Congress approves bill expanding animal cruelty law
By Matthew Daly
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP), Nov 06 _ Congress has passed a bill making certain types of animal cruelty a federal felony.
The bill would expand a 2010 law that made creation or distribution of “animal crushing” videos illegal. The new bill would make the underlying acts of cruelty a federal crime.
The Senate unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act on Tuesday, two weeks after the House passed it on a voice vote.
Florida Reps. Ted Deutch and Vern Buchanan sponsored the bill. Deutch, a Democrat, said it “sends a clear message that our society does not accept cruelty against animals” and noted that the bill received overwhelming support from both parties.
Buchanan, a Republican, said “The torture of innocent animals is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
The bill now goes to President Donald Trump.
Holly Gann, director of federal affairs at the advocacy group Animal Wellness Action, said the measure was long overdue.
“We as a nation should have no tolerance for animal abuse, and the PACT Act will allow federal authorities to stop heinous crimes when they occur on the federal level,” Gann said in a statement.
Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., who shepherded the bill with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called it a major victory to stop animal cruelty and make communities safer.
“Evidence shows that the deranged individuals who harm animals often move on to committing acts of violence against people. It is appropriate that the federal government have strong animal cruelty laws and penalties,” Toomey said in a statement.
“There's no place in a civilized society for maiming and torturing animals_ period,” Blumenthal added.
The PACT Act would prohibit extreme acts of cruelty when they occur in interstate commerce or on federal property and cracks down on the sexual abuse of animals. While current federal law bans the sale or distribution of videos showing animals being crushed, burned or tortured, it does not prohibit the underlying conduct.
Law enforcement agencies including the National Sheriffs' Association and Fraternal Order of Police endorsed the bill, citing a well-documented connection between animal cruelty and violence against people.
The act is limited to interstate commerce and federal property and would not interfere with local animal cruelty laws or enforcement, supporters said.
A White House spokesman declined to comment Wednesday.
Ballet Petit continues 41 years of tradition
by Ballet Petit Staff Writer
Ballet Petit of Hayward will soon launch into its fifth decade of performing “The Nutcracker” in early December, under the Artistic Direction of its founder, Peggy Peabody. Featuring about 200 talented, local dancers, several local school choirs, and local celebrities such as Hayward Mayor Barbara Halliday, Ballet Petit’s 41st annual production of “The Nutcracker” will take to the big stage at Chabot College on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Ballet Petit’s Nutcracker is steeped in the tradition of classical ballet. Throughout their childhoods and training years, dancers rise through the ranks of the cast. Last year’s Clara, Ashlyn Ng of Hayward, will for the first time dance the complicated choreography as a member of the Advanced Snow Corps and as the Princess in Chinese Tea in Act 2. Her first role was as a Tiny Party Girl, way back in 2007 when she was just three years old.
Diana Barbacioru of Fremont will dance her first year as the Sugarplum Fairy. Diana was first a Little Russian Dancer in 2010. Last summer, Diana was one of three dancers who trained for three weeks at the prestigious Royal Danish Ballet Summer School in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was during this trip that Miss Peggy knew it was time to promote Diana to this special role. Her alternate, Danielle Hsieh of Fremont, will perform her second season as the Sugarplum Fairy. In 2011, Danielle was an Infantry Soldier and Purple Flower. Both dancers trained together in Denmark last summer. Diana and Danielle will be partnered with their Cavalier, Guest Artist, Aidan O’Leary in the Grande Pas de Deux.
Ballet Petit supports dancers as growing young artists, regardless of their age. In rehearsals, Miss Peggy always refers to the children as “Dancers.” The young students know what this means. In moments when they act like “children,” she jokingly reminds them they need to be dancers for a few more minutes. Dancers develop discipline while growing in love for what they do in the studio and on stage. Dancing in “The Nutcracker” at Ballet Petit is a happy, yet focused, endeavor for dancers of all ages.
Dancers have been preparing together for months in classes and special rehearsals. Staff have been sharing their technical and artistic expertise with the dancers. Ballet Petit also is lucky to have a solid group of supportive parents who have been busily creating headpieces, freshening up stage props, fitting and adjusting costumes, and organizing details for the performance weekend. By the first full weekend of December, Ballet Petit will be able to once again wow its audiences with a full-length production, 41 years in the making.
This is truly a community effort. Over the years, the Nutcracker production at Ballet Petit has continued to evolve and grow. Last year, for its 40th Anniversary, 40 alumni dancers also took to the stage in a special rendition of the Mother Ginger dance in Act 2, which many little dancers perform, usually between the ages of 4-7. Two other exciting additions to the program in 2018 were the inclusion of local student choirs in the shows and a matinee for local Girl Scout troops.
Ballet Petit is so happy to be able to continue these new traditions into 2019. Featured in the Snow Scene of the ballet, choirs from Mt. Eden High School of Hayward, Redwood Christian High School of Castro Valley, and Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School choirs of Union City will add their voices to the already beautiful sequence.
Girl Scout groups will be attending Ballet Petit’s Nutcracker again this year. Following the performance, artistic director and founder of Ballet Petit, Peggy Peabody, will give a talk about the production. Following her talk, stars of the show such as the Sugarplum Fairy, Clara, the Nutcracker, Rat Queen, Nutcracker Prince, and other featured characters will meet the Girl Scouts for an autograph and photo session. Ballet Petit also always holds a free meet and greet for stars of the show following all matinee performances.
Ballet Petit hopes to see the community come and enjoy its 41st annual production of “The Nutcracker.” Tickets are $20 for children under 12 and seniors, $25 for Adults. They can be purchased at www.balletpetit.com. For more information call (510) 783-4958, or email misspeggy@balletpetit.com. Ballet Petit is also on Facebook and Instagram.
Ballet Petit’s The Nutcracker
Saturday, Dec 7 – Sunday, Dec 8
2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Reed Buffington Center for the Performing Arts at Chabot College
25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward
(510) 783-4958
$20 for children under 12 and seniors; $25 for Adults
New features planned for BART app
Submitted by BART
Commuters who use BART will likely benefit from several new updates to the transit agency’s official mobile app that will be rolling out during the next several weeks and months.
By the end of November, BART officials said that app users will be able to track the agency’s new “Fleet of the Future” trains in real time. The new feature will show users if the next several approaching trains are a new train or a legacy train. The update will also add canceled trips to the real time feed at each station, making clear when a scheduled train has been removed from service.
BART recently added a seventh “Fleet of the Future” train intro service. The new BART app feature will make it easier for friends and families to catch a ride one of these new modern trains.
Looking ahead to 2020, BART plans its most significant parking payment modernization effort to date, offering daily fee parking payment through the official BART app. The app currently offers parking payment for Early Bird Express riders and carpoolers at select stations. The plan is to expand the exclusive parking payment feature in phases to all stations in 2020. The official BART app was launched one year ago and now has 242,000 downloads with 20 million hits.
The BART app is free and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD
Tuesday, November 19
- At 12:58 p.m. a man identified by police as Jermaine Brim, 39, of San Francisco was arrested at South Hayward station on suspicion of murder. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Bath design tips to enable aging in place
By Anna Jacoby
More and more clients are asking me to design baths that allow for greater accessibility and safety. People really do want to think ahead and plan for the day when everyday tasks become much harder, or when an aging parent comes to live with them. Even the most able-bodied among us can be stricken at any time with a broken leg, a debilitating illness or any variety of unforeseen circumstances. Having a home where you can live in comfortably and safely as you age or through bouts of illness, injury, or disability is very important. You may have heard the term “Universal Design.” Universal design simply means designing for all ages and abilities. It includes features like curbless showers, wider doorways, grab bars, taller toilets and wall-mounted sinks, among other things.
Fortunately, there is no reason for an accessible bath to look anything other than beautiful. Hand showers, bench seats, and grab bars can be a very attractive part of the overall design. Here are some features to consider when planning your bath.
Wider doorways: Standard interior doors are 30-32 inches wide, but universal access requires 32 inches of clear space when the door is open. This allows enough space for a walker or a wheelchair. Remember, the door itself takes up space, so make sure the clear opening itself is at least 32 inches. It’s best if the door swings outward, rather than into the bathroom, but this is not always possible or practical, especially if the bathroom is in a narrow hallway. If there is space, consider a pocket door; then there is no door swing at all to contend with.
Grab bars: Some clients ask me for these, and others don’t want to admit they may need them someday. Even if you don’t think you want grab bars right now, ask your contractor to frame the walls surrounding the bathtub, in the shower and around the toilet with enough studs so that you can install them later. But why not just have them installed now? You might really appreciate it after a particularly intense workout or a twisted ankle or a nasty flu. They are also great for hanging wet bathing suits. Fortunately, manufacturers have figured out that people don’t want their baths to look like a hospital, so there are many attractive styles to choose from.
Curbless showers: Curbless showers are flush with the rest of the bathroom floor, so people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices have no trouble entering and exiting the shower. The shower floor is sloped toward the drain, and a glass shower enclosure or a long shower curtain can help keep the water contained. It costs a bit more in labor to install a curbless shower, as there is extra work involved, but in terms of accessibility, it is worth it.
Handheld shower heads: These can be very handy for a variety of reasons, not just for accessibility. Many people like them because it makes it easier to clean a tub or shower; others like them because it makes bathing children or pets more convenient. And, in instances where one spouse is much taller than the other, a handheld shower head on a slide bar allows each partner to adjust the height as needed.
Bench seats in the shower: Again, these can be handy for several reasons. Women like them because it’s easier to shave their legs; they also provide an extra surface for shampoo and other toiletries. If your shower space is limited, a corner bench seat can be useful without taking up a lot of space. Or, you might decide it’s best to leave the entire shower clear, and plan to bring in a portable shower seat if it’s ever needed.
Taller toilets: You may have noticed that toilets are getting taller. The old standard was 14-16 inches in height, while the new toilets are about 18 inches in height, which is chair height. Most people prefer this new height, as it is much easier to get up and down. Grab bars next to the toilet are also a good idea for a little extra help.
Wall-mounted sinks: If you do need to accommodate a wheelchair, then a wall-mounted sink is ideal. With a wall-mounted sink, the person can wheel herself close to the sink and be able to use it easily. You forgo the storage that comes with a traditional vanity cabinet, but there are other ways to incorporate storage in the bath, and with the floor clear, cleaning is much easier.
Other safety concerns: Make sure the flooring material is non-slip. Use tiles with a matte finish, sheet vinyl, or waterproof laminate. For lighting, add a recessed light in the shower, and consider a motion sensor night light for late-night bathroom visits.
There is no reason why your bath can’t be beautiful, safe, and functional at the same time.
Emerging Biomedical Sectors in the East Bay
Submitted by Hayward Chamber of Commerce
Join representatives from biomedical companies throughout the East Bay for this important workshop, hosted by the Biomedical Manufacturing Network, the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and the City of Hayward.
Hear the latest from our presenters:
- Which biomedical companies and sectors are emerging in the East Bay
- Drivers for the emergence of new biomedical sectors in the East Bay
- Opportunities for employment, investment, and supply chains with emerging biomedical sectors in the East Bay
- Marketing local biomedical advances worldwide
- Industry speakers on the science behind biomedical breakthroughs
The workshop will be held in Hayward City Hall, adjacent the main Hayward BART station. There is free parking in 14 downtown lots.
Biomedical Workshop
Tuesday, Dec. 3
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Hayward City Hall
777 B St., Hayward, CA
Community: Automobile Burglary Suspect Arrested
Submitted by San Leandro PD
On November 22, 2019, about 7:30 a.m., San Leandro Police responded to a report of an automobile burglary on Sunnyside Drive where an Apple I-pad device had been stolen. Upon their arrival, officers learned the owner of the I-pad was tracking his device to a residence in the 200 block of Beverly Avenue. When officers arrived at the Beverly Avenue address, they noticed the house was vacant.
Police conducted a security check of the residence and discovered evidence of a burglary to a rear shed in the backyard. Officers looked inside and saw 43-year-old transient Andre Lamont Penney asleep on a work bench. Officers contacted Penney and located the stolen I-pad in his backpack. He was arrested for possession of stolen property and a record check on his criminal history revealed he was parolee at large.
Officers were able to contact the homeowner and was told Penney did not have permission to be on their property.
Penney was booked into the Santa Rita Jail on charges relating to burglary, possession of stolen property, and his outstanding parole violation warrant. He is being held without bail.
Business Diversity Fair
Submitted by Santa Clara County Public Affairs
The County of Santa Clara’s Procurement Department is hosting a Business Diversity Fair on Monday, December 2. Various county departments and agencies will be on-site to meet with local businesses and provide valuable information regarding competitive business opportunities.
County representatives will answer questions and provide guidance on competitive bidding and proposals processes. The fair will also offer a unique matchmaking opportunity for businesses to request meeting times with select county departments of their preference. To register, visit http://bit.ly/SCCBDF2019
Business Diversity Fair
Monday, Dec 2
8:30 a.m. – 12 noon
8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.: Registration & Networking with Exhibitors
9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Welcome Remarks
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon: Networking with Exhibitors & Scheduled Business Matchmaking Sessions (Instructions regarding business matchmaking sessions are provided upon registration)
County of Santa Clara Government Center
Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium and Breezeway
70 West Hedding St., San Jose
http://bit.ly/SCCBDF2019
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District seeks Citizens’ Advisory Committee members
Submitted by James Wheeler
The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.) is accepting applications from interested residents of Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo and unincorporated Alameda County to serve as committee members on the District’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee (C.A.C.). The Committee provides important advisory recommendations to the Board of Directors in the areas of District programs, operations, park design projects as well as specific Board directed projects that serve the community. The C.A.C. meets four times per year; members serve a two-year term. There are currently four position openings on the C.A.C.
