August 9, 2023

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Esteen Running To Unseat Miley As Supervisor

By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Registered nurse and Ashland resident Jennifer Esteen is running to unseat long-time Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley in District 4 in next year’s election.

More than 100 people lined up along the Boulevard to get their first taste of cream puffs from Beard Papa’s on August 5. The pastry chain’s grand opening in the Marketplace created a buzz with promotions and special appearances. While the bakery is a franchise, some see the addition to the Downtown District as a step in making the Boulevard more of a destination.

Making the Boulevard More of a Destination

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Approximately 25,000 vehicles drive down Castro Valley Boulevard every day, according to Alameda County data. Getting a large portion of those drivers to stop, walk, and patronize local businesses has been one of the highest goals of the Castro Valley/ Eden Area Chamber of Commerce for the Castro Valley Specific Plan.

“The Chamber is proud to be a big voice for small business and is eagerly seeking feedback and ideas from our business community to help ensure a thriving, energetic downtown Castro Valley destination for our future,” Chamber president Todd Anglin told the Forum.

This coming Monday, August 14, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) will hear an update on the Specific

Plan from the Alameda County Community Development Agency (CDA). So far, CDA has participated in two public meetings and is expected to compile its findings this fall, develop a draft by this winter, and then finalize the plan sometime in the summer of 2024. The Plan would then be used as a guideline for Alameda County Public Works Agency to allow or modify streets, business licenses, and construction in Castro Valley.

Last Tuesday, July 25, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a workshop for its members to discuss the revised Specific Plan. Attendance was modest, but the discussion was excellent, according to Rodrigo Orduña, Assistant Planning Director with CDA.

“Overall, we heard from residents that they want to make Castro Valley a destination rather than a drive-through,” Orduña said.

see DESTINATION on page 10

Esteen is a member of the Eden Area Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) and is vice president of the Alameda Health System board. Two years ago, she narrowly missed making the runoff for the District 20 state assembly seat ultimately won by Liz Ortega.

Miley, the current president of the Board of Supervisors, has represented District 4, which includes Castro Valley and several unincorporated communities, since 2000. He was most recently re-elected in 2020, with 67 percent of the vote.

Jennifer Esteen

Esteen said, “My focus is on public safety, housing, health care, jobs and justice, issues which are all intertwined.”

“We can have a healthy, thriving community,” she continued. She contrasts that to the rise in crime and homelessness and worsening health conditions we are seeing now. A rise in public investments in the health of communities is key, she said. see ESTEEN on page 10

East Bay Renters See Substandard Living Conditions

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

A new report released last week by two housing advocacy groups claims nearly one out of every third renter (31%) in unincorporated Alameda County is living in conditions that violate state habitability standards including rodent infestations, broken water heaters, and flooding.

In addition, 40% of Eden

Area renters report living with at least one unmet housing repair. Although landlords are required under state law to make repairs within 30 days of notification, many report living with these issues for months.

“In the Shadows of Eden: Rising Rents, Evictions, and Severe Habitability Issues in Alameda County” includes findings from interacting with over 500 residents, using data see RENTERS on page 10

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEN CARBONE

Castro Valley Weather August 9 - August 13, 2023

‘Bright Star’ Opens Next Week

By Terry Liebowitz SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

Almanac

Moon Phases

“For the first time in eleven years, we have a summer musical in Castro Valley!” announced co-producers Berenice Sullivan of Castro Valley Arts Foundation and Dayna Speed of TMC Arts. Bright Star, a sweeping tale of love and redemption, plays at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts on Saturday, August 19 and 26 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 20 and 27 at 2 pm.

Inspired by a true story of the “Iron Mountain Baby,” Bright Star is a musical written and composed by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.

TMC Arts and CVAF have gathered a stellar cast and musicians from around the Bay Area to make this an unforgettable theatrical experience, the first opportunity for many people to see this enchanting show live.

Bright Star opened on Broadway in February 2016. The show won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music, and the Bright Star original cast recording was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The eight-

piece band takes center stage alongside the actors.

The Castro Valley Center for the Arts is located at 19501 Redwood Road. Parking is free. It is a mile away from the Castro Valley BART station. For tickets, please visit: cvartsfoundation.org/shows/

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT (ABOVE): Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Detective O. Lacy chats with community members after dinner at National Night Out in San Lorenzo on Tuesday, August 1 in San Lorenzo. Hosting the event was St. John’s Catholic Church at 264 E. Lewelling Blvd. (BELOW): Three beaming Catholic missionaries enjoying themselves at the event. From left, they are Yazmin, Jissell and Carmen of the Servants of the Word, locally based at the church. Behind them are play structures for kids and teens, courtesy of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, and the deputies’ popular climbing wall.

I WAS ADDICTED TO THE HOKEY POKEY, BUT THEN I TURNED MYSELF AROUND

PHOTOS BY MIKE MCGUIRE

Bright Star actors Robert Lopez and Rachel Powers.

PHOTO BY BERENICE KU SULLIVAN

Sheriff’s Reports

COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Called 911 on Drugs

Monday, August 7: at 5:13 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 27-year-old woman from Emeryville on suspicion of public intoxication. The woman had dialed 911 from a home on Heyer Avenue near Center Street. But when deputies arrived, she told them she couldn’t remember why she placed the call. Deputies found her to be under the influence of drugs and took her into custody.

Drove Home Drunk

Saturday, August 5: at 11:29 p.m., a 61-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving while over the legal blood-alcohol limit. Deputies pulled the man mover on Stanton Avenue near La Don Court for weaving in traffic. The man failed his field sobriety test and was taken into custody.

