April 12, 2023

HAPPENING THIS WEEK: HELP IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION

CVHS TROJAN FLEA MARKET

VIRTUAL TOURS OF NATIVE GARDENS

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

COMMUNITY

1989

Illegal Dumping: What Can be Done?

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Bags of trash accumulate next to an abandoned building. A mattress sits near the railroad tracks. Piles of wood and concrete are left behind on quiet roads. Illegal dumping has gotten out of hand in Alameda County, residents, businesses, and officials agree. An upcoming conference aims to use partnerships to come up with solutions.

Page 5

The 3rd Annual Statewide Conference on Illegal Dumping is scheduled in Oakland from April 19 through 21. Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley and the Illegal Dumping Task Force organized the event. This year, the goal is to encourage public sector and non-profit collaboration to educate, eradicate, and enforce anti-dumping laws in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

“The scale of the problem is so vast, and we have been able to make headway, but it is like trying to stop the tide,” Erin Armstrong, senior policy advisor for Supervisor Miley’s office, told the Forum.

For example, last Friday, Armstrong, Miley, and a team of volunteers removed more than 30 tons of illegal dumping, including 34 couches and

sofa chairs, 20 mattresses, over a dozen appliances, and a large safe at a notorious dump site on Miramonte Avenue. The Task Force has identified hundreds of similar areas where garbage has been dumped, cleaned up, and then dumped again.

Armstrong says those who dump fall into three categories: look-the-other-way dumping, benevolent dumping, and industrial dumping.

“Some people pay $150 for someone to haul away their trash,” Armstrong said. “These haulers pocket the cash and dump the load near sites like the one on Miramonte. Benevolent dumpers will often leave behind something like a couch or food near a homeless encampment, thinking that they are doing something good. Industrial dumpers look for remote locations to

leave behind concrete, dirt, or construction materials.”

It’s important to separate homelessness from illegal dumping, she adds, because encampments do not have ways to dispose of garbage. And sometimes, the dumping takes place on the border between county, state, and federal properties, making it harder to enforce.

see DUMPING on page 10

ONLINE TOUR

Native Garden Events

By Mike McGuire CASTRO

The 19th annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Features Showcase returns to the East Bay online this weekend, April 15 to 16, and in person, May 6 to 7.

The online tour features Susan and Bill Teefy’s Castro Valley garden, according to tour coordinator Kathy Kramer. The in-person tour visits eight homes and gardens, including one in San Leandro, five in Castro Valley, including the Teefy’s, and two more locations in Hayward.

The April 15 online event begins with a keynote presentation by best-selling author Dr. Doug Tallamy, a native plant advocate who teaches and carries out ecological research at the University of Delaware. Both tours encourage people to help local ecosystems by planting plants already well-adapted to local conditions and using fewer introsee GARDEN on page 10

Autism Awareness Month: Steps Toward Belonging

Calendar ................ 4

Classified Ads ....... 8

Crosswords ........... 9 Health & Fitness ..... 5 Homes ...................... 6 Obituaries ............ 11 Our Town ................. 3

By Jagmeet Kaur Sangha SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

Autism Awareness Month has been celebrated in April since the 1970s and continues to be recognized by national and global groups that strive to increase understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). These groups have worked hard to advance changes in the way the conditions are understood and addressed by the world. While their efforts

have significantly benefited the autism community, and perceptions of ASD have come a long way in the last 50 years, there is still so much more to be mindful of moving forward. Autism awareness is becoming more important than ever as we gain increasing knowledge of the condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network recently announced

that in 2020, the prevalence of ASD increased to 1 in 36 among children aged 8 years old. As we consider

the significance of this uptick in diagnoses, it’s useful to keep in mind how we can use what we’ve learned to promote a better sense of belonging in the wider community for neurodiverse individuals.

Early detection of ASD still remains vital as it allows diagnosticians to fully determine potential cognitive delays and creates access to treatment that can build learning environments to best support the individual needs of the autistic person. Evidence-based therapies and learning accommodations in early education can greatly benefit the development of a young neurodivergent mind. On the other hand, undetected autism can lead to various

mental health challenges in both children and adults, which only further reinforces the importance of accurately identifying ASD (see my March 8 article discussing this issue). [mycvforum.com]

It is natural for our human brains to have cognitive variations in the way that we think and experience the world. Autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Tourette Syndrome see AUTISM on page 11

More than 30 tons of garbage, including 34 couches and chairs, 20 mattresses, and over a dozen appliances, were removed from an illegal dump site in Alameda County last Friday. Officials will meet next week to discuss solutions.

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Castro Valley Weather April 12 - April 16, 2023

Building Habits: The Tinier the Better

By Kevin Koo SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

In my last article, I talked about how having good habits builds up your chances of success. So how do you build habits? That’s what we’ll be talking about today.

I’m pulling information from BJ Fogg’s book, Tiny Habits. I highly recommend you grab a copy to see how you can implement it for yourself.

Ok, here are the basic steps to use Tiny Habits to build successful habits:

1. Identify the habit you want to develop. What was the goal you wanted to achieve at the beginning of the year? Was it to exercise so you can lose weight and get healthier (habit = exercise)? Maybe it was saving more money so you could retire earlier or go on more vacations. (habit = save money)

2. Break the habit down into small manageable steps. For example, if your goal is to exercise regularly, start with something as simple as doing one push-up every day. For saving money, maybe start with just $5 per month.

3. Choose a trigger for the habit. A trigger is something that reminds you to perform the habit. It could

be a specific time of day, a particular event, or a physical cue. BJ Fogg talks about doing push-ups every time he used the bathroom (trigger = using the bathroom). Perhaps to save money, you deposit what you want to save every time you get a paycheck. (trigger = receiving a paycheck)

4. Celebrate your success every time you successfully complete your tiny habit. This could be as simple as saying “Yes!” or giving yourself a small high five.

5. Increase the habit gradually. Once you’ve successfully completed your tiny habit for a few days, gradually increase the difficulty. For example, if you started with one push-up a day, you could increase it to two push-ups a day. For saving more money, it may take a couple of months, depending on how often you get paid, but you can increase from $5 to $10.

There are a couple of things I want to highlight from this prescribed format. The first is to start small. Too often, we set a huge goal and expect it to be completed from day 1. Starting with something that’s easy, or maybe even too easy, seems silly but is important for building up momentum. Keeping it easy gives you a quick win. The quick win gives you confidence in what you’re doing, making you more willing and capable of completing the bigger task.

