GRAND OPENING NEXT WEDNESDAY: Signs welcomes visitors at the Ashland Zocalo Park, which opens July 17 at the corner of East 14th Street and 166th Avenue. It will feature a wide variety of features and amenities for users of all ages, according to the park district. It is around the corner from the Ashland Community Center.
By Mike McGuire
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
The Ashland community is getting a new park at the corner of East 14th Street and 166th Avenue, courtesy of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD), the Trust for Public Land, and a state grant using park development money from 2018’s Proposition 68.
Ashland Zocalo Park will hold its grand opening next Wednesday, July 17, at 2 p.m. The name comes from the neighborhood and the Spanish word for a public square at the center of a city or town.
HARD had hoped to open the park several months ago, but a backlog for utility connections postponed the opening.
“Ashland Zocalo Park promises to be a beacon of community pride, fostering wellness, recreation, and social cohesion for residents of all ages and backgrounds,” said Peter Rosen, president of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District Board of Directors.
Sitting on a one-acre site in the heart of Ashland, the park will be easy to fnd due to a unique multi-colored shade structure. It will feature a wide variety of features and amenities for users of all ages, according to the park district. It is around the corner from the Ashland Community Center, whose entrance is on 167th Avenue.
There will be a public plaza for pop-up markets, intergenerational ftness and play areas, an outdoor stage, walking loops, open spaces, and an interactive water feature. Its restroom facilities are adorned with mosaics crafted by Oakland artist Debbie Koppman.
The park replaced a vacant lot in a community where green space can be at a premium. Proposition 68 allocated $4 billion statewide to parks and environmental projects, especially in park-poor communities. Zocalo Park’s location is expected to draw additional visitors as it sits near the Ashland Community Center.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation awarded a $7.2 million grant to The Trust see PARK on page 10
By Amy Sylvestri CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
A small private school on Lake Chabot Road has been given permission to continue operating from the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), despite having a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) that lapsed nearly a decade ago. “One School Global” has been in operation on a 20,837-square-foot parcel of land at 19234 Lake Chabot Road since 2010. They had an initial CUP which expired back in 2015 and a new CUP was approved at the MAC’s meeting this week. But the lengthy gap was not necessarily the school’s fault- County staff told the MAC an outdated renewal system meant there were no automatic reminders and updates.
The County is now in the process of updating see MAC on page 10
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
The Castro Valley Unifed School District (CVUSD) Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote tomorrow on whether to proceed with a $14 million renovation of Canyon Middle School’s sports felds.
In collaboration with Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD), the district plans to replace the upper-level grass feld with synthetic turf for playing soccer and baseball for school and public use. In addition to new turf and lights, the sports feld project also includes installing new scoreboards, bleachers, and a batting cage. Student and staff restrooms, showers, and drinking fountains would also receive ADA and other accessibility upgrades. see VOTE on page 5
Chanticleers Theater has been busy all summer training students in the craft of storytelling and musical theater. But later this month, adults are welcome to create their own personal narrative story, building on character and life experience, and create a 20-minute performance piece - with tons of collaborative support - that you will perform on our stage before a live audience.
By Corinne Davidson SPECIAL TO THE
Theater brings people together. The cast and crew come together to put on a show, and the audience comes together to enjoy it. However, theater can also have a larger impact on the community. Chanticleers Theater is working to give back to the community through its newest adult class.
Chanticleers’ resident actor, director, and playwright, Michael Sally, will facilitate the Theater’s upcoming class, “Our Town’s Stories. “ The class will meet on Saturdays from July 20 to September 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The inspiration for “Our Town Stories” came from Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” which features the activities of an American town.
“We both really like the play ‘Our Town,’ right as we were talking about our town, which is Castro Valley, and you know, so we decided, okay, let’s call this little workshop seminar, adult camp, “Our Town Stories,”’ Chanticleers Theater artistic director Christine Plowright told the Forum. “We
want to hear about the people of Castro Valley and the stories they have to tell.”
Chanticleers Theater was started in 1951 by a group performing in a chicken coop. These days, Plowright said she focuses on bringing the Castro Valley community together because the theater was created for the people of Castro Valley.
Plowright is a cancer survivor and said that one major thing she learned throughout her recovery was that you can survive while not thriving. Plowright said that one of the main reasons the adult class was created was to connect the community better and allow more opportunities to thrive.
“We need to be moving into ‘Thrive’ mode, yeah, and the way you do that is through community and through reaching out to people that you care about and, you know, engaging in things that are good for you, and that’s what Chanticleers wants to do with our community,” Plowright said.
Chanticleers Theater is for the people in and around Castro Valley but is also heavily run by Castro Valley natives.
July 3 story about the Unincorporated Alameda County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (UCBPAC) meeting, we mistakenly left out that the county’s draft plan priority is focused more on supporting climate mitigation and adaptation in unincorporated Alameda County and is not a policy document describing how to eliminate gaps in the transit network. The Forum regrets the error.
Plowright met Sally when she was in middle school, and he was in high school performing in the production of “Our Town” at Castro Valley High School (CVHS). Both were friends with the high school drama teacher at the time, Donna Russell. Russell has since passed, but Plowright said that she and Sally are both inspired to give back to the community because of the work they saw Russell do.
