Billionaire donates $35 million to microbiome research

AP Wire Service

 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP), Aug 13 – A San Francisco billionaire has donated $35 million to Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco to enhance their study of the human microbiome.

 

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne Benioff donated $25 million to launch the UCSF Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine and $10 million to the Stanford Microbiome Therapies Initiative.

 

The human microbiome is the full assortment of bacteria, viruses and other microbes that inhabit the human body.

 

The donation announced Tuesday will help the universities' efforts to develop new ways to predict, prevent and treat dermatological, gastrointestinal, respiratory and neurological disorders linked to microbiome dysfunction.

 

The two Bay Area Benioff-funded initiatives will also work together to further a joint goal of advancing innovative microbiome-based therapies.

 

 

Walk or Run to Benefit Bay Shoreline

By Johnna M. Laird

Photos courtesy of 10K on the Bay

 

Summer coming to an end too quickly? Need one more nature-fix before heading back to school or getting back to business and into fall?

 

Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center sponsors its “10K on the Bay” Sunday, August 25, with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay-Estuary. Participants can sign up ahead of time or on race day to walk or run a 5K or 10K in eight different age categories. Children age 10 and under are free.

 

10K on the Bay marks its 16th year raising funds for Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, which is perched on stilts above a salt marsh on the eastern approach to San Mateo-Hayward Bridge. People often mistake the brown shingled building for a seafood restaurant, causing interpretive staff to joke about posting banners boasting “Crabs and Shrimp” since both species can be found in San Francisco Bay.

 

Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center is one of 18 Pacific Coast nature centers focused on estuaries or wetlands and features several habitat types in its 1800-acre park. “More than one-third of the nation’s endangered or threatened species live only in wetlands, and most of the Bay Area’s historical wetlands have been lost,” explains Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) Naturalist and Recreation Coordinator Adrienne De Ponte. De Ponte launched the fundraiser in 2004 with 75 participants, and this year she is hoping to attract 600, exceeding the 500 of two years ago.

 

De Ponte is passionate about engaging others to experience shoreline wonders: “Our goal is to inspire a sense of appreciation, respect, and stewardship for San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary, its inhabitants and services they provide.” Inhabitants include 70 percent bird species that migrate along the Pacific Flyway, and one service is providing 22 million with Californians drinking water.

 

“Wetlands in general are vital for human survival and are the most productive habitats in the world, containing great biological diversity,” says De Ponte, who worked for United States’ Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife at Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge before joining HARD (which oversees the Interpretive Center). Her love for San Francisco Bay, however, sprang from growing up in Union City a few miles from Coyote Hills and coming to the shoreline to think, build her exercise stamina, and recover from teenage angst.

 

Proceeds from 10K to the Bay will help fund the Janice and Frank Delfino Wetland Habitat Room Project, named for two Castro Valley citizen scientists and activists who recognized East Bay Shoreline’s fragility and actively fought for its preservation. “They spent decades shining a light on the abundant diversity and importance of species that populate the salt marshes that surround the Bay,” explains De Ponte.

 

The Habitat Room is expected to cost about $700,000 to complete and will offer the largest aquarium in the East Bay. The space is being designed with help from Monterey Bay Aquarium and will feature Bay Pipe Fish, closely related to seahorses; leopard sharks; sticklebacks; flounder; and sculpin—just a few of the 500 fish species that live in San Francisco Bay. The aquarium will also feature a concave bubble where children can pop their heads up to look around 360 degrees. The Interpretive Center has $150,000 of the necessary funds raised and needs another $550,000.

 

“Future generations depend on the decisions and plans we make today,” says De Ponte. Besides the 10K, other plans are underway to preserve the shoreline for both human and animal residents. Recently, a $529,00 state grant was awarded to the Center’s parent entity, Hayward Area Shoreline Planning Agency, to create a master plan for building resilience to sea level rise by 2021. The shoreline is vital to protecting critical wastewater infrastructure, San Mateo-Hayward Bridge’s eastern approach, landfills, business parks, and residential neighborhoods. “Marshes act as natural sponges and provide flood control,” explains De Ponte. “They filter pollutants out of water, improving water quality.”

 

Another plan is connecting all 500 miles of walking trails around San Francisco Bay, including the eight miles around the Center, an area considered the “Birth of the Bay Trail.” About 10,000 people annually use eight miles of trails along the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center that connect to San Leandro Marina and Coyote Hills to the south. The center even offers an audio tour for those who wish to enjoy their trails.

 

More information about Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center is available at https://www.haywardrec.org/150/Nature—Hayward-Shoreline-Interpretive-. In addition to walking trails they host camps, field trips, art shows, and a cleanup with 600 volunteers. The center is open to the public Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Hopefully the run will open more peoples’ eyes to the ever-changing abundance of life in the wetlands—which offer refuge from storms, and a place for birds to forage for food and lay their eggs. “This is a wonderful thing about the marsh,” De Ponte says and adds, “The tide comes in and out twice a day, creating different experiences, looking different with birds feeding and resting and raptors on the look for small mammals flooded out when the tide comes in.”

 

Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center

Friday – Sunday

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward

(510) 670-7270

shoreline@haywardrec.org

 

10K on the Bay

Sunday, Aug 25

7 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Registration starts 7:30 a.m.

Race starts 8:30 a.m.

4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward

10konthebay.org

preregistration $35; day-of-race $40

 

 

An open response to the City of Fremont

 

On July 29, the City of Fremont issued an open letter from Mayor Lily Mei regarding the controversial navigation center that has been proposed by the city. In this letter the Mayor calls on the people of Fremont to have compassion for the homeless. This letter is an open response to the Mayor’s comments from a compassionate, yet concerned citizen.

 

Mayor Mei,

 

Thank you for taking the time to engage the public on the navigation center. This proposed center has generated a great deal of controversy within the city and the promotion of an open, honest, and inclusive dialog is the best way to gain the trust and support of the community as we seek to deal with this great challenge. Yet in your letter, you seem to gloss over some key points.

 

In your letter you point out that while Fremont has been ranked as the “happiest city” in America in the past, recently many residents have been quite unhappy. You attribute this growing discontent among the citizenry as the result of the city studying the potential creation of a temporary Housing Navigation Center as a part of a comprehensive program to address the growing homeless population in Fremont.

 

We can all agree that homelessness is one of the many great challenges facing our society today. Bay Area cities are particularly impacted, as the homeless population has been surging across the region. There are many reasons for the increase in the homeless population. For many it is a case of good, hard working people who suffered an unexpected problem, such as a loss of employment, injury, illness, or other unforeseen issue. Given the number of people that are challenged with simply existing paycheck to paycheck, combined with the high cost of living in our region, and it does not take much for someone – for some family – to find themselves homeless.

 

The over $2 Million in Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) grant funds that you refer to can, and should, be used to help these people. We all agree on that. The people of Fremont would be happy to see that happen.

 

But those are not the people that a homeless navigation center is designed to serve. According to current California legislation, Subdivision (b) of Section 8409 of Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations states that “projects shall operate in a manner consistent with housing first practices including the following:

 

(1) Ensuring low-barrier, easily accessible assistance to all people, including, but not limited to, people with no income or income history, and people with active substance abuse or mental health issues;”

 

Further, Section 8255 of the Welfare and Institutions Code states that “Housing First providers offer services as needed and requested on a voluntary basis and that do not make housing contingent on participation in services.”

 

Simply put, as a low barrier to entry facility, navigation centers were specifically designed for long term chronically homeless adults. This particular segment of the homeless population is more likely to consist of those with active addiction issues and while the centers do offer addiction treat programs, there is no requirement that participants actively engage in those programs. Drug and alcohol users are encouraged, but not required, to seek sobriety.

 

Further, as an adults only facility, children cannot be housed at the center. Families will not be served there.

 

No one is suggesting that we stigmatize or ignore the needs of this segment of the homeless population. We can and should develop a plan to address the needs of these people. But are they the top priority? Should we not first focus our limited resources on those good, hard working people who simply had something go wrong?

 

Also, consider the following:

 

Even though the City of Newark has elected to pool their HEAP grant money with Fremont, the total grant funding only equals $2,078,880.00. This is insufficient to cover even a single year of operational costs for the center, which are quoted as being $2,306,033.00. This is the figure quoted by BACS, the provider that has already been chosen by Fremont to operate the facility. And this does not even take into consideration construction costs of the center.

 

Other than a strong hope for another one-time grant from the state, how this center will be paid for on an on-going basis has not been disclosed by the city. Let us not build this center, only to see it close due to a lack of funding shortly after opening.

 

You correctly state that some cities, such as Hayward, have chosen to build navigation centers. However, you fail to mention that they have actively chosen to place them in commercial or industrial areas. Only Fremont is considering placing a navigation center in a residential area. No other city is doing this.

 

Further, other cities, such as Union City, have determined the money could be better spent in other ways. The grant does not require the money be spent on a navigation center. The money can be spent on alternative programs that are designed to help the recently homeless and those in imminent danger of becoming homeless.

 

In your letter you state that the Navigation Center concept is operating successfully in other cities, but conclusive evidence of this remains elusive. San Francisco has been operating a number of these centers for years, yet they have a poor track record. Officially published results show that across all centers and over time, only 14% of San Francisco navigation center residents have successfully transitioned to long term housing. The majority of that city’s “success” is attributed to the Homeward Bound program which simply ships people out of town. Other centers, such as the one in Berkeley that is the basis of the Fremont facility, claim wildly successful numbers. Officially, however, their numbers have yet to be published.

 

Even if Fremont were to move forward on the center, by the city’s own estimates, it will not open until sometime in mid-2020, with the first residents moving to housing at the end of that year. During that time the problem will only get worse.

 

And finally, where exactly is this affordable housing that the residents of this center are going to navigate to? This is a question that the city has yet to answer.

 

So, I ask you, would it not be more compassionate to spend the money now on services and programs that can have a material impact today? HEAP Funding guidelines state that the money can also be spent on:

 

“Services: Street outreach, health and safety education, criminal justice diversion programs, homelessness prevention activities, and other service activities.

 

Rental Assistance or subsidies: Housing voucher, rapid re-housing programs, flexible housing subsidy funds, and eviction prevention strategies.”

 

We are a compassionate city, and that is why we want to see the money spent effectively on programs that can help people today. We want the money to be spent on real solutions, to help real people in need, right now. Not on unproven, underfunded centers that may or may not help someone, sometime next year.

 

Keith Parker

Fremont

 

 

Burnout

By Anne Chan, PhD, MFT

 

Ninety-six percent of millennials surveyed in a recent Yellowbrick study reported experiencing burnout. To cope with burnout, these millennials turn to activities such as watching TV/Hulu/Netflix, sleeping, exercising, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, surfing the internet, and talking to friends and family. (Note: Only 5 percent of the respondents reported that they turned to friends and family for help.)

 

Burnout has not always been recognized as a formal health condition. This year, however, the World Health Organization (WHO) re-classified burnout as a legitimate medical diagnosis. The WHO defines burnout as “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” Being burnt-out isn’t just about having a bad day at work or feeling desperate for a vacation. The symptoms are far more pervasive and include feeling exhausted and devoid of energy, feeling distant from one’s job, being cynical about one’s job, and being less effective at work. The WHO specifies these symptoms as related to one’s job and not to other parts of one’s life.

 

There is no one single cause for burnout – personal characteristics, work environments, and organizational factors can all lead to this condition. Factors such as lack of control, lack of work-life balance, poorly defined expectations and a dysfunctional workplace culture may contribute to someone feeling burnt out. Interestingly (and sadly), health care professionals are at risk for burnout because of the high stress of their jobs and the multiple demands on them. One survey found that 55 percent of critical care doctors experience burnout. It is estimated that 400 physicians in America commit suicide each year, with burnout thought to be a contributing factor.

 

Someone who is experiencing burnout may appear indifferent, unmotivated, and emotionally depleted. Stress can look a lot like burnout, but there are some key differences. One difference is your level of hopefulness – if you’re stressed but are hopeful and engaged with your goals and life, you are not experiencing burnout. If you are plagued by a sense of hopelessness and are disengaged with your goals, have lost hope, and lack motivation, you are likely to be suffering from burnout.

 

A comprehensive, confidential questionnaire for assessing burnout is available online at https://web2.bma.org.uk/drs4drsburn.nsf/quest?OpenForm. You can do a quick assessment for burnout by answering four questions created by the United Kingdom Practitioner Health Programme (https://academic.oup.com/bjaed/article/17/10/334/3865410):

1. Has anyone close to you asked you to cut down on your work?
2. In recent months have you become angry or resentful about your work or about colleagues, clients or patients?
3. Do you feel guilty that you are not spending enough time with your friends, family or even yourself?
4. Do you find yourself becoming increasingly emotional, for example crying, getting angry, shouting, or feeling tense for no obvious reason?

 

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, get help sooner than later, and make an appointment with your doctor or a psychotherapist. The good news is that burnout does not have to be a permanent condition, nor does it necessarily mean that you must make a drastic career change. Coping mechanisms that have found to help include meditation, exercise, and strong social support. It is also important to take good care of your life outside work by participating in meaningful activities such as hobbies and spiritual practices.

 

Anne Chan is a career counselor and licensed psychotherapist in Union City. She specializes in helping people find happiness in their careers, lives, and relationships. You can reach her at annechantcv@gmail.com © Anne Chan, 2017.

 

 

Archimedes space opens at Fremont Library

By Stephanie Gertsch

 

On Friday, August 16, the Fremont Main Library held a grand opening for its new Archimedes Makerspace, a project that has been in the works for a year in collaboration with the Fremont Unified School District. The goal of this space is to introduce kids to new technologies such as 3D printers and to encourage creativity and critical thinking. Over the summer, Berbawy Makers ran six weeks of classes on creative problem-solving using computer-aided design, 3D design, and wearable electronics. In the final two weeks, three teams of junior high and high school students worked to solve challenges given by local businesses.

 

In attendance were library innovator Parker Thomas, members of Berbawy Makers, Country Librarian Cindy Chadwick, and Fremont Mayor Lily Mei. A representative from Facebook was also present, as Facebook had donated 40 MacBook Pros to the summer project.

