SLT ARCHIVES • JANUARY 2017

Dems Rally Against Trump Policies

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     A San Leandro contingent joined towns across the country last Friday to protest the election of President Donald Trump.

     A crowd met at the San Leandro BART Station and marched to City Hall for a rally organized by the San Leandro Democratic Club, along with the Democratic clubs from Hayward and Castro Valley. A second march arrived from San Leandro High to bolster the rally.

     Former City Councilman Jim Prola told the crowd that since Trump supports more coal-fired power maybe he’s in favor of asthma. Prola then reminded the crowd that the president had said the election is rigged.

     “Yeah it was,” Prola said. “By the Russians and Trump.”

     Prola told the crowd, if you want a more progressive policies, get active, attend town hall meetings, apply for boards and commissions, and run for office.

     City Councilwoman Corina Lopez spoke about San Leandro becoming a sanctuary city, reminding the crowd that the issue will come before the City Council at the Feb. 21 meeting at 7 p.m.

     Lopez said people say that becoming a sanctuary city, which goes against federal law on immigration, could cause San Leandro to lose federal funds.”

     “I say, so what?” Lopez said.

     Former mayor Stephen Cassidy said that Trump is legally our president but not legitimately our president, borrowing a line from Congressman John Lewis. He told the crowd to protest and agitate as did the suffragists and the Tea Party.

     “If they can do it, we can,” Cassidy said.

     A San Leandro High student spoke in support of the sanctuary city. The high school’s Social Justice Academy has an online petition to make both the city and the schools a sanctuary – so as to not cooperate with federal authorities if Washington decides to deport people who aren’t in the country legally.

     “Go to your phone and type www.tinyurl.com/slsanctuary,” said the student, giving the link to the online petition. “Being undocumented is not a crime.”

     Other speakers led the group in singing “We Shall Overcome” and “Reach Out and Touch Someone.” And then a speaker led the crowd in a call-and-response, “When I say ‘people,’ you say ‘power.’”

     Giving the power to the people is the same theme as the Trump campaign. So it turns out, we’re all in agreement, the country is united.

CAPTION: Despite the rain over a hundred people turned out for the march and rally in protest of President Trump.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Davis Street Repays City Loan

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     The Davis Street Family Resource Center has paid off the $1.5 million it owed the City of San Leandro for a loan that came due last summer.

     The city gave Davis Street the loan in 2014 to help Davis Street start a medical clinic for the needy. The due date for the loan to be repaid was last June, but Davis Street only paid back the interest.

     The city subsequently offered Davis Street an extension to Oct. 31, a deadline that passed with no repayment.

     City manger Chris Zapata praised Davis Street’s charitable works, but said that because the loan comes from taxpayer dollars, the city had to insist on repayment.

     So in December,  Zapata sent Davis Street director Rose Johnson and the board of directors a letter offering another extension in exchange for a 25 percent repayment and an audit of Davis Street’s books.

     Instead, Davis Street took out a loan from a third party and paid the city back in full.

     Johnson said that the money to repay the city was secured via private loan from an investment group, who agreed to pay the full amount so the city could be repaid.

     The Davis Street Family Resource Center is a non-profit that provides a variety of social services including a food panty and medical care for needy people in the community.

     Johnson said she was overly optimistic about how long it would take to get the clinic up and running. The original plan was for the city to front the cash and for federal and state funding to come in once the clinic was operating.

     “The difficulty we experienced was the result of timing,” said Johnson. “Originally I should have asked for 10-year loan to allow for ramping up. Ever the optimist, I believed we would have paid it off within the two-year term.”

     Johnson said the clinic is now successfully serving patients – nearly 3,000 San Leandro residents have visited the clinic. Davis Street has also added nutritional and ophthalmological services.

     Johnson says that now that the loan has been repaid to the city, she wants to focus on the work that Davis Street does.

     The city has a long history of working with Davis Street and says that granting any future loans to Davis Street or any other organization will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the City Council, according to deputy city manager Eric Engelbart.

     The city did not assess any penalty for the late payment, but did continue to charge 4 percent interest until the loan was repaid on Jan. 19.

     In total, Davis Street paid the principal of $1.5 million and an additional $168,750 in interest for the loan.

     According to Davis Street’s most recent financial audit, in the 2016 fiscal year Davis Street had  $9.2 million in total revenue – $6 million of which was from federal, state, county, city, and regional sources. Davis Street reported a $1.1 million net loss in 2016 with $10.3 million in total expenses, including $3.8 million in salaries and benefits.

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‘Mayor of San Lorenzo’ Retires from Route

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     After more than 30 years on his San Lorenzo route, United Parcel Service (UPS) delivery driver Keith Barros is hanging up his brown uniform and retiring.

     Barros is sometime called the “Mayor of San Lorenzo” because he’s so well known around town – both for delivering his packages along Hesperian and Lewelling boulevards and for being a frequent speaker at San Lorenzo Village Homes Association meetings.

     “For better or worse, I’m probably the most recognized person in the zip code,” said Barros. “People are always very friendly.”

     Barros, 65, delivered his last package earlier this month after more than 30 years with UPS and 25 on the San Lorenzo route.

     “There could have been no better job for me,” said Barros, who applied to UPS back in 1982 because a friend of his recommended it as a good place to work. “The rest is history. This has been the job of a lifetime”

     Barros said that the job was challenging, but rewarding. People were always happy to see him because he usually was bringing them something they wanted or needed.

     Things have changed over the past three decades. When he started, Barros said those familiar brown UPS trucks didn’t have automatic transmissions, power steering or even sun visors. Now, the whole system has been streamlined and automated. It’s a good thing – with the increase in online shopping, delivery drivers are busier than ever.

     “It’s like night and day, the volume since online shopping,” said Barros.

     Averaging about 250 deliveries a day, Barros had plenty of opportunity to deliver unusual items.

     One that stands out in his memory is the time a box full of live frogs somehow got opened en route for delivery.

     “Many years ago I was arranging the packages and I could hear something moving in the back of the truck,” said Barros. “That was a surprise.”

     And often people would ship toys that would turn on and start playing music, which could give a driver a scare. But Barros said the strangest encounter during his time delivering was when Orchard Supply Hardware was supposed to take delivery of some boxes of ladybugs.

     One of the boxes opened and about 30,000 of the insects got loose in the back of a truck. When they opened the truck, the ladybugs were covering every single surface.

     “It was like a movie, they were everywhere,” said Barros.

     And the “Mayor of San Lorenzo” has met some famous faces during his time on the job. He got an autograph on a delivery slip  from legendary 49ers running back Roger Craig when the athlete was doing a photo shoot at a studio in San Lorenzo.

     Barros ran into one of the Temptations at Rasputin Records on Hesperian Boulevard and musician Shelia E. at a recording studio in Oakland. Her signature stood out to him because she signs her name backward like a mirror-image.

     At his retirement party, Barros sang a song he wrote called “The Retiring UPS Driver’s National Anthem” to the tune of “New York, New York,” and his coworkers and friends loved it.

     Barros loves to sing his original parodies – he did one at a Teamsters convention in Las Vegas that brought the house down.

     “And let me tell you, 400 Teamsters are a tough audience,” joked Barros.

     Now that he’s retired, Barros says he’ll have more time to enjoy San Lorenzo, the place he has lived for the past 40 years.  And he wants to fix up his home, travel, hit the gym, and spend time with family and friends.

     “I’m looking forward to savoring each day,” said Barros.

CAPTION: Well-known San Lorenzo UPS driver Keith Barros, known as “The Mayor of San Lorenzo,” retired from the job this month.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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No Change To Honors Classes at SL High

BY AMY SYLVESTRI •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

    Honors classes will continue to be offered at San Leandro High despite a rumor that spread on social media that said the classes were being eliminated.

    Each year, the teachers consider various options for classes in the next year’s curriculum

    The English department recently discussed whether honors English is necessary if advanced placement (AP) English was also being offered, according to Dr. Rosanna Mucetti, the San Leandro school district’s deputy superintendent.

    Ultimately, they decided to keep the courses as they are, including honors English. But the rumor spread to students, then parents, and then around the internet.

    “There was this fear that got around to parents, but no change is being made,” Mucetti said. “Right now, all schools are looking at their courses because statewide curriculum standards are changing.”

     The difference between honors and AP classes is that, at the end of the year, AP students take what Mucetti calls a “high stakes test.” And if they do well on the test, they can sometimes leverage that for college credit.

    San Leandro high offers AP classes in English, history,and some science disciplines.

    In honors courses, the class covers similar material, but there is no big test for college points at the end of the year.

    “It’s similar, more challenging material but the end game is not the same,” said Mucetti.

    Mucetti says that when the rumor spread, there were a lot of concerned parents, so she wants to set the record straight.

    “This is a topic of passion because of the implications the coursework has for students heading to college,” said Mucetti.

    Mucetti added that there are no plans to change the honors coursework and that any changes to the school’s curriculum wouldn’t be a sudden decision because they would have to be approved by the school board.

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Meeting Called to Examine Eden Health Care

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     The public is invited to a special meeting that will examine a study of the Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave. in Castro Valley.

     The meeting agenda is available on the Alameda Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) website, www.acgov.org/lafco.  The draft study, issued in December, is also available online for public review and comment.

     The study reviews the services ETHD currently provides, its financial position (including future obligations), and provides a fiscal analysis of various governance options, including dissolution.

     A consultant who authored the draft study will present an overview at the meeting, and people may offer comments to be considered in the creation of a final draft.  

     Written comments can also be submitted online on the LAFCo website, or directly to Mona Palacios, LAFCo Executive Officer, at mona.palacios@acgov.org or via US Mail at: 1221 Oak Street, Room 555, Oakland, CA 94612.  Comments submitted by Feb. 3 will be considered in the development of the study’s final draft.

     In developing the draft study, LAFCo hosted three public meetings in October and November to allow constituents to express their views about the public value of the ETHD, what needs and priorities the district should address, and whether the district’s functions should be provided by another entity in the future.

     ETHD formed in 1948 to finance, construct and operate Eden Hospital in Castro Valley, but the district no longer owns and operates the hospital. Currently ETHD provides grant funding to health-related organizations, oversees an investment fund, and owns three office buildings where it leases office space to healthcare providers.

     The district covers Eden Township, which includes the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, and San Lorenzo, and the cities of Hayward and San Leandro. It collects no tax revenues, and derives its revenue from net income from its office buildings. More information about the district is available at http://ethd.org/.

     In recognition of the need for a more coordinated and efficient public service structure to support California’s anticipated growth, the state legislature established local agency formation commissions (LAFCos) in the mid-1960s.  

     Among other duties, LAFCos are responsible for periodically reviewing the municipal services provided by local agencies under LAFCo jurisdiction.  These service reviews, known as “Municipal Service Reviews” (MSRs), help LAFCo, other agencies and the public better understand the municipal service structure. In 2013, Alameda LAFCo completed an MSR of ETHD that concluded the district should continue in its current form.

     Critics, including the Alameda County Grand Jury, have recently asserted that ETHD should be dissolved. Earlier this year, legislation was introduced in the state assembly affecting the district, including one bill signed into law (AB 2737) that imposes spending requirements on healthcare districts such as ETHD. At a meeting last July, Alameda LAFCo approved a request from the City of Hayward to prepare a “Special Study” to help determine the future of ETHD.

     A final draft of the special study should be released next month, after which additional public comment will be allowed in the development of a final study.

     After the study is finalized, LAFCo commissioners will consider action that could include amending the district’s sphere of influence, and/or initiating a reorganization or dissolution of the District.

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King Inspires Young Orators

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-19-17

     “The dream of Martin Luther King will happen in some far-off spring,” quoted San Leandro student Alvin Wong. “And soul will dance and soul will sing and march with Martin Luther King.”

     Wong was reciting a poem by Myra Cohn Livingston and he did it with passion. Which is why he won the elementary school age division at the city’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. oratorical festival, held Monday at the senior community center.

     Each year, on King’s birthday, the city holds a “Remember the Dream” contest where elementary through high school students recite some of King’s famous speeches and also perform their own original poems and prose.

     This year, over 100 people gathered to celebrate King’s life and message. There were also performances by the Eztil Chichi “Strong Blood” Aztec Dancers and Kele Nioto & Friends.

     In addition to Wong, the elementary school winners were Jose Gomez in second place and the duo of Jayla Johnson and Marvin Jaines in third.

     Eliott Alvarez won the middle school division and Asiya Sulaiman and Matthew Winn came in first and second place in the high school contest.

CAPTION: Alvin Wong delivers his speech at the “Remember the Dream” speech contest on Monday.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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MLK Day Forum Tackles Race And Police Work

BY AMY SYLVESTRI •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-19-17

     Retired BART police Chief Kenton Rainey says that effective police work can only happen when police officers are a part of the community and the public can relate to them as fellow citizens.

     “As a young officer, I thought that I should be out there writing as many tickets as possible and sending as many people to jail as possible,” admitted Rainey.

     He said only years of experience taught him that community oriented policing was better for everyone involved.

     Rainey spoke Monday at a special forum organized by Unity in the Community which featured discussions of race, privilege, civility, and more in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

     Rainey was hired to be the BART police chief in the aftermath of the Oscar Grant shooting. He said that some police officers don’t possess “cultural competency,” meaning they struggle to engage with people from all walks of life who may be different from them, so they fall back on assumptions.

     Over 100 people gathered at the senior center on Monday to hear Rainey and other speakers and to share their own thoughts on some complex issues in three forums.

     “It was important to us to have this conversation,” said Unity in the Community founder Surlene Grant. “Today is just the start.”

     The largest forum was one on law enforcement in the community – a big topic coming off a year were police shootings and retaliation against police became a national conversation.

     Leading that talk were speakers from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), who said there are no easy answers, but that open conversations between cops and the public they serve are important.

     One woman in the audience said she sees police at things like fairs and festivals, but there needs to be a deeper connection beyond public relations.

     “They say ‘check out my badge, check out my gun, shake my hand,’ and that’s good, but I think that we need to engage on another level,” she said.

     The Unity in the Community event was one attempt to get beyond those shallow interactions, according to the organizers and speakers.

     “I was once a black little girl who became a black woman who happened to decide to become a police officer,” said retired deputy chief Jan Glenn-Davis of NOBLE. “I was black and female long before I decided to wear blue.”

     Glenn-Davis said that gave her a perspective not every officer has, so she worked hard to share that perspective.

     Rainey says a key to cutting racial tensions between the police and public is “community oriented policing” to eliminate the “us vs. them” perception some people have about the police.

     Glenn-Davis, agreed, saying one problem in a lot of police departments is the pressure to present a united front at all costs.

     A big chunk of Monday’s discussion fell on 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to “take a knee” during the National Anthem in protest of the police shootings of several unarmed black men nationwide.

     The Santa Clara police union subsequently threatened to boycott patrolling at 49er games, where they work voluntary overtime.

     One man at Monday’s forum asked how the police could essentially refuse to do their jobs just because they disagreed with someone.

     Glenn-Davis explained that it was the police union, not the police department, making that threat. She said the dynamic between unions and departments are complicated, because even though the union is made up of officers, their chief has no authority in dictating their behavior as a union.

     Glenn-Davis said that many times it will be up to an outside group to be critical of cops because “there is extreme pressure in law enforcement organizations to speak as one” even if they disagree with a policy or action of the union.

     Glenn-Davis went on to say that can be troubling because open communication is key in police work, race relations, and society as a whole.

     She gave an example of a time she went out on call with a rookie officer and he repeatedly addressed the young Hispanic woman they were talking to as “ma’am” as his trained dictated.

     Glenn-Davis said she could see the young woman becoming more and more angry the more she was called “ma’am” and that the communication was breaking down. Finally she asked the woman what she wanted to be called – her name – and they continued and got the information they needed.

     Later, Glenn-Davis asked the officer why he kept calling the woman “ma’am” despite it obviously irritating her.

     “He said ‘That’s what we were taught at the academy,’ and I said “There’s training but there also needs to be a bit of common sense as well,” said Davis.

CAPTION: Retired BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey

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Artists Kicked Out of the Gate

BY AMY SYLVESTRI •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-19-17

     As of the first of the year, a collective of artists known as Factory 510 are no longer working at the The Gate, the mixed use space on the second floor of the Westgate Center on Davis Street.

     The Factory’s main lease-holder and some artists who worked there feel the decision not to renew their lease is an overreaction to the deadly Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland.

