May 1, 2024

Sounds of Spring CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Local Cowgirl Named 2024 Rowell Ranch Rodeo Queen

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Castro Valley native Phoebe Bruns attended her first Rowell Ranch Rodeo before she could walk. This month—18 years later—she will be celebrated as the 2024 Miss Rowell Ranch Rodeo Queen.

Deed and when should you use one?

“I’ve come full circle,” Bruns told the Forum. “I used to attend the Queen’s ball with my friends when I was five, and now these lifelong friends are coming to support me. I’ve looked up to so many of the Rodeo Queens in the past. Now, it’s my turn to inspire the next generation.”

For the last 11 years, Bruns has been competing in and out of the California equestrian circuit. She started her riding career after her parents bought her first pony, Annie, for her 10th birthday. Two years later and many inches taller, Bruns began riding Disco. She bought her last horse, Karlos, when she was 15, which carried her through the English-style equestrian competition of Hunter-Jumpers.

It’s a slower pace and more elegant than Western Rodeo, which is more driven by how fast you can go,” Bruns said. see QUEEN on back page

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) responded to and extinguished three separate fires in the span of eight days last month. Officials said no serious injuries were reported, and all three fires are under investigation.

The first fire was on April 12 at 9:41 p.m. at a home at the 15000-block of Fleming Street in San Leandro. Fire officials say the fire started in the back of the house and then moved into the home.

“Thankfully, only one person suffered from smoke inhalation and was taken to a local hospital,” said ACFD spokesperson Cheryl Hurd. “Two families were displaced, but our crews extinguished the fire, including multiple exposures, in under 45 minutes with no injuries.”

On April 19 at 2:52 p.m., fire crews responded to an alarm at the 21000 block of Hobert Street in Castro Valley for a fire at a two-story apartment building. A total of 21 firefighters contained the fire in less than 20 minutes. Three adults were displaced, but no injuries were reported.

How to Protect Yourself Against Online Fraud County Fire Battles Three Local Blazes

By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Online thieves are as active as ever, but you can take some simple steps to avoid them stealing your personal information or even your money, people discovered during a recent workshop by the San Leandro Parks & Recreation Department.

Even people offering to help with widely publicized security breaches may be

actually trying to victimize you further. A recent security breach involving many AT&T accounts has drawn legitimate help offers from the real AT&T and considerable interest from scammers pretending to be AT&T, a workshop participant pointed out.

“If it is in the news, so many people know about it, it’s an opportunity for them to capitalize,” workshop moderator Adhvaidh Sunny said. He heads the organization Cyber Wisdom,

which tracks the latest online scams and security threats.

He said that much of the information used to defraud computer users is given to scammers by their victims, who often believe they are dealing with someone else. That could be a company, a relative, or even a friend, especially one you’re not in close touch with. Computer fraud, known as phishing, tries to get your secret information or data, usually with malicious intent.

On April 20 at 11:19 p.m., a three-story apartment in the 2200 block of Miramar Avenue caught fire. Hurd said a second alarm crew was called because of the fire’s complexity. Two adults and one juvenile were displaced. One adult was transported to the hospital due to respiratory problems. While no one was seriously injured, the American Red Cross reminds residents that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape. see BLAZES on page 11

Hackers want to get your money or your identity, looking for account numbers, passwords, bank routing numbers, and, above all, your Social Security number.

“If the real company calls you, it’s unlikely they need additional information from you,” Sunny said. “They’d already have it.”

The very first thing to do if someone calls you and asks for such information is not to give it to them, he said. Then call

that company’s real customer relations number to see if anything is amiss with your account. That number is most likely on your most recent bill or statement.

Beware of calling or being transferred to a customer service number if that is offered by someone who calls you. It could very well take you right back to a scammer, pretending to be the real company, Sunny said.

see FRAUD on page 10

Phoebe Bruns, 2024 Miss Rowell Ranch Rodeo Queen.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DARRELL LAVIN/ LAVINPHOTOS.COM

HONORING OUR LOCAL STUDENT CITIZENS AND THANKING OUR GREAT SPONSORS

THANK YOU SPONSORS;

Breslow Imaging (photo credit)

Direct Sales Floors - Pete’s Ace Hardware

Craig Ragg Real Estate - Keep Rising up Awards

State Farm Team Anglin - Newark Pavilion Bingo

Castro Valley Sanitary District

Rotary Club of Castro Valley

Supervisor Nate Miley - Supervisor Lena Tam

KMC Cleaners & Restoring Services

Janella Anguiano Century 21 REA

Assembly Member Liz Ortega AD20

Eden Medical Center / Sutter Health East Bay

Kitty Ani Kreativ Longarm & Quilting Services

Bernie Kempen Certified Family Law Specialist

Jerome Blaha on Behalf of the Law Offices of Blaha, Hartford & Perry, APC.

