Amazon to buy MGM, studio behind James Bond and ‘Shark Tank'
By Joseph Pisani
AP Retail Writer
NEW YORK (AP), May 26 – Amazon is going Hollywood.
The online shopping giant is buying MGM, the movie and TV studio behind James Bond, “Legally Blonde“ and “Shark Tank“ with the hopes of filling its video streaming service with more stuff to watch.
Amazon is paying $8.45 billion for MGM, making it the company's second-largest acquisition after it bought grocer Whole Foods for nearly $14 billion in 2017.
The deal is the latest in the media industry that is aimed at boosting streaming services to compete against Netflix and Disney+. AT&T and Discovery announced on May 17 that they would combine media companies, creating a powerhouse that includes HGTV, CNN, Food Network and HBO.
Amazon does not say how many people watch its Prime Video service. But more than 200 million have access to it because they are signed up for its Prime membership, which gives them faster shipping and other perks. Besides Prime Video, Amazon also has a free streaming service called IMDb TV, where Amazon makes money by playing ads during movies and shows.
Buying MGM would give Amazon access to more films, shows and famous characters, including Rocky, RoboCop and Pink Panther. Amazon will also get a cable channel: Epix, which MGM owns.
Known for its roaring lion logo, MGM is one of the oldest Hollywood studios, founded in 1924 when films were silent. It has a long list of classics in its library, including “Singin' in the Rain.“ More recent productions include reality TV staples “Shark Tank“ and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,“ as well as the upcoming James Bond movie “No Time to Die“ and an Aretha Franklin biopic called “Respect.“
Amazon already has its own studio but has had mixed results. Two of its shows, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Fleabag“ won best comedy series Emmys. But many of its films have failed to click with audiences at the box office. Recently, Amazon has been spending on sports and splashy shows. It will stream “Thursday Night Football“ next year and is producing a “Lord of the Rings“ show, which reportedly cost $450 million for its first season alone.
The deal, which is subject to customary approvals, will make Amazon, already one of the most powerful and valuable companies in the world, even bigger. Regulators around the world are scrutinizing Amazon's business practices, specifically the way it looks at information from businesses that sell goods on its site and uses it to create its own Amazon-branded products.
A report by the House Judiciary Committee in October called for a possible breakup of Amazon and others, making it harder for them to buy other businesses and imposing new rules to safeguard competition.
Amazon, founded in 1995 as an online bookstore, has become a $1.6 trillion behemoth that does a little bit of everything. It has a delivery business network that gets orders to people in two days or sooner; sells inhalers and insulin; has a cloud-computing business that powers the apps of Netflix and McDonald's; and has plans to send more than 3,200 satellites into space to beam internet service to Earth.
Popular Big Sur trail to reopen after 13-year closure
AP Wire Service
Jun 14
A popular trail in Big Sur flanked by redwood trees that leads down through a gorge to a 60-foot waterfall is set to open to the public this week after a 13-year restoration needed when a wildfire destroyed access to it, officials announced Monday.
After a $2 million renovation that fixed bridges, retaining walls, railings, steps and signage, the Pfeiffer Falls Trail will open Friday for the public to enjoy, said officials with the California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League, a San Francisco conservation group.
To protect sensitive habitat, California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League officials replaced more than 4,150 square feet (385 square meters) of asphalt and concrete and seven stream crossings, with the newly aligned trail and a 70-foot-long (21-meter-long) pedestrian bridge that spans the Pfeiffer Redwood Creek ravine and offers dramatic views, officials said.
The Basin Complex Fire damaged the 0.75-mile (1.2-kilometer) trail, which connects with the Valley View trail to form a 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) loop that was the most popular hiking trail in Big Sur before the blaze. A subsequent fire, landslides, and a long closure of Highway 1 delayed the renovation and long-awaited reopening, officials said.
“This challenging project, 12 years in the making, is a testament to the great and enduring partnership between Save the Redwoods League and California State Parks,” said Jess Inwood, senior parks program manager for Save the Redwoods League.
Bay Area home converted to mini museum about Black Panthers
AP Wire Service
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP), Jun 13 – A first-floor Bay Area apartment will soon be home to an exhibit of photos, banners and posters that explore the history of the Black Panther Party.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports Sunday that the 1,000-square-foot (93-square-meter) “mini-museum” will open in West Oakland on June 19.
The exterior of the home at the corner where party co-founder Huey P. Newton was fatally shot was decorated this year with a large mural dedicated to the women of the Black Panther Party. Inside, visitors can walk through a temporary exhibit curated by archivist Lisbet Tellefsen.
Homeowner Jilchristina Vest said she decided to convert the space after tenants moved out. She hopes to have the home designated as a landmark and transform the space into a community center.
“It felt like it needed to be something more than somebody's apartment,” she said.
Visitors will each have 30 minutes to walk through the exhibit. Tickets are available online.
California farmers told drought could cut off their water
AP Wire Service
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Jun 15 – Thousands of Central California farmers were warned Tuesday that they could face water cutoffs this summer as the state deals with a drought that already has curtailed federal and state irrigation supplies.
The State Water Resources Control Board notified about 6,600 farmers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed who have rights to use water from the Central Valley estuary of “impending water unavailability“ that may continue until winter rains come.
“This is how dry things are,” water board Chairman Joaquin Esquivel told the Sacramento Bee. “The hydrology that we're seeing is not there … There will not be enough natural flow.”
The state also must provide enough flow in the rivers to maintain populations of protected fish species in rivers while keeping “cities and communities from running out of water,” Esquivel said.
It's unclear when the allocations will be cut or whom it will affect. Some farmers have first crack at supplies under a complicated distribution system involving rights-holders. Many farmers already have been told they will get little or nothing from two large allocation systems, the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project.
In May, the federal government announced that it was slashing allocations for agricultural and urban uses because of projected drops in water flow to the Sacramento, Feather, Yuba, and American rivers.
“The 2021 water year for the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin is currently the driest since 1977,“ the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation warned.
Gov. Gavin Newsom last month declared a drought emergency for much of the state, including the Central Valley, and the U.S. Drought Monitor says most of California's population is in areas suffering from extensive drought just a few years after California emerged from the last punishing multiyear dry spell.
California has seen unusually dry winters and extraordinarily warm spring temperatures. The Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides about a third of the state's water, was at just 59% of average on April 1, when it is normally at its peak.
And the warm spring led to quick melting of the snowpack in the waterways that feed the Sacramento River, which in turn supplies much of the state's summer water supply.
San Jose mandates videotaping of all gun purchases
AP Wire Service
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP), Jun 16 – San Jose officials have passed a new gun law that requires retailers to video-record all firearm purchases, becoming the largest city in California with such a rule.
The City Council unanimously approved the new law Tuesday, less than a month after a disgruntled employee fatally shot nine of his co-workers and then himself at a rail yard in San Jose, according to police.
The new ordinance is aimed at deterring an illegal practice known as straw purchasing, in which someone buys a gun for another person such as a felon or minor who is prohibited from owning firearms, the Mercury News reported.
Most retail stores in San Jose already have some sort of surveillance system. The new law requires them to take an extra step to capture audio and to retain the videos for at least 30 days, giving law enforcement the opportunity to collect evidence they might need to solve some gun crimes, said City Attorney Nora Frimann.
The new law is part of a 10-point gun control plan that Liccardo unveiled last week following the rail yard shooting by a disgruntled Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employee who killed himself.
“We know a significant number of crooks and gangs get firearms through straw purchasing,” Mayor Sam Liccardo said. “This set of ordinances is really focused on narrowing the flow of guns to those which are clearly legal and hopefully doing something to deter the flow of guns that are unlawful to own.”
The mayor's plan also calls for a separate ordinance that would require gun owners to carry liability insurance and pay a fee to cover taxpayer costs associated with firearm violence. The council is expected to consider that proposal this fall.
San Jose joined Chicago and several smaller California cities – including Campbell, El Cerrito and San Carlos – in requiring the videotaping of gun sales, according to the Giffords Law Center. Walmart, the nation's largest gun seller, started voluntarily videotaping gun sales in 2008.
Gun-rights advocates, like the Sacramento-based Firearms Policy Coalition, criticized the new ordinance, calling it unconstitutional.
“It is outrageous that Mayor Liccardo wants to use `Big Brother'-style omniveillance to record gun owners' every move, violating the privacy of millions, especially at-risk firearm purchasers,” the coalition wrote in a statement.
How California’s pandemic rules are changing
By The Associated Press
Californians can eat, drink and rub shoulders at restaurants, movie theaters and most other businesses without COVID-19 restrictions as the state fully reopened June 15. Here are some things to know about the changes:
What is happening?
When the pandemic hit last year, California issued the nation's first statewide stay-at home order, closing all nonessential businesses and restaurant dining. Since then, restrictions have been tightened or eased as circumstances changed.
Last summer, California adopted a four-tier, color-coded system of business restrictions and guidelines. Each county was assigned a color based on their COVID-19 risk. Infections have dropped precipitously and more than 70% of eligible people have gotten at least one shot, leading Gov. Gavin Newsom to end the tier system and fully reopen the state.
What it means
Restaurants, shopping malls, movie theaters and other businesses can open without capacity limits or social distancing requirements. However, people who want to attend indoor concerts, sporting events and similar gatherings that draw 5,000 people or more will have to verify that they are vaccinated or don't have COVID-19. Attendees at outdoor events drawing 10,000 people or more are “'strongly encouraged” to do the same.
All students are allowed to resume classroom learning. However, those in K-12 public schools must continue to wear masks and social distance because many children haven't been vaccinated. Some universities also are keeping their mask requirements in place.
Counties are expected to follow the state guidelines but they have the option of enforcing stricter regulations. Following federal guidelines, masks will still be required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation and at airports and train stations.
Only unvaccinated people must wear masks indoors, though businesses may require face coverings if they choose. All workers initially must remain masked and physically distanced on the job. The regulations apply in almost every workplace in the state, including offices, factories and retail.
However, fully vaccinated employees would not need to wear masks under rules to be approved Thursday by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. Newsom said he will then issue an executive order putting those regulations into effect immediately, bypassing a normal 10-day legal review.
Under the plan, employers would have options, including requiring workers to show proof of vaccination; requiring everyone to remain masked, vaccinated or not; or allowing employees to self-attest to their vaccination status, with the employer keeping a record of who self-attests.
What won’t change
The state is still requiring people who haven't been vaccinated to wear a mask in indoor public settings and businesses, including restaurants and government offices. Health officials will continue encouraging people to get vaccinated and will continue testing and contact tracing programs to detect COVID-19 spread.
Newsom says California will remain under a state of emergency that grants him broad authority to issue, alter or suspend state laws and regulations. California has been under the state of emergency since the pandemic began in March 2020. Newsom says the virus that killed more than 62,000 Californians hasn't been eradicated and “it's not taking the summer months off.”
PG&E to sell SF headquarters; relocate to East Bay
Submitted by Tamar Sarkissian
PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (together, “PG&E” or the “company”) has agreed to sell the company’s San Francisco headquarters complex, which includes 77 Beale Street and 245 Market Street, to Hines Atlas US LP, a Delaware limited partnership, for $800 million. In keeping with commitments PG&E made in 2020, the company is seeking California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approval to return the net gain realized on the sale to PG&E customers.
The announcement was made May 24. PG&E expects a phased-in move into its new headquarters at 300 Lakeside Drive in Oakland, beginning in the first half of 2022. The move is part of the company’s commitment to implement changes for the long-term benefit of its customers and communities. PG&E expects the move to Oakland to result in substantially lower headquarters costs over a long-term period.
“We are working hard every day to make fundamental changes at PG&E and become the utility our customers expect and deserve,” said PG&E Corporation Chief Executive Officer Patti Poppe. “We’ve made a commitment to keep customer costs as low as possible, and one way we’re following through on that is by selling non-core assets including real estate. This sale and relocation will achieve cost savings that directly help reduce customer bills. At the same time, it will give us an efficient and effective Bay Area workspace as we focus on delivering for all of the communities we serve.”
Under the terms of the sale agreement, the transaction closing is contingent on CPUC approval of the sale. PG&E will be proposing to the CPUC to distribute approximately $390 million to $420 million to customers resulting from the gain on sale over a five-year period to offset future customer rates. This offset would help moderate rate growth as the company continues to make significant safety and operational investments.
The new Oakland headquarters uses space more efficiently for PG&E's workforce and provides greater flexibility in its layout and density. Its design can both promote workplace health and safety and accommodate potential new working arrangements in a post-COVID-19 environment. In addition, commutes for most PG&E headquarters-based coworkers should be shorter, with a majority living in the East Bay and with multiple transportation options serving the Lakeside Drive location.
“We’re so excited to deepen our ties to the wonderful Oakland community. As an economic and innovation hub for California, Oakland is the perfect place for PG&E to call our hometown,” Poppe said.
California task force launches study of slave reparations
By Janie Har
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP), Jun 01 – A first-in-the-country task force in California to study and recommend reparations for African Americans is conducting its inaugural meeting, launching a two-year process to address the harms of slavery and systemic racism.
Tuesday's meeting of the first state reparations committee in the U.S. came as President Joe Biden commemorated the lives of hundreds of Black people killed by a white mob in what was then a thriving African-American community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a century ago. It also comes just over a year after George Floyd, a Black man, was murdered by a white police officer in Minnesota.
