Town Hall
‘Conversation About Homelessness’ puts faces to the numbers Page 3
New Book
CV teacher James Raggio has released a new book, ‘Plukt’ Page 5
A Father’s Story
Children of the late Leo W. Schmidt share the story of a loving father Page 11
Does the county have a right to tell landowners what they can do with trees located on their private property? The Alameda County Development Agency shared possible plans for managing trees on private property in the unincorporated area at Monday night’s Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting.
Currently, there is no countywide ordinance regarding trees in the unincorporated area. In Fairview only, some rules protect homeowners’ rights to protect their views or access to sunlight.
Rules also apply to any tree in the county’s right-of-way, which requires property owners to maintain/ prune trees adjacent to the rightof-way.
After years of hard work, students at Castro Valley’s alternative high school and adult school celebrated and planned for the future with their parents, guardians, friends, and teachers last month. On May 29, Redwood High School held its graduation ceremony for students at the Center of the Performing Arts.
Some 62 students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas and celebrate their accomplishments. Redwood High School is an alternative education plan to the large traditional high schools like Castro Valley High. It provides smaller class sizes, individual help for students, and options for earning a high school diploma.
“We are extremely proud of our students at Redwood.
Graduation is clearly the high point of our academic year, and we are thrilled to see our students be successful,” said Principal Kenneth Kahn.
Castro Valley Adult and Career Education students walked the stage on May 30. The ceremony was touching, as students were invited to take a rose and give it to someone who had helped them in their educational career.
see SMILES on page 10
The county is considering a more extensive ordinance and has looked at ordinances already established in Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties, among other municipalities, for guidelines.
Other cities protect trees above a certain height or circumference, certain species, or “heritage” trees in specific locations.
Some trees would require replacement if a property owner sought to remove one, and others would not be able to be removed as a condition of project approval. Others could be removed on a conditional basis for public safety. Other cities also have language that requires a certain number of new trees to be planted as part of new developments and to preserve views for neighboring properties.
see MAC on page 11
On May 30, 2024, a devastating three-alarm fire engulfed the Lake Chabot Public Market, collapsing the roof and destroying six businesses. Even
though it’s only been a week, there is a plan to rebuild, according to Hans Cho, owner of Mama Cho’s BBQ and whose family owns the public market.
“We’re literally taking it day by day,” Cho told the Forum.
“Without understanding the
full picture, it’s hard to make any informed decisions. We already know the market will take a few years to rebuild, but in terms of Mama Cho’s BBQ, we’d love to reopen at a limited capacity in the upcoming months with options such as home delivery, pop-ups, and catering.”
He added that many people have asked to start a GoFundMe to support the market, its vendors, and its employees.
In the meantime, employees like Castro Valley resident
Nathaniel de la Torre are still shocked by the loss of the entire Public Market.
“It’s so sad for all the business owners and vendors I knew,” de la Torre told the Forum. “I used to work at see MARKET on page 11
Joshua Mitchell (seated, holding sign) completed his Eagle Project at the United Methodist Church in Castro Valley so community members would have a nice place to sit and enjoy. Recruiting his scouts from Troop 701 to assist with the project, they removed the dead grass and a 2-inch layer of dirt to replace it with weed cloth, added mulch, and installed hangout tables. With all the volunteers and Joshua’s time, this service project totaled around 200 volunteer hours. Joshua received his Eagle Rank on May 21, 2024. Joshua graduated from Castro Valley High School and will attend the University of Reno, Nevada in the Fall to pursue a degree in Engineering.
The Chabot Theatre on Castro Valley Boulevard is partnering with First Presbyterian Church of Hayward’s
children’s and youth ministry department to host an LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Family Movie on Saturday, June 29, at 10 a.m.
The movie, “Strange World,” is an animated, sci-fi adventure film produced by Disney that features a family of explorers who must set aside their differences to save their planet. Tickets are $5 per person and all proceeds from the event will go to The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth.
Before the showing, there will be free Pride-focused crafts for children and youth of all ages, and “rainbow” snack packs assembled by the FirstPres “Students of Eden” youth group will be available at the concession stand. https://www.thechabot.com/
BY CORINNE DAVIDSON
Castro Valley Women’s Club and Eden Area League of Women Voters came together June 8 to host “Conversation About Homelessness” town hall meeting.
Despite a slight drop in the number of unhoused in Alameda County, homelessness remains a top concern for residents. To help match a face to the numbers, the Castro Valley Women’s Club and Eden Area League of Women Voters came together on June 8, 2024, to host a “Conversation About Homelessness” town hall meeting.
