VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Legal Dispute at Marketplace Puts Stop to Outdoor Dining
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Last week, the patio between the Marketplace and Knudsen’s Creamery Building on Castro Valley Boulevard became the center of a legal dispute that is currently dampening some customers’ outdoor dining plans.
On August 18, tables and chairs were removed from the paseo following a preliminary injunction issued by Alameda County Judge Frank Roesch. Castro Valley
Investment Group (CVIG) fled a complaint against the Castro Valley Marketplace, Slice House Pizza By Tony Gemignani, and others, saying the Marketplace group entered into a lease with Slice House with the promise of outdoor dining on property that the Marketplace does not own. The Marketplace counters that the paseo falls under public use in the same way that everyone can use the parking lot, whether behind the Marketplace or Canyons BBQ.
see MARKETPLACE on page 11
Where to Put New Homes?
By Amy Sylvestri CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
The State of California says more than 4,000 new housing sites must be built in the County’s unincorporated areas over the next several years—but where will they go?
At its meeting this Monday, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) heard yet another update on the Housing Element of the County General Plan.
During the information-only item (no vote was taken), County staff told the MAC that higher-density housing would be necessary to meet the community’s needs.
The County says 1,251 units of very low-income housing (households earning less than 50 percent of the area median income), 721 units of low-income housing (50 to 80 percent of median income), 763 units of moderate-income housing (80 to 120 percent of area median income), and 1,976 units of above-moderate-income housing (over 120 percent of area median income) need to be see MAC on page 11
Talent Takes to Two Stages for Fall Festival
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Get ready for some serious Rock and Roll, Jazz music, singing, and dancing next month.
This year’s Fall Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, on Castro Valley Boulevard between Redwood Road and Santa Maria Avenue. Presented by the Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, more than 125 vendors and attractions will again line the center of the downtown district.
Two stages will border the festival
at both ends of the event: the Redwood Stage (closest to Redwood Road) and the Bedford Stage (closest to Santa Maria Avenue), which is named after Castro Valley native Jim “Bedford” of Bedford Studios. The frst performances start at 10 a.m. each day and continue throughout the day.
The main stage near Redwood Road will spotlight musical talents, including a special performance by the Castro Valley High School Madrigals on September 7. This a cappella student choral group competes nationally each year and often wins prestigious awards. see FESTIVAL on page 10
This year’s Fall Festival will feature amazing performances such as fan favorite Wadaiko Japanese Drumming out of Newark.
The Slice House will open on September 14. Will tables and chairs return to the paseo in time?
Almanac
Moon Phases
‘Magical Night’ at Marketplace
By Jack Leal SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Castro Valley resident Terri Wamsley and her seven best friends wanted a relaxing evening to decompress and unwind. Wamsley, a Breast cancer survivor, thought what could be better than a lady’s night out with a bottle of wine.
The group settled on “The Wine & Magic Experience: An Indulgence of Fine Wine and Sophisticated Magic” in the Cordial Bottle Shop at the Castro Valley Marketplace on August 17.
Vicki Olivera, Wamsley’s friend who organized this outing, attended the event last year and thought she would introduce it to her tribe to
celebrate Wamsley’s successful remission.
On stage, Castro Valley resident Douglas McCay took the audience on a wine-tasting journey with three custom-selected wines and a regal blend of his passion for close-up sleight-of-hand magic to wow and stupefy.
With his experience in the wine industry, McCay says his show is a “symphony of sophistication, where the artistry of wine blends seamlessly with the allure of magic.”
With his peppy fnger snaps and crooked grin of confdence and poise, McCay “curates an evening of enchantment, where every sip and trick combine to create a truly unforgettable moment.”
McCay told the Forum that magic and the art of sleight of hand are so powerful because they unleash “our primordial need for a sense of wonder.”
As the night aged, the more the audience unlocked their capacity to be kids again, looking at life as if they weren’t in the driver’s seat but along for the ride. It was a beautiful moment of smiles and laughs, magic and wine, healing and renewal.
“It was a magical night,” Wamsley said. “My favorite part was the card tricks. I couldn’t fgure out how he did it. I had a great time celebrating with all my friends.”
For more information on McCay’s performance visit: https://www.thecharismaticconjuror.com/
Terri Wamsley (third from left) and her friends smile after a night of wine and magic by conducted by Douglas McCay at the Castro Valley Marketplace.
BY MIKE McGUIRE
shows choices for improving Bay Area transit to a visitor to the Bay Area Plan 2050+ booth at CV Farmers Market on August 24.
Bay Area Plan 2050+ Stops by Castro Valley Farmers Market
By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
The lines were longer to buy strawberries at last Saturday’s Castro Valley Farmer’s Market. However, two regional planning agencies still drew plenty of people to talk about making the Bay Area a better place in the decades to come.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) met with shoppers on Saturday, August 24, to gather public feedback about the Bay Area’s vision for 2050.
It was one of 18 such sessions throughout the nine-county Bay Area held by the two agencies on their way to producing a fnal report y mid-2025.
“We’re about halfway through our planning,” said Bay Area Plan 2050+ Project Manager Chirag Rabari, himself a Castro Valley resident.
“We want to see what most people would want in the environment, housing, and transportation,” he said.
Staff members from the MTC and other agencies like AC Transit spoke with visitors to their booth just across from
the Castro Valley BART station. People were encouraged to fll out a sur ey in person or online, and put dots indicating priorities on several boards offering various ways forward into the future.
