CVF HOMEMenu
SLT ARCHIVES • FEBRUARY 2017
City Council Declares Sanctuary
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
After over two hours of public comment, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to declare San Leandro a sanctuary city at their Tuesday night meeting.
A rabbi spoke, likening the rounding up of undocumented immigrants to the Nazi treatment of Jews. Several people told tearful stories about times they’d been mistreated because of their ethnicity. One man sang a song, declaring that all are welcome.
The new resolution doesn’t change the city’s existing policy. City Attorney Richard Pio Roda said that there is no specific definition of a sanctuary city and in fact San Leandro could be a considered a sanctuary jurisdiction without any kind of formal declaration because of its existing practices in dealing with undocumented people.
San Leandro police chief Jeff Tudor said that his officers are concerned with public safety, not immigration and that his department doesn’t work directly with federal immigration enforcement, because the San Leandro jail is a temporary holding facility where people arrested are either cited and released or turned over to the county jail.
“California law enforcement has a history of supporting the undocumented community,” said Tudor, pointing out that police groups have supported driver’s licenses for undocumented citizens and also worked to ensure victims of human trafficking who have been brought to the U.S. illegally aren’t treated as criminals.
Councilman Lee Thomas asked Tudor what would happen if an officer knew a person in San Leandro police custody was wanted by federal immigration officers and turned that person in. Tudor replied that if an officer were to “go rogue” in compliance with federal law, he or she would be subject to an internal affairs investigation.
Though the sanctuary city idea was popular with the crowd and the council, President Trump has said he will deny federal funding to cities with a sanctuary status. If that happens, San Leandro could stand to lose millions.
The city is currently benefitting from around $9 million in federal funding in various forms – a blend of annual funding, one-time grants, and federal money that has come down from state and county sources.
Excluding state and county money, the city gets about $3 million in direct funding from the government each year, according to deputy city manager Eric Engelbart.
Federal funding goes to a variety of projects, ranging from planning the Bayfair transit and housing project, to traffic lights, to paying for police officers.
The city also anticipates getting another $2.5 million in future federal grants for flood protection, literacy programs, and a solar project.
Engelbart said there are many questions remaining about what the federal government can do to pull funding and what could potentially happen to projects that are in progress if funding is lost.
“There are quite a bit of unknowns,” said Engelbart.
Engelbart said that about 35 percent of San Leandrans were born outside of the United States and more than half speak a language other than English at home.
“We cherish what this country has given us and we work hard,” said speaker Agustin Ramirez, who described his family as second and third generation Americans. “So when people tell us we don’t belong here, it’s heartbreaking.”
Several of the speakers were students from San Leandro High School’s Social Justice Academy.
“I don’t want this to be about the president because he is just one man,” said student Jordan Woods. “But the fact is there are millions of people who feel the way he does. This is a chance to right the wrongs of San Leandro’s past.”
The Social Justice Academy was there to promote their campaign “From Sundown to Safe Town,” referring to San Leandro’s past as an all-white town that threatened and intimidated minorities into staying away.
One of the only speakers against a sanctuary policy was Leo T. West, who said that blue collar workers who’ve lost their jobs to undocumented workers were instrumental in getting Trump elected and that, despite the strong liberalism of the Bay Area, there is a base of people who are angry and looking for Trump to do something for them.
“If you think you can buck the trend from the White House, well you should ask Hillary Clinton how that worked out for her,” said West.
When the council eventually unanimously passed the resolution, they received a standing ovation from the crowd.
But many speakers asked the council to go one step further and write an ordinance outlining specific policies protecting immigrants and other vulnerable residents. As it stands, Tuesday night’s action is simply a declaration “affirming the City of San Leandro’s commitment to the values of dignity, inclusivity, and respect for all individuals.”
CAPTION: The room was packed on Tuesday night as the City Council heard comments on the sanctuary city resolution.
PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI
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Cabbies Swamped by Insurance Costs
BY JIM KNOWLES • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
Taxi drivers in San Leandro say it’s not fair.
To operate in the city, they have to get all sorts of permits and pay fees that aren’t required of Uber drivers.
Taxi drivers have to get an annual vehicle inspection, pay for a permit, a business license and pay to renew it every year. Plus they say they’re required to have so much insurance that it costs them $6,500 a year.
“My business is dead,” says taxi driver Kashmir Singh, waiting for a fare at the San Leandro BART Station.
To drive a taxi in the City of San Leandro, a driver has to have a permit issued by the police department, and a city business license. These days, most of the taxi drivers own their own cars, so they operate as a small business, which requires a business license.
Taxi drivers say renewing the licenses and permits costs $500 a year. But that’s not their main complaint. It’s the insurance that costs each driver so much. With Uber, the company provides insurance for $1 million for both liability and uninsured bodily injury when a passenger is on board, so the drivers don’t have to pay as much as taxi drivers.
Taxi drivers say the insurance requirements are lower in other cities such as Fremont, and they’re asking City Hall to consider changing the requirement.
Some of the drivers spoke to Mayor Pauline Cutter last week. Cutter said that the city is looking into it, comparing the requirements in San Leandro with other cities.
Cutter pointed out that San Leandro is jointly insured with other cities in the area, so the finance department is looking into whether San Leandro can offer the same thing as the other cities.
“We will compare it with cities around here,” Cutter said. “We’re tying to find ways to ease their pain. We told them we would know in about two weeks.”
As the taxi drivers were speaking to the San Leandro Times at the BART station, they pointed to a car pulling up with an Uber sign and dropping off a passenger.
“That’s what’s taking our business,” a driver said. “They get 10 passengers to every one we get.”
Ride services like Uber and Lyft are supposed to have a business license to work in San Leandro, just as taxis do. But the City of San Leandro hasn’t received any applications and hasn’t issued any business licenses to them.
“It’s a small segment of the economy, so we don’t focus a lot of attention on it,” said David Baum, the city’s finance director. “They’re mobile, they’re generally on the honor system. But if they’re working, making money in San Leandro, they should have a business license. For taxis, it’s required.”
For taxis, the forms and requirements are pretty extensive – including fingerprints and checks by the police department, and the costs of those permits and fingerprints each year.
“The insurance costs in Fremont are a lot less and Fremont is a much bigger city,” said taxi driver Priam Brar. “This is a smaller town, but the requirements are so high.”
CAPTION: Kashmir Singh and other San Leandro taxi drivers hope for relief from the high cost of insurance.
PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES
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Fairmont Drive Set for Resurface
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
The stretch of Fairmont Drive that runs between I-580 and over the hill to Lake Chabot will be getting an estimated $2 million resurfacing this summer.
The Alameda County Public Works Agency is currently accepting bids for contractors to resurface a 1.8 mile segment of Fairmont Drive from Foothill Boulevard to Lake Chabot Road in unincorporated San Leandro.
The bids will be accepted in March and construction is expected to begin in June and last through the summer, according to the public works agency.
The road is currently a patchwork of previous minor repairs and is suffering from some potholes, especially after the recent storms.
For a bit over $1 million per mile, the county will have the current pavement ground down, the asphalt base repaired, and reinforcing material under the road will be installed.
Then the asphalt will be resurfaced and pressed, any manholes will be adjusted to the new road surface, and the whole road will be re-striped.
For this project (and any project over $100,000), the county has a mandatory requirement for the winning contractor to subcontract at least of 15 percent of work to minority-owned subcontractors and 5 percent to women-owned subcontractors.
The City of San Leandro also has several road repairs planned for the next year.
The city’s streets have been ranked among the worst in the Bay Area. The 2014 HH sales tax increase, which brings about $8 million into the city’s coffers annually, passed in large part on promises to spend money on street repairs.
In the list of capital improvement projects, the city has estimated $6 million is needed for street rehabilitation and an additional $1.5 million for street sealing.
Keith Cooke, the city’s chief engineer, will make a presentation to the City Council on street repairs and other capital improvement projects at a workshop next Monday evening at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
CAPTION: The pavement on Fairmont Drive is rutted and in need of repair.
PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI
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Woman Killed by Car on Hampton Road
BY JIM KNOWLES • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-16-17
A 75-year-old woman died after being struck by a car on Tuesday morning on Hampton Road near Meek Park in San Lorenzo.
Petronila Flores of Hayward was apparently crossing the street when she was hit by a car driven by a 25-year-old woman near the intersection of Hampton and Boston roads at about 7 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the Highway Patrol investigating the accident.
The CHP said that the traffic collision is still under investigation, but neither drugs or alcohol appear to be a factor.
The collision was the second pedestrian fatality in Alameda County on Tuesday. It happened several hours after another person died after being hit by a car on the on-ramp to westbound I-580 in Dublin, according to the CHP.
CAPTION: Someone placed candles and flowers on the sidewalk near the scene of a fatal accident on Tuesday morning that took the life of a 75-year-old Hayward woman.
PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES
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School Board Declares ‘Sanctuary’
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-16-17
The San Leandro School Board unanimously passed a resolution last week declaring all campuses a “safe zone” for students and families who feel threatened by immigration enforcement.
And next week the San Leandro City Council is expected to vote on a similar “sanctuary city” policy at their next meeting on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
But the resolutions don’t actually change the district’s or city’s existing policies regarding undocumented immigrants – neither currently work with immigration authorities.
“The resolution reaffirms our long-standing policy to safeguard all students and their families across all campuses,” said Stacy Rollo, a spokesperson for the district.
The school district says it doesn’t have numbers of how many undocumented children are enrolled in San Leandro schools, but said that 53 percent of students speak another language at home and they wanted to ensure all students feel their schools are places where they feel secure.
The district’s resolution reads in part that reports of potential raids by federal immigration agents have caused immigrants and families to fear sending kids to schools.
“We want everyone to know our schools are sanctuaries dedicated to learning and development regardless of their religion, cultural background, or immigration status,” said Superintendent Mike McLaughlin in a written statement.
The board said it made the resolution in response to the fear it has perceived among students and families which led the board to “restate its position that all students have the right to attend school regardless of the immigration status of the child or of the child’s family members.”
As for the city’s policy, police Chief Jeff Tudor says it is already not his department’s policy to turn over illegal immigrants who are arrested to federal authorities. He said that if the City Council does vote in favor of creating a sanctuary city it would “not effectively” change the way his officers work.
“Public safety is my primary concern, not immigration,” said Tudor. “We target criminal behavior. If you need assistance regardless of immigration status, we are going to help you.”
Tudor says that he can’t recall an instance when the San Leandro police handed anyone over to federal immigration officials. San Leandro police don’t typically deal with immigration officials because San Leandro jail is a temporary holding facility where people are either released after a short period of time or transferred to county jail.
Tudor says that the county jail does work with Federal immigration enforcement but also follows the “Truth Act.”
The Truth Act is a state law that went into effect on Jan. 1 and requires that, if immigration enforcement places a detainer on someone in a California jail, the local law enforcement agency must notify them that interviews with ICE are voluntary.
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SL Man Shot and Killed on Marina
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-16-17
A San Leandro man was shot and killed Sunday night in what police believe may be a road rage incident.
Wardell Taliaferro, 45, was shot around 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 12 in his SUV on the 1900 block of Marina Avenue near Verna Court.
Taliaferro’s girlfriend, the couple’s infant, and the woman’s 4-year-old daughter were also in the vehicle and were not injured. Police are not disclosing the names of the woman and children.
Taliaferro and another driver exchanged words shortly before he was shot, according to Lt. Rick DeCosta of the San Leandro police.
After the shooting, Taliaferro’s girlfriend moved to the driver’s seat of the SUV and drove him about a half-mile to Kaiser Hospital, where Taliaferro was pronounced dead.
DeCosta said police received several 911 calls reporting the sounds of gunshots as well as calls reporting of a woman calling for help in the parking lot of the hospital.
No arrests have yet been made.
This is the second homicide in San Leandro in a week.
Anyone with information is asked to call San Leandro police at 577-3270.
CAPTION: Wardell Taliaferro
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City Donates $800,000 for Day Care Center
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
The City Council unanimously approved an $800,000 “forgivable loan” to BRIDGE Housing to build a childcare center at the Marea Alta affordable housing project on San Leandro Boulevard.
“The city is basically gifting this money to this facility,” said Councilwoman Corina Lopez. “We are really committed to serving all stakeholders in this community.”
The center will be open to any San Leandro child, not just Marea Alta residents and it will be operated by the Davis Street Family Resource Center.
The 7,200-sqaure-foot center will be an addition to the Marea Alta building at 1400 San Leandro Boulevard. Once built, BRIDGE will lease the center to Davis Street.
There will space for 60 kids from 2-years-old to kindergarten age and it will be licensed to operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
About half the spots will be “affordable” and subsidized on a sliding scale based on family income, with some students not paying any fees.
A “market rate” customer can expect to pay about $725 to $800 a month for a 3-year-old kid.
Davis Street Executive Director Rose Johnson says that about 200 kids in San Leandro are in need of affordable day care and this project will help put a dent in that number.
Last year, Davis Street failed to pay back a $1.5 million loan from the city on time. They later paid off the loan. Earlier in Monday’s City Council meeting Johnson addressed the council saying she hoped to “repair” their relationship.
But paying back this loan shouldn’t be an issue for BRIDGE housing, because the loan is going to be forgiven annually as long as the day care stays open and running to city terms.
BRIDGE and Davis Street are currently negotiating their terms of operation. BRIDGE plans on asking one dollar per year from Davis Street as part of the lease agreement.
BRIDGE project manager Jamie Hiteshew says construction should start this summer and he foresees children in the facility before the end of he year.
Hiteshew also gave the City Council an update on the Marea Alta apartment project. About 60 of the 115 affordable housing units are now occupied and residents will move into the rest by the end of February.
Hiteshew added that an 85 unit, four-story affordable senior housing project is slated to begin construction this year on Marea Alta’s east side facing Carpentier Street.
CAPTION: The day care center will be build here on the side of the Marea Alta Apartments that faces Carpentier Street.
PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI
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SL Man Allegedly Runs Over Girlfriend
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
A San Leandro man allegedly ran over his girlfriend with his car, killing her on the street near their Ruth Avenue home last week.
Kevin Valasco, a 26-year-old computer engineer, shared a duplex with the victim and the couple were apparently involved in a domestic dispute on Feb. 2 just before midnight, according to San Leandro police.
The victim’s name has not yet been made public.
Several neighbors called 911 and when police arrived, they found the woman pinned under Valasco’s red BMW. She was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Valasco was arrested at the scene and later charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with murder and use of a deadly weapon. He is currently being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin
Valasco is set to enter a plea during his next court appearance at the Hayward Hall of Justice next Friday, Feb. 17.
This was San Leandro’s first homicide of the year.
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Eucalyptuses Falling in Soggy Soil
BY JIM KNOWLES • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
A big euclaptus fell across the electricity lines on Bancroft Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, pulling down a utility poll and knocking out power in the area to over 4,000 customers.
It was the second euclaptus to fall along the San Leandro Creek in this week’s storms.
A PG&E crew worked into the night to remove the tree on Bancroft and replace the pole and restore power. On Wednesday morning, power to 500 customers had to be temporarily turned off again to complete the work, said PG&E spokeswoman Tamar Sarkissian.
The Veterans Building and one other customer still remailed with no power Wednesday because their own electrical equipment was damaged, Sarkissian said.
“We’re in all-hands-on-deck mode trying to restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” Sarkissian said. “We just want people to know that if you see any low or down lines to assume it’s a live wire and call 911 immediately.”
The tree fell along San Leandro Creek where the euclaptus grow very tall. Alameda County has removed some of the trees from the creek that were in danger of falling. In 2015, the county took out 23 at-risk trees along the creek out of 337 county-owned trees.
A Cary Drive resident said the his mother’s patio was damaged by a fallen euclyptus a couple of years ago. He said the ivy climbs the trees and makes them more likely to fall.
“We had an arborist come out and he said the weight of that ivy is substantial, and eucluptus have shallow roots,” said Martin Torres. “All that ivy certainly doesn’t help a tree.”
Another big euclaptus toppled over this week along San Leandro Creek between the Cherrywood neighborhood and the Alameda County Fire Department training center. The tree did some damage to a fence at the training center, said Debbie Pollart, San Leandro public works director.
There was also a high tide at around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Combined with the rainwater runoff, the high tide flooded a parking lot by the marina. But other than that, there was nothing out of the ordinary, Pollart said.
The traffic signal was out of order – defaulting to flash mode – at the intersection of Marina Boulevard and Merced Street on Tuesday. But this may have been due to an electrical glitch, not the weather, Pollart said. She said the signal has had some snafus lately, and engineers are trying to figure out the problem.
It wasn’t as bad here in the East Bay as the North Bay where there were flash flood warnings and residents had to evacuate some areas.
And of course, the freeways were no fun at all, lots of spinouts and accidents were reported by the Highway Patrol.
As a Dominos Pizza semi truck unloaded at a local outlet, the driver summed up conditions on the highways on Tuesday morning in one word.
“Terrible,” he said.
CAPTION: A big euclaptus fell across the power lines on Bancroft Avenue on Tuesday afternoon.
PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES
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Bonta Says We’re Under Attack
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
Assemblyman Rob Bonta gave a “state of the district” update to the City Council Monday night, about what he accomplished in 2016 and looking at how he and other California lawmakers will function under President Trump.
“We’re in a really interesting spot,” said Bonta. “It’s not an ordinary time and we in the state legislature realize that. I want to represent areas that are under attack by word and deed by this administration.”
Bonta (who represents San Leandro, Alameda, and Oakland) said he will focus on protecting immigrants, maintaining health care for all, and protecting the environment.
Bonta told the council that he supports San Leandro becoming a sanctuary city and California becoming a sanctuary state.
To that end, Mayor Pauline Cutter announced that the possible declaration of a sanctuary city will be discussed that the council next meeting, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
Bonta said one way of protecting immigrants would be to budget funds to hire legal council for them.
Another priority for Bonta in 2017 is affordable housing.
“It’s one of, if not the, top priority in this district,” said Bonta.
Bonta said he has two funding possibilities in the works.
The first is a $75 recording fee for people who get their homes refinanced, which he said would bring in “tens of millions” to help pay for affordable housing.
The other proposal is to eliminate the state mortgage interest deduction on second homes.
Only about .4 percent of Californians own and occupy two homes in the state. Currently they get a tax break on the second home, which Bonta would see eliminated. He estimates that would add to $400 million to the state’s coffers.
“It would help make sure people had a first roof over their heads before others get a second roof,” said Bonta.
Another project he says he’ll focus on in 2017 is the elimination of the money bail system.
Bonta says that requiring bail to get out of jail after an arrest puts people with less money at a disadvantage in the criminal justice system before they are ever convicted of wrongdoing, so he’s working on legislation that would reform the system.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a 3.5 percent raise based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the city manager – a matter that had to be made public due to a new state law.
