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San Leandro celebrates 25th ‘It’s a Wonderful Night’

Submitted by Morgan Mack-Rose

Photos by Paul Jackman

San Leandro Downtown Association is pleased to announce the return of the most-loved local holiday tradition, “It’s a Wonderful Night,” on Friday, December 2 in the heart of downtown San Leandro.

Back after a pandemic hiatus, this fun and free family favorite has more activities and entertainment than in previous years. “We felt that this year, more than ever, it was important to go all out for the community,” said Paul Jackman, President of the Downtown Association. “People want to gather and celebrate, but also be safe. Because It’s a Wonderful Night is an outdoor event, we hope people will feel more comfortable celebrating together.”

Festivities begin in Estudillo Plaza, located at Estudillo Avenue and E 14th Street, with a brass quintet and the holiday tree lighting at 5:30 p.m., followed by a spectacular light show. The fun continues on West Juana Avenue at 6 p.m. with music and entertainment on the main stage and an outdoor holiday cinema courtesy of FunFlicks. This year’s event also includes a holiday market in Pelton Plaza with over 30 unique specialty vendors, a dedicated kids’ craft area, a dance video game, and free photos with Santa in front of his holiday train engine. Rumor has it that the Grinch will make a special appearance that evening!

It’s a Wonderful Night is brought to the community by San Leandro Downtown Association in partnership with City of San Leandro, Downtown San Leandro Community Benefit District, San Leandro Optimist International Club, FunFlicks, Ghirardelli Chocolate, and Rotary Club of San Leandro.

It’s a Wonderful Night

Friday, Dec 2

5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Estudillo Plaza

Estudillo Ave. & E 14th St., San Leandro

6 p.m. Entertainment on Main Stage (W Juana Ave.)

(510) 281-0703

www.downtownsanleandro.com

Ballet Petit Nutcracker highlights tradition and looks forward

Submitted by Peggy Peabody

Ballet Petit is eagerly preparing its 44th Annual “Nutcracker Ballet” to share with local audiences on Saturday, December 3 at Chabot College. Ballet Petit will perform two shows at the Reed L. Buffington Performing Arts Center on the first Saturday of December at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and available through Purple Pass.

Since its inception, this beloved local tradition has featured thousands of young dancers in the cast and has delighted thousands more patrons from the audience. As Ballet Petit looks ahead to its 50th anniversary in just a few years, it also looks back at the tradition it has built. This year is no different.

Dancers ranging in age from four to 18 years old have been rehearsing their 2022 roles since casting was posted in early October. One of the most exciting parts of the process was when the magical Costume Room opened and dancers were outfitted with the new costumes for their new roles. As they excitedly received their 2022 costumes, many were thrilled to read the names inside their costume of dancers who had worn the same piece in previous years. Ballet is so special in this way. We are always looking forward, while keeping a firm eye on the past and our traditions.

This year, we are celebrating one such tradition with a rare opportunity that you will want to share with us. Ten years ago, a young “Baby Ballerina” named Patience Gordon danced her first Sugar Plum Fairy performance in Ballet Petit’s Nutcracker. Already an accomplished dancer for her age, Patience wowed the audience with her grace and command of the Chabot stage. Patience had recently attended the Royal Danish Ballet Summer School in Copenhagen, Denmark with Miss Peggy and fellow Ballet Petit classmate, Hilary Sanders. After her Plum debut and graduation from Ballet Petit, Patience went on to dance with Ballet Arizona, Oakland Ballet, Menlowe Ballet, and Oceanica, eventually returning to her roots by joining Ballet Petit’s staff.

As a safety measure during the height of the pandemic, Ballet Petit postponed classes where female and male dancers learned partnering, called pas de deux. In a pas de deux, dancers are physically very close to one other, and this was not safe due to the pandemic risks. Since masking in the studios and on stage has kept Ballet Petit from Covid outbreaks, advanced student dancers are looking forward to soon returning to their pas de deux classes. In the interim, we have a special surprise for our audiences this Nutcracker.

Patience Gordon, aka “Miss Patience” at Ballet Petit, and Miss Peggy had a discussion almost a year ago about how to restart pas de deux program for the dancers. We had a fabulous idea that would wow the audience and inspire the dancers in the cast. The surprise was revealed in October when casting was posted.

Patience Gordon will be again appearing in her 2012 role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Ballet Petit’s Nutcracker 2022, familiarly dubbed the “Ten Year Challenge.” As a young dancer, Patience had audiences breathlessly watching her perform. Ten years later and a lot of professional experience and growth, we will have the pleasure of seeing her reprise this role she so endeared to us. We are so excited for the younger dancers, many whom were not yet even born, to share our Nutcracker performance with Miss Patience as Sugar Plum Fairy. Luck would bring a wonderful partner for her to us, Josh Rubietta, a local artist in ballet, music, and more. The small world of ballet is slowly expanding again and bringing us back together in experiences we so need at this time.

Ballet Petit invites you to share two hours with us on Saturday, December 3. Enjoy our growing Christmas tree, beautifully painted backdrops, wafting dry ice through Snow Scene, lovely dancers of many ages, and more in our full-length Nutcracker production that has been a staple of this community for 44 years.

Note: Chabot College is requiring proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of the show. Everyone will be masked.

Happy Holidays. Happy Nutcracker 2022!

Ballet Petit Nutcracker

Saturday, Dec 3

2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Reed L. Buffington Performing Arts Center at Chabot College

25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward

(510) 783-4958

Tickets available via Purple Pass: www.balletpetit.com

10th Annual SantaCon benefits Hayward Animal Shelter

Submitted by SantaCon Hayward

Following the ongoing success of the East Bay’s only long-running SantaCon, we’re back by popular demand as a fundraiser for the Hayward Animal Shelter supported by local businesses. SantaCon Hayward 2022 is scheduled for Saturday, December 3 from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. (or Last Call!).

Started in Copenhagen in 1974, SantaCon is now a worldwide phenomenon with annual public, mass gatherings of people dressed as Santa or Mrs. Claus. Akin to a flash mob, the focus is on fun, festive cheer and goodwill. Several hundred cities in dozens of countries regularly host a SantaCon event.

In 2012, former Hayward City Council Member Anna May inspired a small group of friends to don Santa costumes and meet for a Holiday celebration, highlighting as “Santa Stops” those businesses who donated money to the Hayward Animal Shelter. The goal was to bring people into the downtown for a good cause, with the added benefit of generating economic energy in support of small local businesses. Word spread, friends of friends asked if they could join in, and today we have many sponsors and a solid line-up of Santa Stops!

Hundreds of attendees in Santa-inspired costumes inundated Downtown Hayward in 2021 and the popularity of the event is expected to increase yet again. Venues such as Casa Del Toro, Dirty Bird Lounge, and The Bistro are participating. For more details, visit www.SantaConHayward.com!

Coming up on December 10, Hayward Animal Shelter will hold a Home for the Holidays open house event where a variety of pets will be available for adoption.

10th Annual SantaCon Hayward

Saturday, Dec 3

Santa Stops from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. (or Last Call)

6 p.m.: Casa Del Toro

7 p.m.: Metro Taquero

8 p.m.: Stein Room Lounge and The Dirty Bird

9 p.m.: The Bistro

10 p.m.: World Famous Turf Club

www.SantaConHayward.com

Home for the Holidays

Saturday, Dec 10

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Hayward Animal Shelter

16 Barnes Ct., Hayward

(510) 293-7200

https://www.haywardanimals.org/

Cohousing communities help parents of young children find balance

Submitted by Jane Mueller

My three-year old friend invited me to his birthday party this month. At his age, he regards adults and children equally as friends, so there was a broad age range represented—from babies to boomers. Listening to conversation among the parents of young children, I was struck by how universally they find their waking hours claimed by competing responsibilities. Of course, children command love, attention and care, especially when they are little. Likewise, employers expect time, concentration and proficiency. Then there are the household chores requiring energy, attentiveness and persistence. How do young parents balance all these demands on their time?

A 2020 survey conducted by Harvard Graduate School of Education discovered that more than half of parents of small children describe themselves as lonely, stressed and tired. Added to that is the effect of pandemic precautions. During the holidays, many parents are hesitant to take their young children—particularly those too young to be vaccinated—through airports and other high-traffic public areas on the way to celebrate with family and friends.

“Sometimes I actually feel homesick for my college dorm,” remarked one of the moms at the birthday party. “It felt like a community there. We shared stuff, we ate together, we gave each other a hand, and when we had downtime, there were people right there to hang out with.”

Perhaps that’s a clue about why so many young families thrive in cohousing. Cohousing is different from the co-living situation in dormitories, but it shares some of the same advantages. Most cohousing communities, like the one planned for Fremont, consist of private housing units clustered around an interior outdoor space with adjoining common house (clubhouse) for daily use. The whole concept is to encourage friendliness, sharing, and frequent interaction with neighbors. The common house in Fremont will have a large kitchen and dining area to facilitate sharing meals two or three times a week. There will be a play area for children and quiet office space for working from home.

“Cohousing is a paradise for children,” says Leslie Wood, a resident of Windsong Cohousing, “and it also makes parents’ lives easier knowing that their kids can go out of the house, down to the common house or outside to play, and they’ll be safe. If the kids are young, someone will need to be supervising, but one parent can supervise a couple of other kids in addition to his or her own. Often parents take a cup of coffee to the common house and relax with a book while their children play in the playroom nearby.”

Especially in these times, cohousing offers real benefits for children and their families. For example:

  • In our culture of dispersed nuclear families, it functions like a big extended family with exposure to people of varying ages.
  • Trusted adults with differing skills and interests are easily accessible. One might be a great help with Spanish homework. Another might show you how to make a picture frame.
  • Driving to pre-arranged play dates is not necessary.
  • Children grow up in a culture that values inclusion teaches mutual respect.
  • You feel safe, surrounded by people that know and care about you. Young children can roam the premises without cause for concern. Teenagers aren’t totally isolated when they’re home alone.

“As a new parent, I benefit enormously,” says Ben Brock Johnson, a father of toddler twins who lives in a cohousing community in central Massachusetts. “The gaggle of children that run the property help watch my two-year-olds. It’s difficult to overstate just how important this is for my wife and me as full-time working parents. Sometimes, when we’re exhausted at the end of the day, we hear a knock at the door. On the other side is the friendly face of a kid who wants to hang out with our toddlers…I can’t imagine doing it any other way. My wife and I also have more free time and more potential friends than we would otherwise.”

I look forward to having friends from multiple generations, which might get me invited to some more birthday parties—not only for three-year-olds but also for teens and thirty-somethings and 90-year olds.

This article is part of an ongoing series on cohousing. To learn more, visit Mission Peak Village on Facebook, Instagram, or the www.missionpeakcohousing.org website, where you can register for a monthly walk to explore the neighborhood around the future site in the Irvington district of Fremont.

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

Electric vehicle charging stations coming to Hayward

Submitted by City of Hayward

A collection of electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations will soon be coming to downtown Hayward thanks to a partnership between the City of Hayward and East Bay Community Energy (EBCE).

Under the agreement, EBCE is funding the purchase and installation of the chargers which will be located in municipal parking lots and garages. The chargers can charge an EV in 20 to 50 minutes.

California aims to have five million EVs on the road by 2030 and the Bay Area is leading the way toward meeting this goal. Today, about 3,000 EVs are registered to drivers in Hayward. This is projected to jump to about 11,000 by 2025, and it is estimated that the city will need more than 150 additional fast chargers to support those EVs.

The state has also mandated that all new passenger vehicles sold in California must be electric by 2035. Paired with the recently approved Inflation Reduction Act, which extends tax credits for new and used EVs, adoption is expected to grow exponentially in the next few years as zero-emission cars become more affordable for drivers.

To meet the coming demand for convenient and affordable EV fast charging stations, Hayward and EBCE are exploring potential installation sites. Each installation would include 10 dual-port fast chargers capable of charging 20 EVs simultaneously. The first confirmed project site is the Cinema Place parking structure. One to two additional locations may be selected and Municipal Lots 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 are under consideration. Once the site(s) are identified and engineering analysis is completed, development is expected to begin in mid to late 2023.

Questions and comments about the project can be sent via email to environment@hayward-ca.gov.

Hayward Light Up the Season

Submitted by City of Hayward

Light Up the Season, the annual downtown Hayward winter-time celebration and lighting ceremony, is returning to the City Hall rotunda and plaza the afternoon and evening of Saturday, December 3. Local organizations, businesses, associations and school groups are welcome to participate.

After two-years of virtual and scaled-back Light Up the Season programs due to COVID-19, the City of Hayward is reintroducing the event with the goal of creating a time and place for Hayward residents to come together in a spirit of inclusion, and to share and celebrate winter traditions of our diverse communities. How do you celebrate Twin Luminaries, Mawlid al-Nabi, Chalica, Bodhi Day, Las Posadas, Hannukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lohri, Pongal, or other occasions that have the common theme of remembering that there is light even during the season of long nights?

With the 2022 edition of Light Up the Season, the city seeks to partner with community organizations, local businesses and associations, and school groups to recognize and honor the sense of pride, togetherness and belonging shared by Hayward residents. We invite you to present music and dance from these various winter traditions and to decorate homes and businesses in ways that recognize and embrace our commonalities as well as our wealth of cultures and traditions.

