1-26-21 Articles

A Loving Link
Submitted by Anushka Peer, Lailah Ali, Elizabeth Parker, Brandon Trieu, and Jaskaran Singh

A Loving Link is a student-run organization where volunteers give support to senior residents in need of social interaction. To achieve this, we either write pen-pal letters to a particular senior or join seniors on a live-conferencing app and trade funny experiences or random jokes. We strive to make sure that people around us get their daily dose of social interaction and get to know each other during these hard times. We are a nonprofit organization that honestly cares about giving support to those in need of some fun and meeting new people from different backgrounds.

About a year ago, our founder Taylor Do, a high school student at James Logan High School in Union City, began volunteering at the local masonic home and it brought to his attention how much we overlook seniors, especially in a society filled with technology. Taylor states that the mental health of senior citizens “is unjustly overlooked in society, most likely because it usually is not in the physical form; however, it is just as devastating as any other health problem.”

His experience inspired him to start A Loving Link. In a minimal timespan, the nonprofit garnered over 150 members and volunteers, and we are still growing! Currently, we are partnered with six nursing homes! Each volunteer is matched with the same individual/s for their entire involvement in the program. We strive to spread awareness for behaviors caused by social isolation and expand our reach to as many high schools and nursing facilities as possible. Even the smallest acts of kindness can make someone’s day; our program stands by that.

The pen pal system is a weekly activity in which high school students and nursing home residents write to each other about whatever interests them, such as current news, interesting facts, jokes, entertainment recommendations, and what’s going on in their life. Our volunteers remark on how therapeutic writing letters can be and how much it has helped their mental health as well as the residents’.

Breanna T. said, “In an effort to write something hopeful and positive in my letters, writing one way to residents has made me start looking harder for the quiet, hopeful things in my own life that I normally miss. I hope that the residents who read my letter share the same quiet calm that I feel when I’m writing it.” Anh L. said, “When writing letters, you get an opportunity to stop and think about what is going on in your life and what you feel. I find it nice and refreshing to be able to take a moment out of my stressful and crazy week, to reflect on myself and my thoughts. I always look forward to writing my letters because it’s a time I can spend on myself and a time I can share all of that with someone else.”

The live video communication program is a weekly event where the volunteer talks to an individual from our senior homes for one hour, becoming their weekly companion. The program’s goal is to encourage connections and new relationships for senior individuals in need of social interaction. Gurpal K. states, “I have only been in the program for a short while but so far, everyone has been quick to help out with any questions/ problems I have had. Also, it’s been pretty great to be able to reach out and connect with someone during quarantine since I haven’t been in public for a while.” Fiona S. expresses, “I really enjoy being a part of this program. I like that I get a chance to communicate my thoughts to others, and find the process of writing these letters to be very therapeutic as well.”

Our goal is always to increase our reach. If you are a nursing home representative interested in
partnering with us or interested in volunteering, contact us at: alovinglink@gmail.com .

For more information, please visit our website https://alovinglink.wixsite.com/alovinglink.

Alameda County Fire Department Log
Submitted by ACFD

Tuesday, January 19
• At 4:05 p.m. firefighters responded to a report about a residential fire on the 1400 block of 150th Avenue in the Ashland area near San Leandro. Crews quickly knocked down the blaze; there were no injuries.

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office
Submitted by ACSO

Wednesday, January 20
• Shortly after 9:00 p.m. deputies responded to a takeover robbery at a Walgreen’s store in the Castro Village shopping center in Castro Valley. Two male suspects had entered the store and jumped the pharmacy counter and ordered employees to lay out the ground. One of the suspects grabbed the pharmacist and dragged him to a safe that contained medications, and ordered him to open the safe, which he did. The suspects then fled. Alameda County Sheriff’s Office officials are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about it to call them at (510) 667-7721.

Aegis Living hosts first COVID-19 vaccine clinic
Submitted by Nandi Butcher

The day finally came for Alameda County residents to begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Aegis Living Fremont, an assisted living and memory care community, hosted its first vaccine clinic, in partnership with CVS, on Saturday, January 16. Aegis Living is one of the first locations in the County to have received vaccines through CVS as part of the rollout to residents and staff of long-term care communities.

“I am extremely excited by how soon we were able to get vaccinations to our residents and staff, and how smoothly everything rolled out,” said General Manager Dave Peper.

Knowing it was a day everyone was looking forward to, the Aegis Living Fremont team created an all-day celebration with Rosie the Riveter-inspired t-shirts and colorful banners. The theme was developed by Assisted Living Care Director Angela Foster. Aegis also prepared both residents and staff with several educational opportunities leading up to the vaccine clinics, including a virtual town hall, to help the team better understand the science behind the vaccine and its benefits. The Town Hall was hosted by members of the Aegis Living Coronavirus Advisory Council, all of whom are medical experts.

Ninety-four-year-old resident Viola Sullivan expressed her confidence in the vaccine after receiving her first dose. “I believe in the science behind the disease and a lot of work has been done on this,” said Sullivan. “I also believe if I happen to get coronavirus, my symptoms would be less, I wouldn’t suffer as much, and by getting the shot, I am protecting my family, friends, and myself at the same time.”

Approximately 240 residents and staff received the vaccine on Saturday at Aegis Living Fremont.

“Our goal was 100 percent participation,” said Peper. “I am so proud of our team and not only the work they did today but the countless hours they put into planning and preparation to make this special day run so seamlessly.”

Public feedback sought on efforts to reduce particulate emissions
Submitted by Ralph Borrmann

Bay Area Air Quality Management District is hosting a virtual public workshop on Thursday, February 4, focusing on developing draft amendments to Regulation 6 Rule 5: Particulate Emissions from Refinery Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Units.

At the workshop, the public, community advocates, local government and industries will have an opportunity to learn about the draft rule, ask questions to the Air District staff, and share feedback and ideas to inform the final rule making process.

Following the workshop and the close of the public comment period, staff will assess the need for changes to the draft rule amendments. Staff may consider soliciting further input or may proceed to a public hearing before the Air District’s Board of Directors for their consideration of the staff’s proposal.

Interested parties are invited to submit written comments on the draft rule amendments and Workshop Report. Comments on the documents will be accepted during the workshop or may be submitted in writing to the Air District. The deadline to submit comments on these materials is Friday, February 12. For questions or to submit comments on the draft regulatory amendments, contact David Joe, assistant manager of the Rule Development Section, at djoe@baaqmd.gov.

For language interpretation, email Aneesh Rana at arana@baaqmd.gov or call (415) 749-4914 at least 72 hours before the workshop. Workshop materials are available at www.baaqmd.gov/reg6rule5.

Air District Virtual Workshop
Thursday, Feb 4
6 p.m.– 8 p.m.

Join via web browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85296925189
Join via phone: +1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 852 9692 5189
www.baaqmd.gov/reg6rule5

Alessandra Kiana Eiras and the Wonder of Living
By Jessica Yu
Photos courtesy of Alessandra Eiras

Alessandra Kiana Eiras has just released her first single, “Wonder of Living,” a smooth jazz tune available on major streaming music platforms. Eiras, a sophomore at Mt. Eden High School in Hayward, California, began singing at the age of three.

Although her career in music has just started, music has been in her family for years. Her father, Angelo Eiras, is a well-known musician in the local Portuguese and Brazilian community. Eiras’ parents encouraged her to listen to the radio and give singing a try. She is self-taught, and trains using techniques from online and past choir classes. “Singing is me, I could never not sing – it’s a passion that has always stayed with me. It helps me get through my days and look forward to my future,” said Eiras.

To Eiras, singing is more than just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle and passion. She draws inspiration from artists Ella Fitzegerald, Etta James, Doris Day, and Nat King, to name a few. “I have so many great influences, jazz was always a big part of my life with my dad playing ‘Girl from Ipanema,’ and my mom with her jazz CD’s.”

Eiras’ biggest musical inspiration is her dad, who helped launch her music career when he reconnected with an old friend and fellow musician, Ademar Boka Lima. After hearing Eiras, Lima could think of no better voice to cover one of his original songs, “Wonder of Living.” “This song has been waiting for [Eiras] to sing it, she has the perfect voice for it,” Lima said. Eiras proceeded to record her vocals, they were then mixed in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the rest is history.

Eiras’s impact doesn’t stop at “Wonder of Living.” She is also a City of Hayward Youth Commissioner, and a winner of the city’s Youth Hall of Fame Award for Leadership. She was awarded 2nd place for her solo singing performance in a competition sponsored by the Hayward Foundation of Arts, and has performed in many local venues, including Farmers’ Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area, school talent shows and choirs, and more.

“I look at the crowd and smile, I love seeing my audiences,” said Eiras. I don’t know them, they don’t know me, but here we are, all together because of the power of music. I feel so honored that I am able to bring people together and add some meaning into their day.” Eiras looked to music to not only inspire herself, but those around her. She hopes to perform at more events in the future following the pandemic, most notably at The Hayward Performing Arts Center.

In the future, Eiras hopes to continue to pursue music as a career. “I’m hoping in the future I’ll be making albums and going on tour, gaining a bigger audience. All we can do is hope the future agrees because I am really determined on taking this path.” Her next step is to release more of her own original songs, with her own lyrics and production.

You can listen to Wonder of Living on YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer and other major music streaming sites: Instagram: kianaeiras01, Facebook: KianaEiras8, Twitter: EirasKiana

Letter to the Editor
COVID-19 and Animal Abuse

Novelist Milan Kundera wrote, “Mankind's true moral test, its fundamental test…consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: Animals” (“The Unbearable Lightness of Being”: 1984). As we slog through this godawful pandemic, let us never forget that it was human-caused, a direct result of our gross mistreatment and abuse of other animals, both wild and domestic.

If nothing else, COVID-19 should teach us all a much-needed lesson in humility, with a dose of concern and compassion for others. Some serious changes are in order. Are we up to the task?

Happy New Year to all, human and non-human alike.

Eric Mills
Action For Animals
Oakland

A.R.T., Inc. celebrates new year with members’ show
Submitted by Valerie Snart

Even with the pandemic, Castro Valley art group “Artists Relaxing Together” (A.R.T., Inc.) kept going with four online exhibits in 2020. They are kicking off 2021 with their fifth members’ online exhibition, “New Beginnings.” The images can be viewed on their website until April 31, 2021. (Artists can be contacted directly for prints.)

Starting in February, A.R.T., Inc. will offer solo shows for member (again, to be displayed on the website). Artists will even have the chance to get their physical work up on the walls of Castro Valley retirement community Baywood Court.

For more about what A.R.T., Inc.’s plans for 2021 and to view the current members’ show, go to https://www.artinc.org/new-beginnings.

A.R.T., Inc.
https://www.artinc.org/
artinccv@gmail.com

Bansal takes the road not taken
Submitted by Tina Vossugh

Environmental Studies Professor Narinder Bansal teaches students how to be active participants in creating and shaping a sustainable future. Uprooted from his country of origin, he has established roots in the City of Fremont and Ohlone College.

My journey to Ohlone began over 5,000 miles away… in merry ol’ England. I was born in Coventry City, in what is known as the Midlands area of England.

We moved to the United States in 1984 and settled right here in Fremont. I attended Thornton Junior High and then went onto American High School. I recall staring at a poster on one of the wall dividers displaying the famous poem The Road Not Taken by American poet Robert Frost. At that moment in my life, I had no idea who he was, nor how famous this poem was. The poem was more of a distraction, a means for me to drown out the lecturing of my teacher. Yet something about the idea of a road less traveled and the risk of taking that road was intriguing to me—maybe it was because my family and I had left a secure life in England.

Fast forward to the fall of 1988 – I enrolled at Chabot College. I was the first member of my immediate clan going to college in America. Another road less traveled. My first year I did well in the one or two classes I enjoyed. Otherwise, I received F’s. So, I left Chabot and spent the next three years working and traveling. I eventually meandered my way back to college—in the fall of 1991 I enrolled at Ohlone and received my Associate of Arts in liberal arts, transferred to Cal State Hayward (as it was known then), did my undergraduate in environmental studies, and obtained a graduate degree in geography, plus a Master Cartography Certificate!

