Fireworks? Yes or No?
NO
Alameda County (Castro Valley, Sunol, San Lorenzo)
Use of all fireworks, including “safe and sane” varieties, is prohibited. Exception is Dublin.
Fremont
Sale, possession, and use of all fireworks, including “safe and sane” varieties, are banned within the City of Fremont.
Hayward
It is illegal to buy and use fireworks by any person at any time and place (private or public property) in the City of Hayward and Fairview Fire Protection District. Maximum fine is $50,000.
San Leandro
The city maintains a zero-tolerance policy and prohibits sale, manufacturer, purchase, and use of all fireworks, even those considered “safe and sane.”
Santa Clara County, including Milpitas
Use of all fireworks, including “safe and sane” varieties, is prohibited.
YES
Newark
Residents can buy “safe and sane” fireworks and use them from 12 midnight Sunday, June 30 until 12 midnight Thursday, July 4 on their personal property.
Union City
There is a zero-tolerance policy for illegal fireworks in Union City. The use of anything other than the state-approved “safe and sane” fireworks is prohibited and subject to enforcement by an administrative citation and fine of up to $500. The city’s Fireworks Ordinance requires that the following rules to be followed as relates to the use of “safe and sane” fireworks.
- Fireworks can be used between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday, July 1 to Wednesday, July 3 and between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday, July 4.
- Fireworks are banned from city parks, buildings, or land owned by the city; all parks will close at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4.
- Fireworks are not allowed anywhere east of Mission Boulevard.
- Fireworks are only allowed on private property with the permission of the resident or property owner. Fireworks may not be used upon, over, or onto the property of another without his or her consent.
- Fireworks are not allowed on public property, such as public sidewalks and streets.
- Fireworks may not be used within 10 feet of any residence, dwelling, or other structure used as a place of habitation by human beings.
Appeals court allows Trump abortion rules to take effect
Jun 20
By Gene Johnson
Associated Press
A federal appeals court said Thursday new Trump administration rules imposing additional hurdles for women seeking abortions can take effect while the government appeals decisions that blocked them.
More than 20 states and several civil rights and health organizations challenged the rules in cases filed in Oregon, Washington and California. Judges in all three states blocked the rules from taking effect, with Oregon and Washington judges issuing nationwide injunctions. One judge called the new policy “madness.”
But a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco called the rules a “reasonable” interpretation of a federal law that prohibits taxpayer-funded health clinics from advocating, encouraging or promoting abortion.
The panel said the lower courts appeared to have gotten the rulings wrong, and it granted a stay of those orders requested by the Justice Department. That allows the rules to take effect while the government appeals the lower court rulings.
“We are pleased that the Ninth Circuit has cleared the way for this important executive branch action to take effect while our appeals are pending,” Justice Department spokeswoman Kelly Laco said in an emailed statement. “The Department of Justice's position is supported by long-standing Supreme Court precedent and we are confident we will ultimately prevail on appeal.”
The new rules ban taxpayer-funded clinics from making abortion referrals and prohibit clinics that receive federal money from sharing office space with abortion providers – a rule critics said would force many to find new locations, undergo expensive remodels or shut down. Many considered the rules an attack on Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood said it would immediately ask the 9th Circuit to reconsider the decision.
“The Trump-Pence administration's gag rule is unethical, illegal, and harmful to public health,” Dr. Leana Wen, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a written statement. “The news out of the 9th Circuit this morning is devastating for the millions of people who rely on Title X health centers for cancer screenings, HIV tests, affordable birth control and other critical primary and preventive care.”
A federal court in Maryland has also issued an order blocking the rules from taking effect, but that ruling only applies in that state. The Justice Department has appealed it.
Tri-City Animal Shelter gets an upgrade
By Zoya Hajee and William Marshak
It takes special people to care for animals stranded by circumstances beyond their control in desperate situations. Animal Services personnel at the Tri-City Animal Shelter are at the top of that category. A wide variety of calls to these folks ranges from nuisance to dangerous and wildlife to domestic control situations. In some cases, expertise and support is necessary to educate residents about habits that can exacerbate a problem while in other instances, for everyone’s safety, temporary shelter is the best solution. Shelter staff work tirelessly to place animals into humane environments, promote responsible pet ownership and work with partners to reduce animal overpopulation.
Since its dedication in 1988, Tri-City Animal Shelter has been an integral part of the community, ensuring humane care and animal companion adoptions for families. Shelter staff provide a wide range of services in addition to adoptions including protecting lost and injured animals and minimizing the threat of animal-carried diseases. Under the auspices of the Fremont Police Department, officers respond to animal-related calls such as reports of animal bites, dead animals, community cats, snakes, and wildlife problems.
Following decades of use and in response to an expanding population of people and animal companions, it was time to remodel and upgrade the shelter. Work began last year as an outdated layout and amenities were addressed. Although still a work in progress, access to kennels, new flooring, covered drainage in kennel areas, an upgraded spay/neuter clinic for shelter animals and expanded outdoor areas for exercise and play have been the result.
A cat habitat is being created where adoptable cats that have passed health quarantine and spay/neuter requirements can strut their stuff in a comfortable and visible setting to attract that special someone who will provide a permanent home. Although the room construction is complete, shelter management is working to make a space for cats to socialize, with shy or scared cats learning from more confident cats how to interact with humans. Guests and cats will interact in a relaxed environment for both human and feline.
Currently, a small cadre of volunteers helps to bring a bit of enrichment and socialization from hours confined to kennel spaces. While dedicated staff is essential to its operation, volunteers are the bedrock of services and comfort for shelter residents. From fostering underage kittens too young for adoption, needing anywhere from one to four weeks of care, to transporting animals to adoption partners as well as others who can give the animals a bit of love and fun for a few hours, volunteers are not only welcome, but always in need. Donations of time and/or financial support are always welcome and the Tri-City Animal Advocates maintain an Amazon wish list to support the shelter’s needs.
As a resource for owners of companion animals, those contemplating adoption and others who just want to help the dedicated personnel at the Tri City Animal Shelter, a visit or call can make a big difference for animals that need permanent placement for a healthy, stimulating and fulfilling life beyond institutional care.
The shelter is increasing their community outreach and are now active on Instagram, NextDoor, Facebook and Twitter. A new updated website provides a wealth of information. The shelter also provides sheltering services for Newark, Union City and San Leandro. For information about animal services in contract cities and other areas, visit city websites.
Tri-City Animal Shelter
1950 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont
http://www.tricityanimalshelter.org/
Summer Day Camps
By Ayn Wieskamp, Board of Directors
East Bay Regional Park District
With the arrival of summer vacation, parents are always looking for enjoyable and educational things their children can do. The East Bay Regional Park District stands ready to help. One of the great regional park summer activities for kids is Park’n It Day Camp. Kids ages 5 through 12 can spend five days exploring a regional park with recreation leaders, lifeguards and naturalists. Activities can include hiking, fishing, swimming, arts and crafts and sports.
There’s a day camp scheduled for Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19 at Coyote Hills Regional Park, and one from Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2 at Ardenwood Historic Farm. Registration is required, and there’s a fee of $200 per child ($220 for non-district residents). There’s a 10 percent family discount for registration of the second child from the same family, when both children register and pay in one transaction, online, or by phone. For information on the day camps, call (888) 327-2757; select option 2, for Coyote Hills refer to program number 24384, and for Ardenwood, select 24376.
The park district’s Trails Challenge is a free family activity. Download the guidebook at www.ebparks.org/TC, complete any five of the listed trails by Sunday, December 1 and receive a commemorative pin, while supplies last. Trails vary in difficulty levels – there’s an easy Trails Challenge hike at Coyote Hills; and a challenging one at Sunol Regional Wilderness, south of I-680 and Sunol.
Besides the Trails Challenge, both these parks have lots of fun activities on schedule. Check out Nature Yoga from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Sunday, August 11 at Coyote Hills, or Wednesday Night Bat Watch from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 17 and July 31 at Sunol Regional Wilderness. Visit the park district website, www.ebparks.org, for details.
There’s always something interesting going on at Ardenwood Historic Farm, which recreates life on an 19th century farming estate. Kids can learn about life on a farm from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Sundays, July 21 and July 28 by joining “Farm Chores for Kids” program. They get to crack corn, feed animals, and help with other farm morning chores. Other programs include farmyard games, ice cream making, puppet shows, wheat harvesting, and beekeeping. Ardenwood always celebrates the Fourth of July with elaborate festivities (no fireworks).
Ardenwood is located at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just north of Highway 84. For information on programs and entry fees, call (510) 544-2797.
Dogs and people need water on these hot summer days. So, when you venture out on the trails, carry lots of water for both you and your pet. Often the only drinking water source available in regional parks is at the trailhead. There are lightweight dog water dishes available at pet stores. Or you can just take along a one-gallon plastic bag, into which you can pour water for your dog as needed. Splash some on your dog’s tummy, too. Rover will love you for it.
For more information on park district programs and facilities, visit the website, www.ebparks.org.
BART Police Log
Submitted by BART PD
Monday, June 17
- At 2:38 p.m. a passenger at the Bay Fair station in San Leandro reported their iPhone X was taken from them from an unknown person on a southbound train. The suspect was reported to have exited the train at the Coliseum station. Officers checked the area for the suspect who was not found.
Tuesday, June 18
- At 4:23 p.m. a man identified by police as Steve Arroyo, 26, of Oakland was arrested at the Bay Fair station in San Leandro on a warrant out of Alameda County. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Thursday, June 20
- At 10:05 p.m. a man identified by police as Gary Carter Jr., of Oakland was arrested at the San Leandro station on suspicion of trespassing, disturbing the peace, possession of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia. He was booked into Alameda County Jail.
Brask House Concerts presents Grammy nominee
By Charlene Dizon
Photos submitted by Wayne Brask
Music has been marked time and time again as a universal language that many emotionally connect to. Wayne and Sue Brask continue to uphold this marking through their Brask House Concerts Series, which provides musicians a personal platform to express themselves in a setting that intimately allows them to do so.
The Brasks were first inspired to start their own concert series in 1997, when they attended a restaurant pub that featured a Celtic group. “The lead singer had a beautiful voice and their music was amazing, but we noticed that it was hard to hear them due to all the background noise like chatting or the grinding of drinks being made,” Wayne explains. This led to the pair personally offering the Celtic group an opportunity to perform in their home. Over 20 house concerts highlighting several other artists took place in the Brask household from 1997 to 2005. Sue states, “The most our home could handle was 50 guests. We had one friend of ours attend and stand in the corner of the hallway with his head tilted. He said, ‘I’m sorry I’m late but I just had to come.’”
Fremont Mission Coffee owner, Gael Stewart, catered for a Brask House performance held to benefit the Hope Empowerment Renewal and Support (HERS) Breast Cancer Foundation. After witnessing the positive turnout of guests and sensational performances, the Brasks and Stewart decided to collaborate. “Gael approached us and told us she’d always wanted to have live music at her coffee shop. We held our first one in January 2006,” Sue states. The Brask House Concerts moved to Mission Coffee and have remained there ever since. From 2006 until today, nearly 174 Brask House performances have been held at Mission Coffee.
The Brask Concerts Series has featured worldwide musicians, from individual artists to whole bands. The genres typically included are folk, jazz, blues, and several others, as the Brasks have a wide, and eclectic taste in music. A few performers have even gone on to play larger platforms, such as the David Letterman show and national PBS. Each artist is carefully selected after the Brasks attend one of their live performances. “It’s not enough to just hear their music. We want entertaining performers. We preview everyone,” Wayne states. Sue adds, “We love when artists have a story to share through their lyrics. It’s such a talent to be able to tell an entire story within four to five minutes.”
A concert is held at Mission Coffee every month (except December). Each show is specifically a listening concert, meaning once the artist begins performing, drink making is halted, along with all conversation from the audience. “We want everyone to enjoy the music and be respectful toward the artist. To have people sit there and listen to them is important to the performers and to us,” the Brasks state. On Saturday, June 29 Grammy nominee Maria Muldaur will perform songs from her latest album, “Don’t You Feel My Leg.” This will be Muldaur’s third performance for the Brask Concerts Series.
Muldaur has explored the deepest forms of American Roots music. Her sound is an intersection between blues and jazz. Muldaur’s career as a musician has surpassed nearly 50 years. “Music is the thing that moves me more than anything else on this earth. I feel like I could never finish exploring it all,” she states. Her popular song “Midnight at the Oasis” garnished much attention in the 1970s, leading to a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year in 1974. Since then, Muldaur has been nominated for many other Grammy categories, from Best Traditional Blues Album to Best Traditional Folk Album.
Muldaur’s album, “Don’t You Feel My Leg,” is a tribute to her dear friend and American jazz and blues singer Blue Lu Barker. Muldaur found inspiration from several outlets for the album, including female empowerment. “Blues women in the 1930s and 1940s were very self-assertive. They wanted to remove gender barriers and were economic warriors that created the lives they wanted for themselves. They’ve been my main role models,” Muldaur states.
The Brask Concerts Series offers a musical escape to those who wish to savor songs that tell significant and remarkable stories. “We want to add to the growing, innovative music scene here in Fremont,” the Brasks state. With the success of each stunning and heartwarming performance, the ongoing concert series will surely heighten Fremont’s encouragement and admiration toward music.
Brask Concerts: Maria Muldaur
Saturday, Jun 29
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Mission Coffee
151 Washington Blvd, Fremont
(510) 623-6948
http://braskhouseconcerts.com/
Entrance fee: $20
Union City native supports U.S. Navy nuclear deterrence
By Lt. Cmdr. Gustav T. Hein
Submitted by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Brian T. Glunt
Photo by Dusty Good
A 2013 James Logan High School graduate and Union City, California, native in the U.S. Navy supports the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Shayne Erizel Santos Buck is a Navy aviation structural mechanic serving with Strategic Communications Wing One, a versatile command capable of consisting of three Navy squadrons and a Wing staff that employs over 1,700 active-duty sailors and 100 contractors to provide maintenance, security, operations, administration, training, and logistic support for the E-6B Mercury aircraft fleet. Buck is responsible for working on the E-6 B Mercury aircraft.
Buck credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Union City. “Being exposed to the diverse community made me more aware that people come from many backgrounds and not everyone gets to experience that growing up,” said Buck.
The mission stems from the original 1961 Cold War order known as ‘Take Charge and Move Out!’ Adapted as TACAMO and now the command’s nickname, today, the men and women of TACAMO continue to provide a survivable communication link between national decision makers and the nation’s nuclear weapons. Sailors aboard TACAMO E-6 Mercury aircraft provide the one-of-a-kind and most-survivable communication needed for this critical mission.
