Baywood celebrates achievements of 22 scholarship recipients Page 2 Award Winning CV Artist Stephen Bourque’s exhibit at Center for the Arts Page 4
Many use the terms interchangeably, but they’re quite different Page 10
By Linda Sandsmark CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Now that school is back in session, you may wonder what teachers do during their time off.
he met other hikers along the route and camped with them or by himself. He documented the trip in a series of articles for Adventure Sports Journal, which may be read online at adventuresportsjournal.com.
Workshop on
Business District Plan
By Amy Sylvestri CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
The Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) took a bit of a hands-on approach to one of the biggest topics in town at their meeting this week. The astro alley usiness istrict pecifc lanSP) was discussed at a special workshop Monday night and attendees had a chance to talk to MAC members individually at special break-out tables.
The CVBDSP is an ongoing project, which has been broken down into two phases. Phase Two was completed in late 2021 and involved a Community-Wide Zoning and Map Update.
Now, the county has hired consultants Lisa Wise, Inc. to implement Phase Two, which has already been in the works for over a year and isn’t scheduled for completion until at least late 2025.
Teacher Hikes Mountains And Writes Comic Book Get Hungry For the 2024 Fall Festival
Broadly speaking, the CVBDSP is a plan on what see MAC on page 5
For Castro Valley High Journalism/Social Studies teacher Matt Johanson it’s hiking, including the , mile acifc oast rail
Johanson didn’t walk all those miles in one summer n fact, he says, tart to fnish, did the trip over 26 years.”
The trail, which runs through mountain ranges from Canada to Mexico, is a popular but arduous trek. (Approximately one million people hike portions of the trail annually.) During his usual teaching years, Johanson did pieces of it every summer. But he decided to take the 202223 school year off to complete the parts he hadn’t fnished
“In my year off, I did about 80 percent of the trail. The best thing about the PCT is the people you meet there. In 2022 I was out 11 weeks and covered 1,300 miles. In 2023 I hiked 800 miles, which took me about eight weeks,” he says.
Johanson actually did most of the hike by himself. His brother Dan and cousin Andy accompanied him for some of it. Other than that,
Johanson returned to the classroom last fall for the 2023-24 school year.
This past summer he hiked ten mountains— some challenging and some fairly easy. These include the Palisades group of mountains in California, where he made progress toward conquering our state’s “14ers” which are 15 mountains o er , feet tall e has now fnished of the 15, having done six of them this year. Friends accompanied him on some of these hikes.
Johanson has written several books about hiking, focusing on Yosemite National Park, the Sierra, Mt. Shasta, and California summits that can be done in a day. He takes most of the pictures for these books himself.
Johanson has also written books about the San Francisco Giants and recently tried a new format – a comic book featuring fantastic artwork and Castro Valley landmarks. In it, Batman visits our town to inspire students — and maybe teach them a lesson or two.
see TEACHER on back page
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Autumn is just around the corner, and the community is preparing to celebrate it next month with a cornucopia of good food, artwork, music, and fun for all ages. This year’s Castro Valley Fall Festival will occur on Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, between Redwood Road and San Miguel Avenue on Castro Valley Boulevard. Presented by the Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, more than 125 vendors and attractions will again line the Boulevard. This year’s food options are particularly exciting because they will include fan favorites like corn dogs, kettle corn, and snow cones, and many local food vendors such as Nice Jazz!, Freezy Frosty, and Sweetcanes Sugarcane Juicery.
see FESTIVAL on page 3
Castro Valley High School Journalism/Social Studies teacher Matt Johanson has hiked all over the west coast, including Mt. San Gorgonio.
Castro Valley Weather August 21
Almanac
Moon Phases
Baywood Court Celebrates 22 Local Scholarship Recipients
The Resident Association Scholarship Committee of Baywood Court Retirement Community is thrilled to announce that twenty-two outstanding students have been awarded scholarships to support their educational journeys. The scholarships will help the recipients pursue higher education at colleges, universities, and trade schools, advancing their dreams and career aspirations. The Baywood Court Resident
Association has a long-standing commitment to supporting the education of local youth, recognizing that education is a cornerstone for building a bright future. The scholarship program, funded solely by generous donations from residents, refects aywood ourt’s dedication to fostering growth and opportunity for the next generation. The scholarships ranged from $1000-$1600.
“We are immensely proud
of this year’s scholarship recipients,” said Donna Ramesh, Chair of the Resident Association Scholarship Committee.
“Each student has demonstrated exceptional dedication to their studies and a strong commitment to their communities. We are honored to support them as they take the next steps in their educational and professional journeys.
“The scholarships awarded see BAYWOOD on page 4
“This place has very quickly become my favorite clothing boutique in the East Bay, and possibly in the greater Bay Area.” -Miles G.