     But the Gate’s owners say they are simply looking for longer-term tenants to rent the space.

     The issue of affordable artists’ spaces came to national attention in December when 36 people were killed at an Oakland warehouse where several artists lived and worked in unsafe conditions.

     The Factory’s main lease holder is Cheryl Edison, who has been a part of redeveloping the Gate since its inception several years ago.

     Edison said they had artists come in to “co-work” in the space for a day, a week, a month or longer on variety of projects – everything from sculptures to 40-foot canvases destined for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

     Edison held the lease on a 15,000-square-foot space within the larger Gate property. Artists could sublet a small work space from her for whatever length of time they needed.

     Edison said that after the Ghost Ship fire, she was inundated with calls and inspections. Before the fire she had been in talks with Gate property owners SKG real estate for a 2017 lease, but suddenly they would not give her a renewal.

     Edison said that the work areas were safe and clean.

     “This tragedy caused a knee-jerk reaction,” said Edison. “It upended the entire ecosystem of warehouse spaces.”

     SKG manager Greg Scharlemann said that it was simply an economic decision for his company to try to pursue more stable long-term tenants.

     “The Factory 510 was always intended to be a temporary project,” said Scharlemann. “Their one-year lease was up and it didn’t make sense to renew because we are running out of space that we need for longer-term clients. It wasn’t a reaction to the Ghost Ship.”

     Tyler Kobick, a designer and architect who worked at the Gate and was part of Factory 510, disagrees.

     “Yes, absolutely this was in response to the Ghost Ship fire, although all use and occupancy was legal, inspected within the last year and sprinklered,” said Kobick in an email. “Following the fire, inspectors, walked the site everyday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and very clearly used the project as an example.”

     Kobick said that right after the fire, inspectors made them take down Christmas decorations and three days later they were notified that the Factory 510 lease wouldn’t be renewed.

     Kobick called the ousting of the Factory “a great loss of creative minds and business for the city of San Leandro.”

     The city says it has been working in partnership with SKB and inspecting the building for some time in order to ensure a safe environment, according to assistant city manager Eric Engelbart, who added that the work began before the Ghost Ship fire.

     Engelbart said that any lease issues are private arrangements that the city has no part in.

     Scharlemann said that some of the artists who used to sub-lease as part of Factory 510 will remain at the Gate leasing with SKG under longer-term leases. He said that there would absolutely be a focus on arts, makers, and tech when considering future tenants.

     Edison says she’s working to find a place in a neighboring city that will be more receptive to her incubation of artists and other tenants, but she’s sorry Factory 510 had to leave San Leandro.

     “There is no villain, there’s just people who are scared and being reactive,” said Edison. “It’s so unfortunate.”

CAPTION: An art project made up of various pianos now sits at the Gate while artists who were part of Factory 510 look for new space.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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Rent Comes Due at Trailer Haven

BY JIM KNOWLES •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-19-17

     Some residents of Trailer Haven have moved out in the wake of 25 percent rent hike at the mobile home park.

     The rent increase announced last fall came due on Jan. 1.

     “RVs are pulling out, a fifth one left the other morning,” said Trailer Haven resident Maxina Ventrua. “This lovely family with a baby. They’ve moving to Riverside County. Their life is turned upside-down.”

     Ventura has been speaking out for the residents since the property was sold last fall and the new owners sent out notices of the rent hikes. Residents own their mobile homes or RVs, but they rent the pad, the space where the home is parked.

     “This is a very important part of affordable housing in this city, and we’re unprotected by the city and county (from rent hikes),” Ventura said. “Many families are on a fixed income or SSI, so it’s a vulnerable population.”

     Trailer Haven residents took their plight to City Hall, but there’s not much city goverment can do. The city has talked about offering their program that helps homeowners improve their homes, but that doesn’t help pay the rent.

     The management company says the rent increase is needed: the property taxes have risen due to the sale; the sale requries them to pay a $101,000 “transfer tax” to City Hall; and to improve the property.

     The rent at Trailer Haven was below other mobile home parks in the area, said Brock Kaveny, spokesman for Cascade Corporate Management which runs the park for the ownership group. He said that just a few people have moved out of the park.

     Kaveny said that management is offering residents a 10 percent reduction in rent if they qualify – around $70 a month off rent for a single trailer space. Copies of the form have been sent to the residents, he said, and a couple of residents have qualified for the assistance so far.

     But Ventura says, even if someone qualifes for the assistance program, the rents have been raised a lot more than the deduction. And to qualify, a person has to be at least 62 years old, and have total assets below a certain amount.

     So even if you had a low income, but had a little savings for old age, you wouldn’t quailfy, Ventura said.

     Another stipulation to the rent assistance program is that no more than 10 percent of the residents of the park can be on it.

     So out of the 190 mobile homes, only 19 households, tops, can quailfy, Ventura points out.

     Chike Udemezue, who serves in San Leandro’s Recreation and Parks Commission as well as several school district advisory committees, said that City Hall should help Trailer Haven residents with their rent.

     “Since the city collected the transfer tax ($101,000), they should be proactive and work out something fair,” Udemezue said. “They should work with them because these are low-income residents trying to make a living.”

     Though that’s not likely to happen. Ventura’s requests to Congresswoman Barbara Lee and state Assemblyman Rob Bonta didn’t produce much either. Their staff people said there’s not much they can do. A reply from Senator Diane Feinstein politely told Ventura that it’s not a federal issue, and advised Ventura to talk to her local City Council.

     The leaders are at a loss, yet housing that people can afford is one of the main problems facing people in the Bay Area.

     Residents say that even the price on refilling their propane tanks has been raised by the park, among other cost increases. So it’s a difficult situation for a lot of residents who don’t have much money.

     Bob Nelson, who is disabled and on goverment assistance, says his rent is up 29 percent but he can’t find a less expensive place to live.

     “It’s too high but it’s lower than a lot of places,” Nelson said. “If I move I’d have to live in God-knows-what county.”

     Nelson has contacted housing advocate organizations – ECHO Housing and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but came up empty handed.

     “I called both and they don’t care,” Nelson said. “They say, ‘We can’t help you. Good luck.’”

CAPTION: Trailer Haven residents Jean Smith, Ingrid Pollyak, Sonia Bohannon, Maxina Ventura and Bob Nelson were hit with big rent increases.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Council Hears Report from Their Lobbyist

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-12-17

     It took lobbyist Len Simon more than 10 minutes to actually utter the man’s name at Monday night’s City Council work session, but president-elect Trump was his main topic of conversation.

     Simon represents San Leandro and over a dozen other cities in Washington D.C., trying to get federal money for various projects. The city of San Leandro pays Simon and Co. $35,000 annually.

     The city says Simon has been successful in lobbying for San Leandro, citing a $250,000 federal grant for two campus police officers and a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce for the expansion of the Lit San Leandro fiber optic loop.

     Simon gives the city an annual update on what he has done in Washington and what he plans to do in the year ahead. On Monday he said that after eight years working with the Obama administration, there’s a lot he doesn’t know as Trump prepares to take office.

     “The Obama administration worked so well for local governments,” said Simon, who said that was because many people who worked under Obama were former local mayors and council members.

     Simon called Obama’s administration one of “big ideas and big accomplishments,” citing the president’s use of executive orders when Congress was uncooperative with his desires.

     But now, says Simon, the new administration leaves him in “uncharted territory.”

     Trump has no governmental experience and the House and Senate are both under Republican rule. Simon says that policies could change more rapidly that in any time in recent memory.

     Trump’s nominee for attorney general Jeff Sessions is currently in confirmation hearings. Simon pointed out that Sessions has come down hard on issues including sanctuary cities and the legalization of marijuana.

     “The threat has been raised legislatively to withdraw federal funds from cities that have been labeled sanctuary cities,” said Simon. “This is something to be taken very seriously.

     San Leandro hasn’t officially declared itself a sanctuary city, though some residents have called on the council to do so.

     Marijuana has been legalized in California, but it remains illegal under federal law. It was the policy of the Obama administration to not interfere with medical or legal recreational marijuana sales if the state had legalized it.

     Sessions has very vocally opposed marijuana use and as attorney general may change that policy.

     “Once he becomes attorney general, it’s possible this issue is going to be revisited,” Simon said. “I just want to make sure the council is aware that it is something that could potentially be on everybody’s plate.”

     The City Council has authorized three pot dispensaries in the past year, and voters passed a tax in November on marijuana sales. The city stands to make hundreds of thousands of dollars from marijuana sales.

     But Simon said there is some good news for the city as Trump’s administration has announced a willingness to spend on a variety of infrastructure projects.

     Simon also said that Trump has received a tremendous amount of support from police rank and file and may be open to spending more federal money on policing grants.

     There is a possibility that Congress may reinstate earmarks for the first time since 2010, as a new session of Congress is bringing the issue to the floor for a vote sometime this month, Simon said.

     “And San Leandro has been a major beneficiary of earmarks over the years,” said Simon. The marina dredging and senior center were funded by earmarks.

     Mayor Pauline Cutter said that the city “smartly” never named a specific date that the marina would close, which leaves the possibility of a dredge in the future, but she acknowledged that dredging out  the channel from the marina to the bay is still unlikely.

     The City Council asked Simon about a variety of possible lobbying efforts including airport noise and flood insurance. Simon assured them he was listening to their interests. He said that whatever happens, the next four years in Washington will be “different,” but that wasn’t necessarily a cause for distress.

     “We’ve had such gridlock for such a long time,” said Simon. “One of the benefits of one party rule is that you know some things are going to get done.”

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Davis Street Misses Loan Payment Deadline

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-12-17

     The Davis Street Family Resource Center did not make a payment on a $1.5 million loan from the city by the extended deadline given by the city manager.

     The loan originally came due last summer and was extended to Oct. 31, but those deadlines were missed. Last month, city manager Chris Zapata offered another extension on the loan of taxpayer money and gave a deadline of Jan. 6.

     Zapata said the extension would be granted if Davis Street made  a “good faith” payment of 25 percent of the loan ($375,000) and agreed to an audit of their finances for the past five years by a firm of the city’s choosing.

     On the Jan. 6 deadline, instead of making a payment, Davis Street’s attorney Peter Smith submitted a letter to the city with a counter offer that Davis Street pay off the entire loan within 30 days.

     So far, Davis Street has paid the city two years’ worth of interest ($163,000) on the $1.5 million, but none of the principal.

     “Things are moving along,” said Smith. “It’s a business negotiation, like anything else. They (the city) made a proposal and we responded with another proposal. In the letter we told them we appreciate all the work they’ve done with us and we made a counter offer.”

     The city is expected to respond to Davis Street’s counter offer later this month.

City to Respond to Request

     “The city is in the process of reviewing their correspondence and formulating a response,” said assistant city manager Eric Engelbart in a written statement.

     Smith says Davis Street will be able to repay the loan by selling or refinancing property it owns.

     Davis Street’s $1.5 million loan from the city is part of the organization’s $2.6 million in long-term debt, according to Davis Street’s 2016 fiscal year financial report.  

$9 Million Annual Revenue

     For the 2016 fiscal year Davis Street had $9.2 million in total revenue – $6 million from federal, state, county, city, and regional sources.

     In addition to the governmental funding, Davis Street reports $1.2 million in revenue from fees for child care programs, $775,000 in patient service revenue, $330,000 in fundraising revenue, $269,000 in contribution revenue, and around $90,000 in other revenue.

     Davis Street reported a $1.1 million net loss for the 2016 fiscal year.

     During the 2016 fiscal year, Davis Street had $10.3 million in total expenses, including $3.8 million going to salaries and benefits.

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Eden Healthcare Gets Passing Grade

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-12-17

     Despite criticism from everyone from San Leandro Mayor Pauline Cutter to state Assemblyman Bill Quirk, the Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD) got a boost from a county-commissioned report which declared that the district is being operated adequately.

     The Alameda County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) requested the report on ETHD’s operations prepared by urban policy analysts Berkson Associates. The draft came out late last month, determining that ETHD is operated adequately, but it did not completely discount the notion of dissolving the district.

     “Dissolution of the district without continuing its services is unwarranted,” the report states. “The district provides a service of value including significant expenditure of funds for community health care.”

     But the report also stated that “The district could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations” and that its strategic plan needs to be updated and reviewed at least annually.

     The report said that the district should track time and resources allocated to its real estate activities as compared to its community services.

     The report also said that if ETHD were to be dissolved, the services it provides could continue via a successor agency, which would help streamline certain elements and save money.

     For example, up to $200,000 would be saved every other year because the ETHD board of directors election would no longer be necessary. However, no costs were incurred this past election because no seats were contested.

     The district was created in 1948 in order to run the then-new Eden Hospital. Over the past 70 years, the district has owned and overseen various medical buildings in San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward and the unincorporated areas.

     Now, ETHD owns and rents out three medical office buildings, though no hospitals, and also distributes healthcare-related grant money.

     Currently, 88 percent of the ETHD’s budget goes to real estate, staff, and legal fees. That leaves around  $500,000 annually to distribute to various causes – including $250,000 annually to the Davis Street Family Resource Center, along with smaller projects such as diabetes workshops.

     After nearly 70 years in operation, ETHD has come under fire by local government officials and other entities who claim the district is redundant and its function could be better handled by the county.

     ETHD countered that the county simply wants control of Eden’s money and that if the district is incorporated into the county health structure, no one would be looking out specifically for the needs of the Eden Area.

     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.

     But ETHD countered that it provides a vital service to the Eden area. And at a public meetings in San Leandro and Castro Valley this fall, dozens spoke out in support for keeping ETHD as it is.

     “This is a thinly-veiled cash-grab by county partisan groups,” said public speaker Elke Sommer at the time.

     LAFCo will now hold a special meeting on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave. in Castro Valley, in order to hear public comment.

     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 Feb. 3 will be considered for the final draft of the study.

     Once the public is heard from, a final draft of the LAFCo report will be published and a decision will be made. LAFCo could 1) decide to dissolve ETHD, 2) have it remain running as it is, 3) modify the ETHD's structure so a separate foundation awards the scholarship money, or 4) any number of options including putting the matter up to a public vote.

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Hold the Phone for Ray’s Birthday

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-12-17

    They were ready to cut the cake at Ray Luciano’s 96th birthday party.

    JoAnn Silver rolled a cart up to Ray’s table with the cake. She said it didn’t have any candles because you can’t fit that many on a cake.

    It was time for Ray to do the honors and cut the cake, dressed up in a nice suit and wearing a lei that Bella Comelo brought for him…but wait a minute. Somebody’s phone is ringing.

    Ray reached into his jacket. He had a phone call. Hold up on that cake for a minute, JoAnn.

    That’s the way it is with Ray. There’s always somebody wanting to talk to him. It’s that way at the lunches at the Senior Center where he goes every day – that’s where the party was. And it’s been that way since Ray had Luciano Barber Shop downtown where customers came to talk as much as for a haircut.

    Ray’s old school. He was social media before social media. Back then they just called it talking.

    At Ray’s barber shop they met to solve all the world’s problems, said Ray’s son Parker who gave a talk about Ray’s life at the party.

    Ray was born in San Leandro in 1921, oldest of five kids who grew up on Cherry Street and went to McKinley Elementary and San Leandro High. He joined the Navy right after Pearl Harbor and was part of the invasion of North Africa and Italy, and he was right there in Tokyo Bay to witness the signing of the documents that ended the war.

    While he was in training in Wisconsin he met his future wife, Ruth, a student at the University of Wisconsin. While Ray was on a short leave during the war, he returned to San Leandro and he and Ruth got married. They were married for 62 years until Ruth’s passing in 2006. They traveled the world after Ray retired from the barber shop.

    Ray has always been in many social clubs – the Spanish Club, Native Sons of the Golden West and he’s a longtime Mason. Ray still plays badminton and bocce ball, and his hobby is fixing watches and giving them to friends.

    Parker handed the microphone over so Ray could say a few words. The main thing Ray wanted to do is point out his friend Enrique, who hadn’t been well, and say how great it was to see him here.

    The senior lunch program serves meals five days a week at the Senior Center and about 20 other locations in Alameda County, run by Spectrum Community Services. Healthy lunches are available for seniors (60 and over) for a $3.75 suggested donation. No senior is turned away for lack of funds.

    JoAnn Silver is the friendly hostess, running the lunch program in San Leandro for 19 years.

    The lunch program provides nutrition as well as a sense of community, said Spectrum Development Director Amy Clifford.

