September 6, 2023

8-PAGE PULLOUT GUIDE AT CENTER OF THIS ISSUE! 51st

SERVING

INSIDE YOUR

INSIDE YOUR

Fall Festival This Weekend

By Michael Singer CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Page 3

Civilian Oversight Proposed

Senior Q&A Can beneficiaries be changed after death? The answer may be yes

Page 12

C

astro Valley’s Fall Festival is taking over downtown this Saturday, September 9 from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The hosting Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce expects a big turnout.

“We are excited to sponsor this fantastic event,” said Chamber President Todd Anglin. “It’s a great weekend for seeing old friends and making new ones.”

Castro Valley Boulevard will be the location for this 51st annual gathering, which will see booths from vendors, schools, and community organizations, along with food and drink, two stages of entertainment, and kids’ fun.

Bordering the festival at both ends of the event will be two stages. The Redwood Stage (closest to Redwood Road) and the Bedford Stage (closest to Santa Maria Avenue), named after Castro Valley native Jim “Bedford” of Bedford Studios. see FALL on page 10

By Linda Sandsmark CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Bocce ball is said to be fun for all ages, and 103-year-old Vince Dufresne is living proof. This active super-senior plays bocce every week with a dropin group that meets at Castro Valley’s Adobe Park.

“I’ve been playing bocce ball for the last 60 years. I love it,” says Dufresne. “I learned to play in the desert. I spend my winters down in Desert Hot Springs and have played there for years and years. But Castro Valley is my home. I spend summers up here.”

Before he retired, Dufresne was a machinist.

“And I built a lot of houses too,” he adds.

Now in his golden years,

Dufresne is known as a skillful player who is “on target” and plays with great enthusiasm. Indeed, his accuracy is amazing, especially for a centenarian.

The group (mostly seniors) that Dufresne meets at Adobe Park says everyone of any age is welcome to join them. They play each Wednesday and Saturday at 10 a.m. Bocce an Italian game using eight weighted balls that are aimed at a smaller target ball, or pallino. Points are earned by rolling your balls closer to the pallino than your opponent.

“What’s good about this bocce group is that anyone can join in. The only time you have to pay is when you’re in a tournament,” says player M. J. Blue.

The next tournament for the group is Saturday, September 9, beginning at 9 a.m. The entrance fee is actually a donation. It will be collected and given to the George Mark Children’s House, which provides respite and end-of-life care for children with life-limiting illness. Red Apple Bagels is donating sandwiches for tournament participants.

“We have fun social gatherings, and a lot of good comes from the tournaments,” says Maureen Hay.

Adobe Park and the Ken Martin Bocce Courts are located at 20395 San Miguel Ave., in Castro Valley. The facility is Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) property.

Read, share and comment on this story at: mycvforum.com

Civilian oversight of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) will be proposed soon to the Board of Supervisors, following over two years of meetings, town halls and study by the supervisors’ Reimagining Adult Justice (RAJ) project.

RAJ Consultant, Wendy Still, who once headed the county’s probation department after leading adult probation in San Francisco, is proposing a civilian review board, to look over past incidents, and an inspector-general, to look over ongoing policies and practices. She also made several other recommendations about ACSO operations.

PHOTO BY LINDA SANDSMARK

A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Carjacking Suspect Arrested, Body Retrieved From Creek

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies assisted in two separate incidents in Castro Valley last Tuesday, August 29.

About 7:00 p.m., deputies were around Lake Chabot Road and Carmel Drive. Oakland Police were searching for a carjacking suspect identified as Rogelio Gonzalez Gudeno. Deputies spotted Gonzalez Gudeno driving at a high rate of speed in a black Toyota Highlander. The suspect headed westbound on Fairmont Avenue with ACSO and California Highway Patrol in pursuit and Oakland Police helicopters overhead.

“About that time, deputies responded to a residence in the 18000 block of Wyndale Court for a reported home invasion robbery,” ACSO Lieutenant

Tya Modeste told the Forum. “The victims reported their black 2018 Toyota Highlander was taken when an unknown Hispanic male entered their home with a firearm, stole the keys to their vehicle and fled.”

A short time later, Gonzalez Gudeno was caught by Oakland Police. The suspect was in possession of a replica semi-automatic firearm likely used during the home invasion,” Lt. Modeste added.

Prior to being taken to the Santa Rita Jail, Gudeno was taken to a local hospital for treatment for an unrelated gunshot would he suffered before contact with law enforcement.

It was the second carjacking incident in a month in the Lake Chabot area. On August 15, five men pulled a woman from her car at gunpoint as she

attempted to exit her driveway on Sydney Way near Stanton Avenue. The same individuals are suspected in an attempted carjacking at the Mobile gas station on Lake Chabot Road and Quail Avenue.

Body Found in Creek

Earlier on August 29 around 6:45 am, ACSO dispatch received a call regarding a body in the creek from a resident whose back yard overlooks the creek area near Grove Way and Redwood Road. Deputies responded and located a white male, in his 30s in the creek. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and was possibly homeless.

“The cause of death is unknown, but there are no obvious signs of death. It’s being investigated as a suspicious death,” Lt. Modeste said.

21st Annual Independent Watchdog Committee Report to the Public

Use this QR code or visit AlamedaCTC.org/IWC2023Report to view the full report.

