10-18-22 Articles

Show off furry fashion at Howl-O-Ween

Submitted by Katie Dennis

 

Howl-O-Ween is back!

Join us for our second year of Halloween fun with your favorite furry friends on Saturday, October 22. This FREE event is held at NewBark Dog Park in Newark, and will make your doggo give you a round of a-paws! Featured at this event will be a dog resource fair with local organizations, giveaways, puppuccinos, activities, and a costume contest.

Costume Contest Categories: Funniest Costume, Best Group or Duo, and Most Original. Fun and paw-some prizes will be given out to winners. We promise you’ll have a ball!

 

Howl-o-Ween

Saturday, Oct 22

NewBark Dog Park

10 a.m. – 12 noon

35501 Cedar Blvd., Newark

www.newark.org

Free

 

 

 

 

Handmade treasures at 38th Holiday for the Arts Show & Sale

Submitted by Seema Gupta

 

The long-awaited, Olive Hyde Art Guild’s signature community event “Holiday for the Arts” Gala, Show and Sale is finally here! We invite you to explore a wealth of artistic, handmade objects at Olive Hyde Art Gallery in Fremont. Celebrating its 38th anniversary, Holiday for the Arts offers unique gift items created by local Bay Area artists. Every year, we sell about $25,000 worth of high-quality artifacts, with proceeds benefitting the Olive Hyde Art Gallery as well as supporting visual arts programs in Fremont schools and community.

The show will open with a ticketed Gala on Friday, October 21. Hors d’oeuvres, sweets, coffee, wine and beer, will be served, alongside the first viewing and sale of art. Visitors will enjoy live musical entertainment provided by Steve Kritzer on Strings. Kritzer moves effortlessly in concert between originals, Celtic, Bluegrass, Pop, rock, big band swing, and traditional folk, woven together by his warm, engaging stage presence.

Gala Night also comprises a drawing for an original sculpture by our featured artist Peter Langenbach, who describes his work as “whimsically sophomoric to topically edgy.” He has created two sculptures for the show; the winner gets to choose the one they prefer.

The Show and Sale opens to public, free of charge, on Saturday and Sunday. It’s an opportunity to purchase unique artifacts for yourself or your holiday shopping list. Seventy artists, including twenty newcomers, will be exhibiting a diverse array of items in ceramics, glass & sculpture, paintings, photography, jewelry, wood, holiday décor, and more. Participating artists had to go through a judging process for their works to be selected.

New participants this year include Anna Kultysheva, who loves embroidery on jewelry items such as pins, earrings, necklaces, along with home decor and clothing. Bradner Bond was 13 years old when he started making table legs for his grandfather’s furniture. Today he owns Q Branch Woodworks, with a focus on bowls, turned boxes, and pens.

Michael Sunzeri, sold his first graphic artwork at age 12. He works in Assemblage, creating eclectic and simple pieces that adorn the wall, tabletop, or floor. For Scott Capen, what began as a vacation to New Zealand and Australia turned into a full-time photography business.

Jeff Ishikawa, a Bay Area native, has lived in Fremont for over 20 years. A realistic painter, working in watercolors, Jeff says, “my aim is to capture the light and mood of a subject and translate what I see and feel into paint – bringing the viewer into familiar, and unfamiliar, places.” Another watercolor artist, Vineeta Dhillon decided about five years ago, to “dive deep into her soul to create whimsical, fun, and inspiring mixed media, ink and watercolor drawings.” Her repertoire includes flowers, birds, landscapes and abstract illustrations.

New artist Cindy Unruh loves working with fused glass because of its versatility: “It could be two- or three-dimensional, opaque or translucent.” She also likes ice dyeing textiles. There are “dozens of colors to choose from, and unlike glass, one can't control how the dye flows, so every piece is a lovely surprise!”

Among returning artists will be well-known Bay Area artist and ceramic instructor, Akio Aochi, whose large bowls and platters are perfect for serving a big meal at holiday gatherings. Also, ceramic artist, Anita Clemetson has been participating in the show since 2010. Her functional and graceful stoneware is safe for everyday use.

With an Engineering background, professional “Web Diva” Lisa Stambaugh, volunteers to manage Olive Hyde’s website graphic needs. This year she has painted flowerpots.

Other long-time favorites Kay Hille-Hatten, Adrian Dedic, Susan Helmer, Denise Oyama Miller and Barbara Schlein, to name a few, will be back with new creations.

With such talented participants, we look forward to a wonderful event, and hope you will be able to attend. It is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind personal treasures and gifts at a reasonable price. Tickets for the Opening Gala are $15 for members when purchased in advance, $20 at the door, and for non-members.

Last but not the least, we’d like to thank our Holiday Show Sponsors: Fremont Bank Foundation, The Anderson Family Foundation, Mahuron Family Fund, Kalyanpur Family Giving Fund, Tri-City Voice Newspaper, and East Bay Community Energy.

 

Holiday for the Arts Show & Sale

Opening Night Gala

Friday, October 21

5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd. Fremont

 

Show and Sale

Saturday, October 22 & Sunday, October 23

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd. Fremont

www.olivehydeartguild.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get wild with us!

Submitted by Angela Hartman

 

On Saturday, October 29, 2022, Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (OHSWRC) is celebrating their 25th year of assisting orphaned and injured wildlife in the Tri-Cities. Thanks to our members, community support and very hard-working volunteers, we have taken in 25,000 animals since 1997.

So why would the wild critters of the Tri-Cities need rehabilitation? When wild animals get sick, injured or orphaned, they need a place to go for medical help. They depend on assistance from trained wildlife rehabilitators—skilled, and licensed individuals who provide care to wildlife in need. In the past, we have received an orphaned California Gray Fox who got stuck in a water pipe, a Red-Tailed Hawk who had a bullet injury to her wing, and a nest full of baby birds that fell from a tree while it was being trimmed.

Caring citizens and trained wildlife rehabilitators are a wild animal’s second chance at life. Our reward is when we release a rehabilitated animal back into the environment to live the healthy life it deserves. Every OHSWRC volunteer and caring citizen who walked through our doors in 2022 made an enormous, positive footprint on our planet and our urban wildlife in need.

Join us at our Open House on Saturday, October 29 and see first-hand what a wildlife hospital looks like beyond the lobby! The event is free and open to all ages. Learn about our local wildlife, take a behind the scenes wildlife hospital tour, do some nature crafts, enter our opportunity drawings, meet Phil the beekeeper and attend live ambassador animal talks.

At the event, you can expect:

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Tours

Beekeeper talks & homegrown honey

Live educational animal talks (11 a.m. – 12 noon)

Nature crafts and goodie bags for the kids

Opportunity drawings for kids and adults

OHS therapy animal team

 

Help our wild patients: bring a donation

Latex gloves all sizes

Canned/dry dog and cat food

Laundry soap & bleach

Paper towels and Kleenex

Bagged garden soil

13- and 33-gallon trash bags

Food and hardware store gift cards (to purchase food and animal habitat items)

 

Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Open House

Saturday, Oct 29

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

37175 Hickory St., Newark

(510) 797-9449

www.ohlonehumanesociety.org

Parking for event is on Hickory Street

 

 

 

 

Grant awards to help small businesses

Submitted by County of Alameda

 

There is good news for small business owners in Alameda County who have taken a financial hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alameda County Board of Supervisors has approved an $11 million Small Business Recovery Grant Program with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The program was announced October 10 and grant applications are being accepted through October 31.

Eligible businesses can receive a one-time grant of $5,000 for home-based businesses and $10,000 for brick-and-mortar businesses. The program is open to eligible small businesses (1 to 25 employees) with priority given to those located in Alameda County community resilience priority ZIP codes and Qualified Census Tracts. The program is administered by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) and the Alameda County Community Development Agency. $1 million is set aside for businesses in unincorporated areas of the county.

Grant funds will not require repayment. Businesses that apply also must not have previously received COVID-19 related ARPA funding from Alameda County. Funds are limited and not everyone who applies is guaranteed to receive funding. If the funding requests for all grant applications exceeds available funding levels, grants will be awarded by lottery.

Funding will be provided via check from Alameda County no later than December 30, 2022. Businesses that need assistance with applying, including translation services, may contact their local chamber of commerce. For more information about the program, visit www.acbusiness.org or www.eastbayeda.org/grants.

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate Women! Art Exhibit

Submitted by Winifred Thompson

 

The exhibit “Celebrate Women!” runs through November 17 at the John O’Lague Galleria in Hayward City Hall. The public is invited to a Free Artists’ Reception Friday, October 21 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

This 4th Annual Celebrate Women! Art Exhibit will present a collaboration of very accomplished artists from Northern California National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW), some of whom have achieved international acclaim. At the reception, Debbie Patrick will receive the Eupha Thompson Award for her oil painting Refugee and recognition will be given to those who have been members for 20+ years.

 

Celebrate Women!

Free Public Artists’ Reception

Friday, Oct 21

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Exhibit

Runs through Thursday, Nov 17

Monday – Friday

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

John O’Lague Galleria

Hayward City Hall

777 B St., Hayward

www.hayardartscouncil.org

 

 

 

 

How cul-de-sac living is different from cohousing

Submitted by Jane Mueller and Evelyn Kohl LaTorre

 

“I think living in cohousing must be like living in my cul-de-sac,” remarked a woman who attended the Mission Peak Village event at the Downtown Event Center in September. The plans for Fremont’s first cohousing community were the focus of the event. Mission Peak Village has recently submitted its plans to the city for approval. But is cohousing really like living on a cul-de-sac? A closer look points out significant differences.

Southern Alameda County cities have a great many cul-de-sacs and looped streets built into their residential neighborhoods. Cul-de-sac means “a street or passage closed at one end: a route or course leading nowhere.” The concept goes back as far as 1885 BCE when a village unearthed in Egypt showed 15 streets that ended at enclosed walls. In the U.S., cul-de-sac and looped streets were promoted in the 1936 FHA guidelines for new subdivisions. Homebuyers often paid 20% more for the closed-street locations. Studies showed that the dead-end streets reduce the amount of traffic, noise, air pollution, accidents, and crime. In addition, if the cul-de-sac and looped streets are interconnected by foot and bike paths, residents often walk or bike as opposed to relying on autos.

But does housing arranged on a cul-de-sac increase social interaction? And for how long? Interviews with residents reveal that it takes concerted effort to keep the interactions going. Unless there is someone to take the lead on neighborhood interaction, rarely do the neighbors know when another is ill and needs assistance or could use an item picked up at the store. A casual “Hi!” doesn’t reveal significant events such as a birthday or an anniversary, a major accomplishment to be celebrated, or the death of a relative.

The quality and quantity of social interaction on a cul-de-sac is determined by how often residents are willing to make the effort to organize neighborhood activities. And it appears that the motivation for regular social activities subsides with age. Spontaneous interactions may happen between neighbors when young children play outdoors, but as youngsters grow up and residents age, social action tends to decrease.

In cohousing, by comparison, the potential for social interaction occurs several times a day because of the layout of buildings and open space areas. Garages and cars are placed on the perimeter, tucked away from the natural gathering areas such as interior pathways and the community garden. Potential for contact exists simply in going to and from one’s private home; in the interior courtyard, laundry, or work room; retrieving the mail; at a shared meal in the community dining room, a planning meeting, on the rooftop deck viewing Fremont’s hills; or at any number of places within the complex.

In addition, all the conceptual benefits of cul-de-sac living—reduced traffic, noise, air pollution, accidents, and crime—are built into cohousing, as well as additional advantages. Children can learn to ride bikes or roller skate in areas away from cars and traffic. Fuel consumption and vehicle upkeep can be reduced through car sharing and ride sharing. Residents can help each other to live more lightly on the earth with group solar installation, all-electric appliances, community gardens, and similar strategies. Mission Peak Village, as an example, plans to install footpaths leading to a children’s play area, picnic tables, a small forest of fruit trees within their extensive 13,200 sq. ft. outdoor shared space.

So, even if the neighbors in cul-de-sac and loop streets are acquainted with one another, they must work hard to maintain the kind of lifestyle that cohousing builds right into its model. Maybe the second definition of cul-de-sac, “a road leading nowhere,” ultimately turns out to be the most accurate description of the typical cul-de-sac. By contrast, social interaction and environmentally sound practices are built right into the cohousing lifestyle from beginning to end.

