CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
COUNTY REPORT
Teachers Ready for First Day of School
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Long before Castro Valley public school students arrived for their first day of school this August 7 morning, teachers, staff, and administrators prepared the classrooms and themselves for the 2024-2025 academic year.
A mere 24 hours ago, many teachers were putting the final touches on their fun and inspirational decorations, quiet reading nooks, and activity spaces, where they will spend 180 instructional days shaping young minds and instilling a love of learning.
Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) has more than 9,200 students, 4,200 of whom are see SCHOOL on page 11
Castro Valley Comic Con
By Jack Leal SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Comic book lovers, merchants, and colorfully costumed characters assembled this past Sunday, August 4, transforming Castro Valley’s Moose Lodge into Ohana Comic Con.
Based out of Turlock, California, the traveling comic book convention and its vendors pack, display, and repeat every weekend year-round throughout the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento areas.
Ohana Comic Con founder Ziggy was extremely friendly to the crowds that came out and was grateful to return to Castro Valley this year.
“I used to put on baseball card shows 35 years ago, and it kind of dried out, so I ended up opening a video game store,” Ziggy told the Forum. Fast-forward to 2016, and I had some guys put on a comic con in Modesto. They wanted me to sell tickets but only gave me a quarter of the proceeds.”
Not thinking it was worth it, Ziggy squeezed a deal to
get free admissions to the conventions and ended up selling more than 100 tickets.
“So, my wife, two daughters, and their husbands all went,” Ziggy said. “Then they looked at me and said, ‘We used to do this with baseball cards.’”
The convention is unlike most commercial Cons because most vendors made their own products. One table was decked out with Deadpool masks run by Cody Steffenson, who 3D-printed all his merchandise.
see COMIC on page 11
Crisis of Affordable Housing
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Finding an affordable place to live will become nearly impossible in the next ten years unless state and local governments create nearly 100,000 homes, apartments, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), according to a county housing report.
The 114-page report released last week by the Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department is a culmination of housing reports filed by 14 cities and towns in the county. The main finding is that the county needs 92,833 new affordable housing units for low-income households and 2,200 new shelter beds for the homeless. Experts say the county needs to generate up to $27 billion in local investment to meet that goal.
“Affordable housing is getting harder and harder to find, particularly for our lower-income residents,” County Housing Director Michelle Starratt told the Forum. “Homelessness is historically high, production of affordable housing has lagged behind need for decades, and more than a third of all households pay more than 30 percent of their income towards the cost of housing. The vast majority of the see HOUSING on page 7
PHOTO BY JACK LEAL
Brandon McKinney and his son at their post selling prints and comic books.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTRO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Castro Valley Weather August 7
Almanac
Moon Phases
Kiwanis Club Provides School Backpacks for Local Children
Continuing a service tradition that spans more than 25 years, the Hayward-Castro Valley Kiwanis Club recently met and assembled sixty fully-stocked backpacks that will be delivered to two Castro Valley elementary schools and the Salvation Army. Students and families sometimes find themselves in need of support at Back-to-School time and the Kiwanis Club is helping to ease the challenge so students can fully benefit from the fine education offered by our schools. The backpacks will be delivered later this month and school staff will manage distribution to students.
In addition to sponsoring and managing many community service events, the Hayward-Castro Valley Kiwanis Club charters and mentors youth leadership at three local high schools: Castro Valley High School, KIPP King High School, and Leadership Public
School. The Club also has a youth affiliate club - Circle K – at Cal State University, East Bay. For more information about how the Kiwanis Club supports our community, see the Clubs Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1494299851070736
In our July 24 story on vacant storefronts along Castro Valley Boulevard, we incorrectly reported that a new owner is being sought for the former Carry Outee and two adjacent storefronts. According to Intero realtor David Wilhite, the parcel is available for lease, and the current private owner wishes to find new tenants. The Forum regrets the error.
Local Artist Bad Heart Bull’s View of The World Reflected in His Paintings
By Mike McGuire
Residents may know Vincent, a man who talks with people and sometimes paints outside San Leandro’s Rite Aid on MacArthur Boulevard, just off Interstate 580.
What they may not know, however, is that Vincent Bad Heart Bull spent a lifetime painting about what he’s seen and experienced both as an individual and as a member of the Sioux Nation. His last name, Native in origin, refers not to a medical condition but to his ancestors’ troubled heart as they saw the world.
His paintings don’t hang in famous museums but in the homes of friends and community members.
“I try to show what my father saw, what we’re seeing in the world. People see different things,” he said. “People see things in them I don’t see.”
