County’s Homeless Numbers Increasing

By Amy Sylvestri

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  02-20-19

A census of people living on the streets of Alameda County late last month will likely show that more than 6,000 homeless people reside in the county, though the exact count won’t be available until summer.

The census was conducted by EveryOne Home, a nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness.

To make the count, more than 600 volunteers scoured the streets, creeks, and freeway overpasses countywide with the help of homeless and formerly homeless guides during the early morning hours of Jan. 30, while outreach groups counted people in their shelter beds that night.

The count is taken every two years to helps cities and homeless charities determine where services are needed the most and their eligibility for federal funds, according to Elaine de Coligny, director of EveryOne Home.

The number of homeless people in all of Alameda County rose by nearly 40 percent to 5,630  between the 2015 and 2017 counts, and de Coligny says that she expects another increase when CAPTION: A homeless encampment near Center Street and Grove Way in Castro Valley.     the 2019 results are finalized.

“It’s clear there will be an uptick in numbers from the last survey,” she said.

The census is a “point-in-time count” that happens during the peak winter cold season when more people seek shelters or warming centers, giving a more accurate count. But even with the most thorough methodology they can manage, it’s difficult to count every homeless person.

“There are a portion of people who are unsheltered who live in encampments,” said de Coligny. “We consider an encampment an area with two or more individuals living in tents of makeshift structures. That’s probably about one-fifth of the homeless population and they’ve become increasingly visible in recent years. Others are in their cars or on the streets.”

County officials say there are encampments at Cull Canyon in Castro Valley, along San Lorenzo Creek and one by the railroad tracks on Springlake Drive near Washington Ave. in San Leandro.

After the census, the next step is a more detailed survey of people living on the street and in shelters. de Coligny says her colleagues ask people about their histories, how long they’ve lived in Alameda County, the reasons behind their being on the street, and more.

According to the 2017 survey, the number one cause was money problems, with 57 percent saying that was keeping them from a permanent residence.

Mental health issues caused 12 percent of the cases and substance abuse accounted for another 12 percent.

Nearly half said they had some disability that limited their ability to maintain work or housing. The most common self-reported conditions were psychiatric (41 percent), post-traumatic stress disorder (29 percent), and physical disability (27 percent).

Over 80 percent said they lived in Alameda County before becoming homeless.

In December, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved a three-year “homelessness action plan” specifically for the unincorporated area, including Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Cherryland and Ashland.

The plan would include dedicated parking sites for people living in their cars, tiny homes, a mobile hygiene unit, two winter shelters, a downtown street litter team, and more.

The board announced plans to spend $10.5 million beginning in 2019 on services for the estimated 440 homeless people living in the unincorporated area.

If you are having a housing crisis or in need of other support, 211 is a toll-free phone number that provides info and referrals on housing and health and social services. Information is also available at www.211AlamedaCounty.org.

PHOTO BY DEBBIE TEE

Strongest Storm of Season Hits State

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  02-20-19

Last week’s storm, the strongest of the season to hit Northern California, knocked out power at spots around the Bay Area, sent creeks and rivers over their banks, flooded roads, and caused dangerous landslides. The California Highway Patrol was kept busy clearing up accidents and spinouts.

In the Sierra, traffic was backed up for miles on Interstate 880 as lanes were closed several times on Sunday. Heavier-than-expected snow flurries bombarded the higher elevations and chains were required at Colfax for cars heading east.

Hail was reported in several East Bay areas Sunday evening. The storm even brought snow for a few hours to Castro Valley’s hills last week.

The good news is skiing is great on many California’s slopes and, combined with all that rain, more water is in East Bay reservoirs.

Castro Valley rainfall totals now exceed the average for this date by 2-plus inches and surpasses last year’s totals at this time by more than 11 inches.

While possible afternoon showers are forecast for today, the next few days will likely be dry, cool and mostly sunny through at least next Wednesday.

Snow? In Castro Valley?

HERE’S THE HOLE STORY:

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  02-20-19

 A broken water main created a sinkhole last Wednesday morning on a busy stretch of Somerset Ave., between Santa Maria Ave. and Redwood Road. One car got stuck in the sinkhole shortly after 8 a.m. and the Alameda County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Office, a Public Works crew and the East Bay Municipal Utility District were all called to the scene. There were no injuries and the driver was able to safely get out of the car with help from the fire fighters.

PHOTO BY ALAMEDA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

GoFundMe for CVHS Athlete With Leukemia

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  02-13-19

On Friday, February 1, Bryce Turner was taken to the Doctor after his mom noticed an odd rash and some bruising. However, not in a million years did she nor the family expect to hear that Bryce has cancer. 

    The 15-year-old 6-foot-4 football and basketball sophomore standout at Castro Valley High school, who was just at school being “silly Bryce,” has cancer. 

Tests would later confirm and determine that Bryce has childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a very aggressive and fast-growing cancer if not treated promptly.

The aggressive nature of this disease has immediately placed Bryce in the hospital for the next four to five months while he undergoes intensive chemotherapy with a multitude of tests and procedures.

If you know Bryce you know he has a million-dollar smile, has the sweetest and silliest personality, and loves to hang out with his friends.

This amazing family is part  of our community... and they need us more than ever right now.

We are are asking for any help as this family endures every parent’s worst nightmare, and all the associated medical cost that will incur during a five-month hospital stay and the life-saving medications and treatments.

If you are unable to donate monetarily, please help lift this family in thoughts, prayers and love, and let them know they are not alone!

We, together can help cover this family in love! #battleforbryce or www.gofundme.com/f/battle-for-bryce-turner

—from the Bryce Turner

GoFundMe page

CV ‘Tiny Homes’ On Hold

By  Amy Sylvestri

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  02-13-19

Castro Valley’s Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) continued an item related to the proposed “tiny homes” project at its Monday night meeting.

While plans are moving forward for the creation of the project designed to house some of the town’s homeless on the parking lot of First Presbyterian Church at 2490 Grove Way, general plan and zoning changes will be required in order for the tiny homes or other similar projects to be sanctioned.

Council members said they needed to be cautious in order to create a clear precedent moving forward.

“I don’t want to make this overly complicated but it’s open season,” said MAC member Ken Carbone.

“We have a model and we have no idea if it’s going to work. Until it is actually functioning, we won’t know.”

MAC Chair Marc Crawford said things like allowable locations, spacing regulations between units, and more have all yet to be determined.

“We need to take a look at the list of our zoning designations and see where we want it,” said Crawford. “The way that this is worded right now, it’s carte blanche.”

The MAC also continued three land use agenda items to a later date.

The board said a proposal to build eight-and-half foot tall retaining walls and fencing at 18701 Walnut Road was negatively affect the line of sight to the rad and sent it back to the drawing board.

An application to allow two new wall signs at 3223 Castro Valley Boulevard (the former Milkcow ice cream shop) was delayed to later this month.

And a plan to subdivide a parcel at 4749 Mira Vista Drive into four parcels for potential residential development was deemed too dense. The MAC told the property owner to come back with a design that would accommodate just three lots.

Gleaning, Swapping and Fixing During Zero Waste Week

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  02-13-19

The Castro Valley Sanitary District hosted its 4th Annual Zero Waste Week last Wednesday through Sunday with a variety of activities aimed at reducing the amount of waste going to landfills.

Above at left, some three dozen volunteers visited 20 different properties of generous homeowners on Wednesday, gleaning 1,895 pounds of oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and lemons that otherwise might have gone to waste.

The fruit went to food pantries at Faith Lutheran and the Greek Orthodox churches in Castro Valley.

On the right, Zero Waste Week concluded on Sunday afternoon at the Castro Valley Library with two popular events — the Clothing Swap ’N Sew and “Fix-It Clinic.” The community repair workshop attracted a lot of owners of small, non-working appliances of every sort, from computers to space heaters and vacuum cleaners to smart phones to learn how to keep them from going into the trash can.

Big Weekend of Amateur

Boxing Begins on Friday

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  02-06-19

One of amateur boxing’s most exciting, prestigious events, returns to the East Bay this weekend, hosted by the Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs Activities League (DSAL), the Sheriff’s Office and USA Boxing Northern California.

The California Golden Gloves Region 1 Qualifiers for the State Championships will be decided at the Hayward Adult School Gym at 22100 Princeton Street beginning on Friday.

This premier amateur boxing event will feature young competitors from throughout Northern California competing in as many as two matches during the tournament for an opportunity to advance to the California Golden Gloves State Championships in Southern California in April 2019.

“Having the opportunity to host this event for the second year in a row is a symbol of hard work, which has been recognized by Northern California Amateur Boxing,” said Alameda County Sheriff’s Sgt. Oscar Perez. “In addition to recognizing the hard work and training put in by the amateur boxers, the event will also

offer an economic boost for the community while showcasing DSALs Boxing Academy.”

Friday’s weigh-ins are at 3 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. for showtime at 7 p.m. On Saturday, weigh-ins begin at noon and doors will open at 3 p.m. for showtime at 4 p.m. Sunday’s weigh-ins are at 10 a.m., with doors opening at 1 p.m., for showtime at 2 p.m.

Ringside seats are $25, general admission is $15, children ages 5 and under are free.

In addition to boxing, the weekend will include food, entertainment, activities for kids, and a 50/50 raffle. Buy tickets online at www.acdsal.org. Online ticket sales end when sold out. Limited tickets will be available for purchase at the door. 

Proceeds of the event will benefit the nonprofit DSAL Boxing Academy and the Natalie Corona Memorial Fund. Natalie Corona, a rising star in the City of Davis Police Department, was tragically killed in the line of duty this past January 10.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY DSAL 

Girls Wanted for Scout Program

By Michael Singer

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  02-06-19

If you are a girl between 11 and 17 and looking for adventures like rock climbing, hiking, and camping, Castro Valley’s Cassandra Clark is looking for you.

“I’m a Scoutmaster in need of some Scouts,” says Clark, who will serve as Scoutmaster for the Troop 722 associated girl troop.

Troop 722 is one of two local Scout groups that have opened its doors to girls to join. Troop 708, under the leadership of Scoutmaster Derek Hudson, is the other interested group.

A handful of girls and parents joined the informational meeting last week at Our Lady of Grace. Many were curious how the Troop would be mixing boys and girls in activities such as camping.

“There were a lot of good questions, especially about the different ways girls will be able to do everything the boys get to do now,” says Brett Pletcher, with Troop 722. “We’re just looking for a few more girls to participate.”

As of Feb. 1, Scouting BSA allowed girls to join the boys to earn merit badges and achieve ranks as high as Eagle Scout. Adding girls to Scouts BSA is a continuation of what occurred in 2017 when the Boy Scouts of America began allowing both boys and girls into its family-based Cub Scout program.

Scouting BSA is making the program friendlier to the new recruits. There are new manuals which replace images of boys with those of girls and references to “she” and “her” in place of “he” and “him.”

The girls will also have uniforms available that are designed in their sizes instead of relying on boy’s shirts and pants.

Clark, who has two sons in Scouting, says the addition of girls to Boy Scouts is a natural progression considering the Cub Scouts are so family-oriented and female siblings often tag along on activities.

“Right now, the boys have been coming up with lots of ideas for outings and opportunities for us to earn badges. I will be asking the girls to come up with their own ideas where the boys can also participate,” Clark said.

