11-24-20 Articles

Fire department consolidates office personnel
Submitted by Alameda County Fire Department

In a statement released November 18, officials from the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) announced that it has relocated administrative personnel from its facilities that serve several unincorporated areas of Alameda County.

Areas affected include Ashland, Cherryland, Hill Crest Knolls, Castro Valley, Sunol, Palomares Hills, and unincorporated portions of Pleasanton and Livermore. Services for these areas are now provided at the Fire Administration office, 6363 Clark Ave., Dublin.

Fire prevention personnel are not affected by the change and will stay at their respective locations. Anyone who is unsure where to access (ACFD) services can call (510) 632-3473.

Alameda County superintendent’s message
Submitted by Alameda County Office of Education

Statement from Alameda County Superintendent of Schools L. Karen Monroe:

The news that Alameda County is moving back into the Purple Tier under the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework is disheartening, but necessary given the surge in COVID-19 cases around the country, our state, and the Bay Area.

We continue to put all available resources toward the support of our schools as they prepare for the day when students can return for in-classroom instruction. We continue to work closely with our partners at Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) to advise and guide our educational leaders as we move through ever-changing circumstances.

Per state order, schools that are already open will not be required to close. Those that remain open will need to continue to be vigilant and diligent in prioritizing the health and safety of students and staff. All schools and districts may offer on-site support and instruction to small groups of their students in greatest need of in-person learning using the state’s Small Cohort Guidance. As this situation quickly evolves, we will continue to work with ACPHD to determine the scenarios in which schools are able to serve students within public health guidelines.

We urge our school communities and families to heed both the restrictions and guidance being provided by our public health officers on limiting gatherings outside of your household, mask-wearing, hand-washing, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

Apple to cut app store fees as legal scrutiny intensifies
By Michael Liedtke
AP Technology Writer

SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP), Nov 18 – Apple will cut its app store commissions in half for most developers beginning next year amid an intensifying debate about whether the iPhone maker has been using the fees to unfairly fatten its profits and stifle rivals competing against its own music, video, and other subscription services.

The concession announced Wednesday will lower Apple's commissions for in-app subscriptions and other purchases from the 30% rate that has been in place since 2008 to 15%, effective Jan. 1. But the discount will only apply to developers with app store revenue up to $1 million annually – a threshold that excludes the makers of some of the most popular apps downloaded on iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices.

That group includes two of Apple's fiercest critics, music streaming service Spotify, and Epic, the maker of the popular Fortnite video game.

Both those companies have helped spur increasing scrutiny of Apple's app store practices among lawmakers and regulators in the U.S. and Europe. Apple sells music streaming and video services that have been helping to offset a slowdown in iPhone revenue in recent years.

The app store commissions feed Apple's services division, which saw its revenue climb 16% to nearly $54 billion during the company's last fiscal year ending in September. Only iPhone sales generate more revenue for Apple than services.

Apple is framing its fee reduction to help most of the companies that make the roughly 1.8 million apps in its store during the tough economic times brought on by the pandemic. About 98% of the app developers generate less than $1 million in revenue annually, according to the mobile analytics firm SensorTower.

But the reduced commission probably won't leave much of a dent in Apple's revenue. That's because the small developers in line to qualify for the cut only contribute about 5% of Apple's app store revenue, based on SensorTower's estimates.

Spotify scoffed at Apple's lower commissions as “window dressing“ designed to discourage regulators from cracking down on its practices. “This latest move further demonstrates that their app store policies are arbitrary and capricious,” Spotify said in a statement.

Epic is continuing to pursue a lawsuit it filed against Apple earlier this year to win the right to sell products within its apps without having to pay Apple's fees.

And European regulators are investigating Apple's mobile app store and payment platform over concerns its practices distort competition, part of the EU's battle against the dominance of big tech companies.

Apple CEO Tim Cook cast the fee reductions as a mutually beneficial move everyone involved.

“We're launching this program to help small business owners write the next chapter of creativity and prosperity on the app store,” Cook said in a statement.

More details about the reduced commissions will be released next month.

BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD

Friday, November 13
• At 8:19 p.m. a man identified by police as Lamon Lambert, 45, was arrested at the Bay Fair station in San Leandro on a no bail warrant on suspicion of violating a restraining order. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Sunday, November 15
• At 12:34 a.m. a man identified by police as Adam Ghasi, 37, of Fremont was arrested at the Hayward station on suspicion of carrying a switchblade knife and on a contempt of court charge. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Monday, November 16
• At 11:40 a.m. a man identified by police as David Nelson, 60, of San Francisco was arrested at the Castro Valley station on a $5,000 warrant for petty theft issued in San Francisco. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Tuesday, November 17
• At 5:35 a.m. an adult female was the victim of an armed carjacking near San Leandro station. Police checked the area but did not find the suspect. The victim was not injured. The vehicle was later located by the Oakland Police Department. The incident is under investigation.

• At 6:45 p.m. a man identified by police as Jeremiah Jefferson, 23, of San Francisco was arrested at the Warm Springs station in Fremont on an outstanding no bail warrant from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 9:32 p.m. a man identified by police as Joe Hathorne, 31, of Sacramento was arrested at the Bay Fair station in San Leandro on an outstanding $30,000 warrant issued by the El Cerrito Police Department. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Wednesday, November 18
• At 3:00 a.m. a man identified by police as Michael Sayer, 66, a transient from Hayward was arrested at the Hayward station on suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

COVID-19 assistance for small businesses
Submitted by Alameda County PIO

Small businesses that have been forced to close or lay off a worker due to COVID-19 are eligible to apply for one-time $5,000 grants authorized earlier this month by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. The application period runs through Monday, November 30, and is open to Alameda County businesses with up to 25 employees and to people who are self-employed.

To be eligible, the business or self-employed person must have a valid local business license and agree to follow State of California and Alameda County Department of Public Health COVID-19 guidelines for maintaining a safe workplace.

Grant funds may be used for unreimbursed costs incurred between March 17 and December 30 for the following:
• Rent, lease, mortgage, and utility payments for business facilities
• Payroll
• Operating expenses such as supplies, materials, insurance, etc.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitation or health and safety equipment
• Digital technology equipment or platforms
• Interior and exterior physical adaptations, such as partitions, signage, outdoor seating, etc.

The board of supervisors allocated $5 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds for the small business grant program, which is being administered by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA). For more information, FAQ, and to apply, visit https://eastbayeda.org/grants.

Small Business CARES Grant Program
Application Deadline: Monday, Nov 30

Future of business travel unclear as virus upends work life
By Dee-Ann Durbin and David Koenig
Associated Press Business Writers
November 11, 2020

Brian Contreras represents the worst fears of the lucrative business travel industry. A partner account executive at a U.S. tech firm, Contreras was used to traveling frequently for his company. But nine months into the pandemic, he and thousands of others are working from home and dialing into video conferences instead of boarding planes.

Contreras manages his North American accounts from Sacramento, California and doesn't expect to travel for work until the middle of next year. Even then, he's not sure how much he will need to.

“Maybe it's just the acceptance of the new normal. I have all of the resources necessary to be on the calls, all of the communicative devices to make sure I can do my job,” Contreras said. “There's an element of face-to-face that's necessary, but I would be OK without it.”

That trend could spell big trouble for hotels, airlines, convention centers and other industries that rely so heavily on business travelers like Contreras. Work travel represented 21% of the $8.9 trillion spent on global travel and tourism in 2019, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian recently suggested business travel might settle into a “new normal” that is 10% to 20% lower than it used to be. “I do think corporate travel is going to come back faster than people suspect. I just don't know if it will be come back to the full volume,” Bastian told The Associated Press. Right now, Delta's business travel revenue is down 85%.

Dubai-based MBC Group, which operates 18 television stations, says its unlikely employees will travel as often once the pandemic ends because they've proven they don't need to. “We have managed to deliver projects and negotiate deals very successfully, though remotely,” MBC spokesman Mazen Hayek said. MBC has reduced trips by more than 85%, Hayek said.

Amazon, which told it employees to stop traveling in March, says it has saved nearly $1 billion in travel expenses so far this year. The online shopping giant, with more than 1.1 million employees, is the second-largest employer in the U.S.

At Southwest Airlines, CEO Gary Kelly said while overall passenger revenue is down 70%, business travel — normally more than one-third of Southwest's traffic — is off 90%. “I think that's going to continue for a long time. I'm very confident it will recover and pass 2019 levels, I just don't know when,” Kelly told the AP.

U.S. hotels relied on business travel for around half their revenue in 2019, or closer to 60% in big cities like Washington, according to Cindy Estis Green, the CEO of hospitality data firm Kalibri Labs.

Peter Belobaba, who teaches airline management at MIT, said business travel is down partly because some people are afraid to fly and partly because companies fear liability if employees contract COVID-19 while traveling for work.

Companies have also reined in travel because times are lean, Belobaba said. ExxonMobil cut business travel in February — even before the pandemic's full impact was felt in the U.S. — because of falling global demand for oil.

Those who want to travel may also be limited by travel restrictions, Belobaba added. Last month, Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath observed a mandatory 14-day quarantine in China after flying in from Sweden for the Beijing Auto Show. Polestar, an electric car brand jointly owned by Sweden's Volvo and China's Geely, has always tried to limit travel for environmental reasons. But the 14-day quarantine has restricted travel even further, said Kiki Liu, Polestar's head of communications.

The cutback in travel has been a boon for teleconferencing services. Zoom said it had 370,200 customer businesses with at least 10 employees at the end of July, more than triple the number it had at the end of April.

But for some workers, teleconferencing can't replace being there in person. Rebecca Lindland, an automotive consultant and founder of Rebecca Drives, used to travel 38 weeks each year for test drives and auto shows. This year, she didn't fly from March until September. Test drives have been cut back to regional events, so attendees don't have to travel as far.

Lindland misses the downtime air travel gave her, and she's confident she can return to the skies safely. She wears a mask, and even before the pandemic she always carried Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer. “I've been wiping down my tray tables since 1985,” she said with a laugh.

Sam Clarke, an assistant professor in the college of business at California State University San Marcos, agrees that some in-person events — like trade shows — will still be important in the future. But he thinks new kinds of business travel could also emerge.

Lockdowns have taught employees how to adapt to different work environments, Clarke says, so hotels, airlines and even cruise ships should beef up their connectivity and cater to business travelers. Late last month, Marriott introduced flexible options aimed at business travelers, including one-day stays with an evening check-out.

Clarke also expects some companies will flip their travel. Instead of letting a few executives travel a lot, he said, companies could let most employees work from home and fly them all back to their headquarters once a year.

Some businesses are already changing the way their work is done. Cynthia Kay and Co., a media production company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, used to send its seven employees around the country to make videos for clients like Siemens. When travel came to a halt in March, the company invested in proprietary software and sent iPads and other equipment to clients so it could coach them through their own video shoots, President Cynthia Kay said.
As a result, the company's sales are down only 15-20% even though its travel spending has plunged 75%. Still, Kay and her staff were eager to get back on the road once they felt they could do that safely. Kay began traveling again last month.

“For some people, this is the way they will work going forward,” Kay said. “But you can't account for the spark that happens when you get people in the same room.”

— AP Business Writers Joe McDonald in Beijing, Aya Batrawy in Dubai and Joseph Pisani in New York contributed.

Governor Announces California Rebuilding Fund
Submitted by Governor’s Press Office

As businesses across the state face challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on November 20, 2020 the opening of the California Rebuilding Fund to help impacted small businesses rebuild from the economic crisis and keep local economies strong.

“Ensuring small businesses have access to capital will help stimulate economic growth across the state and support entrepreneurs working harder than ever to keep their doors open,” said Governor Newsom. “This public-private partnership will give underserved communities across California access to capital, making for a more inclusive economy.”

The lenders will offer a standardized loan product with affordable and flexible terms for small businesses with loan sizes of up to $100,000. These loans are meant to be timed and structured to support businesses that are adapting their business and face upfront or ongoing expenses to operate safely in a post-COVID economy. The Fund will seek to distribute funds equitably across the state.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime crisis for small businesses that requires a concerted and collaborative effort to overcome. The California Rebuilding Fund is the kind of innovative effort we need to help small businesses retool, rebuild, and reopen,” said Laura Tyson, Distinguished Professor of the Graduate School at the UC, Berkeley Haas School of Business who is Co-Chair of Governor Newsom's Council of Economic Advisers. “This is a smart way to leverage private and public resources for maximum impact where it is most needed.”

All interested small business owners can apply for a loan at www.CALoanFund.org, which will collect standard information about their business and match them with a community lender. If matched, the lender will assist the business owners with the application and provide free advisory support alongside a network of business support organizations organized by the California Association of Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO), Small Business Majority, California’s Small Business Development Centers and Women’s Business Centers. The portal will begin accepting applications at 12:00 p.m. PST on Friday, November 20 and can be accessed through the Fund’s website (California Rebuilding Fund | Connect2Capital).