Vincent’s grandfather, Amos Bad Heart Bull, was a famous Native American artist who chronicled the Sioux for decades in stories, drawings, and paintings. His grandfather contributed most of the art for the encyclopedic “A Photographic History of the Oglala Sioux,” published by the University of Nebraska Press. He even helped design Nebraska’s state capital.
could not paint in oils because he was in a federal prison, where authorities consider them a fire hazard. Vincent says he never seriously harmed anyone, but lesser offenses did add up to years “inside.”
While in prison, Vincent claims to have been beaten repeatedly by guards. He left prison mostly paralyzed on one side, with some damage to his bones, and is disabled for most work, despite being a certified welder. He is receiving medical care and is learning to use his right hand again for painting.
Sheriff’s Reports
Woman Wanted for Stolen Property
Sunday, August 4: At 2:08 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 52-year-old woman from Castro Valley as part of a warrant issued for her capture. The woman was previously convicted of possessing stolen property. Deputies served the warrant in front of a business on Castro Valley Boulevard and Redwood Road. The woman was also found with illegal drug paraphernalia and was taken to Santa Rita Jail.
Joy Ride Ends in Arrest
Friday, August 2: At 3:22 p.m., a 38-year-old man from Castro Valley was pulled over and arrested on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest. The man was also found to have a warrant issued for his arrest concerning a previous charge of possessing stolen property. Deputies stopped the man on Anita Avenue near Castro Valley Boulevard. The man put up a struggle but was handcuffed and taken to Santa Rita Jail.
His father painted as well, and even as a four-year-old, Vincent would get up before dawn to gather eggs for breakfast. After that, his dad would paint, sometimes quickly enough to sell the paintings that day to buy groceries for the family’s dinner. Vincent says he learned his craft from watching his father paint.
“We didn’t speak much, but I watched everything he did,” Bad Heart Bull said. “You can really learn something well by just watching someone work.”
If he can, he plans to soon head to college in his sixties to finally learn how to paint in oils to supplement his work in acrylics and watercolors.
For years, Bad Heart Bull
He has other problems creating his art, however. A garage fire in his rented house, caused by faulty wiring, damaged or destroyed many of his paintings. The rent is also going up, and so he will need a new place to live. His brother-inlaw’s military pension and his own disability benefits only go so far, he said. On his limited income, he also has trouble paying for art supplies so he can keep painting.
“Any help people can give so I can keep painting would be a big help,” Vincent Bad Heart Bull said.
Bad Heart Bull does not own a computer. If interested in his art or supporting his painting, please contact him via his local friend Bernie Duer at bernie.duer@gmail.com.
Ten Easy Steps to Creating a Bird Friendly Garden
There are few things more rewarding than drawing birds to your garden and providing all the elements they need
to survive. Stop by the CV Library this Sunday, August 11 at 2 pm for a talk by long-time gardener Jennifer Dirking.
She’ll take a look at gardening from a bird’s perspective and then delve into the ten elements that can transform your garden
into a bird paradise. Attendees will receive a free packet of native wildflower seeds to try out in their own gardens.
Caught with Stolen Recyclable Metal
Thursday, August 1: At 10:58 p.m., deputies arrested a 41-year-old woman with no permanent residence on suspicion of possessing stolen metal intended to be recycled. The woman was traveling on Strobridge Road near Castro Valley Boulevard when deputies pulled her over and found the vehicle filled with copper, aluminum, and other materials from a work site. The woman was taken into custody.
False ID and Stolen Property
Tuesday, July 30: At 2:51 p.m., a 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen property and providing a false ID to authorities. Deputies stopped the man for questioning outside the Castro Valley BART Station on Norbridge Avenue when they discovered the man had a warrant issued for his arrest on a previous conviction of identity theft. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.
Thrive in a community dedicated to your success.
PHOTO BY MIKE McGUIRE
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Vincent Bad Heart Bull shows a painting of butterflies done on paper. It survived a fire in his garage that damaged or destroyed other artworks.
PLETHOS PRODUCTIONS
Murder Mystery Dinner
Come one, come all, to experience an evening of fine beer, delicious dining, and a side of murderous mayhem! Plethos Productions presents “Summer of Peace, Love, and Murder” this Friday to Sunday, August 9-11. All performances at 7pm at Drake’s Barrel House (1933 Davis St, San Leandro).
For this interactive Murder Mystery Dinner, immerse yourself in the vibrant 1960s hippie culture. Slip into your best bohemian attire and join the Children of Sunflowers, a diverse group of passionate activists, at their sit-in protest at Drake’s Barrel House. see PLETHOS on page 7
Shyanna Bryan as Juniper in Plethos’ “Summer of Peace, Love, and Murder” this Friday to Sunday, at Drake’s Barrel House (1933 Davis St, San Leandro).
