NEW YEAR, SAME GREAT COVERAGE
EVEN MORE IN
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CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024
YEAR 36
NO. 1
New Year, New Laws Statewide
INSIDE YOUR
FORUM
By Michael Singer
What a Gem
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
75th Anniversary of CV Mineral and Gem Society
Page 2
PHOTO BY MIKE McGUIRE
The Avalon Mobile Home Park, where residents are fighting a big rent increase.
Not Fun Fungi
Wild mushroom warning from East Bay Regional Park District
Page 3
Eviction Notices Sent to Some Renters at Mobile Home Park By Mike McGuire
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
RSV and You Protect yourself during respiratory disease season
Page 10
INDEX Calendar ................ 4 Classified Ads ........ 8 Crosswords ............. 9 Homes ..................... 5 Obituaries ............. 11 Our Town ................. 3 Seniors .................. 10 Sheriff’s Report ....... 3 Sports .................. 12 Weather .................. 2 WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
The owners of Avalon Mobile Home Park in Castro Valley are moving to evict some, but not all, of the residents that rent units there. The park’s residents who own the units they live in are facing big rent hikes effective February 1.
Neither the rent hikes nor the evictions are legal, according to officials at the Alameda County Community Development Agency (CDA), which is helping residents contest the owners’ notices. In the past few weeks, letters have gone out to several residents at the 3970 Castro Valley Boulevard mobile home park telling them they have to be out within
120 days, according to Elinda Null-Bonora, a tenant who got one on December 19. The letters are not, however, the legal forms used to begin legal eviction proceedings, leaving out required information, according to a neighbor who showed them to both county officials and to an attorney. see EVICTION on back page
California lawmakers passed hundreds of new laws that took effect on January 1. Here’s a breakdown of the ones that impact our Castro Valley community. Working for minimum wage? It’s now $16 an hour in California. That’s a 50-cent bump from last year. Of course, it depends on where you work and what you do for a living. Cities like San Francisco and Berkeley pay $18.07 per hour, while Oakland pays $17.94 per hour with health benefits. Healthcare workers in the state must be paid a $23 per hour minimum starting June 1, according to Senate Bill 252. Also, if you partake of cannabis when you are not on the clock, Senate Bill 700 makes it illegal for your employer to discriminate against you in hiring, firing, or any condition of employment. Working from home? Many employers are asking workers to return to the office. Senate Bill 731 says your employer must give you a 30-day advance written notice before requiring you to return to in-person settings. Of course, employees have the right to work virtually as accommodation, if applicable, to their disabilities. Having a baby? Senate Bill 848 requires employers to offer reproductive leave within three months of the event, which must be see LAWS on page 11
Summer Scott Uses Slights as a Driving Force By Dave Del Grande
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Summer Scott learned many valuable lessons growing up in Castro Valley. One involved beating up on boys. In a nutshell, if you want to put boys in their place, take up wrestling. “I dealt with a lot of animosity in college – boys who didn’t want you in that (wrestling) room or competing,” Scott recalls. “It was frustrating,
but also it was a driving force because it made me do better. It’s not like that now, and I’m proud of that.” Scott wasn’t elected to the Castro Valley Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 because she wrestled boys. She was honored because, most of the time, she wrestled girls … and almost always won. A youth softball player in the Castro Valley league and a three-year member of the
Trojans’ teams, Scott decided to get serious about wrestling as a high school senior. She was an immediate standout. After starring for Castro Valley’s first all-girls team the year before, placing fifth at the state tournament, she captured league, section, and state titles as a senior in 2004, a year in which a boy was brought in to be her practice partner. Countless wins, medals, a
rare California “triple crown,” and even national honors later, Scott credits her support crew, led by former Castro Valley coach Steve Solis, for creating an environment where individual success was only part of the fun. “The Castro Valley wrestling team earned the highest academic award both years,” she boasts. “We were a family. The whole town (of see SCOTT on back page
Summer Scott
2 CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Castro Valley Weather January 3 - January 7, 2024
Wednesday
AM Showers High 60° Low 42°
Thursday
Mostly Sunny High 60° Low 49°
Almanac
Saturday
Friday
AM Showers High 60° Low 44°
Sunday
Rain High 59° Low 44°
Mostly Sunny High 58° Low 39°
Jan 3
Jan 17
Moon Phases
Past Week’s Rain: 01.38 Season To Date: 05.68 Normal To Date: 00.00 Season Average: 00.00
Jan 10
Jan 24
Sun sets at 5:02 p.m. today, rises at 7:22 a.m. Thursday.
