CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Green Mind
to school daily for Earth Day awareness Page 2
A Powerful Talk ‘Paralyzed to Powerful’ speaker comes to Castro Valley in May Page 4
A New Law Law permits passing of decedent’s home without a full probate Page 5
Meadows Finds Purpose and Meaning in CV
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
When you ask Marian Meadows what fuels her work, her answer is simple yet profound: connection, compassion, and community.
“I am about the Golden Rule and helping people fnd purpose and meaning,” Meadows told the Forum.
As the Coordinator of Behavioral Health at Castro Valley Unifed School District, Marian has spent over a decade building bridges between schools, students, families, and the broader community— quietly becoming one of the town’s most infuential leaders in youth mental health and wellness.
But Marian’s roots in Castro Valley go back even further.
“My family is old-school Castro Valley,” she says. Her grandfather, Dr. Neil McMillan, was an oral surgeon at see MEADOWS on page 10
By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Local restaurants still reeling from a postCOVID pandemic slowdown can apply for resilience grants of up to $5,000 through April 26, thanks to an industry-focused non-proft.
Restaurants Care, a program of the nonproft California Restaurant Foundation, is offering its grants with funding from Pacifc Gas & Electric Co., among others. The related California Restaurant Association is an advocacy group for the state’s restaurant industry. There will be 230 grants awarded around the state. Past winners have included at least one from Castro Valley and several each from San Leandro and Hayward.
Restaurants can use those grants to train employees, buy kitchen equipment, upgrade their technology or overcome unforeseen hardship. To qualify, restaurants must be in PG&E’s service area, have fve locations or fewer, and generate less than $3 million in revenue annually per location.
The grants aim to help restaurants strengthen their business, support their customers, and prepare for the future.
Gary Slate, president and CEO of the Castro Valley-Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber is not involved with awarding the Resilience grants, but will happily help local businesses apply if they contact the Chamber. They are at info@castrovalleychamber.com, or call (510) 537-5300.
Slate said, “We’ve helped local businesses apply for other grants in the past, and we’re happy to help with this one. You don’t even have to be a Chamber member, though we’d happily welcome you if you’d like to join.”
Some 1,603 independent restaurants in California have received past grants to build resilience within their businesses, according to Restaurants Care.
Some 28 percent used the money to upgrade equipment, 25 percent used it for employee training and retention, 24 percent for the restaurant to survive the drop in revenue from COVID-19, 13 percent to survive loss of business during the Hollywood strikes, six percent for technology upgrades and four percent to overcome unforeseen hardship.
see GRANTS on page 3
MAC Airs their Grievances with EBMUD Site
By Amy Sylvestri CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
After chastising the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) at a recent meeting, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) chose to air their grievances and concerns as an action item at their meeting this Monday. Back in March, the MAC took the unusual step of making a motion to ask the county
to curb a proposed long-term soil-moving project from the utility.
EBMUD has had a trench soil stockpile site on Miller Road, off Redwood Road, where excavated materials from pipeline construction and maintenance activities have been stored since the 1970s. The site also stores rock and sand for backfll. Soil removal projects were completed in see MAC on page 11
A
CV ffth grader walks
Marian Meadows
Castro Valley Weather April 16
- April 20, 2025
Moon Phases
‘Green Way of Thinking’: CV Fifth Grader Walks to School
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Lydia Burke is a ffth grader in Castro Valley who lives half a mile from her school. And while getting a ride from her mom seems typical for an 11-year-old, Lydia committed to walking to school every day this year.
“Back in August, she told us she wanted to walk to school— rain or shine,” Jessica Burke told the Forum. “She didn’t decide to do it for recognition. She did it because it’s one small, easy, benefcial thing she can do for the planet.”
With less than 30 days of school left, Lydia is well on her way to reaching her goal. By the end of next month, she will have walked more than 200 cumulative miles. Jessica says the two of them walked in storms where the umbrellas turned inside-out, in heat that reached over 85 degrees by 9 a.m., and in cold weather that left frost on the ground. She said the two have been splashed by cyclists and nearly hit by cars zooming down Heyer Avenue, but they believe the benefts outweigh the challenges.
“Lydia is a very active nature lover,” mom Jessica says.
“We know that climate change may be the most signifcant problem today’s children will face in the future, and that it’s small movements, like what Lydia has done, that can make big changes. Not to mention it will be 200 miles that we spent walking, talking, engaging, and laughing instead of her being on a screen while in a car.”
Jessica hopes Lydia will car-
ry this year’s great accomplishments with her and continue to inspire mindfulness and change in her generation.
“I see her as a future leader who, over the past year, has developed grit, determination, empathy, awareness, and strength just by making a simple change in mindset… and transportation,” mom Jessica says. “And this is only one of the many things she does with a ‘green’ way of thinking.”
CV Science Shines at NorCal State Olympiad Tournament
While most Castro Valley students were relaxing during spring break, 45 students from Canyon Middle School, Creekside Middle School, and Castro Valley High School spent the week studying hard in preparation for the NorCal State Science Olympiad tournament last Saturday (April 5) at Cal State University, East Bay. They pitted their knowledge and lab skills in various STEM subjects, ranging from Anatomy to Forensics to Wind Power, against the best schools in Northern California.