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
• August 12th - The Lateral Replacement Grant Program begins at 7:30 a.m. Questions? Call (510) 606-1300 or visit cvsan.org/LRGP
• August 19th - Finance Committee Meeting.
• August 20th - Business Services Committee Meeting.
• August 20th - Wastewater Committee Meeting.
• September 2nd - Labor Day Holiday (CVSan Closed).
• September 3rd - Regular Board Meeting.
• September 7th and 8th
- Come see CVSan at the 52nd Annual Castro Valley Fall Festival.
• September 10th - Operations and Engineering (O&E) Building Project Neighborhood Meeting.
Please note the above event schedule is subject to change. All CVSan Board and Committee meetings are open to the public. For complete meeting details and information about CVSan’s services, programs, and events, please visit cvsan.org.
THIS SUNDAY
Concert Benefits FESCO
By Sherry Mattson SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
FESCO, the Family Shelter in Hayward, invites you to “Come on down” to their Concert in the Park this Sunday, August 11th from 1 to 5 pm. It’s an afternoon of great music at Memorial Park behind the Hayward Plunge, 24176 Mission Blvd. The Giant Garage Spiders is the featured band and they’ve long been FESCO fan favorites for their wide repertoire of oldies, classics and current tunes.
CASTRO VALLEY SANITARY DISTRICT
CVSan Office: (510) 537-0757 Sewer Emergencies: (510) 506-5821
Environmental Services since 1939 | cvsan.org
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
TOMORROW • Thursday, August 8
Castro Valley Library’s Summer Concert Series
The Castro Valley Library is thrilled to announce the lineup for the 2024 Summer Concert Series. Taking place on the second Thursday evening of the month from July through September, the shows feature a diverse collection of artists and musical genres. Thursday, August 8 at 6:30 pm, is local vocalist and blues harmonica virtuoso Mark Hummel. Mark, a Grammy nominee and winner of two Blues Music Awards, will blow you away with his performances of West Coast blues, Delta blues, Chicago blues, swing and jazz! No registration is required for these shows. Bring your lawn chairs…bring the family…bring a picnic!
Saturday, August 10
This free concert, sponsored by H.A.R.D. and the Hayward Odd Fellows Lodge, is a fund-raiser for FESCO, with light refreshments available for purchase along with a live raffle. Concert-goers can bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets and spend the afternoon listening and dancing if they wish to the toe-tapping music. The concert is part of the popular series of eight Sunday concerts in August and September benefitting area non-profit organizations. See the entire schedule on the H.A.R.D. website.
FESCO (Family Emergency Shelter Coalition) is one of the few shelters in the area that takes in whole families with children, including teen-age boys and single fathers. Their program provides case management, shelter and the needed resources to help families return to self-sufficiency. They’ve been doing this vital work with unhoused families since 1986.
Did we mention free parking and family-friendly fun? It’s all a part of the Concert in the Park on Sunday, August 11th. Your support will make a big difference for the families that call FESCO their temporary home!
College Preparation Workshop at Castro Valley Library College Lists! is a workshop for current high school seniors where participants get a 1:1 meeting with an experienced college consultant who will help you create a list of target colleges–ones that “match” their academic and personal interests and which are likely to be affordable. The workshop will take place this Saturday, August 10 from 11am to 2pm. To register contact the Castro Valley Library at 510-667-7900.
Saturday, August 10
Davis Street Health Fair in San Leandro
This Open House will introduce you to the myriad of health services that you can receive at our Primary Care Clinic. Come by and get your blood pressure checked, receive a dental exam, find out about flu and/or COVID vaccines; get all the information you need to manage your health. Event takes place this Saturday, August 10 from 10am to 1pm at 3081 Teagarden Street in San Leandro.
Saturday, August 10
Splash Day (for Teens) at Meek Estate Park
The Hayward Area Recreation and Parks District is having a free event this Saturday, August 10 at 1 to 3pm at the historic Meek Estate Park. Teens (13-17) join us and keep cool and with the ultimate summer send-off! Beat the heat with inflatable water slides, water games and delicious ice cream that’ll make your taste buds dance. It’s a day packed with sunshine, laughter, and endless fun! For any questions, call 510-881-6700 or email info@haywardrec.org. Register at haywardrec.org/register (Activity #29980).
Sunday, August 11
Concert in the Park Benefits FESCO
Plan on spending a fun Sunday afternoon from 1 to 5pm listening to live music at Memorial Park, Hayward (24176 Mission Blvd.). It’s a great way to support FESCO, the Family Shelter; light snacks will be available for purchase plus a live raffle. If you’re a band fan, you’ll love the Giant Garage Spiders! Free admission, free parking.
