‘Charlie Brown’ play features two CV cast members Page 2
Pressure is On The easiest way to monitor blood pressure at home Page 10
Shed the Old The year of the snake represents renewal, longevity and health Page 11
Painters finish work on the three crosses at 3Crosses Church in Castro Valley. These iconic symbols of faith were refurbished last month after welders repaired the three bars securing the crosses to each other at the top. The crosses were installed in 1969 when the Neighborhood Church moved from Oakland to Castro Valley. Each cross reaches 75 feet above the parking lot and has an additional 25 feet of steel below the surface to help anchor them and keep them steady in all kinds of wind and weather. Painters with S&S Painting and Coatings used about 30 gallons (10 gallons per cross) to refresh the brilliant white color of the crosses. Owner Greg Severs said this is the third time his company has painted these crosses. The first time S&S painted the crosses was back in 1992. A fresh coat of white was applied in 2018.
New District Attorney
By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors picked current Superior Court Judge Ursula Jones Dickson to be the county’s new interim district attorney on Tuesday, January 28. She will serve until the county’s next general election in 2026 and can then run for the remainder of the term of the recently recalled D.A. Pamela Price, which goes through 2028. Price had been elected in 2022 to a four-year term, but in March 2024 see ATTORNEY on page 3
CV’s Jo Loss: How Small Actions Can Lead to Big Results
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Jo Loss, a longtime resident, and dedicated community advocate moved to Castro Valley with her husband, Ed, in 1987. The couple prioritized the town’s strong school system for their growing family. Originally from Oakland, the couple sought a place with more space and educational opportunities for their children. Since then, Loss has spent decades serving the community in various capacities, from volunteering in schools to leading civic initiatives.
see LOSS on back page
Two CV Churches To Discuss Diocese Reorganization Plan
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Castro Valley’s two Catholic Churches have scheduled a meeting this month to discuss sharing resources in response to the Diocese of Oakland’s plan to merge or “cluster” some parishes. Father Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, who currently oversees the congregations of Our Lady of Grace and Church of the Transfiguration, has invited members of each parish to a “Catholic Community of Castro Valley” Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is expected to allow
parishioners to voice questions and concerns about the Diocese’s proposed reorganization of some of its churches.
“This is only a preliminary meeting. Nothing has been fully decided or confirmed,” Father Zwolenkiewicz told the Forum. “Bishop Michael C. Barber will make the final decision.”
In 2021, the Diocese announced a reorganization of some of its churches—known as the Mission Alignment Process or MAP—citing declining Sunday Mass attendance and underutilized parish facilities. The decision was further solidified see CHURCHES on page 11
Jo Loss
CASTRO VALLEY ICON GETS A MAKEOVER
Castro
Valley Weather February 5 - February 9, 2025
‘Charlie Brown’ Play Features Two Cast Members from CV
By Terry Liebowitz
“You’re a Good Man, CHARLIE BROWN” opens Friday, February 14, on Valentine’s Day at 7:30pm at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts. This Castro Valley Arts Foundation/TMC ARTS production based on the Charles Schultz Peanuts cartoon strip runs only one weekend.
The cast of 14 comes from all over the Bay Area, but two of the cast members Clarisse Saam (CVHS 2003) and Maggie Francisco O.D. (CVHS 2008) call Castro Valley home.
Clarisse Saam (nee Manning) has a special role in “You’re a Good Man, CHARLIE BROWN” as the voice of Lucy. She is excited about this new experience of working alongside her fellow actor who will be signing. She took American Sign Language at Castro Valley High School but does not consider herself bilingual.
Clarisse has enjoyed relearning some of the intricacies of the language and observing how her counterpart brings the script to life in a new way. For example, in “The Book Report” song, new ASL signs had to be created for the long list of vegetables, “okra, parsnips, asparagus, chives, etc.,” and the idiom “shooting fish in a barrel” gets a little something extra when delivered in sign language. How to deliver these lines has been part of the fun.
Today Clarisse lives in Concord with her husband and
Come “cheer on” Castro Valley cast members Clarisse Saam and Maggie Francisco in Castro Valley Arts Foundation/TMC Arts production of “You’re a Good Man CHARLIE BROWN” February 14 and 15 at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts.
young son. She is self-employed as a Leadership Coach, empowering leaders and entrepreneurs to overcome challenges like “burnout” and “procrastination.” She views her job as “one who nourishes seeds of growth!” Most of her work is done virtually with clients across the country.
Clarisse is all about Singing.
