YEAR 35
INSIDE YOUR
INSIDE YOUR
Living the Dream CV’s Dayna Speed to produce her first musical “Bright Star”
Page 2
Laurel Center
What will be the fate of former elementary school in CV?
Page 3
Pack to School
Hayward-Castro Valley
Kiwanis Club assembles backpacks for local kids
Page 10
Calendar ................ 4
Classified Ads ....... 8
Health & Fitness ... 10
Homes...................... 6
Horoscope ............. 11
Legal Notices .......... 9
Our Town ................. 3
Sheriff’s Report ....... 3
Sports .................. 12
Weather ................ 2
By Alyssa Phillips SPECIAL TO THE FORUMIn a world becoming more digitized by the minute, kids have begun to miss out on the off-screen fun in life. Now, a new toy store has opened on Seven Hills Road to bring the magic of toys and games back to Castro Valley youth.
The Prize Booth’s grand opening was on July 13, and was very welcome in the community. Castro Valley’s last official toy store—the Village Toy Shop—closed back in 2007.
Co-owner Erin Fritts shared how her family has been in Castro Valley for generations and how she loved the Village Toy Shop when she was growing up here. She wanted to give her 9-year-old daughter, Emerson, an enchanting toy store experience but said there were no local toy stores as the closest ones were in San Francisco and Alameda.
The idea came about when Erin was at a toy shop in San Francisco and said that
“it was the most joyous and exciting place. Everyone was just so happy to be there.”
With the lack of a local toy shop, combined with the increasing usage of screen time from the COVID-19 pandemic, Erin and her husband, Tim Fritts, saw an opportunity for something great. They aimed to bring happiness to their community’s youth by opening The Prize Booth.
Erin expressed concern for kids with too much screen time, saying it “leaves no room for boredom. Boredom leads to imagination, and imagination makes creative kids who grow up to be creative people.”
“Today, kids are on screens all the time. I want to encourage them to play outside in the sand, grass, and mud. That’s where the best memories are made,” Erin says.
The store offers a variety of toys, educational and fiction books, games, and even clothes. With the goal of getting kids outside in mind, many of the toys are geared toward outdoor play.
see PRIZE on page 5
By Amy Sylvestri CASTRO VALLEY FORUMA property owner wants to subdivide existing market-rate townhomes near the Castro Valley BART station, and the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) approved the plan at its regular land use meeting on Monday night.
The site, located at 21091 Wilbeam Avenue, has been the location of eight condominium units since May of 2021. The current owner, Pleasanton-based Ingelo Investment, wants to divide the existing three-bedroom, 3-and-a-halfbath units internally.
The condos are in two basically identical structures, which house four units each. The BART station is located to the southeast of the condos, and there is a variety of other multi-unit housing in the surrounding area.
The proposed subdivision would turn the eight existing units into 16, a number that is consistent with the county’s approved density for the area.
There has been a 20-year journey in getting housing on the Wilbeam site. The property was originally approved for ten condos back in June of 2003, but that project fell through. see MAC on page 10
Edmund “Ed” Attanasio, a Castro Valley artist known for his sketches of dogs and cats on Post-It Notes, was found deceased in a car near Lake Chabot last Tuesday, the Alameda County Sheriff’s has confirmed.
On July 18, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies responded to a body found in a car on Lake Chabot Road near the park at 1:00 p.m. Calls to dispatch said the person was slumped over the steering wheel in a vehicle near the park. The Alameda County
Edmund “Ed” AttanasioFire Department worked on Attanasio for more than 30 minutes but could not revive him.
see ARTIST on page 11
Many of us have had a great idea and thought, “I would love to start my own __________ (fill in the blank).” Over time, I plan to explore the dream and the folks that are creating those dreams right here in Castro Valley. They are “living their dream.”
For the past six years Dayna Speed ruminated, “When I retire, I’m going to start my own musical theater company in my own hometown!” The problem with that thought process is that no one who knows Dayna can imagine her ever retiring.
But this spring, without eliminating any of her many jobs, she hung out her new shingle, TMC Arts. Dayna is partnering with Castro Valley Arts Foundation to produce her first musical, Bright Star, which opens August 19, at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts.
Without knowing it, Dayna has been preparing for her dream since attending Marina and Livermore High Schools. There, she always found herself in charge of costumes for the school plays. She continued “costuming” for
her daughter Tori’s dance studio, local theater groups, and Castro Valley High School productions. Her own onstage experience included singing lead for rock bands in the ‘80s and ‘90s and later performing as a studio backup singer. She also taught voice.
She honed her producer skills over the years, helping her husband Mel with The
Music Company (TMC), the family business. TMC was first a record store and later a DJ service. Today TMC provides corporate event planning with an emphasis on sound. Dayna and Mel provided all the AV needs for a fundraising event for President Biden during a recent visit to the Bay Area. Dayna is also in charge of the Orinda and Pleasant Hill Summer Concerts. And if that isn’t enough, Dayna is the Event Coordinator for the Castro Valley Eden Chamber of Commerce, for whom she produces the Fall Festival and the Holiday Light Parade. It is no surprise that Dayna says she “doesn’t sleep much.”
Dayna has been asked, “Why Bright Star?” for the maiden voyage of her new company, TMC Arts. “Once I saw the Broadway version of Bright Star, I wanted everyone to see this beautiful show which has so much to offer about overcoming life’s obstacles…and the music is exquisite.” Dayna was touched by the outpouring of actors who wanted to be part of this show. One of the leads, Rachel Powers, traveled here from Washington for her “dream role.”
