4-6-21 Articles

Alameda County Fire Department Log
Submitted by ACFD

Thursday, April 1
• At 2:55 a.m. crews responded to a structure fire on the 1300 block of East 14 St. in San Leandro. Crews were able to confine the blaze to the exterior entryway with minimal damage to the interior of the building. No injuries were reported.

• At 3:33 a.m. crews responded to a commercial structure fire on the 2000 block of West Ave. and 140th Street in San Leandro. The blaze was found on the exterior behind the structure. There was no damage to the structure, but one person sustained a minor injury.

Alameda County Moves to Orange Tier
Submitted by Alameda County Public Health Department

Alameda County has moved to the Orange Tier after meeting the requirements set by the state. Activities and businesses permitted in the Orange Tier per the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy may resume operation.

Before moving to the next, less restrictive color tier (Yellow Tier), the county must remain in the Orange Tier for at least three weeks. As a reminder, the pandemic is not over. Please continue to take precautions to protect against COVID-19 by wearing masks, keeping your distance, frequent hand washing, limiting mixing with people from different households, and getting vaccinated when it is your turn.

To view the list of businesses and activities permitted to open, with capacity restrictions and modifications, visit https://covid-19.acgov.org/press – “March 30, 2021” Press Release.

April as Child Abuse Prevention Month
Submitted Santa Clara County Public Affairs

County of Santa Clara recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month to shine a light on the potentially devastating consequences of abuse and neglect, and the need to focus on prevention efforts.

Santa Clara County Child Abuse Prevention Council and Social Services Agency’s Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) continue to partner with the community to ensure that parents and caregivers have access to the resources, support, and skills they need to care for their children that fosters healthy childhood development.

Surrounding children with healthy relationships at home, school, and in the community, not only prevents child abuse, but enhances healthy child and adult development, while serving the goals of long-term community wellness and violence prevention. Healthy relationships are defined as being physically, emotionally, and sexually safe, as well as respectful, caring, and kind.

Additionally, community and government collaboration to reduce poverty, homelessness, racism and bigotry, domestic violence, and children’s exposure to violence in all its forms are fundamentally important in this effort.

The CAPC “Healthy Relationships are Safe, Respectful and Kind” campaign message will be seen during April at bus shelters throughout Santa Clara County. CAPC will also host a webinar series on “Race and Disproportionality in the Work of Child Welfare Related Agencies,” which will highlight research and recommendations about disproportionality in child welfare, the effects of immigration practices for behavioral health, strengthening families using a racial equity lens, and the experience of transgender and non-binary youth in foster care.

“I firmly believe child welfare across the country will continue to achieve the current outcomes, unless we attempt to address issues at the family level and we relook at our historic views of child protection,” said DFCS Director Daniel Little. “Our county has a unique opportunity to impact national child welfare practices. We have significant stakeholder collaboration on prevention efforts and continue to see partners use the Child and Family Practice Model. We can build upon prior work to rethink and remake our protection and child welfare program and end up with something based on family and community healing.”

Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) operates a Child Abuse and Neglect Center (CANC) that screens calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. To report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect, call (833) SCC–KIDS / (833) 722-5437.

BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD

Friday, March 26
• At 8:07 p.m. a man identified by police as Maurice Green, 62, of San Francisco was detained at Milpitas station on suspicion of fare evasion. A record check showed Green was out of compliance with sex offender registration requirements. He was arrested and booked at Santa Clara County Main Jail.

Sunday, March 28
• At 4:35 p.m. a man identified by police as Joseph Mebrhtu, 42, of Hayward was arrested at Hayward station on suspicion of grand theft and disobeying a court order. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 5:32 p.m. a man identified by police as Joseph Venturi, 39, of Ukiah was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of grand theft and criminal conspiracy. Also arrested in the same incident was a suspect identified by police as Kelly Hindsmith, 31, on suspicion of possessing burglary tools and criminal conspiracy. Both were booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 7:17 p.m. a man identified by police as Jesse Jackson, 37, of Antioch was arrested near San Leandro station on an outstanding felony warrant and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 9:14 p.m. a man identified by police as Abdul Zahid, 33, of Berkeley was arrested at San Leandro station on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Monday, March 29
• At 9:04 a.m. a man identified by police as Anthony Hill, 35, of San Francisco was arrested at Milpitas station on suspicion of obstructing a police officer. He was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.

• At 5:11 p.m. a man identified by police as Christopher Louangkhamdeng, 28, of Richmond was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of public intoxication and a $10,000 domestic battery warrant issued in Richmond. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

California snowpack below normal with wet season ending
By John Antczak
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP), Apr 01 – The water content of California's Sierra Nevada snowpack was measured at 59% of the April 1 average, when it historically is at its peak, the state's chief of snow surveys and water supply forecasting said Thursday.

The unsurprising result follows the second consecutive dry winter and comes amid indicators that California is entering another drought just a few years after a five-year dry spell.

Overall, the state has received only about 50% of average precipitation in the current water year and its major reservoirs are only about half full, said Sean de Guzman of the Department of Water Resources.

“It's currently tied for the third-driest year on record,” de Guzman said during a briefing at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada, where manual measurements have been made since 1941. The Sierra-wide measurement is made by sensors at 260 locations.

The snowpack normally supplies about 30% of California's water. How much of the current snowpack ends up in reservoirs remains to be seen.

De Guzman said the latest runoff forecasts around 58% of average, slightly under last year's number.

“As the snowpack starts to melt the big unknowns are how dry are the soils beneath the snowpack and how much water will absorb into those soils before running off into our rivers and streams,” de Guzman said. “The next few weeks are just really critical to watch to see how much of that snowmelt will enter into our reservoirs.“

De Guzman said it was somewhat of an anomaly for the state to have received more snow than rain, a result of colder storms.

The snow that did fall favored the northern and central Sierra over the southern end of the range, which runs for hundreds of miles along the California-Nevada state line.

At Phillips Station, de Guzman measured a snow depth of 49.5 inches (1.26 meters) and a snow water content of 21 inches (53 centimeters) which translates to 83% of average for the location.

During the 2012-2016 drought, then-Gov. Jerry Brown watched as a measuring device was placed in a snowless field of grass at Phillips Station and took the drastic step of ordering a 25% reduction in water use.

While the Department of Water Resources characterizes the current year as “critically” dry, California is better positioned than it was back then.

“Even though we have drought-like conditions, Californians as a whole have actually been conserving a lot more water compared to where we were before 2012 when the previous drought started,” de Guzman said. “A lot of the public has continued their effort which is a great sign and we need to keep continuing to do that.”

The season's final snow survey will be conducted on April 29.

City manager search narrowed to three
Submitted by Paul Sanftner

After a nationwide search for a new City Manager, the San Leandro City Council has narrowed the candidate pool to three finalists:

• Sean Charpentier. With 20 years of experience in local government, Charpentier’s professional journey has focused on serving the public and building equitable, prosperous, and sustainable regions and cities. Charpentier is currently a Program Director with C/CAG, the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County, where he oversees transportation planning and funding. Previous roles include Interim and Assistant City Manager in the City of East Palo Alto. He has a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley and an undergraduate degree in International Development from Clark University. Charpentier lives in San Francisco with his wife and two daughters.

• Terrence R. Moore. He was appointed to the position of city manager of College Park, Georgia in March 2013, and served the community for eight years, making him the longest continuously tenured manager in that city’s history. Prior to that, Moore served as City Manager of Morgantown, West Virginia; Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Sebastian, Florida. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Moore earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics and public administration from the University of Illinois, as well as post-graduate certificates from the Florida Atlantic University Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and the University of Virginia Senior Executive Institute for Local Government Management. From 2010 to 2020, Moore served on the Board of Directors of The Alliance for Innovation, an international network of progressive governments and partners committed to transforming local government by accelerating the development and dissemination of innovations. He is an International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM).

• Fran Robustelli. She has served in managerial and executive roles with special districts and city governments for the past 25 years. With previous specialization in human resources and organizational change management, Robustelli is also skilled in a wide range of other city service areas, including economic development, budget and risk management, and emergency services. Since December 2020, Robustelli has been the interim city manager for the City of San Leandro. Robustelli took charge of the city manager position amid the coronavirus pandemic, calls for police reform, budget shortfalls, and City Council leadership changes. The past several months has been one of the busiest times in her public sector career. Robustelli is focused on meeting the daily unpredictability and challenges of the job with servant leadership, consensus building, and strategic communication.

The final selection process is continuing with interviews and additional screening of candidates. San Leandro officials hope to name the new City Manager in the coming weeks.

Deanna C. Aguilar
Resident of Fremont
April 25, 1944 – April 2, 2021

Deanna C. Aguilar passed away peacefully on April 2nd surrounded by family and loved ones in Fremont, California. She was 76 years old. She touched many lives through her humor, generosity and friendship.
Born April 25th, 1944 in Maui, Hawaii to Eliza & George Arroy, Deanna was a very loving mother and grandmother. She shared her love in many ways including through sewing, dancing, cooking and the general joy of being around her family – especially her grandkids. She loved life and enjoyed traveling. She truly enjoyed the life she built with her one true love, Richard.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard H. Aguilar, brothers Gary and Kenny Arroy, son Michael Aguilar, daughter Valerie and her husband Marty Flaton, grandchildren Christin, Aleya, and Anthony Aguilar, Ashley & Ethan Brehm, Brianna & Dylan Cuddy, Daniella and Carissa Flaton and three great-grandsons Louis, Charlie and Vincent.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021, from 5 PM to 8 PM, at Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Boulevard, Fremont, with a Vigil Service at 6:30 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 10 AM, at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 703 C Street, Union City, with a burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hayward.

Deanna will be missed by so many. May her memory be eternal.
Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900

Regional Parks All Open
By Dennis Waespi, Board of Directors, East Bay Regional Park District

During the past year of pandemic, the East Bay Regional Park District has worked hard to keep its parklands open and available as a safe and healthy form of recreation.

County health officers affirm that park and open space access is vital for our physical and emotional wellbeing. All the regional parks are open now, though with some restrictions. The visitor centers remain closed until county health departments determine that reopening is safe.

At Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, the Botanic Garden and Little Farm are open by advance reservation only. The district’s swim beaches and pools are closed, although the parks where they are located are open.

Family camping is available by advance reservation at Anthony Chabot in Castro Valley and Del Valle south of Livermore. Large group camping is not available for now.

Natural history programs are only online at present, with a resumption date of the district’s popular calendar of special events still to be determined.