Visit AlamedaCTC.org/news-publications/ annualreports or use the QR codes below for summaries of the full report.

Summary of 21st Annual Independent Watchdog Committee Report Available in English, Chinese (中文) and Spanish (En Español)

Measure B and Measure BB sales tax dollars spent on transportation in Alameda County.

La Medida B y la Medida BB dólares de impuestos sobre las ventas gastados en transporte en el Condado de Alameda.

A WOMAN OF MANY (ARTISTIC) HATS: Alameda County’s District 4 recipient of the Arts Leadership Award, Pat Doyne, with Nate Miley, President of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors who recognized her efforts.

Pat Doyne: Arts Leadership Award Recipient of District 4

The President of Castro Valley’s A.R.T., Inc; Vice President of the Diablo/Alameda Branch of the National League of American Pen Women; and Secretary for Fremont Area Writers, Pat Doyne was recently chosen Alameda County’s District 4 recipient of the Arts Leadership Award.

CORRECTION: In the August 30 edition, we accidentally spelled the last name of the vicechair of the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC). The correct spelling is Al Padro. The Forum regrets the error.

Sheriff’s Reports

COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Shoplifting and Assault

Thursday, August 31: at 2:23 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 28-year-old woman from Castro Valley on suspicion of shoplifting, assault and battery, and resisting arrest. The woman was seen leaving a discount store on Castro Valley Boulevard near Chester Street when the store manager called. Deputies report the woman put up a fight before she was taken into custody.

Manager Puts Thief Under Citizen’s Arrest for $20

Caught Rummaging Through Cars Through Unlocked Cars

As a volunteer in many organizations, Pat Doyne brings art, music, and poetry into as many peoples’ lives as she can. In 2018, Pat joined A.R.T., Inc. and was elected Secretary. When the President’s position became vacant, she pitched in to fill the void. In 2021, during the Pandemic, she was elected President.

During the last two years, Pat has organized and supervised four art exhibits at Castro Valley’s Adobe Art Gallery and one at the John O’Lague Galleria in Hayward. Currently, Pat is overseeing the May exhibit, Welcome, Spring! at the John O’Lague Galleria in Hayward City Hall.

In June of 2023, A.R.T., Inc. will have an exhibit at the Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery in San Ramon. To introduce children to art, Pat has been a volunteer docent for two Transitional Kindergartens (T/K), three 2nd grades, a 4th grade, and a 4/5 combination. At the teacher’s discretion, Pat leads follow-up art projects. Traditionally in May, A.R.T., Inc. gives $800 in awards to Castro Valley High School graduating Seniors.

This year, Pat will be part of the team that will give the awards. For many years, Pat has been a member of Hayward Arts Council (HAC). see DOYNE on page 7

Wednesday, August 30: at 1:57 p.m., a 42-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting less than $20 of merchandise from a drug store on Castro Valley Boulevard near Yeandle Avenue. Deputies were called to the scene after the manager put the man under citizen’s arrest. The manager confirmed the theft using in-store surveillance video. The man was taken into custody.

Box Cutter as Weapon

Tuesday, August 29: at 11:25 p.m., deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at an apartment on Baker Road near Delaney Court. When they arrived, they arrested a 28-year-old woman from San Leandro for assault with a deadly weapon, making death threats, and assault and battery. Deputies report two different people were threatened by the woman and both decided to press charges. The woman was taken into custody.

Monday, August 28: at 12:05 p.m., a 65-year-old man with no permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of entering a private property without permission. Deputies were called to an apartment on Grove Way near Idena Avenue after a property manager called about a man who was rummaging through unlocked cars. The man had been previously asked to stay away from the property but quickly returned. Deputies took the man into custody.

Family Fight

Sunday, August 27: at 10:16 p.m., a 911 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to a townhome on Santa Maria Avenue near Jamison Way.

There, they arrested a 29-yearold man from Castro Valley on suspicion of assault on a family member. The victim claimed the man grabbed her by the wrists, causing bruising. Deputies took the man into custody.

Caught With Liquid Methamphetamines

Friday, August 25: at 2:19 p.m., a 46-year-old man with no permanent residence was arrested on suspicion of possessing liquid methamphetamine drugs and related drug paraphernalia. Deputies responded to a report of shoplifting and found the man fitting the description outside a business on Wilbeam Avenue near Castro Valley Boulevard. During questioning, deputies did not find the merchandise but did find a syringe and took the man into custody.

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

High Home Prices A Barrier to Full Access to Highly Ranked Schools

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum

With kids back in school, many parents are breathing a sigh of relief, especially those who recently moved to facilitate their children’s access to better schools. While some moves were the result of job relocations or the desire to move to a larger home, a significant number chose to move into different school districts to

Laurie Pfohl

510-851-3551

LauriePfohl@gmail.com

maximize their children’s learning experiences.

It is a common theme: parents, wanting to expose their children to schools with higher scores, will frequently target homes in areas with high-scoring schools. This is especially true in the San Francisco Bay Area, where a premium is put on homes in districts with the highest school scores. In fact, some parents use this as their primary criterion and are willing to purchase smaller homes

in order to live in a highly ranked area.

