January 18, 2023

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

The cost to repair storm-damaged roads and other critical infrastructure in Alameda County is expected to exceed $52 million, which includes $6 million to repair a section of A Street that washed out into San Lorenzo Creek, offcials said last Thursday.

But expect A Street between 4th Street and Charlene Way to be closed for quite a while as rainy conditions sweep through the East Bay, potentially adding to the storm damage.

More than 20 different sites in the county were damaged or destroyed due to heavy rains in the past month, including sections of Redwood Road past the golf course, Crow Canyon Road near the county line, Eden Canyon Road, and Lake Chabot Road along the west side of the lake. Castro Valley was pelted with more than 7 inches of rain at the end of December and nearly 5 inches since the beginning of 2023.

U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell visited the A Street site last week with emergency offcials to survey the damage.

“Eye-popping to just see it in that standing because so

many of us have relied on the local infrastructure here,” Swalwell said.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California on January 8.

This allows Alameda County to get federal resources such as people and equipment to fx roads and infrastructure. The county is paying for the repairs see STORM on page 2

A Quarrel Over EBMUD Quarry

By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is replacing many older sewage pipes throughout Alameda and Contra Costa County.

Reaching that goal involves the utility company sending 60 to 100 full dump trucks a day for 40 years down narrow and curvy Lake Chabot Road between Castro Valley and San Leandro near the Bay-O-Vista neighborhood, according to EBMUD.

That’s got some people riled up enough to launch an online petition called “Save Lake Chabot Road.” The group

wants EBMUD to put the dirt somewhere else. They say truck volume, project duration, and concerns about hillside stability are more than what the two-lane road can handle.

“The road can’t possibly sustain that sort of truck traffc,” said Kat Wellman of the Save Lake Chabot Road group. “It would make the road totally unsafe, especially for bicyclists.”

Wellman added that there’s barely enough room for a car to safely pass a bicycle, given how many curves there are. It’s even tighter when there is also an oncoming car, she said, never mind a truck. see EBMUD on back page

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Human traffcking is an estimated $150 billion-a-year global industry, with as many as 17,500 victims traffcked into the United States annually. Yet, Alameda County is the third highest “hot spot” for this crime in the U.S.

In response, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price and billboard advertising frm Clear Channel have teamed up to raise awareness and offer hope to victims during January’s National Human Traffcking Awareness Month. It’s the 10th year the two organizations have collaborated to bring local awareness to this crime.

“Human traffcking is a serious crime that affects teens, children, and residents of Alameda County every single day,” said District Attorney Price. “When you think of human traffcking, you may think of crimes that occur in far-off places. But that is not the reality. These crimes are happening right here in our own backyard. My offce hopes that public awareness on these crimes will increase the likelihood that they will be reported and perpetrators will be brought to justice.”

The campaign features Clear Channel billboards and bus shelters throughout Alameda County, bringing awareness to the insidious crimes of human traffcking. The campaign focuses on crimes of sex and labor traffcking. These types of crimes are a serious threat to public safety.

By educating the community on the various forms of human traffcking in our neighsee

LABOR on back page

Don’t

PHOTO CREDIT: ANNE CAWOOD

Lake Chabot Road, which would be used by many dump trucks if the quarry project goes through, is currently closed for rain damage which has also destabilized hillsides.

Rep. Eric Swalwell visited the A Street site last week with emergency offcials to survey the damage. The cost to repair storm-damaged roads and other critical infrastructure in Alameda County is expected to exceed $52 million.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SINGER

Don’t Miss It– Nicolas Bearde Live at CV Center for the Arts

By Terry Liebowitz SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

Get a jumpstart on Valentine’s celebrations with vocalist Nicolas Bearde and his quartet, Saturday, February 4, 7:30pm at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts. With a rich and silky baritone, fans often compare him to Nat King Cole and Lou Rawls.

In his show, Jazz for Lovers, Bearde delivers romantic interpretations of contemporary jazz, blues, classics, and his elegant originals. He is one of today’s premier male jazz recording artists, soon to release his seventh album. Glen Pearson (piano), Edwin Livingston (bass), Lorca Hart (drums), and Charles McNeal (sax) will join Nicolas on stage.

Nicolas Bearde

Multi-talented, Nicolas is a songwriter, educator, voiceover artist, and actor. Nicolas regularly sells out at SFJazz Center, Yoshi’s Jazz Club, Blue Note Napa, Smoke and Birdland in NY, Jazz Café in London, and Hermann’s in Victoria, Canada.

He has performed on four continents and has been a high-

ly sought-out solo artist and front-man at International Jazz festivals including Monterey Jazz, North Sea, Montreaux, Stuttgart and Burghausen, San Jose Jazz and the Vancouver Folk Festival. He has appeared in numerous stage plays and several feature flms including Final Analysis with Richard Gere and True Crime with Clint Eastwood as well as popular TV shows, Nash Bridges and Monk.

All About Jazz says: “When Nicolas Bearde’s soulful and affecting baritone sits atop impeccably tailored arrangements of sterling standards, the results are absolutely stunning!”

Tickets are available at www.cvartsfoundation.org or call510-889-8961.

Storm: Impact on Local Businesses

continued from front page upfront.

Rep. Swalwell is asking the government to issue a Major Declaration Act to reimburse the county for the millions of dollars they are spending.

“When we talk about being paid back, we want not only federal and state resources. We want the counties to be reimbursed,” Swalwell said.

Swalwell also advised local businesses impacted by the storms to seek federal aid and work with the Small Business Administration for help.

Because A Street is a major connection between Hayward

and Castro Valley but is closed in the eastbound direction, traffc is being rerouted elsewhere while people are getting frustrated.

Meredith Judkins with Eden Pet Hospital says the heavy rain and the damage to A Street have impacted some of the hospital’s business.

“Some of our clients are scheduling later in the day to get around the traffc,” Judkins said. “We’re directing people to take Foothill or Mission Boulevard and then take Grove Way or highway 238 to get to us.”

For people like Hayward

resident Richard Avery, however, being a local has advantages.

“Thankfully, I know the back streets, so I can get to the bank or my favorite coffee shop in Castro Valley,” Avery told the Forum. “I also know to avoid this area at certain times of the day, typically between 3:30 and 6:00 in the evening. That’s when the traffc will really back up.”

Alameda County Public Works Agency (ACPWA) is currently looking at ways to stabilize the creek bank before making more permanent repairs. No timeline was given.