City manager Chris Zapata now makes $20,405 per month ($244,860 annually). Zapata has raises based on the CPI built into his contract.
Normally Zapata’s raise wouldn’t warrant a discussion at a City Council meeting, but the new law requires cities to publicly announce adjustments to the salaries of top employees.
SB 1436 went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year, partially in reaction to the public employee wage scandal in Bell, California, according to city attorney Richard Pio Roda. City officials and employees in Bell misappropriated millions of taxpayer dollars, giving themselves the highest salaries in the nation.
Zapata is the only City of San Leandro employee subject to the law. Other city employees are in unions and the terms of their salary negotiations are already public.
SB 1436 now requires a city's legislative body to summarize a city executive's pay in a public forum prior to approval.
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Jefferson Elementary Students Set Sights on College
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
Fifth graders at Jefferson Elementary School took the stage in their school’s cafeteria last week in front of teachers and parents and announced where they’d like to go to college when they are older.
Superintendent Mike McLaughlin spoke to the crowd and told them he was proud that they were considering their futures.
“A commitment to a college or vocational school is a commitment to life-long learning,” said McLaughlin. “As human beings, if we stop learning, we stop growing.”
The superintendent joked that perhaps some of the kids couldn’t wait to finish high school and be done with school forever.
“I guarantee you that once you get a job, you’ll think, ‘God, I miss school,’” joked McLaughlin.
Principal Guillermo Morales said the ceremony is a fun way of getting kids to start thinking about college and their careers.
The kids might not end up at the school they picked at the age of 10, but Morales said that in researching the college and just thinking about their futures, they are on the right track.
After all that research, the kids will share what they’ve learned with younger Jefferson students at a College Expo in May. At last Wednesday’s commitment ceremony, the fourth graders came to the cafeteria to see what they’ll be a part of next year and get excited about choosing a college of their own.
“Here at Thomas Jefferson, we have students as young as kindergarten thinking about college,” said Morales.
CAPTION: The crowd of fifth graders at Jefferson elementary wait their turn to declare where they plan on going to college at a special “commitment” ceremony.
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Spokesman Compiles BART’s Highs, Lows
BY LINDA SANDSMARK • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
As today’s commuters scramble for seats on crowded Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains, it’s hard to imagine a time before the BART system even existed.
Yet there were many years — particularly in the 1970s —when BART riders were scarce and funding even scarcer.
In fact, during the 1960s when the system was conceived and constructed, many locals questioned the wisdom of even building what is now the backbone of Bay Area transit.
BART’s longtime spokesman Michael C. Healy — nicknamed “Mr. BART” — has penned a new book about BART’s history, from its conception through the present day.
BART, The Dramatic History of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System contains enough entertaining anecdotes and behind-the scenes machinations to create a lively read.
“It was a two-and-a-half year labor of love,” says Healy, who was asked to write the book by BART General Manager Grace Crunican. “I always joke that I knew where all the bodies were buried, and found a few more as I did research for the book.”
California was an automobile culture in the ’60s, and suburbs in Alameda, Contra Costa and San Mateo counties were considered “crabgrass frontiers” which might never use a train system like BART.
Agreements with dozens of cities, unincorporated areas, and public and private entities were sought over the years, affecting the placement — and cost — of the initial 12 stations and those that followed.
On September 11, 1972 the first 18 cars were available for the system’s grand opening. Over the years, notables from various walks of life came to check out BART, including boxer Muhammad Ali, former presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon, Britain’s Prince Charles and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and King Gustav of Sweden.
A low point came in 1979 when the system closed down twice, once during a lengthy labor dispute and another time after a fire in the Transbay tube.
“That was a horrendous year for the organization, and certainly for me,” says Healy.
In 1988 BART hired comedian Henny Youngman to promote ridership. Youngman, who was famous for saying, “Take my wife, please!” appeared in advertisements saying, “Take your BART, please!”
“That became a very successful venture, despite a lot of skepticism. Everyone seemed to know and love him,” Healy says of Youngman.
But BART’s finest hour came in 1989 after the Loma Prieta earthquake, when a section of the Bay Bridge roadway collapsed.
Fortunately BART’s transbay tube was unscathed by the magnitude 6.9 temblor — in fact, passengers inside the tube hadn’t even felt the earthquake.
It quickly became apparent that the Bay Bridge repairs would take months.
“BART became the only game in town for commuters,” notes Healy. Ridership shot up by 20 percent, and many new riders remained converts from that point on.
BART made worldwide news as it filled in the San Francisco Bay Area’s transit gap. Healy even got U.S. Congressman Don Edwards to include BART’s contributions in the Congressional Record.
Numerous scandals and the system’s “growing pains” are also included in the book, warts and all. The year 2017 will mark BART’s 45th year of service, and anyone interested in how the system evolved will enjoy Healy’s book.
“BART, The Dramatic History of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System” is printed by Heyday Publishers of Berkeley, 510-549-3564 ($20 paperback, e-book available) ISBN 9781597143707. Available from bookstores and Amazon.
CAPTION: From left, BART former public information chief and author Mike Healy with ad man Eddie Spizel and comedian Henny Youngman as they prepare to shoot a commerical for the “Take Your BART, Please” ridership campaign in 1988.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE HEALY AND HEYDAY BOOKS
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EBMUD Water Floods Golf Course
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
During last week’s heavy rains, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) made the decision to release water from the Upper San Leandro Reservoir and flood a golf course in order to prevent harm to a dam.
The course flooded on Jan. 23, which is designed to happen when EBMUD need to release a lot of water from the reservoir.
But the Redwood Canyon Golf Course was almost back to business as usual by this Tuesday morning with select holes open for play as the course dried out.
The front nine and a couple of holes on the back nine are playable, according to Redwood Canyon general manager Jake Stewart. And the restaurant, pro shop, bar and grill, and driving range are all open during normal business hours.
“There are still parts of the course that are flooded,” said Stewart. “It’s unfortunate but Mother Nature is Mother Nature.”
Now, Stewart says it’s simple a matter of waiting for the land to dry. He said there has only been minimal damage to the course.
The Upper San Leandro Reservoir is in the Oakland hills and water from the reservoir flows down into Lake Chabot though San Leandro Creek.
The flooding happened because the Upper San Leandro Reservoir had neared its capacity of 42,000 acre-feet. Water had to be released though the San Leandro Creek which runs through the golf course or else there was a risk of harming the dam, according to Frank Mellon, EBMUD Ward 7 director.
Mellon said that the district’s reservoirs are kept around 80 percent full so they can allow for water to flow-in from other sources upcountry.
The district and the golf course have an understanding that EBMUD will release water into the creek if it’s necessary and the golf course is on the flood plain.
It was a deliberate decision to have a golf course in the area, because few if any uses for the land other than recreation can be an effective part of a flood area, Mellon added.
Mellon also cautioned people to not have an exaggerated picture in their minds about how EBMUD releases excess water.
“It’s not some massive flood that comes barreling down the canyon,” said Mellon. The creek reaches capacity and overflows its banks.
That being said, Mellon warns that California’s drought problems are far from over despite a rainy few months.
“I love the rain, but I’ve had many people ask me if the drought is over,” said Mellon. “Really and truly, California is drought country. We are between droughts – this is only an interlude before the next drought is due. That’s why East Bay MUD is so concerned with things like conservation and recycling of water.”
CAPTION: The water from Upper San Leandro Reservoir flows down San Leandro Creek through the golf course, which sometimes floods, before reaching Lake Chabot.
PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI
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Hesperian School Goes Organic
BY JIM KNOWLES • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
The students at Hesperian Elementary School didn’t need pencils and paper for their latest assignment.
They used shovels and buckets, turning Hesperian into the greenest school around.
On the Monday holiday for Martin Luther King’s birthday, Hesperian School was a buzzing with kids, teachers and parents. They turned the old, dilapidated garden into a beautiful space, covered with mulch and planter boxes.
“The garden was all weeds and we’re making it more pretty,” said fourth-grader Alberto Aguilar, who added, “You need compost to make vegetables.”
Hesperian School, on Drew Street in San Leandro, is now recycling and composting all its waste, too.
“Our school was throwing everything into the garbage, but now all our waste is separated into food scraps, recycing and garbage,” said fourth-grade teacher Toya Sonnier.
The classrooms all have compost bins. The garden was turned into a calm place to relax, as well as an eco-friendly space where students grow their own vegetables and learn about nature, Sonnier said.
Monarch butterflies might come to the garden, said teacher Rachel Lerman who is planting milkweed, which attracts the butterflies.
“I planted some in my backyard and they came,” Lerman said. “If you plant it, they will come.”
Another idea of the program is bringing nature to kids in an urban area who don’t get out in nature a lot. A city park is synthetic, not the same as nature, Lerman said.
“We have kids who live in apartments on 165th Avenue who’ve never even been to the beach,” she said.
So gardening is both fun and learning experience – combining nutrition, biology, ecology – as you learn about the plants as well as the insects, birds and butterflies.
Lerman has butterfly chrysalis in a container in her classroom, the outer skin formed by the caterpiller from where the butterfly will emerge. When the butterfly comes out, she puts it on her finger, and the whole class goes outside to see the butterfly take off.
It’s sort of an experiment to see if the butterflies return, as they do every year to the trees around the Monarch Bay Golf Course.
“When the butterfly comes out, we take them outside and let them fly away…maybe they’ll come back,” Lerman said.
All the materials for the garden – and the lunch – were provided by StopWaste, the county agency in charge of reducing waste. Also, student-athletes from UC Berkeley helped to build the new garden.
“StopWaste brought the mulch, wood and food, so we’re not out-of-pocket for anything,” Sonnier said.
CAPTION: Students dig compost for garden at Hesperian School.
PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES
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Pols, Citizens Disagree on Eden Health
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
Politicians ranging from San Leandro Mayor Pauline Cutter, to Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, to Assemblymember Rob Bonta have made it clear that they want to dissolve the Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD) and have its funding absorbed by the county.
But citizens of the unincorporated areas say the ETHD is vital in making sure people in Castro Valley and San Lorenzo are represented just as well as people in cities like Hayward and San Leandro.
Castro Valley resident Elke Sommer said that the various politicians and agencies trying to shut down ETHD “evoked the image of scheming relatives trying to get a rich uncle declared incompetent in order to grab his cash.”
After nearly 70 years in operation, ETHD has been hit with claims from Chan, Bonta, and others that the district is redundant and its function could be better handled by the county.
The district countered that if its functions were taken over, whatever successor agency put in place would still require funding and staff to operate and who is to say that would be anymore efficient than having ETHD do the job?
The district took more criticism over the summer, when the Alameda County Grand Jury issued a report that said the district “failed in its mission” and lacked a plan for its future.
So the Alameda County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) ordered another report on ETHD’s operations prepared by independent urban policy analysts Berkson Associates.
Richard Berkson presented a draft of his report to the LAFCo board Tuesday Night at a special meeting at the Castro Valley Library.
Overall, Berkson concluded that the ETHD provides a “service of value” to the community and its services shouldn’t be discontinued.
But Berkson did say that if ETHD were to be dissolved, those services could continue via a successor agency and it would be up to LAFCo to create such an entity.
The district started out managing Eden Hospital and, over the years, has owned and overseen various medical buildings in San Leandro, Hayward, and the unincorporated areas. It was created with taxpayer money, but no longer collects tax money and instead subsists on its real estate holdings.
Currently, ETHD owns and rents out three medical office buildings and also distributes healthcare-related grant money, though it doesn’t own or operate any hospitals.
One of the main arguments against maintaining the ETHD is that it no longer provides direct health services. But Berkson said that is not unusual for a healthcare district. Of the 78 such districts in California, 30 no longer operate hospitals.
LAFCo heard public comments from over 20 speakers at the meeting, which will be included in the final draft of Berkson’s report.
Mayor Cutter and a representative from Chan’s office both said that if the money went to the county, hospitals with fewer well-insured patients – including San Leandro Hospital – would benefit.
“”What I want is to keep our safety-net hospitals open,” said Cutter, who added that she was disappointed that she and San Leandro city staff weren’t contacted for the report.
Terry Lightfoot, director of the county health system, criticized ETHD for spending too much on administration and not enough on direct health care, calling their spending “extremely one-sided.” He went on to suggest that ETHD donate some office space in the buildings that it owns to doctors who care for under-served patients.
Eden CEO Dev Mahadevan called shutting down the district “killing a golden goose” because if the district is dissolved and the real estate sold (as Berkson said was probable), all of the money will be distributed as a one-time event and new revenue will cease to come in.
If you didn’t get a chance to speak to the LAFCo board at the meeting, you can also submit a written comment to the LAFCo website, or mail your comment to 1221 Oak Street, Room 555, Oakland, CA 94612. Comments received by tomorrow (Feb. 3) will be considered for the final draft of the study.
After the final draft is completed, LAFCo will make its decision – they could decide to keep ETHD running as is, dissolve the district, or restructure it. Tentatively, they are set to discuss ETHD’s fate at their March 9 meeting.
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Pirates Beat Liberty, 46-43 In NCS Playoff First Round
BY ANDREW JOSEPH • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
The San Leandro High basketball team beat Liberty of Brentwood, 46-43, at home in a North Coast Section Division 1 playoff matchup Tuesday night.
The win sends the Pirates to the next round of the playoffs against De La Salle in Concord on Friday night.
The Pirates won the opening tip and led through the first quarter, though Liberty rallied back in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 27-20 lead. But San Leandro stole the momentum back in the third quarter and won the game with great offensive possessions and stops on defense.
San Leandro’s 6-foot-7 senior AJ Bramah proved to be the star of the game, finishing with a team-high 16 points. Six of those points came on three dunks, the last of which tied the game at 35 at the end of the third quarter to give the Pirates momentum heading into the closing quarter.
“All I was thinking about at that point was to keep going harder and finish the game out,” Bramah said.
Pirates’ two-sport senior athlete Jahari Kay also played a pivotal role in the win. He finished with 5 points, two of those coming at the free throw line in the closing minutes to put San Leandro up 41-40.
Kay describes his thoughts during those free throws, “We gotta get up and start taking over somehow, some way.”
The game’s last possession had the Pirates up 46-43 with about 13 seconds to go on defense as Liberty had the ball coming out of a timeout.
When San Leandro head coach Darrnaryl Stamps was asked about the plan for that last play he said, “We wanted to get them out of rhythm and force them to take a desperation shot.”
The Lions’ took that desperation shot, but missed.
San Leandro senior Elijah Jones-Haley added a crucial 11 points in the Pirates’ win.
“Looking back at the first-half we played bad,” said Kay. “After halftime we started going to the basket and crashing the boards more.”
Bramah comments on the Pirates’ third quarter comeback mentality, “It’s win or go home. Every possession counts so we gotta execute and play hard on defense. We have to get the win because we’re at home and they beat us the last time we played them.”
Pirates’ assistant coach Derek Smith said, “Our guys have been battling all year and they’ve been playing hard for us.”
As they advance in the NCS playoffs, San Leandro’s next game comes against the De La Salle in Concord on Friday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m.
Coach Stamps said, “We’re going to come out the next game ready to compete and play hard.”
CAPTION: San Leandro took back the momentum in the third period to win the game.
PHOTO BY ANDREW JOSEPH
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Hollingsworth Making Waves at Humbolt State
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
Humboldt State senior Tiffany Hollingsworth of San Leandro was named the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II National Player of the Week on Feb. 8.
“This is a great honor for Hollingsworth,” said HSU Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. “There is a lot of pressure on her being in the third spot in the lineup. It doesn’t seem to faze her one bit. She just goes out there and does her job day in and day out.”
The shortstop from San Leandro, Calif., anchored a lineup that put up 55 runs at the Desert Stinger Tournament. She batted .438 and drove in 9 runs en route to tournament Most Valuable Player honors.
The senior helped HSU open the season with a 5-0 record with four consecutive multi-hit games and three straight games with a home run.
She went 3-for-3 with a double and a home run in the Lumberjacks 12-1 win over Western New Mexico. Hollingsworth hit a 2-run homer in game two. She went 3-for-4 at the dish, drew a walk and drove in two RBI to go with her third home run of the season. Hollingsworth plated two more runs in game four. Her transition to shortstop was seamless as she recorded 11 assists and four put-outs.
During the preseason, Hollingsworth was named a member of the 2017 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II National Player of the Year Watch List.
She has earned National Player of the Week honors twice in her HSU career.
CAPTION: Tiffany Hollingsworth from San Leandro turns a double-play for the Lumberjacks in a recent game.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HUMBOLT STATE
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St. Felicitas CYO 7N Boys Win SAC Championship Game in Overtime
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
St. Felicitas CYO 7N Boys Basketball Team won the SAC League Championship game in overtime on Sunday, Feb. 18, against undefeated All Saints CYO.
In an intense back-and-forth game between the two rival schools, Jimmy Sakai and Cecil Williams both scored double figures to help keep pace with All Saints and Julian Chavez had several big steals. Darren Wen and Jacob Botelho assisted with rebounds and free throws.
With seconds left in regulation time, Ignacio Ramirez made a buzzer beater to force the game into overtime. During overtime, Kyle Sappington and Jacobo Lechuga made big clutch baskets down the stretch to seal the game and win the championship.
CAPTION: The members of the St. Felicitas CYO 7N boys basketball team are (left ot right) Isaiah Mills-Terry, Athletic Director Jerry Delos Reyes, Julian Chavez, Allen Duong, Cecil Williams, Kyle Sappington-Garcia, Ignacio Ramirez, Jr., James Sakai, Coach Cecil Williams, Jacobo Lechuga, Jacob Botelho and Darren Wen.
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San Lorenzo Beats Hayward, 54-51, and Stays Undefeated in League Play
BY ANDREW JOSEPH • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-16-17
The San Lorenzo High School Rebels basketball team beat the Hayward High Farmers 54-51 on Friday night in a league matchup.
The Rebels won the opening tip, as Justin Baylis made the first shot of the game. San Lorenzo set the tempo early with a 7-0 lead to start the game and never looked back.
The ability to covert points in transition, draw fouls down the stretch, and play great defense helped them to win the game.
Rebels center Patrick Pancho helped secure the win with his dominating offensive play. His most defining play came at the end of the third quarter when he made a layup in transition to put San Lorenzo up 38-35 heading into the closing quarter.
When asked about what went through his mind on that great play to end the third quarter, Pancho said, “I just wanted to win the game. Coach Parks tells me to use power post moves and go strong every time, so that’s what I did.”
Rebels’ head coach Brandon Parks talks about the mental stability of his team to take the lead early and hold on.
“We work on game situations like these all the time in practice,” Parks said. “We got stops and grinded it out, that’s how we got the win.”
Pancho recorded a team high 29 points along with his 11 rebounds. San Lorenzo guard Justin Baylis added 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
“We played as a team and we played with a purpose,” Baylis said. “It was a bumpy road, but we got it done.”