This practice is so prevalent in the Bay Area that home prices correlate directly with school scores: as district rankings go up or down, so do associated home prices. While understandable in many ways, this reality has a dark side. Since those districts with the best schools also have the highest values, in an escalating market such as the one we have encountered the past number of years, the ultra-high costs of living in these school

districts have been a barrier keeping many deserving students out.

It is no secret that one of the fundamental issues facing housing in the USA is the grim reality that housing opportunity is divided along racial lines, especially in the African American and Hispanic communities. As a result, the ethnic diversity in many of the highest-ranked schools in the Bay Area is extremely limited.

As an example, in 2022, Fremont’s Mission San Jose High School (MSJ) was ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as the 8th best high school in California and the 94th best in the United States. The school also had an Advanced Placement participation rate of 89%.*

According to Wikipedia, “as of the 2021-2022 school year, 91.1% of the students

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Proposal to Establish Trustee Areas and By-Trustee Area Voting Within the Castro Valley Unified School District

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Education Code section 5019(c), the Alameda County Committee on School District Organization will conduct a Public Hearing on a proposal to establish trustee areas within the Castro Valley Unified School District and to establish by-trustee area voting for the election of the members of the Castro Valley Unified School District Board of Education, as follows:

DATE: September 12, 2023

TIME: 6:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Castro Valley Unified School District Office Board Room 4400 Alma Avenue Castro Valley, CA 94546

The public may attend the Board meeting in person at the Board Room of the Castro Valley Unified School District OR via the Zoom video/tele-conferencing platform.

Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom. us/j/84607793314

Meeting ID: 846 0779 3314

Dial by your location: +669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/agePAsLzm

The Public Hearing agenda will be posted beginning September 8 at the Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton Avenue, Hayward, CA 94544.

All parties having an interest in the proposal shall be heard by the County Committee at the Public Hearing.

(attending MSJ) were Asian American, 4.3% were European American, 2.5% were Hispanic and 0.3% were African American.*

n my opinion, those are shocking numbers and verify that we have a long way to go in providing equal access to highly ranked education for all. By not allowing full ethnic access

to our highest ranked schools, we are robbing our nation of incredible future potential.

*Data from www.usnews.com

Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general contractor. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association.

How to Grow a New Camellia from Cuttings

By Buzz Bertolero The Dirt Gardener

QWe recently replaced some sewer pipes, and the plumber had to remove one of our forty-year-old Camellias. I’m wondering if I could start a new one using a cutting from one of the remaining camellias, or would it be best to get one from a nursery?

ASure, either option is doable, but ultimately, it’s a judgment call on your part as to which one you choose. Purchasing a new plant is by far the easiest and quickest solution. Camellia cuttings are taken in the late spring or early fall. It would help if you took more cuttings than you need. You can then select the most vigorous one and discard the rest. The cuttings should be five or six leaves long, and you remove all the leaves except for the top three. The cutting should be cut at the bottom on a slant just below where a leaf attaches to the stem. Next, dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone powder and stick them in a pre-moistened, six-inch container of potting soil. You use a pencil to make the holes, and the cuttings are placed close to one another. The top of the pot is then covered with a plastic baggie to form a mini greenhouse, trapping the humidity and placing it outdoors where it gets morning sun. Every two weeks until Thanksgiving, mist the cuttings and remove any that have turned brown. The cuttings should have roots in eight to twelve weeks. The most vigorous cuttings are transplanted into individual pots and then transplanted in the landscape when they are big enough. It might be fun to try rooting some cuttings now and see how successful that

is. Then in the spring, decide whether to continue growing on the cuttings or plant a more established plant from your favorite garden center.

QLast year, I bought a blooming Gardenia at the grocery store. I have it growing indoors where it gets morning sun and lots of light. This year, I’ve only had two blooms. All the other buds have turned black and dropped off. What can I do to keep the blooms from falling off?

AGardenias are forced into bloom as flowering potted plants in a controlled environment. They are not the easiest plants to get to bloom. It’s not unusual for gardeners to have issues with the buds turning black and falling off indoors and out in the landscape. The primary cause for bud drop is nighttime temperatures below sixty degrees. With outdoor plants, September through early November is the best blooming period. You have shorter days and warmer nights, along with some humidity. Indoors, you have better control of the temperature, but it can dry.

So, you might want to place it on a saucer with pebbles and add a little water to raise the humidity. The water line should be below the bottom of the pot. Gardenias do not like to be disturbed, which can be another reason for bud drop. So, with container plants, please keep them in one location and move them as little as possible. This helps increase the number of open buds; however, many still turn black.

Buzz Bertolero is an Advanced California Certified Nursery Professional. The Dirt Gardener’s website is www. dirtgardener.com and questions can be sent by email to buzz@dirtgardener.com.

Homes

RECENT HOME SALES

The 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Decreases

Mortgage rates leveled off this week but remain elevated. Despite continued high rates, low inventory is keeping house prices steady. Recent volatility makes it difficult to forecast where rates will go next, but it might be easier to gauge as the Federal Reserve determines their next steps regarding interest rate hikes in September.