75th Anniversary of Mineral, Gem Society of Castro Valley turn it into a piece of jewelry,” says workshop manager Beth Farmer. The Mineral and Gem SociShe adds that the group also ety of Castro Valley (MGSCV) has additional methods to help celebrates its 75th anniversary display the beauty of minerals this year and is holding its and stones and a metals workannual show the first weekend shop for casting small items, in March. soldering, and other silver work. After safety training, “Our club has been a Members use the equipment nonprofit group dedicated to to operate the machinery and educating the public about work with stone. The group geology, minerals, and the lapidary arts since 1948. At our also offers educational experiworkshop, we have just about ences to schools. any equipment that’s needed On March 1-3 the MGSCV to take a chunk of rock and will host more than 40 dealers By Linda Sandsmark
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
at its show. They will be displaying and selling rocks, cabochons (gems polished but not faceted) gemstones (faceted stones), mineral specimens, fossils, jewelry, crystals, beads and supplies, tools, settings to complete and display stones, and more. “Our club also will have exhibits, demonstrations of lapidary art, a kids’ spinning wheel, and geode splitting,” says Farmer. “We will have a live auction of items donated by club members and door prizes.” see GEM on page 4
New Year, (Maybe) New You 31 doesn’t feel I realized I’d spent a lot of time that different learning things but not enough SPECIAL TO THE FORUM from January 1, time mastering that knowledge. nor July 12 or A lack of discipline was at the Happy New Year! 2024 is core of it. So, as I’m building here. How are you doing? How December 17, my business and skills in did the holidays treat you? Are for that matter. A day is a day. 2024, I decided that I wanted you excited for the new year to master or at least become and all that it brings? Have you Thinking that a new day, week, month, or year competent in the things I want been hitting your goals? will change you just isn’t true. to be known for. Honestly, the holidays feel What is true, though, is hectic to me because there’s so So, when I structured my setting an intention and taking goals for 2024, I was very much expectation and hype. This feels especially true with action on those intentions specific about what I wanted leads to becoming a new you. to implement. Some examples the new year. At the end of Setting an intention means the year, I always see people include recording YouTube thinking out and committing to content per month, hosting live posting on social media how who you want to become. they’re ready for the year to events (virtual or in person) end and the new year to start. I have a practice called the each month, and meditating an Word of the Year. If you’re not average of one time per day. Somehow, changing the year equates to changing their familiar with it, you choose a There are more goals than that, life… as though they’ll become word that shows your intention but you get the idea. for the entire year. This year, a new person? It never really As I started settling on made sense to me. December my word is discipline. In 2023, these goals, there were some tough decisions to make. One discipline I’ll be focusing on is my online presence. It’s time AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD MADE FRESH DAILY for me to focus on building my mailing list, which requires me 3 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK to send out weekly emails to 8 A.M. TO 9 P.M. that list. Knowing how much 3 OPEN FOR BREAKFAST time that would take, I’m 3 PARTY TRAYS AVAILABLE reducing my frequency of Forum articles to once a month. 2788 Castro Valley It wasn’t an easy decision Blvd., Castro Valley because I really enjoy see KOO on back page By Kevin Koo
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CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
3
Sheriff’s Reports
Death Cap mushrooms
Violated Protective Order Tuesday, December 26: at 2:12 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 44-year-old man from Castro Valley on suspicion of violating a criminal protective order requiring him to stay away from an associate during an investigation. The man was at an apartment on Forest Avenue near Forest Circle when deputies arrived to investigate reports of an altercation. Deputies reported that the man and his PHOTO COURTESY OF ACSO friend admitted they knew of the violation. The suspect was Motor Sergeant B. Martinez and Commander C. Lucia, son of Undersheriff Lucia, arrived to escort him on his final day of service. taken to Santa Rita Jail.
EB Parks Warn of Wild Mushrooms
W
ith the return of winter rains, park visitors may have noticed mushrooms popping up in the Regional Parks. Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of our parklands and can look beautiful – but some of them contain dangerous Destroying Angel toxins. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in East Bay Regional Parks during the rainy season. The death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms contain amatoxins, molecules that are deadly to many animals. Symptoms may not appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to liver and kidney failure if treatment is see PARKS on page 4
The Entire line of
Since 1969
Garden of Life Products
Undersheriff Lucia Retires
Left Without Paying Monday, December 25: at 11:05 a.m., a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of trying to leave a motel without After 53 years in Alameda pher Lucia, presented him with Sheriff’s Office, Lucia was paying for his stay. Deputies a Sheriff’s Proclamation signed a captain with the Hayward County law enforcement, were called to a motel on the by Sheriff Sanchez to memori- Police Department. Undersheriff Richard Lucia Boulevard near Stanton Avenue officially retired last month. alize his career. “As we bid him farewell after the manager reported Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez, memLucia began his career as from his official duties, I the suspect was trying to skip bers of her executive manage- a deputy sheriff at the Alacannot help but express my out on his bill. The man told ment team, staff, and friends meda County Sheriff’s Office immense gratitude for his deputies that his friends had left greeted Undersheriff Lucia and (ACSO) in 1995. During his 28 unwavering guidance and him behind without any way to his family with applause and a years with the ACSO, Under- steadfast support throughout pay the tab. The deputies took farewell salute upon his arrival sheriff Lucia served in various this transitional period. His the man into custody. at the Alameda County Office capacities, including Division legacy of commitment to our of Emergency Services just agency has been instrumental Commander and Assistant Man Wanted for Violating before Christmas. in our growth and numerous Sheriff. He was appointed Restraining Order achievements over the years,” undersheriff in 2006. Undersheriff Lucia’s son, Friday, December 22: at 9:30 Sheriff Sanchez said. Division Commander ChristoPrior to serving in the p.m., deputies arrested a 38-year-old man with no permanent residence on suspicion of violating a court-issued restraining order. The man was coming group. Each month’s pm to 3 pm on the following Are you an adult English found within 100 yards of a Sundays: January 7, February session will feature new topics language learner who would residence on Jamison Way near like to build your English and vocabulary to practice. 11, and March 10. Aries Court. Deputies identiconversation skills? Your can improve your Registration is required. For fied the warrant and took the The Castro Valley Library conversation skills by chatting information about this and othman to Santa Rita Jail, pending is offering a new conversawith other people about every- er events, visit www.aclibrary. $5,000 in bail. day topics in a friendly, welorg or call 510-667-7900. tion club each month from 2
Practice Your English at CV Library
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Contributors: Linda Sandsmark Mike McGuire Amy Sylvestri Jim Knowles Gene Osofsky Carl Medford Terry Liebowitz Linette Escobar Thomas Lorentzen Buzz Bertolero Bruce Roberts
4 CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Gem: 75th Anniversary continued from page 2 MGSCV has its workshop in Hayward but welcomes Castro Valley residents and anyone interested to check out the organization at www.mgscv.org The schedule for the 75th Annual Mineral, Gem, and Jewelry sale is as follows: Friday, March 1, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show will be held at Newark Pavilion, 6430 Thornton Ave., Newark. A one-day pass is $6; children under 13 are free with an adult. Three-day passes are $10. Law enforcement and military members are free. Tickets may be purchased online via the website. Proceeds from the event help support the MGSCV workshop and its outreach. Rocks, gems, petrified wood, crystals and jewelry will be among the items at the Mineral and Gem Contact the group at info@ mgscv.org, or (510) 887-9007. Society of Castro Valley’s annual show in March.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS • January 8th through January 12th - Holiday Tree Recycling. • January 9th - Regular Board Meeting. • January 10th - Operations and Engineering (O&E) Building Project Neighborhood Meeting. • January 11th - Community Advisory Committee Meeting. • January 15th - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (CVSan Closed). • January 16th - Zero Waste Committee Meeting. • January 18th Communications Committee Meeting.