A federal slavery reparations bill passed out of the House Judiciary Committee in April, but it faces steep odds. The bill, commonly referred to as H.R. 40, was first introduced in Congress in 1989 and refers to the failed government effort to provide 40 acres (16 hectares) of land to newly freed slaves as the Civil War wound down.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who as a state assemblywoman authored the state legislation creating the task force, noted the solemnity of the occasion as well as the opportunity to right an historic wrong that continues today, in the form of large racial disparities in wealth, health and education. African Americans make up just 6% of California's population yet were 30% of an estimated 250,000 people experiencing homelessness who sought help in 2020.
“Your task is to determine the depth of the harm, and the ways in which we are to repair that harm,” said Weber, whose parents were sharecroppers forced to leave the South.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who signed the bill into law last year, issued a formal apology to Native American tribal leaders in 2019. He also announced the creation of a council to examine the state's role in campaigns to exterminate and exploit indigenous people in the state.
Critics have said that California did not have slaves and should not have to study reparations– or pay for it. But Weber said the state is an economic powerhouse that can point the way for a federal government that has been unable to address the issue. It would not replace any reparations agreed to by the federal government.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation providing $20,000 in redress and a formal apology to every surviving Japanese American incarcerated during World War II.
Members of the task force pointed out that Black Americans have heard all their lives that they need to improve themselves, yet the truth is that they've been held back by outright racism and discriminatory laws that prevented them from getting conventional bank loans and purchasing homes.
Slavery may not have flourished in California as it did in Southern states, they said, but African Americans were still treated harshly. Their neighborhoods in San Francisco and Los Angeles were razed in the name of development.
“We have lost more than we have ever taken from this country. We have given more than has ever been given to us,” said task force member and state Sen. Steven Bradford. He would like to model a reparations program on the GI bill, allowing for free college and assistance with home-buying.
The nine task force members, appointed by Newsom and leaders of the Legislature, include the descendants of slaves who are now prominent lawyers, academics, and politicians.
The task force also will craft an apology.
US Mint to issue quarters honoring notable American women
AP Wire Service
Jun 17
Poet and author Maya Angelou, America's first woman in space and a revered Cherokee Nation leader are among female trailblazers whose likenesses will appear on the U.S. quarter.
The new four-year American Women Quarters Program celebrates women's accomplishments and contributions to the United States' development and history, according to the U.S. Mint.
Under the program, the mint will issue up to five new designs each year from 2022 to 2025. Honorees will be from a variety of fields and from ethnically, racially and geographically diverse backgrounds, the mint says.
Those chosen for the first year are:
– Angelou, celebrated poet and memoirist
– Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee Nation's first female principal chief
– Adelina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexico's suffrage movement
– Sally Ride, the first U.S. woman in space
– Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American Hollywood film star
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Mankiller's husband, Charlie Soap, expressed gratitude for Mankiller's inclusion in the program, saying her influence and leadership made her a fitting choice.
Mankiller became one of the United States' most visible Native American leaders during her 10 years as chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, from 1985 to 1995. She died in 2010.
“We thank the U.S. Mint for recognizing Wilma and the other recipients for such an honor,“ Soap told Indian Country Today. “Wilma was a humble, spiritual, great leader whose leadership was not only for Cherokee people but for all women and races. The real value of this coin is the inspiration it brings to Indian people and women everywhere.”
EU members agree to lift travel restrictions on US tourists
AP Wire Service
BRUSSELS (AP), Jun 16 – The European Union is recommending that its 27 member countries start lifting restrictions on tourists from the United States.
EU members agreed Wednesday to add the U.S. to the list of countries for which they should gradually remove restrictions on non-essential travel. The move was adopted during a meeting in Brussels of permanent representatives to the bloc.
The recommendation is non-binding, and national governments have authority to require test results or vaccination records and to set other entry conditions.
The EU has no unified COVID-19 tourism or border policy but has been working for months on a joint digital travel certificate for those vaccinated, freshly tested, or recently recovered from the virus. EU lawmakers endorsed the plan last week.
The free certificates, which will contain a QR code with advanced security features, will allow people to move between European countries without having to quarantine or undergo extra coronavirus tests upon arrival.
Several EU countries have already begun using the system, including Spain, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Poland. The rest are expected to start using it July 1.
It's mainly meant for EU citizens, but Americans and others can obtain the certificate too – if they can convince authorities in an EU country, they're entering that they qualify for one. And the lack of an official U.S. vaccination certification system may complicate matters.
Some EU countries have already started allowing in American visitors, though. On the other hand, Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said this week a careful and phased-in approach should remain the rule.
“Let's look at science and let's look at the progress. Let's look at the numbers and when it's safe, we will do it,“ De Croo said. “The moment that we see that a big part of the population is double-vaccinated and can prove that they are safe, travel will pick up again. And I would expect that over the course of this summer.”
In addition to the U.S., the representatives of EU nations added five other countries – North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, Lebanon, and Taiwan – to the tourist travel list. The European Council updates the list based on epidemiological data. It gets reviewed every two weeks.
The representatives also decided to remove a reciprocity clause for the special administrative regions of China, Macau, and Hong Kong.
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Mark Carlson in Brussels contributed to this story.
UC will require students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP), June 15 — The University of California is reversing course and will require all students, staff and faculty to be vaccinated against the coronavirus this fall. UC President Michael Drake “does plan to move forward with the vaccine mandate,” Regent Eloy Oritz Oakley told the San Francisco Chronicle.
The decision is an about-face from a proposed policy announced in April requiring vaccinations only after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved at least one of the three vaccines now being administered under emergency authorization. It's not clear when the FDA will give full approval. Oakley said the regents have not been briefed on the new decision but that more information is expected at their two-day meeting that starts July 21.
UC has more than 280,000 students and 227,000 faculty and staff, and expects to return to mostly in-person instruction at its 10 campuses starting in August. UC has already said it would exempt students from the vaccination requirement if they have medical or religious reasons.
California State University officials said on June 14 they were still planning to wait for full FDA approval before mandating COVID vaccinations — but that could change. “We will continue to evaluate the situation as we get closer to the fall term,” CSU spokesperson Michael Uhlenkamp told the Chronicle.
Self-driving car pioneer Waymo gets $2.5B to fuel ambitions
AP Wire Service
Jun 16
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) – Waymo, the self-driving car pioneer spun off from Google, isn't allowing a recent wave of executive departures to detour its plans to expand its robotic taxi service.
The Mountain View, California, company made that clear Wednesday by announcing it has raised another $2.5 billion from a group of investors ranging from venture capital firms such as Andreessen Horowitz to a major car dealer, AutoNation.
With the latest fundraising, Waymo has raised a total of $5.7 billion in the past 15 months as it tries to build upon a driverless ride-hailing service that it has been operating in the Phoenix area.
The latest fundraising comes after Waymo's longtime CEO, John Krafcik, stepped down in April, followed by the departures of the company's chief financial officer and head of automotive partnerships.
Waymo is now being led by co-CEOs, Dmitri Dolgov and Tekedra Mawakana, who said the company plans to use the investment to continue to hone the technology that was first hatched inside of Google as a secret project more than a decade ago.
Google later spun out Waymo as a separate subsidiary owned by the same corporate parent, Alphabet Inc.
Waymo now operates as part of an Alphabet division called “Other Bets,“ which has lost nearly $13 billion in the past years.
Even so, analysts have estimated Waymo may be worth about $30 billion – an estimate reflecting the high hopes that autonomous driving technology may finally realize its promise to revolutionize the way people get around.
EARTHTALK
Easy tips for an eco-friendly home
By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss
Dear EarthTalk: What are some quick and easy ways to make my home more comfortable and climate-friendly?
— Jane B., Tampa, Florida
While the coronavirus pandemic has been a serous blight on the world, we’ve all learned valuable lessons about resource consumption from running around so much less. The lack of commuting has practically emptied the roads, helping temporarily reduce carbon emissions. But all the lockdown time has also made us painfully aware of the shortcomings of our homes. Now may well be an excellent time to make improvements that will benefit not only the environment but also your residential bottom line.
One key place to start is weatherizing. If your home is drafty, you may be consuming as much as 20% more energy than you need to keep the inside temperature to your liking.
“One simple way to hunt for indoor leaks is to slowly move an incense stick along floors, windows, doors, vents, and walls, and look for places where the smoke changes direction rather than rising straight up,” says Daisy Simmons of Yale Climate Connections. “Jot down the trouble spots, then address them…with either weather-stripping or caulking, depending on the location.” Outlets and switches, she adds, are often draft culprits, but can be sealed easily with cheap foam gaskets from the hardware store.
Beyond remediating individual drafts, adding insulation in general (to the walls, floors, ceilings, basements and crawl spaces) can boost household energy efficiency by some 10% on average according to the federal government’s EnergySTAR program to promote efficient appliances and building systems. Indeed, 90% of homes in the U.S. are under-insulated, leaving residents vulnerable to temperature swings (cold snaps, heat waves) not to mention noise, humidity and other external negatives.
Another way to reduce your impact and carbon footprint is to cut back on the amount of garbage your household generates. Zero waste home guru and author Bea Johnson says cutting out landfill-bound trash is all about the discipline to follow five simple rules: Refuse what you don't need (like freebies and junk mail), let go of what you don’t use or need in your home (boosting the all-important waste-busting “second-hand market”), reuse, recycle and compost. Her family has been able to reduce their annual landfill-bound waste to a few pieces of plastic and other debris that can fit into a small jar, and saves lots of money along the way. Johnson reports shaving about 40% off her overall family budget thanks to going zero waste.
There are tons of other ways to reduce your carbon footprint and overall environmental impact at home. Switch to cold water in the clothes washer and avoid the dryer as much as possible in favor of line-drying. Swap incandescent and even CFL light-bulbs for more efficient LEDs. Get a programmable thermostat that you can set to turn down overnight or when you’re not home. Upgrade curtains and blinds to help insulate and keep your home comfortable no matter the weather outside. With so many ways to green up your household and residential lifestyle, the hardest part might just be deciding where to start.
EarthTalk is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss for the nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https//earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.
Park It
By Ned MacKay
In accordance with California’s statewide move on June 15 to pre-COVID-19 day-to-day life, East Bay Regional Park District is also opening to more normal operations. Because the district offers such a variety of facilities and programs, the situation is a bit complicated. It seems best to consult the park district website, www.ebparks.org, for up-to-date information in advance of your visit. And while masks will not always be required, it is a good idea to have one handy in case it’s needed.
With that in mind, given below are some highlights of the new and welcome environment:
Anthony Chabot campground near Castro Valley returned to full capacity on April 29. Del Valle campground south of Livermore was to reopen at full capacity on June 18, now that the water system renovation is complete. Del Valle Convenience Cabins (“glamping”) will reopen on July 16. Reservable group campsites districtwide were to resume full capacity on June 15. Del Valle group campsites will reopen at full capacity on July 2.
Most visitor centers have been open at 50 percent capacity since May 1 and will be open with no capacity limits starting June 26. Because these are indoor facilities, visitors will be required to wear face covering to enter.
Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, Tilden’s Little Farm, and Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont will resume normal operations and capacities on June 26, with no reservations required. District reservable facilities such as Tilden’s Brazil Room will resume normal operations at full capacity on July 1.
The park district’s day camp programs will resume on July 19. Public nature interpretive and outdoor recreation programs restarted on May 1. Reservable group picnic areas will be open to maximum capacity starting June 18.
The district’s swimming facilities have been operating at 25 percent capacity, with reservations required for Contra Loma in Antioch, Roberts Pool in Oakland, Castle Rock pool in Walnut Creek, Cull Canyon in Castro Valley, and Don Castro in Hayward. The swim beaches at Lake Del Valle were limited by the number of day use vehicles entering.
Reservations were still to be required through Friday, June 18. On Saturday, June 19, first-come, first-served entries were to resume, with no attendance restrictions.
The district staff is trying out a pilot program for the swim areas at Contra Loma, Cull Canyon, Roberts, and Don Castro. It will be in place for all weekends and holidays through October 31. Fifty percent of total swim entries will be reservable, based on the maximum capacity for each area. The remaining 50 percent will be first-come, first-served.
The idea is that this enables people to plan their park visit, while also accommodating those who have technology or other issues that limit their ability to use the reservation system. All entries on weekdays will remain first-come, first-served onsite. The park district’s phone number for information and reservations is 888-327-2757, option 2.
Unfortunately, due to drought-related water levels and quality, swim beaches are still closed at Lake Anza in Tilden, Lake Temescal in Oakland, Quarry Lakes in Fremont, and Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton. You can swim in the Bay at Crown Beach in Alameda and Keller Cove in Richmond, but no lifeguard service is available.
Back to the topic of masks: you will likely see park district employees and volunteers still wearing them, subject to Cal/OSHA regulations. District staff is also recommending that masks be required at any district indoor facility that is open to the public — California Department of Public Health guideline.
You may encounter signs with the message “Face Coverings Recommended Due to Crowded Conditions” at locations that have high use, especially by children under 12 who are not vaccinated. Tilden’s Little Farm and Ardenwood are examples.
The park district wants to resume normal pre-COVID operations as soon as circumstances and public health concerns permit, and it looks like we are well on the way there. In the meantime, everyone’s cooperation with the evolving circumstances is greatly appreciated.
History Matters
By John Grimaldi and David Bruce Smith
First female astronaut
NASA might have been conceived in 1958, but America’s astronaut corps did not accept women until twenty years later; when in 1978, six out of 3,000 distaff applicants were finally chosen. Dr. Sally K. Ride was one of them; to the “suits” she had a positively perfect profile: a bachelors; a masters; and a doctorate — in physics — from Stanford University.
