4-13-21 Articles

California plans $536 million for forests before fire season
By Don Thompson
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Apr 08 – California will authorize $536 million for wildfire mitigation and forest management projects before the worst of the fire season strikes later this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders said Thursday.

That more than doubles $200 million in recent annual spending, advocates said, and wildfire preparedness grants were dropped entirely last year when the state prematurely anticipated a pandemic-driven budget shortfall.

Armed now with an unexpected multi-billion-dollar surplus, lawmakers plan to add the money to this fiscal year's budget before considering even more in the new spending plan that takes effect July 1.

“With California facing another extremely dry year, it is critical that we get a head start on reducing our fire risk,“ Newsom and his fellow Democrats who lead the Assembly and Senate said in a joint statement.

They are rushing to thin forests, build fuel breaks around vulnerable communities and allow for planned burns before a dry winter turns into a tinder-dry summer. Last year's record-setting wildfire season charred more than 4% of the state while destroying nearly 10,500 buildings and killing 33 people.

Earlier this month, the governor used his emergency powers to authorize nearly $81 million to hire nearly 1,400 additional firefighters. In January, Newsom proposed spending $323 million this spring on forest health and fire prevention projects, with another $1 billion in next year's budget.

Lawmakers said Thursday's agreement expands on the governor's plan with more short- and long-term spending on vegetation management on both public and private land, clearing space around homes and making them less vulnerable to wildfires, fire prevention grants and prevention workforce training. It also includes economic stimulus for the hard-hit forestry economy.

And the leaders said they recognize that fires burn in grasslands and chaparral as well as forests, so the package includes all types of fire-prone terrain and vegetation, with incentives for prevention efforts to protect areas with larger numbers of residents.

The new plan is in Assembly and Senate budget bills to be considered in coming days.

“A $500 million appropriation would be huge and they'll need to do substantially more than that again for next year,“ said Paul Mason, vice president of policy and incentives at the Pacific Forest Trust, a nonprofit land trust and think-tank that promotes forest conservation. “It will need to be in the billions.”

Besides devoting some of the budget windfall to fire preparedness, he said lawmakers should find a stable funding source for future years.

“Just as it took us a century to create the fire problems we have right now, it's going to take us many years to restore resilience to the forest landscape in California,” Mason said.

Lawmakers have already mostly divvied up what Newsom said in January would be a $15 billion one-time surplus, with most of it going to schools and a state economic stimulus package that includes $600 payments to millions of low- to moderate-income Californians.

But the state expects another $26 billion in aid from the federal government with few limits on how it can be spent. Mason said Democratic President Joe Biden's new administration should also invest more in forest projects, given that more than half California's forestland is federally owned.

State officials said they hope to get federal disaster prevention grants to match money that the state will spend on making homes less vulnerable to wildfires.

AC Transit’s Alameda Sheriff Contract Price Increases 35%
Submitted by People’s Transit Alliance

On April 1 a new three-year Alameda Sheriff’s contract began with AC Transit which is 35% more expensive than the last contract. Despite the apparent conflict of interest, AC Transit’s bargaining team included a 24-year veteran of the Alameda Sheriff’s Department who now serves as AC Transit’s Protective Services Manager. AC Transit’s staff provided no explanation for the almost $3 million a year price increase, and did not address a prior contract audit which showed “issues of major concern” leading to cost overruns and a lack of accountability. Neither the public nor the AC Transit Board was provided the contract to review beforehand; the Board approved the $27 million contract without having read it.

On March 10, the AC Transit Board approved the new three-year contract to provide security services for drivers and riders. The contract is over $9 million dollars a year, for a total of $27 million over three years. This is just a portion of the security costs, since AC Transit must also pay for the Contra Costa Sheriff’s services. The staff report states that this price tag represents a “cost savings,” yet in 2018, the contract was for $6.6 million a year—meaning an increase of over 35% in just four years. A 2013 audit of the Alameda Sheriff’s contract found “issues of major concern” and “major contract deficiencies” leading to cost overruns and a lack of accountability. In addition, AC Transit appears to be paying for services that are already funded by Alameda County. The audit states that nearly 60% of the Sheriff Transit Unit’s work was non-AC Transit related, and that they wrote four times as many non-transit citations as transit citations.

At the Board meeting, Director Jovanka Beckles expressed concern about the contract’s lack of accountability, and relayed reports from drivers of delays or no-shows by the Sheriff when called. Community members spoke to the lack of transparency over the contract, and pushed to sensibly divert tasks which could instead be handled by AC Transit employees. In total, the community and workers spoke for two hours at the meeting. A motion by Director Beckles to direct the staff to negotiate a one year contract term, as opposed to a three-year term, failed 3-3 with one abstention.

https://www.eastbaydsa.org/committees/peoples-transit-alliance/

Letter warns of further delays for California bullet train
AP Wire Service

HANFORD, Calif. (AP), Mar 29 – Delays in securing land for California's high-speed rail project will push completion of a 65-mile section of the line in Kings County until at least April 2025 – nearly two years after the date the state included in a business plan adopted last week, a newspaper reported Monday.

The Los Angeles Times obtained a letter from a construction team headed by the Spanish firm Dragados notifying the California High-Speed Rail Authority of the latest delay for the planned bullet train.

It's yet another setback for the project that's been mired in pushed deadlines and cost overruns. Voters in 2008 approved a bond for the rail line, eventually aimed at connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco.

The newest problem could again boost costs and jeopardize the state's funding plan to complete a partial operating system between Bakersfield and Merced by 2030, the Times said.

The letter described a chaotic system for projecting future construction progress because of state delays in securing land for construction. It complained that the rail authority's failure to accurately predict land acquisition has tangled construction schedules and caused fitful conditions along the route.

Dragados said it has had to hire workers as land becomes available and then lay them off as it awaits new parcels. It said that “trepidation” among subcontractors and suppliers is resulting in higher risk that must be priced into bids for work.

“Therefore, the impact of providing a schedule which includes incorrect right of way dates will only exacerbate these impacts,” the letter said.

Joe Hedges, the chief operating officer at the rail authority, downplayed the letter in an interview with the newspaper. He called it part of a back-and-forth bargaining process normal in the construction industry. The completion date of 2025 is subject to negotiation and the delays can be mitigated, he said. Hedges also disputed Dragados' complaints about faulty state land forecasts.

“These are our best engineering guesses,“ Hedges said. These are our goals we are aspiring to achieve.”

The Dragados letter was part of a long series of change orders – more than a dozen for about $150 million – that relate to delays caused largely by a lack of property.

A similar letter was sent last year by the construction team led by Tutor Perini, which is building 31 miles (48 kilometers) of rail structures in Fresno and Madera counties. The strongly worded letter said the team could miss its schedule, noting that more than 500 needed land parcels along the route were not available seven years after its construction contract was issued. It called the delays in buying land “beyond comprehension.”

Land acquisition has been a monumental hurdle for the project since 2012. In Kings County, the rail authority still needs 264 more parcels, but in January it acquired only nine. At that rate of progress, it would take 21/2 years just to buy the land, the Times estimated.

Hedges said the authority has made “great progress” in its land acquisitions. But about half of the remaining parcels across the Central Valley will have to be condemned, he said, requiring a slow legal process.

City of Newark joins East Bay Community Energy
Submitted by Newark Police Department

All Newark electricity customers will transition to East Bay Community Energy’s (EBCE) Bright Choice service starting in April unless the customer opts-out. For questions or to opt-out or opt-up to 100 percent renewable energy visit www.ebce.org/newark, call 1-833-699-ebce (3223), or email customer-support@ebce.org.

Join EBCE Community
Monday – Friday
7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
1-833-699-ebce (3223)
www.ebce.org/newark
customer-support@ebce.org

It’s a Date

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: info@chambersingers.org

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

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

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/
youthprograms@indiacc.org

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

Sundays
First Presbyterian Church of Newark Worship Services
8:30 a.m.; Worship Service
12 noon: Sunday School, Ages K – 6th grade
Contact: office@newarkpres.org for Zoom Meeting ID#
www.newarkpres.org

Tuesdays in April
7 o’clock rocks!
7 p.m.
Tune in and rock with Groovy Judy
http://facebook.com/groovyjudyrocks

Every 3rd Thursday & Friday, March – May
Property Transfer Clinic
Free 30-minute legal consultation

Third Thursday each month
Chronic Pain Support Group
12:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Request link: njordan@fremont.gov

Last Thursday of the Month, March – June
Mini MBA in Entrepreneurship
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Self-paced virtual program for early-stage entrepreneurs

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

Saturdays, May 8
Rancho Higuera Historical Park tours
10 a.m. – 12 noon
47300 Rancho Higuera Rd., Fremont
(510) 623-7907
info@museumoflocalhistory.org
Suggested donation $2-5

Wednesdays, March 17 – April 14
National Geographic Live Virtual Events $
7 p.m.
4/14: Women and Migration
LivermoreArts.org
(925) 373-6800
Nationalgeographic.com/events

Thursday, March 18 – Monday, September 6
Immersive Van Gogh
9 a.m. – 11 p.m. (times vary)
Walk-in exhibit with digital projections and music
SVN West San Francisco
10 South Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Tickets: $24.99 – $39.99
www.vangoghsf.com

Mondays & Wednesdays, March 29 – April 28
Food Entrepreneurial Training Academy R
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Free 10-part series on how to succeed in the food business
https://www.acsbdc.org/calendar

Monday, April 5 – Sunday, June 27
Shifting Tides: Convergence in Cloth
Virtual exhibit to shine light on issues facing the Pacific Ocean
www.olivehydeartguild.org

Wednesdays, April 7 – April 28
Hayward Police Department Community Academy R
6:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Virtual 4-week course all about the HPD. Ages 18+. Must pass background check
Via Zoom
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/community-academy
(510) 293-5051

Wednesdays, April 14 – May 12
Tools For Change R
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Virtual workshop for parents and caregivers of adolescents (ages 12-18)
www.fremont.gov/3060/Caregiver-Support
(510) 574-2100

Friday, April 16 – Sunday, May 9
Almost, Maine $
Love is lost, found, and confounded in this comedy from Chanticleers Theatre.
Online Streaming event
(Video available 48 hours starting from time of purchase)
https://chanticleers.org/almost-main/

Monday, April 19 – Monday, April 26
OLG Swing into Spring! Online Auction
http://bidpal.net/olgswing (live on April 4th)

UPCOMING

Wednesday, April 14
Victim Relief: T, U, & VAWA Visas
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Free info session from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Webex Link: https://bit.ly/3tOMj9i
Meeting number (access code): 199 939 7475
Meeting password: J4bKGbpgh2*5

Wednesday, April 14
Cocktails and Conservation: Safe Passage for Grizzlies
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Learn about The Glacier National Park Grizzly Passage Project
Via Facebook and YouTube Live
www.oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/cocktails-conservation
www.oaklandzoo.org/conservation-partners/glacier-national-park-passage-project

Wednesday, April 14
Virtual Community Meeting and 2020 Year End Review
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Discussion of crime trends, adjustments during COVID 19 pandemic, crime reduction strategies
www.FremontPolice.gov
Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 998 5082 4717

Wednesday, April 14
Normal Aging and Ways of Improving Memory R
10 a.m.
Strategies to minimize age related changes and improve everyday memory functions
http://bit.ly/AgeWellClasses

Thursday, April 15
Covid-19: Website Development & Optimization – Part 3 R
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Best practices for website design – a free ACSBDC webinar
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47795

Thursday, April 15
Small Business Townhall
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Latest information to small businesses looking to return to business following the pandemic
Facebook Live town hall

Friday, April 16
Cooking with Chef David $
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Learn to cook Salmon Cleopatra Seafood Pasta
http://bit.ly/AgeWellClasses

Saturday, April 17
Music at the Mission: Flautissima! $
Virtual Concert Broadcast with Pre-Concert Talk & Zoom AfterParty
4 p.m. Concert / 5 p.m. ZAP!
Available for 48 hours
www.musicatmsj.org
(510) 402-1724
info@musicatmsj.org

Saturday, April 17
Implications of Colleges Going Away from SAT/ACT
11 a.m.
What does this mean for students and how to be competitive for college admissions
Us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register
www.uceazy.com

Monday, April 19
Milpitas Rotary
12 noon
San Jose Mercury News Columnist Sal Pizzaro
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/364zWgd
Meeting ID: 830 1305 6992
Passcode: 113524

Tuesday, April 20
California Phones Online R
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Learn about specialized phone equipment free to eligible Californians
http://bit.ly/AgeWellClasses

Tuesday, April 20 & Wednesday, April 21
RACISM – Until Black Women Are Free, None of Us Will Be Free $
Tues: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wed: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Explore the intersection of sexism, gender bias, class, and economic disparity
Via Zoom
RSVP by April 19 at https://ces-event.myshopify.com/products/racism-until-black-women-are-free-none-of-us-will-be-free

Wednesday, April 21
USCIS Online Resources and Customer Service Tools
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Free info session from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Webex Link: https://bit.ly/3cmlJ1t
Meeting number (access code): 199 291 4083
Meeting password: epP9TyZPK34?