“It is a very small community, so you get to know all of your colleagues,” said Buck. “It is much different than working on an aircraft carrier with 5,000 crew members.”
The Navy's presence aboard an Air Force base in the middle of America [Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma] may seem like an odd location given its distance from any ocean; however, the central location allows for the deployment of aircraft to both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico on a moment’s notice. This quick response is key to the success of the nuclear deterrence mission.
“Serving has been an honor,” said Buck. “It's definitely an experience I would recommend for those graduating high school needing some guidance and discipline.”
California turns to military technology to help fight fires
By Don Thompson
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Jun 03 – California is improving cooperation with the Pentagon as it tries to avoid another deadly, destructive fire season.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that the Defense Department has agreed to provide information from a Cold War-era military satellite to help spot new wildfires.
The defense secretary also gave the California National Guard blanket approval through year's end to use unmanned drones to map fires, count destroyed houses and spot survivors. The drones can peer through smoke, work at night and stay aloft much longer than manned aircraft.
Previously, state officials had to get separate federal approval each time they wanted to use the unarmed drones.
The agreements are another step in preparing for wildfires like ones that devastated the Northern California city of Paradise last fall.
California governor, lawmaker alter proposed vaccine rules
By Don Thompson
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Jun 18 – California public health officials would have oversight of doctors and schools with high numbers of medical exemptions for vaccinations under a legislative compromise announced Tuesday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and the bill's author disclosed the deal aimed at cracking down on fraudulent exemptions issued by sympathetic doctors.
The updated measure by Sen. Richard Pan removes a provision that would have required health officials to consider every exemption requested and expands the criteria for granting exemptions.
The California bill is aimed at deterring “doctor-shopping.” Proponents said some doctors have been selling immunization exemptions since California ended non-medical exemptions in 2016.
The proposed bill would bar doctors from charging for filing out a medical exemption form and conducting a related medical examination.
Health officials would take a targeted approach on exemptions, concentrating on doctors who write five or more exemptions each year and schools with a vaccination rate below 95 percent.
Newsom, a Democrat, said he supports immunizations but has expressed doubts about giving state officials the authority to decide which children can skip their shots before attending school.
California lawmakers are considering the changes as the nation attempts to stem the highest number of measles cases in decades. Lawmakers in Oregon defeated a bill that would have made it harder for families to opt out of immunizations, while Washington state ended most exemptions for the measles vaccine. Maine eliminated religious and philosophical exemptions, while New York legislators eliminated a religious exemption.
California Health & Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly, speaking for Newsom's administration, said the bill “protects the doctor-patient relationship, strengthens the state's ability to target doctors who abuse the medical exemption process and gives state public health officials the tools to identify and protect schools and communities where herd immunity is in danger.”
Proponents said the amended measure would still allow exemptions for the less than 1 percent of students who should avoid vaccinations because they have a severe allergic reaction or impaired immunity from a liver problem, HIV virus, chemotherapy or other conditions.
Pan, a Democrat from Sacramento, agreed to the changes as the Assembly Health Committee prepares to consider the bill on Thursday. Busloads of opponents again plan to crowd what have become raucous public hearings.
The previous iteration of the bill cleared a Senate committee and the full Senate, riding on Democrats' overwhelming legislative majorities. It had no Republican votes.
Pan has cited new annual immunization figures showing the rate of kindergartners with permanent medical exemptions has quadrupled in the three years since the state banned personal exemptions. The figures also show more than 100 schools have medical exemption rates exceeding 10 percent.
Under the changes, California Department of Public Health doctors or registered nurses would review exemptions issued by local medical providers. The state public health officer, who is a doctor, could revoke any that don't meet national guidelines. The earlier version of the bill was not as specific on who would make the decisions.
It also gives parents a chance to appeal to an independent panel of doctors.
Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron of Escondido, who sits on the health committee, the bill still allows “unaccountable bureaucrats in Sacramento” to interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.
The group Educate. Advocate said it remains opposed to the bill in part because it now calls for using an existing state immunization registry instead of creating a separate, expensive, medical exemption database.
The group also objected to a provision requiring doctors to sign exemptions under threat of perjury, potentially subjecting them to prosecution if the state disagrees with their reasoning.
“It's the same only nastier, but it's going to get the same result,” said attorney Rick Jaffe, who represents some of the doctors writing exemptions.
He agreed with Pan's office that broadening acceptable exemptions beyond U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines won't significantly increase the number of children approved to skip vaccinations.
The amendments allow criteria developed by the CDC, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics. They also permit “other contraindications or precautions, including consideration of family medical history” if they are “consistent with the relevant standard of care.”
“It's extremely limited,” Jaffe said even of the broader criteria. Most exemptions are written for siblings of family members who have had a previous bad reaction to a vaccination, he said, and those would be rare even under the amendments.
Cargill Salt honored for educational donation
Submitted by Allison Aldinger
At their Thursday, June 20 meeting, officials from the Mission Valley ROP (MVROP) Governing Council honored Cargill Salt for its longtime support of MVROP programs and their recent donation of $20,000 to benefit the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Program pathway.
MVROP is a regional occupational program aimed at students in the Tri-City Area. During the last school year, it recognized the need for trained professionals and launched a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career pathway driven by the nationally recognized Project Lead the Way curriculum
When MVROP sought new business and community leaders to join the conversation and play a role in supporting the successful futures of students in the Tri-City area, Cargill answered the call by granting financial support and valued participation in the MVROP PLTW Consortium. Since then, pathway growth and expanded course offerings have reached more students than could have been imagined in the 2009 pilot program offering.
Cargill Salt’s ongoing participation in the PLTW Consortium and its financial support of $20,000, allows for MVROP to continue training instructors who teach the rigorous STEM curriculum to local students. Additionally, the company has opened its doors to on-site trips for students and mentorship interaction with their talented employees. The ongoing popularity and success of this program has only increased the importance of continued teacher training to ensure students flourish within the unique activity-, project-, and problem-based curriculum.
The Governing Council commended Cargill Salt for their support of the program, the school, for their investment in the students of the Tri-Cities and applauded the valuable partnership. Information provided in all MVROP Governing Council reports is posed online at www.mvrop.org/board.
Charlie Chaplin Days
Submitted by Rena Kiehn
Photos courtesy of Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
Natives of the Tri-City Area love Niles for its quaint charm and old-fashioned railroad, but fewer know that Charlie Chaplin worked at Niles’ own Essanay Film Company, creating five short films, including his first with costar Edna Purviance. That’s why each summer Niles hosts their classic “Charlie Chaplin Days” festival to honor the shared history of the film star and the town. Charlie merchandise, special film screenings, contests and other Niles fun will be happening from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, June 29 – Sunday, June 30. Look at our website nilesfilmmuseum.org for more details. This event is co-sponsored with the Niles Main Street Association.
Friday
The weekend will kick off on Friday with a series of special early bird events. At 1:00 p.m., a walking tour of San Francisco Silent Film locations will start from The Station Café at 596 Pacific Street, conducted by Rory O’Connor under the auspices of the Friends of the Library City Guides. If you’re interested in taking part, RSVP to Rena Kiehn at pr@nilesfilmmuseum.org. (There will be a $12 Tour Fee.)
At 7:30 p.m. that evening back in Niles, Dan Kamin, leading authority on Chaplin’s comedy and body language, will give a talk on Chaplin’s career. The entertaining and informative presentation focuses on Chaplin’s rise to fame and his controversial decision not to fight in World War I, the first of many scandals that would dog the comedian during his long career. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. (Suggested member donation $8, not yet member $10.)
Friday’s events will conclude with film screenings of Shoulder Arms (with Jeff Rapsis at the piano) and Chaplin Studio Tour.
Saturday
On Saturday, the fun starts in the morning with the 11 a.m. walking tour of Niles. Find out what happened here one hundred years ago. Important landmarks will be discussed and stories will be shared! Meet at the museum and bring your camera. Includes our museum Walking Tour of Niles booklet. ($5 donation.)
On both Saturday and Sunday, stop by the Expansion Area of the museum to screen short Chaplin films made Niles or around the Bay Area, and get commentary from various Chaplin fans! (Suggested donation per film 50¢)
Short film schedule:
11:30 a.m. A Night Out
12:15 p.m. The Champion
1:45 p.m. In The Park
2:15 p.m. A Jitney Elopement
3:00 p.m. The Tramp
Lecture Schedule
Learn the history and culture behind Chaplin’s films from scholars and film buffs.
1:00 p.m. Chaplin and his Music
Nigel Dreiner takes us on a journey into an aspect of Charlie’s career that often gets forgotten. The Music!
2:15 p.m. Screening of The Movies Go West
2:45 p.m. The Importance of Chuck Reisner
Presented by Hooman Mehran.
Chuck Reisner started with Chaplin at First National in 1918, and contributed as an assistant director, actor, and gagman to many of his best films.
4:00 p.m. The Chaplin Studio
Marc Wanamaker, vintage Los Angeles film studios expert, will share some behind the scenes images and amazing tales of the Chaplin studio and old Hollywood.
7:30 p.m. Screening of The Pilgrim, How to Make Movies, Chaplin Studio Tour, A Dog’s Life
Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Suggested member donation $8, not yet member $10
Frederick Hodges (piano)
Sunday Events
Sunday’s activities include a train ride through Niles Canyon. You should be at the train station off Mission Blvd by 11:00 a.m. for the 1 and 1⁄4-hour long ride. See: www.ncry.org for more information and train ticket rates. Adults $15 / Seniors (62 and older) $12 / Children 3-12 $9 / 2 and under – Free
On Sunday, Saturday’s list of short films will be screened in the Main Theater at the same time slots. (Suggested donation per film 50¢)
On Sunday only, we will host the Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest at 1:15. We have some costumes if you want to “suit up,” or wear your own. You may win a prize! Google Doodle on Chaplin will be shown before the contest.
Purchase an all weekend pass in advance: $39 includes all programs, weekend theater seat reservation (specific seat of your choice) and a ticket for the 11:20 a.m. Sunday train ride. Add the San Francisco Silent Film Walking Tour for only $10 (at a discount). You also get a museum member's discount all weekend in the museum store.
Charlie Chaplin Days
Friday, Jun 28 – Sunday, Jun 30
Friday 1 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Niles Silent Film Museum
37417 Niles Boulevard, Fremont
(510) 494-1411
State audit shows California State University hid $1.5 billion
Submitted by Jenna Thompson
In a highly critical report, the state auditor found the California State University (CSU) funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to accounts outside of the state Treasury, disregarded state laws covering transparency and used millions of dollars in revenue from campus parking permit fees to fund projects unrelated to the CSU parking program. The audit also showed that CSU campuses are keeping surplus funds in locally held accounts that are hidden from public view and state oversight.
In addition, as the CSU constructs costly campus parking structures, its leadership has ignored requirements to maintain campus and community committees that promote less-costly alternative transportation programs intended to improve student access, according to the audit.
“Unfortunately, the state auditor has again uncovered violations and waste that occur when we allow the CSU to operate its campuses without adequate state oversight or accountability,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva who authored the audit request. “The legislature must enact measures to ensure state funds cannot be hidden in outside accounts and are being spent in the best interests of students.”
According to the audit, investment accounts held by the CSU outside of the state Treasury accumulated a surplus worth $1.5 billion, primarily from tuition. “The Chancellor’s Office did not disclose CSU’s surplus to legislators and students in key documents related to state funding and tuition rates,” according to the audit made public on Thursday, June 20.
The CSU Employees Union (CSUEU) had urged closer scrutiny of the CSU’s outside accounts which were not being used for instruction and program needs. Because these funds lack direct state oversight, little is known about their management or use. The audit said the Chancellor’s Office “has not adopted adequate policies to ensure that the amount of money CSU holds as a reserve and the manner in which it uses that money are appropriate.”
Some key findings from the audit include:
- CSU used excess student tuition and salary savings to build a $1.5 billion surplus in its operating fund from 2008-9 through 2017-18.
- The annual cost of tuition for a full‑time CSU undergraduate student increased by about 80 percent, from roughly $3,000 in fiscal year 2008–09 to almost $5,500 in fiscal year 2011–12. Meanwhile, CSU’s operating fund surplus grew by more than 400 percent over the last decade.
- Campuses often pass the resulting building and maintenance costs on to students, many of whom pay increased sums for parking permits but experience little or no improvement in parking availability.
“For years, the CSU has claimed ‘poverty’ and now we find they’ve been holding $1.5 billion in outside accounts. The audit’s findings are disturbing and merit immediate action,” said Neil Jacklin, president of the CSUEU that requested the audit. “This is just the latest example of CSU leadership irresponsibly managing public funds without fear of consequence.”
The audit also reviewed parking programs at four CSU campuses: Channel Islands, Fullerton, San Diego, and Sacramento. According to the audit: “The four campuses we reviewed have built costly parking facilities that have had minimal impact on campus parking capacity while committing the campuses to significant long‑term debt payments.”
CSUEU members want to see the CSU once again be the university that puts students before profit and invests in the front line employees who provide the instructional and support needs of the University. There are more than 480,000 students enrolled statewide in 23 CSU campuses.
“I hope our state Legislature takes steps to hold the CSU accountable and strengthen oversight. The practice of hiding state funds and ignoring state laws hurts our students and employees,” said Vicky McLeod, chair of the CSUEU legislative committee.
“Our Skilled Trades Teamsters at CSU are extremely concerned that the CSU may have been earning and saving public funds while understaffing and underpaying dedicated workers. CSU administration has not been transparent with their financial matters and must be held accountable,” said Drew Scott, Skilled Trades Director, Fresno State University.
The auditor’s complete report is posted online at www.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2018-127/summary.html.
Kitchen with a View
By Anna Jacoby
My clients are fortunate to have a gorgeous view from their backyard. They have a large deck on the back of their house, with access from the breakfast nook. Each morning they get to enjoy their coffee while taking in the beautiful views of trees and hills. Their kitchen was designed to maximize the view while creating a more efficient layout and, of course, updating all the finish materials.
You can’t miss the expansive 11-foot window; we made this window as large as possible, spanning almost the entire wall. This may be a stretch, but I think this view would make even washing dishes feel like less of a chore. A small eating bar provides a place for morning coffee or an afternoon glass of wine.
The cooktop wall is quite efficient, with the range in the center, flanked by the microwave on the left and the refrigerator on the right. Because we used custom cabinetry, we were able to position the microwave at the perfect height for the homeowners – not too high, not too low, and off the counter to open more counter space. Just beyond the refrigerator, in the breakfast nook, you’ll see the pantry, along with a customized spot for charging phones and opening mail.
