September 27, 2023

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

MAC Discusses Future of Central Business District

By Amy Sylvestri CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

The future of the “Central Business District” was again up for discussion at this week’s Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting.

County staff gave the MAC another series of presentations as the central business district plan takes shape over months and years.

community’s long-term vision for growth downtown.

At this week’s meeting, the MAC heard summaries of a May community visioning workshop for the public and comments from the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, which were made at meetings over the summer.

I LOVE A (CVHS HOMECOMING) PARADE! Castro Valley High School students marched down Redwood Road in the annual Homecoming Parade last Friday. This year’s theme was music genres, with the Freshmen celebrating Country music, Sophomores spotlighting Pop music, Juniors dancing back to the Disco days, and Seniors slipping into some classic Hip Hop. The parade also included music from the marching band, the Varsity Boys Football team, and Homecoming Court. See more at: mycvforum.com

Castro Valley Teen Writes Recruiting How-To Book

By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Lots of high school students want to grow up to be writers. Very few besides Castro Valley’s Braden Lew, however, are published authors by the time they graduate.

Braden, who’s a senior at CVHS and plays center on the Trojan volleyball team, realized few current high school athletes know much about college athletic scholarships.

Many talented student-athletes never get to compete in college as a result.

He set out to fix that and to guide students who do get noticed through the often stressful process.

Braden says he really wants see BOOK on page 2

Beginning in the fall of 2022, the county has been focusing on the Castro Valley Central Business District Specific Plan (CVBDSP), part of the larger Castro Valley General Plan.

The goal is to determine the

At the Chamber of Commerce meeting, an overall goal was stated: “Make Castro Valley a destination rather than a drive-through.”

The current CVBDSP includes land use like “core pedestrian retail” in the Village area and central Castro Valley Boulevard, the “transit village” see MAC on page 4

Supervisors Issue State of Emergency On Homelessness

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Last Tuesday, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a countywide state of emergency that will secure additional funding to assist the more than 9,700 unhoused people in the East Bay.

Board President Nate Miley, who represents parts of Oakland, Pleasanton, Ashland, Castro Valley, and Fairview, said there has been a 73 percent increase in homelessness in the last five years, which he says will dramatically increase if the county fails to take urgent action.

“I introduced this resolution because the number of people experiencing homelessness is surging, creating dangerous, inhumane situations across the county,” Miley said. “Alameda County is in crisis. This is an emergency, and it’s our job to respond accordingly.”

The State of Emergency will give Alameda County additional tools to expand its $2.5 billion Home Together 2026 Community Plan, which aims to prevent homelessness, connect people with services, increase housing options, and improve coordination between the county and cities.

The county’s Health Care see STATE on page 5

Author Braden Lew and father T.J. Lew.

PHOTO CREDIT: CVHS TEACHER JESSICA PORTER

A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989

Castro Valley Weather September 27 - October 1, 2023

Castro Valley Class of 1973’s

50th Reunion Next Weekend

By Linda Sandsmark CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Castro Valley High class of 1973 is proud to hold its 50th reunion the weekend of October 6-8, right here in town. Folks who went to CV High during the 1970s, their families and guests are invited to one or all events. A.B Morris alumni who would have graduated in 1973 are welcome too.

“We’ve had a reunion every five years since we graduated. We’re coming home again, celebrating 50 years and the renaming of the field for Coach

Brosnan,” says reunion chair Rebecca Avelar. “We’ll be sharing stories of what everyone has been doing these last 50 years. We’re also welcoming Castro Valley alumni from the 1970s decade and school staff to join us.”

Three events are planned for the weekend. Tickets, details, and an order form for all events are available by email at cv1973@aol.com.

First will be a dinner Friday Oct. 6 at JP’s Restaurant, 3600 Castro Valley Boulevard, at 6 p.m. Cost is $60 prepaid. Then on Saturday Oct. 7 an evening

social gathering will be held. The cost will be $20 prepaid. Details will be provided in response to the email above.

On Sunday October 7 a final meet-up is planned at the CV High campus from approximately 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost will be $5 and complete details will be sent in response to the email above.

“Our motto is ‘Cheers to 50 years, 1973 to 2023, and everything in between,” says Avelar. Donations received will go to projects benefiting Castro Valley High on behalf of Class of 1973.

Book: A Guide to College Recruiting

continued from front page to play college volleyball. But he’s 5’10”, a perfectly reasonable height for most things but not for being a center on a Division I college volleyball team.

He found they want you to be at least 6’4”, which blocked Braden, but still gave a shot to his best friend Lukas, a volleyball player who is 6’6”. Lukas, though, had no idea how to get noticed by major college volleyball programs

when men’s volleyball itself is an often-overlooked sport nationally.

So, Braden, already a skilled researcher and an excellent student with a 4.5 GPA, set out to find out, his father, T.J. Lew, said. Braden ended up writing and publishing a book about what he found, “A Rockstar’s Guide to College Recruiting.”

Dad, T.J. added a short section for parents of athletes.

It’s available for Kindle

through Amazon Books.

“He doesn’t have all the answers,” T.J. Lew said, “but you’ll improve your chances of getting recruited for an athletic scholarship considerably if you follow the advice in the book.”

Braden discovered, for starters, that there are 29 scholarships available nationwide for men’s volleyball, some of them partial and at private schools with relatively high tuition. Women do a bit better, with 351 volleyball scholarships, many of them full ones. He also discovered he was tall enough to play center at Division III schools and how to pursue those opportunities. College volleyball programs rarely have a relationship with high schools, only contacting individual students they have heard about. Usually, students must contact them to be noticed, Braden said.

see BOOK on page 11

Sheriff’s Reports

COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Assault on a Family Member

Sunday, September 24: at 9:35 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 41-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of assault on a family member. Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call on Mabel Place near Mabel Avenue. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.

Man Wanted for Assaulting Officer

True

Shoplifters Caught

60th anniversary.

Love Story: CV

Couple

Celebrates 60th Anniversary

By Linda Sandsmark CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Tony and Dianne Soares’ love story started 60-plus years ago at Pring’s Restaurant in San Leandro — a popular meeting spot back in the day. They met as young adults when he had moved here from Hawaii for work.