To obtain a C.A.C. application or additional information, please call the H.A.R.D. District Offices at (510) 881-6704 or visit https://www.HaywardRec.org/cac to download an application. The deadline to submit the application is Monday, December 16, 2019.
For additional information about the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, please call James Wheeler, Director of Recreation, Arts and Community Services at (510) 881-6704 or email WheJ@HaywardRec.org.
Candy Cane Hunt
Submitted by City of Fremont
Join a community holiday event at Fremont’s Central Park near the Teen Center! This outdoor event includes sponsor booths, activities, holiday treats, and a visit from Santa. Thousands of candy canes and goodies will be scattered and hidden for children ages 2 – 10 to collect. Redeem specially marked candy canes for a special surprise. Tickets are $5 each and are required to participate in the hunt, games, and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult. In the case of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled and refunds will be given. If not sold out, limited tickets may be available the day of the event.
Tickets for 45-minute time slots are available here: https://www.regerec.com/Activities/ActivitiesDetails.asp?ProcessWait=N&aid=80066
Candy Cane Hunt
Saturday, Dec 7
12 noon – 3 p.m.
39770 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
https://www.facebook.com/events/1230746293771022/
Science is sweet!
By Stephanie Gertsch
On December 6, Chabot Space and Science Center is adding a sugary twist on their classic First Fridays, just in time for the holiday season. The next First Friday event will be entirely centered on candy—how to make it, how to make science and art with it, and even what happens to it in space. This evening of candy-themed entertainment is geared toward families and anyone with a sweet tooth.
“Most of candy making, and all food making for that matter, boils down to chemistry,” says Jess Lehrman, Public Programs Coordinator at Chabot Space. “Getting a candy exactly right requires a precise process and formula so that all the components interact and change in the way you want them to. Like any good science, candy making requires lots of experimentation and trial and error.” So, exploring candy is not only fun and tasty but also helps develop scientific thinking.
“First Friday: Candy Chemistry” will offer a variety of hands-on activities. Workshops include M&M chromatography, checking out sugar under microscopes, candy trivia games, jellybean murals, and vacuum chamber marshmallows. In addition, kids can learn to how make candy at home with a little DIY science. Lehrman says, “Rock candy is a popular, easy home candy project because you can watch the sugar crystals form in real time! The crystals take a little while to start forming, so it takes a bit of patience, but it’s totally worth the wait.”
The evening will also feature candy-themed entertainment. The Megadome theater will be showing the original Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory movie and a special edition of live comedy variety show Space In Your Face! which is all about food and sugar in space. For the 3rd year in a row the Oakland Youth Chorus will be having their annual winter concert during this First Friday, singing sweet songs under the Planetarium stars.
Tickets are $5; children under three enter free. The entire center will be open with things to see and do, so the first ever sweet-centered First Friday is not to be missed. As Lehrman says, “Who doesn’t like candy?”
First Friday: Candy Chemistry
Friday, Dec 6
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Chabot Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
(510) 336-7300
Tickets: $5
Sesame Street Songwriter comes to Smalltown Society
Submitted by Cherie Zulim
Located in the Eden Area of East Bay, Nonprofit Smalltown Society is an inclusive creative community accessible to people from all walks of life. Every month they hold events to highlight local artists and musicians.
This month, award-winning television and record producer Christopher Cerf will be hosting a night of nostalgia and book signing. Cerf has written well over children’s 300 songs for Sesame Street. He’s the co-creator and producer of the award-winning PBS show “Between The Lions”—which he’s also written songs for. He’s also published books as senior editor at Random House for Andy Warhol and Dr. Suess.
The event will be held at the Smalltown Society space in Castro Valley on Tuesday, November 26.
Christopher Cerf
Tuesday, Nov 26
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Smalltown Society
22222 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley
plethos.org
Letter to the Editor
Climate change impacts Newark
The City of Newark recently approved 500 new executive homes in the wetlands near the Bay shore, ironically named “Sanctuary West.” The homes would be elevated on 15 ft mounds, requiring 1.7 million tons of fill and four new access bridges. A levee path would provide emergency access, since earthquakes and groundwater inundation could lead to liquefaction.
Newark is not the first Bay Area city to build a low-lying subdivision, but it will be the first to do so in the modern era of sea level rise and climate change. Newark is relying on a 20-year-old environmental report, which is outdated in view of the new understanding of climate change.
The city of Alameda made the same mistake when they built Bay Farm Island in the 1980s, and Alameda is now having to scramble to protect their city from sea level rise. The city of Hayward is addressing sea level rise proactively through H.A.S.P.A. while the city of San Leandro is taking another look at the resilience of its shoreline.
Many people spoke out at the Newark council meeting to oppose “Sanctuary West,” including the Sierra Club, Greenbelt Alliance, Tri-City Ecology, Mission Peak Conservancy, and the Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge. Regardless, four council members voted to embrace short-term profits, and ignore the serious long-term risks reported by the federal and state governments (https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/8/ and https://bit.ly/34oFwa0).
Newark should take another path and buffer against sea level rise by reclaiming the marsh and expanding the nearby Don Edwards National Wildlife Preserve. Newark should not ignore climate change and not turn its back on common sense.
- yragui
Sierra Club and Mission Peak Conservancy
Cougars Report
Submitted by Timothy Hess
Champions of Character
The following Newark Memorial High School athletes were recognized as Champions of Character by their teammates this week:
Volleyball:
Varsity – Lauren Babich
“Has a positive attitude and is always willing to cheer on teammates”
Junior Varsity – Naite Hautau
“Pushes herself to get better and always encourages her teammates to be their best”
Soccer:
Varsity – Alfonso Sandoval
“always works hard at practice and can be counted on to do the right thing”
Junior Varsity – Noe Alejandres
“works hard on the field; a very good leader”
Cookies, cocoa and cops
Submitted by San Leandro PD
What are the three C’s of the holiday season? If you guessed Cookies, Cocoa and Cops, go to the head of the class. With that idea in mind, members of the San Leandro Police Department (SLPD) are holding a “Holiday Cookies with Cops” party, and everyone is invited.
Among VIP guests at the Tuesday, December 3 gathering will be Santa Claus and his friends who will pose for holiday photos with children. Guests are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate for a Toy Drive for the SLPD Santa on Motors program at Davis Street Family Resource Center.
Family-friendly activities at the party will include sugar cookie decorating and tasting; warm cocoa will also be served. For parents, San Leandro Police Chief Jeff Tudor and SLPD officers will be there for coffee and conversation. The 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. party will be at the San Leandro Police Department. Admission is free.
Holiday Cookies with the Cops
Tuesday, Dec 3
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
San Leandro Police Department
901 E. 14th St., San Leandro
(510) 577-3228
Get your crab feed tickets now!
Submitted by David Garges
Union City Lions club members are back at it again with another fantastic all-you-can eat Crab Feed. Although the dinner isn’t until February 29, tickets are available now for people who want to give them to friends and family during the holiday season.
The $50 cost covers a dinner of salad, pasta, bread and crab as the main course. Tickets are good toward the purchase of a non-alcoholic beverage and an opportunity to win one of the three door prizes. Entertainment will be provided by a disc jockey.
Rounding out the event will be a live auction, silent auction, raffle and a no-host bar. Proceeds from the event will benefit youth groups and other Lions Club community service projects. The dinner will be at the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church on Alvarado-Niles Road in Union City. Doors open at 5 p.m. for a happy hour; dinner served from 6:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Lions Club website at www.UCLions.com. Follow the crab feed link in the “upcoming events” box.
Union City Lions Crab Feed
Saturday, Feb 29
Doors open 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.
Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church
32975 Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City
www.UCLions.com
Tickets: $50
Blood donors needed during holiday season
Submitted by Christine Welch
As late November and December schedules fill with holiday parties, shopping and fun with friends and family, many blood and platelet donors delay making donations. Unfortunately, that may lead to delays in treatments for patients relying on blood. Right now, there is a critical need for type O blood donors.
The American Red Cross is making it easy and rewarding to give the most important gift on some patients’ wish list — a lifesaving blood donation. To thank donors for being the lifeline patients need this holiday season, the Red Cross is thanking people who make blood donations through December 18 with $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. Details are available online at www.redcrossblood.org/thanks.
Appointments to donate blood can be made on the American Red Cross website at www.redcrossblood.org or by calling (800) 733-2767. Meanwhile, here are in-person blood donation opportunities available in the Tri-City region through December 18:
- Castro Valley
Eden Medical Center
20101 Lake Chabot Road
Nov 29: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Milpitas
BAPS Temple
1430 California Circle
Dec 7: 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- San Leandro
Kaiser Permanente-San Leandro
2500 Merced St.
Nov 29: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bayfair Center
15555 E. 14th St.
Dec 10: 12 noon – 6 p.m.
San Leandro Hospital
13855 E. 14th St.
Dec 18: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Newark
Fremont-Newark Blood Donation Center
39227 Cedar Blvd., Newark
Nov 27: 12:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Nov 29-30, Dec 6-7, Dec 13-14: 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Dec 1, 8, 15: 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Dec 2-5, Dec 9-12, Dec 16-18: 11:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Nomination for First District Court of Appeal
Submitted by Governor's Press Office
On November 19, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his historic nomination of Judge Teri L. Jackson as associate justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Three. If confirmed, Jackson will be the first African-American woman justice in the court’s history.
Judge Jackson, 63, of San Mateo, has served as a judge at the San Francisco County Superior Court since 2002. Jackson was also the first African-American woman ever appointed to the San Francisco County Superior Court when she was appointed by Governor Gray Davis in 2002.
“I am committed to building a state government that better reflects the great diversity of California and am proud to make this historic nomination,” said Governor Newsom. “Judge Jackson has served with distinction, and I am confident that she will be an excellent Justice on the First District Court of Appeal.”
Jackson fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Martin J. Jenkins. This position requires the completion of a review by the State Bar's Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation and confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. Compensation is $244,700.
Dear EarthTalk: How are American supermarket chains doing in regard to cutting back on single-use plastics?
— B. Weston, Jacksonville, Florida
Not very well, if you ask Greenpeace. The activist group compares 20 U.S. grocery chains by their commitments and actions to reduce single-use plastics in its recently released “Shopping for Plastic 2019” report. Each and every chain — even those you would think are leading the charge on reducing plastic — gets a failing score.
Illinois-based ALDI, with 1,900 stores in 36 states, ranks highest on Greenpeace’s list, thanks to its efforts to set a specific plastic reduction target and establish a more comprehensive plastic reduction plan than any of its competitors. That said, ALDI sells mostly its own in-house versions of products so the company has more control over its entire supply chain than conventional grocery retailers that draw from thousands of different producers. But beyond the product line and its packaging, ALDI has also been more transparent on its plastic practices and Greenpeace gives bonus points for the company’s commitment to implement reuse and refill systems across the entire chain.
That’s about as nice as Greenpeace gets in the report. While second-place finisher Kroger Co. gets kudos for being the only U.S. retailer of its size to phase out single-use plastic checkout bags (by 2025) and for setting plastics recycling goals for its own branded products, Greenpeace chastises the grocery behemoth with more than 2,400 stores in 31 states for not already taking much bolder steps to scale way back on single-use plastic: “These goals might have been totally rad in the 1990s, but given its size and the scale of the plastic pollution crisis in 2019, Kroger must do far more to reduce its plastic footprint.”
Greenpeace didn’t have much nice to say about third place finisher Albertsons, either, and is incensed that the company participates in Hefty’s EnergyBag Program whereby non-recyclable plastics are incinerated or turned back into fossil fuels. “Plastic incineration in any form threatens human health and the climate,” said Greenpeace. “Albertsons must immediately stop participating in this program.”
Whole Foods’ 11th place finish on the list begs the question of how the chain known for its green and healthy food selection could be so bad on plastics. Greenpeace said the chain has largely focused on recycling initiatives and using more light weight plastics but needs to “up its game to reduce and ultimately end its reliance on single-use plastics.” Whole Foods’ past groundbreaking efforts in plastics reduction — it was the first large nationwide U.S. retailer to ban single-use checkout bags as well as plastic straws and then microbeads — aren’t lost on Greenpeace. But given the scale of the plastic pollution crisis, Greenpeace said Whole Foods “needs to do much more.”
While Greenpeace is working hard to pressure these corporations to go above and beyond minimal efforts to reduce single-use plastics, it’s up to individual consumers to really drive the point home by bringing their own reusable shopping bags to the grocery store, staying away from products swaddled in unnecessary amounts of throwaway plastic, and complaining to store managers about all the plastic wrap everywhere.
EarthTalk is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss for the nonprofit EarthTalk. To donate, visit www.earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.
Park It
By Ned MacKay
If you’re looking for some healthy outdoor activity to round out the Thanksgiving holiday week, the East Bay Regional Park District can help.
“Thankful for the Bay Beach Cleanup” will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 30 at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda, led by naturalist Morgan Guenther. The group will clean up the beach and search for interesting items that the tide has brought in. Bring your own gloves and bucket or borrow them from the park.
Meet at the center, at 1252 McKay Avenue off Alameda’s Central Avenue.
Join naturalist Susan Ramos for a “Butterflies and Seals” walk from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday, December 1 at Encinal Beach in Alameda. This is a lesser-known section of shoreline where you might see over-wintering monarch butterflies and hauling-out harbor seals. Binoculars are available for loan. To get there from Webster Street in Alameda turn right on Central Avenue. Go 0.8 miles (just past Encinal High School) and take a sharp left onto the access road to Encinal Beach. Look for “Bay Trail” signs on the fence.
