8-11-20 Articles

Business Pulse Check – Aenlivon Pet Care
By Madhvika Singh
Photos Courtesy of Aenlivon Pet Care

Social distancing, shelter-in-place and quarantine used to be things we rarely heard of, and only in extreme emergencies, but now they seem to have become the norm. They have affected our social fabric and our livelihoods and have severely impacted the financial wellbeing of our local businesses and their employees. We at Tri-City Voice have featured many local businesses over time, and we reached out to some of them to share their perspective on how they have been affected and how they are coping with the new reality of COVID-19.

This is part of an ongoing series with a new business or businesses featured each week, including both those that have appeared in the paper before and those who are appearing for the first time.

Dr. Geethanjali Hegde, owner of Aenlivon Pet Care, has been providing veterinary house call services in the Tri-City area for over a decade. Established in 2010, the business offers pet health care for owners in the comfort of their home. Dr. Hegde graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 and cleared her California state board exam in 2002. She practiced as Associate Veterinarian in animal hospitals in the Bay Area for seven years prior to launching Aenlivon Pet Care.

Dr. Hegde has been a pet lover for as long as she can remember. Love for animals and taking care of them came naturally to her growing up on her father’s farm in India. It became her passion and after she finished high school, she attended veterinary college in India. “I am also the first female veterinarian from the Havyaka community originally from Bangalore in India,” she shared. There were relatively few women in the profession back then. “But the statistics are changing,” she added. She found her compassion and caring nature were more suited to domestic pet care as opposed to farm animals raised for large-scale production.

Dr. Hegde cares deeply about the wellbeing of her four legged clients and goes above and beyond to help them stay healthy. In her current practice she cares for many different species including dogs, cats, and pocket pets. Services offered include preventive care, treatment for medical conditions, and end of life care. Everything is done at the owner’s place. “In addition to house calls, before the COVID-19 related shutdowns, I used to provide services at offices as well,” shared Dr. Hegde.

“Some of the most common preventive services include wellness exams and vaccinations. Nutritional deficiencies, seasonal allergies, and food allergies also affect pets, but can be controlled and remedied with the right care by pet owners,” shared Dr. Hegde. In addition to medications, she can also recommend modifications to diet and lifestyle, including avoiding plants, grass, and sunlight if your pet is sensitive to them. “We see a variety of medical conditions ranging from skin diseases, allergies, ear infection, tooth problems to cancers,” added Dr. Hegde.

Since animals, like babies, cannot speak for themselves, they will give cues when they are feeling under the weather. They might not be as active, will seek more affection, sleep more, have difficulty resting or just not being their usual self. Some breeds are more prone and predisposed to certain health issues as well.

One of the hardest things for owners to deal with is when the time comes to let a pet go. Owners who have had pets for any length of time, develop a strong emotional bond, and the pet becomes family, making it hard to say goodbye. Dr. Hegde provides services to relieve pain and suffering when the time comes for pets to transition. “It is the hardest part of the job, but we try to provide as much comfort as possible for the pets and their owners by offering hospice care and pet loss services in the home,” shared Dr. Hegde.

Post COVID-19 shutdown, Dr. Hegde has made some modifications to her service in order to continue providing care for the pets at their homes. She is continuing to make house calls, but does evaluations and examinations either in front of the owner’s house or in the garage with mask and gloves on, following recommendations and protocols for social distancing. “We also provide telemedicine services for follow-up appointments,” shared Dr. Hegde. To make it even more convenient for her clients, she offers medication drop-off services to client’s homes. Another service available through Aenlivon Pet Care is pet food recommendation and ordering.

Like with many others, the shutdown has had a negative effect on her business. The fear of contracting COVID-19 is causing some pet owners to avoid new appointments and some are canceling existing ones. On the other hand, the shutdown has helped the pets. “With the owners around and at home a lot more, the pets are happier and stress free,” shared Dr. Hegde.

Although her business has taken a hit, on the personal front, Dr. Hegde is looking at the positives. With less traffic and reduced commute, she is enjoying the extra time with her family. With a supportive husband and loving daughters, she feels truly blessed and grateful. She is currently indulging in cross-stitch, learning to play ukulele and spending a lot more time with her own cat. The Hegde family also took this time to make some improvements to their home by adding a rock garden and a fountain in their front-yard.

We at TCV wish the very best for Aenlivon Pet Care and hope more pet owners will be able to benefit from the excellent care Dr. Hegde provides.

Dr. Geethanjali Hegde
Aenlivon Pet Care
(510) 386-2003
drhegde@aenlivonpetcare.com
http://www.aenlivonpetcare.com

Through the business pulse series our intent at TCV is to lend a platform to local businesses share their stories. In these trying times let's hope we can develop a shared bond and come out at the other end stronger as a community to deal with challenges that future might have in store for us.

Air travel expected to not recover before 2024
By David Mchugh
Associated Press

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP), Jul 28 – Global air travel is recovering more slowly than expected and will take until 2024 to return to pre-pandemic levels, the trade association for the airline industry said Tuesday.

The International Air Transport Association pushed back its prediction by one year due to the slow containment of the outbreak in the U.S. and developing countries.

The industry is seeing a rebound from the depths of the shutdowns in April, but the bad news is that any increase “is barely visible,” IATA chief economist Brian Pearce said Tuesday during an online briefing for journalists.

Pearce said that air travel is not rebounding along with rising levels of business confidence in Europe, the U.S. and China. Traffic was down 86.5% in June from the same month a year ago, compared with a drop of 94.1% in April, measured as revenue passenger kilometers, or the distance travelled by all revenue-generating passengers.

That improvement is “nowhere near the increase in business confidence,” Pearce said. China is bouncing back more than some other places, while an upturn in the U.S. has been knocked back by the recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases in several states.

Besides renewed outbreaks, travel is also being held back by weak consumer confidence and constrained travel budgets at companies that are struggling.

Despite parking many of their planes, airlines are struggling to fill seats with enough people to make money. Planes were only 62.9% full on domestic flights around the world, well below levels at which airlines make money, and an abysmal 38.9% for international travel.

The U.S. is seeing more coronavirus cases after some states moved to lift restrictions on public life and business. The summer vacation season in Europe has seen more people move around and a rise in cases in Germany, which had earlier done better than many other countries in mitigating the outbreak.

The head of the Robert Koch Institute there expressed concern over the rise in cases. Germany issued a travel warning for three regions in Spain and the U.K. has imposed a 14-day quarantine for travelers returning from Spain, a popular holiday destination.

Local 5th grader raises awareness for Alzheimer’s
By Fatema Bhaiji
Photos courtesy of Michelle Higa and @Iwalkformytutu Facebook page

When Joshua was only in first grade, his grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Now, as a fifth grader at Prince of Peace school in Fremont, ten-year-old Joshua has started his own Walk to End Alzheimer’s team, “Spread a Little Aloha”, to fundraise for the Alzheimer’s Association, this year on October 24. Tutu is the shortened Hawaiian word for grandparent; Joshua spent more than half of his life on the island. Although born in the Bay Area, Joshua’s culture has influenced things like his Hawaiian-themed team name and Facebook page.

Speaking on the change he has seen in his Tutu over the past four years, Joshua says, “It didn’t seem like a big deal… over time, it started to get worse and it made me sad, seeing him like that.” He turned this unfortunate circumstance into a positive opportunity. Since June of 2020, he has been posting stories and videos to his Facebook page @Iwalkformytutu, sharing good and bad days with themes such as “Music Monday,” “Teaching Tuesday,” and “Thankful Thursday.”

Because of Alameda County’s COVID-19 restrictions, Walk to End Alzheimer’s will not be held in the usual big crowd. According to Brittany Enos-Harrit, senior manager for Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association has modified the original plan of a walk in a group of 3,000, to individuals walking in their own neighborhoods with those within their social bubble.

At walks before the COVID-19 era, participants wore promise flowers with a specific color to show the participant’s connection to the cause. Joshua and Michelle, his mother, would have a yellow one because they are currently caregiving for an Alzheimer’s patient. Blue is for those living with the diagnosis, purple for those who have lost someone to Alzheimer’s, and orange for those who don’t have a connection but have still come out to support the cause.

Enos-Harrit says that usually “everybody carries those beautiful flowers in the wind” when walking, but once registered for the altered version, they will instead receive a set of mini flags with the Alzheimer’s Association’s logo in hopes of raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia, two diseases that some mistake for just old age. “Everybody that drives and walks by is learning about who and what we are doing,” Enos-Harrit says. This event may even generate more awareness due to being spread across several locations.

Those who wish to register for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s can register as an individual, gather their own team, or join Joshua’s team. Not having even entered middle school yet, Joshua has changed many people’s lives by volunteering and walking for many years. He encourages people to participate, no matter their age or relationship to the disease because he believes they can make a difference. As Joshua posts his story on his Facebook page, he renews hope for the future.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Saturday, Oct 24
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Individual Neighborhoods
http://act.alz.org
Joshua’s Team ID: 632089
Registration: Free

Chevrolet Bolt EV: Still Fine in its Fourth Year
By Steve Schaefer

An automotive writer normally tests a car for a week. For the Chevrolet Bolt EV, I can provide five days of recent experience plus three years of personal history. The bottom line? The 2020 Bolt EV is almost the same as the 2017 model that I leased, with a few important differences. Bolt was remarkably well thought out and executed at its debut.

Bolt EV was the first affordable all-electric vehicle with decent range. In 2017, in California if you bought the car, you could take $10,000 off with federal and state credits. Teslas cost significantly more, and the Model 3 was not out yet. Other choices included Nissan LEAF, with under 100 miles of range; and VW e-Golf with 124. Bolt EV’s range boasted an impressive 238 miles.

The 2020 Bolt now is rated at 259 miles of range, thanks to improved battery chemistry, which bumped capacity from 60 to 66 kWh in the same footprint. My test Bolt EV wore low-key slate gray metallic paint—there seems to be a demand now for colors that mimic a filing cabinet. It is new for 2020. The newer Bolts have a handy sliding sunvisor, too, but otherwise, the interior looked identical to my ’17, other than color.

Bolt is a tall hatchback, not an SUV, so it is not exactly today’s hot design. It may look small, but it has midsize room inside, with tall chairs up front and plenty of rear legroom. The car is relatively narrow, so four adults will be comfortable but three-across seating in back works best for children.

The Bolt is a hatchback and easily drops its rear seats flat to make room for a huge load of cargo. I carried a bass and amplifier in mine. A hard panel at the rear creates a level load floor or drops into the cargo area for taller items. The car comes with a dainty cloth cargo cover for when the seatbacks are up.

Bolt provides a firm ride and vigorous acceleration. Its 200-horsepower motor produces up to 266 lb.-ft. of torque, good for a near-silent 0-60 run in just 6.5 seconds. You can set the car’s one-speed automatic transmission for light energy regeneration or higher regeneration, which adds more energy to the battery. Higher regeneration lets you do “one pedal driving,” using the accelerator to move forward when you press down and to slow down—even to a complete stop—by lifting your foot. Strong regen feels a little like downshifting in a manual-equipped car.

The Bolt has most of the modern safety and internal conveniences. Use Apple CarPlay app to verbally send and receive texts while driving (with help from Siri.) The 10.2-inch center screen is bright and clearly laid out. You can scroll through and see how you are saving energy. Redundant audio controls on the steering wheel make it easy to pick music selections and control volume.

Some people don’t like Bolt’s firm, narrow seats, but the ones in the test car felt a little more comfortable than mine. My Premier level tester had leather chairs, which I have heard are more comfortable than the cloth ones in the LT, but spend some time in them yourself to be sure they will work for you.

The Bolt EV remains very much what it was designed to be and offers a solution to EV motoring for most people. It is not the hottest product on the market, now, and choices from more manufacturers are here and coming. Prices have remained about the same, and by now, GM has ironed out any issues. A new Bolt-based crossover is coming in a year or so.