This article is part of an ongoing series on cohousing. To learn more, visit the cohousing display at Fremont Main Library during the month of October.

Mission Peak Village is a group of friends forming Fremont’s first cohousing community. Memberships are still available. For information, see www.missionpeakcohousing.org or call Kelli at (510) 413-8446. For more information on the topic of cohousing, visit www.cohousing.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Applicants sought for various city commissions

Submitted by City of Union City

 

Officials from Union City are encouraging residents to become involved in their local community. And one of the best ways to do that is by serving in an advisory role on one of the city’s various commissions.

Here are several current openings:

• Arts and Culture Commission
• Human Relations Commission
• Parks and Recreation Commission
• Planning Commission
• Sales Tax and Utility Users’ Oversight Committee
• Senior Commission

How to apply:

Residents of Union City should contact the City Clerk at CityClerk@unioncity.org or access applications on the city’s website at: www.unioncity.org/201/Commissions. Application deadline is Friday, November 4.

 

 

 

 

 

Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge Celebrates 50th Anniversary

By Jessica Kim

 

Since its beginnings in 1972, Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge has played an integral role in preserving our local wildlife ecosystem while inspiring stewardship. Created predominantly as a response to the grassroots efforts by local community members, volunteers and their hearts full of enthusiasm have always been the backbone to maintaining the fifteen habitats for the hundreds of species that live in the refuge.

At its 50th anniversary celebration, its largest-scale event since the start of the pandemic, the refuge not only re-established its mission to focus on education, diversity, science, and restoration, but also marked the reopening of its volunteer programs. The turnout at the Saturday, October 8 event did not disappoint as families celebrated the return with face painting, fly fishing, talks with biologists, and hikes along the Tidelands Trail. Despite the closing of all refuge buildings during the pandemic, Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge shows no sign of slowing down, and with the continued support from Bay Area communities, its future of conserving nature looks optimistic.

 

 

 

 

Earth Day: Election Edition

Submitted by Lisa Danz and Abe Mazliach

 

Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) had the idea to celebrate a Second Annual Earth Day, six months after the traditional Earth Day, held in April 2022. The local Silicon Valley East Chapter will be hosting an October Earth Day: Election Edition celebration on Saturday, October 22 behind the Performance Pavilion at Fremont Central Park, on Paseo Padre Parkway.

Attendees will be able to meet local environmental leaders, walk and talk about climate change and environmental policy. Attendees will also learn about the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. This is a non-partisan event.

There will be two casual walks around Lake Elizabeth at the park, one at 10:00 a.m. and one at 11:30 a.m. Each walk will be kicked off with brief remarks, and the chapter’s volunteers will be spread throughout the walking groups to enable longer conversations about the event’s themes.

CCL is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change.

Lisa Danz and Abe Mazliach are volunteer members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Silicon Valley Chapter.

 

Earth Day: Election Edition

Saturday, Oct 22

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fremont Central Park

40000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont

Gather behind the performance pavilion

https://cclsve.org/OctoberEarthDay2022

Free

 

 

 

 

 

Flash Fiction Fairy Tales Results

By Arathi Satish

 

Fremont Cultural Arts Council announced the results of the “Flash Fiction Fairy Tales” Contest. The event was co-sponsored by Half Price Books, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Erick’s Delicafe. Fairy tales were posted on columns inside Half Price Books, Fremont Hub. Store patrons selected winners by vote. Julie Gilson, President, FCAC said, “I am pleased so many entries were submitted, all of which were fun to read. We have many creative writers in our community and we are glad to have showcased them.”

Al Minard organizer, said, “It definitely takes a ‘village’ to make something like Flash Fiction work and be the success that it was this year. We had over thirty writers submit fifty stories and the top three winners were only separated by one vote each. This should remind us that our one vote does make a difference.”

Winners this year:

1st place – “The Magic Word” by Patricia Doyne

2nd place – “Butterflies” by MP Smith

3rd place – “The Leprechaun’s Pot” by Richard Lau

4th place – “The Witch Who Flew Upside Down” by Sarah Jensen

5th place – “My Super Sibling” by Karina Sapkota

President Emeritus Award – “Magical Meals” by Nitika Sathiya

Richard Lau, who has been participating in the event the last few years and had a winning entry this year pointed out, “It has been fun to watch the Flash Fiction contest grow and develop over the years…Coming from oral tradition, fairy tales tend to have a lot of plot and imagery, and it’s tough to squeeze all of that, and possibly a lesson as well into 300 words. I have a lot of admiration for the courageous entrants who rose to the challenge and shared their stories with us!”

Nitika Sathiya, a student at Washington High school and FCAC intern and prize winner said, “I am grateful for winning the President Emeritus award! My story is called ‘Magical Meals.’ I wrote about Indian snacks and food that were cooked with special ingredients and spells to make them magical. I wanted the story to reflect the importance of family recipes and how we need to pass down our ‘Magical Meals,’ as it is a big part of my life and culture.”

Margaret Thornberry, who selected the President Emeritus award, said she selected this particular entry because, “‘Magical Meals’ tells of a restaurant that takes the ordinary preparation and serving of food and transmutes it into something joyous and special…which food cooked and served with love and imagination always is.”

Al Minard concluded by saying, “Many of the ballots this year voted for five stories, the most anyone could vote for, which suggests to me that they had a hard time choosing their favorite. All in all a very successful and fun event.”

Winners can be read on the Fremont Cultural Arts Council website www.fremontculturalartscouncil.org. They will also run in the paper over the coming weeks.

First place winner, “The Magic Word”:

 

 

            Once there was a silver cow that gave sweet milk. But not just milk. If you said, “please,” she’d give chocolate milk, root beer, herbal tea, even caramel latte.

            Silver lived with an old woman named Mehitabel. The cow slept on a mattress in the family room. When Mehitabel cooked, she fixed two plates. “Silver’s my best friend,” said Mehitabel.

            A neighbor named Snap was outraged. “My cows sleep in barns, if they’re lucky,” he said. “They eat grass. When they get old, I butcher them for stews and steaks.”

            Snap spied through Mehitabel’s window. In the morning he heard her say, “Please, Silver, some café au lait this morning.” At noon, she said, “Please, Silver, some spiced chai for my lunch.” And after dinner, she said, “Please, Silver, some ice cream for dessert.” Each time she milked the cow, and took away a mug of something wonderful

            The next day, Snap rushed up to Mehitabel’s door. “A forest fire is headed this way,” he shouted. “We need all hands to dig a trench to stop it.”

            Mehitabel rushed out with gloves and a shovel. Snap ran inside and led the silver cow down the road to his ramshackle barn.

            “Okay, stupid cow,” cried Snap, “Give me strong ale.” Silver just looked at him. “Right now!” demanded Snap. He tried milking the cow. Nothing. “Give me strong ale or you’re hamburger!” Snap snarled. He ran to get an axe.

            “I’ll give you one more chance,” said Snap. He grabbed the cow—but his hand turned to vanilla ice cream, his tongue turned to yogurt, and his axe turned to cheddar cheese. Snap blinked three times, then dissolved into a puddle of melted butter.

            “You forgot the magic word,” said Silver. She sauntered slowly back to Mehitabel’s house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fremont ranked as 4th greenest city

Submitted by City of Fremont

 

In a new study released by WalletHub, Fremont has been ranked as the fourth greenest city in the nation for protecting the environment and promoting clean energy sources.

The study, released October 5, places Fremont behind leaders San Diego, No. 1; Portland, Oregon, No. 2 and Honolulu, No. 3. The study is posted online at wallethub.com/edu/most-least-green-cities/16246.

 

 

 

 

Inclusive Performance Festival

Submitted by CSUEB

 

The Cal State East Bay Department of Theatre and Dance is collaborating with Dandelion Dancetheater and a wildly diverse group of artists, activists, free-thinkers, and creative rabble-rousers to launch the second Inclusive Performance Festival (IPF) October 21 – 24, 2022 at CSU East Bay, Hayward.

IPF is a grass-roots, DIY, radically inclusive, process-oriented festival that is experimenting with sharing performance in accessible, relevant, life-affirming, and innovative ways to meet the needs of many intersecting communities in this new era for the arts.

Planned collectively by a council of Queer, BIPOC, Autistic, Jewish, Neurodivergent, Fat, Young, Elder, Outsider, and uncategorizable artists, the festival will present virtual, in-person, and hybrid dance, music, theatre, drag, ritual, educational events, drama therapy, participatory performances, discussions, workshops, ceremonies, and more.

Friday, Oct 21

5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

University Theatre Lobby and Courtyard: Center for Disability Justice Research Launch Party with AXIS Dance Company and special guests.

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Danza Azteca with Calpulli Ome-Tekpatl: An introduction to Danza Azteca at the University Theatre Lobby and Courtyard, for people of all abilities and levels of experience.

8:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

University Theatre Lobby and Courtyard: Inclusive Jewish Dance Shabbat Ceremony with Bruce Bierman.

 

Saturday, Oct 22

10 a.m.

From Lot J to the Music Building: Jaago (Wake-up) Procession led by SNJV and friends

10:10 a.m. – 12 noon

Outdoor stage across from Music Building: Multicultural Performances of Dance, Music, Theatre and more featuring: Saraswathy Lakshmivaraham, IIE Taiko, the Wandering Ensemble, Face Reveal, the CSUEB Dolls, and more.

12 noon – 12:30 p.m.

University Theatre Courtyard: Capoeira Free Class and Demo with Mestre Recruta and the UCA Hayward Capoeira Academy.

12 noon – 5 p.m.

TH 182 (Studio Theatre), Multi-Cultural Workshops:

Mohiniyattam with Saraswathy Lakshmivaraham (12 noon – 1 p.m.)

Dancing Away From Oppression – A Partnership Between Movement and Drama

Therapy with Stephen Breithaupt (1:10 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.)

Bhangra with Ashmita Kaur (3:20 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.)

Dance Like a Doll with Kyle Wallace-Jordan (4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

TH 182 (Studio Theatre): Bharata Natyam Performance with Jayanthi Balachandran and collaborators

7:15 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

TH 182 (Studio Theatre): Earthling (Bharata Natyam performance and a panel discussion on “Gender and the Divine” by Bruce Bierman, Supratim Tulukdar, and guests).

8:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

TH 182 (Studio Theatre): Dance Party with DJ Anik Bapna

Sunday, Oct 23

Rest and Refresh

Monday, Oct 24

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

(Online) Ask an Able-Bodied Art Promoter: A workshop led by Jacob Lesner-Buxton and Colleagues, bringing together art lovers and artists with disabilities to ask questions of people who help bring art to the public. Email eric.kupers@csueastbay.edu for zoom link.

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Online Workshops and Panel Discussions TBA

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

(Online) Open meeting for the CSUEB Disability Justice Working Group: Check out this dynamic group of CSUEB faculty, staff, students and community members: Learn about the group’s work, network with activists, and debrief about the 2022 Festival. Email eric.kupers@csueastbay.edu for zoom link

 

Inclusive Performance Festival

Friday, Oct 21 – Monday, Oct 23

CSUEB Hayward Campus

www.dandeliondancetheater.org/inclusive-performance-festival

 

 

 

 

 

Help your neighborhood to be clean and green

Submitted by City of Hayward

 

Fall is a great time of year to pick up and clean up, meet neighbors and earn community-service credit along the way by joining a Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force Beautification Event.

To help make that happen, the Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force is hosting a Make a Difference Day on Saturday, October 22 in the Tennyson Corridor neighborhood of South Hayward. During the four-hour event residents will have a chance to participate in numerous cleanup and beautification events in the area.