CONGRATULATIONS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: BACK ROW (left to right): Mackenzie Stevens, Mackenzie Hespelt, Kaleb Thomas, Isaiah Lacayo, Bilal Messaoudi, Matt Neal (President/CEO of Baywood Court Retirement Community), Jaspreet Kaur, Celeste Zanabria, Ifunanya Sylvia Nnajiuba, Sadat Noor FRONT ROW (left to right): Karla Ramos Fernandez, Cynthia Mendez, Chelsea Morales, Jennifer Castillo Olivias, Donna Ramesh, Committee Chair, Susan Kimari, Elsa Atomsa, Parwana Noor, Darlene Nguyen NOT IN PHOTO: Susan Chand, Jetrey Inarda, Marjorie Jones, Valerie Parin Batesting, Nikole Rentoria.
There will be many food choices at this year’s Fall Festival, including several local artisanal creations from Nice Jarz!, Freezy Frosty, and Jenn’s Cupcakes.
Festival: Wide Array of Food Vendors
continued from front page
“Sweetcanes is a clean and tasty sugar cane juice that is super unique,” Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Gary Slate told the forum.
“The chamber does visit other street fairs to get inspiration and potentially recruit them for our organization, especially if they are local.”
Slate adds that the food vendor selection process has been consistent over many years and strives to avoid copying similar offerings from the existing food vendors on the Boulevard. M&J Culinary will again provide artichoke dishes, Sonoma Teriyaki will serve its signature Chinese cuisine, and Costal Paella will whip up— you guessed it—paella.
“We make my new im-
provements, so we don’t do wholesale changes because it has been so good, and so many people continue to enjoy it,”
Slate said.
First held in the Castro Village Shopping Center, the Chamber voted to showcase Castro Valley businesses and artisans while promoting Castro Valley as the “Heart of Good Living.” The event offered attendees a wine tasting, fashion show, and art exhibit. he success of that frst year prompted a second event in , which the hamber offcially named the Fall Festival.
Now, 52 years later, more than 35,000 people are expected to enjoy the two-day event. Musical performances on the Redwood Stage will include the award-winning Castro Valley High School
Madrigals acapella choir and live music from bands like the Take Cover Band. Jim Bedford of Bedford Studios will again book acts for the “Bedford” community stage.
In addition to the fabulous food vendors, Fall Festival organizers are considering bringing back the tradition of the Fall Festival glasses. Currently, beverages are provided in disposable cups because of concerns over broken glass at the festival. However, the Chamber is considering traditional wine glasses embossed with exclusive designs, potentially for milestone years such as the 55th in 2027 or the 60th in 2032.
For more about the Festival and to give feedback about the Fall Festival glasses, visit: edenareachamber.com/fall-fest/
Sheriff’s Report
COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Domestic Assault
Sunday, August 18: At 10:29 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 43-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of assault on a family member. The man was at a home on Forest Avenue near Castro Valley Boulevard when deputies responded to a domestic dispute. Deputies took the man into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.
Grand Theft
Saturday, August 17: At 2:00 p.m., deputies arrested a 51-year-old CV man as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man had previously been convicted of grand theft in excess of $950 dollars. Deputies served the warrant outside a Castro Village Shopping Center business before taking him to Santa Rita Jail.
Methamphetamines
Thursday, August 16: At 7:34 a.m., a 53-year-old woman from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine drugs and related drug paraphernalia. Deputies responded to a suspicious person report at the intersection of Christensen Lane and Simsbury Road and found the woman hanging out. The woman revealed that she had drugs in her possession and was taken into custody.
Public Intoxication
Thursday, August 16: At 8:34 a.m., deputies arrested a 48-year-old woman with no permanent residence on suspicion of public intoxication and
possessing drug paraphernalia. Deputies stopped the woman for questioning outside a convenience store on Redwood Road near Grove Way. The woman failed her feld sobriety test and was taken into custody.
Shoplifter with Drug Pipes
Thursday, August 16: At 10:12 a.m., a 34-year-old man with no permanent residence was
arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia. Deputies were called to a grocery store on Redwood Road near Castro Valley Boulevard after the store manager reported the man left with unpaid merchandise. During questioning, the man revealed several pipes for smoking drugs in his possession.
Discussion of Retail And Future of CV
Approximately 40 people spent part of their Sunday afternoon learning about the importance of retail sales to the future of Castro Valley at a presentation sponsored by Castro Valley City at Castro Valley Library. Craig Semmelmeyer of Main Street Property Services has completed major projects in Oakland, San Ramon, Lafayette, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, and San Francisco. He compared the development and potential of Castro Valley to that of Pleasanton and Walnut Creek in terms of retail and offce space, median
family income, and planning structure. “One of the biggest differences is that the other two are cities that control their own fate,” he said. “With that advantage, they have been able to do some amazing things.” The series will continue on September 15 with a talk on the economic development of new cities by Alex Greenwood, principal at the Alex Greenwood Group. For more information on the series or Castro Valley City, please visit their website at www.castrovalleycity.com or stop by their booth at the Fall Festival.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHY BRESLOW/ CATHY BRESLOW IMAGING
Castro Valley Artist’s Exhibit At the CV Center for the Arts
Local artist Stephen Bourque just won an Award of Excellence at the California State Fair, which he also did last year. He received his most recent ribbon at an awards ceremony in Sacramento.