CVEA Chamber of Commerce Opens New Ofce in Ashland

The Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce formally opened its new offce at 15970 E. 14th Street, Suite in Ashland, on January 12. The new space will serve as the Chamber’s main offce. In addition, it has space for meetings by other groups and “incubator space” to temporarily accommodate small businesses. The Chamber also has a small satellite offce in Castro Valley.

CORRECTION

“We are really excited about being in Ashland,” said Chamber President Todd Anglin. “This will give us a great location to work with the businesses and community in this area.”

On January 18, the Chamber will hold its Board Installation mixer for the 2023 directors and offcers at the Cherryland Community Center.

“We picked this location to showcase the brand-new

Our article entitled “Unincorporated Renters Get New Protections” did not accurately re ect the outcome of the vote. The Board of Supervisors delayed the second review of the ordinances to a later date. The Forum regrets the error.

community center in Cherryland and to spread our focus on all areas of the unincorporated County,” Anglin said.

In early March, the Chamber will host the “Showtime San Lorenzo” event with a community movie at a yet-tobe-determined location.

On May 6, the Chamber says it will host Spring Fest in Cherryland on E. 14th Street near the REACH Ashland Youth Center. The event will include music, crafts, and food, like the Castro Valley Fall Festival.

Other dates of interest can be found on the Chamber website: www.EdenAreaChamber. com.

Sheriff’s Report

COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Assault and Death Threats Sunday, January 15: at 10:02 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 31-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of assault on a family member and making death threats. The man was at an apartment on Anita Avenue near Castro Valley Boulevard when deputies responded to a call about an altercation. The man was taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.

Stolen Property, Vandalism Saturday, January 14: at 11:07 p.m., a 22-year-old CV woman was arrested as part of a warrant issued for her capture. Deputies delivered the warrant at an apartment on Center Street near Fernwood Court. The woman was previously charged with possession of stolen property. Deputies served the warrant and found her possessing stolen and vandalized personal property. The woman was taken to Santa Rita Jail.

Shoplifter Caught Saturday, January 14: at 8:32 p.m., deputies arrested a 34-year-old woman on suspicion of shoplifting and providing a false identifcation to authorities. The woman was seen leaving a retailer with unpaid merchandise near the Castro Valley BART station. Deputies caught up with the woman and took her into custody.

Drugs and Weapons Friday, January 13: at 12:40 p.m., a 49-year-old man with no permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of pos-

session of methamphetamine drugs and related drug paraphernalia, an illegally made billy club, and illegal possession of tear gas. Deputies caught up with the man outside a business in the Castro Village Shopping Center. The man was taken into custody.

Driving Intoxicated Friday, January 13: at 2:07 a.m., deputies pulled over and arrested a 62-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of driving under the inuence of alcohol and with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit. The man was traveling on Center Street near Edwards Lane when deputies pulled him over. The man also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest related to destroying private property. Deputies took the man into custody.

Petty Theft at BART Wednesday, January 11: at 10:44 p.m., a 32-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of petty theft and possession of illegal narcotics, fentanyl, and methamphetamine drugs and related

drug paraphernalia. The man was caught outside the Castro Valley BART station on Norbridge Avenue near Redwood Road and taken into custody.

Street Fighting Man

Wednesday, January 11: at 9:55 a.m., deputies responded to an altercation outside an apartment on Forest Ave. near Omega Ave. There, they arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of assault and battery. The man was taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.

Illegal Brass Knuckles

Wednesday, January 11: at 4:40 a.m., a 40-year-old man with no permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of possessing illegal brass knuckles, methamphetamine drugs, and related drug paraphernalia. Deputies reported the man had an outstanding warrant related to possessing illegal narcotics and burglar tools. The man was in front of a business on Redwood Road near Knox Street when deputies stopped him for questioning and served the warrant. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail.

2216 Heathrow Pl. San Leandro - $719,000 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths,1659 Sq. ft., Built 1979 Open House Saturday, 1/21, 1-4 pm 2041 Clarke St. San Leandro - $650,000 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, 936 Sq. ft., Built 1944 Open House Sunday, 1/22, 1-4 pm

(CA DRE #00689931, #01912817, #02187163)

Chamber president Todd Anglin cuts the ribbon along with other members, including outgoing president Julie Sumiki (holding sign at left) and vice president Lynda Foster (holding ribbon).

PHOTO COURTESY OF CVEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

RCHS Homecoming Court

Last Friday night, the Redwood Christian High School Homecoming Banquet served as the venue for Master of Ceremonies, Event Coordinator and Assistant Principal Dr. Evan Barnhart to announce the 2022-23 Homecoming Court.

The 2022-23 Homecoming Ceremonies will be held on Friday, January 20, in the Bruce D. Johnson Gymnasium on Redwood

Christian Middle School and High School campus at 1000 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo.

Game times are JV Boys at 3:30 p.m.; Varsity Girls 5 p.m. and Varsity Boys at 7 p.m. following the Homecoming Ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. where Queen Agape Tesfamichael and King Thomas Kohler and the rest of the Homecoming Court will be introduced. The community is invited to attend.

Castro Valley Reads Returns! Event Kicks Of Next Month

It’s that time of year! The 6th annual Castro Valley Reads kicks off on Sunday, February 5 at 2 pm with a twohour drop-in event.

Castro Valley Reads is an annual literary event that asks our residents to read and discuss the same book. It builds community by encouraging a thoughtful exchange of ideas and celebrates the joy of reading together. Castro Valley Reads is generously funded by the Friends of the Castro Valley Library.

This year they will be highlighting Chinese history and culture with a beautiful and poignant work of historical fction entitled Peach Blossom Spring, a debut novel from author Melissa Fu.

Spanning continents and generations, Peach Blossom Spring is about the power of our past, the hope for a better future, and the search for a place to call home.

“We hope you will join us to read and discuss this year’s selection,” said Dawn Balestreri, Manager of the Castro Valley Library. “I found myself lost in this story, both a page turner and tear-jerker. It may remind you of the stories in your own life and the importance of sharing the messy tapestry we call family.”

Discussion group registration begins today. You can register for a Library-facilitated group or you can form your own group with three or more people. Book distribution begins Feb. 5. To learn more and to register, visit: aclibrary. org/castro-valley-reads.