For more information on the beach cleanup or beach walk, call (510) 544-3187.
You can hike with your tyke on a naturalist-led excursion designed for little ones with their parents. There’s a 1-mile tyke hike from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, December 3 at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland. The group will look for birds overhead and along the shore. Strollers are not recommended. Bring a snack.
Meet at the park’s Swan Way entrance off Doolittle Drive. The event will be cancelled if it rains. For information, call (510) 544-3187.
A majestic oak tree provides the canopy for story time with a naturalist from 11 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, November 30 at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. If you miss that one, there’s another session at the same time on December 7. Meet at the visitor center.
Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road, off Paseo Padre Parkway. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For details, call (510) 544-3220.
Out at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, naturalist aide Jake Wright will offer a program from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, November 30 on invasive plant species and their impact, both positive and negative.
Meet Jake in the parking lot at the upper end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended. For details, call (888) 327-2757, ext. 2750.
Look for fall colors and migrating birds on a hike from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, November 30 with naturalist Virginia Delgado-Martinez at Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch. This is a 3-mile hike, for ages 5 and older, on mostly flat terrain around Contra Loma Reservoir.
The park is at the end of Frederickson Lane, off Golf Course Road. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. Meet at the boat launch ramp. For details, call (888) 327-2757, ext. 2750.
There’s also an autumn leaf program at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley. It’s from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 30. The group will enjoy seasonal colors, while finding out why the color change occurs.
Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road, off Oakley’s Main Street. For information, call (888) 327-2757, ext. 3050.
Whatever the season, there’s always something to see and do in the regional parks. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org. Fridays are free in the parks through the end of the year, in celebration of the district’s 85th anniversary.
Thanksgiving
The last Thursday of November is a special day, devoted to family and fellowship in recognition of the serendipity of life. Each of us was set on a path to travel during our existence in this reality. Some have been blessed with advantages of birth and circumstance while others may not be as fortunate. However, in this country, opportunity still exists to circumvent class distinctions.
This unique ability to ascend (or descend) through ability, will and determination is not without challenge. It is constantly under threat, as a rearguard action, by some who have achieved wealth, power and status; an attempt to bar any who would follow and possibly dilute their influence. So far, the steady influx of fresh, fertile minds and ingenuity by those with an innate drive to succeed in personal, social, political and societal endeavors has provided an equal, if not overwhelming force to rejuvenate our society. No small part of this energy comes from those who choose to emigrate from elsewhere. They not only add to the intrinsic talent of our population, but act as a multiplier, creating strength through natural synergy, defined as a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Recognition of the role that family, friends and fellowship play in the miraculous scenario of this societal weave is what makes our national day of Thanksgiving so special. Beginning with George Washington in 1789, who issued a proclamation of “a day of public thanks-giving” and finally declared a national holiday on October 3, 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, this is the day to reflect and come together as a united people. Even as political, social and economic events twist and threaten to tear the fabric of our nation, there are moments to rejoice in the basic premise of our country. This is one of those moments to reset and contemplate the dual focus of the single word.
Many of us are lucky enough to be born in this country and participate effortlessly in the experiment that Abraham Lincoln eloquently defended in the Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863: “That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Today’s environment is, in many ways, similar to Lincoln’s time – one of overt warfare and bloodshed. The battlefield of Gettysburg was littered with the bodies of those who fervently believed in a cause that threatened to tear our county apart. Following years of torment and strife, an uneasy peace was achieved that, to this day, stains our heritage and discourse. For all its flaws, hopefully, a sense of common purpose still pervades beyond local, state and regional borders.
With a blended ancestral heritage, this country with all its defects has succeeded beyond many reasonable expectations. Along with the successes, come monumental failures… such are the vagaries of life. On this day set aside for national thanksgiving, it may be at least one moment when we can all appreciate the personal, professional and civic legacy of our brief existence. How we manage this precious gift is up to each of us.
Funding approved to support at-risk customers during energy shutoffs
Submitted by East Bay Community Energy
At its Tuesday, November 19 meeting the East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) board of directors approved $500,000 to develop and fund a program aimed at addressing issues caused by PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) for customers that are medically dependent on electricity.
In a statement, EBCE officials said that power shutoff events increase Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, threaten energy customers’ safety, and disrupt operations throughout EBCE’s service territory of Alameda County, as well as the rest of northern California. PG&E initiated multiple PSPS events in October, cutting power to almost one million accounts and three million people across California.
In total 50,000 EBCE customers were affected by the second October PSPS event. More than 1,000 of those customers were on PG&E’s Medical Baseline program, which serves people with special energy needs because of a medical condition. EBCE has 10,000 Medical Baseline customers, which indicates they require special notification when power shut offs may occur and provides them special privileges if they are at risk for being disconnected for lack of payment. However, Medical Baseline enrollments may not accurately capture all EBCE’s vulnerable, electricity dependent customers.
In an effort to address the issue, EBCE is offering solutions to customers who will be most at risk in future PSPS events, especially those who are reliant on electricity for their medical needs.
Among funding-supported initiatives will be a program that enables EBCE to better understand its Medical Baseline / electricity dependent customers, assess their individual needs and develop a set of solutions to mitigate critical impacts to this customer segment as a result of PSPS events.
The funding will support completion of three program activities through June 2020:
- Finding the best solution: EBCE will partner with local public health institutions such as hospitals and municipal emergency services agencies to identify customers with critical, electricity dependent medical needs in Alameda County. EBCE will work with community partners to identify these customers, assess their individual needs, and develop the appropriate PSPS-response solutions.
- Immediate action with Solar + Storage: EBCE will partner with other Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) and the private sector to deploy solar and battery energy storage systems on homes of at least 30 Medical Baseline / electricity dependent customers to deliver immediate relief and test the approach and pricing for this solution. These back-up power systems will allow customers that are unable to leave their homes to safely stay at home during a power outage. It could also reduce power outage-related calls that these customers place to emergency services.
- Scaling the best results: EBCE will take findings from the first two activities and contract with a consultant to develop a comprehensive solution for all types of Medical Baseline/electricity dependent customers.
The output of these efforts will be a suite of solutions for Medical Baseline/electricity dependent customers that EBCE will implement going forward in future budget years. This effort is the first step in many that EBCE will take to promote the health and well-being of the electricity-dependent vulnerable customers in Alameda County.
For details, visit the East Bay Community Energy website at https://ebce.org or call (833) 699-3223.
Have your say about proposed I-880 tolling rules
Submitted by Metropolitan Transportation Commission
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) invites seeking comments from the public on proposed tolling rules for the I-880 Express Lanes between Oakland and Milpitas, scheduled to open late summer 2020.
Two community open house events where people can learn details about tolling rules, talk to project staff members and give input are planned during December. The first will be 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 3 at Kennedy Community Center in Union City. The second will be 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 11 at the San Lorenzo Library. Admission is free.
Here is a brief summary of the tolling rules proposed by the Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority (BAIFA):
Caltrans, in consultation with MTC and CHP, has determined that the hours of operation on I-880 will be 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, that access into and out of the express lanes will be restricted at certain locations to smooth traffic flow, and that high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) eligibility will be three or more people per vehicle when the I-880 express lanes open next year. These changes will improve performance of the lanes, which are currently not meeting federal standards nor giving carpoolers and transit vehicles the travel-time savings they deserve.
In the context of these Caltrans policies, BAIFA is proposing the following tolling rules for the future I-880 Express Lanes:
- Tolls set dynamically to vary with traffic, with a proposed minimum toll of $50-cents per toll zone and no proposed maximum toll.
- Three or more person carpools and motorcycles pay no toll; two-person carpools and clean air vehicles proposed to pay 50% tolls; solo drivers pay full tolls.
- All vehicles in the express lanes must have FasTrak.
- All vehicles eligible to be toll-free or pay reduced tolls must use FasTrak Flex toll tags.
- Toll violations for the cost of the toll plus proposed penalties of $25 (first notice) and $70 (second notice).
BAIFA is also proposing rule changes to the existing I-680 Contra Costa Express Lanes: a minimum toll of $50-cents per toll zone, and that clean air vehicles pay a proposed 50% toll beginning when the I-880 Express Lanes open.
More information is available online at www.mtc.ca.gov/express-lanes.
MTC open houses
Tuesday, December 3
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Kennedy Community Center
1333 Decoto Rd., Union City
Wednesday, Dec 11
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
San Lorenzo Library
395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo
Foxy newcomer at Oakland Zoo
Submitted by Isabella Linares
A six-year-old female Fennec fox, Summer (named by her past owner), was recently surrendered to Oakland Zoo, where she is temporarily living at the Veterinary Hospital, while the zoo finds her a suitable home. She, like many other animals in the exotic pet trade, was acquired by uninformed owners that weren’t fully aware of the social, nutritional, and specialty care needed.
Seeing exotic animals in the wild or on social media has inspired many to wish for a unique animal as a pet. Nevertheless, the general public is unaware of the amount of maintenance, care, and expertise it takes to care for these animals. The lack of education behind the acquisition of these animals harms not only wildlife but well-being of the animal acquired.
“Very few facilities can care for a wild animal that has been raised by people, and they often don’t bond to people who didn’t raise them,” says Colleen Kinzley, Director of Animal Care at Oakland Zoo.
Summer has adjusted well to living at the Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital. Keepers report that she is a very picky eater and her favorite treat is baked chicken. Summer came to the Zoo with a lower weight than desired, and the veterinary staff has followed the Species Survival Plan (SSP) standards for Fennec fox diets to get Summer to a healthier weight.
“Along with the SSP diet standards, we ran many routine medical exams, including radiographs and bloodwork. Our goal is to provide the same compassionate, state of the art medical care that the Oakland Zoo animals receive to any rescue animal that comes to the Zoo,” says Dr. Alex Herman, Director of Veterinary Services at Oakland Zoo.
Oakland Zoo is no stranger to taking care of rescues from the wild or private ownership. The zoo is and has been home to gibbons, lions, tigers and many other animals who have had ties to the multi-billion dollar exotic pet trade. California Fish and Wildlife Service (CSFWS) safeguards wild mammals by implementing laws that make it illegal for most exotic animals to become pets. In the U.S, some states have lax laws when it comes to pet ownership, which allows many animals to be put into living situations that are not suitable for their well-being.
Bay Area Filipino complete count committee formed ahead of 2020 census
Submitted by Luisa M. Antonio
Filipino American community organizations from six Bay Area counties have formed the regional Bay Area Filipino Complete Count Committee (BAFCCC). The Committee’s goal is to ensure an accurate count of Filipinos in the region for Census 2020 so that our communities receive appropriate financial resources and fair political representation. Accurate census information is critical to planning for future growth, development, and the social needs of the Filipino American Community.
“More than $675 billion in federal funds are at stake. This critical funding shapes our future for the next ten years, particularly for our immigrant community that relies on public transportation, schools, hospitals, senior care, and government-funded community-based programs and services,” said Luisa Antonio, BEC Executive Director and committee co-chair. “With the current political climate, we need to assure the community that participating in the census is safe and not to be feared.”
The Bay Area is home to around 500,000 Filipinos, according to the 2017 American Community Survey, which represents 12% of the 4 million Filipinos in the United States, and 30% of the Filipino residents in the State of California. Census 2020 presents a number of new challenges: fear around the citizenship question despite determination it will not be included, the first-ever digital questionnaire, growing distrust in government, and concerns over data privacy.
Through a structured outreach and education campaign, the committee will utilize the local knowledge and expertise of long-trusted Filipino organizations to reach those most vulnerable to an undercount. Bernadette Sy, Executive Director of the Filipino American Development Foundation and committee co-chair, says, “Our organizations have been providing services and organizing in the Filipino community for decades to understand and advocate for their needs. It will take all of us to be messengers about how the census is an opportunity for us to better serve our community.” The BAFCCC is launching its logo and tagline: “Kabilang Tayo sa Kinabukasan,” “Be Counted for our Future” to affirm that Filipinos need to be counted and are a part of shaping our future.
For more information, please see Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BayAreaFCCC; or contact bayarea.FCCC@gmail.com
Takes from Silicon Valley East
Cleantech Open West 2019 Announces Finalists, Winners, and Honors Partnership with City of Fremont
By Ian Foraker, Director, Cleantech Open West
Cleantech Open West, a Program of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), hosted its 2019 Awards & Innovation Showcase, the culmination of its annual cleantech acceleration program in the West. The event featured 35 early-stage cleantech startups, including 31 startups from our 2019 accelerator cohort that participated in our annual showcasing competition. Winners of the competition will advance to represent the Cleantech Open Western Region at the Cleantech Open Global Forum, our National competition, which takes place on November 10-12th at the University of Southern California in Downtown Los Angeles.
The Cleantech Open West’s 2019 Awards & Innovation Showcase was a two-day event. We began on Wednesday with closed-door judging. The public event on Thursday began with speed networking between startups and investors and our innovation showcase, an expo for our 35 startups. We closed the day with our Awards Ceremony, a celebration focused on the winners of the 2019 competition.
2019 Cleantech Open West 6 Finalists and 3 Award Winners
This year, Cleantech Open West selected six finalists, startups that will advance to the Global Forum. In addition, Cleantech Open West conferred three awards for overall excellence to three of these six finalists. In 2019, our award winners for overall excellence each receive USD $5,000 in cash and $5,000 in services.
This year’s award winners for overall excellence are:
CrossnoKaye is optimizing heavy resource consuming industries with smart control systems that use physics-based modeling to reduce energy use and costs up to 40%, all without updating hardware. Our controls platform integrates external information while continuously monitoring and updating the entire facility, making them safer for employees, cleaner for our environment, and dynamic demand-side grid assets.