Dayna is already planning next summer’s musical, although the title is still a secret. Dayna hopes the community will come out to give TMC Arts a look! “I guarantee you will fall in love with Bright Star like I did.”
Ticket information is online: cvartsfoundation.org/shows/
Public Intoxication
Saturday, July 22: at 7:09 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 45-year-old CV man on suspicion of public intoxication. The man was hanging outside a business on Castro Valley Boulevard near Redwood Road when deputies stopped him for questioning. The man failed his field sobriety test and was taken to a sobering center.
Contempt of Court
Saturday, July 22: at 8:00 p.m., a 25-year-old man with no permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of violating the terms of a restraining order. Deputies responded to a call from a drugstore manager at a business on the Boulevard near Marshall Street. The man was also found possessing illegal narcotics and resisted arrest when deputies handcuffed him. The man was taken into custody.
Couple Caught with Drugs, Stolen Property
Friday, July 21: at 8:29 a.m., deputies arrested two people with no permanent residence on drug possession charges.
A 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were outside
a grocery store on Redwood Road near Castro Valley Boulevard when deputies stopped them for questioning. Each had a stash of illegal narcotics and related drug paraphernalia. The woman was found with stolen property in her bag. The pair were taken into custody.
Robbery Suspect Caught
Saturday, July 22: at 12:21 a.m., a 27-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of robbing a convenience store on Center Street near Kelley Street. Deputies were dispatched to the area and located the man hiding behind a nearby apartment. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.
Intoxicated and Reckless Driver
Friday, July 21: at 12:12 p.m., deputies pulled over and arrested a 71-year-old man on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and resisting arrest. The man had been driving west on Interstate 580 when deputies noticed him swerving in lanes and pulled him over at the East Castro Valley Boulevard exit. The man failed his field sobriety test and became confrontation-
Local author Rick Kelly will discuss his new book Rancho to Ranch Homes: Mapping the Evolution of Castro Valley, California at the Castro Valley Library this Sunday, July 30 from 2 pm to 4 pm.
A question and answer period will follow, and two signed copies of Rick’s book will be given away in a special drawing. No registration is required. For information, visit www.aclibrary.org.
al when handcuffed. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail.
Warrant Served
Thursday, July 20: at 7:09 a.m., a 30-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested as part of a court-issued warrant. Deputies served the warrant outside the Castro Valley BART station on Norbridge Avenue near Wilbeam Avenue. The man had three prior convictions for shoplifting. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail.
Elder Abuse
Wednesday, July 19: at 4:37 a.m., deputies arrested a 52-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of elder abuse and contempt of court. The man had been previously ordered to stay away from his older family member’s home on Somerset Avenue near Betrose Court. Deputies handcuffed the man and took him into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.
Fighting, Threatening with a Firearm
Tuesday, July 18: at 1:13 p.m., a 911 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to a home on Veronica Court near Center Street. There, they arrested a 42-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of public intoxication, threatening another person with a firearm, fighting in the street, and taking a swing at a deputy. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.
By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
The fate of a former elementary school in Castro Valley is one step closer to being determined after Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) receives final proposals for the campus this Friday.
HUSD owns the 5.4-acre property on Vergil Court, but the campus has not been used as a public elementary school since the late 1990s. Various charter and parent-cooperative schools have been using the campus since. The School District declared the property “exempt surplus land” in June 2022, stipulating that the school site be sold or leased.
Friday is the last day for submitting a request for proposals (RFP). An evaluation
committee within HUSD will then review the proposals for the Vergil Court property and make recommendations to the Board, which could decide by September 2023.
If the site is leased, HUSD estimates the building and site modernization costs at $1.86 million, including remodeling the gym, classrooms, library, and a new roof.
Hayward Twin Oaks Montessori School currently leases the property for its elementary grades: 1st through 6th. The school uses several classrooms and the general grounds, including playground equipment and fields that have been converted into learning gardens. According to the RFP, the school’s lease on Virgil Court expires in June 2024.
Twin Oaks’ secondary
school is located on Palisade Street near Mission Boulevard. If the site is sold, it is possible that the new owner could convert the property into high-density housing as it is relatively close to Castro Valley BART and Interstate 580. DCG (Dutra Cerro Garden) Strategies out of Dublin is currently named as the real estate agent for the property. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the future plans for the Laurel Center.
The Vergil Court site is one of four school campuses that Hayward has eyed for sale or lease. The other three former elementary school sites include Cherryland Elementary on Willow Avenue, Tyrrell Elementary on Tyrrell Avenue, and Bowman Elementary on Jefferson Street.
Tomorrow, Thursday, July 27
Castro Valley Chamber July Mixer
The Castro Valley Chamber will be holding their July Mixer tomorrow, Thursday, July 27 at 5:30 pm at Castro Valley Adult & Career Education (4430 Alma Avenue in Castro Valley). The event is free for Chamber Members / $10 for non-members. We hope to see you there!
Tomorrow, Thursday, July 27
Hey Jude Summer Concert at CV Library
The Douglas Morrison Theater Chorus will present their summer concert, Music of the Americas, on Friday August 4 at 8 pm and Sunday August 6 at 2 pm at the Douglas Morrison Theater. The program features the works of Irving Berlin, Oscar Hammerstein and Jermome Kern. The songs range from patriotic to romantic, with a splash of Motown and rhythms from Cuba, Jamaica and Brazil. Performances by talented soloists add to the fun of this popular concert. Director Cesar Cancino’s direction, musical knowledge and sense of humor enhance the experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate great music in our own backyard. Tickets can be purchased at the HARD offices (1099 E St Hayward) or online at www.haywardrec.org. Call 510-881-6700 for assistance if needed. Tickets will not be available at the door. Douglas Morrison Theater is located at 11311 Third St., Hayward.