Kristy Peixoto Legacy Real Estate & Associates thekristypeixototeam@gmail.com 925-621-1210

Linda Neff

Berkshire Hathaway Drysdale Properties linda@lindaneff.com 510-557-9185

Kenneth A. Kremer Matt Wilhite Intero Real Estate www.MattWilhite.com 510-329-0728

J & L Real Estate Group www.jonandleslie.com 510-397-0696

Masoud Dehdari Lynn Levin Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Getting The Job Done Right www.lynnlevin.com 510-593-7377

Lisa Ferraris, GRI Turning Houses into Homes Sereno 510-304-1271

Christian Carr Mortgage Loan Advisor NMLS#1466899 Residential Purchase/Refinance chris@yourlenderchris.com 650-207-4364

Sandra Garrett Realtor® Berkshire Hathaway Home Services DRE #01877805 510-381-3159 sandra.garrett@bhhsdrysdale.com

Trish Radovich Top Selling Agent • Lic. since 1975 Coldwell Banker Realty 510-367-7999 Berkshire Hathaway Home Services www.askmasoud.com 510-909-0507

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Tomorrow: Thursday, Sept. 7

Protecting Your Home Equity

Considering a reverse mortgage? Learn the pros and cons and how to protect your home equity when considering PACE Loans and Reverse Mortgages at this FREE presentation by Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) of Legal Assistance for Seniors. Topics covered will include: Common terms related to home ownership, An overview of risks that could jeopardize ownership or equity, Common financial issues related to home ownership and aging and more. Join the Castro Valley Library for this FREE informational program. No registration is required. The Library is located at 3600 Norbridge Avenue. For more info, call the Library at 510-667-7900 or see events at: www.aclibrary.org/branches/csv.

Saturday, Sept. 9 & Sunday, Sept. 10

Annual Dahlia Show

Excitement runs high as the annual dahlia show, presented by the San Leandro Dahlia Society, is back in San Leandro. The show will be held in the San Leandro Library, 300 Estudillo Ave, in the Karp Room. It is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 11 am - 4:30 pm and Sunday, September 10, 9:30 am to 2 pm. The public will be wowed by the various colors, sizes, and shapes of these amazing flowers. It’s free, fun and fabulous!

Sunday, Sept. 10

2nd Annual Tiny Art Show Reception

Visit the Castro Valley Library this Sunday, Sept. 10 from 1 to 2 pm to view and enjoy the tiny art pieces submitted from our creative community. There will be tiny snacks to share while supplies last. Tiny art submissions will be on display throughout the month of September. The Castro Valley Library is located at 3600 Norbridge Avenue. For more information, call the Library at 510-667-7900, or see Events at: aclibrary.org/location/castro-valley-events/

Tuesday, Sept. 12

CV Rotary Hosts Mechanical Engineer Mr. Roy Peek Mechanical Engineer Mr. Roy Peek, a Hayward native will share his experience with the CV Rotary in the fields of Engineering, the Human Genome Project of the 90’s, and commercial DNA fingerprinting. A buffet lunch and the program take place at Redwood Canyon Golf Course (17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley) at 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. The cost of lunch is $20 and reservations must be made by 9 pm on Sunday, September 10, by contacting Rotary at cvrotary@iCloud.com or 510-402-5123. More information is available at: castrovalleyrotary.org.

Doyne: Arts Leadership

continued from page 3

In May of 2022, she gave a talk and watercolor demonstration at the Hayward Public Library. In 2022, Pat was a member of the HAC team that chose the first Hayward Poet Laureate.

As Vice President of the Diablo/Alameda Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, Pat chaired the October 2022 Celebrate Women! art exhibit at the John O’Lague Galleria in the Hayward City Hall. She made and hand-lettered twenty-two beautiful certificates of appreciation which she presented to longtime members at the reception.

In 2007, Pat began taking Wadaiko lessons. These are taiko drumming classes run by the taiko performing group “Wadaiko.” Wadaiko has performed at many school assemblies and multicultural festivals in Castro Valley, Newark, and Fremont. As a volunteer, she teaches a “skills and drills” class to new drummers. Pat participated with Wadaiko at the opening of the East Bay Regional Park’s newest campgroundDumbarton Quarry.

In March 2023, the show “Percussion” was presented at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts. At a community meeting, Pat learned that their Board was looking for some kind of drum activity for kids before and after the main feature, so Pat brought 23 “shime” drums and led kids in rhythm activities.

As secretary for Fremont Area Writers, Pat facilitates connecting people. When she discovered that Julia Oversloot, member of her botanical art class had written a memoir for the Holocaust Memorial project, she had her featured in the March 2022 writers talk. Pat really enjoys meeting and working with the outstanding people in these great groups.

H.A.R.D., KQED PRESENT THE RUSSELL CITY BLUES THIS FRIDAY

The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District has partnered with KQED to present The Russell City Blues: Stories and Music of a Lost Neighborhood. The evening of live music, history and storytelling takes place this Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 pm at the Douglas Morrisson Theater (22311 North 3rd Street Hayward). The presentation marks the official reopening of the Douglas Morrisson Theater and the launch of the new “H.A.R.D. Presents Series.”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

• September 9th and 10th - Stop by our booth at the 51st Annual Fall Festival to learn about the services we provide and pick up a FREE copy of CVSan’s new wastewater comic book "Defenders of the Bay"!

• September 12th - Operations and Engineering (O&E) Building Project Neighborhood Meeting.

• September 18thO&E Building Project Committee Meeting.

• September 19 thZero Waste Committee Meeting.

• September 28th - Communications Committee Meeting.

• September 28th - Wastewater Committee Meeting.