With the win against the Farmers, the Rebels are now on a five-game winning streak nearing the end of the season.
“This creates momentum for our team and makes it easier for us heading into the playoffs,” Baylis said.
Coach Parks adds, “We are peaking at the right time, just before we head into the NCS playoffs.”
The Rebels are now 19-5 overall and 8-0 in league play with Friday night’s victory, standing well over the .500 mark and in a great position heading into the North Coast Section playoffs.
This week San Lorenzo hosts crosstown rival Arroyo on Friday at 7 p.m., the final game of the regular season.
CAPTION: San Lorenzo High hung on to beat Hayward on Friday night to stay undefeated in league play.
PHOTO BY ANDREW JOSEPH
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 02-23-17
Community Read at SL Main Library
The San Leandro Public Library presents its first Community Read, Read the Book - Join the Conversation 2017 on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Lecture Hall of the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The event will kick off the community experience of the book, Brother, I’m Dying by Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat. The kickoff event will screen Stones in the Sun, a film by Patricia Benoit that vividly illustrates the horrific legacy of the dictatorial Haitian regime and the travails of several Haitian émigrés living in1980s-era Brooklyn. Copies of the book will be available for a $10 donation.
Zootopia at SL High Performing Arts Ctr.
The Interact clubs at local high schools will present a benefit show, Zootopia, on Friday, Feb. 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the San Leandro High School Performing Arts Center, 2250 Bancroft Ave. Tickets are $12 at the door, or $10 in for preorders for students. Everyone of all ages is welcome. A variety of entertainment will be presented, singing and dancing to games and raffles. The money raised will go toward two projects: Me the Human and Circle of Love. Me the Human works with organizations that provide aid for refugees in response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis. Circle of Love revolves around raising awareness for mental illness and developing self-love towards oneself. For more information, visit www.interact5170.org.
Shrimp APeel Fundraising Dinner
The Hill & Valley Women’s Club will hold its annual Shrimp APeel fundraising dinner on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 1808 B St. in Hayward. Social hour is at 4:15 p.m. with dinner starting at 5:15 p.m. Menu includes plump shrimp, pasta, green salad, garlic bread and dessert. Tickets are $25 per person. For ticket reservations, call J. Silveira 785-2053. For more information, call Carol Crossett 206-5467. Proceeds benefit the Painted Turtle program; Paul Newman’s fun camp for children with serious medical conditions as well as Sophomore Leadership Seminar for high school students.
Crab Feed Fundraiser
Tickets are available for the upcoming Crab Feed fundraiser benefiting The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and MX’ers Against Bullying on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 22737 Main St. in Hayward. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 p.m. with salad, pasta, bread, dessert and all the crab you can eat. No host bar. Live and silent auction items, door prizes and raffle prizes. For tickets, call Theresa Dominguez at 861-5250 or Jerry Dominguez at 566-7227.
Parkinson’s Support Group
The San Leandro Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, March 2, at 10 a.m. at the San Lorenzo Community Church at 945 Paseo Grande in San Lorenzo. Ysela Jimenez with the Alameda County Senior Injury Program will speak on emergency preparedness. For more information, call Lona White at 276-3119.
I.D.E.S. of Saint John Lunch & Bingo
I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will have a bingo and salad bar luncheon on Saturday, March 4, at noon. Lunch is $15 and includes three bingo cards, extra cards are 25 cents apiece. Raffle starts at 2 p.m. Bring along some canned food as there will be a canned food drive. For more information, call Willie Calvo at 635-6326 or Frances Leite at 886-1568.
St. James Lutheran Church
St. James Lutheran Church and Christian Schools, 993 Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro, invites all for an afternoon of popular and inspirational music performed by the Guemmer and Myers Trio on Saturday, March 4, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 (including refreshments) and proceeds will be used to teach children how to care for our planet via our eco-friendly garden and neighborhood herb and fruit trees.
SL High Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed
The San Leandro High School Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed will be held on Saturday, March 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro, 401 Marina Blvd. There will be a crab feed, silent auction, no host bar, DJ dancing, dessert auction and raffles. Purchase tickets online at www.slhsunitedparents.com.
Alta Mira Club
The Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, will have a corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 11. The social hour starts at 5 p.m. and dinner begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20. For tickets, call 914-5684.
I.D.E.S. of Alvarado St. Crab Feed
I.D.E.S. of Alvarado St. will have its annual crab feed on Saturday, March 11, at the hall on 790 Antonio St. in San Leandro. No host cocktails at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 7 p.m. Dinner will include crab, pasta, salad, garlic bread and wine. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased by calling 385-2847 or 635-3580 or by mail. Make check payable to I.D.E.S. and send to P.O. Box 781, San Leandro CA, 94577.
Catholic Daughters Salad Bar Luncheon
The Catholic Daughters, Court #2400, will host the 3rd Annual Salad Bar Luncheon and Bingo on Saturday, March 18, at the St. Felicitas Church Msgr. McGinty Hall on 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 and proceeds support the Rice Bowl Project. To reserve your seat, RSVP Kim at 940-5949 by Sunday, March 12.
SL High Class of 1987 Reunion
San Leandro High School Class of 1987 is having its 30th reunion on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Dublin, 6680 Regional St. in Dublin. See old friends and raise a glass to our class. Early-bird ticket pricing is available until March 1. For more information and tickets, go to www.nationalreunions.com or call 888-4-ALUMNI.
The Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast
The Hayward/Castro Valley Kiwanis Club will have a pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 18, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Kenneth Aitken Senior Center, 17800 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. The cost is $10 per person for adults, $30 for a family of 4, $5 for children from 5 to 10. Proceeds go to community projects and scholarships. Come join the fun with a cake walk, basket raffles, silent auction, and door prizes. For more information, call 886-1100.
C.V. Center for the Arts
Gina Eckstine, daughter of famed bandleader and singer Billy Eckstine, brings her own style to the music scene at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road in Castro Valley on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are from $17 to $25 and may be purchased online at www.cvartsfoundation.org; or at the Center Box Office, 19501 Redwood Road, Thursdays and Fridays 3 t o 5 p.m., phone 889-8961; or at the Castro Valley Adult School, 4430 Alma Ave.
Chanticleers Theatre
Neil Simon’s wonderfully funny farce Rumors, about four nouveau riche couples at a party, is now playing at Chanticleers Theatre at 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley and runs through Feb. 26. Curtain for Friday and Saturday evening shows is 8 p.m. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. (no matinee on opening weekend). Tickets cost $25 for general admission; $20 for seniors, students and military. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit chanticleers.org or call 510-733-5483.
Douglas Morrisson Theatre
The world premiere of Charley’s Aunt ’66, a wonderfully silly farce by Scott Munson, comes to the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Feb. 24, 25 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25. Tickets are $29 and may be purchased by calling 881-6777 or visiting www.dmtonline.org.
The Maltese Bodkin at SL Museum
The San Leandro Players present The Maltese Bodkin on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from March 11 to April 9, and Fridays from March 31 to April 7, at the San Leandro Museum/Auditorium, 320 West Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Written by David Belke and directed by Sage Hindley the play follows the intrepid gumshoe as he solves the mystery of the deadly bodkin amid savory and unsavory characters from the realm of Shakespeare. Tickets are $20, or $15 for seniors, TBA members, under 12 and students. For more information or reservations, call 895-2573. Order tickets online at www.slplayers.org.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 02-16-17
Women’s March Experiences
Bethel Community Presbyterian Church, 14235 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro, invites anyone who lives in the San Leandro area and marched as part of the Women’s March to come and hear about others’ experiences or get to know your fellow marchers on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. Pastor Sarah marched in the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. and is looking forward to hearing from others. If you wish, bring your signs, wear your hats, and RSVP to Pastor Sarah by email: bethelcommunitypcusa@gmail.com.
Mystery Tea at Alta Mira Club
The Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, will host its annual Scholarship Mystery Tea on Monday, Feb. 20, at noon, featuring three mystery writers. Tickets are only $15. Tea and delectable snacks will be served. Come and hear mystery writers Ellen Kirschman, author of The Right Wrong Thing; Marla Cooper, author of Terror in Taffeta; and Penny Warner, author of The Code Busters Club. For reservations, email Nancyfong@aol.com or call 483-1018. All proceeds benefit the Alta Mira Scholarship Fund.
Black History Month at SL Main Library
Celebrate Black History Month with storyteller Kirk Waller on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. Waller will share tall tales and true stories in honor of Black History Month. All ages welcome and refreshments will be served after the show. Doors open at 6:50 p.m. For more information, call 577-3960.
Shrimp APeel Fundraising Dinner
The Hill & Valley Women’s Club will hold its annual Shrimp APeel fundraising dinner on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 1808 B St. in Hayward. Social hour is at 4:15p.m. with dinner starting at 5:15 p.m. Menu includes plump shrimp, pasta, green salad, garlic bread and dessert. Tickets are $25 per person. For ticket reservations, call J. Silveira 785-2053. For further information, call Carol Crossett 206-5467. Proceeds benefit the Painted Turtle program; Paul Newman’s fun camp for children with serious medical conditions as well as Sophomore Leadership Seminar for high school students.
Crab Feed Fundraiser
Tickets are available for the upcoming Crab Feed fundraiser benefiting The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and MX’ers Against Bullying on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 22737 Main St. in Hayward. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 p.m. with salad, pasta, bread, dessert and all the crab you can eat. No host bar. Live and silent auction items, door prizes and raffle prizes. For tickets, call Theresa Dominguez at 861-5250 or Jerry Dominguez at 566-7227.
I.D.E.S. of Saint John Lunch & Bingo
I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will have a bingo and salad bar luncheon on Saturday, March 4, at noon. Lunch is $15 and includes three bingo cards, extra cards are 25 cents apiece. Raffle starts at 2 p.m. Bring along some canned food as there will be a canned food drive. For more information, call Willie Calvo at 635-6326 or Frances Leite at 886-1568.
SL High Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed
The San Leandro High School Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed will be held on Saturday, March 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro, 401 Marina Blvd. There will be a crab feed, silent auction, no host bar, DJ dancing, dessert auction and raffles. Purchase tickets online at www.slhsunitedparents.com.
Catholic Daughters Salad Bar Luncheon
The Catholic Daughters, Court #2400, will host the 3rd Annual Salad Bar Luncheon and Bingo on Saturday, March 18, at the St. Felicitas Church Msgr. McGinty Hall on 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 and proceeds support the Rice Bowl Project. To reserve your seat, RSVP Kim at 940-5949 by Sunday, March 12.
Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
The Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave. in Hayward, continues its Nature Detectives program in March with Marsh Muddiness on Fridays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and on Saturday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to noon. Nature Detectives is a program for 3 to 5 year old children and their caregivers, designed to inspire curiosity and imagination by exploring the natural world. This month get up close to the mud and observe it using scientific tools. Cost is $8 per child. For more information, call 670-7270 or visit. www.haywardrec.org.
Kiwanis Club of San Leandro
Join the Kiwanis Club of San Leandro for weekly lunch meetings on Tuesday, from 12:10 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Englander Sports Pub and Restaurant, 101 Parrot Street, San Leandro.
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.
SL High Class of 1987 Reunion
San Leandro High School Class of 1987 is having its 30th reunion on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Dublin, 6680 Regional St. in Dublin. See old friends and raise a glass to our class. Early-bird ticket pricing is available until March 1. For more information and tickets, go to www.nationalreunions.com or call 888-4-ALUMNI.
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Meetings for adult children of alcoholics are held every Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at All Saints Church, 911 Dowling Blvd. in San Leandro. Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) helps adults whose lives have been affected by family alcoholism.
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 are welcome.
C.V. Center for the Arts
Gina Eckstine, daughter of famed bandleader and singer Billy Eckstine, brings her own style to the music scene at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road in Castro Valley on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are from $17 to $25 and may be purchased online at www.cvartsfoundation.org; or at the Center Box Office, 19501 Redwood Road, Thursdays and Fridays 3 t o 5 p.m., phone 889-8961; or at the Castro Valley Adult School, 4430 Alma Ave.
Chanticleers Theatre
Neil Simon’s wonderfully funny farce Rumors, about four nouveau riche couples at a party, opens at Chanticleers Theatre at 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley and runs through Feb. 26. Curtain for Friday and Saturday evening shows is 8 p.m. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. (no matinee on opening weekend). Tickets cost $25 for general admission; $20 for seniors, students and military. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit chanticleers.org or call 510-733-5483.
Douglas Morrisson Theatre
The world premiere of Charley’s Aunt ’66, a wonderfully silly farce by Scott Munson, comes to the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Feb. 17, 18, 24, 25 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25. Tickets are $29 and may be purchased by calling 881-6777 or visiting www.dmtonline.org.
PhotoCentral
Getting to Know the Map, an exhibition of 40 years of photography by Geir and Kate Jordahl, is now on display at PhotoCentral Gallery, 1099 E St. in Hayward. This special celebration will feature their images and projects. A book release and signing will be on April 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. The PhotoCentral Gallery is open Monday from 5 to 10 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday from noon to -3 p.m. and by appointment. The Upstairs Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit info@photocentral.org.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 02-09-17
Jazz & Pasta Dinner
The Arroyo High School Instrumental Music Department presents “A Night in Paris - Jazz ’n’ Rendezvous” - pasta dinner and musical performance fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Arroyo High School cafeteria, featuring the Oasis Jazz Band and the Arroyo High School Jazz Ensemble. Tickets in advance are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, and $10 for children. Prices are $5 higher at the door. All proceeds benefit the AHS Instrumental Music program.
Hearing Loss Association Meeting
The Hearing Loss Association will meet on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Oakland Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Fabiola Bldg., 3801 Howe St., lower level, room G26. Parking is free in the old garage across from Howe St. Refreshments are at 9:30 a.m. with the program starting at 10 a.m. Callie Frye will bring a sign language interpreter and with the captioning, looping and FM systems, this meeting is a must for all who are hearing impaired. For more information, email athos.artist@att.net or call Kay at 886-4717.
St. Leander’s Valentine Crab Feed
The St. Leander’s Church will have its Valentine crab feed on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Ryan O’Connell Hall, 550 West Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro. No-host bar at 5:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $45 per person and includes crab, salad, pasta and bread. Purchase 20 or more tickets at one time and receive a 10 percent discount. This event is assigned seating. In addition to the dinner there will also be a dessert silent auction and a sports memorabilia silent auction. For more information, call the parish office at 895-5631.
The Eagles Valentine Bingo Luncheon
The Fraternal Order of Eagles Eden Auxiliary 1139 will host their Valentine bingo charity luncheon on Monday, Feb. 13, at noon at the Eagles Hall, 21406 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. The fare will include beef stew, salad, dessert, rolls, coffee, tea and fun. A donation of $8 will include one bingo card. For more information, call 584-1568 Proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels.
Women’s March Experiences
Bethel Community Presbyterian Church, 14235 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro, invites anyone who lives in the San Leandro area and marched as part of the Women’s March to come and hear about others’ experiences or get to know your fellow marchers on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. Pastor Sarah marched in the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. and is looking forward to hearing from others. If you wish, bring your signs, wear your hats, and RSVP to Pastor Sarah by email: bethelcommunitypcusa@gmail.com.
St. Felicitas Valentine Luncheon
Tickets are on sale for the St. Felicitas Parish monthly Young at Heart Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Salad, pasta with red sauce and meatballs, garlic bread, dessert, coffee or apple cider will be served. Tickets are $6. Entertainment and door prizes at the 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.
Mystery Tea at Alta Mira Club
The Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, will host its annual Scholarship Mystery Tea on Monday, Feb. 20, at noon, featuring three mystery writers. Tickets are only $15. Tea and delectable snacks will be served. Come and hear mystery writers Ellen Kirschman, author of The Right Wrong Thing; Marla Cooper, author of Terror in Taffeta; and Penny Warner, author of The Code Busters Club. For reservations, email Nancyfong@aol.com or call 483-1018. All proceeds benefit the Alta Mira Scholarship Fund.
SL High Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed
The San Leandro High School Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed will be held on Saturday, March 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro, 401 Marina Blvd. There will be a crab feed, silent auction, no host bar, DJ dancing, dessert auction and raffles. Purchase tickets online at www.slhsunitedparents.com.
A.R.T., Inc. Members Exhibit
Adobe Art Gallery, 20395 San Miguel Ave. in Castro Valley, presents the works of A.R.T., Inc. members in the upcoming exhibit Looking Forward, through March 4. The gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment. The exhibit features a variety of media including two and three-dimensional art.
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.
Black History Month at SL Main Library
Celebrate Black History Month with storyteller Kirk Waller on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. Waller will share tall tales and true stories in honor of Black History Month. All ages welcome and refreshments will be served after the show. Doors open at 6:50 p.m. For more information, call 577-3960.
C.V. Center for the Arts
Gina Eckstine, daughter of famed bandleader and singer Billy Eckstine, brings her own style to the music scene at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road in Castro Valley on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are from $17 to $25 and may be purchased online at www.cvartsfoundation.org; or at the Center Box Office, 19501 Redwood Road, Thursdays and Fridays 3 t o 5 p.m., phone 889-8961; or at the CV Adult School, 4430 Alma Ave.
Chanticleers Theatre
Neil Simon’s wonderfully funny farce Rumors runs through Feb. 26, at the Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley. Curtain for Friday and Saturday evening shows is 8 p.m. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. (no matinee on opening weekend). Tickets cost $25 for general admission; $20 for seniors, students and military. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit chanticleers.org or call 733-5483.
Douglas Morrisson Theatre
The world premiere of ‘Charley’s Aunt ’66 comes to the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward, beginning with a preview tonight, Feb. 9. Opening reception on Feb. 10. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Feb. 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 12, 19, 25. For tickets ($10 preview to $29), call 881-6777 or visit www.dmtonline.org.the show. Doors open at 6:50 p.m. For more information, call 577-3960.
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Playwright Re-imagines Classic Farce With a Modern Twist
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
The Douglas Morrisson Theatre presents the world premiere of a wonderfully silly farce: Charley’s Aunt ’66, freely adapted by Scott Munson from Brandon Thomas’ classic Charley’s Aunt, opening with a preview on Feb. 9.
Artistic Consultant Susan E. Evans approached the San Jose-based playwright to take a fresh look at the classic 1892 farce by Brandon Thomas. Over the past nine months the playwright developed Charley’s Aunt ’66 with the help of DMT artistic staff and a dedicated group of actors.
Munson transports the original play from the hallowed halls of Oxford to Stanford University in the psychedelic ‘60s, but the bones of the plot remain the same: two college guys scheme to get their gals (but this time Amy is Mills pre-law!) – with a little help from a cross-dressing buddy.