Chabot’s Vice President of Academic Services receives honor
Submitted by Guisselle Nunez

California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers (CCCCIO) recently recognized Dr. Stacy Thompson, vice president of academic services, Chabot College, with the Carter Doran Leadership Award. Dr. Jennifer Vega La Serna, CCCCIO President, noted Dr. Thompson's involvement, leadership, and dedication to her various roles impacting both Chabot College and the entire California Community College system.

Dr. Thompson currently holds the position of president of the Western Region Council on Black American Affairs (WRBCCA), serving on the board for eight years. On the national level, she is vice president of programs for the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA) and is a founding member of the Black Education Association at Chabot College.

It’s a Wonderful Life – Radio Play
Submitted by Chanticleers Theatre

In this world of constantly wondering what’s coming next, Chanticleers is offering It’s a Wonderful Life, the delightful and thoughtful play written by Joe Landry specifically for radio based on the classic film. We cannot perform in the theatre yet, so we are doing it radio style with visuals over the internet.

You will be able to access the performance anytime for 24 hours on Saturday, December 5. Tickets are $10 for General Admission. For reservations, tickets and access to the link, please go to chanticleers.org. Follow the link to pre-order. You will receive confirmation and instructions to stream the radio show to any device with Internet access.

This production is directed by Bill Chessman, a long-time Bay Area producer, director, actor, and author. “This is a wonderful adaptation of the film that retains all the warmth and drama, and it has long been a sentimental favorite of mine. We have an excellent and versatile cast who bring their own loving spin to each of the characters that they portray. And, as I always say, the secret to directing is good casting!”

Producing this production is Suzan Lorraine. Suzan started in theatre in a 4th grade production of A Christmas Carol and since has acted, stage managed, run lights and sound, and directed in a number of Bay Area theatres and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Over the last few years, she has also been involved with her husband's radio dramas – mostly having fun making noises to round the audio spectrum of the shows. She has also been the Production Director at Chanticleers and is delighted to support the theatre with this show.

Starring a cast of seven playing 44 different characters, the show includes live sound effects. Our talented cast includes:

Roger Caetano: George Bailey
Rhonda Taylor: Mary Bailey
Conrad Cady: Clarence the Angel, Uncle Billy
Barbara Perry: Rose Bailey
Carson Campbell: Joseph the Angel, Potter

All of us at Chanticleers want to thank you for your patience and we appreciate your support. And, when the situation allows, we hope that you will not only see our shows but also support the wide range of theatre available here in the Bay Area. All theatre companies are struggling to get back on their feet and we all need your support now more than ever.

It’s a Wonderful Life
Saturday, December 5
All-day Streaming
General Admission: $10
chanticleers.org

Laid off? Hire yourself: Mikey Ochoa’s story
By Harshdeep Singh Nanda
Photo courtesy of Mikey Ochoa

The pandemic has affected everyone – it has changed our lifestyles and work life. But local businesses were the hardest hit; many had to close down and lay off workers. Mikey Ochoa was one of these workers. Ochoa was a professional chef who was laid off from his corporate chef role at LinkedIn. However, instead of succumbing to this obstacle, he used it as an opportunity to follow his dream of starting his own food business – Hermanos Verdes.

Ochoa opened up Hermanos Verdes right at the start of the shelter-in-place. He was told that he was on an “extended vacation” and understood what this meant for him. “Man, I didn’t think I’d be going back to work,” Ochoa said. “There’s no way I’m going to be able to come back. I needed to figure out something else. Maybe I should start selling food out of my house?” That is exactly what he did.

Ochoa took his layoff as an opportunity to start his own Mexican-inspired food business. “I have a pretty intense culinary background,” Ochoa said. While he did not attend a formal culinary school, his experience speaks volumes. “I started off as a dishwasher at The Palace in Hayward and have worked my way up to be a chef, having helped open up a new restaurant in San Francisco and worked at Michelin Star restaurants.”

But there was one issue. “I know the product,” Ochoa said. “I had the knowledge I needed and the cooking skills, but I didn’t know a whole lot about starting up a business. I needed a partner.” With the help of his high school friend Jon Garcia, Ochoa launched his new food business.

Why the name “Hermanos Verdes?” “We are childhood friends and have always called each other ‘Hermano’ which translates to brother in Spanish,” said Ochoa. “Together with my signature dish, Chile Verde, we became Hermanos Verdes.”

By the time he received a formal layoff letter in June, Ochoa’s new business was up and running. Ochoa started his business out of his apartment, taking orders via phone or online and preparing the food for pickup or delivery. The early days were very successful, as Ochoa found himself fulfilling about 35-40 orders per weekend until everything was sold out.

The success of Ochoa’s early work indicated to him that he needed to scale up. His apartment was no longer a viable space for him to cook and store food. With the help of another friend, Ochoa and his team shifted operations to the Moose Lodge in Castro Valley. With access to a commercial kitchen, Hermanos Verdes was now able to fulfill more orders.

“I’m not in it for the money,” Ochoa said. “I’ve never been. I’ve worked at a minimum wage and at times have barely made ends meet. But I love it – the stress, the exhilaration, and the feeling you get when you realize ‘Oh man, how are we going to get this done.” That’s what I love.” In the past, Ochoa even took a year off from his cooking jobs to drive a tow truck and help make ends meet. “I hated it. I felt like a drug addict – I needed my fix within the first week and needed to go back to work in a kitchen. I came back with a whole new perspective and with a sense of what I wanted to do and achieve.”

Ochoa is committed to running a business that’s not just successful, but also fun. He enjoys the work he does and is always happy to take on training new individuals. “The cooking industry can be toxic at times – there’s a lot of verbal and even physical abuse. A lot of my career, I was verbally abused and had horrible things said to me. But now I’m here. I get to teach the guys around me, giving them my knowledge and helping them be successful.”

So, what is in store for the future for Hermanos Verdes? “Our next move would probably be to find a new space and open up a full restaurant.” Since the move to the Moose Lodge in October, Ochoa has another chef working with him and has partnered with other local chefs and businesses.

The Hermanos Verdes team has been working to fulfill regular menu orders, but is also taking special orders for the Thanksgiving season. Reach out to them for more information at:

Hermanos Verdes
20835 Rutledge Rd., Castro Valley
(510) 604-0054
https://linktr.ee/hermanosverdes

Sacred Circle Dancing
Submitted by Debra Lovendusky

Due to Covid-19 safety concerns, the San Leandro Circle Dancing group has not gotten together since February 2020. Because we are a close-knit group, we stay connected through Zoom, social media, and e-mail. We are eager to get back together when it is safe.

Circle dancing consists of a variety of easy-to-learn steps done in a circle to music from around the world. It is a fun way to meet friendly people, relax, and exercise, as well as a way of building community and feeling connected. It is for couples and singles and can be done either holding hands or hands-free. Newcomers of all ages and genders are welcome. No experience is necessary. There is no dress code and it is casual. The dance steps are taught slowly without music several times until the dance becomes comfortable.

Dance instructor Maureen Atkins, aka “Mo” joined the Bay Area Circle Dancers in 1993 and has been teaching Sacred Circle Dance since 1995. She trained teachers for “Music for Minors 2” in Fremont to introduce Circle Dance to children. She plans to start more groups in her area post-pandemic.

There is no registration, so new participants can drop in whenever they like. Classes occur on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a 15-minute break to eat and socialize around 8:00 p.m. $5-$10 is requested to cover rent. For reminders and cancellation notifications, join Maureen’s email list at maureenatkins1004@gmail.com.

Click it or Ticket
Submitted by Fremont Police Department

Fremont Police is joining agencies across the country promoting the importance of wearing a seat belt in the car and keeping children safe by making sure they are properly restrained. Officers on patrol are looking for drivers and passengers who are not wearing a seat belt, including drivers who do not properly secure children in child safety seats.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), buckling up in the front seat of a passenger car can reduce the risk of a deadly injury by 45 percent. In California, the fine for not wearing a seat belt is $162. California is one of 34 states with a primary seat belt law, which means law enforcement can pull someone over for not wearing a seat belt.

Wearing the Seat Belt:
• Place shoulder belt across the middle of the chest and away from the neck.
• Lap belt should rest across your hips, not your stomach.
• Never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.
• If you drive an older car with only lap belts, check with the vehicle maker about how to add new shoulder/lap belts to your car.
• Ask your dealer about belt adjusters, which can help you get the best fit.

Child Safety Seats
Buckling up properly also includes making sure your child is in the correct safety seat. Here are the requirements under California law:
• Children under two years old, 40 pounds, or 40 inches tall must ride in a rear-facing car seat.
• Children under the age of eight must be secured in a car or booster seat.
• Children who are 8 years old or 4’ 9” may be secured by a booster seat, but at minimum must be secured by a safety belt.

Mazda No. 1 in Consumer Reports 2020 auto reliability survey
By Tom Krisher
AP Auto Writer

DETROIT (AP), Nov 19 – Mazda beat traditional winners Lexus and Toyota to win top honors as the most dependable auto brand in Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey.

Ford and its Lincoln luxury brand fell in the survey with Lincoln finishing last among 26 brands after introducing new SUVs. Electric car maker Tesla was second from the bottom with reliability troubles on three of its four models.

Mazda took top honors for the first time in the survey, which this year included Consumer Reports organization members who own more than 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2020.

The Japanese auto brand benefitted from being among the smallest and lacking capital to continually offer new multi-speed transmissions and infotainment gadgets, said Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing for the magazine and website.

“A lot of times new technology gives us trouble,” Fisher said. “They're a little bit conservative when it comes to new technology.”

Some Mazdas don't have touch screens, which often are a source of problems in the surveys, Fisher said. And the company still uses six-speed automatic transmissions while others have gone to more efficient but sometimes glitch-prone continuously variable or nine- and 10-speed transmissions, he said. Yet the company's cars and SUVs are still fun to drive, Fisher said.

After Mazda, Toyota, Lexus, Buick and Honda rounded out the top five brands. Following Lincoln and Tesla, Volkswagen, Mini and Ford were the five lowest-scoring brands.

Normally high-scoring Buick jumped two spots after canceling two unreliable cars, the Regal and Regal TourX, Fisher said.

Consumer Reports said that the Ford Explorer SUV, redesigned for the 2020 model year, is among the lowest-scoring models of any manufacturer with transmission, electronic, and engine issues. The redesigned Ford Escape also was subpar, the magazine said.

Ford's Lincoln luxury brand shares underpinnings with the Fords, so it dropped to last place after discontinuing two reliable sedans, the Continental and MKZ, Consumer Reports said.

Closely watched Tesla had problems with the newly introduced Model Y SUV, Fisher said, with many owners reporting issues with misaligned body panels and mismatched paint. One owner reported that hair was stuck in the paint, he said. Only the company's Model 3 small car was rated as reliable and recommended by Consumer Reports. “It's surprising with all the technology on Teslas, it's somewhat the basic issues they seem to struggle with,” Fisher said.

Dozens of new models came out last year, and that caused a reshuffling of the brands. Nearly half of the new models have much worse than average reliability, Consumer Reports said.

Many buyers check the magazine and website's rankings before making their purchases.

The 2020 rankings were released Thursday at an online meeting of the Automotive Press Association of Detroit.

FDA allows 1st rapid virus test that gives results at home
By Matthew Perrone
AP Health Writer

WASHINGTON (AP), Nov 18 – U.S. regulators on Tuesday allowed emergency use of the first rapid coronavirus test that can be performed entirely at home and delivers results in 30 minutes.

The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration represents an important step in U.S. efforts to expand testing options for COVID-19 beyond health care facilities and testing sites. However, the test will require a prescription, likely limiting its initial use.

The FDA granted emergency authorization to the single-use test kit from Lucira Health, a California test developer.

The company's test allows users to swab themselves to collect a nasal sample. The sample is then swirled in a vial of laboratory solution that plugs into a portable device. Results are displayed as lights labeled positive or negative.

To date, the FDA has authorized nearly 300 tests for coronavirus. The vast majority require a nasal swab performed by a health professional and must be processed at laboratories using high-tech equipment. A handful of tests allow people to collect their own sample at home – a nasal swab or saliva – that's then shipped to a lab, which usually means waiting days for results.

Health experts have called for options to allow people to test themselves at home, reducing turnaround times and the potential spread of the virus to others, including health care workers.

“Now, more Americans who may have COVID-19 will be able to take immediate action, based on their results, to protect themselves and those around them,” Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA's devices center, said in a statement.

Lucira said it expects the test to cost $50 and to be available nationwide by next spring. The Lucira COVID-19 test grew out of research the company was doing to develop an at-home flu test, according to the company's website. Founded in 2013, Lucira adapted its technology to detect COVID-19 after the outbreak.

The test uses technology like genetic laboratory-based tests that are the standard tool for COVID-19 screening. That's different than most rapid tests currently used in the U.S., which look for viral proteins called antigens – not the virus itself. They typically have lower accuracy for detecting the virus than lab-based tests.

