, November 29 – Saturday, January 16
FirstPres Advent StoryWalk
Follow a guided trail featuring laminated pages of a children’s Christmas book
FirstPres Church Hayward
2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley
https://bit.ly/2IRU78a
Sundays, January 24 – February 21
Winter Treats Virtual Baking Class
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cookies, brownies, cupcakes and more! Grades 3 – 6
https://bit.ly/3pWuVNW
UPCOMING
Tuesday, January 12
Every Business is Going Online – Thanks to the Pandemic R
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47647
Tuesday, January 12
Northern California Public Workshop
2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Voice your community’s water needs
Via Zoom
Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctcOispjgoGdZfwSHl8tYudPmKjhnjiQow
(916) 834-3177
cw*@cw*.gov
Wednesday, January 13
COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Healthcare professionals from Washington Hospital discuss local rollout and answer questions
Via Zoom: www.tinyurl.com/YEPCvaccinezoom
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/L8sKY67xCCgwmo4y8
Thursday, January 14
Music For Minors II Kids Choir Auditions
3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Open to all 1st – 6th graders
Via Zoom
https://tinyurl.com/y8dan9k5
www.musicforminors2.org
(510) 364-0741
Friday, January 15
Drive-In Movie Night $
The Karate Kid: 6 p.m.
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton
https://bit.ly/3otNjxB
Friday, January 15
ACSBDC Small Business Q&A R
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47697
Saturday, January 16
Drive-In Movie Night $
Frozen 2: 6 p.m.
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton
https://bit.ly/3bmGXMw
Saturday, January 16
Virtual Tilden Fungus Fair
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Presentations from mushroom experts, live cooking demo, field guides, and more
Drop in program, code #34521
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&viewMode=list
Tuesday, January 19
Increasing Restaurant Online Food Orders R
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47689
Wednesday, January 20
How to Use a CRM to Increase Sales R
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47643
Thursday, January 21
Access to Capital for African Americans in Business Restoration and Rebuilding R
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47410
Thursday, January 21
Electric Vehicle Financial Incentive Clinic
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Discover the many financial assistance programs available
https://bit.ly/3h1jgKz
Saturday, January 23
Fight Night at the Fair $R
Live stream of the UFC 257 Poirer vs. McGregor lightweight bout
www.ticketmaster.com/encore-ufc257
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton
Saturday, January 23
Diamonds in Education Virtual Telethon
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Comedian Kabir “Kabeezy” Singh, auctions, and award presentations
Via Facebook Live and YouTube
www.diamondsineduction.com
www.nhsfoundation.org
Tuesday, January 26
Marketing Your Services During Challenging Times R
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47686
Wednesday. January 27
Alameda County HR Guidelines R
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47685
Saturday, January 30
ICC Youth Leadership Series
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
“Power Hour” geared towards middle and high school students
https://bit.ly/3ow0ZIc
Thursday, February 4
AMC Online Math Contest $R
For Fremont students. Deadline to apply 1/5/21
https://bit.ly/3ntTS2D
Wednesday, February 10
AMC Online Math Contest $R
For Fremont students. Deadline to apply 1/11/21
https://bit.ly/3nyTAre
Saturday, March 13
Drive-In Concert $
Gareth Emery: We’ll Be OK
3 p.m.: https://bit.ly/2X0zkmM
7 p.m.: https://bit.ly/3pyqCYY
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton
John Stuart Enderby (Stu), 83, of Fremont, California, passed on December 24, 2020, at home surrounded by
family.
He was born in 1937, in Danville, Illinois, son of the late Marion Esther (Swisher) and John William Enderby. He was the oldest of his siblings, the late William and Robert Enderby. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Loretta Enderby, his Sons Brian Enderby (Molly Enderby) and Kevin Enderby (Christine Enderby), Daughter Carrie Welch (David Welch) and Jami Perkins (Mike Perkins). Grandchildren Mason, Christian, Caitlin, Megan, Aiden, Hannah, Camden, Sawyer, and Declan. He graduated from Danville High School in 1955, and attended Indiana University. After college, John joined the military- a veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the Marine Corps. He worked for Time DC, North West, and Saia from which he retired in 2007. John was a patriotic, loving, family man who enjoyed golfing, cheering faithfully for the 49ers, skiing, racquetball, trap shooting, traveling, going to the movies and spending time with family. John passed peacefully at home under the loving care of his family. He had Alzheimer’s and lung cancer that metastasized. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Vietnam Veteran’s of America. ‘Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but live in thankfulness that he was’
Leon Lemos
Resident of San Jose
April 11, 1942 – December 28, 2020
Leon James Lemos entered into rest on December 28, 2020 in San Jose, CA. For further details visit
https://www.bergepappassmith.com/obits/leon-lemos/.
Love for the land – Celebrating Lohri
By Madhvika Singh
Photos courtesy of Global Women Power
As humans stepped into era of agriculture, we started relying heavily on two cycles – the crop cycle and the Sun cycle – to run the wheels of existence. Instead of a lifestyle centered on hunting and nomadic traditions, we were now living in societies to sustain farming. Agriculture required humans to keep track of seasonal weather, and consequently, the movements of the sun. From patterns that these cycles yielded and much-needed cooperation in agricultural societies, many seasonal festivals were created – some religious and others more centered on culture, community and lifestyle.
Lohri is one such festival. It is celebrated on the 13th day of January, mostly in north Indian states like Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan. Other parts of India celebrate occasions like Bihu and Pongal around the same time. Also known as a bonfire or harvest festival, Lohri has many regional variations. It is a day of community gathering to mark the end of the winter season and welcome longer days.