About 50 people attended to hear about the reality and challenges of homelessness and learn about the supportive resources available in and around Castro Valley. Jo Loss, the League of Women Voters president, moderated the meeting and welcomed five speakers: Aaron Horner, Lucy Kasdin, Melissa Moore, Sabrina Fuentes, and California Highway Patrol Officer Christopher Oliveri. Kasdin, a licensed Alameda County clinical social worker, helped explain the county’s role in homeless issues to the audience. According to Kasdin, the office oversees homelessness and works closely with social services and the sheriff’s office. The office’s primary
role is to support housing, such as shelters and interim housing.
“Here in this area, we have a street health team that provides services directly to people on the street. It includes nursing and medical staff, and they can help people with housing,” Kasdin said.
According to the 2024 Alameda County Point in Time Count, homelessness in Alameda County dropped by three percent. However, according to Kasdin, the number of unhoused people living indoors has increased—this means more unhoused people are living in shelters and interim housing. Kasdin says more data about those experiencing homelessness will be available later this summer.
BY
MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Assault on a Juvenile with Deadly Weapon
Sunday, June 9: At 2:48 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 45-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of assault on a juvenile family member and assault with a deadly weapon. The man was at a home on Ashfield Avenue near Kerr Street when deputies responded to a report of an altercation. The man was taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.
Shoplifter Caught at BART Station
The meeting featured Moore and Fuentes, who both experienced homelessness and now work to help those communities.
Moore was born and raised in Castro Valley and was unhoused for seven years. “I grew up in this town. You know, when we raised our hand in kindergarten to answer what we wanted to be when we grew up, I didn’t stay homeless,” Moore said.
Moore explained that being unhoused taught her how resilient people can be and how much backlash one’s community can dish out. Moore got out of her homelessness after calling the St. Vincent DePaul shelter. She needed food, and the people at the shelter provided it to her free of judgment.
“They came with just open hearts, and I started to realize, ‘wait a minute,’ I started remembering my voice,” Moore said. She felt empowered to help her community. Moore eventually got a job as a service provider with a nonprofit street medicine team, and last year she opened her own nonprofit advocacy organization.
Fuentes was previously homeless in Fremont. During see HALL on back page
Sunday, June 9: At 2:39 p.m., a 32-year-old man without a permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting from a retail store. Deputies responded and caught up with the man outside the Castro Valley BART station on Norbridge Avenue. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody.
Showed Off One Weapon, Concealed Another
Friday, June 7: At 7:36 p.m., deputies arrested a 46-year-old woman with no permanent residence on suspicion of showing off a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed dagger, and providing a false ID to authorities. The woman was traveling on Redwood Road near Norbridge Avenue when deputies stopped her for questioning. The woman was taken into custody.
Wanted Woman Busted for Shoplifting, False ID
Thursday, June 6: At 12:33 p.m., a 44-year-old woman from Castro Valley was arrested as part of a warrant issued for her capture. Deputies served the warrant outside a motel on East Castro Valley Boulevard near Justco Lane. The woman had been previously convicted of shoplifting, carrying a false ID, and possessing illegal drug paraphernalia. Deputies took the woman to Santa Rita Jail.
Warrant Served
Thursday, June 6: At 4:46 p.m., deputies arrested a 52-year-old man from Castro Valley as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man was previously convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and threats to commit bodily injury. Deputies served the warrant in front of a business on Redwood Road near Lorena Avenue. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.
Domestic Assault
Wednesday, June 5: At 10:50 p.m., a 9-1-1 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to a home on Omega Avenue near Marshall Street. There, they arrested a 30-year-old CV man on suspicion of assault on a family member. The man was taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.
Public Intoxication at BART Tuesday, June 4: At 9:58 p.m., a 39-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication. Deputies stopped the man for questioning outside the Castro Valley BART Station on Norbridge Avenue. The man smelled of alcohol and failed his field sobriety test. Deputies took the man to a sobering center.
Stolen Property
Monday, June 3: At 11:12 p.m., deputies served a warrant for a 40-year-old man from Castro Valley who was previously convicted of possessing stolen property. The man was traveling on Grove Way near Center Street when deputies stopped him to serve the warrant. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.
Plethos Productions proudly announces the launch of their inaugural theatre retreat, Camp Monologa, camp for the theatre kid at heart. It will take place from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28 at Heirloom East Bay in Castro Valley.
Camp Monologa represents a significant milestone for Plethos Productions, a 501c3 nonprofit community theatre whose mission is to unite communities through live performing arts. The event aims to provide an opportunity for theatre enthusiasts to connect, learn, and create theatre magic.
The highlight of Camp Monologa is Keynote Speaker
- Broadway star and musician Taylor Iman Jones. Known for her acclaimed performances in Hamilton, Head Over Heels, and SIX the musical, Jones brings a wealth of experience and insight to the stage, offering attendees a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge from a seasoned professional.