Once I graduated, I spent time working until finally being hired to teach physical geography lecture and lab—you guessed it—at Ohlone! What was more fascinating was that it was in the same classroom where I had been a student! My journey on this road had brought me back full circle.

I thought was ready to go back to school. I wanted to go to law school for environmental law or a Ph.D. program centered on the role of race/racism, social justice and the environment. However, Ohlone was looking to fill a new position—Professor, Environmental Science and Technology. I applied and got it! I spent the next several years building the program.

At the beginning of each course, I share my story. I have found that a lot of students are in the same boat I was in. The road less traveled by most, leading them to the hallowed halls of academia—for some, as first higher education students in their own families.

BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD

Friday, January 15
• A man identified by police as Stewart Delamontae, 26, of Oakland was arrested at the Hayward station on suspicion of public intoxication. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Sunday, January 17
• At 2:47 p.m. a person identified by police as Keith Esther, 21, of Oakland was arrested at the Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of robbery of a transit operator, misappropriation of lost property and probation violation. The suspect was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Tuesday, January 19
• At 8:53 p.m. a person identified by police as Korey Allison, 30, of Martinez was arrested at the Milpitas station on a warrant issued in Napa County and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail.

Wednesday, January 20
• At 7:30 p.m. a man identified by police as Roman Randle, 22, of Hayward was arrested at the Bay Fair station in San Leandro on a $50,000 Ramey warrant held by the Pittsburg Police Department. Detectives from Pittsburg PD responded and took custody of Randle.

Benjamin “Benjie” Rivera
Resident of Fremont
March 17, 1972 – January 12, 2021

Benjamin Valdez Rivera (Benjie) was granted his angel wings on January 2021. He was born in Baguio City, Philippines and graduated with an Electrical Communications Engineering degree from Saint Louis University (Philippines).
Benjie is survived by his mother, Norlita (Erma) Rivera; brothers, Joseph and Romeo Jr; sisters Joie and Romalyn; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who all adored him. He was preceded in death by his father, Romeo Rivera Sr., and baby sister, Maria.
With his true grit, determination and a college degree in his back pocket, he headed to Singapore and eventually landed in the States a few years later to pursue his dreams. Benjie's career as a Field Service Engineer allowed him to travel the world many times over. He was an avid golfer, skier, and member of a Dart Club in Fremont, CA.
Benjie was a son, brother, nephew, cousin, and most of all a true friend to those whose lives he touched. His “kid at heart” attitude was always ready and willing to help anyone at a moment's notice…the kind and thoughtful person who would take the shirt off his back and offer it to anyone in need.
He leaves a void in many hearts, but his spirit lives on within his family and friends. We will miss his laughter and silly jokes. We will miss his laid back presence. Rest in peace Tito Benjie.
Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900

Correction:

In the article “Boxing up local History” that ran on page 20 of the January 19 edition, Patricia Schaffarczyk’s name was misspelled. We apologize for the error.

What should I know about COVID-19 vaccines if I am pregnant?
AP Wire Service
Jan 14

Vaccination is likely the best way to prevent COVID-19 in pregnancy, when risks for severe illness and death from the virus are higher than usual.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says COVID-19 vaccinations should not be withheld from pregnant women, and that women should discuss individual risks and benefits with their health care providers.

The U.S. government's emergency authorization for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines being rolled out for priority groups doesn't list pregnancy as a reason to withhold the shots.

But the OB-GYN group says women should consult their doctors, since COVID-19 vaccines have not yet been tested in pregnant women. Evidence about safety and effectiveness is reassuring from studies that inadvertently included some women who didn't know they were pregnant when they enrolled.

More answers are expected from upcoming research, including a study by Pfizer and German partner BioNTech expected to start early this year that will include pregnant women.

Experts say there is no reason to think the two authorized vaccines would harm fetuses. They might even protect them from developing COVID-19, although that hasn't yet been proven, said Dr. Denise Jamieson, chair of gynecology and obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine.

That thinking comes in part from experience with vaccines for influenza and whooping cough, which are approved for use in pregnancy and protect newborns and their mothers from developing those diseases.

Seven credit card perks to prioritize in 2021
AP Wire Service
Jan 12
By Melissa Lambarena of NerdWallet

As you lay the groundwork for 2021 financial resolutions, take inventory of your credit cards to see if they're still in line with your goals and priorities.

With the pandemic upending spending patterns, possibly for the foreseeable future, an audit of the benefits and costs of your cards can reveal which ones are getting the job done and saving you money, which ones are a drag on your finances – and what features you might want to look for in a new card. Here are some credit card features to prioritize.

1. A JUSTIFIABLE ANNUAL FEE

An annual fee is worth paying on a credit card only if the rewards and perks more than offset the cost. For Sahirenys Pierce, a California-based content creator at the Poised lifestyle blog, the benefits far outweigh her cash-back credit card's $95 annual fee. “We had an extra $500 for our Christmas gifts” last year thanks to the cash back she earned, she said.

By contrast, a card whose value comes in the form of airline miles or travel perks might not come close to paying for itself if you've stopped traveling.

If the card's incentives aren't making up for the fee, ask your issuer about downgrading your account to a card with no annual fee. It's better than closing the account because your original line of credit remains open, which can benefit your credit scores.

2. REWARDS SUITED FOR THE TIMES

The incentives on many credit cards don't necessarily match the shifts in spending that accompanied the pandemic. Bonus points on travel, for example, became less valuable than higher rewards on groceries, streaming services and restaurant takeout and delivery.

“I haven't taken out my American Airlines Citi card for a long time because earning the points is really a different proposition right now, and that's a top level concern when it comes to picking the card that you're going to use,” said Brian Riley, director of Mercator Advisory Group's credit advisory service. The company is an independent research and advisory services firm for the payments and banking industry.

Look for credit card incentives that best reward your spending in the current environment. Multiple cards in 2020 altered their rewards structures temporarily or even permanently to remain relevant and useful.

For Pierce, her credit card was already pulling its weight in the categories that mattered most.

“One thing that made us feel a bit better – not 100% better – but a little bit better was that the credit card we had (a year prior to this pandemic happening) was really focused on our necessities, so our groceries, our gas, our streaming services,” Pierce said.

3. FLEXIBLE REDEMPTIONS

Flexible reward redemption options can pad your budget with a statement credit that lowers your balance or with cash deposited directly in your bank account. Pierce appreciates that she can simply get cash back and doesn't have to try to redeem points for something like flights or gift cards. “Having that 6% cash back was much more beneficial,” she said.

During the pandemic, some popular travel credit cards have temporarily allowed point redemptions for statement credit against purchases at places like grocery stores, restaurants and home improvement stores. Explore your cards for redemption changes.

4. PERKS FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

As social distancing emptied out brick-and-mortar stores, online shopping became even more of a lifeline. And that may be a permanent state of affairs: The Mastercard Economic Institute estimates that 20% to 30% of the global COVID-19-related shift to e-commerce will remain intact.

Some credit cards hand out bonus rewards specifically for online shopping. Credit card deals platforms from issuers like Chase, American Express and Capital One offer extra cash back or points for shopping with specific retailers, some of which are online-only. And your card may have built-in benefits that add convenience and security to online purchases, such as return protections, which refund a purchase when a retailer doesn't, or extended warranty protection.

5. CELLPHONE PROTECTION

Several credit cards offer free cellphone protection when you pay your monthly wireless bill with the card. This benefit may cover a stolen or damaged phone up to several hundred dollars per claim, depending on the program's terms. The coverage from your card can spare you the cost of paying for a device protection plan through your provider. Across multiple devices month after month, the savings can really add up.

6. TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE

Found on some travel cards, this benefit reimburses you up to a certain amount when an unexpected qualifying circumstance like COVID-19 derails your travel plans. To be covered, book your vacation with the card that offers the benefit. Your situation must also qualify under the benefit's terms.

7. RENTAL CAR COVERAGE

This benefit covers a rental car for damage or theft when the rental is booked with the card. It typically kicks in after your personal auto insurance policy pays out, meaning it may reimburse your deductible and other out-of-pocket costs. Getting coverage from your card can allow you to decline the rental car company's collision coverage. If that coverage costs, say, $15 per day, that's more than $100 saved over a weeklong vacation.

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Melissa Lambarena is a writer at NerdWallet.

Happiness: Small House with Big Kitchen
By Anna Jacoby

Happiness is a small house with a big kitchen. These words are attributed to none other than Alfred Hitchcock, and when I heard them recently, I knew I should write about them. While it’s known that Hitchcock loved to indulge in delicious food, whether he was an avid cook himself is not entirely clear. But in any case, I’ve yet to hear any of my design clients say, “I’d like a smaller kitchen!”

With the kitchen firmly established as the heart of the home, designing a kitchen to accommodate the needs of everyone in the family can be a challenge. A kitchen does not need to be big, however. It just needs to be well planned. Here are some common requests I hear from clients, as well as some tips for how to satisfy those requests.

I would like my kitchen to feel more “open.”

While the open-concept kitchen is still popular, removing an entire wall is not always warranted. Instead, think about removing part of a wall, or widening doorways, or moving large appliances to other locations to create more counter space. In one recent project, we left part of the wall intact to make room for the wall ovens and hood vent and created a peninsula with a large breakfast bar in the newly opened section. On the other hand, removing the entire wall absolutely makes a kitchen more open! To create the large gathering space you crave, it might very well be worth the expense.

We have multiple cooks in our family – We would like to all be able to cook without bumping into each other.

Achieving this goal entails creating a whole new layout, relocating appliances to create more work space. In one kitchen, we moved the ovens and refrigerator to one side, which provided a lot more prep space around the sink and cooktop. By moving the wall ovens, we were able to create a peninsula that provides ample space for the other cooks in the family.

I would like an uncluttered kitchen, so at least it feels bigger

In some homes, a larger kitchen is just not possible. But a kitchen does not have to be large to feel comfortable and spacious. Can we admit that most of us simply have too much stuff? We don’t necessarily need a larger kitchen — we just need one that functions more effectively — and we need to edit our belongings.

Here’s a tip I learned years ago from a professional organizer: empty all your utensil drawers into a box and put the box in the garage. When you need something, go, and get it out of the box and bring it back into the kitchen. Do this for about a month or two. At the end of that time, you will see what you use and what you do not. It is a great exercise that can be repeated with pots and pans, bakeware, linens, even clothes, and toys.

Once you have edited your things, consider my favorite design concept: Everything must have a place to live. A well-designed kitchen takes advantage of every inch of space. A “Lazy Susan” in the corner cabinet can house your small appliances, so they do not have to live on the countertop. A narrow pullout next to the cooktop can hold spices and oils. Drawer organizers can magically create more space by giving categories of items their own compartment.

While Hitchcock was on to something about happiness and kitchens, I would say a well-planned kitchen is more important than the size.

Lifeguard Applications Open
By Dennis Waespi, Board of Directors
East Bay Regional Park District

Lifeguarding is a great seasonal job in the East Bay Regional Park District, especially for youthful applicants, and now is the time to apply. In anticipation of the summer swim season, the park district is accepting applications through March 29. Of course, the opening of the district’s swim season is contingent on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and requirements of the Alameda and Contra Costa counties health departments.

Lifeguards work at any of the park district’s 10 swim areas, located throughout the two counties. Besides monitoring swimmers and performing rescues, they caution swimmers regarding unsafe activities, provide first aid, and act as instructors in aquatic and safety programs, among other duties. The salary is $17.05 to $19.68 per hour. Applicants must be at least 16 years old as of April 24, 2021 and must be able to pass a swim test of 550 yards in 10 minutes or less.

Based on the swim/physical test and application materials, approximately the top 50 new lifeguard candidates are hired provisionally and paid to attend the district’s lifeguard academy, which starts on April 24. New lifeguards must complete the academy. Upon successful completion, lifeguards are scheduled and assigned according to the district’s swim facility needs.

The park district’s lifeguards are a proud service with a commendable safety record that they work hard to maintain. It is a gratifying public service job that provides an opportunity to learn new skills, and valuable work experience.