Second, we need a trigger. I often hear people say, “I don’t get why I can’t just do (the thing they want to do)!” Here’s a reality to life—If you haven’t been doing it, you’re not going to start doing it without lots of reminders.

Think about all the times’ kids are reminded to put on coats or wash their hands before they eat. But guess what… isn’t that how they learned it? With all the reminders from their parents and teachers? Until they learned to remind themselves internally to the point it just became something they do? We need reminders too.

Finally, I want to emphasize the importance of celebration. I think, as adults, we’re not good at celebrating often enough. We celebrate holidays and birthdays and when we get our bonus or raise at work, but that’s not nearly often enough. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not very good at doing this. In fact, I’m working on having more fun and being playful in my own life, and part of that is celebrating more often. I want see KOO on page 5

CVHS Choir Performs at Carnegie Hall

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

On March 29, 77 students from Castro Valley High School and their 16 chaperones embarked on a trip of a lifetime to New York City and an epic performance at Carnegie Hall.

Choir teacher Ms. Laryssa

Sadoway said the trip was a huge success and extra special as the first major tour of the CVHS Choir Program since the pandemic.

“Students performed wonderfully and wowed our international audience in the incomparable Carnegie Hall,” Sadoway said. “Huge thanks go out to Castro Valley Music Parents’ Society, our Tour Manager Michelle Uchiyama, and our school principal Mr. Christopher Fortenberry who not only supported us throughout the school year but who traveled with us as our tour administrator.”

The Carnegie Hall performance included a three-song “Spotlight Performance,” joining a festival chorus of 250 to sing Mozart’s Coronation Mass with a professional orchestra.

“It was almost dream-like, walking out onto the large

stage of this fancy, decorated hall that beautifully encapsulates any music that is played or sung within it,” Senior Rachel Raskin said. “For instance, when our choir sang a chord which then had a pause or a rest after it, you could hear the chord echoing throughout the space in a heavenly manner. I remember thinking to myself that I have only heard things like that in recordings of professional choirs, and the fact that I am a part of a choir singing in this type of space is crazy (in a good way). Singing at

Carnegie Hall is an experience that I am extremely grateful to have gotten and is something that I will never forget.”

The 5-day tour included dinner at Ellen’s Stardust, where the students were regaled with singing waiters in the most entertaining meal and nighttime viewing of NYC from the top of 30 Rockefeller Center. Students and chaperones were able to take in the Broadway show “Hadestown,” where the star-studded cast greeted CVHS students after the performance, complete

SHERIFF’S REPORT

Public Intoxication

Monday, April 10: at 4:40 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 62-year-old woman from Castro Valley on suspicion of public intoxication. The woman was hanging outside a home on Emerald Court when deputies responded to a public nuisance call. Deputies report that during questioning, the woman smelled of alcohol and failed field sobriety test. She was taken to a sobering center.

Spousal Assault

Trespassing and Contempt of Court

Sunday, April 9: at 9:03 a.m., deputies arrested a 53-yearold man with no permanent residence on suspicion of trespassing and violating a court-issued restraining order. The man was spotted within 100 yards of a vacant lot on A Street near Ruby Street that he had been ordered to stay away from. Deputies took the man into custody.

Illegal Drug Paraphernalia

with autograph-signing and selfie-taking. The students also took a boat cruise of New York Harbor, where they danced and sang for the entire crew and a visit to the 9-11 Museum and the Museum of Natural History. Going to these events like Carnegie Hall and meeting with other choirs to do something we all love proved how much our efforts can take us when doing something we love, and it can cause us also to build connections with many people we can see again in the future,” said Senior Adreana Dones.

Sunday, April 9: at 11:57 a.m., a 911 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to an apartment on Justco Lane near Castro Valley Boulevard. There, they arrested a 33-year-old CV man from Castro Valley on suspicion of spousal assault. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.

Sunday, April 9: at 11:46 a.m., a 66-year-old man with no permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of possessing illegal drug paraphernalia. Deputies responded to a suspicious person report at a business on the Boulevard near Redwood Rd. The man was found with a pipe for smoking narcotics. He was taken into custody. see REPORT on page 4

CVEA Chamber Seeks Input on Downtown Plan

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

The Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce says it looks forward to gathering input toward revising the Castro Valley Specific Plan and is seeking public input on the process.

“This is a great opportunity for our community to have input into what Castro Valley will look like in the future,” said Todd Anglin, President of the Chamber of Commerce.

“We are very happy to alongside Alameda County Planning and others on this important project.”

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The Specific Plan limits the uses of property in an area, how much building can occur, what type of businesses can occupy them, and what structures can look like. It is a critical element in planning the future development of an area, such as the downtown. The Castro Valley downtown plan

CASTRO VALLEY ROTARY CLUB SOCIAL

You are cordially invited to Our SOCIAL MIXER April 18, 2023

5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Castro Valley Marketplace (Upstairs) 3295 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley CA 94546

was last reviewed in 1992. It can be found at the Castro Valley Central Business District website.

More info about the Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.edenareachamber.com and more info on the CV Specific Plan revision is available at: CVGPImplementation.com.

Members: $20.00 (Includes an invited guest) Non-Members: $30.00

Enjoy Hors d'oeuvres & a No-Host Bar

Club of Castro Valley Rotary NATURAL FOODS

A special event is planned so come & join us!

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Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Tonight, Wednesday, April 12

Help Improve Transportation

Castro Valley Matters, along with BikewalkCV, is participating in a series of focus groups and a local pop-up to assist the Alameda County Transportation Commission in their I-580 Transit and Multimodal Strategy, which seeks to improve transportation along the I-580 freeway from the Bay Bridge through the Altamont Pass. Help us explore ways to expand transportation options, improve safety and access, and reduce air pollution in nearby communities. The event takes place tonight from 3 to 7 pm Downtown San Leandro Farmers’ Market 300 Estudillo Ave, San Leandro.

Saturday, April 15

CVHS Trojan Flea Market

Castro Valley High School is hosting the first-ever Trojan Flea Market this Saturday, April 15 from 8 am to 12 pm. Everyone is welcome to come shop or become a vendor to share your club/organization/business with the community. The event will be at Castro Valley High School (19400 Santa Maria Ave.) in the Mabel Avenue parking lot near the pools.