In addition to working with adults, the Chanticleers team is in the middle of its annual Theater Camp, where students learn storytelling and musical theater techniques. Zoe Farago is the dance instructor for the kids’ summer camp. Farago graduated from CVHS in 2022 and danced at Castro Valley Performing Arts (CVPA). As a performer, Farago said she feels lucky to have grown up in Castro Valley because of the various arts programs offered.
“It’s my thank you, I guess, to Castro Valley’s performing arts that, like, I can come back and take the knowledge that I’ve learned and the knowledge that I’ve gained from not only Castro Valley, but like other places, and I can come back and then keep that like legacy going,” Farago said.
The adult class is open to all ages and has six spots available. Registration is still open on the Chanticleers Theater website and can be done over the phone by calling 510-SEDLIVE (733-5483).
By Josie de la Torre
National Night Out (Tuesday, August 6) is an annual community event that promotes partnerships between the police and neighborhoods to make people feel safer. It enhances the relationship between local neighbors and law enforcement to bring the community together.
In addition to larger events around the East Bay, the California Highway Patrol is offering smaller groups in Castro Valley the opportunity to schedule a CHP Offcer to drive through their neighborhood and meet with them.
“I would like the neighbors to get together, talk, and get to know each other to make the community safer,” CHP Offcer Jennifer Pabst told the forum. “I believe that encouraging communication amongst the neighbors will help to make the areas they live in safer.”
To have your community group get a visit from the CHP, contact Offcer Pabst at (510) 489-1500 to sign up.
Elsewhere, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Offce will be hosting its National Night Out event at the Hayward Adult School Courtyard on Princeton Street. The gathering starts at 5 p.m. and features informational booths, activities for children
and adults, and a chance to have open discussions with Crime Prevention Unit deputies. The evening ends with a free dinner between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The East Bay Regional Park Police Department is hosting its own National Night Out events from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Parkgoers are invited to celebrate with the community to strengthen ties. Activities include seeing fre trucks, talking with public safety offcers and responders, a photo booth, a live DJ, and kids’ activities.
COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Wanted Man Caught
Saturday, July 6: At 10:16 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 35-year-old CV man as part of a warrant issued for his arrest. The man was previously convicted of possessing stolen property as well as illegal narcotics and methamphetamine drugs. Deputies stopped the man on Redwood Road near the Eastbound entrance to Interstate 580. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.
Drug Possession
Friday, July 5: At 4:40 p.m., a 39-year-old man with no permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine drugs. Deputies stopped the man for questioning in front of a home on Ruby Street near Redwood Road. The man turned out his pockets, revealing the drugs. He was taken into custody.
Failed to Outrun the Law
Thursday, July 4: At 1:51 a.m., deputies arrested a 41-year-old man from Castro Valley as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man was previously convicted for trying to evade arrest in a high-speed chase. Deputies served the warrant at a home on Lessley Avenue near Redwood Road. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.
Vandalism
Tuesday, July 2: At 7:11 a.m., a 29-year-old CV woman was arrested on suspicion of van-
dalism and damaging private property. Deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person near a home on Queen Street near Grove Way. There, they located the woman smashing property. The woman was taken into custody.
Shoplifting Lookout
Man Goes Back to Jail Tuesday, July 2: At 2:52 p.m.,
deputies arrested a 70-year-old man as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man had previously been convicted of two counts of shoplifting and participation as a lookout for shoplifting crimes. Deputies served the warrant after a retail store in the Castro Village Shopping Center detained the man for shoplifting. The man was taken into custody.
Thursday, July 4: The Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) responded to 199 calls. Thirty-three of those calls were for fres at homes and nearby vegetation.
Eighty of the calls were for medical emergencies, 15 were for service calls, 32 were classifed as good intent calls,
34 responses were identifed as miscellaneous, with 3 false alarms and only one classifed as responding to a hazardous condition. ACFD reminds residents to be vigilant with their homes and surrounding brush because last week’s hot weather has created potential fre hazards.
By Terry Liebowitz SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Producer Dayna Speed knew that this year’s summer musical at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts would have to be something special following the success of last season’s Bright Star. Speed admits that she loves to introduce audiences to new shows and chose another lesser-known musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as this summer’s blockbuster.
Presented by Castro Valley Arts Foundation and TMC Arts, Hunchback runs July 26-August 4. The stage production includes the sweeping Menken and Schwartz score of the isney animated flm and the epic story of the 1831 Victor Hugo novel of love and acceptance. It explores what it means to be truly human.
“Above all,” Speed shared, “I want to present shows that move people and Hunchback fts the bill in spades
“The interest in this show. has been phenomenal,” said Speed. The artistic team comes from all over the Bay Area. Director Enrico Banson is joined by Music Director Christopher Hewitt, Choreographer Katherine Cooper, Scenic Designer Carrie Mullen, Sound Designer Joshua Price, and Lighting Designer Mark Decker. Susanna Susoeff is directing the Castro Valley High Alumni Chorale.