Sister Called the Cops

Friday, August 4: at 8:26 p.m., deputies arrested a 63-yearold woman from Castro Valley on suspicion of violating a court-issued restraining order. The woman’s sister called 911 when she came to the door of a home on Center Street near Castro Valley Boulevard. Deputies spotted the woman within 100 feet of the address and found she had three outstanding warrants related to the “stay away” order. The woman was taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $60,000 in bail.

Three Busted for Drugs

Thursday, August 3: at 6:10 p.m., three people were arrested on drug and drug-related paraphernalia possession charges in the parking lot of a drug store on Castro Valley Boulevard near Yeandle Avenue. Deputies stopped the trio for questioning as they were sitting in a car. The

Castro Valley Library to Host Free Tech Classes

Enrollment has begun for Castro Valley Library’s FREE classes for the month of August. The first class, ‘iPhone Basics’, will be held on Tuesday, August 15 from 1 to 3pm. Learn how to get the most from your iPhone in this hands-on class with California Connect. We’ll cover all the basics including the buttons, gestures, the Control Center, the basics of calling and tex-

ting, Siri, managing your home screen, and the many accessibility options that make your device easier to use. Bring your iPhone and your Apple ID and password. Advance registration is required. Register online at: www.aclibrary.org (click on Events) or call 510-667-7900. The Castro Valley Library is located at 3600 Norbridge Avenue in Castro Valley.

driver, a 61-year-old man from East Palo Alto, was joined by a 55-year-old man from San Leandro and a 47-year-old woman with no permanent residence. Deputies report all three were found with multiple pipes used for smoking drugs in plain view. The woman was additionally charged with possession of fentanyl drugs. All three were taken into custody.

Vandal Broke into Home

Wednesday, August 2: at 7:39 a.m., deputies arrested a 23-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of vandalism and violating a restraining order at a home on Pine Street near Redwood Road. A 911 call about someone breaking into the residence sent deputies to the scene. Deputies reported seeing the man walking back and forth inside the home. The man was taken into custody.

Wanted for Petty Theft

Wednesday, August 2: at 1:33 p.m., a 41-year-old man with no permanent residence was arrested as part of two warrants issued for his capture. Deputies made the arrest outside a fastfood restaurant on Redwood Road near Redwood Court. The man had previously been convicted of elder abuse and resisting arrest. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail pending $20,000 in bail.

Domestic Assault

Wednesday, August 2: at 5:17 p.m., a 911 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argusee REPORTS on back page

Two New Eagle Scouts in CV

The Boy Scout’s Tres Rancho District has two new Eagle Scouts: DJ Pareja of Troop 722 and Akshay Gupta of Troop 789, both Castro Valley-based Troops. What happens in an Eagle Scout Project? It is always different; up to each scout to find a need and define a solution. Here is what the two new Eagle Scouts accomplished: Akshay’s Eagle Project was at First Presbyterian Church of Hayward (next to Trader Joe’s). He made an outdoor area safely and comfortably accessible by preparing the ground (decomposed granite), fencing off access to traffic with two attractive six-foot planter boxes, and establishing a ten-foot sturdy pole from which to suspend outdoor lighting, enabling nighttime

gatherings. The church can now safely use this area to host events, hang out, and teach kids to grow plants.

DJ Pareja’s Eagle Project was for San Lorenzo Little League, where he refurbished their snack bar building with both structural and painting needs accumulated over 30 years. Also, the project relocated the home plate and the pitching mound by a few feet to comply with both current baseball and softball regulations. Finally, a storage shed destroyed by recent storms was replaced. The Little League community was delighted.

The Eagle Scout rank, the top rank available in Boy Scouts of America (BSA), comes after four other ranks: Tenderfoot, Scout, Star, and

Life. Along the “trails” taken to achieve these five ranks, a scout (boy or girl) completes a set of requirements: earns a minimum of 21 merit badges, gains experience in a broad range of physical and community skills (such as camping, rifle, archery, artisan hobbies, citizen series, etc.), takes leadership roles and engages in community service. All this occurs with a focus on having fun and taking part in adventures with fellow scouts, who often become close friends.

The final step to this final Eagle Rank is to complete an Eagle Project that benefits a community beneficiary, requiring complex planning and development, leadership skills, fundraising, and a clear positive impact for the beneficiary, such as those described above.

Left to right: Alan Dunn, Rose Godfrey, DJ Pareja, Akshay Gupta, Mark Williams (Scoutmaster for Troop 789), and Grant Hughes (Scoutmaster for Troop 722).

PHOTO COURTESY OF MELANIE SMITH

Community Health Fair Is Saturday

Davis Street, an organization dedicated to serving low-income families in the Eden area and surrounding communities, is thrilled to announce its Annual Community Health Fair, this Saturday, August 12, from 10 am to 1 pm. The event will be held at 3081 Teagarden Street in San Leandro and promises to be a day filled with health education, community engagement, and fun activities for all.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Tonight: Wednesday, August 9

Mario Kart Tournament at 3Crosses Church

All 6 to 12th graders are invited to a Mario Kart tournament at 3Crosses Church (20600 John Dr, Castro Valley) tonight, Wednesday, August 9 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm! Teams of four will compete in an epic tournament for cash prizes. Snacks will be provided. For more information, please visit: 3crosses.church/mariokart.

Saturday, August 12

Davis Street Health Fair

Plethos Productions’ ‘Circus Menagerie’ Opens August 19

Come one, come all, to see the magic and the tragic fall! Plethos Productions presents Circus Menagerie: Murder on the Midway. For this Murder Mystery Dinner, slip on your best post-war circus ensemble and be transported back to the 1940’s–this is the fantastically dangerous world of Ringmaster Isaac Van Amburgh and his curious collection of odd colleagues! Wander his circus grounds to the crooning song of Delilah Jekyll for a fated run in with Baba Vanga the for-

tune-teller, a mystical meeting with Magician Zazel Trevino, or find yourself face to face with a murderer!