• October 3rd - Regular Board Meeting.

• Heads Up! Textile Collection Week is October 2nd through 6th - Place bagged textiles curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your regular collection day. For details visit cvsan.org/Textiles.

Rabbi Sarah Livschitz

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

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.

GARAGE SALES

GARAGE SALE 9/16, 9am-4pm. !980’s albums, glassware, women’s clothes, household, etc.22303 N 5th St., Castro Valley.

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

HOUSE CLEANING

Just Like Gramma’s House Cleaning. Summer Special 10% OFF. 20 years experience. Licensed/ Insured. Phenomenal cleaning! 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)

New Mexico Nambe silver serving platter, medium size, round. $50. 510-895-1555.

MISC. WANTED

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

WANTED: Tesla S P100D in good condition. Call Patrick 510-517-3351.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

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

Would you like the help of a Professional Agent?

For assistance call ...

CLASSIFIED AD DEADLINE: Monday 5:00 p.m.

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.

NEED - MUSIC LESSONS or PIANO TUNING?

Check the Classified Ads under “MUSICALSERVICES” for help.

Classified Advertising

TREE SERVICE

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

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.

Seniors: Can Beneficiaries Be Changed After Death?

Q. My mother just died, and her Will leaves her estate equally to us three children. I am fairly well-off, but my two brothers are not quite as fortunate. Is there a way that I can redirect some or all of my share to them in a tax efficient way?

By Gene L. Osofsky, Esq.

A. The answer may very well be “yes.” One way to accomplish this is by the use of a disclaimer. A disclaimer is a renunciation of one’s right to receive a gift or bequest, whether the gift is left in a will, trust, or by beneficiary designation.

However, whether it will accomplish your purpose in routing your share to your siblings depends upon how your mother structured the bequest in her will.

Here is why: in order for a disclaimer to be effective, it must pass to the next person in line without any direction on your part. In other words, it must pass to the successors whom your mother, herself, has chosen to take in the event you predeceased her. A couple of examples will help illustrate the matter:

Example #1: let us suppose your mother’s will recites as follows:

“ I leave everything to my three children, equally, but if any of my children predeceases me, then

I leave that deceased child’s share to my other surviving children, equally.”

Example #2: now, let us suppose your mother’s will, instead, recites as follows:

“ I leave everything to my three children, equally, but if any of my children predecease me, then I leave that deceased child’s share to his own surviving children”.

In example #1, your mother provides that the share of any predeceased child would go sideways to your siblings, while in example #2, she provides that it would go downward to the deceased child’s own children. In example #1, a disclaimer by you would accomplish your purpose, but a disclaimer by you in example # 2 would not.

A disclaimer is treated as if the disclaiming beneficiary had predeceased the decedent. So, before exercising a disclaimer, it is very important to first determine whom the decedent, herself, has selected as the successors. If the decedent died without a will, then the successors would be determined by state law.

Celebrating 33 Years Serving Castro Valley

The nice thing about a disclaimer is that it is treated for tax purposes as if you never owned the asset; it passes to the successors without any adverse tax implications to you. As a result, a disclaimer can be a very tax efficient way of doing post-mortem planning. By contrast, if you first accept your share and then re-gift it to your siblings, the gift tax scheme would be implicated: you would need to file a Gift Tax Return for amounts over $17,000 per recipient (in year 2023), and the gifts to your siblings would reduce your own lifetime exemption from gift and estate tax (currently $12.92 Million per person, in 2023), making less available for you later on to shield bequests to your own beneficiaries. Note: that current, high estate tax exemption of $12.92 Million per person is scheduled to reduce dramatically for persons dying after 2025, unless the federal tax law is statutorily amended before then.

To be effective, a disclaimer must meet certain requirements: it must be in writing, it must be made before you accept the gift or any of its benefits, and it must be made not later than nine months after your mother’s death. Caution: a person receiving public benefits, such as Medi-Cal or SSI, should never make a Disclaimer without getting professional guidance, as doing so would be treated as a prohibited transfer of assets and could jeopardize continued eligibility for public benefits.

Gene L. Osofsky is an Elder Law and Estate Planning attorney who has been helping East Bay families for over 30 years with Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Probate, Medi-Cal Planning, and related matters. Visit: LawyerForSeniors.com or call (510) 247-2555.

WINKLER LAW

Stop Stretching (Part 2)

By Mitch Rothbardt SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

In this article you’ll learn two of our favorite mobility exercises for the hips and shoulders. These exercises take the place of some common stretches you may be doing.

First though, if you haven’t read my last article (Stop Stretching Part 1), I encourage you to go back and do that. Don’t worry, I’ll wait right here.

That article was about why you may need to rethink stretching in lieu of working on your mobility and strength. If you don’t have access to it, drop me an email (mitch@ castrovalleyfitness.com) and I’ll send it over.

Shoulders

Exercise: Reverse Presses

Do it instead of: Low back stretches

Why: Low back pain and tightness tend to be the result of poor movement in your

shoulders and/or hips resulting in too much movement in the low back and not enough in the hips and/or shoulders.

Reverse Presses teach you how to correctly move your shoulder blades, the single most important movement you can master if you have tight, painful shoulders or neck. This will relieve the tension in your neck and open up your chest and shoulders. Here’s how to do it:

Lie on the floor with your knees bent. If you can’t lie on the floor, do it with your back against a wall and touching the wall with your butt, upper back, and if possible, the back of your head.