Ride had been pursuing a career as a professional tennis player, according to History.com, when she “answered a 1977 newspaper ad from NASA calling for young tech-savvy scientists who could work as mission specialists.”
In six subsequent years, Ride had myriad NASA jobs; then, on June 18,1983, she went on the adventure of her life as a member of the Challenger space shuttle crew — and became the first American woman to travel in space. She was 32 years old.
For more information about Ride and her legacy, the Grateful American Book Prize recommends “Women in Space: 23 Stories of First Flights, Scientific Missions, and Gravity-Breaking Adventures,” by Karen Bush Gibson.
Women in sports
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” As obvious as it sounds, this only became a law of the land on June 23, 1972, with the rather bland moniker of Title IX.
According to History.com, the reason Title IX was enacted was, until its passage: “few opportunities existed for female athletes. The National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA], which was created in 1906 to format and enforce rules in men’s football but had become the ruling body of college athletics, offered no athletic scholarships for women and held no championships for women’s teams. Furthermore, facilities, supplies and funding were lacking. As a result, in 1972 there were just 30,000 women participating in NCAA sports, as opposed to 170,000 men.”
Eventually, the legislation evened out the opportunities. In 1972, fewer than 300,000 high school girls were engaged in sports; now, there are more than 2.6 million.
The Grateful American Book Prize recommends “Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win” by Rachel Ignotofsky.
American independence
When there is talk about America’s decision to declare its independence from Great Britain, it is easy to assume the Continental Congress endorsed the idea, unanimously. But some representatives were not enthusiastic.
On June 28, 1776, Edward Rutledge of South Carolina wrote John Jay — the future Chief Justice — from New York, about his doubts and trepidations, even though he concluded that his like-minded colleagues might not be able to effectively oppose it.
Rutledge and his family had ties to England. His brother, John, studied law at Middle Temple University in London, and Edward Rutledge was a practicing lawyer in Charleston, South Carolina, who had been admitted to the bar after studying at Oxford University and Middle Temple.
As History.com reports: “Neither Rutledge brother was eager to sever ties with Great Britain, but it fell to Edward to sign the Declaration of Independence and create the appearance of unanimity to strengthen the Patriots’ stand. At age 26, Edward Rutledge was the youngest American to literally risk his neck by signing the document.”
The Grateful American Book Prize recommends “Revolutionaries: A new history of the invention of America” by Jack Rakove.
The feature is courtesy of The Grateful American Book Prize, which is an annual award given to authors who have created outstanding works of historical fiction or nonfiction for seventh to ninth graders.
THE ROBOT REPORT
Pickle Robot’s Dill wants to unload ‘messy trailers’
By Steve Crowe
There seems to be a renewed focus on automating the grueling task of unloading trailers. Boston Dynamics revealed its Stretch mobile manipulator at the end of March, while Memphis-based robotics startup Dextrous Robotics recently emerged from stealth with its Chopstick system. Dextrous co-founder Evan Drumwright discussed the system in the RoboBusiness Direct session “Advances in Robotic Picking, Grasping and Manipulation.”
Now the Pickle Robot Company, a Boston-based MIT spinoff that exited stealth in 2019, is joining the fray. It has unveiled its trailer-unloading robot, Dill, that it claims can “unload messy, real-world trailers.”
As we pointed out after watching the debut video of Stretch, which can unload 800 cases per hour, all the boxes inside the trucks and on pallets looked identical and were perfectly stacked. Certainly, that’s not what trailers look like in the real world when arriving at the loading dock. Stretch’s vision system will no doubt improve over time, but AJ Meyer, co-founder and CEO of Pickle Robot Company, said Dill can already handle “messy trailers” with the “occasional helping hand” of a human.
Pickle Robot Company is primarily a software company. Meyer said the key to Dill is that its vision system goes several steps farther than segmentation. Dill uses two Intel L515 LiDARs and processes an image’s pixels into a decision about what package to pick next, where to pick it, and how to approach it. Most of the techniques for the picking aspect were developed on an earlier robot that sorts small packages, which has been in production since November. Dill uses a suction-based gripper.
“The key to the speed is in using the low-level control interfaces to the KUKA KR Series robot and making sure that the sensor processing stack, which includes several neural networks, is not the bottleneck,” Meyer said. “The KR30 version has a similarly beefy gripper that supports 25 kg.
“The KR30-based system can unload at a peak rate of over 1600 pick per hour (PPH). However, you also need to factor in the cycle efficiency — what fraction of the time the robot is doing useful work vs waiting for a supervisor to come handle an irregular package or some other exception. Customers can expect speeds above 1000 PPH for complex applications like in parcel unload.”
Meyer said Dill will be mounted on a wheeled mobile base, similar to IPI/Wynright’s unloader system concept, and will automatically advance. It will need to be manually aligned by an operator with each new trailer.
“Some customers are imagining a dedicated robot per dock door, like in parcel processing, and others will manually drive the mobile base to a specific dock door as needed, as in fulfillment or manufacturing,” he said. “In this latter case, a power outlet must be added near enough to the dock door for the robot arm.”
Pickle Robot Company said the Dill trailer unloading robot will be available to reserve in June 2021 and shipping will begin in 2022.
“We’ve made the robot smart enough to roll up and do the job, eliminating the extensive customization and process overhauling that typically goes along with automation,” Meyer said. “That means we can lower the cost barrier to adoption by as much as 90% and serve customers who might assume robotics is beyond their reach.”
Steve Crowe is Editor of The Robot Report and co-chair of the Robotics Summit & Expo. He can be reached at scrowe@wtwhmedia.com
Social Security Matters
Ask Rusty – Will Applying for SS Disability Hurt SS Retirement Benefit?
By Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor, AMAC Foundation
Dear Rusty: My husband is turning age 65. He has started having health issues – so much so that we are thinking about talking to his doctor about Social Security Disability. How would this affect him in applying for his Social Security benefits? Should we exhaust disability efforts before applying for his retirement benefits? Signed: Concerned Wife
Dear Concerned Wife: To qualify for SS Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, your husband’s disability must be considered total and must be expected to last for at least one year. And that will need to be substantiated by medical evidence from his doctor. So, having a discussion with his doctor is the right first step.
Since SSDI benefits are based upon your husband’s full retirement age (FRA) benefit amount, if he is awarded SS disability it would have no effect on his FRA benefit amount. In fact, if he is awarded SSDI benefits, they will automatically convert to his regular SS retirement benefit (at the same amount) when he reaches his FRA. SSDI benefits are replaced by SS retirement benefits once FRA is attained.
So, should your husband exhaust disability efforts before applying for his SS retirement benefit? Provided that his doctor will support that he is totally disabled and expected to remain so for at least a year, your husband should apply for SSDI online at www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability. This will establish a base date which will be used to establish a disability onset date, which is what his SSDI benefit will be based upon if later awarded. You should be aware that it takes several months to receive an initial SSDI determination, and that about two-thirds of all SSDI applications are denied. But there is an appeals process in place which can be used in the event of an initial denial and if he believes that is an unfair decision.
It is also possible for your husband to claim his personal early SS retirement benefit at the same time he applies for SSDI, so he can get some early SS income flowing while his SSDI application is being considered. Then, if his SSDI is later awarded, his smaller SS retirement benefit (reduced for claiming before his FRA) will be replaced by his higher SSDI benefit, and his higher SSDI amount will automatically become his SS retirement amount when he reaches his FRA. However, if your husband’s SSDI is not awarded, his reduced SS retirement benefit will be his permanent benefit amount (except, of course, for annual Cost of Living Adjustments).
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained, and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.
Little League
White Sox claim championship
In local Little League Intermediate Championship action on June 19, the Warm Springs White Sox beat Mission San Jose 8-3. With a surge of hitting in the fourth inning, the White Sox opened a lead and never looked back to capture the Intermediate District 14 championship.
Little League
Athletics move on to championship
By Mike Heightchew
In the June 18 Little League Tournament of Champions, the intermediate Athletics of Mission San Jose beat the Rockies of Fremont Centerville 12-4 in a seesaw battle. It wasn’t until late in the game that the Athletics jumped out to a commanding lead, aggressively moving runners into scoring position. With the win, the Athletics move on to the June 19 championship game (10 a.m.) at the Vallejo Mill Elementary School field where they will face the Warm Springs White Sox.
Little League
A’s dominate in Majors
By Mike Heightchew
Jumping off to an early lead, the Niles major A's took a commanding lead over the Fremont Centerville Blue Jays on June 19th and, although offering sporadic challenges, the Blue Jays were unable to respond on the scoreboard until the fourth inning, avoiding a shutout. The game ended in the fifth inning with the score: A’s 16, Blue Jays 1.
Milpitas City Council
June 15, 2021
Proclamations:
• June 19th was proclaimed as Juneteenth.
• July was proclaimed as Park and Recreation month.
Consent Calendar:
• Amended Milpitas Municipal Code relating to prohibiting smoking in multi-unit housing and certain outdoor areas.
• Granted acceptance of public improvements for the 450 Montague Residential Project located at 450 Montague Expressway and 620 E. Capitol Avenue.
• Authorized the continued participation in the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority.
• Accepted public improvements for the South Main Senior Lifestyles Project located at 80 Cedar Way.
• Authorized execution of a General Services Agreement with Hanford Applied Restoration & Conservation for Wrigley, Ford, and Wrigley-Ford Creek Maintenance.
• Authorized execution of an agreement with Mark 43 for a law enforcement Records Management System (RMS).
• Authorized execution of the construction contract with McGuire and Hester to provide construction of the Main Lift Station Emissions Control Facility.
• Approve amendment to Bateman Community Living, LLC contract FY2020-2021 to increase the contract amount to cover the cost of additional Senior Nutrition meals during the pandemic.
• Established “COVID-19 Safe Facility Improvements” and approved a budget to fund the project with American Rescue Plan Act Funds.
Public Hearings:
• Following public hearing confirmed the assessment and ordered the levy for Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District No. 98-1 and District No. 95-1 for Fiscal Year 2020-21.
• Following public hearing adopted the FY21-22 Annual Action Plan, authorized the City Manager to make any necessary changes to the approved FY21-22 Annual Action Plan as needed to comply with CDBG submission guidelines, authorized the City Manager to execute CDBG agreements with the approved recipients, approved an amendment to the Citizen Participation Plan.
• Following public hearing adopted the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan.
• Following public hearing adopted the Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
Community Services and Sustainable Infrastructure:
• Received a Presentation on the Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Rich Tran (Mayor) Aye
Carmen Montano (Vice Mayor) Aye
Anthony Phan Aye
Karina Dominguez Aye
Evelyn Chua Aye
Detectives Investigate Shooting
Submitted by Newark PD
On Thursday, June 17th 2020, at approximately 7:56 p.m., witnesses called 911 to report a man with a gun on the 5700 block of Moores Ave. Newark Police Officers quickly responded and arrived at the location within a couple of minutes, but the suspect had fled prior to their arrival.
Preliminary investigation revealed a male had driven up in a vehicle, stopped in front of a house and fired a single round towards the residence before speeding away. Officers located evidence of a bullet striking the garage door.
There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident. At this time, the motive remains unknown. Newark Police Detectives have taken the lead on the investigation and are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Newark Police Investigations Unit Sergeant Yama Homayoun at 510.578.4920 or via email at yama.homayoun@newark.org
Information can also be left anonymously on the “Anonymous Tip” hotline at 510.578.4965.
Man stuck for days inside giant fan at California vineyard
AP Wire Service
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP), Jun 09 – Authorities rescued a man who said he had been trapped for two days inside a large fan at a Northern California vineyard.
The man was discovered Tuesday by a deputy responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle parked near the winery in Santa Rosa, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
The deputy saw a hat on a piece of farming equipment and then found the man stuck inside the shaft of a vineyard fan. Firefighters rescued him.
“The man indicated he liked to take pictures of the engines of old farm equipment,” the statement said. “After a thorough investigation, which revealed the farm equipment wasn't antique and the man had far more methamphetamine than camera equipment, the motivation to climb into the fan shaft remains a total mystery.”
The 38-year-old man required medical treatment but is expected to make a full recovery, the office said.
The man will be charged with trespassing and drug possession, as well as violations of a probation case, the statement said.
Vineyard fans are used to circulate air across vines to keep grapes from freezing during colder months.
Foodies beware of locust season
Submitted by Association of Mature American Citizens
The 17-year cicadas, sometimes known as locusts, are back, swarming in large numbers in several parts of the United States. But the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) suggests you do not try snacking on them if you are allergic to seafood. Anthropologist Cortni Borgerson touts the “shrimpy” looking critters as a tasty snack. But the FDA warns that they are, indeed, related to shrimp and lobsters and can cause a reaction if crustaceans should not be on your menu.
Woman’s fudge recipe shared on headstone
By Todd Tanner
Fox13-KSTU
LOGAN, Utah (AP), May 29 — Utah's Logan Cemetery is home to a headstone which is gaining notoriety around the world thanks to photos posted online. Aside from birth and death dates for Wade and Kathryn Andrews, the headstone displays a recipe for Kay's Fudge, Fox13-KSTU reported.
“She really loved people,” Janice Johnson said of her mother Kathryn, who went by the name Kay. “She would write poetry, and she would take fudge whenever people got together,” Johnson said.
The headstone and its engravings offer just a hint at the incredible lives of Wade and Kay. “She was crazy about him from the beginning,” Johnson said as she recounted their romance and whirlwind engagement during World War II.