The Bolt EV is base-priced at $37,495 for the LT. The Premier, with extra comfort and conveniences such as leather seats, polished alloy wheels, a video rear view mirror, and roof rails, comes to $41,020. My tester had $1,840 worth of options, including $750 for the fast-charge plug (should be standard equipment), and totaled $43,735.

The rebates are fading, but there are some great deals now. I saw an online offer of an $8,500 cash allowance or (for well-qualified buyers) zero percent APR for 72 Months. Lease rates on an LT start at only $199/month for three years.

If you don’t know the Bolt EV, try it before signing a deal on an EV. It’s fun, spacious, seemingly well-made, and if you have a European sensibility and like hatchbacks, it’s perfect.

I had virtually no service needs during my three-year lease. One battery issue was fixed free on warranty (including a free loaner), and all I did was rotate the tires and change the cabin air filter. And I never went to a gas station.

BART Police Log
Submitted by Les Mensinger and BART PD

Saturday, August 1
• At 6:14 a.m. a man identified by police as Eric Hamilton, 47, of San Leandro was arrested at Hayward station on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine for sale; a record check also showed he had a $50,000 no bail warrant. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 6:14 a.m. a woman identified by police as Kate Marks, 33, of Hayward was arrested near Hayward station on an outstanding $5,000 no bail warrant and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

• At 4:44 p.m. a man identified by police as Gregory Piere, 49, of San Francisco was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of public intoxication; a record check showed he had an outstanding $25,000 warrant. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Sunday, August 2
• 7:33 p.m. a man identified by police as Elliot Schwenk, 27, of Oakland was arrested at Bay Fair station in San Leandro on suspicion of taking a vehicle without permission and receiving stolen property. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Thursday, August 6
At 9:46 a.m. a transient identified by police as Hung Giang was arrested at Hayward station on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia and methamphetamines and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Pauline Weaver to serve as American Bar Association secretary
Submitted by Jennifer Kildee

Pauline A. Weaver, founder of the law firm by the same name in Fremont, has become the secretary of the American Bar Association (ABA). As secretary, Weaver will take office for a three-year term as one of five officers on the ABA’s Board of Governors.

Weaver has spent her legal career of nearly 40 years dedicated to working with indigent clients in the criminal law system. After passing the State Bar of California in 1980, she became a public defender in Alameda County and worked there until 2011. She then opened her own firm, concentrating on criminal defense with a large pro bono practice.

Outside the ABA, Weaver has been a longtime health and human services advocate. She has been honored for her work by being named a “Woman of Achievement” by Alameda County and was 1988 “Woman of the Year” in the 19th Assembly District. Weaver earned her law degree and bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis in Tennessee.

Are you academy material?
Submitted by Alameda County

Alameda County officials are encouraging residents to become involved in their local community. And one of the best ways they can do that is by joining the Citizens Academy.

The annual program is designed to educate participants on county programs and services, promote engagement with elected officials and county staff members, build leadership/networking skills and help solve community problems. Interactive presentations by county leaders provide insight into the inner workings of Alameda County government.

Participation in the Citizens Academy is open to adults, 18 and older, who live, work or own a business in Alameda County. Because of COVID-19 concerns, this year’s academy meetings will be held online. Meetings will be 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, September 23 through October 28. Space is limited to 60 participants and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Consideration is given to applicants who live in various geographic locations to ensure representation throughout Alameda County. Participation is free.

Applications are being accepted through September 3. To apply, or to learn more about the Citizens Academy, go to www.acgov.org/academies/citizens/.

Alameda County Citizens Academy
Wednesdays, Sep 23 – Oct 28
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. (online)
Limited to 60 participants
Apply online: www.acgov.org/academies/citizens/

Bowling center closure marks end of era
By Rob Klindt
Photos by Rob Klindt and courtesy of Cloverleaf Family Bowl

Cloverleaf Family Bowl, a longtime fixture on the entertainment scene in Fremont, is no more. The owners recently announced the 60-year-old center will not reopen after being forced to temporarily close in mid-March because of COVID-19.

In a Facebook video posted July 24, co-owner Mike Hillman said the expense of rent, payroll, insurance and other costs, without any income, became too much. “I must share the tragic news that Cloverleaf Family Bowl will not be reopening for business.”

“Losing Cloverleaf now, suddenly and without warning, has been a devastating loss for our Fremont family,” said David Bonaccorsi, a local attorney and former Fremont City Councilmember. “During shelter-in-place, we never had a chance to support one another in saying thank you or goodbye. Mike Hillman and I attended Washington High School together. Our high school classmates who moved away — when learning of the news — lamented that Cloverleaf Family Bowl was their last childhood connection to Fremont.”

The family-owned business on Grimmer Boulevard in the Irvington district was purchased by David and Marian Hillman in in 1963. Almost immediately, they expanded the center from 20 to 32 lanes, expanded again to an impressive 44 lanes in 1974. Over the years, the Hillmans – including sons Allan, Don and Rick – worked hard to build the center into a successful business and valued community resource. “Cloverleaf has been a pillar of the community and maintained a reputation that bowling centers across the nation try to mirror,” said Mike Hillman’s daughter, Brittany Hillman Kritzer.

A new generation
Ownership eventually expanded to include Jim Chambers, whose family started coming to Cloverleaf as league bowlers in the late 1960s. The then-teenager quickly became a fixture and started running errands for Allan Hillman. Over time he did every job and moved up the management ladder.

Eventually, the elder Hillmans provided Chambers with business ownership shares, which increased in the early 2000s as the business passed to new generations. Chambers became majority owner and provided Mike Hillman, son of Allan and grandson to David and Marian, with a secondary ownership share. “Jim is eight years older than me; he was always like a big brother to me, taught me and looked out for me,” Hillman said.

Pros, tournaments and philanthropy
Among the many pro bowlers who rolled through the doors over the years are Leanne Hulsenberg, Tony Reyes, Wendy Macpherson, Lynda Norry Barnes and brothers Michael and Darren Teng. Each played in local tournaments. In the case of Hulsenberg, the Fremont native got her start learning to bowl at Cloverleaf.

“We didn’t host any Professional Bowlers Association events or the ladies’ professional events here, but we hosted plenty of our own tournaments,” Hillman explained, adding that local tournaments were very popular. Cloverleaf was regularly home to Special Olympics, Make-a-Wish, ARC field trips, and numerous senior leagues and tournaments.

After Marian Hillman died in 1996, the family decided to honor her memory by starting the Hillman Memorial Scholarship Fund to help young people earn scholarships through bowling. “I chose to do a youth-adult event with scholarship money for the kids,” Hillman explained, adding that over the years the scholarship awarded more than $700,000. The annual event, usually held over Memorial Day weekend, often attracted up to 600 participants. Unfortunately, the event had to be canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fun times and friends
Walter Freitas first bowled at Cloverleaf as a teenager in the late 1960s and continued in scratch bowling and leagues for the next 15 years. He fondly remembers going with his scratch team to Hawaii in 1971. “Don Hillman took about 10 of us; he was our chaperone,” Freitas recalled, adding that he still has the bowling bags they were given.

Now living in Concord, Freitas said he often thinks of his days in Fremont and at Cloverleaf. “What I really miss is home and being with friends and how nice it was that (Cloverleaf) was my home away from home. I had a lot of friends there that I bowled with, but I think Jim Chambers was the best.”

Newark resident Steve Marinucci also bowled at Cloverleaf for many years. “My favorite memory would be winning a league. It didn't happen often, but I think I won a couple,” he said. He also saw bowling world celebrities there: “Wayne Webb was one. I think Earl Anthony was there, too. I really liked meeting him.”

Challenges and community support
About two years ago, Cloverleaf, which leases its building, was hit with a major challenge when William Lyon Homes submitted a development plan to the city that included demolition of the Cloverleaf building and the adjacent Fremont Center shopping area to make way for a new mixed-use retail and housing project. Cloverleaf insisted on staying until its lease expired in 2023. Word spread quickly and big political guns came to Cloverleaf’s aid.

When he was on the Fremont City Council in 2018, Bonaccorsi, along with Councilmember Raj Salwan, helped to lead an effort to place Cloverleaf Family Bowl on the Fremont Historic Register as a landmark. They cited the Cloverleaf building’s unusual Googie architectural style influenced by mid-20th century space age culture. “Even though Cloverleaf had a few years left on its lease, there was hope for a win-win solution to save the bowling center for future Fremont generations to enjoy,” recalled Bonaccorsi.

Scores of community members jumped aboard and expressed their support at the City Council meeting. “They said it was the biggest crowd they had ever had,” recalled Hillman. While the building was added to the Historic Register, it’s unclear if the developer is required to save it. However, the business would have been able to stay at least until the lease expired.

But the toughest and most unexpected challenge turned out to be the COVID-19 pandemic. What Hillman and Chambers initially hoped would be a two-week closure in March, turned into four months. During that time, they cleaned and updated the center for its eventual reopening. But by July, with no firm reopening date on the horizon, they were forced to stop updates and discharge most of their 45 employees. Then, Mike Hillman posted an emotional video and letter on the Cloverleaf Facebook page informing the community that Cloverleaf would not reopen.

Mike Hillman looks back fondly on his 57 years at the center. “People come here to have a good time and laugh and play and I would literally – no exaggeration — sit there and almost close my eyes and just hear fun. You hear the laughter, you hear the cheering, you hear the groans. You just hear people really enjoying what they’re doing with their friends or family.”

According to daughter Brittany Hillman Kritzer, her father has played a major role in the business’s success. “He is very modest and doesn’t realize the impact that he has on peoples’ lives. His passion and work ethic are second to none. A couple adjectives that describe my dad are tenacious, perfectionist, and selfless.”

Finally, Bonaccorsi summed it up best: “Thank you Cloverleaf Family Bowl for the joy, the memories and the community togetherness you brought Fremont for more than 60 years.”
Donations needed for new Housing Navigation Center
Submitted by City of Fremont

Fremont’s temporary Housing Navigation Center is on track to open later this summer near City Hall in central Fremont. As final preparations are being made, there are still some items from their wish list that are needed:

• Twin comforters
• Twin sheet sets
• Standard pillows
• Bath sized towels for showers

All items need to be machine washable and brand new, in original packaging or with original tags. For more information about the center or to arrange a no contact drop off donation, send an email to Paula at pmanczuk-hannay@fremont.gov.

Park It
By Ned MacKay

Peregrine falcon nesting season is over, so the Castle Rock formations within Mount Diablo State Park and overlooking Pine Creek in Diablo Foothills Regional Park have reopened.

The rocks are closed to the public annually between February 1 and July 31 to allow for undisturbed nesting by the birds. Although the rocks are located within the state park, visitors usually access them from the regional park. The two agencies partner to protect the birds.

Peregrine falcons are amazing. About the size of crows, they prey mostly on smaller birds, but also mammals such as rodents and bats. A peregrine can dive at more than 200 miles per hour, making it the fastest animal in the world. The peregrine falcon is no longer on the federal endangered species list, but in California it is still a fully protected species under the state’s Fish & Game Code.

Staci Hobbet, part of an all-volunteer natural history education team in Diablo Foothills Regional Park, reports that there were two nesting pairs of peregrines in the rocks this year for the first time we know of. However, neither pair ever settled into incubation, so no chicks hatched. The birds may have distracted each other, as peregrines are very territorial in their behavior.

Let’s hope these beautiful birds produce some offspring next season. Meanwhile, if you climb up into the rocks during the time the area is open, please be careful and respectful of wildlife. The trails are steep, rocky, and not maintained.

Last time I mentioned that Lafayette Reservoir, an East Bay Municipal Utility District lake in Lafayette, is a good place to take children for a bicycle ride. It is, but I have since learned that there are some restrictions.

Bicyclists and people on roller skates, roller blades, and scooters are allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon until closing and on Sundays from opening until 11 a.m. on the paved Lakeside Trail and roads.

So, I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused new visitors. For more information on the reservoir’s rules and regulations, visit www.ebmud.com. Click on “Recreation” at the top of the home page, then click again on “Lafayette Reservoir.”