The combination of boys and girls will be considered a “link

see SCOUT on back page

 troop,” and will utilize many of the same committee members, equipment, and meeting locations as their male counterparts. The girls will join the boys on hikes and campouts but will likely come up with their own activities.

The Troops are also looking for adult leaders to help. Leaders can be registered in both troops so there’s no need to choose one over the other.

“It’s great to have people behind me that are pros in Boy Scouts and their activities, otherwise we would be starting this Troop from scratch, which has a huge start-up cost,” Clark said.

The Boy Scouts of America has been opening its membership in the last few years. In 2013, the organization lifted the ban on openly gay scouts and in 2015, ended the prohibition on gay leaders. In 2018, the organization rebranded itself as Scouts BSA and announced it will allow scout members that self-identify as male, creating room for transgender members.

While girls will be allowed in Scouts BSA, troop meetings will be single-gender based, just as they are in the Cub Scouts. Female leaders are required wherever girls are involved at all program levels.

The girls will operate in a patrol-like structure—a smaller unit within a Boy Scout Troop that typically clusters youth together based on either ages or rank such as Tenderfoot or First Class.

The girls are expected to participate at the Troop 722 meeting this Thursday (Feb. 7) at Faith Lutheran Church on Redwood Road. Troop 708 meets on Tuesday nights at the First Presbyterian Church on Redwood Road near Trader Joe’s.

Anyone interested in learning more about the scouting program for boys or girls is invited to contact Brett Pletcher at brettpletcher@yahoo.com.

CAPTION: A group of girls and parents attended an informational meeting last Wednesday at Our Lady of Grace Church.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER J. PETRICK

Just for Kicks

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  02-06-19

Castro Valley’s Nick Lima has taken time away from playing for his professional soccer team the San Jose Earthquakes in order to represent his country as a member of the United States Men’s National Team. Lima, No. 2, is one of the starting defenders and has been a solid force for the U.S. team, keeping their opponents scoreless in their first 2 friendlies (exhibition games). He has also been very impressive on the offensive side, helping his team attack the opposing defenses and took a swerving shot that hit the left post barely missing a goal in a 2-0 win against Costa Rica on Saturday at Avaya Stadium in San Jose. In a 3-0 win against Panama, Lima assisted with the second goal of the game after a tackle that resulted in Lima stealing the ball from a Panamanian player, he dribbled the ball up and delivered a beautiful cross to Walker Zimmerman for a header into the goal, easily the play of the game, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 27. This concludes the January training camp for the U.S. team, which will play again in March against Ecuador and Chile. Visit mlssoccer.com for highlights.

Athletes of the Week:

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  •  02-27-19

Kennedy Jones

This week’s Athlete of the Week is Kennedy Jones, a former athlete at Castro Valley High School and now a student athlete at Boston University.

She won a silver medal in the women’s 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.90 and won gold on her last attempt in the triple jump with a jump of 12.38 m.

Jones helped the Boston University Terriers women’s track and field team win third place overall at the Patriot League Indoor Track and Field Championships on the weekend of February 16 and 17, at the Wesley Brown Field House, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.

Athletes of the Week:

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  •  02-20-19

Victoria Nelson

This week’s Athlete of the Week is Victoria Nelson a senior at Castro Valley High School, a member of the varsity girls basketball team and one of the team captains.

She finished her season almost averaging a double-double in rebounds and points (9.9 Rebounds and 9.5 points). Nelson amassed a total of 227 points and 238 rebounds with 32 steals for the season, and recorded a double double in games against California, San Ramon Valley, American, Lake Oswego, James Logan, Colfax, and Berkeley High Schools.

Athletes of the Week:

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  •  02-13-19

Bryce Turner

This week’s Athlete of the Week is Bryce Turner a sophomore at Castro Valley High School. He has been a member of the Trojans’ football and basketball teams his freshman and sophomore years.

Bryce was recently diagnosed with childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), an aggressive form of Leukemia, and will have to spend the next 4-5 months in the hospital undergoing treatment.

His coaches have commented not only about Turner as a great athlete, but how he is a young man who is always so positive, respectful, thoughtful, caring, and an ultimate gentleman — someone who will do anything for anyone and always looks to lift people up. 

Coach Knudsen said, “he has a goofy side too, and a smile that will light up any room.”

Turner has a go fund me page in order to help pay for medical expenses. (See story on page 1.)

Athletes of the Week:

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  •  02-06-19

Zachary Sandoval

This week’s Athlete of the Week is Zachary Sandoval a freshman at Castro Valley High School. Sandoval plays on the freshman boys basketball team and helped lead his team to a 55-53 win against Berkeley High, where he scored 21 points with 4 three-pointers and scored the game winning shot on Friday, Jan. 25, at CVHS.

Sandoval played tailback and strong safety for the freshman and JV football teams and finished the football season with 15 touchdowns including a pick six against Granada. He will now play on the freshman baseball team for the Spring season.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 02-20-19

The Week Ahead

  Wednesday, February 20:  CV Women’s Club/Sulphur Creek

The public is invited to hear about Sulphur Creek Nature Center’s work with guest speaker Wendy Winstead, and to meet a few of the animals that make their home at Sulphur Creek at the 1 p.m. meeting today of the CV Women’s Club, 18330 Redwood Road. For info, call 510-461-7692 or visit castrovalleywomensclub.weebly.com

  Wednesday, February 20:  East Bay Rose Society Meeting

Tom Bressan, founder of the Urban Farmer, will talk about new irrigation products — smart timers, controllers and improved emitters, at the next meeting of the Rose Society at 7:30 p.m. this evening at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Oakland. He will cover basics of designing systems for roses, their maintenance, and increasing their efficiency. Come enjoy snacks and meet people who talk roses. For more info, visit www.eastbayroses.org

  Wednesday, February 20:  Get a Handle on Your Hormones!

Dr. Aumatma Shah speaks on Hormone Flux during life’s big transitions such as pregnancy and postpartum, at the Castro Valley Mothers Club Learn & Share speaker series, 6:30 p.m. today at Keller Williams office space, 3160 Castro Valley Blvd., Suite 100. Free, open to all.

  Saturday, March 23:  CVHS Boosters’ Crab Feed

Join the Castro Valley High Boosters Club this Saturday for a fun community event that will include raffle baskets, live auction, and a crab, pasta and salad dinner at the Castro Valley Moose Lodge, 20835 Rutledge Road. Meals will be served by CVHS athletes. No-host bar at 5 p.m., dinner at 6. Visit squareup.com/store/cvhs-athletic-boosters-club?t=merchant-fb for tickets ($55 per person). Proceeds from this event will benefit the CVHS Athletic Teams.

  Saturday, February 23:  Nature Class: Singing Tree Frogs

Enjoy a tree frog serenade as you discover why these amphibians sing, how they can outsmart their enemies, and how they inform scientists about their environments, while meeting some of Sulphur Creek’s native frogs and salamanders at this special adult nature program from 2 to 3:30 p.m. this Saturday, at Sulphur Creek Nature Center, 1801 D St., Hayward. To register (required) for Program No. 7065 ($20), visit www.HaywardRec.org/register or call 510-881-6700.

  Saturday, February 23:  History & Mystery of Tarot

Join Amber for a fascinating and educational slide show and narrated journey through the tarot’s long and mysterious history, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. this Saturday at the Castro Valley Library. Time travel to such places as ancient Egypt, Palestine, Rome, pre- and post-WW II Europe and the U.S. Discover the tarot’s links with with numerous academic, social, cultural, political, religio-spiritual movements and events. To register (required), call 510-667-7900.

  Tuesday, February 26:  Rotary Lunch: County Ombudsman

Denyse McCowan, Alameda County Ombudsman Program Director, will describe how her department serves the elderly in long-term care facilities, their families and caregivers, at the Rotary Club of Castro Valley lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Redwood Canyon Golf Course, 17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley. Cost of lunch is $15 and reservations must be made by 9 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24, by contacting Rotary at cvrotary@iCloud.com or 510-402-5123.  More information is available at castrovalleyrotary.org. 

  Tuesday, February 26:  Toastmasters Open House & Potluck

Castro Valley Toastmasters will host an open house from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Baywood Court, 21966 Dolores St., beginning with a free potluck. Members will compete for prepared and impromptu speeches. All are welcome. See what Toastmasters can do for you. For more info, visit 961.toastmastersclubs.org

  Wednesday, February 27:  Canadian Consul General Lunch

Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada, will speak at an international trade luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Golden Peacock Banquet Hall, 24989 Santa Clara St., Hayward. For tickets ($25) visit www.hayward.org or call 510-537-2424. (No tickets at door.)

  Wednesday, February 27:  Senior Driver Safety Seminar

Seniors can stay safe and save money by registering for the Castro Valley Library’s popular senior driving program from 1 to 3 p.m. next Wednesday. Conducted by the California Highway Patrol, the seminar will include Compensating for Age-Related Changes, Tuning-Up Driving Skills, Rules of the Road, Safe Driving Tips; and more. On completion, participants will receive a certificate for completing the course which may entitle them to an automobile insurance discount. To register (required) for this free class, call the Library Information Desk at 510-667-7900.

  Thursday, February 28:  Cancer Workshop / Yoga

Eden Medical Center is kicking off its 2019 cancer workshops with Yoga for Self-Care from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Medical Office Building axt 20101 Lake Chabot Road, 2nd floor. This workshop is open to people with cancer, those who have already completed treatment, and caregivers and families. Learn how to reduce stress. Call Cancer Support Community for information or to register, at 925-933-0107

  Saturday, March 2:  Community Garden Open House

See what your neighbors are growing at Paradise Community Garden, 20095 Mission Blvd., Hayward from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 2. Julio Contreras of Joe’s Honey will present a free workshop “The Buzz About Beekeeping” at 11 a.m. Live music, snacks and coffee, Chamber of Commerce pop-up mixer, crafts, body work, native plant sale. Rent your own garden box. Questions? Rick Hatcher 510-909-4077.

  Saturday & Sunday, March 2-3:  Rummage Sale Fundraiser

A huge community-wide rummage sale benefiting kids in the Philippines and Brazil will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 3 at the First Presbyterian Church Gym at 2490 Grove Way in Castro Valley. Cash and credit cards accepted. $10 early-bird from 8 yo 9 a.m. on Saturday. 

  Sunday, March 3:  Piano Concert

International First Lady of Piano, Dr. Teresa Walters, who captivates audiences with her astonishing playing, will perform works by Franz Liszt and J.S. Bach at 2 p.m. on March 3 at Faith Lutheran Church, 20080 Redwood Road, Castro Valley. All are welcome. Suggested donation $20. For info, call (510) 582-0818.

Entertainment

 COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 02-13-19

The Week Ahead

  Wednesday, February 13: Neuropathy Support Group

Those suffering from peripheral neuropathy (a disease with typical symptoms of chronic numbness, pins and needles tingling) are encouraged to attend the monthly free meeting of the Neuropathy Support Group at 1:30 p.m. today in the library of First Presbyterian Church at 2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley. For info, call Greg at 510-886-6758.

  Wednesday, February 13:  School Board Meeting

The Castro Valley Board of Education will hold a regular open meeting at 7 p.m. today in the boardroom at 4400 Alma Avenue. For the agenda and board packet, visit bit.ly/CVUSD-BoardMeetings

  Saturday, February 16:  Crab & Shrimp Feed Fundraiser

Enjoy a Crab & Shrimp Feed while helping to raise funds for the Veterans Memorial Expansion Project, this Saturday at the Moose Lodge, 20835 Rutledge Road. No host bar at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 6:30, plus raffle prizes. For tickets ($50 presale only, none at the door) call  Kasey Warner at 530-391-3330 or Pat Flanagan at 510-459-6177.