Put on your best detective-face to interrogate suspects while dining on delicious food from M.A.D. Creationz and wine from TwiningVine Winery. Piece together the truth by finding clues, discovering weapons, and puzzling out motives–you’re the star of this show as you try to answer the age old question: whodunit? Prizes awarded to those

intrepid investigators who successfully unravel the crime; and don’t miss the chance to duke it out for the best dressed-detective in our 1940’s circus-wear costume contest!

Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20 outdoors at TwiningVineWinery, tickets include dinner and a glass of wine. Ages 21 and older. Save $15 if you buy before August 12. Come be a part of Plethos’ 3rd annual Murder Mystery show, get your tix now at: plethos.org

This highly anticipated health fair is open to the public and completely free of charge. It aims to bring together community members, healthcare providers, and local organizations to promote wellness, provide essential resources, and celebrate the spirit of unity.

This Annual Community Health Fair will feature a plethora of attractions, ensuring a memorable experience for attendees of all ages.

Highlights of the event will include:

• More than 20 Community Resource Booths: Local organizations and service providers will showcase their offerings, providing valuable information and support to attendees.

• Free Produce Giveaway: Visitors will receive free fresh produce, encouraging healthy eating habits and supporting local farmers.

• Health Education Booths: Knowledgeable experts will be on hand to address health-related concerns and offer insights into maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

• Complimentary Blood Pressure Checks: Davis Street recognizes the importance of proactive health management, and attendees can take advantage of free blood pressure checks to monitor their well-being.

• Raffle and Games: Engaging activities will add see HEALTH on page 5

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Davis Street is thrilled to announce its Annual Community Health Fair, this Saturday, August 12, from 10 am to 1 pm. The event will be held at 3081 Teagarden Street in San Leandro and promises to be a day filled with health education, community engagement, and fun activities for all. This highly anticipated health fair is open to the public and completely free of charge.

Saturday, August 12

Bingo and Meatballs Anyone?

Italian Catholic Federation is hosting a Pasta and Bingo luncheon at Our Lady of Grace Church (3433 Somerset Avenue in Castro Valley), Stack Hall, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. For tickets and information, contact Ed/Allison McGuirk at: 925-285-0976 or email: mcguirk4@aol.com

Saturday, August 12

Sundaes and Song Event

Harmony Fusion Chorus and Hill & Valley Club present Sundaes and Song, an afternoon of women’s A Capella music followed by an ice cream social this Saturday, August 12 from 2 to 4 pm at the Hill & Valley clubhouse, 1808 B Street in Hayward. For reservations, contact Kenit Golabi at 925-719-1250 or Pat Keathley at 510-461-1321. This is a fundraiser for Harmony Fusion and Hill & Valley Club.

Saturday, August 12

Cornell C.C. Carter at Center for the Arts

Celebrate summer and the start of the Castro Valley Arts Foundation 2023-24 Concert Series with Soul singer/songwriter Cornell C.C. Carter and his seven-piece band this Saturday at CV Center for the Arts, come early for dinner (5 to 7 pm) on the theater patio, catered by Sacred Pig Barbeque, 21st Amendment, and Drake’s Brewing Co and a selection of wines. Visit: cvartsfoundation.org/shows/ for show tickets and cvcfa.com/bbq for dinner tickets.

Sunday, August 13

FESCO’s Concert in the Park

Supporters of FESCO, the Family Shelter in Hayward, and the public are in for a treat this Sunday, August 13, when they show up for the Concert in the Park that afternoon. The Concert, from 1 to 5 pm, is at Memorial Park (24176 Mission Blvd.), next to the Hayward Plunge. Featured band, the Giant Garage Spiders, has become a favorite of FESCO fans for their wide repertoire from “oldies” to current tunes and their professional musicianship. FESCO urges the public to come out for a free afternoon of toe-tapping music, raffle prizes, food and fun.

Tuesday, August 15

Senior Driver Traffic Safety Seminar

Registration has begun for the library’s popular senior driving program. Conducted by the California Highway Patrol, this seminar will include: Compensating for Age-Related Changes, Tune-Up Your Driving Skills, and more! Registration is required for this FREE program. To register, call the Library Information Desk at 510-667-7900.

(L-R) Amanda Bailey, Victor Davila, Matt Beall, Thomas Nguyen, Nicole Naffaa.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PLETHOS PRODUCTIONS

Free Writing & Art Demo by CV Artist

Hayward Arts Council presents a free writing & art demo by Castro Valley artist Mary Cooper on Saturday, August 19 at 2:30pm at the Hayward Public Library Galleries on the second floor. This art demo is in conjunction with the “Arts & Letters” exhibition artists’ reception. “Arts & Letters” exhibition showcases artworks with at least one word of text including interactive pieces by thirty-five HAC members on view until October 14. Art materials during the demo are supplied by Sakura of America. Public is welcome. Please visit haywardartscouncil.org for more free exhibitions and programs.

Health: Fair Celebrates Community

continued from previous page an element of excitement to the fair, giving attendees the chance to win fantastic prizes while having fun.

• Children’s Activity Area and Face Painting: A dedicated space for children’s entertainment will include engaging activities and delightful face painting, ensuring a joyful experience for young attendees.

• Complimentary Lunch: Adding a vibrant touch to the fair, attendees can enjoy a complimentary lunch courtesy of Alameda County Firefighters Association, Local 55.

“We’re excited to welcome back our community post-COVID!” says Rose Padilla-Johnson, CEO. “This event brings together hundreds of people with the goal of unifying our community in a way it hasn’t been since 2019. We’re back and ready to show our community how we can support them.”