Oasense develops a luxurious sensor-enabled showerhead. It delivers a full cascade of high-pressure water flow, and pauses the water for you when you take a step back while soaping and shampooing. This can easily save up to 60% of water and energy from your shower, without compromising on the experience and bathroom aesthetics.
Swirltex has developed a revolutionary membrane technology that can significantly improve filtration efficiency and lifetime. It has many applications including wastewater treatment, as well as food and beverage processing. The unique technology opens the tubular membrane utilization to a broader market through significant improvements in flux and energy efficiency compared to existing membranes. The design combines membrane filtration with buoyancy manipulation in a unique flow pattern to greatly increase permeate production while reducing fouling.
Our additional three finalists include:
Radii Robotics combines multi-rotor UAV with robotics technology to automate physical work performed at high altitude, reducing the reliance on rope access team technicians for various industries such as wind energy generation and electrical transmission industry. This unique aerial robotics system automates tasks requiring physical contact and touch, such as inspecting structural health using ultrasonic probes, cleaning field equipment, and controlling vegetation growth around transmission lines. This technology can help industries find issues earlier and significantly lower maintenance cost.
RePurpose Energy reuses electric vehicle batteries to create lower-cost, more sustainable energy storage systems for solar developers. This addresses both the need for cheaper energy storage to integrate variable renewables and the need to manage the imminent flood of electric vehicle battery waste.
Skycool Systems has developed a passive rooftop cooling panel, enabled by a patented optical film that cools when outside exposed to the sky. Over their lifetime, our panels save millions of dollars worth of electricity and water when integrated with air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Cleantech Open West 3 Honor Winners
Cleantech Open West also conferred three honors, each recognizing a startup for excellence in a specific dimension of performance that Cleantech Open values and promotes:
Two of our six Finalists were also honor winners:
RePurpose Energy received our Impact Honor for the greatest potential to move the needle against major environmental challenges Cleantech Open is committed to addressing through early-stage commercialization support.
Skycool Systems received our Emerging Technology Honor for the most game-changing technology innovation.
Finally, our Sustainability Honor called out an additional startup for the best integration of Sustainability:
InPipe Energy is a renewable energy and smart water technology company that has developed a patent pending, hydro product that converts running water to electricity in pressurized water pipelines. We make it easy for water agencies to recover wasted pressure and convert it to energy (dollars) without changing operations.
Cleantech Open West People’s Choice
Again this year, our audience voted for one startup from among our finalists as the People’s Choice winner. This year, our People’s Choice winner is CrossnoKaye.
Program Recap
This year’s speaker program was focused squarely on the startups we support.
We were delighted to welcome Dan Kalb, City Councilmember of Oakland, and Vic Shao, Founder and CEO of Amply and Board Member of New Energy Nexus, to share their welcome and thoughts on early-stage cleantech innovation and commercialization.
For the first time this year, each of our six finalists made a 5-minute pitch to the audience. And for the second year in a row, we brought back a successful Cleantech Open Alumnus – this year, Mark Chung, Co-Founder and CEO of Verdigris Technologies – to share perspective on the challenges and triumphs of building a cleantech business from the ground up. 2017, Fast Company named Verdigris one of the world’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Energy.
“I was so impressed and inspired by the continually increasing calibre of companies participating in Cleantech Open. I’m proud to be a part of this mission-driven community and I was honored to share our story!”
In 2017, Fast Company named Verdigris one of the world’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Energy.
This year, Cleantech Open West also recognized the City of Fremont for its longstanding and robust commitment to the Cleantech Open West and the broader cleantech commercialization support ecosystem in the Bay Area. We were honored that Lily Mei, the Mayor of Fremont, was on hand to accept the award and share her reflections on Fremont’s commitment to cleantech innovation.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
The Cleantech Open program in the West was made possible through the generous financial support of our corporate sponsors Wells Fargo, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, and Stoel Rives LLP, and the financial support of the State of California through the CalSEED (via New Energy Nexus), the Socal Renewable Energy Innovation Cluster (via LA CIeantech Incubator).
In addition to direct financial support for the program, a number of in-kind sponsors have stepped forward to offer services to our winners, including: Stoel Rives LLP, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Momentum, GSVlabs, Momentum Finance, Broadreach, and CFOs2go.
Our Cleantech Open West 2019 Awards & Innovation Showcase was made possible through our event sponsors, Bluetech Valley, Momentum, and Dow.
For the second time, our Awards & Innovation Showcase aligned with the VERGE conference, an annual gathering of more than 3,000 corporate sustainability professionals.
About the Cleantech Open
Cleantech Open is the oldest and largest cleantech startup accelerator program. Our mission to find, fund, and foster entrepreneurs with ideas to solve our greatest environmental and energy challenges. Through Cleantech Open’s annual accelerator and business competition, we connect cleantech startups with the people and resources they need to accelerate their success, and provide a national platform for public visibility.
About Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a private non-profit organization creating an inclusive green economy by unlocking innovation (through working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies), transforming markets (through partnerships in transportation, energy and sustainable cities) and enhancing communities (through workforce development, pilots and other programs).
Holiday mixer for professionals
Submitted by Linda Connors
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Fremont Hills! Join friends and colleagues from health care, finance, law and real estate for a festive networking happy hour, and help make the holidays brighter for seniors in need with a $5 donation at the door to support the City of Fremont’s Giving Hope Holiday Program. Celebrate the magic of the season with candy cane martinis, exquisite holiday-themed hors d’oeuvres and raffle prizes. We appreciate your partnership and all you do to help seniors thrive year-round.
Please RSVP to (510) 796-4200 by December 8.
Holiday mixer for professionals
Thursday, Dec 12
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Fremont Hills
35490 Mission Blvd., Fremont
(510) 796-4200
Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD
Wednesday, November 13
At 2:08 p.m. officers responded to a report about an in-progress theft at Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Pacific Commons shopping center. Employees said two men and a woman tampered with security sensors in the footwear department. The first officer to arrive spotted two of the suspects at the front counter. A third suspect, later identified by police as Joseph Fuimaono, 33, of Hayward, was seen walking toward the back of the store with a black and green backpack.
Eventually, Fuimaono exited the building through the front doors and tried to avoid officers in the parking lot. He soon got into the driver’s seat of an Acura sedan. Officers also saw another man in the passenger seat and a confrontation between the two in progress. When officers approached, Fuimaono quickly accelerated the car over the parking lot median and onto the sidewalk. Officers determined it was a carjacking/kidnapping and pursued the Acura. When the car slowed at a curve, the victim jumped out. Officers followed the car for about two miles but stopped when Fuimaono began driving the wrong way on the street. The victim’s iPhone, still in the car, helped officers track the vehicle through various Fremont neighborhoods.
The Acura was eventually found abandoned on Sundale Drive near Sutter Drive. Witnesses told officers Fuimaono may have been picked up by an unknown person after abandoning the car. Meanwhile, the two suspects at Dick’s Sporting Goods were arrested. Investigators eventually tracked Fuimaono, who had two active felony warrants for weapons violations, to a residence in Oakland where he was arrested by Oakland police. A search of the backpack that Fuimaono was wearing in Dick’s Sporting Goods turned up a loaded AK 47, a loaded AR 15, a hood and gloves. The other suspects arrested were identified by police as Lisa Saefong, 28, of Richmond and David Correa, 27. They face various charges.
Fremont City Council
November 19, 2019
Announcements:
- In partnership with Alameda County Library and Alameda County Complete Count Division, Fremont will host two 2020 Census job workshops at Fremont Main Library on November 25 and December 4.
- Sale of $73M of Fremont Public Financing Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2019 to Morgan Stanley. Competitive bids were received from nine underwriting firms.
- Joel Pullen has been selected as Planning Manager in Community Development Department.
Consent Calendar:
- Appoint Councilmember Jones as Vice Mayor November 2019-July 2020.
- Authorize continuation short-term compensation for extraordinary recycling conditions through May 31, 2020.
- Authorize $175,500 agreement with County of Alameda for City to operate a temporary seasonal shelter for the homeless.
Ceremonial Items:
- Honor Lt. Tom Severance for 20 years of service.
- Proclaim November 20, 2019 as Transgender Day of Remembrance. Dr. Sonia Kahn of the Human Relations Commission accepted the proclamation.
- Proclaim November 17-23 as Bay Area Stands United Against Hate Week. Members of Compassionate Fremont accepted the proclamation.
Public Communications:
- Comment regarding dangerous conditions at intersection bulb-outs for bicyclists.
- Comments regarding detrimental changes, especially parking and safety, to Rancho Arroyo Parkway. Mayor Mei noted that this will be an agenda item at December 3, 2019 council meeting.
Other Business:
- Response to Councilmember Bacon’s referral on California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act. Due to revisions and possible future revisions, council vote to defer approval until more defined. Six affirmative votes necessary for passage. DEFEATED 4-3 (Aye: Bacon, Kassan, Salwan, Keng; Nay: Mei, Jones, Shao)
Mayor Lily Mei Aye, 1 Nay
Vice Mayor Raj Salwan Aye
Vinnie Bacon Aye
Rick Jones Aye, 1 Nay
Teresa Keng (District 1) Aye
Jenny Kassan (District 3) Aye
Yang Shao (District 4) Aye, 1 Nay
Nominations accepted for Community Service Awards
Submitted by Jacqui Diaz
The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.) is accepting nominations for the Annual Board of Directors’ Awards for Distinguished Community Service during 2019. The park district appreciates the individuals and organizations that provide important volunteer service and contribute to the district and the community throughout the year. All members of the community are encouraged to nominate those individuals or organizations who exemplify quality service.
The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, December 16. Winners will be announced at the board of directors’ meeting on January 6, 2020 and will be recognized at the annual Board of directors’ awards luncheon on Friday, January 24, 2020.
The downloadable nomination form is available at www.HaywardRec.org, or by contacting Nicole Roa at (510) 881-6723 or RoaN@HaywardRec.org. Recipients of the district’s Volunteer of the Month Award in the preceding twelve months shall not be eligible for recognition of the same services. For additional information, call the H.A.R.D. District Office at (510) 881-6704.
Hayward Community Service Awards
Nomination Deadline: Monday, Dec 16
(510) 881-6704
Applicants sought for advisory committee
Submitted by Jacqui Diaz
Officials from the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) are looking for people who are interested in helping to make a difference in their community by serving as a Citizens’ Advisory Committee member.
People who live in Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo and unincorporated Alameda are encouraged to submit applications to fill four seats currently open on the board. The committee provides important advisory recommendations to the Board of Directors in the areas of district programs, operations, park design projects as well as specific board directed projects that serve the community. The CAC meets four times per year; members serve a two-year term.
To obtain an application, or ask for more information about the position, interested people should call the HARD District Offices at (510) 881-6704 or visit their website at www.haywardrec.org/cac. The deadline to file an application is December 16.
Hayward City Council
November 19, 2019
Presentations and Proclamations:
- Pledge of allegiance led by Mayor Barbara Halliday
- Commemoration of 77th anniversary of removal of Japanese Americans in Hayward. In 1942, the Japanese American community of Hayward was summoned to Watkins St. where they were processed and sent to internment camps. Mayor Halliday called the event “a dark chapter that is not to be repeated” and announced development plans for a memorial on that same street.
- Councilmember Sara Lamnin recognized city partnership with the Sikh Spirit Alliance, and presented a “Celebrating Diversity” plaque given by the Alliance
- Councilmember Wahab recognized the successful opening of the Hayward Navigation Center, designed to keep the homeless of Hayward fed and sheltered especially during cold winter nights
Public Comments:
- The League of California Cities presented Councilmember Lamnin with a Special Recognition Award for Leadership in Action as part of Level III of the Mayor and Council Members Torch Program
- Hayward-based representatives of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union expressed desires that all upcoming major development projects approved by the city be given to local electrical and construction workers
- Local educator Alan Fishman expressed concerns that upcoming development project on Carlos Bee Quarry will not be conducive toward substantial watershed restoration
Agenda Items:
- Discuss Corridor Land and Development Parcel Group 6 Carlos Bee Quarry, adopt a resolution certifying an Addendum to the 2014 General Plan Environmental Impact Report, approval of Master Development plan, and request proposals for the disposition and development of the Parcel Group
- Parcel Group 6 development project presentation issued by Deputy City Manager Jennifer Ott
- Council reexamining feedback from Hayward citizens, including concerns that quarry project will increase city population growth and focus on residential rather than commercial properties
- Feedback obtained from Oct. 7 Council Economic Development Committee Work Session
Measures and Resolutions:
- Approve plans and specifications and call for bids for the Hayward High-Speed Fiber Optic Installation Project
- Adopt a resolution establishing a business closure day in observance of Cesar Chavez’s Birthday (Report from Assistant City Manager Hurtado). Motion to Approve Staff’s Recommendation. PASSED 5-2. (Nay: Wahab, Halliday)
Mayor Halliday Aye, 1 Nay
Councilmember Marquez Aye
Councilmember Lamnin Aye
Councilmember Mendall Aye
Councilmember Zermeno Aye
Councilmember Salinas Aye
Councilmember Wahab Aye, 1 Nay
Historic Mansions open for Holiday Open House & Fundraiser
Submitted by Sara Breneman
If you love Christmastime, history, exceptional homes, and helping the less fortunate during the holiday season, you’ll want to set aside Saturday, December 14th for a holiday fundraising event at the beautiful Palmdale Estates in Fremont’s Mission District.