Alameda County champions CVHS beat rival Mountain View by 1 point to take home
the 2nd place trophy in a feld of 32 teams. They earned medals in 15 out of 23 events, including gold medals in Codebusters, Dynamic Planet, Experimental Design, Fossils, Materials Science, and Robot Tour.
“We peaked at the right time,” said sophomore Nate Rico. However, it was not enough to defeat the defending National Champions from Monta Vista High School (Cupertino), who will again represent Northern California at Nationals.
In the Middle School division, Canyon fnished in 5th place overall. Creekside
Grants: Apply Online
continued from front page
claimed the 6th place trophy among 29 teams. Canyon earned medals in 13 out of 23 events, including a gold medal in the Tower event, a silver medal in Write It Do It, and bronze medals in Scrambler and Mission Possible. Creekside earned bronze medals in the Fossils and Wind Power events. Defending National Champions Kennedy Middle School (Cupertino) will advance to Nationals for the 7th time in a row.
CV Science is celebrating its 12th year of fostering STEM activities in Castro Valley. For more information or to provide support, visit: CVscience.us.
Sheriff’s Report
COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Driving Intoxicated Sunday, April 13: At 11:52 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 66-year-old CV man suspected of driving while intoxicated. The man was traveling on Anita Avenue near Redwood Road when deputies pulled him over for speeding. The man failed his feld sobriety test and was taken into custody.
Wanted Man Arrested Sunday, April 13: At 8:25 p.m., a 41-year-old CV man was arrested as part of a court-issued warrant. Deputies served the warrant during a traffc stop on East Castro Valley Boulevard near Grove Way. The man had been previously convicted of grand theft auto. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail.
Spousal Assault, Robbery
Saturday, April 12: At 8:53 p.m., deputies arrested a 50-year-old CV man on suspicion of robbery and spousal assault. The man was at a home on the 22000 block of Eden Canyon Road when deputies responded to a report of an altercation. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody.
Assault with Deadly Weapon Friday, April 11: At 12:42 p.m., a 9-1-1 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to an apartment on Center Street near Grove Way. There, they arrested a 30-year-old CV woman on suspicion of assault on a family member and assault with a deadly weapon. Deputies took the woman into custody.
Robbery at Apartments Friday, April 11: At 12:58 a.m., deputies arrested a 43-year-old man without a permanent residence on suspicion of robbery at an apartment complex on the Boulevard near Marshall Street. The man was found breaking into private property when deputies arrived. Deputies handcuffed the man and took him into custody.
Threw Trash while Driving Tuesday, April 8: At 11:40 a.m., a 30-year-old Castro Valley man was arrested on suspicion of throwing trash from his vehicle while driving on Redwood Road near Watson Road. Deputies pulled him over, but the man became confrontational and took a swing at deputies. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody.
Volunteer for CVSan’s Earth Day Celebration
Volunteers are needed to participate in CVSan’s annual Earth Day Clean-Up on Saturday, April 26. The Earth Day Clean-Up event has brought together between 400 to 700 community volunteers every year to help with projects all around Castro Valley.
This year, eleven Castro Valley schools will join the effort in organizing cleanup projects at their campuses with staff, students, and family. There will also be six community site projects with help from event sponsors and community volunteers. Volunteers work together to beautify school campuses and clean up and enhance Castro Valley’s beautiful parks. Volunteers will be picking up litter, planting native plants, spreading mulch, pulling weeds, and much more. For more information and to sign up to volunteer, please visit cvsan.org/ED.
Restaurants interested in applying for the Resilience grants can get more information, and a link to the application on the Restaurants Care website. (https://restaurantscare.org/ resilience/)
Restaurants Care started out as a relief fund for food and beverage workers facing unexpected hardship. The group soon realized that the businesses themselves also needed help in staying open or reopening to keep their workers employed. The relief fund went from an emergency one to a permanent source of help for restaurants and their employees.
The Castro Valley High School Team: Back row: Christopher Kuo, Terry Deng, Nate Rico, Hudson Tien, Kaitlyn Liang, Sean Chen, Nickolas Kiselev Middle row: Tulasi Venkatesh, Sammi Jew, Bryce Deng, Maya Dughi, Sophia Lyubimov Front row: Coach Garland Dughi, Lauren Yee, Jolene Lo, Anna Dughi.
Arts & Entertainment
Robert Paylor is a former UC Berkeley college rugby player who faced a life-changing injury in the 2017 championship game that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Rather than let this tragedy defne him, Robert used it as a catalyst for an extraordinary journey of redefning what is possible.
‘Paralyzed to Powerful’ Speaker Coming to CV
Robert Paylor is a former UC Berkeley college rugby player who faced a life-changing injury in the 2017 championship game that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
Doctors were convinced that the spinal cord injury would prevent him from walking or moving his hands again. His rehabilitation journey began with battling spinal fusion surgery, pneumonia, and an inability to swallow, losing 60 pounds in only one month. He had to re-learn almost every basic human function, from feeding himself to getting dressed to brushing his teeth.
Rather than let this tragedy defne him, obert used it as a catalyst for an extraordinary journey of redefning what is possible. Through an unbreakable vision and years of relentless determination, Robert can now walk 400 yards. He eventually stood to receive his diploma from UC Berkeley’s top-ranked Haas School of Business and is sharing the mental tools that have helped him persevere through paralysis as an inspirational speaker.
