April 24, 2024

CASTRO VALLEY FORUM CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

MAC MEETING

Award-Winning Charro to Perform at Rowell Rodeo

By Alfreda Sebasto SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

Tomas Garcilazo is a third-generation charro (Mexican horseman) who has devoted his life to sharing Mexico’s National Sport of La Charreria—traditional herding that predates rodeo—with the world. He will return to the 102nd Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo, set to take place May 17-19 at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park, to entertain fans at each performance.

Considered one of the finest charros presenting La Charreria today, Garcilazo has the distinction of being recognized by Mexico and the United States Charreria Association with their Golden Spur Award, La Espuela de Oro, for being a voice and ambassador of Mexico’s National Sport.

If you have never seen Garcilazo perform you are in for quite a show. As he enters the arena, you will first notice the beautiful horse that appears to be gliding to the music you hear

over the loudspeaker, and then you will see the intricate design of a charro’s traditional costume. He will almost instantly begin to spin his rope in never-ending circles that become larger in size until they eventually rotate around him and his horse. Tomas, the charro, and his horse move together to music in an effortless dance of skill and horsemanship as the announcer tells the story of a young boy growing up in Mexico. The boy learned how to trick rope and ride from his father and grandfather and now travels the world as an entertainer and emissary for the art and history of La Charreria.

La Charreria is a national sport in Mexico that dates back to the skills used by horsemen on the haciendas of old Mexico. The first La Charreria events were friendly ranch work competitions amongst the haciendas. Today, it is a national sport that is as much about the rope artistry of the Charro as it is about their horsemanship. Garcilazo often refers to his horses see CHARRO on page 3

Restaurant to Fill the Vacant Rite-Aid Site?

By Amy Sylvestri CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

At its Monday night meeting, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) heard about possible plans for a long-empty Boulevard eyesore and learned about a possible serious misuse of millions in county park funds.

The meeting started with two hours of discussion regarding the vacant Rite-Aid site at the eastern end of Castro Valley Boulevard. The current owners have found a possible tenant for a portion of the building in a large dim sum restaurant and banquet hall, but neighbors are raising concerns about traffic, food smells, and the overall benefit to the community.

The MAC heard about the earliest planning stages of an HL Peninsula restaurant to the 5.5-acre site at 3836 and 3844 Castro Valley Boulevard. see MAC on page 11

Funds Available To Help Fight Bay Pollution

According to regional water quality control officials, water pollution in the San Francisco Bay is the leading cause when it runs off sidewalks and streets, picks up junk, and runs down drains.

To help fight that trend, the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program (ACCWP) is inviting local grassroots organizations to apply for grants of up to $6,000 to prevent stormwater pollution and improve the health of local watersheds, creeks, and the San Francisco Bay.

Eligible applicants include teacher and student groups, youth groups, homeowner associations, environmental groups, and non-profit organizations. The deadline is May 10.

“San Francisco Bay and the creeks in Alameda County are places of incredible beauty and ecologic diversity,” said ACCWP project manager Sandy Mathews. “However, the urbanization in Alameda County affects see POLLUTION on page 10

Tomas Garcilazo to perform at the 102th Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo May 17-19

PHOTO COURTESY OF PRCA PHOTOGRAPHER ALYN BRERETON

Pelvic Pain?: Treatments Are Improving for Endometriosis

By Mike McGuire CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Women with pelvic pain or menstrual difficulties need to be aware of the possibility of endometriosis, an inflammatory disease that can cause multiple medical problems and interfere with fertility, say two doctors at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center.

Treatments are improving, and women with the disorder, a leading cause of infertility, are now often able to conceive and bear healthy children, say Dr. Miya Yamamoto and Dr. Joan Manglicmot. While March was Endometriosis Awareness Month, it’s a good idea to get checked whenever you’re suffering frequent pelvic pain or other symptoms, they said.

Dr. Manglicmot, an emergency room doctor, gave birth to her first child, now three months old, after having her endometriosis treated by Dr. Yamamoto, an endometriosis specialist with Kaiser.

Endometriosis affects between 2 and 11 percent of American women. It occurs when tissue similar to that found in the uterus (or womb) grows elsewhere, usually in the pelvic region. According to Yamamoto, it can cause inflammation and the formation

HAPPY AND HEALTHY: Baby boy Veid, now three months old, was born healthy after mom Dr. Joan Manglicmot’s treatment for endometriosis.

of scar tissue, leading to pain, interference with bowel and bladder function, and difficulty conceiving.

“I’d never been to an OBGYN (specialist in women’s health) when I was young,” Manglicmot said. “But as I got older and wanted to start a family, the pain got even worse. It was debilitating. I was really doubling over in pain, and it wasn’t always related to my period.”

She checked with an OBsee PELVIC on back page

Park District to Receive $1.38 Million in Federal Funding for Wildfire Mitigation

The East Bay Regional Park District will receive $1,380,000 in federal funding secured by U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA14) for wildfire mitigation and safe, resilient forest work. On Saturday, March 23, 2024, President Biden signed bipartisan funding legislation, which included the funding request for East Bay Regional Park District’s

wildfire mitigation work.