For information on the 2021 lifeguard program, visit www.ebparks.org. At the top of the home page, move the cursor to “About Us.” When the menu appears, click on “Jobs,” then click again on “Lifeguard I (New Lifeguard).

With the arrival of the New Year comes another annual Trails Challenge in the East Bay Regional Park District. It is a free, self-guided hiking and bicycling program, which offers everyone an incentive to explore new parklands or seek out new trails on familiar ones.

To enroll, visit 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 also has 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. Check with your nearest park district visitor center before you go.

Trails Challenge is sponsored by the park district, Regional Parks Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente HMO. Every year at least 10,000 people participate. A challenge trail is available 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.

Robert Doyle, East Bay Regional Park District’s general manager for the past 10 years, retired at the end of December 2020 after a 47-year career of great achievements at the agency.

Doyle has been almost a lifelong activist in park and open space preservation. While still in high school, he served as president of a youth group in Contra Costa County that worked to acquire and preserve Las Trampas Ridge and Black Diamond Mines and to expand Mount Diablo State Park.

Later he was a founding board member of Save Mt. Diablo, Inc., the nonprofit land trust and conservation organization. As board president, he increased the organization from 1,000 to 5,000 members, negotiated acquisition of 5,000 acres for Mt. Diablo State Park, and hired the organization’s first full-time staff. Doyle still found time to earn a bachelor’s degree in management from St. Mary’s College.

At East Bay Regional Park District, Doyle rose through the ranks. He began his park district career in 1973 as a park ranger at Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley. After working at several other parks, he was promoted to resource analyst, then trail specialist. He became chief of land acquisition and trail planning in 1986, then spent 20 years as an assistant general manager, leading land acquisition, trail planning and interagency and advanced planning. He was appointed the park district’s general manager by the district board in 2010.

In the time since he became chief of land acquisition, Doyle’s efforts have doubled the park district’s size, including 20 new parks. The district now comprises 73 regional parklands totaling 125,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, hosting 25 million visits per year.

Having known and worked with Doyle for 45 years, I will miss his friendship and visionary leadership, although I expect that his active involvement with park and recreation issues will continue. I know I speak for the entire board in thanking Doyle for his many years of service and wishing him success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Park It
By Ned MacKay

Harbor seals, those sleek and slinky residents of San Francisco Bay, now have a new venue where they can bask after swimming – a floating platform just offshore between Encinal Beach and the USS Hornet museum in Alameda. Harbor seals prey on anchovies, herring, and bottom-dwelling fish in the bay. But they need to get out of the water in a safe place to warm up between swims.

Enter the Water Emergency Transportation Authority, a regional public transit agency. When WETA moved its maintenance facilities to Alameda, it had planned to destroy an old dock where a few seals often basked. When wildlife advocates objected, WETA financed construction of a floating platform where the seals could haul out.

The platform is 20 feet by 25 feet, with one side sloped to allow the seals easy access from the water. Constructed of reinforced concrete with a Styrofoam core, it’s the only known floating platform in the world built specifically for seals. The designer was Dr. Jim Harvey, director of San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.
The seals seem to like it. Up to 80 of them have squeezed together on it, and mother seals have been seen nursing their pups there.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act includes harbor seals. Boaters and kayakers should watch from a distance. If the seals raise their heads, it means that they feel threatened, and you should back off. They can be seen easily with binoculars from the shoreline Bay Trail.

East Bay Regional Park District’s Encinal Beach is at the end of a road off Alameda’s Central Avenue, just past Encinal High School and Lincoln Avenue. For more information and/or a map, visit www.facebook.com/alamedaseals1. To volunteer and to report observations, contact alamedaharborseals@gmail.com.

Fee collection has resumed at many East Bay regional parks. To encourage easy public access and use of regional parks and trails during the pandemic, the park district waived collection of all fees in 2020. However, the district resumed charging fees on January 4, 2021 to help fund many of the programs and services that it hopes to reopen when the pandemic subsides.

Fees include parking, camping, fishing, and boat launching. Fees may also be reinstated for use of seasonal facilities and services such as swimming, reservable picnic areas, and recreational programs, if these activities can resume later this year. The basic parking fee is $5 per vehicle ($6 at Del Valle south of Livermore). Most regional parks charge no parking or entry fees. And those that do so at major entrances often have other entrances that are free.

Your go-to website for all sorts of useful outdoor recreation information is www.ebparks.org. Browsing the website, you can find out about the park district’s Trails Challenge, get the latest news updates, stay current on programs and policies, download park maps and brochures, and view any of several dozen entertaining nature education programs produced by the district’s enthusiastic naturalist staff.

Parks are always open during daylight hours. But with a little advance research on the website, you can make your visit much safer and more enjoyable.

Editorial
Leave the driving to us

A ubiquitous commercial of years gone by featured the motto, “Leave the driving to us.” Once a dominant feature on highways throughout the United States and Canada, the distinctive Greyhound Bus logo and sentiment remains as a viable and affordable method for long distance travel for people and packages. The motto implied that once passengers bought a ticket and boarded a Greyhound, a group of professionals would handle their comfort, safety and transportation needs from start to finish. Counter and scheduling personnel in support of experienced drivers would assure a pleasant experience… the premise of all commercial mass transit organizations. Passengers relinquish details of how this is accomplished in exchange for use of management systems and vehicles to transport them from a boarding location to a pre-determined destination.

Unless separated for comfort or service, all travelers – front or back – reach their destination at the same time and under the same conditions. While in transit, the ultimate authority of direction and speed is assigned to the driver (or pilot). Details may be of interest, but not essential passenger information for completion of the trip. While liberating for those who prefer to simply enjoy the ride without regard to particular intermediate considerations, a journey of any duration demands attention to particulars and modifications necessary to reach the destination.

Many private and civic projects share the same organizational and operational challenges of a Greyhound Bus trip. One such journey is the on again, off again Dumbarton Rail Corridor project that proposes to create an alternative transit link between the East Bay and Peninsula using Commuter Rail, Light Rail, Autonomous Vehicles or Bus Rapid Transit. On the books for 15+ years, now, with funding and impetus from Facebook, peninsula transit authorities have been meeting, planning and designing alternative routes and stations for this service. Routes, commercial and residential developments and traffic considerations are paramount to placement options, deeply affecting Fremont, Newark and Union City.

Although meetings have reportedly been held with city staff of Fremont, Newark and Union City to coordinate alignment details and development, little information has reached the East Bay public. This is understandable due to the global pandemic, but it is time to inform residents, especially during formative stages of the project. When planning such a massive venture, it is prudent to introduce the concept for public scrutiny as quickly as possible to receive input before alternatives are solidified. Public outreach is anticipated to begin in Spring of this year. Have plans been presented to local Planning Commissions, City Councils and the Fremont Mobility Commission? Have these officials been briefed and provided input?

In a project of this importance and influence, will our cities be passengers or drivers?

For more information, visit: www.samtrans.com/Planning/Planning_and_Research/Dumbarton_Rail_Corridor.html

Letter to the Editor
Unequal protection under the law

The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution dates to 1868. It requires that individuals in similar situations be treated equally by the law. The 14th Amendment applies to all law enforcement agencies in California.

The Constitution protects motorists who park on city streets, so motorists who commit the same infraction are entitled to pay the same fine. Regrettably, both the city of Fremont and EBRPD violated the Equal Protection Clause on Vineyard Ave on January 17, 2021. The two law enforcement agencies used two different laws with two different fine amounts, to enforce the same infraction.

EBRPD charged one motorist a fine of $43 for parking in violation of a posted sign. The city issued a $63 ticket to another motorist who parked (illegally) on the very same street at the same time. (EBRPD cites the California Vehicle Code, not the city ordinance).

We believe that motorists do not surrender their constitutional rights when they take their families out for a walk on a Sunday afternoon. It is not right, and it is not fair, for the city to fine motorists 47% more than EBRPD. Not surprisingly, the city writes more than 90% of the tickets near Mission Peak. This means that park visitors are being hit with parking fines that are among the highest in the state. It is incredible that the constitutional rights of Fremont motorists are being violated so blatantly and egregiously.

We are calling upon both the city council and the board of directors of EBRPD to explain how this unequal enforcement happens, and what steps will be taken to correct it. We suggest that the city cut its excessively high fine of $63, to bring it into alignment with EBRPD. We recommend that EBRPD police focus on protecting public safety inside the park and let the city police patrol the city streets.

wm. yragui
Mission Peak Conservancy

Driver arrested in crash that killed 7-year-old girl
Submitted by Lieutenant Tyler Jamison, Milpitas PD

A 36-year-old San Jose woman who was driving a stolen vehicle is in custody after evading a police pursuit in Milpitas and then fatally striking a 7-year-old girl while she was riding her bicycle.

The events started at 3:22 p.m. January 18 when a Milpitas police officer spotted a stolen vehicle driving westbound on E. Calaveras Blvd. east of N. Park Victoria Drive. Another officer was also in the area. The vehicle was reported stolen to the San Jose Police Department and was involved in an armed robbery in San Jose in which a handgun was used.

Officers said the driver made a right turn onto northbound N. Park Victoria Drive and drove away at a high rate of speed. The officers did not attempt to stop the vehicle or pursue it. Soon, an officer responding to the area reported the suspect vehicle had struck a 7-year-old female bicyclist at the intersection of N. Park Victoria and Kennedy Drives, and then continued travelling north. The child was critically injured and later died at a local hospital.

After the child was struck, an officer located the vehicle and saw the driver, identified by police as Kristalinna Pacheco, exit the vehicle and run away at the intersection of N. Park Victoria Drive and Nicklaus Avenue. She was taken into custody without incident. Pacheco was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail and faces charges of homicide, hit and run causing injury/death, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Meanwhile, a male passenger inside the vehicle, which was described by police as a 2015 Lexus R35 SUV, got in the driver seat and sped away. Another responding officer saw the vehicle as it was getting onto northbound Highway 680 and pursued it into Fremont before losing sight of it.

Milpitas Police Department detectives are working with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, San Jose Police Department and Fremont Police Department to piece together the events leading up to the child being struck. On January 19 detectives found the unoccupied vehicle in Newark. It was towed to the Milpitas Police Department for evidence processing.

Authorities are actively investigating the incident and are asking that anyone who has information about it to call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Additionally, information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department website at: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip.

Fremont Fire Department Log
Submitted by Fremont Fire Department

Monday, January 18
• At 4:19 p.m. firefighters responded to a medical emergency report about an adult hiker heading to Mission Peak in the Fremont Hills. The hiker suffered a significant leg injury while on a higher portion of the trail close to the top of the peak. Vehicle access to the area was limited so crews used a Stokes basket to carry the injured hiker to a utility terrain vehicle which took the person to a waiting ambulance on Mill Creek Road. The hiker was taken to a hospital for treatment. There were no other injuries reported.

Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD

Tuesday, January 12
• A person waved down officers after seeing a man in the area of Grimmer and Fremont Boulevards trying to open a car door and then pulling his pants down. Officers arrested the suspect, identified by police as Michael Abreu, 50, of Fremont.

Wednesday, January 13
• Officers responded to a commercial burglary at Dino’s restaurant, 40800 Fremont Boulevard in the Centerville area. The front and rear door of the business was broken into and a cash register was taken. Later, the cash register was located in a parking lot on Fremont and Grimmer Boulevards.

• A robbery was reported at the 7-Eleven store at 35015 Fremont Blvd. A man walked around the counter and pulled a gun on the clerk and demanded money. The clerk was not injured.

A robbery occurred outside Fremont Bank, 46635 Mission Blvd. The female victim was inside her vehicle when a man tapped on her passenger window. He then shattered the window and stole the victim’s purse as she tried to hold onto it. The victim sustained abrasions to her hand.

Thursday, January 14
• A robbery was reported at the Big 5 sporting goods store at 3820 Mowry Ave. A man entered the store walked to the gun counter, jumped over it and climbed up a ladder to grab a portable speaker. When confronted, the man threatened to pepper spray the employees. An employee tried to keep the man in the store while police responded, but the man pushed the employee out of the way and fled with stolen property. A suspect, identified by police as Ulysses Ayala, 25, was identified and arrested.

