CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Construction Bringing Hope in the New Year
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Up and down Castro Valley Boulevard, companies are preparing for 2025 with the promise of a fresh start. However, some are making bold changes that will be noticeable from the outside and the inside. Here are a few businesses in construction mode right now.
The most obvious changes are coming to Wendy’s fastfood site between Strobridge Avenue and Stanton Avenue (also known as Hamburger Island). According to papers filed with Public Works, the home of the “Baconator” and the “Frosty” is redesigning its outside area by reducing parking stalls from 38 to 33.
They are adding two shortterm bicycle parking spots near the entrance and rebuilding the trash enclosure to be larger with additional landscaping to hide it better. The construction also included the recent breakup of the asphalt on Stanton Avenue to improve drainage and utility service to the building.
Changes on the inside include updating seating areas see HOPE on page 4
Changes are coming to this classic ice cream shop, including redesigning the seating area. One thing that will not be changing is the delicious ice cream flavors as well as the excellent service.
Castro Valley Road Repairs
By Corinne Davidson
It’s been two years since hard rains washed away some roads surrounding Castro Valley. And while some were immediately repaired, others are taking much longer to fix.
During the winter storms of December 31, 2022, and January 2023, creeks flooded, and hillsides washed
out, cutting full use of A Street near Knox Street, Crow Canyon near the Contra Costa County border, Lake Chabot Road near Astor Drive, and Redwood Road past the Redwood Canyon Golf Course.
Of the four roads, federal funding helped quickly repair eastbound A Street along San Lorenzo Creek by the summer of 2023. Later that year, Lake Chabot Road was cleared
of debris on the Castro Valley side of the western side of the lake, allowing through traffic to San Leandro through the Bay-O-Vista neighborhood. However, a washout underneath the road near Chabot Terrace and a landslide above Lake Chabot near Astor Drive have yet to be repaired. San Leandro officials are reviewing plans to restore the see REPAIRS on page 11
New Year, New Set Of Laws
An increased minimum wage, a limit on apartment security deposits, tougher penalties on retail theft, and a parking ticket you may not expect are among the changes in state laws Californians will see in 2025.
Effective January 1, the statewide minimum wage will rise 50 cents to $16 an hour, with some occupations seeing a higher minimum a few months into the year.
Security deposits for those renting an apartment will be limited to one month’s rent, making moving in a little cheaper for some.
A host of laws and a state initiative, Proposition 36, aim to greatly discourage retail theft, which had sometimes become an organized group operation.
And don’t think you can park near a crosswalk without getting fined just because no sign or curb painting tells you otherwise. Fines, which will vary by locality, can now be charged to those parked within 20 feet of a crosswalk, marked or unmarked.
That “daylighting” law, meant to help vehicles and pedestrians see each other better, had been in effect for a year, but only warnings were issued until now.
Castro Valley once banned cars cruising slowly down Castro Valley Boulevard but now promotes an annual cruise night so people can show off cars they’re proud of. AB 436 now bars cities and counties from imposing bans on cruising.
Crime was a big political issue in 2024, and legislators responded with at least 11 major bills to toughen penalties and enforcement of often high-profile crimes.
Governor Gavin Newsom decried “loopholes” that had prevented stricter penalties against those accused of crimes at multiple businesses or in multiple jurisdictions. This often made each offense considered by itself a misdemeanor, which rarely resulted in prison or jail time.
Newsom praised several new laws that let district attorneys and prosecutors combine multiple offenses, even in different jurisdictions , so they can be tried in a single jurisdiction as felonies. Substantial prison terms could be imposed for those convicted. see LAWS on page 5
By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
PHOTO BY MICHAEL SINGER
Castro Valley Weather January 1 - January 5,
Moon Phases
Castro Valley’s Newest Eagle Scouts Honored at Ceremony
By Jennifer J. Petrick SPECIAL TO
THE FORUM
n the afternoon of December 21, three of the latest Eagle Scouts from the Castro Valley Scout Troop 708 were recognized for their achievements. They received Scouting’s highest rank at a Court of Honor held at the Veterans Memorial Building in San Leandro.