In addition to Jones’ performance and presentation, Camp Monologa will feature handson workshops, discussions and activities led by well known Bay Area artists, including equity actors Dorian Lockett and Kim Donovan, Chabot College theatre professor Dov Hassan, Director Kimberly Ridgeway
and many more including a live taping of The Yay podcast. Participants can expect to explore a wide range of topics, from audition techniques to sketch comedy writing, in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Camp Monologa also offers attendees the chance to relive the nostalgic joys of summer camp, with features such as a swimming hole, mess hall (catered by Mad Creationz and Motivat Coffee), craft sessions, and fireside sing-alongs. The event aims to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among participants, encouraging connections that extend beyond the stage.
Proceeds from Camp Monologa will support Plethos Productions’ efforts to establish their own permanent theatre arts space (with restaurant and bar) in downtown Hayward. Plethos is committed to making the performing arts accessible to all, and Camp Monologa represents an important step towards realizing this vision. While space at Camp Monologa is limited, a variety of ticket options are available, including camping, glamping, indoor, and day passes. For more information and to reserve your spot, visit plethos. org. Camp Monologa sponsors include Drake’s Barrel House and Redwood City Players.
Sometimes people get stuck on ideas of when things should happen, but life is rarely a straight line. On May 30th, Castro Valley Adult & Career Education (CVACE) honored over 20 students who completed their GED or earned their high school diplomas at an inspiring commencement ceremony. Some students didn’t speak English as a first language. Some students had families to support and care for. Some faced medical issues and housing insecurity. They all did it. These students demonstrate the power of perseverance and that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.
Graduate Jose Palos Lucero talked about his journey. When he arrived in the United States from Mexico at age 14, he didn’t even realize he could attend school. “I thought I had two options: work and work.” He credits his wife with encouraging him to become the best person he could be and nearing 40 years old, he saw a flier for the adult school GED classes. He and his best friend challenged each other, and he started the program a year ago. When Jose found out his wife was pregnant, he knew he wanted to finish before the baby was born. He did and his adorable daughter was in his arms as he accepted his diploma. The crowd cheered. see GRADS on page 5
TONIGHT • Wednesday June 12
Castro Valley Artists Host Open House
Castro Valley artists Bruce Cassady and Faith Vanderbilt will host an open house for their art tonight, Wednesday, June 12, 4:30 to 6pm, at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts (19501 Redwood Road). Enjoy refreshments and the piano playing of artist and jazz musician Susan Sarti.
TONIGHT • Wednesday June 12
Chabot Secret Screen: “Under the Cherry Moon”
Join us at The Chabot Cinema for our monthly Secret Screen takeover featuring Prince’s cult classic film “Under the Cherry Moon”. Dive into this stylish romantic drama set against the backdrop of the French Riviera, exploring themes of love, ambition, and mystery. Custom pre-show begins at 7 pm, followed by the film at 7:30. Please visit www.thechabot.com/secretscreen for more information.
TOMORROW • Thursday, June 13
Marketplace Monthly Mixer/Membership Launch
Smalltown Society is excited to announce the launch of their membership! Join them for the Marketplace Monthly Mixer on Thursday, June 13, at Castro Valley Marketplace. From 5 to 7pm. Enjoy DJ Dsern on the Mezzanine, followed by live performances by Kisura, Safiyah, and Chano Tizón in the Cellar from 7-9 pm. Share the excitement with your friends and make this night one to remember!
Opens Tomorrow • Thursday, June 13
Local Plants and Lake Chabot Experiences
Showcasing the work of thirty-two artists of the Mary L. Harden School of Botanical Illustration celebrating native plants accompanied by scenes around Lake Chabot by artist Pat Doyne. On view at the Hayward Area Historical Society Art Gallery (on the second floor of 22380 Foothill Boulevard in Hayward) June 13 through September 14.
Opens Friday, June 14
Local Plants and Lake Chabot Experiences
Oklahoma! at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre (22311 N. Third St. Hayward). Performances are June 14, 15, 21, 22 at 8pm, and June 16, 22, 23 at 2pm. For tickets, please visit: douglasmorrissontheatre.thundertix.com
Saturday, June 15
The Comedy Den Presents Chelsea Bearce
The Castro Valley Bocce Group will host its annual Ken Martin Memorial Bocce Tournament at Adobe Park in Castro Valley this Saturday, June 15 at 9am. The event will be sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the George Mark Children’s House https://georgemark.org/, which focuses on quality of life and continuity of care for children with illnesses that modern healthcare cannot yet cure, or for those who have complex, chronic medical conditions. If you are interested in participating or making a tax deductible donation, please email Tara Peterson at yzmafan@gmail.com.
Tuesday, June 18
Kiwanis Club Open House
The Castro Valley Kiwanis Club will host an Open House in the Canyon Room of the Castro Valley Library on Tuesday, June 18 from 5:30 to 6:30pm. The Kiwanis Club has been active in CV for over 80 years. Come and meet Club members and see how we serve and support the children and youth of our community. Learn about upcoming service projects or bring your own ideas about how the Club might help under-served kids and adults. There will also be info about the youth affiliates the Club sponsors at CVHS and CSUEB that focus on Leadership and Community Service. This will be an informal gathering with light refreshments so please bring your questions and ideas.