During the event, the city will continue its tradition of holding a lighting of a tree and other decorations just after sundown at approximately 5:30 p.m., as well as displays of fire engines and other apparatus, police officer- and firefighter-led seasonal toy and donation drives, an appearance by Curbie, the Hayward Public Library bookmobile, and other offerings.

Hayward Light up the Season

Saturday, Dec 3

3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.: Tree Lighting

City Hall Plaza

777 B St., Hayward

https://www.hayward-ca.gov/residents/arts-leisure/light-up-the-season

Holidays with Mission Peak

Submitted by Mission Peak Chamber Singers

On December 3 and 4, Mission Peak Chamber Singers, with the East Bay People’s Choir, will be holding two holiday concerts. Special guest Ruthanne Adams Martinez will perform on the harp for both concerts, and December 3 will also have a performance from San Jose State University Treble Choir. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Holidays with Mission Peak

Saturday, Dec 3

7:30 p.m.

Old Mission San Jose

43300 Mission Blvd., Fremont

Sunday, Dec 4

4 p.m.

Niles Discovery Church

36600 Niles Blvd., Fremont

Tickets: $30-35

https://www.chambersingers.org/

Holiday toy drive underway in Hayward

Submitted by Hayward PD

Thanksgiving is over, but the holiday season is far from done. With that in mind the Hayward Police Department (HPD) is kicking its Annual Toy Drive into high gear.

The toy drive helps provide gifts and necessary items like clothing and school supplies to less fortunate families in Hayward. HPD officials say the success of the event each year comes largely from generous donations from the community.

There are two ways people can support the toy drive this year:

  • Venmo to the Hayward PD Officers’ Association: @Delia-Muniz-1 and type “Toy Drive” under notes.
  • Purchase items from the Amazon HPD Toy Drive “Wish List” at https://tinyurl.com/22uhj7xh. (Use the registry address for shipping and do not gift wrap items).

For details, call (510) 293-5051 or send an email to HaywardPoliceToyDrive@hayward-ca.gov.

We Are One: Local man helps break bloodiest Guinness World Record

By Jessica Kim

Photos courtesy of Jimmy Tran

According to the American Red Cross, “Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets” (tinyurl.com/5fvv5zka). But on January 11, 2022, the organization declared the first national blood crisis amid the Omicron surge, leaving doctors with the impossible decision of deciding who will receive blood transfusions (tinyurl.com/bdhca8dk). Undeterred by this challenge, the Korean youth volunteer group, We Are One, secured the Guinness World Record title for “Most Registered Blood Donations In One Day” on October 1, 2022, surpassing the previous record held by India of 10,217 volunteers. Of the 71,121 volunteers, many Bay Area residents participated, including Jimmy Tran.

As a fifth-year student at San Jose State University majoring in biomedical engineering, Tran carries out administrative work for Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the umbrella organization for We Are One. While working for HWPL, Tran came across the opportunity and immediately wanted to donate. He stated, “It brings me a lot of joy to see that I can help people when they are in need.”

Tran’s history of blood drives started in high school, where he learned he was an ineligible blood donor because he was from Denmark, where rare, sporadic cases of cowpox infections have been reported. Still wanting to donate blood, Tran and a few friends went to the San Jose Red Cross, where he disclosed he was from Denmark but learned he was now eligible. He described filling out a questionnaire, a nurse testing his cell count, and taking five minutes to draw 500 milliliters of blood as “a relatively pleasant experience,” and only feeling slightly fatigued afterward.

I have an illness. I will feel weak. I am too busy. These are some of the top reasons people do not give blood. However, many medical conditions do not bar someone from donating blood or may have only temporarily done so in the past as regulations change and research on diseases advances. Similar to Tran, who consulted with the staff at the drive about being from Denmark, checking with a physician or a qualified staff member about your medical history is the best way to ensure safety. Among stories of people fainting at blood drives, Tran’s experience provides a realistic portrayal of the process and debunks myths that drawing blood is a painful, lengthy procedure. A healthy body constantly pumps blood through the circulatory system, and dizziness is a temporary side effect of donation. Moreover, while registration times can vary, the actual process of drawing blood only takes up to ten minutes—ten minutes which can mean a lifetime to a patient.

Unlike surgical masks, gloves, and sanitizers, there is no efficient way of mass-manufacturing blood despite promising studies of blood substitutes, as this liquid gold remains a finite supply. In fact, “A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood,” (tinyurl.com/5fvv5zka) but assuming each of the 43,811 volunteers who have already donated gave 500 milliliters of blood, that is 46,294 units of donated blood that can help save future patients! We Are One fosters hope that countries can work together to stop the spread of COVID-19 and create a speedy recovery. Tran expressed the mission perfectly as he stated, “I feel like we are one working together towards one goal to donate blood, and I’m proud that I could be part of it.” Tran looks forward to future opportunities to donate blood and hopes the organization’s work “can inspire others to do the same.”

For more information on blood drives near you: redcrossblood.org/local-homepage.html

Fremont-Newark Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center

39227 Cedar Blvd., Newark

Pleasanton Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center

5880 W. Las Positas Blvd. Suite #34, Pleasanton

San Jose Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center

2731 North First St., San Jose

Oakland Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center

6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland

Toys for the holidays

Submitted by Milpitas Chamber of Commerce

A Holiday Toy Drive to benefit needy children and families in the community is set for Thursday, December 15 in Milpitas.

Sponsored by Milpitas Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Family Giving Tree, the two-hour event will start at 5 p.m. at Straw Hat Pizza on W. Calaveras Blvd. People donating are asked to bring a new unwrapped gift.

Items in high demand include:

  • Baby diapers
  • Baby supplies
  • Diaper bags
  • Ethnic dolls/Barbies

Admission is free and open to the public.

Holiday Toy Drive

Thursday, Dec 15

5 – 7 p.m.

Straw Hat Pizza

300 W. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas

Email: info@milpitaschamber.com

(408) 262-2613

First Friday: Moving to Mars

Submitted by Chabot Space and Science Center

This year, in early December, it will be the best time to view Mars. It’s also a great time to look forward to NASA’s Mission to Mars. Join NASA and SETI scientist Pascal Lee as they explore the beauty of the Martian landscape and discuss how art has influenced modern spacecraft and rocketry. The event will showcase a 1/4 functional scale model of the Curiosity Mars rover along with hands-on activities that will spark your imagination.

Delve into some space art making for the whole family and learn how things behave differently in the vacuum of space than they do under the influence of a Martian atmosphere. Experiment with how different materials behave in a real vacuum chamber to understand why atmospheric pressure is so important!

Music, beer, wine and will be food available. Forget the holiday gingerbread house this season: Stop by our Studio 1 to make an edible Mars rover.

 

First Friday: Moving to Mars

Friday, Dec 2

6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Chabot College

25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward

(510) 723-6600

http://www.chabotcollege.edu/

$15 adults, $10 kids/seniors and $5 members

 

 

 

 

 Easy reduce and reuse tips to incorporate in your daily routine

Submitted by Republic Services

Preventing waste doesn't have to be complicated. It starts with simple changes in daily habits—like bringing your reusable shopping bag to the store or reusing single-use bags you already have again and again. Reducing and reusing keeps money in your pocket and benefits our community and the environment. Below you can find easy reuse and reduction tips that you can start implementing today!

Limit Packaging and Single-use Items

Skip the disposables and carry your own reusable bag, water bottle, coffee cup, straw, and utensils. Reuse existing packaging products like paper and plastic bags, glass containers, and wrapping paper whenever possible. When you do have packaging, look for the How2Recycle Label, which is a standardized labeling system with clear recycling instructions.

Reduce Wasted Food

Check your fridge and pantry and create a shopping list before heading to the store. Shop with meals in mind and only buy what you need. Visit www.StopFoodWaste.org for easy, everyday tips to help you plan, store food properly, and eat.

Shop Smarter, Waste Less

Find alternatives to buying new – local thrift/second-hand shops and online community groups such as Craigslist, Nextdoor, Freecycle, and Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing offer plenty of options for used goods. Bring your own reusable bag/container, reuse a plastic bag you already have, and consider buying in bulk. This will help you save money and reduce packaging waste. Stores are increasingly offering customers the option to bring their own container to stock up on dry bulk foods and refill household items like shampoo and detergent. Search online for bulk bins and refill stores. Also consider choosing quality products to keep them in use longer to reduce your environmental footprint.

Reuse and Repair

Remember to consider reuse, repair, and donation options before disposing of an item. Many household items, such as furniture, appliances, and electronics, can be repaired. Check your local area for community repair events, repair shops, and Fixit Clinics. For items that you do not need every day, consider borrowing, renting, or sharing. Check your local library, hardware store, or online community group for tool lending opportunities. Visit www.Resource.StopWaste.orgto find local reuse, repair, and recycle options for just about anything.

Reduce Paper Waste

Using less paper can help you save money and conserve natural resources. Consider opportunities to: distribute/store documents electronically; print and copy double-sided (if needed at all); and reuse single-sided printouts, envelopes, and other paper products. Opt for paperless billing whenever possible. Learn how to opt out of junk mail at www.StopWaste.org/At-Home/Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-Rot/Stop-Junk-Mail.

Green Your Home

Be mindful about using resources such as water, fossil fuels and wood so that you limit waste, pollution and environmental damage. Build and remodel with energy efficiency in mind to save money, create a more comfortable home, and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Find more energy efficient home tips at www.StopWaste.org/At-Home/Energy-Efficient-Homes.

Source: www.StopWaste.org

Sea Level Rise on the Hayward Shoreline

Submitted by Winda I. Shimizu

Hayward Arts Council and Hayward Public Library are inviting you to a free public artist talk with Jennifer Koney titled “Art as a Doorway for Climate Activism” on Saturday, December 3 at the Hayward Public Library. Koney’s talk is in conjunction with her exhibition 55” – Images of Sea Level Rise on the Hayward Shoreline.

Inspired by sea level rise research in which she participated, Jennifer created a series of seven door-sized paintings of glaciers and icebergs depicting the possible impacts of sea level rise locally. Using a resist and pour painting process that she developed, each painting has a 55” horizon line that marks and makes physical the anticipated levels of sea level rise for the San Francisco Bay Area.

On January 14 at the Hayward Public Library, Koney will conduct a free “Hayward Climate Action: A Discussion” with speakers Erik Pearson, Environmental Services Manager, Public Works & Utilities Department, City of Hayward and Amos White, Founder and Chief Planting Officer, 100K Trees for Humanity.

Jennifer continues to use her art as a tool for increasing environmental awareness and is a climate activist with 350 Bay Area Action advocating for strong climate action legislation in California and working with community members to plant more trees in Hayward as a direct climate action. Currently she teaches “Hike, Sketch and Watercolor” workshops for Hayward Area Recreation and Park District using sketching as a tool to deepen both memory and a sense of place.

You’re welcome to join both important presentations and visit Koney’s exhibition 55” – Images of Sea Level Rise on the Hayward Shoreline on view until January 26.

To learn more about Koney’s climate activism and the upcoming events, visit www.haywardartscouncil.org.

Art as a Doorway for Climate Activism

Saturday, Dec 3

1 p.m.

55 – Images of Sea Level Rise on the Hayward Shoreline

Until Saturday, January 26

Hayward Public Library

888 C St., Hayward

(510) 293-8685

https://www.hayward-ca.gov/public-library

www.haywardartscouncil.org

Snacks with Santa

Submitted by City of Union City

Santa is making an early stop in Union City for cookies and hot cocoa from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, December 3 at Ruggieri Senior Center. Join him for a special visit and photo. And maybe, if you’ve been good this year, Santa may have something special for you to take home!

This event is open to children 12 years and younger with an accompanying adult. A maximum of two adults may accompany each child. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. No tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call (510) 675-5642 or email rrose@unioncity.org.

Snacks with Santa

Saturday, Dec 3

10 a.m. – 12 noon

Ruggieri Senior Center

33997 Alvarado-Niles Road

(510) 675-5642

www.unioncity.org/419/Community-Events

$10 Union City residents, $15 non-residents

Toys For Tots

Submitted by Alameda Toys For Tots

Dan Cardenas, Executive Director of Admissions, and student ambassadors have partnered to bring “Toys For Tots” to the Life West Campus in Hayward this holiday Season.

The Toy Drive will run through December 10, 2022. In order to donate or obtain more information, please reach out to Dan directly at cardenasdaniel210@gmail.com Through your support we can make a positive difference for many local kids this holiday season.

Cardenas has served for over 10 years as the Civilian Project Coordinator for the United States Marine Corp of Alameda. Last year, he was part of a team that served over 60 thousand kids and collected over 70 thousand toys for kids in Alameda County. Dan and wife Renay Cardenas, a nurse at Washington Hospital Fremont, will be special guests at the Marine Corp Ball this year.

Life West Chiropractic College

25001 Industrial Blvd., Hayward

https://www.alameda-ca.toysfortots.org

To donate, email: cardenasdaniel210@gmail.com

Volunteers needed for VITA program

Submitted by City of Fremont

Volunteers are the backbone of Fremont's free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) tax program and the call is out now for help during the upcoming tax season.

Over the past 20 years, Fremont's VITA Program prepared more than 34,000 returns, providing $54 million in refunds to taxpayers in the community. VITA sites operate in Fremont, Newark and Union City and provide free tax assistance to eligible tax filers.

