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Alameda County Fire Department Log
Submitted by ACFD
Wednesday, February 24
• During the afternoon firefighters responded to reports of flames and smoke coming from an oven in a residential area of Cherryland and unincorporated area near Hayward. The fire was quickly extinguished and there were no injuries.
• Evening shift crews responded to a report of a vehicle that went off the roadway and down a small embankment on Redwood Road at Pinehurst in Castro Valley. ACFD, Oakland Fire Department and the CHP in Castro Valley responded to assist. The driver, a single occupant in the vehicle, required medical attention and was taken to Highland Hospital.
Amazon funds computer science education for 20 elementary schools
Submitted by Dionicia Ramos Ledesma
Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) recently announced that Amazon is funding computer science education and teacher professional development for 20 elementary schools in the district, as part of its Amazon Future Engineer program.
The initiative will impact more than 10,700 students from underserved communities and groups currently underrepresented in tech. Starting this fall, participating HUSD educators will have the opportunity to access resources related to this new partnership.
“HUSD is thrilled to be partnering with Amazon to provide computer science education opportunities to our students,” stated Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne. “As outlined in our strategic plan, the district’s mission is to create engaging and equitable educational experiences for our students and this collaboration allows us to do just that.”
Amazon is working with BootUp PD, a nonprofit professional development provider specializing in elementary school education, to bring computer science to each school. BootUp PD’s typically in-person professional development sessions adapt well to a virtual model and provide teachers with the tools they need to bring engaging coding lessons to their students both on-screen and in-person.
“This opportunity will close equity gaps by ensuring computer science learning opportunities for students in underserved communities throughout the nation,” said Clark Merkley, BootUp PD’s executive director. “It is the first ongoing national sponsorship focused on implementing sustainable, districtwide computer science. We’re extremely proud to be a part of something that will have a measurable, positive impact for decades to come.”
As part of the initiative, Amazon Future Engineer will be sponsoring micro:bit classroom packs for each district to further their students’ exposure to hands-on computer science learning opportunities. BootUp will also support teachers with additional physical computing professional development to ensure they are set up to successfully integrate the technology into student learning and allow students to see their code in a more tangible, physical way.
https://bootuppd.org/
www.amazonfutureengineer.com
BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD
Sunday, February 21
• At 8:42 a.m. a person identified by police as Deanne Ware, 35, of Fairfield was arrested at Fremont station on an outstanding warrant, and then booked into Santa Rita Jail.
• At 1:45 p.m. a woman identified by police as Romana Hang, 51, was arrested at Union City station on an outstanding no bail warrant and booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Monday, February 22
• At 6:25 p.m. a man identified by police as Brandon Ferguson, 34, of Oakland was arrested at Hayward station on suspicion of failing to register as a transient on the sex offender registry.
Wednesday, February 24
• At 1:31 p.m. a person identified by police as Grant Labree, 33, of Hayward was arrested at Fremont station on suspicion of violating a court order and possession of burglary tools, and then booked into Santa Rita Jail.
• At 5:34 p.m. a woman identified by police as Alexis Evans, 26, of Alameda was arrested at San Leandro station on suspicion of robbery and probation violation. She was issued a prohibition order and booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Stop catalytic converter thieves with these tips
Submitted by Fremont PD
A recent surge of catalytic converter thefts from vehicles has left many Tri-City motorists inconvenienced and facing substantial costs to replace them. Among the cars most preferred by thieves are the Toyota Prius along with some Honda and Lexus models. However, almost any vehicle can be a target.
Catalytic converters, which are located between the engine and muffler of most cars manufactured after 1974, filter harmful emissions that would otherwise pollute the air. They contain precious metals like palladium, platinum and rhodium which thieves sell for scrap.
Here are some tips to thwart catalytic converter theft compiled by the Fremont Police Department:
• Park your car in a garage to ensure that access to your vehicle’s catalytic converter is more difficult.
• Try to park in a location that is well-lit and watched over.
• Engrave your Vehicle Identification Number on the catalytic converter, which may alert a recycling center that it was stolen.
• Calibrate your car’s alarm to alert when it detects the vibration.
• Home video surveillance can help in identifying suspects committing this crime.
If you see something suspicious call the Fremont Police non-emergency line at (510) 790-6800 extension 3.
Cocktails & Conservation: Oakland Zoo’s Wildlife Rescue & Recovery Efforts
Submitted by Oakland Zoo
This virtual happy hour series features some of the world’s most incredible conservationists. These heroes are working on the ground every day to save endangered species and their habitats. Guests can join via Facebook or YouTube Live to learn, ask questions, and be a part of the solution to preserve our planet’s rich and diverse wildlife. Each episode will feature a custom cocktail, so we can toast to a safe world for wildlife. Look out for the recipe, mix your cocktail, and join us live!
The Wednesday, March 10 session will focus on Oakland Zoo’s Wildlife Rescue & Recovery Efforts. Join Dr. Alex Herman, Oakland Zoo’s very own Vice President of Veterinary Medicine, who leads wildlife recovery at Oakland Zoo. Learn how California’s native animals currently face numerous challenges, like car strikes, lead poisoning, and climate-related wildfires. Dr. Herman and her team’s dedication to animals has enabled Oakland Zoo to provide lifesaving veterinary treatment and care that keeps the wildlife we live with healthy and thriving.
We will feature a signature cocktail from District in Oakland (https://districtoak.com/). Join us as we imbibe while being inspired!
This series is hosted by Amy Gotliffe, VP of Conservation at Oakland Zoo.
Cocktails & Conservation
Wednesday, Mar 10
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Via Facebook and YouTube
https://www.oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/cocktails-conservation
COVID TESTING SITES
If you have medical insurance, you should call your doctor/healthcare provider. If you do not have medical insurance, you can schedule an appointment at a Community Testing Site or Testing Event near you.
FREMONT
Bay Area Community Health
M-F: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sa: 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Drive through, drop-in, and walk-up testing by appointment – free
39500 Liberty St., Fremont
http://bach.health/covid/
(510) 770-8040
Asian Health Services
Sa: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Los Cerritos Community Center
3377 Alder Ave., Fremont
https://bit.ly/2M5PIAA
(510) 735-3222
NEWARK
Covid Clinic
Daily: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Drive through testing by appointment
2086 Newpark Mall, Newark
www.covidclinic.org
(877) 976-4251
CORE and Newark Wellness Center (Alameda Health System)
F-Sa: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Drive-Thru
6066 Civic Terrace Ave., Newark
https://bit/ly/3duydVG
Bay Area Community Health
M: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Springhill Hotel Newark
6100 Newpark Mall, Newark
https://bit/ly/3duydVG
HAYWARD
La Familia @ Cherryland Testing Center
M-F: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
20095 Mission Blvd., Hayward
https://avellinocov2.com/
(510) 571-9191
Skywest Golf Course
M-F: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 12 and older
1401 Golf Course Rd., Hayward
https://bit.ly/3aBlVJC
(510) 583-5333
Glad Tidings Church
W-Sa: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Drive through and walk-up testing by appointment
1000 Glad Tidings Way, Hayward
https://ac.fulgentgenetics.com/
La Familia and Eden United Church of Christ
Th: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
F: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Sa: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
21455 Birch St., Hayward
https://avellinocov2.com/
(510) 571-9191
Covid Clinic
Daily: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Drive through testing by appointment
1 Southland Mall, Hayward
www.covidclinic.org
(877) 976-4251
SAN LEANDRO
San Leandro Marina Community Center
T-Sa: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
15301 Wicks Blvd., San Leandro
https://lhi.care/covidtesting
(888) 634-1123 (English & Spanish)
PLEASANTON
Alameda County Fairgrounds
M-F: 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Drive-Through Testing
Open through February 26, while supplies last
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Gate 12 off Valley Ave, Pleasanton
https://alamedacountyfair.com/events/covid-19-testing-site/
MILPITAS
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) – Milpitas Library Parking Structure
M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
160 N. Main Street, Milpitas
Appointments required. To schedule an appointment, call 1-888-334-1000
OptumServe at the Milpitas Community Center
Thursdays & Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
457 E. Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas
Appointments can be made in English and Spanish by calling 1-888-634-1123 or visiting lhi.care/covidtesting. People who test at one of the OptumServe testing sites will receive their test results through the online portal within one week.
Be proactive and don’t become a crime victim
By Rob Klindt
While Fremont is generally a safe place to live, crime still happens. According to the Fremont Police Department some of the most common crimes in the city are smash and grab auto burglaries, auto thefts, and commercial and residential burglaries. Fortunately, violent crime in Fremont is relatively low in the city of more than 230,000.
Police say the best way to avoid becoming a crime victim is to make life harder for criminals. By being proactive and taking a few precautions, people can reduce the risk to themselves and discourage others who may commit crimes. Here are some personal safety tips compiled by the Fremont Police Department:
Be prepared
• Always be alert and aware of the people around you.
• Educate yourself concerning prevention tactics.
• Be aware of locations and situations which would make you vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots.
Street precautions
• Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you, especially if you are alone or it is dark.
• Whenever possible, travel with a friend.
• Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
• Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where someone could
hide.
• Walk confidently, and at a steady pace.
• Make eye contact with people when walking.
• Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street, continue walking.
• If you carry a purse, hold it securely between your arm and your body.
Car Safety
• Always lock doors after entering or leaving your car.
• Park in well-lighted areas.
• Have your car keys in your hand so you don’t have to linger before entering your car.
• Check the back seat before entering your car.
• If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place or a police, sheriff or fire station.
• If your car breaks down, open the hood and attach a white cloth to the car antenna. If someone stops to help, stay in the locked car, roll down the window a little and ask them to call the police or sheriff or a tow trucking service.
• Don’t stop to aid motorists stopped on the side of the road. Go to a phone and request help for them.
Waiting for a bus
• Avoid isolated bus stops.
• Stand away from the curb until the bus arrives.
• Don’t open your purse or wallet while boarding the bus. Have your pass or money already in your hand.
• Don’t invite trouble — keep gold chains out of sight, don’t flash your jewelry, and turn your rings around so the stones don’t show.
On the bus
• During off hours, sit as close to the bus driver as possible.
• Stay alert — and be aware of the people around you.
• If someone bothers you, change seats and/or tell the driver.
• Carry your wallet inside your coat, or in a front pocket. A comb, placed horizontally in the fold of your wallet, will alert you if someone tries to remove it from your pocket.
• Keep your handbag in front of you and hold it close to your body with both hands.
• Check your purse or wallet if someone is jostling, crowding or pushing you.
• If you see any suspicious activity, tell the driver.
If a crime occurs, report it
Everyone should consider it his/her responsibility to report crime. Many criminals target favorite areas and have predictable methods of operation. When you report all the facts about a crime, it helps the police assign officers in the places where crimes are occurring or where they are most likely to occur.
In many cases, it is the information provided by victims and witnesses that leads to the arrest of a criminal. So, tell the police as much as you can; no fact is too trivial. The police need the eyes and ears of all citizens. Call 911 if the situation is life threatening.
Distance Learning: what virtual school is like for educators and students
By Nanki Kaur
There’s no doubt that the pandemic has flipped our worlds upside down. Not only have instructional systems been affected, but so have educators’ and pupils’ daily lives. Emma To, a local high school senior, points out that the current system has its pros and cons. “It’s both easier and worse. I think some people think it’s so much easier because you have all these resources: You have Zoom, you get different office hours with your teachers, you get one-on-one time, but it’s so much harder because just sitting next to people and being in a school environment with [my] peers [helps me] focus more.”
Hetanshi Vakharia, a Tri-City eighth-grader, shares that the abrupt transition took a toll on her mental health. “It took me a long time to get used to it. For the first two weeks, it really impacted my mental health. I went into a [downwards] spiral, and I didn’t have any socialization or anything.” As far as schooling, she explains that she faced a difficult transition period. “In-person school was much easier for me. I could get things done much quicker. But when online school hit, I didn’t have a place to do my [work] or go on Zoom calls, and it was all new for all of us.” Still, “Sooner or later, we got the hang of it.”