Join the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) for an exciting evening of community bonding and fun at Lake Chabot!
EBRPD is hosting National Night Out, where parkgoers are invited to come together to celebrate and strengthen our community ties.
The event takes place Tuesday, August 1, from 4 to 7 pm
at Lake Chabot Regional Park, 17600 Lake Chabot Road, in Castro Valley.
The nearest parking is at the Lake Chabot Marina entrance. Parking fees will be waived for the event starting at 3 p.m. Carpooling, biking, and walking to the park are encouraged. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a fun night out in the park. EBRPD will
offer a wide range of activities planned for all ages, including: talk with first responders, meet the police horses, see fire trucks, photo booth, hot dogs and refreshments, visit the peace pole, kid activities, live DJ, free Parking Take this opportunity to meet the Park District’s public safety officers, firefighters, lifeguards, and park rangers
who work tirelessly to keep our community safe. Come see all the neat artifacts that naturalists from the Park District’s Mobile Visitor Center will have on hand. Enjoy the serene beauty of Lake Chabot, and explore the stunning trails.
The Lake Chabot Marina Café will be open extended hours for dinner, snacks, ice cream, and more.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic event that promotes unity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Come and be a part of the National Night Out celebration at Lake Chabot! Together, we are making communities safer, more caring places to live.
All are welcome to this FREE event. Registration is encouraged but not required to attend.
Come by the Castro Valley Library for their second summer concert featuring Hey Jude tomorrow, Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 pm. The band, Hey Jude hails from Vacaville and the SF Bay Area. They play energetic and accurate versions of music from the 60’s, and 70’s, with an emphasis on The Beatles catalog. Get ready for a concert full of music you can sing along with and move to. No Registration Required. Bring your lawn chairs…bring the family… bring a picnic!
Saturday, July 29
Transitioning to Your Fall Garden
Join CompostGal Lori Caldwell for another exciting learning opportunity at the Castro Valley Library this Saturday, July 29 at 4 pm. Fall/Winter is still a great time to garden. This class will go over some great techniques on how to transition to your fall garden: cool-weather edible crops, starting seeds, crop rotation, sheet mulching and planting natives. Register at aclibrary.org. The library will be maintaining social distancing practices and following all local health precautions and guidelines. For more information, please call the Library at 510-667-7900, or see Events at: aclibrary.org/location/castro-valley-events/
Sunday, July 30
Russell City Brass Band at Faith Lutheran
The Russell City Brass Band will be performing this Sunday, July 30, for the 10 am outdoor service at Faith Lutheran Church (20080 Redwood Road) in Castro Valley.
Monday, July 31
Start Smart: Teen Driver Program
The California Highway Patrol and the Castro Valley Library present Start Smart: Teen Driver Program on Monday, July 31 from 6 to 8 pm at the Castro Valley Library. CHP officers will discuss traffic collision avoidance techniques, collision causing factors, driver/parent responsibilities, and seatbelt usage. The Start Smart program is a driver safety education class which targets new and future licensed teenage drivers between the age of 15 - 19 and their parents/guardians. A parent/guardian is required to attend the class with their teen. Registration is required for this FREE program. Register online at www.aclibrary.org
Friday, August 4 - Sunday, August 6
Friends of the CV Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Castro Valley Library will hold an indoor book sale Friday through Sunday, December 2 to 4 pm. Most books are $1 or less; children’s books are 25¢. We will have a nice selection of gift quality, antiquarian, and special books at slightly higher (but still bargain) prices. Member Preview is Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. Memberships may be purchased or renewed at the door. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday ($5 bag day) hours are 1 p.m. to 4 pm. The Castro Valley Library is located at 3600 Norbridge Ave. in Castro Valley. Proceeds from the sale pay for library programs and amenities that would not otherwise be available. This is our first 3-day sale since before the pandemic! Please call us at 510-7333285 or visit our website for more information.
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There are also items geared towards building life skills and creativity, such as cooking toys and art supplies.
Erin acknowledges that there are also plenty of benefits for kids with today’s technology, especially given that it is such an important part of modern culture, but that it must be used wisely and in moderation.
“It is a big part of parenting these days to decide how much screen time to allow your children. Though they may whine and pout at first when you say no, it will be better for them, in the long run, to use their imaginations to play and create their own stories,” says Erin.
The store is located at 4270 Seven Hills Road. Their website is opening soon (theprizebooth.com) but is taking email subscriptions for that launch.
Carlos Bee Park on Grove Way in Castro Valley is posing a fire risk to nearby residents, one homeowner claims in letters to officials and the press.
Amber Jayanti, whose house overlooks the park that is built partly on a hillside, says that piles of what appear to be mulch can easily ignite from cigarettes smoked in a parking area or by people elsewhere in the park.
Jayanti has the sympathy of the Grove Way Neighborhoods Association, said GWNA president Dr. Ann Maris “We always support neighbors,” Maris said. “My unprofessional opinion about the mulch is that it is tinder, which can be a fire hazard.” She suggests spreading it out
a bit more to reduce the hazard. Mulch is often used in gardening to discourage weed growth, which is itself flammable.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), mulch fires occur, but some mulch is more combustible than others. Rubber pellets and red cedar bark ignite readily, but the kind that uses wood chips usually doesn’t.
Chris Peterson, HARD parks and facilities maintenance manager, said the wood-chip mulch used is low in flammability and that the tree companies that provide it take it selectively from less flammable species of trees.