A collection of Bourque’s artworks will be on display at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts (CFA) through mid-September.
“I had an individual reach out to me from the Castro Valley Performing Arts Center and offered me the opportunity to have a solo show,” Bourque says. “I have over 40 pieces of art on display there currently, as well as some jewelry that I custom made out of old used 1970s and 1980s pinball machine pieces.”
Bourque’s artwork is worth a closer look. He uses what others discard—including lottery tickets—to make something new and interesting. He has sold several of his pieces already and says he’s gotten
AWARD WINNING ART: Castro
Stephen Bourque holds his most recent Award of Excellence ribbon at the California State Fair in Sacramento.
“nothing but positive feedback” about his unique collection.
An art reception is planned for Sept. 7 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. before the Paula West concert at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts. Refreshments will be provided, and Susan Sarti will perform a piano piece. Jennifer
Parker’s work will also be displayed.
Castro Valley’s Center for the Arts is located at 19501 Redwood Road, between the Castro Valley High stadium and the swim center. Visit www.cvcfa.com for more info.
–Linda Sandsmark
Baywood: Scholarship Recipients
continued from page 2 will assist students in covering tuition, books, and other essential expenses as they pursue a wide range of educational paths, including degrees in healthcare, engineering, the arts, and various trades. The recipients were selected based on their academic achievements, community involvement, and goals.
One of the scholarship recipients, Celeste Zanabria, expressed gratitude, stating, “This scholarship means the world to me. It’s not just fnancial support—it’s a vote of confdence in my future. I’m excited to continue my education and give back to my community, just as Baywood Court has given to me. ”The Baywood Court Resident Association Scholarship Committee has been awarding scholarships for many years, with this year marking one of the largest groups of recipients. The program continues to grow, thanks to the ongoing support from the Baywood Court residents. The scholarship awards ceremony was held on August 12, 2024, at the conclusion of the Baywood Court Retirement Community Resident Association’s meeting where residents, staff, and family members gathered to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable students.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
TOMORROW • Thursday, August 22
Homework Center Volunteer Orientation
The Castro Valley Library is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic High School student volunteers, just a few hours a week, for its after-school Homework Assistance Center. Homework Center Volunteer Orientation takes place tomorrow from 4 to 5 pm at the Library. Are you looking for community service hours or need some job experience for your resume? Sign up for hours and help students tackle their homework, gain valuable experience, and have fun. Please contact the Castro Valley Library at 510-667-7900 for more information.
Friday, August 23
FREE Movie Night at CV Community Park
The Hayward Area Recreation and Parks District is having a FREE movie night at the Castro Valley Community Park on Friday, August 23 (Movie begins at sundown around 8-8:15pm). Get ready for a family movie night under the stars! No registration required! Gather everyone together, pack up your snacks, grab your cozy lawn chairs and blankets, and don’t forget those fashlights (but keep them low-key!). We’ll be screening the awesome movie “Under the Boardwalk” (PG) for an evening of adventure and excitement. It’s a recipe for laughter, snacks, and memories that’ll light up the night! For any questions please call us at 510-881-6700 or email info@haywardrec.org.
Sunday, August 25
Understanding Islamophobia and Antisemitism
Baywood Court is a vibrant, not-for-proft retirement community located in Castro Valley, California. Committed to providing exceptional living experiences for seniors, Baywood Court offers a variety of residential options, services, and amenities designed to support an active and fulflling lifestyle. Through initiatives like the Resident Association Scholarship Program, Baywood Court continues to make a positive impact on the local community.
A panel discussion to help build understanding about both Islamophobia and antisemitism will be held at the Castro Valley Library on Sunday, August 25 at 2 pm. Since the escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza in October 2023, both Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents have surged in the U.S. Representing a premier educational organization on Islamophobia and antisemitism, a panel featuring Maha Elgenaidi (Muslim speaker) and Karen Stiller (Jewish speaker) will join us to shed light on these forms of bigotry and offer recommendations on strategies to combat these prejudices at both interpersonal and institutional levels. Written questions from the audience will be accepted and read by the moderator from the Eden Area Interfaith Council. Biographies for the panelists are available by visiting https://ing.org/ Registration is required at www.aclibrary.org or by calling 510-667-7900.
Monday, August 26
CV Library Homework Help Center Opens
The Homework Center at the CV Library offers primary and secondary students the opportunity to receive free homework assistance—in person, in a safe, nurturing environment. Homework Center staff and volunteers provide: homework assistance for individual daily assignments and research projects, skill building for grades K-12 in math and reading, and help using technology for school assignments. The Homework Center is open Mondays through Wednesday from 3:30 to 5pm. Registration is not required, simply drop in during open hours.
Tuesday, August 27
College Path: Charting Your Future College Path is an information session about making the most of high school in order to be well-prepared for college applications. Students grades 9-12 and their parents are invited to this workshop taking place Tuesday, August 27 from 6 to 7pm at the CV Library. Hear suggestions for student academic and extracurricular preparation from Sarah Tunik, an independent college counselor who works with students at two non-proft agencies serving low-income and frst-generation students. Sarah also has more than 20 years of experience as a high school English teacher.