 

Parker Thomas, who oversaw the implementation of the space, gave an introduction, explaining, “We were hearing from companies that they were looking for creative problem solvers and lifelong learners, and we wanted to find a way to create a space that could deliver those skills and give people a place to practice. To no one’s surprise, the library is a trusted place for new experiences.”

 

Thomas said he strives to facilitate a “failure-positive culture” where failures are celebrated along with successes as a natural part of the innovation process. Thus, student presenters were encouraged to talk about their challenges and failures in addition to the final outcomes. Appropriately, there was a short failure with the projector as the three teams prepared to share their real-life solutions.

 

The three local businesses to issue challenges were Sepisolar, Gridscape, and the Alameda County Library.

 

Team Solargrid:

The task given by Sepisolar was to design a solar panel layout for the roof of a house to optimize the generation of solar energy—ideally to generate all the household’s power. Points to consider were how much electricity the house needed, the angle of the house in relationship to the equator, and the location of rafters and vents. After software and teamwork challenges, the team used Adobe Illustrator to design the ideal layout, with the majority of panels on the south-facing roof.

 

A student remarked, “One big thing we learned was that math is actually applicable. We used a lot of geometry and some trigonometry and that was surprisingly helpful.”

 

Team Raspberry Pi:

This challenge from the library was to build a photobooth using a Raspberry Pi that would upload photos to Twitter with various overlays—such as a mustache, sunglasses, or a robot friend. The team used Python to program the Raspberry Pi. They applied for a Twitter developer account with a fictitious name to look like a real company and were approved within a day. This allowed them to make an app to upload photos from the booth. Obstacles involved making the housing for the photobooth and trimming jumper cables to the correct length.

 

Team Gridscape Solutions:

Energy solutions company Gridscape issued a challenge to find an easy way to explain the size and function of their microgrids. The team came up with a two-part solution: 3D printed scaled models of the microgrids and a 2D animation. Obstacles along the way were issues with CAD, the 3D printer, and exact scaling. Time management was also a conflict when the team’s sole animator was briefly unavailable. During the project, Gridscape was on hand to answer questions, even at the last minute.

 

After the teams presented their findings, Mayor Lily Mei shared her support for the space. She said, “What I’ve often heard is these days we have students that come out—my kids are in that age group, are Millennials—and sometimes what I’ve heard from the companies is these students are half baked. They’re great on tests and great on understanding things, but don’t understand how to apply some of these skills.” Spaces like Archimedes teach students how to work as a team and persevere through failures.

 

“We’re very excited to have Archimedes as a project here,” Mayor Mei said. “So many of our libraries are here to allow all of our students, whether that’s during the school year or in the summer, and all of the community to be able to use those resources.”

 

Following the speakers and presentations, the audience was invited to visit Archimedes Makerspace to see the equipment and get a closer look at the students’ projects and tweet themselves using the photobooth.

 

Archimedes Makerspace

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

(510) 745-1400

How to bypass ATM fees while you're on the road

 

 

AP Wire Service

Aug 15

By Margarette Burnette of NerdWallet

 

If you find yourself short on cash while on vacation, it might seem easiest to hit up the nearest ATM. But if that handy machine is not in your bank's network, you could get a double whammy of fees: The ATM owner will probably charge a few dollars for the convenience, and your own bank may tack on an extra $2.50 or so.

 

You can avoid paying ATM surcharges, however, with some prep work. Here are ways to get cash without the expense on your next trip.

 

1. CHOOSE A BANK ACCOUNT THAT OFFERS ATM FEE REIMBURSEMENTS. Some banks will credit customers' accounts for any fees that are charged by ATM machine owners. Depending on the bank and account, refunds may be unlimited, or they could be capped at around $10 per statement cycle.

 

Even capped reimbursements would cover a few trips to the cash machine while on vacation, so if you think you'll be hit with multiple ATM charges, consider opening an account at a bank that refunds fees. Note that if you're traveling overseas and need funds, you may still incur foreign transaction fees.

 

2. SCOPE OUT RETAILERS THAT OFFER FREE CASH BACK. If you use a debit card for purchases while on your trip, look for merchants such as supermarkets or drugstores that offer free cash back with purchases. This is an easy way to skip the ATM, though it does mean you'll have to make a purchase. But if you were planning on that anyway, it means no extra costs.

 

Two things to consider: It's likely the merchant's cash back limit is lower than an ATM's –  you may be able to withdraw up to $500 from a cash machine, but as little as $40  from a retailer – and some merchants charge a fee of a dollar or so  for the convenience. Before you tap the “cash back” button in the checkout line, ask if there's a fee.

 

3. JOIN A LARGE ATM NETWORK. For customers who travel within the United States, a bank or credit union account that has access to thousands of domestic ATMs is another good option, since you have a good chance of finding surcharge-free machines at your destination.

 

You don't need an account at a megabank with a branch on every corner to take advantage of a large ATM network. Many small credit unions and online banks are part of cooperative networks, such as Allpoint and Co-op, that provide access to 30,000 or more member ATMs within the United States.

 

In addition, some banks have relationships with convenience stores or other retailers that have ATMs on site. So, a cash machine might be inside a gas station, even if no bank branch is nearby. Check your institution's website or mobile app to locate nearby in-network ATMs.

 

4. IF ALL ELSE FAILS, DECIDE WHETHER CASH IS REALLY NECESSARY. You may not need to use cash much at all while on vacation. If you want a snack from a hotel vending machine or to pay for a parking spot, for example, you may be able to use a credit or debit card for those transactions.

 

If you want to split a restaurant check with a friend or family member, consider putting the total on your or your companion's plastic and using Venmo or a similar peer-to-peer payment app to even up. It's a way to pay your share without having to dig up dollar bills.

 

Going cashless also allows you to keep track of your spending online, which can be useful motivation: When you can log in to your bank account and see a list of all recent transactions, it can encourage you to be thoughtful about new purchases.

 

Don't give in to pricey ATMs while on vacation for the sake of convenience. With a little planning, you can keep all your money yourself instead of giving a cut to an ATM owner.

 

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

 

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Margarette Burnette is a writer at NerdWallet.

 

 

American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month

Submitted by Tomasa Duenas

 

Assemblymembers Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), Kansen Chu (D-Milpitas), and Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) authored House Resolution 48 (HR 48) to recognize August 2019 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

 

“This is the fourth year that I have proudly introduced a resolution highlighting the achievements and many contributions the American Muslim community has made to California and the country,” explained Quirk. “My friends and neighbors continue to experience harassment daily for no other reason than being Muslim. This resolution is an opportunity to look beyond the hate, the negative headlines, and the hurtful rhetoric.”

 

In conjunction with the floor ceremony held on August 12, Quirk was joined by his honoree for American Muslim Awareness and Appreciation Month, Mokhtar Alkhanshali, founder and CEO of Port of Mokha, a company focused on importing and selling coffee from Yemen. Mokhtar is credited with reversing Yemen’s lost art of coffee cultivation.

 

In 2013, Alkhanshali departed the United States for Yemen and spent three years travelling the country learning about coffee. War broke out on the day he was scheduled to leave Yemen. His harrowing escape from Yemen with his first coffee samples is the centerpiece of the novel, The Monk of Mokha.

 

 

BBQ with a cop, support Special Olympics

Submitted by Union City PD

 

Wednesday, August 21st is one of Union City Police Department’s favorite Special Olympic fundraisers. Come join us at the Union Landing Texas Roadhouse (32115 Union Landing Blvd) as we raise money for the Special Olympics of Northern California.

 

From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Union City Police Department personnel will serve as celebrity waiters as you dine on good ole’ Texas BBQ.

 

While the menu offerings by Texas Roadhouse are free, a donation in any amount you can afford is deeply appreciated as we support Northern California law enforcement’s favorite charity. With your help, Northern California law enforcement raises close to $1 million per year for nearly 24,000 athletes.

 

In addition to providing these athletes with the opportunity to play competitive sports, Special Olympics of Northern California helps to facilitate medical screenings including dental, vision and medical screenings. With your donation, you can truly make our community a better place to live for all of its residents.

 

So, come on down to Texas Roadhouse and enjoy a tasty meal with great people!

 

BBQ with a cop

Wednesday, Aug 21

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Texas Roadhouse

34009 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City
510-471-1365

 

 

Manufacturing Day

By Julie Vidad-Balmoja, economic development specialist

 

Fremont has over 50 million square feet of office/R&D/industrial space and 900 companies that are “making” and manufacturing in these buildings. While driving past these facilities, have you ever wondered what kinds of activities are happening inside? The opportunity to find out is coming soon as Manufacturing Day (www.mfgday.com), a celebration of manufacturing practices that build local, national, and global economies.

 

Established in 2012, Manufacturing Day celebrates the industry of modern manufacturing, overcomes industry misperceptions, and attracts the next generation of workers. On Manufacturing Day, manufacturing companies across the U.S. open their doors for students and teachers to attend tours of their facilities to see first-hand what modern manufacturing operations look like. This year, the event will be on Friday, October 4.

 

In Fremont, we have always had strong company representation on Manufacturing Day. Among our Manufacturing Day “veterans” are ALOM, Bay Area Circuits, Evolve Manufacturing, Elringklinger, Littelfuse, and Steri-Tek. This year, they will be joined by first timers such as MASS Precision.

 

Last year, I attended my first Manufacturing Day, and after touring Evolve Manufacturing, Elringklinger, and Steri-Tek, I realized that the misconceptions were just that — misconceptions. While many envision dangerous assembly lines and products being created on a large scale and transported via a conveyor belt, that certainly isn’t the case. Products and services emerge much faster, more efficiently in a higher tech atmosphere.

 

So, what exactly does happen behind those closed doors? Production of customized parts for all types of vehicles, invention of new medical device equipment, distribution of food products, and decontamination or sterilization of sensitive materials are only a small fraction of what’s happening.

 

If you are a local manufacturing company that wants to attract the brightest talent, what better way than to showcase your facility and operations to the future workforce pipeline from our local schools and colleges? The economic development team is here to help companies interested in hosting a tour. Contact me at jvidad@fremont.gov to sign up and get connected with a student group. It’s a great way to cultivate the workforce and inspire students to pursue a career they may have never considered before.

 

 

California's largest recycling business closes, 750 laid off

AP Wire Service

 

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP), Aug 05 – California's largest operator of recycling redemption centers has shut down and laid off 750 employees.

 

The Mercury News reports Monday that the company RePlanet has closed all 284 of its centers.

 

RePlanet's president David Lawrence says the company stopped operating because of increased business costs and falling prices of recycled aluminum and PET plastic.

 

Now San Francisco Bay Area residents are left with few options for redeeming their recyclables.

 

The move comes three years after RePlanet closed 191 of its recycling centers and laid off almost 300 employees.

 

Advocates are urging the state to reform how it subsidizes recycling centers. They worry that now more recyclables will end up in landfills.

Call for submissions 

 

Tri-City Voice has offered to publish human interest stories of the classroom in an Education Corner. The column is designed to show the general public what teaching, administrating and staffing are truly like. Many have no idea what it takes to manage and teach 150 to 200 students each day or educate one set of students in multiple subjects.

 

Submit vignettes or stories based on the classroom, 800 words or less. Please, no political harangues or personal vendettas. Submit via email to jameslecuyer@yahoo.com along with your name, present city of residence, present or former position, phone number, and email address. You will be contacted if your story is considered for publication.

 

James LeCuver

Fremont

 

 

Community Garden Plot Applications accepted

Submitted by Jacqui Diaz

 

The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.) is accepting applications for garden plots at the new Hayward Community Garden. The public and groups are encouraged to review the guidelines and apply before Friday, August 30. If there are more applicants than space, a lottery will be held, and a waiting list established for future plots. Individuals and groups may apply to rent a plot for a two-year period.

 

The Hayward Community Garden Master Plan project is funded by Measure F1, which was successfully passed by voters in 2016. The applications are for Phase 1 of the project, which includes 70 garden plots with irrigation, raised beds, a small orchard, shade structure to accommodate outdoor classes, produce counter, seed library, demonstration garden, storage shed, compost, small greenhouse, pathways, and fencing and gates. A zone for community gathering will feature a picnic area with barbeques, a “kiwi tunnel,” and a natural play area. Applications and the community garden guidelines are available in English and Spanish on the H.A.R.D. website at www.HaywardRec.org/gardens.

 

Hayward garden plot application

Deadline: Friday, Aug 30

Hayward Community Garden

Whitman St. and Berry Ave., Hayward

www.HaywardRec.org/gardens

 

 

Another year of campus life begins at CSU East Bay

Submitted by Kimberly Hawkins

 

For many students, the weekend of August 16-17 was life-changing. More than 1500 students moved into the dorms at Cal State East Bay’s Hayward campus ahead of the fall semester, which began Monday, August 19. Freshmen and incoming transfer students were the first to arrive on Friday, followed by upperclassmen and graduate students on Saturday. An academic year and unlimited opportunities await our new and returning students. Welcome back!

 

California State University, East Bay

25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward

(510) 885-3000

www.csueastbay.edu

 

 

Dove Gallery hosts Art Fair

Submitted by Carol Hamilton

Photos courtesy of Dove Gallery

 

Dove Art Gallery in Milpitas is opening a new exhibit, “Parables: Art with a Message.” Artwork inspired by meaningful experiences and deep convictions will be on display. Multiple artists using diverse style and various media make this an eclectic display of local talent.

 

Dee Bueno, an award-winning Union City artist, uses oil pastels to capture the people and places she has encountered while travelling across the country. Her impressive drawing of a stained-glass window in a historic church was created expressly for the exhibit and generously donated to the Gallery. Dee also is known for her colorful depictions of Native American life.

 

An exhibit highlight is artwork that depicts parables told by Jesus. San Jose artist, Adrienne Reed, uses oil paint to portray beautiful lilies in an impressive work titled “Bentley’s Garden.” A parable states that even King Solomon in all his splendor was not more finely clad than these flowers. Adrienne’s vibrant renditions of church life and American Jazz are noteworthy; her artwork was recently on display at the Triton Museum.

 

The public is invited to view this wonderful collection and enjoy the art fair on Sunday, August 25. Earlier in the day, Artist Becca England will also use her talents to illustrate a parable during a message by Pastor Steve Zahare at the 10:30 morning service. There will be food, creative activities and free fun for the whole family.