Right now, they are looking for passionate volunteers for the following roles: Administrative Help, Digital Assistants, Greeters, Intake Specialists, Schedulers, Tax Preparers, and Translators (Spanish, Chinese, Punjabi, Farsi, and American Sign Language). Free training and materials will be provided; no experience is required.

For details, contact Carolyn Robertson by email at crobertson@fremont.gov or call (510) 574-2003.

Ask the DMV

Expedite your Holiday Travels with DMV’s Online Services!

 

The Thanksgiving season is one of the busiest travel times of the year. The DMV wants to make sure that you are prepared for busy airports so you can catch your flight with ease. Your travels will be easier when you take advantage of DMV online services to get your REAL ID.

Q1: I am planning to fly home to visit my family this holiday season. Do I need a REAL ID to board domestic flights?

A1: While you will not need a REAL ID to board domestic flights or to enter federal facilities this holiday season, you will next year. The enforcement date is May 3, 2023. We highly encourage all Californians to give themselves the gift of a REAL ID this holiday season! REAL ID appointments are available, and you can also check DMV Office wait times online if you do not have an appointment. Before you go, complete your REAL ID application online and simply finish the transaction in person at a DMV Office.

View a full list of acceptable documents and start your application online at www.dmv.ca.gov.

Q2: I lost my driver’s license and need to replace it before flying home for Thanksgiving. Can I request a replacement online?

A2: Yes, if your driver’s license (DL) has been lost, stolen, or damaged, a replacement DL can be requested online by following these steps:

  • Create an online account (if you haven’t previously).
  • If you’ve submitted a Change of Address (COA) confirm that the change has been processed and wait 14 days before requesting a replacement DL. (Confirmation can be done in the COA system.)
  • Be prepared to pay a fee for your replacement driver’s license.

You should receive your new DL card in the mail within two to four weeks. If you have not received your DL card after 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 to check the status.

Q3: My car registration is out of date, and I don’t have time to visit the DMV before the holidays. Can I renew my registration online?

A3: Yes! Skip the line this holiday season and renew your vehicle registration online. The DMV offers a variety of online services that make completing your DMV business easy and efficient, from renewing vehicle registration to changing your address, or driver’s license renewal. You can find a list of online services at dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv-online/.

In addition to online services, the DMV offers other methods for completing select transactions to help reduce your trips to the DMV and save you time this holiday season, including DMV kiosks and Business Partner Automation (BPA) locations:

DMV kiosks are freestanding self-service touchscreen devices that guide you through various DMV transactions, from registration renewal and payment to submitting proof of insurance. You can find a list of DMV kiosk locations at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/locations/kiosks/.

Our Business Partner Automation (BPA) program authorizes qualified partners to process vehicle related transactions, including vehicle registration and titling, from their remote locations. Learn more about our BPA program and what transactions can be processed at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/business-partner-automation-program/.

For more information or answers to questions not listed here, please visit www.dmv.ca.gov.

 All DMV offices will be closed on the following holidays:

  • Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 – Thanksgiving
  • Monday, December 26 – Christmas Day (Observed)*

 Note: DMV offices are closed on weekends.

* When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed on the following Monday.

The article is distributed by the California DMV. For more information or answers to questions not listed here, visit www.dmv.ca.gov.

Farewell Column

By Ayn Wieskamp, East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors

It has been my honor and privilege to represent this area on the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors since 1998. As many of you may know, I plan to retire from the board in December at the end of my present four-year term.

My successor will be Olivia Sanwong of Pleasanton, who I know will be a great board member. As a director of the Zone 7 Water Agency, she is well versed in issues of this region. And she has been my representative on the East Bay Regional Park District Park Advisory Committee for the past six years.

I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to serve on the board, work for the benefit of all the public, and spend so much time in our beautiful regional parks. And it has been a real pleasure associating with my fellow board members, all of them dedicated to keeping the district in the forefront of park agencies nationwide.

I’d also like to thank the district’s wonderful staff, who work hard every day to keep the parks safe and beautiful. This has been especially true during the pandemic, during which the regional parks have been one of the few locations where people could recreate safely and enjoy the health benefits of outdoor activity.

The regional park district has played a remarkable role in the history of the East Bay. From its founding in 1934 as the goal of a grass-roots movement headed by community leaders with admirable foresight, the district has grown to become a two-county public agency with 73 parks totaling 125,000 acres. Wherever you live in the East Bay, there is a regional park within 15 minutes of your home.

The district offers a spectrum of recreational opportunities including hiking, equestrian and cycling trails, picnicking, camping, swimming, fishing, and nature education. It also preserves critical habitat for wildlife and protects beautiful open spaces that have made the East Bay such a desirable place to live. I am proud to have played a modest role in this history.

And the story is not over. There is much to look forward to. One example is the district’s recent approval of an option to buy 768-acre Finley Road Ranch, one of the largest remaining undeveloped open spaces adjacent to Mt. Diablo State Park and Morgan Territory Regional Preserve.

Final acquisition would secure a site for eventual development of a staging area at the entrance to the preserve, easing access to relatively remote areas of both parks.

There’s a trailhead now at the end of Finley Road, but without vehicle parking. To reach it, visitors must park farther south alongside Finley Road, then walk along the road for three-quarters of a mile to the park gate.

Save Mount Diablo is supporting the park district in this acquisition and has contributed $50,000 of its own funds to the option payment. The park district has paid $200,000; total cost will be $11.4 million.

And a new 1,000-square-foot outdoor interpretive pavilion at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area in Pleasanton is scheduled to open in mid-December, with exhibits highlighting the natural and cultural history of the park. The nature pavilion exhibits will help better connect visitors to the park’s larger nature area and its trails for walking hiking, biking and nature watching.

The pavilion is made possible by state and non-profit grants and individual donations, including a lead gift of $200,000 from Nancy and Gary Harrington of Pleasanton, a California State Parks Grant, and a generous grant from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation.

Although I am retiring from the board, I will remain a dedicated supporter of the East Bay Regional Parks. And I urge everyone to take advantage of the extraordinary resources that the regional parks provide for all the public.

I’ll see you on the trails!

EARTHTALK

Is a battery shortage hampering solar and wind development?

By Alexander Birk

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that a shortage of batteries is slowing down the development of solar and wind power here in the U.S.? If so, what are we doing to ramp up battery production if anything?

— J. Wilson, Chicago, Illinois

As the climate crisis worsens and public outcry can no longer be ignored, policymakers are tasked with ramping up the production of renewable energy. The Biden Administration has announced its desire to de-carbonize the grid by 2035. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States electricity production emits 25% of total greenhouse gas pollution, just behind transportation at 27% of the country’s emissions. Renewable alternatives are starting to garner more support for both electricity production and manufacturing of zero-emission electric vehicles. With these potential solutions to the climate crisis, a new problem arises: Both rely on lithium batteries to store energy.

For the renewable energy industry to grow and ultimately take prominence, energy storage will be a critical piece to the puzzle. As critics point out, without an effective method to store energy, renewables like solar and wind are only good when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.

The most common way that energy is stored now is through the use of lithium batteries. Fluence, a global leader in energy storage technology, says that the cost of a lithium battery has begun to soar up to 20% higher than last year. This cost increase can be attributed to the increased price of the lithium and nickel needed to make the batteries, as well as bottlenecks in transport and labor.

Renewable energy projects are also reporting difficulties procuring lithium and nickel due to having to compete against the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. EV companies have proven to be a formidable competitor in the market due to their consistency and predictable ordering patterns which make them a favorite for battery manufacturers to work with.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is left to piece together a solution other than lithium batteries to achieve their lofty goals. One route they may take to avoid competition with EV producers is to use an alternative method of energy storage altogether. A Finnish company, Polar Night Energy, has developed a sand “battery” that is able to store heat in sand tanks up to 500 degrees Celsius, allowing that heat energy to be used later on. This is not to say that the future of American energy is sand, however it is a valuable example of how investing in innovative ideas can pay off in the form of creative solutions for the nation.

While we wait for the next big innovations, the DOE has identified a need for the U.S. to develop a domestic supply chain for energy storage and aims to put an emphasis on recycling lithium batteries. Presently only five percent of lithium batteries are being recycled globally; if the DOE is able to mandate battery recycling, then they hope that will bolster the domestic supply of lithium batteries while putting less stress on harvesting raw materials which will in turn bring the prices down.

ONLINE CONTACTS:

  • How a battery shortage is hampering the U.S. switch to wind, solar power:

reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/how-battery-shortage-is-hampering-us-switch-wind-solar-power-2022-06-09/

  • Could sand replace lithium for renewable energy tech?

freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2022/07/13/could-sand-replace-lithium-for-renewable-energy-tech/

  • The U.S. wants to fix its broken lithium battery supply chain:

theverge.com/2021/6/8/22524663/us-lithium-battery-supply-chain-broken

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

News and notes from around the world

Submitted by The Association of Mature American Citizens

The ‘slackline walk’

Tightrope walking is hard enough but taking a walk on a not-so-tight rope suspended between two mile-high-plus hot air balloons takes a special sense of balance, says the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). Take Rafael Bridi who did it recently for a second time this year. Bridi earned the Guinness World Record earlier this year for what is known as a slackline walk 6,236 feet over Santa Catarina, Brazil. This time he did it high above his hometown of Florianopolis, Brazil. See video of Bridi’s slackline walk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLMF7MGHLPs.

‘You’re Feet’s Too Big’

The late, great American jazz comedian and pianist of the early 20th century, Fats Waller, wrote and performed a hit song called “Your Feet’s Too Big.” Tanya Herbert of Houston, Texas has big feet — big enough to be honored by the Guinness Book of World Records — but they are definitely not too big for her, says AMAC. Tanya stands 6 feet, 9-inches tall and wears woman’s size 18 shoes, which are hard to find. So, she says she buys “the largest shoes I could find online and manipulate those to extend them out a little longer and make them a little wider so that they fit my feet.” See Herbert’s interview about her feet on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=np_XB86jGns.

A big, thick and heavy book

You don’t want a judge throwing this book at you; it’s the world’s biggest book ever — 7 feet tall, 11 feet wide and weighing in at 496 pounds, reports AMAC. It has the appropriate title, “I Am Texas,” and was authored by 1,000 “great state” elementary and high school students. It was the brainchild of the Literacy nonprofit iWRITE and The Bryan Museum in Galveston, Texas. See video about making the largest published book in the world on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3L8SYXA8lc.

The Association of Mature American Citizens is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing membership in Washington, D.C. and in local congressional districts nationwide. More information is available on its website at www.amac.us.

Park It: Christmas at Ardenwood

By Ned MacKay

Victorian era splendor will be on display in December at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont during a “Christmas at the Patterson House” program, Fridays through Sundays, Dec. 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18.

From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day, costumed docents will lead tours of 14 rooms of the mansion decorated with Victorian-style holiday ornaments.

The schedule calls for 20-minute Tot Tours for all ages, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., downstairs only and wheelchair accessible. Full tours for age six and older will be at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., lasting 45 minutes.

These are drop-in tours; no registration is necessary. Tickets will be sold at the door as space allows. Fees are $3 for adults and seniors, $2 for ages six through 17, and free for children 5 and under. There are separate fees for Ardenwood entrance. For information, call (510) 791-4196.

Programs at Ardenwood recreate life on a restored, turn of the 20th century estate. It is also a working farm. It’s located at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just north of Highway 84. For information, call (510) 544-2797.

Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area in Pleasanton is the venue for the next meeting of the informal “Let’s Get Outside Club.”

Naturalist Betty Villalta will lead a beginners-level hike there from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. Minimum age is eight, and parent participation is required.

This is a drop-in hike; no registration is required. Parking fees apply. Meet at the park’s Lakeside Picnic Area. Bring water and a snack or lunch.

The club offers an easy to moderate, naturalist-led hike on the first Sunday of every month. All are welcome.

Shadow Cliffs is on Stanley Boulevard east of downtown Pleasanton. For information, call 510-544-3234.

Look for resident and migrant water birds with naturalist Gisselle Hernandez during a drop-in program from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4 at Del Valle Regional Park south of Livermore.

The program is for ages eight and older; adult participation is required. All levels of birding expertise are welcome. Bring binoculars and bird guides if you have them. Some binoculars will be available for loan.

Meet Gisselle at the Del Valle marina. The park is on Del Valle Road off Mines Road about nine miles south of Livermore. There’s a parking fee of $6 per vehicle.

The naturalists at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch lead a “Saturday Afternoon Stroll” almost every week. It’s a two-to-three-mile hike to explore the park’s varied plant and animal life.

There’s a stroll from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Minimum age is four years and parent participation is required.

Or you can meet one of the park’s snakes-in-residence during a program from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4 with naturalist Jessica Kauzer.

Minimum age is two years. Jessica will show the snake and talk about how snakes contribute to the local ecosystem.

Registration is not necessary for either program. Both meet at the uppermost parking lot on Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. The programs are free; Black Diamond Mines has a parking fee of $5 when the kiosk is staffed. For information, call 510-544-2750.

Lambs are the stars of a program from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 in the Little Farm at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley with naturalist Jenna Collins.

