CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Local Veteran Supports Vets with Service Dogs
By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Castro Valley Navy veteran Jim Uhlik is a familiar face around town, not only from his work on behalf of veterans but for the work he’s done for other community groups and with his fellow veterans at Christmas events.
Now retired, he heads the Every Little Life Matters Foundation (ELLM), an organization that tries to get veterans, especially injured ones, service dogs where needed and help with their other needs. They work through the Menlo Park chapter of the nationwide nonproft Paws4Purple Hearts.
“The dogs can be amazing,” he said. “Not only can they bring a veteran his or her keys, but they can also open the refrigerator and bring them food for a snack or meal.” It takes three years to train a dog to that level, though.
Dogs can start their training quite young. Olive, for instance, now being trained for a local vet, is still quite the puppy, having been born the day after Christmas 2024.
The group plans to bring Olive to the Holiday Lights festivities in Castro Valley on Saturday, November 8. They had brought an older service dog—Schatzie—to last year’s Holiday Lights.
Sometimes a dog makes shorter visits to numerous vets to cheer them up.
“We recently provided funds needed to Paws4Purple Hearts to help cover costs associated with a therapy dog, Oakley, being assigned to a handler/volunteer who will visit veterans,” said ELLM Treasurer Minda Amsbaugh.
ELLM also tries to meet other needs of veterans, like bringing meals or sometimes treats like root beer foats to vets getting care at Veterans Administration hospitals like the one in Livermore.
Some of those vets are there long-term or even for life, said ELLM’s Ethel Gilmore.
“We go out there and put a smile on their faces,” Gilmore said. “They really like those root beer foats.”
Uhlik and Gilmore have both worked as service offcers with the VA, helping vets see DOGS on page 10
Anglin: Building Community by Problem Solving
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Todd Anglin is a seasoned insurance and fnancial services professional in Castro Valley. With a strong retail and business leadership background, he has built a reputation as a dedicated community advocate and strategic thinker. You’ll often see him rushing around before, during, and after large-scale events like the Fall Festival, the Light Parade, and various Chamber of Commerce mixers, introducing see ANGLIN on page 10
Choice Services Could Get CV City
Budget
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
If Castro Valley becomes a city one day, it will likely begin by contracting out its public safety and other key services.
Linda Smith, the City Manager of Orinda, delivered that message at a community meeting at the Castro Valley Library last Tuesday. The series is sponsored by Castro Valley City, Inc., a group of locals who feel cityhood is a better alternative to unincorporated. see CITY on page 2
Veterans service-dog-in-training Olive with Jim Uhlik, who heads the local nonproft Every Little Life Matters, which supports Paws4Purple Hearts.
Linda Smith
Todd Anglin
PHOTO COURTESY OF NANCY MIRAMONTEZ
SORTING AND ASSEMBLING ITEMS: The Hayward-Castro Valley Kiwanis Club recently completed a service project providing new, clean underwear, socks, and toiletries for the homeless clients being served by First Presbyterian Church. Clu Mem ers met at Mountain Mike s Pi a to sort and assemble the hundreds of items for delivery to the church late last week. The Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday on Zoom. If you are interested in participating in an upcoming service project, please call Club President Emmanuel Escobal (510) 566-0327 or Bill Mulgrew (510) 828-3386.
Castro Valley Weather April 2 - April 6, 2025
continued from front page
With the topic of “City Budgeting & Contracting,” Smith shared her insights on city formation and governance, mainly focusing on contracting models for municipal services. Drawing from her experiences in Orinda and Dublin—two relatively young cities—Smith highlighted how contracting can offer fe ibility and effciency in service delivery.
City: Smith Shares Governance Insight
Smith explained that both Orinda and Dublin rely heavily on contracted services, including police and fre departments.
rinda has its own fre district, but Dublin contracts out fre services,” mith noted. The contract model, she argued, allows cities to scale staffng up or down as needed, ensuring cost-effective service delivery.
One key advantage she emphasized was the ability to uickly backfll positions, particularly in public safety.
“With a dedicated police department, if an offcer is injured, overtime is required to cover shifts,” Smith said.
“With a contract arrangement—like with the Sheriff’s ffce those gaps can be flled more effciently.” see CITY on page 4
Saturday, May 17
Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore
Welcome back to our returning hikers, and hello to frst-timers!
The Hike for Hope is an annual memorial event and fundraiser for HopeHospice. This important day raises support for patient care and community programs. Register today and join us for a fun morning in the beautiful outdoors.
Sheriff’s Report
Robbery, Battery, and Parole Violation
aturday, arch 2 At 0
p.m., heriff’s deputies arrest ed a 2 year old Castro Valley man suspected of robbery, battery, refusing to leave a business, violating the terms of his parole, and possessing illegal drug paraphernalia. he man was detained by security at a grocery store on edwood oad near Castro Valley ou levard after he tried to leave with unpaid merchandise. eputies took the man into custody.
Man Arrested for Fighting in the Street hursday, arch 2 At 2 a.m., a year old man with no permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of fghting in public. eputies were called to the intersection of edwood oad and Lessley Avenue following reports of an altercation. he man was handcuffed and taken into cus tody. he victim was treated at the scene.