The best way to get up-to-date information is to visit the park district website, www.ebparks.org. At the top of any page, click on “COVID-19 Closures” and “News” for the latest.

Meanwhile, park trails are open for hiking and riding. Some things to remember when you are out in the parks during spring:
• Please observe social distancing of 6 feet. Carry masks for use when keeping your distance is difficult, such as on narrow footpaths or at park gates.
• Stay on the official trails. Using unofficial trails creates erosion problems and can expose you to poison oak, which is abundant throughout California. Learn to recognize it.
• Bring a map and keep track of your location. Maps are available at trailheads, or you can download them from the park district website – www.ebparks.org.
• Spring is tick season, although ticks are always present. Ticks wait in brushy areas and on the ground beneath oak trees to hitch rides on unsuspecting passers-by. Wear light-colored clothing and check yourself after passing through tall grass or chaparral. Check your dog, too.
• Carry drinking water. Not all trailhead water fountains are operating, and once you are in the back country, there is no water available.
• Dress for the weather. Carry an extra layer or two; weather changes can be sudden in springtime.
• If you are hiking or riding alone, tell someone responsible where you are going and when you expect to return. Then check with them again when you get back.

The park district and other California public agencies are experiencing some worrisome tree mortality and dieback, first noticed in October 2020.

The trees most affected seem to be eucalyptus, manzanita, acacia, bay, and pine. The dieback has also been observed in East Bay MUD, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Marin County, San Mateo County Parks, and local East Bay cities.

Regional parks most impacted are Reinhardt Redwood in Oakland, Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, and especially Anthony Chabot in Castro Valley, which has extensive eucalyptus groves. In total, some 1,000 acres are affected in the regional parks alone. The cause is not fully understood, but is believed to be due to recent drought, followed by a couple of wet years, then drought again, all related to climate change.

Due to the serious implications for fire protection, the East Bay Regional Park District Fire and Stewardship Departments are partnering with the United States Forest Service, UC Berkeley, and CAL FIRE resource management in Sacramento to study the causes. Fire Chief Aileen Theile is the park district’s lead on the project. CAL FIRE has been a great help, and federal funding may be needed, too.

The park district has created a Tree Mortality Taskforce including staff from the fire, stewardship, and operations departments. The taskforce is developing a plan to strategize and treat some of the affected areas in regional parks and will coordinate efforts with other affected public agencies.

Put away that phone while driving
Submitted by Union City PD

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Union City Police Department (UCPD) is encouraging drivers to give their mobile phones a break and focus on the road.

Throughout the month of April, UCPD will have additional officers on patrol specifically looking for drivers who violate the state's hands-free cell phone law. “When you are driving, give the phone a rest,” said UCPD Sergeant Stan Rodrigues. “A driver’s number one focus should be on the road. Anything that distracts you from the task of driving, especially a phone, puts yourself and others at risk.”

According to the 2020 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, more than 75% of surveyed drivers listed “Distracted Driving because of TEXTING” as their biggest safety concern. “Not driving distracted is a simple, but significant behavior change,” Rodrigues explained. “The goal is to increase compliance with the hands-free cell phone law and keep people safe.”

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or other electronic device while behind the wheel. Drivers younger than 18 are not allowed to use a phone for any reason, including hands-free. Drivers that need to make a call or send a text should pull over and park at a safe location. Drivers should silence their phones or put the phone out of reach, such as the glove box or trunk.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Downtown Update
Submitted by City of Fremont

Momentum is building in Downtown Fremont! The ownership group of Capitol Square (the ground floor retail of the Locale at State Street mixed-used development) announced the anchor tenant lease of SLIVER Pizzeria at the corner of Capitol Avenue and State Street. SLIVER will bring food, drinks, and eventually live music to downtown and joins restaurant operator Raw ASF as the first two tenants in Capitol Square, with more lease announcements expected to follow.

Additionally, Fremont City Council recently approved an adjacent mixed-use project by MIG Real Estate that represents Fremont’s first Opportunity Zone investment. This project is expected to be constructed concurrently with Fremont Bank’s new six-story headquarters, bringing a continuous building façade all the way to the corner of Fremont Boulevard and Capitol Avenue.

Two downtown projects near completion include the City’s new Downtown Event Center and a new mixed use development at the corner of Walnut Avenue and Liberty Street. Both are expected to be completed by summer of 2021.

EARTHTALK

Fresh air and plants? Not always
From the Editors of E — The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Besides generating seasonal allergens, do any plants actually reduce air quality or cause air pollution?
— Mike T., San Juan, Puerto Rico

While many of us thought Ronald Reagan sounded crazy back in 1981 when he told America that “trees cause more pollution than automobiles do,” the then-President may have been on to something.

Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley recently unveiled the results of a study in which they determined that certain trees and plants common in Southern California off-gas natural yet nevertheless harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — to attract pollinators, protect against environmental stressors, and repel herbivores — especially during the hottest months of the year. This so-called particulate matter pollution is not only dangerous in and of itself to breathe in as the tiny molecules can get lodged in the lungs, but it also leads to the formation of ground-level ozone and smog.

While Reagan’s comment may have been an utter falsehood back then, who knew it would take the electrification of the transport sector to make it actually ring true today? The only way researchers could have any way of knowing that these plants are a significant contributor to air pollution would be by the elimination of the vast majority of fossil-fuel-derived “background noise” that we are no longer subject to as we breathe in the air around the streets of California — where the nation’s strictest automotive fuel efficiency standards have driven many to Teslas, Bolts, Volts, Leafs, Polestars, e-Trons, Priuses and other green rides — and elsewhere.

The researchers found that over the past two decades, concentrations of these VOCs fell by 50% between 1999 and 2012, and then to undetectable levels during the cooler months thereafter. But when the mercury rose, even without additional automotive emissions, so did concentrations of airborne VOCs. Four out of five excessive heat days (with air temps topping 100℉) led to unsafe VOC levels outside.

With transportation emissions off the hook as the culprit, researchers looked to the plant community for answers. One of the worst offenders is the iconic and ubiquitous fan palm, but sycamores, poplars, willows and many oaks and pines also off-gas their fair share of VOCs when the weather heats up — which will be happening more frequently as we warm the atmosphere with greenhouse gases. Backyard planners and landscape designers concerned about air quality and the environment might want to steer clear of these species when choosing plants.

“I am not suggesting that we get rid of plants, but I want people who are thinking about large-scale planting to pick the right trees,” said Ronald Cohen, the Berkeley atmospheric chemist who led the research effort. “They should pick low-emitting trees instead of high-emitting trees.” If you have the luxury of choosing which trees to plant and/or replace, and you care about your community’s air quality, some good choices include alders, magnolias, manzanitas, birches, hazelnuts, gingko, apples and elms.

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

Park It
By Ned MacKay

This year’s wildflower season is well under way, and while the displays are not as spectacular as in some past years, there is still plenty to see. If you can arrange it, go on a weekday. Weekends tend to be very crowded in the parks.

I have not visited all of them yet, but given below are some suggestions for wildflower viewing:

Sunol Regional Wilderness in southern Alameda County is a good bet. Walk the Camp Ohlone Road to Little Yosemite, climb a short distance on Cerro Este Road, then return to the start on the Canyon View Trail. Sunol is at the end of Geary Road, off Calaveras Road south of I-680. The parking fee is $5 per vehicle and Sunol is an alcohol-free area.

Also off I-680, Vargas Plateau has great displays of poppies and red maids right now. Take the Vargas Road exit from I-680 between Sunol and Fremont and drive up the hill. Be aware that there are only about 23 parking spaces plus two disabled spaces at the trailhead, and there is no parking at all on Vargas Road. So try for off-peak hours.

Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park in Pleasanton is another possibility. Start at the Foothill Staging Area on Foothill Road south of Castlewood Drive. Head up the Woodland or Oak Tree Trail to the top of the ridge. From there you can go on the Ridgeline or Thermalito Trail for wildflowers and panoramic views.

One of the best places for wildflowers in the regional parks is Rocky Ridge on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail starting at Del Valle Regional Park south of Livermore.
It is a two-mile uphill climb to the ridge from Del Valle’s Lichen Bark picnic area. Of course, it is a two-mile descent going back. The payoff is lots of beautiful wildflowers on the rocky soil of the ridge. Sometimes the goldfields are spectacular.

Del Valle is at the end of Del Valle Road off Mines Road about 9 miles south of I-580. There is a basic parking fee of $5 per vehicle. The Ohlone Wilderness Trail requires a permit that costs $2 and is good for a year from date of purchase. It is available at the entrance kiosk.

Farther north in the park district, check out the Rocky Ridge View Trail or Las Trampas Ridge Trail at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon. The trailhead for both is at the north end of Bollinger Canyon Road off Crow Canyon Road.

Another good park for wildflowers is Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve. There’s limited parking at either end of the preserve, off Castro Ranch Road in El Sobrante. Early in the season, check out the Manzanita Loop for lots of magenta-colored Indian warrior blooms.
Hillside poppies are the attraction at Briones Regional Park. Walk up Old Briones Road from the Bear Creek staging area on Bear Valley Road about five miles east of Camino Pablo Road in Orinda.

At Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, walk the Chaparral Loop or Manhattan Canyon Trails. Soils there favor shooting stars, buttercups, blue dicks, and paintbrush, among other varieties. Black Diamond Mines is at the end of Somersville Road, three and a half miles south of Highway 4. The parking fee is $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is staffed.

Farther afield, check out Morgan Territory Regional Preserve on Morgan Territory Road about nine miles south of Marsh Creek Road near Clayton. Drive carefully as the road is narrow and winding. Once you reach it, take the Volvon and Prairie Falcon Trails for wildflowers and great views of Mt. Diablo.

This is just a partial list. Wildflowers are everywhere. You can access maps with detailed driving directions to all these regional parks and more by visiting the park district website, www.ebparks.org. For wildflower information, visit www.ebparks.org/WildflowersinYourParks.

Also, check out www.ebparks.org/SunolVirtualWildflowerSeason. You can find all the wildflower-related activities on Activenet by going to http://ebparksonline.org, clicking on “Activities,” and searching for “wildflowers.” The park district website has some helpful, illustrated, wildflower identification brochures.

When in the parks, please remember to observe social distancing and have masks available to wear when crowding is unavoidable. We are still in the pandemic. Lastly, please don’t pick the wildflowers. Leave them for everyone to enjoy.

Editorial
Pedal Power

Now that Alameda County has moved into the Orange Tier of COVID-19 threat, a modicum of activity is moving from virtual to physical. Among the casualties of the pandemic, indoor gatherings were visibly eradicated and outdoor recreational opportunities were also severely restricted. One program impacted was the pilot shared bicycle HOPR system and its one-year trial operation in Fremont.