Visitors can meet the Little Farm flock, find out what sheep’s wool feels like, then make their own mini-sheep from wool to take home.

The program is wheelchair accessible, drop-in, and free of charge. Meet Jenna at the Environmental Education Center. It’s next door to the Little Farm, at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233.

Tilden naturalist Anthony Fisher will lead one of his Monday birding walks from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Dec. 5 at Shimada Friendship Park in Richmond.

This is an easy walk to see the birds and enjoy some ornithological lore. The park is at Peninsula Drive and Marina Bay Parkway. For information, call 510-544-2233.

Next in the Hikes for Tykes series is a walk from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline in San Leandro to enjoy birds, butterflies and bay views.

These are drop-in programs — easy walks for parents with small children. For the Oyster Bay walk, meet the naturalist at the park’s Neptune Drive entrance. Call 510-544-3187 for information.

These are just a few of the programs available in the Regional Parks. For full information, visit www.ebparks.org/things-to-do.

THE ROBOT REPORT

How safe are Cruise robotaxis?

By Brianna Wessling

Cruise recently released its safety report to give the public insights on what the company does to ensure its robotaxis are safe. The report details the approaches, tenets and processes that help keep Cruise vehicles safe on the road.

Cruise’s vehicles have driven nearly five million miles, and 500,000 driverless miles without any major incidents. The company aims to deploy the world’s most advanced driverless service, and identify, classify and mitigate the safety risks that come with operating a driverless service.

Cruise has many safeguards in place to ensure its robotaxi services are safe, including a company-wide Safety Management System (SMS), that helps to encourage a culture of safety within the company by giving employees a route for reporting safety concerns, and an Independent Safety Review Board made up of experts in autonomous driving from outside of the company. The Board is made up of Azad Madni, Carol Flannagan, Charles Justiz and Christopher Hart.

The SMS helps to ensure Cruise is making safe decisions throughout product development and driverless operations. This framework is also used in the aviation, nuclear energy and oil and gas industries to ensure safe operations. Cruise’s SMS has four core pillars, which are safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance and safety promotion.

But Cruise’s dedication to safety goes back further than the systems it has in place now, and starts with a build-up approach, also called envelope expansion, that it has taken when rolling out its services. The approach, which is common in other safety-critical fields like aerospace or medical devices, involves Cruise starting with lower-risk conditions and then expanding to higher-risk ones as the company hits more performance targets.

Recently, Cruise has been expanding its robotaxi services, branching off from where it first started tests in San Francisco and started deploying robotaxis in Phoenix and Austin. These services are rolled out from Cruise in two phases: a Supervised Release Process and a Driverless Release Process. During both of these phases, Cruise’s engineers are performing simulations tests, operability tests, on-road tests, closed-course tests and decisions meetings and approvals.

The Driverless Release Process involves taking the operator out of the vehicle and letting the robotaxi drive itself. Usually, these deployments start with limitations in operational hours and a smaller map than was used in the first phase, but these limitations can shrink over time as the robtoaxis’ abilities grow.

Waymo, one of Cruise’s biggest competitors in the autonomous driving space, has also released its safety benchmarks for its robotaxis. Waymo released its Response Time paper and Collision Avoidance Benchmarking paper to provide more clarity on the safety benchmarks it holds for its vehicles. The papers outline how the Waymo Driver compares to average human drivers and better than average drivers.

Brianna Wessling is an Associate Editor, Robotics, WTWH Media. She can be reached at bwessling@wtwhmedia.com.

Tri-City History in Photographs #11: Automobiles

By Kelsey Camello, for the Washington Township Museum of Local History

Automobile (noun): A road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor and able to carry a small number of people.

 

 Photo:

19932524.jpeg

 Caption:

Mission San Jose, 1920s: A bus and a horse-drawn carriage in front of Mission San Jose.

 

 Photo: 200861

 Caption:

Irvington, 1928: Larry Rose stands beside an Irvington Bakery truck on Blacow Road. Oliveira Ranch is in the background.

 Photo: 100080318-large

 Caption:

Centerville, 1960: Central Chevrolet was located just next door to Cloverdale Creamery on Fremont Boulevard (Main Street).

 

 Photo: 10008014-large

 Caption:

Warm Springs, 1982: The last car produced at Fremont Assembly rolls down the line before General Motors closed its doors in March 1982. The plant reopened in 1984 as New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (and it closed its doors in 2010). Tesla opened at the same location later in 2010.

 Let’s explore local history through themes and photographs. Have a topic or idea you’d like us to explore? Email us at info@museumoflocalhistory.org.

An Introduction to induction

By David R. Newman

Photos courtesy of KitchenAid

Are you looking for a new stove? Is that cooktop you’ve been slaving over for the past 20 years on its last legs? Replacing a major appliance is often an unplanned affair, putting the home chef in a sudden quandary over which way to turn. If this is you, you may want to consider a technology that is quickly becoming the hot topic of the day – induction cooking.

Most people are familiar with gas grills and electric stoves. Induction cooktops combine the best of both worlds, giving you the control of a gas burner with the easy-to-clean surface of an electric cooktop.

Frigidaire describes the process: “An electric current is passed through a coiled copper wire underneath the cooking surface, which creates a magnetic current throughout the cooking pan to produce heat.” In essence, you are heating the pan directly while the glass surface remains cool, a safer and more efficient way of cooking.

Induction cooktops have actually been around for a while. They first appeared at the 1933 World’s Fair, and were brought to market in the 1950’s. Their high cost kept them out of most American kitchens, however, with slow adoption spreading across Europe and Asia people began to realize the energy saving potential of this new technology.

Recently, as concern over sustainable energy has increased in the US, so has the migration to induction cooktops, pushing many hesitant Americans into trying this new way of cooking. In their 2021 Design Trends report, the National Kitchen & Bath Association shows induction surpassing electric cooktops in popularity and edging closer to gas.

Says Leo Steinmetz, Beneficial Electrification Manager at Acterra, a local nonprofit helping spread the word on induction, “Electric resistance stoves, which are very common, have been much maligned, and for good reasons, because they’re so slow to heat up and so hard to control. There has been a surge in popularity of induction because you have a lot finer control over exactly how much heat is going into the pan and the food.” Induction cooktops also achieve their targeted temperature quicker, and can boil water in half the time it takes on a traditional electric cooktop.

Steinmetz also cites air quality as an important reason to choose induction, especially over gas. A recent report by Physicians for Social Responsibility shows evidence that gas stoves release several hazardous pollutants into the air, including nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. Steinmetz considers this a big deal, and likens it to secondhand smoke, which was not considered dangerous until scientific studies proved otherwise.

As California moves towards being 100% carbon-free by 2045, appliances fueled by natural gas will be the first to go. A plan to ban the sale of all natural gas furnaces and water heaters by 2030 was approved in September by the California Air Resources Board. And according to the LA Times, “about 50 cities and towns in California, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, have adopted regulations that ban or discourage the use of gas-fueled stoves in new buildings.”

For many gas grill enthusiasts, the emotional bond between human and flame is sacred. That special char that can only be achieved when fat drips into fire is such a desirable aspect of cooking for many chefs. To them, Steinmetz offers these words: “Food is such a critical cultural component in how we live our lives. I understand that people are resistant to change. It’s unfamiliar, it’s new, it’s challenging. But people are also resilient. People adapt. As induction technology becomes more and more popular, you’ll see companies inventing ways to replicate gas cooktops.”

Of course, switching from gas to induction/electric is not so simple as it involves removing the old gas line and installing a new electric outlet, which may be too expensive for many homeowners. Another hurdle with induction is the cookware, which needs to have iron in it. Pans made out of copper, aluminum, or stainless steel may not work. As a simple test, try to stick a magnet to the bottom of your pot. If it sticks, you’re good to go. Of course, there are several manufacturers who make cookware specifically for induction stoves. Look for the special symbol on the bottom.

According to Consumer Reports, “Induction cooktops come as close to perfection as any product Consumer Reports tests.” And prices for induction stoves are now on par with similar gas and electric models. Also of note, the Inflation Reduction Act might save you some money on an electric cooktop, including induction models. Eligibility for rebates depends on how much you earn and where you live.

If you’re curious about induction cooking but not ready to fully commit, why not try one out for a short time? Acterra has teamed up with East Bay Clean Energy (EBCE) to provide an induction cooktop lending program. Anyone within the EBCE service area can sign up to borrow a cooktop kit for up to a month. The kit includes a Winco plug-in induction cooktop, a sauce pan or flat-bottom wok, instructions, magnets for testing pans, and recipe cards.

For More Information:

www.acterra.org

www.consumerreports.org

www.ebce.org

www.psr.org

www.kitchenaid.com

Feds offer $1B to keep California's last nuclear plant open

By Jennifer McDermott and Matthew Daly

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP), Nov. 21 — The Biden administration on Nov. 21 announced preliminary approval to spend up to $1.1 billion to help keep California's last operating nuclear power plant running, even as officials turned down a request for financial aid to restart a closed nuclear plant in Michigan.

The Energy Department said it was creating a path forward for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant on California's central coast to remain open, with final terms to be negotiated and finalized. The plant, which had been scheduled to close by 2025, was chosen in the first round of funding for the administration's new civil nuclear credit program, intended to bail out financially distressed owners or operators of nuclear power reactors.

The program is part of Biden's effort to cut planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. “This is a critical step toward ensuring that our domestic nuclear fleet will continue providing reliable and affordable power to Americans as the nation's largest source of clean electricity,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.

Approval of the funding came as the Energy Department turned down a request by the Palisades nuclear plant for funding to restart operations. The plant along Lake Michigan was shut down last spring after generating electricity for more than 50 years.

Granholm served two terms as Michigan governor before becoming Energy secretary. A spokeswoman said Nov. 21 that Granholm's tenure as governor played no role in the decision on the Palisades plant.

Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had brought together a coalition to develop a plan that would have reopened a non-operational nuclear plant for the first time in U.S. history. Despite the temporary setback, Whitmer “will continue competing to bring home transformational projects creating thousands of good-paying jobs to our state in autos, chips, batteries, and clean energy,” said spokesman Bobby Leddy.

Palisades owner Holtec International said they fully understood that attempting to restart a shuttered nuclear plant would be both a challenge and a first for the nuclear industry.

The Biden administration launched the $6 billion effort in April to rescue nuclear power plants at risk of closing, citing the need to continue nuclear energy as a carbon-free source of power that helps to combat climate change. Nuclear power provides about 20% of electricity in the U.S., or about half the nation's carbon-free energy. The bailout program is the largest federal investment in saving financially distressed nuclear reactors.

Most U.S. nuclear plants were built between 1970 and 1990, and costs to operate the aging fleet are increasing. There are 53 commercial nuclear power plants with 92 nuclear reactors in 28 U.S. states.

PG&E, which operates Diablo Canyon, said the federal funds would be used to pay back a loan from the state of California to support extending operations at the plant and lower costs for customers. PG&E spokesperson Suzanne Hosn said there are still additional federal and state approvals required to renew the plant's license and to operate past 2025.

PG&E is taking actions to seek re-licensing while also continuing to plan for the eventual decommissioning of the plant, Hosn said. The seaside plant located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco produces 9% of the state's electricity. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said continued operation of Diablo Canyon beyond 2025 is “critical to ensure statewide energy system reliability” as climate change stresses the energy system.

Newsom signed legislation in September to open the way for the plant to operate for an additional five years, a move he said was needed to ward off possible blackouts as the state transitions to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources.

Newsom said on Nov. 21 he appreciates the “critical support” from the federal government and looks forward to working together to “build a clean, affordable and reliable energy future.”

“This investment creates a path forward for a limited-term extension of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant to support reliability statewide and provide an onramp for more clean energy projects to come online,” Newsom said in a statement.

Environmentalists and other critics warn of safety risks from nearby earthquake faults and tons of spent nuclear fuel at the site, along with potential future costs that could land on ratepayers. The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy organization that opposes the extension, said the “misguided” decision by the Biden administration sets a dangerous precedent of keeping aging, dilapidated nuclear plants operating. EWG President and California resident Ken Cook said taxpayer money would be better spent on clean, safe, renewable sources of electricity like solar, wind and energy storage solutions.

The Energy Department intends to accept annual applications for the civil nuclear credit program through fiscal 2031, or until the $6 billion runs out. Nuclear plant owners or operators can bid on credits for financial assistance to keep operating. To qualify, plant owners or operators have to show the reactors are projected to retire for economic reasons and emissions would increase.

The first round prioritized reactors that have already announced plans to close. The second round will be opened up to more economically at-risk facilities, the Energy Department said. The program was funded through President Joe Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure law.

___

McDermott reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press writers Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento, California, and Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report.

Fremont City Council

November 15, 2022

Councilmember Referrals:

  • Take necessary actions to place a commemorative sign honoring Chief Steckler near the east driveway of Fremont’s Police Department facility.

Other Business:

  • Lease agreement with East Bay Regional Park District to include 900 acres at Stanford Staging Area and the larger Mission Peak area for the purpose of public park, recreation and open space.
  • Resident mentioned parking congestion and lack of parking at all Fremont parks.
  • Fremont residents are concerned about rampant curfew violations at parks and length of curfew hours.
  • Resident said there should not be a reduction of access.

