SLT ARCHIVES • MARCH 2017

Cutter: ‘City On Forefront Of Prosperity’

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-30-17

     When the President gives a State of the Union address, there’s a bunch of political opinions flying,  rebuttals, and skeptical commentators.

     When the mayor of San Leandro gives a State of the City Address, there is a lot of polite applause.

     Mayor Pauline Cutter gave her State of the City Address Monday night to a crowd made up mostly of fellow local politicians and Chamber of Commerce members. It was mostly a positive message about some of the things that have happened in San Leandro in the past 12 months and some things she and her staff would like to see happen in 2017.

     “These are exciting times,” said Cutter. “Our city is at the forefront of economic prosperity.”

     Just as in the past several years, Cutter said San Leandro is on the cusp of taking off big in the technology sector.

     The tech campus opened this year with OSIsoft as its first tenant. Construction on phase 2 is set for later this year, though no other tenant has yet been announced. There is discussion about 196 units of housing to be built on a portion of the site, which is located across from the downtown BART station.

     The Georgia Pacific and Kraft factories are being vacated, but Cutter said they are out on the market and will be places for other things to open in the city.

     Cutter said that the city’s biggest project in 50 years will be the development of the marina, which is set to kick off soon. There are plans for housing, a hotel, and new restaurants and the eventual transition away from a boat harbor as the mudflat silts up and boats can no longer navigate the channel.

     The City Council is expected to get an update on the marina project at an upcoming meeting.

     Other 2016 highlights, according to Cutter, were the Homelessness Compact that has enabled several people to find housing, the remodeling of Siempre Verde Park, and public art, including the musical installation downtown and mural project.

     Another big development was the declaration of San Leandro as a “Sanctuary City.” Cutter said that the decision might not be approved by every resident, especially as it may jeopardize federal funding, but that she and the City Council decided that they had to let everyone know they were welcome here regardless of immigration status.

     Cutter also said the city was making headway on the over $150 million it has in unfunded pension debt. They have put $13 million in funding towards the pension issue this year.

     The unfunded liabilities are “one of out biggest challenges,” Cutter said.

     Another major challenge is housing, with several City Council meeting this year devoted to discussing San Leanrdans struggling to stay in their homes as rents and housing prices skyrocket. The Marea Alta affordable housing project opened just weeks ago and Cutter said 1,500 units of new housing are currently in various states of development, from the planning stages on up.  

     “We aim to build on the heart and soul of our community and that’s our people,” said Cutter. “This is a city where kindness matters.”

     Also speaking at the Monday night address were AC Transit  board member Elsa Ortiz, who touted the $174 million Bus Rapid Transit project which broke ground last August. And Alameda Health System chief administrative officer James Jackson, who said that San Leandro Hospital is doing better financially.

     Cutter concluded by saying that San Leandro is in transition, but that the future looks bright.

     “This is a city that looks and plans ahead,” said Cutter. “We are building a city that our children and grandchildren will want to call home.”

CAPTION: The marina will be allowed to fill in with silt and will be converted into a shallow water lagoon for kayaks and other small boats.

TIMES FILE PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Tenant Move Bill Revised by Council

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-30-17

     The City Council Rules Committee has sent a proposed ordinance that would require landlords to assist displaced renters back to the drawing board for a third time, saying it’s not ready yet for a vote by the City Council.

     The program would have landlords pay three month’s rent and moving expenses for tenants who lose their place for a “landlord-caused” reason, which usually means rent hike.

     The city says the ordinance will help a vulnerable population, but some tenants say the program would do little more than offer landlords an easy way to pay a small amount in moving assistance and recoup the cost by significantly raising the rent on the next tenant.

     And with the lack of affordable housing in San Leandro and the Bay Area in general, where are the displaced tenants supposed to go?

     In the latest version of the ordinance, the threshold for the rent hike has been lowered from 20 to 15 percent.

     Originally, the tenant would have had to be in residence for five years in order to qualify for the assistance. Many people argued that this would just cause landlords to evict people at the four-year mark. So the length-of-residency clause has been eliminated from the ordinance.

     Also removed from the current draft of the ordinance was a clause that would have allowed landlords to deduct any past unpaid rent from the assistance money.

     And, in as sign of the times, the city has also added a line to the ordinance saying that “A landlord shall not attempt to influence a tenant to agree to relocation assistance different than as provided in this section… including, but not limited to, threats based on immigration status.”

     After further adjustments, the ordinance will be back in front of the Rules Committee in April or May, according to Steve Hernandez, the city’s housing specialist. Once the Rules Committee – which includes Mayor Pauline Cutter and councilmen Pete Ballew and Lee Thomas – has a draft they like, it will be voted on by the City Council.

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County to Decide on Eden Healthcare

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-30-17

     The county is one step closer to making a decision on the future of the Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD), as a draft of the final study of the district has been submitted to the Alameda Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo).

     LAFCo commissioned independent urban policy analysts Berkson Associates to review the services provided by ETHD after politicians ranging from county Supervisor Wilma Chan to State Assemblyman Rob Bonta called for the district to be disbanded.

     After nearly 70 years in operation, ETHD has been hit with claims from Chan, Bonta, and others that the district is redundant and its function and funding could be better handled by the county. The cities of San Leandro and Hayward also submitted resolutions in favor of dissolving the district.

     But many people, especially residents of the unincorporated areas have supported keeping ETHD, as it earmarks funding for the Eden area. If Alameda County absorbs the money, it could be used anywhere in the county.

     The final draft prepared by Berkson concludes that ETHD provides a vital service to the community, but that changes could be made to run it more efficiently. Berkson says that the district’s work should continue in some capacity even if the district itself doesn’t continue in its current form.

     “Dissolution of the district without continuing its services is unwarranted,” the report reads. “Dissolution and naming a successor agency to continue services could reduce certain costs and improve decision-making.”

     ETHD distributes an average of $640,000 in grants and scholarships annually. The report said the district had  the transparent financial practices, but said that they could better integrate their work with other agencies.

     “The district’s grants and sponsorships are generally consistent with health care needs identified by assessments prepared by other agencies, however, coordination with other county agencies could be improved,” the report said.

     Additionally, the district has real estate holdings of three medical office buildings valued at $31 million.

     Local politicians have indicated they’d like to see ETHD’s money go to “safety net” hospitals in the county including San Leandro Hospital and Highland Hospital. The report cautioned that using the district’s money for a one-time boost could be ultimately less wise than keeping the real estate as an investment.

     “The sale of district buildings (e.g., in the event of dissolution) would result in less revenue available for health care purposes over the long-term,” the report reads. “Dissolution of the district without continuing services could provide needed one- time funding for hospitals, however, this would eliminate a future, ongoing source of funding unless the buildings were operated by another agency.”

     Now that the report is complete, the fate of the ETHD is in the hands of the LAFCo board, whose members include Alameda County Supervisors Nate Miley and Scott Haggerty, Pleasanton Mayor Jerry Thorne, Livermore Mayor John Marchand, East Bay Regional Parks board member Ayn Wieskamp, Castro Valley Sanitary District president Ralph Johnson, and public member Sblen Sblendorio.

     The future of ETHD will next be discussed at a special meeting of the LAFCo on Tuesday, April 11, at 6 p.m. at the Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Avenue.

     You may read the final draft of the study in its entirety at www.acgov.org/lafco.

CAPTION: The Eden Township Healthcare District owns three medical buildings, including the Medical Arts Building near San Leandro Hospital.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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EBMUD Buys Land in Hills

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) purchased a key piece of land in the East Bay hills which will help keep one source of San Leandro’s drinking water clean for decades to come, the utility announced last week.

     EBMUD and John Muir Land Trust purchased the 604-acre Carr Ranch, located just outside of Moraga for $7 million, $4.5 million of which came from EMBUD.

     The John Muir land trust is a non-profit dedicated to keeping land in the East Bay undeveloped. Since it was founded 25 years ago, the trust says it has raised money to buy and preserve 3,100 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

     The Carr Ranch land borders a portion of the Upper San Leandro Reservoir, which provides water for San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, and Oakland.

     The Upper San Leandro Reservoir has a capacity of the 42,000 acre-feet and the majority of its water  comes from the Pardee Reservoir in the Sierra foothills. Additionally, 78 miles of East Bay creeks and streams feed into the Upper San Leandro Reservoir.

     The reservoir got some attention earlier this year when it neared capacity and EBMUD opened up its spillway to allow runoff in order to avoid damage to its dam. That resulted in flooding of the Redwood Canyon golf course in Castro Valley, which is what is designed to happen when the water reaches capacity.

     The opportunity to buy land near the watershed doesn’t come along often, according to Marguerite Young of the EBMUD board of directors.

EBMUD and Neighbors Didn’t Want Land To Go to Developers

     The land has been in possession of the Carr family for nearly a century, but it had attracted the attention of developers who might not have prioritized environmental preservation, Young said.

     “This is not a typical opportunity for us,” said Young. “It’s rare that we get to purchase land to support our local water supplies and we’ve been able to work out a solution to permanently preserve the land here.”

     In 2016, there was public outcry in Moraga after a developer expressed interest in using a portion of the Carr land to build homes. The developer eventually withdrew those plans. The Moraga Town Council wanted to make sure another developer didn’t come in and ultimately decided to donate $10,000 to the John Muir Land Trust. Dozens of individual contributions also were made by people living near the Carr land.

EBMUD Owns 28,000 Acres of Land in the East Bay

     Today, EBMUD owns 28,000 acres of land in the East Bay hills, most purchased between the 1920s and 1950s. The purchase of the Carr Ranch land is the utility’s biggest acquisition in over 20 years, according to EBMUD director of natural resources Richard Sykes.

     “It’s a puzzle piece,” said Sykes of the Carr Ranch land. “We own the land on three other sides (of the reservoir) so this will actually make our fence line shorter since we won’t have to zig zag around it. And I want to thank the Carr family for taking such good care of this land, the same kind of stewardship we will have with this land.”

CAPTION: The Upper San Leandro Reservoir is full right now, containing 42,000 acre feet of water.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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Bayfair Changes in the Works

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     The city has plans to dramatically change the Bayfair mall area over the next several years, including an option to raze a portion of the shopping center in favor of high-density housing.

     The city’s vision focuses less on a big indoor shopping area and more on a collection of shops with plans for up to eight stories of apartments in the area.

     The City of San Leandro, the mall’s owners, BART, and other property owners are creating a long-term plan for the southern end of San Leandro. No date for construction has been set.

     It’s a 20-year plan to change from “mall to village,” with a combined retail and residential focus. BART has expressed interest in having a large office space close to the station to encourage a “reverse commute.”

     Aaron Welch, a planner with the firm hired by the city to create the Bayfair transit village plan, Raimi and Associates, shared some ideas with the City Council at a workshop last week.

     One idea would be to keep the more successful “big box” stores around the perimeter of the mall and the movie theater and tear down other portions, using the space for housing. The adjacent Fashion Faire shopping center could be a mixed-use space as well.

     The city stresses that nothing has been decided yet and the plan they are creating is a big picture, long-term idea, so don’t expect the bulldozers to arrive tomorrow.

     In 2014, the city received a $440,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to create the plan.  The city contributed an additional $30,000 and received $15,000 each from BART and Bayfair’s owners Madison Marquette to create the plan.

     “We’ve done a lot of outreach and gotten a lot of good feedback,” said Tom Liao, the city’s deputy community development director.

     Liao said that the preferred land use will be medium and high density residential, either on its own or mixed use with retail on the lower floors. Other “desired uses” are live-work or “maker” spaces, retail, dining, and entertainment uses.

     The plan is to create “gathering places” including a central plaza/main street and pedestrian walkways with more neighborhood plazas and parks interspersed throughout.

     “In a lot of ways, the city has been planning East 14th for the past 15 years,” said Liao. “This is kind of like the final piece of the planning puzzle. It’s important because it’s a focus on the south San Leandro area, we’ve focused on downtown and now the south area is going to see some love too.”

     The planners say that the current concept of a mall is rapidly becoming less popular as online shopping takes over. Bayfair has numerous vacancies inside the mall, though the larger shops like Target and Kohl’s are busy.

     Welch said that if you create the “village” concept – which could include up to 2,500 residential units – you have a built-in clients for your shops and restaurants.

     “Online shopping is affecting retail,” said Welch. “If people are living there, there could be more involvement.”

     Madison Marquette hasn’t yet committed to significantly modifying their property yet, but they support the city’s plans.

     “They remain extremely open to the concepts that are out there,” said Liao. “They are keeping their options open.”

     The plan includes the mall and about a half-mile area around it. Community development director Cynthia Battenberg told the council that smaller shops adjacent to the mall may be where the action starts. She said there is interest from the Fashion Faire and Fairmont Square property owners to “make a move” and do some construction early on in the process and Bayfair may wait until several years into the new construction.

     The next step in the planning process will be more community meetings over the next several months. A complete draft of the plan is due this spring and it is expected to be finalized toward the end of 2017.

     “I think you guys are right, the mall is kind of on it’s way out and we need to have something more modern,” said Mayor Pauline Cutter. “This is a really good plan, it’s going to add to the area.”

CAPTION: Bayfair might look at lot different in a few years.

PHOTO BY  AMY SYLVESTRI

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Teams Pitch in for Meals on Wheels

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     This month, Meals on Wheels is celebrating “March for Meals,” their annual fundraising and promotional drive.

     As part of March for Meals, this year they are holding a contest among community groups to see who can pack up meals for local seniors the fastest.

     Teams competing for the “Golden Hairnet” award include groups from the San Leandro police, Target, Pandora, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, the Hayward police, and Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce.

     Recently, the San Leandro police showed up to see it they could set a record time. They even came wearing their own “golden hairnets” (actually fancy shower caps) in order to get into a winning frame of mind.

     The results are top secret until the winner is announced at the end of the month, but Meals on Wheels volunteer director Mary Gregory said the San Leandro police, including Chief Jeff Tudor, packed up 1,040 chicken and rice meals at a very impressive pace.

     “They were pumped up,” said Gregory. “We played music, like “Flight of the Valkyries” to get everyone in the mood.”

     Meals on Wheels, an organization dedicated to serving hot meals to seniors in their homes, serves over 1,000 clients each week from their San Leandro kitchen on Polvorosa Avenue. Meals on Wheels is a national non-profit and the San Leandro location serves this city as well as San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, and parts of Hayward and Oakland.

     The requirements are that clients be over 60-years-old and unable to prepare their own meals. Some pay the suggested donation of $3.50 per meal, while others who cannot afford it have their meals delivered for free.

CAPTION: Volunteers from the San Leandro police packed over a thousand meals on a recent morning for the annual March for Meals program.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEALS ON WHEELS

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Taxi Drivers Get Some Relief on Insurance

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     Taxi drivers in San Leandro have gotten a little relief from the high cost of insurance.

     The amount of insurance required by the City of San Leandro was lowered, so now it’s an amount similar to surrounding cities. The $1 million for insurance was cut to half a million.

     The reduction will reduce the annual insurance payments for a taxi in San Leandro by about 25 percent, from around $6,500 to $4,700, according to taxi driver Kashmir Singh who drives in San Leandro.

     Singh said he and the other taxi owners in San Leandro all sent a letter to City Hall, asking for the insurance requirement to be lowered, pointing out that it’s lower in Fremont than in San Leandro. (“Cabbies Swamped by Insurance Costs,” Feb. 23, 2017.)

     The cabbies also complained that they are competing against Uber and Lyft that aren’t regulated by the same city requirements as taxis.

     Insurance costs are still high for taxis, but Singh said he was pleased – the reduction gives him some relief.

     Taxi owners met with Mayor Pauline Cutter a few weeks ago, asking for some help in the insurance requirements. City staff checked with other East Bay cities and with the insurance provider. The city is in an insurance pool with a few dozen other cities in Northern California.

     The insurance provider recommends the higher amount ($1 million) but said it would be sufficient to have the lower amount ($500,000), said city Finance Director David Baum.

     The San Leandro taxis will still have all the same requirements as before to have business licenses and police permits.

     Baum said the taxi owners seemed pleased with the change in policy that reduces their insurance costs.

     “I hope it helps them stay competitive,” Baum said. “They work hard for the money.”

CAPTION: Taxi driver Kashmir Singh said he’s relieved that City Hall agreed to change the insurance requirements to a level that’s a little more affordable.

TIMES FILE PHOTO

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Much of Creek Trail Doesn’t Follow Creek

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-16-17

     After years of planning and meetings, the City of San Leandro has a preliminary plan in place for a proposed bicycle and pedestrian trail along the creek.

     After complaints from homeowners near the creek, the revised version of the trail veers away from the water and onto city streets – but the trail study also details alternative routes closer to the creek, which may become a reality sometime in the future.

     San Leandro Creek runs just over six miles from Lake Chabot to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland.

     Currently, there are short patches of trail along the creek – notably at Root Park and along Creekside Plaza – but the city wants to link the whole thing up and create a recreational asset for San Leandro, similar to the popular Iron Horse Tail that runs between Pleasanton and Concord.

     When the idea of a creek trail was first made public, homeowners from along the creek were largely negative, citing concerns that the trail could attract crime, giving a getaway route for home burglars, and that homeless people live in the creek and would have access to their yards.

     “From the very first meeting – it was a loud meeting – this has been a process,” said Mayor Pauline Cutter as the new plan was unveiled at a special City Council workshop on Monday night.

     The latest version of the trail plan involves the trail running only on land that is not privately owned, meaning that it will veer off the creek for large stretches, notably on Estudillo Avenue from East 14th Street all the way to the Lake Chabot park entrance.

     The study also lays out an alternative route that matches the city’s original plan to run the trail along the creek, which planners say could eventually be constructed in the future.

     “We listened to the residents and focused on the public right-of-way, away from houses,” said Anjana Mepani, a senior planner with the city.

     The key was finding safe and scenic routes that run along the creek as closely as possible without disturbing private residences, according to Melissa Dugan, who works for Stantec, the engineering company contracted to create the plan.

     “We don’t want to build a trail that goes nowhere,” said Dugan. Those alternative routes closer to the creek are also documented in the plan.

     The city received $200,000 from Caltrans, $40,000 from the City of Oakland, and put in $10,000 of city funds in order to complete the study.

     Constructing the trail would cost an estimated $21 million, with San Leandro paying about $12.5 million and the City of Oakland paying the remaining $8.5 million.

     Any construction on the trail is likely years away. The next step is securing funding and then another series of meetings to collect more public opinion. The project will have to get permits, pass environmental standards, and be approved by both the San Leandro and Oakland city councils.

     You can view the entire creek study, including the proposed alternate routes, online at www.sanleandro.org/slcreek.

CAPTION: Small portions of the San Leandro creek already have pedestrian access, like this stretch near Creekside Plaza.

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PG&E Raising Rates Again

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-16-17

     As of March 1, PG&E has raised utility rates and adjusted its tiered pricing model. So, while some heavier energy users may see their utility bills go down, people who use less electricity may actually have their bill increase, depending on where they fall in the new tiers.

     PG&E had been operating under a three-tier pricing structure that was created during the 2001 energy crisis and which is now out-dated, according to the utility. They now will operate under a two-tier system so those who were in the middle may find themselves in a different tier when they receive their next bill.

     In addition to the modifications to the pricing system, PG&E customers will also see another 2.1 percent increase in their electric bills as “transmission rates” have increased.

Utility Reform Advocates Critical of PG&E

     Advocates for utility reform have criticized PG&E, not for the pricing on the actual energy, but for the reliance on rate hikes to pay for their aging infrastructure.

     Also, as of the first of the month, PG&E has begun a “high use surcharge” for homes that use more than four times the baseline amount of electricity for their locations and season.

     The utility estimates that less than 10 percent of their residential customers will be hit with the surcharge.

     All these changes come on the heels of two separate rate hikes from PG&E in the past year –  one 7-percent increase on gas bills last August and one $3 monthly charge that began in January.

     A dollar here or there may not seem significant, but all those rate increases add up over time, according to consumer watchdog group The Utility Reform Network (TURN).

     “The numbers may seem complex, but the conclusion is a simple one,” said Marcel Hawiger of TURN in a written statement. “PG&E’s gas transportation rates, reflecting prices that are fully under PG&E’s control, have skyrocketed. When I started working on natural gas issues back in the early 2000s, the rule of thumb was that the ‘procurement’ and the ‘transportation’ rates were each about half of the bill. Today, the transportation rate, which is wholly driven by spending under PG&E’s control, is more than two-thirds of the total rate.”

     The utility points out that, although rates are going up, the average PG&E customer will still pay less than the nationwide average for utilities.

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LifeLinks Golfers to Tee Off at Marina Course Next Week

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-16-17

     After a winter hiatus, Holly Andersen is getting her chipping and putting back in shape to play in the Community Challenge Golf event Wednesday, March 22, at the Marina Executive Golf Course in San Leandro. Tee off time is 10:30 a.m.

     Holly is part of a program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities operated by The Arc of Alameda County.

     “I always loved hitting the golf ball as far as I can,” said Holly, “but now I like to putt, too.  It’s hard to do but I like it.”

     Director of Public Information, Dick Fitzmaurice said this is the fifth time The Arc has brought together golfers from the San Leandro and Tri-Valley campuses.  “With the help of volunteer coaches, our clients practice all year long at the driving range at Monarch Bay and at Las Positas in Livermore,” he said. “Today, they actually play on a real golf course. We thank Fremont Bank for sponsoring the event and making it all possible.”

     The Arc calls the golf program “LifeLinks.”  It was created to enhance the motor skills of Arc clients and offer an exercise program in an integrated setting. Staff soon realized that golf also increased clients’ confidence levels, and improved their attention spans and social skills.

     Noting the event takes place during National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Arc President and CEO Ronald Luter said that when LifeLinks started, no one believed clients would be successful at hitting a golf ball.

     “Our golfers proved them wrong,” said Luter. “They can do so much more than we think, even getting and keeping a job. With support, our clients are amazing.”

     Clients are paired with a non-disabled golfer for the 9-hole alternate-shot event. KPIX news anchor Ken Bastida will partner with a client on the course then hand out awards after the round. It’s the third time Bastida has been part of the event.

     To support the LifeLinks program, a $25 donation will buy a custom tee sign for the tourney.

     To purchase a customizable tee sign, visit  https://arcalameda.org/event/save-date-community-challenge. “Here’s to a hole-in-one for everybody” could be one message.  Another might be “Keep Your Head Down,” the perennial bit of advice amateurs give to beginning golfers.

CAPTION: Channel 5 anchorman Ken Bastida plays in the LifeLinks golf tournament with Arc clients each year, as seen here in the 2015 tourney.

TIMES FILE PHOTO

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Former Y&T Guitar Player Alves Dies

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-16-17

     Joey Alves, former guitar player in the hard rock band Y&T, died on March 12 at the age of 63.

     Alves grew up in San Lorenzo and was a 1971 graduate of Arroyo High School. In 1974, he joined the hard rock/heavy metal band originally called Yesterday and Today.

     The band began writing their own songs and recorded several albums on A&M Records, led by singer and guitarist Dave Meniketti, who is still keeping the band going today.

     The band’s highest charting album, In Rock We Trust, was released in 1986. The band toured extensively and fans would cheer for an encore by chanting “Y&T, Y&T, Y&T.”

     Alves sister, Janis Barnett, remembers him playing guitar when they were kids in their living room in San Lorenzo.

     “I was his go-go dancer,” Barnett said. “He played guitar and I danced. I kind of introduced him to my kind of music, old-time rock ’n’ roll.”

     Alves also enjoyed movies and sports. He is survived by his sisters, Nancy Teixeira and Janis Barnett; and many nieces and nephews.

     A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 30, at noon at Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Center, 1051 Harder Road, in Hayward.

CAPTION: Joey Alves grew up in San Lorenzo and went to Arroyo High School.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JANIS BARNETT

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City Makes Loan for ‘Iconic’ Obelisk

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     The City of San Leandro recently loaned the San Leandro Improvement Association (SLIA) $285,000, largely to erect a “landmark” sign downtown.

     SLIA was created as a “community benefit district” in 2013 when downtown property owners voted to assess themselves an additional tax to pay for things like beautification, additional security, and public relations work.

     The SLIA collects about $375,000 in tax assessments annually. Nevertheless, it asked the city for the loan.

     The 10-year, $285,000 loan comes with a 3 percent interest rate.

     The majority of the loan ($170,000) will be used to create a “landmark sign” at the intersection of East 14th and Davis Street.

     Marco Li Mandri, the president of San Diego-based New City America, the company who created the SLIA and dozens of other such districts around the country, has said the sign will bring as much attention to downtown as the “Truth Is Beauty” statue at the OSIsoft building.  

     LiMandri promised the sign, which would be in front of the Sizzler, will be an obelisk that is “iconic in the way ‘Truth is Beauty’ is iconic.”

     An additional $90,000 will be spent on a bocce ball court in Root Park. About $10,000 would be spent on a pressure washer to clean sidewalks and about $15,000 on other items to beautify downtown including tables, chairs, and planters.

