Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Log
Submitted by ACSO
Sunday, March 8
- At 4:00 p.m. deputies responded to report about a robbery at a Rite Aid store in Castro Valley. Three juveniles jumped over the counter, forced an employee to open the store safe, and stole drugs from it. They left the store and entered a waiting black vehicle. ACSO spotted the vehicle being driven westbound on I-580 at Carolyn Street in San Leandro and pursued it to Buell Street and Calaveras Avenue in Oakland. After stopping, three suspects exited the vehicle on foot while the driver was detained. Inside the vehicle, which had been reported stolen earlier in the day, ACSO found large amounts of stolen drugs from pharmacies. Two suspects were eventually captured, while a search is ongoing for the others.
BART continues regular service
Submitted by Les Mensinger
We want our riders to know that regular BART service continues and we are not considering reduced service or a system shut down unless forced to do so.
We are committed to offering daily updates at www.bart.gov because we understand information about the impacts of COVID-19 is changing rapidly and our riders need a place they can turn to for reliable, real-time information about BART service. We are posting daily ridership figures so riders understand the crowding levels on the system and can feel reassured that they can remain an arms-length distance from each other while on board trains and in stations.
General Manager Bob Powers confirmed that hand sanitizer dispensers began to be installed and as of Thursday March 12, 2020, BART has enough supply to last 7-10 days. Staff is working to purchase more and is in communication with vendors. Increased cleaning and disinfecting continues.
Powers confirmed staff has emergency plans in place should there be a call to shut down or significantly reduce service; however, that is not anticipated at this time. Should there be a reduction in service, BART will communicate in real time with the public using email/text alerts, the BART website and the official app, social media, in-station announcements, posted signs, and through the news media.
BART ridership for Wednesday, March 11, 2020 was 268,192 representing a 35% drop compared to an average Wednesday in February 2020.
BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD
Friday, March 6
- At 9:21 p.m. a man identified by police as Christopher Henderson, 47, of Mendocino was arrested at Fremont station on a $10,000 warrant for public intoxication.
Saturday, March 7
- At 7:33 p.m. officers responded to a report of a carjacking at Hayward station. The victim was robbed at gunpoint and his vehicle was taken. The vehicle was later recovered and three juvenile suspects were taken into custody. The case is still under investigation.
Monday, March 9
- At 9:32 a.m. a man identified by police as Daniel Mendoza, 22, was arrested at Hayward station on a $25,000 warrant for vandalism. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Tuesday, March 10
- At 10:22 p.m. two male juveniles, ages 14 and 15, were arrested at Castro Valley station on suspicion of robbery and resisting an officer. They were booked into Juvenile Hall.
Wednesday, March 11
- At 2:22 p.m. a woman identified by police as Joanna Malupo, 23, of Oakland was arrested at Hayward station on suspicion of domestic battery. She was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Thursday, March 12
At 11:43 a.m. a suspect identified by police as Moishe Harris, 50, of San Pablo was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on a parole hold and booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Friday, March 13
- At 7:05 a.m. a man identified by police as Myron Mixon, 32, of Oakland was arrested at Union City station on an outstanding no-bail warrant. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
California Highway Patrol log
Submitted by CHP Castro Valley
Wednesday, March 11
- At about 9:00 a.m. a CHP Castro Valley officer and officers from the Hayward Police Department assisted agents from the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force in conducting a warrant search at the home of a suspect identified by authorities as Joshua Michael Byrne, 24. The suspect was at the residence along with a fully automatic handgun and a high capacity magazine. Byrne was out on bail from a February 24 vehicular hit-and-run incident in Castro Valley where a 12-year-old girl died. Byrne was arrested in the latest incident and booked into Santa Rita Jail where he faces felony gun charges and charges for committing a felony while on bail.
Not today, Coronavirus!
To help everyone stay healthy while Coronavirus is still a danger, germ busters around the Bay Area have canceled or postponed upcoming events to inhibit the spread of infection.
Take care of yourself – and don’t forget to wash your hands often with warm water and soap!
CLOSED: Thursday, Mar 12 – Tuesday, Mar 31
Chabot Space and Science Center
https://chabotspace.org/
CLOSED: Effective Friday, Mar 13 (until further notice)
Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
http://nilesfilmmuseum.org/
CANCELED: Effective Saturday, Mar 14
All Fremont Main Library programs and activities
https://guides.aclibrary.org/fremont
(510) 745-1400
CANCELED: Friday, Mar 13 – Sunday, Mar 22
Chicago the Musical (by Castro Valley Unified School District)
http://www.cvcfa.com/cvusd-shows
CANCELED: Wednesday, Mar 18
Mission San Jose Chamber Mixer
https://www.msjchamber.org/mixers
CANCELED: Tuesday, Mar 17
Coffee with a Cop at Dunkin’
City of Hayward Police Department
(510) 293-7000
CANCELED: Tuesday, Mar 17
Seeking Alien Civilizations (with astrophysicist Dan Werthimer)
Castro Valley Library
(510) 667-7900
http://bit.ly/find-aliens3
CANCELED: Friday, Mar 20 – Sunday, Mar 22
Sister Act by Stage 1 Community Theatre
(510) 791-0287
www.stage1theatre.org
CANCELED: Saturday, Mar 21
Women of Washington Township
Postponed until further notice
(510) 623-7907
info@museumoflocalhistory.org
CANCELED: Saturday, Mar 21
New Bark Dog Park Grand Opening
35501 Cedar Blvd., Newark
https://www.newark.org/departments/parks/
CANCELED: Saturday, Mar 21
Stack Center Block Party
Eden Youth and Family Center
(510) 887-1146
www.stackcenter.org
CANCELED: Saturday, Mar 21
Brask House Concerts Maria Muldaur
www.braskhouseconcerts.com
CANCELED: Saturday, Mar 21
Author Reading: ‘Little Annie Poot’
Books on B
1014 B St., Hayward
http://www.treasureauthor.com/
CANCELED: Saturday, Mar 21
Sheep Shearing Day at Ardenwood
https://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood/
East Bay Parks is cancelling all public events with 50 or more people in attendance through March 29. They are providing free refunds for all events scheduled through April 30. Call (888) 327-2757.
CANCELED: Saturday, Mar 28
The Fur Ball (Human Society of Silicon Valley)
Postponed until Spring 2021, date TBD
CANCELED: Saturday, Mar 28 – Sunday, Mar 29
Fremont Symphony: Beethoven’s 5th Exploded!
Postponed until 2021
Contact Fremont Symphony for refund options
(510) 371-4859
CANCELED: Sunday, Mar 29
Stanford Children’s Health workshop
Postponed until further notice
CANCELED: Saturday, Apr 4
Tartan Day at Ardenwood
Postponed until April, 2021
https://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood/
CANCELED: Saturday, Apr 18
Union City Police Officers Association 16th annual crab feed
(510) 471-1365
Postponed Events
NOW: Week of March 31
Kaiser Farmers Markets (Pleasanton, Fremont, Union City)
https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/farmers-markets
NOW: Tuesday, May 19
Newark Unified School District Family Science Night
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Exploration, inquiry, discovery and FUN
Birch Grove Schools at BGP
6071 Smith Ave., Newark
(510) 818-3100
Contact: Leonor Rebosura at lrebosura@newarkunified.org
NOW: Sunday, May 31
Youthsava 2020
10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Indian youth dance competition
India Community Center
525 Los Coches St., Milpitas
(408) 934-1130 Ext 225
NOW: June 2020, date TBD
(originally Mar 14)
Boldly Me Promise Event
Gala to support local nonprofit
Tickets/reservations will be held for the new event date.
If you need a refund, contact Boldly Me.
(408) 768-9257
NOW: Friday, Aug 14
(Originally Apr 18)
Drivers for Survivors Black & White Ball
Castlewood Country Club
707 Country Club Cir., Pleasanton
Contact Drivers for Survivors for refunds
events@driversforsurvivors.org
NOW: Saturday, Aug 22
HERS People With Purpose Gala
Castlewood Country Club
707 Country Club Cir., Pleasanton
https://hersbcf.ejoinme.org/PWP2020
NOW: Wednesday, Aug 26
Davis Street Motown Gala
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Sequoyah Country Club
4550 Healey Rd., Oakland
(510) 347-4620
http://davisstreet.org/
Protecting Californians from COVID-19
Submitted by California Department of Public Health
On March 7, California officials issued updated guidance to schools, colleges and universities, event organizers and public health officials as they plan to face further spread of COVID-19.
“It’s a question of when – not if – some California public schools will face closure because of COVID-19. School districts must prepare for these scenarios so that parents and children can plan for what would happen if their local school faced closure,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
“It’s also not lost on anyone that these scenarios would put significant stress on families– especially those with the least financial resources. Already, we are seeing how this outbreak is having significant economic impact on families, workers, businesses and communities across California. The state of California is working around the clock to help shoulder the burden that Californians are facing during this crisis. We really are all in this together,” added Newsom.
More information, as well as guidance for large events, schools, and colleges and universities can be found on the California Department of Public Health website. Go to the main page https://www.cdph.ca.gov and click on the Corona Virus banner.
Cortese Calls for Coronavirus Measures
Submitted by Janice Rombeck
The current count of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County has risen to 79, and is likely to keep growing. In light of this continual spread of COVID-19, I strongly support County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody’s mandate that events and gatherings with audiences of more than 100 must be postponed or canceled. The Health Department also announced it is imposing conditions on gatherings of 35 to 100. I concur with this decision, as well.
Two days ago, I sent a request to County Executive Jeff Smith that the mandate to postpone or cancel events be lowered to gatherings of at least 200.
I’m also relieved that Santa Clara County Superintendent Dr. Mary Ann Dewan announced today that all public schools in Santa Clara County will be closed for three weeks beginning on Monday, March 16. While canceling on-campus classes is a huge disruption to families across Santa Clara County, as well as staff and faculty, the health of our students and their families, especially older family members such as grandparents who are vulnerable, are the No. 1 priority.
Dr. Dewan said that the County Office of Education will work with the State regarding online learning and attendance requirements. On Thursday, March 15, I sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting that schools be closed and that state officials create a state-controlled emergency fund that can cover potential losses incurred for non-Basic Aid school districts due to lower ADA rates in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. I further requested that the state temporarily waive the requirement of physical classroom attendance when calculating student ADA to allow for equivalent online and/or remote schoolwork to count towards attendance.
We have established remote work protocols in my office to minimize face-to-face interactions and will continue doing so on a day-to-day basis. We will also continue to help constituents and respond to media requests. We will be available during our normal office hours by email at dave.cortese@bos.sccgov.org or by phone at 408-299-5030.
I am pleased with the steps taken today locally and proud of the County’s response to this health crisis, but the federal government must step up distribution of resources to help our community, including test kits and the testing capacity of local labs and testing facilities.
For updated information on the coronavirus and Public Health guidelines, visit sccgov.org\coronavirus. To reach the Office of Supervisor Dave Cortese, call (408) 299-5030.
Cougars Report
Submitted by Timothy Hess
Track & Field
The Track and Field team competed at the Dan Gabor Invitational on March 7 with over 50 other high schools:
Highlights for the boys included Nikolas Russell placing 6th in the 300 hurdles, Adlonis Prince finishing 9th in the 400m, Allen Nisperos placing 11th int the 100m, Nikolas Russell placing 6th in the 300 hurdles and Diego Ochoa finishing 29th in the 800m.
Highlights for the girls included Preetika Kaur placing 72nd in the 400m, while Smantha Ongsiaco and Destiny Anguiano placed 46th and 58th respectively in the 800m.
Baseball
The varsity baseball team won their last two games, defeating California by the score of 3-1 March 6, and then pushing across the go-ahead run in the seventh inning to beat El Cerrito 3-2 on March 10. The Cougars JV squad lost to California 10-5, and were shutout by El Cerrito by the score of 6-0.
Wrestling (Junior High)
Congratulations to the Newark Junior High School Cougars wrestling team for their performance at the Bronco Classic Wrestling Tournament in San Leandro.
America Garcia 4th
Ashley Galvan 4th
Briana Galvan 2nd
Ava Macleod 3rd
Viviana Castenada 3rd
Sebastian Calvo 1st
Cj Pereira 2nd
Brady Pham 4th
Taylor Callo 3rd
Jacob Torres 4th
Champions of Character
The following Newark Memorial High School athletes were recognized as Champions of Character by their teammates this week:
Softball: Lainy Malimban
Lainy has been patient teaching other girls, setting an example and models character skills of a champion. She is a big asset to our team and we our thankful to have her.
Alameda County Coronavirus Update
Submitted by Fremont CA Fire Department
As of March 12, Alameda County Public Health Department reported four new cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), for a total of seven cases.
Two cases are the first reported cases indicative of community-acquired transmission in Alameda County, and the other two cases are linked to confirmed COVID-19 cases. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have experienced mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Over 80 percent of individuals have mild disease.