Take a few deep breaths and be sure that you have no tension in your neck or shoulders. Your arms should be at about a 45-degree angle to your body. While breathing deeply, lightly press your arms into the floor just enough to feel a retraction in your shoulder blades. Do 10 reps with your palms up and 10 with your palms down.

Hips

Exercise: Stick RDL

Do it instead of: Hamstring stretches

Why: Tight hamstrings tend to be the result of poor hip position and glute function, not inherently tight hamstrings. Hamstrings stretches can exacerbate those positions. The Stick RDL teaches you how to move your hips independently of your back so your core can function. This is crucial to take pressure off see STRETCH on back page

Fall: Festivities Begin 10 am Saturday

continued from front page Festivities begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the Castro Valley High School Madrigals on the Redwood Stage and the Pharoh’s Dream belly dancers on the Bedford stage with entertainment continuing through 6 p.m. that evening.

The full entertainment schedule for both days is shown in the special section of this week’s Forum.

—

(510) 357-3403

1883 East 14th Street San Leandro

The Boulevard will be closed to cars between Santa Maria Avenue and Redwood Road, from Friday night at 9:00 p.m. to just before midnight on Sunday, to allow for event set up and dismantling. One can detour using Jamison

Way, just to the north. An event this size requires more than 200 volunteers with the setup, two days of operations, and breakdown. Volunteers made up of members of the Chamber will partner with Castro Valley Unified School and many other local groups to make the Fall Festival a success.

“We in the Chamber are really looking forward to this weekend,” said Gary Slate. “But we could not do this by ourselves. We want to thank all of the many people who will make it a huge success. This includes all the vendors, performers, sponsors, and guests. Let’s have a great time!”

The Chamber advises that many people attend the festival, and to allow some extra time to find parking.

First held in the Castro Village Shopping Center, the Chamber voted to provide a showcase for Castro Valley businesses and artisans while showing off Castro Valley as the “Heart of Good Living.” The event offered attendees a wine-tasting, fashion show, and art exhibit. The success of that first year prompted a second event in 1973, which the Chamber officially named the Fall Festival.

Visit the Chamber website for more details (edenareachamber.com).

Have lower back pain? Don’t overstretch it and cause more damage. Try the reverse press movement instead.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CV Cityhood Being Snuck Through the Back Door?

Dear Editor,

I attended the CV MAC meeting September 28th. It was a shocker - first the LAFCO comment period had been extended to September 11th. Second, the LAFCO executive director was asked about how the process towards cityhood would go and the response was “if less than 25% of the registered voters DO NOT file objection to cityhood - then cityhood will take place automatically.” When pressed further, “if more than 25% but less than 50% of registered voters express objection, then there will be a vote.” There was no clarification on what takes place if more than 50% object. Now we know why the cityhood people have been so secretive - they can sneak this in the back door. What is being used by LAFCO is a population count of 66,000 - in other words, some 16,000 of us have got to get an email (with receipt) to: rachel.jones@acgov.org with a copy to Nate Miley at: nate.miley@gmail.com

I’ve already filed my protest - NO CITYHOOD for Castro Valley.

–Frank Mellon, Castro Valley

A Recipe for Success?

Dear Editor,

Several people disagreed with my conclusion about modern movies, (i.e. that movies featuring female action heroes are unpopular, because female heroes fail to satisfy the “fantasy needs” of most consumers). You see, most men want to fantasize about being the action hero. And most women want to fantasize about being with the action hero.

Any complaints that women today “need” to see female heroes (as role models) is irrelevant to my conclusion. Female action heroes are still bad marketing. Look at the most successful action movie in recent years, “Top Gun II.” It had a strong, brave male hero, and a beautiful, (feminine) woman as his romantic interest. It even had a strong patriotic theme. That is a recipe for success.

Now contrast that with the recent Woke mutation of Indianna Jones. In the new woke movie, “Indy” is no longer a brave, daring hero. He is portrayed as an indecisive, doddering old fool. (Think Joe Biden wearing hat.) But the lead female is decisive, bold, and strong. Depending on the reviews you read, that cinematic disaster lost almost a hundred million dollars.

Yet WOKE elitists in Hollywood still insist on pushing unpopular films, stuffed with tough women who dominate (and somehow even beat up) every man they encounter. Yawn...

–Peter Hauer, Castro Valley

Re: ‘Housing Element Upsets’

In light of the August 16 Forum article “Housing Element Upsets”, I felt compelled to inform readers, and the MAC of a grass-roots organization that is trying to aid communities in defending themselves against the exact abuses SB35(Regional Housing Needs Allocation) is dishing out. Our Neighborhood Voices is fighting back with a coherent strategy, and zeal that is cornered-animal-like. This is what it is going to take to protect ourselves from politicians and developers. Visit: ourneighborhoodvoices.com/ Also, please consider a donation, and most of all - keep fighting this.

–Michael Hecker, Castro Valley

Letters must include writer’s name, address and phone number, and must be under 300 words. Letters can be edited for clarity or length. Letters are the views of the author and not necessarily that of the newspaper or its advertisers. E-mail letters to: filesforforum@gmail.com

CV City Hoodwink?