It’s official. President Donald Trump has signed the Great American Outdoors Act, the bipartisan legislation that guarantees $900 million annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund for parkland purchase and maintenance nationwide. The fund has been around many years, supported by revenues from offshore oil drilling. But its funds have often been diverted to other uses. The new law requires the full $900 million to be spent every year on parks.

As I’ve often mentioned, your go-to website for information about the regional parks is www.ebparks.org. Most of the regional park trails are open, and brochures with maps are generally available at trailhead information panels. However, you can also download maps from the website, and I advise doing that before visiting a park. Go to “Parks and Trails” or “Activities” at the top of the home page.

When you are in the parks, for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone should wear a mask and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from those not in your household. Dogs are always supposed to be on leash, except at Pt. Isabel. Most toilets at trailheads are open but not always the ones in park interiors. Since drinking fountains have been turned off, please bring your own water. And it is helpful to pack out your trash as well.

District staff is working hard to keep the parks open and safe for much needed outdoor recreation. Everyone’s cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Editorial
Ready, Set…

Candidates for the November General Election have submitted their filing paperwork and are now breathing a sigh of relief if unopposed or preparing for the unique experience of vying for elected office during a raging pandemic. Similar to a 100-yard dash, the contest is somewhat brief – less than three months, but most of the work toward victory is in hours of behind-the-scenes preparation. Laying the groundwork for a campaign is invisible to most of the electorate, but apparent when candidates try to differentiate themselves and address pressing issues.

Rising above local candidates and issues is concern about the election process itself. Many states are anticipating that a sizeable percentage of the electorate will cast absentee votes – mail, drop box, early voting, etc. Although this may present challenges for some states, many, including California, have seen a steady increase of votes cast in this manner with few complaints. This may delay definitive results, but when poll locations and workers may be curtailed due to budgetary and health concerns, it is a small price to pay for enhanced voter participation and safety.

The 2020 General Election is a critical juncture of our political system. Participation will be determinative in either affirming our commitment to a free, democratic society, representing the will of the governed, or descent into an apathetic, selfish and autocratic morass. This is the ultimate “use it or lose it” scenario; a referendum on government for and by the people.

As the final day of the election calendar draws closer and closer, campaign rhetoric will increase, reaching a crescendo in October and the first few days of November. Early voting and ballot completion prior to November 3rd necessitate candidate appeals that begin now and will escalate in quantity and volume in short order. During this time of trial and tribulation, it is especially important for voters to seriously search for clear understanding of the issues and follow logical decisions rather than emotional and irrational choices. The best guide to a better future is an understanding and appreciation of past behavior and decisions; candidates and proponents that rely on slogans rather than solutions should be suspect. Our vote is a trust, a valuable commodity that should not be gained nor discarded easily.

In each election, we, the people, are asked to either approve and renew confidence in behavior and actions that benefit our common good or move in a different direction. New leadership and petitions for propositions and measures are indicators of necessary corrective action that sets an example for the future. As part of the election process, Tri-City Voice will continue to offer information and context to aid voter decisions. Instead of advocating for or against particular candidates, measures and propositions, we will continue to present candidate statements as well as pro and con arguments to our readers.

As soon as candidate filings have been confirmed, TCV staff will begin to solicit statements from all candidates for inclusion in a special October election edition. Candidates are not charged a fee for this service.

The contest field is prepared and contestants are in a ready and set stance. Are you ready as well?

New hires boost police services in Fremont
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD

Officials from the Fremont Police Department are welcoming six new members to their team. Officer Stange has four years of prior law enforcement and recently came aboard as a lateral police officer. Officer Lara recently graduated from the police academy and will soon begin the field training program.

Meanwhile, Recruit Officers Figueroa and Paganini recently began attending a 28-week intensive police academy. Finally, Erin Crinklaw and Thien Nguyen were both hired as 911 Communications Dispatchers.

Fremont Fire Department Log
Submitted by Fremont Fire Department

Monday, August 3
• At 1:19 p.m. firefighters responded to a working fire in a two-story detached garage/shop in a home on the 100 block of Mill Creek Road. The resident initially reported the shop contained explosives, but it was later determined that oxygen and acetylene bottles used for welding were stored inside. The one-alarm fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes. Four adults and two cats safely exited the home before firefighters arrived. There were no injuries.

Fremont Police Log
Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD

Sunday, August 2
• A neighbor in the 48800 block of Judie Way reported seeing a person enter a garage and steal a bicycle. He and his son followed and directed arriving officers to the suspect. A man, identified by police as Dennis Aquino, 40, a transient from Fremont, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and taken to Santa Rita Jail.

Monday, August 3
• At 4:42 p.m. a Fremont resident posted a video on the Ring Neighbors app of an unknown person stealing a bicycle off her front porch earlier in the day. The video was shared with the Fremont Police Department where the suspect was immediately recognized from an earlier encounter with the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MET). They knew the male suspect was staying at a local shelter where MET members collected the bicycle and took it to the police warehouse for safekeeping. Detectives contacted the victim who went to the police department and positively identified the bicycle, which was released to her.

• At about 10:00 p.m. officers were dispatched to Grand Lake Drive on a report of a male lying on the ground after being attacked by two people. The victim walked home before officers arrived and later was taken to a trauma center for treatment for a head injury, then released. Officers detained two juveniles near the crime scene and issued a Notice to Appear citation on suspicion of robbery. Detectives from the Crimes Against Persons unit is following up on the case.

Tuesday, August 4
• At 10:54 a.m. a caller reported that two males were attempting to open his front door on Tanager Drive and had cut off his lock box. The caller confronted the suspects and they fled. The first suspect was described as a while male in his mid 20s, about 5-feet-10-inches tall, weighing about 190 pounds and wearing a white T-shirt and black mask. The second suspect was an adult male of unknown race.

• A jewelry store operator reported that someone broke the front window of the store on the 37000 block of Niles Boulevard sometime between 4:00 p.m. on August 4 and 8:30 a.m. on August 5. Numerous jewelry items were taken; no video surveillance was located at the time of the report.

Wednesday, August 5
• At 2:52 a.m. a caller from the BevMo! wine and liquor store on the 5100 block of Mowry Ave. called to report a burglar alarm activation. Arriving officers found forced entry into the building, and inside saw a large object had been used to break into the scotch and champagne display case. No suspect was immediately identified.

• At 7:00 a.m. officers responded to a report that a YMCA portable building at a Grimmer Elementary School had been vandalized and items were missing. Entry was made through a window; items taken included electronics and computer equipment.

Student tutors help kids prepare for online learning
By Miranda Jetter

In-person learning, for the moment at least, is a thing of the past. For now, children await a return to distance learning in the Fall. As California tries to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and administrators weigh the risks of returning kids to school, Fremont high school students are tutoring younger kids to help prepare them for whatever next year holds.

Fremont Unified Student Store (FUSS), a nonprofit organization set up to support the school district, launched the volunteer peer tutoring program in early May. The goal was to have high schoolers tutor younger children whose learning and comprehension have been adversely affected by distance learning. Though positions are volunteer based, students can earn community service hours for their work. More than 200 kids signed up to tutor and more than 300 families have requested the service so far, according to a press release from FUSD.

Feedback from parents has been positive. The FUSS website hosts a slew of testimonials thanking the tutors for helping their children. One, in reference to Mishika Agarwal, a freshman at Mission San Jose High School said, “She is patient and encourages my daughter to think on her own when trying to solve problems. She sets a great example.”

Another tutor from the program is Adrish Kar, a sophomore at American High School. He tutors kids in five different subjects with students ranging from third to eighth grade. Though he’s still a student himself, he implemented diagnostic tests and lesson plans to craft the best learning experience possible. “The most important session with my students,” he says, is “the first one.” The first tutoring session is when Kar takes the student through a diagnostic test to see how they comprehend the material. With that information, he creates lesson plans that complement the student’s learning pace and abilities. He said that he wants each lesson to be “as personalized as possible.”

Though he has become adept at tutoring, there have still been setbacks. One student, Kar said, would always come late to their sessions and eventually stopped coming altogether. In other moments Kar has found it hard to keep kids focused, especially when their attention is mediated through a computer screen. “I have to constantly find new ways to engage them and make the content interesting,” he said.

Aditi Gupta, a freshman at Irvington High School, is another tutor who has gotten creative about the position. When she first meets with her students, in groups that can range from two to 10, she gives them a survey to fill out that she created. It covers what the student’s strengths and weaknesses are, and what they hope to learn. These surveys are what she turns to if she ever loses track of her teaching plan or can’t think of what material to work with next. Her own experience often guides her: “The best way to teach is to…use your experience as a student to your advantage,” she said.

Gupta and Kar are not alone in the challenges they face as tutors. Joy Kuo, a senior at Irvington High School noted that virtual tutoring was a major hurdle to overcome when connecting with students. This sentiment was echoed by Maggie Lai, a senior at Mission San Jose High School, who said that it’s easy to measure understanding when both people are present in the same space but over Zoom “it can get frustrating when you're separated by a screen and lagging Wi-Fi.”

Other students were surprised by how fulfilling the experience was. Simone Khandpekar found meaning within the challenge of distance tutoring. The Irvington High School senior said, “When we can’t be physically present in classrooms, we can still learn, practice, and progress further together.” Agarwal said she was happily surprised by how excited her students were to learn. She said that her students “come to each lesson prepared” with “their homework done and new questions for me to answer.”

Kar and Gupta find fulfillment in tutoring because they feel that they’re giving back to their community. Kar said that he wanted to give back to his school district in particular. “It lightens the mood, helping out my community.”

Gupta said that it’s rewarding to be able to help younger kids prepare for the future school year, which she suspects will continue to be difficult. She said that most of her friends are devoting their time to preparing for their own distance learning experience, but that some like her, are also finding time to mail letters of encouragement to frontline workers in an attempt to give back. She said that everyone has to “dig deep and find ways that you can help.”

For more information about the FUSS student tutors go to https://www.fuss4schools.org/
Governor Announces New Supports for California Workers
Submitted by Governor’s Press Office

Building on previous actions to protect California’s front-line workforce, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday, July 24, a host of new safeguards for California workers who face the greatest risk of COVID-19. In addition to support for workers, including agricultural and farmworkers, to isolate and quarantine, Governor Newsom unveiled a robust education campaign for workers and employers. He also committed to working with the Legislature and key stakeholders to expand critical protections like paid sick leave. “Stopping the spread of COVID-19 depends on keeping our workers safe,” said Governor Newsom.

Isolation and quarantine are proven public health interventions fundamental to reducing COVID-19 transmission. Providing safe, suitable places for isolation outside a home can help stop the spread to other household members. The state will allocate existing federal funds to local public health departments and community-based organizations to assist with supportive services for isolation and quarantine.

A new program, Housing for the Harvest, provides safe, temporary isolation spaces for agricultural and farmworkers who test positive or were exposed to the virus, which limits the risk of spreading COVID-19 to their coworkers or households. These efforts build on the state’s experience with already-established isolation programs, including Hotels for Health Care Workers serving COVID-19 positive patients and Project Roomkey, the non-congregate shelter program for COVID-19 positive, exposed or vulnerable homeless Californians.

Building on California’s public awareness campaign to #WearAMask and #StoptheSpread, the campaign will expand its reach to employers, to workers and to their families to inform them of ways they can break the cycle of spread and reduce their risk for COVID-19 at work, at home, and in their community.

Expanded paid sick leave will provide workers financial security so they are able to stay home when sick. Similarly, workers’ compensation access helps ensure that front-line workers can quarantine and stay home from work when ill.

Proactive education efforts led by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) will provide information and support to businesses to help them come into and stay in compliance, including technical assistance and a model training program.

Cal/OSHA and the Labor Commissioner’s Office have strategically targeted investigations in high-risk industries, where the state has seen the most workplace outbreaks. Expedited enforcement authority and advanced reporting of health and safety hazards at work will improve enforcement outcomes. Requiring employers to report outbreaks to their local health departments will help track county transmission. Governor Newsom will work with the Legislature to establish this authority.