 

Dove Gallery displays the artwork of Adults and children over 5 years of age. In November, it will host its Second Annual Art Competition with ribbons awarded in four categories. Assistant Curator Carol Manasse says, “The Gallery tries to affirm young artists by allowing them to see their works professionally framed and displayed under a gallery lighting system.” Dove Gallery is a not-for-profit venue that seeks to affirm the creativity of local artists. No entry fees are charged to participate in its events.

 

The Parable Exhibit will run from August 25 – October 19. The Gallery is Open every Sunday from 12 noon – 3 p.m. during the exhibit. Additional viewing opportunities during the week leading up to the 19th can be confirmed at dove@parkvictoria.org.

 

Parables: art with a message

Sunday, Aug 25 – Oct 19

12 noon – 3 p.m.

Grand Opening & Art Fair: Sunday August 25

Dove Gallery, Park Victoria Church

(back parking lot)

875 S. Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas

Dove@ParkVictoria.org

 

 

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve noticed more and more air traffic over my house in Seattle and I’m getting a little sick of all the noise. Is there anything I can do to force the airlines to disperse their routes more widely or, even better, cut back on their number of flights?

— Bill G., Seattle, Washington

 

As we all fly more and more these days, the airlines have responded by packing the friendly skies full of flights. If you live or work near a major airport, chances are air traffic noise is your constant companion throughout the day and even oftentimes overnight. But with noise exposure linked to reduced worker efficiency, increased hypertension, and cardiovascular disease and impaired cognitive performance in school children, maybe it’s time we reconsider what’s tolerable in terms of air traffic noise.

 

Some cities (and their airports) have started Fly Quiet programs to encourage airlines to use more modern, quieter planes and schedule their take-offs and landings to minimize or spread out noise pollution. For instance, San Francisco’s SFO airport bestows its own “Fly Quiet Award” annually to the airlines that operate the quietest on their comings and goings to this Bay Area hub. Seattle, Oakland, Chicago and several other major airports across the U.S. have followed suit with similar programs. Some of the airlines to garner Fly Quiet honors for noise abatement include Southwest, Spirit, SkyWest, Virgin Atlantic, Interjet and Air China. Individuals can encourage these Fly Quiet efforts by patronizing only airlines like these that are taking steps to quiet their fleets. And if your local airport doesn’t already have its own Fly Quiet program, be the squeaky wheel to help get one started.

 

Of course, the issue could be moot if Stephen Barrett’s team of aeronautics researchers at MIT have their way. The successful maiden voyage of their quiet lithium-ion powered plane last November sent a silent shock wave through the industry. The futuristic prototype uses electricity to lift and propel the plane via “electro-aerodynamic propulsion,” essentially by creating an “ionic wind” through dispersal of positively and negatively charged electrodes underneath the wing.

 

And while we may be years away from everyday commercial airplanes powered by electro-aerodynamic propulsion, the technology could have near-term applications in quieting down drones. “The near-term advantage is probably in noise, especially if you think that perhaps in 10 years, we might have urban areas that are filled with drones doing things like monitoring traffic, monitoring air pollution, or maybe other services we’re yet to imagine,” Barrett tells MIT Technology Review. “Drones today are quite noisy and irritating.”

 

Of course, quiet drones (or planes) isn’t exactly what some environmentalists consider a solution. Gordon Hempton is defending a single square inch of untrammeled temperate rainforest deep in the middle of Washington State’s Olympic National Park from human noise pollution of any kind. Since the spot in question is in a wilderness more than three miles from the nearest building or road, the only sounds of human machinery that can break the otherwise otherworldly natural soundscape is an airplane engine. So Hempton has been fighting with the airlines and the U.S. Navy to get them to stop flying over at least the center of Olympic National Park in order to preserve at least one square inch from the auditory incursions of humankind.

 

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

 

 

Park It

By Ned MacKay

 

For millennia before the arrival of Europeans, the people who lived at what is now Coyote Hills Regional Park made arrowheads and tools for their daily needs by chipping (“knapping”) flakes of chert, obsidian and other stones. Experienced present-day stone tool makers will demonstrate this ancient craft, which was common worldwide, during a free “knap-in” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 at the Coyote Hills Visitor Center.

 

Young children are welcome to watch the demonstrations. Anyone 16 years or older can try a hand at flint knapping. For safety reasons, if you wish to join in, bring leather gloves, long pants, close-toed shoes, and protective eye wear.

 

Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road, off Paseo Padre Parkway in Fremont. Coyote Hills charges a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call (510) 544-3220.

 

Some old-fashioned fun will take place from 12noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, August 24 at nearby Ardenwood Historic Farm. You can test your skill at stilt walking, potato racing, tug-of-war, and sack races. Ardenwood has lots of other diversions too, including barnyard animals, train rides, and tours of the historic Patterson House.

 

The park is at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just north of Highway 84 in Fremont. For information and fees, call (510) 544-2797.

 

For an eventually cooler trek on a hot summer day, join the Wednesday Walkers on a 5-mile hike with naturalist Susan Ramos starting at 9:30 a.m. August 28 at Redwood Regional Park in Oakland. A part of the hike is strenuous. The route starts with a steep climb up the Canyon Trail, then goes on East Ridge to Phillips Loop, Eucalyptus Trail and back down through the shady redwoods on the Stream Trail.

 

Meet Susan at the Canyon Meadows parking lot. It’s at the end of the road that leads into the park from Redwood Road in Oakland. For information, call (510) 544-3187.

 

Naturalist “Trail Gail” Broesder plans two programs on Saturday, August 24 at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley.

 

The first is a climb to the top of Wildcat Peak, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The effort is worth it for wildlife sightings and panoramic views of the Bay Area from the summit. Bring water and snacks.

 

Then from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Broesder will preside over “Fun with Felt,” an opportunity to make your own felt creation using wool, soap and elbow grease.

 

For the hike, meet Broesder at Tilden’s Environmental Education Center, at the north end of Central Park Drive. For the felt program, meet Broesder at the Little Farm next door to the center. For information on either program, call (510) 544-2233.

 

Naturalist aide Jake Wright will beat the heat at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch with an early-start hike from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday, August 25. The objective is the remains of an early coal mining family’s homestead, plus some great views of the Delta. The hike is for ages 8 and older. Meet Jake at the park office, which is in the group of buildings on the left of the kiosk as you enter the park.

 

Black Diamond Mines has a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended. For information, call (888) 327-2757, ext. 2750.

 

There’s always something interesting going on in the regional parks. And remember that Fridays are free from now through the end of the year in celebration of the district’s 85th anniversary. For information, visit www.ebparks.org.

 

 

Editorial

Representation

 

An historic geopolitical seismic shift began with the cry, “No taxation without representation.” That grievance, voiced by colonists during the 1700s, was a primary impetus for a revolution… the founding of the United States of America. Previously, the American colonies were considered by the English government as a commercial venture whose purpose was to enrich the homeland and defray costs of defense and administration. According to the English Bill of Rights (1869), the consent of Parliament was a requirement for imposition of taxes; there was no such direct colonial representation. Much debate and argument ensued over the type of representation – virtual or direct – required to conform to the law. In the meantime, tax levies such as the Sugar Tax and Stamp Tax were imposed and resentment festered among the colonists. The infamous Tea Tax prompted a rebellious Boston Tea Party in 1773 by the Sons of Liberty. Eloquent orators such as Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin argued the colonial cause.

 

Sentiment of 1700s has endured and echoed through the centuries since the upstart colonial radicals declared the birth of a new country. Most who endure the imposition of taxes understand that the justification for such payments is mutual protection and support. With proper representation, the hope is that such levies will be controlled and reasonable. However, as with any equation between the governed and government, this balance can be disrupted by malfeasance, corruption and incompetence. No matter what level of government is involved, a critical component of the process is engagement and participation by those tasked with selecting competent representation. Unfortunately, if participation declines, so does competency. A motivated minority is allowed to usurp political power, legal prerogatives and, ultimately, many essential elements of public life. This passivity saps the strength and vigor of a democratic society and defaults to authoritarianism.

 

Finding an effective antidote to this malaise has been the dilemma of democracy proponents confronted by threats of indifference and ignorance. Participation in elections is at the root of democracy and yet many eligible voters feel disenfranchised with no inclination to take time to mark a ballot or understand issues, opening themselves to emotional appeals of dubious validity. On the good news side of things, complaints of long wait times at polls and busy schedules have been offset recently by heightened interest and increased recognition of vote relevance. According to some surveys, even non-voters understand the importance of voting. [Longley, Robert. “Why Don't More Americans Vote?” ThoughtCo, Mar. 3, 2019, thoughtco.com/why-dont-more-americans-vote-3322088]. So how do we support voter enthusiasm and ensure continued participation and meaningful representation?

 

Compulsory voting in 22 nations around the world is one tactic to combat this malady, however enforced in only half of them. Although a laudatory attempt to bolster democracy, a question of vote quality remains. After all, you may force someone to the polls, but how will they actually vote and with what information and interest?

 

Early voting and vote by mail have made significant inroads into participation so, in 2016, California adopted the Voters Choice Act, inaugurated with a 2018 pilot program in five counties. This year, it has expanded to at least four more counties including Santa Clara County and will be open to all counties in 2020. This is a bold experiment and will hopefully not only increase participation, but heighten interest in candidates, ballot measures and propositions. Instead of electing to vote by mail, all registered voters will automatically receive a ballot in the mail. The choice of how and where to vote is up to the voter. The ballot can be mailed, dropped off at a ballot drop box or at a “Vote Center” where replacement ballots, voting machines, registration and additional services will be available. No longer will a voter be restricted to a specific voting location.

 

According to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, “…there is no longer a wrong place to vote which has the added benefit of reducing the number of provisional ballots issued and cast.” And, “Starting 10 days before the Election and through the Friday before Election Day, one vote center is required for every 50,000 registered voters. On Election Day and the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday leading up to Election Day, one vote center is required for every 10,000 registered voters.” Will this lead to higher participation and attention to the electoral process? The results are yet to be determined, but it’s a step in the right direction.

 

 

Expo for STEM students

Submitted by Harman Singh Brah

 

STEM students who have been working and researching all summer as part of the Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) will have a chance to present their final projects on Sunday, August 25. The public is invited to attend to cheer on these 260 high schoolers.

 

The event will run 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Northwestern Polytechnic University in Fremont. It is free to attend, but guests are required to register on the ASDRP website in advance. Guests must present tickets at time of entry. The form can be accessed here: https://form.jotform.com/92218513102142

 

ASDRP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit summer program that provides opportunities for high school students throughout the Bay Area, especially those who are underrepresented in STEM or who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, to conduct high-level novel scientific research. Students participate in research projects across various subjects in STEM, including chemistry, biology, computational modeling, computer science, and more.

The program provides students with research mentors and over $200,000 worth of research equipment in their own laboratory. Students are matched with research mentors who have experience in academia or industry; together, they design an original research project that will expand current scientific knowledge. Students execute their projects, learn scientific reading and writing skills, write research papers on their results, undergo mock peer-review, and publish their research papers in the ASDRP Communications online journal.

 

At the end-of-summer expo, students will give poster presentations; this is the culmination of their months of work. After the summer ASDRP follows up with students to place them into university research laboratories and industry internships in subsequent summers. The inaugural cohort of ASDRP started in summer 2018.

 

The event will take place at Northwestern Polytechnic University’s Main Campus, which contains East and West buildings separated by a courtyard. All attendees may check in at either end of the courtyard. A map of the entire campus, including parking, is available on the ASDRP website: https://www.fremontstem.org/asdrp-expo.

 

ASDRP Expo

Sunday, Aug 25

4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Check-in starts 3:30 p.m.

Northwestern Polytechnic University

115 Fourier Ave., Fremont
https://www.fremontstem.org/asdrp

Registration: https://form.jotform.com/92218513102142

 

 

Facebook paid contractors to transcribe users' audio clips

By Mae Anderson and Rachel Lerman

AP Technology Writers

 

NEW YORK (AP), Aug 14 – Facebook has paid contractors to transcribe audio clips from users of its Messenger service, raising privacy concerns for a company with a history of privacy lapses.

 

The practice was, until recently, common in the tech industry. Companies say the practice helps improve their services. But users aren't typically aware that humans and not just computers are reviewing audio.

 

Transcriptions done by humans raise bigger concerns because of the potential of rogue employees or contractors leaking details. The practice at Google emerged after some of its Dutch language audio snippets were leaked. More than 1,000 recordings were obtained by Belgian broadcaster VRT NWS, which noted that some contained sensitive personal conversations – as well as information that identified the person speaking.

 

Facebook said audio snippets reviewed by contractors were masked so as not to reveal anyone's identity. It said it stopped the practice a week ago. The development was reported earlier by Bloomberg.

 

Google said it suspended doing this worldwide while it investigates the leaks. Amazon said it still uses humans, but users can decline, or opt out, of the human transcriptions. Published reports say Apple also has used humans but has stopped.

 

Irish data-protection regulators say they're seeking more details from Facebook to assess compliance with European data regulations.

 

Facebook is already under scrutiny for a variety of other ways it has misused user data. It agreed to a $5 billion fine to settle a U.S. Federal Trade Commission probe of its privacy practices.

–––

Lerman reported from San Francisco.

 

 

Officers investigating fatal traffic collision

Submitted by Geneva Bosques, Fremont PD

 

On Sunday, August 18, 2019, at 11:50 p.m., patrol officers were dispatched to a major injury collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian in the area of Paseo Padre Pkwy and Walnut Ave. Officers arrived and located a pedestrian (unidentified male, approximately 50 years of age) lying unconscious in the northbound lanes of Paseo Padre Pkwy mid-block between Walnut Ave and Capitol Ave (in front of the Raley’s Shopping Center). 

The driver of the vehicle (Toyota Camry), an 18-year-old female, Fremont resident stopped at the scene. Paramedics arrived a short time later and prepared to transport the pedestrian, however, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the scene. The driver was cooperative with the investigation and intoxication is not suspected to be a factor. 

The Alameda County Coroner’s Office responded and will release the identification of the pedestrian once next of kin has been notified.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. 

This is Fremont's 4th fatal traffic collision in 2019.
 
Any witnesses are asked to contact Officer Burch with the Fremont Department Traffic Unit at Bburch@fremont.gov or call 790-6800. We will also accept anonymous tips. Text, ‘Tip FremontPD’ followed by your short message to 888-777 or via the web at https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/6216337. 