Tony spotted Dianne and thought she was beautiful. He walked right up to her and gave her his phone number. They went out a few weeks later, and

after the first kiss they became inseparable.

The couple was married September 19, 1963 at the Alameda County courthouse in Oakland. They later renewed their vows and had a ceremony at Bethel Temple.

Now celebrating their 60th anniversary, they say their secret to such a long marriage is communication and honesty with each other, and of course, love.

The couple has four children, eight grandchildren and

five great-grandchildren. They are affectionately known as Amma for ‘grandma’ and Papa for ‘grandpa’ and are rooted in faith and family.

The couple also loves music, and both play multiple instruments.

Tony has worked at many local companies, sometimes holding several jobs at once. His past employers include Mother’s Cookies, Sunshine Biscuits, K-Mart and Waste Management.

see LOVE on page 10

Sunday, September 24: at 6:30 p.m., a 32-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man had been previously convicted of assault on an officer. Deputies stopped the man for questioning outside a liquor store on Redwood Road near Grove Way. The man was taken into custody.

Two Arrested in the Village Shopping Center

Sunday, September 24: at 9:13 p.m., deputies arrested two people with no permanent residence during a traffic stop in the Castro Village Shopping Center. The driver, a 45-year-old man was charged on suspicion of driving with an invalid registration and possession of a stolen vehicle. The passenger, a 47-year-old woman was charged on suspicion of possessing illegal drug paraphernalia. Deputies took the couple to Santa Rita Jail.

Yes, Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks

By Kevin Koo

I hope you’re in a flexible mood today because I want to talk about something that is super fascinating to me: neuroplasticity. What’s that you say? Well, neuroplasticity is all about how well the brain can adapt and change. For a long

time, we knew that kids were like sponges and picked up things rather quickly compared to older people, who took longer to learn things. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” has been used a lot by people who feel like they can’t change. Today, I want to share with you how neuroplasticity can challenge this belief.

First, a quick and dirty explanation of brain growth. Our brains have neurons.

As we learn things, these neurons grow and connect with other neurons, creating neural pathways. When we’re young, everything is new, so there is a

Friday, September 22: at 8:55 p.m., two people with no permanent residence were arrested following a report of shoplifting at a grocery store on Redwood Road near the Boulevard. Deputies were called to the scene when a 27-year-old woman was seen leaving with unpaid merchandise. The woman was additionally charged with providing a false ID and an outstanding warrant for driving with an invalid registration. A 42-yearold man with her was found to also have an outstanding warrant for previous shoplifting convictions. Deputies took the couple to Santa Rita Jail.

Drunk and Disorderly

Friday, September 22: at 9:51 a.m., deputies arrested a 33-year-old man from Hayward on suspicion of public intoxication, resisting arrest, and possessing illegal narcotics. The man was found passed out near a home on Gail Drive near Grove Way. Deputies

handcuffed the man and took him into custody after he put up a fight.

Fentanyl Drugs

Thursday, September 21: at 3:01 p.m., a 38-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of possessing fentanyl drugs. Deputies stopped the man for questioning outside a business on Redwood Road near Watson Street. During the investigation, the man revealed the drugs in his pocket. Deputies took him into custody.

Couldn’t Stay Away

Monday, September 18: at 11:21 p.m., deputies arrested a 33-year-old man with no permanent residence on suspicion of violating a court-issued restraining order preventing the man from being within 100 yards of a business on the Boulevard near Chester Street. The man was found rummaging around the back of the store when deputies arrived. He was taken into custody.

lot of brain growth. However, after puberty, the brain actively kills off any neural pathways that we’re not really using (note: I have yet to find a use for calculus). This is done so that energy can be saved and used for things that we need to do, such as the skills we use for our work or parenting. see KOO on page 10

Tony and Dianne Soares recently celebrated their

Hailing from Oakland, MeloDious offers an eclectic and soulful sound experience led by the talented trio: pianist/keyboardist/singer Micaiah, bassist/guitarist/singer Matthias, and drummer/singer Memphis.

Coming Up at Smalltown

TONIGHT • Wednesday, Sept. 27:

The LAB

The Lab is a monthly gathering that allows songwriters and poets to workshop and collaborate on pieces through exercises and brief performances, in front of and among friends. This month’s featured artist is local band Poser! Starts at 7:30pm. Invitation (email only): info@smalltownsociety.com for more info and location.

This Friday, Sept. 29: Melodious @ Pampas Cafe

Join us for an unforgettable evening with Bay Area sensation Melodious! Since 2016, they’ve been mesmerizing audiences with their expansive music range, covering gospel,

jazz, R&B, and soul. Don’t miss out on this night of melodious magic at Pampas Cafe from 7-9pm. Come hang out and enjoy great music among friends as we continue our “Verse & Vibes” series!

Friday, Oct. 20 - Sunday, Oct. 22: Smalltown’s Artists Retreat Immerse yourself in a nature-filled weekend, designed for artists and creators alike. Benefit from a range of activities: insightful seminars, hands-on workshops and more. All meals are included. Lodging options determine the price. Can’t stay the weekend? We’ve got you covered with a special daypass for Saturday, 10/21. Secure your spot by inquiring at: info@smalltownsociety.com.

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

MAC: More Commercial Businesses

continued from front page near the BART station, and the “professional medical district” down Lake Chabot Road. The meetings were designed to see how the public would like to see things shaped in the future.

County staff said that many participants at the meetings felt there were limited commercial options in the downtown business district and particularly wanted more dining choices.

Sites for future retail development included the Rite Aid lot, the Walgreens lot, the area around the Chabot Theater, and the old trailer park sites on the eastern end of Castro Valley Boulevard.

Participants also remarked that a few businesses at the Castro Valley Marketplace had gone out of business recently. Others wanted more family and youth-oriented activities, such as a skate park and more child-friendly public spaces. The public referenced B Street in Hayward and downtown Livermore and Pleasanton as places to emulate.

The public said they saw a lot of room for improvement in terms of pedestrian access in the district and bicycle infrastructure. As far as car traffic, Castro Valley Boulevard at Norbridge, San Miguel, and Chester Street were all singled out as intersections that need improvement.