Valley artist
MAC: Four of Castro Valley’s Commercial And Mixed-Use Zones
continued from front page the future holds for our downtown area and what Castro Valley residents most desire for the area. The area in question covers approximately 288 acres and 763 parcels, which make up four of Castro Valley’s commercial and mixed-use zones.
The area includes the Central Business District on Castro Valley Boulevard, the Medical Center area on Lake Chabot Road, the BART Transit Village, and the Rite Aid parcel to the east.
Kathryn Slama, Director of Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc., said that the key to developing a successful plan will be fnding a balance. Time and again, the MAC has said that the public must weigh a sort of wish list of amenities with the reality of space constraints, funding, the economic future, sustainability and more.
“Actionability is going to be a word you hear a lot,” said Slama.
The consultants’ work indicated that mixed-use developments with housing and a retail combination are a likely outcome, especially near BART. They said that a more-pedestrian-friendly Boulevard is also a major desire- pedestrians prefer to see parking lots behind stores so they are walking along businesses instead of parking lots or driveways.
Wise, Inc. consultants said that a blending of old and new will be key to fnding
the sweet spot for the future of downtown. For instance, at the Lucky site which is highly desirable for housing due to proximity with the BART station, perhaps some of the existing aging retail space might eventually become housing. Or perhaps Lucky and other retailers might opt to stay and there could be condos near the street with the grocery store tucked behind them.
The public said they saw a lot of room for improvement in terms of pedestrian access and bicycle infrastructure, especially a bit further out from the center of the Boulevard.
While the consultants seemed to prefer to tuck parking behind stores and focus on foot traffc, commenters wanted to see more parking, citing limited availability along the Boulevard as hurting business. Possibly hindering business. Suggested sites for possible future parking structures include the BART station and the Eden Hospital area. The public also requested more electric vehicle charging stations.
Other desires included parks, trails, more outdoor dining and family-friendly and upscale dining and shopping options.
If you missed Monday night’s meeting, no problem. More information on the plan is available on the County’s website at cvgpimplementation. com and the matter will also be back in front of the MAC in a matter of weeks this fall.
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Faces of the Shelters: FirstPres Housing
By Corrine Davidson SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Sarah Fuller (62) and her dog, Tank, have been waiting for permanent housing at First Presbyterian Church of Hayward (FirstPres) for a year and a half. Fuller lost her home after her former landlord sold the property at which she was living without telling her. “The
new owners came in and told us to get out,” Fuller told the Forum.
Fuller is in the process of fnding permanent housing and hopes to get something soon with the shelter’s support. Once she gets housing, she intends to return to the shelter and give back to the community.
Fuller is one of thousands of unhoused people in Alameda
County. With the recent Supreme Court ruling stating that cities can prohibit people from sleeping on the streets or in parks, more people are expected to look for a place to stay.
FirstPres has two shelters, one in Hayward and one in Castro Valley behind Trader Joe’s. The Castro Valley shelter has many resources for the unhoused community, including
the Tiny Homes Project. The transitional housing program allows people to live independently and save up for a permanent living space. Former resident of FirstPres, Michelle Hee (51), was homeless for three years and was at the FirstPres shelter for about six months. Hee has now found transitional housing and lives see SHELTER on page 11
Contributors:
Roberts
REAL ESTATE GALLERY REAL ESTATE GALLERY
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
Understanding CMAs
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
Buyers, looking to buy their frst home, found a house they loved and asked their agent to start the offer process. The agent stated, “Great – let me produce a CMA for you.” After a moment’s hesitation, the buyers asked, “What’s a CMA?”
Short for a Comparative Market Analysis, the CMA is the place to start when attempting to determine the value of any given home. While many potential homebuyers rely on websites such as Realtor.
com, Homes.com or Zillow to give them estimates on any home’s value, these websites do not have access to all the data required to provide an accurate value for any given home. As an example, they do not have the ability to see the level of improvements made or the current interior condition. As a result, when comparing these website’s automated valuations side-byside, they can often differ dramatically. Additionally, once a home goes live on the market, the only valuation showing on real estate web portals is the current
list price. This fact alone makes the online valuations impractical.
As a result, the most accurate way to determine any home’s value is to rely on a Realtor to provide a CMA. To provide a comprehensive analysis, agents use their access to the multiple listing service to search for comparable homes close to the home in question. Using location, square footage, amenities and other related data, they analyze past sales and homes currently on the market to establish a potential valuation for the home in question. They also, in most cases, have access to
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Fall Festival Fall Festival Fall Festival
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over 50,000 people are expected to attend the annual Castro Valley Fall Festival. Are you prepared to take advantage of the increased traffc near your business? The Forum’s Fall Festival Section offers a great opportunity to promote your business or services. FULL PAGE (84”)
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To help dial in prospective valuations, Realtors also use proprietary software platforms to crunch
the data and ascertain effective valuations. Programs such as CloudCMA can package all of the data and provide a comprehensive report that not only shows all of the properties used in the comparison, but provides a detailed analysis of the key factors to help establish an effective price range.