This “micromobility” is designed to alleviate single person automobile traffic with a shared use concept. The idea of mobility for the “first/last mile” transportation from mass transit to a final destination is a major motivation for shared single use vehicles. Established stations provide vehicles for temporary, short-term rental while drop-off is allowed in any city-approved parking area. While the initial Fremont HOPR program involved pedal bicycles, the new proposed service envisions expansion to include pedal bicycles, electric-assisted bicycles and electric scooters.

Although there are many qualified and responsible bicycle riders sharing the road with motor vehicles and the Vision Zero program has expanded protected bicycle lanes, some riders have shown an interesting, sometimes disconcerting, perspective of their responsibility as well as ignorance of traffic rules and courtesy. The staff report supporting authorization of $200,000 Metropolitan Transportation Commission grant funds toward shared HOPR services with CycleHop LLC (plus $50,000 toward city staff administration), includes little data to support continuation and expansion except a desire for a solution to mobility concerns and use of grant funds.

Before granting the service agreement proposed at the April 6, 2021 city council meeting, there are a few questions to be answered. Are there any controls or conditions for those who use the service, especially motorized vehicles? What is the frequency and quality of repair, pick-up and maintenance of the vehicles? The only bid for Fremont came from CycleHop LLC, established in 2011, based in Miami Beach, Florida. Just as much of the transportation sector has suffered from the pandemic, according to the staff report, the micro-transportation industry has been subject to economic vagaries and “consolidation and contraction” as well. A Dun & Bradstreet overview reports that the HOPR system is currently servicing 15 cities or campuses with 36 employees and reported sales of $605,056. How stable is this provider?

Agreement with the intent of this program is easy to understand and support. However, the practical applications are a bit murky. As “micro” modes of transportation become more accessible to the general public, the question of responsible use and control is an important consideration. Who and how will use be monitored? What criteria will be used to judge the quality and effectiveness of the service? What responsibilities and legal ramifications are borne by users, providers and shared with the city? What are the consequences if someone abuses the system, disregarding rules and regulations? Who judges the safety and quality of vehicles in operation?

Initiating a service of 50 pedal bicycles, 100 electric bicycles and 100 electric scooters can be a consequential benefit to a segment of the population, yet also poses a challenge that could threaten the Vision Zero concept of reducing traffic accidents as well. It is incumbent on city council and staff to have answers to some basic questions before initiating the program. Hopefully at the April 6, 2021 council meeting answers will be forthcoming.

South African hip-hop pioneer publishes new book
By Andrew Cavette
Photos provided by Emile Jansen

Emile Jansen, a Fremont resident, has written a book about the global, hip-hop community. Jansen grew up in Grassy Park in Cape Town, South Africa. In 1988, under the stage name “Emile YX?” he co-founded Black Noise, one of the first hip-hop crews in South Africa.

Jansen is an educator and an activist. He has given lectures about hip-hop at Stanford University and operates a non-profit within South African schools, teaching students about self-confidence.
“The only way they can feel that self-confidence is to know their heritage…and to change the idea that their worth is attached to their external wealth,” Jansen said.

His book, Reconnect The String, is about the global hip-hop community—the people outside of the music industry. In his book, Jansen argues that the classic pillars of hip-hop (DJ-ing, MC-ing, Breakdancing, Graffiti, Knowledge) are deeply rooted in the ancestry of humanity.

“In academic writing, there is a tendency to say that hip-hop came from nothing. That is a huge slap in the face to those people in the Bronx, because they come from a long lineage, a long history in Africa,” Jansen said. “The bushmen are considered the oldest people on the planet, as far as their DNA is concerned. My attempt is to show that (hip-hop) isn’t something new, it is something that is connected to who we all are as a collective of human beings.”

Jansen’s book also emphasizes the cultural, artistic and economic potential the hip-hop community already possesses. Both in his book and in videos on Instagram, Jansen talks about reconfiguring the economics of the hip-hop music industry to better serve members of the hip-hop community.

According to Jansen, too much of the wealth generated by hip-hop music goes to the industry—executives and record labels—rather than the artists and the communities they come from. Jansen argues that “a global, hip-hop network of people,” could take more control of the wealth it generates, even while working within the current economic system.

“Why are we not keeping the money within the hip-hop community on a global level?” Jansen asked in a video. “I would say this and people would stare at me like there something was wrong with me… saying it was not possible. We could make our own spaces. We could have a hip-hop Uber. We could have a hip-hop AirBnB.”

Reconnect The String is currently available for pre-order as a PDF and will soon be published in hardcover. Jansen plans to work with a publisher that has a history of working within the hip-hop community in the U.S. If that publishing deal moves forward, however, his book will probably not be available at every chain bookstore.

Still, Jansen sees benefits to artists working outside the mainstream, and pushes back against the idea that only work affiliated with larger chains and labels is valuable. “There’s a popular idea that when you sell in those (established) spaces, the writers and the artists are getting most of the percentage of those sales… which is the biggest lie.”

Jansen’s family originally decided to move to Fremont to help a close relative who is dealing with chronic health issues. For three years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jansen had been traveling back and forth between Fremont and Cape Town. When COVID-19 limited everyone’s ability to travel, he decided to stay in the Bay Area.

“I knew it was going to be ridiculous for my wife to take care of [her relative] and to work, all while the kids were home, so I stayed,” Jansen said. He continues to speak with his students in South Africa via Zoom.

Jansen’s wife is an American lawyer. They met in 2005 at a United Nations conference on hip-hop held in Johannesburg.

“I wasn’t gonna go!” Jansen recalls, laughing. “I thought: I don’t want to go to…a U.N. hip-hop event.”

When asked about Fremont’s most famous connection to hip-hop, Stanley Kirk Burrell (aka M.C. Hammer) Jansen was quick to point out Burrell’s massive influence on hip-hop dance.

Jansen said that while some would consider M.C. Hammer to be too commercial, Burrell brought hip-hop dance back to the American rap scene. Jansen is a breakdancer, a b-boy, himself, and remembers that era in the early 1990s when rap music was not at all about the dancing.

In addition to Reconnect The String, Jansen is a co-editor on another book, Neva Again: Hip-Hop Art, Activism and Education in Post-Apartheid South Africa.

Sales of Reconnect The String will help fund the Heal The Hood Project, a non-profit organization operating in 15 South African schools in and around Cape Town.

The book is available for pre-order at https://www.gofundme.com/f/preorder-my-book-quotreconnect-the-stringquot.

Family Cycling Workshop
Submitted by City of Fremont

The family that rides together thrives together! Join Bike East Bay’s certified instructors for a day of fun games, safety drills, skills building, and a neighborhood ride on Saturday, April 24. To maintain social distancing and coronavirus safety, this workshop has a low student-to-teacher ratio, so class size is limited.

This workshop is for kids who can ride a bike and are ready to take to the paths and roadways with their parents (suggested grade range 2nd-6th). The event includes instruction on:

• fitting a helmet
• performing a bike safety check
• communicating with other road users
• riding in a straight line and avoiding obstacles
• navigating safely through intersections

All minors must be accompanied by an adult to participate, both with their own working bikes and helmets. Each child will receive free reflective gear or a blinky light. The event is in partnership with Bike East Bay and City of Fremont and funded by Alameda County Transportation Commission.

To register, visit https://bikeeastbay.org/calendar. For more information, call (510) 845-7433, ext. 2 or email robert@bikeeastbay.org.

Family Cycling Workshop
Saturday, Apr 24
9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Fremont Main Library Parking Lot
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 845-7433, ext. 2
https://bikeeastbay.org/
robert@bikeeastbay.org

Fremont Fire Department Log
Submitted by Fremont Fire Department

Tuesday, March 30
• Morning shift crews responded to a vegetation fire at the Durham Dumps at the west end of Automall Parkway. A column of smoke was visible for many miles around. The fire burned about 7.5 acres before it was contained at 11:29 a.m. No reports of injuries or damage to structures were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Housing Element Update
Submitted by City of Fremont

Fremont’s General Plan includes a Housing Element that identifies local housing needs and helps inform future decisions. Under State law, cities are required to update their Housing Element every eight years to show how they plan to meet the housing needs of current and future residents at all income levels.

The city is beginning work on a Housing Element update, with a goal of completion in 2022. As a part of this update, known as the Regional Housing Need Allocation process (RHNA), the state identifies the estimated total housing need for the Bay Area from 2023-2031. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) then determines how to fairly distribute this need to local governments. ABAG recently approved draft allocations for the upcoming RHNA cycle, which includes 12,897 Fremont housing units.

For more information on the update process and how to stay informed, visit the City’s Housing Element webpage at https://fremont.gov/3880/Housing-Element-Update.

Mayor Lily Mei supports President Biden’s American Jobs Plan
Submitted by City of Fremont

On April 1, Fremont Mayor Lily Mei issued the following statement in support of #AmericanJobsPlan:

“On behalf of the City of Fremont, we support President Biden’s American Jobs Plan that aims for a more sustainable and equitable future for the entire nation. On a local level, we have already begun the work to upgrade our infrastructure with a Fiber Master Plan currently being developed with Magellan Advisors, fight against climate change with an updated Climate Action Plan that will be presented to City Council later this year and facilitating workforce development opportunities with our over 900 local manufacturing companies in Fremont, including one of the largest clean technology clusters in the nation. Biden’s proposed plan will allow us to put even more resources toward current and future efforts as multiple City departments and our residents work together to create a more vibrant, economically resilient, and eco-friendly community.”

Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD

Tuesday, March 23
• At 1:43 a.m. officers responded to an in-progress auto burglary report in the area of Brookmill Court in north Fremont. Two vehicles fled the scene but were soon stopped by officers. Three suspects were arrested—identified by police as Peter Supnet, 24, of Hayward; Joshua Supnet-Kim, 18, of Fremont and Elben Ramos, 27, of San Jose.

• At about 4:00 p.m. a robbery occurred in the area of Fremont Boulevard and Thornton Avenue in the Centerville area when a male pedestrian was approached by two suspects. One suspect pointed a gun at him while the other suspect took his belongings.

Wednesday, March 24
• During the early morning hours several trash cans around the Fremont Hub shopping center, 39281 Fremont Boulevard were set on fire.

• A man identified by police as Erick Gamboa, 24, who was identified in a recent bicycle theft investigation, was located inside a parked stolen vehicle in the area of Grimmer Boulevard and Blacow Road. He was arrested.