LEARN MORE! CVSAN.ORG/DC
• February 5th - Used Oil Filter Exchange Program Begins; vsist cvsan.org/UsedOil. • February 6th - Regular Board Meeting. Please note the above event schedule is subject to change. All CVSan Board and Committee meetings are open to the public. For complete meeting details and information about CVSan’s services, programs, and events, please visit cvsan.org.
CASTRO VALLEY SANITARY DISTRICT
CVSan Office: (51 0) 5 37- 0757 Sewer Emergencies: (51 0) 506 - 5821 Effective Environmental Ser vices since 1939 | cvsan.org
Parks: Wild Mushrooms In California continued from page 3 not sought immediately. Both mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed. They are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present. The death cap is a medium to large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem, and a large white sac at the base of the stem. Although the death cap is mainly associated with oak trees, it has been found growing with other hardwoods. It was accidentally introduced to North America on the roots of European cork oaks and is now slowly colonizing the west coast. The death cap is not native to California. The western destroying angel is a medium to large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that can disappear with age, and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring. It is associated exclusively with oaks. Unlike the death cap, it is a native California mushroom. The Park District urges the public to be safe and knowledgeable about toxic mushrooms when encountering them in the parks. Collecting any mushrooms in East Bay Regional Parks is not allowed. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom. While the death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, which also occur in the Bay Area. For more information about toxic mushrooms, visit www.ebparks.org/ safety/trails/toxic-mushrooms.
Fungi Fair Jan. 20-21
Celebrate the fruits of winter! View hundreds of local mushroom specimens, mingle with the mycological community, and enjoy presentations by guest speakers at this two-day special event. Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. For more info visit www.ebparks. org/events/tilden-fungus-fair.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Sunday, January 7 Practice Your English at Castro Valley Library Are you an adult English language learner who would like to build your English conversation skills? The Castro Valley Library is offering a new conversation club each month from 2 pm to 3 pm on the following Sundays: January 7, February 11, and March 10. This program is for adults who are advanced beginner and intermediate English speakers. Registration is required. For information about this and other events, visit www.aclibrary.org or call 510-667-7900. Tuesday, January 9 Rotary Hosts Deputy Ruben Pola Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Community Service and Crime Prevention, Deputy Ruben Pola, will speak to the CV Rotary about community engagement and crime prevention in Castro Valley. A buffet lunch and the program take place at Redwood Canyon Golf Course (17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley) at 12 noon to 1:30pm. Cost of lunch is $20 and reservations must be made by 9pm on Sunday, January 7, by contacting Rotary at cvrotary@iCloud.com or 510-402-5123. More information is available at castrovalleyrotary.org. Wednesday, January 10 Protect Yourself and Business Against Cyber Crime Castro Valley /Eden Area Chamber of Commerce and Assembly Member Liz Ortega bring the FBI to Castro Valley Adobe Center to help protect your Business and yourself against cyber crime and fraud. Free and open to everyone. Jan 10 from 4:30pm, 30395 San Miguel Ave. Thursday, January 11 Discussion on End of Life Choices Visit the Castro Valley Library next Thursday, January 11 from 11am to noon, to explore California’s End of Life Option Act (2016), a law that is also referred to as Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD). A presenter from End of Life Choices California will provide the background, overview, and specifics of this law to cover who is eligible, the process for obtaining the prescription from your physician, and other relevant aspects. Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking will also be discussed. Time will be available for Q & A. The organization, End of Life Choices California provides information, support, resources and guidance on end of life options to anyone and/or their family seeking help navigating a serious or terminal illness, or simply wanting more information about future planning. Thursday, January 11 Art, Music & Writing Reception The public is invited to a free reception next Thursday, January 11 from 4 to 6pm in the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road. The event features a collaboration of Gerald Thompson, Winifred Thompson, and Carol Jones Brown’s art. Susan Sarti will play jazz piano. Poet Bruce Roberts will perform, and there’ll be book signing by Pam Holloway and Winifred Thompson. The Center for the Arts is celebrating its 17th year. It provides a state-of-the-art venue for arts education and performances that are at the heart of a vibrant community. Thursday, January 18 CVUSD Special Education Paraprofessional Job Fair Castro Valley Unified School District is holding a Special Education Paraprofessional Job Fair on Thursday, January 18 from 2pm to 6pm at 4400 Alma Ave, Castro Valley, CA. If you or someone you know is passionate about helping children learn, we invite you to apply! For more information and how to pre-register for an interview appointment go to: www.cv.k12.ca.us/SPED_jobfair/
Homes
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
5
REAL ESTATE GALLERY REAL ESTATE REALITY
By Carl Medford, CRS Special to the Forum
GUEST COMMENTARY
What to Expect in Alameda County Real Estate in 2024 – Top 5 Trends By Carl Medford, CRS
2023
Special to the Forum
is done. For those following real estate, it was a tumultuous
year, with enough twists and turns to put Great America’s Flight Deck roller coaster to shame. Now that it is finished, what can we expect for 2024? 1. Prices are projected to rise
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024!