In high school she sang with the choir, the ASL Talent show and a musical. Once in the work world, she realized something was missing in her life. She returned to vocal lessons and started auditioning. “I realize now I can never stop singing. It is my road map to resiliency!” see PLAY on page 3
PHOTO BY DAYNA SPEED
SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Attorney: Vows to Rebuild
continued from front page voters changed some county office terms to align presidential election years, which extended Price’s term by two years. However, voters then recalled her last November, with her detractors charging she was overly lenient towards accused or in some cases convicted criminals.
Jones Dickson vowed to start rebuilding the office, which suffered several key resignations during Price’s time as D.A. She also promised to get rid of restrictions on charging crimes that critics said had hampered prosecutors.
District 3 Supervisor Lena Tam, in her January online newsletter, said “Ms. Jones Dickson brings valuable experience, having previously worked as a Deputy District Attorney. I’m confident that she will play a key role in rebuilding trust within our community, ensuring fair and just outcomes, and advancing our efforts toward criminal justice reform.”
Some prominent recall supporters told media outlets they were happy Jones Dickson had been selected.
Co-chair Carl Chan, a leading activist against hate crimes directed toward Asians, told media outlets he was quite happy with Dickson Jones’s selection. Also expressing joy was Virginia Nishita, whose husband Kevin had been murdered while working as a security guard for KRON 4 television news.
see ATTORNEY, back page
‘River Bride’ Opens Friday
Chanticleers Theatre is almost ready to open “The River Bride”, a love story based on the Brazilian legends of the botos: the magical dolphins of the Amazon, by Marisela Trevino Orta, this Friday, Feb 7. Tickets are available at www.chanticleers.org or by calling (510) SEE-LIVE.
Play: Cheer On Clarrise and Maggie
continued from previous page
Maggie Francisco is part of the colorful CHARLIE BROWN ensemble and plays Lucy’s little brother Linus on Saturday, February 15 at 7:30pm. Maggie embraced the opportunity to play something so different from her usual ingénue roles “….definitely pushing me outside my comfort zone.” She laughs, “Linus makes sucking your thumb and holding a security blanket OK.”
Maggie lives in Castro Valley with her husband and
three-year-old daughter. After completing Optometry School, Dr. Maggie Francisco returned to Castro Valley to practice at Castro Valley Optometry. She is passionate about educating parents about the need for children to have routine vision exams. She explains, “Children don’t know what normal vision is, so parents can’t wait for complaints.”
Like Clarisse, Maggie was missing the joy of singing. She joined the CVHS Alumnae Chorale and sang in “Hunchback” last summer.
“I reconnected with my love of being part of a group that creates something beautiful.” Maggie likens being on stage to parenthood: “The days may seem long and tiring, but in the end, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!”
Come “cheer on” Clarisse and Maggie in “You’re a Good Man CHARLIE BROWN” February 14, 15 at 7:30 15, 16 at 2:00pm. 19501 Redwood Road. Free parking, handicap accessible. For tickets, visit: cvartsfoundation.org or call 510-889-8961.
Sheriff’s Report
Intersection Daylighting Law Reminder
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents of a new state law that took effect on January 1, 2025, designed to help prevent automobile-pedestrian collisions by improving visibility at intersections. The Intersection Daylighting Law (California Assembly Bill AB-413) now prohibits parking within 20 feet of the approach to any marked or unmarked crosswalk. For intersections with curb extensions (often called bulb-outs), parking is banned within 15 feet of the crosswalk. This regulation applies regardless of whether signage or curb markings are present. Deputies will give verbal and written warnings between now and February 29 and begin writing citations on March 1.
Trespassing and Resisting Arrest
Thursday, January 30: At 9:56 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 30-year-old Castro Valley woman on suspicion of trespassing and resisting arrest. The woman was spotted trying to break into a restricted area of a motel on Castro Valley Boulevard near Strobridge Avenue. Deputies were called to the scene after the site manager called. During questioning, the woman became confrontational. Deputies handcuffed her and took her into custody.
Traffic Stop Ends in Two Arrests
Wednesday, January 29: At 7:21 a.m., two people from Castro Valley were arrested during a traffic stop on Parsons Avenue near Wilson Avenue. The Driver, a 63-year-old man, was arrested as part of a warrant for his capture on a previous drunk driving conviction. The passenger, a 42-year-old woman, was arrested for possessing illegal drug paraphernalia and refusing to leave private property after repeated requests. Deputies took both people to Santa Rita Jail.
