THERE’S MORE TO AVOCADOS THAN JUST DIP
Holy Guacamole
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CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021
YEAR 33
EVICTION MORATORIUM
INSIDE YOUR
Deadline Looms On COVID-19 Related Evictions
FORUM
NEWS
Scam Alert
By Michael Singer
County Superior Court issues alert to residents of new jury duty scam
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Page 2 HEALTH
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Preliminary drawing of a portion of the proposed mixed-use residential and commercial project at 20226 and 20248 Redwood Road.
Big Housing Proposals MAC MEETING
Want the Scoop? A 2018 study suggests that there are levels of herbicide in oatmeal
Page 5 NEWS
Get Hooked
A packed schedule of activities this month at East Bay Regional Parks
Page 6
INDEX Classified Ads .......... 12 Crosswords ............. 13 Homes ....................... 7 Horoscope ............... 11 Legal Notices ........... 14 Merchants .................. 5 Obituaries ................ 15 Opinions ................... 15 Our Town .................. 3 Weather ....................... 2 PHONE: (510) 614-1560
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By Amy Sylvestri
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
The Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) heard informational items on two potential large land-use projects at their virtual meeting Monday night. First up was a preliminary site review of a mixed-use development with two three-story buildings at 20226 and 20248 Redwood Road near Jamison Way. Originally zoned for single-family residential use in the 1950s and 60s, the parcels have since been shifted to retail and commercial in the intervening decades.
Most recently in 2017, developer David Langon submitted an application to allow the construction of a project that would include 13 residential units and 3,600-square-feet of commercial space, but he eventually withdrew that plan before it ever went to the MAC. The current project is just slightly different as it calls for 3,000-square-feet of commercial space and 13 residential units, with a main commercial space in the front and two additional smaller commercial units as well as the living areas mixed in throughout instead of only in the upper floors. see MAC on page 11
2021 Fall Festival Canceled
Renters and property owners are keeping a close eye on the calendar for October 3. That’s the day that the federal government tentatively will lift its freeze on COVID-19 related evictions. Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended its previous moratorium by a few days from its previous September 30 deadline. As people were losing jobs and work due to the pandemic in early 2020, the CDC asked for a federal 120-day freeze on all evictions if renters couldn’t pay, citing the decision as a
reaction to the national state of emergency. The latest extension comes as CDC said the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus poses an ongoing health emergency. California’s and Alameda County’s eviction protections for residential and commercial rentals were set to expire on September 30 but will likely follow the CDC’s guidance. Last week, national and California landlord associations filed lawsuits claiming they’re losing between $13.8 and $19 billion each month in unpaid rent. In late May, the Urban Institute estimated the amount of back rent then-owed to be about $50 billion. see EVICTION on page 5
Are Vaccinated Spreading the Delta Variant? By Michael Singer
ers. The variant typically impacts the upper airways more CASTRO VALLEY FORUM will allow us to put our energy in a statement noting that the than the original strain even By Bruce Johnson into other ways to promote the The Delta variant of COVID pandemic environin individuals who are fully SPECIAL TO THE FORUM ment was much different from businesses of Castro Valley vaccinated. Even those who are COVID-19 is giving public and the Eden Area while today. This year’s planned 2021 even partially vaccinated may health organizations pause providing safe activities for Fall Festival was officially can- “Regretfully, we believe for concern. The coronavirus contract COVID-19, be asymptomatic, and not feel its effects. celed in a vote late last week by canceling Fall Festival is in the our community. We are all strain is not only infecting disappointed, but believe this a small percentage of the In those instances of infection the Board of Directors for the best interest of our commudecision is best made now rath- vaccinated in the Bay Area, but in a vaccinated person, a Castro Valley and Eden Area nity, including the students er than waiting. Even putting if you did get your shots, you face-covering prevents further Chambers of Commerce. The just returning to schools and Board said it made the difficult concerns for all attendees, and one family in serious harm’s may unknowingly be spread- spread, the CDC advised. decision to cancel the event the quickly growing delta cases way during these unprecedent- ing it around. Alameda County Public ed times was not acceptable, due to health concerns about even amongst vaccinated, as Research from the CenHealth Department (ACPHD) the resurgence of COVID-19 hospitals are starting to fill up period.” ters for Disease Control and officials joined seven other as well as for the safety of all again,” Chamber Board mem- The decision involved Prevention released last week Bay Area health officers last attendees. ber and Fall Festival co-chair, finding a balance between indicated that fully vaccinated Wednesday urged all unvacciTodd Anglin said. “Canceling hosting this event with not The decision was not individuals can in some cases nated residents 12 and older see FESTIVAL on page 11 spread the Delta variant to othreached easily, the Board said the 49th Annual Fall Festival see DELTA on page 11
8/10/21 4:55 PM