“The federal funds secured by Representative Swalwell will reduce wildfire risks by removing hazardous vegetation from the East Bay hills,” said Park District Board President Elizabeth Echols. “The Park District Board and staff are grateful to Representative Swalwell for his leadership and contributions toward improv-

ing wildfire safety.”

The new funding will help thin and remove vegetation, specifically dead and dying trees in areas of Anthony Chabot Regional Park. In the fall of 2020, while conducting ongoing vegetation management work, Park District staff noticed significant tree die-off in its parks. Further investigasee FUNDING on page 4

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KAISER PERMANENTE

Charro: Will be Joined by Son, Wife

continued from front page as his family because of the many hours devoted to training and learning to work together. He knows each horse’s likes and dislikes and how they will react to the stage layout or arena where they are performing. Almost as instinctively as he knows the likes and dislikes of his family, who travels with him.

A four-time PRCA (Professional Rodeo) Specialty Act of the Year, Garcilazo spends most of the year on the road, traveling to his performances by truck so he can haul his horses and family along with him. He will be joined at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo by his son Louie and wife Justine to entertain fans.

Garcilazo’s oldest son, Louie, is 10 years old. He is learning the tradition from his father so he, too, can master the skills that will make him a fourth-generation charro. When not charming audiences

the White House and Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Most recently, he won season one of Snoop Dog’s “Go Big Show” on TBS. The entertainment site Talentacap.com highlighted his act as the top act ever seen in a 2022 article about the program, saying, “Tomas ended up winning the first season, proving that passion and emotion can beat even the most dangerous and over-the-top acts.”

Wanted for Robbery

Sunday, April 21: At 11:59 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 46-year-old man from Castro Valley as part of a warrant issued for his capture. The man had previously been convicted of robbery and making death threats. Deputies served the warrant outside a drug store on Castro Valley Boulevard near Yeandle Avenue. The man was taken to Santa Rita Jail.

Stolen Car, Illegal Gun

No Coffee for Parolee

Sunday, April 21: at 8:30 a.m., A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violating the terms of his parole and ignoring a court-issued restraining order. Deputies were called to a coffee shop on Rustic Drive after the store manager called to report the man who had been ordered to stay away. Deputies took the man to Santa Rita Jail.

Green Day, But Can’t Stay

to a call about an altercation at a home on Santa Maria Avenue near Wilson Avenue. The man was taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.

with his talent and charisma, he can be found helping teach his younger brothers, Gaspar and Ulysse, the same skills their father taught him.

Tomas has performed worldwide, appeared on Broadway with the Tony Award-winning Will Rogers Follies, and been the featured performer for Disney’s Wild West Show in Paris, France. His career highlights include guest performances at

Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo fans can see the passionate and talented Tomas Garcilazo and his family perform at a break in the action during each rodeo performance from May 17-19. Don’t miss the chance to see a cowboy who makes his home in Stephenville, Texas, and shares his incredible family legacy.

Visit: rowellranchrodeo.com to learn more and to purchase tickets. Tickets are also available at the gate on the day of the performance.

Monday, April 22: at 1:17 a.m., Two people were arrested for a stolen vehicle stopped at a gas station on Castro Valley Boulevard near Stanton Avenue. The driver, a 45-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a stolen car, burglar tools, illegal possession of a firearm, and methamphetamine drugs. The passenger, a 46-year-old woman, was found to have an outstanding warrant for making death threats. She was additionally charged with possessing methamphetamine drugs and providing deputies with a false identification. The couple were taken into custody.

Charged with Assault

Sunday, April 21: at 5:05 a.m., A 9-1-1 call about a loud and aggressive-sounding argument sent deputies to a home on San Miguel Avenue near Somerset Avenue. There, they arrested a 23-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of assault on another family member. Deputies took the man into custody. The victim was treated at the scene.

Saturday, April 20: at 11:00 a.m., Deputies arrested a 60-year-old woman on suspicion of public intoxication and refusing to leave a business. The woman was at a store on Redwood Road near Grove Way when the store manager called to report the woman had been disrupting other customers but refused to leave. The woman failed her field sobriety test and took her into custody.

Family Fight

Thursday, April 18: at 9:28 p.m., A 20-year-old man from Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of assault on a family member. Deputies responded

Caught with Stolen Property Wednesday, April 17: at 12:19 p.m., Deputies arrested a 31-year-old CV woman suspected of possessing stolen property. The woman was coming out of a convenience store on Redwood Road near Wilson Avenue when deputies stopped her for questioning and discovered her stash. The woman was taken into custody.

Two Thieves Caught Tuesday, April 16: at 4:50 p.m., two men were arrested on suspicion of theft outside the CV BART station on Norbridge Avenue. Deputies responded to a report of suspicious activity in the parking lot and found the men stealing items in excess of $950. There, they arrested a 29-year-old and a 20-year-old. The older man was additionally charged with giving a false ID to deputies. Both men were taken into custody.