Spousal Assault and Robbery
uesday, arch 2 At 2 00 a.m., a call about an altercation between a couple sent deputies to a business on Lake Chabot oad near den edical Center. here, they arrested a 2 year old Castro Valley man on suspicion of spousal assault, vandalism of private property, and robbery. eputies took the man into custody. he victim was treat ed at the scene.
Public Intoxication
hursday, arch 2 At a.m., deputies arrested a year old woman with no permanent residence on suspicion of public into ica tion and violating a restraining order. eputies responded to a grocery store on Castro Valley oulevard near edwood oad following a report that a woman was passed out near the store entrance. he had been re uired to stay at least 00 yards from the store. ep uties took her into custody.
Domestic Violence and Drugs
unday, arch 2 At 0 2 p.m., a 4 year old Castro Valley man was arrested on suspicion of spousal assault, possessing illegal narcotics, violating the terms of his pa role, and ignoring a restraining order. eputies were called to a parking lot of a business on Lake Chabot oad near Congress Way. There, they handcuffed the man and took him into custody. he victim was treated at the scene.
Drove Intoxicated onday, arch 24 At 2 0 p.m., deputies pulled over and arrested a 4 year old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of driving with a suspended license and driving into icated. he man was traveling on rove ay near edwood oad when deputies stopped him for a traffc viola tion. he man failed his feld sobriety test and was taken into custody.
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
ome Castro Valley nifed School District (CVUSD) teachers are expressing dissatisfaction with proposed changes to make standards based grading using e uitable practices, or “proportional grading,” mandatory in all CV kindergarten to rade 2 classes.
While teaching strategies have evolved, traditional grading practices have not. Historically, teachers relied on 0 to 00 grading methods. or e ample, a score of 0 to 00 meant you got an A. Starting as early as next year, the district is e pected to shift to either a 0 to 00 scale or a 0 4 point grading system. he 0 00 scale would make 0 the minimum a teacher could assign as a grade instead of a ero. he 0 4 point scale puts e ual val ue on all letter grades instead of disproportionately focusing on the top three. nder either grading method, teachers could still give students re dos and re takes. he CV oard of rustees is still debating the
A NEW GRADING SYSTEM?: Starting as early as next year, CVUSD is expected to shift to either a 50-to-100% scale or a 0–4-point grading system.
issue with signifcant teacher input. A fnal decision could take weeks.
A survey of 04 CVH
teachers released last week found 2. percent oppose the 0 00 scale. n letters addressed to the district and
obtained by the orum, those opposed to the changes say imposing a one si e fts all grading system undermines the comple ity of grading. As a dance teacher, fnd the 0 4 standards based grading scale effective for assessing skills like techni ue, choreography, and perfor mance,” CVH teacher ritney rown wrote. However, in my thnic tudies classes, standards based grading lacks the fe ibility much of the learning involves critical think ing, discussion, and sub ective analysis.”
n general, grades in Castro Valley schools are really high. According to district data, out of the more than ,200 students, about percent of grades from this year’s frst semester were s and s. Castro Valley eacher’s Association CV A president Lara epulveda says the union has not taken a stance on the deliberations primarily because the matter has not been fully decided.
e have been pushing the district to adhere to the policies already in place, instead of see GRADE on page 11
Arts & Entertainment
See Eileen Torrez Next
Wednesday
he LA returns with fea tured artist ileen orre an akland based singer song writer whose sound dances between folk rock, indie pop, and soul. nown for her clever, heartfelt lyrics and dynamic musical range, ileen e plores themes of oy, survival, and meaning with both reverence and playfulness. Hosted by malltown ociety, he LA is a monthly gathering for songwriters, poets, and artists to share, collaborate, and connect in an intimate, creative space. ach evening begins with a featured performance and conversation, followed by an open mic for artists to share new or in progress work. his invite only event starts at 0pm on ednesday, April . or an invitation, please email info smalltownsociety.com.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
• April 9th - Business Services Committee Meeting.
• April 15th - Operations and Engineering Building Project Committee Meeting.
• April 17th - Wastewater Committee Meeting.
• April 26th - CVSan Earth Day Clean-Up Events; visit cvsan.org/ED
• April 26th - CVSan Recycles Day Event; visit cvsan.org/RecyclesDay
• May 6th - Regular Board Meeting.
• May 8th - Community Advisory Committee Meeting.
• May 13th - Operations and Engineering Building Project Committee Meeting.
Please note the above event schedule is subject to change. All CVSan Board and Committee meetings are open to the public. For complete meeting details and information about CVSan’s services, programs, and events, please visit cvsan.org.
City: Focus On Budget, Contracting
continued from page 2 Additionally, contract ing provides fe ibility in personnel management. f a particular offcer isn’t a good ft for the community, you can re uest a replacement from the heriff’s ffce,” mith e plained. his adaptability is especially benefcial in a growing city where rapid response to community needs is crucial.
hile many services can be outsourced, mith emphasi ed the importance of certain full time city positions.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Saturday, April 5
Hill and Valley Club Flea Market
Hill and Valley Club presents our annual fea market on aturday, April , from am to 2pm at our clubhouse, 0 treet in Hayward. his old fashioned indoor rummage sale features ewelry, clothing, household goods, toys, sew ing and craft materials, electronics, holiday d cor, plants, baked goods, and miscellaneous, all at bargain prices. onations may be dropped off on riday, April 4, between am and noon. Proceeds from this event beneft local chari ties and building restoration fund.
