Study: Rising sea levels could cost Seattle $23B by 2040

AP Wire Service

 

SEATTLE (AP), Jul 04 – A climate study has estimated that Seattle's costs associated with sea level rise could be more than $23.8 billion by 2040.

 

KOMO-TV reported Wednesday that the Center for Climate Integrity conducted the evaluation of potential costs of constructing seawalls in 22 coastal states and the District of Columbia.

 

Washington state ranked seventh between New Jersey ($24.9 billion) and California ($21.9 billion).

 

Florida ($75.8 billion), Louisiana ($38.4 billion) and North Carolina ($34.8 billion) are projected to have the highest costs.

 

The study released in June says U.S. overall costs will top $400 billion.

 

The analysis was done in conjunction with engineering firm Resilient Analytics and the University of Colorado.

 

The study used a sea level rise model, storm surge estimates and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shoreline data.

 – – –

 

Information from: KOMO-TV, http://www.komotv.com/

 

 

Apollo 11 astronaut returns to launch pad 50 years later

By Marcia Dunn

AP Aerospace Writer

 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP), Jul 16 – Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins returned Tuesday to the exact spot where he flew to the moon 50 years ago with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

 

Collins had the spotlight to himself this time – Armstrong has been gone for seven years and Aldrin canceled. Collins said he wished his two moonwalking colleagues could have shared the moment at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A, the departure point for humanity's first moon landing.

 

“Wonderful feeling to be back,” the 88-year-old command module pilot said on NASA TV. “There's a difference this time. I want to turn and ask Neil a question and maybe tell Buzz Aldrin something, and of course, I'm here by myself.”

 

At NASA's invitation, Collins marked the precise moment – 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969 – that the Saturn V rocket blasted off. He was seated at the base of the pad alongside Kennedy's director, Robert Cabana, a former space shuttle commander.

 

Collins recalled the tension surrounding the crew that day.

 

“Apollo 11 … was serious business. We, crew, felt the weight of the world on our shoulders. We knew that everyone would be looking at us, friend or foe, and we wanted to do the best we possibly could,” he said.

 

Collins remained in lunar orbit, tending to Columbia, the mother ship, while Armstrong and Aldrin landed in the Eagle on July 20, 1969, and spent 2 1/2 hours walking the gray, dusty lunar surface.

 

A reunion Tuesday at the Kennedy firing room by past and present launch controllers – and Collins' return to the pad, now leased to SpaceX kicked off a week of celebrations marking each day of Apollo 11's eight-day voyage.

 

At the Air and Space Museum in Washington, the spacesuit that Armstrong wore went back on display in mint condition, complete with lunar dust left on the suit's knees, thighs and elbows. On hand for the unveiling were Vice President Mike Pence, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Armstrong's older son, Rick. Armstrong died in 2012.

 

A fundraising campaign took just five days to raise the $500,000 needed for the restoration.

 

Calling Armstrong, a hero, Pence said “the American people express their gratitude by preserving this symbol of courage.”

 

In Huntsville, Alabama, where the Saturn V was developed, thousands of model rockets were launched simultaneously, commemorating the moment the Apollo 11 crew blasted off for the moon. Hundreds of youngsters attending Space Camp counted down … “5, 4, 3, 2, 1!” – and cheered as the rockets created a gray cloud, at least for a few moments, in the sky.

 

Back at Kennedy, NASA televised the original launch video of Apollo 11, timed down to the second. Then Cabana turned the conversation to NASA's next moonshot program, Artemis, named after the twin sister of Greek mythology's Apollo. It seeks to put the first woman and next man on the lunar surface – the moon's south pole – by 2024. President John F. Kennedy's challenge to put a man on the moon by the end of 1969 took eight years to achieve.

 

Collins said he likes the name Artemis and, even more, likes the concept behind Artemis.

 

“But I don't want to go back to the moon,” Collins told Cabana. “I want to go direct to Mars. I call it the JFK Mars Express.”

 

Collins noted that the moon-first crowd has merit to its argument, and he pointed out Armstrong himself was among those who believed returning to the moon “would assist us mightily in our attempt to go to Mars.”

 

Cabana assured Collins, “We believe the faster we get to the moon, the faster we get to Mars as we develop those systems that we need to make that happen.”

 

About 100 of the original 500 launch controllers and managers on July 16, 1969, reunited in the firing room Tuesday morning. The crowd also included members of NASA's next moon management team, including Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, launch director for the still-in-development Space Launch System moon rocket. The SLS will surpass the Saturn V, the world's most powerful rocket to fly to date.

 

Blackwell-Thompson said she got goosebumps listening to the replay of the Apollo 11 countdown. Hearing Collins' “personal account of what that was like was absolutely amazing.”

 

The lone female launch controller for Apollo 11, JoAnn Morgan, enjoyed seeing the much-updated firing room. One thing was notably missing, though: stacks of paper.  “We could have walked to the moon on the paper,” Morgan said.

 

Collins was going to be reunited later in the day with two other Apollo astronauts at an evening gala at Kennedy, including Apollo 16 moonwalker Charlie Duke, who was the capsule communicator in Mission Control for the Apollo 11 moon landing. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville also had a special anniversary dinner on tap Tuesday night, with Aldrin and other retired Apollo astronauts and rocket scientists.

 

Only four of the 12 moonwalkers from 1969 through 1972 are still alive: Aldrin, Duke, Apollo 15's David Scott and Apollo 17's Harrison Schmitt.

 

NASA spokesman Bob Jacobs said Aldrin, 89, bowed out of the launch pad visit, citing his intense schedule of appearances. Aldrin hosted a gala in Southern California last Saturday and planned to head directly to the Huntsville dinner. Aldrin and Collins may reunite in Washington on Friday or Saturday, the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11's moon landing.

–––

 

Science writer Seth Borenstein contributed from Washington.

–––

 

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

 

 

Apple, Google continue inclusive push with new emojis

AP Wire Service

Jul 17

 

Apple and Google are rolling out dozens of new emojis that of course include cute critters, but also expand the number images of human diversity.

 

The announcement coincides with Wednesday's World Emoji Day.

 

Apple Inc. is releasing new variants of its holding hands emoji that allow people to pick any combination of skin tone and gender, 75 possible combinations in all. There are also wheelchairs, prosthetic arms and legs, as well as a new guide dog and an ear with a hearing aid.

 

And then there's the sloth, the flamingo, the skunk, the orangutan, as well as a new yawning emoji.

 

New emojis routinely pop up every year. Earlier this year the Unicode Consortium approved 71 new variations of emoji for couples of colors.

 

Apple said its new emojis will be available in the fall with a free software update for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.

 

 

Fremont detectives thwart auto burglar in action

Submitted by Fremont PD

 

A prolific auto burglary suspect, well known to police in Fremont and other Bay Area cities, was arrested July 17 after being tailed by Fremont Police Detectives to Dublin where he was caught attempting to break into a car.

 

Fremont Police Department officials said detectives were conducting extra patrol checks in several commercial centers in the city where multiple auto burglaries have been reported. During their operation, they came across an auto burglary suspect whom they knew. They followed the suspect in unmarked cars to Dublin where they watched the driver and an occupant of the car preparing to commit an auto burglary. Using their unmarked vehicles, detectives blocked in the suspect’s vehicle and immediately took one of the suspects into custody. Meanwhile, the second suspect fled on foot but was quickly captured and taken into custody by a detective.

 

Several Fremont police officers responded to the scene to assist and were soon joined by officers from the Dublin Police Department. Property from multiple auto burglaries was recovered from the suspect vehicle. Meanwhile, officials from the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety confirmed that they were also investigating the same suspect for crimes in their city.

 

Fremont detectives were able to give property back to one victim the next afternoon. Because of the ongoing nature of the case, police are withholding the names and booking photos of the suspects.

 

In addition to this case, swing shift officers were also busy with auto burglaries in Fremont that same evening. Patrol officers likely scared off the driver of a suspicious Ford Explorer with stolen plates that was being driven around in the Mowry East Shopping Center and got into a short pursuit with a black Infiniti believed to be the suspect vehicle in four auto burglaries reported in the Ranch 99 Center in the Warm Springs District. Additional auto burglary reports were taken at Shakers Pizza on Thornton Avenue and on Whitney Place.

 

Officials from the Fremont Police Department said they are committed to disrupting these crimes. Toward that effort, they are adding additional staffing resources on a daily basis to provide extra patrols in all known auto burglary hot spots throughout the city. Meanwhile, police are reminding the public to not leave any valuables in parked cars because that can increase the chance of an auto break-in.

 

 

Bike straps coming to BART trains

Submitted by Sindhu Ananthavel

 

A simple but effective idea — straps attached to the rail in bike spaces on BART trains — has proven so popular with riders that the straps are being added to all trains.

 

Cyclists can use the straps to secure their bike to the rail, so there’s less chance of bikes jostling each other. The cyclist doesn’t have to hold on to the bike, freeing up their hands to steady themselves during the ride, too. Each strap can secure two bikes.

 

Steve Beroldo, Manager of Access Programs at BART, spearheaded a pilot project where different types of straps were tested and riders were surveyed for their feedback. Beroldo, who is also the liaison to the BART Bicycle Task Force, worked with a UC-Berkeley civil engineering student on the prototype for the straps.

 

“We wanted to offer a more formal method for people to hold their bikes,” Beroldo said, one that would be safer and steadier for cyclists and non-cyclists alike, so people wouldn’t resort to makeshift solutions like bungee cords.

 

What was ultimately chosen as the best design is a flame-retardant nylon strap, similar to the overhead hand straps riders use to stabilize themselves, with a simple, black buckle, attached to the rail using a rivet for security.

 

An online survey to gather rider input on the straps produced “overwhelmingly positive feedback,” Beroldo said. One rider wrote, “I love them! They are very helpful and I don't have to worry about my bike sliding and hitting others sitting nearby. Please install them everywhere!” Another commented on the increased room straps provide: “I love, love, love them. Such a huge help and clears up space.”

 

The straps were originally tested in about 60 bike spaces on legacy cars throughout the BART system, with two straps per bike space. Now they’re being gradually added to all the original train cars.

 

And they’ll eventually be in new Fleet of the Future cars, too. The new cars were originally outfitted with built-in bike racks to test with riders, but the three rubber U-shaped docks turned out not to be ideal for many cyclists. Bikes with larger tires didn’t fit easily in the docks, and although there were three spaces, sometimes only two bikes could fit.

 

“We listened to the feedback from bike riders, and they said the racks weren’t working well, so we’re going to take them out and go with the straps on all trains,” Beroldo said.

 

The goal for these new straps is to make bicyclists’ onboard experience easier, and thus encourage more people to ride their bikes to BART. This stems from the 2012 BART Bicycle Plan which sets a goal of doubling the number of passengers who access BART by bicycle from the current 4% to 8% by 2022. An increase in this method of transport means less traffic congestion, increased ridership and a better BART experience for everyone.

 

 

BART Police Log

Submitted by Les Mensinger

 

Saturday, July 12

• At 8:57 a.m. a man identified by police as Phillip Carrasco, 20, of San Francisco was arrested at the Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of vehicle theft and probation violation. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

Sunday, July 13

• At 2:20 p.m. a man identified by police as Oscar Rostran, 28, of San Francisco was arrested at the Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of domestic violence. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

• At 10:24 p.m. a person reported the theft of a silver bicycle (unknown brand or model) from the Castro Valley station sometime between 3:00 p.m. and 10:24 p.m. The bike was secured with a U-lock through the front wheel.

 

Sunday, July 14

• At 9:51 a.m. a man identified by police as Kurtis Kellch, 30, of San Francisco was arrested at the South Hayward station of suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

• At 9:17 p.m. a woman identified by police as Aubrey Crowder was arrested at the Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of trespassing.

 

Monday, July 15

• At 2:19 p.m. a man identified by police as Walter McKitric, 48, of Hayward was arrested at the Hayward station on suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

Tuesday, July 16

• At 6:00 a.m. a woman identified by police as Joslyn Thompson, 37, of Richmond was arrested at the Warm Springs/South Fremont station on suspicion of attempted robbery. She was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

• At 8:27 a.m. a man identified by police as Justin Thayer, 44, of Hayward was arrested at the Warm Springs/South Fremont station on a $25,000 grand theft warrant issued by Hayward Police. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

Wednesday, July 17

• At 9:38 a.m. a man identified as Dahmu Dameron, 28, of San Francisco, was arrested at the Hayward station on an outstanding $7,500 warrant for resisting arresting and obstructing an officer issued in San Francisco County. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

 

 

Oakland Zoo welcomes two male American bison bulls

Submitted by Isabella Linares

 

In May, Oakland Zoo sent 11 American bison moms and their calves to Montana as part of an ongoing conservation program with the Blackfeet Nation, known as the Iinnii Initiative, which aims to restore American bison to Blackfeet Nation land and nearby National Parks in Montana. The 11 bison are now part of that free-ranging and growing herd.

 

The next step in this conservation effort includes the recent addition of two new male American bison to the remaining females at Oakland Zoo. These 3-year-old males are part of a secondary and separate conservation project led by Dr. Jennifer Barfield of Colorado State University, Ft Collins, to preserve Yellowstone bison genetics. The intent behind the move of these new males is to diversify the genetics of future offspring with Oakland Zoo’s Pablo Allard herd. These future, genetically-diverse calves, along with their mothers, will also be brought bi-annually to Montana to roam freely on Blackfeet Nation land and nearby National Parks in Montana.

 

The aim of this multi-pronged effort for genetic diversity is to ensure the health and longevity of future American bison generations; the species reached near-extinction in the early 1900s when millions were killed during the westward expansion for grasslands needed to feed livestock. Though their numbers have increased tremendously, herds in the wild and herds in private and public reserves are quite inbred.

 

The two new males now at Oakland Zoo have lived together all of their lives as part of the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd in northern Colorado, helping them create a close bond. This bond was a key factor for why they were chosen to come to the Oakland Zoo as a pair. These bulls are much larger than female bison of similar age, and the pair have yet to reach their mature weight and size (about 5 years of age).

 

Barfield, a reproductive physiologist and assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at CSU, said that she is thrilled about this new partnership with the Oakland Zoo. “When we established the herd, our hope was really that these bison would be able to contribute to the larger landscape of bison conservation in the U.S. Bringing bison back to tribal lands is a really key component of bison conservation,” she said.

 

The new project has additional ties to Fort Collins. The Oakland Zoo's president and CEO, Dr. Joel Parrott, is a veterinarian and CSU Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program alumnus.

 

“I am excited to partner with my alma mater to bring Yellowstone Park ancestry to Oakland Zoo’s California Trail,” Parrott said, referring to a 56-acre park in the zoo dedicated to iconic California species, including bison. “Introducing these two bulls to our female herd will bring a more diverse and strong genetic line to the animals we release to be free-ranging on Blackfeet tribal land and U.S. and Canadian national parks through the Iinnii Initiative.”

 

Thanks to the work of Colorado State University, the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County — partners who manage the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd — more disease-free bison are being returned to native lands. Some of the bison have been produced using non-surgical embryonic transfer techniques, which increases the genetic diversity of American bison in the wild and captivity, avoids issues with diseases, and ensures stronger and healthier herds. Oakland Zoo’s Iinnii Initiative is benefitting from these techniques.

 

Oakland Zoo and Blackfeet Nation partner in educational programs and support mutual interest in promoting bison conservation and cultural preservation with their Iinnii Initiative. This partnership also includes youth exchange for education, fundraising for projects, and promotion of ecotourism programs.

 

Oakland Zoo

9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland

10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends and holidays

(510) 632-9525

www.oaklandzoo.org

 

 

Born Yesterday

By David R. Newman

Photos by Georgia Lee

 

Born Yesterday, the 1946 Broadway play about a rich and corrupt junk dealer who visits Washington D.C. with his showgirl mistress, has just opened at the Chanticleers Theatre in Castro Valley. It’s as fresh and relevant today as it was back then, perhaps even more so.