Rabari explained that Regional Plan 2050+ implements several requirements by state and local governments and is a limited update of Bay Area Plan 2050, passed in 2021.
One board showed the vision for the year 2050 that the hosting agencies have. They hope for twice as many people biking, walking, and taking see PLAN on page 10
Sherif’s Report
Busted for Drugs
Sunday, August 25: At 4:03 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 53-year-old woman with no permanent residence on suspicion of possessing illegal narcotics. The woman was hanging outside a grocery store on Redwood Road near Castro Valley Boulevard when deputies stopped her for question and discovered her stash. The woman was taken into custody.
Domestic Assault
Friday, August 23: At 2:24 a.m., a 9-1-1 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to an apartment on Center Street near Grove Way. There, they arrested a 32-yearold man from Castro Valley on suspicion of assault on a family member and child endangerment. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody. The victims were treated at the scene.
Embezzlement
Wednesday, August 21: At 9:05 p.m., a 23-year-old CV woman was arrested on suspicion of embezzling from her employer. Deputies were called to a business in the Castro Village Shopping Center on Village Drive after the store manager decided to press charges. The woman was taken into custody.
Methamphetamines Drugs
Tuesday, August 20: At 3:25 p.m., deputies arrested a 42-year-old woman with no permanent residence on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine drugs and related drug paraphernalia. The woman was see REPORT on page 10
CV Woman May Have Premeditated Shooting Homicide
Thursday, August 22:
Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 36-year-old Analleli Garcia Mejia in connection with the August 20, 2024, homicide of her ex-boyfriend, 43-year-old David Ramirez.
During the investigation, detectives say they developed information and video evidence showing Garcia Mejia’s actions may have been pre-meditated. Garcia Mejia was taken into custody and booked into Santa Rita Jail this past Thursday. The incident began two days earlier following a report of a shooting at a residence on the 16000 block of Carolyn
Street in unincorporated Castro Valley. Deputies found Garcia Mejia with a gunshot wound to her leg. Paramedics took her to the hospital for treatment. Ramirez was found unresponsive in another room with a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Deputies failed to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The initial investigation considered this an isolated incident stemming from a domestic dispute. The investigation is ongoing. The case has been passed on to the Alameda County District Attorney’s ffce
MAKING THE BAY AREA A BETTER PLACE IN DECADES TO COME: Transit 2050+ co-manager Andy Metz
PHOTOS
David Ramirez Analleli Garcia Mejia
Labor Day is next Monday, September 2.
This federal holiday, celebrated on the frst Monday of September, honors and recognizes the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.
For most of us, we see it as a fnal hurrah, an ode to the unoffcial end of the summer season. So, before the days begin to get shorter and the temperatures (and leaves) begin to fall, why not take the opportunity to have an outdoor celebration while the weather is still pleasant.
Here are a few of our favorite better-served-outdoor recipes to try this Labor Day. You will not be disappointed.
CLASSIC CHEESEBURGERS
Saffower oil, for grill
1-1/2 pounds groundbeef chuck (80 percent lean)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 slices sharp Cheddar cheese
4 large hamburger buns
1 beefsteak tomato, cut into 4 slices
1/2 onion, cut into 1/4-inch rings
4 teaspoons mayonnaise
4 lettuce leaves (greenleaf, Boston, romaine, etc.)
East Bay Living
Fire up the grill and celebrate the unoffcial end of the summer.
Preheat grill to mediumhigh; brush grates with oil.
Gently form beef into four 1-inch-thick patties, about 4 inches in diameter. Make an indentation in the top of each patty. Generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
Grill burgers 3 minutes. Flip, top with cheese, and grill 4 minutes for medium-rare.
Toast buns face-down on grill until just lightly charred, about 30 seconds. Spread them with mayonnaise.
Place burgers in buns with to- mato, onion, and lettuce. Yields 4 burgers.
PICNIC BBQ CHICKEN
1/2 cup Grey Poupon yellow mustard
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 pound fresh boneless chicken breasts
Mix mustard, brown sugar, oil and vinegar. Divide mixture in half.
Rinse chicken; pat dry. Place chicken breasts on the grill, and baste with half of the mustard glaze. Cook until internal juices run clear and meat thermometer in thickest part of the chicken reads 170°F. Serve with remain- ing glaze.
Refrigerate leftovers immediately. Makes 4 servings.
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup mustard
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 small green or red cabbage, shredded (about 6 cups)
2 medium carrots, shredded (about 1 cup)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Blend mayonnaise, mustard and vinegar in large bowl. Add cabbage, carrots and parsley; toss to coat well. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to blend favors. Serves 8.
DEVILED EGGS
6 hard-cooked eggs
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon mustard
1 teaspoon vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste Garnish: paprika
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
2 cups four
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash nutmeg
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs, separated
Additional sugar
2 pints of fresh strawberries, stemmed and sliced
1 cup whipping cream, whipped and swettened
Sift four, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg into a large bowl. Cut in butter to resemble coarse meal.
Place eggs in a pan large enough to hold them in a single layer and add cold water to cover them by an inch. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes.
Plunge eggs into iced water and cool until just warm. Tap the eggs all over against a hard surface and remove shells and inner membrane, beginning with the large end, by rolling the egg between the palms of your hands.
After peeling, slice eggs in half lengthwise and carefully remove the yolks, leaving the whites intact.
Lightly mash the yolks with the mayonnaise that has been combined with the sugar, mustard, vinegar and salt and pepper. Heap the mixture into the whites with a spoon and refrigerate. Garnish with paprika. Yields 6 servings.