The new slide-in range features two ovens in one footprint, eliminating the need for separate wall ovens. This freed up cabinets and gave the clients additional storage space. And speaking of additional storage, the new layout includes lazy Susan cabinets in both corners, making every inch count in this hardworking kitchen. Ample prep space around the sink and on each side of the cooktop allows for more than one cook, with plenty of room to spread out.
The color scheme was kept quiet and peaceful, so as not to distract from the views. But you’ll notice we brought the outdoors in, with the light blue wall color, stained wood cabinets, and wood flooring. The soft blue walls mimic the sky, and the warm wood pays tribute to the trees outside. Not wanting to darken the kitchen, the upper cabinets and backsplash were kept a creamy white. On the backsplash, a thin accent stripe of slate and glass mosaic tile adds a subtle pop of color and a contrast of textures.
The clients are very happy with their new kitchen. The customized design features make this kitchen both beautiful and functional, while reflecting their taste and lifestyle. And the gorgeous views don’t hurt either.
Assembly Committee OKs accessory dwelling units bill
Submitted by Jeff Barbosa
State Senator Bob Wieckowski’s (D-Fremont) Senate Bill 13 to reduce some of the remaining barriers homeowners face when trying to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as granny flats, passed the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee on June 19.
“We are in a severe housing crisis and homeowners who build ADUs are making an important contribution to help us resolve it by providing additional housing,” said Wieckowski. “This bill will help more of them achieve their goal of building a small unit on their own property. We should be encouraging this behavior rather than blocking it with excessive fees, owner occupancy requirements and other restrictions.”
SB 13 reduces developer impact fees on ADUs, eliminates owner occupancy requirements, and provides an amnesty program to bring existing unpermitted units up to code within five years if they already meet health and safety codes. Wieckowski accepted amendments in the committee to limit the amnesty clause to units built before Jan. 1, 2020 and to make a 60-day time period for considering an ADU application begin when the jurisdiction receives a “complete” application.
The state Department of Housing and Community Development testified at an informational hearing earlier this year that excessive impact fees and owner occupancy requirements were two of the biggest remaining obstacles preventing more people from pursuing development of an ADU.
In addition to the Bay Area Council, SB 13 is supported by several organizations including California YIMBY, California Association of REALTORS, California Building Industry Association, Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California, Eden Housing.
Dear EarthTalk: Summer’s going to be a scorcher this year, and I’d like to know how I can keep cool indoors without just running my energy-hogging air conditioners all the time. Any tips?
— John McCaskill, Framingham, Massachusetts
According to Harvey Sachs of the non-profit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the movement of air over the skin is what’s key to keeping the body cool. So instead of turning on that air conditioner, see which direction the breeze is blowing outside (no matter how minimal it may be), and then open a few windows strategically to try to get it flowing through the house from end-to-end or side-to-side.
If the breeze alone isn’t enough, apply some fan power. Even small tabletop fans, which can be had for $30 or so at Target and similar stores, can really whip the air around. Placing one facing in by the window where air is coming in, and one at an opposite window positioned to blow warm air out, can create a nice “wind tunnel” effect in pulling air through the house.
This strategy can be especially effective at night when it is cooler. But then it’s important to shut the windows when you leave for the day in the morning to keep the cooler air in and the warmth of the new day out. Keep blinds shut and curtains drawn, too, as sunlight pouring into the house only creates more heat. And remember that lights left on are not only wasting electricity – they’re creating heat, as well.
Ceiling fans also do a nice job of circulating air in the rooms you occupy most, and though they do require some up-front costs for installation they use only about 1/30th the electricity of a room air conditioner.
Beyond moving the air around to keep cool, the website WikiHow.com lists several tips for using water to keep cool sans air conditioning. One tried and true method is to wet your wrists and other pulse points with cold water, and then keep those spots cool by holding an ice cube wrapped in a face cloth against them. The relief is immediate, and this method will cool down the entire body – by as much as three degrees Fahrenheit – for upwards of an hour. Another WikiHow suggestion: Wear a short-sleeved shirt and keep the sleeves wet with cold water (from a squirt bottle, faucet or hose). Keeping the pant legs of long pants wet is also a good way to keep your legs cool. Add in a breeze or a fan, and you can actually get cold.
Of course, if you just can’t live without air conditioning, there are greener options out there. For starters, a single window unit that keeps one room cool is far less energy intensive and polluting than central air conditioning that keeps all the rooms in the house cool (including those you’re not using). Look for new models sporting the federal Energy Star label, which marks units as energy efficient.
Another option for those in hot, dry climates is an evaporative cooler, which cools outdoor air through evaporation and blows it inside the house. These units make for a nice alternative to traditional central air conditioning, as they cost about half as much to install and use only one quarter of the energy overall.
EarthTalk is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss for the nonprofit EarthTalk. To read more, check out https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.
Editorial
Facebook, are you listening?
Facebook has come to Fremont in a big way. Fergus O’Shea, Director of Campus Development for the Bay Area, attended the June 11, 2019 Fremont City Council session to advise the city of plans to develop the previous Sun campus (Ardenwood area) in addition to its existing “Commerce Campus” close by. At this time, about 800 employees are inhabiting the space, but the future may see as many as 5,000 Facebook employees working at the Fremont location.
With its mission statement commitment: “Give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together”, it is incumbent upon such large enterprises to support the communities they impact. The economic benefits are palpable through increased revenue but societal concerns are also important and, as O’Shea iterated for Facebook, “We will continue to look for ways to connect with the community; it’s very important to us.” Traffic impacts of such a large influx of commuters was a primary focus of the presentation, emphasizing efforts by Facebook to encourage alternative modes of transportation.
One glaring widespread problem that is beginning to rise to the top of corporate consciousness is where all of these employees will live and their quality of life. At the forefront is the conundrum of truly affordable housing and its concomitant issue of homelessness. The term “affordable” by Bay Area standards is absurd when compared with most other locales within the United States. Starter “homes” are listed at over one-half million dollars! This not only creates havoc in the housing market, but puts extreme pressure on the lower economic strata to absorb the most basic costs of food, shelter and transportation. Additional expenses of medical care, education, recreation and communication are, for many, luxuries.
The widespread problem of housing is linked to many corollary concerns and can be found at the root of the Bay Area environmental crisis. Although regional in nature, it is only solvable on a local scale, supported by a broad coalition of ethically concerned and engaged public and private partnerships. We can’t do anything about our wonderful weather, concentration and synergy of technical talent and pleasant natural environment that attracts more and more people, but we can do something about the influx we create. It is imperative that those directly responsible for attracting huge workforces, understand and respond to infrastructure needs such as housing, traffic and environmental damage.
A recent statement [Published Jun 18, 2019] by Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed the housing problems with a commendable approach. He notes, “…we know our responsibility to help starts at home.” Google will repurpose “at least $750 million of Google’s land, most of which is currently zoned for office or commercial space, as residential housing.” According to Pichai, this is equivalent to at least 15,000 homes for middle- and low- income families. In addition, a $250 million fund will provide developer incentives spurring an additional 5,000 affordable units. He adds, “…we will give $50 million in grants through Google.org to nonprofits focused on the issues of homelessness and displacement. This builds on the $18 million in grants we’ve given to help address homelessness over the last five years, including $3 million we gave to the newly opened SF Navigation Center and $1.5 million to affordable housing for low income veterans and households in Mountain View.”
The current uproar over the location of a navigation center for Fremont has universal consensus on its primary objective, to assist those in desperate economic and social situations with the basic requirements of dignified living… shelter, physical and emotional support. Wherever the location – some have suggested a series of centers throughout the city to attack the problems of homelessness – the answer lies in not only addressing the manifestations, but root causes as well. Large corporations such as Facebook are reaping the benefits of Southeast East Bay communities; it is time for them to confront the problems associated with their success too.
Pichai concludes, “Solving a big issue like the housing shortage will take collaboration across business, government and community organizations, and we look forward to working alongside others to make the Bay Area a place where everyone who lives here can thrive.”
Amen
Partially electric airplane makes California test flight
AP Wire Service
CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP), Jun 07 – A California company has conducted a test flight of a hybrid-electric airplane capable of carrying six people.
A pilot and flight engineer flew Ampaire Inc.'s modified Cessna 337 Skymaster over Camarillo Airport on Thursday.
The aircraft normally has two combustion engines, one in front and another at the rear, that turn propellers in a push-pull configuration.
Ampaire has replaced one engine with a battery-powered electric motor.
The company says the result is savings on greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs.
Ampaire aims to supply aircraft to short-haul regional airlines.
It plans to test a pre-production prototype this year on a Maui in partnership with Mokulele Airlines and hopes to achieve commercial operations in 2021.
Fiat Chrysler in talks with Aurora on autonomous vehicles
AP Wire Service
DETROIT (AP), Jun 10 – Fiat Chrysler is in talks to produce self-driving commercial vehicles with Aurora, an autonomous vehicle company led by former Google, Tesla and Uber executives.
FCA and Aurora have a deal to lay the groundwork for a partnership to use Aurora's self-driving system globally in Ram and Fiat vehicles used for deliveries and other duties.
The partnership would not affect FCA's deal to provide hybrid Chrysler minivans to Waymo, the autonomous vehicle spinoff from Google.
Aurora is developing hardware, software and data services. It was started in 2017 by former Google autonomous vehicle chief Chris Urmson, former Tesla Autopilot head Sterling Anderson, and ex-Uber autonomous vehicle leader Drew Bagnell. Aurora already has partnerships with Hyundai and Volkswagen.
FCA says there are no plans to use Aurora's system in passenger vehicles.
‘This is America’
Submitted by: Fremont 4th of July Parade Committee
Photos courtesy of Scott Capen Photography
The Fremont 4th of July Parade Committee announced that final preparations for the annual Independence Day Parade are underway. Commemorating adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the beginning of these United States of America, this is the birthday celebration no one should miss! We are very thankful for support by our Title Sponsor Fremont Chevrolet who has supported this event for many years and Premier Sponsor SiliconSage Builders. We would also like to thank the Fremont City Council who recently voted to become a sponsor of the parade after an absence of almost 18 years… Welcome Back!
This event is produced by a local group of dedicated volunteers that work hard to ensure a fabulous event for the over 15,000 parade spectators and highlight our wonderful city. This year’s lineup includes over 70 parade entries, marching bands, helium and cold air balloons, historical vehicles, car clubs, and local non-profits.
Flyover:
As the parade is about to begin, keep your eyes peeled for the Beech Boys Flight Team. This fantastic team of Beechcraft Planes will perform their annual flyover just before the start of the parade. Maneuvers will include the “Missing Man Formation,” an aerial salute in memory of fallen pilots and military service members or veterans we have lost. In formation with the Beech Boys will be a historic Boeing-Stearman Biplane.
National Anthem:
Isabel Garcia recently graduated from Irvington High School and has performed in many local productions with StarStruck Youth Theatre and Irvington Conservatory Theatre.
Grand Marshal:
Irvington High School graduate and current NFL Indianapolis Colts Running Back Robert Turbin will be our 2019 Grand Marshal.
Parade Judges:
Awards for overall appeal, creativity and uniqueness, parade theme adaptation, patriotic display and the People’s Choice which reflects the crowd response.
- Lianne Woo – digital marketer at the Public Policy Institute of California, Rotaract District 5170 Marketing Director and an active member of the Rotaract Club of Greater Fremont.
- Jasper Tran – music teacher in the Dublin Unified School District who has also taught in the Fremont Unified School District. Beginning-advanced band director for seven elementary schools, clarinet/saxophone specialist for the Hopkins Jr. High advanced elementary band, American/Mission San Jose/Washington High School attendance area coordinator, and winter drum major instructor for American High School.
- Sameer Jha – one of the top 10 trans youth activists of color in America and founder of The Empathy Alliance. 2017 Youth Grand Marshal for Oakland Pride and recently released a book called “Read This, Save Lives!”
Parade Route and Road Closures:
Parade will begin at Stevenson Boulevard (Fremont Main Library) and travel along Paseo Padre Parkway to Capitol Avenue, ending at Liberty Street and Capitol Avenue. Please be advised that the following road closures will begin to take effect at 7 a.m. and will be in place until roughly 1 p.m.
- Paseo Padre Parkway between Mowry and Stevenson
- Capitol Avenue between Paseo Padre Parkway and State Street
- Liberty Street between Beacon Avenue and Capitol Avenue
- Walnut Avenue between Liberty Street and Paseo Padre Parkway
- Hastings Street between Mowry Avenue and Capitol Avenue
- Stevenson Blvd between Civic Center Drive and Paseo Padre Parkway
Fremont 4th of July Parade
Thursday, Jul 4
10 a.m.
Stevenson Blvd to Capitol Ave, Fremont
(510) 366-8130
fremont4th.org
Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD
Thursday, June 20
- At 12:00 a.m. officers responded to a 911 call about a man throwing rocks at another person for wearing a Muslim cap. Officers spotted a man matching the suspect’s description at the intersection of Porter and Robin streets in the Irvington district. The incident started when the suspect allegedly threw a rock at two men speaking to each other the parking lot of an apartment complex. The rock almost hit one of the men in the face. Both men spotted the suspect peeking over a concrete wall and eventually walked around the wall where the suspect brandished a wooden stick about four feet long. While holding the stick in a threatening manner, the man commented on the victim’s ethnicity and stated something similar to “you are not allowed to be here” before fleeing the scene on a bicycle. The men followed the suspect from a distance in their vehicle before he again stopped and brandished a wooden stick and swinging it in their direction.
Officers soon arrived and detained the suspect, later identified by police as John Mata, 55 on the 39800 Block of Sundale Drive. Meanwhile, a third man showed up and provided officers with a very similar statement regarding his involvement with the suspect. He believed the unprovoked attack on him could have been due to his ethnicity by the fact he was wearing a traditional Kufi or Topi cap that is a traditional Muslim laced hat for men. After police made a positive identification, Mata was arrested. A record check showed that Mata was on active probation with a search clause for a prior assault with a deadly weapon and had several prior arrests for violent behavior. He was booked at the Fremont Detention facility on various charges including assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a weapon, probation violation and a committing a hate crime. This is Fremont’s only hate crime report yet for 2019.
- At about 5:25 a.m. officers responded to a 911 call about a collision involving a motorcyclist and a vehicle on Mission Boulevard at Brown Road in the Warm Springs district. The caller said the motorcyclist was on the ground and the vehicle fled the scene. Police and Fremont Fire Department personnel arrived and provided medical aid to the motorcyclist before he was taken to a trauma center where he died at about 8:30 a.m.