 

Directed by Micheal Sally, who is no stranger to Chanticleers, and originally written by Garson Kanin, it’s a tale as old as time. Uncouth businessman Harry Brock is in our nation’s capitol on a mission: to bribe a senator to help pass legislation that will help Brock’s business make more money. Brock is accompanied by his sleazy lawyer, Ed Devery, his go-fer brother Eddie Brock, and his ditzy girlfriend, Billie Dawn.

 

The entire show takes place in the suite of a swanky hotel. As Brock prepares for his business dealings, he realizes that Billie should have “more learning”, so he hires a local reporter, Paul Verrall, to help educate her. Brock’s plan backfires, however, as Billie begins to realize what a bad bunch they are and, with Verrall’s help, foils their plans. In the end, she leaves Brock to marry the idealistic Verrall, and the two ride off into the sunset.

 

Born Yesterday is a mix of I Love Lucy and The Godfather, with plenty of hilarious moments that lighten an otherwise dark melodrama. Throughout the show, Brock gets his way by bullying, intimidating, and bribing all those around him. Jason Berner is brilliant in this role, his New Jersey accent spot on as he spews forth double negatives and phrases like “youse guys”.

 

It’s easy to hate this character, yet Berner brings a complexity to Brock that has the audience sympathetic with his plight. Is it his fault he has turned out this way, or should we blame the system (not unlike a certain president)? We need to realize that Kanin’s script came at a time when McCarthyism had a grip on America. People were questioning our capitalist roots as social reforms gathered steam.

 

Laura Zimmerman shines as Billie Dawn. Charming and honest, her desire to better herself amidst a broken relationship is admirable. Zimmerman nails the squeaky accent and rough undertones of an uneducated “blonde bombshell”, and her comedic timing is a joy. In one scene she plays a game of gin rummy with Brock. Initially, no words are spoken as they deal the cards, yet it’s so funny as she repositions the cards in her hand and effortlessly wins every round.

 

It’s a stellar cast all around. Kyle Smith plays the washed-up lawyer Ed Devery well. Part legal counsel, part town drunk, his habit of summing up situations with cliched sayings has Brock constantly trying to figure out what he means, a never-ending source of amusement for the audience. And Mike Ettel plays the straight man Paul Verrall with confidence. Also, hats off to the young Castro Valley Dramatic Arts Academy alums Live Langer and Santiago Sena-Guerra.

 

Set Designer Jon Gourdine has really hit a home run with this one. The lavish furniture and wall decor instantly transport us back to the 40’s. There are other details that bring us back as well, thanks to certain props, like cigarettes, cigars, and plenty of whiskey in glass tumblers.

 

It’s easy to see why this play was revived twice on Broadway (1989 and 2011) and adapted for film twice as well (1950 and 1993). I can’t think of anything more American than this, a story of a country searching for its’ lost identity, where anyone can make it big. Where dreams come true, for a certain price.

 

One last note: Chanticleer Theatre productions are a group effort. The number of volunteers that share their time to make this community theatre such a success is impressive.

 

Born Yesterday continues at The Chanticleers Theatre

July 19 – August 11

 

Chanticleers Theatre

Castro Valley Community Theatre

3683 Quail Avenue, Castro Valley

 

510-SEE-LIVE or 510-733-5483

 

TICKET INFORMATION:

510-SEE-LIVE (733-5483)

8 A.M. – 8 P.M. daily

 

Adults: $25

Seniors/Students: $20

 

 

Broncho Billy Film Festival

Submitted by Rena Kiehn

Photos courtesy of Niles Essany Silent Film Museum

 

Broncho Billy rides into Niles again Friday, July 26 – Sunday, July 28. He will be joined by Francis X Bushman, Mr. Bell & Mr. Howell, Alkalai Ike and Mustang Pete, Serial Queen Helen Gibson, Alic Joyce, ZaSu Pitts, and Patsy Ruth Miller.

 

Friday night opens with a salute to Francis X Bushman, called “The Handsomest Man in the World,” “The King of Photoplay” and before Clark Gable inherited the title “the King of Movies.” A rough cut of a new documentary, This is Francis X Bushman, will debut, presented by film historian Lon Davis and editor Zack Sutherland. Following that film will be a Spanish film shot in Hollywood with Italian subtitles; the print came from an archive of the boot-shaped country (don't worry, we are getting the title cards translated!). Restoration of the 1928 film The Charge of the Gauchos is also making its Northern California debut; it may be the first screening in the U.S. since its original debut, 91 years ago.

 

Saturday morning includes a Walking Tour of Niles ($5 fee includes an information booklet) and a free screening of recent Niles-made silent two reeler, Broncho Billy and the Bandit's Secret, featuring an enthusiastic local cast and a hand-crank movie camera capturing the story. The screening will be followed by a documentary explaining the painstaking methods employed by the film companies back in the day.

 

Saturday afternoon features a salute to Bell & Howell. If you watch late night infomercials, you may see all-weather flashlights with that brand name or, if you are of a certain age and were an AV geek in grade school running a projector, you might recognize the name as the kind you worked with. Well, Bell & Howell also made movie cameras and other important movie-making machines a century ago. With ASC (American Society of Cinematographers) celebrating their centennial this year, David Kiehn, historian of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, will preside over a talk about these important figures of silent film history and their legacy.

 

Then, on to a focus of the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company – five films that show what the West looked like (shot in Chicago, Golden, CO, San Rafael and Niles!).

 

Saturday night is all about trains – a salute to the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. You may believe that happened in May in Promontory, Utah but no! The actual last leg of the TCR happened in September in – wait for it – Niles Canyon! So, we are screening several rail adventures involving bandits and bad guys and a few heroes including The Broken Brake, The Train Wreckers and Red Signals.

 

Sunday, you can take a nice train ride through the picturesque canyon with the Niles Canyon Railway or attend a free program at the Edison Theater. Film Historian Larry Telles will present a program on screen cowboys who made the transition from silents to talkies followed by Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch, a film made from clips from old Westerns stitched together, similar to Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.

 

Then, Film Historian Jon Mirsalis, an accomplished film accompanist, will discuss how films thought to be lost forever are being found in home grown film collections rather than archives. 13th Washington Square will follow – it is a unique film that ends up as a wacky haunted house comedy.

 

The last film of the program is Lorraine of the Lions which follows the melodramatic adventures of a female Tarzan and her beloved, nurturing gorilla friend – this one is a doozy.

 

 

A Weekend of Events!

 

Friday, July 26

Opening Reception 6:00 p.m.

Join us for snacks and refreshments.

 

This Is Francis X. Bushman 7:30 pm

Suggested member donation $12, not yet members $14

Judy Rosenberg on piano

The Charge of the Gauchos

 

Saturday, July 27

Free Screenings 11 a.m.

Broncho Billy and the Bandit’s Secret

Window to the Past

 

Walking Tour of Niles 11:00 am

$5 donation

 

American Society of Cinematographers 100th Anniversary 1:00 pm

Essanay Studio films from Chicago to Niles 3:30 pm

Suggested member donation $12, not yet members $14

 

Salute to 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental railroad, 7:30 p.m.

Suggested member donation $12, not yet members $14

 

Sunday, July 28

Train Ride Through the Canyon 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Meet at the train station off Mission Blvd

See www.ncry.org for more information.

Seniors $15 / Adults $20 / Children 3-12 $10 / 2 and Under – Free

 

They Rode Out of the Silent Screen at the Edison Theater 11 a.m.

Free Program

 

The Role of 16mm Collectors in Finding Lost Films 1:15 p.m.

Suggested member donation $9, not yet members $12

 

Lorraine of the Lions 3:45 p.m.

Suggested member donation $9, not yet members $12

 

Broncho Billy Film Festival

Friday, Jul 26 – Sunday, Jul 28

Fri: 6 p.m.

Sat & Sun 11: a.m.

Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum – Edison Theater

37417 Niles Blvd., Fremont

(unless otherwise specified)

(510) 494-1411

nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

 

California readies $1.6 billion rail design contract

By Kathleen Ronayne

Associated Press

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Jul 16 – California is moving toward awarding a $1.65 billion contract to design and construct the tracks and system for the first segment of its beleaguered high-speed rail project.

 

The California High Speed Rail Authority's board of directors on Tuesday approved releasing a request for qualified bidders for the project. Rail officials hope to issue the contract by next summer.

 

The contract would cover a 119-mile segment of rail in the Central Valley. The firm it's awarded to would be responsible for designing and building rail infrastructure including tracks, a signaling system, platforms and the overhead electrification system. It would maintain the tracks for a set period of time, likely 30 years.

 

A U.S. subsidiary of a German rail company has already been awarded a contract for early operation of the train.

 

 

Gridiron Gladiators reunite

By Alfred Hu

Photos courtesy of Matt Schwab/Chabot Reunion

 

On Sunday, July 28 at the Shannon Community Center in Dublin, a Chabot College Football reunion will offer an opportunity for past coaches and players to reconnect, catch up with old buddies, reminisce and most of all to have a great time. This event, the brainchild of former head coach Keith Calkins for his 80th birthday celebration, will recognize teams and coaches from 1962 through 1978. The years were chosen to represent the first year of the Chabot football program until Calkins’ retirement. Former players and assistant coaches were recruited to make the reunion possible. A year-long undertaking, it was a formidable task to contact over 600 former players, but the response was extraordinary.

 

Attendance is expected to reach over 150 as attendees travel from a myriad of locations throughout the United States. Along with former teammates, former management and physical education staff members as well as former sportswriters are expected to attend including players who moved on to professional athletic careers as well as those inducted into the California Sports Hall of Fame, California Community College Hall of Fame and Chabot Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

Former coaches expected to attend are Larry Aguiar (1972–73), Rich Statler (1963), Rusty Anderson (1965-66) and Master of Ceremonies Gerry Fisher (1962–63).

 

Former coaches contact addresses:

• Keith Calkins at calkins@cwo.com
• Gerry Fisher at gfisher45@comcast.net
• Rusty Anderson at rustydanderson@gmail.com
• Larry Aguiar at fourags@att.net
• Rich Statler at richstatler@att.net.

 

Gladiator Football Reunion

Sunday, Jul 28

2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Shannon Community Event Center

11600 Shannon Avenue, Dublin

www.chabotfootballreunion62-78.com

$40

 

 

Grant to boost online learning at Chabot and Las Positas Colleges

Submitted by Guisselle Nunez

 

Chabot and Las Positas colleges have been named two of 70 colleges throughout California to receive grants from the Improving Online CTE Pathways program developed by California Community Colleges' California Virtual Campus — Online Education Initiative.

 

The grant, totaling approximately $326,000, is earmarked to develop six online Career and Technical Education certificates, fund improvement in online course accessibility with an emphasis on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and equity, and create and curate zero textbook cost materials. LPC's grant, totaling $177,187, will be allocated to develop a fully online Supervisory Management certificate of achievement, provide for faculty professional development and fund course accessibility coordination.

 

“Chabot is committed to providing equitable opportunities for student success,” said Dr. Stacy Thompson, Vice President of Academic Services. “We strive to create an environment where all students receive the tools they need to reach their academic and career goals. Receiving this grant allows us to create six additional online certificate programs that lead to jobs in high demand in the Bay Area and that pay a living wage. In addition, our faculty and staff will work to increase accessibility through improved ADA compliance in our online courses. We will also use the grant funds to adopt Zero Textbook Cost materials, which supports increased student retention and success.”

 

It's estimated that online course enrollment at Chabot increased 144 percent between 2012 and 2017, and improving online course availability assists in accommodating students’ need for flexible scheduling, reduces transportation costs and eliminates the need to find adequate childcare. In developing Online Educational Resources (OER) and Zero Textbook Cost materials, Chabot will significantly reduce one of the largest financial hardships of attending college. In its 2017 Student Satisfaction Survey, 50% of Chabot students reported they had a hard time paying for books, which surpassed responses for housing (16%), transportation (20%) and food (21%).

 

“Giving students more options for online education is a priority for Las Positas College,” said Dr. Kristina Whalen, Vice President of Academic Services. “Not every student can study in a traditional classroom setting. Disabilities that make it difficult to attend classes on campus. Lack of transportation, childcare issues, demands at home and work schedules have traditionally prevented students from enrolling in college. The more opportunities we provide for students to study when and where they can, the more students we’ll be able to serve. Receiving this grant allows us to create our first completely online certificate program, further develop our faculty and help us fund coordination that will allow us to optimize course accessibility for our online students.”

 

LPC’s grant project will begin July 1 and run through June 30, 2020. It's estimated that one-third of students in the California Community Colleges system now take at least one class online. Improving Online CTE Pathways grants are aimed at helping community colleges develop online programs that either lead to short-term, industry-valued credentials, or enable a student in a career pathway developed by Calbright College (the new California online community college) to continue their education in a career pathway offered by a traditional community college. This year, Improving Online CTE Pathways grants totaling $27.5 million were awarded to California community colleges and college districts to develop and strengthen career education programs that can be completed online.

 

“These grants will help improve the online education ecosystem in the California Community Colleges,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley. “This holistic approach includes strengthening traditional college offerings and the opening of Calbright, the new online college that will serve low-wage working adults who can quickly gain short-term credentials.”

 

Operated by Foothill-De Anza Community College District, CVC-OEI is focused on student success in California's community colleges through innovative online learning practices. Its primary focus is to increase the number of transfer degrees awards by the state’s community colleges. Chabot College offers over 120 degree and certificate programs, nine of which are fully available online, and LPC has over 85 degree and certificate programs, with four degrees fully available online.

 

 

Chevron spills 800,000 gallons of oil, water in California

By Don Thompson

Associated Press

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Jul 12 – Officials began to clean up a massive oil spill Friday that dumped nearly 800,000 gallons of oil and water into a California canyon, making it larger – if less devastating – than the state's last two major oil spills.

 

The newly revealed spill has been flowing off and on since May and has again stopped, Chevron spokeswoman Veronica Flores-Paniagua said. She and California officials said the spill is not near any waterway and has not significantly affected wildlife. The last flow was Tuesday.

 

Chevron reported that 794,000 gallons (about 3 million liters) of oil and water have leaked out of the ground where it uses steam injection to extract oil in the large Cymric Oil Field about 35 miles (56 kilometers) west of Bakersfield. The steam softens the thick crude so it can flow more readily and is a different process from fracking, which breaks up underground layers of rock.

 

The state has issued Chevron a notice of violation ordering it to stop steam injections around the spill. The company also increased its production of oil from wells in the area. Both actions are intended to relieve underground pressure that may be forcing the mix of oil and water to the surface.

 

Chevron will pay for the cleanup, though the state will oversee the process, said Steve Gonzalez, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response.

 

The cleanup and the investigation into what caused the oil flow were somewhat delayed as officials ensured there are no dangerous fumes or sinkholes that could trap workers or heavy equipment, he said.

 

“At this point, they have it dammed off and they're sucking it out, sucking the oil out,” Gonzalez said.

 

Environmental groups said the Chevron spill is another sign of weakened regulations under an embattled California agency. Gov. Gavin Newsom this week fired the head of the state's oil and gas division over a recent increase in hydraulic fracturing permits and amid a conflict-of-interest investigation of other division employees.

 

The Last Chance Alliance, which opposes California's oil and gas industry, said the state's Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources adopted weaker restrictions on steam injection earlier this year, “making these operations even more dangerous.”

 

The group said state regulators and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year approved an exemption that removed protections from an aquifer in the Cymric Oil Field at the request of Chevron and other oil companies.

 

“California's industry-friendly oil regulator continues to provide about as much protection as a screen door on a submarine,” Hollin Kretzmann, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity and member of the Last Chance Alliance, said in a statement.