With distance learning (DL), learning to use and navigate online platforms has been challenging for some; each student’s technology skills vary greatly. For example, students must consider many factors just to submit simple assignments, such as whether or not their work is “in the right PDF or image or Doc,” To describes. Their technological abilities are further relevant to communication with peers through social media. Both students have stated that social media has motivated them to push through these difficult times. To has been keeping in touch with her friends through FaceTime and other apps. Similarly, Vakharia reports that using social media like Instagram and Google Hangouts has helped her make new friends.
Teachers face their own challenges with distance learning. Evaluating student performance and behavior has not only become a hurdle, but can seem near impossible at times. Antoinette Schlobohm, a sixth-grade teacher at Ardenwood Elementary, explains that DL gives rise to concerns about her students’ wellbeing. “My primary concern with distance learning is how my students are doing. I’m concerned about their social-emotional health and the long-term impact of sheltering-in-place and distance learning. Some of my students appear really quiet online, and I’m concerned that they aren’t normally that way [in-person], but I don’t know this for sure because I’ve not been with them in class,” she says. She misses the personal connections that are more easily established when students are physically in class. Schlobohm, too, agrees that the DL method has proven to be beneficial for some. “I have many who have ‘stepped up to the plate;’ DL has encouraged them to become more organized and take responsibility for their own learning,” she says.
Sona Bhasin, a math teacher at a nearby high school, shares a similar outlook on her students’ educations. “I miss interactions with students like I had in person. As a math teacher, I’m not able to look at students’ work and see how they are doing, so it’s not the same online. I [also] fear that when I give tests or give homework, they could be cheating,” she says. Bhasin also sees some positive impacts from DL on her students. “They’re really doing well. They’re doing their work on time, so I’m proud that they are working hard and are on top of it all.”
The two educators agree that the DL method has not been an easy adjustment, especially regarding how longer workdays affect them. Teachers, much like their students, have been impacted both physically and mentally throughout quarantine, and adapting to this new situation has not necessarily come smoothly. Bhasin shared that now that the workday is prolonged, she often “[doesn’t] know when to stop.” In-person teaching gave her a fixed schedule versus her flexibility now. However, these teachers are motivated by the fact their students need them, and are committed to making education accessible, no matter the circumstances.
Though these times may be challenging, Vakhria reminds students that it’s essential to “have hope,” while To advises, “[Find] something that you really enjoy, that makes you really happy.” As for educators, Bhasin highly recommends planning, and Schlobohm suggests “reaching out to other teachers that seem to be doing well and asking for advice.” Optimistic for a return to in-person school, local educators and students continue to endure these turbulent times with hope.
Park It
By Ned MacKay
Lately, there has been a lot in the news about coyotes, especially the specific coyote that has been implicated in attacks on people in Moraga and Lafayette. So, here is some information about one of the more common animals in the regional parks and other open space.
Coyotes range throughout the western United States and beyond. They can be found in almost every East Bay regional park, from the inland hills to the bay shoreline. Adaptable and intelligent, they also prowl nearby suburban neighborhoods, including mine in Pleasant Hill.
You may not see the animal itself, but you will often see its distinctive scat, which has a lot of fur mixed in with it from the small rodents that make up its basic diet. Through their eating habits, coyotes help to control the population of animals such as rabbits, ground squirrels, skunks, and raccoons. They are pretty much omnivorous; they will also go for fish, birds, reptiles, and even insects.
Coyotes resemble smaller, skinnier versions of German shepherds. Generally tan in color, they have long snouts and bushy, black-tipped tails. Although they look like dogs, coyotes are wild and may occasionally be aggressive, especially if protecting a den. If you are walking with your dog and see a coyote approaching, it is best to call your pet back to you and put it on leash. If a coyote follows you, make loud noises to scare it away.
Until the Moraga and Lafayette incidents, coyote attacks on people had been rare. I have seen them occasionally in the regional parks, and they have generally kept their distance.
By the way, cows do not differentiate between coyotes and dogs; they regard both as predators. This may account for cows’ sometimes-nervous behavior when you walk past with your dog. If there are cows in the vicinity, your dog is supposed to be leashed.
It is best for both species if coyotes remain wary of humans. So, coyotes should never be given handouts or fed unintentionally by leaving pet food or garbage where they can get to it. Especially if you live near open space, feed your pet indoors and use trash containers with lids that clamp shut.
It is also advisable to keep pets such as cats, rabbits, and small dogs indoors. If allowed to run free outside, they can become coyote prey. Large dogs should be brought indoors after dark and should not be allowed to run loose. Coyotes can and do mate with domestic dogs. Moreover, if you let your large dog run free outside at night, it can pack up with other free-running dogs and hunt wildlife in the parks. This is not a good outcome.
For more information about coyotes, visit the California State Fish and Game website, www.wildlife.ca.gov/keep-me-wild/coyote. More information can be found at the Washington state site: https://wdfw.wa.gov/living/coyotes.html.
Round Valley Regional Preserve south of Brentwood, which had been closed because of fire-related damage, is now open again. The park is located on Marsh Creek Road about 2 miles east of Deer Valley Road.
It is beautiful, essentially an expansive grassland in a valley between several high ridgelines. There’s abundant wildlife, including golden eagles. It is also habitat for the San Joaquin kit fox, a rare and endangered animal. For that reason, dogs are not allowed in the park. So please leave your pooch at home.
The land was originally purchased in 1873 by Thomas Murphy, an Irish immigrant who established a ranch there. His grandson, Jim Murphy, sold the core 700 acres to the park district in 1988. The family wished the property to be kept in open space for public enjoyment.
Maps of the parkland with information about its cultural and natural history can be downloaded from the park district website, www.ebparks.org. The park is remote enough that there is no convenient public transportation to it.
A reminder: The public meeting on regional park plans for the former Roddy Ranch Golf Course is from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11. You can learn about habitat restoration, recreation opportunities and public access. There will also be discussion of the property’s present condition, the project timeline, and other ways in which the public can become involved.
The meeting will be held online via Zoom. To attend the virtual meeting, go to ebparks.org/about/planning/roddyranch for the zoom link. For more information, contact Eddie Willis, project planner, at
ew*****@eb*****.org
.
Editorial
Suspicion
One of the great film directors, Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980), specialized in cinematography that placed nondescript characters in unorthodox, terrifying and unique situations. Faced with extraordinary challenges, protagonists were forced to choose a course of action that often led to additional jeopardy and tribulations. Among his over 50 directorial credits, Hitchcock’s best-known and applauded works include Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho, Dial M for Murder, The Birds and Rear Window. Each contains his signature of thrills and heightened suspense – don’t go down in the basement – with a plot twist that never fails to evoke wonder, a bit of relief and enduring imagery. Use of mystery, fear, psychological trauma and unknown resolution are a formula that succeeds time and again for the “Master of Suspense”.
One of the reasons for Hitchcock’s successful directorial success is the ability for viewers to identify with a complex web of dark forces that frustrate the comfort of ordinary life. Often characters are thrown into situations that have little to do with their own well-being or desires. Anxiety and stress of external and uncontrollable factors is easily relatable for many; a far cry from many comedies and visually manipulated offerings that are easily distinguished from the reality of our own lives.
Hitchcock would be conversant with our current social, political and environmental dilemmas. In a world that is often perceived as beyond our personal control; mystery, fear and anxiety can prevail. Tackling large-scale problems – national and global – is subject to the same stress and poor decision-making process as protagonists in a Hitchcock film. However, in this film when the script of our lives is complete, the audience cannot walk out of a theater and breathe a sigh of relief. Survivors are left to deal with the consequences of our action or inaction.
Response to challenges, especially at critical, even existential threat levels, can be extreme and either begin to solve problems or exacerbate them. When as an individual we are overwhelmed, the advantage of collective response can be a saving grace. Recognition of this aspect of human behavior, also visible in many other segments of nature, can produce amazing results and corrective responses. Obstacles and differences can be addressed when resolved in an atmosphere of respect and dignity for opposing viewpoints. While suspicion, hate and fear are products of the unknown and uncontrolled, retreat from negative actions is available through knowledge and rational dialogue. Our system of government is designed to enhance debate without elevating it to dangerous and violent outbursts.
In hopefully the final stages of an extremely tense, sensitive and threatening pandemic… and in an increasingly complex association with people throughout the world, a Hitchcock-type film would reveal scenes of tension at a breaking point. The plot twist – good or bad – has not been revealed, but how characters respond is critical to the final scenes and outcome. Xenophobia, prejudice, autocracy and blame of others is not the answer.
Do we turn on each other and allow hate and misunderstanding to prevail? Are differences more important than similarities? When tension and suspicion is rampant, misinformation exaggerates differences and becomes dominant, leading to envy, hate and distrust. Those that look or act differently are easily condemned without reasonable recourse. Government, whose primary purpose is to weld disparate parts of society to serve the common good, can legislate accepted values, but relies on group consensus to enforce rules. Ignorance, chants and slogans are not an answer to real problems… we are!
IHS Dynamics Euphoria Benefit Concert
Submitted by Boldly Me
IHS Dynamics, Irvington’s resident acapella group is hosting “Euphoria,” an annual benefit concert that showcases the best talent. All proceeds will go towards Boldly Me, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising people’s self-esteem, spreading awareness about mental health, and fighting cyberbullying. Euphoria will take place on Friday, March 5, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 pm. Donations start at $7 for one person tuning in on one device.
Euphoria Benefit Concert
Friday, Mar 5
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 pm
Tinyurl.com/euphoriatickets21
Donations $7 – $13
Detectives bust small fencing operation
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD
On 01/25/21, a Community Services Officer (CSO) took a report of a burglary at a construction site in the 48000 block of Fremont Blvd. A work truck was burglarized and high-end surveying equipment was stolen. The tools were valued at approximately $70,000 and were equipped with GPS tracking. The CSO contacted the Special Operations Division and a team of undercover detectives was quickly deployed to the location of the GPS alerts.
Detectives arrived in the area of Lisbon Ave. and Portwood Ave. in Oakland, and located the stolen tools in a vehicle parked in front of a residence. An occupant came out of the residence to ascertain what was occurring. Detectives questioned the subject and learned that he was likely the suspect involved in the burglary. Detectives then obtained a search warrant for the residence and located a fencing operation within the residence. Detectives searched the residence and located approximately 100 laptops, surveying and construction tools, cameras, gaming consoles, cellphones, and other electronics.
Detectives estimated the loss to be approximately $400,000 worth of stolen items. Two handguns, one with an extended magazine, were also recovered during the search. A records check revealed that one of the firearms was reported as stolen.
36-year-old Manuel Velasquez of Oakland was arrested for possession of stolen property. He was booked at the Fremont City Jail where he was issued a citation with an April 2021 court date due to “zero bail.” Detectives submitted the firearms for evidence processing and additional charges may be sought at a later time.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Matthew Floresca at
mf*******@fr*****.gov
or 510-790-6900.
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the U.S.
By Mike Stobbe
AP Medical Writer
NEW YORK (AP), Feb 25 – February is usually the peak of flu season, with doctors’ offices and hospitals packed with suffering patients. But not this year.
Flu has virtually disappeared from the U.S., with reports coming in at far lower levels than anything seen in decades.
Experts say that measures put in place to fend off the coronavirus – mask wearing, social distancing and virtual schooling – were a big factor in preventing a “twindemic” of flu and COVID-19. A push to get more people vaccinated against flu probably helped, too, as did fewer people traveling, they say.
Another possible explanation: The coronavirus has essentially muscled aside flu and other bugs that are more common in the fall and winter. Scientists don’t fully understand the mechanism behind that, but it would be consistent with patterns seen when certain flu strains predominate over others, said Dr. Arnold Monto, a flu expert at the University of Michigan.
Nationally, “this is the lowest flu season we’ve had on record,” according to a surveillance system that is about 25 years old, said Lynnette Brammer of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hospitals say the usual steady stream of flu-stricken patients never materialized.