More than 115 people attended the event, including family, friends, scouts, leaders from Troop 701 (Castro Valley), Troop 503 (San Leandro), representatives from the Golden Gate Area Council, and the newly merged Alameda Area
District (the combined scouting districts of Tres Ranchos, Peralta, and Alameda). Also in attendance were representatives from Troop 708’s Charter Organization, the Rotary Club of Castro Valley. American Legion Post 117 “Legion Riders” sanctioned the use of the space and assisted with the flag ceremony.
The title of Eagle Scout is the pinnacle of achievement in the Scouts’ BSA program and represents exceptional leadership, character, and service. Only a small percentage of scouts reach this prestigious rank. Since 1912, well over two million scouts have earned the esteemed Eagle Scout rank. In
the words of the Eagle Scout Promise, Eagles do their best each day to make their training an example. Their rank and their influence count strongly for better scouting and for better citizenship in their troop and in their communities. Troop 708, established in 1955, has advanced 133 Scouts to Eagle rank. For more information on the scouting program for all youth, ages 11-17, learn more by visiting the Boy Scouts of America website at: https:// beascout.scouting.org. Troop 708 meets Tuesdays at 7pm at First Presbyterian Church in Castro Valley near the Trader Joe’s Parking lot.
Join Winter Reading Challenge
Children are invited to stop by the Castro Valley Library now through Saturday, January 11, 2025, to pick up a game board for the Winter Reading Challenge. Young readers will be able to read to earn prizes including a final prize from
generous local business Beard Papas. Pre-readers will be able to complete literacy activities and earn small prizes along the way. The Castro Valley Library is a branch of the Alameda County Library system. The library is located at 3600 Nor-
bridge Avenue and is wheelchair accessible. The library will provide an ASL interpreter for any event with at least seven working days’ notice. Please call 510-667-7900 or TTY 888-663-0660 or email castrovalley@aclibrary.org.
RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS: Luke Gorski of Castro Valley (from left to right), Dillon McVeigh of San Leandro, Diego Izaguirre of San Lorenzo.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER J. PETRICK
Canyon Middle School Hosts Science Olympiad Invitational
Nearly 600 students and their families braved downpours on December 9 to compete in the GullSO (Gull Science Olympiad) Invitational at Canyon Middle School.
The annual event included 23 events, ranging from anatomy to astronomy to fossils and material science. Students showed their skills in the lab at events such as chemistry lab, forensics, and code busting. Students also displayed their building prowess through devices such as air tractors, towers, electric vehicles, helicopters, and robotics.
“For the past 11 years, Castro Valley Science has fostered
a culture of science, and the NorCal event is arguably the most competitive region in the country,” said Castro Valley High School coach Bruce Dughi
The GullSO hosted three previously nationally ranked teams, including Mountain View High School, Monta Vista High School, and CVHS. The competition included other powerhouse teams such as Palo Alto, Lynbrook, and Mission San Jose High Schools. Based upon their overall performance in the 23 events, defending National Champion Monta Vista took 1st place, followed by Mountain View and Lynbrook.
Castro Valley’s Varsity Science team did not compete, as they were responsible for running the event. However, three other CVHS teams performed well, earning medals in Robot Tour, Tower, Bungee Drop, and Write It Do It.
GullSO is one of five high school invitationals in Northern California this year. Invitational tournaments are a stepping-stone for regional competitions, where the top teams compete for a spot in the 2025 State Tournament in April and a potential bid for the National Tournament in May. For more information, go to www.cvscience.us
Sheriff’s Report
COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Stolen Vehicle
Tuesday, December 24: At 2:19 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 34-year-old CV man on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle. The man was traveling on Redwood Road near Redwood Court when deputies pulled him over after running his license plate. Deputies took the man into custody.
Domestic Assault
Tuesday, December 24: At 11:18 a.m., a 9-1-1 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to an apartment on Wisteria Road near Somerset Road. There, they arrested a 45-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of assault and violating the terms of a court-issued restraining order. Deputies took the man into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.
Busted for Illegal Drug Paraphernalia
Monday, December 23: At 3:22 p.m., deputies arrested a 43-year-old man with no permanent residence on suspicion of possessing illegal drug paraphernalia. The man was traveling on Castro Valley Boulevard near Lake Chabot Road when deputies stopped him for questioning and discovered his stash. The man was taken into custody.