Friday, January 15
• At about 1 p.m. a female victim arrived at her home on Embassy Common in north Fremont when a man approached the passenger side of her vehicle, smashed the window and stole her purse. The victim had just returned from a bank on Decoto Road.

Thursday, January 21
• Fremont Unified School District received an anonymous email threat directed toward Washington High School. Fremont Police responded to the campus to investigate but didn’t find evidence the threat was credible. There were no students on campus at the time, but the school remained closed for the rest of the day.

Fremont City Council
January 19, 2021

Announcements:
• Fremont is joining a nationwide memorial for those who lost their lives to COVID-19.
• Remind residents that Alameda County is responsible for vaccine deployment.

Consent Calendar:
• Award a construction contract for aqua adventure water park pool replastering with Adams Pool Solutions in a total construction contract amount of $395,172.
• Stormwater ordinance repeal and replace amendment to clarify and enhance definitions, discharge regulations and requirements, and enforcement.

Public Communications:
• Importance of follow-up on Council decisions; example renaming of Lopes Road
• Problems at Hope Center.
• City should exert more influence on Alameda County vaccinations.

Scheduled Items:
• Approve a Conditional Use Permit to Allow Redevelopment of Mission Hills Swim and Tennis Club – 10 East Las Palmas Avenue a 12.72-acre Parcel. Encourage to work with small business, local hire, engage youth and add a condition of best environmental practices.

Council Communications:
• Mayor Mei referral: Adopt a resolution designating the Mayor as the appointing authority for the Community Development Block Grant Committee, with such appointments being subject to confirmation by the City Council.

Lily Mei, Mayor Aye
Jenny Kassan, Vice Mayor Aye
Teresa Keng, District 1 Aye
Rick Jones, District 2 Aye
Yang Shao, District 4 Absent
Raj Salwan, District 5 Aye
Teresa Cox, District 6 Aye

Fremont Unified School District Board of Education
January 20 meeting highlights
Submitted by Brian Killgore

• Reviewed the District's 2019-20 Audit Report. The District's independent auditor, Eide Bailly LLP, has conducted an audit of the district's financial statement and records for fiscal year 2019-2020. Eide Bailly LLP issued an “Unmodified Opinion” report for the district meaning the financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.

• Received Annual Demographic Study Including Enrollment and Classroom Staffing Projection. FUSD currently contracts with Davis Demographics & Planning, Inc. (DDP) to update and analyze demographic data relevant to the District’s facility planning efforts. From 2010-11 to 2017-18 (8 years), the district's enrollment had grown from 32,368 to 35,124 students. This represented an increase of 8.51% or 2,756 students. However, beginning in 2018-19, the district has experienced an unexpected and ongoing decline in enrollment which is expected to continue through 2027. Since 2018-19, the district has lost approximately 555 students. The projected enrollment for 2021-22 is 34,569 students and represents a year-over-year projected decrease of 86 students. The projected enrollment in 2027-28 (7 years) is 31,993 students, a decrease of 2,662 from 2020-21 or -8.32%.

• Future Return to In-Person Instruction Update: The 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. On Thursday, January 14, 2021, The California Department of Public Health published their COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework & Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year, which is connected to Governor Newsom's Safe Schools for All plan. Staff presented information to the Board of Education regarding Governor Newsom’s Safe Schools for All plan and changes in regulations/guidance from the California Department of Public Health. Additionally, staff will update the Board of Education on current progress on comprehensive plans for a safe return to in-person instruction.

Reevaluation/Envisioning of the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program: The board voted 4-1 to reinstate the School Resource Officer (SRO) program at Fremont high schools and offices with no funding by FUSD while in shelter-in-place and begin discussions to review parameters with the City and Police Department on options for next steps moving forward. FUSD and the City/Police Department would be asked to draft a memorandum of understanding.

• Authorized Staff to Enter into an Agreement with Care Solace for Mental Health Care Programs and Resources from February 1, 2021-June 30, 2022. The purpose of Care Solace is to connect staff, students/families to reliable, ethical and high-quality mental health care service providers in their communities.

Beverly June Goomas

March 4, 1921 – January 6, 2021

Beverly Goomas of Fremont passed away on January 6, 2021. She was just shy of her 100th birthday. She is preceded in death by her devoted husband Nick and her parents Zora & Elmer Ecklund. Beverly is survived by her son Steven Timothy Goomas and her sister-in-law Marion Silvius.
Beverly had an interesting career path. She was a manager at Youngster’s Clothing Store and manager at the temp agency Western Girl, Fremont Bank, Brown Business College, an attorney’s office and volunteered for the Pink Ladies at Washington Hospital. She then went to work as a Career Counselor at FUSD, Washington High School. During that time, she went back to college to obtain her teaching credential at UC Berkeley. She was employed at FUSD for 20 years where she later retired in 1994. She also taught night classes at Fremont Adult School.

During the time she worked at Washington High School, she developed many lifelong friendships and was a proud member of WOW…The Women of Washington High School.

Beverly always said she wanted to live out of the box. She was a very outgoing and adventurous person. They enjoyed travel and took trips to Greece as well as the Holy Land with their good friends.

Beverly was very thankful for all her friends and caregivers for all their support over the years. Her friends would agree that she was one classy, fine lady and was always dressed to the nines. She was a loving, supportive Wife and Mother and she will be deeply missed.

Services will be held Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at 11 am, Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary, 48800 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont, CA 94539.
The service will also be on ZOOM. Meeting ID 989 3928 8500, Passcode 274718.
URL: https://laccd.zoom.us/j/98939288500?pwd=S2hpVmtHYnJpUEtPYmV6cnRjYW9GZz09

Hayward Police Log
Submitted by Hayward PD

Sunday, January 10
• At 4:50 a.m. a robbery occurred at a business in the 300 block of W. Jackson Street. The suspects took cash and other items. An investigation is continuing.

Monday, January 11
• At 8:39 a.m. a person was struck by a train in the area of Huntwood Avenue and Schafer Road. The investigation was taken over by Amtrak Police.

Wednesday, January 13
• At 9:30 p.m. officers responded to a report of a person shot in the area of Overhill Drive and Mission Boulevard. The victim was shot several times by a BB gun from a passing vehicle.

Thursday, January 14
• Officers responded to a theft report at a busines in the 29000 block of Mission Blvd. Once outside the business the suspect began fighting with another customer. Officers arrived and arrested the suspect.

Friday, January 15
• At 5:28 a.m. a robbery occurred at a business on the 22000 block of Foothill Blvd. The suspect entered the business with a weapon and stole cash.

Saturday, Jan. 16
• At 6:00 p.m. officers responded to a report of about 40 to 50 juveniles causing a disturbance. One person was cited and released to their parents.

Do you know a hero? Help honor them
Submitted by Joy Alexiou

Officials from the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Board are seeking nominations for their Annual Behavioral Health Community Heroes Awards. These awards recognize community members who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with behavioral health challenges. Nominations are being accepted through February 28, 2021.

Every year, the Behavioral Health Board hosts the awards program to recognize individuals and organizations in Santa Clara County who have demonstrated exemplary service to county residents suffering the effects of mental illness.

In the face of a global pandemic, Community Heroes have continued their mission to improve the lives of those they serve. They are professional service providers, members of the faith-based community, law enforcement, as well as community members. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Hero Awards were canceled and award recipients were unable to be publicly recognized. This year, the 2020 award recipients, as well as the 2021 Heroes will be honored at a virtual program from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

The Behavioral Health Board will recognize 11 heroes, one in each of the following categories:

• Agency: An agency whose services for individuals with behavioral health challenges are consumer and family focused, professional, caring, compassionate, and innovative. The agency goes beyond the standard services/treatment and truly seeks to improve a client’s/consumer’s quality of life.

• Consumers/Clients: An individual who has received behavioral health services and has demonstrated impressive personal achievements and has provided hope, inspiration or knowledge to others facing similar challenges.

• Educator: A professional educator who has taken the extra steps in providing behavioral health services by going beyond their job description. May be an instructor, behavioral health professional, coach, counselor, etc.

• Elected Official: A current elected official who has provided exemplary service in advocating for those with behavioral health challenges and/or is working to eliminate the stigma and stereotypes that surround these diseases.

• Faith-Based: A faith-based organization that has provided extraordinary services, including community support activities.

• Family Member: An individual who has a family member receiving behavioral health services and who has contributed to improving the lives of families affected by behavioral health challenges through advocacy, programs, or activities that reach beyond their own family circumstances to have an impact on the community and/or service delivery system.

• Mover and Shaker: A person who has recognized critical behavioral health needs in the greater community and has created and promoted collaborative, innovative and creative initiatives to serve those in need.

• Young Mover and Shaker: A person under the age of 26 who has recognized critical behavioral health needs in the greater community and has created and promoted collaborative, innovative and creative initiatives that serve those in need.

• Media: A Media Community Hero provides helpful information through news outlets, guiding people to appropriate mental health resources. In their coverage/reporting, they successfully follow the national recommendations and guidelines for reporting on suicide.

• Program: A behavioral health program that provides unique services that have had an extraordinary impact on consumers, family members and community.

• Volunteer: An individual who has made an impact on the behavioral health community and is not compensated monetarily for their efforts.

The criteria for consideration of an award includes demonstrating a commitment in the selected category, inspiring others to believe they can make a difference, engaging community members, and bridging differences among communities.

Board members and their families are not eligible for nominations; nominations should be based on recent activity but may recognize a long-term activity or service. Awards are limited to nominees who either reside in or provide services in Santa Clara County.

For additional information and to submit a Heroes nomination, visit this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021heroesawards.

Honor Roll

Avila University, Missouri
Fall 2020 Dean’s List
• Chris Bustos of Hayward

McKendree University, Illinois
Fall 2020 Dean’s List
• Emmily Patneaud of Newark
• Lizette Rodriguez of Fremont

University of Utah
Fall 2020 Dean’s List
• Sean Gaffney of Castro Valley
• Julianna Tran of Union City
• Aldrige Tongson of Union City
• Mingjun Xie of Union City

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

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: info@chambersingers.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
jwolfinger@crisissupport.org

Wednesdays, January 27, February 17, and March 10
Never Forget: A Writers Workshop for Japanese-Americans R
10 a.m. – 12 noon
3-part workshop focused on 2nd generation novice Japanese-American writers
To register, email education@haywardareahistory.org
www.haywardareahistory.org

Wednesdays, January 20 – April 14
National Geographic Live Virtual Events $
7 p.m.
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: brian@newarkpress.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/ jwolfinger@crisissupport.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!