Although Lohri does not appear to have any particular religious relevance, there are a few legends around its celebration. Some say it honors “Dullah Bhatti,” a modern-day Robin Hood who robbed the rich to help the needy. He is also known for rescuing Hindu girls who taken to be sold as slaves. He would then help them get married to better suitors. A folk song about him is sung during the celebration.
Lohri also coincides with the end of winter solstice, signaling that days will become longer going forward. Longer days are more conducive for better yields, holding quite a meaning for farming communities. In northern India, kharif crops such as sugarcane, rice, maize, peanuts, and millet get harvested, and rabi crops such as wheat and garbanzo beans are planted, around late autumn and early winter. Mustard greens, spinach, peas, daikon, radishes, and carrots are also ready to be enjoyed in winter.
Thus, Lohri gives farmers and their families an opportunity to take a break during the very cold days of winter and enjoy the bounty of the harvest before going back to the fields. The next day, January 14th is called “Maghi” as it commences the month of Magh in the Hindu calendar. January 14th is also called Makar Sakranti in the Hindu calendar because it signifies the Sun entering the Makar zodiac as it returns to the northern Hemisphere- Uttarrayan. For some farming communities it also marks the beginning of the new financial year.
A few days prior to the Lohri celebration, children go from house to house to collect money and goodies. The day of Lohri starts with a bonfire gathering of family, friends and neighbors. Sesame, jaggery, and popcorn are offered to the fire as a symbol of respect, to thank it as it conducts life and gives heat. Families also announce plans for marriages or newborns in the family. This is a centerpiece of Lohri celebration!
As plenty of harvest is available, it is reflected in the food preparations for the day. Makki-di-roti, corn flatbread, and saryaon da saag, tempered mustard greens, are must-try authentic Punjabi dishes. The dessert list is quite something too! Bhugga, milk reduced to perfection and mixed with sesame seeds; and gajjak, a peanut and jaggery brittle, are some of the sensory delights. And as any celebration is incomplete without music and dance, Ghidda and Bhangra, traditional Punjab folk dances bring out cultural spirit on the occasion.
Festivals remind us to celebrate life and social connection. Festivals remind us not only to rejoice but also to reflect and appreciate less obvious things such as where our food comes from or why a particular dish is enjoyed on a certain occasion. The seasonal harvest is an obvious reminder of the health benefits of the produce. Knowledge, heritage and stories are also passed down to the next generation.
While Lohri is a reminder of our connection to our “roots,” the farming community in India is going through turbulence. In what is being called the biggest protest in the history of mankind, farmers in India are standing against three new laws related to agricultural reforms passed by Indian parliament in September 2020. The proponents of the bill say that farmers will be better off with new opportunities and markets for their crops, but protesting farmers do not see it that way. They are apprehensive that the new laws will eventually lead to big corporations taking over the markets, driving prices down and putting the livelihood and lifestyle of farmers in danger. The protesters, who have been camping on the outskirts of the Indian capital, New Delhi, since late November, in a peaceful manner, are showing no signs of backing down, and neither is the government. We truly hope that both sides will be able to find a way to an amicable solution quickly and peacefully.
Milpitas City Council
January 5, 2021
Consent Calendar
• Adopted updates to Milpitas Municipal Code on Purchasing.
• Approved the agreement with United Public Employees of California (UPEC Local 792) for temporary out of class pay.
• Approved amendment of the MOU between the City and Milpitas Employees Association (MEA) (LIUNA/UPEC Local 792) amending callback pay provisions.
• Approved an agreement with HCI Systems for Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression System Service.
• Approved an agreement with Silicon Valley Fire for Fire Extinguisher Inspection and Testing Service.
• Reappointed Planning Commissioner Bill Chuan to a new three-year term and appointed Victorino Monzon to Milpitas Veterans Commission to a three-year term.
Business Issues
• Accepted annual developer fee disclosure information for Calaveras Blvd Widening Traffic Impact Fee, Milpitas Business Park Traffic Impact Fee, Transit Area Specific Plan Impact Fee, and Storm Drain Fee for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2020.
Leadership and Support Services
• Adopted Resolution adding ‘Responsible Construction’ to Title III of Milpitas Municipal Code.
• Adopted amendments to various sections of Milpitas Municipal Code to make corrections, clarifications, updates, and modifications.
Other Issues
• Approved mayor’s appointments of city council members to liaisons of city commissions, city subcommittees, and outside agencies, boards, and committees.
Approved formation of a City Homelessness Task Force.
• Discussed Milpitas Commission Structure, including current term limits. Decided to get rid of current “Life Term” term limits. Additionally, decided to introduce a new non-voting position reserved for “youth representatives” in various commissions.
• Discussed potential of amending Milpitas Municipal Code to require residential developers to include 15 percent affordable units and remove the option to pay fees in-lieu. Staff was instructed to come back with more information.