“There’s no pine in it, for example, and it tends to retain some moisture,” Peterson said.
“Now that we’ve gotten a needed tractor back from the shop, we will be moving some
of the mulch from near the parking lot to other parts of the park,” he added.
Jayanti had complained to HARD that they had dumped a waist-high pile of the ground cover in a wooded corner of the parking lot near Grove Way on top of ordinary park litter of dead leaves and sticks. A cigarette discarded by anyone in the parking lot could easily ignite that pile.
When both Jayanti and GWNA notified HARD, a crew soon came out and spread the ground cover out, creating a layer a few inches deep. Jayanti sees this as spreading the hazard instead of removing it.
“Now it has a bigger area that could ignite and spread from there,” she said. “The trees could ignite, the fire see PARK on page 10
009 saw us neck deep in the foreclosure crisis. As home values plummeted, sellers, many underwater, were trying to sell their homes to get out from beneath rapidly readjusting mortgages. As 2009 unfolded, sellers did anything they could to unload their properties, resulting in over 6,500 active listings in Alameda County alone.
Fast forward to this past June: the National Association of Realtors (NAR) just reported that the number of homes
sold nationally in June, 2023, was the lowest since 2009.
NAR credits the 14-year-low to the shortage in inventory plaguing the housing market. They add that existing sales dipped 3.3% over the past month to a seasonally adjusted 4.16 million properties in June.
Although the sales numbers between 2009 and 2023 are comparable, the differences between the two markets is significant. In 2009, sellers were selling because they wanted out: the problem was no one was buying. Consequently, prices continued
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sliding until 2011.
although we also have low home sales in 2023, it is not because buyers are not buying, but because sellers are not selling. In contrast to 2009’s rampant inventory levels, this past June there were only 770 properties for sale in all of Alameda County. Whereas prices plummeted in 2009 due to a lack of buyers, we currently have a lack of sellers and the resultant lack of inventory is pushing home prices UP. Ironically, interest rates were not much different in 2009, hovering at a bit over 5%. Lastly, the economy in 2009 was in the proverbial toilet, yet today, it is running strong.
It is amazing how such totally different economic realities are delivering a similar outcome.
NAR chief economist Dr. Lawrence Yun recently emphasized, “There are simply not enough homes for sale,” adding, “the market can easily absorb a doubling of inventory.” Experts say affordability conditions will not improve until mortgage rates drop, which could unlock more inventory in the market and help home prices ease.
Jennifer Sor of Yahoo!Finance states, “that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon, experts say. The average rate on the 30-year-fixed mortgage will likely measure around 6%-6.5% by year-end … meanwhile, experts say rates will need to fall back to around 5% to rev up housing activity.”
In a strange twist, the Fed, while raising interest rates to control rising inflation, in which home prices are a critical component, are, unfortunately, actually pushing home prices higher.
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.
Truly One of a Kind! Incredible Opportunity to own on Palomares Canyon Road. This property has a country yet urban feel and is on 2.2 Acres in the middle of the Bay Area surrounded by other unique properties. This home offers over approx. 3700 SQ. FT. of Living space, two stories, 4 bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, and a nice, gated entrance off of Palomares Canyon Road. There is plenty of room for entertaining family and friends, vehicles, RV or even a boat. Wildlife is always stopping by for a visit, from turkeys to deer. Very peaceful surroundings. This home is so unique and has some charming updates. It is a perfect home but in need of more updating and your special touches. It’s worth looking at this great property.
QI’ve been gardening for years and thought I had seen it all. But I’ve come across a problem that has me stumped. The leaves on my Cannas have holes which are not unusual. What’s odd about the holes is that they are all in a row, all about the same size, perfectly spaced, and the size of the tip of your baby finger. I’m sure it’s some bug, but what bug has the discipline to chew on a leaf uniformly. So what kind of exotic bug is it, and how do I control it
AAh, the mysteries of mother nature. She always has something new to amaze us. However, this mystery bug is not a new or an exotic pest. It’s very common, one you have seen many times, as had your neighbors. Here are a few hints. It’s been around for over a hundred years. It was originally brought to San Jose, California, in the late 1800s as a new culinary treat. When the commercial venture proved unsuccessful, they were dumped by a creek, rapidly multi-
plying and spreading.
Have you figured it outyet?
It’s the garden snail. With its soft, herbaceous tissue, Cannas is a perfect target for the garden snail. The damage you are looking at is not new. It occurred some time ago when the leaves were tightly wrapped. When a snail takes a bite out of a wrapped leaf, it intersects several layers of the leaf. When the leaf finally unfolds, you get a repetitive pattern throughout the leaf. It’s like folding paper into a smaller section and cutting out a piece or two. The decorative pattern gives you the paper doll effect. Snails are a problem year-round with Cannas so I would bait regularly. Sluggo is the preferred organic bait for snails and slugs. Sluggo Plus controls earwigs along with snails and slugs.
NOTE: Snails are not an insect or bug. They belong to a large animal family of ocean, lake, and land species. These species have an enclosed shell which it may retract to for protection. Snails or gastropods
lacking a shell are called slugs.
QRecently, I fertilized our rose bushes with Fish Emulsion.. I know it’s an old-school fertilizer, but I prefer it to mature tea. The next day the ground by the roses was partially dug up. I put the dirt back, and it happened again this morning. Could it have been done by a critter thinking there was food under the fertilizer? I occasionally see skunks passing through our yard. If so, can we keep the skunks out of our yard without harming them?