Dear Editor,

After delving into the Berkson Associates Urban Economics Policy Forensics & Forecasting Planning & Policy Analysis Report, I was ready to buy a used car from (insert evil person). After the Why Incorporate? section, which seemed written by a person selling a Timeshare, I was captured by the third paragraph on page 3 which stated “The findings of this preliminary analysis indicate that none of the boundary configurations produce positive net annual fiscal outcomes.” Surprise! Surprise! As we used to say in the “old days”: Even Ray Charles could see this is an exercise in a bad idea. On page 11 a host of potential city personnel is listed including: city manager, city council, city mayor (note strong manager is specified), city clerk, city attorney, finance department, human resources, economic development, and (of course) office space, insurance, information technology equipment and systems. PLUS, don’t forget, a benefit system which will include a retirement obligation. The report goes on (and on) about other expenses with the notion that a “grant” can cover the costs. In my closing, I must apologize to those who took offense in my saying that considering this city-hood idea was for financially naïve people. I will correct myself and say it is for the financially ignorant people.

– Conrad Wilgus, Castro Valley

‘They Go Low, We Go High’

Dear Editor, Peter Hauer’s letter “Hollywood Ignores Human Nature” was shocking and offensive in its misogynism. Whatever his intent was in writing it, I’d prefer to channel Michelle Obama’s famous quote “when they go low, we go high.” Peter, before speaking for what women want or what women fantasize about, I’d urge you to spend more time speaking with women in this community and others before making such claims. You might learn something.

–Mariah Terhaar, Castro Valley

Your Interpretation is Not Correct, Mr. Rosenberg

In response to Mr. Steve Rosenberg’s August 23, 2023 letter, it is easy to interpret the results of Mr. Birkson’s report prepared for LAFCo in the manner you have, especially when you rely on Frank Mellon’s opinions, which you trust based on his former position as an elected official in a special district.

Unfortunately, your interpretation is not correct. There is a big difference in financial knowledge and expertise gained by a special district elected official and an actual city administrator. I served as the City of El Cerrito’s Treasurer, Tax Collector, and Finance Director. I also provided expert financial, budgeting, and management consulting advice to cities and counties across this nation.

Alameda County admits that they take in more revenue from Castro Valley than they spend here (the money is spent elsewhere throughout the County). That is at the heart of the current debate about incorporation. The $7 million gap is an unintended artifact of a state law, and is an amount that is negotiable with a sympathetic Supervisor Nate Miley, who has already indicated he would work with Castro Valley on this issue. Alameda County is not subsidizing us; rather, we are subsidizing the County!

You would not have to make up taxes that might otherwise come from commercial and industrial complexes. Your property taxes would not and could not increase because Proposition 13 regulates them. As part of the 2002 incorporation election, voters from throughout the county (e.g., Livermore, Albany, Oakland, and Fremont) already voted to impose all of those then-new taxes onto us, which they had the power to do only because, ironically, we were not incorporated. All changes in tax levels, where allowed, must be voter approved.

Your valid point is that we may not have the same commercial and industrial tax base as some other cities.

Frankly, if we simply had one or two auto dealerships, perhaps adjacent to our excellent freeway access, we would be flush with tax revenues.

–Brian Foster, Castro Valley

Genevieve Louise Decker

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Genevieve Louise Decker, a cherished mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend to many. Genny passed away on August 26, 2023 at the age of 80, surrounded by loved ones after a brief and hard fought battle with lung cancer.

Genny was born on November 14, 1942 in Sacramento, CA to Mary Genevieve and Harold Silk. She grew up in Sacramento where she married Clarence Chase Giordano when she was 17 yrs old and became a loving mother to Margaret Genevieve and Clarence Robert. The family then moved to Hayward, CA and briefly to Tuolumne County where they developed a love for the outdoors including camping, fishing and boating.

After moving back to Hayward, CA Genny managed a large apartment complex for over 40 years where she made lifelong friends, drag raced on the Fremont Raceway and won many pool tournaments. She later married Lewis Allen “Alzie” Decker and spent many years traveling to Reno, going to rodeos and spending time with their friends at Turner Cut on the Delta.

After the death of her husband in 2013, Genny finally retired in 2017 and moved to Manteca where she continued to make countless friends and enjoy laughs with all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Genny was loved for her spicy spirit and being the life of the party. She was passionate about her family and was truly their guiding light. Her role as a grandmother and great grandmother brought her immeasurable happiness and she cherished every moment spent with them. As her grand daughter Kristin said, “You live on in all us Giordano girls, we will ride the ride of life til the wheels fall off and even then, we will join you in the universe and ride the nebulous with you”. He legacy will undoubtedly live on throughout the lessons she imparted and the memories she created.

Genny is survived by her children, Margaret and Clarence, her grandchildren Kristen and Chris, and her great grand daughters, Bella and Bralynn and many nieces/nephews.

Per her request, no services will be held.

Correspondence to the family can be sent to: 5197 Chesney Glen Dr. Castro Valley, CA 94552

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

CV’s Evan Figueiredo

Our Athlete of the week is Evan Figueiredo. This Castro Valley native won five tournaments and two golf season championships this summer. First up was the US Kids Boys 12 San Francisco Summer Tour Season with a win at Half Moon Bay Golf Links on June 21 and a win with +2 par at the Green Hills Country Club Tour Championship on July 24. Then Evan won the US Kids Boys 12 East Bay Summer Tour with wins at Diablo Creek on June 25, Shoreline Golf Links on July 9, and a win with -1 par at the Tour Championship at San Ramon Golf Club on August 13.

