CASTRO VALLEY NEWS YEAR 2 NUMBER 6
WWW.CASTROVALLEYTV.COM
APRIL 2015
Merchants Question Lease Policy at Shopping Center ing in order to open a Vitality Bowl restaurant. Another longtime merchant may potentially leaving the center because someone else looking to move in may foot the bill for thousands of dollars in structural improvements.
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alk among merchants lage Shopping Center is ness owners could lose er retailer willing to pay
“It has nothing to do with improvements. It does have to do with performance,” explained Tracy O’Neill of Crosspoint Realty who manage the Village Shopping Center. O’Neill told CVN Blenzers and Vitality Bowl were both willing to bankroll improvements, but at the Castro Vilthe perception busitheir lease to anothfor building upgrades.
“What is happening is just wrong. Management should be concerned with bringing in the right people…not just lease to people who have money,” asserted longtime Village merchant Aran Mimran, whose art studio has been in the center for 14 years. The lease for Blenzers retail space—that was up for renewal—went to a franchisee willing to invest a significant amount to upgrade the build-
in the long run, sales receipts at a Vitality Bowl franchise is many times larger than Blenzers and would attract more “foot traffic” to the center. “We had a tough decision to make, but none of this was done on the low-down. We wanted to do what would be in the best interest of the shopping center,” O’Neill added. O’Neill asserts the recent departures of Yogofina and Big Apple Bagel from the center had nothing do with paying for structural improvments.
-Story & Stills by Robert Souza
Blighted Boulevard Building UpBADGE For Sale CV NEWS COPS : BEHIND THE Details and pictures from a ride along with ACSO Deputy J. Deitchman in and around Castro Valley on March 13
9:04 PM: Driver pulled over on Grove Way for expired tags and a suspended license. Citations issued for both.
10:30 PM: Person on San Miguel Ave. called 911 because her cell phone and TV were not working. Welfare check.
11:40 PM: Inebriated pedestrian jaywalking on Grove Way is contacted and given a ride home.
12:42 AM: Individual near CVS Pharmacy is inebriated and stark naked. Person is taken to the hospital.
1:32 AM: Bicyclist on Castro Valley Boulevard without lights. Individual is contacted and let go with a warning.
1:56 AM: Person sitting near the curb adjacent to Eden Hospital on Lake Chabot Road is contacted. Person tells the Deputy he is okay.
CV News Restaurant Review with Ashley - Boulevard Burger
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or this month’s CVN restaurant review, our food editor Ashley chose to pay a dinner visit to Boulevard Burger on Castro Valley Boulevard. “I’ve heard that a lot of people like this place,” said Ashley who explained this was her first time visiting the establishment. She ordered a “Boulevard Burger” from the menu with mayo, lettuce and American Cheese. On the side were fries and a chocolate shake. “Maybe it was an off day, but there was not a lot of flavor in the burger,” said Ashley who also made note of the steep price of $13 for a meal for one. She did say the burger looked and smelled fresh… it just was lacking in the flavor department. “Overall it was a good experience, and I would give them a solid five of ten,” added Ashley who said she liked the decor at Boulevard Burger, especially the controversial illuminated BLVD sign that once was hung outside the building, but is now inside the eateries dining area.