On this day only, the historic “Best House” and “Starr House” – two exquisitely renovated mansions from the 1920’s and now part of Fremont’s Register of Historic Resources – will be decorated in their holiday finest and open for touring. Enjoy festive refreshments and carolers invoking the sounds of the season, and help raise money for a worthwhile local charity. For everyone who attends, Robson Homes, the local builder who restored and renovated these historic homes, will make a donation the Tri-City Food Bank’s “Be Thankful” and “Toy Drive” campaigns, helping to provide hearty meals and smiling faces to thousands of children and families in Alameda County.
Historic Mansions Open House & Fundraiser
Saturday Dec 14
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Historic Best & Starr Houses
43223 & 43227 Calle Dolorosa, Fremont
(408) 761-5067
sbreneman@robsonhomes.com
Post offices gear up for “Priority Yule” parcel deliveries
Submitted by Augustine Ruiz Jr.
No need for alarm. That clatter and rattle some households may hear before the coffee is brewed, as early as 5:00 a.m. isn’t Santa getting an early start. It’s really his postal helpers, United States Postal Service (USPS) carriers, hitting the street before the break of dawn in order to get everyone’s packages delivered with great speed. The jingle and jangle so familiar this time of year is part of the hustle and bustle that post offices experience during the peak holiday rush.
To keep their promise to make it a “Priority Yule” and deliver the best holiday for everyone, carriers will be out making early morning deliveries in many communities throughout the Bay-Valley postal district. And, as the rush of the holiday season gains momentum, USPS officials want to keep pace with it. The parcel volume is high during the holiday season and USPS workers are determined to make sure they meet their commitment to deliver every piece every day to every customer.
The USPS is projecting more than 800 million packages to be delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, and 200 million just the week of December 16-22, which is expected to be the busiest week of the year.
But the notion of the “busiest day” is a thing of Christmas past nowadays because of early and heavy online shopping done by many customers. USPS officials said their mission is to assure that everyone’s precious gifts are delivered in the “nick of time” for yule.
The USPS Bay-Valley District includes the East Bay, North to Napa, East to Fairfield, South Bay, including San Jose to King City, and the coast from Big Sur to Santa Cruz.
Fremont Symphony celebrates with Holiday Pops!
Submitted by Ellen O’Donnell
Imagine a holiday show that combines “The Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol,” a child’s soaring solo and a world-class orchestra, a soul singer and ballet dancers, with beloved carols and rock n’ roll. It’s a Christmas party to remember!
“Holiday Pops!” will take place on Saturday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 22 at 3 p.m. at the James Logan Center for the Performing Arts in Union City. The lobby and symphony stage will be transformed for the season, and Santa will be on hand to greet children young and old.
How can we bring all this together for one event? For an answer to that question, show highlights, and tickets starting at $37.50, visit fremontsymphony.org or call (510) 371-4859.
Holiday Pops!
Saturday, Dec 21 – Sunday, Dec 22
Sat: 7:30 p.m. Sun: 3 p.m.
James Logan Center for the Performing Arts
1800 H St., Union City
(510) 371-4859
fremontsymphony.org
Honor Roll
The Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi
New initiation:
- Aakarsh Kamlesh Mehta, Milpitas, The University, Texas at Dallas
Palmer College, Chiropractic West, California
Fall 2019 Dean’s list:
- Elbert Chao, Milpitas
- Korina Gov, Milpitas
- Austin Perrine, Milpitas
- Janelle Slugoski, Milpitas
Winter 2019 new enrollees:
- Zackary Fulks, Milpitas
- Parker Forbes, Fremont
- Aubree Petty, Milpitas
- Andres Portillo, Hayward
- Christopher Whalen, Fremont
- Isaac Williams, Milpitas
CONTINUING EVENTS:
Mondays, May 14 – Dec 30
English Conversation Group
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Practice spoken English in a friendly environment
Union City Branch Library
34007 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City
(510) 745-1464
www.aclibrary.org
Sundays, Sep 8 – Dec 1
Family Friendly Matinee
3 p.m.
Dates: 9/8, 10/6, 11/3, 12/1
Made Up Theatre
4000 Bay St. Suite B, Fremont
(510) 573-3633
Mondays, Sep 9 – Dec 17
Advanced Math and Science Tutoring
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
High school/college level help in math, physics and chemistry
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
Monday – Friday, Sep 30 – Nov 27
Resonance Exhibit
Upstairs: Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Downstairs: Mon: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Tues & Thurs: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mixed media by 11 artists on their experiences with H.A.R.D.
PhotoCentral
1099 E St., Hayward
(510) 881-6721
Monday – Friday, Oct 4 – Dec 6
Members Show
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Art by members of the Hayward Arts Council
John O’Lague Galleria
777 B St., Hayward
(510) 538-2787
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Oct 8 – Dec 3
Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Works by community artists and members of Hayward Arts Council
Sunset Gallery
22100 Princeton St., H2, Hayward
(510) 538-2787
Sundays, Nov 3 – Dec 29
Animal Feeding Time
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Discuss reptiles, observe feeding time
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
www.ebparks.org
Saturdays – Sundays, Nov 2 – Dec 29
Nature Crafts
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Discover the natural world through your artistic side
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
www.ebparks.org
Saturdays – Sundays, Nov 2 – Dec 29
Wild Wonders
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Games, activities, crafts for all ages
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
Sundays, Nov 10 – Jan 4
Dove Gallery Art Competition Exhibit
12 noon – 3 p.m.
Artworks from all ages in various media and styles
Park Victoria Baptist Church
875 S. Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas
(408) 464-5011
Saturdays – Sundays, Nov 23 – Dec 22
Great Dickens Christmas Fair $
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Shopping, entertainment, and food from Dickensian London
Cow Exhibition Hall
2600 Geneva Ave., San Francisco
(800) 226-0841
https://dickensfair.com
Daily, Nov – Dec
Photos with Santa
November: Mon – Sat, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (break 2 p.m.- 3 p.m.), Sun, 12 noon – 6 p.m. (break 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
December: Mon – Sat, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (break 1 p.m.- 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.), Sun, 12 noon – 6 p.m. (break 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.), Xmas Eve, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (break 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
Closed Thanksgiving
NewPark Mall
2086 NewPark Mall, Newark
(510) 793-5683
Thursday – Sunday, Nov 5 – Dec 22
Christmas Tours $
various times
Tour the fully decorated Patterson House
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
Friday, Dec 6 – Fri, Jan 17
Veterans Art Project
Gallery Hours: Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Photos, collages and writing from veterans
John O'Lague Galleria at Hayward City Hall
777 B St., Hayward
(510) 538-2787
Friday, Dec 6 – Sunday, Jan 5
Zoolights at Oakland Zoo
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Light displays, laser shows, kids’ rides
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland
(510) 632-9525
Friday nights
Laugh Track City $
8 p.m.
Fast-paced improv comedy show
Made Up Theatre
4000 Bay St., Suite B, Fremont
(510) 573-3633
Saturday nights
8 p.m.
Audience-inspired improv play
Made Up Theatre
4000 Bay St., Suite B, Fremont
(510) 573-3633
THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, Nov 26
Christopher Cerf $
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Songwriter for Sesame Street and Between The Lions
Smalltown Society Space
22222 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley
plethos.org
Wednesday, Nov 27
Songs and Stories at Sunol
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Discover the magic of nature through song and play
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
www.ebparks.org
Thursday, Nov 28
LOV Thanksgiving Dinner
12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Food, entertainment, children’s crafts
Newark Pavilion
6430 Thornton Ave., Newark
(510) 793-5683
www.lov.org
Thursday, Nov 28
Thanksgiving Workout Challenge and Turkey Trot $R
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Workout challenge and 1.2-mile loop (donation to Alameda County food drive)
The Inner Athlete
685 E. 14th St., San Leandro
https://www.inner-athlete.com/events
Thursday, Nov 28
Thanksgiving Dinner and Concert R
3 p.m.
International vegetarian meal
Badarikashrama
15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro
(510) 278-2444
Friday, Nov 29
We’re Thankful
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Interactive puppet show about things to be thankful for
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Friday, Nov 29
Groovy Judy
9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Join us for tunes, drinks and Black Friday savings
Mojo Lounge
3714 Peralta Blvd., Fremont
(510) 739-1028
Friday, Nov 29
Burn the Turkey Hike!
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Guided hike to Little Yosemite
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
Friday, Nov 29 – Saturday, Nov 30
Monarch Butterfly Search
Fri: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sat: 10:30 a.m.
Look for signs of settling monarchs. Meet at Greenhouse
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Friday, Nov 29 – Sunday, Dec 1
“Green Friday” Family Fun
10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Help create a “Tree of Thanks” exhibit, make an ornament to take home
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Saturday, Nov 30
Victorian Winter Holiday Decorations
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Cloves, oranges, ribbons, oh my!
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Saturday, Nov 30
Wreath Making Workshop
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn how to make a wreath for Shinn House (additional wreaths $10)
Shinn House
1251 Peralta Blvd., Fremont
(510) 793-9352
(510) 795-0891
Saturday, Nov 30
Post-Turkey Day Trek $
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Behind the scene adult walk
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward
(510) 670-7270
www.haywardrec.org/hayshore.html
Saturday, Nov 30
Quarry Turkey $R
7 a.m.
Run the trails and donate to Alameda County Food Bank. 5K, 10K, half marathon, hikers
Quarry Lakes
2250 Isherwood Way, Fremont
(510) 795-4895
Saturday, Nov 30
Movie Night $
7:30 p.m.
“Mid-Channel”, “Don't Shove”, “His Private Life”
Niles Essanay Theater
37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont
(510) 494-1411
www.nilesfilmmuseum.org
Saturday, Nov 30
Stories Under An Oak
11 a.m. – 12 Noon
Storytime under the canopy of a majestic oak
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Saturday, Nov 30
Gingerbread Extravaganza! $R
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Build your own colorful dream home. Materials provided
Marina Community Center
15301 Wicks Blvd., San Leandro
(510) 577-6080
Saturday, Nov 30 – Sunday, Dec 1
Monarch Spotting
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Use a spotting scope to look for butterflies. Ages 3-6
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Dec 1
Monarchs For Kids
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Educational look at butterflies. Ages 3-6
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Dec 1
Heart to Heart Workshop R
2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
FUSS and Stanford Children’s Health present session for girls ages 10-12
Patterson Elementary School
35521 Cabrillo Dr., Fremont
(510) 793-0420
www.fuss4schools.org
Sunday, Dec 1
Drop-in Knit and Crochet Club
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Work on your own project or create hats and scarves to donate to the homeless
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
Sunday, Dec 1
Ohlone Village Site Tour
10 a.m. – 12 noon and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
.5 mile walk to a 2,000-year-old Ohlone village site
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Dec 1
Wiggling Worm Bins
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Learn about how worms are important to a garden
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Dec 1
Dard-e-Jigar
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Tribute to renowned poet Jigar Muradabadi
India Community Center
525 Los Coches St., Milpitas
(408) 934-1130
www.indiacc.org
Monday, Dec 2
Business Diversity Fair R
8 a.m. – 12 noon
Networking and matchmaking event for local businesses
Santa Clara County Government Center
70 West Hedding St, San Jose
(408) 299-5105
http://bit.ly/SCCBDF2019
Tuesday, Dec 3
Reaching the Stars
7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Lam Science at the library
Fremont Main Library Fukaya Room A
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 574-2063
Tuesday, Dec 3
Free Clothing Swap
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Bring unwanted clothes, toys, crafting supplies, holiday decor to swap
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
810 Walnut Ave, Fremont
(510) 792-1601
Tuesday, Dec 3
Metropolitan Transportation Commission Open House
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Learn about the proposed tolling rules
Kennedy Community Center
1333 Decoto Rd., Union City
(510) 675-5488
www.mtc.ca.gov/express-lanes
Tuesday, Dec 3
Emerging Biomedial Sectors in the East Bay R
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Workshop with reps from companies of the East Bay
Hayward City Hall
777 B St., Hayward
(510) 208-0410
events.r20.constantcontact.com
Friday, Dec 6
Holiday Open House $R
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy Patterson House decorated for the holidays. 12 and under free
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
Friday, Dec 6
Veterans Art Project
Artists Reception: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Photos, collages and writing from veterans
John O'Lague Galleria at Hayward City Hall
777 B St., Hayward
(510) 538-2787
Saturday, Dec 7
Candy Cane Hunt
12 noon – 3 p.m.
For ages 2 – 10, hunt for thousands of candy canes
39770 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
https://www.facebook.com/events/1230746293771022/
Saturday, Dec 7 – Sunday, Dec 8
Ballet Petit’s The Nutcracker $R
2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Professional performance of the holiday classic
Reed Buffington Center for the Performing Arts at Chabot College
25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward
Saturday, Dec 14 – Sunday, Dec 15
Nutcracker Ballet by Yoko’s Dance and Performing Arts Academy $R
Sat: 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Sun: 2 p.m.
Accompanied by Fremont Opera Orchestra
The Smith Center at Ohlone College
43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont
(510) 659-6031
www.fremontopera.org
Light up the Season
Submitted by City of Hayward
The beloved annual holiday event, “Light up the Season,” returns to downtown Hayward on Saturday, December 7.
The festivities will take place around City Hall Plaza, 777 B Street, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will culminate with a special tree-lighting ceremony held in the City Hall rotunda beginning at 6:15 p.m. This free admission event will feature carnival rides for children, ice skating, face painting, entertainment and family fun, with live musical performances from choirs and school bands.
Bring a new unwrapped toy to support the Hayward Fire and Police departments Toys for Kids Drive and be entered to win a Family Fun Basket filled with holiday treats and toys.