Join Davis Street this Saturday, August 12 to celebrate a day of wellness, compassion, and community spirit. For more info about Davis Street and the Community Health Fair, visit: davisstreet.org/

New Maker Space in Hayward, Ribbon Cutting This Saturday

A new maker space is coming to Hayward, located downtown in a building behind the Sun Gallery (1015 E Street).

The space hosts its all-ages ribbon cutting and opening party this Saturday, August 12 from 1 to 4pm, and this will include food trucks, beverages, music, gourmet coffee, live bands, and of course, a chance to tour and view the new space.

Funded by the Hayward People’s Budget and built by a team of dedicated community volunteers from Hayward

Techies and Makers Club and the Sun Gallery community, the Sun Gallery Makerspace offers supplies and workspace for creators, artists and builders. These include a laser cutter, cricut machine, 3-D printers, LED electronics, a tool shop, and more in the very near future. The party will take place in an outside area with an event stage, bistro tables, lighting and colorful murals.

The goal is for the space to become a community gathering space and idea incubator

for people of all ages as much as an art and tech workshop.

The Sun Gallery’s Art Meets Tech exhibit will also open the same day and people will be able to tour the gallery and view a variety of art projects from Bay Area locals that combine art and technology.

For more information, please contact Cristina Deptula at cedeptula@sbcglobal.net or 510-589-8252. For more about the space, please visit their website: sungallery.org/ makerspace/

SHARING THE JOY: On Saturday, July 29, Inner Wheel Club of San Leandro’s President Monika Williams, Vice President Amy Neuman and IWUSA President Gloria Vasconcellos shared their joy at the San Lorenzo Family Help Center. They joined Rotary Club of San Leandro’s Day of Service at the San Lorenzo Food Pantry. Volunteer roles included checking in clients, managing the flow, handing out food, preparing and sorting food for distribution, and clean up. Contact: iwclubofsanleandro@gmail.com for more information.

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum

REAL ESTATE REALITY GUEST

COMMENTARY

International Investor Purchases Slowing

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum

The dramatic shortage of available homes for sale has local buyers struggling to find enough properties to purchase. The result is twofold: a record low number of homes being sold and a continuation of competing multiple offers driving prices higher and making purchasing even more difficult.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), this trend is impacting international buyers as well.

Even with the current US housing market drama, single family homes in the Unites States offer better investment opportunities than can be found in many other regions around the world. According to a recently released NAR report by Melissa Dittmann Tracey, “Asian buyers made up the largest group of international buyers in the U.S. over the past year, with a market share of 38%. Latin

American buyers followed, comprising 31% of the international buyer market share in the U.S.”

T he report continues, stating, “China continued to serve as the top country of origin among foreign buyers, and Chinese buyers have the highest median purchase price of $723,200.

Chinese buyers largely targeted the U.S.’s priciest areas in California and New York. Canadian buyers were next in total expenditures, with individual purchases at a median of $572,900.

Canadian buyers were most likely to purchase in vacation destinations like Florida and Arizona.

On the other hand, buyers from Mexico tended to purchase the least-expensive properties in the U.S.; Texas was their preferred destination.” China led the way at 13% of purchases ($13.6 billion), Mexico was next at 11% ($4.2 billion), followed by Canada at 10% ($6.6 billion), India at 7% ($3.4 billion) followed by Colom-

bia at 3% ($0.9 billion).

Even though Chinese buyers led the pack in the number of buyers, because their price points were higher than the rest, their primary target states did not sell the highest percentage of homes to foreign buyers; that honor went to Florida, raking in 23% of international purchases. California was next at 12%, Texas also had 12% while North Carolina sold 4% with Arizona coming in last at 4%. Even though California and Texas had similar percentages, homes in the Golden State cost more, pushing them ahead of the Lone Star State. The same was true of NC vs. Arizona.

It appears the Golden Days of foreign investing are over for now: during the foreclosure crisis, huge chunks of US housing stock were snapped up by foreign investors. That market no longer exists.

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.

Mortgage Rates Increase

The combination of upbeat economic data and the U.S. government credit rating downgrade caused mortgage rates to rise this week. Despite higher rates and lower purchase demand, home prices have increased due to very low unsold inventory.

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Primary bedroom w/built in dresser, bath w/oversized shower and slider to covered pool w/waterfall. Downstairs you will find a family room w/gas fireplace and slider to parking area and yard, large finished storage/bonus room and access to under the home w/additional storage. Entertain, relax, garden or play in the expansive grounds w/multiple patios, large deck, storage shed, orchard w/fruit trees and grape vines all on drip system. Additional features include solar for the home, generator and large laundry room off kitchen w/cabinets and door to pool. All this and more, you will not be disappointed!

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Water and

Break

By Buzz Bertolero The Dirt Gardener

Up the Root Ball when Transplanting Q A

QMy Dwarf Marigold. planted in mixed containers, are having a problem. Some of the plants thrive while others struggle. I’ve had this problem off and on over the past several years. They wither and die within a couple of weeks for no apparent reason. The other plants are not affected. The containers are next to one another and receive the same care and exposure. What do I need to do to prevent this from happening?

AMarigolds naturally form a very dense root ball of white, fibrous roots at an early age, so they’ll quickly fill the growing space in a container or pack. This is beneficial as gardeners can easily remove the plants from color packs without disturbing them. But, it’s sometimes difficult for water to penetrate the roots because of the thick matting and quickly draining soil. Water rolls around the roots resulting in water stress and the random failure of the plants. This can also be a problem with Pansies

and Violas. Besides the sun, wind significantly contributes to water loss problems as the rate of transpiration and evaporation increases with windy conditions. You avoid this by first thoroughly watering the plants before transplanting. This also holds with landscape trees, shrubs, and ground covers during the summer months, regardless of the container size. The roots of the original plant(s) must go into their new location moist. The rate or speed of the decline depends on the location and exposure to the elements. Next, once the plants are removed from the container/color packs, you need to break the circular, square, or round pattern of the mass of roots. Many gardening books refer to this as scoring the root ball. You can pull at the outer roots with your fingers, slice them with a knife or use the blade on a pair of hand shears before tucking them into their new home. You avoid this problem in the future by simply changing the transplanting technique.