Lucira said its test results matched those of a laboratory-based test 94% of the time when screening for the virus.

Anyone that tests positive using the test should isolate and seek care from a health professional, the FDA said in its release. Those who test negative but still have coronavirus symptoms should consult a doctor; a negative result does not rule out COVID-19 infection.

The FDA said Lucira's test was also authorized for use in doctor's offices and testing sites. Currently all U.S. testing sites must report results to state and federal health authorities tracking the pandemic. Doctors will be required to report the home test results.

“If the results are not reported back, it may be difficult to figure out what is happening in the community at large,” said Dr. Alberto Gutierrez, former head of the FDA's testing office, in an interview before the announcement.

“I think increased testing closer to patients, including in the home, is the way of the future,” said Dr. Robin Patel of the Mayo Clinic, in an interview before the announcement was made. “But there are considerations that have to be addressed to make sure that this is done in a safe and effective way.“

FDA regulators authorized the new test using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental products during public health crises. In normal times, the FDA requires evidence of safety and effectiveness before clearing a new test. But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards if the test's benefits appear to outweigh its risks.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

COVID-19 Testing Sites
Submitted by City of Fremont

City of Fremont Community Services Department has partnered with local agencies to provide COVID-19 testing sites at the following parks:

Asian Health Services
Saturdays: Nov 28, Dec 5, Dec 12, Dec 19, & Dec 26
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Los Cerritos Community Park
3377 Alder Ave, Fremont
(510) 735-3222
www.color.com/AHS
Testing by appointment only

Bay Area Community Health
COVID-19 testing at two additional park sites

Central Park
Monday, Dec 7 – Thursday, Dec 10
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

Centerville Community Park
Tuesday, Dec 15 – Thursday, Dec 17
3360 Eggers Dr, Fremont

Appointments required

Curfew added to COVID-19 rollback
Submitted by City of Hayward

A new State of California COVID-19 shelter-in-place order taking effect Saturday, November 21, 2020 requires all residents to remain indoors at home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless involved in work or activities deemed essential such as shopping for groceries, picking up food to go or walking a dog.

The curfew was issued on November 19 by the State’s Acting Health Officer in response to surging COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. The objective is to slow community spread of the virus, protect individuals at higher risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19, and prevent hospitals and health-care providers from being overwhelmed.

The action followed a State rollback on Wednesday of allowable types of activities and business operations in Alameda County and 39 other counties. As a result, indoor dining is no longer allowed in Alameda County, retail activity is being curtailed, and places of worship, museums, zoos, aquariums, movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers are all once again being restricted to only outdoor operations.

Additionally, indoor social gathering of up to three households, which was being allowed but strongly discouraged, is once again forbidden with the rollback of Alameda and other counties from red and orange tiers to the purple tier under the State’s Blue Print for a Safer Economy.

For more information on allowable activities and business operations by tier, go to the California Department of Public Health website (www.cdph.ca.gov/). For more information on essential work activities exempt from the 10 p.m. curfew, go to the State’s COVID-19 website (covid19.ca.gov/).

Delivery giant DoorDash plans IPO
By Cathy Bussewitz and Tom Krisher
AP Business Writers

NEW YORK (AP), Nov 14 – Delivery giant DoorDash Inc. is planning to sell its stock to the public, capitalizing on the growing trend of consumers embracing app-based deliveries as much of the world stays home during the pandemic.

The San Francisco-based company filed papers signaling its intent for initial public offering Friday.

“Technology has changed consumer behavior and driven a wave of demand for convenience,” the company said in its prospectus. “Recent events have further accelerated these trends, pulling the future of e-commerce forward for businesses large and small.”

Its revenues reflect the explosion in demand for delivery. Last year, DoorDash generated $885 million in revenue. During the first nine months of 2020, revenue more than doubled that to $1.9 billion. It was already growing before the pandemic. In 2018 it brought in $291 million in revenue.

The announcement came a week after delivery companies scored a major victory in California, where voters passed Proposition 22, which allows app-based delivery companies to treat drivers as contractors instead of employees. Before that passed, they were facing a future where they would have to treat drivers as employees with access to costly benefits such as overtime and sick days. Ride-hailing and delivery companies won an exception, and instead they will offer limited benefits such as health care subsidies to drivers who clock 25 hours per week.

It's clear DoorDash waited to start the IPO process until after the vote on California's Proposition 22, said Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives.

“That would have been an uphill battle had Prop 22 not passed in California,” Ives said. “That puts a dark cloud in the rearview mirror and really opens the spigot for investor appetite.”

DoorDash says it has captured 50% of the food delivery market in the U.S., followed by Uber Eats, Grubhub and Postmates. But the food delivery market is “fragmented and intensely competitive,” and its competitors have made acquisitions or strategic agreements to work together, the company warned. “In addition, certain of our competitors have recently acquired kitchens to enable them to produce and deliver food directly to consumers,” the company said.

With the novel coronavirus surging across most of the U.S. and other parts of the world, Ives sees even more growth for DoorDash and its main competitors next year. It's possible that DoorDash will start making money in 2021, he said.

“No industry has benefited more than food delivery,” he said. “In a horrific backdrop, a silver lining has been, from an economic perspective, it's been a huge positive for these workers, drivers and restaurants that could utilize companies like DoorDash in this environment.”

DoorDash has not yet disclosed how many shares it will sell or how much money it hopes to generate with the offering.

EARTHTALK

Do people really see plants?
From the Editors of E — The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: What on Earth is “plant blindness?”
– Betsy Carlucci. New York City, New York

Botanists James Wandersee and Elizabeth Schussler coined the term “plant blindness” in 1998 to describe “the inability to see or notice the plants in one's own environment, leading to the inability to recognize the importance of plants in the biosphere and in human affairs.” An additional aspect of plant blindness is the “inability to appreciate the aesthetic and unique biological features” of plants and “the misguided, anthropocentric ranking of plants as inferior to animals, leading to the erroneous conclusion that they are unworthy of human consideration.”

Wandersee and Schussler coined the term after years of discussion back and forth about a fundamental problem: if we don’t pay attention to plants and their role in supporting the rest of the lives on the planet including our own, how will we ever agree on the need to conserve them, much less support plant science research and education? Also, letting plants die out poses an existential threat to humanity and the rest of life on the Earth. Researchers believe one in eight plant species around the globe are threatened with extinction as our (plant-dependent) human population continues to swell.

What causes plant blindness? According to Wandersee and Schussler, social and educational biases are definitely a big factor, with so-called “zoo-chauvinistic” educators at all levels tending to use animal (instead of plant) examples to teach basic biological concepts in the classroom, lab or field.

Of course, there is likely more to it than educational biases. Wandersee and Schussler argue in an article in Plant Science Bulletin that another major contributor to plant blindness is the nature of the human visual information-processing system, in that our brains can’t possibly process everything around us immediately just because our eyes are open, and we are hard-wired to prioritize certain visual cues (like movement that may signal an animal threat) over others.

One study they cite concludes that over the course of a single second, the eyes generate more than 10 million bits of data for visual processing, but the brain can only extract 40 bits during this timeframe and can only fully process 16 of them that reach our conscious attention. Another study found that participants more accurately detected images of animals than plants in an “attentional blink” study designed to test people’s ability to notice one or two rapid-fire images. And yet another study found that children recognize that animals are living creatures before they can tell plants are also alive, and that they remember images of animals much better than images of plants.

To Wandersee and Schussler, devoting more of our educational resources to teaching kids and adults about plants and their role in supporting life is the key to overcoming plant blindness. Indeed, seeing the plants all around us could be key to our survival on the planet, so it behooves each and every one of us to learn more about the environment around us and start appreciating not just the other fauna we share life with but also the flora that helps make it all possible.

EarthTalk is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss for the nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https//earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

Park It
By Ned MacKay

As the continuing coronavirus pandemic has limited other forms of recreation, regional parks and outdoor venues in general have seen a substantial increase in visitors.

So, as fall turns to winter, with its colder and damper climate, here are some tips to help make your park visits safer and more enjoyable during this pandemic:
• Go out only with your immediate family and/or household and not in large groups. Take along masks to wear when narrow trails make social distancing difficult. Visit parks that are close to home.
• If you go alone, tell someone responsible where you are going and when you expect to return. Upon return, check back in with that person.
• Take along a trail map. Maps of the regional parks are available at the district website, www.ebparks.org. They are also available in boxes at trailhead information panels, though the park rangers cannot always keep up with restocking needs. It is also a good idea to check the district website before leaving to make sure there are no temporary restrictions at your planned destination.
• Dress in layers and bring along raingear. Weather conditions can change abruptly this time of year. It’s easier to remove extra parkas and sweaters when it gets warm than it is to put on clothing you don’t have when it gets cold and wet.
• Don’t forget water and a snack. Because of the coronavirus, many drinking fountains at the parks have been turned off. A snack can give you an energy boost.
• Bring water and a snack for your dog, too. And be familiar with dog rules. In general, dogs can be off-leash in the backcountry if they are under their owner’s control. This means Fido will come when called. If your dog starts chasing cows or wildlife or has uninvited interactions with other park visitors, it’s time to put on the leash. And dogs are supposed to be leashed on all the district’s paved trails, such as the Iron Horse in Central Contra Costa, Nimitz Way at Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, etc.
• Clean up after your dog. “Bag it and bin it.” You can also help by packing out what you pack in: candy wrappers, plastic water bottles, etc.
• Bicycles are permitted on designated trails only. You can ride on dirt fire roads and paved inter-park trails, such as Iron Horse. Some narrower trails are open to bicycles, too, though not the narrowest ones, which are reserved for hikers and horses. Check the park map to be sure. Do not forget your helmet.
• Horses take precedence over bicycles and pedestrians. Bicycles should yield to pedestrians. However, it’s always nice to exercise common courtesy when circumstances call for it, regardless of who has the right of way.
• Please stay on the official trails. Shortcuts and “social trails” are dangerous and damage natural resources.

Speaking of packing out your trash, let us have a round of applause for John Green of Danville. You may have seen him on the Iron Horse Trail. He is hard to miss with his bright yellow shirt marked “Trash-man” on the front and “Green, Please Keep Our Trails Clean” on the back. Green estimates that he has logged about 2,500 miles on the Iron Horse and other trails in the past 12 years picking up trash.

Weather permitting, he planned to celebrate his 80th birthday on November 20 and November 21 by completing a 24-mile cleanup sweep of the Iron Horse Trail from the Dublin BART station to the northern terminus, accompanied by a family member in each section. He also was going to identify and photograph any trail hazards along the way.

Thanks, John! And happy birthday!
Purple

When you mix the colors red and blue together, the result is an intermediate color called “purple.” In U.S. political circles, these colors have distinct and diverse meanings. But this wasn’t always the case.

During the presidential election in the year 2000, red became a standard representation for Republicans and blue symbolized Democrats. More a matter of convenience rather than symbolic, prior to that time colors rotated between political parties in no particular order. In fact, NBC’s election map for the 1976 presidential election designated states that favored democratic candidate Jimmy Carter with red lighting and those voting predominantly for Republican Gerald Ford with blue.

Particular colors have long been associated with identity and privilege. Flags, crests, coat of arms and clothing are often distinguished by material, design and color. Purple is linked to royalty and wealth. This stemmed from its origin in the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre. A unique color – Tyrian Purple – was a product of a snail mucus that was difficult to harvest and required a huge number of mollusks to produce. Due to its scarcity, purple dyes and products were only available to the upper echelons of society and conveyed divine relationships.

Returning to current politics, political maps, calculations and representations are now firmly lodged in red and blue ideologies. However, when votes and preferences are mixed within a local district or state, color reference becomes purple. In this case, neither political party is universally dominant and compromise becomes necessary for the success of any agenda. In a sense, unless one political ideology nears unanimous consent of the electorate, the United States of America is also purple. For many positions at the local level, consideration of party preference is not listed on the ballot and, in theory, immaterial… Tyrian Purple.

Just as ancient civilizations marveled at the scarcity and value of Tyrian Purple, so too should we with our local politicians who live and serve within their communities. Little separation exists for these people from those who elected them. Unlike regional, state and national politicians, they cannot hide in a protective cocoon to escape rightful praise or criticism from friends, neighbors and a watchful community.

In the 2020 General Election, fraught with strife and animosity, the rarity of dedicated local officials – and their employees – whose commitment to local issues without party preference or malice, should be celebrated and fiercely protected. Policy disagreements are inevitable and profound disappointment in decisions are in store for portions of the electorate, but nonetheless, impugning personal character or motives must be reserved for rare instances of unimpeachable fact and evidence. To do so gratuitously undermines the basis of a democratic system of governance, our safety and way of life.