During their investigation, officers developed information about the registered owner of the vehicle. The registered owner and a second person were soon contacted at a motel room near the scene of the collision and were cooperating with police. Westbound Mission Boulevard at Brown Road and the offramp from I-680 to Mission were closed until about noon. Drugs and alcohol are being investigated as a factor in the incident which is still under investigation.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Fremont Police Department’s Traffic Unit at (510) 790-6760. Anonymous tips can be sent by sending a text to Tip FremontPD followed by a short message to 888-777 or via the web at https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/6216337.
Fremont City Council
June 18, 2019
Work Session:
- Update strategies and priorities to address homelessness. Many speakers about the need to support homeless population and suitability of a possible Navigation Center in the Niles District. Council discussion focused on evaluation criteria suggested with addition of a basic idea of costs and distance to services and schools when staff returns July 9th with sites to consider.
Consent Calendar:
- Authorize an agreement with Lyft and Life Eldercare for FY 2019/20 ride-hailing services pilot project and Siddiq, Inc. for taxi services.
- Public Hearing on levy of annual assessments for Landscaping Assessment District 88.
Ceremonial Items:
- Proclamation of Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Deputy District Attorney Cheryl Poncini and Alicia Morales of Adult Protective Services accepted the proclamation. A public informational presentation is scheduled for August 16 at Fremont Main Library.
Scheduled Items:
- Adopt Dusterberry Neighborhood Park Master Plan and approve the name as Dusterberry Neighborhood Park.
- Authorize agreement with Universal Building Services for janitorial services at Police Department.
- Authorize agreement with SWA Service Group for janitorial services at city facilities and Fremont libraries. PASSED 6-1 (NAY, Salwan)
Other Business:
- Authorize issuance and sale of Special Tax Bonds.
PASSED 6-0-1 (RECUSE, Salwan)
Mayor Lily Mei Aye
Vice Mayor Raj Salwan Aye, 1 Recusal, 1 Nay
Vinnie Bacon Aye
Rick Jones Aye
Teresa Keng (District 1) Aye
Jenny Kassan (District 3) Aye
Yang Shao (District 4) Aye
Google pledges $1B to tackle housing problem it helped create
AP Wire Service
SAN FRANCISCO (AP), Jun 18 – Google is making a $1 billion commitment to address the soaring price of housing in the San Francisco Bay Area, a problem that the internet company and its Silicon Valley peers helped create as the technology industry hired tens of thousands of high-paid workers.
The pledge announced Tuesday by Google CEO Sundar Pichai consists of a $250 million investment fund and $750 million of company-owned land that will be used to build at least 15,000 homes that will include low- and mid-income housing.
Google is lending a helping hand as it draws up plans to expand into sprawling offices beyond its headquarters in Mountain View, California. That suburban city of roughly 80,000 people has been swamped with affluent tech workers since Google moved there shortly after its 1998 inception.
Halal Fest: where food and cultures meet
By Jui Sadekar
Photos by Maryam Hadi
There are a few tangible items that humans need: air, water, shelter, and food. Eating is essential for most forms of life, and experimenting with different spices, ingredients and recipes is a common way to socialize. Food brings cultures and people together. And what better way to celebrate Bay Area’s rich diversity than the “Halal Food & Eid Festival” on Saturday, June 29. “Halal Fest” as it is widely known is a collaborative event organized by a group of American Muslims from different backgrounds and ethnicities who have one thing in common: their love of food. The festival commemorates and celebrates the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan.
“The purpose of Halal Food & Eid Festival is to showcase the diversity of Halal food scene as well as share the ethnic diversity of the Muslim American experience with our fellow friends and neighbors of other faiths and backgrounds,” said Irfan Rydhan, founder and event director of Halal Fest.
What exactly does “halal” mean? “Halal” means “permissible” in Arabic and refers to the dietary law of Islam, which practicing Muslims follow. Basically, like what “kosher” is for Jews, “halal” is for Muslims. It means the meat has been blessed and is considered pure and lawful to consume. Animals considered lawful to consume for Muslims include halal chicken, beef, lamb, goat, turkey, deer, and seafood.
The festival was started in 2012 by Rydhan, a well-known online halal food reviewer. After hearing about a similar event in New Jersey, Rydhan decided to put together a team to organize a Halal Food Festival in the Bay Area. Rydhan and his original team of five put in their own money to get this effort off the ground, and after a year of planning, had their first event in August 2013 at the NewPark Mall parking lot.
“At the time [2013], it was a free admission festival. Being a first-of-its kind event in Bay Area, an unexpected crowd of around 10,000 attendees showed up,” said Rydhan. He added that the event has changed greatly since its inception. “We started out [Halal Food & Eid Festival] in a parking lot. To organize an event in a parking lot was more expensive and complex – to bring all the infrastructure, from fences to lighting to chairs. Now, we have upgraded to an actual event plaza with infrastructure and restrooms for the public.”
The festival has made improvements every year for a better attendee experience and a diverse range of halal food and bazaar vendors, according to Rydhan. “This year’s event will focus more on different types of food rather than outside entertainment. In the past, we had a lot of entertainers, musicians, and comedians come in. This time, we will still have live music but have more cooking demos and new food booths. For the first time, there will be halal Vietnamese and halal Filipino food vendors at the event.”
The public can enjoy special cooking demos by Chef Nora Haron with Local Kitchen in San Francisco, Chef Terry Braggs with Bragging Ryt's Catering, and Chef Zareen Khan with Zareen's Restaurant in Palo Alto, as well as by Halal Fest’s core team member and a halal foodie, Abbas Sheikh.
A wide variety of cuisine from around the world, including Indian, Pakistani, Middle Eastern, Arab, Mediterranean, African as well as American will be available at the festival; approximately 20 food vendors and trucks ranging from mom and pop spots and home cooks to full restaurants. Food vendors include Bragging Ryt’s Private Chef & Catering, Cali Kabab Guys, Blocks and Bubbles, Eden Silk Road, Emirelli, Garlic Goodness, Sheefa Honey, Phil Me Up, among others.
The event will also feature a large bazaar with vendors selling clothes, toys, artwork, perfumes, and crafts from all over the world. Other activities and entertainment will include carnival rides and games for kids, eating contests, and live music from various cultural backgrounds such as American Jazz and Indian music. This year, the family friendly event will add larger rides that both adults and children can enjoy.
There will also be an area for people to perform prayers on-site. Although no official congregational prayer is scheduled, attendees are welcome at any time.
“The [Halal Fest] event is a unique and fun experience. It has become a staple celebration for the Bay Area community,” said Rydhan. “We will also give away Halal Fest “Swag Bags” for free to the first 1,000 attendees and there will be a free raffle for one roundtrip airline ticket to anywhere in South Asia or the Middle East – sponsored by G1G Travel Insurance and 123 Insure.”
Some of the fest’s major sponsors for 2019 are Saffron Road Foods, Haute Hijab New York, Islamic Relief, Yelp, Splashgear USA, The Salon Professional Academy, G1G Travel Insurance, and Illume Media & Arts Foundation. For more information about the event or to buy tickets online, visit http://halalfest.com/#intro or call (408) 509-7965.
Halal Food & Eid Festival
Saturday, Jun 29
12 noon – 10:30 p.m.
Town Fair Plaza
39100 State St, Fremont
(408) 509-7965
Tickets: $7 – $40 (depends on package); prices may increase at the door
Children ages 10 and under enter free
Hayward receives $1 million for housing navigation center
Submitted by Chuck Finnie
The City of Hayward has been awarded nearly $1 million in state Proposition 47 funding to support operation of a new Housing Navigation Center intended to move people living on the streets into permanent housing.
The navigation center, expected to open this fall at Whitesell and Depot roads in the city’s industrial zone, will serve as transitional short-term housing for up to 45 people at a time, providing dorm-style accommodations in ADA-complaint modular units, individualized case management, array of support services, bathroom, laundry and storage facilities, and one meal a day, all in a setting with round-the-clock on-site staffing.
The $999,881 state grant for the center is part of $96 million in awards to cities and counties statewide that were announced June 13 by the California Board of State and Community Corrections for programs primarily focused on mental health and substance-use disorder treatment, as well as housing and job-training. The state Prop. 47 funding for the navigation center is in addition to $1.7 million the city is receiving from the state’s Homeless Emergency Aid Program. Additionally, $800,000 in operating revenue from the city’s general fund has been allocated to get the center up in running.
Earlier this month, the city also began inviting people and organizations to make monetary or in-kind contributions of materials, supplies and professional services to help develop, outfit and run the navigation center. To learn more about the center project and ways to contribute, check out the city website at www.hayward-ca.gov/navigation-center, call Jessica Lobedan at (510) 583-4201 or email at Jessica.Lobedan@hayward-ca.gov.
Hayward Police Log
Submitted by Hayward PD
Tuesday, June 18
- At 12:45 a.m. while officers were responding to a burglary report in the 2500 Block of W. Winton Ave., they spotted a car they believed was being driven by the suspect. The car rammed an officer’s patrol vehicle and sped away. Additional officers chased the car until it crashed into a parked car in the area of 105th Avenue and Link Street in Oakland. Two suspects then ran from the car with officers quickly locating and arresting one of them; the other suspect was not found. During the incident two officers discharged their weapons; nobody was injured. The incident is under investigation. Meanwhile, the identity of the arrested suspect will not be released until the District Attorney’s Office makes a decision on criminal charges.
Proposed measure would limit rent increases
Submitted by the City of Hayward
In an effort toward addressing the area’s housing crisis, the Hayward City Council has given initial approval to new legislation that would establish a mandatory mediation and binding arbitration process that can be used by tenants when their landlord wants to raise their rent by more than five percent in a year.
The new regulation whereby landlords can be required to participate in mediation and justify in arbitration a rent increase in excess of five percent applies to multi-unit residential properties constructed prior to 1979, and exempts all single-family homes and condominiums as required by state law.
The new mediation and arbitration process for rent increases greater than five percent is part of a broader update of the City’s 40-year-old Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RRSO) that received initial council approval on Tuesday, June 18.
Under the new legislation, landlords will be required to begin filing residential rent increase notices and notices to terminate tenancy with the city. City housing officials intend to use the data to more accurately track rental housing trends and to support development of future housing policy.
Other provisions of the new legislation:
- Set forth justifications by which landlords can lawfully evict a tenant;
- Prohibit discrimination against housing applicants who intend to use government vouchers to pay their rent; and
- Protect tenants against retaliation by landlords for exercising their rights under the ordinance.
In a significant departure from the prior RRSO, the new legislation eliminates the ability of landlords to apply to have a vacant unit constructed prior to 1979 permanently exempted from local rent increase regulation in exchange for making improvements to the property.
However, as required by state law, landlords will still be free to reset rent levels on pre-1979 units to whatever the market will bear each time the unit is voluntarily vacated by its tenants.
The new Residential Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinance is scheduled to come back before the City Council for a second reading and vote on Tuesday, June 25. If passed, it would take effect July 25.
Honor Roll
State University of New York at New Palz
Spring 2019 graduate
- Krunal Das, Hayward: Master, Science, Electrical Engineering
Youngstown State University, Ohio
Spring 2019 graduate
- Arkish Shah, Fremont: Master, Science, Computing and Information Systems
McDaniel College, Maryland
Spring 2019 Dean’s List
- Marlowe Embry, Milpitas
Simpson University, California
Spring 2019 Dean’s List
- Amanda Parker, Fremont
H,stra University, New York
Spring 2019 Dean’s List
- Yash Bisen, Fremont
- Matthew Saleem, Fremont
Ithaca College, New York
Spring 2019 graduate
- Jennifer Skala, Fremont
McKendree University, Illinois
Spring 2019 Dean’s List
- Eli Denmead, Fremont
CONTINUING EVENTS:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, Apr 16 – Jun 27
Back Strength Classes $
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Stretching and strengthening to alleviate back discomfort
Kenneth C. Aitken Center
17800 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley
(510) 881-6738
Monday – Friday, May 3 – Aug 2
Conversation, 7+1 Collective
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Paintings, sculptures, collages from eight female artists
John O'Lague Galleria
777 B St., Hayward
(510) 538-2787
Saturdays & Sundays, May 4 – Jun 30
Wild Wonders
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Games, activities, crafts for all ages
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
www.ebparks.org
Saturdays & Sundays, May 4 – Jun 30
Nature Crafts
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Get crafty and learn about the natural world
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
www.ebparks.org
Sundays, May 5 – Jun 30
Animal Feeding Time
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Discuss reptiles, observe feeding time
Sunol Regional Wilderness
1895 Geary Rd., Sunol
(510) 544-3249
www.ebparks.org
Mondays, May 14 – Dec 30
English Conversation Group
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Practice spoken English in a friendly environment
Union City Branch Library
34007 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City
(510) 745-1464
Fridays, May 17 – Oct 25
Fremont Street Eats
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Food trucks, beer, wine, music
Town Fair Plaza
39100 State St., Fremont
fremontstreeteats.com
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, May 21 – Aug 20
Castro Valley Street Eats
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Food trucks, activities
Adobe Art Center
20395 San Miguel Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 881-6735
Thursdays & Saturdays, May 23 – Jun 27
LEAF Seedlings for Sale $
9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Seedlings for summer and Indian veggies, flowers and herbs
LEAF C.R. Stone Garden
55 Mowry Ave., Fremont
Saturdays, May 25 – Aug 31
Campfire Program
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Games, songs and stories around the campfire
Anthony Chabot Campground and Park
9999 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley
(510) 690-6677
(510) 544-3187
Tuesdays, May 28 – Aug 27
Practice Your Spoken English R
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Chat session for intermediate level and above English learners
Fremont Main Library Fukaya Room A
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 574-2063
Saturdays, Jun 1 – Jun 29
Family Yoga R
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Bring the whole family to this outdoor session. Ages 5-10
Alviso Environmental Education Center
1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso
(408) 262-5513
https://familyyogasummer.eventbrite.com
Friday – Sunday, Jun 14 – Jun 30
As We See It
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mixed media and sculpture from Sun Gallery staff
Sun Gallery
1015 E St., Hayward
(510) 581-4050
Mondays & Wednesdays, Jun 17 – Jul 24
Jenny Lin Program
6:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
For orchestra, band and chorus students
Proctor Elementary
17520 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley
jennylinfoundation.org
Monday-Thursday, Jun 17 – Aug 8
Mr. Hirsch's Tie Collection
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Eclectic tie collection of retiring math teacher at Ohlone
Ohlone College Newark Campus
39399 Cherry St., Newark
(510) 742-2300
Mondays & Wednesdays, Jun 17 – Aug 8
Beginning Technology Skills R
1:00 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Free noncredit course on Microsoft Office
Ohlone College Newark Campus
39399 Cherry St., Newark
(510) 742-2300
Tuesday – Saturday, Jun 19 – Jul 3
FIFA Fun Days
Call for dates and times
2019 Women's World Cup screenings
San Leandro Main Library
300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro
(510) 577-3971
Thursdays, Jun 20 – Sep 19
Fatherhood Class
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Learn skills for relationships, parenting, management, job search
Fremont Family Resource Center, Pacific Room #H800
39155 Liberty St. (at Capitol), Fremont
(888) 308-1767
Friday – Sunday, Jun 21 – Jul 27
As We See It
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mixed media and sculpture from Sun Gallery members
Sun Gallery
1015 E St., Hayward
(510) 581-4050
www.sungallery.org
Wednesday, Jun 26 & Aug 14
Chess Club
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Kids going into grades 2-6 can learn how to play chess
Irvington Library
41825 Greenpark Dr., Fremont
(510) 795-2626
Thursday – Sunday, Jun 28 – Jul 27
Guild Members Juried Show
12 noon – 5 p.m.