Both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they met at a church function in New York City. Kay had moved from Utah to the “Big Apple” to study fashion and design. Wade was already a U.S. Air Force Captain and was due to return to Europe. The pair had time for just one date: a dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. A hotel photographer snapped a photo of the couple, and the next day, Wade left for the war.
But Kay, who went by `Katie' at the time, clearly made an impression. “This Is Salt Lake Katie,” Johnson said, pointing to a photo of her father posing in front of his B-24 bomber upon which a woman's figure was painted on the nose. “When he first got the plane, the crew had painted a naked lady on it and my dad said `no,' so she got a swimming suit and there she is,” said Johnson.
The couple exchanged over a hundred letters, and when the pilot's duties were over, he traveled swiftly to Salt Lake City to pop the question. “Took her to the Capitol steps and gave her the diamond and they were married 18 days later,” Johnson said.
The couple, Johnson says, had never seen each other in daylight until after they were engaged, as both the date at the Waldorf Astoria and the trip to Utah's Capitol Building had taken place at night. They were married on December 18, 1944, and five children followed.
The Andrews family moved around the country, living in Michigan, Ohio, and Colorado as Wade earned a PhD in Sociology and became a professor himself, ultimately landing in Logan. Janice Johnson remembers her mother as a woman who was always looking out for others, and even kept Tootsie Rolls in her purse for children she encountered who were in need of having their day brightened. “She felt like prayer was so important. She lived by that,” Johnson said.
Wade Andrews passed away first in 2000. Kay helped select the images which represent him on one side of the headstone she now shares with him. When her children suggested Kay get equal billing, she decided her fudge recipe was something she'd like to share. Kay passed away in 2019 at age 97.
She was aware of the growing popularity of the headstone before her passing, and was pleased it brought a smile to many. Johnson says when the headstone was first made it included a “typo” calling for one tablespoon of vanilla, which can result in “runny fudge.”
Message in a bottle travels across Atlantic Ocean
Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP), June 16 — A Portuguese teenager has found a message in a bottle that traveled at least 2,400 miles from a Vermont teenager.
Christian Santos, 17, was spearfishing in the Azores when he found a crumpled plastic bottle that was tossed into the sea near Rhode Island in 2018, The Boston Globe reported. Santos' mother, Molly Santos, posted a photo of the note on Facebook asking for others to share the post in hopes of finding the writer to share how far the message traveled.
The note inside of a Powerade bottle was written in orange marker on a notecard that reads, “It is Thanksgiving. I am 13 and visiting family in Rhode Island. I am from Vermont.” The note included an email address to respond.
Molly Santo said that she sent an email to the address, but never received a response.
How much is your ‘snack’ worth?
Submitted by Association of Mature American Citizens
Chicken McNuggets can be addictive, so much so that an aficionado might go to great lengths to bite down on one, says the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). Take the bidder at an eBay auction that paid nearly $100,000 for a single, but special, McNugget at an eBay auction. The bidding started at just 99 cents but quickly attracted “hungry” buyers who upped the ante at an alarming rate.
The winner outbid 184 would-be buyers by offering $99,997 for the single McNugget, which sells for about 45 cents at McDonald’s. Why? Because this particular McNugget looks just like a character in Among-Us, a popular video game.
The question is: Will the buyer enshrine his or her purchase or eat it? The seller promised to deliver the nugget before its expiration date and even offered to include a packet of sauce, saying “I have Szechuan and at buyers request will ship some with the nugget.”
3 international travel ideas for your summer trip
AP Wire Service
Jun 16
By Sally French of NerdWallet
So, you're ready to hit the skies for an international flight after more than a year of COVID-19 lockdowns, quarantines and restrictions, but where can you go? Some countries are reopening to Americans, but the degree of reopening varies.
Some countries will let you in, but only if you agree to a multiday quarantine. Other countries require a negative COVID-19 test even if you're vaccinated, which will add extra items to your pre-departure to-do list.
These locations are among the least complicated to get into and are largely embracing American tourists this summer:
1. MEXICO
Mexico has always been one of the most convenient countries for Americans to visit because of the short flights. Now, it's among the countries with the fewest restrictions for entry: According to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, travelers do not need a negative COVID-19 test and there is no requirement to provide proof of vaccination.
Instead, you'll need to fill out a form at the Vuela Seguro website to complete a quick but mandatory health questionnaire, either upon arrival in Mexico or up to 12 hours before your arrival. After completing the questionnaire, you'll receive a personal QR code. Screenshot this QR code and save it to your phone for easy access as you'll need to show it before immigration processing in Mexico. Save yourself some time by filling it out in advance and you'll walk right past all the other passengers scrambling to fill it out at the airport.
2. THE BAHAMAS
Visitors traveling to the Bahamas who are fully vaccinated with approved vaccines and have passed the two-week immunity period are exempt from COVID-19 testing requirements.
If you haven't yet been vaccinated, you can still visit, but you must obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test no more than five days before arrival. You need to upload vaccination proof or a negative test result to the Bahamas travel health site, as well as apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa, which costs $40 for U.S. visitors.
Once you're there, there are a few restrictions, including curfews between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Nassau and Paradise Island, and between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Grand Bahama Island. While you're permitted to roam around your resort during those hours, you can't be out on the town.
If the Bahamas isn't the perfect fit for you, consider one of the other Caribbean island nations, as many have similarly easy access rules.
3. THE EUROPEAN UNION
The European Union announced in May that it would welcome fully vaccinated travelers who have received EU-approved vaccines without needing to take a test or quarantine.
Individual countries will create systems to check vaccination status, and member states will set their own requirements. Some countries are using what's called an EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel clearance. The certificates are expected to become available in all EU member states as of July 1. An EU spokesperson told media outlets that the certificate system may soon be available to U.S. citizens, but that decision is up to individual countries for now.
More EU countries will open as the summer progresses. But for now, popular destinations like Spain, Greece and Germany are open for U.S. tourists who can prove they've been vaccinated. Unvaccinated children should also be allowed in when traveling with vaccinated parents but may need a negative test in place of vaccination. If you're eyeing a specific EU country for your summer travel, check the U.S. Embassy website for entry requirements.
WHAT ABOUT RETURNING TO THE U.S.?
While these countries may let you in, don't discount your return trip home.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires that all airline passengers – regardless of vaccination status or country you're from – arriving in the U.S. who are 2 years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of travel (or you can show documentation that you recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days).
Many Mexican and Caribbean resorts and hotels are offering complimentary COVID-19 tests to certain travelers. Check your hotel's website or call directly to see what's offered. If not, hotels can likely point you in the right direction for a test, but you'll need to pay for it.
Wherever you decide to venture off to, be sure to do your homework ahead of time and know the entry requirements for the specific location.
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Sally French is a writer at NerdWallet.
Charlie Chaplin Days 2021
Submitted by Niles Film Museum
It’s time for Charlie Chaplin Days at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, happening June 25-27! This is our second online Chaplin Days show, and we have three days of activities including films, presentations, and Zooms covering some of Charlie's classic films from the teens and early twenties.
We will start with all five films that Charlie made for the Essanay Studio in Niles in 1915, the last one being The Tramp, where Charlie established his “little tramp” character. We will also focus on the 1914 film Tillie’s Punctured Romance starring Charlie, Marie Dressler and Mabel Normand. Produced by the Keystone Studio, it was the first feature length comedy. The weekend also highlights Charlie’s time with the First National Studio, with “Sunnyside,” “A Day’s Pleasure,” and “The Idle Class.”
We will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the release of Charlie's classic film, “The Kid” co-starring Jackie (Uncle Fester) Coogan and have a Zoom discussion and presentations, one of which will feature “then and now” locations where the film was shot.
Last, but not least, we can’t forget our Whiz Bang Talent Show, Trivia Quiz, Lookalike Contest and Goodtime Hour featuring a lot of good fun and some musical numbers too.
Now that we own our building, we are planning a major renovation and refurbishing of our theater. We’re looking for donations of any amount (tax deductible) to help with these projects. You can donate online at http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org. Links to the films and presentations will become active at 12:01 a.m. on each day of the weekend.
Friday, June 25
Films
A Night Out
Charlie and Ben Turpin enjoy too much drink and mayhem ensues – with outdoor locations in Oakland and San Jose.
The Champion
Chaplin is an unlikely boxer. Filmed in downtown Niles – you can still see several locations in the film when you walk around town.
In the Park
This one-reeler was filmed at North Lake in Golden Gate Park.
A Jitney Elopement
Interiors were at the glass stage in Niles. The other half of the film involves Charlie and Edna racing down the muddied Great Highway and Murphy Windmill at the Edge of Golden Gate Park.
The Tramp
Filmed in Niles on 2nd Street and in Niles Canyon. It includes one of the most famous images in cinematic history – filmed in March of 1915.
Tillie’s Punctured Romance
A con man from the city dupes a wealthy country girl into marriage. (Available or $1.95 rental)
Presentation
A conversation with Gerry Mandel, author of Shadow and Substance: My Time with Charlie Chaplin – Jason Allin.
Event
Roundtable Discussion
Friday, June 25
5 p.m.
Join Dan Kamin, Brent Walker, Nigel Dreiner and Jason Allin as they discuss the “world's first feature length comedy,” Tillie’s Punctured Romance!
Saturday, June 26
Films
Sunnyside
Charlie is the much-abused man-of-all-work in a run-down farm hotel. Retrieving a stray bull from the local church, he is knocked out, and dreams of taking part in a pastoral dance with nymphs.
A Day’s Pleasure
A father takes his family for an outing which turns out to be a ridiculous trial.
Presentations
The Kid – Silent Footsteps of a Century Ago
Film historian John Bengtson, hailed “the great detective of silent film locations” by the New York Times, will share the locations and visual history hidden in the background of Charlie Chaplin’s early masterpiece, The Kid.
About the actual “Kid” Jackie Coogan – Sarah Biegelsen
On the 100th anniversary of Chaplin’s The Kid, Sarah Biegelsen speaks about the life of Jackie Coogan.
Charlie and the First National Company
Chaplin’s First National contract gave us masterpieces such as A Dog's Life, and The Kid. Lisa Stein Haven has begun to tease out possibly the most complicated six years of Chaplin’s early life and will offer up some new insight into First National’s role in those years.
Event
Intermission Time: A Socially-distant Social!
Saturday, June 26
3 p.m.
A bit of fun and frivolity – Let’s talk about what Charlie means to us! Then, Dan and Jason will give us an update on their Chaplin Project.
Sunday, June 27
Films
The Idle Class (1921, First National)
A tramp sneaks into an upper-class golf resort and meets a rich woman who is having an argument with her drunken husband.
Presentation
The Idle Class at 100 – Hooman Mehran
An appreciation of this underrated gem on its centennial.
Event
The Whiz Bang Talent Show, Trivia Quiz, Lookalike Contest, and Goodtime Hour!
Sunday, June 27
10 a.m.
Featuring fans and lovers of Chaplin films Jason Allin, Nigel Dreiner and Rena Kiehn. Get online to answer trivia questions about Mr. Chaplin and his movies.
Virtual Charlie Chaplin Days
Friday, Jun 25 – Sunday, Jun 27
Various Times
https://nilesfilmmuseum.org/
Photos in 1 new Sharon
Bigger than Black and white: looking back on George
Story and photos by Hugo Vera
As the coronavirus pandemic (hopefully) enters its twilight this summer, the nation recently commemorated the first anniversary of an event that eclipsed the outbreak… when security guard George Floyd was choked to death by police on May 25, 2020. In the thirteen months that followed, massive global protests dominated the media. Floyd’s killer, former Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin, was convicted of murder. The subsequent, ongoing discussion regarding social justice in the United States has never been more prevalent.
Following the George Floyd homicide, the same questions linger: What has changed? What hasn’t? Will society ever really return to a state of normalcy, post-pandemic or not? To answer this query, three professors from Cal State East Bay in Hayward weigh in on the progress made since Floyd’s killing and what remains to be done.
“I knew George Floyd’s killing was different right away,” says CSUEB professor and Chair of Ethnic Studies Dr. Nicholas Baham III, PhD. “Prior to George Floyd, most of the footage we got of police killings showed only a fraction of the scuffle, but it was here that we saw the defiance of Officer Chauvin and how it played into the drama of the situation.”
Prior to Floyd’s killing, Baham states that his students and colleagues were “already done” with forms of oppression consisting of (but not limited to) racism, police brutality, colonial legacies, gender norms and longstanding inequities in America’s healthcare system that were amplified by the pandemic. Baham claims that Floyd’s killing only “confirmed what they already knew,” spurring his students to take on endeavors such as advocating for working class solidarity and exploring comparative criminal rehabilitation methods.
“On one hand, the footage of Floyd’s final moments was heartbreaking,” says CSUEB assistant professor of health sciences Dr. Michael Stanton, PhD. “On the other hand, the killing highlighted the challenges of being a Black male in this country. But as a Black man, it also became heart-opening to see widespread support for justice, for racial equity—and my classes became more of a community.”
Dr. Jennifer Tran, PhD, a CSUEB assistant professor of ethnic studies, credits the Floyd era Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests for helping to “normalize the conversation” regarding everything from racial equity to grassroots movements. As hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, fueled by racist conspiracy theories regarding the Chinese origins of COVID-19, have skyrocketed in 2021, Tran emphasizes the case for intersectionality in both ethnic studies and activism.