AYes, this is an animal looking for food; however, I’m more inclined to think it’s a raccoon, as they’re bigger scavengers than skunks. The odor is what attracts them. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to prevent skunks or raccoons. The problem should disappear as the odor disappears or the animal gets discouraged.
Buzz Bertolero is an Advanced California Certified Nursery Professional. The Dirt Gardener’s website is www. dirtgardener.com
Home sales information is compiled and provided by CalREsource and includes Bedrooms, Square Feet and Year Built when available
Vegetables
This is your last chance to plant hot-season vegetables such as corn and beans from seed, and pumpkins, cucumbers and squash from transplants. Pick the largest transplants in four-inch pots. Planting this late in the season means a limited harvest in September
Watering Technique
For the most part, overhead water with a sprinkler or nozzle is wasteful because the water evaporates quickly or falls in areas beyond the reach of the plant roots. Gardens should be watered deeply in the morning before the afternoon wind and sun hits. Deep watering is best because roots can stretch six or more inches deep to anchor the plant and search for water. Shallow watering creates lazy root that stay close to the soil’s surface..
Flowers
Now is a good time to root cuttings of azaleas, fibrous begonias, camellias, carnations, marguerite daisies, fuchsias, gardenias, geraniums, hydrangeas, mums and verbena. Provide filtered light and maintain even moisture in the soil mix until plants are well-rooted in a month or six weeks.
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.
G G ARDENING ARDENING /T /T REE REE S S ERVICE ERVICE
YARD SALE at 18483 Clifton Way, Castro Valley. We have throw pillows, clothes, exercise equipment, and more.Only on Saturday, July 29, from 9am-3pm.
Garage/ Moving Sale; Everything goes. 3 houses 744, 747, 764 Maud Avenue, San Leandro. Saturday 7/29, 9am-3pm.
Help for the homeowner means business for you! To Place an Ad ... Call 614-1558
S.L.CONCRETE SERVICE Driveways, Sidewalks, Stamped Concrete, Retaining Walls, Asphalt, Paving Stones. Lic.#982202. 510856-8937.
Help for the homeowner means business for you!
Help for the homeowner means business for you! San Leandro Times HOME SERVICES GUIDE Call 614-1558
NOTICETO READERS California law requires that contractors taking jobs that total $500 or more (labor or materials) be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. State Law also requires that contractors include their license number on all advertising. Advertisers appearing on this page without a license number indicate that the contractor is not licensed. You can check the status of your licensed contractor at www.cslb.ca.gov or (800) 321-2752. Unlicensed contractors taking jobs that total less than $500 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board.
*SPECIALIZING IN WOOD FENCES, DECKS & RETAINING WALLS. Replace or repair, paved walkways, yard cleaning, tree trimming, topping or removal, garage cleaning & debris removal. Insured & Bonded #8189. Jerry 510-410-2427.
Fence wobbly? Call Randy's Fence Reinforcement and save thousands! 510-706-6189.
*ANYYARD WORK. Cleanups and Maintenance. Free Estimates. Call 510-798-1833.
*BEAUTYGARDEN LANDSCAPING
Design - Construction - Maintenance. Cleanups, New Lawn, Artificial Grass, Irrigation, Patios, Pathways, Brick, Stone, Concrete Fence/ Decks. Free Estimates! Lic.#925130. 510-691-8852. www.beautygardenlandscaping.com
JAIME’S GARDENING Maintenance, Trimming, Cleanups, Hauling, Sprinkler Repair/ Timers. FREE Estimates. Insured. 510-299-9583
NAVA'SCOMPLETE LANDSCAPING: Mowing, trees, cleanup, hauling, FREE estimates. 510 512-5857.
FREE - HPPrinter. Prints, scans, and makes copies. Prints B/W well but color not perfectly. Near Lake Chabot Park in Castro Valley. Call 510-4150854.
HAULING: Small and Big Jobs. Furniture, Concrete, Wood, Trash, Metal, Demolition. Also house inside/ outside cleanups. 510-715-1578.
Just Like Gramma’s House Cleaning. Summer Special 10% OFF. 20 years experience. Licensed/ Insured. Phenomenal cleaning! Owner Fatimah 510-978-6803.
LORENA’S HOUSE CLEANING & HANDYMAN SERVICE
•Also Carpet Cleaning/Installation FREE Estimates 510-938-4742/510-613-5777
FOUND - Dog, small short hair chestnut-colored puppy near Juniper & Dayton (Manor area) San Leandro. 510-357-6942.
50 rock or country CDs in excellent condition $49. Call 510 654-1951.
Ping-Pong Table, nets, paddles, balls. $45.00 510-537-3144.
Fishing pole and reel Good condition
$25. Call 510-278-9719
You can place a FREE
“MISC. FOR SALE” ad for items $50 or less at: sanleandrotimes.com or at: castrovalleyforum.com or more info call Patrick Mon-Fri. 9am-1pm at 510-614-1560 (some restrictions may apply)
35" X19" computer desk -$20 computer chair - $6 dresser - $12 black Crocs, M size - $20 510 -566-6678.
WANTED - Reel to reel music tapes, Call Patrick 510-517-3351.
Are you interested in buying or selling a home or property?
Would you like the help of a Professional Agent? For assistance call ...
*SCOTT HARRISON - Realtor Coldwell Banker 510-388-4536 R R EAL EAL E E STATE STATE W W ANTED ANTED
Aaron pays CASH for Bay Area houses in any condition. No inspections. Call 775-685-3858.
San Leandro 62+ community (NO ONE UNDER 62), Floresta Gardens area, $2,075; duplex, quiet, private court,2-Bdrm, single-story, walk-in shower, central heat, air conditioning, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer inunit, patio, carport. NO pets/smoking.510-352-7023 for requirements.