The drop-in Kick-Off Event is Sunday, February 5 from 2 pm to 4 pm. You’ll learn more about the book and be able to pick up a free copy, while sup-

plies last. You can also make a wish for the Lunar New Year on the wishing tree and enjoy a concert of traditional and contemporary Chinese music. The music and video presentations will repeat throughout the 2-hour event. Please register so we know you are coming

and drop in when you like! To register, visit aclibrary.org/ castro-valley-reads.

From February through the end of April, in addition to discussion groups, the library has a great line up of programs for all ages related to the themes of the book. Please join us!

• Our Lady of Grace TK-K “Round Up” on Friday, Jan. 27 from 1 to 4 pm and Open House, on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 10 to 1 pm For more, visit: www.olgschool.org/

• Start Smart: Teen Driver Program Monday, Jan. 30, 6 to 8 pm at CV Library

• Preparing for College Online Event Tuesday, Jan. 31. Visit: www.aclibrary.org

RCHS 2023 Homecoming Queen Agape Tesfamichael and King Thomas Kohler

PHOTO CREDIT: CATHY BRESLOW/ BRESLOWIMAGING

Castro Valley Reads is an annual event that asks residents to read and discuss the same book. From February through the end of April, the Castro Valley library has a great line up of programs for all ages.

Done: ‘Do the

By Kevin Koo SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

Support Your Resolutions of Your Mind, Body and Spirit Get Stuff

By Linette Escobar SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

How are those New Year’s resolutions going? With the recent storms, you might need some motivation and support to get back on track. This quarter, Castro Valley Adult & Career Education (CVACE) is offering several classes that support all kinds of wellness.

Train your brain. Many studies have pointed to the cognitive benefts of learning a second language. At CVACE you can take a class in Chinese or Spanish. Not only will your brain form new neurons but you will be among people who share your interests.

Move your body CVACE offers active classes like pickleball and volleyball where you can be a part of a group and get your heart rate up. If you are looking to improve exibility then you can challenge yourself with Pilates, Power, and Posture, Chair Yoga or Nice and Easy Fitness. All instructors are pros at adapting exercises to different ftness levels.

Fight disease with art and music. Did you know that experiences such as viewing powerful art have been shown to fght in ammation Inject more art and music into your life. A new class called Zentangle uses drawing as a form

of meditation. If you have always wanted to learn to play the piano, your chance has arrived with Piano 101 and 102.

If you are already a musician, consider joining the Orchestra, Community Band or Swing Band and start performing. Make something. Handson cooking classes include a variety of delights including Macarons and pie dough. If you’re trying to eat healthier, there will be a class where you cook with herbs and mushrooms under the guidance of

a nutritionist and then share a healthy dinner and discussion.

If you’d like to build your DIY skills, Your Home is taught by a contractor who covers basic home maintenance.

Whether you want to get new computer skills, get your estate planning in order or even become an EKG technician, there is great life long learning at the adult school. Visit www.cvadult.org for the complete offerings or contact Castro Valley Adult & Career Education at (510) 886-1000.

Last week, I wrote about how it’s not about what you know but about what you do. So how do you “do the do?” I suddenly I’m craving soda, and I don’t know why.

When I think about what it takes to do something, there are three components: your mindset, skill set, and toolset.

Having the right mindset is essential for success. It’s not just about having a positive attitude but also being willing to take risks and challenge yourself to reach your goals.

With the right and healthy mindset, you believe that you have the ability to learn, grow and develop with effort and practice over time. People with this kind of outlook are more likely to persist in facing diffculty and failure because they understand it’s all part of learning and improving.

They also tend to be more open-minded, creative problem solvers who can adapt quickly when faced with new challenges or obstacles. Let’s say you believe an old dog can’t learn new tricks… how successful will you be?

I’m reminded of a story from when I was in elementary school, but there was a song that went something like this, “I may be old and so I’m told, buuuuuut I can still do many things.” Who do you think has the right mindset?

Having the right skill set is also essential.

It involves a combination of technical expertise,

interpersonal skills, and problem-solving capabilities. Recently I started making sourdough bread because I’ve wanted to since 2020. For anyone who has attempted to do this, you know how tricky it is in the beginning. The dough keeps sticking to your hands, the shape is weird, and it may look funny when it’s done. The problem? I haven’t developed the right technique. Now, there may not be interpersonal skills involved with bread baking (although some people do talk to their starter. I’m not that level of crazy… yet). Still, there are defnitely problem-solving skills that develop through making mistakes.

Finally, having the right toolset also plays a critical role in success. I was trying to put together a bookshelf over the holidays. It’s one of those where you can use a screwdriver for most of it, but the back needs to be nailed in. I couldn’t fnd my hammer, so I tried to hammer it in with my screwdriver. It took way longer than needed, but I eventually got it in.

Unfortunately, I put it on backward. So not only did I take an extra long to complete the job, I did it wrong This actually isn’t even the worst-case

Do’

scenario. In some cases, if you don’t have the right tools, the job can’t be done at all.

So frst off, what is this thing you want to do? Do you have the right mindset, skill set, and toolset to do it? If so, I’m so happy for you! If not, it’s ok, now is the time to re ect and pivot. As I showed above, not all three need to be good, but you’ll be hindered in many ways if not. I would argue that mindset, skill set, and toolset should be prioritized. Meaning that if you have the right mindset, you can get past less-than-ideal skills or not having the right tools.

However, it doesn’t matter how good your skills or tools are if you have a bad mindset. The results won’t be great. That’s also true between skill set and tool set. If you have good skills, you can make do with tools that maybe aren’t right for the job. I could hammer a tiny nail into the bookshelf because my skills were good enough. However, if you have the right tool but lack the skills, the tool can only do so much for you.

So how are things lining up for you? I’d love to hear from you!

Kevin helps people gain clarity on what they want in life, craft a plan, and support in the execution of the plan while sharpening his mind, skills, and tools. Contact him at kevinkoocoaching@gmail.com or book a call at https://calendly.com/ kevinkoocoaching/cvforum

Train your brain at CV Adult & Career Education.

REAL ESTATE REALITY

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Times

Mortgage Lenders Bailing

s the real estate market, deeply impacted by the mortgage interest hikes, continues to morph its way into 2023, those being hit the hardest are lenders.

While current loan rates have dramatically slowed demand for home purchases, the refnance market has virtually disappeared as higher rates have made refnances unpalatable. It has been a double whammy for lenders who have seen overall mortgage applications down to their lowest point since 1996.