Monday, August 12
Movies at the Morrisson: Japanese Cinema
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District invites you to join them every Monday in August at 7pm at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre for their series: Movies at the Morrisson: Japanese Cinema. Inspired by H.A.R.D.’s Japanese Garden, moviegoers will explore the rich tapestry of Japanese cinema, from timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, while celebrating the country’s cultural legacy through the lens of its most visionary storytellers. On August 12, the movie will be Godzilla. The Douglas Morrisson Theatre aims to involve and enlighten the community and is located at 22311 N 3rd Street in Hayward. Before every movie, the film curator will share a brief introduction about the film and director. To purchase tickets or learn more visit douglasmorrissontheatre.thundertix.com/
PHOTO COURTESY OF PLETHOS PRODUCTIONS
REAL ESTATE GALLERY REAL ESTATE GALLERY
REAL ESTATE REALITY
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
GUEST COMMENTARY
Renter Population Outpacing Homeowners
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Times
While 2024 Q2 year-over-year home ownership
grew nationwide by .6% to a record 86.3 million, it was outpaced 3-to-1 by an increase in renters, growing 1.9% in the same period. Ironically, this number
WEEKEND GARDENER
Wildfire Protection
Hot, late-summer weather is right around the corner and it is time to pay attention to fire safety around your home and yard, especially if you live in a wooded hillside area. You should maintain a defensible space—a minimum of 30 feet—around the house, with all shrubs pruned to three feet of less. Remove dead and flammable debris, including tree branches lower than eight feet from the ground. Keep climbing plants away from buildings and fences. Sweep gutter, eaves and the roof of leaves and other debris.
Bulbs
When storing bulbs, shake them free of soil and let them dry in a sheltered spot for several days, then place them is plastic bags filled with sand, vermiculite or peat moss. Poke holes in the bag for ventilation and store in a cool, dry area.
Flowers
Feed azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons with an acid fertilizer for the last time this year to help them set buds for early spring bloom. Continue feeding begonias, fuchsias and summer annuals. Feed chrysanthemums until their buds begin to show color and open.
is down from a previous high in Q1 which saw a 2.8% increase; the highest rise since 2015. It also marks the third straight month where renter numbers grew faster than homebuyers.
Put succinctly, the high cost of housing is forcing increasing numbers to look to rentals instead of purchasing a home.
A Redfin article released August 2, 2024 by Lily Katz and Sheharyar Bokhari highlights the dilemma, stating, “America’s renter population is growing as the cost of homeownership climbs; mortgage payments are up 90% from before the pandemic, while asking rents are up 23%.” It has been a double whammy for those hoping to buy: the rampant mortgage rate increases that began in May, 2022 coupled with a limited inventory of homes for sale has sent home prices skyward at an alarming rate.
All of this comes at a time when California is facing a housing shortage, and politicians are scrambling to keep a lid on the soaring costs of occupancy by instituting ever increasing measures to cap rental rates and limit landlord’s rights over their own properties. In contrast, many rental property owners are struggling to make ends meet as they are facing significantly higher costs of ownership, including mortgage rates, soaring
maintenance costs, insurance rate hikes and more. Coupled with the loses of rent sustained during the pandemic, many landlords need to increase rents just to break even. And therein is the rub: California has granted permission to local cities and counties to implement ever stricter measures to limit rental rate increases.
There is no question that rents are high. Ironically, with the rampant increases in property values over the past five years, rental rates have fallen significantly behind. This fact alone keeps many investors from buying local rental properties since, given the high costs of owning and operating local rentals, there is no way they can break even, making any such purchase a poor investment. While many have adverse feelings towards investors, they do provide housing opportunities. It is also important to understand that they are not running charities: they need to see a return on their investments to make it viable.
Bottom line, one thing is clear: the system is definitely broken.
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.
Homes
Housing: Funding Recommendations
continued from front page households impacted are of lower income, and, with rents increasing faster than incomes, more and more of these households will lose housing or be displaced.”
Starratt noted that the public is now invited to provide feedback and submit comments for six weeks. The 45-day comment period is expected to culminate with a community housing summit in Castro Valley on September 17, sponsored and likely moderated by County Supervisor Nate Miley to review his district’s needs and discuss options.
Recommendations in the report for funding these affordable housing needs include general obligation bonds such as Measure A-1, which voters passed in 2016. Inclusionary housing fees are also suggested. Contra Consta and Marin County have established similar measures, but Alameda County would require new planning codes county-wide; Alameda County could also impose impact--or linkage-fees. While it would boost unincorporated areas like Castro Valley and the Eden Area, it would be difficult to pass, considering it would impose costs on new commercial development.
financing district (EIFD) plan. While it would not require voter approval, the county must decide the type of new development to be subject to possible EIFD annexation. Of course, there is the traditional Sales Tax Ballot measure. These taxes add percentages to general purchases and could generate about $150 million annually. This tactic would be in addition to the current Measure W, which county voters passed in 2020. Other novel revenue ideas include a residential vacancy tax on properties that have been vacant for more than 182 days.