Light up the Season
Saturday, Dec 7
3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Downtown Hayward
B & Watkins Streets, Hayward
https://www.hayward-ca.gov/discover/events/light-season-2019
Milpitas Police Log
Submitted by Lt. John Torrez, Milpitas PD
Tuesday, November 19
At 7:32 p.m. officers responded to a report about a strongarm robbery on the 100 block of Serra Way. A 52-year-old woman exiting a business was punched by an unknown man who unsuccessfully tried to steal her wallet before running away. The woman provided police with a description of the man, but officers did not find him. The next day, at 7:21 a.m., officers responded to a report about a disturbance at a business on the 1700 block of South Main Street. A man at the scene, later identified by police as Sir William Mathew Alexander, matched the description in the previous night’s incident. A detective and the woman who was punched the previous night went to the scene where a positive identification was made. Alexander was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail and faces charges of robbery and battery.
Milpitas City Council
November 19, 2019
Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Mayor Rich Tran
Proclamation:
- Proclaimed November as Sikh American Awareness Month
Special Session to Discuss Potential Restructuring of PG&E:
- Immediate action by Milpitas may not be warranted, but the issue is important enough and needs to be followed closely. Some Councilmembers expressed a view that government may not be good at running a utility.
Consent Calendar:
- Authorized access to state and federal level Summary Criminal History Information for employment, certification, and licensing purposes.
- Approved a Public Highway At-Grade Rail Crossing Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for South Milpitas Boulevard rail crossing and signal improvements.
- Waived the fees to rent the Milpitas Community Center Auditorium for the Kiwanis Club of Milpitas and for the non-profit organization Pragnya.
Items Pulled from Consent Calendar:
- Approved a Site Development Permit for a vacant 1.27- acre hillside lot at 898 Calaveras Ridge Drive. Vote: Aye 4, No 1 (Tran)
- Received a follow up report from staff on the affordable housing requirements for a 40-unit residential condominium building located at 2001 Tarob Court. Vote: Aye 4 Abstain 1 (Tran)
Public Hearings:
- Following a public hearing amended Milpitas Municipal Code relating to massage establishments.
- Following a public hearing decided to adjust the TADIF based on cost estimates for infrastructure items listed in the BIP, and established a graduated fee program and the deferral of TADIF payments until occupancy. Vote: Aye 3, Abstain 1 (Tran), No 1 (Dominguez)
Leadership and Support Services:
- Provided direction and guidance to the Staff to update the Milpitas Facility Use Manual, and to draft City Council Policies for training and events.
Mayor Rich Tran Aye, Abstain 2, No 1
Vice Mayor Karina Dominguez Aye, No 1
Carmen Montano Aye
Bob Nunez Aye
Anthony Phan Aye
Football
Mariners season comes to an end
Submitted by Mike Hightchew
A great season came to end for Moreau Catholic Mainers on November 23rd as they lost to the Del Norte Warriors in Semifinals of the division 5 North Coast Section football tournament 28-7. They were the only Mission Valley Athletic League football team to make it to the Semifinals.
The Warriors jumped out to an early lead in the second quarter by scoring the first 14 points of the game, then added to the score with another touchdown and point after in the third quarter for a 21-point lead. Finally, the Mariners’ offense revved up in the third quarter with a touchdown of their own to close the gap but with a final score in the fourth quarter, the Warriors closed the door to any chance of a Mariners comeback.
Newark Artists Open Studios and Holiday Boutique
Submitted by Adriane Dedic
This year, 12 award winning artists will be at three Newark studio sites on Friday December 6 – Sunday December 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Newark artists are celebrating 20 years of Open Studios by offering many unique art works at 20% off. Enjoy an amazing array of different styles and techniques including wearable art such as scarves, silky tops, jewelry, and crocheted shawls as well as stunning home décor including glass art, tile murals, paintings, macramé, ceramic pieces.
The “Open Studios and Holiday Boutique” lets you go behind the scenes to chat with artists as you watch how they create their art. At Simone Archer’s studio, you will see her kiln used to fire fused glass jewelry and figurative ceramic wall tiles. She will also share secrets of her plein air painting techniques. Guest artist Sue Morford is a floral designer whose arrangements are in the annual Bouquets to Art at the de Young Museum. Her vases and sculptures are inspired by the beauty of flowers and nature. Lynn Kozma combines various knitting and crochet techniques in her cozy wearable designs and soft children’s toys using natural fiber.
At Adriane Dedic’s studio you will see an etching press similar to the one used by Rembrandt and Picasso as well as original metal plates and carved Japanese wood blocks used in her Geisha series. Her more recent jewel toned textile collages are inspired by her favorite artist Gustav Klimt. She will also display her design for an Imperial Fan that is being made for the Emperor of Japan. Glass artist Emelie Rogers will exhibit both decorative and functional glass art from large bowls, platters and tabletop pieces, to ornaments, jewelry and tile gift sets. Nature and life are her inspiration as she continues to explore new techniques. Cat lovers will get a smile from Mary and Gene Bobik’s cat theme ceramic pieces and marvel at their pottery vases and platters.
Tetiana Taganska and Olga Tymoshchuk teach art classes at their Imaginook Art Studio as does guest artist Parul Parekh who will display her mastery of macramé. Taganska’s impressionistic seascapes will transport you to glistening sunny beaches and rocky coasts. Tymoshchuk’s new abstract paintings are eye catching works of art, a departure from her masterful sculptures inspired from nature and her travels all around the world. Susan Helmer uses lush silk fabric as a canvas for luminescent paintings of foliage, flowers, and landscapes that you can almost feel. Her ice dyed velvet scarves, t-shirts, and beaded jewelry are a joyous palette of color. Natalia Biktairova paints unique designs on purses that she decorates with hand-made embellishments. Her 100% silk shawls are covered with beautiful hand drawn patterns.
Visit all three studio sites to meet the resident and guest artists. Enjoy trying on elegant glass jewelry or artist designed silk fashion scarves. Stunning tile wall plaques and murals, knitted-crocheted children’s toys, fanciful ceramics, masterful sculpture, gorgeous paintings on silk or watercolor, acrylic, and oil, plus tableware in fused glass are eye-catching style statements. Outdoor sculpted garden décor, fabric collages and textile art of Japanese geisha in beautiful kimonos and fun fabric plush pillows are more of the unique items you will see.
Chances are you will find that perfect piece of art for yourself or a gift for someone special. This annual event is free and open to the public.
Artist Studio Locations:
36541 Cherry St.: Artists: Simone Archer, Lynn Kozma, Sue Morford,
39675 Cedar Blvd. Suite 135: Artists: Tetiana Taganska, Olga Tymoshchuk, Susan Helmer, Parul Parekh, Natalia Biktairova
35911 Ruschin Dr.: Artists: Adriane Dedic, Emelie Rogers, Mary and Gene Bobik
See samples of their work and a map to studio sites online at:
www.myartiststudio.com/openstudios-map.html
Newark Open Studios and Holiday Boutique
Friday Dec 6 – Sunday Dec 8
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
36541 Cherry St.
39675 Cedar Blvd. Suite 135
35911 Ruschin Dr.
www.myartiststudio.com
Get ready for holiday music and fun
Submitted by Dave Smith
Music lovers are invited to take a break from busy holiday preparations and come to Newark and enjoy the annual Newark Symphonic Winds Christmas Concert.
The two-hour concert is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, December 14 at the Newark Memorial High School Theatre on Cedar Boulevard. The program will start with many traditional Christmas carols, along with longtime favorites such as “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), “Carol of the Drum” (Little Drummer Boy) and “The Most Wonderful Time of Year.” In addition, concert organizers are promising that audience members will be tapping their toes to a selection of unique and fun music like “The Polar Express” and “Country Cookin’ Christmas!”
As has become tradition, the first half of the concert will end with all the kids up front at the stage listening to a live reading of “‘Twas the Night before Christmas” followed by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. After intermission, one of the group’s ensembles will begin the second half. As the concert draws to a close, audience members will have a chance to perform with the symphony by participating in a community Christmas sing-along. Finally, the concert will finish with a lively performance of “Sleigh Ride.”
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the door. Because of the popularity of the concert, it’s a good idea to arrive early to snag a seat. Children and families are especially welcome. For details, visit the Newark Symphonic Winds website at http://newarksymphonic.org or call (510) 552-7186.
Newark Symphonic Winds Christmas Concert
Saturday, Dec 14
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Newark Memorial High School Theater
39375 Cedar Blvd., Newark
(510) 552-7186
http://newarksymphonic.org
New SUVs and electric vehicles highlight L.A. Auto Show
Nov 20
By Tom Krisher
AP Auto Writer
New electric vehicles, several new small SUVs, a redesigned compact car, a plug-in version of Toyota's top-selling vehicle and a futuristic electric station wagon concept car from Volkswagen are among the new models on display this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Toyota is displaying a rechargeable hybrid version of the RAV4 _ the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. that's not a pickup truck _ while Ford is rolling out an all-new electric SUV that carries the Mustang performance car brand name. There also is a redesigned compact Sentra from Nissan.
The show opens to the public on Friday. Here are some of the highlights:
NISSAN SENTRA
Nissan is hoping a sleek redesign of the Sentra compact sedan will pull in more buyers in a struggling segment of the U.S. market.
The 2020 Sentra, which goes on sale in late January, loses the old version's upright econobox look. It's built on new underpinnings that lower it two inches and make it two inches wider than the outgoing model. It's got a coupe look that mimics the design of newer Nissan models like the Altima and Maxima. The new version gets a new 149 horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine that's 20% more powerful than the current model, yet Nissan says it will offer better gas mileage. It also gets a new rear suspension and steering system to improve handling. Even though it's an entry-level car, it comes standard with six safety systems including automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Price and gas mileage were not announced.
VOLKSWAGEN ID. SPACE VIZZION CONCEPT
Volkswagen is giving us a glimpse into the car of the future with a low-slung electric station wagon called the ID. Space Vizzion Concept.
The German automaker, which has focused on electric vehicles after its diesel emissions-cheating scandal, says the wagon will be able to go 300 miles on a single battery charge. It has a rear-mounted 275-horsepower motor, but a second motor could be installed for all-wheel-drive, giving the car 355 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive version will be able to go from zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in five seconds, Volkswagen says. To limit wind drag, the car has touch surfaces on the doors in place of conventional door handles. An augmented reality 15.6-inch touch screen that appears to float in the air has all entertainment, climate control and online information. VW says the car is a preview of a production vehicle for North America and Europe, but it didn't say when the wagon will go on sale.
FORD MUSTANG MACH E
Ford will display its first all-electric SUV, marking the start of an avalanche of battery-powered vehicles coming from mainstream and luxury automakers during the next two years that industry analysts say will boost electric vehicle sales.
Analysts expect the number of electric vehicles for sale in the U.S. to grow from 16 currently to as many as 80 by 2022. They say the increased selection and longer range of the new vehicles will make them more popular.
Ford's Mustang Mach E SUV will go 230 miles to more 300 miles per charge depending on how it's equipped. It will start at $44,000, not including a $7,500 federal tax credit.
The car gets some Mustang styling cues including triple taillights, a fastback rear and a long hood. A performance GT version will be able to go from zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in about 3.5 seconds.
The Mach E was unveiled Sunday night ahead of the Los Angeles show.
TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME
Toyota is rolling out a plug-in electric version of the popular RAV4 small SUV that's more efficient and faster than the current versions.
The 2021 RAV4 Prime will be able to go 39 miles (63 kilometers) on battery power alone before the gas-electric hybrid propulsion system kicks in. It will get the equivalent of 90 miles per gallon (38 kilometers per liter) of gasoline, according to Toyota. Yet the 302-horsepower system will take the car from zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in 5.8 seconds _ a full two seconds faster than the current RAV4 Hybrid. The SUV, which is the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. that isn't a pickup truck, has a tuned-up version of the RAV4 Hybrid's 176 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine powering the front wheels. A separate rear-mounted electric motor powers the rear wheels when needed. Toyota says the battery is mounted under the floor, giving the SUV a lower center of gravity and improving its handling. The RAV4 Prime goes on sale in the summer. The price wasn't announced.
Fremont News Briefs
Submitted by Cheryl Golden
Community Development Block Grant Funding
The City of Fremont anticipates the availability of approximately $1,369,657 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for projects benefitting low to moderate income residents. Projects must be implemented in the next two fiscal years, FY 2020-2021 and FY 2021-2022, and completed by June 30, 2022.
All projects must meet at least one need from the city’s 2020 – 2024 Consolidated Action Plan, which is currently being finalized. Interested applicants should anticipate meeting one of the following needs.
- Affordable Housing Needs – Create affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income households throughout the City of Fremont.
- Community Development Needs – Provide critical services to low and moderate-income individuals. Funds may be used to meet capital improvement needs in order to increase or enhance service delivery, or to provide a public service including economic development.
- Priority Homeless Needs – Provide critical services to the homeless population.
- Priority Supportive Housing – Increase the availability of service-enriched housing for persons with special needs.
Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) and/or public agencies are eligible to apply. Secular ministries or programs of a religious organization are also eligible. Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 and Fiscal Year 2021-2022 CDBG funding will be available on Thursday, December 12, via ZoomGrants at www.Fremont.gov/Grants.
For more information about the city’s grant program, visit www.Fremont.gov/CDBG or contact Nancy Sa at (510) 574-2043.
Candy Cane Hunt
Join the Fremont Recreation Services Division for a festive community holiday event from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 7 at Central Park near the Teen Center, 39770 Paseo Padre Parkway. Thousands of candy canes and goodies will be scattered and hidden for children ages 2 to 10 to collect.
This outdoor event includes sponsor booths, activities, holiday treats, and a visit from Santa. Tickets are $5 each and are required to participate in the hunt, games, and more. Learn more at www.Fremont.gov/CandyCaneHunt.