At Maine Medical Center in Portland, the state’s largest hospital, “I have seen zero documented flu cases this winter,” said Dr. Nate Mick, the head of the emergency department.
Ditto in Oregon’s capital city, where the outpatient respiratory clinics affiliated with Salem Hospital have not seen any confirmed flu cases.
“It’s beautiful,” said the health system’s Dr. Michelle Rasmussen.
The numbers are astonishing considering flu has long been the nation’s biggest infectious disease threat. In recent years, it has been blamed for 600,000 to 800,000 annual hospitalizations and 50,000 to 60,000 deaths.
Across the globe, flu activity has been at very low levels in China, Europe and elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere. And that follows reports of little flu in South Africa, Australia and other countries during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter months of May through August.
The story of course has been different with coronavirus, which has killed more than 500,000 people in the United States. COVID-19 cases and deaths reached new heights in December and January, before beginning a recent decline.
Flu-related hospitalizations, however, are a small fraction of where they would stand during even a very mild season, said Brammer, who oversees the CDC’s tracking of the virus.
Flu death data for the whole U.S. population is hard to compile quickly, but CDC officials keep a running count of deaths of children. One pediatric flu death has been reported so far this season, compared with 92 reported at the same point in last year’s flu season.
“Many parents will tell you that this year their kids have been as healthy as they’ve ever been, because they’re not swimming in the germ pool at school or day care the same way they were in prior years,” Mick said.
Some doctors say they have even stopped sending specimens for testing, because they don’t think flu is present. Nevertheless, many labs are using a CDC-developed “multiplex test” that checks specimens for both the coronavirus and flu, Brammer said.
More than 190 million flu vaccine doses were distributed this season, but the number of infections is so low that it’s difficult for CDC to do its annual calculation of how well the vaccine is working, Brammer said. There’s simply not enough data, she said.
That also is challenging the planning of next season’s flu vaccine. Such work usually starts with checking which flu strains are circulating around the world and predicting which of them will likely predominate in the year ahead.
“But there’s not a lot of (flu) viruses to look at,“ Brammer said.
–––
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.
Temporary Customer Service Representatives Needed
Submitted by City of Fremont
City of Fremont’s Family Resource Center Division is looking for two enthusiastic individuals to serve as temporary, full-time customer service representatives to support the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Those hired will work through December 3, 2021, or until administrative support work is complete.
Provided by the Federal Stimulus Funds and issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is designed to help low-income families struggling with rental payments due to the financial impacts of COVID-19.
Representatives will provide customer service for applicants such as scheduling appointments, assisting with online applications, reviewing documentation to ensure federal verification requirements are met, and verifying ownership of property by the landlord.
Basic job requirements include:
• Customer service experience
• Good communication skills
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with rental assistance programs
• Computer skills
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Bilingual communication (oral or written) in Mandarin (highly desired)
To learn more about the position, view the recruitment brochure at www.fremont.gov/DocumentCenter/View/47007. To submit your application, visit www.fremont.gov/tempjobs.
City Development Impact Fee Update
Submitted by City of Fremont
City of Fremont is updating its Development Impact Fee program, and three upcoming meetings are scheduled via Zoom. Fremont has five development impact fees: fire facility, capital facility, traffic impact, parkland, and park facilities. For questions, contact the development impact fee update project manager, Anne Quasarano, at
aq********@fr*****.gov
or (510) 494-4767.
City Council Presentation and Discussion
Tuesday, Mar 2
7 p.m.
Via Zoom
Access instructions will be posted at: https://fremont.gov/AgendaCenter
Development Stakeholders Meeting
Thursday, Mar 25
3 p.m.
Via Zoom
The purpose of the meeting is to present proposed changes to development impact fees and receive stakeholder feedback.
Contact
aq********@fr*****.gov
for Zoom link.
City Council Public Hearing and Proposed Adoption
Tuesday, May 4
7 p.m.
Via Zoom
Technical reports will be posted at: https://fremont.gov/3483/Development-and-Affordable-Housing-Fees
Access instructions will be posted at: https://fremont.gov/AgendaCenter
Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD
Tuesday, February 9
• A man identified by police as Jesus Hernandez, 23, of Oakland was arrested by Special Investigative Unit officers on suspicion of participating in a recent “takeover” vehicle sideshow in Fremont. His vehicle was also impounded. Police are investigating numerous suspects involved in sideshows and are seeking almost a dozen more arrest warrants for drivers and spectators who have participated in recent Fremont sideshows. Anyone with information about sideshow activity is asked to contact the Traffic Unit at (510) 790-6760 or email
tr*********@fr*****.gov
. Anonymous tips can be sent by text to Tip FremontPD followed by a short message to 888777 or via the web at https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/6216337.
Wednesday, February 17
• Officers made a traffic stop on a black Mitsubishi in the area of Fremont Boulevard and Enea Street in the Northgate area. A vehicle search uncovered multiple credit cards, shaved keys, lock picking devices and burglary tools. Also found were items that belonged to various victims of auto burglaries and theft. Two suspects, identified by police as Jeremy Neist, 39, and Maria Salido, 37, both of Fremont, were arrested.
Thursday, February 18
• At 5:21 p.m. a female was walking in the area of Grand Lake Drive and Lake Temescal Lane in north Fremont. As she passed a parked vehicle with one of its doors open, one of two suspects pointed a handgun at her and said “give me everything.” The female was pulled to the ground and the suspects fled in their vehicle.
• Officers made a traffic stop on a motorcycle in the area of Pacific Commons and Curie Street. A record check showed the motorcycle was stolen out of Santa Clara. James Azevedo, 45, a homeless resident from Fremont was arrested.
Sunday, February 21
• A male was at the 7 Hill Food & Liquor, 36440 Fremont Boulevard, when a suspect approached him and asked for money to buy food. When the victim declined, the suspect punched him and a fight ensued where the suspect bit the victim and then chased him into the store and hit him over the head with a bottle of alcohol, cracking his tooth. A man identified by police as Kwame Cunningham, 28, a homeless resident from Oakland was arrested.
Fremont Unified Board Meeting Highlights
Submitted by Brian Killgore
At its February 24 board meeting, Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) took the following actions:
• Superintendent Report – Superintendent Cammack thanked the Mean Well organization for a $25,000 donation to support FUSD students in need. The donation will provide students with greater access to technology and supplies. He also recognized Haller’s Pharmacy and Fremont Fire Department for their recent assistance in helping FUSD staff receive COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Student Member Report – Student Member Zayaan Khan reported SURFBoardE will soon be sending out applications for the next school year. All high school students are welcome to apply. Schools are now in the process of course selections and class elections for next year.
• Future Return to In-Person Instruction – Staff presented updated information to the Board of Education regarding progress toward a return to campus, including Learning Hubs, new proposals related to returning to on-campus instruction, new guidelines related to youth sports, and COVID-19 health metrics.
To further supplement air filtration, staff recommended the purchase of 1,500 Air Purification units. These units provide a particle efficiency removal of 99.97 percent of particles 0.3 microns or larger. These units would be sized to fit our classrooms. The district has already purchased 120 smaller units to be used in nurse’s rooms, offices, or smaller classrooms. The units would be wall mounted to ensure safe, efficient delivery of clean air.
Staff also recommended the purchase of partitions to place on student desks when there are temporary instructional needs for closer proximity than six feet. An initial purchase of 5,000 units is recommended at a cost of $90,000. Both items are available for prompt delivery.
Funky electronics chain Fry’s is no more
AP Wire Service
SAN FRANCISCO (AP), Feb 24 – Fry’s Electronics, the go-to chain for tech tinkerers looking for an obscure part, is closing for good.
The company, perhaps even more well known for outlandish themes at some of its stores, from Aztec to “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,“ said Wednesday in an online posting that the COVID-19 pandemic had made it impossible to continue.
Fans immediately took to Twitter to post images and memories (good and bad).
The chain was concentrated on the West Coast but had 31 stores in nine states. It was founded 36 years ago.
The pandemic has done heavy damage to retailers, but Fry’s was already getting hammered by online competition and a battle between heavy-hitters Best Buy and Amazon.com.
Fry’s Electronics Inc. said its operations have ceased and the wind-down of locations will begin immediately. Customers with electronics being repaired in-store store are being asked to pick them up.
The stores online presence appears largely to have been shut down.
Dominican Sisters open community garden to public
By Andrew Cavette
Photos courtesy of Guy Duran
Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose opened a community garden on their Fremont property in February, 2021. Garden plots are specifically priced to be equitable and accessible to a diverse group of gardeners and as an incentive to reach underserved residents.
This 4,500-square-foot garden space, Garden of Blessing Community Garden, is the third and final phase of the Sisters’ five-year Master Plan that also includes a completed mediation space and a newly-planted orchard.
In November 2019, the Sisters met Guy Duran, a University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardener. He was teaching a local class on bee keeping, and they asked if he could help with an irrigation problem they were having.
After Duran redesigned the Sisters’ well water filtering system, they asked if he could design a community garden space. Duran had previously maintained a large backyard garden for a homeowner in East Palo Alto. The Sisters wanted to turn a vacant lot on their property into something useful.
Duran began designing Garden of Blessing Community Garden in January 2020. He brought in two other Master Gardeners: Michele Young and Lynn Miller. Other volunteers joined the development effort, creating a team of six people. They worked through early 2020 to build the garden’s infrastructure and complete all necessary documents… then COVID-19 slowed their work.
“We probably could have opened the garden last year,” Duran said. “We felt we should go slow and not have too many people on the site at one time.”
Their decision to scale back work in 2020 was to protect the team, of course, but also to protect the Sisters, many of whom are older and at greater risk during this pandemic. Many of the Sisters have now received the vaccine. Duran, too, has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Sisters held a soft opening for the garden on February 7, not wanting to create a large gathering on the property during COVID-19 restrictions. Some residents with reserved plots did attend. Local residents have paid for 15 plots to date. At least for now, staff is asking that people bring their own tools, so no one is handling shared equipment.
“It’s very exciting for me to see people planting in their plots,” Duran said. “We want the garden to become a safe place, a quiet place, an inclusive place, an educational place… we want the garden to be available to everyone.”
In Spring 2021, an outdoor, covered educational center will be added. “We are planning on including a teaching and demonstration plot (on site), hopefully managed by a gardener representing the local community,” Duran said. “We want education to be a strong part of the garden.”
Duran has taught classes for Local Ecology & Agriculture Fremont (LEAF). Garden of Blessing is independently run and not associated with LEAF, but the two garden organizations have agreed to collaborate on educational activities.
At the time of reporting, Garden of Blessing Community Garden had 28 unreserved plots. Plots of various sizes are available including their largest at 10×15 and their smallest at 4×4 feet. To reserve a plot or get annual pricing information, contact:
ga*********************@gm***.com
.
Letter to the editor
Gas is best
I want to send a note regarding the Letter to the Editor (February 16, 2021) on Gas Engine is Best. I agree 100% on this; forget these new-fangled gismos (electric cars). Leonard Rose of Fremont is right and 100% on top of it.
Self-driving cars and trucks are inviting a whole lot of problems. And what about all the batteries? If you ask me, the government and insurance should have never allowed this to happen. You would never catch me in one either. “Don’t build to last” is very true. Everything is junk.
I personally remember when the Ford plant was in Milpitas and they had nice cars.
We’ve got air bags that kill folks… forget those idiotic time bombs. Seatbelts are ok and metal cars, yes! I’d rather be wrapped up by steel than crumpled plastic that melts.
Leonard Rose, I do 100% agree with you. There was nothing wrong with gas powered cars and pickups.
Robert Bailey
Fremont
Governor Visits Hayward for First FEMA Mobile Vaccination Clinic
Submitted by Hayward Chamber of Commerce
Governor Gavin Newsom was in Hayward at the Alameda County Office of Education Friday, February 19 to observe operation of a mobile vaccination clinic with a focus on the education workforce. According to Michelle Smith McDonald of the office of education, the mobile unit is the first deployed by the state Office of Emergency Services and the nation’s first Federal Emergency Management Agency mobile vaccination clinic.