Stretch: Do This Instead

continued from page 10 your low back, knees, and hamstrings.

Find a broomstick, or something similar, and hold it against your back while standing tall and touching your butt, upper back, and back of your head if possible.

While maintaining all 3 points of contact, push your butt straight back while keeping your knees soft.

Important: Think of this as a back-and-forth movement, not an up-and-down movement. Do 10 reps for 2-3 sets.

These two exercises teach important movement skills that serve to alleviate discomfort and improve your daily life. I’d love to hear your questions about how to do them in a way that works for you.

Mitch Rothbardt is owner and head trainer at Castro Valley Fitness. Reach him with any questions at the dog park with Penny and Puppy almost every afternoon or at Mitch@ CastroValleyFitness.com.

Oversight: Recommendations on the ‘12 Elements’

continued from front page expensive court settlements of lawsuits claiming abuses.

Longtime Sheriff Ray Ahern was recently defeated for re-election by current Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez.

The board will discuss Still’s recommendations at an upcoming meeting, though which one has not yet been announced.

The Reimagining Adult Justice (RAJ) project was started in 2021 by late District 2 Supervisor Richard Valle with an initial focus on remedying racial inequities in county law enforcement.

Valle’s successor, Supervisor Elisa Márquez, released recommendations on most, but not all, of the project’s “12 Elements.” Release of the others is imminent.

Márquez heads the board’s Public Safety Committee.

ACSO operates Santa Rita Jail and provides law enforcement services not only to the county’s unincorporated areas including Castro Valley, but also to the City of Dublin, which contracts with the county.

Other major recommendations include better data sharing with other county departments and law enforcement jurisdictions, an analysis of the jail population and trends in who is sent to the jail, and ways to reduce the jail population while maintaining public safety.

The Interfaith Coalition for Justice in our Jails (ICJJ) is among groups who have criticized the jail over services

for mentally ill prisoners.

Bob Britton, a Castro Valley resident active with that group, said the jail provides services to more mentally ill people than any county mental health facility. ACSO estimates that about half of the 1600 people now housed in the jail are mentally ill.

ICJJ believes many of those people ended up in jail for minor offenses that are better dealt with by community mental health services than the criminal justice system.

Britton said, “Many think of the jail as housing convicted criminals who’ve done bad things, but 80 percent of those held are awaiting trial, not serving a sentence.”

“We’re not for abolishing jails, but we do want them

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

used for those whom they’re intended for, not a lot of the people who are in there now,” he continued.

Calls to ACSO and RAJ for comment were not immediately returned. Supervisor Márquez’s office withheld comment until the final recommendations were closer to discussion by the supervisors.

ICJJ strongly supports oversight of the ACSO but sees a potential big problem with how it might be enacted, Britton said.

Oversight does little good, he said, if the review board and the inspector general don’t get independent legal counsel. Otherwise, he said, the same county counsel represents both the agency trying to get information and the one that may be resisting providing it.

Supervisor Miley doesn’t see this as a pressing need, but District 1 Supervisor Keith Carson does and has vowed to vote against the oversight proposal otherwise, Britton said.

“ICJJ would rather have no oversight than weak oversight,” said Britton.

“That’s because having any oversight at all on the books would dissuade voters from putting forward an initiative for proper oversight, which they more likely to do if there’s none in place.”

David Bonal and family recently took their two-yearold old grandson, Harte, out on his first fishing adventure to Lake Del Valle where they stuck this 7lb. largemouth bass. Congratulations on your ‘Great Catch!’ Have a ‘Great Catch’ you’d like to share with the community? Please send a photo and info to: filesforforum@gmail.com

First Responders, Military Invited to RCS Assembly

The Redwood Christian Schools Community invites all Active and Veteran First Responders and Military to attend and to be honored and recognized guests at 9:10am this Friday, September 8 for their Patriots Day Assembly. The Chapel is held at Redwood Christian Elementary (Redwood Chapel Community Church), 19300 Redwood Road, Castro Valley. Veterans and Active Duty Military and First Responders are encouraged to wear their uniforms.

Patriots Day Assembly called “Remembering Our Heroes” is an annual program at Redwood Christian Schools dedicated to remembering the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our Great Country. “9-11” changed all of our lives forever. We must remember and recognize the sacrifice of the First Responders and their families paid on 9-11, as well as those lives lost since, in addition to those who put their lives at risk daily serving all of us today.

‘Day on the Greens’ Golf Tourney September 16

In less than two weeks, the Castro Valley Sports Foundation and Rowell Ranch Rodeo will host its 6th Annual “Day on the Greens” Golf Tournament on September 16 at the Redwood Canyon Golf Course. All profits are invested back into the community supporting local and community organizations.

Its not too late to register, become a sponsor or donate to the Silent Auction that will benefit Castro Valley. Please visit https://www. castrovalleysportsfoundation. org/2023-day-on-the-greens for more information or call:

George Pacheco 510-772-3395

Cal Sakamoto 510-774-5205

Brian Morrison 510-538-9817

The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athlete of the Week Evan Figueiredo