“Everyone is paralyzed by something, whether it be mental, emotional, or organizational,” Paylor says in his keynote speech, “Paralyzed to Powerful.” He hopes to inspire audiences to conquer what “paralyzes” them and turn their adversity into triumph.
Next month, Paylor will speak at the Castro Valley Performing Arts Center on May 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The free
Paylor receive his diploma from UC Berkeley’s top-ranked Haas School of Business and is sharing the mental tools that have helped him persevere through paralysis as an inspirational speaker.
event is open to the public. The Rotary Club of Castro Valley and Castro Valley High School Interact Club sponsored the event to bring Paylor to town.
“We are honored to host Robert Paylor and share his incredible journey with our community,” said Dan Willets, President of The Rotary Club of Castro Valley. “His story is a powerful reminder that with
CV Rotary Fundraiser A Success
On February 22, the Rotary Club of Castro Valley hosted an evening of fne whiskey, gourmet dining, and spirited bidding—all in the name of giving back. The annual event brought together more than 75 guests from within and outside the Castro Valley community, raising nearly $10,000 to support both the Rotary Club’s initiatives and the Castro Valley Sports Foundation.
Held at the Breakfast Club at Midtown here in Castro Valley, the sold-out event featured rare single-barrel whiskies supplied by Oakland Whiskey Library that were paired with gourmet food prepared by Blue Heron Catering, and an exciting live auction led by local fundraising frm, Auctions by avid. he crowd enthusiastically engaged in friendly competition, driving up bids and making for a lively night of generosity.
Proceeds from the event will directly beneft Both otary Club of Castro Valley and the Castro Valley Sports Foundation, a nonproft dedicated to funding local sports programs, awarding student scholarships, and preserving athletic excellence through the Castro Valley Sports Hall of Fame. “This fundraiser allows us to keep investing in the youth and athletes of Castro Valley,” said Mark Peterson.
The Rotary Club of Castro Valley continues its mission of “Connect to Community” with an exciting lineup of upcoming events:
• BBQ/AXE & BREWS –May 10, 2025
• Robert Paylor Speaker Event – May 12 at Castro Valley Performing Arts Center
• Castro Valley Car Show –June 14 on Castro Valley Blvd
• Restaurant Walk – August 13 in and around the village shopping center
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
TODAY • Wednesday, April 16
Gerald S. Henig Speaks to CV Women’s Club
The Castro Valley Women’s Club presents an exciting afternoon with the renowned local author Gerald S. Henig, Professor Emeritus of History at California State University, East Bay. His most recent book, American Presidents: What Your History Teacher Never Told You. This event offers a unique opportunity for book lovers, history buffs, and fans of the author to come together and engage in a Q&A session. The event is free and takes place at the Castro Valley Women’s Club, 18330 Redwood Road, CV.
TONIGHT • Wednesday, April 16
Tom Lorentzen to Speak at Center for the Arts
Castro Valley Arts Foundation presents Tom Lorentzen as the third speaker in their Speaker Series in the Exhibition Room at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts (19501 Redwood Road). He will discuss Mission: Impossible—The Man Behind the Story. The lecture is a unique opportunity to talk to someone who has been at the forefront of history. For tickets, please visit: www.cvartsfoundation.org or call 510-889-8961. Free parking and handicapped accessible.
TONIGHT • Wednesday, April 16
Secret Screen Takeover – Soundtrack to a Coup d’État Join Smalltown Society’s next Secret Screen Takeover in collaboration with the Hayward Community Coalition (HayCoCoa), Smalltown Society and the Chabot Cinema, as we present Soundtrack to a Coup d’État—a powerful and artfully constructed documentary that fuses rare archival footage with jazz, politics, and resistance. Set against the backdrop of the 19 0 Congo crisis, the flm traces how the United States and Belgium orchestrated a coup to remove democratically elected leader Patrice Lumumba, using a score of American jazz legends to chronicle the rhythm of rebellion. It’s a bold cinematic experience—part history lesson, part sonic journey—that asks urgent questions about empire, music, and memory. The custom pre-show begins at 7pm, featuring behind-the-scenes footage, rare performances, and music from local artists. he flm starts at 7:30pm. Attendance is limited to Smalltown Society members or Chabot Secret Screen members. Become a member at smalltownsociety.com
Saturday, April 19
Annual Tuber and Small Plant Sale
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to think about beautiful summer color in your garden. The San Leandro Dahlia Society will hold its annual tuber and small plant sale this Saturday, April 19, from 10am to 2pm at the Milford Garden Improvement Clubhouse, 13055 Aurora Drive, San Leandro. ahlia afcionados will be on hand to advise on planting and caring for the dahlias. For more, visit: slds.club
determination and support, we can overcome any obstacle.”
The event will include a keynote presentation by Robert Paylor, during which he will share his experiences, insights, and lessons learned along the way. Attendees will hear frsthand how Robert transformed his adversity into a powerful message of hope and perseverance.
“This event was a testament to the power of community and collaboration,” said Rotary Club of Castro Valley, President, Dan Willits. “The generous contributions fund the good work of our Club in Castro Valley and we look forward to bringing people together again for fun and impactful events.”
The Rotary Club of Castro Valley meets Tuesdays at noon for lunch at Redwood Canyon Golf Course and hold evening mixer events on the third Tuesday of each month. Check your community calendar or castrovalleyrotary.org for time and location of these events.