Saturday, April 15

Eden Garden Club Plant Sale

Eden Garden Club is having a Plant Sale this Saturday, April 15 from 9 am to 12 pm at 19910 Forest St. in Castro Valley. The Plant Sale features a wide-assortment of annuals, perennials, vegetables, succulents, natives, shrubs, pots, garden art and supplies. All proceeds benefit school garden grants for Castro Valley and Hayward Schools. For more information, please visit our website: www.edengardenclub.com

Tuesday, April 18

Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art Bats, gourds, peaches, ribbons, and monkeys on horses. These images and many others are frequently and artistically depicted in Chinese art, but what do they mean? Using selected objects from the fabulous collections at the Asian Art Museum our presenter will help you understand some of the fascinating and fun meanings and messages hidden in Chinese art. Join us on Tuesday, April 18 at 6:30 pm for this is a virtual program via Zoom and is designed for adults and teens. Register at www.aclibrary.org

Thursday, April 20

Senior Driver Traffic Safety Seminar

Stay safe... and save money! Registration has begun for the library’s popular senior driving program! Conducted by the California Highway Patrol, this FREE seminar on Thursday, April 20 from noon to 2 pm will include: Compensating for Age-Related Changes, Rules of the Road, Safe Driving Tips; and more! Participants will receive a certificate for completing this course which may lead to an insurance discount. You must be 65 or older to qualify. Registration is required. To register, call the Library at 510-667-7900. This program will be held in person at the Castro Valley library in the Chabot/Canyon room.

Thursday, April 20 Free Career and Resource Fair

Visit Castro Valley Adult & Career Education on Thursday, April 20, from 6 to 8 pm for a free career and resource fair. There will be employers who are hiring, community agencies that offer support to the community and you can learn about job training at the adult school. No registration needed. located at: 4430 Alma Avenue in room 2.

Report: CV

continued from page 3

Shoplifter Caught Friday, April 7: at 12:43 p.m., a 26-year-old CV woman was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and possessing illegal narcotics and related drug paraphernalia. Deputies responded to a call from a nearby drug store on the Boulevard near Yeandle Avenue. The woman was taken into custody.

Refused to Leave Church Property

Thursday, April 6: at 2:00 p.m., deputies arrested a 54-year-old man with no permanent residence on suspicion of refusing to leave a church property despite being asked to by staff. Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance in the parking lot of the church on Grove Way near Redwood Road after the man seeking services had become confrontational and was asked to leave. The man was taken into custody.

ROWELL RANCH RODEO PARADE

Saturday, May 13

Plan NOW to Participate in and/or Sponsor the upcoming 2023 Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade Recognizing the101st Anniversary of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo featuring equestrian (individual and units), schools, community organizations, youth leagues, car clubs, churches and marching bands as well as honoring our First Responders, Active and Military Veterans!

Time: Parade begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. featuring more than sixty entries including equestrian units, schools, community organizations, youth leagues, and marching bands as well as first responders, military personnel and veterans.

Location: Downtown Castro Valley starting at Nunes Ave and Castro Valley Blvd to Redwood Road and returning to San Miguel Ave. The Review Stand and Announcers will be located between Nunes and San Miguel Avenue. All side streets along the parade route will be closed during the Parade.

Sponsored by:

Honorary Marshals ($1000): Carol Bigelow; Classy Canine Wiggle Rumps; and Redwood Christian Schools

Wrangler Club ($500): Law Office of Bernie Kempen, and Law Office of Eduardo Robles

Bronco Club ($300 to $499): Beck Roofing; Birthright; Castro Valley Hayward Storage; Jess C. Spencer Mortuaries & Crematory and Todd Anglin, State Farm Insurance

Stetson Club ($200): Advanced Title Research and Law Offices of Phillips and Phillips

The Rotary Club of Castro Valley Proudly Hosts the Annual

SURVEY

Parents Want More Soft Skills Learning

(BPT) - Reading, writing, science and math are subjects that have been associated with classroom instruction since school was established. And all are relevant, important subjects to master in order to succeed in society. But according to a new survey of 2,000 parent respondents conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, these subjects are not the only skills parents are looking to have their children learn in early childhood education.

An astounding 81% of parent respondents believe educators should spend time teaching things outside academics like soft skills and current events, with 60% wanting current events instruction to focus on cultural happenings.

This survey makes it clear that parents of today are focused on developing their children into well-rounded members of society beyond just traditional school subjects.

62% of parents in the survey responded that they prioritize their children learning soft skills like communication, critical thinking and problem solving before they’re 8 years old, with 40% of parents saying that practical life skills are the most important thing for their children to learn at a young age. Majority of parent respondents said that core curriculum classes should not begin until the first grade. see SURVEY on back page

Koo: Habits

continued from page 2 to catch myself when I do something good or recognize the best effort I’ve put into something and celebrate. A simple example is when I cook something or bake some bread that tastes good, I’ll say to myself, “You did good, Kev!” and give myself a high five. I make sure to do this in front of my wife, too, because my favorite part is when my wife rolls her eyes at me. So not only am I celebrating, but I get to have fun with my wife as well. So. Break. It. Down. What’s your tiny habit? How can you make it so simple that success is inevitable? What’s a good cue or trigger to remind you to do that thing? How can you celebrate better and more often?

I’m very excited to hear your responses.

Coach Kev helps people achieve calm, clarity, and confidence in their life while starting small and building from there. Contact him at kevinkoocoaching@gmail.com, or follow on IG and YouTube @ kevinkoocoaching

Easter Sunrise Service in CV

The North Campus of Redwood Chapel Community Church was the site of this year’s Easter Sunrise Service in Castro Valley. CV First and Redwood Chapel have partnered for the Sunrise Service for more than twenty years. This year, more than 125 indi-

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viduals gathered to celebrate the Risen Christ as the sun rose in the Eastern sky. The music was led by Erik Keene, Worship Pastor from CV First, followed by Dawn Couch sharing her testimony of her changed life through the mercy of Christ. Words of Hope and

the New Life available to all was shared by Kory Keefauver, Redwood Chapel’s Pastor of Discipleship. Although haze blocked a bright sunrise, the joy and thankfulness of those present lit up the parking lot as Pastor Keefauver shared the Truth of Romans 6:1-6.

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26th Annual FESCO Shuffle

FESCO, a program of La Familia, has made a difference every day since our inception in 1986. FESCO runs the Les Marquis Family Shelter, Banyan Transitional House, and the 3rd Street Apartments in Hayward that provide transformative support to families that move from an unhoused situation to self-sufficiency to thriving!