    “It’s not just filling nutritional needs, it combats isolation, there’s a sense of community,” Clifford said. “And JoAnn being here is a big part of that.”

CAPTION: Ray Luciano got up to speak at his birthday party at the Senior Center on Monday.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Why Sewer Rates Vary Between Cities

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-05-17

     When San Leandro resident Barry Bronk’s  annual sewer bill hit the $400 mark for the first time, he noticed. So he checked the rates of nearby cities and says San Leandrans may be paying too much for sewer service.

     “When I saw that $400 number, that piqued my interest,” said Bronk.

     Sewer rates in San Leandro have gone up a total over 20 percent over the past five years, with rates going up between 2.8 and 5 percent annually for a total of $408 for a single family home in 2016.

     The city is also projecting a 2 percent increase for each of the next five years.

     But San Leandro is right in the middle of the pack when it comes for sewer rates in Alameda County, says city Water Pollution Control Plant Manager Dean Wilson.

     The lowest prices in the county go to Oro Loma Sanitary District customers, who paid just $221 this year for their sewer services, whereas Livermore residents pay over $500.

     “Oro Loma is always the lowest, I don’t quite know how they do it,” said Wilson.

     Oro Loma General Manager Jason Warner says they do it by spending the public’s money “as if it were their own” which includes avoiding going into debt on projects.

     “It makes the staff count the costs of each expenditure more when you are using money you’ve saved,” said Warner. “It creates a forced restriction, which makes you more creative and efficient about solving problems.”

     Warner went on to say that Oro Loma’s neighboring agencies including San Leandro are below the average of most Bay Area wastewater rates and he “thinks highly” of the operation.

     Oro Loma’s wastewater rates are significantly lower than the rest of the East Bay, according to a rate chart provided by Oro Loma and the City of San Leandro.

     Hayward residents pay $358, Castro Valley and Union City residents $380, and Pleasanton residents $468.

     Residents in Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland, and Emeryville pay separate wastewater charges to their cities and to the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD).  When added together, the total wastewater fee for customers in those cities is higher than San Leandro’s rate. For example, Alameda residents pay $691 annually.

     Cities set rates by considering a variety of factors, Wilson said. For instance, in San Leandro, there are a lot of industrial wastewater clients. If a big business left and their fees were no longer coming in, the city would still have to find a way to run the treatment service.

     “You have to look at the cost of doing business,” said Wilson. “Look at commercial, residential, and industrial customers and assign a value that will cover the cost of the needs. We look at our expenses and make sure we can operate and make sure we can have a reserve.”

CAPTION: The San Leandro water treatment plant reopened in April after being remodeled.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

Homeless Flock to Warming Center

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-05-17

     Cast Away with Tom Hanks is playing on the screen.

     It’s the scene where Hanks opens up the FedEx packages that washed up on the deserted island. He opens one box and pulls out a fancy dress, holds it up, and tosses it aside.

     The audience lets out a laugh. That dress wouldn’t be very helpful to Hanks trying to survive on that island.

     The audience knows something about surviving and being cast away. They’re all homeless. Around 40 people come to the warming center on nights when it’s open at First United Methodist Church on Bancroft Avenue.

     “We supply the mats, sleeping bags and blankets, and they put their names on them for when they come back,” said Denise Ross, as she checked in guests Tuesday night, knowing everybody by name.

     Ross works for Building Futures, which runs the warming center – along with help from the Interfaith Homeless Network (a group of churches in San Leandro) and the City of San Leandro. The center is open in the winter on nights when it’s raining, when the temperature drops below 38 degrees, and on every Wednesday night no matter what the weather.

     “I love it,” Ross said. “I know everyone here. I know when something’s wrong.”

     Everybody gets a hot meal when they come in, cooked by volunteers, and a light breakfast the following morning. It’s a friendly atmospehre in the church’s gym as volunteers Nancy Pretto, and Barbara and Dimas Rescendez served dinner.

     Colette Gonsalves sat down to dinner but she wasn’t staying for the night. The 71-year-old sleeps in her car.

     “I used to sleep here, but I can’t anymore. I can’t get up from the floor because of my arthritis,” Gonsalves said.

     Gonsalves said he gets Social Security but it’s not enough to afford a place around here. She’s on a list for a Building Futures’ program that subsidizes rent to get people out of homelessness. Gonsalves says she’s waiting for the paperwork to come from Kaiser to verify her disability, a brain aneurysm.

     Gonsalves has been homeless for two years, and appreciates getting a meal.

     “I don’t always have money to eat,” she says.

     Dimas Rescendez and his wife Barbara are volunteering for their second year, serving dinner. He says he recognizes people from the April Showers program that provides a shower and clean clothes to the homeless twice a month, run by the Interfaith Homeless Network.

     “It’s a small task we do but it helps out our brothers and sisters,” Rescendez said as he served dinner. “It’s tough out there. Our guests are very grateful. It’s a blessing for us to be able to do this.”

     Now in its third year, the warming shelter is seeing more people in their 60s and 70s than before, said Denise Ross who has spent years working in housing. She believes it’s expensive housing that’s causing more homelessness.

     “I think it’s the housing market,” she said. “Today they want two-and-a-half times the rent to move in. There’s no way somebody living on Social Security can afford that.”

     And once people are homeless for a while, it becomes a rut that’s hard to pull out of.

     “When you live on the street for so long a mental health issue kicks in,” Ross said. “You don’t like confinement. You don’t like being confined by walls.”

     Lucia Lee ate dinner with her husband before settling down for the night in the gym. Sometimes the couple go to a shelter in Hayward, but they like this one the best. A lot of nights they sleep in a car.

     Lee is 72 and her husband is 76, both retired and living on Social Security. She said a big part of their Social Security check is taken out to go to Medicare, so they have a hard time trying to afford a place to live.

     They had a small apartment in Stockton, but Lee said it was a place with drugs and crime so they left. Now, when the shelter isn’t open, they sleep in their son’s car, who is also homeless.

     “This is a nice place,” Lee said. “The people are nice. We hope we can find a place but it’s expensive here. It’s expensive in Oakland too. We get Social Security but it’s not enough.”

     The warming center welcomes clean clothes for the guests – coats, hand-warmers, rainsuits, etc. Donations can be dropped off at the Building Futures office at 1395 Bancroft Ave., or on Wednesday nights at the warming center at First United Methodist Church, 1600 Bancroft Ave.

CAPTION: Colette Gonsalves has dinner at the warming center at the First United Methodist Church where homeless people can stay for the night when it’s cold or raining.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Council Wants SL Sign on E.14th Street

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-05-17

     At its first meeting of the New Year, the San Leandro City Council heard plans for three new construction projects, and made a tweak to meeting policy designed to make it earlier for citizens to speak to the council.

    The change unanimously approved Monday night will allow for public comments on non-agenda items to be heard much earlier in meetings, before staff presentations.

    So speakers can be heard within the first half hour of a meeting, which mayor Pauline Cutter said she hopes will make the experience of talking to the council “friendlier” for the average citizen.

    Previously, speakers would have to wait until more than half way into the meeting for a chance to speak – sometimes two hours or more.

    The council also heard a presentation on how to spend $1.7 million in bond money remaining from the now-dissolved redevelopment agency.

    The bonds were issued back in 2008, before California disbanded all city redevelopment agencies.

    The city wants to use the money to create a “triangle gateway” at the intersection of East 14th Street, Hesperian Boulevard, and 150th Avenue. It would feature landscaping and a sign saying “San Leandro.” The estimated cost would be $750,000.

    “Art is an important component of dressing up that entire street,” said City Manager Chris Zapata.

    Another $750,000 would go to pedestrian and lighting improvements on East 14th Street in the north area from Davis Street to Durant Avenue.

    And $200,000 would be spent in putting utility lines underground on the southern end of East 14th Street.

    The council will vote on whether to accept the projects on Jan. 17 and the spending will have to be approved by the county and state before any construction could begin.

Benny Lee Named Vice Mayor of SL

    Also at the meeting, the council elected its 2017 vice-mayor – Lee Thomas was selected by a unanimous vote.

    The position of vice mayor is largely ceremonial. The vice mayor runs council meetings and attends events when the mayor is unavailable. Often, council members simply take turns in the position.

Women’s Chorus Welcomes Singers To Come to an Open Rehearsal

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     Harmony Fusion Chorus will host a special open rehearsal night as part of SAIs Global Open House Month on Monday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hill and Valley Women’s Club, 1808 B St. in Hayward.

     The chorus is looking to add women who love to sing and are enthusiastic about competing and improving their vocal skills. This special rehearsal is open to interested singers 14 and over of all ages, backgrounds and singing ability. Any woman of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, will find a part that fits her voice range with the help of the chorus’ musical leaders and director.

     Harmony Fusion Chorus is an award-winning women’s acappella barbershop show chorus and a chapter of Sweet Adelines International (SAI), an organization of nearly 23,000 women worldwide who sing four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style.

     The chorus meets every Monday (except most holidays) from 7 to 10 p.m. in Hayward. Rehearsals are always open to visitors but January 30 is set aside as a special open rehearsal.

     For more information about the open rehearsal night, call Joanne Morrison at (925) 373-0210.  More information about the Harmony Fusion Chorus is available on its Facebook page @harmonyfusionchorus or the chorus website at www.harmonyfusion.org.

CAPTION: The Harmony Fusion Chorus will host an open rehearsal for women singers.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 01-26-17

Adult School Transitions Center 

San Leandro Adult School, 1448 Williams St. in San Leandro, invites the community to learn about its transition services, which include assistance with education, employment and personal support services. Learn about the adult school’s transition services at an open house on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 5:30 p.m.

Benefit for Ghost Ship Fire Victims 

The Fundudes band will perform to benefit the families and victims of the Oakland’s Ghost Ship Fire on Friday, Jan. 27, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Zocalo Coffeehouse, 645 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro. A $10 donation is suggested.

Hayward Area Historical Society Exhibit

The Hayward Area Historical Society, 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward, is proud to present Celebrating Community: Black Families of Fairview and Kelly Hill, guest curated by Karen McHenry-Smith in the Community Gallery through March 5. This local history exhibit depicts the diverse experiences of past and present residents of Fairview and Kelly Hill. For more information, call 581-0223 or visit www.haywardareahistory.org.

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. Meet and greet the artists at the awards and reception on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m.

2017 Bone & Joint EXPO 

The 2017 Bone & Joint EXPO will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Marina Community Center, 15301 Wicks Blvd. in San Leandro. The EXPO is free and brings presentations, products and services to individuals living with arthritis, bone and joint issues and other chronic health conditions, and gathers medical professionals, patients, caregivers and the health and wellness industry, hosted by the Arthritis Foundation. To register or for a conference agenda, visit www.boneandjointexpo.kintera.org/NOCA or contact Mina Zivkovic at mzivkovic@arthritis.org or 415-356-5488.

Sons of Norway Crab Feed 

The Sons of Norway Snorre Lodge 6-61 will host its annual crab feed on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1808 B St. in Hayward. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a no-host bar and raffle, and dinner starts at 7 p.m., followed by a raffle at 8:30 p.m. Dinner will be spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, crab and dessert. Tickets are $50 for adults, or $20 for children age 5 to 12. Send a check payable to Sons of Norway with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Jeannie Thomson, 38159 Eggers Court, Fremont CA 94536. For more information, or to confirm that enough tickets are available, call Jeannie at 656-3549 or email jeannnie352@aol.com.

Paranormal Investigation Presentation

The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) Collections and Historic Properties manager Heather Farqhuar will give a presentation on paranormal investigation and historic houses at the Hayward Main Library, 835 C St. in Hayward, on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. The Meek Mansion in Meek Park and the McConaghy House in Kennedy Park have both been sites of exploration for paranormal investigators and found to be active sites that includes electronic voice phenomena, cold spots, touches, apparitions and more. Farqhuar will show evidence collected by investigators and provide information about how you can get involved.

San Leandro Parkinson’s Support Group

The San Leandro Parkinson’s support group will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. at the San Lorenzo Community Church, 945 Paseo Grade in San Lorenzo. Speech therapist Stephanie Johnson will be the speaker. For more information, call Lona White at 276-3119.

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.

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.

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 go on sale today for the St. Felicitas Parish, 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro, for its monthly Young at Heart Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Salad, pasta with red sauce and meatballs, garlic bread, dessert, coffee or apple cider being served. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Tickets are $6. Entertainment and door prizes at each luncheon. Tickets on sale as of Oct. 3 and 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.

Mulford Gardens Art School Classes 

The Art School of Mulford Gardens, 13055 Aurora Drive in San Leandro offers Art 101, taught by Allison Modifer, a class perfect for the adult  artist wanting to get back-in to painting or drawing. The four class sessions meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and cost $120. Classes are ongoing so you can start up at anytime. Basic art supplies for in-class use will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own supplies. For more information, call 798-4297.

Rhythm of the North

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

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.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 01-19-17

San Leandro Democratic Club Protest 

The San Leandro Democratic Club will hold a protest march against Donald Trump on inauguration day, Friday, Jan. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., starting in front of the San Leandro BART Station and going to City Hall, 835 East 14th St. The club invites people to bring signs and come to chant, sing and listen to a few speakers.

St. Felicitas CYO Girls Basketball

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

Celebrating Community Exhibit

Black Families of Fairview and Kelly Hill, depicting the diverse experiences of past and present residents of these two areas of unincorporated Hayward, will be on display in the Hayward Area Historical Society Community Gallery at 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward through March 5. Opening reception is Friday, Jan. 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 581-0223 or visit www.haywardareahistory.org.

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, Jan. 21 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. Meet and greet the artists at the awards and reception on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m.

San Leandro Kiwanis Club Crab Feed 

The San Leandro Kiwanis Club will hold its annual Crab Feed on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Boys & Girls Club, 401 Marina Blvd. in San Leandro. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, children 10 and under $20, which includes all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad and garlic bread. Post-dinner dancing to live music provided by “Chico and the Band.” The event is assigned seating only and always sells out so purchase your tickets early. To purchase tickets or for more information, call Terri Neumann at 895-4425.

4th Sunday Breakfast for Veterans

American Legion Post 117 will host breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m.  every 4th Sunday of the month, except on holiday weekends,  at the San Leandro Veterans Memorial Bldg., 1105 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro. The menu will be eggs-to-order, bacon/sausage, hash browns, toast and coffee. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for veterans, and all others. All donations benefit American Legion veteran programs.

Eden Garden Club 

The next meeting of the Eden Garden Club will be on Monday Jan. 23, at the Moose Lodge, 20835 Rutledge Road in Castro Valley. The speaker will be Sandra Nevala-Lee of Green Thumb Works in San Leandro. Sandra will be talking about good bugs and bad bugs in protecting and supporting native plants. There will be samples of native plants and hand outs when she share her expertise in native planting.  Meetings are free and guests are always welcome. For more information, call 397-1268.

Sons of Norway Crab Feed 

The Sons of Norway Snorre Lodge 6-61 will host its annual crab feed on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1808 B St. in Hayward. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a no-host bar and raffle, and dinner starts at 7 p.m., followed by a raffle at 8:30 p.m. Dinner will be spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, crab and dessert. Tickets are $50 for adults, or $20 for children age 5 to 12. Send a check payable to Sons of Norway with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Jeannie Thomson, 38159 Eggers Court, Fremont CA 94536. For more information, or to confirm that enough tickets are available, call Jeannie at 656-3549 or email jeannnie352@aol.com.

Paranormal Investigation Presentation

The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) Collections and Historic Properties manager Heather Farqhuar will give a presentation on paranormal investigation and historic houses at the Hayward Main Library, 835 C St. in Hayward, on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. The Meek Mansion in Meek Park and the McConaghy House in Kennedy Park have both been sites of exploration for paranormal investigators and found to be active sites that includes electronic voice phenomena, cold spots, touches, apparitions and more. Farqhuar will show evidence collected by investigators and provide information about how you can get involved.

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% 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 go on sale today for the St. Felicitas Parish, 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro, for its monthly Young at Heart Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Salad, pasta with red sauce and meatballs, garlic bread, dessert, coffee or apple cider being served. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Tickets are $6. Entertainment and door prizes at each luncheon. Tickets on sale as of Oct. 3 and 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.