Saturday, April 19
Annual Tuber and Small Plant Sale
Join The Castro Valley Library, ForestR.org, and the Friends of the Castro Valley Library this Saturday, April 19 from 11am to 3pm for an Earth Day celebration! The event will feature: seed giveaway and exchange; gleaned fruit giveaway (bring yours to share), native plants, children’s crafts, live music, and more! All ages are welcome!
Tuesday, April 22
Castro Valley Rotary Club Hosts Ken Carbone Ken Carbone will speak to the Rotary Club of Castro Valley on the upcoming 17th Annal Castro Valley Classic Car Show. A buffet lunch and the program take place at Redwood Canyon Golf Course (17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley) at 12 noon to 1:30pm. RSVP by 9pm on Sunday, April 20 at castrovalleyrotary.org
POWERFUL STORY:
Free Presentation
Next Wednesday
Nine out of 10 older adults would prefer to live at home in their later years. Aging in place enables you to live independently, surrounded by the things you love, but that doesn’t mean you need to go it alone. In many instances, at-home care and community support may enable you to safely live at home. If you, too, would prefer to stay in your home, there may come a time when you require help to safely remain at home. Learn how to hire and work with a caregiver at this FREE presentation. Topics covered include: Skilled vs. personal care; Available payment sources; Tips for success, and Resources for how to hire and maintain employment of a caregiver. This is a free presentation by the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) of Legal Assistance for Seniors which takes place Wednesday, April 23 from 11am to 12:30 pm at the Castro Valley Library. No reservations are required.
A New California Law Which Exempts Some Homes From Burden of Probate?
Q. I hear that there is a new California law which exempts some homes from the burden of probate. Do you know anything about this?
By Gene L. Osofsky, Esq. SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
A. Yes, and you heard correctly. Effective April 1 of this year, the new law, known as AB 2016, permits the passing of a decedent’s home valued up to $750K without a full probate, thereby permitting the successors to avoid the time, burden and expense of a full probate administration. There are some requirements: The new law is only effective for decedent’s dying after April 1, 2025, it requires that the home be the decedent’s “primary residence”, and the fling of simple petition in the probate court with notice to all heirs and other persons named in the decedent’s Will or Trust. While a probate court order is still required, the procedure is much simplifed over a full probate and would typically be handled in one court hearing, rather than in multiple hearings over the course of a year or more for a full probate. Further, the value of the primary residence will be indexed to ination and adjusted every three years, with the frst adjustment to be April 1, 2028. So, for home-owner’s who die without having placed their home in a Living Trust, and whose affairs would otherwise
require resort to the probate process, this new “primary residence exemption” can now avoid lengthy probate proceedings for family homes which qualify. Unfortunately, it does not apply to other real properties, such as rental property or vacation homes. Still, it is defnitely a welcome new rule for most families.
simple Affdavit, provided that the total value of this personal property does not exceed $200K. Further, when valuing fnancial accounts and other personal property, assets that bypass probate (such as assets held in a Living Trust or fnancial accounts with ay n eath Benefciary designations) are excluded from the total value, making it easier in many cases to stay within that $200K threshold. This cap as well will be adjusted
More good news: If the decedent owned personal property which did not have benefciary designations, such as bank accounts in his or her name only, collectibles, furniture, and the contents of his home, that personal property could now be passed on via a in ation.
So, in short, many more families should now be able to avoid the expensive and time-consuming probate process in order to pass on their loved one’s principal residence and other assets to their surviving next of kin.
Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney who has been helping East Bay families for over 25 years with Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Probate, Medi-Cal Planning, and related matters. To contact his offce, send an email to Gene@LawyerForSeniors.com or call (510)
ffective pril of this year, a new law permits the passing of a decedent’s home valued up to $750K without a full probate, thereby permitting the successors to avoid the time, burden and expense of a full probate administration.
REAL ESTATE GALLERY REAL
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
Efective Estate Planning Eliminates Surprises
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
Along-term
single homeowner recently passed and, after selling the home, the heirs were hit with an unexpected bill. The home was purchased years ago and, thanks to California’s Prop 13, county property taxes were extremely low. Thinking they had covered everything by having the property in a trust, they were startled to discover the death constituted a “change in ownership,” mandating a reassessment to its’ current
value, resulting in a substantial increase in property taxes.
Historically, under Prop 13, children or grandchildren could inherit property without a tax reassessment. However, Prop 19, approved in 2020, limits property tax reassessment exemptions for inherited properties. If a property will not be used as a benefciary’s primary residence, reassessment will likely occur.*
In this case, since the home had dramatically increased in value, the new assessment
was large and caught the heirs unaware.
When someone passes, the executor must notify the county of the death. If the deceased was the sole owner of the property, this notifcation triggers a reassessment as of the time of death, resulting (typically) in an increase in the property taxes which the heirs are required to pay.
There is a wrinkle here, however. If the home is sold shortly after the owner’s passing, the county typically does not have time to issue an updated tax bill. Therefore, many trustees, upon selling the home, are unaware that there has been a reassessment resulting in an increased tax liability. Imagine their surprise when, months after the estate has been settled, they receive a supplemental tax bill with the updated amount due and payable immediately. In many cases, this bill can be substantial and, if the proceeds have already been distributed, the heirs end up with a signifcant problem.