Now that the 2020 election is behind us, the color of our communities should be purple as in Alice Walker’s 1982 novel and subsequent 1985 Steven Spielberg movie, The Color Purple. Protagonists Celie and Shug, who are burdened by unrelenting, unspeakable abuse, tragedy and misfortune, walk through a field of purple flowers and Shug comments on the divine glory of color. Hopefully, our communities will welcome returning and newly elected officials in a purple New Year of community unity with purpose and resolve for harmony.

Emma “Coco” Victoria G. Blanco was born in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines on April 19, 1976, and passed away in San Leandro, California on November 11, 2020. Emma immigrated with her family to the United States in April 1987, where they settled in Seattle, Washington. Emma went on to pursue a higher education, and graduated from Seattle University with both a BA in Humanities and BS in General Science in 1998. In 2005, along with her loving husband Rogerjon, Emma moved to the Bay Area, where she flourished with her family for the rest of her life. Her passion for education was continuously apparent through her involvements with Golden Oak Montessori – the school of attendance for her two beloved daughters, Ella and Alexa – as a part of the Social Committee and as the first Secretary of the school’s PTO. Emma was also an integral member of the New Haven Schools Foundation (NHSF); she served as the Director of Communications and led the Relay for Life Scholarship Program. The NHSF is establishing a new scholarship in her memory, and also renaming the program she had led to “The Emma Blanco Relay for Life Scholarship”. Emma was also a contributing writer for Tri-City Voice, and a valued member of the East Bay Area community. Emma fought bravely against a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, a form of the cancer that spreads further than the chest, and she made large efforts to document her journey as a means to educate others about this form of the disease. Emma is survived by her two daughters, Ella Genevieve and Alexa Brianne, and her husband, Rogerjon Blanco. Even in her passing, Emma is admired and loved by many. Her memory continues to inspire and bring people together, she will continue to be loved and will not be forgotten.

Letter to the Editor
Fremont Symphony: Darkest before the Dawn

Last week, you published a letter regarding the immense challenges faced by the Fremont Symphony and performing arts throughout the Bay Area. We share the writer’s concern for our wonderful musicians and for the very survival of the performing arts due to this horrible pandemic.

Since the first shelter-in-place, Fremont Symphony has struggled. While many larger symphonies in the Bay Area have endowments and significant funding, Fremont Symphony does not. Before COVID-19, we saw explosive growth, playing to full houses and doubling our musicians’ engagements, but the impact of the pandemic has been brutal. We postponed performances, refunded tickets, and laid off staff starting with senior management.

Fremont Symphony looks forward to resuming live performances outdoors, focusing on safety and following all state and county regulations. But while other counties have allowed such performances, Alameda County has not. We have also explored virtual options, but as a professional orchestra, we must first obtain permission which, to date, has not been provided.

Despite these dark days, we see daylight ahead. COVID-19 is the ultimate challenge, forcing each of us to dig deep, both personally and professionally. It is a time to focus on what really matters. For the Fremont Symphony, that is to provide our community an extraordinary symphonic experience that enriches the soul and inspires the mind.

And together with our amazing musicians we intend to do just that.

Paul Iannaccone
Fremont Symphony

Fremont Unified Board Meeting Highlights
Submitted by Brian Killgore

At its November 12 meeting, Fremont Unified School District Board of Education:

• Reviewed, Discussed, and Approved Athletic Tryout Guidelines – Optional conditioning for FUSD athletes continues at the five comprehensive high schools. The athletic directors, coaches, and principals wish to continue a cautious and measured approach to returning athletes to competition. The next step after conditioning involves tryouts. Staff will continue to monitor conditions related to COVID-19 and Alameda County guidelines before bringing forth an item to return our athletes to competition. The most current plan can be found at https://bit.ly/32XLwIs, and new protocols and procedures which are in addition to those approved in July and October are indicated with purple text.

• Approved Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) Alameda County Office of Education Recommendations – Trailer Bill SB 98 identifies the new accountability requirements for districts for the 2020-21 school year due to the COVID-19. SB 98 establishes California Education Code Section 43509 and the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan (LCP) requirement for the 2020–21 school year. Districts are required to solicit input from stakeholders and develop an LCP to address how the district will provide continuity of learning and address the impact of COVID-19 on pupils, staff, and the community.

On October 30, 2020, FUSD received a notice from Alameda County of Education (ACOE) that they had minor recommendations to be added to Fremont Unified’s LCP. ACOE also requested more description on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted unduplicated students. The changes are located on pages 26-27 within the document at https://bit.ly/2KpRaws.

Input Sought on Website Redesign
Submitted by City of Fremont

City of Fremont is in the early stages of overhauling the Fremont.gov website – www.fremont.gov/ – to help better serve the community. The new design is scheduled to roll out in late 2021. The city is looking for input from the community. Input received will be used to make data-driven decisions based on how the public currently uses the website and what new features they would like to see. To take the survey, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/KR7Z788.

Gary James Land
September 20, 1956 – November 8, 2020
Resident of Fremont

Gary James Land was born on September 20, 1956, in Hayward, CA to Rex J Land and Hazel Elizabeth Land. He passed away on November 8, 2020 in Fremont, CA at the age of 64.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife Laura S Land. Loving children Jason James Land and Amber Sue Smart and a caring brother to Kim Joseph Land.

Gary was a career truck driver for KLLM trucking company.

Memorial Service was held.

Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900

Global luxury sales forecast to plunge 23% due to pandemic
By Colleen Barry
Associated Press

MILAN (AP), Nov 18 – Sales of luxury apparel, jewelry, and beauty products are set to slide by nearly a quarter this year as the pandemic wipes out more than six years of growth, according to a study released Wednesday by the consultancy Bain.

Still, the drop is narrower than the 35% collapse forecast in the spring, thanks largely to a market recovery in China, which is generating nearly a third of all sales.

For 2020, the sector is expected to generate 217 billion euros ($256 billion) in revenues, which is 2 billion euros below 2014 levels and down 64 billion euros from 2019, Bain said in the semi-annual study prepared for Italy's Altagamma association of high-end producers.

It is the first decrease since the 2009 financial crisis, when the industry suffered a 9% drop but also quickly recovered the following year.

The timing of any bounce back from the pandemic remains uncertain as a resurgence in the virus is leading countries to shut down non-essential retail and travel once again around the globe. It will largely depend on the timing of a vaccine, Bain partner Claudia D'Arpizio said in an interview.

D'Arpizio expects the outlook to become clearer in the second quarter, when it will be easier to understand how strong spending is in China, the impact of any stimulus measures in the U.S. and Europe as well as any new tax policies by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, which are likely to affect high-earners.

“I see a lot of uncertainty for next year, with less uncertainty for the longer term,” D'Arpizio said.

As more people around the globe were forced to stay home, apparel sales fell 30% to 45 billion euros. Footwear slid 12% to 19 billion euros, thanks to the sneaker trend which drove a second half rebound, while Asian consumers helped cushion a 15% decline in jewelry sales to 18 billion euros.

The pandemic is accelerating transitions that were already under way in the sector, including a shift to online buying, a focus on sustainability and diversity, the growing role of younger generations and experimentation with digital platforms to replace or enhance the runway experience.

“The pandemic has eliminated the excuses for brands that didn't understand the trends, to give a sense of urgency to the right investments,” D'Arpizio said.

She cautioned that the longer the crisis endures, some brands will run out of cash, forcing some out of business and others to restructure.

“The more the situation is sustained, the more we risk the crisis will be permanent,” she said.

Introducing ‘Glowfari’
Submitted by Oakland Zoo
Photos by Stephanie Gertsch

This brand-new, family-friendly experience features hundreds of larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout Oakland Zoo, telling the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on our planet, and the Zoo’s commitment to conservation. Starting Friday, November 20, dozens of towering and even interactive, glowing lanterns of every order await to entertain and enlighten you at every turn.

Take a mile-long stroll (socially distanced, of course!) through these illuminated and dazzling lanterns – from the ice-capped 15-foot tall penguin corridor to the breathtaking full-size elephants, giraffes, and lions – to the enormous, fluttering butterflies floating against the star-filled night sky. Ride our brilliantly-lit gondolas to visit California Trail – where you’re transported back in time to a dinosaur world filled with prehistoric rock stars like the T-rex, stegosaurus, pterodactyls, and more!

Explore three different worlds:
BLUE PLANET: Sail the seven seas as you explore the habitats of your aquatic favorites, including sea turtles, jellyfish, penguins and more!
WILD KINGDOM: From tigers to tarantulas, bison to birds — travel through Earth’s diverse ecosystem to meet creatures from land to sky!
LAND OF THE LOST: Transport back in time to the dinosaur world filled with prehistoric rock stars like the T-rex, wooly mammoth, and pterodactyl!

Advance ticket purchase is required; tickets on sale now for the entire Glowfari season. Adventure Landing (rides area) will be closed for Glowfari. Proceeds from Glowfari support Oakland Zoo’s operating expenses, animal care, education and conservation programs. All Glowfari tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable unless there is a Zoo closure.

Please Note: Glowfari is CLOSED Thanksgiving (November 26), Christmas Eve (December 24), and Christmas Day (December 25). Open Thursdays – Sundays from January 1 – 17.

For more information and to reserve tickets, go to: https://www.oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/glowfari.

Glowfari at Oakland Zoo
Friday, Nov 20 – Sunday, Jan 17
5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Last entry: between 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
https://www.oaklandzoo.org/

Hayward designated global leader
Submitted by City of Hayward

Hayward is among just 88 cities worldwide and only three in the San Francisco Bay Area to receive a grade of A in 2020 for leadership on environmental action from the nonprofit organization CDP.

The CDP A-List designation is the second time in two years that Hayward has received it. The designation recognizes the City for moving Hayward electricity customers to entirely carbon-free sources of power; for municipal investment in on-site renewable energy generation and recycled water infrastructure; for commitment to zero-net-energy facilities development; strategic planning to respond to rising sea levels; and for new building standards to phase out reliance on natural gas.

Other Bay Area cities making the A-List for 2020 were San Francisco, San Jose and Berkeley.

CDP, formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project, is a not-for-profit charity based in the United Kingdom that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.

Every year, more than 600 cities report their climate data through CDP’s environmental disclosure platform and in so doing demonstrate commitment, transparence and ambition in climate protection. All disclosed data is made available free of charge on CDP’s Open Data Platform.

In 2018, CDP began to score cities from A to D based on their disclosures for how effectively they are managing, measuring and working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for adapting to climate risks. That year, Hayward was one of just seven percent of cities who reported their environmental data through CDP to receive a grade of A.

Indoor dining halted
Submitted by City of Hayward

California has rolled back allowable types of activities and business operations in Alameda County and 39 other counties statewide in response to increasing rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.

Effective Wednesday, November 18, indoor dining is no longer allowed in Alameda County, while indoor retail activity is being curtailed, and places of worship, museums, zoos, aquariums, movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers are all once again being restricted to only outdoor operations.

Additionally, indoor social gatherings of up to three households, which were being allowed but strongly discouraged, are once again prohibited with the move of Alameda and other counties from red and orange tiers to the purple tier under the state’s Blue Print for a Safer Economy.

Guidance for restaurants on how to operate safely outdoors as the weather changes can be found at https://covid-19.acgov.org/recovery.

Police: Illegal gun recoveries on the rise
Submitted by San Leandro PD

Thirteen illegally possessed guns were recovered by San Leandro Police Department (SLPD) officers during October with another four recovered so far in November. In a statement released November 18, SLPD officials said they’ve noticed an upward trend in illegal gun possession for months.

The latest incident occurred on Sunday, November 15 when an officer made a traffic stop in the area of E.14th Street and Belleview Drive. The driver, identified by police as Toby Anthony, 25, of Oakland, was contacted as he sat in the driver seat of a 2007 Kia Amanti. While speaking with Anthony, an officer noticed a large amount of unsealed marijuana in the car along with a toddler seated nearby.

During a search of the car, a loaded firearm was found on the rear driver-side floorboard underneath the marijuana. Additionally, Anthony was found to be in possession of controlled substances that required a physician’s prescription. The toddler was later released to the care of a family member and the firearm recovered by police.

Anthony was later formally charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with illegal possession of a firearm and narcotics.
It’s a Date

CONTINUING EVENTS:

Monday – Saturday
Free COVID-19 Testing
M-F: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sa: 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Drive through, drop-in, and walk-up testing by appointment
Bay Area Community Health
39500 Liberty St., Fremont
(510) 770-8040

Mondays and Wednesdays
Parenting During COVID R
Tue: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wed: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual support group to help families cope with challenges encountered during COVID
To register: www.fremont.gov/3060/Caregiver-Support
(510) 574-2100

Tuesdays
Free Virtual Sing-Along
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Zoom choir meeting hosted by Mission Peak Chamber Singers
https://www.chambersingers.org/
Contact: info@chambersingers.org

Wednesdays and Sundays
McNevin at The Mudpuddle
6 p.m.
Dinner time tunes, oddservations, and bad jokes
Via Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/mudpuddlemusic

Thursdays
First Presbyterian Church of Newark Virtual Youth Group
6:30 p.m.
Youth and young adults, students welcome
Contact: brian@newarkpress.org for Zoom Meeting ID#
www.newarkpres.org

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

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

Saturdays
Virtual Town Hall
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
With Supervisor Dave Cortese
Via Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/davecortesegov

Saturdays
Virtual Telescope Viewing R
9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Free on Facebook Live
Join resident astronomers live from Chabot’s observation deck
https://chabotspace.org/calendar/

Saturdays
Online Comedy Shows R$
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Made Up Theatre’s interactive comedy has gone to YouTube!