Swipe Right Live February 15
What happens when funny folks create TEDtalk-style presentations about their single friends? Only one way to find out! Inspired by the nationally recognized TinderDisrupt show, Swipe Right LIVE is a lineup of singles presented by their friends in hopes of finding a special spark with a special someone. Hosted by comedians Arturo Raygoza Jr. and Angela Arellano, this night is sure to bring the laughs as folks present funny powerpoint slideshows all about what makes their single friend totally dateable. Whether you’re single, married, or anything between, everyone is invited to watch this hilarious show and maybe even make a love connection. Don’t miss this reality-TV style dating show live on stage, at JP’s Restaurant in Castro Valley, Saturday, February 15 at 7pm. Get your tickets now at plethos.org
Saturday, February 8
RCS Booster’s Dinner & Auction
RCHS Booster Club President Lea Leyva is excited about this Saturday’s “All You Can Eat Crab and Tri Tip Dinner” and Auction in the Bruce D. Johnson Gymnasium on the Middle School and High School Campus at 1000 Paseo Grande in San Lorenzo. Doors open at 4pm. The live auction will begin at 6:30 P.M. Tickets can be purchased at https:// form.jotform.com/223484568555165
Sunday, February 9
CV Orchestra Free Concert
Castro Valley Orchestra will open 2025 with a free concert this Sunday, February 9 at 2pm at Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley. The program will include works by Bizet, Humperdinck, and Mozart. Ross Gershenson, retired Fremont music teacher and member of the Oakland Symphony, will perform the Horn Concerto by Lee Actor. A reception to meet the soloist and members of the orchestra will follow the concert.
Sunday, February 9
“Reading Rainbow” Documentary Join the Castro Valley Library to celebrate the show “Reading Rainbow” with a viewing of the documentary Butterfly in the Sky this Sunday, February 9 at 2:30 pm. A free book giveaway in honor of Black History Month will follow. Lavar Burton and the whole team at “Reading Rainbow” inspired a generation of kids to fall in love with books. This heartwarming documentary takes you behind the scenes and celebrates their work. Register at www.aclibrary.org
Tuesday, February 11
CV Rotary Hosts Christian Carr Christian Carr will speak on the State of the Real Estate Market 2025 at Redwood Canyon Golf Course (17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley) from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. A buffet lunch and the program take place at Redwood Canyon Golf Course (17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley) at 12 to 1:30pm. RSVP by 9pm on Sunday, February 9, at castrovalleyrotary.org.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
• February 7th - Applications Due for Environmental Leader Scholarship For details visit cvsan.org/ StudentScholarship.
• February 11th - Special Board Meeting.
• February 12th- Business Services Committee Meeting.
• February 13thCommunications Committee Meeting.
• February 17thPresidents’ Day Holiday Observance (CVSan Closed).
• February 18th- Operations and Engineering Building Project Committee Meeting
• February 20th - Wastewater Committee Meeting
• March 4th- Regular Board 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.
K Cheng and Cathy Zhao, local Bay Area comedians and participants of Plethos’ upcoming ‘Swipe Right’.
REAL ESTATE GALLERY REAL ESTATE GALLERY
REAL ESTATE REALITY GUEST COMMENTARY
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
Maximizing Your Yard
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
Looking for a home with enough space for our large family, we settled on the only 6-bedroom home available. It had a lot of deferred maintenance, but as a contractor, I knew getting it back into shape and even improving it would not be a problem. The real issue, however, was a massive pool, complete with a diving board and slide which dominated the back yard. We had never had a pool and quite frankly, the idea of effectively maintaining one was daunting.
As it happened, the kids and their friends spent countless hours frolicking in the water and we ended up grateful for the resource. After a few trials we decided to leave the maintenance to professionals and from then on, the water remained clear. Once the last child left home, however, the
CROSSWORD
pool presented us with some problems. By this time, it was 50 years old and both it and the surrounding mass of concrete were in need of serious upgrading. With no one left at home to enjoy the pool, we began looking at other options.
As we were planning on selling our home, we considered what might appeal to younger buyers. Instead of paying an immense sum to redo the pool, we had it removed at a fraction of the cost of upgrading. This opened up a blank slate for us to develop a yard that was more practical. I spent time drawing out a few options and we settled on a number of interlocking concrete patios, a large gazebo, a firepit, BBQ gas and water hookups, a small basketball court all surrounded by a ribbon of drought-resistant flowerbeds, complete with accent lighting.
The overall effect was stunning and was all accomplished at significantly less than we would have paid to redo the pool. Prior to selling, we had a few parties and quickly discovered that the backyard was the place everyone wanted to be. It also turned out to be a hit with the family that bought the home: they love entertaining and, after we had moved, one of our neighbors sent us a picture of our previous backyard taken over their fence that showed the entire backyard full of people having an
awesome time.
Bottom line: if you take the time to effectively plan, your yard can become a functional and attractive space that enhances your living experience and also increases your home’s value.
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.
A Time to Plant
By Samantha Mazzotta Special to the Forum
It might be hard to believe, with winter still pounding at our doors, that it’s time to start preparing the lawn and garden. But February is an ideal time to get ready for the upcoming growing season.