Wednesday, April 21
Communication Strategies
10 a.m.
Learn effective communication skills as a family caregiver
http://bit.ly/AgeWellClasses

Thursday, April 22
Covid-19: Personal Care Business Guidance
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
How to safely operate and welcome your clients back – a free ACSBDC webinar
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47891

Saturday, April 24
Free Community Shred Day
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Paper only. 4-6 banker box limit. Sponsored by Union City Police Dept.
https://www.facebook.com/unioncitypd/posts/4498893956794596
James Logan High School
1800 H St., Union City
(510) 675-5284

Saturday, April 24
Newark Community Clean Up! R
7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
One standard truck load per household
By Appointment Only
Email mainreq@newark.org if interested
(510) 578-4806

Monday, April 26
OLG Swing into Spring! Golf Tournament $R
1 p.m.
Lunch, prizes, putting contest
Las Positas Golf Course
917 Clubhouse Dr., Livermore
Go to olgweb.org or call 510-364-9430 to register

Monday, April 26
Milpitas Rotary
12 noon
Project Sentinel – Landlord and Tenant Assistance Program
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/364zWgd
Meeting ID: 830 1305 6992
Passcode: 113524

Tuesday, April 27
The New Strategic Leader R
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Free webinar. Discover a new approach to long-term, organizational success
www.ohlone.edu/leadership
(510) 979-7598

Tuesday, April 27
Interventional Radiology (IR) for Vascular Disease R
6:30 p.m.
Virtual Seminar – Learn about interventional radiology treatment options
www.whhs.com
(800) 963-7070

Wednesday, April 28
Petitioning for Relatives, Family Based Visas
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Free info session from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Webex Link: https://bit.ly/3tYXAnR
Meeting number (access code): 199 353 4475
Meeting password: jqJmYu53Q4Z*

Wednesday, April 28
2nd Annual Homeowners Expo R
12 noon – 1:30 p.m.
Learn about programs to lower property taxes and more! Hosted by Alameda County Assessor Phong La
Via Zoom. https://tinyurl.com/homeowners-expo

Wednesday, April 28
Covid-19: Crowdfunding
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Learn how to use crowdfunding to help support your business – a free ACSBDC webinar
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/48029

Wednesday, April 28
Photos of friends and family: Give them your best!
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Photography class taught by Len Cook
Via Zoom
Register in advance by emailing: ohag-photo-zoom@lens.photos
https://olivehydeartguild.org/news-events-upcoming-programs

Thursday, April 29
Covid-19: Buying/Selling a Small Business
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Information and guidance on how to buy/sell a small business – a free ACSBDC webinar
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/48015

Thursday, April 29
Conversation with Police Chief Petersen R
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
League of Women Voters President interviews Fremont Police Chief
To register click on: https://zoom.us/meeting/register
Questions for Chief Petersen? Email: lwvfnuc@lwvfnuc.org

Friday, April 30
Shifting Tides: Convergence in Cloth Virtual Reception
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Virtual reception for new exhibit that shines light on issues facing the Pacific Ocean
www.olivehydeartguild.org

Monday, May 3
Milpitas Rotary
12 noon
Tina Broyles of Milpitas Family Help Network (MFHN)
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/364zWgd
Meeting ID: 830 1305 6992
Passcode: 113524

Friday, May 7
Sing for Spring R
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Free virtual concert featuring the MFMII kids choir
Register for Zoom code: https://tinyurl.com/4z88hfp4
www.musicforminors2.org

Saturday, May 8
A Pink Pajama Party R
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Celebration of our People with Purpose Honorees – HERS Breast Cancer Foundation
https://hersbcf.ejoinme.org/PWP2021
(510) 790-1911

Saturday, May 8
Celebrating Mother’s Day
6 p.m.
Celebrating all the mothers! Surprise wine pairing from Occasio Winery
Via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LivermoreValleyOpera
www.livermorevalleyopera.com
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Please keep bold text.

Vaccination Stations

The COVID-19 vaccine is being administered by many organizations in our readership area. Guidelines are being updated as more vaccine becomes available. Please check the relevant websites for details when you schedule your appointment.

According to California State guidelines, all residents ages 50+ are now eligible to sign up for a vaccine.

In addition, the State is currently vaccinating those from Phases 1A and 1B, including:

• Health care workers and long-term care residents
• Essential workers in food/agriculture, education/childcare, emergency services, and public transportation
• Those ages 16+ with a high-risk medical condition (examples: cancer, organ transplant, oxygen dependent)
• Those living in congregate spaces (examples: homeless shelters, behavioral health facilities), and staff
• Those ages 16+ who LIVE in one of the following zip codes: 94601, 94603, 94605, 94606, 94607, 94621, 94541, 94544, 94545, 94577, 94578, 94580
Everyone 16+ will be eligible starting April 15, 2021.

If you are not sure whether you qualify, check the full up-to-date guidelines:

State
https://covid19.ca.gov/

Alameda County
https://covid-19.acgov.org/vaccines

Santa Clara County
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/COVID19-vaccine-information-for-public.aspx
sccfreevax.org

Check your eligibility and schedule a vaccine at: https://myturn.ca.gov/

Due to limited supply, some sites may have different restrictions. Check organization’s website before signing up.

Alameda County Fairgrounds
Stanford Health Care – Valley Care, and Sutter Health
By appointment only.

Stanford Health Care patients
Web: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/
Phone: (650) 498-9000

Sutter Health patients
For Sutter patients 65+ and healthcare workers
Web: https://www.sutterhealth.org/for-patients
Phone: (844) 987-6115

Alameda County Health Department
(Link provided on Alameda County Fair vaccines main page.)

Bay Area Community Health
Providing to both Alameda and Santa Clara: You must live in the county where you sign up to receive the vaccine.

MVCOP Parking Lot
5019 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 770-8040

Monterey Clinic
5504 Monterey Hwy., San Jose
(408) 729-9700

Mt. Pleasant HS Parking Lot
1750 S White Rd., San Jose
(408) 729-9700

CVS
Make an appointment online. No cost with most insurance.
https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

El Camino Health
For Santa Clara County residents: Location provided with appointment.
https://www.elcaminohealth.org/covid-19-resource-center/vaccine-information

Fremont Fire Department & Haller’s Pharmacy
Offering the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine
Public sector employees are eligible (in addition to the categories above)
https://www.primarybio.com/l/fremontfd1

Fremont Fire Tactical Training Center
7200 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

Kaiser Permanente
Vaccinating Kaiser members according to State guidelines.
https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/

Oakland Coliseum
Vaccine supplied directly from the federal government
Register via the California government site: https://myturn.ca.gov/

Rite Aid
Request an appointment online.
https://www.riteaid.com/covid-19

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
For Santa Clara County residents
Vaccination sites full as of 4/9/21 – check the website for updates.
https://vax.sccgov.org/home

Stanford Health Care
Make an appointment: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/
East and South Bay locations:
(Peninsula locations listed on the website)

5565 W. Las Positas Blvd., Suite 150, Pleasanton
Mon-Sun: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton
Mon-Sat: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Cisco Garage (SJC Parking Structure 2)
350 E. Tasman Dr., San Jose
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Eastridge Mall (For Santa Clara County residents/workers)
2190 Eastridge Loop #1402, San Jose
Mon-Fri: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sat-Sun: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center
With Hayward Fire Department and Alameda County Fire Department
Offering Moderna and Janssen vaccines, waitlist slots available as of 4/9/21.

VA Palo Alto Health Care System
Vaccinations available for veterans in the Palo Alto Health Care System, and their caregivers. Check your eligibility on the website.
Vaccination sites in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Livermore, Stockton, and Monterey by appointment.
https://www.paloalto.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp

Walgreens
Request an appointment online.
https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-vaccine.jsp

Walmart
Request an appointment online.
https://www.goodrx.com/covid-19/walmart

Washington Hospital
Vaccinating those who live or work in Fremont, Newark, Union City, South Hayward, or Sunol who meet current State eligibility criteria. (Janitorial services are eligible as part of the essential worker category).
https://www.whhs.com/COVID-19-Coronavirus-.aspx

Polestar 2: Go EV the Scandinavian Way
By Steve Schaefer

Polestar is an electric performance brand from Volvo and by extension, its parent company Geely Holding. The brand was established in 2017 and is based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Recently, I enjoyed a long weekend with a Polestar 2. It is a “2” because it was preceded by the “1,” which is an electric performance hybrid GT with a six-figure price tag and a limited output of 500 units per year.

The vehicles are sold online, and shown off at strategically located “spaces,” where you can browse in a minimalist showroom to get a feel for the cars before placing your order. There are two showrooms in the San Francisco Bay Area–one in Santa Clara and another in Marin County.

The Polestar2 makes a fine first impression, with its smooth flanks and chiseled edges, open mouth with black-square-filled “grille,” and slices of taillamps at the rear. The Polestar logo looks like two boomerangs. It looks like a tall sedan but is a hatchback, featuring a handy fold-up panel for grocery bags.

I tested the car with two trips—one primarily freeway and the other on my local, beautiful back roads. In each case, the car acquitted itself athletically and in great comfort, as expected and hoped.

The freeway jaunt was to Marin County, on open freeways, while the backroad jaunt showed off the Polestar 2’s sharp reflexes and balanced handling. EVs benefit from a low center of gravity, and the 2’s steering was taut, and the assist felt natural.

The Polestar 2 Launch Edition features two motors, one up front and one in the rear, powered by a 78-kilowatt hour battery. This adds up to 408 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque, good for a pulse-raising zero-to-60 run in under five seconds. Range is 233 miles, which is good, if not the best.

Polestar 2 features one pedal driving, where thanks to regenerative braking, you use only the accelerator to move forward or slow down (even to a full stop). The brake pedal is right there when you need it, but in normal driving you can ignore it. The car offers three drive modes for regenerative braking (off, low, standard), along with on or off settings for creep mode (acts like a “normal” automatic).

The Polestar 2 offers the world’s first in-vehicle application of an infotainment system powered by Android with Google apps and services built-in. All I did was say, “Hey, Google, play Bluegrass,” and the friendly female voice said, “I’m choosing Indie Bluegrass from Spotify.” I also tested Google for navigation, and it generated a large map on the center screen and turn-by-turn voice guidance.

Inside, the lines are drawn with a brilliant, clean, and slightly cold aesthetic, and materials are matte. It is a fully vegan interior with the WeaveTech fabric and reconstructed wood trim. The ambiance isn’t overtly luxurious, but the traditional super supportive Volvo seats are there, and the fat, leather-wrapped wheel is nice to hold. The 11-inch center panel touch screen features a beautiful and practical interface. The home screen is quartered into maps, Phone, Driver Performance, and Music, but there are lots of different views, including the settings pages.

For charging, I used my Level 2 (240V) home charger, but on the road, DC fast charging takes about 40 minutes to get you to 80 percent at 150 kilowatts. It will take eight hours to refill the battery from 0 to 100 percent using Level 2 charging (perfect overnight), and 22 hours on 120V household current. The EPA ratings are 96 City, 88 Highway, and 92 Combined for MPGe. Compare these with other electric vehicles. The EPA “green” scores are 10 for Smog and Greenhouse Gas.

Surprise—there is no start button. Just carry the key fob in your pocket and walk up to the car. Pull the shift knob into D or R and the car moves. It works the same when you are leaving, in reverse.

My test car, in “Moon” metallic, started at $59,900, and with $1,200 extra for the paint and $1,300 for shipping (from China), came to $62,400. The obvious direct competitor is the Tesla Model Y. A new and more affordable option is the Mustang Mach-E, but the personality difference is substantial.

The Jaguar I-PACE matches the Polestar in power and range, but even the base S model is already $10,000 more expensive than the Polestar 2. The Audi e-tron is another luxury competitor, and Mercedes-Benz is rolling out its EQ models. Ones to watch include the upcoming BMW i4 and recently announced Kia EV6. New electric vehicles like the VW ID.4 cannot touch the Polestar 2 for performance.

Time will tell with the Polestar brand, but the Polestar 2 is competitive and hits all the right buttons. It is an exciting time to be an EV shopper, and it is just going to get better.

Park It
By Ned MacKay

April 22 is Earth Day, the annual rededication to preserving and to improving the environment of our planet. Due to pandemic concerns, cleanup projects involving dozens of volunteers are not considered safe.

While the regional parks are not able to host large gatherings as is customary, there are two events planned to help the community feel connected to the parks and celebrate Earth Day: 2021 Virtual Earth Day Celebration and 2021 Volunteer Earth Month Neighborhood Cleanup.