Breaking and Entering
Monday, December 23: At 12:55 p.m., a 20-year-old Castro Valley man was arrested on suspicion of breaking into a home on Santa Maria Avenue
near Wilson Avenue. Deputies responded to a silent alarm at the house and found the man inside. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.
Joy Ride Ends in Arrest
Sunday, December 22: At 1:50 p.m., deputies arrested a 33-year-old man from Castro
As tax season approaches, it is essential to prepare and organize your financial documents to ensure a seamless filing process. Gather all necessary receipts, invoices, and tax-related papers to maximize deductions and credits. The IRS recommends creating a checklist to track your progress and stay on top of deadlines.
Valley on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle, possessing methamphetamine drugs, failure to appear in court, and resisting arrest. Deputies pulled the man over in the parking lot of a grocery store on Redwood Road and Grove Way. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody.
Tax Assistance at Library Correction
To help, AARP Tax-Aide returns to the Castro Valley Library for appointment-only, on-site tax preparation on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting February 5, 2025 through April 10, 2025. No walk-ins are permitted. The Li-
brary will start taking appointments on Monday, January 13, 2025, by phone or in person. AARP will only be preparing taxes for tax years 2023 and 2024. Other exclusions apply. Contact the library to learn about exclusions to tax preparation for the tax year 2024. Appointments are limited.
Our December 25 story about a settlement between a couple and the Rowell Ranch Rodeo organization incorrectly cited our contact with the plaintiffs. The Forum regrets the error.
Judah Chung, Bryce Deng, and Tulasi Venkatesh solder parts for Robot Tour.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRUCE DUGHI
Ring in the New Year with Free Lecture: Author Gary Howard
By Terry Liebowitz SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Author Gary Howard will ring in the New Year with a free lecture, The Biology of Us, on Tuesday, January 7, at 7:00 pm in the Exhibition Room at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts (19501 Redwood Road).
Howard’s talk and latest book show us how biology and nature are hidden in plain sight in our urban environment, just as amazing as the organisms found in the Serengeti or the Galapagos Islands!
Talking to Howard, it is clear that he has many interests and lots of energy. First, he is a scientist through and through, with many publications to his name. Howard earned a PhD in biological sciences from
Author Gary Howard
Carnegie Mellon University and completed fellowships at Harvard University and John Hopkins University. His previous books include (2021) and Imaging Life (2014), and several more written with co-authors. For 22 years, Howard
was a science editor and writer for the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco.
Second, Howard is deeply invested in our community. He is in his 12th year of serving on the Castro Valley School Board. “I’m particularly proud of the Wellness Center and medical clinic and the Spanish Language Immersion program. In fact, more than 50 different languages are spoken in the homes of our students.”
Howard is currently the Chair-Elect for the Castro Valley/ Eden Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he has taken an active role in supporting cityhood for Castro Valley. Howard and his wife Shirley are long-time residents of Castro Valley. Reserve your seats: https://www.cvcfa.com/ events
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
• January 1st- New Year’s Holiday Observance (CVSan Closed).
• January 6th through 10th - Holiday Tree Recycling.
• January 7th - Regular Board Meeting.
• January 9th - Community Advisory Committee Meeting.
• January 13th through 17thHoliday Tree Recycling.
• January 16th - Communications Committee Meeting.
• January 20th - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance (CVSan Closed).
• Febraury 4th - Regular Board Meeting.
• February 11th - Special 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.
CVSan Office: (510) 537-0757
Sewer Emergencies: (510) 506-5821
Effective Environmental Services since 1939 | cvsan.org
Hope: A Lot of Marketplace Changes
continued from front page with new fixtures, slightly larger bathrooms, a fresh coat of paint, and more efficient heating and cooling systems. Behind the scenes, the kitchen will be getting mechanical upgrades. The mascot’s smiling face and namesake will still be on two sides of the building but will be more modernized. The project is expected to be finished in February.