Consequently, we are seeing mortgage lenders such as Finance of America pulling out of the residential loan market to refocus on, in the words of Graham Fleming, interim CEO, “businesses that have a distinct market opportunity and greater growth potential.” It is estimated that FOA expects to save between $110$120 million a year by leaving the residential market. While some lenders are choosing to continue originating mortgage loans, most major players have dramatically reduced their workforces to ease the substantial losses incurred by the low volumes of loans.

And now Wells Fargo is joining the pack of institutions leaving the residential mortgage market. In the case of Wells Fargo, at one time the #1 mortgage lender in the country, they are not leaving the market entirely but plan to only focus on existing customers and minority communities. Like competitors JPMorgan Chase and BofA, they intend to refocus on unsecured lending (ie. credit cards) and investment banking.

Mortgage lenders are also seeing a signifcant loss in profitability in the loan servicing arena. Most lenders originate loans and then, once they are on the books, bundle them and sell them to investors including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Once the loan is sold, the mortgage originator typically continues to service the loan, ensuring that payments are coming in on time and so on. While in the past this has generated signifcant revenue, rising rates have tightened the margins and removed proftability.

The departure of major lenders is making things more diffcult for those buyers who see the current housing market

as an opportunity. With multiple offers disappearing almost entirely and prices lowering in many sectors, some buyers have realized that they can now negotiate prices and terms and begin reaping the benefts of home ownership sooner than later.

Unless we see a dramatic turnaround in the market, we can continue to see more and more lenders exiting which, in turn, makes it even more diffcult for buyers to get a loan.

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.

The Sweet Spot: Planting Berry Vines

QI plan to purchase several Blackberry and Raspberry plants to grow on a fence. How much sun do they require? Do I feed them when they’re transplanted, and when will they bear fruit?

By Buzz Bertolero THE DIRT GARDENER

ABlackberry and Blackberry and Raspberries are an excellent addition if the plants are contained; hence, they are only advisable for a few gardens. You do not want to plant any berry vines on a fence that is also the property line. It can be an expensive nightmare dealing with neighbor(s) disputes as the vines will intrude next door. Berry vines are aggressive growers with above and below-ground stems or rhi-

zomes. Instead, grow the vines on a separate trellis structure four to six feet off any fence line. This way, you can head off the problems before it’s too late. I would place the trellis in a north-south direction. They require six hours of sunlight per day, April through October. This will allow the berries to ripen on both sides of the vines. Blackberry and Raspberry’s vines produce fruit next year as the berries are produced on second-year canes. The vines are pruned after you fnish harvesting all the berries instead of waiting for them to go dormant. The fruiting canes are cut off at the ground. You replace them on the trellis with the best new shoots growing from the base. All the other new growth is removed. It

would help if you were diligent with pruning off the basal shoots; otherwise, the vines can get out of hand. Again, the berries will only develop on the second-year canes. When planting, I would add Starter Fertilizers and amend the soil with homemade compost or soil conditioner. Again, I would only recommend them if you have the proper setup.

I’d like to plant several Buckeyes on a hillside. I’ve collected several pods from an existing plant. Now, what do I do? Growing things like acorns in a bucket isn’t good because of the tap root.

ABuckeyes are excellent ornamental trees for medium to large backyards. The tall trees, with their leafy green foliage, provide plenty of shade.

I’d germinate the seeds frst and then transplant the seedlings out into the ground later this year. Also, I’d germinate all the seeds you have. This allows you to select the most vigorous seedlings to transplant.

A nursery at, tray, or container flled with pre-moistened potting soil would work. I’d transplant the seedlings into individual containers after they are two inches tall. Buckeyes have a spreading root system instead of a taproot, so planting in containers shouldn’t be an issue.

It would help if you broke open the pods to expose the individual seeds. They should be a shiny bright color. If they have a dull, wrinkled appearance, they may not germinate. If you have poor germination, I’d try it again in the fall with new seed pods.

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

BUZZ BERTOLERO

THE DIRT GARDENER

RECENT HOME SALES

Home sales information is compiled and provided by CalREsource and includes Bedrooms, Square Feet and Year Built when available

BD - 1,068 SF - 1928

1400 Carpentier Street 94577: $425,000 [1 BD - 804 SF - 1983

21354 Rizzo Avenue 94546:

$780,000 [2 BD - 1,455 SF - 1947

19027 Mayberry Drive 94546: $855,000 [3 BD - 1,020 SF - 1950 3839 Modesto Street 94546:

$890,000 [3 BD - 1,392 SF - 1950

17065 Sabina Court 94546: $890,000 [3 BD - 1,660 SF - 1960

18372 Joseph Drive 94546: $949,000 [3 BD - 1,172 SF - 1954 2431 San Carlos Avenue 94546: $1,150,000 [2 BD - 1,432 SF1949

5446 Greenridge Road 94552: $1,601,000 [4 BD - 1,842 SF1960

4333 Wildwood Place 94546: $1,825,000 [3 BD - 3,574 SF1987

6001 Slopeview Court 94552: $2,000,000 [3,859 SF - 1986

897 Quantas Lane 94545: $660,000 [3 BD - 1,121 SF - 1959 27710 Del Norte Court 94545:

$690,000 [4 BD - 1,474 SF - 1970 91 Hacienda Avenue 94541:

$717,000 [3 BD - 1,182 SF - 1951 26307 Regal Avenue 94544:

$730,000 [3 BD - 1,059 SF - 1952 26337 Huntwood Avenue 94544: $820,000 [3 BD - 1,142 SF - 1954 27008 Underwood Avenue 94544:

$850,000 [3 BD - 1,231 SF - 1955 1974 Lilac Avenue 94545: $865,000 [3 BD - 1,224 SF - 1964

1792 Osage Court 94545: $890,000 [3 BD - 1,224 SF - 1965 221 Span Court 94544: $910,000 [3 BD - 1,760 SF - 2019

25495 University Court 94542:

$950,000 [1,788 SF - 1978 960 Folsom Avenue 94544:

$950,000 [3 BD - 2,010 SF - 1945 871 Folsom Avenue 94544: $1,200,000 [4 BD - 1,730 SF1947