Mulford Gardens Art School Classes 

The Art School of Mulford Gardens, 13055 Aurora Drive in San Leandro offers Art 101, taught by Allison Modifer, a class perfect for the adult  artist wanting to get back-in to painting or drawing. The four class sessions meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and cost $120. Classes are ongoing so you can start up at anytime. Basic art supplies for in-class use will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own supplies. For more information, call 798-4297.

Rhythm of the North

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

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.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 01-12-17

Hill & Valley Women’s Club Flea Market 

The Hill & Valley Women’s Club, 1808 B St. in Hayward, will have their annual flea market on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a wide choice of affordable merchandise, house and kitchen ware, books, jewelry, toys, clothing and more. All proceeds will benefit the club’s philanthropic programs from college scholarships, children’s education and health, and aid to women’s shelters and veterans.

Hayward Area Historical Society 

The Hayward Area Historical Society, 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward, is proud to present “Celebrating Community:  Black Families of Fairview and Kelly Hill,” guest curated by Karen McHenry-Smith in the Community Gallery from Jan. 14 through March 5. The museum’s hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This local history exhibit depicts the diverse experiences of past and present residents of Fairview and Kelly Hill in unincorporated Hayward, with emphasis on Black families that purchased homes and moved to this East Bay suburban community in the 1950s and 1960s. During this time, what is now known as Fairview, was one of the few communities open to non-white home-owners in the Hayward area.

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

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

Friends of San Lorenzo Creek Clean-Up 

Everyone is invited to join Friends of San Lorenzo Creek, The Restoration Trust, and Hands-On Conservation for a morning of work to plant native vegetation and restore habitat on Crow Creek in Castro Valley on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the cul-de-sac at the south end of Crow Canyon Place in Castro Valley. To RSVP or for more information, call Emily at 622–8110.

All Saints Episcopal Church 

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

Celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King

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

San Leandro Democratic Club Protest 

The San Leandro Democratic Club will hold a protest march against Donald Trump on inauguration day, Friday, Jan. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., starting in front of the San Leandro BART Station and going to City Hall, 835 East 14th St. The club invites people to bring signs and come to chant, sing and listen to a few speakers.

St. Felicitas Young at Heart Luncheon

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

St. Felicitas CYO Girls Basketball

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

San Leandro Kiwanis Club Crab Feed 

The San Leandro Kiwanis Club will hold its annual Crab Feed on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Boys & Girls Club, 401 Marina Blvd. in San Leandro. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, children 10 and under $20, which includes all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad and garlic bread. Post-dinner dancing to live music provided by “Chico and the Band”. The event is assigned seating only and always sells out so purchase your tickets early. To purchase tickets or for more information, call Terri Neumann at 895-4425.

Alta Mira Club Crab Feed

The Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, will have a crab feed on Friday, Jan. 27, with all-you-can-eat crab (or order chicken), pasta, salad, bread and ice cream. The social hour starts at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50. For reservations, call 614-9680. The Alta Mira Club is in the historic Ygnacio Peralta Home, built in 1860.

Sons of Norway Crab Feed 

The Sons of Norway Snorre Lodge 6-61 will host its annual crab feed on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1808 B St. in Hayward. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a no-host bar and raffle, and dinner starts at 7 p.m., followed by a raffle at 8:30 p.m. Dinner will be spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, crab and dessert. Tickets are $50 for adults, or $20 for children age 5 to 12. Send a check payable to Sons of Norway with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Jeannie Thomson, 38159 Eggers Court, Fremont CA 94536. For more information, or to confirm that enough tickets are available, call Jeannie at 656-3549 or email jeannnie352@aol.com.

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% 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.

Rhythm of the North

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

John O’Lague Galleria

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

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 01-05-17

Hayward Area Historical Society 

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

Selma at San Leandro History Museum 

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

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

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

Eagles Eden Auxiliary Bingo Luncheon

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Eden Auxiliary #1139 will have its bingo luncheon on  Monday Jan. 9, from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Eagles Hall, 21406 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. On the menu will be meatloaf, corn souffle, soup, salad, bread, dessert, coffee and tea at our charity bingo luncheon. For a donation of $8 you will also receive one bingo card. For more information,  call 584-1568.

Birthday Party for Ray Luciano 

There will be a birthday party for Ray Luciano at noon on Monday, Jan. 9, at the San Leandro Senior Center, 13909 East 14th St. Ray will be turning 96 and Spectrum Community Services, which provides lunch for seniors, will be serving cake for the party along with lunch. All are welcome.

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.

All Saints Episcopal Church 

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

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

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

Celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King

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

St. Felicitas Young at Heart Luncheon

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

St. Felicitas CYO Girls BasketballSt.

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

San Leandro Kiwanis Club Crab Feed 

The San Leandro Kiwanis Club will hold its annual Crab Feed on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Boys & Girls Club, 401 Marina Blvd. in San Leandro. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, children 10 and under $20, which includes all-you-can-eat crab, pasta, salad and garlic bread. Post-dinner dancing to live music provided by “Chico and the Band”. The event is assigned seating only and always sells out so purchase your tickets early. To purchase tickets or for more information, call Terri Neumann at 895-4425.

Alta Mira Club Crab Feed

The Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, will have a crab feed on Friday, Jan. 27, with all-you-can-eat crab (or order chicken), pasta, salad, bread and ice cream. The social hour starts at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50. The Alta Mira Club is in the historic Ygnacio Peralta Home, built in 1860.

Monster Concert

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

Rhythm of the North

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

John O’Lague Galleria

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

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley recently introduced 2017’s public awareness campaign that directly confronts the buyers of child sex trafficking victims and the need for men to fight child exploitation.

     This campaign, timed to coincide with National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, marks the third year in which a billboard campaign raises awareness of the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Alameda County, the region and the state.

     “I remain dedicated to fighting the epidemic of commercial sexual exploitation. One clear fact is that the singular driving force behind sex trafficking is demand. We hope that the messages on the billboards will highlight this stark reality and engage more people to join our effort to put a stop to this crime,” said O’Malley.

     With increased community awareness and a focus on the buyers who purchase trafficking victims, the campaign hopes to make clear the fact that men must be a partner in the effort to stop commercial sexual exploitation. Without people willing to pay for sex, traffickers have no incentive to lure vulnerable men, women and children into the illegal sex trade. Remove the buyers, and the whole system stops.

     Much of the demand-reduction work done in Alameda County is in collaboration with The CEASE (Cities Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation) Network, a collaboration of 11 cities nationwide committed to reducing sex-buying by 20 percent in two years.

     The billboards offer a resource for people to learn how they can reduce demand for sexual exploitation. For more information, visit stop-it-now.org.

     To report suspicious activity, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center 24-hour hotline at 888-3737-888.

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Few Details in Teen’s Killing in Cherryland

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     A 16-year-old boy was shot and killed near Cherryland on Monday evening.

     When Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene at Princeton Street and Smalley Avenue in unincorporated Hayward at 6:45 p.m., they found Lamar Murphy suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Sgt. Ray Kelly.

     Murphy was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

     Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots and a vehicle may have been involved, making the homicide a possible drive-by shooting, but that is not confirmed, Kelly said.

     That’s all the information the sheriff’s office is releasing at this time.

     Anyone with information is asked to call 667-3636.

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Multiple Charges for Kidnapping Suspect

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-19-17

     A man who allegedly stole a car with a 4-year-old child in the backseat has been charged by the district attorney’s office.

     Jason Silva, 44, of San Leandro has been charged with felony carjacking with a deadly weapon and kidnapping, and faces enhancements for special circumstances because of prior felony arrests.

     Silva is accused of stealing a car on Cherrywood Avenue on Jan. 10. when a mother brought one of her two children into a day care there and left the other in the back seat with the engine running.

     The suspect drove off and, about 15 minutes later, San Leandro police found the car on 107th Avenue in East Oakland with the boy inside unharmed.

     In court documents, Silva said he stole the car because he was cold and wet and that he abandoned the vehicle as soon as he realized a child was inside.

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Car Stolen with 4-Year-Old Inside

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-12-17

    An alleged car thief wound up being arrested for kidnapping after he stole a vehicle with a 4-year-old child in the back seat.

    The boy’s mother was dropping him and his 2-year-old sibling off at a daycare on Cherrywood Avenue in the north area just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. She took the younger child inside and left the 4-year-old in the car with the engine running.

    The suspected thief, identified as 44-year-old Jason Michael Silva of Oakland, jumped into the car and drove off with the boy inside, according to San Leandro police.

    The mother came back outside and jumped in front of the car to try to stop the suspect. She was hit by the car, but not injured.

    The suspect drove off and about 15 minutes later San Leandro police found the car parked on 107th Avenue in East Oakland with the boy inside, unharmed.

    Police looked at surveillance video in the area and found the suspect coming out of a home on the 10400 block of Graffian Street in Oakland.

    Police say the suspect doesn’t know the child or his mother and the crime appears to be a random act. The police say they don’t know whether the suspect was aware a child was in the car when he stole it.

    Silva was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, carjacking, and assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $230,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment at the Hayward Hall of Justice on Jan. 12.

    Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Leandro police at 577-3315.

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Man Accused of Raping Woman He Followed Near Bayfair BART Station

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-12-17

    A man identified by police as a 27-year-old transient from San Francisco is accused of multiple felonies in the rape of a woman he forced from a BART train at the Bayfair station last month.

    Meini Foster has been charged with forcible rape, kidnapping to commit a sex crime, and other felonies stemming from the Dec. 16 crime.

    Police say that Foster found the victim on BART after she had been at an office Christmas gathering in San Francisco and was intoxicated

    Surveillance footage at the Powell station shows the woman swaying on her feet and falling down, according to police.

    Footage from the Bayfair BART station shows the woman stumbling as Foster leads her into the parking lot.

    Police say Foster took her to the railroad tracks between Hesperian Boulevard and Halcyon Drive and assaulted her.

    The woman tried to find help in nearby neighborhood, but the residents mistook her for a burglar and called police, who arrived and aided the victim.

    Foster’s DNA was in a criminal database from a previous sexual assault and he was arrested. He is being held without bail in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and his next court date is Jan. 12.

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No Charges Filed as Stabbing Death Ruled Self-Defense by District Attorney’s Office

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-12-17

     The Alameda County District Attorney’s office has decided that the victim who fought and killed his attacker last month will not face any criminal charges.

     On Dec. 23, a 31-year-old man was confronted by a suspect later identified as Demario Pillors, 22, as he walked near his home on 143rd Avenue.

     Pillors asked the man for a cigarette and then threatened the man with a large kitchen knife, demanding his phone and wallet, according to San Leandro police.

     The victim dropped his wallet and car keys and began to run away but  Pillors chased him and stabbed him in the back of the head as he ran.

     After the man fell to the ground, police say Pillors stabbed him in the head, face and upper torso.  The victim wrestled the knife away from Pillors and stabbed him in self-defense.

     When police arrived, both Pillors and the victim were taken to the hospital, where Pillors was later pronounced dead.

     The DA and police have concluded that the homicide was justifiable.

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Woman Arrested for Hiring Hit Men To Kill Her Pot Business Partner

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-05-17

     A San Leandro woman allegedly ordered a hit on her partner in a medical marijuana business.

     Last July 13, Adan Katani was shot and killed in his car in the intersection of Meekland Avenue and Blossom Way in the unincorporated area.

     Chariot Burks, 25, and Johnny Wright, 46, both of Tennessee were arrested immediately at the scene as they attempted to flee and both were charged with homicide.

     Last week, two more arrests were made in the murder, after further investigation concluded that Tikisha Upshaw, 37, of San Leandro and her associate Wessley Brown, 38, of Berkeley had hired Burks and Wright to commit the crime.

     Upshaw was arrested on Dec. 22 by sheriff’s deputies, according to Sgt. Ray Kelly.

     Deputies discovered a marijuana growing operation in her home.

     Police say that the victim and Upshaw had previously worked together in the medical marijuana business.

     Brown is believed to have acted as a go between for Upshaw and the alleged hit men.

     All four are being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.

CAPTION: Tikisha Upshaw and Wessley Brown

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Man in Critical Condition After Being Shot at House Party in Heron Bay

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     A man was shot and seriously injured during a party at a home in the Heron Bay neighborhood early Sunday morning.

     Police were called to the home on the 15600 block of Anchorage Avenue for a noise complaint at around 1 a.m. on Jan. 22.

     The officers said that there were around 50 people at the house party in their late teens and early 20s. Word of the party spread on social media and it was thrown by the adult son of the homeowners, who were out of town, according to Lt. Robert McManus of the San Leandro police.

     About 30 minutes after the initial complaint call, officers were dispatched back to the residence after several people called 911 to report gunshots coming from the party.

     Officers returned to the scene and found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Paramedics arrived and treated the victim, who was transported to a local trauma center for advanced care.

     A cop saw a car driving away from the neighborhood and tried to stop the vehicle to investigate, but the driver fled at a high rate of speed.

     Officers pursued the car into San Lorenzo, where it crashed on Via Alamitos. Four people in the car, ages 16 to 20, fled on foot.  Three were arrested by the San Leandro police, and the fourth was apprehended by Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies about an hour later.

     The four are being held by San Leandro detectives on suspicion of their involvement in the shooting.

     The victim was left in critical condition.

     Detectives are searching the neighborhood for surveillance video, which could provide further evidence in the investigation.

     Police are not releasing the names of the victim or suspects at this time because the investigation is ongoing. A motive for the shooting has not been determined.

     Police ask that anyone with information about the crime to call 577-2740 or the anonymous tip line 577-3278.

Baby Boomer Needs Prompt New Home Designs

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-26-17

     As full-fledged members of the baby boomer generation who’ve already purchased the home in which we plan to retire, my wife and I spent lots of time prior to purchasing researching criteria for a home in which we can age gracefully.

     Many our age are contemplating the same thing: While we’re nowhere near retirement, we want homes that will accommodate active lifestyles for years to come.

     As boomers (55+) age, their criteria for homes changes dramatically. With kids gone, numerous bedrooms are no longer necessary and large maintenance-intensive yards are low on their wish lists.

     Access to medical care is important, along with proximity to shopping and access to transportation hubs such as airports.

     New home builders have been aware for some time that the aging population will have needs different from other ages of buyers. For this reason, at the 2017 International Builders’ Show recently hosted in Orlando, Florida, the National Association of Home Builders spent considerable time teaching builders how to cater to this emerging market.

     Their conclusions?*

     1. Repurpose traditional spaces. As an example, as children leave home, laundry needs diminish. Instead of having a large room dedicated to laundry, design space that could function as areas for arts-and-craft, pet care, exercise or other age-specific activities.

     2. Increase the lighting. Medical research shows that 60 year olds need as much as six times the light of younger 20-somethings. Increase the window areas and install more lights, including areas that are typically dark, such as closets, cabinets and drawers.

     3. Add accessibility features. While few want to think about aging, many like the practicality of grab bars in bathrooms. Level floors are critical throughout, ensuring smooth transitions from one area to the next.

     4. Keep everything low maintenance. While yards may be the first thing that comes to mind, the entire home should be designed with minimal maintenance in mind. Stain-free counters, low-maintenance flooring and stucco exteriors are great choices.

     5. Keep stairs to a minimum. Since stairs are the No. 1 cause of emergency room visits for all ages, limit them to spaces infrequently accessed. Bedrooms for visiting family could be on another level with the master bedroom on the main level. No steps from garages or entries are important.

     Since boomers consider themselves immortal, they want homes they can live in now until the day they finally move out… in a box.

     *5 Home Design Needs for Your Boomer Clients, by Meg White, Daily Real Estate News.

     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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Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for Your Home?

BY SAMANTHA MAZZOTTA  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-26-17

     If you’re thinking of switching from a traditional hot water heater to a tankless water heater there are some things you should consider.

     While I like the concept of tankless water heaters — they provide hot water on demand, rather than storing water in a tank and keeping it warm — it’s really important for homeowners to do their research before deciding to jump to this system.

     Electric tankless heaters, for example, look like a good deal up front. They cost about a third to one-half as much as gas tankless heaters. However, installation can be expensive: most electric heaters require a dedicated 30-amp circuit, meaning an electrician will have to come in to properly wire the house. In older homes, the installation can be pretty painful on the wallet.

     Gas tankless heaters cost more up front, but installation may not be as expensive. A qualified installer will need to set up the gas connection, and your gas system may need some modification.

     With either type, you still will have to deal with the problem of adequate hot-water supply. Placing high demand on the heater — such as running a shower, the dishwasher and the hot water tap in a sink at the same time — will make it more difficult for the unit to heat water to the correct temperature, meaning everybody starts getting tepid water.