The Virtual Earth Day Celebration is an event page where staff have compiled activities and opportunities to help visitors celebrate Earth Day. The event features a Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve Redwood Reintroduction Project Interview, a webinar with Doc Quack about Least Terns, and fun Earth Day videos, activities, and crafts.

In addition to the events above, you can register for a morning Zoom meeting with a naturalist on Sunday, April 18; story time for kids on Monday, April 19; snakes at Black Diamond Mines from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17, Saturday, April 24, and Friday, April 30; or a Black Diamond Mines wildflower program on Saturdays, April 17 and April 24.

Included in the Celebration page is the information to register for the 2021 Volunteer Earth Month Neighborhood Cleanup, a program lasting from Saturday, April 17 through Monday, May 31.

The first hundred participants to register for the cleanup in their own neighborhoods will receive a Volunteer Toolkit containing a reusable mask, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, and a volunteer guideline sheet. To assemble your own cleanup gear, your kit should include trash bags or buckets, disposable and work gloves, a facemask, a trash grabber or kitchen tongs, sun protection, and close-toed shoes.

All of this and more can be viewed on the park district website, www.ebparks.org. Here are the links:

2021 Virtual Earth Day Event www.ebparks.org/about/getinvolved/volunteer/2021_virtual_earth_day_celebration/default.htm

2021 Volunteer Earth Month Neighborhood Cleanup
www.ebparks.org/about/getinvolved/volunteer/events.htm

There is some good news about the park district’s visitor centers, which had been closed for the past year due to COVID-19. The centers have now resumed programming, although with limited hours and capacity and reservations required at some facilities.

Centers that are open with reservations required are Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont and Big Break in Oakley. Centers that are open with limited hours are Black Diamond Mines in Antioch (Greathouse Visitor Center only), Coyote Hills in Fremont, Crab Cove in Alameda, Sunol Regional Wilderness in southern Alameda County, and the Little Farm at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. Tilden’s Environmental Education Center remains closed for now.

For more detailed information on visitor center hours and program registration, put your cursor on “About Us” on the district home page, then click on “News.”

Closure of South Park Drive at Tilden Regional Park has been extended until June 1. South Park Drive is always closed to motor vehicle traffic during the rainy season to protect migrating and breeding California newts, a variety of salamander. The road was kept closed in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19. Its reopening is timed to coincide with resumption of reservations for group picnic areas located along the road. In the meantime, motorists can access Tilden Regional Park from Grizzly Peak Boulevard via Golf Course Drive and Shasta Road. Pedestrians and bicyclists can still use South Park Drive.
FOR APRIL 13 ISSUE

History Matters
By John Grimaldi and David Bruce Smith

Intrinsically, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was a conservationist, who once said, “the forests are the lungs of our land [which] purify our air and give fresh strength to our people.”

On April 5, 1933–a year after he was elected president– FDR formed the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC); he believed it would put thousands of citizens back to work during “the Great Depression” and ensure the health of America’s woodlands.

Those who enlisted in “Roosevelt’s Tree Army” got $30 per month—approximately $600 in 2021 currency–and access to vocational education to facilitate their re-entry into the job market. Enlistment was intended to be only six months, but many of the recruits stayed longer.

According to History.com, “CCC employees fought forest fires, planted trees, cleared, and maintained access roads, re-seeded grazing lands and implemented soil-erosion controls. They built wildlife refuges, fish-rearing facilities, water storage basins and animal shelters. To encourage citizens to get out and enjoy America’s natural resources, FDR authorized the CCC to build bridges and campground facilities. From 1933 to 1942, the CCC employed over 3 million men.”

The Grateful American Book Prize recommends Hitch by Jeanette Ingold.

America’s Space Age began April 9, 1959, when seven test pilots with “The Right Stuff” were formally presented to the nation as its inaugural astronauts. “Mercury Project”, as they were known, was composed of Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper Jr., John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Walter Schirra Jr., Alan Shepard Jr., and Donald Slayton. Their goal was to launch a sequence of successfully manned missions to space.

Two years earlier, the Soviet Union had astonished the world, when it put the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit, but America, resolved to eclipse them, was stunned a second time, when their cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, piloted the planet’s first manned space flight in April 1961–less than a month before Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, went up in his spacecraft, the Freedom 7.

By then, the hustle for celestial superiority was ramped up with a zing, but the U.S. continued to lag–until 1969–when NASA’s Apollo astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins took “one giant leap for mankind”—and landed on the moon.

For more information, the Grateful American Book Prize recommends Project Mercury: America in Space Series by Eugen Reichl.

Henry Bergh was a wealthy man who learned a great lesson when he was given a diplomatic post at the U.S. Embassy in Russia by President Abraham Lincoln. As one account put it, “While in St. Petersburgh he is reputed to have seen a droshkie or Russian peasant beating his fallen cart horse. Bergh dismounted from his own carriage and intervened, saving the horse from a further beating that day. Upon his return to America in 1865, he stopped in England and met with the president of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). Once back in New York, Bergh quickly took action to affect the formation of a similar society in the United States.”

On April 10, 1866, he founded American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA); it became a model for the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

His passion and his accounts of the cruelties suffered by animals enabled him to convince the New York State Legislature to give him a charter to organize the first ASPCA, and to enact the first anti-cruelty law in the United States.

The ASPCA also got the power to investigate complaints of animal cruelty, and to make arrests. History.com notes that “As the pioneer and innovator of the humane movement, the ASPCA quickly became the model for more than 25 other humane organizations in the United States and Canada.”

By the time Bergh died in 1888, 37 of the 38 states in the Union [at that time] had passed anti-cruelty laws.”

The Grateful American Book Prize recommends A Traitor to His Species: Henry Bergh and the Birth of the Animal Rights Movement 1st Edition by Ernest Freeberg.

The feature is courtesy of The Grateful American Book Prize, which is an annual award given to authors who have created outstanding works of historical fiction or nonfiction for seventh to ninth graders.

Cool as Cucumber
By Pat Kite

Cucumbers lead an exciting life. Christopher Columbus took some to the Americas on his voyages of discovery. Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII, insisted on having cucumbers in her Spanish salads. The Roman emperor Tiberius insisted on having cucumbers on the table every day. To achieve this, workers apparently designed the first mobile growing containers to catch ample sun. In ancient Egypt, cucumbers were a common food. When the Israelites fled Egypt, the Old Testament states: “We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumber and melons….” Excavated cucumber seeds have been carbon dated back to 9750 B.C.

In the 1800s, physicians placed fever patients on a cucumber bed, so they would become “cool as a cucumber.” In Germany there is a saying “to cucumber one’s way through the countryside,” i.e., to drive around aimlessly. Ancient Romans apparently used cucumbers to treat bad eyesight, scare away mice, and treat scorpion bites. Women who wanted to get pregnant attached cucumbers to a waist belt.

Yes, globally cucumbers have also been a fertility symbol. In Asia, once upon a time, there was a King Sagara. He had two queens but no heir. A wise man informed that one queen would bear the king a son, and the other would give birth to a cucumber. King Sagara was disappointed at first. But the cucumber had 60,000 seeds. They transformed into 60,000 strong boys.

There are all kinds of stories and many cucumber preparations including slicing and pickling—cream-colored Dragon’s egg originated in Croatia; Parisian Pickling from France; Large rust-colored Sikkim hails from the Himalayas; Delikatesse from Germany; White Crystal Apple from China; and Richmond Green Apple from Australia.

You could have an entire garden of multihued cucumbers. Some need a lot of space, but there are bush varieties too. Cucumbers are easy to grow. Give them full sun and soil that drains easily. Add compost. Fertilize once a month. Since cucumbers are 96 percent water, you must keep them watered. Mulch to conserve water. Seedlings emerge in about a week, and cucumbers become adults in about 50 days.

Refrigerate promptly to preserve flavor. One little tip: Most cucumbers have both boy and girl flowers on the same plant. Male flowers donate the pollen; females create the cucumber after pollination. I once went around my garden with a Q-tip in case my plants were not feeling romantic.

I hope you like plants as much as I do and have enjoyed reading about a cucumber’s exciting life.

At Disney World, smiles will not be hidden for much longer
Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP), Apr 06 – At Walt Disney World, the smiles will not have to be hidden for much longer.

Starting Thursday, visitors to the theme park resort will be able to remove their masks temporarily for outdoor photos, the company said on its website.

The change tweaks a requirement that all workers and visitors age 2 and up wear masks except when they are actively eating or drinking, provided they are socially distanced and not moving about. The mask mandate includes those who already have been vaccinated.

Workers and visitors have been required to wear masks, get temperature checks upon arriving and follow social distancing markers while in line ever since the Florida theme park resort reopened last summer after closing for more than two months because of the pandemic.

‘Almost, Maine’ comes to Chanticleers Theatre
Submitted by Steve Wilner
Photos by Cathy Boucher, Chanticleers Theatre

Chanticleers Theatre in Castro Valley is thrilled to open our 2021 Season with the hysterical comedy “Almost, Maine,” by John Cariani, directed by Carl Smith, Jr., and produced by a special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. This online performance will run Friday, April 16 to Sunday, May 9.

Welcome to Almost, Maine, a town that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States—it’s almost in Canada. And it almost doesn’t exist. Because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it’s just…Almost.

One cold, clear Friday night in the middle of winter, while the northern lights hover in the sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. Love is lost, found, and confounded. And life for the people of Almost, Maine will never be the same.

Almost, Maine: It’s love. But not quite.

Players:
Kit Lanthier
Heather Warren
Henry Halkyard
Dan Allen

Almost, Maine
Friday, Apr 16 – Sunday, May 9
Online event
(Video available 48 hours starting from time of purchase)

Tickets: $20

Music At The Mission presents: “FLAUTISSIMA!”
Submitted by Vickilyn Hussey
Photos courtesy of Aileen Chanco and the artists

Music at the Mission’s virtual concert series continues on Saturday, April 17, with “Flautissima!” Guest artists from the San Francisco Symphony Linda Lukas, flute; and David Gaudry, viola, join Music at the Mission Chamber Players Rhonda Bradetich, flute; and Bill Everett, double bass, in a program revolving around a single fabulous instrument, the flute.

The oldest known instrument in the world is the Neanderthal flute, carved from bone over 40,000 years ago. The flute is found in cultures all over the world, from Japan’s shakuhachi to the Celtic fife, to the Maori nose flute. Bill Everett, Artistic Director of Music at the Mission, noted, “Composers from Bach to Stravinsky featured the flute in their music. Its versatility lent itself to Piazzolla’s tango, as well as Baroque era pieces played on traditional wooden instruments and modern instruments alike. And in the 19th century, the flute became known throughout Europe for the virtuosity of the players.”

“Beethoven composed for the flute and was the first to write for the piccolo in his symphonies. There’s also a wonderful contemporary piece on the program by Erwin Schulhoff that uses the piccolo with the viola and bass to create a folk-like sound inspired by his native Czechoslovakia.” The modern instruments played in Saturday’s concert are golden flutes, a spectacularly long way from that bone flute!

Gaudry and Bradetich open the concert with Briccialdi’s Duo Concertant, taking the instrument as far as it can physically go, in an enviable display of artistry thanks to both composition and performance. Briccialdi did, after all, have the reputation as “the Paganini of the flute.”

“For those of you who are regulars at Music at the Mission, you know that Astor Piazzolla is one of our favorite composers, in part because he brings many worlds together: the tango of his native Argentina, the jazz of America, and the classical music of Europe. ‘Fugat’ starts from a traditional Baroque world perspective and moves into what’s really a tango, and eventually ends up in a 20th Century perspective, a Stravinsky sound-world, where suddenly the music goes into three different keys at the same time,” Everett explained, humorously noting, “It’s my arrangement, so I hope you enjoy it.”

“As a tribute to our frontline workers, especially those of our own City of Fremont, we couldn’t think of anything better than ‘Hallelujah’ by the great singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, especially in this arrangement by Music at the Mission’s Steve Huber.” The flutes, the lower and deeper alto voice intertwining with the soprano, promise soulful reconnection.

The Serenade op.25 by Beethoven is the perfect way to conclude the concert, especially now that we’re celebrating spring in so many ways, “We hope for the rebirth of live performances, and look forward to welcoming you back into our venue where we’ll be able to make music with you in the room, again!”

After the concert, be sure to stay and enjoy Music at the Mission’s resident raconteur David Bonaccorsi in the post-concert “ZAP!” (a lively Zoom AfterParty) where viewers are treated to “the back story” and backstage stories.

Music at the Mission, a nonprofit organization, depends upon the generosity of individual donors, and corporate sponsors Fremont Bank, Robson Homes, James R. Griffin Construction, Washington Hospital Heathcare System, Ohlone Foundation, and Tri-City Voice. Music at the Mission also wishes to thank the “Flautissima!” film location sponsor Martha Mahuron.