Rich Tran (Mayor) Aye
Carmen Montano (Vice Mayor) Aye
Anthony Phan Aye
Karina Dominguez Aye
Evelyn Chua Aye
Carol Lee (Lowe) Hernandez
May 20, 1933 – January 5, 2021
Age 87
Resident of Fremont
Carol Lee was born in Shafter, CA and grew up in Bakersfield, CA. She was the daughter of Lawson Lee Lowe and Edith Estelle (Kameyer) Lowe. She attended Occidental College and UC Berkeley. She was a loving mother who raised six children in Fremont, CA. She became a special education aide at Bakersfield HS. She volunteered in various capacities; always conscious of those in need. She spoke Spanish, enjoyed reading, played the ukulele, and spent time at her family cabin. She loved to travel and experience new cultures and foods. She was fond of sweet treats from Dewar’s in Bakersfield. She had a delightful sense of humor. She cherished her family and friends. She is survived by her sister Beryl Raven, her children; Lorie Hernandez, Cherie Walter and son-in-law Marty, Terrie Smith and son-in-law Doug, Sandi Bettencourt and son-in-law Jeff, Richard Hernandez and daughter-in-law Sol, and Lizzie Ahrens; grandchildren, Lia, Brian, Craig, Renee, Alex, Kevin, Lawson, Jenna, Eryn, Hailey, Natalie, Rico, Bryce, Mario, and Eva; great-granddaughters, Adeline and Brinley. Services to be announced on a later date.
National Geographic Live virtual events coming to local performing arts center
Submitted by Roberta Emerson
Two local groups, Quest Science Center and the Rae Dorough Speaker Series, will join Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center to present a series of National Geographic Live virtual speaker events running from January through April 2021. The six events cover a wide range of topics, from exploring the potential for “Life on Other Worlds” to complex issues surrounding “Women and Migration.” The virtual events combine premium storytelling and visually-stunning imagery in the tradition of the legendary magazine, offering first-hand accounts of science and adventure, as told by world-class explorers who seek to inspire change in the world. Each 60-minute event includes a moderated discussion between two speakers with pre-recorded content interspersed with live conversation, as well as question and answer periods.
Three National Geographic Live events with a specific focus on science and nature will be co-presented by Quest Science Center:
JAN 20 “Life on Other Worlds” – How close are we to discovering life on other planets? Join planetary scientist and astrobiologist Kevin Peter Hand and NASA engineer Kobie Boykins for the latest intriguing updates on this vast frontier of exploration.
FEB 24 “Reimagining Dinosaurs” – Groundbreaking new science is changing what we thought we knew about how dinosaurs looked, moved, and lived. Join leading paleontologists Nizar Ibrahim and Sebastián Rozadilla for stories and conversation about the evolving science of dinosaurs.
MAR 31 “Mysterious Seas” – Get a glimpse into the ocean’s greatest depths, and the fascinating creatures that live there, with two leading marine biologists, David Gruber and Diva Amon.
Three other events with a wider focus and a connection to the arts through photography and filmmaking will be co-presented by the Rae Dorough Speaker Series:
FEB 10 “Scientific Exposure” – Natural history photographers working with National Geographic have often emerged from scientific backgrounds, enabling them to reveal wildlife and our natural world in surprising ways. Join Prasenjeet Yadav and Anand Varma for stories and conversation on the intersection of science and photography.
MAR 17 “Feats of Filmmaking” – Meet Bryan Smith and Keith Ladzinski, two filmmakers renowned for capturing extreme feats of adventure in some of the world’s most remote and inhospitable environments.
APR 14 “Women and Migration” – Photographers Danielle Villasana, Miora Rajaonary, and Saiyna Bashir join photo editor Jennifer Samuel in conversation on their latest project documenting the impact of migration on women around the globe.
“We are excited to be able to present this new virtual series in cooperation with such community partners as Quest and RDSS, especially during a time when the theater will remain closed,” said Chris Carter, Executive Director for Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center. For more than a dozen years, the Rae Dorough Speaker Series has offered thought-provoking events at the Bankhead and, even during the pandemic, has continued to do so virtually.
All six Nat Geo Live online events from January through April will be offered on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and will be available through the Bankhead Theater box office starting January 11, 2021 either online at LivermoreArts.org or by calling (925) 373-6800.
National Geographic Live Virtual Events
Wednesdays, Jan 20 – Apr 14
7 p.m.
(925) 373-6800
LivermoreArts.org
Nationalgeographic.com/events
Newark Police Log
Submitted by Newark P.D.
Monday Dec 28
7:52 a.m.: Officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Salisbury Drive and Bristol Place. Officer Kapu made contact and arrested a 38-year-old female out of Newark for possession of a controlled substance. She was cited and released.
9:59 a.m.: Officer Rivas investigated the theft of two catalytic converters from two separate Toyota Prius’ on Marguerite Drive. The thefts took place between 12/27/20 and time of call.
6:58 PM: Officers responded to a report of a robbery in the 200 block of Newpark Mall Rd. The subjects fled prior to officer arrival. Loss was merchandise.
Tuesday, Dec 29
8:26 – 10:10 a.m.: Officers investigated two incidents of tire theft that occurred overnight.
2:33 p.m.: Officer Warren investigated a burglary to a vehicle in the 39000 block of Cedar Blvd that occurred 12/28/20. Unknown suspect(s) entered via window shatter to the passenger side. Loss was a purse.
Wednesday, Dec 30
8:14 a.m.: A vehicle trailer was broken into in the 37000 block of Cedar Boulevard. The loss was approximately $3000.00 worth of tools.
10:51 a.m.: Officers investigated a theft of a catalytic converter in the 25000 block of Cluny Pl.
1:58 p.m.: Officer Warren made contact and arrested a 34-year-old male transient in the area of Cedar Blvd and Mowry School Rd for an outstanding warrant. He was issued a new court date and released.
Thursday, Dec 31
12:45 p.m.: Officer Damewood made contact and arrested a 29-year-old male out of San Jose and a 30-year-old female out of Cupertino in the 5000 block of Mowry Ave for four outstanding warrants each. Both were issued new court dates and released.