In some areas, it’s not too early to start seedlings. In just a few weeks’ time they will be ready for planting, right about the time that the soil and weather are both warm enough to nourish those plants.
To get ready for spring, start planning how you’ll begin your seasonal lawn care regime, pick out new plants you’ll want for your garden, inventory stored bulbs and seeds, and prep the lawn and garden tools.
Lay out all of your hand tools and check for damage or rust. Clean off rust with a little steel wool, and thinly coat the metal parts with an all-purpose lubricant like 3-in-1 oil or WD40. Wooden handles should get a fresh, thin coating of a wood-friendly treatment like
linseed oil or butcher block oil. Unfold the lawnmower and other gas- or electric-powered lawn tools and prepare them for use. Make sure blades and chains are in place, check to make sure spark-plug connections are clean -- maybe even give the starting cord a good tug (in a well-ventilated area) to make sure starting is possible -- and electric cords are not frayed. Don’t fill gas-powered tools with gas just yet, but do fill a spare gas can with the correct mixture and store away from the house, well away from flames and in a well-ventilated area. Finally, make sure you have all the lawn and garden supplies you need to handle springtime tasks. This includes fertilizer, extra grass seed for bare spots, mulch and any other items that will make outdoor work go faster and easier.
HOME TIP: Didn’t have time to start a compost pile last fall? Don’t fret -- start composting now with a smaller amount and lots of fresh dirt, then add organic materials and turn as
The 30-year fixed-rate has hovered between 6% and 7% for most of the last two and a half years. That trend continued this week, with the average rate remaining essentially flat at 6.95%. Driven by these higher rates and a persistent supply shortage, affordability hurdles still exist for many homebuyers and a significant number of them remain on the sidelines.
RECENT HOME SALES
Castro Valley
Rust, Mildew a Concern for Roses in the Spring
By Buzz Bertolero
The Dirt Gardener
QI’m looking to replace several older roses this year. Which roses are more resistant to rust, mold and other problems?
ARust, Mildew, and Black Spots are the primary fungus diseases that plague Bay Area roses. Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, and Floribunda varieties are the most susceptible. Rose varieties introduced this century are more resistant than earlier ones, but none are disease-free. The very popular Floral Carpet Roses, David Austin Roses, Knockout family, and landscape roses are disease-free. Here are the factors that contribute to Rust, Mildew, and Black Spot on roses. Mild nighttime temperatures and
moisture on the foliage after the sun goes down are the keys to all of these diseases. In addition, removing all the debris around the bushes after pruning is recommended to eliminate the over-wintering fungal spores. With the new foliage emerging and the spring rains, Rust, Mildew, and Black Spot are a concern. You need to apply your fungicides prior to the problem occurring. Applying a fungicide when the disease(s) are present doesn’t solve the problem. The fungal spores infect the bushes twelve to eighteen days before the problem shows up on the foliage. While there are plenty of rose disease controls available, these products will not eradicate the problem. They return when the right conditions occur. Fortunately, today we have several systemic fungicides that solve these
diseases. Bonide System Drench and Bayer Advance
All In One for Roses are two such products. They are best applied when the new growth is at least an inch long and rain is in the long-range forecast. They’ll protect roses for six weeks. Bonide System
Drench and Bayer Advance All In One for Roses are liquids you apply to your roses’ base. Bayer Advance All In One for Roses granular is also available. If you’re an organic gardener, these products are not for you. Again, the organic control success depends on how wet of a spring we have. After the rainy season concludes, watering the foliage in the late afternoons or those areas with an afternoon marine influence prolong the problems into the summer and fall months. You have a very good probability of having disease-free roses
Qwith systemic roses products. My Plum tree has stopped producing. The trees have been quite productive but were a big disappointment last year. How do I correct things this year?
APlums produce fruit on the second-year wood. If the trees are pruned too se-
verely, the fruiting spurs are removed. This is probably the number one reason deciduous fruit trees fail to set fruit. There are other reasons but they don’t apply to your trees. Generally, you should remove fifteen to twenty-five percent of the annual growth. The fruiting spurs are easy to detect. Those branches with buds clustered in a grouping of three or more are the fruiting buds. These stems
are darker color than the oneyear-old growth, which is a lighter color and has single buds. The good news is the tree’s productivity will return once the pruning technique changes. 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.
The Secret to Selling?
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.
Dry Cleaners in Oakland for sale. $1,500,000. Call David (Realtor) 510326-7108. Dre#00820734.
CONCRETE SERVICE
ISLANDER CONCRETE. Quality Work, Free Estimates. Lic.#989994. Steven 925-915-5240/ 510-798-3732.