Alameda County will not be sharing any additional information about these cases. Alameda County will begin posting case counts on http://acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx and updating information there as new cases are confirmed.
Facing a Tough Decision? Here’s What You Should Do
By Anne Chan, PhD, MFT
What should I be when I grow up?
Should I have children?
Whom should I marry?
Should I break up with my partner?
When should I retire?
Which job should I take?
Most of us struggle with one or more of these big life questions, but we might approach decision-making in radically different ways. Some of us might quickly tire of the process of deciding and thus rush to a conclusion. Others might feel paralyzed by the thought of deciding and thus put off the decision as long as possible, perhaps indefinitely. Another common strategy is to research, research, and research indefinitely and then feel overwhelmed by information overload. Yet another approach is to ask advice from anyone and everyone, resulting in utter confusion with all the opinions sought and given. Still others might avoid deciding altogether and resort to an external source, like flipping a coin, to make the decision for them.
If any of the above describes you accurately, please know that making a decision is, to put it simply, hard. It is completely normal to feel paralysis, fear, and anxiety around a big decision. Decision-making is a cognitively difficult process which involves balancing competing input from your brain and your heart. None of us has been trained in decision-making and I do not know of high schools that offer a comprehensive curriculum in decision making. No wonder most of us feel ill-equipped to make a decision. But there are some things you can do to make the process easier and more productive.
Research Smart
You probably know that research is a logical step toward making a decision. Many of us will turn to google to fulfil this research component. However, a very smart thing to do when researching is to seek the opinions of people or sources who disagree with your decision. It is all too easy to seek information that we agree with. However, having input from opposing viewpoints can lead us to a better decision by giving us a chance to examine the decision from all sides.
Research … To A Point
You begin your Google search, which gives you a trillion hits and you dutifully start reading the first few links. These links open more links, which you also dutifully read, but even more information starts pouring out at you. After many days and even weeks of researching your decision, you feel like you’ve made no headway.
Information overload is one common block to making a good decision. Information overload often comes from the internet, but it can also come from well-meaning family and friends, who have a ton of input to give on the subject. The trick is to know when to stop the research and information-gathering. Perhaps you might give yourself a deadline to move on to the next step.
Write Down Pros, Cons, and Worst-Case Scenarios
Writing down a list of pros and cons of your decision is a wise step. One additional thing to do is to write down the worst-case scenarios that may come with each path you take. For instance, if you decide to make a career switch, write the worst outcomes that could result from this decision. Then flip it around and write the worst outcomes that might happen if you don’t make the career switch. For each worst-case scenario, write a solution that will address the dreaded potential consequence; e.g. if you think that you will miss your co-workers when you leave your job, you might figure out a way to stay in touch with them.
State Your Values
Leave your decision aside for a second. Instead, list what your personal values are and prioritize them. What do you most value in work and life? What do you truly want (as opposed to what others want from you)? Some common values are work-life balance, intellectual challenge, status, financial reward, and making a difference in people’s lives. List as many values as you can and prioritize them. This step disengages your rational mind and allows your heart to have a say. The path to the right decision might suddenly become clearer with this step.
Sleep on It
After being briefed on the situation surrounding Osama bin Laden, President Obama reportedly said he’d think about it and make his decision in the morning. Your parents might have given you the same advice to “sleep on it.” This advice may sound silly, but science has shown the value of sleep and rest in smart decision-making. One of the critical but overlooked pieces of making a good decision is to ensure that you are well-rested and clear-headed. In the morning, when all is clear, your decision might also become clear as well.
All stages of life come with big decisions and all of us have to deal with major decisions at several points in our lives. Instead of using Google’s flip a coin, try all the steps outlined above, and you should become a far better decision maker.
Anne Chan is a career counselor and licensed psychotherapist in Fremont. She specializes in helping people find happiness in their careers and lives. You can reach her at annechantcv@gmail.com
© Anne Chan, 2020
Editorial
An audience of none
In some political circles, the phrase “an audience of one” often refers to those seeking to impress a single person rather than any group, special interest or cause. It appears that now, the audience for gatherings has been reduced to none. During a period of distress and unease, it is difficult to gain a broad prospective on events since those involved – in this case, all of us – face the challenge to resist the temptation of surrendering to an overwhelming sense of despair and resignation. In the midst of this bruhaha, a well-known saying, “When you're up to your neck in alligators, it's hard to remember that your initial objective was to drain the swamp” cautions against losing sight of the original goal.
During the decades of publication of Tri-City Voice, I have learned that the communities we serve are vibrant and resilient, oriented toward positive aspects of family, friends and neighbors. I firmly believe this attitude will prevail. Tri-City Voice will attempt to keep our communities informed of relevant activities and actions, but actions by authorities are moving at such a fast pace that many events and programs planned in the next few weeks have been canceled, postponed or modified. We will maintain an open line of communication with our civic and organizational partners to include the best information possible, but remind our readers that it is wise to check with sponsors and venues prior to attendance.
Tri-City Voice is optimistic about the future and our collective ability to rebound from the draconian measures in place at this time. Recognizing the need to isolate and defeat the threat of COVID-19, it is imperative for all of us to adhere to the informed analysis and response required to return to a normal state of affairs. Panic and irrational behavior impedes eventual recovery and has no place in the midst of a crisis. We must rely on local and regional authorities who have the responsibility and planning expertise to provide guidance. So far, local actions have been reasonable and measured. As painful as these actions have been, it is of critical importance that we, the public, give our attention and commitment to their efforts.
Although closure of many public facilities and institutions is painful, it is a necessary step and should result in an orderly and hopefully rapid return to normalcy. During any large-scale operation such as this, there will be errors and mistakes. There will be plenty of time later for a postmortem of actions and procedures, so the best course now is to be resolute by supporting and embracing our family, friends, neighbors and community. Avoid perpetuating rumors without substance and information without context. As Franklin Delano Roosevelt said in his inaugural address March 4, 1933 when the United States was mired in the depths of economic depression:
“This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”
When confronted with a universal threat, it may feel as if there is an audience of none, but actually, the audience and our responsibility has expanded exponentially. This nation has succeeded when faced with severe crises in the past and will do so again.
Event funding applications
Submitted by City of Hayward
The Hayward Economic Development Division is inviting applications for City funding of special events from Hayward community, cultural and business organizations.
The funding program is intended to provide cultural enrichment, promote economic vitality and enhance community identity. It is geared toward supporting events designed to encourage inclusion and celebrate the diversity of the Hayward community.
Funding will be awarded in April based on adopted Special Event Support and Funding program guidelines—with up to $10,000 available for New Events, up to $7,500 for Classic Events that have taken place for at least five consecutive years, and up to $5,000 for Signature Events that have taken place four or fewer years consecutively.
For more information, go online to the Notice of Funding Availability on the City of Hayward website. A downloadable PDF copy of the application for a Special Event grant is also available online.
Call Catherin Ralston at (510) 583-5542 or Suzanne Philis at (510) 583-5545 for more information, or visit the Economic Development Division on the 4th Floor of City Hall, 777 B Street.
The application deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.
Photos in 1 new Sharon
Family Science Nights
Submitted by Leonor Rebosura
Did you know…
…that the San Francisco Bay Area provides habitats for a diversity of local and migratory birds? That the open water and sloughs of the Bay contain an abundance of microscopic life called phytoplankton or zooplankton? What a watershed is and why it’s critical that we protect ours? How an airboat uses a giant fan for propulsion, and how it helps biologists get closer to wildlife?
These are just some of the facts about the San Francisco Bay Area that elementary students and families of Newark Unified School District (NUSD) are exploring at “Family Science Nights 2020.” This event is hosted and organized with community partners – Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, East Bay Regional Parks at Coyote Hills, and Alameda County Water District. NUSD families enjoy an evening of exploration, inquiry, discovery and fun while experiencing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) 3-dimensional learning.
On February 12, over 150 students and parents attended and enjoyed interactive stations at Graham Elementary. Graham teachers and Newark Memorial High School students guided families through different learning experiences. Genie Moore and Tia Glagolev, Naturalists from Don Edwards San Franciso Bay National Wildlife Refuge, designed and organized all the learning stations.
Kids had the chance to learn about the different parts of fish and fashion their own fish using play dough and model parts, use microscopes to identify plankton in water samples from the slough, make and test their own miniature air boats, compare different feet and beak shapes from birds, and much more!
The fun continued at Kennedy Elementary on February 27, coordinated by Science Resource Teachers Tania Brock and Dana Wright. Thirty minutes into the event, the multipurpose room was packed!
While Family Science Night is an annual event, this is the first time NUSD collaborated with its community partners. If the experience at Graham and Kennedy is any indication, this partnership demonstrated that science is fun, interesting and all around us! It also highlights the fact that we are immersed in one of the abundant environments in the state and we have so much to learn about our community that can truly enrich our lives today and in the future!
Unfortunately, due to the danger of Corona Virus infection, the upcoming schedule for Family Science Nights has been changed. The new dates, subject to modification, are as follows:
Musick Elementary: Thursday, Apr 23
Snow Elementary: Wednesday, May 6
Birch Grove Schools at BGP: Tuesday, May 19
Schilling Elementary: Wednesday, May 20
Lincoln Elementary: Thursday, May 28
All science nights are from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. They are intended for families of NUSD students, but there are no admissions fees or official guest list.
For more information contact Leonor Rebosura at lrebosura@newarkunified.org.
Flag football season begins
Submitted and photos by Mike Heightchew
As the future of full contact (tackle) football on the local scene is a bit murky, many parents and participants are turning to flag football as an alternative. Playing in the first competitive games of the season on March 9th, teams of the Fremont Flag Football League were learning the basics of the game including formations and strategic intricacies. The league is open to both boys and girls 5-14 years old.
Fremont Flag Football
(510) 790-5520
Takes from Silicon Valley East
Disclaimer: The novel coronavirus outbreak is a highly dynamic situation that businesses and residents should continue to monitor regularly for local updates from the Alameda County Public Health Department (http://www.acphd.org/)
Fremont Business Update Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Outbreak
By Donovan Lazaro, Economic Development Manager
The worldwide outbreak of Covid-19 (commonly referred to as the coronavirus) has led many of our region’s globally connected businesses to swiftly develop new operational policies and procedures, often erroring on the side of precaution. While the City is supportive of these cautionary moves, we also want to emphasize that it is important that businesses and residents continue to follow guidance provided local and state health officials, staying current with updates on the local virus response and relying upon the facts for decisions that impact their operations. With that in mind, we will continue to provide updates to businesses as new information and resources become available. We also encourage you to businesses to visit Fremont’s webpage on Covid-19 at www.Fremont.gov/Coronavirus.
Fortunately, as of the time of this blog, there have been no Covid-19 cases reported within the City of Fremont. On March 10th, Alameda County reported its third case, the spouse of the second confirmed case who was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise ship. This patient is under house quarantine and is not believed to have interacted with other members of the public while contagious. It is also important to note none of the ship’s passengers will not be released into the general public or treated in any Alameda County hospital. Passengers who are California residents will be taken to federal facilities for isolation and quarantine, while non-California residents will be transported to federal facilities in other states.
Alameda County Public Health Dept. Current Guidance
Yesterday, the Alameda County Public Health Dept. released new guidance (http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx) for residents and businesses. “There is evidence of increasing circulation of COVID-19 in our region. These recommendations are meant to slow the spread of the virus in order to protect the health of Alameda County residents, particularly the elderly and people who have underlying medical conditions,” said Dr. Erica Pan, Health Officer for Alameda County. The new guidance includes:
- For persons of “higher risk,” including those over 60 years of age and those with chronic health conditions that make them more vulnerable to infections:
- Stay home and away from crowded social gatherings as much as possible. These types of gatherings include, but are not limited to parades, conferences, sporting events, and concerts where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another.
For event organizers:
- Regional event calendars should be assessed on a rolling 30-day basis as the situation evolves.
- Large events (over 1,000 people) should be canceled or postponed.
- Medium events (100-1000 people) should consider postponement or shortening duration, density, and geographic reach of the event to lower risk of contagion.
- Small events under 100 may proceed with additional caution exercised.
Business and Employee Resources
Below are programs to note for businesses and workers who become financially impacted from the Covid-19 outbreak and response:
- Sick Leave: California has a supportive sick leave policy that allows for sick leave to be taken for preventative care as well as taking care of sick family member. In response to Covid-19, some businesses have gone further to allow for voluntary paid sick leave.
Small Business Administration (SBA):
- It is expected that a disaster relief bill will be signed by the President issuing Economic Injury Disaster Loans (https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/EIDLLoans)for small businesses financially impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak. Check regularly to sba.govfor updates.
CA Employee Development Dept. (EDD):
- Impacted employers in the service and manufacturing sectors are encouraged to offer furlough or reduce hours before considering headcount reductions.