LANDLORDS – Advertise your units! Avacancy day is money lost forever ... R. Bowman
Room for Rent Castro Valley $1,200/ month, utilities included. 510-7868574.
RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $925/ 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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BACK (PACK) TO SCHOOL: The Hayward-Castro Valley Kiwanis Club recently met and assembled sixty backpacks that will be offered through two CV Schools and the Salvation Army to students and families who find themselves in need.
Back-to-school time can be challenging and difficult for many children in our community, especially if they are not equipped with the supplies they need to get the most from their education. To help make it smooth and rewarding the Hayward-Castro Valley Kiwanis Club recently met and assembled sixty backpacks that will be offered through two
CV Schools and the Salvation Army to students and families who find themselves in need.
The Kiwanis Club assembled the finished backpacks for delivery to the schools next month. The Kiwanis Club’s mission is to Serve the Children of the Community, and this tradition of providing backpacks to local students spans more than twenty-five years.
Q:In a recently published column, you stated, “As always, the decision belongs to the patient,” while addressing a concern about the benefits and risks of stopping a statin drug. Oh, really? Then, why is it that, once I turned 60, not a single doctor will prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to stop my debilitating post-menopausal symptoms? After suffering from menopausal symptoms starting at age 42, I was finally prescribed HRT at age 57. What relief I felt, as it was the only remedy to alleviate my symptoms.
By Dr. Keith Roach SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
In addition to sponsoring and managing many community service events, the Hayward-Castro Valley Kiwanis Club charters and mentors youth leadership at three local high schools: Castro Valley High School, Kipp King High School, and Leadership Public School. The Club also has a youth affiliate club - Circle K – at Cal State University, East Bay.
continued from front page
Another proposal to build 18 townhomes was approved in June 2004, but the developers didn’t move forward with construction, and the approval for that project eventually lapsed.
The MAC and other government boards throughout the Bay Area have long been proponents of higher-density housing located near trans-
portation centers, such as the BART station. The zoning could be approved at this site for up to 29 units per acre.
The approved plan would be an airspace subdivision, meaning the property would be divided into units along its vertical height. No physical changes to the exteriors would be made.
County planners recom-
mended the project for approval pending certain conditions: the property must maintain a minimum of 200 square feet of usable common open space and 300 square feet of private open space per unit, and the Homeowner’s Association of the subdivision must maintain onsite stormwater treatment measures as well as properly care for all landscaped areas.
Once I hit 60, I was ordered to stop HRT, and no one since will prescribe it for me now. I am 66, suffer from hot flashes daily and have my sleep interrupted at least five times a night with terrible night sweats. I have tried just about every over-the-counter offering with zero effectiveness.
I will gladly trade the greater risk of heart attack and stroke, and possible shorter life span, for relief from symptoms that affect my daily quality of life. Clearly, if I had a choice, I would ask for continued prescriptions of HRT to give me relief. Why don’t I have that choice as a patient?
A patient always has the right to refuse a treatment recommended from a physician. However, the physician has the obligation to consider the risks and benefits of a treatment, and is not obliged to prescribe a treatment that they do not think is appropriate.
If a patient asks me for a treatment that has been shown to be ineffective and has the potential for serious adverse effects, I don’t prescribe it, but I will work with the patient to help to find alternative treatments.
The case of HRT for symptoms of menopause is more complicated, because estrogen is the most effective treatment we have for menopausal symptoms, particularly for hot flashes. There are risks to
HRT, but the benefits for some women are so great that they are willing to accept some risks.
You mentioned the risk of heart disease and stroke. A landmark study called the Women’s Health Initiative helped to define and quantify those (and other) risks. Its effect has been to dramatically reduce the prescribing of menopausal hormone therapy, but the results should not be interpreted to mean that hormone treatment is always inappropriate, even in women who are in their mid-60s, where risks are higher.
Moreover, a woman’s entire health status should be considered when deciding whether to prescribe hormone treatments. In women with a history of an estrogen-dependent tumor (like many breast cancers), a history of a blood clot or a stroke, or see HORMONE on back page
continued from page 5 could jump the creek and set homes on the other side on fire,” she said.
Any spread between trees could jump the creek to nearby homes in one direction and spread up the hillside in the
other direction to endanger homes there, Jayanti added.
Jayanti pointed out several dead trees elsewhere in the park and some dead debris from the winter storms that had yet to be removed. All of these are flammable, she said.
Getting started with a fitness routine can be pretty intimidating. So intimidating that it can stop people from doing anything at all. Here are six things to think about that’ll help put you on the right track.
1. Keep it simple. If you’ve read anything I’ve written on this topic, you’ll know that I always emphasize keeping things as simple as possible. You don’t need a complicated plan.
2. Schedule the time. As with most things in life, other things will get in the way if you don’t intentionally put something on your schedule. Put it on your schedule and follow it.
3. Don’t use the word “If.”
As in, I’ll go to the gym IF I get up in time. I’ll exercise IF I feel up to it. How often does someone feel like exercising when they get up in the morning? I sure don’t. Using “if” here is just giving me an excuse not to do it.
4. Be consistent. Just showing up is the most important thing to focus on for the first six weeks of a new exercise program. So much about fitness is based on habits. It doesn’t matter how great one workout is if you don’t show up for your next one. A focus on consistency will give you long-term results.
5. If it feels too hard, it probably is. Of course, you want to push yourself. You won’t improve if you don’t, but you
don’t need to go miles out of your comfort zone to do that, especially at first. A little goes a long way.