As a new year dawns we anticipate a fresh start that a new year brings. It is a time of reflection, gratitude and setting our sights on the exciting possibilities ahead. I want to wish you all a “Happy New Year” filled with joy, growth and endless opportunities. If you own real estate and don’t have a “Living Trust” put that first on your “To Do” list for 2024! Call Trish for all your Real Estate needs 510 367-7999
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
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21060 Redwood Rd. Ste. 100, Castro Valley
Robert Jones and Associates Happy New Year! Big or Small we Sell them ALL!
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Even though we saw a light decrease in pricing in December, 2023, that can be attributed to seasonal trends and continued high interest rates. In 2024, however, the California Association of Realtors (CAR) is projecting that statewide, “California’s median home price is forecast to climb 6.2 percent to $860,300 in 2024, following a projected 1.5 percent decrease to $810,000 in 2023 from 2022’s $822,300.” They also state “existing, single-family home sales are forecast to total 327,100 units in 2024, an increase of 22.9 percent from 2023’s projected pace of 266,200.” 2. Interest rates are pro jected to fall
Happy New Year to our clients, family, friends & associates.
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In response to the Fed’s decision to stop rate hikes for the moment, Danielle Hale, offset by higher prices. Even chief economist at Realtor. though listings are projected com, in an emailed statement, to increase in 2024, buyer declared, “[M]ortgage rates affordability will still remain will continue to ease in 2024 very low. CAR states, “Housas inflation improves and Fed ing affordability is expected rate cuts get closer. Mortgage to remain flat at 17 percent rates could near 6.5% by the next year from a projected 17 end of the year, a key factor in percent in 2023.” starting to provide affordability relief to homebuyers.” 5. Sellers to seek strategic 3. Technology-driven ser vices are projected to rise Expect technology in the real estate space to increase in 2024, especially the use of AI (artificial intelligence). As 2023 Realtors saw a decline in the number of listings due to the extremely tight market, agents, looking for ways to enhance the consumer experience in 2024, are looking at tech solutions to bridge the gap. 4. Affordability issues expected to continue As California prices are expected to rise, increasing purchasing power will be
options to assist buyers
creative in 2024. Looking to buy or sell in With interest rates projected 2024? Fasten your seatbelt to remain above 6%, there will – we are anticipating another crazy year as challenges be an increase in the number of sellers looking for creative continue. solutions to enable buyers to Carl Medford is a licensed purchase their homes. Whether closing cost credits, buy-down Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general credits, pre-paid HOA fees contractor. – expect sellers to get more
Homes
6 CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Best to Transplant Roses While they Are Dormant
Buzz Bertolero is an Adit is much slower than in April or May. The other issue may be vanced California Certified the soil is too wet. I then sug- Nursery Professional. The Dirt Roses are successfully moved ily corrected by removing the fer Lettuce as I don’t have to gest you plant in containers. Gardener’s website is www. By Buzz Bertolero when the days are short and excess soil to the top of the first wait for it to mature. You pick Also, it’s too cool for seeds, so dirtgardener.com, and quesSpecial to the Forum daytime temperatures are be- root at transplanting. Also, the the outer leaves as the plants I replant transplants from your tions can be emailed to buzz@ I need to transplant a low seventy degrees. Hybrid distance between the bud union grow. At this time of the year, favorite garden center. dirtgardener.com. few hybrid tea roses to Tea roses are large rose bush- and the origins will vary siganother area. Should it es that reach five to six feet in nificantly between bushes. The be done before or after they are height. I would prune them be- more significant issue is the fore transplanting as it reduces projected wet winter. The wet pruned, or does it matter? the size of the bushes, making conditions often delay things, It doesn’t matter transplanting easier with few- but don’t worry; replanting Roses whether the bushes er branches getting in the way. even as late as April shouldn’t January is the month to prune your rose bushes as well as deciduous trees, shrubs, grape are pruned before or Removing three feet from the be a problem. The late planting vines, kiwis and berries. Apply dormant oil spray after pruning, not before. Do not prune any after being transplanted. Most top and two to three feet off the only delays the first flush of spring-flowering trees or shrubs until they finish blooming. gardening books recommend sides is common. A common flowers. Prune roses way back, using clean, sharp tools and protect your hands with heavy gloves. transplanting roses while they mistake when transplanting Make all cuts at 45-degree angles above an outside bud eye, about a quarter-inch above the eye. are dormant. In the Bay Area, roses is to plant them too deep. I want to plant some Take out twiggy and malformed growth. January and February would be The top of the first root should lettuce, but I’m conFor a moderate pruning, cut bushes 18 to 24 inches high