George Granger Former School Board / Friends of the Children

CV Students Collaborate with Famed Artist for New Murals

Aisha Knowles Alameda County Board of Education, Trustee Area 4

By Josie de la Torre SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

Chabot and Vannoy Elementary School students recently collaborated with famed muralist Charlo Garcia Walterbach to create new murals at their respective campuses.

The monochromatic murals include symbols, letters, and lines. Hidden themes and messages are tucked away in the densely packed compositions, allowing viewers to find their own sense of meaning from the works or be delighted by the meanings provided by the artist.

According to both Principals, the purpose of the mural projects was to give students a hands-on art experience with a professional artist and co-cre-

ate permanent artwork for each school.

“This would allow students to give back to the school and community while beautifying the campus, to collaborate as a whole school on a significant project, and to learn about one of many art careers,” Chabot Elementary Principal Delnaz Hosseini told the Forum.

An artist from Mexico, Walterbach became a muralist after college, where he majored in graphic design. Originally posting on the app Nextdoor to paint murals in Santa Fe, he started by painting garage doors and eventually, in collaboration with Nextdoor, did a mural in front of the New York Stock Exchange.

Fifth graders at Vannoy Elementary collaborated with

Walterbach by learning from his experiences working as an artist and creating their own murals on the wall. Vannoy is a Spanish Dual Immersion school, so they added Spanish words to their mural.

“Students were able to learn about Charlo and his experiences as a muralist from Mexico,” said Vannoy Principal Doris De La Torre. They also created their own mini murals and had an opportunity to add to the mural that was created on the side of one of our classrooms.”

At Chabot Elementary, students were also able to participate in the hands-on art experience by drawing out their own designs and cooperating school-wide with positive see MURALS on page 4

Office of Education Honors

Three CVUSD Employees

By Michael Singer

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

On Wednesday, April 24, county education officials announced that three Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) staff members were honored as 2024 Classified Employees of the Year.

The Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) recognized Glenda Pirir Zet, Jason Bonini, and Graciela Avila as standout classified employees (positions not requiring certification or credentials) in their occupational specialties. The awards are significant, considering Castro Valley took home three of the nine possible categories.

A panel of ACOE judges selected one honoree in each category from each of Alameda County’s 18 public school districts. Those receiv-

ing the county honor are now eligible for the State Classified Employees of the Year. Those names will be announced in May.

“These honorees are undeniably committed and go above and beyond to ensure students have what they need to succeed,” said Alysse Castro, Alameda County Superintendent of Schools. Their essential roles ensure students have healthy meals, reliable transportation, and safe campuses that create conditions where students can thrive.”

Pirir Zet has been the cafeteria manager for Castro Valley High School for five years and was acknowledged in the Food and Nutrition Services category. CVUSD Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi noted that she has a great rapport with faculty and staff and always considers students when preparing menus. Pirir Zet also trains

substitutes and new staff.

Bonini was acknowledged in the Skilled Trades category for his six years of service in the CVUSD Maintenance Department. Superintendent Ahmadi noted that in addition to proactively resolving issues, Bonini ensures that schools, playgrounds, and publicly accessible spaces remain in good working order.

Avila has been a van driver for five years and was acknowledged in the Transportation Services category. Superintendent Ahmadi said she meticulously maintains the van’s condition, prioritizing safety checks and enforcing seat belt usage. Avila’s friendly demeanor helps students feel valued and comfortable, Castro added, noting that she consistently demonstrates empathy and communication with parents and school administrators.

Sheriff’s Report

COMPILED

BY

MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Public Nuisance

Sunday, April 28: At 2:44 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 45-year-old man from Castro Valley as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man was previously arrested for interfering with police business and being a public nuisance. Deputies served the warrant at a gas station on Stanton Avenue near San Carlos Avenue. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.

Assault with Deadly Weapon

Sunday, April 28: at 7:07 p.m., A 9-1-1 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to a mobile home park on Castro Valley Boulevard near Forest Avenue. There, they arrested a 69-yearold man from Castro Valley on suspicion of assault on a family member, child endangerment, and assault with a deadly weapon. Deputies handcuffed the man and took him into custody.

Dustup at the Marketplace Sunday, April 28: At 10:31 a.m., Deputies arrested a 42-year-old man without permanent residence on suspicion of interfering with a business and violating the terms of a court-issued restraining order. When deputies arrived, the man was spotted at the Castro Valley Marketplace arguing with a business manager. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Earth Day Poster Contest: Winning Art on Display

Four elementary school students from Unincorporated Alameda County won prizes for their outstanding entries in the “Litter Hurts” Earth Day poster contest. The contest was open to all 3rd and 4th graders in Unincorporated Alameda County and was sponsored by the Alameda County Unincorporated Area Clean Water Program.

The top four prize-winning

Woman Wanted for Other Crimes as Well

Sunday, April 28: at 4:40 p.m., A 33-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting, possessing illegal drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. Deputies responded to a call from a store manager at a grocery store on Redwood Road near Castro Valley Boulevard who called about the woman leaving with unpaid merchandise. Deputies also found the woman had outstanding warrants on previous drug-related crimes in prison. The woman was taken to Santa Rita Jail.