Holiday Event at the Patterson House
Get into the holiday spirit by visiting a Christmas Open House at the Patterson House and see this Victorian-era Queen Anne mansion fully decorated for the holidays. Enjoy live music, refreshments, Victorian-inspired decorations, and much more.
Christmas Evening Open House
Friday, Dec 6
5:30-8:30 pm
Adults: $7.00 in advance
Adults: $8.00 at the door
Children (12 and under): FREE
Day Time Christmas Tours
Thursdays and Fridays, December 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20
10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30 pm,1:30pm, 2:30pm (for Tots 6 & Under), & 3:00pm
Saturdays and Sundays, December 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22
11:30am (for Tots 6 & Under), 12 pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm
House tours are $2-$3 (plus winter rate park admission fee at Arden Station – park entrance of $4 or less if you are a senior or child under 17).
Learn more at www.Fremont.gov/ChristmasatthePattersonHouse.
Niles Does It Again: Festival of Lights Parade
By Johnna M. Laird
Who doesn’t love a holiday parade?
“Niles Festival of Lights Parade” is celebrating its 20th year, kicking off the holiday season on the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 29 at 6:30 p.m., following a 6 p.m. tree-lighting.
More than 15,000 people are expected to attend, lining the three-block parade route for a close-up look at floats, costumed characters, marching bands, and local groups. More than 60 different parade entries are expected to travel along Niles’ Main Street. Most participants from previous years are expected to return for this holiday tradition, including Fremont Flowers, Washington Hospital, and Schaa’s Lawnmower Sales & Service–all Fremont businesses located outside Niles that join in to lend support.
“This is the perfect place for a parade. We have that small-town feeling,” says Gary Mills, Niles Merchants Association President. At age 59, he is the youngest member, not counting his wife Wendy, a merchant board member who works with Gary managing his plumbing business, Mills Mechanical.
“Niles is a jewel in Fremont. Little ma and pa stores and businesses handed down in families, or good friends take them over. You can’t fake the small-town feeling. It’s real here and that’s why I’ve stayed,” says Mills, who in 1985 took over the family business his grandfather started. Mills has since brought his two sons into the business. Sounding as if he stepped from a Hallmark holiday movie, Mills touts Niles’ tight community, holding to its past as a Western town little changed since the 1920s and 1930s.
“We want people to come and enjoy what we have,” adds Mills, pointing to new restaurants, ice cream shops, antique stores, and more, among them Ambrose Butchery, Paula’s Grandtiques, Diamonds in the Rust, and Tattle Tails dog grooming. Niles is also home to Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, showing silent-era movies; and Niles Canyon Railway, preserving the railroad history of small-town America before the 1960s and operating rides between Niles and Sunol, including the holiday Train of Lights. Once a destination for antique aficionados, Niles is undergoing change as interest in antiques wanes with younger generations.
“Shops are changing to fit the new vibe,” explains Marie Dear, past president of the Niles Merchants Association. “We’re now more ‘collectic.’” Coining a new word from “collective” and “eclectic,” Dear says Niles continues as a destination, with people often coming to spend several hours, getting lunch or a bite to eat at Thyme for Tea: “People even make a day of it, taking in the movies.” On parade night, shops will remain open later until 9 p.m. or even 10 p.m. giving parade-goers time to browse and shop, says Mills.
Although festivities start at 6 p.m. with Fremont Mayor Lily Mei at the helm of the ceremonial tree-lighting countdown, parade-goers often begin lining up along Niles Boulevard, also known as Niles’ Main Street, as early as 4 p.m. Floats assemble on Hillview Boulevard across from the Sullivan Underpass, one of the road closures in Niles for the parade. The parade entourage officially starts at Mr. Mikey’s Country Store and Deli and ends at J Street.
Costume characters will roam among the crowd for pictures. Two favorites, Cookie Monster and Elmo, return again this year. A longtime champion of all-that-is great-about-Niles, former Niles pharmacist Harry Avalon serves as this year’s parade grand marshal.
The parade-closer and most beloved float brings Santa, waving, calling out names and pointing to children saying, “I knew you’d be here!” Jesse Schaa, operating Schaa’s Lawnmower Sales & Service in Irvington since 1971 and head of Fremont’s Fourth of July parade committee, volunteered to take charge of Santa’s grand finale float more than a decade ago. Schaa reportedly knows Santa well and even dresses like him on occasion.
Mills and Schaa, small-business proud, point to the contributions small businesses make, providing a service and establishing themselves as part of the community’s fabric, helping create special events like the parade. Small businesses, described as the engine driving a city’s economy, account for 99.7 percent of companies across the nation and employ nearly half of America’s workforce.
“The Niles parade is our gift. It’s our way as merchants to give back to the community,” says Dear, who owns Niles’ Morning Glory shop and is the woman behind the parade. To fund the Festival of Lights parade, Niles Merchants Association hosts Spring Fever Car Show and a Hot August Niles Car Show annually, using proceeds from those events. Planning for the parade starts shortly after the August car show ends.
“This is a great family evening,” says Dear about the parade, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “It’s become a holiday tradition,” she says. “The parade’s a lot of work, so much work, but when I see a child smile, I say, ‘Yes, it was worth it.’”
Festival of Lights Parade and tree lighting
Friday, Nov 29
6 p.m. Tree lighting
6:30 p.m. Parade
Niles Boulevard (Niles’ Main Street)
(510) 792-8023
https://www.nilesfestivaloflightsparade.org
Lights on at Oakland Zoo!
Submitted by Oakland Zoo
Celebrate the holidays at Oakland Zoo amidst a million glowing lights! Enjoy swirling snowfalls that welcome you to Oakland Zoo’s annual holiday event at Flamingo Plaza. Soar over the Oakland hills in our festively-lit gondolas and see the Bay Area skyline like never before.
Enjoy our dazzling Penguin Playground attraction featuring Santa for the ultimate holiday experience. Meet Santa every night between 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. See the Music in Motion laser light shows and stroll through twinkling holiday lights, animal structures and a candy cane lane-themed Adventure Landing with rides kids will love. Take a selfie at the all-pink flamingo section of the Zoo. Hop on the illuminated Outback Express Adventure Train or Conservation Carousel. Special weekend activities include face painting, holiday-themed crafts, live performances by local entertainers, & meet a real ZooKeeper!
Need a place to warm up? Stop by one of the warming stations and visit the creatures that are still stirring at night in the Bug House and Reptile and Amphibian House.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase at various locations around the zoo. After you ride the gondola up, stop at the Landing Café where breathtaking views lead to chef-inspired cuisine in a state-of-the-art facility. The Landing Café is an ideal dinner destination for evening guests. Meanwhile Tuskers Grill, inside Flamingo Plaza, features a variety of delicious food and indoor/outdoor seating. At the Safari Sweet Shop, you can enjoy tasty sweets like churros, cookies, donuts, funnel cake fries and fried pretzel bites with cinnamon sugar.
During this event Oakland Zoo animal residents will be in their night houses and not visible to the public. ZooLights and Gondola will be open seven days a week, depending on weather conditions. The gondola is included with ZooLights admission and runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to visit the Landing Café. Round-trip rides are only between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Free Member Nights are December 9 – 12. There is limited capacity, so pre-registration is required. ZooLights will be closed on December 24th and 25th so that staff may spend the holiday with their families.
Member tickets are $11 adults, $10 for children 2-14. Children under 2 and adults over 76 enter free. Non-Member tickets are $12 adults, $11 children. Please park in the Upper Parking Lot and proceed to the Main Entrance. The Lower Entrance will be closed during ZooLights hours, unless otherwise noted. Parking is free.
This event is presented by Stanford Children’s Health and Welk Resorts.
Zoolights at Oakland Zoo
Friday, Dec 6 – Sunday, Jan 5
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland
(510) 632-9525
https://www.oaklandzoo.org
Olive Hyde’s “Holiday for the Arts”
Submitted by Seema Gupta
At Olive Hyde Art Guild in Fremont, holidays come around bearing our very own “Holiday for the Arts Show & Sale” that takes place every year during the first weekend of December. This will be our 37th year of celebrating, and we are so very excited about it! Don’t forget to mark your calendars – it’s a perfect opportunity to view and buy gifts for yourself or for family and friends on your shopping list who would love to have an original piece of art!
Holiday for the Arts is our only fundraiser that benefits the Olive Hyde Art Gallery. This signature community event allows the Guild to fund various art projects—such as scholarships, supplies, and books—for the advancement of visual art in the Fremont community and schools. The show features local artists from around the Bay Area. More than 90 artists, including 15 first-timers, were selected through a judging process to participate this year. Original works in ceramic, glass & sculpture, jewelry, painting, photography, fiber art, gourds, wood, and holiday décor will be available for viewing and purchase.
The three-day event will kick off with a ticketed Gala on Friday, December 6th, from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. Attendees will savor hors d’oeuvres, sweets, and wine, alongside the works of art. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door, and are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Classical and flamenco guitarist Rudy Ramos, who has been playing guitar for over 40 years, will play live at the Gala.
A raffle will be drawn on the Gala Night for an original piece by Seema Gupta, the featured artist for our show. An architect by profession, she is naturally drawn to the built environment and often uses it as the focal point of her highly dimensional and stylized works. Seema experiments with unconventional multimedia techniques to give formal and conceptual depth to her pieces. Since 2014, her work has been shown at several juried shows in Fremont and Hayward, as well as at the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara.
The show remains open to the public, free of charge, on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. While strolling through the galleries, visitors will be able to enjoy live musical entertainment on both afternoons. Peter Denyer, Lucy Lanham, and vocalist Mark Loy of Classical Guitar & Vocal Ensemble will be performing from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Joyce Tanaka and Roberta Brokaw of Flute Fantasia will be playing from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
We look forward to a great show, and we hope to see you all there!
Holiday for the Arts Show & Sale
Opening Night Gala
Friday, Dec 6
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets $20
Show and Sale
Saturday, Dec 7 – Sunday, Dec 8
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Olive Hyde Art Gallery
123 Washington Blvd. Fremont
Developer sought for large hillside housing project
Submitted by City of Hayward
Hayward city officials are requesting proposals from developers interested in turning 30 acres with San Francisco Bay views into one of the region’s most sought-after new residential neighborhoods, with up to 625 townhomes and multi-family units — including housing for up to 500 students. The Master Development Plan for the property, Parcel Group 6, envisions the development of a variety of townhome, multifamily and student housing product types. The homes would be linked by trails and connected to wildlife corridors.
Nestled less than a half mile from California State University East Bay, the proposed hillside development site is part of a stretch of former California Department of Transportation right-of-way that was once intended for construction of a State Route 238 bypass freeway. Development of Parcel Group 6 will include infrastructure improvements to roads and water, sewer, and electricity distribution systems. The project is a priority for the city which is ready to work with developers to quickly sell and develop the property.
In approving of the Master Development Plan, the Hayward City Council also certified an addendum to the 2014 General Plan Environmental Impact Report to streamline the approval and development process. Proceeds from the sale of other State Route 238 lands are supporting public benefit projects, including creation of a new Housing Navigation Center for people who are homeless and other city programs and services.
Requests for Proposals are due on January 30, 2020. Those making proposals will have to attend one of two mandatory pre-submittal meetings scheduled for December 12, 2019 or January 9, 2020. The Parcel Group 6 Request for Proposals (RFP), Master Development Plan and additional information are available on the City of Hayward website at www.hayward-ca.gov or by sending an email to Community Services Manager Monica Davis at Monica.Davis@hayward-ca.gov or calling (510) 583-4011.
Real Estate Notebook
A good deal vs. the right deal
By David Stark, public affairs director, Bay East Association of REALTORS®
Buying and selling a home is much more than just finding a good deal. It’s a life-changing process that requires patience and thought to be successful. For buyers, years of increasing sales prices and stiff competition tempt them to jump at the first home that may seem right. They may feel that moving quickly is the only way to achieve home ownership.
Professionals say to slow down and to start with the money. “While some may have enough cash and not need a home loan, most buyers will need to secure a mortgage before they go house shopping,” said Nancie Allen, 2019 president of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®. “A pre-approval letter is required by most sellers in order to have their offer considered. If the buyers do not submit a pre-approval from a lender, their offer will be much less competitive, and that good deal may slip through their hands.”
Buyers also need to be careful of moving too quickly just because a home seems like a good deal. They need to make sure it checks all their boxes. Is the house in their preferred area? Does it have the desired number of bedrooms and bathrooms and all the necessary amenities?
Due diligence can help make sure a good deal doesn’t turn into a bad experience. “No matter how good of a deal it may seem to be, if it’s not the home you want in the area you want it could be like buying a pair of shoes on sale that are a size too small. They may be a great deal, but they don’t really fit you,” said Allen.
Selling a home is also a process with some steps that need to be taken in order to have a successful transaction. Allen cites the example of a seller who may know of someone interested in purchasing their home before it’s even on the market. “They are often tempted to simply sell the home to that buyer because it may be easier than having to go through the whole home selling process. Is it really a good deal, not exposing your home to the market? It may seem easier, but you will never be sure you received the best sales price because it was never exposed to the general public,” Allen said.
“Home sellers may think taking an all-cash offer is the best deal. In fact, a cash offer may not stay an all-cash offer. An all-cash buyer can decide to instead take out a loan on the property after their offer has been accepted,” Allen said. When comparing multiple offers sellers want to make sure they look at all the terms and conditions in order to determine what is really the best deal.
Allen concluded that buyers and sellers need to plan and think carefully about their real estate decisions in order to make that good deal a reality.