To join, community members should meet at 8:00 a.m. at Tennyson Park on Huntwood Avenue where they will register and sign-up for various projects; directions and supplies will be provided. Adult supervision will not be provided by the City of Hayward, so all volunteers younger than 18 must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

 

Make a Difference Day

Saturday, Oct 22

8 a.m. – 12 noon

Tennyson Park

28377 Huntwood Ave., Hayward

Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

(510) 881-7745

 

 

 

 

 

Artificial intelligence, real opportunity: Enovix hosts Manufacturing Day at Fremont Headquarters

By Hugo Vera

 

In 1991, parts of the science-fiction action blockbuster Terminator 2: Judgment Day were filmed in Fremont’s steadily growing technological business park. More than 30 years later, students from nearby high schools in association with Mission Valley ROP have returned to the same location, now at the epicenter of Silicon Valley, to gain up-close-and-personal knowledge about the limitless opportunities that a tech-driven career can yield right in their own backyard.

Dubbed “Manufacturing Day,” this yearly event takes place at the Enovix headquarters in south Fremont. Formed in 2007 by veterans of the semiconductor industry, Enovix has specialized in the production and distribution of lithium-power batteries which provide energy to everything from cell phones to “smart glasses” to laptops. According to City of Fremont Economic Development Director Donovan Lazaro, the first national Manufacturing Day originated in 2012 and is typically held on the first Friday of October. For logistical purposes, Enovix invited the Mission Valley ROP students to attend a tour on Thursday, October 6, 2022.

“Manufacturing Day [and Manufacturing Week in Fremont in general] is an opportunity for companies to both literally and metaphorically open their doors and to allow students to experience advanced industries firsthand,” said Lazaro.

During Thursday’s festivities, a bus dropped off eager high school seniors at the Enovix headquarters where they were first treated to a presentation from several Enovix representatives, including Co-Founder, President and CEO Harrold Rust. During the presentation, Rust stressed the importance of lithium-battery manufacturing in regards to safety and everyday use.

“Fifteen years ago it didn't seem feasible that we would have smartphones, smart-glasses and all other types of then-futuristic devices,” said Rust. “Today, these devices not only exist but they are powered by the same batteries we make right here in Fremont, which is quickly becoming the center of the technological world.”

Following Rust’s keynote address, Fremont Mayor Lily Mei spoke to the high-schoolers as well, emphasizing how a career in S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) can impact one’s life.

“Fremont was recently ranked one of the best cities to work in America,” said Mei. “It is people like you who will contribute to the growth and development of this city.”

Following presentations and a Q&A, students and all other visitors suited up in hairnets, lab coats and shoe-covers as they toured the inside of the facility where batteries are assembled. Students and participants got to witness the meticulous means by which lithium batteries are cut from steel, soldered together and tested with heat. Tour guides even pointed out the use of robotic arms that are used to assemble various components as well as how they are packaged for distribution.

Many high-schoolers were in awe at the technological marvels before them, something that Lazaro, the Mayor’s office and Enovix took great pride in.

“When local manufacturing companies pull back the curtain to showcase their operations, it has the power to inspire students to pursue an innovative, rewarding and lucrative career they may have never considered before,” concluded Lazaro.

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico Tortilla Factory celebrates Día de los Muertos

Submitted by Sucy Collazo

 

Mexico Tortilla Factory will hold their traditional Día de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, October 22 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The event will include Mariachi bands, Aztec dancers, Folkorico dancers. Guests can try arts and crafts, face painting, photo booth, painting sugar skulls for a donation, and loteria raffle (free to enter). Guests are encouraged to patronize local restaurants around the plaza.

 

Dia de los Muertos

Saturday, Oct 22

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Taiko drumming: 12 noon

Mexico Tortilla Factory

7015 Thornton Ave., Newark

(510) 792-9909

http://mexicotortillafactory.com/

 

 

 

 

Road closure planned in Newark

Submitted by City of Newark

 

Newark Police Department officials are advising motorists that Cedar Boulevard will be closed to all traffic at the railroad crossing near St. Isabel Avenue starting Wednesday morning October 19 and continuing through Friday, October 21. The closure is necessary to allow Union Pacific Railroad to do repairs on their tracks.

Detour signs will be placed directing drivers to alternate routes. Access will be maintained at all times to local residents and businesses on Cedar Boulevard and the surrounding area.

 

 

 

 

 

Explore the paranormal at historic mansion

Submitted by Hayward Area Historical Society

 

Get your flashlights and your walking shoes ready, and while you’re at it, don’t forget your smartphone, too. You don’t want to miss a thing during the upcoming paranormal investigation and walking tour through the historic Meek Mansion in Hayward.

Sponsored by Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS), the event will be guided by experienced docent investigators who will lead visitors, 18 and older, through the house located inside Meek Park from 7 p.m. Saturday, November 5 to 1 a.m. the next day. Docents will show visitors how they investigate paranormal activity and what tools they use. Visitors are welcome to bring any equipment they have, too, along with an open mind and discerning attitude.

According to HAHS officials, many paranormal research groups have investigated Meek House and found it to be an active site. Data collected on previous investigations include electronic voice phenomena, cold spots, touches, apparitions and other surprises.

Tickets are $75 and must be purchased in advance. Proceeds from ticket sales support the ongoing maintenance and preservation of this historic property.

 

Meek Mansion Paranormal Tour

Saturday, Nov 5

7 p.m. – 1 a.m.

240 Hampton Ave., Hayward

(510) 581-0223

www.haywardareahistory.org/explore-the-paranormal

Tickets: $75; must be purchased in advance

Visitors must be 18 or older

 

 

 

 

Documentary screening focuses on domestic violence

Submitted by SAVE

 

In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Safe Alternatives for Violent Environments (SAVE) is hosting a screening of the award-winning documentary “An So I Stayed” on October 26 in Fremont.

The 2021 film by Natalie Pattillo and Daniel A. Nelson is about female survivors of abuse fighting for their lives and spending years behind bars. During their terms, these women paid a steep price with long prison sentences and lost time with loved ones and dealt with painful memories.

After the screening several guest speakers will share their experiences with domestic violence:

• Kim Dadou Brown, a formerly incarcerated survivor/advocate who was instrumental in passing New York State's DV Survivor Justice Act.
• Kelly Savage-Rodriquez, a DV survivor and formerly incarcerated person sentenced to life without parole.
• D. Hafsah Al-Amin, a DV survivor and system-impacted family member working at California Coalition for Women Prisoners.

The 90-minute documentary will be screened at Niles Discovery Church on Niles Boulevard. Tickets are free, but donations are welcome. Because space is limited, RSVPs should be made online at tinyurl.com/ASIS22.

“And So I Stayed” domestic violence documentary

Wednesday, Oct 26

5:30 p.m.

Niles Discovery Church

36600 Niles Blvd., Fremont

Free; donations welcome

RSVPs required: tinyurl.com/ASIS22

 

 

 

 

Students promote voter registration

Submitted by Fatima Khawaja

 

On February 7, 2022, nearly 15 James Logan High School students skipped their classes in allegiance to the nation’s democracy. These students, led by Julie Dunkle (Youth Voter Movement’s founder) and student leader, Fatima Khawaja, guided a record-breaking 900 juniors and seniors through the pre-registration process.

This event was largely developed and supported by the Youth Voter Movement and the League of Women Voters, two organizations that have collaboratively pre-registered high school students to vote over the past several years. The initiative by the student and adult organizers alike was largely to encourage a larger voting turnout from rising generations. Of the 900 students that pre-registered in February, several will be voting in the upcoming November general elections.

During the day-long event, juniors and seniors skipped their social science classes to pre-register. With every cycle of students, youth and adult organizers led a Kahoot game, postcard writing session, and ballot filling. At the end of the day, student and adult volunteers collected filled ballots and organized the postcards for short-term storage.

In September, seven months after the pre-registration event at Logan, volunteers regrouped and unpacked the postcards to send eligible students reminders to vote in the general elections in November. After several hours, the volunteers had written inspiring messages on the designated postcards and prepared them for distribution.

In recognition of the students' efforts, the Union City mayor issued a Mayoral Proclamation applauding the efforts of the partaking organizers in February’s event.

Just like one tree can start a forest, one group of leaders can start a movement. The volunteers successfully organized, ran, and wrapped up the pre-registration event all in the name of democracy.

Student volunteer names (from James Logan):

• Fatima Khawaja (leader)
• Allison Kelly
• Sabrina Cheung
• Nia Chiou
• Briseis Rubio
• Reem Waqas
• Hawa Nagshbandi
• Mahnoor Khan
• Sia Jain
• Sara Faiyaz
• Abosede Elegbede
• Shana Liu

 

 

 

 

 

Information, assistance available to veterans

Submitted by Fremont Main Library

 

Military veterans, their families and friends who would like to learn about what services, resources and organizations are available to help them, should plan to attend a Veterans’ Connect Fair at the Fremont Main Library.

The free event will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 5 in the library’s parking lot on Stevenson Boulevard. Attendees can stroll an avenue of information booths staffed by representatives from various agencies, including:

• Alameda County Veterans Service Office
• Alliance Therapy Dogs
• American Legion Post 837
• Japanese American Veterans Association
• Paralyzed Veterans of America — Bay Area & Western Chapter
• Project Sentinel
• Swords to Plowshares
• Veterans' Connect @the Library
• Veterans First Program — Las Positas College
• Work for Warriors

 

Special guest appearances include a veteran speaker from the USS Hornet, and a musical performance by The Swingin’ Blue Stars. A food truck also will be there offering lunch items for purchase. Admission is free.

Veterans’ Connect Fair

Saturday, Nov 5

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Fremont Main Library parking lot

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

www.aclibrary.org/

(510) 745-1400

Admission: Free

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Walk & Roll to School Day

Submitted by Abdul Jabbar Mohammed MajTube

 

International Walk & Roll to School Day was held at G. M. Walters Middle School in Fremont with students and FUSD officials Mr. Prasad, Ms. Alves and Ms. Gentry on a group walk from Fremont Adult School. This event was a great success and many thanks to the Fremont Police Department and Crossing Guards for keeping everyone safe.

International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. each October. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October.

 

 

 

 

 

Warm Springs BART project receives American Society of Civil Engineers award

Submitted by Geneva Bosques

 

The Warm Springs BART West Access Bridge and Plaza Project has been selected to receive the 2022 Outstanding Transportation Project award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – San Francisco Section. The award recognizes innovative projects with a principal focus on transportation design and construction. The project was recognized at the annual ASCE San Francisco Section Meeting on September 28.

The West Access Bridge crosses over five sets of Union Pacific railroad tracks to connect the Warm Springs/South Fremont BART Station to the growing Fremont Innovation District. It is composed of a truss span and a cable stay span for a total length of 150 feet. The cable stay bridge includes a 120-foot-tall pylon that is the signature architecture element of the bridge. From there, the bridge ties into the Warm Springs Plaza via a staircase, escalators, and elevator tower. These elements are integral to the signature architecture.

The City’s design team included Biggs Cardosa & Associates, HNTB and Gates & Associates, with Shimmick Construction Co. as the contractor. The total project cost was $41 million. Preconstruction, planning, design, and utility relocation work was funded by the City of Fremont ($11 million). The construction cost of $30 million was funded by the Alameda County Transportation Commission. By agreement, BART funded its own project support and oversight costs of $1.5 million from Measure RR separately.

The Warm Springs/South Fremont Station opened for service in 2017 and boasts eye-catching art installations, solar panels and EV charging stations as well as other environmentally sustainable features.

 

 

 

 

 

Bonsai Kai celebrates tiny trees

Submitted by Vern Smith

 

“Yamato Bonsai Kai” will hold their 51st annual exhibition, demonstration, and sale on Saturday, October 22 – Sunday, October 23. Featuring over 50 trees—several over 100 years old—the exhibition will be held at Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church.

Demonstrations will take place at 1:30 p.m. both days of the event, with the demo tree available as the raffle prize. David Nguy will give the bonsai demo on Saturday, and Howard Correa on Sunday.

Yamato Bonsai Kai meetings are held the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m., at the Japanese Community Center in San Lorenzo.

Yamato Bonsai Kai

Saturday, Oct 22 – Sunday, Oct 23

Sat: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

1:30 p.m. daily demonstration

Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church

32975 Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City

 

 

 

 

Quiet Quitting, Quiet Firing Jobs

By Anne Chan, PhD, MFT

 

According to a recent Gallup study, at least half of United States workers are quiet quitting. Quiet quitting is a phrase used for those who are doing the bare minimum on the job. These employees might not be quitting or sending out resumes, but they act like they are on their last day of the job. They do as little as they can, with the least amount of effort and enthusiasm. These quiet quitters are not going above and beyond, and are disconnected from their bosses, their jobs, and perhaps their co-workers. Some might use a term like “slacker” to describe quiet quitters. However, quiet quitting is also used to describe those who are not slacking, but are firm about their work/life balance and do not work beyond their expected job requirements.