     According to the most recent financial report available, the SLIA listed $372,000 from assessments and $122,000 in money carried over from previous years.

     Despite having more money than they spent that fiscal year, the district says it is relatively new and so it doesn’t have sufficient cash saved up for the projects so they need the loan.

     The City of San Leandro owns 25 percent of the land downtown, so the city pays about a quarter of SLIA’s revenue.

     The district expects to pay back the loan with the assessments it gets from the property owners, according to Eric Engelbart, San Leandro’s deputy city manager. If the district doesn’t make the payments on schedule, the city has first right to the tax assessments the district collects.

     Some question why the city is in the loan business at all, as the city recently had some trouble with a loan to the Davis Street Family Resource Center, which was not paid back on schedule. Davis Street eventually repaid the loan in full over six months after it was originally due.

     Engelbart says the city loans money simply because it can be in the best interest of San Leandro in general. They can also earn more interest on a loan than if the money stayed in the city reserve fund.

     “The city keeps substantial reserves on hand at all times,” said Engelbart. “Those reserves are held with the State Local Agency Investment Fund, which earns well under 1 percent interest. Loans to non-profits enable those organizations to provide valuable services to the community while giving the city a better return.”

     The city recently gave an $800,000 “forgivable loan” – in other words, a gift – to BRIDGE Housing to build a day care center that will reserve half its spots for low-income clients.

     The city also has a $1.15 million loan out to the San Leandro School District that paid for construction costs on the Barbara Lee Wellness Center, the high school’s health center. Payments on that loan are current.

     Engelbart says the city is also currently exploring a loan to support renovation of the Bal Theatre, but no specific terms have been discussed yet.

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Speed Limit Reduced on Major Streets

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     Get ready to slow down on some of San Leandro’s busiest streets – the City Council unanimously approved cutting the speed limit by 5 m.p.h. on five streets and by 10 m.p.h. on one additional roadway.

     Once the new signs are up in about a month, drivers will have to lower their speeds or face citations on these streets:

     • San Leandro Boulevard from Davis Street to Williams Street will drop from 40 m.p.h. to 30 m.p.h.

     • Alvarado Street from Marina Boulevard to Portola Drive will go from 40 m.p.h. to 35 m.p.h.

     • Davis Street from Doolittle Drive to the Bay will go from 35 m.p.h. to 30 m.p.h.

     • Fairway Drive from Menlo Street to Aladdin Avenue/I-880 will go from 40 m.p.h. to 35 m.p.h.

     • Teagarden Street from Marina Boulevard to Aladdin Avenue will go from 35 m.p.h to 30 m.p.h.

     • MacArthur Boulevard from Durant Avenue to Dutton Avenue will go from 35 m.p.h. to 30 m.p.h.

     Reducing the speed limit isn’t decided randomly. It’s a state-mandated process, according to Keith Cooke, the city’s engineering director.

     Every decade, the city is required by the state to reestablish the speed limits on major roadways. This begins with a speed survey.

     You might recognize those little cords that are occasionally placed across roadways. They measure the number of cars and their speed. That is combined with radar speed recordings and other data to determine the average speed of traffic on a given street.

     Engineers take the “85th percentile” speed of cars – the rate at which 85 percent of vehicles travel under free-flowing driving conditions and round it to the nearest  5 m.p.h. increment.

     During this most recent survey, six San Leandro roads qualified for reductions and no streets were recommended to have their limits increased.

     The city’s engineers say that the reason San Leandro Boulevard got a larger 10 m.ph. reduction was because of the streetscape project, added pedestrian crossings, and construction around the downtown BART station over the past several years.

     Councilwoman Corina Lopez asked why even more streets can’t have their posted speeds reduced in order to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.

     The answer is that speed survey. The city essentially has to create what they call “traffic-calming” conditions on a road to bring the average speed down so they can later bring the posted speed down.

     Traffic-calming techniques include things like speed bumps, curb extending bulb outs, and even additional traffic signals.

     “It’s not that we can just decide a speed limit,” said Lopez. “The tail wags the dog in this issue.”

     Once the new signs are posted, the San Leandro police will enforcement the new limits. Chief Jeff Tudor told the council he has a limited number of traffic officers and a large city to cover.

     “Enforcing traffic is a challenge,” said Tudor. “There are always concerns over speeding. I wish we could be everywhere at once.”

CAPTION: The speed limit on MacArthur Boulevard between Durant and Dutton avenues will be lowered from 35 to 30 m.p.h.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

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Friends of San Leandro Creek to Host Talk on Urban Stream Landscaping

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     Dr. A. L. Riley (retired San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and author) will be coming to San Leandro next Tuesday to illustrate how to manage urban streams, and the proper landscaping in California, with its now very wet soil, presented by the Friends of San Leandro Creek.

     Riley will give a presentation twice – on Tuesday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, Estudillo Room, 300 Estudillo Ave.; and then again on Monday, March 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the San Leandro City Hall South Offices, 999 East 14th St.

     The presentations will be followed by a hands-on restoration training that will take place at Root Park on Saturday, March 25. This training will center upon biotechnical erosion control measures, utilizing various soil bioengineering principles that can be designed and implemented by local volunteers, neighbors, students, stewards, city staff, and any others interested in low-tech measures that mimic nature’s own erosion control solutions.

CAPTION: An expert will speak in San Leandro next week on landscaping urban streams.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Infrastructure Projects on Front Burner

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-02-17

     The City Council heard about plenty of potential projects at a special workshop Monday night to help prioritize the budget for San Leandro’s infrastructure. Projects will include street repairs, a new pool, and expanded WiFi.

     Keith Cooke, the city’s engineering director, presented the council with a tentative six-year plan of all the projects necessary to keep San Leandro running.

     Cooke said a fine balance must be struck between spending on maintenance on exiting properties and creating new projects.

     “I like to think of it as a healthy diet,” said Cooke. “We can’t spend all of our funds on treats.”

     Cooke called things like road maintenance the “vegetables” and projects like park expansions “dessert.”

     The engineering department estimates $29 million in capital improvement spending next fiscal year and they are in the process of asking the City Council for funding in the two-year budget that’s in the process of being created.

     Cooke said that, while creating the list of prioritized projects, they surveyed the public and that the public is often who calls his department’s attention to infrastructure needs.

     “The list continues to expand, residents call us every day,” said Cooke.

     For example, he said one man called to ask about getting a sound wall on the freeway expanded near his home. The cost of sound walls are about $4 million per mile, Cooke said.

     In the first year of the six-year plan, projects include $4.7 million for decommissioning the marina, $3.1 million to reconstruct Farrelly Pool (which has been closed for over a year), and $250,000 for pedestrian crossing improvements around town.

     Other projects requested in the budget are $350,000 for a play area at Manor Park, $100,000 for an expansion of the WiFi downtown, and $300,000 to install a pedestrian signal at the intersection Davis and Carpentier streets.

     In future years, planned capital improvement projects include renovating Casa Peralta, pedestrian safety improvements on Manor Boulevard, and improving the playground and amphitheater at Chabot Park.

     “I’m glad to see some of these projects that are so important getting done,” said Mayor Pauline Cutter. “We’ve actually got years pegged to them now and it makes everyone more accountable.”

CAPTION: Farrelly Pool has been closed for a year.

TIMES FILE PHOTO

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CV Pushes Back on Pot Shops  

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-02-17

     The Alameda County Board of Supervisors is proposing an ordinance that will increase the number of cannabis dispensaries in the county, allowing up to five in the county’s unincorporated areas.

     Currently, there are two dispensaries operating in the Eden Area, one on East Lewelling Boulevard in Ashland and one on Foothill Boulevard in Cherryland.  The new ordinance would authorize one more dispensary in the Eden Area and the other two in the eastern part of the county, but no exact locations are set.

     Over the past few months, the proposal has proven unpopular with public speakers at meetings in San Lorenzo and Castro Valley, with many questioning the necessity of having so many dispensaries in a relatively small area.

     And at its meeting this week, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), pushed back on the Supervisors’ ordinance by making a counter-motion that there be a limit of four total dispensaries, that no ingestion of cannabis be allowed at sales sites, and that all tax money the county receives from the sale of marijuana go directly to the sheriff’s office to offset the cost of increased enforcement at dispensaries.

     “It’s really unfortunate to be force fed,” said MAC member Ken Carbone of the county ordinance.

     In November, MAC Chair Marc Crawford met with Supervisor Nate Miley and said they had a “gentlemen’s agreement” that the new dispensaries would be in Supervisor Scott Haggerty’s district, which includes Livermore and Dublin.

     But that understanding isn’t down in writing and Crawford now thinks the MAC should insist that no additional dispensaries come to the Eden Area.

     Miley has been accused of promoting the additional dispensaries because he received $60,000 in campaign contributions from the cannabis industry in his most recent election.

     One complication is that the county’s Fairmont Hospital in unincorporated San Leandro is a possible location for a dispensary. County-owned property would be exempt from the ordinance, so it may not “count” as a dispensary, allowing an additional dispensary to open.

     “It’s a shell game,” said Crawford.

     In addition to the five potential unincorporated dispensaries,  San Leandro’s first medical marijuana dispensary, Harborside, is set to open on Marina Boulevard soon, with a second and third San Leandro dispensary to follow shortly thereafter.

     In San Leandro, it is estimated that the sale tax from a single dispensary will add $100,000 annually to the city’s coffers. In San Lorenzo  and other unincorporated areas, the sales tax would go to the county’s general fund and be distributed however the county sees fit. The unincorporated areas do not directly receive the sales benefits from the products like cities do.

     After consideration of the MAC’s motion, as well as responses from the county Planning Commission and the Unincorporated Services Committee, the Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on the proposed dispensary ordinance in April.

     A schedule of public meetings on the ordinance is available as www.acgov.org/cda under the planning tab.

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Trees Will Be Cut for Rapid Bus Line

BY AMY SYLVESTRI  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-02-17

     Construction has begun on the long-anticipated AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line from downtown Oakland to San Leandro, but in order for the stations to be built, dozens of trees along the International Boulevard and East 14th Street corridor are being removed.

     A total of 25 trees in San Leandro will be cut down and 17 trees will be planted to replace them, according to Robert Lyles, spokesman for AC Transit. But the saplings that will be planted are much smaller than the decades-old trees that currently line the street.

     The $200 million BRT project, which has been called “light rail on wheels” by AC Transit, is a  9.5 mile rapid route with bus-only lanes and some raised loading platforms along a center median as well as curbside stations.

     The BRT line only runs in San Leandro down East 14th Street as far as Davis Street before turning to its final stop at the San Leandro BART station. The original plans for BRT to run all the way to Bayfair BART were cut short by the City Council.

     There will be five BRT stations in San Leandro, including both elevated median and curbside stations. Lyles says it doesn’t matter which type of station is built, both require removing trees. The BRT tree plan has been in place since 2012.

     “If it’s a median station, the street must be widened, so trees on the side of the road have to be removed,” said Lyles. “If it’s a curbside station, trees have to be removed at the station location.

     In Oakland, over 250 new trees will be planted to replace the trees that are being removed. But along the Oakland corridor, there are areas were there aren’t any existing trees, whereas the area of construction in San Leandro has trees all along the street.

     San Leandro has less than a 1-to-1 ratio being planted. Lyles says that’s largely because Oakland has a more strict tree ordinance and San Leandro didn’t ask for similar consideration.

     At a meeting of the city’s Facilities and Transportation Committee on Feb. 1, Council member Corina Lopez said she wasn’t pleased about the ratio, as did Mayor Pauline Cutter.

     “I don’t want to be the ones that always have to compromise,” said Cutter.

     Lyles said that San Leandro officials did meet with AC Transit on Feb.3 and, after some discussion, it was determined that three of the trees originally set to be cut down could be saved (the original number to be cut was 28).

     Lyles says the tree removal has begun in Oakland will be completed in both cities before March 15 in order to not disturb birds during nesting season.

CAPTION: Twenty-five trees will be cut down in San Leandro for the new rapid bus line.

PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI

San Leandro High Tennis Team Shuts Out Encinal, 7-0

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-30-17

     The San Leandro High boys tennis team beat Encinal, 7-0, last Thursday in the middle of the team’s best season in years.

     San Leandro is on a winning streak, beating Alameda and Arroyo the previous week.

     All the Pirates singles players and doubles teams won on Thursday, but the No. 1 doubles duo just about didn’t keep the shutout going.

     John Cristobal and Ghyle Negril took the first set, 6-0, against Rich Owens and Sam Brodnitz of Encinal. But in the second set, Encinal gave them a run for their money, before the Pirates team came back to eke out a 7-6 set score to win the match.

     “We need to step up,” Cristobal said after the match. “We got too comfortable and lost our focus.”

     Cristobal said teamwork was another factor.

     “I was going after every ball,” Cristobal said. “I had to let him take the shots he could.”

     Negril said they started playing better as a team by trusting each other to get the shot if one of them couldn’t reach the ball.

     “He comes though,” Negril said. “If a shot goes by me (at the net), he saves it.”

     In the No. 2 doubles match, Diego Mejia and Miguel Reyes of San Leandro beat Christian Collins and Ethan Filkins 6-2, 6-0.

     In No. 3 doubles, Wauson Liang and Sonny Lew of San Leandro beat Tristan Hilarip and Jacob Levine 6-2, 6-1.

     San Leandro also swept the singles matches. In the No. 1 singles match, Jefferson Lei of San Leandro beat Lam Tran 6-1, 6-0. In No. 2 singles, Ben Duong of San Leandro beat Yael Munoz 6-1, 6-2.

     In No. 3 singles, Yuyi Cai of San Leandro beat Theo Wismar 6-3, 6-2. And in No. 4 singles, Wesley Tat of San Leandro beat Dayne McDaniel 6-1, 6-0.

     The win gave San Leandro a 5-2 league record, first place in the Shoreline Division of the West Alameda County Conference (WACC).

     A lot of seniors are on the team this year who have played for the Pirates for four years.

     “The players are looking forward to going to the playoffs,” said San Leandro tennis coach Lisa Maral.

CAPTION: San Leandro No. 1 doubles player Ghyle Nebril returns a shot against Encinal on Thursday. Nebril and teammate John Cristobal went to a tie-breaker in the second set but held on to win their match.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Romero Throws 1-Hitter in Arroyo Win Over Encinal

BY JIM KNOWLES •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     Arroyo starting pitcher Josh Romero threw a 1-hitter – with Alex Vallejo in relief – at home against Encinal last Friday to pave the way for an 8-0 win.

     Romero worked six innings with Bryan Rosario behind the plate to hold the Jets in check.

     Rosario also contributed at the plate. He went 4-for-4 – three singles and a double – with three RBIs and three runs scored.

     So both pitcher and catcher had their best game of the season so far.

     “I just tried to not be too aggressive at the plate today,” Rosario said after the game. “Just wait for a pitch in the strike zone, be more selective.”

     The Dons biggest inning came in the third with 3 runs after Rosario led off with a double, followed by Romero who got on base on an error. Then Josh Tanguma – who went 2-for-3 – stepped up and lined a single to left to load the bases.

     Adrian Padilla walked to bring in a run, and Jordan Perkins hit a fly to center to score Tanguma. Padilla rounded third and tried to score on the play, too, but was tagged out at home by Encinal catcher George Chabre.

     In the top of the fourth, the Jets got two runners on base – one on an error and then Osiris Johnson hit a single, the Jets only hit of the day. With a runner at third, Johnson stole second to put runners at second and third. But Romero got out of the jam, ending the inning with a ground ball out.

     Alex Vallejo pitched the seventh in relief of Romero and set down the Jets in order.

     Arroyo improved to 2-0 in league play, and 4-2-1 overall this season.

     “We had a tough non-league schedule and that prepared us for league play,” said Arroyo head coach Eric Anderson. “We’ve been clicking the last few games.”

     Arroyo will host Hayward this Friday at 4 p.m.

CAPTION: Josh Romero threw six innings and gave up only one hit and a walk, while striking out six Encinal batters.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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Pirates’ Bats Come Alive Under the Lights

BY JIM KNOWLES  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-16-17

     Alex Perreira went 4-for-4 as the San Leandro bats came alive in a 15-1 win over St. Joseph’s in a game played at the College of Alameda last Tuesday.

     The evening game – pre-Daylight Savings Time – extended into the darkness and Perreira said that suits him fine.

     “There’s something about playing under the lights I really like,” said the Pirates catcher.

     Behind the plate, Perreira worked with Jordan Woods who pitched four innings of shutout baseball before he was replaced by a reliever.

     “Jordan had good stuff tonight,” Perreira said. “No runs and no walks allowed. He shut ’em down.”

     San Leandro jumped out early with a big second inning to take a 9-0 lead. That inning was highlighted by a 2-run double by Gerald Nervis and a RBI single by Cris Delgadillo.

     Ferreira led off another big inning in the fourth with a base hit through the hole to left. Before the inning was over, OJ Aihie had driven in a run, and Nervis and Josh Campuzano both had 2-run doubles.

     Campuzano had three hits in the game, two of them doubles.

     Nervis chalked up the big score as a comeback from the day before when San Leandro was on the losing end of another lopsided game, a 17-3 loss to Moreau Catholic.

     Hector Abarca pitched in relief in the fifth for San Leandro, and Camari Delgadillo pitched the sixth and seventh innings.

     Abarca started off a little loose, giving up walks to load the bases. But then he came through with a strike-out to end the inning with the bases full.

     The Pirates pulled off a smooth 4-6-3 double-play to end the third inning with the bases loaded. Second baseman Delgadillo fielded a sharp grounder, flipped the ball to shortstop Jamie Garcia at second who whipped the ball back to Tyler Hidalgo at first for the final out.

     This week, San Leandro will host Hayward on Friday at 4 p.m.

CAPTION: San Leandro High starting pitcher Jordan Woods threw four scoreless innings in a win against St. Joseph’s last Tuesday.

PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES

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St. Leander’s 7th Grade Volleyball Wins Oakland Diocese Championship

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     After winning the Metro League playoffs, St. Leander’s 7th grade girls volleyball team represented the Metro League, winning the Oakland Diocese Volleyball Championship. St. Leander’s beat Madeline and St. Anne to move onto the final game in the tournament, and played with heart to beat Corpus Christi in the third set to with the championship. The St. Leander’s 7th grade girls volleyball team is (top row) assistant coach Kathy Feder, Maribel Romero, Parris Bates, Myah White, Jathziry Esquivel, Ysabella Lucero, Abigail Sanchez, and head coach Fredy Oviedo. (Bottom row) Angel Oviedo, Kaylie Gomez, and Kendal Kibanoff.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 03-30-17

San Leandro Democratic Club 

The San Leandro Democratic Club and Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 104 invite everyone to a community cleanup on Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Downtown Plaza (meet in front of the Sizzler). Gloves and T-shirts will be provided to volunteers who help clean up the plaza. For more information, call Bryan Acevedo at 706-3125.

Community Garden Open House & Seminar

Come see what your neighbors are growing on Saturday,  April 1, at Paradise Community Garden, 20095 Mission Blvd. in Hayward. Open house hours are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the seminar starting at 11 a.m. till noon. Urban Farming - Community and Design: What’s going on in the Eden Area will be the topic of the seminar. This is a ​free event sponsored by the Eden Area Food Alliance and Eden Urban Farms. Native plants will be for sale. For more information, call Rick Hatcher​ 909​-​4077​.

I.D.E.S. of Saint John Pancake Breakfast

I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will have a pancake breakfast and bingo on Saturday, April 1, at 9 a.m. Breakfast is $10 per person and includes three bingo cards, extra cards are 25 cents apiece. Please bring canned food for the food drive. For more information, call Willie Calvo at 635-6326 or Helder Quadros at 357-5846.

Saturday Movies at the Museum

The San Leandro History Museum, 320 W. Estudillo Ave., will screen two feature films, The Comedians and Moloch Tropical, on Saturday, April 1. The Comedians (2:30 min.) will be shown at 11:30 a.m., and Moloch Tropical (1:47 min.) at 2:15 p.m. The films are part of the San Leandro Public Library’s community read program: “Read the Book- Join the Conversation,” featuring the book Brother I’m Dying by Edwidge Danticat. Free admission and no registration required. Please be advised that the films are not rated. They do contain violence and nudity and are not suitable for children. For more information, call 577-3991.

Friends of SL Library Spring Book Sale

The Friends of the San Leandro Library will hold its Spring Two-day Book Sale on Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2, at the Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. with  a fantastic selection of over 10,000 quality books at bargain prices. The sale is open to the public on Saturday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. But by joining the Friends of the Library, you may attend the “Members Preview” during the first two hours from 9 to 11 a.m. to get the best pick of the books. Then on Sunday, April 2, the Friends will be hosting an all-day bag sale at $2 a bag from noon to 3 pm. Friends of the San Leandro Library membership is $10 for an individual $15 for a family. You can register or renew your membership at the door on the day of the sale or pick up a membership application at the Main Library. For more information, call the San Leandro Library Information Desk at 577-3971.

Soroptimists Yard Sale

The Soroptimists will have a yard sale (weather permitting) on Saturday, April 1, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 3841 Somerset Ave. in Castro Valley, with lots of good stuff, tools, shoes, clothes, sports gear. For more information or to donate, call Lynn Levin at 593-7377. The best time to drop off donations is Friday evening, March 31, after 5 p.m.

Diabetes Support Group 

The Diabetes Support Group has been told that it will no longer be able to hold its meetings at the San Leandro Surgery Center, 15035 East 14th St. in San Leandro, since the building was sold to Sutter Health Care. The support group will be suspending its meetings until it finds another venue, but there will be one last meeting at the Surgery Center on Monday, April 3, at 4:30 to thank all those who have supported this free community activity.

San Leandro Swim Team Tryouts 

The San Leandro Swim Team will hold tryouts for the upcoming season on Monday, April 3, at 6 p.m. at the San Leandro High School Pool, 2200 Bancroft Ave. All swimmers ages 4 to 18 interested in joining the team come prepared to demonstrate your skills. Swimmers should be comfortable in water and able to swim 25-50 yards unassisted. For more information, go to website - San Leandro Drowning Darryls – Team Unify or call 913-0850.

San Leandro Parkinson’s Support Group

The San Leandro Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 6, at 10 a.m. at the San Lorenzo Community Church at 945 Paseo Grande in San Lorenzo. There will be an open discussion. For more information, call Lona White at 276-3119.

Friends of  San Leandro Creek Clean-Up

Clean-up of the San Leandro Creek has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Root Park in San Leandro. At 10:30 a.m. Ohlone Elder Ruth Orta will give a short history of the Ohlone People of the East Bay, and bless the work on the creek. Free food, drinks, tools, and gloves will be provided. Please wear sturdy boots and clothes in layers that you won’t mind getting dirty. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call or email Susan Levenson Watershed Awareness Coordinator Friends of San Leandro Creek at 577-6069 or Slevenson@sanleandro.org.

St. Gerard Women’s Club Bake Sale 

The members of the St. Gerard Women’s Club of St. John’s Church will have its annual Easter bake sale and raffle on Saturday and Sunday, April 8 and 9, starting after the Saturday 4:30 p.m. Mass at 264 East Lewelling Blvd. in San Lorenzo. There will be a continental breakfast offered after all the Masses on Sunday,  April 9.  It is a great weekend celebration with lots of baked goods, raffle prizes and trinkets & treasures booth with all the proceeds from the weekend going to St. John’s Church. For more information, call co-chairs: Rita Ewing at 278-1283 or Raquel Mallari 877-8159.

Watercolor Demonstration 

Well known watercolor artist, Carolyn Lord will demonstrate watercolor painting at the next meeting of the San Leandro Art Association on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave.  Carolyn Lord is a signature member of both the National Watercolor Society and the California Art Club. To see examples of her work go to carolynlord.com.

The Maltese Bodkin at San Leandro Museum 

The San Leandro Players present The Maltese Bodkin on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through April 9, and Fridays from March 31 to April 7,  at the San Leandro Museum/Auditorium, 320 West Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Written by David Belke and directed by Sage Hindley the play follows the intrepid gumshoe as he solves the mystery of the deadly bodkin amid savory and unsavory characters from the realm of Shakespeare. Tickets are $20, or $15 for seniors, TBA members, under 12 and students.  For more information or reservations, call 895-2573. Order tickets online at www.slplayers.org.