Fortunately, if the heirs are aware of this issue, they can plan effectively and have the appropriate funds held back after the close of escrow so the
supplemental assessment can be paid when it arrives. There are exceptions: if a family member of the deceased moves into the property, they can retain the old tax basis, but they must meet the criteria specifed in the rules.
We recommend that homeowners hire an estate planner to ensure that, upon death, all the details of the estate can be handled effectively and with no surprises. While no one likes to think of death, the simple truth is it eventually happens to us all.
*Consultation with an estate attorney is recommended.
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.
Robert Jones Associates
How to Keep Peonies Leaves from Turning Brown
By Buzz Bertolero The Dirt Gardener
I am trying to grow bush Peonies in large containers. They can each a o t fo o f e feet in hei ht, and the ea es sta t to brown at the edges. What can I do to e ent that this ea
This is a classic case of ‘water stress.’
The soil dries out, causing the plants to wilt. They are then watered and rehydrated.
But the cells at the outer margin of the leaf suffer too much damage to recover and turn brown. This damage occurs frst at the farthest point the water must travel, at the top and sides of the plant.
Wind and sun can quickly dry out these plants. You’ll
By Alpsdake - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons. wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19570807
also fnd that fungal diseases such as Botrytis blight can cause leaves and stems to turn brown, while mildew creates a white flm on the leaves.
Additionally, plants that stay in
the same container for 18 to 24 months will endure more stress than newly planted specimens due to having less soil and more roots.
For your plants, I recom-
mend removing them from their containers, pruning the root ball, adding fresh soil, and replanting them in the same containers. I suggest watering them daily when daytime tem- peratures eceed 80 degrees. Othewise, watering every other day should be suffcient.
To manage fungal diseases, thinning the plant increases air circulation. Ensure your peonies are well-spaced to promote unrestricted air ow, which helps to dry out the moisture that fungi thrive on.
Also, gardeners worry when they see ants crawling over their peony buds, but the ants do not harm the plants. They are attracted to the sweet nectar of the owers.
Diatomaceous earth is a fne powder made from fossilized algae for natural ant
control. When ants come into contact with diatomaceous earth, they absorb the oils and fats from their exoskeletons, ultimately causing them to dry out and die. If you cut the owers for use indoors, gently wash the owers to remove any ants before placing them in a vase.
QMy Hibiscus was damaged during the f ost this inte coered it most of the time.
There is some green under the bark but no signs of new o th hat sho d do
AI’m not surprised that you haven’t seen any new growth yet. It’s early. he ush of new growth on evergreen ornamentals is beginning.
Deciduous plants have leaf-
out, and roses are in bud and bloom. But with Hibiscus, the nighttime temperatures need to be warmer.
We still see temperatures around forty degrees at night, while ffty degrees is more to Hibiscus’s liking. This would be true with all tropical evergreens. The green bark is a good sign. So, I would do nothing and reevaluate the situation in six weeks. By then, you will see signs of new growth. At that time, I would prune off all winter damage and start your feeding schedule to encourage more growth.
Buzz Bertolero is a Califo nia e tifed se ofessional. The Dirt Gardener’s website can be found at www. dirtgardener.com, and any questions can be directed to buzz@dirtgardemer.com.
Bougainvillea
ANNOUNCEMENTS
You can run a classified ad for a little as $35 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 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.
CONCRETE SERVICE
*MPCONCRETE. Driveways, Patio, Retaining Walls, Stamped Concrete, Asphalt, Hauling. Lic.#1054154. Milo 510-502-9336.
S.L. CONCRETE SERVICE Driveways, Sidewalks, Stamped Concrete, Retaining Walls, Tree and Drain Service. Lic.#982202. 510856-8937.
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.
FENCES/DECKS
Fence wobbly? Call Randy's Fence Reinforcement and save thousands! 510-706-6189.
FENCES/DECKS
*SPECIALIZING IN WOOD FENCES, DECKS & RETAINING WALLS. Replace or repair paved walkways, yard cleaning, tree work, brush removal (fire prevention... don’t get insurance cancelled). Insured & Bonded #8189. Jerry 510-410-2427.
GARAGE SALES
HUGE YARD SALE 4/19, 8am-2pm. Furniture, household, tools, collectibles, clothes, sport equipment, etc. 19697 Betrose Court, Castro Valley.
ESTATE SALE Fri. 4/18 & Sat. 4/19, 7am-2pm. 19669 Betrose Court, Castro Valley.
GARDENING
JAIME’S GARDENING
Maintenance, Trimming, Cleanups, Hauling, Sprinkler Repair/ Timers. FREE Estimates. Insured. 510-299-9583
G G ARDENING ARDENING /T /T REE REE S S ERVICE ERVICE
NAVA'SCOMPLETE LANDSCAP-
ING: Mowing, trees, cleanup, hauling, FREE estimates. 510 512-5857.
GIVEAWAYS
Collection of Old Time Radio shows CD’s to good home. 510-213-1699.
HANDYMAN SERVICE
HANDYMAN 15 years in home service. Senior discounts, all phases repairs. Rick 510-813-2599.
HANDYMAN SERVICE RENTALS/RV SPACES
HOME REPAIRS 35 years experience. Painting, Carpentry, Roof/ Fence Repair, Landscaping, Hauling, etc. Senior Discount. 510-427-0455.
MISC. FOR SALE
Girls TREK 10 speed mountain bike $50. Castro Valley. 510-825-8412.