 

Neither Chevron nor division spokesman Don Drysdale commented on the criticism.

 

About 70 percent of the fluid is water, Chevron said, meaning about 240,000 gallons (908,472 liters) of the mixture is oil.

 

The spill, which was first reported by KQED News, comes after a judge earlier this year fined Plains All American Pipeline nearly $3.35 million for causing what had been the worst California coastal spill in 25 years.

 

A corroded pipeline spilled 140,000 gallons (529,942 liters) of crude oil in 2015 onto Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County, northwest of Los Angeles, tarring popular beaches for miles, killing wildlife and harming tourism and fishing.

 

In 2007, the container ship Cosco Busan leaked nearly 54,000 gallons (204,406 liters) of heavy fuel oil into San Francisco Bay after the ship hit the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in thick fog.

 

The state's worst spill was the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill that leaked at least 80,000 barrels of crude oil into the Santa Barbara Channel. Each barrel is 42 gallons (159 liters).

 

But the effect of this year's Chevron spill on birds and wildlife appears minimal, Gonzalez said. Chevron said the spill flowed into a dry stream bed, and Gonzalez noted that it is unlikely to rain anytime soon.

 

“There's no active waterway that it's nearby, so that's the good news,” he said.

 

 

Chilean students get “green” ideas from Cal State East Bay

Submitted by Kimberly Hawkins

 

Cal State East Bay’s emphasis on sustainability and renewable energy education has gone global this summer. A group of engineering students from the University Duoc UC in Chile is spending two weeks at the Hayward campus learning about local sustainability efforts and getting some “green” ideas the students can take home. The program for the Chilean students runs until Friday, August 2.

 

“It [the program] provides the students with an opportunity to understand the fundamentals of sustainability, learn about high impact sustainable construction practices and develop methods to implement such practices in Chile,” said Cristian Gaedicke, assistant professor of engineering. “The program focuses on technical, communication and teamwork skills. Students develop a final course project, business plan and proposal to implement some of the sustainable practices they see during the workshop, in Chile.”

 

While there are some seminars, much of the program is hands-on. There are visits to sustainable companies and projects including two construction sites in San Francisco, PG&E’s Energy Center and Richmond’s Sun Power. The group will also visit places that are relevant from a construction and architectural point of view such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Transamerica Tower and Piers. The group uses public transportation for the site visits, further instilling the message of sustainability.

 

Cal State East Bay was recently awarded a STARS Bronze rating for its sustainability effort from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. STARS –Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System – highlights areas of success and opportunity for campus sustainability efforts in academics, engagement, operations and planning, and administration.

 

 

US citizenship test to be redesigned

Submitted by Sharon Rummery

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising the current naturalization test with improvements to ensure it continues to serve as an accurate measure of a naturalization applicant’s civics knowledge and that it reflects best practices in adult education assessments. The goal is to create a meaningful, uniform, and efficient test that will assess applicants’ knowledge and understanding of U.S. history, government and values.

 

This spring, the former USCIS director signed the Revision of the Naturalization Civics Test Memorandum. This memorandum announces the revision of the naturalization test and formalizes a decennial revision schedule of the naturalization test based on adult education best practices.

 

“Granting U. S. citizenship is the highest honor our nation bestows,” said USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli. “Updating, maintaining, and improving a test that is current and relevant is our responsibility as an agency in order to help potential new citizens fully understand the meaning of U.S. citizenship and the values that unite all Americans.”

 

In December 2018, USCIS formed a naturalization test revision working group with members from across the agency. The working group has been reviewing and updating the naturalization test questions. The working group will also assess potential changes to the speaking portion of the test. USCIS is soliciting the input of experts in the field of adult education to ensure that this process is fair and transparent. After careful analysis of the pilot, and thorough officer training, USCIS will set an implementation date in December 2020 or early 2021.

 

Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act outlines the English and civics requirements for naturalization. By law, candidates for naturalization must have “…an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language…” and “…knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States…” This test revision will comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements, and USCIS will pilot it this fall.

 

In Fiscal Year 2018, USCIS naturalized nearly 757,000 people, a five-year high in new oaths of citizenship. The naturalization test revision is a key part of preparing legal immigrants to fully exercise their rights and meet their responsibilities. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit their website at www.uscis.gov.

 

 

County to receive funding for wildfire preparedness

Submitted by Janice Rombeck

 

In the wake of numerous destructive wildfires throughout California during the past several years, officials from Santa Clara County are planning to use an allocation of $4 million from the state 2019-2020 budget to upgrade communications technology in order to better fight wildfires.

 

Efforts by Assemblyman Evan Low, (D-Campbell) were instrumental in the funds being allocated to the Santa Clara County.

 

Low and several other county officials, including County Supervisors Dave Cortese and Susan Ellenberg and Santa Clara County Fire Chief Tony Bowden were to publicly announce details about the funding at a news conference on July 22 in Cupertino.

 

Santa Clara County is the fifth largest county in California. Its government serves a multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents with a $7 billion budget and more than 70 agencies/departments and 22,000 employees.

 

 

CORRECTION

 

The Theatre Review of Phantom of the Opera listed incorrect ticket prices. The correct information is as follows:

 

Phantom of the Opera

Friday, July 12 – Saturday, July 27

(ASL interpreted July 25)

8 p.m.

Smith Center at Ohlone College

43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont

(510) 659-6031

www.smithcenter.com

 

$30 Adult

$27 Senior

$20 Youth (under 17)

$25 Ohlone student/staff

 

Tri-City Voice apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this error.

 

 

National Night Out Is Around the Corner

Submitted by Supervisor Dave Cortese

 

Now is a great time to plan your National Night Out event and register for a visit from law enforcement and other official representatives. In San Jose and the other cities in the County, the annual nationwide crime prevention campaign will be on Tuesday, August 6.

 

More than 38 million neighbors in 16,000 communities across the nation participate in National Night Out, an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to make our neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live.

 

My staff and I attended dozens of events last year in San Jose, Sunnyvale and Milpitas and are looking forward to our visits this year at the annual event, which brings together residents, police officers, firefighters and public officials at evening barbecues, potlucks and neighborhood parties.

 

By planning early, you can invite law enforcement partners who can put your event on their list of visits. Crime fighting is strongest when we all work together.

 

• The Santa Clara County Office of Reentry Services, the Probation Department and the Sheriff’s Office invite you to a community event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on August 6 at the Reentry Resource Center Courtyard, 151 West Mission Street, San Jose. The event will feature food, prizes, entertainment and activities.

 

• If you’re hosting an event in Milpitas, contact Kita Inthasack at the Milpitas Police Department at 408-586-2526 or email kinthasack@ci.milpitas.ca.gov. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, August 2.

 

If you have questions about any events, please call my office at 408-299-5030 or email me at dave.cortese@bos.sccgov.org.

 

 

Ban on glyphosate use in picnic areas

Submitted by Dave Mason

 

On July 16, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved Resolution 2019-07-187, which calls for an immediate ban on glyphosate use in picnic areas with full elimination in all developed park areas by the end of 2020. Glyphosate is currently used as part of the park district’s pest integration management program for fire ignition prevention and vegetation maintenance around park structures, fences, walkways, parking areas, and in public right-of-way areas including roads, bike paths, and trails.

 

The park district recognizes that there are public concerns about glyphosate use. In 2016, the district updated its integrated pest management practices to focus on early intervention strategies and the use of organic products when possible as an alternative to glyphosate. Over the past two years, the park district has reduced glyphosate use by 66 percent for park maintenance.

 

“The park district has taken large steps over the past two years to reduce glyphosate use and find alternatives,” said East Bay Regional Park District President Ayn Wieskamp. “We are proud to be a leader in parkland management. Managing the complex spectrum of land that the park district does, with requisite state and federal requirements, is not easy or inexpensive.”

 

 

Park It

By Ned MacKay

 

The East Bay Regional Park District wants to hear from the community. The district has set up an online survey to obtain the public’s thoughts on the district’s future programs and facilities. Survey participants can weigh in on what they feel are the most pressing issues facing the district, what features and activities could be added, and what present offerings can be improved. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. The deadline to submit the survey is Wednesday, July 31; to take the survey online, visit eastbayparksurvey.com.

 

This year is the park district’s 85th anniversary. The district was founded in 1934 because of a grass roots movement led by community activists who saw the need for preservation of the East Bay’s beautiful open spaces for public recreation and wildlife habitat. Tilden, Sibley and Temescal were the first three regional parks established. From these modest beginnings, the district has expanded to comprise 73 regional parks totaling more than 122,000 acres and hosting 25 million visits annually.

 

Here’s a chance to let your voice be heard about how you’d like to see the district evolve in the coming years. District staff and board will value your input.

 

A family game night and campfire are on the agenda from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley. Bring your favorite card or board game, skit ideas and cozy blanket. S’mores, that gooey campfire confection, will be provided for free.

 

From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28, the park’s naturalists will lead an insect detective session to find out what scuttles through the park’s wetlands.

 

Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road, off Oakley’s Main Street. For details, call (888) 327-2757, ext. 3050.

 

At Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch, naturalist Virginia Delgado will lead a family night hike from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27. During the 3-mile hike on even terrain, find out how the reservoir comes to life as the sun goes down. The hike is for ages 6 and older. The program is free, but reservations are required; to reserve a spot, call (888) 327-2757, select option 2, and refer to program number 25905.

 

Contra Loma has a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information on the night hike, call (510) 544-2750.

 

Bees and beeswax are the theme of a program, led by naturalist Jenna S. Collins, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley. The group will make beeswax candles and sample local honey.

 

Meet at the Little Farm classroom, a short walk past the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. For information, call (510) 544-2233.

 

At Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, naturalist Kristina Parkison hides with her Cart of Curiosities somewhere within the park, awaiting your discovery. The cart contains artifacts of cultural and natural history. Parkison and her cart will be out in the park from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 3; and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, August 17.

 

Parkison also plans a free “Night of the Moth” program from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27, in celebration of National Moth Week. Yes, there is such a thing as National Moth Week. It’s the last full week in July. I looked it up on the internet.

 

Intended for ages 6 and older, “Night of the Moth” is a “bioblitz” to determine which different species of moths pollinate Coyote Hills’ night blooming plants.

 

Meet at the Coyote Hills visitor center. The park is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road, off Paseo Padre Parkway. Parking fee per vehicle is $5. For information, call (510) 544-3220.

 

This is just a sample. There’s lots of variety in the East Bay Regional Parks. For a full listing of programs, visit www.ebparks.org.

 

 

A toxic brew

 

As rhetoric heats up at the national level, a recipe for turmoil reflects the warnings and malevolence of three witches in William Shakespeare’s literary classic, Macbeth. Foretelling misfortune and doom, their song “Double, Double Toil and Trouble” casts a spell of deception and misfortune. As the witches gather ingredients of their poisonous brew, they repeatedly chant the refrain: “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble.”

 

Although a concoction of fillet of fenny snake, eye of newt, toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog is fictional fantasy, it references very real and present dangers that not only posed problems in the 1600s, but have persisted to contemporary life. Beginning with a pinch of actual or perceived grievances, a pot of turmoil is stirred with anger, jealousy, fear and resentment to produce a toxic emotional overload that, as in Macbeth’s situation, leads to tragedy.

 

On a national and international level, we are witness to a populist uprising that has taken simmering political inequities to a boil. Healthy doses of malevolent ingredients have been injected into a brew that threatens the structure and foundation of our society. Reason and civil dialogue give way to demands, threats and ultimatums that define hard lines of defense without room for discussion or compromise.

 

While armchair pundits of all types can speculate on the ramifications of national strategies and tactics, at the local level, some of the same factors are at work too. At the July 16 Fremont City Council meeting, hundreds of demonstrators and public speakers attended to oppose locating a proposed Navigation Center for homeless individuals on a vacant parcel of land adjacent to Regan’s Nursery near the intersection of Fremont Boulevard and Decoto Road. One of two locations selected as a possible site, neighbors expressed a familiar refrain heard in prior protests from Niles District neighbors: good idea, wrong location.

 

While forceful and peaceful protest is a staple of a free society, outrage and emotional outbursts directed toward a navigation center for homeless individuals in Fremont has been sprinkled with vitriolic fervor that implies immediate danger and revulsion of these people whatever their circumstance. It appears that only a location far from any residential development is satisfactory to many residents. Of the two locations selected for consideration by the city council, it may be that the parking lot next to City Hall is preferable since the protests, at this time, have been limited to a few developers who fear a negative impact on property values. Residential development in the downtown area is currently nascent, not yet consolidated, so wholesale protest is not expected.

 

Lessons have emerged from Fremont’s Navigation Center debacle:

• Assess a project with transparent and open community outreach before any tentative agreements are initiated.
• Thoroughly inform the community of what is proposed along with proven data and experience to support the proposal and its location to allay fears.
• If a proposal is a prototype, address concerns and unknown factors prior to negotiations. New and controversial enterprises are best demonstrated in less impacted locations before introducing them to more debatable sites.
• Decisions should be based on community dialogue and rational expectations; funding should be an essential, but not the only primary deciding factor.

 

Shakespeare fashioned Macbeth as a parable, warning of temptation that transcends consequences. His witches created a “charm of powerful trouble” that resulted in a “hell-broth” for the Scottish king and Lady Macbeth. The result was disastrous for both of them; a deceitful Lady Macbeth was doomed to roam castle corridors trying desperately to wash away a psychological “damn’d spot” of murderous betrayal.

 

For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

 

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn and caldron bubble.

 

 

Facebook's currency plan gets hostile reception in Congress

By Marcy Gordon

AP Business Writer

 

WASHINGTON (AP), Jul 16 – Under sharp criticism from senators, a Facebook executive on Tuesday defended the social network's ambitious plan to create a digital currency and pledged to work with regulators to achieve a system that protects the privacy of users' data.

 

“We know we need to take the time to get this right,” David Marcus, the Facebook executive leading the project, told the Senate Banking Committee at a hearing.

 

But that message did little to assure senators. Members of both parties demanded to know why a company with massive market power and a track record of scandals should be trusted with such a far-reaching project, given the potential for fraud, abuse and criminal activity.

 

“Facebook is dangerous,” asserted Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the committee's senior Democrat. Like a toddler playing with matches, “Facebook has burned down the house over and over,” he told Marcus. “Do you really think people should trust you with their bank accounts and their money?”

 

Republican Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona said “the core issue here is trust.” Users won't be able to opt out of providing their personal data when joining the new digital wallet for Libra, McSally said. “Arizonans will be more likely to be scammed” using the currency, she said.

 

The litany of criticism came as Congress began two days of hearings on the currency planned by Facebook, to be called Libra. Also Tuesday, a House Judiciary subcommittee was extending its bipartisan investigation of the market power of Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple.

 

On the defensive from bursts of aggressive questioning, Marcus indicated the currency plan is a work in progress. “We will take the time” to ensure the network won't be open to use by criminals and illicit activity like money laundering and financial fraud. “We hope that we'll avoid conflicts of interest. We have a lot of work to do,” Marcus said.

 

The grilling followed a series of negative comments and warnings about the Libra plan in recent days from President Donald Trump, his treasury secretary and the head of the Federal Reserve.

 

But some senators emphasized the potential positive benefits of Facebook's plan, meant to bring money transacting at low cost to millions around the globe who don't have bank accounts. Facebook had its strong defenders of the project, too, on the panel.

 

“To strangle this baby in the crib is wildly premature,” said Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.

 

In that vein, Marcus said Libra “is about developing a safe, secure and low-cost way for people to move money efficiently around the world. We believe that Libra can make real progress toward building a more inclusive financial infrastructure.”

 

The planned digital currency is to be a blend of multiple currencies, so that its value will fluctuate in any given local currency. Because Libra will be backed by a reserve, and because the group of companies managing it will encourage a competitive system of exchanges, the project leaders say, “anyone with Libra has a high degree of assurance they can sell it for local (sovereign) currency based on an exchange rate.”