Morrisson Theatre

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward, presents Side by Side by Sondheim, a musical revue featuring the earlier songs of one of the greatest composers of American musical theatre. The musical opens on Friday, April 7, and runs through April 23 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $29 with discounts available for seniors, under 30s, students and groups of 10 or more. For tickets, call the box office at 881-6777 or visit the website: www.dmtonline.org. DMT’s production of “Side by Side by Sondheim,” is directed by Michael Ryken, with music direction by Dean Starnes, and features a talented ensemble of Bay Area performers: Tielle Baker, Brian Couch, Christine Macomber and Jenny Matteucci.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 03-23-17

Landscaping Workshop

Dr. Ann Riley will illustrate how to manage urban streams and hillsides with proper landscaping to support inclines at a hands-on workshop on Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Root Park. The training will center on bio-technical erosion control measures, utilizing various soil bio-engineering principles that can be used by anyone interested in low-tech measures that mimic nature’s own erosion control solutions. At 10:30 a.m. special guest  Ruth Orta, Ohlone Elder, will bless the creek and the work being done there. In case of rain, the workshop will be rescheduled to Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Author Aleta George Speaks at SL Library 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Aleta George will discuss her award-winning biography of Ina Coolbrith on Saturday, March 25, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. Coolbrith was Oakland’s first public librarian, California’s first poet laureate and the most popular literary ambassador in the early American West. Jack London and Isadora Duncan considered Coolbrith their literary godmother and John Greenleaf Whittier knew more of her poems by heart than she did his. Copies of this book will be sold after the event at $20 for paperback and $25 for hardback. Admission is free.

Eden Garden Club 

The next meeting of the Eden Garden Club will be on Monday, March 27, at 9:30 a.m. at the Moose Lodge, 20835 Rutledge Road in Castro Valley.  The speaker will be Judy Casale, beekeeper for 20 years, honey seller and resident of Castro Valley.  Judy will focus on honeybee pollination and honeybee friendly plants, sharing her knowledge and expertise.  Meetings are free and guests are always  welcome. For more information, call 397-1268.

I.D.E.S. of Saint John Pancake Breakfast

I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will have a pancake breakfast and bingo on Saturday, April 1, at 9 a.m. Breakfast is $10 per person and includes three bingo cards, extra cards are 25 cents apiece. Please bring canned food for the food drive. For more information, call Willie Calvo at 635-6326 or Helder Quadros at 357-5846.

Friends of SL Library Spring Book Sale

The Friends of the San Leandro Library will hold its Spring Two-day Book Sale on Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2, at the Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. with  a fantastic selection of over 10,000 quality books at bargain prices. The sale is open to the public on Saturday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. But by joining the Friends of the Library, you may attend the “Members Preview” during the first two hours from 9 to 11 a.m. to get the best pick of the books. Then on Sunday, April 2, the Friends will be hosting an all-day bag sale at $2 a bag from noon to 3 pm. Friends of the San Leandro Library membership is $10 for an individual $15 for a family. You can register or renew your membership at the door on the day of the sale or pick up a membership application at the Main Library. For more information, call the San Leandro Library Information Desk at 577-3971.

Soroptimists Yard Sale

The Soroptimists will have a yard sale (weather permitting) on Saturday, April 1, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 3841 Somerset Ave. in Castro Valley, with lots of good stuff, tools, shoes, clothes, sports gear. For more information or to donate, call Lynn Levin at 593-7377. The best time to drop off donations is Friday evening, March 31, after 5 p.m.

Diabetes Support Group 

The Diabetes Support Group has been told that it will no longer be able to hold its meetings at the San Leandro Surgery Center, 15035 East 14th St. in San Leandro, since the building was sold to Sutter Health Care. The support group will be suspending its meetings until it finds another venue, but there will be one last meeting at the Surgery Center on Monday, April 3, at 4:30 to thank all those who have supported this free community activity.

San Leandro Swim Team Tryouts 

The San Leandro Swim Team will hold tryouts for the upcoming season on Monday, April 3, at 6 p.m. at the San Leandro High School Pool, 2200 Bancroft Ave. All swimmers ages 4 to 18 interested in joining the team come prepared to demonstrate your skills. Swimmers should be comfortable in water and able to swim 25-50 yards unassisted. For more information, go to website - San Leandro Drowning Darryls – Team Unify or call 913-0850.

St. Gerard Women’s Club Bake Sale 

The members of the St. Gerard Women’s Club of St. John’s Church will have its annual Easter bake sale and raffle on Saturday and Sunday, April 8 and 9, starting after the Saturday 4:30 p.m. Mass at 264 East Lewelling Blvd. in San Lorenzo. There will be a continental breakfast offered after all the Masses on Sunday,  April 9.  It is a great weekend celebration with lots of baked goods, raffle prizes and trinkets & treasures booth with all the proceeds from the weekend going to St. John’s Church. For more information, call co-chairs: Rita Ewing at 278-1283 or Raquel Mallari 877-8159.

Ecumenical Good Friday Service 

All are welcome to an Ecumenical Good Friday Service on Friday, April 14, at noon. The gathering will be hosted this year at All Saints Episcopal Church, 911 Dowling Blvd. in San Leandro. This service will include familiar hymns and reflections on Christ’s “Seven Last Words” by clergy from different congregations throughout San Leandro as well as from the CEO of Davis Street (www.davisstreet.org), Rose Padilla Johnson. A special collection will be taken to support Davis Street’s services to low income residents of our community.

San Leandro Toastmasters

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

Pacific High School Class of 1967 Reunion

Pacific High School Class of 1967 will have its 50th reunion in June at the Marriott Hotel, 11950 Dublin Canyon Road in Pleasanton. A meet-and-greet will be on Friday, June 16, followed by a dinner-dance on Saturday, June 17 (the date the class graduated), and a Sunday breakfast on June 18. No payments accepted at the door. To register, or for more information, call Sue Ferreira Nunes at 209-830-7415. Information can also be found at PacificHighVikings.com.

The Maltese Bodkin at San Leandro Museum 

The San Leandro Players present The Maltese Bodkin on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through April 9, and Fridays from March 31 to April 7,  at the San Leandro Museum/Auditorium, 320 West Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Written by David Belke and directed by Sage Hindley the play follows the intrepid gumshoe as he solves the mystery of the deadly bodkin amid savory and unsavory characters from the realm of Shakespeare. Tickets are $20, or $15 for seniors, TBA members, under 12 and students.  For more information or reservations, call 895-2573. Order tickets online at www.slplayers.org.

Morrisson Theatre 

The Morrisson Theatre Chorus, under the musical direction of César Cancino, will present “Spring Concert: Stage and Screen” on Friday and Saturday, March 17 and 18, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 adult, $15 for under 30/over 60 and $12 for students. For tickets or more information, go to www.dmtonline.org or call 881-6777. The Douglas Morrisson Theatre is located at 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward.

Morrisson Theatre

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward, presents Side by Side by Sondheim, a musical revue featuring the earlier songs of one of the greatest composers of American musical theatre. The musical opens on Friday, April 7, and runs through April 23 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $29 with discounts available for seniors, under 30s, students and groups of 10 or more. For tickets, call the box office at 881-6777 or visit the website: www.dmtonline.org. DMT’s production of “Side by Side by Sondheim,” is directed by Michael Ryken, with music direction by Dean Starnes, and features a talented ensemble of Bay Area performers: Tielle Baker, Brian Couch, Christine Macomber and Jenny Matteucci.

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Music Fest to Raise Funds for School Music Programs

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-16-17

     Come to see San Leandro bands at the Cherry City Music Fest 2017 at The Englander, 101 Parrott St., this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. to benefit music programs in San Leandro schools.

     Join the fun with the bands the San Leandroids, Future/Past, Pugsley & the Dugger Brothers, and In Your Head.

     Doors open at 6 p.m. Donation of $25 at the door, or $10 for students.

     All the proceeds from this show, organized by Keep Music Rockin’ Foundation, benefit music at San Leandro public schools.

CAPTION: The San Leandroids will play along with several other bands on Saturday night in a benefit for music programs in San Leandro public schools.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 03-16-17

Adult School Career Open House

San Leandro Adult School, 1448 Williams St., will host a Career Technical Education (CTE) Open House tonight, March 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn about the following certificated training programs: Medical, Business, Accounting, and Computers. Meet the instructors. Most classes begin April 3. For more information, call 667-6250 or go to www.sanleandroadultschool.org.

Native Sons Prawn Feed 

The Native Sons of the Golden West, Estudillo Parlor #223, will host a prawn feed on Saturday, March 18, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1105 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. For tickets, call 760-1419 or email fleischman@comcast.net.

St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser Dinner 

The St. Leander Conference of St. Vincent de Paul will hold a St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser dinner on Saturday, March 18, at Ryan O’Connell Halll, 575 W. Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro. The social hour starts at 5:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. with corned beef or chicken, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, rolls, dessert, and coffee. There will be a raffle and door prizes. Tickets are available at the St. Leander’s Parish office, 474 W. Estudillo Ave. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $7.50 for children under 12. Deadline to purchase tickets is March 16. For more information, call 895-5631.  

Catholic Daughters Salad Bar Luncheon 

The Catholic Daughters, Court #2400, will host the 3rd Annual Salad Bar Luncheon and Bingo on Saturday, March 18, at the St. Felicitas Church Msgr. McGinty Hall on 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 and proceeds support the Rice Bowl Project. To reserve your seat, RSVP Kim at 940-5949 by Sunday, March 12.

The Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast

The Hayward/Castro Valley Kiwanis Club will have a pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 18, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Kenneth Aitken Senior Center, 17800 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. The cost is $10 per person for adults, $30 for a family of 4, $5 for children from 5 to 10. Proceeds go to community projects and scholarships. Come join the fun with a cake walk, basket raffles, silent auction, and door prizes. For more information, call 886-1100.

The Cooler Art Show & Reception

Meet local artist Bob Heubel at The Cooler pub, 1517 East 14th St. in downtown San Leandro, on Sunday, March 19, from 5 to 8p.m. Now through the end of April, a collection of more than 40 paintings are on display from his “Landscapes & Mindscapes” exposition. The reception is free and open to the public but you must be 21 or older to attend.

Open Cockpit Day at Aviation Museum

The Oakland Aviation Museum, 8252 Earhart Road (just off Doolittle Drive) in Oakland, will host an Open Cockpit day on Sunday, March 19, from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can sit in famous aircraft, including the A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair, Harrier and the MiG-15. Refreshments will be available and live music will be provided by The Friends of Ken Band, plus kids’ activities, magic show, face painting and balloons, and a roller derby demonstration by the Quad City Derby Bombshells, and a drone demonstration. The Oakland Aviation Museum aims to educate the public on the development of aviation at historic North Field. For more information, call 638-7100 or go to www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org.

San Leandro Swim Team Tryouts 

The San Leandro Swim Team will hold tryouts for the upcoming season on Monday, April 3, at 6 p.m. at the San Leandro High School Pool, 2200 Bancroft Ave. All swimmers ages 4 to 18 interested in joining the team come prepared to demonstrate your skills. Swimmers should be comfortable in water and able to swim 25-50 yards unassisted. For more information, go to website - San Leandro Drowning Darryls – Team Unify or call 913-0850.

Ecumenical Good Friday Service 

All are welcome to an Ecumenical Good Friday Service on Friday, April 14, at noon. The gathering will be hosted this year at All Saints Episcopal Church, 911 Dowling Blvd. in San Leandro. This service will include familiar hymns and reflections on Christ’s “Seven Last Words” by clergy from different congregations throughout San Leandro as well as from the CEO of Davis Street (www.davisstreet.org), Rose Padilla Johnson. A special collection will be taken to support Davis Street’s services to low income residents of our community.

San Leandro Toastmasters

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

4th Sunday Breakfast for Veterans

American Legion Post 117 will host breakfast from 8 a.m. until noon every 4th Sunday of the month 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 $6 for adults, $5 for senior and veterans, and $4 for children under 12. Everyone is welcome.

SL High Class of 1987 Reunion

San Leandro High School Class of 1987 is having its 30th reunion on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Dublin, 6680 Regional St. in Dublin. See old friends and raise a glass to our class. Early-bird ticket pricing is available until March 1. For more information and tickets, go to www.nationalreunions.com or call 888-4-ALUMNI.

Pacific High School Class of 1967 Reunion

Pacific High School Class of 1967 will have its 50th reunion in June at the Marriott Hotel, 11950 Dublin Canyon Road in Pleasanton. A meet-and-greet will be on Friday, June 16, followed by a dinner-dance on Saturday, June 17 (the date the class graduated), and a Sunday breakfast on June 18. No payments accepted at the door. To register, or for more information, call Sue Ferreira Nunes at 209-830-7415. Information can also be found at PacificHighVikings.com.

Soroptimists Yard Sale

The Soroptimists will have a yard sale (weather permitting) on Saturday, April 1, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 3841 Somerset Ave. in Castro Valley, with lots of good stuff, tools, shoes, clothes, sports gear. For more information or to donate, call Lynn Levin at 593-7377. The best time to drop off donations is Friday evening, March 31, after 5 p.m.

The Maltese Bodkin at San Leandro Museum 

The San Leandro Players present The Maltese Bodkin on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through April 9, and Fridays from March 31 to April 7,  at the San Leandro Museum/Auditorium, 320 West Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Written by David Belke and directed by Sage Hindley the play follows the intrepid gumshoe as he solves the mystery of the deadly bodkin amid savory and unsavory characters from the realm of Shakespeare. Tickets are $20, or $15 for seniors, TBA members, under 12 and students.  For more information or reservations, call 895-2573. Order tickets online at www.slplayers.org.

Morrisson Theatre 

The Morrisson Theatre Chorus, under the musical direction of César Cancino, will present “Spring Concert: Stage and Screen” on Friday and Saturday, March 17 and 18, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 adult, $15 for under 30/over 60 and $12 for students. For tickets or more information, go to www.dmtonline.org or call 881-6777. The Douglas Morrisson Theatre is located at 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward.

Adobe Art Gallery 

The Adobe Art Gallery, 20395 San Miguel Ave. in Castro Valley, presents the works of Sorensdale Recreation Center in the upcoming exhibit The Artist Within 2, featuring a variety of media including two and three-dimensional work. The exhibit opens with an artists reception on Saturday, March 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. and runs through April 29. Hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Sorensdale Recreation Center is a facility and program of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) that provides opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to learn and practice recreational, educational, daily living and community skills.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 03-09-17

Assumption School Dinner & Dance

Everyone is invited to Assumption Catholic School’s 28th Annual Auction, Dinner & Dance fundraiser – “Celebrate the Night in Black & White” on Saturday, March 11, at the Colombo Club, 5321 Claremont Ave. in Oakland. The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. with a silent auction, followed by dinner, dancing and a live auction. Tickets are $50 per person (adults only) for an evening of dinner, dancing and celebration in support of the school. To make a donation or purchase tickets, go to www.assumptionschool-sl.org and click on the “Auction” tab at the bottom of the page.

Hearing Loss Association Meeting

The Hearing Loss Association will meet on Saturday, March 11, at the Oakland Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Fabiola Bldg., 3801 Howe St., lower level, room G26. Parking is free in the old garage across from Howe St. Refreshments are at 9:30 a.m. with the program starting at 10 a.m. Audiologist Dr. Susanna Storm, one of the of the founders of  Blue Sky Hearing & Audiology in Berkeley will be the speaker. For more information, email athos.artist@att.net or call Kay at 886-4717.

San Leandro Shorties Film Festival 

The San Leandro Performing Arts Center will  host the 2nd Annual San Leandro Education Foundation Shorties Award Night on Saturday, March 11, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the San Leandro Performing Arts Center, 2250 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro. The SLED Shorties Award Night will feature all winners and runners up of the 5 film categories from high school students all across Alameda County. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $25 for reserve seating and free with student ID. Purchase reserve tickets online at www.sledshorties.com.

Ramana Vieira at the Sound Room 

Ramana Vieira  will perform Fado with a hint of Portuguese world music on Saturday, March 11, from 8 to 10 p.m. at The Sound Room,  2147 Broadway in Oakland. Tickets are $15 and can be ordered at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/20370, or www.soundroom.org or call 496-4180.

Alta Mira Club 

The Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, will have a corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 11. The social hour starts at 5 p.m. and dinner begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20. For tickets, call 914-5684.

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

I.D.E.S. of Alvarado St. will have its annual crab feed on Saturday, March 11, at the hall on 790 Antonio St. in San Leandro. No host cocktails at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 7 p.m. Dinner will include crab, pasta, salad, garlic bread and wine. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased by calling 385-2847 or 635-3580 or by mail. Make check payable to I.D.E.S. and send to P.O. Box 781, San Leandro CA, 94577.

Eagles Eden Auxiliary Bingo Luncheon

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Eden Auxiliary #1139 will have its bingo luncheon on  Monday, March 13, from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Eagles Hall, 21406 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. A typical St. Patrick’s Day fare of corned beef & cabbage, salad, dessert, coffee tea will be served for a one time donation of $7 which will include one bingo card. The Eagles motto is “People Helping People”. For more information,  call 584-1568.

East Bay Rose Society 

The East Bay Rose Society will meet on Wednesday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave. in Oakland, featuring speaker Joe Truskot, master rosarian, who has grown over 500 varieties of roses in his garden. Enjoy snacks, meet people who talk roses and enjoy the show. The rose society’s website is  www.eastbayroses.org.yroses.org.

St. Felicitas St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon

Tickets  are now on sale for the St. Felicitas Parish Young at Heart St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon on Wednesday,  March 15, at 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Wear something green. Corned beef and cabbage, red potatoes, carrots, rye bread, dessert, coffee or apple cider will be served. Tickets are $6.  Entertainment and door prizes at the luncheon.  Tickets must be purchased no later than the Monday before the luncheon. Tickets available at the parish office Monday through Thursday between

9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Adult School Career Open House

San Leandro Adult School, 1448 Williams St., will host a Career Technical Education (CTE) Open House on Thursday, March 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn about the following certificated training programs: Medical, Business, Accounting, and Computers. Meet the instructors. Most classes begin April 3. For more information, call 667-6250 or go to www.sanleandroadultschool.org.

Catholic Daughters Salad Bar Luncheon 

The Catholic Daughters, Court #2400, will host the 3rd Annual Salad Bar Luncheon and Bingo on Saturday, March 18, at the St. Felicitas Church Msgr. McGinty Hall on 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 and proceeds support the Rice Bowl Project. To reserve your seat, RSVP Kim at 940-5949 by Sunday, March 12.

The Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast

The Hayward/Castro Valley Kiwanis Club will have a pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 18, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Kenneth Aitken Senior Center, 17800 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. The cost is $10 per person for adults, $30 for a family of 4, $5 for children from 5 to 10. Proceeds go to community projects and scholarships. Come join the fun with a cake walk, basket raffles, silent auction, and door prizes. For more information, call 886-1100.

Open Cockpit Day at Aviation Museum

The Oakland Aviation Museum, 8252 Earhart Road (just off Doolittle Drive) in Oakland, will host an Open Cockpit day on Sunday, March 19, from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can sit in famous aircraft, including the A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair, Harrier and the MiG-15. Refreshments will be available and live music will be provided by The Friends of Ken Band, plus kids’ activities, magic show, face painting and balloons, and a roller derby demonstration by the Quad City Derby Bombshells, and a drone demonstration. The Oakland Aviation Museum aims to educate the public on the development of aviation at historic North Field. For more information, call 638-7100 or go to www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org.

The Maltese Bodkin at San Leandro Museum 

The San Leandro Players present The Maltese Bodkin on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from March 11 to April 9, and Fridays from March 31 to April 7,  at the San Leandro Museum/Auditorium, 320 West Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Written by David Belke and directed by Sage Hindley the play follows the intrepid gumshoe as he solves the mystery of the deadly bodkin amid savory and unsavory characters from the realm of Shakespeare. Tickets are $20, or $15 for seniors, TBA members, under 12 and students.  For more information or reservations, call 895-2573. Order tickets online at www.slplayers.org.

Morrisson Theatre 

The Morrisson Theatre Chorus, under the musical direction of César Cancino, will present “Spring Concert: Stage and Screen” on Friday and Saturday, March 17 and 18, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 adult, $15 for under 30/over 60 and $12 for students. For tickets or more information, go to www.dmtonline.org or call 881-6777. The Douglas Morrisson Theatre is located at 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward.

Adobe Art Gallery

The Adobe Art Gallery, 20395 San Miguel Ave. in Castro Valley, presents the works of Sorensdale Recreation Center in the upcoming exhibit The Artist Within 2, featuring a variety of media including two and three-dimensional work. The exhibit opens with an artists reception on Saturday, March 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. and runs through April 29. Hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Sorensdale Recreation Center is a facility and program of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) that provides opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to learn and practice recreational, educational, daily living and community skills.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 03-02-17

San Leandro Readers Roundtable 

The San Leandro Readers Roundtable will meet Saturday, March 4, at 2 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The group will discuss The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George.  All are welcome, and books discussed are available for purchase at the library’s Booktique bookstore.

I.D.E.S. of Saint John Lunch & Bingo

I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will have a bingo and salad bar luncheon on Saturday, March 4, at noon. Lunch is $15 and includes three bingo cards, extra cards are 25 cents apiece. Raffle starts at 2 p.m. Bring along some canned food as there will be a canned food drive. For more information, call Willie Calvo at 510-635-6326 or Frances Leite at 510-886-1568.

St. James Lutheran Church 

St. James Lutheran Church and Christian Schools, 993 Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro, invites all for an afternoon of popular and inspirational music performed by the Guemmer and Myers Trio on Saturday, March 4, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 (including refreshments) and proceeds will be used to teach children how to care for our planet via our eco-friendly garden and neighborhood herb and fruit trees.

SL High Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed 

The San Leandro High School Boosters Coaches’ Crab Feed will be held on  Saturday, March 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro, 401 Marina Blvd. There will be a crab feed, silent auction, no host bar, DJ dancing, dessert auction and raffles. Purchase tickets online at www.slhsunitedparents.com.

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 510-357-0601.

Assumption School Dinner & Dance

Everyone is invited to Assumption Catholic School’s 28th Annual Auction, Dinner & Dance fundraiser – “Celebrate the Night in Black & White” on Saturday, March 11, at the Colombo Club, 5321 Claremont Ave. in Oakland. The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. with a silent auction, followed by dinner, dancing and a live auction. Tickets are $50 per person (adults only) for an evening of dinner, dancing and celebration in support of the school. To make a donation or purchase tickets, go to www.assumptionschool-sl.org and click on the “Auction” tab at the bottom of the page. Last year’s auction attendees bid on a trip to the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Disneyland tickets, Golden State Warriors playoff tickets and a performance of the San Francisco Ballet. There were also club memberships, gift certificates for local restaurants and much, much more.

The Maltese Bodkin at SL Museum 

The San Leandro Players present The Maltese Bodkin on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from March 11 to April 9, and Fridays from March 31 to April 7,  at the San Leandro Museum/Auditorium, 320 West Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Written by David Belke and directed by Sage Hindley the play follows the intrepid gumshoe as he solves the mystery of the deadly bodkin amid savory and unsavory characters from the realm of Shakespeare. Tickets are $20, or $15 for seniors, TBA members, under 12 and students.  For more information or reservations, call 510-895-2573. Order tickets online at www.slplayers.org.

Alta Mira Club 

The Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, will have a corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 11. The social hour starts at 5 p.m. and dinner begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20. For tickets, call 510-914-5684.

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

I.D.E.S. of Alvarado St. will have its annual crab feed on Saturday, March 11, at the hall on 790 Antonio St. in San Leandro. No host cocktails at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 7 p.m. Dinner will include crab, pasta, salad, garlic bread and wine. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased by calling 510-385-2847 or 510-635-3580 or by mail. Make check payable to I.D.E.S. and send to P.O. Box 781, San Leandro CA, 94577.

St. Felicitas  St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon

Tickets  are now on sale for the St. Felicitas Parish Young at Heart St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon on Wednesday,  March 15, at 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Wear something green. Corned beef and cabbage, red potatoes, carrots, rye bread, dessert, coffee or apple cider will be served. Tickets are $6.  Entertainment and door prizes at the luncheon.  Tickets must be purchased no later than the Monday before the luncheon. Tickets available at the parish office Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Catholic Daughters Salad Bar Luncheon 

The Catholic Daughters, Court #2400, will host the 3rd Annual Salad Bar Luncheon and Bingo on Saturday, March 18, at the St. Felicitas Church Msgr. McGinty Hall on 1662 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 and proceeds support the Rice Bowl Project. To reserve your seat, RSVP Kim at 510-940-5949 by Sunday, March 12.

The Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast

The Hayward/Castro Valley Kiwanis Club will have a pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 18, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Kenneth Aitken Senior Center, 17800 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. The cost is $10 per person for adults, $30 for a family of 4, $5 for children from 5 to 10. Proceeds go to community projects and scholarships. Come join the fun with a cake walk, basket raffles, silent auction, and door prizes. For more information, call 510-886-1100.

Open Cockpit Day at Aviation Museum

The Oakland Aviation Museum, 8252 Earhart Road (just off Doolittle Drive) in Oakland, will host an Open Cockpit day on Sunday, March 19, starting at noon. Visitors can sit in famous aircraft, including the A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair, Harrier and the MiG-15. Refreshments will be available and live music will be provided by The Friends of Ken Band, plus kids’ activities, magic show, face painting and balloons, and a roller derby demonstration by the Quad City Derby Bombshells, and a drone demonstration. The Oakland Aviation Museum aims to educate the public on the development of aviation at historic North Field. For more information, call 510-638-7100 or go to www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org.