“This group of professionals is unmatched!” shared Banson. He explained that at the beginning of every project he asks, “What is the story we want to tell? Whose journey is it?” He sees Hunchback as a tale of redemption and references the lyrics of one of the show’s
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the loss of Jenny Lin, music advocate Dr. Jack Stamp arranged the hymn tune “Abide With Me” to compose “Fast Falls the Eventide”. Another piece specially written by Dr. Stamp is a fanfare titled ”CeLINbration” that pays tribute to the Jenny Lin Foundation for their decades of unique and outstanding program services. Such gifts will be welcomed by future musicians as Jenny’s story spreads whenever these pieces are performed anywhere in the world!
Join the Jenny Lin Foundation this Saturday, July 13 at 6:30 pm at the Reed L. Buffington Performing Arts Center (25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward), to enjoy the premiere of Dr. Stamp’s commissioned pieces, performed by Jenny Lin Symphonic Band (directed by Matthew Fell). Sharing the stage are Jenny Lin String Orchestra (directed by Greg Conway) and Jenny Lin Choir (directed by Chloe Billings). These students are among the thousands of middle and high school musicians who have taken advantage of the youth music program offered free of charge by the Foundation since the summer of 1994.
The Tiny Art Show returned to the Castro Valley Library on Monday, July 8 and will run until September 30. The tiny art show is a community art project bringing miniature art to unique spaces. We invite people of all ages to participate in Castro Valley Library’s third annual tiny art show. Interested people should register in person and pick their
songs, “Someday”: “Someday when we are wiser…to live and let live.” As his team crafts the story, they create a divisive world where connections can only be bridged through kindness, listening, and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.
Come see Danila Burshteyn as Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer; Matthew Liebowitz as Dom Claude Frollo, the con icted archdeacon Solona
Husband as Esmeralda, the fery omani woman and the rest of the exceptional cast. For those of us who never read the weighty tome, we will fnally understand the universality of this classic tale.
Tickets are available at cvartsfoundation.org or 510889-8961. 19501 Redwood Road. Parking is free. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is appropriate for Middle School audiences and older.
TOMORROW • Thursday, July 11
Summer Concert Series at CV Library
The Castro Valley Library’s 2024 Summer Concert Series kicks off tomorrow. Taking place on the second Thursday evening of the month from July through September, the shows feature a diverse collection of artists and musical genres. First up is Dee Coco & Co tomorrow, Thursday, July 11 at 6:30 pm. You’ll enjoy the ultimate party band! Dee Coco Johnson and her band do it all, covering your favorite R&B, Funk, Soul and Rock songs. They’ll have you up and dancing! Because these are outdoor events, automobile parking will be limited at the library.
Saturday, July 13
International Craft Fair
Together Women Rise is hosting an International Craft Fair from 10 AM to 2 PM at 4628 Grenadier Place in Castro Valley. A variety of handicrafts and specialty foods will be a ailable. he proceeds beneft local charities pro iding education opportunities and environmental conservation globally. For more information, please email Amy Madsen at amycmadsen@gmail.com
Saturday, July 13
Jenny Lin 30th Anniversary Concert
Join the Jenny Lin Foundation this Saturday, July 13 at 30pm at the eed . uffngton Performing rts Center (25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward) to enjoy a free concert “Celestial Symphony” which will be the premiere of Dr. Jack Stamp’s commissioned pieces, performed by Jenny Lin Symphonic Band. Sharing the stage are Jenny Lin String Orchestra and Jenny Lin Choir. These students are among the thousands of middle and high school musicians who have taken advantage of the youth music program offered free of charge by the Foundation since the summer of 1994. Free Admission. Reserve your tickets online at: https://a.purplepass.com/events/292827-jenny-lin-concert2024-jul-13th
free 3X3 between now and August 24 (or while supplies last). Participants can use materials from home such as paint or items for a mixed media project, just be sure your art is tiny. We will also be hosting four opportunities to create your mini art at the library in July and August. Please visit our website for more information and to register.
To be included in the show, art must be returned to the library by Monday, August 25. Artwork will be displayed during the month of September in the display cases in the lobby at the Castro Valley Library.
For more information, please call the library at 510667-7900, or send an email to castrovalley@aclibrary.org.
When Jenny Lin, 14, was murdered in her home in Castro Valley in 1994, it was shocking and devastating to the community. To date the case is still unsolved, despite persistent efforts of the police and a $200,000 reward.
While grief, sorrow and pain remain, Jenny’s family and the community have transformed a nightmare into some positive, resourceful and inspirational experience for the public.
For three decades, Jenny Lin Foundation has run youth enrichment programs, seminars, fairs, exhibitions, and workshops to educate the public about safety. The Foundation was also instrumental in the development of the Children’s Memorial Grove (located atop Fairmont Ridge) and the bronze statues now displayed at Hayward City Hall and Lake Merritt, to honor young violence victims of Alameda County. County offcials designated the Jenny Lin Teen Room in Castro Valley Library to inspire the younger generation to devote time reading and studying, and to excel in school, just like Jenny had done.
Wednesday, July 17
Ashland Zocalo Park Grand Opening
Come join H.A.R.D. and TPL for the grand opening on Wednesday, July 17 at 2pm. Ashland Zocalo Park is a prime 1-acre site in the heart of the Ashland neighborhood. Designed as an urban plaza, the park will feature an array of recreational features and park amenities catering to individuals of all ages. From a vibrant public plaza for pop up markets to intergenerational ftness and play areas, an outdoor stage, walking loops, open spaces, restroom facilities adorned with stunning mosaics crafted by a local Oakland artist, Debbie Koppman, and an interactive water feature. he park will be easy to fnd with its uni ue multicolored shade structure, situated at the corner of 166th Ave and East 14th Street.
Saturday, July 20
Lakeside Laps at Lake Chabot Regional Park
Lakeside Laps is a trail running and walking event hosted by the Regional Parks Foundation in partnership with Brazen Racing Sports & Community. In celebration of the East Bay Regional Park District’s 90th Anniversary, akeside aps proceeds will beneft the egional Parks Foundation and its mission to connect youth with nature and expand access to parks. Register today for the family-friendly Trout Trot 5K, 10K, or half marathon taking place on Saturday, July 0 ( arious times) all ftness levels are welcome! The Finish Line Festival will feature snacks, vendors, photo walls, awards, and more. Food and beverages provided by Equator Coffee, Harmless Harvest, and Drake’s Brewing Company. For registration info, start times, and general event information, please visit www. brazenracing.com/lakesidelaps.
continued from front page HARD’s governing Board approved its part of the deal on July 1. The Trustees are expected to review three related resolutions at its July 11 meeting before making its decision on an amended agreement. Before the plan can move forward, the board must consider the design, construction, and facility use revisions, approve a conditional use permit with HARD to be able to operate on school property, and then sign off on the environmental assessments.
If approved, preliminary work on the upgrades could start as early as this year.
The vote follows months of presentations, reviews, and public input. Residents in the Greenridge Road and Briar Ridge Drive neighborhoods lobbied their concerns about potential late hours, excess noise, lax security around the non feld areas, traffc congestion, and bright lights, which prompted amendments to the resolutions.
Among the changes to the agreement, the new feld lighting will be automatically
dimmed by 80 percent at 9:00 p.m. At that time, all athletic and recreational activities will be re uired to stop for feld clean-up and allow people to lea e. he lights on the feld will go completely dark at 10:00 p.m.
nyone using the felds would not be permitted to use portable music devices or PA systems after 6:00 p.m.
While the school district manages the felds during school hours and approved after-school events, HARD will manage the non-school reservations and explain the rules to anyone renting the space. Permits will be required to estimate the number of people using the felds with spot checks by HARD employees or park rangers.
o help mitigate traffc, the proposed resolution notes that HARD should keep the number of people using the feld during community time to no more than 300 people at any given time.
Despite the changes to the plan, neighborhood representative John Hauser said the District has essentially decided for
the community and that there is very little they agree with.
“We appreciate that they tried to reduce the hours that the feld would be used and that they will prohibit using portable PA systems, but they’ve decided these are acceptable changes,” Hauser told the Forum. “Our issue is not that they’re upgrading the felds we’re for all that. ut they’re changing the nature of the usage from a school feld, which they initially called this, into a rental facility for HARD. It’s going to be used constantly. So, really, the whole nature of this area will change completely.”
Hauser said the plan for a feld monitoring system for the Canyon sports felds is still vague. He said neighbors along the ridgeline around Canyon Middle School would conduct their own monitoring and report infractions to the school district and HARD. He added that the group has not ruled out seeking legal action if necessary to protect their homes. The meeting starts at 5:30 at the istrict offces on lma Avenue.
The district is considering a $14 million upgrade to replace Canyon Middle School’s natural turf upper playing feld with a synthetic turf suitable for soccer and baseball. The project also includes installing new scoreboards, bleachers, and a batting cage. Student and staff restrooms, showers, and drinking fountains would also receive ADA and other accessibility upgrades.
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
With the freworks behind us, we are launching into summer and, as e idenced recently, record setting heat. hile parts of Cali fornia, accustomed to hot weather, are prepared for
the sweltering tempera tures, many of the homes in the ay rea are not.
lameda County residents are accustomed to thinking of how to prepare homes for the cooler, winter weather, but fre uently do not realize that, with proper preparation, they can also
make their homes more comfortable when the heat is inching towards triple digits. Here is our list of recommendations to make your summer more comfortable.
New HVAC system.
Since many local homes do not ha e cool ing systems, hot periods prompt some residents to consider window mount ed air conditioners. ot all windows accommo date these, howe er and, in addition to being noisy, are less energy effcient than a central heating cooling system. hile some heaters can last o er 40 years, the a erage ef fecti e lifespan is between 15 30 years and, with age, can become more e pen si e to operate. nstead of cluttering windows with C units, consider upgrading your heater to
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is hot outside and you will notice it acts like a radiator, pushing heat into your home. ew windows can pro ide a much more effcient barrier to the heat and their installation can remo e the gaps around older windows that produce drafts in cooler weather.
pgrade nsulation.
nsulation is not ust for the winter months effec ti e insulation pre ents the ow of heat to the outside in the winter and the re erse in the summer.
any older local homes ha e minimal insulation and should be upgraded to current standards.
eather stripping.
uick, effecti e and ine pensi e way to pre ent hot air from entering a home is weather strip ping around the doors and windows.
Whole house fan.
Originating in south and east coast homes, whole house fans are gaining popularity across
the S. he idea is sim ple as e ening tempera tures cool, the strong fan, usually mounted in a central hallway, is acti ated, sucking cooler air in from the outside and enting warmer interior air outside.
Hotter days are ahead and, instead of heading to the mall to cool down, effecti e preparation can make your e perience in your home more pleasant.
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.
ortgage rates increased this week, coming in ust under se en percent. oth new home and pending home sales are down, causing acti e listings to rise. e are still e pecting rates to moderately decrease in the second half of the year and gi en additional in entory, price growth should temper, boding well for interested home buyers.
By Buzz Bertolero
The Dirt Gardener
QWe’ve had the hill in the backyard weed-whacked and the debris removed. The hillside is brown, but it still has the roots from the cut weeds. I want to cover the area with a weed-blocking fabric and plant a ground cover. Do you treat the ground with a weed killer before laying the fabric?
AThe answer is more complex. The weeds should have been sprayed frst before you weed whacked them. A non-selective herbicide, like Round-Up and similar herbicides, will be ineffective if sprayed on the bare ground. It will not kill the remaining roots. These products require plants to be leafed out and actively growing. So, it’s a good idea to wait and plant in the fall and let the
weeds start to grow again. You could speed things up by watering the area. A week to ten days before planting, spray the actively growing weeds. It’s a judgment call on your part whether or not to install the landscape fabric. The land-
scape fabric is a short-term answer, not a long-term solution for weeds. It will only control the unwanted vegetation and dormant weed seeds below the fabric. You should also cover the fabric with a two to three-inch layer of mulch
to shut out the light, preventing the weeds from growing. However, deep-rooted perennial weeds would penetrate the fabric or barrier in time. After the rainy season, the weed seeds from the seasonal grasses and plants will blow in
and settle in the mulch. They germinate with the winter rains or with conventional sprinklers but not necessarily with drip irrigation. Depending on the species, the ground cover could reduce this concern as it matures. Controlling the unwanted vegetation after planting the area becomes more challenging with a non-selective herbicide. These herbicides damage desirable and undesirable plants, so you must be careful when spot-treating them. The plants will take several growing seasons to cover the area, and you shouldn’t expect much growth this year. To speed things up, you plant them closer together and apply an annual All Purpose Fertilizer between mid-February and April. Planting in the fall shouldn’t be much of a weed issue next spring. To prevent weeds the following year, I’d apply Monterey Impede to control the weed seeds in the late fall. Monterey Impede is a pre-emergent herbicide used over the top of growing plants as it kills the plant seeds, not any plant with a root system. In addition, Impede requires moisture to establish the barrier. This isn’t a problem if you’re using conventional sprinklers, not drip because the barrier needs to be established over the entire area. You’ll then need to wait and apply mpede ust before the frst signifcant rains of the season. Once the weeds start to germinate, it’s too late. Also, read the instructions to apply the correct amount of the herbicide for the square footage.
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. The temperature isn’t the only thing on the rise this July. Home prices are increasing every day! Your home may be worth more than you think! Call us today to see the sizzling prices in your area and start celebrating before it’s too late.
You can run a classified ad for a little as $35 a week. Your ad runs in both of our newspapers, the Castro Valley Forum on Wednesday and the San Leandro Times on Thursday. You can also save by placing your ad on our website at castrovalleyforum.com or sanleandrotimes.com. We’ll call you for your credit or debit card info for payment. To place an ad by phone call Patrick Vadnais at 510-614-1560, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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HUGE! 7 family block sale!! Saturday, July 20th. 8am - 4pm Lone Oak Place (off Madison, near 7 Hills)
LOADS of items from all families, including a small apartment's worth!! Men, women & children items!
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AFFAIRS: Abbott Diabetes Care, an Abbott Labs Co., located in Alameda, CAseeks qualified Sr Manager, Regulatory Affairs. Resp for strategy implementation & operations for directing development of product registration submission, progress Reports, supplements, amendments, or periodic experience reports of medical devices. Bachelors or foreign equiv in Engineering or in rltd fld of study w/ min. 2 yrs of professional exp in: (i) understanding, investigating & evaluating regulatory history/background of class, disease/ diagnostic context to assess regulatory implications & anticipating & addressing regulatory activities; (ii) providing regulatory representation to support design review, design change & design transfer thruout product lifecycle; (iii) developing Design Ctrl processes for Medical & Non-Medical Devices & represent Design Ctrls in audits per ISO:13485, FDA21 CFR 820 & other global regulatory requirements, incl Canada, China & Australia medical device manufacturing regulations; (iv) tracking requirements using requirements mgmt tools, incl JAMA, to manage traceability across various design ctrl elements; (v) managing impact of emerging or evolving regulations & standards on project schedule & budget; & (vi) leading project teams from concept to launch to release medical devices into market. An EOE. 40 hrs/wk. $168,667$251,500/yr. Send Resumes to: Abbott Laboratories, Attn: Elvia Salazar, Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive, Floor 25, Dept. 32, Chicago, IL 60606. Refer to ad code: ABT-0055ES.