- Employees facing reduced hours as result of impacts from the outbreak can apply for unemployment insurance to gap-fill their lost wages.
- Any employee who becomes sick or quarantined due to Covid-19 is encouraged to file a disability claim that can provide up to $1,300/week to cover lost wages.
- Paid family leave (FML) is also available to cover for lost wages due to caring for another a family member who becomes ill or is quarantined from Covid-19.
- See EDD’s Covid-19 Resources Page(https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm) for more information.
The Fremont Economic Development Staff joined a call with leaders from the State of California and Governor’s Office yesterday to understand the statewide response to the virus. Here are the takeaways:
- While CA is more likely to have a higher number of cases of Covid-19 due to its size and connectedness to the rest of the world through commerce and travel, CA’s Dept. of Public Health and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are well-equipped to deal with pandemics, as evidenced in past years with SARS, H1NA, and Zeka outbreaks.
- Community transmissions are increasing but remain a low share of the total number of confirmed cases. As of March 10th, 157 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in California, of which 29 cases appear to be individuals with no travel history or relationship to other infected persons.
- Each community has a different risk profile and on-the-ground conditions, and it is important to follow local updates to get the most relevant information.
City declares local emergency
Submitted by Cheryl Golden
On March 13, Fremont City Manager Mark Danaj proclaimed a local emergency for the city in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this emergency declaration is to give the city legal authority and flexibility to mobilize resources in response to this unprecedented public health threat for the protection of the community. The action will also help ensure critical services and operations continue. Additionally, it allows the city to request mutual aid from regional, state, and other governmental entities.
The city has taken measures to limit the number of people in the same room of a public meeting, cancelled or postponed city-sponsored events and community meetings, as well as canceled or postponed all nonessential work-related travel and attendance at meetings and conferences for city employees. Social distancing measures are also now in place at various public counters throughout city hall and city buildings.
“Given the challenges this disease is causing, we are working to organize resources, implement best practices to reduce the spread of the pathogen, and inform the community, said Danaj.
“The city continues to monitor this rapidly changing situation and working with our local, schools, hospitals, and County officials,” said Mayor Lily Mei. “In this current environment, we will continue evaluating the way in which we provide city services to the public and will assess and review actions on a rolling 30-day basis.”
For more information about resources available to minimize the spread of COVID-19, visit www.Fremont.gov/Coronavirus and follow the city on its social media channels at www.Fremont.gov/SocialMedia.
Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD
Monday, March 9
- At about 4:00 a.m. a patrol officer spotted a suspicious vehicle driving out of an apartment complex on Stevenson Boulevard and ran a license plate check which showed the vehicle was reported stolen by the Stockton Police Department. A vehicle stop was made and the officer found several catalytic converters inside which had likely been stolen from parked cars. Three suspects, all from the Stockton area, were arrested and booked on a variety of charges including possession of stolen property.
Tuesday, March 10
- Around midnight officers were alerted via a community camera photo that a vehicle wanted in connection with an armed carjacking in East Palo Alto was near Fremont Boulevard and Enea Court. An officer located the vehicle and arrested two suspects inside without incident.
- In the early morning, officers were alerted via a community camera photo that a reported stolen vehicle was in the area of Mowry Avenue and I-880. Officers soon located the vehicle in the parking lot of the Extended Stay Hotel on Farwell Place and made a stop. Two suspects, both from Santa Clara County, were arrested on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle and outstanding warrants.
- At 1:48 p.m. officers were alerted via a community camera photo that a reported stolen vehicle was in the area of Washington and Fremont Boulevards. Officers searched the area and eventually located the vehicle on Fremont Boulevard near Mowry Avenue. Detectives followed the vehicle into the Glenmoor neighborhood where the driver abandoned it and fled into the neighborhood on foot but was soon caught and arrested.
Thursday, March 12
- At around 3:30 a.m. officers responded to a commercial burglary alarm at a business in the Irvington district. While driving to the scene, they spotted several suspects running from another business in the area toward a waiting vehicle. The vehicle quickly fled and officers started a pursuit which ended when the suspect vehicle hit a curb at Thornton Avenue and Fremont Boulevard. Two suspects escaped on foot while the third, identified by police as an 18-year-old San Jose man was taken into custody. An investigation is continuing.
Fremont Senior Center cancels activities
Submitted by Aisha Jasper
In light of guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health regarding the rapidly evolving Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19) the City of Fremont is taking measures to help contain and mitigate its spread.
Current guidance indicates that social distancing is advised to help prevent spread of the virus and “gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people”. Persons who are at higher risk are those 60 years of age and older, individuals with compromised immune systems and individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease. Consistent with Public Health guidelines the Fremont Senior Center located at 40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy in Fremont, Ca will be cancelling all classes and activities effective Monday 3/16/20 through 3/31/20.
Adults 55+ that utilize the center are encouraged to check the senior center’s website at www.fremont.gov/seniorcenter to find out how services will be implemented amid the COVID-19 virus in the future. People can call the senior center during normal business hours of Monday – Friday 8am to 3pm to speak to staff and also call the senior center’s hotline at 510-790-6610 to hear latest service news. The Fremont Senior Center’s Facebook page will also provide service updates. At this time, the following limited services will be available:
- Lunch can be picked up curbside while in vehicles between 11:30am and 12:30pm Monday – Friday. No meals will be served inside the senior center. To reserve a curbside meal, call: 510-790-6600.
- Seniors experiencing homelessness may reserve a shower time slot M, W and Fri from 10-2pm depending on the availability of monitors. Please call 510-574-2222 to confirm availability of showers.
- The Tri City Health Mobile Clinic will still be parked outside of the Fremont Senior Center on Tuesdays from 8am to 2pm.
- On Thursday March 26th, a limited amount of premade grocery bags can be picked up curbside while in vehicles, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
If adults 55+ are feeling lonely, have questions or concerns they may call the City of Fremont Senior Information Line at 510-574-2041 or the Institute on Aging’s Friendship Line at 1-800-971-0016. If you would like someone to call and check up on you, please call the City of Frémont’s free telephone reassurance program You Are Not Alone (Y.A.N.A.) at 510-790-6691. Life Elder Care also provides home delivered meals and can be reached at 510-894-0370.
For more information on the COVID-19 preventative measures happening citywide, and other helpful resources, please view the City’s Coronavirus webpage (www.fremont.gov/coronavirus)
Fremont Unified School District closes until March 27
Submitted by Fremont Unified School District
In a letter to staff, families and guardians, School Superintendent Kim Wallace stated, “As a precaution, and in an effort to slow the potential spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), along with the other school districts in Alameda County, Fremont Unified will be closed starting on Monday 3/16/20.” A tentative date for reopening is scheduled for March 30th. All sites will be fully closed to students, employees and the public from March 18-27 for deep cleaning and sanitizing. Wallace adds that “There will be no classes, activities, or sports on site.” Although classes may resume March 30th, Spring Break is still scheduled April 10-17 but the school calendar may be adjusted “depending on the length of the closure.” For the latest information, families are encouraged to visit the FUSD website: www.fremont.k12.ca.us
Hayward Award Recreation 2019 Award Winners
Submitted by Jacqui Diaz
The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D) Board of Directors held its annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, February 21, to recognize the individuals and organizations who provided outstanding support to programs and parks during 2019. The awards program honors individuals and organizations who support H.A.R.D. in its mission to provide quality parks, recreation programs, and facilities.
This year the following individuals or organizations were selected as 2019 award recipients:
- Cindy Torres – Individual of the Year
- Hayward Rotary Club – Organization of the Year
- Betty Soo Hoo – Volunteer of the Year
- Bianca Calvio – Youth Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteers for Outdoor California (VOCal) – Special Recognition Award
- Richard Imsdahl – Foundation Individual of the Year
- Gerald “Jer” Kruse – General Manager’s Individual of the Year
- Alameda County Community Development Agency Economic, Civic Development and Planning Department – General Manager’s Organization of the Year
“Without volunteers, partner organizations and supporting agencies, we could not meet our mission,” stated board President Paul Hodges. “We are, without a doubt, incredibly grateful to the countless hours spent by the volunteers and organizations who assist with our programs, help us build and maintain parks and facilities, and who are so connected to the community we serve.”
For more information about the award winners, visit www.HaywardRec.org.
Responses to COVID-19 novel coronavirus
Submitted by Chuck Finnie
The City of Hayward is cancelling all nonessential, nongovernmental meetings and events on a rolling 30-day basis to limit exposure and slow the transmission the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
The measure is one of a series of steps taken by City Manager Kelly McAdoo to protect the Hayward community and city workforce–including a declaration of a local emergency that allows for greater flexibility in the deployment of city employees and acquisition of needed equipment, supplies, and other resources.
Other steps include operational changes and partial closures of city facilities to limit person-to-person spread of the virus. These changes include, but may not be limited to, consolidation of in-person business transaction activity to glass-partitioned counters in the rotunda of city hall, shifting of other nonessential services to telephone-only, and reduction of hours and access at the Downtown and Weekes libraries.
The City Manager also is encouraging nonessential, nonpublic safety municipal workers, whose duties allow, to begin planning with supervisors to temporarily work remotely from home, also for the next 30 days. The goal of these arrangements is to continue to provide as many city services as possible while minimizing in-person contact.
All governmental meetings of the Hayward City Council and other boards, commissions and appointed bodies will continue to be held with times, dates and locations published and shared on the city website, via email, and in other ways and means required and provided for under state law.
For more information on COVID-19, updates from the city and Alameda County Department of Public Health, and additional resources, visit www.hayward-ca.gov/covid-19.
Hayward Police Log
Submitted by Hayward PD
Wednesday, March 11
- A homicide victim who was shot March 6 in the area of Mission Boulevard and Blanche Street in Hayward, and later died in Oakland, was identified by Hayward Police and the Alameda County Coroner’s Office as a 26-year-old Sacramento man. At the request of his family, his name was not released. A second shooting victim from the incident was hospitalized. An investigation into the incident, which is the fourth homicide of the year in Hayward, is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Hayward Police at (510) 293-7176.
Officers go the extra mile to help woman reach voting booth
Submitted by Hayward PD
On Tuesday, March 3, Hayward resident Barbara Handis was determined to cast her vote in the primary election. There was just one problem: while driving her motorized chair around trying to find her polling place, the battery in the chair died. She was stuck; or so it seemed.
Enter Hayward Police Officers Dominic Bongiovanni and Steve Avila, who met Handis after she called for help. The two officers came up with a plan to use a city truck with a liftgate to get Handis’ motorized chair back to her home. And, while they waited for the truck to arrive, the officers helped Handis find her polling place at the Southgate Community Center and gave her a ride there so she could do her civic duty. They also gave her a ride home.
Officials from the Hayward Police Department are giving kudos to the creativity of Officers Bongiovanni and Avila and their willingness to go the extra mile to help a citizen in need.
Azusa Pacific University, California
2019 Dean’s List
- Madison Alexander of Fremont
- Samuel Arthur of Fremont
- Shulamite Cheng of Newark
- Esther Cho of Castro Valley
- Kayla Hirsch of Newark
- Emi Ichimura of Fremont
- Jacob McCluskey of Fremont
- Eleeza Mecua of Fremont
- Laurise Randall of Fremont
- Samantha Wu of Fremont
- Evelyn Yun of Fremont
India Community Center suspends activities
Submitted by Raj Desai
ICC Management and supporting team members have been monitoring the current situation regarding Coronavirus including daily bulletins being issued by Santa Clara County health Department. We have just received notification from the County that all schools will be closed and that gatherings exceeding 10 people must be avoided.
While we would like to inform our members and community at large, that there have been no cases reported on any of our staff or members coming to any of ICC’s facilities who have been infected by the Coronavirus, we need to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our Community as well as be in compliance with County directed mandates.
At ICC, we take our responsibility in serving our community, keeping them safe and healthy very seriously. Our facilities staff are instructed and supervised daily to ensure that all doors and rooms including washrooms are sanitized and kept clean at all times.
As you are aware, we recently announced cancellation of all activities involving seniors who seem to be most exposed and vulnerable to the Coronavirus. This includes our centers in Milpitas, Cupertino and Palo Alto. With the latest Federal and State Government announcements, we will now extend this closure of all activities until Sunday March 29th.
ICC TT Center closed until March 29
Submitted by Rajul Sheth
ICC Management and supporting team members have been monitoring the current situation regarding Coronavirus including daily bulletins being issued by Santa Clara County health Department. We have just received notification from the County that all schools will be closed and gatherings exceeding 10 people must be avoided.
While we would like to inform our members and community at large, that there have been no cases reported on any of our staff or members coming to any of ICC’s facilities who have been infected by the Coronavirus, we need to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our Community as well as be in compliance with County directed mandates.