“It was great fun to take on the challenge of adapting a play that is so well-known in the English-speaking theater world, a mainstay of the stage since its inception and also a hit film with the immortal Jack Benny,” Munson says. “I loved finding a new way to look at the play from a uniquely American perspective and to reveal something about us, as Americans, while remaining true to the spirit of the original.”
Charley’s Aunt ’66 opens with a preview on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 5.
Tickets are $29. Preview tickets are $10. Discounts available for seniors, under 30, students and groups of 10 or more.
The box office number is 881-6777 or go to www.dmtonline.org.
CAPTION: Alan Coyne appears in Charley’s Aunt ’66 at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre Feb. 9 through March 5.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 02-02-17
Readers Roundtable
The Readers Roundtable will meet on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The Green Road by Irish author Anne Enright will be discussed. All are welcome.
I.D.E.S. of Saint John Lunch & Bingo
I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will have lunch and bingo on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 1 p.m. Chicken, vegetables and rice will be served. Lunch is $15 for adults and $10 for children 6 to 12 and includes three bingo cards, extra cards are 25 cents apiece. Raffle at 3 p.m. For more information, call Willie Calvo at 635-6326 or Helder Quadros at 357-5846.
Fashion Show at the San Leandro Library
The Asian Community Cultural Association (ACCA), Desan American Academy and the San Leandro Library will present a display of 56 traditional costumes from the minority groups of China. Twenty-four of the colorful costumes and head pieces will be hung on the second-floor walls of the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave., through Feb. 20. The remaining 32 costumes and head pieces will be featured in a fashion show on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 1 to 1:45 p.m. in the Karp and Estudillo rooms of the Main Library. Acclaimed local author Pam Chun will share information about the 56 minority groups. There will be limited seating at this free event.
Diabetes Support Group
The Diabetes Support Group will host cardiology specialist Dr. Aditya Jain, M.D. in honor of heart month to discuss “Keeping Your Heart Healthy” on Monday, Feb. 6, at 5 p.m. at the San Leandro Surgery Center, 15035 East 14th St. in San Leandro.
Sons In Retirement Meetings
SIRs, an organization of retired men, meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held at the Wedgewood Center at 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.
Jazz & Pasta Dinner
The Arroyo High School Instrumental Music Department presents “A Night in Paris - Jazz ’n’ Rendezvous” - pasta dinner and musical performance fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Arroyo High School cafeteria, featuring the Oasis Jazz Band and the Arroyo High School Jazz Ensemble. Tickets in advance are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, and $10 for children. Prices are $5 higher at the door. All proceeds benefit the AHS Instrumental Music program.
Hearing Loss Association Meeting
The Hearing Loss Association will meet on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Oakland Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Fabiola Bldg., 3801 Howe St., lower level, room G26. Parking is free in the old garage across from Howe St. Refreshments are at 9:30 a.m. with the program starting at 10 a.m. Callie Frye will bring a sign language interpreter and with the captioning, looping and FM systems, this meeting is a must for all who are hearing impaired. For more information, email athos.artist@att.net or call Kay at 886-4717.
St. Leander’s Valentine Crab Feed
The St. Leander’s Church will have its Valentine crab feed on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Ryan O’Connell Hall, 550 West Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro. No-host bar at 5:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $45 per person and includes crab, salad, pasta and bread. Purchase 20 or more tickets at one time and receive a 10 percent discount. This event is assigned seating. In addition to the dinner there will also be a dessert silent auction and a sports memorabilia silent auction. Last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, Feb. 7. For more information, call the parish office at 895-5631.
St. Felicitas Valentine Luncheon
Tickets are on sale for the St. Felicitas Parish monthly Young at Heart Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Salad, pasta with red sauce and meatballs, garlic bread, dessert, coffee or apple cider will be served. Tickets are $6. Entertainment and door prizes at the 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.
Mystery Tea at Alta Mira Club
The Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, will host its annual Scholarship Mystery Tea on Monday, Feb. 20, at noon, featuring three mystery writers. Tickets are only $15. Tea and delectable snacks will be served. Come and hear mystery writers Ellen Kirschman, author of The Right Wrong Thing; Marla Cooper, author of Terror in Taffeta; and Penny Warner, author of The Code Busters Club. For reservations, email Nancyfong@aol.com or call 483-1018. All proceeds benefit the Alta Mira Scholarship Fund.
SL High Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed
The San Leandro High School Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed will be held on Saturday, March 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro, 401 Marina Blvd. There will be a crab feed, silent auction, no host bar, DJ dancing, dessert auction and raffles. Purchase tickets online at www.slhsunitedparents.com.
A.R.T., Inc. Members Exhibit
Adobe Art Gallery, 20395 San Miguel Ave. in Castro Valley, presents the works of A.R.T., Inc. members in the upcoming exhibit Looking Forward, through March 4. The gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment. The exhibit features a variety of media including two and three-dimensional art.
The Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast
The Hayward/Castro Valley Kiwanis Club will have a pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 18, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Kenneth Aitken Senior Center, 17800 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. The cost is $10 per person for adults, $30 for a family of 4, $5 for children from 5 to 10. Proceeds go to community projects and scholarships. Come join the fun with a cake walk, basket raffles, silent auction, and door prizes. For more information, call 886-1100.
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 at 0900 hours at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1105 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro, for coffee, doughnuts and friendship. All are welcome. For more information, call Bobby Ferreira at 460-0636.
Chanticleers Theatre
Neil Simon’s wonderfully funny farce Rumors, about four nouveau riche couples at a party, opens at Chanticleers Theatre at 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley with a traditional champagne gala on Friday, Feb. 3 and runs through Feb. 26. Curtain for Friday and Saturday evening shows is 8 p.m. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. (no matinee on opening weekend). Tickets cost $20 on bargain night Feb. 4; $25 for general admission; $20 for seniors, students and military. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit chanticleers.org or call 510-733-5483.
Douglas Morrisson Theatre
The world premiere of ‘Charley’s Aunt ’66, a wonderfully silly farce by Scott Munson, comes to the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward, beginning with a preview on Thursday, Feb. 9. Opening reception on Feb. 10. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Feb. 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 12, 19, 25. For tickets ($10 preview to $29), call 881-6777 or visit www.dmtonline.org.
C.V. Center for the Arts
Gina Eckstine, daughter of famed bandleader and singer Billy Eckstine, brings her own style to the music scene at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road in Castro Valley on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are from $17 to $25 and may be purchased online at www.cvartsfoundation.org; or at the Center Box Office, 19501 Redwood Road, Thursdays and Fridays 3 t o 5 p.m., phone 889-8961; or at the CV Adult School, 4430 Alma Ave.
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Police Release New Details In Murder, Kidnapping Cases
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
Last week, the San Leandro police released updates in two major cases.
Police are looking for information about a minivan that may have been involved in a Feb. 12 homicide.
Wardell Taliaferro, 45, was shot and killed by an unknown suspect after a confrontation on Marina Boulevard. Police are asking the public’s assistance in identifying the van.
Police say they have surveillance footage of the shooting, but are not releasing it as it is part of an ongoing investigation.
The image shows the white, American-made mini-van with a custom, conversion-style roof that appears to be six to eight inches taller than the standard height of most vans. The wheels appear to be black in color and the hubcaps may have been removed.
“We don’t know what involvement, if any, that the van and its occupants play in this investigation,” said Lt. Robert McManus in a written statement. “Based on the video, we do know that they could hold the missing link to solving this tragic incident.”
Detectives are asking anyone with information about the van, its owner, or who was in it when the homicide occurred to contact them immediately.
Police also released the name of the man suspected on attempting to snatch a woman off the street last July.
James Jenkins, 43, of Laguna Nigel, California was arrested last September for trying to force a woman into his vehicle on Washington Avenue last summer.
The woman was saved when a Good Samaritan who was passing by intervened and fought off the attacker.
After releasing photos of the suspect’s car, police discovered that it had been abandoned near the Oakland airport. Police recovered the car, which led them to Jenkins, who had flown from Oakland to the Detroit area hours after the crime.
Jenkins was arrested in early September by U.S. Marshals. Jenkins remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $595,000 bail. He is next scheduled to appear in the Alameda County Superior Court in Hayward on March 8.
CAPTION: James Jenkins
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Man Killed in Doolittle Crash
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
A man from Hayward died last Friday when his car left the road on Doolittle Drive near the Oakland airport and landed upside down in about 12 feet of water and 20 feet out from the shoreline at just after 8 a.m. on Feb. 17, according to the Alameda County Fire Department.
The incident occurred near the intersection on Doolittle Drive and Langley Avenue. A cab driver drove off the road and died in the water at the same spot on Jan. 9.
The man’s name has not yet been released by authorities and the cause is under investigation.
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SL Women Arrested in Connection to Murder
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
A San Leandro woman has been charged with murder in the death of her female friend who was killed in her home near Piedmont last November.
Adriana Falcon, 22, is accused of killing her friend Coshious Frazier, 27. And Mercedes Morgan, 22, allegedly aided Falcon.
On Nov. 12, Frazier was shot at her home in Oakland and died from her injuries on Nov. 24.
Oakland police say that Morgan witnessed the crime and drove Falcon away from the scene.
Witnesses identified both women, police say.
Both Falcon and Morgan were arrested at the home they shared in San Leandro on Jan. 25 and charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office on Jan. 27.
Their next scheduled court date is this Friday, Feb. 24, when both women are due to enter their pleas.
Falcon is currently being held without bail and Morgan in lieu of $20,000 bail.
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Serious Crime Statistics Up Slightly in SL in 2016
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-16-17
There were over 250 robberies in San Leandro in 2016, as well as 17 carjackings, and 503 burglaries.
Felony arrests in San Leandro were up 8 percent and the total number of serious crimes rose 4 percent over the previous year’s figures – whereas crime had gone down a total of 10 percent in 2014 and 2015.
The 2016 statistics released are for what the San Leandro police department calls “Part 1” or serious crimes in categories including murder, robbery, theft, and arson. In 2016, a total of 4,447 Part 1 crimes were reported.
There were double-digit percentage increases in several categories including robbery, carjacking, and aggravated assault.
The city reports 280 robberies this past year – including 80 robberies involving a gun (down 4 percent from 2015) and 128 strong-arm robberies (up 39 percent).
There were four murders in 2016, up from a single homicide in 2015. Of the murders last year, perhaps the highest profile was the shooting death of Dariel Arreola as he attended a First Communion party at the Senior Community Center last May.
There were 21 aggravated assaults using guns and 65 aggravated assaults using hands and feet reported. But aggravated assaults involving knives decreased by 43 percent with 21 cases reported.
There were 963 car thefts in San Leandro last year (up 7 percent) – an average of over 2.5 cars stolen from city streets each day.
Some good news – the total of 240 residential burglaries was actually a significant decrease (18 percent) in home burglaries over the 2015 figures. The number of commercial businesses that were burglarized rose by 27 percent to 263.
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Alameda County Serial Killer Found Guilty Almost 30 Years After Murders
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
Michael Jose Monert was recently found guilty of the serial murders of Alameda County prostitutes in the 1980s and 1990s, according to the district attorney’s office.
Last month, Monert, now 50, was convicted of first degree murder of Pamela Sanders, the second degree murder of Debra Adkins, and the second degree murder of Janice Flahiff, plus enhancements.
Monert was a serial murderer of prostitutes in and around Oakland. While awaiting trial for the murder of Sanders, Monert confessed to murdering two more women. During his confessions, he provided details that only the killer would know, the district attorney’s office said in a press release. Some of these details included the manner of death and the location of where the murders took place.
In October 1989, Monert picked up Adkins on International Boulevard and took her back to his home. When they were in his room, Monert hit Adkins numerous times on the head with a hammer. He then transported her body and dumped it above Skyline Boulevard near the entry to Roberts Regional Park.
In May 1991, Monert picked up Flahiff and drove her to Courtland Avenue in Oakland. While they were in his truck, Monert hit her on the head with a small hammer and dumped her body outside his truck. At the time, Courtland Avenue was a dead-end street. This necessitated doing a three point turn to leave the area and he ran over the body of the victim – Flahiff’s autopsy found tire tread marks on her leg.
In July 1991, Monert lured Sanders into a local market where he was working. When Sanders followed him into the rear of the store, Monert grabbed a hammer and struck her repeatedly in the head and then transported and dumped her body a few blocks away. Monert returned to the scene of the crime, where he and his unknowing girlfriend slept in the same area he had murdered Sanders an hour before, prosecutors said. The following morning, a man walking to West Oakland BART found the body of Pamela Sanders laying in the street wrapped in two large garbage bags.
Monert’s crimes came to light in 2012, when he was a registered sex offender living in Hayward and cold case detectives matched his fingerprints to those found on a plastic bag that one of the women had been wrapped in.
Monert told police that he killed a fourth woman, but authorities have not identified the possible victim. Monert’s lawyer argued that he killed no one and is mentally ill.
On Jan. 20, Monert was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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Dozens of License Plates Stolen from Parked Cars in North Area
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
Thieves have stolen dozens of license plates from parked cars in the Broadmoor neighborhood, San Leandro police say.
There have been 25 reports of stolen plates in the residential area since Jan. 21, according to Lt. Robert McManus of the San Leandro police.
The license plate thefts have been going on for a couple of months in this neighborhood, according to Broadmoor residents. Thefts were first reported in the San Leandro Times last December (“License Plates Stolen in Broadmoor,” Dec. 1, 2016).
The plates are stolen when its dark out and they’ve been reported stolen from the 700-800 block of Bancroft Avenue, the 500-600 block of Begier Avenue, the 700 block of Glen Drive, the 400 block of East Merle Court, the 500 block of Haas Avenue, the 900 block of Helen Avenue, and the 1100 block of Victoria Court.
“We don’t know why anyone would steal this many license plates,” said McManus in a written statement. “There could be many reasons, including selling them as novelty items, using them as art, or possibly, attaching them to cars used in crimes, hoping to avoid being identified by detectives and escape capture.”
Police encourage anyone who has also been victimized by this type of theft, but hasn’t reported the crime to contact them. Investigating officers will enter the stolen license plates into a national database which can assist in the arrest of offenders and recovery of the stolen plates.
Once the license plate number are uploaded into the database, patrol cars equipped with license plate readers will alert officers.
Anyone with information is asked to call 577-3230 or the anonymous tip line at 577-3278.
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Mental Health of Cadet Murder Suspect Investigated
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
An Alameda County Superior Court judge has temporarily halted the criminal proceedings against a woman accused of killing her former coworker in order for the suspect’s mental health to be evaluated.
Laura Rodgers, 23, is accused of killing San Leandro resident and former Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Explore Karla Ramirez-Segoviano, 21, last November.
Ramirez-Segoviano’s body was found stabbed and burned in an Oakland park. Rodgers and her boyfriend Curtys Taylor, 23, were arrested for the crime.
The victim and Rodgers had previously worked together at a fast food restaurant, but no motive has been released for the crime.
Last week, Rodgers’ attorney told the court that he has trouble communicating with his client and asked that she be evaluated by court-appointed doctors.
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Man Escapes Custody on I-880
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
A man being extradited to Kentucky escaped custody Tuesday morning just before 10 a.m. while he was being driven to San Francisco International Airport.
Shawn New, 27, got out of a car driven by Kentucky authorities on I-880 near A Street in Hayward. He is wanted for fraud and ID theft. Anyone who spots him is asked to call 911.
CAPTION: Shawn New escaped custody from a car transporting him to SFO.
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Bay Area Prices Soar Past Affordability
BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 02-23-17
I received an email last week that highlighted the sad side of the current real estate market boom in the Bay Area.
It was from a person looking to buy her first home and wanting to stay close to family, friends and her job. The question, while sincere, was a bit of a Hail Mary because she’d already done her research, already had a good idea of what the answer would be, but figured it couldn’t hurt to ask anyway. She asked:
“Is it possible to buy a home in Fremont for $300,000?”
Define “home.” As of this writing, there was a property in Fremont listed at $299,950… a 421-square-foot studio. That’s $712 dollars a square foot.
The next cheapest was a 1-bedroom condo with a list price of $359,000. Prices go up quickly after that.
Bottom line? Not so much. Which then brings up a question: “If not Fremont, where?”
Turns out, if you are looking for a single-family detached home with a minimum of 2 bedrooms and you’re willing to look anywhere in Alameda or Contra Costa counties, there are actually 39.*
I found in Antioch - 7, Baypoint - 1, Bethel Island - 1, Oakland - 12, Oakley - 2, Pittsburg - 1 and Richmond - 15. If you are OK with a condo or a townhouse, there are 27:* in Antioch - 4, Brentwood - 1, Concord - 6, El Sobrante - 1, Hayward - 2, Hercules - 2, Oakland - 1, Pinole - 1, Richmond - 2, San Pablo - 1 and Walnut Creek - 4.
Which brings up yet another question: “What is the median price per city for all types of residential properties?”
Alameda County: Alameda - $836,000, Albany - $926,000, Berkeley - $1,200,000, Castro Valley - $728,000, Dublin - $840,000, Emeryville - $575,000, Fremont - $880,000, Hayward - $553,000, Livermore - $705,000, Newark - $695,000, Oakland - $598,000, Piedmont - $1,488,000, Pleasanton - $1,008,000, San Leandro - $527,000, San Lorenzo - $541,000, Sunol - $1,444,000, Union City - $720,000.
Contra Costa County: Alamo - $1,600,000, Antioch - $391,000, Bethel Island - $451,000, Blackhawk - $1,340,000, Brentwood - $550,000, Clayton - $656,000, Concord - $491,000, Crockett - $446,000, Danville - $1,080,000, Diablo - $1,510,000, Discovery Bay - $560,000, El Cerrito - $835,000, El Sobrante - $468,000, Hercules - $468,000, Lafayette - $1,449,000, Martinez - $582,000, Moraga - $851,000, Oakley - $410,000, Orinda - $1,125,000, Pinole - $500,000, Pittsburg - $387,000, Pleasant Hill - $705,000, Richmond - $399,000, Rodeo - $410,000, Rossmoor - $375,000, San Pablo - $360,000, San Ramon - $878,000, Walnut Creek - $735,000.
If you are a seller, these numbers are solid gold. If you’re a buyer, however, especially one at the bottom end of the spectrum hoping to get a home of their own… it’s heartbreaking.
*As of February 19, 2017
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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‘Big Brother’ Has Come Home
BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 02-16-17
It’s no secret we’ve come to rely on technology to enhance our lives. What’s not so visible, however, is the “dark side” of technology and how it can be used against us.
Two recent events brought this sharply into focus.
First, various media sources reported this past week that an Ohio man whose home was destroyed by fire was subsequently charged with arson.
In a bizarre twist, he was served with a warrant to get access to the data from his pacemaker. According to Fox News, the cardiologist who examined the data concluded that it was “highly improbable” the events pertaining to the fire could have unfolded as stated by the homeowner.