Finally, there is a Transient Occupancy Tax that requires voter approval to generate additional funds for affordable housing.
To access the report, visit www.achcd.org/reports.
According to the report, another source of income would be an enhanced infrastructure
And to leave your comment, access this form: https://forms. office.com/g/Dp03cBBRPT.
Plethos: Murder Mystery
continued from page 4
If you believe in love, nature, and the power of the collective voice of the community, you’re in the right place. Audiences get to interrogate suspects while enjoying delicious dinner and fine beer from Drake’s Barrel House. Piece together the truth by finding clues, uncovering weapons, and puzzling out motives – you’re the star of this show as you try to answer the age-old question: whodunit? Prizes will be awarded to the sharpest investigators who solve the crime, and don’t miss your chance to compete for the best-dressed in our 1960s hippie-themed costume contest!
Join Plethos for their 4th annual Murder Mystery extravaganza! Get your tickets now at plethos.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
You can run a classified ad for a little as $35 a week. Your ad runs in both of our newspapers, the Castro Valley Forum on Wednesday and the San Leandro Times on Thursday. You can also save by placing your ad on our website at castrovalleyforum.com or sanleandrotimes.com. We’ll call you for your credit or debit card info for payment. To place an ad by phone call Patrick Vadnais at 510-614-1560, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. CONCRETE
SERVICE
S.L. CONCRETE SERVICE Driveways, Sidewalks, Stamped Concrete, Retaining Walls, Tree and Drain Service. Lic.#982202. 510856-8937.
*MPCONCRETE. Driveways, Patio, Retaining Walls, Stamped Concrete, Asphalt, Hauling. Lic.#1054154. Milo 510-502-9336.
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.
GARAGE SALES
GARAGE SALES
MOVING SALE!
Furniture, LPs/45s, Antiques, modern, Asian décor & more CASH only.Fri/Sat, 8/9-10, 9am-2pm 1761 Vistagrand Dr., San Leandro!
GARDENING
JAIME’S GARDENING
Maintenance, Trimming, Cleanups, Hauling, Sprinkler Repair/ Timers. FREE Estimates. Insured. 510-299-9583
HOME SERVICES GUIDE
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
NAVA'SCOMPLETE LANDSCAPING: Mowing, trees, cleanup, hauling, FREE estimates. 510 512-5857.
GIVEAWAYS
MULITFAMILY Sat. 8/10, 8am-2pm. Georgia Way, San Leandro. Lot’s of great buys!
Help for the homeowner means business for you! To Place an Ad ... Call 614-1558
FREE - 4 wheel electric scooter (not running, I believe it needs new wiring). Call 510-357- 9586.
FREE - Post cards in album holiday / souvenir east bay 510-886-3904.
Free Haircut with hair donation for Wigs for Kids. Call Yumi for details!!! (510) 407-0436.
IT’S TOTALLYFINISHED CONSTRUCTION BAYAREAS BEST! Lic.#583113. Floors, Carpet Installation, Wood, Fences, Custom Fireplaces, etc. Call Martin Sharp 510-3848041.
HAULING SERVICE
HAULING: Small and Big Jobs. Furniture, Concrete, Wood, Trash, Metal, Demolition. Also house inside/ outside cleanups. 510-715-1578.
HELP WANTED
OSIsoft LLC seeks Sr. Software Developer (San Leandro, CA) to design and develop scalable .NET Core API using C# to implement business solutions. REQS: This position requires a bachelor’s degree, or foreign equivalent, in Computer science or any Engineering degree or a related field. 5 years of experience as a Software Engineer, Software Consultant, Software Analyst, Software Programmer, or related occupation. Telecommuting: Hybrid. 2 days as work from home. Rate of Pay: $ 215,197 – $ 215,197 per year. Applicants who are interested in this position should apply via email to Leticia Garcia: leticia.garcia@aveva.com, search [Sr. Software Developer / Reference # - GOT-SSD].
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.
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)
MISC. WANTED
WANTED -Reeltoreel music tapes. (If you gaave me the vacuum tubes please give me a call). Patrick 510-517-3351.
MISC. WANTED
WANTED -Reeltoreel music tapes. Also need Tesla Model S 110V charging cable. Patrick 510517-3351.
WANTED: Old toys, pedal cars, license plates, etc. 510-886-3195.
REAL ESTATE AGENTS
SERVICES
HANDYMAN & CONTRACTORS
You can run a classified ad for a little as $30 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.
TREE SERVICE
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/ROOMS
Hayward small room $895. Privileges. Utilities included. Private entrance. 510-909-2166.