I removed my lawn and replaced it with California Natives along with some water-wise plants. They have been in for two years and are doing very well. I’m very pleased. Do you know if they have any special fertilizer requirements?

Native plants have no special fertilizer requirements as they’re not heavy feeders. True California Natives are best fed in November, just before the rains, while the rest are fed in early March before the flush of new growth. I’d take the plant list to your favorite garden center and have the nursery professional advise you as to which time period is best for each plant. I’d use a general organic fertilizer like EB Stone or Dr Earth Organic All Purpose Fertilizer. One application is all that’s necessary per year.

Buzz Bertolero is an Advanced California Certified Nursery Professional. The Dirt Gardener’s website is www. dirtgardener.com and questions can be sent by email to buzz@dirtgardener.com

Homes

RECENT HOME SALES

WEEKEND GARDENER

Wildfire Protection

August is a time of transition in the garden. You’ll be harvesting many of your summer vegetaHot, 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.

Harvesting Cucumbers

Hedges

Shape hedges for the last time this season.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

CONCRETE SERVICE

S.L.CONCRETE SERVICE

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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

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.

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HAULING: Small and Big Jobs. Furniture, Concrete, Wood, Trash, Metal, Demolition. Also house inside/ outside cleanups. 510-715-1578.

HELP WANTED

Pac Bay Environmental Services, Inc. (San Leandro, CA) seeks Cost Engineer to prep & coordinate constr estimates incl analyzing specs, sub proposals & takeoffs. Acquire engg plans, specs, soil reports, historical bid files & historical job cost info necessary to perf constr estimates. Analyze constr project info & determine/write RFI. Analyze job site conditions for hazards & create constr bids to allow for implementation to ensure worker safety & compliance. Post bids, schedule & review constr estimates w/ oper team. Devl scope of work to be reviewed w/ subcontractors & attend const project close-out meetings w/ proj manager. Reqs a MS in Construction Mngmnt w/ 1 yr of rel work exper . Mail Resumes to HR, 499 Embarcadero #5, Oakland, CA94606

HOUSE CLEANING

Just Like Gramma’s House Cleaning. Summer Special 10% OFF. 20 years experience. Licensed/ Insured. Phenomenal cleaning! Owner Fatimah 510-978-6803.

LOST & FOUND

FOUND - Dog, small short hair chestnut-colored puppy near Juniper & Dayton (Manor area) San Leandro. 510-357-6942.

MISC. FOR SALE

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 - Reel to reel music tapes, Call Patrick 510-517-3351.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

*SCOTT HARRISON - Realtor Coldwell Banker 510-388-4536

Are you interested in buying or selling a home or property?

Would you like the help of a Professional Agent?

For assistance call ...

R R EAL EAL E E STATE STATE

W W ANTED ANTED

Aaron pays CASH for Bay Area houses in any condition. No inspections. Call 775-685-3858.

RENTALS

San Leandro 62+ community (NO ONE UNDER 62), Floresta Gardens area, $2,075; duplex, quiet, private court,2-Bdrm, single-story, walk-in shower, central heat, air conditioning, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer inunit, patio, carport. NO pets/smoking.510-352-7023 for requirements.

LANDLORDS – Advertise your units! Avacancy day is money lost forever ... R. Bowman

RENTALS/ROOMS

One Bedroom Apartment for Rent Washer/Dryer in Unit No Smoking/No Pets $1800 per month Call (510) 332-5093.

RENTALS/RV SPACES

RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $925/ month. Call 510-481-9901.

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

*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.

Esteen: More Preventative Health Care

continued from front page “It’s hard to convince people that they should spend more money now,” she said. “But it saves us a lot of money later on, and improves our lives.”

Esteen calls for getting away from the “Crime First” views of some officeholders. She took aim at Miley’s call for large fines and possible jail time for spectators at sideshows, for example.

“Most people don’t have $400 to spend on anything,” she said, referring to a proposed fine amount. “We can be regulating sideshows and providing job opportunities at the same time,” she said.

Destination: Central Business District

continued from front page

The discussion-based session focused on community feedback from the May public workshop, hearing Castro Valley MAC input and ideas on improving Castro Valley Business District’s Specific Plan, exploring specific topics, and discussing upcoming study sessions and next steps.

Among the top suggestions at the workshop was the idea of making the Boulevard more pedestrian and shopper friendly. Some attendees hoped to change the Boulevard into a two-lane thoroughfare with bike lanes, transit stops, wider sidewalks, diagonal parking, and appropriate landscaping.

Other participants said the way to ease through traffic on Castro Valley Boulevard is to make Norbridge Avenue the Castro Valley by-pass for traffic between Stanton Avenue and Redwood Road. The route would allow for quicker access to Castro Valley BART but could put an undue strain on residents currently

–Ken Carbone

living next to Interstate 580. Adjusting Norbridge Avenue would also include updating the freeway access ramps and traffic patterns around the socalled “Hamburger Island” of Mcdonald’s and Wendy’s.

Other ideas floated included placing parking lots strategically along Castro Valley Boulevard but behind the storefronts on the main street.

Orduña added that participants in the workshop asked that the updated plan be more general and flexible compared to the 2012 General Plan, which critics say often delayed or eliminated potential business additions.