Queen size complete bed set (sheets, pillowcases, sham). $50. 510-813-6550.
REAL ESTATE MOBILE HOMES
Single Wide for sale in beautiful mobile home park near schools, shopping, BART, library. $110,000 OBO. Angela 510-388 8105 or Joshua 510731-7727.
CLASSIFIED AD DEADLINE: Monday 5:00 p.m.
RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $975/ month. Call 510-481-9901.
TREE SERVICE
*ACAREFULTREE SERVICE. Certified. Arborist. Lic.#694067. Trimming, Removals. FREE Estimates Bonded. Call 510-581-7377.
‘Hawgs for Dogs’ Motorcycle Club Recognizes CV Rotary
On April 9, the Rotary Club of Castro Valley was recognized by “Hawgs for Dogs,” a motorcycle club that works closely with Guide Dogs for America. Castro Valley Rotary donated $2,500 to the Hawgs for Dogs last Fall at the annual “Dogs and Deputies” community outreach event held at Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park. In 2024, close to 3000
attended. “Dogs and Deputies 2025” will be held September 30, 2025. Hawgs for Dogs members Sam Saiu, Bill Moran and Steve Nicosia were in attendance. Hawgs for Dogs are from a machinist union, and they ride their Harley Motorcycles to raise money for Guide Dogs of America. “Hawgs for Dogs” are known for always provid-
ing their 30-foot blowup Spuds McKenzie dog to help promote community events. For more information on this outstanding organization, use search and insert “Hawgs for Dogs.” Plaques were presented to both The Rotary Club of Castro Valley as well as Misti Short, Club President in 202526, and owner of Classy see ROTARY on back page
Meadows: Offers a Quiet Revolution
continued from front page Eden Hospital in the 1950s. Marian returned to the area decades later, moving from Alameda while pregnant with her frst daughter. “We were just looking for a good place to raise our kids—we had no idea how amazing the schools were.”
With degrees in social work and experience in the Oakland and San Lorenzo nifed School Districts, Marian joined Castro Valley nifed around 14 years ago. She began as a student counselor on a county grant focused on building social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. From that modest start, she helped grow a districtwide behavioral health program through persistent grant writing and community partnerships.
“The need was greater than the facilities we had at the time,” she says. “So, we built out what became the Wellness Center.”
Thanks to the support of voters who passed Measure G, Castro Valley High School now has a dedicated Wellness Center that serves as a hub for student mental health services. Marian also helped secure partnerships with organizations like Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, Sutter Health, Fremont Bank, the Castro Valley Education Foundation, and
the Rotary Club. Through her efforts, what began as a small program now spans the entire district with a team of 10 social workers and ongoing expansion at all school levels.
But Marian’s work doesn’t stop at the school doors. She is also an ordained interfaith chaplain, trained at The Chaplaincy Institute in Berkeley.
“My chaplaincy work complements my mental health work—it’s all about helping people fnd meaning and purpose in their lives,” she explains.
Meadows is part of a Buddhist sangha, was raised Catholic in a multifaith household, and is passionate about holding space for people of all beliefs. Marian is especially focused on supporting women and LGBTQ+ communities through spiritual circles, music, creativity, and connection.
Recently, she joined the Eden Area Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce to deepen her outreach.
“As a sole proprietor in my interfaith work, the Chamber has given me access to small business resources, networking, and support,” she says. “I want to be a resource for the community—especially in times of transition or crisis.”
Marian believes in the power of community circles, an indigenous practice that brings
people together to address challenges and celebrate successes. She envisions a future where Castro Valley adopts this model.
“Castro Valley is small enough that we can talk to each other and know each other. We’re all neighbors. We have this incredible opportunity to solve problems together.” She sees extraordinary potential in Castro Valley’s faith community—more than 40 churches, temples, and spiritual centers. “If those 40 groups came together to focus on just one issue—like supporting the over 100 homeless families in our town—we could change lives.”
Through it all, Marian hasn’t lost sight of her central mission: supporting youth. “Our kids are brilliant, but they face a lot. Even a simple act of kindness from an adult can make them feel like they belong here,” she says. “And that feeling—that they’re seen, valued, and part of something bigger—that’s where healing and hope begin.”
In a world often dominated by news headlines of crisis, Marian Meadows offers a quiet revolution: one of presence, purpose, and people showing up for each other. Castro Valley is lucky to have her heart beating at the center of its community.
RCS Earns Gold, Silver at WorldStrides Heritage Music Festival at Disneyland
Redwood Christian High School and Middle School
(RCHSMS) performed at the WorldStrides Heritage Music Festival at Disneyland on March 28, 2025. Mrs. Rachel Chow is the Choir Director and Chair of the Fine Arts Department, and Mr. Azeem Ward is the Band Director.
The RCHSMS band, choir,
and strings programs returned from the WorldStrides Heritage Music Festival with an impressive collection of awards, showcasing their talent and dedication and underscoring the continued growth of the Redwood Christian Schools’ music programs. The competition, featured thirty schools from seven
different states, used a national scoring system to award Gold, Silver, Bronze or Merit distinctions.
Meeting the Gold Standard was the RCHS Band and RCMS Band.
Meeting the Silver Standard was the RCHS Choir, the RCMS Choir and the RCMS Strings.
