HOLIDAYS AROUND THE TOWN
We Wish You aMerry Christmas PAGES 4 & 5
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2023
YEAR 35
INSIDE YOUR
FORUM
ICE CREAMERY CLOSING FOR REMODEL
Winery Closing
Westover Winery of Castro Valley to close by the end of this year
Christmas Joy Rotary Club hosts annual children’s Christmas party
Senior Q&A
Things you may wish to consider when reviewing estate plan
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INDEX Calendar ................ 4 Classified Ads ........ 8 Crosswords ............. 9 Homes ..................... 6 Obituaries ............. 11 Opinions ............... 10 Our Town ................. 3 Seniors ................... 10 Sports .................. 12 Weather .................. 2 WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
AC TRANSIT
Changes Could Cut Off Service To Parts of CV ridership, and thus revenue, by making changes to the system CASTRO VALLEY FORUM to match post-pandemic riders’ changed needs. Castro Valley may gain some bus frequency but lose Currently, Line 28 runs some bus coverage under one through Castro Valley along of two competing AC Transit Stanton Avenue, Lake Chabot proposals now being considRoad, Castro Valley Bouleered as part of a post-pandemic vard, Castro Valley BART, “realignment.” Redwood Road, Seven Hills AC Transit held the latest in Road, Center Street, and A a series of public meetings on Street. It connects to San the realignment at its Oakland Leandro BART and Hayward BART at either end. Route headquarters on Wednesday, 93 begins at Hayward BART December 13. The two-county bus system and connects to Castro Valley BART via Grove Way and lost much of its ridership Redwood Road. during the pandemic with a related loss of revenues, and AC Transit is considerridership has yet to recover, ing two competing service according to AC Transit changes: a Balanced Coverage spokesperson Robert Lyles. Scenario and a Frequent He said it is hoping to regain see TRANSIT on back page By Mike McGuire
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NO. 51
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL SINGER
JUST IN THE (SAINT) NICK OF TIME: The Sanchez family takes a photo with Santa Claus at the Knudsen’s Restaurant-Ice Creamery. Starting next month, the restaurant will be closing for a massive remodeling, including changing its floor plan and entrances. SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 5
Local Couple Married in Eden Hospital ICU By Monique Binkley Smith and Catlin Valles SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Staff members in the Intensive Care Unit at Sutter Eden Medical Center recently planned a special wedding ceremony, but it wasn’t for anyone on staff. The celebration was their way of honoring a patient in their care. After 77-year-old patient Ed Dugan expressed his wish to marry Lucy Becerra, his partner of 37 years, Eden chaplain Jenifer Ingerman Miller and many other members of Dugan’s care team sprang into action, joining with the Castro Valley couple’s family to stage a ceremony in the ICU where he had been admitted just
before Thanksgiving for signif- experience in the hospital’s care setting. icant respiratory issues. Dugan, whose health has “This is a perfect example improved enough since the of our care teams holistically December 5 wedding to move meeting our patients’ needs while they are in the hospital,” to another, less intensive unit in said Eden’s chief nurse execu- the hospital, says he is grateful tive, Jonathan Judy-del Rosario. for the care he has received, “Doctors at Eden have devel“I am simply amazed at how people came together to make oped a program for me that I this such a special occasion for believe will extend my life. I Ed and Lucy and their family.” wasn’t very well when I came A hospital’s ICU may not be in, so kudos to the medical the ideal setting for a wedding staff!” More than 50 people attendfor most people, but the staff’s ed the heartfelt ceremony. Half compassion and thoughtfulof the crowd was made up of ness meant the world to a the couple’s friends and family, family who might not otherand the other half were hospital wise have the opportunity to PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUTTER HEALTH celebrate this special milestone staff and caregivers who had come to feel a connection with 77-year-old patient Ed Dugan kisses his new bride together. For staff, it was a the couple. chance to honor their patient Lucy, his partner of 37 years, after a wedding ceresee COUPLE on page 10 mony staged in the ICU at Eden Medical Center. as an individual outside their