     Homeowners I’ve spoken with who have tankless heaters are generally pretty happy with them. But they have experienced a few issues, such as not knowing they need to flush the heating system once per year (and more often in a hard-water environment).

     None complained about having inadequate hot water — either they selected the right-size system for their house, or they adjusted their water use to the rate at which the water gets heated.

     Because of the expense involved, find out how much water your family uses and track how much hot water is used during each day. Talk with the tankless heater dealer about the right system based on your needs, compare average annual costs (in electricity or gas) of the system compared to a traditional tank heater, and make sure you know up front what installation will entail and how much it will cost.

© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Millennials ‘Investing’ in Coffee, Not Their Future

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-19-17

     A new survey from Acorns reveals that Millennials are better at managing their coffee beverages than their finances.

     Acorns, developer of the Microinvesting app which tracks credit card purchases, just released a poll of 1,900 Millennials revealing alarming information about their spending habits.

     Mary Bowerman of USA Today states, “Forty-five percent of 18 to 23 year olds have spent more on coffee than investing in their retirement, and 35 percent of 24 to 35 year olds have done the same.”

     The survey revealed that over 50 percent of Millennials do not feel comfortable with the fundamentals of saving or investing. Coupled with the fact that Millennials are expected to live longer than their forebears and will need more long-term savings to live comfortably in their retirement years, current coffee habits could be paving the way to a future financial fiasco.

     It’s believed that part of this trend results from the ongoing urbanization of Millennials and a coffee shop culture that promotes convenience and a local meeting environment. Consequently, many are willing to spend dollars for a beverage they could make at home for pennies.

     These habits have fueled the rampant growth of coffee shops but could have serious long-term effects for the drinkers, only 5 percent of which are actively investing.

     With 73 percent stating they do not have a monthly budget and 39 percent revealing that they’re anxious about their finances, it is no shock to discover that 70 percent insist that their education did not provide them with adequate information to help them manage their finances.

     Not only do many Millennials not have a long-term retirement investment strategy, a large percentage are having difficulty saving for more fundamental short-term items. Such as a house. Since the purchase of a home is considered by many a key component of a sound investment strategy, this is very troubling.

     Our advice?

     1. Realize the need to plan. Begin thinking strategically.

     2. Speak to an investment advisor. Look for individuals with flat percentage fees based on the size of your portfolio instead of those who charge for trades and commission-heavy loaded funds.

     3. Set financial goals and benchmarks. If you have no target, you’ll hit it every time.

     4. Develop a comprehensive savings and investment plan.

     5. Buy a coffee maker, a good travel cup and brew at home. Also, avoid the mucha grando mocha frampawhatsit latte… it’s not only bad for your wallet, it’s not so great for your body either.

     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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New Chinese Rules May Affect Bay Area Market

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-12-17

     It’s been no secret that a contributing factor to the historical upturn in the Bay Area real estate market has been the influx of foreign investment money — especially from China.

     It’s also been understood that China has been working hard to keep investment funds inside its own borders. In a move effective January 1, 2017, China has announced new policies designed to make it harder for Chinese investors to buy real estate in the United States.

     Currently, Chinese nationals are allowed an annual quota of $50,000 to invest in foreign markets. Although penalties have been in place for a number of years in efforts to police the guidelines, Chinese investors wishing to buy abroad have come up with a number of schemes to circumvent the rules.

     One common practice has been to have a large number of family and friends each wire $50,000 to the U.S. If the price is high, this can result in serious delays in getting all the funds to escrow.

     In an effort to quell such practices, Reuters reports that China’s foreign exchange regulator has increased scrutiny and applicable punishments for offenders that get caught.

     The announcement came from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) and demonstrates China’s concern over the continued dip of the Yen in relationship to the dollar. Many Chinese have been buying U.S. dollars to hedge against the losses — often the first step in preparing to buy overseas.

     The U.S. housing market has always been viewed as a prime place to invest, cites Sam Van Horebeek of Inman, especially, California, New York, Texas, Washington and New Jersey.

     What effect might these tightened regulations have on the Bay Area housing market? While it’s hard to say definitively today, it is very possible that this issue, along with rising interest rates and record high prices, may all combine to slow the growth of the housing market in 2017.

     While, according to Horebeek, 53 percent of Chinese investors are more positive about the U.S. economy since the election of President Trump, it’s impossible to say what the new President’s policies towards China might be and what impact any new policies may have.

     One effect that is certain: homes in escrow with offshore funding could take much longer to close than before. Sellers beware.

     With Chinese investors becoming increasingly anxious about the softening Yen and their government’s efforts to stem offshore investment, interesting days are ahead.

     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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Sellers Beware of New Flipper Tactics

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-05-17

     An agent approached me with a tale of woe. A homeowner had signed a contract for a new home and needed to sell her existing property quickly.

     Her home was immediately listed and, within a week, received multiple offers and was in escrow. Unfortunately, after two weeks the deal crashed and she was back on the market. Another offer came in and, like the first, collapsed after a week.

     Frustrated, the seller lowered the price to get a quick offer. By now, the cumulative days on the market was approaching 30 and she was afraid her listing would be viewed as tainted. Within a few days, a non-contingent cash offer arrived from a flipper offering less than list price, but able to close in seven days. The seller signed and started packing.

     Days passed and it became clear the buyer was taking their time getting their deposit into escrow. Afraid of losing a third deal, the seller hesitated in submitting a notice-to-perform.

     On day seven, and still with no deposit, the investor stated that they would continue, but only at a much lower price. The seller issued a demand-to-close, but with no deposit, had no immediate recourse when the deal cancelled.

     It’s not a new story. With the recent lack of inventory and dramatic increase in the number of flippers, finding homes that can be flipped for a profit has become exceedingly difficult.

     Tired of competition, it seems a few flippers are trying different tactics. Offering a competitive price, cash and quick close, they beat out the competition and secure the deal. Before submitting their deposit to escrow, they “inspect” the home and then come back with a request for a dramatic price reduction.

     By this time, the other offers have disappeared and the seller is either back on the market or caves in to the flippers revised terms.

     It’s a case of Seller Beware, and we recommend the following when considering an offer:

     1. Counter with “Deposit must be in escrow within 24 hours.”

     2. Submit a 24-hour Notice-To-Perform for the deposit the moment the offer is ratified.

     3. Refuse property access until the deposit is submitted.

     4. If the deposit is not in on time, submit a cancellation immediately and get right back on the market Subject to Cancellation.

     Bottom line: If flippers want to start throwing curves, it’s time for sellers to step up and play hardball.

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

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Heat House Safely When Temperatures Drop

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-05-17

    With temperatures expected to remain frosty overnight in the East Bay, PG&E is urging customers to be cautious when heating their homes.

     Electric heating devices, such as space heaters, are a home fire hazard when not properly used or monitored.  

     “Space heaters should only be used as a supplemental source of heat. They are not intended to replace the home’s central heating system and, when not used properly, can create serious safety hazards,” said PG&E spoksman Jake Zigelman.

     Fuel-burning appliances, such as gas furnaces, stoves and water heaters, can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poinsoning when they are not working properly.

     Heating equipment is the second-leading cause of home fires and accounts for about 56,000 structure fires per year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

     Nearly half of these fires occur during the coldest winter months. The leading contributing factor to space heater fires is heating equipment too close to objects that can burn, such as furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding.

     PG&E offers the following tips:

     • Place space heaters on level, hard, nonflammable surfaces, not on rugs or carpets.

     • Don’t put objects on space heaters or use them to dry clothes or shoes.

     • Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to sleep.

     • Keep all flammable materials at least three feet away from heating sources and supervise children when a space heater or fireplace is being used.

     • Never use cooking devices such as ovens or stoves for home heating purposes.

     • Install carbon monoxide detectors to warn if concentration levels are high. All California single-family homes are required to have carbon monoxide detectors. They should be installed near sleeping areas and the batteries replaced at least twice a year.

     • When using the fireplace to stay warm, make sure the flue is open so that the byproducts of combustion can vent safely through the chimney.

     • Never use products inside the home that generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, such as generators, barbecues, propane heaters and charcoal.

     If customers suspect there is a problem with a natural gas appliance inside their home, they should call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. A gas service representative will be dispatched to do a thorough inspection. If you detect carbon monoxide in your home, you should get out immediately and call 911.

CAPTION: Before using your fireplace, make sure that the flue is open so that it can vent safely through the chimney.

Pop, Lounge or Trek in Fiat’s 500X

BY STEVE SCHAEFER  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     The 500X is Fiat’s entry into the red-hot world of subcompact crossover vehicles. The “X” in the name means crossover, and the “500” part means cute, zippy Italian car.

     The new model wears some of the 500’s distinctive touches, like the rounded “eyes”, “whiskers” on the nose, and clamshell hood. In a way, the 500X looks like someone attached a pump to the car’s tailpipe and inflated it an extra 20 percent. But if you see one on the road, particularly next to the diminutive 500, you can tell there’s a big difference.

     You can go three ways with the 500X. The entry-level Pop comes with a 1.4-liter Multi-air engine that puts out 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. You can get this model only with a manual six-speed transmission. This is the cheap fun seeker’s choice.

     Opt for the Easy, Lounge, Trekking or Trekking Plus models, and you’ve got the other package, with a 2.4-liter Multi-air Tigershark inline four with 180 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque. That one arrives with only a nine-speed automatic. With so many gears, you should get a nice low for initial acceleration but multiple overdrive gears for better fuel economy.

     You can add all-wheel drive to any model for $1,900.

     My test car arrived in brilliant (and optional) Giallo Tristrato — Tricoat Yellow ($1,000), so if I wanted attention, I think I got it. Strangely, this car blends in just fine.

     As with other compact crossovers, the size is useful and comfortable, with the handiness of higher ride height to slide right in. The rear hatch and quick-folding rear seats let you carry lots of your favorite cargo effortlessly.

     Being a Fiat, the interior is rounded, padded and colorful. The curling, curving forms are deep and eye-catching. The black and brown interior offers cushy armrests and door panels. The metallic center console adds style and an upscale feel. Gleaming nickel finish trim inside and out feels classier than chrome. The smooth leather on the steering wheel and shift knob adds tactile enjoyment, like a finely crafted pair of Italian gloves.

     Fiat’s entertainment system is one of the easiest and most pleasant to use. The screen’s not the largest, but it’s understandable without consulting the owner’s manual. And, like all Fiat-Chrysler vehicles, you get those ingenious audio buttons on the back of the steering wheel.

     If you favor the Fiat 500, you should enjoy the 500X, too. It gives you more room to spread out, and the extra power lets you move along in traffic without thinking too much about it. My model, a Trekking with the Trekking Plus Collection 2 package, was top level, so it came with the extras you’ll appreciate. That package adds safety features, including Lane Departure Warning and Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus. It also throws in handy stuff like the enormous dual-pane sunroof, automatic high beams and rain-sensing wipers.

     The car weighs between 2,967 and 3,278 pounds, depending on engine and all-wheel drive, so it’s relatively light on its feet. Fuel economy is decent, at 22 City, 31 Highway, and 25 Combined for my car. I averaged 22.1 mpg in my usual week of commuting and around-town errand running. EPA Green scores run 6 for Smog and greenhouse Gas.

     The base model with manual earns better fuel economy numbers — 25/34/28, respectively — and sounds like it might provide a bit more of the tossability of the standard 500 coupe. It also has the most accessible price, starting at $20,995, including shipping. My test car, a Trekking Plus with the dayglo paint and above-mentioned option package, came to $31,805. You could grab a nice Lounge for $24,945 and split the difference.

     The 500X has a sibling that may be stealing sales — the Jeep Renegade. Having tested both, I can say that they drive similarly, although they use different engines. Styling is almost totally different between the two as well, and, at this point, Americans seem to like the way Jeeps look tough more than they savor the 500’s rounded cuteness. There’s power in brand identity, and Fiat is still building back its reputation here, despite its huge sales abroad.

     The Italy-built 500X is a great idea, but is not a leader in the compact crossover field right now. There’s fierce competition from better known brands, including the Renegade sibling, the new Honda HR-V and freshened Chevrolet Trax. There may still be some residual negativity around the Fiat brand.

     The 500X isn’t the smoothest driving or the quietest riding, either. However, if you relate to its unique Italian charm, the 500X could be the answer to your needs. In one of the 12 available shades (including French’s mustard yellow), you won’t have much trouble finding your car in the shopping center parking lot.

CAPTION: Designers at Centro Stile in Turin, Italy leveraged the character and iconic features of the Fiat 500 into a larger and more mature package for the all-new 2016 500X.

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Drive Responsibly with RAV4 Hybrid

BY STEVE SCHAEFER  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-05-17

     When the Toyota RAV4 debuted 20 years ago, it was at the forefront of what has become a huge market segment today — compact SUVs. Popularly known today as “crossovers,” they blend a higher-riding, trucklike configuration with an automotive chassis.

     With its pinched nose and other tweaks, the 2016 model resembles its fellow Toyotas. And, as a sibling of the Prius, it comes as a hybrid model too.

     Choose from three trim levels — XLE, SE and Limited — and with the hybrid you get a long list of modern car features with significantly improved fuel economy and green cred.

     How much better? Comparing all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions, the hybrid earns EPA fuel economy numbers of 34 City, 31 Highway, and 33 Combined. The gas-only model gets 22 City, 28 Highway, and 25 Combined. The Hybrid’s Combined rating is 32 percent better, and most of the improvement comes during City driving.

     The RAV4, like all hybrids, generally uses its electric motor more in slower, in-town driving. And, regenerative braking, which hybrids use to recharge their batteries, happens much more often on city streets. My week of testing, much of it in freeway commuting and local driving, delivered 31.3 mpg.

     The EPA Green Scores are 7 for Smog and 8 for Greenhouse Gas — much better numbers than most cars other than pure electrics and dedicated hybrids like the Prius. The last Prius I tested got the same 7 for Smog but a perfect 10 for Greenhouse Gas, so it’s still the king. Of course, the 3,050-pound Prius uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine while the 3,950-pound RAV4 Hybrid has a 2.5-liter one, so you’d expect that difference.

     The RAV4 Hybrid blends a 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 194 horsepower. The gas version is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 176 horsepower. The Hybrid is good for a decent 8.1-second zero-60 time.

     Part of why small crossovers are so popular is that they do so many things well. They’re not too big for maneuvering around crowded city streets but can calmly cruise on the freeway all day. Their rear hatch and high roof shape give you plenty of hauling capacity. My Electric Storm Blue tester boasted 35.6 cubic feet of storage with the second-row seat up and double that (70.6 cf) with that seat folded.

     The RAV4, aiming to look rugged, flaunts a busy, edgy dash. There’s a two-level storage bin and a sliding armrest. My tester’s terra cotta accents on the doors, dash and seats helped relieve the overall black plastic feel.

     As a Limited, my car featured Softex (fake leather) seating with heating and memory settings (without a trace of that luxury leather smell, sadly). Extra sound insulation kept it peaceful in there, too. The Entune Premium Audio system, upgraded in the Limited, uses a seven-inch screen with music, apps, navigation, phone interface, and everything else you expect now.

     Part of owning a Hybrid is learning to drive more efficiently. You can watch a colorful display of your energy flow on the dash center screen, but the small, simple display right in the center of the instrument panel tells the same story. It shows a wheel and an engine, with a battery below. Lines between then indicate if you were using electricity or generating it, and if the engine was engaged or not. Of course, you can monitor your fuel economy numbers anytime.

     The company is proud of its Toyota Safety Sense technology, which now incorporates pedestrian detection (so it’s called TSS-P, which is the reverse of a 1960’s spray-on shampoo). You get pre-collision warnings, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. What this all adds up to is that the car knows what’s going on and will help you avoid hitting pedestrians, keep your car in the lane, and maintain a safe distance when using cruise control. What’s not to like?

     Hybrids cost more than regular gas burners. How much? The cheapest nonhybrid RAV4, an LE with two-wheel drive, starts at $24,910. But for a real comparison, the Limited AWD gas version retails at $33,230. The Hybrid Limited AWD, like mine, runs $34,030. That’s only an $800-dollar difference, and that dollar difference applies at all three trim levels.

     The SE version of the Hybrid gives you a sport-tuned suspension and some styling differences, and costs $32,185, while the Hybrid XLE is the gas/electric entry point, at $29,030. Add $900 to every one of those prices for destination charges.

     There’s a movement toward subcompact crossovers for even more efficiency and cuteness, but for now, the RAV4 compact SUV is in the driver’s seat. And the Hybrid model, for not much more cash, is a responsible choice.

CAPTION: The sleek styling of the bumper incorporates new headlights that feature LED high- and low-beams as well as daytime running lights.

Outbreak of Flu Worst in Years

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-26-17

     California is experiencing widespread influenza activity that is more severe than last year due to significantly higher numbers of hospitalizations and outbreaks throughout the state.

     Since the beginning of the flu season, 14 cases of influenza-associated death in people under age 65 – including the death of a child – were reported in the California as of Friday, according to State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith.

     But this count represents only a fraction of the total flu deaths statewide because only deaths in people younger than 65 are reported to the state and not all influenza-related deaths are easily attributable to influenza.

     “This is a tragic reminder that the flu is a serious illness for people of all ages and kills thousands of Americans each year,” said Dr. Smith. “If you haven’t been immunized yet this season, getting flu shots for you and your family now can still help protect you this winter.”

     Hospitals statewide have been impacted by a surge in influenza patients, and hospitalizations for pneumonia and influenza at hospitals in Northern California during the week ending January 7 reached the highest level recorded in 10 years.

     The State Health Department has also received reports of 83 influenza outbreaks, mostly in long-term care facilities, more than twice the reports received in recent years.

     “We are closely monitoring the impact of influenza on health care facilities,” said Dr. Smith. “Some acute care hospitals in California are full and have diverted patients to other facilities.”

     For anyone who has not yet received a flu shot this season, it is not too late. Influenza activity usually continues for several months, and it is still early in the season. Because it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against influenza, it is best to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

     Health officials recommend that all Californians aged six month and older, including pregnant women, should get the annual flu vaccine. The flu virus circulating this season closely matches the vaccine, suggesting that the vaccine will provide protection against influenza and reduce the risk of severe disease.

     The flu vaccine prevents disease due to the most serious wintertime virus, but other viruses are also circulating now. Along with getting immunized, take these common-sense precautions against wintertime viruses:

     • Stay home when you are sick.

     • Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.

     • Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water or clean them with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

     • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

     Information in this section was compiled from the California Dept. of Public Health, the Alameda County Health Dept. and Sutter Health websites.

CAPTION: Health officials recommend that all Californians aged six month and older, including pregnant women, should get the annual flu vaccine.

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Get Your Teenagers to Become Lifelong Readers

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-19-17

     In today’s age of technology, it’s easy for teens to reject books in favor of gadgets. As these emerging technologies become increasingly important in society, parents should reinforce the educational and entertainment benefits of reading.

     Here are a few tips for encouraging your children to love the written word.

Treat Reading Like a Privilege

     If your kids believe that reading is a chore, they’ll stop as soon as your influence over them begins to wane or they are no longer required to read for school. Instead, show them that reading is a source of fun.

     In order to do this, position reading as a “reward.” When they get good grades, take them to the bookstore. When they finish their homework in the evening, give teens “reading privileges,” as you may be inclined to do with electronic sources of media.  

Offer Compelling Literature

     One of the most important things you can do is make sure that your kids have positive early experiences with books. This will shape their opinions of reading for the rest of their lives. Beyond school assignments, be sure your teens are reading compelling literature for fun.

    The best way to do this is to give them books that you know they’ll enjoy -- that way, they’ll always be either reading or anticipating their next read. Serial literature can be a great way to accomplish the goal of keeping kids interested.

Model Good Reading Behavior

    Let your kids see you reading. If they know that you like to read, then they’ll imitate your behavior. Teens may not always act like it, but they do look up to you.

    Don’t replace reading with interacting with your teens; instead, read at a time when they are already engaging in independent activities.

    Start your own little household book club. During dinner or another portion of the day spent together, discuss what you both are reading and what you like about the books. Make recommendations and swap great books.

    So when your kids are staring at their screens, remember that this generation can find just as much joy in books as you did when you were younger. All you need to do is give the extra push.

—StatePoint

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Sleep Is Key to Performance

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-19-17

     Here’s eye-opening news: For most teens, one of the best ways to find success in school is to get      enough sleep.

     When well rested, teens are more likely to be healthy, energetic and have a positive attitude toward life in general—helping them be their best and do their best in school and at home.

     To help, the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project launched the “Sleep Recharges You” campaign, urging teens to get eight to 10 hours of sleep per night to promote optimal health.

     “It’s important to make sleep a priority,” said Dr. Ronald Chervin, spokesperson for the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project.

     “Setting and sticking to a routine to get as much sleep as possible is one of the best things teens can do for their health, academic achievement and athletic performance.”

Lack of Sleep Jeopardizes Grades, Health and Safety

     More than two-thirds of students in the U.S. are failing to get enough sleep on school nights, according to a 2016 study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results show that 69 percent of surveyed students reported sleeping less than eight hours on an average school night. Insufficient sleep in teens can impact everything from grades to safety.

     Sleepy teens may fare worse in school than their well-rested peers. Studies show that teens who are sleep deprived may be more easily distracted and recall information more slowly. Sleeping fewer than the recommended hours is also associated with attention, behavior and learning problems.

     Lack of sleep may also affect athletic performance. When teens sleep, hormones are released that help them grow taller and develop muscles. Sleep helps restore energy to the brain and body.

     Studies show that teens who sleep less than the recommended hours are more likely to be overweight and develop hypertension and diabetes.

     Additionally, insufficient sleep in teenagers has been found to increase the risk of depression and is associated with increased risk of self-harm.

Parents, Caregivers Play Crucial Role 

     Students should be encouraged to get enough sleep every night to recharge. The Sleep Awareness Project advises parents and caregivers to help by modeling healthy sleep habits, promoting a consistent sleep schedule and creating a quiet sleep environment for their teens.

     Additionally, setting restrictions on screen time before bed is key to helping teens get to sleep on time. Teens may be tempted to keep using their laptops, smartphones and game consoles late into the night rather than going to sleep.

     “Teens are still growing and developing and sleep is a crucial part of these processes,” said Dr. Chervin. “One of the best things parents and caregivers can do for their children’s health and well-being is to encourage routines that will help them get enough sleep.”

     A natural shift in the timing of the body’s internal “circadian” clock occurs during puberty, causing most teens to have a biological preference for a late-night bedtime.

Learn More

     For further facts, visit www. sleepeducation.org/healthysleep.

—North American Precis Synd., Inc.

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Parents: Get More Involved in the Classroom

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-19-17

      Parental involvement in the classroom is a well-known strategy to boost student achievement; but, according to a recent survey, 62 percent of K–12 teachers say fewer than a quarter of parents get involved in the classroom.

     Teachers wish to have more parents involved, especially in elementary school. When asked what would attract more qualified educators to the field, 18 percent of K–12 teachers want more parent involvement in the classroom, with 21 percent teaching K–5 seeing the value.

     The survey, conducted by the Harris Poll for University of Phoenix, highlights the unique opportunity that parents have to become more involved in their children’s classrooms and to make an impact on their learning and classroom experience.

     “Parents are the first teachers of their children, and they play an integral role in their education, both inside and outside the classroom,” says Pamela Roggeman, Ed.D. “Communication between parents and teachers is critical to student success. As a former high school teacher, I saw firsthand how a culture of collaboration improved student outcomes and teacher satisfaction.”

How Teachers Want Parents To Get Involved

     When asked about ways that teachers would like parents involved in the classroom, they responded:

     • Don’t wait until there’s an issue to connect with the teacher (68 percent).

     • Ask about areas for improvement for their child (65 percent).

     • Communicate regularly with the teacher (65 percent).

     “The most impactful thing parents can do to stay engaged in their child’s learning is to have open dialogue and communication with their child’s teacher throughout the year,” adds Roggeman. “This allows parents to have a better understanding of their child’s progression and can help parents support the academic growth of their child through at-home activities to supplement what’s being done in the classroom.”

Increasing Parent-Teacher Communication

     Keeping regular communication with teachers can be challenging, particularly when balancing work, personal and family responsibilities. To help, Roggeman suggests four simple practices for parents to increase communication with their child’s educators:

     1. Identify the best method of communication. Today’s teachers create numerous ways to stay engaged with parents outside the classroom, including e-mail, a social media group, classroom websites or handwritten notes. Find out the teacher’s preferred method of communication for quicker responses and stay engaged.

     2. Ask about classroom activities and feedback on your child’s performance. Learn about current classroom lessons and activities. Ask for constructive feedback on how a child is performing to better understand difficult subjects for your child and areas for improvement.

     3. Don’t be afraid to ask for homework help when needed. It can sometimes be difficult to help children with their homework as curriculum evolves and parents might need to “brush up” on a subject. It’s natural — and not unreasonable — to ask educators for homework help and important to ensure children understand the curriculum.

     4. Don’t forget to say “thanks.” Teachers choose the profession to make a difference in students’ lives. They may manage more than 100 students a day and act not just as educators but as role models, guardians and caretakers for the nation’s students.

     Don’t forget to say thank you to your child’s teachers for choosing the profession and for all their hard work.

— North American Precis Synd., Inc.

CAPTION: Communicate with teachers to discover what at-home activities will best support what’s being done at school.

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What Are Your Kids Really Doing Online?

BY MICHAEL LEVIN  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-19-17

     The internet affords children endless opportunities to get into serious trouble, downloading what they shouldn’t download, looking at what they shouldn’t be looking at, and getting ideas about what they shouldn’t be getting ideas about.

     But the good news is that if your kids are like mine, they may be doing some or all of those things… but there’s something else that’s attracting their time and attention.

     It’s called teaching.

     That’s right — your kids are most likely teaching other kids how to do things that interest them. The online world, especially YouTube, has turned into an academy without walls, entrance fees, or final exams. The instructors, just like the students, are barely into double digits.

     My twin sons, Isaac and Walter, are variously interested in unicycling, origami, juggling, magic, Minecraft, jailbreaking their iPods, and similar subjects. Much of what they’ve learned about these topics has come from YouTube videos.

     Much of those videos are written and produced by other kids. Which inspired my sons to put up their own instructional videos.

     Now my sons are in a race with their friends for viewers and followers on their three YouTube channels. This is a unique phenomenon.

     You couldn’t get the average kid to stand up in front of an audience and talk about his or her favorite topic. Or demonstrate a magic trick, or a guitar chord, or a hack on an iPod.  Never gonna happen.

     But allow that same kid the privacy of his or her living room, the use of a camera built into a smartphone, and the opportunity to upload a two- or three-minute instructional video on any given topic, and you’ve got solid gold.

     As a result, there exists today an underground, invisible network of children taking turns as teachers and students, sharing with each other the skills, ideas, secrets, and technological breakthroughs they cherish. This university without walls or national boundaries is, without exaggeration, unparalleled in human history.  

     Children have always been at the mercy of parents, teachers, and school administrators when it comes to the question of how, what, and when they learn. Now the game has changed and the power has shifted to kids.

     Obviously parental supervision is required; you don’t need me to tell you just how dangerous and inappropriate the online world can be.  What’s most exciting about this phenomenon, however, is the fact that children are taking initiative to become teachers and sharers. They are not looking to make money doing this – although few would deny the desire to have 5 million followers and the fame (and perhaps fortune) that would accompany such success.  

     They’re doing it for the love of the video game, hobby, hack, or technique they’re demonstrating to the world.

     It’s fascinating to imagine the new world that will arise when these online teachers reach adulthood. Their ethos is cooperation instead of compensation; amateurism instead of professionalism. How will they make a living? How will they translate the teaching skills they are acquiring into a livelihood? I don’t know, but chances are, some of them will figure it out. And then they’ll post their learning on YouTube, or whatever sharing technology exists at that time, and give the world the benefit of their knowledge and experience. Why not? They’ll have been doing it for their whole lives.

     Michael Levin is an author and founder and CEO of BusinessGhost, Inc.

CAPTION: Many kids are teaching their colleagues tricks online.

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Prepare Children for Success in School

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  01-19-17

     One of the best things you can do for your children is to make sure they attend school every day.

     After all, we want our kids to have the best possible chance of doing well in school and achieving their dreams. But getting a child to school isn’t always easy. While some absences are understandable, it’s important to understand the impact of each absence.

     Although most parents understand the importance of getting their child to school every day, many believe that missing three or more days of school each month won’t make a difference. In reality, as early as when in elementary school, students who miss just two school days per month are more likely to fall behind in school, and less likely to graduate from high school.

     Even when absences are excused or understandable, absences add up. Students who miss just two days of school each month end up missing 18 school days, or 10 percent of school days in a year.

     By following these five simple tips, you can help ensure your child attends school every day. Attending school every day puts your child on the path toward success in school and in life.

What to Do:

     1. Keep track of how many days of school your child has missed.

     2. Figure out why your child is absent from school. Is your child dealing with a chronic illness such as asthma? Are they being bullied or struggling at school? Are they staying home to help care for a family member?

     3. Ask teachers and community leaders for advice and specific resources. Reach out to other parents, too, to ask for help and share tips.

     4. Consider enrolling your child in a mentoring or an afterschool program. When kids work with mentors, they learn about the importance of attending school every day. With an additional support system in place, kids learn strategies to address their day-to-day challenges. Similarly, when kids get involved in afterschool programs, they are more likely to feel connected to their school communities and are less likely to be absent.

     5. Visit AbsencesAddUp.org for information on the impact of absences and resources to help prevent them in the future.

     On the website, you’ll learn how to help children who are struggling in school, being bullied, managing chronic illness or dealing with mental health challenges. Additionally, the site also provides parents with resources to assist with caregiving, housing and food challenges.

Learn More

     Visit ­AbsencesAddUp.org to find resources and tips that can help children through many challenges, whether their child isn’t feeling well, their family is struggling with housing, or anything in between.

—North American Precis Synd., Inc. 

CAPTION: As early as elementary school, students who miss just two school days per month are more likely to fall behind.

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Give Your Family a Gift: Get Your Personal and Financial Affairs in Order

BY JIM MILLER  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-05-17

     Organizing your key information and getting your personal and financial affairs in order is a great gift to your loved ones.

     To help you get started, your first step is to gather up all of your important personal, financial and legal information so you can arrange it in a format that will benefit you now, and your loved ones later.

     Then you’ll need to sit down and create various lists of important information and instructions of how you want certain things handled when you die or if you become incapacitated.

     Here’s a checklist of areas you need to focus on.

Personal Information

     • Contacts: Make a master list of names and phone numbers of close friends, clergy, doctors, and professional advisers such as your lawyer, accountant, broker and insurance agent.

     • Medical information: Include a list of medications you and your spouse take, along with any allergies and illnesses.

     • Personal documents: Include such items as your birth certificates, Social Security cards, marriage license, military discharge papers, etc.

     • Secured places: List all the places you keep under lock and key or protected by password, such as safe deposit boxes, safe combinations, security alarms, etc.

     • Service providers: Provide contact information of the companies or people who provide you regular services such as utility companies, lawn service, etc.

     • Pets: If you have a pet, give instructions for the care of the animal.

     • End of life: Indicate your wishes for organ and tissue donation (see organdonor.gov), and write out your funeral instructions. If you’ve made pre-arrangements with a funeral home, include a copy of the agreement, their contact information and whether you’ve prepaid or not.  

Legal Documents

     • Will, trust and estate plan: Include the original copy of your will and other estate planning documents you’ve made.

     • Financial power of attorney: This document names someone you trust to handle money matters if you’re incapacitated.

     • Advance health care directives: These documents (see caringinfo.org) — a living will and medical power of attorney — spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment when you can no longer make decisions for yourself.

Financial Records

     • Financial accounts: Make a list of all your bank accounts, brokerage and mutual fund accounts, and any other financial assets you have.

     • Debts and liabilities: Make a list of any loans, leases or debt you have — mortgages owed, car loans, student loans, medical bills, credit card debts. Also, make a list of all credit and charge cards, including the card numbers and contact information.

     • Company benefits: List any retirement plans, pensions or health benefits from your current or former employer, including the contact information of the benefits administrator.

     • Insurance: List the insurance policies you have (life, long-term care, home, auto, Medicare, Medigap, prescription drug, etc.), including the policy numbers, agents and phone numbers.  

     • Property: List real estate, vehicles and other properties you own, rent or lease, and include documents such as deeds, titles, and loan or lease agreements.

     • Taxes: Include the location of your tax records and your tax preparer’s contact information.  

     Keep all your organized information and files together in one convenient location, ideally in a fireproof filing cabinet or safe in your home. Also, be sure to review and update it every year, and don’t forget to tell your loved ones where they can find it.

     If you need help, get a copy of “12 Critical Things Your Family Needs to Know.” This is an excellent 60-page workbook available at 12criticalthings.com for $15 or $19 for the downloadable versions, or $25 for a printed copy.

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

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Make a New Year’s Resolution To Review Your Estate Plan

BY GENE L. OSOFSKY, ESQ.  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  01-05-17

Q: My wife and I created our estate planning documents about 10 years ago and we really have not even looked at them since. Do you have any thoughts about when we should consider updating them?

A: Yes, I do. I would tie a review and update into a New Year’s Resolution.

     Many of us resolve to eat healthier and exercise more in the New Year. I would suggest another resolution: Persons who have not created an estate plan should resolve to create one; and those who have already created one, such as yourself, should resolve to update them as need and changes in the law may require.

     A very basic estate plan would typically consist of the following legal documents: a “Living Trust,” a backup Will, a Durable Power of Attorney and an Advance Health Care Directive for each person. These documents are designed to be reviewed, modified and updated as circumstances change.

     Benchmarks for updating these documents might include the following: (1) changes in family structure, such as by births, deaths, divorces and marriages; (2) changes in the ability to manage one’s own finances and/or the onset of incapacity; (3) the need for long-term care; the disability of a child; and changes in tax law.

     However, as much as we encourage clients to review and update their estate planning documents, too few actually take that advice.

     In this regard, I have seen wills of deceased parents, prepared two or three decades earlier, which still refer to their children as minors, and others that mention only one child when the parents subsequently had more children.

     Outdated documents can sometimes be more problematic than none at all.

     If it has been 10 years or so since you created your documents, you very likely have provisions in them which were designed with old tax laws in mind, and that would now make administration of your estate unduly cumbersome.

     I refer, specifically, to the common practice years ago, when the estate tax exemption was $1 million per person or less, of requiring asset splitting and sub trust funding at the first death in order to minimize the estate tax bite.

     Now, with the federal estate tax exemption at $5.4-million per person (for persons dying in 2017), and the corresponding option afforded married couples to double that amount, the need for burdensome sub-trust funding is no longer necessary for most couples.

     If your 10-year-old plan falls into this category, you may wish to modify it to eliminate this requirement and make trust administration easier for the survivor.

     For those who have not created an estate plan, I would encourage them to do so at the earliest opportunity. Sometimes setting a specific calendar deadline is helpful, such as taking steps to create a plan and have it in place by March 31 of the coming year.

     The New Year is a time for renewal. Let’s add getting your legal affairs in order to your other resolutions. Your elder law or estate planning attorney can assist you in crafting an appropriate plan to meet your present circumstances.

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

LETTERS • 01-26-17

‘No Laws to Help the Unfortunate Folks Living at Trailer Haven’

Editor:

     The unfortunate folks living at the Trailer Haven park are not alone in being squeezed between the forces of greed and government indifference. They, however, seem to be in need of a lesson in Civics.

     First and unfortunately foremost, they should have known that the City, County, State, and Federal officials can only enforce laws and statutes that are on the books. There are no laws in existence to help these folks. There will be no laws to help folks like these in the conceivable future.

     Society’s most vulnerable are easy to marginalize, denigrate and ignore, until you become one of them.

— Vernon S. Burton, San Leandro

City Should Replace Timed Signals with Traffic Sensors

Editor:

     I agree with Don Desrochers letter “Calls for Elimination of Left-Turn Signals to Improve Traffic Flow,” Letters, Jan. 19) except I feel there is an even better solution.  

     San Leandro should eliminate all of the 2-minute timed traffic signals in town and replace them with traffic sensors in every direction.

     How often do you sit at a stop light, watching your clock or watch, to see if the signal will actually change in 2 minutes? How often do you sit there waiting for the light to change with no other traffic in sight?  How often have you been waiting at the light only to watch somebody make an illegal left turn through their red light because they were tired of waiting?  

     I have personally had all these experiences in San Leandro, particularly at the corner of 139th and 14th, which includes the hospital traffic that should never be delayed.

     It seems the traffic would flow more smoothly if the lights were sensitive to the traffic waiting. It would certainly equalize the flow appropriate to the abundance. It is time for San Leandro to modernize its system by making this change.

— Vi Walters, San Leandro

Thanks to All Who Helped with Crow Creek Restoration

Editor:

     The Restoration Trust, the Friends of San Lorenzo Creek, and the Alameda Country RCD Hands-on Conservation would like to thank all the hard working volunteers that woke up early and volunteered their Saturday morning on January 14th to help restore a section of Crow Creek.

     With the help of more than 30 volunteers, we cleared garbage, removed non-native vegetation, and planted over 4,000 native plants along a stretch of Crow Creek in Castro Valley. This work will help stabilize the banks of Crow Creek, provide habitat for native wildlife, improve water quality and help reduce flood risks.

     We would also like to thank Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley for his assistance planning and implementing this event. We look forward to working with Supervisor Miley and all the hardworking volunteers again next year to continue the Crow Creek restoration efforts.

— Emily Mathews, The Restoration Trust, Oakland

Trump’s ‘Alternative Facts’ Called ‘Lies’

Editor:

     No argument is too petty for little Donald when it comes to assertions about size.

     While photographic evidence confirms the crowd that witnessed his inauguration was half the size that celebrated President Obama’s inauguration, Trump chose to claim the opposite and make a fuss about “media bias.”  His official representative, Kellyanne Conway, went even further, saying Trump’s claim is based on “alternative facts.”  

     This is not the first time the blowhard candidate and then president-elect made claims based on verifiable untruths. So let’s call “alternative facts” what they are; they are lies.

     Now as President of the United States, his lying prevarications pose a direct threat to our free society which depends on engaged citizens informed by true facts. Government officials calling their lies “alternative facts” endangers the very foundation of our democracy.

     Patriotic appreciation to news reporters who check the facts and point out the lies.

— Bruce Joffe, Piedmont

Trump Victory ‘Brought About By Prayers of Pro-Life Voters’

Editor:

     Regarding the so-called Women’s Marches: truth is not dependent upon the number of people who believe in it.  

     Just because the devil inspired the Supreme Court and women to cause the slaughter of 58 million babies since 1973, does not make it a “right” granted by God.  

     Henry David Thoreau said, “Any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one already.”  

     They say that “God writes straight with crooked lines.” Jesus took a man who denied Him three times and made him the first pope.

Nothing can stop Him from using another unlikely source (such as President Trump) to defund Planned Parenthood, select justices to overturn Roe v. Wade, and stop the persecution of people of faith.

     These possibilities exist thanks to the miraculous victory brought about not by Russian hackers, but the prayers of pro-life voters. Health care and immigration issues still need to be worked out, but there is no issue more crucial in the U.S. than preventing the continued execution of thousands of unborn babies each day.

     We pro-lifers are not a “majority of one,” we are many.  I expect that I, too, will suffer a backlash for these statements due to the ignorance of those who are unfamiliar with the laws of God, or find them inconvenient.  

     I wonder if the secular press will do as good a job covering the March for Life in D.C. on January 27th as they did the anti-life marches.

     For the first time in eight years, I am joyfully but cautiously optimistic that my nation may turn from the evil it has been steeped in for far too long.  

— Stephanie Choury, San Leandro

Accuses Trump of Spreading ‘False Stories’ for 10 Years

Editor:

     Donald Trump has, for the last 10 years, dealt with fake news on a regular basis. He often said he was sending a group of his lawyers to go to Hawaii to prove his allegations. These fake news stories about President Obama’s birth certificate were a fraud.

     Trump said Obama was born in Africa and that he would prove it. He spread these false stories even in his run for president. Then he quietly stopped without an apology to President Obama.

     Now that some fake news stories about Donald Trump are circulating, we find Donald upset and vindictive about them. He calls the free press liars and spreaders of fake news.

     Donald has trafficked in these things long before these other fake stories appeared. What goes around comes around.

     During his run for the presidency, he called each of his contenders nasty and insulting names. How can I respect a president with that kind of past?

— Gerald J. Dorn, San Leandro

Trump’s Speech ‘a Beautiful Departing Kick in Obama’s Butt’

Editor:

     Donald J. Trump’s speech was a beautiful departing kick in Obama’s butt, denouncing again the Washington establishment and Obama’s eight years of ineptness. Denouncing how armies are being sent to defend other countries’ borders while U. S. borders remained unprotected, and how jobs are being shipped abroad or taken by illegals right here and much more.

     It was good to see that Trump is going to stick to his campaign program. What needs to be seen is how many enemies he’s going to have within the Republican Party who don’t want to loose the cheap illegal scabs for the corporations that they represent.

     It’s my hope that Donald Trump calls the people to rally in Washington to push his program through.

     On Saturday the Trumphobia was rabidly manifested as well; illegals, Islamists, etc. came to listen to millionaire luminaries like Scarlett Johanson, Madonna, the Stalinist-con Angela Davis and others from the fictitious world of Hollywood.

     For these sore losers the electoral system was good when the Democratic Party won, but in 2000 Al Gore lost “because of Ralph Nader” and in 2016 Hillary lost “because of Vladimir Putin.” This is the twisted logic of these elements who’ll have to swallow their bile for the next eight years.

— Leo T. West, San Leandro

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LETTERS • 01-19-17

Calls for Elimination of Left-Turn Signals to Improve Traffic Flow

Editor:

     A simple method to improve traffic flow by 15 to 20 percent – as well as improve gas mileage – is to eliminate the red left-turn signal on all two-lane roads (such as Williams St.) as well as most four-lane roads. A driver can turn left at driveways and cross streets without a signal, but can’t turn left at the signal. Where is the logic?

     A person can right turn from a side street at a signaled intersection after making sure he doesn’t interfere with oncoming traffic, but he isn’t allowed to use the same judgement when turning left. Where is the logic?

     It is not uncommon to see two or three lanes of traffic waiting for a red left-turn signal with no other traffic in sight. I have lived in several cities in many states and have never seen such a hindrance to traffic flow.

— Don Desrochers, San Leandro

‘Disturbed’ by City’s Plan to Spend $750,000 on Border Sign

Editor:

     It is very disturbing  to hear that the City Council is ready to waste $750,000 on a non-functional border sign in San Leandro.

     It is a waste of money when a project such as this won’t yield any benefits for anyone especially the homeless and displaced renters. We need to remind the City Council that however “Art” is needed, and I believe in art, that it should be eco-friendly and functional.  

     There were interesting suggestions made by one who wrote in: I say yes to a grove of cherry trees, a  garden, a water fountain, an art space or another shelter. Play with your imagination, it’s a lot of money — use it wisely, folks.

— Maria Luisa Penaranda, San Leandro

Appalled by Republicans Attempt To Repeal Health Care Act

Editor:

     Here they go again. The Republicans in Congress are trying to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act for the umpteenth time. Now they feel that they can succeed with the incoming Trump administration.

     It was appalling while watching on CPAN-2, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, along with his fellow Republicans, demean the health care reform law as a failure.

     What they are aren’t telling everyone is that this law helps 24 million Americans get proper care that they never have.  Also, it included the Indian Health Care Improvement Act which improves the health of American Indians, especially those who live in rural areas.

     For a party that claims to be pro-life, the Republicans in Congress are showing their hypocrisies by denying the majority of Americans basic health care and they need to stop it now.

— Billy Trice, Jr., Oakland

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LETTERS • 01-12-17

New Sign: Other Infrastructure Projects Could Yield More Benefits

Editor:

     (In response to “Council Wants SL Sign on E. 14th Street,” Page One, The Times, Jan. 5) A border marker for $750,000? Although that intersection is a dead zone, something else could be done for less.

     How about a grove of cherry trees? While I’m not a city planner, I imagine there are other infrastructure projects that yield more benefits. Increased lighting is a good thing, especially further south on East 14th Street.

     Maybe the citizens of San Leandro can submit suggestions if we have $750K burning a hole in our pocket. Or, is this the usual announcement of “done deal”?

— Jeff Sturm, San Leandro

A $750,000 Sign? ‘This Is Not Beverly Hills’

Editor:

     (In response to “Council Wants SL Sign on E. 14th Street,” Page One, The Times, Jan. 5)

     What a waste!

     Why is it that as soon as any governmental agency finds some money in its pocket, it suddenly finds an overwhelming need to spend it?

     What about a street sign saying: “You are now entering San Leandro”?

     This is not Beverly Hills.

     Remember Castro Valley spending many thousands of dollars erecting a “Welcome to Castro Valley” monument on Redwood Road a number of years ago, only to tear it down in a few months in response to the many complaints of local residents?

     Come on, Zapata. Get a clue!

— Ken Kellogg, San Leandro

The Sign: ‘How is $750,000 Art ‘Needed’ on Hesperian?’

Editor:

     I was surprised and upset by the city manager’s vitriolic handling of the Davis Street loan situation. This city provides no social services for its residents, and in that void, Davis Street is one of a small handful of non-profits that pick up the slack.

     They provide food, clothing and medical care to people at the bottom of the economic ladder. And, Building Futures, in the article on the homeless warming shelter, pointed out that non-affordable rents are the major contributing factor to homelessness here.

     This city has pressing needs that go unmet and unfunded by its own budget. Yet they had money to spend sending out an “informational” mailing asking residents to vote for an array of new taxes.

     Like the school measure, the city thinks nothing of asking taxpayers to throw away good money after bad. The balloon payment debacle was caused by their own poor decision-making, so they’ll just raise taxes. They have unfunded liabilities, also based on poor fiscal decisions, so they just raise taxes.

     The city spends incredible amounts of money on consultants, lobbyists and mailings. And, of course, art. Which will make us all feel safe and might solve some of our pressing social issues like homelessness. Of course, the homeless will have to live under that $750,000 sign to reap the benefit.

     Three-quarters of a million dollars on a sign while people are homeless, rents keep soaring, and Davis Street needs forgiveness of debt. The same city manager trashing Davis Street for its loan repayment problem can then tell us how art is “needed” on Hesperian for $750,000.

     City Hall is good at throwing limited fiscal resources on “needed” art. But they need to return from their inter-galactic travels and start dealing with real issues in the real world that affect real people.

— K. Lee-Figueroa, San Leandro

Says BART Complainers Should ‘Grow Up’

Editor:

     I would like to hear from folks like Corey Anderson (“Wonders About Lack of Concern Over BART’s Latest Hike in Fines,” Letters, Jan. 5), just how they would go about maintaining a public transportation system that carries up to half a million Bay Area commuters every day.

     How would he keep a five-decades-old system functioning safely and efficiently?

     On what planet can you build, maintain and improve a vital service without paying for it?

     My advice for Corey and those who complain incessantly is: Grow up.

— Vernon S. Burton, San Leandro

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LETTERS • 01-05-17

‘Very Skeptical’ About the Latest Technology Innovations

Editor:

     Be very skeptical about the latest cool thing the city is embarking on. We’re finally getting our 4,300-plus street lights converted over to LED – with a 90 percent energy savings verses the current bulbs.

     Other cities around the state did this years ago (like we all did in our homes to cut our monthly energy bill), but San Leandro balked, which I’ve never understood.

     So, I’m thrilled it’s finally being done and it appears on someone else’s dime. San Leandro received a $1.5 million grant from the state to help develop a “remote management” system for our power supply which will basically give someone in Sacramento, or any 14 year old with a smart phone, control over our power supply.  

     I used to be in favor of all the latest technology innovations, but given that I’ve received repeated notices from my credit card companies that they’ve been hacked and they have millions of dollars of assets to protect, I’ve become a total skeptic.

     Our election is in question because of a possible Russian involvement and now I’m supposed to believe that we have the people in place at City Hall and the capability of implementing an un-hackable power grid “remote management” system here in San Leandro. Mark me down as very skeptical.

     And, when the state has all cities “integrated” does that mean turning off San Leandro’s power in favor of leaving Oakland or Hayward’s on? These are questions that need to be raised right now, not later. The city thought this was a genius move on their part for getting the state to foot the bill for the street light conversion. I don’t think it takes a genius to realize this all sounds like a bad deal for San Leandro.

— Gary Langbehn, San Leandro

Wonders About Lack of Concern Over BART’s Latest Hike in Fines

Editor:

     Well, aren’t you all glad you agreed to raise taxes for BART?  

     Have you all seen the increases in fines they have going for the new year? Thanks to the San Leamdro TImes for keeping us updated. I am no math whiz, but now if you park in the daily fee section and forget to pay at the pay station your fine is up from $35 to now $55.  

     And if you are in the monthly permit section it is from $40 to $75. Will someone please tell me what percentage raise that is? Did you all get raises this year at that percentage? Who says our government can raise fines that high?

     Well, I guess you all do as you voted to raise property taxes for them and as no one complains to the BART board about these added fines. I see lots of spaces here in San Leandro not used during the day because of parking fees.

     I was against BART instituting fees for parking in the first place, and now these fines increases. Where does this end? I guess you all are happy with government confiscation of your hard-earned dollars, because they keep getting away with it and very few complain. I would love a raise to this percentage. Anyone else get that kind of raise? Anyone at all? (Crickets)

— Corey Anderson, San Leandro

Heartening to See Bernard Ashcraft’s Dedication to Diversity

Editor:

     Congratulations to Bernard Ashcraft upon receiving the Urban League’s Diversity and Equity Award (San Leandro Times, Dec.15, 2016).

     At a time when too many behave in ways that further divide us, it is heartening to see Mr. Ashcraft’s dedication to diversity and equity acknowledged.  

— Cindy Hicks, San Leandro

Urges Rejection of Perry for Secretary of Energy

Editor:

     President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of former Texas Governor Rick Perry as Secretary of Energy is in contradiction because during his unsuccessful run for president in 2012, Perry said that one of the items that he wants to eliminate in Washington is the Department of Energy.

     If he is confirmed, Perry – with the blessing of Trump – will let the Texas-based energy company, Energy Transfer Partner, resumes the building of the Dakota Access pipeline that will goes through Lakota Peoples sacred site as well as the Missouri River.

     Recently, the Army Corp of Engineers had rejected a permit for this energy company to build this pipeline due to pressure by the Lakota Peoples in violation of their rights to their sites as well to the water.

     Now Trump and Perry want to resume it since both have a stake into this project. I urge the United States Senate – if they are concerned about the rights of Indigenous Peoples – to reject the nomination of Rick Perry as Secretary of Energy.

— Billy Trice, Jr., Oakland

OBITUARIES • 01-26-17

ALLOTT, Lois

CASSEL, Gerald Lee Sr.

CASTILLO, Phillip “Babe”

DONOVAN, Frances L.

PEDERSON, Kimberly Renee

ALLOTT, Lois, passed away January 16, 2017 at age 88. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Genevieve Allott. Lois leaves her companion, Shirley Sell of Castro Valley, and her dog, Jack. Lois was born in Wilmington, Illinois; and, for the past 53 years, has lived in Castro Valley. She took her nurses training at Silver Cross Hospital in Joilet, Illinois. She had the opportunity to continue in surgery and helped setup the Surgery Department at San Leandro Hospital. She spent the next 30 years there, first as Head Nurse and then as Director of the Surgery Department. She retired in 1990. Lois joined Senior Friends/ Friendly Connections organization serving as Volunteer Trip Escort for 9 years and as vice president for 6 years. She was also a member of Ladies Auxiliary Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 1139, and was also a member of Faith Lutheran Church. Interment will be at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward. Viewing on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral service is on Monday, Jan. 30, at 10:30 a.m. in the Chimes’ small chapel.

CASSEL, CMCS SCW Gerald Lee, Sr, USN ret, (17 NOV 1953 – 23 JAN 2017) — America lost another of her heroes this past Monday morning — Senior Chief Construction Mechanic, Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, Jerry Lee Cassel Sr, USN ret. Senior Chief was issued new orders and reported to the Supreme Commander in the Post Everlasting at 0600 hours, 23 JAN 2017. He was 63. A U.S. Navy Veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Jerry was the recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol medals, plus many other awards. He served in the United States Navy for more than 23 years — his last assignment as Command Senior Chief, Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 14, Port Hueneme, California. In addition to his Navy duties, Jerry was employed by CALTRANS at various locations throughout California. He retired from CALTRANS as Superintendant 3, shop 4, San Leandro. Jerry was an active member of American Legion Memorial Post 117, San Leandro, Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 819, San Leandro, and 40/8 Voiture 257, San Leandro. He leaves behind his loving wife, Lanie; his 3 daughters, Jennifer, Carrie and Kimberly; his son, Jerry Junior; his mother, Louise; his sister, Carol; his brother, Glenn; 8 grandchildren, ETN3 Nicholas Crowley, USN, Riley, Abby, Leah, Ally, Sadie, Colt and Charlee Ann; plus many nieces and nephews. Arrangements were made through Grissom’s Chapel, 267 E. Lewelling Blvd, in San Lorenzo (510-278-2800). Viewing is at Grissom’s Chapel on Monday, Jan. 30, from 1600 hours to 2000 hours. Final goodbye service is at Grissom’s Chapel on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 1030 hours. Military Honors will be rendered. Internment will be at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California (707-693-2460). Military honors will be rendered. Military personnel: Service Dress Blues or equivalent. In lieu of flowers, donations for Disabled Veterans may be made to: Veterans of Foreign Wars, San Leandro Memorial Post 819, San Leandro; American Legion Memorial Post 117, San Leandro; or American Legion District 10 Riders, San Leandro.

CASTILLO, Phillip “Babe”, March – November 22, 2016, a resident of Hayward, passed away surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of life will be held by the family on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at San Leandro Boys & Girls Club, 401 Marina Blvd., in San Leandro.

DONOVAN, Frances L., passed away on January 20, 2017. Visitation will be held at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro today, Jan. 26, from noon to 8 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Jan. 27, at Church of the Assumption, 1100 Fulton Ave., in San Leandro beginning at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510 483-0123 www.santos-robinson.com).

PEDERSON, Kimberly Renee, of San Leandro passed on December 28, 2016 at age 53. She is survived by her life-long partner of 35 years, David Herrera; children, Alicia, Amber, Alyssa, Alex, Joseph and Jacob — all of San Leandro. No service as was her wish.

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OBITUARIES • 01-19-17

COSTA, Antonio Luis

DUARTE, Richard Frank

PARKER, Henrietta

PORRILL, Janet G.

RONNINGEN, Kenneth

VALLADON, Robert “Bob”

COSTA, Antonio Luis, October 18, 1925 – January 6, 2017. Portuguese-American. Husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

DUARTE, Richard Frank (Resident of San Leandro  •  May 12, 1933 – January 11, 2017), 83, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2017 peacefully at his home. He was a faithful parishioner of St. Leander Catholic Church. Richard was a commercial fisherman for over 45 years, and he loved the time that he spent on the water. Upon retiring, Richard enjoyed traveling each year with his close friend, Connie, to many different places, with Mexico being one of his favorites. Richard is survived by his devoted son, Lance Duarte (Debby), and grandchildren (Austin and Jami) of Granite Bay; as well as his devoted son, Daniel Duarte (Suzanne), of Eldorado Hills. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Frank Duarte; and his mother, Louise Munsey. Richard had so many close friends and family members that will miss him greatly. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and easy-going personality. Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a funeral service at noon at Holy Angels/Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 1051 Harder Road, in Hayward. Burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Leander Church in San Leandro or St. Philip Neri Parish Church in Alameda. Arrangements made by Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Center, 510-537-6600.

PORRILL, Janet G., a longtime resident of San Leandro, passed away on January 16, 2017 in Castro Valley, with her loving family by her side. She will be interred at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

RONNINGEN, Kenneth, a longtime resident of San Leandro, passed away on January 10, 2017 at the age of 87. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy on the USS Princeton in the Korean War. His wife, Donna, and son, David, preceded him in death. He is survived by his 2 sons, Kevin and Keith, and their wives and children. At his request, no services will be held. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

VALLADON, Robert “Bob”, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 16, 2017 where he shared a room with his wife, Mary, at the St. Regis Retirement Center (Memory Care Unit) in Hayward. He was raised in Oakland and attended St. Joseph’s High School in Alameda, followed by the University of San Francisco, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Accounting. At age 14, he made a decision to join the Seminary, following the footsteps of his oldest brother — Reverend Walter Valladon.  While studying for the priesthood, he frequently went to the soda shop and was served many milkshakes by the future love of his life — Mary Klichan.  He never went back to the Seminary and married Mary in 1951. His work career started at the Chevrolet plant on 73rd Avenue in Oakland from 1951 to 1963, prior to the opening of the General Motors plant in Fremont, where he worked from 1963 until it’s closing in 1981. Bob successfully performed multiple functions in all aspects of accounting throughout the years. Living in the “Manor” district in San Leandro, Bob and Mary raised a family of five children and is survived by all of them — Kathy Bernard (Gary), Theresa Vidal (John), Robert Valladon, Jr. (Bobbie), Matt Valladon (Sandy) and Annette Maduell (Dave). He is also the proud “Papa” of 11 grandchildren — Jason (deceased), Jeff, Scott, Sean, Lauren, Tara, Andrea, Josh, Kate, Danielle and Allison; and 8 great-grandchildren — Gianna, Colin, Parker, Mia, Caden, Jackson, Weston and Clayton. Bob is preceded in death by his three brothers, Reverend Walter J. Valladon, William J. Valladon and Alfred J. Valladon. Bob always put family first! He adored his family and will be remembered for his storytelling, his respect and love for his wife, Mary, and his love for the 49ers! And, there was seldom a visit with “Dad” without enjoying his favorite adult beverage — a good, strong “Old Fashioned”. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or Maryknoll at maryknoll.org. Visitation service will be held on Sunday, Jan. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a Vigil service at 1 p.m. at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Monday, Jan. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Felicitas Church, 1662 Manor Blvd., in San Leandro. Burial to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward.

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OBITUARIES • 01-12-17

AMARO, Rosa

CLARKE, James

FAZIO, Chente

LEWIS, Alexander J.

McNELY, Nina

AMARO, Rosa, a longtime resident of San Leandro passed away on January 9, 2017. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 15, at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro from noon to 5 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 3 p.m. The funeral Mass will be on Monday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Leander Catholic Church, 550 W. Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Interment will be Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd., in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

CLARKE, James J. (Aka: Jim or Jimmy  •  January 9, 1942 – January 7, 2017), a resident of San Leandro, lived in San Leandro for 75 years. Born in Oakland on January 9, 1942, James went home to be with the Lord on January 7, 2017, due to Cerebral Vascular Dementia and kidney failure. James leaves behind 2 daughters, Kim Chulata of San Leandro and Terry Clarke of Manteca; and his 3 grandchildren, who know him as “Poppi”, Joshua Chulata, Caden Watson and Cael Watson. Jim was a freelance Graphic Design Artist until his retirement. His life was painting and his family. He won numerous awards at the Alameda County Fair as well as the design for the 1971 Easter Seals Christmas stamps. He loved bowling, music and watched Jeopardy every night. Jim loved to talk and was a sensitive, caring man — loving, creative and dedicated. He enjoyed all sports, college and professional, and his favorite football team was the Green Bay Packers. Jim was known all around town for his cowboy hat. He was an encourager and had a great sense of humor. We love you and miss you. We will be celebrating Jim’s life on Friday, Jan. 20, at Santos Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon with Services at that time. Please bring stories and memories to share or that can be read. Reception to follow after services. Interment will be private. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (santos-robinson.com, 510-483-0123).

FAZIO, Chente Fazio (December 31, 1918 – January 3, 2017) — Her beloved, Tilio, went to heaven one month ago, and now Chente, his “doll”, has joined him and their son, Bobby (1993). She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne; son, Arnold (Genofeva); granddaughters, Jessica and Melissa (Daniel); great-granddaughter, Makenna; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. She also leaves behind her “adopted daughter” Marianne. Chente was born in San Fernando. A few years later, her family moved to Oakland, living three houses away from Tilio’s family. She said it was love at first sight! They were married 76 years and enjoyed a lifetime of fun and family, and especially ballroom dancing. Having an Italian background, Tilio embraced the Mexican culture Chente brought, especially the cuisine and the yearly open house Christmas Day sharing tamales with friends and family. They enjoyed traveling, casino trips and, of course, their Jack Daniels. Chente learned sewing from her mom and mastered it all her life, teaching anyone who wanted to learn. While her children attended grammar school, she actively participated in the Mother’s Club. She loved to be in her garden tending joyfully, especially to her orchids. She was a gentle, happy lady who always shared her beautiful smile with everyone. Her unwavering Catholic faith shone through as she peacefully passed her final days with us. Visitation for Chente and Tilio will take place at Cooper’s Chapel in Oakland at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Christ the King Church in Pleasant Hill at 11a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, Tilio’s 101st Birthday. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum in Lafayette. Together Forever.

LEWIS, Alexander J., a longtime San Leandro resident, passed away on January 11, 2017 at age 92. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro from noon to 8 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at St. Bede Catholic Church, 26950 Patrick Ave., in Hayward beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

McNELY, Nina Carol, a longtime Oakland resident, died December 25, 2016 surrounded by loved ones. She was 83. Carol was born December 30, 1932 in Fort Worth, Texas, the middle of three children, to parents Duffie and Evelyn Flory.  In 1940, the family moved to Oakland, where Carol would reside most of her life. Carol attended Lakeview, McChesney and Oakland high schools, graduating in 1951. In 1953, she married Warren McNely and together had three children, Kathleen, Claire and Daniel. The two were married for 54 years until his death in 2007. Devoted to family and their Christian faith, the McNelys were active members of Sequoyah Community Church and supported many local charities and causes. Despite suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in her later years, Carol will be remembered as vivacious, charming and exceedingly kind. Her fun-loving zest for life, generous spirit and graceful nature were at the heart of all she did. In addition to spending time with family and serving at church, she enjoyed traveling the world, painting and shopping. Carol was preceded in death by her younger brother, David; parents, Duffie and Evelyn; her loving husband, Warren; and nephew, Jerry (“Jeff”) Flory, Jr. She is survived by her devoted family: daughters, Katie Atwood and husband Warren, and Claire Koenig and husband Dean; son, Dan McNely; loving grandchildren, Michael Atwood and wife Sarah, Emily Atwood, Megan Nadalet and husband Matthew, Davis Koenig, Alexandra McNely, Jessica McNely, and Joshua McNely; and great-grandchildren, Austin, Elliot and Sadie Atwood. Other dearly loved family members who survive her are her brother, Jerry Flory and wife Alice; nephews, David Flory and wife Bea, and Robert Flory and wife Susy; nieces, Teresa Gregus and husband Lou, and Sheila (Jeff) Flory, and their families; and numerous family members in Texas, Missouri and Illinois. A public memorial service is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. at Sequoyah Community Church, 4202 Keller Ave., in Oakland.

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OBITUARIES • 01-05-17

METCALF, David Dwayne

SCHMIDT, Francis Joseph, Sr.

TOSTE, Isilda M.

METCALF, David Dwayne, passed on December 29, 2016, at age 53. The Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 11:30 a.m. at  5911 Mowry Ave. in Newark at Swiss Park.

SCHMIDT, Francis Joseph, Sr. (San Leandro Resident  •  November 22, 1941 – December 29, 2016), passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2016 in his San Leandro residence. He touched many lives with his large heart and giving nature. He enjoyed geography and nature, and shared that enthusiasm with his children in their formative years. Frank was born in New York and graduated from Forest Hills High School. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Frank had a 30-year career with AT&T and retired in 2001. Frank is survived by his devoted children: Francis Schmidt, Jr. (Vera) of Sunnyvale; John Schmidt of Seattle; Mary Clark (Mike) of San Leandro; Patricia Brown (Eric) of Boise; and Wayne Schmidt of San Leandro. Beloved grandchildren include: Nathanial, Gabriel and Samuel Brown; Sonya and Josephine Schmidt; Jake and Marin Clark; and Rilee Schmidt. He is also survived by his sister, Pamela DeWitt of Morehead, Kentucky; and his adored nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life at a memorial service today, Jan. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Visitation will be available preceding the services from noon to 5 p.m.

TOSTE, Isilda M., of San Leandro passed on December 28, 2016. Visitation was held on Jan. 4 at Santos-Robinson in San Leandro. The Vigil Service and Funeral Liturgy celebrating her life was held on Jan. 4 at St. Leander Church in San Leandro. Interment is today, Jan. 5, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements were made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).