At ICC, we take our responsibility in serving our community, keeping them safe and healthy very seriously. Our facilities staff are instructed and supervised daily to ensure that all doors and rooms including washrooms are sanitized and kept clean at all times.
With the latest Federal and State Government announcements, we have decided on closure of all activities until Sunday March 29th.
The new quarter of classes and leagues and all private lessons are also cancelled. Updates on pro-rate of class and refund, or credit, or make up next week after discussing this with our higher management.
Thank you for your understanding and support. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of our team members via email (sports@indiacc.org) should you have any questions or require any assistance.
ICC Table Tennis Center
1507 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas
(408) 945-9556
CONTINUING EVENTS:
Thursday – Sunday, Jan 7 – Mar 31
Animal Feeding $
3 p.m.
Check for eggs, feed animals hay. Meet at Chicken Coop
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
Mondays, Jan 13 – Mar 30
Job Lab
12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
One-on-one help for job seekers
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
www.aclibrary.org
Saturday – Thursday, Jan 28 – Apr 7
Explosions of Color
During library hours
Display of 12 paintings by Winnie Thompson
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
Saturdays, Feb 1 – Apr 11
Free Tax Preparation
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
For households earning $56,000 or less
Photo ID and tax documents required
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1421
Sunday – Saturday, Feb 1 – Mar 27
Studio 820
During library hours
SLZ Adult School watercolor class exhibit
San Leandro Main Library
300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro
(510) 577-3971
www.sanleandro.org/depts/library/default.asp
Wednesdays & Thursdays, Feb 5 – Apr 15
AARP Tax Assistance R
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free tax preparation and e-filing. Call for appt.
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
(510) 608-1155
https://guides.aclibrary.org/castro-valley
Monday – Friday, Feb 11 – Mar 31
The Artist Within 3
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Original art by adults with special needs
Hayward Area Senior Center
22325 North Third St., Hayward
(510) 881-6766
Sundays, Feb 16 – Apr 5
Dove Gallery “Creation: Art of Nature” Exhibit
12 noon – 3 p.m.
Nature artwork in various media and styles
Park Victoria Baptist Church
875 S. Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas
(408) 464-5011
dove@parkvictoria.org
Thursday – Sunday, Feb 22 – Mar 21
Colors of Compassion by Bhavna
12 noon – 5 p.m.
Contemporary California landscapes
Olive Hyde Art Gallery
123 Washington Blvd., Fremont
(510) 791-4357
Wednesdays, Feb 26 – Mar 25
Tools For Change $
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Prevention/intervention techniques for parents of teens
Searles Elementary School
33629 15th St., Union City
(510) 471-2772
(510) 427-5419
sea.mynhusd.org
Thursdays, Feb 27 – Apr 2
Spiritual Guides for Today $R
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Universal Christ – 6-part series. Register by 2/25
Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose
43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont
(510) 933-6335
Saturday – Sunday, Feb 29 – May 31
Discovery Days
11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Family crafts and exploration
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
Sundays, Mar 1 – Apr 26
Animal Feeding Time
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Discuss reptiles, observe feeding time
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
Saturdays – Sundays, Mar 1 – Mar 22
Nature Crafts
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Discover the natural world through your artistic side
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
www.ebparks.org
Saturdays – Sundays, Mar 1 – Mar 22
Wild Wonders
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Games, activities, crafts for all ages
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
Monday – Saturday, Mar 2 – Mar 31
Brilliant Color…Bold Design
10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Exhibition of acrylic paintings by Terry McMahon
Portola Art Gallery-Allied Arts Guild
75 Arbor Rd., Menlo Park
(650) 321-0220
Mondays, Mar 2 – Apr 20
Matter of Balance
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn how to manage falls and increase activity
Fremont Senior Center
40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-6600
Fridays, Mar 6 – Apr 3
Stations of the Cross for Seniors – with S. Mary Mark Schoenstein, OP
2 p.m.
Inspiring reflections on aging
Dominican Sisters Motherhouse Chapel
43326 Mission Cir., Fremont
(510) 933-6360
www.msjdominicans.org
Monday – Friday, Mar 6 – Apr 24
Art is Education
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
HUSD students’ artwork display
John O’Lague Galleria
777 B St., Hayward
(510) 538-2787
Saturday, Mar 7 – Monday, Mar 24
Milpitas Cares volunteer week
Various times and locations
Short term projects: food pantry, park cleanup, etc.
(408) 240-7915
https://www.milpitascares.org/
Wednesday – Friday, Mar 11 – Apr 15
Tax Preparation Services
Wed & Thurs: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Fri: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free tax help for qualifying individuals
Fremont Family Resource Center
39155 Liberty St., Fremont
(510) 574-2000
(510) 574-2020
www.fremontvita.org
Thursdays, Mar 12 – Mar 19
Heart to Heart for Boys $R
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Parents and teens discuss the changes of puberty
Warm Springs Elementary
47370 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont
(510) 659-2542
www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/classes/class-detail
Friday – Saturday, Mar 13 – Mar 22
Footloose The Musical $
7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. matinee on 3/2
Ren McCormack struggles to adapt in a town where dancing and rock music are illegal
Cal State East Bay Theatre
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward
Saturdays, Mar 14 – Apr 11
Free Quality Tax Assistance
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Tax help for low income households
New Haven Adult School
600 G St., Union City
(510) 489-2185
(510) 574-2020
Saturday – Friday, Mar 14 – Apr 30
Advanced Placement Art Exhibit
During library hours
2D and 3D art from local AP high school students
Hayward Public Library
888 C St., Hayward
(510) 881-7980
haywardartscouncil.org
Sunday – Saturday, Mar 14 – Apr 18
Juried Photography Exhibit
Library open hours
120 images by over 50 local photographers
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1421
fremontculturalartscouncil.org
Tuesdays, Mar 17 – Apr 14
Free Quality Tax Assistance R
By Appointment
Tax help for low income households. English, Spanish, Chinese assistance
Ohlone College Newark Campus
39399 Cherry St., Newark
(510) 742-2300
(510) 574-2026
www.fremontvita.org
Friday nights
Laugh Track City $
8 p.m.
Fast-paced improv comedy show
Made Up Theatre
4000 Bay St., Suite B, Fremont
(510) 573-3633
Saturday nights
8 p.m.
Audience-inspired improv play
Made Up Theatre
4000 Bay St., Suite B, Fremont
(510) 573-3633
THIS WEEK:
Wednesday, Mar 18
Toddler Time
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Hear a story, do some chores, meet some farm animals
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Wednesday, Mar 18
Community Engagement Resource Fair
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Learn about resources available to adults 55+
Warm Springs Community Center
47300 Fernald St., Fremont
(510) 791-4318
(510) 574-2050
Wednesday, Mar 18
National Small Business Development Center Celebration
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
What is coming to SBDC, business success stories, light refreshments
Ohlone College Newark Campus
39399 Cherry St., Newark
(510) 742-2300
Wednesday, Mar 18
Convos with the Captain
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Casual Q&A session with Fremont PD Captain Fred Bobbitt
Queen Boba
34420 Fremont Blvd, Fremont
(510) 790-6689
Wednesday, Mar 18
Eden Eats $
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Showcase for local restaurants, caterers, and home-based food businesses
Our Lady of Grace Church
3433 Somerset Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 537-5300
www.edenareachamber.com
Wednesday, Mar 18 – Thursday, Mar 19
ScreenAgers: Growing Up in the Digital Age R
Wed: 6:30 p.m.; Thurs: 5:30 p.m. (Spanish), 6:30 p.m. (Mandarin)
Documentary and panel discussion
San Lorenzo High School
50 E. Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo
(510) 317-3000
https://bit.ly/39fZrL6
www.hayward.org
Thursday, Mar 19
Startup Grind Meeting R
6 p.m.
Fundraising to building an A-class team and partner network
Peerbuds Innovation Labs
4580 Auto Mall Pkwy #121, Fremont
https://www.startupgrind.com/fremont/
Thursday, Mar 19
East Bay Stompers Band
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Dixie, swing and standards music
Bronco Billy’s Pizza – Irvington
41200 Blacow Road, Fremont
(510) 438-0121
(510) 914-7304
Friday, Mar 20
Unity Dinner $R
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Restoring Unity -The Path Forward for Kashmir
India Community Center
525 Los Coches Street, Milpitas
(408) 934-1130
https://iacf-unity-dinner-2020.eventbrite.com
Friday, Mar 20
Toddler Ramble: Mad Scientists $
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Kids 1-3 experiment, play and explore
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward
(510) 670-7270
www.haywardrec.org/hayshore.html
Friday, Mar 20
Meet and Greet with Mia
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Meet author of upcoming book “Maddy and Mia: TriPaw Tales”
PetSmart Fremont
39410 Argonaut Way, Fremont
(510) 790-1459
Saturday, Mar 21
Eden Area Village Monthly Coffee
10 a.m.
Learn how local seniors keep each other active and engaged in the community
J.P.’s
3600 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley
edenareavillage.org
Saturday, Mar 21
Storytime with Cheryl Palladino
11 a.m.
Author reads “The Scraggly Rabbit”
Books on B
1014 B St., Hayward
(510) 538-3943
www.booksonb.com
Saturday, Mar 21
Fabulous Fishing Fun $
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fish with a naturalist, gear provided
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward
(510) 670-7270
www.haywardrec.org/hayshore.html
Saturday, Mar 21
Sheet Mulch Work Party
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Suppress weeds and build soil by covering weeds with cardboard and mulch
LEAF C.R. Stone Garden
55 Mowry Ave., Fremont
FremontLEAF@gmail.com
Saturday, Mar 21
Earthquake Walk at Central Park $
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Walking tour for adults and teenagers
Fremont Central Park behind Community Center
40204 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 790-5546
(510) 494-4300
Saturday, Mar 21
Women of Washington Township
1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wine and cheese, program celebrating notable women from our past
Museum of Local History
190 Anza Street, Fremont
(510) 623-7907
www.museumoflocalhistory.org
Saturday, Mar 21
Nectar Garden Fun Day
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Learn how to garden with plants that attract butterflies, make a butterfly-themed gift
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Saturday, Mar 21
Canine Capers Walk R
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Hike the park trails with your dog. Ages 8+
Garin Regional Park
1320 Garin Ave., Hayward
(510) 582-2206
1-888-327-2757
Saturday, Mar 21
Community Meeting
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
H.A.R.D. holds meeting to discuss parks and facilities in Castro Valley
Castro Valley Community Center
18988 Lake Chabot Rd., Castro Valley
www.haywardrec.org
Saturday, Mar 21
Lenten Retreat R
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Living at the Disposal of the Cross: Lenten Reflections on Christian Discipleship. Register by 3/17
Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose
43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont
(510) 933-6335
http://bit.ly/2020_LentRtrt1
Saturday, Mar 21
Science Carnival $
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Workshops and games to spark kids’ interest in science
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
(510) 336-7373
https://chabotspace.org
Saturday, Mar 21
Native Garden Tour Plant Sale
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Community garden tours, handmade soaps, hard-to-find native California plants
Green Thumb Works
20095 Mission Blvd., Hayward
www.bringingbackthenatives.net
Sunday, Mar 22
Rope Makin' and Hay Hoistin'
11:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Make a rope with an antique machine and help lift a bale of hay
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Mar 22
Hens Lay Eggs
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Listen to a story, touch a hen’s feather, search the coop for eggs
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Mar 22
Clothespin Dolls
1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Create and dress up your doll to take home
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Mar 22
Groovy Judy
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Free concert, Judy sings her heart out
RSI Fremont
3900 NewPark Mall Rd. Ste 203, Newark
www.groovyjudy.com
Sunday, Mar 22
Crime Fiction and Contemporary Society
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Three local mystery writers discuss what crime fiction teaches about society
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
www.aclibrary.org
Sunday, Mar 22
Manage Your Email
1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Learn email basics, how to identify and handle suspicious emails
Union City Branch Library
34007 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City
(510) 745-1464
www.aclibrary.org
Sunday, Mar 22
Edible Estuary
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Adults explore medicinal and edible marsh plants
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward
(510) 670-7270
www.haywardrec.org/hayshore.html
Sunday, Mar 22
Cordage & Pine Nut Bead Making
10 a.m. – Noon & 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Learn how to create cordage and string pine nut beads. Ages 9+
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Monday, Mar 23
Outdoor Discoveries: Puddle Jumpers R
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Preschool and home school nature series. Ages 4-8
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
www.ebparks.org
Monday, Mar 23
Milpitas Rotary Club Meeting
12 noon – 1:15 p.m.
Speaker Milpitas Fire Chief Brian Sherrard
Dave and Busters
940 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas
(408) 957-9215
http://www.clubrunner.ca/milpitas
Monday, Mar 23
Eden Garden Club Meeting
9:30 a.m.