The one thing any CMA cannot do, however, is accurately predict the future. Once again, a Realtor’s knowledge of the local area, historical sales and current market conditions can take the data from the CMA and then produce a recommended purchase price. While some buyers may be tempted to do this on their own, a professional agent can make the process easy and substantially more accurate.
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.
Magnolia Su ers from Severe Drought; Junipers Make Mulch
By Buzz Bertolero
My saucer magnolia has turned all brown. The water was off during the last heat spell and I was unable to get out to water it. Is my tree really dead or will it come back if it’s watered several times a week? If I cut it down, will it come back from the roots?
I’m not sure what the status is with your magnolia.
Besides the leaves, the permitter or outer growth was also damaged, but I am not sure how far back the dieback extends.
The function of roots is to pump water and nutrients throughout the plant. Plants then release the moisture into the air through a process called transpiration.
Water stress occurs when an insuffcient amount of water is available to keep a plant hydrated. It always shows up on the outer most portion of a plant leaf and then proceeds inward. The leaves frst wilt and then turn brown.
If caught early enough, only a portion of the leaves are burnt; otherwise, all the foliage turns brown and gets crispy.
Next, the stems, twigs and branches that support the leaves are affected, again starting at the furthest point and working inward towards the base. The roots push the moisture as far as it can go and the tissue beyond that point dies.
With a brown plant, the dead growth will snap off while the viable stems are still fe ible.
I’d scratch the bark on the stems at different points to see if they’re green; if so, you’re okay.
Next, prune off all the dead growth above these points. The growing season is over for Saucer Magnolias, so I wouldn’t expect any new growth this year.
I would continue to water it but only if enough of the plant is alive.
The burnt leaves will drop off and a new set will emerge in the spring.It should be fed in March to encourage the new growth.
As a last resort, cut the plant off at the ground and wait to see what happens next spring. You might be
The signs of water stress always shows up on the outer most portion of a plant leaf and then proceeds inward.
surprised but I’d be prepared to replace it with a new plant if nothing happens by Mothers Day.
QCan the dried juniper needles be used as mulch around rose bushes?
ASure, you can use juniper needles as mulch; however, they can be very prickly so I would wear gloves when working around the bushes.
You can also use the natural debris from pines, cedars, red-
wood and oak trees for mulch as long as it’s not diseased.
I’d use this material as my base and then cover it with a commercial product to give it a
cleaner look. A three-inch layer of mulch is recommended and it should extend beyond the drip line as roses have a wide-spreading root system.
Feeding Trees and Shrubs
Continue
Flowers
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 $5 by placing your ad on our website at castrovalleyforum.com or sanleandrotimes.com. We’ll call you for your credit or debit card info for payment.
To place an ad by phone call Patrick Vadnais at 510-614-1560, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
CONCRETE SERVICE
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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.
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MISC. FOR SALE
1975 Thompson 23’4” Pleasure boat, indoor/ outdoor motor and trailer. $650. Needs work. CeCe 510343-4298 or Sharon 510 935-8763.
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You can place a FREE “MISC. FOR SALE” ad for items $50 or less at: sanleandrotimes.com or at: castrovalleyforum.com or more info call Patrick Mon-Fri. 9am-1pm at 510-614-1560 (some restrictions may apply)
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RENTALS
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RENTALS/RV SPACES
RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $950/ month. Call 510-481-9901.
What is the difference between a will and a trust? Some of my friends seem to use the terms to mean the same thing?
By Gene L. Osofsky, Esq. SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
AA. Yes, many people do use the terms interchangeably, but in reality they are quite different legal documents, although they often work together to form a complete estate plan.
A Will is a document that directs who will receive your property at your death and only goes into effect upon your demise and then usually only in the context of a court proceeding, called a probate. By contrast, a Trust takes effect as soon as you create it and usually does not require court supervision either during your see OSOFSKY on back page
A WILL OR A TRUST? Many people do use the terms interchangeably, but in reality they are quite different.
60 Years Later: Refecting On Life With Disabilities
By Jagmeet Kaur Sangha SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Over the past 60 years, understanding and supporting disabilities has profoundly transformed. Whereas people with disabilities were often marginalized or institutionalized, society has moved toward creating environments that promote independence and inclusivity.
Rene’ Besold is a retired director of human resources and training who lives in Castro Valley. She recently shared a powerful story about the lived experience of a family caring for a now-63-year-old adult with a disability, whom we’ll refer to as Liesa, to protect her privacy.
Liesa was born with an extra chromosome and diagnosed as being developmentally disabled. At the age of three or four, doctors told Liesa’s mother that she would be better off sending Liesa to an asylum since she would have no chance of ever leading a productive life. Instead, her mother raised her alone for ten years, refusing to give up.
Rene’ met Liesa’s family when she was 27. She was instantly drawn to helping and supporting Liesa’s independence and development. When Rene’ learned that if Liesa’s mother were to pass, Liesa would be sent to state care, she inquired about becoming Liesa’s co-conservator.