Man Detained After Caught Shoplifting Thursday, April 25: at 11:34 p.m., Deputies arrested a 36-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of shoplifting from a grocery store on Redwood Road near Castro Valley Boulevard. The man was detained by store security until deputies arrived. The man was taken into custody.

Drunk Driving Wednesday, April 24: at 12:15 p.m., A 28-year-old CV woman was pulled over and arrested for an outstanding warrant. The woman had previously been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit. Deputies stopped the woman at a gas station on the Boulevard near Strobridge Ave. The woman was taken into custody. see REPORT on page 11

In our April 24 edition, we erroneously reported that HARD collects in-lieu fees from developers. In fact, Alameda County collects “Quimby Act” fees from developers which are expected to be used to improve parks in the areas near those developments. The Forum regrets the error.

posters, two each from 3rd and 4th grades, will be displayed at the Castro Valley Library (3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley) from May 1 to May 29.

“Litter on our streets that is washed down stormdrains ends up in our local creeks and eventually the Bay,” says Cynthia Butler, Clean Water Program representative for Unincorporated Alameda County. “Helping kids under-

stand the connection between their neighborhoods and local water and wildlife can help stop litter before it starts. Litter causes more problems than just unsightly blight.”

The contest received 278 creative entries making it difficult to pick only one poster per grade. Instead of only one winner per grade, they awarded first and second-place entries with prize packs, and the top

10 entries received certificates. Winners received a Clean Water Program Stanley Cup reusable water bottle, a Clean Water Program reusable tote bag, and a spiral notebook with the student’s artwork printed on the cover.

For the full list of winners as well as photos, please visit: our website: mycvforum.com/ community-blog/earth-dayposter-contest-winners

Graciela Avila

Glenda Pirir Zet Jason Bonini

Murals: Integrate Words of Inspiration

continued from page 2 behavior words, shapes, and symbols.

“The goal was to ensure that all of our students had the opportunity to contribute to the mural in a meaningful way,” said Chabot Principal Hosseini.

“Our students really enjoyed participating in and contribut-

ing to the painting of the Paw Power murals.”

For more information on Walterbach, please visit his website: www.charlo.studio/

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

• May 2nd - Wastewater Committee Meeting.

• May 7th - Regular Board Meeting.

• May 9th - Community Advisory Committee Meeting.

• May 14th - Finance Committee Meeting.

• May 14th - Zero Waste Committee Meeting.

• May 21st - Operations and Engineering Building Project Neighborhood Meeting.

• May 27th - Memorial Day Holiday (CVSan Closed)

• June 3rd through June 7th - Textile Collection Week (Place clean, bagged textiles curbside on your regular collection day). Details at cvsan.org/Textiles.

• June 4th - Regular Board Meeting.

Please note the above event schedule is subject to change. All CVSan Board and Committee meetings are open to the public. For complete meeting details and information about CVSan’s services, programs, and events, please visit cvsan.org.

Katherine Vaz to Give Book Talk

By Linda Sandsmark CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Castro Valley Library and Books on B will host a book talk by author Katherine Vaz on June 9. The talk will highlight Vaz’s recent book, “Above the Salt.” The event will include a slideshow, Q&A, book signing, and light refreshments.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Friday, May 3

Free Movie Night at Trinity Christian Fellowship Free Movie Night! Join us for “War Room,” a movie about the power of prayer, on Friday, May 3 at 6pm, at Trinity Christian Fellowship, 20307 Marshal Street, Castro Valley. Free light snacks provided. We hope to see you!

Saturday, May 4

Mother’s Day Craft Fair & Art Show

“Above the Salt” follows Protestant immigrants from the Portuguese island of Madeira to Illinois in the late 1800s. Described as equal parts love story and immigrant experience, it takes a couple through America’s Civil War period and beyond. Readers will discover the meaning of “Above the Salt” during a scene in the book with Abraham Lincoln. Vaz was raised in Castro Valley and is making a trip here from her current home in New York. “Above the Salt” was chosen Book of the Week by People Magazine last November. Vaz has written extensively about the experiences of Portuguese people in America and worked on this book for 16 years. Her father August Vaz came from the Azores and spoke Portuguese as his first language. He and his wife raised their six children on Somerset Avenue in Castro Valley.

“I’ve always felt that it was my little corner of the Bay Area,” she says. “Castro Valley was always the place where we had the family holidays when I came to California.”

Registration is requested for this event, which will be held at the Castro Valley Library from 2 to 4pm on Sunday June 9. Book sales and signing will be managed by Renee Rettig, owner of Books on B. To register, type in Katherine Vaz’s name on the Events tab at: aclibrary.org. Castro Valley Library is located at 3600 Norbridge Ave., (510) 667-7900.