Music at the Mission: Flautissima!
Saturday, Apr 17
4 pm Concert / 5 pm ZAP!
Available for 48 Hours
(510) 402-1724
www.musicatmsj.org
info@musicatmsj.org
Tickets: $25

PJs with Purpose –HERS Breast Cancer Foundation’s spring fundraiser
By Stephanie Gertsch

After a year, we are tired—of this pandemic, of waiting for our chance at a vaccine, and of a slew of virtual events that are still the safest form of social interaction. For their 2021 spring fundraiser, HERS Brest Cancer Foundation embraced this current mood and replaced their formal People with Purpose Gala with a livestreamed “Pink Pajama Party” where guests are encouraged to tune in wearing loungewear.

“We all need a little bit of self-care and a little bit of fun right now,” says Executive Director Tina Fernandez-Steckler. Registration to the event includes a party box of snacks and pampering items, and the program will have a prerecorded message from journalist and breast cancer survivor Joan Lunden. HERS patient Desiree Maldonado will also share her journey with lymphedema. In addition to prosthetics, bras, and wigs to breast cancer survivors, HERS supplies compression garments for this lesser-known but devastating side effect.

As part of her treatment for breast cancer in 2015, Maldonado had three lymph nodes removed from under her arm. The symptoms took her by surprise. She recounts, “A year post chemo, I had my first experience with lymphedema. I went on an airplane on a vacation, and when I came back my arm was just huge…I thought that my arm was swollen because I was walking a lot where I went. I thought my arm was swinging and that’s the side of my cancer surgery, so I had no clue.”

Lymph nodes help fluid circulate through the body; without them, fluid can build up painfully. “It’s uncomfortable,” notes Maldonado. “Especially when your fingers look like hot dogs and you can’t get that fluid out.”

However, many patients are completely unprepared. “About 20 percent of breast cancer survivors will experience lymphedema. Which is not a lot. So doctors don’t know a lot about lymphedema.” Although compression garments are a key part of treatment, HERS is one of the few places in Northern California that will bill insurance for them. A glove and sleeve can together can easily run $250, and need to be replaced every six months for patients experiencing flare ups. Specially-fitted garments are double or triple that price.

The treatment process was an ordeal for Maldonado. When she tried a fitting in Pleasanton she wasn’t in a good head space. “I was not excited about it. My attitude was not great. And I’m being completely honest—I just didn’t know what I was doing. I was frustrated: ‘I had cancer and now I have this crap?’”

On a recommendation from her mother-in-law, Maldonado decided to give the HERS Fremont location a try, and something just clicked. “My mind must have been in a better place because it was a whole different experience for me…I went in. It wasn’t just [Debra Stanley, Breast Care Specialist] that greeted me, it was other people. They had already kind of known my frustrations because I let them know on the phone. So they really did cater to my every need.”

HERS was able to cover the entire cost for several sets of custom-fitted compression garments. Maldonado remembers, “That was huge for me at the time because I was just coming out of all my chemo bills. It was crazy. And I was so blessed and surprised because I had no intention of getting anything for free, and I’m usually the person that does the fundraising for someone, so me being on the other end and receiving it was humbling.”

Since then, Maldonado has gone on to have more surgeries to treat lymphedema, with varying degrees of success. She remains an advocate for awareness of this condition.

Events like the Pink Pajama Party and the fall Walk/Run help HERS continue to serve breast cancer survivors. As always, the event will honor the year’s People with Purpose Awardees. In 2021, they are: retired Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty; Tammy Ballantyne, RN at the Infusion Center at Washington Hospital; Dutra Enterprises, Inc.; and Tri-City Voice Newspaper.

HERS is keeping the program lively and varied. A small group will broadcast live from a studio in Fremont and tune in at various points through the hour. Guests are encouraged to post photos of themselves in their pink-themed apparel to social media with the hashtag #pinkpjparty, and prizes will be given out. In addition to a live auction, guests will be entered for a chance to win a 65″ LG Smart TV, and they can purchase for $20 door prize tickets for a chance to win a pair of Air Pods Pro. HERS staff is also planning more creative outreach closer to the event—for example, starting a Tik-Tok channel and uploading videos of them dropping off party boxes.

Overall, HERS sends the message that you can support a serious cause while still having fun and taking care of yourself.

HERS Pink Pajama Party
Saturday, May 8
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Via HERS YouTube Channel
(510) 790-1911

Tickets: $100 (includes party box worth $60)

Victor Chen opens in-home bakery
By Andrew Cavette

There are days when Victor Chen has to kick his entire family out of the kitchen. He doesn’t do this because he wants some alone time; according to Alameda County permit guidelines for operating a cottage bakery, he must.

Chen runs a cottage food, micro-bakery, Victory Bakeshop, out of his home in Fremont. On baking day, he and his wife prep their home to function without access to their kitchen. Chen will then be sealed off from the rest of the apartment with plastic sheets over the doorway. His wife and child (and a mini fridge in the hall) will have to go it alone for the day.

Chen thinks this inconvenient shuffle is worth it for a chance to sell the bread that he loves. “I’ve lived in places with great bread culture,” Chen said. “Places where people can find a fresh loaf of bread right in their neighborhood. That’s something I wanted to bring to Fremont.”

Chen wanted to start small, very small and the recent home/cottage food business permit the county offers, allows him to do that. First offered in Alameda County in 2013, the permits are very restrictive. Without a professional kitchen, foods permitted for public sale are few. Some common permitted foods are cookies, dried fruit and granola.

“Bread is one of the safest items [permitted]. I cannot prepare meat or make jams or do anything with cream,” Chen said. “I can’t just make whatever I want.”

While cottage food business permits are relatively new in Alameda County, the cottage food business idea has been around for much longer. Chen said that for anyone who wants to start a cottage business, there are many more resources than there were ten years ago. He read several books before he started and referenced online resources, so called “cottage food colleges” during the planning stage of his business.

“Do your homework. Every county is different,” Chen said. “And it’s very important to follow the guidelines for your county. Especially during the pandemic…When I started…there were a lot of questions regarding what food safety looks like during COVID19.”

Anyone wishing to start a cottage home food business has to show the county samples of the foods they will sell. They must also submit their package labels describing allergens. Chefs and the bakers making food under the cottage food business permit need to be certified; they need to prove to the county that they know what they are doing.

Chen has been working in hospitality for over a decade and went to baking school in San Francisco. He has worked in New York City and locally at Kitchentown in San Mateo. He started his home kitchen out of his Warm Springs neighborhood in Fremont, taking his first order in March, 2021.

“I’ve had a lot of support from people in the neighborhood,” Chen said. “Business has been picking up. Most of [my customers] are within a couple of miles from me. Some of my neighbors just walk across our apartment complex to pick up their order.”

Victory Bakeshop sells sourdough loaves and baguettes. Chen’s sourdough starter (the live culture of flour and water at the heart of any sourdough bread) was created in Fremont.

“It takes about two to three weeks to create a starter. I’ve been baking with mine for about a year now,” Chen said. He has two types of starters for the different breads he sells. “Both of my starters were created and… I guess, nurtured… in the Fremont air. That taste profile is something that I wanted.”

Victory Bakeshop is open to everyone. The pickup address in Warm Springs is given when your order is ready. Pick up times are Wednesday and Thursday, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Orders can be placed via www.victorybakeshop.com.

Those who want to learn more about the cottage food industry in Alameda can go to the county’s website at: https://deh.acgov.org/operations/cottage-food.page.

Victory Bakeshop
Located in the Warm Springs Area of Fremont
Location give when order is ready

Pickup Times:
Wednesdays: 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

www.victorybakeshop.com

Citizens’ Oversight Committee to ensure proper spending
Submitted by Emma Tozer

Recently, the City Council of Union City approved Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci’s appointment of five members to the independent citizens’ oversight committee responsible for reviewing and reporting to the public on the city’s use of monies raised through voter-approved revenue measures.

Two local revenue measures approved by a majority of Union City residents over the last decade require the city to maintain an oversight committee composed of local residents to ensure funds are spent properly and as promised.

Measure AA provides approximately $5.5 million annually to the city to “prevent severe cuts and maintain essential services such as police, fire, paramedic, library, streets, parks and other services.” Measure WW, a general 5% utility users’ tax on electricity, gas, video, and telecommunication services, provides an approximate $5.5 million each year to support essential services, including social services for youth, families, and seniors. Measure WW provides funding to continue services funded by the Public Safety Parcel Tax, which is set to expire in 2021.

For efficiency, the city council appointed a single oversight committee to oversee and provide annual reports on revenue and expenditures from both measures. The oversight committee is comprised of one representative from the city’s Human Relations Commission, Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Senior Commission, and one citizen member at-large. Oversight committee members will serve two-year terms and meet every six months to ensure funds are being spent to maintain service levels in accordance with the council’s adopted budget. The committee will report its findings to the council at a public meeting annually.

“We are very fortunate to have five longtime Union City residents who know the needs of our city and understand our city budget that are willing to serve in this important oversight capacity,” said Dutra-Vernaci. “We take delivering on our promises very seriously, and these highly-respected members of our community will make sure we do what we said we would do with the public’s money.”

The members appointed to serve the next two-year term are:
• Ray Gonzalez, Jr., Planning Commission
• Estrelita Munsayac, Senior Commission
• Daniel Rivera, Parks and Recreation Commission
• Kashmir Singh Shahi, Human Relations Commission
• Robert Singer, Citizen Member At-large

The oversight committee will meet in late spring and establish a regular meeting and reporting schedule. Oversight committee reports will be published and archived on the city’s website at www.unioncity.org.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program is Open
Submitted by City of Fremont

On April 7, City of Fremont announced the Keep Fremont Housed Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which will aid eligible low-to-moderate income households who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to pay their rent and utilities.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has granted the city $7,168,619 in funding, which may be used to pay unpaid back rent, prospective rent for up to 12 months, and past-due utility bills. Households receiving prospective rent must be re-certified every three months.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has put strains on our community’s most basic of human needs, shelter,” said Mayor Lily Mei. “The City of Fremont and I are grateful to distribute this federal grant in Fremont to provide this critical resource for our renters, most impacted economically by the global pandemic, much-needed rent relief.”

To be eligible, renter households need to have at least one or more individuals meet the following requirements:
• Be a Fremont resident
• Have household income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI)
• Qualify for unemployment, have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 on or after March 13, 2020
• Demonstrate risk of experiencing housing instability or homelessness

Eligible households that include an individual who has been unemployed for 90 days before the application or with an income at or below 50 percent of the AMI will be prioritized, as well as households that are rent burdened by paying 50 percent or more of their total income toward rental costs. Applicants who are approved for funding will be notified and have checks directly sent to their landlords.

Fremont plans to utilize a Bay Area Community Services (BACS) Homeless Prevention Platform to administer the initiative. This platform will streamline electronic submissions and applicant prioritization, and maintain data to meet federal reporting requirements.

The application portal is open and the following organizations can help applicants who need language assistance completing the application:

• Kidango: Punjabi/Hindi: (510) 725-8109
• Spanish: (510) 229-8197
• East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC): Korean (510) 414-2700, Spanish: (510) 410-8392, English/Punjabi/Hindi/Urdu: (510) 491-6699
• Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL): English/Spanish: (510) 881-5743 English/Dari/Farsi: (510) 257-5942
• Afghan Coalition: Dari: (209) 834-6494

To learn more about the rental assistance program and how to submit an online application, sign up to receive updates at Fremont.gov/RentalAssistanceList and visit www.fremont.gov/KeepFremontHoused. For any other details, call the Fremont Family Resource Center at (510) 574-2028.

Keep Fremont Housed Emergency Rental Assistance
Application Portal Open
(510) 574-2028
www.fremont.gov/KeepFremontHoused
Fremont.gov/RentalAssistanceList
Fremont city council
April 6, 2021

Consent Calendar:
• Second amendment on-call tree trimming, maintenance & general groundwork & debris maintenance services with Brightview Tree Care Services and West Coast Arborists.
• Downtown event center furniture – award contract to Bernards Office Furniture, Inc. in the amount of $295,882 (plus 15% contingency) for the purchase of furniture and associated costs for the City of Fremont downtown event center and plaza project.
• Authorize agreement with New Image Landscape Company.

Ceremonial Items:
•Proclamation: “Happiest City in America” presented by Supervisor Haubert

Oral Communications:
• Comments on systemic racism.