The second situation happened while showing a home to a prospective buyer. While walking through the property, the buyer suddenly began talking… to the house. Spotting surveillance equipment, and concluding that the homeowners were likely monitoring the visit and might use his comments against him during negotiations, he took it upon himself to verbalize his impressions of the home in a completely neutral manner.
With data being generated from any number of devices that literally surround us, it’s becoming impossible to do anything in a vacuum.
Whether we like it or not, our activities are being constantly monitored by our financial transactions, apps on our phones, fitness devices, cameras and so much more. Even the thermostat for the heating system in my home knows when all of us have headed out and queries us as to whether or not it should turn down the heat.
There is no doubt that all of these devices add to the convenience of our lives. The number of vendors pushing smart home technology are expanding exponentially. You can now respond to whoever is at your front door from the other side of the planet, remotely turn off your sprinklers should it start to rain, control the lights, raise and lower your window blinds, monitor your babysitter and SO much more.
However, it all comes at the cost of a potential loss of privacy and, ultimately, should someone hack into your system, control. To say nothing of your inability to perform basic functions should you lose the power in your home.
Additionally, there’s now the prospect that the data generated by your home’s devices might actually be subpoenaed, should circumstances warrant. George Orwell’s “Big Brother,” it appears… has finally come home.
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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One Game Is Over, A New Game Begins
BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 02-09-17
With this year’s Super Bowl in the history books, Realtors are gearing up for their favorite event: The Post Super Bowl Real Estate Surge.
Known to many as “The Super Bowl Effect,” it’s no joke. The real estate market usually gets into gear as soon as the post-game credits stop rolling and, if the first few weeks of 2017 have been any indicator, it looks like we may have another epic march up the field to another winning market in the spring.
Why the spike every year at this time?
There are a number of reasons, including the idea that with football season finally over, avid fans have nothing else to do on Sunday afternoons, so they head out and start looking at open houses.
Agreed, there is obviously more to it than that, but every year at this time, open houses start seeing visitor numbers increase right after the big game. In fact, February 2011 signaled the turn in housing market prices as negative numbers reversed and began a steady march upwards out of the depression lows.
Other factors triggering this year’s rush might include rumored rate hikes, resulting in a frenzy to get in before the market becomes too rich. For others, this time of the year symbolizes a new beginning, resulting in buyers popping up like spring flowers.
With the market seeing five straight years of significant gains, many have espoused the idea that 2017 will be the year when things begin to soften and turn.
Most real estate cycles span 10 years, so it’s normative to figure prices will peak somewhere in the middle of the cycle. While that should be right about now (and I’ve said as much in previous posts), so far the indicators are still pointing upward.
While we won’t have January numbers until after this article is printed, everyone I know points to a continued shortage of inventory and multiple offers on everything in sight.
Looking to buy a home this spring? I’d recommend sooner than later. Once the rush begins, it’s a lot like driving on I-880 during rush hour: there are way too many cars vying for far too little asphalt, and the result is severe, stress-inducing congestion. Similarly, as buyers emerge en masse, prices start shooting up along with the blood pressure of those trying to compete for new digs.
One game is over, now a new game begins.
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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Receive 10 Free Trees from Arbor Day Foundation
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
Joining the Arbor Day Foundation is an ideal way to get in the mood for spring planting. Anyone who joins the Foundation in February will receive 10 free Colorado blue spruce trees or 10 free redbud trees to plant when the weather turns warm.
The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation’s Trees for America campaign.
“These trees will help beautify your home for many years to come,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees will also add to the proud heritage of your state’s existing Tree City USA communities.”
The Tree City USA program has supported community forestry throughout the country for the past 40 years.
The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between March 1 and May 31, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow, or they will be replaced free of charge.
Members also receive a subscription to the Foundation’s colorful bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and The Tree Book, which contains information about planting and care.
To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to” 10 Free Colorado Spruce Tree. or 10 Free Redbud Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, by Feb. 28, or visit arborday.org/february.
CAPTION: The crape myrtle tree is a popular choice for the Bay Area.
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Be Safe When Using Space Heaters
BY SAMANTHA MAZZOTTA • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 02-02-17
Regardless of the type of portable electric heater you have, it must be set up so that there is 3 feet of clearance around it, and placed on a heat-resistant surface (bare floor, for example, not carpet).
Additionally, make sure that the outlet being used can handle the amount of electricity the space heater will draw. Don’t plug anything else into that outlet.
Consider replacing older space heaters. While I’ve seen many models built as long ago as the 1950s that are very sturdy, they often do not meet current electrical standards and can use a lot more power than newer models, meaning higher electric bills.
What’s the best space heater to purchase? I’m not a fan of the classic open-coil model, and there are alternatives. For example, an enclosed oil heater, which looks like a radiator on wheels, circulates heated oil through each section and provides indirect heat and a greater measure of safety.
There are heaters that fit inside a kitchen’s kickspace, oscillating tower heaters, and heaters disguised as fireplaces or standing vases.
Portable heaters range in price from about $50 to several hundred dollars, so look at several options both in the home-improvement store and online. Make sure any heater you consider has the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) label.
Heaters with thermostat control can provide greater energy savings. And it’s important to make sure you purchase a heater that can handle the size of the room where you’ll use it the most. (Check the sizing chart on the heater’s packaging.)
Home Tip: Plug your space heater directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip; if an extension cord is needed, choose a heavy-duty cord of 14 gauge or larger.
© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
CAPTION: Enclosed oil heaters provide indirect heat and are considered safer than open-coil models.
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Water Conservation Efforts Become Law
BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 02-02-17
California’s recent drought was a reminder of the importance of conserving water. To that end, state legislators have enacted a law requiring all single-family homeowners in California to install water-conserving plumbing (WCP) fixtures in homes built before 1994.
The law (California Civil Code 1101.1 through 1101.9) became effective January 1, 2017 and mandates that if any California home has the following, they must be upgraded:*
(1) Any toilet manufactured to use more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
(2) Any urinal manufactured to use more than 1 gallon of water per flush.
(3) Any showerhead manufactured to have a flow capacity of more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute.
(4) Any interior faucet that emits more than 2.2 gallons of water per minute.
In contrast to the recent push by some cities and municipalities to make energy and/or sewer upgrades required at the point of the sale of a home, the state did NOT make the installation of WCP fixtures a point-of-sale requirement. This means that real estate agents and brokers will NOT be obligated to ensure that sellers or buyers install WCP fixtures.
According to Robert Bloom, Esq., Council with the California Association of Realtors Member Legal Services, the oneness will instead be on sellers to adequately disclose the following:
(1) Disclosure of the legal requirement. First, the seller must disclose to the buyer in writing the legal requirement that the owner of the property must replace non-compliant plumbing fixtures with WCP fixtures for properties built before 1994.
(2) Disclosure of non-compliant fixtures. Second, the seller must disclose to the buyer in writing whether the real property includes any non-compliant plumbing fixtures.
(3) The seller’s affirmation.Third, when a transfer Disclosure Statement (Form TDS) is required, the law calls on the seller to specifically affirm that the disclosures of the seller are not those of the agent, are not intended to be part of any contract, are not a warranty, and are not a substitute for the buyer’s own inspections.
The big question is how the state intends to police the law and whether or not any penalties might be levied.
For now, buyers of any single family home built prior to 1994 (1) have the right to insist the seller fully disclose the state of current plumbing fixtures and (2) can initiate negotiations requesting any non-compliant fixtures be upgraded to meet the standards of Civil Code Section 1101.3.
*Low-Flow Toilets to become Law, Robert Bloom, Esq.
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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Ford Updates Popular Escape Crossover
BY STEVE SCHAEFER • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
The Ford Escape is a hit. Since 2001, it’s been a major factor in the car buying public’s move to compact crossovers. In fact, it’s Ford’s second-bestselling product, after the always number-one Ford F-150 pickup truck! Ford sold an amazing 307,069 Escapes in the U.S. last year.
So, what to do to improve it? Well, they gave it a new hood and grille to make it fit in with the latest models, such as the all-new Edge. They improved the fuel economy and environmental impact with standard auto start/stop for all models. The Escape is also the first Ford to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Ford cleaned up the interior, too, including a roomier center console a new, compact electric parking brake that frees up more space there. The design, though, still uses lots of energetic shapes — a leftover from earlier generations. Pluses: The armrests are soft and the audio shows the entire song title for Satellite radio. Minus: Although my car came in a stunning Canyon Ridge Metallic paint, the interior was a sober black and gray.
One upgrade that you’ll find across Ford is the new Sync3 interface, which makes using the center screen faster and more intuitive than the old version. The climate controls are pulled out of the screen to a traditional separate location below, with manual dials and buttons. In Sync2 you touched the corners of the home screen to view a particular area, such as audio or phone, but now it’s a series of buttons along the bottom. Easier! And, there’s an audio VOLUME knob. What could be friendlier?
If you order the optional Sync Connect, you can start, lock, unlock and locate your car with your smart phone and the FordPass app. In my car, it was part of the SE Technology Package ($1,395), which also included a handy reverse sensing system and Blind Spot Info System (for safety) and sturdy roof rails.
The Escape comes in three flavors — S, SE and Titanium. Mine was a midrange SE, and had the 1.5-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine. This small powerplant is good for 179 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque.
In the SE or Titanium, you can also specify the 2.0-liter EcoBoost, which, thanks to a twin-scroll turbocharger, gets a whopping 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. Considering the car weighs 3,500-3,600 pounds, that should make a big difference. My car was a bit buzzy on acceleration.
The base S model comes with a 2.5-liter non-EcoBoost engine, with 168 horsepower/170 lb.-ft. respectively. All engines flow through a six-speed automatic transmission.
The difference between the 2.5 and the 1.5 is shown in the fuel economy numbers. Even with a little more power, the smaller engine averages two mpg better overall, at 23 City, 30 Highway, and 26 Combined. I averaged 19.6 mpg, much less than the EPA’s number, so I must have felt especially lead-footed during the test week, or Ford was testing with a tailwind.
EPA Green numbers are 6 and 6 for Smog and Greenhouse Gas for the 1.5-liter EcoBoost. The 2.5-liter gets a 5 for Greenhouse Gas, and the Smog number isn’t available yet. Bottom line: EcoBoost is a bit better, but not hugely so. The car emits 342 grams of CO2 per mile versus the 2.5’s 369.
You can also order all-wheel drive on an SE or Titanium model. Of course, when crossovers were big truck-based SUVs, you’d expect to have this, but today, since crossovers have taken over many standard automotive tasks, you really don’t need the extra weight and expense of all-wheel traction unless you live in a climate that makes it a virtue.
Part of being a popular model is being affordable. The base S, including shipping, comes to $24,495. My SE model, with $3,980 worth of options, came to $29,975. Titanium models start at $30,145, and some items optional in the SE are standard. Choose wisely.
The SE will likely be the volume model, with many features included that you’ll want. On top of that, my car had the SE Sport Appearance Package, a $1,295 investment in cool, with a bump to 19-inch alloys, painted in trendy black, and, inside, a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
There’s plenty of people carrying and cargo hauling capacity. The Escape can handle 34 cubic feet of gear with the rear seats up and a generous 68 cubic feet when you drop it. The Escape has grown a little over time, so people will be comfortable, too.
America, this is one of your favorite vehicles, assembled in Louisville, Kentucky. This is where we’re moving to from midsize cars — for style and greater practicality. And, the Escape soon will have the smaller EcoSport sibling. But, for now, it’s occupying ground zero in the American car market.
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Bolt EV Makes a Unique Proposition
BY STEVE SCHAEFER • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
The ground-breaking Chevrolet Bolt EV is the first all-electric vehicle that works as a full-time car for most people. With an EPA range of 238 miles, it’s perfect for every situation other than long-distance travel, and it’s affordable, too.
Built in Lake Orion, Michigan, the Bolt EV is a sibling of the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid sedan. The Volt combines an electric motor and a gasoline engine, which charges the motor’s battery. It has a 53-mile all-electric range before the engine starts up.
The all-electric Bolt EV, on the other hand, uses a 60 Kw battery to get its remarkable range. If you look under the stubby hood, you’ll see several silver boxes with wires and tubes, but no gasoline engine.
The Bolt EV’s 960-pound battery runs along the bottom of the car, serving as a major structural element. This creates a low center of gravity, so the car handles athletically.
The 200-horsepower motor, with 266 lb.-ft. of torque, shoots the 3,563-pound Bolt from zero to 60 mph in a sporting 6.5 seconds. The electrically assisted steering is taut, and the suspension is firm, as are the seats.
The Bolt’s single-speed transmission offers two driving modes. Drive (D) feels just like a normal car. But pull the transmission lever back to Low (L), and you get “one-pedal driving.” Press the accelerator to go and lift your foot to stop. This also provides maximum electricity regeneration and a precise, engaging driving experience.
The Bolt EV is a compact five-door hatchback, but with its lofty roofline, it has midsize room inside. With an overall length of just 164 inches on a 102.4-inch wheelbase, it’ll squeeze into small parking spaces while accommodating grownups in the rear seats. Fold down those split seats for 56.6 cubic feet of flat cargo space.
Cute, attractive styling comes from GM of Korea, as does the battery technology. However, driving this all-new car attracted surprisingly little attention. It must look too normal.
Inside, the dash features a colorful instrument panel and a customizable 10.2-inch screen in the center stack, both with attractive layouts. There’s plenty of information available about your speed, energy usage, entertainment, phone, and more. Plug in your smart phone for instant Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The most important gauge on the instrument panel is the range indicator. It gives a predicted distance you can go, based on recent driving behavior, outside temperature, climate control usage, and other factors. There’s also a maximum and minimum estimate to help you plan. I found that the predicted range estimate was surprisingly accurate.
The official EPA scores are 128 MPGe City, 110 Highway, and 119 combined. Smog and Greenhouse Gas scores are perfect 10s.
Bolt EVs come in LT and Premier trims. The upper level Premier adds leather seats and steering wheel, polished and painted 17-inch alloy wheels, and silver roof rails. Ambient blue piping winds around the instrument panel. The front and rear seats are heated, as is the steering wheel. For safety, there are Lane Change Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. There’s a cool rear-view camera in the inside mirror, too.
The DC quick charge option ($750) on any Bolt lets you grab a fast recharge when you’re on the go.
There are a couple of option packages for each model. The Premier offers an Infotainment package ($485) with premium Bose audio, wireless device charging, and rear dual USB charging ports. The Driver Confidence II Package adds Forward Collision Alert, low-speed front automatic braking, Lane keep assist, front pedestrian braking and IntelliBeam headlights. Some colors cost extra, including my car’s beautiful Kinetic Blue ($395).
At home, you can plug in the built-in 7.2 kW charger to household current, but it’s very slow. A Level 2 (240-volt) charger will cost you around $500-$600, and you’ll need to hire an electrician to wire it up. Numerous public chargers exist, as well. Level 2 fills an empty Bolt EV battery in 9 hours.
The base LT starts at $37,495 and the Premier starts at $40,905. A fully loaded Premier comes to $43,905. Federal tax credits and state rebates can take up to $10,000 off those numbers. And, in California, PG&E will send you $500 just for buying an EV.
The innovative Bolt EV has won multiple honors, including Motor Trend 2017 Car of the Year, The North American Car of the Year, Green Car of the Year, and a Car and Driver top-10 pick.
For now, the Bolt EV is a unique proposition. It’s fun, affordable, green, and can do almost anything you ask. In fact, I liked it so much that I leased the car featured in this article!
Note: On February 8, 1992, the San Leandro Times ran my first car review, on the 1992 Honda Prelude. Today’s column marks not only my 25th anniversary, but the start of an increasing focus on electric and hybrid vehicles. Thank you very much for reading all these years. — Steve Schaefer
CAPTION: San Leandro Times Auto Editor Steve Schaefer liked the Chevrolet Bolt EV so much that he leased the car featured in this article.
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Lexus Updates RX; Goes Hybrid
BY STEVE SCHAEFER • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
Hard to believe, but the Lexus RX has been around since 1988. Back then, it looked futuristic, and was already heading the direction the entire vehicle industry has gone since — car-based crossovers that look a bit like a sport-utility vehicle (SUV).
For 2016, the RX receives a whole new look and feel. Lexus vehicles originally were smooth, pleasant, and kind of vanilla. It wasn’t until the spindle grille appeared that the cars began to take on more personality.
The new model features a “floating” roof treatment — the first for Lexus, but not the first ever. This trend appears on cars as diverse as the Nissan Murano and the brand-new Chevrolet Bolt EV.
The first RX was the RX 300; today’s gasoline version is the RX 350, with the growth of its V6 engine to 3.5 liters. It cranks out 295 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque.
Now, you can opt for a hybrid version. The hybrid uses a variant of the 3.5-liter engine, mated to an electric motor, which together send out 308 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft. of torque. The RX 350 comes as front- or all-wheel drive (AWD), but the hybrid is AWD only.
What do you get with the hybrid model? Well, fuel efficiency for one thing. The EPA numbers say 31 City, 30 Highway and 30 Combined. Compare that to the RX 350 AWD’s 19 City, 26 Highway, and 22 Combined. I averaged 28.9 mpg, which is gratifyingly close to the EPA Combined score.
The hybrid gets an 8 for Smog and 7 for Greenhouse Gas, giving it EPA Certified SmartWay status. The RX 350 makes do with a 7 for Smog and 5 for Greenhouse Gas — and no SmartWay. Significantly, while the 450h puts out 299 grams of CO2 per mile, the 350 emits 405. So, stepping into the 450h does make a difference.
This is a Lexus, so you expect — and receive — lots of comfort, style and features. My test vehicle arrived in a new shade called Autumn Shimmer. Walking up to it, I’d ask two things. What color is Autumn Shimmer? What were the designers thinking?
The Lexus folks were tired of dull, so they have now become the opposite. There are lots of slices and creases flowing along the sides from that maw up front and onto the tail.
The RX joins its brethren on the showroom floor looking ready to pounce and eat you. Nobody will mistake your ride for a Mercedes-Benz, who are heading the opposite direction, featuring soft sensuous shapes. You won’t be confused with a BMW, either. They are returning to post Chris Bangle conservatism and “sausage” styling. The latter term means the 3, 5 and 7 series sedans, for example, look very similar, just in different lengths.
Inside, along with the carefully assembled, high-quality plastics, are wood trim with meandering silver accents. Stitching on the doors runs parallel and then crosses over itself at one point. The seats are sublimely comfortable, and it’s nearly silent in there when you have the premium 12-speaker audio system turned off.
This car isn’t an all-electric vehicle, but it has a gauge to show how the motor is doing. There’s an industry-standard Charge/Eco/Power meter so you can measure how hard you’re working the drivetrain. Charge means you’re generating power and Power means, well, you’re using some of it. The ECO setting is where you want the needle to sit.