 

Promising low fees, the new currency system could open online commerce to millions of people around the world who lack access to bank accounts and make it cheaper to send money across borders. But it also raises concerns over the privacy of users' data and the potential for criminals to use it for money laundering and fraud.

 

To address privacy concerns, Facebook created a nonprofit oversight association, with dozens of partners including PayPal, Uber, Spotify, Visa and MasterCard, to govern Libra. As one among many in the association, Facebook says it won't have any special rights or privileges. It also created a “digital wallet” subsidiary, Calibra, to work on the technology, separately from its main social media business. While Facebook owns and controls Calibra, it won't see financial data from it, the company says.

 

Senators demanded to know exactly what that separation will entail.

 

“Facebook isn't a company; it's a country,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. Kennedy and other conservative senators took the occasion to air long-standing grievances against Facebook, Twitter and Google for a perceived bias against conservative views.

 

Facebook's currency proposal has also faced heavy skepticism from the Trump administration.

 

Trump tweeted last week that the new currency, Libra, “will have little standing or dependability.” Both Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Fed Chair Jerome Powell have expressed serious concerns recently that Libra could be used for illicit activity.

 

The Treasury Department has “very serious concerns that Libra could be misused by money launderers and terrorist financers,” Mnuchin told reporters at the White House on Monday. “This is indeed a national security issue.”

 

Facebook has “a lot of work to do before we get to the point where we're comfortable with it,” Mnuchin said.

 

 

City Council votes to close fire station

Submitted by Lauren Sugayan

 

During a July 16 study session in Union City members of the City Council received the findings of a recent analysis conducted on the efficiency of fire services in Union City and to discuss amendments to the city’s contract with the Alameda County Fire Department.

 

An independent analysis was conducted by the Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM) to examine calls for service data in Union City to understand if the deployment of fire department resources were effective and cost-efficient in providing fire and medical response to Union City residents. The analysis determined that Fire Station 30 located at the border of Union City and Fremont (35000 Eastin Court) is underutilized and not needed.

 

Staff recommended that the City Council consider closing Fire Station 30. Most councilmembers agreed and voted 4-1 to close the station, with councilmember Emily Duncan dissenting.

 

Next, the City Council also directed staff to explore possible options with the cities of Newark, Hayward and Fremont to look at the option of potentially reopening Fire Station 30 in the future as a part of a shared services model. As a part of its next steps, the City will convene a team to develop a plan, a timeline and a community outreach process associated with the closure of Fire Station 30.

 

Tuesday’s council vote comes after the City contracted with the Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM) in October 2018 after the City Council’s Fiscal Stability Committee directed staff to study and evaluate the delivery of fire services in Union City with the goal of determining ways to reduce the rising cost of the fire services contract while balancing service demands.

 

The purpose of the July 16 study session was to present the results of the independent analysis conducted by CPSM. In addition, the Alameda County Fire Department presented the findings of a report from a 2017 study that was conducted by CityGate Associates, LLC to review the adequacy of current fire station resource deployment system for areas served by the Alameda County Fire Department, the risks to be protected, and the emergency incident outcomes desired by the community.

 

The CPSM report focused on deployment of fire services to Union City, whereas the CityGate Associates LLC report examined the standards of coverage throughout Alameda County.

FN1. Flavors of Newark sign

FN2. Collin Young, MOTIVAT coffee

FN3. Ashley Wong with pastries

FN4. Lunch at Ray’s Crab Shack

FN5. Brian Suarez, Comfort Inn

FN6. Ray Dai, Amy Wu, Ray’s Crab Shack

FN7. Organizers with coffee and dessert

 

 

Flavors of Newark – a Delicious Enabler of Business

By Asok Chatterjee

 

In the early afternoon of July 10th, a diverse group of business leaders congregated at Ray’s Crab Shack in Newark. Greeted by Valerie Boyle, President and CEO of Newark Chamber of Commerce, and Anne Stedler, Economic Development Manager of the City of Newark, each guest was introduced to other attendees upon arrival. Chamber Board Member Fallon Tran was on beverage duty to make sure everyone was comfortable. The event, Flavors of Newark, is an effort by the chamber to help local businesses connect with others, a critical component of building successful relationships and taking advantage of opportunities for growth.

 

That afternoon, the lunch venue was Ray’s Crab Shack. After enjoying excellent seafood offerings by owners Ray Dai and Amy Wu, guests were escorted next door to the Comfort Inn and Suites, where a beaming General Manager Brian Suarez was more than happy to familiarize them with recent first-class upgrades to the property. To cap off the afternoon, pastries were served by Ashley Wong, owner of newly launched Ashley Wong Sweets, LLC. Dessert was complemented by freshly brewed MOTIVAT Coffee, served by MOTIVAT owner, Collin Young. MOTIVAT is a unique single origin coffee roaster with a social mission to aid in children’s education and women’s restoration.

 

Flavors of Newark is a multi-faceted program that offers small restaurant tastings by invitation for representatives from businesses, corporations and service clubs. It is designed to introduce business people and Chamber members to each other over delicious food. Flavors introduces representatives from corporations and businesses to local restaurants that may be “new” to them; lets them meet the restaurant owners and chefs and familiarize themselves with the cuisine and specialties. Hosting restaurants can explain what they can offer for parties, events, meeting facilities, and catering.

 

Flavors was launched when business leaders asked for information about local restaurants. They wanted to know the range of cuisines, event services and facilities offered. Chamber leadership found these were frequently asked questions by corporate businesses and decided to help facilitate an exchange of information. Assisting large employers of Newark discover, enjoy and support local restaurants and food experiences became a priority. And, it held great potential for Newark restaurants.

 

Large corporations were not the only ones asking, however. Other Newark business leaders were also seeking new locations and facilities to host special employee gatherings, events and business meetings. Chamber leaders discovered that these businesses often sought catering services but were unaware of nearby restaurants that provided these services. The information simply wasn’t effectively reaching this audience.

Another link in this chain of connecting restaurants and new patrons is local Newark hotels. On a daily basis hotel personnel are asked to recommend local restaurants to their guests. First-hand experience at a restaurant, and a relationship with personnel supports confidence in referrals.

Another factor that favors the Flavors of Newark approach is that most people are creatures of habit, repeatedly going to a few favorite restaurants, knowing what to expect. This can exclude other possibilities and specialties for fear of trying new international offerings, or worries that language might be a barrier. Flavors of Newark provides important informal introductions to expand gastronomical experiences.

 

Newark Chamber of Commerce (510) 578-4500

Ray’s Crab Shack (510) 792-8808

Comfort Inn & Suites (510) 795-7995

Ashley Wong Sweets (510) 648-5037

MOTIVAT Coffee Roasters (510) 364-4019

 

 

Transition to new janitorial service company

Submitted by Cheryl Golden

 

As of July 1, a new contractor is providing professional janitorial services for 70 public City of Fremont facilities, including community centers, libraries, park and recreation buildings, fire stations, and city administration buildings. SWA Services Group successfully competed to provide janitorial services, among four firms, based on a comprehensive consideration of qualifications, experience with public facilities, quality control program, staffing levels, and annual cost.

 

Previously, the City of Fremont had a janitorial contract with GCA Services with a term extending up to 2024. Following an acquisition of GCA by ABM, the City was informed that ABM could not afford to service Fremont under the terms of the current contract. Consequently, a transition plan was developed, which led to a new selection process for a janitorial contractor by the City. ABM did not participate in the process.

 

The mayor and the city council have approved the contract with language amendments to ensure the retention of janitorial employees by SWA, which were previously employed by GCA/ABM, and to provide them with equivalent pay, seniority, and cost for health care benefits. The total cost of janitorial services with SWA is approximately $1.6 million annually, and the agreement allows the option to extend the term to June 2027 subject to satisfactory performance.

 

 

Wrapping up her first year as police chief: Fremont’s Kimberly Peterson

By Johnna M. Laird

Photos courtesy of Fremont Police Department

 

In late July 2019, Kim Petersen finishes her first year as Fremont’s first female police chief. Petersen brings a wealth of experience: For 22 years she served in every position in the department from patrol, to field training officer, to SWAT team leader.

 

Petersen arrives early to work, avoids a congested commute, and makes time for fitness in the department gym. She models officer wellness, an internal goal she emphasizes: “Policing is a stressful job. It’s important to take care of our officers through their lifetimes. A good majority will be with us 20 plus years; they need support systems. This is a difficult career, physically-taxing.” A dedicated soccer player who played professionally in Japan to pay her way through college, Petersen made an instant connection with police work while on a ride-along with a friend during college. “It was everything I wanted, a career that was bigger than myself, with a higher purpose of helping others, a sense of camaraderie, a feeling of teamwork, and exciting. Every day is different.”

 

Having earned a Stanford University bachelor’s degree in human biology and a Naval Postgraduate School master’s degree in security studies, Petersen comments on the diversity of today’s police officers. “Many are college graduates and hold master’s degrees; many have developed significant life experience in the military, or they come to us as a second career.”

 

Officer recruitment has become a major issue for Fremont. Applications are down from 4,000 annually a few years ago to 1,500. “There is diminished desire to become a police officer,” says Petersen. A negative national narrative toward officers is taking a toll locally. In early July, 18 positions remained unfilled, including one at the animal shelter. Fremont contracted with Hoffman Agency to develop recruitment materials. For its part, the police department has compressed hiring processes, reducing six to nine months to four or less. Fremont currently has 26 officers in its training pipeline.

 

Once on the streets, officers continue to train on how to conduct interviews, assess drug influence, and write search warrants. “We are highly dedicated to training,” says Petersen, noting Fremont’s training budget exceeds that of any other city police department in the county. All officers undergo five days of training annually, ranging from driving skills to handling active shooters, emergency wildfires, and trauma and suicide.

 

Petersen inherited a police department serving a city ranking seventh among America’s top 10 safest cities in 2019, according to SmartAsset. Yet preventing and fighting crime remain complex tasks, says Petersen, made more challenging by voters’ ballot-box decisions on propositions lowering penalties for property crime. Criminals, Petersen notes, have a saying: “Property crime, do no time.”

 

Several factors beyond crime affect police work—for example, rising homelessness. A point-in-time biennial study conducted in January 2019 showed Alameda County’s homelessness increased 43 percent; Fremont saw a 21 percent increase. “We are impacted by multiple [homelessness-related] calls per day, taking more police officer time.” Calls include negative encounters with the general public. Fremont is addressing these issues with a mobile evaluation team and a navigation center in the works to be operated by Bay Area Community Services.

 

While violent crime increased in Fremont from 2017 to 2018, Petersen notes that even with a slight rise Fremont’s crime remains “quite low” for a city its size.  Three homicides occurred in 2018 compared to two in 2017. Aggravated assaults, resulting from any number of factors—eruptions between friends, alcohol homelessness, criminal activity—numbered 228 in 2018, up from 174. Nonviolent crime showed a downward trend in 2018 but is showing an uptick in 2019.

 

Petersen believes in community policing, valuing partnerships with residents and businesses to proactively address conditions that lead to public safety issues. The department has benefitted from citizens voluntarily registering cameras at residences and businesses to address property crime. “We can’t wait three days for data to be processed. Working partnerships require that within minutes we have data on suspect vehicles,” she says. Immediate camera access “is a big preventor” and “goes a long way to helping the community be involved in community policing.” Apartment managers have stepped up to participate in city-sponsored environment classes on reducing crime on their premises and developing leases to manage tenant crime. Social media and websites like Nextdoor can serve to keep neighborhood people informed.

 

“We need citizens to be active partners,” says Petersen. She praises Fremont citizens for police support. In the face of national negative attitudes toward police, Fremont has “not been a city to jump to conclusions in response to slanted articles. They wait for us to explain when violence happens. We can’t explain in the first five minutes. We need time to investigate,” she says. Encouraging open dialogue and community partnership, Fremont Police routinely offers Coffee with Cops and Badges and Boba at local businesses. As she has the last seven years, Petersen will participate in National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. when the police department hopes to visit 200 neighborhoods, up from 175 last year.

 

For an up-close look at the department, Petersen recommends residents sign up for a 12-week Community Police Academy. “It’s palms up, a look under the hood,” she says, with lectures and a ride-along. Watch for the next class on the police department website and Nixle.com.

 

As her first year as chief comes to a close, Petersen says an unexpected benefit has emerged—broad smiles of young girls in the community. “Such a pleasant surprise that they see themselves as future police chief. I had not thought of that before. . . These girls see me as police chief and it opens possibilities for them. It’s pretty exciting,” she says.

 

But every day, there’s a part of Petersen that misses being on the streets. “No one becomes a police officer to sit behind a desk,” she says.

 

 

Fremont Police Log

Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD

 

Tuesday, July 9

• A Fremont transient, identified by police as Jeffrey Wells, 58, was arrested on July 9 in connection with a June 30 brush fire in the area of Mowry Avenue and Mission Boulevard that threatened several homes in the area and prompted a small evacuation. A police investigation showed that Wells had reportedly battered his girlfriend, threatened to kill her and then told her he was going to set fire to their encampment and destroy their property. Wells faces charges of arson, infliction of corporal injury, criminal threats and probation violation. The case is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police investigators at 1 (510) 790-6900 or send an email to TMacdonald@fremont.gov. Anonymous tips can be shared by sending a text to Tip FremontPD followed by a short message to 888-777 or online at https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/6216337.

 

 

Fremont City Council

July 16, 2019

 

Announcements:

• Vacancies on boards and commissions. Contact City Clerk or website.
• Community workshops on proposed Navigation Center: Wednesday, August 14, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., City Hall and Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Centerville Library
• Public Works Department participated in Western District Conference for the Institute of Transportation Engineers presenting Mobility Action Plan, Smart Corridor Project and Vision Zero Traffic Safety Program. Senior Traffic Engineer Matt Bomberg awarded Best Presentation by a Young Professional.
• Fremont Police Department will participate in Niles Dog Show on July 20.
• Thursday, July 25, Mission San Jose Town Center community meeting 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Olive Hyde Center.

 

Consent Calendar:

• Delegate authority to City Manager during Council Recess.
• Award contract for citywide park identification sign improvements to Silman Venture Corp. dba Silman Industries for a total amount of $1,119,695.
• Approve agreement with Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority for reciprocal use of fiber optic communications facilities.
• Approve purchase of Ford fleet vehicles from The Ford Store San Leandro in an amount not-to-exceed $950,000 and with Sourcewell for various vehicles in an amount not-to-exceed $250,000.
• Authorize a Professional Services Agreement with Questa Engineering Corp. for design and construction support services for Mission Creek Trail Project in an amount not-to-exceed $250,000.
• Approve public and private street improvements located on Bonde Way near Post Street (Centerville Pioneer).
• Award on-call water well maintenance services with Bartley Pump PM, LLC and Pitcher Services, LLC.
• Approve construction contract with Terramark General Engineering Contractors, Inc. for Stivers Lagoon Outdoor Classroom Project in the amount of $169,840.
• Approve public and private street improvements for Metro West at NW corner of South Grimmer Boulevard and Old Warm Springs Boulevard.
• Approve agreements for on-call geotechnical peer review services with Cal Engineering & Geology, Inc. and Cotton, Shires and Associates, Inc.
• Award on-call Arboricultural Service Agreement with HortScience/Bartlett Consulting.
• Approve service agreement with Optony, Inc. to conduct a Municipal Fleet Electification Study in an amount not-to-exceed $275,000.
• Authorize purchase of implementation, software licenses, maintenance and support for an Online City Services CRM System.
• Accept transfer of State Right-of-Way to a portion of SR-84 between I-880 and SR-238.
• Award contract to W. Bradley Electric, Inc. for Traffic Signal Installation Project in the amount of $1,536,209.
• Authorize agreement for financial audit services with Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP.
• Authorize purchase of electronic health record software from Netsmart Technologies, Inc.
• Approve successor memorandums with Professional Engineers and Technicians Association, Fremont Employee Association, Fremont Association of Management Employees, Operating Engineers, Local Union No. 3, teamsters, Local 856, Fremont Police Management Association, Fremont Police Association, Fremont Battalion Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1689 and Fremont Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1689.
• Approve amendment to Employment Agreement with City Attorney Harvey Levine.
• Appropriate Measure A1 funds for two affordable housing projects: Eden Housing and Allied Housing
• Adopt a resolution endorsing the requirements of the 2020 United States Census Count.

