MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2022
YEAR 34
INSIDE YOUR
FORUM
NEWS
Local Costume Designer In Royal Ballet Spotlight By Mike McGuire
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Personal Growth
Local life coach shares exercise to prioritize what you find most important
Page 2 SENIORS
Senior Q&A
What happens to our home loan if a spouse predeceases me?
Page 4 NEWS
Hit the Stage!
Plethos Productions has two opportunities for kids to grow in theatre arts
Page 10
INDEX Classified Ads ............ 8 Crosswords ............... 9 Homes ....................... 6 Horoscope ................. 9 Legal Notices ........... 10 Obituaries ................ 11 Opinions .................. 11 Our Town .................... 3 Seniors .................. 4 Weather ....................... 2 PHONE: (510) 614-1560
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Jenna Anderson has always dreamed of working with the Royal Ballet in London, and next month her dreams will come true. The San Leandro native will be flying to London March 15 to design a costume for Royal Ballet principal dancer Yasmine Naghdi, who has drawn critical acclaim for dancing the title role in “Giselle” and Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet,” just before the pandemic hit. Castro Valley-based photographer Brian Bassard plans to make a documentary film about the project. “I am beside myself with excitement for the opportunity! It will be the tutu that she wears for her freelancing gigs worldwide,” said Anderson. PHOTO COURTESY OF REBECCA BENDER She explained that dancers see SPOTLIGHT on page 3 Jenna Anderson with one of her creations.
NO. 7
REVISED COVID PLAN
Shifting From Pandemic to An Endemic By Michael Singer
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
After nearly two years of vaccinations, mask mandates, and social distancing, California is gearing up to treat COVID-19 like influenza or malaria. Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom outlined the state’s revised plan to beat the coronavirus and its variants by approaching the virus as an endemic. The governor said he was open to more flexibility in the state’s COVID rules now that nearly 74 percent of Californians ages 5 and up are fully vaccinated and another nearly 9 percent are partially vaccinated. About 55 percent have had booster shots.
Time to Strike Up the Bands, Orchestra By Linda Sandsmark
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Three musical groups are re-starting in Castro Valley following COVID shutdowns, and two are looking for musicians who might like to join them. The Castro Valley Community Band, Castro Valley Orchestra, and Swing Band are under the umbrella of Castro Valley Adult and Career Education (CVACE). All practice weekly in Castro Valley school facilities—following health and safety protocols—and are planning free public performances at CV Center for the Arts (CFA). CV Community Band The Castro Valley Community Band has been playing since the 1950s. It was started by George DeGregori, music
teacher at A.B. Morris Junior High. About 30 people came for the first rehearsal, including school personnel Roy Johnson, Jim Kerr, Bill Hauck, and Lois LaVelle. DeGregori moved to Arizona in 1960, and energetic Tony Morelli became bandleader after a series of interim directors. Following Tony’s sudden passing in 1998, trumpeter Harry Hanover took over to finish the season. Tony’s daughter Kathy Morelli Maier then took up the baton and has been the director ever since. “We have all ages now, from 21 to 94,” says Maier. “If you miss playing your brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHY MAIER in a group, this is just the place see STRIKE on page 4 CV Community Band members play with masks on.
What is an Endemic? When a virus breaks out in one concentrated area as COVID-19 did, it’s called an epidemic. When that virus spreads to multiple places outside of that area then it’s referred to as a pandemic. An endemic, by comparison, is a virus that still exists in a community, but it has become manageable as immunity builds. Governor Newsom said the state’s plan will still include quarantines, testing of those who don’t show symptoms, and other precautions, but those choices would be based on multiple “guideposts and measurements” designed to spot new surges and virus variants. Local health care agencies are also preparing to treat COVID more as an endemic, ACPHD officials told Alameda County Supervisors earlier this month, it expects to continue rigorously tracking COVID-19 risks and maintain its push for vaccinations and testing as a defense strategy. But the priorities would be shifted towards high-risk settings first. Families and businesses would need to manage any ongoing COVID risks. Alameda County’s COVID-19 case rate declined to 91 per 100,000 residents per day on January 31 and has continued to drop rapidly. This, after reaching a pandemic peak of 267 new cases per 100,000 residents per day on January 10. Meanwhile, hospitalizations have decreased 30 percent from their peak and never exceeded overall hospital capacity, Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) officials said last see SHIFT on page 2
2/15/22 3:11 PM