In a bowl, blend meal and egg yolks with a fork. Stir into four mixture to make a soft dough. Divide dough into 6 portions, form into balls. Pat balls out on greased baking sheet into 3-inch circles, moistening fngers with egg whites. Brush biscuits with egg whites and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake in preheated 425°F oven 10 to 12 minutes until golden. Remove to rack and cool. Sweeten strawberries to taste. Halve biscuits horizontally. On plates, fll and garnish with strawberries and whipped cream. Serves 6.
CVSan Labor Day Holiday
Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan) offces will be closed on Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day. Please call (510) 506-5821 for sewer emergencies. Visit cvsan.org for more information regarding CVSan services and programs.
Recycling, organics, and garbage collection services will occur on Monday, September 2nd as scheduled by Alameda County Industries (ACI). Please call ACI at (510) 483-1400 with billing or questions or visit: alamedacountyindustries.com/ CVSan.
GOLDEN SLAW
Arts & Entertainment
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
TOMORROW • Thursday, August 29
Cream Puffs with a Cop
Join Us for “Cream Puffs with a Cop” event! Brought to you y the la eda ounty heriff’s ffce eard apa’s astro alley we’re hosting a special e ent on ugust 29 from 5:30-7:30 PM at Beard Papa’s Castro Valley (3295 astro alley l d ne ree ini uff for the frst attendees; Chat with Deputies; Family Games; Meet Beard apa lenty of co unity engage ent his is a fantastic opportunity to connect with our local heroes en oy so e delicious treats and ha e fun with the whole fa ily
Saturday, August 31 & Sunday, September 1
Annual Dahlia Show
he an eandro ahlia ociety will e presenting their annual dahlia show Saturday, August 31, 11am to 4:30pm and Sunday, September 1, 9:30am to 2:30pm at the San eandro u lic i rary studillo e ahlias co e in a ariety of si es shapes and colors and will a a e e eryone undreds of loo s and it’s ore inforation can e found on their we site slds clu
Friday, September 6
Plethos Presents: ‘She Kills Monsters’ Opening lethos roductions is ringing the ungeons and ragons ad enture he ills onsters to eirloo ast ay in astro alley epte er n oy this fun and touching show under the stars on the eadow stage at eirloo ast ay ickets are selling fast at plethos org his show is reco ended for audiences age and up
Saturday, September 7
Soroptimist Garage Sale Benefts Women oropti ist arage ale to eneft wo en takes place aturday epte er fro a to p at o erset e etween edwood d and anta aria e here will e wo ens en’s clothing shoes purses loads of kids and tween clothes pu les ga es s all appliances icrowa e toaster o en in a for coffee aking household goods art supplies offce supplies and ore o donate call ynn e in at
Saturday, September 7
CV Women’s Club Annual Sale Extravaganza! he astro alley Wo en’s lu is holding its nnual ale tra agan a of curated gently used treasures here’s so ething for e eryone and these ite s are waiting for a place in your ho e rofts fro this sale will eneft the lu ’s cholarship rogra awarded to astro igh tudents at the end of the school year top y the Wo en’s lu at edwood oad astro alley on Saturday, September 7, between 9 am and 3 pm. For more infor ation please contact ois ngellis
Saturday, September 7
Jazz Singer Paula West at CV Center for the Arts aula West internationally acclai ed ca aret a artist sings selections fro reat erican ong ook and pop rock icons aula will e oined y her trio in this li e usical concert astro alley enter for the rts edwood oad ree arking
Sunday, September 8
Conversation Group for Adults at CV Library re you an adult nglish anguage earner Would you like to i pro e your nglish con ersation skills he astro alley i rary is hosting a con ersation clu e ery unday fro p to p he ne t four dates are epte er and oin us to i pro e your nglish y chatting with new people a out interesting topics in a friendly group. Registration is required. For information, please isit www acli rary org or call
Paula West Comes to CV September 7
By Terry Liebowitz SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
can’t elie e ’ in astro alley hat was a co ent kept hearing after the success of the su er usical he unch ack of otre a e nd in fact this is astro alley rts oundation’s th season of providing “Big City ntertain ent in the eart of astro alley e t up at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts is internationally acclai ed ca aret and a singer aula West aturday September 7 at 7:30pm. Adam Shulman (piano), Aaron Gerain ass and eon oyce r will oin aula on stage aula’s gigs ha e included ca aret a clu s and concert halls with stops at the White ouse uropean capitals apan and srael ater this fall she will perform her new show reathing e ocracy at a and in ew ork he is known for her fun and innoati e progra s s e pected she sings from the Great erican ong ook ut she
always includes so e pop rock icons such as o ylan oni itchell and len a p ell to i it up elling a story is what like to do he lyrics are the most important thing,” Paula shares.
Born into a Marine Corp family, Paula grew up in an iego and after college o ed to an rancisco where she disco ered her lo e of a At the time, she haunted the any record stores in the city disco ering all the greats n fact she has een co pared to illie oliday and ena orne he ew ork i es says o singer can e all things to all people ut s West co es as close as any a singer nowadays to carrying off that impossible feat.” o e en oy this e ening of li e usic with aul West and ehold a true usical treasure urchase tickets at c artsfoundation org shows or call astro Valley Center for the Arts, edwood oad here are handicap acco odations and free parking
up at
Next
the Castro Valley Center for the Arts is internationally acclaimed cabaret and jazz singer, Paula West, Saturday, September 7 at 7:30pm.