with three to six canes left in typical; however, with our mild be at or near the soil surface. cerned it will freeze. place. Severe pruning produces larger, but fewer blooms. Floribundas and grandifloras often temperatures, roses never go All too often, the bushes are What varieties are the most re- benefit from a light pruning. completely dormant. Also, it is planted up to the bud union. silient to cold temperatures? On old garden roses, don’t do anything until after the spring bloom. Prune tree roses and not unusual for them to bloom The bud union is where the dehybrid teas to a vase shape. Climbing roses bloom on mature canes, so don’t be overzealous. Train in January, although the foliage sirable rose variety is budded Lettuce will freeze their canes against a fence or trellis by attaching the canes to the structure in a horizontal position. looks crummy. This confuses to the rootstock and should be if it gets cold enough. Slithery Pests and frustrates many gardeners above ground. Problems can Fortunately, that does Snails and slugs love rainy weather and will be after young winter annuals. The quickest, as they wait for dormancy that develop from the poor drain- not occur very often in the Bay safest way to get rid of them is to hand pick them at dusk using a flashlight. They can often never comes. The ideal time to age from our clay soils and the Area. All leaf and head-type be found clinging to the garden hose and along the side of sheltered bricks. Secure them in a relocate or transplant roses is constant moisture as roses are lettuces are okay to plant for plastic bag and put them in the garbage. Thanksgiving through March. watered frequently. This is eas- the winter months. But I pre-
Q
WEEKEND GARDENER
A
Q
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024
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Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Berkshire Hathaway Drysdale Properties linda@lindaneff.com
Legacy Real Estate & Associates thekristypeixototeam@gmail.com
Building community and delivering excellence! Compass dinh@youreastbayhome.com
925-621-1210
510-209-7471
Matt Wilhite
Laurie Hall, Realtor
Karina Elias
lauriehall@kw.com DRE# 02109907
REALTOR® J & L Real Estate Group eXp Realty of California
Intero Real Estate www.MattWilhite.com
510-329-0728
Otto Catrina CRS, GRI, SRES
Keller Williams Realty (510) 867 4986
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Lynn Levin
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Berkshire Hathaway Home Services www.askmasoud.com
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Getting The Job Done Right www.lynnlevin.com
510-909-0507
510-593-7377
Lisa Ferraris, GRI
Leslie Peterson Team
Christian Carr
Evolve Real Estate
Mortgage Loan Advisor NMLS#1466899 Residential Purchase/Refinance chris@yourlenderchris.com
Catrina Real Estate & Investments email:otto@ottocatrina.com NAR Hall of Fame
Turning Houses into Homes Sereno
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www.evolvereca.com 510-697-1208
650-207-4364
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Bob and Kailani Frey Your Local Father/Daughter Real Estate Team Re/Max Accord BobFreyHomes@gmail.com
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Suzanna Chew Realtor
510-557-9185
®
Sereno schew@sereno.com 510-326-4125
Kenneth A. Kremer
Results Guaranteed! There is no substitute for experience. Kremer & Company, Realtors®
510-301-1957
Sandra Garrett Realtor
Ted Von Roll & Liz Dunbar
Trish Radovich
510-381-3159
ReMax Accord Von Roll Team vonrollrealestate.com
sandra.garrett@bhhsdrysdale.com
510-919-1234
DRE #00523595 Top Selling Agent • Lic. since 1975 Coldwell Banker Realty
Tim Ambrose
Willie M. Campbell
David Lam, Broker
timambroserealtor@timambrose.com
Coldwell Banker Realty Real Estate Broker DRE#00546586 wmc0030@sbcglobal.net
®
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services DRE #01877805
“Results with Integrity” Berkshire Hathaway
510-258-8909
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Experience, Commitment: Your Realtor for Life DRE 01343016
510-888-6326
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Judy Rose-CRS, SRES
Nick Asturias Realtor
ReMax Accord Serving the East Bay 40 + Years judy@judyrose.com
The Asturias Group Keller Williams Realty Nick@TheAsturiasGroup.com
√ Craig Ragg CRAIG RAGG REAL ESTATE www.craigraggre.com craig.ragg@gmail.com
510-502-2993
Robert Pace
Intero Real Estate www.RobertPaceRealEstate.com Robertkpace@gmail.com
510-301-5925
David Wilhite Broker/Owner Intero Real Estate Services
510-886-1100
Lannie Mok Intero Real Estate Services Executive’s Circle Award Lannie.Mok@gmail.com
510-889-6888
510-220-6206
®
925-344-5506
VALLEY FORUM 8 CASTRO Wednesday, January 3, 2024
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S.L. CONCRETE SERVICE Driveways, Sidewalks, Stamped Concrete, Retaining Walls, Asphalt, Paving Stones. Lic.#982202. 510856-8937.
California law requires that contractors taking jobs that total $500 or more (labor or materials) be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. State Law also requires that contractors include their license number on all advertising. Advertisers appearing on this page without a license number indicate that the contractor is not licensed. You can check the status of your licensed contractor at www.cslb.ca.gov or (800) 321-2752. Unlicensed contractors taking jobs that total less than $500 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board. Advertise your Home for rent in the San Leandro Times & Castro Valley Forum DON’T LET ANOTHER WEEK SLIP BY!