“Here at East Bay, ethnic studies are not taught to focus on one group in isolation, but rather all ethnic groups in relation to each other,” says Tran. “The case of George Floyd, the spike in anti-Asian sentiment and the ongoing violence against members of the trans community have sparked an unwillingness in my students to be passive and silent any longer.”
“We’re now seeing solidarity unlike what’s been done before,” adds Baham. “Prior to George Floyd, the turnout at BLM protests was not diverse. But not only are we seeing non-Blacks march in the streets, but I see my own Black students think, ‘What can I do to support my Asian brothers and sisters?’ And we’re even seeing liberal Europeans abhorring their own privilege.”
While progress has been made in the year following Floyd’s death via Chauvin’s conviction and President Biden’s signing of a recent anti-Asian hate bill, Baham, Stanton and Tran are adamant that Floyd’s death is just one of the plethora of social justice issues in need of urgent action and attention.
“All eyes are watching this new generation of students and leaders. We’re seeing a nuanced rise in progressive candidates, but it’s up to our students to keep asking the hard questions,” adds Tran.
“We have to take the events [since Floyd] as an opportunity to learn and grow,” concludes Stanton. “As many of us recover from the trauma of last summer’s unrest and this pandemic, we have to remember to engage in self-care, and I’m hopeful this will lead to a greater understanding of public health and restorative justice.”
Alameda County D1 Supervisor moves into new office
By Stephanie Gertsch
On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, Fremont Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the Fremont office of newly-elected Alameda County District 1 Supervisor David Haubert. District 1 includes Dublin and Livermore, as well as portions of Fremont and Sunol. In addition to the Fremont office located at 39488 Stevenson Place, Haubert has an office in Oakland. The district office is in Pleasanton.
Many representatives of the city government and services attended the event, including Fremont City Council, Fremont Fire and Police, AC Transit, and Alameda County Water District.
“I’m so thankful that the supervisor is opening his office in Fremont, which for us is home base,” said Fremont City Councilmember Raj Salwan. “He’s taking this mission to heart that he will represent all parts of the district. Fremont is very important; it’s the largest city in the district.”
Fremont Mayor Lily Mei presented Supervisor Haubert with a certificate prior to the ribbon cutting and photos with the council and other attendees.
“We’re going to send this photo to Gavin Newsom,” said Haubert. “It says California is back in business—Fremont is open for business!” He spoke of his eagerness to work with the local small businesses now that campaigning is over, learning about Fremont’s unique needs.
Fremont Symphony Presents: Symphony Under the Stars
Submitted by Paul Iannaccone
We’re back! We’ve missed you, and as California slowly reopens, we are thrilled that Fremont Symphony is leading the way. It’s been far too long since we’ve seen one another so we’re planning to make up for lost time. We’ve planned an exciting series of events featuring world-class performers in a spectacular setting. We’re moving forward carefully, following all state and county guidance, but with all the energy, excitement, and variety you’ve come to expect.
We’re calling these first events Symphony Under the Stars and they’re taking place at a spectacular hilltop estate in Milpitas under an enormous tent. Our first event takes place on Saturday, July 10, and features the exceptional talents of Hamilton: The Musical star, Julius Thomas III, and The Glenn Miller Orchestra’s soloist and front man, Mark R. Kopitzke as “The Kings of Soul and Swing.”
Their show is packed with explosive energy, and an unmatched ability to connect with audiences. On top of incredible vocals, what makes this duo so fun, is the ease and chemistry between these long-time friends. With 30+ combined years of performing under their belts, the stories they share come from a heartfelt and career-long love for this music. Don’t forget your dancin’ shoes because you’ll barely catch your breath between each show-stopping song like: “Don’t You Worry Bout’ A Thing,” a “For Once In My Life” mashup, or getting your “Carlton” on with Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual.” These guys will have you “Feelin’ Good” and swingin’ like “It Don’t Mean a Thing.” This is a night that can’t be missed.
The evening begins at 5:30 with a champagne reception, followed by a sumptuous dinner catered by Ric Serianni and Splurge catering and event production. To learn more, please watch this video introduction by Fremont Symphony’s Artistic Advisor and Conductor, Jung-Ho Pak.
Symphony Under the Stars
Saturday, Jul 10
5:30
Hilltop Estate in Milpitas
https://fremontsymphony.org/kings-of-soul-and-swing
Tickets: $150
Alameda County Water District Board
June 10, 2021
Recognition:
• Resolution honoring Robert T. Shaver upon his retirement from ACWD service.
Consent calendar:
•Approval of minutes from the May 13 board meeting and May 19 and May 27 special board meetings.
• Resolution placing a nomination of ACWD Board Director John H. Weed as a member of the Association of California Water Agencies Region 5 Board.
• Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Public Water System Extension.
• Agreement with Toll West, LLC., Warm Springs Area 3 Phase 2, ACWD No. 2018-0022.
• Resolution establishing Fiscal Year 2021/22 appropriations limit.
Action items:
• Authorization of change order for the Rubber Dam No. 1/Alameda County Drop Structure Fishway, Rubber Dam No. 1 Control Building Modifications, and Shinn Pond Fish Screens Construction. Approved, with Director Weed abstaining.
• Authorization of contract change order for additional paving on behalf of the City of Union City for the Alvarado Niles Pipeline Seismic Improvement Project and execution of an agreement with the city for the reimbursement of costs. Approved, with Director Gunther recusing.
• Authorization to Increase the Water-Efficient Landscape Rebate amount for Drought Response and adopt a resolution amending the rate and fee schedule. Approved.
• Authorization of change order for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project for Customer Service Line Inventory. Approved.
• Resolution adopting the FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23 budget and the 25-year Capital Improvement Program. Approved.
• Authorization to enter into agreement for the leasing of light duty vehicles. Approved.
• Authorization to enter into agreement for distribution system on-call and emergency repair services. Approved.
• Implementation of district-wide 2021 Classification and Compensation Study for unrepresented management/confidential/professional staff. Approved.
• Consider appointment of representative to the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority. Approved.
Aziz Akbari Aye
James Gunther Aye, 1 recuse
Judy Huang Aye
Paul Sethy Aye
John Weed Aye, 1 abstain
All fireworks banned in Fremont, fines up to $50,000
Submitted by City of Fremont
City of Fremont’s public safety departments would like to remind its residents, businesses, and visitors that the sale, possession, and use of all fireworks are banned within the city. This ban includes the “safe and sane” variety of fireworks that are legal in some other cities. The ban, in effect since December 1986, has helped reduce the number of injuries, wildland fires, and structure fires caused by fireworks in Fremont.
Fire and police resources will be on patrol in Fremont during the peak times of concern to maintain an active vigilance against wildland fires along our hillside and fireworks use. In California, possession of illegal fireworks is considered a misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine, or by imprisonment in county jail for up to one year. If you are found to be in possession of a sufficient number of illegal fireworks, you may be guilty of a felony and punished by a fine and/or imprisonment in a state prison or county jail. Penalties for the possession and/or use of illegal fireworks range from $1,000 to $50,000. Parents may be held liable for any damages or injuries caused by their children’s use of illegal fireworks.
Fremont police and fire departments are anticipating a high call volume during the Fourth of July holiday season. We ask that community members help do their part to keep our city safe and only dial 911 during a true or potential emergency. To report non-emergency illegal firework use, call the Fremont Police Department Dispatch Center. Be prepared to provide dispatchers with details, such as the specific location, description of involved persons, and any immediate danger to areas with dry brush and vegetation susceptible to fire. All firework calls will be prioritized among other pending calls for service.
On July 3 and July 4, community members are encouraged to report illegal firework activities via the Fremont App. Additional police resources will be monitoring and relaying information to field personnel. Complaints with specific details such as an address, and description of those involved will receive higher priority. Details on how to download the app can be found at www.fremontpolice.gov/crime-prevention/fireworks.
Fremont Police Department Dispatch Center
(510) 790-6800, ext. #3
www.fremontpolice.gov/crime-prevention/fireworks
Fremont City Council
June 15, 2021
• Second reading and adoption of an ordinance repealing and replacing Fremont Municipal Code title 5, business licenses and regulations, chapter 5.35 vendors and solicitors and second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending Fremont Municipal Code title 12, streets, sidewalks and public property, chapter 12.20 parks and recreation areas section 12.20.060 prohibited conduct generally and adding section 12.20.140 vending in parks.
• Amend contract for homeless encampment and illegal dumping abatement services With Art Cuevas Landscaping to exercise city’s two-year extension option and increase the total contract from $343,480 to $617,120.
• Agreement with Gogo Technologies, Inc. for ride-hailing services and to
amend the agreement with Mv Public Transportation, Inc. For wheelchair accessible van services.
• Authorize task orders to the joint powers agreement with the City Of Newark for FY 2021/22 paratransit services and case management services to Newark residents
• Approve license agreement with Amtrak for the installation and maintenance of ADA upgrades at the Centerville train depot,
• Approve Special Event Sponsorship Program for FY 2021-22 including: • Fremont Street Eats (every Friday from July 9 – Oct 20, 2021, and May/June 2022) • Niles Car Shows (Sunday, August 8, 2021 and Sunday, May 15, 2022) • Niles Antique Fair (Sunday, August 29, 2021) • Festival of Arts (Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26, 2021) • Festival of India (Saturday, October 9, 2021) • Festival of Lights (Friday, November 26, 2021) • Burger and Brew (Saturday, May 21, 2022).
• Authorize an agreement with Ams.Net, Inc. For the telephone system upgrade and related professional services, in a total amount not to exceed $1,033,382.53 which includes a 10% ($68,325.11) contingency, for a period of three years.
• Authorize an agreement with Mgt Of America Consulting, LLC for the software installation, licenses, maintenance, monitoring, response and software installation, licenses, maintenance, monitoring response in a total amount not to exceed $624,880.00 for a period of five years.
• Authorize a purchase order with Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), Inc. for Arcgis software licenses and support in an amount not to exceed $390,000, for a period of three years.
• Award contract to Systems & Space, Inc. In the amount of $199,705 (including 10% contingency) for the purchase and installation of new shelving system for the maintenance center storage warehouse building project.
• Extend the current terms and conditions of the memorandum of understanding between the City of Fremont and Operating Engineers, Local Union No. 3 for a one year period.
• Approve a Resolution to extend Military Leave Supplemental Pay Benefit to all eligible employees irrespective of permanent status.
Ceremonial items:
• Proclaim august 3, 2021 as National Night Out. Fremont Police Department Public Affairs Specialist Monica Leon accepted the proclamation.
Public Communications:
• Comments about Rancho Arroyo Parkway.
• Global relief efforts through BFS Charity.
Items removed from Consent Calendar:
• Second reading and adoption of an ordinance of the City of Fremont amending chapter 18.25 (definitions) chapter 18.190 (special provisions applying to miscellaneous uses) under Fremont municipal code title 18 (planning and zoning) to allow safe parking as an ancillary use at sites with permitted assembly uses, quasi-public facilities, and public facilities. Opposed by Councilmember Cox. PASSED 6-1 (Nay, Cox)
Scheduled items:
• Public hearing: Review the annual report on the rent review ordinance and adopt the FY 2021/22 annual fee
• Second public hearing and adoption of FY 2021/22 Operating Budget and appropriations limit
• Second public hearing and adoption of the FY 2021/22 -2025/26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and two-year capital budget; find
Other Business:
• Proposed refunding of general obligation bonds, series 2012 and series 2013
Mayor Lily Mei Aye
Vice Mayor Yang Shao, District 4 Aye
Teresa Keng, District 1 Aye
Rick Jones, District 2 Aye
Jenny Kassan, District 3 Aye
Raj Salwan, District 5 Aye
Teresa Cox, District 6 Aye, 1 Nay
Ohlone College Board of Trustees
June 9, 2021
Ceremonial items:
• LGBTQIA+ Pride Month proclamation.
• Juneteenth Independence Day proclamation
Consent Agenda:
• Approval May 2021 payroll warrants.
• Approval of personnel actions.
• Approval of appointment of representative on Bay Area Community College Districts JPA Board.
• Establishment of 2021-2022 Appropriations Limit.
• Resolution No. 34/20-21, excused absence for the May 26, 2021 board workshop.
• CCCT Board Report.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Fund — Multiple Method Allocation Model Report and Certification Form, Fiscal Year 2020-2021 — Approval.
• New noncredit courses and programs for 2020-2021.
• New, revised and deactivated courses and programs for 2021-2022.
• Measure G Bond list revision #25.
• Review of purchase orders.
• Measure G Project 6105A, Academic Core Buildings Michael Henley and Company LLC — Amendment #7.
• Measure G Project 6114 renovate building-5 D.L. Falk Construction, Inc — unilateral change order #2.
• Measure G Project 9101D — Geothermal Ground Loop Phase 2 Piazza Construction — change order #1.
• Ratification of contracts.
• Authorization for the disposal of surplus personal property.
Discussion/Action:
• Approval of the 2021-2022 tentative budget.
• Consideration of special election or provisional appointment process to fill Area 1 board vacancy.
• Richard Watters, Chair
• Suzanne Lee Chan, Vice Chair
• Greg Bonaccorsi
• Lance Kwan
• Jan Giovannini-Hill
• Dr. Rakesh Sharma
• Megan Aves, Student Member
City Hall to safely reopen
Submitted by Paul Sanftner
The City of San Leandro has reopened limited in-person services at City Hall. An appointment must be scheduled before arriving at City Hall; walk-in visits will not be accepted. Appointments will be available Monday through Thursday.