Saturday, Jan 2
2:41 a.m.: Officers responded to a report of a collision in the 5000 block of Newpark Pl. Officer Riddles made contact and arrested a 27-year-old male out of San Leandro for DUI and hit and run. The subject’s vehicle was towed and he was booked at Fremont Jail.
7:19 p.m.: Officer Herrera responded to a report of a shoplifter in custody in the 200 block of Newpark Mall Rd. Officer Herrera accepted a Citizen’s Arrest for a 24-year-old female out of Fremont for shoplifting and additionally, possession of a controlled substance. She was cited and released.
Sunday, Jan 3
2:45 a.m.: Officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the 36000 block of Dalewood Ct. Officer Herrera made contact and arrested a 41-year-old male out of Newark and a 31-year-old male out of Newark for battery. Both were cited and released.
8:58 a.m.: Officer Kapu investigated a report of a stolen vehicle that occurred in the 37000 block of Sycamore St overnight. Victim vehicle was a 2012 Ford Van. On 1/4/2021 the vehicle was recovered in Newark.
5:08 PM: Officer Kapu made contact and arrested a 35-year-old male out of Newark for possession of drug paraphernalia. He was cited and released.
7:08 p.m.: Officer Swadener responded to a report of a shoplifter in custody in the 200 block of Newpark Mall Rd. Officer Swadener made contact and accepted a Citizen’s Arrest for a 25-year-old female out of Newark. During the investigation, Officer Swadener discovered the subject’s vehicle was actually stolen and contained a number of identity theft material. The subject was ultimately arrested for shoplifting, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, and grand theft of access cards. She was booked at Fremont Jail.
Seven Days of Christmas at OLG School
Submitted by Karen Murray
Traditional Christmas pageant and events – impossible in 2020! How could the Our Lady of Guadalupe School’s staff actively engage their students, those on-campus and those learning from home, during this special time of year? A plan for the “7 Days of Christmas” emerged. Daily activities were planned, beginning with St. Nicholas Day on December 6 and culminating on December 12, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Festivities included an introduction to the O Antiphons, livestreamed Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Holiday Scavenger Hunt, and Holiday Trivia Challenge. In addition, eighth graders made a recording of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and many students recorded themselves performing Christmas songs. These were assembled into a Christmas Collection video that was shared with all students and their families.
December 12 was a “Day of Giving” planned by the Parent Teacher Services Group (PTSG) at the Fremont school. PTSG organized a drive-through food drive to collect canned and boxed food for the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul ministry. Santa and his elf were present to greet those who stopped by, along with a small contingent of parents and students to receive the donations. In addition to collecting food, PTSG also asked for donations of socks, which were given to a warming center in Fremont where they are a much-needed commodity.
As one of the activities during the 7 Days of Christmas, the students at Our Lady of Guadalupe School crafted Thank You cards for doctors, nurses and those in the military, to show their appreciation for their sacrifices, especially during the pandemic. PTSG President, Marlon Milanes and his wife, Kathleen Abejuela made sure that the cards were shared with local healthcare workers and troops based in the Bay Area.
The St. Vincent de Paul ministry of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish was grateful for the donation of food items which allowed their group to distribute 50 bags of food to individuals and families in the local community. The 7 Days of Christmas turned out to be a very special experience for those involved and also for those who were on the receiving end of the many acts of love. This may become a new tradition for OLG School.
California may have paid out-of-state inmates job benefits
AP Wire Service
LOS ANGELES (AP), Jan 06 – More than $40 million in California funding intended to help people left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic probably went to inmates in out-of-state jails and prisons, it was reported Tuesday.
The state has acknowledged that its Employment Development Department was bilked out of hundreds of millions of dollars in COVID-19 unemployment funds that went to fraudsters, including some in the name of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
But a December analysis commissioned by the state’s EDD found that the department approved more than 6,000 claims totaling more than $42 million involving people who probably were incarcerated out of state, including at least 2,000 Florida county jail and state prison inmates that included a man serving time for second-degree murder who received $10,800 in payments from California, the Los Angeles Times reported after reviewing the analysis.
California, the nation’s most populous state, has processed more than 16 million unemployment benefits since March, a byproduct of the pandemic that prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to order businesses to close. The Employment Development Department has struggled to keep up with the demand, facing intense pressure to work through a backlog that at one time numbered more than 1.6 million people.
But the agency’s haste to approve claims, coupled with expanded benefits Congress approved with few safeguards, has made it much easier for criminals to game the system.
Last month, Bank of America, which issues EDD benefit cards, told state lawmakers it had identified about 345,000 fraudulent claims worth about $2 billion, although that figure is expected to go higher.
The analysis by Sacramento-based Pondera Solutions compared a database of inmates at more than 2,000 facilities across the country and cross-matched it against nearly 10 million people on the state’s COVID-19 unemployment rolls, the Times said.
The analysis found more than 20,000 claims that it considered at moderate or high risk of having been paid to someone in jail or prison in California or other states. If all the claims were phony, the payout would total around $96 million, the Times said.
The state already has acknowledged that it has paid about $400 million in the names of 21,000 California prison inmates, including some on death row.
The database used in the new analysis covered only 33 of California’s 58 county jails and also didn’t include all states, lacking information from Pennsylvania, Montana and North Dakota among others, the Times said.
The analysis outraged some state lawmakers.
“Absurd fraud policies have made California’s EDD a target for prisoners nationwide. What a shameful waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, D-Laguna Beach, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review.
Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Rita L. Saenz to oversee the EDD, replacing retiring director Sharon Hilliard. In his announcement, Newsom said he was confident that Saenz could stop fraud in the system.
On Sunday, the department announced it was halting payments on some approved claims until they could be verified. The department hasn’t said how many claims were suspended.
Scrub Jay vs Raven
By Pat Kite
Scrub Jay and Raven are having a battle. Every morning, I put out squirrel peanuts. Raven sits on a tree branch, waiting. Scrub Jay perches higher and partially concealed. With COVID-19 isolation, I watch from a window. Scrub Jay has a sharp beak, but Raven’s beak is larger and sharper. So, Jay doesn’t confront directly. Jay waits for Raven to swipe a peanut, then fly away to hoard it. Quickly, Jay zips down, gets a peanut, and swiftly goes to bury it. Raven returns. This goes on until the peanuts vanish. Every so often bushy-tail or skinny- tail squirrels hope for leftovers. But Scrub Jay will battle squirrels too. In a bad mood, Jay will peck at a squirrel’s head.
There are about 10 species or types of Jays: Steller’s, Blue, Gray, Island scrub, Western scrub, Florida scrub, Mexican, Green, Brown, and Pinyon. I was amazed to discover that what I was calling a Blue Jay is a Scrub Jay. The authentic Blue Jays must have a head crest. These live on the East coast. A local Jay with a distinguished crest is the Steller’s Jay, which appear occasionally nearby. My common garden visitor is the Western Scrub Jay, who sometimes brings his wife along. How do you tell boy/girl difference? Very difficult.
Many nuisances attributed to Ravens are really caused by Jays. Stealing the Sun is a Native American Jay story. A long time ago, in a dark world, an ancient Chief concealed precious Sun in a box. It was needed for light. When the Chief’s daughter went to gather berries, she carried this box with her, opening it as needed to see her harvest. But people in other countries wanted the Sun. They chose Kali-qoo to steal it. Kali-qoo assumed a servant’s shape. Locals found him and took him to the Chief. Jay lived with the Chief and said Kali-goo was a family servant.
So, Kali-qoo went along with the Chief’s daughter when she harvested berries. But when the Chief’s daughter opened the sun-box to see her way, Kali-qoo grabbed it. Suddenly, there was daylight everywhere. Kali-qoo ran away, taking the sun box with him. He gave the sun box to his Chief. His Chief said, “From now on, we will all enjoy the sun and not one person alone shall have it.”
Scrub Jays can remember over 200 nut cache locations. If they think they were watched, they will dig up and re-hide. The Jay’s habit of burying nuts, especially acorns, has led to North American oak forests. Recent research has suggested that western Scrub Jays, along with several other corvids (ravens and crows), are among the most intelligent animals.
Peter Joseph Deguara
Resident of Walnut Creek
June 2, 1934 – January 3, 2021
Peter Joseph Deguara, 86, passed away January 3, 2021 surrounded by his family. He was born in San Francisco on June 2, 1934. Pete is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; his children Michelle (George) LeeAnne (Eric), Dante (Laura ); 4 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren, and his brother Sal (Ethel). Daughter Dawn Deguara predeceased him. Pete was extremely proud of his entire family.
For 30+ years Pete drove trucks and then owned/operated Deguara Limousine for 17 years. Pete was an avid car enthusiast and enjoyed collecting cars and attending/participating in car shows. Pete’s friends, of which he had many, held a special place in his heart and life’s activities.
His smile will never be forgotten and lives on in all that loved and knew him.
Plethos announced 2021 season
Submitted by Plethos Productions
We at Plethos Productions are excited to ring in our 2021 season with a black-tie event – “The Fammy Awards”!
Everyone who has been a part of our shows – onstage, backstage, mainstage, small stage and everything in between is part of the Plethos Family. For that reason, we have created the new and illustrious Fammy Award for excellence in all things Plethos.
On January 16 we will also be announcing our 2021 Season shows and offering an exclusive Buy One Get One Free 2021 Season Membership discount exclusively for attendees of this exciting event. The night will feature live performances in all categories and a sneak peek of the new COVID Musical which is currently in development.
It will be live and interactive on Zoom, so grab a festive drink and get ready to join the party! Have cameras and mics on and be ready for a night of fun including a Best Dressed award for audience members.
Don’t miss this exciting night as we recognize the best of the best in the following categories:
• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• Best Actor in a Musical
• Best Actress in a Musical
• Best Improv Performer
• Best Stand Up Comic
• Best Open Mic Performer
• Best Crewmember
• Best Director
• CommUnity Spirit Award
This event is free with registration and will be livestreamed via Zoom. Tax deductible donations are encouraged.
Fammy Awards and season announcement
Saturday, Jan 16
7 p.m.
Zoom event
Free, advanced registration required
plethos.org
Police chief to retire after 30 years of service
Submitted by Paul Sanftner
San Leandro Police Chief Jeffrey Tudor has announced his retirement, effective June 23. Tudor commenced his 30-year career with the City of San Leandro in the Recreation Department and concluded it by serving as the police chief for the past four years.
Tudor’s professional highlights include:
• Command and management experience in administration, patrol, traffic, special operations, criminal investigations, and SWAT
• Extensive community involvement, including countless hours of work with local schools, nonprofit organizations, and public service providers
• Graduation from the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy and Senior Management Institute
“It has been an honor and a privilege to be the chief of police in the city where I was born and raised,” noted Tudor. “The City of San Leandro has provided me many opportunities for which I am truly grateful, and I am extremely proud to have worked with so many talented dedicated public servants.”