1400 Carpentier Street #237 94577: $522,000 [2 BD - 1,193 SF - 1983 14023 Seagate Drive #229 94577: $560,000 [2 BD - 990 SF - 1985 14832 Wake Avenue 94578: $735,000 [2 BD - 1,354 SF - 1945 1730 Kappa Avenue 94579: $780,000 [3 BD - 1,732 SF - 1958 1011 Castle Street 94578: $825,000 [3 BD - 1,334 SF - 1952 870 Estudillo Avenue 94577: $835,000 [3 BD - 1,535 SF - 1938 15268 Wiley Street 94579: $840,000 [3 BD - 1,493 SF - 1952 16526 Russell Court 94578: $850,000 [1,842 SF - 1977 241 Begier Avenue 94577: $895,000 [5 BD - 2,177 SF - 1966 1188 Cherrybrooke Commons 94578: $964,500 [4 BD - 1,957 SF - 2005 605 Lee Avenue 94577: $980,000 [4 BD - 2,545 SF - 1948

SAN LORENZO

Total: 2 – Average Price: $737,500

High: $775,000 – Low: $700,000

68 Via Rodriguez 94580: $700,000 [3 BD - 1,360 SF - 1944 16032 Via Descanso 94580: $775,000 [3 BD - 1,000 SF - 1944

FILED DEC 22, 2022

MELISSA WILK County Clerk

ALAMEDA COUNTY

By----------, Deputy FILE NO. 594236

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code Sections 17900-17930

The name of the business(es): Pacheco Landscape Management, located at 20146 Butterfield Dr., Castro Valley, CA 94546. in Alameda County, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Karl Pacheco, 20146 Butterfield Dr., Castro Valley, CA 94546. This business is conducted by an Individual. This business commenced 09/19/2019 /s/ Karl Pacheco

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda County on date indicated by file stamp above.

FILED DEC 16, 2022

MELISSA WILK County Clerk

ALAMEDA COUNTY

By----------, Deputy FILE NO. 594034

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code Sections 17900-17930

The name of the business(es): Kitty Ani Kreativ - Longarm & Quilting Services, located at 16664 Cowell Street San Leandro, CA 94578. in Alameda County, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Anita Kathryn Thompson, located at 16664 Cowell Street San Leandro, CA 94578. This business is conducted by an Individual. This business commenced N/A /s/ Anita Kathryn Thompson

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda County on date indicated by file stamp above.

FILED DEC 28, 2022

MELISSA WILK County Clerk

ALAMEDA COUNTY

By----------, Deputy FILE NO. 594392

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code

Sections 17900-17930

The name of the business(es): Ric’s Kitchen & Bath Showroom, located at 3664 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley, CA 94546. in Alameda County, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Richard Timothy Plummer, 9600 Crow Canyon Road Castro Valley, CA 94552. This business is conducted by an Individual. This business commenced 08/28/1996 /s/ Richard Timothy Plummer

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Alameda County on date indicated by file stamp above.

1582 D Street 94541: $650,000 [2

Expires DEC 21, 2027 DEC 11, 18, 25, FEB 01, 2023 0556-CVF

Expires DEC 15, 2027

DEC 28, JAN 05, 12, 19, 2022 0534-CVF

Expires DEC 27, 2027

JAN 04, 11, 18, 25, 2023 0545-CVF

All

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONTRACTOR SERVICE

NOTICETO READERS

EMPLOYMENT WANTED

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

*MPCONCRETE. Driveways, Patio, Retaining Walls, Stamped Concrete, Asphalt, Hauling. Lic.#1054154. Milo 510-502-9336.

S.L.CONCRETE SERVICE

Driveways, Sidewalks, Stamped Concrete, Retaining Walls, Asphalt, Paving Stones. Lic.#982202. 510856-8937.

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.

22 year old with EMT, CPR & Security Guard Card certifications seeks full time employment. I have excellent references. Please email me at: rogerdouglasvadnais@gmail.com

FENCES/DECKS

FENCE LEANING? Don’t replace... repair and save! Call Randy 510706-6189.

Fence Repair, Tree Removal, French Drains, etc. Timothy 510-688-6650.

SPECIALIZING IN WOOD FENCES, DECKS & RETAINING WALLS. Replace or repair, paved walkways, yard cleaning, tree trimming, topping or removal, garage cleaning & debris removal. Insured & Bonded #8189. Jerry 510-410-2427.

GARAGE SALES

Moving Sale! Tools & Antiques 47 Georgia Way, SLSat., Jan 21, 9a2p.

GARDENING

*ANYYARD WORK. Cleanups and Maintenance. Free Estimates. Call 510-798-1833.

*BEAUTYGARDEN LANDSCAPING Design - Construction - Maintenance. Cleanups, New Lawn, Artificial Grass, Irrigation, Patios, Pathways, Brick, Stone, Concrete Fence/ Decks. Free Estimates! Lic.#925130. 510-691-8852.

www.beautygardenlandscaping.com

JAIME’S GARDENING Maintenance, Trimming, Cleanups, Hauling, Sprinkler Repair/ Timers. FREE Estimates. Insured. 510-299-9583

G G ARDENING ARDENING /T /T REE REE S S ERVICE ERVICE

NAVA'SCOMPLETE LANDSCAPING: Mowing, trees, cleanup, hauling, FREE estimates. 510 512-5857.

HANDYMAN SERVICE

Garden service maintenance and cleanup and other services handyman call Jose Cruz 510-798-0682. Professional Plumbing & Custom Remodeling. Licensed/ Bonded. George 510-882-5169, 510-483-7126

HEALTH CARE SERVICES

HOUSE CLEANING

RENTALS

RENTALS/ROOMS

MISC. FOR SALE

RENTALS/RV SPACES

RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland. $900/ 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

MISC. WANTED

You may rent your property with a sign in the window or with an ad on the internet… But why not also advertise your rental in both the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum for as little as $25, and reach over 60,000 readers! TO PLACE AN AD, CALL 614-1558

All real estate advertised in the CASTRO VALLEY FORUM and SAN LEANDRO TIMES is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes itillegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

EASTBAY PUBLISHING, INC. will not knowingly accept any advertisements for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

SENIORS

Make Sure Estate Planning Documents are HIPAA Compliant

Q: I heard on a radio program that Living Trusts should be HIPAA compliant, but I didn’t quite catch the full comment. Can you shed any light on this?

By Gene L. Osofsky, Esq. SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

A. Sure. Most trusts and powers of attorney contain provisions which call for a change in trustee or agent when the maker of these instruments (you) becomes incapable of handling his or her own fnancial or personal affairs. These documents typically require that incapacity be proved by the written statement of one or, sometimes, two physicians. The problem: these provisions often assume physicians will provide the written statements upon the simple request of another family member. But here’s the catch: under current law relating to medical privacy, physicians cannot legally provide the statements unless a “HIPAA Authorization” has been signed in advance by the trust-maker.