A.R.T., Inc. Mother’s Day Craft Fair & Diablo/Alameda Pen Women Art Show, Saturday, May 4, 9am to 2pm at Kenneth Aitken Senior Center, 17800 Redwood Road, Castro Valley. Refreshments. Free. Email Event Chair Azar Vaghefi to register as a vendor: azarvaghefi3@gmail.com $10 for A.R.T., Inc. members / $20 for non-members.

Saturday, May 4

Visit Plantify Garden in Cherryland

Curious what a native garden co-designed by an artist and a plant scientist looks like? Come visit Plantify in Cherryland (625 Hampton Rd., Hayward) on May 4th, between 10am to 5pm. Part of Bringing Back the Natives garden tour. This is a free event for the community. Say hi to our pet goats and meet plant enthusiasts!

Saturday, May 4

Dahlia Tuber Sale in San Leandro

For spectacular summer color, it’s time to plant those dahlias! The San Leandro Dahlia Society will hold its annual tuber and small plant sale on Saturday, May 4, 10am to 1pm at the Milford Garden Improvement Clubhouse, 13055 Aurora Drive, San Leandro. That’s across the street from Garfield Elementary School. Tubers will sell for $7 and cuttings, small plants will sell for $9, including tax. Dahlia aficionados will be on hand to advise on planting and caring for the dahlias. With so many varieties, there is something for everyone! Just no blue blooms.

Saturday, May 4

How to Tell Your Own Story with Naomi Shibata

Writer Naomi Shibata will share how documenting family stories began as a gift to her mother and evolved into a means of connecting five generations of her family. She will discuss lessons learned along the way, as well as how she worked with novice writers to help them turn oral histories into the written word. The event takes place this Saturday, May 4 from 11:30am to 1pm at Hayward Area Historical Society (22380 Foothill Blvd, Hayward). Registration required at www.haywardareahistory.org.

Sunday, May 5

Free Community Concerts

Celebrate Spring with FREE community concerts! Castro Valley Adult & Career Education is delighted to offer a series of spring concerts for music lovers- all at the wonderful Castro Valley Center for the Arts! There are two concerts this Sunday, May 5. The Castro Valley Orchestra performs at 2pm and the Route 66 Swing Band performs at 7pm. Then on on May 29, the Castro Valley Community Band plays at 7:30pm. Grab a friend and enjoy!

Sunday, May 5

Free Castro Valley Orchestra Spring Concert

Castro Valley Orchestra will present their free Spring concert on Sunday, May 5 at 2pm at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley. Works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Bach will be performed. Isaac Kim and James Choi will be featured in the Bach Double Violin Concerto. There will be a reception immediately after the concert to meet the soloists and musicians.

One of the murals on the Chabot Elementary School campus.

Homes

Use Newspapers to Rid Garden of Earwigs

By Buzz Bertolero

The Dirt Gardener

QEarwigs are eating the leaves, flowers, and stems of my vegetable plants. How can I control the Earwigs without using any harsh chemicals?

AWhen planting vegetables and/or annual seedlings, earwigs and snails are the two biggest

moisten them lightly, then roll them into a tube secured with rubber bands. The tubes are placed throughout the garden where you’re having a problem. As the sun rises, Earwigs begin searching for a cool, damp, dark location to hide out during the daylight hours. The newspaper tubes

ta look. However, the outside of the pots continues to develop blotches of white powdery stuff. I continue to wash/rub it off, but it keeps coming back. Is there something I can do to prevent it from reoccurring? Is this a type of mold?

The white deposits on clay pots are not molds. It’s just simply mineral deposits. Clay pots are very

those in plant soils. Fertilizers are the primary suppliers of these particles. Phosphorus and calcium are the primary elements, but other minerals are deposited in varying scenarios. With other types of pots, moisture escapes only through the drainage hole and from the exposed soil. The deposits can be light and dusty or very hard and crusty. They usually form in the lower sections of

the pots. They rarely appear at the top because of the rapid downward flow of water. There are no practical methods of eradicating this problem. However, I do have a couple of suggestions on how to deal with it. The ideal time to clean pots is when you are making a color change. You empty the dirt out of the pots, soak them in a gallon of warm water mixed with a cup of white vinegar and bleach. Let the pots soak for fifteen minutes to an hour, depending on how thick the deposits are, before

wiping or brushing them off. Be sure to rinse the pot well several times in clean water to remove the vinegar and bleach residue. Vinegar and bleach do not help plants thrive. After the pots have air-dried, wipe them down with Linseed Oil. Linseed Oil is the magic potion that restores the pot’s luster. 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.co

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

CONCRETE SERVICE

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

CONTRACTOR SERVICE

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.

FENCES/DECKS

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

GARAGE SALES

BIG GARAGE SALE Sunday 5/5, 9am-3pm. 16750 Selby Drive, San Leandro.

