HOLIDAYS AROUND THE TOWN
Christmas Tree Lighting
THIS FRIDAY !""#$%&"#'
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2023
YEAR 35
EJE, CVCBDSP
INSIDE YOUR
MAC Talks Plans
FORUM
Center Makeover Sulphur Creek Nature Center to break ground on ‘reimagined’ look
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X-Mas is Saved ‘The Man Who Saved Christmas’ opens this Friday at Chanticleers
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Big Book Sale Friends of CV Library to hold Fall book sale this Friday through Sunday
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INDEX Calendar ................ 4 Classified Ads ......... 8 Crosswords ............. 9 Homes ..................... 6 Obituaries ............. 11 Opinions ............... 11 Our Town ................. 3 Sheriff’s Report ...... 3 Sports .................. 12 Weather .................. 2 WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
NO. 48
By Amy Sylvestri CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
What does environmental justice look like in the unincorporated area? The Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) PHOTO BY: HAYWARD AREA RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT heard a lengthy update on the Environmental Justice Element Friday’s event will include a ukulele performance, a local poetry reading, a hula dance, a guitar jam and band dance, guided tours, and a ceremonious ribbon cutting. The building was constructed in 1989. (EJE) of the county’s General Plan at their Monday night meeting but may have been left with more questions than answers. The EJE is part of the County’s General Plan that focuses December 1, at 10:00 a.m. ented programs, preschool 34-year-old building at 17800 on the Ashland, Cherryland, By Michael Singer with a ribbon cutting, music, activities, arts, and community Redwood Road needed several Hayward Acres, and parts of CASTRO VALLEY FORUM and performances by local programs, the building has upgrades. Castro Valley and San Lorenzo especially. After a yearlong hiatus, the artists. The public is welcome been closed since October Friday’s grand re-opening 2022 after Hayward Area Kenneth C. Aitken Senior and to attend. will also spotlight various local The Alameda County ComRecreation & Park District Community Center is schedartists, including a Ukulele Constructed in 1989, the munity Development Agency (H.A.R.D.) determined that the uled to reopen this Friday, see SENIOR on page 10 cherished hub for senior-orisee MAC on page 11
Aitken Senior Center Reopening
Theater Production Tackles Teen Mental Health learn about the individual mental health challenges they CASTRO VALLEY FORUM are facing and what options Healing teens’ mental health they have for seeking help. challenges after the pandemic They discover that although their identities and challenges was the focus of “Ghosted,” are unique, they are not alone presented by Kaiser Permain their struggles. nente’s Educational Theatre at Brenkwitz High School in “I thought the play was great Hayward on November 15. because some of our students The show marked a return here suffer with those mental health challenges,” said Brenkto in-person performance witz Principal Yvette Beavers. by Kaiser’s theater program after a 3-year hiatus due to the “It’s a great creative way to COVID-19 pandemic, though present help for the students and presenting the 988 number virtual performances had and know they are not alone.” continued. “Ghosted” tells the story That toll-free 988 telephone of four students navigating life number is a new nationwide in high school while learning suicide-prevention and mental health helpline, answered 24 to cope with stress, anxiety, hours a day and seven days a depression, and relationship week. issues. Together, the students By Mike McGuire
Kaiser hopes students watching the show will learn to avoid stigma by normalizing mental health challenges; develop skills to talk about stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts; prevention; identify coping strategies to build resilience; and access resources to get the help they may need. The need for mental health awareness and care for teens has exploded in the last 20 years, especially since COVID-19 exacerbated feelings of anxiety and depression, Kaiser said in a release. Even before the pandemic arrived, teen suicides were on PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTONIA EHLERS the rise. From 2000 to 2020, the numbers grew by 233 per- A scene from “Ghosted,” performed by Kaiser’s cent for girls ages 10 to 14, Educational Theatre at Brenkwitz High School in see MENTAL on page 3 Hayward on November 15.