The term “quiet quitting” originated in social media and is now trending, particularly with younger workers. Indeed, younger workers have been particularly hard hit in the pandemic workplace. Those under 35 have reported to Gallup that they feel a lack of encouragement and opportunity. In addition, fewer than four in 10 younger workers report that they know what is expected of them. Given that more than half of younger workers might not know what they are supposed to do on the job, perhaps it is not surprising that they are doing the bare minimum.

Younger workers are not the only ones quiet quitting. Older workers, and those higher up on the corporate ladder, also feel disenfranchised because their bosses or companies do not care about them and because there are few or no opportunities for growing in their career. Like their younger counterparts, they too, are negatively affected.

A related phenomenon to quiet quitting is “quiet firing” – in which employers ease out difficult employees by making their lives difficult at work. For instance, a teacher who has not won favor with his principal might be assigned a notoriously difficult class of students to teach. The employer basically sets out to make the employee’s life so onerous that the employee quits, thus saving the employer the trouble and expense of firing them.

Most employees who are quiet quitting feel they have no choice but to continue trudging along miserably. However, there is always something that you can do to improve your situation. Here are some thoughts:

1. Assess your work-life balance. Are you having enough time off to recharge from work and prevent burnout? Do what you can to have a life outside of work. Take Paid Time Off when you need it. Set appropriate boundaries around work.
2. Ask yourself: “Is this a job I really want? If no, what steps can I take to get to a new and better job?” Decide on one action step that can start opening doors to a better position, perhaps updating your LinkedIn profile or reaching out to your network.
3. Ask yourself if your work situation can be fixed with a frank conversation with your boss. Many employees are afraid to ask for what they need and they stew and suffer as a result. However, I have witnessed employees coming up with a proposal for their bosses AND getting a better work deal in the process.
4. Do a break check. Are you taking enough breaks during your work day? Some workers burn themselves out by working nonstop, when this actually isn’t either required or productive. They then hate their jobs and may fall into quiet quitting.
5. Assess your boundaries around work. It can be hard to get away from work, especially with all our inter-connected devices. However, you can still set firm limits to protect your personal life, e.g. deciding you will not check work emails during the weekend.
6. Assess your career at this point in time. I suspect those who are quiet quitting are so focused on getting by that they are forgetting that any job (even a bad one) can be a step to the next job. A good question to ask yourself is: “What experiences and skills can I gain in this current position that will get me to a better position?”

Quiet quitting is a problem with two causes – one stems from the employee as a reaction to a poor work situation and the other stems from the employer who has not provided clear expectations and encouragement. In my next article, I will issue a work challenge for employers and managers so that quiet quitting becomes much less of a problem for all.

Anne Chan is a career counselor and licensed psychotherapist in Union City. She specializes in helping people find happiness in their careers and lives. You can reach her at annechantcv@gmail.com © Anne Chan, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

International Day of Peace

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

 

Dozens of people from many community organizations gathered on Saturday, September 17 at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace. I was privileged to participate.

Activities included music, peace messages, arts and crafts, a walk along the lakeshore, and a gathering at the park’s Peace Pole to reaffirm the goal of world peace. The 12-foot pole has inscriptions in 31 languages symbolizing the hopes and dreams of the global family for peace on earth. At the event, there was a presentation from the Muwekma Ohlone Indian Tribe, and singing by students from the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. The General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.

 

During the summer swim season, the park district provides lifeguard services at 11 swim areas: six lakefront beaches, two swimming pools, and three swim lagoons. Lifeguards undergo rigorous training; some have worked during the swim season for many years.

I’m happy to report that thanks to the lifeguards, the park district has just concluded its 13th annual swim season without a drowning fatality. Besides the lifeguards’ vigilance, this record is partly attributable to swim area rules requiring children to be carefully supervised by parents or other responsible parties. Congratulations to the lifeguard corps for their professionalism and hard work.

 

An innovative pilot project is now under way at Anthony Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley as a method of removing large numbers of trees killed by drought and disease, without creating excess carbon and adding to global warming. The pilot project is on 80 acres in the area of the park’s former rifle and shotgun range, now closed.

As described by Khari Helae, park district assistant fire chief, the process involves placing logs and limbs into a carbonator, a device that uses an eco-friendly combustion process to convert biomass into biochar. Biochar helps with water retention, and provides nutrients for drought-stressed plants.

Traditionally, biomass produced from dead trees and limbs is trucked out of the area for disposal. Because biochar can be used locally, it reduces truck traffic and exhaust emissions tenfold. It’s estimated that the process could sequester 8,000 tons of carbon that would otherwise contribute to global warming. Assuming the 80-acre pilot project is successful, the process will be used on another 500 acres of land at the park that have been affected by tree die-off.

Half of the $2 million pilot project is being funded by the park district, the other half by a Coastal Conservancy grant.

 

Ayn Wieskamp, my colleague on the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors, has announced that she is retiring from the board at the end of this year. Ayn has served as a board member since 1999, representing Ward 5. The ward includes portions of Dublin, Fremont, Livermore, Newark, Pleasanton, Sunol and Union City.

Besides her work on the park district board, Ayn has an impressive record of public service. She was a Livermore City Council member for about 20 years. She also has served on the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District Board, Alameda County Recycling Board and Alameda County Congestion Management Agency.

In 2022 Ayn received two well-deserved awards: the Distinguished Service Award from Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals, and the Award of Distinction for Outstanding Board Member from California Association of Recreation and Park Districts.

It has been an honor and pleasure to serve with Ayn for part of her long and successful career on the board. She has been a great friend and mentor. A true champion of parks, recreation and open space. I know that I speak for all the park district board members in thanking Ayn for her years of exemplary service. We wish her well in all her future activities.

 

 

 

 

 

Park It: Return of the ladybugs

By Ned MacKay

 

The ladybugs are back. Ladybugs, more formally known as ladybird beetles, are beginning their annual winter convention at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, though not in great numbers so far.

As part of their life cycle, the little red insects cluster together in trailside shrubs during cold winter weather, then disperse in the warmer springtime. Although you can see them in many regional parks and other open spaces, Redwood is probably the most convenient place for viewing.

Enter the park from Redwood Road, about two miles east of the intersection with Skyline Boulevard in Oakland. Park at the road’s end, then walk on the Stream Trail for about a mile and a half to the junction with the Prince Trail. As you approach the Prince Trail, you should start seeing ladybugs on the bushes and fence posts to the left. Look for the ladybug information panel.

Gardeners like ladybugs, because the insects eat mostly aphids, an agricultural pest. But please do not take any ladybugs for your garden. Collecting any animals or plants is illegal in the regional parks. Ladybugs’ bright red color is a signal to potential predators that they taste bad. When threatened, ladybugs secrete an oily foul-tasting fluid from joints in their legs. Nevertheless, frogs, wasps, spiders, dragonflies and some kinds of birds will still dine on ladybugs.

Keep in mind a couple of Redwood park rules. Dogs are supposed to be on leash on the Stream Trail. Please also keep them out of Redwood Creek; though there’s little water in the creek right now, it will be spawning ground for rainbow trout when the rains arrive. Also, bicycles are allowed on the Stream Trail only as far as Trail’s End, which is about a half-mile before you reach the ladybug habitat.

 

Perhaps they are not as cute, but spiders and scorpions are also beneficial bugs. You can find out more about them during a short walk in search of the arachnids from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 22 at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley, led by naturalist Trent Pearce. Meet Trent at the Environmental Education Center, which is at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. The program is free and registration is not required. For information, call (510) 544-2233.

 

From bugs to bats: there’s a program all about the night flyers from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 23 at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, with naturalist Maeron Yeshiwas. Learn about the area’s native bat species compared to other bats found around the world, then make your own bat craft.

The program is for all ages; parent participation is required. No reservations are necessary. Meet at the visitor center. Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle; the program is free. For information, call (510) 544-3220.

 

The plants and animals of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch will be on display during a two-mile, naturalist-led walk through the park’s hills and dales, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, October 22. Meet in the parking lot at the upper end of Somersville Road, two miles south of Highway 4. The walk is free; there’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended. For information, call (510) 544-2750.

 

Turtles are the focus of a program from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22 at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley. Learn all about the amphibians, then make a turtle craft. There’s a nature-based activity during those hours every weekend at the Big Break Visitor Center. These are free, drop-in programs; no registration is required, though parents must participate.

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

 

This is just a snapshot. For the full picture of available programs in the regional parks, go to www.ebparks.org/things-to-do online.

 

 

 

 

 

Amazon ends testing of Scout delivery robots

By Steve Crowe

 

Amazon is shutting down testing of its Scout home delivery robots, according to multiple reports. Bloomberg was first to report the news, saying “the e-commerce giant is starting to wind down experimental projects amid slowing sales growth.”

“During our Scout limited field test, we worked to create a unique delivery experience, but learned through feedback that there were aspects of the program that weren’t meeting customers’ needs,” an Amazon spokesperson told Bloomberg. “As a result, we are ending our field tests and reorienting the program. We are working with employees during this transition, matching them to open roles that best fit their experience and skills.”

Amazon rolled out Scout in 2019 with tests in the Seattle area. It later expanded to Southern California, Atlanta, and Franklin, Tennessee. The robots autonomously followed their delivery route via sidewalks and were accompanied by an Amazon Scout Ambassador during testing.

Amazon said the Scout team is being disbanded and employees will be offered new jobs in the organization. About 400 people were working on the project globally, according to Amazon. Amazon quietly acquired Dispatch, a last-mile delivery company, in 2017. It used the company’s technology and expertise to create Scout.

There are a number of startups developing last-mile delivery robots that operate on sidewalks, including Starship Technologies, Serve Robotics, Coco, Tortoise, and more.

Despite shutting down the testing of Scout, Amazon continues to expand and invest in other types of robotics. In August 2022, Amazon agreed to acquire iRobot for $1.7 billion, which is more than double what it paid for Kiva Systems back in 2012. The FTC is currently investigating this deal, citing a number of potential issues.

In September 2022, Amazon announced it agreed to acquire Cloostermans, a Belgium-based company that specializes in mechatronics. Cloostermans has been selling products to Amazon since at least 2019, including technology Amazon uses in its operation to move and stack heavy pallets and totes and robots to package products for customer orders.

Steve Crowe is Editorial Director, Robotics, WTWH Media, and co-chair of the Robotics Summit & Expo. He can be reached at scrowe@wtwhmedia.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

Submitted by Lt. Ray Kelly

 

Wednesday, October 12

• At about 3:50 a.m. deputies responded to a report about shots fired on the 4500 block of Sargent Ave. in Castro Valley. Upon arrival, a male victim was found with two gunshot wounds to his leg. Four suspects were attempting to steal the catalytic converter from the victim’s vehicle and shot the victim when confronted. The suspects fled in a silver 4-door sedan. Deputies applied a tourniquet to the victim’s leg; he was later taken to a hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.

As the suspects fled the area, a patrol unit located a vehicle matching the description on I-580 at 150th Avenue toward Oakland. The deputy followed the vehicle onto Eastbound Highway 24 where he was eventually joined by CHP. A stop was attempted, but the driver failed to yield. The pursuit ended at the 680 split when law enforcement could not determine which way the vehicle went. CHP later reported a solo vehicle accident occurred in Walnut Creek at the intersection of Treat and Buskirk, where four suspects ran from the vehicle. The suspects were not located. Deputies took possession of the suspect vehicle and found the trunk to be filled with cut catalytic converters. An investigation is continuing.

 

 

 

 

 

BART Police Log

Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD

 

Sunday, October 9

• At 1:31 a.m. officers sweeping a train spotted a man they later identified as Broderick Wise, 40, of Hayward with paraphernalia. A record check showed an outstanding warrant. He was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Tuesday, October 11

• At 9:36 a.m. a person identified by police as Hoan Truong, 27, of Berkeley was detained at Fremont station on suspicion of fair evasion. A record check showed two warrants totaling $25,000. Truong was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail and issued a prohibition order.

Wednesday, October 12

• At 5:00 a.m. a man identified by police as Terrance Johnson, 36, of Hayward was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of assault and elder abuse. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail and issued a prohibition order.
• At 6:32 p.m. a woman identified by police as Kristen Foreman, 40, of Richmond was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of violating a court order. She was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

 

 

 

 

Have unneeded prescription drugs? Here’s where to take them

By Rob Klindt

 

On Saturday, October 29, numerous police departments and other agencies in the greater East Bay will be partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on its 23rd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event is designed to give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

People are encouraged to bring their unneeded medications for disposal to their closest participating agency between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Most prescription drugs, including pills and patches are eligible for the event, however needles, sharps and syringes cannot be accepted. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

In addition, e-cigarette and vaping devices will be collected for safe disposal. The DEA will accept these items from individual consumers only after the batteries are removed from them.

More than 4,400 law enforcement agencies across the nation participated in the last Prescription Drug Take Back Day held in April 2022. For more information, visit the DEA National Take Back Day website at www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Here are participating drop-off locations:

• Alameda County District Attorney’s Office

Fremont Hall of Justice, 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont

(510) 795-2500

• Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

Eden Township Substation, 15001 Foothill Blvd., San Leandro

(510) 667-7721

• Fremont Police Department

(In partnership with Fremont Elks Lodge)

Elks Lodge, 38991 Farwell Drive, Fremont

(510) 790-6800

• Hayward Police Department

300 W. Winton Ave., Hayward

(510) 293-7000

• Union City Police Department

34009 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City

(510) 471-1365

 

 

 

 

 

Grant will help police boost traffic safety measures

Submitted by Fremont Police Department

 

A new $97,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety is being used by the Fremont Police Department (FPD) to increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

The grant will pay for additional enforcement measures, including:

• High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hand-free cell phone law.
• DUI checkpoints and patrols specifically focused on suspected impaired drivers.
• Enhancing operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
• Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane change.
• Community education presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement and Drug Recognition Expert.
• Enforcement operations focused on violations for street racing and sideshows.

Funding for the program, which will run through September 2023, was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

 

 

 

 

Fremont Police Log

Submitted by Monica Leon, Fremont PD

 

Wednesday, October 12

• At about 11:15 a.m. officers responded to a report about a shooting incident at Irvington High School on Blacow Road. As a precaution, the school was placed on a lockdown while police and fire department personnel searched the premises. No suspect or victims were found and the incident was determined to be a hoax. School district officials said the lockdown was lifted within 40 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

Milpitas Police Log

Submitted by Sgt. Jason Speckenheuer

 

Monday, September 19

• At 2:27 a.m. officers responded to a disturbance report on the 1000 block of Hillview Ct. Upon arrival, they met a 41-year-old woman that they determined had several warrants charging assault and vandalism. To prevent officers from arresting her, the woman placed an aggressive dog at the door. With the assistance from Animal Control, officers were able to safely restrain the dog and arrested the woman.
• At 10:43 a.m. officers responded to the 1500 block of Gladding Court where a 36-year-old transient was reported to have threatened a business owner with a knife after being asked to leave the area. Officers quickly found and arrested the suspect who was booked into jail on suspicion of brandishing a weapon.

Wednesday, October 12

• At about 1:48 a.m. officers responded to a report about a possible stabbing at the Cerano Apartments at 501 Murphy Ranch Road. When they arrived, officers found a 25-year-old man suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was taken by paramedics to a hospital and listed in critical condition. Meanwhile, CHP notified Milpitas police they stopped a vehicle on Highway 101 and a 23-year-old male inside the vehicle told officers he had been stabbed during an altercation in Milpitas. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation, then later released to the custody of Milpitas police. An investigation into the stabbings in continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department website at www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veteran officer honored in Union City

Submitted by Union City Police Department

 

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month during October, officials from Union City Police Department (UCPD) are recognizing numerous employees. One of them is Lieutenant Sergio Quintero.

Quintero began his career with UCPD as a Police Cadet in 2008 before becoming a full-time police officer in 2010. During his time as an officer, Quintero was assigned to patrol and was a member of the UCPD SWAT team, where he served as the team leader. He was also a detective assigned to the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force.

In 2018, Quintero was promoted to sergeant and, in addition to supervising patrol, he was assigned to the UCPD Investigations Unit as a detective sergeant. In 2020, he was named UCPD Officer of the Year by his peers. In addition to his police operations work, Quintero served on the Union City Police Officers Association from 2015 to 2020 in several capacities including member at large, sergeant at arms and vice president.

In 2021 Quintero was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, where he oversees patrol operations. “Becoming a police officer has provided me with the opportunities to help others when they need it most or when they don’t have someone to help them,” Quintero said. “Also, it provides opportunities to represent my family and my community in a positive way.”

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone is a pedestrian; practice safety

Submitted by Union City Police Department

 

As part of Pedestrian Safety Month, Union City Police Department (UCPD) is working throughout October to raise awareness about the safety of people walking by emphasizing that safe drivers, safe speeds and safe vehicles save lives.

“Whether in a parking lot, crosswalk, or sidewalk, we are all pedestrians at one point,” Union City Police Sgt. Stan Rodrigues said. “Drivers, please slow down and be extra careful around people walking. Put yourself in their shoes and drive how you would want someone to drive when you are walking.”

The safety of people outside of vehicles is a significant traffic safety concern, with at least two pedestrians or bicyclists killed on California roads every day. Between 2010 and 2019 in California, pedestrian deaths increased more than 40% and bicyclist deaths went up more than 60%. In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed in the United States — an average of 18 pedestrians a day and one pedestrian killed every 81 minutes.

Speeding, poor lighting, mid-block crossing and impairment are the main factors in pedestrians being struck by vehicles.

• Here are safe driving and walking tips, provided by UCPD:

Drivers:

• Do not speed and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Pedestrians:

• Use signalized crosswalks where drivers expect foot traffic.
• Watch for approaching vehicles and be careful crossing the street, especially busier streets with higher speed limits. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to come to a stop.
• Get in the habit of wearing light colors, reflective material, and walking with a flashlight at night so it is easier for drivers to see you.

Funding for this program is provided to UCPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

 

 

 

Fremont police want to hear from you

Submitted by Fremont Police Department

 

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

According to FPD officials, feedback from the survey will be used to help the department determine the best way to serve the community, improve services and identify primary concerns that should be addressed.

The 10-question multiple-choice survey will be available through October 31 and is being hosted on the City of Fremont’s new community engagement platform, MyFremont. Registration is required to participate but only involves a few simple questions. Access the survey at http://my.fremont.gov/fpd-survey.

 

 

 

 

 

Arrest made in fatal shooting at Kaiser

Submitted by San Leandro Police Department

 

A 27-year-old Oakland man was arrested Tuesday, October 11 in connection with the fatal shooting of an armored truck security guard on September 7 at Kaiser Hospital in San Leandro.

San Leandro Police Department officials said they arrested Akbar Bey at his home at about 5 a.m. Police added that detectives obtained a full confession from Bey surrounding his involvement in the incident, including shooting the guard, identified as John Mendez, 60, in the back of his head before he stole the guard’s messenger bag containing cash.

On October 12, Bey was charged by the Alameda County District Attorney's office with murder. An investigation is continuing and police are asking anyone that has information to call them at (510) 577-2740.

 

 

 

 

 

Union City Police Log

Submitted by Union City PD

 

Monday, October 10

• At about 7:45 a.m. officers responded to a report about an in-progress fight and a possible gunshot heard in the 2500 Medallion Drive area. When they arrived, officers determined a 28-year-old man was involved in an altercation with two male suspects who had forced him into the trunk of a car and drove away. Detectives later learned the victim was at a local hospital. When interviewed, the victim told detectives he was beaten unconscious and woke up at the bottom of a creek. A Good Samaritan picked him up and took him to a hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No firearms were involved in the incident.

With assistance from Newark and Fremont police departments, UCPD detectives identified the suspects and learned their vehicle was used in a carjacking incident earlier in the day in Fremont. The next day, Fremont police detectives located and arrested three suspects police identified as Kenneth Hayes, 38 and Anthony Lankford, 22, both of Fremont, and Tyler Perea, 21, a transient. An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Angela Fonseca at Angelaf@unioncity.org or (510) 675-5227. Anonymous information can be left on the UCPD tip line at (510) 675-5207 or at via email at tips@unioncity.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Funding available for cultural events

Submitted by City of Hayward

 

The City of Hayward announced the availability of funding for cultural and other special events held by local community groups and individuals during the upcoming fiscal year (July 1,2023 – June 30, 2024). Cultural and Special Events may include parades, gatherings, arts and crafts shows, fairs, festivals, athletic events, car shows, and musical and other live performances.

The application process for requesting City grant funding for a Cultural or Special Event begins next month with a mandatory meeting, called a Bidder’s Conference, scheduled for Zoom from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Applicants who cannot attend the Bidder’s Conference should contact City staff beforehand for further instructions. For information on how to join the Bidder’s Conference or other assistance, go to hayward-ca.gov (search for Bidders Nov.1) or contact Hayward Community Services Division staff member Jessica Lobedan at (510) 583-4201 or Jessica.Lobedan@hayward-ca.gov.

Applications for applying for Cultural and Special Events grant funding will be available on the City website (search for NOFA 2023) starting Nov. 1. The deadline for submitting an application is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Decisions on the award of Cultural and Special Events grants will be made by the Hayward City Council in spring 2023 based on recommendations of the Community Services Commission.

 

 

 

 

 

Labor proposal could upend rules for gig workers, companies

By Michelle Chapman and Alexandra Olson

Associated Press

 

The Biden administration proposed new standards on Oct. 11 that could make it more difficult to classify millions of workers as independent contractors and deny them minimum wage and benefits.

The U.S. Department of Labor rule, which could take months to take effect, would replace a scrapped Trump-era standard that had lowered the bar for classifying employees as contractors, workers who are not covered by federal minimum wage laws and are not entitled to benefits including health insurance and paid sick days.

The reaction in markets for major gig companies was immediate. Shares of the ride-hailing companies Lyft fell 12% while Uber tumbled about 10%, although both companies dismissed the significance of the new proposal and its potential to affect their business.

In one key change, employers are required to consider whether the work provided is an integral part of their business. That could affect app-based companies that rely almost entirely on freelance workers to provide their services. The Trump-era rule had narrowed that criterion to whether the work in part of an integrated unit of production, and gave more weight to other considerations such as the worker's opportunity to make a profit or loss.

The new rule directs employers to consider six criteria for determining whether a worker is an employee or a contractor, without predetermining whether one outweighs the other. The criteria also include the degree of control by the employer, whether the work requires special skills, the degree of permanence of the relationship between worker and employer and the investment a worker makes, such as car payments.

The rule, however, does not carry the same weight as a law passed by Congress or state legislatures, nor does it specify whether any specific company or industry should reclassify their workers. Rather, it offers an interpretation of who should qualify for protections under the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act.

The rule could bolster labor advocates seeking to challenge worker classification in courts, or state lawmakers seeking to pass stricter laws for designating workers as contractors, said Patricia Campos-Medina, executive director of the Worker Institute at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

“It creates a base from which to work and it discourages predatory companies that want to lower their costs by denying basic rights to their employees,” said Campos-Medina. Still, there is room for interpretation since some companies might meet one set of criteria for contractor designation, but not others. “I don't think it will stop the debate,” Campos-Medina said. “The only thing the federal rule does is it creates a basic standard for evaluation.”

The Labor Department said misclassifying workers as independent contractors denies those workers protections under federal labor standards, promotes wage theft, allows certain employers to gain an unfair advantage over businesses, and hurts the economy.

“While independent contractors have an important role in our economy, we have seen in many cases that employers misclassify their employees as independent contractors, particularly among our nation's most vulnerable workers,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh in a prepared statement.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said the proposal would constitute a major change for workers and employers from previous years. “A classification to employees would essentially throw the business model upside down and cause some major structural changes if this holds,” Ives wrote.

But both Uber and Lyft dismissed the potential impact of the new rule. “Today's proposed rule takes a measured approach, essentially returning us to the Obama era, during which our industry grew exponentially” CR Wooters, head of federal affairs at Uber, said in a statement. In a blog post, Lyft said the company had expected this change since the start of the Biden administration. “Importantly this rule: Does not reclassify Lyft drivers as employees. Does not force Lyft to change our business model,” the company said.

The new rule is subject to a 45-day period ending Nov. 28 during which stakeholders can submit comments, and may not take effect for months.

Gig economy giants have weathered past attempts in the U.S. to require their drivers to be classified as employees.

In 2020, California voters overwhelmingly approved a proposition to exempt drivers for app-based companies from a state law requiring them to be designated as employees. Uber, Lyft and other companies had spent $200 million campaigning in favor of the proposition. However, a judge struck down the ballot measure as unconstitutional last year, setting up a legal fight that could end up in the California Supreme Court.

App-based companies have long argued that their workers want the flexibility to set their own hours as contract workers. Beyond gig workers, the new law has the potential to change the circumstances of millions of custodians, truck drivers, waiters, construction workers and others, according to the Labor Department.

Workers themselves are divided over the debate. In California, for example, hundreds of port truck drivers seeking to preserve their independent contractor status shut down operations in the Port of Oakland last summer to protest the state's gig workers law. But other truckers have successfully fought to force their companies to classify them as employees with full benefits.

 

 

 

 

Milpitas City Council

October 4, 2022

 

Proclamations:

• October 9-15 was proclaimed as Fire Prevention Week.
• October 10 was proclaimed as Indigenous Peoples' Day.
• October was proclaimed as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month.
• October 5 was proclaimed as Clean Air Day.

Consent Calendar:

• Amend sections of the Milpitas Municipal Code relating to maximum building heights in certain zoning districts.
• Award a construction contract to Mercoza Inc. for the Annual Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Repair Project.
• Authorize a contract with Colliers Parrish International for real estate services related to the disposition of property located at 1432-1446 South Main Street.
• Authorize acceptance of grant funding from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) for the Management of the Regional Early Impact Planning (REAP) Grant.
• Amending the Classification Plan to establish the position of Risk Analyst.

Community Services:

• Approve Donations Policy for City Parks and Recreation and Community Services Programs.

Leadership and Support Services:

Update on the American Rescue Plan Act programs.

 

Rich Tran (Mayor)                              Aye

Carmen Montano (Vice Mayor)          Aye

Anthony Phan                                     Aye

Karina Dominguez                              Aye

Evelyn Chua                                        Aye

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newark offers new affordable housing

By Jack Alcorn

 

In May 2021, Newark City Council adopted a two-year work plan to focus on affordable housing. The primary effort is to convert the Towne Place Suites extended-stay hotel in Newark into 124 affordable residential units to be known as Cedar Community Apartments. The attractive property at 39802 Cedar Boulevard contains studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, all with kitchens. Converting these units to affordable homes will require minimal changes to the interior and exterior of the building. A gated parking area will provide 80 spots for the residents and staff.

The City of Newark allotted $6 million for the renovation and Alameda County HOME Consortium contributed $4 million. The State of California’s Project Homekey recently awarded the City of Newark $38.2 million dollars to complete the project. Project Homekey is a statewide effort to sustain and rapidly expand housing for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. New residents could move in before the end of 2022. Newark Mayor Alan Nagy said, “I am grateful for these partnerships and the opportunity to welcome the residents of Cedar Community Apartments to the Newark community.”

The remodeled apartment units will be affordable to extremely low-income families and individuals who are unhoused or are at-risk of homelessness, including 11 units that will be reserved for military veterans. Security guard service to monitor the property will be provided 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The housing complex will also offer supportive services for residents, including education and employment assistance, recreational and community activities. All residents will pay rent based on their income, and the balance of their rent will be subsidized from various sources. The maximum income that a household can make will depend on the household size and will range from $28,800 to $44,400 per year.

The residential application process for Cedar Community Apartments is a referral system managed by Abode Services with City of Newark oversight. Alameda County’s Coordinated Entry System and the Veteran’s Administration may also refer clients. For more information on the project or to be put on an interest list to be able to apply to live there, email Abode Services newarkhotel@abodeservices.org or visit https://www.newark.org/CedarCommunityApartments.

 

 

 

 

San Leandro Unified School District

Board of Education Meeting

October 11, 2022

 

School Report:

• Updates from Roosevelt and Washington Elementary Schools.

Presentations:

• Presentation of newly revised English Learner Master Plan
• Presentation of the California Assessment of Student Performance (CAASPP) and English language Proficiency Assessment of California (ELPAC) for SLUSD.

Public Hearing:

• SLUSD's Proposal to the California School Employees' Association.

Board Committee Reports:

• San Leandro High School Gym groundbreaking yet to be announced.
• District working with Common Vision to make sustainable school gardens.

Consent Agenda:

• Approve resolution for conducting meetings via teleconference.
• Adopt resolution for accounting of development fees.
• Approve contract between SLUSD and University Instructors, LLC.
• Renew MoU between SLUSD and Project Eden for student alcohol, tobacco, and drug services.
• Approve citizens bond and oversight committee membership.
• Approve furniture and equipment purchase for the new SLHS gym.
• Renew contract between the SLUSD and CSM, INC.
• Adopt Surplus Equipment Resolution.

Action/Discussion Items

• Approve the MoU between the San Leandro Adult School and the City of San Leandro.
• Approve resolution declaring October Filipino American History Month.
• Approve resolution declaring October as LGBTQ+ Month.
• Approve the Assessment Technician job description.
• Approve tentative San Leandro Teachers' Association Salary Schedules.
• Approve the outdoor education field trip to Camp Arroyo.
• Approve Professional Development contract with Elevo Staffing Support.
• Approve San Leandro Unified School District's English Learner Master Plan.
• Approve Mental Health MoU between San Leandro High and Korean Community Center.
• Approve Garfield Elementary Mural Project.
• Approve construction of the San Leandro High School new gym.

Cabinet Reports:

• COVID testing kits will be sent out for holiday breaks.
• Recognized Halkin Elementary and SLUSD Teacher of the Year Sean Cavanaugh.
• Over 40 colleges presented during San Leandro High School’s college fair.
• October 24 is Professional Learning Day for staff.
• Free vision screening and eyeglasses for all students in grades 6-8 from Vision to Learn.

 

President James Aguilar                      Aye

Vice President Peter Oshinski             Aye

Evelyn Gonzalez                                 Aye

Diana Prola                                         Aye

Leo Sheridan                                       Aye

Liz Toledo                                           Aye

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Clara Valley Water District

September 27, 2022

 

Closed Session:

• Authorize Acquisition of a Real Property Interest from Edward G. Ruder and Elizabeth M. Ruder, for the Coyote Creek Flood Management Measures Project. (no action taken)
• Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit update provided.

Consent Calendar:

• Declare October Filipino American History Month
• Declare October National Disability Awareness Month and recognize the 32nd Anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act.
• Declare October Polish American Heritage Month.
• Declare October German American Heritage Month.
• Declared Italian American Heritage Month.
• Approve the Membership Nominations for New Two-Year Term Committee Appointment to the Environmental and Water Resources Committee (EWRC).
• Approve the Membership Nomination for New Two-Year Term Committee Appointment to the Santa Clara Valley Water Youth Commission.
• Accept the CEO Bulletin for the Weeks of September 9-22, 2022.
• Approval of Minutes.

Regular Agenda:

• Review the Fiscal Year 2023 Board Policy Planning Calendar.
• Approve proposed changes to Board Governance Policies – Executive Limitations, Financial Management and Related Interpretations. Unanimously approved.
• Receive update on Impacts of a Potential Recession and Recent High Inflation Trends on Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Finances.
• Board Committee Reports.

Water Utility Enterprise

• Approve the Agreement with Hazen and Sawyer for On-Call Mechanical Engineering and Support Services. Unanimously approved.
• Receive Report of Bids and Reject All Bids for the Construction of the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center Storage Building.

Watersheds

• Authorize Acquisition of a Real Property Interest from Edward G. Ruder and Elizabeth M. Ruder, for the Coyote Creek Flood Management Measures Project. Unanimously approved.

Items Removed from Agenda

• Approve the Budget Adjustment, Receive Report of Bids, and Award the Construction Contract for the Coyote Creek Stream Augmentation Fish Protection Measure Chillers Plant Project. (no action taken)

Administration

• Ryan McCarter announced as new Assistant Operating Officer of the Dam Safety and Capital Delivery Division.
• Received Watersheds O&M Report.
• Received report that the Youth Commission held its initial meeting of the school year on August. 24, its first in-person meeting since February of 2020.
• Received report on Coastal Cleanup Day held on September 17 with all 12 members of the Youth Commission and other volunteers participating in the collection of 25,000 pounds of trash across Santa Clara County.

 

John L. Varela, District 1                    Aye

Barbara Keegan, District 2                  Aye

Richard Santos, District 3                   Aye

Linda J. LeZotte, District 4                  Aye

Nai Hsueh, District 5                          Aye

Tony Estremera, District 6                  Aye

Gary Kremen, District 7                      Aye

 

 

 

 

Have your say about multi-family housing

Submitted by City of Union City

 

Officials from the Union City Planning Division are asking residents to share their thoughts about multi-family housing design and development standards in the city.

They have posted an online 15-question, multiple-choice survey on what residents want to see in townhouses, apartment buildings and mixed-use buildings (apartments over or next to retailers). The survey does not apply to single-family homes. Respondents also will have a chance to include comments.

To access the survey, visit the City of Union City website at www.unioncity.org, enter “Objective Development Standards” into the search field and follow the link. Those who complete the survey before November 4 will be entered to win a $50 gift card. For details, call (510) 675-5379.

 

 

 

 

Voter’s Choice Act: More days more ways

By Jack Alcorn

 

The California Voter's Choice Act (VCA) modernizes elections in California by conducting elections with greater flexibility and convenience for voters. The November 8 General Election will allow voters to choose how, when, and where to cast their ballot. The VCA will improve elections by:

• Mailing every voter a ballot.
• Expanding in-person early voting.
• Increasing the number of days to vote.
• Allowing voters to cast a ballot at any vote center within their county.
• Providing secure ballot drop off locations.

Every active, registered voter is mailed a ballot 28 days before Election Day. Voters have three ways to return their vote-by-mail ballots:

• Mail the ballot.
• Drop the ballot in a secure county ballot drop box.
• Return the ballot to a Vote Center.

Vote Centers replace traditional polling centers. Voters have the freedom to cast a ballot in-person at any vote center in their county instead of being assigned to a single polling location. Vote centers look and feel like polling places, but provide additional modern features to make voting easy and convenient. At any vote center a voter may:

• Vote in-person.
• Drop off their ballot.
• Get a replacement ballot.
• Vote using an accessible voting machine.
• Get help and voting material in multiple languages.
• Register to vote or update their voter registration.

Vote Center locations are listed at acvote.org (Alameda County), and sccvote.org (Santa Clara County). Registered voters may still arrive at any Vote Center, identify yourself, and cast a ballot provided at the Vote Center.

Early voting begins 10 days before the Election with one Vote Center for every 50,000 registered voters. Beginning the weekend preceding the election the number Vote Center will increase to one for every 10,000 registered voters.

Ballot drop-off locations provide voters with an additional way to return their ballot, postage-free. Starting 28 days before Election Day, there is at least one drop-off location for every 15,000 registered voters. Drop-off locations must be secure, accessible to voters with disabilities, and located as near as possible to public transportation routes. For a detailed list of drop-off locations with maps, visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov

Visit vca.sos.ca.gov for more information.

 

 

 

 

Cougar Report

Submitted by Rachel Kahoalii

 

Cross Country

Newark Memorial Varsity girls’ cross country placed third out of 38 teams in the medium school size division taking home the third-place plaque at the prestigious Clovis Invitational. The meet puts many of the best teams in the state up against each other in a preview of the state championship course at Woodward Park in Clovis. The performance should put the previously unranked Cougars on the radar of the NCS and CA state rankings!

Newark Memorial Varsity boys’ cross country had a solid showing placing twelfth out of 42 teams in the medium school size division at the Invitational. The guys hope to be back with an even better performance in November.

Volleyball

Varsity Volleyball places second in their division at the Stockton Tournament winning three games against West, Galt and Lathrop before losing to Manteca in the championship match.

 

 

 

 

Pioneer named CCAA Runner of the Week

Submitted by CSUEB Athletic Communications

 

The California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) announced its weekly award winners for cross country on Monday, October 10. From the Cal State East Bay women's cross-country team, Chase Worthen was named CCAA Runner of the Week for women's cross country.

On Friday, October 7 in the SF State Invitational, Worthen placed second overall in the women's 6k at Golden Gate Park with a time of 21 minutes, 35.4 seconds. She was the top Division II finisher for the 6k. Her finish was one of three for the Pioneers in the top-10, ultimately leading to a second-place team finish in scoring.

It was the first time a women's cross-country runner from Cal State East Bay received the conference's weekly award since 2019.

 

 

 

Honor Roll

Johns Hopkins University, Maryland

Spring 2022 Global Health Leaders Conference presentation

• Angela Xiong of Fremont

 

 

 

 

Teens honored for volunteer work

Submitted by Olivia Ma, Youth4Good

 

On the sunny afternoon of Saturday, October 1, several teenagers played basketball, laughed and caught up with each other on the grassy field at Irvington Community Park on Blacow Road in Fremont. Together, they were attending Youth4Good’s annual President's Volunteer Service Awards.

One of the teenagers there was high school junior Ethan Tang, co-president of Youth4Good, a community service organization dedicated to helping youngsters develop leadership skills and good citizenship practices. Over the course of the past six years (since he was 10-years-old), Ethan has served more than 30 meals to the residents of a shelter.

Ethan truly believes in the goodness of helping others, stating that, “It has been such a rewarding experience for me when the residents came up and thanked us for the delicious meals. Their smiles and appreciation really melt my heart. Through all these years, I learned to cook and help others in my own way. I hope more and more volunteers will join us!” Ethan is one of 550 volunteers that are part of Youth4Good Foundation, a nonprofit, which actively serves underprivileged communities across the Bay Area, especially the homeless and low-income community.

Under student leadership based in Fremont, Youth4Good volunteers have tutored students-in-need from the U.S. and China, hosted farm events and parties for low-income families, provided meals at homeless shelters, organized food bank events, and cleaned local parks. Together, they have raised more than $10,000 to sponsor shelter meals and support the education of underprivileged students in China.

Youth4Good was presented with a whopping 58 recipients of the President's Volunteer Service Award in 2022, including 35 gold awards, four silver awards, and 19 bronze awards. Recipients range from elementary school students, such as 10-year-old Annabelle Hua, the youngest gold award winner, to high school students like Joshua Zhang, a zealous volunteer with more than 450 service hours in the last three years alone.

On this beautiful day in harvest October, Youth4Good held their annual President’s Volunteer Service Award Ceremony to honor the work and accomplishments of these recipients. The award recognizes the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This nationally recognized award highlights individuals whose service positively impacts society and inspires those around them to take action, too.

Dr. Yang Shao, a Fremont City Councilmember, was one of the many people who attended the ceremony and handed out awards to each recipient. Shao eagerly recognized the kindheartedness and zeal of the recipients during the ceremony, stating that “We have a mission to be an active part of society. This is not the end of their service, but the beginning of their journey.”

For details about Youth4Good, visit their website at www.youth4good.us.

 

 

 

 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

 

Runaway gas prices

 

A friend of mine who just returned from North Carolina said the gas is selling there at $3.25 per gallon. Wow! And the other day, I paid $6.89 a gallon at the Chevron pump in my neighborhood. What is the difference between two states — more than double for the same gas?

Although governor Newsom denounced companies and called a special legislative session to impose a new tax on their profits. Are they going to match the price of North Carolina? Great News!

Of course, we are all aware of the fact that our state's gas prices are the highest in the nation due to taxes and environmental regulations. But for us, the high price of gas at the pump is emptying our pockets. Therefore, the governor has to take immediate action on the hot issue of the day without further delay.

Zafar Yousufzai

Fremont

 

 

 

 

 

 

How artists can legally protect themselves

Submitted by Fremont Area Writers

 

Lots of us want to become writers, singers, dancers, painters and musicians, but the lack of financial security makes most of us back away. So how can someone stay involved even when they've moved on to another professional field?

On Saturday, October 22, you're invited to meet Attorney Robert Parker. Parker is a litigator in Oregon who volunteers his time with Oregon Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. He'll be telling the Fremont Area Writers about his work, how artists can protect themselves from legal issues and how they can get help.

“The Oregon Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts” he explained “is one of many groups, all across the United States, whose lawyers either drastically cut their fees or donate their services to help artists of all kinds.” Prior to becoming an expert in entertainment and First Amendment law, Parker was a producer, actor, writer and journalist. He now focuses on helping others achieve their full potential while protecting themselves from unwittingly violating the rights of other artists.

The presentation will Keynote the FAW's October meeting and is open, at no charge, to anyone interested in writing, or any of the other creative arts. For an email link to this Zoom event send your request to scottfrombayside@yahoo.com with “FAW Link” on the subject line.

Parker promised “I'll do my best to answer any questions you bring, so feel free to bring them!”

For more information about the Fremont Area Writers go to https://cwc-fremontareawriters.org/

The OVLA counterpart in the Bay Area is California Lawyers for the Arts SF (415)775-7200, or calawyersforthearts.org

 

Artist attorney Q and A

Saturday, October 22

2 p.m.

Via Zoom

Request link from scottfrombayside@yahoo.com

https://cwc-fremontareawriters.org/

 

 

 

 

 

Diablo Valley beats Chabot football

By Eric Donato

 

Diablo Valley College Vikings (Pleasant Hill) beat Chabot College Gladiators (Hayward) in a California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) weekend football conference match on October 15th with a 33-17 win.

Dueling field goals opened the match within eight minutes of the first quarter, 3-3. The Gladiators edged the Vikings with a 12-yard run TD to close the first quarter 3-10 lead. The momentum shifted to the visiting Diablo Valley in the second quarter opening with a long 45-yard field goal from Ray Vallee. The Viking's next possession led to a ninety-yard drive setting up a five-yard dash to the end zone switching leads at 13-10. Diablo Valley’s momentum carried over to the third quarter, with their QB Joey Aguilar finding their passing game rhythm, gaining yardage aggressively down the field. The Vikings executed two critical twenty-yard plus TD passes with one failed extra point kick, ending the third quarter 26-10.

The Vikings extended their lead further in the last quarter with an eight-yard pass, 33-10. In a last-ditch effort near the game's two-minute warning mark, Chabot's QB, Kekoa Turangan, threw a long thirty-six-yard pass to Jeremiah Crum for a successful endzone reception. The game ended with a convincing Vikings victory, 37-17. Diablo Valley chalked their first win on the CCCAA conference standings while moving their overall record 4-2, just behind first-place College of San Mateo.

 

 

 

 

 

Boo Calendar 2022

 

Pumpkin Patches

 

 

Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch

Friday, Sept 23 – Tuesday, Nov 1

10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Train rides, giant slides, petting zoo

Alameda Point

2453 Hancock St., Alameda

(510) 705-2352

www.speerfamilyfarms.com

Kids $22; Adults $10

 

Joan’s Farm & Pumpkin Patch

Saturday, Oct 1 – Sunday, Oct 30

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

(closed Mondays, except Oct 10)

Feed farm animals, hay bale maze, inflatable slide, snack shack

4351 Mines Rd., Livermore

(925) 980-7772

http://joansfarm.com/

 

Dig Deep Farms

Saturday, Oct 8 – Sunday, Oct 30

Sat & Sun; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Carving and decorative pumpkins, food and drinks, games and crafts

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

Admission: $2 adults, $1 kids under 12

 

 

Halloween

 

 

Pirates of Emerson

Friday, Sept 30 – Monday, Oct 31

Sept 30; Oct 1, 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 26, 30: 7:05 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Oct 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 27, 31: 7:05 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Oct 22, 28, 29: 7:05 p.m. – Midnight

Alameda County Fairgrounds

Corner of Bernal & Valley Ave., Pleasanton

Tickets: $20 – $78

 

Fear Overload Scream Park

Friday, Sept 30 – Sunday, Nov 5

Oct 9, 16, 23: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Oct 30: 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sept 30; Oct 1, 7, 10, 12-13, 18-19, 24 – 27: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Oct 8, 14: 7 p.m. – midnight

Oct 15, 21, 28: 6 p.m. – midnight

Oct 22, 29, 31: 5:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

Nov 4 – 5: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

2086 Newpark Mall, Newark

https://fearoverload.com/

General admission: $19.99 – $31.99

 

Candlelighters Ghost House

Thursday, Oct 13 – Sunday, Oct 30

Mon – Thurs: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Fri: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Sat: 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Sun: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Haunted House, games booths, and snacks

Chadbourne Carriage House

39169 Fremont Blvd., Fremont

(510) 796-0595

http://candlelighters.com/

Tickets: $4

 

Spooktacular with Lord Blood-Rah, Gail & Raymond Orwig

Tuesday, Oct 18

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Viewing of “House on Haunted Hill” – wear your costume!

Fukaya Room, Fremont Main Library 1F

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

Pre-register at: aclibrary.bibliocommons.com/events

 

Family Fun Night: Halloween Puppet Show

Wednesday, Oct 19

6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Winnie the Witch, a black-light puppet show

San Leandro Main Library

300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro

(510) 577-3971

www.sanleandro.org/162/Public-Library

 

Halloween Craft-Er-Noon

Thursday, Oct 20

3:45 p.m.

Crafts and activities for kids K-5th Grade

San Leandro Main Library

300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro

(510) 577-3971

www.sanleandro.org/162/Public-Library

 

Fremont Street Eats: Halloween Edition

Friday, Oct 21

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Food trucks, kids / dogs costume contest, reverse trick-or-treating, line dancing

www.fremontstreeteats.com

 

Beyond the Veil

Friday, Oct 21 – Saturday, Oct 22

6:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m.

Meek Mansion

17365 Boston Rd., Hayward

 

Friday, Oct 28 – Saturday, Oct 29

6:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m.

McConaghy House

18701 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward

 

(510) 581-0223

www.haywardareahistory.org

$25

 

Pumpkins in the Park

Saturday, Oct 22

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Music, face painting, trick or treat stations, costume contest

Cardoza Park

Kennedy Drive & Park Victoria Drive

www.milpitas.gov

$7 per child

 

Howl-o-Ween

Saturday, Oct 22

10 a.m. – 12 noon

Costume contest, resource fair, photo booth

New Bark Dog Park

35501 Cedar Blvd., Newark

www.newark.org

 

Boo at the Zoo

Saturday, Oct 22 – Monday, Oct 31

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Come in costume and follow a self-guided scavenger hunt

Oakland Zoo

9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland

(510) 632-95-25

www.oaklandzoo.org

Included with Zoo admission

 

Halloween Spooktacular

Sunday, Oct 23

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Arm painter, balloon maker, free goodie bag for kids

Near Koja Kitchen

43440 Boscell Rd., Fremont

www.pacificcommons.com

 

Niles Haunted Train Car

Sunday, Oct 23 – Monday, Oct 31

Enjoy displays from outside the car

Oct 31: Treats handed out 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Niles Plaza, across from Joe’s Corner

Niles.org

 

Haunted Cottage 14

Wednesday, Oct 26

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

For public and high school students, drinks and snacks for purchase

California School for the Deaf

39350 Gallaudet Dr., Fremont

(510) 248-4204

https://www.csdeagles.com/

Admission: $2

 

Trunk or Treat

Saturday, Oct 29

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Games, crafts, activities, local vendors

Hayward Twin Oaks Montessori School

2652 Vergil Ct., Castro Valley

 

Halloween cookie decorating workshop

Saturday, Oct 29

Kids: 11:00 a.m.

Adults 12:30 p.m.