  Saturday, February 16:  All Saints Crab Feed

All Saints Episcopal Church, 911 Dowling Blvd., San Leandro, invites you to the 46th Annual All Saints Crab Feed for all-you-can-eat salad, vegetarian pasta, bread and crab, from 5 to 9 p.m. this Saturday. Get tickets ($10-$50) online at tinyurl.com/2019crabfeed

  Saturday, February 16: Eden Area Village Coffee

Join Eden Area Village for coffee at the Cannery Cafe, 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward at 9 a.m. this Saturday and learn how we are working together to help seniors remain in their homes and engaged in their community. Visit edenareavillage.org for more info. 

  Monday, February 18:  Lions Club ‘Tips for Change’

Enjoy a great Italian Meal while supporting a worthy cause, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday at Gianni’s Italian Bistro, 2065 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in San Ramon. Members of the Castro Valley Breakfast Lions Club will be serving meals and collecting “Tips for Change” that will go to such organizations as Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army, FESCO the Food Bank and other local charities. It’s a Win-Win!

  Tuesday, February 19:  Quake Preparedness Workshop

The Hayward Fault is overdue for another big shake. Statewide, there is a 75% chance of an earthquake larger than a magnitude of 7.0 or larger occurring in the next 30 years. A free workshop on earthquake preparedness and insurance will be presented by the California Earthquake Authority and the Hayward Chamber of Commerce next Tuesday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to noon at Hayward City Hall Council Chambers, 777 B St., Hayward. To register, email kimh@hayward.org

  Tuesday, February 19:  Rotary: Leadership Awards Students

The Castro Valley Rotary Club’s Youth Leadership Awards students will describe their activities during the past year at a buffet lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Redwood Canyon Golf Course, 17007 Redwood Road. The cost of lunch is $15 and reservations must be made by 9 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17, by contacting Rotary at cvrotary@iCloud.com or 510.402.5123.  More information is available at castrovalleyrotary.org

  Tuesday, February 19:  Toastmasters Club Open House

Castro Valley Toastmasters will hold its annual International Speech & Evaluation Contests from 7 to 8:30 p.m. next Tuesday at Baywood Court, 21966 Dolores Street. Members will compete utilizing skills they have learned in Toastmasters for prepared and impromptu speeches. If you are curious about Toastmasters, come to this free event. All are welcome!  For more info,visit 961.toastmastersclubs.org/

  Wednesday, February 20:  CV Women’s Club/Sulphur Creek

The public is invited to hear about Sulphur Creek Nature Center’s work with guest speaker Wendy Winstead, and to meet a few of the animals that make their home at Sulphur Creek at the 1 p.m. meeting next Wednesday of the CV Women’s Club, 18330 Redwood Road. For info, call 510-461-7692 or visit castrovalleywomensclub.weebly.com

  Wednesday, February 20:  East Bay Rose Society Meeting

Tom Bressan, founder of the Urban Farmer, will talk about new irrigation products — smart timers, controllers and improved emitters, at the next meeting of the Rose Society at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Oakland. He will cover basics of designing systems for roses, their maintenance, and increasing their efficiency. Come enjoy snacks and meet people who talk roses. For more info, visit www.eastbayroses.org

  Wednesday, February 20:  Get a Handle on Your Hormones!

Dr. Aumatma Shah speaks on Hormone Flux during life’s big transitions such as pregnancy and postpartum, at the Castro Valley Mothers Club Learn & Share speaker series, 6:30 p.m. Feb.20 at Keller Williams office space, 3160 Castro Valley Blvd., Suite 100. Free, open to all.

  Saturday, March 23:  CVHS Boosters’ Crab Feed

Join the Castro Valley High Boosters Club for a fun community event that will include raffle baskets, live auction, and a crab, pasta and salad dinner at the Castro Valley Moose Lodge, 20835 Rutledge Road. Meals will be served by CVHS athletes. No-host bar at 5 p.m., dinner at 6. Visit squareup.com/store/cvhs-athletic-boosters-club?t=merchant-fb for tickets ($55 per person). Proceeds from this event will benefit the CVHS Athletic Teams.

  Saturday, February 23:  Nature Class: Singing Tree Frogs

Enjoy a tree frog serenade as you discover why these amphibians sing, how they can outsmart their enemies, and how they inform scientists about their environments, while meeting some of Sulphur Creek’s native frogs and salamanders at this special adult nature program from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 23, at Sulphur Creek Nature Center, 1801 D St., Hayward. To register (required) for Program No. 7065 ($20), visit www.HaywardRec.org/register or call 510-881-6700.

  Saturday, February 23:  History & Mystery of Tarot

Join Amber for a fascinating and educational slide show and narrated journey through the tarot’s long and mysterious history, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the Castro Valley Library. Time travel to such places as ancient Egypt, Palestine, Rome and Greece, Renaissance Italy, pre- and post-World War II Europe and the United States. Discover the tarot’s links with numerous academic, social, cultural, political, religio-spiritual movements and events. To register (required), call 510-667-7900.

Entertainment

  CASTRO VALLEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Tickets for Center for the Arts events listed below are available online at www.cvcfa.com; or at the Center Box Office, 19501 Redwood Road, Thursdays and Fridays 3-5 p.m. (phone 889-8961), or at the Castro Valley Adult School, 4430 Alma Avenue.

● The Sun Kings, California’s premier Beatles’ tribute band, returns to the Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, for a concert spanning the entire Beatles’ Epoch from Hamburg to the Rooftop, with spot-on arrangements and vocal harmonies delivered with a driving energy, joy and vitality that recall the earliest Beatles performances, using the same vintage instruments. For tickets ($40, $34), see above.

● “Not a Genuine Black Man,” Brian Copeland’s legendary hit, comes to the Castro Valley Center for the Arts for one very special engagement at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 16. The show explores Copeland’s childhood experiences as a member of one of the only African American families growing up in an almost all-white suburb of San Leandro. For tickets ($35 in advance, $45 at the door), see above.

● Disney’s “The Jungle Book Kids,” will be performed by students from Stanton, Proctor and Palomares elementary schools at the Center for the Arts on Friday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.; on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Come enjoy the show and support our budding young actors and actresses. For tickets, visit bactheatre.org/classes/tickets/cvusd

OTHER THEATRICAL & MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

● “The 39 Steps,” a comedy, farce, melodrama and mystery all mix in this hilarious stage adaptation of the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock movie which runs through Feb. 24 at Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. For tickets ($25 general, $20 seniors/students), call 510-733-5483 or visit chanticleers.org

● “Ah Wilderness,” a nostalgic coming-of-age story by Eugene O’Neill that introduces the Miller Family on the 4th of July in 1906, will be presented by the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St., Hayward from Feb. 15 through March 3. The play offers a backward glimpse into middle-class family life in turn-of-the-century America, providing a tender, retrospective portrait of small town family values, teenage growing pains, and young love. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays and on Saturday, March 2. For tickets ($29, senior discounts available), call 510-881-6777

ART GALLERIES & ART INSTRUCTION

● “Art of Peace” and “Hernandez Art & Tattoo” are now on view at Sunset Gallery at Hayward Center/Adult School, 22100 Princeton St. Room H2, in Hayward through Feb. 28. “Hernandez Art & Tattoo” is a collection of works inspired by Meso-American culture to traditional American tattoo by Adolfo Hernandez, a member of the Hayward Art Council’s board. “Art of Peace” is an exhibit featuring artwork made from guns and bullets collected as evidence in crimes. Gallery hours are 10 to 4 Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

● “New Beginnings,” A.R.T., Inc.’s members-only unjuried (all submissions are accepted) exhibit, is currently on view at the Adobe Art Gallery, 20395 San Miguel Ave. in Castro Valley. The judge is Edward Bertolet. The exhibit ends on March 9.

● “Celebrate Women!” presenting the works of over 50 accomplished artists, writers, and musicians, is being showcased at the John O’Lague Galleria in Hayward City Hall until Friday. It is the second regional exhibit of the Northern California branch of the National League of American Pen Women.

● Artist Open Studio Every Thursday: Join this informal gathering of artists working together in a friendly and helpful atmosphere. Adobe Art Center hosts provides tables, chairs and easels. $3. Thursdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Redwood Studio 1 at the Adobe Art Center, 20395 San Miguel Ave, Castro Valley.

 COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 02-06-19

The Week Ahead

  Wednesday, February 6:  Community Fruit Tree Gleaning

Come participate in a Castro Valley tree fruit gleaning from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. today to save extra fruits and vegetables that otherwise may have gone to waste. Assemble at CVSan Offices at 21040 Marshall Street to visit pre-approved sites in Castro Valley from which to harvest the extra produce. All gleaned food will be donated to a Castro Valley food pantry. If you would like to volunteer, please call 510-537-0757 ext. 112.

  Thursday, February 7:  Parkinson’s Support Group Meeting

The San Leandro Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its next meeting at 10:30 a.m. tomorow at the San Lorenzo Community Church, 945 Paseo Grande. The topic will be Community Resources for Independent Living. For more info, call Lona White at 510-276-3119.

  Thursday, February 7:  Recycled Art & Toys Event

Children are invited to experience hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) learning from 3:30 to 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Castro Valley Library. Up-cycle materials and make fun toys and art with them.

  Friday, February 8: Personal Care Workshop

A Personal Care Workshop will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. this Friday at the Palomares Hills Clubhouse at 6811 Villareal Drive in Castro Valley. Participants must have an electronic ticket to participate in this event and registration is available only through Brown Paper Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4050609

  Friday-Sunday, Feb. 8-9-10: Antiquarian Book Fair

Some 200 antiquarian book sellers from around the world will be showcasing thousands of rare books, manuscripts, maps and more this weekend at the Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway. For tickets ($25-$15) and info, visit www.cabookfair.com. Free admission for all students with valid student ID.

  Saturday, February 9: Fixit Clinic & Swap ’N Sew

The Castro Valley Library and CVSan will hold another of its Fixit Clinics and Swap ’n Sew events from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday. Learn how to repair items that have stopped working. If you would like to be a coach, sign up at bit.ly/fixitcoachsignup. For more information about the events, visit www.cvsan.org/repairworkshops

  Saturday, February 9:  Hearing Loss Association Meeting

Dr. Pragati Mandikai, will describe the latest innovation from EARLENS: a hearing aid which is Light-Driven, at the next meeting on Feb. 9. You won’t want to miss this. Refreshments at 9:30 a.m., program at 10 at Oakland Kaiser Hospital, Fabiola Bldg., 3801 Howe St., Lower Level, Room G26. Parking garage on Howe is free on Saturday. More info at hearinglosseb.org or call 510-221-6080.

  Saturday, February 9:  Music Benefit for Fire Victims

Local favorites “The Fundudes” and a number of other great Bay Area musicians will perform a musical benefit from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Zocolo Coffee, 645 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro. A donation of $10 is kindly suggested. All proceeds will go to North Valley Community Foundation designated to fire victims and their families. If you are unable to attend and would care to donate , please call North Valley Community Foundation at 530-891-1150.