Newsom announced a plan to standardize delivery of vaccines for the education workforce across all 58 counties.
“Effective March 1 we are setting aside 10% of all first doses, beginning with a baseline of 75,000 doses every single week that will be made available for those educators and childcare workers that are supporting our efforts to get our kids back into to in-person instruction,” Newsom said.
The mobile unit was stationed at the office of education on Santa Clara Street Friday and Saturday and administered 250 doses per day to county education workforce employees identified by their districts and schools as Priority 1 employees working in support of in-person student education and services.
The first vaccination at the mobile site was administered to a custodian from Hayward Unified School District, which has staff on school sites to support material pick-ups and to serve meals to over 3,000 families every day.
County schools continue to prepare for the return of students to in-person instruction on timelines specific to public health conditions and community needs. The website acoe.org/vaccines has vaccination information for education personnel in Alameda County, including links to register for vaccine appointments or to be notified when to receive a vaccination.
Hayward Police Log
Submitted by Hayward PD
Monday, February 15
• At 5:26 p.m. two suspects assaulted an elderly man in the area of West A Street and Royal Avenue. The victim received major injuries and the suspects were arrested a short distance away.
Tuesday, February 16
• At 8:15 p.m. officers responded to a robbery report at a business on the 200 block of W. Jackson Street. A man entered a business and took money, but fled before police arrived.
Wednesday, February 17
• At 9:50 p.m. a suspect brandished a firearm at a female when confronted after vandalizing a vehicle. The suspect fled and was not located.
Thursday, February 18
• At 1:12 a.m. an officer made a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation. Dispatchers notified the officer that the car was wanted in connection with a felony from another agency. During a search, a loaded handgun was found and the driver was arrested.
Registration opens for spring recreation programs
Submitted by Jacqui Diaz
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.) has announced that the Spring 2021 Recreation Programs Guide is on the website and available for viewing. Registration for residents has begun. The spring guide has been expanded to offer a variety of virtual and in-person recreation classes and programs for all ages – preschool, youth, teens, adults, and seniors.
Programs include:
• Swim lessons and scholarships
• Art classes for youth and adults
• “Crafts at HARDee’s Playhouse” – create crafts with H.A.R.D.’s own mascot HARDee the Squirrel
• Dance classes
• Spring Break Camps for children: Swim-Tennis Camp; Cooking Around the World; Mad Science – Virtual Spy Academy; National Academy of Athletics: Hoop It Up in Person Camp
• Adult fitness classes
Re-opening recreation facilities and returning programs is based on Alameda County and State COVID-19 public health orders. Open space, playgrounds, and parks continue to remain open to the public. As public health orders are updated, H.A.R.D. will respond and open facilities to expand programs.
To see the spring program line-up, visit www.HaywardRec.org/guide. Scholarships are available – contact at
in**@Ha********.org
or www.haywardrec.org/432/Apply-For-A-Scholarship to learn more. To learn more about H.A.R.D. programs and events, visit www.HaywardRec.org.
Spring 2021 Recreation Programs
www.HaywardRec.org/guide
www.haywardrec.org/432/Apply-For-A-Scholarship
www.HaywardRec.org
Santa Clara County relaxes COVID-19 guidelines
Submitted by Santa Clara County Public Health Department
With the continued progress in vaccinations and improving COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department has relaxed some restrictions on schools, outdoor gatherings and youth activities.
In a statement released Friday, February 26, officials also said significant changes to local health directives will be made as soon as the county enters the State of California’s red tier for coronavirus restrictions, which could occur as soon as Wednesday, March 3.
These changes are now in effect:
• The county’s directive for youth and adult recreational athletic activities will no longer be in effect but will be subject to the state’s guidelines.
• The county’s directive for programs serving children and youth, including day camps, fitness facilities, child care programs and providers will no longer be in effect, but will be subject to the state’s guidelines.
• The county’s mandatory directive for schools has been converted to operational guidance to augment the requirements put in place by the state. Schools remain subject to the state’s public health guidance for K-12 schools.
• The health officer has issued a new mandatory directive for case reporting by K-12 Schools, youth athletic programs, and other youth programs. This new directive preserves the requirement that any program with one or more youth participants to report immediately to the County Public Health Department if any program participant tests positive for COVID-19.
• The rules for outdoor gatherings have been relaxed in light of declining case rates and because outdoor activities have a lower risk of spread than indoor activities.
• Masks aren’t required outdoors provided that people maintain a six-foot distance from others who are not a member of their household. Singing outdoors is also allowed, following the same six-foot rule.
• The Health Officer still strongly recommends that everyone maintain at least six feet of social distance from anyone who is not a member of their household at outdoor gatherings, but it is not required.
• Indoor gatherings of any kind remain prohibited, until the county enters the state’s red tier restrictions.
“With vaccinations now reaching more broadly into the community, including over half of those age 65 and older, we are making significant progress in protecting our most vulnerable community members,” said Dr. Sara Cody, County Health Officer. “As things improve, it is still important for everyone to continue to practice basic prevention measures: face coverings, social distancing, and doing as much activity as possible outdoors.”
The changes to the local directives also minimize the number of businesses and activities subject to overlapping requirements from the county and the state. Details about the county’s COVID-19 guidelines are posted on the Santa Clara County Public Health website at https://www.sccgov.org/. Information about what the state allows under red tier coronavirus restrictions is available at www.covid19.ca.gov.
History: Warm Springs
By Phillip Holmes
Originally ran March 19, 2013
Warm Springs could be called “the land of water” not only because, as its name suggests, water flows to the surface from underground. However, in the past, natural warm water springs were a notable feature of the area. We don’t know much about who first discovered these springs or the names that Native Americans may have used to describe them. Charles Shinn wrote that early Spanish settlers called the ravine above the springs “Agua Caliente” (Hot Water) and the creek that flows from it, Agua Caliente Creek. We do know that some Native Americans established their homes at the springs and others came to camp and use the waters for medicinal purposes.
A Mission San Jose writer described the springs as “nearby.” Skilled engineers at Mission San Jose transported the warm water through an aqueduct to use for bathing and laundering. Spanish families sent their servants here or came themselves with ox-carts loaded with soiled clothing and linens to be cleaned in the soft waters. Water, whether hot or cold, was always a great blessing for any mission.
The springs – five of them in one group and a sixth about a quarter of a mile distant – were located in the foothills at an elevation of about 350 feet. About 50,000 gallons flowed daily at a temperature of approximately 98 degrees. Springs water contained a solution of sulphur, soda and borax that resists rusting and required little soap for cleaning purposes.
The springs became the property of Fulgencio Higuera when he was awarded Rancho del Agua Caliente in 1836. His sons erected several adobes for their homes near the creek. Clemente Columbet bought the property and established a resort at the springs that became very popular, even famous, around the state and abroad.
As a result of the 1868 earthquake, buildings on the property were damaged and the water cooled. Leland Stanford bought the property in 1869; his family planted vineyards managed by his brother Josiah, creating the Leland Stanford Winery and a private country estate. The last use of the land as a winery was by the Weibel family from 1946 until late 1990s.
Springs on the slope and in the valleys leading up to Mission Peak flowed into small streams – Agua Fria, Agua Caliente, Scott, Toroges – or disappeared into the ground, all traveling toward the Bay. A branch of Coyote Slough formed much of the southern boundary of Washington Township. Pioneer settlers built their houses close to these creeks.
Mud Creek, which travels inland to the edge of the old Agua Caliente Rancho, receives much of its fresh water from the slopes of Mission Peak; it was here that Warm Springs Landing and Dixon’s Landings were established. The water was deep enough for shallow draft schooners and scows to navigate, unloading merchandise from San Francisco and taking grain back to markets in San Francisco. These landings provided vital transportation for an area that otherwise would have been isolated.
Farmers not fortunate enough to have springs near their homes had to haul water or dig wells. There was at least one artesian well near Warm Springs Landing, but for most, water had to be pumped when needed. Hand pumps were sometimes used and even installed in covered areas, but the usual method for pumping water was a windmill. Water was then stored in an elevated water tank, usually above a tank house, and available by gravity flow.
An unusual use of water was the G. K. Fish Hatchery on Warm Springs Boulevard which Gerry and Diane Klinke built on the site of a former chicken ranch operated by Agnes Keyes. They constructed a fish pond and filled it with colorful Koi fish which they sold along with filters and fish supplies. They also installed and repaired filter systems.
Residents were still struggling to get water in 1958 when the Fremont City Council adopted a plan to install a 12-inch main down Warren Avenue and an 18-inch main in front of Warm Springs School. The plan was financed by the Alameda County Water District with a City guarantee to return the cost through hydrant rental until the Water District had recovered its $40,000 investment. The City of Fremont paid $1,600 annually until development in Warm Springs called for additional hydrants and extended service.
There came a time when farmers used so much water for irrigation that the water table fell and wells had to be dug deeper. Commercial construction and housing developments increased the demand for water. People campaigned and encouraged local officials to find additional sources of water. Alameda County Water District officials studied sites for water storage and routes for transporting water.
A bond election was held in 1955 to provide money for a distribution system. The Warm Springs area was added to the Alameda County Water District; the sixties brought the South Bay Aqueduct and a continued search for water. The year 1977 is remembered by many as a year of water shortage and voluntary rationing. Water has been and continues to be a critical resource for Warm Springs and the entire Tri-City area.
Honor Roll
Dixie State University, Utah
Fall 2020 Dean’s List
• Mercedas Reichel of Hayward
CONTINUING EVENTS:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Parenting During COVID R
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual support group to help families cope with challenges encountered during COVID
To register: www.fremont.gov/3060/Caregiver-Support
(510) 574-2100
Tuesdays
Free Virtual Sing-Along
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Zoom choir meeting hosted by Mission Peak Chamber Singers
https://www.chambersingers.org/
Contact:
in**@ch************.org
Wednesday, March 10
Never Forget: A Writers Workshop for Japanese-Americans R
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Part 3 of workshop focused on 2nd generation novice Japanese-American writers
To register, email
ed*******@ha****************.org
www.haywardareahistory.org
Wednesdays, January 20 – April 14
National Geographic Live Virtual Events $
7 p.m.
3/17: Feats of Filmmaking
3/31: Mysterious Seas
4/14: Women and Migration
LivermoreArts.org
(925) 373-6800
Nationalgeographic.com/events
Wednesdays and Sundays
McNevin at The Mudpuddle
6 p.m.
Dinner time tunes, oddservations, and bad jokes
Via Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/mudpuddlemusic
Thursdays
First Presbyterian Church of Newark Virtual Youth Group
6:30 p.m.
Youth and young adults, students welcome
Contact:
br***@ne*********.org
for Zoom Meeting ID#
www.newarkpres.org
Thursdays, January 14 – March 4
Life Review Group
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Life is a journey. Explore the story of your life
1-800-260-0094/
jw********@cr***********.org
Saturdays
Virtual Telescope Viewing R
9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Free on Facebook Live
Join resident astronomers live from Chabot’s observation deck
https://chabotspace.org/calendar/
Saturdays
Online Comedy Shows R$
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Made Up Theatre’s interactive comedy has gone to YouTube!
Saturdays & Sundays
India Community Center Youth Programs R$
Art Class (K-5): Saturdays, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., 1/23 – 5/15
Hindi Class (1-6): Sundays, 10:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., 1/24 – 5/16
Public Speaking (2-6): Sundays, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m., 1/24 – 5/16
Bollywood Class (all ages): Every Day, 1/11 – 5/16
EnActe Voice Acting for Animation (3-8): Sundays, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., 1/24 – 5/16
EnActe Art of Performance (3-8): Sundays, 11 a.m. – 12 noon, 1/24 – 5/16
https://www.indiacc.org/programs/enrichment-program-registration/
yo***********@in*****.org
Sundays
Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church Family Service
10 a.m.