 

Removed from Consent:

• Approve amendment to Employment Agreement with City Manager Mark Danaj. Public speaker asked for contract to be delayed until concerns about new janitorial services – seniority, pay, work schedule – are addressed. PASSED 6-0

 

Ceremonial Items:

• Proclaim National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. Currently 120 parties have registered to observe NNO. Public Affairs Specialist Monica Leon and Public Affairs Manager Geneva Bosques received the proclamation.
• Recognize Fremont Christian Baseball Team (Warriors) for their first North Coast Section Championship title in 51 years. Seniors have won 87 of 112 games during their four years at high school and four Bay Counties League Championships in a row. Coach Chris Gomez, assistant coaches and players accepted the recognition. A ring ceremony will be held August 4th at 5 p.m.
• Ken Maxey, Director, Government Affairs of Comcast recognized Fremont resident Jessica Yoshioka who has received a college scholarship from Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program.

 

Public Communications:

• Over 200 residents turned in requests to speak. The majority were opposed to locating the Navigation Center in the Decoto neighborhood. Several speakers requested a site other than City Hall parking lot.

 

Scheduled Items;

• Public Hearing to adopt the Irvington BART Station Area Plan (1/2-mile radius around the new station). Public comment both pro and con. Concerns raised about allowable building height of 65 feet, need for a station in Irvington and parking.

 

Other Business:

• First reading of an ordinance establishing a Tobacco Retail License Program. A Tobacco Retail License (TRL) will be required for a business to sell tobacco products in Fremont. Flavored tobacco products would be banned. Staff recommendations also include: Set minimum price at $8 per pack of 20 cigarettes or pack of 5 cigars; Prohibit sale of pack of cigars less than 5; Allow premium single cigars already being sold at minimum $5; Prohibit breaking up manufacturer’s pre-packaged products. Additional considerations include use of an ID scanner and a temporary moratorium on e-smoking devices pending FDA approval. Inclusion of all recommendations was not passed 3-3 vote (Yes, Mei, Kassan, Bacon; Nay, Salwan, Keng, Jones) Second vote to approve recommendations except for additional considerations. PASSED 5-1 (Nay, Bacon,)

 

Council Referrals:

• Appointments to Youth Advisory Commission. Applicants: Seher Alvi, Charit Samyak Narayanan, Sriram Natarajan, Anya Sagar Saxena, Saanchi Kapoor, Rohan Gulati, Rayland Ho, Dishita Jhawar, Laura Lai, Anushka Madhavani, Mehar Mannava, Ajay Nanda, Aryan M. Parekh, Haritha Rajasekar, Arav Sachdeva, Nirmal Senthilkumar, Anusha Sharangpani,
• Councilmember Bacon referral to sponsor Festival of India Parade. Council discussion referencing decision to sponsor Fourth of July parade without opening up to additional sponsorships. Councilmember Bacon responded by saying there are only two major parades to consider. Response was to speak of other major events including Festival of Lights Parade in Niles. Sense of the council is to consider creating a fund to support such requests on a case by case basis. Councilmember Bacon noted he had proposed such a fund of $100,000 years ago.

 

Mayor Lily Mei                       Aye

Vice Mayor Raj Salwan          Aye, 1 Recusal

Vinnie Bacon                          Aye, 1 Nay

Rick Jones                               Aye

Teresa Keng (District 1)         Aye

Jenny Kassan (District 3)        Aye

Yang Shao (District 4)            Absent

 

 

Five must-have garden garments

Article and photos by Daniel O'Donnell

 

Fifty years ago, Neil Armstrong lumbered off the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle wearing a pressurized bulky white “bubble” spacesuit and made history as the first man on the moon. Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin gathered lunar material by using plastic bags on the ends of sticks. Their spacesuits were too bulky for them to easily bend over and collect the samples. A lot has changed in spacesuit design; referred to as bio-suits or “Second Skins,” spacesuits fit comfortably, offering incredible mobility and 360-degree visibility. Modernization in spacesuit technology and design have made astronauts’ work less awkward in the same way innovations in gardening apparel have made gardening easier.

 

It might seem like an overreach to compare NASA or MIT spacesuit technology to ingenious garden apparel. However, the advances in gear are lightyears ahead of what astronauts and gardeners used to wear. The nice thing about innovative garden apparel: it does not come with an astronomical price tag.

 

Farming was the precursor to gardening. Since ancient times, people farmed (gardened) in the clothing of the period. Depictions of the Pilgrims show them gardening in felt top hats, stays (corsets), waistcoats, and linen collars. After that, slight changes were made, such as adding larger brimmed hats, sturdier boots, and denim overalls to better outfit people for working in the garden. These changes began to address sun protection and durability. Today, leading edge apparel companies address comfort, mobility, temperature regulation, ventilation and safety, as well as the longevity of the clothing.

 

Below are five companies who have launched a new generation of garden apparel items to help gardeners maximize the time they spend in the garden.

 

The best way to take one small step or a giant leap into the garden is by putting on a pair of Muck Boots from the Original Muck Boot Company (www.muckbootcompany.com). They have created a specific line of neoprene gardening shoes and boots that are 100 percent waterproof, have high traction outsoles, specialized mid-soles for added comfort, and either a warm fleece lining or a breathable mesh lining. The line offers a wide range of colors and patterns as well as six different styles that range from slip-on clog to low-ankle shoe to high boot. The boots and shoes are washing machine safe and suitable for all seasons, even extreme cold.

 

Astronauts wear helmets in space to breathe and protect themselves from harmful radiation. Athletes, outdoorspeople, hikers, sailors, and anyone else active outside, including gardeners use a Buff for clean air or sun protection. A Buff is a seamless polyester microfiber fabric tube with a protective UPF50, which is made from recycled bottles. The tube can be stretched without losing its elasticity. A Buff can be worn around the neck for sun protection, can be pulled up over the mouth and nose to help filter dust and warm/cold air, or can shield the wearer from wind. The Buff can also be worn on top of the head in place of a hat or can be rolled into a headband to keep sweat out of the eyes. Buff USA (www.buffusa.com) has a huge selection of colors, sizes, and prints.

 

Bionic gloves will not make someone stronger in the garden, but they will boost a gardener's ability. The Bionic Gloves company (www.bionicgloves.com) is highly regarded for its golf, tennis, racquetball, motorcycle, driving, and equestrian gloves. Now gardeners' accolades can be heard throughout the Bionic Glove universe, because they developed a garden glove line as well. Silicone-reinforced fingertips improve durability but do not blunt the sense of touch. The gloves have four styles, and all have specialized padding, effectively located soft mesh ventilation areas, and innovative motion zones that provide flexibility while still offering optimal protection.

 

Women astronauts and gardeners shared the same fate in outfits. Space suits and garden work wear have traditionally been designed for men. Today, both have better options. Rosies (www.rosiesworkwear.com) sells a line of overalls that are specifically designed for women. These colorful, yet tough overalls have built-in knee pads and deep pockets, are easy to slip on and off, and are cut to fit and flatter a woman's proportions.

 

Sometimes the best innovations for gardening apparel increase a person's comfort. The Utilikilts Company (www.utilikilts.com), selling different lines of everyday kilts since 2000, engineered a kilt for construction workers and gardeners. Called Workman, this Utilikilt is made from a tough canvas-like material and has multiple cargo pockets, loops for holding tools, wicking cotton twill liner, and seams that are reinforced with metal rivets. A person does not have to be Scottish to wear the Workman, just open to being comfortable.

 

Whether working on a space station or trimming in the garden, specialized clothing will help people do a stellar job.

 

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

 

 

Berkeley banishes gender-specific terms from city code

AP Wire Service

 

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP), Jul 17 – California's Berkeley City Council adopted an ordinance Tuesday to replace gendered terms with gender-neutral words in the city's code.

 

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Wednesday that “she” and “he” will be replaced by “they.” The words “manpower” and “manhole” will be replaced by “workforce” and “maintenance hole.”

 

The measure to replace more than two dozen commonly used terms passed unanimously.

 

There will be no more “craftsmen” in city code, only “craftspeople” or “artisans.”

 

Councilmember Rigel Robinson, who sponsored the ordinance, is 23 years old and recently graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. He says his time in college expanded his awareness of gender issues.

 

Robinson says critics suggested the council spend time on more important matters.

 

Berkeley has a long history of leading on politically and socially liberal issues.

–––

 

Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com

 

 

Hayward City Council

July 16, 2019

 

Presentations:

• Resolution memorializing former mayor Roberta Grace Cooper, presented by Assembly Member Bill Quirk
• Library Card Redesign Contest Winners

 

Public Comments:

• A citizen complained about trees being removed by the city and replaced with shrubs
• Sun Gallery has an upcoming show entitled “Planet Hayward” opening August 16. There will also be a Bingo Night at The Carpenters 713 Union Hall on Maddox Road on July 20. Proceeds will benefit Sun Gallery
• Hayward Chamber of Commerce will be hosting several events this month, including the Downtown Hayward Street Party on July 18

 

Consent Calendar:

• Resolution approving the Green Infrastructure Plan
• Resolution to execute two annual MOUs with the Hayward Unified School District for school resource officers and school-based counseling services, and appropriate related funds
• Resolution authorizing City Manager to execute an agreement for water service for twenty-five single-family residential lots along Five Canyons Parkway
• Resolution to appropriate up to $100,000 annually for the next five years from the Fairview Fire Protection District for special projects
• Resolution to execute a contract amendment with 3Di Systems for wildfire fuel management inspection software
• Resolution to reject all bids for the installation of trash capture infrastructure on Arf Avenue
• Resolution to amend agreement with HydroScience Engineers, Inc., to increase contract amount to a not-to-exceed amount of $1,028,000 to provide additional recycled water support services
• Resolution approving plans and call for bids for recycled water customer onsite conversions
• Resolution to execute an agreement with St. Francis, Inc., for on-call streetlight and traffic signal maintenance services
• Resolution approving plans and call for bids for sewer line replacement project

Consent Calendar passed 6-0

 

Items Removed from Consent Calendar:

• Resolution approving amendment to fiscal year 2020 operating budget for Development Services Department for contracted security services at the property located at Maple Avenue and Main Street. Item passed 5-1 (Nay; Wahab)
• Resolution to appropriate $108,881 and execute agreement with CivicMakers to provide strategic planning services and create strategic plan. Item passed 5-1 (Nay; Wahab)

 

Legislative Business:

• Resolution accepting revisions and additions to Council Member Handbook. Council discussed limiting public comments to one hour at the discretion of the mayor and reading speaker cards in the order they were submitted. Item passed 6-0

 

City Manager’s Comments:

• The City Manager wished everyone a happy August break

 

Council Reports:

• Councilmember Marquez attended an Alameda County Mosquito Abatement meeting. There have been no reports of West Nile Virus
• Councilmember Lamnin attended an AC Housing Authority meeting and reported that rental rates have been decreasing
• Councilmember Lamnin attended an AC Transit meeting. Service to South Hayward will soon be restored. Learn more at a community meeting on August 1
• Councilmember Mendall attended a Hayward Area Shoreline Planning meeting
• Councilmember Wahab announced a seminar to help educate tenants on their rights on July 24

 

Mayor Barbara Halliday         Aye

Sara Lamnin                            Aye

Francisco Zermeno                 Absent

Aisha Wahab                           Aye, 2 Nay

Al Mendall                              Aye

Elisa Marquez                         Aye

Mark Salinas                           Aye

 

 

CONTINUING EVENTS:

 

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 Street, Hayward

(510) 538-2787

www.haywardartscouncil.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

 

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

www.ebparks.org

 

Tuesdays, May 28 – Aug 27

Practice Your Spoken English R

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Chat session for intermediate and up English learners

Fremont Main Library Fukaya Room A

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

(510) 574-2063

www.aclibrary.org

 

Monday – Thursday, Jun 17 – Aug 8

Mr. Hirsch's Tie Collection

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Eclectic tie collection

Ohlone College Newark Campus

39399 Cherry St., Newark

(510) 742-2300

www.ohlone.edu/library

 

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

www.ohlone.edu/noncredit

 

Thursdays, Jun 20 – Sep 19

Fatherhood Class

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Relationship, parenting, management, job search skills

Fremont Family Resource Center, Pacific Room #H800

39155 Liberty St. (at Capitol), Fremont

(888) 308-1767

www.r3academy.org/fremont

 

Fridays – Sundays, Jun 21 – Jul 27

As We See It

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Mixed media and sculpture

Sun Gallery

1015 E St., Hayward

(510) 581-4050

www.sungallery.org

 

Wednesdays, Jun 26 – Aug 14

Chess Club

3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Chess instruction for kids going into grades 2-6

Irvington Library

41825 Greenpark Dr., Fremont

(510) 795-2626

www.aclibrary.org

 

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

www.aclibrary.org

 

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.

Pastel and oil landscape paintings by Mary K. Stahl

Portola Art Gallery-Allied Arts Guild

75 Arbor Rd., Menlo Park

(650) 321-0220

www.portolaartgallerycom

 

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

 

Tuesdays & Thursdays, Jul 2 – Aug 1

Summer Track Meets

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesdays: ages 11 and under. Thursdays: ages 12 and up

Chabot College Track

25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward

(510) 723-6600

 

Saturday – Sunday, Jul 6 – Aug 31

Nature Crafts

10 a.m. – Noon

Discover the natural world through your artistic side

Sunol Regional Wilderness

1895 Geary Rd., Sunol

(510) 544-3249

www.ebparks.org

 

Saturdays-Sundays, Jul 6 – Aug 31

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

 

Sundays, Jul 7 – Aug 25

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

 

Fridays & Saturdays, Jul 12 – Jul 27

Phantom of the Opera

Fri – Sat: 8 p.m. Sun 7/21: 2:30 p.m. Thurs 7/25: 8 p.m.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic masterpiece

Jackson Theater, Smith Center at Ohlone College

43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont

(510) 659-6031

https://tix6.centerstageticketing.com/sites/ohlone6/

 

Friday – Sunday, Jul 12 – Jul 27

“Desert in Bloom” and “Travels to Asia” Photo Exhibit

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Collection by Patra Nesseth-Steffes and David Steffes

Sun Gallery

1015 E St., Hayward

(510) 581-4050

www.sungallery.org

 

Monday – Friday, Jul 15 – Aug 23

A Visual Journey

Mon – Thurs: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Artwork by Vinay Kumar Verma and Neel Kamal Verma

Phantom Art Gallery at Milpitas Community Center

457 E. Calveras Blvd., Milpitas

(408) 586-3409

http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/milpitas/departments/recreation-services/cultural-arts-theater/phantom-art-gallery/

 

Friday – Saturday, Jul 19 – Jul 27

Newsies, The Broadway Musical $

Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m., Sat. 2:30 p.m.

Award winning Disney musical

Center Stage Performing Arts

457 E Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas

(408) 707-7158

www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov

 

Friday – Sunday, Jul 19 – Aug 11

Born Yesterday $

Fri – Sat: 8 p.m. Sun: 6 p.m.