By Carl Medford, CRS
to
Prop 19 Opens the Door for Statewide Moves
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
My daughter, a new homeowner living in another state, called me excitedly to announce, “Dad, the county just doubled my house value!” “Don’t get excited,” I responded, “they upped your value to increase your property taxes.”
Thanks to Prop 13, California residents do not face this scenario. Approved on June 6th, 1978, property
ta es are f ed at the point of purchase and increases are limited to 2% annually until the property is sold or upgraded with permits.
Rather than seeing yearly gains like most homes elsewhere in the country, California ho eowners eneft from consistent, predictable tax bills year after year.
Under Prop 13, property taxes are set at an average rate of $1.25 per thousand dollars of purchase price. As an example, a home purchased for $400,000
Experience Matters!
Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home? Call for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
Ken Kremer
REALTOR® BRE# 00550782
Ken Kremer, Broker, CRS, ABR, SRES 510-301-1957 KrEmerTeam@aol.com
would have their property taxes set at $5,000/year. Some counties, such as Alameda, also provide a onetime credit upon purchase that can lower taxes up to $70 a year.
While a boon for those living in their homes a long time, due to the rampant increases in home values, a problem arose when homeowners wanted to sell and relocate elsewhere in California. As an example, a couple who bought an Alameda County home for $400,000 in 1999 sold that home in 2021 for $2,000,000. The couple had made a number of improvements over the years so that at the point of sale, their taxes had risen to $7,344. Upon the sale, however, the new owners were confronted with a yearly tax burden of $24,310/year – a whop-
ping increase of $16,966/ year. As a result of these increases, many sellers who wanted to relocate chose to stay rather than incur higher taxes when they moved – even if the home they bought cost less than the home they sold.
To compensate, California introduced two bills: Prop 60 allowed 55+ aged homeowners to transfer their existing property tax base to another home in the same county. Prop 90 allowed transfers between cooperating counties. Unfortunately, only a few counties participated, dramatically limiting the choices for 55+ homeowners.
Realtors lobbied for an expanded policy and in 2020, Prop 19 passed allowing transfers across all 58 counties in California. Consequently, eligible homeowners can relocate state-wide without worrying a out signifcant tax increases. Qualifying persons wishing to relocate should contact the county assessor’s offce in the county they wish to move to since each county has separate local nuances, documentation requirements and deadlines.
Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general contractor. This
Pruning Doesn’t Interfere with Azalea’s Blooming
By Buzz Bertolero
The Dirt Gardener
QMy white Azalea has grown about three feet tall and four feet wide. The white fowers cover the plant when it blooms. How do I prune it and still maintain the heavy blooming?
AThe best time to prune Azaleas is after they fnish loo ing However, it still can be done now. You can shape the plant by trimming it lightly with a pair of hand shears or heavily with an electric trimmer. Pruning doesn’t interfere with the blooming cycle. The size of the canopy usually dictates the mass of color as Azaleas bloom on the current year’s growth. I wouldn’t expect you to see much new growth if you prune now. So, the canopy size would be smaller than last year, and so would the mass of color. You could also consider waiting until next year to prune. I’d continue fertilizing with Azalea, Camellia, and Rhododendron Food to encourage the growth. This should be done monthly through October. Osmocote, a time-release fertilizer, is another option. Osmocote releases some nutrients with every watering, and you can apply it twice a year, four months apart.
What is the difference between moles and gophers? I believe I have a gopher in my garden; others say it’s a mole. My onion and bean plants are disappearing, and the roots of one of my roses have been eaten. I’ve tried gopher poison pellets, but they remain untouched.
In California, moles and gophers are too different problems with different controls, while in other states, they are the same pest. Moles do not eat plants. Instead, they forge or tunnel the soil surface for insects, grubs, and earthworms. There are traps and poison baits, but I think the best way to control moles is to eliminate food sources. Without a food source, they move elsewhere to feed. Mole Med or Grub Beater is a repellent made from Castor Oil.
It coats the soil bugs, making them undesirable. Another option is enefcial e atodes They seek out and destroy grubs and soil insects but not earthworms. Both products are environmentally safe and are recommended for use around pets and kids. Gophers, on the other hand, will eat plants. They live in burrows, travel about two feet under the soil in runs, and come to the surface with exit holes. Gophers are much harder to control than moles. Flooding, trapping, poison baits, and gas bombs are the primary methods of controlling gophers, along with hundreds of home remedies. It’s all trial and error, as there is no sure-proof answer. The major mistake people make with gopher controls is not wearing gloves. The human scent traces alert the gophers so they avoid the control. Also, the controls need to be placed on the major runs, not the exit holes. From your description, you have a gopher(s). Living next to an open space makes the problem much harder to solve. You may need to contact an exterminator that controls rodents. Buzz Bertolero is an Ad-
vanced California Certifed Nursery Professional. The Dirt Gardener’s website is www.dirtgardener.com, and questions can be sent by email to buzz@dirtgardener.com.
WEEKEND GARDENER
Lawn Dry Spots
With the summer gardening season winding down, look for bargains for your fall landscaping projects. Flowering plants in gallon containers such as lantana star as ine owering vines and zonal geraniums are on sale at some nurseries and home centers.