COMPILED BY MICHAEL SINGER • CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Louie Garcilazo

Indoor Book Sale Starts This Friday

The Friends of the Castro Valley Library will hold an indoor book sale April 26th – 28th at the Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave. (near Redwood Road) in Castro Valley. Days and times are:

• Friday April 26th 6 to 8 p.m. Member Preview. Memberships are available at the door or by visiting the bookstore or our website.

• Saturday April 27th 10am to 4pm. Please look for our coupon in today’s issue of The Forum (page 2) to save $2 on Saturday only.

• Sunday April 28th 1 to 4pm Bag Day. Fill a bag for $5. The sale will feature fiction and mystery books as well as all genres of nonfiction, children’s books, music CDs, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles and games, and miscellaneous, at bargain prices. Funds from this sale pay for library programs and amenities that would not otherwise be possible. For more information, please visit our website or call the Friends’ office at 510-733-3285.

CV Native in ‘Forever Plaid’

Castro Valley native Matt Skinner performs now through May 5 in 42nd Street Moon’s production of “Forever Plaid” in San Francisco. Skinner is a 2013 Castro Valley High graduate who has sung, danced and acted in dozens of plays in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. “Forever Plaid” is a musical comedy about a quartet of high school friends who come back from the “hereafter” to do one last performance of songs from the 1950s - 1960s. The show runs Wednesdays through Sundays at the Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson Street, which is a short walk from the Embarcadero BART station. Tickets (starting at $35), and more information is available online at: 42ndstmoon.org. The musical comedy features Castro Valley native Matt Skinner, second

Funding: Wildfire Mitigation

continued from page 2 tion identified over 1,500 acres of dead and dying trees within Regional Parks, mostly eucalyptus, but also bay and pine.

“I was proud to secure nearly $1.4 million in Community Project Funding for the East Bay Regional Park District,” said Congressman Eric Swalwell (CA-14). “The Park District’s leadership in vegetation management and wildfire mitigation projects reduce the ongoing risk of catastrophic wildfire, keeping our homes safe throughout the East Bay and California.”

Wildfire safety is one of the Park District’s top priorities. Year-round efforts include monitoring fire danger and weather, maintaining professionally trained full-time and on-call firefighters, maintaining specialized wildland firefighting equipment, and removing flammable vegetation to reduce wildfire risks.

“We thank Representative Swalwell for his support and leadership in prioritizing the region’s wildfire mitigation work,” said Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “This funding will allow the Park District to continue its interagency collaborative work at the local, state, and federal level.”

The funding will help reduce the risk of a catastrophic wildfire and create fire-resilient landscapes, which also lessen ongoing mitigation and maintenance costs. The Park District’s vegetation management plan includes providing valuable habitat for threatened plants and wildlife such as the pallid manzanita, monarch butterfly, and Alameda whipsnake.

The Park District continues to work with its federal, state, and regional partners to secure additional funding for the project.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

This Friday, April 26

CVEF Spring for Education 2024

The CVEF Spring for Education event takes place this Friday, April 26 from 6 to 9pm at Adobe Art Center (20395 San Miguel Avenue Castro Valley). $65 for catered appetizers, dinner, dessert, 2 drinks, and the opportunity to raise funds for Arts & Music Programs across Castro Valley schools. Live and silent auctions allow you to view and bid on Student artwork and other valuable auction items, such as vacations, performing arts and sporting tickets, works from local artisans, and more. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/spring4education2024

Friday, April 26 - Sunday, April 28

Friends of the Castro Valley Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Castro Valley Library will hold an indoor book sale this Friday, April 26 to Sunday, April 28 at the Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave. (near Redwood Road) in Castro Valley. See hours for each day in article at left. The sale will feature fiction and mystery books as well as all genres of nonfiction, children’s books, music CDs, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles and games, and miscellaneous, at bargain prices. For more info, please visit our website or call the Friends’ office at 510-733-3285.

Saturday, April 27

Hill and Valley Club Annual Flea Market

Hill and Valley Club will hold its annual Flea Market on Saturday, April 27th, 2024, from 9am to 2pm at our clubhouse, 1808 B Street (corner of Linden Street) in Hayward. This old-fashioned indoor rummage sale will include clothing, jewelry, household goods, plants, books, toys, sewing and craft materials, electronics, holiday decorations, baked goods, and miscellaneous. This is a fundraiser to benefit several local charities. The sale will be held rain or shine, and plenty of parking is available. Please come early for best selection.

Saturday, April 27

Eden Garden Club Plant Pop-Up

Sponsored by Eden Garden Club the Plant Pop-Up is held at Paradise Gardens located at 20095 Mission Blvd. in Hayward from 10am to 3pm. The Plant Pop-Up features vegetables, perennials, succulents, shrubs, natives, pottery, garden supplies and tools. Donations of plants and garden related items in good condition are accepted from 6 to 9:30am. The proceeds are given for School Garden Grants awarded to CVUSD and HUSD schools. For more information, please email: edengardenclub@yahoo.com.