Parking proved to be a major concern- the limited availability along the Boulevard p[possibly hindering business. Suggested sites for possible future parking structures include the BART station and the Eden Hospital area. The public also requested more electric vehicle charging stations.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Today • Wednesday, September 27

Cops and Cones Event

Come out and join Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputies today, Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 3pm to 5pm at Knudsens Ice Creamery (3323 Castro Valley Blvd). Everyone will receive a free ice cream cone and have a chance to meet your local Alameda county Sheriffs Office deputies.

Tomorrow • Thursday, September 28

Free Career and Resource Fair

Come to Castro Valley Adult & Career Education

Thursday, Sept. 28th from 10am to 12 noon for a free career and resource fair. There will be employers who are hiring, community agencies that offer support to the community and you can learn about job training at the adult school. Confirmed employers include UPS, Amazon, staffing agencies and others. Resources include legal immigration services, health, counseling and more. No registration needed. Come to 4430 Alma Avenue, Room 10.

Tomorrow • Thursday, September 28

Last Outdoor Concert of Season

Join us for the last outdoor concert of the season, featuring Aki Kumar at the Castro Valley Library tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 28 at 6:30 pm. San Jose-based musician Aki Kumar has successfully combined elements of Indian music into his presentation, making a Bollywood blues blend that sounds like no other. Please bring your own chairs; the library is unable to provide chairs for this event.

Saturday, September 30

Castro Valley Fitness’ Grand Re-Opening and Seminar

You’re invited to Castro Valley Fitness’s Grand Re-Opening and seminar! Castro Valley Forum fitness columnist, Mitch Rothbardt, will be presenting “Top 5 Things To Guarantee Success When Starting (or continuing) to Exercise!” and answering every question you have about fitness, nutrition, getting all you can from your exercise program. Join us at 1pm this Saturday Sept. 30th at Castro Valley Fitness located at 2861 Grove Way in Castro Valley.

Sunday, October 1

Castro Valley City, Inc to Host Workshop

Castro Valley City, Inc, will sponsor a free workshop at 2:00 to 3:30 pm, Sunday, October 1, at the Castro Valley Library. The topic was selected by visitors at the Fall Festival and will be governance. We hope to see you there.

Tuesday, October 3

CV Rotary Hosts CVUSD Teacher Pat Doyne

Contributors:

More general ideas: pockets parks, housing on the Rite Aid spot and at the lumber yard, bike paths, wider sidewalks, more outdoor dining, and the addition of benches along the Boulevard to make walking more appealing.

The CVBDSP is currently in Phase II. More meetings are planned, and the eventual adoption of the plan is tentatively set for next winter. For updates and more information on the project, visit cvgpimplementation.com/

More Castro Valley news is always online. Read, like, and share this article as well as many other online only exclusives on our website: mycvforum.com

Castro Valley Unified School District Teacher, Pat Doyne, will share with the Castro Valley Rotary about science and reading and what can be done to ensure all children can read. A buffet lunch and the program take place at Redwood Canyon Golf Course (17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley) at noon to 1:30 pm. The cost of lunch is $20 and reservations must be made by 9pm on Sunday, Oct. 1, by contacting Rotary at cvrotary@iCloud.com or 510-402-5123. More info available at castrovalleyrotary.org.

Wednesday, October 4

Discover Your Roots at CV Library

Join the Castro Valley Library Genealogy Study Group. Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The first Meeting will be October 4. If you are looking for help with your family history research or just the companionship of others with the genealogy bug, please join us! There is no fee, no registration, and it is open to anyone. Each meeting will feature a short presentation by our experienced docent or a guest speaker with plenty of time for research and questions.

DIY Projects That Won’t Break the Bank

(NAPSI)—Housing prices may be as expensive as ever, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to put your plans for a dream home on hold. Rather than purchasing a new house, many homeowners are instead opting to improve their current living spaces through redecorating and DoIt-Yourself projects. You don’t have to be a DIY expert to get started—many of these projects are extremely approachable, helping you to upgrade your home without breaking the bank.

What You Can Do

There are seemingly endless possibilities when it comes to home improvement, so it might be overwhelming to determine where to begin. To give you some inspiration, the experts at Design House have shared five DIY-projects that are low cost and can result in high impact on your home.

• Get a Handle on Hardware— Replacing hardware on your kitchen cabinets, vanity pulls, hinges, or doorstops can create an instant makeover and is a DIY project anyone can take on. Selecting new hardware allows you to explore trending designs that immediately make a dated home more current. An affordable upgrade, hardware is often sold in convenient, pre-packed quantities and can often be purchased for less than $100.

• Install a Lamp Post— Lamp posts are a great way to increase the curb appeal of

your home, adding beauty to entranceways, walkways, and paths. As an added benefit they can also provide increased safety after dark and help with easier navigation from place to place at night.

• Add a Medicine Cabinet to Your Bathroom— Give your bathroom a refresh by installing a medicine cabinet. In addition to providing extra storage, medicine cabinet designs offer a variety of styles and sizes to choose from that will best fit both your aesthetic and functional needs.

• Update with Upholstered Seating— If you have an open floor plan, explore incorpo-

rating upholstered seating throughout your kitchen and dining areas. At bar, counter,

and dining areas, utilizing upholstered seating is a simple way to enhance your home with touches of luxury.

• Brighten a Room with a Mirror— Mirrors reflect light, which can result in making a room appear more open and illuminated. Adding a mirror can have the effect of an additional window or light source. By strategically placing a mirror on the wall, you can enhance both the lighting and spatial qualities of a room. These are several of the many projects anyone can take on without extensive DIY experience. In addition to being affordable, all of these upgrades can have a high impact when it comes to enhancing your home.

Design House offers a variety of products to empower homeowners to create living spaces they will love. For more information visit: www.todaysdesignhouse.com.

Checklist of Fall Home Improvement Projects

(NAPSI)—When was the last time you gave your home’s exterior some TLC? With fall’s arrival, now is a good time to get a jump start on these home projects!

Paint: The paint on your house’s exterior can fade and chip, especially after a hot summer. Before winter hits, take the time to repaint your house. Be sure to pressure wash the exterior and let fully dry beforehand.