I drove one day in EV mode on a 43-mph cruise through town. But, realistically, both engine and motor trade off. There’s no plug to charge up the battery — it’s all regenerated — so driving gently does put the motor a little more in the spotlight.
So, what’s the price difference? The all-wheel-drive RX 350 starts at $45,460, while the 450h begins at $53,975. These prices include the “Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee.” You can save $1,400 on an RX 350 by declining all-wheel drive.
My test 450h had some extras, including the safety benefit of Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert ($800). The Lexus Safety System ($2,250) brings in more, with triple-beam LED headlamps too. The touch-free power rear door ($200) is an industry trend.
The Luxury Package ($3,125) adds upgraded leather seats, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, a bump to 20-inch rims, and a bunch of other stuff that should probably be standard. The Navigation system seems cheap at $430. Bottom line — my car retailed at $61,420.
As with all luxury cars, there’s much too much to list here. If you want the stone honest reliability of a Toyota, some real distinction when you park in front of Restoration Hardware, and some seriously high-tech safety equipment built in, you can’t really go wrong with Lexus’ best-selling model.
CAPTION: The front view of the new RX 450h is characterized by an emboldened version of the Lexus brand’s signature spindle grille.
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Mexican Officials Report Zika Transmission in Ensenada
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reminds winter travelers to protect themselves from mosquito bites when traveling to areas with known transmission of Zika virus, including Mexico. Mexican officials this week confirmed a case of local transmission in Ensenada, Baja California, a coastal city in Mexico. Ensenada is approximately 85 miles south of San Diego, making it a popular destination for California travelers.
“Many Californians enjoy spending time in Mexico, and this news about local transmission just across the border emphasizes the importance for travelers to take precautions against mosquito bites,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “In particular, pregnant women and couples considering pregnancy need to be cautious because Zika virus can cause severe birth defects. Pregnant women are urged to avoid travel to areas with known Zika transmission if at all possible. If travel is necessary, it is extremely important to prevent mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.”
Many areas of Mexico continue to experience transmission of the Zika virus, including states with popular tourist destinations. In addition to Baja California, the states of Baja California Sur, where Cabo San Lucas is located, and Sonora, which borders Arizona, have also reported local Zika virus transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers any travel to Mexico to be a potential risk for Zika virus infection.
While there has been no local transmission of Zika virus in California to date, CDPH has confirmed 486 cases of travel-associated infections in the state. Florida and Texas have experienced locally transmitted cases of Zika.
Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquito bites and can also be transmitted by both men and women during sex. Most people who are infected with Zika do not experience any symptoms, but should take precautions to avoid sexual transmission, even if they never had symptoms. All individuals, particularly women of childbearing age, should take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites while traveling and when they return home. Sexually active people who travel to areas with Zika transmission should use condoms or other barriers to avoid getting or passing Zika during sex.
Couples planning pregnancy when either partner has been exposed to Zika virus should speak with a health care provider about a safe time to try to get pregnant. Health care providers can recommend effective birth control methods to use while waiting to conceive. Men should wait six months to conceive a child with a partner after Zika exposure. Women who have been exposed should wait a minimum of eight weeks before becoming pregnant.
The mosquitoes that can carry Zika virus and infect people live in many areas of California.
“To protect others from the Zika virus, we ask people traveling to Mexico, or any other place where Zika exists, to take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks after a trip, even if you don’t feel sick,” said Dr. Smith. “If one of these mosquitoes bites an infected person, it can spread the virus by biting another person.”
Though most people who are infected with Zika do not experience any symptoms, symptoms of infection can include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika other than rest, fluids and fever relief.
More information about Zika can be found in the February 2017 CDPH Health and Travel Advisory, and on the CDPH and CDC websites. In addition, the Mexico Ministry of Health website contains more Zika-related information.
CAPTION: To reduce your risk of contracting and spreading the Zika virus, it is extremely important to prevent mosquito bites.
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Is It a Cold Or the Flu?
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-23-17
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses.
Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more intense. Colds are usually milder and generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations.
Flu can have very serious associated complications. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can tell if a person has the flu.
Children experience similar symptoms to those in adults. However, children tend to have higher temperatures than adults and they may also have nausea and vomiting or stomach pain.
Any illness that causes nausea, vomiting or diarrhea may be called the “stomach flu,” but if these are your main symptoms, the influenza virus is not the cause.
Adults 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, and people with ongoing health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart failure or kidney problems are at highest risk.
If you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, have pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, and/or experience sudden dizziness or confusion, you should seek emergency care.
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How Medicare Covers Preventive Health
BY JIM MILLER • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 02-16-17
Medicare currently covers a wide array of free preventive and screening services to help you stay healthy, but not all services are completely covered.
You also need to be aware that the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) – which helps financially support Medicare – may very well cause these free preventive services to be eliminated in the future. But in the meantime, here’s how it works.
Free Preventive Services
Currently, most of Medicare’s preventive services are available to all Part B beneficiaries for free, with no copays or deductibles, as long as you meet basic eligibility standards.
Mammograms; colonoscopies; shots against flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B; screenings for diabetes, depression, and heart conditions; and counseling to combat obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking are just some of Medicare’s lengthy list of covered services.
But to get these services for free, you need to go to a doctor who accepts Medicare “on assignment,” which means he or she has agreed to accept the Medicare approved rate as full payment.
Also, the tests are free only if they’re used at specified intervals. For example, prostate cancer PSA tests, once every 12 months for men over 50; or colonoscopy, once every 10 years, or every two years if you’re at high risk.
Medicare also offers a free “Welcome to Medicare” exam with your doctor in your first year, along with annual wellness visits thereafter. But don’t confuse these with full physical examinations. These are prevention-focused visits that provide only an overview of your health and medical risk factors and serve as a baseline for future care.
For a complete list of services along with their eligibility requirements, visit Medicare.gov and click on the “What Medicare Covers” tab at the top of the page, followed by “Preventive & screening services.”
Hidden Costs
You also need to know that while the previously listed Medicare services are completely free, you can be charged for certain diagnostic services or additional tests or procedures related to the preventive service.
For example, if your doctor finds and removes a polyp during your preventive care colonoscopy screening, the removal of the polyp is considered diagnostic and you will likely be charged for it.
Or, if during your annual wellness visit, your doctor needs to investigate or to treat a new or existing problem, you will probably be charged here too.
You may also have to pay a facility fee depending on where you receive service. Certain hospitals, for example, will often charge separate facilities fees when you are receiving a preventive service. And, you can also be charged for a doctor’s visit if you meet with a physician before or after service.
To eliminate billing surprises, talk to your doctor before any preventive service procedure to find out if you may be subject to a charge and what it would be.
Cost Sharing Services
Medicare also offers several other preventive services that require some out-of-pocket cost sharing.
With these tests, you’ll have to pay 20 percent of the cost of the service, after you’ve met your $183 Part B yearly deductible. The services that fall under this category include glaucoma screenings, diabetes self-management trainings, barium enemas to detect colon cancer, and digital rectal exams to detect prostate cancer.
Medicare Advantage Members
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plans are also required to cover the same free preventive services as original Medicare as long as you see in-network providers. If you see providers that are not in your plan’s network, charges will typically apply.
Send senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.
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Check Medicare List of Doctors for Mistakes
BY GENE L. OSOFSKY, ESQ. • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 02-16-17
Q: My wife and I are covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan, but we often find that doctors listed in our plan’s directory turn out not be in the Plan. This makes it difficult for us to rely upon the list to seek care from doctors in the network. Any comment upon this?
A: Yes, and you are not alone. As you know, Medicare Advantage plans are a popular alternative to regular Medicare because the MA plans typically offer lower out-of-pocket costs and the same basic coverage as original Medicare, plus some additional benefits and services that original Medicare doesn’t offer. However, seniors need to make sure they know how their plans work
Medicare Advantage plans rely upon members seeking care from In-Network providers and they typically have different coverage rules for out-of-network care. It is therefore important to know which doctors and hospitals are in a plan’s network when you seek care.
Reliance solely upon your plan’s provider directory could lead to surprises and unexpected medical bills.
A recent government review of Medicare Advantage plans revealed that their provider directories were often riddled with errors. The most egregious errors were the frequent identification of doctors as being in the Plan Network, who actually were not.
In this regard, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) conducted a review of online provider directories for Medicare Advantage plans.
It found that there was incorrect information for half of the 5,832 doctors listed in the directories of 54 Medicare Advantage plans, together representing a third of all Medicare Advantage providers and covering approximately 17 million Americans.
As a result of that review, CMS warned 21 Medicare Advantage insurers to fix the errors by February 6, 2017, or face serious fines.
Before purchasing a plan, you should double check with the doctors and hospitals you use in order to verify that they are part of your Plan’s provider network.
Once you are enrolled, and before you arrange for care from a new medical provider listed in your directory, you should first call the provider’s office and verify that he or she is actually still part of your plan’s network.
Doing so may prevent some unexpected bills for out-of-network medical care and help make your selected plan work for you.
Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney in Hayward. Visit his website at www.LawyerForSeniors.com. He wishes to thank ElderLawAnswers.com for permission to revise and publish this article.
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Do You Know Someone Addicted to Painkillers?
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
Fifty-two people die every day from opioid overdoses nationwide, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 12 million U.S. residents used prescription painkillers non-medically in the past year.
Unfortunately, even a small dosage can depress respiratory function, and these drugs can be especially dangerous when combined with other common substances like alcohol and sleeping pills. What’s more, prescription drug abuse can be addictive, and even lead to heroin use.
If you know someone who may be addicted to prescription painkillers, here are five things the National Safety Council says you should know.
1. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain. Addiction, like heart disease or diabetes, leads to increasingly poor health, and can be fatal if it’s not effectively treated and managed. People who suffer from addiction still have self-worth and should be treated with dignity. Unfortunately, shame and discrimination prevent many of them from seeking treatment. Recovery can be achieved in many different ways and all recovery efforts should be celebrated.
2. Medication Helps. Opioid and heroin addiction cause a chemical imbalance in the brain, which medication can help repair.
There are three major medications typically used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and participation in social support programs: Buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone.
Buprenorphine and methadone diminish the effects of withdrawal and cravings, restoring brain chemistry. Naltrexone blocks the euphoric effects of opioids and heroin. Buprenorphine and naltrexone can be administered by health care providers. Methadone is delivered in specialized clinics.
3. Traditional treatments aren’t always effective. Recovery is a lifelong journey. Unfortunately, some traditional treatments focus on quicker fixes like attempting it alone or going cold turkey, which ultimately can be detrimental.
Rates of relapse and overdose are higher for people who have gone through 30-day treatment programs, and 56 percent of people who leave treatment centers relapse within the first week. However, medications can offer longer-term solutions, and are often less expensive than in-patient treatment. If traditional substance abuse programs haven’t worked, consider medication.
4. Support is critical. A failed cycle of detox and inpatient therapy, then relapse, can leave a person feeling hopeless. This is why support is critical.
Doctors and treatment counselors are important, but even more so is a well-informed support group of family and friends.
5. Understanding addiction is crucial. Both patients and their friends and family should understand that addiction is a disease, and know what is needed to manage it.
There are more options than traditional 30-day-treatment and 12-step programs. In addition to medication, there are support programs like SMART recovery, which provide attendees with tools based on the latest scientific research, as well as a worldwide community with self-empowering, science-based support groups.
—StatePoint
CAPTION: A road of recovery is paved by many people — not just those in recovery. With the right support systems in place, a successful and sober life is possible.
©ALEXD75–ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
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Hope Hospice Offers ‘Living with Dementia’ Classes
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-09-17
With the goal of promoting a meaningful connection between the individual with dementia and those providing care, Hope Hospice in Dublin presents, “Living with Dementia: Communication and Feelings,” from 9:45 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Feb. 11.
Hospice Certified Dementia Practitioner Jill Smith and Recreation Therapist Angela Piazza will demonstrate how communication can be enhanced through a focus on emotions and feelings to manage the deficits that worsen throughout the disease process.
Any community member engaged in the role of family caregiver or expecting to soon become a caregiver is invited to attend these classes. Light refreshments will be served.
Classes are held at Hope Hospice, 6377 Clark Ave., Suite 100, in Dublin in the 2nd-floor conference room.
Visit: HopeHospice.com to register online or you may contact the Community Education Volunteer, Debbie Emerson, by emailing her at: debbiee@hopehospice.com.
The class is part of Hope Hospice’s Family Caregiver Education Series.
These classes are available at no cost to all community members; however, donations to Hope Hospice are greatly appreciated.
For more information about other sessions, visit HopeHospice.com. This program is supported in part by a generous grant from the Rotary Club of Pleasanton.
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When Is It Time To Take the Car Keys?
BY JIM MILLER • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
Q: What tips can you recommend that can help me deal with my mom’s bad driving? At age 83, her driving abilities have declined, but I know she’s bound and determined to keep driving as long as she’s alive.
A: There’s no doubt that giving up driving can be a tough step for many elderly seniors, as well as a difficult conversation for concerned family members.
While there’s no one way to handle this sometimes touchy topic, there are a number of tips and resources that can help you evaluate and possibly adjust your mom’s driving, and ease her out from behind the wheel when she can no longer drive safely.
Assess Her Driving
To get a clear picture of your mom’s driving abilities, your first step, if you haven’t already done so, is to take a ride with her and watch for problem areas.
For example: Does she drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate or drift between lanes? Does she have difficulty seeing, backing up or changing lanes? Does she react slowly, get confused easily or make poor driving decisions?
Also, has she had any fender benders or tickets lately, or have you noticed any dents or scrapes on her vehicle? These, too, are red flags. For more assessment tips, see SeniorDriverChecklist.info.
If you need help with this, consider hiring a driver rehabilitation specialist who’s trained to evaluate older drivers. This typically runs between $100 and $200. Visit AOTA.org/older-driver or ADED.net to locate a specialist in your area.
Transitioning and Talking
After your assessment, if you think it’s still safe for your mom to drive, see if she would be willing to take an older driver refresher course.
These courses will show her how aging affects driving skills, and offers tips and adjustments to help ensure her safety. Taking a class may also earn your mom a discount on her auto insurance.
Local Classes
The Castro Valley office of the California Highway Patrol periodically offers a free senior safe-driving workshop at the Castro Valley Library. The announcements are carried in the Senior Sections of the Times and the Castro Valley Forum.
You can also locate a class by calling your local AAA (AAA.com) or AARP (AARP.org/drive, 888-227-7669). Most courses cost around $20 to $30 and can be taken online or in a classroom.
If, however, your assessment shows that your mom really does need to stop driving, you need to have a talk with her, but don’t overdo it. If you begin with a dramatic outburst like, “Mom, you’re going to kill someone!”, you’re likely to trigger resistance. Start by simply expressing your concern for her safety.
For more tips on how to talk to your mom about this, the Hartford Financial Services Group and MIT AgeLab offers a variety of resources at TheHartford.com/lifetime; click on “Publications” on the menu bar, then on the “We Need To Talk” guidebook.
Refuses To Quit
If your mom refuses to quit, you have several options. One possible solution is to suggest a visit to her doctor who can give her a medical evaluation and, if warranted, “prescribe” that she stops driving. Older people will often listen to their doctor before they will listen to their own family.
If she still refuses, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles to see if they can help. Or, call in an attorney to discuss with your mom the potential financial and legal consequences of a crash or injury. If all else fails, you may just have to take away her keys.
Alternative Transportation
Once your mom stops driving, she’s going to need other ways to get around, so help her create a list of names and phone numbers of family, friends and local transportation services that she can call on.
To find out what transportation services are available in her area, contact the Rides in Sight (RidesInSight.org, 855-607-4337) and the Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116), which will direct you to her area agency on aging for assistance.
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‘Can I Deduct Long-term Care Insurance Premiums?’
BY GENE L. OSOFSKY, ESQ. • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 02-02-17
Q: Tax day is coming soon and I wonder if I can claim a tax deduction for my Long Term Care Insurance Premiums paid during this past year.
A: Depending upon your income and age, the answer may very well be yes — at least as to a portion of your premiums paid. Here’s the way it works:
AGI Threshold: Premiums for qualified long-term care insurance policies are tax deductible to the extent that they, along with other unreimbursed medical expenses (including Medicare premiums), exceed 10 percent of your Adjusted Gross Income.
This is sometimes referred to as the “AGI Threshold.” However, in tax year 2016, taxpayers aged 65 and older only need medical expenses to exceed 7.5 percent of their income, but in 2017 they will have the same 10 percent threshold rule as everyone else.
If medical expenses do not exceed these AGI Thresholds, then they are not deductible.
Age Determines Extent of Deduction That Can Be Counted: The amount of long-term care insurance premiums that are countable toward your AGI Threshold is based upon your age, and the amount changes each year.
For the 2016 tax year, taxpayers who are aged 40 or younger can count toward their deduction only $390 a year; taxpayers between 40 and 50 can count $730; taxpayers between 50 and 60 can count $1,460; taxpayers between 60 and 70 can count $3,900; and taxpayers who are 70 or older can count up to $4,870 in LTC premiums toward their AGI Threshold.
What this means is that taxpayers must total all of their medical and LTC Premium expenses and compare them to their incomes.
For example, suppose 64-year-old Frank has an adjusted gross income of $30,000 and long-term care premiums totaling $5,000, plus $1,000 in other medical expenses. Ten percent of $30,000 is $3,000, which is then his AGI Threshold. Therefore, Frank can only deduct any medical and LTC expenses that exceed $3,000.
The 2016 limit for counting long-term care premiums is $3,900. So, Frank can only count $3,900 of his long-term care premiums. If he adds the countable $3,900 in long-term care premiums to the $1,000 in other expenses his total medical expenses are $4,900. He can therefore deduct $1,900 in medical expenses from his income ($4,900 - $3,000).
If Frank is 70 in 2016, the calculation changes because his medical and LTC expenses only need to exceed 7.5 percent of his income, which would be $2,250 in Frank’s case ($30,000 X 7.5% = $2,250). In essence, he has a lower qualifying AGI Threshold.
Also, the amount of premiums he can count toward his deduction is increased because of his age: because he is 70, he can count toward his threshold up to $4,870 in LTC premiums. Subtracting the 7.5 percent deduction threshold from his total medical expenses, Frank can deduct $3,620 in medical & LTC expenses from his income ($4,870 + $1,000 - $2,250).
In 2017, Frank will only be able to deduct medical and LTC expenses that exceed 10 percent of his income, so his qualifying AGI threshold will go up and, hence, the amount he can actually deduct from his income will go down.
In sum, the amount of your tax deduction will depend upon your age, the amount of your adjusted gross income, your applicable AGI Threshold and the extent to which your countable medical expenses exceed your AGI threshold.
Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney in Hayward. Visit his website at www.LawyerForSeniors.com. He wishes to thank ElderLawAnswers.com for permission to revise and publish this article.