What to expect: Participants will enjoy a fun-filled day for all ages and abilities with music provided by a popular Bay Area band, a Kids-Zone, games, prizes, food, entertainment, and much more! The Shuffle is a fun, and family-oriented community event where the proceeds benefit the FESCO program.

Show you care about fighting homelessness and promote your business by becoming a corporate sponsor.

Contact Stephanie Miller, SMiller@LiveLaFamilia.org for volunteer opportunities and Team Captain participation; and Kyle Garcia, KGarcia@LiveLaFamilia.org for business sponsorship.

PHOTO CREDIT: DOUG TEGNER, REDWOOD CHAPEL PASTOR

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum

REAL ESTATE REALITY GUEST

COMMENTARY

CC&Rs Racially Biased Pas t

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum

If you have purchased a home recently, the pile of documents accompanying the transaction will more than likely have included pages entitled CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions). These are neighborhood guidelines instituted by a city at the time a neighborhood was formed and spell out the general rules governing that neighborhood.

Normally, CC&Rs include items such as allowable heights and locations of fences, prohibited livestock, acceptable exterior renovations, potential business uses and so on. The idea is to preserve a degree of unity in the neighborhood and prevent undesirable activities.

I re cently received a phone call from a client looking to purchase a home in the east bay who, upon reading the CC&Rs for the

home she was considering, was shocked by what she read. Written in 1938, the documents included text that stated, “Said property shall not be used or occupied by any person whose blood is not entirely that of the Caucasian race, but persons not of the Caucasian race may be kept there by a Caucasian occupant, strictly in the capacity of servants of such occupant.”

W hile blatantly racist, this type of dialogue can be found in many CC&Rs, not only in the East Bay, but across the country, and is a stark reminder of our country’s shameful past. In 1948, while the Supreme Court declared the covenants to be unconstitutional, comments were not removed. In 1968, the Fair Housing Act was adopted, further overriding any racially discriminatory language found in any CC&Rs.

W hile current practice is

HOROSCOPE by Salomé © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Change is still dominant for Rams and Ewes, both in the workplace and in their private lives. This is also a good time to look at a possible relocation if that has been one of your goals.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Doing things for others is what you do well. But don’t forget that Bovines thrive on the arts, so make some time for yourself to indulge your passion for music and artistic expression.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): While the Romantic Twin considers where to go for an upcoming vacation, the Practical Twin will start making travel plans now to take advantage of some great bargains.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your sensitive nature helps you deal with a difficult emotional situation. Be patient and continue to show your sincere support wherever (and for whomever) it is needed.

LEO (July 23 - August 22): You’re making progress as you move through some unfamiliar territory. And while there might be a misstep or two along the way, you’re heading in the right direction overall. Good luck.

VIRGO (August 23 - Sept. 22): Some good news arrives -- and just in time to remind you that you’re making progress. Perhaps things aren’t moving as quickly as you’d prefer, but they’re progressing nevertheless.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - October 22): This is a good week to step back and assess the facts that have recently emerged, to see where they can be used to your advantage. Also, don’t hesitate to make changes where necessary.

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): You should begin to experience some support from those who now agree with your point of view. This should help counter the remaining objections from die-hard skeptics.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Don’t let your aim be deflected by trivial matters as you try to resolve a confusing situation. Take time to find and thoroughly assess the facts before making any decisions.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): The possibility of moving to another location has come up. But, before you dismiss it as unworkable, it’s worth checking out just in case it does have some merit after all.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): New relationships, personal or workrelated, show mixed signals. Best to assume nothing. Let things play themselves out until you have something substantive to work with.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20): Your ability to make needed changes without causing too much, if any, negative ripple effect comes in handy when dealing with a sensitive matter either on the job or in the family.

to include a disclosure accompanying CC&Rs stating that any such language contained within is a violation of our nation’s fair housing laws and as such is overridden by current nondiscriminatory laws, there has been movement here in the East Bay to have the comments removed.

San Leandro’s Public Library has a page dedicated to CC&Rs (www. sanleandro.org/1092/ CCRs-in-San-Leandro) which explains: “In 2021 California Assembly Bill 1466 was signed into law, which requires all County Recorders to develop a program to identify and redact unlawful restrictions in covenants. Alameda County will be implementing a process that will digitize the 25 million historical deeds in the county. Optical Word Recognition (OWR) will be used to identify deeds with illegal language, which will then be struck out.”

W hile a troubling reminder of a discriminatory past, the good news is that steps are being taken to bring all documents into line with Federal Fair Housing laws.

Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general contractor. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

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English Lavender Doesn’t Need Much Water

By Buzz Bertolero THE DIRT GARDENER

QShould the English Lavender flowers be pruned off after flowering? Our plants are thriving with little water or care, so is there any other maintenance we should do?

AEnglish Lavender is a small evergreen shrub planted for its gray-green foliage and fragrant purple flowers. The biggest problem with Lavender is that they get over-watered and becomes ratty looking in time. Another problem is the companion plants mixed with the Lavenders. These plants require more water and fertilizer. So, the plant selection of the surrounding plants is important. While Lavender plants thrive on neglect, they’re groomed in the spring after flowering. First off, you should remove any deadwood. Next, trim off the old, spent flowers along with the stems. Your goal is to remove about one-third of the growth from last year. Also, make sure your hand shears are sharp to avoid injuring the plant(s). A pair of head shears or an electric trimmer can be used. Pruning the plant(s) back to bare stems should be avoided at all costs. After pruning, I’d apply an Organic All

purpose fertilizer to encourage the growth. One feeding a year is all that is necessary. And finally, mulching the plants with a three-inch layer of organic matter for moisture conservation is encouraged. I wouldn’t change a thing you are currently doing or suggest anything different.

QWe bought a five-gallon pine tree as a living tree last Christmas. Is this the time to transplant it into a large container? Also, how might we keep it from getting too big?

AThere is no need to wait as the living Christmas tree can be transplanted now. You should select an enormous container, about the size of half a wine barrel or a twenty-four by eighteen-inch lightweight plastic pot. Most of the pine trees used as living Christmas trees are not small trees by nature. When mature, these rapidly growing evergreen trees can reach a height of fifty to eighty feet with a wide spread. The plant is groomed or sheared to have that ‘Christmas Tree’ shape when they are young. However, they will lose this shape quickly as they mature. Their natural shape is more oval or round. You can control

the size by trimming the new or ‘candle growth.’ The ‘candle growth’ is the long, upright shoots visible in the spring. They will extend above the mature needles at the end of the branches. With a pair of hand shears, I’d cut the new growth off where the new growth meets the old. Eventually, your tree will need to be planted in the ground, but it may be too big for most of today’s smaller yards. Alberta Spruce is the ideal Living Xmas Tree. It has a slow growth rate, and keeps its shape without much care. It can be grown in a container for an extended period or planted in the landscape. They typically don’t grow over ten feet tall.