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder in Car-to-Car Shooting

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-30-17

     A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a shooting last Friday night.

     The suspect was driving in the area of East 14th Street and Fairmont Drive in the early morning hours of March 24 when he opened fire and struck another driver, according to Lt. Isaac Benabou of the San Leandro police.

     The suspect then fled the scene.

     Police say they collected evidence and witness statements that led them to Antonio Artiga, 35, of Oakland. He was arrested at 8 a.m. as he arrived for work at a trucking company on the 3000 block of Alvarado Street.

     At the time of his arrest, Artiga was allegedly in the vehicle he used in the shooting. Inside the vehicle, police found a loaded stolen gun which they believe was used in the crime.

     Artiga is currently being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on suspicion of attempted murder and gun charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned today at the Hayward Hall of Justice.

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Two Cold Case San Lorenzo Murders

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-30-17

     The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help on two cold case murders in San Lorenzo.

     In the first case, Guillermo Deleon, 22, was stabbed to death in the parking lot of the Black Angus restaurant on Hesperian Boulevard on March 24, 1988.

     Deleon had been at the restaurant with several friends. When they left at around 1:40 a.m., a fight broke out in the parking lot among several patrons.

     Witnesses said that the suspect called Deleon over to him and they began to fight, and Deleon was stabbed and killed. The suspect is described as Hispanic, 20-22 years old, with black hair, about 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds.

     In the second, unrelated, case, Angelo Ravella, 22, was shot and killed while riding in the passenger side of a friend’s car on Via Chiquita on March 28, 2003.

     The suspect vehicle was a dark-colored 1980’s Cadillac with four or five people inside it, last seen traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Via Chiquita.

     The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic man between the ages of 18 and 25, possibly wearing a black beanie cap at the time of the shooting.

     Anyone with information about either case is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 667-3661 or the anonymous tip line at 667-3622.

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Family of Slain Hayward Teen Offers Reward

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     The family of the teen who was shot and killed in Cherryland in January is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of his killer.

     Hayward High School junior Lamar Murphy, 16, was walking near the intersection of Princeton Street and Smalley Avenue in the unincorporated area on Jan. 23 at around 6:45 p.m. when he was shot and killed.

     Authorities believe a car may have been involved and that it was  a possible drive-by shooting.

     No motive for the killing or information about any suspects have been released by the sheriff’s office.

     Anyone with information is asked to call the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office at 667-3628 or the anonymous tip line at 667-3622.

CAPTION: Lamar Murphy, a Hayward High School junior, was shot and killed in Cherryland in January.

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San Leandro Woman Arrested After Riding in Bay Bridge ‘Side Show’

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     A San Leandro woman was arrested after allegedly participating in a “side show” on the Bay Bridge last Sunday. Several other riders were detained by authorities.

     The California Highway Patrol’s spotter airplane tracked 30 ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles on the eastbound lanes of the Bay Bridge just after 6 p.m.

     The riders were allegedly driving recklessly and harassing other drivers on the bridge.

     CHP officers on the ground tried to stop the group as it got off the bridge, but the riders all fled the scene.

     The plane led the officers to a smaller group of riders near 103rd Avenue and Royal Ann Street in Oakland.

     The San Leandro woman, 27, was caught trying to flee on a motorcycle and arrested on suspicion of obstructing an officer, evading an officer, and aiding or abetting a speed exhibition.

     She is scheduled to be arraigned at the Wiley Manuel courthouse in Oakland on May 2.

     CHP officers also seized two dirt bikes and two all-terrain vehicles and said more detained riders may face charges as the investigation continues.

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Reader Warns of Auto Thefts at Shopping Centers

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     A reader reports his SUV has been stolen twice in the past few months, both times from busy shopping areas.

     The Honda SUV was stolen the first time when he went to the Bayfair movie theater to watch the latest Star Wars with his son last December. The crime was caught on surveillance and the vehicle was recovered by police.

     But last Saturday, the man went shopping at the Davis Street Walmart and the SUV was snatched again.  The theft was again recorded on security footage and he’s hopeful his vehicle will be return again, but he wants to get the word out that large shopping areas are popular with car thieves.

     Lt. Robert McManus of the SLPD says that it is true that most car thefts take place at shopping centers.

     “We are averaging about 1,000 cars per year taken out of San Leandro,” said McManus. “Any place with high-traffic like a mall is easier for criminals because it’s easier to be inconspicuous with a lot of people around.”

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Man Murdered on Selborne Drive

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-16-17

     A 41-year-old man was found dead in his home on the 16000 block of Selborne Drive in unincorporated San Leandro on Monday afternoon, the victim of a homicide.

     Deputies were called to the area at around 1:45 p.m. on March 13. They noticed a trail of blood leading to a residence and a large amount of blood near the door of the home, according to Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

     Inside they found the victim, identified as Don Castillo, on the floor of the residence.

     Castillo had significant injuries and it is believed that both a gun and knife may have been used in the crime, Kelly said. Castillo was pronounced dead at the scene.

     Kelly said that the investigation is ongoing, but the sheriff’s office has developed information that leads them to believe that Castillo and his killer knew each other.

     “The reason and the motive remain unknown but detectives are actively looking for the person believed responsible,” said Kelly.

     The name of the suspect won’t be released until he is in custody, Kelly added.

     Anyone with information or residential security footage from the area is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 667-3636.

— Amy Sylvestri

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DA Settles $14 Million Suit with BP

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-16-17

     Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley announced recently a $14 million settlement with BP West Coast Products LLC, BP Products North America, Inc., and Atlantic Richfield Company over allegations that the companies violated state laws regarding operating and maintaining motor vehicle fuel underground storage tank laws.

     The suit alleged that BP failed to properly inspect and maintain underground tanks used to store gasoline for retail sale at approximately 780 gas stations in California over a period of 10 years and violated other hazardous material and waste laws.

     The complaint alleges that, since 2006, BP has improperly monitored, inspected, and maintained underground storage tanks used to store gasoline for retail sale; tampered with or disabled leak detection devices; and improperly handled and disposed of hazardous wastes and materials associated with the underground storage tanks at retail gas stations throughout California.

     BP currently owns or operates 73 gas station in California.

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Two More Arrested in Gun Battle That led to Car Crash

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     Two more people were arrested last week for their alleged ties to a shootout and subsequent car crash that gravely injured an elderly couple last November.

     Back on Nov. 17 at around 12:30 p.m. shots were fired in the area of MacArthur Boulevard and I-580. Moments later, police received 911 calls about a car crash on the 300 block of Dowling Boulevard, according to Lt. Robert McManus of the San Leandro police.

     When officers arrived at the collision, they found a man suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound at the crash scene.

     That man was later identified as Davlon Harris, 33, of Oakland. He is currently free on $200,000 bail and his next scheduled court appearance is March 23.

     The man collided with a car driven by a couple who had no involvement in the shootout and they were trapped inside.

     Alameda County Fire personnel used the “jaws of life” to free the couple from the severely damaged car.

     A third vehicle got away from the scene. It was a rental that was returned and eventually traced to Marcus Jones, 32.

     Jones was arrested outside of an apartment on Thrush Avenue on Feb. 28. A search of the home yielded $250,000 to $300,000 in cash, marijuana, and guns.

     Jones’ girlfriend Jennifer Orr, 21, was also arrested.

     Jones and Orr are accused of a variety of crimes including gun and drug possession but they have not yet been charged in relation to the gun battle, though police say those charges are still pending further investigation.

     Jones and Orr  are scheduled to be arraigned today at 2 p.m. at Hayward Hall of Justice.

CAPTION: The aftermath of a rolling shootout that led to a multi-car crash on Dowling Boulevard last November. Three people have been arrested in connection with the crime.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SLPD

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DA Settles Environmental Suit With Auto Parts Chain

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, along with other California District Attorneys, announced recently that Alameda County Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman has ordered the Missouri-based O’Reilly Auto Parts to pay $9.86 million as part of a settlement of a civil environmental prosecution alleging the company mishandled hazardous waste.

     The lawsuit claimed that more than 525 O’Reilly stores throughout the state unlawfully handled, transported and disposed of used oil, used oil filters, and various hazardous wastes and materials over a 5-year period.

     Those hazardous wastes and materials included automotive fluids, alkaline batteries, electronic waste, aerosol cans and other toxic, ignitable and corrosive wastes.

     During 2013 and 2014, inspectors from the Alameda County DA’s Office Environmental Protection Division, investigators from other district attorney offices, and environmental regulators statewide, conducted a series of undercover inspections of waste bins originating at O’Reilly stores.

     The inspections revealed that O’Reilly had been routinely sending used oil, filters, and hazardous wastes to local landfills throughout California.

     O’Reilly’s website tells patrons that they can bring their used oil filters to the store to have them properly disposed.

     The investigation also revealed that O’Reilly was routinely transporting hazardous wastes from its stores to its California distribution centers without required licenses.

     The statewide inspections revealed that 42 out of 43 of the O’Reilly stores were in violation of state law.

     There are 20 O’Reilly stores in Alameda County.

     DA inspectors conducted waste inspections of waste bins belonging to 10 of those stores, and all 10 were found to be unlawfully disposing of hazardous waste.

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Assault at BART Station

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     A man is accused of sexually assaulting another man at the San Leandro BART station on March 2.

     The incident occurred at around 9 a.m. in the station’s parking lot after the suspect offered the victim a ride to BART. Once parked at the station, the assault allegedly took place, according to BART police.

     The police have not released any information as to the nature of the alleged assault.

     The victim and suspect knew each other before the incident. The investigation into the crime is ongoing and no further details are being released at this time.

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Man Who Escaped Police Custody on I-880 Found and Arrested Weeks Later in Fremont

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-02-17

     A man who fled police custody while being transported to the airport was found and arrested after more than two weeks on the run.

     On Jan. 31, deputies from Kentucky picked up Shawn New, 27, at Santa Rita jail in Dublin where he was being held for DUI charges. In Kentucky, he was wanted for fraud and identity theft.

     The Kentucky cops drove New in a rental car to San Francisco International Airport. The car didn’t have back door locks like a police vehicle does.

     New, in handcuffs, jumped out of the car while it sat in traffic on I-880 near the A Street exit in Hayward. A police helicopter was used in the effort to find him but he remained at large for 17 days, according to Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

     On Feb. 16, Fremont police found New in a home on the 34000 block of Heather Terrace in that city. New refused to exit the home and a police dog was sent in to apprehend him, Kelly said.

     New was teated and released for a dog bite and is currently being held without bail at Santa Rita.

     In addition to the DUI and fraud charges, New faces additional charges for being a “fugitive from justice.”

     His next court date is March 10 at the Hayward Hall of Justice.

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Woman Gets 10-year Sentence for Bank Heists

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-02-17

     A San Francisco woman has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison for a spate of bank robberies, including one in San Leandro.

     Yolanda Brown, 48, pled guilty to robbing the Patelco Credit Union in San Leandro in January of 2016 and other banks in San Francisco and Antioch over a period of six months that year. She also pled to being a convicted felon possessing a firearm and possessing methamphetamine.

     A federal court convicted Brown in October and she was sentenced to 130 months of prison, five years of supervised release, and $19,285 in restitution.

     The case was investigated by the ATF, the FBI, and the San Leandro and Antioch police.

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San Leandro Man with Autism Arrested for Attempted Murder  

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-02-17

     A 20-year-old San Leandro man was arrested for attempted murder in Berkeley last week after allegedly stabbing a woman  who is an employee at his special education school.

     The man, who is autistic, is accused of stabbing an administrator at the Via Center after he lost a job and blamed it on the school’s administration, police said.

     On Feb. 21, the suspect was in a meeting with school staff  regarding his attendance when he left and retrieved a knife from a filing cabinet in the office and stabbed a female administrator five times in the head, neck and back.

     Police say the woman’s injuries are not life-threatening.

     The suspect fled the scene and was apprehended by the California Highway Patrol in Albany later that afternoon.

     He is currently being held without bail in Santa Rita Jail and his next court date to enter a plea is March 7.

Plant Tomatoes with Meals in Mind

BY MELINDA MYERS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-30-17

     Tomatoes are a favorite and versatile vegetable that taste best when grown and harvested from your own garden.

     For the best results, select the most disease-resistant varieties and grow your tomatoes in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

     Choose plants with the growth habit that works best with your garden space and gardening style.

     Determinate tomatoes are perfect for small gardens and containers. They grow to a certain height, stop growing, and produce in a relatively short timeframe.

     Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow throughout the season, producing flowers and fruit until frost kills the plant or you prune off the growing tip found at the end of the main stem(s). Stake or tower the plants to save space, reduce disease and insect problems, and make harvesting convenient.

     Grow varieties best suited to the intended use. Save time and do a bit of research before visiting the garden center.  

     Bite-sized tomatoes are great for salads, relish trays, and snacking. Red Robin and Sweet ‘n Neat produce clusters of red cherry tomatoes on compact plants. Grow them in containers or window box.

     The explosively sweet Sun Gold and Sun Sugar cherry tomatoes are the candy of the garden and will get even your most reluctant family members to eat their tomatoes. It’s best to stake or cage these tall plants and grow them in a 24-inch-diameter pot.

     Paste and sauce tomatoes have meatier fruit, making them perfect for sauces, soups and preserving. Roma is the traditional favorite. The egg-shaped fruit has thick walls and few seeds. You can also freeze them for future use.

     Grow a few slicing tomatoes. Look for large, juicy tomatoes to enjoy on sandwiches and salads. Solar Flare and Creole are heat-tolerant and keep producing despite high summer temperatures.

     So, gather your favorite recipes and create a list of both longtime favorites and new tomato varieties to include in this year’s garden.

     Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook.

CAPTION: Cherry tomatoes are great for salads and snacking.

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A Requiem for Open Houses

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-30-17

     I recently spotted an article proclaiming, “Open houses are dead!” However, agents in my neighborhood didn’t get the memo — I passed about 40 signs on my two-mile trip home from church last Sunday.

     Truth is, open houses are alive and fulfilling a vital role in today’s dynamic market. Their methodology, however, has significantly changed.

     Back a few years, with a copy of the newspaper real estate section in hand, potential buyers searched for open house signs. If they spotted signs for a home that wasn’t listed, they’d visit anyway just to see inside.

     Everything has changed. Open house signs are no longer necessary. Today’s buyers search for homes on their smartphones and, if they like what they see, verify when it’s open, hit the address link and let their phones lead them to the front door.

     We’ve held successful open houses with no corner signs at all — with the open house posted online, buyers come like bees to a picnic.

     Why are signs still out? For potential sellers. Nothing promotes an agent better to someone interested in selling their home than a passel full of signs cluttering every corner around their house. Some agents even utilize drivers who spend weekend mornings littering the landscape with signs.

     Another change is the frequency of open houses. You’d think that in a hot market homes would sell themselves, therefore open homes numbers would go down.

     The opposite is true. Realizing the more traffic they can get through a front door, the higher the chance of multiple offers, listing agents hold as many open houses as they can. Buyer’s agents, recognizing that most homes are open on weekends, instruct buyers to go to as many as possible without them. They then focus on providing their clients access to the few homes not open. If a buyer wants to write an offer, then their agent will visit.

     A final change is which homes get visited. Increasingly, fussy buyers sort homes online and if a home doesn’t sparkle, they won’t come, regardless of how many signs are out.

     If they’re driving and spot an open house they’re not aware of, they might stop in front and view the interior on their phones. If they don’t like what they see, they won’t enter. Sellers who don’t understand the new rules may be very disappointed with the results.

     Time to sing a requiem for open houses? Not quite yet.

     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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What You Should Know About Down Payments

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     If you’re in the market to buy a home, your down payment is probably on top of your mind. However, it’s important to understand all your options, particularly if you’ve heard the rule of thumb that you shouldn’t pursue homeownership unless you can put 20 percent down.

     “In today’s market, misconceptions about down payments are some of the most common, unfortunately” says Danny Gardner of Freddie Mac. “And this discourages many prospective buyers from even leaving the starting gate.”

     Gardner points out that a growing number of homebuyers are putting down between five and 10 percent, and even as little as three percent. This is important to keep in mind when determining how much home you can afford.

     Prospective homebuyers concerned about down payments should also be aware that there are nearly 2,500 homeownership programs across the country that can help with down payment and closing costs, and an estimated 87 percent of U.S. homes are eligible for one or more of these programs, according to research by DownPayment Resource.

     The down payment program benefit most frequently found is about $10,000, making researching these options and discussing them with your lender and real estate agent a worthwhile step.

     To determine your eligibility and learn more about down payment assistance, visit downpaymentresource.com/are-you-eligible.

     Of course, home buyers should not forget that there are benefits to putting more down initially — this will lower your monthly mortgage payment and reduce the amount you will owe the bank.

     Additionally, those who put down at least 20 percent don’t have to pay Primary Mortgage Insurance (PMI), an added insurance policy that protects the lender if you are unable to pay your mortgage.

     However, if putting 20 percent down will deplete all of your savings and leave you with no financial reserves, it’s probably not in your best interest. What’s more, you can cancel your PMI once you’ve built equity of 20 percent in your home.

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Current Counter Offers Confuse Buyers

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-23-17

     Back when foreclosures dominated neighborhoods like sand on the seashore, asset managers needed to separate serious buyers from bargain hunters. They devised a simple solution: They set offer deadlines and, as offers came in, separated the top few and sent them all identical counter offers. They read: “Highest & Best” and included a second deadline.

     Buyer agents hated the practice. With no way of knowing what competing offers were, buyers had to blindly guess at what others might be offering and submit a counter based solely on gut instinct.

     If they got it right, they’d win and head into escrow. If not, on they went to the next property with no idea of how close they were to winning.

     It was a lot like trying to hit a dartboard bullseye from 100 feet away while blindfolded.

     To everyone’s relief, as foreclosures dwindled, “Highest & Best” counters started disappearing. Until a few agents decided to resurrect the practice. “If multiple offers are coming,” they reasoned, “let’s take the high road and make things as easy as possible.”

     The worst example was a four-word counter offer I received last year stating, “Highest price, best terms.”

     There are many problems with this practice, including the fact it robs buyers of the ability to negotiate. It also removes the need for listing agents to provide due diligence and engage with buyer’s agents.

     In the absence of specifics, buyers must guess. It flies in the face of best practices where listing agents take the time and effort to cull the best terms from all offers and combine them into a multiple counter which sets the bar for responses. Buyers thereby know the highest price and best terms and can exceed them with a counter of their own, if they choose.

     There’s a deeper problem. To be legitimate, a multiple counter needs concrete terms that can be accepted. If multiple buyers write offers and the seller issues a multiple counter, every buyer countered should be able to sign the seller’s counter and send it back.

     If more than one counter comes back signed, then the seller chooses which one they’ll accept. When a counter offer includes, “Highest & Best”, it’s not a valid counter because “Highest & Best” are not terms — they are suggestions.

     While heavy-handed banks could get away with the practice for a time, in my opinion, licensed Realtors should adhere to higher standards.

     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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Slow Garage Door Signals Torsion Spring Issue

SAMANTHA MAZZOTTA  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-16-17

     If your garage door has been opening very slowly lately, or you have to push the remote button several times to get it to move, your garage door probably needs some overall maintenance.

     Having to mash the remote operating button several times could indicate that the garage door’s sensor eye is dirty or misaligned. Or, the battery on the remote might need changing.

     However, the door’s slow opening speed indicates a more serious problem. One of the door’s torsion springs — a pair of large coils straddling the horizontal bar at the top of the door that helps control opening and closing — may be broken or on its way out. A broken spring can’t be repaired; it must be replaced.

     You’ll probably read plenty of warnings on the internet about attempting to replace them yourself. Since the coils are under tension, especially when the garage door is closed, removing them can be dangerous.

     I don’t have enough space to tell you how to do it safely, but if you’re interested in what it takes to change these out, a detailed description can be found at DDMGarageDoors.com. DIYer Richard Kinch provides even more good info in “How I Replaced Deadly Garage Door Torsion Springs and Lived to Tell the Tale,” found here: www.truetex.com/garage.htm.

     If you decide against repairing the door yourself, contact a licensed garage-door repair professional to inspect the door and its hardware and estimate the cost of repairs.

     As with any repair that you need to hire someone for, follow the “rule of three” — contact three different professionals and get a written estimate from each before allowing any work to be done.

     While you’re waiting for the repair, do not open or close the door. Park your car in the driveway for now. Operating the door with a broken torsion spring can cause further damage, including misalignment or derailment.

© 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.

CAPTION: Removing and replacing the torsion springs of your garage door can be dangerous. It’s best to have a pro do it.

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Who Pays for Inspection Reports?

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-16-17

     Buyers looking to buy a home must not only ensure they have enough cash for the down payment, they must factor in one-time closing costs. Ranging between $7,000 to $12,000, fees include title insurance, escrow and loan costs and a multitude of other transaction charges. Buyers paying cash fare better because they have no loan-related costs.

     While closing costs remain reasonably consistent, and there is clear delineation between buyers and sellers as to who pays for what, there is one area that fluctuates based on market trends. It’s viewed as a wildcard because there can be questions as to who will end up paying. The expense?

     Inspections.

     Normally, buyers pay for property, roof and termite inspection reports and can include others if deemed necessary. It’s assumed that since the buyer is the one making the purchase, they have the highest level of interest in determining the overall condition of the home.

     In a hot market, however, sellers have figured out that they can obtain significant leverage by obtaining the reports up front.

     The logic is straightforward: By providing a full battery of inspection reports, along with all the rest of the mandated disclosures, they add an extra level of disclosure which allows a buyer to write more intelligent offers.

     With full disclosure, buyers can therefore remove their inspection contingency from the beginning, significantly strengthening their offer.

     There is an additional bonus. I’ve seen transactions blow up when inspections, done after entering escrow, have revealed serious issues that scared away the buyers.

     With the inspections prior to marketing, there are no report-related surprises in escrow since everyone knows the condition from the beginning. Since this gives the owner a chance to address any serious issues prior to going on the market, it further enhances their selling position.

     It also provides an environment where a buyer can write an offer that is completely “as-is,” meaning that they will not be coming back later to ask for any repairs.

     Some sellers still push back at the idea of paying for upfront reports, insisting it’s customary for buyers to pay, and pay they must. Savvy sellers have realized, however, that with a small upfront investment, they can end up with substantially higher offers because they have effectively removed a primary excuse buyers use to write lower offers.

     With comprehensive disclosures and reports in hand, sellers end up smiling all the way to the bank.

     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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Home Preparation Bar Keeps Getting Raised

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-09-17

     When my wife and I bought our first home, we were delighted to finally have our own digs. We knew things needed to be done, but we had stretched to our limit to get in and we were just happy to be there.

     We understood that, over time, we’d be able to make improvements, but that patience was required until we had the necessary funds.

     While we ended up making upgrades, throughout the entire time we lived there, we could never afford furniture for the living room. Since the home also had a family room, we opted for a sign in the living room stating, “Under development.”

     It was there, on the raised hearth of our beautiful stone fireplace, until the day we moved out.

     That kind of thing doesn’t happen much anymore.

     We just had an offer cancel on a listing in escrow because the parents decided their children could do better. They’d been looking for months, written many offers, but had never been able to land a contract until ours.

     The buyer’s agent sent me the cancellation along with a note she’d sent to the buyers informing them that they’d have to look elsewhere for representation. “They don’t understand the market,” she said. “They’re way too picky.”

     Keep in mind that this was a home where the sellers had invested considerable funds upgrading the home, including remodeling the kitchen with refaced cabinets, new quartz counters with stainless-steel sink and faucet, tile floor, refinished hardwood floors throughout, a stunning brand-new main bathroom, dramatically upgraded master bathroom, new furnace and A/C, fresh paint, newer roof, and more.

     In short, it was a gorgeous home completely move-in ready.

     Cancellation in hand, we contacted the back-up offer. The buyer’s response when they went through the home again? “We don’t have enough money to make necessary upgrades, so we will pass.”

     I was speechless.

     Apparently, the days of buying an ordinary house you improve over time are going the way of the Dodo bird. Sellers, realizing this, frequently despair over the level of upgrades they feel they need to make before placing their home on the market.

     Truth is, while buyers do want homes that are move-in ready, it feels like the bar is being raised every year. Since buyers are willing to pay a premium for nice, fully prepped homes, one has to wonder where this will finally end up.

     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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Recent Rainfalls Wreak Havoc

BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES   •  03-02-17

     It’s been one of the wettest winters in recent history and, while water is needed, too much has negative effects. Especially on homes. Recent rainfalls have been wreaking havoc on local real estate.

     With most of us locked in “drought mode,” recent downpours shocked us with a flood of leaking roofs, flooded crawl spaces, soil erosion issues, damaged retaining walls and/or foundations, falling trees and more.

hile any of these would cause homeowners substantial grief at the best of times, it has been especially troublesome for properties in contract.