Items Removed from Consent Calendar:
• Second reading and adoption of an ordinance of the City of Fremont rezoning a 6.08-acre site from I-S (service industrial) with historic overlay district (HOD) to R-3-14 (medium density residential) (HOD), to allow development of a new 75-unit residential subdivision (37899 Niles Boulevard PASSED 5-2 (Nay: Kassan, Shao)
• Amendment to noise ordinance – introduce ordinance repealing and replacing chapter 9.25.
• Agreement with Khit Consulting for electronic health record support.
• Authorize contract with the City of Oakland to accept Alameda County-Oakland Community Action Partnership Grant funding; and appropriate additional funds.
• Approve service agreement with Syserco Inc. in the amount not to exceed $368,313 for support services and part purchases for the city’s energy management system.
• Authorize a service agreement in the amount not to exceed $200,000 with Cyclehop LLC, dba “HOPR” to provide shared micromobility services in the City of Fremont, including shared pedal bikes, electric bikes, and scooters, with funding provided through a grant from the metropolitan transportation commission.
• Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program – Keep Fremont Housed. Execute agreement with Bay Area Community Services (BACS), accepting additional funds through the State of California.

Scheduled Items:
•Public Hearing to consider the planning commission’s recommendation to adopt a resolution amending the general plan land use diagram to clarify the boundaries of various land use designations and zoning districts citywide. Following council discussion, consider downtown retail changes at a later date.

Other Business:
•Presentation of Washington Hospital community health needs assessment [community health needs assessment (CHNA)], performed every three years.

Mayor Lily Mei, Mayor Aye
Vice Mayor Yang Shao, District 4 Aye, 1 Nay
Teresa Keng, District 1 Aye
Rick Jones, District 2 Aye
Jenny Kassan, District 3 Aye, 1 Nay
Raj Salwan, District 5 Aye
Teresa Cox, District 6 Aye
Milpitas City Council
April 6, 2021

Proclamations:
• April was proclaimed as Vietnamese-American Heritage Month.
• April 11 – 17 was proclaimed as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

Announcements:
• Milpitas is starting in-home COVID-19 vaccination program, starting on April 14.
• Lauren Lai has been appointed the new Finance Director.
• Milpitas Library is opening its doors starting April 11.

Consent Calendar:
• Approved the allocation of Transportation Development Act (TDA), Article 3 Funding for the City’s American Disability Act (ADA) Curb Ramp Transition Program.
• Authorized Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Urban Field Studio for the Milpitas Metro Specific Plan (TASP Update).
• Approved the City’s Grant Application from the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSmart Small-Scale Water Efficiency Project Grant Program.
• Approved amendment to the Agreement with the City of San Jose for Animal Services, adding a fourth year to the three-year agreement.
• Approved the Assignment and Assumption Agreement with Milpitas Unified School District for Roadway Easement and Public Service Utility Easements for the Widening of McCandless Drive.
• Approved a Professional Services Agreement with Silicon Valley Independent Living Center for the management of the Santa Clara County Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) grant for the Milpitas Rent Relief Program.
• Adopted a resolution supporting Project and Program Submission for Federal American Jobs Plan Funding.
• Approved appointments for the Community Advisory Commission, the Economic Development and Trade Commission, the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Commission, and the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Commission.
• Discussed an Amendment to the Existing Ordinance for Third-Party Food Delivery Vendor Services to Prohibit Regulatory Response Fees.

Public Hearings:
• Following a public hearing approved the 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Program for the City.
• Following a public hearing approved the draft FY 2019-2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)’s Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER); and submission of the approved draft FY 2019-2020 CAPER to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to comply with CDBG requirements.

Community Development:
• Received a presentation on the status of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Milpitas and the City’s efforts to increase Accessory Dwelling Units production, and provided further guidance.
• Received a presentation on bike and scooter share options and policy considerations for local jurisdictions and provided direction on a future pilot program.

Other Business:
• Held preliminary discussions on providing a second round of Small Business grants using CDBG and Federal funds to help small businesses and Day Care Centers.

Rich Tran (Mayor) Aye
Carmen Montano (Vice Mayor) Aye
Anthony Phan Aye
Karina Dominguez Aye
Evelyn Chua Aye

San Leandro City Council
April 5, 2021

Recognitions & Proclamations:
• Recognizing Marie Watson on her 100th birthday.
• Honoring the American Red Cross.
• Recognizing April 11-17, 2021 as National Telecommunications Week.
• Recognizing National Autism Month.
• Declaring April 2021 as Fair Housing Month in San Leandro.

Announcement:
• Mayor Cutter said the community engagement process and interviews for the final three City Manager candidates has been completed. The candidates will be evaluated by the City Council in a closed session and a selection will be announced soon.

Public comments:
• A citizen said she is still waiting for disciplinary action against the police officer involved in the death of Steven Taylor; she also asked the council to look at the Mental Health First health program used in Oakland, saying it might work in San Leandro. Another citizen expressed disappointment in the lack of racial diversity in the public interview panel for the City Manager candidates.

Consent calendar:
• Motion nominating Jia Wu as District 2 Representative to the Senior Commission.
• Motion nominating Katherine Frates as an At-large Representative to the Senior Commission.
• Motion nominating Marci Dillon as an At-large Representative to the Senior Commission.
• Motion accepting the Notice of Draft Amendments to the Conflict-of-Interest code for the 2021 Calendar Year pursuant to Government Code section 87306.5 and directing the City Clerk to publish the Notice of Intent.
• Ordinance adding Section 1-2-111 to the San Leandro Municipal Code relating to electronic and paperless filing of Fair Political Practices Commission Campaign Disclosure Statements.
• Approve a Consulting Services Agreement with Fehr & Peers for an amount not to exceed $349,248 for the Crosstown Class IV Corridors Study; authorize Individual Agreement Amendments Up to 10% ($34,925); and authorize Cumulative Agreement Amendments Up to 15% ($52,387) and appropriate $349,248 of Special Grant Funds and $97,639 of Measure BB Street Funds for the total project budget of $446,887 in Fiscal Year 2020-21 (authorizes City Manager to enter into a CSA with Fehr & Peers to prepare a planning study for the Class IV Corridors along Bancroft Avenue and Williams Street).
• Submit a Federal Grant Fund Application, as a Subrecipient to Alameda County Flood Control District; and designate the City Manager as the authorized agent to execute Federal Grant Applications, in support of securing Federal Grant Funding for the Neptune Drive Shoreline Flood Protection Project 2016.0700.
• Accept the work for the annual street sealing 2019-2020 — Curb Ramp Upgrade Phase Project, Project No. 2020.0070 (provides for acceptance of the work performed by FBD Vanguard Construction, Inc, filing the Notice of Completion, releasing the Performance and Payment Bonds, and releasing the Maintenance Bond upon completion of the one-year maintenance period).
• Adjust the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget to add a full-time Administrative Assistant III to the City Clerk Division of the City Manager’s Office.
• Appropriate $24,100 from the Shoreline Fund Balance to the Shoreline Operating Account 597-57-003-5340 for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.
• Extend the Proclamation of Local Emergency and State of Emergency by the city’s Director of Emergency Services pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630 and Public Contract Code Section 22050(c) because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Action items
• Amend City of San Leandro Municipal Code to change the start time for regular City Council meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with an end time of 10:00 p.m. PASSED 6-1 with Mayor Cutter voting no.
• Approve amendments to the City of San Leandro Administrative Code and to the City Council Handbook to implement ways the City Council can promote greater efficiency in its meetings. Unanimously approved.

Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter Aye, 1 Nay
Pete Ballew Aye
Vice Mayor Victor Aguilar Aye
Bryan Azevedo Aye
Fred Simon Aye
Deborah Cox Aye
Corina Lopez Aye

Cut and Plant
By Daniel O'Donnell

One of the world’s oldest known living trees that was a seedling when the Egyptian pyramids were being built is a bristlecone pine called “Methuselah.” It is just over 4,750 years old, and people want it to be around for future generations to enjoy.

Cuttings to produce clones would be the only way to ensure that the tree could live on indefinitely. The process for creating successful cuttings needed to be performed in top university agricultural labs. Methuselah is not the only plant that someone might want to clone. Many people have a special plant that was given to them on a special occasion or passed down from a relative, and they would like to keep it for future generations. Fortunately, cloning one of these plants does not have to be done in the laboratory; it can be done by a stem cutting.

Propagation from cuttings is a technique that has been used for thousands of years. Plato wrote about cloning fruit trees. There are numerous ways of producing another plant from cuttings. Root cuttings produce new stems, and leaf cuttings produce both stems and roots. Both techniques work well on the limited number of plants that allow for propagation these two ways.

Growing new plants from stem cuttings has a much wider list of candidates to choose from and is often easier. The new plant will be genetically identical to the parent plant and thus a clone while a plant grown from seed has the genetic material of two or more parent plants.

There are four growth stages of a plant stem. Different plants might only root from cuttings on one or two of the stages. Herbaceous cuttings are taken from the soft stems of non-woody plants. Softwood cuttings are taken from the new growth on woody plants. Semi-hardwood cuttings are cut from the partially mature wood of the current season’s growth. Hardwood cuttings are removed from dormant mature woody stems.

In addition, there are three types of hardwood cuttings. A straight cut is self-explanatory. A heeling cut includes a small section of last season’s older wood at the bottom of newer wood. A mallet cut includes an entire section of the older wood branch that the new stem emerged from.

Most stem cuttings except hardwood should be taken in spring when plants initiate their most prolific growth. However, some cuttings, such as those from conifers, root in the fall. Stem cuttings should be taken from healthy flowerless non-fertilized plants. Excess nitrogen can inhibit rooting.

Stems cut early in the morning when the plant is fully hydrated, or turgid, have the best potential for rooting since they start the process in their strongest state. Some plants such as hibiscus, need to be cut on the budding node to induce rooting. Usually, cuttings taken from young plants root better than those from older plants, and stems cut from lateral shoots often root better than ones cut from larger main or terminal branches.

A stem cutting should be about six inches long. All the larger leaves should be picked off the cutting if there are smaller new ones below, except for hardwood stem cuttings because they have no leaves. The top three or four leaves should be left for cuttings that have only mature larger leaves. Some stem cuttings will need to have the outer bark softly scraped away from the lower two to three inches.

The final optional step before placing the cutting in its rooting medium is to dip it in a purchased rooting hormone. This will increase the stimulation for root growth. Some homemade rooting compounds can be used to stimulate root growth. Apple cider vinegar, honey, aloe vera gel, aspirin, and water boiled with willow leaves are considered helpful in encouraging a stem cutting to root.

Once the stem cutting is prepared, it is ready to be placed into a medium to begin the rooting process. Cuttings can be rooted directly in water or a well-draining substance like sand. Not all cuttings root well in water. The ones that do will need to have the water changed every few days.

Cuttings placed in sand or a well-draining soil will need to be keep moist. Humidity is key to rooting stem cuttings, so covering them with a clear lid or surrounding them with other plants is necessary. Whether rooting in water or sand, cuttings should be placed out of direct sunlight. Once roots have formed, the plant should be potted for a few months before being planted in the garden.

It is best to research online about the specific requirements a particular plant needs for it to root from a stem cutting. It is a fun and inexpensive way to share a loved plant with friends and family now and for the future.

Daniel O'Donnell is the co-owner and operator of an organic landscape design/build company in Fremont. www.Chrysalis-Gardens.com

Letter to the Editor

Without our consent

Whether or not, we, the human species, consent to 24 hour “5G (5th generation) Wi-Fi” – wireless microwaving of our bodies and the still developing bodies of our children, involuntarily we are over-exposed to unprecedented “electromagnetic rain,” “generated by unregulated technologies.”

Electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) are generated by cellphones, cellphone towers, computers, powerlines, electrical wiring, television, microwave ovens, “smart utilities” (smart meters), etc. How can we avoid this unprecedented, massive unregulated “EMF” exposure? We cannot.

Although, you may not elect to use a “smartphone” or computer at home, it has been said that “we are all living inside a computer.” Not just human life, but animal, plant and insect life – all life on Earth is at extreme risk due to manmade, modulated electronic signals from all the “clever” technology we all “cannot live without.”

Why are we willing to replace our natural “Garden of Eden” here on Earth with “artificial intelligence – A.I.” and “6G – sixth generation of high-speed wireless” – The Internet of Things? (Not “people.”)

Thousands of satellites have already been launched into space to power-up “6G” wireless. They will energize driverless vehicles and industrial robotics. When A.I dominates the world job markets, will signs in business windows say, “NO humans need apply”?

Think about it.

Mary Gomez
Hayward
LETTER TO THE EDITOR

One Man’s Dream, Another’s Nightmare

The United States has been a refuge for millions of people, but not all peoples. In the beginning, the English Isles’ Puritans, Quakers and Presbyterians settled, fleeing persecution; later came the Irish, Scottish and Germans, fleeing famine and instability; most recently came Koreans, Somalis, Vietnamese, Filipinos, and Hmong, among others, fleeing conflict initiated and sustained by the United States in their home countries. For many, relocation to the U.S. represents a shot at the American Dream, yet this dream is impossible without forcing on someone else a terrible nightmare.