Further down the road, Loard’s Ice Cream has been closed since December 17. A sign on the classic scoop shop says it should be reopened in two months (late February or March) with an improved eating experience. Gold Medallion Commercial Builders was hired as the main contractor.
Founded by Russ Salyards in 1950, Loard’s debuted in Oakland but quickly expanded to San Leandro (where all of its ice cream is made) and Castro Valley in the early 1960s.
The Castro Village Shopping Center’s original site was where Phulkari Indian Cuisine currently sits. The ice cream shop moved across the parking lot to its current location in the 1980s.
Ownership also recently passed hands from parents Wa and Chung Lung to their daughter Charlene, who promises to keep the original pink and white color scheme and fun artwork on the walls designed by Paul Matson.
Across the street, the chainlink fence along the Paseo has been taken down at the Castro Valley Marketplace.
Main Street Property Services, which manages the site to the east says they are preparing for a lot of changes in 2025.
Spokesperson Craig Semmelmeyer tells the Forum that the property, which includes Knudsen’s Ice Creamery, Unincorporated clothiers, a couple of insurance properties, and
the now-closed Joyful House, will be known as “Marketplace Shops.”
He adds that the spaces that used to occupy Wend’s Vietnamese Pho Café and Fearless Martial Arts are preparing for two or three businesses, of which at least one will be a sit-down experience dining restaurant that opens to the Paseo.
Whether anyone can eat out there is another story. The Paseo is still the subject of litigation, with the property owners on both sides claiming rights to open seating arrangements. The disruptive chainlink fence was installed last fall to help upgrade some utilities and allow PG&E a space to review.
The Main Street property group is preparing a lighting ceremony on Thursday, January 9, to extend the holiday season and acknowledge the changes, Semmelmeyer said.
The fences are down, the lights will be online this weekend, and two or three new shops will soon open on the former site of Wend’s Vietnamese Café and Fearless Martial Arts Academy.
The home of the Baconator and Frosty is getting a complete makeover, including a new kitchen layout and an updated dining area.
Cooney Collection Highlights Park District’s Historic Events
The East Bay Regional Park District proudly announces the release of Special Events, the fourth and final Martin J. Cooney photo collection released this year to celebrate the Park District’s 90th Anniversary. This historic four-part digital photo collection was researched and curated by Park District Archives staff and volunteers. The collection includes People in Parks, Park Landscapes, Park Workers, and the latest, Special Events. All four collections are available online at, www.ebparks.org/ celebrating-90-years.
The photo collection focuses on the Park District’s special events, ranging from media photo opportunities, public and staff events to groundbreakings and dedications between the mid-1960s to 1981.
“At the culmination of our 90th anniversary year, it gives me great pleasure to share this final time capsule of photos documenting the milestone events and activities during this important era of the District’s growth,” said Archives Program Supervisor Brenda Montano. “We are so fortunate to have this treasure trove of photos to share with the public.”
In 1934, the Park District was able to garner 71 percent approval from Alameda County voters during the Great Depression, when the public may not have been focused on parklands. During the campaign for the vote the Park District garnered interest by sparking public enthusiasm through events like the ones represented in these photos.
In 2016, Martin J. Cooney’s family donated over 15,000 negatives taken from the 1960s to the 1980s to the Park District. Cooney’s commercial studio provided professional photography services to the Park District during that time. While Cooney took some of the photos, most were taken by Nancy McKay, who became his apprentice in 1968 while working in the Park District’s Public Affairs Department and served as its primary photographer for more than 37 years. Additional Cooney photo collections are housed at the Oakland Museum.
Visit the Park District’s 90th Anniversary webpage: ebparks.org/celebrating-90years, to explore other interactive photo collections, story maps, and online exhibits.
Adult Technology Classes Kick Off This Month at CV Library
Enroll now for Castro Valley Library’s FREE technology classes for the month of January 2025! These hands-on, relaxed-pace classes are designed for people who have never used a computer or have very little experience and want a solid introduction. The classes are:
Introduction to Computers Saturday, January 4, 10:30am to 12:30pm. Topics covered in this class will include the parts of a computer, the types of computers and mobile devices, how to set up a desktop or laptop, and more!