Saturdays & Sundays
India Community Center Youth Programs R$
Art Class (K-5): Saturdays, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., 1/23 – 5/15
Hindi Class (1-6): Sundays, 10:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., 1/24 – 5/16
Public Speaking (2-6): Sundays, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m., 1/24 – 5/16
Bollywood Class (all ages): Every Day, 1/11 – 5/16
EnActe Voice Acting for Animation (3-8): Sundays, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., 1/24 – 5/16
EnActe Art of Performance (3-8): Sundays, 11 a.m. – 12 noon, 1/24 – 5/16
https://www.indiacc.org/programs/enrichment-program-registration/
youthprograms@indiacc.org

Sundays
Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church Family Service
10 a.m.
Via ZOOM
For link, call (510) 471-2581
https://sacbc.org/

Sundays
First Presbyterian Church of Newark Virtual Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Sunday School, Ages K – 6th grade
Contact: office@newarkpres.org for Zoom Meeting ID#
www.newarkpres.org

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

Last Thursday of the Month, January – June
Mini MBA in Entrepreneurship
Self-paced virtual program for early-stage entrepreneurs

UPCOMING

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

Wednesday, January 27
Petitioning for Relatives and Permanent Resident Status
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Free info session from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Webex Link: https://bit.ly/39BufXO
Meeting number (access code): 199 051 8937
Meeting password: 7xAXD76vc3e*

Wednesday, January 27
Family Caregiver Support Program
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
To register email fsharifi@fremont.gov

Friday, January 29
Prepare for landing: update on NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Gerald McKeegan gives a Mars 2020 mission update
Live on YouTube and Facebook
https://chabotspace.org/calendar/prepare-for-landing-an-update-on-nasas-mars-perseverance-rover/

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

Saturday, January 30
Behavioral Health – Breaking Stigma
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Identify some stigmas of behavioral health and challenge attitudes and misconceptions
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/38KSHqw

Monday, February 1
Milpitas Rotary
12 noon
Speaker: Jared Hernandez, Acting Milpitas Chief of Police
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/364zWgd
Meeting ID: 830 1305 6992
Passcode: 113524

Tuesday, February 2
Town Hall on Financial Abuse of Older Adults
2 p.m.
Join AARP, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian
https://vekeo.com/aarpcalifornia/#event-33273

Wednesday, February 3
Immigration Overview
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Free info session from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Webex Link: https://bit.ly/35H6igK
Meeting number (access code): 199 356 8874
Meeting password: MJiRunKb

Wednesday, February 3
StartupGrind Fremont R
5:30 p.m.
Introduction to non-dilutive funding
https://startupgrind.com/fremont

Thursday, February 4
Air District Virtual Workshop
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Learn about draft amendments to rules limiting emissions from refineries
Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85296925189
Meeting ID: 852 9692 5189
https://www.baaqmd.gov/reg6rule5

Thursday, February 4
AMC Online Math Contest $R
For Fremont students. Deadline to apply is 1/5/21
https://bit.ly/3ntTS2D

Saturday, February 6
COVID Vaccines – Perspectives & Expectations
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Learn more about the COVID vaccine from a leading expert
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/35JuajY

Monday, February 8
Milpitas Rotary
12 noon
Annual Rotary Speech Contest with MUSD Supt. Cheryl Jordan
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/364zWgd
Meeting ID: 830 1305 6992
Passcode: 113524

Wednesday, February 10
AMC Online Math Contest $R
For Fremont students. Deadline to apply is 1/11/21
https://bit.ly/3nyTAre

Thursday, February 11
Show Your Love – Virtual Cooking & Wine Event $R
6 p.m.
Prepare a decadent, home-cooked meal at home. Proceeds benefit Spectrum Community Services
Register at https://bit.ly/3qdqK0y

Wednesday, February 17
When Your Heart Needs a Little Help R
6:30 p.m.
Virtual Seminar – Learn about advanced techniques in cardiac care
www.whhs.com
(800) 963-7070

Friday, February 19
14th Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser – At Home Edition
Pick up a delicious dinner of fresh crab to enjoy at home
Pick Up Times: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Buy tickets ($60) online at: https://bit.ly/Crabfeed2021awc
Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont
(510) 790-6602
agewellcenters@fremont.gov

Monday, February 22
Milpitas Rotary
12 noon
Speaker: Kevin McCormack, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/364zWgd
Meeting ID: 830 1305 6992
Passcode: 113524

Wednesday, March 3
Advanced Treatments for Knee Pain Help R
4:30 p.m.
Virtual Seminar – Learn about common causes, symptoms, and treatment options for knee pain
www.whhs.com
(800) 963-7070

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

Kevin Robert Schmidt
Resident of Union City
September 11, 1957 – January 13, 2021

Kevin Robert Schmidt was born in Oakland, California and lived most of his early years in Newark, CA. He was a great car and motorcycle mechanic. He loved Volkswagens, jet skis and his dogs over the years. His ideal vacation was jet skiing, kayaking and an awesome road trip. In the end he may not have found peace in the world, but he enjoyed his grandchildren, sitting in the sun, visiting friends and sister as well as watching his favorite tv shows and music videos. He is survived by his wife Teresa (Perez), his sons Chris and Cory, his daughter-in-law Jenny. And three grandchildren Aubriana (Chris), Elijah and Athena (Cory).

Tri-City Cremation
& Funeral Service
510-494-1984
Newark, CA 94560

Marc Clair Sakaronhiokawe McDonald
August 17, 1946 – June 24, 2020
Banning, California

Marc Clair Sakaronhiokawe McDonald, Snipe Clan, Seneca Indians, born August 17, 1946 of Banning, California, passed away unexpectedly in the early morning of June 24, 2020.

Born in Lawton Oklahoma to Reva and Andrew McDonald Sr. Asa toddler, Marc and his brother Andrew Jr., “Mackey”, moved to the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation, at the U.S. Canadian border. They remained in the care of their Aunt Harriet Herne for 8 years, while their father was away serving in the U.S. Navy. During his time in Akwesasne, Marc’s cousin Florabell looked after him as her little brother, a bond shared throughout their lives.

Marc was 9 years old when he left Akwesasne with his father, brother and stepmother Alice Christopherson. For the next 9 years they travelled all over the country from New York to Hawaii, settling in Union City California. While attending James Logan High School, Marc participated in many school activities. He lettered in multiple sports including football, and basketball. Marc graduated high school as Senior Class President, Class of 1965.

On May 1, 1966 Marc began a career as a Journeyman Lineman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). During 54 years of service, working coast to coast in his career, including Alaska and Hawaii, Marc planned on retiring after his 74th birthday.

He continued to enjoy a variety of sports and activities, including ballroom dancing, traveling to different states to participate slo-pitch, fast pitch softball and basketball tournaments.

Marc took pride in visiting with his children and grandchildren, jogging, riding on the beach, fishing, passing along his love of learning, always sending them books.

Marc was preceded in death by his father Andrew McDonald Sr., mother Reva Abrams DeRoin, stepmother Alice Christopherson, brother Andrew “Mackey” McDonald Jr. and a great grandchild.

Marc s survived by brothers Mitch (Amy) McDonald, Abe (Leslie) McDonald, Joe (Sarah) McDonald all of LaConner, Washington, Bill Berkmeyer of Florida, sisters Sue Ellen Berkmeyer of Colorado, Rita Horse of Florida, chosen sister, Florabell Anderson of

Milpitas City Council
January 19, 2021

Proclamation:
• January 19 was proclaimed as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Consent Calendar:
• Authorized the purchase of two Skeeter Brush Trucks, LLC Dodge Ram 5500 Type 5 Wildland Engines for the Fire Department from Golden State Fire Apparatus, Inc.
• Accepted Well Upgrade – McCandless Well.
• Authorized Execution of a Stormwater Management Facilities Operation and Maintenance Agreement for Anton Milpitas 750, LLC for the Anton Aspire Project at 750 E. Capitol Avenue.
• Authorized execution of amendment to the agreement with West Yost Associates for the Construction Support Services for the Main Lift Emissions Control Project.
• Approved the execution of a first Amendment to the All-Inclusive Playground Funding Agreement with the County of Santa Clara for accessible playgrounds at McCandless Park and Mabel Mattos Elementary School joint use area.
• Approved the execution of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s “Cut the Commute Pledge” and adopted a resolution to support expanded telecommuting and other measures to reduce Single-Occupancy Vehicle trips.

Community Development:
• Conducted a third study session on the Milpitas Metro Specific Plan (Update of 2008 Transit Area Specific Plan) with a presentation, and discussion on key plan policies related to Land Use Density and Intensity. The goal is to provide flexibility and capacity over the next 20 years. An ‘Innovation District’ will be set up, while additionally including new retail, hotel, housing, and transit hub facilities.

Business Issue:
• Authorized execution of a ten- year service agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. as the sole source vendor for a Local NICE Logging Solution and matching Locution Systems, Inc. Fire Station alerting system and relevant services.

Mayor Rich Tran Aye
Vice Mayor Carmen Montano Aye
Anthony Phan Aye
Karina Dominguez Aye
Evelyn Chua Aye

Mural artist spruces up city
By Marc Vicente
Photos by Ben Goulart

The increase of COVID-19 cases, with stricter quarantine procedures being set in place, makes the Bay Area a harsher place to traverse. However, long before these events occurred, the City of Hayward had been working on projects to rejuvenate its image and appear more welcoming. One project is the creation of beautiful mural art that doubles as an answer to graffiti vandalism. Despite the current quarantine’s negative impact on many businesses, it did not affect the efforts of a mural artist Benjamin Goulart.

Goulart, a graduate of Las Positas College with an Associate of Science Degree in Fine Arts, learned his trade from well-respected artists including Kim Mendenhall and Andrew Kong Knight. Since earning his degree, he has dedicated over twenty years to creating custom interior and exterior murals for both commercial and residential areas throughout California, including Hayward, under his moniker “The Mural Man.” Most of his murals are stylized, photo-realistic designs depicting a setting and adding objects that double as subtle references to philosophical ideas. One example is a mural created for California State University East Bay’s Diversity Center depicting international political figures gathered around a roulette table featuring a world globe, symbolizing how people gamble with the Earth and its resources.

Recently, Goulart has been experimenting with different art styles, most evident in his latest mural, “City Diversity.” Unlike many of his other murals, it is found on a utility box, normally used to house electronic components. “City Diversity” uses an abstract cubist approach to depict a mother and her child’s everyday life in a bustling city full of vibrantly colored skies and high-rise buildings. According to Goulart, it takes inspiration from his earlier days in the Bay Area. Plans for this mural were made before the COVID-19 pandemic started to enforce quarantines, and while the project was briefly halted, Goulart was fortunately able to continue working on this mural by following social distancing procedures.

Goulart has also been recently holding classes that teach children about painting murals in local areas. While currently he can only teach one child at a time, children participate in the creative process by setting up designated stations that help him complete his projects. The most prominent mural created from these classes was entitled “The Information Pollination,” displayed at the Humboldt Public Library.

“Now that I have a six-year old daughter, I’ve recently been starting to work with kids,” Goulart states. “Doing so got me thinking that it would be a great idea to introduce them to making murals. Not only does it help them contribute to the community in a creative way, but I also hope it teaches them about how to appreciate such murals so that they are less prone to vandalizing them. Plus, at the end of the day, getting kids involved with this sort of thing is extremely rewarding.”

To enroll in one of his mural classes or to contact him about his work, contact Goulart through his email at bengoulart@yahoo.com. If you would like to see more of his work, most of it is featured at his Instagram @the_mural_man, his Facebook @themuralmanstudio and his website at www.mural-man.com.

Newark Police Log
Submitted by Newark PD

Sunday, January 10
• At 9:23 a.m. Officer Jackman investigated a theft of a catalytic converter from a Honda Element in the 35000 block of Lido Blvd.

• At 6:49 p.m. officers investigated a robbery where a person smashed the victim’s passenger car window and stole her purse in the 35000 block of Newark Blvd.

• At 7:49 p.m. officers responded to a report of a robbery involving a handgun in the 36000 block of Cedar Blvd. The loss was a wallet and keys.

Monday, January 11
• At 10:20 p.m. Officer McCuin investigated a report of suspicious activity described as a person casing for burglary in the 5600 block of Civic Terrance. Upon arrival, McCuin contacted and arrested a 29-year-old male transient on probation for possession of burglary tools and appropriation of lost property. He was cited and released.

Tuesday, January 12
• At 8:39 a.m. officers located three unoccupied stolen vehicles in the 37000 block of Magnolia St. and 39000 block of Cedar Blvd. respectively.

• At 4:36 p.m. officers responded to a report of a burglary to a vehicle that had just occurred in the 5000 block of Jarvis Ave. During the investigation, it was determined that the victim left a wallet on the passenger seat unattended. Someone shattered the vehicle’s window and took the wallet.

Thursday, January 14
• At 2:11 a.m. Officer Norvell investigated a report of suspicious activity in the area of Robertson Avenue and Birch Street. A neighbor reported two people looking into car windows. Upon arrival, Norvell contacted and arrested a 25-year-old Fremont man for two outstanding warrants. He was booked at Fremont Jail.