Via ZOOM
For link, call (510) 471-2581
Sundays
First Presbyterian Church of Newark Worship Services
8:30 a.m.; Worship Service
12 noon: Sunday School, Ages K – 6th grade
Contact:
of****@ne********.org
for Zoom Meeting ID#
www.newarkpres.org
Last Thursday of the Month, January – June
Mini MBA in Entrepreneurship
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Self-paced virtual program for early-stage entrepreneurs
https://sv.tie.org/mini-mba-in-entrepreneurship/
Mondays, March 8 – April 26
How To Open A Food Business R
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
8-week seminar for those interested in opening a food business – in Spanish
https://sbdc.events/Abrirunnegociodealimentos
Monday, Mar 29 – Friday, Apr 2
Monday, Apr 5 – Friday, April 9
Oakland virtual ZooCamps $R
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Live interactive activities, animal close-ups
Registration opens Friday, Mar 5 @3 p.m.
https://www.oaklandzoo.org/
Access code: $250 per household
Discovery kit: $80 per camper
UPCOMING
Tuesday, March 2
Demystifying Entrepreneurship R
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47855
Tuesday, March 2
Sustainable Systems During Covid R
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47839
Wednesday, March 3
Advanced Treatments for Knee Pain Help R
4:30 p.m.
Virtual Seminar – Learn about common causes, symptoms, and treatment options for knee pain
www.whhs.com
(800) 963-7070
Thursday, March 4
COVID-19: How to Make Your Business Virtual R
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47770
Thursday, March 4
Climate Change – We Can All Be Part of the Solution R
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Patrick Journey from Community Climate Solutions will present
Via Zoom
www.lwvfnuc.org/zoom
Sc******@co*****.net
Friday, March 5
An Elegant Affaire – Virtual R
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Annual LOV fundraiser – entertainment, live/silent auction, and more
http://bit.ly/leagueofvolunteers
www.lov.org
Friday, March 5
Euphoria Benefit Concert $R
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 pm
A Capella concert to support Boldly Me
Tinyurl.com/euphoriatickets21
Donations $7 – $13
Sunday, March 7
Alzheimer’s and the Impact on South Asians
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Webinar that highlights the latest in Alzheimer’s research
Tinyurl.com/alzsouthasians
(408) 372-9911
Monday, March 8
Safe Routes for Seniors Community Meeting
6:30 p.m.
Hosted by the Hayward Transportation Division
Via Zoom
https://bit.ly/3sv2h7Z
(510) 583-4749
Tuesday, March 9
Every Business is Going Online – Part 3 R
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47681
Wednesday, March 10
Cocktails & Conservation
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Grab a drink and learn about Oakland Zoo’s wildlife conservation efforts
Via Facebook and YouTube
https://www.oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/cocktails-conservation
Saturday, March 13
King Corn R
3 p.m.
Documentary about two college friends that grow a bumper crop of corn and the troubling questions raised about the agricultural industry
www.aclibrary.org
Saturday, March 13
Drive-In Concert $
Gareth Emery: We’ll Be OK
3 p.m.: https://bit.ly/2X0zkmM
7 p.m.: https://bit.ly/3pyqCYY
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton
Saturday, March 13
Arias from Tosca plus!
6 p.m.
Beloved arias from Puccini’s Tosca – Livermore Valley Opera
Via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LivermoreValleyOpera
www.livermorevalleyopera.com
Saturday, March 13 & Sunday, March 14
Niles Canyon Railway Train Rides $
Steam Trains: 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Departure from the Sunol Depot
https://www.ncry.org/ride/rides-2021/
Monday, March 15
Milpitas Rotary
12 noon
Noemi Conway and Shea Johnson from the Stroke Awareness Foundation present life-saving information
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/364zWgd
Meeting ID: 830 1305 6992
Passcode: 113524
Tuesday, March 16
COVID-19: The Road Ahead R
3:30 p.m.
Virtual Seminar – Hear from an infectious disease specialist about the latest clinical developments
www.whhs.com
(800) 963-7070
Thursday, March 18
Website Development & Optimization – Part 2 R
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47794
Saturday, March 20
Niles Rotary’s Spring Fling $R
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual fundraiser for Fremont schools
https://one.bidpal.net/niles/welcome
Saturday, March 20
Fascination for Birds: Hunting Birds with a Camera R
10:00 a.m.
Focus on birds of the Tri-City and Bay area
https://aclibrary.bibliocommons.com/events
Saturday, March 20
77th Annual Hayward Chamber of Commerce Gala R$
6 p.m.
Virtual celebration honoring the Business Person, Educator, Firefighter, and Police Officer of the Year
www.hayward.org
Saturday, March 20 & Sunday, March 21
Niles Canyon Railway Train Rides $
Saturday – Diesel Trains: 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Sunday – Steam Trains: 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Departure from the Sunol Depot
https://www.ncry.org/ride/rides-2021/
Tuesday, March 23
Managing Diabetes During Challenging Times R
6:30 p.m.
Virtual Seminar – Learn tips on how to effectively manage your diabetes
www.whhs.com
(800) 963-7070
Wednesday, March 24
Covid-19: Mind Mapping For Your Small Business R
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free business webinar hosted by the Alameda County Small Business Development Center
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47889
Tuesday, March 30
Treating Neck and Back Pain From Home R
3:30 p.m.
Virtual Seminar – Learn the common causes of pain and see a demo of physiotherapy exercises
www.whhs.com
(800) 963-7070
Luxury car brand Jaguar to go all-electric by 2025
By Pan Pylas
Associated Press
LONDON (AP), Feb 15 – Struggling luxury car brand Jaguar will be fully electric by 2025, the British company said Monday as it outlined a plan to phase out internal combustion engines.
Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Indian conglomerate Tata Motors, hopes the move will help turn around the fortunes of the 86-year-old Jaguar brand, which for many epitomizes class but has struggled in recent years.
The switch to an electric future will involve moving car production from JLR’s Castle Bromwich factory east of the central England city of Birmingham to nearby Solihull.
Chief Executive Thierry Bollore said the firm is “exploring opportunities to repurpose” the Castle Bromwich plant, leading to speculation it could be used for battery production.
Jaguar Land Rover also said that the far more profitable Land Rover brand will produce its first all-electric model in 2024 as it, too, phases out internal combustion engines.
“We have all the ingredients at our disposal to reimagine the business and the experiences our customers seek, to reimagine to benchmark of luxury,“ Bollore said.
The move was welcomed by British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps as “a huge step for British car manufacturing.“
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the British car industry’s lobby group, said the announcement represents “an injection of confidence” into the sector, which has suffered over the past year during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Its roadmap to a future that is built around sustainability, with electrified and hydrogen models as well as investment in connected and digital technologies, aligns with government ambition and increasing consumer expectations,“ said the SMMT’s chief executive, Mike Hawes.
However, he said the U.K. will need to improve its competitiveness in light of the “fierce” global competition going on in the shift to electric cars, not least from the likes of Tesla.
“Government must ensure advanced manufacturing has its full support, with a policy framework and plan for growth that reduces costs, accelerates domestic battery production and electrified supply chains, and incentivizes R&D and skills development,“ he said.
Little League is back
Submitted by Mike Heightchew
On February 27th, Fremont American Little League held their first practice of the year on the baseball diamonds of Marshall Field. As restrictions on athletic league practice and competition have eased, after a year absent of league play, little leaguers are excited to be back to baseball basics and the opportunity to compete again. Soon they will once again hear the umpire call, “Play Ball!”
Shopping malls out of business, turned into housing
Submitted by John Grimaldi
Online shopping has been a big winner because of the COVID crisis, spiking by triple digit percentages on a year-to-year basis, says the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). But it has had a harmful effect on physical shopping destinations and across the country malls are taking a beating.
According to authoritative reports, more than half of the department stores in malls across the country will be shutting down in the months to come resulting in empty malls. The Commercial Investment Real Estate Exchange put it this way on its website: “First, the department store closes. Then, the apparel shops try to scoot out of deals. This is a one-two punch that could trigger a wave of malls shutting down for good over the next 12 months.”
Meanwhile, strip malls, too, are shutting down in large numbers. “All in all, it’s bad news for the brick-and-mortar retail sector,” says Rebecca Weber, CEO, AMAC. “But there are those who believe that it could be good news for the nation’s expanding population of seniors in need of low-cost housing.”
In fact, there are several mall and strip mall repurposing projects underway across the country and there will be more in the future. City-journal.org reports that there are currently at least 75 conversion projects on the drawing boards nationwide.
Dallas-based JHP urban design firm points out: “The decline of traditional retail combined with a housing crisis and increased need for housing makes converting empty malls and other retail spaces into mixed-use developments one of the most attractive options to developers. This type of development combines retail, commercial and residential into one development, known as horizontal mixed use. In today’s world, the demand for retail space is down.”
Fremont high school tops nation in cancer fundraiser
Submitted by Tanisha Srivatsa and Sarah Wang-Zhou
Mission San Jose High School’s (MSJ) Relay for Life (RFL) raised $11,232 during the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual Fund the Mission (FTM) challenge from Tuesday, February 16 to Thursday, February 18, placing first in the nation for high school fundraising out of 121 campus events.
RFL is an initiative from the American Cancer Society that aims to help the cancer community through advocacy, fundraising, and support. MSJ RFL was founded in 2012 and has since raised more than half a million dollars for the ACS, consistently being in the top high school fundraising teams in the country.
This year, for FTM, Relay participants from high schools and colleges across the nation came together to fundraise $174,000 to support cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Over the course of the three days of the event, MSJ’s Relay swept the leaderboards with four MSJ individuals in the top 10 nationwide, and teams “Win the Fight!” and “Thaddy World 100” placing first and second in the nation for high school fundraising, raising $5,104 and $4,632, respectively.
The top four from MSJ are:
• Sophomore Katelyn Tran, $3,753
• Physics Teacher Peter Geschke, $3,534
• Junior Tanisha Srivatsa, $1,000
• Special Education Teacher Jess McCauley, $500
“I typically send out my first request for donations in mid-February prior to our April event, and then when I found out about the Fund the Mission challenge, I timed my request to match the dates of the fundraiser,” Geschke said about how he raised more than $3,500.
While MSJ RFL’s initial fundraising goal was to hit $20,000 toward their yearlong fundraising goal by the end of the three days, they surpassed this milestone on the second day of the challenge, and currently have more than $26,000 raised toward their goal of $60,000.
“I think we all initially thought that $20,000 was way too much for us to fundraise, but I think MSJ’s performance at Fund the Mission is really a testament to all of the hard work that all of our student and teacher Relayers have put in over this past year, and I hope more students are inspired by this to join us in the fight against cancer,” Srivatsa said.
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, MSJ RFL continues to hold virtual fundraisers and events to educate the community about cancer and inspire other students to join their cause, and has currently raised $26,619.
This year, MSJ’s annual Relay will take place virtually on April 24 via a YouTube livestream and interactive Zoom events. Interested Fremont Unified School District students, parents, and faculty can visit MSJ’s event page on the ACS RFL site at http://www.relayforlife.org/missionsanjosehighschoolca. For more information, visit the @msjrelayforlife Instagram page or email
ms******@gm***.com
.
Abandoned freeway project gives way to housing
Submitted by City of Hayward
A 14-mile stretch of property once intended for construction of a State Route 238 bypass freeway in Hayward is now on course to potentially yield more than 1,400 new homes — with more than 400 to be rented or sold at below market rates affordable to low- and middle-income households.
Though longer-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and future market conditions will affect the final outcome, the share of total housing development on the former SR 238 lands to be designated affordable and restricted to income-qualifying households could exceed 30%, based on current development activity and planning scenarios.
The City of Hayward acquired 10 parcel groups of SR 238 lands from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in 2016. Under the terms of the purchase and a subsequent amendment to the deal, Hayward has until 2027 to reach development agreements for each of the parcels or ownership of the remaining properties reverts to the state agency.