Saturday, April 27

Photo Day at the HAHS Museum

Do you have family photos that show moments in time worth being remembered for generations to come? Photos of birthday parties, family picnics, or informal snapshots? Bring your photos to the HAHS Museum this Saturday, April 27 from 11am to 1pm to be scanned and digitally added to our collection. You keep the original. More info at www.haywardareahistory.org

Sunday, April 28

Evaluating Information in the Digital Age

In our 24/7 high speed digital age it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by and mistrustful of all the information that flows your way. Join the Castro Valley Library as we learn how to: evaluate the credibility of news stories and sources distinguish types of information and their purposes deliberately seek a wide range of credible information sources. This interactive media literacy program takes place at the Castro Valley Library on Sunday, April 28 at 2 pm and is designed for teens and their caregivers. Seating is limited. Registration is required. For information about this and other events, visit www.aclibrary.org or call 510-667-7900.

from left, as Smudge. Pictured (left to right) are cast members: Justin P. Lopez, Castro Valley native Matt Skinner as Smudge, Kevin Singer, and Edu Gonzalez-Maldonado.

PHOTO CREDIT: BEN KRANTZ CASTRO VALLEY

CHAMBER STUDENT-CITIZENS OF THE YEAR AWARDS: Students, parents, and educators gathered on Thursday, April 18, at the Redwood Canyon Golf Course for the annual Student-Citizen Citizen of the Year Awards and lunch sponsored by the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce. One student from each school was selected by the principal and faculty. Students came from Castro Valley Unified School District, San Lorenzo Unified School District, Redwood Christian Schools, and Our Lady of Grace Catholic School. Students also received certificates from Assemblymember Liz Ortega, Supervisors Nate Miley and Lena Tam, and Assessor Phong La. Chamber Chair Todd Anglin noted, “We could not do this wonderful community event without our many sponsors. Many thanks to them and congratulations to the students and parents.”

REAL ESTATE GALLERY REAL ESTATE GALLERY

Realtor Commission Reality

By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum

With attention focused on Realtor commissions these days, a reality check is in order. For whatever reason, popular opinions holds Realtors make megabucks and do little or nothing to earn their keep. Nothing could be further from the truth.

For this article, I dug into my data source* and found that over the past 12 months, 6,157 real estate agents had at least one transaction in all of Alameda County. Of this number, 5,635 (91.68%) sold between 1 to 6 homes all year. The average gross commission for this group was $51,415.

Unfortunately, that is not their take-home wage. In most cases, these agents work for a brokerage that takes a percentage of this income. Best

case scenario given this limited number of transactions would be an 80/20 split, with 80% going to the agent and 20% kept by the brokerage. In reality, the agent’s percentage is often lower and only increases if the agent sells more homes. Using the best-case scenario, 80% of $51,415 is $41,132. That is not the end of the deductions, however.

Most brokerages charge fees which cover Errors and Omissions insurance, desk/technology fees, training, printing and more. These can range from $1,200 to $3,000 a year, depending on the office. Unfortunately, costs do not end there. Most agents are part of an MLS and Association of Realtors with an approximate cost of $1,700 a year. If an agent has a listing, they pay for photography and other marketing costs. Since agents need to have

a car, phone and typically a laptop, and since those are considered business expenses, they are deducted as well. Bottom line, the average Realtor is not making a huge salary – in fact, many only survive because their significant other is bringing home a regular paycheck.

As for those agents who ARE making a decent income? Of the total, 349 Realtors (5.68%) sell between 7-12 transaction sides a year (1 or less a month). And here is the shocker – only 162 agents out of the 6,157 (2.64%) sell more than 1 a month and for those agents, the costs to operate on a larger scale are very high, including salaries for administrative help, extensive marketing, lead generation overall operation costs and much more.

Factor in a market that has been sluggish for almost 2 years now due to higher interest rates and … not many Realtors I know are getting rich.

Views, views, views!

A Bay-O-Vista Gem

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Step into this well loved home that boasts panoramic views of the Bay throughout. Generously proportioned floorplan highlighted by a large gourmet kitchen that comes with quality Fieldstone custom made cabinets, Sub Zero refrigerator/freezer, 6 burner Wolf stove, 2 ovens, 2 sinks, 2 dishwashers and ample cabinet storage. A stately primary suite with retreat and an enormous family room has equally impressive views on the lower floor along with wet bar and multiple patios and

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Castro Valley

balcony for leisure living or entertaining. Truly the perfect home for creating lasting memories in quiet moments or bustling parties. Don’t miss the chance to make this your new dream home!

Homes

Tomatoes Should Be Planted Deep

By Buzz Bertolero The Dirt Gardener

QI’m being told I should plant my tomato plants halfway up the stem. Why should I do this when we’re cautioned not to plant plants too deep?