Roommate Wanted: Cozy room, convenient San Leandro location, modern apt, off street parking, WIFI, many amenities. $800. Pam 415-9608516.
*ACAREFULTREE SERVICE. Certified. Arborist. Lic.#694067. Trimming, Removals. FREE Estimates Bonded. Call 510-581-7377.
YOUR INFO
Advertise your Home for rent in the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum
DON’T LET ANOTHER WEEK SLIPBY!
– Avacancy day is money lost forever –
To place an ad call 510-614-1558
CLASSIFIED AD DEADLINE: Monday 5:00 p.m.
LANDLORDS - Advertise your units!
– Avacancy day is money lost forever –R. Bowman
NEED - MUSIC LESSONS or PIANO TUNING?
Check the Classified Ads under “MUSICALSERVICES” for help.
Seniors
The Age, Exercise
Relation
By Mitch Rothbardt SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
People frequently ask how I factor age into our members’ programs. We have members in their 30s through 80s. My answer usually surprises them.
I don’t factor in age at all. It never enters my mind.
That may seem reckless or even dangerous, but I assure you it’s quite the opposite. I’ve trained people in their 30s and 40s who deal with pain every day, move poorly, and have below-average physical strength. I’ve trained people in their 60s and older who feel great, move well, and have strength well above average. How does age figure in? It doesn’t.
I write individualized programs for all our members, which is just some of what I consider.
see AGE on back page
How does age factor into one’s workout program?
PACE Program: Helping Senior Couples Live Together at Home
Q:
My husband has become frail, and his doctor says he may need to go into a nursing home. However, neither of us is happy with that plan. I want to keep him home. Is there a program that might help us?
By Gene L. Osofsky, Esq. SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
A:
Yes. The “Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly” (“PACE”) may be just the ticket. The PACE program has been designed to help frail elders live independently as long as possible in their own home, which is exactly what both of you desire. It is designed for those elders who would otherwise be at risk of nursing home placement. Here’s how it works: several times each week PACE would pick him up at home in a specially designed van and transport him to a local community health center where he would receive all medical care, rehabilitation therapy, social services, recreation, socialization and hot meals with other seniors. At the end of the day, he would be transported back home to be with you. It would also provide some in home care services to assist him with his needs at home, and thus help relieve the burden upon you.
To be eligible for the program, one must be at least 55 years of age, have medical problems which require ongoing care, but yet be able to live at home safely (perhaps, with a spouse or other care person to assist), as determined by the evaluation team. The level of care is designed to be comparable to the care received in a nursing facility. The senior must also live in a service area covered by the PACE program and, fortunately, you probably do if you reside in the Bay Area.
PACE is primarily paid for by Medi-Cal and Medicare, and most participants are covered by one or both programs and have either a modest flat monthly co-pay, or none at all. The PACE program would also work if one or both of you lived in an Assisted-Living Facility, although it would then only cover medical costs but not room and board.
Once your husband joins the PACE program, all medical care will be provided by the PACE program, which unfortunately means that he will have to give up his own physicians and, instead, begin seeing the physicians at the PACE facility. However, the good news is that the PACE program provides a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, personal care attendants and dietitians who would be responsible for all of his care, and all of that care would be centralized at the PACE Center and supplemented by in-home and referral services.
In the event your husband needed hospitalization, even expensive surgery, PACE would pay for that without additional cost.
Also, if one of you needed PACE services and the other did not, the good news is that the Medi-Cal law – which includes provisions designed to avoid Spousal Impoverishment – would help protect household income for the “well spouse”. PACE enrollment can also work for a single senior, as the in-home services include personal care as well as some housekeeping, shopping, meals, and the like.
To learn more about PACE, contact the Center for Elders’ Independence at 844-319-1150 or visit on line www.cei.elders. org. To learn more about protecting assets under the Medi-Cal Spousal Impoverishment Laws, contact our office.
Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney who has been helping East Bay families for over 25 years with Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Probate, Medi-Cal Planning, and related matters. To contact his office, email: Gene@LawyerForSeniors.com or call (510) 247-2555.
Senior Driver Seminar
Stay safe…and save money! Registration has begun for the library’s popular senior driving program! The event takes place at the Castro Valley Library on Tuesday, August 13 from 12:30 to 2:30pm. Conducted by the California Highway Patrol, this seminar will include: Compensating for Age-Related Changes, Tune-Up Your Driving Skills, Rules of the Road, Safe Driving Tips; and more! Participants will receive a certificate for completing this FREE course which may lead to an insurance discount. You must be 65 or older to qualify. Registration is required for this FREE program. To register, call the Library Information Desk at 510-667-7900.