Thus far, the new SoHay community of 472 homes on Parcel Groups 1 and 10 on Mission Boulevard near the South Hayward BART station is under construction and nearing completion, while the other eight parcels are in various stages of community-based planning, marketing and negotiation with potential developers.
More information about the development and details about the parcel groups are posted on the City of Hayward website at https://hayward-ca.gov/238.
Old-fashioned steam & diesel trains are chugging into 2021
Submitted by Niles Canyon Railway
Ride through Niles Canyon in all of its spring splendor behind steam or diesel power select weekends in March, April and May. We are thrilled to be back for 2021 and offer a new set of special limited capacity rides on both Saturday and Sundays. The Robert Dollar #3 steam locomotive or the SP 1423 Diesel locomotive will take control of excursion trains with open cars. This is a great time of year to see the wildflowers.
All round-trip departures only from Sunol Depot. Departure times are 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Tickets only available online at https://www.ncry.org/ride/rides-2021/.
Trains depart on time, so please plan to arrive 30-45 minutes before the scheduled departure time to allow for parking and boarding. Our boarding areas will be setup to allow for appropriate social distancing while you wait and throughout the boarding process.
“We Love Pets,” but only trained service animals are permitted to accompany their handler while riding our trains. We appreciate your understanding.
Children under 3 are not required to wear face coverings. Children under 2 years of age and under do not need a ticket. Tickets are only valid for the date and time selected; no refunds.
Niles Canyon Railway is committed to ensuring the safety of guests. Check our COVID-19 health and safety policy on the website.
Steam and Diesel train rides
2nd & 3rd weekends, Mar 13 – May 16
Departs: 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m.
Sunol Depot
6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol
Tickets: $15-30
https://www.ncry.org/ride/rides-2021/
Swalwell reintroduces No Guns for Abusers Act
Submitted by Natalie Edelstein
On February 26, Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) re-introduced the No Guns for Abusers Act to protect victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence remains a persistent threat to many Americans––particularly women––and firearm ownership can often escalate abuse and turn deadly. The risk of intimate partner homicide is five times greater if an abuser has access to a firearm.
“The pandemic has brought on stay-at-home orders nationwide, increasing the risk of intimate partner violence,” said Swalwell. “Never has it been more important to take action to prevent guns from remaining in the hands of domestic abusers. We have a clear opportunity to save lives with this legislation—it should not be a partisan issue.”
Federal law makes it illegal for convicted abusers or those subject to a protection order to purchase firearms. The No Guns for Abusers Act would provide an analysis of the complicated relinquishment issue and make recommendations for how states and localities can set up the best possible system to get guns out of the hands of dangerous abusers.
Under the bill’s direction, the federal government would help encourage states to establish relinquishment systems by providing grants to those that adopt them, and by leading the way through federal programming. The No Guns for Abusers Act would improve and expand the relinquishment of firearms by domestic abusers nationwide and save countless lives.
Full text of the bill can be found at https://swalwell.house.gov/ – under “Newsroom” and “Press Releases.”
PepsiCo goes Beyond Meat in new partnership
Jan 26
By Dee-Ann Durbin
AP Business Writer
PepsiCo and Beyond Meat are creating a joint venture to develop snacks and drinks made from plant-based proteins.
The companies didn’t reveal what kinds of products they will make Tuesday, saying they’re still in development.
The joint venture gives Pepsi access to one of the leading plant-based meat companies at a time when consumers are increasingly cutting back on meat consumption and looking for healthier, more sustainable foods. Beyond Meat’s burgers, sausages and chicken, which are made from pea protein, are sold worldwide, including at Starbucks in China and Pizza Hut in the U.S.
Beyond Meat gets access to Pepsi’s distribution system and broad product line. Pepsi, in addition to drinks, makes Fritos, Cheetos and Tostitos, as well as Matador beef jerky.
It’s a shot in the arm for El Segundo, California-based Beyond Meat, which had been struggling to convince investors of its growth opportunities as competition increased. Beyond Meat shares plummeted in November after retail sales slowed and McDonald’s hinted that it might work with another supplier on a new plant-based burger for the U.S. market.
Food companies are increasingly jumping into the plant-based space. In 2019, Chobani introduced coconut milk-based yogurt and Nestle brought out plant-based burgers and ground meat. Meat giant Tyson Foods, which used to own a stake in Beyond Meat, now has its own line of plant-based meats.
“Plant-based proteins represent an exciting growth opportunity for us, a new frontier in our efforts to build more sustainable food system,” said Ram Krishnan, PepsiCo’s global chief commercial officer.
Financial terms of the deal weren’t released. The joint venture will be managed through a new entity called The Planet Partnership.
PG&E extends support to customers through end of June
Submitted by Tamar Sarkissian
In response to the ongoing economic challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) as extended the existing COVID-19 customer protections through June 30. The protections were set to expire on April 16.
“For nearly a year now, we have supported our customers through unimaginable health and economic circumstances. We believe extending these customer protections like stopping service disconnections for non-payment through June ensures our customers, especially the most vulnerable, have access to safe and reliable power during this challenging time,” said Laurie Giammona, PG&E’s chief customer officer and senior vice president.
Customer Protections include the following:
• Moratorium on service disconnections for non-payment for residential and small business customers
• Post-enrollment verification and re-enrollment requirements have been paused for the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program (FERA)
• Security deposits are being waived for small commercial customers (residential customers are not required to submit security deposits)
• Customers on the Medical Baseline program offering customers with qualifying medical conditions a lower monthly rate on energy bills are not being asked to re-certify through a doctor or other eligible medical professionals for up to one year
Two police policy changes announced by acting chief
Submitted by San Leandro PD
In a message to the community released February 22, Luis Torres, acting chief of the San Leandro Police Department, shared his thoughts about community policing and two new policy changes implemented by the department. Here is his message:
I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this department for the next several months, and hopefully further into the future. I have been a member of this organization for over 22 years, and I value the relationships I have built during that time.
We are in a moment in law enforcement in which we need to re-think the way we police. Last year was a significant turning point for the policing profession, and in order to succeed, we must evolve. This will not come through enhanced training and policies alone, but by continuing to find ways to build trust and legitimacy through transparency, accountability, and community engagement. We as law enforcement professionals need to be open to this concept and look at this as an opportunity to improve.
We began looking at our policies and procedures and have made changes to two policies. The first policy change is prohibiting the use of no-knock warrants. The use of no-knock warrants increases risks to the people being served the warrants, as well as officers executing the warrants. While San Leandro has not utilized no-knock warrants in a long time, expressly prohibiting them is a significant step in that trust and legitimacy we aim to build.
The second policy addresses background investigations for candidates who are current or former police officers. We have updated our policy to allow our background investigators to have access to any record currently being held by an employing law enforcement agency, including incomplete investigations or sealed records. Additionally, we added language that would allow us to notify a candidate’s current agency if any criminal conduct is uncovered during the background process. We will continue to review our policies and procedures and make appropriate changes moving forward.
On February 15th, the City Council voted to proclaim April 18th as Steven Taylor and Sanctity of Life Day. This Proclamation is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to pursue racial justice and social equity in San Leandro. As a person and a member of Law Enforcement, I am committed to ending racial disparities in policing. I believe the City Council’s action in honoring Steven Taylor on April 18th will serve as a reminder of our ongoing effort toward racial equity and inclusivity.
This City Council Proclamation in no way takes away from the hard work, dedication, and commitment the members of the San Leandro Police Department put in day in and day out to serve the City of San Leandro. Instead, this Proclamation, along with some of our initiatives, reflects our acknowledgment of the sanctity of life and the importance we are placing on listening to, valuing, and building stronger partnerships with our community.
Thank you,
Luis Torres, Acting Police Chief
Twitter to let users charge followers to see premium posts
Feb 25
By Barbara Ortutay
AP Technology Writer
Twitter is branching out from advertising to find more ways to make money – both for itself and for its most prolific users, whether those are businesses, celebrities, or regular people.
In an investor presentation Thursday, the social media company announced a new feature called “Super Follows,” which will let users charge for extra, exclusive material not shown to their regular followers. This can include subscriber-only newsletters, videos, deals and discounts. Users would pay a monthly subscription fee to access the extra content.
Twitter users – and the company’s investors – have long been asking it to launch a subscription-based model. This as a growing number of internet creators and influencers use tools like Patreon, Substack and OnlyFans to make money from their online popularity.
The subscriptions will also allow Twitter to tap into a broader range of revenue sources in a world where online advertising is dominated by a Facebook-Google duopoly. Twitter did not detail what percentage of the revenue it would share with celebrities and others who sign up paying subscribers.
“Exploring audience funding opportunities like Super Follows will allow creators and publishers to be directly supported by their audience and will incentivize them to continue creating content that their audience loves,“ the company said in a statement.
Super Follows is not available yet, but Twitter says it will have “more to share“ in the coming months. Another coming product, “Revue,” will let people publish paid or free newsletters to their audience. There’s also “Twitter Spaces,” a Clubhouse competitor that lets users participate in audio chats. It is currently in private beta testing, which means it’s not yet available to the general Twitter audience.
The San Francisco-based company also said its revenue goal for 2023 is more than $7.5 billion, more than double its 2020 revenue of $3.7 billion.
Photo in 1 new SHARON
Heads-up! Fremont adds more red-light traffic cameras
Submitted by Fremont PD
On Monday, March 1 two new automated traffic enforcement camera systems were activated at two busy intersections near Pacific Commons shopping center in Fremont.
The latest cameras are on westbound Christy Street at Auto Mall Parkway, and northbound Pacific Commons Boulevard at Auto Mall Parkway. The Fremont City Council approved the expansion of the program and additional camera systems at its June 16, 2020 meeting. The newest cameras bring the city’s total to 12.
Vehicles captured driving through red lights by the two new cameras during the first 30 days of operation will receive a warning letter. The 30-day grace period is only for the newest camera systems and will end at midnight March 30. Starting March 31 violators will be mailed traffic citations for violations which carry a fine of $490 each. The camera system only activates after a traffic light turns red.
The City of Fremont began its automated red-light enforcement program in August of 2020 with the goal of reducing the number of red-light related accidents and associated injuries due to red light violations. A list of all enforced locations can be found on the Fremont Police Department’s website at https://fremontpolice.gov/RedLight.
California plan would convert refinery into recreation spot
AP Wire Service
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Feb 14 – California State Parks announced plans for a massive recreational development on oil refinery property, although the company will not cease operations for another two years.
The proposal for the Phillips 66 Santa Maria refinery near Arroyo Grande hinges on whether the parks agency buys or leases the property, The Sacramento Bee reports.
The facility, which produces an average of about 44,500 barrels of crude oil per day and employs 140 people, announced plans to close in 2023.
The parks department wants to develop the land to “support recreational activities” for the nearby Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.
If the agency acquires the property, about 2.8 square miles (7.25 square kilometers) would be added to the nearly 5.5 square miles (14.24 square kilometers) the park already encompasses.
The department would need to wait until the property is remediated from any environmental damage before beginning construction.
Phillips 66 spokesperson Bernardo Fallas said the company was aware of the plan but had no comment.
The Santa Maria Refinery was built in 1955 by the Union Oil Co. of California. The facility was eventually purchased by ConocoPhillips Co., from which Phillips 66 was formed in 2011.
THE ROBOT REPORT
NASA releases first video of Mars landing
By Steve Crowe
NASA on February 22 released incredible footage of the Mars Perseverance Rover’s final descent and landing on Mars. This is the first ever video of a NASA rover landing on Mars and it can be seen on YouTube at https://youtu.be/4czjS9h4Fpg. A microphone on the rover also has provided the first audio recording of sounds from Mars.
Five commercial off-the-shelf cameras located on three different spacecraft components collected the imagery. Two cameras on the back shell, which encapsulated the rover on its journey, took pictures of the parachute inflating. A camera on the descent stage provided a downward view — including the top of the rover — while two on the rover chassis offered both upward and downward perspectives.