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LETTERS • 02-23-17
Letters Responding to ‘Calls Korematsu ‘a Criminal,’ Not a Civil Rights Pioneer,’ Letters, Feb. 16
Editor:
I can not believe people like Cynthia Melendy still believe people of Japanese ancestry, wrongfully imprisoned during World War II, were criminals. She has either not read or misunderstood the section on this subject in our high school American History books or court cases, all of which found that imprisonment was unjust.
Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Obama all recognized the wrongfulness of Executive Order 9066. Korematsu was found guilty for violating Executive Order 9066. Does that make him a criminal ? Not so.
Korematsu’s conviction has been vacated by the courts. As the courts and historians found, the Japanese Americans were victims of racial prejudice and were not enemy combatants to the State as suggested by Ms. Melendy.
Let me remind Ms. Melendy that as far I as I know, in the United States, there was not a single conviction of espionage, spying or terror upon a Japanese American during WW II.
During the war, young Japanese American men from Hawaii and the internment camps either volunteered or were drafted into the military to form a unit called the 442 Battalion. They fought bravely in the European Campaign and were recognized for their heroism by President Truman.
As history has shown, during WWII, Japanese Americans proved time again their loyalty to the United States. Ms. Melendy seems to suggest otherwise.
I suggest Ms. Melendy do some soul searching into her motives for writing this letter to the Times and to do some serious research before she decides to engage further into this subject.
— Takeo Kato, San Leandro, Interned into Topaz Internment Camp in 1942; served in U.S. Military in 1960
Editor:
I was shocked to read a letter to the editor characterizing Fred Korematsu as a “criminal” rather than a civil rights hero. The letter’s argument is based entirely on stereotypes and prejudice.
It argues that the government was right to forcibly remove its own citizens because “the Japanese” could not be trusted. Yet the author fails to point to a single wrongful act by Korematsu or any of the other Japanese-Americans interned during WWII.
Prejudging an entire community based on their ethnic background is the very definition of racism. We owe it to our children, our neighbors and our community to call it out as such.
The letter also attempts to rationalize its racism by characterizing internment as a necessary wartime “sacrifice.” However, only hypocrites would ask others to bear sacrifices that they are unwilling to bear themselves. I doubt the author would agree to be forcibly removed from her home, ripped from her community and relocated to another state. Nor do I think she would agree to have her property stolen, looted, or otherwise confiscated while she was waiting to return home. Internment was not a sacrifice; it was an unjust punishment imposed upon those whose only “crime” was being born of Japanese descent.
We are a country of Due Process and Equal Protection under the law. Sacrificing those principles in the name of wartime hysteria was not patriotism; it was a betrayal of the ideals on which this nation was founded.
There is a reason that the Supreme Court’s decision in Korematsu v. United States (which upheld internment) has been uniformly discredited and repudiated across the ideological spectrum. We must never let it happen again.
— Alexis Caloza, San Leandro
Editor:
If Cynthia Melendy can call Fred Korematsu a criminal and defend Executive Order 9066, the forced internment of Japanese Americans, then wouldn’t it have been to prudent to put Italian and German Americans in internment camps also during World War II?
—Ben Levy, San Leandro
Editor:
Cynthia Melendy’s letter on the necessity of the Japanese Internment was filled with a great deal of inaccuracy. I think Ms. Melendy is misinformed and I would like to set the record straight.
The internment was not warranted and it was a gross violation of the civil rights of 117,000 American residents. Over 60% of the internees were U.S. citizens.
As far as “wartime sacrifices,” Ms. Melendy should look up the 442nd combat regiment. Made up of Japanese American soldiers, the 442 sacrificed more than any other unit in the history of the U.S. Army.
Ms. Melendy claims that people on the West Coast expected to be invaded by Japan at any moment. She should look up The Battle of Midway which was a victory for the U.S. Navy and a crippling defeat of the Japanese Navy. As of June 6, 1942, it was physically impossible for Japan to invade the West Coast. The full relocation of the Japanese Americans took place in the fall of 1942. While I applaud Ms. Melendy’s grandmother’s plane spotting service, the U.S. military knew the U.S. had nothing to fear after the Battle of Midway.
Ms. Melendy should also be aware that there were over 160,000 Japanese Americans living in Hawaii at the time of Pearl Harbor. Many of them were working in vital defense industry jobs. Japanese Americans in Hawaii were left unmolested.
Fred Korematsu was a U.S. citizen. Mr. Korematsu was not “easily convicted.” He took his case all the way up to the Supreme Court. In 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Japanese Internment was unconstitutional, however, the justices further ruled that it was a “wartime necessity.” Mr. Korematsu’s conviction was voided in 1983 when the U.S. Army admitted that it had lied about the threat posed by Japanese Americans. The Army admitted that it was not prudent and it was not necessary.
The Japanese Internment was based on racism and wartime hysteria. I am hoping that Ms. Melendy’s gross misunderstanding of Japanese culture is due to misinformation.
I fear that today’s politicians are spreading a great deal of misinformation about the culture of Islam and the threat posed by Muslim immigrants. Every American who values our Constitution should resist any law that is based in prejudice and religious bigotry. We should learn from the mistakes we made in 1942. Let us not give in to fear and hate.
— Mark Sigmon, Ph.D., San Leandro
Editor:
I was stunned to read Cynthia Melendy’s letter calling civil rights hero Fred Korematsu a “criminal” and arguing that the Japanese American Internment was “a prudent action.”
I wonder if Melendy also believes that the family of Anne Frank should have succumbed rather than resist the Nazis? Were the Franks also criminals by her logic, because they defied unjust orders?
Numerous presidents have declared that the Japanese American Internment was wrong: Ford terminated Executive Order 9066 in 1976, and issued a public apology; Carter’s 1980 special commission concluded that the relocations occurred because of “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership;” in 1988 Reagan authorized financial reparations to surviving detainees that amounted to more than $1.2 billion.
In 1998, Korematsu received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, from then-President Clinton.
Though some dinosaurs might cling to the idea that these racist concentration camps were somehow justified, history has loudly spoken otherwise: Fred Korematsu wasn’t a criminal, the Japanese American Internment was a crime.
We would all be wise to vigorously oppose the xenophobic Executive Orders today that target our friends, neighbors, and colleagues – otherwise we are bound to repeat the horrific mistakes of our past.
— Christian L. Frock, San Leandro
Editor:
I have no doubt and all hopes that my letter is one of hundreds you receive in sadness about the lead letter in today’s paper calling Fred Korematsu a criminal. I would ask the writer if losing all you have worked for, having your life savings, property, your children’s toys and everything owned except for two suitcases of clothing taken from you with payment of pennies on the dollar or simply lost to theft, is a reasonable sacrifice to your country?
The Japanese were placed in jail without due process of law. While those born in this country were citizens, there were those who were prohibited from applying for citizenship prior to WWII by law so were “enemies” because they were forced to be, but that was not the situation with Mr. Korematsu.
Most people I have spoken with who lived through WWII, including my parents, said everyone sacrificed everything they could for the good of their country up to and including death in combat.
I don’t know of anyone who would have willingly gone to jail and lost everything they had worked for with the government stealing what was left under the color of authority and called it “sacrifice.”
Had the Japanese been left in their homes they would have gladly suffered the same voluntary sacrifices as everyone did (gas rationing/food rationing/every penny going into war bonds, and more) and many of the jailed American citizens of Japanese ancestry volunteered from the camps to fight with the U.S. Army even being only allowed to fight in the European theater because of their ancestry.
One thing which is sadder than the treatment of the American citizens of Japanese ancestry during WWII in the U.S. was the treatment of the same “class” in Canada.
It is also sad that to this day an American citizen would not realize how fragile all of our freedoms are if we allow the government to take them because “it’s for the good of the country.”
Due process under the law is a Constitutional right which applies to ALL Americans and residents of this country.
— Moira Fry, San Leandro
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LETTERS • 02-16-17
Calls Korematsu ‘a Criminal,’ Not a Civil Rights Pioneer
Editor:
Regarding the article “Remembering Civil Rights Pioneer Fred Korematsu” (Page 3, The Times, Feb. 2), I wasn’t alive in WWII, but I do not remember him as a civil rights pioneer but as a criminal.
American citizen or not, the relocation was a prudent action. It is a myth that it was wrong to send Japanese to internment camps. What about sacrificing to support your country?
This was the same time that other Americans were voluntarily sacrificing to win the war and using rationing coupons. People his age made the hard choices necessary to keep America free of German or Japanese takeovers. I do not feel any regret over my forbearer’s actions, but regret that people now consider this action too extreme.
Remember, the people on the U.S. West Coast expected to be attacked any time by the Japanese after Pearl Harbor. My grandmother was in charge of a plane spotter unit – one of the many civilians called on to help. I have a copy of her commission, and the building used still exists.
The Japanese had dual citizenship, sent their eldest sons back to Japan for education and military service, and revered the Japanese emperor as a God. And the local Japanese were not immigrants on their own, but had received payment from the Japanese government to relocate to the US.
People on the West Coast were killed by Japanese fire balloons. Dead Japanese were washing up on beaches. Relocation was a prudent action. What if Japan had invaded and its soldiers hid among the locals? Since the locals considered the Emperor as a God, would they hide and support his servants, or turn them in to the US police? The uncertainty seemed too great a risk. So Fred Korematsu was easily convicted in 1942.
The foundation created in 2009 pushed through the later changes. I remember when the school was named. There was a lot of dissent to the name but the foundation staff was there, and the name was a done deal.
— Cynthia Melendy, San Leandro
Oroville Peril a Demonstration of Community Compassion
Editor:
In my 94th year, my faith in humanity has been restored by the people of Butte County who opened their hearts, their time and their facilities public and private to accommodate the many thousands of people and their animals evacuated away from the spillway danger at Oroville Dam.
What a welcome affirmative “people-attitude” to observe after enduring a public attitude of negativity, marches, demonstrations, protests and damaging riots.
— Howard Kerr, Former Councilman and Vice Mayor, San Leandro
Only One Right Way to Spell ‘Eucalyptus’
Editor:
Sorry, I couldn’t help but notice that there were not one, not two, but at least three creative spellings of “eucalyptus” in the San Leandro Times’ February 9
feature on the fallen tree in the San Leandro Creek. I know this isn’t a native tree, but let’s have some respect for spelling it!
— Sarah Nash, San Leandro
Charges ‘Collusion’ in Berkeley Protest Against Yiannopoulos
Editor:
There was a clear collusion between the state, the City of Berkeley, UCB and the police to prevent Milo Yiannopoulos from speaking.
There was not a single cop outside the building to protect attendants to the event, neither did they attempt to protect the businesses from vandalism and burglary. A shameful conspiracy.
It was shown that UC Berkeley “Free Speech” is a total fraud, just like at that Berkeley “Free Speech” radio station , KPFA – totally one-sided propaganda for the Democratic Party. After eight years of a government of the criminals who were allowed to vandalize the streets with impunity, they don’t want to be restrained.
In Berkeley they showed their political “principles” by breaking businesses’ windows and entering into Chase Bank, hoping to put their hands on some dough, not any different from the close to 2,000 criminals released by the No.1 criminal, Barack Obama, before he got a royal kick in the butt.
This state of things is going to stop in the next eight years and the citizens of this country should get on the streets to stop them.
— Leo T. West, San Leandro
‘A Few Facts to Share’ on Adoption
Editor:
No Animosity Intended to Corey Anderson (“Calls Letter-Writer’s Pro-Choice Argument ‘Intellectually Lazy’,” Letters, Feb. 9).
I appreciate your stance – just have a few facts to share. No one has ever called me “intellectually lazy” and I resent your use of the words.
Yes – there are many couples waiting for babies – key word babies. There are many older children needing a home. As for my knowledge of the situation my daughter first fostered a developmentally challenged girl of age 5 and then adopted her a few months later. We know quite a bit about this subject. I leave you to your beliefs and I’ll keep mine.
— Gerry Mellen, San Leandro
Says Liberals Have Perfected Intolerance Into an Art Form
Editor:
Addressing responses to my letter praising the pro-life aspects of Donald Trump’s victory:
Pro-life concerns go well beyond birth, to helping people live full lives from conception until natural death, by fighting the modern evils of euthanasia, assisted suicide, and embryonic stem cell research. Prospective adoptive parents and foster families eagerly await the opportunity to welcome new life into their homes. Not every pro-lifer has the means or ability to raise a child, but that is no excuse for abortion. The many open arms mean that there is no such thing as an unwanted child.
I never said I was not concerned about Muslims. I disagree with Trump on the immigration ban and The Wall. I believe in religious freedom for all, but my intent was to address discrimination against preachers quoting scripture being called “haters,” religious groups ordered to provide abortion and contraceptive coverage, and bakers, photographers and others losing livelihoods for refusing to provide services that require active participation in ceremonies their faith tells them are illicit.
The “intolerance” dart is thrown at conservatives by those who cannot tolerate anyone who does not share their leftist beliefs. The hate-filled diatribes against Trump, the Cal riot, and the profanity and obscenity-laden speech of celebrities and protesters (who seem to have no other vocabulary) are evidence that it is liberals who have perfected “intolerance” into an art form.
— Stephanie Choury, San Leandro
Asks When Will Republicans in Congress Realize Impeachment Is Necessary?
Editor:
Democrats condemn the immigration ban on seven countries as being anti-Muslim, antithetical to our American values. Republicans defend it saying it only bans immigrants from seven of 19 Muslim-majority countries.
Democrats point out that nobody from those seven countries has ever caused a terror incident in our country, and that many countries of terrorists’ origin just happen to be places where the President has private business dealings. Republicans answer that the list came from the Obama administration.
Nevertheless, Republicans and Democrats do agree that the immigration ban was poorly planned, insufficiently vetted, and incompetently managed. Green-card holders, valid visa recipients, and people with dual citizenship should not have been banned. Given then-candidate-Trump’s many statements about excluding Muslims, and the public admission that he commissioned Rudy Giuliani to find a “legal way” to make such a restriction, the appearance of immoral discrimination overwhelms whatever words are on the executive order.
Huge damage is being done, according to hundreds of military and State Department professionals who know what they are talking about. Trump’s blunder is weakening the resolve of our allies in the fight against ISIS, and strengthening the veracity of terrorists among their adherents.
Seeking and taking advice from knowledgeable professionals is something the arrogant blowhard bullies in the White House are incapable of, to the detriment of our national security and our moral reputation. How much more danger must we be put in before the Republicans in Congress realize that impeachment is necessary?
— Bruce Joffe, Piedmont
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LETTERS • 02-09-17
Asks Why City Would Fund Davis Street Center to Be a Sponsor for Chamber of Commerce Events?
Editor:
Thank you City Manager, Mayor and City Council for ensuring that Davis Street Family Resources Center (DSFRC) repaid the $1.5-million loan back to the City and residents of San Leandro.
If that loan was not repaid, City services would have been cut, maybe that pothole not filled, or that street not repaved, or the library hours cut back, or the pool not open during the summer.
If DSFRC continues to apply for CDBG funds from the City, why should we support providing those funds when they are just using it to be an Emerald Sponsor for the recent Chamber of Commerce event as well as other Chamber events?
We know that they are running at over $1million deficit annually, so what program did not get funded, or what family in need did not get services, so they could sponsor Chamber of Commerce events? Is that why you donate to DSFRC – so they can sponsor Chamber of Commerce events? The DSFRC Board of Directors needs to get this center in order.
— Diana Souza, San Leandro
Disgusted by School District’s Handling of Honors Class Issue
Editor:
As someone who went to the January 12 meeting at San Leandro High School in regards to the proposed dropping of honors classes, I feel compelled to voice my disgust at how misleading and disingenuous the SLUSD is being about this debacle.
For one, the district representatives made it plain that there are ongoing discussions between the administration and teachers at SLHS about cutting honors courses; a far cry from the non-issue this interview makes things out to be.
They aren’t at a point of voting one way or another just yet, according to the administrators who controlled the meeting, but the issue is anything but shelved and clearly picking up momentum, as can be inferred from the hosts of students who went home to tell their parents about the situation. The way that Mucetti claims “There was this fear that got around to parents, but no change is being made” is insulting at best, blatant misdirection and obfuscation at worst.
The meeting itself was a disaster from the second it veered towards discussion of this topic, as the district rep had the nerve to claim that she had no idea why we were all gathered. We were gathered there because the students, not the school, made a potentially damaging bit of a possible policy change widely known prior to it being carefully sanitized and prettied up by administrators before being drip-fed to the public.
The fact that the bulk of the meeting was spent hearing administrators pat themselves on the backs and then talk to, not with, the people assembled is quite telling of how little the district was actually interested in discussing this issue at all.
Perhaps most frightening, however, is this mucking with the facts that the district is now engaged in when it comes to discussing the merits of honors classes. To say that these courses offer “similar, more challenging material but the end game is not the same” does little to convey the reality of how colleges offer more consideration to students who participate in honors course work versus CP. There might not be a nearly-$100 test to take at the end for honors classes, but they’re incredibly valuable to students trying to go to college.
At this point, there needs to be a frank black and white discussion as to why teachers want these classes cut and why the district and SLHS are being so coy about it. Honestly, it’s clear from what I saw at the meeting that the district was only interested in pretending to have a discussion with parents because the students ratted them out. Shameful.
— Robert Marrujo, San Leandro
City’s ‘Just Cause for Evictions’ Not a Protection for SL Families
Editor:
Attention tenants: Here we go again.
Landlords and their puppets on the city council are putting the finishing touches on an aggressive new approach to displacement “buyouts.” Not happy with having gutted what little recourse the toothless rent review board provided, a proposal pitched by councilmember Lee Thomas and apparently seconded by councilmember Corina Lopez would put a target on San Leandro families and seniors who are barely scraping by.
The proposal for relocation payments is sold as a “just cause for eviction” whatever the proposal is, it’s not a protection for San Leandro families. The proposal as presented does not limit evictions, does not slow down displacement and creates a profit motive for landlords to evict long term tenants.
We do not need your money, we need just cause for eviction. Just cause is exactly what it sounds like, it’s an ordinance that limits evictions so that landlords must have just cause to take your home.
We demand that no tenant will be evicted unless one of the following happens.
1. onpayment of rent, habitual late payment, or frequent bounced checks.
2. reach (violation) of a term of the rental agreement that has not been corrected after written notice from the landlord.
3. uisance or substantial damage to the unit (waste), or “creating a substantial interference with the comfort, safety, or enjoyment of the landlord or other tenants in the building.“
4. llegal use of the unit.
5. ermination of the rental agreement and the tenant refuses to execute a written extension for materially the same terms.
6. he tenant has, after written notice to cease, refused the landlord access to the unit as required by law.
7. napproved subtenant (approval can be either stated or implied) is the only person still remaining in the unit (subtenant holding over).