FROM THE BOULEVARD
Bridges: Works of Art, Beauty
By Thomas Lorentzen SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Taking things for granted is common for most of us. As we age, however, we tend to lessen that practice. The inculcation of “stopping to smell the roses” takes the stage of our thoughts more often. One is the presence of something that plays a pivotal role in the region in which we live. It is what was once described in the National Geographic Magazine as perhaps the most magnificent natural bay in the world. That is, of course, San Francisco Bay. It is also one of the most utilitarian. Being that it has always been there, it is often taken for granted. It is something that shouldn’t be done. It is a breathtaking place of significance and beauty. When it comes to impacting our lives and governing our lifestyle, the bay is a place of royalty. It also defines our weather, as well as how we live and move about the region. It
Dear Editor,
School: 73 New Certificated Staff, Including Teachers, Psychologists
and care for.”
is a center of commerce and recreation. It is also a canvas upon which art has been created to enhance our ability to utilize it for our benefit. One of the foremost are the bridges that cross the bay. They facilitate our mobility, as well as harmonize our own humanization with that of nature.
Years ago, I read an article about a study that Rand McNally had done of identifiable places in the world. Among the top ten were the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall of China, the Empire State Building in New York, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. What came in first? The Golden Gate Bridge! It was the most recognizable human creation in the world. It is not only a historic construction achievement. It is also a great work of art and beauty.
Thank you for Mr. Thomas Lorentzen’s article (07/24/24) highlighting Castro Valley’s own Jenny Lin and the purpose behind the Jenny Lin Foundation. With the constant angry, hateful, and violent vitriol spewing from people of BOTH major political parties, it was encouraging to actually read an article about a talented and inspirational young woman - an artist from our own community, albeit whose life was unfortunately cut short 30 yrs ago. At the time, we had just moved to CV from across the Bay when it happened - I still remember the concern in my father’s voice when he called, after hearing so many news stations reporting about the tragedy that day. Like Mr. Lorentzen, we too, didn’t know Jenny or her family, but the significance of her life, the creation of the Jenny Lin Foundation, its profound impact in opening the doors of music to countless young people, and the resulting exceptional concerts are definitely a wonderful and inspirational way for the CV community to continue remembering Jenny Lin for many years to come.
–Aileen Chong-Jeung, Castro
Valley
A man described by the New York Times as the greatest bridge architect in the world, Santiago Calatrava, once stated that there was only one truly great bridge in the world – the Golden Gate Bridge. It is the Mona Lisa of bridges. Another of our bridges – the Bay Bridge, is a healthy and beautiful sister to the Golden Gate. As works of art, it is probable that if Leonardo Da Vinci were to come alive today and visit, he might very well have the same view.
Then, on a final note, our own San Mateo-Hayward Bridge is not to be taken for granted either. When originally constructed in 1929 it was the longest bridge in the world. That title has long been transferred elsewhere (to China). The current bridge was completed in 1967. It is now the eighth longest bridge in the U.S. Its importance for our use is obvious.
Given this perspective, virtually every view of our bridges leaves me with appreciation for the role they play. They not only facilitate our movements around the Bay Area. They are works of art as well. The architects that designed them and the construction workers that built them never took them for granted. We should do the same. Think of them as our own masterpieces. When the fog hides their expressions, look for that “mystic smile” upon their faces. They are proud of their presence and participation in our lives. They bridge us and lift us in ways that are poetic in our own pursuits of having good and valued lives.
continued from front page enrolled in its nine elementary schools, 2,000 attending the two middle schools, and 3,000 registered at Castro Valley High School or Redwood High School for alternative education.
“We look forward to a wonderful school year and the opportunity to serve our students,” CVUSD Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi wrote in her letter to parents and staff on July 22. “Our deep commitment to ensuring all students receive equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities is the reason we do what we do with intentionality and careful attention paid to the unique needs of every child that we are entrusted to serve
Ahmadi also thanked all the professionals who worked around the clock over the summer to prepare schools and classrooms for their arrival.
Some of those preparing extra hard are the 73 new certificated staff, including teachers, psychologists, speech therapists, and nurses, who all attended a two-day training session last week to onboard them and help their transition into CVUSD enjoyable.
“Some of these new teachers and staff members were coming from other school districts and told us how excited they were to come to Castro Valley,” Ahmadi told the Forum. “It’s very encouraging to have a school district become a
destination point for professionals.”
Superintendent Ahmadi said Castro Valley takes its teacher training very seriously and provides many opportunities for teacher development and enrichment programs. The average number of years of teaching among Castro Valley staff is 27, making the district very competitive among its neighboring school districts. The next three-day break is Labor Day on September 3 for those planning their school year. Winter Break begins on December 23 and runs until January 3, 2025. Spring Break is scheduled for March 31 through April 4, and the last day of school instruction is May 30.