Disposing of Fallen Fruit
Continue to water and fertilize fruit trees after the harvest is gone. They need nutrients to produce a good crop next season. Give yellowing azaleas, citrus, rhododendrons and camellias
Deep Water Trees
rolong fuchsia loo s y picking off the faded owers and yellowed leaves. Cut back branches to force side branches and owering ertili e and water the well eed chrysanthemums until their buds begin to show color and open. Continue to gently shape roses by pruning suckers, unwanted branches and spent blooms.
Select Plants Carefully
Most nurseries care for their plants meticulously, but in summer a missed watering can stress a plant severely. Check plants carefully when buying. Foliage should look perky and lush without dry, browned edges.
PAGE (84”) 1/2 PAGE (48”)
1/4 PAGE (24”)
4X5 (20”)
3X4.5 (13.5”)
2X5 (10”)
2X4 (8”)
2X2 (4”) 1X4 (4”) 1X3 (3”)
On September 7th and 8th, over 50,000 people are expected to attend the annual Castro Valley
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.
lthough ortgage rates ha e stayed relati ely at o er the past couple of weeks softer incoming economic data suggest rates will gently slope downward through the end of the year. Earlier this month, rates plunged and are now lingering just under 6.5 percent, which has not been enough to motivate potential homebuyers. Rates likely will need to decline another percentage point to generate buyer demand.
BUZZ BERTOLERO
By SarahRMadden - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons. wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11770345
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.
Thanks to our many Readers who SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!
CONCRETE SERVICE
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 trimming, topping or removal, garage cleaning & debris removal. Insured & Bonded #8189. Jerry 510-410-2427.
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 G G ARDENING ARDENING /T /T REE REE S S ERVICE ERVICE
HAULING: Small and Big Jobs. Furniture, Concrete, Wood, Trash, Metal, Demolition. Also house inside/ outside cleanups. 510-715-1578.
WANTED -Reeltoreel music tapes. Also need Tesla Model S charging cable. Patrick 510-5173351. HOME SERVICES GUIDE
Help for the homeowner means business for you! To Place an Ad ... Call 614-1558
GARDENING
JAIME’S GARDENING Maintenance, Trimming, Cleanups, Hauling, Sprinkler Repair/ Timers. FREE Estimates. Insured. 510-299-9583
NAVA'SCOMPLETE LANDSCAPING: Mowing, trees, cleanup, hauling, FREE estimates. 510 512-5857.
Free Haircut with hair donation for Wigs for Kids. Call Yumi for details!!! (510) 407-0436.
for the homeowner means business for you!
REMODELING? How about a new kitchen or bath? Check the TIMES "Classified Ads" & The TIMES "Home Service" ads for help!
Are you interested in buying or selling a home or property?
Would you like the help of a Professional Agent? For assistance call ...
RENTALS
LANDLORDS – Advertise your units! Avacancy day is money lost forever ... R. Bowman
RENTALS/RV SPACES
RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $950/ month. Call 510-481-9901.
SUNROOM/PATIOCOVER
abovetherestpatio.com yelp, facebook, nextdoor Financing OAC. Lic#803409. 209-834-1771
TREE SERVICE
*ACAREFULTREE SERVICE. Certified. Arborist. Lic.#694067. Trimming, Removals. FREE Estimates Bonded. Call 510-581-7377.
Plan: Most Popular Items on Board
continued from page 3 transit, 35 percent more downtown development, seven times as much affordable housing (to bring it up to one million units), and 780,000 new acres of parks and open space
On a related board, people chose how to make that vision, or a similar one, a reality.
The most popular item was new housing for all income levels. Expanding access to parks and open spaces and preparing for climate change’s effects were also popular.
Lagging further behind were building a better regional transit system and maintaining existing roads and transit.
On a board for reducing climate-changing emissions, the most unpopular was charging people more in various ways to drive solo. The most popular was transit improvements to get more people to use transit,
followed by expanding transit into new areas, and making using electric vehicles more accessible.
Andy Metz, co-manager for Transit 2050+, the companion transportation plan, walked people through possible choices for improving Bay Area transportation. Notably absent from those choices was new or expanded roads to ft ore cars ptimizing existing highways was an option, but one that fewer people chose compared to noncar alternatives.
On one display board, people were asked whether to improve existing transit or expand it into new areas. They seemed to favor expansion slightly over improvements.
Another board looked at safety concerns on transit, which are sometimes blamed for holding down ridership.
Station cleanliness and adding crisis intervention staff received the most support, while more unarmed ambassadors, police offcers or security cameras received less support. Better lighting, though, was popular.
The transit improvement most cited by participants was an expanded 15-minute service between Bay Area cities, followed by express buses between suburbs. Fewer people chose f e inute service frequency in downtowns and dense urban areas, and improved mid-day service.
One can get more information on the Plan 2050+ website at PlanBayArea.org. You can take the survey in English, Spanish, Chinese or Vietnamese at: https://planbayarea.org/ news/news-story/public-comment-period-survey-open-planbay-area-2050.
Former Teacher Pleads ‘No Contest’ To Sexual Relationship with Student
Keita Hasegawa, a former music teacher at Castro Valley High School and Creekside Middle School, avoided prison ti e after entering a plea of no contest on ugust according to court records.
Hasegawa, 32, was arrested last September and charged with having an emotional and
sexual relationship with an 11-year-old student while she attended Creekside in 2021 and 2022 and then later molested her on and off campus when she attended CVHS. The issue came to light in the Spring of 2023 when the student informed the school administration that Hasegawa had
shared inappropriate content on his phone.
Hasegawa was placed on administrative leave. He posted $600,000 bail soon after his arrest and spent the last year with an ankle monitor. Hasegawa will be required to register as a sex offender for life as part of the deal.