Exhibition of two- and three-dimensional art
Olive Hyde Art Gallery
123 Washington Blvd., Fremont
(510) 791-4357
www.olivehydeartguild.org
Fridays, Jun 28 – Aug 30
Teach Seniors Technology
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Computer/cell phone questions answered
Milpitas Senior Center
40 North Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas
(408) 586-3400
Fridays, Jun 28 – Aug 30
GO the Game Club
3:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Learn to play this ancient game of strategy
Union City Branch Library
34007 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City
(510) 745-1464
Saturdays, Jun 29 – Jul 13
Visitor Center Desk Training R
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Seeking volunteers to staff visitor center. Must attend all three sessions
SF Bay Wildlife Refuge – Don Edwards
1 Marshlands Rd., Fremont
(510) 792-0222
(510) 792-0222 x476
Saturdays, Jun 29 – Aug 31
Zumba Kids
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dances, games. Wear comfy shoes and clothes
New Hope Community Church
2190 Peralta Blvd., Fremont
(510) 739-0430
Monday – Saturday, Jul 1 – Jul 31
Local Color
10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Exhibition of pastel and oil landscape paintings by Mary K. Stahl
Portola Art Gallery-Allied Arts Guild
75 Arbor Rd., Menlo Park
(650) 321-0220
Mondays, Jul 1 – Aug 12
Teen Summer DIY
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Join teen librarians for creative fun
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1421
www.aclibrary.org
Friday nights
Laugh Track City $
8 p.m.
Fast-paced improv comedy show
Made Up Theatre
4000 Bay St, Suite B, Fremont
(510) 573-3633
Saturday nights
8 p.m.
Audience-inspired improv play
Made Up Theatre
4000 Bay St, Suite B, Fremont
(510) 573-3633
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, Jun 25
Community Meeting
6 p.m.
Reconstruction plans for the new library
Mulford Marina Branch Library
13699 Aurora Ave., San Leandro
(510) 670-7270
(510) 577-3942
Tuesday, Jun 25
Lawyer in the Library R
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Lawyer consultation on family, estate, criminal and immigration law
Union City Branch Library
34007 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City
(510) 745-1464
www.aclibrary.org
Wednesday, Jun 26
Toddler Time
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Hear a story, do some chores, meet some farm animals
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Wednesday, Jun 26
Family Movie: Mary Poppins Returns
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The magical nanny returns Michael's children
Irvington Library
41825 Greenpark Dr., Fremont
(510) 795-2626
www.aclibrary.org
Wednesday, Jun 26
Family Bingo Night
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Grab some dinner and win prizes
Chick-fil-A
5245 Mowry Ave., Fremont
www.CFAMowry.com
Thursday, Jun 27
Community Office Hours
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Assemblyman Kansen Chu
Santa Clara Mission Branch Library
1098 Lexington St., Santa Clara
(408) 262-2501
Thursday, Jun 27
Fremont Renters and Landlords Workshop
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Fremont Rent Review Ordinance and Source of Income Discrimination amendment
Fremont Main Library Fukaya Room A
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 574-2063
(510) 733-4945
Thursday, Jun 27
Family Hike $
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
2-3 mile hike among the redwoods
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
(510) 336-7373
www.chabotspace.org
Thursday, Jun 27
LEGO Club
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Do you like to build with LEGO's?
Centerville Library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
Thursday, Jun 27
Summer $1 Movie $
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
How To Train Your Dragon
Century 25 Movie Theatre
32100 Union Landing, Union City
(510) 487-9347
Thursday, Jun 27
2D Design and Make R
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Make a vinyl sticker or laser-etched wood creation. Ages 10+
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1421
www.aclibrary.org
Friday-Sunday, Jun 28 Jun 30
Charlie Chaplin Days $
Fri: 7:30 p.m., Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Movies, tours, train ride through Niles Canyon
Niles Essanay Theater
37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont
(510) 494-1411
www.nilesfilmmuseum.org
Friday, Jun 28
Frank Sisk Golf Tournament and Dinner $R
11:30 a.m.
Benefits LOV's free summer program for Tri-City youth
Poppy Ridge Golf Course
4280 Greenville Rd., Livermore
(510) 793-5683
www.lovgolf.org
Friday, Jun 28
Outdoor Movie Night: Hotel Transylvania 3 – Summer Vacation
8 p.m.
Bring a picnic, low back chair and blankets
Hayward City Hall
777 B St., Hayward
(510) 208-0410
www.haywardrec.org
Friday, Jun 28
Latino Business Roundtable
8:30 a.m.
Featured speaker State Senator Bob Weickowski
Sherman L. Balch Pavilion – St. Rose Hospital
27190 Calaroga Ave., Hayward
www.hayward.org
Friday, Jun 28
Guild Members Juried Show Opening Reception
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Meet the artists, live music, refreshments
Olive Hyde Art Gallery
123 Washington Blvd., Fremont
(510) 791-4357
www.olivehydeartguild.org
Friday, Jun 28
Make a Family Spaceship
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Art workshop, instant family photo. Create a story. All ages, materials provided
Niles Library
150 “I” Street, Fremont
(510) 795-2626
www.aclibrary.org
Friday, Jun 28
Charlie Chaplin Days Craft
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Celebrate Charlie Chaplin Days. Materials provided. Ages 5-8 (Parents must attend if child is under 7).
Niles Library
150 “I” St., Fremont
(510) 795-2626
www.aclibrary.org
Saturday, Jun 29
Rabbit Rendezvous
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Learn how rabbits use their long ears to sense danger
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Saturday, Jun 29
Garden Chores for Kids
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Learn how to grow vegetables
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Saturday, Jun 29
Meet the Farmer: What's the Buzz About Bees?
12 noon – 1 p.m.
Discover why bees are a farmer's best friend
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Saturday, Jun 29
Red, White & Blue Pet Adoption Event
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, bunnies, guinea pig, chinchilla adoption
Hayward Animal Shelter
16 Barnes Ct., Hayward
(510) 293-7200
www.haywardanimals.org
Saturday, Jun 29
Maria Muldaur $
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of blues
Mission Coffee Roasting House
151 Washington Blvd., Fremont
(510) 474-1004
www.braskhouseconcerts.com
Saturday, Jun 29
Family Tule Tour R
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Learn how tules help the environment, make a bookmark
Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon
1999 Walnut Ave., Fremont
(510) 790-6284
http://www.msnucleus.org/watersheds/tule/tule.html
Saturday, Jun 29
Outdoor Movie Night: Lego Movie 2 – The 2nd Part
6:30 p.m.
Jump houses, games, community fair, food trucks. Movie starts at sunset
Silliman Activity Center
6800 Mowry Ave., Newark
(510) 578-4620
Saturday, Jun 29
United 4 Safety BBQ
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Community barbecue with police
San Leandro Police Department
901 East 14th St., San Leandro
(510) 577-2740
Saturday, Jun 29
Summer Concert Series
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Dr. D Band perform rock and funk
Pacific Commons at the Block
43440 Pacific Commons Blvd., Fremont
(510) 770-9798
www.pacificcommons.com/
Saturday, Jun 29
Tri-City Street Fair
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Open-air market, food, entertainment
Ohlone College Parking Lot G
43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont
(510) 659-6238
Saturday, Jun 29
All America Festival
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Community music and food festival
Mt. Eden Park
Hesperian and Tennyson, Hayward
tennysonallamerica@gmail.com
Saturday, Jun 29
DIY Sea Flow Filter R
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Make a sea flow filter for your storm drain
Alviso Environmental Education Center
1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso
(408) 262-5513
https://diyseaflowfilter.eventbrite.com
Saturday, Jun 29
Tiny Drifters R
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Learn about plankton
Alviso Environmental Education Center
1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso
(408) 262-5513
https://eectinydrift.eventbrite.com
Saturday, Jun 29
Thai Classical Night $
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thai classical music and dance performance
James Logan High School Center for the Performing Arts
1800 H Street, Union City
www.watbuddha.org/25th-annual-thai-classical-night-june-29
Saturday, Jun 29
Get a Head start on your college application
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Prepare your personal statement for applying for college
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
www.aclibrary.org
Saturday – Sunday, Jun 29 – Jun 30
Family Sleepover $
6 p.m. – 9 a.m.
Planetarium show, stargazing, scavenger hunt, dinner & breakfast. Families with children 4+
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
(510) 336-7373
www.chabotspace.org
Saturday, Jun 29
Nectar Garden Fun Day
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Come face-to-face with a caterpillar, chrysalis or butterfly
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Saturday, Jun 29
Animal Tracking
1:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Decode the secret language of animal tracks. Ages 7+
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Saturday, Jun 29
Community Meeting
12 noon
Reconstruction plans for the new library
Mulford Marina Branch Library
13699 Aurora Ave., San Leandro
(510) 670-7270
(510) 577-3942
Saturday, Jun 29
Live Music $
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Kaye Bohler
World Famous Turf Club
22519 Main St., Hayward
(510) 881-9877
www.WorldFamousTurfClub.com
Saturday, Jun 29
Origami
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Learn the art of paper folding. Ages 9-13
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1421
www.aclibrary.org
Saturday, Jun 29
Hip Hop Violin Concert & Music Jam Session
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Nate Guinto performs hip hop songs on electric violin
Newark Branch Library
6300 Civic Terrace Ave., Newark
(510) 284-0684
www.aclibrary.com
Saturday, Jun 29
Rock Painting
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Be a part of the craze sweeping the community
San Lorenzo Library
395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo
(510) 670-6283
www.aclibrary.com
Saturday, Jun 29
Halal Food & Eid Festival $
12 noon – 10:30 p.m.
Wide variety of ethnic food, bazaar with vendors
Town Fair Plaza
39100 State St., Fremont
http://halafest.com
Saturday, Jun 29
Tour Historic Milpitas
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Docent-led bus tours of historic sites in Milpitas
Milpitas Library
160 North Main St., Milpitas
(408) 262-1171
Sunday, Jun 30
Birds of the Farm
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Explore the gardens, forest and fields for anything with feathers
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Jun 30
Gorgeous Goats
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Groom goats and give them a snack
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Jun 30
Chocolate: A Story of Power, Culture and Wonder
11 a.m. – 12 noon
Learn about chocolate and taste samples
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Jun 30
Sustainable Practices for Water-Wise Gardening
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Benefits of mulch/compost, how native plants attract birds/butterflies
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
(510) 667-7900
www.aclibrary.org
Sunday, Jun 30
Plein Air Paint Out $R
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Open air painting and exhibition. People’s Choice awards. Ages 18+
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Sunday, Jun 30
Art in the Park
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nature-related activities, meet painters, vote in the People's Choice Awards
Coyote Hills
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont
(510) 544-3220
www.ebparks.org
Monday & Thursday, Jul 1 & Jul 4
Summer $1 Movie $
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Smallfoot
Century 25 Movie Theatre
32100 Union Landing, Union City
(510) 487-9347
Monday, Jul 1
Engineering for the Family
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn about electricity, dams, turbines and windmills. Ages 5+
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
(510) 745-1421
www.aclibrary.org
Tuesday, Jul 2
Ice Cream Social
2 p.m.
Create your own sundae and get to know other seniors
Milpitas Senior Center
40 North Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas
(408) 586-3400
Tuesday, Jul 2
Milpitas Town Hall
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Rep. Ro Khanna will discuss recent actions by Congress, take audience questions
Milpitas High School
1285 Escuela Pkwy., Milpitas
(408) 945-5500
Tuesday, Jul 2
Centerville Cinema
1:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
A Dog's Way Home
Centerville Library
3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont
(510) 795-2629
www.aclibrary.com
Wednesday, Jul 3
4th of July Craft
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Create a holiday craft, materials provided. (Parents must accompany children under 7)
Irvington Library
41825 Greenpark Dr., Fremont
(510) 795-2626
www.aclibrary.org
Wednesday, Jul 3
State Senator Wieckowski's Office Hours
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Visit and meet staff
San Lorenzo Library
395 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo
(510) 670-6283
(510) 794-3900
Thursday, Jul 4
Independence Day Celebration $
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bring a picnic and enjoy music, games, races
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
www.ebparks.org
Thursday, Jul 4
Waving the Red, White & Blue
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Pool party, music, food and games
Milpitas Sports Center
1325 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas
(408) 586-3225
Thursday, Jul 4
Red, White & Boom Fireworks and Concert
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
No alcohol, tents or animals allowed. No smoking event
Milpitas Sports Center
1325 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas
(408) 586-3225
Thursday, Jul 4
Fremont 4th of July Parade
10 a.m.
Floats, drill teams, marching bands and balloons
Downtown Fremont 1
Capitol Ave. Between Fremont Blvd. & State St., Fremont
http://fremont4th.org/
Thursday, Jul 4
4th of July Pancake Breakfast $
8 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Fire truck demo, classic cruisers, music
Newark Fire Station #3 / Alameda County Fire Station #27
39039 Cherry St., Newark
(510) 790-7218
(510) 632-3473 x1321
Thursday, Jul 4
Open House at Meek Estate
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Music, games, crafts, facepainting, food
Meek Estate Park
17365 Boston Rd., Hayward
(510) 581-0223
www.haywardareahistory.org/meek-mansion
Thursday, Jul 4
4th of July Celebration $
2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Food, games, entertainment and fireworks display
USS Hornet Museum
707 W. Hornet Ave, Alameda
(510) 521-8448
www.eventbrite.com/e/uss-hornets-4th-of-july-celebration-2019-tickets-60146715445
July 4 Events
As summer kicks into high gear, cities around the Tri-City area are getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July. Whether you are looking for parades, live music, history, or general outdoor fun, there is definitely something for you on this special day.