S.L. CONCRETE SERVICE Driveways, Sidewalks, Stamped Concrete, Retaining Walls, Tree and Drain Service. Lic.#982202. 510856-8937.
HOME SERVICES GUIDE Help for the homeowner means business for you! To Place an Ad ... Call 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.
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 work, brush removal (fire prevention... don’t get insurance cancelled). Insured & Bonded #8189. Jerry 510-410-2427.
HANDYMAN 35 Years. Senior Discounts. Native. All Phases. In and Outside Work. Tom 510-427-0455
HAULING SERVICE
HAULING: Small and Big Jobs. Furniture, Concrete, Wood, Trash, Metal, Demolition. Also house inside/ outside cleanups. 510-715-1578.
HELP WANTED
DSP Staff wanted to work with D.D. adults in a Care Home in San Leandro working with disabled adults & their needs. Will train. AM, PM and W/E shifts available + overnight. Salary + Benefits. Call 510-638-8070 or email: mr2125@att.net.ry
Please TENOLIAJACKSON be advised and put on notice that a Limited Civil lawsuit in the amount of $10,060.38 for move out and property damage charges has been filed on February, 22, 2024 in the county of Alameda against Tenolia Jackson for her contract of renting at the premises of 1555 164th Ave. apartment number 39 by the Plaintiff, San Leandro Ashland LLC, with the defendant being Tenolia Jackson case number 24CV065026. This notice is to serve as publication of service as per the order granted and dated January 13, 2025 to run in this newspaper for four consecutive weeks. Contact Plaintiff at Ashland Office located at 1555 164th Ave San Leandro, CA94578, 510-278-3920, Ashlandmanor@jleproperties.com
NEED - MUSIC LESSONS or PIANO TUNING?
Check the Classified Ads under “MUSICALSERVICES” for help.
MOVING SALE: Furniture, Persian Rugs, China Cabinet, Dining Table, Bed, Desk, China Set, etc. 510-7605286.
“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 - Reelto reel music tapes
(these are 7” & 10” round tapes from the 60’s). Call Patrick 510-517-3351.
RENTALS
LANDLORDS – Advertise your units! Avacancy day is money lost forever ... R. Bowman
RENTALS/RV SPACES
RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $975/ month. Call 510-481-9901.
NEED - MUSIC LESSONS or PIANO TUNING?
Check the Classified Ads under “MUSICALSERVICES” for help.
SERVICES
HANDYMAN & CONTRACTORS
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.
How about a new kitchen or bath? Check the TIMES "Classified Ads" & The TIMES "Home Service" ads for help!
Senior Driver Safety Seminar
Stay safe... and save money! Registration has begun for the library’s popular senior driving program! Conducted by the California Highway Patrol, this seminar will take place on Tuesday February 11 from 12:30 to 2:30pm at Castro Valley Library. The 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. To register, call the Library Information Desk at 510-667-7900 or see Events at: aclibrary.org/branches/csv The Castro Valley Library is located at 3600 Norbridge Ave. and is wheel chair accessible.
Properly Monitor Your Blood Pressure
By Jim Miller SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Everyone with high blood pressure (130/80 or higher) should have a home blood pressure monitor. Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure in a comfortable setting. Plus, if you’re taking medication it will make certain it’s working, and alert you to a health problem if it arises. Here are some top-rated blood pressure monitors to consider along with some tips to help ensure you take an accurate reading.
Best Monitors
The most accurate and easiest to use home blood pressure monitors today are electric/ battery powered automatic arm monitors, which are more reliable than wrist or fingertip monitors. With an automatic arm monitor, you simply wrap the cuff around your bicep and with the push of a button the cuff inflates and deflates automatically giving you your results on the display window in a matter of seconds.
Many automatic monitors also come with additional features such as irregular heartbeat detection; a risk category indicator that tells you whether your blood pressure is in the high range; a data-averaging function that allows you to take multiple readings and get an overall average; multiple user memory that allows two or more users to save their readings; and downloadable memory that lets you transmit your data to your smartphone or computer.
and Assisted Senior Living
Call for a tour and join our waitlist today! (510) 733-2418 | baywoodcourt.org
Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure in a comfortable setting. Plus, if you’re taking medication it will make certain it’s working, and alert you if a health problem arises.
The top five automatic arm monitors as recommended by Consumer Reports for 2025 are the Omron Platinum BP5450 ($90), Omron 10 Series BP7450 ($70), Omron Evolv BP7000 ($70), A&D Medical UA767F ($55), and Omron 3 Series BP7100 ($55). And the top wrist monitors are the Omron 7 Series BP6350 ($55) and the Equate (Walmart) 4500 Series ($40).