Native Americans in New England, starting with the Wampanoag, were killed by unfamiliar pathogens, European-introduced war, and land seizure by opportunistic European settlers. For the next three hundred years, the native inhabitants—human, plant and animal—were subject to catastrophic changes, introduced entirely by Western expansionism. One such import, the American version of slavery, was uniquely cruel, since it abolished the familiar practice of manumission, and crushed the dreams of both Native Americans and West Africans. The hopes of oppressed Northern European immigrants required either the eviction of the original inhabitants or the schizoid capitalization of a fellow human for their entire life, often both.

A familiar term, “Go Westward Young Man” and programs like Germany’s Verein zum Schutze Deutscher Einwanderer in Texas (Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas) pitched the promise of a new start, while hiding the requisite sacrifice of peoples, their labor, and therefore their freedom.

In today’s global supply chain, there is a saying “Let the Germans design it, Chinese manufacture it, Americans market it.” This country has a fabulous skill of marketing one thing as something else entirely. Dave Chappelle, one of our country’s greatest and most insightful storytellers, calls it “the age of spin.” I suspect this ability is the progeny of the mental gymnastics that were required for defense of the brutal subjugation of a slightly different shade of man.

Let’s acknowledge our own role. As East Bay residents, we are not innocent. We pay hundreds of thousands for a piece of land once belonging to someone else, stripped from them without compensation. Let’s not let the lies told to us drive our lifestyle decisions any longer. The American Dream requires an equally great Nightmare, and the only way out of both is to wake up.

Grant Shaffer
Fremont

Area dentist appointed to Dental Board of California
Submitted by Governor's Press Office

On April 7, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Steven D. Chan of Fremont to the Dental Board of California. Chan, 69, has been associate dentist at Jonathan Chang, D.M.D. since 2013. He was a dentist in private practice from 1982 to 2013. Chan is a member of the American College of Dentists, California Dental Association, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and American Dental Association.

He earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Chan is registered without party preference.

Honor Roll

University of the Sciences, Pennsylvania
Fall 2020 Dean’s List
• Krupa Patel of Fremont

Alameda Poet Laureate
Submitted by Books on B

Sign up for the chance to display your love of poetry! Applications for the Youth Poet Laureate program will be accepted until Friday, April 30, 2021.

To be eligible for the competition you must:
• Be an Alameda County resident, but not live in Oakland.
• For residents of Oakland, visit the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Chapter. (Oakland Public Library website)
• Be between the ages of 13-18 as of May 1, 2021.
• Be available to serve as Laureate for the program year: August 6, 2021 to August 5, 2022 by living locally and not enrolled in college full time during the tenure.

Sign up at the Alameda County Library website: https://aclibrary.org/. Poems will be judged on content, craft, and voice. If you advance to the final round, applicants are also judged on leadership and performance. Finalists will be announced at the end of July.

The Alameda County Library will also be hosting two online question and answer sessions on:
Tuesday, April 13; 1 p.m. -2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 27; 1 p.m. -2 p.m.

If you have any additional questions, email ypl@aclibrary.org.

Racism: Until Black women are free, none of us will be free
Submitted by Teresa Schmidt

Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Center for Education & Spirituality presents: RACISM-Until Black Women Are Free, None of Us Will Be Free, a Zoom program presented by Fr. Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.

Exploring the intersection of racism, sexism, gender bias, class, and economic disparity, Black Women’s American Experience illustrates the systemic nature of racism and the ill effects of such oppression on society. We will explore this painful history from a Womanist perspective. This session reviews and continues our reflection on the article: My Body is a Confederate Monument. (Article will be sent to those who register.)

Fr. Thomas P Bonacci, C.P. is the executive director of the Interfaith Peace Project. Bonacci was ordained in 1972 for the Passionist Religious Order of the Roman Catholic Church, and is recognized for his scriptural scholarship.

There will be two opportunities to join this event: on April 20 and 21. Donations are gratefully accepted. This will help support the ongoing work of the Center for Education and Spirituality. Link and material for the series will be sent before the first session. Call (510) 933-6360 for more information.

RSVP by April 19 at: https://ces-event.myshopify.com/products/racism-until-black-women-are-free-none-of-us-will-be-free

RACISM-Until Black Women are free, none of us will be free
Tuesday, Apr 20
7 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Apr 21
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

RSVP by Apr 19
(510) 933-6360
www.msjdominicans.org
Tickets: $15

New Schedule: CleanStart Mobile Hygiene Unit
Submitted by City of Fremont

In September 2019, City of Fremont, City of Newark, and several community partners developed the CleanStart Mobile Hygiene Program to provide much-needed shower and laundry services to homeless community members.

The program is now available at seven sites throughout Fremont, Newark, and Union City. Beginning April 12, the schedule for the CleanStart Mobile Hygiene Unit will be changing. In addition to mobile shower and laundry services, participants receive access to clothing donations, hygiene kits, and cold weather gear. To view the schedule, visit www.fremont.gov/CleanStart.

Revised CleanStart Schedule
No service: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Mondays
www.fremont.gov/CleanStart

Job Opportunities with Recreation Services
Submitted by City of Fremont

City of Fremont Recreation Services Division is hiring field monitors, lifeguards, tennis instructors, and more. If you are a motivated individual seeking a summer job to supplement your income or strengthen your resume, these positions could be great way to gain valuable experience, develop critical skills, and create lasting friendships. Hours are flexible with day, evening, and weekend shifts available.

Browse current openings and apply online at www.Fremont.gov/RecJobs. For more information, call (510) 494-4347 or email RecJobs@fremont.gov.

Summer Recreation Jobs
(510) 494-4347
www.Fremont.gov/RecJobs
RecJobs@fremont.gov

From Film to Digital: A Lifetime of Service – Profile on Len Cook
By Radhika Sharma

Celebrated photographer and teacher Len Cook’s artistic journey is nothing short of remarkable. In the film days of his 47-year career, Cook shot and developed over a quarter-million news images and taught and mentored hundreds of students.

Semi-retired now, Cook is famed for his expertise and his generosity in sharing his craft. When asked about the start of his journey, Cook reminisces, “I was a hobbyist as a youth! As an English major in Massachusetts, I went to work on a student newspaper. Soon I took a picture that ran on the front page. When I looked at the photo in the newspaper and saw the photo credit, ‘Photo by Len Cook,’ I realized instantly that this was where my future lay!”

Cook transferred to what was then known as San Jose State College and went on to become a photojournalist. After his graduation, Cook settled in Fremont, working as chief photographer and director of photography. He notes that the timing was good when he started commercial work, and established a studio in Fremont that he closed just before the start of 2020.

Cook is also a distinguished teacher. He taught classes at Chabot College for seven years, and one of his student photography groups on meetup.com had over 2,000 members. He gave over 200 classes before closing his studio. Cook’s vast teaching experience gives several insights. He notes that, “While times have changed, from print to digital, many of the student motivations remain the same. Students are interested in pictures that capture memories of families and beautiful moments. Others are interested in the processing aspect. Those students love to see the dark room and find magic in those moments. Some are interested because they love the gadgets and enjoy handling the lenses etc., and become collectors.”

Cook respects all the reasons that bring students to photography and is extremely skilled at developing a finished picture, be it via film or through Adobe Photoshop. He has earned the Adobe Photoshop certified instructor credential.

For those interested in learning about photography through their phone camera, Cook encourages them to attend an upcoming event on Wednesday, April 28, via the Olive Hyde Art Guild. In this class, Cook will teach techniques relating to how to use the camera phone to your advantage, how to navigate its angles and various options, and avoid common mistakes.

Many of Cook’s archives are housed in the library in the Oakland Museum, and over the years he has photographed the Super Bowl, World Series, and NBA championships.

Cook has also photographed several notable public personalities. He shares, “Once I had the opportunity to photograph Dr. Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine. When I came home at the end of the day and called my father to tell him, my father burst into tears… ‘The man is a saint,’ [he] said.”

Cook offers advice for budding photographers. “Take lots of pictures! Make your objective be to become a better photographer today than yesterday…Remember any camera that stays at home takes lousy pictures! So, take your camera with you.”

To learn more about Len Cook’s event at the Olive Hyde Art Guild, visit:
https://olivehydeartguild.org/news-events/upcoming-programs/.

Photos of friends and family: Give them your best!
Wednesday, Apr 28
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Via Zoom
Register in advance by emailing: ohag-photo-zoom@lens.photos

April online happenings from Niles Film Museum
Submitted by Niles Essanay

This month we are in San Francisco getting all shook up and also taking a ride on the cable cars in “Our Annual Earthquake Anniversary Show” from Saturday, April 17 – Sunday, April 18. Links to films and presentations will become active at 12:01 a.m. on each day of the weekend – if the event is a live Zoom presentation, a time will be provided.

Saturday, April 17

A Trip Down Market Street (1906)
A beautiful 4K transfer (you may have seen it before but this version is awesome).

The Destruction of San Francisco (Blackhawk)
A collection of movies of the aftermath of the quake taken by several studios including Edison, Biograph, and Pathe.

The Damndest Finest Ruins
This film by James Dalessandro examines the 1906 earthquake and fire, which burned for three days. With restored silent film footage, rare archival photographs, and the remastered voice of Enrico Caruso, it challenges the official story of what happened on those terrible days.
Link available on the website now!

Film: San Francisco Cable Cars
A fascinating and comprehensive full length 2017 documentary on the present-day Cable Car system in San Francisco. This well researched film covers a 140-year history, showing how the system works with actual film footage taken in the powerhouse and underground. Includes interviews with knowledgeable historians and experts, and the people who still work with the cars every day.

This film is rentable for $3.50. Strephon Taylor is a small business owner with November Fire. Please help support his efforts in this independent production.

Live Zoom: All About Cable Cars
5 p.m.
Filmmaker Strephon Taylor will discuss the movie using your questions on Zoom! His wife, Heather Taylor will facilitate the session.

Sunday April 18

World Re-Premiere Film: Lubin footage of post San Francisco Earthquake

Presentation:
David Kiehn will talk about various film studios’ Post-Earthquake footage from the Miles brothers to the Lubin Studio and several others’ attempts to capture the vast destruction of San Francisco and will share 150 feet of previously unseen panoramic footage taken of Mason Street after the earthquake.

Hal Mohr talks about the Miles Brothers
The George Eastman Museum has released audio interviews that George Pratt did with various celebrities and crew members in 1958. Hal Mohr, who was born in San Francisco and worked in the Bay Area before his Hollywood career as a cinematographer.
Link available on the website now!

Extra:
Morley Safer and one of his favorite segments of the 919 he did for 60 Minutes (hint: it involves Market Street).

Live Zoom
5 p.m.
David Kiehn, the Niles Film Museum’s historian was interviewed by news man Morley Safer on 60 Minutes back in 2010 bringing national attention to his findings about the long-seen but little known about film A Trip Down Market Street. He will be joined by other participants in that 12-minute piece: Rick Prelinger, Rick Laubscher, Scott Miles, and Dwane Miles.

April online happenings from Niles Film Museum
Saturday, Apr 17 – Sunday, Apr 18
Accessible online starting at 12:01 a.m. on the day; live Zoom sessions are specified
Links available at: https://nilesfilmmuseum.org/

Ohlone College hosts discussion about crime against Asian American and Pacific Islander community
By Ashley Tosh
Photo courtesy of Ohlone College Foundation

With hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community continuing to increase across the nation, Ohlone College hosted a Zoom discussion on April 8 with four Bay Area leaders, moderated by KPIX Reporter Betty Yu. Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, Newark Mayor Al Nagy, Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci, and Superintendent and President of Ohlone Community College Eric Bishop spoke about eliminating these crimes and eradicating racism in our community.

Each leader discussed what they have already done to address this problem. Dutra stated that Union City has an active Human Relations Committee and Hate Crime Division working towards finding solutions. The city is currently polling its community members to gauge their level of awareness and concern regarding this problem, and will use this information to launch a five-year diversity plan.

The city of Newark passed a resolution in March stating that hate crimes towards the AAPI community will not be tolerated. Nagy said that although Newark hasn’t been impacted as much as other cities in Alameda County, “An affront to one community really is an affront to all, and we can’t remain silent.”

Mei encouraged citizens to report any incidents of hate crimes, and to “not be a bystander, be an upstander.” Since the pandemic began, she has worked with the city of Fremont to provide support to AAPI restaurants and businesses who were being targeted, by using the press and media to express love in the community instead of hate.

President Bishop and Ohlone College passed an anti-xenophobic and hate resolution, with a specific resolution for the AAPI community forthcoming. They also instituted additional campus police patrols and increased counseling offerings. Bishop emphasized the importance of leading through education, and integrating different cultures in all subjects at the school. “It’s a much more foundational and fundamental effort we have to make [to] take that diversity and integrate it in every subject,” he said. Ohlone teachers are now undergoing training to learn how to incorporate diversity in their curriculum.

Mei mentioned that Fremont’s research shows the people committing these hate crimes are of all ethnicities and genders. To unite members of the community, she plans to host an event (COVID permitting) where people can share their stories of being confronted with racism and discuss how to enact change.