HIPAA refers to a federal law designed, in part, to protect the privacy of one’s medical

records. It stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the provisions concerning medical privacy became generally effective in April, 2003. The law provides stiff fnes for doctors, hospitals and other providers who disregard the requirement of written authorization.

So, the term “HIPPA Compliant” refers to a trust or other estate planning document which includes, among its provisions, a section expressly authorizing someone – usually the nominee next in line to be trustee or agent – to request competency statements from the trust maker’s physicians.

Alternatively, the HIPAA Authorization may be contained in a separate document. But preauthorization, in some form, should be part of the person’s estate plan in order to satisfy the medical release

AARP Tax-Aide Returns

AARP Tax-Aide returns to the Castro Valley Library for appointment-only, on-site tax preparation on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting Feb. 1, 2023 through April 13, 2023. The Library will start taking appointments today, January 18, by phone or in person. No walk-ins are permitted. AARP

will only be preparing taxes for tax year 2021 and 2022.

Masks are required at all times in Alameda County Government buildings. Call the library at 510-667-7900 to learn about exclusions to tax preparation for the tax year 2022. Appointments are limited.

requirement, encourage physicians to provide the needed statements and thereby permit the smooth transfer of management responsibility when incapacity arises.

Many persons with long standing relationships with their physicians assume that their own doctors will comply with a request from the family without the necessity of a release.

However, this approach is risky, because at the time of need you may not be under the care of your own personal physicians: for example, you may be in a critical care hospital or in a nursing home where your care is managed by other physicians who practice only in that care facility. Further, even your own doctors may be reluctant to breach privacy protocols, especially if the request for disclosure arises at a time of family confict.

A word to the wise: review your trust, powers of attorney and related documents to make sure that you have pre-authorized designated persons to request letters from your physicians when they reasonably believe that you are no longer capable of managing your own fnancial and personal affairs. Doing so will help smooth the transfer of management responsibility as you originally intended and may avoid the need for court intervention to resolve the issue.

Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney in the East Bay. Please visit: LawyerForSeniors.com.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Wednesday, Jan. 18

Chamber Board Installation Mixer

Join the Castro Valley/ Eden Area Chamber of Commerce tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 pm for their Chamber board installation mixer for 2023 directors & offcers at the Cherryland Community Center located at 278 Hampton Road in Hayward. They picked this location to showcase the brand new community center in Cherryland, and again spreading their focus on ALL areas of the unincorporated County. Supervisor Miley has confrmed he will be there for the swearing in.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Hayward Library Book Sale

Curl up with a great book from Friends of the Hayward Public Library book sale. Join us both inside and right outside the New Leaf bookstore located on the frst foor at 888 C Street in Hayward. Parking available in City Hall Public Parking garage. Sale on begins at 10:30, ends at 3:30 on Saturday, Jan. 21. All proceeds support the Library programs. That same day, enjoy a special Lunar New Year celebration in Library ‘s central foyer at 11:30-12 noon. The free performance is open to all. For more information, go to: Hayward.librarycalendar.com

Saturday, Jan. 21

A Journey into Tarot

You are invited to change your view of a nagging question or issue, by a taking a journey into tarot land on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at the Castro Valley Library. Join internationally known Qabalistic Tarot teacher and author Amber Jayanti, to “play” an insightful, fun-flled and educational tarot board game. Group size limited to 10, please preregister by calling the Castro Valley Library at 510-667-7900.

Monday, Jan. 23

Eden Garden Club Meeting

The next meeting of the Eden Garden Club will be on Monday, Jan. 23 at 9:30 am at Castro Valley United Methodist Church, located at 19806 Wisteria Street in Castro Valley. The speaker will be Bonnie M. Russell, a Master Herbalist and a Board certifed Holistic Health Professional. Bonnie will demonstrate the medicinal and health benefts of the plants that grow in our gardens. Learn about how to make your own herbal remedies. A hand-out that contains information and tips will be provided. Meetings are free and guests are always welcome. Please call 510-397-1268 for further information.

Monday, Jan. 23

Free Estate Planning Seminar

Come join us for a Free Estate Planning Seminar on Monday, January 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Doors open at 6 pm. Meet and Greet at Knudsen’s Ice Creamery, located at 3323 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley. Please RSVP so we can save you a seat. For more information, call: (510) 301-5925 or visit: RobertPaceRealEstate.com

Saturday, Jan. 28

Prepping Your Garden for Spring

It’s not too soon to start thinking about your spring and summer gardens! Join Compost Gal Lori Caldwell at the Castro Valley Library on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 2 to 4 pm to learn about topics such as seeds vs. starts, crop rotation, building healthy soil, great crops for spring and transitioning from your fall garden will be covered. Lori will also cover the basics for a successful frst-time gardener including deciphering the terminology, plants 101, healthy soil building, transplanting and plant choices by season, non-toxic pest control and reuse in the garden. Reservations are required for this FREE event. Register at aclibrary.org. The Castro Valley Library is a branch of the Alameda County Library system. The library is located at 3600 Norbridge Avenue and is wheelchair accessible. Automobile parking will be limited at the library for this event. We will be maintaining social distancing practices and following all local health precautions and guidelines. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on Alameda County Library property. For more info, call the library at 510-667-7900, or you can visit: aclibrary. org/location/castro-valley-events/.

Monday, Jan. 30

Start Smart: Teen Driver Program

The California Highway Patrol and the Castro Valley Library present Start Smart: Teen Driver Program. The event takes place at the Castro Valley Library on Monday, Jan. 30 from 6 to 8 pm. CHP offcers will discuss traffc collision avoidance techniques, collision causing factors, driver/parent responsibilities, and seatbelt usage. Additionally, testimonies will be provided by offcers who have investigated fatal collisions involving teens, and by family members who have lost love ones in traffc collisions. The Start Smart program is a driver safety education class which targets new and future licensed teenage drivers between the age of 15 - 19 and their parents/guardians. A parent/guardian is required to attend the class with their teen. Registration is required for this FREE program. To register, call the Library Information Desk at 510-667-7900 or register online at www.aclibrary.org

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Eden Garden Club Meeting

Tiffany Phu, certifed college and career counselor and owner of College and Career Champion, will be discussing the wide variety of ways to stand out to college admissions offcers and the importance of exploring careers through extracurricular activities. The event takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. If you are an underclassman and are thinking about your future, join us to learn about college admission and to be aware of activities to avoid and how to prepare for college early in a student’s high school journey. This is an online event. Registrants will receive a Zoom link 30 minutes prior to the event.