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Evalve, an Abbott Laboratories Co. seeks qualified Sr Industrial Engineer in Menlo Park, CA. Responsible for improvements that increase capacity, reduce lead-time, work-in-process & improve process flow & efficiency w/in a regulated manufacturing environment. Bachelors or foreign equiv in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or in ritd implementing manufacturing & business process improvements that increase capacity, reduce leadtime, work-in-process & improve process flow: (il) regulated manufacturing environments; (mI1) Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma methodologies, incl 5S, Line Balancing, Design of Experiments (DOE), Fishbone Analyses, 5 Whys, theory of constraints, quick response manufacturing, Just-In-Time & Time Measurement; (iv) cost-accounting & gross margin improvements; & (V) Microsoft Apps (Visio, Excel, PowerPoint, Word). An EOE. 40 hrs/wk. $88,629 - $167,200/ year. Send Resumes to: Abbott Laboratories.
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Great Price $1,995 Castro Valley 2 Bed | 1 Bath 850 sq ft, Family Room, kitchen, Stove, Fridge. Garbage and Water paid. Need First month rent + Damage Deposit $1,000 Call Cindy 408 230-6105.
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RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $950/ month. Call 510-481-9901.
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.
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To
On June 28, 2024, Thunder (Trey) Gallarzan, son of Ephrain and Ellaine Gallarzan of Hayward, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Applied Economics and Social Science. 2LT Gallarzan was the recipient of the coveted 2024 “Cadet Battalion Commander” Award from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Snyder at the University of Oregon ROTC (Reserve Offcers’ raining Corps) nd of Year Awards Banquet on June 28, 2024. Serving in the military is a family commitment as rey is ffth generation serving Our Great Country. He will report in October to Fort Moore, Georgia, to complete the O C ( asic Offcer Leaders Course), for four months of training and will then serve four years active duty as an rmor Offcer. rey’s younger brother Reece, RCHS Class of 2023, is in the ROTC at University of Oregon and also pursuing a military career while majoring in Business.
Dr. Al Hearne, Redwood Christian Schools Superintendent, knows the Gallarzan family well and admires all four of his former (Skylar, Trey and Reece) and current (Ace) students stating “These young adults have always been a positi e in uence on their classmates whether it be in the classroom or extra curricular activities, serving others. For instance, Ace just recently returned from our missions trip
Reece (left) and 2LT Thunder “Trey” Gallarzan. See more photos online at: mycvforum.com
to Puerto Rico serving others.”
Ephrain and Ellaine Gallarzan have two other children, Skyler, who graduated from RCHS in 2018, and Loyola Marymount University in May 2022, majoring in Journalism, while being a member of the omen’s owing eam. Youngest son Ace is a member
of the RCHS Class of 2025 and plans to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and also enroll in the ROTC program in College. Both Skyler and Ace are working at rader Joe’s in Castro Valley.
The Gallarzan family attends 3Crosses Church in Castro Valley.
We’d like to take a moment to thank our readers and advertisers for keeping The Forum viable over the years. As many of you may be aware, we’re doing all we can to keep the Forum continuing to bring you free, local coverage as we’ve always provided. However, after the loss of our beloved publisher, Fred Zehnder, as well as rising printing and distribution costs, we’re forced to change our model to keep with the times and keep our doors open. We ask you, our loyal Forum community, if you can help in any way, through ideas, inspiration or monetarily, we would be very grateful. As always, we appreciate your readership and words of encouragement.
continued from front page what was essentially a paper-based CUP “Rolodex,” and the system will be automated in the future, according to Planner Aubrey Rose.
Because the school has been in compliance for the past decade despite the lack of a CUP, it won’t be penalized.
“Somebody dropped the ball with this one,” said MAC member Tojo Thomas, who added that he had no problem with the project itself, just the sloppy process. The school can operate K-12 classes for up to 30 students. The surrounding area consists of another school, a church, and single-family homes. Ultimately, the MAC gave the school the permit by a unanimous vote, with instructions not to let it lapse again. They also told planning staff to get those renewal reminders out, as permits cost money and the county is essentially leaving potential funding on the table.
“The citizens of Castro Valley deserve better,” said MAC Vice Chair Bill Mulgrew. “If any re enue is important, it’s all important.”
The MAC also heard an update to the vast Castro Valley Central Business District Specifc Plan, this time about Housing Element regarding mobile home parks and the Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) overlay.
As always with the ongoing plan, the MAC urged planning staff to balance practicality with any long-term plans for rezoning, and housing goals with overall downtown goals.
The TOC is the half-mile area surrounding mass transit hubs- in this case, the Castro Valley BART station.
The TOC is in addition to state housing density mandates, and is voluntary, but compliance would open the community up to more regional grant money. So far, Alameda County has received more than $30 million in One Bay Area Grants.
t’s estimated that Castro Valley will need 1,800 new units of housing to be in compliance with state housing targets.
The goals of the TOC include:
• Increase the supply of housing with higher density (current regulations allow up to 58 units per acre and it could go up to 75)
• Increase the density of business and commercial properties
• Prioritize bus, walking, cycling transportation
• Support partnerships with other TOCs in the Bay Area
The next steps include:
• Adopting a minimum and maximum residential density in the TOC
• Adopting a minimum and maximum commercial density in the TOC
• Fund policies to stabilize businesses and prevent their displacement
• Remove minimum parking requirements in new developments to provide modes of travel besides cars
The County Planning department has submitted a second draft of the Housing Element to the state and are expecting comments back later this week. For more information, visit www.cvimplementation.com
continued from front page for Public Land (TPL), a nationwide nonproft, to de elop Ashland Zocalo Park. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,420 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places,
and more closely connected nearly 9.7 million people to the outdoors.
“This project represents more than just the creation of a park; it embodies our commitment to fostering healthy, livable communities,” said Kira Maritano, senior program manager at The Trust for Public Land.
“Ashland Zocalo Park will not only provide much-needed green space but also support active lifestyles, social connectivity, and a sense of pride in the local community,” Maritano said.
By Thomas Lorentzen SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Mysteries are appetizers to the uncertainties of life. They raise questions, which challenges us to fnd the answers. Sometimes we do. Sometimes we do not. Yet, it is interesting to engage in this exercise. History is the same. It contains mysteries to be solved. They can be of the past, present, or future. Adopting this perspective can add spice to pepper our lives.
It is well known how important it is to live a busy life, particularly as we age. A valuable way to do this is to be a volunteer. It adds value to our lives, particularly since we are serving others with our time. I do so by writing this column and serving on the Board of the Hayward Area Historical Society. I also serve as a docent on the USS Potomac, which was the yacht used by ranklin Delano Roosevelt when he was President. Its home is at Jack London Square and is open to the public. There is much to learn when visiting the ship. It is also entertaining. Among the opportunities provided by the Potomac are to take cruises on the bay. As a ship, it also contains mysteries. One happened on July 4th. It came from an unexpected person and was about the present and future. Yet, it was based upon the past. A young boy of twelve was on the ship with his mother and younger sister. He was polite and interested in the history of the ship. He was also sharply dressed and wore a bow tie. Yes – a bow tie! I asked why? His mother answered the question. She explained that he dresses to suit his sense of life as he wants to live it. His perspective was born from watching a movie about another ship and era. The movie appeared in 1997. It was about an event in 1912 – the sinking of the Titanic. It was made before the boy was born. Yet, it created an interest in his
heart and mind. It was not only about the ship. It was about the era and the way people dressed and acted. He saw something that appealed to his sense of self, as well as to how he wanted to live his life. What he saw was an appreciation for elegance and style. He also saw expressions of dignity, and an affnity for the romance of life. Other factors attracted his attention, such as protocol and manners. The same with propriety and civility. He became fascinated with the era and the people that populated it. He decided to live in this moment and into the future in a manner that includes these factors. Our contemporary zeitgeist, he feels, is empty of elegance. Therefore, it is up to him to live with a purpose, which includes adding these values to pursue a life of propriety and dignity. He seeks, like a modern Montaigne, to live a good life. With that, he has written a script for how to live. He is the lead actor, director, and producer.
As he left the Potomac with his mother and sister, I shook his hand and thanked him for discussing his life with me. I
told him that he is an amazing young man. I felt privileged to talk with him. He smiled and thanked me. He felt the same about me. Among his characteristics are those of being quiet, observant, respectful, polite, curious, and interested in the world around him. His home is in New Mexico. I shall never see him again. Yet, I will continue to think about him. In another thirty years he would make a good President of the U.S. To volunteer on the USS Potomac is a rewarding way to spend time. Being on board on the 4th of July added value. Meeting an exceptional young boy was a gift. I learned from him. It also enhanced my hope for the future of our country. As the boy and I talked, I felt the presence of . He was also listening and learning from the young boy. The Potomac, after all, was his ship to use when he was President. He felt good about the boy and his potential to become like him – a President. It was a good day to be on the bay on the USS Potomac.
y response to ichard ckerman ( iden old but still capable) Capable of what, gi ing other countries more of our tax dollars? It is VERY clear after the debate that his brain is shot, and yes I’ll be voting for the wrongly (con icted felon), under this old guy we are involved in 3 wars, and the illegals are still invading thx to this capable guy, President Trump has NOTHING in common with Hitler besides being male. I can’t wait to see this man of God back in the hite House, O .
– Howard Smith, Castro Valley
Dear Editor,
Has the presidency of the United States now become a reality TV show with an emphasis on style and performance substituting for truth and substance? The media hype over Biden’s debate performance is a disservice to the intelligence of Americans. If an ethical and moral candidate’s stutter and mispronunciations are more important than an immoral and unethical felonious candidate’s rant of insults and outright lies, then America is in trouble.
– Robert Thomas, Castro Valley
I am no fan of Donald Trump and can think of plenty of negative adjectives to describe him. Emotions are running particularly high this election cycle. But Mr. Ackerman’s comparison of Trump to Mussolini and Hitler is completely un ustifed ( y houghts On he ebate ). I too have been publicly compared to Hitler simply for having a different political opinion than someone else. In both cases these comparisons are completely unwarranted. Neither
Trump nor myself have any plans for rounding up and executing 11 million people we deem unworthy of life which is e actly what Hitler and the Nazis did.
No doubt the Nazis used fear as a powerful weapon to control others. We should not resort to the same tactics they employed. Stick with facts and leave fearmongering and hyperbole out of the fnal analysis.