“Remember that 15 to 20 years from now, we will see many changes such as autonomous cars dropping off passengers and picking them up later, which changes parking needs,” said local business owner Ken Carbone. “Entertainment businesses may also be very different in the future, and we need spaces that can adapt down the road.”

The Central Business District is one of four zones identified in the Specific Plan for review. The other three include the Medical Center area on Lake Chabot Road, the BART Transit Village, and the Rite Aid parcel to the east.

The Update is the only item on the August 14 MAC meeting, which starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Castro Valley Library.

Esteen noted that sideshows often occur near the partly-county-owned Oakland Coliseum, where spectators now pay to see Monster Truck exhibitions and other car-related events. With the recent loss of the sports teams that

have played at the Coliseum, the county is negotiating over future uses of the facility, she said.

Regulated car events there would not only draw interested people, but could also be a good place to reach people interested in training to work with cars for a living, Esteen said. There is body work, detailing and modifications to vehicles for competition, among other specialties.

Esteen works as a psychiatric nurse and would like to see more resources directed into preventative health care in the community, both physical and behavioral.

“I one hundred percent want to see everyone get health care and behavioral health care,” she said.

She is concerned that much of the mental health help Alameda County provides is at the Santa Rita Jail, a troubled

facility that has seen a number of deaths among prisoners.

As much as she would like to see more community health care, Esteen does not want to lose any of the health care facilities we have. In particular she wants the county to save St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, the one local hospital that has not been able to return to pre-pandemic levels of service.

She also urges fully funding crime prevention programs, which had helped keep crime rates down before the pandemic but some of which lost funding during it. In Oakland, crime prevention programs recently lost $4 million in funding amidst a sharp rise in crime. Esteen wants the county to pick up that funding, for the good of Oaklanders and residents of other communities alike.

More info available at: www.jenniferesteen.com

Renters: ‘Deserve Equal Protections’

continued from front page from a survey of Eden renters and tenant testimony collected through door-to-door canvassing.

“I have not only heard stories, but I have seen the conditions many families are forced to live in, all while they continue to receive large rent increases,” said Vicki Vivaldo, a Cherryland resident, through a translator.

Executives with My Eden Voice and East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO), which produced the report, hope to shed light on the situation.

“This is all tied to the health of families. Not just from conditions in the home, but also the stress and placed upon them,” said Maria Miranda Dextre, Program Manager and Community Organizer at My

Eden Voice. “If we don’t come up with the solution or, you know, actually pass the solution, anytime soon, we’re just going to see things get worse.”

The Eden Area is the name for the urban unincorporated territories of Alameda County, including Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, Hayward Acres, and San Lorenzo. The Area is home to nearly 150,000 people, comparable to the city of Berkeley.

A breakdown of each of the towns shows most of the responses came from Ashland (38%) and Cherryland (31%) followed by Hayward Acres (14%), San Lorenzo (8%), Castro Valley (5%), and Fairview (3%). The data shows half of these renters have lived in their location for more than five years, with more than half

living in apartments, with children and an annual household income of less than $30,000.

The report also outlines policy recommendations for county officials including enforcing just cause for eviction and rent stabilization policies, a proactive rental inspection program, a rental registry, and increased funding for legal services.

“It’s been encouraging to see more municipalities across the East Bay adopting tenant protections, and it’s time for Alameda County to follow suit,” said Sasha Perigo, Strategic Communications Manager at East Bay Housing Organizations. “Renters in the unincorporated Eden Area deserve equal protections.”

The report can be accessed at: ebho.org/launching-the-inthe-shadows-of-eden-report/

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SEND BY EMAIL: FILESFORFORUM@GMAIL.COM

Thank You to Rick Kelly for An Amazing Book About CV

Dear Editor,

I want to thank Rick Kelly for his amazing book about Castro Valley history called “Rancho to Ranch Homes: Mapping the Evolution of Castro Valley, California”. I highly recommend this book for the depth of detail that is included as well as the personal touches and stories that really make it shine. I learned a lot about the town I love and was filled with pride as I read about how the leaders of Castro Valley planned for the future of our town and then I realized something troublesome. Despite the population of Castro Valley growing rapidly since the 1980’s, the vast majority of our infrastructure and planning projects are over 50 years old, and it shows. We have few sidewalks. The streets and roads are sized for half as many cars. The recent “atmospheric river” overwhelmed our undersized sewer and storm drain systems. High speed internet is not possible in many neighborhoods. We have at least 6 less public schools than when I was a kid. We have a parking problem that is only going to get worse when BART removes half of their parking to build multi story housing. We have only a single hospital with less beds than we used to have (remember Laurel Grove Hospital)? Castro Valley infrastructure has not kept pace with her growth! This is not a problem unique to Castro Valley. There are over 1.6 million people who live in unincorporated communities throughout the state of California who are in a similar state of limbo and need more infrastructure help. The vast majority of State and Federal ARPA and Covid Relief funding left the unincorporated areas behind because we were not united and advocating for our needs strongly enough. 17 of these communities have started to talk with one another and have been working for solutions on CAUnincorporated.com and I urge my neighbors to do so as well so that we don’t fall even further behind.

–Peter Rosen, Castro Valley

July 23 Town Hall Meeting on Feasibility of Incorporation

Dear Editor,

Many letters to the editor question the motives and the group’s makeup that invited the community to a July 23rd Town Hall meeting on LAFCO’s report on the feasibility of incorporation. These individuals who recently questioned our motivation did not stay for the entire session. Our group consists of your neighbors. We started as a group chatting amongst ourselves about these issues. We thought the discussion merited a broader debate in the community. We are committed to the community knowing the facts. Our approach to this research is to learn. Our agenda is to deliver information to the citizens of Castro Valley.