Buzz Bertolero is an Advanced California Certified Nursery Professional. The Dirt Gardener’s website is www. dirtgardener.com and questions can be sent by email to buzz@ dirtgardener.com.

Homes

RECENT HOME SALES

Home sales information is compiled and provided by CalREsource and includes Bedrooms,

Mortgage Rates Trending Lower

Mortgage rates continue to trend down entering the traditional spring homebuying season. Unfortunately, those in the market to buy are facing a number of challenges, not the least of which is the low inventory of homes for sale, especially for aspiring first-time homebuyers.

WEEKEND GARDENER

Vegetables

As soon as garden beds are able to be worked after the April rains have passed, you can begin setting out vegetables, including radishes, eggplants, green peppers, beans, cucumbers and squash. Buzz Bertolero recommends waiting until May to set out tomatoes. Nurseries and garden centers are well-stocks with six-packs and 4-inch pots of vegetables ready for transplanting.

Flowers

Summer annuals and perennials can also be planted this month to brighten up flower beds. Look for petunias and zinnias—two of the most popular annuals—available in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes to fulfill any requirement, whether for dramatic massed beds and borders, window boxes or planters on the patio.

Select plants with healthy, deep green foliage. In both vegetable and flowers gardens, watch out for hungry snails which have multiplied many times over due to all the wet weather.

*MP CONCRETE. Driveways, Patio, Retaining Walls, Stamped Concrete, Asphalt, Hauling. Lic.#1054154. Milo 510-502-9336.

CONCRETE SERVICE

S.L.CONCRETE SERVICE Driveways, Sidewalks, Stamped Concrete, Retaining Walls, Asphalt, Paving Stones. Lic.#982202. 510856-8937.

Help

CONTRACTOR SERVICE

NOTICETO READERS

California law requires that contractors taking jobs that total $500 or more (labor or materials) be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. State Law also requires that contractors include their license number on all advertising. Advertisers appearing on this page without a license number indicate that the contractor is not licensed. You can check the status of your licensed contractor at www.cslb.ca.gov or (800)321-2752. Unlicensed contractors taking jobs that total less than $500 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board.

Advertise your Home for rent in the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum

San

DON’T LET ANOTHER WEEK SLIPBY! – Avacancy day is money lost forever –To place an ad call 510-614-1558

FENCES/DECKS

*SPECIALIZING IN WOOD FENCES, DECKS & RETAINING WALLS. Replace or repair, paved walkways, yard cleaning, tree trimming, topping or removal, garage cleaning & debris removal. Insured & Bonded #8189. Jerry 510-410-2427.

Fence wobbly? Call Randy's Fence Reinforcement and save thousands! 510-706-6189.

GARAGE SALES

CASTRO VALLEY ESTATE FURNITIRE SALE ASIAN DECOR leather sofa and chairs, cherry wood dining table/chairs. massage chair, from Sat/Sun Noon to 4pm 2409 Mikemary Ct.

GARAGE SALES GARDENING

Estate Sale Friday and Saturday

April 14 &15 9-3 (no early birds please-cash, venmo, paypal and credit cards accepted) shed, tools, fishing gear, treadmill, washer, dryer, fridge, furniture, kitchenware, books and misc. items. 4334 Edwards Lane, Castro Valley,

GARDENING

*ANYYARD WORK. Cleanups and Maintenance. Free Estimates. Call 510-798-1833.

*BEAUTYGARDEN LANDSCAPING

Design - Construction - Maintenance. Cleanups, New Lawn, Artificial Grass, Irrigation, Patios, Pathways, Brick, Stone, Concrete Fence/ Decks. Free Estimates! Lic.#925130. 510-691-8852. www.beautygardenlandscaping.com

JAIME’S GARDENING Maintenance, Trimming, Cleanups, Hauling, Sprinkler Repair/ Timers. FREE Estimates. Insured. 510-299-9583

HAIR CUTTING

Free Haircut with hair donation for Wigs for Kids.Call Yumi for details!!! (510)407-0436.

HANDYMAN SERVICE

KING CONSTRUCTION Father & Son. Complete Plumbing, Baths, and Custom Remodeling. Lic#273546/ Bonded. Call 510-882-5169 510-483-7126.

HAULING SERVICE

HAULING: Small and Big Jobs. Furniture, Concrete, Wood, Trash, Metal, Demolition. Also house inside/ outside cleanups. 510-715-1578.

HOUSE CLEANING

VICTORIA’SHOUSE CLEANING

Excellent references. Free estimates Reasonable rates. 510-715-1578 VictoriaGutierrez140@gmail.com

MISC. FOR SALE

Sculptors! Marble block, six more pieces, carving tools. Free. 510-3512611.

You can place a FREE “MISC. FOR SALE” ad for items $50 or less at: sanleandrotimes.com or at: castrovalleyforum.com or more info call Patrick Mon-Fri. 9am-1pm at 510-614-1560 (some restrictions may apply)

MISC. WANTED

WANTED - Reel to reel music tapes, Call Patrick 510-517-3351.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Are you interested in buying or selling a home or property?

Would you like the help of a Professional Agent?

For assistance call ...

*SCOTT HARRISON - Realtor Coldwell Banker 510-388-4536

RENTALS

San Leandro 62+ community (NO ONE UNDER 62), Floresta Gardens area, $2,075; duplex, quiet, private court, 2-Bdrm, single-story, walk-in shower, central heat, air conditioning, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer inunit, patio, carport. NO pets/smoking.510-352-7023 for requirements.

LANDLORDS – Advertise your units! Avacancy day is money lost forever ... R. Bowman

RENTALS/RV SPACES

RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $925/ month. Call 510-481-9901.

SERVICES

HANDYMAN & CONTRACTORS

You can run a classified ad for a little as $30 a week. Your ad runs in both of our newspapers, the Castro Valley Forum on Wednesday and the San Leandro Times on Thursday. You can also save $5 by placing your ad on our website at castrovalleyforum.com or sanleandrotimes.com. We’ll call you for your credit or debit card info for payment.