Requests to schedule in-person appointments for community development (permit center, planning division) and engineering & transportation department (inspections) can be submitted at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19623753. Contact information for other in-person services can be found at www.sanleandro.org/c19/reopening.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, I’m looking forward to returning to in-person interactions,” said Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter. “The reopening of City Hall through our new online appointment system is a great start as we continue to stay cautiously optimistic in our quest to defeat this virus. Our residents will receive high quality service from City Hall as staff are prepared to welcome them back.”
The city is taking the following actions as part of the reopening of City Hall:
• Physical distance decals and directional floor stickers in public access areas
• Hand sanitizer stations installed at public entrances
• Plastic partitions and barriers at all public counters
• Disposable masks available to visitors as needed
• Clear signage with protocols posted at entrances, restrooms, elevators, hallways, and conference rooms
City staff will check in visitors, verify appointments, screen for symptoms, and reinforce the requirement of wearing face masks and social distancing. City Hall will limit public access to the Lorraine Boulevard entryway. A video tutorial for completing an appointment and arriving at City Hall is located on the City’s YouTube Channel – www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5NpWLyDPEE.
San Leandro City Hall limited in-person services
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
www.sanleandro.org/c19/reopening
Know Your Zone
Submitted by City of Fremont
Alameda County is the latest Bay Area county to officially connect to Zonehaven, a new wildfire evacuation system. The new evacuation system is now live. In the event of an emergency, law enforcement and fire agencies issue both evacuation warnings and evacuation orders for impacted areas. These notices are issued for a specific Zone or Zones. To understand whether your area is under an evacuation warning or order, it is important to Know Your Zone.
To obtain your Zone information, follow these instructions:
1. Go to https://community.zonehaven.com.
2. Type in your address. Your Zone name will appear.
3. Write down your Zone and place in a visible area.
Note: Zonehaven does not replace AC Alert.
Grow edamame for better health and nutrition
By Melinda Myers
Add a bit of fiber to your garden and diet. Consider growing edamame (edible soybeans) in this year’s garden.
Soybeans help promote overall health, reducing the risk of high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Plus, the high fiber in soy helps fight colon and some other cancers.
Edamame is an ancient Asian vegetable and is often eaten right from the pod like peanuts. Edible soybeans are also used for making tofu, tempeh, soy nut snacks and more. In addition to their high fiber content, soybean’s high protein content has made them a popular meat substitute.
Soybeans can be grown in a variety of soils and climate. They tolerate adverse conditions but perform best in warm temperatures, full sun, and moist well-drained soils. Add organic matter to less-than-ideal soils to improve drainage in heavy clay soils and increase the water holding capacity in sandy and rocky soils.
Try growing one of the edible soybean varieties such as Agate, Chiba Green, Midori Giant, and Envy. These have a better flavor and are more suited to your garden and recipes than field varieties.
Wait for the soil to warm for quick germination and increased success. Grow edible soybeans in a sunny spot. Plant and care for them the same as you would lima beans. Plant seeds three inches apart and one to one-and-a-half inches deep in rows 24 to 36 inches apart. Once the plants sprout and grow, thin them out by removing the weaker seedlings, so the remaining plants are six inches apart.
Harvest the soybeans when the pods are plump, green, rough, and hairy. They are usually ready to harvest in 80 to 120 days, depending on the variety. Check frequently and pick when the seeds are fully enlarged but before they get hard. Waiting too long to harvest the seeds reduces the flavor and quality. Since all the seed-filled pods usually ripen at the same time, you can pull up the whole plant and harvest the seeds from pods while sitting on a chair in the shade.
Use edamame within two to three days of harvest for the best quality. Store fresh edamame in the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag. Cook edamame by steaming, boiling, or microwaving the pods. Allow them to cool, then pop out the seeds to enjoy.
Do not let any surplus go to waste. Blanche, then freeze whole pods or just the seeds. Or dry the shelled edamame in the oven or dehydrator to use throughout the year.
Purchase seeds and carve out some space in your garden or containers for this nutritious vegetable.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener’s Handbook and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her website is www.melindamyers.com.
It’s A Date
CONTINUING EVENTS:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Parenting During COVID R
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual support group to help families cope with challenges encountered during COVID
To register: www.fremont.gov/3060/Caregiver-Support
(510) 574-2100
Tuesdays
Free Virtual Sing-Along
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Zoom choir meeting hosted by Mission Peak Chamber Singers
https://www.chambersingers.org/
Contact: info@chambersingers.org
Tuesdays
Practice Your Spoken English
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Talk with native English speakers about everyday topics in a friendly, welcoming setting
Via Zoom
https://aclibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/search/index/event/60b010eed768a44500b2ade2
Wednesdays
Niles Street Eats
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Food trucks
Niles Town Plaza
37592 Niles Blvd., Fremont
Wednesdays
First Presbyterian Church of Newark Virtual Youth Group
7 p.m.
Youth and young adults, students welcome
Contact: brian@newarkpress.org for Zoom Meeting ID#
www.newarkpres.org
Thursdays
San Lorenzo Street Eats
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Food trucks
500 Via Mercado, San Lorenzo
Fridays
Castro Valley Street Eats
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Food trucks and live music – support The Chabot Theater
Parking lot behind Trader Joe’s
2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley
https://www.thefoodtruckmafia.com/upcoming
Saturdays
Virtual Telescope Viewing R
9:30 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!
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
9:30 a.m.; Worship Service In-Person or Online
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9NxtyzVaehQJHwLlpwPWlw
35450 Newark Blvd., Newark
www.newarkpres.org
Sundays
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church Service
10 a.m.
Socially distant outdoor seating
2791 Driscoll Road, Fremont
Via Zoom link: www.stanneschurch.org
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
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
Monday, April 5 – Sunday, June 27
Shifting Tides: Convergence in Cloth
Virtual exhibit to shine light on issues facing the Pacific Ocean
www.olivehydeartguild.org
Saturdays & Sundays in July
Niles Canyon Railway
10:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
7/10, 7/11, 7/17, 7/18: Diesel Trains
Sunol Depot
6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol
www.ncry.org
Sundays, May 30 – July 25
“Travel Without Leaving Town” Film Series
3 p.m.
June 27: Botticelli: Florence and the Medici
July 11 : The Prado: A Collection of Wonders
July 25 : Frida: Viva la Vida
$15 regular/$10 students to age 21
Bankhead Theater, 2400 First Street, Livermore
lvpac.org
(925) 373-6800
Tuesday, June 1 – Friday, June 25
Pray Their Names
Outdoor art installation made up of 160 large wooden hearts
Niles Discovery Church
36600 Niles Blvd., Fremont
https://www.facebook.com/Pray-Their-Names-111352017313180
Tuesday, June 15 and July 13
Free drive-through COVID-19 vaccine
12 noon
For Ohlone College students, faculty, staff, and the community
Newark Center, Lot D
39399 Cherry St., Newark
Go to https://bach.health/vaccine/ to register
https://www.ohlone.edu/rtc/resources/vaccination
Friday – Sunday, June 18 – July 18
Live Horse Racing
2:45 p.m.
https://bit.ly/3yr6IEy
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Gates 8 & 12 off of Valley Ave, Pleasanton
Sundays, June 27 – August 15
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
12 noon – 1:30 p.m.
Afternoon discussion – change frustrating conversations into better ones!
In person or via Zoom
2791 Driscoll Rd., Fremont
(510) 490-0553
Tuesday, June 29 and July 27
Free drive-through COVID-19 vaccine
12 noon
For Ohlone College students, faculty, staff, and the community
Fremont Campus, Lot H
43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont
Go to https://bach.health/vaccine/ to register
https://www.ohlone.edu/rtc/resources/vaccination
UPCOMING
Tuesday, June 22
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 870 8866 1097
http://bit.ly/CastroValleyWalkBike
(916) 234-6212
Wednesday, June 23
How To Watch Out for Cyber Criminals in your Small Business
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Learn to recognize threats to your technology – a free ACSBDC webinar
https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/48388
Wednesday, June 23
Getting to Know USCIS – An Agency Overview
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free info session from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Webex Link: https://bit.ly/3vFpDJW
Meeting number (access code): 199 158 8619
Meeting password: Presentation1!
Wednesday, June 23
Medicare Virtual Fair
12 noon – 4 p.m.
Guidance with enrollment decisions for people turning 65
www.shiphelp.org
Wednesday, June 23 – Thursday, June 24
Android Phone Training
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Learn how to make your phone work better for you
http://bit.ly/AgeWellClasses
njordan@fremont.gov
(510) 790-6602
Friday, June 25
Coco R$
Outdoor family movie night—popcorn will be delivered to your space!
8:30 p.m.
Pinewood Park, Milpitas
Saturday, June 26
Ohana Virtual Health Walk
11 a.m. – 12 noon
Walk or run the week before, then join us for a livestream
Saturday, June 26
“La Bella Vita” – An Evening With Cathy Chow
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Meet artist Cathy Chow and her creations. Music by the Michael Udelson Trio
William D. Hayward Amphitheater
24591 Fairview Ave., Hayward
https://edenmusicandarts.com/calendar/premier-event-cathy-chow
Saturday, June 26
Storytime with The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join Sisters Nova, Amor, and Sashay as they read books celebrating the LGBTQ+ community
Books On B
1014 B St., Hayward
(510) 538-3943
Saturday, June 26
Original Compositions for Pianoforte
6 p.m.
Free concert with Benjamin Belew and Sakagch Akeala
In person and via Zoom
2791 Driscoll Rd., Fremont
www.stanneschurch.org
Monday, June 28
Free COVID-19 Vaccinations R
2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Hosted by Bay Area Community Health and Newark Unified School District
First 100 registrants will receive a prize
MacGregor Alternative Education
35753 Cedar Blvd., Newark
Register at: bach.health/vaccine
Wednesday, June 30
Fun Fresh Summer Cooking Demo
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Learn the nutritional benefits associated with vegetables
www.whhs.com/seminars
Sunday, July 4
Pancake Breakfast $
8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Alameda County Firefighters host yummy breakfast, with music, cars, and fire demo
Alameda County Fire Station #27
39039 Cherry St., Newark
(510) 632-3473 ext.1321
https://fire.acgov.org
Friday, July 9
Classic Movies Under The Stars: Singing in the Rain $R
8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Reserve a lawn space and enjoy some popcorn and candy
Milpitas Senior Center
40 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas
https://www.active.com/milpitas-ca/classes/classic-movie-under-the-stars-series-2021
Saturday, July 10
Symphony Under the Stars $R
5:30 p.m.
The Kings of Soul and Swing. Champagne reception and catered dinner
Hilltop estate in Milpitas
https://bit.ly/3cPn4Oo
Letter to the Editor
Another Side to Chicago Mayor’s Letter
In the Tri-City Voice’s June 15 edition, a letter to the editor was published concerning Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. It was a mistake to publish this letter because it contained a demonstrably careless mistake accusing Lightfoot of being “racially abusive” for something the mayor did not do.
Contrary to the letter, Lightfoot did not issue a proclamation that “she would no longer do sit-down interviews with any journalist who is not Black or brown.” In fact, Lightfoot's May 19 letter stated: “… on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of my inauguration as mayor of this great city, I will exclusively be providing one-on-one interviews with journalists of color” (emphasis added).
As indicated in Lightfoot's letter, this exclusivity was for only one day — Lightfoot's two-year anniversary as mayor. And its purpose, as also stated in the letter, was to highlight the fact of Chicago’s predominately white press corps in a city that is predominately non-white. Since Lightfoot's letter, no one has reasonably disputed that Chicago's press corps is predominately white in a predominately non-white city and Lightfoot’s intention to highlight this fact.
John Michael Kelly
Hayward
Summer camp for kids with asthma planned
Submitted by Alameda County
This summer, Breathe California of the Bay Area will hold a “hybrid” week-long asthma day camp both online and in person from August 2 through August 6. The Camp Superstuff program is designed for children ages 6 through 12 who are living with asthma. Virtual sessions with education and fun activities every day will be supplemented with meet-up field trips.
Enrollees at Virtual Camp Superstuff join a community program that puts children’s asthma education first. The camp utilizes trained staff that teach important techniques on how to manage asthma and allergies, which include:
• Understanding different aspects of asthma management
• Recognizing asthma/allergy triggers, and warning signs of asthma attacks
• Knowing how/when to take medications
• Learning how to stay active with asthma and allergies
In addition to offering a supportive educational environment, the camp provides children with a variety of activities to take part in virtually, like Zumba classes, arts and crafts, and scavenger hunts. In-person activities vary but may include bowling, ice skating, or miniature golf, and picnics for participants and their families.
All campers must have a medical care provider’s current approval to participate in the in-person events. Camp Superstuff will observe all prescribed COVID-related safety precautions at in-person events.
Campers learn to socialize with others who suffer from the same illness, ultimately creating peer-to-peer relationships. By better learning to manage their condition, children experience fewer hospital visits and missed school days, opening the door to a more successful education and greater opportunities in the future.
For more information about the program, email Kiran Kaur at kiran@lungsrus.org.
Student wellness magazine published during pandemic
Submitted by Mujeeb Dadgar
Spring 2021 Psychology Counseling students at Chabot College in Hayward did not let remote learning and COVID-19 deter them from continuing their education, but they did run into a big problem: how could they earn their required service hours when most of the world was shut down because of the pandemic?