In addition to strengthening supports like paid sick leave for workers in the food sector and expanded child care, the administration has built a pipeline of personal protective equipment to help these workers stay safe on the job. The state has also expanded testing and health plan reimbursement for the essential workforce, in addition to requiring health plans to reimburse all COVID-19 testing for high-risk essential workers. Finally, the administration has released robust workplace safety and health guidance that emphasizes masks, distancing, cleaning, hand washing, screenings and staying home if feeling sick.

Hayward Police Log
Submitted by Hayward PD

Sunday, August 2
Evening shift patrol officers responded to a call about a man on the roof of a neighborhood grocery store vandalizing surveillance cameras with an axe. A police negotiator was able to talk to the man and de-escalate the situation and safely take him into custody. The man was found to be under the influence and in possession of narcotics.

Rental Assistance Grants
Submitted by City of Hayward

Two rental assistance programs are accepting applications to provide grants to Hayward tenants facing economic hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, Alameda County has begun accepting applications for an Emergency Rent Assistance Program (ERAP). The application period closes August 11. Eligible applicants will be selected by a random lottery system.

The ERAP is designed to assist very low- to low-income families and individuals who are suffering a temporary financial setback due to COVID-19 and need help with delinquent rent. The ERAP will provide rent assistance grants paid directly to the landlord on behalf of eligible tenants. The grant provides up to two months’ worth of rent or $3,500. If previously assisted through another rental assistance program, the grant provides up to one month’s rent or $1,750.

To qualify, tenants must meet Alameda County’s residency and tenancy requirements, have a total household income not exceeding 50 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) for Alameda County, otherwise be in good standing with terms of their lease, and complete the online application. The program will be administered by Echo Housing on behalf of Alameda County. To learn more and apply, visit www.echofairhousing.org/ or call ECHO Housing at (855) 275-3246.

Second, the City of Hayward has re-opened the application for rent relief assistance grants. The program provides one-time payments of up to $2,500 per household to bridge the gap between what tenants can afford and their actual rent.

To qualify, tenants must be Hayward residents at risk of displacement with income adjusted by household size below 50 percent of AMI, or up to 80 percent of AMI with rent equal to or greater than 30 percent of their income. Tenants also must have experienced economic hardship resulting from COVID-19 in the form of loss or reduction in employment or wages, increased medical or child-care costs, or loss of child-care. To learn more and to apply, visit https://housing.bayareacs.org/ and complete the Keep Everyone Housed Application for the City of Hayward or call BACS at (510) 850-6492.

Emergency Rent Assistance Program
Deadline to apply: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug 11
(855) 275-3246
www.echofairhousing.org/

Application for Rent Relief Assistance
https://housing.bayareacs.org/
(510) 850-6492

Hayward City Council
Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Presentations and Proclamations:
• Announcement from Council that August 4, 2020 meeting signifies special joint work session between the City of Hayward and the Hayward Unified School District (HUSD)
• Mayor Halliday thanks and recognizes accommodation efforts of the council and HUSD Board of Trustees for having joint work session via remote participation following postponement of the original meeting date in April 2020

Agenda Items:
• Dr. Matt Wayne outlines Phase I of HUSD Fall 2020 reopening plan, engaging council in a plan to enforce distance learning for the 2020-21 school year.
• Phase I plan includes the purchase of 4900 Google Chromebooks and 300 WiFi Hotspots to be offered to students from low-income backgrounds who may have difficulty accessing remote lessons
• Phase II outlines the “Hybrid Approach,” entailing free technical support during school hours as well as stationing parents/students in the parking lot of Hayward public schools where they will still be in range of the schools’ complimentary WiFi
• City Manager McAdoo elaborates on successful contract between the City of Hayward and Comcast to secure a grant for the allocation of additional Chromebooks and WiFi Hotspots for Hayward’s most underserved students

Additional Plans for 2020/21 School Year
• Implementation of non-armed security personnel at HUSD public schools
• City and School District support of Mental Health Crisis Response and Coordination of Services Team Participation efforts within Hayward Police Department
• Approved on-site counseling at Lorin Eden, Southgate, Stonebrae and Mt. Eden
• Outlining of Youth and Family Services Bureau, integrating emphasis on mental health awareness and restorative justice efforts at all HUSD schools, spearheaded by Dr. Emily Young, Psy. D.

Honor Roll

Palmer College of Chiropractic, California
Spring 2020 Dean’s List
• Sabena Mangat of Newark
IAD081120
CONTINUING VIRTUAL EVENTS:

Tuesdays
Live Science hosted by Chabot Space and Science Center R
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Science Educator Haley Thiltgen gives live demonstrations of explosive or thrilling reactions you can’t do at home
Via Facebook Live or Zoom
https://www.facebook.com/events/718947172008927/
https://chabotspace.org/

Tuesdays
Free Virtual Sing-Along
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Zoom choir meeting hosted by Mission Peak Chamber Singers
https://www.chambersingers.org/
Contact: info@chambersingers.org

Tuesdays
Eden Eats $R
6 p.m.
Virtual cooking class featuring community chefs
Via YouTube and Facebook Live
Sign up at: https://edeneats.square.site/about

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

Wednesdays, August 5 – September 9
Zoom laughter yoga classes
2:00p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Easy exercises including stretching, breathing, and dancing
https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/5f10b335218c0e810c318a65

Wednesdays, August 12 and 19
PG&E Wildfire Safety Webinar
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hear about wildfire prevention efforts
8/12: https://bit.ly/30YIWji, Conference ID: 3624868
8/19: https://bit.ly/3gjJOWh, Conference ID: 3567527
1 (866) 501-6088

Friday, August 14 – Sunday, August 23
Much Ado About Nothing $
Modern makeover of Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy: pre-recorded for a live watch party
Fri/Sat 7 p.m.; Sun 2 p.m.
plethos.org
Tickets: $15

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

Fridays through August 28
Summer Drive-Thru Grocery Giveaway
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Wells Fargo Building
3440 Walnut Ave. Fremont (via Sundale Dr.)

Sundays
First Presbyterian Church of Newark Virtual Meetings
11:00 a.m.
Sunday School, Ages K – 6th grade
Contact: office@newarkpres.org for Zoom Meeting ID#
www.newarkpres.org

Saturdays
Virtual Town Hall
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
With Supervisor Dave Cortese
Via Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/davecortesegov

UPCOMING

Tuesday, August 11 and Thursday, August 13
Music & Movement R
8/11: 10 a.m.
8/13: 3 p.m.
Sing, play, and dance! Music for Minors II hosts
Via Zoom
To register: https://forms.gle/SSWevutvAofvkHbEA
www.musicforminors2.org

Wednesday, August 12
Hayward Nonprofit Alliance R
10 a.m.
Guest presenters talk about preparing for online special events
Via Zoom
To register: https://bit.ly/2DHn5oy

Wednesday, August 12
Ohlone College: Noncredit Info Session R
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Learn more about Ohlone’s noncredit program
Via Zoom
To register: https://bit.ly/3jYK6El

Friday, August 14
Encore Drive-In Nights $
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Men In Black
Register at: https://bit.ly/3ftt9OU
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton
www.alamedacountyfair.com

Friday, August 14
Black and White Ball R
6 p.m. (VIP experience starts at 5 p.m.)
Keynote honorees, entertainment, online auction
Virtual event, register at: https://driversforsurvivors.org/2020gala/

Saturday, August 15
Encore Drive-In Nights $
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Madagascar
Register at: https://bit.ly/3fzBh0j
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton
www.alamedacountyfair.com

Saturday, August 15
Chess Tournament & Simul R$
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Fundraiser for ChessCharity
To register: https://chesscharity.org/register

Saturday, August 15
Tri-City Health Center 50th Anniversary Gala
5 p.m.
virtual event

Donations encouraged

Saturday, August 15
How to Survive High School R
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Creating a schedule, studying strategies, education enrichment
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-survive-high-school-the-tips-tools-youll-need-for-success-tickets-114830793996

Sunday, August 16
Wildlife Adventures $
10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Educational drive-in movie fundraiser
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton
Enter via Gate 12 off Valley Ave.
http://www.becomeonevoice.com/
$35 per car

Monday, August 17
Milpitas Rotary Virtual Meeting
12 noon
Christina A. Bruce, EMT at Regional Hospital in San Jose, on Coronavirus Pandemic experiences
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/3a5Ep2H

Tuesday, August 18
Ohlone College: Dynamic Resumes R
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Learn how to keep your resume fresh
Via Zoom
To register: https://bit.ly/2EDiQLs

Tuesday, August 18
Ohlone College: Perfecting the Interview R
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn how to conduct an effective interview
Via Zoom
To register: https://bit.ly/2XfUEVJ

Tuesday, August 18
Ohlone College: Financial Aid FAQ R
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Answers to financial questions in real time
Via Zoom
To register: https://bit.ly/2DpqQPm

Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22
Encore Drive-In Nights $
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Virtual Concert: Sublime With Rome
Tickets: https://alamedacountyfair.com/sublime-rome-acf/
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton
www.alamedacountyfair.com

Saturday, August 22
Bollywood: A Love Story R
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Talented artists perform live for this Zoom fundraiser
To register: https://bit.ly/3hYXSVL

Saturday, August 22
Hot August Zoom R
2 p.m.
Fremont Area Writers hosts romance writer Kilby Blades
Via Zoom
To register, email: scottfrombayside@yahoo.com

Monday, August 24
Ohlone College: Career Center Orientation R
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn about the resources available at the Ohlone College Tri-Cities Career Center
Via Zoom
To register: https://bit.ly/3133BDa

Tuesday, August 25
Ohlone College: LinkedIn 101 R
12 noon – 1 p.m.
Learn the basics of the #1 online professional networking tool
Via Zoom
To register: https://bit.ly/3gtydnu

Tuesday, August 25
Transitioning to a fall water-efficient edible garden R
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Reduce water needs for fall vegetables
Zoom Webinar
Register at: https://bit.ly/WaterCons

Facebook launches a new TikTok clone, Instagram Reels
AP Wire Service

NEW YORK (AP), Aug 05 – Facebook's Instagram is launching its answer to the hit short video app TikTok – Instagram Reels.

The new Instagram feature will let users record and edit 15-second videos with audio, and will let users add visual effects. Users will be able to share Reels with followers in Instagram in a dedicated section called Reels in Explore, or in the Story feature where posts disappear after 24 hours.

The Reels option will be available in the Instagram app.

Facebook has a long tradition of cloning competitive services. The Instagram “Story“ feature, which lets people share photos and videos that expire in 24 hours, is similar to Snapchat. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced tough questioning about the company's habit of copying rivals before a congressional hearing on July 29.

Facebook earlier launched a TikTok knockoff called Lasso in 2018 but closed that down in July. It also tried services similar to Snapchat called Slingshot and Poke before Instagram Stories caught on.

Copying Snapchat's features was successful for Instagram in part because Snapchat was difficult to figure out for new users. They were already comfortable with Instagram. But TikTok is very easy to use — easier than Instagram — and part of its appeal is that you're able to sit back and scroll endlessly with just swipes, without the need to follow anyone or post anything.

TikTok, however, is under fire, possibly opening an opportunity for Facebook.

Microsoft is in talks to buy part of TikTok in what would be a forced sale, following threats from President Donald Trump to ban the Chinese-owned video app, which claims 100 million U.S. users and hundreds of millions globally.

Reels is launching in over 50 countries, including the U.S., India, Brazil, France, Germany, the U.K., Japan, Australia and others.

‘Hot August Zoom’ with romance author Kilby Blades
Submitted by Knuti VanHoven

You’ve heard how “Love makes the world go ‘round?” You’ll probably have noticed that it also makes the metaphorical cash registers ring for everything from film scripts to historical documentaries. So, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, Fremont Area Writers (FAW) is looking forward to hosting a Hot August Zoom meeting with Contemporary Romance Writer Kilby Blades as featured guest.