Wednesdays and Thursdays, November 4 – December 17
Coping With Grief
W: 12 noon – 1:30 p.m.
Th: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Grief group hosted by SAVE
Via Zoom
W: https://bit.ly/2KkGwa9
Th: https://bit.ly/2UFjdcX
(510) 574-2250

Fridays, November 6 – December 4
OSHA Compliance Training $
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn everything you need to know to receive your OSHA certificate
DeVoe Construction
2278 American Ave., Unit 5, Hayward
(800) 433-9819

Thurs, Nov 12 – Sun, Nov 29
Dinosaur Adventure $R
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Enter at Gate 12
4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton
Purchase tickets in advance online
Thurs/Fri: $49 per vehicle
Sat/Sun: $69 per vehicle
Anytime: $69-89 per vehicle

Thursdays, November 12 – December 10
Virtual 4-Part Book Series $
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Spiritual Guides for Today – Winter Grace: Spirituality and Aging, by Kathleen Fischer
Register by 11/10: http://bit.ly/2020_WinterGrace
(510) 933-6360

Saturday, November 14 – Saturday, November 28
Girls’ Tech Day
Explore web coding, virtual reality, robotics, and more! For girls ages 8-24
To Register: https://bit.ly/37aK9Zy
More info at https://bit.ly/341JgAQ

Friday, November 20 – Sunday, January 17
Glowfari at Oakland Zoo $R
5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Stroll among towering glowing lanterns of penguins, giraffes, elephants, and butterflies
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland
(510) 632-9525
Timed entry: purchase tickets in advance
https://www.oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/glowfari

Sunday, November 29 – Saturday, January 16
FirstPres Advent StoryWalk
Follow a guided trail featuring laminated pages of a children’s Christmas book
FirstPres Church Hayward
2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley
https://bit.ly/2IRU78a

UPCOMING

Tuesday, November 24
OJT Fund for Your Workforce: COVID-19 Support R
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47458

Tuesday, November 24
Building Your Business Beyond Borders R
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47463

Saturday Nov 28
Lucy Lang Day, Ecopoet
2 p.m.
Email to request Zoom link
(Subject line: FAW Link)
scottfrombayside@yahoo.com

Monday, November 30
Milpitas Rotary
12 noon
MHS President Lladro Valle and team to present the Jack Emery Drive
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/33mfczA
Meeting ID: 896 1186 2310
Passcode: 760442

Monday, November 30
Career Center Orientation
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Learn about resources and services available at Ohlone College
Via Zoom
https://bit.ly/3kMlQV1

Monday, November 30
Internship 101
11 a.m. – 12 noon
Learn about the basics of what an internship is – hosted by Ohlone College
Via Zoom
https://bit.ly/32ZcNKh

Wednesday, December 2
Multimedia, CNET & You
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn about two popular programs at Ohlone College
Via Zoom
https://bit.ly/36T8rWb

Friday, December 4 – Sunday, December 13
The Last Five Years $
Steaming any time during December 4 – 13
Award-winning musical exploring the highs and lows of love
Plethos.org

Saturday, December 5
Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association
8:30 a.m.
Virtual annual meeting to celebrate our community
Via Zoom
Contact: info@sunnyhillsneighborhood.org

Saturday, December 5
It’s a Wonderful Life $
Radio-style performance by the talented Chanticleers cast
Livestream available for 24 Hours
www.chanticleers.org

Saturday, December 5 – Sunday, December 6
Niles Canyon Railway Train Rides $
9 a.m.
Photographer’s special: historical freight train
www.ncry.org

Monday, December 7
Biotechnology & Smart Manufacturing Technology
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn about two popular programs at Ohlone College
Via Zoom
https://bit.ly/32ZJ6Je

Tuesday, December 8
How to Manage and Forecast Cash Flow in a COVID World R
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47474

Thursday, December 10
Heart to Heart Conversations R
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
How to respond during difficult family discussions
Via Zoom
https://bit.ly/3kMpHRZ

Friday, December 11 – Saturday, December 12
Parrhesia 2020: A Community of Voices, Identities, and Diversity
8 p.m.
Online theatrical piece about COVID based on local interviews
www.ohlone.edu/parrhesia

Wednesday, December 16
Overview of Student Aid Programs
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn about financial aid options available at Ohlone College
Via Zoom
https://bit.ly/36T94Px

Saturday, December 19
An Afternoon at the Opera $
4 p.m.
Music at the Mission presents a virtual concert: Michael Graham, cello, and Bill Everett, double bass
www.musicatmsj.org

Monday, December 21
Longest Night Service R
7:30 p.m.
Niles Discovery Church offers meditative service
Via Zoom
https://bit.ly/3nBaULV

California declares limited stay-at-home order
Submitted by Governor’s Press Office

On November 19, California announced a limited stay-at-home order generally requiring that non-essential work, movement, and gatherings stop between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. PST in counties in the Purple Tier per the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

The order took effect November 21 and will remain in effect until 5 a.m. December 21, although it may be extended or revised as needed. Alameda County is in the Purple Tier and residents and businesses will be impacted by the state’s order.

The state has explained that this order does not prevent restaurants from operating after 10 p.m. for takeout and does not prevent people from going to the grocery store or pharmacy for essential needs or walking their dog in their neighborhood. The order also specifies that it does not prevent members of the same household from leaving their residences together if they do not intermingle with others while out. It does mean that residents must restrict their interactions with people outside of their households for non-essential activities or social gatherings.

To read the state’s press release, visit https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/11/19/ under “State Issues Limited Stay at Home Order to Slow Spread of COVID-19.”

Milpitas City Council
November 17, 2020

Consent Calendar:
• Accepted Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency Trust Funds; and approved an adjustment to the Fire Department’s FY 2020-21 operating budget.
• Authorized the execution of a three- year Support and Maintenance Agreement with Cayenta as the sole source vendor for the Financial and Utility Billing Software Systems,
• Authorized the execution of a Stormwater Management Facilities Operation and Maintenance Agreement for LS-Milpitas LLC for the Amalfi II – Siena Project at 600 Amalfi Loop.
• Approved funding of the City Council-approved Energy Services Agreement with Engie Services U.S., Inc.
• Accepted additional FY 2020 Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) Grant funding.
• Accepted the 2020 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant for the Police Department.
• Approved 1 re-appointment and 3 new appointments to City of Milpitas Commissions.
• Approved Fiscal Year 2020-21 Work Plans for the 12 City Commissions.
• Accepted the City of Milpitas Emergency Management Program Assessment and
Implementation Plan.

Public Hearing:
• Following a Public Hearing approved the addition of 44 Residential Units to an Existing Multi-Family Housing Complex at 1724 Sunnyhills Court.

Other Business:
• Discussion about Fire Station No. 2 replacement project was not conclusive. Additional information about the project was requested from the Staff.

Leadership and Support Services:
• Rebalancing of the FY 2020-21 Amended General Fund Budget due to COVID-19 pandemic-related anticipated revenue losses generated contentious discussions among the Council members.

Rich Tran (Mayor) Aye
Bob Nunez (Vice Mayor) Aye
Carmen Montano Aye
Karina Dominguez Aye
Anthony Phan Aye

Newark City Council
November 12, 2020

Presentations:
• Information Systems Specialist Skiff Sumner introduced.

Consent Calendar:
• Authorize purchase of Abatement Vehicle for Police Department.
• Authorize purchase of Sergeant’s Vehicle for Police Department.
• Approve change order with Webcor Builders for low voltage systems for new Civic Center.
• Approve contractual services agreements with Aviat Networks for Police Department microwave equipment.
• Approve contractual services agreements with Baird+Driskell Community Planning, Metropolitan Planning Group and Urban Planning Partners for Affordable Housing Program management services.
• Amend 2020-2022 Biennial Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for budget rollovers.
• Approve East Bay Community Energy’s potential, new carbon-free/price-parity service option.
• Approve amendment to contractual services agreement with E-Ikon, LLC for information technology consulting services.
• Approve summary vacation of an existing 25’ emergency vehicle access easement at 7400 Gateway Boulevard.
• Approve agreement for 192-lot residential subdivision at Harbor Pointe (Lennar Homes of California, Inc.

Public Hearings:
• Consider annexation of Tract 8459 – Compass Bay of Landscaping and Lighting District 19.

Other Business:
• Approve information systems division strategic framework.
• Receive update on Newark Cares funding plan.
• Authorize up to $5,426,348 of Measure A1 base city allocation to Eden Housing development of 79-unit senior affordable housing at 37660 Timber Street.

City Council Matters:
• Adjourn in memory of Loretta Jankowski.
• Recognize Volunteer Recognition event.
• Happy Thanksgiving; recognize LOV Thanksgiving Dinner.
• Congratulations on election results.
• November is men’s cancer screening month
• Honor veterans.

Mayor Alan Nagy Aye
Vice Mayor Luis Freitas Aye
Sucy Collazo Aye
Michael Hannon Aye
Mike Bucci Aye

Ride the rails in December!
Submitted by Niles Canyon Railway
Photo courtesy of Niles Canyon Railway

There is still time to sign up for December’s railfan event. The Pacific Locomotive Association and the Niles Canyon Railway are offering in a railfan photographer’s special on December 5 and 6 to benefit the restoration of recently acquired Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. Tickets are $150 per person, per day, and additional donations are welcome. All proceeds will go directly to the restoration of the 1744.

Both days will feature a historically accurate period freight train, pulled by 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7, known as the “Skookum,” while ticketholders ride in a separate chase train pulled by SP 1195, a vintage SW900. Starting in Sunol at 9 a.m., there will be multiple photo-run-by’s throughout the canyon in exclusive locations. Time permitting, there will also be opportunities to work with the conductor to stage other shots. Halfway through the day, a box lunch will be served while the locomotive is turned for westbound run-by’s for the remainder of the day. Return to Sunol and tie up will be around 4:30 p.m.

The trip will also include a stop at the Brightside Steam Shop for a tour of the SP 1744, and an overview of the restoration effort by the project managers. They will detail the restoration and how funds will be used to return this artifact to operating service.

Safety is every railroad’s first priority! The NCRy is no exception, and tickets will be limited to ensure the chase train capacity is well below 50% capacity with an added open-air car, hand sanitizer, and restrooms onboard. Photo lines will be spread out to ensure social distancing, and masks will be required. To ensure authenticity, however, the train and engine crews on the photo freight train will not be masked during run-by’s and will maintain separation from ticketholders and the chase train crew.

Please bring camera equipment, close toed shoes, a mask, water bottle, dress for inclement weather, a positive attitude, and anything else needed to help you enjoy a full day of exciting period railroad action. Note: This is a serious railfan photographer’s trip with the train being out the entire day, passengers debarking and reboarding multiple times in remote areas with uncertain footing, exposed to weather and natural hazards in Niles Canyon. This trip is not recommended for young children.

Ride the #7 for the #1744!
Saturday, Dec 5 – Sunday, Dec 6
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Donation: $150

Sunol Station
6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol
https://www.ncry.org/

Newark Unified to Close Two Schools, Re-configure junior high
By Johnna M. Laird

Faced with declining enrollment and a $1 million shortfall in revenues, Newark Unified School District trustees voted to close Snow Elementary School in a 3-1 decision Thursday, November 19, transferring students to Graham Elementary for the 2021-22 school year.

A second elementary school, Musick, was approved for closure a year later, in 2022-23, with the stipulation that Musick students be reassigned to no more than two different schools in an effort to lessen the closure’s burden.

As part of the motion to close Snow and Musick, the board also voted to move sixth graders from elementary schools to Newark Junior High School to create a middle school, starting in 2022-23. The campus would house sixth, seventh and eighth graders to create more space at elementary schools and help the district attract new students from families moving into housing along the bay. The district was designed for 10,000 students; current enrollment is about 5,500.

When enrollment declines, so does the funding. In 2018-19 and 2019-20, the district’s First and Second Interim Financial Reports received a “qualified” certification, meaning the district faced not meeting its financial obligations in the current and next two fiscal years. The board agreed to make $6,018,000 in budget reductions for 2020-21 and 2021-22, including the school closures and consolidations. Closure of two elementary schools is slated to save $1 million.

