HOLIDAYS AROUND THE TOWN
Hanukkah BEGINS TOMORROW
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CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023
YEAR 35
THE HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS
INSIDE YOUR
Four Reasons Why Shopping Local Matters
FORUM
A Step Forward
By Michael Singer
Sutter Health names inaugural Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
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Tree Lighting
Hundreds show up for Christmas tree lighting in Castro Village
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CV Native Jon Chau Scores ‘Baby Shark’s Big Adventure’ ley Tisdale, and Lance Bass, with Kimiko Glenn as Baby Shark and Luke Youngblood as This weekend, a new animat- his best friend William. ed film, “Baby Shark’s Big Ad“I made videos from an early venture!” debuts on Paramount age, as a singer-songwriter +, featuring a musical score by when YouTube first became Castro Valley native Jon Chau. a thing,” Chau says.” As I got Billed as a “major ocean picolder, I became interested in ture,” it features big-name voice film scoring and helping people talent, including Cardi B, Ash- build a sonic world for their By Linda Sandsmark
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Feeling SAD?
Tips to ease the feelings of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD
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INDEX Calendar ................ 6 Classified Ads ....... 12 Crosswords ........... 13 Homes ..................... 8 Obituaries ............. 15 Opinions ............... 15 Our Town ................. 3 Seniors .................. 14 Sports .................. 16 Weather .................. 2 WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
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movies.” Chau adds, “The journey to film scoring was never linear, but I’m loving every minute of it and the opportunity to work on projects that will reach a wider audience. I want to help people execute their vision, to tell their story, and build their world cinematically.” see SHARK on page 7
The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and of course, shopping. But as we rush to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones, it’s important to remember the impact our spending decisions have on our communities. Shopping locally and patronizing Castro Valley businesses owned and operated by community members is a powerful way to support your neighbors, strengthen the local economy, and create a more vibrant and sustainable place to live. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), every dollar spent at a local business generates an average of $57 in local economic activity, compared to just $23 when spent at a chain store. This is because local businesses tend to reinvest their profits in the community, creating jobs, paying taxes, and supporting other local businesses. In fact, small businesses create 7 out of every 10 new jobs in the United States. Community Spirit and Social Connections Shopping in Castro Valley is not just about economics; it’s also about building community. Local businesses are often the heart of their neighborhoods, providing places to gather, socialize, and connect with one another. They sponsor local events, support local charities, and employ people from the community. see HOLIDAYS on page 7
County Judge Leo Dorado Reflects on Career every day and marveled at his ability to be cheerful at home after a day of serious, someAlameda County Superior times even gruesome, testimony in court. Court Judge and longtime Castro Valley resident Leo “My favorite is that you’d Dorado retired last year after never know if he was happy 34 high-profile years on the or sad about a case,” said Nico bench—but didn’t get a reDorado. “His ability to comtirement party due to COVID partmentalize was superb.” restrictions. For his part, Leo Dorado So, his family gathered at said being a judge ended up René C. Davidson Courthouse giving him more time to spend in Oakland a few weeks ago to with his family than if he had remained a trial attorney, throw him one. which he had previously been. Son Nico Dorado said his dad was happy to go to work “My family was my big reBy Mike McGuire
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
ward in my career,” he said. He said his wife, Lee, had been a big part of his professional life and was proud of his son Nico and daughter Alex, who work for different parts of Google. He said his own family had given him a good start in life despite poverty in the thenrough Jingletown neighborhood in Oakland. His father, a self-educated immigrant, worked through several blue-collar and white-collar jobs before starting the Dorado PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DORADO FAMILY Tax Service in Fruitvale. see DORADO on page 3 County Judge and Castro Valley resident Leo Dorado.