From the moment of parachute inflation, the camera system covers the entirety of the descent process, showing some of the rover’s intense ride to Mars’ Jezero Crater. The footage starts seven miles (11 kilometers) above the surface, showing the supersonic deployment of the most massive parachute ever sent to another world, and ends with the rover’s touchdown in the crater.
A microphone attached to the rover did not collect usable data during the descent, but the commercial off-the-shelf device survived the highly dynamic descent to the surface and obtained sounds from Jezero Crater on February 20. About 10 seconds into the 60-second recording, a Martian breeze is audible for a few seconds, as are mechanical sounds of the rover operating on the surface.
“This video of Perseverance’s descent is the closest you can get to landing on Mars without putting on a pressure suit,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for science. “It should become mandatory viewing for young women and men who not only want to explore other worlds and build the spacecraft that will take them there, but also want to be part of the diverse teams achieving all the audacious goals in our future.”
The world’s most intimate view of a Mars landing begins about 230 seconds after the spacecraft entered the Red Planet’s upper atmosphere at 12,500 mph (20,100 kph). The video opens in black, with the camera lens still covered within the parachute compartment. Within less than a second, the spacecraft’s parachute deploys and transforms from a compressed 18-by-26-inch (46-by-66 centimeter) cylinder of nylon, Technora, and Kevlar into a fully inflated 70.5-foot-wide (21.5-meter-wide) canopy — the largest ever sent to Mars. The tens of thousands of pounds of force that the parachute generates in such a short period stresses both the parachute and the vehicle.
“We put the EDL camera system onto the spacecraft not only for the opportunity to gain a better understanding of our spacecraft’s performance during entry, descent, and landing, but also because we wanted to take the public along for the ride of a lifetime — landing on the surface of Mars,” said Dave Gruel, lead engineer for Mars 2020 Perseverance’s EDL camera and microphone subsystem at JPL. “We know the public is fascinated with Mars exploration, so we added the EDL Cam microphone to the vehicle because we hoped it could enhance the experience, especially for visually-impaired space fans, and engage and inspire people around the world.”
The footage ends with Perseverance’s aluminum wheels making contact with the surface at 1.61 mph (2.6 kilometers per second), and then pyrotechnically fired blades to sever the cables connecting it to the still-hovering descent stage. The descent stage then climbs and accelerates away in the preplanned flyaway maneuver.
“If this were an old Western movie, I’d say the descent stage was our hero riding slowly into the setting Sun, but the heroes are actually back here on Earth,” said Matt Wallace, Mars 2020 Perseverance deputy project manager at JPL. “I’ve been waiting 25 years for the opportunity to see a spacecraft land on Mars. It was worth the wait. Being able to share this with the world is a great moment for our team.”
Mission teams at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California got back 30 gigabytes of data and more than 23,000 images of the vehicle descending to the surface. The videos were among 4,500 images NASA planned to release on February 22.
Steve Crowe is Editor of The Robot Report and co-chair of the Robotics Summit & Expo. He can be reached at
sc****@wt*******.com
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Safe Parking Strategy Update
Submitted by City of Fremont
On February 16, City of Fremont staff presented its proposed Safe Parking Strategy to the City Council. The proposed strategy consists of three programs to provide designated secure parking areas for unhoused people living in their vehicles:
1. Private host site program to allow faith-based sites to provide safe parking
2. Sanctioned parking program that provides services where people are currently parked
3. City-operated safe parking site program with comprehensive wrap-around services
The city council directed staff to proceed immediately with developing the first option, a private host site program, and to return to the council later with additional information about the other proposed programs.
The private host site program will allow a limited number of operable vehicles to park within existing parking lots, typically at faith-based organizations or nonprofits, through an administrative city permitting process.
This month, city staff will continue working with faith leaders to develop an ordinance with operational and development standards for permitting these private safe parking sites. Staff plans to take the ordinance to the city’s Planning Commission for a recommendation in April, prior to bringing it before the council for consideration later in the spring.
For updates and information about the Safe Parking Strategy, visit https://www.fremont.gov/3750/Safe-Parking-Strategy.
Safe Routes for Seniors Community Meeting
Submitted by City of Hayward
The City of Hayward Transportation Division will hold an online community meeting on Monday, March 8 to gather feedback on plans for accessibility and walkability enhancements at four downtown intersections.
The planned improvements—at B Street and Montgomery Avenue, Hazel Avenue/City Center Drive and Foothill Boulevard, D Street and Watkins Avenue, and A Street and Montgomery Avenue—are part of the city’s Safe Routes for Seniors program.
The proposed changes involve construction of “bulb-outs” (curb extensions onto the roadway) at certain intersections, which reduce the travel distance for pedestrians to cross the street. In one of the intersections, the median also is proposed to be substantially widened to provide a safe pedestrian refuge while crossing a wide street.
While these modifications help improve the safety and convenience of street crossing, in some cases they require taking a travel lane, such as a dedicated right-turn lane, or reducing lane width. These measures can contribute to a decrease in efficiency of vehicular movements at signalized intersections, and thus increase traffic congestion and backup.
Safe Routes for Seniors is a collaborative project of the city, local senior housing communities, senior centers, and community organizations. It receives annual funding through Alameda County Measure BB transportation sales tax revenue allocations for paratransit.
Information on how to join the Zoom meeting will be posted the week of March 1 on the City of Hayward events calendar – www.hayward-ca.gov/discover/events/safe-routes-seniors-community-meeting. For further details, call or email Ayeh Khajouei, Hayward Transportation Division, at (510) 583-4749 or
SR**@ha********.gov
. To learn more about Safe Routes for Seniors program, visit www.hayward-ca.gov/SR4S.
Community Meeting
Monday, Mar 8
6:30 p.m.
via Zoom
(510) 583-4749
www.hayward-ca.gov/discover/events/safe-routes-seniors-community-meeting
www.hayward-ca.gov/SR4S
Salesforce won’t force workers to go into office post-COVID
By Barbara Ortutay
AP Technology Writer
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP), Feb 09 – San Francisco-based business software maker Salesforce says it will let most of its employees work remotely even after the pandemic, at least for part of the week. Other major tech companies such as Twitter and Google have made similar announcements.
Salesforce, which is the city’s largest private employer, said Tuesday that it will let most of its employers work from home at least part-time permanently. This means people will be in the office anywhere from one to three days a week. Employees who don’t live near an office or have roles that don’t require an office will work remotely full-time, Salesforce said.
Some workers whose jobs require them to be in a physical office will continue to go in to work.
Salesforce said its work-from-anywhere plan offers the company better ways to broaden its workforce to new geographies and new communities beyond “traditional city centers.“
“And creating more flexible schedules removes hurdles that may make it more difficult to be in the office daily – from picking up kids to caring for sick family members,“ the company said on its website.
Salesforce said it made the decision based on feedback from employees. While 80% of its workers surveyed wanted to have some connection to a physical office, nearly half said they wanted to go in only a few times a month.
City reopens emergency rental assistance program
Submitted by Paul Sanftner
City of San Leandro recently announced the reopening of its rental assistance program to help provide relief to qualified tenants financially impacted by COVID-19. The application period closes on Friday, March 5.
“We must continue to support our city’s low-income renters as we navigate through the unprecedented financial impacts of the pandemic,” said Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter. “This program will provide much-needed assistance for residents and families in San Leandro.”
The San Leandro Emergency Rental Assistance Program (SL-ERAP) provides rental and utility assistance payments for up to six months to qualifying residents who have lost income due to COVID-19 and meet federal low-income requirements. The monthly assistance payments will be provided directly to landlords, property owners, or utility providers on behalf of qualifying residents and will be applicable to rent and utilities due after March 16, 2020.
Qualified applicants are required to submit documentation confirming proof of tenancy and financial hardship resulting from COVID-19, including but not limited to one of the following: loss of or reduction in employment or wages, increased medical or childcare costs, or loss of childcare. Landlords must have a current City of San Leandro business license. All documentation and rental and lease agreements are subject to verification.
The program is being administered by Centro Legal de la Raza, a nonprofit legal services provider. All program details, including eligibility requirements, application materials, and submittal deadlines, are available on Centro Legal de la Raza’s website at www.centrolegal.org/rental-assistance/.
San Leandro Rental Assistance Program
Application Deadline: Friday, Mar 5
www.centrolegal.org/rental-assistance/
New deputy county executive for County of Santa Clara
Submitted by María Leticia Gómez
County of Santa Clara County has appointed Dr. Rocío Luna as the deputy county executive. Dr. Luna joined the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department in 1999. Over the past two decades, she has held increasingly demanding positions, including her current role as deputy director of the public health department. Luna’s appointment is effective February 22.
“Rocío has a proven track record of working with diverse communities to meet their needs,” said County Executive Jeffrey V. Smith. “Under the various roles she held at the county’s public health department, she acquired a level of management expertise and a deep knowledge of policy implementation that make her a key person to advance our overarching goals of diversity and inclusion.”
In her new role, Dr. Luna will have three major areas of focus. She will expand the county’s race and equity efforts by coordinating efforts across departments and with external partners linked to the entire county organization. She will create and launch the Office of Family’s and Children’s Policy to develop, implement, and oversee programs that improve the quality of life for mothers, families, and children throughout Santa Clara County. She will also lead at the helm of the County Executive’s Division of Equity and Social Justice.
Dr. Luna holds a Doctorate in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Master’s in Public Health and Community Health Science from San José State University, and Bachelor’s in Physiological Sciences from UCLA.
Progress Made Toward Improvements to South Hayward I-880 Interchanges
Submitted by Hayward Chamber of Commerce
Despite the challenges of funding and timeline, representatives of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce came away relatively satisfied last Thursday after an online workshop to go over proposed improvements to the I-880 interchanges at Whipple Road and Industrial Parkway.
The project session was led by the California Department of Transportation in cooperation with the Alameda County Transportation Commission and the cities of Hayward and Union City. The chamber has advocated improvements at both interchanges and put a high priority on creating a northbound off-ramp at Industrial Parkway.
“Although construction is years away, it is essential that the business community, especially in South Hayward, continue to advocate for improvements now,” said Kim Huggett, president of Hayward Chamber of Commerce.
Moderator and transportation consultant Sasha Dansky said the proposed improvements were based on a half-dozen workshops held in Hayward over the past two years. $104 million of Measure B funds will go toward the project, leaving a funding gap of up to $116 million. Following design work and acquisition of rights-of-way, construction would take three years, with possible completion in 2027.
“We’re going to try everything we can do to streamline that schedule,” said county transportation commission staff member Gary Sidhu.
The chamber has long been an advocate for the northbound off-ramp at Industrial Parkway, which Caltrans planners said may have been disregarded when the interchange was built in the 1960s because it would have required reconfiguration of Ward Creek.
Chamber businesses for whom the project has a high priority include an auto auction yard, boiler-manufacturing plant, Costco Wholesale, Falck ambulance headquarters, Denny’s, Motel 6, and trucking companies.
Huggett said the chamber has urged firms to submit comments on the project by March 5 to www.surveymonkey.com/r/I-880-Interchange or by email
to***********************************@do*.gov
. The project webpage is at www.alamedactc.org/880WhippleIndustrial.
Waste reduction grants available
Submitted by Hayward Chamber of Commerce
StopWaste, a public agency focused on reducing waste in Alameda County is offering individual grants up to $20,000 to help nonprofit agencies and businesses develop and implement plans for preventing waste in the county.
The total grant funding is $475,000 and applications are being accepted through 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 15. Areas of focus can be on waste prevention, reuse, and recovery of goods and materials, as well as development, marketing, and use of recovered products.
Proposed projects must be located in and/or serve the residents and/or businesses of Alameda County. Applicants with open StopWaste grants must check with their grant managers to assess eligibility to apply for additional grant funding. Submissions chosen for grants will be announced Monday, May 3.
For details about the program, visit the StopWaste website at https://www.stopwaste.org/at-work/stopwaste-grants or contact Meri Soll via email at
ms***@st*******.org
or call (510) 891-6522.
Trash Talk
By Jim Cauble, “The Pickup Artist”
This is the second edition of Trash Talk, a column devoted to cleaning up our neighborhoods.