You can purchase these blood pressure monitors at pharmacies, medical supply stores or online and you don’t need a prescription to buy one. Prices, however, will vary slightly depending on where you buy.
How to Measure
After you buy your monitor, it’s a good idea to take it to your doctor’s office so they can check its accuracy and make
sure you’re using it properly. Here are some additional steps to follow to ensure you get accurate measurements at home.
Be still: Don’t exercise, smoke or drink caffeinated drinks or alcohol for at least 30 minutes before measuring. Empty your bladder and ensure at least 5 minutes of quiet rest before measurements.
Sit correctly: Sit with your back straight and supported (on a dining chair, rather than a sofa). Your feet should be flat on the floor and your legs should not be crossed. Your arm should be supported on a flat surface (such as a table) with the upper arm at heart level. Make sure the middle of the cuff is placed directly above the bend of the elbow. Check your monitor’s instructions for an illustration.
Don’t measure over cloths: Put the cuff directly on your bare skin. Putting it over clothes can raise your systolic (upper) number by up to 40 mmHg.
Measure at the same time: It’s important to take the readings at the same time each day, such as in the morning before taking medications, or evening before dinner.
Take multiple readings: Each time you measure, take at least two readings one minute apart and record the results. For more information on high blood pressure numbers and how to accurately measure it at home, visit Heart.org/HBP. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. visit SavvySenior.org.
Numerous programs may help reduce your health care and prescription drug costs if you meet the eligibility requirements. At the Castro Valley Library’s FREE presentation, Wednesday, February 26, from 11am to 12:30pm you will learn about: The Medicare program and its costs; Medi-Cal and the Medicare Savings Programs; The Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) for prescription drugs; and Eligibility requirements, the application processes, and the benefits. The Library is located at 3600 Norbridge Ave. For more information, call the Library at 510-667-7900.
Shed the Old For
The New
By Kevin Koo SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Happy Lunar New Year!
This year is the year of the wood snake. The snake represents renewal, longevity, and health. The shedding of the skin is a sign of rebirth and rejuvenation. I found this to be really interesting to reflect on, rebirth and rejuvenation.
In personal development, I’ve heard people talk about their old self dying as part of the improvement process. It always sounded quite dramatic, and I didn’t really understand it. However, it made much more sense when I started thinking about it from the lens of rebirth. You see, when you start working on yourself, small parts of you begin to change. You can’t change if everything stays the same, right? So, if little parts of you are changing, it’s like the snake rubbing up against a rock or branch and little flecks come off. As you keep doing the work, more and more of that skin comes off until it is completely removed. What are you left with? A lot of dead skin. Your old self has died, and you now have a new self.
So, coming into 2025, maybe you have some skin peeling, waiting to be fully removed. This is a great year to shed more and more things that no longer serve you. The thing to reflect on would be, what’s the equivalent of rubbing up against rocks and branches?
Maybe you want to lose weight this year. You may want to connect with a gym friend (someone who goes to the gym regularly, aka weirdos) and see if they would be an accountability partner. It won’t be fun or comfortable when they follow up with you, but that might be the way to get you to work out. Maybe you want to meditate more and find more calm in your life. Reach out to friends who meditate regularly, get advice from them, then follow up with them based on your results after trying out their advice. Or even better, meditate with them.
Maybe you’ve felt stuck in life and haven’t figured out what to do. You’ve been looking for free resources… but maybe it’s time to invest a little money to deepen the experience. That could be see KOO on back page
Letters are views of the author and not necessarily those of the newspaper or its advertisers. Submit online at: mycvforum.com/letters-submission-form
New CVUSD Foundation
The Castro Valley Unified School District for years now has looked at the various foundations that have provided funds to programs – be they educational, arts, sports or music. Why? Because the School District, has wanted access to the monies raised - to take control of the monies. This is a blatant attack on the work done by the non-profit organizations who have served our communities so well. Before COVID, there were meetings where the District openly sought to “join an existing outside fundraising organization” (CV Forum Jan. 29,2025) with the goal was to access the monies raised. Our foundations are free from the politics that is the essence of this School Board. A “School District” foundation will undermine the fundraising efforts of the various Castro Valley fundraising organizations – wiping out years of outstanding service to our community. Tell the School Board “HANDS OFF!!” and stop this blatant attack.
–Frank Mellon, Castro Valley
Support Our Community
Thank you for the three excellent articles in the 01/29/25 CV Forum that covered: Nobody’s Perfekt Pet Shelter, Hope 4 the Heart Food Bank, and Wriggle Rumps ReTail. Two of the articles highlighted the financial support so badly needed in order to keep the pet shelter & the food bank open, both of which serve vital services. The remaining article on the retail pet boutique mentioned the owner’s support and donations to the community, including George Mark House, a pediatric center that provides palliative care at any stage of a serious illness. As a local paper, the CV Forum’s coverage of articles such as these, bring to the forefront what our community’s needs are and the special people who work behind the scenes and contribute to make Castro Valley so special. As a community, let’s support our local organizations and businesses, especially during these economic times when so many unfortunately can no longer financially continue.