Milpitas Pool Party & Fireworks
Milpitas celebrates Independence Day with a day full of water fun and an evening of fireworks on July 4, 2019.
Get wet and wild in the afternoon with the “Waving the Red, White & Blue” Pool Party at the Milpitas Sports Center from 1 – 4 p.m. Admission is free; food will be available for purchase.
Keep your 4th of July celebration going at “Red White & Boom” Concert and Fireworks Show with an evening of music by Center Stage Performing Arts, food trucks and exciting fireworks. Gates open at 6 p.m. for general admission (5 p.m. for pre-sale ticket holders).
Please note: No strollers, alcohol, drugs, glass bottles or containers, tents, tables, umbrellas, or animals are allowed. $3 admission (free for children 1 and under)
“Waving the Red, White & Blue” Pool Party
Thursday, Jul 4
1 – 4 p.m.
“Red White & Boom” Concert and Fireworks Show
Thursday, July 4
7 – 9 p.m.
$3 admission
Milpitas Sports Center
1325 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas
Buy tickets at www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/recreation
Fremont July 4 Parade
The parade route will be on Paseo Padre Parkway beginning at Stevenson Boulevard (Fremont Main Library) and ending at Capitol Avenue. Over 70 Parade Entries, Marching Bands, Helium and Cold Air Balloons, Historical Vehicles, Car Clubs, and Local Non-Profits. As the parade is about to begin, keep your eyes peeled for a flyover from the Beech Boys Flight Team!
Fremont 4th of July Parade
Thursday, Jul 4
10 a.m.
From Stevenson Blvd. to Capitol Ave.
Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont
(510) 366-8130
fremont4th.org
Independence Day at Ardenwood
Join us for some ol' fashioned fun including competitions for the whole family (pie eating, bucket brigade, watermelon seed spitting, nail-driving, tug-o-war, egg toss), rousing patriotic music, magic show, Patterson House tours, and train rides.
Fee: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 kids (ages 4 – 17), ages 3 and under free!
The park opens at 10 AM and closes at 4 PM.
Event information: 510-544-2797 and www.ebparks.org
July 4th at Ardenwood
Thursday, Jul 4
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
(510) 544-2797
Admission $5 – 10
Open House in Hayward
Join the Hayward Area Historical Society for Fourth of July Open House at Meek Park. Get a peek inside this local landmark and learn more about Meek family history; Meek Mansion will be open for walk-through tours with trained docents (some in costume).
Enjoy historic games and crafts, face painting, sidewalk chalk, bike repairs, bounce house, community booths, and food vendors. Music from Johnny Mahalo and the Wild Coconuts. Bay Area BikeMobile will give free bike repairs to the first 20 signups that day.
This free program is sponsored in part by the Hayward Area Parks and Recreation District (HARD).
Fourth of July Open House
Thursday, Jul 4
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Meek Estate Park
17365 Boston Rd, Hayward
(510) 581-0223
https://www.haywardareahistory.org/calendar/2019/7/4/fourth-of-july-open-house-at-meek-estate
Alameda 4th of July Parade
“Swim” along the Alameda hometown parade route (or a section of it) with our Mobile Visitor Center as we promote the love of nature and the Regional Parks, or just enjoy the show from the sidewalk. For the parade route, visit the parade's website: http://www.alamedaparade.com/route/
Drop by after the Alameda Fourth of July Parade to celebrate our nation's birthday and the beauty and diversity of our Bay with family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon.
This is a drop-in program; no registration is required. For information, call (510) 544-3187. Note: Our Visitor Center does not open until 1pm due to the Alameda 4th of July Parade.
Alameda 4th of July Parade
Thursday, July 4
9: 30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Crab Cove Visitors Center
(510) 544-3187
https://apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/Activity_Search/alameda-4th-of-july-parade/25793
USS Hornet’s 4th of July Celebration
Celebrate 4th of July onboard this historic aircraft carrier with live music and entertainment from multiple bands in multiple locations throughout the day.
Hangar Bay 2: The Hornet Band
Main Stage Flight Deck lineup: The M-Tet (Jazz/Funk), Matt Jaffe (Rock/Indie – Tom Petty Tribute), Aki Kumar (Chicago/West Coast Blues), Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic (Zydeco/Soul)
Family activities include flight simulator, hands-on science, and interactive exhibits. There will be several options for food and beverages including full bars, available both on our Hangar and Flight Decks! Conclude your evening with a view of Bay Area fireworks! (Weather permitting) Expect fireworks to begin around 9:15 p.m. Bring a warm jacket!
TICKETS: $15-25. Children under six, Active Military & First Responders with I.D, and Members of the Hornet FREE. Please note that all tickets are non-refundable.
USS Hornet’s 4th of July Celebration
Thursday, Jul 4
2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
USS Hornet Museum
707 West Hornet Ave., Alameda
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uss-hornets-4th-of-july-celebration-2019-tickets-60146715445
Giants win District 14 Tournament of Champions
Submitted and photos by Mike Heightchew
The Niles-Centerville Giants won the District 14 Major Baseball Tournament of Champions with a win over Newark National 5-1 on June 20th. With runs in the second and fourth innings, the Giants were in the driver’s seat even though Newark tried to close the gap but could only put one run across the plate.
Mastercard to allow transgender people to use chosen name
By Ken Sweet
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP), Jun 17 – Mastercard will allow transgender people to use their chosen names on credit and debit cards to combat discrimination at the cash register.
That means that the name on the credit card owned by a transgender person could be different than that found on their birth certificate or driver's license.
It is up to the banks that issue the cards to implement the change and on Monday, Mastercard called on those banks to do so.
Three states – Tennessee, Kansas and Ohio – legally bar a transgender person from changing the sex listed on their birth certificate, according to Out Leadership, a LGBT rights organization that focuses on advocacy at the corporate level. This can create confusion when a person uses one name to reflect their identity but may have a different name legally.
A 2015 study showed that 32% of transgender people who had to show an ID with a name or gender that did not match their presentation experienced harassment, were denied services or were attacked.
“When we were alerted to this, we realized we could do something about it,” said Raj Seshadri, president of U.S. issuers for Mastercard.
A transgender person will no longer have to wait to get a legal name change, make changes to their birth certificate or other legal maneuvers, Seshadri said. The change of name on a card will not create any security issues, she said, since Mastercard uses other security metrics to determine whether a purchase is legitimate or not.
Splash and Boom on the fourth
Submitted by City of Milpitas
Milpitas celebrates Independence Day with a day full of water fun and an evening of fireworks on July 4, 2019.
Get wet and wild in the afternoon with the “Waving the Red, White & Blue” Pool Party at the Milpitas Sports Center from 1 – 4 p.m. Admission is free; food will be available for purchase. Space may be limited at times due to pool capacity.
Keep your 4th of July celebration going at “Red White & Boom” Concert and Fireworks Show with an evening of music by Center Stage Performing Arts, food trucks and exciting fireworks. Gates open at 6 p.m. for general admission (5 p.m. for pre-sale ticket holders).
Please note: No strollers, alcohol, drugs, glass bottles or containers, tents, tables, umbrellas, or animals are allowed. $3 admission (free for children 1 and under)
“Waving the Red, White & Blue” Pool Party
Thursday, Jul 4
1 – 4 p.m.
“Red White & Boom” Concert and Fireworks Show
Thursday, July 4
7 – 9 p.m.
$3 admission
Milpitas Sports Center
1325 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas
Buy tickets at www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/recreation
Touring historic Milpitas
Submitted by Catherine Pelizzari
Photos courtesy of Joseph Ehardt
On Saturday, June 29th, the Milpitas Historical Society is conducting its annual tour of historic sites in Milpitas. We will visit numerous sites riding in an airconditioned tour bus with reserved seating. Society docents provide knowledgeable commentary to participants, who also will receive a multi-page color pamphlet documenting the historic sites. The bus tour is open to the public and free of charge Pre-registration check-in starts at 9 a.m.
9:30 a.m.: The tour will begin at the Milpitas Library with commentary about the wall photomurals illustrating Milpitas history back to the early 1900s. This will include looking at the encased wood wall from the 1922 Winsor blacksmith shop (demolished in 2005), and the Leapin’ Lena fire engine that saw service from 1947 to 1956.
Inside the Library, we will look at what previously were aspects of the 1916 Milpitas Grammar School and the civic spaces it provided afterward. On Main Street itself, participants will learn more of the history of the 1916 Milpitas Grammar School and the 1915 Dr. Renselaer Smith house across the street. The group will pose for a commemorative photo in front of the old Milpitas Grammar School entrance.
10:30 a.m.: The group will board the bus to proceed to the historic intersection of Serra Way and Main St. (originally Alviso Road and Mission Road). Our docent will relate the importance of that historic location and talk about various businesses that served the community going back to the 1850s.
11:30 a.m.: From there the tour will travel to the José Alviso Adobe Park to learn about the adobe residence on what was the 1835 4,458-acre Mexican land grant, Rancho Milpitas. The group will walk around the property to learn about and examine various outbuildings with our docent.
12:30 p.m.: We will proceed by bus a short distance on Piedmont Rd to the historic (now closed to the general public) 1902 St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery where many Milpitas pioneer families are buried.
2 p.m.: The tour bus will return to the Milpitas Library.
To reserve a seat on the tour bus or to obtain additional information, call (408) 262-7979. Anyone without a reservation wanting to join the tour on June 29th is welcome. After the check-in process is complete, we will add registrants on standby status to fill any empty seats resulting from cancellations and no-shows. Last-minute participants will be gladly added to the tour bus if seating is still available. Please note that the bus has been over-reserved the previous three years. Ensure your space in the tour… reserve a seat soon!
Touring historic Milpitas
Saturday, Jun 29
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Milpitas Public Library
160 N. Main St., Milpitas
1-408-262-7979
As a courtesy to library patrons, please park on the 3rd level
Milpitas Police Log
Submitted by Lt. Steven Fox
Tuesday, June 11
- At about 8:00 p.m. an officer was investigating a possible auto burglary in the parking lot of the Great Mall of the Bay Area and spotted a man sitting inside a black 2001 Honda Civic. While talking with the man, later identified by police as Leonard Frazier, 46, of Oakland, the officer did a record check and learned Frazier was on probation in Alameda County for auto theft and had two outstanding drug-related arrest warrants. While searching the Honda, officers found a loaded High Point C9 semi-automatic handgun and a methamphetamine glass pipe. The handgun had been reported stolen to the Vallejo Police Department. Frazier was arrested and booked at the Santa Clara County Main Jail.
Saturday, June 15
- At about 5:07 a.m. police responded to a call from a resident about an unknown female attempting to enter his home through a backyard window. Arriving officers found a woman, later identified by police as Maria Barraza-Hernandez, 23, holding a shovel in the backyard of the home on the 800 Block of Alisal Court. A record check showed Barraza-Hernandez had an outstanding felony warrant from Concord. Officers also found she was in possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail.
Milpitas City Council
June 18, 2019
Presentations:
- Recognition of Milpitas High School students who promoted action against gun violence.
- June 12 proclaimed as Philippines Independence Day (retroactively).
Consent Calendar
- Approved a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the City of Milpitas and United Public Employees of California Mid-Management and Confidential Unit (MidCon) covering the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023. Approved a new (MoU) between the City of Milpitas Professional and Technical Group (ProTech) covering the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023. Updated the Unrepresented Miscellaneous, Police and Fire Management Salary and Benefit Matrix covering the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023 (not including City Manager position).
- Authorized Subdivision Improvement Agreement between the City of Milpitas and Eighty-Eight Homes, LLC.
- Approved project plans and specifications with Suarez and Munoz Construction to construct the Milpitas Skate Park and Concession/ Storage/Restroom Buildings.
- Authorized a lease with Xerox Corporation for copier/multifunction digital devices and full-service maintenance.
- Approved form Partial Assignment and Assumption Agreements to Embarcadero Capital Partners and Bridge Development Partners.
- Directed the city manager to proceed with a City Digital Billboard Guidance Study.
- Authorized purchase of a Stageline SL100 Mobile Stage.
- Authorized a Stormwater Management Facilities Operation and Maintenance Agreement for Waterstone Residential Project at 1494-1600 California Circle.
- Approved the agreement with Best, Best & Krieger, LLP for City Attorney legal services, extending the term to June 30, 2021.
- Affirmed the appointment of Steven McHarris as City Manager on an interim basis.
Public Hearing
- Amend municipal code relating to zoning administrative hearing process.
Public Safety
- Amend Milpitas Municipal Code relating to massage establishments and practitioners. This will allow the city to exercise more authority to regulate such establishments and practitioners.
Business Issues
- Authorized a professional services agreement with consultant Strategic Economics for development of an economic development strategy.
- Approved a five-year agreement with Peninsula Pump & Equipment Inc. through June 30, 2024, to provide wet well rehabilitation and annual maintenance services.
Rich Tran (mayor) Aye
Karina Dominguez (vice mayor) Aye
Carmen Montano Aye
Bob Nunez Aye
Anthony Phan Aye
New BART cars to be built in Bay Area
Submitted by BART
On June 14 Bombardier Transportation announced it is opening a rail car assembly site in Pittsburg, California to assemble BART’s new Fleet of the Future rail cars. This work, which is now taking place in upstate New York, will be moved to the Bay Area over the coming months.
The new facility is expected to employ local workers, contribute tax dollars to the local economy and, thanks to its proximity to BART’s Hayward Test Track, greatly reduce the vehicle emissions needed to transport the cars to BART property.
What used to be a 3,600-mile journey home to the Bay Area, will now be a quick 50 miles. “The Fleet of the Future cars have received rave reviews from our riders, and we are thrilled to welcome Bombardier to the Bay Area,” said BART General Manager Grace Crunican.
Bombardier was awarded the contract in May 2012 to replace BART’s aging fleet with 775 Fleet of the Future cars. “We are pleased that the new rail cars for Bay Area passengers will now be produced in the Bay Area by Bay Area citizens, said Elliot G. (Lee) Sander, President, Americas Division, Bombardier Transportation.
Chabot College selects interim safety director
Submitted by Guisselle Nunez
Veteran Bay Area law enforcement professional Sheryl Boykins has been named as interim Director of Safety and Security at Chabot College in Hayward. Officials made the announcement Tuesday, June 18.
With more than 30 years of service in law enforcement, Boykins will help Chabot move forward with a number of planned initiatives and assist in the hiring of a new, permanent director.
“Any time we have the opportunity to bring a lifelong public servant — and a Chabot alumna — on campus we're happy to do it,” said Dr Susan Sperling, President of Chabot College. “Sheryl is a highly accomplished professional with a proven track record of serving the Hayward community and she knows what is needed to keep our department on track and progressing forward.”