Union City is hosting a “Town Hall Event” on Saturday, April 17 at the Island Pacific Supermarket from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include members of the police department and city personnel; community members are encouraged to participate in the discussion.

All four leaders highlighted how important it is to continue conversations, even if difficult. They encourage everyone to be intentional about ending racism, whether smiling at strangers to make them feel welcome or asking others to share their experiences and learning from them. They urge each individual to be a part of the solution.

Summer Day Camp Programs registration open
Submitted by City of San Leandro Public Information Office

The City of San Leandro will host two summer day camp programs. COVID-19 safety guidelines and procedures will be administered during camp to maintain proper safety protocols.

Chabot Day Camp serves youth entering grades K-9 in addition to Counselor-in-Training and Junior Counselor programs for those entering grades 10-12. Daily activities include enriching games and activities designed with each child's health and safety in mind. Camp daily hours are 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. with an extended care option from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Lunch is included daily. Chabot Day Camp is from June 14 through August 6.

Camp Hooty Hoo will be hosted at Bonaire Park this summer, serving youth entering grades K-12. Daily activities will provoke amusement and excitement as campers enjoy the outdoor environment, play sports and games, create art, and so much more. Camp daily hours are 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Lunch is included daily. Camp Hooty Hoo is from June 21 through August 6.
Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Registration opened on Thursday, April 1, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. for San Leandro residents and on Thursday, April 8, 2021, for non-residents.

Chabot Day Camp
Grades K-9
Monday, Jun 14 – Friday, Aug 6
8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Extended care: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Chabot Park
1698 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro

Camp Hooty Hoo
Grades K-12
Monday, Jun 21 – Friday, Aug 6
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Bonaire Park
14843 Juniper St., San Leandro

Please register at SanLeandroRec.org.
RecLINK scholarships are available for San Leandro residents at https://www.sanleandro.org/depts/rec/programs/reclink.asp.

Congratulations for Alameda County Science Fair winners!
Submitted by Our Lady of Guadalupe School

During distance learning, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s (OLG) teachers have capitalized on their student’s interest in science and engineering. This past winter, OLG middle schoolers moved forward with their annual science projects. Despite the lack of in-person learning and with the help of their teachers’ remote guidance and support, three eighth graders and one seventh grader entered and won second and third places in the Alameda County Science Fair.

Prior to shelter in place, OLG’s students would have first entered the Oakland Diocesan Science Fair, and then, depending on their results, moved on to the Alameda County Science Fair. This year our students entered the Alameda County Fair directly by submitting their projects and then being interviewed about them.

Congratulations to eighth graders Tia Fernandes, with her Second-Place winning project “iBubble Your Virtual Math Assistant” in the Mathematics & Computer Sciences category, and Tannon Huston, with his Third Place project, “Water Savior” in the Energy and Environmental Earth Sciences category.

Congratulations also to eighth grader, Kaleb Nguyen, with his “Stop the Spray” project, and seventh grader, Kelsea Espinosa, with her “How Protected Are We” project. Both received Third Place in Animal and Human Biological Sciences!

Currently, Our Lady of Guadalupe School is open with over 75% of its students at school learning in person and the others learning virtually. OLG’s teachers have been teaching in person and virtually simultaneously since November.

Spring Dance Production steps back on campus
Submitted by Tina Vossugh

Students from Ohlone’s Theatre and Dance (TD), Entertainment Design & Technology (EDT), and Broadcasting programs came together to produce this year’s spring dance performance, which will premiere online Thursday, April 15 and Friday, April 16. The 2021 Spring Dance Production includes seven dances, five of which were choreographed by the students themselves.

After recording the fall theatre production of Parrhesia on campus, Director of Dance Janel Tomblin-Brown and Associate Professor of EDT Matthew O’Donnell wrote a proposal for the College’s Return to Campus (RTC) committee to consider allowing students back on campus for the spring dance production. The plan was approved, and teams began implementation.

“The most rewarding part of our production is the collaboration,” said Tomblin-Brown. “We’re a bunch of artists, some seasoned, and some brand new, that worked seamlessly together across departments and programs to create an unprecedented dance production at Ohlone College.”

For five days straight, faculty, staff, and students came together to begin the process of lighting, performing, and shooting the dance production. While student choreographers and dancers began rehearsals via Zoom weeks in advance, they only had a couple of meetings on campus when they could dance together and rehearse in the chosen location space before their shoot date.

“It was a lot of fun. It was great to be able to catch up with my friends that I hadn’t seen in a year or so. I also missed the feeling of working on a show live,” said Russell Peck, Ohlone College music major. “There is a certain energy when working on shows live that you just can’t get virtually no matter what you do.”

O’Donnell worked with a small team of four of his EDT tech students each day to set up an intelligent lighting system, and each evening, as the sun went down, they would begin shooting the dance performances with the broadcasting team with the goal of shooting two pieces a night. Technical crews would shoot until after 10 p.m., power down the equipment, break everything down, put it in its cases and roll it into an empty classroom. They repeated this process each evening at four different locations with a different tech team each day.

“The way theatrical lighting changes our space into our stage, the way the camera sees and shows us, the way the dancers and choreographers intently create a stage with their space and physical expression, regardless of the type of surface or weather, it’s the culmination of great collaborative art, together,” says Tomblin-Brown.

This event is free to view online, and close captioning will be provided. Fill out the form online to be notified when the link is available.

Spring Dance Production
Thursday, Apr 15 – Friday, Apr 16
8 p.m.
Online
Free; registration required
https://www.ohlone.edu/theatre-and-dance

Keep moving to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease
Submitted by Union City Community and Recreation Services

On April 22 and 23, Union City Community and Recreation Services will be hosting a free virtual event in the spirit of Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Exercise and movement, alongside modern medicine, play a crucial role in combating the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This event will showcase the various PD-specific exercise classes offered by the Mark Green Sports Center in Union City, discuss relevant issues in the PD community, and highlight crucial resources for caregivers.

This event will include a live and interactive Zoom support group discussion and exercise class at the end of each day. The schedule and details will be posted as the event approaches. Visit www.unioncity.org/parkinsons for more information and to register.

Union City Keeps It Moving
Thursday, Apr 22 – Friday, Apr 23
Join at 10 a.m.
www.unioncity.org/parkinsons

Alameda County Fire Department Log
Submitted by ACFD

Monday, April 5
• At 10:00 p.m. crews were dispatched to a residential fire at Dublin Court and Sydney Way in Castro Valley. The fire, in a tri-level home situated on a descending hillside, was immediately upgraded to a first alarm structure fire because of visible flames. The fire consumed a bottom level and backyard porch area of the home and extended up through the roof. No injuries were immediately reported; Red Cross was called to assist two displaced adults. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD

Friday, April 2
• At 6:23 p.m. a man identified by police as Cemiah Hubbard, 27, of Antioch was arrested at Bayfair station in San Leandro on an outstanding $10,000 misdemeanor theft warrant and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Saturday, April 3
• At 9:47 p.m. a man identified by police as Devin Colville, 23, was arrested at Bayfair station in San Leandro on suspicion of indecent exposure and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Sunday, April 4
• At 9:59 a.m. a man identified by police as Demallo Jackson, 28, of Oakland was arrested at Bayfair station in San Leandro on suspicion of violating a court order to stay away from BART. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 2:54 p.m. a man identified by police as Lamar Bush, 35, of Berkeley was arrested at Bayfair station in San Leandro on suspicion of obstructing an officer. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 8:06 p.m. A person identified by police as Shaquin Ferguson was arrested at San Leandro station on three no-bail warrants from the California Department of Corrections, Union City and Oakland. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Monday, April 5
• At 7:20 a.m. a man identified by police as Cameron Kentzel, 26, of Santa Clara was arrested at Fremont station on a $25,000 warrant issued by Santa Clara County for assault. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 11:32 a.m. a person identified by police as Alijahawan Reed, 24, of Antioch was arrested at Bayfair station in San Leandro on a $30,000 warrant issued by Alameda County for trespassing and loitering on private property. Reed was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 5:54 p.m. a woman identified by police as Mashia Brantley, 45, of Hayward was arrested at Hayward station on an Alameda County Sheriff’s Office no-bail warrant for possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. She was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Tuesday, April 6
• At 5:29 p.m. a man identified by police as Pete Randall, 58, of San Francisco was detained at Fremont station on suspicion of fare evasion and arrested on suspicion of violating a transient registration order. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Wednesday, April 7
• At 8:10 a.m. a man identified by police as Christopher Turner, 36, of San Francisco was arrested at Fremont station on a no-bail warrant issued in San Francisco for assault and a $250 warrant issued in San Mateo County for possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Meet a cop, or two, for coffee
Submitted by San Leandro PD

Community members, students and local business owners in San Leandro are invited to a meet-and-greet “Coffee with the Cops” event on Tuesday, April 20 with members of the San Leandro Police Department (SLPD).

The 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. event will meet outdoors in the front courtyard of the SLPD building, 901 E. 14th St., San Leandro. The informal gathering is designed to let people ask questions or voice neighborhood concerns with members of the police department in a relaxed setting. No formal presentation is planned, so people can drop by anytime during the event. Admission is free and open to the public.

Coffee with the Cops
Tuesday, Apr 20
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
SLPD outside courtyard
901 E. 14th St., San Leandro
(510) 577-3228

The League invites you to a conversation with Fremont Police Chief Kimberly Petersen
Submitted by Shirley Gilbert

“Coming here for the last 25 years never felt like work because it was such a joy to be part of this team.”

Those are the words of Fremont Police Chief Kimberly Petersen about her 25 years on Fremont’s police force. The veteran officer and Police Chief, the first woman to hold that office in Fremont, announced that she is retiring as of October 1, 2021 after three years in the top spot.

You are invited to learn more about Chief Petersen at an event sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City (LWVFNUC) on Thursday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. Chief Petersen will talk about her experiences in policing and reforms with LWVFNUC’s President Syeda Inamdar. We will have time for Q&A.

Petersen has held a variety of positions in the department since joining in 1996. She’s served as an officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Among other assignments, she’s been a member of the SWAT team for more than seven years and led the tactical emergency medical support team for four years.

What’s stood Petersen in good stead during her tenure in police work is her education. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and a Master’s in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School. Petersen has taken an active role in promoting the health of the over 300 full-time employees of the department as well as all Fremont residents.

Petersen has had to respond swiftly to urgent demands for policing reform following the killing of George Floyd, as well as keep Fremont safe during more than a year of the COVID 19 pandemic. She’s responded with determination and compassion to both challenges.

One of the things she claims has helped her in her police management role, curiously enough, is her experience in competitive soccer. She participated at the Olympic Development Program at state and regional levels and played competitively for Stanford in Division 1, followed by two years of professional soccer in Japan’s J-League.

“Team sports,” said Petersen, “teach us more than the sport itself. They teach us how to work as a group toward a single goal, how to support and interact with teammates even when we are different people and how to always strive to improve. All forms of team sports are beneficial, not just for athletic achievement, but for all of the life lessons that come with them.”

There’s plenty to talk about. Tune in to learn more about Fremont’s retiring Police Chief.

A Conversation with Police Chief Kimberly Petersen
Thursday, Apr 29
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
To register:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqf-yhpzksGtXQiyTrGszNSb9XcQudGsV5
Questions for Chief Petersen? Email: lwvfnuc@lwvfnuc.org

Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD

Thursday, April 1
• At about 10:05 a.m. officers located a stolen vehicle in the area of Paseo Padre Parkway and Peralta Boulevard, and made a traffic stop in the area of Washington Hospital. The driver was quickly detained but a passenger initially fought with officers. Eventually, both suspects, identified by police as Alexandria Nelson, 22, and Ejzon Butler, 22, both of Hayward, were arrested.

• At 4:52 p.m., patrol officers responded to a report about someone brandishing a firearm at Northgate Community Park in the 34000 block of Rowland Drive. A victim told officers that the driver of another vehicle brandished a firearm at him when he parked his vehicle next to the suspect’s. The victim immediately left the park and called 911. When additional patrol officers arrived on scene, they made a high-risk enforcement stop on the suspect, who cooperated with officers. Inside the vehicle, officers found a loaded handgun under the driver’s seat and cocaine packaged for sale. The suspect, identified by police as Adrian Valenzuela, 30, of Hayward was arrested on suspicion of possessing a concealed/loaded firearm, possession of cocaine for sale, brandishing a weapon and criminal threats. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Monday, April 5
• At about 12:30 a.m. a home invasion robbery occurred in the 37000 block of Fremont Boulevard when a male arrived home and was confronted by a suspect with a handgun who demanded money and threatened to shoot him. The suspect searched the victim’s vehicle and then went inside the victim’s residence and removed items before fleeing the scene.