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CASTRO VALLEY FORUM Wednesday, January 3, 2024
9
10 CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
IHSS Program: Financial Resources for Home Care
Q:
Our 91 year-old ber of hours of mother is frail but care needed. wishes to remain This can be up at home. She has to 195 hours per month for limited financial resources, so my sister is living with her a non-severely impaired apand providing care without pay. Are there any government plicant and up to 283 hours per month for one who is severely programs that might help us impaired. Upon approval, the hire a caregiver and give my beneficiary then selects and sister some relief? hires a caregiver and the IHSS By Gene L. Osofsky, Esq. program pays the worker for SPECIAL TO THE FORUM the number of approved hours per month, currently at the rate of $19.05 per hour in Alameda Yes. There are County (in 2024). a number of programs, but one Resource Limits: The prothat may be of special interest gram is designed for persons is the In-Home Supportive who are eligible for Medi-Cal Services Program (“IHSS”). or Supplemental Security InIt is designed for persons of come (“SSI”). With the recent limited income who are blind, lifting of the Medi-Cal redisabled or over age 65, and source caps (as of 01/01/2024), who are unable to live safely at many more folks will now home without assistance. For qualify for Medi-Cal, thereby qualifying individuals, it promaking themselves eligible vides nonmedical services such for IHSS upon a showing of as meal preparation, cleaning, need for home care. Note: SSI laundry, bathing, feeding, dress- still retains the very modest ing, grooming, toileting, and resource caps of no more than monitoring for persons with $2,000 in savings for a single cognitive impairments who are individual or $3,000 for a at risk of injury at home. couple. However, the Medi-Cal It works like this: following door has now swung widely open in 2024, and will be the an application, an in-home assessment is made by a social easier route to eligibility. worker to determine the numIncome Limits: For persons
A:
with low monthly incomes, the benefit is available without a share of cost (“co-pay”). However, for persons whose monthly income is above certain levels (currently, above $1,677 for a single person and $2,269 for a married couple, in 2023), the applicant will have a share of cost that must be paid to the worker before the IHSS program pays the balance. Thus, the program only works well for persons with low incomes, or persons with great need who are awarded many hours of care. In many cases, the caregiver may hire a family member, whether a spouse or an adult child. Also, for the caregiver who works at least 80 hours per month, the program in Alameda County makes healthcare available at a nominal monthly premium, a valuable benefit to the worker. If your mother qualifies for IHSS, she could hire your sister, so that your sister could then receive both a salary and health insurance. Also, to give your sister some relief each month, your mother could split care hours, hiring your sister for some of the hours, and another caregiver for the balance of approved hours. To find out more, call the Alameda County Area Agency on Aging at 510-639-1090, or go to: www.alamedacountysocialservices.org. Alternatively, you may contact our firm for assistance. Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney who has been helping East Bay families for over 30 years with Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Probate, Medi-Cal Planning, and related matters. Visit: LawyerForSeniors.com, or call (510) 247-2555.
WINKLER LAW
Celebrating 33 Years Serving Castro Valley Independent and Assisted Senior Living baywoodcourt.org (510) 733-2418 RCFE #011440776/Health Center #550000793
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NEW YEAR, NEW FARE INCREASE: Fares increased on BART, starting Jan. 1. Fares will go up by 5.5 percent in what BART calls a modest fare increase.
‘Modest’ BART Fare Increase Passengers appreciate BART’s annual New Year’s Eve ride-for-free, but on New Year’s morning, it was back to reality. Fares increased on BART, starting Jan. 1. Fares went up by 5.5 percent in what BART calls a modest fare increase. The fare hike was approved by BART’s board of directors in June. The board decided to deviate from its policy of approving a fare increase every two years. So, instead of an 11 percent fare increase in January 2024, the fare rose by 5.5
percent in January 2024 and will increase by the same rate again in January 2025. But BART also announced bigger discount fares for qualifying lower-income riders that went into effect Jan. 1. The Clipper START program for low-income riders will increase the discount on fares from 20 percent to 50 percent, so low-income riders will pay half fare. The discount is for residents between 19 and 64 who earn under 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Young riders (age 5 to 18) can
get a Youth Clipper Card that offers a 50 percent discount. Riders who are 65 and over can get the Senior Clipper Card, which has a 62 percent discount. Some passengers have questioned the fare increase since a percentage of riders have been passing through the fare gates without paying. Since the pandemic began, the number of fare evaders has significantly increased. BART said it’s planning to install new fare gates, starting in 2024, that are better at deterring fare gate jumping.
Keep Yourself Protected From RSV (NAPSI)—You may remember the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That’s never been more true than it is right now about good health and older adults, especially when it comes to protecting yourself during what is commonly known as respiratory disease season (fall through early spring). Last year saw the devastating effects of an increase in COVID, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumonia on the wellbeing of older Americans. Fortunately, most people had access to vaccines for all but RSV last year. And in good news for this year, for the first time ever, there is a vaccine approved by FDA for preventing RSV in older adults. The Problem and Toll on Seniors RSV is a serious respiratory virus whose full toll on seniors is just now being recognized. Each year, RSV results in up to 160,000 hospitalizations
among people aged 65 and over and leads to as many as 10,000 deaths in older people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can also prove serious for anyone with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart or other lung problems, certain autoimmune conditions and those receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments. It is easily spread from contact with a contaminated surface as well as through the air (when someone infected sneezes or coughs), so anyone at any age can get it. A Solution RSV vaccines are now approved and available throughout the U.S. and the cost is covered fully for Medicare beneficiaries. These vaccines can truly protect your health across your lifespan as they are now available for adults aged 60 years or older, as well as for infants through maternal immunization.
What Else You Should Know It is always a good idea to review your health plan. When contacting Medicare, make certain that you are contacting the actual government agency itself. Only government agencies can use the .gov ending and the best number to use to reach trained Medicare experts is 1-800-633-4227. It’s easy to remember—it’s 1-800-Medicare. The National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) created a resource outlining the five things to know about RSV to help get the word out about this important opportunity to protect the health of older adults. English and Spanish versions can be found at https://www. nanasp.org/vaccines. It’s a good idea to talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider about whether you should get the RSV vaccine, and any other recommended vaccines.