Report: Had a Suspended License
continued from page 3 parked along a stretch of Palo Verde Road near Palomares Road when deputies arrived and discovered her stash. The woman was handcuffed and taken into custody.
Driving with a Suspended License Monday, August 19: At 12:52 p.m., a 31-year-old woman from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license. Deputies
stopped the woman outside a gas station on Castro Valley Boulevard near Stanton Avenue for a traffc iolation when they discovered her license had been suspended. The woman was taken into custody.
Festival: Rock Band, Drummers
continued from front page
The Madrigals will be followed by Classic Rock and Pop from bands like The Doors Tribute band Door Jam, Manchild and the Circuit, and perennial favorite Take Cover.
On Saturday, be on the lookout for Phantom Power. This hard rock band formed in 2021, and its members have played at several prestigious venues such as The Catalyst Club, Keystones, The Stone, Slims, Sleep Train Pavilion Marysville, The Concord Pavilion, The Fillmore SF, The Hard Rock LA & SF. Whiskey A Go Go, The Viper Room, and The Troubadour.
On Sunday, the Redwood Stage gets in the mood with the n wing a rchestra followed by surf rock band The Reverbivores, 70s rock band Heartless Benatar, and tribute band Sounds of Skynyrd. Then, the Festival will close out with Latin-inspired Rock & Roll from Los Daddios.
The smaller Bedford community stage will host dance performers and local groups, including classical performers, acapella groups, and even Japanese Taiko drummers.
On Saturday, the Bedford stage will kick off the day with Belly Dancing by Pharaoh’s Dream, followed by the Castro Valley School of Music and the Phil Santos Violins. Dancing performers from Bedazzled Dance Studio and Dance Live Dream Center highlight the afternoon with a close-out by rock and pop tunes by Fleet Street.
Be on the lookout for the Newark Wadaiko Japanese Drumming performers. Wadaiko is the Japanese term for the traditional style of drumming known in the Western world as Taiko. This group really gets the crowd going.
On Sunday, Troupe Journey will wow audiences with Belly Dancing, followed by the Joan Bascom Singers. The rest of the day will spotlight the music of Julie Courtney and Eric Moehle, Bedford Studios performers, Dance from Castro Valley Performing Arts, and demonstrations from members of Pallen Martial Arts. Joan Bascom will return to the stage to close out the festival.
Visit the Chamber website for more details (edenareachamber.com).
Read, like and share this article on our website. Visit: www.mycvforum.com
Teach My Daughter How to Think, Not What to Think
Dear Editor,
My daughter is enrolled in Honors English this year. er frst assign ent is to re iew a work y lug e isola Rhuday-Perkovich. The author seems to expound a position where we are all inherently either racist or victims or racism. The students are told to analyze the work and show how the evidence presented supports what the author is claimingspecifcally state her purpose and you will e plain what she does to pro e this clai f the student dou ted her evidence, there is no pathway for using critical thinking skills to present a divergent viewpoint.
he teacher wrote the frst paragraph which the students ust incorporate n part it reads huday erko ich is a member of the group, Brown Bookshelf, which advocates for representation of African-American writers for children. n her essay she slowly eco es aware of the racis she is subject to in the world. (She)...demonstrates there are nearly invisible biases in society that are impossible to penetrate, or so eti es to e en see and then the ias is re ealed eeding ore than ust y own iewpoint asked another educator (with two decades classroom experience) his opinion he assess ent s for the punctuation don’t know can’t get past the blatant progressivism and social activism in what’s supposed to e an nglish course continue to plead with to teach y daughter how to think not what to think n the interest of will see if future assignments convey (compel?) centrist and conservative viewpoints as often as progressive ones. We shall see.
Business Shenanigans at Castro Valley Marketplace
–Stacy Spink, Castro Valley Dear Editor,
Wow! How unfortunate for Castro Valley to have such small minded business shenanigans happening in what could e a i rant set of storefronts t’s no wonder the new arketplace can’t hold any tenants, having to contend with such petty re enge fro neigh oring owners ’ sure the courts will fnd in fa or of the original lease agree ents and we will eventually have a nice outdoor space for our community to en oy eanwhile the uilding that houses the ce rea ery (which also has greatly reduced indoor space and apparently, now, limited outdoor seating as well.) and other new shops trying to survive, is beginning to look like a HazMat site. SHAMEFUL! With NO regard in return.
–Tamara Blackley, Castro Valley
A Question of Character
Hopefully, Americans tuned in to watch both political conentions t is our responsi ility to educate oursel es a out the candidates whom we are electing to lead our country. One of the most striking difference between the DNC and the RNC was references to character. During the DNC there were numerous references to Kamala Harris’ positive character. She was described as empathic, caring, loving, understanding and willing to listen to others. During the RNC, there were no references to Donald Trump’s character. No one described him as empathic and caring. No one talked of his hearing them out and understanding the n essence there was nothing positive to say about his character.
–Robert Thomas, Castro Valley
Many thanks to the folks on the corner of Santa Maria and a ison for the eautiful ower garden en oy e ery ti e go to the post offce
–Midge Lewis, Castro Valley
One visions for a less car-dependent Bay Area shown on a display board at the Bay Area Plan 2050+ booth at the Castro Valley Farmers Market on August 24.