Exterior Doors: If your front or back door’s finish or paint is chipped or dull, you may want to consider a refresh. Remove the door from its frame, then sand, prime and paint or re-stain the door. After re-hanging the door once it’s dry, you can add a new lock or re-use your old lock.

Windows: Inspect window screens and replace or repair them if you notice any tears. You should also inspect the rubber seals on your windows and replace any that are cracked.

Garage: It’s important to give your garage door some attention especially if it squeaks with every open and close. Use 3-IN-ONE® Garage Door Lube monthly to not only lubricate the hinges, tracks, chains, pulleys and latches, but to simultaneously prevent rust and corrosion. This will ensure your garage door operates smoothly and quietly.

Roof: Inspect your roof for damaged or broken shingles and make repairs. Remove any debris, such as fallen leaves or sticks, from your roof and gutters.

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REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE REALITY

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum

Here are eight Fundamental Reasons Homeowners

Are choosing to not Sell:

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum

1

Fear they will not be able to find a replacement home.

With the current low inventory in our market, we are seeing multiple offers on almost every property. This means that most sellers, if their current home is properly priced, could sell almost immediately. Unfortunately, the prospects of finding a replacement property are not as good. Faced with the prospects of having to compete to secure a replacement home and afraid of ending up on the street, sellers

Robert

are choosing to sit tight for now. In any given market, move-up sellers account for a significant percentage of available homes for sale. If that segment of the market is effectively removed as it is currently, the remaining available homes are the result of deaths, divorces, retirements or job relocations, all of which constitute a much smaller percentage of the potential market. Couple this with the ongoing shortage of new homes and we see sellers unwilling to take the risk of selling their current digs. Additionally, due to the shortages, most sellers are not willing to entertain sales contingent on

a buyer selling their existing property.

There is one solution: buy the replacement home before selling the current property. While potentially easier in parts of the country with relatively low home prices, it can be extremely unrealistic in regions where average home prices are over a million dollars. While there are companies out there that will help you buy your new home with cash and then sell your existing home, they do not cover every state and, in some cases, mandate a lower selling price or fee structures that sellers are unwilling to entertain.

2. Unwillingness to lose their current low interest rate.

Known as “golden handcuffs,” the record low interest rates obtained by homeowners prevalent before May, 2022 (either from a purchase or refinance of existing mortgages), are effectively locking sellers in their homes. The survey by Realtor.com explains:

“Since 2022, the mortgage lock-in effect has been the primary financial reason that prevents homeowners from putting their homes on the market. In February 2023, 14.7% of homeowners who were gathering information online but had no plans to sell said it was due to their existing low mortgage rates on current residences.”

The rationale is simple: Why give up a once-in-a-lifetime supremely low interest rate and replace it with one substantially higher? As an example, a mortgage of $400,000.00 at 2.75% would have a monthly payment of $1,632.96. At 7.35%, that

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same mortgage payment would have soared to $2,755.89, an increase of $1,122.93 or 68.77%.

If rates continue upwards to 8% as some pundits predict, the monthly payment would increase further to $2,935.06. Put another way, potential sellers are very reluctant to pay substantially more for similar value.

When you factor in the other costs of homeownership such as taxes, insurance and ongoing maintenance, you begin to see numbers that are stretching the boundaries of affordability. It is also important to remember that wages across the country are not rising at the same rate, further diminishing affordability. When is the last time you heard of someone getting a 68.77% wage hike?

3. Concern over getting hit with a massive federal capital gains tax bill.

To begin, here is the mandatory disclaimer: I am not an accountant and therefore do not presume to provide accurate taxation information. The numbers provided are for illustration purposes only.

Soaring home prices, especially in regions like the San Francisco Bay area have introduced a new problem: significant capital gains liability. As an example, we have encountered sellers who purchased their homes for under $100,000

but can now sell them significantly in excess of $1,000,000.

As an example, if a homeowner bought their home 35 years ago for $100,000 and sold in today’s market for $1,100,000, this would produce a potential gain of $1,000,000. Assuming the home was being sold by a couple who each qualified for the $250,000 tax exemption, their potential tax liability would be lowered to $500,000. If they had improved their home over the years to the tune of approximately $200,000, this would bring their liability down to $300,000. Depending on how long they had lived in the home, they would be taxed on the remaining gain by the federal government. Additionally, depending on the state they lived in, their capital gains might also be taxed by the state.

Here is the bottom line: in some cases, these potential tax numbers can be large enough to discourage a potential seller from moving ahead with a sale. The problem here is that if they choose to wait, these tax numbers will only increase as their home’s value continues to go up over time.

The National Association of Realtors has recognized this problem and is endorsing a bill that would double the capital gains exclusion for sellers. Introduced on October 1st, 2022, this bill would lower the capital gains tax obligation and could conceivably get

more homes on the market. Like all bills, however, this may take quite a while to be approved, if at all. In contrast, we have also heard sentiment that removing the tax credit altogether would be in the country’s best interest. Time will tell what actually happens.

4. Potential increases in property tax payments.

Property tax laws vary from state-to-state and may or may not affect the sale of a home. In states like California, property taxes are based upon the purchase price and are locked in at the time of the sale. This means that homes purchased years ago have extremely low property taxes while comparable homes literally next door, purchased at a later date with a higher price, have significantly higher property taxes. As an example, a home purchased years ago for $400,000 would have yearly property taxes of $5,000.00 ($416.67/month). If the seller, wanting to downsize, chose to sell the home at today’s values – let’s say $1,600,000 and then buy a smaller home at $1,200,000, their property taxes would jump up on the replacement home to approximately $15,000 a year ($1,250.00/month). If the goal of downsizing is to reduce monthly costs, California property tax laws actually work against the sellers. If you factor in capital gains taxes on the sale of the existing home, this double whammy is keeping many potential sellers sequestered behind locked doors. While California has some benefits for those over 55 years of age, for those who are younger, the full impact of the property taxes apply see Medford on page 7

Medford: Reasons Homeowners

continued from page 6

and can dramatically affect those who are younger and are looking to move up because of a growing family.