 

 

FBI, Facebook could clash over privacy vs. monitoring

AP Wire Service

 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP), Aug 08 – The FBI is looking for outside contractors to monitor social media for potential threats, setting up a possible conflict with Facebook and other companies over privacy.

 

Last month, the FBI said it is soliciting proposals for a social media “early alerting tool” in order to identify possible threats while making sure that privacy and civil liberties considerations are considered. Such a tool would likely violate Facebook's ban against using its data for surveillance.

 

The contract solicitation and the potential clash was first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday. It was posted before the most recent mass shootings once again prompted calls for social media companies to do more to detect such threats.

 

Facebook declined to comment. Twitter did not immediately respond to a message for comment.

 

 

Lavender Arts at Home

Article and photos by Lalitha Visveswaran

 

Peak summer is here. Temperatures are spiking and heat advisories abound. The garden looks tired and needs more care. Lavender, the drought-tolerant trooper is still going strong, feeding the bees and wafting joy in your direction. I have shared the edible joys of lavender before, and here are some crafty ideas.

 

Lavender Sachets

Exactly what it sounds like: Loose dried lavender in little sewn pouches or sachets.

• Dry lavender stalks. Strip the stalks so you have a pile of lavender that is entirely devoid of moisture. This is important.
• You can fill oversized paper tea bags with dried lavender, seal the bags and use them inside your linen closet for lavender fragrance.
• A square of linen or muslin, plain or with decorative lacy edges, can be sewn to make little lavender bags. Fill with dried lavender. You can either sew the bags closed or tie like a pouch with a piece of hemp or twine.
• Fabric sachets must be washed if they have been starched. Lavender’s aroma can get trapped and not release through woven fabric that has been starched stiff.
• Avoid organza, tulle or any unwoven fabric; natural materials such as cotton or linen are best. Lavender sachets only need a squeeze or a good rub to give out that whiff of floral joy.
• Sachets that are filled with organic rice husks and mixed equally with dried lavender buds can be used as eye pillows.

 

Lavender Smudge Sticks

Smudge sticks are the oldest room fresheners. Some cultures use them ritually. Whether or not you believe smudge sticks with their smoky powers can drive away evil or negative energy, there is no denying that smoke will drive away insects and disable eggs/larvae in the hidden corners of your home. Fresh or slightly-wilted aromatic herbs are bundled together and tied with a string. Then, herbs are naturally dried in semi-shade to retain color and remove any moisture from the plant material. Lavender is excellent for creating smudge sticks as it is high in aromatic volatile oils. Having said that, lavender in combination with other dried herbs is even better for burning as lavender is brittle and its loose buds need dried plant material to hold together. These are a few of my favorite combinations:

• Lavender, Roses, and Sage
• Lavender, Rosemary, and Sage
• Lavender, White Pine, and White Sage
• Lavender, Juniper, and Roses
• Lavender, Mugwort, and Sage
• Lavender, Catnip, and Sage

 

Lavender Threshold Swags

I love wreaths, but I found that they required hardware and were expensive. Lavender in particular must be cut during peak bee foraging season when it is fresh and the stems are pliable to make it fit the wreath form. It was easier to create wreaths from my field of lavender in my farm, but in a home garden, it can be difficult to rustle up enough fresh lavender to create wreaths. Smaller, chunky lavender swag bundles hung over the threshold have the same flower power. There are so many ways to decorate bundles with satin ribbons, lace etc.

 

I love threshold swag bundles and prefer them to wreaths because once you create the basic lavender bundle and secure it with a rubber band or twine, the decorative part can be changed as needed. Halloween can have a witchy swag, and Easter can have a bunny friend in your lavender bundle. It is the perfect mix and match concept; the same lavender swag looks different every time the outer ribbon or burlap or cloth sheath you use changes.

 

The best way to hang swag is upside down. It can be hung over the threshold of your front door or inside the house. Make sure to use a thick bundle with a lot of personality. Some ideas:

• Halloween décor
• Burlap strip with a bright cheery button sewn in the middle
• Lace or crotchet bound, but these are better indoors
• Satin ribbons. Pastel colors in satin go especially well with lavender
• Tulle or organza for an ethereal look
• Mix and match with other herbs such as wheat sheaves, sage, rosemary, roses, baby’s breath, etc.

 

Lavender Incense

Finally, here is my favorite secret recipe to make incense at home. While smudge sticks are a great way to bring aroma into the home, I have always been a fan of incense cones. Incense-making is a traditional art that combines earthly gifts with solid technique. It is so ancient that incense recipes exist from the times of Egyptian Pharaohs.

 

There are various ways to make incense, but I find incense cones the easiest and least messy. Some people dip sticks into the incense mixture, and others burn the powder in granular form over smoldering coal with sand or charcoal. The key is a resinous substance and the aromatic incense mixture, bound together by water. It can be made strong with essential oils or fragrance oils. My way:

• Grind dried lavender buds to a fine powder. Don’t let it heat up. Sift thoroughly.
• Measure one part Gum Arabic powder to two parts ground lavender.
• Options: Any resinous matter such as pine leaves, myrrh or frankincense will enhance your incense. Makko powder can also be used instead of Gum Arabic. Equal parts of powdered coal to Gum Arabic will make the mixture more flammable.
• Use dropper to add water and make the herbs and Gum Arabic mixture into a Play-Doh texture. Dry thoroughly for three to five days.
• Burn the cones on a mound of sand for safety and don’t leave them unattended.
• You can add essential oils to mix the lavender with dried herb such as sage. Essential oils make ribbons of incense smoke wonderful in their complexity.

 

Lalitha Visveswaran is a full-time farmer at Jellicles Farm in the Sunol AgPark. www.jelliclesfarm.com

 

 

Walnut Avenue bikeway improvements project

Submitted by City of Fremont

 

Construction is underway to improve bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, and signalized intersections on Walnut Avenue between Mission Boulevard and Paseo Padre Parkway in Fremont. The project will create a complete street that balances the safety and needs of all users on the roadway and provides direct access to the Fremont BART Station in Downtown, Kaiser and Washington Hospitals, local government offices, and retail shopping centers.

 

Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is providing most funding for this project with $5 million of voter-approved Measure BB funds. For more information, visit http://www.fremont.gov/WalnutBikeway.

Welcome Teacher Day

Submitted by Fremont Flowers

 

Fremont Flowers welcomes Fremont Unified School District students back to school. Come celebrate “Welcome Teacher Day” on Tuesday, August 27. Stop by Fremont Flowers to receive a free flower bud vase to present to your teacher on the first day of school. Students must be present to receive the bud vase.

 

Welcome Teacher Day

Tuesday, Aug 27

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fremont Flowers

4050 Alder Ave, Fremont

(510) 797-1136

 

 

Education Foundation announces Innovation Grants

Submitted by Brian Killgore

 

The Fremont Education Foundation recently awarded over $19,000 in Innovation Grants to 17 Fremont Unified School District teachers representing 12 schools. Created in 1991, the grants fund innovative, quality classroom programs in grades K-12 and are aimed at increasing student academic achievement, creativity, leadership, critical thinking, physical fitness and health, skills in diversity and conflict resolution, and experiences in the visual and performing arts. Individual grants are awarded for amounts up to $2,000.

 

Grant Recipients:

 

American High School

• Gary Benz
• Melanie Westover

 

Azevada Elementary

• Erik DeFranco
• Wes Williams

 

Cabrillo Elementary

• Catherine Diaz-Centeno

 

Durham Elementary

• Jane Jung

 

Glankler Early Learning Center

• Claire Lynne Barr
• Camille Michaud

 

Glenmoor Elementary

• Julie Ellis

 

Green Elementary

• Alicia Norling

 

Irvington High School

• Henry Fung
• Allyson McAuley

 

Kennedy High School

• Joan Michele Kerr
• James Chobanian

 

Mission San Jose High School

• Karri Ware

 

Mission Valley Elementary

• Lalitha Srinivasan

 

Oliveira Elementary

• Emily Thomas

 

 

Golf tournament raises $75,000 for four east bay charities

Submitted by Rob Myers

 

The 2019 “Kids-n-Need” golf tournament held in April at Castlewood Country Club raised $75,000 for four East Bay charities, including Down’s Syndrome of the Bay Area ($20,000), Reach-Pleasanton ($20,000), Open Heart Kitchen ($20,000), and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital-Oakland Residents’ Pharmacy Program ($15,000). Proceeds were raised through tournament registration fees, sponsorships, silent/live auction, donations and matching grants.

 

The Kids-n-Need golf tournament is managed by the “Castlewood Country Club Corner Crew,” a group of the club’s members. Over the last seven years, Kids-n-Need has donated more than $314,500 to East Bay charities in support of kids and East Bay youth programs. Last year the 2018 tournament raised $62,500.

 

“Now in our seventh year, this tournament continues to grow and provide direct assistance to kids and their families who have sudden unexpected medical costs, who have burdensome on-going medical expenses for maintenance care, or who need rehabilitative services,” said Rick Hammel of Kids-n-Need. “Our goal for the 2020 Tournament will be to raise north of $90,000.” The 2019 Kids-n-Need fundraising committee included Larry Crawford, Rick Hammel, Dave Celli, Kawa Najim, Jom Issac, Mike Ranahan, M.D., Dan Smith, Jed Jelincic, Manny Moncada and Nicole Murray.

 

The golf outing was played April 29th on Castlewood’s William P. Bell-designed Hill Course and included a field of 128 golfers. “The Kids-n-Need tournament is one of the larger charity tournaments we host at Castlewood,” said John Vest, Castlewood’s general manager. “It’s exciting to see the tournament raise so much for so many worthy charities. We’re proud to host an event that helps make a difference in our community.”

 

For more information on Castlewood Country Club, visit www.castlewoodcc.org or call 925-846-2871. For more information on Kids-n-Need, visit www.kids-n-need.org.

 

 

Google Science Fair Global Finalist: Shreya Ramachandran

By Charlene Dizon

Photos courtesy of Shreya Ramachandran

 

With interest in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) rising among today’s youth, the Google Science Fair has become a worldwide awaited competition for students ages 13 – 18 who wish to display their scientific pursuits and projects to the public. Fifteen-year-old Fremont local Shreya Ramachandran was chosen as the only West Coast finalist in this year’s Top 20 with her inspiring and inventive project on the significance of water recycling.

 

Ramachandran’s interest in water recycling stemmed from a visit to Tulare County in 2015, where she witnessed first-hand the effects of California’s drought. She explains, “I spoke to people who worked the central water grid. Their wells ran dry and they had to truck water in.” Soon after, Ramachandran and her family visited India, where she further discovered how deeply the issue of water insufficiency had entrenched itself. “I spoke to farmers who have lost their crops due to the monsoons. It was then that I realized that I have to try and do something to help,” she states. After several months of research and testing, including manually plating hundreds of plant samples, Ramachandran discovered a solution that had been unknowingly introduced to her long ago: greywater and soapnuts.

 

Greywater includes water from sinks, showers, baths, laundry, and any other water in one’s home that can be used again. Ramachandran states, “Over 11 trillion gallons of water that could have been reused are going to waste every year in the U.S. alone.” With this in mind, Ramachandran pondered how she could make a difference. She remembered how when she was a child her grandmother had introduced her to Indian soapnuts and explained that the small berry naturally emitted soap which could be used to wash hair and even clothing.  From here came the birth of Ramachandran’s hopes for implementing a home laundry-to-lawn system. “I finally made the connection after my visits and my research that I could use soapnuts as a less chemically harmful alternative to laundry detergent and then use the soapnut greywater for irrigation,” she explains. The beginning of this project led to Ramachandran’s successful journey as a young citizen scientist.

 

Since 2015, Ramachandran has received numerous awards, including the 2018 Top Winner Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, the 2019 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Award, and several other honors. She has become a Sustainability Commissioner for the City of Fremont as well as a member of the United Nations Global Wastewater Initiative (GW2I). To further manifest her belief in water conservation, Ramachandran created a non-profit in 2016 known as The Grey Water Project, an organization whose goal is to foster safe reuse of greywater through options like organic laundry detergents and administering a laundry-to-lawn systems. With her motivation in full swing at such a young age, it is no surprise that Ramachandran soon decided to apply for the Google Science Fair and became one out of merely four finalists chosen from the U.S.

 

The Google Science Fair was yet another eye-opening experience for Ramachandran. Upon being accepted, Ramachandran felt thrilled each time she passed a particular stage of the entry process. “They first announced state winners. I kept getting accepted through each stage up to the global finals.  I wasn’t expecting it,” she states. Ramachandran was the only California participant, with other finalists chosen from New Zealand, South Korea, and other countries. “The whole experience was so positive and encouraging. The whole weekend was described as a celebration because they wanted to encourage us to continue doing science,” Ramachandran adds. The Google Science Fair gave Ramachandran a sense of immense gratitude, along with new friends from around the globe who shared the same enthusiasm and perseverance in making a difference through science and technology.

 

Ramachandran continues to pursue her scientific interests through not only her non-profit organization but also a water conservation curriculum she created for young students. “I wanted to make sure that elementary school students especially understood what water conservation was. If you understand what that is early on, you can make water recycling a part of your daily life. I developed a water conservation curriculum to teach young elementary school students about greywater reuse,” she explains. Ramachandran is eager to spread awareness through teachers who are willing to implement the subject of water conservation into their classrooms. Those who are interested in applying Ramachandran’s curriculum to their schools may visit her website: www.thegreywaterproject.org.

 

Finding a community of others who are just as devoted to the wonders of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) can be a life-changing gift to many like Ramachandran. As for her advice to those interested in pursuing her field, she states, “I’m endlessly supportive of young girls and young kids who want to do science. It’s super awesome and you can contribute to the world. Go out in your community and see what problems need to be solved. What issues do you think most affect you and the people around you, and then what can you do about them? Never feel like you’re not old enough to do something, so long as you want to do it. Tiny actions can make a really big difference when done consistently.”

 

For more information on Shreya Ramachandran’s water conservation work and curriculum, visit www.thegreywaterproject.org.

 

For more information on the Google Science Fair, visit www.googlesciencefair.com.