Owner of SOAPGEEK will make Chamomile soap with olive oil and Chamomile flowers
Hayward-Castro Valley Moose Lodge
20835 Rutledge Rd., Castro Valley
(510) 723-6936
(510) 397-1268
Tuesday, Mar 24
Weekday Bird Walk $
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Look for 40+ birding species. Ages 12+
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward
(510) 670-7270
www.haywardrec.org/hayshore.html
Tuesday, Mar 24
Know Your Medicare Rights
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Learn about different plans, advocacy organizations, agencies and websites
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
www.aclibrary.org
Tuesday, Mar 24
Pet Partners @ Ohlone Humane Society
5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Meeting on how you and your pet can become a volunteer therapy team
Fremont Main Library Fukaya Room B
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1467
AAT@ohlonehumanesociety.org
Tuesday, Mar 24
Weekday Bird Walk
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Tranquil walk to look for birds. Bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars. 12+ yrs.
Vargas Plateau Regional Park
2536 Morrison Canyon Rd, Fremont
(510) 544-3246
www.ebparks.org
Over 2,000 stolen electronic devices recovered in auto burglary investigation
By Stephanie Gertsch
On Thursday, March 12 the Fremont Police Department and Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office held a press conference to update the results of recent investigations into auto burglaries and large-scale fencing operations across the East Bay Area. At the event, stolen laptops and backpacks were displayed, as well as several vehicles that had been purchased with proceeds of stolen goods. Eleven suspects have been charged with Tier 1 and 2 fencing.
Present at the event were Fremont Chief of Police Kimberly Peterson, Fremont Detective Rick Zemlok, Supervising District Attorney for Santa Clara Marisa McKeown, Assemblymember Kansen Chu, Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, and Vice-Mayor Rick Jones. “This press conference represents a collaboration, and an effort that spans all of the Bay Area, from San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara County,” said Marisa Mckeown.
The investigation has been ongoing since late 2017. In the fall of 2019, Fremont, Newark, Milpitas, Santa Clara, and San Jose each received $750,000 in State Surplus funding to investigate these crimes. “When we received this funding, we ensured our approach would be strategic and collaborative,” said Peterson.
Peterson also recounted the first major investigation into a laptop fencing ring in January of 2018. After increasing numbers of auto burglaries, Fremont detectives followed the trail back to Santa Clara County and stopped a shipping container headed to the Port of Oakland to be shipped overseas. More than 2,000 electronic devices were recovered, at a value of more than $2 million. Eight suspects were arrested.
Detective Rick Zemlok gave an overview of developments over the last two years.
Two local discount electronics businesses were implicated in the crime ring. In October 2019, Torspin Wireless in Hayward was served with multiple search warrants after a seven-month investigation. 1,800 electronic devices were recovered, and $350,000 in cash was seized. In spite of this, Torspin later reopened for business; on February 4, 2020, investigators conducted a business inspection and found numerous violations of California second-hand dealer laws. Torspin is now shutting down for good.
The other store, iTek Mobile Care in San Jose, was wiping and fencing stolen laptops and phones. On January 21, 2020, detectives conducted a sting in which stolen phones were sold to the business. A search warrant was issued, and the owners were arrested for possession of stolen property. 549 devices were recovered, and $31,000 was seized. Evidence showed the owner had been trained to wipe laptops and put them in IT mode. The laptops were then shipped via bus to Los Angeles and on to Vietnam.
Just in 2020, several other individuals were arrested after stolen laptops were found in their vehicles and/or storage units. Detectives recovered approximately 2,200 stolen devices, valued at $1.5 Million. Additionally, $100,00 in cash and $148,000 in bank accounts were seized. Six vehicles (two Mercedes, one Maserati, one BMW, one Porsche, and one Lexus SUV) were also seized, as it is believed they were purchased with the proceeds from the stolen devices.
A full list of names and arrest details can be found on the Fremont Police website: https://www.fremontpolice.gov.
“Make no mistake about it. What you’re looking at here is organized crime,” said Marisa McKeown. “And behind me are the spoils of a vast criminal conspiracy…What you’re looking at in front of you is several hundred victims’ property that hopefully they will get back thanks to the hard work and collaboration of these detectives. But this is a vast criminal network that every single night is fueled by a multi-million-dollar scheme to break into your cars and resell these products on websites back to unwitting consumers as ‘gently used.’ Which is offensive. And it’s wrong.”
The District Attorney’s office is changing how these crimes are charged. McKeown said, “We’re doing everything we can at the DA’s office in Santa Clara County to reflect the seriousness of this conduct, including for the first time in our office’s history charging a fencing scheme in a multi-count complaint for multiple defendants to include a white collar crime enhancement and criminal profiteering.”
The Bay Area is currently outpacing the rest of the state and nation in auto burglaries, and McKeown urged residents to take precautions – to never leave electronics even in locked cars as thieves show no hesitation to break glass and pop trunks. “For each one of these devices, they’re getting cash in hand, and it’s easy, and they don’t need a day job because they can take your property. So please help us stop this epidemic.”
Kansen Chu underlined how these crimes have gone beyond the level of misdemeanor to serious felony, especially as the value of information (personal or work-related) on stolen laptops is greater than that of the devices themselves. “Therefore, I have proposed a bill, AB 2375 to make car break-ins and stealing personal devices – like your cell phone, your iPad, your computers – automatically a felony,” Chu stated. “This is not to bypass any existing law. But we knew that there are people who will risk their life retrieving the personal or work-related information on their electronic devices.”
Chu will also an include an amendment to the bill, with the goal of reducing the market value of stolen electronic devices. The amendment establishes a statewide public database so anyone buying or dealing in used equipment can find out more about what they’re buying.
During a question and answer session, Rick Zemlok stated that so far there is no indication that information has been stolen but that’s always a possibility.
There were also questions related to the State Surplus funding from 2019: Has it contributed to results, and how sustainable are current operations? Peterson said the funding has contributed greatly to the recent arrests, and even though there isn’t an assurance of the funding continuing, the police will continue their strategies of information sharing and collaboration. Seeing an impact is the most important factor in continued success. Peterson said, “We want the word to get our there for these criminals. ‘You gonna steal laptops? Don’t come to Fremont. Don’t come to the Bay Area, because we’re going to go after you wherever you are.’”
For inquiries about recovering property stolen between July 19, 2019 and January 20, 2020, email LaptopRecovery@fremont.gov. Due to the large number of laptops recovered, you will need to provide a serial number for your device.
More information abut AB 2375 can be found on Kansen Chu’s website at https://a25.asmdc.org/district-report/chus-news-february-2020.
Local’s fiction looks back on Depression-era life
Submitted by Richard Culver Wold
John Steinbeck may have written about it, but East Bay resident Mary Jo Thomas-Wold lived it. Her story starts in December 1933 in Cove Arkansas, four years after the stock market crash of 1929. The leaves kicked up under a swift cool breeze a month after a devastating dust storm hit South Dakota, a foreshadowing of what was to follow in the next year.
Mary Jo was just seven years old when her family packed up and headed to Imperial, California, so her father, a former farmer, could find work. Hardly able to comprehend the significance of what she was experiencing, and certainly not from a historical perspective, Mary Jo got in the back of a wooden school bus her father had attached to the back of a flatbed truck, and started her journey to California on old Route 66. The next year, the worst storm of all hit the drought-stricken plains, creating the “Dust Bowl.” What followed was a flood of migrant farm workers to California.
By the time John Steinbeck was getting magazine articles published in 1936, writing of the poor working conditions and treatment of migrant workers, Mary Jo had already been living in California for the better part of two years. And she had seen first-hand the early migrants on the road to California in various encampments along Route 66. She saw more come after the Dust Bowl. She knew what it was like to be an “Okie,” or in her case, an “Arkie.” And she had already started to work on losing “that accent” to escape discrimination. She was after all, a migrant herself, her family taking various jobs on ranches, picking fruit and doing whatever it took to survive.
By the time Grapes of Wrath hit the theaters, the Thomas family had moved from Imperial California to Modesto and Mary Jo had all but lost her “Arkie” accent. She graduated from high school in 1944 and moved to Oakland in 1946 where she eventually met and married Edward Culver Wold, settled down and had a family of four of her own, raising them in the East Bay.
It was not until the 1980s that she felt emotionally over the stigma of being from the south and learned to embrace her country roots. Over the next three decades, she began writing her memories and reconnecting with her past. What came of that was her first self-published book, Little Annie Poot, about her life growing up in Arkansas. And the follow up, still-unpublished Desert Memories about the trip to California and her time in Imperial up to the time her family moved to Modesto in 1938.
She writes with an uncanny ability to recall the vernacular of the day. Her real-life stories and the characters who walk through them at times seem larger than life, and never ordinary. As they say, “you can’t make this stuff up.”
Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, a book signing and author preview of Desert Memories scheduled for March 21 has been postponed. However, Little Annie Poot is available at Books on B in Hayward.
Books on B
1014 B St., Hayward
(510) 538-3943
http://www.treasureauthor.com/
Milpitas Police log
Submitted by Lt. John Torrez and Sgt. Huy Tran, Milpitas PD
Wednesday, February 26
- At 12:09 p.m. a man confronted a woman in the parking lot of Dick’s Sporting Goods at 1200 Great Mall Drive and tried to forcibly take her purse. During the struggle, the suspect pointed a gun at the woman and took the purse and escaped in a silver 2012 Toyota Camry. During the escape, a male bystander attempted to stop the suspect, who pointed a gun at him causing him to back away and let the suspect get away before officers arrived. Witnesses provided officers with a description of the suspect and a vehicle license number. Detectives went to a San Jose address where the vehicle was registered, and soon spotted a man who matched the suspect description driving the Toyota in the area. Police later identified him as Andy Nguyen, 19, of San Jose. Detectives watched Nguyen discarding what appeared to be the victim’s belongs into a dumpster and driving away. They stopped him on the 1700 block of Rock Spring Drive in San Jose and arrested him at 12:59 p.m. Detectives located a loaded 9 mm non-serialized modified semi-automatic pistol in his pant pocket. Nguyen was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of armed robbery, possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a loaded firearm, possession of an undetectable firearm, and brandishing a firearm.
Wednesday, March 11
- At about 1:37 a.m. officers responded to a report from a man who said a green 1999 Honda Accord sedan occupied by several males followed him as he was walking along the 1249 block of Great Mall Drive. Soon one of the occupants, later identified by police as Brandon Moreno, 18, of Watsonville, jumped out of vehicle and pointed a black handgun at the victim, who tried to run away, but was chased by the suspects. Arriving officers soon spotted the suspect vehicle with the suspects inside and pursued it for about four miles until it crashed into a light pole in San Jose. Four male juveniles, ages 14-17, were apprehended without incident. The 17-year-old driver sustained moderate head injuries from the crash and was taken to a hospital for treatment where he was later cited for felony vehicle evasion and released to his parents. The other juveniles were cited and released to their parents for curfew violation. Moreno was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for brandishing a firearm. Officers conducted an extensive search for the handgun but did not locate it. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department website at: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip
Track & Field
Warriors win a close one
Submitted and photos by Mike Heightchew
In a close contest with the John F. Kennedy Titans (Fremont) track and field team, the Mission San Jose Warriors (Fremont) were able to claim victory on March 11th with a late point surge thanks to long distance finishes. This year, the Titans have fielded the largest team in their school’s history with 100 athletes. One of the most exciting finishes was the Titans victory in the 100-yard dash.
Mission Valley ROP Superintendent’s Message
March 13, 2020
Dear Mission Valley ROP Community,
As you are well aware, the COVID-19 landscape is continuously evolving as more positive cases are being confirmed. To date, seven positive cases have been confirmed in Alameda County. It is important to note, as of today, no positive cases are located in Fremont, Newark, or Union City.
Today MVROP participated in another collective call with all Alameda County Superintendents, the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) and the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) to discuss and plan for varying levels of COVID-19 mitigation, preventative practices, and scenarios involving school closures.
While there has been no direct order from ACPHD or the CDC to date for school closures in Alameda County, there are some districts that have chosen to suspend classroom instruction and instead implement distance learning models in order to promote social distancing and mitigation. MVROP serves three separate partner districts with CTE programming and will continue to remain in communication to appropriately adjust to their plans as we continue to receive up to date information. New Haven USD has announced it will suspend in-classroom instruction effective Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27, with regular classes resuming on Monday, April 6. Our two other partner districts have scheduled Board of Education meetings in an emergency capacity to empower Superintendents to make hard decisions and any necessary actions due to the time-sensitive nature of the escalating COVID-19 novel virus for this evening.
MVROP plans to conduct in-class instruction on the ROP Main Center Campus on Monday, March 16. Students who are participating in internships should report to their sites for their normal schedule unless said schedule has been augmented or they have been notified otherwise by MVROP.