Saturday & Sunday, April 5 & 6
CASTRO VALLEY SANITARY DISTRICT
CVSan Office: (510) 537-0757
Sewer Emergencies: (510) 506-5821
Effective Environmental Services since 1939 | cvsan.org
A city manager and a city clerk should defnitely be full time, appointed positions,” she told the orum, adding that other essential roles include a public works director to oversee maintenance and infra structure, as well as directors overseeing the city’s fnance, human resources, and department to ensure smooth operations.
he discussion also touched on revenue sources for a newly incorporated city like Castro Valley. mith outlined the three primary revenue streams property ta , sales ta , and fees from development services. Property ta is the largest source, followed by sales ta and revenue from permits and other city services,” she e plained.
he reassured attendees that forming a city doesn’t auto matically mean higher ta es.
he goal is to create opportu nities for businesses to thrive, which boosts sales ta revenue without placing additional burdens on residents.”
mith drew comparisons between rinda, a built out city re uiring reinvestment, and ublin, which has e pe rienced signifcant growth. he suggested that a City of Castro Valley” might follow a hybrid approach, incorporating elements from both cities.
Like rinda, Castro Valley should focus on business de velopment along Castro Valley oulevard, and revitali ing key areas could help establish a strong fnancial foundation,” she said. A new city must balance effcient service deliv ery with long term fnancial sustainability. Contracting can be a key tool in achieving that balance.”
or more information about the speaker series and the push to make Castro Valley a city, visit castrovalleycity.com ead, like and share this article at mycvforum.com
St. Gerard Women’s Club Easter Bake Sale t. erard omen’s Club from t. ohn the aptist Catholic Church is holding their Annual aster ake ale at the Community eeting oom, 2 4 ast Lewelling lvd., an Loren o on aturday, April from pm to pm and unday, April , from am to pm with continental breakfast available. here will be an assortment of baked goods and raffe pri es. or more information please con tact t. ohn’s Church ffce at 0 0 0.
Sunday, April 6
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Feminist Fairy Tale? ince the 00 publication of the popular children’s book he onderful i ard of , people have sought deeper meaning in L. rank aum’s te t. oin the Castro Valley Library as Chabot College’s . . omen’s History Professor merita ane olford e amines the feminist undertones of this beloved fairy tale on unday, April at 2 0 pm. egistration is re uired. or info about this and other events, visit www.aclibrary.org or call 0 00.
Tuesday, April 8
Rotary Hosts Robert Paylor
obert Paylor will speak to the otary Club of Castro Valley on how overcoming uadriplegia motivated him to help others con uer what paraly es them by cultivating purpose in life. A buffet lunch and the program take place at edwood Canyon olf Course 00 edwood oad, Castro Valley at 2 noon to 0 p.m. he buffet lunch is 20, and reservations should be made by pm on unday, April , at castrovalleyrotary.org
Saturday, April 12
Tri-Valley Innovation Fair et inspired about science and technology at this free event at the Alameda County airgrounds. ver 0 e hib itors with hands on activities for ages and up. hemed areas dedicated to environmental sciences, and health care and life sciences, plus the ever popular robotics demon strations and more. Prior attendees have come to this event to get ideas for science fair pro ects and at home supple mentation of science education. he th Annual ri Valley nnovation air is presented by uest cience Center, and runs from 0 am to pm on aturday, April 2. vent information is at uest cience.org
Saturday, April 12
Earthquake Safety & Preparedness April is arth uake Preparedness onth, a time to focus on earth uake safety and preparedness and to take steps to stay safe during an earth uake. Learn the steps to take before, during, and after an earth uake this aturday, April 2 from 0 to 4 0pm at the CV Library. ring your fam ily and friends, and let’s build a safer community together Presented by eff Airth, mergency anagement Coor dinator at the an rancisco Airport. his is a free event sponsored by the Castro Valley Library and the arth uake Country Alliance. egister to attend at aclibrary.org
Oakland based singer-songwriter Eileen Torrez
Navigating Social Security of Today
Q: My local Social Security offce was recently shut down because of staff layoffs and large-scale downsizing by the Department of Government Effciency. All this disruption makes me very nervous, as I’ll be applying for my Social Security retirement benefts later this year. My question is, how are we supposed to get help with our Social Security questions or problems now that our offce is permanently closed? What can you tell me?
By Jim Miller SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
A: I’ve been getting a lot of questions on this very topic. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is facing massive
budget cuts and layoffs under President Donald Trump’s administration, which is leading to dozens of offce closures and a lot of angst across the country.
Led by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Effciency (DOGE), many Social Security experts believe these deep staff cuts could cause interruptions in monthly beneft payments, an increase in improper payments, delays in the processing of new beneft applications and disability claims, and longer wait times for Social Security help.