Prior to her position at Chabot, Boykins spent five years as the Chief of Police for California State University East Bay and served the City of Hayward as part of the Hayward Police Department where she rose to the rank of Police Commander.
A native of Hayward, Boykins is deeply familiar with Chabot and its communities and has worked to ensure best practices in policing and bridge the often-complicated relationship between the community and police department with compassion and success.
Fremont News Briefs
Submitted by Cheryl Golden
City Council Work Session Update
On June 18, the Fremont City Council held a work session to discuss an update on strategies and priorities to address homelessness. City staff presented an overview of ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness since 2017, provide an update on homeless count data for Alameda County and Fremont, and review state funding opportunities to support homeless mitigation efforts. City staff presented the framework for a temporary navigation center and recommended initial criteria for siting a center within Fremont.
The meeting was well attended by community members and the council heard more than 75 speakers regarding homelessness and a navigation center. After public comment, the city council reaffirmed the decision to create a navigation center and directed staff to move forward with analyzing both city-owned and privately owned sites based on the recommended criteria. While considering potential locations, city staff will use an objective criteria process taking into consideration:
Minimum Qualifications
- At least 16,000 square feet
- A slope less than 5 percent area of buildable footprint
- Not developed parkland or property that has approved and funded projects by the council
- Immediate availability
- Availability for a period up to five years
Accessibility
- Within 0.50 miles of food services
- Within 0.50 miles of bus stop
- Bus service with access to BART
Physical Suitability
- Utility connection points abut property
Environmental Suitability
- Located outside of fault trace zone
- No known significant environmental issues exist
City staff will return to council on July 9 with results from the analysis and present multiple locations for consideration by council. The council will then select a limited number of sites for further analysis and staff will conduct community outreach and a deeper analysis for each site throughout the summer. After analysis and community outreach is completed, the council will select a final site during a September Council Meeting to move forward with, and city staff will immediately proceed with procurement of contracts to implement the navigation center. To watch the recording of the June 18 work session, visit https://fremont.gov/AgendaCenter/City-Council-4.
Tobacco Retail License Program
On May 21, the Fremont City Council heard a proposal from Human Relations Commission recommending the establishment of a Tobacco Retail License program. At that meeting, the council directed city staff to conduct further outreach to stakeholders before the topic returns to council later this summer.
The proposed program would require retailers who sell tobacco products to acquire an annual tobacco retail license from the city. Policies associated with the tobacco retail license may include a ban on all flavored tobacco products, and a set minimum pack size and/or set minimum price per pack. The goal of these policies is to discourage young adults from buying tobacco products.
The city will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, focused on explaining the proposed license program and receiving input from the community. The meeting will take place in the large fire training room, rear entrance of Building A, Fremont City Hall at 3300 Capitol Avenue. Feedback can also be provided online at www.Fremont.gov/OpenCityHallTobacco.
New Version of Fremont Open City Hall
The City of Fremont has launched a new and improved Fremont Open City Hall platform. This updated version allows subscribers to access a sleeker interface to learn more about each new topic the City posts and participate in online survey exercises to share feedback.
As before, the forum will continue to provide information on a variety of city initiatives. The city believes that regularly soliciting community feedback is essential to the decision-making process and development of programs and policies that will enable Fremont to thrive. Open City Hall is run by OpenGov, a nonpartisan company whose mission is to broaden civic engagement and build public trust in government. To share feedback, visit www.Fremont.gov/OpenCityHall.
Fremont Boulevard Safe and Smart Corridor Project
The city is working to employ cutting-edge technology along Fremont Boulevard between Paseo Padre Parkway and Cushing Parkway that will alleviate congestion and improve safety for all modes of travelers. Improvements include traffic signal modernization, smart sensors to ensure adequate crossing times at intersections, and signal priority for transit and emergency vehicles.
To learn more about the Fremont Boulevard Smart and Safe Corridor project, the Public Works Department will host a community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at Centerville Community Center, 3355 Country Drive. For information, visit www.FremontSmartCorridor.org.
Workforce Training Guide is Now Online
The Tri-City Workforce Training Resource is an informational website for adults who need to obtain their GED, as well as those beginning or already established in their career. Since post-secondary education is not just a four-year degree, a variety of training opportunities for adults at different points in their careers are included. The site provides information on GED, English as a second language, and basic skills classes available through local adult schools. The training resource provides access to not only training and educational options in the local area but also to links and other resources available in the Greater Bay Area.
For more information, call Tamara Dehnert at (510) 574-2009 or email TDehnert@Fremont.gov. To explore options for short-term, low-cost educational and training opportunities in the Tri-City Area, visit www.Fremont.gov/WorkForceTraining.
Ban on Fireworks
Fremont’s public safety departments would like to remind 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. Fire and police resources will be on patrol during the peak times of concern to maintain an active vigilance against fireworks use.
In California, possession of illegal fireworks is considered a misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000, or by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year. If you are found to be in possession of a sufficient amount of illegal fireworks, you may be guilty of a felony and punished by a fine up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment in a state prison or county jail. 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 due their part to keep our city safe and dial 911 in case of a true emergency. To report illegal firework use, call the Fremont Police Department Dispatch Center at (510) 790-6800 x3.
Shop, Eat, Play and Learn
Submitted by Tina Vossugh
Come and support local businesses and have fun at the Tri-City Street Fair on Saturday, June 29. Hosted by the Ohlone Community College District, the open-air market has something for everyone – clothing, keepsakes, arts & crafts, food and drinks; and a dedicated kid zone including a bouncy house, face painting, and free workshops. Bring your furry friends too, as there will be gated dog park on-site.
As the fair is an extension of the Ohlone College Campus, attendees will also have an opportunity to learn about Ohlone College, Ohlone for Kids program, community education classes, and more. All proceeds generated through the sales of vendor spaces support Ohlone College programs. Admission to this family-friendly event is free. For details, call (510) 659-6238 or visit https://www.ohlone.edu/tricitystreetfair.
Tri-City Street Fair
Saturday, Jun 29
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ohlone College Fremont Campus, Parking Lot G
43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont
(510) 659-6238
https://www.ohlone.edu/tricitystreetfair
Members Juried Show
Submitted by Diane Leys
Olive Hyde Art Gallery’s newest exhibit will showcase juried art by talented members of the Olive Hyde Art Guild. The public is invited to meet the artists and enjoy an evening of art and live music by the Newark Saxophone Quartet, and refreshments during an opening reception on Friday, June 28. An original watercolor painting by late Fremont artist Hal Booth will also be presented as a silent auction item at the reception. The Members’ Juried Show runs through Saturday, July 27. From a field of 131 pieces of work, both two dimensional and three-dimensional, 36 artists with a total of 61 works were selected to exhibit.
Established in 2001 and held biennially, the Member’s Juried Show celebrates a unique and diverse sampling of premier local art. The pieces chosen for the exhibit were judged on originality and quality by a professional artist, photographer Keay Edwards, not involved with the Guild. Edwards received his Master of Fine Arts from San Jose State University (SJSU). From 1995-2016, he managed the photography facilities for the SJSU School of Art & Design. Currently, Edwards is working at SJSU with College of Humanities & the Arts advising and facilitating health & safety in a variety of arts disciplines.
All monetary and merit awards, including Best of Show, will be selected by juror Edwards before the opening reception from the installed artwork at the gallery. A People’s Choice Award will be voted by guests at the reception. For more information about the art show, call (510) 791-4357 or visit http://olivehydeartguild.org/members-juried-show/.
Olive Hyde Members Juried Show
Friday, Jun 28 – Saturday, Jul 27
Opening Reception: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Friday, Jun 28
Gallery Hours: 12 noon – 5 p.m. Thursday – Sunday
Olive Hyde Art Gallery
123 Washington Blvd, Fremont
(510) 791-4357
http://olivehydeartguild.org/members-juried-show/
County officials call for stronger outreach on parcel tax exemptions
Submitted by Janice Rombeck
Thousands of seniors and people with disabilities who own property in Santa Clara County are eligible for parcel tax exemptions on their property tax bills and do not know it, and those who do often find the exemption applications process challenging and overly burdensome.
At the initiative of Supervisors Dave Cortese and Cindy Chavez, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, June 18 called for an outreach plan that would help fill in those information gaps and make the process more transparent. The Board voted unanimously for administrators to report back to the Board with a plan proposal by September 10.
“We want to help clear up the confusion for taxpayers by providing them with more information and, hopefully, simplify the application process,” Cortese said. “There are ways the county could help, especially with outreach.”
Both Supervisors heard from property owners and representatives from county school districts during a May 22 hearing at a special meeting of the Children, Seniors and Families Committee. The meeting was held in response to a Civil Grand Jury Report that identified flaws in outreach and exemption renewal systems among some of the 24 school districts that collect a voter-approved parcel tax.
Property owners do not have to pay parcel taxes to school districts if they are age 65 or older, receive Supplemental Security Income for disability at any age, or receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits at any age and meet the income requirements. But they must apply for an exemption through the school district that receives the parcel tax. Under a state law, however, they only need to apply once.
Some suggestions that emerged from the hearing included the county helping school districts receive information when property changes ownership, inserting a letter into property tax bills, enlisting the Registrar of Voters, the Department on Aging or the Social Services Agency to help with reaching underrepresented segments of the county’s older residents and residents with disabilities.
For more information, contact the office of Supervisor Cortese at (408) 299-5030.
Assembly approves phone bill fee to improve 911 system
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Jun 17 – The California Assembly has voted to raise fees on phones to pay for an upgrade of the state's 911 system.
It's estimated to total about 34 cents on each bill and includes landlines and cellphones.
Republican Assemblyman Jay Obernolte says lawmakers should use some of the state's budget surplus to pay for improving 911 services instead of raising fees.
Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith countered that while the state always has emergencies, it does not always have a surplus. She says 911 services need a reliable stream of funding.
Three Democrats in competitive districts voted against the fee. They are Assemblywomen Sharon Quirk-Silva and Cottie Petrie-Norris and Assemblyman Rudy Salas.
Quirk-Silva's district overlaps with an Orange County Senate district where a lawmaker was recalled last year for passing a tax increase.
Real Estate Notebook
‘Tis the season for home buying and selling
By David Stark
Public Affairs Director, Bay East Association of REALTORS®
“Location, location, location” is the standard real estate cliché that’s based in reality; another equally true cliché is, “season, season, season.”
Asked if summer months are more advantageous for sellers or if there are also opportunities for buyers, Nancie Allen, 2019 president of Bay East Association of REALTORS® said, “This feels like an ‘equal’ time of year because there are more properties on the market and there are more buyers, as well. It’s the high season for both.” Allen said the summer rush isn’t the only time when more homes are on the market. “There is typically a bump up in inventory of homes for sale during the Fall and buyers are still out there looking, too.”
The slower real estate seasons offer their own opportunities. “When you get into winter season when it’s a little darker and a little cooler, there’s typically less inventory and fewer buyers. This is good for sellers because there are fewer properties on the market, and good for buyers as well because there is less competition to purchase those properties,” Allen said.
Asked if there is anything a buyer should be doing now to take advantage of the homes that may be on the market in the fall, Allen said, “Make sure that you’re pre-approved, and know the area that you want to live in so you can be really focused on where you want to look.”
880 Corridor Real Estate Market Conditions
Market conditions during May show large percentage increases in the homes listed for sale in some of the smaller communities. Homes for sale increased 200 percent in Albany, 63 percent in Castro Valley, 185 percent in Newark, and 173 percent in Union City.
More homes for sale translated, for the most part, into more homes sold. Home sales increased 36 percent in Berkeley, 38 percent in Newark and 19 percent in Oakland. Increasing sales prices kept buyers on the sidelines in Albany and Castro Valley, where sales dropped compared with last May.
“Sellers were so used to everything that was going on the last couple of years where you put your house on the market and it immediately sold over asking,” Allen said. “Sellers are now wrapping their heads around the fact that the market has changed and that their marketing approach has to change as well.”
Allen said that depending on the area, sellers may need to be prepared for their home sitting on the market for up to 20 days or longer.
Buyers are also changing their expectations. Allen said, “I do think buyer mindset has changed, they are being more particular and waiting for just the right property. Before they felt so stressed and pushed to get into any home they could, now they’re looking for something that’s more of a true fit to what they really want.”
While sales prices along 880 are still at historically high levels, Allen said “Buyers feel more hopeful, they feel the market has slowed down and moved a little bit more to the middle, so they now have a chance to get into their desired home.”
Khanna to meet with constituents in South Bay
Submitted by Ro Khanna’s Office
Congressman Ro Khanna, D-California will hold a Town Hall meeting for constituents on Tuesday, July 2 in Milpitas.
During the 90-minute meeting Khanna will discuss recent developments and current legislative activities in Congress and take questions from the audience. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Milpitas High School Theater on Escuela Parkway. Admission is free.
Khanna represents California’s 17th district which includes southern Alameda and northern Santa Clara counties.
Town Hall meeting
Tuesday, Jul 2
7:30 p.m. — 9 p.m.
Legislative updates from Congressman Ro Khanna
Milpitas High School Theater
1285 Escuela Parkway, Milpitas
(408) 436-2720
https://khanna.house.gov
Free
San Francisco weighs 1st US city ban on e-cigarette sales
By Samantha Maldonado
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP), Jun 18 – San Francisco supervisors are considering Tuesday whether to move the city toward becoming the first in the United States to ban all sales of electronic cigarettes as part of an effort to crack down on youth vaping.
Supervisors will weigh a ban on the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes in San Francisco until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration completes a review of the effects of e-cigarettes on public health, as well as ban manufacturing e-cigarettes on city property.
If supervisors approve the ban Tuesday, the measures will require a subsequent vote before they become law.
“Young people have almost indiscriminate access to a product that shouldn't even be on the market,” said city attorney Dennis Herrera. Because the FDA hasn't acted, he said, “it's unfortunately falling to states and localities to step into the breach.”
Since 2014, e-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product among young people in the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported that the number of middle and high school students who use tobacco products increased by 36% from 2017 to 2018, a rise attributed to the use of e-cigarettes.
FDA spokesman Michael Felberbaum said in a statement that the agency will continue to “tackle the troubling epidemic of e-cigarette use among kids.”
“This includes preventing youth access to, and appeal of, flavored tobacco products like e-cigarettes and cigars, taking action against manufacturers and retailers who illegally market or sell these products to minors, and educating youth about the dangers of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products,” he said.
Leading San Francisco-based e-cigarette company Juul frames vaping as a healthier alternative to smoking tobacco. Juul says it has taken steps to deter kids from using its products. The company said in a statement that it has made its online age verification process more robust and shut down its Instagram and Facebook accounts to try to discourage vaping by those under 21 years old.