Interim City Manager Fran Robustelli has commenced discussions with the City Council regarding recruitment for the next police chief. Additional information will be forthcoming.
Local singer selected for IPOP convention
Submitted by Srini Veeraraghavan
Aditi Sri, an Actor and pop singer, has been selected for 2021’s IPOP convention, to be held at Los Angles from July 10 – 14. She and four other candidates were selected out of 1500 contestants who auditioned. Sri has performed over 100 concerts and has released three Hollywood singles. Now Sri is currently working on a single “Unbreakable” with SM1 Sony Music Group and USHMS Inc. Her parents Srini and Shalini has supported her in every way and motivated her to follow her dreams. The song “Unbreakable” is about a strong girl who cannot be broken by anyone or any situation.
One-third of America’s rivers have changed color since 1984
Jan 07
By Seth Borenstein
AP Science Writer
America’s rivers are changing color – and people are behind many of the shifts, a new study said.
One-third of the tens of thousands of mile-long (two kilometer-long) river segments in the United States have noticeably shifted color in satellite images since 1984. That includes 11,629 miles (18,715 kilometers) that became greener or went toward the violet end of the color spectrum, according to a study in this week’s journal Geographical Research Letters. Some river segments became more red.
Only about 5% of U.S. river mileage is considered blue – a color often equated with pristine waters by the public. About two-thirds of American rivers are yellow, which signals they have lots of soil in them.
But 28% of the rivers are green, which often indicates they are choked with algae. And researchers found 2% of U.S. rivers over the years shifted from dominantly yellow to distinctly green.
“If things are becoming greener, that’s a problem,” said study lead author John Gardner, a University of Pittsburgh geology and environmental sciences professor. Although some green tint to rivers can be normal, Gardener said, it often means large algae blooms that cause oxygen loss and can produce toxins.
The chief causes of color changes are farm fertilizer run-off, dams, efforts to fight soil erosion and man-made climate change, which increases water temperature and rain-related run-off, the study authors said.
“We change our rivers a lot. A lot of that has to do with human activity,” said study co-author Tamlin Pavelsky, a professor of global hydrology at the University of North Carolina.
For example, Pavelsky said, the green at times in the Ohio River indicates a bad algae problem from farm runoff while rivers that are getting less yellow demonstrate the success of regulations to prevent soil erosion.
The study looked at more than 230,000 NASA satellite images over 35 years, focusing on rivers and reservoirs. The study found much of the shift to greener rivers happened in the North and West, while the yellowing occurred more in the East and around the Mississippi River. It also found some rivers change colors naturally with the seasons.
Outside experts praised the study, saying while hard-to-understand measurements have shown problems with American rivers, this illustrates the situation simply.
The study “is super cool and a bit mind-blowing (yet intuitive),” Martin Doyle, head of water programs at Duke University, wrote in an email. “It shows how most every aspect of our planet is being affected by humans, now including the basic color of our water. That’s pretty profound if you think about it.”
“It’s also important because it opens up the idea and potential of using river color as early-stage indicator, or warning of environmental change,” wrote Doyle, who wasn’t part of the study.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
San Leandro City Council
January 4, 2121
Recognitions:
• Proclamation recognizing Theresa Mallon, Library Director, for her years of service to San Leandro.
Public comments:
• A citizen expressed concern about a recent death involving the San Leandro Police Department and asked that the city be mindful about public safety
• Another citizen said that recent development in the area has made it dangerous to turn from 165th Avenue to Liberty Street and asked if the city could consider additional stop signs
• Others expressed concern that the officer involved in the shooting death of Steven Taylor has not been disciplined and requested that April 18 be declared Steven Taylor day in the city
Consent calendar:
• Council approved a motion to appoint Benny Lee as San Leandro’s Community Representative to the Oakland Airport/Community Noise Management Forum for a three-year term ending December 31, 2023.
Action items:
• Council approved, with Vice Mayor Ballew voting no, a resolution for a reduction in the number of vehicle travel lanes from six to four and installation of Class IV bicycle lanes on Hesperian Boulevard from Fairmont Drive to Springlake Drive (provides for Council approval of repurposing one travel lane in each direction on Hesperian Boulevard for use as a Class IV bicycle lane).
• Council unanimously approved a motion designating Councilmember Victor Aguilar as Vice Mayor to serve for a period of one year pursuant to City Charter Section 310.
Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter Aye
Pete Ballew Aye, 1 Nay
Victor Aguilar, Jr. Aye
Bryan Azevedo Aye
Fred Simon Aye
Deborah Cox Aye
Corina Lopez Aye
Wednesday, January 6
Submitted by San Leandro PD
• At about 2:30 a.m. Officer Schwitters made a traffic stop in the west end of San Leandro. During the interaction, the driver said there was a firearm inside the vehicle. A search of the car revealed a concealed handgun with a high-capacity magazine. This firearm had no serial number, which is commonly referred to as a “Ghost Gun.” The suspect was arrested and faces various weapons violations charges.
How quickly do I need a second COVID-19 vaccine shot?
Jan 07
The Associated Press
The first COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. require two doses a few weeks apart.
People should get some degree of protection within two weeks of the first shot, with the second shot bringing about the vaccine’s full protection. For the vaccine by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech, the second shot is supposed to be after three weeks. For Moderna, it’s four weeks.
But how closely those guidelines should be followed has been a point of difference for the United States and the United Kingdom, which has been rolling out the Pfizer vaccine and one by Astrazeneca that requires two doses given four weeks apart.