Public medical health professionals who are experts in protecting the community still request MVROP to communicate the importance and overall effectiveness of preventative measures in the following forms to combat against the COVID-19 virus: thorough and regular hand-washing procedures, coughing into a tissue/ your arm, and if sick, please stay home. Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to cold and flu. If you are experiencing symptoms, stay home and contact your healthcare provider. The information being shared by health care providers is stressing that although children can become infected with COVID-19 that their symptoms are less severe than the elderly population.
We are doing our best to ensure we do our due diligence to provide continuity of services and learning for the Tri-Cities while navigating ongoing circumstances that are rapidly changing. We will continue to provide updated information to the community as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
Thomas Hanson
Superintendent
Mission Valley ROP
Swalwell, Crawford reintroduce MOBILE resolution
Submitted by Natalie Edelstein
On March 9, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) reintroduced the Members Operating to Be Innovative and Link Everyone (MOBILE) Resolution. The resolution would strengthen the ability of Members to virtually participate in committee hearings and allow them to vote remotely on suspension bills.
“From coast to coast, some of the country’s largest companies are already using technology to communicate and conduct business remotely,” said Swalwell. “Modern technology belongs in Congress and my resolution would allow Members to not only spend more time with their constituents and their families, but would prove useful for a number of situations, including the public health crisis in which we currently find ourselves.”
“The ability for Members of Congress to vote remotely, if need be, has been technologically feasible for decades,” said Crawford. “The ongoing Coronavirus outbreak underscores the need for Congress to embrace what the 21st Century has to offer.”
The MOBILE Resolution would require that Members and invited witnesses be allowed to participate in committee hearings remotely, and this participation would count toward rules on quorum. It also would mandate the development of a secure remote voting system which Members could use to vote remotely on suspension bills, generally non-controversial bills that require a two-thirds vote to pass.
More time to file, pay for California taxpayers
Submitted by Daniel Tahara, Public Affairs
The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today announced special tax relief for California taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Affected taxpayers are granted an extension to file 2019 California tax returns and make certain payments until June 15, 2020, in line with Governor Newsom’s March 12 Executive Order.
“During this public health emergency, every Californian should be free to focus on their health and wellbeing,” said State Controller Betty T. Yee, who serves as chair of FTB. “Having extra time to file their taxes helps allows people to do this, as the experts work to control the spread of coronavirus.”
This relief includes moving the various tax filing and payment deadlines that occur on March 15, 2020, through June 15, 2020, to June 15, 2020. This includes:
- Partnerships and LLCs who are taxed as partnerships whose tax returns are due on March 15 now have a 90-day extension to file and pay by June 15.
- Individual filers whose tax returns are due on April 15 now have a 60-day extension to file and pay by June 15.
Quarterly estimated tax payments due on April 15 now have a 60-day extension to pay by June 15.
The FTB’s June 15 extended due date may be pushed back even further if the Internal Revenue Service grants a longer relief period.
Taxpayers claiming the special COVID-19 relief should write the name of the state of emergency (for example, COVID-19) in black ink at the top of the tax return to alert FTB of the special extension period. If taxpayers are e-filing, they should follow the software instructions to enter The FTB will also waive interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply.
For more information, visit: www.ftb.gov
Working in Washington D.C. to improve the lives of Californians
By Alfred Hu
Photos courtesy of Nandini Narayan
A graduate of James Logan High School in Fremont, Nandini Narayan remembers a saying she heard often as part of the speech and debate team: that as you progress further in life, you should be a “voice for the voiceless.” That phrase stuck with her as she went on to study for a double major in biochemistry and business administration at Cal State University East Bay and later work in the offices of two Congressmen representing the State of California in Washington D.C. Narayan, who grew up in the Bay Area and was aware of the issues faced by this constituency, was able to pursue a career that would improve the lives of many Californians.
In the beginning of 2017, she started working as a case worker and field representative for Congressman Ro Khanna, a Democrat representing California’s 17th Congressional district, which is primarily Silicon Valley. This experience enabled her to see how a member of Congress can actively help every individual constituent. During her tenure with Khanna, she was also able to help people with immigration issues, help veterans receive overdue back payments, and meet with numerous advocacy and nonprofit groups.
As for how she got the position, Narayan said, “The opportunity fell in my lap, but I grabbed it and ran with it because of the work that I [would be] doing.” Narayan also mentioned that Khanna has a true intellectual mind and allowed her to see both sides of a congressional office, adding, “After a little over a year he brought me into the DC office to coordinate all of his scheduling. This role showed me the benefits and challenges in every position in a congressional office on Capitol Hill.” According to Narayan, Congressman Khanna focuses on many different issues such as bringing in more tech jobs and making the internet and technology available for all, implementing government reform, protecting immigrants’ rights, fighting climate change, and expanding access to health and quality education care to all Americans.
Narayan feels very privileged and honored to have worked with Khanna and said, “He is one of four Indian Americans in Congress currently and it was an honor working for him especially since I am of Indian descent,” and added, “I was the first Indian hired between both offices after he was elected; for the first 18 months of his first term I was the only Indian American.”
But Narayan did not stop with the internship with Khanna. Looking for further growth in the political arena as well as ways to increase her legislative portfolio, Narayan accepted an offer from Congressman TJ Cox’s office in 2019. Cox, a Democrat representing California’s 21st Congressional district, primarily in the Central Valley, has focused on many issues such as providing residents access to clean water, health care, education, a reliable workforce for Central Valley farmers and a mechanism for legal status of undocumented agricultural workers. Cox, according to Narayan, fights day and night for his constituency and makes sure they have every opportunity they could to improve their lives.
Furthermore, Narayan added that Cox has shown her what it truly means to be a member of Congress. “Every day I am 100 percent sure he comes to work not only ready to represent the Central Valley, but to find a way to fix issues. He is so dedicated to his constituency and he really represents the people and makes sure that every item of work the office produces will benefit the 21st congressional district in California. I truly am inspired to be working for him.” Recently Cox has signed onto a letter asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that local hospitals across the country have the resources they need to detect and treat the corona virus.
Both Cox and Khanna asked Narayan if she would be interested in running for office one day. Being taught never to say “never,” she does not rule out the idea. She currently works in Cox’s office in Washington DC as a legislative assistant enabling her to work on legislation that will make a difference in the lives of Californians. Her primary focuses include veteran affairs, immigration, small business technology, civil rights and intellectual property. In her free time, she tutors low income students in the DC area in math and science and volunteers at speech and debate tournaments as a judge.
She hopes to return to California in the future but at present truly enjoys her position and life in DC. Whatever decisions she makes in her life, Narayan is guided by the principle of being a voice for the voiceless.
Newark Police Log
Submitted by Newark PD
Tuesday, February 25
- At 11:48 a.m. Officer Swadener arrested a 43-year-old Oakland man in the area of Chapman and Blackburn Drives on an outstanding felony warrant. He was booked into Fremont Jail.
- At 4:20 p.m. Officer Langeinstein investigated a burglary in the 200 block of Newpark Mall Road. Total loss was $5,200. The incident is still under investigation.
- At 7:13 p.m. Officer Riddles arrested a 45-year-old East Palo Alto woman in the 6000 block of Thornton Avenue on suspicion of probation violation, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of pepper spray, grand theft of debit cards and possession of found property. She was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Thursday, February 27
- At 12:09 p.m. Officer San Pedro arrested a 32-year-old East Palo Alto man along with a 38-year-old unidentified male transient on probation in the 2000 block of Newpark Mall Road. They were arrested on suspicion of possessing several counterfeit $20 bills, attempting to pass counterfeit currency, producing counterfeit currency, resisting arrest, violating probation and providing false identification to an officer. Both were booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Friday, February 28
- At 11:31 a.m. Officer Horst arrested a 46-year-old Union City man in the 5000 block of Thornton Avenue on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
- At 8:39 p.m. officers arrested a 23-year-old Fremont woman in the area of Central Avenue and Timber Street on suspicion of DUI, probation violation, driving without a license, providing false identification to an officer, obstructing a police officer and resisting arrest. She was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
• At 1:45 a.m. Officer Quinonez arrested a 33-year-old Stockton man in the 5000 block of Cedar Court on an outside warrant, possession of a controlled substance and bringing a controlled substance into a jail. He was booked into Fremont Jail.
Newark City Council
March 12, 2020
Presentations and Proclamations:
- Proclaim March as March for Meals Month. Background/Discussion – On March 22, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 and established a national nutrition program for seniors. Patricia Osage, Executive Director of LIFE ElderCare accepted the proclamation.
- Proclaim March as American Red Cross Month. Jay Pimental of the American Red Cross Leadership Council accepted the proclamation.
Consent:
- Approval of the recommendation from the Community Development Advisory Committee for allocation of Community Development Block Grant Jurisdiction Improvement Project funds for fiscal year 2020-2021 – from Senior Planner Mangalam.
- Authorizing a Contractual Services Agreement with Coro Medical, LLC to provide new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units and ongoing Public AED Program Services – from Public Works Director Fajeau.
Non-consent:
- Overview of the 2020-2022 Capital Improvement Plan – from Assistant City Engineer Imai.
City Manager Report:
- City Manager David Benoun outlined the city’s response to the public health crisis of COVID-19. The City of Newark has increased janitorial services, provided sanitary hand wipes, held employee meetings to explain procedures to cope with the virus, use video and telephone conferences, asked employees who are ill to stay home, institute telecommuting for some employees, suspended work-related travel and training. Updates and communication with the public will be transparent on the web and social media using a variety of languages including Spanish, Chinese and Portuguese. Large gatherings including the New Bark Dog Park grand opening (March 21) and Family Day (April 4) have been cancelled. Senior Center activities have been cancelled but the center will remain open. The Library will continue its normal schedule at this time. Emergency resolutions will be prepared for use if necessary. State actions allow some suspension of Brown Act restrictions for teleconferencing.
- Add classification of Finance Director – from City Manager David Benoun and Interim City Attorney Kokotaylo.
City Council Matters:
- Saluting women and International Women’s Day.
- Recognize Officer Karl Fredstrom, chosen by fellow employees, as 2019 Employee of the Year.
- Kudos to Public Works for tree trimming efforts.
- Thanks to public safety officers for their service.
Oral Communications:
- Comments on three items including restrictive size of accessory dwelling units. Asking for consideration of increasing the limit from 600 square feet to 950 square feet. Questioning why AirBnB is prohibited in Newark; comment regarding watering in parks when raining.
Mayor Alan Nagy Aye
Vice Mayor Luis Freitas Aye
Sucy Collazo Aye
Michael Hannon Aye
Mike Bucci Aye
A flamboyance of pink flamingos arrives at the zoo
Submitted by Isabella Linares
Oakland Zoo officials are pleased to announce they have doubled the size of their flamingo population with the arrival of 10 new lesser flamingos from the San Diego Zoo, bringing their flock to 19 members total.
The mixed-sex group (often called a flamboyance) arrived in early March. This is the largest flamingo flock the zoo has seen in quite some time and zoo officials expect that growth in this habitat will better the welfare of the flamingos and increase personal relationships within the flamboyance.
With the flamboyance growing to 19, there will be an opportunity for the mixed-sex flock to break off into smaller groups for increased socialization. A larger flock size provides the possibility for more courtship behaviors and of nest-building within those smaller socialized groups. “We are happy to contribute to genetic diversity in zoos. We are excited for our flamboyance to enjoy a larger flock size,” said Andrea Dougall, Zoological Manager at Oakland Zoo.
Along with this inclusion of new flamingos, the zoo recently made changes to the habitat to help improve their home. This habitat reconstruction was developed in partnership with researchers at the University of Exeter in England.
Flamingo expert, Dr. Paul Rose, who — along with psychology student Luke Jones — analyzed the Oakland Zoo’s flamingo behavior and suggested improvements to their habitat to better encourage natural and increased social behaviors. These changes proved a success and keepers, along with the zoo’s Behavioral Observational Team, have noted the flamingos appear to be enjoying their habitat much more, social interactivity has increased, and an opportunity was created to add new members to the flock.
General welfare for flamingos in the wild is measured by large amounts of smaller mixed groups within a population. The addition of these birds and the change in their habitat at Oakland Zoo will better represent what is seen in the wild.
The development of the zoo’s flamboyance was recommended by the Association of Zoos Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). The 10 new flamingos are a part of an SSP exchange, with two Oakland Zoo males going to San Diego Zoo in return. SSP was developed by the AZA (which Oakland Zoo is accredited by) to help ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied AZA population.
The newest additions will spend the usual 30 days in quarantine at Oakland Zoo’s Vet Hospital before joining their new family.
College day opens doors to the future
Submitted by Tina Vossugh
For more than 100 local high school students attending the recent Ohlone College Mission Valley Regional Occupational Program (MVROP) College Career Day, it was a time to think ahead and contemplate their next steps after high school.
“Each and every one of you has the potential to do what you want. So, the million-dollar question is, what are you going to do with it?” Milton Lang, Vice President of Student Services, asked the students.