The solution: The Chabot College Wellness and Lifestyle Magazine. The first edition, published in May, was a student-led and inspired project, according to Chabot College Counselor/Instructor and Mental Health Counselor Sadie Ashraf. Students were able to use the project to earn their required hours while helping to connect readers with wellness resources. Students hope to promote mental health and to reduce stigma around it, Ashraf said.
“Hopefully exposure to information helps create awareness and continued dialogue around mental health and wellness which in turn promotes safety, wellness, and a sense of connectedness and belonging to the campus community,” Ashraf explained.
Articles in the magazine include what to expect from a therapy session, a profile of Chabot College’s Student Navigator, what healthy relationships look like, and resources for individuals in crisis. All of the articles are written by Chabot Psychology Counseling students. The digital magazine is free, accessible, and ADA compliant to ensure all who want to view the publication may do so.
Ashraf said that many on campus have supported the magazine, including Mental Health Grant Coordinator Sang Leng Trieu, Vice President of Student Services Matt Kritscher, Disabled Students Programs & Services Director Nathaniel Rice, Alternate Media Technology Specialist Thomas Dowrie, and Craig Shira from Reprographics. She added that it would not have been possible without their help.
“This magazine represents our students’ voices on mental health and wellness, and I’m so very appreciative of the collaboration and receptivity on our campus,” Ashraf said. “As a community, it is important we support one another, showing inclusivity, connection, and care. We need to continue to destigmatize seeking mental health support, highlight equity in mental health, and continue to advocate for access to mental health information and resources. I hope the Wellness Magazine ignites inspiration and reflection and also sparks dialogue around wellness.”
The Chabot College Wellness and Lifestyle is posted online at https://online.fliphtml5.com/kzukr/dbhj/#p=1.
Correction:
Ram Charan’s name was misspelled in the article “OHAG Art Scholarships 2021” in our June 15, 2021 issue. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
COVID-19 vaccines available
Submitted by City of Union City
Union City officials are reminding the public that COVID-19 vaccines are available each Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Old Decoto School on the corner of H and Sixth streets.
• Friday: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson)
• Saturday and Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Moderna)
Walk-ins are accepted, or people can book an appointment in advance by visiting the AlCoVax website at https://www.primarybio.com/r/alco-vax-signup. For details, call (510) 208-4829.
Meanwhile, free COVID-19 testing is available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 703 C St., Union City. For details, send an email to covid19@predicine.com, visit www.unioncity.org/coronavirus or call (800) 371-8030.
Stay safe, get vaccinated!
Submitted by Newark Police Department
Bay Area Community Health, in partnership with Newark Unified School District and the City of Newark is offering free COVID-19 vaccinations at MacGregor Alternative Education on Cedar Boulevard in Newark.
Vaccines will be available 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 28. There is no cost, but advance registrations are required. The first 100 people to register will receive a prize.
Free COVID-19 vaccinations
Monday, Jun 28
2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
MacGregor Alternative Education
35753 Cedar Blvd., Newark
Free, registrations required: www.bach.health/vaccine
(510) 770-8040
Engineering camp may spark lifelong passion
Submitted by Kimberly Hawkins
Cal State East Bay’s “Discover Engineering!” camp paves the way for high school students who are interested in engineering to seamlessly transition into higher education. And, for some students, the annual weeklong summer camp could spark a lifelong passion and careers.
“I know it will be a good experience and will open up options,” said Katherine Santana, a junior at Richmond High School.
While this year’s camp is being held online because of pandemic restrictions, Katherine and her classmates are choosing to work together in during the week of June 21-25, for the challenge. Most of the other student teams will be working together remotely. Each team will build and program Mars rover-type robots with a mission to search, collect and load minerals onto a shuttle for the production of batteries. Each section will be filmed, edited and uploaded on YouTube to be judged at the end of the week by a panel of industry professionals.
Many students in the program come from underserved communities. The camp provides them with opportunities and exposure they otherwise might not have. “For some of the participants, college doesn’t seem like a possibility because they don’t know where to go or what to do,” said Cal State East Bay Professor of Engineering Farzad Shahbodaghlou, who is one of the camp’s founders. “This program gives them a pathway.”
Organizers hope to inspire participants with hands-on learning and virtual field trips. They also hope to inspire more girls to consider careers in engineering. This year’s camp includes about 65 students – with about half of them female. Nationally, the rate of women in engineering is between 10% and 15%.
For more information, call Cal State East Bay’s School of Engineering at (510) 885-2654.
Free Summer Hackathon
Submitted by FUSS
FUSS (Fremont Unified Student Store) is glad to support this free virtual hackathon event again this summer. It is offered to Fremont Unified School District rising 7th – 9th grade students by Eagle STEM, a group of American High School students. Some prior coding experience is recommended, but hackathon experience is not required.
At the start of the hackathon, we will announce four themes that participants can design their project around. Participants will come up with a product, service, or app that addresses one of these themes and will later present their idea to the judges and other participants once the submission period is over. We will explain the submission details and grading criteria during the course of the competition. Whether this is your first hackathon or you have competed before, we hope you will have fun and get the opportunity to see some other creative ideas and innovations!
Prizes will be offered for the top three projects!
Summer Fun Hackathon 2.0
Saturday, Jun 26
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
eaglestem2020@gmail.com
Eden Music & Arts presents: “La Bella Vita”
Submitted by Marcella Schantz
Eden Music & Arts is happy to announce its premier event coming up on Saturday, June 26: “La Bella Vita.” Meet artist Cathy Chow and see her wonderful creations in person – paintings, sculptures in clay and bronze, bas relief and more. Chow will talk about her art, inspirations, and if you have questions about any of the pieces (or would like a custom piece created for you!) she will be there to answer any questions.
Live music will be performed by the talented Michael Udelson Trio: jazz, classic rock and more. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.
This event is presented by Eden Music & Arts in Partnership with Siena Music, with featured sponsor Lone Tree Cemetery Association. The mission of Eden Music & Arts is to bring the joy and experience of cultural events, productions and classes to raise the awareness of local performing, musical and visual artistry in our community.
Start the summer with an evening with art and music in a lovely venue!
La Bella Vita
Saturday, Jun 26
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
William D. Hayward Amphitheater
24591 Fairview Ave., Hayward
https://edenmusicandarts.com/calendar/premier-event-cathy-chow
Tickets: $25
Longest day of the year
By Jessica Yu
Photos via Pixabay
The June Solstice will occur on Friday, June 21, 2021. For us in California, it means early dawns, longer days, later sunsets, and shorter nights. Some call the solstice the first day of summer. In ancient times, many cultures recognized the solstice as a change of the Sun’s position. In fact, monuments like Stonehenge were built to honor and track the Sun’s progress.
Why do we have a solstice? It has to do with the earth’s tilt: 23 and 1/2 degrees. On June 21, the North Pole is angled most directly toward the sun. So, on the solstice, areas north of the equator have longer days upwards of 12 hours, while the areas south of the equator have days shorter than 12 hours. On December 21, the winter solstice, the opposite, will be the case.
Every year, cultures around the world gather to celebrate the June solstice. Most ancient cultures and religious traditions centered around the Sun, so it was no surprise that many of them congregated to recognize the summer solstice. Some cultures called it Midsummer, while Wiccans and other Neopagan groups called it Litha. In the United Kingdom, Stonehenge is one example of how prehistoric cultures used monuments or natural resources to track the Sun’s movement and time.
In Ancient Greece, the summer solstice was the symbol of the New Year, as well as the one-month countdown to the Olympics. In China, the summer solstice symbolized “yin” and festivals celebrated Earth, femininity, and the “yin” force. Native Americans also took part in celebrations with rituals, many which are continued to this day. Many cultures continue these age-old traditions during the summer solstice. Midsummer festivals and gatherings at Stonehenge are also still popular now.
To celebrate the Summer Solstice at home, you can watch documentaries on the history of the solstice, celebrate traditions similar to the Ancient Greeks or Neopagans, or just go on a nice walk and enjoy the summer breeze.
References:
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/19374540.summer-solstice-2021/
https://www.history.com/topics/natural-disasters-and-environment/history-of-summer-solstice
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/summer-soltice-history-around-world
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/summer-solstice-world-traditions/index.html
Ohlone offers free COVID-19 vaccines
Submitted by Tina Vossugh
Ohlone College is proud to support our students, faculty, staff, and local community by offering COVID-19 vaccines on both of our campuses. We have partnered with Bay Area Community Health (BACH) and Washington Hospital to provide our students and community with the opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
For those interested in receiving the vaccine, here are the details:
Ohlone students who would like to receive their vaccine through our partnership with Washington Hospital can make an appointment here: https://www.mywtmf.com/Vaccine.aspx.
Starting June 15th, BACH will host four drive-through vaccine clinics. The free COVAX clinics at OhloneCollege, open to all students, employees, and community members, will offer either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines facilitating two doses through follow-up clinics located on both campuses on the following dates and times:
Ohlone College Newark Center
July 13: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
39399 Cherry St., Newark
Location: Lot D
Ohlone College Fremont Campus
June 29 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
July 27 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont
Location: Lot H
To register for an appointment for one of the Ohlone College BACH drive-through vaccine clinics visit https://bach.health/vaccine/.
Visit https://www.ohlone.edu/rtc/resources/vaccination for more details and resources.
Firefighters to flip pancakes on the 4th
Submitted by Alameda County Fire Department
Alameda County Firefighters are inviting the public to join them at their annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, co-sponsored by International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in Newark.
From 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Sunday, July 4, a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage and juice donated by IHOP will be prepared and served by firefighters at Alameda County Fire Department Station 27 on Cherry Street at Mowry Avenue in Newark. Donation is $5 per person and will help support the Alameda County Fire Fighters Association-IAFF Local 55 Charity Fund.
Music will be provided by DJ C Custom Sound. Also attending will be members from the Classic Cruisers Car Club. A fire truck demonstration also is planned for 10:00 a.m.
4th of July Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, July 4
8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
10 a.m. Fire truck demonstration
Fire Station No. 27
39039 Cherry St., Newark
Donation: $5 per person
(510) 632-3473
Relay for Life Rummage Sale
Submitted by Cathy Norvell
On Saturday, July 17, a rummage sale will be hosted at First Presbyterian Church in Newark. A 20×20 ft space can be rented for $20. Setup starts at 9 a.m. and the sale will run from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. All proceeds for the rental space go to the American Cancer Society. You can donate or keep your earnings, and if you don’t have items to sell, stop by on the day and shop!
Email Cathy to reserve your spot: cn63in73@gmail.com.
Relay For Life Rummage Sale
Saturday, July 17
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
35450 Newark Blvd., Newark
(510) 701-9005
Shared bikes and scooters
Submitted by City of Fremont
The City of Fremont has partnered with HOPR on a pilot shared active transportation program. These programs consist of bicycles, electric bicycles, and motorized scooters that are deployed in the public right-of-way for use by members, customers, or the general public. Fremont’s pilot program began in Fall 2019 and consisted of shared pedal bicycles. In June 2021, the City expanded its program with HOPR to a permanent program that also includes e-bikes and scooters.
Fremont’s Bicycle Master Plan identifies launching a bike share system as a near-term action, and Fremont’s General Plan identifies promotion of a multimodal transportation system as an overarching goal. In addition, Fremont received a grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to implement a bike share system.
With Fremont’s “dockless” system, users execute a user agreement with an operator then use an app to locate and unlock bicycles or scooters. Users may end their trip at any point but must comply with parking rules and respect designated no parking zones. HOPR is responsible for rebalancing bikes and scooters to high demand areas if they are not checked out again within a specified timeframe.
Bikes are deployed in areas around regional transit hubs, job centers, and commercial districts, including the City Center, Centerville, Irvington, and Warm Springs areas. Users may ride shared bikes anywhere in the City, except restricted portions of Fremont Central Park.
HOPR will be responsible for educating users on proper parking behavior and responding to any misparked devices within a specified timeframe. All devices must meet minimum parking rules such as not blocking sidewalks, storefronts, bus stops, or curb ramps. All devices will have a unique identifier and clearly displayed phone number so they can be easily reported to HOPR via a 24-hour customer service hotline if they are misparked. In addition, the City has installed shared bike parking zones in high density areas and near major trip generators.
Misparked devices should be reported to HOPR via their 24-hour customer service hotline at (833) 838-8300. Misparked devices may also be reported via email at hello@gohopr.com or at https://gohopr.com/help/.
HOPR offers several pricing plans:
• Single ride: $1 to unlock plus 15¢ per minute
• 30 day pass: $20. Free to unlock plus 10¢ per minute
• 365 day pass: $60. Free to unlock and 30 minutes of free ride time per day. 10¢ per minute for additional ride time.
Corporate passes and Access Passes for participants in federal or state income assistance programs are also available.
Contact
(833) 838-8300
hello@gohopr.com
bike-scooter-share@fremont.gov
2021 Summer Adventure kicks off at Alameda County Library
Submitted by Alicia Reyes
Alameda County Library invites people of all ages and abilities to come along for our 2021 Summer Adventure, the reimagined Summer Reading Game. From June 15 to August 15, our communities can engage in this year’s “A World of Stories” theme by exploring new and creative ways to share their stories while also learning about others’ stories through listening, watching, and of course—reading! An Adventure Guide with activities for all to enjoy, including youth we serve through Social Justice Services, is available at participating AC Library locations starting June 15.
“We all have stories to tell, no matter how young or old we are. Sharing stories is a powerful way to connect and cultivate kindness in our communities. You can write a story, make a video, do a dance—create in your own way,” said Cindy Chadwick, County Librarian.