Baker Ashley Wong shares her skills; cookies, icing, and tools provided

Dale Hardware

3700 Thornton Ave., Fremont

(510) 797-3700

To register, email fremontpodcast@gmail.com

 

Halloween Dinner & Dance

Saturday, Oct 29

6 p.m.

Prizes for best costume!

Pruma Center

616 E St., Union City

$25 pre-sale, includes dinner

$10 dance only

https://prumacenter.org/

 

Treasures Unleased Halloween Event

Saturday, Oct 29

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Haunted house, fashion show, youth performances, and more!

Treasures Unleashed

971 B. St., Hayward

(Next to bank back parking lot)

RSVP to www.treasuresunleased.com

 

Spook-tacular Swing Dance Party

Saturday, Oct 29

6 p.m. Lindy Hop lesson

7 p.m. East Coast Swing lesson

8 p.m. Dance party and potluck (pizza for first 20 guests)

SLIM Fitness, ste #3

5437 Central Ave., Newark

For tickets, contact Mike Quebec: (510) 240-2732 or esperescano@gmail.com

$10 advanced registration, $15 at the door

Space limited to 30 guests

 

Halloween Spooktacular Show

Saturday, Oct 29

8 p.m.

Laugh track city – with a Halloween twist!

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St., 2F, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

General admission: $15

 

The Running Dead 5K Fun Run & Walk

Sunday, Oct 30

8 a.m. – 12 noon

Dodge the zombies! Raffle and costume contest after the race.

Civic Center / City Hall

34009 Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City

www.unioncity.org

Registration: $22 – $32

 

Halloween Community Carnival

Sunday, Oct 30

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Ghoulish games, wicket prizes, take home tasty treats. Ages 3-12.

Holly Community Center

31600 Alvarado Blvd., Union City

(510) 675-5488

www.unioncity.org

 

Halloween Pet Costume Contest

Sunday, Oct 30

3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Enter your pet, pet/parent lookalike, or family costume; proceeds benefit Ohlone Humane Society.

Joe’s Corner

37713 Niles Blvd., Fremont

www.joescornerniles.com/events

$10 entry ($7 for additional pets)

 

The Haunted Garden

Sunday, Oct 30

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Lawn games, Halloween crafts, music, explore haunted museum rooms

Camron-Stanford House

1418 Lakeside Dr., Oakland

(510) 874-7802

https://www.cshouse.org/events

Admission: $5

 

Halloween Craft Show

Sunday, Oct 30

12 noon – 6 p.m.

40+ vendors, music, food/drink, Halloween photobooth

Century House & Gardens

37447 Fremont Blvd., Fremont

 

Halloween Monster Mash Dance & Costume Contest

Monday, Oct 31

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Seniors, wear your spookiest costume, and enjoy ghoulish music from the Canyon Band

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

(510) 790-6610

$5 cash only

 

Trick or Treat at Castro Village

Monday, Oct 31

3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Trick-or-Treating, children’s concert, and live entertainment

Castro Village Shopping Center

Castro Valley Blvd. @ Santa Maria Ave.

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Events:

 

Second Tuesdays

The Page Turners

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Book discussion for adults lead by librarian Chris Selig

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

castrovalley@aclibrary.org

 

First Wednesdays

Talkin' Dirt

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Online gathering of gardeners

Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (LEAF)

6501 Niles Blvd, Fremont

fremontleaf.org/talkindirt

 

First Thursdays

Plethos Comedy Lab $

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

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

Castro Valley Market Place

3295 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley

(510) 901-1001

plethos.org, castrovalleymarketplace.com

Ticket: $10

 

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays

Ride the Rails $

10:20 am – 1:55 am

Travel through the eucalyptus groves

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(888) 327-2757

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

 

Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays

Patterson House Tour $

11:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm

Tour the Patterson House Museum

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(888) 327-2757

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

 

Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays

Rockin' Tots $

10 am – 12 noon

Saturday: 8:00 am – 10:00 am

Sunday: 9:00 am – 11 am

Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park

37177 Farwell Drive, Fremont

(510) 246-3098

rockinjump.com/Fremont

$10 for a parent and child under 6 for an hour

 

Fridays

Fremont Street Eats

5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

3500 Capitol Ave, Fremont

thefoodtruckmafia.com

 

Saturdays

Laugh Track City $

08:00 pm

Improvised games and scenes

(Please show proof of vaccination)

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St suite B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

madeuptheatre.com

 

Third Saturdays

Investigating Space $

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Discuss topics in exploring space with researchers and scientists (Included with admission)

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

(510) 336-7300

chabotspace.org

 

Second Thursdays, September 8 – June 9

Café Dad

6:00 pm

Father and father figures obtain resources

HUSD Parent Resource Center Hub

24823 Soto Rd, Hayward

(510) 723-3857

husd.us/hub

 

Sundays, September 11 – October 30

SOAC Water Polo

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Water Polo program for all age and abilities

Dan Oden Swim Complex

33901 Syracuse Ave, Union City

 

Mondays & Wednesdays, September 19 – November 7

MFMII Docent Training

9:15 am – 11:45 am

Learn how to teach music to kids

www.musicforminors2.org

 

Saturday – Monday, October 1 – October 31

The Beauty of Wood-Fired Ceramics, Volume 4

11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Hand-carved and wood-fired ceramics

Allied Arts Guild

75 Arbor Rd, Menlo Park

(650) 322-2405

alliedartsguild.org

 

Thursdays – Sundays, October 6 – December 4

Shape, Form, and Color: Modern Expressionism

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Art exhibit at UNCLE Union Art Gallery

Art Reception: Saturday November 12, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Bankhead Theatre

2400 2400 First St, Livermore

(510) 373-6800

livermorearts.org/

 

Saturdays and Sundays, October 8 – October 30

626 Night Market Mini

1:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Three dozen Asian food, merchants, and craft vendors

Great Mall

447 Great Mall Dr, Milpitas

(408) 956-2033

www.626nightmarket.com/mini-milpitas

 

Sundays, October 9 – October 30

Fashion Design Workshop R$

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Learn to create Unique designs and think like a designer

(862) 221-0644

Kristen@TheEclecticChicBoutique.com

bit.ly/3SHrRUT

 

Tuesdays, October 11 – December 27

Needle Time

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Bring your latest sewing, or knitting project to craft

San Lorenzo Library

395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo

(510) 284-0640

aclibrary.org/locations/SLZ

 

Wednesdays, October 12 – November 2

US Citizenship Exam Class

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

8-week preparation class for the US Naturalization Interview

Newark Public Library

37055 Newark Blvd, Newark

(510) 284-0675

bit.ly/3DyAJaM

 

Mondays

Advanced Math + Tutoring

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Free High School and College-Level tutoring

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

castrovalley@aclibrary.org

aclibrary.org

 

 

Upcoming Events:

 

Tuesday, October 18

Link21 Virtual Community meeting

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Focus on Megaregional overview

inquiries@Link21Program.org

Link21Program.org/events

 

Tuesday, October 18

Bryan at the Bistro!

7:00 pm

Live music performances

The Bistro

1001 B Street, Hayward

(510) 833-3470

the-bistro.com

 

Tuesday, October 18

Age well, Drive Smart R

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Senior Drive education class

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

(510) 790-6606

 

Tuesday, October 18

Ikebana Free Trial R

10:00 am – 11:00 am

Japanese art of making flowers

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

 

Tuesday, October 18

Urban Cycling Workshop

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Workshop by the league of American Bicyclists

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

 

Tuesday, October 18

Outdoor Job and Resources Fair

10:30 am

Event will take place in the courtyard in front of the gym

Hayward Adult School

22110 Princeton St, Hayward

(510) 783-4001

has.edu

 

Wednesday, October 19

Celebrating Diversity Circle

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Come and make new friends.

Age Well Center at Lake Elizabeth

40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

(510) 790-6606

 

Wednesday, October 19

Candlelight Vigil

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Domestic Violence Awareness

Fremont City Hall

3300 Capitol Ave, Fremont

(510) 248-4000

www.fremont.gov

 

Thursday, October 20

Mini Seasonal Career Fair

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Hiring for the Holiday season

Ohlone College, Fremont

43600 Mission Blvd

Ohlone.edu/seasonalcareerfair

Parking: $4

 

Thursday, October 20

The Great Shake Out

10:20 am

Earthquake Drill

shakeout.org

 

Friday, October 21

Micky Dolenz $

8:00 pm

Indulge Your Nostalgia with hits by “The Monkee”

Bankhead Theatre

2400 First St, Livermore

(510) 373-6800

livermorearts.org/

Tickets: $20 – $100 ($20 Student/Military Personnel)

 

Friday, October 21

Believe For It Tour $

7:00 pm

Live in concert by Cece Winas

Harbor Light Church

4760 Thornton Avenue, Fremont

(510) 744-2233

harborlight.com

Ticket: $30 – $35

 

Friday, October 21

Mobile Food Distribution – TCV

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Available for first 80 families Please bring your own reusable bag

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

 

Friday, October 21 – Saturday, October 22

OctoBOOer 2022 QuaranPalooza Livestream Music Fest R$

12:00 pm – 1:00 am

13 hours of live music by 35 + performers

facebook.com/events/1052363985455565

Tickets: bit.ly/octoberqptickets

 

Friday, October 21 – Sunday, October 23

Holiday for the Arts 2022 $

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Gala: Friday 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Art, Food, Music, Wine, Beer

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd, Fremont

(510) 791-4357

olivehydeartguild.org

 

Saturday, October 22

Make A Difference Day R

8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Clean-up and beautification event

Tennyson Park

28377 Huntwood Ave

bit.ly/3CnBdOE

 

Saturday, October 22

Arts, Crafts, and How-To

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Come, create, and show your work in the Teen Space Art Zone

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

 

Saturday, October 22

An Afternoon with Ingrid Rojas Contreras

3:00 pm

Live reading of “The Man Who Moves the Cloud”

Hayward Public Library

888 C St, Hayward

(510) 293-8685

hayward-ca.gov/public-library

 

Saturday, October 22

Garba With Parthiv Gohil Live in Bay Area $

6:30 pm

Singers: Parthiv Gohil and Santvani Trivedi

Centerville Junior High School

37720 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

(510) 797-2072

centerville.fremont.k12.ca.us

 

Saturday, October 22

Nature Walk

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Guided walk around neighboring pond and park

Union City Library

34007 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City

(510) 745-1464

aclibrary.org/locations/UCY

 

Saturday, October 22

Día De Los Muertos

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Taiko drumming: 12 noon

Mexico Tortilla Factory

7015 Thornton Ave, Newark

(510) 792-9909

mexicotortillafactory.com

 

Saturday, October 22

Bubble Run

8:00 am – 10:00 am

Walk, Run, Dance, and Showered by colorful bubbles.

Alameda County Fairgrounds

4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton

(925) 426-7600

alamedacountyfair.com

bubblerun.com/find-a-race

 

Saturday, October 22

CSUEB Homecoming 2022 Car Show $

8:00 am

All cars are welcome

California State University, East Bay

25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward

(510) 885-3000

www.csueastbay.edu

Vehicle Registration: $10

 

Saturday, October 22

Annual Church Rummage Sale

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Masks encouraged and social distancing required

All Saints Episcopal Church

911 Dowling Blvd, San Leandro

(510) 322-4528

saintsalive.net

 

Saturday, October 22

Earth Day: Election Edition

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Walk and talk with local environmental leaders

Lake Elizabeth

40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

Behind the performance pavilion

cclsve.org/OctoberEarthDay2022

 

Sunday, October 23

It's Magic $

3:00 pm

A longest running magic revue in America

Bankhead Theatre

2400 2400 First St, Livermore

(510) 373-6800

livermorearts.org

Tickets: $20 – $68($20 for students/Military personnel)

 

Sunday, October 23

Felted Pumpkins

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Create some felted fall fun and decorate your home

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(888) 327-2757

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

 

Monday, October 24

Voters Education Forum

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Speak with candidates, discuss ballot measures

San Lorenzo Library

395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo

(510) 284-0640

aclibrary.org/locations/SLZ

 

Tuesday, October 25

Job Fair

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

hosted by Chamber of Commerce and City of Fremont

Downtown Event Center

3500 Capitol Ave, Fremont

https://bit.ly/3CY43q9