There are 73 million Americans who currently receive Social Security benefts, including seniors, children and see SOCIAL on page 11
Seniors Partners in Non-Marital Relationships Should Give Estate Planning Priority
Q. My partner and I have been in a Non-Marital relationship for approximately 12 years. Unfortunately, she is showing signs of early dementia, and her children from her former marriage are trying to take over her fnancial and personal life in a manner which is not in her best interest. We do not have anything formal recognizing our relationship, nor even any basic estate planning documents. Do you have any thoughts as to how we can legally empower each other to manage the other’s affairs when the time comes?
By Gene L. Osofsky, Esq. SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
A. Unfortunately, your situation is all too common. Whether her children’s behavior is motivated by concern for their parent, or by their perceived need to protect their own inheritance, the situation can defnitely complicate your lives and lead to unintended consequences. If you have not married, nor fled formal documents to become Registered Domestic Partners (“RDP’s”), nor created an estate plan recognizing your relationship, then in the eyes of the law neither of you would have the legal right to manage the personal or fnancial affairs of the other. Some of the situations that could arise in this circumstance might include the following:
1) When she becomes incapable of making decisions for herself, her children, rather than you, would have legal standing to petition the court to become her conservator, with the associated legal right to control her care, manage her fnances, determine where she lives, and even bar you from visiting if they were so inclined. Further, if you now live in her home, they might even force you to vacate;
2) Unless you were designated as a signer on any of her bank or brokerage accounts, you would have no legal authority to draw upon her funds to pay her bills;
3) Upon her demise, you would have no legal right to become her estate administrator in the event a probate proceeding were necessary, nor any standing to be treated as an heir or benefciary of her estate.
In short, if your relationship is not formalized and if you have not created an estate plan for yourselves naming each other as benefciaries, the law would treat you as merely her friend, rather than as a spouse or family member. As a result, you would have little if any legal rights.
One remedy for this situation is to create an estate plan which recognizes your relationship and, to the extent each of you so desires, designates the other as the agent, executor, successor trustee, and/or benefciary of each other’s estates. However, merely because
your plan may recognize each other in some fashion does not mean that her children, nor yours if you have any, would need to be entirely left out. Example: If she owns the home you live in, she could give you the legal right, if you are the survivor, to remain in the home rent-free for the rest of your life with the home going to her children only after your demise.
Since you indicate your partner is showing signs of early dementia, it will be important to frst establish her mental capacity to sign legal documents. In this regard, a
letter from her physician so affrming would be helpful. It may also help if you keep the planning documents as simple and uncomplicated as possible, and your attorney may be of great assistance in this regard; a conscious effort to reduce or eliminate complexity would be the goal. The key is to start planning now and place a high priority on completing your plan soon.
Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney who has been helping East Bay families for over 25 years with Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Wills, Probate, Medi-Cal Planning, and related matters. Please contact him by email at Gene@LawyerForSeniors.com or call (510) 247-2555.
Blacklisted California Condos Rendered Unsaleable
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Times
What do a foreclosure crisis, a 2015 Berkeley balcony failure, wildfres and a 202 condo collapse in Florida have in common? They are all factors in a major breakdown in condo
sales in California.
To begin, the foreclosure crisis (2007–2010) saw significant condo foreclosures and short sales, resulting in dramatic shortfalls in Home Owner Association (HOA) dues. This forced some HOAs into foreclosure while others, with limited funds,
Robert Jones Associates and For All Your
halted routine maintenance resulting in signifcant deterioration. While many HOAs levied an assessment to get things back on track, some are still trying to return to normal.
Couple this with the structural failures in Berkeley, CA and Surfside, FL and govern-
ment-backed lending institutions (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA and VA) began taking a hard look at the inherent risks of lending in condo developments. This scrutiny included the amount of reserves, percentage of owner occupancy, potential litigation, compliance with laws re uiring upgrades or retrofts, overall physical condition and potential assessments. If a condo development failed to meet the requirements, they were put on a ‘blacklist’ and loans withheld.
As of March, 2025, a list posted by law frm Allcock Marcus* reveals 733 blacklisted developments in California. Mercury News states that 168 affected properties are in the Bay Area. Since government-backed loans are not available to potential buyers
in these developments, cash purchases, bouti ue fnancing at higher rates or seller carry-backs are the only options.
As if this was not bad enough, shortfalls in income resulting from the foreclosure crisis initiated signifcant increases in monthly H A dues, signifcantly outpacing infation. n 2011, of the 2,540 condos sold in Alameda County, the average HOA fee was $316.45. In 2024, the average HOA fee shot up to $558.09 with many soaring over $600/month. Sales also plummeted to 1,589.
Insurance costs have risen due to a surge in natural disasters. Some HOAs have been forced to drop earthquake insurance and insurers are either refusing to underwrite condo develop-
SUNDAY APRIL 6
Don't let your home be the one left in the
—let's get it sold today!
INTRODUCING THE AGENT HUBA MONTHLY SEMINAR FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS.
Real estate pros, this one’s for you! We’re excited to announce the Agent Hub—a FREE monthly meet-up designed to help you learn, connect, and grow in your business. Join us every second Thursday of the month for expert-led training, networking, and a chance to collaborate with other top agents. All are welcome - regardless of brokerage affiliation.