During the Friday, February 28 event, juniors and seniors from Newark Memorial, Bridgepoint, Conley-Caraballo and Robertson high schools got to experience a taste of what their future could be.
“If I can do it, you can kill it,” Lang said. He spoke from the heart telling students his own story about being the youngest of seven in a family where higher education wasn’t a priority and where his own father mocked his dreams of going to college. Now, he says, his father is his number one fan showing him off to all his friends.
“Many of these high school juniors and seniors have never been, or ever expected to be, on a college campus,” said Computer Science Professor Suporn Chenhansa. “Some may not have ever thought about college at all.”
That’s why Ohlone College — the community college serving the Tri-Cities — has made it a priority to reach out to local students like these to show them how much they do belong and that they can be college material — making it an annual event coordinated by the Ohlone College Tri-Cities Career Center and MVROP since 2014.
In her role at the college’s career center, Career Center Specialist and Adjunct Counselor Gail Satake-Nakamura brings career planning modules to local MVROP high schools so that students can have a better idea of what’s possible for them through Ohlone’s many educational and career paths. One of the events she looks forward to the most is this one where the students can actually feel what it’s like on campus.
“It’s a wonderful way for students to learn that college is attainable and for us to show them all of the great programs and educational paths we offer at Ohlone,” Satake-Nakamura said.
Each year the program begins with a welcome and introduction to the campus from Ohlone College administration, staff, and from the MVROP Superintendent Tom Hanson. Students then participate in workshops led by Ohlone faculty and student helpers, have lunch together, and engage with student service organizations and clubs with a tour of the campus in the afternoon.
“Educators have many chances to talk to students about their futures,” Hanson said. “The trip to Ohlone demonstrates to kids how that future can actually take shape. It is powerful for everyone involved.”
Moratorium on PG&E customer shutoffs for nonpayment
Submitted by Tamar Sarkissian
On March 13, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic it has voluntarily implemented a moratorium on service disconnections for nonpayment, effective immediately. This suspension will apply to both residential and commercial customers and will remain in effect until further notice.
To further support customers who may be impacted by the pandemic, PG&E will offer its most flexible pay plans to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19. PG&E will continue to monitor current events and identify opportunities to support our customers and communities. Customers who visit local offices to pay bills and are sick or experiencing symptoms are being asked to use other payment options such as online or by phone at (877) 704-8470.
In addition to the moratorium on service shut-offs, PG&E’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is focused on efforts to protect the health and safety of its customers, employees, contractors and the communities it serves. Actions the company has taken include providing guidance for employees who have direct customer contact to take social distancing precautionary measures, such as avoiding handshakes and wearing disposable nitrile gloves while in customers’ homes.
Internally the company is taking advanced cleaning measures, communicating best practices frequently with employees, and is asking its leaders to let employees work remotely if their job allows while avoiding critical business disruption.
“We recognize that this is a rapidly changing situation and an uncertain time for many of our customers. Our most important responsibility is the health and safety of our customers and employees. We also want to provide some relief from the stress and financial challenges many are facing during this worldwide, public health crisis. We understand that many of our customers may experience a personal financial strain due to the slowdown in the economy related to the pandemic,” said Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President Laurie Giammona.
Update on San Leandro Response to COVID-19
Submitted by Eric Engelbart
The City of San Leandro is continuing to monitor the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) and the impacts the virus has had upon city operations and the San Leandro community. In response to recommendations made by the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD), the City is cancelling and/or postponing large events and gatherings. In addition, the city has taken the actions outlined below out of concern for the community and to mitigate potential exposure to this virus.
“We’re all in this together and our team is working hard to do everything we can to support public health and keep our community safe,” stated Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter.
- The Mayor has elected to postpone her State of the City address to a future date to be determined and the Chamber of Commerce will be postponing the Taste of San Leandro.
- The City does not have plans at this time to change procedures for City Council and City Commission meetings; however, the public is reminded that these meetings can be streamed online and that public comments to both staff and the City Council can be shared by email or in writing.
- San Leandro leadership has made the decision to relax enforcement of the City’s noise ordinance in order to allow certain specific stores, such as Costco, the ability to receive delivery of products that have been in high demand since this outbreak, whenever such delivery may arrive at the store, including evenings.
- Operations at City facilities, such as libraries and community centers, are being continually assessed in accordance with health guidelines and best practices. Programming that is targeted to high-risk populations such as seniors, as well as youth, has been suspended. For facilities that remain open, protocols are in place to enhance the cleaning and sanitization of high-touch surfaces.
For the most current information on the availability of City facilities and services, please visit www.sanleandro.org.
The public is encouraged to review the latest recommendations from the Alameda County Public Health Department regarding mass gatherings at www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, may have had contact with a person with COVID-19, or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
City of San Leandro leadership and the San Leandro Police Department are also closely tracking updates from the appropriate regional and national health agencies and will provide additional updates as appropriate.
For more information, please visit: www.sanleandro.org.
School closure information
Submitted by FUSD
As a precaution and in an effort to slow the potential spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), along with the other school districts in Alameda County, Fremont Unified will be closed starting on Monday, March 16, 2020. This decision was not made lightly and involved close collaboration and coordination with the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) Board of Trustees, labor groups, the Alameda County Office of Education and the Alameda County Department of Public Health (ACDPH). We will continue working with our community partners to coordinate the reopening of our schools.
Students will not attend school starting on Monday, March 16th. All district facilities will be open on March 16-17th and staff will report to their usual work locations and duties. Every site will be deep cleaned and sanitized. Sites will be accessible to parents and students to pick up any materials they may need during the full closure.
From Wednesday, March 18th – Friday March 27th, all sites in Fremont Unified will be fully closed to students, employees, and the public. There will be no classes, activities, or sports on site. Students will not attend school and all employees will work from remote locations. Outside rentals of our sites will be canceled during the two weeks as well. No part of campus may be accessed by anyone at any time during the closure.
The tentative reopening date is scheduled for Monday March 30th, but that may be extended depending on conditions at the time and recommendations from the Alameda County Department of Public Health (ACDPH) and the State of California. We will let staff and families know by March 24th for planning the following week. Learning will continue during this district closure.
FUSD staff has been preparing for this contingency and are making arrangements for continued instruction regardless of how long schools remain closed to students. Look for instructions from your individual teacher(s). Special education meetings and/or services will be handled through other formats or rescheduled to continue to address student needs.
At this time, FUSD is not expected to move or cancel its Spring Break scheduled from April 10-17th, but adjustments to the school calendar may be necessary depending on the length of the closure. We will announce any changes as soon as possible. As of now, graduation schedules remain unchanged.
We understand there are many concerns around COVID-19 and want to ensure families that we are working closely with ACDPH for updates and guidance. For the latest information on COVID-19, families are encouraged to visit the FUSD website (https://www.fremont.k12.ca.us) the ACDPH webpage dedicated to COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus), and the CDC homepage.
Fremont is a strong and united community and we will get through this together! We will do everything possible to keep you informed of any developments and when students can return to school.
Carnival inspires next generation of scientists
By Stephanie Gertsch
Known for their range of creative educational events for young and old alike, Chabot Space and Science Center is hosting their first “Science Carnival” on Saturday, March 21. Building on last year’s “Women in STEAM” event, and celebrating Women’s History Month, the carnival will honor women’s contributions to science.
Jessica Hicks of Chabot Science Center says, “This event will feature many women who are currently working in scientific fields. They will be leading science demonstrations, giving talks, and we even have an ‘ask a scientist table’…These women will share their stories and pathways into the sciences with students at the event and also share their current projects through hands on demonstrations.”
Partners for this event include Scientific Adventures for Girls, Girls on the Mic, Magmas and Eruptions Group (of Stanford University), Nat Geo Explorers, and more. Each will be providing workshops for kids. For example, Magmas and Eruptions Group will run a table where kids can look inside a real geologist’s backpack and learn about the tools she uses, run “races” between different substances to learn about how viscosity affects volcanic eruptions, and identify samples from the Rock & Mineral Mystery Box.
In addition, there will be many activities that are just plain fun. Hicks says, “We will have our science of carnival game activities such as zip lines, ring toss, air zoom as and balloon challenges. We also plan to have a wind turbine workshop, makey makey demos, liquid nitrogen balloons, vacuum chamber marshmallows and a sledgehammer bike from Rock The Bike. We also have many other demonstrations that will be led by our event partners as well as face painting and a juggler!”
Entrance to the carnival is free with regular admission. Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for youth. Children under age three are free.
Science Carnival
Saturday, Mar 21
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Chabot Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
(510) 336-7300
https://chabotspace.org
Tickets: $14-18
Two Killed in Late Night Shooting
Submitted by San Leandro PD
On Friday, March 13, 2020, approximately 11:00 p.m., San Leandro Police Officers responded to the 2100 block of East 14th Street regarding multiple reports of shots being fired. Upon arrival, officers located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds seated in a vehicle.
Victim #1, an adult male in his late 20’s, was transported to a local hospital where lifesaving efforts continued, but he succumbed to his injuries. Victim #2, an adult male in his mid-20’s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Their identities are being withheld pending confirmation their next of kin have been notified.
San Leandro Police Detectives responded to the scene for the investigation. Preliminary information revealed that there was some type of verbal exchange between the victims and the suspect right before the gunshots were fired. The motive for these homicides remains unclear. However, this is an active and ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the San Leandro Police Department at (510) 577-2740.
Saving Small Farms
Submitted by Santa Clara County Public Affairs
The Santa Clara County Food System Alliance, a collaboration of the Santa Clara County Agricultural Commissioner and several local nonprofit leaders, released its 2020 report highlighting the viability of small-scale agriculture in the county where 52 percent of farmland parcels are 10 acres or less.
The report dispels the myth that small farms cannot be viable in the county and builds upon the recommendations of the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Plan that was approved by the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. Funding for the report came from the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.
The report showcases small farms succeeding in a challenging environment, but additional efforts are needed to protect their future, including:
- Facilitate access to and permanently preserve farmland
- Make farmland affordable to small farmers
- Invest in land conservation and climate smart practices
- Increase sales and consumption of locally produced food
- Streamline burdensome regulations that disproportionately affect small farms
The public benefits from small farms because they can create a resilient urban food supply, drive a local food economy, be a local force in climate change mitigation — including minimizing impacts of flooding and reducing fire hazards — and provide valuable ecological services estimated up to $3.9 billion annually.
“Maintaining our current agriculture areas is critical from an economic standpoint and a sustainable feeding position where our locally grown produce is used in our local restaurants,” said County of Santa Clara Agricultural Commissioner Joe Deviney.
Small farms will only be successful in benefiting the community and the environment with a collaborative effort between farmers, policy makers, residents, and farmland owners.
SpaceX launches station supplies, nails 50th rocket landing
By Marcia Dunn
AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP), Mar 07 – SpaceX launched another load of station supplies for NASA late Friday night and nailed its 50th rocket landing.
The Falcon rocket blasted off with 4,300 pounds (1,950 kilograms) of equipment and experiments for the International Space Station. Just minutes later, the spent first-stage booster made a dramatic midnight landing back at Cape Canaveral, its return accompanied by sonic booms.
“The Falcon has landed for the 50th time in SpaceX history!“ SpaceX's Launch Control announced.
Both the booster and the Dragon capsule, en route to a Monday rendezvous with the space station, flew on previous missions.
It's the 20th station delivery for SpaceX, which has launched nearly 100,000 pounds (45,360 kilograms) of goods to the orbiting outpost and returned nearly that much back to Earth since it began shipments in 2012. Northrop Grumman is NASA's other commercial shipper.
SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk said it was the windiest conditions ever for a booster landing at Cape Canaveral, but he wanted to push the envelope. The landing was the 50th successful touchdown of a SpaceX booster following liftoff, either on land or at sea.
The company's first booster landing was in 2015, intended as a cost-saving, rocket-recycling move. Both the booster and the Dragon capsule, en route to a Monday rendezvous with the space station, were recycled from previous flights.
Among the science experiments flying: an analysis of running shoe cushioning in weightlessness by Adidas, a water droplet study by Delta Faucet Co. striving for better showerhead water conservation, 3D models of heart and intestinal tissue, and 320 snippets of grape vines by Space Cargo Unlimited, the same Luxembourg startup that sent 12 bottles of red wine to the space station last November for a year of high-altitude aging.
The Dragon also contained treats for the two Americans and one Russian at the space station: grapefruit, oranges, apples, tomatoes, Skittles, Hot Tamales and Reese's Pieces.
As for packing the capsule for launch, no extra precautions were taken because of the global coronavirus outbreak, according to NASA. The usual stringent precautions were taken to avoid passing along any germs or diseases to the space station crew. The doctor-approved procedures have proven effective in the past, officials noted.