Special Thanksgiving Surprise in Store for Regional Park Anglers
Submitted by Dave Mason
After years of District efforts and requests by Anglers, the Park District’s Fisheries Program has finally gotten a supply of lightning trout. Lighting trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farm will be planted at Del Valle, Lake Chabot, Quarry Lakes, and Shadow Cliffs the week of November 25 – 29, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Overall, 2,000 pounds of lightning trout will be planted, approximately 500 pounds per lake. Anglers should head out early for a special chance to catch these amazing fish. Trout typically bite during the mornings and evenings this time of year.
Lighting Trout, golden in color with a bright red stripe down their sides, are known as a beautiful, great fighting fish with meat resembling that of a salmon. If you are lucky enough to see one, they often look like neon lights shooting through the water.
“Lightning trout are a beautiful, unique fish that you don’t get to see every day,” said Park District Fisheries Program Manager Joe Sullivan. “We’ve been trying to get lightning trout for quite some time, but it’s been difficult the last couple of years due to the drought.”
“I’d like to get out there and catch one myself, but I’ll leave it to our anglers to have the fun,” added Sullivan.
Lighting trout are a unique genetic strain of rainbow trout, which is native to East Bay waterways. They are specifically bred to be planted in waterways for recreational fishing and are not able to reproduce. Anglers and fishing enthusiasts are encouraged to head out to one of these four lakes for the chance to catch some of these amazing fish!
As a public service, the Park District plants 130,000 pounds of hatchery-raised fish annually in its lakes. Daily fishing permits and a state fishing license are required to fish in regional lakes. For avid anglers, the Regional Parks Foundation sells an annual angler membership, which covers the cost of parking and fishing permits. Visit www.regionalparksfoundation.org for more information.
Local Student Offers Solutions to World Drinking Water Woes
By Johnna M. Laird
Global water statistics are staggering. The World Health Organization reports:
- 785 million people around the world lack basic drinking water services, including 144 million who depend upon surface water.
- At least 2 billion people get drinking water from a feces-contaminated source.
- About 485,000 people die annually from diarrhea alone; contaminated water can transmit other diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio.
- In least-developed countries 22 percent of health care facilities have no water service at all.
A 13-year-old Fremont student was recently honored in Washington, D.C. for her solution to purify contaminated drinking water using plant-based alternatives to chemicals.
Society for Science & The Public honored Ruhi Yusuf as one of 30 finalists during ceremonies in the nation’s capital in late October for Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology, and Engineering for Rising Stars). Broadcom MASTERS is described as the nation’s premiere science competition for middle school students (sixth through eighth grade).
Yusuf received a first-place award, giving her a $3,500 Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) 2020 summer camp stipend and an iPad. She and other finalists received expenses-paid trips to Washington with a chaperone. Yusuf’s project for purifying contaminated water was among 300 semi-finalists chosen in September after science fairs affiliated with Society for Science & The Public submitted their top 10 percent of entries. Hoping to encourage middle school students to follow STEM passions into careers, Broadcom MASTERS awarded $100,000 in prizes to U.S. finalists.
“Ruhi wanted to find effective, safer alternatives to chemicals to purify water,” explains Justin Cohen of Society for Science about Yusuf’s project, called “Effectiveness of Different Plants as Coagulants to Purify Contaminated Drinking Water.” “Chemical purification can give water an unpleasant taste and smell. . .Ruhi tested four types of plant materials. . .they reduced total dissolved solids to levels close to World Health Organization’s standards. Her project demonstrated 21st Century skills including critical thinking, communication, creativity, collaborative skills, and teamwork.”
When launching her project, Yusuf applied the scientific method, powered by a question. Since her uncle manages a water district providing drinking water to more than 300 villages, Yusuf was aware of drinking water conditions in India and an unwillingness to drink chemically-purified water. When she talked with her uncle, she learned that people often drank contaminated water rather than chemically-purified water.
“Okay, these villagers are not using chemicals,” Yusuf recalls thinking. “So, is there an alternative to chemicals? If so, which alternative would be best while still being a viable solution for the villagers?” Studying the process of coagulation and properties of four different plants, including different molecular masses, Yusuf developed a hypothesis that moringa, a tree native to Northern India, would be most effective in purifying contaminated water.
She predicted that moringa would reduce total dissolved solids in contaminated water and lessen turbidity or cloudiness while keeping the pH around neutral. Water treatment plants use a chemical process called coagulation to pull certain contaminants out, Yusuf explains. Aluminum sulfate is used to cause tiny articles of material in water to clump. “Then, after a while,” Yusuf adds, “clumped particles settle out.”
She ground up seeds from moringa, okra, and nirmali (a tree common in India), and prepared aloe vera gel from that plant’s leaves. She added an equal amount of each material to water mixed with koalin clay to test the plant-based approach. Her findings showed that all plant materials substantially cut down on water turbidity. They also reduced total dissolved-solids to levels close to World Health Organization’s standards; pH values fell within safe drinking water ranges. Seeing her approach work was definitely an exhilarating moment.
Vani Kathula, Yusuf’s mom who accompanied her to Washington, says four days of Broadcom gave her daughter great exposure to a diverse group of students from across the United States. “They actually collaborated on projects during the four days of Broadcom MASTERS. Then they went to Capitol Hill to meet their Congressional representatives who paid a lot of attention to their projects, asking questions. This helped students see that whatever they do can make a difference and it helps to have a bigger goal. Hard work carries a lot of value.”
“We didn’t think her project would go this far. As parents, we were awestruck,” says Kathula, adding that she wishes all science teachers in public and private schools required science fair participation. Kathula gives high praise to her daughter’s science teacher, Vimala Sampath, who requires students to develop projects that make a difference and “save the world.” Because of Alameda County Science Fair, her daughter’s entry was submitted to Broadcom MASTERS competition.
In summer 2020 Yusuf plans to travel to India to discuss project implementation with her uncle: “Using locally available plant-based alternatives for purification, my project has potential to provide clean drinking water to more than 1.8 billion people globally.” Yusuf, a student at Challenger School in Newark and whose parents both hold degrees in engineering, says her passion for science makes it easy to envision one day becoming a computer scientist dedicated to solving problems in biological or environmental science. She is also quick to keep options open, saying, “At the same time, I am not sure what the future holds.”
Run for Hunger collects more than ½ ton of food
Submitted by Debbie Ayres
Each year, California School for the Deaf (CSD) students, administrators and faculty run and walk around the athletic field track to heighten awareness of those in need of assistance to enjoy a holiday dinner as well as food on all other days as well. Students who participated were rewarded with a chance to take home a prize too! This year, on November 19th during the 21st Run for Hunger, over 1,300 pounds of food was collected for the Alameda County Food Bank and over $2,000 worth of gift cards and food items donated by local merchants for CSD families in need.
San Leandro City Council
November 18, 2019
Recognitions:
- Resolution to appoint members of the Youth Advisory Commission to a term ending August 31, 2020. Motion passed: 7-0
- Proclamation honoring Native American activist and former San Leandro resident Russell Means.
- Proclamation declaring the week of November 17-23 United Against Hate week.
Public Comments:
- Several residents shared stories in honor of Russell Means.
- A resident decried the United Against Hate week as being biased against conservatives.
- Several residents expressed concern about people living and sleeping in Root Park.
- A resident requested a crosswalk safety illumination project at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard.
- A resident expressed concern about the police-involved shooting of Tony Gomez that occurred in June.
- Several residents expressed concern about big rig trucks running all night and illegal dumping in a lot near their building.
- A resident expressed concern about the council’s discussion of Cannabis policy, which they had the previous week.
Presentations:
- Presentation by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission on the forthcoming updates to the I-880 express lanes.
- Presentation by the Child Abuse Listening, Interviewing and Coordination Center (CALICO) updating the council on their initiatives.
Public Hearings:
- No public hearings.
Consent Calendar:
- Motion approving the 2020 city council meeting calendar.
- Resolution of the city to approve amendments to the city budget for fiscal year 2018-19 and 2019-20.
- Resolution to sell surplus items (including 25 vehicles and 12 pieces of equipment) at public auction.
- Resolution to accept the work done by Sposeto Engineering, Inc. for the 2017-18 annual sidewalk repair program.
- Resolution to award a construction contract to Spencon Constructions, Inc. for the annual sidewalk repair program 2019-20.
- Resolution to authorize the city manager to execute amendments four and five to the East Bay discharger’s authority joint exercise of powers agreement and extend said agreement to June 30, 2040.
- Resolution to approve renewal of the contract with SoftChoice Corporation for the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.
- Ordinance to approve a zoning amendment for planned development at 874 Lewelling Boulevard.
Calendar passed: 7-0.
Items removed from Consent Calendar:
- Ordinance establishing the mayor’s salary. Item passed: 6-0 (Cutter recused)
Action Items:
- Council received a report from the Rules Committee on the following issues: requiring annual reports from city boards and commissions, and moving the consent calendar position in the council agenda.
- Motion to time items on the council agenda for a trial period of 6 months. Item failed: Nay (Hernandez, Aguilar, Lee and Lopez).
City Council Reports:
- Councilmember Cox attended the San Leandro Improvement Association meeting where new board members were appointed.
- Councilmember Aguilar attended the International Elected LGBTQ+ Officials Summit where he attended panels on safety, trans rights, and homelessness.
- Vice Mayor Lopez was inducted into the board of directors for the California League of Cities. She also gave a speech at the San Leandro Senior Center during an event for Veteran’s day.
- Councilmember Ballew attended a dedication ceremony at the San Leandro Hospital.
City Council Calendar and Announcements:
- Councilmember Aguilar will be speaking at the League of Cities conference, Wednesday, November 20.
- There will be an event to celebrate United Against Hate week, Saturday, November 23 at the San Leandro Library.
Councilmember Requests to Schedule Agenda Items
- There were no requests to schedule agenda items.
Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter Aye, 1 Recusal
Vice Mayor Corina N. Lopez Aye, 1 Nay
Victor Aguilar, Jr. Aye, 1 Nay
Ed Hernandez Aye, 1 Nay
Benny Lee Aye, 1 Nay
Deborah Cox Aye
Pete Ballew Aye
Shinn House Gears up for Christmas
Submitted by Al Minard
The Historic James and Lucy Shinn house this year gives an opportunity for some interesting Christmas festivities. On Saturday, November 30, from 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m., we will have a wreath making workshop where guests can turn fresh greenery into wreaths to hang in the windows of the Shinn house. After you’ve made one for the house, you can make an additional wreath for yourself for only $10.
Saturday, December 7 – Sunday, December 8, and again on Saturday, December 14 – Sunday, December 15, we will hold an open house from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Costumed docents will show this historic house and tell you about the family that lived there from when it was completed in 1876 until Florence Shinn passed in 1970. This house did not get electricity or running water or flush bathrooms until 1905—think about the fun that must have been!
The house provides a window into Fremont history. The Shinn family came to California in 1856 and lived in a very small cottage to the left of the gate coming into the park. After Florence passed away, the walls and woodwork were researched and vintage wallpaper was installed, painted as it was in the 1890’s. The Shinn family had one of the earliest nurseries in California, represented by large specimen trees on the grounds. Friends of Heirloom Flowers maintains the flower gardens and, though they do not have as many plants in bloom now, you can see the care and love given.
Tours are $5 for guests over 14, $2.50 for children between 7 and 14, and free for ages six and younger. The tours normally last about 45 minutes and cover both the first floor and the second floor of this grand house. One-year membership, which will provide information of other activities throughout the year at Shinn House and of Mission Peak Heritage Foundation (which maintains the inside of the house and provides tours) is only $10.
Wreath making workshop
Saturday, Nov 30
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Free to participate, additional wreaths $10 each
Tours of Shinn House
Saturday, Dec 7 – Sunday, Dec 8
Saturday, Dec 14 – Sunday, Dec 15
12 noon – 4 p.m.
General admission: $5
Ages 7 – 14: $2.50
6 and under: Free
Shinn House
1251 Peralta Blvd., Fremont
(510) 795-0891
Shooting results in double homicide in Union City
Submitted by Lt Steve Mendez, Union City PD
In the early morning hours of Saturday November 23, 2019, two males, ages 11 and 14, sitting in a van in the west parking lot of Searles Elementary School (1800 Block of Sherman Dr.) in Union City, CA were confronted by unknown suspect(s) who shot into their vehicle multiple times.
Union City Police Dispatch received several calls reporting gunshots in the area, and officers were dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival, they found the victims’ vehicle in the parking lot and the two males suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the males (age 14) was pronounced deceased at the scene; the other male (age 11) was transported to a local trauma center but was pronounced deceased while en-route. Due to the age of the victims, the Union City Police Department will not be releasing their names.
The Union City Police Department is diligently looking into the motive for this tragic incident. At this time, the Department has not ruled out the possibility that the incident was gang-related, but that possibility is currently unverified. Crime scene investigators have collected several items of evidence, including shell casings. The investigation is ongoing, and the Department cannot provide a description of the weapons used, the caliber, or number of weapons involved.
In a separate recent incident, on November 20, 2019 at about 12: 30A.M, two men were shot near 8th St and C St. in Union City. The two men were transported to a local hospital where they were treated and released. Although there is no evidence to show that these two incidents are linked, investigators have not ruled out that possibility.
The Department’s Investigations Unit is following-up on all available leads but currently does not have a suspect description for either of the shootings, the number of suspects involved, or motive(s) for the shootings. The Department is seeking the community’s assistance and asking that anyone with information to please contact the Department via its anonymous tip line at (510) 675-5207 or via email at tips@unioncity.org. Information can also be given directly to Detective Joshua Clubb at (510) 675-5227 or via email at joshuac@unioncity.org.