5. Frustration over missing the peak in the previous market.

The market peaked in most regions across the country between April and June of 2022. Once interest rates began rising in May, 2022, home sales slowed to a trickle. Due to the sudden departure of buyers, prices began to slide through December, 2022. As we entered 2023, many sellers, frustrated that they had lost a significant amount of equity, pulled their homes off the market and vowed to sit tight until prices came back up. Unfortunately, they may be in for a long wait. While prices have rebounded since January, 2023, as buyers, realizing the higher rates were here to stay and have reentered the market en masse, prices have still not rebounded to the levels seen in early 2022. Given that rates are projected to

Are choosing

increase even higher over the next few months, it is anticipated that we may be in for a chilly fall and winter season.

6. The high costs of improving homes for sale.

Beginning with the supply chain shortages brought on by our global pandemic, prices for construction materials rose dramatically. While some prices have eased in recent months, materials such as lumber have been affected by other factors such as wildfires. Projects that might have been doable prior to COVID-19 have become too expensive for many and so, rather than fix up their homes for sale, they are sitting tight.

7. Potentially higher insurance premiums on the new home.

As more and more insurance companies are abandoning certain states and no longer writing new policies, the cost of securing insurance for a new purchase can put a damper on things. If a homeowner has a current policy with a specific company and chooses to sell,

to not Sell:

there is no guarantee they will be able to obtain an insurance policy on their new purchase from the same company. This lack of competition coupled with the losses insurance companies have sustained through a growing number of natural disasters is almost a guarantee that the new policy will be substantially higher than the previous policy.

8. Seniors choosing to age in place.

The attitude of many seniors since the pandemic has been to avoid care facilities. Additionally, rapidly rising costs for those looking to move to retirement communities has quashed other’s plans. Consequently, many are choosing to age in place and are reconfiguring their homes to accommodate the transition. This effectively means that one more segment of homes that would normally hit the market has been steadily declining. In reality, those homes are being pushed out to the future until the occupants are deceased.

WEEKEND GARDENER

Fall is for Landscaping

The fall months are the best time to transplant shrubs or give the garden a new look by replacing established shrubs with those that flower in spring or have colorful foliage. Transplant azaleas, camellias and hardy evergreens and water them deeply.

Flowers

Transplant winter annuals such as calendula, stocks, violas, pansies and impatiens. Divide and replant perennials such as irises, coral bells and Oriental poppies.

Vegetables

Sow fava beans, celery, chard, chives, lettuce, peas, radishes and spinaches. Transplant artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and established herbs such as sage and thyme.

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

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

S.L.CONCRETE SERVICE

Driveways, Sidewalks, Stamped Concrete, Retaining Walls, Asphalt, Paving Stones. Lic.#982202. 510856-8937.

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.

Fence wobbly? Call Randy's Fence Reinforcement and save thousands! 510-706-6189.

GARAGE SALES

GARAGE SALE 9/30 & 10/1, 9am3pm. 4511 Newhaven Way, Castro Valley.

BLOWOUT! SDC Everything Sale 1554 Glen Drive, San Leandro 9-4

September 29 and 30th

TOOLS, TECH, TREASURES! Vint/new, jewelry, furniture, collections. Priced to thrill! Bring a friend!

GARDENING

*BEAUTYGARDEN LANDSCAPING

Design - Construction - Maintenance. Cleanups, New Lawn, Artificial Grass, Irrigation, Patios, Pathways, Brick, Stone, Concrete Fence/ Decks. Free Estimates! Lic.#925130. 510-691-8852. www.beautygardenlandscaping.com

AL’S Keep It Green But Trim. Yard Maintenance. Since 1995. Great Rates. FREE Estimates. 510927-6663.

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

GARDENING

Landscape/ Pruning Professional hand pruning and garden revitalization. Landscape install. Contr. Lic.#858145, ISACertified Arborist. Katsura Landscaping. Call Mike 510828-4854.

G G ARDENING ARDENING /T /T REE REE S S ERVICE ERVICE

NAVA'SCOMPLETE LANDSCAPING: Mowing, trees, cleanup, hauling, FREE estimates. 510 512-5857.

HANDYMAN SERVICE

IIT’S TOTALLYFINISHED CONSTRUCTION. Lic.#583113. Floors, Carpet, Fences, Decks, Patios, Painting, Sheetrock, Windows, Remodeling. Martin 510-384-8041.

HAULING SERVICE

HAULING: Small and Big Jobs. Furniture, Concrete, Wood, Trash, Metal, Demolition. Also house inside/ outside cleanups. 510-715-1578.

UNION HAULING SERVICE. Remove Concrete/ Dirt, Foundation Demolition Excavation, Trees, Sheds, Dumps, and Bobcat Service. FREE Estimates. Danny 510-860-1011.

HELP WANTED

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Are you interested in buying or selling a home or property?

The City of San Leandro is now accepting online applications for: Engineering Inspector$7,695.00 - $9,354.00 Monthly

For more detailed information, please visit www.sanleandro.org. EOE

HOUSE CLEANING

Just Like Gramma’s House Cleaning. Summer Special 10% OFF. 20 years experience. Licensed/ Insured. Phenomenal cleaning! BONDED. Owner Fatimah 510-978-6803.

MISC. FOR SALE

You can place a FREE “MISC. FOR SALE” ad for items $50 or less at: sanleandrotimes.com or at: castrovalleyforum.com or more info call Patrick Mon-Fri. 9am-1pm at 510-614-1560 (some restrictions may apply)

MISC. WANTED

Looking for old AAAroad maps and old National Geographic maps, pre1985, $1 each. 510-384-9193.

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

Would you like the help of a Professional Agent? For assistance call ...

RENTALS

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

RENTALS/RV SPACES

RV/ Trailer space in San Leandro and Oakland& Hayward. $925/ month. Call 510-481-9901.

SERVICES

HANDYMAN & CONTRACTORS

You can run a classified ad for a little as $30 a week. Your ad runs in both of our newspapers, the Castro Valley Forum on Wednesday and the San Leandro Times on Thursday. You can also save $5 by placing your ad on our website at castrovalleyforum.com or sanleandrotimes.com. We’ll call you for your credit or debit card info for payment.