Castro Valley teacher
James Raggio has released a new book, “Plukt,” under his pen name J. Depuis. The novel is a fantasy about a young lady at a crossroads in her life, deciding if she should take a path to love or power. She is led by a vivid dream in which she might be able to have both. Students and parents may well recognize Raggio. He has taught and subbed at virtually every school level in Castro Valley. Currently he is teaching summer school at Castro Valley Adult and Career Education. He writes in his spare time. Plukt is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon, in hardcover, soft cover and Kindle formats.
Save the date because RELAY FOR LIFE of the East Bay returns on Saturday, August 3, at Chabot College in Hayward, from 10am-10pm. Relay for Life is dedicated to helping community’s team up to fight cancer! When we rally together we can accomplish anything! Relay for Life of the East Bay includes teams from Castro Valley, Hayward, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo which truly embraces our communities.
Relay is a nationwide fundraiser for the American Cancer Society (ACS). ACS provides free resources, support programs, wigs, lodging, and more to people with cancer. It is a celebration of cancer survivors and caregivers, who are the heart of every Relay.
Did you know 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime? There are almost 17 million cancer survivors in the United States thanks, in part, to early cancer detection. Are you up-to-date with your annual mammogram? How about your colonoscopy? Did you know the only cancer vaccine is for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which prevents 90% of HPV cancers? Things you learn at www.cancer.org
Learn more about Relay for Life of the East Bay at https:// secure.acsevents.org/site/ STR?pg=entry&fr_id=108157
continued from previous page It sounds easy, but as Jose and other graduates acknowledged, it took perseverance. Jose starts his work day at 5:30 in the morning and often arrived to his night classes very tired after a long day. Lack of self-confidence is probably the biggest block to people realizing their dreams but the supportive teachers at the adult school are true cheerleaders.
Jose said he failed a pre-test on Friday, but his teacher Ms. Dahlstedt said she thought he was ready. He took the test on Saturday and passed. Many graduates thanked the teachers,
counselors, and support staff that made this day possible by name and shared the specific ways they helped them succeed.
Graduate Kayin Bryan said, “Thank you for believing in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.” That’s the power of adult education teachers. Are you someone who didn’t finish your education and are ready for a new beginning? Let us support you! If you want to finish your high school diploma or GED, contact Castro Valley Adult & Career Education at (510) 886-1000 or visit www.cvadult.org.
For the 30th year, Castro Valley-based Jenny Lin Foundation offers a summer music program free of charge to middle and high schoolers in band, string orchestra and choir. Participants meet at Creekside Middle School on Monday, Wednesday and occasionally Thursday from 6:45 to 9pm starting Monday, June 10 for 5 weeks. We are flexible with rehearsal attendance but students must perform at the evening concert on Saturday, July 13.
It’s not too late for eligible students to register now for the great opportunity to meet peers across the Bay Area, and be
able to rehearse and perform in a group during the summer. High school students who participate may earn service learning hours.
Last year, 200 students participated in the program. Our seasoned music directors can’t wait to work with many more of you this summer.
A Castro Valley native and alumna of Jenny Lin Summer Program, Choral Director Chloe Billings currently teaches choir at Creekside, and music at 9 elementary schools in Castro Valley. She is also Director of Silicon Valley Boychoir in Palo Alto.
Orchestra Director Greg
Conway is a full-time music teacher with San Ramon Unified School District. He earned his M.M. degree in Instrumental Conducting from San Jose State University following 16 years of teaching music in Fremont public schools. Band Director Matthew Fell is another experienced music educator who holds a Master’s of Music degree in Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. He is fully committed to giving each of his students a quality music education in an environment where they feel cared for and invested in.
Changes resulting from the class action lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors are tentatively scheduled to become standard practice* as of August 17th, 2024. As of this date, buyers will need to sign a representation agreement to have a real estate agent assist them in their purchase. It has been standard practice for years for sellers to sign a
listing agreement with their agent that outlines the terms of their contract. Although a similar form (Buyer Representation And Broker Compensation Agreement) has been available for years, many buyer agents have never utilized it. As of the middle of August, however, it will no longer be optional. In the sale and purchase of a home, there are two parties – the seller and the buyer. Ideally, each entity has its own representation by an agent who is also their fiduciary: a listing
agent representing the seller and a buyer’s agent representing the buyer. This system ensures that the buyer and seller each have their own impartial representative working on their behalf.
California allows another option, called Dual Agency, which permits one broker to represent both the seller AND the buyer. Due to the perceived inability of one person to objectively represent both parties, dual agency is actually not allowed in many other states.