When? Every Second Thursday of the month. Where? 20880 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley.
ments or have substantially increased their premiums.
he nail in the coffn has been “The Balcony Law” (SB721 and SB326) mandating inspections and repairs of exterior elevated elements (balconies, decks, walkways) in multifamily buildings. Most HOAs do not have the funds required to comply and are consequently adding yet more assessments to owners to cover projected costs.
It has become a perfect storm, rendering many condos virtually unsaleable and stalling the hopes of many trying to sell.
*www.amcondolaw.com/resources/fannie-mae-blacklist/
Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general contractor.
AGENT HUB
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
GARAGE SALE 4/5, 8am-1pm.Furniture, Designer Clothes, Nintendo Wii/games, Good Quality Misc. 1475 Graff Ave., San Leandro.
GARDENING
*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
G G ARDENING ARDENING /T /T REE REE S S ERVICE ERVICE
NAVA'SCOMPLETE LANDSCAPING: Mowing, trees, cleanup, hauling, FREE estimates. 510 512-5857.
LANDLORDS - Advertise your units! – Avacancy day is money lost forever –R. Bowman<None>
HANDYMAN SERVICE
HANDYMAN 15 years in home service. Senior discounts, all phases repairs. Rick 510-813-2599.
HOME REPAIRS 35 years experience. Painting, Carpentry, Roof/ Fence Repair, Landscaping, Hauling, etc. Senior Discount. 510-427-0455.
HAULING SERVICE
HAULING: Small and Big Jobs. Furniture, Concrete, Wood, Trash, Metal, Demolition. Also house inside/ outside cleanups. 510-715-1578.
MISC. FOR SALE
Queen size complete bed set (sheets, pillowcases, sham). $50. 510-813-6550.
CLASSIFIED AD DEADLINE: Monday 5:00 p.m.
LANDLORDS – Advertise your units! Avacancy day is money lost forever ... R. Bowman
RENTALS/RV SPACES
RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $975/ month. Call 510-481-9901.
SERVICES
HANDYMAN & CONTRACTORS
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.
TREE SERVICE
*A CAREFULTREE SERVICE. Certified. Arborist. Lic.#694067. Trimming, Removals. FREE Estimates Bonded. Call 510-581-7377.
YOUR INFO
Advertise your Home for rent in the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum DON’T LET ANOTHER WEEK SLIPBY! – Avacancy day is money lost forever –To place an ad call 510-614-1558
CLASSIFIED AD DEADLINE: Monday 5:00 p.m.
NEED - MUSIC LESSONS or PIANO TUNING? Check the Classified Ads under “MUSICALSERVICES” for help.
LANDLORDS - Advertise your units! – Avacancy day is money lost forever –R. Bowman<None>
Dogs: Foundation Supports Veterans
continued from front page with paperwork to get all benefts they are entitled to, including those where the rules just changed.
Veterans who worked around potentially toxic “burn pits” in Afghanistan and Iraq weren’t eligible for compensation until 2022, for instance, but now are.
e help veterans fll out forms and keep up to date with changing regulations, but due to privacy laws the VA can’t tell us if benefts were eventually approved,” said Uhlik. “But sometimes we hear back from a veteran or their friends and family that the extra benefts they got have made a big difference in their lives.”
The group also raises funds for the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Children’s Home in Michigan. It was founded to help war orphans in World War II but now provides wrap-around services to returning veterans as they try to readjust to civilian life, with housing, job placement and job training. They can stay there for free as they sort these out.
ELLM also supports the Sea Cadets, Hancock Division, at Hayward Airport and the Young Marines. Many of the families have low incomes and would otherwise have trouble paying the cost of uniforms and or the travel required for some training.
Uhlik, who comes from a military family, has sought to give back to American society even as a high school student, feeling a debt to past generations.
“You see how people live in other places, and it makes you really appreciate what we have here,” he said. “Wanting to give back is part of why I joined the military, and now I try to give back to the vets who have often given all of us so much.’
Service dog Oakley with female veteran.
Joining the Navy a few years out of high school in Nebraska, he did get to “see the world” as he’d hoped and made many lifetime friends. He served in the First Gulf War aboard the aircraft carriers Kitty Hawk and Enterprise. His brother was aboard the USS Iowa in 1989 when it suffered a deadly gun turret explosion, but he was uninjured. Jim’s own rehab from war injuries at the Livermore VA hospital was brief, but he did see other veterans who will carry their service-related injuries with them all their lives.
“But even if we’ve gone through things, if you ask any of us if we’d do it again, we would,” he said. If you’d like to donate or to volunteer for ELLM programs, please text Jim Uhlik at (510) 593-6703. Their website at www.ellmfoundation.org is online but is currently being updated. If you’re a veteran who might beneft from a service dog, you can contact Paws4Purple Hearts directly to see if you qualify, at www. pawsforpurplehearts.org or call 844-700-7297 (PAWS).
Five Strategies for Supporting Diferent Minds in Workplace
By Jagmeet Kaur Sangha SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
There is no one way of thinking. And that is a good thing. Promoting collaboration between people with different ways of thinking and experiencing the world allows for innovation and creativity. Within the workplace, there are several strategies you can use to promote diverse thinking and help the neurodivergent mind thrive.