AI’m a strong advocate of planting tomatoes deep. Tomatoes will develop roots off the buried herbaceous stem. This doesn’t happen with other plants. I’d leave the top two leaves above the ground and bury the rest of the plant, which is much deeper than what you were told. I prefer to plant a tall, leggy tomato plant rather than a short, compact plant. They can be planted vertically in a traditional cylinder-shaped hole or horizontally in a trench. With either method, I remove all the leaves on the portion of the stem that is buried, but this is not a requirement. The

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tomato_scanned.jpg#/media/ File:Tomato_scanned.jpg

leaves just get in the way as you backfill and compact the soil around each plant. In the beginning, these plants are less affected by heat stress as the majority of the root ball is insulated from the sun. The next issues are the soil drainage and watering frequency. Clay soils traditionally drain slowly and stay wet for long

periods of time. The amount of organic matter at planting time improves water percolation. However, it is safe to say that the soil in most vegetable gardens is not over-amended. Most of the amendments or organic matter is found in the soil’s top six to eight-inch layer. Tomatoes like to be kept moist but not soggy wet. They

ly know how to increase the water when it is hot, but we haven’t learned to reduce the volume when it is mild enough to cool. The critical point to successfully growing tomatoes is learning when not to water. Young tomato plants struggle when kept too wet.

considering replacing it with Creeping Thyme. Would the odor from the Thyme leaves force the dogs elsewhere?

also have a deep root system. Their roots will extend far beyond the amended layer, so the watering frequency should be addressed. Young tomato plants whose roots are close to the soil surface are watered often. It’s not necessary to water those plants that are planted deep as often. As tomato plants mature, the volume of water increases, but the watering frequency should not. Because our temperatures change weekly, so should the watering schedule. We certainQ A

I put some ground cover in my front yard last year. It did quite well until the neighborhood dogs got attached to it. It got very burned from all the urine. I tried several different types of repellents, but they could have been more effective. I’m

The key issue is whether the neighborhood dogs have sensitive noses. Changing the ground cover to Thyme may not improve the situation. You might first plant a small section and see how it works.

Buzz Bertolero is an Advanced California Certified Nursery Professional. The Dirt Gardener’s website is www.dirtgardener. com, and questions can be sent by email to buzz@dirtgardener.com.

GARDENING

*BEAUTYGARDEN LANDSCAPING Design - Construction - Maintenance. Cleanups, New Lawn, Artificial Grass, Irrigation, Patios, Pathways, Brick, Stone, Concrete Fence/ Decks. Free Estimates! Lic.#925130. 510-691-8852. www.beautygardenlandscaping.com

JAIME’S GARDENING Maintenance, Trimming, Cleanups, Hauling, Sprinkler Repair/ Timers. FREE Estimates. Insured. 510-299-9583

HAULING: Small and Big Jobs. Furniture, Concrete, Wood, Trash, Metal, Demolition. Also house inside/ outside cleanups. 510-715-1578. HELP WANTED

We are looking for a volunteer bookkeeper as treasure for a nonprofit organization.

Estate Sale 18827 Lenross Court Castro Valley,Saturday 4/27/24.

GARDENING

Dormant Pruning Professional hand pruning and cleanup. Landscape design/install. Katsura Landscaping CL#.858145 Call Mike 510-828-4854.

Children’s Play Therapy Services now open in Castro Valley. Therapy for the very young, ages 3-9. Sylvia Blake, Licensed educational psychologist 510-697-7980 or 510-397-1875/ blakesylvia1981@gmail.com

MISC.

WANTED RECORDS WANTED: Jazz, Rock, Soul and Blues. LP’s 45’s. 510-3319138. slsouth467@gmail.com WANTED - Reel to reel music tapes, Call Patrick 510-517-3351.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

Are you interested in buying or selling a home or property?

Would you like the help of a Professional Agent? For assistance call ...

RENTALS

LANDLORDS – Advertise your units! Avacancy day is money lost forever ... R. Bowman

HANDYMAN & CONTRACTORS You can run a classified ad for a little as $30 a week. Your ad runs in both of our newspapers, the Castro Valley Forum on Wednesday and the San Leandro Times on Thursday. You can also save $5 by placing your ad on our website at castrovalleyforum.com or sanleandrotimes.com. We’ll call you for your credit or debit card info for payment. To place an ad by phone call Patrick Vadnais at 510-614-1560, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

2024 CASTRO VALLEY SPORTS HALL OF FAME: Two teams and 14 individuals were honored at the seventh biennial Hall of Fame banquet at Redwood Canyon Golf Course this past Saturday. The 2024 recipients included the 1994 Girls’ Volleyball and 1958 Boys’ Wrestling teams. Individual honorees included Steve Vucinich, Summer Scott, Brodie Brazil, Alex Williams, Alison Sill, Will Tavis, Robert Hess Jr., Kennedy Jones, Warren Davis, Jim Lemmon, Kelli Sousa Ho, A.J. Vanegas, Jenny LaPonte, and Tony Gemignani. The first Castro Valley Hall of Fame class was inducted in 2010. More at: mycvforum.com

Funds: To Help Groups Achieve Their Goals of Protecting County Watersheds

continued from front page the health of the watersheds. Pollutants from everyday activities that happen on land can enter storm drains that flow directly into creeks, lakes, and the Bay without treatment.”