Below might be the single most important tip I can provide to the general public about illegal dumping!
We all have trash, and not everyone can afford to or wants to spend money at the dumps to get rid of it. DRUM ROLL…Hayward residents are entitled to free bulky trash pickups – two per year! Even though Waste Management sends postcards with this information, it seems few people are aware of it, much less taking advantage of it. I have observed pickup trucks loaded with trash driven across town just to dump it in someone else’s neighborhood. You can make a simple phone call and have bulky trash picked up at your residence. The best part: you wouldn’t be trashing someone else’s yard or breaking the law in the meantime!
Who is eligible?
Single-family homes, duplex, triplex and fourplex. Call Waste Management at (866) 909-4458 to schedule a bulky pickup at your residence. If you are a renter and your rent payment includes trash service, contact the owner or property manager to request a bulky pickup. Mobile home parks and HOAs may have different procedures, so be sure to ask.
How much?
Customers are allowed 2 cubic yards of (3 ft. x 3 ft. x 6 ft., approximately sixteen 32-gallon trash bags). Appointments are free. However, if the 2 cubic yard limit is exceeded, a charge of $27.03 could be applied.
How?
• Two free appointments may be scheduled annually per unit. Do not schedule bulky pickups during the beginning of January because services are busy picking up Christmas trees.
• Bulky trash pickup must be scheduled on your Regular Service Day, One Week in advance (five work days). If you live in a multiple dwelling residence, the owner or account contact name must schedule all units on the same day.
• Accounts that are past due can still request a bulky pickup.
• A postcard confirming the date of the appointment will be mailed to the customer the following day.
Where?
Place items on a parking strip no more than 6 feet from the curb. Do not place items in the street.
When?
Place items curbside no earlier than the day before their appointment.
Bulky trash pickups are offered by Waste Management for Hayward residents. Fremont and Newark residents can contact https://www.RepublicsServices.com/municipality/union-city-ca. Milpitas offers four free bulky pickups per year. Contact them at: https://www.milpitassanitation.com/residential/cleanup/.
Using these services should go a long way to reducing or even eliminating illegal dumping.
The quote for today: “It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Answer to the last Trash Talk Question: What is the heaviest dumped item I’ve found?
Someone really had to work at this one, probably with a few friends. It was the rear axle with differential from a car, possibly from a truck. These can weigh up to several hundred pounds!
The Trash Talk Question for today: What were the most hazardous items found? Answer in the next edition.
If you have questions or comments, please address them to
Th******************@ou*****.com
Union City Police Log
Submitted by Union City PD
Thursday, February 25
• Evening shift officers responded to a family disturbance in which a suspect had threatened a victim earlier in the day and then left. He returned several hours later and tried to force entry into the house. When the victim called 911 the suspect again left in his vehicle. Officer Moya located the suspect nearby and made a vehicle stop. The suspect was found to be in possession of a semiautomatic handgun, ammunition and magazines, and approximately 27 grams of narcotics and drug sales paraphernalia. The suspect was arrested and jailed on suspicion of making criminal threats and also faces multiple firearms charges, and narcotic sales possession.
Union City City Council
February 23, 2021
Oral Communications:
• A citizen submitted a written comment about railroad crossing gates down and alarm bells heard from about 12:00 noon until after 1:00 p.m. February 17 on Tidewater Drive between Sanddollar Court and Periwinkle Drive. This blocked the only entrance and exit from the neighborhood of about 91 houses.
• Another citizen’s written comment asked the council to look into options for restoring police patrol in neighborhoods for traffic violations during the day and car racing at night. The main areas of concern are on ramps and exit ramps into the city via I-880 Alvarado-Niles Road, Almaden/Balmoral street areas, Union Landing shopping center and Union City Boulevard.
Consent Calendar:
• Resolution amending conflict of interest code of non-elected officials and designated employees of City of Union City.
• Resolution authorizing the sale of 4361 Agena Circle to Shemeer Shah and Jigna Shah for $685,000 and approving a backup offer.
• Resolution to establish the Sustainability Analyst 1-11 classifications in Professional Employee Group.
• Resolution receiving and accepting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019.
Public Hearings:
• Resolution declaring intent to award a retail cannabis permit to Flor East Bay LLC to operate a cannabis dispensary at 31000 Courthouse Drive subject to compliance with all necessary conditions. Passed 4-1 with Councilmember Singh voting no.
• Resolution approving the submittal of amendment to the 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan in order to receive CARES Act funding, also authorizing City Manager to execute CDBG-CV agreements with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and subrecipients. Passed unanimously.
Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci Aye
Vice Mayor Pat D. Gacoscos Aye
Emily Duncan Aye
Jaime Patino Aye
Gary Singh Aye, 1 Nay
UN chief reappoints billionaire Bloomberg as climate envoy
AP Wire Service
BERLIN (AP), Feb 05 – The United Nations says American billionaire Michael Bloomberg has been reappointed as a special envoy to engage governments and businesses in tackling the threat of global warming.
Bloomberg, who has long campaigned on the issue of climate change, was first tapped for the position in 2018.
The U.N. said Friday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wants the former New York mayor to “mobilize stronger and more ambitious climate action” in the lead-up to a November global climate summit.
The summit, delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, is seen as a key moment in the international effort to curb man-made climate change six years after the creation of the Paris accord.
The 2015 treaty commits countries to cutting their greenhouse gas emissions so temperatures don’t rise more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 F), ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F), by the end of the century compared to pre-industrial times.
Guterres has called on leaders to put their economies on a path to stop adding further planet-warming gases to the atmosphere by 2050.
Bloomberg “will engage government officials and members of the private sector and civil society to finalize and implement plans, particularly in high-emitting countries, industries and sectors, to vastly accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy,” the U.N. said.
Vaccination Stations
The COVID-19 vaccine is being administered by several organizations in our readership area. Guidelines are being updated as more vaccine becomes available. Please check the relevant websites.
Check your eligibility
https://myturn.ca.gov/
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Stanford Health Care – Valley Care, and Sutter Health
Currently vaccinating Alameda County health care workers and residents 65+. Expecting to vaccinate food/agriculture, education/childcare, and emergency services in coming weeks.
By appointment only.
https://alamedacountyfair.com/covid-19-vaccine-information/
Stanford Health Care patients
Web: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/
Phone: (650) 498-9000
Sutter Health patients
Web: https://www.sutterhealth.org/for-patients
Phone: (844) 987-6115
Bay Area Community Health
Vaccinating frontline healthcare workers, staff, and those 65+
https://bach.health/vaccine
39500 Liberty St., Fremont
5504 Monterey Hwy., San Jose
CVS
Vaccinating frontline healthcare workers, staff, and those 65+, according to State guidelines.
Make an appointment online. No cost with most insurance.
https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
Hayward Firehouse Clinic
Partnership with Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center
Vaccinating Tiburcio Vasquez Helath Center patients; community members 65+; healthcare and emergency services, education and childcare, and food and agricultural workers
Fire Station 7
28300 Huntwood Ave., Hayward
For waiting list
Text: (510) 800-7198
Online: https://tvhc.org/
Kaiser Permanente
Vaccinating health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities, and those 75+. Members who belong to these categories can request an appointment.
https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/
Oakland Coliseum
Vaccinating frontline healthcare workers, staff, and those 65+.
Vaccine supplied directly from the federal government
Register via the California government site: https://myturn.ca.gov/
Stanford Health Care
Vaccinating health care workers and those 65+.
Make an appointment: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/
5565 W. Las Positas Blvd., Suite 150, Pleasanton
Cisco Garage (SJC Parking Structure 2)
350 E. Tasman Dr., San Jose
Walgreens
Vaccinating frontline healthcare workers, staff, and those 65+, according to State guidelines.
Request an appointment online.
https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-vaccine.jsp
Washington Hospital
Vaccinating Washington Township Healthcare District residents 65+, Washington Township Medical Foundation patients 65+, Washington Hospital Healthcare System employees and physicians, other eligible healthcare professionals.
https://www.whhs.com/COVID-19-Coronavirus-.aspx
Discover vegetable bed covers
By Daniel O’Donnell
“Aesop’s Fables,” written by the ancient Greek slave Aesop, is a collection of stories that convey a moral. “Be careful what you wish for” is the moral of one story called “The Old Man and Death,” and is just one of the many adages that still rings true today. One contemporary example would be people deciding to grow vegetables at home. A successful vegetable bed or plot will not only bring a lot of food to the dinner table but also a lot of opportunistic critters to the garden. If people take care to protect their vegetables from ambitious wildlife, they may not need to be careful what they wish for.
A popular trend in Bay Area gardening is to attract and support wildlife by planting favorable plants, providing a water source, and not using toxic chemicals. Following these simple principles, many people are successful at attracting wildlife to their yards, the same yards that they will eventually be planting vegetables in. The concept of inviting wildlife into the garden gets lost as soon as some birds eat newly sprouted lettuces, or a squirrel takes some of the strawberries a week before they ripen. The first step in protecting vegetables from birds and other animals is accepting that wildlife is out there and remembering how enjoyable it is to see it flourishing in an urban area. Now the focus can be on keeping the animals away or out of the vegetable bed or plot.
Vegetables are less attractive to wildlife if there is plenty of open space nearby and if there are other opportunities for food. Letting edges, far corners, and other places in the yard be less manicured and a little more natural will give birds and other animals a more enticing place to look for food. This will allow them to forage for food without exposing themselves to predators. These areas can be planted to provide food for wildlife making it unlikely they will risk venturing into a less sheltered area. Most vegetables are more productive in sunny locations. There are often only a couple of places in the yard to grow vegetables so there might be some clearing to be done if there are no other location options for the vegetable bed.
Metallic streamers, bird tape, or even old CDs can be hung in and around the perimeter of the vegetable bed or plot as bird deterrents. An old-fashioned scarecrow, dressed-up mannequin, or plastic owl can also help deter wildlife but will need to be moved every day so birds and other animals do not get used to it. Motion-activated water sprayers can be used to deter nighttime critters. Keeping lids on any compost bins will help make sure wildlife is not attracted to the immediate area.
These measures would be enough to protect vegetables from being appropriated by wildlife in an ideal world. But sometimes the world is not ideal, so a vegetable bed or plot will need to be covered. There are a few challenges involved with covering vegetable plants. The material needs to keep animals out but not inhibit light, air, and pollinators from coming in. There also needs to be easy access to the plants for maintenance and harvesting.
Fences can be effective at keeping some animals out of a vegetable plot. Fences can be strictly utilitarian or attractive as well. The height and picket spacing will be determined by the creatures that are being dissuaded. A fence should be at least 8 feet tall or there should be two parallel 4 foot fences, 4 feet apart to fend off deer, for example.
Creating a protective structure begins with deciding how to gain access to the plants. Some covers can be removed, some offer different points of admission, and some are tall enough to crawl or walk into. PVC piping makes a good framework for removable covers and cages under 6 feet tall because it is light weight and easy to cut and fit together. PVC piping also offers a few different design options. The covers can be rectangular and flat on top, linear with a pitched roof, or bent to resemble a tunnel which would be called a hoop vegetable cover. Wood framing is better for larger walk-in structures.
Transparent or translucent fabrics and plastic netting are lightweight and easy to cut and secure options for the walls and tops of these structures. The materials are highly effective for keeping out birds and animals that are easily deterred. Chicken or gopher wire and hardware cloth are a bit harder to cut and work with but are more effective at keeping out tenacious animals. Glass and greenhouse panels are also successful at keeping wildlife at bay. Their use involves a higher degree of structural design and construction ability because of ventilation concerns and complexity of installation.
It is possible to attract wildlife and grow vegetables in the same garden, but it just takes a little extra work. Maybe the moral of another one of Aesop’s fables says it best, “It is thrifty today to prepare for tomorrow’s wants.”
Daniel O’Donnell is the co-owner and operator of an organic landscape design/build company in Fremont. www.Chrysalis-Gardens.com
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