Dear Editor,

The claim that women’s rights and trans rights are in opposition is absurd. We have the same goals, including but not limited to: access to appropriate medical care and bodily autonomy, combating sexism, and protecting vulnerable populations from sexual harassment and abuse. (And for the record, statistically, transgender people are more vulnerable than non-trans women.) Most feminists and supporters of trans rights agree on this, transphobes do NOT speak for women as a whole.

Letting trans people use facilities appropriate to our identities does not hurt women. Banning us from them does. Even if you don’t care about harm to trans people, these bans inevitably lead to harassment of any women, trans or not, who look “too masculine” and dystopian measures like genital inspections to keep out trans people. It’s particularly galling to claim that this in any way helps lesbian or bisexual women, who have been frequent targets of the same rhetoric.

Also, while it’s not the most important point, labeling trans people “males” or “females” based on our assigned genders shows a lack of understanding at best, and blatant disrespect at worst. Unless you’re their doctor or sexual partner, a trans person’s biological sex is none of your business. What matters for practical purposes is our gender identities and how we live our lives, and using appropriate terminology is a matter of basic respect. If you refuse to do that, you don’t deserve the respect of others.

Once again, I want my fellow trans people to know that you are not alone, and to voice my gratitude to everyone else who wrote letters in support of trans rights. The amount of hatred in the world can be overwhelming at times, but through hard work and compassion, we can defeat bigotry.

–CL Cady, Castro Valley

Dear Editor,

When I was a high school student the facts determining the science of man was defned by the “Evolutionary Theory”. Evolutionary Processes describes four processes that can shift allele frequencies in populations over time. 1. natural selection. 2. genetic drift. 3. gene fow. 4. mutation.

I do not see the inclusion of drugs or operations that alter mental or physical attributes of the subject. One physical attribute of mammals defned by evolution is a “Y” chromosome. In other words, people with a “Y” chromosome are members of the male/boy/men group. Individuals without a “Y” chromosome are members female/girl/women group.

Our country was founded on religions principals. Our country protects religious freedoms. However, our government has excluded various curriculums (such as religions) from public school.

Suppose a school district allowed an individual with a “Y” chromosome into the girls’ locker/bath room. To avoid a discrimination law suit, the school district would have to allow everyone with a “Y” chromosome into the girls’ locker/bath room.

Another form of discrimination is separate but equal. At this point, to avoid separate but equal law suits, the school district would have to eliminate separate bathrooms and eliminate separate competitive teams. For example, in many schools, there is one cheerleading squad composed of both males and females. There would be one basketball team composed of the best ffteen students. One swim team, one tennis team, one track team, etc.

To avoid the inclusion complications above, the scientist would have to redefne evolution and the role of the “Y” chromosome.

–Carl Hill, Castro Valley

Dear Editor,

Many people believe “biological sex” is binary; either male or female. That is a common mistake.

A person with XY chromosomes can have female genitalia, most commonly due to androgen insensitivity syndrome. This person can have a “male brain” and “female genitalia.” A person with XX chromosomes can have male genitalia, most commonly due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia. A person can have a single X chromosome, a combination of XX and XY chromosomes, XXX, or XXY chromosomes. People can have any combination of genitalia. One half of one percent of people have one of these conditions. That is one in every two hundred people. That is 40 million people. Chances are, you know an intersex person.

When this person wishes to use a segregated bathroom, are you going to let them make the choice themselves, or force the choice upon them? If you force the choice upon them, what test are you going to use?

–C. Conrad Cady, Castro Valley

Dear Editor, Perhaps the best way to explain the issues Ms. Shieman raised (before she was personally attacked) is to use reality.

Selina’s story is best told by her (google “The End Of Women’s Sports”), but here’s a summary. Selina Soule was one of the top fve female high school sprinters in Connecticut, competing at the state championship level during her sophomore year.

Then she wasn’t. In 2018, two boys (identifying as girls) passed all the females and started fnishing 1-2 at all the events. The two boys weren’t even that good - their times would not have qualifed them for the boys’ events.

Selina’s been told she’s a “sore loser”, to “train harder”, and accused of acting out of “bigotry, fear and hatred” - the usual meritless accusations. Men and women are different in thousands of ways, and many of those differences give men an insurmountable advantage at sporting events. No amount of training by women - or repeated declarations by men that they are actually women - will undo those inherent advantages.

Dear Editor,

The message the anti-trans crowd is sending to female athletes is a disservice to everyone, not just the transgender athletes they despise, but to cisgender women and girls who do sports, too. What you are telling girls and women who were assigned female at birth is they are not good enough to compete with transgender women for fear the transgender athletes are bigger, stronger, etc. What kind of message is this? The early womens libbers wanted to compete in everything against other women and against men. Look at Billie Jean King. She did not back down from playing against Bobby Riggs. Look at Janet Guthrie. She did not back down from entering the Indy 500. She competed! Instead of telling trans girls they should play and cis girls they are going to get hurt, if you really believe in equal rights for women, tell those girls to go out there and kick butt! And may the best woman win the game! Be it a trans girl or a cis girl. Dont discourage young women and girls from being competitive. That’s how glass ceilings are broken and barriers smashed. Leave all the athletes alone and let them settle it on the playing feld.

–Angela Shipp, Castro Valley

Selina’s idol is Allyson Felix, the fastest female sprinter in the world. However, even Allyson’s record could be beaten by the fastest 300 high school boys. Will Thomas (the collegiate swimmer) was ranked #462 but Leia Thomas (same person) is ranked #1. That’s how different we are.

If this trajectory continues, boys eventually will take all the medals, trophies, athletic scholarships, and records currently held by girls. Literally half our population will be excluded from (fair) competition.

So - for those who believe that a simple declaration of identity is all it takes to transform a boy into a girl - what should we do? Be realistic and stay on topic. Give Selina fve minutes, watch her video, and then explain how this is right - and if not, where did we go wrong?

–Stacy Spink, Castro Valley

Dear Editor,

My Bride and I received a most welcomed phone call of concern just after noon on Saturday, December 31, from one of our “younger” neighbors, who took it upon himself to check in with his neighbors to see if we needed any help with prior damage from fooding from the earlier storm or help to prepare us for the next storm that was following shortly thereafter. He took it upon himself, with his Sump Pump in hand, to offer his assistance to assist his neighbors!