Classic Broadway comedy. (No show July 21)

Chanticleers Theatre

3683 Quail Ave., Castro Valley

(510) 733-5483

www.chanticleers.org

 

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Jul 20 – Aug 4

Newsies, The Broadway Musical $

Fri – Sat: 7:30 p.m. Sun: 2:30 p.m.

Award winning Disney musical, produced by Star Struck Theatre

Dublin Center for Performing Arts

8151 Village Prkwy., Dublin

(510) 659-1319

www.StarStruckTheatre.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

https://madeuptheatre.com/

 

Saturday nights

8 p.m.

Audience-inspired improv play

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St, Suite B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

https://madeuptheatre.com/

 

 

THIS WEEK:

 

Wednesday, Jul 24

Luau, Lunch, & Ukelele Music R

12 noon

Enjoy a little bit of aloha

Newark Senior Center

7401 Enterprise Dr., Newark

(510) 578-4840

www.newark.org

 

Wednesday, Jul 24

Tenants Educational Seminar

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

New rent stabilization and tenant protection ordinance

Hayward City Hall, Rm 2A

777 B St., Hayward

(510) 208-0410

evelyn.olivera@hayward-ca.gov

 

Thursday, Jul 25 – Sunday, Jul 28

Holy Ghost Festa

Thurs: 7 p.m. Fri: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sun: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Celebration of Portuguese faith and culture

Newark Pavilion

6430 Thornton Ave., Newark

(510) 793-5683

(408) 438-0914

http://newarkpavillion.com/

 

Thursday, Jul 25

Summer Concert Series

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Joel The Band – Billy Joel Tribute

Lake Elizabeth Central Park

1100 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

(510) 793-5683

www.fremont.gov/concerts

 

Thursday, Jul 25

Women's Health Series: Breast Cancer Awareness

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Reduce your risk of breast cancer

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

(510) 745-1421

www.aclibrary.org

 

Thursday, Jul 25

State of the City R

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Address from Mayor Carol-Dutra Vernaci

Ruggieri Senior Center

33997 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City

(510) 675-5495

https://2019ucstateofthecity.eventbrite.com

 

Thursday, Jul 25

Community Meeting

Learn about potential redevelopment of the Mission San Jose Town Center area

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-4729

http://www.fremont.gov/3267/Mission-San-Jose-Commercial-Study

 

Friday, Jul 26

Latino Business Roundtable

8:30 a.m.

New police chief at CSU East Bay Mark Flores talks

St. Rose Hospital

27200 Calaroga Ave., Hayward

(510) 264-4044

www.hayward.org

 

Friday, Jul 26

Broncho Billy Film Festival: Group Tour $R

1 p.m.

Walking tour of silent film locations

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

pr@nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Friday, Jul 26

Broncho Billy Film Festival: Opening Reception

6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Snacks and refreshments

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Friday, Jul 26

Broncho Billy Film Festival $

7:30 p.m.

“This Is Francis X. Bushman”, “The Charge of the Gauchos”

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Friday, Jul 26 – Sunday, Jul 28

Fremont Friends of the Library Book Sale

Fri. 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sun 12 noon – 3 p.m.

Fri: members only, Sat: $1 per inch, Sun: $5 per bag

Fremont Main Library, Fukaya Room A

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

(510) 574-2063

(510) 494-1103

 

Friday, Jul 26

Movies Under the Stars: How to Train Your Dragon

Sunset

Bring a blanket, low chairs and picnic dinner

Central Park Lake Elizabeth

40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont

(510) 494-4300

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Farming for Climate Change

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Learn about climate change while growing vegetables

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Wake Up the Farm

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Help prepare a snack for the sheep and goats

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Cart of Curiosities

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Cart filled with wonders of cultural and natural history

Coyote Hills

8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

www.ebparks.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Learn how to make ice cream the old-fashioned way

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Night of the Moth

8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Our first-ever moth bioblitz for National Moth Week

Coyote Hills

8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont

(510) 544-3220

www.ebparks.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Harry Potter Celebration

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Storytime at 11, Activities from 12-2

Books on B

1014 B St., Hayward

(510) 538-3943

www.booksonb.com

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Harry Potter Escape Room R

1 p.m.

Escape from Hogwarts! Groups of 8. Advanced registration required

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

www.aclibrary.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Reptile Rally

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises

Sulphur Creek Nature Center

1801 D. St., Hayward

(510) 881-6747

www.haywardrec.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Feast for the Beasts $

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Spread food for select zoo animals, go inside exhibits

Oakland Zoo

9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland

(510) 632-9525

www.oaklandzoo.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Paint with a Ranger R

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

All skill levels welcome. Ages 7 & up

Alviso Environmental Education Center

1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso

(408) 262-5513

https://paintranger.eventbrite.com

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Fox Stories: Indicators that Fox are in Your Area R

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Walk and gain insights into fox behavior

SF Bay Wildlife Refuge – Don Edwards

1 Marshlands Rd., Fremont

(510) 792-0222

http://donedwardsfox.eventbrite.com

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Washington Township Country Club Plaque Dedication

1 p.m.

Plaque unveiling, refreshments

St. Christina Orthodox Church

3721 Parish Ave., Fremont

(510) 739-0908

alminard@comcast.net

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Milpitas Preschool Resource Fair

9 a.m. – 12 noon

Learn about different kindergarten/preschool options

San Jose City College Milpitas Extension

1450 Escuela Pkwy., Milpitas

www.mceefoundation.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Broncho Billy Film Festival: Walking Tour of Niles $R

11 a.m.

Walking tour of silent film locations

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

pr@nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Broncho Billy Film Festival: Free Screenings

11 a.m.

“Broncho Billy and the Bandits Secret,” “Window to the Past”

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Broncho Billy Film Festival: Presentation

1 p.m.

Salute to Cinematographers

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Broncho Billy Film Festival $

3:30 p.m.

“Ten Nights in a Barroom,” “A Ranchman's Rival,” “The Cowboy Coward,” “Alkali Ike's Pants,” “From the Submerged”

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Broncho Billy Film Festival $

7:30 p.m.

“Red Signals,” “The Train Wreckers,” “The Broken Brake”

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Saturday, Jul 27

Keep Hayward Clean & Green R

8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Community beautification event on money-saving programs

Matt Jimenez Community Center

28200 Ruus Rd., Hayward

(510) 887-0400

(510) 881-7745

 

Saturday, Jul 27 – Sunday, Jul 28

Fremont Coin Club Show

Sat: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Free appraisals, gold coin drawing

Elks Lodge

38991 Farwell Dr., Fremont

(510) 793-5683

(510) 366-1365

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Roving Ranger: Riparian Ruminations

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Moderate 3.5-mile hike in Hayward Hills. Meet at Red Barn. 12+

Garin Regional Park

1320 Garin Ave., Hayward

(510) 582-2206

(510) 544-3220

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Groovy Judy

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Free concert, Judy sings her heart out

RSI Fremont

3900 Newpark Mall Rd. Ste 203, Newark

www.groovyjudy.com

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Farm Chores for Kids

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Crack corn, feed animals, help with morning chores

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Puppet Show

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Farmyard puppets perform the story of Little Red Hen

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Wheat Harvesting

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Gather grain, thresh it, mill it into stoneground flour

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Play with Dough

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Shape a pretzel and bake it in a woodburning stove

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Serenadin' Strummers & Aloha Connexion

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Ukulele music and hula dancing

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

www.aclibrary.org

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Chabot College Football Reunion

2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Ex-players, coaches and colleagues

Shannon Community Event Center

11600 Shannon Ave., Dublin

www.chabotfootballreunion62-78.com

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Broncho Billy Film Festival: Train Ride $

11 a.m.

Travel through the canyon

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.ncry.org

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Broncho Billy Film Festival: They Rode Out of the Silent Film

11 a.m.

Presentation on cowboys who made transition to “talkies”

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Broncho Billy Film Festival: 16mm Survivors $

1:15 p.m.

The role of collectors in finding lost films

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Sunday, Jul 28

Broncho Billy Film Festival $

3:45 p.m.

“Lorraine of the Lions”

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

 

Sunday, Jul 28

American Legion Picnic

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For friends and family of veterans

Castro Valley Veterans Memorial

3683 Quail Ave, Castro Valley

(510) 690-5959

 

Monday, Jul 29 – Friday, Aug 2

Teen Police Academy R

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Overview of local police operations

San Leandro Police Department

901 East 14th St, San Leandro

(510) 577-2740

 

Monday, Jul 29 & Wednesday, Jul 31

Summer $1 Movie $

10 a.m.

Sherlock Gnomes

Century 20 Great Mall

1010 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas

(408) 263-1351

 

Monday, Jul 29 & Thursday, Aug 1

Summer $1 Movie $

10:15 a.m.

Sherlock Gnomes

Century 25 Movie Theatre

32100 Union Landing, Union City

(510) 487-9347

 

Monday, Jul 29

Milpitas Rotary Club Meeting

12 noon – 1:30 p.m.

Ed Riffle speaks on U.S. Constitution and American History

Dave and Busters

940 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas

(408) 957-9215

http://www.clubrunner.ca/milpitas

 

Tuesday, Jul 30

Summer Concert Series

6:30 p.m.

Patron Latin Rhythms

Murphy Park

1645 Yellowstone Ave, Milpitas

(408) 586-3210

www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov

 

Tuesday, Jul 30

Sizzling Summer Pool Tournament R

10 a.m.

Beginner and advanced brackets. Register by 7/26

Kenneth C. Aitken Center

17800 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley

(510) 881-6738

www.haywardrec.org

 

Wednesday, Jul 31

Wednesday Night Bat Watch

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Learn how EBRPD is studying these mammals

Sunol Regional Wilderness

1895 Geary Rd., Sunol

(510) 544-3249

www.ebparks.org

 

Wednesday, Jul 31

Summer $1 Movie $

9 a.m.

Sherlock Gnomes

Century Theater Hayward

1069 B St, Hayward

 

Wednesday, Jul 31

Landlord's Educational Seminar

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

New rent stabilization and tenant protection ordinance

Hayward City Hall, Rm 2A

777 B St., Hayward

(510) 208-0410

evelyn.olivera@hayward-ca.gov

 

Wednesday, Jul 31

Yelp Workshop R

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Senator Bob Wieckowski and Assemblymember Bill Quirk

Hayward City Hall

777 B St., Hayward

(510) 208-0410

(510) 794-3900

 

Thursday, Aug 1

Introduction to Painting R

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Free art class

Manor Branch Library

1241 Manor Dr., San Leandro

(510) 577-7964

(510) 577-3971

 

 

Richard Meyer: From Darkness, Joyful Sounds Are Born

Submitted by Jenny Lin Foundation

 

Childhood is the time to explore life, to learn and to grow. For Jenny Lin, however, this time was brutally cut short when she was fatally stabbed in her own home in Castro Valley on May 27, 1994, two days after her fourteenth birthday. This murder marked the darkest day of the lives of her family and of the community, and made us wonder if joyful sounds would be heard ever again…

 

Following the loss of Jenny, her family and friends established a namesake organization with a mission to promote child safety. Jenny Lin Foundation has sponsored many events and projects that embraced Jenny’s passion in music and friendship. Every summer the Foundation organizes a Youth Music Program offered free-of-charge to band, orchestra and choral musicians across the Bay Area. Over the years, thousands of school-aged musicians have benefited from this six-week program through musical opportunities, fellowship, leadership training, and scholarships.

 

At the 25th Anniversary Concert this year, Richard Meyer’s heartfelt work From Darkness, Joyful Sounds Are Born—composed for and dedicated to Jenny Lin Foundation—will make its debut. Meyer is a highly sought-after music educator, guest conductor, clinician, and author. A nationally-recognized composer based in Southern California, he has made plans to visit Castro Valley to meet with our musicians who will be performing his recent composition! At the evening rehearsal on Monday, July 15, Meyer conducted a workshop with the Orchestra musicians to help them achieve an authentic rendition of his emotional piece.

 

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Cheryl Jennings, the free concert on Saturday, July 27 features the world premiere of Meyer’s From Darkness, Joyful Sounds Are Born, which is all about overcoming hardships. To deliver the audience from darkness and sorrow, everyone in attendance is invited to join in producing joyful sounds of clapping, stomping and singing to share in the joy and hope that eventually emerge after suffering. This uplifting experience is expected to help the community find solace in Jenny’s legacy, and stay hopeful that justice will be served before long as law enforcement authorities continue their relentless efforts in bringing closure to Jenny’s case.

 

Jenny Lin Foundation Concert

Saturday, Jul 27

6:30 p.m.

Reed L. Buffington Performing Arts Center

Chabot College

25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward

(510) 537-7366

jennylinfoundation.org

 

 

Lights for Liberty Vigil

Submitted by Toni Shellen

 

On July 12, more than 80 members of the Tri-City community gathered near Fremont's Unity Circle to stand up for refugees and asylum seekers, and to oppose the United States’ inhumane treatment of them at detention camps. People are especially outraged over the callous and negligent treatment of children. The local event was organized in response to a call for mass mobilization by “Lights for Liberty,” a coalition dedicated to human rights. The vigil was one of more than 788 Lights for Liberty national and worldwide events.

 

Speakers included Reverend Jo Green from Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Church, who reminded us, “That to throw open our doors for those in need is what it truly means to be American.” Reverend Jeff Spencer from Niles Discovery Church and president of Tri-City Interfaith Council, emphasized, “Although we probably don't all agree on what our immigration policy should look like, we all agree that everyone should be treated humanely.”

Photos in 1 new Sharon

 

 

Plaque to commemorate Country Club of Washington Township

Submitted by Al Minard

Photos by Al Minard and Robert Fisher

 

The Washington Township Historical Society was founded over 60 years ago. Part of its mission is to recognize historic sites with plaques. This summer and early fall, three Tri-City area locations will be recognized. The first of these new markers will honor the Country Club of Washington Township building in Centerville, an important part of the historical fabric of Fremont. The building is now occupied by St. Christina of Tyre Orthodox Church.

 

Formation of the Women’s Country Club of Washington Township on December 10, 1896 was the result of a merger between two existing women’s clubs. Later changed to Country Club of Washington Township, its stated purpose was to secure the advantages of unity and mutual helpfulness, to gain vigor of reason, to widen intellectual and moral vision and increase capacity to discern social justice.

 

Historical papers prepared by club members led to publication of The History of Washington Township in 1904. That same year, members decided to build a clubhouse near the center of the township. They raised funds and bought a lot for about $650 on Parish Avenue in 1913. Cornerstone ceremonies were celebrated April 7, 1914, and the first meeting was held there on July 6, 1914. The building was constructed by Lewis and Silva at a cost of $2,239.50 plus $60.20 for extras. The loan was paid off and mortgage burning ceremonies were held in 1919.

 

The club has been involved in many efforts to benefit the community. They sponsored the first local health clinic and worked to found the area’s first health center, which later became Washington Hospital. They began advocating for kindergarten in 1915 and were the first to push for a Parent Teacher Association. The building was used by the Women’s Club and other organizations as well as for weddings and other celebrations.

 

Unfortunately, over the years, the cost of maintenance became too great for the organization, so the building was sold to a neighbor who later re-sold it to St. Christina of Tyre Orthodox Church. However, the spirit of the club lives on. The Women’s Club is part of a national organization of women’s clubs and is still meeting and continuing with their mission.

 

Dedication of the plaque will be held Saturday, July 27. The public is invited to attend this ceremony and recognize the good works of the Country Club of Washington Township Women’s Club and Washington Township Historical Society.

 

Country Club of Washington Township dedication ceremony

Saturday, Jul 27

1 p.m.