Rene’ explains that the
strain became too much over the years, and Liesa’s mother began seeking a placement to provide her daughter with a
structured living environment and educational support. They discovered The Cedars of Marin. In this world-renowned program, individuals with various diagnoses can live independently within a community, engage in prosocial activities, and lead productive lives.
Today, Liesa lives in a group home with others. They are all responsible for independent living and being an adult. She can now write her name and speak. She makes and sells art and cares for animals.
ene’ shares, or over fve decades now, The Cedars of Marin has provided impeccable nurturing, teaching, constant caring, and loving reinforcement, and Elle is now a highly
functional, outgoing, articulate, and accomplished adult who brings countless hours of joy to those she meets. Those who are different bring greatness in their own ways. If those of us who are so-called “normal” give them a chance and the resources to become productive members of society, then most will succeed beyond our wildest expectations.
I hope this story inspires you. We are in a new era of awareness and access to resources that enable all individuals to lead meaningful lives. Let’s continue to build on this progress in the future.
Jagmeet Kaur Sangha is a board-certifed Behavior Analyst who lives in Castro Valley. Her organization, Behavior 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
Senior Meals Program
Senior Meals are for all in the community ages 60 and up and guests. These delicious lunches are freshly prepared each day at Spectrum’s cooking kitchen by the loving hands of our chefs. A nutritious lunch and friendship enhances physical and mental well-being.
An annual registration is required along with an advanced reservation at the meal site. For
each meal a $4 contribution is requested, but no eligible senior will be denied a meal due to an inability to give. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Meal tickets (good for 10 meals) are available at the meal site for $35. These never expire and are accepted at all Spectrum Meal Sites. For more information, visit: www.spectrumcs.org/
From the Boulevard: Heart And Soul in New Orleans
By Thomas Lorentzen SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Normally, I write my columns from my home in Castro Valley. This one, however, is being composed from New Orleans. For the last few days, I have resided in an aged building that is now a hotel. Her name is Place d’ Armes. It is in the heart of the most historic part of the city – the French Quarter. The rooms are nice. The courtyard is courtly. A block away is the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis – the oldest Catholic cathedral in continued use in the U.S. Outside the hotel, a lively jazz performance is taking place. It is only noon. A block away is the Voodoo Bar, which I visited last night. Not only are bars and restaurants ubiquitous, so are art galleries. It is an interesting neighborhood in an interesting city. Hence, this essay.
As I write, I refect. There is a broad menu of subjects available. Among them are cuisine and costume, providence and principle, music and meaning, race and reason, and purpose and progress. What I settle upon is an integration of all of them. It was born while imbibing chicory coffee yesterday at the famed Café Du Monde. Although it was early morning, an ad hoc jazz team was performing. I noted an elderly woman sitting in her wheelchair/walker. She was tapping her feet to the music. As she tapped, she sang. The musicians greeted her. She was obviously a regular. I snapped a photo of her on my phone. I found her fascinating.
Depend On Us
During Your Time of Loss
Why
After completing my coffee and tipping the musicians, I started to walk back to my
hotel. As I did, I spotted the woman standing nearby. Her face was an etching of time and history. We smiled at each other. With that, I took the liberty to introduce myself. Her name is Jeanne Marie. She told me her age. She is 85 years old. She is a native of Algiers – a neighborhood in New Orleans that is on the other side of the Mississippi River. She expanded our conversation - telling me the story of her life. Her story fowed to her parents and grandparents. She weaved on with thoughtful refections and views. I listened and learned. She is broad in experience, and rich with
wisdom. As the temperature and humidity increased, they became inimical and minatory. I suggested we move to the shade. We did. I asked if I could take a photo of us. She smiled and said “Gladly.” Before ending our visit, I asked if a hug would be appropriate. Again, she said “Gladly.” We hugged, and then departed for cooler destinations. Although we will never meet again, our visit was signifcant. She shared her life and wisdom with me. Despite the heat and humidity, it was a refreshing experience. It was, from my perspective, a spiritual visit. It happened one morning with a special person in the French Quarter of New Orleans. From this point forward, I will never think of New Orleans without thinking of Jeanne Marie. She is from the heart and soul of this famed city.
Shelter: It’s Important to Realize That The Unhoused Still Deserve Respect
continued from page 5 in a sober living community. One space that FirstPres has created is its recovery cafe, which has been open for about a year. The cafe is where people can feel at home and earn dignifed income (gift cards). People can create jewelry, dog toys, leashes, and more that are sold.
“I chose to get sober because of my addiction, and all that is what got me homeless,” Hee said. “I was invited to the recovery cafe and recovery circle that, you know, motivated me to stay sober.”
Hee said that FirstPres not only helped her stay sober but also helped her communicate. The FirstPres staff helped take her to the DMV and get her new ID. Hee was also completely deaf when she frst found FirstPres but through the shelter and church she could get hearing aids and communicate better. She now works to live independently with the help of transitional housing.