Historical society to relocate galleries and operations

Submitted by Marcess Owings

 

The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) announced on August 13 that the galleries at their Museum of History and Culture building on Foothill Boulevard will be temporarily closed so they can be relocated to the second floor of the same building. The last day to visit the galleries in their current layout will be Sunday, September 1.

 

Last autumn, the historical society announced that the building would be listed for sale as part of a financial and operational restructuring of the organization. While the building has not yet sold, the board of directors voted unanimously to move forward with the leasing of the first-floor gallery space.

 

 “It was a very difficult decision that was not taken lightly. We had reviewed all the possible options,” says Board President Richard Patenaude. “After careful review and planning, we determined this was the best way forward for HAHS to reduce the museum operations to a more sustainable size while generating some additional income by leasing the gallery spaces to a new tenant.”

 

During the gallery closure, modifications will be made to space on the second floor. The new space will house the research library, archives, staff offices, and gallery spaces. “The space will be more intimate, but we are excited about the changes. We will reuse, repurpose, and reinvent exhibits to provide new experiences and stories for our audience,” says Interim Executive Director Diane Curry.

 

The museum galleries are expected to reopen in mid-2020. During the closure, staff will continue offering research services at the Foothill Boulevard site. School tours and other educational programming will continue to be offered at other sites, including at the historic properties the organization manages—McConaghy House and Meek Estate. Its popular Toddler Time program will move to McConaghy House on the second Thursdays of the month, while adding a new, additional Toddler Time program on the first Saturdays of the month, also at McConaghy House.

 

For more information about HAHS’s activities, call (510) 581-0223, email info@haywardareahistory.org, or visit www.haywardareahistory.org.

 

 

Hayward appoints new chief of police

Submitted by City of Hayward

 

Toney Chaplin, San Francisco assistant chief of police, was selected on July 24 to lead the Hayward Police Department. Chaplin, who succeeds retired Hayward Police Chief Mark Koller, will assume command on Tuesday, September 3. In San Francisco, Chaplin held every departmental rank—from patrol officer to interim chief of police—and will bring to Hayward a leadership style described as “inclusive, optimistic, and focused on moving the profession forward into the 21st century of policing.”

 

“It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I appoint Toney Chaplin as the next leader of our distinguished Hayward Police Department and to become its 15th chief of police,” said City Manager Kelly McAdoo.

 

 

California hospitals question 2030 earthquake standards

By Adam Beam

Associated Press

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP), Aug 04 – A Southern California hospital spent $72 million on a building designed to do two things after an earthquake: stay standing and stay open.

 

But when a pair of strong earthquakes struck the region last month, the hospital couldn't use it.

 

Structurally, the building was OK. But some broken pipes flooded a room of mechanical and electrical equipment, and water leaked into operating rooms and elevator shafts. The hospital in Ridgecrest, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles, had to evacuate the building as a precaution.

 

Now, Ridgecrest Regional is joining hospitals across the state in questioning standards designed to keep hospitals open after earthquakes. The rules are set to take effect in 2030.

 

Most hospitals in earthquake-prone California have met regulations designed to keep buildings from collapsing in an earthquake. But administrators say the standards for keeping the doors open after quakes are pricey and will force some hospitals to raise health care costs, cut services or close.

 

“Just having a building is a very narrow thing of what it takes to have health care,” Ridgecrest Regional CEO Jim Suver said. “That's why I think it makes some sense, personally, for us to look at the 2030 standards. It's not that they are bad, (but) they are tremendously expensive.”

 

In the case of Ridgecrest Regional, the standards didn't help, he said.

 

Suver said he had assumed the expensive building would be the hospital's lifeline after an earthquake. But the only way the hospital could stay open was to rely on its undamaged 1960s-era buildings – buildings it had planned to retrofit or replace in the next decade.

 

Labor unions, meanwhile, are defending the standards, pointing out hospitals have had nearly three decades to comply. Changing them now would be a “multibillion bailout on seismic safety standards,” according to Stephanie Roberson, director of government relations for the California Nurses Association.

 

“This thing has been on the books since 1974, and they have abdicated their responsibility ever since. The more you delay, the more things cost,” she said.

 

California has required new hospital buildings to meet earthquake standards since 1974, following a 1971 magnitude 6.5 earthquake in the San Fernando Valley that killed 64 people and collapsed buildings at the Olive View Medical Center and a veterans’ hospital.

 

In 1994, after a magnitude 6.7 earthquake near Los Angeles damaged 11 hospitals and forced eight to evacuate, state lawmakers required hospitals to either upgrade their existing buildings to withstand an earthquake or replace them. The original deadline was 2008 but it has been extended to 2020 with some exceptions.

 

All but 160 of the more than 3,000 hospital buildings in California have met the 2020 standards, according to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. The California Hospital Association, an industry group, says just 23 hospitals have met the 2030 standards, while 395 have not. They estimate it will cost as much as $143 billion for hospitals to comply, according to a study paid for by the industry.

 

“If we follow through with this standard, we will likely close hospitals,” said Carmela Coyle, president of the California Hospital Association.

 

Hospitals are proposing some alternatives. Their ideas include having taxpayers help finance construction or requiring only a certain number of hospitals in each region to meet the standards. Another idea is to adopt a cap-and-trade-like system where hospitals could buy permits allowing them to have noncompliant beds.

 

The California Hospital Association sponsored a bill in the Legislature this year to address the 2030 standards, authored by state Sen. Anthony Portantino, a Democrat from La Canada Flintridge. But they could not get an agreement by a legislative deadline, pushing negotiations to next year. Portantino's office did not respond to a request for an interview.

 

Talk of scaling back the standards upsets Tim Thomas, a retired nurse who was thrown to the floor and covered in a pile of books when an earthquake struck near the Watsonville Community Hospital in 1989. The hospital lost power and had to evacuate. Roads were closed, so there was no way out. Thomas assisted as an orthopedic surgeon operated on a patient in the parking lot with nothing but a local anesthetic.

 

“To not make provisions to have the hospitals keep pace with the rest of the infrastructure doesn't make any sense to me,” Thomas said. “I haven't heard anybody suggest the medical industry is not viable and making money.”

 

Coyle said 38 percent of California hospitals operate at a loss. Suver said if they have to comply by 2030, they will have to “significantly limit some of the services we offer.”

 

“The new tower was very expensive for us to build and the prospect for us to have to spend more millions of dollars on remediation of older buildings and demolish them is very tough for a small rural hospital like us,” he said.

 

 

Hot Pawgust Nights

Submitted by Chris Gin

 

Adopt a furry friend, support Hayward Animal Shelter, or just show up to have a good time at “Hot Pawgust Nights” on Sunday, August 25. This event includes a car show, kids table, live music from Milo Nuevo and Randy Johnson with the Wrists of Fury, and a raffle for a variety of prizes—such as tickets to tour the USS Hornet or ride Niles Canyon Train. This year will see a special appearance from Nate Branch, 15-year veteran of the Harlem Globe Trotters and talented basketball player and musician.

 

Free pet adoptions are sponsored by Waggin Tails Pet Supplies and SantaCon Hayward. (Hayward residents pay a $17 licensing fee for dogs.) Animals currently seeking forever homes are dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, bunnies, a hamster, and even more kittens.

 

All proceeds from the raffle benefit Hayward Animal Shelter’s spay/neuter program animal medical fund.

 

Event schedule

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. pet adoptions

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. classic car show

12 noon – 2 p.m. Milo Nuevo

2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Randy Johnson with the Wrists of Fury

2 p.m. – 4 p.m. meet Nate Branch

 

Hot Pawgust Nights

Sunday, Aug 25

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Hayward Animal Shelter

16 Barnes Ct., Hayward

(near DMV: Jackson and Soto Rd.)

(510) 293-7200

www.facebook.com/haywardanimalshelter

 

 

CONTINUING EVENTS:

 

Mondays, May 14 – Dec 30

English Conversation Group

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Practice spoken English in a friendly environment

Union City Branch Library

34007 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City

(510) 745-1464

 

Fridays, May 17 – Oct 25

Fremont Street Eats

5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Food trucks, beer, wine, music

Town Fair Plaza

39100 State St., Fremont

fremontstreeteats.com

 

1st & 3rd Tuesdays, May 21 – Aug 20

Castro Valley Street Eats

5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Food trucks, activities

Adobe Art Center

20395 San Miguel Ave., Castro Valley

(510) 881-6735

 

Saturdays, May 25 – Aug 31

Campfire Program

8 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Games, songs and stories around the campfire

Anthony Chabot Campground and Park

9999 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley

(510) 690-6677

(510) 544-3187

www.ebparks.org

 

Tuesdays, May 28 – Aug 27

Practice Your Spoken English R

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Chat session for intermediate and up English learners

Fremont Main Library Fukaya Room A

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

(510) 574-2063

www.aclibrary.org

 

Thursdays, Jun 20 – Sep 19

Fatherhood Class

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Relationship, parenting, management, job search skills

Fremont Family Resource Center, Pacific Room #H800

39155 Liberty St. (at Capitol), Fremont

(888) 308-1767

www.r3academy.org/fremont

Fridays, Jun 28 – Aug 30

Teach Seniors Technology

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Computer/cell phone questions answered

Milpitas Senior Center

40 North Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas

(408) 586-3400

 

Fridays, Jun 28 – Aug 30

GO the Game Club

3:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Learn to play this ancient game of strategy

Union City Branch Library

34007 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City

(510) 745-1464

www.aclibrary.org

 

Saturdays, Jun 29 – Aug 31

Zumba Kids

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Dances, games. Wear comfy shoes and clothes

New Hope Community Church

2190 Peralta Blvd., Fremont

(510) 739-0430

 

Saturdays – Sundays, Jul 6 – Aug 31

Nature Crafts

10 a.m. – Noon

Discover the natural world through your artistic side

Sunol Regional Wilderness

1895 Geary Rd., Sunol

(510) 544-3249

www.ebparks.org

 

Saturdays – Sundays, Jul 6 – Aug 31

Wild Wonders

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Games, activities, crafts for all ages

Sunol Regional Wilderness

1895 Geary Rd., Sunol

(510) 544-3249

www.ebparks.org

 

Sundays, Jul 7 – Aug 25

Animal Feeding Time

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Discuss reptiles, observe feeding time

Sunol Regional Wilderness

1895 Geary Rd., Sunol

(510) 544-3249

www.ebparks.org

 

Monday – Friday, Jul 15 – Aug 23

A Visual Journey

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

Artwork by Vinay Kumar Verma and Neel Kamal Verma

Phantom Art Gallery at Milpitas Community Center

457 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas

(408) 586-3409

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

 

Monday-Friday, Jul 30 – Sep 13

Celebrating Wildlife: The Animals of Sulphur Creek

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Photos of local wildlife

PhotoCentral

1099 E St., Hayward

(510) 881-6721

info@photocentral.org

 

Fridays, Aug 2 – Aug 23

Summer Family Storytime and Craft

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Fun with stories and crafts. Ages 3-5

Fremont Main Library

2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

(510) 745-1421

www.aclibrary.org

 

Thursday – Sunday, Aug 9 – Sep 21

Annual Textile Exhibit

12 noon – 5 p.m.

Traditional and contemporary artists

Olive Hyde Art Gallery

123 Washington Blvd., Fremont

(510) 791-4357

www.olivehydeartguild.org

 

Friday – Sunday, Aug 16 – Aug 25

The Little Mermaid Jr. $

Fri & Sat: 8 p.m. Sun: 2 p.m.

Disney classic about a mermaid who dreams of becoming human

Newark Memorial High School Theatre

39375 Cedar Blvd., Newark

(510) 791-0287

www.stage1theatre.org

 

Friday – Sunday, Aug 16 – Oct 5

Planet Hayward

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Eclectic art collection celebrating “The Heart of the Bay”

Sun Gallery

1015 E St., Hayward

(510) 581-4050

www.sungallery.org

 

Wednesdays, Aug 21 – Oct 30

Citizen Police Academy R

5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Volunteers train to assist Newark Police

Newark Police Department

37101 Newark Blvd., Newark

(510) 578-4000

(510) 578-4352

beverly.ryans@newark.org

 

Friday nights

Laugh Track City $

8 p.m.

Fast-paced improv comedy show

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St, Suite B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

https://madeuptheatre.com/

 

Saturday nights

8 p.m.

Audience-inspired improv play

Made Up Theatre

4000 Bay St, Suite B, Fremont

(510) 573-3633

https://madeuptheatre.com/

 

 

THIS WEEK:

 

Thursday, Aug 22

Storytime with Joy Steuerwald

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Author reads from her book “The Peculiar Pig”

Centerville Library

3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont

(510) 795-2629

www.aclibrary.com

Thursday, Aug 22

Global Warming Workshop

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Focus on global warming. Snacks provided

Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation

2950 Washington Blvd., Fremont

(510) 490-0200

jgoby@hotmail.com

Thursday, Aug 22

South Hayward Community Meeting

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Design master plan workshop for Bidwell Park and El Rancho Verde Park

Mission Hills Golf Course

275 Industrial Pkwy, Hayward

bidwell-ERV@haywardRec.org

Friday, Aug 23

Fremont Bridge Club

10 a.m.

Open stratified and newcomer games

Bronco Billy’s Pizza – Irvington

41200 Blacow Rd., Fremont

(510) 438-0121

www.unit500.org

 

Friday, Aug 23

Groovy Judy

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Soul of the 60's and beyond. Free 21+

Mojo Lounge

3714 Peralta Blvd., Fremont

(510) 739-1028

Friday, Aug 23

Latino Business Roundtable

8:30 a.m.

Dr. Clyde Henry Lewis, BOSS Director of Workforce Development

Sherman L. Balch Pavilion – St. Rose Hospital

27190 Calaroga Ave., Hayward

www.hayward.org

Friday, Aug 23

Summer Concert Series – Lorenzo Wood & His Band

6 p.m.

Bring a picnic basket, enjoy outdoors listening to original music

Lone Tree Cemetery

24591 Fairview Ave., Hayward

(510) 582-1274

Friday, Aug 23

Live Music $

8 p.m. – Midnight

Rewind, That 80's Band

World Famous Turf Club

22519 Main St., Hayward

(510) 881-9877

www.WorldFamousTurfClub.com

 

Friday, Aug 23

Power of One – The Nawab Story $R

8 p.m.