One: Building a strong, supportive relationship with neurodivergent employees ensures they feel comfortable and understood. A manager could take the time to learn about an employee’s sensory sensitivities, preferred communication style, and triggers.
Example: Sasha, an employee with autism, struggles with sudden changes in her daily schedule. After learning this, her manager schedules weekly check-ins to review and adjust the upcoming week’s tasks, helping Sarah feel more in control and less anxious.
Two: Individuals with autism and A H beneft from clear, prompt responses to their work. This helps them understand expectations and refne their approach. mmediate feedback ensures that the connection between action and outcome is clear, preventing confusion and helping the employee improve continuously.
Example: John, who has ADHD, tends to get distracted during long meetings. His supervisor provides immediate, gentle feedback when he loses focus: “John, I noticed you were looking at your phone; let’s try to stay on task.” This
real-time correction helps John adjust and improve his attention span during meetings.
Three:
Another helpful strategy is breaking down tasks into manageable steps, as neurodivergent employees often beneft from clear, written instructions that reduce ambiguity. Setting specifc, achievable goals can help them maintain focus and direction. Clear goals and a structured, written plan create a sense of order, reducing anxiety and increasing productivity.
Example: Emily, who has dyslexia, receives written instructions with bullet points and specifc deadlines for a project. The manager breaks down the tasks into smaller, manageable chunks with clear goals, ensuring that Emily does not feel overwhelmed. With this approach, Emily confdently completes her tas s as the expectations are transparent and achievable.
Four: Understanding what drives an individual allows managers to offer meaningful reinforcement that encourages positive behavior. This could range from verbal praise to time off or even a preferred work environment—anything that resonates with the person.
Example: After successfully completing a major task, Tom’s manager reinforces his success by allowing him to choose an activity like attending a professional development workshop or taking a half-day off. This meaningful reinforcement helps Tom feel recognized
for his efforts while also giving him a refreshing change of pace, motivating him to stay focused and energized for future tasks.
Five: By adjusting the work environment or task expectations, employers can reduce barriers and enable employees to succeed. Accommodations can range from changes in the workspace to modifcations in how tasks are assigned or how communication is handled.
Example: David, who has dyslexia, struggles with reading long emails or documents. David’s manager provides audio versions of essential papers and allows him to participate in verbal check-ins rather than written reports. This accommodation helps David perform more effectively and boosts his confdence and producti ity.
Workplaces must encourage open discussions and learning opportunities regarding the concepts of neurodiversity to help all individuals understand their personal work styles. These exercises allow employees to become more comfortable exploring and advocating for their personal needs while collaborating effectively by leveraging their strengths; at the same time, they allow companies to give their employees the support they need to thrive in their roles.
Jagmeet Kaur Sangha is a board certifed eha ior Ana lyst who lives in Castro Valley. er or ani ation eha ior Pivot Consulting, partners with organizations to cultivate neuro-inclusive environments that understand brain-based differences and promote mental wellbeing. For more info, visit: www.behaviorpivot.com
Anglin: Speaks About his Path and Commitment to Community Involvement
continued from front page himself to neighbors and visitors, and ensuring things run smoothly. Like other people in town who are building community here, Todd has served on multiple boards, which refects his deep commitment to community involvement.
Anglin spoke with the Forum about his path, the importance of creating community, fnding solutions rather than dwelling on obstacles, and problem-solving in business and community service.
“The big thing for me is focusing on community, schools, and local business. If it impacts
me, my family, and our community, I like helping them. I like watching them grow. If I have anything to offer, I really don’t mind volunteering my time,” Anglin told the Forum.
Originally from Southern California, Todd spent a decade growing up in Southeast Asia. There he gained a unique perspective on the relationship between economic disparity and the importance of community. His early career took him through various leadership roles in retail, including managing multiple East Bay RadioShack stores. Todd returned to the Bay Area
in 2010 to lead a pilot program for Target Mobile, successfully bringing Apple products into Target stores nationwide. In 2011, Todd transitioned into the insurance industry, joining State Farm. Drawn to the company’s supportive culture and commitment to its agents, he embraced the opportunity to build a career centered around service and personal engagement. Since then, he has played an active role in shaping both the local business landscape and the broader community.
Anglin’s leadership roles include being President of
the Castro Valley Rotary Club (2019-2020), serving on the Castro Valley nifed School District Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (20162023), the Woodrow Woods School Board (2017-2024), and working with the Eden Area Chamber of Commerce since 2021. Additionally, he currently sits on the Fairview Municipal Advisory Council and the Castro Valley Education Foundation, among others. He is also an advisor for the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). During his tenure on its board, the Chamber of Commerce has fourished, doubling
its membership over the past two and a half years. Anglin’s strategic approach shifted the Chamber’s focus from seeking fnancial support to helping local businesses grow actively. Todd was instrumental in hiring Gary Slate as the Chamber’s Executive Director, leveraging his past experience working with Gary to strengthen the organization’s leadership.
Beyond his professional and civic engagements, Todd values community impact, starting with his own family. His wife, Thania, serves as PTA President at Canyon Middle School,
which successfully raised $35,000 for school programs.