FirstPres has continued to cultivate a space where people can feel at home. FirstPres uses the defnition of home that Steven Bouma-Prediger highlights in “Beyond Homelessness.”
The book defnes home as a place of permanence, dwelling, resting, hospitality, embodied inhabitation, orientation, affliation, and belonging. Through these efforts, the shelter has welcomed and helped many community members.
One of those rebuilding their lives is Richard Mackowiak (40), who has worked
Maria Odete Camacho
November 23, 1945 ~ July 29, 2024
Maria Odete Camacho, age 78 of San Leandro, died on July 29, 2024, after a two-year battle with lung cancer. She was surrounded by her family and passed away peacefully.
Maria was born in Madeira, Portugal and came to the U.S. in 1977 settling in San Leandro, where she lived for 45 years with her husband of 53 years, Manuel Camacho until his death in 2021.
at FirstPres for two years. He started out volunteering at the Hayward shelter where he was staying. Mackowiak was unhoused for fve years and had been struggling with staying sober.
“I was getting clean and sober, and I was living there, trying to get work. And I met Dan, the maintenance manager here,” Mackowiak said. Mackowiak used to do construction, started helping the maintenance manager, and was eventually hired. The general community often demonizes unhoused people, as evidenced by the new laws being passed. It’s important to realize that those people still deserve respect.
“Not everybody’s here because they want to be. I don’t want to be here, but it was just a misfortune of what happened to me. Yeah, and the (general) community doesn’t understand that. The people here do,” Fuller said.
William Nielsen Creer
April 20, 1931 ~ August 6, 2024
William Nielsen Creer, 93 of Castro Valley, California, passed away on August 6, 2024. He was surrounded by his loving children. He was born on April 20,1931 in Spanish Fork, Utah to William Clayton Creer and Ardella Nielsen Creer and was one of four children with two sisters and one brother.
William or Bill as he was more commonly referred to attended Brigham Young University, Utah State University and UOP School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Bill also proudly served as a Captain in the Air Force during the Korean War.
Bill married the love of his life, LaRae W. Creer, on July 11, 1956, in the LDS Manti Temple. They were married 68 years. They were blessed with fve children: Jolyn (Michael) Denevi, Shauna Smith, Bradley (Michele) Creer, Kyle (Shelly) Creer, Leisl (Chad) Burns.
It was Bill’s pursuit of dental education at UOP School of Dentistry that brought Bill and LaRae to the Bay Area. After his graduation, they settled in Castro Valley, where Bill established Valley Dental on Lake Chabot Road.
For 44 years, Bill dedicated himself to his practice, earning the respect and admiration of his patients and staff, he was referred to as a “Dental Legend”.
call is all that is necessary to start the process.
Call Today: (510) 889-7110
2419 Grove Way, Castro Valley
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Maria then moved to Castro Valley to be closer to family. Maria enjoyed cooking, gardening, crocheting and spending time with her family and grandchildren. Maria is survived by her son Rui Camacho of Pleasanton, daughter-in-law Victoria Camacho, grandsons Jared and Steven Camacho, daughter Ana Sousa of Castro Valley, son-in-law Martino Sousa, and grandchildren Nicholas, Alexander and Sabrina Sousa. Maria is also survived by two brothers in Portugal, a sister and brother in Venezuela and numerous nieces and nephews. Maria was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, she will be deeply missed. Funeral Mass at Saint Leander’s Catholic Church in San Leandro will be held to remember and honor Maria at 10:00 am, on Tuesday, August 27th, all are welcome to attend.
Bill was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where he held several leadership positions, and later served in the Oakland temple.
Family was everything to Bill. Of all his roles, the one he cherished most and above all was that of Husband, Father, Grandpa to 18 grandchildren and Great Grandpa to 21 great grandchildren. Bill’s legacy of love, service, and dedication will be remembered by all who knew him.
Memorial Services were held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 3pm at The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, 3900 Seven Hills Road, Castro Valley, California.
In Lieu of fowers please consider donating to nephroticsyndromefoundation.org, Smiletrain.org or specialolympics.org
Tom Lorentzen with Jeanne Marie in New Orleans.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Ollie Kusiak
Our Athlete of the Week is Ollie Kusiak. This Creekside Middle School student is the “Bat Kid” for the Oakland Ballers’ inaugural season. In addition to assisting players with their baseball bats, Ollie also helps the umpires by bringing out new baseballs.
“Being a Bat Kid for my favorite baseball team is a very great experience. I’m really part of the team.” Kusiak told the Forum.
Being the Bat Kid is also very tiring, he added. Even though he has a great view of the game, he’s in the dugout and must be ready for anything. Almost every at-bat, Kusiak runs out to get a foul ball or collect gear.. and you have to hustle, he says.
“It’s about six baseballs used in an inning,” Kusiak said. “If you do the math, that is about 54 baseballs a game. You have to be ready to run out at all times because you never know when you will have to go out.
The Ballers play at Raimondi Park in West Oakland. This week, they are playing the Northern Colorado Owlz. Their next home game is August 27, when they host the Idaho Falls Chukars for a six-game series.