Stories from Bollywood Actor Saif Ali Khan

India Community Center

525 Los Coches St., Milpitas

(408) 934-1130

http://Sulekha.com/SAIF

Saturday, Aug 24

Old-Fashioned Fun

12 noon – 1 p.m.

Stilt walking, sack races, tug-o-war, potato-spoon racing

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

Saturday, Aug 24 – Sunday, Aug 25

Farmyard Story Time

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Listen to some classic barnyard tales

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

Saturday, Aug 24 – Sunday, Aug 25

Knap-In: Stone Tool Making

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Learn about this ancient skill. 16+

Coyote Hills

8000 Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont

(510) 544-3220

www.ebparks.org

 

Saturday, Aug 24

Storytime with Vicky Chan

11 a.m.

Author reads from her book “Geometry is Fun for Me!”

Books on B

1014 B St., Hayward

(510) 538-3943

www.booksonb.com

Saturday, Aug 24

Luau Dance for Special Needs $

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Music, dancing and refreshments

Sorensdale Recreation Center

275 Goodwin St., Hayward

(510) 881-6778

www.haywardrec.org

Saturday, Aug 24

San Leandro Housing Meeting

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Residents provide feedback on county housing and policies

Hayward City Hall, Rm 2A

777 B St., Hayward

(510) 208-0410

www.survymonkey.com/r/housingsurvey_alameda2019

Saturday, Aug 24

Community Workshop

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Temporary housing navigation center discussed

Harbor Light Church

4760 Thornton Ave., Fremont

(510) 744-2216

www.Fremont.gov/NavigationCenter

 

Saturday, Aug 24

Stewardship Saturday R

9:30 a.m. – 12 noon

Volunteers weed and clean up trash

SF Bay Wildlife Refuge – Don Edwards

1 Marshlands Rd., Fremont

(510) 792-0222 x 361

Saturday, Aug 24

Twilight Marsh Walk R

6:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

Discover the salt marsh at sunset. Not suitable for young children

SF Bay Wildlife Refuge – Don Edwards

1 Marshlands Rd., Fremont

(510) 792-0222

http://donedwardstwilight.eventbrite.com

Saturday, Aug 24

Drawbridge Van Excursion R

9:30 a.m. – 12 noon

Docent narrated van tour of marshlands. Ages 13+

Alviso Environmental Education Center

1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso

(408) 262-5513

https://drawbridgetoursummer.eventbrite.com

Saturday, Aug 24

Crafts in the Outdoors: Beginning Leatherwork R

10 a.m. – 12 noon

Create a small patch from leather. Family program

Alviso Environmental Education Center

1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso

(408) 262-5513

http://leatherworkeec.eventbrite.com

 

Saturday, Aug 24

Movie Night $

7:30 p.m.

“The West-Bound Limited,” “Oceantics,” “A Lucky Loser”

Niles Essanay Theater

37417 Niles Blvd., Fremont

(510) 494-1411

www.nilesfilmmuseum.org

Saturday, Aug 24

Fremont Area Writers

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Author Tish Davidson talks about how to get published

42 Silicon Valley

6600 Dumbarton Cir., Fremont

cwc-fremontareawriters.org

Saturday, Aug 24

Magnificent India

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Indian Wedding theme. Fun, food, fashion show, dancing

India Community Center

525 Los Coches St., Milpitas

(408) 934-1130

www.indiacc.org

Saturday, Aug 24

Spaghetti Feed and Car Show $

2 p.m.

Fundraiser dinner from 4 – 8 p.m. Cash bar, raffles, live music

Masonic Homes of CA

34400 Mission Blvd., Union City

(510) 675-5396

khegg@mhcuc.org

 

Saturday, Aug 24

New SAT Practice Test R

10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Prep on types of questions faced on the actual exam

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

www.aclibrary.org

Saturday, Aug 24

Stuff the Bus for Fremont Schools

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Purchase and donate student school supplies

Walmart Fremont

40580 Albrae St, Fremont

www.KiwanisFremont.org

Saturday, Aug 24

Planet Hayward Reception

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Artists reception and Hayward celebration

Sun Gallery

1015 E St., Hayward

(510) 581-4050

www.sungallery.org

Saturday, Aug 24

Live Music $

8 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Chicago the Tribute

World Famous Turf Club

22519 Main St., Hayward

(510) 881-9877

www.WorldFamousTurfClub.com

 

Saturday, Aug 24

The Great Pivot: Creating Meaningful Work to Build a Sustainable Future

10 a.m. – 12 noon

Author Justine Burt presents overview of her book

Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation

2950 Washington Blvd., Fremont

(510) 490-0200

jgoby@hotmail.com

Saturday, Aug 24

Charity Golf Classic $R

All day (registration 6 a.m. – 8 a.m.)

Hosted by Hayward/Castro Valley Moose Lodge 1491. $150 fee

Redwood Canyon Golf Course

17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley

(510) 858-6668

Saturday, Aug 24

Thriving in High School

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

By Jay Jackson, sports psychology teacher at Irvington High School

Heartfulness Meditation Center

585 Mowry Ave., Fremont

BayArea.CA@hearfulness.org

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thriving-in-high-school-tickets-68823726619

Sunday, Aug 25

Sunday Stroll

10 a.m. – 12 noon

3.5-mile hike. Families and dogs welcome. MacDonald Staging Area

Anthony Chabot Campground and Park

9999 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley

(510) 690-6677

www.ebparks.org

 

Sunday, Aug 25

Tasting the Past

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Historic recipes explored

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

Sunday, Aug 25

Fun with Felting

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Make a felt toy to take home

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

Sunday, Aug 25

Hot Pawgust Nights

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Pet adoption, car show, live music

Hayward Animal Shelter

16 Barnes Ct., Hayward

(510) 293-7200

www.facebook.com/haywardanimalshelter

Sunday, Aug 25

10K on the Bay $R

7:30 a.m.

Run or walk along the SF Bay estuary

Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center

4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward

(510) 670-7270

10KontheBay.org

 

Sunday, Aug 25

Odd Fellows Summer Concert

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Kari and the SweetspOts, Dee Smith, Joe Melchior III

Memorial Park

24176 Mission Blvd., Hayward

http://www.ci.hayward.ca.us

www.haywardlodge.org

Sunday, Aug 25

Sunday Math Tutoring

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Open to elementary and Jr. high school students

Newark Branch Library

6300 Civic Terrace Ave., Newark

(510) 284-0684

www.aclibrary.com

Sunday, Aug 25

Dove Gallery “Parables: Art with a Message”

12 noon – 3 p.m.

Grand opening and art fair

Park Victoria Baptist Church

875 S. Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas

(408) 464-5011

dove@parkvictoria.org

Sunday, Aug 25

Three Musketeers Sneak Peek

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Scene from The Three Musketeers, Douglas Morrisson Theatre

Castro Valley Library

3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley

(510) 667-7900

www.aclibrary.org

 

Sunday, Aug 25

Union City Sister Cities Festival $R

2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Cultural presentations, dinner, raffle

Mark Green Sports Center

31224 Union City Blvd., Union City

(510) 918-7555

https://www.facebook.com/ucsistercities

 

Sunday, Aug 25

ASDRP Expo R

4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Check-in starts 3:30 p.m.

260 local STEM students present their projects

Northwestern Polytechnic University

115 Fourier Ave., Fremont

https://www.fremontstem.org/asdrp

https://form.jotform.com/92218513102142

 

Sunday, Aug 25

Niles Antique Fair

6 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Shop antiques in Niles

Niles Blvd., Fremont

(510) 742-9868

www.niles.org

 

Monday, Aug 26

Milpitas Rotary Club Meeting

12 noon – 1:15 p.m.

Robert Jung on Kiva.org, and help for homeless veterans

Dave and Busters

940 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas

(408) 957-9215

http://www.clubrunner.ca/milpitas

Monday, Aug 26

Outdoor Discoveries: Big Cats R

10:30 a.m. – 12 noon

Preschool and home school nature series. Ages 4-8

Sunol Regional Wilderness

1895 Geary Rd., Sunol

(510) 544-3249

www.ebparks.org

Monday, Aug 26

Community Workshop

5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Temporary housing navigation center discussed

Fremont Teen Center

39770 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont

(510) 494-4344

www.Fremont.gov/NavigationCenter

Tuesday, Aug 27

Welcome Teacher Day

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Elementary students receive free flowers for teachers

Fremont Flowers

36551 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

(510) 656-7300

www.welcometeacherday.com

 

Tuesday, Aug 27

Lawyer in the Library R

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Lawyer consult on family estate, criminal and immigration law

Union City Branch Library

34007 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City

(510) 745-1464

www.aclibrary.org

Wednesday, Aug 28

Toddler Time

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Hear a story, do some chores, meet some farm animals

Ardenwood Historic Farm

34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont

(510) 544-2797

www.ebparks.org

Wednesday, Aug 28

Wednesday Night Bat Watch

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Find out the truth about these mammals

Sunol Regional Wilderness

1895 Geary Rd., Sunol

(510) 544-3249

www.ebparks.org

Wednesday, Aug 28

School Prep Party

6 p.m.

Hosted by California Connections Academy Ripon. Back-to-school advice

John's Incredible Pizza

440 Newpark Mall Rd., Newark

(800) 382-6010

 

Thursday, Aug 29 & Friday, Aug 30

Tick Tick…BOOM! $R

8 p.m.

A struggling composer prepares musical workshop to launch his career

Smith Center at Ohlone College

43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont

(510) 659-6031

https://www.ohlone.edu/smithcenter

Parking: $4

 

 

Knap-in: Stone Tools Making

Submitted by Kristina Parkinson

Photos by Victor Carvellas

 

The ancient skill of stone tool making is the focus of “knap-in.” Join experienced stone tool makers during this informal, weekend opportunity to learn about methods used locally and worldwide to transform chert, obsidian and other stones into spear points, arrowheads and drills. Young children may watch. Anyone 16 years or older may give “knapping” a try. Bring leather gloves, long pants, close-toed shoes and protective eye wear if you want to test your knack for knapping. This is an unstructured event, so drop in anytime from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to observe or try for yourself! (Event meets at the Coyote Hills visitor center.)

 

Knap-in is a free event but parking fees apply where charged. Disabled accessible. Registration is not required.

 

Knap-in: Stone Tools Making

Saturday, Aug 24

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Coyote Hills Regional Park

Patterson Ranch Rd., Fremont

(510) 795-9385

http://apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/Activity_Search/25891

 

 

Larry O Car Show Shines

Submitted by Larry Orozco

 

The City of Union City Community and Recreation Services would like to thank the Tri-City Voice for the continued support of the Annual Larry O Car Show. On Saturday August 10 the 7th Annual Larry O Car Show at the Ruggieri Senior Center cars and trucks from the 1930’s-1980’s filled the parking lot. A nice variety of classic, custom, original hot rods and oldies shined bright.

 

Over 1,000 community residents, friends and families enjoyed a beautiful day filled with bicycle and model car displays, bounce house and face painting, BBQ tasty food, and prizes galore! Music filled the air provided by Billy London and The Lucky Dice.

 

See you next year at the 8th Annual Larry O Car Show Saturday, August 8, 2020.

Last week to submit to artwork

 

In 2019 the Fremont Art Association will hold its 54th annual Art Show from Tuesday, September 24 to Sunday, October 27. Both Association members and the general public are invited to submit two- and three-dimensional art for this juried Art Show.

 

Entrants must submit online at the Fremont Art Association website by Sunday, August 25 by midnight. There is no limit to the number of pieces that can be submitted, but no more than three will be chosen for the show. Entry guidelines can be downloaded from the website.

 

Entry fees are $25 for non-members and $20 for members, with a $5 discount for additional entries. The show will be held at the Fremont Art Association Gallery at 37697 Niles Blvd, Fremont. For any questions, please contact Nancy Benton at nncybntn@comcast.net.

 

Fremont Art Association annual show

Submission deadline: Sunday, Aug 25

(510) 792-0905

nncybntn@comcast.net

www.fremontartassociation.org/annual-art-show

Entry fee: $20-25

 

 

Lily Mei part of Mayors Advisory Board

Submitted by Cheryl Golden

 

Fremont Mayor Lily Mei served as a member of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) Advisory Board its annual meeting, which took place from June 28 through July 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

 

The USCM advisory board works with the executive committee to develop and guide programs that give cities a voice in the development of national urban policy. Through the Conference of Mayors, cities are invited to share their best practices on how they tackled challenges in a variety of issues such as housing, transportation, and education.

 

“The U.S. Conference of Mayors provides a powerful voice for mayors across the country to address civic challenges and highlight innovative solutions we implement,” said Mei. “I am excited to continue learning from other mayors and advocate for national policies that benefit Fremont.”

 

In April, Mei was also elected president for Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO) within the National League of Cities. Her responsibilities include facilitating discussions around policy issues and sharing her experiences in government with other Asian Pacific American members and local officials.

 

 

Auto theft suspect arrested

Submitted by Lt. Steven Fox, Milpitas PD

 

On August 15, at 1:29 a.m., Milpitas police officers responded to the South Bay Honda dealership, 920 Thompson Street, on a report of a suspect attempting to steal a vehicle from the lot. Officers arrived at the dealership within two minutes of being dispatched and observed Shey Artiaga of San Jose, 24, driving a white Honda Insight through the adjacent Piercy Toyota dealership parking lot. Artiaga abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot; officers found her hiding in nearby bushes. Artiaga initially stole a blue Honda Insight from the lot, but the vehicle became disabled when she attempted to drive it over a curb. She then stole a second Honda Insight, and officers confronted her before she was able to leave the lot.

 

A record check on Artiaga revealed that she is currently on a Supervised Own Recognizance Program (SORP) for a pending auto theft charge in Santa Clara County. Artiaga was booked into the Santa Clara County jail for two counts of auto theft, burglary, resisting arrest, and committing a felony while released on her own recognizance.

 

If you have any information regarding this investigation, call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Additionally, information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the police department website at http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip.

 

 

Milpitas City Council

August 13, 2019

 

Presentations:

• Proclaimed Women’s Equality Day on August 26, 2019
• Proclaimed August 2019 as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month
• Recognized Maria Lemery, a 49-year resident of Milpitas, respected for her environmental activism and, in particular, for protecting the Milpitas hills from uncontrolled development.