     We’ve seen transactions delayed as sellers, struggling to make repairs, have had difficulty finding qualified repairmen who are not overwhelmed with weather-related work. Some deals have been cancelled outright as buyers seek to distance themselves from resultant problems.

     One issue bothering many buyers is the fact that numerous homes currently have water in their crawl spaces. I know of one buyer who pried open the access hatch, saw water below and immediately cancelled the deal.

     This highlights the fact that it’s important to figure out if the water is there because of the recent deluge or there on a more permanent basis. Couple this with the fact that many property inspectors will not enter a crawl space with standing water and you have a problem with no readily discernable solution.

     Water can get into a crawl space a number of ways.

     Solid surfaces sloping towards a house are readily visible culprits, as are downspouts that are not diverted away from the foundation.

     Less visible, especially in homes built on a slope, is water traveling underground that makes its way under a home unseen. A drainage expert can usually help determine if the issue is temporary or permanent and provide a long-term remedy, including French drains, sump pumps and the like.

     Moisture appearing under a home during record-breaking rains is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself. It typically dissipates quickly and simple measures can usually be taken to control it in the future, including diverters and downspouts that deliver water away from the home.

     Water more permanent in nature can cause extensive problems. Excessive moisture can buckle hardwood floors and promote mold and/or fungus damage.

     Foundations are susceptible to moving water that can undermine and cause failure. Our recommendation? Hire an expert to locate the source of the water and implement a plan to stay dry in the future.

     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.

Mazda CX-3 Is Poised to Pounce

BY STEVE SCHAEFER  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-30-17

     The 2017 CX-3 is Mazda’s entry-level car — it’s a cute ute. Sitting below the Mazda3 wagon and the popular CX-5 crossover, it offers a fun little runabout with lots of practicality and efficiency, at a low price. With loads of competition now, it flaunts its Mazdaness to compete.

     Mazda has featured some overall styling themes over the years. The latest is called Kodo--Soul of Motion, and the CX-3, new last year, displays it like a poster child. The look is active and sporty, with boldly drawn curves that evolve into sharper edges in strategic places. With a 168-inch length sitting on a generous 101.2-inch wheelbase, and minimal overhangs, the CX-3 looks poised to pounce. The side panels sweep up with a feel of controlled motion, and the taillamps mirror the slim peepers up front.  

     Inside, you might think you were sitting in a Miata roadster, until you looked around and saw space for passengers behind you. You’d recognize the Miata’s sports car hooded instrument panel, and the simple but effective flip-up dash panel that projects a head-up display on the windshield. Choose your entertainment options using the iPad-like touch panel.  

     One thing you won’t find in this car is a manual shifter, as you will in a Miata. I’m sure this is driven by sales statistics and demographics. Only about 18 percent of people can even drive a stick anymore, and the millennial sales target certainly has little use for one. So why complicate things? The shift lever teases you by looking like a standard transmission — sorry, it’s not.

     Like other Mazdas, the CX-3 features SKYACTIV Technology. Every facet of the car is carefully considered for efficiency. Excess weight is pared away and the engine and other moving parts are fine-tuned. That means lighter weight and improved fuel economy. It’s not revolutionary, but it makes everything a little better. Mazda has no electric or hybrid cars in its portfolio, so they must do something to meet increasingly stringent fuel economy standards.

     The sole engine choice is a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G inline four, which puts out 146 horsepower and 146 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s enough oomph to get the 2,809-pound car down the road with sufficient alacrity to maintain the brand’s zoom-zoom reputation. It accelerates with a satisfying growl. As mentioned above, the transmission is a six-speed automatic with Sport Mode and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. It works just fine.

     EPA numbers are 29 City, 34 Highway, and 31 overall — nothing to complain about here. As a crossover, all-wheel drive is an option, but if you choose it, the fuel economy numbers drop slightly to 27/32/29. In my front-wheel-drive test car I averaged 29.3 mpg. Green scores are 6 for Smog and 7 for Greenhouse Gas.

     The easiest to own CX-3 is the Sport, which comes pretty well equipped with features including 16-inch alloy wheels, power windows and locks, cruise control, air conditioning, and pushbutton start. The seven-inch MAZDA CONNECT screen is your gateway to Bluetooth connectivity for phone and music streaming. You also get a six-speaker audio system with AM/FM/CD player with USB input.

     Step up to the Touring model to jump to larger 18-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded audio system, heated exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, fold-down armrest and leatherette seats. You can also opt for more options, including a power glass moonroof. For safety, there are Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. These are great in any car, but when you’re a smaller one on the road these are essential features.

     The top-level Grand Touring, like my Dynamic Blue Mica test car, loads up with leather and Lux Suede seats, LED headlights with the Adaptive Front-lighting System, fog lights, and daytime running lights. You also enjoy a navigation system, Bose premium audio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, automatic climate control and the head-up display mentioned earlier.

     At 60.7 inches high, the Mazda is a little taller than a small sedan, but rear seat room is very tight, and cargo capacity is not that generous for a crossover. There’s only 12.4 feet behind the second row, expanding to 44.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. That’s plenty for normal living, but you can get more space in competing models.

     Pricing begins at $20,900 for the Sport, bumps up to $22,900 for the Touring and tops out at $25,960 for the Grand Touring. All prices include destination charges. My Grand Touring tester had the I-ACTIVESENSE package ($1,170), which includes Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Smart Brake Support, lane-departure warning, high beam control, automatic on/off headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The package is reduced by $750 this year. The total sticker was $27,260.

     Fun to drive, great looking, and affordable — Mazda’s hoping that’s a winning combination.

CAPTION: The front view of the Mazda CX-3 is designed to present a bold look that suits the model’s sporty proportions.

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Popular Camry Goes Green

BY STEVE SCHAEFER  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     The midsize Toyota Camry sedan has enjoyed the top spot in car sales in the U.S. for the last 14 years. Now in its 35th year and seventh generation, it remains a hit.

     What folks may not know is that Toyota sells lots of other hybrids besides the Prius. There’s an Avalon, Highlander and RAV4 Hybrid offered — and even a Camry model. While it’s not as fuel efficient as the Prius, the Camry Hybrid still is significantly more green than the gasoline-only models.

     The latest Camry was significantly restyled a couple of years ago, and flaunts the ferocious mouth that all Toyotas bare now. There’s more texture to the side panels, and the overall look carries a little more flair than before.

     Inside, every Camry features a swirling flow of curves and overlapping panels that’s stimulating to the eye. The dash and door wear the requisite stitching that reads “upscale” today. Materials are good but are below, say, an Audi for fineness.

     Regular Camrys come with either a 178-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (with 170 lb.-ft. of torque) or a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 (with 248 lb.-ft. of torque). The third option is the hybrid Synergy Drive System, which combines a 2.5-liter four with a 105-kW electric motor to net 200 horsepower.

     Like a good hybrid, it’s programmed to use electricity or gasoline depending on the driving situation. It can use only battery power when, say, cruising down a 25-mph suburban street. In fact, you can select the EV Mode button and, for up to 1.6 miles at speeds below 25 mph, tell the gas engine to take a break.

     I drove my Ruby Flare Pearl test car just as I would any other vehicle. I could hear the gas engine start up when I got on the freeway, but I also noticed that if I was in slow commute traffic or on streets in town, the battery would often be turning the wheels. The car’s computer makes the decision, but you can guide it by applying the accelerator gently and braking considerately.

     The car shoots from 0-60 mph in just 7.6 seconds, which is relatively speedy. You do lose some trunk space for the battery, but otherwise, you really don’t see the difference. I was still able to stash a bass guitar and small amplifier in there.

     Like other Camrys, the Hybrid comes in multiple levels. The base car is the LE, but there’s a sporty SE or the top-level XLE, like my test car. The LE includes such things as dual climate control, a backup camera, cruise control, power windows and locks, and a modern Optitron instrumentation display.

     Step up to the SE for 17-inch alloys instead of 16-inch steel wheels. And, you get a sport tuned suspension, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power seats and other style enhancements.

     The XLE gives you leather chairs, the Entune 10-speaker Audio Plus system with navigation, and much more. You decide.

     The EPA’s ratings are a major part of driving a hybrid. The agency claims that the Camry Hybrid gets 38 miles per gallon Combined, with 40 City and 37 Highway. Compare that to the 4-cylinder Camry, which earns 27 Combined, with 24 City and 33 Highway respectively. I averaged a disappointing 28.9 mpg.

     The Camry Hybrid, unlike other Camrys, uses a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT). CVTs use belts instead of gears to come up with the ideal ratio anytime depending on driving conditions, including accelerating onto the freeway or starting up a hill. You can set the transmission in “B” for more regenerative braking, and the car will slow down a little when you lift off the accelerator, generating some power to recharge the battery.

     You can select a driving mode — ECO, Normal or Sport. I used ECO mostly. It mutes accelerator response and lowers the climate control to improve fuel efficiency.

     Pricing for the LE with nothing extra begins at $27,655. The XLE starts at $31,005. But wait! You can add in a lot of extras to a Camry Hybrid. How about Safety Connect, with stolen vehicle locator and emergency assistance?  A blind spot monitor system? The Homelink transceiver and a theft alarm? The Entune Premium JBL system adds tons of features and apps. The Advanced Technology Package brings with it a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. When you start piling on the goodies, you get a test car like mine, with a $36,351 price tag.

     What’s not to like about a midsize sedan? There’s plenty of room for you and three or four other folks. You will not stand out in any way from the mass of travelers, of course, but that’s not what Camrys do. They efficiently, for their size, provide reliable transportation and a minimum of fuss.

CAPTION: The 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid can accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in 7.6 seconds, placing its performance between the four-cylinder and V6 models.

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Acura Updates MDX Crossover

BY STEVE SCHAEFER  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES •  03-16-17

     The MDX is Acura’s midsize entry in the popular crossover SUV field. That segment remains hot, as more and more people skip the sedans and step up (literally) to the taller, roomier and, at times, thirstier rides.

     The MDX got redone for its third generation in 2014, so it was time for an update. This refresh means that much of the structure is the same, including the engine and drivetrain, but there’s significant new styling and features for 2017.

     The most obvious change is the updated grille, hood, fenders and front fascia. It gives the car a more restrained and subtly handsome appearance. Acura has crafted the new hood and front fenders from lighter-weight aluminum, as part of a program of making many small changes to improve EPA fuel economy and environmental scores.

     Those numbers, for my 4.215-pound tester, stood at 19 City, 26 Highway, and 22 Combined for fuel economy. I averaged 18.5 mpg during my test week. The green scores were 6 for Smog and 5 for Greenhouse Gas, not too bad for a six-passenger car of this size.

     Other appearance changes are to the brand-unique Jewel Eye LED headlights, along with new side sills and rear fascia. And, upper-level models get new 20-inch alloy wheels, replacing the former 19-inchers.

     The MDX offers one engine choice — a 3.5-liter V6, which puts out 290 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. The power flows through a nine-speed automatic with steering wheel paddles to let you select the gear. Cruising down the road, it’ll shift up, but when you need the power to accelerate onto the freeway, it’ll drop down to give you the punch required.

     The engine employs Variable Cylinder Management to widen the power band and maximize fuel efficiency. When you start up or need instant power, the system uses all six cylinders, but during low or moderate engine loads, such as cruising, VCM uses just the front half of the cylinders.

     The MDX comes in just one model, but you can upgrade it by moving from the standard front-wheel drive to Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). On top of that, you can add the Technology Package, Advance Package and Entertainment Package in various combinations.

     My White Diamond Pearl test car had SH-AWD and the Technology and Advance packages, so it was well stuffed with more items than I can list. But, for quick reference, here’s roughly what you’ll get when you order more than the basic car.

     The Technology package adds stuff you’d expect — navigation, communication (real-time traffic with street and freeway conditions) and a premium 10-speaker audio system with HD Radio. You also get more convenience with remote engine start, three-zone climate control and rain-sensitive wipers. Safety includes the Rear Cross Traffic Monitor.

     The Advance Package adds the luxury items, including perforated leather seats, second-row captain’s chairs, real wood trim, parking sensors, foglamps, sun shades, and more. You can really load this baby up.

     For safety, the next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) front frame structure makes the strong MDX a top crash test scorer for frontal collisions. For other crashes, including from the side, Acura’s steel door stiffener ring protects occupants in a crash or a rollover. In fact, the MDX, along with its smaller RDX sibling, received TOP SAFETY PICK+ ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

     The AcuraWatch features provide Adaptive Cruise Control, which keeps a set distance from the car in front. Other electronics warn you when you’re crossing a lane line — and can gently move you back in. There are warnings for imminent front collision, too.

     Inside, the MDX is a fine cruiser and commuter. The seats are super comfortable and the look is way upscale. On cold mornings, the heated steering wheel — with its control right there on the wheel itself, was a dream.

     Typical for a crossover, you sit up high, and can see ahead. Acura has all the information you need on a center-mounted information screen, but the instrument panel itself is a clean and simple white-on-black.

     With the nine-speed automatic controlled with paddles, there’s no lever on the center console — just a line of differently shaped buttons. Dynamic Mode lets you select Comfort, Normal or Sport mode. I pretty much left it in Normal, but for curving back roads you could go for Sport, and perhaps dial in Comfort on long freeway jaunts.

     Prices start at $44,990 for the front-wheel-drive model with no extra packages. With lots of useful and safety-enhancing extras, my tester came to $57,340. Both prices included nearly $1,000 for shipping.

     At this price, Acura is competing with BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Cadillac, and other upscale brands that market midsize crossovers. They’re hoping that you like their new look, long list of features, and the general goodness of the Honda lineage.

CAPTION: The restyled 2017 MDX’s diamond pentagon grille represents the new face of Acura.

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Hyundai Elantra Offers More for Less

BY STEVE SCHAEFER  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     Even with low gas prices and SUVs aplenty, some people just want to drive a good compact sedan. Honda, Toyota, Mazda and others have mastered the art of providing these over the years with the Civic, Corolla and Mazda3, respectively. Hyundai’s Elantra is a good way to do it, too. And today, the “compact” sedan has grown to more like a midsize inside.

     The appeal, besides easy parking and a reasonable price, is fuel efficiency. While full electric and hybrid vehicles offer the best climate friendliness, some gas-burners do better than others. Hyundai’s Elantra, always a good performer, is now in the top tier, with its new ECO model.

     Check out these EPA mpg numbers: 32 City, 40 Highway, and 35 Combined. Green scores are 6 for Smog and 8 for Greenhouse Gas. Nice! I averaged an even 33.0 mpg in my week of driving, putting this car near the top of my non-EV tests. With these kinds of numbers, my tester predicted 498 miles of range when I first stepped into it.

     In this sixth-generation Elantra, the looks are toned down a little from the Fluidic Sculpture theme of gen 5 to the Dynamic Precision one. The car, with its broad grille and sharp lines, is pleasant to look at. The stack-of-dots daytime running lights are a whimsical bit of illumination.

     Inside, the Elantra feels spacious and offers a subtler ambiance that matches the new body styling. It feels more static than the old flowing curves, but appears a little more substantial. With a coordinated palette of matte finishes, it was certainly clean and sober in black, gray and silver in my Symphony Silver test car. I quickly got comfortable with dropping into the front bucket, pushing the start button, and taking off.

     The Elantra is very up-to-date in offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This makes so much sense — it lets you use your smart phone inside your car — safely and legally — by presenting the information on the dash screen, and even allowing voice commands. You can step into the car and continue what you were doing, almost seamlessly.

     Sometimes, a company gives its base model the smaller engine or the best fuel economy, but in this case, Hyundai slotted the new model in between the SE and the upper-level Limited.

     A big difference in the ECO is the engine — a 1.4-liter turbo with 128 horsepower and 156 lb.-ft. of torque versus the 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four (with a lower 132 lb.-ft. of torque) in the other two models. The 2,857-pound ECO employs a seven-speed EcoShift dual-clutch automatic, which is more efficient than the standard six-speed automatic, or the rare six-speed manual in the SE. You can choose from ECO, Normal and Sport modes to match your appetite for efficiency or fun.

     The ECO gets some goodies not found in base SE models (but would be available with the optional Tech Package at $1,300). These include a handsome leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 3.5-inch color dash display, dual automatic temperature control, a key that stays in your pocket (and works with push-button doors and start), heated front seats, and more. The dash clock looks like a sophisticated Swedish Skagen watch.

     One worthwhile item is Smart Trunk. While some companies brag about trunks that open when you wave your foot under the car, this one just opens on its own if you walk up and stand there for three seconds.

     One difference in the ECO is a shrink from 16-inch to 15-inch alloy wheels. I’m guessing this cuts weight and, with narrow tires, helps push that highway fuel economy number to the magical 40-mpg mark on the highway.

     Pricing is quite affordable by 2017 standards. An Elantra SE with the manual-transmission starts at just $17,985. Add $1,000 for an automatic. The Limited, with its leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, and other upgrades, begins at $23,185. The ECO sits in between. My ECO tester came to $21,610, including $125 for carpeted floor mats. Why do they charge extra for these? All prices include $835 shipping.

     Like many other international brands, the Elantra is assembled in the American south, in this case, Montgomery, Alabama. It contains 70 percent Korean content, including the engine and transmission.

     Hyundai has built a reputation for quality in the U.S. over the years, from its humble beginnings in the 1980s. They still offer that industry-leading five-year, 60,000-mile warranty and 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with five-year, unlimited-mile roadside assistance. You likely won’t need it, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there.

     The Elantra has been a pleasant, high-efficiency, useful choice for years. Not flashy, but thoughtfully drawn and packed with useful features, it’s a worthy competitor with the Japanese brands and other American and European products.

CAPTION: The Elantra Eco shares the same bold aerodynamic design and signature hexagonal grille with the rest of the Hyundai Elantra line.

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Nissan Introduces a Rogue Hybrid

BY STEVE SCHAEFER  •  SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-02-17

     The Rogue is one very popular Nissan. It’s a compact crossover, so it’s situated in a rising car market segment. The most recent version has done so well that, for 2017, Nissan gave it a heavy midcycle refresh, with some updated styling and new content.

     Up front, the Rogue now wears the corporate front fascia with the signature “V-Motion” grille and revised headlights and daytime running lights. In the rear, you’ll find a new bumper and revised boomerang taillamps. Eye-catching 19-inch rims contribute to the new look.

     Ford pioneered the motion-activated tailgate, but in a clear example of keeping up with the Joneses, Nissan now offers one, too. The body structure is enhanced for a quieter ride.

     But most significantly, welcome the first-ever Nissan Rogue Hybrid. With the competing Toyota RAV4 offering one, this really isn’t a surprise. Nissan has swapped out the standard 175-horsepower 2.5-liter inline four for a 141-horsepower 2.0-liter four, allied with a 30-kW motor to produce a total of 176 horsepower.  It all flows through Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission.

     The car drives just fine with the hybrid drivetrain, but it felt like it was mostly gas-powered. I did note some moments of EV behavior, and there is automatic engine shutoff when idling at stoplights. It also has a “Best MPG” display, so if you’ve been driving carefully through commute traffic or a quiet neighborhood and rack up good numbers, you can replace your previous best.

     There’s a small energy flow diagram in the instrument panel, so you can see what the car’s doing and moderate your behavior for maximum efficiency. There’s the requisite colorful moving display in the center console, but it’s really more of a distraction. Nissan made it look just different enough from the well-known Toyota display to save on legal fees.

     You can get a Rogue, hybrid or not, in S, SV, and SL designations. The Hybrid doesn’t come in the base S level, but you can order it with front- or all-wheel drive. My Palatial Ruby test vehicle was a top-level SL Hybrid with all-wheel drive. That means that the U.S. EPA awarded it ratings of 31 City, 34 Highway, and 33 Combined. I averaged 25.6 mpg. The front-wheel drive model boosts those numbers by 2 mpg City and 1 mpg for the Highway and Combined scores.

     Compare that to the regular gas vehicles. The AWD version, the direct nonhybrid match to my tester, earns 25 City, 32 Highway, and 27 Combined. So, on paper at least, that’s a 22 percent improvement.

     Green scores are 7 for Smog and 8 for Greenhouse Gas.

     The Rogue may be a “small SUV,” per the EPA, but it doesn’t feel small inside. You sit up high, and the interior furnishings are first rate. The flowing door and dash create a sensation of movement, and materials show no hint of penny pinching. The carbon fiber trim is faux, but this is Rogue, after all. There’s a stitched panel on the passenger side of the dashboard above the glovebox, just for effect.

     The SL is at the top, and is packed with goodies you won’t see on the SV unless you check some option boxes. You get the QuickComfort heated front seats, which immediately start warming the body areas most sensitive to heat, such as thighs and hips. There’s a memory setting for the mirrors and driver’s seat, a heated leather steering wheel, a 7-inch color touch-screen display, the NissanConnect navigation system with various apps, and a lovely Bose Premium Audio system with nine speakers. That all sounds like stuff worth having, if you can afford the bill.

     You get all the Safety Shield protections, such as Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and the two forward motion ones — Lane Departure Warning and the more aggressive Lane Departure Prevention. Nissan added two new ones for 2017: Intelligent Cruise Control and Forward Emergency Braking with Passenger Detection. These features make it safer to drive the car and to be walking near it, and are helping to pave the way toward true autonomous driving.

     The Rogue is smaller than its Pathfinder sibling, but it still can be ordered with a third-row seat — if you select the standard car. With the Hybrid, the third-row foot room is taken up by battery. The car weighs 3,693 pounds, so this is a beast to be reckoned with.

     Pricing ascends from the front-wheel-drive S nonhybrid at $24,720 to the all-wheel-drive SL Hybrid at $32,210 (including destination).

     People today want the high-riding crossover SUV experience and are looking for an easy-to-drive, right-sized family car, so the Rogue is going to be shuttling around a lot of families. And the new Hybrid makes that just a little less impactful on the planet.

CAPTION: The 2017 Nissan Rogue is offered in nine exterior colors: Midnight Jade, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Magnetic Black, Pearl White, Glacier White and new Monarch Orange, Caspian Blue and Palatial Ruby.

Avoid Spring Cleaning Mishaps; Take the Following Precautions

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-30-17

     Cleaning your home from top to bottom this spring? Do so with care. From falls off ladders to muscle pain, heavy-duty chores can be hazardous to your health and wellness if you’re not careful.

     So, before you roll up your sleeves and get into the thick of it, take a moment to review some essential safety precautions:

Avoid Outdoor Mishaps

     When mowing the lawn, wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Clear your lawn of stones, toys and other potentially hazardous debris before you begin, to prevent flying objects. Keep children away from your yard while you’re mowing.

     Reduce the risk of a ladder fall by always using a stable ladder. Be sure to use the correct height ladder for the job and follow all weight restrictions. Only set ladders on level surfaces. Pay close attention to what you’re doing and climb up and down the ladder slowly and deliberately.

Treat Muscles Right

     From lawn work to scrubbing floors, unusual repetitious motions can really take a toll, resulting in muscle pain or bruising. Treat your spring clean like a workout and stretch your major muscle groups before you get started.

     When lifting those boxes in your basement and any other objects with heft, bend at the knees to avoid throwing your back out. If a chore is causing you pain, stop what you’re doing.

     “Start out slowly to avoid placing a sudden demand on your muscles that are not use to this activity,” says Anne Meyer, M.D., who focuses on sports rehabilitation medicine.

     If you feel stiff or sore after a long day of reaching, bending and lifting, Dr. Meyer recommends minimizing physical activity and elevating an aching arm or leg.

     Remember to take frequent breaks. And, end your long day with a relaxing bath.

Clean Safely

     Cleaning products can be extremely stringent, causing irritation to eyes, nose and throat. If opting for natural alternatives, such as vinegar or lemons is not an option, use harsher stuff with care.

     Open all windows when using harsh cleaning products, especially ammonia. Wear gloves and consider protecting your nose and mouth with a surgical mask. Place products out of reach when you’re not using them if you have pets or small children.

— StatePoint

CAPTION: By following a few safety measures, you can make your spring clean a rejuvenating experience.

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Increase the Value of Your Home

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-30-17

     According to Homes.com, the top projects that improve home equity are:

Bathrooms

     If adding an additional bathroom isn’t an option, upgrade existing ones.

     Adding a dual vanity to a master or secondary bath improves functionality, allowing multiple people to use the space. Change out fixtures like faucets and shower doors to increase aesthetic appeal. If you’re on a budget, replace light fixtures or switch plates to help refresh the space.

Kitchens

     Kitchen remodels can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 and more. If that’s not in your budget, upgrading cabinetry and paint does wonders to liven up even the most outdated spaces.

     Add crown or decorative molding to “shape out” the kitchen cabinets and modernize the space. Repaint cabinets, or add new hardware to add visual interest and brighten dark spaces.

Outdoor Spaces

     Curb appeal adds immediate interest to any home’s exterior. According to Remodeling Magazine, improving outdoor spaces can increase a home’s resale value dollar-for-dollar.

     Frame the front walkway with items that add visual interest, like flowers, potted plants, large rocks of various sizes and solar-powered lights. If yard space is scarce, hanging plants are another great, low-cost option.