For Todd, Castro Valley is more than a place to live—it’s a vibrant, interconnected community that thrives on collaboration and support. His dedication to fostering growth and positive change continues to make a lasting impact on the region.
“Housing for example,” Anglin said. “It’s coming to this community of 66,000 people. e can either fght it or embrace it and try and fgure out how to make it work best if we know it’s going to happen anyway.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAWS4PURPLE HEARTS
Letters must include the writer’s name, address, phone number, and must be under 300 words. Letters are views of author and not necessarily those of the newspaper or its advertisers. Submit letter at: mycvforum.com/letters-submission-form
Concerns Regarding the CVUSD Grading Reforms
I have dedicated a large portion of my life to the students of this school district and it is from this dedication that I feel obligated to voice my concerns regarding the grading reforms this school district is forcing upon us.
The district hired a consultant to provide the foundational need for these reforms. I am appalled that this district would place so much funding into a consultant who has a paltry three years to his name in actual classroom experience. Even worse is the fact that those years occurred back in the 1990’s. I teach my students to make sure that their sources are relevant. This “source” is most certainly not.
do not hold myself out as an e pert, but am uite convinced that my experience with this district over the past 21 years in and around classrooms on a daily basis provides me with a better foundational understanding on relevant grading practices than this overpaid “expert” who is not a teacher and has not been one for decades.
I disagree with “giving” 50% even if the student has done absolutely nothing. I do not feel this is punishment, nor do I feel teachers are being malicious or “vengeful” as accused by the consultant in his CVUSD Teacher Workshop material. Teachers do not give grades, the students earn grades by their hard work or lack thereof.
Finally, I love teaching with all my heart and soul. I truly believe that it is my calling but I am troubled. I wonder how I will be able to continue my chosen profession with all the “expert” opinions from those who are not teachers dictating my grading process. It is the responsibility of the board to reconsider the decision to implement these grading policies and to do so with due regard for the positions and ualifcations of the teachers directly involved.
–Erin Cook, CVHS Teacher
Social: Ways to Navigate SSA as They Downsize
continued from page 5 people with disabilities. Many rely on these benefts for the bulk of their income, so any disruption or errors in payments or other service delays could cause a lot of problems for benefciaries.
Advocacy groups are urging concerned Americans to contact their members of Congress and demand protections for the program. o fnd your elected members contact information, go to Congress.gov/members/ fnd your member.
With that said, here’s how you can best navigate the SSA as they downsize.
Use SSA.gov
Most Social Security business today can be conducted online. To get started, just go to SSA.gov/onlineservices where you can create a personal online “my Social Security” account so you can view your latest statement and earnings history, apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefts, check the status of an application or appeal, re uest a replacement Social Security card (in most areas), print a beneft verifcation letter, and much more.
Their website also has a wealth of information and answers to fre uently asked uestions that you can access at A.gov fa s.
Phone Assistance
If you can’t conduct your Social Security business online or you need some extra help, you can also get phone assistance by calling your nearby feld offce see A.gov
Most Social Security business today can be conducted online. Just go to SSA.gov/onlineservices to apply for retirement, Medicare enefts and more.
locator for contact information) or by calling the SSA national number at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
This number has many auto-
Grade: Should Motivate, Encourage Growth Mindset
continued from page 3 adding another layer like these two proportional grading systems,” Sepulveda told the Forum. “It’s hard to explain what an A or B or C means from one classroom to the next because there is so much difference between them.”
CVUSD transitioned to standards-based grading in the 2021-22 school year with a pilot program of around 200 high school teachers. Since
then, the district has reached out to families, teachers, and students during Back to School Nights, special presentations, and board meetings.
Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi says the district’s goal for grades is that they accurately refect students’ mastery of standards. She added that grades should motivate students to improve and encourage a growth mindset.
“We recognize that new
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practices take time to see results,” Superintendent Ahmadi told the Forum. “We know that staff are in different places of implementation. We have a continuum ranging from early adopters to new teachers starting in the district. As you know, we must constantly build capacity to do this work well
and support authentic learning and implementation to support our students better.”
Superintendent Ahmadi said her staff will meet with the district department leaders in the next few weeks to discuss teacher and parent input before updating the board policy and administrative regulations.
mated service options you can use without waiting, but if you do need to speak to a representative, wait times are typically shorter early in the morning (between 8 and 10am) or later in the afternoon (between 4
and 7pm). You may also experience shorter wait times later in the week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in the month. If you need to visit your nearby A offce, it’s best to call and make an appointment frst as walk ins have much longer wait times. To make an appointment call 800-7721213 or contact your local SSA offce.
Be Patient Also remember to practice patience and plan ahead. With all the SSA staff cuts, delays and longer wait time will be inevitable. And if you’re planning to start drawing your ocial ecurity benefts in the near future, it’s best to apply as early as possible as the SSA recently announced that new applicants who cannot properly verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service, will be re uired to visit an A feld offce in person to complete the verifcation process. And that could take some additional time. This change will also apply to unverifed e isting recipients who want to change their direct deposit information. ou can apply for benefts up to four months before you expect to receive them. Applying as early as possible can help ensure they’re available when needed.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Barbara Jean Waterman Burks
June 20th, 1947 ~ December 12th, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Barbara Burks, who left us on December 12th, 2024 at 77 years old. She was a beloved mother, Grammy, sister, aunt, and friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Born on June 20th, 1947 in Oakland, CA. She grew up in San Leandro, where she built a life flled with love, faith, and dedication to others. A devoted mother to Kimberlee and Deborah, she also helped raise her grandson Austin with unwavering care.