This is the last of SpaceX's original Dragon cargo capsules. Going forward, the company will launch supplies in second-generation Dragons, roomier and more elaborate versions built for crews.
The company aims to launch NASA astronauts this spring. The California-based SpaceX is also teaming up with other companies to fly tourists and private researchers to the space station, as well as high solo orbits in the next couple years.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Spelling bee winners
Submitted by Brian Killgore
Over the weekend of March 7-8, FUSD students place 1-2 at Alameda County Spelling Bee! Congratulations to Dhruv from Warm Springs Elementary and Roshan from Niles Elementary. They will represent Alameda County at the California Spelling Bee on May 9th.
State issues guidance on gambling venues, theme parks and theaters
Submitted by Scott Murray, CA Dept of Public Health
California officials issued guidance on March 13, 2020 regarding gambling venues, theme parks and theaters. The guidance will protect individuals attending and working at these venues and the local community. Entertainment venues should take the following steps to prepare and protect the public, workers and communities against the spread of COVID-19.
Gambling Venues:
Take steps to limit the number of customers in single room/space to 250 or less
- Increase frequency of cleaning of chips, shuffling machines, and other objects utilized in games
- Increase frequency of cleaning and/or disposal of playing cards
- Ensure that social distancing standards are met for non-family members and make clear that family members can participate in activities together, stand in line together etc.
- Eliminate events/marketing that target individuals that are at higher risk of serious illness for COVID-19
Theme Parks and Attractions:
- Ensure that social distancing standards are met for non-family members and make clear that family members can participate in activities together, stand in line together etc.
- Increase spacing of show times to allow for more thorough cleaning of a single room or space and social distancing during show times
- Increase number of hand washing or sanitizing stations
- Eliminate events/marketing that target individuals that are at higher risk of serious illness for COVID-19
- Extend hours to allow for staggering of attendance
- Limit attendance as necessary to reduce outdoor/indoor crowding
Movie Theaters and Live Performance (Plays, Musicals) Theaters:
- Keep attendance under 250 persons per individual theater and ensure that social distancing of six feet per person for non-family members is maintained and make clear that family members can sit together, stand in line together etc.
- Suspend reserved seating to allow patrons to self-separate
- Reduce capacity to 50-60 percent per showing
- Sanitize seats and tray tables between showings
- Increase spacing between show times to allow for more thorough cleaning of individual theaters
- Have ushers monitor social distancing practices in theaters and encourage additional distance between guests as appropriate
For more information on COVID-19 and California's response visit the California Department of Public Health's website at: www.cdph.ca.gov
California AG drops challenge to T-Mobile-Sprint merger
By Tali Arbel
AP Technology Writer
NEW YORK (AP), Mar 11 – California's attorney general said Wednesday that the state will not appeal a judge's decision approving T-Mobile's $26.5 billion purchase of Sprint.
Attorney General Xavier Becerra and New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 14 state attorneys general who sued to stop the deal. They had argued that eliminating a major wireless company would harm consumers by reducing competition and adding billions of dollars in costs through higher phone bills.
The companies said the deal would benefit consumers by helping the companies build a better next-generation, 5G wireless network than each could do alone. A federal judge in New York sided with the companies in February. New York decided not to appeal a few days later.
Becerra will hold a press conference Wednesday to announce a settlement with the companies.
The merger has been approved by the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission. As part of its deal with the federal government, T-Mobile and Sprint agreed to set up satellite TV company Dish as a new cellular competitor, though it will be a much smaller one.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., must still approve the Justice Department settlement. A California utility board has also not approved the deal yet.
T-Mobile has said that it expects to close the deal as early as April 1. Its Sprint deal would create a new wireless giant that is roughly the size of AT&T and Verizon.
UNESCO plaque unveiled at Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House
AP Wire Service
LOS ANGELES (AP), Feb 23 – State and local officials in California unveiled a plaque designating architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House in Los Angeles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam B. Schiff and Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell delivered remarks at a ceremony Sunday, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs officials also attended the unveiling at the Hollyhock House, which earned the city its first World Heritage designation in July.
There are 1,121 World Heritage Sites globally, with 869 of those awarded cultural status. The Hollyhock House is one of eight Wright buildings representing the first U.S. modern architecture designations on the World Heritage list.
The other Wright buildings include the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City; the Unity Temple and the Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago; Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania; the Herbert and Katherine Jacobs House in Madison, Wisconsin; Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin; and Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Among his most iconic buildings was the Guggenheim with its spiral ramp for viewing galleries. It was completed in 1959, the same year Wright died.
Built between 1918 and 1921 on a hill in East Hollywood, the Hollyhock House in Barnsdall Art Park was almost demolished in the 1940s. The structure is named for stylized motifs of the flower of the same name that dominate its concrete exterior.
The Hollyhock House, Wright's first California commission, is now owned by the city of Los Angeles and serves as an arts center.
“The unveiling of the plaque,” O'Farrell said Sunday, “underscores what we already know: The structure represents an unparalleled symbol of cultural heritage and an outstanding contribution to design in the city of Los Angeles and the world.”
California $37,706,709 receives in support of COVID-19 response
Submitted by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing another upcoming action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide $37,706,709 in funding to California in support of their response efforts to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“State and local health departments are on the front lines of responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, and we are deeply grateful for their work,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “CDC is distributing this new funding extremely rapidly, as called for by Congress. President Trump and his entire administration will continue working to ensure state and local jurisdictions have the resources they need to keep Americans safe and healthy.”
“Our state, local, tribal and territorial public health partners are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. The action we are taking today will continue to support their efforts to increase public health capacity where it’s needed most,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “These funds will allow public health leaders to implement critical steps necessary to contain and mitigate spread of the virus in communities across the country.”
On March 6, President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020. The supplemental contains $8.3 billion government-wide, with resources directed for grants or cooperative agreements to states, localities, territories, and tribes to accelerate planning and operational readiness for COVID-19; develop tools and strategies; provide technical assistance and program support; and ensure ongoing communication and coordination among public health agencies and partners throughout the response.
To view the list of CDC funding actions to jurisdictions, visit https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/03/11/cdc-funding-information.html. For more information about this virus, visit the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Calling All Tri-City Young People: Your Vote Counts…Register and Vote!
Submitted by Shirley Gilbert
Advait Prasad is a busy senior at Mission San Jose High School in Fremont. He’s got a slew of tests, he’s on the track team and he’s waiting to hear what colleges have accepted him. He’s also excited about the prospect of voting in the 2020 election since he turns 18 on April 23rd. That’s why he registered when his economics class joined a presentation in the school’s auditorium that centered around the history and importance of voting.
“Registering gets a bad rap,” said Prasad. “It’s part of the stigma with which we young people view the government. It doesn’t matter what choices you make. You just need to make your voice heard. There’s so much polarization in our country now and voting gives you some say in the future.”
Prasad was one of 2,801 junior and senior high school students who registered to vote as part of an aggressive drive that covered seven schools over seven days in the Tri-City area. The schools were: Irvington, American, Washington, Mission, Robertson, Logan and Averroes, a private Muslim-based school.
Students from social science classes heard two presentations. The first, led by League of Women Voters, highlighted the history of voting including the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage and the 19th Amendment, reminded the students of the power of the youth vote and the breadth of voting issues. The second, led by teen leaders, took students through the voter registration process. Then, with the help of volunteers, they filled out the registration applications and sent them on to the registrar to be processed.
The organization at the heart of the drive is the Youth Voter Movement (YVM), a partnership with the League of Women Voters of Fremont-Newark-Union City. YVM, like the League, is nonpartisan and nonissue committed to registering all eligible youth so they have a stake in their own future. In 2018, the youth vote enjoyed a 100-year high with an impressive 80 percent increase in voting nationwide. However, some 70 percent of those 65 or older vote, while only 38 percent of youth vote. This gap is what co-founder of YVM Julie Dunkle and her team are determined to close.
The push to register teenagers began when Dunkle and her son Michael created a program called the Parkland Voter Movement before the 2018 mid-term elections which resulted in the registration of some 3000 students. “The origins of that program,” said Dunkle, “were inspired by the courageous youth of Parkland, to honor both their silenced and amplified voices. The new name better personifies how youth are leading a movement in voting and in democratic engagement.”
Thanks to 100 students and 250 adult volunteers, YVM and the League were able to register the over 2000 students in record time. “It certainly takes a village,” said Dunkle, shaking her head in wonder at what the team accomplished so quickly.
Gayle Tupper, a League member, was one of the new adult volunteers who helped pre-register and register students. She thinks the YVM is a great way to get youth excited about voting and was encouraged to see student leaders taking charge of a great deal of the communication. “The line that keeps ringing in my head about youth voting is from the musical Hamilton. ‘I am not throwing away my shot…I’m young, scrappy and hungry…and I’m not throwing away my shot.’ I don’t want these kids to throw away their shot.”
Sarah Nauss, Social Science Department Chair at American High School, was the intermediary between teachers and the registration team for the drive at her school. American registered 829 students, the most of any of the seven schools. How to account for this high number? According to Nauss, there was a full commitment on the part of teachers and the school to cooperate with the registration process.
Nauss believes the Youth Voter Movement is a great initiative and fulfills an important purpose. “Congress is essentially broken,” she said, “and controlled by old white men who don’t look like our students. As a result, eligible students want to be involved now and change that in the future.” Nauss remembers what it was like when she was her students’ age. “The way our government worked was never explained to me in high school. That’s why I think YVM is such a fantastic program. The information young people get is first rate and they are more likely to register and vote when asked to do so in an organized way.”
Alvin Lee is a student leader and activist at Mission San Jose High School and led the drive at his school. Lee is also the leader of a group called Generation Up that encourages activism and positive change to make education more dynamic. “I’ve always felt that youth voter registration is an important part of activism,” he said, “and I want to register one million Millennials since the record hasn’t been so good.” Lee believes that young people can bring about positive change in our democracy. “Students really do care.”
To further create awareness of the power of the youth vote and allow high school and college students to experience some hands-on activities, Irvington student Elaine Yan, along with support from YVM and the League staged a Get-Out-The-Vote Rally and march on March 1st at the Fremont Main Library.
It was exciting to encounter the industrious hubbub in the library’s Fukaya Room where some 80 students and about 30 volunteers prepared for the march. There was a spirit of activism and determination to be part of the democratic process.
At one series of tables, students worked to stop voter suppression by telephoning and writing postcards, encouraging voters removed from the voter rolls in Elmore County, Alabama to reregister and vote. In many cases, these residents, often minorities or poor, have no idea they have been removed from the voter rolls. This Center for Common Ground program is called Reclaim Our Vote and is supported by many organizations such as the NAACP.
In another corner of the room and on the floor, youth designed posters for the march –“Democracy Dies in Darkness” and “Young Voters are America’s Future” or “vote” written in a plethora of languages.
About ten elected officials attended the event including Senator Wieckowski, County Assessor La, Mayor Mei, Council Members Keng and Lamnin, School Board Trustees Campbell, Cheema, Cox and Kaur. Students asked questions about the environment, gun control, student loans and tax assessments and possible internships. League members were available to register students and there were snacks aplenty and opportunities to acquire t-shirts, wristbands, bookmarks and stickers. And through it all, a happy whirl of activity.
Then it was time for the boisterous crowd of teenagers to start the two-mile march to deposit their ballots in the Registrar of Voters Election mailbox and mail the voter suppression postcards. While the young people gathered with their posters at the Unity sculpture at Paseo Padre and Stevenson, students gave inspiring speeches about the power of voting.
In her speech, Drishti Gupta focused on issues important to Millennials such as debt forgiveness, climate change and health care. She stated that every vote counts and youth need to help get out the vote. Alvin Lee spoke about the “dilemma of how the older generation is screwing things up for us” and how fundamental shifts, led by the youth movement, is the answer. Jackie Cox talked about her great grandmother, Sarah Dudley Pettey, who was influential in the suffragist movement for black women in the early 1900’s. She shared a few of her grandmother’s quotes in relationship to women’s abilities and energy. “What position is there that a woman cannot fulfill?” her great grandmother asked. Mrs. Pettey also challenged one’s belief of the term colored. “All people,” she said, “are colored from the fairest blond to the darkest hue of humanity.”
On the route to the City Hall, drivers honked and cheered as the students held their posters aloft. At City Hall, young eligible voters cast their ballots. On the return journey to the Unity sculpture, student activists triumphantly mailed the voter suppression postcards.
Fremont Mayor Lily Mei called the rally inspirational and said she was “proud to witness and welcome our high school youth and young college adults joined together to celebrate and exercise their right to vote. Some for the very first time.”
It was a fun and exhilarating time and also communicated a serious message: the youth vote is vital to the success of our democracy and to its future. Young people please register and vote!
If you would like to host similar events, register to vote, volunteer, send a donation or learn more about the Youth Voter Movement, go to www.youthvotermovement.org.