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Lake Chabot Market Opening April / May
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ne of Castro Valley’s empty buildings folks keep their eyes on to see promise of renewal is one step closer to opening its doors again for business. “I know every time we talk I say we are three months out, but we are almost there,” said an excited Hans Cho, who has been navigating his way through county permits, inspections and building upgrades for two years now. The most recent holdup on the building was waiting nearly a month for PG&E to issue their final approvals. “I’m still very excited about this and know there is still a lot to do,” said Cho who estimates the market will open at the end of April or early May. He is constantly busy negotiating with potential retail leasees to populate
Join a social media conversation on this topic by scanning this QR code with your smart phone: the market. So far, the market will have a retail area, hot kitchen and meat market. In the works are coffee and dessert components, produce and a lot of surprises we can’t mention just yet. For years, the building on Lake Chabot Road has been a target for graffiti, squatters and litter. “I want this to be a real community market space that belongs to the community,” added Cho who is a Castro Valley native whose family operates C&H Meat Company in San Leandro. The family company will supply meat and deli services to the market. -Story / Still by Robert Souza
CASTRO VALLEY THROUGH THE PHOTO LENS
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or months, photographer Randy Smith has sent pics of scenes and landscapes across town that have been shared on the CVN Facebook page. To return Randy’s generosity, he now has his ownpage in the magazine for photos exclusive to print. The first photo (at right) was taken in the morning hours of March 8, and has the descrtipton, “Pillars in the sunrise at Villareal” and reveals sunlight filtering through morning haze among freeway suspension pillars. The second photo, taken during the evening of February 23, has the description “Castro Valley BART at night” captures a crisply illuminated transit landscape after sunset. Visit https://www.facebook.com/rcsimages?fref=ts to view more of Randy’s pictures.
HANK’S CVN PET PAGE March is Pet appetite, lethargy, and diarrhea within 24-48 hours.
Poison Prevention Month. While certain foods are delicious to us, some are threatening for our pets. The following is some information on some ‘people foods’ you should avoid feeding to your pet. Use caution and try to prevent your pet from having access to any of these foods. Onions and Garlic - These vegetables will cause gastrointestinal upset and can lead to red blood cell damage. Highly concentrated forms such as onion powder and garlic salt can put your pet at significant risk. Most symptoms are not recognized for 3-5 days. Watch for any weakness or lethargy. Their urine may become orange or red in color. Grapes and Raisins - Currently the contaminant that makes grapes and raisins toxic is unknown. What is known, however, is that they decrease the blood flow to the kidneys, leading to renal failure. Raisins are more toxic than grapes, being that they are dried and more concentrated. Early symptoms include vomiting, loss of
More severe signs will appear after the acute kidney failure has occurred. Macadamia Nuts - Similar to raisins and grapes, the toxin in macadamia nuts which causes poisoning in some dogs is unknown. They have been known to cause weakness, vomiting, depression, hyperthermia, and tremors. These clinical signs commonly develop within 12 hours of consumption and usually last for 12-48 hours. Chocolate - Contains caffeine and theobromine which dogs are more sensitive to than people. The darker the chocolate, the greater risk it is to your pet. Symptoms of chocolate toxicity include vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, muscle rigidity, seizures, and can even lead to death. Treatment for ingesting these foods includes induced vomiting, oral activated charcoal administration, and supportive care like IV fluid therapy. More severe cases require supportive care through bloodwork, pain medications, and fever reducing medications.If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these foods, contact your local poison control hotline or seek care from your veterinarian promptly. Remember, the earlier you detect possible toxin ingestion, the greater chance of a better outcome with a proper treatment plan. - Janelle Walter, RVT at Groveway Veterinary Hospital.
‘58 Chevy Impala Plays Part in CV Love Story
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his is keeping me young...I feel younger and younger every time I get in to it,” exclaimed Maggie Alhino as she described the spectacular 1958 Chevrolet Impala her and husband Frank restored a few years ago. It was 55 years ago the couple sold their original ‘58 for less than they paid for it to pay for a honeymoon trip to Hawaii. For years, Frank Alhino looked for a suitable ‘58 to restore and spotted one in Pleasant Hill that was rusted out and infested with rats. The new Chevy was $3,000 and an impressive full restoration including bucket seats, air conditioning cost the couple $70,000 to $80,000. They have no regrets on the endeavor since the car is a constant reminder of how they met, fell in love and were married.
“I would do it all again,” says Frank who raced his original Impala on tracks and streets across the East Bay. “This car is keeping us young. I feel 16 again whenever I am driving it,” added Maggie with a smile. The couple enter the car in a number of car shows, most notably the Castro Valley Car Show that regularly falls on the same weekend as the Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival.