• At 2:22 p.m. during a routine traffic enforcement stop in the area of Stevenson Boulevard and Albrae Street, Officer Damewood contacted and arrested a 45-year-old Fremont man for an outside warrant, possession of identification for 10 or more people, possession of burglar tools, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Ohlone College Board of Trustees
January 13, 2021

Ceremonial items:
India Republic Day proclamation
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day proclamation

Standing reports:
Ohlone College President Dr. Eric Bishop noted that in the wake of COVID-19 the college is analyzing Wi-Fi assistance for faculty and staff. A letter has been sent to Alameda County Department of Public Health offering Ohlone campuses as possible vaccination sites. He noted that Spring 2021 enrollment is down 6% compared to Spring 2020 with a FTES of 2,447. The college is actively calling students who have completed applications but not enrolled, as well as students who enrolled in fall but have yet to register for the spring semester.

Consent Agenda:
• Approved December 2020 payroll warrants
• Approved various personnel actions.
• Approved a Technology Master Plan
• Revised noncredit courses for 2020-2021
• Revised credit courses and programs for 20212022

Action item:
Approved Measure G Bond List Revision #24

Richard Watters, Chair
Greg Bonaccorsi
Suzanne Lee Chan
Jan Giovannini-Hill
Vivien Larsen
Lance Kwan
Dr. Rakesh Sharma
Megan Aves, Student Member

Olivia Montalvo
August 11, 1936 – January 14, 1921
Resident of Livermore

Loving wife of Andres Montalvo and survived by her daughters Alma Montalvo-Murphy (Todd) and Diana Montalvo-Christensen (Thomas); son Andres Montalvo Jr.; granddaughter Ashley Montalvo and grandson Maxx Montalvo.

Olivia was born in Torreón, Mexico and immigrated to the US in 1953. She met the love of her life Andres Montalvo in El Paso, TX after returning from his service in the Army. The two were married on December 15, 1962 and soon after they moved from El Paso to the Bay Area. There Olivia and her husband began their family and were longtime residents in Fremont, CA. Olivia loved to dance, which she did with her husband of 53 years every opportunity they had before her stroke in 2007. Olivia was a cancer survivor and a devoted wife, mother and grandma. She enjoyed gardening, reading, listening to music, cooking and traveling with her husband but most of all she loved being with her family. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

Internment on Wednesday, January 27th at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.
Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900

Passion Discovered in the Midst of Pandemic

Who knew some individuals would discover their passion in the midst of a pandemic? That is an absurd proposition. When things are at their worst, people discover their purpose AND their passion?

The “normal” way of life chugged along like the little engine that could. People working at jobs with hopes that they would turn into a career. Students studying in hopes of an Ivy League acceptance letter.

Now, humanity is fighting a global war that traditional weaponry is powerless against. Rather, the arsenal for this seemingly relentless battle is face masks, hand sanitizer, hospital gowns, scrubs and gloves. The most effective weapon is social distancing. This battle has taken over our normal way of life, which came to a screeching halt.

With time on our hands, some individuals may reflect on their life goals, career aspirations, educational dreams, parental roles, partners and desires. A life now absent of mind-filling activities, obligations and responsibilities may lead a person to ask, what is my purpose in life? Am I on the right journey? What really is my passion?

Passion, similar to many words in the English language, has various meanings. Passion is rooted in the Latin word “pat’ior” meaning to suffer. Swiftly transport passion to the 21st century to discover an opposite meaning: a strong liking, desire for, or devotion to some activity, object or concept.

In the midst of silence and uncertainty, envision a life lived with passion. Instead of creating artificial intelligence, shape young minds for critical thinking. Replace practicing corporate law with advocating for social justice. Move away from producing processed foods and towards more sustainable environments. Risk leaving a mindless and dead-end job to pursue a meaningful career. Whatever your heart’s desire, passion churns and yearns for fulfillment in the midst of a pandemic.

Joanne Ricketts
Hayward

Real Estate Notebook

COVID-19 changes real estate
By David Stark
Public Affairs Director, Bay East Association of REALTORS®

The real estate story written during 2020 had several chapters dominated by one character who will also play a role in 2021: COVID-19.

“It really started out just like any other year, and there was still somewhat low inventory and prices were still appreciating,” said Tina Hand, 2020 president of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®. “On March 16, when we got our shelter in place orders, for the next six weeks the market pretty much came to a screeching halt.”

Within the next few weeks, Hand said that real estate transactions were deemed “essential” by regional health authorities, “However, it was not business as usual, to say the least.”

Hand explained that some real estate activities, including showing homes for sale to potential buyers, could resume under strict rules. “There were no more open houses, seeing properties was by appointment only. It really changed how we do business.”

“On the positive side, the real estate profession was ready,” Hand said. She explained that high-tech virtual home tours were already available to agents and their clients. However, Hand said no one had anticipated having to use that technology exclusively and so quickly.

“Real estate is an adaptable industry, and you have to adapt to the changes because we’re constantly having to deal with change.” Hand said.

Homebuyers were also ready to adapt to the new conditions. Their enthusiasm resulted in homes selling quickly. A home was on the market in Fremont during 2020 an average of 23 days, down from 29 days during 2019. In Union City and Newark, homes sold even quicker. They were on the market just 22 days in both communities, down from 39 days in Newark during 2019 and 31 days in Union City.

“We bounced back extremely strong,” Hand said. “Fortunately, due to the extremely low interest rates and how the pandemic changed the way people see housing, the buyer demand was through the roof. It was not unusual to have 10 to 20 offers on a property.”

Hand said that once Bay Area companies began allowing their employees to work from home, it increased the demand for housing and homes with the space for an office or even a classroom. “It switched how everyone perceives homeownership and what it means,” Hand said.

This demand pushed prices to record-high levels. The median sales price for a single-family detached home in Fremont was $1.2 million. In Newark, it was $977,500; in Union City it was more than $1 million.

Hand was not surprised that real estate activity rebounded within weeks of the initial shelter in place. “The Bay Area, I believe, outpaces the rest of the country because we have the strong tech businesses in Silicon Valley, in Fremont, Newark and on the Peninsula. There are still a lot of people employed and their businesses are doing well.”

Asked about the impact 2020 will have on residential real estate during 2021, Hand said, “I sense that demand will still be strong, and people will continue to work from home even into the summer and possibly fall. Tri-Cities will always be in high demand because of the proximity to Silicon Valley.”

Sabino Arthur “Art” Aguilar
Resident of Union City
October 26, 1934 – January 14, 2021

Sabino Aguilar was born on October 26, 1934 in Oakland, CA and passed away on January 14, 2021 with his family at his side. Survived by his beloved wife Madeline. Loving father to Debbie Cosio, Susan Banda and Arthur Aguilar. Adoring grandfather to Nanette, Bridget, Crystal, Salvador, Alexis, Zane and Nathan, and great grandfather to his angels Joseph, Ayaan, Sofia and Gianna. Sabino is preceded in death by many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Sabino was raised in Decoto, CA. He retired from Inland Container, loved working on classic cars, gardening, fishing and attending car shows.

A Celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900

San Leandro Police Log
Submitted by San Leandro PD

Sunday, January 17
• At about 12:05 p.m. Officer Lemmon made a traffic stop on eastbound Highway 580 at 150th Avenue. During a search of the vehicle a fully loaded AR-15 weapon was found; it had a 50 round drum magazine with one bullet in the chamber. Also found was an “It” clown mask and marijuana. The suspect was arrested and taken to jail and booked on multiple drug and weapons violations.

Social Security Matters
Ask Rusty – Do COVID-19 Bonuses Count Toward Earnings Limit?
By Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor, AMAC Foundation

Dear Rusty: I am 63 and still working, and I receive Social Security benefits. Because of COVID-19 my employer has been giving us a $300 bonus, every three months. This will be $1,200 for the year and it will put me over the $18,240 earnings limit for this year. My question is, since these bonuses are COVID-19 related are they still considered earned income? My second question is, if I go over the limit does Social Security stop my check, even if it might be a portion of the check? Signed: Working During COVID-19

Dear Working: Whether your 2020 earnings (and those bonuses) put you over the annual earnings limit will depend upon how the bonuses are reported on your Federal income tax return (or your W-2 if you are not required to file). Your employer will send your W-2 earnings to the IRS which will, in turn, inform Social Security of your earnings. Social Security compares your 2020 W-2 earnings to the earnings limit to see if you exceeded the allowable limit. In other words, how your employer defines those COVID-19 bonuses and reports it to the IRS determines whether SS will count them toward the earnings limit. You should check with your employer’s Human Resources department to see if your COVID-19 bonuses will be considered as taxable earnings reportable on your W-2.

If you exceed the limit, and you do not inform Social Security in advance that you did, they will not know about it until they receive your W-2 information from the IRS (sometime next year, after you file your income taxes). They will then send you a notification that you exceeded the limit and tell you how much you owe them, and they will want to recover $1 for every $2 you are over the limit (half of what you exceed the limit by). They will give you the option to repay what they consider to be an overpayment in one lump sum, request a repayment plan or to have your SS benefits withheld for as many months as it takes for them to recover what you owe. Note they only withhold full months of benefits, not partial, so you could go several months without collecting any SS benefits until they recover what is owed.

The money they withhold because you exceeded the limit is not lost forever, because when you reach your full retirement age (66 ½ if you turned 63 in 2020) they will give you time credit for any months they withheld benefits. That means they will move your effective claim date forward by the number of months benefits were withheld, which will result in a small increase in your benefit amount. But you will get that higher benefit for the rest of your life, enabling you to eventually recover the money they withheld because you exceeded the limit. And for information, during the year you reach your full retirement age (FRA) the limit goes up and the penalty is less, and once you reach your FRA there is no longer a limit to how much you can earn while collecting benefits.

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

Social Media Takes Center Stage
Submitted by Shirley Gilbert

“Every single one of my friends has experienced some kind of self-doubt or negative thoughts due to social media,” said Washington High School student Rhea Jain during her first place speech for the Speech Trek contest on January 16.

The Fremont Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) organized the contest. Jain and five other competitors talked on the topic: “Has social media helped or hindered the breakdown of barriers for women and girls?” AAUW feels the subject is particularly meaningful because of its timeliness and its relevance to the organization’s mission of advancing gender equality for women and girls.

Sneha Chakraborty, a student at Irvington High School, won second place. She had heard a great deal about the drawbacks of social media for girls and wanted to shed light on the benefits. “With social media connecting the entire world in a string, women’s inequality is no longer an individual issue. An attack on one woman is a problem for everyone,” said Chakraborty.

A student at American High School, Shreya Sundar came in third. She stressed how social media has raised attention to causes young people are passionate about and how the media has uplifted the prospects of so many women. “Social media,” said Shreya, “should be used as an advantage to empower and promote positivity, rather than degrade girls and women.”

The winners received gift cards: $100 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third. Jain’s recorded speech will be submitted to the state-level contest where the top five contestants will be chosen in the semi-final round of AAUW California’s Speech Trek competition. From there, the top three state finalists will be invited to compete for cash prizes – $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second, and $500 for third.

Fremont Unified School District Board re-votes on keeping School Resource Officer program
By J.D. Flaten
Images provided by the Fremont Police Department and SRO Task Force representative

This past November, the Fremont Unified School District Board of Education trustees voted 3-2 to discontinue the School Resource Officer program, diverting the District’s contribution of $838,000 instead into mental health services and restorative justice for students. However, the Board is revisiting this decision. It re-voted on Wednesday, January 20, at its virtual board meeting. The public can access the Zoom link here: https://www.fremont.k12.ca.us/.

The schools have implemented distance learning and all SROs are currently assigned elsewhere. If the Board ends its funding portion to the SRO program, there would still be three officers assigned to six high schools. Two new trustees, Vivek Prasad and Yajing Zhang, were elected in November; both indicated their support for continuing the SRO program in their election campaigns.

The November 2020 decision to remove uniformed police officers from six Fremont high schools was largely driven by student group advocacy and a special task force (formed in August 2020 by the District) comprised of 25 members that included staff, community members, parents and students.

Task Force member Priya (who requested we not list her last name), is disappointed. “This re-vote basically cancels out the November decision. I feel like we are back at square one,” she said. “The board is divesting from their decision to build its mental health support for students.”

FUSD teachers advocated for removing the program, while six high school principals with the SRO program all supported keeping officers on campus. Student groups in Fremont and across California supported the Task Force’s recommendations, including March for Our Lives – California, GenUp Fremont, BAStA Fremont, the Filipino Student Association at American High School, the Filipino Student Union at Washington High School, Students for Change at Washington High School.

Program background

The SRO program has been in place since 1998. It is comprised of six officers, one per high school, and a sergeant, at a cost of $2.5 million. FUSD kicks in $838,000, and the City of Fremont covers the remainder. For context, the District is required to trim $30 million from its budget by 2023 in order to have a three percent reserve in place.

Benefits to the schools included: security for sporting events, dances, and graduations; “Run, Hide, Fight Training” for FUSD staff and PTA; vaping presentations for FUSD staff and parents; an alternative to suspension program.

Link to Fremont Police Department SRO page: https://www.fremontpolice.gov/about-us/special-operations-division/school-resource-officers

SROs as mental health assessors

A July 29, 2020 presentation by Student Support Services Director Greg Bailey noted that much SRO work was conducting involuntary psychiatric holds (5150s). In the 2018-19 school year, FUSD had 30 instances of these holds, and in 2019-2020, 20 cases.

The Task Force mental health report noted there were alternatives to law enforcement assessments, including programs that are available at no cost to the District. The report noted also that District does not utilize any of the county’s mobile crisis teams as of fall 2020. “There is unanimous reliance on either SROs or police officers to process 5150 crises,” per the task force.

Alternatives include:
• The city’s Mobile Evaluation Team (MET), created in 2017, partners a uniformed Fremont police officer with a licensed mental health professional.
• Alameda County Behavioral Health (ACBH) Crisis Response Program, which staffs a Mobile Crisis Team.
• The Community Assessment Treatment and Transport Team (CATT), which partners a mental health professional and a paramedic to respond to calls for service.

The Task Force also noted that the District falls below recommended student-to-staff ratio for mental health and medical care.

Task Force Report shows problems

The 60-page SRO Task Force Report was a critical part of the public dialogue leading to the November decision to end the program. The report listed statistics highlighting who was disciplined, why, and the long-term effects of criminalizing in-school student actions (in 2018-19, officers made 21 student arrests or referrals to law enforcement on campuses throughout the district). The report and other material can be found here: https://www.fremont.k12.ca.us/sro (scroll down to Documents folder).

“The increased policing in school harms school climate and undermines students’ mental health by creating an environment that assumes students are suspects and criminals,” the task force report concluded. The Task Force recommended the school board instead invest in “increased mental health support, implementing restorative justice, and other proactive and preventative approaches as alternatives to law enforcement.”

Other report conclusions:
• The SRO disproportionately impacts Hispanic/Latinx students, Black students, Filipino students and students with special needs. From 2015-2020, the percent of Hispanic/Latinx and Black students arrested was up to ten times their enrollment percent, and the percent of referrals to law enforcement for students with disabilities was up to four times their enrollment percent.
• FUSD does not have the ability to evaluate or remove any SROs (these actions are determined solely by the Fremont Police Department).

FUSD Superintendent Christopher Cammack said: “Fremont Unified School District is a large and complex organization that serves a richly diverse community…As an organization, FUSD must first look internally at what structures and systems exist in our efforts to meet the needs of all students.

The report also presented positive anecdotes of police officer and student interaction, as well as commendations from teachers who appreciated having an officer presence.

Other school districts in the region that have decided to remove police presence/SRO programs on their campuses include the Oakland Unified School District, San Jose’s Alum Rock Union and East Side Union High School districts, Los Altos High School, Antioch, and Union City’s New Haven Unified School District.

At the January 20 meeting, the board voted 4-1 to reinstate the SRO program with no funding from FUSD, and to begin discussions with the city and police on how the program would look going forward.

Rachel Zhang Yea
Vivek Prasad Yea
Desrie Campbell Yea
Larry Sweeney Yea
Dianne Jones Nay

Tesla's annual sales up 36% but comes short of delivery goal
AP Wire Service

NEW YORK (AP), Jan 02 – Tesla's annual sales rose 36%, but the electric car company came short of its annual goal to deliver 500,000 vehicles.

The company said Saturday that it delivered 499,500 for the year, including 180,570 SUVs and sedans for the October through December period.

CEO Elon Musk set a goal of delivering 500,000 vehicles in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic hit, and Tesla stuck to that goal even though the virus forced its only U.S. assembly plant to close for several weeks in the spring.

In the first nine months of the year, Tesla reported that it delivered just over 318,000 vehicles worldwide, including a record 139,300 in the third quarter. To reach a half million, Tesla would have had to shatter the record and deliver 181,650 vehicles from October through December.

Musk sent an email to employees in December urging them to increase production for the rest of the quarter as much as possible, writing that Tesla has a “high-class problem” of demand being above what its factories can produce. But later the company told workers at the Fremont, California, plant that the Model S and X production lines would be shut down from Dec. 24 until Jan. 11, meaning most of the demand was for the Model 3 small car and Model Y small SUV.

It appeared the company was getting close to 500,000 but needed a boost to make the number. On Tuesday, Musk tried to juice sales, tweeting that all Tesla cars delivered during the last three days of the year would get three months of the company's “full self-driving” option for free. It costs $10,000 to buy the self-driving option. Currently selected customers are testing the self-driving software on public roads but are still responsible for driving the vehicles, which Tesla has said cannot drive themselves. Critics have said Tesla does not have the proper sensors to safely deploy fully self-driving vehicles.

Letter to the Editor
The eyes of hope

As I drove to the store one sunny January afternoon, I noticed a thin, young lady standing on the corner holding a sign for help. As I made the turn I glanced at her face, mostly covered with the mask of the pandemic, and noticed her striking eyes. Even though it was just a momentary glimpse, the light in her eyes was apparent.

I drove up the street and parked my car in the Big 5 parking lot, thinking about the plight of so many people who are having a hard time making ends meet these days. I decided to get a few food items for the lady on the corner. I then hurried back to find the young lady with the stunning eyes and the cardboard sign.

She was still there, standing like a statue as so many cars zoomed by. I crossed over the concrete median that she was blending into and set down the bag that I had brought for her. I stood up and looked into her eyes, and noticed she had a healing black eye from a violent punch. The lady looked at me and nodded a thank you as her eyes spoke sadness, shame, and fear. I said, “God bless you!” and turned to walk away, praying that she would be safe and well.

The thin, young lady returned to her pose of stillness and hope as so many cars zoomed by, her cardboard sign gripped in her thin fingers and her stunning eyes staring towards a better future and a safer life.

James Francis McGee
Fremont

Tri-City History Queries No. 1
By Kelsey Camello, for the Washington Township Museum of Local History

Q: Where does the name Mowry come from?
A: The name Mowry comes from pioneer Mormon settler Origin Mowry, who in 1846 immigrated to California from Rhode Island. Mowry attempted to make a living as a sloop operator at Sutter’s Fort (Sacramento) before trying his hand at mining. He finally gained some wealth as a peddler of goods to miners before buying land in today’s Newark. There he settled his own farm and built a landing (Mowry’s Landing) on the water where he established his own over-water trade route between Newark and San Francisco. Later, a warehouse was added and other settlers began renting spaces from Mowry. A thriving small town grew around the landing, prompting the establishment of the aptly named Mowry’s Landing School District. Mowry Slough, which meanders landward toward Newark from the Bay at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge is named after Mowry, as was the now defunct South Pacific Coast Railroad station, which was located just west of today’s Newark Skate Park on Mowry Ave. at the railroad tracks. Today Mowry Avenue (Fremont and Newark) and Mowry Shopping Center East (Fremont) still bear the pioneer settlers name. Origin Mowry died in 1888 and is buried at Irvington Memorial Cemetery in Fremont.

Q: Why is there a house in the middle of Sylvester P. Harvey Community Park?
A: The residential property with an address of 3590 Grand Lake Drive in North Fremont is indeed located in the middle of Sylvester P. Harvey Community Park. The homestead was settled in 1853 or 1854 (depending on where you read your history) by the park’s namesake. The 1878 Thompson and West Atlas of Alameda County identifies the site of the home in the same location and notes that Harvey owned 100 acres stretching from the old Alameda Creek line in the east to today’s Alvarado Boulevard. in the west. The home and accompanying cabin were still there in the late 1960s – early 70s when the Singer-Granger Development (today known as “The Lakes” in Fremont) was planned and completed. Like much of the Tri-City at the time, the area changed seemingly overnight from agricultural fields to single family homes. The recreational park was built in the middle of the new housing development, and structures were saved and later rented out to tenants who pledged to keep the historic structures in working order and free from vandalism. The buildings are old, historic, and occupied. As for the man, Mr. Harvey died in 1888 at the age of 55. He is buried at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward.

Have a local history question of your own? Email us at info@museumoflocalhistory.org. Be sure to include ‘Tri-City History Queries’ in the subject line.

California suspends 1.4 million virus unemployment claims
AP Wire Service

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Jan 06 – California has frozen 1.4 million unemployment claims as it battles fraud in its massive coronavirus unemployment relief program, it was reported Wednesday.

The state Employment Development Department said it had examined existing claims from people who said they lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and found about 3.5 million claims were “potentially fraudulent,“ the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Nearly 2 million of those claims already have been disqualified and payment was suspended for about 1.4 million until they could be verified. The EDD said it would contact claimants to tell them how to prove their identities, the paper said.

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 EDD 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.

The state has acknowledged that the 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.

Others were sent to inmates in jails and prisons, including some on California's death row, the agency has acknowledged.

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 much higher.

Union City Police Log
Submitted by Union City PD

Tuesday, January 12
• At about 4:07 p.m. officers responded to an auto burglary report at a Union Landing business. The victim told officers that she was sitting in her parked vehicle when a man approached, smashed the car window, then reached in and stole her purse, then fled in a maroon-colored vehicle. The suspect was described as a Black male; officers checked the area but did not find him.

Wednesday, January 13
• At about 1:06 p.m. officers responded to a theft report in the 34300 block of Alvarado Niles Road. The caller told police that a customer stole a tablet from their workplace and a second from a nearby restaurant. The suspect then fled on foot. Officers arrived and contacted a woman, later identified by police as Deanna Warr, 35. Witnesses identified Warr as the person who stole the tablet, and officers arrested her.

Friday, January 15
• At about 11:47 a.m. officers responded to a robbery report in the 30000 block of Industrial Parkway. The suspect handed the manager a note demanding money. The message also mentioned that the suspect had a gun. The suspect made off with thousands of dollars in cash. Officers conducted an area check but did not find the suspect. Witnesses described him as a Black male in his 30s, wearing a face mask.

Saturday, January 16
• At about 4:13 a.m. officers responded to a report of gunshots heard on 13th Street and I Street. Upon arrival, officers checked the area but did not locate any victims or witnesses. Officers found several shell casings in the intersection.

United joins rivals in dropping emotional-support animals
AP Wire Service

CHICAGO (AP), Jan 08 – United Airlines is joining other major U.S. carriers in no longer allowing emotional-support animals to fly for free.

United said Friday that starting Monday, it will no longer let passengers book travel for companion animals. For people who book before the deadline, free travel for companions will end Feb. 28.

After that, United said, only trained service dogs can fly in the cabin while not being in a carrier. Owners will have to submit a government-approved form attesting to the dog's training, vaccines, and disposition. Therapy animals trained to visit nursing homes and other settings don't count as service dogs, United said.

Owners may be able to transport other animals in the cargo hold or in carriers that fit under a seat in the cabin. Either way, the owner will pay a pet fee, which starts at $125 per flight.

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines announced similar policies in the last several days. The moves follow a Transportation Department rule that lets airlines crack down on the growing number of emotional-support animals in recent years.

The government rules announced last month require airlines to accept service dogs that are trained individually to help a person with a disability. The rules let airlines deny free boarding for companion animals.

For many years, thousands of passengers relied on a previous regulation to bring an animal on board for free by claiming that it provided emotional support. Airlines and flight attendants believed some passengers abused the rule to avoid pet fees.

Biden puts U.S. back into fight to slow global warming
By Ellen Knickmeyer and Seth Borenstein
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP), Jan 20 – In one of his first official acts, President Joe Biden planned Wednesday to return the United States to the worldwide fight to slow global warming and to launch a series of climate-friendly efforts that could transform how Americans drive and get their power.

“A cry for survival comes from the planet itself,” Biden said in his inaugural address. “A cry that can't be any more desperate or any clearer now.”

Biden was to sign an executive order rejoining the Paris climate accord within hours of taking the oath of office, fulfilling a campaign pledge. The move undoes the U.S. withdrawal ordered by predecessor Donald Trump, who belittled the science behind climate efforts, loosened regulations on heat-trapping oil, gas and coal emissions, and spurred oil and gas leasing in pristine Arctic tundra and other wilderness.

The Paris accord commits 195 countries and other signatories to come up with a goal to reduce carbon pollution and monitor and report their fossil fuel emissions. The United States is the world's No. 2 carbon emitter after China.

Biden's move will solidify political will globally, former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday.

“Not a single country in this world, however powerful, however resourceful one may be, can do it alone,” said Ban, speaking at a briefing in the Netherlands for an upcoming Climate Adaptation Summit. “We have to put all our hands on the deck. That is the lesson, very difficult lesson, which we have learned during last year,“ as Trump made good on his pledge to pull out of the global accord.

Biden also will use executive orders to start undoing other Trump climate rollbacks. He will order a temporary moratorium on new oil and gas leasing in what had been virgin Arctic wilderness, direct federal agencies to start looking at tougher mileage standards and other emission limits again, and revoke Trump's approval for the Keystone XL oil and gas pipeline.

Another first-day order directs agencies to consider the impact on climate, disadvantaged communities, and on future generations from any regulatory action that affects fossil fuel emissions, a new requirement. Human-caused climate change has been linked to worsening natural disasters, including wildfires, droughts, flooding and hurricanes.

However, there was no immediate word on when Biden would make good on another climate campaign pledge, one banning new oil and gas leasing on federal land.

After Biden notifies the U.N. by letter of his intention to rejoin the Paris accord, it would become effective in 30 days, U.N. spokesman Alex Saier said.

Rejoining the Paris accords could put the U.S. on track to cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 40% to 50% by 2030, experts said.

“There's a lot we can do because we've left so much on the table over the last four years,“ said Kate Larsen, former deputy director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality under the Obama administration.

Biden has promised that the needed transformations of the U.S. transportation and power sectors, and other changes, will mean millions of jobs.

Opponents of the climate accord, including Republican lawmakers who supported Trump's withdrawal from it, have said it would mean higher gas prices and higher electricity prices – even though wind and solar have become more affordable than coal, and competitive with natural gas, in generating electricity.

“The Paris climate agreement is based on the backward idea that the United States is a culprit here, when in reality the United States is the leading driver of climate solutions,” said Sen. John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican.

Republican senators are expected to introduce legislation that would require Biden to submit the Paris plan to the Senate for ratification. It's not clear whether the narrowly divided Senate would have the two-thirds votes needed to ratify the agreement, which was never approved by Congress.

Supporters say congressional approval is not needed. Most of the pollution-reduction goals set by the agreement are voluntary.

The climate deal is based on each nation setting a goal for cutting carbon pollution by 2030. Other countries submitted theirs by last month. The U.S did not. Saier said America just needs to submit its goal some time before November climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland.

A longtime international goal, included in the Paris accord with an even more stringent target, is to keep warming below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times. The world has already warmed 1.2 degrees (2.2 degrees Celsius) since that time.

As of 2020, U.S. emissions were 24% below 2005 levels, but that reflected the extraordinary economic slowdown stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, said climate scientist Zeke Hausfather, energy and climate director for the Breakthrough Institute.

There are two big areas where climate policy deals with day-to-day American life. One is electricity generation, and the other is transportation.

There's been a quiet transformation, because of market forces that have made wind and solar cheaper than dirtier coal, toward cleaner fuels, and that's expected to continue so that eventually nearly all of the nation's power will be low or zero carbon, Larsen and other experts say.

What happens to cars, trucks and buses will be far more noticeable. Several experts foresee the majority of new cars purchased in 2030 being electric.
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Knickmeyer reported from Oklahoma City. Borenstein reported from Kensington, Maryland. Associated Press writers Matthew Daly in Washington, Michael Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, and Frank Jordans in Berlin also contributed to this report.

COVID-19 vaccination updates released
Submitted by City of Fremont

Current COVID-19 vaccine supply is limited, and Alameda County is following the State of California vaccine prioritization guidance. As vaccine supplies increase, you will be able to get a vaccine through a county-administered point of dispensing (POD) or your health care provider.

Alameda County is currently in Phase 1a, and anticipates beginning Phase 1b in February (as vaccine supply allows). To receive a notification of when vaccine might be available for you, please visit the Vaccination Guidance & Resources page at https://covid-19.acgov.org/vaccines. On the page, follow the prompt that fits you best: “Alameda County Residents,” “Employers” or “Health Care Providers,” then complete and submit the Vaccine Notification Form.

Individuals who are outside of Phase 1a including 65+ should register on the Alameda County COVID-19 website at https://covid-19.acgov.org/vaccines to be notified when Alameda County has vaccine supply and has completed vaccinating health care workers who remain the top priority according to the State.

Many health care providers and community clinics have received their own vaccination supplies and may be able to expand vaccinations to include older adults at this time. Patients should contact their providers directly since appointment availability would be based on their current vaccine supply.

Please note, this is not a registration to receive vaccine. The information you provide is kept confidential and will help in planning efforts. Alameda County will contact you with further details about where vaccine will be available when it’s your turn. In the meantime, please protect yourself from COVID-19 by wearing a mask, keeping your distance from others, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands frequently.

Alameda County has received a little over 85,000 doses to date. The County continues to vaccinate many of the 145,000 health care workers who aren’t able to receive vaccination at their workplace. These people receive invitations to register for appointments at County Points of Dispensing. Phase 1a workers can also contact their health care provider directly and information for Kaiser members and Sutter patients can also be found on county’s COVID-19 websites.

Community members are encouraged to visit the CA Notify website at https://canotify.ca.gov to activate exposure notification on their smartphone to receive COVID-19 exposure alerts. By keeping Bluetooth on, you will only receive alerts if you were in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. Privacy is protected, identity is not known, and location is not tracked.

California opens scarce vaccines to those 65 and older
By Kathleen Ronayne
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Jan 13 – California is immediately allowing residents 65 and older to get scarce coronavirus vaccines, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.

The move puts seniors in line before emergency workers, teachers, childcare providers and food and agriculture workers even as counties complain they already don't have enough doses to go around.

“There is no higher priority than efficiently and equitably distributing these vaccines as quickly as possible to those who face the gravest consequences,” Newsom said in a statement. “To those not yet eligible for vaccines, your turn is coming. We are doing everything we can to bring more vaccine into the state.”

While health care workers and those in nursing homes and other congregate living facilities can still be vaccinated, state officials are expanding the program to those 65 and up because they are at the greatest risk of being hospitalized and dying. Orange County already had said it would swiftly move to vaccinate people 65 and older.

California has seen virus cases and hospitalizations explode since Thanksgiving, though in recent days the numbers have flattened.

It reported another 589 deaths Wednesday, bringing the total to 31,102. It recorded 33,751 new infections, some that will inevitably lead to more hospitalizations and deaths.

“With our hospitals crowded and ICUs full, we need to focus on vaccinating Californians who are at highest risk of becoming hospitalized to alleviate stress on our health care facilities,” said Dr. Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health and the state's Public Health Officer. “Prioritizing individuals age 65 and older will reduce hospitalizations and save lives.”

The moves follows recommendations Tuesday from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But it comes after members of a state advisory panel on Tuesday worried that adding seniors will inevitably delay vaccines for others.

Anthony Wright, executive director of the consumer health care advocacy group Health Access California, said he generally favored moving toward vaccinating older residents, but he was among those who said the expansion could further strain the state's already delayed rollout of scarce vaccines.

“This is a very tough conversation about trade-offs,” he said.

Adding the aging “does not mean we're abandoning our commitment” to those already in line for vaccines, the panel's co-chairwoman, California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris said later. “We are working together to solve multiple challenges at the same time.”

Newsom also announced a new system to let people know if they are eligible to receive a vaccine, to start next week.

If residents are not yet eligible, the system will allow them to register for a text or email notification when they are.

A “second phase” of that system will help counties and cities that have begun mass inoculation centers at sports stadiums and fairgrounds by allowing eligible members of the public to schedule their appointments at mass vaccination events.

Newsom set a goal last week of delivering an additional 1 million doses by Friday, beyond the roughly 480,000 that had been administered by last week. That's still a small portion of what's needed for herd immunity in the state of nearly 40 million people.

Despite its difficulties, the state on Tuesday lifted its stay-at-home order for 13 northern counties in the greater Sacramento region with improving hospital conditions. The region includes El Dorado County, home to Lake Tahoe, a tourism hot spot that drew large holiday crowds despite restrictions.

However, three of five state regions – the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California – remain under the stay-at-home order because their hospitals' intensive care capacity is severely limited.

The order bans gatherings outside a household and restricts many businesses. With virus cases and hospitalizations more stable, the Sacramento region can resume outdoor dining and worship services, reopen hair and nail salons and other businesses, and increase capacity at retailers. Gatherings up to three households are allowed.

Newly reported cases over the last seven days in the nation's most populous state have far outpaced others, such as Texas and Florida – the second- and third-most populated U.S. states. However, for the past seven days, California's average daily rate of new cases per 100,000 people lags behind Arizona and Rhode Island and ties with Oklahoma.
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Associated Press writers Janie Har in San Francisco, Amy Taxin in Orange County, and Don Thompson and Adam Beam in Sacramento contributed.

Virtual Chat with Youth
Submitted by Alicia Reyes

On Wednesday, January 27, Alameda County Library will host “Finding Justice, Fairness, and Joy in Your Community” to discuss why it is important for the youth to have a voice in their communities and government and how they can make their voice heard and matter. The virtual conversation will explore issues of justice and equity in marginalized communities and a way forward for the youth in the post-COVID age.

The panel will be moderated by:
• Michelle Alexander, author of the seminal best-selling The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color-Blindness.
• Zach Norris, executive director of the Ella Baker Center, and author of We Keep Us Safe: Building Secure, Just, and Inclusive Communities, and the upcoming Defund Fear: Safety Without Policing, Prisons, and Punishment.
• Pastor Mike McBride, national faith leader and director of the LIVE FREE Campaign with Faith in Action, and founder and lead pastor of The Way Church in Berkeley, California.
• Xochitl Larios, restorative justice activist, member of the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Commission.

To register for the online program, visit https://aclibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/search/index/event/5ff6269104332e45003f5ebb. Everyone registered will receive the link in a separate email to participate before the program begins.

“Finding Justice, Fairness, and Joy in Your Community”
Wednesday, Jan 27
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
https://aclibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/search/index/event/5ff6269104332e45003f5ebb
Ages 12 – 24 but not limited to youth

Tri-lingual ‘Warmline’ for Residents
Submitted by Paul Sanftner

As part of San Leandro’s ongoing efforts to help those who have been impacted by COVID-19, it has launched the first tri-lingual “warmline” in Alameda County. This service enables the public to contact trained professionals via telephone for emotional support, coronavirus testing site information, and many other social services or referrals.

In partnership with the city, La Clinica de la Raza will provide services for Spanish-language residents, and Asian Health Services will provide services to Chinese-language speaking residents in both Cantonese and Mandarin dialects. Both organizations will also provide services in English, based on the caller’s language preference.

Resources for the program were made possible using Community Development Block Grant funds derived from the federal CARES Act.

“I have no doubt that some members of our community may be in need of emotional or medical support as a result of the pandemic and its related impacts to daily life,” noted Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter. “That is why I am so pleased that we are now able to offer this important service, which is being offered with the kind assistance of two local nonprofit service organizations.”

“Warmline” Services
For Spanish: Call (510) 535-8480
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (outside public holidays)

For Cantonese & Mandarin: Call (510) 735-3940
Monday: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Friday: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.