     Extend outdoor projects to the backyard — power-wash decks or patios and clean screened-in areas.

Basements

     Basement improvements can optimize livable space and protect the home from extreme weather, mold, moisture damage and mites. Whether transitioning the basement to a home gym, office or family room, the basics remain the same: insulate well and waterproof.

     Maximize space by including shelving and storage units. If the opportunity exists, make the space feel open and inviting by creating an open stairwell, a trick that visually connects the upper part of the house with the lower, and filters natural light into the space.

     Making homes stand out in a sea of real estate listings isn’t always easy. For more tips, visit: www.homes.com.

— StatePoint

CAPTION: Adding dual vanities to a master bathroom improves functionality, allowing multiple people to use the space.

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Get the Most Out of Your Doctor Visits

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     It’s not your imagination — you’re probably getting less time with your doctor these days.

     Primary care physicians are in short supply in the United States, which means increased pressures and heavier workloads for those in practice, says Dr. Paul Griner, author of “The Power of Patient Stories: Learning Moments in Medicine.”

     “Many physicians say their favorite part of being a doctor is the relationships they form with patients, but those are harder to cultivate now because physicians are so squeezed for time,” Griner says.

     “A good doctor-patient relationship is essential to achieving the best possible care, but the reality is, most doctors have less and less time to spend with each patient,” Griner says. “So it’s important for patients to take some responsibility for that relationship, too.”

     By preparing for your visit, you can ensure you make the best use of your time together, he says.

     He offers the following suggestions:

     • Prepare your thoughts ahead of time so that you can be as precise and accurate as possible. What are the symptoms? When did they begin? What were you doing at the time? How are the symptoms affected by activity or rest? What makes them worse? Have you been able to do anything to relieve the symptoms? How have they affected your daily activities? Don’t withhold any information that might be relevant to your symptoms.

     • Be on time or early. Up to 15 percent of patients are late for their doctor’s appointment, which adds to the time crunch. Arrive early so you’re ready when the physician, or the physician’s team, is ready. While the doctor is the senior person on the team, he or she also relies on advanced practice nurses and physician’s assistants. Give them time to obtain your medical history or perform preliminary tests.

     • Research your health concerns ahead of time and use the information to help focus your questions. Use reliable sources for research, including www.mayoclinic.com or www.uptodate.com; information from the well-established and respected organizations such as the National Cancer Society; and written materials such as the Harvard Health Letter.

     • Avoid unnecessary office visits. Some things can be done by e-mail, Skype (or other video hookups), or new technology such as iPhone recording and transmission of your EKG.

     Other things you can do to make the best use of the visit include:

     • Bring your medications, or a list of them, with you.

     • Bring copies of the results of tests or procedures from other physicians.

     • Wear clothes that make it easy for you to be examined.

     • Let your doctor know when you are using any complementary or alternative medicine.

     • Bring a spouse or other relative with you when the problem is complicated. Two pairs of ears are better than one for remembering what the doctor said.

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Sleep Deprivation Affects Majority of Workers

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-23-17

     For many people, Daylight Savings Time is less about “springing forward” and more about falling behind…on their sleep schedule. And many of us can’t afford to lose out on any more sleep.

     According to a survey from CareerBuilder, over half of workers (58 percent) feel they don’t get enough sleep, and 61 percent say lack of sleep has a negative impact on their work.

     But as much as insufficient sleep affects workers’ jobs, the reverse is true as well: 44% of workers say thinking about work keeps them up at night.

     More than 3,200 workers across industries in the private sector participated in the nationwide survey, conducted online by Harris Poll.

     While eight hours may be the doctor-recommended amount of sleep time each night, only 16% of workers say they actually reach this goal. The majority of (63 percent) log an average of six to seven hours of sleep each night during the workweek, while 1 in 5 average five hours or less.

     For some workers, hitting the snooze button in attempt to doze a little bit longer just doesn’t cut it. One in five workers has called in sick for the purpose of getting extra sleep.

     Then there are those who simply try to catch up on sleep at the office: 2 in 5 have caught someone sleeping at work.

     “Rest is an undervalued necessity these days,” says Rosemary Haefner, human resources officer at CareerBuilder. “We see more and more workers check into the office at all hours of the day, give up vacation time and work even when they’re sick. Yet it’s not necessarily making us more productive, and companies are starting to recognize that.

     “We’re starting to see companies put more emphasis on employee wellness and work/life balance – whether it’s providing designated ‘nap rooms’ for employees, encouraging them to take advantage of their vacation time or simply giving them more flexibility in their work schedules,” Haefner continued.

     Sleep-deprivation doesn’t just hurt workers – it hurts business, too. Three in five workers (61 percent) say lack of sleep has had an impact on their work in some way.

     A significant proportion of workers can’t seem to escape work, even while they’re sleeping. Sixty percent reported that they have dreamed about work with more than 1 in 10 saying it happens often.

     The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder among 3,252 employees ages 18 and over (employed full-time, not self-employed, non-government) late in 2015.

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Companion Services Can Help Seniors with Rigors of Travel

BY JIM MILLER  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-16-17

Q: Do you know of any services that help seniors with the rigors of traveling? My youngest daughter is getting married in a few months and would love to have my 82-year old mother attend, but she needs help flying across the country.

A: Traveling can be daunting under the best circumstances but for elderly seniors, those with disabilities, or those recovering or rehabilitating from an illness or injury, it can seem particularly overwhelming or unmanageable.

     Fortunately, there are a number of companies that provide traveling companion/escort services to help older adults with the rigors of travel.

     Whether it’s seniors going on vacation or grandparents wanting to join their far-off families for weddings and graduations, travel companions help clients who need help moving through airports, managing luggage, navigating busy terminals and hotel lobbies and much more.

     Some companion services even provide personal care like medication reminders, dressing, bathing and feeding. And for those with specific medical needs, traveling nurse services are available too.

     But be aware that these services aren’t cheap. You will pay for the travel companion’s tickets, the companion’s hotel room if necessary, meals, incidentals and fees for the service.

     The price to accompany a client on a plane trip within the United States – including the companion fees and travel costs for all parties – can range anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 or more for coach airfare. Business or first class would cost more.

     To locate a travel companion service in your area, search online for “senior travel companion” or “senior travel escort,” followed by your mom’s city or state.

     Or use an experienced national service like Flying Companions (FlyingCompanions.com) or FirstLight Home Care (FirstLightHomeCare.com), which has a national network of franchises that provides in-home care for seniors, and offers travel companion programs in about one-third of its 130 franchises.

     Or, for medical travel companions do a search for “traveling nurse escort” or “medical travel companion,” or checkout Travel Care & Logistics (YourFlightNurse.com), which provides registered nurses as escorts.

     If, however, your mom doesn’t require a lot of assistance, or if you can’t afford a travel escort, consider asking a trusted family member or friend that has some air travel experience.

Questions to Ask

     If you’re interested in hiring a travel companion service to help your mom, there are a number of things you need to check into to ensure you get the right escort.

     First, if you mom requires personal or medical care while traveling, find out if the escort is trained to manage her healthcare needs. What sort of medical certifications do they have? (Nursing credentials? C.P.R. training? etc.)

     Also, find out how many trips the companion has taken with clients. Have they completed trips with travelers like your mom? How long has the travel service company been in business? What is the company’s safety record? And what sort of insurance does it carry, and what and who does it cover?

     Also, get a quote breaking down exactly what you’ll be required to pay, in addition to the companion’s fees. And, get a list of two or three clients/references who has used their service and call them.

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

CAPTION: Whether it’s seniors going on vacation or grandparents wanting to join their far-off families for weddings and graduations, travel companions help clients who need help moving through airports, managing luggage, navigating busy terminals and much more.

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How to Stop the Snoring

BY JIM MILLER  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-16-17

     Snoring is a very common problem that often gets worse with age. Around 37 million Americans snore on a regular basis according to the National Sleep Center.

     Snoring occurs when the airway narrows or is partly blocked during sleep usually due to nasal congestion, floppy tissue, alcohol, or enlarged tonsils.

     But snoring can be much more than just an annoyance. It can also be a red flag for obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition in which the snorer stops and starts breathing during sleep, increasing the risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia and hypertension.

     According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 34% of men and 19% of women who snore routinely have sleep apnea or are at risk for it.

Self-Help Remedies

     Even if you are unsure whether it is a primary snoring problem or sleep apnea, sleep experts suggest you start with these steps.

     • Open a stuffy nose: If nasal congestion is causing your partner to snore, over-the-counter nasal strips such as Breathe Right may help. Or, if allergies are the cause, try saline nasal sprays.

     • Elevate the head: Buying a foam wedge to elevate a person’s head a few inches can help reduce snoring, or buy a contoured pillow to lift the chin and keep the tongue from blocking the back of the throat during sleep.

     Also check out Nora (smartnora.com), a wireless snoring device that slides under the pillow and gently moves the head to a different position when snoring is detected. This, they say, stimulates the relaxed throat muscles and opens the airway.    

     • Sleep on side: To prevent back sleeping, which triggers snoring, place a pillow against your partner’s back to keep him or her from rolling over. Or check out the Night Shift Sleep Positioner (nightshifttherapy.com), a device that’s worn around the neck that vibrates when you roll on your back.     

     • Avoid alcohol before bed: Alcoholic beverages can relax the muscles in the throat, and constrict airflow. One should not consume alcohol three to four hours before bedtime.

     • Lose excess weight: Fat around the neck can compress the upper airway and impede airflow and is often associated with sleep apnea.

     • Quit smoking: Smoking causes inflammation in the upper airways that can make snoring worse.

Need More Help

     If these lifestyle strategies don’t make a big difference, your partner should see the doctor, a sleep specialist, or an otolaryngologist who may recommend an overnight study to test for apnea.

     For primary snoring or mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral appliance that fits into the mouth like a retainer may be prescribed. This shifts the lower jaw and tongue forward, keeping the airway open.

     Some other options are Theravent snore therapy (theraventsnoring.com) and Provent sleep apnea therapy (proventtherapy.com), which are small nasal devices that attach over the nostrils to improve airflow.

     But the gold standard for moderate to severe sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, device. This involves sleeping with a mask and is hooked up to a machine that gently blows air up your nose to keep the passages open.

     If these don’t work or are intolerable, surgery is an option too. There are procedures available today that remove excess tissue in the nose, mouth, or throat. And a newer procedure called hypoglossal nerve stimulation that uses a small device implanted in the chest to help control the movement of the tongue when it blocks the airway.

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

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Advance Planning Still Required for Medi-Cal Eligibility

BY GENE L. OSOFSKY, ESQ.  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-16-17

Q: A while back you wrote an article advising that the obligation to repay Medi-Cal, for benefits received during life, changed as of January 1, 2017. Does that mean that we no longer need to include Medi-Cal planning powers in our estate planning documents?

A: Not at all. While the rules requiring “payback” to Medi-Cal have changed dramatically for persons dying after January 1, 2017, (making only estates that go through probate subject to recovery), there is still a need to plan ahead for Medi-Cal eligibility and those rules have not changed.

     Background: Elders in need of nursing home care face costs of $9,000 per month or more, and risk running through a lifetime of savings to finance that care. Fortunately, the Medi-Cal program offers a safety net, helping those who qualify avoid financial ruin.  

     However, Medi-Cal has strict resource caps to qualify:  $122,900 in non-exempt assets for a married person, and only $2,000 for an unmarried person.

     Persons over the resource caps must either shoulder the entire financial burden themselves until they “spend down” to the caps, or engage in proactive Medi-Cal planning to bring themselves under these caps.

     However, to engage in this planning the applicant must either have full mental capacity at time of need, or have legal documents in place – with special provisions – so others can do so for him. Consider these examples:

     (1) Mary: Married Person: $300,000 in Cash Assets: In this case, Mary and her spouse are over the Medi-Cal resource cap by $177,100, and Mary would not qualify for a Medi-Cal subsidy.

     However, there may be lawful strategies that could be used to bring the couple’s assets down below the resource caps. Examples: give away the excess to children, albeit in a very special, Medi-Cal compliant manner; use the excess funds to purchase a very special kind of annuity; or, convert excess cash assets into exempt assets, such as by paying down a home mortgage.

     However, if Mary is incapacitated, she may be unable to join in these actions, unless special powers were included in her Power of Attorney and/or Trust authorizing others to do so for her.

     (2) John: Single Person: Home Sale Contemplated: Let’s suppose John cannot live safely at home. His family anticipates the need to sell his home, worth $750,000, to finance care in an Assisted Living Facility (“ALF”) on a private pay basis.  

     If his care needs later increase and he needs nursing home care (“NH”), the sale proceeds still in his name would then likely place him over the Medi-Cal resource cap and render him ineligible for a NH subsidy.   

     A better plan:  if a special Medi-Cal Asset Protection Trust (“MAPT”) were created to hold title to the home, and the home were placed into this trust before sale, then the sale proceeds would not go to John, but rather to his Trustee, who could use them initially for John’s care in the ALF.

     When he later needed a Medi-Cal NH subsidy, the proceeds would not be treated as owned by John. He might then qualify for a NH subsidy if his other resources were below the cap, and thereby preserve his estate for family.

     However, if John lacked capacity, this planning option may be unavailable, unless he had advance planning documents in place to permit others to create the MAPT.                          

     In sum, it is still wise to include special Medi-Cal planning powers in your estate planning documents, for possible future need.

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

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Reduce Your Stress Level

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     What causes stress can vary from one person to another. Learning to recognize your triggers is the first step to reducing stress.

What is stress?

     There are different ways to define stress, but most of us think of it as a feeling of being pressured or overwhelmed. Some stress can be good — helping us focus and motivating us to perform or to complete urgent tasks. But too much stress can lead to distress, and this can be unhealthy.

What causes stress?

     The cause of stress is multi-factorial, a combination of our environment and our physical and emotional selves. What causes stress in some people may not in others.

     “The holiday season is a great example of this. Some people love it, and others find it very stressful,” says Malaika Stoll, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician who practices with Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation.

     “Common causes of stress include work, finances, relationships and new responsibilities, such as caring for children or aging relatives. Certainly, when ‘all of the above’ challenge us at once, we will likely feel stressed. Chronic or acute illness can also cause stress.”

     “In times of stress, there are neurologic and hormonal responses that occur in our bodies,” explains Dr. Stoll. “If we sense danger or urgency, we experience a sense of alertness. Our heart rate and blood pressure go up, and we are activated to do what we need to do—whether that’s meeting an important work deadline or veering from an oncoming car.”

How much is too much?

     The following signs and symptoms may be indications of more serious conditions, such as an anxiety disorder or depression. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to speak to your doctor.

     • Prolonged periods of poor sleep

     • Regular, severe headaches

     • Unexplained weight loss or gain

     • Feelings of isolation, withdrawal or worthlessness

     • Constant anger and irritability

     • Loss of interest in activities

     • Constant worrying

     • Excessive alcohol or drug use

     • Inability to concentrate

Ways to reduce your stress

     “Recognizing stressful situations as they occur is key, because it allows you to focus on managing how you react,” says Dr. Stoll. “We all need to know when to close our eyes and take a deep breath when we feel tension rising.”

     Longer-term solutions to stress may also be necessary. If you are taking out your stress on others or if you are doing things you don’t really want to do — like overeating — it may be time to focus on taking better care of yourself by:

     • Re-balancing work and home life

     • Building regular exercise into your routine

     • Reaching out to supportive friends and family

     • Carving out time for a hobby — gardening, reading, listening to music

     • Taking a class

     • Practicing meditation, mindfulness or yoga

     • Getting to bed earlier

     • Spending time with a loving pet

     • Taking a vacation

     • Seeing a counselor, coach or advisor

     Talking with your doctor can also help. He or she can evaluate your situation and suggest ways to manage your stress.

Recognizing what you can’t control

     When we focus on situations we can’t really control and when we lose perspective about the big picture — what really matters — we can make ourselves pretty unhappy. Positive thinking is a big part of managing stress.

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HEART HEALTH:
Get Check-Ups and Understand the Numbers

SAN LEANDRO TIMES  •  03-09-17

     High blood pressure and cholesterol levels — known as the “silent killers” — have a significant impact on our risk for heart disease and stroke but rarely have any symptoms, hence the nickname.

     To identify potential problems, it’s important to get regular check-ups and know your numbers.

Healthy blood pressures

     A blood pressure measurement includes two numbers. The higher number is a measure of the pressure exerted on your vascular walls while the heart is contracted. The lower number is a measure of the pressure while the heart is relaxed.

     A safe blood pressure level used to be defined as a top number below 140 and a bottom number below 90. Today, a bottom number between 80 and 99 or a top number between 130 and 139 is considered pre-hypertension.

     We also now know that pre-hypertension can increase an individual’s overall risk of heart disease or stroke two-fold compared to a healthy individual. As blood pressure goes higher so does the relative risk.

Healthy cholesterol levels

     Cholesterol tests measure the levels of three types of cholesterol in the blood stream, HDL or “good cholesterol,” LDL or “bad cholesterol,” and triglycerides.

     By themselves, too much bad cholesterol, too many triglycerides, or too little good cholesterol can be problematic. A combination of two or three unhealthy numbers, though, can significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

     An individual’s safe cholesterol level can vary quite a bit. Risk factors such as existing heart disease, diabetes, age or a family history of early heart disease, can all impact your overall risk level, which determine your individual target cholesterol levels.

    Those that fall into the low-to-moderate risk group, for example, should aim for an LDL level below 130, while those in the high risk group should aim for an LDL level below 100.

Keeping your heart healthy

     Several factors can influence which risk group you fall into, and your risk group can change over time. In addition, factors such as smoking, obesity, a lack of physical activity, mental stress and depression can also significantly increase your likelihood of developing premature cardiovascular diseases.

     Beginning no later than age 40, ask your doctor at every annual physical which risk group you fall into and what you should do to manage your cholesterol.

     You should also know what your safe blood pressure range is. If your blood pressure is rising over time but is still within a healthy range, preemptive lifestyle changes can stop an unhealthy condition from developing.

     If you do develop unhealthy blood pressure or cholesterol levels, talk with your doctor about your individual risk factors. Some factors, such as smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, can be modified. Other factors, such as family history and age, cannot. Knowing which factors you can impact makes it much easier to manage your own health.

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Get High-speed Internet Service at a Discount

BY JIM MILLER  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-02-17

     There are two great resources you can turn to, to help you locate low-cost or discounted internet services, but what’s available to you will depend on where you live and/or your income level. Here’s where to begin.

Low-Cost Internet

     Your first step to locate cheaper high-speed internet is EveryoneOn, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to making affordable internet services available to all Americans.

     Through partnerships with internet providers like Comcast, Cox, AT&T, T-Mobile, Mediacom and others, the EveryoneOn organization can help you search for services in your area that provide high-speed (4G LTE) internet at a very low cost.

     Most participating companies charge around $10 per month, with no contract and no equipment fee. However, for non-income qualifiers, there may be a one-time setup/equipment fee of $62.

     To start your search, go to EveryoneOn.org and type in your ZIP code and click on the “Find Offers” button, or you can call 877-947-4321. You’ll then need to answer a few questions regarding your household financial situation so the internet services you’re eligible for can be located.

     Some providers offer their services only to people with limited financial resources, however there are others that offer low-cost deals to everyone regardless of income. What’s available to you will depend on where you live.

     Also note that, in addition to the low-cost internet services, EveryoneOn also provides referrals to affordable computers and free computer classes. Most of the companies they work with offer refurbished tablets usually for under $100, and computers for under $160 that are available to everyone. And, they provide referrals to free computer classes, which are typically offered in public libraries across the U.S.

Discounted Internet

     If you don’t have any luck finding a low-cost service through EveryoneOn, and your income is low enough, another option is the Lifeline Assistance Program.

     This is a federal program that provides a $9.25 monthly subsidy to help pay for broadband internet service, or for a home or wireless phone. Only one benefit is available per household; either phone service (home or wireless) or internet (home or mobile), but not both.

     To qualify, you’ll need to show that your annual household income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines — which is $16,281 for one person, or $21,924 for two. Or, that you’re receiving certain types of government benefits, such as Medicaid, food stamps, SSI, public housing assistance, veterans pension or survivors pension benefit, or live on federally recognized tribal lands.

     To apply, you’ll need to contact an internet provider in your area that participates in the Lifeline program and ask for an application form.

     To locate providers in your area, visit LifelineSupport.org or call 888-641-8722. Once the provider verifies your eligibility, they will begin service.

     Note: The internet companies that partner with EveryoneOn do not currently accept the lifeline subsidy.

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

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New Law Allows Access of Social Media Accounts After Death

BY GENE L. OSOFSKY, ESQ.  •  SPECIAL TO THE TIMES  •  03-02-17

Q: I’m a frequent user of Facebook and Twitter, and I sometimes wonder what would happen to my accounts upon my death. Would my family be able to access my posts?

A: Under a new California law that went into effect January 1, 2017, the answer is “yes,” provided that you take proactive steps now to authorize access after your death.

     The new law is called the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (“Act”) or AB 691. Previously, California law was silent on the right of family members to access such records after the owner’s death.

     Under the new law, there are essentially four ways in which your loved ones may access your accounts, which the Act calls “digital assets”, after your demise.

     1) Use Online Tool: ou may give consent in the “Online Tool” set up by the custodian, such as Facebook and Twitter, in response to the new law. The consent you provide in this tool overrides anything to the contrary in the custodian’s “terms of service”, or any contrary intention in your will or other legal document;

     2) Grant Authority in a Legal Document: Under the new law, you may grant access in your Last Will, Power of Attorney, Trust, or other legal document. However, this authorization must specifically grant the right to access your digital assets; a general grant of authority to deal with your estate may not be sufficient.

     3) Terms of Service Agreement: If you have failed to grant access by using the  custodian’s “Online Tool”, nor given specific authority in your Last Will or other legal document, then the custodian’s Terms of Service (“TOS”) would control, and the TOS may or may not grant authority to access records of your digital communications.

     4) Court Order: inally, unless you have specifically objected to the release in the Online Tool or in your Will or other legal document, your executor might apply for a court order, provided that they can show that disclosure is reasonably necessary for estate administration.

     So, if you would like others to have access to your digital assets after your death, the two best ways to do this are: (a) go to the custodian’s website,  locate the “online tool” established pursuant to this legislation and specifically consent to disclosure to your executor, successor trustee, or other designated loved ones; and/or (b) specifically authorize disclosure in your Last Will, Power Of Attorney, Trust or other legal document.

     If you have already prepared your estate planning documents, you might consider the creation of a stand-alone Power Of Attorney for Digital Assets. Note: normally, a power of attorney expires upon the death of the maker. However, under this legislation, a consent in a power of attorney to access digital assets would apparently still be valid, for that limited purpose, after the death of the maker.

     There are some shortcomings in the new law, namely: (1) it does not authorize access upon the owner’s incapacity, but only after the owner’s demise; and (2) it does not appear to authorize access to financial accounts such as bank or brokerage accounts, but only to social media and email accounts.  

     Still, if you desire to provide access to your digital assets after your demise, you may now do so, provided that you take proactive steps as outlined above.

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

LETTERS • 03-30-17

Hit-and-Run Accident Victim Seeks Public’s Help

Editor:

     I am a grandmother of a child enrolled in Hesperian Elementary School.

     On Thursday, March 16th, I was standing on the corner of Mills and Wagner with my yellow sign asking the cars to drive slowly in the school zone. This is the second year I have done this voluntarily every morning I am physically able to.

     That morning a driver was going very fast and I waved my sign. He stopped and started yelling at me then he took off.

     A few minutes later my daughter was driving me and this driver side-swiped us on Hesperian Blvd. and took off. We ran into the women in front of us. Luckily no one was hurt. There is more to this accident but I won’t go into it here. This was clearly a hit and run.

     I cannot do my sign anymore because I am afraid this guy will come back and harm me. I am sorry to all the parents that supported me and appreciated my being out there making sure their children got to school safely. I miss all the parents and children that I used to say good morning to and I always tried to have a smile for everyone.

     I need to know if anyone saw the accident and if they did could they please contact me through this paper. I would appreciate anyone that saw the accident calling me.

— Melanie Kouts, San Lorenzo

Another Voice Supports Saving the Marina

Editor:

     First, I would like to say kudos and applaud Julie Head and her March 9 letter, “Wants San Leandro to Maintain Marina and Rebuild Ferry System.” 

     San Leandro is a lovely place to live.  Let’s make our city a jewel in the bay with a savvy state-of-the-art water transportation system, good schools, destination restaurants and fabulous open space to run, walk, bike and play.  

     Why let our lovely Marina become a relic of the past? The amount of open slips is shameless not to mention lost revenue for the city.  

     Yes, dredging the channel is expensive, but let’s think outside the box and explore the option of fast and safe navigation in shallow waters. The Safe Passage And Navigation (SPAN) project is a safe navigation system allowing high speed in shallow waterways for fast twin hulled vessels.