 

Consent Calendar:

• Authorized a two-year Lease Agreement with Casetronic Engineering Group for a temporary fire station at 1126 Yosemite Drive.
• Approved a construction contract with Hoi’s Construction, Inc. for the Water Bottle Refill Station Installation Project.
• Received a report from the Public Works Director for the emergency remediation work at the Police/Public Works Building.
• Received a report from the Public Works Director for the Purchase and Installation of McQuay Turbocor compressors for the Public Works/Police Department Building.

 

Community Development:

• Authorized a request to the Board of Directors at Terrace Gardens to remove the City Councilmember’s seat and City Manager’s seat from their Board composition.

 

Community Services:

• BART station is going to open later this year. Discourage BART commuters from using on-street parking spaces within half-mile radius around the BART station.

 

Rich Tran (Mayor)                              Aye

Karina Dominguez (Vice Mayor)       Aye

Carmen Montano                                Aye

Bob Nunez                                          Aye

Anthony Phan                                     Aye

 

 

NASA scientists fly over Greenland to track melting ice

By Seth Borenstein

AP Science Writer

 

ABOARD A NASA RESEARCH PLANE OVER GREENLAND (AP), Aug 15 – The fields of rippling ice 500 feet below the NASA plane give way to the blue-green of water dotted with irregular chunks of bleached-white ice, some the size of battleships, some as tall as 15-story buildings.

 

Like nearly every other glacier on Greenland, the massive Kangerlussuaq is melting. In fact, the giant frozen island has seen one of its biggest melts on record this year. NASA scientist Josh Willis is now closely studying the phenomenon in hopes of figuring out precisely how global warming is eating away at Greenland's ice.

 

Specifically, he wants to know whether the melting is being caused more by warm air or warm seawater. The answer could be crucial to Earth's future.

 

Water brings more heat to something frozen faster than air does, as anyone who has ever defrosted a steak under the faucet knows.

 

If Willis' theory that much of the damage is from the water turns out to be correct, he said, “there's a lot higher potential for Greenland to melt more quickly than we thought.” And that means seas rising faster and coastal communities being inundated more.

 

Greenland contains enough ice to make world sea levels rise by 20 feet if it were all to melt. In a single day this month, it lost a record 13.7 billion tons (12.5 billion metric tons) by one estimate.

 

“It's a little scary,” Willis said as looked down on an area filled with more water than ice. “We're definitely watching the ice sheet disappear in front of us.”

 

Climate change is eating away at Greenland's glaciers in two ways. The most obvious way is from the warm air above, which has been brutal this summer, with a European heat wave in July working like a hair dryer on the ice. The other way is from warm, salty water, some of it from North America's Gulf Stream, nibbling at coastal glaciers from below.

 

When University of Georgia ice scientist Tom Mote, who isn't part of this project, started studying Greenland's glaciers in the early 1990s, researchers really didn't think the water was a big factor.

 

Willis' project – called Oceans Melting Greenland, or OMG – is showing that it is. Now the question is how much and how fast.

 

What Willis is measuring is the water 660 feet (200 meters) or more below the surface, which is warmer and saltier than the stuff that touches the air. It's this deep water that does the major damage.

 

To measure this, NASA is spending five years crisscrossing the island in a tricked-out 77-year-old DC-3 built for World War II. Willis, project manager Ian McCubbin and mechanic Rich Gill drop long, cylindrical probes through a special tube in the floor of the plane, watching as the sensors parachute down and then dive into the chilly water.

 

McCubbin then waits for a tone on his computer that tells him the probe is underwater and measuring temperature and salinity. When all of the flight's five probes start signaling – with a sound McCubbin likens to “a fax machine or an AOL modem” – he and Willis high-five.

 

Meanwhile, pilots Andy Ferguson and Don Watrous bank the plane toward the blue-green spots, looking for the next target and pointing out stunning giant icebergs and signs of glacial retreat over the radio.

 

As the data is radioed back from one $2,000 probe now deep in the water near Kangerlussuaq in eastern Greenland, it initially looks like the temperature hasn't changed much over the last year or two, which could be good news. But that's just one data point. Each year for the past four years, NASA has been looking at all of Greenland, and the numbers overall haven't been quite as comforting.

 

If the water is playing a much bigger role than scientists thought, it could mean seas will be rising faster and higher than expected. That's because 90% of the heat energy from climate change goes into the oceans, Willis said. Warm water provides “a bigger bang for the buck” than air when it comes to melting ice, Willis said.

 

Just how crucial seawater is to melting was illustrated, somewhat paradoxically, by the Jakobshavn glacier, the fast-shrinking glacier on Greenland's more populated west coast. In recent years, it suddenly started to grow a bit, probably because of a cooling of waters as a result of a temporary shift in weather and water-current patterns, Willis said.

 

In general, oceans warm up much more slowly than the air, yet they stay warmer longer. The water weakens glaciers and causes icebergs to break loose. Those icebergs eventually melt, adding to the seas.

 

“Some of them are as big as a city,” Willis said.

 

A 2019 study by Danish climate scientist Ruth Mottram looked at 28 glaciers in Greenland with long-term data. Nearly all are melting, with only one or two that could be considered somewhat stable.

 

“One glacier retreating looks like carelessness, but 28 retreating is the sign of something going on,” Mottram told The Associated Press.

 

A 2017 study concluded that coastal glaciers and icecaps – what Willis is studying – reached a “tipping point” for ice loss in 1997 and since then have been rapidly deteriorating. A NASA satellite found that Greenland's ice sheet lost about 255 billion metric tons a year between 2003 and 2016, with the loss rate generally getting worse.

 

It will take centuries for all of Greenland's massive ice sheet to melt, but how fast is the key question. If warm water plays a bigger role than scientists suspect, by the year 2100, Greenland alone could cause 3 or 4 feet (more than 1 meter) of sea level rise, Willis said.

 

Other scientists, such as the University of Colorado's Ted Scambos, say Greenland's contribution to sea level rise by 2100 would probably be closer to 1 foot (30 centimeters).

 

That's a big spread.

 

“I tend toward the higher number, but I'm hoping for a lower number,” said University of Maryland Baltimore County glaciologist Christopher Shuman, who owns property along the coast.

–––

 

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

 

 

Fremont News Briefs

Submitted by Cheryl Golden

 

Festival of India Parade Canceled

The City of Fremont and Federation of Indo-Americans of Northern California (FIA) invite you to the Festival of India from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 17 and Sunday August 18. Unfortunately, due to permitting requirements, the parade has been canceled this year.

 

The event, also known as the Festival of Globe, showcases India’s rich culture and heritage, including live performances, music, dance, and food. The two-day mela will be held at the Fremont Hall of Justice Parking Lot, 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway. At 11 a.m. Sunday, a candlelight vigil will take place in front of the main stage. The Grand Marshal, Vivek Oberoi, and other VIP guests will be onstage from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The city and FIA stand strong with our community, and we look forward to a bigger and better parade returning in 2020 for the Festival of India. For more information, call FIA at (510) 491-4867.

 

Households to Participate in Solar Tour

This fall, the City of Fremont is partnering with the Northern California Solar Energy Association to participate in the American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Homes Tour. The city is looking for households who would be interested in showcasing their solar systems during Fremont's Local Solar Tour from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 5. This is an opportunity for residents to show off their system to their neighbors and help inform them about the benefits of going solar.

 

The local solar tour will consist of a series of solar open houses where community members visit a solar-powered home, talk with the solar owner about the process of going solar, and connect with other solar supporters in their community.

 

To sign up for the tour or to learn more, visit www.NationalSolarTour.org, email Solar Manager Batya Gelfand at manager@norcalsolar.org, or email the city’s Sustainability Manager Rachel DiFranco at rdifranco@fremont.gov or call (510) 494-4451. Households who would like to participate in the tour must sign up by Friday, August 30. For community members interested in visiting one of Fremont’s solar homes on Saturday, October 5, more information will be available soon.

 

Benefit Concert and Dinner

The Fremont Family Resource Center (FRC) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a fun event. With a Little Help from My Friends is a dinner and benefit concert featuring The Sun Kings, California's premier Beatles Tribute Band, who will perform Beatles songs with spot-on arrangements and vocal harmonies. The event takes place at 6 p.m. Friday, September 13 at Campo Di Bocce of Fremont. General admission tickets for the dinner and concert are $95 per person, and VIP tickets are $175 per person and include a pre-concert show with Drew Harrison, lead singer of The Sun Kings and amazing John Lennon vocalist, as well as front row seating at the concert.

 

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Discovery Cove Childcare Center and the FRC’s core programs. To buy tickets, visit www.fremont.gov/frc20, email FRCevent913@gmail.com or call (510) 818-9888.

 

Green Infrastructure Plan

Fremont is developing a Green Infrastructure Plan to improve water quality and reduce impacts of increased stormwater flows created by the Bay Area’s growing urbanization. The plan will outline how the city will phase in additional green infrastructure facilities and projects over the next 20 years.

 

Green infrastructure uses specially-designed landscaped areas, pervious surfaces, and cisterns to manage stormwater in a natural and environmentally sustainable way. While older “gray infrastructure” approaches use concrete and metal structures to move stormwater quickly away from streets and other impervious surfaces, green infrastructure allows stormwater to infiltrate into native soils or filter through fast-draining engineered soils. These innovative designs slow runoff from urban and suburban environments to keep pollutants out of local creeks and the Bay. Examples of green infrastructure facilities are available on the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program website at https://www.cleanwaterprogram.org/index.php/programs/green-infrastructure.html.

 

The green infrastructure planning process will include:

• Updating local planning documents to incorporate green infrastructure requirements
• Adopting guidelines, standard specifications, and typical designs for green infrastructure
• Identifying opportunities to incorporate green infrastructure in public and private development projects, including roadway improvements, storm drain infrastructure, and other public facilities

 

For more information about the city’s local green infrastructure planning process, email the Environmental Services Division at environment@fremont.gov or call (510) 494-4570.

 

 

Niles Antique Fair

Submitted by Keith Elrod

Photos by Victor Carvellas

 

2019 marks the 55th year of the Niles Antique Fair and Flea Market, sponsored by Niles Main Street Association. This year the fair will take place on Sunday, August 25 when vendors set up on Niles Boulevard, in the large parking lot, and on I Street and H Street. This year, several antique vendors from the Gilroy area will set up along H Street. Admission for shoppers is free, so shoppers can save their cash and find an item to take home.

 

Food vendors will set up throughout the event and, as always, breakfast will be available by the green train car in the large parking lot, starting at 5 a.m. Restaurants throughout the Niles District will be also open, serving breakfast, coffee, desserts, lunch and ice cream. 

 

Businesses in town will be open that day—including our own antique shops, sewing supply shop, and the Fremont Art Association Gallery. So, make sure you check out the Niles shops as you walk through the event. 

 

Niles is easily accessible from US Interstate Highways 680 and 880. From Oakland and Hayward, take 880 South, exit at Alvarado Niles Road and head east about six miles. From San Jose and Milpitas take 680 north to the second Mission Blvd. exit and drive north on Mission Blvd. for four miles. Turn left on Niles Blvd.

 

Handicap parking will be available on J St. and Niles Boulevard.

 

Niles Antique Fair

Sunday, Aug 25

6 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Niles Blvd., Fremont

(510) 742-9868

www.niles.org

 

 

Niles Canyon Road will close for “Stroll and Roll”

Submitted by Ashley Guy

 

For the third time in four years, Niles Canyon Road will be closed to motor vehicles on Sunday, September 22, to give full access to the roadway to hikers, runners and bicyclists, and to raise awareness about a proposed new public trail through the scenic canyon.

 

To make way for “The Niles Canyon Stroll and Roll,’’ automobiles will be barred from a stretch of Niles Canyon Road between Mission Boulevard in Fremont and Main Street in Sunol from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Sunday. (From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., the road will be open to bicyclists only).  Participants in the unusual event also will have the chance to discuss proposals to enhance public access to Niles Canyon with staff from Alameda County and the East Bay Regional Park District.

 

A project study completed in 2017 suggested that a 10-foot-wide paved pathway running mostly along the north side of Niles Canyon Road would be the preferred way to enhance access to the Canyon for pedestrians, bicyclists and possibly equestrians.

 

Alameda County Supervisors Scott Haggerty and Richard Valle have been leaders in the push for a Niles Canyon recreation trail. In October 2015, the supervisors co-sponsored the first “Niles Canyon Stroll and Roll,” an event that proved so successful it was repeated in 2017. Organizers of this year’s Stroll and Roll say they are preparing for as many as 10,000 people to participate.

Proposals for a public trail through Niles Canyon are driven by the canyon’s breathtaking scenery, which is accessible only via Niles Canyon Road, a winding two-lane portion of State Highway 84. Bicyclists have repeatedly called for a trail due to safety concerns related to sharing the narrow roadway – which includes no shoulder space in some sections – with automobiles. Recreation enthusiasts point out that hiking access to the canyon is limited and that a trail would provide a vital link between trail networks in the Tri-Valley and Alameda County’s bay-front corridor.

 

Supervisors Haggerty and Valle are leading a long-term initiative exploring options to build a trail through the canyon, which would be separated from automobile traffic to accommodate walkers, joggers and bicyclists who want to take a close look at the Canyon’s steep slopes, dense vegetation, stunning vistas and wildlife. An in-depth environmental review of the trail proposal is now being planned, with the study expected to begin sometime next year.

 

Go to www.84strollroll.com to learn more about the Niles Canyon Multi-Use Trail proposal and the September 22 roadway closure.

 

 

As wildfire season progresses update contact information

Submitted by Tamar Sarkissian

 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) encourages its customers to update their home phone number, mobile number, email, and other key information so the company can contact them in advance should it become necessary to temporarily turn off power for safety this fire season.

 

PG&E sent emails to about 62,000 customers with incomplete contact information earlier this month. The company has also mailed postcards to about 95,000 customers who have no phone number or email on file.

 

It is important that all customers keep their information updated so PG&E can share important wildfire safety alerts. In addition to notifying customers directly, PG&E also will provide outage updates and safety information through channels such as social media, local news, radio, and pge.com. Extreme weather threats can change quickly. PG&E's goal, dependent on weather and other factors, is to send customer alerts through automated calls, texts, and emails at 48 hours, again at 24 hours, and again just before shutting off power.