“The grants are designed to help these groups achieve their goals of protecting the wa-

The current health of the San Francisco Bay and the surrounding watersheds is affected by urbanization and pollutants from everyday activities, such as litter, automotive fluids, garden chemicals, and other dangers to human health.

tersheds in Alameda County and reaching out to their local communities,” said Mathews. The funding can support the materials and activities the organizations need to inform and engage the community or take action to improve creeks and watersheds.”

Projects can range from litter cleanups, creek restoration, and wildlife habitat enhancement projects to help with community outreach, art projects, and more.

“The success of a project might be direct changes in the watershed, such as the amount

of trash removed, or area of creeks restored, but an even more significant outcome can be changing the community’s appreciation of our waterways and understanding of how our actions affect the health of our watersheds,” said Mathews. “That can lead to changing

behavior to reduce pollutants getting into the creeks, like using fewer garden chemicals or making sure litter goes into the trash bin.”

For more information, please visit the Clean Water Program website at: www. cleanwaterprogram.org/grants.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARRELL LAVIN/ LAVINPHOTOS.COM

MAC: Openly Irate After Hearing Agenda Item Regarding Spending for HARD

continued from front page

There are currently three other HL Peninsula restaurants in the Bay Area: South San Francisco, Burlingame, and Milpitas. These large-scale restaurants can accommodate hundreds of diners and host wedding banquets and other parties.

The proposed 26,000square-foot restaurant would not take up the huge Rite Aid footprint even with the large space they would require. The property owners noted they would be in the market for a second tenant for the remaining 40,500-square-foot space.

Well over a dozen speakers addressed the MAC, largely against the restaurant idea. Some said noise, cooking smells, and traffic would be backed up onto the Boulevard. Others said they’d like a children’s play place, a Whole Foods, a Target in the spot, or even a different restaurant with a broader appeal outside the Asian community.

“I’m going to have to smell the food and hear the noise,” said speaker Matt Cole, who lives nearby. “It sounds like a nice plan, but it would bring a lot of people.”

Jaime Lam said she’d like to see the proposal come to fruition, as dim sum restaurants are a huge draw for large groups.

“It’s a place where families connect,” said Lam. “It’s intergenerational. It will bring people from all over the Bay Area.”

Craig Semmelmeyer, the developer behind the Castro Valley Marketplace, encouraged the MAC and county planners to ensure a large-scale plan for the site, not just the portion planned for the restaurant.

“We are excited to see a project move forward here,” said Semmelmeyer. We’ve been waiting. Make sure you look at

the whole project rather than approving things piecemeal.”

Others said that the community should be happy to see any project at the site after over two decades of vacancy and that ideas like Whole Foods are unrealistic.

“There isn’t anybody else raising their hand (to come into the spot),” said speaker Lynette Stack.

A Sprouts market was proposed and ultimately withdrawn in 2016. The current owners said Whole Foods might be interested if they offered essentially free real estate, which they won’t be doing.

“We’ve said no over and over again, and now you have nothing,” said speaker Linda Tangren, a former MAC member. “We have to stop saying no to everything that comes before us and find a way to make things work.”

MAC member Chuck Moore agreed, saying as long as zoning and things like trash enclosures and facade improvements are all in place, it’s not their position to tell an owner what kind of tenant to accept.

If HL Peninsula decides to proceed with its proposal, an

application will return before the MAC.

HARD Fees

In other business, the MAC was openly irate after hearing an agenda item regarding spending for Hayward Area Park and Recreation District (HARD).

For years, HARD has collected in lieu fees from developers doing business in the unincorporated area. The current balance of collected fees is $4.1 million, including $2.5 million from Castro Valley.

This week, the item on the MAC agenda was to create an ordinance that would’ve made the CV MAC and the Eden and Fairview MACs into an advisory committee to spend these park fees.

However, the MAC decided to continue the discussion to a future meeting after it quickly became evident that the issue was complicated.

Some fees were collected years ago and should’ve been returned after five years if not used. It was also unclear if some funding would be earmarked for specific municipalities or the unincorporated area in general.

Since 1965

Former MAC member and current Alameda County Planning Commissioner Marc Crawford spoke up, saying the matter should also be brought before the Planning Commission and that he wasn’t getting proper communication from county staff.

“I wanted an accounting of money- some of this happened 20 years ago, and the county ignores this ordinance,” said Crawford. “It makes you wonder if we should even be collecting park fees if they are just going to be ignored for 20 years.”

MAC member Shannon Killebrew said there had been an apparent serious lapse in handling the funds accrued from developers. She wondered, for instance, about interest, and county staff did not have an immediate answer.

“20 years is a really long time to accumulate fees, and I have no idea where they are going on the county’s part,” said Killebrew. “How are we going to have accountability going forward? This is really appalling to me.”

Moore agreed, saying the request for the MACs to become an advisory body for the funding was inappropriate given the amount of uncertainty surrounding it.

“It doesn’t smell right,” said Moore. “The whole thing reeks wrong. If there was supposed to be a committee to review it, there should have been a committee to review it. The whole thing seems like a bad deal. We should give the money back to the people who put it in the pot. There was no plan for it.”