GARDENING

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

HOUSE CLEANING

VICTORIA’SHOUSE CLEANING Excellent references. Free estimates Reasonable rates. 510-715-1578 VictoriaGutierrez140@gmail.com

MISC. FOR SALE

Fishing pole and reel $25. Call 510278-9719.

MISC. WANTED

WANTED - Reel to reel music tapes, Call Patrick 510-517-3351.

RECORDS WANTED: Jazz, Rock, Soul and Blues. LP’s 45’s. 510-3319138. slsouth467@gmail.com

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

LANDLORDS – Advertise your units! Avacancy day is money lost forever ... R. Bowman

Are you interested in buying or selling a home or property? Would you like the help of a Professional Agent? For assistance call ...

SERVICES

HANDYMAN & CONTRACTORS

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.

TREE SERVICE

*ACAREFULTREE SERVICE. Certified. Arborist. Lic.#694067. Trimming, Removals. FREE Estimates Bonded. Call 510-581-7377.

YOUR INFO

Advertise your Home for rent in the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum

– Avacancy day is money lost forever

LANDLORDS - Advertise your units!

– Avacancy day is money lost forever –R. Bowman NEED - MUSIC LESSONS or PIANO TUNING?

Check the Classified Ads under “MUSICALSERVICES” for help.

Life Estate Deeds: When to Use One

My primary asset is my home, which I purchased about 35 years ago and now own free and clear. I would like to leave it to my son, but in a way that avoids the fuss of a probate or trust administration when I die. Is there some way to do this?

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

Yes, indeed. You might consider leaving it to your son via a Life Estate Deed. A Life Estate Deed (“LED”) is a special kind of deed which you would sign and record now, but which would transfer your home to your children down the road, upon your death, while reserving to you the exclusive right to live in your home during your lifetime. Upon your death, your child’s interest would mature into a full ownership interest

One of the nice features of this LED, is that the clearing of

title upon your demise is very simple. At that time, your son need only file with the county recorder an affidavit reciting the fact of your death, along with a certified copy of your Death Certificate and other routine transfer documents. There would be no probate and no trust administration to deal with.

any capital gain tax if they later sell the home.

3) Should you ever apply for a Medi-Cal Long Term Care subsidy to help with nursing home expense, the home would be protected from a post-mortem recovery claim for reimbursement.

if sold, the proceeds must be “split” between you according to the value of your respective interests. This restriction could impair your ability to sell the home to help fund your own retirement or long term care expenses.

Protect your money and privacy while

However, as with many legal matters, there are “Pros” and “Cons” to using this special deed. Here are some of them:

Advantages:

1) Upon your demise, clearing title and confirming ownership in your children is a simple procedure, handled without probate or trust administration.

2) The home would receive the same favorable tax treatment accorded a transfer, upon death, via a Living Trust or Will: Your children would receive the home with a tax basis equal to its increased value at your death, thus minimizing

4) In terms of title insurance, this LED is better than the new Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed, as many title companies are unwilling to insure the transfer of title where the newer, TOD Deed has been used.

Disadvantages:

1) Once the deed is signed and conveyed, you cannot change your mind by revoking the conveyance, or at least not without your son’s agreement.

2) Once the deed is executed, you would’t be able to obtain a conventional or reverse mortgage secured by the home. This could impact your financial needs in the future, including funds for long term care.

3) Once done, you could not sell the home without agreement of your son, and

WINKLER LAW

4) Disputes may arise regarding responsibility for repairs or improvements.

5) If your son were to predecease you, his interest would go as he directs in his own trust or will or, if none, to his heirs-at-law. Thus, you would no longer control the ultimate disposition of your interest.

While many of these disadvantages can be eliminated by creating a formal “Living Trust”, the trade-off is the greater expense of creating a trust, and the time and expense of a formal, post-mortem trust administration upon your demise.

Before making the decision to use a LED -- rather than a “Living Trust” or Will-- it would be wise to seek professional advice from a knowledgeable attorney to make sure that this special deed is right for you.

Living Trusts & Trust Administration Probate • Wills Real Estate • Litigation — Give Us a Call — Most Initial Consultations Are Free (510) 357-3403 1883 East 14th Street San Leandro

Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney who has been helping East Bay families for over 25 years with Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Wills, Probate, Medi-Cal Planning, and related matters. Contact him by email at Gene@LawyerForSeniors. com, or visit his website at: www.LawyerForSeniors.com

Fraud: Do’s and Don’ts

continued from front page

There are two DO’s and two DON’Ts to protect your money and privacy while visiting online sites, Sunny said.

One DO is to bookmark favorite sites on your web browser such as Chrome or Safari. It may not be hard to type “Google,” for example, but even the occasional typing error could take you instead to a malicious site only pretending to be Google, Sunny said. Bookmarks ensure it is entered accurately.

Another DO is to log out from programs or websites you’re visiting on public com-

puters, such as those at a coffee shop or at the library. The next user might be able to pretend they’re you on any website or program you had left open. Sharing personal information, especially financial information, online is a DON’T, Sunny said.