Leslie Sophie Schaerer
September 17th 1959 - March 20th 2025
Leslie died peacefully at home surrounded by family life long resident of Castro Valley. Leslie found Joy in many things, fshing at the Lake, rock collecting, gardening and time playing cards with her Sister. Leslie had a smile that lit up her whole face, it will be missed.
Leslie is survived by her Sister Patricia Schaerer Leanne, nephew Grant, and Cousin Joe and many friends. She is proceeded in Death by her parents Emil and Jackie Schaerer. Her Aunt Emily Shea and her brothers Len and Michael Schaerer.
Also known as Grammy, BJ, and Barbie, she worked as an administrative assistant and later went on to passionately advocate for individuals with special needs. She turned her love of yard sales into a thriving eBay business. She also enjoyed bowling, cherishing time at the lanes with family and friends. Above all, she was a woman of deep faith, a devoted Christian whose kindness and generosity touched many lives. Barbara was preceded in death by her daughter Kimberlee, her sisters Cynthia and Carol, and her parents. She leaves behind her daughter Deborah, grandchildren Austin, Katelyn, Preston, Danielle, and Jessica; and her brother John.
A service to honor Barbara’s life was held on March 29th. n lieu of fowers, the family kindly re uests donations be made to the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area or Special Olympics of Northern California in her memory.
Aries (March 21 - April 19): Adventure calls! Embrace spontaneity this week. A new hobby or a surprise road trip could spark joy. Just try not to spontaneously redecorate your whole house.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Indulge your senses! Delicious food, luxurious textures, and soothing music are your allies. Watch out of spending too much though!
Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Chatty Gemini, your words have power! Networking and connecting with others is key. Be careful not to spread false information with all this chatting.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Home is where the heart is, Cancer. Nurture your safe space and spend quality time with loved ones. Try not to get upset by the small things.
Leo (July 23 - August 22): Shine bright, Leo! Confdence is your superpower. Pursue your passions and don’t be afraid to take center stage. No need to hog all the spotlight!
Virgo (August 23 - Sept. 22): Organization is your mantra. Tackle that to-do list and fnd joy in the details. Just don’t get lost in perfectionism.
Libra (September 23 - October 22):
Balance is key, Libra. Seek harmony in your relationships and surroundings. But don’t be a people pleaser and forget your own needs.
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): Dive deep, Scorpio! Introspection and transformation are on the horizon. Be open to letting go of what no longer serves you. Don’t let it consume you.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21):
Expansion is your theme, Sagittarius. Explore new horizons and broaden your perspectives. Just remember to look before you leap!
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19):
Steady and strong, Capricorn. Focus on your goals and climb that mountain! Remember to take breaks and enjoy the view.
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Innovation is your game, Aquarius. Think outside the box and embrace your unique perspective. Don’t get stuck in your ideals.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Dream big! Tap into your intuition and let your creativity fow. Reality check from time to time is needed.
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Our Athletes of the Week are the Eden Athletic Club C-Gold Boys Basketball Team. The team is made up of talented young athletes who represent Castro Valley, Alameda, and the broader East Bay school districts. This year, the Gold Team won the Division Title for the regular season and placed Second in the Shaughnessy playoffs last month.
PICTURED ARE: First Row (Left to Right): Jerrick Tran (CV Canyon), Spencer Wong (CV Creekside), Rylen Chu (CV Canyon), Jacob Yan (Hayward), Skyler Hew (CV Canyon) Second Row (Left to Right): Brandon Gee (Head Coach), Chase Tham (CVHS), Marcello Abad (CV Canyon), Jordan Mak (San Leandro) Not Pictured: Jessica Wong (Assistant Coach).
The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week Eden Basketball Team
Castro Valley Sports Hall of Fame Taking Nominations
A new class of the Castro Valley Sports Hall of Fame will be inducted in 2026, and the Castro Valley Sports Foundation is asking the public for help as its selection committee considers candidates for the incoming class. To nominate a person or a team for the Hall of Fame, go to https://www. castrovalleysportsfoundation. org hall of fame and fll out the nomination form.
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame candidates must have attended and participated in
athletics, coached, or offciated athletics, served in an athletic administrative position, or otherwise signifcantly contributed to athletics at a Castro Valley school or for a Castro Valley athletic organization, or must have resided in Castro Valley while participating in athletics.
A full list of eligibility requirements is available on the website. Nomination forms must be received by July 31, 2025.
Since 2010, a Hall of Fame class has been inducted every two years (except for 2022
because of COVID-19). A committee selected by the Sports Foundation reviews all the candidates’ ualifcations and makes its fnal decision, which will be announced late in 2025. The new class will be inducted in the spring of 2026. Only individuals were named to the frst si Hall of Fame classes, but in 2024, it was decided that one male and one female sports team would be included in each subsequent class. Therefore, teams as well as individuals are now eligible.