To place an ad by phone call Patrick Vadnais at 510-614-1560, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

TREE SERVICE

*ACAREFULTREE SERVICE.

Certified. Arborist. Lic.#694067. Trimming, Removals. FREE Estimates

Bonded. Call 510-581-7377.

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Wegreatly appreciate our many advertisers who make it possible for us to publish these newspapers.

You may rent your property with a sign in the window or with an ad on the internet… But why not also advertise your rental in both the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum for as little as $25, and reach over 60,000 readers! TO PLACE AN AD, CALL 614-1558

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Your ad will run in the San Leandro Times and Castro Valley Forum, as well as online on our website, for 12 weeks. Private party ads only (no dealers). Some restrictions may apply. For more information, call Patrick at 614-1558.

Classified & Home Service ads run in both the Castro Valley Forum and San Leandro Times. TOTAL CIRCULATION 60,500 Call Patrick at 614-1558 for details and rates.

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Garden: Register Online Now for the Virtual or In-Person Tour

continued from front page duced species that lack those ecological advantages, Kramer said. They also showcase some homes’ green features, such as solar panels, heat pumps, and induction ranges.

Registration for both tours: bringingbackthenatives.net.

While introduced species are often quite beautiful, native plants don’t need chemical aids or extra water in most years to grow, said Kramer. They have adapted over millennia to the local environment, while introduced species have not had time to.

Kramer said another big advantage is due to bugs — specifically the kind that feeds birds.

People know that birds eat seeds and nuts, but they require more protein when they reproduce, and caterpillars are a key food at those times, she said. Even the smallest birds eat caterpillars themselves while feeding enormous numbers to their chicks, she said. After getting their protein needs met, they happily eat nuts and seeds, too.

Many homeowners go to a lot of trouble to kill pests but end up killing all insects, she noted.

“There are supposed to be insects to eat the plants, to feed the birds,” Kramer said. She added that most insects will not eat enough to kill the plant.

“Native plants are bird feeders,” said Tallamy. He noted that the U.S. and Canada have lost about 3 billion birds since 1970, partly because they keep encountering ecological dead zones where they cannot find enough food.

Tallamy said in a video posted on the Native Gardens website that it takes nearly 10,000

caterpillars total for chickadees, a relatively small bird, to raise a brood of chicks. Both parents take turns gathering food and deliver caterpillars about every three minutes to the nest, where the young stay for 16 to 18 days, his research shows. Tallamy said that plants do their best to kill or discourage insects from eating them, so moths and butterflies have evolved defenses against specific plants’ poisons over thousands of years. They tend to specialize, laying their eggs

that turn into caterpillars on one particular species of plant.

Monarch butterflies are famously dependent on milkweed, a plant that poisons almost every other species of butterfly or moth, he said. It took thousands of years of co-evolution for this to come about, he added.

Introduced species may look great but don’t feed the local insects and birds, Tallamy said.

Birds need about 70 percent of the landscape to be native for them to easily find enough food for their young, he added.

Both Kramer and Tallamy said that some plants were superb at providing habitat for other wildlife.

“Some 5 percent of our native plants make 75 percent of the foods that drive the food web,” Tallamy said. “Those are our keystone species.”

He added that while oaks and native cherries support many species of insects, introduced species like gingko support almost none.

“Oaks are the powerhouse of plants,” Kramer said. “Over 300 species of butterflies and moths can lay their eggs in them.”

Other keystone species in the Bay Area include native

cherries, lupines, California lilacs, manzanitas, aster, and goldenrod, she said.

Kramer’s advice to local gardeners is to plant keystone species, to replace introduced species that bring you no particular delight, and not to mow your lawn so often nor sweep up leaves so fast. There may be moth or butterfly pupa in them.

Kramer also cautions that one might not be doing the environment a big favor by buying just any “drought-resistant” plant for our droughtprone climate.

“Drought-resistant’ often means a plant that evolved in a Mediterranean or southern African environment,” she said. “Look for a native plant with similar qualities.”

Many resources about native plant gardens are available on the Natives Garden Tour website at: www.bringingbackthenatives.net, including a section with talks and writings by Dr. Tallamy. Included there is a guide to which native plants grow easily in the Bay Area, broken down by garden conditions.

“Every square inch of the planet has ecological significance, including your yard,” said Tallamy.

Dumping: Trash Problems Along Union Pacific Railroad Line

continued from front page

“There can be a lot of finger-pointing in these jurisdictions,” Armstrong added. “Anytime you have governmental agencies like BART, Caltrans, and the railroads. Often local governments lack people, money, and resources for cleanups, which is why these partnerships are important.”

At a recent San Leandro

Marquez Named to District 2

Hayward City Councilmember Elisa Marquez has been chosen to represent the Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 2. She was sworn in on April 4 following her selection among three other candidates on March 28.

District 2 includes Hayward, Union City, Newark, and parts of Fremont. She will remain in the seat until the next election cycle in 2024. The seat was previously held by Richard Valle, who died in March at 73 from health complications due to a two-year battle with prostate cancer. Valle represented District 2 for 10 years.

City Council meeting, a dozen business owners asked the city to help them with their major trash problems along the Union Pacific railroad line. Tents, tarps, cardboard boxes, broken bicycles, and garbage cans being scavenged through are common sights.

“Businesses have had negative feedback and financial hardship due to the mess

encountered,” San Leandro Chamber of Commerce president Emily Greigo said.

Mike Jaixen, a corporate spokesperson for Union Pacific Railroad, told the Forum it shares the community’s concerns over illegal dumping along the railroad’s right of way.

“Since the start of 2022, we have responded to over

two dozen reports of illegal dumping in Alameda County,” Jaixen said.

Still, it doesn’t take much effort to patrol a neighborhood and remove or report illegal dumping, says Forestr.org founder Yon Hardisty. The non-profit group works with agencies like Caltrans, Waste Management, and Public Works to remove trash along

highways, creeks, and neighborhoods.

“We had about 20 people walking up and down Stanton Avenue for two hours picking up trash, and we removed a discarded television and a mattress,” Hardisty said. “As we go along and people see us taking pride in our neighborhoods, they often jump in at that time or sign up for future pickups.”

Marquez is a lifelong resident of Hayward and was appointed to the Hayward City Council in 2014 to fill a vacancy created by Barbara Halliday’s election to the Mayor’s office. Marquez has a B.A. in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She previously served on Hayward’s Human Services Commission and has worked as a Probate Court Investigator for The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. County Supervisors President Nate Miley said he would be appointing Marquez to the county’s Public Protection Committee and Ad Hoc Committee on Reparations. Marquez is also expected to replace David Haubert (Supervisor District 1) as county’s representative with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).