“You can share moments. Like, today was my birthday, I did this,” he said. “But sharing stuff like, ‘Okay, I left for Hawaii for 4 days. The key is under my floor mat on the front’ is extremely dangerous to share online to people”.

Also, Sunny said DON’T click on pop-up ads or downloads from unknown sources. This can give a bad actor some information about you right away and also let them download spyware that will reveal more information to them later.

He said that when looking at a website, particularly when interacting with it, you should check its URL or website address for security. Most websites now begin with an “https” (rather than just “http”), indicating the connection is encoded and can’t be broken into. A lock logo also will appear in this case.

Sunny said scams are also common in emails, often by getting you to click on a link. To find out if a link is legitimate, a good start is to hover the cursor over it without clicking. This will show its URL, where it actually connects to, in the lower left-hand part of your computer screen. He advised that if the email text claims it’s a special offer from Safeway and the URL doesn’t look like Safeway, don’t click on it.

Blazes: Fire Safety Tips

continued from front page

According to the Red Cross website, “During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.”

The Red Cross also suggests the following tips for fire safety: Install smoke alarms on ev-

Castro Valley: Subtlety Sophisticated

By Thomas Lorentzen SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

As I write this column, I do so from a desk in my backyard cabana. The word “cabana” is used liberally. An intrinsic meaning is that it is a small tent or hut for use as a dressing room beside a body of water. There is no water in my backyard, however. With that, my small cabana is more like a hut. It is where I tend to spend a fair amount of time when the weather permits.

consider making my backyard into more of a living area. I took her suggestion to heart and did exactly that.

for me. In the morning, the birds sing the same song they did decades ago. The planted flowers bloom to place living art before my eyes. Coffee in the morning stimulates me as I read the diurnal news. Wine at night relaxes me as I look upon the art that resides there because of the recommendation made by a friend years ago.

ery level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas; Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries; Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year; If a fire occurs in your home, get out, stay out, and call for help.

Report: Stolen Property

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Grand Theft Auto, Stolen Property

Tuesday, April 23: at 9:20 a.m., Deputies pulled over and arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of grand theft auto, possessing stolen property, providing false identification, and possessing illegal narcotics. The man was traveling on Redwood Road when deputies ran the license plate, identified the car as stolen, and pulled the man into the Castro Valley BART parking lot on Norbridge Avenue. Deputies took the man into custody.

On April 19 at 2:52 p.m., fire crews responded to an alarm at the 21000 block of Hobert Street in Castro Valley for a fire at a two-story apartment building. Depend

With the birth of Spring, this is where I like to sit and relax. I can read and write from here. I can also look outside at my garden. It provides peace for me.

As I write, I reflect upon a friend from my past. She is now deceased and never visited my home. She lived in San Francisco in the Twin Peaks area of the city. She knew of the good weather in the East Bay – less fog, and more moderate than in San Francisco. One evening she asked me to talk with her about Castro Valley and what my home was like. I provided descriptions to her. She was particularly interested in my backyard. I described it to her. It was small in depth with a lawn and covered patio. She made a recommendation to me. Being that the weather is moderate, I should

The lawn was removed and replaced with a brick patio and the “cabana” was built upon it. Plants and vegetables were added around the perimeter. It is where I eat my meals, read, write, and enjoy wine at night. I also entertain people here. Because of my friend’s recommendation, it is where I will largely live from now until late Fall. During this time, my TV gets lonely.

With this as background, one of our greatest assets in Castro Valley is our weather. It is as good as it gets anywhere in the country. Because of my friend, I learned to not only enjoy the good weather we have, I learned to leverage it to make my life better throughout the year.

My house is what I need in terms of essentials with a kitchen, bathroom, etc. For most of the year, however, I live in my backyard. The flowers beautify my day. The planted vegetables and fruit trees provide healthy food for my mind and body.

My backyard also provides a place for quietude and reflection. Memories of my life here in Castro Valley perform

Michael Toney Castro

As I write this column, I know that Castro Valley is not Shangri-La. We are a simple and modest town. Nondescript is a fair term to describe our town. Yet, somehow, we may be more sophisticated than

perceived. In years past, I have at times described our town as “subtlety sophisticated.” We are not a town of self-promotion, for there is no need to do so. We are what we are. And - we are a good place to live and to grow our lives. That is what I am doing as I write this column from my backyard cabana and look out upon my garden. To feel fortunate and to have gratitude provides not only contentment – it provides wealth to my mind and heart. It is with appreciation that I live and write from here in Castro Valley.

www.DeerCreekCremation.com

Sandy Carbonaro

October 29, 1945 ~ March 27, 2024

Sandy Carbonaro, aged 78, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2024 in Sonora, Ca.. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 29, 1945 to Joseph and Rose Carbonaro. Sandy followed his deceased wife Karen of 30 years.