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
FROM THE BOULEVARD
Let’s Make 2024 A Year to Spread Smiles Among Us By Thomas Lorentzen
A
SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
s this week’s Forum arrives at your home, we celebrate the birthing of a new year – 2024. The day that the paper arrives, however, is also my birthday. As a writer, I respect truthfulness. Yet, I also appreciate humor. Humor is good for both our health and outlook on life. As I confess my age, I think of the famed comedian, Jack Benny. When asked his age, he would deadpan a reply. He would say 39. The audience would laugh, knowing that he was quite a bit older. With that said, I deadpan that January 3rd is a 39th birthday for me. Although that is true, it is actually the 39th anniversary of my 39th birthday. When added together, the truth appears. As of today, I am 78 years old. Gulp! With an appreciation for humor, I look back at the playfulness of Jack Benny regarding his age. I also reflect upon another noteworthy individual who recently passed. He was 100 years old. His name was Henry Kissinger. His fame first came as a major academic and writer in the fields of foreign policy and international affairs.
11
Laws: New Protections for Renters
public spaces, including sidecontinued from front page walks and school zones. Law separate from your other timeenforcement will also increase off benefits. Additionally, you the potential prison sentences now have five days off for a for criminals convicted of dealdeath in the family. If you are ing high amounts of fentanyl feeling sick, Senate Bill 616 with the passage of Assembly says your boss must give you Bill 701. Senate Bill 14 now With that as a dy as an art form. He avoided at least 40 hours or five days of classifies child sex trafficking base, he also dirty humor, as he said it was accrued sick leave or paid time as a serious felony. It includes became the easy to get people to laugh. It off in a 12-month period if you harsher penalties if you are most noted was not, however, artful to him. have worked for them at least convicted of such crimes. practitioner He viewed comedy as art. He 30 days. Renting? There are a batch LGBTQ support. The Calof American was also a painter of note. He ifornia Department of Social foreign policy ended up making more money of new laws protecting tenants, Services will need to make during the during his life from his art than including capping security desure LGBTQ youth are placed posits at one month’s rent, even last half century. Despite the his show business career. with supportive and genif the unit is furnished or not seriousness of his subjects Skelton told me that his Renting? There are der-affirming foster parents, (Assembly Bill 12), prohibiting a batch of new laws and practices, he possessed a greatest compensation came protecting tenants. according to Senate Bill 407. the use of a person’s credit good sense of humor. It was an when he would see smiles The law requires a family to history as part of the applicainteresting combination. emerge on the faces in the Creation of an Ebony Alert. demonstrate the ability and audience. He said that a smile tion process (Senate Bill 267), In 1977 I worked on a willingness to meet a child’s and protections for tenants in Like an Amber Alert for abis more important than a fundraising dinner in Reno rent-controlled units who have ducted minors and Silver Alert needs, regardless of sexual laugh. Smiles, he said, came for a local entity. Our guest permanent disabilities related for lost seniors, Senate Bill 673 orientation, gender identity, or speaker was Dr. Kissinger. His from thinking about what he erudition was poignant, as well said or did. With that, it would to mobility. With the passage creates a new emergency alert gender expression. Also, if a department store has at least of Assembly Bill 1620, these used to help locate missing linger in a person’s mind and as his ego. When asked if he 500 employees in California, tenants can relocate to an Black women and youth. heart after the performance ever spoke to God, he gave a they are required to have a genavailable and accessible unit at Public safety changes. deadpan answer, “HE has my was over. That brought him happiness. To him, a paycheck the same rental rate and terms. According to Senate Bill 2, you der-neutral section of children’s phone number and does call This only applies to housing are prevented from concealed toys, thanks to Assembly Bill was secondary. me from time-to-time to ask with five or more units. carrying of a firearm in some 1084. for my opinion.” The audience As I end these thoughts Ride a bike? A new section laughed. Kissinger smiled. He on the 39th anniversary of to Assembly Bill 1909 (the stood with a slight grin on his my 39th birthday, I hope that OmniBike Bill) allows you face. It was a deadpan moment. my mathematical calculation It was similar to what Jack placed a smile on your face. If and your bike to cross an Have A intersection if the “WALK” or Benny did when asked about it did, then I am happy. With Safe 2024! “Walking Person” appears in his age on the stage. that, I know that both Red your direction. Cars and trucks Skelton and Henry Kissinger As I reflect back in time, I must now completely change also think of a visit I had with would be happy as well. Let another famed comedian from us make 2024 a year to spread lanes before passing you if the smiles among us. As the lyrics lane change can be done safely. years ago – Red Skelton. We go from a famed song of old: This adds to the requirement spent half a day together at that motorists stay at least three his home in Palm Springs. Al- “When you’re smiling, the though he was known for being whole world smiles with you.” feet away from cyclists. Camping at a State Park? Keep smiling and count your a comedian, he was actually www.DeerCreekCremation.com very erudite and rather serious blessings as well. It makes life You could be charged fees, including the cost of the first about life. He looked at come- a more beautiful experience. night, if you cancel your reservation somewhere between two and six days of your stay, June 6, 1926 ~ December 22, 2023 according to Assembly Bill 618.