MAC Chair Bill Mulgrew also expressed concern that the unincorporated area might have lost interest from potential developers by having these park fees that were ultimately not used.

“I’m kind of blown away that there’s been a pot of money sitting around for years,” said Mulgrew. “I think it’s borderline criminal.”

Mulgrew said he’d like to hear more background, get input from the community, and have the matter also go before the Planning Commission. The

item was unanimously continued to a future meeting.

Also, on Monday, the MAC unanimously approved an application to improve the facade of Wendy’s at 2475 Castro Valley Boulevard.

A fast-food staple on the Boulevard since 1977, the owner plans to spruce the place up with a metal frontage and a more modern “asymmetrical” appearance. The parking lot will also be re-striped, old signage will be replaced, and small interior and landscaping improvements will be made. The restaurant will likely temporarily shut down during the interior renovations.

The MAC also unanimously approved an amendment to the General Plan that tweaks the zoning map to correct the land use designation for two abutting properties from Public Facility to Rural Residential.

The sites in question are located at 4820 and 4848 Crow Canyon Road, south of Parkview Road. The owner of both properties wanted to sell off one and needed the amendment to move forward.

Jack Thomas Dexter

September 15, 1934 ~ April 9, 2024

Jack Thomas Dexter was born to Jack and Mary Jane Dexter on September 15,1934 and was raised in Oakland, CA along with his sister, Joan. On April 9, 2024, our beautiful father passed peacefully at his home with family by his side. The Dexter family will forever be grateful to the wonderful staff at Carefield Assisted Living, and to the Vitas Hospice team. Thank you for your care, kindness and friendship these past two years.

While working at Oakland’s Fairfax Theater, he met his soulmate, Marlene Faye Lorette. They married on September 5, 1953 and celebrated 54 years of marriage, until her sudden passing in 2007.

Jack was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He and his young bride were stationed on the East Coast and resided in Richmond, Virginia. Next move would be back to the Bay Area, were they settled into Castro Valley, raised their four children, and resided for 62 years.

Jack’s family was the center of his world. With a huge heart, his dedication and devotion never wavered. Family vacations and frequent weekend getaways were spent primarily camping, boating and in nature, often including extended family and treasured friends. Later in life he and Marlene traveled more extensively and Jack would often talk about his favorite train travel experience to Zermatt, Switzerland.

Jack demonstrated a strong work ethic from a very young age. After 33 years of service with RJ Reynolds, he moved on to form a successful business with Marlene, which enabled many getaways to the Lake Tahoe area. Jack’s caring heart eventually led him to Durham Transportation where he assisted children with disabilities and their families, forming many special bonds.

Jack was deeply spiritual and a devout Catholic. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Church where he served as parish volunteer for decades. Additionally, he was active with the Castro Valley Little League, helping establish a new playing field and needed out buildings, and serving as league President. He also volunteered at Eden Hospital’s weekly senior dinners; was a member of the Elks and CV Lions Clubs; and was a proud volunteer at local Special Olympic events.

Jack had a tremendous love of animals, both pets and wildlife. His backyard was certified as a Wildlife Habitat Sanctuary. He also shared a fondness for East Enders (with special friend, Chrissy), enjoyed trains, coin collecting, and NASCAR.

Jack is survived by his children: Danny (Sophia), Patty (Dennis), Margie (Mike), and Maryanne (Craig); grandchildren: Jeanine, Melissa, Rachel, Katie, Megan, Becca, Samantha, and Jeffrey; and eight great grandchildren, (with two more on the way!). He is also survived by his dear nieces, Deanne Lorette and Linda Pires; and nephews, Ron Lorette, Ted Lorette and James Osborne, all of whom he cherished deeply.

A private service will be held.

In Jack’s memory, donations may be made to: Special Olympics, The American Lung Association, or your favorite charity.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Our Athlete of the Week is Roman Montalvo. This Senior at Castro Valley High School signed his Letter of Intent for Men’s Water Polo at the University of California, Merced. Roman will be majoring in Political Science while pursuing a Law

Degree. He is thankful for all he has done at CVHS Men’s Water Polo and for playing for a variety of water polo club teams over the years. Roman and his family are very excited about his future in collegiate Water Polo and academics.

Paying for College with Scholarships

Join the Castro Valley Library on Tuesday, April 30, from 6:30 to 7:30pm as Rebecca Lippman demystifies the complex network and application processes related to scholarships for college and prepares you for the tuition ahead. Learn how to approach the scholarship search process, and what the realistic timeline looks like if you or your student plans Fall enrollment.

Lippman teaches the “5-click strategy” of digging through identified websites with intention. Participants will leave this interactive workshop with a categorized list of search terms for themselves, a 3 step-process for online searches, and a better sense of how public institutions, private donors, and large organizations advertise scholarship opportunities. Lippman brings a decade

of experience as a UCLA instructor and advisor at the Center for Scholarships and Scholarly Enrichment, where she coached undergraduate students through the process of identifying, applying for, and managing scholarships. Registration is required for this FREE program. To register, call the Library Information Desk at 510-667-7900 or register online at www.aclibrary.org

Why Did the Turkey Cross the Road?