Her topic, reprised from her presentation at the Writer’s Digest Conference in New York, will be “How and When and Why to Integrate Romance into Your Novels.” A rising star in the field, Blades seasons her romances with feminism and equality, which are signature aspects of her work. A review in Publishers’ Weekly Review adds, “Blades delivers a saucy romance full of lovely characters who complement each other like fine wine and a good meal.”

FAW is an organization of writers helping other writers. Kilby comes to FAW courtesy of Romance Writers of America’s San Jose Branch. The August 22nd Zoom Meeting is free and open to anyone who wants to improve their writing, regardless of their current skill levels. To obtain the Zoom connection, Email scottfrombayside@yahoo.com.

For more information about Kilby Blades, check out kilbyblades.com.

Hot August Zoom with Kilby Blades
Saturday, Aug 22
2 p.m.
Via Zoom
RSVP: scottfrombayside@yahoo.com

New LEAF Center in design phase
Submitted by Fremont LEAF

A lot has been happening at Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (LEAF)! We're taking big steps forward at both the new LEAF Center and the Urban Farm. Design work has begun on the LEAF Center’s new location, along the Niles Boulevard frontage.

At LEAF's Urban Farm, a huge pile of boxes materialized since last month's fervent plea. We asked – you provided! Work parties have resumed to continue sheet mulching – in small groups, wearing masks, with social distancing. If you're interested in joining us, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Elizabeth Gibb at volunteers.fremontleaf@gmail.com.

LEAF is a contender, in partnership with Dig Deep Farms, to take over from the Perry family at Ardenwood. LEAF would manage 10 acres, with beekeeping and nursery operations, while bringing in agricultural research and expanding our educational offerings.

We now have two food gardens at the Stone Garden location. The Stone Garden food garden has been in production for six years. The Bee Sanctuary, our new food garden, is only ten months old. Last September, it was an overgrown weedy field until the Stone Gardeners sheet-mulched it with cardboard and wood chips.

Our long-awaited move to a permanent site is finally moving forward. Yadav Design was hired to prepare landscape and architectural design drawings and will present their design for community input later this year. The new site will include restrooms, an outdoor kitchen and open-air pavilion. Move-in is anticipated late 2021.

Public education program to promote mask use
Submitted by Eden Health District

Eden Health District has launched a public education campaign to encourage the use of masks and face coverings in public to counter the spread of the coronavirus.

Collaborating with Alameda County Public Health Department and cities of Hayward and San Leandro, the district has printed “Mask On” posters for each city and community in the Eden Health District area. The posters are free and intended for businesses, health clinics, schools, churches, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations to display in their entrances.

“Increasing the use of masks among the general public is critical to reversing the growth in the spread of the coronavirus in Alameda County,” stated Gordon Galvan, chairperson, Board of Directors of Eden Health District.

Eden Health District
(510) 538-2031
www.ethd.org

Milpitas City Council
August 4, 2020

Proclamation:
• Proclaimed August 2020 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

Consent Calendar:
• Adopted ordinance for local implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.
• Resolution Granting Acceptance of Temporary Fire Station No. 2 Tenant Improvements.
• Acceptance of the Street Resurfacing 2019 Projects.
• Awarded construction contract to DeSilva Gates Construction, Inc., for the Street Resurfacing Project 2020.
• Approved a new MoU between the City of Milpitas and Milpitas Employees Association, covering the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023.
• Authorized Stormwater Management Facilities Operation and Maintenance Agreement for TDK USA Corp. for TDK Headway at 497 South Hillview Drive.
• Authorized Amendment to the Maintenance Services Agreement with Odyssey Power Corporation for preventive generator maintenance and repair services.
• Authorized the execution of Agreement with “Kaiser Permanente On-the-Job” for Medical Services for Milpitas Uniformed Fire Personnel for a five- year term.
• Authorized the execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Ascent Environmental, Inc. to provide consulting services to update the City’s Climate Action Plan.
• Authorized discussions with Milpitas businesses to provide COVID-19 testing services utilizing the mobile testing unit.

Public Hearing:
• Following a public hearing confirmed the 2020 Weed Abatement Assessment Report and the Assessment List of parcels to be entered onto the Santa Clara County tax assessment roll.

Community Development:
• Amended the Milpitas Small Business Loan Program and approved the Milpitas Microenterprise Grant Program in its place.

Leadership and Support Services:
• Adopted a Resolution calling for the placement of a General Tax Measure on the Ballot for the
November 3, 2020 General Municipal Election for submission to the qualified voters of an Ordinance to Enact a General Transactions and Use Tax at the Rate of One-Quarter Cent (1/4 ¢) for a period of eight years.

Miscellaneous Business:
• On June 16, 2020, Councilmember Montano requested the City Council to consider adding Councilmember term limits to an upcoming agenda. Mayor Tran recommended the discussion include all elected officials. Council decided it would like to include the subject of Term Limits, on a particular future Council meeting agenda. Vote: Aye 3 (Tran, Nunez, Montano), Nay 2 (Dominguez, Phan).

Mayor Rich Tran Aye
Vice Mayor Bob Nunez Aye
Carmen Montano Aye
Karina Dominguez Aye, Nay 1
Anthony Phan Aye, Nay 1

Become a Trained Music Volunteer
Submitted by Music For Minors II

Music For Minors II (MFMII) is offering two free virtual musical sessions as an enrichment for the community and as an opportunity to recruit volunteer music docents. Live training will take place via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays from September 21 to November 9 (final schedule dependent on trainees). Orientation will be on September 16.

For more information, visit www.musicforminors2.org, email recruitment@musicforminors2.org, or call (510) 733-1189. To apply, visit https://forms.gle/GnZ1JzaXfoXumbx76.

Virtual Docent Training
Orientation: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sep 16

Classes
Mondays and Wednesdays
Sep 21 – Nov 9

(510) 733-1189
https://forms.gle/GnZ1JzaXfoXumbx76
www.musicforminors2.org

Happy Hydrangeas
By Pat Kite

Hydrangeas are happy flowering plants through autumn if you can keep them watered. They resemble pom-pom bouquets in the garden and can be dried in a vase, with or without water. Once dried, on or off the plant, flower arrangers find them super to work with.

Hydrangeas are native to many countries, including China, where they are called Xiu qui Hua or “embroidered ball.” In a folk custom, a ball made of silk, Xiu Qui, is tossed by an unmarried woman to a crowd of male suitors. The person catching the ball will become her future husband. Colors may vary depending on the soil. In the variety called Hortensia, there are purplish-pink, dark blue, carmine red, and double white. In our sometimes-compact garden spaces, these can achieve just four feet in height and about three feet in width. Be cautious when purchasing hydrangeas, as H. petiolaris or “climbing” hydrangea can enthusiastically scramble to 60 feet.

Many folks like to tinker with hydrangea color. A story dating back to 1818 tells of a poor English woman who had a blue-flowered hydrangea in her garden. She was offered a substantial amount for it but refused because it had been “reared by a child who she had lost.” Finally, she sold some cuttings. But when these were transplanted elsewhere, they had only pink flowers. It’s location, location, location. If you want blue, which is a natural color in acid soil, add aluminum sulfate well before blooming time. If you desire pink, add a lot of super phosphate. This is basically what florists do. For folks who like to tinker, coffee grounds are supposed to help turn hydrangeas blue, and egg shells help them turn pinker. It does take a while to show results.

Hydrangeas are “fairly easy” to grow. They need semi-sun (not sun) to slight shade and good soil. They should not be allowed to dry out. (That is what goes wrong when I plant them, and they do not recover well.) Overwatering will cause wilt too.

If you have a fourth anniversary coming up, hydrangeas symbolize appreciation and heartfelt emotion. It is also the birthday flower for January 5. When the first hydrangea came to the London docks, a special delegation came to meet it, hosting a breakfast reception in its honor.

Do save a dried few for the Holiday season, spraying with gold or silver for spectacular centerpieces, wreaths, and tree decorations. As always, plants are fun.
Bay Area Haunted House Goes Drive-Thru
Submitted by Brian Fields

Pirates of Emerson, a haunted house at Alameda County Fairgrounds, recently announced it has transitioned to a drive-thru format for 2020.

POE Productions, producers of the event, are excited about the change. They have doubled the size of their decade-long venue to a footprint of over 10 acres at the Fairgrounds. “I am excited the Pirates of Emerson is bringing its debut of a haunted drive-thru experience to the Fairgrounds this October,” says Brian Fields, VP of Operations.

Pirates of Emerson is a totally immersive drive-thru experience featuring a soundtrack via FM radio, massive sets, animatronics, actors, smoke, snow, and flames that will thrill your senses with Halloween horror.

To buy tickets and to learn more, visit www.piratesofemerson.com/.

Pirates of Emerson Haunted Drive-Thru
Friday, Oct 2 – Sunday, Nov 1
Thursdays through Sundays
Valley Ave, Pleasanton
www.piratesofemerson.com/
Automobile Entrance Fee: $94.99

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Aug. 5
Must purchase tickets in advance.

Printerprezz, UCSF sign license agreement
Submitted by Teresa Thuruthiyil

Fremont-based PrinterPrezz, a 3D printing medical company, has announced the exclusive, worldwide license of Spinal Interbody Device technology patent rights from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Shri Shetty, CEO, PrinterPrezz, said, “PrinterPrezz’s mission is to bring life-changing innovations to market quickly by leveraging additive manufacturing technologies. This agreement enables PrinterPrezz to apply the leading science and research taking place at UCSF to the development and production of new medical devices with novel materials and structures for the benefit of patients worldwide.”

This licensing deal was negotiated with UCSF Innovation Ventures’ Office of Technology Management which leads licensing and business development efforts on behalf of the university.

PrinterPrezz
4110 Clipper Ct., Fremont
www.printerprezz.com/
info@printerprezz.com

Printerprezz, UCSF sign license agreement
Submitted by Teresa Thuruthiyil

Fremont-based PrinterPrezz, a 3D printing medical company, has announced the exclusive, worldwide license of Spinal Interbody Device technology patent rights from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Shri Shetty, CEO, PrinterPrezz, said, “PrinterPrezz’s mission is to bring life-changing innovations to market quickly by leveraging additive manufacturing technologies. This agreement enables PrinterPrezz to apply the leading science and research taking place at UCSF to the development and production of new medical devices with novel materials and structures for the benefit of patients worldwide.”

This licensing deal was negotiated with UCSF Innovation Ventures’ Office of Technology Management which leads licensing and business development efforts on behalf of the university.

PrinterPrezz
4110 Clipper Ct., Fremont
(510) 771-9745
www.printerprezz.com

THE ROBOT REPORT
By Eugene Demaitre|

Fast-food and fast-casual restaurants have had a strong interest in applying robots to address efficiency, product safety, and labor shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting demand for online order fulfillment and social distancing have only heightened that interest. Today, Miso Robotics Inc. announced a pilot with hamburger chain White Castle to test its Flippy Robot-on-a-Rail system.

Founded in 1921, White Castle claims to be the first fast-food restaurant. The Columbus, Ohio-based company owns and operates more than 365 restaurants around the U.S. and the world. White Castle owns and operates its own meat-processing plants, bakeries, and frozen-food processing plants. The company also offers its meals for pickup or delivery with partners.

Pasadena, California-based Miso Robotics said it uses artificial intelligence to help prepare food consistently and enable restaurants to increase labor productivity, reduce costs, and drive profitability while improving the overall dining experience. Miso has been testing its Flippy Robot-on-a-Rail (ROAR) at several locations, and it recently opened an equity crowdfunding campaign. The company has also partnered with PathSpot Technologies Inc. to integrate PathSpot’s hand-scanning technology for cleanliness during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“We’ve already proven the value proposition for robotics in kitchens, but since the pandemic, the value has increased exponentially, as has the inbound demand from large, brand-name quick-serve restaurants,” said Buck Jordan, co-founder and CEO of Miso Robotics. “In February, everyone retrenched, but in March and April, our phone started ringing off the hook.”

Robot on a Rail stays out of workers’ way
“We’re working to bring automation to the masses,” Jordan told The Robot Report. “What really differentiates us from our competitors is that most other people are taking mechanical approaches, whereas we’re taking a flexible robotic arm approach.”

“With our overhead rail system, we’ve enabled our machine to get out of aisleways, [which are] highly engineered spaces,” he explained. “Flippy can dip the fries, move over, flip the burger, and maybe during downtime do some prep work.”

“Workers don’t need to be crammed in, and there are some barriers and safety sensors,” noted Jordan. “The watchwords for quick-serve restaurants are higher quality, higher consistency, and faster speed of service, and we knock all of those out of the park.”

“This has to be designed for entry-level workers — you don’t need to be a computer engineer to operate this,” he added. “No robot arm on the planet today is a food-safe arm. Miso is adept at modifying industrial robot arms for the quick-serve restaurant industry, and in fact, we will be building our own at some point.”

Data and future deployment
Miso Robotics said that the Flippy uses sensors and intelligent monitoring to keep food temperatures consistent, ensuring product quality and an optimal customer experience.

“The data is where it gets really interesting,” Jordan said. “One of our customers gave us a good quote: ‘Our data stops at the walk-freezer, and we pick it up again at the POS [point of sale], and we don’t really know what happens in between.’ Now there’s the potential for perfect data in the back of house. What do you do with that? It could be pretty interesting.”

“We not only have a robotic solution, but we also have a software and computer vision-only solution, where we can essentially know what’s going on in the workspace,” Jordan added. “We know the burger line is backed up five minutes, so we can tell Flippy, ‘Don’t drop the fries,’ so they don’t have to wait under a heat lamp. This problem is acute with delivery. … Every second is diminishing quality of product, so it’s really important to get it just so.”

With Flippy automating repetitive, time-consuming, and dangerous tasks like frying, team members can be redeployed to higher-value tasks such as customer engagement, Miso said. The company plans to get the cost down from $30,000 to $20,000 or less per robot for 100 restaurants or even less with a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model, according to Jordan.

White Castle to put Flippy ROAR on the line
Miso Robotics and White Castle have been communicating for more than a year, Jordan said. White Castle will put Flippy ROAR in kitchens in September and October in the Chicago area.

The companies said they expect faster frying, improved labor allocation, and reduced exposure to pathogens. The deployment will also test production speed, taste, quality, and optimization with back-end POS systems for wider integration with more locations, said Jordan.

“White Castle is an industry innovator, and we take a great amount of pride in our history – never forgetting about the future ahead,” said Lisa Ingram, fourth-generation family leader and CEO of White Castle. “Miso Robotics understood where we could improve and stay true to White Castle’s brand of taste, innovation, and best-in-class dining.”

“Artificial intelligence and robotics brings a very real opportunity to continuously enhance the cooking process and optimize taste for restaurants,” stated Jordan. “White Castle’s brand is iconic. Navigating new challenges to bring their menu to more customers, prepared in a healthier environment by staff in better working conditions that adhere to social distancing needs is something only Miso Robotics can do. We look forward to being a part of White Castle’s next 100 years.”

— Eugene Demaitre is senior editor at The Robot Report. Visit The Robot Report online at www.therobotreport.com.

Letter to the Editor
Shocked, angry, scared and confused

I own a small business in San Leandro that has been closed during this entire SIP shutdown.

I’m advocating for the government’s permission to immediately reopen not only my business Rose Noir Tattoo Studio, but all tattoo shops and personal service businesses in counties that have not yet been allowed to do so. It is my hope that by explaining my point of view that I am demonstrating my competency to operate safely during this pandemic.

In order to be approved to operate a Tattoo Body Art facility, a thorough health inspection is performed by the respective county. The inspector ensures all licensees demonstrate a proper disinfection, sanitation, and prevention of cross-contamination of the tattoo procedure area. I have always passed my tests, renewals, and inspections on the first attempt with no remarks against me or my shop.

In addition, all tattoo facilities must:
– Provide yearly Blood Borne Pathogen training and testing to licensees
– Submit lengthy documents including floor plans, materials of the floor, walls, etc., Infection Prevention and Control Plan, disinfectant product list
– Renew Establishment License and individual Practitioner’s License yearly
– Pass randomized yearly inspections

Every day we tattoo artists use PPE (including masks when necessary), use medical grade disinfectants, and review consent forms that include medical conditions that may deem clients unable to get tattoos. Essentially, I have been training for Covid-19 my whole career.

As a heavily-regulated industry, why are we considered unsafe to reopen? Target, Walmart, grocery stores, BevMO, and Home Depot are not required to go through a rigorous proof of sanitation to commence business. I was inspected, tested, and passed before there even was a pandemic! I and other tattoo artists have proven that we know how to operate safely under the threat of infection. Other stores have hundreds, if not thousands of customers daily making it near impossible to maintain the level of sanitation that I do. I have a maximum of two clients daily in my shop.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 is spread via sneezes, coughs, or speaking. There are steps we can take to prevent the spread: frequent hand washing/sanitizing, covering coughs or sneezes, cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces, wearing a mask, and staying six feet from other people.

As required by my profession, I handwash frequently and disinfect all surfaces, and I do not allow sick individuals to undergo procedures. I absolutely can wear a face mask. I will 100% acknowledge that I cannot stay six feet away from my clients during the tattoo process. But given my years of training, my past health inspections, my disinfection and sanitation procedures, and the ease of wearing masks and face shields, I can without a doubt offer a safe environment to myself and my clients where the possibility of disease is incredibly low.

I have sacrificed my livelihood and tens of thousands of dollars for the greater good. I have followed the rules, but I am tired of being let down by the government, and I refuse to watch my pride and joy, my greatest achievement, wash down the drain. We need to come together as a community to stop the spread, but also to protect each other’s livelihoods. If big box stores can operate safely, you bet we small businesses can too. We have a sense of responsibility to ascertain that our customers are safe. And we have the know-how to do it!

On March 16, 2020 when the entire Bay Area issued a 12-hour notice to mandatorily close all “non-essential” businesses for three weeks, my immediate reaction was shock, anger, fear, and confusion. Shocked that a virus is causing a shutdown and I’m actually experiencing it in my lifetime. Angry that I had very little notice to comply with the demand of closing, leaving me with a lot of customers to contact and no income for the duration of the shutdown. Scared that maybe this virus is far more dangerous than I thought. And confused because Total Wine, BevMo and the grungy liquor store down the street are “essential.”

As I write, it is July 27, 134 days into Shelter in Place. I have had ZERO personal income for the entire duration of the economic shutdown. The little I have received from government assistance programs (PPP loans and unemployment benefits) has gone straight to paying the bills at my business (rent, all utilities, insurance, license renewals, permit renewals, bloodborne pathogen training, and many others) yet still leaves me greatly in the negative each month.

These last few months have been a nightmare for small businesses, especially the ones that are still closed. I have lost sleep many nights, had more breakdowns than I care to admit, and I’ve all but lost my artist’s creativity. But I am still here fighting for my chance to regain my livelihood.

A slide video and full written description of my concerns available at these links:

https://www.rosenoirstudio.com/advocacy-for-reopening

In this case study, facemasks stopped two COVID-positive hair stylists from transmitting to clients: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6928e2.htm

Megan Wood
Owner/Operator- Rose Noir Tattoo & Beauty Studio
San Leandro

Samsung's new phones test consumer demand for pricey gadgets
Aug 05
By Michael Liedtke
AP Technology Writer

Samsung aims to lift its sinking smartphone sales with three new models that will test consumer willingness to buy high-priced gadgets during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

The latest Galaxy phones, unveiled Wednesday during an online showcase, will cost $1,000 to $1,300. Such prices are have become standard for top-of-the-line phones in recent years. But they might cause sticker shock at a time of double-digit unemployment that could last through at least the end of the year, as the global economy struggles to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Samsung is touting the fancy phones, called the Galaxy Note20 and the Note20 Ultra, at a time that Apple is enjoying success with a $399 iPhone released in April. Google is also rolling out a $349 Pixel phone that has many of the same features as its more expensive model. Such phones are intended for buyers who are strapped for cash or unwilling to pay for pricey phones that don't offer big advances over their predecessors.

Samsung also gave a glimpse of its second attempt at a phone with a foldable screen but said it won't have details on pricing and availability until Sept. 1. That phone, called the Z Fold2, is expected to cost in the range of $1,500 to $2,000, based on the price for last year's first-generation model.

“We know these are challenging times, and people are depending on technology more than ever,” said TM Roh, president of Samsung's mobile communications arm. He joked that the new phones will help people “play harder when maybe they should be working harder,“ a reference to the millions of people now doing their jobs at home.

Samsung is already struggling with an unsettling downturn. Its smartphone shipments plunged 29% from last year in the April-June quarter, according to the research firm International Data Corp. That drop helped China's Huawei at least temporarily surpass Samsung as the world's top seller of smartphones while Apple remained in third place – although the cheaper iPhone SE did boost Apple's market share, IDC said.

Like other phone manufacturers, Samsung is hoping that a transition to new ultrafast “5G” wireless networks will drive demand for new phones; its latest models are 5G-compatible. In other respects, however, smartphone innovation has largely stalled, a trend that predated the pandemic shock.

The upcoming foldable phone, meanwhile, is something of a do-over for Samsung. The Z Fold2 has a front display screen so it can be carried around like a phone with an interior screen that can be opened up so it can be used like a mini-tablet, depending on what a user needs at the time.

But Samsung's first foldable phone last year turned out to be a flop, partly because it proved fragile even after the company delayed its release by several months in an effort to deal with the problem.

Samsung promises that the Z Fold2 will far more durable because it will have ultra-thin glass and tougher hinges for unfolding the device.

Consumer response to these phones might foreshadow demand for the next wave of iPhones. Apple has indicated those will come out in October, a few weeks later than usual because of manufacturing delays caused by the pandemic. The next generation of iPhones are expected to cost in the $700 to $1,200 range.

Samsung also announced its next generation tablet, smartwatch and wireless earbuds.
Wednesday, August 5
Submitted by San Leandro PD

• At about 11:00 p.m. officers pursued a suspected stolen vehicle from East 14th Street near Durant Avenue into Oakland. The pursuit ended when the vehicle, described by police as a black Acura, crashed into an unoccupied vehicle on the 10400 block of Pearmain Street. The driver exited the vehicle while holding an assault-style firearm. Meanwhile, a San Leandro Police K9 officer exited his vehicle and deployed his police dog, then saw the armed suspect and fired his service weapon.

The suspect ran north on Pearmain Street, then east on Apple Street before running into the yard of a home on the 10400 block of Pippin Street. The officer followed and fired his service weapon again, striking the suspect in the upper torso. Additional officers and paramedics arrived to provide aid, but the suspect died at the scene. The police dog became separated from his K9 partner and was missing for nearly eight hours before being found safe in the 1200 block of Pierce Avenue in San Leandro.

Because the shooting occurred in Oakland, the Oakland Police Department is the lead investigating agency. An independent investigation is also being conducted by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. An assault rifle was recovered at the scene. No officers were injured and the officer involved in the shooting is on administrative leave.

Shape Our Fremont
St. Joseph Homes GPA in Detail

Westgate Ventures, on behalf of the St. Joseph Parish in Mission San Jose, has submitted a General Plan Amendment (GPA) Screening Request to determine if the city would consider changing the General Plan to allow residential development on a portion of the parish property. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hear this request on August 27, and the City Council will hear it on September 15.

The development would be a planned district that includes two separate parcels along St. Joseph Terrace. One parcel would have 13 new houses clustered on 1.3 acres behind the existing St. Joseph school on the south side of the street. The applicant is asking whether Fremont would change the land use designation of that parcel from Hillside Residential, which sets a maximum density of 2.3 dwelling units per acre and a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet, to Low-Medium Residential, which would allow a density up to 14.5 dwellings per acre and individual lot sizes as small as 4,000 square feet.

On the north side of the street, opposite the residential parcel, a 3.5-acre parcel would be set aside for no further residential development, beyond the existing large parish rectory. The rectory parcel would remain as Hillside Residential.

The proposed market-rate houses would all be two stories with a height of about 34 feet. They would be arranged side-by-side in two long, straight rows with the garage doors facing each other across a private street, and the fronts facing a common walkway that encircles the development. There would be no backyards, no driveways, and no street parking. Guest parking would be located on the rectory lot.

Concerns, concerns
The biggest concern about this proposal is that it does not comply with Fremont’s Hillside Ordinance. On the property where the houses are to be built, the density would be far larger than the maximum allowable, and the lot sizes would be far smaller than the minimum. The applicant acknowledges both points in the GPA request but claims that grouping all the houses in one area would achieve a more desirable result that better follows the intent of the ordinance. So, the question for the city is whether they should adhere to the Hillside Ordinance density and lot size restrictions that have been in effect for decades, or allow major variances based on an interpretation of the intended results.

Traffic is another concern. The only vehicle access to St. Joseph Terrace is from an unsignaled intersection with Mission Boulevard at a well-known traffic bottleneck. There are also questions about the claim that prohibiting further residential development on the rectory lot would help maintain the rural character of the area, since there is already a large house there.

Decisions
Given these concerns, the Planning Commission and City Council will have to consider how the proposed development would fit with the General Plan, Hillside Ordinance, and the historic character of the area. They would also consider whether it would set an undesirable precedent, and what real benefits residents and the city would receive by considering it.

Residents may send their comments and questions to staff team lead Courtney Pal at cpal@fremont.gov.

Poetry Slam: Youth and Spoken Word
Submitted by Maria Long

The office of Supervisor Richard Valle, District 2, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, is
hosting an online poetry slam competition, “Slam in the Shutdown,” starting Saturday, August 15.

The youth of District 2 (which includes the cities of Hayward, Union City, Sunol, Newark, and portions of Fremont) are invited to share their stories and use their voices to scream, pray, shout, question, and ultimately close the distance of shelter-in-place with poetry.

A poetry slam is the competitive art of performance poetry. It puts emphasis on both writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they are saying and how they are saying it. All the works will also be collected and published into a book, serving as an archive of this moment to history. Prizes are awarded to all participants to help with the economic hardships incurred during COVID-19 pandemic.

“Slam in the Shutdown” is open to ages 11 to 24 with a cap of 80 contestants. The competition will be hosted on Zoom and live-streamed on Facebook. To enter the contest or to learn more about the rules and rounds, visit www.slammingdown.com/ or Facebook page Slamming Down. For questions, call (510) 272-6692.

Slam in the Shutdown
Starts Saturday, Aug 15
(510) 272-6692
www.slammingdown.com/
Facebook page: Slamming Down
Open to ages 11 – 24

Social Security Matters
Ask Rusty – Can My Mother Get Benefits from Common Law Marriage?
By Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor
Association of Mature American Citizens

Dear Rusty: My 71-year-old mother has a small Social Security income. It is not enough to find her housing. I am working to file for increased VA benefits, as she is a veteran. Her partner of 21 years (common law spouse) has passed away, and we have an appointment next week to apply for spousal benefits. First question: We have the option of applying for her partner’s SS benefits, and we are completing the form SSA-753 statement regarding marriage. Is there anything else I should have to be prepared for the appointment? Second question: My mother and father were married for 27 years before they divorced. I was going to request filing for his benefits as it is easier to prove than a common law relationship. Is there anything else you could recommend being prepared for the appointment? Signed: Concerned Daughter

Dear Concerned Daughter: Whether your mother will be able to collect a survivor benefit from her “common law” spouse will depend upon the state in which their relationship was established. Social Security’s rules specify that for their relationship to be recognized as a “marriage” for Social Security benefit purposes, it must have been established in a U.S. State that recognizes “common law” marriage. And only a small number of U.S. states currently do.

For clarity, it is only required that the relationship be established in a state that recognizes “common law” marriage. If their relationship started in a state that recognizes it, and they subsequently moved to and resided in another state which doesn’t, SS will recognize that relationship as a valid marriage and your mother will be entitled to survivor benefits based upon the deceased’s SS record (100 percent of the deceased’s benefit amount).

States that currently recognize “common law” marriage are Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah, plus the District of Columbia. Several other states previously recognized common law marriage but have since stopped doing so. If the relationship was established in a state which, at the time, recognized common law marriage, Social Security will also recognize the marriage.

Various U.S. states have, over the years, changed their laws regarding common law marriage, and Social Security will evaluate your mother’s eligibility for survivor benefits based upon where and when the common law relationship was established. They will be looking for proof of marriage relationship, such as joint bank account statements, joint asset ownership records (e.g., a car registered in both names, joint home ownership, etc.) and it would be good to have multiple forms of such proof available. They may also require a copy of the death certificate for her common law spouse and, obviously, his Social Security number.

Regarding your mother’s other alternative for benefits from her marriage to your father, if your mother and father were married for 27 years, she may be eligible for a spousal benefit from your father as his ex-spouse. If your father is still living, and if she isn’t eligible for an SS survivor benefit from her common law relationship (SS doesn’t recognize her common law marriage), your mother may still be eligible for as much as 50 percent of what your father’s SS benefit was at his full retirement age (FRA), plus any COLA increases given since his benefits started.

Spouse benefits from a living ex-spouse are not as much as the survivor benefit from a current spouse – the survivor benefit is up to 100 percent of what the deceased spouse was receiving at death; the benefit from a living ex-spouse is up to 50 percent of the ex-spouse’s FRA benefit amount (if that is more than your mother is eligible for on her own SS record). Of course, if your father is deceased, your mother would be eligible for a survivor benefit on his record, which would be equal to 100% of the benefit amount your father was receiving at his death.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained, and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.

Time to hang out in garden
Article by Daniel O'Donnell

Summer, probably more than any other season, is a time when people are more likely to daydream at work about relaxing in the garden. The image for some is of sitting at a table on a hot day, drinking a cold glass of fresh lemonade. Others might have a vision of standing in front of a BBQ with a bottle of beer or glass of wine and grilling their dinner. There are countless more iconic representations of the summertime fantasy. One that more and more people are acting on, is the idea of relaxing in a swinging chair or hammock.

People have been relaxing on swing chairs and benches for centuries. Early swings can be seen in prehistoric European cave drawings and on ancient Greek ceramic vases. Hammocks are thought to have originated at least a thousand years ago with the Mayans and throughout Central America. They were mainly for keeping sleeping people safe from harmful insects and snakes that patrol the jungle floor at night. Christopher Columbus introduced hammocks to Europe, and Spanish colonials brought them to North America.

Today, while swings and hammocks are primarily used for leisure, they can also be valuable for their functionality. Hammocks are utilized for reducing the motion of the water while sleeping on boats and Therapy Sensory Swings are used to help autistic children and adults. There is a wide range of swing designs to maximize enjoyment while the traditional hammock design still reigns supreme.

There are tire swings, platform swings, traditional playground style swings, and swing nests which have a round frame and some sort of netting that can hold one or two children. Heartsong.com has an extensive selection of different types of swings that will entertain kids all summer long. Porch or bench swings and canopy swings, which are porch swings with their own frames and a sunshade, are the more leisurely swing choice for all ages. These swings can hold one, two, and sometimes four adults comfortably, depending on the swing’s size.

Traditionally a hammock is connected to two posts, two trees, or two eye screws on adjacent walls. However, there are hammocks that can be purchased with a freestanding frame. Choosing a hammock with a frame has the advantage that it can be easily moved throughout the year to either follow the sunlight or take shelter from it. The advantage of purchasing a hammock without a frame is that there are many more style choices. These include variations in materials and colors as well as different cultural stylings.

Whether setting up one of the playground-style swings, a type of bench swing, or a hammock, there are a few things to consider about placement. A sturdy beam or tree branch to hang the swing from may dictate its placement while options for hammock locations may also be predetermined. The final things to consider about placement are the view and amount of privacy offered. Swings for children should be visible from inside the house for easy monitoring. Visibility for greeting the neighbors as they walk by might be important for a porch swing, but privacy might be the desire for a hammock.

At least four feet of space in the front and back is ideal for a bench swing and there should also be enough clearance on the sides to walk comfortably around. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends having a clear space of twice the arc of a playground swing both front and back and six feet of clearance around the sides. A hammock should have a four to five-foot clearance on either side. Most swings should be around 18 inches off the ground. The exception are swings for toddlers, which should be about two feet off the ground.

There is little danger of falling off a bench or canopy swing, so they can be installed over concrete patios, wooden decks, and tiled porches. There is a danger of being injured from falling off a play swing and even a hammock, so the surface below them should be safe. Hammocks and play swings are often placed on lawns, but with people removing their lawns for more water-efficient landscapes, that might not be a viable option. Mulch is a great alternative, and using a playground woodchip that was either tumbled in a machine until smooth or sourced from clean wood from a sawmill, will not give anyone who falls a sliver. Rubberflooringinc.com offers an alternative choice of playground swing mats. They can be used individually or connected together to create a protective floor.

Playing on a swing keeps children active and enjoying the outdoors. Gently swaying on a bench swing or relaxing in a hammock can be calming for adults and put a person in a better mood.
Try keeping a bit of the summertime fantasy in your garden all year long with a hammock or swing.

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

Tri-City Health Center celebrates 50 years
Submitted by Bay Area Community Health

In 2020, Tri-City Health Center (TCHC) reached an incredible milestone of 50 years providing quality healthcare to uninsured and underserved families in Fremont and surrounding tri-city areas. Founded in 1970, TCHC started in Newark as a family clinic for low-income minority women living in southern Alameda County. In summer 2020, during the COVID-19 global pandemic, Foothill Community Health Center (FCHC) and Tri-City Health Center (TCHC) merged into Bay Area Community Health (BACH). The organization is now one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers in Northern California.

BACH is celebrating Tri-City Health Center’s 50 years of service with an Anniversary Virtual Gala on Saturday, August 15. The celebration will highlight the tremendous work of TCHC as it begins its next 50 years of service as Bay Area Community Health. Prepare your favorite cocktail at home, and turn on your computer at 5 p.m. to listen to guest speakers Fremont mayor Lily Mei, Union City mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci, and Newark mayor Alan Nagy. Keynote speaker is Sandra R. Hernandez, president and CEO of the California Health Care Foundation. The event will be emceed by Janice Edwards.

As part of TCHC’s 50-year celebration, BACH is holding a fundraiser that will benefit the most vulnerable members of the community. Your donation can provide preventive care for women, dental care for children, hope for the homeless, PPE for our frontline staff, and support services for seniors. Donations are encouraged but not required to attend the virtual gala. BACH welcomes any level of support you can afford.

Tri-City Health Center 50th Anniversary Gala
Saturday, August 15
5 p.m.
virtual event

Donations encouraged

Local Group Seeks Community Input
Submitted by Kathy Kimberlin

A small group of local nonprofit representatives and advocates are in the early planning phases of establishing a new organization that will provide support and resources for nonprofits in the Tri-City area.

Spearheaded by Fremont residents Kathy Kimberlin, Greg Green, Lisa Stambaugh, and Tina Fernandez Steckler, the group’s working name is Tri-City Nonprofit Coalition (TCNC). Its mission is to strengthen the ability of all local nonprofit organizations to successfully accomplish their respective missions by collaborating, sharing information, and raising community awareness.

TCNC is seeking feedback from the public. Input from nonprofit donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders would provide valuable insight as would recommendations from businesses who support nonprofits and/or offer professional services to nonprofits. The feedback will be instrumental in shaping TCNC’s focus to ensure the coalition meets the needs of local nonprofits and the causes they serve.

Resources under consideration include a nonprofit directory, a comprehensive event calendar, a list of volunteer opportunities, a library of vendors and professional service resources, educational and networking events, a newsletter, and a virtual bulletin board to share nonprofit job openings and other useful information.

To provide feedback, complete the survey at https://bit.ly/338Qp1V by August 28. For more information, email tcnonprofitcoalition@gmail.com.