To get more first shots into people and give them at least some degree of protection, the UK says it’s OK to delay the boosters for as long as 12 weeks. But that strategy has been nixed in the U.S., where regulators say there’s no science backing the approach.
A major concern is that it’s unknown how long the partial protection from one dose can last. “There is no data to demonstrate that protection after the first dose is sustained after 21 days,” Pfizer said.
U.S. regulators agreed, saying too few people in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine studies missed their scheduled boosters to have enough data to show the strategy might work.
The timing of the shots doesn’t have to be exact in the U.S., though; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the second shots can be given up to four days earlier or later.
Silicon Sage Builders LLC and CEO charged with $119 Million Securities Fraud
Submitted by Securities and Exchange Commission
The Securities and Exchange Commission today [December 21, 2020] announced that it filed an emergency action against California-based real estate development company SiliconSage Builders LLC, aka Silicon Sage Builders, and its sole owner, Sanjeev Acharya, in connection with an alleged $119 million fraudulent offering.
According to the SEC’s complaint, Silicon Sage Builders and Acharya raised money from approximately 250 retail investors, most of whom were members of the Northern California South Asian community, by falsely describing Silicon Sage Builders’ real estate business as profitable and promising investors exorbitant returns. In fact, as the complaint alleges, from 2016 to 2019, all but one of Silicon Sage Builders’ projects had significant cost overruns and did not generate enough money to pay investors the promised returns.
Acharya, as alleged in the complaint, misled investors into believing the payments they received were derived from Silicon Sage Builders’ profits when, in reality, Silicon Sage Builders and Acharya had used new investor funds to pay earlier investors. The complaint also alleges that Acharya misled investors as to the amount of money the company was attempting to raise and falsely told investors they could redeem their investments despite there being insufficient funds to meet redemption requests.
“As we allege in our complaint, wrongdoers sometimes prey on the trust of members of their communities to raise funds for their fraudulent schemes,” said Alka Patel, Associate Regional Director of the SEC’s Los Angeles Regional Office. “Affinity frauds are particularly harmful to retail investors, and this case demonstrates the SEC’s commitment to pursuing such schemes and protecting retail investors.”
The SEC’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, charges Silicon Sage Builders and Acharya with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The SEC seeks preliminary and permanent injunctions, the appointment of a receiver over Silicon Sage Builders, asset freezes, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and financial penalties against the defendants, as well as an order prohibiting the destruction of documents and an accounting.
The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Tamar Braz and Christopher Conte in the Los Angeles Regional Office and supervised by Marc Blau and Alka Patel. The SEC’s litigation is being led by Michael Sew Hoy and Amy Longo.
The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy encourages investors to review its investor alert on affinity fraud, Have Something in Common with Someone Selling an Investment? It May Make You a Target for Fraud. Additional information is available on Investor.gov and SEC.gov.
Editor’s Note:
Silicon Sage Builders is responsible for several development projects in Fremont including revitalization of the Centerville District and a project in the Irvington District. According to a report in the Silicon Valley Business Journal, a hearing on the SEC’s preliminary injunction is scheduled for February 5.
South Bay Connect Community Working Groups
Submitted by John Weed
South Bay Connect project team is forming Community Working Groups (CWG’s) to ensure community stakeholder representation from cities in the project area. CWG’s are intended to be community-based forums that promote opportunity for diverse viewpoints to be heard within a safe and open space and that also facilitate education, understanding, and informed input in the project development process. The team is looking for Fremont representatives to participate in the group.
• Ardenwood Neighborhood representative (two positions)
• Ardenwood Business representative (two positions)
• Centerville Neighborhood representative (two positions)
• Niles Neighborhood representative (two positions)
• Fremont Mobility Task Force representative (two positions)
Application Deadline: Monday, Jan 18
www.fremont.gov/DocumentCenter/View/46658/SBC-CWG-Application?bidId=
Sh******@ca*************.org
Mail: Shirley Qian
South Bay Connect
300 Lakeside Drive, 14th Floor East
Oakland, CA 94612
Local teens interview celebrities on YouTube channel
By Andrew Cavette
Photos courtesy of Adinah and Amelia Delegencia Facebook page
Adinah and Amelia Delegencia have been interviewing Bay Area celebrities since 2014… when they were both in fourth grade.
Sisters and twins, these two American High School sophomores have over 500 interviews posted on their YouTube channel. While still in elementary school, Adinah and Amelia interviewed athletes Steph Curry, Kristi Yamaguchi and Jeffrey Hackman Leonard; actors John Leguizamo and Craig Robinson; as well as legendary rappers Too Short and Ice Cube.
Often speaking in unison, they have questioned local radio personalities, models, TV news anchors, business leaders, politicians and emerging artists. The sisters both sing and have modeled clothing for designers. They have each acted in commercials for the Golden State Warriors. In addition to interviewing Steph Curry, they contributed to a shoe design for the athlete.
Adinah and Amelia live in Fremont with their mother, Anne, and their father, Sim. Both parents monitor their social media and help produce their daughters’ videos. Anne Delegencia often works with the girls on their public image. In the early years, Sim Delegencia arranged many of the interviews.
“Our Dad use to take us to events and I think he has an eye for people who were a part of something. He would encourage us to start a conversation. Sometimes we had to ask to be introduced,” Adinah and Amelia said, interweaving their answers.
Like any father, Sim thought his kids had talent, but he wanted to push the idea of being unafraid. He recalled a time, early on, when he glimpsed how brave his daughters could be when called upon.