–Aileen
Chong-Jeung, Castro Valley
Churches: CV Diocese
continued from front page after the Diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023 following the passage of California Assembly Bill 218, allowing at least 300 potential juvenile sex abuse-related lawsuits to proceed. Prior to the bankruptcy filing, Bishop Barber convened a MAP committee to review all Diocese properties and congregations. Their report showed that some churches should merge, and others would cluster or operate as an inter-parish association. In the first phase, six churches merged into three, including Christ the King of Pleasant Hill with St. Stephen of Walnut Creek in 2022. St. Barnabas in Alameda is expected to merge with St. Joseph. St. Benedict and Divine Mercy in Oakland are also slated to merge. No church closures are planned, according to the Diocese report.
Reflecting on Defining Year Of Salvation and Revelation
By Thomas Lorentzen SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
With the passage of time, we tend to look back on the waves of time that weaved our lives. A recent event made me reflect upon my own life. With retrospection I looked upon a defining year of salvation and revelation. It was 1950. The location was our home here in Castro Valley. A salvation happened. At age four I survived being run over by a 1948 Buick. A front tire on the car went over the thighs in both of my legs. It went in between my knees and pelvis. A few inches either way would have killed me or crippled me for life. Neither of the femur bones were broken. That was my salvation. I found out that life can end quickly.
The revelation came during my recuperation. While laying on the floor I glanced through scrapbooks my aunt had kept of WWII. Two photographs stood out. They were of naked bodies. They were stacked up like dead goats. The photos were taken during the liberation of the most famed death camp in history – Auschwitz. With the innocence of a small child, I wondered how something so evil could happen. These experiences bookmarked my life – salvation and revelation. One was good. One was bad. With that the mystery of history became a passion and a pursuit. The recent anni-
versary made me reflect on these experiences (the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz was on January 27th).
As my life matured, these two experiences provided purposes. One was gratitude. The other was to try to understand the forces of good and bad, and the origins of evil. With curiosity it led me at the age of twenty-one to Eric Hoffer – one of the most profound writers on the rise of mass movements, as well as authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. His writings were bold and insightful. A friendship developed between us, which included discussions about these subjects. One of the mysteries he tried to solve was why good people (and educated people) turned bad and committed evil atrocities. In India, Mahatma Gandhi was doing the same. The void was filled with a haunting perspective from the historian-phi-
losopher Hannah Arendt. She perceived the existence of an unknown element in the organics of the modern world. She coined this factor the “banality of evil.” She had discovered that good and educated people can become indifferent to the emergence of turpitude in their time. Worse yet, they can unwittingly become participants and contributors. With the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in mind, it makes me reflect again upon these subjects. How did they happen? Although we have enhanced knowledge, we have more to learn. We need to not only examine what happens on the outside, but also what happens inside us. The emancipation of Auschwitz coincided with my own salvation and revelation about the tragedies of life. They began here in Castro Valley. Now, on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, they emerge again here and within the memories and motions of my own life.
Under the Diocese’s MAP, Our Lady of Grace (established in 1947) and Church of the Transfiguration (established in 1961) are expected to “cluster.” That’s where two or more parishes remain separate and retain their names but share one or more priests and one administration.
The Diocese’s MAP committee is expected to share its recommendation based on the bishop’s guidelines at the February 18 meeting in Stack Center at Our Lady of Grace.
Our January 15 article, “Former Afterschool Teacher in CV Charged with Molestation,” incorrectly identified the timeframe for parent notification. The date should have read November 22, 2024. The Forum regrets the error.
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Our Athletes of the Week are the Castro Valley High School Girls Varsity Soccer team. The Trojans lost against the Bishop O’Dowd Dragons on January 9, and unfortunately, they wound up with the same result on Friday, January 31. Castro Valley came up short against Bishop O’Dowd, falling 6-0. While losing is never fun, the Trojans can’t take it too hard, given the team’s road win against the Alameda Hornets by a score of 3-1 on January 29. That win made it back-to-back victories for the Trojans as they defeated the Encina Jets 4-0 on January 23. Castro Valley will square off against the Piedmont Highlanders tonight at 6 p.m. followed by a game Friday where they will host the Berkeley Yellowjackets.
Loss: ‘Do Any Small Piece of Good’
continued from front page Loss spoke with the Castro Valley Forum about her volunteer career, the importance of creating community, and doing the next right thing.