Learning to use a Mouse, Touch Pad & Keyboard Saturday, January 4, 1:30pm to 3:30pm. This hands-on class is targeted at beginning computer users and will introduce students to the mouse, keyboard, and other essential skills.
Learning to Use the Internet Saturday, January 18, 10:30am to 12:30pm. Feeling left behind on the Information Superhighway? Learn about the Internet and the World Wide Web. This hands-on class is targeted at beginning computer users and will introduce students to using
a web browser, getting to websites, and navigating a website.
Internet Searching Saturday, January 18, 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Students will learn how to find information on the Internet using the search engine Google. You’ll also learn more advanced searching techniques and other cool Google features. Students will use libraryprovided laptops during class. Advance registration is required. Register online at www.aclibrary.org (click on Events) or call 510-667-7900.
Laws: Address the Housing Shortage
continued from front page
Other new laws dropped or modified provisions that required car burglary victims to prove they had locked their cars and required police officers to witness a theft personally before they could arrest a suspect. While laws removed some restrictions on police officers and prosecutors, at least one new law, AB 360, set limits on officers using force against suspects. That law removed “excited delirium” as a medical cause of death or defense for a police officer accused of killing a suspect.
Medical experts debated its existence, but it was the
original official cause of death for George Floyd just after his arrest in Minneapolis in 2020. Eyewitness accounts and further investigation resulted instead in a police officer being convicted of murder for choking Floyd to death. Numerous laws also addressed California’s housing shortage, with at least one stiffening penalties on local governments that do not allow sufficient new housing. Another allows up to eight accessory dwelling units (ADUs, or in-law units) on a property, up from the two allowed until now.
SB 4, or the “Yes in God’s Backyard” law, allows housing
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Varsity Girls Basketball Team
Our Athletes of the Week are the Castro Valley High School Varsity Girls’ Basketball team. The Trojans finished second in the December 5-7 Washington Huskies Tournament in Fremont. Castro Valley was successful in its first round against Milpitas High School by a score of 56-34. Unfortunately, the team lost to the hosting Huskies in the final round of play 49-34. Washington amassed a 10-point advantage in the first quarter and did not look back. The tournament’s highlight was Naomi Chew’s being named “All Tournament” for her 12 points against Milpitas, 7 points against Washington, her playmaking assists, and strong defense.
The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week Varsity Basketball
to be developed on property owned by churches or some colleges without local governments having a veto. After many calls for building more facilities to treat the mentally ill or drug users desiring help, AB 531 would issue bonds to fund 11,150 new behavioral health beds and housing as well as 26,700 outpatient treatment slots throughout the state.
And in the holiday spirit, any parents or grandparents concerned they may be stereotyping children with their gifts might want to know that from now on, AB 1084 requires California retailers to all have a gender-neutral toy section.
REAL ESTATE REALITY
By Carl Medford, CRS
Top 6 Real Estate Predictions for 2025
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
With 2024 in the rearview mirror, many are breath-
ing a sigh of relief. It was a tough year as home prices continued to rise and interest rates remained high. This translated to a
slower-than-normal real estate market, with some pundits labeling it the worst since 1995. We can only hope things will improve in
2025.
Here are our top New Year’s predictions:
1. Affordability will continue as 2025’s primary issue as home prices are projected to continue upwards. The Case-Shiller National Home Price Index records a dramatic increase in home prices of 47% between 2020-2024, dramatically outpacing economic growth. While we do not anticipate similar growth in 2025, the damage has been done: historic price increases coupled with higher interest rates have knocked many buyers out of the market. Since we do not anticipate any easing in the near future, buyers looking to purchase in 2025 should plan on doing it sooner than later.
2. Prices will inch upwards. With current inventory lower than market demand, prices have nowhere to go but up. While we do
not expect to see the meteoric gains of the past few years, prices are projected to steadily move upwards over the coming year.
3. Interest rates may ease a bit but will not decrease significantly. As a result, those buyers who have been waiting to buy hoping to score much lower rates will be left out in the cold. Additionally, this will continue to be a barrier for some sellers who, with 4% or lower current mortgage rates, have no real incentive to sell their current home and buy a replacement property with a much higher interest rate.
4. Inventory is projected to increase, but still will not meet demand. This will mean that more buyers will have an opportunity to purchase in 2025, but the increases will not be enough to offset the affordability crisis.
5. Artificial intelli-
gence will improve the home-buying experience. It is anticipated that as effectiveness grows, automated valuation programs will get better at market analysis, thus providing more accurate home pricing valuations.
6. Buyers will learn to deal with the new agent compensation realities. With the new rules decoupling listing and buyer agent’s commissions effective as of 8/17/2024, the landscape has changed dramatically.
Overall, we believe 2025 spells optimism compared to 2024 and the Realtors of the Central County want to wish you a prosperous and Happy New Year!
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.
Robert
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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To place an ad by phone call Patrick Vadnais at 510-614-1560, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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When Physical Ability to Perform the Act of Signing Is Limited, The Law Provides Alternative Methods
My wife suffered a stroke and is essentially paralyzed. However, her mind is sharp. I need her to sign a Power Of Attorney so that I can take care of our financial affairs. Is there any way to do this?
By Gene L. Osofsky, Esq. SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Yes. Where a person has sufficient mental capacity to understand the nature of the document he or she proposes to sign, and where the only limitation is a physical inability to perform the act of signing, the law provides alternative methods to obtain a legally valid signature:
Signature by Mark: If your wife is unable to sign his or her full name, she might make a mark, such as an “X”, on the desired document. The signing must be witnessed by two disinterested witnesses, each of whom must also sign the document reciting that they watched your wife place her mark on the document, and one of the witnesses must actually sign her name adjacent to her mark. If she does not have use of her arms, a pen might be placed between her teeth to enable her to mark the legal document. However, care must be taken so that the actual mark or “dot”
on the paper is the act of your wife.
Signature by Amanuensis:
Where a person is totally paralyzed and would not even be able to clench a pen in his or her teeth, but is able to speak and give instruction, there is another procedure called signing by “amanuensis”. In legal parlance, an “amanuensis” is an assistant who copies or writes from the dictation of another. Thus, if your wife is totally immobile, but if her mind is clear and she can speak or otherwise give direction, she could direct someone to sign her own name on a legal document. The actual signer should be a disinterested person, other than yourself, and the signing should occur in your wife’s presence. It would be best if a notary were also present to notarize the document. Note: most notaries will be unfamiliar with this procedure, and so you should engage a knowledgeable attorney who can explain the process to the notary and supervise the signing.
Laser Pointer To Give Direction: In some situations, the paralyzed individual may have also lost the power of speech. Yet, if he or she retains some method of communication, such as by eye movements in response to questions or
laser pointer. I would again recommend that an attorney be present to supervise the process, and the signing process be recorded on video. For laser pointers and other solutions to communication, check out this website: store.lowtechsolutions.org. You might also wish to engage the services of an assistive technology specialist for other ides to facilitate communication, and for that see the following website: resna.org
Blind Signer: If the principal is blind, but otherwise has the use of her limbs, I would recommend that the entire document be read to her, word for word, and her understanding confirmed. A ruler or “cut out” template might be used to guide the placement of her hand so that she signs at the appropriate place on the document. Again, I recommend that the entire process be videoed. A witness might also certify the principal’s understanding and a notary should be present to notarize the document.
In your case, with patience and some thought, your wife’s signature on the Power of Attorney can be legally secured.
How to Help a Hoarder
Q: My dad has always been a pack rat, but since mom died a few years ago he’s become more of a hoarder. The clutter in his house has gotten out of control and I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions?
By Jim Miller SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
A: Unfortunately, hoarding or clutter addiction is a problem that’s become increasingly common in the U.S. It effects approximately 6 percent of Americans age 65 or older. The problem can range anywhere from moderate messiness to hoarding so severe it may be related to a mental health disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and resources that can help you help your dad.
Why People Hoard
via a laser pointer she can control with some part of her own body to point to letters or words on a communication board, the process of signing by amanuensis could be
modified to accommodate that limitation. It would also be helpful if a doctor wrote a letter affirming her ability to understand and communicate by the eye movements or
Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney who has been helping East Bay families for over 25 years with Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Probate, Medi-Cal Planning, and related matters. To contact his office, send an email to Gene@LawyerForSeniors.com or call (510) 247-2555.
The reasons most people hoard is because they have an extreme sentimental attachment to their possessions, or they believe they might need their items at a later date. Hoarding can also be a sign that an older person is depressed, anxious or showing early symptoms of dementia. Common problems for seniors who live in excessive clutter are tripping, falling and breaking a bone; overlooking bills and missing medications that are hidden in the clutter; suffering from the environmental effects of mold, mildew and dust, and even living among insects and rodents.
To help you gauge your dad’s problem, the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) offers a free “Clutter Hoarding Scale” that you can download at ChallengingDisorganization.org.
If you need some help with the decluttering and organizing, consider hiring a professional organizer who can come to your dad’s home to help you prioritize, organize and remove the clutter.
The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO.net) and the ICD (ChallengingDisorganization.org) both offer directories on their websites to help you locate a professional in your area.
If your dad has a bigger, more serious hoarding problem (if his daily functioning is see HOARDER on page 11
Letters must include the writer’s name, address, phone number, and must be under 300 words. Letters can be edited for clarity or length. Letters are the views of the author and not necessarily those of the newspaper or its advertisers. Submit letter at: mycvforum.com/letters-submission-form
Please Stop Referring to Harris as DEI Candidate
Dear Editor,
Is Spink kidding? (12/11 letter) Before 2021 when United Airlines opened the cockpit to more women pilots, did he really even give it a moment’s thought when he heard a woman’s voice over the intercom: “This is your captain speaking”? Why? Case closed. Almost. DEI is in fact a red herring here. Biden said he’d pick a woman on March 15, 2020? So what. Politicians lie all the time. He looked around, and settled on the most qualified candidate around, male or female, white or black. This is a long-winded way of saying to deny the condescension towards Harris with its implications of lesser ability as a DEI choice is disingenuous or simply naive. SHE WAS NOT A DEI CANDIDATE. There was no such program in effect.
Worry not. She’s out. The very real misogyny of a distrustful electorate didn’t let her get near the controls. Convenient labels discredited her, like DEI. Using it, even thinking of it, said more than any counter-argument about its aptness. The idea that Biden hung an “albatross” around Harris’ neck by preferring a woman VP earlier is beyond ridiculous. It was an excuse for those INCLINED to slight her to rationalize their BIGOTRY against her. All this is to say I stand by my letter, with its incredulity over Spink’s facile summary of Harris as a merit-compromised, DEI pick. I trust the good citizens of Castro Valley to see through all subterfuge in this exchange and make up their own minds whether I’m unfair or not in my calling attention to the pulling of the painful, insulting, inaccurate DEI card (11/20 letter). For the record, I’m not a leftist or a rightist. I’m a stinkin’ American, with all kinds of rotten baggage, like the rest of us.
–Stephen
Gutierrez, Castro Valley
Remembering A’s Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson
Dear Editor,
Like so many Oakland A’s fans, we all have our on-thefield memories of Rickey Henderson. Simply one of the best of all time.
My favorite memory of Rickey is off-the-field. For years the A’s had a Christmas party for kids from the various shelters and youth programs in Oakland. Lots of games, autographs, players like Reggie Jackson, Carny Langford, Ray Fosse and others.
Redwood Christian Schools elementary Royal Choir was asked to be part of the program singing Christmas Carols and then sharing in the fun. This happened multiple years. More than thirty years ago at one of these events, Bettina Flores, who worked for the A’s and knew me from RCS as well as Redwood Chapel, came up to me and said “Watch the door over in the back corner.” The door opened and in came Rickey leading an entire group of other kids. Mrs Flores then told me “Rickey has been out on the streets of Oakland and these are kids from the street.”
I always admired Rickey Henderson. At that moment I became one of his mega-fans as he sought absolutely no recognition for himself, and simply wanted these so easily overlooked kids included in the event.
We lost so much more than a Hall of Fame baseball player. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family.
–Bruce D. Johnson, Castro Valley
Davis Street Brightens the Holidays with Food, Gifts
By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Some 800 families, 400 senior adults and several dozen developmentally delayed adults from several Alameda County communities got to celebrate the holidays a bit more comfortably with baskets of food and gifts from the Davis Street Community Center in San Leandro on Monday, December 23.
People from Castro Valley, Ashland, San Lorenzo, Cherryland and San Leandro drove up to the center, at 3081 Teagarden Street, all day and drove away all set for a holiday feast and celebration. People and orga-
nizations from throughout the city volunteered to join Davis Street staff, leaders and board members at the event. Davis Street has served a wide variety of community needs since it was founded in 1972 as a ministry of the San Leandro First Christian Church. Now a community-supported non-profit, it still focuses on guiding families out of poverty and into productive lives, according to its website. Their programs include primary health care, child care, programs for adults living with developmental disabilities, free food and clothing, housing information, and utility assistance.
Davis Street CEO Daniel Johnson said holiday baskets for families contained a brandnew toy for the children, a bag of fresh produce, a turkey, and all the holiday fixings. Seniors got a chicken, produce and all the fixings for a holiday meal, and a similar basket went to adults with developmental disabilities.
Thanks to an angel contributor, participants also each got a modest cash gift to help out at the holidays.
To volunteer, get needed services or make a contribution, you can contact Davis Street Community Center at https:// davisstreet.org or by calling (510) 347-4620.
Repairs: Weather May Cause Delays
continued from front page half-mile stretch of road.
Redwood Road is expected to open at the end of January 2025, and Crow Canyon has no closures, according to Alameda County Public Works Agency (ACPWA) Administrative Specialist Leslie Robertson. Redwood Road and Crow Canyon Road have been closed intermittently over the past two years due to maintenance, construction, and storm damage. Currently, there is no through route into Oakland on Redwood Road.
Redwood Road has three areas of failure: two minor and one large. The largest failure was repaired, as scheduled, in November. Previously, drivers on Redwood Road would turn around at the Redwood Canyon
Golf Course entrance. ACPWA anticipates that the two smaller failures will be fixed by the end of January 2025.
All of Redwood Road is expected to open by the end of January 2025, weather permitting, according to an email from Robertson.
Crow Canyon Road was closed between Mile Marker 5.25 and Bollinger Canyon Road from April 11, 2024, through August 2024. This closure was due to the reconstruction of the roadway and the replacement of three cross culverts. Cross culverts are tunnels that allow water to flow under a road from one side to the other. According to Robertson, ACPWA has finished construction and has no closures on Crow Canyon Road.
Hoarder: Assistance Resources
continued from page 10 impaired, or if he is having financial difficulties, health problems, or other issues) you’ll need to seek professional help.
Talk therapy and/or antidepressants can help address control issues, anxiety, depression, and other feelings that may underline hoarding tendencies, and make it easier for him to confront his disorder.
To locate help, contact Helping Elders Live Productively (H.E.L.P.). This is a free education, counseling, and referral resource that helps older adults and their families who are experiencing hoarding, by connecting them with legal services, mental health assistance and support groups. Call 310533-1996 for a referral or visit Help4srs.org/support-servicesfor-seniors-who-hoard. You can also find professional help through the International OCD Foundation, which provides a hoarding center on their website at Hoarding.iocdf. org.
And to get help with challenging cleanup jobs, the biggest provider is Steri-Clean, Inc. (see Hoarders.com or call 800-462-7337), a hoarding cleanup company that has franchises located throughout the country.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Reopening these roads means more options, other than the freeways, in and out of Castro Valley.
While rain in the forecast could further delay road repairs, weather experts say more of the wet stuff would be good for this year’s water demands.
“Overall, it’s been a good start to the water year,” says former KCBS Meteorologist and Weather Producer at KTVU, Mike Pechner. “Less than one-third of the winter season finds storage in the East Bay Water District at a healthy 79 percent of normal, 110 percent of average for this date. The snowpack in the Northern Sierra is around 110 percent of normal. However, it may drop below normal in the first week of January.”
Davis Street Community Center staff, volunteers and board members all helped out at the center’s holiday basket giveaway on Monday, December 23 at 3081 Teagarden St. in San Leandro. CEO Daniel Johnson is at center in blue shirt.
PHOTO BY MIKE McGUIRE