“But the prohibition of vapor products for all adults in San Francisco will not effectively address underage use and will leave cigarettes on shelves as the only choice for adult smokers, even though they kill 40,000 Californians every year,” said Juul spokesman Ted Kwong.
The American Vaping Association also opposes San Francisco's proposal, saying adult smokers deserve access to less hazardous alternatives.
“Going after youth is a step that you can take before taking these out of the hands of adults,” said association president Gregory Conley.
Groups representing small businesses also oppose the measures, which they say could force stores to close.
“We need to enforce the rules that we have in place already,” said Carlos Solorzano, CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco.
Although San Francisco's proposed ban is unlike any other in the country, the Public Health Law Center at Mitchell Hamline School of Law reports that all but two states have at least one law restricting youth access to e-cigarettes. City voters last year approved a ban on sales of fruit and candy flavored tobacco products.
Stanton Glantz, a professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco Center for Tobacco Control and Research and a supporter of the measures, said the presence of e-cigarettes has “completely reversed the progress we've made in youth smoking in the last few years.” E-cigarette use is also associated with heart attacks, strokes and lung disease, he said.
Hayward brewery honored at small business celebration
Article and photo submitted by Tomasa Duenas
In a vote of confidence in local businesses, Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) recently selected Buffalo Bill’s Brewery in Hayward as his 2019 Small Business of the Year Honoree. To mark the occasion on June 19 Geoff Harries, owner of Buffalo Bills Brewery, joined Quirk in Sacramento for a luncheon and ceremony.
“Small businesses play such a critical role in our economy. They create jobs — employing half of our state’s private workforce, they generate taxes, support important industry sectors, and revitalize communities,” said Quirk, “we must support small businesses so that they can start, grow, and stay in California.”
Buffalo Bill’s, one of the first brewpubs in America, opened in 1983 and helped launch the burgeoning craft beer movement across the United States. Their advocacy efforts were instrumental in the passing of landmark legislation in California that allowed brewers to sell to the consumer directly in a restaurant setting. Bill Owens, previous owner of Buffalo Bill’s, continued to advocate for the extension of this bill across the 50 states and prompted a nationwide surge of beer pubs and microbreweries.
“It's a great honor to have Buffalo Bill's Brewery recognized by the California Assembly. After 36 years, it's a testament to the dedicated and hardworking employees of Buffalo Bill's who are the real recipients of this award. Many thanks to my team and to Bill Quirk,” said Harries upon receiving the award.
Having started as a homebrewer going on to win awards, Harries has carried on the brewing legacy and continues to put Buffalo Bill’s on the map. In 2018, Buffalo Bills got inducted into the Smithsonian American history Museum as one of the most historic brewpubs in America. Harries is now embarking on his newest venture, Russel City Distillery.
“Buffalo Bill’s is my favorite local brewery. You can feel the family environment when you come into the establishment — something I know trickles down from Geoff. He has such an incredible work ethic, I am just thrilled to have him and Buffalo Bill’s in Hayward and not at all surprised he is being highlighted at the Smithsonian,” said Quirk.
Crush Comics recognized as Small Business of the Year
Article and photo submitted by Jeff Barbosa
Crush Comics, a Castro Valley comic bookstore, was honored on June 19 by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) as the Small Business of the Year for Senate District 10. California Small Business Day is an annual event organized by the California Small Business Association to honor the contributions of small businesses.
“Superheroes are seemingly more popular than ever, and small business owners are some of the real superheroes in our state,” Wieckowski said. “They put their time, talent and energy at work every day to keep their businesses going and serve the needs of their customers. Josh and Andrea Hunter, owners of Crush Comics, are no different. Their passion for comics and their business skills have enabled their store to continue to serve the community since they bought it from the original owner.”
Crush Comics has been serving customers in southern Alameda County since 1990. It sells a large variety of new comics, back issues, trade paperbacks, manga, card games, sport cards, statues, posters, and toys. Crush Comics serves the community by donating to schools and promoting literacy and creativity; it also hosts free events throughout the year.
“We’re so very honored to be selected by Wieckowski for this award,” said Josh Hunter. “We love our community and strive as always to be your friendly neighborhood comic shop.”
Crush Comics
2869 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley
(510) 581-4779
https://www.crushcomics.com/
Social Security Column
Understanding social security benefits
By Linda Zamfino
Social Security Representative
Social Security touches the lives of nearly every American, whether at the birth of a child, loss of a loved one, onset of a disability, or transition from work to retirement. For more than 80 years, our programs have contributed to the financial security of the elderly and the disabled. Social Security replaces a percentage of a worker’s pre-retirement income based on their lifetime earnings. The amount of your average wages that Social Security retirement benefits replace varies depending on your earnings and when you choose to start benefits. If you start benefits after full retirement age, these percentages are higher. If you start benefits earlier, these percentages are lower. Most financial advisers say you will need about 70 percent of pre-retirement income to live comfortably in retirement, including your Social Security benefits, investments, and personal savings.
You can learn more about retirement benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/retirement. Our resources and publications are easy to share with people you think might need the information. Many people think of Social Security as just a retirement program. And it’s true that most of the people receiving benefits are retired, but others receive benefits because they’re individuals with disabilities, spouse or child of someone who receives benefits, divorced spouse of someone getting or eligible for social security, spouse or child of a worker who died, divorced spouse of a worker who died, or dependent parent of a worker who died. If you can’t work because of a physical or mental condition that’s expected to last at least one year or result in death, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
Our disability rules are different from private or other government agency programs. Qualifying for disability from another agency or program doesn’t mean you will be eligible for disability benefits from us. Having a statement from your doctor saying you’re disabled doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. We’ve made learning about our disability programs very easy at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/disability.
Motorists should check their license plates
Submitted by Newark PD
Officials from the Newark Police Department (NPD) are spreading the word to the community about a dangerous and ongoing trend that has been recently gaining popularity: License plate swapping. Commonly referred to as “cold-plating,” license plate theft from vehicles happens for a variety of reasons, such as hiding the identity of a stolen vehicle from law enforcement.
When a stolen vehicle is reported to police the license plate is entered into a state database for police detection. Often, a car thief will steal a license plate from a vehicle with a similar make and model and then swap the plate from the stolen vehicle with the plate of the unsuspecting similar make and model victim.
If not detected, a victim driving his or her own vehicle could be stopped by law enforcement, who believe they are stopping a stolen vehicle. This type of stop can involve the exhibition of firearms for safety reasons.
Vehicle owners can quickly and easily protect themselves by confirming that both that both of their vehicle’s license plates attached before getting driving it. If a vehicle owner finds one or both of their license plates missing, they should report it to law enforcement as soon as possible. Additionally, if a motorist discovers the wrong license plate is attached to their vehicle, they should not drive it and should immediately report it to police.
Thai classical dance and music
Submitted by Dang Guio
Wat Buddhanusorn, a Thai Buddhist temple, invites the community to its annual fundraising event, “Thai Classical Night,” on Saturday, June 29. Enjoy light snacks and Thai classical dances and music performed by students of Wat Buddhanusorn School, founded in 1983 after the temple was established. The school teaches Thai language, traditional dance and classical music.
Wat Buddhanusorn, a nonprofit religious organization, propagates Buddha's teachings and practices, to promote Thai culture and to serve as a pillar of the Thai community. In addition to the activities of the temple, the monks and supporters are involved in the greater community of Fremont and abroad. They work with the Tri-Cities Ministerial Association; donate food and supplies to local and national charities, and homeless shelters; provide scholarships and meal funds for students in Thai villages; and support traditional Thai medical pharmacies, the Chai Pattana Foundation, and the National Council of Welfare of Thailand.
Thai Classical Night
Saturday, Jun 29
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Refreshment
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Performance
James Logan High School Performing Arts Center
1800 H St, Union City
(510) 501-2243
(510) 415-0025
https://www.watbuddha.org/25th-annual-thai-classical-night-june-29/
Tickets (at the door or by reservation): $25 adults, $10 students
Union City’s City Manager Retires
By Roelle Balan
Former president of the United States Jimmy Carter and Union City City Manager Tony Acosta have one thing in common – they both started government jobs in the same year.
In January of 1977, Jimmy Carter started his role as president of the United States. In March of that year, Tony Acosta started his 41-year public service career in Oakland, California as an entry level employee in the Parks and Recreation Department. He worked his way up for over 23 years and became the Director of that department for about five years in the late 1990’s. Acosta started working at Union City in 2001. After serving as a deputy City Manager 14 years, he became City Manager in 2015.
Acosta is a man of many words. “Our weekly staff meetings started running longer and longer because I am an inherent storyteller and truth be told, I think they got tired of my stories in early 2015,” Acosta said during a phone interview, with a laugh. “You ask a simple question; you’re going to get an extended answer; that’s kind of my style.” He said his career highlights include helping the city to become more efficient, being one of the founders of what is now the Union City Family Center (formerly Union City Kids’ Zone), and as a storyteller.
One of his first orders of business as City Manager involved the reorganization of internal operations. He wanted to split up the administrative services department into Human Resources and finance, because they had different goals. One department is about supplying employees and the other is about money management. “The executive leadership in those two disciplines follow different paths,” Acosta said. “Most folks are either really good at HR or really good at finance, and it’s not often can you find someone who can do both.” Eventually he hired a director for both departments and said they have improved the internal operations and outcomes in finance.
A legacy Acosta left for the City was a collaborative effort with New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD) to form the Union City Family Center. “I’ve always thought that school districts and cities, we should cooperate with each other. We serve the same community, we serve the same children, we serve their parents. And I think people expect us to cooperate,” Acosta said. He was an eager partner of the organization, which started as an initiative led by the NHUSD. One of the facilitators of the process was Dr. Arlando Smith, current Superintendent of the school district. Union City Kids’ Zone was formed in 2010.
Acosta said the organization has grown from 15-20 people, meeting in a room with a goal of doing something better for the community, to a network of over 30 non-profit organizations. He hopes both the school district and the City can continue to work together, an important goal considering that this year, Union City School Board Superintendent Arlando Smith also retired. “With Dr. Smith retiring the same day I am, we’re working very hard to make sure our organizations carry on that collaborative spirit because that pays off benefits for everybody in Union City,” Acosta said.
Acosta cares about his employees and he shows that by putting family values at the forefront. He has established flexible work schedules for parents that need to take care of their young children. “Nowadays with our network capabilities, all the computer networks and smartphones, for a lot of work it doesn’t really matter where you are anymore. So, being in city hall is important, but it shouldn’t disrupt the family life,” Acosta said.
Acosta is looking forward to spending time with his own family after retirement.
“My son, my daughter, my brothers, my mom. I’ve sacrificed those relationships to a certain extent because of my professional duties. Now that I won’t have any professional duties I’m going to make up for some lost time,” Acosta said.
Future plans for Acosta and his wife include buying a new house and taking part in a business opportunity involving the importation of Portuguese wine with Acosta’s former City Manager colleague. “We are wine aficionados so it seemed rather fitting that we would join his business,” Acosta said.
He thinks the next City Manager will have a big job to do. “They’re going to have to be a problem solver and a strong leader to continue to motivate folks. And if there is some expertise that they have, hopefully considerable expertise in economic development; our biggest challenge is to grow the local economy, which then in turn grows city revenues,” he said.
That person happened to be someone the City Council knew very well. After an extensive search, the council unanimously voted for Joan Malloy to become the next City Manager on May 28, 2019. Malloy is, and has been, the City’s Economic and Community Development Director for the past 10 years. Her future role as City Manager will include management of 230 city employees, distributing city services to 73,000 residents, and managing the city’s $116 million budget.
During the May 28, 2019 City Council meeting, Malloy was announced as the new City Manager. As for Acosta, his career was long, detailed, successful, and fulfilling. “After 41 years I figured that’s a long enough career,” Acosta said with a laugh.
Cellphone-focused video service Quibi planned for April 2020
AP Wire Service
NEW YORK (AP), Jun 10 – There's yet another new streaming service coming in the next year.
Quibi's twist is that it's focused on short videos for cellphones. Spokeswoman Gina Stikes confirmed Monday that Quibi will launch in April 2020 and cost $5 a month with ads and $8 a month without ads.
It's run by big names – Jeffrey Katzenberg, the former Disney chairman and co-founder of DreamWorks Animation, and Meg Whitman, the former head of eBay and Hewlett-Packard – and it has attracted top Hollywood stars to make videos. It has raised $1 billion to pay for content and expects to raise $500 million for business purposes including marketing.
It would enter an increasingly crowded market of subscription streaming video services, including upcoming offerings from Disney, Apple and AT&T.
Walmart service to deliver groceries inside customers' homes
By Anne D'innocenzio
AP Retail Writer
NEW YORK (AP), Jun 07 – The online delivery wars are heating up inside shoppers' homes.
Walmart is now offering to have one of its employees deliver fresh groceries and put them in your refrigerator when you're not home.
The nation's largest grocer said Friday that it will be offering the service this fall for more than one million customers in three cities: Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Missouri, and Vero Beach, Florida. Later this year, the service, called InHome Delivery, will also accept returns for items purchased on Walmart.com.
Two years ago, Walmart tested a similar service in the Silicon Valley area but teamed up with delivery startup Deliv and worked with August Home, makers of smart locks and smart home accessories. That test has since been stopped.
The new service is part of Walmart's drive to expand its shopping options that include curbside pickup and online grocery delivery.
Amazon offers a similar service in certain cities, dropping off packages inside homes, garages or car trunks. But the service is not for groceries.
With Walmart's new service, customers place a grocery delivery order online and then select InHome Delivery and a delivery day at checkout.
Walmart workers will use smart entry technology and a proprietary wearable camera to access the customer's home. That allows shoppers to control access into their home and give them the ability to watch the delivery remotely.
Walmart said that the workers will go through an extensive training program that would prepare them for things like how to select the freshest groceries and how best to organize the refrigerator. Walmart declined to give specifics on the technology. It said it will share the fee details ahead of the fall launch.
“Now, we can serve customers not in just the last mile, but in the last 15 feet,” wrote Marc Lore, CEO of Walmart's U.S. e-commerce division, in a corporate blog post.
With Amazon's service, customers need to be an Amazon Prime member and they have to buy a camera and a Wi-Fi-connected lock from the Seattle-based company that starts at $250. Shoppers will then be able to select in-home delivery on the Amazon app. When the delivery person shows up, he or she will knock first and scan the package, then Amazon will make sure the delivery person is at the right home and unlock the door. No codes are needed, and the indoor camera will record the in-home delivery.