St. Christina of Tyre Orthodox Church

3721 Parish Avenue, Fremont

www.museumoflocalhistory.org

alminard@comcast.net

 

 

Milpitas Police Log

Submitted by Lt. Frank Morales

 

Thursday, July 18

• At about 11:31 p.m. officers responded to a report about an assault with a deadly weapon on the 1600 block of E. Calaveras Boulevard. The suspect, identified by police as Titans Quang Ho, 49, of Milpitas had reportedly swung a kitchen knife at a woman. She was able to avoid being cut, but sustained minor injuries from falling while eluding Ho. As Ho fled, he reportedly brandished the knife at nearby bystanders before shutting himself inside his apartment on N. Temple Drive. Officers ordered Ho to come out and surrender, but he did not, prompting a call to the police Hostage Negotiation Team and SWAT team. After a four-hour standoff, SWAT officers entered the apartment and arrested Ho without incident. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

 

 

Mission San Jose commercial strategy study

Submitted by City of Fremont

 

In June 2018, the Fremont City Council directed city staff to study the Mission San Jose Town Center to determine the potential for commercial success in the area – with special emphasis on retail, restaurants, entertainment options, and mixed use developments that include housing – and to develop strategies to support it accordingly. The Mission San Jose Town Center is a commercial district near Washington Boulevard and Mission Boulevard, anchored by the historic Mission San Jose church and museum.

 

The city has concluded the study, and the council reviewed and accepted the final report for the study in May 2019. Key strategies include focusing revitalization efforts on a smaller “primary commercial area” within the town center; enhancing the identity of the area through marketing, events, and signage; incorporating a leasing/merchandising plan for property owners and commercial tenants; and improving the public realm.

 

City staff encourages the public to attend a community meeting on Thursday, July 25 where the staff will outline the findings in detail. The study report and the council report are available at Fremont.gov/MissionSanJoseStudy. For more information, call Wayne Morris, deputy community development director at (510) 494-4729.

 

Community Meeting

Thursday, Jul 25

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Olive Hyde Center

123 Washington Blvd, Fremont

(510) 494-4729

Fremont.gov/MissionSanJoseStudy

 

 

Plan to Improve the Naturalization Test

Submitted by Sharon Rummery

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising the current naturalization test with improvements to ensure the test continues to serve as an accurate measure of a naturalization applicant’s civics knowledge and that it reflects best practices in adult education assessments. The goal is to create a meaningful, uniform, and efficient test that will assess applicants’ knowledge and understanding of U.S. history, government and values.

 

This spring, the former USCIS director signed the Revision of the Naturalization Civics Test Memorandum. This memorandum announces the revision of the naturalization test and formalizes a decennial revision schedule of the naturalization test based on adult education best practices.

 

“Granting U. S. citizenship is the highest honor our nation bestows,” said USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli. “Updating, maintaining, and improving a test that is current and relevant is our responsibility as an agency in order to help potential new citizens fully understand the meaning of U.S. citizenship and the values that unite all Americans.”

 

In December 2018, USCIS formed a naturalization test revision working group with members from across the agency. The working group has been reviewing and updating the naturalization test questions. The working group will also assess potential changes to the speaking portion of the test. USCIS is soliciting the input of experts in the field of adult education to ensure that this process is fair and transparent. After careful analysis of the pilot, and thorough officer training, USCIS will set an implementation date in December 2020 or early 2021. For more information on USCIS, visit www.uscis.gov.

 

 

Proposed Housing Navigation Center Workshop

Submitted by City of Fremont

 

The City of Fremont will host two community workshops regarding the proposed Housing Navigation Center. Workshops are open to the public and will be held on Wednesday, August 14 and Saturday, August 24. The workshop will not have a formal presentation. Staff will be available to answer questions, discuss the city’s initiative to address homelessness, and receive community feedback. The information will be presented to the city council in September and it’s anticipated that a final site will be selected. For more information about Fremont’s housing navigation center visit, http://fremont.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1587.

 

Navigation Center Community Workshop

Wednesday, Aug 14

4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Fremont City Hall

3300 Capitol Ave, Fremont

 

Saturday, Aug 24

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Front of the Centerville Library

3801 Nicolet Ave, Fremont

 

http://fremont.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1587

 

 

Needs, Wants, Concerns

 

“Students First” is the slogan that Ohlone College often advertises. All around the campus, in the main building, posters on the sidewalks – everywhere; Ohlone projects this idea that it recognizes students first. However, due to recent events, ASOC believes this slogan to be a shameless and hypocritical presentation by a college whose actions are clearly counter to that principle.

 

The Associated Students of Ohlone College (ASOC) is currently trying to reveal that the college is actually not supporting its students. In the ASOC constitution, Article 6: Source of Power allows the college President, Dr. Gari Browning, to ignore any voting decisions of ASOC or clubs at her own discretion, for any reason.

 

In the past, the college president used Article 6 to forbid ASOC from endorsing a letter by the students of Ohlone requesting transportation between the two Ohlone campuses. This was despite a survey showing that students were largely in favor of the plan and a student petition. The college eventually relented and created a shuttle system between campuses but to this day, omits the fact that this was the result of student outcry, and they actively tried to stop it.

 

In a different use of Article 6, ASOC voted that minimum GPA and unit requirements to become a member of the ASOC should not be changed. ASOC realized that changing eligibility requirements would affect student representation. “Since this hasn’t even been a problem in the past, why bring this change – a change that in no way benefits Ohlone students?” asked one concerned Senator. Despite this, Dr. Browning ignored the students’ vote.

 

Secretary, Tanzim Amin, was unable to send out minutes of ASOC’s meetings because the college banned ASOC from posting them to the college website, possibly forcing ASOC to be in violation of the Brown Act. In an attempt to prevent future meetings of a quorum of ASOC elected members to discuss these happenings, Ohlone College also banned ASOC from reserving any room on campus to hold meetings. This collective attempt to gag the student’s voice to communicate to the board, violates student’s 9+1 rights by preventing future meetings on campus, and erasing any indication of student discontent from official records.

 

It has become extremely apparent that the college president is abusing her power and preventing students from exercising free speech. Therefore, ASOC has demanded that the Board of Trustees remove this clause from the constitution. On July 10th, ASOC responded with an active protest at the Ohlone College Board of Trustees meeting. ASOC then launched a change.org and video describing their situation and asking the public to sign a letter of support to the Ohlone Board of Trustees.

 

Public officials, other college student governments, clubs, local businesses and, as of July 13th, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (representing all 114 community colleges) have supported ASOC. We are now seeking community support to ensure free speech and student autonomy at Ohlone.

 

ASOC President Talha Tariq

asocohlone@gmail.com

 

 

Exuberant ‘Newsies’ seizes the spotlight

By Julie Grabowski

Photos by Mark & Tracy Photography

 

On July 20, 1899, New York City newsboys launched a strike to fight the cost increase to their daily batch of newspapers imposed by Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, and other publishing giants. Louis “Kid Blink” Ballatt united orphan and runaway workers and led a two-week long battle against the corrupt establishment, standing against injustice and exploitation and making their voices heard.

 

One hundred and twenty years later, StarStruck Theatre brings the historic story to vibrant life, their production of “Newsies” opening appropriately on Saturday, July 20. The musical is based on the 1992 Disney movie by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White, and opened on Broadway in 2012 featuring music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Its timeless David versus Goliath story with themes of struggle, poverty, friendship, love, and taking a stand for what is right earned 23 major theatrical nominations during its Broadway run, winning Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Score and Choreography.

 

“Newsies” is a perfect package of exciting song and dance, and director Lori Stokes and her creative team expertly orchestrate a rousing and jubilant production that is an absolute joy to watch. The live orchestra unleashes powerful, punchy music under the skilled direction of Nancy Godfrey, and set designer Stephen C. Wathen creates a wonderful sense of place with moveable stairs and scaffolding and news-related elements.

 

Family ties also mark this production as Courtney Stokes is aboard as assistant director, and former StarStruck leading lady Juliane Godfrey, who made her Broadway debut and served as dance captain in the musical “SpongeBob SquarePants” in 2017, returns to her roots to take the role of choreographer. Godfrey first saw “Newsies” when it premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey in 2011 and thought it was an incredible story of children’s voices and speaking up for what you believe in. She later worked with “Newsies” Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli on “SpongeBob.” While she admits the StarStruck job offer was daunting, Godfrey was grateful for the opportunity and knew she had to give it a shot. “It means the world to me,” she said.

 

The cast is a delightful, robust troupe that gives their all; it is impossible not to be lifted by their energy. Diego China wears the role of charismatic leader Jack Kelly as easily as the cap on his head, carrying the story with tremendous heart, fun, and fire.

 

Niko Le is warm and engaging as Davey and adeptly moves through his character’s progression from reticent new newsboy to inspirational leader. Russell Lym as Davey’s brother Les adds cute factor, and Gabriel Lew as Crutchie brings spirit, and has a nice tender moment in “Letter from the Refuge.”

 

Mehaa Mekala brings confident and poised girl power as Katherine and leaves an indelible mark among the boys. She is terrifically fun and relatable in the wonderful number “Watch What Happens,” and pairs perfectly with China to form a fun and feisty couple with natural rapport.

 

A strong female presence is also created by Maya Hoyt, who struts her stuff as theater chanteuse Medda Larkin and delivers a great performance in “That’s Rich.” Roman Severtson impressively embodies Joseph Pulitzer’s authority and distain, and while all of the newsies have their own delightful quips, Roeen Nooran’s Race jumps to the forefront with his delightful gibes and personality.

 

Every minute of “Newsies” is a treat, but a few standout numbers rise to the top including “The World Will Know,” “Seize the Day,” and “Once and For All.” The finest number of the night is arguably “King of New York,” in which Godfrey employs tap shoes and spoons to tremendous effect.

 

With its sassy verbal sparring, energetic music and dance, spirit of brotherhood and standing against the odds, StarStruck’s “Newsies” is an invigorating night of theater that should have everyone seizing tickets.

 

Newsies

Saturday, Jul 20 – Sunday, Aug 4

Friday & Saturday: 7:30 p.m.

Sunday: 2:30 p.m.

Dublin Center for Performing Arts & Education

8151 Village Pkwy, Dublin

• 659-1319

https://starstrucktheatre.org

Tickets: $28 – $32

 

 

Real Estate Notebook

Numbers, Numbers, and Numbers

By David Stark, Bay East Association of REALTORS®

 

The three most important things in real estate may be numbers, numbers, and numbers. Specifically, number of homes for sale, number of dollars a buyer will pay, and number of days the home has been on the market. That first number, number of homes for sale, grew during the first half of 2019 in most of the communities along the 880-corridor. The increase wasn’t just due to the seasonal nature of real estate; there were more homes on the market during that period than compared with the same period last year.

 

Nancie Allen, 2019 President of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®, explained what the growing number of homes for sale means to buyers. “You can be more particular and a little more careful with your offer. You may not have deal with the multiple offers like we had six months ago.”

 

On the other side of the transaction, Allen observed, “Sellers need to remember they are selling their home today and look at what is happening in today’s market, not going back to last year and what their neighbor may have sold their house for. Know that with more inventory buyers have more choices so you should expect to get what your home is worth today.”

 

The next number, sales price, is typically where all parties want to start. Allen explained the number of homes for sale will directly influence this number. “When you have more inventory, pricing for a seller becomes so much more critical, they need to find that sweet spot where buyers are still going to be jumping on your property, so it doesn’t linger on the market.”

 

While sales prices throughout the region are still at historically high levels, Allen said that the real estate markets are responding to buyer behavior. “A factor in prices coming down is that Buyers are hitting their affordability price points. If prices didn’t come down there were going to be fewer and fewer buyers who could afford to buy anything.”

 

Buyers and sellers need to track a final important number, how many days a home has been on the market. Allen said, “If a house continues to linger on the market, buyers begin to wonder what’s wrong with it, they start assuming it’s over-priced because it didn’t sell right away; they are still used to homes selling within the first week or two.”

 

“We are seeing houses stay on the market longer because sellers are still remembering last year and clinging to those prices. They need to be listening to their agent who knows their market,” Allen said.

 

Allen explained that both buyers and sellers can’t just focus on price. They need to consider the number of comparable homes for sale, and how long they have been on the market. “It doesn’t matter if there are 30 homes on the market, if they are all over-priced and only one home is priced correctly, that home will sell while the others will probably sit.”

 

 

Reptile Rally

Submitted by Hayward Parks & Recreation

 

Reptiles: Resilient, remarkable, and resplendent from the tip of their noses to the end of their tails. On Saturday, July 27 the Bay Area Herpetological Society and Bay Area Turtle and Tortoise Rescue will be sharing their amazing array of reptiles at Sulphur Creek Nature Center. Come face to face with creatures that have endured the test of time, are scaly, and love to bask in the sun. Bring the family and slither into an exciting day of learning about snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises. Bring a picnic and enjoy getting back into nature.

 

Reptile Rally

Saturday, Jul 27

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sulphur Creek Nature Center

1801 D St., Hayward

(510) 881-6747

www.haywardrec.org/129/Nature—Sulphur-Creek-Nature-Center

 

 

Feeling hungry? Join a restaurant walk

Submitted by Ann and Joe Farias

 

Castro Valley Breakfast Lions Club members are gearing up for their annual “Restaurant Walk” to raise funds to support community programs in Castro Valley and Hayward. The popular walk is set for Tuesday, August 20. Participating restaurants include:

 

• Don Jose’s
• Shari’s
• Mr. Pickles
• Aroma
• Lime Leaf Thai
• Loard’s
• Rigatoni’s
• Starbuck’s
• Knudsen’s
• Chipotle

 

The two-hour event starts at 6 p.m. in downtown Castro Valley. For a $20 donation per person, participants can sample food from various restaurants and visiting merchants as they stroll through the Castro Valley central retail area along Castro Valley Boulevard and visit the Castro Village Shopping Center.

 

Because of the popularity of the event, tickets should be purchased in advance by calling Joe Farias at (510) 581-2897 or by visiting The Cobblers shoe repair at 22443 Foothill Blvd., Hayward or the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce at 3160 Castro Valley Blvd., No. 224, Castro Valley.

 

Castro Valley Breakfast Lions Restaurant Walk

Tuesday, Aug. 20

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Downtown Castro Valley

Castro Valley Boulevard

Info/tickets: Joe Farias (510) 581-2897

Ticket donation: $20

 

 

Rowell Ranch celebrates national Day of The Cowboy

Submitted by Allison Batteate

Photos by Phil Doyle and Betsy Kingsbury

 

On June 7, 2012, the California Senate voted to recognize the third Saturday in July as National Day of the Cowboy. California became the second state in history, (Wyoming is the first) to establish the Cowboy Day in perpetuity; a day to celebrate cowboy culture and pioneer heritage.

 

Rowell Ranch Rodeo, a non-profit organization will host a free “Cowboy Education Day” to honor the American Cowboy, on Saturday, July 27 (National Day of the Cowboy). Participants will learn about cowboy culture and western heritage, and watch demonstrations of saddle making, horse shoeing, and Chuck Wagon Dutch oven cooking. The arena will feature dog and horse demonstrations.

 

The celebration continues on Sunday, July 28 at 8 a.m. when Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo will host the Third Annual Western States Ranch Rodeo Association-sanctioned free “Rowell Ranch Day of the Cowboy Ranch Rodeo.” Competition will include tasks like those performed every day on the ranch such as Calf Branding, Team Roping, Yearling Doctoring, Line Sorting, and Trailer Loading. Contestants include local ranchers, as well as cowboys, and cowgirls from throughout California and Oregon—all competing for a spot in the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association Finals in Winnemucca, Nevada. (Food available for purchase)

 

The Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo non-profit association was formed in 1977 to preserve the historic community rodeo begun by local rancher and businessman Harry Rowell almost 100 years ago.  Proceeds from the annual rodeo and related events provide much needed funding to many local charitable organizations including, Special Olympics, Tough Enough to Wear Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Program, 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Hayward Rotary, Castro Valley Breakfast Lions Club.