Consent Calendar:

  • Approve agreement for $540,000 of Federal HOME funds.
  • Approve contract to Global Road Sealing, Inc. for the 2023 Citywide Pavement Crack Seal Project.
  • Approve contract to Safety Network, Inc. for the Citywide Street Name Sign Installation Project.
  • Authorize a professional services agreement with Mark Thomas & Company for the Project Approval and Environmental Clearance Phase of the I-880/Decoto Road Interchange Modernization Project.
  • Approve contract to Golden Bay Construction, Inc. for the Walnut Avenue and Liberty Street Intersection Improvements Project.
  • Approve lease amendment with Alameda County Water District for use of property near Patterson Reservoir as Police Outdoor Firing Range.
  • Approve contract to McNabb Construction, Inc. for the Fremont Police Outdoor Firing Range Renovation Project.
  • Amend contract for Homeless Encampment and Illegal Dumping Abatement Services with Art Cuevas Landscaping.

Mayor Lily Mei                       Aye

Teresa Keng                            Aye

Raj Salwan                              Aye

Teresa Cox                              Aye

Yang Shao                              Absent

Jenny Kassan                          Nay

Rick Jones                               Aye

Milpitas City Council

November 15, 2022

Consent Calendar:

  • Authorize a four-year agreement with CivicPlus for the Civic Engage Government Website Platform.
  • Authorize a Stormwater Management Facilities Operation and Maintenance Agreement between the City of Milpitas and Toll West Coast, LLC for the Parkside Project at 1980 and 1992 Tarob Court and 551 Lundy Place.
  • Authorize the Improvement Agreement with Satpreet Singh Thind and Jaspreet Kaur Thind, for completion of offsite public improvements located at 250 Piedmont Road.
  • Authorize the five-year Professional Services Agreement with Fireworks and Stage Effects America, LLC for 4th of July and Lunar New Year pyrotechnical services.
  • Accept the 2022 Legislative Season Outcome Report.
  • Appoint Roger Lee as Interim Public Works Director.
  • Appoint Liz Brown as Interim Human Resources Director.

Mayor Rich Tran                                 Aye

Carmen Montano                                Aye

Anthony Phan                                     Aye

Karina Dominguez                              Aye

Evelyn Chua                                        Aye

Newark Unified School District

November 17,2022

Public Comments:

  • Support of updating the theater at Newark Memorial High School and funding the drama club program.
  • Layla Malikara, stage manager for Newark Memorial drama program, discussed the program’s outdated equipment.

Internet Report:

  • Reports of poor connectivity at Newark Memorial in Spring 2022.
  • Fiber connection between school and district office failing, was replaced.
  • Design and outline for a new wireless system to meet the district’s needs for bandwidth.

Consent Agenda:

  • Approve Schilling Elementary fifth grade class overnight travel to Camp Sempervirens.
  • Approve updated administrative regulations.
  • Approve updated board policies.
  • Rescind Board Policy regarding land development.

President Nguyen                    Aye

Vice-President Grindall           Aye

Board Member Hill                 Aye

Board Member Zhang             Aye

Improvements on the way for Sunol Glen School

Submitted by Sunol Glen School District

Photo courtesy of livermorevine.com

Sunol’s Ballot Measure J passed with 60% of the vote in the November 8 election. The $10.9 million general obligation bond will utilize a tax rate of $52.10 per $100,000 of assessed value for property owners to fund multiple projects.

23 years ago, Sunol voters passed a bond measure that added more portables and helped expand the elementary school to a K-8 school. Built in 1925 the school has stayed clean and functional. Basic improvements over the years have kept the school’s infrastructure going but fundamental seismic, electrical and plumbing updates are needed. Kitchen improvements could lead to on-site cooking.

Bond sponsored school upgrades may include roof replacement; more fencing and better door locking hardware; improving the fire sprinkler system; and more ADA-accessible entrances for the main building doors, the auditorium and the bathroom stalls and entrances.

BART Police Log

Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD

Sunday, November 20

  • At 11:53 a man identified by police as Tyrone Jackson, 50, of Hayward was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of battery and trespassing on transit property. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail and issued a prohibition order.

Monday, November 21

  • At 6:08 a.m. a man identified by police as Joshua Quewonwilliams, 30, of Oakland was arrested at Hayward station on suspicion of indecent exposure, probation violation and resisting an officer. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail and issued a prohibition order.

Tuesday, November 22

  • At 11:09 a.m. a man identified by police as Griffin Adams, 34, of Fremont was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and a probation violation along with an outstanding warrant. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
  • At 10:20 p.m. a man identified by police as Skyler Estrada, 27, of San Jose was arrested at Castro Valley station on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, providing false identification and two outstanding warrants. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

More than 700 people cited in San Jose car stunt gathering

Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP), Nov. 14 — Police in the San Francisco Bay Area cited more than 700 people who gathered over the Nov. 12 weekend to watch and perform car stunts at San Jose intersections.

The San Jose Police Department said officers responded the evening on Nov. 12 to reports of “sideshows,” when people take over and block an intersection to perform stunts, happening in several places. Officers impounded 19 cars and it will cost owners $4,000 to retrieve them, officials said. They also issued hundreds of tickets that can cost up to $1,000 and called the parents of 82 minors who were present.

The department says it also recovered a ghost gun and two stolen vehicles and it's investigating a possible carjacking.

In a large and coordinated effort, officers detained and cited 500 people at the intersection of Monterey Highway and Branham Lane after blocking the cars from leaving, the department said in a statement posted on social media.

Cities across the country have been dealing with similar issues in recent years, including Reno, Phoenix, and Chicago. In September, three people were killed and several others badly hurt in crashes related to a pop-up sideshow in Wildwood, New Jersey.

CHP Log

Submitted by CHP Hayward

Monday, Nov. 21

  • At about 11:55 a.m. CHP officers responded to a report about a motorcyclist down on southbound I-880 just north of the A Street exit in Hayward. CHP’s preliminary investigation indicated the motorcyclist went down, then was fatally struck by a big rig truck which continued on. CHP said it was unclear why the motorcyclist went down or if the driver of the truck knew they struck the motorcyclist. Four traffic lanes were closed during the initial investigation and were reopened about 2:45 p.m. An investigation is continuing.

Police seek public’s help in homicide case

Submitted by Newark Police Department

Detectives from Newark Police Department (NPD) are investigating the stabbing death of a man found in a residential area on Oak Street near Wells Avenue on Saturday, November 19.

The incident started about 7:29 p.m. when officers responded to a report of gunfire in the 37000 block of Oak St. When they arrived, officers found an unresponsive adult male suffering from possible stab wounds. Emergency personnel rendered aid but the man died. Police said a second person at the scene, they identified as a 42-year-old Newark man, also was suffering from significant injuries. He was taken to a hospital and later reported in stable condition.

Police are handling the case as a homicide investigation. Detectives are working to identify involved parties and are asking anyone with information to call Newark Police Investigations Unit Detective Sergeant Yama Homayoun at (510) 578-4920 or send an email to Yama.Homayoun@newark.org. Information also can be left on the Anonymous Tip Line at (510) 578-4965.

Cross Country North Coast Section Championship

By Angela Xiong

On Saturday, November 19 the CIF North Coast Section Championship for Cross Country took place at Hayward High School. The lively meet consisted of ten 3-mile races with runners from over 100 Northern California high schools in attendance.

The meet kicked off with the Division 4 and 5 Girls’ race. The Division 4 Boys’ race followed where Albany High School and Bishop O’ Dowd High School placed first and second respectively in team rankings. Additionally, Moreau Catholic High School’s (Hayward) senior Jacob Hupke who previously made a course record in this year’s MVAL Championship race placed second with a time of 15:05.1.

In the Division 1 Girls’ race, Castro Valley High School placed third in team scores with four runners placing within the top 20 in individual scores. Castro Valley High School continued to be a strong competitor in the Division 1 Boys’ race ranking fifth in team scores. Senior Jacob Bull and junior Lucas Chang crossed the finish line just 4 seconds apart from one another during the race, placing top 10 and 11 respectively in individual scores.

Newark Memorial High School stood out in the Division 2 Girls' race with MVAL standout Kara Tokubo placing in the top 20 with a time of 19:09.4. Newark Memorial High School continued to excel in the Division 3 Boys’ race, placing third with a team score of 110; senior Talha Ahmed and junior Sid Patel placed in the top 15.

In the final race results, Newark Memorial placed 12th in the Girls' category and 21st in the Boys' category while Castro Valley placed 22nd in the Girls’ category and 30th in the Boys’ category. Meanwhile, Moreau Catholic placed within the top 60 in the Girls’ category and 31st in the Boys’ category.

Joining the local hockey scene

By Eric Donato

For local professional hockey fans, there is plenty to cheer about. The San Jose Sharks is a formidable National Hockey League team with a solid local fan base. Likewise, Sharks' affiliate team, the popular San Jose Barracudas of The American Hockey League, also boasts a strong following and has even built a new 4,200-seat state-of-the-art arena in San Jose.

However, there is more to the local hockey scene than following these exciting professional teams. Luckily, the local area provides resources to get you on the hockey sports bandwagon.

Are you interested in following your local hockey leagues or want to get your child started in this thrilling, fast-paced sport? For the Tri-City and neighboring areas, Fremont resident and local hockey team captain Kyle Dennis suggests, “The Solar4America Ice at Fremont is the place to get started.” Kyle Dennis has been a lifelong hockey player, has joined competitive leagues since he was eight years old, and is an avid advocate for local hockey. He added that local ice-skating centers are typically the best sources for getting hockey information and involvement.

Solar4America Ice in Fremont hosts a busy scene for hockey leagues and figure skating competitions and is a popular place for local public ice skating. It has a sister facility, Solar4America Ice in San Jose. Oakland and Dublin also have similar community ice rink facilities hosting local ice hockey.

Do you have a potential Wayne Gretzky in the making? The Fremont facility offers hockey lessons across age groups, even as early as three years old. Kyle Dennis states, “Getting into hockey can be expensive with the required protective equipment and gear.” Luckily, the facility pro shop can guide you with reasonable purchase options. Apart from the lessons at the facility, you can join several organized leagues, from the house hockey league to youth, adult, co-ed, and women's leagues.

Listed below are some local hockey resources with additional information on lessons and local recreational leagues you can check out:

https://www.sharksiceatfremont.com/

https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/

https://www.oaklandice.com/adult-hockey

https://www.blackhawks.org/

https://norcalyouthhockey.org/Clubs.html

https://ncwhl.com/

https://thehockeywriters.com/hockey-101-beginners-guide-ice-hockey/

Airbnb aims to convince more people to rent out their homes

By David Koenig

Associated Press Business Writer

Convinced that the boom in leisure travel is permanent, Airbnb aims to expand its listings by convincing more people to turn their homes into short-term rentals.

The company said on Nov. 16 that it will increase the amount of liability coverage for hosts, up to $3 million, in a play for owners of nicer houses in high-cost places such as California. It will also pair newbies with a “superhost” to guide them through the process of becoming a short-term landlord, from signing up through welcoming their first guest.

More listings would not seem to be Airbnb's biggest challenge.

CEO Brian Chesky says the San Francisco company is taking steps to make price more transparent when consumers browse Airbnb listings, and he predicts that will reduce sky-high cleaning fees that many hosts tack on well into the booking process — a major complaint of consumers.

The company also continues to try to crack down on large parties at rentals, a few of which have turned violent. And it faces efforts to increase regulation of short-term rentals.

Through it all, Airbnb has fared better than most travel companies during the pandemic. This month, it reported a record $1.21 billion profit for the third quarter. Its stock fell, however, because earnings and bookings were less than Wall Street expected and the company gave a cautious fourth-quarter outlook.

Investors worry that consumers paying more for food, gas and housing — and facing predictions of recession — will cut back on discretionary spending like travel, hurting Airbnb. Some current hosts are worried that might already be happening. Last month, a post on a Facebook page for Airbnb “superhosts” asked, “Has anyone seen a huge decrease in bookings over the last 3 to 4 months? We went from at least 50% occupancy to literally 0% in the last two months.”

Other hosts on social media have suggested theories ranging from a fragile economy to pent-up travel demand finally running out, and some think the problem might be that Airbnb already has too many listings.

AirDNA, which tracks short-term-rental numbers, said Airbnb listed nearly 1.4 million rentals in the U.S. in September, a 23% jump from a year earlier and 9% over 2019. Nearly two-thirds were added since 2020. The trends are similar for global listings.

Chesky said in an interview that Airbnb has enough hosts now — he didn't say it has too many — but needs more because leisure travel will keep growing. And, he said, a recession could push more people to turn their homes into Airbnbs. After all, he likes to point out, Airbnb launched during the great recession in 2008.

“People are pulling back spending in tons of areas, but not travel,” Chesky said. “And with a looming recession, we felt like more people than ever are going to want to make extra money.”

Potential hosts sometimes hesitate, Chesky said, because they are uncomfortable having strangers in their homes. The company's response is to triple the amount of coverage for hosts — from $1 million to $3 million — against damage, including to vehicles, boats and a wider range of art on the property.

Chesky is betting that will persuade more owners of nice homes to list them on Airbnb. “Exactly, and home values have increased since we wrote the $1 million plan,” he said. “We just noticed more than 20% of the homes on Airbnb, and maybe even more than that, were over the $1 million limit in value.”