Comic: Fans, Artists and Collectors Network, Promote, Support Creators
continued from front page “I was on TikTok one day and saw this guy with an Ironman suit, and I was like, ‘I want that.’ The guy said he made all this with a 3D printer, which got me into it. I started making my own Ironman suits. I started printing stuff like crazy about two and a half years ago, and I haven’t stopped,” Steffenson said.
Storyboard and comic book artist Brandon McKinney also made an appearance selling prints of Harley Quinn and comic books featuring his character, Crimson Storm.
JAY SPENCER, FUNERAL DIRECTOR
Serving the Community Since 1967
Castro Valley Office: (510) 317-7890
Jay Spencer, DeerCreek2965@gmail.com
“I just knew I wanted to draw comics,” McKinney said. I didn’t know how to do animation, but I drew comics for about ten years. Then people in comics started working in animation, and I was referred to do storyboards for Batman Beyond.”
McKinney then broke down his professional career, starting back in the ‘80s right after college. “I went to UCLA and got an art degree, and then it took a year, maybe a year and a half, I started making money regularly drawing comics for Help Quest, a fantasy series
going since the ‘70s.” He then worked on the Harley Quinn television series on HBO Max. From comic buffs to artists to collectors and anyone interested in celebrating the diverse world of pop culture, Ohana Comic Con’s small venue created a communal atmosphere for creative expression, networking opportunities, and promoting support for independent creators.
The show next moves to Pacifica on Sunday, August 11. For more information, please visit the website at https:// ohanacomiccon.com/
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Our Athletes of the Week are the Castro Valley Little League (CVLL) All-Stars. This batch of 8–10-year-old players won the District 45 All-Star Tournament back on July 10. The team played three games that day. CVLL lost its first game of the tournament to San Lorenzo by a score of 6-2 but came back strong with a 7-2 win
over the same San Lorenzo team and then a 7-1 win to capture the District title. On July 13, CVLL moved on to the Section 3 Tournament, where they faced District 52 representative Hillsborough Little League. Unfortunately, Castro Valley lost 14-3 despite scoring first and keeping the score tight in the first few frames.
The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week CVLL All-Stars
Age: Goals & Workouts
continued from page 10
• Goals
• Mobility
• Injuries
• Movement and Postural Asymmetry
• Psychology
• Training Frequency
• Training Experience
• Exercises Preferences
• Movement Quality
All these things are more important than age. Studies have shown that older people aren’t necessarily fragile or incapable of doing things. It’s only when people stop moving and challenging themselves that these things occur and if you look around, you’ll see that can happen at any age.
Let me put it another way. If someone in their 70s has knee pain while performing certain exercises, I’ll examine their posture and movement to determine any issues and then adjust their program accordingly. Doesn’t that seem better than just pulling out “The Age 70 Training Program” and having them do it no matter what?
Here’s a simple way to look at things: You can improve no matter how old you are. You can feel and move better no matter how old you are. You can improve not only with exercise but also with daily movement, such as walking and climbing stairs.
I know this can seem complicated, so let me know your questions, and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Mitch is the owner and head trainer at Castro Valley Fitness. He loves answering your fitness questions at the dog park with Penny, Max, and Tex or by emailing him at: Mitch@ CastroValleyFitness.com.
Big Bass Before Back to School
Just before heading back to school, 9-year-old Austin Curtis Johnson hooked into a big one. While fishing with his Papa, local businessman Dwight Roberts, Austin threw into the deep water a wacky rigged Senko 6” root beer colored worm. Not long before, his rod tip took a dip, signaling a bite. His eyes sprung open with surprise as he tightened his grip on the rod and began to reel. “Fish on Papa!” Austin yelled as his poll bent toward the water, indicating that this wasn’t just any little fish. It was a big one.
His Mom, Chase Johnson, quickly jumped into action, grabbing the net. As Austin reeled, the fish quickly rose and breached the surface only a few feet from the boat. He reeled it closer and closer within his mother’s reach. In the final moment, just as he lifted the rod to bring the fish closer, she scooped the net under the fish, and the hook came flying out, but to their surprise, it fell directly into the net! As she pulled the net back in over the rail, Austin couldn’t believe his eyes…a 5lb 5oz largemouth bass filled the bottom of the net. The biggest fish he has ever caught in his life, all in front of his mom and grandparents, Dwight and Julie Roberts. The other kids on the boat quickly ran to his side, surprisingly not to take a photo but to grab their poles and get a line in the water, but Austin knew they didn’t have a chance to beat his massive catch as he sat down with a comfortable smile filling his face.
Have a “Great Catch” you’d like to share with the community? Please send photo(s) and information by email to: filesforforum@gmail.com.