– Stacy Spink, Castro
Valley
April 09, 1941 ~ May 25, 2024
Tom, also know as T-Bone to family and friends, was born to Edward and Maryellen Hallman. He was raised in Castro Valley, CA. He served in the US Army and after an honorable discharge he attended Cal State University, Hayward receiving his Bachelors degree in 1 then fnished at the ni ersity of San rancisco with a teaching degree. He specialized in special education and went on to work at Bay School in the San Lorenzo School District working with physically and mentally challenged kids in grade school. He loved his kids and enjoyed helping those with very special needs. He was one of the frst in his feld to use augmentati e de ices to gi e a oice to those who could not speak!
Tom was a positive force meeting up with other teachers from the Castro Valley and Hayward School District along with Chabot College. He joined in with a new philosophy in giving opportunities for independence by working with the other teachers and volunteers to take the kids on camping trips to Camp Harmony in Santa Cruz also working on academics and independence.
He Tapped into the Recreation Department where some of his kids that participated in the summer months in a camping program called Ward Creek Day Camp so they would not be sitting at home. He was instrumental in sponsoring a student in the Recreation Department by getting him a eye exam and new glasses He did things to make the world a better, kinder place for his students giving them opportunities to live their lives while being independent and comfortable in their own skins.
T-Bone was very into cars. He loved old cars and being a part of his car club, the Danville Dukes! He spent time at car shows and had some beautiful cars. Some of his favorite cars were a 1966 Chevy El Camino and a 1934 Roadster! After he retired, he spent many of his mornings meeting with all his special friends at Dale’s Cafe for breakfast.
Tom is survived by his life partner, Barbara Woodward, cousins Debbie Vennekotter and her husband Mike, and Debbie’s children Lucas and Buck Hill. He was loved by his family and we cannot say enough about Tom - he’ll be missed by so very many. Yes! Tom Hallman was meant to be on this earth he made a difference in so many peoples lives. He loved the Lord and is walking in the streets of gold with all his friends, students and family in heaven. Well done good and faithful servant!
Whether or not you can make Tom’s Celebration of Life, please feel free to email your memories and notes to mobilelegaldocs@gmail.com. They will be shared at his Celebration and posted to family. If former student or parent, please include maiden name if applicable, and what your relationship was with Tom.
Tom’s Celebration of Life will be held at his home on July 13 from 12-5 pm. Please call 510.537.0052 for more information and instructions. n lieu of owers, please donate in homas Hallman’s name to St. Jude Children’s esearch Hospital, onald c onald House Charities, nimal escue oundation or a similar charity of your choice. Thank you for thinking about Tom. He will be making a lot of friends and driving his favorite cars in Heaven. See obituary online also at Legacy.com
Our Athlete of the Week is Cameron “Cam” Carraway. This Castro Valley High School student has been racing since he was 6 and is a Jr. Late Model Stock Car and Micro Sprint driver. He has participated in over 240+ races across the country, won multiple championships, and broken multiple track records during his quarter-midget career. A three-time winner in 2023, Cam is also a twotime Quarter Midget National Champion. Cam is one of the few African American stock car drivers in the country and continues to show his ability to compete on both asphalt and dirt tracks. He hopes one day to race in NASCAR events.
The Steele Gazelles have been training long and hard for months on and off the track. The focus for the Gazelles is on the whole athlete, coaching them both on the technical aspects of track and feld as well as their academics and life skills. On June 28-30, 2024, three athletes competed at the AAU West Coast National Championship in Sparks, Nevada. All three athletes, Elliot Keim, Seraphina Moore, and Cayden Ortiz, placed in the Top 8 for multiple events that ualifed them to compete in the AAU Jr Olympics held in North Carolina. The Gazelles put their long and hard months of training to the test while competing against some of the best athletes on the West Coast. Both coaches Sean Steele and Tina Sachs have devoted countless hours of their time to help the athletes succeed. Events each athlete qualifed for Elliot Keim: Long Jump, 400Meters, 200 Meters Seraphina Moore: Long Jump & 100M Hurdles Cayden Ortiz: Long Jump and 80M Hurdles
By Mitch Rothbardt SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Why the heck do we do all this ftness stuff? People ask that all the time.
Our members get coached on form all the time. Shoulders down...push your hips back... exhale through your belly...
There’s a reason for that and it’s not to act all bossy pants. It’s because the exercises we program in the gym generally have an impact that extends well beyond our gym walls and into the mysterious place known as the Real World.
In the Real World it doesn’t really matter how much you can deadlift, but it does matter that you can pick something up
without hurting yourself.
In the Real World it doesn’t matter how many pushups you
can do, but it does matter that you can get yourself off the ground when you fall.
In the Real World it doesn’t matter how your dumbbell rows look, but it does matter that your shoulders, neck, and back don’t hurt. Get my point?
That’s why we focus on form so much. Without it, you won’t get all you should get from the exercises you do at our gym or anywhere else.
We believe most chronic pain issues (chronic pain is the kind of nagging pain you may
have semi-regularly) stem from problems with your posture or how you move. That is what good form can help improve. So, to answer the initial question: hy do we do this ftness stuff?
The answer is pretty simple: So, we can live better, more energetic, and productive lives. And the super-cool thing about that, is you can do that anytime no matter your age, your condition, or anything else. You just have to start. Mitch is the owner and head trainer at Castro Valley Fitness. He loves answering your ftne e tion at t e do park with Penny, Max, and Tex or by emailing him at: Mitch@ CastroValleyFitness.com.