To place an ad by phone call Patrick Vadnais at 510-614-1560, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Koo: Age An Excuse

continued from page 3

So, what we find is that you put in a lot of energy to establish neural pathways for things you do regularly. If we compared it to muscles, it would be like a muscle you exercise a lot. For new things that you’re trying to learn, the neural pathway hasn’t been established yet, kind of like a muscle that you never work out.

HOMECOMING GAME, CV STYLE: Castro Valley High School students took to the new “Coach” John Brosnan field at Trojan Stadium last Friday for the annual homecoming football game and festivities. Students and fans cheered on the Varsity Boys, Spirit Squad, and Marching Band. The game was exciting, even though CV lost against Berkeley High School, 37-54.

State: Responsibility of Homelessness

continued from front page Services Agency Office of Homeless Care and Coordination (OHCC) will lead the emergency funding coordination and is expected to update the Supervisors on its progress in late November.

Alameda County spent more than $207 million on homeless support in 2021-2022. Nearly half ($101 million) went to crisis response, rental assistance, and projects designed to help people keep off the streets. More than $56 million went to street outreach and eviction prevention. An additional $49 million was earmarked for the people and buildings used to keep the services running.

Responsibility for homelessness is also complex, the Supervisors’ proclamation said. For example, the County is responsible for coordinating health and social services, while the cities are responsible

for land use, planning, and basic city services. Oakland and Fremont provide additional social services. Berkeley has its own health department.

Recent attempts to curb homelessness have taken the form of housing and rental assistance, such as navigation centers, health care for the homeless, and other supportive housing programs.

However, Miley notes that the rate of people entering homelessness has increased so much that expanded services and other responses are already overwhelmed.

The state emergency funds could be used for the Home Together program to hire staff to support homelessness and behavioral health, faster creation of housing, expanded services, and the ability to request help from California and federal resources, according to the Supervisors’ proclamation.

The reasons people enter homelessness vary from family disputes, including domestic violence, eviction or foreclosure, job loss and other money issues, and substance abuse, according to the county’s homeless report. The Supervisors’ report cites other reasons, such as the disparity between Social Security benefits (a monthly maximum of $1,033) compared to the monthly rent for a studio apartment ($1,583) and the median for a two-bedroom in the Bay Area (more than $3,000). The impact of homelessness is equally devastating, according to the proclamation. Minorities are Black, multi-racial, transgender, and LGBTQ individuals are overrepresented in the homeless population. The county’s data shows people experiencing homelessness are also dying at younger ages and more often than the general population.

Superintendent Al Hearne Goes to D.C.

Dr. Al Hearne, Superintendent of Redwood Christian Schools, traveled to Washington, D.C. on Sunday, September 17, spending three days visiting our great country’s national leaders.

Besides networking with members of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Legal and Legislative Committee, Dr. Hearne focused his conversations around four specific topics: School Choice, School Safety, Women’s Sports and Religious Liberty.

Dr. Hearne found the trip “very productive, as we were able to keep our representatives informed with current information about our concerns for the children in our classrooms as well as the classrooms of every child in the United States. Although the issues may vary a little each year, the concerns remain the same for the well-being of our current and future students. Whether they agreed with our concerns or not, I found our representatives to be generally receptive to our visits and concerns.”

Now, it is true that it takes adults longer to learn compared to our younger counterparts. However, I think we usually use our age as an excuse to avoid the discomfort of learning something new. Sometimes, it makes sense to avoid it, but we’ll save that conversation for another day.

Here’s the interesting thing. If you learn something new, your brain can and will still grow new neurons. You’ll need to put in the work to maintain and develop it, which means you need to keep working on that skill.

I think where things go wrong for us as we get older is that we have competing skills and hinder progress in the new skill. For example, I eat with chopsticks. Growing up, I didn’t learn the “proper way” to use them and just did my best. However, in college, my girlfriend taught me the proper way. I couldn’t do it at first and kept reverting back to my old ways. However, eventually, I got it, and that’s how I use chopsticks today. There was an awkward couple of months where I basically couldn’t eat with chopsticks at all. Funnily enough, I can’t go back to how I used to do it. It might take some effort, but I’m not sure it’s worth the time and effort.

Here’s your homework: Go to YouTube and search for The Backwards Brain Bicycle. The entire video is 7 minutes and 57 seconds. The guy will talk you through what I’ve shared today and show you how neuroplasticity actually works in real life. Then, I want you to write to me and share with me your thoughts and what you want to learn. The best response receives a free coaching call with me, where I’ll support you in learning that thing! Over the next few articles, I’ll be sharing more about how you can apply this to your life. Happy learning.

Dr. Al Hearne

Coach Kev helps people find calm, clarity, and confidence in their lives while staying flexible in the brain. Contact him at kevinkoocoaching@gmail. com, or follow him on IG and YouTube @kevinkoocoaching

Baywood

Court Honors Barnes

On Friday, Sept. 22, the Baywood Court Retirement Community Board honored Bruce Barnes for his dedicated multiple four-year term commitment to the residents of Baywood Court over the span of twenty years. Barnes is the owner of Bancroft Uniforms. The Baywood Court Board honored Barnes for his passion for making a difference by recognizing the significance of senior living communities and committing to take an active role as a board member making a tremendous impact to the strategic direction of the organization. Baywood Court CEO Matt Neal stated “We are so thankful for Bruce’s dedicated service and leadership as he has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization for success for the present as well as the future.”

Love: 60th Anniversary

continued from page 3

Over the years Dianne was a telephone operator, ran a daycare center, drove a bus, and then became a nurse. She worked for almost 30 years in that field, and recently completed her Master’s in Nursing.

During their married life the

Soares’ have lived in several Bay Area cities, including Oakland, Alameda and Hayward. They’ve been in Castro Valley for 25 years now, and say they chose Castro Valley because their family is nearby, and they enjoy the quiet town environment.

Bruce Barnes and Baywood Court CEO Matt Neal.

PHOTO CREDIT: KELANA SILVA

Tony and Dianne Soares renewed their vows at Bethel Temple.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JARED DARLING

Book: Do The Work

continued from page 2

A major tip from the book, both T.J. and Braden said, is not to pay middlemen who claim to know all the coaches. They charge thousands of dollars for their supposed inside information that will supposedly get you a scholarship.