The 19th annual Natives Garden Tour will visit Susan and Bill Teefy’s Castro Valley home both online (this Saturday, April 15) and in person (May 6).

PHOTO CREDIT: SUSAN TEEFY

Autism: Embracing Differences Benefit Neurodivergent People

continued from front page (TS), and other related conditions are all examples of neurodivergent brain functioning. Embracing these differences will greatly benefit neurodivergent individuals, as well as our social organizations, on a larger scale.

For example, many workplaces are beginning to hire more neurodivergent employees who have unique and highly sought-after skill sets. This helps companies to increase innovation, among many other benefits. Harvard Business

Review highlights opportunities for employers to lean into the specific talents and abilities of neurodiverse employees to effectively solve novel issues and create new products. To achieve this, employers must build systems of awareness, education, and resources to protect and fully appreciate diverse brain-based thinking.

In the workplace and in the wider world, appreciating the diversity that surrounds us creates a culture of inclusion and mutual respect. This month let’s reflect on our preferences,

LEGAL NOTICES

FILED FEB 21, 2023

MELISSA WILK County Clerk

ALAMEDA COUNTY

By----------, Deputy FILE NO. 593663

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code

Sections 17900-17930

The name of the business(es):

Stealt, located at 20885 Redwood Road #256, Castro Valley CA 94546. in Alameda County, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Xayvion Lum, 20885 Redwood Road #256, Castro Valley CA 94546. This business is conducted by an Individual. This business commenced 02/21/2023

/s/ Xayvion Lum

This statement was filed with the County Clerk o f Alameda County on date indicated by file stamp above.

Expires FEB 20, 2028

APR 05, 13, 20, 27, 2023

0705-SLT

differences, and strengths.

• How does our environment help us show up authentically?

• How do we make space for others to do the same?

• How does this practice of making space increase the sense of belonging?

Moving the conversation from awareness to belonging will allow us to break stigmas and the cultural majorities that inadvertently cause harm to the unique expressions of individual minds.

By taking time to become

FILED MAR 22, 2023

MELISSA WILK County Clerk

ALAMEDA COUNTY

By----------, Deputy FILE NO. 596528

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code

Sections 17900-17930

The name of the business(es):

Nobody’s Perfekt Dogs & Cats Resue, located at 3810 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546. in Alameda County, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Nobody’s Perfekt Dogs, 3810 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546. This business is conducted by a Corporation.

This business commenced 03/22/23

/s/ Rick Hollander

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda County on date indicated by file stamp above.

Expires MAR 21, 2028

MAR 29, APR 05, 12,19, 2023 0701-CVF

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 197

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CASTRO VALLEY SANITARY DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO INCREASE RATES CHARGED FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION.

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 by the Castro Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors to consider the adoption of Ordinance No. 197, which will amend Castro Valley Sanitary District Code Article V, Regulation of Solid Waste Disposal, Refuse, and Recycling, Sections 5302, 5303, 5306, and 5307.

The proposed Ordinance will increase the rates charged for solid waste collection (e.g. $1.95 per month for standard 20-gallon garbage cart/up to a 96-gallon organics cart/up to a 96-gallon recycling cart). These changes will be effective July 1, 2023.

The Castro Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors voted on April 4, 2023 at the Castro Valley Sanitary District Regular Board meeting to approve the draft Ordinance and set the public hearing as follows: Akagi – Yes; (Dooman) Woerz – Yes; Johnson – Yes McGowan – Yes; Sadoff – Yes.

The above summary constitutes the major highlights of Ordinance No. 197. A reading of the entire Ordinance may be necessary to obtain a full understanding. The full text of the draft Ordinance is available at the Castro Valley Sanitary District website at www.cvsan.org/oan, or, to make other viewing arrangements, please contact the Clerk of the Board Stacy Marcoux at stacy@cvsan.org.

aware of the lived experiences of autistic individuals and then moving towards acceptance and inclusion of those experiences, we can foster a deeper sense of belonging for everyone. Communities that recognize how neuro-differences are an asset to society can only benefit from such a healthy diversity of neurocognition and will flourish even more because of it.

Jagmeet Kaur Sangha is a board-certified Behavior Analyst who lives in Castro Valley. Her organization, Behavior

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 196

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CASTRO VALLEY SANITARY DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO ADJUST THE CAPACITY FEE RATE.

The Castro Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors voted on April 4, 2023, at the Castro Valley Sanitary District Regular Board meeting to adopt the Ordinance as follows: Akagi – Yes; (Dooman) Woerz – Yes; Johnson –Yes; McGowan – Yes; Sadoff – Yes.

The Castro Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors voted on April 4, 2023, at the Castro Valley Sanitary District Regular Board meeting to adopt the Ordinance as follows: Akagi – Yes; (Dooman) Woerz – Yes; Johnson –Yes; McGowan – Yes; Sadoff – Yes.

The above summary constitutes the major highlights of Ordinance No. 196. A reading of the entire Ordinance may be necessary to obtain a full understanding of the Ordinance and the full text of the Ordinance is available upon request via email at contact@cvsan.org or by calling 510-537-0757.

Pivot Consulting, partners with organizations to cultivate neuro-inclusive environments that understand brain-based differences and promote mental wellbeing. For more, visit: www.behaviorpivot.com

Since 1965 Jess C. Spencer

Mortuary & Crematory

21228 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley 581-9133

Offering

Personalized Memorial and Cremation Services.

The cost of nearly every phase of publishing and delivering a newspaper has gone up while advertising revenue has declined. This has forced us to make some changes to keep the paper operable and delivered to your door. Please consider a donation to help keep your community paper alive!

mycvforum.com/donate

Lorraine Marie Rodrigues Castanho

Lorraine Marie Rodrigues

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN t hat the Board of Directors of the Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan) intends to amend Sections 5302, 5303, 5306, and 5307 of the Castro Valley Sanitary District Code to increase the rates charged for solid waste collection (e.g. $1.95 per month for standard 20-gallon garbage cart/up to a 96-gallon organics cart/up to a 96-gallon recycling cart), to become effective July 1, 2023.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that on Tuesday, the 2nd day of May 2023, at the hour of 6:30 p.m., via teleconference or in-person at CVSan’s Main Office located at 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley, said Board will hold a public hearing to hear and consider all comments, protests and objections to said proposed amendments to the Castro Valley Sanitary District Code. Written protests against the proposed rate increase may be mailed or delivered to Castro Valley Sanitary District, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley, CA 94546. All protests must be received prior to the close of the public hearing and must identify the owner(s) of the property or properties.