“They were eight years old. We were at a fundraiser full of high school students and nobody really knew (my kids). Someone asked if the girls could perform,” Sim said. “Adinah and Amelia just went on stage and surprised the crowd. I knew from that moment they were going to be exactly who they wanted to be.”
The sisters do a lot of research on people they interview, but they also make their videos as conversational as possible. “We were young enough in the beginning (people) didn’t seem like big celebrities. They were just interesting to talk to,” Amelia said. “The interviews that stick out to me, are ones where I feel like I can connect with a person.”
Now teenagers and clearly trying to assert more of their individual personalities, both girls still speak in relay. This technique comes off as a cute parlor trick in their early work, but it has some serious advantages while interviewing. Because one person isn’t asking all the questions, interviewees never look bored. Also, with each of them holding a microphone, they can speak and record responses at the same time. This may seem like an inconsequential technical detail, but it means the sisters miss very little while recording.
They noticed when stars were simply promoting a project. They got a sense that some local politicians used their camera merely to promote rehearsed, PR ideas, not really talking with either of them. Before some interviews, they were able to see celebrities switch over to their public facing persona; behaving one way without the camera… and then changing. They noticed that other celebrities were constantly presenting their public self, camera or not. “A lot of people are on a lot of the time,” they said. “That happens to us sometimes too.”
They continue to update their YouTube channel during Covid. Like their schooling, these latest interviews are done over Zoom. And much like virtual schooling, they said the interviews don’t feel the same as being present with another person. Despite growing up and having to deal with so many other things this year, Adinah and Amelia still like this not-so-humble project.
“It’s 2020 and we’re teenagers,” Adinah said. “but (we) want to do this as long as we are able,” Amelia finished.
Connect with Adinah and Amelia’s social media at:
https://instabio.cc/21003bxp6fj
Emergency text to 911 service goes live in San Leandro
Submitted by San Leandro Police Department
A new emergency text to 911 option is now available to San Leandro residents. In an announcement on January 7, officials from the San Leandro Police Department said the texting option has been integrated into its 911 answering system, allowing community residents and visitors in need of emergency services to reach a police dispatcher via text when calling is not an option.
The department worked with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks to make the service available. Incoming text-to-911 communications are answered from the same console as voice calls, monitored and operated by a police dispatcher who has been trained to receive emergency text messages. When the person texting is determined to be within another jurisdiction, 911 texts can be transferred to the most appropriate agency, whether EMS, Fire, or Police, as long as that agency accepts texts.
“The San Leandro Police Department understands the importance of offering alternate ways to call for help. This new technology for the City of San Leandro will have a profound impact on the ability of first responders to help those in need,” said Support Services Manager Melissa Graham.
In general, people with police, fire, or medical emergencies should call 911, but, when they cannot, text-to-911 would be appropriate to use. When texting 911, the initial message should be short and simple and include the location of the emergency. The person texting should also ask for police, fire, or medical assistance. The next step is to answer the dispatcher’s questions and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Emojis will not go through, and abbreviations might not be understood.
Proven effective throughout the United States, text-to-911 is recognized as an excellent resource to have when cell phones are available but speaking on the phone would put the caller in danger. The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) notes that text-to-911 service allows direct access to 911 for the deaf, hard of hearing or those with a speech disability. Residents are reminded to call, rather than text, whenever possible to ensure that critical information can be relayed in the most efficient way possible.
Union City Police Log
Submitted by Union City PD
Sunday, January 3
• During the evening shift, officer Ayala made a traffic stop in the area of Whipple Road and Amaral Street for an expired registration. A passenger in the vehicle was found to be on searchable probation. During the search the driver said there was a weapon under the driver’s seat. Ayala then recovered a loaded .380 semiautomatic handgun and narcotics. The driver was arrested and booked into jail and faces gun and drug charges.
Walgreens to sell drug wholesale business for $6.5B
Jan 06
By Tom Murphy
AP Health Writer
Walgreens Boots Alliance will sell its pharmaceutical wholesale business to AmerisourceBergen in a $6.5 billion cash and stock deal.
Pharmaceutical wholesalers essentially act as middlemen, purchasing drugs from manufacturers and then distributing them to customers like drugstore chains, hospitals and doctor’s offices.
Walgreens said Wednesday that the deal will allow it to focus more on expanding its core retail pharmacy business which, like others, has been rattled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drugstore chains and other retailers were hit hard, particularly last spring, when the pandemic forced shoppers to stay home and away from their stores.
Walgreens estimated in October that the pandemic shaved about $520 million from its operating income in its final quarter of fiscal 2020. But the drugstore chain also grew sales and prescriptions in the United States and saw some improvement through its Boots stores in the United Kingdom.
Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. runs more than 21,000 stores mainly in the United States and United Kingdom. Drugstores are the focus of its business, unlike main rival CVS Health Corp., which also operates large insurance and pharmacy benefit management businesses.
AmerisourceBergen will pay nearly $6.3 billion in cash and 2 million shares of its common stock for Walgreens’ Alliance Healthcare business in a deal the companies expect to close by September. Walgreens already owns a nearly 30% stake in AmerisourceBergen.
Alliance Healthcare supplies more than 115,000 pharmacies, physicians and health centers in Europe and Egypt.
The companies also said Wednesday that they will extend their U.S. distribution agreement by three years, until 2029.
Walgreens said in November that it was combining its wholesale business in Germany with McKesson Corp., and it would control 70% of that venture. A Walgreens spokesman said Wednesday that the McKesson joint venture was not part of the Amerisource deal.
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