Marketplace: Paseo
continued from front page
According to county parcel records, CVIG CEO Robert Chau owns the entire 2,500-square-foot paseo—formerly a driveway to access the back of the Knudsen building. Despite years of concept sketches and discussions of outdoor dining for the public, Chau said the paseo s offcial function is as a pass-through to allow people to enter and exit either building. The legal terms include the words “ingress” and “egress”.
Since the launch in 2020 and the aftermath of COVID-19, outdoor seating has been made available. Diners have enjoyed the space with and without music. Pop-up vendors have also set up temporary stands to sell their wares.
CVIG said the trouble began after it subleased part of the outdoor passthrough as a dining space to the Marketplace’s former tenant, the Cannery Kitchen & Tap Room. When the Cannery left, CVIG said it offered to extend the lease so that Marketplace could enter into a new sublease with Slice House Pizza to offer dining on the paseo.
According to CVIG Attorney Mark Poniatowski, CVIG and the Marketplace have yet to settle the management and maintenance agreement terms and handling seating for the pizzeria and other merchants around the paseo.
“We tried for over a year to negotiate a settlement that would allow Slice House to operate on the Paseo on terms even more favorable to Marketplace than the Cannery Lease, but Marketplace refused and dug in their heels. Marketplace proceeded to lease the Paseo to Slice House without Mr. Chau’s consent. Litigation was the absolute last resort for Mr. Chau to protect his property rights.”
Marketplace lawyer Bryan Silverman called the lawsuit an overreach and told the Forum the Marketplace does not need to pay because the paseo is part of a previous shared parking and community gathering space agreement. Additionally, Silverman says any sublease
with the Cannery was signed ut not re uired for the specifc use of the paseo.
“The contract between property owners doesn’t allow one property owner to charge another for their shared and equitable use of these spaces,” Silverman said. “This is an attempt CVIG to proft off a right to an easement agreed upon by the previous owner.”
CVIG’s Chau told the Forum he is very much in favor of allowing dining along the paseo as long as a sublease is in place.
“I just want the paseo to be beautiful,” Chau told the Forum. “For years, the Marketplace has failed to maintain the paseo in a safe and clean condition and allowed the space to fall into disrepair. I want to ma e sure it sta s in frst class condition for the residents of Castro Valley.”
Meanwhile, the Slice House by Tony Gemignani announced its offcial opening at the Marketplace on September 14. The company recently installed outdoor signage and is expected to open its doors with limited indoor seating.
On Saturday, the Castro Valley Marketplace owners launched a public campaign, including a petition to “Save the Paseo” (https://castrovalleymarketplace.com/paseo/). The site describes the patio area in great detail and provides its history up until now.
Supporters of the Marketplace, Slice House, and Tony Gemignani have proposed on social media that people bring their chairs from home to sit outside and eat pizza on the paseo.
However, there may still not be much space for people to sit. CVIG has erected a construction fence on two-thirds of the paseo as part of its multimillion-dollar upgrade to the Knudsen building. Poniatowski said the current construction has been put on hold pending a review by PG&E.
Lawyers with CVIG and the Marketplace declined to comment on any countersuits or counteractions if the injunction becomes permanent.
MAC: a or ites dentifed Locally for ew ousing
continued from front page created by 2031. About 1,777 total would be allocated to Castro Valley.
a or sites identifed locall as possible areas for new housing development include the Bay Fair BART station parking lot, the Sheriff’s substation at Foothill Boulevard and 150th Avenue, and the First Presbyterian site adjacent to Trader Joe’s.
Additionally, the Castro Valley BART station area and the Lucky’s grocery store area could be potential future housing sites. There are no frm plans for construction, which will occur as the developers and the market dictate, just a broad plan for housing needs. There will be further opportunity for public comment on the Housing Element at the September 16 County Planning Commission meeting. You can learn more about the Housing Element at www.acgov.org/ cda/planning/housing-element/ draft-element.htm; public comments are open until September 23. The draft will then be submitted to the State Department of Housing and Community Development for a 60-day review, as state law prescribes. After the State tells the County whether the draft Housing Element is consistent with state statute, another round of public meetings will be held. Then, the County Board of Supervisors will be asked to approve the fnal document.
In other MAC land use news, the Council approved a
plan to allow the construction of a parking garage at a single-family residence at 16551 Russel Court and the construction of a single-family dwelling on a vacant lot on Robey Drive at the intersection of 170th Avenue.
The MAC also approved a permit to continue operating the 80-acre Sequoians recreation facility at 10200 Cull Canyon Road- the nude members-only club.
The Sequoians facility has been operating since 1947. It is a privately operated, clothing-optional camping and recreation clu ith an offce recreation hall, swimming pool, snack bar, seven cottages, tent area, RV areas, and a variety of recreation facilities and hiking trails.
The new permit doesn’t have
a request for new/ additional construction, just continued operation.
Although the Sequoians have been operating quietly for close to 80 years, there was some push back in extending their permit due to Measure D, the 2000 legislature, which limits construction in the Canyonlands in order to protect open space.
“We aren’t allowed to do something or anything with our property since Measure D passed,” said one speaker. “I don’t think it’s fair for the rest of us in the Canyons.”
The new permit doesn’t have plans for new/ additional construction, just continued operation.