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In those states where permissible, the arrangement must be clearly disclosed. In truth, it is exceedingly difficult (some would say impossible) for one party to represent both sides equally. Additionally, dual agency is one of the leading causes for litigation and, for this reason, discouraged by many brokerages. It is recommended that, even in states that allow dual agency, the buyer has their own separate representation.
There is concern that the impending mandated changes may result in a higher number of buyers going direct to the listing agent to try to cut a deal, thinking they will not have to sign a buyer-broker agreement. Truth is, if they want any agent to represent them – even if it is the listing agent – a representation agreement will be required.
In other words, there are no shortcuts by going direct to the listing agent and there may, instead, be increased liability –especially to the buyers.
If you are looking to buy a home, we recommend you interview a few agents to determine which one will best represent you, and then sign their buyer-broker agreement to ensure you have adequate professional representation.
*Subject to final court approval
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.
1426 140th Ave., San Leandro, 94578
Kelly Brent McCoy
The Cathy Brent Real Estate Team 925-786-2681
kelly.mccoy@bhhsdrysdale.com DRE #02095209
Home sales information is compiled and provided by CalREsource and includes Bedrooms, Square Feet and Year Built when available
QI have a pink flow -
ering Prunus Blireiana Plum that has created a small forest of suckers. They’re coming in my peonies, roses, and iris beds twenty feet from the main trunk. Could gophers have caused this? What is the best way to remove
periencing any damage, gophers are not your problem. Fruiting and non-fruiting plums will naturally sucker from their roots. This problem also occurs with cherries, popular apples, liquidambar, crape myrtles, and tree roses. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to stop the suckers as it is part of the genetic make of these plants. Treating the suckers as
growth and apply Sucker Stopper to pruned off area. The process was repeated as necessary. For those shoots originating underground roots away from the trunk, it’s ineffective. For those shoots that pop up, you prune them off at the ground and or spot-treat them with a herbicide. It takes a lot longer for the new sucker to return with a chemical solution. I’d
Will Azaleas bloom again during the summer if you prune them after blooming in the spring? If so, how much Pruning is necessary?
Pruning does not affect when Azaleas bloom unless you remove the buds after they have set. Azaleas are pruned only to shape them. The best time to prune is after they fin
time in areas with a strong marine influence, such as San Ramon, Martinez, and Fremont. After several heat spells, the cool, moist air tricks the plants into blooming again, but it doesn’t happen every year. Encore Azaleas is a series of azaleas bred to bloom twice a year, regardless of the climate. Buzz Bertolero is an Advanced California Certified Nursery Professional. The Dirt Gardener’s website is www.dirtgardener.com, and questions can be sent by email to buzz@dirtgardener.com.
This issue of the Castro Valley Forum contains
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continued from front page
“I learned that, regardless of the unfortunate events that life can bring, a person can never give up, never quit,” said graduate Elena Torres. “My daily goal is always to reach my full potential. I have had many challenges but never let them defeat my passion to continue my education.”
“I still remember the first day I came to the Adult School,” said Zoey Huyen Truong. “I was shy and scared of talking to strangers. My parents encouraged me, and my dad went to the office with me. I learned to be brave after that day. I want to thank my teachers, Ms. Beverly and Mr. Ray, who taught English and supported Math. I can stand right here, and be confident to say this is the result of what I learned throughout this program. I am studying pharmacy tech right now and thinking of going to college.”
CVACE is a fully accredited adult school that offers two ways to complete a high school
education. Students can either receive their diplomas or prepare to take their GED exams.
“Every student learns in different ways, and it is important that we help every student reach their full potential,” said Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi. “Redwood and CVACE are extraordinary schools; we are so proud of our wonderful students. Congratulations to them all!”
In addition to their diplomas and certificates, several Redwood High School and CVACE students were given the “Keep Rising Up Awards.”
The faculty selected recipients for exceptional academic abilities and overcoming significant obstacles to complete their education. The sponsors of the awards appreciate the assistance of the Castro Valley Educational Foundation.
We have four fundamental seasons from which we define the weather conditions under which we all live – Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. With this said, we also have seasons that are based upon experiences in life. Within one is “graduation season,” particularly when the young graduate from high school.
Last week’s CV Forum profiled this year’s graduating class from CV High in a thoughtful article. It made me wonder what these young graduates think about their lives at this moment in time.
As a graduate of CV High in 1963 I reflected on my own life and the world we were graduating into at that time. An added thought emerged in my mind – what were individuals of the same age thinking a century ago when they were graduating from high school? Did the graduates of 1924 have similar thoughts to the class of 2024? As a person who has an addiction to history and literature, I wondered and wandered.
As a sentimentalist, I retrieve evidence from which to explore this subject. It comes from a small autograph book that my mother had from the high school year of 1924. She was 16 years old and lived in the melting pot of our nation -
Dear Editor,
Brooklyn, New York. I read things written by her friends to her. They reveal the hopes and dreams within them. Their messages are funny, poetic, and skeptical. The stage of their time was different from now, yet similar as well. It makes me wonder about the possibility that a common ground resides within all youth as they graduate, regardless of the year or even century in which they live?