This represents a notable improvement over the school’s previous showing, where they earned two Bronze, one Silver, and one Gold. The addition of the Middle School Strings program this year contributed to the impressive haul of three Silver and two Gold awards.
Fine Arts Department Chair Rachel Chow stated “Mr.
Ward and I are so proud of our students, and the hard work and dedication they invested individually and together. We are so blessed by our students.”
On April 25, Redwood Christian Schools will be hosting the Bay Area Christian Art Festival at Redwood Christian Middle School and High School, 1000 Paseo
Grande, San Lorenzo. Judging will be in the morning, and the public is invited with the doors open from 1 to 2pm. Admission is free. RCS Fine Arts Chair Rachel Chow and Carey Fong , the Chair of the Visual Performing Arts Department of California Crosspoint Academy of Hayward are co-chairs of the event.
Alameda County Deputy Sheriff Ruben Pola, Incoming President Misti Short, Sam Saiu, Bill Moran, CV Rotary President Dan Willits and Steve Nicosia.
PHOTO CREDIT: ERIC HAAS-STAPLETON
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Marshall
Elementary Families: Show Support for Ms. Bianchini, Ms. Penn
As many of you know, sending your kid to school during a pandemic is’t fun. It involved masks, social distancing, and enormous amounts of hand sanitizer. espite these obstacles my kid ended up having a great time in kindergarten at arshall lementary, learning and starting to grow into the person he is today. uch of that was due to his amazing teacher, s. Bianchini. s. Bianchini is the ideal kindergarten teacher. She’s kind, caring, and understanding with an enthusiasm for learning.
hat is why I am shocked that there are plans to involuntarily transfer her. arshall will take a huge hit if they transfer her, we need her in our kids’ corner. arshall families, please show your support for her and s. enn by individually emailing the CV S Board of ducation members ahead of the April 23rd board meeting. ur teachers are always there to support our kids, let’s stand up and show them that we support them too.
–Jessica Klein, Castro
Valley
MAC: Not Shy With Their Feedback
continued from front page 2005, 2012, and 2019.
he AC called into uestion the environmental impact of these materials, the degradation of Castro Valley roads that trucks use to move the materials, the ineffcacy of moving the dirt created by the project, soil testing, and more. hey also admonished the utility’s attitude throughout the years.
his week, the AC unanimously approved an action item on the agenda to collect the board’s comments in a public setting so as to appease the Brown Act and to now have the Alameda County lanning epartment compile the comments in a document and later submit the document for AC approval and eventually into the record.
Basically, AC members want to make it clear that they are formally displeased with B ’s operations at the iller oad site.
“I felt it was necessary for us to give feedback in a formal manner,” said AC Chair Chuck oore.
And they were not shy about that feedback.
AC Vice-Chair Bill ulgrew said the previous B soil transfers a few years ago “Had horrible results for the people of Castro Valley.”
ulgrew called for soil testing, testing for biohazards, improvement to “extremely weak” proposed traffc measures, and said that B needs to commission a full nvironmental Impact eport before moving forward.
AC member ojo homas expressed concerns about traffc from moving materials, especially in busy school zones.
“ y concern is school traffc,” said homas. “I’m going to say no trucks on edwood oad between a.m. and 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and p.m. hey can work their way around it.”
homas also proposed that B pay for crossing guards in school zoning while heavy vehicles move through the area and be held accountable for any potential damages to the roadways.
oore reiterated his frustration with the utility’s perceived attitude, saying it seemed like
they were treating the project as an inevitability despite the AC’s outcry.
“ he B report didn’t offer any alternatives- it was just ‘ y way or the highway’- that’s very disturbing,” said oore. He called for a third party to oversee compliance and a third party to make an nvironmental Impact eport.
“We’ve got a fox watching the hen house here,” said oore of the current state of the project and B ’s oversight.
As for next steps, the county will summarize the AC’s comments for submission into the record at a future meeting. B ’s reaction has yet to be seen.
In other AC news this week, the AC approved an application for Healing assage, an existing massage establishment, to move into a new, larger location. he site at 20812 Baker oad was previously Spanky’s Bar. he business is currently operating under the Healing ouch Center at 2881 Castro Valley Boulevard and sought to expand its size and add more services.
Art With a Message: Art Aims To Inspire Clean Storm Drains
espite no signifcant rain forecast for the next week, Alameda County water offcials ask residents to protect their neighborhood storm drains with a simple message Storm drains connect streets directly to creeks and the Bay.
As a visual reminder, the Alameda Countywide Clean Water rogram is partnering with Bay Area artist Joanna Sokua with a series of posters and online advertisements. Sokua’s work has been seen around BA and combines photos with cartoon-style illustrations and elements of humor. For example, one of her art pieces for the Clean Water campaign features a photograph of storm drains with a cartoon octopus’s
tentacles reaching through to ward off litter.
“ he message of protecting the Bay is close to my heart. I loved creating art that hopefully makes people laugh, and pi ues their curiosity,” Sokua says.
Alameda County has tens of thousands of drains to channel rain and water runoff away from neighborhoods uickly and into nearby creeks, wetlands, and the Bay to prevent ooding. However, since this water is not treated, offcials need to remind residents to keep pollution off streets, driveways, yards, and gardens.
“ any people don’t know that whatever gets washed down the storm drain, or
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gutter, can end up in our waterways,” says rogram ublic Information Subcommittee Chair Cynthia Butler. Common preventative measures include reducing pesticide use, picking up pet waste, using a car wash, sweeping and not spraying your driveway, and taking household hazardous waste to a drop-off site.