The School Consolidation Advisory Committee, authorized in December 2019 and tasked with recommending schools for closure, proposed the change from a two to three-grade junior high to give students an earlier start in preparing for high school and college.

The decision to close schools was fraught. More than 350 people attended the virtual board meeting Thursday via YouTube, and 25 members of the public signed up to speak in a meeting that lasted over three hours.

Speakers pleaded with the district to save their child’s home school, describing the school as a family environment. Parents and students from Graham School, one of four recommended for closure, rallied support Thursday afternoon to drive by the district office, honking horns and holding signs reading “Save Graham” and “Save Our School.”

Parents speaking on behalf of Musick highlighted its programs serving students with special needs and reminding the board that 40 preschool students had not been included in enrollment numbers. Parent Angela Neelo maintained that the district would not save money by closing Musick because of its playground equipment and other adaptations for special needs’ students that would need to be duplicated on other campuses.

One Newark Memorial High School junior, Amber Nolazo-Torres urged the board to think beyond school closures and address the larger issue of declining enrollment. She described her experience with rotating substitutes and lack of funds that meant students had to donate money to purchase their own supplies.

Two board members-elect asked that that the closure decision be postponed until December when they take office. The Superintendent and Chief Business Official Marie dela Cruz reported that the district is already behind in meeting budgeting deadlines.

The only student board member, Wahhab Salemi, voted against the motion to close schools, saying he needed to represent the students. He called on the board to make a long-term plan instead. “I agree the financial situation is dire, but during this pandemic, now your school is closing, too? This does not sit well with me. . .We can’t just say ‘Shut down schools’ and not put forth a plan to our community for a long-term plan to make sure we are not here two to five years from now.”

There was discussion between Board President Elisa Martinez, whose home school is Birch Grove, and board member Zhang. Zhang proposed expanding discussion of closure to include Birch Grove, which he said faces questions of long-term viability given its location on a cul-de-sac. Board member Phuong Nguyen objected to closing two schools in one year and made a motion to delay Musick’s closure. Ultimately Superintendent Tripp supported the idea of spreading Musick’s students to only two schools, which gained Zhang’s support.

All three board members noted that school closures should have occurred years before and that making the decision was “heart-wrenching.” “We understand the difficulty this brings to our entire community,” said Board President Martinez.

Ohlone College Board of Trustees
November 18, 2020

Presentations:
• Proclaim November as Native American Heritage Month

Resolutions:
• Emeritus for Ilene (Sam) Katz
• Emeritus for Vicki Curtis
• Emeritus for Donna Runyon

Discussion/Action:
• First reading, discussion and board review of policies on Credit by Examination, Admissions and Concurrent Enrollment, Student Bookstores and Housing.
• Approved 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting/Workshop Calendar.
• Reviewed and accepted First Quarter 2020-2021 Financial Report and related budget changes.

Consent Agenda:
• Approved October 2020 payroll warrants.
• Approved amendment of Board Policies on Prohibition of Harassment, Prohibition of Sexual Harassment under Title IX – New, Sexual and Other Assaults on Campus, Civic Center and Other Facilities Use, Citizens’ Oversight Committee, Parking and Safety.
• Approved PAA #7 Revision #8 in the not to exceed amount of $6,614,191 to the agreement with Gilbane Building Company for Measure G Project 6105 — Academic Core Buildings. The net increase to the agreement is $127,569.
• Accepted fiscal year 2021-22 Budget Planning Calendar.

• Richard Watters, Chair Aye
• Teresa Cox, Vice Chair Aye
• Greg Bonaccorsi Aye
• Suzanne Lee Chan Aye
•Jan Giovannini-Hill Aye
• Vivien Larsen Aye
• Tawney Warren Aye
• Megan Aves, Student Member Aye

Dear Santa, I’ve been good all year!
Submitted by Augustine Ruiz, Jr., USPS

This year has been a struggle for so many people. Thoughts how to provide for kids over the holidays may also be weighing heavily on many. But take heart, Santa Claus and the United States Postal Service (USPS) are here to help.

The USPS Operation Santa program celebrates its 108th year in 2020 by opening up for nationwide participation. Now, more than ever, the program is needed to help less fortunate children and families during the holidays.

The program was established to help those in need during the holidays experience the joy of opening presents — and to create special holiday memories. Since it began, millions of children and their families have been helped. The program is for every person of every belief, or non-belief.

To participate in the USPS Operation Santa program as a gift recipient, all you have to do is write a letter, put it in a stamped envelope with a return address, and send it in care of Santa to his official workshop address at 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. Letters will be accepted through December 15.

Program Details
Hundreds of thousands of letters are written to the USPS Operation Santa program every year. These letters are opened by Santa’s Elves and for safety reasons, all personally identifiable information of the writer is removed (i.e. last names, addresses, ZIP Codes). Letters are then uploaded to the USPS Operation Santa 2020 website at www.USPSOperationSanta.com for adoption.

Beginning December 4, letters will be available for nationwide adoption. Potential adopters can read letters and pick one, or more, that they’d like to fulfill. For security reasons, potential adopters must be vetted by going through a short registration and ID verification process. Companies may also adopt letters.

How to write a letter
The USPS provides guides and tips to help kids write and send their best letters ever. All necessary information can be found on the USPS Operation Santa 2020 website or the USPS Holiday Newsroom webpage at https://about.usps.com/holidaynews/. The only thing the Postal Service can’t help with is to tell kids what to ask for.

USPS Operation Santa History
While the USPS began receiving letters to Santa more than 108 years ago, it wasn’t until 1912 that Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local Postmasters to allow postal employees and citizens to respond to them. This became known as Operation Santa.

The complete history can be found at the Postal Service Holiday Newsroom webpage at https://about.usps.com/holidaynews/, along with additional news and information, including all domestic, international and military mailing and shipping deadlines. The USPS receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Operation Santa 2020
Starts December 4
Deadline: December 15
www.USPSOperationSanta.com
Kids can mail a letter to:
Santa
123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888

Schedule PG&E gas safety check
Submitted by Tamar Sarkissian

With winter and colder temperatures right around the corner and the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is reminding customers to call and schedule a free in-home safety inspection of their gas appliances. During the visit, PG&E will also relight pilot lights for customers who have heaters or other appliances that have been turned off during warmer months.

Inspections help ensure that gas appliances—including water heaters, furnaces, and ovens—are operating safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide exposure within the home. Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it cannot be seen, smelled, or heard.

PG&E frontline employees are adhering to strict COVID-19 safety protocols when visiting customers’ homes, including mandatory daily health checks, wearing masks and nitrile gloves, and maintaining at least six feet of distance. Customers are asked to do the same when an employee visits, and if anyone inside the home is ill, that they isolate themselves away from the room where work is being performed.

To schedule an inspection, call PG&E customer helpline at 1-800-743-5000.

Winter Gas Safety Tips
1. Install carbon monoxide detectors to warn when concentration levels are high.
• All California single-family homes are required to have carbon monoxide detectors.
• Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every floor, near sleeping areas and common areas.
• These devices should be tested twice a year, and batteries replaced if necessary.
• Check the expiration date – most carbon monoxide detectors have a shelf life of five to seven years.
2. Never use products inside the home that generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, such as generators, outdoor grills, or propane heaters.
3. Never use cooking devices such as ovens or stoves for home heating purposes.
4. When using the fireplace to stay warm, make sure the flue is open so venting can occur safely through the chimney.
5. Make sure water heaters and other natural gas appliances have proper ventilation.

If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, you should leave immediately and call 911. If a PG&E customer ever smells the distinctive “rotten egg” odor of natural gas in or around their home or business, they should immediately evacuate and then call 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

Real Estate Notebook
Attached vs Detached Homes: A Tale of Two Markets
By David Stark
Public Affairs Director, Bay East Association of REALTORS®

The COVID-19 pandemic has supercharged the Tri-Cities real estate market and made single-family detached homes more popular and pricier, while interest in condos and townhomes has slipped – a little.

“I looked at the market statistics for Union City and was really surprised,” said Nancie Allen, a Fremont resident and REALTOR® and Past President of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®. “The median sales price for a single-family detached home during October 2020 as compared with October 2019 was up almost 20 percent.”

Homebuyers are still in the market even with high sales prices and the beginning of the holiday season. “We’re not seeing the typical slow down; prices are accelerating, and we’re seeing tons of buyers and it seems to be across all the price ranges, too,” Allen said. “If a home is priced less than a million dollars, you’re going to be inundated with offers from buyers. We’re still seeing a lot of activity and not a lot of price reductions.”

Working from home due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place rules is a major factor. Allen explained, “It used to be location, location, location driving prices,” Allen explained. “The prices are now driving location, location, location because people realize they don’t have to live in a specific place anymore.”

Using a home as an office, school, gym, and vacation destination is making, larger single-family detached properties more desirable. “People want that extra space, they want the yard, they want to be able to get out and play, they want to make working from home while living at home much more compatible, much more convenient, and less stressful,” said Tina Hand, 2020 President of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®.

Asked if there’s a fundamental difference in the single-family detached home and condo and townhome markets during COVID-19, Allen said, “Condos are a little less popular right now. People want more room, they want to be able to spread out, they want a yard after being locked up for so long. They want to be able to get out and roam.”

Both Allen and Hand said the condo market is not dying while buyers clamor for single-family detached homes. “Condos are still the jumping-in point for a lot of people,” Allen said. “While there are buyers for the multi-million-dollar homes, there are still people who are going to need to be in at the $600,000 or $700,000 level for condos.”

Hand agreed, “Condos are for getting your foot in the door of homeownership for a lot of people. It is much more affordable than to jump into a single-family detached home right away.

Prolific robbery suspect nabbed
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD

Following a monthlong investigation, Special Operations Detectives from the Fremont Police Department (FPD) recently arrested a 40-year-old Union City man in connection with more than 20 armed robberies in Fremont and numerous other Bay Area cities.

The suspect, identified by police as Nelson Ramirez, was taken into custody on Tuesday, November 17. Authorities believe that Ramirez may be involved with robberies at more than 20 convenience stores since October. Each store was robbed at gunpoint by a suspect who claimed he was robbing them because of his sick child. At least five of the robberies occurred in Fremont including:

• October 20: Arco Gas Station, 35000 block of Fremont Blvd.
• October 30: Little Caesar’s Pizza, 4300 block of Thornton Ave.
• November 7: 7-Eleven store, 100 block of Washington Blvd.
• November 13: Quik Stop, 38000 block of Farwell Dr. and Chevron Gas Station, 39000 block of Paseo Padre Parkway.

The same suspect is believed to be responsible for similar robberies in Newark, Union City, Hayward, Mountain View, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, Campbell, and Los Altos. Law Enforcement agencies throughout the Bay Area have been working together to identify the suspect.

For the last month, FPD Detectives have been conducting physical surveillance of potential victim businesses. Detectives have also been reviewing surveillance video from businesses that were hit, along with video from surrounding businesses and Fremont’s Community Camera network. During the evening of Monday, November 16, detectives identified a suspect vehicle that appeared at several of the businesses prior to the robberies. Undercover detectives began searching for the vehicle and located it in Union City several hours later and began to watch it.

When the suspect left his vehicle, detectives requested assistance from the Union City Police Department (UCPD) to detain the driver, later identified as Ramirez. A record check showed he had an outstanding traffic warrant. Detectives searched Ramirez’s vehicle and recovered clothing used in the robberies as well as a replica handgun. Ramirez was interviewed and said that he did not have a sick child. Additional search warrants were later executed by detectives at locations associated with Ramirez.

Ramirez was arrested by FPD Detectives and booked at Santa Rita Jail on multiple counts of armed robbery. Detectives are working with outside agencies to determine appropriate charges between Alameda County and Santa Clara County.

Anyone with information about the armed robberies, or believes they have been victimized by Ramirez is asked to call Detective Jared Madsen at (510) 790-6900 send an email to jmadsen@fremont.gov.

THE ROBOT REPORT

NASA initiative developing wireless charging for lunar robots
By Steve Crowe

Battery life is an issue for many types of robots. But it is especially challenging for robots operating in outer space. A new initiative under NASA’s “Tipping Point” program hopes to solve this and make smaller robots available for missions that weren’t within reach before, including night missions on the moon.

NASA awarded a $5.8 million contract to Astrobotic, Bosch, the University of Washington (UW), and WiBotic to overcome challenges of charging robots on the moon. Astrobotic is the main contractor as its CubeRover ultralight rover will be heading to the moon aboard the Peregrine lunar lander in 2021. Roughly the size of a shoebox and weighing less than five pounds, CubeRovers can potentially scout locations on the moon’s surface.

Under this new partnership, WiBotic will be developing wireless charging systems and energy monitoring base stations for lunar robots, including the CubeRover. Bosch researchers will be contributing software expertise in wireless connectivity, and UW will contribute its Sensor Systems Lab to support realistic lunar environment testing and validation of mechanical enclosures that can withstand the moon’s harsh environment. WiBotic spun out of UW in 2015.