 

To update contact information, visit www.pge.com/mywildfirealerts or call the PG&E contact center at 1-866-743-6589.

 

 

Fast thinking saves baby

Submitted by Union City PD

 

On August 15th, about 1:15 pm, a Union City employee returned from lunch and parked their car in a stall near City Hall. They exited their car about 15 minutes later and heard a (1 year old) baby crying from a car that was parked next to them. The car was locked with the windows slightly cracked; she subsequently contacted the Union City Police Department.

 

It should be noted, this was one of the hottest days of the year… When officers arrived at the scene the mother of baby ran out of Union City Library. The baby was sweating profusely and her skin was very warm to the touch. The mother told officers that she took her two other girls (6 years and 3 years old) into the library to check out a book and it took longer than she expected. The mother said she was running out to check on the baby when PD arrived.

 

The baby was left unattended for about 25 minutes. Union City Fire Department responded and assessed the baby and determined that she was ok. Ofc Manriquez documented the incident and appropriate agencies were notified.

 

The Union City employee's actions, being aware and alert when exiting their vehicle, played a key role in getting first responders to the baby so quickly. Thankfully, we have a positive story to share and believe that the employee played a big role in that outcome. Thank you, we appreciate your efforts!

 

According to KidsAndCars.org, over 900 children have died in hot cars nationwide since 1990. Even the best of parents or caregivers can unknowingly leave a sleeping baby in a car and the end result can be injury or even death.

 

The Greenhouse Effect in Vehicles

• The inside of a vehicle heats up VERY quickly! Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees in minutes.
• 80% of the increase in temperature happens in the first 10 minutes.
• Cracking the windows does not help slow the heating process OR decrease the maximum temperature.
• Children have died from heatstroke in cars in temps as low as 60 degrees.

 

In over 55% of these cases, the person responsible for the child’s death unknowingly left them in the vehicle. In most situations, this happens to the most loving, caring and protective parents. It has happened to a teacher, dentist, social worker, police officer, nurse, clergyman, soldier, and even a rocket scientist. It can happen to anyone…

 

For more information in multiple languages visit: https://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/heat-stroke/

 

How Quickly does a car heat up? See this video: https://weather.com/news/weather/video/how-quickly-does-a-car-heat-up

 

Other Dangers for Children in Cars:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/child-safety

 

 

Letter to the Editor

Brady Tri-City Chapter hosts recess rally in Fremont

 

Last weekend, Brady, and other Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) groups, held rallies across the nation to demand that Senator Mitch McConnell suspend the Senate recess and move forward legislation to address gun violence in the U.S.

 

Brady Tri-City Alameda County Chapter held a rally on Friday evening near the Unity sculpture in Fremont. California State Senator Bob Wieckowski spoke saying, “We stand with others, in state after state, to demand that the United States Senate and the President act to expand background checks, ban the sale of military-style assault weapons and pass extreme risk laws.”

 

Speakers included Bridget Mc Shea, RN; Reverend Barbara Meyers, MPUU community minister; and Toni Shellen, retired teacher and chapter President.

 

Over 50 attendees held tombstone-shaped signs with locations, dates, and the number of lives lost in mass shootings, creating a visual image of the gun violence crisis in our nation. Shellen said, “Mass shootings are the tip of the iceberg. Every day 100 people lose their lives to gun violence in the U.S., including homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings.” Speakers stressed that we have a public health and safety epidemic that needs immediate action.

 

The U.S. House passed several gun safety bills that have been sitting on McConnell's desk for months. He refuses to bring them to the Senate floor for a vote. Waiting until the recess ends means more lives lost to senseless gun violence. Americans are demanding gun safety reform and want action NOW!

 

Toni Shellen, President

BRADY- Tri-City Alameda County Chapter

United to Prevent Gun Violence

tricitybrady@gmail.com

 

 

 California officers reunite 250-pound tortoise with owners

AP Wire Service

 

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (AP), Jul 17 – A 250-pound tortoise that wandered away from its home has been rescued after California Highway Patrol officers found it on the side of a road.

 

And no, they didn't arrest it for speeding.

 

The highway patrol says it got a call about the big reptile Sunday evening. It was spotted on the shoulder of a road in Santa Ynez, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.

 

Santa Ynez Animal Rescue picked up the tortoise before CHP officers arrived. The CHP located the owners, put the tortoise in the patrol car and delivered it to them about two hours later.

 

 

Safeguarding the Environment

By Richard P. Santos, Santa Clara Valley Water District 3 Director

 

Walking along the Upper Penitencia Creek, which runs through the cities of San Jose and Milpitas, patrons of Alum Rock Park can attest to its beauty. This major tributary of Coyote Creek bridges urban life with open space, providing a unique charm to northeast Santa Clara Valley.

 

However, all along the urbanized reach of the creek, there is a potential flood risk. As such, Valley Water has been working on a flood protection project that would reduce the risk to approximately 8,000 properties along 4.2 miles of Upper Penitencia Creek. The creek has a history of flooding with significant events in the 1950s, 80s, and 90s.

 

Thanks to voter support and the passing of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program in 2012, your special parcel tax dollars are hard at work. Valley Water is busy reviewing a planning study that defines project challenges, existing threats, ultimate objectives, and evaluates various project alternatives.

 

Last fall, we shared conceptual options to gather your feedback. And just this spring, a second community outreach effort presented proposals that implemented your input. The latest round of alternatives explores different target levels of flood protection.

 

One of the project constraints is ensuring no additional flood risks to downstream areas. The team is exploring different options that address potential floods of different magnitudes. Valley Water is now screening and evaluating those feasible alternatives, based on ten criteria categories aimed at achieving natural flood protection. We anticipate that a preferred proposal will be presented to the board later this summer.

 

I look forward to making sure that the project for Upper Penitencia Creek goes beyond flood protection. We have a commitment to restore the stream environment and improve the habitat for wildlife. Once completed, Upper Penitencia Creek can both offer the ability to increase our groundwater replenishment and provide recreational opportunities for our residents.

 

To learn more about the Upper Penitencia Project and see the latest project alternatives, visit the project page here: https://www.valleywater.org/project-updates/creek-river-projects/upper-penitencia-creek-flood-protection.

 

As always, I am available for questions or comments as your District 3 representative for Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Alviso community, Milpitas, and Berryessa/Alum Rock communities. Feel free to contact me at (408) 234-7707 or by email at rsantos@valleywater.org.

 

 

Suspects arrested in robbery investigation

Detective Kevin Jackson, Milpitas PD

 

At 7:48 p.m. June 24, officers responded to a report of a disturbance at the Executive Inn, 95 Dempsey Road, and contacted a victim of a robbery. The Victim said he was robbed by Allie Holcomb and two unknown male suspects, later identified as Jorel Moreno and Jacobrey Rorie. The victim said the suspects physically assaulted him and took his wallet, cellphone, and jewelry. Holcomb, Moreno, and Rorie fled from the hotel before the officers arrived. The victim was treated for his injuries at a local hospital and released.

 

At 1 a.m. June 25, detectives responded and took over the investigation to locate the suspects. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the hotel room and Holcomb’s vehicle; in the vehicle they located two empty Glock pistol magazines. As a result of their investigation, detectives obtained $75,000 Ramey arrest warrants for Holcomb, Moreno, and Rorie for robbery and battery with serious injury. Holcomb was arrested as she returned to the hotel and was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for the warrant.

 

Detectives continued their investigation for several weeks by following up on several leads to locate Moreno and Rorie. With assistance of the San Jose Police Department, Moreno was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail. Detectives from the Special Investigations Unit located Rorie in San Jose and took him into custody without incident. Rorie was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for the warrant.

 

If the public has any information regarding this investigation, call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Additionally, the information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department website at http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip.

 

 

The Robot Report

 

Velodyne Lidar, a Silicon Valley-based lidar technology company, has introduced the Puck 32MR sensor to offer a perception solution for low-speed autonomous markets, including robotics, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The solution is “cost effective,” but interested parties will have to contact the company to find out the actual price.

 

In addition to featuring Velodyne’s patented surround-view perception capability, the new sensor boasts a range of 120 meters and a 40-degree vertical field of view to enable navigation in unfamiliar and dynamic settings.

 

Generating a high-resolution point cloud with minimal noise in all light conditions, the Puck 32MR detects crosswalks, curbs, vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and obstacles for safe and efficient operation in roadway, commercial and industrial use cases.

 

“We are proud to announce the Puck 32MR as the latest addition to our broad array of lidar products,” said Anand Gopalan, chief technology officer, Velodyne Lidar. “Velodyne continues to innovate lidar technologies that empower autonomous solutions on a global scale. This product fills a need for an affordable mid-range sensor, which our customers expressed, and we took to heart. We strive to meet our customers’ needs, and the Puck 32MR is another example of our versatility within an evolving industry.”

 

The lidar sensor is designed for power-efficiency to extend vehicle operating time within broad temperature and environmental ranges without the need for active cooling. According to the company, the sensor uses proven 905 nanometer (nm), Class 1 eye-safe technology and is assembled in Velodyne’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The Puck 32MR is designed for scalability and priced attractively for volume customers.

 

Courtesy of The Robot Report. For more information, visit www.therobotreport.com.

 

 

Local Solar Tour participants wanted

Submitted by City of Fremont

 

This fall, the City of Fremont is partnering with the Northern California Solar Energy Association to participate in the American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Homes Tour. The City is looking for households who would be interested in showcasing their solar systems during Fremont's Local Solar Tour on Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is an opportunity for residents to show off their system to their neighbors and help inform them about the benefits of going solar!

 

Fremont’s Local Solar Tour will consist of a series of solar open houses where community members visit a solar-powered home, talk with the solar owner about the process of going solar, and connect with other solar supporters in their community.

 

If you are a solar owner and ready to sign up your household to be part of the tour or would like to learn more, please visit National Solar Tour or contact Solar Manager Batya Gelfand or the City’s Sustainability Manager Rachel DiFranco by e-mail or at 510-494-4451. Households who would like to participate in the tour must sign up by August 30, 2019.

 

For community members interested in visiting one of Fremont’s solar homes on October 5, more information will be available soon.

 

 

 

Driven by a Startup Bug?

Asok Chatterjee

 

A room full of entrepreneurs, some of them wannabes, were all ears at the StartUp Grind (SUG) fireside chat on August 7th. They came to listen to Andre Abrahamians. Having started his career in a technology startup, Simply Hired, and then spending time with the Hearst empire, Andre is presently with the leading law firm of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Roasti (WSGR). The formal topic for the evening’s discussion was ‘Considerations of Owning and Running a Startup’. What made the evening special was the fact that Andre has already walked the talk. A local boy, having graduated from Mission San Jose High School, and later from Santa Clara University, he has a unique combination of experience in corporate rules and regulations, and startup sales & digital advertising. Everybody, bar none, related to him. To all he was ‘one of us.’

 

Introductions by SUG’s Fremont Chapter Director Gaytri Khandelwal were hardly over when Andre jumped straight into the punch line of the message he came to deliver – don’t let corporate and administrative issues adversely impact the fate of your startup. Take charge and avoid costly mistakes upfront. Issues to be addressed can be as fundamental as where to incorporate the company for favorable tax benefits regime – it is no wonder you get to see so many Delaware-registered corporations! On the other end of the scale of complexity, challenges may involve complex patent litigation and trademarks.

 

Entrepreneurs are dreamers by nature and typically dream big. A common strategy for many is to nurture their ‘baby’ from birth to a certain stage of adolescence, establish an attractive track record, and then be acquired by a bigger-name organization. Andre reminded the audience that nobody wants to seriously talk about acquisitions if it is obvious that the startup’s legal paperwork is messy. While the urge to depend on freely available online low-cost legal support services may be attractive, at least in the beginning days of a startup, it is advisable to graduate to formal legal counsel as soon as possible.

 

The best part of the evening, and perhaps the most informative, was the free-flowing Q/A discussions. Everyone picked up nuggets of wisdom. For one attendee, validation of his company and its product offerings was the volunteers lining up to become Interns in his startup. It was a win-win scenario. Young bright minds were getting the startup exposure they craved, and the company was benefiting by offering them a loosely defined program. It was working well, with a caveat. A discussion during the fireside chat revealed that the situation could unravel very quickly if the expectations from either side hit an unexpected road bump without a well-documented ‘Internship Program.’ If that were to happen, the startup could be looking at litigation, financial damages, and bad publicity.

 

SUG is a global organization by, of, and for the entrepreneurs and their startups. The Fremont Chapter is fully supported by the City of Fremont. It provides a platform within the Silicon Valley that perhaps serves its members in the most pragmatic way possible. The meetings are typically held every four to six weeks.

 

Startup Grind/Fremont

6700 Dumbarton Cir, Fremont

https://www.startupgrind.com/fremont/

https://www.facebook.com/StartupGrindFremont/

 

 

Basic income payments to young adults

Submitted by Janice Rombeck

 

Recognizing that those leaving the foster care system are among the most vulnerable in Santa Clara County, Supervisor Dave Cortese on August 13 called for a pilot program to provide cash payments to help 18- to 21-year-olds navigate economic hardships and create pathways to success.

 

The board unanimously approved moving forward with a proposal for the pilot program that will return to the board through the Children, Seniors and Families Committee. The proposed pilot would be the first in the nation to target this vulnerable population with universal basic income payments. Studies have shown that these payments can reduce poverty, improve health and increase educational opportunities.

 

“Youth transitioning out of the foster care system are particularly in need of and deserve robust support,” said Cortese. “Creating a pilot program to provide a basic income to these youth will allow the County to better support their transition out of our foster care system and to help them find a stable path to independence.”

 

To augment the cost of the program, Cortese asked that the county explore partnering with philanthropic organizations and leverage other existing funding streams to support the needs of youth transitioning out of the foster care system. Cortese’s proposal asks county counsel and administration to return to the board on August 27 and address in their report:

• Number of young people who could be included in such a program
• Size of the payment needed to cover participants’ basic needs and recommendations regarding the overall budget for the pilot
• How such a program would be aligned with and augment other support and services available to these young people
• How such a program could best be evaluated

 

For more information, contact the Office of Supervisor Dave Cortese at (408) 299-5030.