MAC Chair Chuck Moore did question whether the facility would be permitted
Florence L. Soldahl
Sept. 3, 1924 - July 26, 2024
Florence Soldahl of Castro Valley, passed away peacefully from Alzheimer’s. She was almost 100 years old. Married to Dr. Thomas A. Soldahl, PHD. of CSEB (deceased 2000). She realized a dream to earn a college degree at age 50. Florence was faithful, a remarkable leader, innovative and well traveled. She is survived by 3 living children, and family. There will be a Memorial service Sept.1, 2024 at 2p.m. 20080 Redwood Rd. Faith Lutheran Church Castro Valley. Livestream - www.facebook.com/faithlutherancv/videos To honor Flo’s legacy, you are invited to donate to a cause that you love.
if it were proposed as new construction today, but ultimately the MAC unanimously approved the permit, as the Sequoians long pre-dated Measure D.
Speaker Bruce King of the Friends of the San Lorenzo Creek said he wants to ensure the pool and spa drainage site is ell identifed and a a from the Creek.
“It’s not okay to drain things into the Creek,” said King. The MAC made pool/ chlorination elements a condition of their approval.
Delivering the local news is what we love to do ur publications have done ust that for over years and if all goes well we will continue for years to come he reality however is that as our wee ly revenue cycles up and down and printing delivery costs increase it forces us to be creative in staying true to our mission and eeping a oat here may come a time and sooner than later that we are forced to ma e the diffcult decision to forgo a print edition but provide the same news and content solely on our website f that s the case now that we are committed to resuming business as usual but in the meantime that you can always view your current edition of the Castro alley Forum at mycvforum com s always many than s to our loyal advertisers and readers for their ever appreciated support For those who would li e to contribute please visit
mycvforum.com/donate
A ‘Great Catch’
Typically, we celebrate those using a rod and reel to bring in the Great Catch. But this week, we are celebrating Julie Booher, a Castro Valley resident since 1975 who was just in Omaha, Nebraska, for the St. Stanislaus Church annual Polish festival. Booher entered and won the “Big Salami” in a contest. The local TV news station even interviewed her because she came from the San Francisco Bay Area. Booher says the salami was big enough that she was interrogated at TSA when they X-rayed her backpack.
Briones Project Survey
East Bay Regional Park District is seeking feedback from trail users who have hiked or ridden on the trails in the Briones Pilot Project zone since the project launched in April 2023. Public input will help planners make project decisions and consider future plans, both for this project and districtwide.
To provide feedback, visit the project’s webpage at www. ebparks.org/bpp and scroll to ro ide eed ack to fll out an online survey or add a comment on the pilot project’s interactive map.
The Briones Pilot Project was designed to test new ways to safely share trails and improve the trail experience for all users while protecting habitat, wildlife, and watersheds in Briones Regional Park. Longtime efforts to close bootleg trails, restore habitat, and anage con icts on the trails had not been effective, and Park District planners wanted to try something new. Before the pilot project was launched, a community meeting was held in the park where ideas were discussed and shared with park planners. Many of the ideas from the community were added to the design of the Briones Pilot Project.
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
CV Girls Varsity Volleyball
Our Athletes of the Week are the Castro Valley Girls Varsity Volleyball Team. The Trojans dominated Brentwood’s Heritage High School Patriots by a score of 3-1 (1225, 24-26, 26-24, 18-25) in a non-conference match on August 22.
The Juniors were at the top of the kill leaderboard, with Tessa Smith having 18, Ava Hinrichsen having 12, and Dasha
Barmina having 9. Junior setter Maddie Lew had seven service aces, and Freshman Niya Guzman had three aces right at the end of the last set to help the Trojans clinch the win. Maddie Lew also had a record-high 35 assists.
astro alley plays its frst ho e ga e of the season tonight with JV at 4:30 and Varsity at 5:30, hosting Moreau Catholic.
The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week Girls Varsity Volleyball
Easy Ways to Start Exercising
By Mitch Rothbardt SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Irecently heard someone say that personal trainers always preach to the converted. In other words, everything we talk about tends to be focused on people who already know something about exercise and nutrition. In light of that, I want to talk to people who want to start exercising but don’t know how. ere are f e easy ways to start exercising.
1. Walk. If you’re starting fro ero the frst step is simply to go for a walk. If you never walk, start with an easy 10-15 minutes once a week. It’s that simple. The key is picking something you know you can do and building on it.
2. Be honest and realistic about your goals. So many people think they should “lose weight” or “get in shape” just because they think that’s
what they’re supposed to do. Take the ti e to fgure out what you really want, and why,
and you’ll have a much better chance of achieving it.
3. Have fun. Figure out something you like doing and do it. If you hate walking, maybe that’s not for you. Don’t like lifting weights? Maybe that’s not for you. Remember, we’re just talking about getting started, so make it something you enjoy so you’ll stick with it.
4. Keep it simple. I know this can be overwhelming, but don’t let that get to you. It’s not as hard as some make it out to be. In fact, the simpler you make it, the better your chance of success.
5. Talk to someone. Did you know there are people who specialize in helping people who have never exercised and
getting them started in a safe, fun, and effective way? Find someone you’re comfortable with and who’s worked with others like you.
It’s about progress, not perfection. Everyone wants results, but feeling like you are miles away from your ultimate goal makes it harder to get started. Just think about getting a little better consistently. It’s more realistic and *BONUS* it’s actually better for you in the long run!
My motto is “The best thing you can get from a workout is the desire for another one.” If you start exercising with that in mind, you’ll likely stick to it. If you stick to it, Well, that’s when the results start happening. Mitch is the owner and head trainer at Castro Valley Fitness. He loves answering your ftness questions at the dog park with Penny, Max, and Tex or by emailing him at: Mitch@ CastroValleyFitness.com.