  Saturday, February 9:  Amador Valley Quilters

Dora Cary, who discovered quilting after moving to the U.S., will present the lecture “Quilting Journey of a Romanian Engineer” at the Feb. 9 general meeting of the Amador Valley Quilters from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Pleasanton Middle School, 5001 Case Ave., Pleasanton. Cary became a citizen in 2008, and has published more than 20 quilt and bag patterns. Amador Valley Quilters meet on the second Saturday of the month. Guests are welcome. Visit  www.amadorvalleyquilters.org

  Sunday, February 10:  Preserving Your Family History

Chris Pattillo from the California Genealogical Society will present an introduction to preserving your family history that will cover preservation of photos and other memorabilia, as well as how to get started on researching family history and capturing oral histories, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. this Sunday in the Chabot Room at the Castro Valley Library. Whether you are a genealogy novice or an experienced hand, you will find useful information at this event, part of “Castro Valley Reads.”

  Sunday, February 10:  Shir Ami Tot Talk Program

Congregation Shir Ami invites children up to age 4 and their parents to the free, monthly “Tot Talk” program. Learn a little bit about being Jewish, socialize, and have fun from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the small friendly Reform Synagogue at 4529 Malabar Ave., off Redwood Road, in Castro Valley where we will be discussing the bedtime Sh’ma ritual, painting, playing and having fun. RSVP to bonnie@congshirami.org if you would like to attend. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/CongShirAmi 

Monday, February 11:  Charity Bingo Luncheon

Eagles Auxiliary 1139 will hold its monthly charity bingo luncheon at noon on Feb. 11 at Eagles Hall, 21406 Foothall Blvd., Hayward, with beef vegetable soup, sandwich and salad. The donation ($8 which includes one bingo card) will go to benefit the nonprofit FESCO, which helps many in need. For more info, call 510-584-1568.

  Monday, February 11:  Municipal Advisory Council Meeting

The Castro Valley MAC will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Castro Valley Library. Visit acgov.org/bc/cvmac for the agenda.

  Monday, February 11:  Free Massage for Seniors

Ten-minute massage appointments are available for seniors age 60 and over from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Aitken Senior Center, 17800 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. To schedule an appointment, please call 510-881-6738. Appointments are available on the second Monday of every other month.

  Tuesday, February 12:  Rotary Annual Speech Contest

The Castro Valley Rotary Club will hold its Annual Student Speech Contest at its next buffet lunch meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 at Redwood Canyon Golf Course, 17007 Redwood Road. The cost of lunch is $15 and reservations must be made by 9 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10, by contacting Rotary at cvrotary@iCloud.com or 510-402-5123.  More information is available at castrovalleyrotary.org.

  Saturday, February 16:  Crab & Shrimp Feed Fundraiser

Enjoy a Crab & Shrimp Feed while helping to raise funds for the Veterans Memorial Expansion Project on Feb.16 at the Moose Lodge, 20835 Rutledge Road. No host bar at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 6:30, plus raffle prizes. For tickets ($50 presale only, none at the door) call  Kasey Warner at 530-391-3330 or Pat Flanagan at 510-459-6177.

Entertainment

SHERIFF'S REPORT • 02-27-19

Wanted Man

Saturday, February 23: at 9:04 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 62-year-old man from Castro Valley as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man was smoking a cigarette outside a home on Sprague Court near Somerset Avenue when deputies stopped him for questioning. The man was previously charged with possession of stolen property. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail pending $5,000 in bail.

Domestic Assault

Saturday, February 23: at 5:18 p.m., a 911 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to a home on James Avenue near La Casa Lane. There, they arrested a 52-year-old woman from CV on suspicion of assault on a family member. Deputies took the woman into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.

Friday Night Foot Patrol

Friday, February 22: at 7:45 p.m., deputies arrested a 51-year-old man with no permanent address on suspicion of possession of illegal narcotics. The man was hiding behind a grocery store on the Boulevard at the same time deputies were conducting a foot patrol in the area. The man was also wanted as part of a warrant issued for his capture. He was taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $2,500 in bail.

Public Intoxication

Saturday, February 23: at 2:10 a.m., a 57-year-old man from Hayward was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication. He also had a warrant issued for his arrest. Deputies stopped the man for questioning outside a gas station on Castro Valley Boulevard near Redwood Road after they noticed him having a hard time standing up straight. The man was handcuffed and taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $5,000 in bail.

Drunken Spousal Abuse

Friday, February 22: at 10:00 a.m., deputies arrested a 65-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of spousal assault and public intoxication. The man was in front of an apartment on Center Street near Grove Way when deputies arrived. The wife said the suspect kicked her to the ground and showed a bleeding hand. The man failed his field sobriety test and was taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.

Malt Liquor Mayhem

Friday, February 22: at 10:12 p.m., a 42-year-old man with no permanent address was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication at a grocery store on Redwood Road near Castro Valley Boulevard. He was also wanted as part of a warrant issued for his arrest. Deputies were flagged down by a store employee who said the man was walking around, drinking from a tall can of malt liquor, and refusing to leave the store. Deputies handcuffed the man and took him to Santa Rita Jail pending $2,500 in bail.

Trio Doing Drugs In the Parking Lot

Friday, February 22: at 10:27 a.m., three people were arrested on drug-related charges in the parking lot of the 580 Market Place shopping center. Deputies stopped the trio for questioning after a passerby noticed they were taking drugs in a parked car. A 44-year-old man from San Lorenzo, a 36-year-old woman from Livermore, and a 24-year-old man from Pleasanton were arrested in the incident and all taken into custody.

Couple’s Quarrel Reveals ID Scams

Thursday, February 21: at 6:59 a.m., a 911 call about a loud and

aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to a home on Somerset Avenue near Alvertus Avenue. There they found a 28-year-old man from Castro Valley and a 31-year-old woman from Hayward engaged in a heated and physical altercation. Deputies also found the couple with an extensive collection of stolen identification cards, counterfeit passports, and ID-making devices. Both suspects were also in violation of their probation. Deputies handcuffed the pair and took them into custody.

Thief ‘Likely to Continue’

Thursday, February 21: at 2:39 a.m., deputies arrested a 46-year-old man from San Leandro on suspicion of petty theft as well as possession of illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. The man also had a warrant issued for his arrest on a previous charge of breaking and entering with intent to steal. Deputies caught up with the man outside a gas station on Lake Chabot Road near Castro Valley Boulevard after the store manager caught the man leaving with unpaid merchandise. In their report, deputies noted that the man was “likely to continue” and took him to Santa Rita Jail pending $2,500 in bail.

Family Fight Ends in Drunk Driving Arrest

Tuesday, February 19: at 8:06 p.m., a 38-year-old man from San Lorenzo was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated outside a home on Strobridge Avenue near Hobert Street. Deputies were already on the scene following a call about a heated argument between a mother and one of her sons. During questioning, the suspect drove by and yelled out obscenities. The brother noted that his sibling was drunk prompting an arrest by deputies. The suspect failed his field sobriety test and was taken into custody.

Knife-Wielding Attacker Is Her Neighbor

Monday, February 18: at 8:25 p.m., deputies arrested a 28-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of threatening someone with a deadly weapon. A call about an attempted attack sent deputies to a home on Stanton Avenue. The victim said the suspect was wearing a black hat, a dark hooded sweatshirt, and black pants. Deputies pursued the suspect to a home a few blocks away to question him. The man initially denied his involvement but eventually confessed to the crime and allowed deputies to search his home, where they found the knife. The man also had a warrant issued for his arrest. Deputies took him to Santa Rita Jail pending $5,000 in bail.

SHERIFF'S REPORT • 02-20-19

No Love at Taco Bell

Thursday, February 14: at 7:34 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 57-year-old man with no permanent address as part of a warrant issued for his arrest. The man was loitering at a fast food restaurant on Redwood Road near Redwood Court when deputies called to complain. The man had previously been charged with assault and battery as well as disrupting a business. Deputies served the warrant and took the man to Santa Rita Jail pending $2,500 in bail.

Deadly Weapon

Thursday, February 14: at 3:31 a.m., a 40-year-old man from San Leandro was arrested as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The

man had previously been charged on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Deputies stopped the man for questioning at a gas station on Redwood Road near Castro Valley Boulevard. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $7,500 in bail.

Charged with Embezzlement

Wednesday, February 13: at 1:00 p.m., deputies arrested a 32-year-old woman from Hayward on suspicion of embezzling from a clothing retailer in the Castro Village shopping center. The report did not specify if the woman was an employee or an accomplice nor the amount embezzled. Deputies responded after a call from store management. The woman was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Shoplifter Caught

Tuesday, February 12: at 4:56 p.m., a 29-year-old man from Oakland was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting from a drug store on Castro Valley Boulevard near Yeandle Avenue. Deputies responded to the scene after a call from the store manager. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Wanted Woman Fought the Law

Tuesday, February 12: at 1:08 p.m., deputies arrested a 44-year-old woman from Bellflower, Calif. (Los Angeles County) as part of a

warrant issued for her capture. The woman was stopped for questioning in front of a business on Redwood Road near Grove Way. When deputies tried to serve the warrant, the woman became confrontational and fought back. Deputies subdued the woman and took her to Santa Rita Jail pending $5,000 in bail.

Illegal Narcotics and Drug Paraphernalia

Tuesday, February 12: at 10:19 a.m., a 26-year-old woman from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of possession of illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Deputies stopped the woman for questioning outside a home on Sweet Lane near Lake Chabot Road. The woman was found with drugs and needles in her pockets and was taken into custody.

Selling Cannabis to Minors

Monday, February 11: at 1:13 p.m., deputies arrested a 48-year-old woman from Hayward on suspicion of petty theft, shoplifting, selling cannabis to a minor, and violating the terms of her parole. The woman was caught in the act at a clothing retailer in the Castro Village Shopping Center. Deputies were dispatched to the scene following a call from the store manager. The woman was taken to Santa Rita Jail and held without bail.

Shopping on Drugs

Monday, February 11: at 6:59 p.m., a call from a manager about a woman shopping on drugs sent deputies to a grocery store on Redwood Road near Castro Valley Boulevard. There, they questioned the woman and found illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia in her possession. The woman denied having owned either. Deputies took the woman into custody.

Wanted Man Robs CV Grocery Store

Monday, February 11: at 6:30 p.m., deputies arrested a 54-year-old man from Redwood City on suspicion of robbing a grocery store on Redwood Road near Castro Valley Boulevard. The man was also wanted as part of a warrant issued for his capture on a previous charge of the negligent firing of a loaded weapon. Deputies were called to the scene following a silent alarm. The man was also found to have illegal narcotics and

drug paraphernalia in his possession. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $25,000.

SHERIFF'S REPORT • 02-13-19

Arrested Twice in Two Days

Sunday, February 10: at 3:29 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 26-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of being a public nuisance. The man was loitering and harassing passersby outside a fast food restaurant on the Boulevard near Nunes Avenue. Deputies report the same man was arrested the night before outside a fast food restaurant on Strobridge Avenue near Castro Valley Boulevard on suspicion of interfering with the business and violating the terms of his probation. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $2,500 although, deputies reported that the man was “likely to continue” disrupting these businesses.

Tried to Flee

Friday, February 8: at 2:15 p.m., a 41-year-old man from San Leandro was arrested on suspicion of trying to flee the scene after deputies attempted to stop him for questioning. Deputies report the man was wanted as part of a warrant issued for his capture and tried to serve the warrant. The man ignored the sirens but was pulled over on Norbridge Avenue near Redwood Road. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail pending $50,000 in bail.

Caught Doing Drugs

Thursday, February 7: at 11:04 p.m., deputies arrested a 36-year-old man with no permanent address on suspicion of possession of illegal narcotics, illegal drug paraphernalia, and violating the terms of his parole. The man had been at a fast food restaurant on Castro Valley Boulevard near Wilbeam Avenue when the manager noticed the man had been locked in the bathroom for a long time. Deputies discovered the man had been doing drugs. The man was taken into custody.

Colorado Man on the Run

Wednesday, February 6: at 11:40 p.m., a 42-year-old man from Longmont, Colorado was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, felony possession of a stun gun, driving with an expired license, possession of illegal identification, and possession of methamphetamine drugs. Deputies pulled the man over in a parking lot on Santa Maria Avenue near Castro Valley Boulevard after they noticed the man was driving with a busted headlight. The man smelled of alcohol and provided deputies with a false ID. Deputies also found a stun gun under the driver’s seat and a baggie of meth drugs in the car. The man had prior warrants for his arrest in California. He was taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $57,500 in bail.

Public Intoxication

Wednesday, February 6: at 11:57 p.m., deputies arrested a 22-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of public intoxication. The man was hanging outside a business on Norbridge Avenue near Redwood Road when deputies stopped him for questioning and smelled alcohol on his breath. The man failed his field sobriety test and was taken into custody.

Wanted Man

Wednesday, February 6: at 9:30 p.m., a 48-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested as part of a warrant issued for his arrest and suspicion of possession of illegal drug paraphernalia. Deputies served the warrant at a mobile home park on Castro Valley Boulevard near Marshall Street after the man’s roommate opened the door and let deputies in. The man was handcuffed, taken to Santa Rita Jail and held without bail.

Can’t Stay Away

Thursday, February 7: at 2:13 a.m., deputies arrested a 37-year-old man with no permanent address on suspicion of violating the terms of his parole and a restraining order. The man was spotted walking on Heyer Avenue near Redwood Road but within 100 yards of an address, he was supposed to stay away from. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail and held him without bail.

Meeting in the Ladies Room

Tuesday, February 5: at 10:15 p.m., a 34-year-old man with no permanent address was arrested on suspicion of disrupting a business and violating the terms of his probation. Deputies were called to a restaurant on Castro Valley Boulevard near Wilbeam Avenue after the manager saw the man burst through the door, act strange, and then run into the women’s restroom. The man admitted he had been taking methamphetamine drugs prior to his outburst. Deputies also report the man was violating a court-issued restraining order against him that prevented he be more than 300 yards from an ice cream store on Redwood Road. The man was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Four Hours in the Bathroom Doing Drugs

Tuesday, February 5: at 6:31 p.m., deputies arrested a 28-year-old man from San Ramon on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine drugs and illegal drug paraphernalia. The man was reportedly in a men’s room of a business office upstairs from restaurants on Castro Valley Boulevard near San Miguel Avenue. A manager calling deputies to the scene reported the man had been there for four hours. Deputies found the drugs tucked away in the man’s hat and a pipe used for smoking drugs in his pocket. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Monday, February 4: at 12:30 p.m., a 26-year-old man from Oakland was arrested on suspicion of assault on a family member and assault with a deadly weapon. The man was also wanted as part of a warrant issued for his arrest. Deputies responded to an emergency call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument at an apartment complex on Center Street near Grove Way. The man was handcuffed and taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $80,000 in bail. The victim was treated at the scene.

SHERIFF'S REPORT • 02-06-19

Smoking Near Water Heater

Sunday, February 3: at 11:14 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 28-year-old man from San Ramon on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine drugs and illegal drug paraphernalia. An anonymous tip about a suspicious person sent deputies to a mobile home park on Castro Valley Boulevard near Anita Avenue. There, they discovered the man hiding in the laundry room behind a water heater smoking drugs. Deputies took him into custody. The man commented that he would, “have to get a lawyer.”

Stolen Property

Sunday, February 3: at 11:05 a.m., a 26-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property. Deputies were called to a business on Stanton Avenue near San Carlos Avenue after the man walked out with an unspecified amount of unpaid merchandise. The man was taken into custody.

Wanted Woman

Sunday, February 3: at 3:14 p.m., deputies arrested a 29-year-old woman from Oakland as part of a warrant issued for her capture. The woman was visiting at Eden Medical Center when deputies positively identified her for previous charges of possession of stolen property. Deputies took the woman to Santa Rita Jail pending $5,000 in bail.

Failed Shoplifting

Saturday, February 2: at 2:30 p.m., two men were arrested as part of a botched shoplifting attempt at a drug store on the Boulevard near Yeandle Avenue. Deputies responded following reports of the men trying to leave without paying. A 60-year-old man from Oakland and a 33-year-old man from San Leandro were additionally charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, violating the terms of their probation, and possession of illegal drug paraphernalia. Deputies took the men into custody.

Six More Months of Trouble

Saturday, February 2: at 4:42 p.m., deputies arrested a 50-year-old man with no permanent address on suspicion of possession of illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. The man had a warrant issued for his capture for the exact same charges. Deputies served the warrant at a home on Stanton Avenue near Denning Court and then found the drugs in his possession. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $7,500 in bail.

No Interlock Device

Friday, February 1: at 3:05 p.m., a 60-year-old man with no permanent address was arrested on suspicion of driving without a valid license and driving without a device required by him to check his breath for alcohol. Deputies pulled the man over in front of a business on Redwood Road near Grove Way. The man was taken into custody.

Wellness Check Ends in Arrest

February 2: at 1:15 a.m., deputies arrested a 23-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of breaking and entering a mobile home parked in a business parking lot on Castro Valley Boulevard near Marshall Street. A call requesting a wellness check on the suspect sent deputies to the address. There they found the man had a warrant issued for his capture. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $20,000 in bail.

Wanted Man

Thursday, January 31: at 3:35 p.m., a 29-year-old man from Oakland was arrested as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man had previously been charged with possession of stolen property. Deputies served the warrant at a home on Ganic Street near Wisteria Street. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail pending $10,000 in bail.

Altering a Firearm

Friday, February 1: at 1:06 a.m., deputies arrested an 18-year-old man from Castro Valley. The man was hanging out in a parking lot on Wilbeam Avenue near Castro Valley Boulevard when deputies stopped him for questioning. The man had apparently tried to alter a registered firearm to make it untraceable. Deputies took the man into custody.

Thieves Got His Medical Marijuana

Monday, January 28: at 11:40 p.m., two men were arrested on suspicion of robbery related to marijuana drugs. Deputies responded to a call by a man who said two masked people robbed him at gunpoint for his medical marijuana. The man positively identified the suspects after they were apprehended at the intersection of Eagle Street and Somerset Avenue. Deputies found the drugs in the vehicle in a “cookie bag” and a Glock-style pistol under the seat. A 24-year-old man from San Francisco and a 23-year-old man from Antioch (Contra Costa County) were taken into custody.

California Paves the Way for Additional Dwelling Units – Part 1

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE FORUM  •  02-20-19

While showing homes in the Central County, it is not uncommon to come across homes with an additional dwelling tucked away in the rear.

Falling under the names “Granny Flats” or “In-Law Units,” these buildings are called Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and, in many cases, are unpermitted.

Read, “illegal.”

Built to house family members or provide additional rental income, unpermitted units have been a conundrum for years. It has been estimated that LA County alone has up to 50,000 illegal ADUs.

While there are currently no numbers for Alameda County, it is no secret that many illegal units exist, posing serious issues for owners, county and city building departments and potential buyers.

Confronted with an increasing statewide housing crisis, January 2017 saw California enacting legislation reducing restrictions on ADUs and paving the way for both development of new units and possible permitting of existing, illegal units. Consequently, applications for ADUs have dramatically increased in many cities across California.

The Community Development Agency for Alameda County has a website dedicated to ADUs.*

It explains, “ADUs are fully independent living quarters, constructed on properties that are already developed with a single family residence, and are subordinate in size, location, and appearance to the main residence on the property. ADUs add to the local rental housing stock, can make home rentals and ownership more affordable, allow opportunities for aging in place and may reduce greenhouse gas emissions when constructed in areas near public transit and services.”

While a path has been cleared to allow for new ADUs, it goes without saying that properties must meet specific criteria before a unit will be allowed. Proposed units also face size restrictions.

All of which brings up the question, “What about existing illegal units?”

While possible to legalize some existing ADUs, many have been constructed outside the acceptable parameters and can never be legalized. Anyone owning a home with an illegal ADU can be forced by county or city officials to remove the unit.

These units often come to the attention of local officials when a permit is pulled to upgrade a property, a neighbor complains or is noticed when officials visit nearby properties or view satellite pictures.

Looking to buy a home with an ADU? Check with local officials to make sure it’s permitted. If not, you may get additional square footage, but will also incur significant liability. It is classic caveat emptor: buyer beware.

Part 2 Next Week

*www.acgov.org/cda/planning/landuseprojects/secondary-units.htm

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.

The Middle Of The Market Is Disappearing

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE FORUM  •  02-13-19

It is no secret that the process of buying and selling real estate has dramatically changed in the past few years.

While there have been a number of factors reshaping the real estate landscape, the primary change agent has been buyer access to online market information.

It is hard to imagine that Google has only been around since September 4th, 1998. While Realtor.com has been around since November 26th, 1996, Trulia was launched in September, 2005 and Zillow was born a few months later in February, 2006.

Shortly after, the first iPhone hit the market (June 29, 2007), Zillow debuted it’s iPhone app on April 29, 2009 and on April 30, 2010, Apple began selling iPads.

As these benchmarks accrued, each represented a milestone granting additional empowerment to buyers and contributed to the systematic process of moving the real estate process from brick and mortar structures out onto the Internet.

Another factor influencing real estate has been the deregulation of mainline television and the explosion of cable networks.

Launched on December 30th, 1994, HGTV has fully imbedded itself into the national consciousness and now dictates the housing and decorating tastes of emerging generations of homebuyers.

HGTV and its accompanying bevy of housing-related programs has dramatically elevated buyer tastes and desires to the point where the level of preparedness for homes hitting the market has dramatically increased in the past few years.

All of which has introduced a significant dilemma to thousands of homeowners hoping to sell their properties.

Some background: the market has three strata. The top tier features significantly improved homes selling for top dollar. The bottom level contains distressed properties purchased for substantially less by contractors and flippers. The middle level includes ordinary, dated homes with little or no improvements. These have historically sold at prices between the upper and lower levels.

With the reshaping of buyer tastes and inability of current generations to do home improvement work themselves, most buyers are ignoring the middle tier and looking instead for premium-quality homes for which they are willing to pay superior prices.

Homes in the middle tier consequently spend a much longer time on the market and sell for prices closer to the bottom tier.

It is a hard pill to swallow for many sellers who find themselves in the middle tier with no desire or funding to improve their home and no immediate prospects willing to pay average prices.

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.

The Super Bowl Effect

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE FORUM  •  02-06-19

The housing market is, in many ways, like a living thing. Whether a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market, it fluctuates and moves about like a tree in the wind, and, like a sentient being, seems quite frequently to have a mind of its own.

It reacts to current events and can, quite literally, pivot and change in a single day.

Looking backwards it is usually quite easy to see when the market shifted. It is no secret the economic collapse approximately ten years ago took a vibrant seller’s market and, overnight, turned it from boom to bust.

Homeowners, unable to pay escalating monthly payments due to wildly adjusting loans either lost their homes to foreclosure or resorted to short sales. Prices plummeted and buyers, especially investors, had free rein.

While difficult to pinpoint a specific day because of the breadth of the collapse, it is generally agreed that the market crested in May, 2007 and then began its epic ride into historic ruin.

It is also possible to see when the market turned upwards and transitioned from a buyer-oriented market to a full-blown seller’s market. It happened, quite literally, in a single day – February 7th, 2011.

For those who might be sports trivia buffs, that happens to be the day after the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Superbowl XLV. Quite literally, the very next morning, our phones began ringing off the hook and did not stop for months after.

Called “The Super Bowl Effect,” it is the time of year which usually indicates the shift from the dismal winter months into the upward-focused springtime. It’s the time when football fans no longer have their prime weekend hours tied up cheering on their favorite teams and can now focus on real estate.

If we are going to see an upward turn in the market and increased buyer activity, this is usually the time of year it is going to happen.

The seller’s market that began in February, 2011 and then went on a seven-and-a-half-year record-breaking romp, finally reached a peak this past June, 2018, as sales slowed and prices dropped through to the end of the year.

While it is very unlikely we will see another market like that for some time, it is possible that we may see a reversal now that Super Bowl LIII is in the books.

It will be interesting to see.

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.

Lexus Rolls Out Fuel-Sipping Flagship Sedan

BY STEVE SCHAEFER 

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  •  02-27-19

The Lexus LS 500 is a big, bold, beautiful flagship sedan, which competes with cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series. Redone in 2018, it moves into 2019 with a few small updates. You can choose from the “regular” LS 500 or the hybrid LS 500h.

The wide-mouthed spindle grille and sharp details evoke a certain “Lexusness” that stands out well against the recognizable flavor of those German luxury leaders. Coming from the company that gave us the Prius hybrid, though, the LS 500h, while not a “green” car like a Tesla, does deliver significant fuel economy improvements.

The non-hybrid LS 500 uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 to provide 416 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque, for a 4.6-second zero-to-sixty time. Its EPA mileage numbers are 19 City, 29 Highway, and 23 Combined. The available all-wheel-drive model posts slightly lower numbers.

Compare that to the hybrid LS 500h, which uses a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and two electric motor-generators powered by a compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery. The battery is charged up by regenerative braking. This model is a trifle slower from zero-to-sixty, at 5.1 seconds, but pushes the EPA fuel economy to 25 City, 33 Highway, and 28 Combined. It also boasts EPA green numbers of 7 for Smog and 6 for Greenhouse Gas. Range is an impressive 622 miles (varies depending on speed, weather, etc.).

That means that the hybrid version of Lexus’ massive, 2-1/2-ton flagship car gets better fuel economy numbers than Lexus’ non-hybrid smaller ES (26 mpg combined) and IS (24 mpg combined) sedans!

Naturally, there’s room for five, and the LS 500h offers every amenity imaginable when you factor in the vast menu of options. Most notable is the Executive package, which adds the price of a base-model Camry to the total ($23,080). But what you get is remarkable. Most visually striking is the first use of beautiful Kiriko glass in a car, on the doors. It gives the interior a shimmer, especially against the beautifully hand-pleated door trim with “floating” armrests that are back-lit at night.

The supremely comfortable quilted-leather seats offer an amazing 28-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with multi-function massage. The rear seats recline, there’s a four-way “climate concierge,” and power side window shades.

Going along with the theme of large numbers, the stunning Mark Levinson audio system ($1,940) features 23 speakers and 2,400 watts of power! The head-up display ($1,200) stretches 24 inches across the left half of the lower windshield.

Lexus uses a touchpad to control the numerous options on the large center display screen. I got pretty good at sliding and flicking my fingers to adjust things like the level of seat heating or audio selections. My car had Apple CarPlay integration, a handy feature that projects your phone content onto the main screen. You can use Siri to do verbal texting, phone calls, and other interactions. This car also had Alexa compatibility, but I didn’t use it.

The Lexus Safety System is a $3,000 option as well, although many safety features are part of every Toyota and Lexus today. I was saved by the pre-collision active braking. One night, as I backed out of a dark driveway, the car stopped suddenly, and red capital BRAKE flashed on the head-up display. Yes, there was a parked car behind me that I couldn’t see. The cross-traffic alert notifies you of cars moving across your path ahead with bright green arrows moving in the long head-up display area. That’s why they made it two-feet long.

There’s more! The wheels on my car were upgraded to 20-inchers ($2,450), and the Manganese Luster paint added an additional $595.

The LS 500h is a smooth riding limo, especially with the optional adaptive variable air suspension ($1,500). I can’t say I thought much about it, but traveling was serene under any circumstances. If you want to configure your experience, on one of the two “horns” on the instrument panel you can twist to “ECO,” comfort, and two higher-performance drive modes—Sport and Sport +). I stayed mostly in ECO mode, but sampled the others briefly. If you want to open up the LS 500h on a winding back road or on a freeway entrance ramp, the Sport settings will let you unleash yourself.

More big numbers come when pricing this special car. The base price is $79,710, plus $1,025 for delivery and handling. But with the long list of options, my car topped out at a knee-weakening $118,010. But it’s hard to imagine how you could pack more content and driving pleasure into a luxury sedan. While many people are moving to crossover sport utilities, there’s still a viable sedan market, and the LS 500h is one of the fanciest ones you’ll find, while still providing decent fuel economy.

Steve Schaefer lives in Castro Valley. He has been reviewing new cars in the Times for 27 years.

CAPTION: The LS 500h uses a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and two electric motor-generators powered by a compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery.

A Guide to Understanding Electric Vehicles

BY STEVE SCHAEFER 

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM  •  02-13-19

Electric vehicles are the future, because they contribute much less to global warming and climate change than gasoline-only models. But at just over two percent of the U.S. market in 2018, they are still not the choice of most drivers. They are more popular in California and in some other countries.

Here are my views on the advantages and disadvantages of EVs, followed by an explanation of the different types of EVs available today.

EV Advantages and Disadvantages

Pure electric cars are clean and quiet, need nearly zero service, cost less to run, and provide great acceleration, but there are some disadvantages at the moment.

First of all, all-electric cars are not available in all sizes and models. There are no all-electric pickup trucks, for example, and handsome all-electric sedans are pretty much limited to Tesla.

Second, electric cars tend to be more expensive, because of the cost of batteries and having fewer units over which to spread

The Nissan LEAF is one of the most popular BEVs (battery-electric vehicles).                               development costs. This should change significantly in the next few years.

Third—and this is the deal breaker for many folks—electric cars have range limitations and charging the battery is still less convenient than pulling into a gas station.

Four Kinds of Electric Vehicles

There are four types of electrified vehicles, and which one you pick should match what you plan to do with it.

Hybrids combine a gasoline engine and an electric motor to improve fuel economy. The motor has a small battery that uses electricity that’s generated when you slow down or brake. The Toyota Prius is the poster child, although there are many others, including hybrid versions of familiar vehicles. Hybrids can get more than 50 miles per gallon, which is a big improvement over any regular gasoline car. You don’t have to do anything special—just fill it up with gas and go. But you’ll do it less often.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) have plugs and a larger battery, so you can charge them up and use only electricity for a limited range, anywhere from 11 to more than 50 miles. They still work like hybrids, and if you’re commuting and running around town, you may not use gasoline at all sometimes. But—if you jump on the freeway you can drive across the country without a thought. For some people, this is ideal. The downside is that you still have to pay for gasoline-car maintenance and you are carrying both powertrains around all the time. If you don’t plug the car in, it still acts like a regular hybrid, but if you do, you’ll get to drive on electrons part of the time. The pioneering Chevrolet Volt is a good example and offers up to 53 miles of electric range. There are many PHEVs on the market today.

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) run on their battery only. You have to plug them in to drive them. They vary in range, and the newest ones can go more than 300 miles on a charge. You can charge them using household 120-volt current (very slow) or Level 2 (240-volt) at home or at charging stations (it takes a few hours to charge) or DC fast charging, which can take less than an hour to fill the battery. BEVs work best when you’re not planning to travel long intercity distances regularly. Charging networks are growing, but most users normally charge at home or at work, which means never going to a gas station. Technological advances and range increases are coming. The most popular new BEVs are cars like the Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model 3, and Chevrolet Bolt EV.

Fuel-cell vehicles create their own electricity using compressed hydrogen gas as a fuel and emit only water. But there are drawbacks: hydrogen stations are few and far between, the fuel itself is expensive (although some manufacturers subsidize it) and is energy-intensive to produce. Today, there are only three choices in the marketplace—two sedans and one crossover. If you live near a hydrogen station and like the looks of the vehicles, you may be able to swing a lease deal on a Honda Clarity, Toyota Mirai, or the brand-new Hyundai Nexo.

Which Kind of EV Should I Get?

If you are OK with driving locally and can borrow or rent another car for that once-a-year 2,000-mile trip, get a BEV. If you want to drive electric for commuting and local errands but be able to take off and go to the mountains or visit your children in the next state every month, opt for a plug-in hybrid. If you want to do something about the climate crisis but live in an apartment and don’t have any charging at work, try a hybrid. Hybrids take half a car off the road, which is still a lot.

See next week’s column for suggestions on buying a used EV.

Steve Schaefer lives in Castro Valley. He has been reviewing new car performance for more than a quarter of a century.

The Chevrolet Volt is a pioneer of plug-in hybrids.

                                                                                                            The Toyota Prius, poster child for hybrids.

Extend Your Driving Years

By Jim Miller

SPECIAL TO THE FORUM 02-20-19

With more than 40 million licensed drivers in the U.S. over the age of 65, there are lots of resources available today to help keep older drivers safe and behind the wheel longer. Here are some simple steps you can take to help keep driving safely.

Get your eyes checked: Because about 90 percent of the information necessary to drive is received through our eyes, getting your eyes checked every year to be sure his vision and eyewear is up to par is an important first step.

Check your meds: Do you take any medicine or combination of medicines that make you sleepy, light-headed or loopy? If so, make a list of all his medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and dietary supplements, and take it to his doctor or pharmacist for a review. You can also get help with this online at RoadwiseRX.com.

Evaluate your driving: To stay on top of any potential driving issues, have a friend take a ride with you from time-to-time watching for problem areas, such as: Do you drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate or drift between lanes? Does you have difficulty seeing, backing up or changing lanes? Do you react slowly, get confused easily or make poor driving decisions?

For more tips, see the National Caregivers Library driving assessment checklist at SeniorDriverChecklist.org.

If you need a more thorough evaluation, you can turn to a driver rehabilitation specialist who’s trained to evaluate older drivers. This type of assessment typically costs between $100 and $200. To locate a professional in your area, visit AOTA.org/older-driver or ADED.net.

Seminar Next Wednesday: The California Highway Patrol and the Castro Valley Library are holding a Senior Driver Traffic Safety Seminar next Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the library, 3600 Norbridge Avenue from 1 to 3 p.m. This seminar will include: Compensating for Age-Related Changes, Tune-Up Your Driving Skills, Rules of the Road, Safe Driving Tips; and more!

On completion, participants will receive a certificate for completing the course which may entitle them to an automobile insurance discount. Registration is required for this free program.  To register, call the Library Information Desk at 510-667-7900.

see DRIVING on back page

Also, AAA and AARP both have older driver refresher courses that can help tune-up your driving skills, and learn how to adjust for slower reflexes, weaker vision and other age-related changes that affect driving.

To locate a class, contact your local AAA (AAA.com), or AARP (AARP.org/drive, 888-227-7669). Most courses cost around $15 to $30 and can be taken in the classroom or online.

Another good resource to look into is CarFit. This is a free assessment program that will help you adjust your vehicle for a better fit, making it easier and safer to drive. CarFit events are held around the country in select locations. See Car-Fit.org to look for one near you.

Make some adjustments: Recognizing your driving vulnerabilities and making small changes on when and where you drive can go a long way in helping keep safe and driving longer.

Adjustments may include not driving after dark or during rush hour traffic, avoiding major highways or other busy roads, and not driving in poor weather conditions.

You can find more tips at AAA Senior Driving at SeniorDriving.AAA.com.

And finally, when it gets to the point that your driving isn’t safe anymore and you need to quit, The Hartford Financial Services Group and MIT AgeLab offers two helpful resources. Go to TheHartford.com/lifetime – click on “Publications” on the menu bar – and download or order the “At the Crossroads” and/or “We Need to Talk” guides.

Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

CAPTION: The California Highway Patrol and the Castro Valley Library are holding a Senior Driver Traffic Safety Seminar next Wednesday, February 27, at the library from 1 to 3 p.m. 

Bothered By Chronic Pain? Its Source May Come as a Surprise

SPECIAL TO THE FORUM 02-13-19

Pain that lingers or worsens is usually a signal to see a doctor. Medical professionals, however, don’t always diagnose the problem correctly in the initial visit.

Chronic pain sufferers, in particular, may want to get a second opinion. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have reported that 40 to 80 percent of chronic-pain patients are misdiagnosed. Being misdiagnosed can lead to ineffective treatments and perhaps surgery the patient did not need.

One way to save time, money and worry – and most importantly, to receive the right treatment - is to find the source of the pain, says Dr. Victor Romano, an orthopedic surgeon and author of “Finding The Source: Maximizing Your Results – With and Without Orthopaedic Surgery.”

“You treat the source, not the symptoms,” Dr. Romano says. “Finding the source of pain can help cure a problem using non-surgical means, and it can change someone’s life.

“It comes down to peeling back the layers to figure out what is contributing to the pain. Finding and treating the source of an injury helps determine whether surgery is warranted at that time.”

Dr. Romano uses a patient evaluation tool called Autonomic Motor Nerve Reflex Testing (AMNRT) to identify the source of symptoms. Sometimes patients are surprised to learn the origin of their pain.

“The body compensates for injuries,” Dr. Romano says. “For instance, a patient may have shoulder pain because they are adapting their stance to accommodate a back injury. Pain in one area of the body is often associated with an injury on the other side.”

For example, Dr. Romano points out that if you have a cold, allergies, or a deviated septum, obstructed breathing will contribute to weakness and pain in your back, shoulders, and hips. Improving your breathing - with nasal sprays or rinses and allergy medication, or fixing your crooked nose, will help improve your strength and relieve your pain.

Dr. Romano lists five common physical ailments that produce chronic pain, some possible sources for the pain, and non-surgical remedies to relieve it:

Tennis elbow. “Why are you using more force on that elbow for gripping or lifting?” Dr. Romano asks. “Testing could reveal the hand is weak from carpal tunnel syndrome. Fix your carpal tunnel problem and your elbow pain will begin to heal on its own.”

For therapy, he suggests self-manipulation of your wrists, grabbing the back of the hand while resting a forearm on your stomach, then pulling on the wrist and bending it downward.

Runner’s knee. The medical term is patellofemoral pain syndrome, felt as vague pain around the kneecap from prolonged sitting or more strenuous activities like stair climbing.

“The injury is thought to come from overuse, excess weight, or  arthritis,” Dr. Romano says, “but the true source for, say, right knee pain is often a weakness in the right hip flexor.

Physical therapy, stretching the outside structures and strengthening the inside muscles are often better solutions than surgery.”

Sciatica. This affects about 40 percent of the population at some point. It’s characterized by pain in the lower back going down the leg. There can be several non-obvious sources, such as obstructed breathing and its associated back problems or a tilted pelvis. Dr. Romano suggests a variety of stretches in yoga, along with rotational and hip flexion stretches. 

How Seniors Can Find Clinical Trials

By Jim Miller

SPECIAL TO THE FORUM 02-06-19

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans participate in clinical trials in hopes of gaining access to the latest, and possibly greatest, but not-yet-on-the-market treatments for all types of illnesses.

But, you need to be aware that clinical trials can vary greatly in what they’re designed to do, so be careful to choose one that can actually benefits you. Here’s what you should know along with some tips for locating one.

Clinical Trials

A clinical trial is the scientific term for a test or research study of a drug, device or medical procedure using people. These trials – sponsored by drug companies, doctors, hospitals and the federal government – are conducted to learn whether a new treatment is safe and if it works. But, keep in mind that these new treatments are also unproven, so there may be risks too.

Also be aware that all clinical trials have certain eligibility criteria (age, gender, health status, etc.) that you must meet in order to be accepted. And before taking part in a trial, you’ll be asked to sign an informed consent agreement. You can also leave a study at any time.

see TRIALS on page 15

Find a Trial

Every year, there are more than 100,000 clinical trials conducted in the U.S. You can find them by asking your doctor who may be monitoring trials in his or her specialty. Or, you can look for them on your own at ClinicalTrials.gov.

This website, sponsored by the National Institutes of Heath, contains a comprehensive database of federally and privately supported clinical studies in the U.S. and abroad on a wide range of diseases and conditions, including information about each trial’s purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details.

If you want some help finding the right trial, try ResearchMatch.org, a web-based resource created by Vanderbilt University that connects willing patients with researchers of clinical trial.

Or, use the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation at CISCRP.org. This is a nonprofit organization that will take your information online or over the phone and do a thorough clinical trials search for you, and mail or email you the results within a week or two. Call 877-633-4376 for assistance.

Those with dementia and their caregivers can also locate clinical trials at the Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch at TrialMatch.alz.org.

Things to Know

Before deciding to participate in a trial, you need to first discuss it with your doctor to make sure it is appropriate for you. Then, schedule an appointment with the study’s medical team and ask lots of questions, such as:

• What’s the purpose of the study and can it improve my condition?

• What are the risks?

• What kinds of tests and treatments does the study involve, and how often and where they are performed?

• Is the experimental treatment in the study being compared with a standard treatment or a placebo?

• Who’s paying for the study? Will I have any costs, and if so, will my insurance plan or Medicare cover the rest?

• What if something goes wrong during or after the trial and I need extra medical care? Who pays?

For more information on clinical trials for older adults visit the National Institute on Aging (nia.nih.gov/health/clinical-trials), which has many informative articles including one on “questions to ask before participating in a clinical trial.”

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org

LETTERS • 02-20-19

Calls on CVSan Board of Directors to Resign

Editor:

The Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan) Board of Directors approved Ordinance No. 180 at the Feb. 5th Board Meeting, which raised our garbage rates by more than 15% beginning May 1, 2019, and at least 6% per year for the following nine years. Cost-based annual rate increases can be even higher than 6% in years 3, 7 or 8. This rate increase was based on a 10-year $13M contract with Alameda County Industries entered into on June 13, 2018. Our current garbage collector, Waste Management of Alameda County, was terminated.

  CVSan’s garbage rate is more than double that of the Oro Loma Sanitary District and is one of the highest in the Bay Area! Go figure! So much for people on fixed incomes! 

At the Feb. 5th Board Meeting, after hearing statements by a number of ratepayers opposing the rate increases, including myself, Board Member McGowan stated that if the Board did not raise the rates, CVSan would go bankrupt to cover the costs of the new contract. Approving a contract that could possibly bankrupt CVSan is fiscally incompetent.

Moreover, the rate increases failed to comply with the notice requirements under Proposition 218. Upon my request, the Board refused to certify that the Notice of Public Hearing was properly made under Proposition 218. The Board did adopt an Order that the Notice of Public Hearing was properly made by posting the Notice in three public places under Health and Safety Code section 6490, which is improper under Proposition 218.

The Board of Directors, as our public servants, should resign, as they are incompetent and do not have the ratepayers’ best interests at heart.

—Ken Owen, Castro Valley

LETTERS • 02-13-19

Surprised to Learn that Soccer Star Lima is from Castro Valley

Editor:

What a pleasant surprise for me to see Nick Lima’s photo on the front page of the Feb. 6th issue of the Castro Valley Forum newspaper. I had no idea he was from Castro Valley!

My wife and I make it to at least a couple of Earthquake games every year and I was fortunate enough to have attended the friendly match between the United States Men’s National Team and Costa Rica at Avaya Stadium just this past weekend.

Seeing a member of The San Jose Earthquakes playing with the national team was fantastic. And with that Earthquakes’ player being Nick Lima, it’s possible we might see someone from my town at the World Cup someday representing The United States.

That is just too cool, thank you CV Forum. By the way on something of an interesting side note I recently learned that congressmen Eric Swalwell (who’s district includes Castro Valley) was himself quite an avid soccer player at one time.

—David Holsey

Castro Valley

Wants to See Alternate Candidates for the CVSan Board on the Next Ballot

Editor:

When is an opportunity really not an opportunity? Well, it’s when the Castro Valley Sanitary District invites the community to their February 5 meeting to share concerns about the upcoming rate increases, and then tells us that ultimately our opposition really doesn’t matter because they already signed a 10-year contract back in June 2018 with Alameda County Industries (ACI)!   

It was clear that the meeting was just a legal formality and that the Board was not open to considering other options.

Thanks to the approximately 70 members of the community who wrote letters of opposition to the rate increases. I am sure the Board didn’t even read them because they weren’t going to consider them anyway. 

Thanks also to those who spoke at the meeting asking the Board to vote against the rate increases and consider additional companies and bids. CVSan Board’s response = no comment, no discussion. How disrespectful to the members of our community!

Remember, this CVSan Board works for us, or do they? I don’t have much confidence in their ability to negotiate contracts in the best interest of Castro Valley homeowners, nor with the CVSan staff headed by Roland Williams. According to them, they only considered the bids given by our current carrier Waste Management and ACI. 

As you will note, the flier you received with the new increases doesn’t show anywhere how and why ACI was chosen. There are many neighboring cities that pay far less for service than CV will now pay. Just look at page 10 of your new CVSan calendar.

Three of the CVSan Board members are up for re-election in 2020 – McGowan, Akagi, and Sadoff. I urge you to consider alternate candidates as I am not sure this current Board has been acting in our best interest. I think there has been a lot of rubber stamping going on. 

—Karen Robertson

Castro Valley

LETTERS • 02-06-19

Rotary Club’s Chili Cook Off and Parade Coming Right Up!

Editor:

Please hold Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11 for two great community events: The Chili Cook Off (May 10) and the 37th Annual Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade (May 11), both sponsored and hosted by the Rotary Club of Castro Valley! 

This year, we have added to The Chili Cook Off competition a “Mac and Cheese” category and are looking for five entries!

Both the Chili Cook Off and the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade committees encourages individuals, schools, churches and other organizations to sign up early and have a great Castro Valley weekend promoting their passions!

Chili Cook Off Chair Randy Vanderbilt invites prospective Chili entries to contact him directly at 510-882-1114 and Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade Chair Todd Anglin invites interested individual and organizations to visit the parade website at www.rowellranchrodeoparade.com for more information and to enter.

—Bruce D. Johnson, Chili Cook Off and Parade Committee

Castro Valley Rotary

Wants MAC to Tackle Challenge of Town’s Traffic Jams

Editor:

I’m very pleased the Municipal Advisory Council approved the renovation on Santa Maria Avenue; this will be a wonderful step for our town. 

However, I’m extremely concerned MAC hasn’t made a single proposal to correct the traffic jams around the main thoroughfares (and adjacent streets) in Castro Valley.

Every year our streets have become less and less attractive to all residents as they have become non functional and insufficient to deal with the realities of today’s traffic demands. Please, MAC, tackle this challenge and find a solution, otherwise let others replace you.

—Hugo Torres, Castro Valley

Disturbed by Supervisors’ Lack of “Respect for Animals”

Editor:

I testified at the Board meeting of the Alameda County Supervisors and recommended it ban two brutal rodeo events, wild cow milking and mutton busting. Three videos were shown to the Board of those types of recent events at Rowell Ranch clearly evidencing the abuse and mistreatment of rodeo animals.

Valle found the content disturbing and cruel and later Sup. Chan proposed a ban on mutton busting. Valle, Carson, and Miley voted for Chan’s proposal—Miley originally voted the “status quo” against the proposal stating he could not see any abuse. He generally sides with industry when in doubt, but then later changed his vote in favor when Chan pointed out the Humane Society is against those events. Haggerty was the sole vote against the Chan proposal.

Supervisors Miley and Haggerty are both Rowell Ranch Rangers listed on its website. This conflict of interest was pointed out by this author. Miley did not address it, and Haggerty denied any conflict claiming he gave only $1,000 to the rodeo committee. 

Mr. Haggerty chaired this hearing and attempted to hurry through this agenda item, cutting off a number of citizen speakers in mid-sentence if they exceeded their 3-minute time limit, even going so far to ask four members of the public to voluntarily forgo their public comment.

As a taxpayer of District 4, I look forward to the 2020 county elections to bring forth candidates with compassion and respect for animals and their welfare, that won’t turn a blind eye to the ongoing abuse and to the community exposing what’s really happening to animals behind rodeo fences and gates.

—Michelle Lang, Castro Valle

OBITUARIES • 02-20-19

Brenda Joy Garrett

January 8, 1953 – February 1, 2019

Married December 4, 1971

Brenda was born to Raymond and Lordis Baroman in Honolulu, Hawaii. As an Air Force family, the Baromans were sent to several locations around the world, from Colorado to Japan, and several places in between.

Brenda had 2 older brothers and 1 younger, John, who was born severely autistic and whom she cared for until her death.

In 1969, Brenda met Greg at Foothill High School in North Highlands, CA as he stumbled out of a bus and almost knocked her down. She gave a kind smile to ease Greg’s embarrassment and she became the owner of his unworthy heart. Later that year he was her date when she was crowned Queen of the Junior Prom, and Greg has had the honor to try and keep up with the passion and acts of love that Brenda expected herself to perform every day for the following 50 years.

Soon after marriage, Brenda was told by her physician that she must have children early if she was to become a mother at all.  She delivered 3 babies in 3 1/2 years and was blessed with one more delivery 10 years after the first.

A caring, generous and tough mother, Brenda’s brood extended far beyond the immediate family – countless nieces, nephews, and neighborhood friends were honored to call her mom, and she loved them as her own children.

As a Grandmother, she was lovingly referred to as “Tutu” by her 7 grandchildren who kept her heart filled with a Joy that she considered both a reward and a new field for her nurturing.

She loved beautiful music, but the most beautiful of all were the songs she sang herself. Brenda was an accomplished singer with the voice of an Angel.

Brenda was so protective of her children’s mental and spiritual development that, after trying several elementary schools, she removed her little ones from public schools and taught them at home until it was time for high school to prepare them for college.

All 5 of them were accepted into and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. A strong and proud woman, this was one of the accomplishments that Brenda was most proud of sharing with others. Ezra, Lisa, Woody, Sam and Lori will all tell you that it was Mom’s strength and sheer willpower that made it possible for them to fulfill her own dream of attending and graduating from an institution that meant so much to her. As the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement, Cal was an inspiration to Brenda and greatly influenced her worldview.

As a result of her ceaseless focus on showing her children how to love, to become strong, and to succeed in life by serving the children of God wherever they may be, the world will still be a wonderful place despite God’s decision to take Brenda Joy back to heaven.  It is time now for others to practice serving through love and strength of soul. It is time now for her children to prepare their own children to live Joyfully and increase the light that Brenda added to our world.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00am on Friday, February 22 at Church of the Transfiguration, located at 4000 East Castro Valley Boulevard in Castro Valley, CA 94552. A reception will follow in Mt. Tabor Hall at the same location.

JOHN C. LIVERGOOD

October 17, 1938 – February 4, 2019

On Monday, Feb. 4th, 2019, John passed away peacefully at his home in Castro Valley, CA. John was born in Fresno, CA, to Buster and Pansy Livergood. He attended Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill and San Jose State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters degree in European history. He started his teaching career at his alma mater Live Oak High School and later at Kennedy High School in Fremont, CA. John was a long-time resident of Castro Valley.

John was dedicated to offering alternatives to the local education system. In 1970 he and his wife Joyce founded Shady Grove school, a small private high school serving grades 7-12 in a non-traditional setting which they ran out of their home. John taught with a zeal for hands-on learning through the application of real-world skills and challenging the status quo. His students will remember John for his willingness to provide educational experiences out in the world, not just through books and classrooms. Additionally, John received several Fulbright scholarships and enjoyed a variety of studies. His passion was Shakespeare and Literature.

Shady Grove closed in 1998 and John moved to “The Land” in Ahwahnee, Ca. He loved living there and the nature that surrounded his home. He knew the name of every plant and animal on his place. He took great pride in the undisturbed beauty of his property and was a keen observer of all things in the natural world. John spent many hours volunteering at the Oakhurst public library (FOBL) and was especially helpful with book sales. He was an active member of the Oakhurst chapter of the Democratic club. He also enjoyed participating in his local book group. During his 20 years living in the Sierra foothills he made many lifelong friends.

He is survived by his daughters Jenét Roman and husband Emmanuel of San Ramon, Jocelyn Girard and husband Bart of Castro Valley and sons Jeff Livergood of Murphys and John Davis and wife Laurey of San Ramon. His siblings Larry Livergood of Pahrump, NV, sister Sue French and husband David of Clovis, CA and brother

Robert Andrews and wife Karen also of Clovis, Ca. His grandchildren are Corrine and Allison Girard, Ian and

Connor Davis and Justin and Ashton Roman.

In 2018 John moved back to Castro Valley to be closer to his children and grandchildren. In accordance with John’s wishes, there will be no service. John’s family would like to express their gratitude to Kaiser Hospice for their quality and compassionate care during the last weeks of his life. Please remember him when you visit your local library, work in your garden or catch sight of a bird at the feeder.

OBITUARIES • 02-13-19

Bob Walter

Bob Walter, a 60 year resident of Castro Valley, passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2019. A proud Marine veteran, Bob served his country with distinction and honor. Bob was an avid car enthusiast. He was a member of the Castro Valley Church of the Nazarene.

He is survived by his wife Lie Lan and his children Lorena Whitney and her husband Scott of San Diego, Elliot Walter of San Diego, Cheri Walter of Santa Clara and Lyle Walter of Castro Valley and 6 grandchildren. 

A public viewing will be held on Fri., Feb. 15 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. with a memorial service on Sat., Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. Spencer’s Mortuary in Castro Valley, 21228 Redwood Road, Castro Valley.

This Week at Smalltown

SPECIAL TO THE FORUM 02-20-19

Looking for more opportunities to highlight your music or art? Smalltown Society is currently holding open auditions and reviewing portfolios for the 2019 season. Opportunities to perform at various gatherings and events, or showcase your work at locations around the Eden area. Email: info@smalltownsociety.com

•  Thurs., Feb. 21: Live at the Octopus Literary Salon

The first Songwriter Showcase of 2019 hosted by local singer-songwriter Wilson Wong. Smalltown artists Safiyah Hernandez, Paul Keim, and Wilson Wong along with local songwriter Graham Hill. Come support live music! 7-9 p.m. Octopus Literary Salon: 2101 Webster St. Oakland

•  Fri., Feb. 22: Smalltown February Gathering!

This month Smalltown is partnering with San Francisco-based poetry collective “Lyrical Opposition” for a night of poetry and hip-hop. Also featuring Plethos Productions, Nestor Castillo, food by Eden Urban Farms, beer & wine, and more! Connect with your community, hear from local artists, musicians and advocates, and experience the developing narratives of your neighborhood! Free, suggested contribution $10. Doors open at 7 p.m. 7:30-10 p.m.

More details on Smalltown events at: smalltownsociety.com or text “Smalltown” to 797979. Smalltown Society is located at 22222 Redwood Road, CV.

This Week at Smalltown

SPECIAL TO THE FORUM 02-13-19

Looking for more opportunities to highlight your music? Your art? Your voice? Smalltown Society is currently holding open auditions and reviewing portfolios for the 2019 season.

Opportunities to perform at various gatherings and events, or showcase your work at various locations around the Eden area. Email: info@smalltownsociety.com for more info!

• Thursday, February 21: Live at the

 Octopus Literary Salon  

The first Songwriter Showcase of 2019 hosted by local singer-songwriter Wilson Wong. Smalltown artists Safiyah Hernandez, Paul Keim, Wilson Wong and local songwriter Graham Hill. Come support live music 7-9 p.m., Octopus Literary Salon: 2101 Webster St. Oakland.

• Friday, February 22: Smalltown

February Gathering!

This month Smalltown is partnering up with San Francisco based poetry collective “Lyrical Opposition” for a night of poetry and hip-hop. Also featuring, Artist Rebecca Im, Plethos Productions, Nestor Castillo, food by Eden Urban Farms, beer & wine, and more!! Connect with your community, hear from local artists, musicians and advocates, and experience the developing narratives of your neighborhood! FREE (suggested contribution $10) Doors open at 7 p.m. 7:30-10:00 p.m.

• Thursday, February 28: The Lab: Songwriter

and Poet Showcase & Workshop

Performance sign-ups by email only: info@smalltownsociety.com.

More details on these events and others please visit: www.smalltownsociety.com or text “Smalltown” to 797979.  Smalltown Society is located at 22222 Redwood Road, CV.

This Week at Smalltown

SPECIAL TO THE FORUM 02-06-19

• Saturday, February 9: Smalltown Creative Hub It’s about People. It’s about community. It’s about Collaboration. It’s about random strangers and random events that somehow always seem to connect with you. It’s about good stories, from good people, from all walks of life. It’s about fun and creativity, justice and meaning. It’s about the good things that bind us together. A free and open workspace/studio environment, a place to kick up your feet, view local art and create local art. Free Wi-Fi. Bring some food, drink, a project you’re working on, a book your reading, or a thought to share. Anyone is welcome. Free... 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

More details on these events and others visit

www.smalltownsociety.com or text “Smalltown” to 797979. Smalltown Society is located at 22222 Redwood Road, Castro Valley.