As an incentive to keep the storm drains clean, Clean Water offcials are giving away limited-edition giveaways like notebooks and stickers for the rest of April. Visit www.cleanwaterprogram.org residents.
Sokua’s art can be viewed on her Instagram account https www.instagram.com the und3rwrit3r
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Our Athletes of the Week are the Castro Valley High School Girls Softball team. The Trojans put the hurt on the Arroyo Dons with a sharp 16-3 victory on Wednesday, April 9. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team’s high- ying offense, Castro Valley has a team season batting average of .475. The game also marked Castro Valley’s biggest win of the season. They’ve won eight of their last nine games. That provided a nice bump to their current 10-3 record. Alanys Robertson (#22) made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She didn’t allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits over four innings pitched. She hasn’t given up more than one earned run in fve consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter’s box, fring off two home runs, fve runs, and three BI while going 3-for- . hose fve runs gave her a new career high. Castro Valley will travel to Berkeley to take on the Yellowjackets today at 4:00 p.m.
A Whisker’s Guide to Prevent Treat, Small Animal Parasites
By Dr. Elizabeth A. Olsen SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
As pet owners and I have several myself), it’s crucial to watch out for parasites that can affect our furry companions. Understanding how to recognize, prevent, and treat these pests is key to ensuring our pets live long, happy lives.
As a veterinarian, I see the impact of parasites all the time. Common parasites such as eas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms can cause a range of symptoms from mild irritations to severe health issues. Fleas and ticks often cause excessive scratching, hair loss, skin irritation, and in severe cases, anemia or infection. Ticks, in particular, can transmit dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis, which can lead to joint pain, fever, lethargy, and long-term health complications if left untreated.
Heartworms, a potentially fatal parasite, can lead to persistent coughing, diffculty breathing, fatigue after mild exercise, and, in advanced cases, heart failure. Intestinal worms, such as roundworms and tapeworms, may cause vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, unexplained weight loss, and visible worms in stool or around the rear. If you observe any of these signs, it is essential to consult your veterinarian for accurate testing.
Diagnostic methods may include a fecal exam, which can reveal intestinal worm eggs, and a blood test, which can confrm the presence of
heartworms or other systemic parasites. Physical examinations help identify eas, ticks, or skin irritations caused
by mites, and skin scrapings allow microscopic evaluation of parasitic infections. Routine check-ups and early detection prevent minor infestations from escalating into serious health risks.
I may sound like a broken record here, but prevention is the most effective strategy against these unwelcome guests. Routine administration of preventative medications, such as monthly ea and tick treatments and heartworm preventive, is recommended. Additionally, keeping your pet’s living environment clean and limiting exposure to wildlife can signifcantly reduce the risk of infestation. Since every pet’s needs differ, it’s important to consult your veterinarian to determine the best parasite prevention plan for you and your pet.
If a pet is diagnosed with a parasite… don’t panic. Treatment options vary depending on the type of infection. Dewormers are commonly used to eliminate intestinal parasites, while topical or oral medications effectively treat eas, ticks, and mites. Heartworm treatment is a more complex process that requires careful veterinary supervision but can ultimately save a pet’s life.
Because we all love our furry family members, it’s important we protect them from harmful parasites by being proactive about prevention and seeking early treatment when needed.
Dr. Elizabeth Olsen is a veterinarian at Boulevard Pet Hospital in Castro Valley. After growing up in rural Eastern Oregon, she attended St. Matthew’s University veterinary school. Dr. Olsen is focused on geriatric medicine, dentistry, preventive care, and nutrition for animals. In her free time, Dr. Olsen enjoys spending time with her partner, three cats (Ollie, Louie, and Stevie), and pittie mutt, Harrie.
Rotary: Hawgs for Dogs
continued from page 10 Canine’s Wiggle Rumps and Wiggle Rumps ReTail, for her efforts on behalf of “Hawgs for ogs.” he pla ues read “In Recognition and with Gratitude and Sincere Appreciation The Hawgs for Dogs West Coast Chapter and the International Association of Machinists
Would Like to Give Thanks To Rotary Club of Castro Valley
You’re invited to Faith Lutheran Castro Valley Holy Week 2025
Palm Sunday April 13th service @ 10 am
Maundy Thursday April 17th service @ 7:30 pm
Good Friday April 18th Stations of the Cross @ noon, service @ 7:30 pm
Easter Sunday April 20th services @ 9:15 (inperson) and 11 am (in-person & livestream) with Easter Breakfast 9:30-11 am ALL ARE WELCOME!
for the 2024 HAWGS FOR DOGS and for Contributing to the Overall Success of Guide Dogs of America.” A separate plaque was presented to Misti Short for her continuing support of Hawgs for Dogs and Guidedogs of America. The Rotary Club of Castro Valley is currently providing hybrid meetings with both in-person luncheons at Redwood Canyon and online on Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m. Speakers and links to the meetings are posted at www.castrovalleyrotary.org under Upcoming Events. The Club welcomes individuals who want to make a positive impact locally, nationally, and internationally.
Faith Lutheran Church of Castro Valley 20080 Redwood Road Castro Valley, CA 94546 www.flccv.org
The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week CVHS Girls Softball