He is survived by his significant other, Brenda Thistlethwaite of over 20 years, his son Damon and his wife Danielle and their three children, Kyli, Piper and Kenzie.

Michael “Mike” Toney Castro, age 67, of Amador County, formerly a long-time resident of the Bay Area, passed away unexpectedly on March 30, 2024. Born in Castro Valley, CA, to Toney and Darlene Castro, he was the eldest of two sons. Mike spent his younger years in San Leandro, CA, and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1974. Proudly the 3rd generation in his family to join the Brotherhood of Teamsters, while Mike worked as a Locomotive Mechanic for the railroad, he then met the love of his life, Peggy. They married on February 28th, 1986, and lovingly raised their four children—Richard, Kristopher, Toney, and Kelley. Over the years, Mike and Peggy’s home welcomed many in need, reflecting Mike’s kind heart and generosity. Mike’s laughter was legendary, echoing through any room and lifting others’ spirits with it. During his 30+ year Union career, he was appointed Chief Steward of Local 70’s Berkeley Ready Mix, advocating tirelessly for the rights of his brotherhood. In every aspect of his life, Mike stood firm in his convictions, with an unwavering courage to speak out against injustice and fight for what he believed was right. Mike embraced life fully, enjoying hobbies like hunting, fishing, road trips, rock n’ roll, and blues concerts, yet most importantly cherishing these events with loved ones. Now reunited with his beloved wife, Peggy, Mike is survived by his brother, Robert, his four children, Richard, Kristopher, Toney, and Kelley, along with many grandchildren, nieces, cousins, extended family, chosen family, and many friends. Preceded in death by his parents, Toney and Darlene, and his wife, Peggy. Join us in celebrating his life at https://memorialsource.com/memorial/michael-toney-castro

He is also survived by his daughter Michelle and her two children Layla and Iain, and his close sister Francis. Sandy was a multi-talented worker who had a strong work ethic. He was an electrician and a successful real estate agent and broker. He entered the real estate field in1984 as an agent and later earned his broker’s license in 2014. He had a long list of home construction/remodeling skills and was an accomplished vehicle and motorcycle mechanic.

Sandy attended Cal State East Bay college and majored in Political Science. He followed politics closely. He also served his country in the U.S. Marines Reserves in the middle and late 1960s, and was a NRA certified pistol and tactical instructor as well.

Sandy was generous of spirit, big-hearted and had a fun/clever sense of humor. He gave the biggest, friendliest hugs to the delight of all who knew him. He was a loyal friend who had a wide range of friends that he consistently stayed in touch with. Sandy was a kind and caring grandparent who enjoyed being with his grandchildren.

Above all, he was a practicing Christian who lived a life of integrity, honesty and deep faith. Sandy loved life and lived it to the full. He had many hobbies, such as domestic and international travel with his beloved Brenda, was a Karate black belt and instructor and loved to maintain his home. He consistently stayed in good physical condition and enjoyed exercising. But maintaining and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle with Brenda on the back seat was his go-to hobby.

They would cruise the highways and byways of America, visiting cities, taking in the different landscapes and diverse populations. On occasion, he would join fellow bike riders and venture out to various biker gatherings, all in good fun. In his later years, Sandy developed challenging health issues and handled them with enduring courage. He continued to engage life right to the end. He now rests peacefully in the presence of the Lord.

A Celebration of Life memorial will be scheduled in the near future at the Moose Hall in Castro Valley-- to be announced.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

CVHS Boys’ Varsity Volleyball

Our Athletes of the Week are the Castro Valley High School Boys’ Varsity Volleyball team. The Trojans celebrated their Senior Night at home with a 3-0 conference win over Piedmont High School last Tuesday. Special time was given to Seniors Michael Ly, Deven Tai, Miguel Sevilla, and Owen Santiago, as well as team captains Grant Guiomar, Braden Lew, Lukas Winn, and Cooper Matthews, as it was their last home game. The Trojans took an immediate 25-16 first set lead and never looked back, finishing the Highlanders 25-13 and 25-18. Castro Valley has a 25-6 overall record and an 11-3 league record under coach Eric Unti.

Queen: Hopes to Inspire Other Girls

continued from front page horse taught me to trust my talents and how to be in the competitive world.”

The Bruns family moved to Castro Valley shortly before Phoebe was born. Her father got involved with the Rowell Rodeo Board to integrate into the Castro Valley community.

“We’d wake up on the Saturday morning of Rowell Rodeo and go to Apple Creek Farms to see the horsemanship competition,” Bruns said. “I made so many friends at the rodeos over the years.” Bruns will graduate from Castro Valley High School this May with a seal of biliteracy in American Sign Language (ASL). While a Trojan, she joined the ASL Club and “Link Crew,” a program for upperclassmen to help incoming freshmen acclimate to high school life.

In August, Bruns will attend Montana State University to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a firefighter.