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CV Man to Restore Vintage Diner Advert Castro Valley resident Bruce Kennedy has
another amazing roadside attraction decorating the yard at his Hayward plastic company. “I always liked the Doggie Diner heads and remember seeing them when I was a kid,” said Kennedy, who heard about the head that had prevously been in a Sacramento driveway for decades. Due to scarceness and popularity of the heads, he was not sure he would be able to buy it. The head was seen for a few hours on Castro Valley Boulevard last month (see photo below) on a flatbed truck as it made its way to Kennedy’s Bell Plastics business in the industrial area of Hayward. At Bell Plastics—adjacent to the Doggie Diner head is legendary “muffler man” Big Mike who was posted up on Mission Boulevard for years. Kennedy plans to restore the dog sculpture to as original a condition as possible. “It’s definitely an attention getter….and I’ve always been a fan of weird things. The world needs weird,” he added.
-Story / Stills by R. Souza
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CASTRO VALLEY/ EDEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWS PAGE Upcoming CVEAC Events
The April 16 CVEAC mixer will be at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo grounds. There will be a “cowboy experience� among other rodeo activities. The 5 PM event is free to the public. The annual Student Awards Luncheon on May 27 at Transfiguration Church, 4000 East Castro Valley Boulevard. Doors open at 11:30 AM and lunch will be served at 12 noon to honor 40 students from schools in Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Ashland and Cherrlyand. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased from the CVEAC. Call 510-537-5300 for more info. *This Is A Paid Advertisement Page For The CVEA Chamber of Commerce*
CVEAC Gearing up for Fall Festival 2015!
The Castro Valley / Eden Area Chamber of Commerce continues to encourage vendors interested in sharing their craft items at the 2015 Fall Festival on September 12 & 13. Anyone interested in sharing their items with the community should call the chamber at 510-537-5300 for more info on local artist special offers. The CVEA received feedback at last years festival from folks saying they wanted to see more local crafters and artisans.
RICKEY & NINA’S TRAVEL ADVENTURES
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ditor for the CVN magazine and all their readers: Here are some pictures of our latest trip to Guatemala. We went off the beaten path, four wheeling in a two wheel drive Hyundai Accent, deep into Mayan country. We made it up to Semuc Chapley, how, I don’t know, as the road qualified for a “World’s Dangerous Roads” episode. These are gorgeous limestone pools with natural bridges. Also in the area are the Lanquin Caves, which are a nesting place for local fruit bats. As we made our way back to “Cafe Vista del Lago”, we found that our magazine delivery person missed the porch again! I found the CV News in the coffee tree. I want to lodge a complaint with your circulation department!
-Rickey and Nina Chang www. rickeyandninastraveladventures.com
“What Castro Valley Issue Is On Your Mind?” Asked Around Castro Valley
“People saying there are no
good places in Castro Valley to eat. Norman’s Grill is great!” Renee Garcia - Castro Valley Resident
“We need more
independent shops not restaurants in the Valley!” Aran Mimran - Castro Valley Resident
• Letters To The Editor •
Submissions must be no more than 300 words, include writers first and last name, phone number and city of residence. CVN may edit letters as needed for clairty or space constraint. Email submissions to: castrovalleytelevision@gmail.com Editor: Congratulations to Ben Jewell, owner of Ready Set Vape—a store that sells electronic cigarettes and vaporizers on receiving County Commendation from Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley. My wife and I enjoyed the reception put on for the community by the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce. E-cigarettes are saving lives. My brother was a chain smoker for 50+ years until he started using e-cigarettes. Now, he is free of tobacco! Winnie and I applaud Supervisor Miley and all those who are looking at the big picture of how to improve peoples’ health. Yes, e-cigarettes should be studied, but not so restricted that people who really need them will not be prevented from getting them. ~ Gerald Thompson / Castro Valley