8. ove-in of the landlord or a close relative of the landlord (if the landlord lives in the building).
9. emolition or removal of the unit from housing use.
Capital improvements or rehabilitation with all the necessary permits that allows temporary removal of the unit from housing use. The tenant has the right to re-occupy the unit once the work is completed at the prior rent.
10. llis Act evictions which require withdrawal from rental housing use all of the units in the building or a unit detached from another structure on the same lot (e.g. a cottage).
Stop the landlord giveaway, real Just Cause Now.
— Guillermo Elenes, co-chair San Leandro Tenant Union de Vecinos
Thoughts While Waiting in Line at the Bank
Editor:
One day last December, after Federal Reserve Chief Janet Yellen announced a rise in interest rates, my bank started to charge for coffee. It was only 50 cents, but I was paying for checking and money orders as well as interest on my loan. Lots of other customers weren’t happy, either.
“Every month they charge for checking and now they want fifty cents for coffee,” said a lady who was 15 people back in the teller line. “Who are they, the airlines?”
“I’m sure that after Donald Trump gets elected, things will change for the better,” said a man, who was second in line.
I wasn’t sure whether his optimism was due to his place in line or the fact he knew something about Trump the rest of us didn’t.
“How do you know,” I asked.
“Oh, Donald will fight for the little guy. Didn’t he tweet that to us?”
“I don’t remember,” I replied. “He’s tweeted so much stuff. Is there a record of his tweets?”
“I think Putin has all of them,” replied a woman, who was 17 people back in the line.
Just as the line started moving closer to the teller’s window, a thin man who looked pale, collapsed. I heard the crowd gasp.
After the ambulance arrived, the man, who was conscious, refused to be taken to the hospital. “Please don’t take me,” he pleaded. “I’ll lose my insurance under TrumpCare.”
He consented to go in the ambulance after a bank employee convinced him that only ex-President Obama could take away his healthcare and Obama will be out of office by the time his bill arrives from the hospital.
As the teller line moved forward, some people said that President Trump and the Republicans will bring fresh air to the country. I wasn’t so sure. I was glad the bank’s java is cheaper than a cup of coffee at Starbuck’s.
— George Banks, San Leandro
Calls Letter-Writer’s Pro-Choice Argument ‘Intellectually Lazy’
Editor:
To Gerry Mellen (“Wonders Why ‘Pro-Lifers’ Ignore Unwanted Children After Birth,” Letters, Feb. 2): Do you know any “Pro-Lifers”? Have you bothered to ask us or any adoption counselors how many families are waiting to adopt children? You say we don’t care about kids after birth. This is intellectually lazy. Adoption counselors say there are 30 couples awaiting a chance to adopt a single available baby. Couples compete with each other to prove they would be good parents. Candidates offer to pay thousands of dollars for the health of the mother through the pregnancy.
Or have you called First Resort here in San Leandro? Or any crisis pregnancy center? This is a free counseling service provided by caring people to women who find themselves pregnant out of wedlock who need support. The caring continues well after birth.
Then there are the foster parents I know. It goes on and on. If you have not seen “uproar about what happens to unwanted children,” as you say, maybe it is because adoptions and fostering happen quietly.
“Unwanted babies” is a straw man argument which you then try to knock down because if babies are unwanted, abortion is justified. The people of your faith would rather kill the unborn baby than be inconvenienced by an unwanted pregnancy. That is despicable. Abortion is defended by so many because people want sex without consequences (thanks, ’60s generation), that’s why this “straw man” of uncaring Pro-Lifers is used to accuse us without investigating the truth.
To everyone who just parrots this argument, please stop drinking the Kool-Aid by abortionists and put some effort into understanding the facts. Many lives depend on it.
— Corey Anderson, San Leandro
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LETTERS • 02-02-17
Wonders Why ‘Pro-Lifers’ Ignore Unwanted Children after Birth
Editor:
This is a reply to Stephanie Choury (“Trump Victory ‘Brought About By Prayers of Pro-Lifers’,” Letters, Jan. 26).
I applaud your right to your opinion, but have one question that has bothered me for years.
Why are pro-lifers all so vigilant about life before it’s born and ignore the problems for many of these unwanted children after they’re born? I would agree with you whole heartedly if every pro-lifer agreed to adopt, raise and support every unwanted child that is born.
I don’t see any uproar about what happens to our unwanted children after birth – caring has to be for that life after birth as well as before.
— Gerry Mellen, San Leandro
‘How Do We Handle People Who Deny Reality?’
Editor:
The Washington Post showed photos of the crowds at Trump’s and Obama’s 2009 inauguration to 1,388 Americans. Half were not told which inauguration the photos showed, they were simply asked to point to the larger crowd.
In that group, 41 percent of declared Trump supporters pointed to the smaller crowd and said it was bigger. How’s that possible?
From WikiPedia: “In the psychology of human behavior, denialism is a person’s choice to deny reality, as a way to avoid a psychologically uncomfortable truth. Denialism is an essentially irrational action that withholds the validation of a historical experience or event, by the person refusing to accept an empirically verifiable reality.”
No one makes good decisions from inaccurate, incomplete or obsolete information, but people make stupid decisions every time they ignore the facts altogether. Duh!
Well documented lists of Trump’s lies and contradictions are easy to find because he lies constantly, blatantly, without shame or regret. Every day he says something so outrageous it sends the media, America, and much of the world into confusion and panic.
These are attempts to distract us from Trump’s dubious activities including trying to muzzle the “hostile” media, silence scientific organizations and remove factual information from government websites which do not conform to Trump’s Alice-in-Wonderland view of the universe.
How can anyone believe anything the rookie Trump administration says when even his own cabinet appointees (dis-appointees?) contradict Trump at their confirmation hearings when they said, “NATO good, Russia bad, walls don’t work, torture and a Muslim ban are illegal, un-American and counter productive in the war on terror.”
He won’t release his taxes, and claims he’s impervious to conflict of interest laws. No big deal, right?
His minions eat it up, and say, “Please, sir, may I have some more.” (And the minions include Republican leaders who twist themselves into Gordian knots trying to support Trumps bizarre rants and proposals.)
Q: How do you have a civil debate with politicians who refuse to bargain in good faith or citizens who display ignorance, hate, self-destructive behavior? How do we handle people who deny reality?
A: We demonstrate how to act like an American. We stand together the way we did during the biggest demonstration in history against Trump and in support of women’s and human rights. We dash to the barricades the way many thousands did at airports and federal buildings across America when the disastrous Muslim ban was launched. We fight like they did in 1776.
Paraphrasing German Pastor Martin Neimoller: “First they came for the fact checkers, and I did not speak out because I’m not a fact checker. Then they came for the dissenters and I did not speak out because I’m not a dissenter. Then they came for the poor, the uneducated and the sick, and I did not speak out because I wasn’t poor, uneducated or sick. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”
We stand up for the oppressed, the poor, the sick and the defenseless — because that is what Americans have always done, because that is who we are! We can’t delay, freedom and justice are just too precious… and fragile.
— Sal Capo, San Leandro
Says Trump’s Only Mandate Exists in His Imagination
Editor:
Poor Leo T. (“Trump’s Speech ‘a Beautiful Departing Kick in Obama’s Butt’,” Leo T. West, Letters, Jan. 26).
Never stops ranting and raving about scabs, political conspiracies, enemies, and, of course, Obama. But forgets to mention that Trump lost to a woman by 2,865,000 votes.
Fifty-four percent of voting Americans didn’t want Trump in charge of anything, while California voted nearly 2-to-1 against him.
Alameda County? 5-to-1 against him, while San Francisco County did even better at 9-to-1.
Even that normal bastion of the right wing – Orange County – didn’t want him either.
The only “public mandate” that exists is in Trump’s vivid imagination, which, as we’ve seen, has no limits, while he quickly refills his “drained swamp” with Wall Street’s own “swamp monsters”
— Ken Kellogg, San Leandro
Trump Ban on Mostly Muslim Countries Called ‘Divisive, Destructive, Despicable’
Editor:
It was a stupid campaign “pledge” to block entry to our country for people from Muslim countries. As a policy, which the inexperienced President just promulgated, it is divisive, destructive, and despicable.
The Bully-in-Chief has now divided law-abiding Americans into “them” and “us.” He has confirmed the worst propaganda that religious fanatics abroad say about us: that we are anti-Muslim. He is creating enemies where we once had friends. He is alienating the very people in this country who have been most helpful in combating Islamic terrorism.
Is this the action of a traitorous dictator or a mentally incompetent nincompoop? Either way, when will Republicans in Congress impeach and replace him?
—Bruce Joffe, Piedmont
Has Some Questions About Recent Issues in San Leandro
Editor:
I have some questions regarding issues brought up in the last few editions of your paper:
Why does the city manager demand fiscal responsibility for $1.5 million dollars of public money when it’s spent on social services, but not when 3/4 of a million is proposed to be spent on art?
Or, when over 1/4 million was already spent on musical chairs, graffiti electrical boxes and decorative flags?
Why do the new owners of Trailer Haven think we can’t do math? If you jack rents by 25 percent, and offer a hardship discount of 10 percent, doesn’t that mean even hardship cases will still be paying a huge 15-percent raise?
Why does Councilmember Lopez encourage everyone to support a council vote to make San Leandro a sanctuary city, while ignoring the fact that many of them work in low-wage, no-benefit jobs – or two – and struggle mightily to meet the soaring costs of rent? Does this indicate she’s willing to protect these people from ICE, but not from the landlords?
Why does Mr. West (Letters, Jan. 26) not know what a “scab” is? I’m a retired union worker, and scabs are persons brought in to work at our jobs – without union wages and with no benefits – if we go on strike or are locked out. It’s a tried and true union-busting tactic. Maybe it means something a bit different in the country he emigrated from?
Why does Ms. Choury (Letters, Jan. 26) think people like herself are being persecuted for their faith, but doesn’t have a single word calling out the injustice of a Muslim registry? She accuses us of being “unfamiliar with the laws of god,” while totally ignoring the fact that not everyone holds, nor is required to hold, her beliefs. So now who’s the intolerant one?
— K. Lee-Figueroa, San Leandro
Something To Be Thankful for in Times of Doubt and Fear
Editor and Fellow Citizens:
In this time of doubt and fear, and angst, let us be thankful.
For what, you say?
I say for the sun that rises faithfully in the east and gives light and life to the Earth. I choose to thank God, the creator of heaven and earth, for where would we be without the sun.
— Ute Anderson, San Leandro
Dismayed Over Trump Go-Ahead on Oil Pipeline Projects
Editor:
It is with great dismay that President Trump has committed human rights violations towards American Indians such as the Lakota people by signing an executive order that will renew the building of both the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines that will devastate their homelands in both North and South Dakota.
In the case of the Keystone Pipeline, the oil from it will spill into the water in which the Lakotas drink and bathe in. Also, in the case of the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Texas-based oil company Energy Transfer Partners rammed through the pipeline over the Lakota sacred sites and will have oil spill into the Missouri River.
During the last two years of his term, President Obama vetoed a bill that would have allowed the building of the Keystone Pipeline and his Army Corp of Engineers in December denied a permit for Energy Transfer Partners to continue to build this pipeline. Now, President Trump has once again given green light to build these pipelines. People who are concerned about the well-being of the Lakota people, should rise up and fight Trump’s actions.
— Billy Trice, Jr., Oakland
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OBITUARIES • 02-23-17
CARRAI, Valerie
HARRIS, Shelton Thomas
TALIAFERRO, Wardell B.
CARRAI, Valerie, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2017 at the age of 54. Her funeral services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro and the Interment was held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510 483-0123, www.santos-robinson.com).
HARRIS, Shelton Thomas, a resident of San Leandro, was a 1976 graduate of Orange High School in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Shortly after graduating high school, Shelton joined the U.S. Navy in 1977. Soon after, he relocated to Oakland, enjoying a long career as a valued member of the Longshoreman Association and Union. Shelton passed away after a courageous battle with cancer in San Leandro. Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, at Fuller Funeral Home, 4647 International Blvd., in Oakland.
TALIAFERRO, Wardell B., of San Leandro passed on February 12, 2017. A Chapel Blessing celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Interment will be private. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).
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OBITUARIES • 02-16-17
BACCETTI, Valerio
HERNANDEZ, Stella A.
HOLMGREN, Mary Ann
LINCOLN, Abraham
LOCKERBIE, Urania M.
SMITH, Phil H.
BACCETTI, Valerio, a resident of San Leandro passed away on February 8, 2017 at the age of 85. Visitation will be held at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. with a Vigil service beginning at 7 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. at Church of the Assumption, 1100 Fulton Ave., in San Leandro. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward.Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510-483-0123, www.santos-robinson.com).
HERNANDEZ, Stella A., a longtime resident of San Leandro, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on February 8, 2017 at the age of 92. Stella was a nurse for over 50 years. Her hands healed many and her heart embraced more. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at St. Leander Catholic Church. Interment was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510-483-0123, www.santos-robinson.com).
HOLMGREN, Mary Ann, 85, a long-time resident of San Leandro, passed away in Cumming, Georgia, where she had been living with her daughter. She was born on October 18, 1931, in East Aurora, New York. She graduated from East Aurora High School and, afterwards, relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, working as a switchboard operator for the Kaiser Corporation. In 1951, she married Vernon Leroy Holmgren. After their three children entered school, Mary resumed working for Safeway, Russell’s Markets and Porter’s Market. She was a member of UFCW and retired after 20 years. She is survived by her 3 children, Marc, Karen Hodges and Eric, along with 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Mary was an avid reader and enjoyed doing things with and for her family. Her cremated remains will be interred beside her husband at Lone Tree Cemetary in Hayward later this year.
LINCOLN, Abraham (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) — On April 15th, the President and Mrs. Lincoln attended a play at Ford’s Theater and at 10:30 p.m., the President was assassinated at the hand of John Wilkes Booth, a confederate sympathizer. The President was taken to the Petersen House, across the street from the theater, where he died on April 16th at 7:22 a.m. After an outstanding response last year, we decided to bring Mr. Lincoln back to Hayward. On February 22nd through the 26th, a replica of the Lincoln coffin will be on display at Holy Angels Sorensen Chapel, 1140 B St, in Hayward. Various Lincoln memorabilia will also be on display for viewing. A Lincoln impersonator will be present providing a glimpse of Mr. Lincoln’s life, also delivering the Gettysburg Address and the President’s 2nd Inaugural Address. A reenactment of President Lincoln’s Funeral on DVD will be shown. Each presentation runs about two hours long. Other special events that week include: Dinner with Mr. Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. Buffet style dinner served, seating limited, available to only 50 people, RSVPs are necessary, $25 per person; and School Essay Contest Presentation, Saturday, Feb. 25, at 4:30 p.m.
LOCKERBIE, Urania M., a resident of San Leandro, passed away on February 12, 2017. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Funeral Mass will also be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Leander Catholic Church, 550 W. Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510-483-0123, www.santos-robinson.com).
SMITH, Phil H., an IRS large case manager and long-time resident of San Leandro, died unexpectedly on February 6, 2017 at the age of 82 with his family by his side. Phil is survived by his wife, Margo Smith; his children, Bill Smith, Coleen Zamira and Yvonne Wills; his grandchildren, Chris, Alexandria, Jake, Aaron, Ryan, and Brittany; and his great-grandchildren, Kolby, Leonardo and Lorraine. Phil was born in Los Angeles on June 3, 1934 to Phil and Tressie Smith. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 1958 with a degree in Business Administration and received his CPA following his graduation. On May 16, 1959, he married Margo, his college sweetheart. Phil was an active father and an enthusiast for the outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, backpacking and camping. He spent most of his weekends at the Delta teaching friends and family to fish and water ski. He spent every morning having breakfast with his wife at local coffee shops and his afternoons working in his shop carving bowls and researching his family tree. Phil was known to family and friends as “Mr. Fix-it” and could build anything his family needed for around the house. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him. A funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the First Presbyterian Church on Estudillo. Pastor Anne Swanson will officiate. In lieu of flowers, you may donate in Phil’s name to DAV Charities of San Joaquin County to support our veterans at 10100 Trinity Parkway, Stockton, CA 95219 or a charity of your choice.
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OBITUARIES • 02-09-17
ALCANTAR, Virginia L.
SANTOS, Petronilla M.
STEVENS, Lionel P.
ALCANTAR, Virginia L., entered into rest on February 4, 2017 at age 90. She was born on August 16, 1926 in Fresno, CA. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Sunday, Feb. 12. Visitation from noon to 4 p.m. with a Vigil Service beginning at 1 p.m. at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Monday Feb. 13 Funeral Liturgy 10:30 a.m. at St. Felicitas Church, 1604 Manor Blvd., San Leandro. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements by Santos-Robinson Mortuary, San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).
SANTOS, Petronilla M. (AKA Nanay), a resident of San Leandro, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at age 97. Nanay was born in Tanay, Rizal Province, Philippines and immigrated to the Bay Area 41 years ago. She is survived by her 4 daughters, Melodia, Thelma, Elvira and Mercedes. She is preceded in death by her 2 sons, Rodolfo and Lucino. Nanay was a loving grandmother and great-grandmother to dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Viewing will be held today, Feb. 9, at Santos-Robinson Mortuary from noon to 8 p.m. Church Mass is on Friday, Feb. 10, at St. Leander Church at 10 a.m. Burial Service is on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward.
STEVENS, Lionel P., passed away at age 85, peacefully at home in San Leandro in the presence of his loving wife and family on January 21, 2017. The service will be private for closest of friends and family.
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OBITUARIES • 02-02-17
FERREIRA, Ruth Helen
MECK, George H., Jr.
VERDUZCO, Jesse G.
FERREIRA, Ruth Helen (July 8, 1921 – January 24, 2017), was born in Los Banos, California, and grew up in San Leandro. She passed peacefully with her family by her side at her home in Oakland. Ruth is survived by David, her devoted husband of 70 years. She was a beloved mother to her children, Douglas (Rosalie) and Russell (Renae). She loved and adored her 5 grandchildren, Doug, Jr. (Brandy) David (Lisa), Andrew, Adam and Robert; and her 5 great-grandchildren, Marina, Madeleine, David Jr., Joseph and Madelyn. She is warmly remembered by her nieces, Victoria Sciacca (Paul), Annie and Tori; her nephew and godson, Gilbert Colomy; and her caregiver-angel, Dawn Robinson Criss. Friends and family gathered at Assumption Church in San Leandro for a Mass of Christian Burial.
MECK, George H. Meck, Jr., a resident of San Leandro, passed away January 21, 2017. He was 83 years old. George was born in Sacramento and raised in Niles. Graveside services to be held at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4.
VERDUZCO, Jesse G., a longtime resident of San Leandro, passed away on January 24, 2017 at age 72. At his request, no services will be held. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).
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