Teacher: Johanson
continued from front page
I call it ‘After School Lessons’ and did it with the help of students,” Johanson says. “I’m going to print up copies and give them to whoever wants them.”
Incoming seniors are featured in the comic book, including Kai Riley as Batman and Sophia DeMiguel as Bobbi, the “bad girl” villain. The students posed for photos which Johanson edited and cartooni ed. he fnal draft may be viewed online at issuu. com/sierrasplendor.
Johanson has been at Castro Valley High for 26 years. He advises the award-winning “Olympian” student newspaper and says he’s fortunate to work with our students.
’ve got a terrifc ob. love the students and feel privileged to work with the kids of our community,” he says.
One highlight for his students happened right before COVID. At one of Gavin Newsom’s 2018 campaign events, a student asked if he’d interview their class if he won the election. The cameras were rolling, so Newsom could hardly say no. He laughed, agreed, won the election, and followed through. In January 2020 the students got a 20-minute video interview with the governor of California at the State Capitol— a rare privilege for high schoolers.
SCHOOL
ic book, “After School Lessons,” featuring incoming seniors Kai Riley as Batman and Sophia DeMiguel as Bobbi, the “bad girl” villain.
“Teaching Journalism class is really special,” says Johanson. “We get to work on interesting and meaningful pro ects together. We put out seven print editions per year and have big plans to use video. We’re hoping to have a regular show on our YouTube channel.”
The Castro Valley High
Olympian newspaper may be viewed online at cvhsolympian. com/, including the interviews with Newsom. Johanson’s books and essays may be found by searching his name on publication and bookselling websites, including Amazon. More information is available on his inked n profle.
Osofsky: Wills and Trusts Each Have Their Advantages and Disadvantages
continued from page 10 lifetime nor upon your later demise.
A Trust is a legal arrangement whereby you, as Trustor, transfer property to a Trustee, who then manages the assets according to the Trust terms for the beneft of your designated enefciaries, who would typically be you and your spouse during your lifetimes, and then to your ultimate enefciaries upon the later demise of both of you.
The initial Trustees would typically be you and your spouse, and the succes-
sor-trustee would typically be the survivor of the two of you, and thereafter your child(ren) in the order you designate. However, you could, instead, designate others to serve as your successor trustee, such as a trusted friend or even a Professional Fiduciary. As initial “Trustees”, you and your spouse (or the survivor of you) would continue to control and manage your assets as before, albeit as “trustees” of your own trust.
A Will only directs the disposition of assets that are in your name when you die.
A Trust, on the other hand, typically serves a “dual role”, in that it controls the use and disposition of assets both during your lifetime, as well as upon your later demise. This difference can be very signifcant if you are, for any reason, unable to manage your fnancial affairs during your lifetime, due – for example –to declining cognitive ability.
Note: Your Trustee can only administer assets that have been formally transferred into your Trust, usually by re-titling assets into the names of the trustee(s), such as by a new
deed. Example: your home might be transferred via a deed from, say, “John & Mary Jones, husband and wife”, to “John & Mary Jones, Trustees of the Jones Family Trust”.
A Will typically requires a formal probate proceeding upon your death, which is a court proceeding wherein the administration of your estate is overseen by a udge who approves actions taken or proposed by your Executor, albeit consistent with your Will. By comparison, a Trust Administration following the demise of the Trustors is usually handled without court oversight, by your designated Successor Trustee, and is typically a less expensive, speedier and more private process than probate. Not surprisingly, most persons opt to create a Trust for the lifetime management, and later ultimate disposition, of their assets.
Note: Neither a Will nor a Trust control assets held by you in oint tenancy, nor insurance policies payable to
individual benefciaries, or fnancial accounts designated as “Pay on Death” or “Transfer on Death” accounts. Those assets go
to the surviving oint tenant or to the designated benefciaries, and are usually not controlled by either a Will or a Trust.
Typically, both a Trust administration and a Probate proceeding would be handled with the assistance of an attorney, but the legal fees for a Trust Administration would usually be less and the process speedier.
Finally, a Will becomes part of the public record and is therefore available for anyone to view, while a Trust usually remains private.
Wills and Trusts each have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, a Will allows you to name a guardian for minor children and to specify funeral arrangements, while a trust does not. On the
other hand, a Trust can be used to plan for disability during your lifetime, for asset management by your successor trustees if doing so becomes too burdensome for you, and may be useful if you need to apply for a Medi-Cal subsidy to help with long term care expenses.
Unfortunately, many people who set up Trusts neglect to transfer all of their assets into their trust. That is where a companion Will can help: the companion Will, often called a “pour over” Will, can direct that assets inadvertently left out of the trust be transferred into the trust by a later court order, in order to achieve a coordinated plan of disposition. 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 him, please email: Gene@LawyerForSeniors. com or call (510) 247-2555.
The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athlete of the Week Ollie Kusiak
AFTER
LESSONS: CV High Journalism teacher Matt Johanson and students created a com-