WiBotic already specializes in wireless charging, but so far has been designing its solutions for commercial, industrial and military robots that operate here on Earth. Its systems operate in dusty, dirty environments, but certainly nothing compared to what the moon has to offer. The wireless charging system’s receiver will be integrated with the CubeRover, while the transmitter will reside on the Peregrine lunar lander. Ben Waters, CEO and Co-founder, WiBotic, said the space-qualified system for the CubeRover will be based on its existing system.

“The primary thing in this process is leveraging existing designs, but changing components and enclosures, and perhaps architecture, so they’re radiation hardened,” he said. “Certain components will fail if you don’t use, for example, a microcontroller that’s radiation hardened. But there are various SKUs of a radiation-hardened microcontroller, so it’s mainly component selection.”

Lunar landers and large space exploration vehicles are typically powered by solar arrays or small nuclear reactors. Smaller systems, such as the CubeRover, sometimes aren’t big enough to carry their own dedicated power supplies. They could be tethered to a larger vehicle, but the tether would restrict mobility and be susceptible to lunar dust (regolith). A lunar night lasts up to 14 days, and temperatures can drop to -208 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes charging via solar arrays obsolete.

“Bringing wireless power technology to the surface of the moon and beyond is a game-changer in the way space robotics systems have traditionally interacted,” said Cedric Corpa de la Fuente, electrical engineer for planetary mobility at Astrobotic. “For instance, by removing dependencies to solar charging, a new wide range of opportunities for smaller and lighter systems becomes available for missions that were not within reach before – such as survival of lunar night missions.”

Waters said passive cooling will be another change to the system as “fans don’t get you very far in the vacuum of space.” The connection ability also needs to be flexible as the moon’s surface often isn’t flat. WiBotic’s current systems can charge a robot even without making contact or dock with perfect alignment.

“From a technical perspective, it comes down to heat, surviving regolith and environmental conditions that the charging system could be exposed to. The system will also be launched on a rocket, so there will be massive vibration,” said Waters. “This is often the most-overlooked aspect of anything sent to space – the amount of force getting through the Earth’s atmosphere. Just getting there is a massive challenge, but once you get there you have all these things to contend with.”

Other challenges include designing the robust circuits and integration with the CubeRover. Waters said there will be about a year and a half of testing followed by almost a full year of testing. The prototype system will be sent to NASA, which will test it inside one of its simulation facilities.

“Moon dust is very fine and tends to stick to surfaces because it gets electrically charged. The UW team is tackling the fundamental research question of how dust particle size and composition affects power transfer efficiency,” said UW lead researcher Joshua Smith, a professor in both the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. “We plan to take an approach that is a hybrid of science and engineering: We will develop a synthetic moon dust that is consistent with known relevant properties, but that represents the worst case for our wireless power transfer system.

How wireless charging works
WiBotic’s existing wireless charging systems consist of four primary hardware components: a transmitter unit, transmitter antenna coil, onboard charger unit and receiver antenna coil. Here’s how WiBotic explains its technology:

“The transmitter unit uses any available power source (AC or DC) to generate a high frequency wireless power signal. The signal travels through a coaxial SMA cable to the transmit antenna coil where it generates both electrical and magnetic fields. The coil can be mounted vertically in a wall station, horizontally in a drone landing pad (or floor mat), or in just about any other orientation to make it convenient for the robot as it arrives for a charge.

“The transmitter unit recognizes any incoming robot equipped with an onboard charger unit and receiver antenna coil and automatically ramps up to deliver the right amount of energy. Conveyed through air, water or other non-conductive materials, the energy is then collected by the receiver antenna coil on the robot and conveyed to the onboard charger. The onboard charger converts the signal back into a DC voltage and controls battery charging functions to safely replenish a wide range of batteries.

“To deliver wireless power, the transmitter first checks to be sure a robot is within range. The system is so flexible that even robots with completely different battery voltages can share the same transmitter unit. It automatically recognizes each robot and adjusts charge parameters accordingly.”

— Steve Crowe is Editor of The Robot Report and co-chair of the Robotics Summit & Expo. He can be reached at scrowe@wtwhmedia.com

San Leandro City Council
November 16, 2020

Recognitions:
• Proclamation declaring Monday, November 16, 2020 as Bob Glotch Day in San Leandro.

Public comments:
• A citizen reminded the council of the upcoming seven-month anniversary of the fatal shooting of Steven Taylor by a San Leandro Police officer and applauded the creation of a Budget Task Force and a commitment to police oversight. Another citizen supported a motion made at the Budget Task Force meeting to split to Department of Recreation and Human Services into two parts to allow beefing up of mental health services for adults. Another citizen thanked Bob Glotch and the City Council for their continued support of the San Leandro Boys and Girls Club. Another citizen expressed concern about increased vandalism in the city.

Action items
• Resolution of the City of San Leandro U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Second Substantial Amendment to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FY 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan.

• Amendment No. 1 to the FY2020-2021 Community Development Block Grant-Covid-19 (CDBG-CV) Contract Between the City of San Leandro and Centro Legal de la Raza for an amount not to exceed $1,220,165 to administer the city’s Rental Assistance Program (increase FY2020-2021 Agreement by an additional $768,193 in CDBG-CV funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).

Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter Aye
Vice Mayor Pete Ballew Aye
Victor Aguilar, Jr. Aye
Ed Hernandez Aye
Benny Lee Aye
Deborah Cox Absent
Corina Lopez Aye

Vehicles seized in police sideshow operation
Submitted by Fremont Police Department

Multiple vehicles were recently seized as part of a crackdown on suspected illegal sideshow activities in Fremont according to officials from the Fremont Police Department (FPD).

The operation started on Wednesday, November 18 when officers from the FPD Street Crimes Unit, Traffic Division, and Patrol Division targeted vehicles involved in illegal sideshow activity within the City of Fremont. Seizure order warrants were obtained to impound cars for up to 30 days, that were used to drive recklessly at multiple sideshows in recent months. In total, seven vehicles were seized and impounded from locations all around the Bay Area.

“Sideshows have increased over the last several years in the City of Fremont. Sideshows endanger the lives of the drivers, spectators and innocent bystanders and have increasingly become more violent. Some sideshow participants have brought guns and have indiscriminately discharged them with no regard to human life,” said Traffic Lieutenant Ariel Quimson.

“Several weeks ago, a sideshow took place in the Ardenwood area and one of our community members was robbed at gunpoint,” Quimson said. “When officers respond to these sideshows, they have been met with participants discharging their firearms and throwing rocks and bottles at their patrol vehicles. Sideshows and the violence they bring will not be tolerated and the Fremont Police Department will continue to proactively arrest participants and tow sideshow vehicles to protect our community.”

Officers are continuing to investigate sideshow incidents, including the process to obtain arrest warrants for the drivers of these cars. Anyone with questions about the operation or who would like to provide an anonymous tip to police about sideshow activity is asked to call (510) 790-6760.

Two victims robbed in online sales plan
Submitted by Fremont PD

Officials from the Fremont Police Department (FPD) are cautioning people who sell items over social media platforms to be wary when meeting strangers to deliver items and collect payment.

During the past two weeks, FPD has taken two robbery reports where the victims were selling PlayStation 5 (PS5) video consoles to other parties using social media or an online marketplace platform.

The first incident occurred on November 20. The victim contacted someone on a marketplace platform and was offered $1,100 for his PS5. They agreed to meet at a business in the 35000 block of Fremont Blvd. The victim showed one of the suspects the video game console in his vehicle. At that time, another suspect approached the victim armed with a handgun. The first suspect took the PS5 and they both fled the scene in a black Infiniti with tinted windows and black rims.

The second robbery occurred on November 16 when a juvenile contacted a “buyer” on a social media platform and agreed to meet him at local elementary school to purchase the video game console for $1,000. When the victim arrived, he was met by three suspects and pepper sprayed by one of them. The suspects took the PS5 from the victim and fled in a black Saturn sedan.

According to police officials, a good place to make community transactions is the Exchange Zone area in the front parking lot at the Fremont Police Department at 2000 Stevenson Blvd. There are designated parking spots for conducting private party transactions and safe child custody exchanges.

The Exchange Zone is video and audio recorded 24 hours a day. While the cameras are not live monitored, they are recorded, stored, and accessible to police personnel. FPD recommends that anybody exchanging goods should do it during daytime hours, if possible, and meet at the Fremont Police Department.

Police offer these safety tips for conducting private transactions:

• Only conduct transactions with local buyers/sellers
• Insist on meeting in a public place
• Do not invite strangers into your home, and do not go to theirs
• Take your cell phone with you
• Tell a friend or family member about your intentions and when and where and with whom you are meeting
• Be extra cautious in buying/selling valuable items
• Only use cash or money orders
• Trust your instincts and be cautious of scams

The Exchange Zone parking spaces are available free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Social Security Matters
Ask Rusty – About “Registering” for Social Security & Medicare
By Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor
Association of Mature American Citizens

Dear Rusty: I have a big 65th birthday coming up mid-March and would like your advice on registering for Social Security and Medicare. I am now unemployed, but I am seeking another gig to get me to age 67 before taking Social Security. Signed: Wondering Senior

Dear Wondering: You do not need to “register” with Social Security in advance. You don’t need to do anything with Social Security until you are ready to claim your benefits. Since you were born in 1956, your full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security purposes is 66 plus 4 months, and that is when you will be entitled to 100 percent of the benefit you have earned from a lifetime of working. But you can, if you wish, also wait beyond your FRA to get an even bigger benefit. For each month you delay after your FRA you will earn Delayed Retirement Credits of 0.667 percent, which is 8 percent additional benefit for each year you wait. That can continue up to age 70 when your maximum benefit will be reached. In your case that would mean an age 70 benefit 29 percent more than your FRA benefit amount. But whenever you are ready, you can apply for Social Security online at www.ssa.gov/retire (you must first create your “My Social Security” account to apply online).

Medicare is an entirely separate program and, unless you have “creditable” employer healthcare coverage from a new job, you should enroll in Medicare a bit prior to your 65th birthday (“creditable” coverage is a group plan with at least 20 participants). This would be during your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which is a seven-month window starting three months before the month you turn 65 and ending three months after the month you turn 65. If you don’t enroll in Medicare during your IEP and enroll later, and if you didn’t have creditable employer healthcare coverage after age 65, you will be subject to a late enrollment penalty, which will permanently increase your Medicare Part B (and Part D) premiums.

Medicare Part B is coverage for doctors & outpatient services, and Part D is prescription drug coverage, both of which require a premium; Medicare Part A is hospitalization coverage which is free if you are eligible for Social Security. If you have “creditable” employer coverage when you turn 65, you can simply delay enrolling in Medicare Part B until your employer coverage is about to end, or until after it ends during an eight-month Special Enrollment Period during which you can enroll in Medicare Part B without penalty. But for Part D prescription drug coverage, you must enroll in a private plan within 63 days of your 65th birthday, or the end of your employer drug coverage, or you will incur a Part D late enrollment penalty for enrolling later. And remember that Medicare late enrollment penalties never go away – they are recurring for the rest of your life.

The bottom line is this: you don’t need to pre-register for either Social Security or Medicare. You can simply enroll when you are ready for benefits to start (keeping in mind that for Medicare, you must have “creditable” alternative coverage after age 65 to avoid late enrollment penalties).

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

2020 Solar Tax Credit Deadline
Submitted by City of Fremont

Fremont residents applying for solar installation permits who want to access the 2020 federal solar tax credit must submit their application and plans by Friday, December 11. To submit, applicants can utilize the city’s online public permitting portal, Citizen Access – https://aca-prod.accela.com/cof/Default.aspx.

More information is available on the city’s Solar Permits webpage – www.fremont.gov/2994/Solar-Permits-and-Power-Storage-Unit-Per. Building inspections for solar permits will have to be finalized by Wednesday, December 23, due to the city’s holiday closure.

Solar Installation Permit and Tax Credit
Application Deadline: Friday, Dec 11
https://aca-prod.accela.com/cof/Default.aspx
www.fremont.gov/2994/Solar-Permits-and-Power-Storage-Unit-Per

Spacewalking astronauts prep for 2021 arrival of Russian lab
By Marcia Dunn
AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP), Nov 18 – The International Space Station's two Russian astronauts began spacewalking work Wednesday to prepare for next year's arrival of a long-delayed lab but had to scrap another chore because of a stubborn bolt.

Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov – dubbed Sergey 1 and Sergey 2 by flight controllers – left four Americans and one Japanese inside during their spacewalk, which lasted nearly seven hours.

The space station population grew to seven late Monday with the arrival of a SpaceX capsule, making the company's second astronaut flight.

Ryzhikov, the station's commander, and Kud-Sverchkov spent nearly two hours doing extra leak checks before exiting Russia's Poisk air lock. The 11-year-old compartment had never been used before by spacewalkers.