As I read the messages from 1924, I reflect upon the historical conditions of that time.
The U.S. had emerged as an important player on the global stage because of the necessity of going “over there” to stabilize Europe from the ravages of WW I. It reversed our national desire from “staying here” in isolation, to going elsewhere out of national and international needs.
Out of the turpitude of terrible war the cloud of darkness would only increase in the years ahead. Although the 1920’s were roaring with energy, it would crash with the Great Depression in 1929. Prior to then, authoritarianism was growing from deep within the caves of the European experience and elsewhere in the world. In 1933 Germany would join the parade to move the world toward more war and darkness. Little did the high
school graduates of 1924 know what was in store for them. Their fate and future would be more challenging than imaginable. The vigor of their youth would be redirected toward the need for valor to protect the past and present for the future.
As I return to this moment in time – 2024, I wonder about those entering upon adulthood on the stage of time that now exists, as well as the one that is emerging as the future. Are young adults feeling the same as those from a century ago? The stage and conditions may be different, yet are the hopes and dreams the same?
As I return to look at the messages within my mother’s 1924 autograph book, I wonder if the youth of today are writing in their own notebooks, whether on paper or upon their electronic devices.
When the year 2124 emerges, what will the graduates of high school think about the class of 2024? Will high schools even exist at that time? Will America still exist? Will the emerging technologies, particularly “Artificial Intelligence,” change the way young people think and act? Will the human experience be different, or the same as now? No answers dance upon the stage of my mind. It might be a good discussion to have among the thoughtful individuals that gather in my backyard to discuss things like this. What do you think?
Your article ‘Athletic Fields Open for More Public Review’ omits many important details about this proposed project. Most importantly is the fact that this project is not simply a “field upgrade” but rather a change of usage to a rental sports facility managed by HARD open until 10pm every night 365 days a year. In fact, CVUSD is required to request permission from HARD to use their own fields after school hours. This change of usage is possible through a legal loophole which allows CVUSD to bypass any normal civic planning process or real environmental impact study. Placeworks submitted a lesser “environmental review” to the school board 12/24/2024 which was so deeply flawed and incomplete, CVUSD was forced to reopen the process. Most glaringly, the initial report approved by the board stated: “The project would include ONE, 70-foot light pole. It would only be lit until dusk, per current park hours”. The revised
edition gives more of the real picture: 14 lights up to 90’ tall on until 10pm. The revised document primarily emphasizes meeting the needs of youth soccer clubs but now includes the actual agreement between HARD and CVUSD. This contract allows HARD to rent to anyone including adult sports leagues from anywhere, again until 10pm every night 365 days a year.
The Forum article does not address the legitimate question: Was the non-disclosure of the actual scale and usage of the project incompetence or was it deliberate? Also, the article fails to mention CVUSD only met the bare minimum requirements of public notice resulting in delaying the project and unnecessarily pitting the surrounding neighborhoods of Canyon Middle School against CV families in desperate need of improved soccer facilities. Finally, missing is the fact everyone wants the same thing: improved fields for our youth with reasonable neighborhood accommodation.
– John Hauser, Castro Valley
Before this weekend’s Father’s Day, the Forum talked to the children of Leo W Schmidt, who passed away on May 26 at 98.
He is survived by his daughters Doris Schmidt Michaels and Barbara Schmidt Cruz, his son Leo H. Schmidt, five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Schmidt was born in 1925 in Poland. As a teenager, he fought on the Russian Front. His daughter, Doris Schmidt Michaels, said her father witnessed firsthand the terrible atrocities of war as a young soldier who suffered in the trenches in the freezing cold winter of 1945 and somehow survived.
“After World War II ended, he somehow found his sister Edith, a nurse in West Germany, and together they found their parents in a small town called Müden in northern war-torn Germany,” Schmidt Michaels told the Forum.
“After the destruction of war and family losses, my father wanted freedom in America.”
In 1947, Leo W. contacted his uncle, Pastor Roleder, who had married his father’s sister, Selma, and was living in Lodi, California. Leo W. moved to Lodi and brought his family over from Germany. It was
there that Schmidt met his future wife, Mathilde Apelt, who was studying the production of cotton for her thesis IN 1952.
“The first thing she experienced in America was riding a donkey to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up again,” Schmidt Michaels said.
“Next, she took a Greyhound bus to meet her friend’s family in Lodi.”
During that time, Leo became smitten with Mathilde. He took her to Yosemite and then to San Francisco, where he proposed to her on the Golden Gate Bridge after knowing her only three days. The two were married on January 30, 1953.
After starting their family of four in Lodi, Schmidt found a new job opportunity as a Tool and Die Machinist in San Lorenzo and settled down in Castro Valley in 1963 in their new home on Walnut Road.