“My grampa was a battalion chief in Santa Barbara,” she said. “I also have a cousin in Arizona who just retired from their fire department. I always wanted a job that wasn’t behind a desk.”

Bruns’ first official appearance as Rowell Ranch Rodeo Queen will be the Livermore Rodeo. She’ll spend the rest of

her tenure traveling to dozens of other Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PCRA) events and visiting schools as an ambassador of both Rowell Ranch Rodeo and Castro Valley. She says she hopes to inspire other young women to get involved in rodeo and achieve their goals.

“One of the things I am looking forward to is meeting

How to Improve Your Balance

By Mitch Rothbardt SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

One of my clients asked how to improve her balance this week. It’s a common question, so let’s talk about how it works and how to improve it.

Our bodies work in amazing ways every second of every day, and how we stay upright is one of them. Our body has things all over called proprioceptors. It’s their job to sense movement, action, and location. In other words, how and where to move without falling over and/or hurting ourselves.

Do you know how your body naturally reacts when you walk over some uneven ground? That’s your proprioceptors working. They let your brain know how to react to the ground without hurting yourself; the brain gets the message to your muscles and nerves, and your body reacts accordingly. That happens countless times in mere milliseconds all day long. The body is truly a fantastical thing.

So, let’s talk about how to improve and/ or maintain balance.

1. Get your

proprioceptors working better. One thing I’ve noticed is that the more people are attached to their shoes and the softer the soles on those shoes are…the worse their balance tends to be. That’s because fluffy soles don’t allow the proprioceptors in your feet to work very well. Think of it like wearing gloves all the time. How well would you be able to use your hands?

What do we do about it?

Take off your shoes. Start gradually, and work to going barefoot more and more around the house. Also, try to go with more minimal soles on your shoes. Let your feet work! They’ll appreciate it.

2. Get stronger. Once your muscles get the signal to do something, they’ve got to be strong and quick enough to do it. That takes strength and power and that takes strength training.

3. Get more confident. This one’s a mind bender. According to a 2019 study in the “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,” the biggest risk factor for falling is fear. In other words, the more fearful someone is of falling, the more likely they’ll fall. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy! How do you get over that fear? Physical activity.

4. Stand on one foot while barefoot This is my favorite exercise for improving balance. Simple, huh? Start with 5-10 seconds per foot and build up. You can do this every day.

I hope this helps clarify a complicated topic a bit. Let me know if you have any questions about customizing balance training for yourself.

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.

Coming Events at Smalltown Society

Saturday! May 4, 2024: Through the Mind of Madness @ Pampas Cafe

Join us at Pampas Cafe and Smalltown Society, this Saturday, for a special installation reception celebrating the vibrant art of local artist Todd Gomes. Embrace community spirit, artistic innovation, and cultural expression as we introduce exciting new artwork into the cafe. Gather with us from 5-8pm at Pampas Cafe, 22222 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley (adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

Wednesday, May 8, 2024: Chabot Secret Screen

Join us at The Chabot Cinema for our monthly Secret Screen takeover featuring the cult classic film ‘Josie and the Pussycats’. Experience the magic of music and art with this quirky pop-punk time capsule, exploring themes of consumerism and women’s agency. Custom pre-show begins at 7pm, followed by the film at

7:30. Secure your $5 ticket and Chabot’s Secret Screen membership for just $1 a month or $10 per year. Be one of the first 25 attendees to receive a complimentary poster. Visit: thechabot.com/secretscreen for more information.

Friday, May 18, 2024:

Benefit Show for Gaza Relief

Come enjoy local artists and community in support of relief work in Gaza at 7pm on Saturday, May 18th at the Smalltown Society Clinic Space. Proceeds will be going to Partners Relief and Development, an NGO that brings aid to children in conflict zones, and their efforts in Gaza. Suggested donation: $15. Artists will include Michael Kim Eubanks (The Underlay) and Fego Navarro (Lyrical Opposition). There will be drinks and a small presentation about the work of Partners Relief and Development. 2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley (behind Trader Joe’s).

will perform May 18 for Gaza Relief

the 5-year-old Phoebes along the way,” she said. “I remember how I was star-struck, and now I want to be one of the girls they look up to.”

Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo fans can meet Phoebe May 17 to 19. Visit: rowellranchrodeo. com to learn more and to purchase tickets. Tickets are also available at the gate on the day of the performance.

Ken Martin Memorial Bocce Tourney

The Castro Valley Bocce Group will host its annual Ken Martin Memorial Bocce Tournament at Adobe Park in Castro Valley on Saturday, June 15 from 9am to 3pm. The event will be sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars

(VFW). 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 to this worthy organization, please email Tara Peterson at: yzmafan@gmail. com.

The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athletes of the Week CVHS Boys’ Volleball

Michael Kim-Eubanks from The Underlay and Fego Navarro from Lyrical Ops

2024 Rowell Ranch Rodeo Queen, Phoebe Bruns as a young girl