The company said it is also launching a system to verify the identity of guests and flag potential parties, immediately in the U.S. and Canada and worldwide by next spring. Chesky said the system is “not a silver bullet,” and he didn't provide many details but said in the U.S. it will include a check of criminal and sex-offender records.

In the meantime, the company is working on a plan to display the all-in price of a stay up front on its app and website — an amount that would include cleaning fees, which can be very high and only appear later in the booking process.

Chesky said he didn't want to bar or cap cleaning fees — that's a decision for hosts, he said. But including fees in the upfront price — and in the order in which search results are displayed – “is going to correct the market,” he said.

Jeff Bezos says he will give away most of his fortune

By Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) Nov 14, 2022 — Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said he will give away the majority of his wealth during his lifetime, becoming the latest billionaire to pledge to donate much of his vast fortune.

Bezos, whose “real-time” worth Forbes magazine estimates at roughly $124.1 billion, made the announcement in a joint CNN interview with his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez that was released on Monday. The billionaire didn't specify how – or to whom – he will give away the money, but said the couple were building the “capacity” to do it.

“The hard part is figuring out how to do it in a levered way,” Bezos said during the interview. “It's not easy. Building Amazon was not easy. It took a lot of hard work and very smart teammates. And I'm finding – and Lauren's finding – that philanthropy is very similar. It's not easy. It's really hard.”

Bezos had been criticized in the past for not signing the Giving Pledge, the campaign launched by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffet to encourage billionaires to donate the majority of their wealth through philanthropy.

His ex-wife McKenzie Scott signed that pledge in 2019 and has since emerged as a formidable force in the world of philanthropy, showering charities throughout the country with unexpected – and often secretive – contributions. In the past three years, she's given more than $12 billion to historically Black colleges and universities, women's rights group and other nonprofits.

Bezos, who divorced from Scott in 2019, stepped down as Amazon CEO last year to devote more time to philanthropy and other projects. Among other donations, he's pledged $10 billion to fight climate change as part of his Bezos Earth Fund initiative. Last year, he gave $510.7 million to charity, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

On Saturday, Bezos and Sanchez announced they will give a no-strings-attached $100 million grant to singer Dolly Parton, who's been praised for her philanthropic work that helped create the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19. Bezos had given a similar grant to chef Jose Andres and CNN commentator Van Jones last year.

Tesla recalls 300K vehicles over taillight software glitch

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP), Nov. 19 — Tesla is recalling more than 300,000 vehicles in the U.S. because a software glitch can make taillights go off intermittently, increasing the risk of a collision.

Tesla said in documents posted Nov. 19 by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the glitch may affect one or both taillights on certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Brake lamps, backup lamps and turn signal lamps are not affected by the software problem, the company said.

The automaker said it is releasing an online software update that will fix the problem. The recall covers certain 2020 to 2023 Model Y SUVs and 2023 Model 3 sedans. That amounts to potentially 321,628 vehicles.

Tesla became aware of the problem last month after receiving complaints, primarily from customers outside the U.S., that their vehicle taillamps were not illuminating. The company completed an investigation into the problem earlier this month.

Owners will be notified by letter starting Jan. 14. The company says in documents that vehicles in production and those set for delivery got the update starting Nov. 6.

As of Nov. 14, Tesla had received three warranty claims due to the problem, but was not aware of any related crashes or injuries related to the glitch, according to the documents.

Tesla recalls 300K vehicles over taillight software glitch

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP), Nov. 19 — Tesla is recalling more than 300,000 vehicles in the U.S. because a software glitch that can make taillights go off intermittently, increasing the risk of a collision.

Tesla said in documents posted Nov. 19 by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the glitch may affect one or both taillights on certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Brake lamps, backup lamps and turn signal lamps are not affected by the software problem, the company said.

The automaker said it is releasing an online software update that will fix the problem. The recall covers certain 2020 to 2023 Model Y SUVs and 2023 Model 3 sedans. That amounts to potentially 321,628 vehicles.

Tesla became aware of the problem last month after receiving complaints, primarily from customers outside the U.S., that their vehicle taillamps were not illuminating. The company completed an investigation into the problem earlier this month.

Owners will be notified by letter starting Jan. 14. The company says in documents that vehicles in production and those set for delivery got the update starting Nov. 6.

As of Nov. 14, Tesla had received three warranty claims due to the problem, but was not aware of any related crashes or injuries related to the glitch, according to the documents.

Feds offer $1B to keep California's last nuclear plant open

By Jennifer McDermott and Matthew Daly

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP), Nov 21 – The Biden administration on Monday announced preliminary approval to spend up to $1.1 billion to help keep California's last operating nuclear power plant running, even as officials turned down a request for financial aid to restart a closed nuclear plant in Michigan.

The Energy Department said it was creating a path forward for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant on California's central coast to remain open, with final terms to be negotiated and finalized. The plant, which had been scheduled to close by 2025, was chosen in the first round of funding for the administration's new civil nuclear credit program, intended to bail out financially distressed owners or operators of nuclear power reactors.

The program is part of Biden's effort to cut planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, compared with 2005 levels.

“This is a critical step toward ensuring that our domestic nuclear fleet will continue providing reliable and affordable power to Americans as the nation's largest source of clean electricity,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.

Approval of the funding came as the Energy Department turned down a request by the Palisades nuclear plant for funding to restart operations. The plant along Lake Michigan was shut down last spring after generating electricity for more than 50 years.

Granholm served two terms as Michigan governor before becoming Energy secretary. A spokeswoman said Monday that Granholm's tenure as governor played no role in the decision on the Palisades plant.

Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had brought together a coalition to develop a plan that would have reopened a non-operational nuclear plant for the first time in U.S. history. Despite the temporary setback, Whitmer “will continue competing to bring home transformational projects creating thousands of good-paying jobs to our state in autos, chips, batteries, and clean energy,” said spokesman Bobby Leddy.

Palisades owner Holtec International said they fully understood that attempting to restart a shuttered nuclear plant would be both a challenge and a first for the nuclear industry.

The Biden administration launched the $6 billion effort in April to rescue nuclear power plants at risk of closing, citing the need to continue nuclear energy as a carbon-free source of power that helps to combat climate change. Nuclear power provides about 20% of electricity in the U.S., or about half the nation's carbon-free energy. The bailout program is the largest federal investment in saving financially distressed nuclear reactors.

Most U.S. nuclear plants were built between 1970 and 1990, and costs to operate the aging fleet are increasing.

PG&E, which operates Diablo Canyon, said the federal funds would be used to pay back a loan from the state of California to support extending operations at the plant and lower costs for customers. PG&E spokesperson Suzanne Hosn said there are still additional federal and state approvals required to renew the plant's license and to operate past 2025.

PG&E is taking actions to seek re-licensing while also continuing to plan for the eventual decommissioning of the plant, Hosn said. The seaside plant located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco produces 9% of the state's electricity. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said continued operation of Diablo Canyon beyond 2025 is “critical to ensure statewide energy system reliability” as climate change stresses the energy system.

Newsom signed legislation in September to open the way for the plant to operate for an additional five years, a move he said was needed to ward off possible blackouts as the state transitions to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources.

Newsom said Monday he appreciates the “critical support” from the federal government and looks forward to working together to “build a clean, affordable and reliable energy future.”

“This investment creates a path forward for a limited-term extension of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant to support reliability statewide and provide an onramp for more clean energy projects to come online,“ Newsom said in a statement.

The Energy Department intends to accept annual applications for the civil nuclear credit program through fiscal 2031, or until the $6 billion runs out. Nuclear plant owners or operators can bid on credits for financial assistance to keep operating. To qualify, plant owners or operators have to show the reactors are projected to retire for economic reasons and emissions would increase.

The first round prioritized reactors that have already announced plans to close. The second round will be opened up to more economically at-risk facilities, the Energy Department said. The program was funded through President Joe Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure law.

–––

McDermott reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press writers Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento, California, and Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report.

US home sales fell in October for ninth straight month

Nov 18

By Alex Veiga

AP Business Writer

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in October for the ninth consecutive month to the slowest pre-pandemic sales pace in more than 10 years as homebuyers grappled with sharply higher mortgage rates, rising home prices and fewer properties on the market.

Existing home sales fell 5.9% last month from September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.43 million, the National Association of Realtors said Friday. The string of monthly sales declines this year is the longest on record going back to 1999, the NAR said.

Sales cratered 28.4% from October last year. Excluding the steep slowdown in sales that occurred in May 2020 near the start of the pandemic, sales are now at the slowest annual pace since December 2011, when the housing market was still mired in a deep slump following the foreclosure crisis of the late 2000s.

Despite the slowdown, home prices continued to climb last month, albeit at a slower pace than earlier this year. The national median home price rose 6.6% in October from a year earlier, to $379,100.

The median home price is down about 8% from its June peak, but remains 40% above October 2019, before the pandemic, said Lawrence Yun, the NAR's chief economist.

“That's really hurting affordability,“ he said. “Most household incomes have not risen by 40%.”

The inventory of homes on the market declined for the third month in a row. Some 1.22 million homes were for sale by the end of October, down 0.8% from September, the NAR said.

That amounts to 3.3 months' supply at the current pace. In a more balanced market between buyers and sellers, there is a 5- to 6-month supply.

The housing market has slowed as U.S. mortgage rates have more than doubled from a year ago, shrinking the buying power of Americans.

The average rate on a 30-year home loan was 6.61% this week, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. A year ago, the average rate was 3.1%. Late last month, the average rate topped 7% for the first time since 2002.

That can add hundreds of dollars to monthly mortgage payments, and also discourage homeowners who locked in an ultra-low rate the last couple of years from buying a new home. It's part of the reason that there are fewer homes on the market.

Mortgage rates are likely to remain a significant hurdle for some time as the Federal Reserve has consistently signaled its intent to keep raising its short-term interest rate in its bid to squash the hottest inflation in decades.

Two weeks ago, the Fed raised its short-term lending rate by another 0.75 percentage points, three times its usual margin, for a fourth time this year. Its key rate now stands in a range of 3.75% to 4%.

While mortgage rates don't necessarily mirror the Fed's rate increases, they tend to track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. The yield is influenced by a variety of factors, including expectations for future inflation and global demand for U.S. Treasurys.

With the number of properties on the market scarce, sellers typically receive multiple offers, especially for the most affordable homes.

On average, homes sold in just 21 days of hitting the market last month, up from 19 days in September, the NAR said. Before the pandemic, homes typically sold more than 30 days after being listed for sale.

The combination of higher mortgage rates and rising prices are keeping many first-time buyers on the sidelines. They represented 28% of sales last month, down from 29% in September, the NAR said. By historical standards, first-time buyers typically made up as much as 40% or more of transactions.

“First-time buyers are really struggling in today's market,” Yun said.

Yun expects home prices will decline about 5% in roughly half the country next year, with metropolitan areas where home values skyrocketed in recent years experiencing the biggest declines. That includes San Francisco, where prices could fall 15% next year, he said. That said, Yun also forecasts home prices will climb about 5% in Indianapolis and other markets where job growth remains strong and real estate values have risen more modestly.

Bend becomes latest Oregon city to restrict homeless camping

AP Wire Service

BEND, Ore. (AP), Nov 18 – City Council members in the central Oregon city of Bend have approved strict new rules for homeless camping that will limit where, when and how people can live outside, as a growing number of cities across the state seek to control encampments amid a surging homelessness crisis driven by an affordable housing shortage and the coronavirus pandemic.

OPB reports that the code change, approved Wednesday, will require people camping on city property and public right-of-ways such as sidewalks and landscaping strips to move locations by 600 feet, or one block, every 24 hours. Camping in residentially zoned areas will be banned completely.

To prevent large encampments from forming, the new measure also regulates how big camps can be – no more than 12 feet by 12 feet – and how far apart they must be – no closer than 150 feet. Only three camps per block will be allowed.

Additionally, the code dictates what homeless people can possess while living outdoors. Only items considered by the city as necessary will be allowed. The storage of property such as generators and household furniture will be prohibited, unless related to “camping, sleeping, or keeping warm and dry.”

The controversial code change elicited emotional reactions during Wednesday's meeting – mirroring similar contentious debates elsewhere in Oregon, including Portland, as cities across the state struggle to address homelessness on their streets.

As in other Oregon cities, Bend officials have found themselves in the middle of heated public wrangling over encampment sweeps. Bend has come under growing pressure from some residents to clear camps, but the vast majority of people who testified during Wednesday's meeting urged councilors not to pass the code change, according to OPB.

Councilor Mo Mitchell, who voted against the code, said they thought the change “causes a lot of harm,” expressing concern that it was passed too quickly and would only further criminalize homelessness in the city.

“My concern is that it's going to result in a lot of police involvement,” Mitchell said. “Police are not trained in a way to understand some of these complexities.”

Councilor Melanie Kebler Kebler, the city's mayor-elect, said the purpose of the code was to lay some ground rules about what kind of camping would be allowed.

“Our community has been asking for some clarity,” Kebler said. “I think that we are moving to achieve that.”

Previously, Bend had no code on the books regarding camping on city property. The city could only remove a campsite if it was declared a public safety hazard and had received a 72-hour eviction notice, something City Manager Eric King has done on multiple occasions the past two years, OPB reports.

How the city will enforce the code remains unclear and is not spelled out in the code. City officials have stated that discussions on establishing administrative rules will begin in December and run through March.

The 2022 point-in-time count tallied at least 1,300 unhoused adults and children in Central Oregon, and noted Bend in particular has several hundred fewer shelter beds than are needed, according to OPB.

Elsewhere in Oregon, Portland City Council recently passed a measure that bans street camping and established designated areas where homeless people will be allowed to camp. The measure is slated to fully go into effect in 2024.

NASA capsule buzzes moon, last big step before lunar orbit

By Marcia Dunn

Associated Press Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP), Nov. 21 — NASA's Orion capsule reached the moon Nov. 21, whipping around the far side and buzzing the lunar surface on its way to a record-breaking orbit with test dummies sitting in for astronauts.

It's the first time a capsule has visited the moon since NASA's Apollo program 50 years ago, and represents a huge milestone in the $4.1 billion test flight that began Nov. 16.

Video of the looming moon and our pale blue planet more than 230,000 miles in the distance left workers “giddy” at Houston's Johnson Space Center, home to Mission Control, according to flight director Judd Frieling. Even the flight controllers themselves were “absolutely astounded.”

“Just smiles across the board,” said Orion program manager Howard Hu.

The close approach of 81 miles occurred as the crew capsule and its three wired-up dummies were on the far side of the moon. Because of a half-hour communication blackout, flight controllers in Houston did not know if the critical engine firing went well until the capsule emerged from behind the moon. The capsule's cameras sent back a picture of the Earth — a tiny blue dot surrounded by blackness.

The capsule accelerated well beyond 5,000 mph as it regained radio contact, NASA said. Less than an hour later, Orion soared above Tranquility Base, where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on July 20, 1969. There were no photos of the site because the pass was in darkness, but managers promised to try for pictures on the return flyby in two weeks.

Orion needed to slingshot around the moon to pick up enough speed to enter the sweeping, lopsided lunar orbit. Another engine firing will place the capsule in that orbit Nov. 25.

Over the weekend, Orion was expected to shatter NASA's distance record for a spacecraft designed for astronauts — nearly 250,000 miles from Earth, set by Apollo 13 in 1970. And it will keep going, reaching a maximum distance from Earth on Nov. 28 at nearly 270,000 miles.

The capsule will spend close to a week in lunar orbit, before heading home. A Pacific splashdown is planned for Dec. 11.

Orion has no lunar lander; a touchdown won't come until NASA astronauts attempt a lunar landing in 2025 with SpaceX's Starship. Before then, astronauts will strap into Orion for a ride around the moon as early as 2024. Mission manager Mike Sarafin was delighted with the progress of the mission, giving it a “cautiously optimistic A-plus” so far.

The Space Launch System rocket — the most powerful ever built by NASA — performed exceedingly well in its debut, Sarafin told reporters. He said teams are dealing with two issues that require workarounds — one involving the navigational star trackers, the other the power system.

The 322-foot rocket caused more damage than expected, however, at the Kennedy Space Center launch pad. The force from the 8.8 million pounds of liftoff thrust was so great that it tore off the blast doors of the elevator, leaving it unusable. Sarafin said the pad damage will be repaired in plenty of time before the next launch.

Happy hygge! Scrabble dictionary adds hundreds of words

By Leanne Italie

Associated Press Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK (AP), Nov. 16 — Here's the sitch, Scrabble stans. Your convos around the board are about to get more interesting with about 500 new words and variations added to the game's official dictionary: stan, sitch, convo, zedonk, dox and fauxhawk among them.

Out this month, the add-ons in the seventh edition of “The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary” join more than 100,000 words of two to eight letters. The book was last updated in 2018 through a longstanding partnership between Hasbro and Merriam-Webster.

The new words include some trademarks gone generic — dumpster for one — some shorthand joy like guac, and a delicious display of more verb variations: torrented, torrenting, adulted, adulting, atted, atting (as in don't at me, bro).

“We also turned verb into a verb so you can play verbed and verbing,” said Merriam-Webster's editor at large, Peter Sokolowski, a smile on his face and a word-nerd glitter in his eye during an exclusive interview with The Associated Press.

Fauxhawk, a haircut similar to a Mohawk, is potentially the highest scoring newbie, he said. Embiggen, a verb meaning to increase in size, is among the unexpected. (Sample sentence: “I really need to embiggen that Scrabble dictionary.”)

Compound words are on the rise in the book with deadname, pageview, fintech, allyship, babymoon and subtweet. So are the “uns,” such as unfollow, unsub and unmute. They may sound familiar, but they were never Scrabble official, at least when it comes to the sainted game's branded dictionary.

Tournament play is a whole other matter, with a broader range of agreed-upon words.

Sokolowski and a team of editors at Merriam-Webster have mined the oft-freshened online database at Merriam-Webster.com to expand the Scrabble book. While the official rules of game play have always allowed the use of any dictionary that players sanction, many look to the official version when sitting down for a spot of Scrabble. Some deluxe Scrabble sets include one of the books.

In the last year or two, the Scrabble lexicon has been scrubbed of 200-plus racial, ethnic and otherwise offensive words — despite their presence in some dictionaries. That has prompted furious debate among tournament players. Supporters of the cleanup called it long overdue. Others argued that the words, however heinous in definition, should remain playable so long as points are to be had.

Despite home play rules that never specifically banned offensive words, you won't find the notorious 200 in the Scrabble dictionary, with rare exceptions for those with other meanings.

The new Scrabble book includes at least one old-fashioned word that simply fell under the radar for years: yeehaw. “Yeehaw is like so many of the older, informal terms. They were more spoken than written, and the gold standard for dictionary editing was always written evidence. So, a term like yeehaw, which we all know from our childhood and in movies and TV, was something you heard. You didn't read it that often,” Sokolowski said.

Yeehaw, meet bae, inspo, vibed and vibing, all new additions to the Scrabble dictionary. Ixnay, which was already in the book, has been promoted to a verb, so ixnayed, ixnaying and ixnays are now allowed.

Welp, thingie, roid, skeezy, slushee and hygge (the Danish obsession with getting cozy) also made the cut. So did kharif, the Indian subcontinent's fall harvest.

The Merriam-Webster wordsmiths have added a slew of food-related words: iftar, horchata, kabocha, mofongo, zuke, zoodle, wagyu, queso and marg, for margarita, among them. Many Scrabble players couldn't care less about definitions — only points — but informatively.

Iftar is a meal taken by Muslims at sundown to break the daily fast during Ramadan. Mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made of fried or boiled plantains. Horchata is a sweet drink and kabocha is a winter squash.

Zonkey joins zedonk among new words using a Z, one of the highest scorers in Scrabble along with Q (each has a face value of 10 points). The difference between those two wacky-sounding animals, you ask? A zonkey is sired from a male zebra and a female donkey. The parentage of a zedonk is the other way around. Zedonk even has a playable variation: zeedonk.

Zoomer, for a member of GenZ, is also new. Familiar with the Middle Eastern spice blend za'atar? A less common variant, zaatar, is now in the Scrabble dictionary. Words with apostrophes aren't allowed.

And there's more where all of that came from: Oppo, jedi, adorbs, dox variant doxxed, eggcorn (a misheard slip of the ear), fintech, folx (inclusive alternative to folks), grawlix, hangry, matcha, onesie, spork, swole, unmalted, vaquita, vax and vaxxed were added.

Yes, jedi need not be capitalized. Wondering what grawlix means? It's this: $%!(asterisk)(hash), a series of typographical symbols used to replace words one doesn't want to write, usually those that got you into trouble as a kid.

Among other new eight-letter words, the kind that help players clear their seven-tile racks for 50 extra points: hogsbane, more commonly known as giant hogweed. Another: pranayam, a breath technique in yoga.

Sokolowski wouldn't reveal all 500 of the new words, challenging players to hunt them down on their own. Are your Scrabble senses scrambled, so to speak? “All of these are words that have already been vetted and defined and added to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, and now we've determined they're playable in Scrabble,” Sokolowski said. “You've got some fun new words.”

So which new entry is the word master's favorite? It's the one that sounds like the way acorn is pronounced. “I like eggcorn,” Sokolowski said, “because it's a word about words.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Mission Peak lease agreement

Council members and Mayor Lei, lease negotiations between East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and the City of Fremont over 900 acres at Mission Peak have been ongoing for several years.

The city council met on Tuesday, Nov. 15 and requested additional modifications to the lease which had been negotiated several times already. Council members did not have an opportunity to read public documents released at 4:30 p.m. just prior to the meeting and were not aware of the contents. After having given direction to staff previously, one council member stated: “I can find another 10 things to change on the lease” following a request by a council member to approve it with amendments. This objecting council member previously called the park district “irresponsible” for allowing free parking at the Stanford staging area which has 42 parking spaces.

The Council has voted multiple times to restrict 2,000 public parking spaces in the Stanford Avenue neighborhood (thereby giving residents free parking). Residents own large homes with 2- 3 car garages and large driveways but the parking in front of their houses is empty 98% of the time. They don’t need the public parking but don’t want park visitors to have access to it. They want access to this magnificent park but want to restrict whom can use it. We see this as an equity issue. Public parks should be free to access for all citizens not just those that live next to them.

Lease negotiations have been dragging on since 2020 when the current lease ended. City and park district staff have negotiated multiple times to no avail. Council members now assert that the District did not unequivocally state they would not build expanded parking at the Stanford Staging area, and that park hours need to be fixed in concrete.

The comment letters from the neighbor’s reference increased park use, cutting park hours, the need for more enforcement, building higher gates and shutting down the entrance. Building more parking inside the park would reduce congestion in the neighborhood. Park visitors are the ones that currently suffer as the amenities at this entrance are few including limited parking, three portable toilets, one vault toilet and a single drinking fountain. Park hours have been reduced by 30% since 2014 and the number of park visitors has dropped from 275K to under 175K now (even though park usage is up 70% across the US).

Neighbors claim the park district does not maintain the 900 leased acres. We disagree — the District has maintained the trails better than in most EBRPD parks. They are graveled, 22’ wide with an excellent road base. There are a few sections that get muddy in winter but Park Supervisor Gordon Willey has done an excellent job over the last 10 years to protect the park. He spent $28K starting in 2012 to block 23 use trails that were up to 150’ wide and 1,500’ long. By 2014, these use trails were blocked with barbed wire fencing and park staff has maintained that fencing. Most (75%) visitors access the park via the Stanford Hidden Valley trail head which provides unfettered views of the SF Bay and remains the main entrance.

We believe, it is time to consider allowing the City of Fremont to take over management of this entrance. The restricted parking program costs the city over $260K each year ($360K in enforcement costs minus $100K in citations) not including the administration cost to field and log the 600+ calls the police department receives from neighbors complaining about cars parked in front of their houses on weekends. The city should take on the costs for managing this entrance since money is not an object. For example, increasing staff salaries during a recession by 17% over a three-year period requires fanciful accounting so we assume the city will have no problem finding the funds and staff to manage the Stanford Avenue trailhead.

Mission Peak Conservancy favors the development of an expanded staging area inside the park to eliminate congestion in the neighborhood and provide parking for visitors to this magnificent regional preserve. Allowing the neighbors to dictate the terms of the development will stall the project for the next 20 years. We favor enhanced park access but see no positive path forward with the continued negotiations.

William Yragui

Mission Peak Conservancy, Fremont

Honor Roll

Georgia Institute of Technology

Summer 2022 graduates

  • Zheng An of Fremont
  • Anurag Chilukuri of Fremont
  • Tim Chong of Milpitas
  • Cheng Fei of Fremont
  • Kevin Fok of Fremont
  • Jiahao Guo of Newark
  • Jai Kumar of Fremont
  • Yingqi Liu of Milpitas
  • Chenxu Wen of Fremont
  • Xuance Zhou of Milpitas

 

New postmaster on board in Fremont

Submitted by United States Postal Service

Parbinder Singh, a 23-year veteran with the United States Postal Service (USPS) is the new postmaster in Fremont.

Singh started on October 24, when he took the Oath of Office administered by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Singh was joined by 30 other new postmasters throughout California in a special ceremony.

Singh started his postal career in San Leandro in 1999 as a letter carrier and in 2006 moved into management to become a supervisor. In 2014 Singh moved to the Irvington Post Office in Fremont where he served as Manager of Customer Service.

As postmaster in Fremont, Singh said he is prepared to meet the needs of the community. “I am proud to serve the people of Fremont and I am driven to provide quality service to my customers.”

Tree Lighting Calendar

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Thursday, Dec 1

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Milpitas Civic Center Plaza

455 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas

(408) 586-3210

www.milpitas.gov

Castro Village Christmas Tree Lighting

Friday, Dec 2

5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

6 p.m. Tree Lighting

Live music & entertainment, free photos with Santa

Castro Village Shopping Center

Castro Valley Blvd., @ Santa Maria Ave.

https://castrovillage.com/category/events/

Bright up the Night

Friday, Dec 2

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Laser light shows set to holiday music, selfies with Santa and other characters

Courtyard near Old Navy, Fremont Hub

Argonaut Way & Mowry Ave.

fremonthub.shopkimco.com

It’s a Wonderful Night

Friday, Dec 2

5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Kids’ crafts, holiday drone show, holiday market, movies, Santa and Mrs. Claus

Estudillo Plaza

Estudillo Ave., between E 14th St., and Washington Ave., San Leandro

(510) 281-0703

downtownsanleandro.com/events/its-a-wonderful-night/

Hayward Light up the Season

Saturday, Dec 3

5 p.m.

Tree lighting, toy drive, bookmobile, and more

City Hall Plaza

777 B St., Hayward

https://www.hayward-ca.gov/residents/arts-leisure/light-up-the-season

Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting

Saturday, Dec 3

6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Carolers, holiday treat, visit with Santa and elves

Courtyard near Market Broiler

43406 Christy St., Fremont

https://pacificcommons.com/

Newark Tree Lighting

Monday, Dec 5

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.: Tree Lighting

Games, crafts, hot cocoa & cookies, photobooth, toy drive

Newark Civic Center

37101 Newark Blvd., Newark

www.newark.org

Holiday Tree Lighting with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Wednesday, Dec 7

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Holiday cookies, carolers, entertainment, crafts, and “Signing” Santa! Bring your phone/camera for pictures

Washington West, Anderson Auditorium

2500 Mowry Ave., Fremont

(510) 818-7350

www.whhs.com/upcomingevents

Mission San Jose Tree Lighting Ceremony

Saturday, Dec 10

5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Live band, cookies, hot chocolate. Fremont Fire Station 4 will deliver Santa Claus!

Old School Business Center

43571 Mission Blvd., Fremont

(Next to Subway Sandwiches)

www.msjchamber.org

Boutique Calendar

“Believe” Holiday Boutique

Saturday, Dec 3

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

70 artists & crafters, bake sale

American High School

36300 Fremont Blvd., Fremont

(Enter parking lot off Alder Ave.)

https://ahsboutique.weebly.com/

Oakland Cottage Industry

Saturday, Dec 3

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

30 local artist and makers

Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church

4101 Park Blvd., Oakland

www.oaklandcottageindustry.com

Holiday Market

Saturday, Dec 3

12 noon – 5 p.m.

Live music, desserts for sale, crafters, small businesses, kids’ activity

First Presbyterian Church of Hayward

2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley

https://www.firstpreshayward.com/

Pruma Center’s First Craft Fair

Saturday, Dec 3

5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Pruma Center

616 E St., Union City

The Menagerie Oddities and Curiosities Holiday Market

Saturday, Dec 3 – Sunday, Dec 4

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

No one does Christmas, the occult, and the odd like Victorians

Winchester Mystery House

525 South Winchester Blvd., San Jose

www.themenagerieodditiesmarket.com

Tickets: $5

Unique Boutique

Saturdays & Sundays, Dec 3-4, 10-11

12 noon – 5 p.m.

Wall art, Christmas decorations, collectibles

3543 Remco St., Castro Valley

Holiday Fest

Sunday, Dec 4

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

25 local artists, authors, and crafters, including Judaica items

Temple Israel

3183 Mecartney Rd., Alameda (Harbor Bay Isle)

www.templeisraelalameda.org

Continuing Events:

 

Tuesdays

International Folk Dancing in English R$

1:30 pm – 2:50 pm

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

Tuesdays

Practice Your English-Tuesday Chat! R

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Improve your English by talking with native speakers

bit.ly/3TH2keU

jliu@aclibrary.org

 

Second Tuesdays

The Page Turners

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Book discussion facilitated by librarian Chris Selig

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

aclibrary.org

Wednesdays

Tropics Bingo

7:00 pm

Flash games

Tropics Mobile Home Park

33000 Almaden Blvd, Union City

(510) 471-8550

the-tropics.net

 

First Wednesdays

Talkin' Dirt

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Online Gathering of Gardeners

Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (LEAF)

6501 Niles Blvd, Fremont

fremontleaf.org/talkindirt

First Thursdays

Plethos Comedy Lab $

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

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

Castro Valley Market Place

3295 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley

(510) 901-1001

castrovalleymarketplace.com, plethos.org

 

Thursdays

International Folk Dancing in Chinese R$

11:30 am – 12:50 pm

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

Thursdays

Chair Yoga R

10:00 am – 11:00 am

Consists of breathing and stretching techniques

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

 

First Fridays

Chabot Space $

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Planetarium shows, telescope viewings and after-hours access to exhibits

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

(510) 336-7300

chabotspace.org

Fridays

Fiber Arts R$

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Learn Knitted arts

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

Fridays

Knitting Class in Mandarin

9:45 am – 10:45 am

Learn about knitting

Age Well Center at South Fremont

47111 Mission Falls Ct, Fremont

(510) 742-7529

bit.ly/3rAEdSC

Fridays and Saturdays

Investigating Space $

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Explore stars, planets and more through Chabot’s historic telescopes

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

(510) 336-7300

chabotspace.org

Second Saturday

Lazy Saturdays?

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join members of LEAF and tackle various projects

Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (LEAF)

6501 Niles Blvd, Fremont

fremontleaf.org/volunteer

volunteer@fremontleaf.org

 

Saturdays

Laugh Track City $

8:00 pm

Improvised games and scenes, proof of vaccination required

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St suite B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

madeuptheatre.com

Saturdays and Sundays

Nectar Garden Exploration

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Discover native pollinators and plants

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3UGfdGr

Saturdays and Sundays

Discovery On Demand

10:30 am – 3:30 pm

Explore, investigate and craft to satisfy your natural curiosities

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3UGfdGr

Mondays

Advanced Math + Science Tutoring

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Free High School and College-Level tutoring

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

aclibrary.org

Sundays, November 6 – December 18

Snake talk $

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Learn important role snakes play in the ecosystem

Sunol Regional Wilderness Visitor Center

1895 Geary Rd, Sunol

(510) 544-3245

ebparks.org/parks/Sunol

Thursdays, November 3 – December 8

Calling all Carolers! R

7:15 pm

Sing with Bay Area Showcase Chorus

Mount Olive Ministries

1989 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas

(408) 973-1555

mt-olive.org singharmony.org

info@singharmony.org

Saturdays, November 12 – February 4

13 Weekly (Grief Share) sessions R

9:00 am – 10:30 am

Prince of peace church

38451 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

(510) 793-3366

popfremont.org

Friday – Wednesday, November 18 – January 4

Travelling Exhibit “We Are Not Strangers Here”

African American Histories in Rural California

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

Sunday – Monday, November 27 – December 5

Tandem Fundraiser

Contribute 22 % of your sales to “Tandem, Partners in Early learning” by mentioning Tandem on your next purchases

Books on B

1014 B street, Hayward

(510) 538-3943

booksonb.com

Thursday – Sunday, November 10 – December 17

Exhibit: Kristin Lindseth’s “San Ardo”

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Symbolic works exploring the ideas and issues of displacement and hope

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd, Fremont

(510) 791-4357

olivehydeartguild.org

Saturdays & Sundays, December 3 – December 31

Winter Reading Bingo

9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Reading Bingo for K-8th grade

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

First Thursday, December 1 – April 6

Bill Savings Assistance with Spectrum

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

In-person assistance on how to complete the 2022 LIHEAP and LIHWAP application

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

bit.ly/3hTxK3S

Tuesdays, October 11 – December 27

Needle Time

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Bring your latest sewing, or knitting project to craft

San Lorenzo Library

395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo

(510) 284-0640

aclibrary.org/locations/SLZ

Second Thursdays, September 8 – June 9

Café Dad

6:00 pm

Father and father figures to obtain resources

HUSD Parent Resource Center Hub

24823 Soto Rd, Hayward

(510) 723-3857

husd.us/hub

 

 

Upcoming Events:

 

Tuesday, November 29

Special Pride Embroidery Needle time

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Special edition of Needle Time crafting hour

San Lorenzo Library

395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo

(510) 284-0640

aclibrary.org/locations/SLZ

Tuesday, November 29

Film Night

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Special Screening of classic Hollywood film “Sunset Boulevard”

Fremont Main Library

Fukaya Room A & B

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Tuesday, November 29

CalKIDS Live Webinars R

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Get free money for college. Bring your kids SSID/LRN number

(Link will be sent by mail)

Alameda County Office of Education

313 West Winton Ave, Hayward

(510) 887-0152

bit.ly/3tyP1BZ, acoe.org, calkids.org

Wednesday, November 30

Music Storytime with Ms.V

11:30 am – 12:15 pm

In-person stories, music, and songs. Mask required for ages 2+

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org

Wednesday, November 30

Bingo Night

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Free to attend, food to purchase

Chick-fil-A Mowry Avenue

5245 Mowry Ave, Fremont

(510) 608-5771

bit.ly/3WpRmw2

 

Thursday, December 1

Happy Heart

3:30 pm

Treatment Options for Aortic Stenosis

Washington Hospital

Live on youtube.com/whhslnHealth

facebook.com/washingtonHos

Friday, December 2

Moving to Mars $

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Join NASA and SETI scientist to explore more about Mission to Mars

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland

(510) 336-7300

chabotspace.org

Friday, December 2

Christmas at the Patterson House $

11:00 am – 2:30 pm

Celebrate 20th Century holiday at Queen Anne mansion

(510) 791-4196

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

Friday, December 2

Best Home for the holidays Contest R

Decorate your house and participate in the friendly competition

Houses should be decorated by December 11

Judging occurs December 12 – 14

Register by December 2

Registration code: FA22se-900

unioncity.org/reg

RobertS@unioncity.org

Saturday, December 3

Wreath making at the Barn R

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Sunol Regional Wilderness Visitor Center

1895 Geary Rd, Sunol

(510) 544-3245

ebparks.org/parks/sunol

Saturday, December 3

Union City Police Department's Kids Ornament Party

11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Hot chocolate, cookies, popcorn and ornaments to take home

Union City Police Department

34009 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City

(510) 471-1365

unioncity.org/197/Police

chainam@unioncity.org

Saturday, December 3

Wreath Making Workshop R$

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Craft a festive wreath

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

Saturday, December 3

Light up the Season

5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Winter celebration for the community

Hayward City Hall

777 Hayward, Hayward

(510) 583-4000

zach.ebadi@hayward-ca.gov

Saturday, December 3

Freddie Jackson in Concert with his Live Band $

8:00 pm

Special Night of Classic R&B hits

Historic BAL Theatre

14808 E 14th St, San Leandro

(510) 614-7700

baltheatre.com

Saturday, December 3

Winter Magic Show with Magician Mike Della

11:00 am – 11:45 am

Come warm yourself this season with a little fun and a whole lot of wonder!

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

Saturday, December 3

Neat Stuff with a Naturalist

10:00 am – 11:00 am

Unique hands-on activities, tour, and craft with Naturalist for age 5 +

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3UGfdGr

Saturday, December 3

Let's Gather: Joy Walk

11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Stroll along the front of library and view a newly displayed Story Walk

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

(510) 745-1400

aclibrary.org/locations/FRM

Saturday, December 3

13th Annual Holiday Extravaganza R$

1:00 pm

Jackson Theater

Ohlone College

43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont

ohlone.edu

Parking pass should be purchased, and proof of vaccination required.

Saturday, December 3

Toy Drive & Show n Shine

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Gilbert's Toy Drive & Bay Bombs Car Club, Free admission with new unwrapped toy.

James Logan High School

1800 H St, Union City

(510) 471-2520

jameslogan.org

Saturday, December 3

Milk & Cookies with Santa

8 am – 5 pm

Take photo with Santa Claus, decorate cookies, holiday crafts, and fun activities

Milpitas Community Center

457 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas

(408) 586-3210

milpitas.gov

Saturday, December 3

Snacks with Santa R$

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join Santa for special visit and a photo

Ruggieri Senior Center

33997 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City

(510) 675 5276

unioncity.org

MarissaV@unioncity.org

Saturday – Sunday, December 3 – December 4

Victorian Christmas House Tours

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum

1251 Peralta Blvd, Fremont

(510) 790-5541

bit.ly/3gNjuJj

Sunday, December 4

Reptile Rendezvous

10:00 am – 11:30 am

Get close with reptiles and learn about their features, adaptations, and habitats

Coyote Hills Visitors Center

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

bit.ly/3UGfdGr

Sunday, December 4

Funky Fungi

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Search for mushroom rings, make your own fairy craft, and learn

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont

(888) 327-2757

ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

Monday, December 5

Exploring Sciences – Elementary Series R

5:00 pm -6:00 pm

Biology: From Cells to Humans

Zoom link will be provided via e-mail after registration

bit.ly/3X15OLk

Monday, December 5

Diversity Fremont Virtual Job Fair

11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Sign up, show up, chat with key decision makers, and get hired.

bit.ly/3UOQYpX

Tuesday, December 6

Tiny Tots Concert: Sean's Music Factory

10:30 am – 11:15 am

Fun concert for toddlers and preschoolers.

Milpitas Public Library

160 N Main St, Milpitas

(408) 262-1171

sccld.org

Tuesday, December 6

VA Palo Alto Mobile Medical Outreach Team for Veterans

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Examinations, Consultations, and Referrals for veterans enrolled in VA healthcare system. Bring Veteran Form DD-214 and list of current medications

Hayward Veterans Memorial

22737 Main St, Hayward

(510) 881-7974

acgov.org/veterans/hayward

hector.villasenor@hayward-ca.