Union City Police Log
Submitted by Union City PD

Wednesday, August 5
• During an early morning shift Officer Manriquez made a traffic shop for a vehicle equipment violation. A record check showed that the driver had a suspended license and was on probation. Further investigation showed that the passenger in the vehicle was the suspect from an earlier domestic violence case where the suspect fled before officers arrived. The suspect/passenger also had more than 280 grams of marijuana, 25 suspected ecstasy pills, a drug scale, $1,600 and other evidence of drug sales. The suspect/passenger was arrested and taken to a local jail.

Pledge to conserve water
Submitted by City of Hayward

Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, a friendly competition between cities across the country, will take place throughout August. To participate in the 2020 challenge, residents can pledge to make water-friendly lifestyle changes, undertake home-based environmental projects, and more.

This year’s challenge includes a focus on opportunities to get involved without requiring residents to leave their homes, with a variety of do-it-yourself projects that can be accomplished individually, with family members, virtual groups of friends, colleagues, and other social groups.

Hayward residents who make the pledge to conserve water have the chance to win prizes, and cities with the highest percentage of pledgers receive recognition for their community’s sustainability commitments. Eco-friendly prizes include home irrigation kits, water-saving fixtures, home improvement store gift cards, and a grand prize of $3,000 toward home utility bills. A deserving charity in the highest ranking cities will also receive a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Visit www.hayward-ca.gov/wyland-water-challenge to find out how to make your pledge and learn more about additional water conservation programs in Hayward. The deadline to take the pledge is Monday, August 31.

Obituary
Charles Kamuela Onley Jacobs Jr.
Resident of Fremont
May 31, 1946 – August 03, 2020

Charles Kamuela Onley Jacobs Jr., 74, of Fremont, California, passed away on August 3, 2020. Charles was born on May 31, 1946, in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Charles Sr. and Sophie Jacobs. Charles was a young Altar Boy for the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church in Maryland.

Prior to his retirement from the Aerospace Industry, as an Engineer and IT Lead Technician Charles wore many hats and networked through many channels in the Bay Area for the last 41 years. He acquired Double Master's largely through San Jose State University and a dedicated continued high-level education through Covid-19 making it over 40 years in his Academic Career.

Charles was born and raised in Maryland with siblings Beloved Sister Olga Scardina, David and James Jacobs, Sophie Borkoski, Beloved Sister Annie (Momi) Johnston and all of Charles's nieces (great) and nephews (great) on the East Coast. Where his Grandparents migrated to the states from Russia. Where many past generations of cultured ancestors came. Charles's Ohana in Hawaii are the Ka'aimoku and multiple relatives – Cousins, Uncles and Aunties. Being Kanaka Maoli, Charles has a legacy of preceding Hawaiian Ancestors and his treasured Ohana.

He moved to Hawaii as a teenager where he attended Konawaena High and graduated. While living in Hawaii he learned to perpetuate his Hawai'ian Heritage through learning and sharing his culture by way of Hula, Ukulele Playing and Chanting (olelo). His Musical Background extended over Six Decades. Known by many as the all-inclusive “Charlie playing that song…”

Stringed instruments mastered are the Ukulele, Guitar, 12-String Guitar, Steel String Guitar (Slack Key), Electric Guitar, Banjo and he held a passion for Piano playing and composing. Survived by the Mother of his Children Paulette Ka'ala Roberson and their adult children are Son Kamuela “Mario” Jacobs, the Late David “Kimo” Jacobs and Daughter “Chasity” Sheri Kanoelehua, husband Joseph Martinez. Charles's Grandchildren Diamond Ki'iLani Kamehaiku-Sysco, Shayla Marie Martinez, and Jack Daniel Kimo-Kamuela Sisco wife Katie and their Sons Jayden and Genesis (Charles Great Grandsons) along with soon to be First Great Granddaughter “Sky.

Through his marriage he gained Brother-in-Laws and Sister-in-Laws and all of their amazing children located throughout California and surroundings states.

Charles had hobbies throughout his life. He loved “wrenching” on cars, decades of soccer playing (Old Saturday Stumblers Soccer League in Fremont) both co-ed and mens. Played Rugby and carried a love for the “All Blacks,” like son Kimo.

Our Father is a testament to what it means to be truly Loved. His great gifting ways, glowing smile, and kindred laughter will be missed by many.

May we all ravish in Him resting peacefully – Over the Rainbow.
E Aloha Kekahi I Kekahi. “Love One Another”. A Hui Hou and Malama Pono – Amene

Beatrice Mary Taus
June 3, 1928- July 26, 2020

Beatrice Taus, “Bea” who was a thirty-six -year Fremont resident and recent resident of Sunrise Villa, San Ramon,” had a short battle with cancer. Husband Herbert George Taus and Sister Marge McCallister preceded her in death. Bea is survived by her children, Destiny Morrison, Peter Taus (Paige) Daniel (Antoinette) Taus, Margaret (Stephen) Campbell, Eleven grandchildren, Thirteen great grandchildren, and her sister Blanche Comiskey.
Bea was born in Chicago Illinois and grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, the oldest of three sisters. Her father Hans was the chef at the Hotel Duluth, and his talents influenced Bea to develop what we know as her Michelin rated culinary skills.
Bea and Herb met first as pen pals while Bea lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Herb was stationed overseas serving in the US Navy. The couple married and moved to Greendale, Wisconsin where they began their life together. Desiring to have a family, Bea and Herb selflessly adopted their four children, Lisa (Destiny), Peter, Danny & Peggy. The gift of motherhood was showered upon Bea and her children and legacies are blessed because of it. The family then spent the children’s school years moving through the Midwest; Brookfield, WI., Minnetonka, MN., Lincolnshire, IL., and ending up on the East Coast in Centre Square, PA. In all the houses they lived in, she had a knack for making each place special and feel like home.
In 1983 the Taus’ moved to Fremont California. As a member of St Joseph Mission San Jose Parish Bea was active in parish life including founding Women of St Joseph Ministry, and at age 90 returning as vice president. Bea and Herb were instrumental in raising funds for the Oakland Diocese Cathedral and Stewardship formation. She shared her extraordinary culinary skills with St Joseph Church at their annual Senior Luncheons, Fiestas, and Oktoberfests.
Bea was a gracious hostess who enjoyed entertaining friends and relatives often times preparing German and Polish dishes. There was never a meal without starting happy hour with a Manhattan and tray of artfully arranged appetizers and all followed by a decadent desert! She became the official Bay Area tour guide for visiting friends and relatives.
Other favorite pastimes include long time member of Die Golden Gate Zecher Beer Stein Club, playing bridge, gardening, travel, opera, the symphony and German Shepherds. Bea loved life and abundantly shared her talents and treasures with all she met and offered assistance to those in need. She always wore a beautiful welcoming smile.
A special thanks to Johanna Prevost, Visiting Angels, and Hospice of the East Bay’s outstanding job taking care of Bea in a very supportive and loving way.
Due to Covid 19, no memorial events are currently scheduled. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can make a donation for continued care of Bea’s German Shepherd Bruno at https://www.gofundme.com/f/new-home-for-bruno or to Catholic Charities of the East Bay https://www.cceb.org/get-involved/donate/ or 433 Jefferson St. Oakland 94607. Cards may be sent to Berge Pappas Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538.

Funeral services provided by
Berge Pappas Smith Mortuary Chapel of Angels
40842 Fremont Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94538
510-656-1226

Donna Maybelle Olsen Oct. 27, 1931 – July 9, 2020. Resident of Fremont,

Donna passed away peacefully on July 9, 2020 after a long illness. She is lovingly remembered by her sons Mark David Olsen and Michael Raymond Olsen and daughters-in-law, Alisha Olsen and Janice Fairlee. She will also be fondly remembered by her granddaughter, Ella Astrid, and grandson, Ryland Dean. Daughter of Henry and Eleanor Hartz, Donna was born Oct. 27, 1931 in Oakland, CA, where she graduated from Fremont Highschool in 1950. She attended college at the University of California at Berkeley where she met her future husband, Dean Olsen. Donna graduated and received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts in 1954. Upon graduating, Donna became a schoolteacher – specializing in Spanish. Dean and Donna were married in 1954 in Oakland. Living there a short time, they moved to Fremont in 1959 to raise their family. In 1969, Dean introduced holistic living and brought awareness of the environmental movement to the family. This inspired Donna to begin what would become the Tri-City Ecology Center. Donna enjoyed painting, traveling the world, camping with her family, and going to Moody Blues concerts. Supporting Mark and Mic’s musical career was very important to her. She and Dean attended their shows on a regular basis. In addition to her cherished family life, she was a committed community activist, an environmental leader, and a role model. For nearly 50 years, Donna was the driving force of the Tri-City Ecology Center, helping to shape Fremont’s environmental landscape. From the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 to the present year, her dedication and commitment never wavered. Her efforts resulted in many honors, including Woman of the Year and being inducted into the Alameda County Woman’s Hall of Fame. She will be remembered for her warmth, compassion, intellect and love of nature. If you wish to remember Donna, please donate to either: Tri-City Ecology Center, www.tricityecology.org; Yosemite Conservancy, www.yosemite.org; Or, simply honor her by making changes for the better in your life, your community, and your environment.

Joseph J. Jeno
Resident of Fremont
January 24, 1930 – August 4, 2020

Born January 24, 1930, in Argo, Illinois, the son of two immigrants from Slovakia, Joseph John Jeno lived a full and fortunate life. Orphaned by age 12, he was raised by two elder siblings, Windy and Mary. He met Eloise Holden, his future beloved wife and partner in life, in 1948. They married in 1952, after he enlisted in the army. Joe was shipped to Korea, leaving Eloise with their newborn daughter Kathryn. After the war ended, the couple lived briefly in Chicago, before relocating to California, where they would spend the rest of their lives.

Joe graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and made a career as a civil engineer, but held a wide range of interests: he built things (a canoe, many tree houses, numerous home additions, and a cabin); he traveled (many road trips across the country, and trips around Europe); he loved his family, friends, kids, dogs, and activity. He continued his service to his country in the U.S. Army Reserves Corp of Engineers, retiring with the rank of
Colonel. Joseph and Eloise were active members of Corpus Christi Parish in Niles, including active involvement with St. Vincent de Paul; Joe continued to participate with the group’s Friday lunch distributions into this year.

After almost 59 years of marriage, Joe was preceded in death by Eloise. He was also preceded in death by his son Thomas Gerard, his granddaughter Emily Elizabeth, and siblings: Jan, Wendel “Windy,” Mary, and Annie.

He is survived by 10 adult children, 25 grandchildren, and numerous great- grandchildren, who all live across the U.S. – from Alaska to Florida, California to North Dakota, Massachusetts to Hawaii.

Joe leaves behind Janette Silva, his loving companion of the past seven years.

For the past nine years, Joe sent a daily email message to friends and family, and we use one of his sign-offs here: Goodnight all. Love you. Peace. Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, Brother, Friend

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to the St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County.
https://www.svdp-alameda.org

Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900

Michael Anthony Kovacich
Resident of Fremont
March 9, 1957 – July 30, 2020

Our beloved Michael Anthony Kovacich passed on July 30, 2020 at 63 years old.
Born in Castro Valley, Ca. Resided in Fremont. Ca. Succumbed to a 3 year battle with cancer.
Michael is survived by his beloved wife Linda Kovacich, his daughter Katie Blackmore, his precious granddaughter Luciana Blackmore. He leaves behind 5 siblings and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Michael went to school at St. Edwards, Moreau High and graduated from San Jose University.
He served in the US Air Force. He worked for Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. for the last 15 years.
Michael belonged to the Fremont Elks 2121, he loved serving his fellow veterans. He belonged to the Fremont 2121 RV Club, he loved camping with his friends and family. He had such a great sense of humor and a love for life. Michael will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Michael left us way too soon, our hearts are broken. He will never be forgotten.

Family Services were held.

Fremont Chapel of the Roses
510-797-1900