     San Leandro has a strong Portuguese heritage and by golly if there isn’t a Portuguese company employing this technology, Transtejo Transportes Tejo. It operates a ferry service across the Tagus River in Lisbon, has a daily carrying capacity of 100,000 to 150,000 commuters and has increased needs in safe craft maneuverability at high speeds in narrow channels where excessive wash is also a problem. It can be done.

     Urban development should have long term goals and be inclusive for all stakeholders. After all, don’t we have enough dense housing developments?          

     Next, I also want to applaud Lois Cox and her March 23 letter, “PG&E Bill Doubles Since the First of the Year.”

— Erika Bruce, San Leandro

About Those PG&E Bills…

Editor:

     The way Californians are being charged for energy is changing and customers may have questions. e’re here to answer those questions, help you avoid bill surprises and take control of your energy use.

     The rate changes that took effect on March 1 — developed jointly between PG&E, the CPUC, and many consumer groups — align customers’ bills with the cost of service being provided and encourage extremely high energy users to conserve energy.

     Additionally there was a 2.1 percent increase in electric rates for residential customers, and a decrease in the California Climate Credit, a state program that is fighting climate change.

     This is a lot of change at once and we are here to help. PG&E has a variety of tools and programs that give you the information you need to make the best energy choices for your family. All of us who live and work in the East Bay are ready to help answer your questions. For more information please visit us online at pge.com/ratechoices or call our rates hotline for more information at 1-800-743-0514.

— Daina Charland-Sulaver, Senior Manager, PG&E Mission Division

Looks to California’s Senators to Save Important Programs

Editor:

     It is utterly absurd that this proposed presidential budget decimates programs aimed at helping the oldest, youngest, and neediest

among us.

     I hope Senators Feinstein and Harris do all they can to protect the WIC programs, meals on wheels, PBS programs that provide so much for young children, and science and medical research programs that could save so many lives. And work to make sure all of these programs remain in the budget.

     None of these things should be in any way negotiable.

     Thank you for caring for your constituents.

— Debra Coltoff, San Leandro

On San Leandro Streets

Editor:

     The deeper the pothole,

Drivers must heed.

     One driving goal

Should be: much less speed.

     Fix the holes on our streets,

With picks and with axes.

     The holes are so deep,

And we pay high taxes.

— George Banks, San Leandro

Calls for a Hold on Supreme Court Appointment

Editor:

     With nearly a year remaining in his presidency, President Obama nominated Merrick Garland to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. Republican Senators refused to even consider the nomination, claiming we were “too far into the election campaign” (9 months until the election). They stole Obama’s legitimate opportunity to appoint a Justice.

     During that campaign, Trump spewed many lies about Hillary, including saying her presidency would be illegitimate because she was “under investigation” about her emails. Now we know that Trump and his campaign associates are under FBI investigation for possible coordination and collusion with Russia’s cyber attack on our country.

     Russia’s attack included using robot programs (bots) to flood social media with anti-Hillary messages, along with invading DNC computers, stealing and disseminating private emails. Nevertheless, Hillary won 3 million more votes than Trump. Nevertheless, Trump legally became president.

     Until and unless the doubt about Trump’s involvement is removed, proceedings with his nomination to fill the stolen Justice’s seat should stop.  Republicans of sincere conscience, along with Democrats, should not approve a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Count until we are certain whether Trump’s presidency is legitimate or criminal.

— Bruce Joffe, Piedmont

Looking for Support to Fight Keystone Pipeline

Editor:

     I was watching on CNN, Senator Lindsey Graham speaking at a town hall meeting in his home state of South Carolina, that he will work with President Trump in revising the building of the Keystone Pipeline which will stretch from Canada through the Gulf Coast.

     That pipeline will destroy the way of life of Indigenous Peoples who live in areas in which the pipeline will be built.

     The majority of Americans don’t realize that the pipeline had devastated Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Indigenous Peoples such as the Dene, Cree First Nations and the Metis had suffer illnesses by eating fish that was contaminated by oil from it.

     I urge the majority of Americans who are concerned about the well-being of Indigenous Peoples to fight any attempts by President Trump and the Republican Congress to push for the building of Keystone Pipeline.

— Billy Trice Jr., Oakland

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LETTERS • 03-23-17

Says Keep That Pot Smoke Behind Closed Doors

Editor:

     For most of my life I’ve had to endure second-hand cigarette smoke. I just had to accept the smelly smoke permeating everything while it was making me cough and smelling up my clothes.

     Finally laws were  passed to restrict where cigarettes could  be smoked. I could go to a restaurant or bar and not have to wheeze and cough. Well you would think that would be the end of it right? Wrong!

     A new type of smoke is filling the air. Marijuana smoke! Sure it’s legal if you have a prescription, but now I’m inhaling second-hand smoke again. It’s in parks, coming out of car windows, in the streets, even in bars.

     Even more alarming is these potheads are getting into cars and driving stoned.

     I’m all for personal freedom as long as it doesn’t infringe on others. Pot may be more acceptable now, but not so long ago cigarettes were acceptable too. Why don’t they smoke it behind closed doors and keep others from being exposed!

— Steve Witt, San Leandro

PG&E Bill Doubles Since the First of the Year

Editor:

     Now here is an issue that needs to be addressed: Raising PG&E rates again.  

     This is what should cause an uproar. My PG&E has doubled since the first of the year and I didn’t even put up Christmas decorations this year.

     My January bill was an astonishing $467. I called PG&E to see if there was a leak, a mistake, or please tell me something but no....everything was fine.  

     My husband is retired and this absolutely puts a huge crater in my finances (like the craters in the streets of San Leandro). Now this is a cause that we all should be walking, stomping, yelling, picketing and doing what ever else these radical rioters do. Doesn’t anyone else feel the pain?  

— Lois Cox, San Leandro

An Open Letter to Mayor Cutter and the San Leandro City Council

Editor:

     Regarding the new proposed ordinance I read about in the San Leandro Times (“City Ordinance Would Make Landlords Pay Tenants’ Relocation Fees,” March 9, 2017).

     It is very disturbing to landlords who have good tenants, lower rents and wish to keep them at an under-market rent. Landlords will no longer be able to keep good tenants with this ordinance. We will be forced to raise rents or evict them before the five-year limit you may impose on us or penalize us for being good landlords with under-market rents.

     You are forcing landlords to raise rents now and in the near future in order to be close to market, or evict tenants approaching 5-year tenancy. Surmise every five years we will be forced to evict or pay your fees.

     Where are all these fines going, marijuana programs?

     This is a bad deal especially for our tenants. The City of San Leandro seems to penalize landlords so the City of San Leandro can play monopoly with other people’s money.

     Stay out of the rental business. Not a good idea for anyone except the City of San Leandro.

     Please keep us informed of meetings regarding this ordinance, as we owners have had long tenure in this city.

     This city is being controlled by a few who have interests in politics and taking advantage of our out-of-town property owners, again a small few businesses pay for all the rest.

— Dee Kerry, Kerry & Associates, San Leandro

Says Arrogant Landlords, Officials Think Tenants are Disposable

Editor:

     Once again, someone not affected by tenant issues like Mr. Heath (“Asks: Whatever Happened to the American Way of Doing Business,” Letters, March 16) writes to tell us how the “...Council wants to create a new ordinance that will assess landlords a penalty if they raise rents.”

     The proposal does no such thing, except where rents are raised 20%. What the proposal does is protect long-term tenants (five years or more) from having to pay relocation fees when a landlord wishes to dispossess tenants through no fault of the tenant (no-cause) when a landlord, e.g., decides to renovate an entire building.

     It does not regulate rents. What it does is make landlords who wish to dispossess tenants for landlord purposes pay relocation fees.

     But what I truly take exception to in Mr. Heath’s letter is his arrogant assumption, shared by the council, landlords, and house owners, that

tenants are disposable. A woman in the Broadmoor neighborhood once wrote this paper calling tenants “transients.”

     Heath tells tenants: “If you don’t like the new terms, move.” How disrespectful so many residents in this city are of tenants.

     We don’t own a house, but our apartment is just as much our home as yours is. And we want to be protected from being treated as disposable by not having to move constantly in order to afford our home.

     From comments people write to your paper, and from our own experiences, we’re treated as second-class citizens, never as hard-working people who contribute to the city’s economy, who may have gone to college, who might be working two jobs to keep their family from being homeless, and who vote and actively participate in contributing to our city.

     Why do people not affected by tenant issues feel justified in telling us how we can solve them: move! I’m sure landlords, the city, and people like you would like nothing better.

— K. Lee-Figueroa, San Leandro

Accuses Landlords of Manipulating Housing Market

Editor:

     Brent Heath in his letter (see above) states: “It’s that simple, as the rates will always be in line with market conditions and no landlord wants a vacancy by over-charging.”

     What a hypocrite! Brent Heath exemplifies the retrograde landlords who are used to riding roughshod over tenants.

     Four, out of the eight years of the Barack Obama administration my Social Security check was frozen because “there was no inflation,” yet my landlord got a 10% rent increase every year, except for the last year where he demanded a 50% increase.

     Heath’s assertion that “...the market will determine if the rates go up or down.” Down? An example, please. The landlords manipulate the market by creating scarcity: Converting apartment buildings into condominiums; not building new units or demolishing existing ones for real estate deals. In this scheme they also have the government in Sacramento on their side, which has flooded this state with illegals who hog the available units.

     Just an example — Assemblyman Rob Bonta came to speak to the San Leandro City Council to shamelessly declare that there are no funds allocated for affordable housing in the state budget for 2017, while in the same speech spoke about passing “sanctuary” laws and providing lawyers to prevent the deportation of illegals accused of crimes; Alameda County has allocated 1.5 million, San Francisco, 5 millions and so on.

     There’s a reason why tenants have been able to pass Rent Control laws in many cities over the years, in order to stop the greedy landlords’ abuses, but landlords have allies in the San Leandro City Council. The “Tenant Relocation Assistance” proposal, which bothers Heath, has been kicked around for six months at the request of Tom Silva and company, with the complicity of Mayor Cutter, in order to give landlords more time to jack up the rents or to get rid of tenants with the same purpose.

— Leo T. West, San Leandro

Korematsu: A Case of Suppressed Evidence by the Government

Editor:

     The Letter to the Editor, “Calls Korematsu ‘a Criminal,’ Not a Civil Rights Pioneer” (Letters, Feb. 16) used stereotypes and dangerous generalizations to justify the imprisonment of Japanese Americans. The letter assumed that Japanese Americans were disloyal, a charge that has been disproved.

     In 1941, President Roosevelt requested a Special Representative of the State Department study the loyalty of Japanese Americans on the West Coast and Hawaii. The final report in November 1941 included results of more than a decade of U.S. domestic and military intelligence service spying. The report certified a “remarkable, even extraordinary degree of loyalty among this generally suspect ethnic group.” (“Years of Infamy,” Michi Weglyn)

     In 1981, legal historian Peter Irons obtained documents under the Freedom of Information Act that showed government lawyers at the 1944 Korematsu trial had suppressed evidence that contradicted the military necessity argument. This discovery led to the reopening of the Korematsu, Yasui and Hirabayashi cases in 1983. The Korematsu and Hirabayashi convictions were successfully vacated in 1983 and 1987.  Yasui passed away in 1986 before his case concluded. (“Enduring Conviction,” Lorraine K. Bannai).

     Finally, Congress established the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) in 1980, to study the circumstances of Executive Order 9066. After conducting interviews and studying historical material for over one year, the study concluded that E.O. 9066 was “not justified by military necessity” but instead by “race prejudice, war hysteria and a failure of political leadership.” (Personal Justice Denied, CWRIC).

     The unjust incarceration of the Japanese Americans shows the importance of not falling prey to racism and hysteria. It devastated families and communities economically, socially and psychologically, and more importantly violated the constitutional rights of Japanese Americans based on race.

     It is unsettling the current U.S. Administration seems poised to repeat wrongful actions of the past.

— Robbin Kawabata, San Lorenzo, Japanese American Citizens League

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LETTERS • 03-16-17

Asks: Whatever Happened to the American Way of Doing Business?

Editor:

     It’s time to tell Big Brother to stay out of the back yard.  

     So now our esteemed City Council wants to create a new ordinance that will assess landlords a penalty if they raise rents.  

     This is just another step towards Big Brother telling people what they can and can’t do when it comes to their business decisions. Whatever happened to the American way of doing business? It’s called supply and demand.  

     Rents are based upon short-term conditions, i.e. one year or less, and the market will determine if the rates go up or down. If you don’t like the new terms, move. It’s that simple, as the rates will always be in line with market conditions and no landlord wants a vacancy by over-charging.

     My question for the City Council is: Will your next move be to set home selling prices? And, if sold at a higher price, will you asses a financial penalty to the seller?

— Brent Heath, San Leandro

Speed Limit Changes Seem to Have Little Effect on Safety

Editor:

     Get ready to slow down because of newly posted speed limits (“Speed Limits Reduced on Major Streets,” Page One, The Times, March 9)?

     Not so fast – if data coming from a recent speed report by the City of San Francisco is any indication.

     San Francisco has one of the most comprehensive programs to eliminate pedestrian and bicycle rider deaths and serious injury through its Vision Zero plan adopted in 2014. Some of the earliest findings coming out of Vision Zero are relevant to San Leandro. Consider the findings of a November 2016 report: “Impact of Speed Limit Changes in San Francisco.”

     This study looked closely at nine busy streets with speed limit reductions. The data revealed that, though speed limits were reduced, the number of pedestrian and bike rider collisions on these streets remained steady. Furthermore, it wasn’t clear from the study that cars were actually driven at slower speeds after the change.

     This study also looked at eight residential streets where traffic-calming measures were installed.

     On those streets, car speeds were significantly reduced, particularly high rates of speeding, which dropped 77 percent! This is important because the likelihood of death or serious injury increases dramatically with speed.

     In the future, the authors anticipate that speed surveys and speed limit reductions will remain infrequent, owing to the state’s “85th Percentile” law which governs those two types of actions. The biggest changes will come from targeted initiatives in areas such as traffic calming, Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE), transition to proactive (as opposed to application-based) traffic calming, and other means coming from Vision Zero.

     It is felt that these actions will occur more quickly and be more effective than merely enacting speed limit reductions stemming from speed surveys. We encourage leaders in San Leandro to watch San Francisco as efforts accelerate and speed the arrival of a city with zero traffic fatalities.

— Leah Hall, David Stevens and Donna Chang, San Leandro

Korematsu Disobeying Unjust Law Should Be Inspiration to Others

Editor:

     In response to Ms. Melendy’s letter regarding Fred Korematsu (“Calls Korematsu ‘a Criminal,’ Not a Civil Rights Pioneer,” Letters, Feb. 16), it should be noted that he was arrested in downtown San Leandro and detained in the San Leandro jail.

     We can agree that Korematsu was convicted of violating Public Law No. 503, which criminalized violations of Executive Order 9066. That Executive Order allowed the military to forcibly relocate 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry, most of whom were American citizens, to internment camps.

     Korematsu, who was born in Oakland, appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld the conviction in a split decision.

     In his vehement dissent, Justice Frank Murphy called Roosevelt’s Executive Order “one of the most sweeping and complete deprivations of constitutional rights in the history of this nation.” The Korematsu decision is now widely regarded by legal scholars as one of the worst decisions ever by the Supreme Court.

     Korematsu lost at the Supreme Court because the U.S. Government suppressed its own reports concluding that Japanese-American citizens posed no danger, and therefore, there was no justification for their compulsory removal from the West Coast and incarceration.

     In 1983, Korematsu’s conviction was rightfully overturned after these reports were discovered. President Clinton awarded Korematsu the Presidential Medal of Freedom, this country’s highest civilian honor, in 1998.

     When the newest San Leandro High School campus was named after Fred Korematsu in 2009, it was a unanimous decision after an open and public process. There was no “dissent.”

     Because of his belief in the U.S. Constitution, Korematsu disobeyed an unjust law and believed he would be vindicated. I hope that others will be inspired by Korematsu “so this will never happen again to any American citizen of any race, creed or color.”

— Mike Katz-Lacabe, San Leandro

Says Melendy’s Letters Typical of Political Discussion in U.S. Today

Editor:

     If anyone is still bewildered about what this nation did last November, when over 60 million voters elected a bigoted dunce to the Presidency, I would suggest they read the two letters written by Ms. Cynthia Melendy in recent weeks.

     The misinformation, half truths, and outright falsehoods spewed in the two diatribes contributed by Ms. Melendy are typical of what passes for political discussion in today’s America.

     Ms. Melendy’s belligerent declaration that “I haven’t changed my mind” isn’t surprising in the least. She has over 60 million fellow travelers, who wear their ignorance like a badge of honor

— Vernon S. Burton, San Leandro

Thanks to All Who Helped Raise Funds for ‘Ghost Ship’ Victims

Editor:

     On behalf of Zocalo Coffeehouse, I would like to thank everyone who attended our Oakland Ghost Ship Fire Relief Fundraiser on Friday, January 27.

     We would also like to thank the Fundudes Band for volunteering their time to play music for the event. With the help of people from the community, we were able to raise over $500 in just a few hours for the victims of the fire and their families.

     A special thanks goes to Perry Lightfoot, a member of the Fundudes, for coordinating the event with me. When I asked him why he thought of putting on this event, he responded with, “Our reason for having the benefit is to support the families and loved ones of our brothers and sisters in the art community; also to help maintain and build stronger community involvement, outreach and support.”

     The money was donated to the Fire Relief, Recovery, and Resiliency Fund for Oakland Fire via YouCaring. This fund is still collecting donations for this cause. We encourage everyone who couldn’t make it to the event to donate online.

— Jazz Hathorn, Event Coordinator, Zocalo Coffeehouse, San Leandro

Recognizing 150 Years of Portuguese Contributions

Editor:

     I am writing to congratulate San Leandro’s Portuguese community for their contributions to a series of Bay Area events.

     These events, held from March 4 through 12, honor the positive roles past and present immigrants of Portuguese descent have played in the development of our nation, California and San Leandro.

     In 1967, then-Governor Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation that declared the second week of March each year to be Portuguese Immigrant Week in the State of California. In his proclamation, Governor Reagan noted San Leandro as the home of the proud statute of the Portuguese Immigrant.  More recently, we also became the home of the Grand Migration of the Monarch Butterfly mural commissioned and completed by famous Portuguese artist Rigo 23. This art was funded by a fund-raising campaign which included St. Leander Catholic Church, the Portuguese community (led by former Mayor Tony Santos), the San Leandro Improvement Association and the City Council.

     From San Diego to San Leandro, and for over 150 years, the Portuguese community has contributed notably to the growth and development of California. On Saturday, March 4, Mayor Cutter, along with the San Francisco Portuguese Consulate, again participated in the annual wreath laying and community reception at Root Park. This ceremony kicked off activities ranging from high school celebrations in Tulare to book presentations in Santa Clara as well tours of the Portuguese Historical Museum in San Jose and J.A. Freitas Library at 1120 E. 14th St. right here in San Leandro.

     Please join me in bringing awareness and celebration of the 50th year anniversary of Portuguese Immigrant Week.

— Chris Zapata, City Manager, San Leandro

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LETTERS • 03-09-17

Wants San Leandro to Maintain Marina and Rebuild Ferry System

Editor:

     Why are we decommissioning the marina? It could be our jewel. Let’s maintain the channel and re-build our ferry system. Let’s provide ferries to San Francisco, the peninsula, airports, ballparks and other locations around the bay.

     During commute hours BART is packed, bridges are jammed. Look at our region ... trace 580 west starting from Livermore to Dublin, to 238, toward the bay and you will land ... at the San Leandro marina. Our marina is a logical point of departure for commuter ferries. The tri-valley area is projected to continue its phenomenal growth through mid-century. Let’s capitalize on the geography and continuing regional growth to provide a much needed service.

     In order to operate ferries, dredging is required. Disturbing the mud flat is not great, but the mileage and time spent circling the bay in cars isn’t sustainable either.

     Let’s think about the implications of climate change, as well as resiliency for San Leandro. Over the next century the oceans & bay are forecast to rise. We could implement clamshell bucket style dredging for our channel and use the sediment to restore bay wetlands that have been degraded or are in danger of being destroyed by sea level rise.

     How are we going to pay for this? Isn’t there a plan to build higher housing density at the marina and a conference center? Requiring developers to fund infrastructure improvements, including ferries and other transportation options, could enhance the development and may also help the marina become a feasible destination. All that said, I hope there is some landscaping and a view across the water when they’re done building and profiting.

     Let’s make it easier to live in and attract business to San Leandro by creating ferry service at the marina.

— Julie Head, San Leandro

Believes City Should Provide Public Works with Safer Equipment

Editor:

     This past Sunday, a tree came down with help from the strong winds. I was pleased to see a quick response from public works. Great job on their part.

     What I was surprised to see was an older Bandit Wood Chipper. It did not appear to have the newer safety flaps and reverse bar. With all the money budgeted for development, two armored police vehicles, etc., I would think some should be spent towards newer safer equipment for the Public Works employees.

— Joe DeMotto, San Leandro

Our Civic Duty — To Hold Our Leaders Accountable

Editor:

     I normally wouldn’t voice my objection to something published in the newspaper, but I am compelled to clarify exactly what the facts are in regards to a recent letter to the editor.

     A cornerstone of our society is the assurance that no person be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, a concept so fundamental that our predecessors incorporated it not just once into the 5th Amendment to the Constitution, but added it a second time to the 14th Amendment. Executive order 9066 was issued by President Roosevelt on Feb 19, 1942, and with that single pen stroke violated the constitutional rights of over 110,000 people of Japanese descent residing in the United States. The result of this action was mass incarceration (approximately 62 percent were U.S. citizens).

     At the time, the country was in a state of panic and hysteria. The reaction to this fear was to single out those of Japanese descent, force them out of their homes, split families up, and move them into prison without probable cause, let alone a trial by one’s peers.

     My father was living in San Francisco at the time. While he doesn’t speak of his incarceration often, what he recounts is that his father was taken away by the FBI, the family was forced to live in the Tanforan horse stables while Topaz was being constructed, and life at Topaz was cold and dusty. Armed guards manned watch towers and barbed wire surrounded the internment camp. He was 13 when imprisoned, and spent the next 3 years of his life there.

     Rhetoric and vitriol seem to be driving much of the political discourse these days. It’s our civic duty as participants in this democracy to engage in discussion, investigation, and discovery, ensure we have accurate facts, and hold our leaders accountable to follow the law.

     Here are my facts: My father was born in the U.S., was an American citizen, had committed no criminal act, and his constitutional rights were taken away without due process.

— Andrew Maruoka, San Leandro

Fred Korematsu ‘Rightfully Considered a Hero’

Editor:

     As a group of concerned San Leandro citizens, we felt the views expressed in the Feb. 16 letter to the editor, “Calls Korematsu ‘a Criminal,’ Not a Civil Rights Pioneer,” were in no way representative of our community, one we know to be inclusive, open-minded, and tolerant. We were very heartened by the show of community support that offered a fair and fact-based view of Fred Korematsu and the injustices faced by the Japanese-American community during World War II.

     At a time when our country is embroiled in the controversy of an immigration ban, and talk of a Muslim registry, that kind of rhetoric reminds us how fragile constitutional protections are. Statements like those of Ms. Melendy represent a factual disconnect that can do real harm.

     It was Fred Korematsu’s right as an American citizen to challenge Executive Order 9066, and he’s rightfully considered a hero. Let’s hope that none of our friends, family or neighbors will ever be called upon to defend their rights as he did.

— Lauren Alwan, Mary Beth Barloga, David Coltoff, Darlene Jenkins, Jenny Keystone, Jeff Leong, Margaret McLean, Patricia Minnis, Debra Perrin, Jay Petersen, Hamid Rashidi, Addie Silveira, Linda Takei, Russell Takei and Ingrid Westgard, all of San Leandro

Melendy: ‘I Haven’t Changed My Opinion’ After All the Letters

Editor:

     After reading all the letters to me, I haven’t changed my opinion and hope that others do their own research, too. Do you realize that not all Japanese in California were interned – those who relocated off the west coast and those who were exempted for college or military service weren’t. And, some East Coast American citizens of German or Italian ancestry were imprisoned (not interned)?

     I wrote this hoping to cause people to rethink their acceptance of current interpretations, as the article extolling a war criminal as a civil rights hero was the last straw for me.

     In the rural area where I was raised, where many civilians were plane spotters, “wartime necessity” still is understood. Some 40 years later, political expediency ruled. In urban areas, it seems the warnings of our founding fathers and many later writers about citizenship versus reliability in wartime have been forgotten.  

     I think we need to repeat the “mistakes” of our past, and also not label prudent actions as xenophobic. For example, can you imagine the chaos possible if the Japanese in the U.S. military weren’t limited to fighting in Europe? But many probably think, along with one letter-writer, that it was wrong to impose this limitation. Only if we remain a free country can we offer any refuge to others.

