Castro Valley News - Year 5, Number 4 (v.39)

CASTRO VALLEY NEWS Community news and information For February 2020 W e are happy to share an interview with TV personality and Castro Valley resident, Spencer Christian.

CV News : How long have you lived in Castro Valley and what brought you to our town ?

Spencer Christian : Since 2008. In December of 2007, I married Castro Valley native Lyn Courtney, and I moved to CV shortly after our wedding to live with my new wife.

Town Talk with Spencer Christian CVN : Favorite things about Castro Valley - businesses, parks, wineries or things in general ? SC : I’m an avid runner/hiker, and I love the parks in and around Castro Valley. The natural settings are so beautiful and visually stimulating--they energize me for my runs and hikes.

CVN: How do we compare or size up other places you have lived ? SC : Castro Valley is smaller, quieter, and more “relaxed” than most places I’ve lived in my adult life. Before moving to the Bay Area, I spent the greater part of my career working for ABC in New York, and I lived in a bustling suburban community just outside New York City. During that chapter of my life, I loved the faster pace of New York and the countless cultural, entertainment, and dining options. I have now reached a point in life where I enjoy the slower, calmer lifestyle in a community like Castro Valley.

CVN: How would you describe CV to someone who has never been here?

SC : I would describe it as a clean, friendly, welcoming town that is situated in a beautiful natural setting. The central downtown area has just about every kind of shop, eatery, or commercial establishment you would ever need, along with a world-class medical facility. CV is an exceedingly friendly, welcoming community.

CVN: Anything you think CV could improve in or upon ? SC : If I had a magic wand, the only thing I might add to Castro Valley would be more “fine dining” options.

The “Big Slide” at Palomares Elementary

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alomares Elementary School is keeping a really big secret on its campus, the legendary “Big Slide” that not a lot of folks in town are aware of.

The amazing 50 foot slide has been a part of the plucky and compact campus for over 30 years and was installed by the Palomares Mothers Club in 1982.

The slide is made up of five 10 foot long sections of steel and is 19 inches wide.

Palomares campus has just six teachers for about 146 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The campus has six classrooms, a dedicated science lab, a multi-use room a part library, office area and a principal’s office. It is the smallest school in the CV district, but has the longest history that dates back to 1868.

Sometimes students ride the slide while sitting on sweatshirts or jackets to ascend faster. Also, for the safety of all, the slide is only available for use when under the supervision of an adult. Unfortunately, the campus is closed to parents, staff and students only, meaning the slide is not open for public use.

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CVN Restaurant Review with Cedric - Pizza Express

ay a visit to BJ Singh at Pizza Express on Center Street and you’ll be treated to over 35 years of pizza making experience.

“I’ve been coming here all my life and it tastes a good as I remember,” said CVN Food Editor Cedric who paid BJ a visit recently to sample a couple tasty slices of from our local legendary pizzeria. Ced ordered a garlic chicken delight slice with white sauce on thin crust and a slice of New York style crust topped with Canadian bacon and pineapple It may be a statement that ruffles some feathers, but View a Full Length Video Review by Cedric asserts pineapple does belong on pizza, despite the many critics who say otherwise. “Pineap- Scanning this QR Code with your ple on pizza is just right for me….I love it,” he said.

Smart Phone:

How were the pizza slices ? Ced said they were both cooked perfect with “charred edges” and a crust that was soft yet sturdy enough to hold up the generous amount of toppings. Of course, to see and hear more of Ced’s review scan the QR code and watch the full video online.

It was the location on the border of CVN Flashback : Th Castro Valley and Hayward where you could buy literally anything….

We are taking a look back in time at the AC Flea Market that was situated at the end of Oak Street off of Grove Way, just one street above Foothill Boulevard. The building itself was previously home to a “White Front” store and later “Associated Consumers” store, which were similar to our modern day Walmart.

The market started in the early 80’s when Associated Consumers was open and then took over the inside of the building when the AC business closed. Inside the building were kiosks and booths with people selling a plethora of items and services in addition to many more booths outside.

he AC FLea Market

When we say you could find anything at the AC Flea...we mean it! Military items, bootleg 8-track tapes, incense, jewelry, tropical fish, plants and butterfly knives on sale. There was also a tattoo shop, a palm reader, a comic shop and a stall that sold firearms!

The hilly area behind the AC Flea was legendary among BMX bikers and motocross bikers for its steep topography for rides and jumps.

For geographic perspective, the hilly area is directly below the Mesa Verde apartments near where CV Boulevard meets Foothill Boulevard.

Spring was not eternal for the AC Flea, as the property it was situated on was acquired through eminent domain for a long promised but never constructed freeway interchange.

Castro Valley Artist uses chalk on “It is a blessing to be able to provide some joy and delight in a world that is in chaos, said Reverend Jen Miller who has been festooning the retaining wall near her home on Stanton Avenue messages of hope rendered in chalk art.

Miller, a chaplain at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center started the wall drawings months ago when she found herself out of work for six weeks as a result of the COVID-19 shelter in place.

the wall to inspire and uplift all Art has always been a part of her care and ministry, so it was a no-brainer to create art pairing Disney images with messages of hope and inspiration.

Miller told CVN that her murals are very popular. “Many neighbors walk by our house and take pictures, some even stop their cars. I’ve had numerous people stop and chat while I was working on them, thanking me for the uplifting messages and the whimsical drawings,� she said.

RICKEY CHANG’S TRAVEL ADVENTURES On a recent road trip to Yel-

lowstone, we noticed more trailers and motor homes on the road. During this pandemic, RV’ing has become more popular for people traveling, vacationing, and seeing America. All while being self-contained and practicing social distancing. There are less crowds this summer, so it is a perfect time to get out on the road and see what America has to offer. -Rickey Chang