6. It doesn’t take much. I’ve heard way too many stories of a trainer trying to wow a new client with an amazing workout only to leave them either injured or so sore that there’s no way they’ll be showing up again. What’s the point of that?
Think of your comfort zone as a ruler. At first, especially, you just need to go about half an inch past yours.
That’s it. I hope this gives you a few things to think about.
Mitch Rothbardt is owner and head trainer at Castro Valley Fitness. Reach him with any questions at the dog park with Penny and Puppy almost every afternoon or at Mitch@ CastroValleyFitness.com.
FILESFORFORUM@GMAIL.COM
After reading Frank Mellon comments, on the again, ideas of few, with deep pockets on their minds, I must say that I totally agree with him. If these few don’t like it here, in this great town, why not move somewhere else. Let’s leave things along at a time where more important issues, need to be resolved, homelessness, keeping cities streets, repaired, clean and safe to list a few. Take a good look around yourselves, at these surrounding cities, we still have it pretty good here in Castro Valley. Make it a great day and let’s keep Castro Valley the way it has been, is and will continue to be, a great town, for a long, long time to come.
–Josie Pastorino, Castro ValleyRegarding your byline of July 19, 2023, “CV Deserves to Become a CITY Says Supervisor [Miley].” Miley presents no reason for promoting CV to become a city while hand-waving over the negative financial impact of moving to become a city. Several paragraphs into the article cites that Miley was “confident that the County could make up any financial shortfalls in other ways,” and addressing the need for new taxes Miley is quoted “Funding for the reduction to the county is a figure that could be up for negotiation.” Miley is also quoted that he thinks it would be in the best interest for the residents of Castro Valley to incorporate. Well, why Mr. Miley? Perhaps you want to run for a higher office? And Kudos to Mr. Frank Mellon who’s letter to the Forum editor (page 11) negates the incorporation idea with real financial estimates that would carry additional financial ongoing burdens.
–Conrad
Wilgus, Castro ValleyI recently wrote to H.A.R.D. President Chris Peterson about a pile of highly flammable debris in the corner of Carlos Bee Park’s parking lot. My neighbor said crews were out there and excitedly went to take a “look-see.”
I was shocked as the material (mulch?) was spread out over the entire length of the riverbank immediately behind the parking lot, making the problem MUCH MORE DANGEROUS. Fire can now jump even more easily to the homes on Grove Way on the other side of the creek, the extremely dry and flammable hillside that leads to the homes on Shadyspring-Gail above, and the homes adjacent to the hillside on Grove Way. I am certain that as the Head of Hayward Parks Maintenance, Mr. Peterson is aware of the numerous warnings to homeowners-businesses asking them to refrain from using and preferably removing this mulch-like material and wood chips as they burn quickly and spread easily.
This situation is compounded because some park visitors sit in their cars and smoke while on the phone or while socializing. One spark is all it takes. We’d like Mr. Peterson to clarify what he was thinking when H.A.R.D crews spread the debris around instead of removing the debris as they have done in the past. I look forward to his explanation and getting the situation remedied asap.
–Amber Jayanti, Castro ValleyAfter reading about the new public art that is coming, I can’t help but wonder about some of the improvements we already have installed that need care and attention. Trees that we have planted, especially near Safeway and The Habit are dripping on the sidewalks, making them sticky and dirty. The blocks of stone, installed along the boulevard, as seating, are dirty. Many have graffiti. Who takes care of these things, that are becoming eye sores? Where can these issues be reported? Why do we put in more, if we can’t maintain what we have already?
–Diane Enns, Castro Valleycontinued from front page Investigators noted there were no obvious signs of trauma. Attanasio was 64.
“The cause of death is still pending, as results from the toxicology and other tests are not back yet,” ACSO Lieutenant Tya M. Modeste told the Forum.
Attanasio’s website noted that Ed had suffered a stroke in 2009, which he says “scrambled” his brain but did not negatively impact his motor skills. He was, unfortunately, unable to continue his longstanding profession as a journalist and advertising copywriter. As part of his rehabilitation, speech therapists suggested that Attanasio do simple daily tasks.
I briefly attended the cityhood town hall meeting on Sunday and walked out after the third time Gary Howard refused identify the group behind the cityhood push. So, it boils down to this - for the CastroValleyCity group to gain any believability going forward, the following questions are going to have to be publicly answered:
1. Who are the persons that are involved with CastroValley City.com???
2. Who designed and created the highly professional, glossy website?? Why aren’t there names on the website?? What are “they” hiding?
3. Where is the money coming from for this professional sales pitch?
4. Does CastroValleyCity.com have a FPPC registration?
Until all the foregoing is answered - there is every reason to question the motives of those behind the Castro Valley cityhood push.
–Frank Mellon, Castro ValleyYour July 19, 2023 story “CV Deserves to Become a City Says Supervisor” noted that “The 2002 report found that cityhood would be possible if Castro Valley initiated a transient occupancy tax (also known as a hotel tax) and an ongoing utility users’ tax.” Castro Valley’s residents should remember that countywide voters from Livermore to Fremont to Albany voted to create those taxes on us here in Castro Valley, but rather than being controlled by us locally, the revenue went to the County. In other words, the county’s voters increased our taxes over which we had no control. Taxation without representation!
I also find it rich that a former EBMUD Director wrote a letter complaining that City Councilmembers would make “at least $8,400 each annually” while his own annual compensation at EBMUD was well over $16,000.
–Brian Foster, Castro ValleyEd took up sketching abstracts on Post-It Notes for 14 months as part of his recovery. Many were abstracts, while others were characterizations of sports figures, animals, aliens, and dinosaurs.