Friday, March 26
• At about 12:50 p.m. an indecent exposure incident occurred at Lake Elizabeth/Central Park, 40200 Paseo Padre Parkway. The suspect, identified by police as Mohamad Said, 45, a homeless Fremont resident, was arrested.

Saturday, March 27
• At about 1:52 p.m. an armed robbery occurred when a suspect approached the counter at SBC Liquor, 40795 Grimmer Boulevard, pulled out a gun, and demanded money from the victim.

Thursday, April 1
• At about 6:25 p.m. officers tried to take a man they believed to be armed into custody in the parking lot of the Hyatt Place Hotel in the 3100 block of W. Warren Avenue. When the man refused to comply, a police dog was deployed, which prompted the suspect to display a firearm. During the confrontation, two police detectives fired at the suspect, who was hit and pronounced dead at the scene at 6:35 p.m. The shooting is being investigated by the Fremont Police Department Crime Against Persons Unit and the Alameda County District Attorney.

Friday, April 2
• At around 10:15 a.m. officers responded to a report about a suspicious bag at the Hyatt Place Hotel on the 3100 block of W. Warren Avenue. As a precaution about 70 hotel guests were evacuated and the nearby southbound I-880/Warren Avenue exit was closed to avoid traffic congestion. A bomb squad from Alameda County Sheriff’s Office responded and determined the bag was safe and contained no explosives, allowing guests to return to the hotel. A suspect, identified by police as Varun Suresh, 24, of Fremont was arrested and booked at Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of making a false bomb threat, criminal threats and burglary. There were no injuries reported.

Community Meeting and 2020 Year End Review
Submitted by City of Fremont

Fremont Police Department will host a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, April 14.
Police Chief Kimberly Petersen and the staff will discuss:

• Crime, Major Initiatives and Highlights from 2020
• Crime Reduction Strategies
• Community Engagement

The presentation will be recorded and made available with closed captioning for future viewings. For details, call (510) 790-6740 or visit www.fremontpolice.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/124/17.

Virtual Community Meeting
Wednesday, Apr 14
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
(510) 790-6740
www.fremontpolice.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/124/17
Zoom Meeting ID: 998 5082 4717

George D. Sanchez
Resident of Fremont
March 1, 1937 – April 2, 2021

George David Sanchez, 84, of Fremont, California, passed away on April 2nd, 2021. George battled with serious medical issues in recent years and showed his courage in life by facing his medical conditions with dignity and bravery. Despite his illness George remained an example of living life to the fullest until the end.
George was born to parents Andrew and Lucia Sanchez, on March 1st, 1937, in Decoto, California. George spent his younger years in Union City and Fremont California. In 1981 George moved to Carson City, Nevada and lived there until 1999. In 1999 George moved back to the family home in Fremont, California.
George married Virginia Montellano, the love of his life, in 1958, who survives him. George is also survived by his sons George (Toni), Eric (Mary), Steven, and Michael (Jody). George and Virginia have been blessed with eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. George parents Andrew and Lucia, his brothers, Hank, Andrew, and Frank have preceded him in death. George is survived by his brother Fred and sister Mary.
George was a dedicated family man who found the most joy when he was amongst his family. George was passionate about his family and would take his family snow skiing, camping, boating, dirt biking, and water skiing. George put the happiness of his family before his own fears and even though he was deathly afraid of swimming he regularly took his family camping and boating. Later in life one George’s great joys was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. A smile could always be found on Papa’s face as he attended baseball, soccer, and basketball games.
A Vigil Service will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 5 PM, at Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Boulevard, Fremont. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 9th, 2021, 10 AM, at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 703 C Street, Union City.
Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900

I got the COVID-19 vaccine. What can I safely do?
Mar 18
By Terry Tang
Associated Press

You can enjoy small gatherings again but should continue wearing a mask and social distancing in public.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says fully vaccinated people can gather maskless with other vaccinated people indoors. It also says you can meet with unvaccinated people from one household at a time if those people are considered at low risk of severe COVID-19.

In public, the CDC recommends that vaccinated people continue wearing masks, avoid large gatherings and stay apart from others.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine.

Guidance on other activities for vaccinated people remains cautious. The CDC still discourages unnecessary travel, for example, and hasn't yet made a recommendation about going to restaurants or other places.

The CDC expects to update the guidance to allow more activities as infections decline and vaccinations increase.

One reason to keep your guard up after getting one dose of a two-dose vaccine: infection while having partial protection sets up the potential for the virus to mutate, said Dr. Joshua LaBaer, director of the Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute.
––

AP Medical Writer Mike Stobbe contributed to this report.

Join arts group and write a Haiku
By Margaret Thornberry

Lonely long days, nights
Welcome to art of haiku
You are not alone

If living through the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for you, you are not alone. There’s a new group of art supporters, Fremont Arts Now! (FAN) that believes art and self-expression can help all of us through this tough time. In the past, FAN members have encouraged people to make colorful chalk drawings on their driveways, and posted photos sent in by the sidewalk artists to the FAN Facebook page.

Haiku is another creative and interactive art prompt from FAN. Haiku calls for 3 lines, with the first and third lines 5 syllables long, while the second line contains 7 syllables. Those more talented than I can bring an image of a nature scene clearly to mind in just these few words. If you want to know more about the haiku format, read the “What is Haiku?” explanation at Wonderopolis (link below).

To read samples that have already been submitted to the FremontArtsNow Facebook group page, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/FremontArtsNow, click on “topics,” then select #haikufremont.

One of FAN’s founding members, Jeff Akira Fudenna, is also affiliated with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) of Alameda County. He’s making a donation on behalf of NAMI of “Peace bracelets” created by artist Joe Murphy, to be awarded to a few selected haiku submissions sent to the FAN Facebook page. Bracelets are limited; to be eligible to win one, write a haiku, join the FremontArtsNow Facebook group, and submit your work for all to enjoy…just remember to include the #HaikuFremont hashtag with your submission!

Fremont Arts Now! (FAN) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FremontArtsNow
Information about Haiku from Wonderopolis: https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-haiku
Information on NAMI’s support for mental health: https://www.nami-alamedacounty.org

Hanging hotel rooms to become Hilton Home2 Suites
Submitted by Hayward Chamber of Commerce

Work is on schedule as 131 modular guest rooms are lifted into place for what will become Hayward’s newest hotel adjacent Hayward Executive Airport.

Home2 Suites by Hilton is an all-suite extended-stay hotel featuring contemporary accommodations and customizable guest room design. The project by Kalthia Group Hotels will include a breakfast area, conference room and plenty of parking.

Watch for news of a Hayward Chamber of Commerce grand opening event this summer.

Home2 Suites by Hilton
22101 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward

Youth town hall meeting addresses increasing cannabis dispensaries
By Alfred Hu

Currently there is a plan to have up to eleven cannabis dispensaries in Hayward. On March 10, the Youth Advisory Council of the Eden Youth and Family Center held a virtual youth-led townhall where locals expressed their concerns about this change. First, dispensaries tend to be located in poorer communities of color and residents feel they could damage the reputation of the city. With the increasing availability of cannabis, crime and youth problems could increase. In addition, others feel that Hayward could become a destination city for those seeking cannabis. Also, the name of one dispensary, “Cookies”, could create a certain mindset for youth and lure them to purchase cannabis. And furthermore, many residents feel that these dispensaries do not bring much revenue to any city.

A document prepared by the Youth Advisory Council and Eden Youth and Family Center for the meeting outlines some of the ways that marijuana, a type of cannabis, can impact the developing teen brain and interfere with attention, motivation, learning and memory. It also indicates that increased marijuana use could lead to poorer grades in school, decreased chances of graduating from high school or college and lower satisfaction in life.

In a poll taken during the meeting, the majority of respondents were opposed to having more dispensaries in residential areas. One youth, Jennyln C., mentioned, “I don’t appreciate Hayward opening more cannabis dispensaries because it just proves the stigma that Hayward is a ghetto and full of drugs. As a Hayward resident, I don’t want the city I live and go to school to be known as this. Opening not one, not two, but eleven cannabis dispensaries is like a slap in the face for those who are trying to uplift that dishonor that Hayward has created. There are other things Hayward needs more than cannabis dispensaries, please think this through.”

“As a made in Hayward student, hearing the fact that more dispensaries are being added in Hayward breaks my heart knowing that more teens are going to have easier access to marijuana. This scares me and gets me mad knowing how their own city is ruining them,” said Natalie A, another youth.

The proposal discussed during the townhall meeting is limiting the number of cannabis dispensaries in Hayward to three, relocating them to industrialized areas of the city and preventing their expansion into residential areas. Also, priority for space should be given to non-drug related establishments such as golf courses, bowling alleys, parks and grocery stores. To make these proposals a reality community support is vital and very importantly, the voices of youth must be heard.

Programs and Outreach Specialist Jeanette Torrez helped organize this event.

Youth who want more information about cannabis can reach out to Project Eden 1-877-882-9275 or 510-247-8200.
Learn more about cannabis use in California at: https://cannabis.ca.gov/lets-talk-cannabis/.

Hayward Police Log
Submitted by Hayward PD

Wednesday, March 31
• At about 1:55 p.m. officers responded to a report about a woman suffering from stab wounds and covered in blood at a public parking garage at B and Watkins streets in downtown Hayward. Emergency medical workers pronounced the woman dead at the scene. Investigators determined the incident was not a random act of violence as the woman and the suspect knew each other. A suspect is in custody and the incident is being investigated as a homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Green at (510) 293-7176.

Heal Our Communities: a community care space for Asian Americans
Submitted by Engage Fremont

Engage Fremont, in collaboration with Renegade Feedings, GENup Fremont, Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities, Fremont Unified District Teachers’ Association and Malaya TriCity, held an intergenerational, family-friendly space for the Asian community and its allies to heal and process our shared grief over recent attacks on Asian women and elders.

The goal of the March 28 event was to engage Asian community members in a discussion addressing anti-Asian violence through community care, cross-racial solidarity, access to ethnic studies and a culturally responsive curriculum, and investment in community-based services.

Two hundred and fifty community members attended the event in person; it was also live streamed at https://fb.me/e/Wk3qez4u.

Following the theme of cross-racial solidarity, the event featured nine speakers who spoke in six different languages (Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, and English, with ASL interpretation).