Betrose Court residents are so blessed to have Shawn Smith as our neighbor. I hope other streets are also so blessed with someone who has or will step up as Shawn has.

Dear Editor,

I have been a resident of San Leandro for 40+ years. My son attended San Leandro schools from Broadmoor Preschool Co-op through SLHS. I worked as a volunteer in the schools for many years including work with the San Leandro Sports Foundation to pass Measure M to repair school physical education facilities. When I frst read of EBMUD’s plans to fll the quarry off Lake Chabot Road and create a park for more recreational access, I thought it would be a great idea for our community. After reading what their actual plans entail, I discovered I was totally wrong. EBMUD’s plan would require 60 to 100 dump trucks to transport soil fve days a week for the next 40 to 80 years (that is not a typo!) up Lake Chabot Road, dump the dirt at the Quarry site, then travel over Lake Chabot Road to Fairmount Ave. in Castro Valley and down to 580. The Quarry site is located directly over two traces of the Hayward Fault. Recent heavy rains have again created several rockslides from the hillsides onto Lake Chabot Road, along with a total undercutting of the roadway in several areas, which has led to its current closure. There are also new open fssures and mudslides on the Quarry hillside itself. The foundation of Lake Chabot Road has been fragile for many years, and even spending millions of dollars to fx it now, will still not support 60 to 100 dump trucks a day weighing up to 22 tons, nor will the hillsides above be a safe location to dump tons of dirt. Please visit the website at www. SaveLakeChabotRoad.com to help our community stop this project in this very unstable location.

–Anne

Cawood, San Leandro

–Bruce D. and Linda Lee Johnson, Castro Valley

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Our athletes of the week are Castro Valley Soccer Club (CVSC) alumni and current Association Football Club (AFC) soccer players Jax Padgett (2010 Boys) and Dom Bolender (2008 Boys). Jax and Dom were selected to the CalNorth Olympic Development Program (ODP) travel team and competed recently in the US Youth Soccer

ODP Far West Region Championship Tournament in Phoenix, AZ. The Castro Valley Soccer Community is very proud of these players, who started their soccer journey with CVSC in the bumblebees/grasshoppers program years ago and continued to develop in CVSC recreational, CVSC competitive, and now AFC Academy soccer program.

Labor: Sex Traffcking Awareness

continued from front page borhoods, the groups hope to prevent the next person from falling victim to this crime.

“Our hope is that victims will also see these life-saving messages on our billboards as a sign that they are not alone and that there is support available,” said Bob Schmitt, Regional President of Northern California at Clear Channel Outdoor.

Human traffcking is an umbrella term encompassing all forms of exploitation. It’s broken down into either forced labor or sex traffcking. Both adults and children are victims, with the median age of entry for girls falling between 12-14 while boys and transgendered youth average 11-13, according to Alameda County District Attorney’s H.E.A.T. Watch anti-traffcking program.

Beyond the billboards and signs, the DA says there are many indicators that a person is a victim of human traffcking. These include:

• May not be free to leave or come and go as they wish

• Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips

EBMUD: Quarry Project Contested

continued from front page

She is urging residents in Bay-O-Vista and throughout San Leandro, Castro Valley, and nearby Oakland, as well as Lake Chabot Park users, to sign a petition opposing the project (https://savelakechabotroad.com).

EBMUD spokesperson Mona Favorite-Hill said Lake Chabot is built to handle trucks of that weight and that other possible sites had been looked at but fell short. She said that sending vehicles to one central location, near public highways, was less disruptive to neighborhoods than sending dump trucks through multiple residential neighborhoods.

“We do look for people who can use the soil before we store it, but this only gets you so far,” she said. “We are very

concerned about the impact on residents. We’re trying to do what’s best.”

Even if EBMUD wanted to start dumping soil at the site tomorrow, traffc is not permitted on Lake Chabot Road between Fairmont Drive and Astor Drive. The last several weeks of rain have damaged the road and the hillside. Repairs are expected to take a month or more. EBMUD’s Favorite-Hill said the hillside would need to be stabilized and the road would need to be reassessed for its capacity after repairs.

According to its plan, EBMUD will fll an unused quarry on county land east of Bay-O-Vista with dirt excavated when the pipes are replaced. They are replacing about 20 miles of pipes a year now throughout Alameda and

Contra Costa counties but hope to step that up to 40 miles a year by 2024.

EBMUD insists the project will be safe and is even adding a park in the Bay-O-Vista neighborhood with walking trails. However, adding the park would most likely happen in 10 to 20 years, Project Manager Chien Wang told a questioner at a February 2022 public meeting.

Tapes of EBMUD’s past public meetings are available on their website at www. ebmud.com, which has a page devoted to the Quarry Site Restoration Project.

EBMUD representatives are expected to attend San Leandro City Council’s Facilities and Transportation Committee on February 1 to discuss the project.

• Works excessively long and/or unusual hours

• Someone else is dictating what they wear, eat, when they sleep, etc.

• Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where they are staying or going

• Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city they are in

• Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate traffcking

• Is not in control of their own money, no fnancial records, or bank account

• Is not in control of their own identifcation documents (ID or passport) or lacks identifcation completely

• Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves

The District Attorney’s Offce has a steady record of aggressively prosecuting sex traffcking-related cases. From January 2006 to December 2022, the DA brought forward 943 charges with 716 convictions related to traffcking. The DA reports that more than 1,140 police reports were fled during the same period.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human traffcking, the DA asks you to call the H.E.A.T. Watch tip line at (510) 208-4959 or you can text BEFREE (233-733) to the National Human Traffcking hotline at (888) 373-7888.

The rainy weather woke up the catfsh at Lake Chabot! Of the 10 catfsh caught this day, Mark Jorgensen (above) topped out with a nice 9.4 lb. cat and Vince Jorgensen (below) caught this 11.8 lb. cat. Have a ‘Great Catch’ that you’d like to share? Please email photo and information to: flesforforum@gmail.com

Tinsel is a sweet 5 month old male Doberman puppy.

Tinsel is a little shy but he loves playing with toys and people. He would do well in a home with older children.

To adopt, call Hayward Animal Shelter (510) 293-7200.

Scarlett is a 1 year old female Husky. She would like a home with adults who are willing to go slow with her and help her see the world is not so scary. To adopt, call Hayward Animal Shelter (510) 293-7200.

The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week Jax and Dom

Jax Padgett

Dom Bolender