His wife kept the artwork, which had grown to 400 sketches by then, and the idea for a new career blossomed. In 2013 Ed produced “Bushers,” a graphic novel based on a series of sketches of minor league baseball players in action. The publication got him noticed locally.
Attanasio was most recently known for launching “The Pandemic Pet Project” in 2020.
Ed’s 3-inch by 3-inch artwork of people’s pets was given out
to bring them joy during the pandemic in return for suggested donations to pet rescue operations.
“What a great run! 3,328 drawings, 26 countries, and every state in the country received my art. It went viral and became a national story,”
Attanasio wrote on his Facebook page last year.
Ed’s Post-It Note artwork can be seen on his website (my3x3world.com) and includes many of his sketches.
Attanasio’s family has not announced plans for memorial services.
Letters must include writer’s name, address and 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 that of the newspaper or its advertisers. E-mail letters to: filesforforum@gmail.com
HOROSCOPE by Salomé © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19): A change that you hoped for is coming down the line, but you still need to be patient until more explanations are forthcoming. Continue to keep your enthusiasm in check.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Your social life expands as new friends come into your life. But while you’re having fun, your practica side also sees some positive business potential within your new circle.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Your workplace situation continues to improve, but look for advantages you might have missed while changes were going on around you. A trusted colleague can help.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Resist the urge to hunker down in your bunker until things ease up. Instead, get rid of that woe-is-me attitude by getting up and getting out to meet old friends and make new ones.
LEO (July 23 - August 22): Now that you’re back enjoying the spotlight again, you should feel re-energized and ready to take on the challenge of bringing those big, bold plans of yours to completion.
VIRGO (August 23 - Sept. 22): A former friend would like to repair a relationship you two once enjoyed. Your positive response could have an equally positive impact on your life. Think about it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23 - October 22): Resist making impulsive decisions. Stay on that steady course as you continue to work out workplace problems. Be patient. All will soon be back in balance.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): You might feel confident about taking a promising offer, but continue to be alert for what you’re not being told about it. Don’t fret. Time is on your side.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): People dear to you might be planning a way to show appreciation for all that you’ve done for them. Accept the honor graciously. Remember, you deserve it.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): Congratulations. Your self-confidence is on the rise. This could be a good time to tackle those bothersome situations you’ve avoided both at home and at work.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): You feel obligated to return a favor. (Of course, you do.) But heed advice from those close to you, and do nothing until you know for sure what’s being asked of you.
PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20): Your loving reassurance helped revive a once-moribund relationship. But be wary of someone who might try to do something negative to reverse this positive turn of events.
CHRISTIANS - WEAR YOUR CROSS OTHERS CHRISTIANS WILL SEE IT AND TAKE COMFORT. NON-CHRISTIANS WILL SEE IT AND PERHAPS ASK QUESTIONS.
Our Athlete of the Week is Stevie Joyce (SJ) Martin. On July 15-16th, this Castro Valley wrestler competed for Team California in the 16U 112lb class.
In a bracket of 64 girls, Martin pinned Arizona wrestler I. Castaneda in 1:35. Martin then beat Michigan’s A. Lynch 9-0. In Martin’s third match she wrestled Puerto Rico star A. Santo-Baez who recently became the U17 Pan American Silver Medalist, losing a tough 8-3 decision. With Martin facing tournament elimination with another loss, Martin punched her ticket to the “Top 8” bracket with two wins one by technical superiority over A. Montiel of Washington 10-0 and a win by pin over S. Aguirre of AZ in just 23 seconds.
In her final battle, Martin defeated M. Mills from FL. to achieve All-American status, which qualifies Martin for the U15 Pan Am trials taking place on August 12-13 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Martin will be a sophomore at Granada High School in Livermore and trains with both Livermore Elite Wrestling Club and ZMATA in Castro Valley.
The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week
Stevie Joyce Martin
The Athletic Booster Club for Creekside Middle School is planning its third annual Golf Tournament fundraiser to be held on Sunday, August 20 at Redwood Canyon Golf Course in Castro Valley. This event will be open to the entire community.
Previous year’s tournaments were a huge success and the Boosters hope this event continues to be one the entire community looks forward to participating in. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/2pewf9fn
The mission of the Creekside Athletic Boosters is to support the advancement of athletic education at Creekside Middle School. The Boosters provide financial support for officiating and referees, tournament entrance fees, field & gym maintenance, and more. The Boosters not only host this event, but also the annual flag football Battle of the Valley, Wrestling Tournament, and athletics banquet to celebrate our amazing student athletes.
Marley Sepulveda, CVHS class of 2025, proudly stands next to her 56.6 lb halibut that she caught while in Festvåg Norway visiting friends. Halibut is what every fisher is after in Norway. Congratulations on your ‘Great Catch,’ Marley! Have a ‘Great Catch’ you’d like to share? Send a photo and info by email to: filesforforum@gmail.com
continued from page 10 a few other issues, the harm almost certainly outweighs the benefits. Otherwise, a wise clinician looks at the patient’s risk for heart disease, blood clots and similar conditions. Women at a very high risk for heart disease should probably avoid estrogen. Using lower-dose estrogen by patch (rather than pills) is wise for women at moderate risk, such as those who are in their 60s.
Physicians do not want to prescribe medications that will harm their patients, and most have stopped prescribing menopausal hormone therapy entirely for women, to prevent disease. However, it still has a role in treating symptoms. I recommend you seek out an expert in treatment of menopausal treatments and have a frank discussion about your willingness to assume risk in order to have a better quality of life.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