A loyal Forum reader captured an interesting sight while driving down Rockaway Lane in Hayward on Monday, April 15. A flock of turkeys were seen out for a morning walk. Thanks for the great photo, Bruce! Have an interesting photo you’d like to share? Email: filesforforum@gmail.com

Celebrating Autism Awareness

By Jagmeet Kaur Sangha SPECIAL TO THE FORUM

Autism Awareness Month has been celebrated in April since the 1970s and continues to be recognized by national and global groups that strive to increase understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). These groups have worked hard to advance changes in how the world understands and addresses the conditions. While their efforts have significantly benefited the autism community, and perceptions of ASD have come a long way in the last 50 years, there is still so much more to be mindful of moving forward. Autism awareness is becoming more important than ever as we gain increasing knowledge of the condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network recently announced that in 2020, the prevalence of ASD increased to 1 in 36 among children aged 8 years old. As we consider the significance of this uptick in diagnoses, it’s useful to remember how we can use what we’ve learned to promote a better sense of belonging in the wider community for neurodiverse individuals.

Early detection of ASD still remains vital as it allows diagnosticians to fully determine potential cognitive delays and creates access to treatment that can build learning environments to best support the individual needs of the person.

Evidence-based therapies and learning accommodations in early education can

greatly benefit the development of a young neurodivergent mind. On the other hand, undetected autism can lead to various mental health challenges in both children and adults, which only further reinforces the importance of accurately identifying ASD.

It is natural for our human brains to have cognitive variations in how we think and experience the world. Autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Tourette Syndrome (TS), and other related conditions are all examples of neurodivergent brain functioning. Embracing these differences will greatly benefit neurodivergent individuals and our social organizations on a larger scale.

For example, many workplaces are beginning to hire more neurodivergent employees with unique and highly sought-after skill sets. This helps companies to increase innovation, among many other benefits. Harvard Business Review highlights opportunities for employers to lean into the specific talents and abilities of neurodiverse employees to effectively solve novel issues and create new products. To achieve this, employers must build systems of awareness, education, and resources to protect and fully appreciate diverse brain-based thinking.

Appreciating the diversity that surrounds us in the workplace and in the wider world creates a culture of inclusion and mutual respect. I suggest we, as employers, reflect on our preferences, differences, and strengths.

• How does our environment help us show up authentically?

• How do we make space for others to do the same?

• How does this practice of making space increase the sense of belonging?

Moving the conversation from awareness to belonging will allow us to break stigmas and cultural majorities that inadvertently harm the unique expressions of individual minds.

By taking time to become aware of the lived experiences of autistic individuals and then moving towards acceptance and inclusion of those experiences, we can foster a deeper sense of belonging for everyone. Communities that recognize how neuro-differences are an asset to society can only benefit from such a healthy diversity of neurocognition and will flourish even more because of it.

Jagmeet Kaur Sangha is a board-certified Behavior Analyst who lives in Castro Valley. Her organization, Behavior Pivot Consulting, partners with organizations to cultivate neuro-inclusive environments that understand brain-based differences and promote men- tal wellbeing. For more, information, please visit: www. behaviorpivot.com

Pelvic: Treatments for Endometriosis

continued from page 2 GYN, had a pelvic exam, and learned she had a cyst in her ovary that needed to be removed or resected to use the proper medical term. The ultrasound then revealed the endometriosis.

“You never know what you’ll find with endometriosis until you go in surgically,” Yamamoto said.

She said that endometriosis is often fought by suppressing hormones that also aid fertility, sometimes by the use of birth control pills.

Manglicmot subsequently conceived naturally, but she miscarried. She was treated for endometriosis, but the treatment was paused long enough for her and her husband, Moawia Nasir, to conceive their son Veid. She had a normal pregnancy, and Veid was born healthy.

Baby boy Veid

Seeing your primary OB-GYN is the first step in finding out whether any pain or discomfort is normal, Yamamoto said. Adult women at Kaiser have a primary OBGYN as well as a primary care physician.

Teens, who are often still

seeing a pediatrician, sometimes have painful first few periods, but pediatricians are quite comfortable talking with them about this. Normally, pediatricians share medical information for patients up to age 21 with parents. Yamamoto said that teens can also contact one of Kaiser’s Teen Clinics, where some confidential visits are available.

Kaiser recommends cervical cancer screening at age 21, with pelvic exams. Yamamoto said the first onset of endometriosis symptoms often occurs in a woman’s early twenties, and can also occur when a couple first try to conceive and discontinue birth control.

It’s not only birth control that can help suppress endometriosis symptoms, Yamamoto said. Pregnancy itself or breastfeeding can be affected by the hormones released by both.

The Matt Wilhite Team is proud to sponsor Athlete of the Week Roman Montalvo

PHOTO CREDIT: BRUCE D. JOHNSON