The event was centered on addressing root causes of violence – xenophobia, imperialism, misogyny, racism, and classism. Speakers called for community-centered solutions to address the root causes of race and gender-based systemic violence and support not only our AAPI community members, but members of all marginalized communities:

• Address inequitable access to housing, education, employment, health care, transportation, and immigration status experienced by marginalized communities
• Improve conditions for low-wage workers, including access to COVID vaccines, economic relief, child care, and health care
• Dismantle policies that criminalize poor communities of color
• Support restorative justice models that break the cycle of violence and teach people about community mediation
• Implement comprehensive anti-racist curriculum that include teachings on racial solidarity
• Fund culturally and linguistically accessible community-based mental health services for survivors of violence and their family members
• Support mutual aid efforts and grassroots organizations that work to improve the material conditions of the most directly impacted communities

To learn more about Renegade Feedings and Engage Fremont, visit their websites or follow their social media.

Engage Fremont
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EngageFremont
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/engage-fremont/home
Instagram: @engagefremont

Renegade Feedings
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rfeedings/
Website: https://www.renegadefeedings.org/
Instagram: @renegade.feedings

History: Three Blacksmith Shops
By Phillip Holmes
Originally ran January 15, 2013

You are probably wondering what the blacksmith shops of John Horner, Timothy Rix and Heman Crowell could possibly have in common. Yes, they are all blacksmith shops, and they were located near each other, but how else could they be connected?

John and Elizabeth Horner were the first Americans from the East Coast to settle at Mission San Jose and begin large scale farming operations. John and his brother, William, acquired more land, fenced out wild cattle, farmed what they could and engaged tenant farmers on shares. They extended their operations and, by the time Alameda County was formed, were the leading farmers not only in the county but around the state. John experimented with combine harvesters and became a recognized authority on the machines available in the state of California. He was familiar with the advances made with the harvesters and the problems associated with them. So, he decided to construct his own machine.

John had a blacksmith shop on his ranch where he repaired machinery and fabricated and replaced broken parts, but he decided to have some parts of his proposed harvester made at the Rix blacksmith shop and the Crowell machine shop. These shops already had skilled machinists, blacksmiths and wood workers used to working with canvas, wood, and rivets. Both shops were located in nearby Washington Corners, so distance was not a problem.

A. O. Rix operated a pioneer wheelwright shop next to Crowell's. He is listed in the 1867 business directory and subsequent directories, at times, as a wagon manufacturer. He invented and manufactured the Rix Almond Huller, which made it easier to harvest almonds. He sometimes advertised as a partner of Beazell and Crowell. Edward K. Rix was also listed as a blacksmith.

Heman Crowell, who seldom used his first name in writing, came from Nova Scotia to Washington Corners in 1859. He established a business as a blacksmith and machinist and eventually became recognized as “the village blacksmith.” Jim Beazell moved from Centerville, and they formed a partnership advertised as “Beazell and Crowell, Blacksmiths and Machinists.” They erected a new machine shop in 1862 where they shod horses and built and repaired farm machinery. They were the only blacksmiths listed for Washington Corners in the 1867 business directory. They were also agents for the Buckeye Mower and Reaper and Perkins Wind Mills.

Crowell invented and marketed steel laid cylinder teeth all over the West. He kept several men busy making the teeth in his shop and sold from 10 to 50,000 annually for years. They sold for 30 cents each in 1876.

Jim Beazell moved on to Livermore and eventually became a state senator. Crowell purchased his partner's interest and continued to operate the business for many years. The shop was reported to be very busy in June 1876, preparing tools and machinery for harvesting hay.

Crowell advertised Turbine Windmills, Buckeye Pumps, and Toohey's Superior Oil for leather harness and buggy tops. He taught the blacksmith trade to Chris Rasmussen and others. He retired and sold the business to Thomas Tierney about 1903. Crowell was Irvington's “village blacksmith” for more than 40 years.

The 1878 Atlas of Alameda County lists the shops of Crowell and Rix as “about the only manufacturing industry at the Corners.” (Washington Corners, now Irvington) The author also notes that mechanical and manufacturing interests were started here at an early day, notably that of Timothy Rix, who also became the first postmaster.

Timothy Rix was a sea captain from Boston who sailed to San Francisco then settled on his ranch at Washington Corners in 1850. He bought and erected a house that had been shipped “round the Horn, worked as a wheelwright and became the first postmaster at “the Corners.” He established a store and wheelwright business that was continued by A. O. Rix in conjunction with Heman Crowell. One of the local history museum's treasured photographs shows the blacksmith shop of Timothy in 1853.

A.O. Rix was described as “a skilled wagonmaker.” E. K. Pix who worked with him was “Wrought-iron maker and blacksmith.” The “Day Book” kept by A. O. Rix was a record of the business conducted by the shop. Daily entries in the book gave the dates connected with the work done by the skilled wheelwrights, machinists and cabinetmakers. Listed items also itemize the costs connected with the handwork required to construct and assemble the raw materials such as wood, canvas and rivets. The iron work was done in Heman Crowell's shop next door.

Items listed also give the name of the customers who ordered them. And here are the names we are looking for – J. M. Horner, I. M. and W. Y. Horner and Horner & Co. Items listed include: 12-foot belt, Fork Handles, Pulleys and drums, rivets, 15 feet of ash, labor changes for sawing and most revealing of all “work on harvester.” Skilled workers in the Rix and Crowell shops were constructing parts for the harvester that John Horner had planned and designed.
Honor Roll

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
New member
• Malia Takei of Fremont, Elon University, Louisiana

Huskies win in the trenches
By Mike Heightchew

In an April 2nd matchup, the Washington Huskies (Fremont) were able to mount a credible offense and control the battle of the trenches, overcoming a good Mount Eden Monarch offensive effort. Speed, ball movement and tenacity were exhibited by both teams but the Huskies defense rose to the occasion for a 33-28 win at critical moments.

Rotarians and Interact students raise awareness for leukemia
Submitted by Priya Tanugula

Milpitas-based Rotary Club of Silicon Andhra, together with their newly-formed student Interact Rotary Club, will host a virtual walk-a-thon to raise awareness of leukemia and how you can help save a life!

The Rotary and Interact club are partnering with the Asian American Donor Program (AADP) (https://www.aadp.org/about/our-story/), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the availability of potential stem cell donors for patients with life-threatening diseases curable by a stem cell transplant.

“We are hoping the awareness effort will educate the public by becoming a stem cell donor,” said Raju Chamarthi, club president, Rotary Club of Silicon Andhra. “We are hoping to have 1,000 participants register for the walk-a-thon, and an accumulation of 10,000 miles over the duration of the 10 days and raise donations as well to support these efforts.”

Asian American Donor Program Virtual Walkathon
Friday, Apr 2 – Monday, Apr 11
Download application to register: www.strava.com/clubs/interact-rcosa
RSVP: tinyurl.com/interact-iwalk
www.siliconandhrarotary.org

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

Every 3rd Thursday and 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

2nd Saturdays, April 10, 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

Sunday, March 14 – Sunday April 11
Superhero 5k Virtual Run $R
Run, walk or stroll on your own time to raise money for Parkinson’s Foundation. Participate in scavenger hunts and raffles.
https://www.active.com/running/distance-running-races/superhero-5k-a-week-virtual-challenge-2021

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 and 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 faced by 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

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

UPCOMING

Tuesday, April 6
Palliative Care, an Extra Layer of Support R
3:30 p.m.
Virtual Seminar – Learn about the interdisciplinary Palliative Care Team
www.whhs.com
(800) 963-7070

Wednesday, April 7
Fremont Art Association
1 p.m.
Art demo by Guest Artist Stephen Berry
Via Zoom
https://www.fremontartassociation.org/monthlymeetinganddemo

Wednesday, April 7
Davis Street Virtual Art & Fashion Show
6 p.m.
Fundraiser for disabilities program. Silent auction, raffle, art pieces highlighted

Wednesday, April 7
Covid-19: Alternate Forms of Payment R
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Learn about digital currencies – a free ACSBDC webinar
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/48010

Wednesday, April 7
Stop AAPI Hate Forum
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Federal, state and local response to the rise in AAPI hate crimes and incidents
Facebook Live

Wednesday, April 7
Naturalization Overview
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Free info session from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Webex Link: https://bit.ly/3rnfpuT
Meeting number (access code): 199 631 2575
Meeting password: WjWmA752aJs@

Thursday, April 8
Growing Healthy Gardens from the Ground Up
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free webinar about organic gardening
https://bit.ly/3dp9H75
www.cleanwaterprogram.org

Thursday, April 8
Embrace AAPI Solidarity
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mayors from Fremont, Newark and Union City discuss ways to tackle hate crimes
Via Zoom
www.ohlone.edu/embrace

Thursday, April 8
Connecting in a Post Covid World R
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
How to successfully maintain and make new connections – a free ACSBDC webinar
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/47973

Friday, April 9
Family Story Time R
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hear authors Nancy Johnson James and Dr. Khalid White read from their books
www.visualstorytime_sfa-fp.eventbrite.com

Saturday, April 10
Zoom Social Write-In
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Prompts for writers of all levels
Request Zoom link: scottfrombayside@yahoo.com

Saturday, April 10
Spring Sing
6 p.m.
Celebrate spring with a concert of opera favorites
Via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LivermoreValleyOpera
www.livermorevalleyopera.com

Saturday, April 10
Boldly Me virtual walkathon
Sign up to fundraise and walk, bike or run in a location of your choice.
https://www.boldlyme.org/

Sunday, April 11
Holocaust Remembrance Service R
7:30 p.m.
Kindertransport survivor Ralph Samuel shares memories
Via Zoom
Bit.ly/YomHaShoah5781

Monday, April 12
COVID Relief Townhall
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee discusses American Rescue Plan and current vaccination efforts in the district
Facebook Live

Monday, April 12
Milpitas Rotary
12 noon
Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/364zWgd
Meeting ID: 830 1305 6992
Passcode: 113524

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.
Discussion of crime trends, adjustments during COVID 19 pandemic, crime reduction strategies
https:/FremontPolice.gov

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

Wednesday, April 14 R
Normal Aging and Ways of Improving Memory
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

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

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?

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 Street, Union City
(510) 675-5284

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
Learn about programs to lower property taxes and more! Hosted by Alameda County Assessor Phong La
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/3l7fBwU

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

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

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 faced by 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

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

Kenneth Grimes
Resident of Newark
August 29, 1923 – January 18, 2021

Kenneth Grimes, a longtime resident of Newark, CA, died at age 97 of natural causes. After serving in the Coast Guard and Navy during WWII, Ken and his wife relocated from Minnesota to California. In 1958, they settled in Newark to raise their growing family. In addition to being a long-haul driver for Consolidated Freightways, Ken was also an avid, accomplished marksman and private pilot. Most especially, he was a loving family man. Ken is survived by Vera, his wife of 78 years, his eight children, 13 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. A date for the celebration of Ken’s life is yet to be determined.

Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900

Kindertransport survivor to speak at Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Service
Submitted by Tri-City Interfaith Council

The Tri-City Interfaith Council invites the public to attend their annual “Yom HaShoah (Holocaust) Remembrance Service” on Sunday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. The service is held on Zoom. Advanced registration is required and can be done at bit.ly/YomHaShoah5781.

This year, Ralph Samuel will be the featured speaker. Mr. Samuel was born in Dresden, Germany, in 1931. At age 7½, he was sent alone on a Kindertransport to England to escape the Holocaust. At the outbreak of war, he was evacuated to the English countryside to escape the expected bombing. His talk is titled “Remembering the Kindertransports.”

Mr. Samuel was educated in England and at age 27, immigrated to the United States. In 1962, he moved to California, and in 1997, he retired after 25 years in public agency real estate.

Mr. Samuel has been a member of the JFCS Holocaust Center’s William J. Lowenberg Speakers Bureau. In 2010 and 2011, he went back to Dresden and Heidelberg, speaking to students and adults in German. In 2015, Ralph was again in Dresden, speaking to high school students at the Gymnasium that he would have attended were it not for the Holocaust.

The service is free and open to everyone. When events are held in person, a free will offering is typically received. Since this gathering will be on Zoom, attendees are encouraged to make a donation to “Facing History and Ourselves,” an education organization. Their website is www.facinghistory.org/.

Tri-City Interfaith Council is the largest interfaith organization in southern Alameda County. Its mission is to promote an inclusive society in which people of all faiths and traditions respect and appreciate one another. Learn more at tcicouncil.weebly.com.

Holocaust Remembrance Service with Kindertransport survivor
Sunday, Apr 11
7:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
Register in advance at: bit.ly/YomHaShoah5781

Call for volunteers – LOV summer camps 2021
Submitted by Shirley Sisk

Summer Camp is BACK with lots of fun. We need volunteers for our Kid-Koach opportunities!
Signups start online April 1, 2021 at www.lov.org.

You must be 15 or older to apply. Volunteers under 18 require parental consent, while ages 18+ require a background check (free). You’ll earn service hours, lead activities, take videos, and organize the fun.

Summer Camp kids range from ages 5 to 12. Camp runs 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday, June 21 to Thursday, July 29 (for six weeks).

Applications can also be provided by Sherrie: (510) 793-5683 or sherrie@lov.org.

Volunteer for LOV Summer Camps
Monday – Thursday, Jun 21 – Jul 29
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mayhews Landing Park
36380 Cherry St., Newark
www.lov.org

Mary “Ginny” Faulconer
Resident of Fremont
May 16, 1920 – April 1, 2021

Ginny was born in Perry, Mo. She attended Stephen's College and graduated from the University of Missouri. While in school met Jesse R. Faulconer and they wed in 1941. Since sorority sisters and naval cadets were not allowed to marry, they secretly wed on Xmas day and the next day Jesse was sent overseas to join the battle of World War II. They were married for 53 years before Jesse passed away in 1994.Ginny leaves behind two children, James Faulconer and Kay Emanuele, three grandchildren, Kevin Faulconer, Melissa Alegre and Lisa Lockyer, as well as three step grandchildren, Rosalyn Reasor, Guy and Peter Emanuele. Ginny has twelve great grandchildren and one great great grandson. Ginny loved socializing, car traveling, playing bridge. She was truly supportive of her children. She always encouraged and applauded their efforts. She will always be remembered and missed.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 9, 2021, 10:30 AM, at Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Boulevard, Fremont, with a Chapel Service at 11 AM. A private burial to be held at Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, CA.
Fremont Memorial Chapel
510-793-8900

Mary Lee Nunes-Martell
Resident of Hayward
October 2, 1950 – March 13, 2021

Mary Lee Nunes-Martell, 71, of Hayward, died March 13, 2021, in a Fremont hospital. She was born on October 2, 1950, to Douglas and Pearl Adams.
She married Jesus “Jesse” Martell and they had four children, Jesse, Alejandro, Angelo, and Maria.
Mary attended Fremont High School in Oakland. She went on to work various jobs, before serving as full-time caretaker of her daughter for the last 28 years.
She is survived by two of her son’s, her daughter, two grandsons, three granddaughters, and three great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son Alejandro; and many friends and relatives.
Service were held.
Fremont Memorial Chapel
510-793-8900

Milpitas Cares 2021
Submitted by Milpitas Cares

Unusual times call for creative and loving solutions. Milpitas Cares has served our community well each year with a two-and-a-half-week blitz in the spring when we reach out and assist schools, the city, and community service groups. This is a different time and needs are different, so we are going to get creative to meet the needs of the day.

Each of the groups in our community report both ongoing and specific projects that will unfold as COVID-19 recovery progresses. Some we’ve already started to respond to: online after-school programs and tutoring, and food distribution to families in need. Some we’d like to respond to: planting a herb and vegetable garden at the Milpitas Food Pantry. Others will unfold as recovery continues, such as help preparing our schools for reopening.

We’re also doing this in ways that maximize your safety. There will be service opportunities where people can participate from their home. Using the pod concept, we have opportunities where you can participate with others in your household, or as a group that you already interact with. We’ll also have some opportunities that require larger groups where we’ll maximize safety through masks, social distancing, sanitation, no overlapping shifts, and outdoor projects. There will be something for everybody, and you’ll know ahead of time exactly what to expect.

The response we have gotten from the community has been fantastic. Mayor Rich Tran, Superintendent Cheryl Jordan, several school board members and principals, and directors of the many service groups we serve are all fans of this approach. It meets the unique needs they have for this year. They are excited. We hope you are too.

Initial service opportunities will be posted on the Milpitas Cares website (https://www.milpitascares.org/) at the end of April. For more information and for email updates, email: info@milpitascares.org.

New campaign office comes to Fremont
Submitted by Ryan LaLonde

Pamela Price, an early candidate for the 2022 race for Alameda County District Attorney is opening a campaign office in Fremont to better serve Tri-City area voters.

“Opening a campaign office early in Fremont was important to me,” Price said. “Being able to have a visible and physical presence in the Southern Alameda County area sends a message that I am listening to all of the voters of the county and want my campaign to reflect the diversity of all of the County. When I ran in 2018, I feel like I didn’t connect with the voters in Southern Alameda and I want to make sure that I am available for conversations and doing the work to uplift their concerns and ideas about criminal justice reform.”

Price, a civil rights attorney and political activist, expects to take on incumbent DA Nancy O’Malley in the November 2022 race. An opening celebration for her new Fremont office at 43255 Mission Blvd., No. 102, is set from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 10 and will be held outdoors in compliance with coronavirus restrictions with masks required and social distancing.

For more information, visit the Price campaign website at www.pamelaprice4da.com.

Pamela Price office opening ceremony
Saturday, Apr 10
12 noon to 3 p.m.
43255 Mission Blvd., No. 102

2 minutes and 47 seconds
By Mike Heightchew

In a see-saw battle on April 2nd that featured good plays and miscues including interceptions and fumbles, the Newark Memorial Cougars were able to pull out a win over a stubborn Irvington Viking team (Fremont). With 2 minutes and 47 seconds left in the contest, the Cougars’ offense was able to power the ball into the end zone for a 14-8 victory.

Community Clean Up Day
Submitted by Newark Police Department

Newark Public Works is hosting a Community Clean Up on Saturday, April 24. The event is open to Newark Residents (recent residential collection bill with matching ID required) and is by appointment only. For details, email mainreq@newark.org or call Public Works at (510) 578-4806. Below is a list of accepted and not accepted items:

Accepted Items
• Appliances
• Reusable household goods
• Furniture
• Mattresses
• Metals
• Wood
• Carpeting
• Tires & E-waste

Not Accepted
• Household trash
• Dirt, construction, or demolition rubble
• Household hazardous wastes (e.g., paint, batteries, motor oil)
• Propane tanks / gas cylinders / lawn mowers

Community Clean Up
Saturday, Apr 24
7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (or until bins are filled)
Newark Service Center
37440 Filbert St., Newark
(510) 578-4806
mainreq@newark.org
Amount you can bring: One standard sized pick-up truck load per household

Newark Police Log
Submitted by Newark PD

Tuesday, March 2
• At 6:55 a.m. Office Kapu investigated the theft of a GMC Sierra that was stolen while it was left unattended and running in a driveway in the 6000 block of Moores Ave. The vehicle was recovered in Hayward on March 4.

• At 9:45 a.m. Officer Kapu responded to an attempted burglary and possible assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) report in the 7000 block of Gateway Blvd. Loss was approximately $1,000 worth of power tools; the suspect fled prior to officer arrival but was located nearby and arrested. The suspect, identified by police as a 59-year-old San Francisco man, faces charges of grand theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, receiving known stolen property, petty theft and post-release community supervision violation. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Wednesday, March 10
• At 7:55 p.m. Officers Soto and Cervantes investigated a report about a vehicle’s windshield being shattered in the 8000 block of Central Avenue. Soto contacted a 19-year-old Newark woman about the incident and she gave a full confession. The case was sent to the District Attorney for complaint.

Friday, March 12
• At 3:42 p.m. officers responded to a report of someone forcing entry into a locked business in the 7000 block of Thornton Avenue. Officers located the suspect nearby and, after a short foot pursuit, Officer McCuin arrested the 29-year-old man. The man faces charges of burglary, probation violation, possession of a controlled substance and obstructing a peace officer. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail.

Sunday, March 14
• At 11:09 p.m. officers investigated a report of an unwanted guest in the 5000 block of Cedar Court. Officer Herrera contacted and later arrested a 54-year-old Newark man on an outstanding warrant. He was booked at Fremont City Jail.

Railfan photographers special
Submitted by Niles Canyon Railway
Photos by Chris Hauf

The Pacific Locomotive Association and the Niles Canyon Railway will host a railfan photographers special on Saturday, May 1 to benefit the restoration of recently-acquired Southern Pacific M-6 Steam Locomotive #1744. Tickets are $175 per person, and additional donations are most welcome. All proceeds of this event will go directly to the restoration of the 1744.

The day will feature a historically-accurate period freight train, pulled by 2-4-4-2 Columbia River Belt Line #7, known as the “Skookum” while ticketholders ride in a separate chase train pulled by SP #1195, a vintage SW900. Starting in Sunol at 9 a.m., there will be multiple rare photo-runbys throughout the canyon and, new for this day, several photo locations east of Sunol. The engine is planned to face west for the entire trip. Our steam engines normally face east. Time permitting, there will also be opportunities to work with the conductor to stage other shots as the group desires. Halfway through the day a box lunch will be served. Return to Sunol and tie up will be around 4:30 p.m.

The trip will also include a stop at the Brightside Steam Shop for a tour of the SP 1744, and an overview of the restoration effort by the project managers. They will detail the recent restoration progress and how funds will be used to return this artifact to operating service.

Safety is every railroad’s first priority! The NCRy is no exception, and tickets will be limited to ensure the chase train capacity is well below 50% with an added open-air car, hand sanitizer, and restrooms onboard. Photo lines will be spread out to ensure social distancing, and masks will be required. To ensure authenticity, however, the train and engine crews on the photo freight train will not be masked during runbys and will maintain separation from ticketholders and the chase train crew.

Please bring camera equipment, close-toed shoes, mask, water bottle, clothing for inclement weather, and a positive attitude. Please note: This is a serious railfan photographer’s trip with the train being out the entire day, and passengers debarking and reboarding multiple times in remote areas with uncertain footing, exposed to weather and natural hazards in Niles Canyon. This trip is not recommended for young children.

Railfan photographers special
Saturday, May 1
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunol Station
6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol

Tickets: $175

Cold calling best practices
Submitted by Tri-City Nonprofit Coalition

For fundraising professionals, there is an art to making “cold calls”—unsolicited calls to donor prospects. Successfully connecting with potential donors is key to fundraising success, yet it can be a daunting process.

If cold calling gives you pause, Tri-City Nonprofit Coalition (TCNPC) will host a free, presentation on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30 pm. Armando Zumaya, a fundraising professional, will share best practices and more in his presentation, “Cold Calling for Fundraising Professionals.” Armando’s 34+ years of experience have given him a unique perspective on development offices, prospecting, and the role of prospect research and management.

Armando’s background includes overseeing campaigns at Cornell University and UC Berkeley that resulted in over $1 billion raised. The April 14 meeting will include a Q&A session with Armando as well as highlight the work of two local nonprofits, Deaf Counseling Advocacy & Referral Agency, and Serra Center.

Register for TCNPC’s April Zoom meeting here: https://tinyurl.com/TCNPCApril2021.

Cold Calling for Fundraising Professionals
Wednesday, Apr 14
6:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
Register at: https://tinyurl.com/TCNPCApril2021

Zoo exhibit focuses on illegal wildlife trade
Submitted by Isabella Linares, Oakland Zoo

A new multi-platform campaign at Oakland Zoo, “Taking Action Against the Illegal Wildlife Trade” will open April 7. The exhibit is aimed at educating the public about unlawful capture of wild animals and selling of unsustainable products derived from plants or animals.

Inspired and led by Dr. Joel Parrott, who retired April 2, as his final endeavor as the Zoo’s President & CEO, the campaign is at the heart of the Conservation Society of California's mission. The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion-dollar industry that is pushing around one million wild animals and plants worldwide to further extinction. Only 25% of animals poached from the wild and sold into the illegal wildlife pet trade actually survive their ordeal.

Combating the wildlife trade does not only protect animals and their species, but it also protects people from zoonotic diseases worldwide—a significant threat, as evidenced by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“As my final project at the Oakland Zoo before my retirement, the new ‘Inside the Illegal Wildlife Trade’ exhibit represents one of the most important messages we can convey to our guests to help protect wildlife worldwide,” Parrott explained. “Going forward, Oakland Zoo will play an even more important role to inspire our visitors with hope, and an understanding that everyone can play a role in conservation of species.”

Located in the Zoo’s African Savanna, the 400-square foot “Inside the Illegal Wildlife Trade” exhibit is open to guests throughout the year. It is filled with actual contraband confiscated by the Department of Fish & Wildlife, along with educational displays and a video screen. The exhibit demonstrates the devastation of the illegal wildlife trade industry — including the decimations of many animal species and the spread of many zoonotic diseases. Guests leave the exhibit with a new understanding and inspired that they truly can make a difference.

“We all have a responsibility. What we choose to eat, what we decide to buy, how we choose to spend our resources. Wildlife and the animals in the illegal wildlife trade, don’t have a voice. We need to be their voice,” said Nik Dehejia, incoming CEO and President of Oakland Zoo.

At the exhibit, guests will be encouraged to take a pledge to Take Action to end the trade. The exhibit explains how people can make simple yet powerful choices on their purchases, pet choices, and travel — three actions that can eliminate the industry altogether.

Oakland Zoo is partnering with the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance (WTA), a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). So far, 80 AZA accredited zoos have signed up for the cause. The partnership will allow the zoo and WTA to work together to raise further public awareness of the scope of the wildlife trafficking crisis and effect change to end the trade.

With about 50% of Oakland Zoo’s animal residents being rescues, dozens of those are also victims of illegal wildlife trade both domestically and overseas; including countless reptiles and amphibians. The Zoo works with and provides care and sanctuary for confiscated wildlife from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CADFW), and other organizations that protect wildlife.

Recently, the Zoo accepted wallaby confiscations from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife from a private owner who illegally had the wallabies as exotic pets. After their mandatory quarantine, the wallabies will live in the Zoo’s Wild Australia area.

Stories of confiscated animals now living at Oakland Zoo help demonstrate the devastation the illegal wildlife trade causes. The new onsite exhibit, along with the campaign, hopes to explain that this issue is very close to home, with many animal confiscations from the illegal wildlife trade happening right here in the Bay Area.

More information about the exhibit is posted on the Zoo’s “Taking Action Against the Illegal Wildlife Trade” page at their website: oaklandzoo.org/endthetrade.

Unity in diversity
Submitted by Tina Vossugh

Join Ohlone College Superintendent/President Dr. Eric Bishop on Thursday, April 8, as he hosts an open dialogue with Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, Newark Mayor Al Nagy, and Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci on ways to tackle hate crimes against our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

Moderated by KPIX-Reporter Betty Yu, the conversation will detail how we can work together to unite against hate and celebrate diversity in our community. The virtual event is open to the public and hosted by Ohlone College and sponsored by the Ohlone College Foundation.

To participate, visit www.ohlone.edu/embrace. Registration is not required; visit the Zoom link on the day and time of the event.

Embrace AAPI Solidarity
Thursday, Apr 8
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Zoom Link: www.ohlone.edu/embrace

Reserve docent-led tours at Old Mission San Jose
Submitted by Old Mission San Jose

As Alameda County enters the Orange Tier and COVID-19 restrictions loosen, more of our historic sites are open to the public. Old Mission San Jose kept active in 2020, celebrating its 223rd anniversary in June with a special mass, and offering a livestream of the altar illumination in October.

Now visitors can once again reserve tours of the facilities, including the Church, historic Cemetery, and the beautiful Spanish Jardin Garden. At this time, only docent-led tours are offered Thursday through Sunday by reservation for groups of 15 or less. Tours last approximately one hour, with a choice of start times at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Fill out the tour reservation form on the website: https://missionsanjose.org/tours.

For students researching their 4th grade Mission Project, the online Gift Shop provides a free packet of historical information as well as additional materials for purchase at: https://missionsanjose.org/gift-shop.

In advance of your tour, you may wish to view an 18-minute video depicting Spanish exploration and the 1797 founding of the mission as well as day-to-day living within the mission. The video is available on the website.

The Church is a reconstruction of the original mission adobe church of 1809, built with the materials and using construction methods of that time. It also contains the rare Rosales Opus 14 Spanish Organ.

The Cemetery contains historic graves of the earliest Spanish families as well as later pioneers. As you exit the church, take a stroll through the rose garden and enjoy the fountain and plantings representing the original mission period.

Visitors with disabilities will find all facilities at Old Mission San Jose, i.e. the museum, church, cemetery, and gardens, generally accessible. Please note, pets are not allowed in the buildings.

Old Mission San Jose tours
Thursday – Sunday
11 a.m., 1 p.m., & 3 p.m.
43300 Mission Blvd., Fremont
(510) 657-1797
https://missionsanjose.org/
Tickets: $7 adults, $5 children under 12

Letter to the Editor
Scientific Survey Result: Parks in Demand

Our community is blessed with regional parks (Garin, Coyote Hills, Ardenwood, Vargas Plateau, and Mission Peak) offering scientifically sound pandemic relief. A wide variety of multi-use trails offer elevation gains and opportunity for an excellent recreational, cardiovascular, and therapeutic walk. The pandemic has proven the value of “outdoors for all.”

Spending as little as two hours a week in nature can have a positive impact on physical and mental health during the pandemic, according to the Wall Street Journal: For Better Health During the Pandemic, Is Two Hours Outdoors the New 10,000 Steps?

Doctors and researchers are beginning to tap into nature therapy. Stanford University Professor Gretchen Daily in a recent study assigned two groups to walk for 45 minutes a day. One of the groups walked hills, the other on a busy thoroughfare lined by trees. A series of cognitive tests afterward found “a massive difference” between the two groups that favored those that walked in the hills.

The Community Services Department of Fremont sponsored a scientific survey to understand park needs and priorities. They conducted 28 focus groups, 11 stakeholder interviews, and three community forums, while collecting 750 comments. The results were surprising. For example, lack of parking is the primary reason cited for not visiting parks and recreation facilities. We note that parking at the city’s top-rated attraction, Mission Peak Regional Preserve, has been restricted since 2016. At least 4,500 citations totaling over $300,000 have been handed out on nearby public streets.

According to the survey, households desire most—by a wide margin—multi-use paved and unpaved trails. In fact, trails rated higher than community centers, swimming pools, and off-leash dog parks. Restrooms were the runner-up priority for investment. Yet the city has created few multi-use paths over the last five years.

The city balked at purchasing the 1.7-mile UPRR easement between Niles and Paseo Padre for $3 million, yet has a budget of $80 million for park acquisitions. The city should take another look at acquiring the UPRR easement to create a much-needed north/south trail that would connect to the Alameda Creek Trail, Morrison Canyon Trail, SaberCat Trail, Greenway Trail, and eventually Niles Canyon and Hetch Hetchy Trails.

Outgoing general manager of East Bay Regional Park District, Robert Doyle, was interviewed recently about how COVID-19 has impacted park operations. He said park use was up by 30 to 50 percent in general, but regional paved trails for bicycles increased as much as 50 to 75 percent.

The City of Fremont has identified many opportunities to expand the trail network. The challenge is implementation and a vision of what is possible. Our community should invest in trails for commute, exercise, and recreation.

william yragui
co-founder
Mission Peak Conservancy

Ride-On Tri-City
Submitted by City of Fremont Human Services Department

Do you know who to call when you need a ride? Wondering how to get to your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, your doctor’s office, the grocery store, pharmacy, or community locations? Want to learn more about your transportation options? Attend a Zoom event on Thursday, April 8 to learn about services offered by Ride-On Tri-City.

To register, email rideontricity@fremont.gov or call (510) 574-2053. The Zoom link will be emailed to you upon registration. You can also register online by visiting https://tinyurl.com/a7syxv66.

Ride-On Tri-City
Thursday, Apr 8
10 a.m.
(510) 574-2053
https://tinyurl.com/a7syxv66
rideontricity@fremont.gov

Rides to vaccination
Submitted by LIFE ElderCare

In partnership with the City of Fremont and Haller’s Pharmacy, LIFE ElderCare is offering safe assisted rides for Tri-City elders who require destination assistance to get to their COVID-19 vaccination (COVAX) appointments.

Our drivers are vaccinated and following CDC guidelines to minimize risk of exposure to COVID-19 during the ride. They can provide a steady arm, visual guidance, and other basic support to get seniors to their appointments and back home safely.

If you know someone age 65+ who needs transportation to their appointment, please have them call Ride-On Tri-City at (510)574-2053.

If they do not use the computer and have no one to help them make an appointment, we can help! Please have them call us at (510) 894-0370 with their insurance card in hand. Shotline (https://www.shotline.org/ or (909) 766-6292) is another wonderful group helping elders overcome barriers to getting vaccinated.

If you want to volunteer to deliver meals or be a driver for seniors (for the latter, you'll need to be vaccinated), please email info@LifeElderCare.org or call (510) 894-0370.

Suspect Arrested for Robbery with a Firearm
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD

On Friday, April 2, 2021 at 3:14 p.m., patrol officers responded to the Kabob House located in the 37000 block of Fremont Blvd. Multiple victims and witnesses reported a suspect at the restaurant with a handgun threatening to shoot everyone in the area. One reporting party advised that the suspect actually attempted to shoot a victim. Numerous officers responded to the scene as it was unclear if a shooting had actually occurred.

A suspect vehicle description was provided and patrol officers located the suspect travelling southbound Fremont Bl. at Country Dr. A short pursuit was initiated until the suspect fled on foot in the area of Mowry Ave. and Hastings St. He was quickly arrested by pursuing officers. Officers searched the suspect vehicle but did not locate the firearm.

Officers on scene at the Kabob House determined that there was no actual shooting. Several victims and witnesses advised that the suspect came to the restaurant and brandished a firearm while demanding his food. One victim described the firearm as a black handgun with an extended magazine. Video surveillance was recovered which corroborated the statements.

The video showed the suspect pointing his handgun directly at one victim who may have intervened after the initial confrontation, however that victim left the scene and officers have been unable to identify him. Officers believe that the reporting party was referring to this victim as the one who the suspect attempted to shoot. Investigators would like to speak to the unidentified victim. We are asking for the unidentified victim to contact our Investigations Unit at 510-790-6900 to speak with a Detective.

Officers spent the majority of the day attempting to locate the firearm with no success. Officers will continue to search the affected areas in an attempt to locate the firearm.

35-year-old Asaam Ghanem of Hayward was arrested for assault with a firearm on a person, robbery, criminal threats, felony evading, and resisting arrest. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail where his bail was set at $290,000. Ghanem’s arraignment is scheduled for April 6, 2021 at the

East County Hall of Justice.

Cocktails and Conservation: Safe Passage for Grizzlies
Submitted by Oakland Zoo

The Cocktails and Conservation series features some of the world’s most incredible conservationists. These heroes are working on the ground every day to save endangered species and their habitats. Guests join on Facebook or YouTube Live to learn, ask questions, and be a part of the solution to preserve our planet’s rich and diverse wildlife. Each episode will feature a custom cocktail, so we can toast to a safe world for wildlife. Look out for the recipe, mix your cocktail, and join us live!

For the Wednesday, April 14 session, the guest is Mark Biel, Glacier National Park Natural Resources Program Manager and leader of The Glacier National Park Grizzly Passage Project. Join Oakland Zoo, and this award-winning wildlife hero live from his center in Montana. Grizzly bears living in Glacier National Park face the challenge of safely navigating car traffic and tourists as they search for new homes, mates, and food. This project provides the infrastructure that will protect this vital wildlife corridor, allowing visitors to be inspired at a safe distance as grizzlies peacefully amble past.

We are pleased to feature a signature cocktail from The Hobnob in Alameda (https://thehobnobalameda.com/). Join us as we imbibe while being inspired!

Glacier National Park’s Safe Passage for Grizzlies
Wednesday, Apr 14
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Via Facebook and YouTube Live
www.oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/cocktails-conservation
www.oaklandzoo.org/conservation-partners/glacier-national-park-passage-project

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to reopen rides on April 1
AP Wire Service
Mar 29

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) – The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will reopen select rides starting April 1 under California COVID-19 safety restrictions, the attraction announced Monday.

The 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster will be among the available rides.

The rides will only be open to California residents and other restrictions will include mandatory face coverings, social distancing, and capacity limits.

Located on the northern edge of Monterey Bay since the early 1900s, the Boardwalk has already opened for eating, shopping, and outdoor games.

In Southern California, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier has announced it is preparing to reopen its rides but has only said it expects that to happen sometime after April 1.

Checkmate: Local chess business defeats COVID-19
By Harshdeep Singh Nanda

As we pass the one-year mark since the effects of the pandemic started to take hold of small businesses, we reflect back on how some local businesses survived. One is Shoreview Chess, owned by Demetrius Goins.

Goins started this business back in 2012, after noticing a lack of access to traditional “hang-out” places for chess players. As a professional chess player (ranked 2160) himself, Goins grew up going to a donut shop in Oakland that was known as a common venue for local chess players to meet, play for fun, or even compete. To foster this type of environment for the next generation of chess players, Goins started offering private lessons, which eventually turned into group classes. “I was invited to give my group lessons at peoples’ houses until I decided to make it a full-scale thing,” said Goins.

In 2015, Goins and his two team members moved into a building near Pacific Commons in Fremont, where Shoreview Chess is today. Since then, Shoreview Chess has attracted thousands of students across the bay, as far as San Mateo, San Jose and Pleasanton.

“My primary goal was to create something that serviced different levels of players with different needs,” said Goins. “Some may want to play, train or even compete in tournaments. We’ve even had students compete internationally in tournaments in Greece and Vietnam.”

Apart from the private/group lessons and general spaces to play chess, Goins and his team started “Chess All Day” events. These start with a tournament, take a break for lunch, have a second tournament, and then end with evening classes. “Chess All Day” has been an exciting event for the students.

Unfortunately, everything changed for Goins and the rest of the Shoreview Chess team when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Most parents took their kids out of the program, as they needed to keep them at home for safety reasons. As on-site services were no longer possible, most of Shoreview Chess’s business disappeared. In March of 2020, the business was forced to close its doors. “COVID-19 was a huge shock to the system,” said Goins. “We had to pay for rent, utilities and general upkeep of the facility. Our biggest concern and expense was our rent, which is especially higher since we’re in the Bay Area.”

With the help of a grant from Facebook, however, Goins was able to reopen his business in a new model. “When the pandemic hit a year ago, we started getting a better sense that this wasn’t going to be a short-term thing,” shared Diana Doukas, who leads the Small Business Grant effort at Facebook. “Even if it was, the immediate damage to local small businesses was going to be long-term. We knew that we needed to act.”

Facebook created a small business grant program, which focused on getting resources to small businesses as quickly as possible. According to Doukas, over the past year there has been a 51% increase in businesses nationwide expanding their online options and a 39% increase in businesses shifting completely online.

For Shoreview Chess, this was a game-changer. Goins was able to apply to this grant and receive support in developing a secure and child-friendly online platform. “The biggest help was with rent – I was able to focus on shifting my business online without having to worry about making rent,” said Goins. With the grant money, Goins was able to hire a developer to create a customized online platform that allows students to log in with their own credentials and participate in online games and tournaments. This platform has allowed Goins and his team to resume services and keep their students engaged.

So, what comes next? For Shoreview Chess, Goins shares that they are currently projected to reopen their doors in January of 2022. “While it may be safer now with the vaccine out, we want to make sure our students are safe.” The silver lining of this whole experience for Goins is that he will likely continue to use an online platform for his business even after Shoreview reopens physically. “It’s a great platform that gives me the flexibility we need to host games and perhaps expand our service,” said Goins.

For Facebook, this was just a start. Facebook is consistently looking for ways to support businesses, not just with capital but with other resources as well. “While this specific program is no longer open, it has inspired new programs that Facebook is promoting, including one specifically for Black-owned businesses,” said Doukas.

Learn more about Shoreview Chess at: https://shoreviewchess.com/.

All Welcome at the Spring Social Write-In
By Tish Davidson

Thought that someday you would like to try creative writing? Want to meet new people? Here is your chance to explore your creativity and meet other writers! This fun, nonjudgmental Zoom Social Write-In sponsored by Fremont Area Writers will take place on Saturday, April 10 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. The event is for everyone from complete beginners to already published writers. Your writing will not be critiqued, just enjoyed by your fellow writers.

How the Write-In works: After you sign in, the computer will randomly assign you to a virtual room with several other writers. Once everyone is gathered, you will get three writing prompts. Choose one prompt and free write for eight minutes. You can write memoir, fiction, or poetry, but the writing prompts have been chosen to encourage you to write about yourself, so that participants can get to know each other.

After you write, there is time for everyone in the room to read their response to the prompt and socialize in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. The computer will then reassign everyone to a different room, the prompts will change, and the process will repeat.

Example prompts:
The neighborhood I grew up in
I had this pet
I would most like to have dinner with [name of person] because

To participate in the Write-In, please request the Zoom meeting link from Scott Davidson at scottfrombayside@yahoo.com.

Zoom Social Write-In
Saturday, Apr 10
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 pm.
Request Zoom link: scottfrombayside@yahoo.com

Governor appoints superior court judge
Submitted by the Governor’s Press Office

On March 25, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of 18 California superior court judges, which includes one position in Santa Clara County.

Jessica M. Delgado, 52, of Santa Cruz, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Delgado has served as an attorney at the Santa Clara County Alternate Defender’s Office since 2009 and was an attorney in the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office from 2001 to 2009. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Berkeley School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Risë R. Pichon. Delgado is a Democrat. The compensation for this position is $214,601.