 

 

Cowboy Education Day

Saturday, Jul 27

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

(925) 455-5755

RGCAllison @yahoo.com

Registration Alert: If you do not register, we cannot guarantee free lunch and gift.

 

Rowell Ranch Day of the Cowboy Ranch Rodeo

Sunday, Jul 28

8 a.m.

(925) 413-9502

BatteateLivestock@hotmail.com

 

Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park

9711 Dublin Canyon Rd., Castro Valley

www.rowellranchrodeo.com

 

 

San Leandro Police Log

Submitted by San Leandro PD

 

Tuesday, July 16

• Officers investigating a report of an evening road rage incident where a silver pistol was reportedly brandished spotted three men in a car at the San Leandro Marina and stopped to investigate. Inside the car were silver and black pistols along with cold, open cans of beer on the front passenger floorboard. The weapons turned out to be Big Sauer 226 and 1911 model replica pistols. The men and the replica weapons were taken into custody.

 

 

San Leandro City Council

July 15, 2019

 

Recognitions:

• Recognition of the Employee of the Quarter, George Garcia, Supervising Engineering Inspector, Engineering & Transportation Department

 

Public Comments:

• A resident expressed concern over the Shoreline Project
• Residents thanked the Alameda County Fire Department for their swift response to a fire on East 14th Street and Georgia Way on June 21

 

Presentations:

• Presentation by the Alameda County Fire Department on recent fire responses

 

Public Hearings:

• Resolutions to impose liens for non-payment of delinquent 2019 business license tax, solid waste service charges, certified unified program agency fees, code compliance administrative penalties and charges, and sidewalk repairs. Item passed 7-0
• Resolution approving a tentative tract map for a 44,789 square foot mixed-use development with 26 residential units and commercial space located at 269 Parrott St. Item passed 6-0 (Recusal; Ballew)
• Resolution to amend the City of San Leandro administrative code to adjust sewer service rates. Item passed 7-0

 

Consent Calendar:

• Resolution to execute an agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc. for $300,000 for inspection services on the police building and south offices modification project
• Resolution to approve an agreement with Lee & Ro, Inc. for Measure B/BB funded street rehabilitation work in an amount not to exceed $314,844
• Resolution to approve an agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc. for inspection services for the

annual street overlay/rehabilitation 2017-18

• Resolution to authorize an agreement with Matrix HG, Inc. for pool boiler replacement at the San Leandro Family Aquatic Center (Washington Manor Park) in the amount of $66,296
• Resolution approving an agreement with Aaron Welch Planning to prepare zoning code amendments to the Bay Fair Transit development plan for an amount not to exceed $70,000
• Resolution to approve an amendment to an agreement with TRB+Associates for plan check services (increase the contract by $38,000 for an amount not to exceed $306,000)
• Motion to approve proposal to pre-pay CalPERS annual required contribution

Calendar passed 7-0

 

Items Removed from Consent Calendar:

• Resolution to approve an agreement with Krueger International, Inc. for procurement and installation of furniture in the amount of $211,928 for the police building and south office modifications project. Councilmember Hernandez suggested sit/stand options. Item passed 7-0
• Resolution to increase the amount of compensation by $104,640 to Glass Architects for the Farrelly Pool replacement project (for a total not to exceed $417,767) in order to achieve LEED Certification. Councilmember Hernandez questioned the value of a LEED certification. Item passed 6-1 (Nay; Ballew)
• Resolution to reject all current bids for the Farrelly Pool replacement project. Staff clarified that only one valid bid was received so the plan is to open it up again for more bids. Item passed 7-0
• Resolution to approve an agreement with Ojo Technology to upgrade eleven traffic observation cameras and implement a video management system in an amount not to exceed $77,256.18; and

resolution to approve an agreement with Columbia Electric, Inc. to install eleven traffic observation cameras in an amount not to exceed $56,000 (with contract amendments up to 15%). Item passed 7-0

• Motion accepting the City of San Leandro memorandum of internal control and required communications for the year-ended June 30, 2018. Item passed 7-0

 

Action Items:

• Resolution to execute an agreement with Mildred Howard for the purchase and installation of a work of art in front of the San Leandro Main Library for an amount not to exceed $135,000 Council debated if the library is an appropriate site, concerned about access to art for impoverished youth. Art Council plans to commission several more pieces of art as part of their master plan, will look at other sites outside the downtown area. Item passed 7-0
• Resolution designating the voting delegate and alternate(s) for the League of California Cities 2019 annual conference. Councilmember Lee will be the voting delegate, Vice Mayor Lopez will be the alternate. Item passed 7-0

 

City Council Reports:

• Mayor Cutter attended Mayor’s Conference
• Mayor Cutter attended ACTC meeting where they discussed the budget
• Councilmember Lee attended NISD Global Cities Team Challenge
• Councilmember Cox also reported on Global Cities Team Challenge
• Councilmember Aguilar attended the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement meeting on July 10. There have been no reports of West Nile Virus

 

City Council Calendar and Announcements:

• Mayor Cutter will have a meeting with Nancy Skinner on July 16
• Councilmember Ballew reported that Top Hatter restaurant received a good review recently in the SF Chronicle
• Councilmember Lee announced the next meeting of Airport Noise Forum will be on July 17 at the Oakland Port Offices
• Councilmember Hernandez mentioned his concern regarding transportation demand management when approving new developments

 

Council Requests to Schedule Agenda Items:

• Councilmember Lee requested a report from the IT Tech Department regarding cyber attacks. Item passed 7-0
• Councilmember Lee requested that annual reports be presented to council from boards and commissions, to be discussed at the Rules Committee. Item passed 4-3 (Nay; Cutter, Aguilar, Ballew)
• Councilmember Hernandez requested an analysis of LEED Certification policy, to be discussed at the Facility Committee. Item passed 7-0

 

Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter                           Aye, 1 Nay

Vice Mayor Corina N. Lopez                         Aye

Victor Aguilar, Jr.                                           Aye, 1 Nay

Ed Hernandez                                                 Aye

Benny Lee                                                       Aye

Deborah Cox                                                   Aye

Pete Ballew                                                     Aye, 2 Nay, 1 Recusal

 

 

County of Santa Clara welcomes all immigrants

Submitted by Laurel Anderson

 

The County of Santa Clara is committed to providing high quality services to all residents, regardless of immigration status, and stands by its commitment to not cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). All immigrants are welcome in Santa Clara County, and the Trump Administration’s latest move for ICE raids goes against the county’s values.

 

“In light of the threat of federal immigration raids we reaffirm our commitment to providing legal assistance to all who need it and due process to every person residing on Santa Clara County soil,” said Supervisor Dave Cortese, District 3.

 

The Office of Immigrant Relations urges all residents to reach out if they have encounters with ICE. The county has invested more than $500,000 into the Rapid Response Network (RRN), a hotline to report ICE activity and provide 24/7 help in real time. Residents should call the RRN hotline at (408) 290-1144 if they see ICE in their neighborhoods, if ICE knocks on their door, or if a loved one has been detained.

 

“We believe in protecting all our residents, regardless of whether or not they have proper documentation,” said Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, District 4. “There are currently more than 10 million people living in the U.S. without proper documentation. More than 130,000 of those people live in Santa Clara County. The vast majority are employed, pay taxes, educate their children, and are engaging in constructive, beneficial ways in our community. They are an asset to the county, to their employers, and to their families.”

 

The County of Santa Clara has invested over $5.5 million to fund education campaigns and services for immigrants in our community. The county has compiled a list of legal resources, Know Your Rights, and family preparedness materials; these resources can be found at sccoir.org. The Know Your Rights booklet illustrates the difference between a valid and invalid warrant.

 

“These raids are part of a larger campaign to cause fear in our communities, but we aren’t going to let that happen,” said Deputy County Executive David Campos. “We want people to feel prepared and empowered.” To create an emergency plan, visit wehaverights.us and download the preparedness form.

 

 

Summer Book Sale

Submitted by Myrla Raymundo

 

The Friends of the Union City Library will host a “Summer Book Sale” on Saturday, August 3. The sale includes children’s books, CDs, DVDs, and collectible books in good condition at bargain prices. All book sales proceeds help support the Union City Library programming.

 

Through fundraising and active volunteer participation, the Friends of the Union City Library helps in providing different programs in the library, lending political support to the library and encouraging greater communication between the library and the community. For more information, call Myrla Raymundo, President of Friends of the Union City Library, at (510) 378-6376 or visit https://events.aclibrary.org/event/5567567?hs=a.

 

Summer Book Sale

Saturday, Aug 3

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Union City Library

34007 Alvarado Niles Rd, Union City

(510) 378-6376

https://events.aclibrary.org/event/5567567?hs=a

 

 

Movies Under the Stars

Submitted by City of Fremont

 

Visit Central Park’s Performance Pavilion just after sunset on Fridays, July 26 and August 16, to enjoy Summer Movies in the Park. The City of Fremont’s Recreation Services Division will be playing How to Train Your Dragon on July 26 and Dumbo on August 16. Admission is free, so grab some blankets, low beach chairs, and a picnic dinner to enjoy two films with your family. For more information, call (510) 494-4300 or visit http://www.fremont.gov/MovieNight.

 

Summer Movies in the Park

Friday, Jul 26

How to Train Your Dragon

Friday, Aug 16

Dumbo

Central Park’s Performance Pavilion

40204 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont

(510) 494-4300

http://www.fremont.gov/MovieNight

 

 

Summer track meets at Chabot College

Submitted by Mike Exton

 

Chabot College is hosting FREE youth (age 11 and under) track & field meets every Tuesday evening – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – during the month of July.

 

Also, every Thursday evening – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – during the month of July and August 1st, Chabot College is hosting track & field meets for older youths (12 years and older) and adults of all ages. There is an entry fee of $5 for Thursday track & field meets.

 

Chabot College

25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward
(510) 723-6600

 

 

Fremont teachers receive donations from nationwide eatery

Submitted by SONIC Drive-in

 

During May, SONIC Drive-in restaurants recognized incredible teachers and the contributions they make to education as a part of its Limeades for Learning initiative in partnership with nonprofit partner, DonorChoose.org. With the goal of helping teachers obtain much-needed classroom supplies and learning resources, SONIC launched a donation match in honor of Teacher Appreciation Month and gave five teachers in Fremont $904.

 

In total, SONIC donated $1.2 million matching donations made to SONIC Teacher projects. As a result, SONIC rewarded five entrepreneurial teacher-lead projects at three schools in the Fremont community, including:

 

• Bruce & Antoinette Schlobohm at Ardenwood Elementary School for the project, “Wearing a Button is a “Badge of Honor!”
• Bruce & Antoinette Schlobohm at Ardenwood Elementary School for the project, “Just Add Students: STEM in Action with Snap Circuits”
• Stephanie Ynzunza at Brookvale Elementary School for the project, “Let's Find Out!”
• Alicia Norling at Harvey Green Elementary School for the project, “Help Get Rid of the Glitch!”
• Alicia Norling at Harvey Green Elementary School for the project, “Out with the Old, In with the New!”

 

“SONIC fans who love teachers responded incredibly during Teacher Appreciation Month and we were delighted to support 3,937 teachers and their students across the country,” said Christi Woodworth, vice president of public relations for SONIC.

 

While Teacher Appreciation Month is celebrated in May, SONIC supports teachers year-round. Visit www.LimeadesforLearning.com for updates on contributions, future donation matches, how to get involved and explore public school teacher projects in the Fremont community in need of support. Teachers can become SONIC Teachers and submit projects through nonprofit partner DonorsChoose.org for a chance to receive funding.

For more information, visit SonicDriveIn.com and InspireBrands.com.

 

 

California takes a stand against ticket scalping scheme

Submitted by Tomasa Duenas

 

A bill introduced by Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) to prevent ticket scalpers from purchasing large quantities of tickets and reselling them at inflated prices, sometimes up to 30 times the ticket’s face value, has been signed into law.

 

A 2018 investigative report revealed that representatives from Ticketmaster marketed its ticket resales platform, TradeDesk, directly to ticket scalpers at a conference in Las Vegas. TradeDesk representatives purposely highlighted the capability of the platform to circumvent state limits on the amount of tickets that can be sold before additional consumer protections kick in.

 

“Services like TradeDesk can help circumvent California consumer protection laws and take advantage of consumers,” said Quirk. “It is wrong when companies allow scalpers to drive up the cost of tickets in their pursuit of increasing the resale volume through their services.”

 

AB 1032, approved by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on July 12, expands existing penalties on using software to circumvent protections on bulk purchases of tickets. Current statute primarily targets third-party bots used to scan webpages hundreds of times a minute. With AB 1032, these protections will include software or services offered by the primary ticket seller, such as Ticketmaster.

 

While Ticketmaster did not take a position on the bill, they did inform Quirk that they do not support the use of their software to bypass consumer protection laws and provided a technical demonstration of the TradeDesk service.

 

“It shouldn’t matter if scalpers are using custom-made bots or using sophisticated services like TradeDesk,” continued Quirk. “There is no reason consumers should pay hundreds of dollars over face value for concerts or musicals just because they are competing against software for a limited amount of tickets. I’m glad Governor Newsom agreed with my logic and signed this measure into law.” The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

 

 

Union City Police Log

Submitted by Lt. Matias Pardo, Union City PD

 

Tuesday, July 16

• Shortly after 4:32 a.m. officers responded to a report about a vehicle collision between an AC Transit bus and a car at the intersection of Alvarado-Niles and Decoto roads. The drivers of both vehicles and three passengers aboard the bus who complained of pain were taken to a hospital. The number 2 eastbound lane of Alvarado-Niles Road had to be temporarily closed to allow the bus to be towed away. Personnel from the Alameda County Fire Department also responded to assist at the scene. The cause of the collision is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Stan Rodrigues at 1 (510) 675-5221.

 

 

Plan to build 1st small US nuke reactors in Idaho advances

By Keith Ridler

Associated Press

 

BOISE, Idaho (AP), Jul 18 – A plan to build the nation's first small modular nuclear reactors to produce commercial power is a step closer to being realized.

 

A Utah-based energy cooperative said Wednesday that it has sales contracts for enough carbon-free power to begin a license application process with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build the reactors in eastern Idaho.

 

Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems already has agreements with the U.S. Department of Energy to build the reactors at the federal agency's 890-square-mile (2,300-square-kilometer) site that includes the Idaho National Laboratory.

 

A small modular nuclear reactor can produce about 60 megawatts of energy, or enough to power more than 50,000 homes. The proposed project includes 12 small modular reactors.

 

The energy cooperative said it has carbon-free contracts for more than 150 megawatts. Its goal is to begin construction on the reactors in 2023, with the first reactor starting up in 2026.

 

Specifically, the energy cooperative is embarked on a plan called the Carbon Free Power Project that aims to supply carbon-free energy to its nearly 50 members, mostly municipalities, in six Western states. It says 34 members have now signed on, pushing it past 150 megawatts and triggering work on the license application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

 

The company said the carbon-free plan is in response to new technologies and regulations targeting fossil fuels.

 

Last year, it reached an agreement with the Energy Department that would use one of the reactors for research and development, and another for power needed by the Idaho National Laboratory, considered the nation's primary federal nuclear research lab. Scientists at the lab will have access to one of the modular reactors for experiments.

 

Licensing from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the reactors, being built by an Oregon company called NuScale Power, and an environmental analysis of the high desert site where they will be built are needed before construction can start.

 

The small modular reactors will usher “in a new generation of smaller, safer, more flexible, less expensive, carbon-free nuclear energy,” the energy cooperative said in a news release.

 

The modular reactors are also part of a much larger federal plan to replace current reactors, many of them decades old, with more efficient and safer reactors. U.S. officials say nuclear power helps reduce carbon emissions from coal and natural gas, a cause of global warming.

 

About 20% of the nation's energy comes from nuclear power.