This summer is all about expressing and sharing our stories in new and creative ways. We hope you will find ways to surprise us, too! Won’t you come adventuring with us? Join us for “A World of Stories,” to create, explore, connect, and learn your way to a book gift and other exciting prizes. Prizes and book gifts have been purchased locally to support Alameda County small businesses.
Pick up an Adventure Guide at these AC Library locations starting June 15:
• Albany Library
• Castro Valley Library
• Centerville Library
• Dublin Library
• Fremont Main Library
• Mobile Library
• Niles Library
• San Lorenzo Library
• Union City Library
For more information about our 2021 Summer Adventure, visit aclibrary.org/summer.
Summer Reading Adventure
Jun 15 – Aug 15
www.aclibrary.org/summer
Alameda County Fire Department Log
Submitted by ACFD
Tuesday, June 15
• At about 7:40 a.m. crews responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Hesperian Boulevard and Halcyon Drive in San Lorenzo. Three vehicles were involved, one requiring an extrication and another sheering off a fire hydrant. Two people were taken to a hospital to treat injuries.
BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD
Saturday, June 12
• At 11:00 a.m. a man identified by police as Ian MacDonald, 40, of Sunnyvale was arrested at Hayward station on a $5,000 warrant issued by BART Police for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also had a separate $5,000 warrant for trespassing. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
• At 7:19 p.m. a man identified by police as Elijah Rios, 26, of Patterson was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on a no bail misdemeanor warrant charging assault with a deadly weapon. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
• At 8:05 p.m. a man identified by police as Richard Porter, 50, of Hayward was arrested at San Leandro station on suspicion of making criminal threats, assault and false imprisonment. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail and a prohibition order was issued.
Monday, June 14
• At 7:04 p.m. a man identified by police as Johann Ripfel, 69, of San Francisco was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of engaging in lewd conduct. Another man, identified by police as Eugene Broadway, 67 of Hayward was also arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and engaging in lewd conduct. Both men were booked into Santa Rita Jail and issued prohibition orders.
• At 9:30 p.m. a man identified by police as Dteejah Heckard, 27, of San Francisco was arrested at San Leandro station on suspicion of battery and battery on a peace officer. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail and issued a prohibition order.
Wednesday, June 16
• At 7:30 p.m. a person identified by police as Barcley Morgan, 49, of Union City was arrested at Union City station on suspicion of violating a court order, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD
Saturday, June 12
• At 2:19 a.m. officers conducted a vehicle traffic stop in the area of Peralta Boulevard and Martha Avenue. The driver, identified by police as Brannon Pantoja, 28, of Newark was arrested on suspicion of DUI. A search showed he had brass knuckles in his possession and a handgun was found inside the vehicle.
• At 1:16 p.m. patrol officers were dispatched to the area of Canyon Heights Drive, regarding a decomposing body that had been found by two men riding horses on the property’s hillside. Detectives were later called to take over the investigation, and the Alameda County Coroner removed the body after investigators finished looking over the scene. There was no identification with the body, and decomposition made it difficult for detectives to make any initial conclusion on the cause of death. The coroner will conduct an autopsy to help determine the person’s identity and cause of death. A police investigation is continuing and anyone with information that may help is asked to contact the Investigations Unit at (510) 790-6900. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting: Tip FremontPD followed by a short message to 888777 or via the web at https://fremontpolice.gov/TIP.
Sunday, June 13
• Between 1:40 a.m. and 2:20 a.m. an indecent exposure incident occurred in the area of Wall Common in central Fremont. A female was inside her residence when she saw a male exposing himself and throwing rocks at her apartment. A man identified by police as Jose Luna, 30, a homeless Fremont resident, was arrested.
• At about 6:15 p.m. a robbery occurred at the 76 Gas Station, at 47011 Warm Springs Boulevard. A male entered the store and placed several items into a duffel bag before walking out of the store. When confronted by the clerk, the male started to swing the duffel bag at the clerk, then produced a knife and pointed it at the clerk before fleeing the scene.
Thursday, June 17
• Police detectives arrested two suspects in connection with a catalytic theft that occurred at 4:12 p.m. June 13 in the 4800 block of Natalie Avenue in the Irvington area. The suspects were identified by police as Nailah Baker, 43, of Hayward and Haseeb Kakar, 42, of Fremont. Through their investigation, detectives identified associated homes in Hayward and Fremont along with a storage unit in Hayward and recovered 22 catalytic converters and multiple power tools used in the thefts. An investigation into the thefts is continuing and police are asking anyone with information to call (510) 790-6800. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting: Tip FremontPD followed by a short message to 888777 or via the web at https://fremontpolice.gov/TIP.
Hayward Police Log
Submitted by Hayward PD
Monday, June 14
• Day shift officers responded to a car crash near the intersection of Mission and Foothill boulevards, near the Hayward Loop. Witnesses said the driver had been traveling at a high rate of speed moments before the crash. The driver subsequently rear-ended a vehicle that was stopped in traffic on southbound Mission Boulevard. The impact of the collision sent the victim’s vehicle into opposing lanes of traffic. Luckily, oncoming traffic was able to avoid the victim’s vehicle. The victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver responsible for the crash was not injured, but was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Interim police chief named in San Leandro
Submitted by San Leandro Police Department
Susan Manheimer, a retired police chief with extensive Bay Area experience, has been appointed Interim Police Chief of the San Leandro Police Department (SLPD), effective June 21. Manheimer was selected by San Leandro City Manager Fran Robustelli following the service of Acting Chief Luis Torres, who served in the role after the retirement of Chief Jeff Tudor earlier this year.
Manheimer comes to San Leandro with a prestigious 37-year career in law enforcement in the San Francisco Bay Area, having served for the past 22 years as a Chief of Police with the City of San Mateo. During her career, she was appointed to executive positions in three Bay Area departments and served in leadership roles at the regional, state, national, and international levels. As an early female trailblazer in law enforcement, she has had many “firsts,” and has also set a high bar in ensuring diversity and inclusivity within her profession.
“Chief Manheimer is a well-known law enforcement servant leader, an advocate for culture change, community builder, and a track record of results throughout her extensive career,” said Robustelli. “Chief Manheimer’s priorities for the department will focus on community alignment and reform. She is fully aware of San Leandro’s diverse populations, business community needs, and the quality of life expected by our residents.”
In response to her appointment, Manheimer added, “I’m honored for the opportunity to step into this temporary role with a focus on achieving results. I know San Leandro is facing its own unique challenges and I look forward to working with the women and men of the San Leandro Police Department to move us forward in a positive direction and ensure quality public safety services to our residents. In my initial review of the department, I witnessed a heartfelt commitment from the officers and professional staff to the community.”
Manheimer received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, where she has taught a popular class on Public Policy. In addition, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University.
On the law enforcement side, Manheimer is a graduate of the prestigious POST Command College Executive training program and remains an instructor for law enforcement executives for the California Police Chiefs Association. Manheimer will serve in the interim role with SLPD until the recruitment process for a permanent police chief is completed and a final candidate is appointed.
Milpitas Police Log
Submitted by Milpitas PD
Friday, June 4
• At 12:17 p.m. a retail employee at a store near the 1300 block of Great Mall Drive called 911 after a person stole a large quantity of alcohol and assaulted the employee before leaving the store. Arriving officers quickly located the person nearby with the stolen property. The suspect, identified as a 35-year-old Monterey resident, was booked into jail on suspicion of robbery.
Thursday June 10
• At 10:46 p.m. an employee called 911 to report a store burglary near the 1400 block of S. Main Street. A suspect broke the glass window of the business and stole several items. Arriving officers located the suspect nearby and made an arrest. The suspect, identified as a 28-year-old transient from San Jose, was booked into jail on suspicion of burglary, being under the influence of a controlled substance and on a misdemeanor trespassing warrant.
Wednesday, June 16
• Detectives located and arrested a 34-year-old San Jose resident in connection with a robbery that occurred June 14 near the 200 block of S. Abbott Avenue. The suspect was booked into jail on suspicion of robbery, felony, criminal threats and sending illicit photos without consent.
Newark Police Log
Submitted by Newark PD
Sunday, June 13
• At about 5:00 p.m. an officer spotted a man leaving a business in the 5000 block of Thornton Avenue carrying two buckets full of merchandise. When he saw the officer, the man dropped the items and ran into a nearby residential neighborhood. He was seen jumping into a rear yard, then running across several rooftops in order to flee from officers. Soon, officers located him on a neighborhood sidewalk and arrested him. A record check on the man, identified by police as a 29-year-old Hayward resident, showed he had an active felony warrant from Southern California related to possession of a loaded firearm. He was booked into Fremont City Jail and faces additional charges including a misdemeanor probation violation, possession of a controlled substance, shoplifting, and prowling.
Union City Police Log
Submitted by Union City PD
Wednesday, May 12
• At approximately 6:42 p.m., officers responded to a local hospital and contacted a victim who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The victim told police that minutes prior, he was sitting in his vehicle with a friend in the 4200 block of Comet Circle. Two suspects suddenly opened the back doors of their vehicle, entered it, pulled out a rifle, and robbed them. A struggle ensued, and as the occupants began to exit the vehicle, multiple shots were fired from inside the car. The two suspects then ran from the area with the victim's property and fled in a gold-colored sports utility vehicle. The victim described the suspects as two Black males in their 20's. The victim's friend drove him directly to the hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Detectives from UCPD's Special Services Unit identified the suspects in the case and arrested Alijo Wilson, 19, just days later, for attempted murder. The second suspect, a juvenile was also arrested by UCPD detectives.
Friday, May 14
• At approximately 4:12 a.m., officers responded to an in-progress burglary at a business on Union Square. Employees said they arrived for work, noticed the front door was shattered, and a suspect was still inside the business. As employees called 911, the suspect fled on foot. Officers arrived and contacted a witness who pointed out the suspect, later identified as Kevin Mercado, 25. Officers contacted Mercado and placed him under arrest for burglary.
Friday, May 21
• At approximately 9:50 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 700 block of Zwissig Way. The witness told police that he saw a person standing in the roadway and fire a gun into the air. The person then entered a black sedan and fled the area. Officers located casings at the scene but no damage to any buildings. On Monday, May 24th, at approximately 3:00 a.m., officers responded to a shooting. The victim told police that she heard a single gunshot strike her residence around 20 minutes before calling the police. None of the residents were injured. Officers located one spent casing and projectile in one of the walls.
From Monday, May 10th, to Sunday, May 23rd, there were three reported commercial burglaries: 34500 block of 11th Street: Occurred between Tuesday, May 4th, and Friday, May 7th. An unknown suspect broke into a locked storage unit and stole food items. 4300 block of Bettencourt Way: Occurred between Friday, May 14th, and Monday, May 17th. An unknown suspect made entry into the business and stole five catalytic converters from vehicles parked at the yard. 1600 block of Pacific Street: Occurred on Thursday, May 20th, between 2:30 a.m. and 3:10 a.m. An unknown suspect cut the lock on the gate and took three catalytic converters from three vehicles parked at the business.
Editorial
Back in the saddle
A musical version of the expression, “back in the saddle again”, was introduced in 1938 by Ray Whitley in the film, Border G-Man, and became widely known in 1941 by “singing cowboy” Gene Autrey. The phrase has been around for decades and put to music by a wide variety of personalities including a more recent transformation by Aerosmith that applied a hard rock beat, contemporary lyrics and spin on the sentiment. In all cases, however, the meaning is similar and appropriate for our current circumstance.
Often used to indicate a previous failing or difficult situation, the effort of “back in the saddle again” is to not only try again, but improve on past performance. Following a period of high stress and dysfunction, reaction and fear, there is a tendency to breathe a sigh of relief, relax and enter a mild state of stupor. The domestic COVID-19 challenge is lessening; as restrictions ease and color-coded tier charts disappear, face-to-face interactions – without masks – will reappear in everyday life including government interactions.
Plans for live, in-person meetings and events are now in process. For many residents, barring a resurgence of a similar health or consequential threat, summer recess will be followed by schools, businesses and government operations assuming a relatively normal appearance. While this development is positive and beneficial, there are some lessons from the relative isolation and burgeoning virtual communication network that can be applied to a post-pandemic world.
Since the pandemic outbreak, all local council, other government and private group meetings have been held virtually. Residents who previously attended in person have learned to view them online, whether in real time or as previously recorded. While some will return to in-person attendance, others who, in the past, have been either otherwise occupied or uninterested, may have experienced the value of virtual attendance. Hopefully, this practice will continue and allow greater participation by residents, resulting in more feedback and critical review of council/board practices. With the advent of extended video coverage – almost any camera/phone is capable – additional on-line delayed broadcast of boards and commissions would also be beneficial, increasing outreach to the general public.
Feedback, including surveys and town hall outreach and other communications are welcome, providing valuable input to civic leaders. One of the best tools to increase their usefulness, helpful response and critical review is from those who have listened to a plethora of presentations, opinions and debate in order to form their own thoughts and ideas about present and future issues and challenges. For those most interested, on-line information and resources are available and used. But to strengthen and increase the cadre of involved residents, the more easily accessible informational tools available at the viewers convenience, the better the response, minimizing the influence of misinformation, partial-truths and fact manipulation.
As we all get back in the saddle again, it is to our mutual advantage to examine the impacts of isolation and extended virtual communication that were among the effects of an extended, community-wide event. COVID-19 may be viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, but its effects give clues to possible outcomes of other wide-spread catastrophes and how to provide clear and factual dissemination of services and information.