“Do the work yourself,” Braden said. “Coaches and programs get a lot of e-mails, with about half coming from athletes themselves, and the other half from third parties they don’t really know.”

“They take the ones from the athletes themselves a lot more seriously,” he continued. “Attach your transcripts and tell them how you’d be good for the team. Also, tell them why you really want to go to their school.”

Almost all the coaches and programs he contacted personally responded, Braden said.

“They want your e-mail; they want your cell phone number. They want to know who you are and what you can add to the team.”

He suggests finding out about the schools and their programs, to the point of looking at rosters to see what year the athletes who play your position are in.

“If there are three seniors on that team in your position, there are three openings for next year,” he said.

The process paid off for his see BOOK on back page

FROM THE BOULEVARD

Artificial Intelligence Vs. Human Intelligence

By Thomas Lorentzen SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

We read and hear news stories with regularity about what appears to be a new subject – “artificial intelligence” (commonly referred to as “AI”). These stories have provoked discussions and debates throughout our country and the world.

Among those places is our own hamlet in Castro Valley. Common questions are: What is it? What does it do? Who is doing it? What are their intentions? Is it being done for a good purpose, or the opposite? Is it an enhancement to the human experience, or a threat to it? The song “What’s it all about Alfie?” comes to mind.

To explore this subject, I decided to host a lunch with individuals that possessed both an interest and knowledge of this subject. We met last week at a private retreat in the Portola Valley.

A grove of redwood trees provided the setting for a thoughtful gathering. I provided pizzas and a friend provided salads. I asked guests to bring a bottle of wine. With that, our discussion began. The brainpower was exceptional, with yours truly an exception.

Four of the dozen that gathered have PhD’s from either MIT or its counterpart in India. There were other individuals

from the world of finance, law, the military, and government.

My role was to coordinate the discussion.

I started the discussion with a broad perspective as to the origin and evolution of our subject matter. It started centuries ago with the development of logic, reasoning, and of the possibilities of expanding the performance of the human mind and experience. What lacked in the alchemy of the process, however, was the technology to graduate it to achieve its potential. It has now arrived.

For two hours we traveled both wide and deep on the subject. There was little debate – mostly just sharing knowledge and views with one another. Despite the high bar of erudition among the gathered, we were all there to learn. No one knew anything for sure, except that the development of AI has been happening for a long time, albeit in a more mundane manner than in the present age of high technology. Now, it is more sophisticated and happening in an accelerated manner. It is now a force of the evolution of humanity. Where it is going and how it will be used, for better or for worse, is unknown. Like all forces, it needs to be steered

Barbara Ray-Mansfield

After a long strong life of 95 years

Barbara Ray-Mansfield passed away peacefully on August 11, 2023 in Castro Valley CA. Barbara “Mom” was loved and is missed greatly. Barbara was born in Leechville Arkansas. Soon after, the family moved to San Francisco where Barbara attended St. Paul’s schools through high school. She attended Seattle University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Biology. She went on to work in the medical field for 30+ years.

After retiring Barbara volunteered in the community. She was a waitress at the Village House and Garden Restaurant in Los Gatos and answered phones at the City Offices of Saratoga. She was a master gardener and gave presentations to grade school children. She enjoyed vacations with her daughter Kathleen to New York, Maine, Boston MA, Washington and many California locations.

Barbara met Robert Mansfield at Seattle University, married and raised their family starting in Seattle, WA then San Francisco, Campbell and San Jose, CA. Divorced in 1973. Barbara has been living in Castro Valley the past five years with her daughter Kathleen.

Predeceased in death by Robert in 2017 and son Richard in 2018. Barbara is survived by her children Timothy, Patrick, Chris(Judy), Kathleen, Maureen (Bob), Kevin, nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

and controlled. It also has to operate under the laws of our nation. It is a test for not only the entities of our nation and the world, but for all of us as individuals. It has begun.

From my perspective I felt good about our discussion. No one knew anything for sure. No one was a true believer in the power that is being created. It, like all forms of power, needs to be tamed by checks and balances, and to evolve with needed transparency.

We talked with seriousness and substance. We also talked with levity. Humor is, after all, a high form of human intelligence. At the end of our gathering, we all felt we had learned new things, and they enhanced our abilities to understand the dynamics of the subject.

With this story shared, it is done so because this type of

gathering is good for all of us. Our backyards provide good settings to stage conversations and discussions. Whether it involves two people or a dozen, it reinforces the importance of simply gathering to discuss

things in a thoughtful and civil manner. No PhD’s are necessary, just for good and thoughtful people to gather to visit and talk. We are all explorers of this subject, and the journey has only just begun.

Virginia “Ginny” Johnston

Virginia “Ginny” Johnston, passed away in her Castro Valley home on Monday, September 18 2023.

* She is survived by her Loving husband of 52 years, Donald W Johnston and two sons, Sean K Johnston of San Ramon and Nathan S Johnston of Castro Valley. She will be sorely missed by all that knew her but especially by our two Grandchildren, Lilah Rose and Joshua Anthony Johnston.

She was born in Stockten CA November 16 1938. During her working years she was employed by “Granny Goose Foods in Oakland CA and later was with CVUSD until retirement.

Till we meet again my love ....Rest in Peace

Ferne Freitas

July 7, 1929 ~ September 11, 2023

Ferne Freitas, 94, resident of Castro Valley, wife, mother and grandmother extraordinaire passed away peacefully with family by her side on September 11, 2023. She was born in Edmonton Alberta Canada July 7, 1929 and immigrated to the United States with her family in 1932. She was proud of her Swedish heritage and jokingly called herself a Viking. During much of her childhood her mother was ill with a rare blood disease and Ferne took on household duties and the care of her younger brother. When Ferne was 18 her mother died. She graduated from Hayward High School in 1947. She married her husband Dan Freitas in 1948. Ferne and Dan loved and enjoyed their family. Ferne was a natural wife and mother, making clothes and costumes, cooking, baking, canning, and planning fun outings and adventures for friends and family; she enjoyed it all.

When the children were grown, Ferne used the same endless energy to pursue work outside the home. Her bright mind and people skills served her and the community well. She worked for Castro Valley Unified School District for 21 years. She began at Canyon High School and later transferred to Castro Valley High School. She enjoyed interacting with the students. She retired from her final position as Registrar at Castro Valley High in 1990.