“Congratulations. You are out!” Russian Mission Control told the first-time spacewalkers after the lengthy testing.

The astronauts immediately encountered a difficult bolt that prevented them from replacing a fluid-flow regulator on Russia's oldest compartment – Zarya, Russian for Dawn. A NASA commentator said the old regulator was still working on Zarya – the first piece of the space station launched in 1998 – and that the swap would be deferred to a later spacewalk.

Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov had better luck relocating an antenna cable, the first step in decommissioning Russia's old Pirs spacewalking compartment to make room for the new lab. By then, the spacewalk was past the four-hour mark, and flight controllers near Moscow urged the two to rest: “It has been intense.”

The Pirs module will be removed and junked next year to make room for the research lab Nauka – Russian for “science.” Several Russian-directed spacewalks will be required to deal with all this. The plan calls for attaching a cargo ship to Pirs to guide it to a fiery reentry.

The new 22-ton lab – stretching 43 feet (13 meters) long – is so big that it will be launched from Kazakhstan by a powerful Proton rocket. Once at the orbiting outpost, it will double as an air lock and docking port.

The science lab's launch – nearly a decade late because of a long string of repairs – is targeted for early next year.

Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov arrived with an American last month on a Soyuz capsule. Like the newly arrived SpaceX crew, the Russian-launched astronauts will remain on board until spring.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Tips for a Successful Kitchen Design
By Anna Jacoby

Over my 20 years in business, I have designed dozens of kitchens. While all kitchens have the same elements — space for cooking, washing, refrigeration, food storage — the fun part is in designing spaces that really fit the clients’ needs and wants. With that in mind, I have complied some tips for you to consider when planning your own kitchen remodel.

Ingredients Within Easy Reach
If you love to cook from scratch, then having your oils and spices in a drawer or pull-out cabinet right next to the cooktop is essential. In instances where lower cabinet space is limited, creative use of the upper cabinets becomes more important. One of my new favorite products is the Vertical Spice, which is a pull-out spice rack designed for upper cabinets. It is very handy. Visit www.verticalspice.com for details.

Adequate Counter Space for Food Preparation
Plan for at least 15” of counter space on each side of the cooktop for prep space; more is definitely better if possible. If there are multiple cooks in the family, plan for multiple prep spaces also. For example, while one cook is stationed near the cooktop, the other can be stationed near the sink or at the island. Keep cutting boards, utensils, and knives in a location that is easy to reach for both cooks.

Wide Walkways
Plan for a minimum of 36” of walk space between an island and the perimeter cabinets. When I design a kitchen, I aim for 42” of walk space and even more if there are multiple cooks. Allow enough space for a dishwasher to be open and for someone to walk by and for two people to pass each other comfortably.

Everything in Its Place
When I design a client’s kitchen, I provide a drawing with a layout I think makes sense for that person based on conversations with them and my design knowledge. Then I give my clients a homework assignment: I ask them to label each drawer and cabinet shown and make sure everything has a place to live. Where will dishes and glasses go? Coffee and tea? Pots and pans? Small appliances? I try to think of everything, and then, together, we make sure nothing is overlooked. Making sure everything has a place to live is key to a well-designed kitchen.

Multipurpose Spaces
Kitchens are more than just places to prepare food. For most of us, kitchens are also where kids do homework, where we pay bills, catch up on work, read the news, etc. Make sure to plan for those tasks too. In my own kitchen I have a file drawer for household files and a drawer for bill paying supplies. An island or peninsula is an ideal space for kids to interact with you as they do their homework. Extra outlets for charging phones and laptops are must these days.

High Quality Materials
Purchase the best materials your budget will allow. In my designs, I use custom-made solid wood cabinets with top quality hinges and hardware, and custom-fabricated quartz or natural stone countertops. Kitchen remodels are expensive. You use your kitchen every single day for multiple purposes, and you want it to last for decades. You will not regret spending a bit more for high quality materials.

Together, We Made the County a Better Place
By Supervisor Dave Cortese

For 12 years, I have had the privilege of representing District 3 on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Next month, I will be moving to my new job as representative on the California State Senate, replacing Senator Jim Beall in District 15.

I am not saying goodbye, because I will still be serving Santa Clara County and will still need your support and feedback just as I have since I took office as Supervisor in 2008. Over the years, we have accomplished much together and have faced difficult times and enormous challenges. I promise I will take the dedication and hard work that I devoted to my job as your Supervisor to my new role as State Senator.

But first, let me thank the residents of Santa Clara County for their engagement, compassion, and thoughtfulness in working with me and other supervisors to help find solutions and address the lack of affordable housing, access to healthcare, impacts of climate change and digital divide. You supported the plan to preserve farmland and open space in the county, promoted our magnificent history and heritage, and much more.

You voiced your concerns at board meetings, gave up a day to attend my office’s Summit on Firearms Safety and then another to participate in our Summit on Homelessness. You boarded buses to travel to Sacramento to call on legislators to fund education and showed up by the thousands to Alviso Marina County Park to celebrate the county’s diversity at Day on the Bay multicultural festival.

Most recently, you made great sacrifices to face the most serious health crisis of our lifetimes by wearing masks, keeping physical distances from others, and avoiding crowds and indoor gatherings. As business owners, you went the extra mile to comply with safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

As frontline health-care workers, you who put your lives on the line to care for the victims of coronavirus. And as firefighters, you worked tirelessly to save lives, homes, and businesses during the worst wildfire season in the state’s history. As teachers and parents of students, your worked together to provide remote education until schools can reopen. You have learned to work from home and adopted teleconferencing as a new way to do business. As faith leaders, you brought people together to worship safely.

The county and my office couldn’t effectively serve residents without the strong partnerships with the nonprofit organizations and community groups that work to house the homeless, feed hungry families, provide counseling to children, care for older adults and share resources with parolees who want second chances to better their lives. Those organizations are supported by financial contributions from residents as well as thousands of volunteer hours.

I loved my job as your county supervisor, but I look forward to continuing to serve you in the State Capitol. My message is not goodbye, it’s keep in touch.

County of Santa Clara Challenges Targeting Immigrants in 2020 Census
Submitted by Maria Leticia Gomez/Laurel Anderson

On November 19, 2020, the County of Santa Clara led a nationwide coalition of local governments in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to support a challenge to President Trump’s Memorandum seeking to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census population count used to allocate congressional representation. The effect of the Memorandum would be to deny congressional seats to states like California that have a significant population of undocumented residents.

“For years, the County of Santa Clara has fought against the Trump administration’s numerous attempts to undermine an accurate census count,” said James R. Williams, County Counsel for the County of Santa Clara. “The Constitution is abundantly clear: Every person residing in the United States during the census, regardless of legal status, must be counted. This is yet another attempt by the Trump administration to erase and exclude our immigrant communities. We saw it when they tried to add a citizenship question to the census, and we saw it when they rushed to end census counting early while in the midst of a pandemic. The County of Santa Clara stands firmly on the side of our immigrant communities, and we will continue to reject the Trump administration’s repeated attempts to illegally sabotage the census.”

In the brief, Santa Clara and its local government partners detail the many ways that undocumented immigrants are an integral part of their communities, including as longtime residents, members of mixed-status households with U.S. citizen family members, and members of local labor forces. The brief, in particular, highlights the critical role undocumented workers play in essential businesses that support residents’ health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The brief further argues that by omitting undocumented immigrants from the population count, the Trump Memorandum would harm all community members by skewing congressional representation in a way that does not accurately reflect states’ population. As a result, residents in states like California will be underrepresented in Congress.

“Undocumented residents are valued members of our local community,” said Cindy Chavez, President of the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. “Despite being ineligible for federal relief during the pandemic, undocumented workers are overrepresented among essential workers on the frontlines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. These individuals have deep familial, economic, and cultural ties in our community, and for many of them, it is the only place they’ve called home. The County serves and will continue to serve all its residents regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision.”

“Everyone in Santa Clara County regardless of immigrant status should be counted in the 2020 Census,” said Supervisor Dave Cortese. “The federal government mandates that we serve all our residents. Leaving out a significant portion of our population means that the County will not get a fair return on the tax dollars that we send to Washington.”

A Toastmaster’s Journey Brings Her Back Home
By David R. Newman
Photos courtesy of Newark Toastmasters

In 2012, Samanvitha (“Sam”) Basole, then a sophomore at American High School in Fremont, joined the Youth Leadership Program (YLP), a public speaking club sponsored by Union City Toastmasters geared towards middle and high school students. Once a week, for eight weeks, she and 13 other participants learned the essential elements of public speaking, culminating in a final competition and graduation.

Fast forward to the present. Basole is now President of Newark Toastmasters and coordinating her own YLP for students. “So many students are sitting at home now without any activities to keep them engaged,” explains Basole. “I thought this would be a nice way to give back to the community.”

Now the student has become the teacher. That initial experience in 2012, due in large part to encouragement from her dad, opened Basole’s eyes to the power of effective presentations. No longer confined to rote memorization, her confidence grew as she learned about gestures, vocal variety, and eye contact. Says Basole, “Memorizing my speeches made me feel very fake. Although the thoughts and writing were mine, delivering a memorized speech would always block my natural flow of words. Through Toastmasters, I realized that I didn’t have to be a machine that spits out words constantly.”

After high school, Basole went on to study software engineering at San Jose State University. She became convinced that consistent effort was the key to success, and so she joined Toastmasters International to help her practice her leadership and communication skills. When COVID-19 hit, it changed the way people communicated, encouraging a switch to online models. Basole saw an opportunity to use her skills to help students adapt to this brave new world.

Toastmasters is typically for adults ages 18 and over. The YLP was created to introduce younger students to the Toastmasters culture, and can be initiated by anyone as long as they adhere to certain procedures. A current Toastmasters member is chosen to coordinate meetings, which are modeled after a Toastmasters club meeting, with an agenda that includes practice in parliamentary procedure, prepared and impromptu speeches and selection of officers. Participants are chosen by a sponsoring Toastmasters club or by a cooperating organization (such as a school). After the program ends, students are encouraged to form their own Gavel Club, a type of Junior Toastmasters.

Basole’s workshop, which began on September 12, runs once a week for 10 weeks, on Saturdays from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Every week, Basole invites an experienced Toastmasters speaker to give a speech and a few tips based on the theme of the meeting. The group of 14 students also takes turns giving speeches, evaluating presentations, and timing each other. At the end of the program, there will be a Table Topic Contest in which students are given a random topic and need to improvise a speech, as well as an International Speech Contest, where students have 4-5 minutes to give a prepared speech. This year’s Table Topics competition ended in a tie between Sohan Dillikar and Trisha Tiwary. Prepared speech results: 1st place: Lauren Wang, 2nd place: Sriya Katreddi, 3rd place: Sai Gayathri Penugonda.

The online format of the program has not been without challenges, admits Basole. Sometimes the Wi-Fi connection isn’t working or there is audio breakup. Students need to remember to have their camera on at all times, and body movements and gestures are limited. But despite these technical difficulties, Basole is confident that her students are learning life-changing skills. Her students agree:

“Before I joined YLP I was scared to speak about something and my palms would be sweaty. Now after some sessions of YLP, I feel that speaking about something is a fun experience.”
– Hirithik Pranav Balusamy

“My YLP experience has been eye-opening and I've been able to learn from others and improve upon my communication skills from topics such as listening, organizing speeches, and impromptu speaking. YLP is not only a program that teaches you public speaking; it's also a program that builds LEADERS.”
– Lauren Wang

“Now I am more conscious of filler words in my speech and trying to make it more interesting. I am now more alert when someone speaks and unconsciously evaluating their speeches by looking for main ideas. I particularly like table topic speeches which makes you quickly think on your feet and come up with a small speech instantaneously.”
– Sai Gayathri Penugonda

Basole is the first to admit that she still has a lot to learn. But she is excited about her future prospects and hopes to inspire her students through her own experiences. “Public speaking skills are always in demand,” she says. “To speak from the heart, to be authentic and connect with your audience, that’s always my goal.”

For More Information:
Newark Toastmasters
https://1118.toastmastersclubs.org/

Turkey donations hit record high
Submitted by Newark Police Department

There are likely many smiling faces at the Viola Blythe Community Service Center this week as the non-profit agency received a record number of turkey donations for the Thanksgiving holiday courtesy of the Newark Police Department (NPD).

Volunteers from NPD delivered 212 turkeys to the center on Wednesday, November 18, which is the largest number of turkeys they have donated at one time over the years. The turkeys were purchased with money collected from NPD employees and then donated as a token of appreciation for the ongoing community support the department receives.

Over the last five years, approximately 900 turkeys have been donated to the Viola Blythe Center, feeding many local families in need. The center provides social and human services to individuals and families in need throughout the Tri-City area. There is a need for volunteers to help with various projects during the holiday season. For details, visit the Viola Blythe Community Services website at www.violablythe.org.