Let us not be distracted in our quest to gather and understand the information in the report. We invite you to visit our website Castrovalleycity.com. You will find our names. We invite you to discuss your concerns with us via the website. You will find it on our website. We are all volunteers. We will endeavor to respond more quickly to your questions. We are all unpaid volunteers with other jobs. Yes, I am one of those unpaid volunteers doing the research.

To our surprise, close to 200 people came to participate in the discussion.

The discussion on Sunday was a “ listening session” and not a debate about the pros and cons of incorporation. It is too early to take a position on this matter. First, we will look at the level of service that the report indicates Castro Valley should have and compare this to what we currently receive. If we pay for services, we do not receive; we should not apologize for seeking what we deserve. Your neighbors at Castro Valley City are advocating for local control. Still, the we determine if the county revenues currently collected from Castro Valley residents can sustain local authority.

At the end of the town hall meeting, each facilitator summarized what they learned from the community members who participated in the breakout sessions.

In the following months, we will continue to report our findings on this subject via our website Castrovalleycity.com. We will continue to explore the facts as presented in this report. We currently have some questions about the revenue assumptions made in the report. Cities that may not mirror Castro Valley are the source of this report’s revenues.

–Linda Tangren, Castro Valley

Hard Data of Who is Behind Cityhood Remains a Mystery

It’s been two weeks since the “town hall” that I walked out of (not stormed out) and we still don’t know who is behind the Castro Valley Cityhood. What has been learned is that the domain name for the glossy website is registered to a hidden person. So the secrecy grows! The hard data of who is behind cityhood remains a mystery. At the town hall, when the basic question of “who” was refused to be answered on the grounds of “personalities”, staying would have had me condoning the secrecy and granting it acceptance. I learned during my time on the EBMUD that they best way to give power to those who would hide who they are or what they are up to, is to stay in the room and acquiesce to the chicanery.

Twice, when I was in office I walked out on matters because staying would be the same as accepting the chicanery for what was being pushed. Walking out is a valid form of protest. I do not choose to hide out – why is the cityhood cabal hiding out? The citizens of Castro Valley have an opportunity to stop this nonsense by sending an email with the subject matter “No to Castro Valley Cityhood” to the LAFCO Executive Director: Rachel.Jones@acgov.org

–Frank Mellon, Castro Valley

Frank Sounds a Bit Paranoid

Frank Mellon’s concerns about who is behind Castro Valley Cityhood, sound a bit on the paranoid side. Is Frank worried that George Soros is trying to take over Castro Valley? Does he think there is some nefarious conspiracy going on? The reality is that the push for incorporation is just by a group of citizens like himself. No more no less. So Frank, cool down. No secret group is out to get us.

–Robert S. Thomas, Castro Valley

HOROSCOPE by Salomé © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Mars, your ruling planet, helps you deal with career challenges in a way that reflects some of your own hidden strengths. This impresses some important decision-makers.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Your strong Bovine will, combined with your romantic nature (you are ruled by Venus), helps turn a romance with a potential for problems into one with more positive possibilities.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Mercury’s influence creates some unsettling moments, but nothing that you can’t live with. You’ll soon learn more about a major change that is about to be revealed.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Opportunities for you are like the phases of the Moon -- constantly appearing and reappearing. So, cheer up. The opportunity you thought slipped by will be replaced by another.

LEO (July 23 - August 22): An opportunity that you hoped would open up for you remains closed. Stop wasting time scratching at it. Something else you’ll like will soon make itself apparent and accessible.

VIRGO (August 23 - Sept. 22): You’ll soon hear some positive feedback for all of the hard work you recently put into a project. Meanwhile, a Pisces could soon swim into your personal life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - October 22): Someone whose friendship you felt you had to write off will try to revive it. What you do is up to you, but don’t do it without giving it considerable thought.

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): A job-related plan might need to be reworked to allow for changes. Lucky for you, there’s strong planetary influences that can help you focus on getting it done right.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): This is a good time to move into areas of self-discovery. You might be surprised about who you really are and how you really relate to those around you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): Expect to confront someone who will make an unwelcome request. Stand by your resolve to do the right thing, no matter what “persuasion” might be offered.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): A friendly competition could become more contentious than you expected. Take time out to discuss the reasons behind this unexpected change and act accordingly.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20): March 20) You have a wonderful mind for solving mysteries, so you should feel confident about solving the one that develops very close to you. An unlikely source offers help.

Margaret (“Meg”) Mary O’Neill

October 3, 1982 ~ April 2, 2023

Margaret (“Meg”) Mary O’Neill, 40, passed away in a tragic accident on April 2, 2023. Meg was born on October 3, 1982 and was raised in Castro Valley, CA. She attended the University of California San Diego and received a bachelors degree in Comparative Politics & Public Service. She later earned a Masters in Teaching from Colorado College.

Meg’s life was devoted to education, advocacy, and adventure. Following completion of her undergraduate education, she spent a year further igniting her passion for climbing and outdoor exploration in New Zealand. She carried this flame with her upon her return, as she spent the next seven years teaching Outdoor and Environmental Science with Yosemite Institute/ NatureBridge and Outward Bound. She later shifted her path into the classroom, spending several years teaching middle school science at the Utah International Charter School. Most recently, she had undertaken a position as STEM Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake. During this time, she has also served as Assistant Director of Embark Outdoors, an organization designed to empower refugee young women through outdoor education and sport.

One of Meg’s greatest joys was introducing youth to the limitless opportunities for exploration and learning that the outdoor world has to offer. She believed in teaching resilience through challenge and adventure. It is impossible to measure the impact of Meg’s teaching and mentorship, as she has inspired so many to embrace these lessons and instill them in others. Amongst her family, friends, and climbing community Meg was known for her outgoing personality, inclusive nature, and contagious excitement for rock and ice. She found happiness in hosting meals and could rarely (if ever) be beaten at a board game. She frequently welcomed friends and their canines into her home that she shared with her two fur children, Keyah and Possum. Each weekend, Meg could be found exploring the routes less traveled, sometimes even wearing a tutu.