“Do any small piece of good that you can do because it’s going to impact and help someone,” Loss told the Forum.
A self-described “professional volunteer,” Loss has played a crucial role in the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for over 20 years. She served on the state board for 11 years, including nine years on the board of directors. From 2009 to 2011, she held the prestigious position of California State PTA President. Her extensive involvement in public education led her to be elected to the Castro Valley School Board in 1995, where she served for 25 years.
“We took classes and engaged in professional development to build a strong governance team,” Loss explained, emphasizing the board’s commitment to focusing on children and families rather than personal political ambitions. She views public education as the cornerstone of democracy and has dedicated her career to ensuring all students receive quality education.
Beyond education, Loss has been actively involved in civic initiatives through the League
of Women Voters (LWV), where she recently completed a four-year term as president. Under her leadership, the League set goals to promote civil discourse in the community and support homeless individuals. One such effort included a community meeting in June, where 75 attendees participated in discussions on addressing homelessness.
Additionally, Loss spearheaded a project to provide warm clothing for the homeless. For Christmas, she requested her son build a hat tree, which she placed in a local shelter to collect winter gear.
The next initiative, planned for March, is an “Underwear Challenge,” encouraging nonprofits in the area to collect undergarments for those in need—one of the most requested items among the homeless population.
While the League of Women Voters is primarily known for educating citizens on election cycles and policy issues, Loss emphasized that outreach extends beyond voting rights. “To empower underserved communities, we must ensure they have the resources to participate in democracy,” she said, citing past projects where educating parents on the public education system became a prerequisite for arts advocacy.
Looking at Castro Valley’s growth, Loss encourages
new residents to get involved. She has coached local sports teams, managed community programs, and worked alongside other dedicated parents. Recognizing other’s struggles, she believes in supporting all families rather than judging those unable to participate in traditional ways.
“We would go to all the events (school, scouting, sports, etc.) and see all the same parents,” Loss said. “But my point is, don’t judge the parents that aren’t there because there’s probably other things going on in their lives. We had two Castro Valley moms speak at a recent LWV event who suddenly found themselves homeless. You can’t judge them for that. You need to say, What do you need, and what can I do to help?”
Reflecting on her proudest achievements, Loss highlights the opening of the Castro Valley Center for the Arts. Years in the making, the center solidified the district’s commitment to music, drama, and dance, even amid budget cuts. “It’s not just for students, but for families and the whole community,” she said.
As she continues her service, Jo Loss remains an unwavering advocate for education, civic engagement, and community support, embodying the spirit of public service in Castro Valley.
Attorney: Drew Key Endorsements
continued from page 3
Save Alameda For Everyone (SAFE), which had organized the recall drive, had supported both Jones Dickson and fellow finalist Annie Esposito, currently assistant district attorney in Contra Costa County.
The same two finalists had also been endorsed by Peace Officers Research Association of California, who saw Price as not only too lenient toward criminals but also unfriendly toward law enforcement officers.
Almost immediately after being selected, Jones Dickson
said she would ask Esposito to join her at the D.A.’s office as a top assistant. Esposito said she was still considering options, and did not promptly accept Jones Dickson’s offer.
Besides Esposito, finalists not chosen were Elgin Lowe, Alameda County senior deputy district attorney; Yibin Shen, Alameda City Attorney; Jimmie Wilson, Alameda County deputy district attorney; LaTricia Louis, deputy counsel for Alameda County; and Venus Johnson, chief deputy attorney general with the California Justice Department.
Johnson had drawn some key endorsements but also drew some opposition for her role as top assistant to state Attorney General Rob Bonta. This made her an “outsider” to some critics, though she had earlier served as an Alameda County prosecutor and as chief assistant to Contra Costa County district attorney Diana Becton.
The D.A.’s office had been headed temporarily after Price left office by Chief Assistant District Attorney Royl Roberts. He was not one of the finalists for the interim D.A. position.
Koo: What Skin Needs to be Shed?
continued from page 11 getting help from a professional, buying an online course, or even getting a book to read. I’m fairly conflict-avoidant as a person. Maybe it’s because I’m a nice guy, or because of my Asian upbringing, but I used to run away from conflict like it was the plague. It wasn’t until I got into personal development that I realized conflict
was needed for me to push through to a new level. Instead of waiting for something
terrible to happen and forcing me to change, I look for the problem and find the least conflicting way to address it before it becomes an issue.
examples? Those were ways I found rocks and branches to shed my old skin. What about you? What skin needs to be shed? Let me know! Coach Kev helps people find calm, clarity, and confidence while shedding his old self. Email: kevinkoocoaching@ gmail.com, or follow on IG and YouTube @kevinkoocoaching
The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week CVHS Varsity Soccer