— Cynthia Melendy, San Leandro

‘Not All Residents Think the Same Way Ms. Melendy Does’

Editor:

     Fred Korematsu was not a criminal, but a citizen who questioned racist and fearful thinking that our government and society used to imprison its own citizens. I would hope that people realize that most of the interned Japanese-Americans in WWII were U.S.-born citizens who were interned only because they were of Japanese ancestry. There was no equivalent internment of German-Americans.  

     Also, I take issue with the writer’s equating internment as a sacrifice to support our country. “What about sacrificing to support your country? This was the same time that other Americans were voluntarily sacrificing to win the war and using rationing coupons.”

     No. Rationing and doing without common consumer goods was not equivalent to being targeted for violence, given mere days to pack only what you could carry, sell your businesses and farms and homes at undervalued and exploitative prices, and being imprisoned for years in camps with unweatherproofed barracks, minimal medical attention, and armed guards and barbed wire, all the while being questioned for loyalty.

     The 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up nearly entirely of Japanese-Americans, was the United States Army’s most decorated infantry regiment ever, and they embodied “sacrifice” and loyalty and integrity in the face of our country’s blatant racism and betrayal.  

     As a resident of this town, I hope that people will realize that not all residents of San Leandro think the same way Ms. Melendy does. There are many residents here who will stand against racism and question our government and society, just as Mr. Korematsu did.

— Katherine Porter, San Leandro

Says President Trump Has It Right and San Leandro Has It Wrong on Immigration

Editor:

     People who have violated U.S. law and entered the United States illegally, or knowingly allowed a visa to expire, had to know that they were at risk of being caught and deported. They knew the consequences and yet put themselves and their families at risk. They loudly blame the police, the immigration authorities and the courts for ripping apart their families, but they don’t have anyone to blame but themselves. The so-called undocumented workers were, and are, illegal aliens first.

     By setting up sanctuary cities, San Leandro and other cities and towns are breaking the law, and not only that, they are condoning and inviting law breakers to come in and sign up for every kind of benefit which is there for the poorest among us, and in many cases, not paying for any of it. Thereby stretching the charity and its funding thin for our citizens who deserve it.

     I don’t agree with many of President Trump’s policies and decisions but he has this one right and it’s about time.

— Frank Powers, San Leandro

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LETTERS • 03-02-17

Thanks Those Who Supported Sanctuary City Resolution

Editor:
     Congratulations to immigrants! The San Leandro City Council passed the Sanctuary City resolution on Tuesday. There are Asian, Latino, White and African American citizens and immigrants, old and young, high school and middle school students. More than 60 speakers came to support the Sanctuary City with one speaker who was against. San Leandro is now a Sanctuary City.
     Many students voiced their concerns on Trump’s immigrant law at the City Council meeting. Students experienced the taste of politics. I encourage the students to come often to practice their civil rights, and voice their opinion at City Hall, instead of protesting on the street, or with violence like in Berkeley and Oakland. Good job Students!

Insulted By Comparison of Jews in Nazi Germany to Illegal Immigrants

Editor:

     In the last San Leandro Times article “City Council Declares Sanctuary,” (Page 1, Feb. 23), I read something that disturbed me very deeply. I was not alone.

     First of all, I find the decision very disappointing. The USA voted for our President and we elected Donald Trump. Some of us might not like it, but last time I checked the USA was a democracy. The coin has dropped and democracies just come with pros and cons. Maybe more should have made it to the voting booths to make a difference. But this is not the main reason why I am writing to you.

     I was born in Germany. My Dutch mother survived Nazi Germany as forced labor in a war-time boot factory. I have my knowledge of Nazi Germany from my experience rather than from the “H” channel.  

     I was deeply insulted by any parallels between illegal immigrants in the USA and the Jewish people who died in the concentration camps. Those Jewish people were not breaking every immigration law in Germany (or other European countries). Those Jews were not using a society to enrich themselves without paying anything back into it (tax, etc.).  Those Jewish people had been outstanding citizens for many generations.  

     If you want to protest Trump, do it. But, never ever, for the honor of those millions of Jewish people who died in the concentration camps, make any parallels between the illegal immigrants in the USA and the Jewish people – because there are none. Do not dishonor those who died during the Nazi regime just for cheap propaganda.

— Gerd Marggraff, San Leandro

Doesn’t Want SL to Risk Federal Funds to Protect Illegal Immigrants

Editor:

     I am writing in response to the City of SL’s decision to adopt a sanctuary resolution and SLUD’s  decision to make school campuses sanctuary locations to protect illegal immigrants.

     Obviously, the folks running the city and the school board think President Trump is playing when he says he’s going to remove federal funding from cities protecting illegal immigrants, criminals or not. He’s going to show us, rather than make threats.

     You cannot make local laws that violate federal immigration laws and claim the law is discriminatory when those you are trying to protect came here illegally and chose to bring their children and families or chose to come here and reproduce, thinking they had a right to remain here illegally,  protected from prosecution (all while receiving free medical benefits, free housing, free school meals, free college education, and food stamps) on the taxpayer’s dime. I have no sympathy for those folks who have been here for decades and never bothered to get their citizenship issues in order.

     It’s foolish for any city to risk losing their federal funding that provides vital city services like the police, fire department and emergency services to keep our communities safe, in order to protect illegal immigrants. Why also risk federal funding being lost to our already financially mismanaged and underfunded schools to protect illegal immigrants? It absolutely makes no sense!

     Local resolutions won’t stop federal agents from rounding up and arresting illegal immigrants. The round ups have already started in some parts of Contra Costa County. This issue will eventually end up at the U.S. Supreme Court and be upheld with amendments to the travel ban. Nothing wrong with immigrating here, just come here legally!

— Kiki Davis, San Leandro

Never Heard of a ‘Forgivable Loan’ But He’d Like to Get One

Editor:

     Well, we all applauded the City of San Leandro for collecting the overdue $1,500,000 loan to the Davis Street Family Resource Center, but then it got real interesting. Right after the payment was made, the City Council turns around and gives the Davis Street Center an $800,000 “forgivable loan” as noted in the Times (“City Donates $800,000 for Day Care Center,” Page 1, Feb. 9).  

     I’ve never heard of a “forgivable loan”. So, I called Bank of America, Bank of the West, Wells Fargo and US Bank to see if they were offering any kind of a “forgivable loan” because I would sure like to get on that bandwagon. Needless to say, all of them laughed at me and said I should get a room at the loony farm for asking such a question.  

     I’ll bet you dollars to donuts, make that 800,000 donuts, that this arrangement was made prior to the payment, and I consider this a bait-and-switch tactic by the City Council upon the taxpayers of San Leandro.  

     To put it another way, can you imagine being behind on your home mortgage and then working out a deal with the lender to get 53 percent off the outstanding balance? Well, that’s exactly what the City Council did. I’d sure like to know if I could refinance my mortgage with the City of San Leandro, and I’m sure that you would like to do so as well.

— Brent Heath, San Leandro

Says SL City Manager Has the Wrong Priorities

Editor:

     Robbery up 27 percent, rape up 35 percent, murder up 300 percent – our potholed-filled streets have been taken over with reckless speeders and our downtown plaza is actually becoming a toilet. We have an unfunded pension obligation that has grown from $145 million to $170 million in the last four years.

     So, you know what the city manager is talking about? Retention raises and bonuses. Not public safety.

     Somehow the idea of high-speed internet and public art bringing people to San Leandro has trumped common sense. Safe, clean streets are what make people and businesses thrive in any community. What good is the fastest internet in the world if we’re constantly in the news for crime, not innovation?

     I’m personally sick and tired of San Leandro being on the morning news for crime. We tried the 55-foot naked lady statue, we’ve tried LIT San Leandro, we’ve even dolled up the utility boxes. Now, how about we get back to basics and get our police department more help so they can go back to patrolling our streets to prevent crime? How about we reduce reckless driving and speeding throughout our beautiful city to send the clear message that our streets are no longer lawless.

     I miss the San Leandro I moved to 18 years ago. Things got done then. So, I have to ask: Why can’t we get the job done now? It’s clear to me, it’s time for a new city manager.

— Gary Langbehn, San Leandro

Glad for Passionate Response to Korematsu Letter

Editor:

     I want to thank everyone who responded so passionately to Cynthia Melendy’s comments (Letters, Feb. 16) about Fred Korematsu  

     I didn’t read her letter and, after seeing the followup comments, I don’t need to… or want to.  

     Those internees were my neighbors, my classmates, my friends, and I’m still ashamed of how we treated them. Even as a teenager, I knew that wasn’t right.

     All of your comments may not change Ms. Melendy but they very well may be the reason someone changes. And that’s a start. I thank you!

— Colleen Nelson, San Leandro

Japanese Internment: What Led to an Unconstitutional Decision

Editor:

     The emotionalism of the letters about the Japanese internment (San Leandro Times, Feb. 23) reflects an ignorance of the situation at that time which, while not an excuse, explains what led to an unconstitutional decision.

     Japanese forces, having already invaded Korea, Manchuria, Indo-China and China, were now rampaging through the Philippines and Southeast Asia. A Japanese-Hawaiian couple who saved a downed Japanese pilot on Dec. 7 went on a killing spree on the tiny island of Niihau. The U.S.’ MAGIC code-breaking system revealed that Japanese diplomats had “established an extensive network of Japanese-American agents on the West Coast.” (Victory at Sea, Dunnigan and Noel) Eight Japanese subs were patrolling the West Coast during Dec., 1941. (At Dawn, We Slept, Gordon W. Prange) A sub shelled an oil field near Santa Barbara on Feb. 23, 1942.

     Japanese-American loyalty was suspect in some quarters. Most of the immigrants arrived during the ’20s when life in Japan was hard. By the ’30s, the Western world was in a depression while Japan had rebounded economically and militarily, stirring pride among many Japanese-Americans who also remained innately loyal to their Emperor.

     Regarding the internment, 110,000 Japanese-Americans residing in the West Coast “exclusion zone,” heavily populated by military bases and defense contractors, went to the camps. Eighteen thousand refused to renounce loyalty to the Emperor or swear allegiance to the U.S. Japanese-Americans in the rest of the country were not affected; those in Hawaii lived under martial law, as did all residents. Several thousand German- and Italian-Americans were also relocated.

     The authors of “Victory at Sea” go on to report that those in the camps who professed loyalty to the U.S. were free to leave if they could find jobs and housing elsewhere. By mid-1944, 40,000 had left, including 4,000 who went to college, and some 5,000 who enlisted, including those of the renowned 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Some 6,000 internees requested repatriation to Japan at war’s end.

— Fred Reicker, San Leandro

OBITUARIES • 03-30-17

ALETTO, Teresa Elsie

HERNANDEZ, Alice A.

HUNTER, Vivian Ruth

KAHN, Jeffrey David

ALETTO, Teresa Elsie, was born on October 29, 1927 in Richmond, California, and passed away peacefully on March 22, 2017 in Napa, California, after a brief illness. A long-time resident of San Leandro, she was the only child of Martina Baroni and Eugenio Sbaffo, who emigrated from the Piedmont region of Italy. Teresa attended Presentation High School in Berkeley and went on to work at the Mechanics Bank headquarters in Richmond. She married and raised her family in San Leandro, and later worked until her retirement as the Mass Communications Department Secretary at California State University at Hayward. Four years ago, she moved to Napa to be near family. Teresa was predeceased by her husband, Frank Aletto; daughters, Diane Dolan and Annette Aletto; dear companion, Isadore Cantrock; and cherished canines, Heidi, Max and Buddy. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Blank (Donald); granddaughter, Erin Dolan Dorff (Justin); grandsons, Christopher Blank and Daniel Dolan; great-granddaughters, Lucy and Lilah Dorff; son-in-law, Richard Dolan; niece, JoAnn Aletto; and numerous loving cousins, long-time friends in the East Bay and new friends in Napa. Memorial will be private.

HERNANDEZ, Alice A., passed away on March 19, 2017 in Sonora, California at the age of 85. She formerly lived in Hayward for many years. Alice leaves her beloved husband of 65 years, Genaro (Geno) Hernandez. He was a former resident of San Leandro and a well-known barber there for many years. Alice also leaves two sons and their wives, three grandchildren, two brothers, and many relatives and friends. She will be dearly missed by all. A celebration of her life to be held at a later date.

HUNTER, Vivian Ruth — On March 10, 2017 Heaven opened its door to an angel, Vivian Ruth Hunter, at the age of 91. She was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on Jan. 20, 1926. She was predeceased by her husband, John J. Hunter, 2 sisters and one brother. She was a wonderful mother “to her girls”, Debra Miller, Toni Zirkle and Cindy Burke, grandmother to Sara Reed and great-grandmother to Callan Reed. She retired from Sears and was able to spend lots of time with her granddaughter. She loved volunteering at Eden Hospital and working at the Oakland Coliseum. Her memorial service will be on Wednesday, April 19, at 1 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 17200 Via Magdalena, in San Lorenzo. She will be buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery alongside her husband. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to Calvary Lutheran Church or Bethesda Home, 22427 Montgomery, Hayward, CA  94541.

KAHN, Jeffrey David, a resident of San Leandro, passed away on March 22, 2017. Visitation will be held at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro today, March 30, from noon to 8 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 7 p.m. The funeral liturgy will be on Friday, March 31, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 2500 Bremuda Ave., in San Leandro. Burial is private.

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OBITUARIES • 03-23-17

CASTRO, Eduardo (Ed) L.

DEMARTINI, Rose M.

GRILO, Abilio (Al)

MCLAUCHLIN, Shawn

MLADINICH, Anthony (Tony)

TRIBUIANI, Ramon F.

CASTRO, Eduardo (Ed) L., a long-time resident of San Leandro, passed on March 12, 2017. Visitation will be at the Chapel of the Chimes, 32992 Mission Blvd., in Hayward on Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 27, at 10 a.m. at St. Leander Church, 550 W. Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Interment will follow at the Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward.

DEMARTINI, Rose M. (July 10, 1916 – March 18, 2017) a resident of San Leandro, died peacefully at home on March 18. Visitation is today, March 23, from 3 to 8 p.m., with a Vigil Service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. The funeral mass will be held Friday, March 24, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Leander Church, 474 W. Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, Vitas Hospice or St. Leander Church.

GRILO, Abilio (Al), born in Portugal and a San Leandro resident for many years, passed away on March 16, 2017 at the age of 73. Al is survived by his wife of 30 years, Vickie Grilo. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be dearly missed. A Memorial Mass celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, April 1, beginning at 11 a.m. at St. Leander Catholic Church, 550 W. Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510-483-0123, www.santos-robinson.com).

MCLAUCHLIN, Shawn (September 30,1958 – March 14, 2017), went to be with the Lord after a courageous battle with cancer. Shawn is survived by his wife, Judy, and her family, who loved Shawn deeply. Shawn is also survived by his mother, Elizabeth Bowers; his father, Merv McLauchlin; his brothers, Mike, Tim and Brian; Tim’s wife, Jana; nieces, Maddy and Hannah; and his aunt, Marilyn McLauchlin. Shawn went to Assumption grade school, Bishop O’Dowd and San Leandro High achools. He graduated from SLHS in 1977. He went to Chabot College and Cal State Hayward, where he received a degree in criminal justice. Shawn worked for Saags Sausage and then Amtrak, where he was a conductor and train engineer. Shawn enjoyed sports and played basketball for Assumption, Bishop O’Dowd and SLHS. Shawn and his wife, Judy, enjoyed the outdoors and traveling. He was well liked by everyone and was a good husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandfather to Judy’s grandchildren. We will all miss Shawn dearly.

MLADINICH, Anthony (Tony), son of Luis and Lucy Mladinich, died Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at home in Valley Springs after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 89. Mr. Mladinich was born April 29, 1927, in Oakland. He retired from the glass manufacturing business after 43 years serving as Quality Control Manager, Mold Shop Manager, Personnel Manager. A veteran of World War II, he lived in Castro Valley until moving to Valley Springs with his wife, Kay, 11 years ago. He was a member of the Glass Retiree’s Club, Buon Tempo Club, S.I.R.s 96, and was an avid golfer. He loved fishing, hunting, horse racing, watching football and partying with his friends. He was a gourmet cook and could build anything. He was a perfectionist in everything he did. Mr. Mladinich is survived by his wife of 37 years, Kay Mladinich; sons, David Mladinich of Pleasanton and Gary Mladinich of Livermore; daughters, Sandra Panattoni of Valley Springs and Mara Repke of San Leandro; grandsons, Jake Panattoni and James Baptista; granddaughter, Lynnaya Repke; 2 great-grandchildren; niece, Shari Kirmer; and cousins, Jube Jaramillo and Doris Risdal. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Frank. Arrangements made by San Andreas Memorial Chapel, 254 W. St. Charles St., in San Andreas (209-754.3361). Vigil was held on March 20 at San Andreas Memorial Chapel. Mass was held on March 21 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in San Andreas. A Celebration of Life followed at Gold Creek Estates Club House. Committal is on Thursday, March 23, at 2 p.m. at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, in Dixon, California (707-693.2460).

TRIBUIANI, Ramon F., passed away on March 7, 2017 at the age of 92. He leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years, Fidalma Tribuiani; his beloved children, Ana, Diego, Jacqui and Beverlee; his 2 sons-in-law, Robert Kamp and Richard Marquez; 7 wonderful grandchildren, Jennifer, Steven, Richard, Joseph, Marcus, Jessica and Sophie; and many dear friends and relatives in Argentina. Born on Dec. 3, 1924 on a farm in Argentina, Ramon was the eldest of six kids and the only boy. In 1963, his adventurous spirit and desire for a better life brought his young family to America. He enrolled in night school to learn English and did side jobs painting on the weekends. By 1965, he started his own painting business and eventually got his contractor’s license. One of his proudest moments came in 1978 when he became an American citizen. In 1989, he retired, but kept busy by fixing up his kid’s homes. He was a member of the Buon Tempo Club for many years, where he made many lifetime friends. He also belonged to the San Leandro Kiwanis Club, where he took part in many charity events. He liked helping others and had fun doing it. He loved going to the racetrack with friends, and going to the casino on the weekends with his son, Diego. Most of all, he loved being with his family — always looking forward to the next celebration, birthday or holiday. He will be remembered for his amazing sense of humor, his generous heart and his desire to live life to the fullest. We will miss him dearly, forever. The family invites friends and family to a Celebration of Ramon’s Life on Saturday, March 25, at 11 a.m. at Transfiguration Church, 4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd., in Castro Valley. A reception will immediately follow in the Transfiguration Church hall.

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OBITUARIES • 03-16-17

ALVES, Joseph (Joey)

CARLSON, Earl L.

SMITH, Susan Lee

STEPHENSON, Bill

ALVES, Joseph (Joey) (August 3, 1953 – March 12, 2017), a resident of San Lorenzo, passed away on March 12 at the age of 63. After years of suffering, he succumbed to his illness. He is survived by his sisters, Nancy Teixeira and Janis Barnett; and many nieces and nephews. Joey enjoyed movies and sports. He was a professional recording artist in the local rock band Y&T. He was a 1971 graduate of Arroyo High School. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 30, at noon at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 26320 Mission Blvd., in Hayward.

CARLSON, Earl L., passed away on March 4, 2017 at age 89. He was a beloved husband, father, uncle and friend. Earl was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy. A service celebrating his life will be held at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro on Saturday, March 18, beginning at 10 a.m. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

SMITH, Susan Lee, age 72 of Eugene, Oregon, passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2016. She was born October 29, 1944 in Oakland, California to Russell and Lucille Smith. She was a graduate of Pacific High School in San Leandro. Susan retired from Xerox Corporation before spending many years as an instructional assistant for developmentally disabled children in local school districts. Once fully retired, Susan became an artist in many realms, including painting, glass, jewelry making and more. Art became her passion. Susan cherished her family, especially her nieces. She loved her animal family, taking her beloved Oscar to the San Leandro Marina for sunsets and snacks. She was a lifelong active member of All Saint’s Episcopal Church in San Leandro before moving to Eugene, Oregon to be near her brother, Tom Smith, his wife, Stephanie, and their daughter, Sydney. Susan made friends easily with her disarming smile and ability to strike up a conversation with anyone. She is deeply missed by many. Susan is survived by her brother, Thomas (Stephanie); her cousin, Jim (Joyce); nieces, Stephanie (Jory), Michelle (Adam) and Sydney; great-niece, Emmalena; and cousins, Joey (son Cory) and Christine Smith. Her memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 26, at 2 p.m. at All Saint’s Episcopal Church, 911 Dowling Blvd., in San Leandro.

STEPHENSON, Bill, age 97, of Brownwood, Texas, formerly of California, passed away February 22, 2017 in Brownwood. Bill was born on March 12, 1919 to Jesse Louis and Essie (Hudspeth) Stephenson in Bronte, Texas. He finished school at Bronte High School and Draughons Business College in Abilene, Texas. He was active in sports, playing basketball in college, and later golf and tennis. Bill then joined the United States Army Air Force in May of 1941 and was sent to California. There, he met and married Jane Slaybaugh; they lived in the Bay Area of California. After he was discharged in 1945, he worked in Civil Service for many years up until his retirement. Bill moved to Brownwood, Texas in September of 2017 after his health started declining. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Stephenson; daughter, Linda Stephenson; and his parents, Jesse and Essie Stephenson. Bill is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. A Memorial Service for Bill was held on March 16 at San Leandro First Presbyterian Church in San Leandro. Private family interment was held on March 15 at Chapel of the Chimes Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood, Texas. Online condolences for the family are welcome at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com.

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OBITUARIES • 03-09-17

BARNECUT, Hope J.

JONES, Joyce Annette

KIRKWOOD, Geraldine May

MINJAREZ, Terence M. Sr.

MOY, Ernest

ORPIANO, Oscar C.

PADILLA, Margaret E.

ZAMORA, Sr., Pablo E.

BARNECUT, Hope J., a long time resident of San Leandro, passed on February 19, 2017. A Graveside Service was held celebrating her life on Feb. 28 at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

JONES, Joyce Annette, 74, peacefully made her journey home Monday, March 6, 2017 in Sacramento surrounded by loving family. Celebration of Life is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, at Sierra 2 Center, Room 6, 2791 24th St., in Sacramento. Reception to follow. Rev. James Trapp will officiate. Joyce was born March 25, 1942 to Maybelle Alice and Eldro Larsen. She married Leo E. Jones II March 7, 1970. Those left to cherish her memory are her sisters, Sandra E. Scott and Donna J. Wiles; her children, Janice K. Hughes, Teresa L. Russi, Sandra M. Russi, Case E. Jones and Leo E. Jones III; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and other family members and her dear friends.

KIRKWOOD, Geraldine May, passed away March 3, 2017 at  age 82. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Sunday, March 12, beginning at 11 a.m. at Bethel Community Presbyterian Church, 14235 Bancroft Ave., in San Leandro. Burial will be at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

MINJAREZ, Terence M. Sr., a resident of San Leandro, passed away in March of 2017. A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, March 16, at St. Leander Church, 550 W. Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro beginning at 10 a.m. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

MOY, Ernest, born November 30, 1919 in Canton, China, passed on February 13, 2017 in San Leandro at age 97. He was a resident of San Leandro for 46 years. Memorial service and entombment was held at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland.

ORPIANO, Oscar C., a resident of San Leandro, passed away on March 3, 2017. Visitation will be Friday, March 10, from noon to 8 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 6 p.m. at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. The Funeral Liturgy celebrating his life will be on Saturday, March 11, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 2500 Bermuda Ave., in San Leandro. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

PADILLA, Margaret E. (July 10, 1928 - February 20, 2017  •  Resident of Oakland) — Margaret passed away on February 20, 2017 at the age of 88. She enjoyed reading, shopping, and loved spending time with her family. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Dave; and her son, Rusty. She is survived by her children, Norma, Donna (Richard), David (Lori), Fran (Ken), Dolores and Ginger; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren, and 1 on the way. She also leaves her sister, Thelma Thogmartin; her brother, Bob Weatherill; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Santos-Robinson Mortuary today, March 9, from noon to 8 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. A Chapel Blessing will be held at the mortuary on Friday, March 10, beginning at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Mt. View Cemetery in Oakland.

ZAMORA, Sr., Pablo E., a resident of San Leandro, passed away on March 5, 2017. A Funeral Liturgy celebrating his life will be held today, March 9, at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 2500 Bermuda Ave., in San Leandro. Interment at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).

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OBITUARIES • 03-02-17

GONSALVES, Aldora A. (Fields)

GONSALVES, Aldora A. (Fields), a resident of Hayward, passed peacefully on February 26. She was 98 years old. Aldora was a long-time parishioner of All Saints Church in Hayward, an active member of Busy Bees, Marianas, St. Anthony Council #31 and IDES. Viewing and Visitation is today, March 2, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. with a Vigil at 7 p.m. at Holy Angels Sorensen Chapel, 1140 B St., in Hayward. Funeral Liturgy is on Friday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Church, 22824 2nd St., in Hayward. Aldora’s final place of rest will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward, immediately following.