Dated: April 4, 2023

ROLAND P. WILLIAMS, JR.

General Manager

Castro Valley Sanitary District

Castanho Caison passed away on March 27th at her home with family present. Lorraine was born and raised in Oakland, daughter of Manuel and Augusta Castanho from the Madeira Islands, sister of Manuel “Mel” Castanho Jr. and Mary De Silva. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Charles Caison, her daughter Kimberly, son Christopher, and daughterin-law Debra, whom she loved as her own. She is also survived by grandchildren Charles, Monica, April, Kyle, Jordan, Amanda, five great-grandchildren, and her beloved dog Maddie. She had a deep love for children and animals. She was a devout Catholic and member of St. Leander Parish for sixty years. She adored her family, and she impressed upon them the importance of getting a good education, saving money, and eating healthy. Dancing and Jazzercise were her favorite pastimes, and she never stopped being active. She met people wherever she went. She believed that everyone had a story worth listening to and that we all deserve compassion and kindness as children of God. She was a fixture in her community, where she worked for thirty years in the school lunch program for the San Leandro Unified School District and walked her dogs every day for twenty years following her retirement. Lorraine lived and loved generously in the light of Jesus, and she shined His light onto all she touched. She is so greatly loved and missed, and her love lives on through those she left behind. Donations in her memory can be made to St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco, Ca. A Memorial service will be held for Lorraine on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Holy Sepulchre - St. Michael Chapel, 1051 Harder Road, Hayward, Ca 94542. Mass and Rite of Committal to immediately follow.

Caison

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

CV Boys Varsity Volleyball

Our Athletes of the Week are the Castro Valley Boys Varsity Volleyball team which won 1st Place in the Livermore Varsity Round Up Tournament on March 25. The Trojans beat their first round of opponents (Livermore, Burlingame, and Mt. Diablo High Schools) to move on to the Gold Bracket semi-final. CVHS went on to defeat Granada High School, winning two sets straight. For the final Championship match, Castro Valley won its first set against Northgate High School (25-21), lost its second set (23-25), and won the third and final set by a

score of 15-12. All the players were in good spirits. During breaks, the boys would gather together to eat their lunches, followed by doing mini-competitions among themselves on the track-and-field area as if they were not tired enough. They ran, raced, and did cartwheels and handstands.

The team includes Landon Lai, Michael Ly, Miguel Sevilla, Jacob Cabael, Grant Guiomar, Braden Lew, Devin Hidayat, Alexander Cmelak, Lukas Winn, Nathan Yee, Porter Tien, Cooper Matthews, Jace Miyamura, Deven Tai, and coach Eric Unti.

Survey: Practical Skills are Essential

continued from page 5

“Parents who place their children in a preschool environment that focuses on character development give children a strong start,” said Joy Turner, vice president of education for the Kiddie Academy brand. “Learning the ability to care about others, to communicate, and to understand how character affects the communities and world in which we live is important to early childhood education development.”

The majority of parents

who took the survey think that social and emotional development are absolutely necessary to learn at their child’s school, with honesty ranked as the most important character trait to learn in early childhood. Therefore, parents are leaning on child care providers to bridge the gap between what parents are teaching at home and what children are learning in the classroom.

So how can parents find child care that aligns with these priorities? By asking thorough questions when touring a fa-

RCHS Eagles Win Baseball Tourney

“David defeated four Goliaths” as the Redwood Christian High School Eagles baseball team prevailed in the River City Classic Baseball Tournament.

The tournament, held April 3-5, was hosted by Sacramento’s River City High School (2,200 students), and included teams from Sheldon High School of Elk Grove (2,500 students), Hiram Johnson High School of Sacramento (1,500 students), Liberty Ranch High School of Galt (1,200 students), in addition to Redwood Christian High School of San Lorenzo (215 students).

rematch with Liberty Ranch for the Championship, and behind the strong arms of starter senior Craig Yanagihara (4 2/3 IP, 10 K) and junior reliever Carter Eberhard (2 1/3 IP, 1 ER), the Eagles prevailed 9-7 in a game that saw each team battle to answer their opposition’s scoring.

“I am really proud of how our guys battled this week, especially with a few fighting illness and several of our play-

ers having been gone the previous 10 days on Redwood’s Missions Trip to the Navajo Nations,” stated Head Coach Mark Saake.

The Eagles returned home to start league play this week with two home games against the Athenian Owls yesterday, Tuesday, April 11 and tomorrow, Thursday, April 13 at their home field at the San Leandro Ball Park.

cility, researching social media and websites affiliated with their early childhood education options and paying close attention to the interactions they have with a provider during a tour or interview.

“Parents have many choices to make when it comes to sending their children to an early learning program,” said Turner. “Making sure you’re on the same page with the facility where your children spend so much time is key to developing them into the people we hope they become.”

Redwood Christian won their first game on Monday against Sheldon by a score of 4-2 behind strong pitching performance by winning pitcher Tommy Charlton (6 IP, 1 ER). Despite an outstanding outing by senior Sam Quiroz (5 IP, 1 ER), the Eagles dropped the second game of the day to Liberty Ranch, 4-3. On Tuesday, the Redwood offense came to life and defeated Hiram Johnson 12-2 behind strong pitching by senior Ethan Neal (2 2/3 IP, 0 ER) and freshman Gil Butler (2 IP, 2 ER). The win set up a

Dr. Al Hearne, Superintendent of Redwood Christian Schools, caught this 17-inch Rainbow Trout while fishing at Baum Lake, which is a beautiful lake tucked away in the hills near Burney, California. Have a ‘Great Catch’ that you’d like to share with the community? Please email photo and information to: filesforforum@gmail.com

The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week CV Boys Volleyball

Front Row (L-R): Travis Dong, Jacob Tang, Reece Gallarzan, Caleb Busch, Gavin Fanucchi, Tyler Skjong, Gil Butler. Back Row (L-R): Coach Mark Saake, Ben Nguyen, Josh Nixon, Carter Eberhard, Ethan Neal, Craig Yanagihara, Sam Quiroz, Brayden Bibby, Tommy Charlton, Coach Cary Dahl.

PHOTO CREDIT: JANINE SAAKE