Singing was an abiding passion. She was known to burst out in song when the notion struck her: in a restaurant, a doctor’s office, at the dinner table. Her voice was strong and she sang on key until the end. She loved to sing harmony with Sweet Adelines and later she was part of a women’s group called Women of Note.

It was a tradition for Ferne, her sister Jeanette and cousin Eileen to drive to the Cliff House Beach in San Francisco on Easter morning and sing hymns as the sun was rising. She had many interests: a little gambling, a little investing, following the Oakland Raiders (she attended Super Bowl XV in New Orleans), horse racing (she went to the Kentucky Derby), bridge, reading, movies, theater and travel. She also loved her 4:00 cocktail hour. Of her many travels, she cherished the trips to Europe she took with her sister and cousin. With the three of them together, great times and laughter were bound to happen. She loved being part of her grandson’s lives and they loved her dearly. She was a fun loving grandmother, the boys never doubted they were loved by their grandmother and grandfather.

She lived on the same street for 50 years and enjoyed getting to know her neighbors. As she declined, these friends, new and old, brought great comfort to her as well as her family. A heartfelt thank you to Midge and Eric, Jana and Peter, Vickie and Scott for your help and support.

Mom brought joy wherever she went. She had a real zest for life and the people in her life were important to her. A recent friend she made said, “Ferne is like the dandelion in the story. She spreads her seeds and touches people everywhere she goes, even in her current condition, she is still touching others, she certainly touched me”. Our mom was an indomitable spirit, she always saw the positive no matter the situation. She believed in kindness and forgiveness. Her joyful spirit, sense of humor and optimism will be missed.

Ferne is survived by her son Joe Freitas, daughter Judy (Joseph) Pappas, son-in-law Bill Free, grandson Mitchell (Kristen) Free, sister Jeanette St. Denis and many nieces and nephews.

We wish her a peaceful rest with her loved ones, husband Daniel Freitas, daughter Cindy Free, grandson Joshua Free, parents Daniel and Helen Carlson, brothers Don and Ken Carlson, cousin Eileen Keller.

The family thanks Rachel Davis, the director of Brookdale Diablo Lodge in Danville along with all of the wonderful staff. Their care and concern for our mother and our family was invaluable. In remembrance of Ferne’s life, for charitable donations, please consider Hospice East Bay for the wonderful work they do.

Thank you to Elena and Diane, Mom’s Hospice Nurse and Social Worker for all their support.

DUE TO SPACE ISSUES, LETTERS ARE ONLINE AT: MYCVFORUM.COM

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Samantha Li

Samantha Li is our Athlete of the Week. She has been a stalwart on the Castro Valley High School swimming team for four years. She is an accomplished swimmer in many events, but this year concentrated on the 50 and 100 freestyles. She currently holds both of those Trojan records.

At the league championships held at the Chabot College pool, Sam won both sprint freestyle events. She also anchored two winning relays. She was awarded WACC League Swimmer of the Year. Sam’s freestyle times qualified her for the CIFNCS Championship meet in Concord. There she finished 4th in the 100 free and third in the 50 free. Her next stop was the State Swimming Meet in Clovis. That meet has the best swimmers from throughout California. Sam finished 12th in the 50 free and had a very fast time in the 100.

Samantha will attend Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. She plans to study Economics and swim on their team. She is an exceptional student, and the “Big Green” swim team will certainly improve with her being on it.

Book: Pay Attention to All Offered

continued from page 11 friend Lukas, who first got an offer from UC Irvine and just got a notice of interest from Penn State. The latter school is superb academically, a member of the Ivy League, and has the nation’s second-ranked men’s volleyball program.

Braden has been in touch with several Division III schools, with his dream school being UC San Diego. Not only is it academically excellent, but it has a good volleyball program as well. It’s also where his older sister Brenna lives and plays beach volleyball every chance she gets.

Volleyball runs in the family, along with other sports, in fact. Braden’s younger sister Madison also plays volleyball for Castro Valley, and dad T.J. was once the assistant volleyball coach at Foothill High School in Pleasanton. T.J. and his wife Heather met in a volleyball class at Cal State East Bay, then Cal State Hayward.

Braden said his favorite subject is English, and he wants to keep writing, both fiction and non-fiction.

“I write down lots of thoughts in a notebook and later put them together in a story,” he said.

Sounds of the Screen and Beyond

Fun’SQ returns to the Castro Valley Library on Sunday, Oct. 8, from 2 to 4 pm, where they will provide an enchanting afternoon of musical nostalgia for the whole family. They will be sharing tunes from of movies, TV, anime, and video games. Immerse yourself in

the captivating melodies, from the heroic “Captain America March” to “Chicken Run March,” from Studio Ghibli’s enchanting scores to the thrilling “Pirates of the Caribbean Medley. Don’t miss this harmonious fusion of beloved soundtracks and themes, taking

you on a musical adventure through your favorite cinematic and digital worlds.

The Castro Valley Library is located at 3600 Norbridge Avenue. For more info, call the library at 510-667-7900, or visit their website: aclibrary.org/ location/castro-valley-events/

He suggests student-athletes pay attention to what else a college has to offer besides the sport or sports they’re good at.

“I love sports,” he said, “but college isn’t just about sports.”

COCONUT is a 7-month-old Siberian Husky pup looking for a home with an understanding of how wild Huskies can be. Coconut craves attention from people, and can’t get enough of it. Can your family provide that? She would do best homes with older kids. To adopt or meet her, please contact Hayward Animal Shelter at 510-293-7200.

LUCA is a 2-year-old terrier mix looking to play all day, every day. Luca knows he wants to play, but he wants you to play with him. he would do best in a home with teens and up. To adopt or meet him, please contact Hayward Animal Shelter 510-293-7200.

The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athlete of the Week Samantha Li

TWO GREAT CATCHES IN ALASKA: Castro Valley residents Tim and Colin Young made the most out of the day fishing for Chinook salmon off of Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. They proudly display thier great catches! Congratulations, Tim and Colin!’ Have a ‘Great Catch’ that you’d like to share with the community? Please send a photo and information to: