SLT ARCHIVES • DECEMBER 2016

A Look Back: 2016 In a Nutshell

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-29-16

    As the year draws to a close, it’s time to take a look at what happened in San Leandro in 2016.

    The election, a housing shortage, a nepotism controversy, and a large naked woman who came to town on a wave of public relations buzz – here’s what defined this year in San Leandro

January

    • PG&E raised electricity rates by about 7 percent on the first of the year. That was on top of another 6 percent rise that kicked in on Jan. 1, 2015… and another rate hike of about $3 per month will go into effect Jan. 1, 2017.

    • San Lorenzo teachers voted to “strike if necessary” after contact negotiations stalled with the district. Eventually, the teachers received a 7 percent pay increase over a two-year period.

    • The East Bay Regional Park District nixed a plan to build new offices on the old Nike missile site at the top of the hill in Lake Chabot Park after hundreds out people protested that the design would mar the views of the Fairmont Ridge.

February 

    • The City Council passed a change to the San Leandro’s Rent Review Board policies that allowed tenants to bring disputes to the board if they have their rent increased by more than 7 percent in a single year. Dozens of renters told the council that they are worried about becoming homelsss. Affordable housing remains one of the city’s most pressing problems. The rising cost of rent caused worry that the residents of Trailer Haven being priced out of their homes.

    • The City Council announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer of Joel Ramirez. Ramirez, 21, was murdered in December 2014 in what police call a tragic case of mistaken identity.

    • After she was the only person to to apply, 19-year-old college student Ashley Vo was selected to fill an empty spot on the San Leandro School Board after trustee Ron Carey quit  because he needed to spend more time at his job.

March

    • The Chabot Gun Club was ordered to close by the East Bay Regional Park District after operating for more than 50 years at Anthony Chabot Regional Park. The district said the park was an environmental hazard and voted to not renew the range’s lease, so the last shots were fired at the club on Labor Day.

    • The San Leandro school board voted to expand a program that has San Leandro police officers teach kids about gangs and drugs at the elementary schools. The program caused controversy, with some parents and teachers saying it wasn’t a good use of class time and that teachers, not cops, should be teaching students.

    • The San Lorenzo School Board unanimously voted to eliminate the “Rebel” mascot depicting a Old-West frontiersman at San Lorenzo High, saying it had racist connotations.

April

    • Mayor Pauline Cutter’s daughter Jessica left her job with the city’s recreation department after people pointed out that it violated the City Charter’s law against nepotism. Relatives of City Council members can’t work for the city, except in the case of temporary jobs – for example, as a summer lifeguard at a city pool.

    • The Marea Alta affordable housing project across from the downtown BART station began accepting applications for tenants. Over 18,000 people from all over the state applied for 115 apartments.

    • BART announced that it struck an agreement with labor unions that prevents the possibility of another traffic-snarling strike until 2021 by offering raises totaling 10.5 percent. Many people felt that BART employees were already generously paid and State Senator Steve Glazer called the BART raises “exorbitant.”

May

    • A man was shot and killed while attending a First Communion party at the Senior Center. Police say the shooting was gang related. Three people, including two teenagers were later arrested for the crime. There were a total of three murders in San Leandro in 2016.

    • Two Alameda County sheriff’s deputies who were caught on tape beating an unarmed car theft suspect were charged with assault with a deadly weapon in the case.

    • A year-long construction project to shore up the Chabot dam began. The seismic upgrades have made it necessary to close down Chabot Park and parts of Lake Chabot until 2017.

June

    • One man was killed and other seriously wounded following an argument at a bar on 150th Avenue in unincorporated San Leandro.

    • A woman entered the Wells Fargo bank downtown and stabbed a 12-year-old boy with a pair of scissor in a random attack  before robbing a customer and fleeing the scene. She was caught moments later and the boy survived his injuries

    • There were cries of “not in my back yard” in the north area after a developer announced plans for an apartment building near the corner of Estudllio and Bancroft avenues. the city eventually altered rezoning plans so five-story buildings won’t be allowed in the area.

July

    • Former Arroyo track standout Young-Sung Leal stopped a woman from being abducted while she was walking along Washington Avenue. An assailant attempted to grab the victim and pull her into his car. Leal wrestled her away from the suspect.

    • The David Street Wellness Center was selected for the city’s second medical marijuana dispensary permit. Eventually, the city approved three pot clinics, but the council was accused of cronyism for choosing operators with close ties to City Hall to receive the lucrative permits.

    • A woman was struck and killed by a train on Halcyon Avenue. There were four train deaths in San Leandro this year, including a mother and her 3-year-old daughter killed at the same intersection,.

August

    • The San Leandro City Council announced that the minimum wage in town will be raised to $15 in a series of annual increments. Most were in favor of the raise, but small business owners in town said they were scared that they would have to raise prices to cover the cost and risk going out of business.

    • The deadline to file to run for the City Council and school board elections passed and not many candidates applied to represent San Leandro – candidates ran unopposed in seven of eight local races.

    • A $253,000 interactive musical exhibit debuted in the downtown plaza. The public art project was a partnership between the city and the Exploratorium in San Francisco.

September

    • The first stages of a new plan for the area around Bayfair mall were discussed. The city says that over the next five years or so the area will have more high-density apartments and shops in what they call a “transit village.”

    • The Alameda County Board of Supervisors announced they were considering an ordinance that would double the amount of medical marijuana shops in the unincorporated area. Supervisor Nate Miley was accused of being influenced by medical cannabis purveyors after he received $60,000 in campaign donations from dispensary owners.

    • After more than a year of discussion and several public protests, the San Leandro police received their armored “BearCat”, a tank-like vehicle equipped with a battering ram and port holes for weapons. The police say it’ll save lives but critics said it’s part of a trend toward militarizing cops.

October

    • The “Truth is Beauty” statue arrived in town with much public-relations fanfare. The 55-foot statue of a nude woman was installed at the tech building next to the San Leandro BART station.

    • The first group of legendary San Leandro athletes were inducted in the San Leandro Sports Hall of Fame. Inductees included former NFL quarterback Dennis Dixon and championship golfers Pat Hurst and Tony Lema.

    • Sitting San Leandro School Board President Vince Rosato passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Rosato, 62, was a former Catholic priest and retired elementary school teacher.

November

    • On Election Night, Ed Hernandez beat out Bryan Azevedo in the District 2 City Council race. Former San Leandro policemen Pete Ballew took the District 6 seat after running unopposed, and District 4 incumbent Benny Lee won another term after also running unopposed.

    • Voters approved a whole bunch of bonds and tax measures, including a $104 million bond from the San Leandro school district, three separate City of San Leandro taxes, and bonds from the county, BART, AC Transit, and the Hayward Area Recreation District.

    • The City of San Leandro settled an excessive force lawsuit for $175,000, brought by a man who says San Leandro police officers used a chokehold that cut off his air supply and forced him to lose consciousness during an arrest. The department will also be retraining its officers on use of force.

December

    • There were lots of fun holiday happenings around town, including the annual “It’s a Wonderful Night” celebration downtown, featuring a tree-lighting, dancers, and cookie decorating.

    • “Santa” Louie Brandt, a San Leandro police officer, once again raised money for the “Bike for Tykes” program and helped 500 disadvantaged kids in San Leandro get a new bike for Christmas.

     • The Main Library closed its doors (and they will remain closed until Jan. 22) in order to install new carpeting and furniture.

CAPTION: Luckily nobody was injured when an elderly man crashed into a post in Pelton Center in May and the roof collapsed on his car. The fire department had to lift up the roof with jacks in order to pull out the car.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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New State Laws Address Cell Phones, DUIs

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-29-16

     In 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed nearly 900 bills into law and voters approved dozens more. Here’s a look at some of the new  laws which will go into effect on Jan. 1.

     One big change comes from AB 1785, a bill authored by Assemblyman Bill Quirk that makes it illegal to hold a cellphone while driving a car. The device must now be mounted to specified areas of the windshield or dashboard.

     Under the law, the driver can use only a single swipe or tap to operate the phone, no typing even to get directions. The phone cannot be in a driver’s hand, even if it’s in speaker phone mode.

     Critics of the bill say that it is designed not with safety in mind, but rather to increase ticket revenue from drivers who get caught with their phones in their hands.

     In other driving legislation, SB 1046 will require people convicted of driving under the influence to install an ignition interlock device on their cars for six months in order to get their driver’s license back. This law was already in place in four counties in California, including Alameda County.

     And as of Jan. 1, children under 2 years of age must now ride in rear-facing car seats. Previously, they could ride front-facing after one year.

     AB 2888, a response to outcry over convicted Stanford rapist Brock Turner’s light sentence, makes it so sexually assaulting an unconscious person carries a mandatory prison sentence. And SB 813 makes rape and other sexual assaults no longer subject to the statute of limitations.

     Car rental operators can no longer rent vehicles that are the subject of a manufacturer’s recall until they have been fixed – which you might have thought was already a law.

     Landlords will no longer be able to rent units they know have bedbugs, so tenants will be safer from creepy crawlies but not from skyrocketing rents.

     You can enjoy a glass of wine or a beer while getting your haircut next year. Barber shops and beauty salons can provide small amounts of booze to clients as long as it’s free and served before 10 p.m.

     And Proposition 67 is going into effect statewide on the first of the year.

     But the ordinance, which bans plastic shopping bags from grocery stores, is old news to Alameda County residents. Single-use plastic shopping bags have been banned in grocery stores in Alameda County since 2013 and the restriction was expanded to other types of stores this past fall.

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Open Call for City-wide Talent Show

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-29-16

     San Leandro’s city-wide teen talent show, San Leandro’s Got Talent, is looking for local San Leandro and Bay Area residents to participate in this year’s show as a celebrity guest judge.

     The contest is looking for energetic, positive, and talented judges to take part in this year’s show.  Previous judges have included radio DJs, authors, teachers, and council members.  If you believe you qualify, please fill out an online application by Wednesday, Jan.11.  The application can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/SLGTJudge2017 or by visiting www.sanleandrolibrary.org.

     Performer applications for San Leandro’s Got Talent show are available online now for teens between 13 and 18 who live in San Leandro.  For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/SLGTPerformer2017 or www.sanleandrolibrary.org. Auditions will take place on Monday, Jan. 23, at the Main Library; and Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Marina Community Center.

     This year’s San Leandro’s Got Talent will take place at the Marina Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 7 to 10 p.m.  Tickets for the public will go on sale Monday, Jan. 30, at noon. Purchase tickets at the San Leandro Main Library (300 Estudillo Ave.) or the Marina Community Center (15301 Wicks Blvd.). Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for youth, 17 and under.

     San Leandro’s Got Talent is a collaboration of the San Leandro Public Library’s Teen Advisory Group (TAG) and the Youth Advisory Commission (YAC). TAG and YAC are joining together to offer a fun new event for the community while raising money for teen programs. Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will be used for teen programs at the library as well as YAC’s mini-grant program for youth-serving organizations.

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Traffic Cops To Step Up New Year’s Enforcement

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-29-16

     In the past year, 150 motor vehicle accidents in the East Bay involved utility poles, according to PG&E. Not a good way to start the year.

     So the public utility and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) join forces to promote safe driving this time of year.

     The CHP will step up traffic enforcement during a 78-hour period, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday through the 3-day weekend until midnight on Monday. All available personnel will be on duty, says the Highway Patrol. Officers will be looking for impaired drivers, as well as distracted driving, speeding and seat belt violations.

     CHP officers will also be out to assist the motoring public.

     During last year’s New Year’s holiday, there were 27 fatal collisions in California. During the 78-hour maximum enforcement period, the CHP made 920 arrests for driving under the influence.

     In addition to loss of life, motor vehicle crashes caused 1,700 power outages this year in PG&E’s service area from Eureka to Bakersfield, according to PG&E. The outages not only disrupt businesses and households, they interrupt electric service to hospitals, schools and traffic lights.

     Distracted driving is easily preventable by not using a phone when behind the wheel.

     “We ask our customers to stay off the phone while driving – especially during the busy holiday season – so that together, we can help make the roads safer for everyone,” said Pat Hogan, senior vice president, Electric Transmission and Distribution, PG&E.

     PG&E gives this advice if your car comes into contact with a downed power line:

     • Stay inside. The safest place is in your car. The ground around your car may be energized.

     • Honk the horn, roll down your window and yell for help.

     • Warn others to stay away. Anyone who touches the equipment or ground around the vehicle may be injured.

     • Use your mobile phone to call 911.

     • Fire department, police and PG&E workers will tell you when it is safe to get out of the vehicle.

     • If there is a fire and you have to exit a vehicle that has come in contact with downed power lines follow these guidelines:

     • Remove loose items of clothing.

     • Keep your hands at your sides and jump clear of the vehicle, so you are not touching the car when your feet hit the ground.

     • Keep both feet close together and shuffle away from the vehicle without picking up your feet.

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Post Office Sets New Record

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-22-16

     Over 611 million letters, packages, and other pieces of mail were processed at United States Post Offices on Monday – the busiest day of the year for mail.

     And the Oakland Processing and Distribution Center did its share, sorting though mountains of mail to make sure Christmas cards and holiday presents arrive in time for this weekend’s celebrations.

     The big Post Office on 7th Street in Oakland is one of two major mail distribution centers for the Bay Area, the other is in San Jose. The United States Postal Service says the amount of packages being shipped this year is up about 12 percent from 2015.

     In Oakland, they have a new Small Parcel Sorting System (SPSS) to handle all those packages people are buying from Amazon and other online shopping stores.

     “It’s busy – it’s just non-stop,” said Kirandip Dhaliwal, distribution supervisor.

     The packages fly off the conveyor belts into mail bags labeled with cities all over Northern California. The SPSS will handle about 11 million packages this month all at lightning speed.

     Moving a bit slower was the line at the Post Office on East 14th Street in San Leandro Tuesday morning, but most customers knew they’d be in for a wait so close to Christmas.

Lines Run Long at Post Offices this Month

     “I expected a line, but this has to go out, so I have to deal with waiting,” said Greg Peterson, who was sending presents to his nephews in Fontana, California.

     The line was about 20 people deep and it seemed like as soon as one person left, two more joined the back of the line.

     So you might have to wait a bit to get your presents off in the mail, but don’t wait too long – the last day to ship a package priority express mail and expect it to arrive in time for Christmas Eve is Friday, Dec. 23.

     Of course, that will cost you. For example, if you want to overnight a 10 pound package by priority express mail from here to New York City, it’ll run about $75.

CAPTION: Maria Gonzalez helps sort packages on Monday at the Oakland Post Office distribution center. It was their busiest day of the year with all that holiday mail on it’s way to friends and family all over world.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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San Leandro Rides Out Rainstorm

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-22-16

     We probably don’t need to worry about a drought this year, judging by the healthy rainstorm that swept in from the Pacific last Thursday.

     San Leandro received around an inch of rain in a 24-hour span. Gutters turned into small rivers, umbrellas popped out, and drivers had to slow down, at least sensible drivers.

     Around town, water backed up on streets as it usually does due to clogged storm drains, but nothing out of the ordinary, according to Public Works Director Debbie Pollart.

     There was also a king tide, an unusually high tide, last Tuesday and Wednesday. This causes water to come up from the storm drains in the low-lying west side of town near the bay.

     People sometimes mistake this for the sewer backing up, but it’s not the sewer, Pollart said. It’s just the storm drain that carries off rainwater.

     The Public Works Department hadn’t heard anything about trees blowing over or anything like that, as of last Friday, the day after the storm.

     When trees blow over, it tends to happen in the days following a storm – after the ground is soggy and the wind picks up, Pollart said.

EBMUD Reservoirs Filling Up

     As for our drinking water, the Mokelumne River basin has received 167 percent of average precipitation for this date in the rain season, according to East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) spokeswoman Andrea Pook. The Mokelumne basin supplies most of EBMUD’s water.

     Molelumne River water is stored in the Pardee and Comanche reservoirs in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. From there the water runs through EBMUD’s aqueduct 85 miles to reservoirs in the East Bay.

     Lake Chabot is an EBMUD reservoir, but it’s not used for tap water, only as an emergency supply. Right now the water level at Lake Chabot is at 80 percent of capacity.

     Overall, EBMUD’s water supply is 81 percent full. The Pardee Reservoir – by far the biggest reservoir in EBMUD’s system –  is 99 percent full, and Comanche is 70 percent full with most of the rainy season remaining.

     So those reservoirs are filling up, even with water being released down the Mokelumne River.

     The Mokelumne River basin gets an average of 14 inches of precipitation by this date in an average year, and this year it’s 23 inches, Pook said. But the precipitation has been rain, not much snow so far.

     “But it’s still early in the season,” Pook said.

CAPTION: Last Thursdays rainstorm was the best storm so far this season. Some drivers drove through the puddles slowly and carefully, and some just had to make a splash.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Davis Street Fails to Pay Back Loan

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-22-16

     The City of San Leandro says that the Davis Street Family Resource Center has failed to pay back a $1.5 million loan that came due this past summer and they have yet to respond to a letter demanding a portion be repaid by next month.

     In 2014, the City Council unanimously voted to give Davis Street a 2-year, $1.5 million loan to start a health clinic. The loan came due this past summer, at which point the city offered an extension until Oct. 31 – a deadline that also came and went without payment.

     On Dec. 9, San Leandro City Manager Chris Zapata sent a letter to Davis Street executive director Rose Johnson expressing concern about the lack of payment.

     “These loans involve public money, which legally requires the City to ensure proper use of those funds,” wrote Zapata. He went on to say that Davis Street’s “promises…were clearly broken or untrue” and that the city has “serious doubt” Davis Street will be able to repay the loan.

     Davis Street – a non-profit which provides social services and medical care for the less fortunate of the community – has long enjoyed a close relationship with the city.

     City Council members can often be seen giving out toys and food at Davis Street headquarters during the holidays and the city once declared a “Rose Padilla Johnson Day.”

     And earlier this year, the city awarded a lucrative pot permit for the Davis Street Wellness Center (a partner agency of the Davis Street Family Resource Center for which Johnson is on the board of directors) to operate a medical marijuana dispensary.

     When Johnson came to the city for the loan, she said it would be used on start-up costs for a health clinic. She assured the council that state and federal funding would come in once the clinic was running and the loan would be easily repaid.

     Davis Street also used its property at 1190 Davis Street as collateral on the loan. In Zapata’s letter he says that Davis Street leveraged that same property for an $800,000 line of credit just weeks before using it to secure the city’s loan without telling the city it had done so.

     Zapata said that Davis Street also put the same property up for sale earlier this year without notifying the city and also used the property as collateral to secure another $500,000 loan from a third party.

     “Concern is heightened when contractural deadlines are missed, property to secure the loan is repackaged, and written communications stating that payment is forthcoming are not honored,” wrote Zapata.

     In the Dec. 9 letter, Zapata offers Davis Street another extension on the loan to June 30, 2017, provided that Davis Street meet certain requirements.

     “When your organization agreed to the loan with the City, the City and Davis Street had always been partners in advancing the needs of the City’s more vulnerable residents,” wrote Zapata. “The aforementioned actions are not within the spirt of this relationship. At worst, these actions represent direct violations of the loan’s terms and bad faith.”

     Zapata requested that Davis Street undergo a forensic audit of their finances from the past five years by an auditor or accountant of the city’s choosing and Davis Street must pay for the audit.

     The second condition is that Davis Street make a “good faith” payment of 25 percent ($375,000) by Jan. 6, 2017.

     So far, the city has not gotten a reply from Davis Street, according to deputy city manager Eric Engelbart.

     Johnson has yet to return calls for comment on this story.

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County Says Caltrans Neglecting East 14th St.

BY AMY SYLVESTRI •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-22-16

     A portion of East 14th Street where it turns into Mission Boulevard in the unincorporated area has gotten so rough that Alameda County is attempting to take control of the road from CalTrans, which currently maintains the road.

     The street is a patchwork of potholes and cracks and the county says it has received numerous complaints from the pubic about condition of the pavement. The bad section of road is East 14th Street in Ashland and where it becomes Mission Boulevard in Cherryland.

     Last month, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors authorized the county Public Works department to begin a relinquishment process for a 2.4 mile stretch of the road, which is maintained by CalTrans because it is a state highway – State Route 185.

     Normally, a county or town would want street maintenance paid for and done by the state, but Alameda County Public Works director Daniel Woldesenbet told the Board of Supervisors that the conditions were deteriorating to the point that the county needed to take over.

     So the Public Works department requested that the CalTrans relinquish the stretch of road due to deterioration of the street and ongoing issues with graffiti and garbage.

     If the county takes over, they plan a street-scaping project that would include putting telephone lines underground and repairing the street and sidewalk, according to county civil engineer Art Carrera.

     The county says CalTrans hasn’t responded to their request to take over yet.

     If CalTrans doesn’t voluntarily give up the road, the county can go through a legal relinquishment process which would require working with a legislator in Sacramento.

     The move to take over the roadway isn’t unprecedented. In 2005, Alameda County began doing the maintenance on East 14th Street from Thrush Avenue to 162nd Street and the utilities have since been placed underground and the street repaired and landscaped.

     Carrera says the county has already allocated $10 million to do repairs on the East 14th Street/Mission Boulevard segment that runs though Ashland and into Cherryland.

     The first segment of road from 162nd Avenue to the I-238 entrance would be completed in 2018.

CAPTION: The county wants to take control of street repairs on a nearly 3-mile stretch of East 14h Street where it becomes Mission Boulevard in the unincorporated area.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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City Hires Lobby Firm To Push Bills

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-15-16

     As the year wraps up, the City Council recently got a summary of what their lobbyists have done for them in Sacramento in 2016 and what they hope to accomplish next year.

     The city hired Townsend Public Affairs for $60,000 per year to “advocate” for San Leandro in the state legislature by working to influence the likes of Assembly members Rob Bonta and Bill Quirk, Senator Loni Hancock, and the Governor’s office.

     This year, Townsend said one major lobbying effort was attempting to dissolve the Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD). The city wants the ETHD to be dissolved and their funding rolled into the county to provide funding for the financially struggling San Leandro Hospital, which is run by the county.

     Assembly Bill 2737, which more strictly regulates heath districts, was sponsored by the City of San Leandro and was signed by Governor Jerry Brown in September.

     Mayor Pauline Cutter called working with the lobbyists a “pleasure” and the results of the AB2737 process “exciting.”

     Townsend Public Affairs also lobbied for some affordable housing bills which the city said were a priority.

     Senate Bill 1069 was signed into law, which simplifies the  permitting process on “in-law units”  and allows more smaller housing units on existing properties throughout California.

     But other affordable housing bills that the city San Leandro supported, including AB2200, AB2319, AB2441, and AB2475, died in the legislature.   

     Townsend says that in 2017, they will focus their efforts on San Leandro’s behalf on bills in support of affordable housing, homelessness solutions, pension sustainability, broadband infrastructure, climate change mitigation, recycling programs, electric vehicle infrastructure, and funding for police de-escalation training.

CAPTION: The City of San Leandro hired lobbying firm Townsend Public Affairs to push bills in the state legislature.

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Electricity Program Said to Save Money, Be Green

BY AMY SYLVESTRI •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-15-16

     San Leandro has joined Alameda County’s proposed energy purchasing program, which they say will give more options on sources of electricity, save money, and enable the city to be more “green.”

     The City Council voted in November to join a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program that is in the process of being created by Alameda County. Once the county creates the agency, San Leandrans will have the option of getting energy directly from power plants and other energy sources, circumventing PG&E.

     The CCA will still pay PG&E to distribute power and maintain the transmission infrastructure, metering, and billing, but the county says a CCA enables communities to buy power directly from a source.

     The money saved from that step could go to more expensive forms of energy, including solar and wind if a CCA agency decides that’s what it wants to do.

     Bruce Jensen, a senior planner for Alameda County, says the energy could be purchased from a variety of sources, including hydroelectric dams in the Pacific Northwest and wind farms in Southern California.

     By pooling the community’s electricity demand, the CCA can have more options about where they buy their electricity. If a CCA agency decided it wants to buy locally or focus on renewable energy sources, they can do so.

     The county says this is a way to loosen the “regulated monopoly” of PG&E, which doesn’t have competitors forcing them to lower rates or provide cleaner energy sources.

     In 2010, PG&E spent $46 million on Proposition 16 which would have made it more difficult for municipalities to form CCAs, but voters defeated the proposition.

     San Leandro has now passed its CCA ordinance and other cities in the county are in the process of doing the same. Once that happens, the county has to deliver an implementation plan for approval of the California Public Utilities Commission. The county says the agency is expected to start delivering electricity in the fall of 2017.

     San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma counties already have CCA agencies

     Alameda County estimates that starting the CCA  will cost about $3.25 million which will eventually be repaid though ratepayer revenue. The county says that customers won’t notice any rate hikes in their bills and may actually see some savings.

     If the Alameda County CCA is established, it would become the default service providers for San Leandro, but customers would have the choice to opt-out of the program. The city says that in other areas with CCA programs, about 2 to 5 percent of customers opt out.

     CCA agencies now serve over 5 percent of Americans in over 1,300 cities.

CAPTION: The wind farm in the Tehachapi Mountains is the biggest wind farm in the state of California.

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Casa Peralta Opens Its Doors for Holiday

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-15-16

     Everyone is welcome to attend a merry and traditional holiday celebration at the Casa Peralta, San Leandro’s historic house museum at 384 W. Estudillo Ave. this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

     The Casa’s halls will be decked with boughs and beautiful holiday décor. There will be plenty of cookies, hot chocolate, and other treats to share with family and friends.

     Enjoy live caroling and pictures with Santa. Experience a fascinating part of San Leandro history, the world of the Peralta land grant family, and their descendants. Docents will be available to share that history with you as you enjoy the Casa in all its holiday finery.  

     The San Leandro High School Notables will be performing at 11:30 a.m. in the San Leandro Museum Muti-purpose room next door to Casa Peralta. The museum will also offer tin snowflake craft making and a showing of the film “Happy Feet” (Rated G).

     For more information, call the San Leandro Main Library Information Desk at 577-3971.

CAPTION: Casa Peralta will be decked out for the holidays with hot chocolate and treats on hand this Saturday.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Colleagues Nominate Farley for Teacher of the Year

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-08-16

     Tony Farley, a physics and multimedia teacher at San Leandro High, has been named one of Alameda County’s teachers of the year.

     Farley has been teaching for 20 years and his wife, Cheryl Farley, teaches in the classroom right next door. She was one of a group of colleagues who nominated Farley for the honor.

     “I was humbled by the experience,” said Farley.

     Farley grew up in Lodi and graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in physics. He started grad school with an eye toward a career in science.

     “I was going to be an astronaut, then I wanted to be an astronomer,” said Farley.

     But he became disenchanted in grad school and found he liked his work as a teaching assistant, so he eventually became a teacher. But Farley says his background in hard science stays with him in the classroom.

     “I have a very tech-based approach to teaching,” said Farley. “I try to make everything very computer-intensive and my style is very project based. I find that when students are building projects, they see a bigger picture than they would in a single lesson. It gets them motivated.”

     Farley has spent a summer as a research assistant at CERN in Switzerland and he is the author of The Electric Field, one of the first interactive text books for the iPad.

     Outside of the classroom, Farley has a 23-year-old son and he spends his downtime pursuing a variety of athletics. He’s climbed Mt. Rainer and Grand Teton to raise money for charity and completed an Iron Man triathlon.

     Farley’s multimedia students are working on a variety of projects. His sophomore students were taking green screen footage from Star Wars and compositing it to make their own images. And Farley’s senior multimedia students are beginning work on a months-long project involving creating their own videos and websites on a social justice topic.

     Farley says that teaching is all about addressing the students as individuals.

     “Getting around to every student and make sure they understand is a big part of succeeding,” said Farley.

CAPTION: Alameda County Teacher of the Year Tony Farley gathers with some of his SLAM students (bottom) Cece Merner, Andre Lopez, Valentino Escobarcerral (top) Ian Chandra, Emmy Saelee, Karen Chuong, Rebecca Hawkey and Wendy Chang.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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Council Seeks to Mitigate Mobile Park Rent Spike

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-08-16

     The City Council heard the early stages of a plan Monday night that would aid residents of an East 14th Street mobile home park who say they are being priced out of their homes.

     When the ownership of Trailer Haven changed hands in September, the residents got notice that their rents would be increasing by up to 25 percent as of the first of the year. Residents of the park own their trailers, but pay rent on the land where the trailer sits.

     Trailer Haven’ s new owners, Cascade Management, said that the sharp rent increase is necessary to cover fees including increased property taxes and a $101,000 transfer fee that the city charged when the property was sold.

     The monthly rent increase will range between 15 and 25 percent — that amounts to about $117 for the average trailer pad.

     Cynthia Battenberg, the city’s community development director, shared the beginnings of the plan with council that would help mitigate some of that rent spike.

     Battenberg said the city could partner with homeowner protection groups and perhaps use the money the city collected from the Trailer Haven transfer fee to provide hardship assistance for the residents.

     That possibility will be considered by the City Council at an upcoming meeting.

     Cascade is also offering a 10 percent discount for low-income families, but spokesman Brock Kaveny said they haven’t had a lot of takers for that program.

     Trailer Haven resident Maxina Ventura says that’s because a lot of the residents don’t feel comfortable sharing their financial information with the owners. She also says that the discount that Kaveny is offering can be changed or cancelled at any time and without warning, so it still leaves the trailer residents feeling very vulnerable.

     “There is no stability in this,” Ventura told the council, calling the offer a “smokescreen.”

     Ventura went on to share the story of an elderly neighbor who told her that he hopes he passes away before his savings runs out.

     “That’s what we are facing,” said Ventura.

     The members of the City Council told Kaveny they’d like to see his company do more for the Trailer Haven residents, beyond the 10 percent discount.

     “I’ve seen it too often, San Leandro people getting priced out of their homes by outside companies,” said Councilman Jim Prola.

     Councilwoman Corina Lopez called the 15 to 25 percent rent hike “excessive” and “extreme.”

     And Councilman Benny Lee asked Kaveny what the owners could do for residents who can’t afford the rent hike even with the 10 percent discount.

     “The worst thing that we can hear as a council is someone who can’t even make up that difference in their rent,” said Lee.

CAPTION:When Cascade Management took ownership of Trailer Haven mobile home park on E. 14th Street in September, the residents got notice that their rents would be increasing by up to 25 percent as of the first of the year.

TIMES FILE PHOTO

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Police Dept. Outfits More Officers with Body Cams

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-08-16

     Two years after cops first began wearing body cameras, the San Leandro police are buying 10 more cameras to outfit every patrolling officer.

     The City Council recently approved $30,000 from a police grant fund to purchase the cameras from the TASER company. They initially spent $442,000 on cameras and data storage when the body cameras went into use in 2014.

     That brings the total of body cameras in the department to 90, and officers no longer have to share cameras with other shifts.  

     Unlike many other police departments which require mandatory camera use on duty, in San Leandro it is up to the officer’s discretion whether to turn the camera on or off.

     According to Lt. Robert McManus, that trust in the officer’s discretion has led to a three-fold increase in the use of the cameras since they were issued.

     “It takes getting used to,” said McManus. Now, he says the officers find turning on the cameras as routine as checking in with dispatch.

     The police say they want their actions recorded because the video can be used as evidence in a case and it also “ensures professionalism and adds another layer of transparency,” McManus said.  

     In San Leandro, the body camera footage is stored for one year if they record an incident related to a crime, three years if it’s misdemeanor, and indefinitely if it’s a murder. All the footage is stored for 180 days even if it doesn’t relate to a crime that is prosecuted because it could still be useful.

     Case in point – the city recently settled a lawsuit brought by a man who was put in chokehold and lost consciousness while being arrested for alleged intoxication.

     Body camera footage recorded the arrest. Eventually, it came out that the man wasn’t drunk and no charges were ever pressed, but the footage was still being stored and was used as evidence in the suit.

     “If there is any sort of complaint, we have the ability to review,” said McManus.

     In another incident, Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies believed their cameras weren’t rolling when they beat car theft suspect Stanislav Petrov with batons after a car chase from Foothill Boulevard in the unincorporated area into San Francisco last November.

     But it came out that one of the deputies accidentally turned his camera on in the melee and the entire incident was also caught on a nearby building’s surveillance camera. When the footage was made public by the public defenders’ office, it led to public outcry and the arrests of two deputies.

     Those deputies, including the one who inadvertently turned on his camera, have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, assault under color of authority, and battery resulting in serious injury.

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Swalwell Settles Nerves after Election

BY AMY SYLVESTRI •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-08-16

     A month after Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election, Congressman Eric Swalwell held a forum at Castro Valley High School last weekend to touch base with his constituents who might have some lingering anxiety about our new leader.

     “I wanted to have a conversation about the election and what your hopes, concerns and aspirations are moving forward,” Swalwell told the crowd. “In Alameda County, about 70 percent of people woke up the day after the election to see a candidate they did not vote for win.”

     Asked if California should secede from the nation, Swalwell laughed off the suggestion, saying that would be giving in.

     Swalwell referenced a Muslim family from Hayward who wrote him concerned that the county may no longer be safe for them. He talked about the hundreds of students who walked out of their classrooms in protest of Trump’s victory. Swalwell appealed to the crowd with promises that Democrats in positions of power aren’t about to roll over for the new regime.

     “It’s hard to see friends and supporters in tears and so anxious,” said Swalwell. “A lot of people felt powerless.”

     Judging by the “I’m with Her” bumper stickers on the cars in the parking lot and where the (mostly white, mostly over 50) standing-room-only crowd applauded and booed during Swalwell’s talk, it’s safe to say it was an overwhelming Democratic audience.

     But one man in a “Make America Great Again” hat spoke up to ask a question. He wanted to know when Alameda County would get infrastructure funding.

     Swalwell promised to prioritize extending BART out to Livermore and said he’s also working on a non-partisan project to close the gap between the Dublin/ Pleasanton BART station and the ACE train station that serves commuters over the Altamont Pass.

     Infrastructure seems like one place where Trump and the Democrats might find common ground. Last month, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi said she’d work with Trump to pass an infrastructure jobs bill.

     Swalwell agreed, saying he’d “work with Trump if he is sincere about infrastructure projects and eliminating lobbyists’ influence.”

     Pelosi also recently named Swalwell as co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, so he says he’ll have more influence on his party’s future.

     Swalwell, like many other Democrats, acknowledged that Trump’s win was at least in part a response to the perception that costal liberals are out of touch with middle America and said he’s ready to get to work unifying the country.

     “I’m not powerless,” said Swalwell. “You sent me back to Washington to support you. I don’t feel hopeless, I’m ready for what’s ahead.”

CAPTION: Congressman Eric Swalwell addressed a gathering of constituents at Castro Valley High School last weekend.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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Tow Truck Drivers Save the Day

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-01-16

     Tow truck drivers Moises Reyes and Darryl Poe pick up cars, fix flats and help drivers in all sorts of ways.

     And every once in a while they save somebody’s life, as they did on Oct. 26 at 6 o’clock in the morning.

     Poe and Reyes were both driving their Palace Garage tow trucks northbound on I-880. Poe came upon it first, a car had flown off the freeway near the 98th Avenue exit, taken out a couple of signs, hit the soundwall and caught on fire.

     The driver had fallen asleep and her foot had pressed down on the gas pedal. Now she was trapped in the car.

     Poe used a fire extinguisher to push back the flames enough so he could pull her out of the car.

     “I tried to pull her out but her seatbealt was jammed,” Poe said.

     The flames were coming closer to the driver, and Poe had already emptied his fire extinguisher.

     Just then Reyes arrived and he started flagging down down other vehicles. A Waste Management truck pulled over, driven by David Garcia who had a bigger fire extinguisher.

     “The Waste Management guy threw his coat over her and the fire extinguisher pushed back the fire,” Reyes said. “Then we cut the seatbelt and pulled her out through the window.”

     The driver, a woman from Hayward, was taken to the hospital with a broken leg and arm from the accident.

     The three Good Samaritans were invited to Baltimore, Maryland to receive a plaque for their good deed from American Towman Magazine.

Freeway Service Patrol Keeps Traffic Flowing

     Poe and Reyes are part of the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) program, run by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The program uses privately owned tow trucks to assist stranded drivers and remove their vehicle from the highway for free.

     The FSP program helps the CHP keep the traffic moving during commute hours by removing obstructions as quickly as possible. The drivers will also jump start a car, offer a gallon of gas, refill a radiator and tape hoses, and change a flat tire – all at no charge. But they don’t tow to a private repair shop or residence for free.

     The CHP reimburses the tow company, since it’s in the CHP’s interest to keep the traffic flowing.

     “So we want everybody to know we’re here to help,” Reyes said.

CAPTION: Tow truck drivers Darryl Poe and Moises Reyes pulled a woman from a burning car and saved her life on I-880.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DARRYL POE

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Adopt a Storm Drain Near You

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-01-16

     The city of San Leandro is asking everyone to pitch in and help clean storm drains around town during the rainy season.

     The city’s 2,200 storm drains become clogged with leaves and trash. This leads to flooding on the streets and a bunch of garbage getting out into the bay, according to Debbie Pollart, the city’s director of public works.

     So the city is instituting an “adopt a drain” program and asking citizens to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

     If you “adopt” a storm drain, the city will send you a high visibility t-shirt so you can be safe while you are out there on the street, a magnet for your fridge, and a thank you note from the mayor. The Public Works department will then come out to the drain and attach a medallion to it declaring that it has been cleaned by a devoted citizen.

     The city asks that you clean and check on the drain once a month between May and October and then weekly between November and February and twice a month between March and April. You should also check on the drain before a predicted storm.

     If you need to borrow a broom or rake, you can request a tool to be loaned by Public Works.

     And, if the leaves you remove won’t fit in your waste cans at home, you can pick up a leaf bag from Public Works at 14200 Chapman Road and they’ll give you a bag that you can put out on trash day which will be removed free of charge.

     Some people pick a drain right in front of their house or business, some people adopt multiple drains.

     About 100 drains have been identified as “high-priority” by Public Works – that means they are more likely to flood or because they are in a high-traffic area with lots of litter, said Pollart.

     Pollart says it’s still the job of San Leandro Public Works to maintain city drains, but they can only get to each drain once per year and not all are reached before winter comes.

     “We can’t get to them all before the rainy season, and we can’t be everywhere all of the time, so this is a way for people to help themselves and help their neighbors out,” said Pollart.

     You can enter your address and see if a drain near you needs adopting at www.preparesanleandro.org and you can also sign up for drain duty on that site.

CAPTION: By keeping a drain clear, residents can help prevent flooding.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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County To Build A New Juvi Hall

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-01-16

     The county has a $55 million plan to raze the current Camp Sweeney and build a new modern juvenile detention facility.

     But the plan calls for the facility to move closer to a residential area and some neighbors say it will affect their property values and cause disturbances, so they want it to remain in its current location.

     Built in 1957, Camp Sweeney is nestled into a somewhat remote location at 2600 Fairmont Drive. The current site is a 60-bed minimum security facility for non-violent 15-to-18-year-old males – an alternative to the higher security Juvenile Justice Center, just up the hill.

     The new facility would be located at 2400 Fairmont Drive, made up of seven buildings on 10.7 acres, including offices, food service, a gymnasium, and dorms. Alameda County received funding for the project via a grant from the state board of corrections in February 2009.

     In its 2014 report, the Alameda County Grand Jury said that Camp Sweeney is “old and dilapidated” and said that the campus is seismically deficient by current standards.  

     The county also said that the “population of female offenders was growing” so they need girls’ dorms, which the new Camp Sweeney would have.

     The proposed new facility would be built within the 206-acre area on Fairmont Drive that is owned by the county. It will have 120 beds, a sports field, vegetable garden, and amphitheater classroom area.

     But Hillcrest Knolls residents have lodged some complaints with the county – citing concerns about traffic, noise, and light pollution. They asked the county to rebuild at the current site instead of moving the campus.

     However, the county says the new site is more seismically sound and the neighbors’ complaints aren’t enough reason to change their plans.

     Over 30 residents in the unincorporated area sent the county a form letter saying relocating the camp near their neighborhood would result in “social stigma… that will have an effect on our peace of mind” and a loss of open space.

     The project’s environmental impact report notes (and ultimately dismisses) neighbors’ concerns about  a “conflict with the peaceful enjoyment of their status quo, increasing the possibility of criminal activity encroaching into their neighborhood… and lowering their property value.”

     The next step for the new Camp Sweeney will be presenting the project to the state in January. It could be put out to bid next fall, and open in 2020.

CAPTION: The county says it’s time to replace Camp Sweeney on Fairmont Drive that opened in 1957. Plans are ready for a new juvenile minimum-detention facility on the same county property just down the hill.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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Batteries Cause Blaze on Birch Street

     Alameda County firefighters responded to a report of a house fire on the 14000 block of Birch Street in San Leandro on Nov. 23 just before 11:30 a.m.

     Within minutes, firefighters arrived at the scene of a one-story house with smoke and flames coming out of the rear of the residence and nearing the neighboring house.

     The one-alarm fire was contained to the rear corner bedroom, where the fire started, and the hallway of the residence.

     A smoke alarm alerted a grandmother and her 10-year-old and 3-month-old grandchildren to the fire and all were able to safely exit the residence.

     The cause of the fire is due to the failure of electrical equipment charging remote control car rechargeable batteries.

     A family of four and one dog are temporarily displaced as a result of the fire and will stay with family members.

     There were no reports of injuries to firefighters.

     One resident sustained a minor injury and was treated at the scene and released.

CAPTION: A one-alarm fire caused by a toy’s batteries displaced a family of four last week.

PHOTO COURTESY ACFD

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Tree Lighting Kicks Off ‘It’s a Wonderful Night’

     Downtown San Leandro’s annual holiday celebration, “It’s A Wonderful Night,” will kick off with a tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. this Friday in the Downtown Plaza.

     Once the Holiday Tree is lit, families will be able to take photos with Santa Claus in the plaza. The downtown will become a winter wonderland with holiday entertainment, dancers and singers, holiday games, cookie decorating, interactive arts and crafts for kids and horse-drawn carriage rides. Holiday movies will also be screening outdoors.

     New this year will be the “Winter Wonder Walk,” a row of artificial holiday trees donated by the San Leandro Improvement Association (SLIA), decorated by local San Leandro schools and lined up to create a path of holiday trees between Washington Avenue and East 14th Street for everybody to enjoy.

Denver Win Greatly Increases Post-Season Odds

BY GREG BENSON  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-29-16

     Derek Carr knew right away. Even before the pain reached his brain, the Raiders star quarterback announced: “It’s broke, it’s broke, it’s broke!”

     In that moment, the entire Raider Nation fell silent and felt the gut-wrenching loss of their faithful leader.

     The performance of Carr and his inspirational leadership on and off the field stands as the biggest reason why the Raiders were able to stack up enough wins to make the playoffs and have a chance to win the AFC West Division — something the team hasn’t achieved since 2002.

     Throughout the season, Carr engineered seven fourth-quarter comebacks, leading the team through the darkness of impending defeat with a positive light of hope and an ability to make the big plays down the stretch to pull out the win.

     Now that Carr is sidelined with a broken leg, that blazing torch of hope is handed off to fourth-year backup QB Matt McGloin. And, his fellow team mates are all fired up to help him carry that flame of fortitude to victory… by any means.

     “We have a group of guys that are really fired up about a lot of things — about taking care of our business and taking advantage of this opportunity, and bringing home an AFC West Division Title,” said head coach Jack Del Rio. “That’s what we started the year as our number one goal, and it remains our number one goal.”

     With a win over the Denver Broncos this Sunday (or a loss by the Kansas City Chiefs to the San Diego Chargers) the Raiders will cash in their stack of winnings for the AFC West title and a highly coveted first round bye in the upcoming playoffs.

     That’s a heavy burden to bear for any one player. Thankfully, McGloin has a team full of all-stars ready to lift him up and elevate the club to the next level.

     “We obviously have some good guys, some good Pro Bowl players, you know? It’s exciting,” said McGloin. “I really look forward to this week of practice with them and look forward to playing with them on Sunday,”

     The Raiders have a league- leading seven players earning Pro Bowl selections this season — left tackle Donald Penn, left guard Kelechi Osemele, center Rodney Hudson, wide receiver Amari Cooper, defensive end Khalil Mack, safety Reggie Nelson and, of course, quarterback Derek Carr.

     But the most integral player on this playoff-bound team is now McGloin — an undrafted Penn State walk-on who’s used to being an underrated underdog.

     At Penn State, he became the first walk-on to start at quarterback in over 60 years, and then he went on to set the school’s record with 46 touchdowns.

     He joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and started in six games to close out his rookie year. However, since then, he’s only played in five regular-season games completing  37 of 55 passes for 300 yards.

     But don’t let that lack of regular-season play dismay you. McGloin has been preparing for this moment his whole career.

     “It’s exciting. You know, this is the position you want to be in. This is why you spend so much time trying to master your craft and why you put so much time in the weight room, in the film room and on the practice field, said McGloin. “So, we’re definitely aware of where we’re at right now and, again, what’s at stake come Sunday, and we’re excited about it.”

     One upside to having McGloin in at quarterback is that he can line up under center and better utilize the play-action pass. That is something that’s been missing from Carr’s playbook since dislocating his pinkie finger in the 35-32 win over the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 27.

     At 12-3, the Raiders are on the verge of entering the post-season with a chance to cash in all their chips in Houston for the ultimate prize — a Super Bowl championship.

     Winning in Denver on Sunday, allowing for a first round bye and a possible home field advantage in the playoffs, will definitely swing the odds to their favor.

CAPTION: Oakland Raiders backup quarterback Matt McGloin stands tall in the pocket behind the protection of the offensive line to finish out the 33-25 win over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday. McGloin entered the game with 10:45 to play in the fourth quarter after starting quarterback Derek Carr suffered a broken leg. Carr broke his right fibula when his leg was twisted underneath Colts outside lineback Trent Cole while being tackled for a loss.

PHOTO BY DANIEL BENSON

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Echalas Leads Dons to Win Over Livermore, 69-52

BY CHRIS PETERSON  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-29-16

     Christmas came early for Arroyo boy’s basketball team this year as they routed the Livermore Cowboys at home on Friday, 69-52.

     But Santa Claus didn’t show up in his traditional red suit and black boots. Instead, he wore a home-white Don’s jersey with a red number “2” across his chest in the form of Arroyo’s own sophomore guard Nikko Echalas.

     Shooting a blistering 71 percent from the field, Echalas scored a game high 27 points for the Dons to help extend their winning streak to five games.

     Echalas would make three 3-pointers and shoot a perfect four-out-of-four at the free throw line.

     But the majority of his scoring came neither from beyond the 3-point line nor the charity stripe.

     Instead, Echalas picked apart the Cowboys’ defense by shooting seven of nine on midrange jump shots, something Echalas says he’s worked on over the off-season.

     “I put in a lot of work. I’ve been in the gym a lot” said Echalas in reference to his midrange success.

     Many of Echalas’ midrange shots would come in rhythm as the Dons ran a very high-paced offense, utilizing forced turnovers and fast-break opportunities to score quickly.

     When asked about the pace of the game, Arroyo’s head coach, Mike Budge, said, “Our personnel is perfect for it. We’re not the biggest (team) so we try to push it every possession.”

     In addition to Echalas’ dominant showing, senior guard Jordan Firestone contributed with 14 points and four assists. And, senior center Mohammed Abbas snagged a game high 15 rebounds.

     Looking ahead, the now 9-2 Dons set their sights on their next game on Friday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. as they hope to bring in the new year with a win against the Clayton Valley Charter Ugly Eagles in Concord.

CAPTION: Arroyo guard Nikko Echalas takes a jump shot against Livermore High School on Friday night on his way to a 27-point game.

PHOTO BY CHRIS PETERSON

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Ground Game Grinds to a Halt

BY GREG BENSON  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-01-16

     Establishing a solid run game was on top of the silver-and-black wish list coming into this season for the Raiders. The additions of rookie pocket rockets Jalen Richard and DeAndré Washington seemed to complement the deliberate, upright style of starter Latavius Murray well — with the team averaging over 148 yards per game in the first three weeks.

     However, that backfield production has significantly dropped off in recent weeks — practically grinding to a halt.

     Coming off their bye week, in the 27-20 win over the Houston Texans in Mexico City, the Raiders were only able to amass a measly 30 yards on the ground.

     Last week, in the 35-32 win over the Carolina Panthers, the team only gained 55 yards rushing, when you subtract quarterback Derek Carr’s two kneel downs and a loss of 4 yards on a roll out at the end of the game.

     That’s way off the average from the start of the season. And, while the Raiders continually battle back from adversity, this lack of a rushing attack will significantly hobble a run into the playoffs.

     Just ask the Raiders next opponent, the 6-5 Buffalo Bills, how much a solid running game can help your team down the stretch.

     The Bills come into Sunday with the league’s top rushing offense for the second year in a row, averaging over 157 yards per game. Much of that yardage comes by way of their elusive quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who leads the league at his position with 439 yards rushing so far this year. That’s second best on the Buffalo team to LeSean McCoy’s 819 yards, and just behind the Raiders leading rusher, Murray, who sits at 471.

     While Carr continues to sustain drives through the air and leads his team to narrow victories week after week, it will serve the Raiders well if their ground game can get back up to speed and take some of that pressure off the arm of their prolific passer.

     “We still have a long way ahead of us,” said Raiders offensive tackle Donald Penn after the 35-32 win over Carolina. “We haven’t played our best football yet. We’re just going to try to keep stacking these wins and add them up at the end of the season. We’re a long way from playing the football we want but we’re going to keep stacking these wins and that’s all that matters.”

     Still atop the AFC West division with a record of 9-2, the Raiders will face their toughest challenges thus far this year heading into their final five games of the season— first in facing the NFL’s top rushing offense and then three road games against their AFC West rivals.

     Throw in a Christmas Eve contest against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts, and the Raiders have a few high hurdles to hop before a possible run into the playoffs.

     “Certainly it’s a great thing to be 9-2 right now after 11 games. That’s what we’ve earned,” said head coach Jack Del Rio after Sunday’s victory. “But we’re going to focus on the work in front of us.”

CAPTION: Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray struggles to gain a few yards late in the fourth quarter. The 12-play drive ended with a Sebastian Janikowski 23-yard field goal to seal the win for the Raiders, 35-32, over the Carolina Panthers.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 12-29-16

Hayward Area Historical Society 

The Hayward Area Historical Society, 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward, presents  Local Botanical Beauties, Then and Now guest curated by Mary L. Harden School of Botanical Illustration in the Community Gallery through Jan. 8, during the museum’s hours, Wednesday though Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This exhibit of watercolors shows the variety of plant life that once dominated the landscape of the Hayward area as well as plants that are still seen in the foothills and gardens.

Castro Valley Center for the Arts 

A comedy show Lighten Up New Year’s Eve with Brian Copeland and Friends will be presented at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road in Castro Valley, on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. An all-star lineup of comedians including David Alan Moss, Joe Klosee, Steve Barkley, Mickey Joseph, Irene Tu, Roon Vigh and Maureen Langan, will be part of the line-up. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at www.cvartsfoundation.org, at the Center Box Office or at the CV Adult School, 4430 Alma Ave. Purchase tickets in advance. Prices go up when tickets are purchased at the door.

Ambrosia New Year’s Eve Concert 

Welcome in the New Year with the six members of ’70s rockers Ambrosia, well-known for their radio hits and multiple Grammy nominations, presented by Curtain Call Performing Arts at San Leandro’s Historic BAL Theatre, 14808 E. 14th St. in San Leandro, on Saturday, Dec. 31. There will be two shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Smash Hits include Biggest Part Of Me, How Much I Feel, and Holdin’ On To Yesterday. Purchase tickets ($50, $60, $100) online at www.BALTheatre.com or call 614-1224. VIP tickets include a meet and greet.

Parkinson’s Support Group  

The San Leandro Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 10 a.m. at the San Lorenzo Community Church, 945 Paseo Grande. There will be an open discussion. For more information, call Lona White at 27-3119.

Selma at San Leandro History Museum 

The San Leandro History Museum, 320 West Estudillo Ave., will screen Selma (2014) on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 11:30 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. The powerful film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. The film was nominated for Best Picture and won Best Original Song at the 87th Academy Awards. (2014, PG-13, 2:08) Free admission. Bring your own popcorn.

I.D.E.S. of Saint John Crab Feed

I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will have a crab feed on Saturday, Jan. 7. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and raffle at 8 p.m. Cost is $50 for adults, $25 for children under 12. Meal includes hot and cold crab, pasta, salad, garlic bread and desert. For more information and tickets call Mr. Helder at 357-5846.

All Saints Episcopal Church 

All Saints Episcopal Church, 911 Dowling Blvd. in San Leandro, will commemorate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 10:15 a.m. with a special mass including African American spirituals and a mass setting drawing from the African American tradition. All are invited to this festive service. For more information, visit www.saintsalive.net.

I.D.E.S. of Alvarado St. Crab Feed

I.D.E.S. of  Alvarado St. will have its annual crab feed on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the hall on 790 Antonio St. in San Leandro. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person. Dinner will include crab, pasta, salad, garlic bread and wine. For tickets call 385-8247 or 635-3580. Make check payable to I.D.E.S. and mail to P.O. Box 781 San Leandro, 94577.

Celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King

The City of San Leandro’s annual celebration in honoring  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring entertainment and a student oratorical contest, will be on Monday, Jan. 16, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Senior Community Center, 13909 East 14th St. Students enrolled in grades 3rd through 12th and attend San Leandro schools are invited to enter in the oratorical contest and poetry slam. Entry forms are available online at www.sanleandro.org and are due by Friday, Jan. 13.  For more information, call the Recreation and Human Services Department at 577-3462.

Auditions for The Maltese Bodkin  

The San Leandro Players will hold auditions for The Maltese Bodkin by David Belke on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 16 and 17, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the San Leandro Museum Auditorium, 320 W. Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro. Open call, appointments possible. Contact Sage Hindley at bhindley11@gmail.com, or call 895-2573.  No pay; non-Equity.  Male and female, all ages, ethnicities encouraged.  Rehearsals begin Jan. 24, Monday through Thursday evenings. Performances are March 3 through April 9 on Fridays and Saturdays and Sunday matinees. The SLPlayers website is www.slplayers.org.

St. Felicitas Young at Heart Luncheon

St. Felicitas Parish, 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro, hosts its monthly Young at Heart luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 18, with homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, dessert, coffee or apple cider. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Tickets are $6. Entertainment and door prizes at each luncheon. Tickets must be purchased no later than the Monday before the luncheon. Tickets available at the parish office Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

St. Felicitas CYO Girls BasketballSt. Felicitas CYO girls basketball is taking sign-ups online through Jan. 20 for players in the second through eighth grades. Players must live in the St. Felicitas parish. All skill levels welcome. Cost is $175. Teams are forming so sign up online now at stfelicitascatholicyouthorganization.siplay.com/site/. For more information, email Jerry DeLos Reyes at nbk54t@sbcglobal.net.

Cherry City Toastmasters

The Cherry City Toastmasters meet every Tuesday from 12:05 to 1:05 p.m., at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. Cherry City Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills, build self-confidence and promote personal growth. Visitors are welcomed to the meetings. For more information about the club, visit www.cherrycitytoastmasters.org.

Monster Concert

Witness the excitement as 24 young pianists, many from Castro Valley, perform together on 12 Yamaha pianos on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. The concert is presented by the Southern Alameda County Branch of the Music Teachers Association of California. Purchase tickets online $10 ($15 at the door) at: www.eventbrite.com/ (search “Monster Concert”). All proceeds from this concert will go towards student scholarships.

Rhythm of the North

A celebration of the 50th State – Alaska –  will be presented on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. Take this boogie-woogie joy ride with John Bushell (Bishop O’Dowd Class of ’70) when he presents this fast-paced, multi-media sensation, with stunning images, sizzling piano and hilarious stories to fill out the evening. (Audiences know him as “Johnny B.”) Tickets are $20 are available online at www.cvartsfoundation.org; or at the Center Box Office, 19501 Redwood Road, Thursdays and Fridays 3-5 p.m. phone 889-8961; or at the CV Adult School, 4430 Alma Ave.

John O’Lague Galleria 

A Woman’s View of the World, a variety of artistic techiniques including watercolors, acrylics, pencil, ink and mixed media by the Diablo/Alameda Chapter of the National League of American Pen Women, continues through Jan. 27 at the John O’Lague Galleria in Hayward City Hall, 777 B Street at Watkins, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Raiders Wide Receivers Host Holiday Bike Giveaway

     Sometimes it’s better to give than receive, as the Oakland Raiders receiving corps discovered Monday night at Jefferson Elementary School.

     Although they are usually on the receiving end, Oakland Raiders wide receivers switched roles to bring 50 bikes to boys and girls of Davis Street at Jefferson — just in time for the Christmas holiday.

     Veteran Michael Crabtree led the group that included fellow starter Amari Cooper, Andre Holmes, Johnny Holton and K.J. Brent. The players happily mingled with the kids and their families during a pizza party before the big reveal of the new bicycles in the school’s multi-purpose room.

     All the kids huddled together in front of the room dividers as the players and staff revealed the brightly colored bicycles perfectly aligned behind them — each one labeled with a youngster’s name.

     In addition, the Jefferson students also received helmets and locks so that each would have everything they need to enjoy a safe and secure ride on their new bikes.

     The kids quickly found their new bicycles and were excited to hop on and try out their new wheels.

     Parents and family members also enjoyed the opportunity to interact with Raiders players, taking pictures and getting personal autographs.

     “Last year, they (the Oakland Raiders) donated about 20 bikes to our bike giveaway, and this year they decided to host it for us,” said an elated Amy Chappelle, Associate Program Director for Children Services at Davis Street Family Resource Center.

     “She (Amy) made this connection with the Raiders and it’s been growing ever since,” said Davis Street Family Resource Center Children Services Director Alice Bedinger.

     Bedinger has been with Davis Street for 39 years. Chappelle joined the center two years ago.

     Over the past two years, the Raiders have greatly supported the efforts of Davis Street by providing game tickets and sponsoring about 60 of the center’s children to attend the team’s Play 60 event at their Alameda training facility. The team has also participated in the center’s Mexican Heritage Month activities as well.

     Davis Street Community Center was founded by Reverend Homer Richardson in 1970 as a ministry of the First Christian Church in San Leandro.

     In 1991, Rose Padilla Johnson, the center’s current executive director, envisioned the expansion of the center’s services to incorporate a wide range of family resources.

     For more information on the Davis Street Family Resource Center, call 510-347-4620.

CAPTION: Jefferson Elementary School student Juan Cerda is all smiles upon receiving a brand-new bicycle, helmet and lock at the Davis Street Bike Giveaway hosted by the Oakland Raiders on Monday night. Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (pictured) was on hand along with fellow receivers Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper, Johnny Holton and K.J. Brent. Also in attendance was the Oakland Raiders Walter Payton “Man of the Year” nominee, defensive tackle Dan Williams. Juan was accompanied by his mother, Sonia; father, Jose; and brother, Daniel. All of the attendees, decked out in their best Raiders gear and eye black, enjoyed a fun night of pizza and personal attention paid by Raiders players and staff.

PHOTO BY GREG BENSON

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 12-22-16

Remembering Irving Berlin 

Bancroft Musical Theatre in partnership with Opus Theatre Works Presents Remembering Irving Berlin tonight, Dec. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at The San Leandro Performing Arts Center, 2250 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro. The concert is free and features musical favorites such as:  Stepping Out With My Baby, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, White Christmas and  There’s No Business Like Show Business. Enjoy an evening of incredible music featuring over 50 Bancroft Middle School music and theatre students.

Hayward Area Historical Society 

The Hayward Area Historical Society, 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward, presents  Local Botanical Beauties, Then and Now guest curated by Mary L. Harden School of Botanical Illustration in the Community Gallery through Jan. 8, during the museum’s hours, Wednesday though Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This exhibit of watercolors shows the variety of plant life that once dominated the landscape of the Hayward area as well as plants that are still seen in the foothills and gardens.

Memory Cafe 

Memory Cafe, 294 Broadmoor Blvd. in San Leandro, is a comfortable place for people with dementia and their caregivers to come for a cup of coffee and time to share stories and a sense of community every Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. The cafe rents space in the Community Center of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Join volunteers of the nonprofit, Memory DayByDay and help celebrate everyone’s history and life. For more information, call 931-9336 or 876-5880.

San Leandro Toastmasters

The San Leandro Toastmasters meet on Thursday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The group fosters improved communication and public speaking. All levels of speakers from novice to seasoned are welcome.

All Saints Christmas Eve & Day Services

All Saints Episcopal Church, 911 Dowling Blvd. in San Leandro, will hold two Christmas Eve services on Saturday, Dec. 24, a 4 p.m. family service with Christmas carols (with LED candles for kids) and a 9 p.m. candlelight vigil Mass with carols. On Christmas day, Sunday, Dec. 25, the church will hold one service at 10 a.m. (Holy Eucharist). For more information, visit www.saintsalive.net

Christmas Concert & Vegetarian Dinner

Celebrate Christmas in the serene atmosphere of Badarikashrama with enchanting music and numerous vegetarian dishes on Sunday, Dec. 25, at 3 p.m. at 15602 Maubert Ave. in San Leandro. This year Subhangi Sakhalkar one of the Bay Area’s top Hindustani vocalists will be accompanied by Vivek Datar on harmonium and Nikhil Pandya on tabla. For reservations, call 278-2444, space is limited but no one will be turned away. This event is free and open to all.

Bayfair Toastmasters

Bayfair Toastmasters is a small, growing club seeking new members who want to learn the art of public speaking. All are welcome to the club’s weekly meetings every Wednesday from noon to 1 a.m. in the Bayfair Mall 2nd floor meeting room above the food court. Come through Entrance 5 facing the Century Theater. For more information, call Noreen at 538-6025 or Wayne at 407-0048.

Castro Valley Center for the Arts 

A comedy show Lighten Up New Year’s Eve with Brian Copeland and Friends will be presented at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road in Castro Valley, on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. An all-star lineup of comedians including David Alan Moss, Joe Klosee, Steve Barkley, Mickey Joseph, Irene Tu, Roon Vigh and Maureen Langan, will be part of the line-up. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at www.cvartsfoundation.org, at the Center Box Office or at the CV Adult School, 4430 Alma Ave. Purchase tickets in advance. Prices go up when tickets are purchased at the door.

Ambrosia New Year’s Eve Concert 

Welcome in the New Year with the six members of ’70s rockers Ambrosia, well-known for their radio hits and multiple Grammy nominations, presented by Curtain Call Performing Arts at San Leandro’s Historic BAL Theatre, 14808 E. 14th St. in San Leandro, on Saturday, Dec. 31. There will be two shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Smash Hits include Biggest Part Of Me, How Much I Feel, and Holdin’ On To Yesterday. Purchase tickets ($50, $60, $100) online at www.BALTheatre.com or call 614-1224. VIP tickets include a meet and greet.

I.D.E.S. of Saint John Crab Feed

I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will have a crab feed on Saturday, Jan. 7. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and raffle at 8 p.m. Cost is $50 for adults, $25 for children under 12. Meal includes hot and cold crab, pasta, salad, garlic bread and desert. For more information and tickets call Mr. Helder at 357-5846.

Join the Marines for Coffee

Don’t be just a former Marine, join other Marines, past and present, once a month on the second Saturday (except in November) at 0900 hours at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1105 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro, following the tradition of “Once a Marine, Always a Marine,” for coffee, doughnuts and friendship. All are welcome. For more information, call Bobby Ferreira at 460-0636.

Caregiver Support Group

Join Geriatric Care Managers from Sutter Care at Home and peers to exchange ideas, share resources, have a laugh and vent to those who understand what you are going through. The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at the San Leandro Community Senior  Center, 13909 East 14th St., from 9 to 10 a.m. A one-on-one consultation can be arranged after the meeting. For more information, call 577-3462.

Auditions for The Maltese Bodkin  

The San Leandro Players will hold auditions for The Maltese Bodkin by David Belke on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 16 and 17, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the San Leandro Museum Auditorium, 320 W. Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro. Open call, appointments possible. Contact Sage Hindley at bhindley11@gmail.com, or call 895-2573.  No pay; non-Equity.  Male and female, all ages, ethnicities encouraged.  Rehearsals begin Jan. 24, Monday through Thursday evenings. Performances are March 3 through April 9 on Fridays and Saturdays and Sunday matinees. The SLPlayers website is www.slplayers.org.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 12-15-16

SL Girl’s Softball In-Person Registration

San Leandro Girl’s Softball In-Person Registration will be on Friday, Dec. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Puerto Bello Restaurant, 14680 Washington Ave. in San Leandro. Girls softball is open to girls ages 4 through 14 of all playing abilities from San Leandro and all surrounding cities. For more information, call Leo Sheridan at 909-7152 or visit www.sanleandrogirlssoftball.com.

3 Crosses Neighborhood Church

Experience the wonder of Christmas at 3 Crosses Neighborhood Church 20600 John Dr. in Castro Valley on Dec. 16, 17, 21, 22, and 23 at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 24 at 2:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. General seating is $5 (suggested donation). Purchase tickets online at 3CROSSES.ORG or at church services, and at Cafe 4 Sunday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 537-4690.   

Bikes for Tykes Giveaway

The San Leandro Police Officers Association (SLPOA)  and San Leandro Police Chief Jeff Tudor invite you to this year’s Bikes for Tykes distribution on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Davis Street Family Resource Center, 3081 Teagarden St. in San Leandro. If you wish to volunteer please show up for the set up at 8 a.m. For more information, contact SLPD officer Louis Brandt via email at lbrandt@sanleandro.org.

St. Gerard Women’s Club Bake Sale 

The members of St. Gerard Women’s Club will hold its Christmas bake sale on Saturday, Dec. 17, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 264 E. Lewelling Blvd. in San Lorenzo. Bake sale begins after the 4:30 p.m. Mass and after all the Masses on Sunday, Dec. 18 starting at 7:30 a.m. A continental breakfast will also be available on Sunday along with the raffle after the 11:30 a.m. Mass.

Bob Grazzini Memorial Crab Feed 

The Buon Tempo Italian Club presents the Bob Grazzini Memorial Crab Feed on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Transfiguration Catholic Church, 4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd. in Castro Valley. No host cocktails from 5 to 6 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person paid in advance, no tickets sold at the door. Make your reservations on the Buon Tempo dinner line at 483-6929 or send your check to Rick Martens, P.O. Box 2625, Fremont, CA 94536. Make your check payable to: Buon Tempo Club.

Remembering Irving Berlin 

Bancroft Musical Theatre in partnership with Opus Theatre Works Presents Remembering Irving Berlin on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at The San Leandro Performing Arts Center, 2250 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro. The concert is free and features musical favorites such as:  Stepping Out With My Baby, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, White Christmas and  There’s No Business Like Show Business. Enjoy an evening of incredible music featuring over 50 Bancroft Middle School music and theatre students.

Hayward Area Historical Society 

The Hayward Area Historical Society, 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward, presents  Local Botanical Beauties, Then and Now guest curated by Mary L. Harden School of Botanical Illustration in the Community Gallery through Jan. 8, during the museum’s hours, Wednesday though Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This exhibit of watercolors shows the variety of plant life that once dominated the landscape of the Hayward area as well as plants that are still seen in the foothills and gardens.

Memory Cafe 

Memory Cafe, 294 Broadmoor Blvd. in San Leandro, is a comfortable place for people with dementia and their caregivers to come for a cup of coffee and time to share stories and a sense of community every Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. The cafe rents space in the Community Center of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Join volunteers of the nonprofit, Memory DayByDay and help us celebrate everyone’s history and life. For more information, call 931-9336 or 876-5880.

San Leandro Toastmasters

The San Leandro Toastmasters meet on Thursday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The group fosters improved communication and public speaking. All levels of speakers from novice to seasoned are welcome.

Christmas Concert & Vegetarian Dinner

Celebrate Christmas in the serene atmosphere of Badarikashrama with enchanting music and numerous vegetarian dishes on Sunday, Dec. 25, at 3 p.m. at 15602 Maubert Ave. in San Leandro. This year Subhangi Sakhalkar one of the Bay Area’s top Hindustani vocalists will be accompanied by Vivek Datar on harmonium and Nikhil Pandya on tabla. For reservations, call 278-2444, space is limited but no one will be turned away. This event is free and open to all.

Douglas Morrisson Theatre 

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre Chorus presents a Holiday Concert under the musical direction of Cesar Cancino Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, at 8 p.m.; and on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward. The Holiday Concert will feature a selection of classical sacred works, popular holiday songs and jazz, as well as audience sing-a-long pieces. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for adult H.A.R.D. residents.

Sons In Retirement Meetings

SIR, an organization of retired men, Branch 6, meets on the third  Wednesday of each month at the Moose Lodge, 20835 Rutledge Road in Castro Valley. Happy hour is at 11a.m., lunch is served at noon. Great speakers, guests are welcome. Come and make new friends. For more information, call Ron at 357-2540.

Bayfair Toastmasters

Bayfair Toastmasters is a small, growing club seeking new members who want to learn the art of public speaking. All are welcome to the club’s weekly meetings every Wednesday from noon to 1 a.m. in the Bayfair Mall 2nd floor meeting room above the food court. Come through Entrance 5 facing the Century Theater. For more information, call Noreen at 538-6025 or Wayne at 407-0048.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 12-08-16

Bancroft School Family Science Night 

Bancroft Middle School, 1150 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro, is having its annual family science night tonight, Dec. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. See science demonstrations and have interactive fun on topics of energy, chemistry, engineering, experimentation and invention. See the science magic show and enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream. This free event is co-sponsored by Xtreme Science Magic, The Lawrence Hall of Science, and The American Chemical Society.

San Leandro Adult School Open House 

The Adult School Career and Technical Education (CTE) will have an Open House tonight, Dec. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the San Leandro Adult School, 1448 Williams St. Learn about the certificated training programs and meet the instructors. Most classes begin on Monday, Jan. 9. For more information, call 667-6250 or go to www.sanleandroadultschool.org.

Alta Mira Club Holiday Tea

Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, invites everyone to the Lucille Kline Holiday Tea on Saturday, Dec. 10, at noon. Tickets are $25. For tickets, call Linda Klass at 914-5684.

Hearing Loss Association

The holiday meeting of the Hearing Loss Association will be on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Oakland Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Fabiola Bldg., 3801 Howe St., lower level, room G26. This will be a potluck luncheon. The leadership would like to hear from the members which speakers, topics and events offered this year were the most interesting or memorable, and suggestions for future programs. Free parking is available on Saturday in the old garage across from Howe St. For more information, email athos.artist@att.net or call Kay at 886-4717.

All Saints Winter Wine & Dine

All Saints Episcopal Church, 911 Dowling Blvd. in San Leandro, will have its Winter Wine & Dine fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m. Foods from around the world will be featured, including Scottish, Japanese, Nigerian, Italian and more. Fine Russian River Valley wines and other tasty beverages will be offered. Fabulous prizes will be raffled off. Enjoy both a live and silent auction, and live entertainment. Tickets are available online at tinyurl.com/Dec10WineDine.

Free Family Fun Night & Puppet Show

Join the fun on Family Fun Night Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. All ages will enjoy the classic tale of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, with a fun holiday twist, presented by the Puppet Art Theater Company. Don’t miss a special appearance by Santa after the show. Doors open at 6:50 p.m. Refreshments served after the show.

Fraternal Order of Eagles Bingo Luncheon 

The Hayward Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary 1139 will have its holiday bingo luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at noon at the Hayward Eagles Hall, 21406 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. Ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetables, salad, rolls, sweet potato pie, cake, and coffee or tea will be served. A donation of $8 will include one bingo card.

St. Gerard Women’s Club Bake Sale 

The members of St. Gerard Women’s Club will hold its Christmas bake sale on Saturday, Dec. 17, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 264 E Lewelling Blvd. in San Lorenzo. Bake sale begins after the 4:30 p.m. Mass and after all the Masses on Sunday, Dec. 18, starting at 7:30 a.m. A continental breakfast will also be available on Sunday along with a raffle after the 11:30 a.m. Mass.

Bob Grazzini Memorial Crab Feed 

The Buon Tempo Italian Club presents the Bob Grazzini Memorial Crab Feed on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Transfiguration Catholic Church, 4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd. in Castro Valley. No host cocktails from 5 to 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person, paid in advance, no tickets sold at the door. Make your reservations on the Buon Tempo dinner line at 483-6929 or send your check to Rick Martens, PO Box 2625, Fremont, CA 94536. Make your check payable to: Buon Tempo Club.

St. Felicitas  Christmas Luncheon 

St. Felicitas Parish, 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro, hosts its monthly Young at Heart Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 21, with baked ham and pineapple sauce, potato casserole, peas and carrots, corn bread, dessert, and coffee or apple cider. Tickets are $6. Entertainment and door prizes at each luncheon. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Tickets may be purchased at the parish office, 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro, Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets must be purchased no later than the  Monday before the luncheon.

Hayward Area Historical Society 

The Hayward Area Historical Society, 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward, presents Local Botanical Beauties, Then and Now, guest curated by Mary L. Harden School of Botanical Illustration, in the Community Gallery through Jan. 8, during the museum’s hours, Wednesday though Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This exhibit of watercolors shows the variety of plant life that once dominated the landscape of the Hayward area as well as plants that are still seen in the foothills and gardens.

Memory Cafe 

Memory Cafe, 294 Broadmoor Blvd. in San Leandro, is a comfortable place for people with dementia and their caregivers to come for a cup of coffee and time to share stories and a sense of community every Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. The cafe rents space in the Community Center of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Join volunteers of the nonprofit Memory DayByDay and help them celebrate everyone’s history and life. For more information, call 931-9336 or 876-5880.

San Leandro Toastmasters

The San Leandro Toastmasters meet on Thursday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The group fosters improved communication and public speaking. All levels of speakers, from novice to seasoned, are welcome.

Christmas Concert & Vegetarian Dinner

Celebrate Christmas in the serene atmosphere of Badarikashrama with enchanting music and numerous vegetarian dishes on Sunday, Dec. 25, at 3 p.m. at 15602 Maubert Ave. in San Leandro. This year, Subhangi Sakhalkar, one of the Bay Area’s top Hindustani vocalists, will be accompanied by Vivek Datar on harmonium and Nikhil Pandya on tabla. For reservations, call 278-2444. Space is limited but no one will be turned away. This event is free and open to all.

Chanticleers Theatre 

A Christmas Carol, a classic holiday favorite will be presented at the Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley through Dec. 11. The whole family will enjoy this Christmas classic told in a unique way, along with music of the season. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., Sundays shows begin at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, $20 for seniors and students, and $10 for children 12 and under. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 733-5483.

Douglas Morrisson Theatre 

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play will be presented by the Douglas Morrisson Theatre at 8 p.m. on Dec. 8, 9, 10, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 11, at the DMT Theatre, 22311 North 3rd Street in Hayward. For tickets ($27-$29), visit www.dmtonline.org or call 881-6777. Enjoy the holiday classic that puts the “heart” in heartwarming.

Douglas Morrisson Theatre 

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre Chorus presents a Holiday Concert under the musical direction of Cesar Cancino Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, at 8 p.m.; and on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward. The Holiday Concert will feature a selection of classical sacred works, popular holiday songs and jazz, as well as audience sing-a-long pieces. Tickets are $18 adult, $15 for adult H.A.R.D. resident, $15

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Tickets Available at Door for Copeland’s ‘The Jewelry Box’

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-01-16

     A limited number of tickets will be available to Brian Copeland’s acclaimed Christmas show, The Jewelry Box, for this Sunday’s two shows at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave.

     The show is part of “The Best of San Francisco Solo Series” that Copeland is presenting at the San Leandro Library throughout the year, sold by subscription in advance. But there are some seats available for Sunday’s shows that will be sold at the door, first-come, first-served.

     The play first opened at the Marsh in San Francisco in 2013 to rave reviews. It’s the true story of Christmas 1970 when Copeland was 6 years old and had to raise $11.97 by Christmas Eve to buy his mother a jewelry box from the White Front store on Hegenberger Road.

     Critics hailed it as “The Bay Area’s Christmas story.”

     The Jewelry Box follows Brian’s adventures as he scours the help-wanted ads, applies for jobs and collects bottles, inching his way toward the coveted present, a jewelry box from White Front.

CAPTION: Brian Copeland’s show, The Jewelry Box, hailed as a classic Christmas story, is about his adventure as a 6-year-old.

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Bay Elementary Goes to the Opera

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-01-16

     Bay Elementary School enjoyed the performance in October of the comic opera, The Daughter of the Regiment, by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti.  

     The cast included three professional singers from the San Francisco Opera, a dozen fifth-graders and the school choir.  

     The student cast and choir were prepared by their music teacher, Barbara Barrett. Bay School PTA and the East Bay Chapter of the Opera a La Carte (OLAC) education program provided scholarships to make this performance possible.

     “We were so fortunate to learn about opera with our own students singing and performing with such amazing professional singers, a great opportunity for us all,” said Principal Dr. Kimberly Yearns.

CAPTION: Bay Elementary School students and three professional singers from San Francisco Opera participated in the production of The Daughter of the Regiment.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 12-01-16

Creekside Art and Craft Show 

The 13th annual Creekside Art and Craft Show will take place on Friday, Dec. 2,  from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Creekside Community Church, 951 MacArthur Blvd. in San Leandro. The two-day event will feature quality handmade items from over 30 artists. Admission and parking is free. Food and drink will be available for sale including raffle tickets. Join the Chili Cook-Off scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A $5 donation includes a bowl of chili or ten samples to judge, salad, cornbread and lemonade. For more information about the Creekside Craft Show or Chili Cook-Off, call  Sandra Hess: sandrahessconsulting@gmail.com.

Christmas at the Mission 

The Mission Peak Chamber Singers announce the 31st Annual Christmas at the Mission performance on Saturday and Sunday, Dec.3 and 4, at the Old Mission San Jose on Mission Blvd. in Fremont.  This year they introduce a new Music Director, Ofer dal La, who is filling in this year for Michael Morris.  Advanced Tickets are available online via the MPCS website (www.mpchambersingers.org).

Hayward Area Historical Society 

The Hayward Area Historical Society, 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward, presents  Local Botanical Beauties, Then and Now guest curated by Mary L. Harden School of Botanical Illustration in the Community Gallery through Jan. 8, during the museum’s hours, Wednesday though Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This exhibit of watercolors shows the variety of plant life that once dominated the landscape of the Hayward area as well as plants that are still seen in the foothills and gardens. Meet the artists at a reception on Friday, Dec. 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Readers Roundtable 

The Readers Roundtable meets on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The book up for discussion is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, a charming tale about unlikely friendships. All books discussed may be purchased in the Library’s Booktique bookstore.

James Madison Holiday Boutique 

James Madison Elementary School, 14759 Juniper St. in San Leandro, is having a holiday boutique art and craft sale on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. If you’re interested in a table to sell, email sl.jamesmadison.pto@gmail.com

Corvallis School Holiday Boutique 

Corvallis Elementary School, 14790 Corvallis St. in San Leandro, will have its annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Homemade crafts and goodies at  reasonable prices by local artists. Receive one free ticket at the door and additional free tickets for every toy, canned food item, or clean used coat you bring. Door prize drawings every half hour. Door prize drawing tickets will be on sale the day of the boutique. Admission is free.  Food and drinks for sale. Proceeds benefit Corvallis Elementary School. New vendors are welcome. For booth information or additional information regarding the boutique, call Karen Webb at 461-2290.

Soroptimist Holiday Boutique

Soroptimist of the East Bay will have its 12th Annual Holiday Boutique, Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Hill and Valley Club House, 1808 B St. in Hayward. Crafts, jewelery, hats, wardrobe accessories, garden items, stained glass, soaps and lotions and much more will be on sale. Lunch and refreshments will also be available. All proceeds help support the goal of Soroptimist – improving the lives of women and girls. For more information, call Donna Whitehouse at 924-7622 or at: rambosmom@comcast.net.

Bancroft School Family Science Night 

Bancroft Middle School, 1150 Bancroft Ave., is having its annual family science night on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. See science demonstrations and interactive fun on topics of energy, chemistry, engineering, experimentation and invention. See the science magic show and enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream. This free event is co-sponsored by Xtreme Science Magic, The Lawrence Hall of Science, and The American Chemical Society.

SL Adult School Open House 

The Adult School Career and Technical

Education (CTE) will have on Open House on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the San Leandro Adult School, 1448 Williams St. Learn about the certificated training programs and  meet the instructors. Most classes begin on Monday,

Jan. 9. For more information, call 667-6250 or www.sanleandroadultschool.org

Alta Mira Club Holiday Tea

Alta Mira Club 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, invites everyone to the Lucille Kline Holiday Tea on Saturday, Dec. 10, at noon. Tickets are $25. For tickets, call Linda Klass 914-5684.

All Saints Winter Wine & Dine

All Saints Episcopal Church, 911 Dowling Blvd. in San Leandro, will have its Winter Wine & Dine fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m. Foods from around the world will be featured including Scottish, Japanese, Nigerian, Italian, and more. Fine Russian River Valley wines, and other tasty beverages will be offered. Fabulous prizes will be raffle off. Enjoy both a live and silent auction, and live entertainment. Tickets are available online at tinyurl.com/Dec10WineDine.

Bob Grazzini Memorial Crab Feed 

The Buon Tempo Italian Club presents the Bob Grazzini Memorial Crab Feed on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Transfiguration Catholic Church, 4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd. in Castro Valley. No host cocktails from 5 to 6 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person paid in advance, no tickets sold at the door. Make your reservations on the Buon Tempo dinner line at 483-6929 or send your check to Rick Martens, PO Box 2625, Fremont, CA 94536. Make your check payable to: Buon Tempo Club.

Sons In Retirement Meetings

SIRs, an  organization of retired men, meets on the second Wednesday of each month. The group meets at the Wedgewood Center at the Metropolitan Golf Links, 10051 Doolittle Dr. in  Oakland. Happy Hour starts at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. Great guest speakers. Guests are welcome. Come and meet new friends. For more information, call Mel at 357-0601.

St. Gerard Women’s Club Bake Sale 

The members of St. Gerard Women’s Club will hold its Christmas bake sale on Saturday, Dec. 17, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 264 E Lewelling Blvd. in San Lorenzo. Bake sale begins after the 4:30 p.m. Mass and after all the Masses on Sunday, Dec. 18 starting at 7:30 a.m. A continental breakfast will also be available on Sunday along with the raffle after the 11:30 a.m. Mass.

Chanticleers Theatre 

A Christmas Carol, a classic holiday favorite will be presented at the Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley through Dec. 11. The whole family will enjoy this Christmas classic told in a unique way, along with music of the season.Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., Sundays shows begin at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, $20 for seniors and students, and $10 for children 12 and under. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 733-5483.

Douglas Morrisson Theatre 

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play will be presented by the Douglas Morrisson Theatre at 8 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3, 4, and 11, at the DMT Theatre, 22311 North 3rd Street in Hayward. An Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1. For tickets ($27-$29), visit www.dmtonline.org or call 881-6777. Enjoy the holiday classic that puts the “heart” in heartwarming.

Douglas Morrisson Theatre 

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre Chorus presents a Holiday Concert under the musical direction of Cesar Cancino Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, at 8 p.m.; and on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward. The Holiday Concert will feature a selection of classical sacred works, popular holiday songs and jazz, as well as audience sing-a-long pieces. Tickets are $18 adult, $15 for adult H.A.R.D. resident, $15.

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-29-16

     The suspect in an alleged armed robbery attempt was stabbed and killed last week by the victim, in what police say was an act of self-defense.

     Just before 1 a.m. on Dec. 22, police were called to the 1200 block of 143rd Avenue following reports of a fight in progress.

     When the officers arrived on the scene near Heath Park, they found two men with stab wounds, according to the San Leandro police department.

     Police say the incident began when the intended robbery victim parked his car near his apartment and a 22-year-old suspect approached him demanding his wallet and phone and wielding a 10-inch knife.

     The victim said the suspect then stabbed him. The victim threw his wallet in one direction and ran about 100 yards in another direction, but the suspect followed and caught him.

     In the ensuing struggle, the victim got the knife away from the suspect and stabbed the man several times, police said.

     The 22-year-old suspect died at the hospital and the victim was also hospitalized and reported to be in serious but stable condition.

     The police say that preliminarily they believe the victim acted in self defense and will be submitting the case to the district attorney’s office, but don’t expect charges to be filed.

     The suspect’s name has not yet been released but police say he lived in the area. The suspect and victim did not know each other prior to the incident.

     Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the San Leandro police criminal investigation unit at 577-3230.

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Man Injured in Suspected Gang Shooting on Monday

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-29-16

     A man was shot Monday afternoon near the Oakland/ San Leandro city line and driven to San Leandro Hospital.

     There was an exchange of gunfire at around 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 26 in the area of San Leandro and Stone streets, according to the Oakland police department.

     The man who was shot was taken to the hospital by another man who was not injured and is in stable condition.

     Oakland police are investigating whether the shooting was related to another shooting that occurred 10 minutes earlier on the 1100 block of 87th Avenue in Oakland. No one was injured  in that incident. Police believe both crimes may be gang related.

     Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of suspects.  Anyone with information is asked to call police at 238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at 777-8572.

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Woman Whose Body Was Found in House Fire Was Murdered, Police Say

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-22-16

     The woman who died in a fire in her home in the unincorporated area last week was the victim of homicide, according to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

     Andrea St. John, 59, was found dead in her burning home on the 1800 block of Grove Way near the Castro Valley/Hayward border just before 3 a.m. on Dec. 13. During the investigation of the one-alarm blaze, authorities determined St. John had been murdered and the fire set apparently to hide the crime.

     The victim was found badly burned and covered in debris, according to Sgt. Ray Kelly of the sheriff’s office, who said the fire looked to be set to destroy forensic evidence.

     St. John, an optician, lived in her Grove Way home for 30 years and raised two daughters there with her husband. She was widowed earlier this year.

     Kelly said an autopsy concluded that St. John was murdered but did not disclose the manner of her death or a possible motive. No arrests have yet been made.

     In a statement released through the sheriff’s office, St. John’s family remembered her as a devoted mother and grandmother and generous member of the community, calling her loss “unbearable.”

     Authorities are asking anyone who lives in the area who has a security camera to review footage from their home video system from the hours of 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Dec. 12 and 13. If you have any information, call 667-3636.

CAPTION: The sheriff’s office says the woman found dead in her garage in the unincorporated area was the victim of a homicide.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALAMEDA COUNTY SHIERFF’S OFFICE

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Man Leads Police on Chase into San Francisco After Stealing Tow Truck

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-22-16

     A man suspected of stealing a tow truck from a tow yard in San Leandro led the California Highway Patrol on a car chase into San Francisco early Tuesday morning.

     Just before 3:30 a.m., the man stole the tow truck by crashing it through a fence and driving off. Police spotted the stolen truck on city streets and began a pursuit

     The CHP joined the chase after the driver got on I-580.

     The suspect then drove west on I-80 and crossed the Bay Bridge, according to the CHP.  A helicopter aided in the pursuit.

     San Francisco-based CHP units took over and the chase went onto city streets at speeds ranging from 30 to 50 m.p.h.

     The police used a spike strip, which deflated all of the tires on the tow truck near the South Van Ness on-ramp to the 101 freeway.

     At this point, the suspect stopped and reversed the truck into a pursuing cop car.

     The suspect then drove the tow truck on flat tires southbound onto the freeway, stopping at the center median at the Sierra Point Parkway exit.

     The driver then got out of the tow truck and ran across all of the northbound lanes of traffic and tried to hide in the parking lot of a nearby business, according to the CHP.

     The driver, whose name has not been released, was found and arrested. No one was injured.

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Young Girl Allegedly Groped on BART Train Near Bayfair Station

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-01-16

     A man was arrested Sunday after allegedly groping a young girl on a BART train near the Bayfair station.

     The 9-year-old girl was sitting in a San Francisco-bound train around 3:30 p.m. when a man sat next to her and began touching her leg and buttock, according to BART police.

     The girl’s family member intervened and they got off at the Bayfair station to call police.

     The suspect remained on the train and BART police boarded at the Coliseum station and detained him.

     The suspect was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery and annoying or molesting a child.

     The man was also issued a ban from riding BART for up to a year.

     The suspect is being held in lieu of $150,000 at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and is scheduled to be arraigned this week in Oakland.

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Woman Mugged and Beaten While Walking

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-01-16

     A woman was attacked from behind and robbed while walking  in the unincorporated area by a man who had apparently followed her from the Bayfair BART station.

     On Nov. 21, a 48-year-old woman was walking near 159th and Maubert avenues at around 8 p.m. when a man hit her on the head with a blunt object causing “severe facial injuries,” according to the Alameda County Sheriff’s office.

     Police believe he had been following her for several blocks before he struck. He took her cell phone and fled.

No arrests have been made. The suspect is described only as wearing a blue jacket and jeans at the time of the assault.

Top 7 Bay Area Real Estate Trends for 2017

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  12-29-16

     Beginning with Brexit, followed with our own surprise at the polls, 2016 has been a ride for the record books.

     As we end the fifth-consecutive year of pricing gains and with the Fed finally raising rates, pundits are scratching their heads trying to figure out how to predict where real estate will go in 2017.

     Here are our thoughts based on information coming from a number of sources:

1. A Continued Seller’s Market

     Seller’s will continue to be in the driver’s seat, but will not see the rampant gains they’ve enjoyed for the past five years. Inventory is expected to be higher, loosening upward volatility and out-of-control, multiple-offer scenarios, and keeping market gains moderate.

2. Higher Interest Rates

     This should be no surprise, as the Fed has already begun raising rates. Anticipate a gradual upward pressure on rates that will help keep the market in check.

3. More Millennials Will Enter The Market

     Finally getting off their parent’s sofas, expect Millennials to make their presence known in 2017.

4. Lenders Will Continue Tightening Parameters

     Expect the degree of difficulty to increase for borrowers in 2017. This will lengthen the average time it takes to get a transaction closed. Sellers need to prepare to be in escrow longer.

5. Transaction Failure Rates Will Increase

     Since many buyers will need help from a variety of sources to push the envelope enough to qualify for loans, anticipate that the transaction failure rate, already high in 2016, will increase in 2017.

6. More Middle-class Buyers Will Depart the Bay Area

     Unable to buy in the overpriced local market, increasing groups of middle class will depart looking for lower housing prices.

     States like Texas will benefit greatly from this California migration. This is going to have a long-term negative impact on the Bay Area as skilled labor departs, leaving a huge vacuum in their wake. Expect the quality of the labor pool to decrease while the cost of labor increases.

7. Builders Will Hit Their Stride

     Decimated by the market collapse a few short years ago, builders have slowly been regaining momentum. While it’s now possible to see new construction increasing across the Bay Area, new housing will not meet demand. Additionally, expect traffic to continue to worsen as municipalities struggle to keep pace with increased housing.

     Combined with the Trump factor, where we go is anyone’s guess. Time to strap in and hang on.

     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 at www.ccmgtoday.com.

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Increasing Home Prices Provide Holiday Cheer

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  12-22-16

     It doesn’t seem possible, but Christmas is just a few days away.

     It’s been another crazy year in the California real estate market, and with all of the frenetic activity, it’s a bit of a shock to look up and realize the year is practically over.

     Another shock is a year-end evaluation of where home prices have ended up after five consecutive years of upward market gains.

     A seller’s dream since the market tuned around in February, 2011, prices have surged higher and higher each consecutive year. With the local economy booming and people moving here in hordes to fill job vacancies, there has been a severe shortage of available homes, both to purchase and to rent.

     In a classic display of supply-and-demand economics, prices have spiked towards the stratosphere.

     As an example, the average price for a Castro Valley single-family home in 2011 was $468,000. In 2016? …$685,000, an increase of 64.93 percent. San Leandro did even better, beginning with an average of $323,000 in 2011 and rounding out 2016 at $544,000, up 88.97 percent. Faring better yet is San Lorenzo, with a 94.35-percent same-period boost from $289,000 to $515,000. Coming out on top is Hayward, where prices more than doubled: homes that averaged $288,999 in 2011 were selling this year for $591,000 — a staggering 101.99 percent average gain.

     If you’re a homeowner who has owned the same home since 2011, those price increases are the best Christmas present you could hope for. And, as we end 2016, the economy remains strong and prospects are good for 2017.

     While no one can predict the future, based on the current metrics, we do not see the market taking a significant dip any time soon.

     The Realtors of the Central County want to wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season, and specifically, a Merry Christmas. As a family that has been blessed with so much, my wife and I, along with our adult children, have adopted the tradition over the past few years of foregoing Christmas gifts to the adults, and instead donating the funds to organizations like World Vision, the Salvation Army and others. Many of our friends have picked up the idea as well. It’s so easy to forget that we are so blessed here in the Bay Area.

     Let’s make this the season we remember others who, through no choice of their own, cannot experience the blessings we take for granted.

     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 at www.ccmgtoday.com.

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Lessons Learned from Warehouse Fire

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  12-15-16

     The recent tragic warehouse fire in Oakland has saddened the Bay Area, and the Central County Realtors wish to extend our condolences to the families who’ve suffered such a terrible loss. Our prayers are with you as you struggle to cope in the days that lie ahead.

     As is the case in the aftermath of any tragedy, it’s important to figure out what went wrong and how it might be prevented in the future. Here are a few lessons to be learned in this case:

     1. City and state building codes have a reason for being in place and should not be circumvented.

     Any space intended for occupancy must follow the building and fire codes for the area. As an example, when foreclosures flooded the Bay Area with low-priced properties, flippers began upgrading homes at a prolific rate — much of which was done without permits.

     While the work might look good on the surface, it’s what’s hidden inside the walls that is a concern. Permits need to be pulled so that anyone living in a renovated home has the assurance everything was done to code.

     2. Fire and smoke alarms are critical. Every bedroom needs a smoke detector and there must be a smoke detector and CO detector in the hallway outside the bedrooms on every level. Make sure they are working.

     3. Fire prevention systems are important. While older homes are not required to have sprinklers, make sure proper extinguishers are handy for different types of fires.

     4. Nothing should be installed that prevents egress from any room in a building.

     Many local homes have permanent security bars installed over the windows. These are illegal. All bars need to have an inside quick-release mechanism so occupants can escape through the window in an emergency.

     Insurance companies are taking notes. Since the fire, insurance companies we have been dealing with have tightened their guidelines for insuring older East Bay buildings. Of special concern are antiquated electrical systems, especially those that contain knob-and-tube wiring.

     Where this will end up is unknown. One thing is certain, however: Safety in any building should be a primary concern, whether it’s a home or any other type of building.

     Follow the guidelines, obey the rules and make sure the structure meets all local codes. The life you save might just be your own.

     Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association at www.ccmgtoday.com.

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HGTV Skews Buyers’ Perspective

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  12-08-16

     Twenty years ago, real estate was fairly simple: Realtors picked a few homes for their clients to see, drove them around to their choices and then asked them to write an offer for one of them. While they might go out a few times, the process was fairly simple and straightforward.

     HGTV has changed everything.

     We’ve owned three separate homes since we moved to California in the ’80s, and none of the homes we looked at “back in the day” were staged.

     None were extensively prepped and zero owners had done anything to upgrade the homes for sale. In fact, when looking for our first property, my wife joked that she bought the first clean house she saw. And, according to her, it took a while to find one.

     Today’s sellers not only understand that homes need to be clean, they know that if they want top dollar, some preparation will be required.

     Whereas prep 20 years ago was typically limited to an interior coat of stark white paint, today it can involve kitchen and bath remodels, designer colors, new flooring and more. Buyer tastes and expectations have dramatically changed, and I lay the blame squarely at the feet of HGTV.

     Buyers used to understand that it would usually take some elbow grease and imagination to make a newly purchased home their own. More often than not, they’d move in and then begin to plan future renovations and upgrades.

     When touring homes now, today’s buyers frequently tell me that they cannot buy a given home because they’d have to do too much to it to make it “livable.” In their words, it would need new baths, new kitchens, new flooring and much more.

     Most importantly, it would all need to be done before they moved in — the idea of doing renovations while living in the home has become unpalatable. And here is the rub: they have absolutely no idea what a renovation might cost and no concept of how to get the look they want.

     The current generation of buyers may have no idea how to transform a home like they see happening on TV, but they do know what they want, and will pay extra for homes that are not only move-in ready, but resemble homes they see on HGTV or the internet. In some cases, a lot more.

     It’s a new day, and I know exactly who to blame.

     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 at www.ccmgtoday.com.

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Despite Raises, Middle Class Is Moving Out

BY CARL MEDFORD  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  12-01-16

     “Five point two percent! The middle class finally got a raise!” trumpeted CNN Money’s Kathryn Vasel on Nov. 7.

     “Median household incomes in 2015 rose 5.2 percent from a year earlier. This is the first increase since 2007, the year before the recession started. And,” she added, “there’s more good news! The poverty rate ticked (down) to 13.5 percent!”

     Great, right?

     Not according to Sam Khater, deputy chief economist at CoreLogic.

     While the income bump might be good in parts of the country, large numbers of middle-class wage earners are being forced out of California.

     “There is clearly a relationship between the migration patterns and home prices,” he explains. “The middle and lower middle can no longer afford to live in California.”

     CNN’s Vasel confirms. “California’s housing market is one of the most expensive in the nation, with a median home price of $428,000 across the state. Prices have shot up 71 percent since 2011.”

     Locally? Prices are higher.

     Contra Costa County’s median price for Nov. 17 was $540,000. Alameda County showed same period median pricing of $779,000. Santa Clara County clocked in at $1,050,000, while San Mateo County broke the bank at $1,350,000.*

     Vasel reiterates that while wage boosts are great, “incomes just haven’t kept up with the (California) home price bonanza for many people — particularly for the working and middle class.” It’s even worse in the tech-centric Bay Area.

     You would think that high wages would be a boost to the economy. “Not so,” declares Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics. “The gains aren’t coming in support of the rest of the economy, they’re coming at the expense of the rest of the economy.”

     He warns, “Folks in the tech industry make craploads of money and they can afford to live there and will force out other people.”

     Khater agrees, adding, “It makes it harder for the average person to make a living there. So that means less teachers, fire fighters, retail workers.”

     Many have no choice but to move to places like Oregon, Arizona, Texas and Nevada. Realtors confirm a mass exodus is underway, with critical non-tech skills exiting the state in hordes.

     CoreLogic’s data confirms that for every home buyer coming into the state, there are three Californians selling and moving out.

     With the state’s labor pool moving out, municipalities are scrambling to implement low-cost housing to keep some here. It’s a very real problem, and there’s no immediate solution in sight.

     Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association at www.ccmgtoday.com.

Schaefer Tests a Scuba Blue TT Coupe

BY STEVE SCHAEFER  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-22-16

     The Audi TT is a delightful little toy for serious drivers. While Audi’s array of sedans and crossovers fulfills the needs of families and folks who transport friends, the TT is all about entertaining yourself.

     For 2016, the now classic shape is significantly altered. More edges are in the recipe for Audis today, and the TT gets a thorough reworking. Whether it’s better, equal to, or not as pleasant as the original iconic Bauhaus model is a question you’ll have to answer for yourself.

     As before, the TT comes as a coupe or a roadster. I spent an amusing week with a Scuba Blue coupe ($575 extra for that shade).

     The interior was a sporty black on black, with the added charm of a deep, handsomely detailed steering wheel, shiny metallic trim, sporty metal pedals, and the optional fine Nappa leather, including stunning diamond-stitched seats from the S Sport seat package ($1,000).

     As long as you understand that you’ll have to drop down and slide in (the compact TT stands just 4-foot, 5-1/2 inches off the ground), you’ll be OK with entry and egress. Once you’re situated, everything is perfectly positioned, so it’s easy to get comfortable. As a slim person standing 5-8, it was no problem.

Something remarkable is happening inside the TT, though. It has the “Virtual Cockpit.” This means that the 12.3-inch TFT display screen in front of you contains pretty much everything you need to know. While some cars are sticking a screen on the dashboard that looks like an iPad Mini, the TT squeezes it all into your line of sight.

     Use tabs to select what you want to see. It might be realistic-looking chrome-rimmed gauges or you can shrink them down to dollar pancake size and see a map, phone listings, audio selections, or driving statistics. It’s all controlled easily without looking away from the road, and I found it remarkably intuitive, and fun to switch back and forth. The map, dark at night with twinkling lights, sets an intimate, cozy mood when combined with the indirect lighting of the door coves.

     There’s more. The digital climate controls are placed inside the center circles of the three vents that sit in the middle of the dash. So not only is there no center screen, there are no separate knobs for fan or temperature. It’s a remarkable retro feeling, ironically made possible by the latest technology.

     I loved the TT’s high-tech interior, which includes touch-sensitive reading lamps. My tester also boasted the Bang & Olufsen Sound System ($950), which cheered up even the longest commute with what Audi refers to as “almost true to life” audio, backed up by 680 watts of Surround Sound emanating from 12 precisely placed speakers. Setting audio presets takes a little thinking, but the imaginative “Last Stations” view lets you choose from what you’ve recently been listening to, and it takes care of business for most audio searches.

     The TT has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that puts out 220 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s good for a 5.3-second zero-to-60 time. Your choice of transmission is exactly one — the six-speed S tronic automatic.

     The TT is a point and shoot little rocket when you push it but is totally cool and collected when you’re ambling along the freeway. You tend to forget how low you’re sitting until you look left directly at the 20-inch alloys of a Chevy Tahoe.

     As an Audi, the TT comes with the famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system. This newest version varies the torque delivery percentage front to rear by measuring the coefficient of traction at all four wheels, taking 150 readings every 10 milliseconds. That’s responsive!

     With all the electronics on board, you can select how you want the TT to feel as you drive it, using the Auto Drive Select function. Press the button to cycle through Auto, Dynamic, Individual and Comfort. It works with the Quattro system now. You can feel a significant difference between Dynamic and Comfort. Choose the former for back roads and Comfort for Highway 5 to Los Angeles.

     EPA fuel economy ratings for the TT Coupe are 23 City, 30 Highway, and 26 Combined. I averaged 23.4 mpg. The EPA green numbers for the 3,384-pound TT Coupe are a remarkable 9 for Smog and a decent 6 for Greenhouse Gas.

     This imported vehicle has a German brand name, but it contains 52 percent Hungarian parts (most of the rest is German, though, including the transmission).

     The TT’s virtues don’t come cheap. The base price for my tester was $43,825, including a $925 destination charge. My tester, with the optional paint, fancy seats, 19-inch wheels ($1,000), and the Technology Package ($3,250), came to $50,600. That’s one pricey toy.

CAPTION: Changes for the Audi TT in 2017 include a standard rearview camera and power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior side mirrors.

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Nissan Boosts Pathfinder’s Power

BY STEVE SCHAEFER  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-15-16

     The Nissan Pathfinder has been around since 1987, and over those nearly 30 years has grown from a small pickup truck with a roof and rear seats to a big family hauler that weighs in at well over two tons.

     The fourth-generation Pathfinder, which debuted for the 2013 model year, gets some significant updates for 2017. To the eye, the face is redone, with a fresh iteration of Nissan’s V-Motion grille, surrounded by an updated hood and front bumper. At the other end, the taillamps get tweaked.

     More important than the new suit, however, is the new powerplant. Nissan has been well known for its award-winning V6 engines, but this new Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) 3.5-liter unit contains more than 50 percent new parts, including a new combustion chamber design, pistons, intake manifold, and more. This update helps push horsepower from 260 to 284 and torque from 240 to 259.

     The fresh V6 is mated to an XTRONIC continuously variable transmission (CVT), which means belts find the ideal ratio rather than gears, and it sounds a bit different when you apply the accelerator.

     Sadly, this powertrain didn’t give me the fuel economy that the window sticker promised. The EPA rates the four-wheel-drive Pathfinder at 19 City, 26 Highway, 21 Overall. However, the best number I saw was 16.2 mpg, and in the end, it read just 10.3 mpg. Was the system misreading something? I didn’t drive any differently than usual. EPA Green numbers are 6 for Smog and 4 for Greenhouse Gas — normal for an SUV this large with a V6 engine.

     The Pathfinder feels substantial on the road, and sails along smoothly during in-town errands or long highway jaunts. It’s a seven-passenger hauler, so families will find it a comfortable fit. The EZ Flex Seating System with LATCH AND GLIDE makes it easy to load passengers into the third row, while keeping your second-row child seats in place. When all three rows are being used, there’s not a lot of space behind the third row — about 16 cubic feet — but drop the second and third rows and you get nearly 80 cubic feet of useful capacity.

     Nissan went through a period of offering cheap looking interiors, but that’s over now, and even though many of the Pathfinder’s surfaces are hard plastic, they look buffed and strong. The tan leather seats are attractive and comfortable. Slim pockets on the center console look like they’d be great for maps — if anyone uses them anymore. I liked the handsome knurled knobs for audio and climate control.

     Another larger knob was for the ALL-MODE 4x4-i system, which electronically controls settings for 2-wheel drive, automatic, or auto-locking 4-wheel drive. There’s Hill Descent Control (4WD models only) and Hill Start Assist, handy for tackling the streets of San Francisco. The Pathfinder is also proud to offer 6,000 pounds of towing, if properly equipped.

     I was fortunate to drive the top model in a range that runs from S, SV, SL to Platinum. My tester came in Midnight Jade, with the interior in Almond. The dark green body was elegant, the tan inside bright. The S is decently equipped from the get go, but the SV brings in a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, intelligent key, power driver’s seat, remote start, Homelink transmitter and more.

     As you move up, the SL adds leather seats in the first and second rows, gives the front passenger power seat controls, a power liftgate, the amusing “Around View” monitor (shows you from above somehow), and more. The Platinum level bumps wheel size from 18 to 20 inches, adds LED headlamps and a Bose 13-speaker premium audio system, a moonroof, and some other goodies.

     The Pathfinder offers the Motion-Activated liftgate with position memory. Wave your foot under the center of the liftgate and it opens. They aren’t the first to offer this feature, but it’s mighty handy. Another worthwhile update is the Advanced Drive-Assist Display, which gives you useful information on your infotainment and other features directly ahead of you. Voice command is now easier with an improved microphone.

     My car had the Family Entertainment Package ($1,700), perfect for keep the young ones entertained on long trips when singing rounds or playing punch car isn’t enough. The viewing screens are on the front seatbacks, lower than the kind that drop from the ceiling.

     Pricing starts at $30,890 for the S, topping off at $44,460 for the Platinum, including destination charges. My car came to $46,160.

     Crossovers are hot, and this one, in the upper middle range, is a boon for growing families. It gets a top five-star overall rating in government safety tests. Built in Smyrna, Tennessee, it’s the station wagon of today. I’d like to see better fuel economy from the smooth and powerful engine, though.

CAPTION: The Nissan Pathfinder is reborn for the 2017 model year with more adventure capability, a freshened exterior look and enhanced safety and technology.

Create an Age-friendly Home to Stay in Place

BY JIM MILLER  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  12-22-16

     Many retirees want to stay living in their own house for as long as possible. But being able to do so will depend on how easy it is to maneuver around your home as you get older.

     Here are some helpful resources you can turn to, to get an idea of the different types of features and improvements that will make your house safer and more convenient as you grow older.

Home Evaluation

     A good first step in making your home more age-friendly is to do an assessment. Go through your house, room-by-room, looking for problem areas like potential tripping or slipping hazards, as well as areas that are hard to access and difficult to maintain.

     To help with this, there are several organizations that have aging-in-place checklists that point out potential problems in each area of the home, along with modification and solutions.

     Rebuild Together, for example, has a two-page “Safe at Home Checklist” that’s created in partnership with the Administration on Aging and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Go to AOTA.org and search for “Rebuilding Together Safe at Home Checklist.”

     The National Association of Home Builders also has an “Aging-in-Place Remodeling Checklist” that offers more than 100 suggestions to help homeowners age 50-plus live safely, independently and comfortably. Go to NAHB.org and search for “Aging in Place Remodeling Checklist.”

     Also check out AARP’s excellent resource called the “HomeFit Guide” that’s filled with 28 pages of tips and diagrams to make your entire home safe and easier to live in as you age. You can access it at AARP.org. Search for “HomeFit,” or call 888-687-2277 and ask them to mail you a free copy.

Personalized Advice

     If you want more personalized help, consider getting a professional in-home assessment with an occupational therapist.

     An occupational therapist, or OT can evaluate the challenges and shortcomings of your home for aging in place, recommend design and modification solutions, and introduce you to products and services to help you make improvements.

     To find an OT in your area, check with your physician, health insurance provider or local hospital, or seek recommendations from family and friends.

     Many health insurance providers, including Medicare, will pay for a home assessment by an OT if prescribed by your doctor. However, they will not cover the physical upgrades to the home.

     Another option is to contact a builder who’s a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS).

     CAPS are home remodelers and design professionals that are knowledgeable about aging-in-place home modifications, and can suggest ways to modify or remodel your home that will fit your needs and budget. CAPS are generally paid by the hour or receive a flat fee per visit or project.

     To find a CAPS in your area, visit the National Association of Home Builders website at NAHB.org/capsdirectory where you can search by state and city.

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

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New Law Empowers Disabled

BY GENE L. OSOFSKY, ESQ.  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  12-22-16

Q: I hear that President Obama just signed a new law that makes it easier for disabled persons to create their own Special Needs Trust. Know anything about this?

A: Yes. With strong bipartisan support, just last week President Obama signed a comprehensive piece of legislation called the 21st Century Cures Act, primarily designed to find a cure for cancer, Alzheimer’s, opiate dependence and other diseases.

     Included was a short provision known as the “Special Needs Trust Fairness Act”, designed to correct a decades-old error in the law that presumed that all persons with disabilities under age 65 lacked the mental capacity to handle their own financial affairs.

     Background: In 1993, Congress passed legislation to help ensure that individuals with disabilities could use money they had saved, or received by gift or inheritance, in order to provide for their own supplemental needs not covered by public benefit programs, while still maintaining their eligibility for Medi-Cal and SSI.  

     Congress did so by creating the “Special Needs Trust” (SNT). So long as these funds were held inside a properly established SNT, they were not counted against the individual and did not impair their eligibility for public benefits.

     In essence, the SNT allowed persons with a disability to live a better quality of life above the bare-bones minimum subsidized by public benefits. There were, however, two “glitches:”  

     (1) he law made an artificial distinction between those individuals under age 65 and those over age 65; only the younger group could benefit from an individually customized, stand-alone SNT.

     The older group was limited to joining an existing Pooled SNT, created and managed by a nonprofit association; and

     (2) he law presumed that the younger individuals lacked the capacity to create their own SNT, instead requiring that the SNT be established by a “parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or the court”.  

     For the younger individuals under age 65, this requirement presented problems for individuals who did not have qualifying family members willing or able to act; alternatively, the law required court proceedings with unnecessary legal fees, delayed implementation, and other legal obstacles.

     For the under age 65 group, that “glitch” has now been corrected, so that those with capacity may now create their own SNT without the need to rely upon a qualifying family member or the court.

     Unfortunately, the law still limits those over age 65 to the option of joining a Pooled SNT.

     President Obama signed the law on December 13, 2016, and it became effective on that date. So, if you are under age 65, you can now sign your own Special Needs Trust and plan your financial affairs without worrying that you may jeopardize your Medi-Cal or SSI and fall further into poverty.

     You should, however, seek out a knowledgeable Elder Law or Special Needs attorney to assist you in creating your SNT.

     Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney in Hayward.  Visit his website at www.LawyerForSeniors.com. 

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Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight-Gain

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  12-15-16

     On average, Americans gain approximately one to two pounds during the holiday season. But with a few strategies from nutrition experts, you can avoid weight gain while still enjoying friends, family and holiday feasts.

Don’t Skip Meals

     “In preparation for a holiday feast, do not skip meals throughout the day,” says Heather Mangieri, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson. “Skipping meals can result in overeating later on.”

     Instead, Mangieri recommends eating foods full of protein and high in fiber before the feast because these foods will fill you up and satisfy hunger.

Don’t Forget to Exercise

     The holidays are a busy time full of cooking, decorating, shopping and catching up with loved ones. But it is still important to make time for physical activity.

     Set a tradition to include a family walk over the holidays. It’s an opportunity to create memories, share in conversation and sneak in exercise.

Don’t Overdo the Buffet

     Holiday meals tend to be large, buffet-style gatherings where it is easy to overeat and fill up on unhealthy options.

Don’t Splurge on Sweets

     It is okay to save room for dessert, but try to choose only one “splurge” item, and limit high-calorie sugary beverages.

— StatePoint

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Sexually Transmitted Diseases at 20-year High in California

SAN LEANDRO TIMES •  12-15-16

     The number of reportable sexually transmitted diseases in California is rising at a faster pace compared to the rest of the country and is at a 20-year high according to a California Department of Public Health report.  

     “Cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are going up in California at a concerning rate,” said State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “This is the second year in a row that we have seen increases in all three diseases.”

     The report found a total of 249,224 reportable cases of STDs in California last year including 189,937 cases of chlamydia, 54,255 cases of gonorrhea, 4,890 cases of primary and secondary syphilis (the most infectious stages of this disease) and 142 cases of congenital syphilis.

     These numbers indicate an 11.6 percent increase in STDs in California since 2014, when the total number was 223,269.

     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released national STD data last month, reporting that cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia have reached a record high level in the U.S., with the largest increase being in cases of syphilis (19 percent).

     California’s rate of sexually transmitted diseases continue to be highest in young people 15-24 years of age and especially among females. More than 63 percent of the state’s female chlamydia cases and more than 51 percent of female gonorrhea cases are in this age range.

     These young women are the most vulnerable to infertility and other serious reproductive health problems caused by STDs.

     Gay and bisexual men in California are also at high risk. Men who have sex with men account for more than 62 percent of the state’s gonorrhea cases in males and 84 percent of primary and secondary syphilis cases in males.

     “Using condoms regularly and correctly, reducing the number of sexual partners and being in a monogamous relationship can dramatically reduce risk of contracting an STD,” said Dr. Smith who urged sexually active individuals to get tested regularly.  

     To help reduce the STD rate, the California Dept. of Public Health is in the process of distributing $5 million in grants to local health departments for expansion of STD prevention, testing and treatment programs.

     Last January, California also enacted the California Healthy Youth Act, requiring comprehensive sexual health education to help young people make informed choices about how to protect themselves and their partners.

     For more information on STDs and how to prevent them, visit www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/std.

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EyeCare America Helps Save Seniors’ Sight

BY JIM MILLER  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  12-08-16

     It’s a fact of life: When people reach their senior years, they are at high risk for developing age-related eye diseases that can lead to blindness if not caught and treated in time.

     The good news is that people can take steps to protect themselves. The first step is to get a simple, painless eye exam by an ophthalmologist, the medical doctors that detect and treat these conditions.

     To help seniors who haven’t seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeCare America program may be able to help.

     This public service program has been matching Americans 65 and older with volunteer ophthalmologists across the country for more than 30 years.

     EyeCare America volunteers provide eligible seniors with medical eye exams often at no out-of-pocket cost, and up to one year of follow-up care for any condition diagnosed during the initial exam for the physician services. The program also offers a glaucoma eye exam to eligible, uninsured individuals who are at increased risk for glaucoma, determined by their age, race and family history.

     Visit the website www.aao.org/eyecare-america to see if you or a loved one is eligible.

     There are also other ways EyeCare America can help:

Drug Discounts

     EyeCare America’s new drug discount card can help people save up to 80 percent on drug costs. It can be used as often as needed at over 65,000 pharmacies nationwide, including all major chains. The card can also be shared with friends and family.

     It’s free, with no fees or registration, and it never expires. Download the card today and start saving by visiting the Assistance with Medications page at the website www.aao.org/eyecare-america.

Eye Exams

     The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that people 65 and older get medical eye exams with an ophthalmologist on an annual basis. Through comprehensive eye exams, ophthalmologists can check a person’s eyes for hidden signs of eye disease, which may have no noticeable symptoms in their early stages.

     Once diagnosed, ophthalmologists can provide treatments to help prevent vision loss. Learn more about eye diseases and conditions and how to protect your sight at www.aao.org/eyesmart.

     A recent Harris Poll commissioned by the Academy revealed that nearly two out of three American adults report having eye or vision problems. Despite this, many are neglecting these important sight-saving exams, even when they have signs of vision problems. The most commonly cited reason is cost or lack of insurance.

     EyeCare America has helped more than 1.8 million people since 1985. Its sight-saving services are made possible through the generous support of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., with additional support provided by Alcon.

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Unmarried Partners Should Give Estate Planning Top Priority

BY GENE L. OSOFSKY, ESQ.  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  12-08-16

Q: My partner and I have been in a non-marital relationship for approximately 10 years. Unfortunately, she is showing signs of early dementia, and her children from her former marriage are trying to take over her financial and personal life in a manner which is not in her best interest. We do not have anything formal recognizing our relationship, nor even any basic estate planning documents. Do you have any thoughts as to how we can legally empower each other to manage the other’s affairs when the time comes?

A: Unfortunately, your situation is all too common. Whether her children’s behavior is motivated by concern for their parent, or by their perceived need to protect their own inheritance, the situation can definitely complicate your lives and lead to unintended consequences.

     If you have not married, not filed formal documents to become Registered Domestic Partners (RDPs), nor created an estate plan recognizing your relationship, then, in the eyes of the law, neither of you would have the legal right to manage the personal or financial affairs of the other.

Some of the situations that could arise in this circumstance might include the following:

     1) When she becomes incapable of making decisions for herself, her children, rather than you, would have legal standing to petition the court to become her conservators, with the associated legal right to control her care, manage her finances, determine where she lives, and even bar you from visiting if they were so inclined.  

     Further, if you now live in her home, they might even force you to vacate;

     2) Unless you were designated as a signer on any of her bank or brokerage accounts, you would have no legal authority to draw upon her funds to pay her bills;

     3) Upon her demise, you would have no legal right to become her estate administrator in the event a probate proceeding were necessary, nor any standing to be treated as an heir or beneficiary of her estate.

     In short, if your relationship is not formalized and if you have not created an estate plan for yourselves, the law would treat you as merely her friend, rather than as a spouse or family member. As a result, you would have little if any legal rights.

     One remedy for this situation is to create an estate plan which recognizes your relationship and, to the extent each of you so desires, designates the other as the agent, executor, successor trustee and/or beneficiary of each other’s estates.

     However, merely because your plan may recognize each other in some fashion does not mean that her children, nor yours, if you have any, would need to be entirely left out.

     Example: If she owns the home you live in, she could give you the legal right, if you are the survivor, to remain in the home rent-free for the rest of your life with the home going to her children only after your demise.

     Since you indicate your partner is showing signs of early dementia, it will be important to first establish her mental capacity to sign legal documents. In this regard, a letter from her physician so affirming will be helpful.

     The key is to start planning now and place a high priority on completing your plan soon.

     Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney in Hayward. Visit his website at www.LawyerForSeniors.com.  

LETTERS • 12-29-16

An Open Letter to the Community from Rose Padilla Johnson

Dear Community,

     As you have read, the confidential renegotiation of the terms of Davis Street’s loan from the City of San Leandro was reported in the December 22nd Times. The article set forth only the City’s position. We were unable to respond because we honor the confidentiality of the negotiations and turned instead to the important work that embodies our mission – the giving away of toys, turkeys, and food for the holidays to 1000 families in need.

     In addition to being my calling and my life’s work, Davis Street is important to those in our community with the most need and least access. In 2014, we launched a community health clinic to serve that constituency.

     We are grateful to the City for the $1,500,000 bridge loan that assisted with getting the clinic going. Our initial estimate of a two year bridge loan was inaccurate and true to my nature, optimistic. I advised the City of this fact nearly a year ago and explained why an extension was necessary.

     The negotiation over the extension is ongoing and all loan payments are current. We are also exploring several ways to pay back the loan and have kept the City informed.

     We are struggling to understand why this matter was made public at this time.

     The article also mentioned the City’s desire to conduct an audit and, by doing so, raised the specter of financial mismanagement.

     Davis Street’s solid financial record is documented in the annual audits that are required by State and Federal agencies. Of course, when we stretch to add services so that everyone receives food, clothing, medicine, medical and mental health care, the financial situation tightens and, as we are trying to do with the City, we make adjustments.

     It is our hope that the City will cooperate in these efforts and that services will not be reduced or eliminated.

— Rose Padilla Johnson, CEO, Davis Street

Appropriate for San Leandro to Modify Its Loan to Davis Street

Editor:

     For decades I have been involved in developing and implementing public health policies on local, state and national levels. This includes tenure as Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, as well as current roles on the boards of the Davis Street Health Center and Eden Health District.  

     These involvements have strengthened my view of the importance of community-based health approaches, particularly those provided by community health centers to local populations in need of access to care.  

     Davis Street is one of them, which Eden has supported since its inception. Despite a recent article in the San Leandro Times critical of an outstanding loan from the City of San Leandro to Davis Street, the Eden District continues its strong support, which includes nearly $250,000 yearly to support important programs, such as diabetes care and behavioral health.      

     The outstanding loan to Davis Street referenced in the article is due, but needs to be renegotiated or reduced to do no harm to the services being provided to the public. This is particularly important being that the City of San Leandro does not provide medical care or health programs for its citizens. Davis Street helps fill that void.

     When St. Rose Hospital in Hayward was saved from closing by a loan from the Eden District, they paid as much as possible in good faith, but could only repay about half of the loan. Recognizing the broader public interest the Eden District transitioned the remaining amount into a grant (which is the same as Davis Street owes – $1.5 million). By taking this action for the amount owed it enabled St. Rose to continue to operate and serve the public that resides within the Eden District.      

     The Eden District also provided valued services, including funding, to keep San Leandro Hospital open when it faced closure. The hospital was running major deficits and the Eden District is providing funds, ex post facto, for those losses to the hospital operator at that time. The cost is tens of millions of dollars, but the hospital has continued operations because of Eden’s advocacy and funding.

     Therefore, it is appropriate for the City of San Leandro to take a similar approach. Patience is due, as is modification and mitigation of the particulars of the loan. If the Davis Street Center were not to exist our broad-based approach to health and medical care in the Eden area could be severely jeopardized.

— Thomas E. Lorentzen, Vice Chairman, Eden Health District Board Member, Davis Street

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LETTERS • 12-22-16

Open Letter to Vernon Burton on Sanctuary Cities

Dear Mr. Burton:

     I have read your letter, “Demographic Change in U.S. Not Going to Change Under Trump,” (Letters, Dec. 15) regarding whether or not San Leandro becomes or is already a Sanctuary City.

     What bothered me is that you believe that Katy Steinle is being used as a political football and to what end.

     Here is my take on her horrific death, by being shot in the back by Juan Francisco Lopes-Sanchez. Like you, I was not there to witness this horrific crime. What I do know is that her family is permanently fractured and broken, especially since her father did in fact witness the shooting and his daughter Katy died in his arms.

     Juan Francisco Lopes-Sanchez is here without permission, without being a citizen and is truly illegal and was protected in San Francisco, which is a Sanctuary City. Good for San Francisco!

     The argument is that we all come from somewhere else and have relatives and ancestors from other countries. The difference is that they came here to make a better life, not to gain access to free medical care, welfare, entitlements and housing, while the homeless are so neglected and dismissed, because they cannot and do not vote.

     Illegal aliens do vote because our politicians want their votes, and heaven forbid any one of them coming forward and being a voice for Katy Steinle.

     If any one of these morons would dare to make a statement and admitting that Juan Francisco-Lopes Sanchez was illegal, it would be political suicide. So, they toe the line, keep their mouths shut and as you so poetically put it, Mr. Burton, we are masking racism. Really!

— Anita Imazumi, Hayward

Says City Should Not Get Involved with Trailer Haven Sale

Editor:

     I’m in total agreement with John Clouston’s letter (“Wants the City to Stay Out of Private Business at Trailer Haven,” Letters, Dec. 15). The San Leandro City Council should not get involved with the private sale of Trailer Haven.  

     If the council votes to grant some or all of the transfer fees or any other kind of subsidy or rebate to the renters, then they would be opening up the biggest can of worms and setting a precedent for other property transfers to request the same consideration, and if not granted it would cause a never ending steam of lawsuits.

     In addition to the purchase price the new owner had to do upgrades and deal with deferred maintenance.

     When I lived in San Francisco, the landlord was allowed to pass on those costs so the rent increase is not just based upon the new purchase price. Transfer fees should be spent on all the people and businesses in San Leandro not just a select few.  

— Brent Heath, San Leandro

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LETTERS • 12-15-16

Proud to Be Part of a Community That Helps to Clean Storm Drains

     Editor:

     In response to Fred Reicker’s letter, “City’s ‘Adopt-a-Storm-Drain’ is a Not So Funny Joke,” (Letters, Dec, 8), I find it interesting how people respond differently to a request for help.

     My immediate reaction was “Yes, of course I’ll sign up,” but then I already regularly keep my blocks’ storm drain clear of “leaf litter” as it tends to back up to the middle of the block in front of my house and all my neighbors’ homes.

     I’m not only a tax-paying resident and business owner of the City of San Leandro, but I am a member of the Community of San Leandro. By participating in city events, programs, etc., I feel I have more connection with my neighbors and get to meet more of them all the time.

     Whether it’s attending a city celebration, Farmers’ Market, using a park or the library, or taking the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) course, I am proudly a part of the community I live in and help out how I can.

— Leslie Byrne, San Leandro

Doesn’t Mind Giving City Employees a Hand — the Exercise Doesn’t Hurt at All

Editor:

     I don’t mind scooping leaves out of the gutter and away from a storm drain.

     City employees can’t patrol every city street all day long looking for leaf piles and other drain-cloggers. It takes a broom, a dust pan and maybe a shovel to clear a storm water drain. In the rain, the air smells good and the exercise doesn’t hurt me at all.

     Living anywhere is about community and community service, and this seems like a benign and not unreasonable request.

     If the job is too big for me, then I’ll call the City.

— Maureen Forney, San Leandro

Wants the City to Stay Out of Private Business at Trailer Haven

Editor:

     City Council: Please continue to stay out of the private business being conducted at Trailer Haven.

     The property was legally sold and transferred to a new owner and that owner has the right to set prices and turn a profit. This is the basis of our economic system.

     The City of San Leandro does not have a mandate to interfere in the private transactions of businesses in the city. Any move by San Leandro municipal government to spend

money meant for schools, police, fire, roads, etc. on individual citizens’ expenses is inappropriate and probably illegal. Doing so would be the same as a city employee using city funds to pay private rent/mortgage/phone/food expenses for their private benefit.

     Furthermore, providing taxpayer money to private citizens to pay rent would set a dangerous precedent. A flood of petitions for money would arrive at City Hall each time any business that rents property out in this city decides that they need to raise prices to stay in the city.

     The passing of Proposition 13 years ago presented our city with many pros and cons. The major pro is that people are protected from been taxed out of their properties. The major con is that city revenue from property tax dollars do not rise with property value increases.

     Thus there is a gap in the revenue needed to match the rise in cost due to inflation. The only mechanism for

revenue to catch up with market value is the transfer of property (sales). This is what just happened with Trailer Haven.

     The city needs the transfer tax and new level of property tax to make up for years of losses. The city has a duty to spend that revenue on projects that benefit the entire city and not just the residents of Trailer Haven.

     Clearly there is a lot of heartache going on at this property. There are government funded programs already in place for people who need subsidies to afford housing. Let’s let those programs do their job on this issue.

— John Clouston, San Leandro

City ‘Talks About Diversity While Doing Nothing to Preserve It’

Editor:

     Regarding the article (“Council Seeks to Mitigate Mobile Park Rent Spike,” Page 1, The Times, Dec. 8) on Trailer Haven, “Councilwoman Corina Lopez called the 15 to 25 percent rent hike ‘excessive’ and ‘extreme’.”

     Yet when tenants of multi-unit apartments received rent increases of $200 or more – close to 3 times the $75 ordinance limit at the time – she didn’t call that extreme.  Maybe because landlords contributed to her campaign? How come $117 is extreme for Haven residents, but $200 isn’t for tenants in apartments?

     “Councilman Benny Lee asked what the owners could do for residents who can’t afford the rent hike even with the 10 percent discount. ‘The worst thing that we can hear as a council is someone who can’t even make up that difference in their rent,’ Lee said.”

     Yet he voted against all those tenants who came before the council telling them that they couldn’t make up their rent increases. Was that OK because landlords contributed to his campaign? Will the council still defend Trailer Haven residents if the owners start contributing to their campaigns?

     On Nov. 17, the mayor wrote to the Times: “We invest in ourselves, take care of those most in need and nurture the sense of community that is unique to our city.”

     No. You foster divisiveness by

treating residents better if they’re

house-owners and worse if they’re renters. You pretend Black Lives Matter while allowing landlords to price those lives out of their homes. You support raises for minimum wage workers while allowing landlords to increase rents that will claw back whatever gains those workers obtain.

     The administration’s vision for this city includes businesses, house-owners, techies, and art, but no vision for residents who don’t fit into this narrow view of who they think should live here.

     They talk about diversity while doing nothing to preserve it. They’re helping make America hate again.

— K. Lee-Figueroa, San Leandro

Demographic Change in U.S. Not Going to Change Under Trump

Editor:

     Re: “Opposes San Leandro Becoming A Sanctuary City,” (Letters, Dec. 8), will somebody please give Corey Anderson a Chill Pill?  The poor dear seems on the verge of a “bigotry overload.”

     The demographic change taking place in America is not going to suddenly stop and reverse itself because Mr. Corey and his ilk helped elect a bloviating, racist, cartoon to be President.

     Also, using the tragic death of Kate Steinle to mask naked racism is pathetic a disgusting.

— Vernon S. Burton, San Leandro

‘Time for the Electoral College to Act’ to Prevent Trump Presidency

Editor:

     The spoiled brats have the run of the house. They’ve invited their over-privileged friends to join the party and take what they want while they can.

     Unsupervised, they are about to wreck our Home of Democracy. It’s time for grown-ups in the Electoral College to act, as they were mandated when the EC was written into our Constitution, and prevent this catastrophe.

     They must elect someone else to be President.

— Bruce Joffe, Piedmont

West’s List of Those to Blame for Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire

Editor:

     There stood – righteously – Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley declaring that she was considering filing criminal charges in relation to the Ghost Ship fire.

     O’Malley didn’t specify against whom the criminal charges would be filed, but let me make a suggestion: Yes, criminal charges should filed against Jerry Brown, Kamala Harris, Kevin De León, Alex Padilla, Rob Bonta, Libby Schaaf, Barbara Lee and Nancy O’Malley for the passing of legislation, ordinances and decrees that allowed for the flooding of this state by illegal scabs who’ve displaced U.S. workers from their jobs and housing in addition to ignoring and labor laws.

     These criminals are also responsible for not building affordable housing. While they’re thinking of pharaonic projects, people are being crammed in houses, apartments, warehouses or under bridges or overpasses.

     Oh yeah, we must build that wall and implement E-Verify.

— Leo T. West, San Leandro

Urges a Continued Fight Against Energy Transfer Partners Pipeline

Editor:

     Bravo to the Army Corps of Engineers for denying a final permit to a Texas-based energy company known as Energy Transfer Partners who wanted to continue to build a pipeline that will desecrate the sacred sites of the Lakota Peoples as well as having oil on the Missouri River in North Dakota. For several months, Energy Transfer Partners  has been violating the rights of the Lakota Peoples with this pipeline.

     Greed is the reason why this energy company shown no respect for the Lakotas’ basic rights. They send out private guards and state polices to attack the peaceful water protectors as well as their allies with both water cannons and tear gases. While the denying of a permit is welcome news, it won’t last long when President-elect, Donald Trump gets into office in January because he supports the pipeline project.

     I urge people who are concern about the rights of Indigenous Peoples to rise up and fight to stop the building of the pipeline.

— Billy Trice Jr., Oakland

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LETTERS • 12-08-16

Dark School Crossing Called ‘Potential Death Trap’

Editor:

     Now that the dark evenings are upon us, the school crossing at Chetland and Dutton Ave. by Roosevelt School is a potential death trap for anyone attempting to cross after 4:30 p.m. The lack of lighting here is a tragedy waiting to happen!

     Yet again, last night, I was almost hit by a car whilst in the crosswalk, the third time in as many weeks. I cannot blame the drivers, as it’s impossible to see a pedestrian if they are crossing. As for the two flashing amber lights that are there, they’re completely useless!

     With property taxes soaring, along with paying some of the highest sales tax in the country, can someone at City Hall please install extra crosswalk lighting here?  I’m tired of taking my life in my hands just to collect my daughter from school.

— Michael Walsh, San Leandro

City’s ‘Adopt-a-Storm-Drain’ Is a Not-So-Funny Joke

Editor:

     Look, I know storm drain maintenance is a serious matter. But the “Adopt a Storm Drain Near You” story on page 1 of the December 1 Times was more appropriate for an April 1 edition.

     Asking residents to perform an expected city service such as this is a joke. And the protocols are ludicrous. Tracking the months in which vigilance and action are required, and borrowing tools from the city, if necessary?

     What is not funny is the City’s apparent lack of resources to properly care for critical infrastructure. Why are we being asked to assume this responsibility when, one can assume, sales tax revenues and real estate transfer fees are up strongly, and voters recently approved an extension of the county levy for roadway maintenance, etc.? What’s happening to those monies? Why didn’t the city make this appeal when it had major revenue shortfalls during the last recession?

     Moreover, the city, by its own estimates, expects to accommodate up to 15,000 new residents in coming years, a good number of whom will exacerbate the current storm-drain-litter problem.

     Once again, the people who are paying ever increasing taxes and fees at each of our interfaces with government, are not receiving full value for our dollars. San Leandro must do better than this.

     While I will respect the residents who respond to the city’s “invitation,” I for one believe this idea is one thing that should go down the drain.

— Fred Reicker, San Leandro

Visitor Who Fell Thankful for Local Good Samaritans

Editor:

     I was a visitor to your fair city this past weekend. I was walking alone near the bay behind the Marina Inn, I lost my footing and fell, hitting my face on the pavement and broke my nose.

     I was bleeding quite profusely and a bit stunned. My mind was racing as to how I would manage this situation when four or five Good Samaritans came to my rescue. They called 911 for me and helped me to sit up and clean off some of the blood and protected me from traffic until the first responders arrived.

     Unfortunately, I don’t remember names except for a dog named Mr. Pickles. Everyone was so nice and reassuring. I do extend my deep appreciation to everyone who assisted me. Being a stranger in town, I couldn’t have asked for better.

     Thank you!        

— Jennifer Fuchs, Rockford, Illinois

‘Outdoor Adventure’ Turns Into Unplanned Muddy Rescue

Editor:

     During the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, this San Leandro grandfather and his one-year-old grandson, Erik (aka “Rico”) experienced an outdoor adventure complete with water rescue at Lake Chabot Regional Park.

     Since Rico is already taking baby steps, I parked his stroller at the trailhead near the park entrance and we toddled off-trail together, hand-in-hand, to get a closer look at the water fowl. Due to rainfall earlier in the week, the grassy slope leading down to the duck pond was treacherously muddy underfoot. Suddenly, we lost our footing.

     Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around Rico and we sped downhill like a two-man bobsled team in the Winter Olympics. As we neared the water’s edge, I somehow managed to deposit Rico safely onshore and regain my footing in the shallows. Although grandpa and grandson were covered in mud, our kindred spirits were not dampened, which was fortunate because our great outdoor adventure was just beginning.  

     Climbing back up the slippery slope was out of the question due to the muddiness of the conditions. Sensing our predicament from across the pond, a concerned citizen hailed the park personnel who quickly came to our rescue in a motorized rowboat.

     Rico’s first boat ride was free courtesy of the kindness of our rescuer, Robert Hernandez, himself the father of four children. A second park employee, Ian Cornelius, was successful in helping me find my eyeglasses which I had lost during the downhill. The specs had landed in a near-sighted, sumac bush.

     Needless to say, Rico and I had a lot of explaining to do when we returned home. Thankfully, his mother and grandmother both found our bobsledding and water rescue highly amusing. “Boys will be boys.”  

— Doug Okamoto, San Leandro

‘Crushed and Disappointed’ by Theft from Christmas Display

Editor:

     Today seemed longer than most. I went to work excited because its officially Day One on the countdown to Christmas and I was looking forward to rushing home and turning on the lights on my home.

     Instead, this afternoon I came home after a long day at work to find decorations missing from my Christmas display. I feel crushed and so disappointed in my community.

     Every year for the past nine years my housemates and I have constructed Christmas displays, each one different from the next. And every year we have the pleasure of hearing the laughter of the children and families who stop by to enjoy them. We were even visited by the vice mayor one year.

     This year, the giant teddy bear has been a hit with the teen crowd as well, but our cheap little Mickey Mouse  (who has been the only constant in all the displays) always gets his moment and the younger ones would always gravitate toward him to have their picture taken.

     It seems that a photo was not enough. Mickey has been stolen, along with a few candy canes. Ironically we have a stash of real candy canes on hand to give to the little ones when they stop by with mom and dad.

     I’m so disappointed that my urge is to dismantle the display entirely and leave just a sign with a photo of what was.

     My neighborhood is heavily patrolled by the police so I never thought someone would even consider it. Are there others who experience this type of vandalism in our community? Is this why there aren’t more cheerful displays around?

     Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. The lights will remain off tonight as we mourn the loss of our Mickey. My only hope is that he’s now bringing joy to at least one child who will remain oblivious to the cause of his existence. May he or she be protected from the teachings of the adult responsible.

     Best wishes to you for the season!

— Dayne Nichols, San Leandro

Burning of American Flag Not Protected by First Amendment

Editor:

     Amendment 1: Forty-five words which have many meanings. For those who pledge loyalty to the flag, veterans, Americans, keep pledging loyalty to this great flag.

     Saying it is alright to burn the flag by hiding behind Amendment 1 is absolutely ridiculous.

     To me, burning the flag is abominable and always will be.

— Earl Cava, San Leandro

Opposes San Leandro Becoming a Sanctuary City

Editor:

     Do not make San Leandro a “sanctuary city.” We should be against the idea.  

     This policy forces police to be uncooperative with ICE in the apprehension of law-breakers, illegals. An illegal alien killed Officer Nieme from the San Leandro Police force by shooting him seven times. This left his wife and two kids without their husband/father, our police force aggrieved of a valued officer.  

     Anyone remember Kate Steinle? She was shot and killed in San Francisco by an illegal alien. He had been deported five times. Five times. Diane Feinstein said “Well, we should deport him.” Again? 

     What good did it do the other five times, Diane? He just came back, and shot Kate dead. This illegal was on ICE’s radar, but San Francisco refused to cooperate with ICE, and he killed Kate. I lay that right at the feet of San Francisco Supervisors. Would they be accessories to murder when they could have prevented it?

     It is a good point to ask: Will San Leandro lose any federal money if we endorse this deplorable idea, but I ask will we be sued like San Francisco is being sued by the Steinle family? I hope the Steinles win big against San Francisco. This was a murder that need not have happened.

     We all know there are criminals in our midst. We are losing our minds over this “inclusive” attitude which encourages more criminality. I will not lose my daughter or wife to an un-vetted illegal in our midst if I can possibly help it. These “undocumenteds,” as many have recharacterized it, have broken the law right away by coming into this country and circumventing our immigration laws, pushing their way past people from other countries who went through the legal process and waited to become citizens. Let’s not encourage that.

     I think our laws should be followed. Otherwise, we are encouraging lawless deeds like these murders to continue on. God forbid one of you should lose your daughter, or husband, or father, as these families did.

     I am encouraging our city council not to join this madness. Please join me and write your city council and our mayor that you want sanity in our city policy and not to become a “sanctuary city.”

— Corey Anderson, San Leandro

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LETTERS • 12-01-16

Pot Use As Seen By a Substance Abuse Counselor

Editor:

     This is in rebuttal To Michael Smith’s position that marijuana does not have any deleterious consequences (“Marijuana-User for 50 Years And He’s ‘Extremely Well,” Letters,Nov. 10).

     First off, I would like to commend you for your service to our country. I have a great deal of respect for Viet Nam Veterans. However, if I understand you to take the position that marijuana is not a problem for you, so therefore it is not a problem for anyone, I believe that you have come to an erroneous conclusion.

     From my 32 years in the field of Human Services which includes working as a Substance Abuse Counselor, I’ve seen plenty of problems from marijuana usage as well other drugs. For the past 13 years, I have been employed as a Mental Health Worker and most of the young people that come through our facility have a history of cannabis usage in their patient profiles. Some of these individuals may never be able to complete their schooling or hold a job.

     Also, I don’t believe that any reasonable person would say that someone can safely operate an automobile under the influence of marijuana.

     In the prior 20 years, I worked in a Substance Abuse Recovery Center. There were a lot of problems with those who used marijuana in combination with other substances.

     As far as doing some research in history of cannabis usage, I am not a medical professional, but I can attest to the fact that I had a serious back injury around 1995 and I’ve managed my chronic pain primarily through prayer, diet, and exercise. Now that “recreational” marijuana is legal, I can only foresee a multitude future of problems, especially to our young people.

— Alan Garrett, San Leandro

Truth Is Beauty Called ‘A Progressive Icon for Our City’

Editor:

     At last she’s here! After a long wait, Truth Is Beauty has arrived, a beautiful icon of grace, strength and progression. Truth Is Beauty is a woman embracing the new day.

     All of San Leandro’s citizens along with those from San Lorenzo, Oakland and Castro Valley can call their own.

     If you haven’t see this fantastic piece of community art, I urge you to take your family, to view what I hope to be a long-standing symbol of beauty, grace, strength and a progressive icon for our city. It is sad to say that some citizens think that she is “naked.” She is not.

     She is a proud rendition of a nude woman addressing the beauty of the sky of the sun and the moon, but never “naked” which implies incomplete and undone.

     No. She is complete in every way, pointing the way to the hope of a renewed future of all who can love and appreciate the labors of the artist and the gift to the city.

— Richard Mercouris, San Leandro

Wants San Leandro to Become a Sanctuary City

Editor:

     I hope you will join me in asking the Council to designate San Leandro as a sanctuary city.

     The Federal government is responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including deportation-related activity.

     We need to ask our San Leandro City Council to direct the Police Department to do its job and let the Federal immigration officers do theirs. Our police should be helping our residents and protecting us. They should not be wasting their valuable resources to hold law-abiding, tax-paying San Leandro residents.  

     We’re talking about neighbors who contribute to society and whose only issue is that they happen to be undocumented immigrants.

     If San Leandro were a sanctuary city, the Federal government could still deport a San Leandro resident, but the City of San Leandro would not volunteer to help them do it.

     Deportation is one of Trump’s campaign promises. His transition team has said they plan to remove 3 million undocumented people. He becomes President in two months. This is a conversation San Leandro needs to have right now.

     Becoming a sanctuary city will protect the most vulnerable residents and it will protect public safety. Fear of deportation means that residents would fear to report crimes or come forward as witnesses of crimes and could be victimized because they could never go to the police.

     San Leandro believes this is a moral issue, as do the vast majority of neighbors I’ve talked to. And we’ve seen this before in the early 20th Century. Federal policy back in the ’40s forcibly removed Japanese Americans from right here in San Leandro. The Fred Korematsu 9th Grade Campus building is named after one of that policy’s victims. History has judged that period as un-American.

     We see ourselves as a 21st Century city, one that values diversity and tolerance. We talk the talk, and it is now time to walk the walk.

     San Leandro’s policies will either show that we support those ideals or that we are simply pay lip service to those values.

     Our neighbors in the Bay Area are already sanctuary cities: Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, San Rafael, San Francisco, East Palo Alto, San Jose and just this week  American Canyon in Napa County started the steps to become a sanctuary city just like I hope we will do soon.

     San Leandro residents, myself included, are very fearful about what’s in store in the coming months. I hope San Leandro and its leaders make a bold announcement that we will not help a potential deportation sweep. Our future as a 21st century city depends on it. I encourage everyone to contact our Mayor and your City Council member today.

— Brandon Brock, San Leandro

Set Hand Brake When Parking; It Could Save a Life

Editor:

     The tragic death of a four-year-old boy in another Bay Area city a week or so ago is a reminder to apply your emergency brake when parking. It only takes two seconds.

     An older boy was behind the steering wheel, and possibly curious, and took the gear shift out of the parking gear which resulted in the tragic death.

     Many times I’ve gotten into my car after it’s been serviced and found that the technician only placed my transmission in “Park.” What’s the hurry, everyone? It only takes two seconds to apply the emergency brake and possibly save someone’s life.

— Richard Sofield, San Leandro

Electoral College Could Deny a Trump Presidency

Editor:

     The candidate who claimed he would “drain the swamp” is filling it with plutocrat alligators like himself.

     Our democracy is in danger of dissolving under Trump’s appointees. He cares only about amassing power and wealth for himself. His allies would serve those goals as they use our governmental agencies for their own purposes – cutting taxes for themselves, scrapping oversight of Wall Street, and reducing environmental regulations on big polluters.

     His quick-trigger, authoritarian temper would harm us within and beyond our borders.

     The Electoral College is poised to elect the most unprepared, corrupt, untruthful, intemperate candidate in our entire history, one who appears to be a misogynistic, racist, mentally unstable narcissist.

     The purpose of the Electoral College system is to prevent an unqualified demagogue from assuming Presidential power. In Hamilton’s words (Federalist 68):

     “The process of election [EC] affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.”

     Now is the time to use this built-in safety mechanism to prevent a very dangerous man from becoming President. Twenty-one states do not restrict which candidate their electors vote for. In these states, it is perfectly legal for electors to vote for the candidate that received over 2 million more votes, and preserve our democracy.

     We pledge allegiance to our nation, the United States of America, not to states. States shouldn’t determine the result of our vote. It is not fair nor democratic that the votes of people living in California count one third as much as votes of people living in low-populated states. Democracy’s demise under a self-serving swindler triumphing over the majority of Americans can still be avoided.

— Bruce Joffe, Piedmont

Calls Congress ‘a Safety Measure’ Over Trump Policies

Editor:

     Please try to calm down. This is America and we will survive.

     I don’t think Trump will abolish Obama-Care entirely. He may change the name but the USA has always had some sort of coverage on legal Americans long before Obama-Care. Most people from other countries come here for freedom and the benefits America has to offer.

     The elderly in our country who are legal Americans who have paid taxes all their lives may be missing out because much of the services and benefits that may be going to the newcomers who are here illegally. However, Congress will not let Trump do anything they don’t want him to do. So that in itself is a safety measure.

     Trump has a lot to offer to America. He is a businessman. Trump will have hundreds of top-rated professional people, teachers and advisors at his fingertips. Trump and his team will bring jobs and prosperity back to America with God’s help. And Trump has already stopped his yelling and has quited down considerably.

     Remember Ronald Reagan? He was a movie star and he is marked as one of the best presidents we ever had.

     One factor is that the American male population voted for Trump because many of them lost their jobs. Most jobs were sent elsewhere outside of America. Men need to work!

     In 1948 it was predicted that Dewey would win but Truman won by a landslide. Everyone was in a state of shock! It was shortly after World War II and times were tough. The world was still in a big mess at the time. America survived. We are still here. It is not the end of the world.

     America is generous (to a fault) to the rest of the world. America is blessed.

— Mary Cronin, Alameda

OBITUARIES • 12-29-16

BERTONI, Frank L.

BROTHERSON, Graham

MEEKS, Laura

SANCHES, Joseph M.

SURANO, Flora “Flo”

TOCCI, Edward F.

VANCE, Gary D.

BERTONI, Frank L., passed away on December 25, 2016 at age 91. Visitation will be held at Santos-Robinson Mortuary on Tuesday, Jan. 3, from noon to 8 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 6 p.m. A Funeral Procession will leave the Mortuary on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 10 a.m., going to St. Felicitas Catholic Church for the Funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

BROTHERSON, Graham, a resident of San Leandro since 1953, passed away. Graham was born December 17, 1918 and passed November 7, 2016. He served as a Navy pilot in WWII, and had a long engineering career with PG&E. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. at Grace Methodist Church, 19901 San Ramon Valley Blvd., in San Ramon.

MEEKS, Laura, passed on December 27, 2016. She is survived by her daughter, Carla King (Bob) of Reedley, California. She is preceded in death by her son, Allan Meeks; and sister, Enez Ponzo. No services will be held at her request.

SANCHES, Joseph M., passed away peacefully on December 27, 2016. Visitation will be held at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro on Thursday, Dec. 29, from noon to 8 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 6 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Dec. 30, at St. Felicitas Catholic Church beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

SURANO, Flora “Flo”, passed away on December 25, 2016 at the age of 85. A Funeral Mass will be held at Church of the Assumption, 1100 Fulton Ave., in San Leandro on Tuesday, Jan. 3, beginning at 10:30 a.m. A private burial will be held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

TOCCI, Edward F., passed away peacefully on December 20, 2016, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 89. A Funeral Mass will be held today, Dec. 29, at St. Leander Catholic Church, 550 W. Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment on Friday, Dec. 30, at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward at 11 a.m. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

VANCE, Gary D., passed away on December 23, 2016 at the age of 70. He was a resident of San Leandro for many years and was an airline mechanic for United Airlines. Per his wishes, no services will be held. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

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OBITUARIES • 12-22-16

APODACA, Maria H.

MARINI, William F.

APODACA, Maria H., a resident of San Leandro, passed away on December 19, 2016. Visitation will be at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro on Thursday, Dec. 22, from noon to 8 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 6:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Dec. 23, at St. Leander Catholic Church, 550 W. Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro beginning at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Fremont. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

MARINI, William F. (December 21, 1946 – December 18, 2016), passed away peacefully on December 18, 2016, in San Leandro. Bill graduated from St. Mary’s College and Golden Gate Law School. After passing the state bar, he had been a sole practitioner in San Leandro for 41 years. Bill always enjoyed a challenge and took great pride in his work. He had been known to call himself a “frustrated engineer”. He had an avid desire for drag racing, whether it be working on a team racing super eliminator for Division 7 or watching the Nationals at Sonoma or Las Vegas. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, boating on the Delta and Lake McClure. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Lou and Lucille Marini of Oakland. He is survived by his wife, Kay; son, Christopher, and daughter-in-law, Jen, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and their son, Bill’s “Little Man”, Lukas Marini. He is also survived by his twin brother, Robert Marini (Yvonne) of Danville; 4 amazing nephews; and cousins, friends, colleagues and neighbors who have all enjoyed his friendship. A visitation and vigil were held Wednesday, Dec. 21, at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro, and a funeral liturgy will be held today, Dec. 22, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leander Church, 550 W. Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

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OBITUARIES • 12-15-16

FAZIO, Tilio

MARTIN, Daniel, MD

FAZIO, Tilio (January 20, 1916 – December 4, 2016), a lifelong resident of Oakland, was welcomed into heaven by his son Bobby (1992). He is survived by his beloved wife of 76 years, Chente “my doll”; his daughter, Jeanne; son, Arnie (Genofeva); granddaughters, Jessica and Melissa (Daniel); great-granddaughter, Makenna; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. He also leaves his sister, Elsie, and caregiver, Angelo. Following high school, Tilio became a plumber, joined the Union and worked for his uncle’s J.A. Fazio Plumbing Company in Oakland. He was proud to say he worked on the first bore of the Caldecott Tunnel! After retiring at 62, he became a weekly vender at the flea market until 94. He was in his glory making lifelong friends. Tilio and Chente enjoyed weekly ballroom dancing from the day they met, joining the Moose Club and Colombo Club. Christmas Day was special as they welcomed hundreds of friends and family for homemade tamales. He also enjoyed playing “Craps” on casino trips. He loved life like no other and attributed his 100+ years to Jack Daniels, who sent him a personalized bottle for his last birthday. Rest in Peace, Dad. Celebration of his wonderful life to be announced.

MARTIN, Daniel, MD (January 6, 1921 – December 2, 2016) passed away on December 2, 2016 at San Leandro Hospital, one of the two hospitals that he was one of the founders of, the other was Eden Hospital. Dan was born in Portland, Oregon on January 6, 1921. He was 95 years old. The army put him through medical school during WWII. He attended college and medical school at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon where he grew up. He started his practice in San Leandro in 1948. He and his wife, Ann, were married for 65 years. He is survived by his son and daughter; 3 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. He was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of San Leandro. He was a member of Sequoia Country Club, and was always proud that he played in the Bing Crosby golf tournament in Pebble Beach in 1969. There will be no service per his wishes.

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OBITUARIES • 12-08-16

ANDRADE, Lourdes A.

BRADSHAW, Claire A.

LIEBELT, Craig Joseph

OVERBY, Floyd Richard

ANDRADE, Lourdes A., a longtime resident of San Leandro, passed away on December 6, 2016, at age 62. Visitation will be at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro on Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. A vigil service will be held on Tuesday evening at St. Leander Church beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at St. Leander Church in San Leandro beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

BRADSHAW, Claire A., of San Leandro, passed on November 24, 2016. A Funeral Service celebrating her life was held on Monday, Dec. 5, at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com). Interment was at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward.

LIEBELT, Craig Joseph, 69, of San Leandro, passed away on October 13, 2016, from natural causes. Craig was born in Oakland on October 24, 1946. He graduated from Castlemont High School and continued on to graduate from the police academy. Craig worked as a Detective for San Leandro Police Department for 29 years. He enjoyed fishing and camping. Craig is survived by his mother, brother, son, daughter, grandchildren, and other family and friends. Craig is preceded in death by his father, daughter and two brothers. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. at Santos Robinson Mortuary located at 160 Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Cancer Society or Children’s Diabetes Association. He was loved very much and will be missed greatly.

OVERBY, Floyd Richard (September 14, 1933 – November 28, 2016  •  Resident of Lafayette), was born in Findley, North Dakota. He was the youngest of the four children of Alph and Josephine Overby. He graduated from Saint Olaf College then attended the University of Iowa Medical School. After two years in the Army, he went on to specialize in urology. On August 15, 1964, Floyd married Marie Carolyn Anderson of Montevideo, Minnesota. The couple moved to California at the end of 1965 and Floyd joined a urologic practice with two associates. Floyd and Marie bought their first house in Oakland and lived there for 14 years before moving to Lafayette. By this point, Floyd was in solo practice with offices in San Leandro and Castro Valley, and Marie was busy with their three children, Sara, Andrew and Paul. Floyd was active in Boy Scouts with his two sons, Andrew and Paul, who both achieved the level of Eagle Scout. Floyd enjoyed working in his garden after a long day of practicing medicine. He had a rose garden containing over 40 rose bushes. Floyd’s other interests included singing in the church choir and reading — particularly biography and political books. Floyd reluctantly retired from urology in June of 2006. He had served as Chief of Staff at Doctor’s Hospital in San Leandro for one year during his practice and also served as a Mental Health Commissioner in Contra Costa County for several years, and on the board of NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness). He truly enjoyed his 50 years of practice and had long-term relationships with many of his patients. Less than two weeks after his retirement, Floyd returned to the hospital, this time as the patient instead of the physician. For the next 10 years, Floyd battled an increasing number of health challenges, including cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s, diabetes and strokes. Floyd faced his growing limitations with grace and dignity, aided by devoted care from his wife of 52 years. With her help, he was able to remain in their home until the end of October. Floyd is survived by his wife, Marie; his children, Sara, Andrew and Paul; his sister, Peggy Alberg; his twin brother, Phillip (Eve) Overby; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, in Lafayette, CA  94549 (oslc.net). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or to Putnam Clubhouse, 3024 Willow Pass Road, Suite 230, Concord, CA 94519 (putnamclubhouse.org).

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OBITUARIES • 12-01-16

BAGLEY, Marilyn A.

DeSMIDT, Lucille Kathleen

FREITAS, Melody Ann

McINTYRE, Helen Jeanne

BAGLEY, Marilyn A. (July 12, 1935 – November 27, 2016), passed away peacefully at her home Sunday evening. She was a loving mother and grandmother. Ever the social butterfly, Marilyn enjoyed being surrounded by family, friends (old and new), golfing, traveling the Pacific Northwest as well as shopping. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Kelly McCarthy; sister, Sharon Huber; granddaughters, Kristen Galbraith and Katie McCarthy; great-grandchildren, Meleah Holgate and Giovanni Cervantes; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, grandson and many friends. There will be a gathering of friends and family to remember her at her home this Sunday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 7 p.m. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

DeSMIDT, Lucille Kathleen (May 21, 1921 – Nov. 21, 2016), a resident of San Leandro, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 21, with her loving son and grandson at her side. She led a full and happy life and touched many people with her kindness and joy. Daughter of Homer and Agnes Keele, Lucille was born in San Francisco and always loved the City. She married her sailor, the love of her life, Joseph F. DeSmidt in 1942. They settled in San Leandro where they raised 8 children and shared 58 years of married life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today, Dec. 1, at 11 a.m. at Assumption Church in San Leandro. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward.

FREITAS, Melody Ann, 84, of San Leandro, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. Melody was born June 2, 1932 in Indiana to Charles Sanders and Melverine Jennings. She owned and operated Melody’s Beauty Salon in San Leandro for 35 years. She enjoyed skating, dancing, crocheting and crafting, traveling the world on cruise ships, casinos, bingo, and spoiling her grandchildren. She is survived by her son, Bob, and his wife, Debra; her daughter, Paula; her grandchildren, Robbie, Gina, Nick, Samantha and Will; great-granddaughter, Nova; and loving caregivers, Elisiva Lauaki, her husband, Toni Uepi, and their family. Melody was preceded in death by her husbands, Frank Obra, K Spangle, Ernie Truscott and Bob Freitas. A vigil will be held at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave, in San Leandro on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Felicitas Church, 1662 Manor Blvd, in San Leandro on Friday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd., in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

McINTYRE, Helen Jeanne, of Modesto and San Leandro passed on November 25, 2016 after a valiant fight against cancer.  Jeanne was a loving mother to Josie Chapman Adams, great-grandmother to Zoey Zile, grandmother of Peter James Zile and Nickolas Chase Adams, sister to Ruth Toovey-Bock and Betsy Venters, sister-in-law to Richard Reichel and Fred Souza, auntie to Denyce Hatch, Tammy Higlesias, Kim Bethel, Angie, Rebecca, Adam, James Peter, and many other nieces and nephews. She was the Paint Goddess of San Leandro Color. There will be a Celebration of Life held Friday, Dec. 2, from 5 to 10 p.m. in San Leandro. For details, call 510-569-8236 or 817-235-4671. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society in her name.