Schmidt’s son Leo H. remembers his father’s involvement in Boy Scouts, multiple family trips to Yellowstone, Washington State, to visit family and one memorable trip to the Lick Observatory on top of Mt. Hamilton.
“We drove up there on the steep road, and we came across another car coming downhill,” Leo H. said. “My father was so kind. He decided to find an open spot to let the other car pass, so he backed up a bit. I
continued from front page T4 and Pokeatery before it closed up, and then I worked for Poke Go for nine months. I got to know the owner, and we would talk about her life and her family business. So, losing the Market to the fire, it just kind of sucks because it was like a family.”
Here’s where the businesses stand at this point.
C&H Meat Company and Mama Cho’s BBQ C&H was founded in 1982 by James K. Cho, who opened it as C.H. Meat & Deli on Market Street in San Francisco. The company supplied many local Korean restaurants and markets in the Bay Area.
In the early 2010s, the family purchased and converted the former Lil Grocer store on Lake Chabot Road into the Public Market to expand its business. At the soft opening on September 30, 2015, C&H was the first business to open. It had state-of-the-art cutting machines and cold storage lockers.
porters, and business partners with a humble plea for donations,” the company posted on its website. “Your support will help Kenny and Winnie cover their debts, living expenses, and the costs of rebuilding Shumi Ramen. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in their journey to recovery.”
https://www.gofundme. com/f/help-poke-go-suki-andfamily-recover-from-devastating-loss
Poke Go
Suki Lin opened Poke Go in the Public Market in 2023 following the departure of Pokeatery. The shop offered nine different seafood options, atop rice or greens, with vegetable side options, Japanese sauces, and toppings like pickled radish, seaweed salad, or wasabi.
The Castro Valley location is the family’s second Poke bowl shop. Lin and her husband opened the first Poke Go in Lafayette on Mount Diablo Boulevard, which still operates. https://www.gofundme. com/f/help-poke-go-suki-andfamily-recover-from-devastating-loss
T4 – boba
The company is a chain founded in Taiwan in 2004. The boba and tea maker is found all around the world and has 50 stores in California alone, including San Francisco, San Jose, Palo Alto, Oakland, Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, Milpitas, Dublin, San Ramon, Concord, and Antioch.
Representatives with the company were not immediately available to comment on their Castro Valley store.
was looking over the edge of the window and could see the steep drop-off, so I was scared. But he found an open spot, and the car could go by.”
In 1975, Leo W. bought a place up in the mountains. He and Mathilde spent weekends working inside and outside the cabin. “It was a refuge and a lovely place to go,” Leo H. said. “In the last 10 years, while they could still walk, we would walk to Lake Alpine and hike in the surrounding hills as far as we could and then come back.”
In 2013, Leo W. and Mathilde lost a son and grandson. Marty Schmidt and his son Denali died together in an avalanche on the K2 Mountain in Asia on July 27, 2013, while attempting to be the first father/son team to summit the second-highest mountain in the world.
Mathilde passed away at the age of 100 on January 4, 2022.
The family is now preparing to lay their father’s ashes to rest next to their mother’s ashes at the family gravesite in Murphys, California, sometime in July.
“Now they can rest in peace together again as a married couple just shy of 70 years, along with our dear brother Marty and his son Denali,” Schmidt Michaels said. “Their spirits surround us and are in our hearts forever.”
Mama Cho’s is named after the family matriarch. The hot food counter offered Korean-style burgers, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, rice bowls, and loaded fries.
Milk & Cookie Bar
Hans also lost his own startup, Milk & Cookie Bar, which he ran separately from the family’s butchery. The standup offered a fusion of unique ice cream flavors with custom toppings that could be sandwiched in between homemade cookies, cones, cups, or doughnuts (called Doughboys).
“There are a lot of emotions going through my mind as far as the next steps,” Hans Cho said. “Thankfully, the building was vacant, and no one was harmed. We are grateful for the safety of our neighbors.”
Shumi Ramen Shumi Ramen was founded by Kenny Ho and Winnie Chu in 2016 as a tribute to their daughter, Audrey. Audrey was born at Eden Hospital and was a true ramen lover. She tragically passed away at 17. To celebrate her life, Kenny and Winnie channeled their love and memories into creating Shumi Ramen
Even before the fire, the couple made immense efforts to keep the business afloat, including paying off a business loan. However, they say they now face the harsh reality of debt collectors from outstanding contract obligations, all while struggling to cover basic living expenses.
“We are reaching out to our customers, community sup-
continued from front page
Some public speakers objected to such ordinances on the grounds of government overreach, saying they should be able to do whatever they want with trees they own. Still, most people simply said they wanted more trees in general.
Trees provide shade and areas with heavy tree canopies appear more well-established and successful, said speaker Bruce King. The aesthetics will benefit the community at large.