Meg is survived by her parents John & Mary O’Neill, her sister Jennifer O’Neill, her nephew Finnegan Drews, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her grandparents John & Anna O’Neill and Earl & Marie Skagen, her brother-in-law Theodore J. Drews, and uncle Thomas O’Neill.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Reports: Sat on Bag Of Cocaine

Our Athlete of the week is Daniil Novak. This Castro Valley High School student competes nationally and internationally in Tae Kwon Do. This year, he got a gold medal at the California State Championship in April, a silver medal at AAU Taekwondo National Championship on July 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a bronze at U.S. Taekwondo National Championship on July 9 at Jacksonville, Florida. Daniil is also a California Tae Kwon Do team member representing our state in national and international competitions.

Daniil started doing taekwondo at the age of 9 and has gradually risen through the ranks. Daniil is a competition team member at Tornado Martial Arts Club (San Ramon), where he earned a 2nd Dan black belt coached by master Roman Sheyman. In addition to his physical skills, Daniil is also an excellent student with a GPA of 4.36.

The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athlete of the Week Daniil Novak

Daniil Novak Beware: ‘One Big Thing’ Never Works

By Mitch Rothbardt SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

After being a personal trainer for almost 12 years I’ve seen some things change. For example, it used to be much harder for women to accept the importance of strength training. That’s gotten better, although there’s still a long way to go. Unfortunately, one thing that hasn’t changed is our attraction to the “One-Big-Thing.”

The “One-Big-Thing” is the promise that “One-Big-Thing” will get you everything you want, and then and only then, you’ll be happy.

But you won’t be.

I’m sorry, but “One-BigThing” never works. It’d be great if it did and it’s completely understandable that we want the answer to be so simple, but we’ve been falling for the “One-Big-Thing” ever since carnival barkers sold hair tonic to bald men.

Nowhere is this truer than with diets.

Diet “OneBig-Things” focus on an evil food or food group, usually carbs, although I’ve seen villains like meat, tomatoes, anything un-organic, vegetables, fats…well…come to think I think I’ve seen every food and food group demonized in one way or another… and yes…it’s all ridiculous.

Like most things, nutrition is best approached with common sense. There are people who make their “One-Big-Thing” diet seem like it makes sense (that’s how they get paid, after all). They’ll cite some evidence, usually lacking context or real proof, and it’ll sound something like this:

“THIS IS THE DIET THE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT!!”

They’ll play on some combi-

continued from page 3 ment sent deputies to a home on Betlen Court near Grove Way. There, they arrested a 41-yearold CV man on suspicion of assault on a family member. Deputies determined that the altercation was the result of an argument during a handoff of the children. The man was taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.

Out of Town Warrant

Tuesday, August 1: at 10:12 p.m., deputies arrested a 31-year-old man with no permanent residence as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man had been hanging outside a business in the Castro Village shopping center when deputies stopped him for questioning. The man had previously been convicted of petty theft and possessing illegal narcotics. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail.

Sat on Bag of Cocaine

Tuesday, August 1: at 9:53 a.m., a 46-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bag of cocaine. Deputies pulled the man over for having an invalid license registration and found he was sitting on the bag during questioning. The man was taken into custody.

Melissa Phillips of Castro Valley caught this coho salmon last month in the waters off of Ketchikan, Alaska. With her husband, Jim, they each caught five salmon. Congratulations on your ‘Great Catches,’ Melissa and Jim! Have a ‘Great Catch’ you’d like to share? Please send a photo and info by email to: filesforforum@gmail.com

nation of fear and hope, knowing you want to believe that the answer is this simple and will solve all your problems.

It’s all a lie, of course.

The evidence is shaky once you really look at it.

The diet is unsustainable.

And the most devious thing is that when it doesn’t work, and it never does, they blame you.

You aren’t good enough… disciplined enough…don’t want it enough.

What a bunch of garbage.

How would you feel if you bought a laptop that didn’t power up and when you tried to return it, they told you it was your fault and you needed to buy another if you want one bad enough? Txhat’s infuriating, right? That’s what “OneBig-Thing” diets do.

So how do you protect yourself? Ask yourself these 3 questions:

Does it make sense? Take your emotions out of it and

really think. Don’t rationalize. Does it really make sense that drinking Apple Cider Vinegar raises your metabolism?

Remember the Raspberry Ketones craze? Does it demonize any one food or food group? No, carbs aren’t inherently unhealthy. Is it sustainable? Is drinking a shake for breakfast, eating a cup of greens for lunch, and 2 ounces of chicken and broccoli for dinner going to work for you for the next half-decade? (Yes, I’ve actually seen this diet.)

I hope this helps keep some things straight for you. I know how hard this can seem. There’s a ton of information, much of it confusing or misleading, out there. Drop me a line if you have any questions.

Mitch Rothbardt is owner and head trainer at Castro Valley Fitness. Reach him with any questions at the dog park with Penny and Puppy almost every afternoon or at Mitch@ CastroValleyFitness.com.

Ryder is a 4 year old German Shepherd mix hoping to learn to trust in her forever home. Ryder is active, inquisitive and would do well bonding with a human that loves her. Ryder would do best in a home with teens and up. To adopt contact Hayward Animal shelter 510-293-7200.

Phoebe is a 3 year old Pit bull mix. Phoebe is a sweet girl looking for a home that understands that she wants love and affection. Phoebe would do best in a home with older kids and up. To adopt contact Hayward Animal shelter 510-293-7200.