Friday, April 9
• At 2:32 a.m. dispatchers received calls about a traffic collision on Thornton Avenue at the I-880 offramp. Arriving officers found two vehicles in the intersection with major damage. The two drivers and one passenger were taken to a local trauma center with major injuries; the passenger later died. The preliminary investigation showed one vehicle was traveling westbound on Thornton Avenue and the second vehicle was northbound on the I-880 offramp. A witness told investigators the vehicle exiting I-880 had a green light to enter the intersection. As the vehicles approached the intersection, the westbound vehicle struck the vehicle exiting the offramp. Police said the driver of the westbound vehicle is a Fremont resident, and the driver of the other vehicle is a Newark resident; information about the passenger that died was not immediately released. Investigators said alcohol may have been a factor in the collision. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Traffic Investigator Michael Ramsey at (510) 790-6776 or mramsey@fremont.gov.

Milpitas Police Log
Submitted by Milpitas PD

Monday, March 22
• At 4:44 a.m. an officer made a vehicle stop near the 150 block of North Main Street and arrested the driver, a 21-year-old Milpitas resident, on suspicion of possessing an unregistered firearm with a large capacity magazine and possession of illegal drugs. A 21-year-old passenger from San Jose was also arrested for providing false identification.

Thursday, March 25
• At 1:31 a.m. an officer found a stolen Nissan Altima from San Francisco near the 1400 block of Falcon Dr. and arrested the 42-year-old male driver and a 35-year-old passenger, both San Jose residents. A record check showed the driver had multiple felony warrants with a total bail amount of more than $430,000. He was booked into jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and his warrants. A criminal complaint was requested against the passenger for possession of drugs.

Monday, March 29
• At 2:37 p.m. officers responded to a 911 call about someone breaking into a residence near the 1600 block of Dennis Avenue. Arriving officers quickly located a suspect, identified as a 59-year-old San Jose man, nearby. A record check showed he was on Santa Clara County Probation for possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of narcotics. The man was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of residential burglary, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and a felony burglary warrant.

Thursday, April 1
• At 3:28 p.m. a sergeant located a stolen Lexus RX350 from San Jose near the 90 block of Dempsey Road. Detectives conducted surveillance on the vehicle and eventually arrested a 28-year-old San Jose resident, who was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer. The suspect was booked into jail on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and a parole violation.

Friday, April 2
• At 12 noon an officer found a stolen U-Haul from San Jose near the 450 block of N. Abel Street and arrested a suspect associated with it. The suspect, identified as a 56-year-old San Jose resident, was booked into jail on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle with prior convictions, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.
Newark Police Log
Submitted by Newark PD

Saturday March 20
• At 9:49 a.m. Officer Garcia responded to a report about a disturbance in the 36000 block of Beutke Drive. Garcia contacted, then arrested a 30-year-old Newark man on suspicion of violating a court order, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked at Fremont City Jail.

• At 11:55 p.m. Officer Slavazza attempted a traffic enforcement stop in the 5000 block of Auto Mall Parkway, but the vehicle’s driver failed to yield, which ultimately led to a high-risk stop. Slavazza arrested a 43-year-old Hayward man on suspicion of driving without a license, possession of drug paraphernalia and evading a peace officer. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Wednesday, March 24
• At 2:44 p.m. officers responded to the area of Newark Boulevard and Highway 84 to assist Fremont Police Department and the California Highway Patrol in an officer-involved shooting.

Tuesday, March 30
• At 6:35 a.m. Officer Kapu investigated a burglary to a vehicle that occurred sometime overnight in the 5000 block of Cedar Boulevard. Loss was approximately $5,000 worth of tools.

• Between 10:15 a.m. and 10:53 a.m. officers investigated two thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles in the 5000 block of Robertson Avenue and 39000 block of Parada Street. The vehicles were a 2003 Honda Accord and a 1999 Acura TL.

• At 2:36 p.m. Vehicle Abatement Officers Mora and Turchan located an unoccupied stolen vehicle in the area of Spruce Street and the railroad tracks. The vehicle was a 2006 Chevy Tahoe, originally stolen out of Hayward. The registered owner was notified and picked up the vehicle.

Wednesday, March 31
• At 11:24 a.m. Officer Swadener investigated the theft of a catalytic converter from a 2001 Honda Accord in the 7000 block of Gateway Boulevard.
Identity of Fremont officer-involved shooting incident released
Submitted by Geneva Bosques

Officials from the Fremont Police Department (FPD) have released the name of an officer that was involved in a March 24 shooting that left an armed robbery suspect dead along State Route 84 near Ardenwood Boulevard in Fremont.

In a statement released April 7, authorities identified the officer as Brian Burch, a six-year veteran with FPD who is currently assigned to the Traffic Unit. They also identified the suspect as Joshua James Gloria, 34, of Oakland.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the 2:48 p.m. incident happened as officers were pursuing a vehicle on eastbound SR-84 that had been reported stolen and was associated with an armed robbery. The suspect, who was in possession of a firearm at the time of the incident, sustained fatal injuries after stopping on the freeway and exiting the vehicle.

The California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division and Alameda County District Attorney are investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP Investigative Tip Line at (707) 917-4491.

Updates to the investigation are posted on the Transparency Portal page on the FPD website at https://www.fremontpolice.gov/about-us/transparency-portal.

Police seek help finding child rape suspect
Submitted by Lieutenant Steven Mendez, Union City PD

Detectives from the Union City Police Department (UCPD) are asking help from the community to locate Manuel Ricardo Ramirez Siguenza, 46, who is suspected of raping a child under the age of 14.

Ramirez Siguenza has been under investigation since March 23. On April 7, police released his photo to the media, hoping that tips will lead to his capture. Police described Ramirez Siguenza as Hispanic with black hair, brown eyes, 5-feet-8 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. He has known associates and family members in the San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno and Southern California areas.

Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of Ramirez Siguenza is asked to call Detective Moreno in the UCPD Investigations Unit at (510) 675-5354.

Arrest made in San Leandro shooting
Submitted by San Leandro Police Department

A 27-year-old Oakland man was arrested by police in San Leandro in connection with a shooting that occurred April 5 in the 390 block of Macarthur Boulevard.

According San Leandro Police Department (SLPD) officials, bystanders reported a male and female arguing, with the male screaming at the female to get into his vehicle. Witnesses said he brandished a .45 caliber semi-automatic firearm and discharged it at the female when she ran away from him. The shooter, later identified by SLPD as Denzel Jones, entered his vehicle and quickly sped away. The female then got into an awaiting vehicle and also fled the area.

Officers called to the scene searched the area but were unable to locate Jones or the female. Based on bystander video and other evidence obtained from the scene, SLPD investigators were able to identify the license plate of the vehicle Jones was driving.

The next day, April 6, SLPD officers located Jones inside his vehicle parked in the Bank of America lot at 1200 Fairmont Boulevard. He had a 45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with him; a second 9mm pistol was found inside the vehicle. Jones was arrested and booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Officers contacted the female involved in the altercation at the Bank of America and confirmed that she did not receive any injuries as a result of Jones shooting at her.

“We are thankful no one was injured during this shooting as well as for the safe arrest of an armed shooting suspect,” said San Leandro Police Sergeant Steve Cesaretti. “Anyone with further information that will aid our detectives is urged to call the San Leandro Police Department at (510) 577-2740.”

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case against Jones and charged him with one count of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of a felon in possession of a firearm. Jones was later released on bail.

Union City Police Log
Submitted by Union City PD

Thursday, March 18
• At about 5:00 p.m. officers responded to an armed robbery report in the 31800 block of Alvarado Boulevard. A female victim told officers she was sitting in her vehicle after using an ATM when an unknown male approached with a gun and demanded her bag. When she refused, the suspect left and fled in a white vehicle. The victim described the suspect as a short and thin Black man wearing black clothing.

Tuesday, March 23
• At about 12:10 a.m. officers responded to a report about a shooting on Deborah Drive and Ellen Way. The caller reported hearing around 12 gunshots, followed by the sound of a vehicle leaving the area. Arriving officers found four shell casings, and damage to a tree and garage door.

Friday, March 26
• At about 1:00 p.m. officers responded to a commercial robbery report in the 32300 block of Alvarado Boulevard. Police were told that an unknown male showed a cashier a note stating he had a gun; he then demanded money and threatened to shoot customers. The cashier complied and the suspect, described as a Hispanic or white male adult, fled the store. Officers checked the area but did not locate the suspect.

Saturday, March 27
• At 12:26 a.m., officers responded to a report about an in-progress residential burglary in the 32100 block of Alvarado Boulevard. The victim told officers that an unknown male tried to enter her apartment three times within 40 minutes. The first two times, officers checked the area but did not locate the suspect. The third time, officers located and detained a suspect identified by police as Darrion Skinner, 31. Officers searched Skinner's backpack and found a loaded handgun. Skinner was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary and illegal possession of a firearm.

• At about 9:00 p.m. an officer patrolling Mission Boulevard and E Street stumbled upon a fight in the parking lot of a business. He saw male lying on the ground with 10-15 people surrounding him. At the same time, three presumed suspects fled in their vehicles. The victim told the officer the three males that fled assaulted him with a wooden stick and a pole and also punched and kicked him. Shortly after, assisting officers located the suspect vehicles in the Decoto neighborhood. When the officers tried to contact the occupants, the suspects fled on foot and escaped. Officer Canjura is investigating the case and attempting to identify the suspects.

Lancers demonstrate powerful offense
By Mike Heightchew

The Tennyson Lancers (Hayward) offense set the tone early on April 10th as they quickly opened holes in the Irvington Vikings (Fremont) line for their backfield to maneuver. Although the Irvington defense gave it's all on Senior Day, they were unable to slow down the runaway train of number 33, Salesi Moala, who racked up impressive statistics. Moala, who has signed a Letter of Intent with University of Oregon, ran for five touchdowns.

The highlight of the game for Irvington finally arrived with a late touchdown, the first team in league to do so against a powerful Tennyson squad. However, it wasn’t enough to put them in contention for an upset victory.
Piedmont offense subdues Washington in defensive struggle
By Mike Heightchew

In an April 10th game that began with a quick scoring drive by the Piedmont Highlanders, a possible offensive battle between the Washington Huskies (Fremont) and Piedmont, turned into a defensive struggle. However, in the third quarter, the Highlanders, using draw plays and quick passes were able to increase their lead. In response, the Huskies tried to find a complete offense to move into the end zone, but key defensive stands by the Highlanders stifled the drives. Final score: Highlanders 21, Huskies 0.

Editorial
April showers

A common saying, “April showers bring May flowers” is based on the beginning of spring when, for many areas, weather patterns shift. Known as a stormy month, movement of the jet stream causes atmospheric instability and conditions favorable to unsettled weather. Tracing its origins, this observation is nothing new. It appears as a poem “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry” by Thomas Tusser in 1157 – “Sweet April showers Do spring May flowers”. Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales of the fourteenth century offers a similar thought.

Although our local weather has not, so far, demonstrated the instability patterns of folklore, this month and those leading to it, have currently and historically, not been so calm. The great national divide of the Civil War began April 12, 1861 when Fort Sumter in South Carolina was attacked by the Confederate States of America. Four years later, with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox April 9, 1865 and General Joseph Johnston’s surrender April 26th, the war, in effect, ended. Sporadic conflicts continued until a formal cessation of hostilities in 1866.

In a current context, centuries of discord have sown seeds of divisive fear, hostility and recently, outright insurrection. Adding to the political chaos of prior federal instability and rejection of fundamental human rights, is a legacy and collision of our country’s struggles between morality, principles and reality – civil war, foreign wars, immigration and ideals outlined in the United States Declaration of Independence: “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.

Often emotional content overwhelms practical, realistic and reasoned consideration of persons and events. April 2021 is a month of transition and, just as the poem projects, should give way to future peaceful tranquility and promise. However, when in the midst of an April storm, it is often difficult to persevere toward May flowers when that hope is based on potential rather than actual. In the winds of April change and upheaval, the tempest of the moment sings a siren song of deception, leading to despicable, irrational and self-centered acts that target counterfeit monsters.

Generalizations based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, occupation or any other categorization are a short-sighted and diversionary excuse to place blame for personal ills or misfortune. In this context, it is understandable but inexcusable to react with malace to our lengthy pre-April trials and tribulations. Worries of a pandemic, economic instability, social injustice and environmental challenges combined with a misinformed agenda of responsibility placed solely on “others” is unproductive, divisive and cruel no matter how skillfully defined. Jingoist, racist and misogynist behavior is not only unacceptable, but morally irresponsible.

I am not suggesting a 1952 Gene Kelly, “Singing in the Rain” scenario. Dancing without protection in a downpour is bit too optimistic but, with an umbrella for protection and assurance that April showers will bring May flowers, the lyrics of the song written by Arthur Freed and composed by Nacio Herb Brown, can resonate with truth and justice for all of us.

I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love