“I’d love to see more trees,” said MAC Vice Chair Chuck Moore.
MAC member Tojo Thomas brought up concerns about possible fire hazards, saying community members are having issues getting or staying insured.
Any ordinance drafted by the county will eventually be brought back before the MAC before possible adoption by the Board of Supervisors.
MAC Chair Bill Mulgrew urged county staff to be measured in their approach.
“I’m a tree guy, but I’m also a believer in property rights,” said Mulgrew. He encouraged an ordinance where property owners would still be able to do what they want with their trees but perhaps be encouraged or incentivized to keep the tree in most cases.
Also, at Monday’s meeting, the MAC unanimously approved an application to allow the construction of a 567-square-foot addition to an existing 1,956-square-foot single-family home at 4168 High Ridge Place.
Ruby Gorelik (#338)
Ivan Medina (#83)
Sarah Polidori (#105)
Our Athletes of the week are the runners in the recent Lake Chabot Trail Challenge. This is the 40th year of the contest, sponsored by the Castro Valley Sports Foundation (CVSF) to support youth sports programs. More than 400 runners of all ages, coaches from various high schools, and running clubs participated in both the half marathon and 5K. CVSF president and race director Rachel Lunt said the Trail Challenge has a legacy of connecting people to the lake and drawing visitors to experience the beauty of Lake Chabot. She expressed deep gratitude to the sponsors and volunteers for their incredible support.
“We couldn’t have achieved this without our amazing volunteers’ dedication, time, and commitment,” Lunt said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a passionate and supportive group of sponsors who believe in our mission. Their financial contributions directly translate to making a positive difference in our community by supporting youth sports programs.”
This year’s winners include:
5K Men: Naoki Matsuda (#392)
5K Women: Ruby Gorelik (#338)
Half Marathon Men: Ivan Medina (#83)
Half Marathon Women: Sarah Polidori (#105)
The Matt Wilhite Team
continued from page 3 her journey through homelessness, Fuentes experienced the different services offered to unhoused people: shelters, medical services, housing, etc. Fuentes went through transitional programs to be self-sufficient again and said she believes these programs are key. Fuentes is now getting her Bachelor of Science in public health at California State University, East Bay.
“I want to illustrate the fact that anybody can end up homeless; anybody can end up in circumstances that are less than favorable,” Fuentes said. Horner, Community Outreach Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, honored Moore and Fuentes before speaking. He spoke about the church’s two shelters and the different resources they provide, such as beds, showers, and food. Horner also explained that many unhoused people are unhoused because they don’t have access to support and family. When these things are accessed, people can get off the street.
“Every human being here deserves to have all of their basic human needs,” Horner said. “That’s a place to sleep. That’s ample meals that have good nutrition. That’s shower, that’s clean clothes, it’s access to medical care, and it’s access to mental health care. And that’s also access to hugs, love, adoration, compassion.”
Jonathan Suh, age 9, advanced to the National Geography Bee in Orlando, Florida during Memorial Day Weekend To get there, he had to first pass an online qualifying test and then became a finalist in the in-person Bay Area Regional competitions. He did great at Nationals. After four preliminary rounds, he advanced to quarterfinals and then to semifinals- making him one of the top 18 students out of 102 students in the 4th grade division! Jonathan will be returning to Jensen Ranch Elementary for 5th grade after one year of homeschooling.
Goals. They’re great when your soccer team scores one, but when it comes to fitness, they can feel a little scary.
I think that’s because people think that their goals must be something crazy. When you scroll through your social media feeds it looks like everyone’s accomplishing AMAZING things EVERY DAY!
RISE AND GRIND and other such garbage. Like most EXTREME things, that does nothing but turn people off and away from fitness. Let me be clear, I think people need goals, I just don’t think they need to be crazy ones. Without goals, people just tend to go through the motions
or do nothing at all. The key to an impactful goal is that it has to mean something to you. Lots of times people tend to set goals they feel they SHOULD set. Not ones they WANT to set.
ple of times each week. That’s doable, isn’t it?
Knowing your “why” keeps you going even on days when you may not feel like it and setting a goal that doesn’t address your why just because someone or something is pushing you to never works out in the long run.
So, let’s talk about how to set a meaningful goal.
People start exercising because there’s something in their lives they want to improve, so figure out what that is for you and base your goal around what you need to do to improve it.
For example, say there’s a medication you want to get off, and your doctor mentions that doing some resistance training may help. Set a goal of doing some resistance training a cou-
And if you can’t think of anything else? Just set a goal of being consistent and having fun. That’s what’ll make a difference in the long run and that’s what really matters. Mitch is the owner and head trainer at Castro Valley Fitness located at 2861 Grove Way in Castro Valley). He loves answering your fitness questions if you see him at the dog park with Penny, Max, and Tex or email him: Mitch@ CastroValleyFitness.com.