Letters to the Editor
No Reappointment For Jennifer Esteen? I was disturbed that Supervisor Nate Miley did not reappoint Jennifer Esteen to serve on the Alameda Health Systems Board. I get that he resents Jennifer running against him. Appointments though to County Boards and Commissions should be based on competence, not political calculations or petty revenge. Those who live in unincorporated areas such as Jennifer and I deserve the best people representing us. Jennifer is a healthcare professional a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and a resident of unincorporated Ashland. Our 22-year incumbent, Miley, as a resident of Oakland, already has the representation we lack. His District 4 runs from Oakland through Montclair, almost
Gilbert Louis Oakman
all of the urban unincorporated area, and out through Pleasanton. My vote is diluted because we have no city government in Castro Valley. Board and Commission appointments should be based on qualifications such as Jennifer Esteen’s not political maneuvering. –Bob Britton, Castro Valley
Jess C. Spencer
What a Joke Trump Is
21228 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley
What a joke Trump is. Does he mean that all people from Africa, Mexico, and China have poisonous blood? Or does he mean that all other countries don’t have blood poisoning? Or does he mean the USA has pure blood? What’s he mean? Does anyone know what Trump is implying? I never could figure that man out when he was in office. –Mary Gordin, Castro Valley
Offering Personalized Memorial and Cremation Services.
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Gilbert Louis Oakman, age 97, of Castro Valley, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2023. Gilbert was born on June 6, 1926 to Joe and Stella (Gettler) Oakman in Pueblo, Colorado the third of twelve siblings. Gilbert was a World War II and Korean War veteran having served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-47 and re-enlistment 1951-52. After active duty, he worked in Federal Civil Service as the managing director of the U.S. Navy Publications and Printing Service Office on Treasure Island and Mare Island until he retired in 1981. He also worked as an usher at the Oakland Coliseum from 1982 to 1996. He was an avid reader, a crossword puzzle aficionado; and stayed in great shape, walking every day. Gilbert was married to the love of his life, Helen Hayashida, for 53 years who he so deeply missed since her passing in 2006. Preceded in death by son Ronald in 2021 and also by brothers Richard, Theodore, Joseph and James and by sisters Rose, Edna and Rebecca. Survived by three sons Richard (Janice), Robert, and Ross (Jacque) and one daughter Mary Sue (Michael). Survived also by sisters Vivian, Maxine and Shirley (Dave) and brother Curtis (Sheryl). Survived also by eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and many, many nephews and nieces. Graveside services will be held at Lone Tree Cemetery, 24591 Fairview Ave. Hayward, CA on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 12:30 P.M.
12 CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Eviction: CDA on Tenant Protections slow them down. Hopefully a resident is paying rent for the continued from front page “We think they’re trying to land while separately covering lot,” she said. Null-Bonora said that the financing of the unit itself. put timelines on us to create this sense of urgency, rather Some 11 units, however, are situation was ironic, given that her family had driven past the than follow the somewhat owned by the mobile home park when they first moved slower legal eviction process,” park and rented by residents. to Castro Valley in 1964. A said Tara Clancy, who owns Several of those are vacant, little girl at the time, she had her unit and whose mother according to Clancy. Several exclaimed “I’d never live in a owns a separate unit at Avalon. tenants got evictions notices, place like that.” “Even if that was legal, which but others did not. Today, not only does she live it isn’t,” she added. “We noticed that the letters “They want people to panic only went out to people paying there, but she lives in one of the very same units that hadn’t lower rents, not those who and leave rather than use the appealed to her almost 60 protections they have,” Clancy moved in more recently and years ago. are paying higher rents,” she said. “Even if they did offer said. Nick Draper of the CDA to sell it to me, I’m not sure said that two different laws Attempts to reach Three how much they’d think they protect mobile home residents Pillars for comment were could get,” she said. “But they who own their units and those unsuccessful. who rent them from park Clancy noted that the evic- haven’t.” The park’s residents, with owners. A county ordinance, tion letters quoted parts of the the support of county housing first passed in 1990, protects state’s Ellis Act, which lets a owners both from big rent property owner evict tenants if officials, have been urging the increases and evictions, while a they are getting out of the rent- county board of supervisors to tighten up the mobile home ormore recent state law protects al business altogether, which mobile home tenants from Three Pillars claimed in their dinance to remove any possible both, just as if they lived in a letter. However, not all renters ambiguity in its protections. The Avalon residents are rented apartment or house. in the park got the letter, and the letters did not mention the looking to band together with He said that people facEllis Act provision that renters residents of other mobile home ing similar situations in the parks throughout Alameda can buy their units instead of unincorporated areas should County’s unincorporated areas call CDA at (510) 670-6417 or leaving, she said. to fight similar issues elsee-mail them at HCDAdmin@ Clancy and Null-Bonora acgov.org. Cities may have both thought the owners were where as well. They are urging people to their own set of protections, trying to move out everybody he said. and put up distinctly unafford- attend a mobile home teach-in able housing there, regardless at the Castro Valley Library Avalon was bought from being held by the My Eden of what the law or local govthe former family owners by Voice organization on Saturthe nationwide real estate firm ernment might say. Three Pillars Communities in Clancy said the owners were day, January 13th at 2:30 p.m. Those wishing to attend are early 2023. willing to disobey laws and ignore legal orders and might asked to RSVP to either leo@ It has 49 units, most of myedenvoice.org or maria@ indeed eventually get rid of which are owned by the myedenvoice.org by January residents but sit on land owned everybody at Avalon. by Three Pillars. Thus, the “But we’re going to fight and 11.
Stormy Weekend Forecast
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK CVHS Girls Varsity Basketball Team Our Athletes of the Week are the Castro Valley High School Girls Varsity Basketball team. The Trojans won their December 21 home non-conference game against Oakland High School Wildcats by a score of 48-36. Castro Valley started off strong and led 2821 at the half. Junior Sofia Tom (16 points, including four 3-point plays) and Sophomore Ava Hinrichsen (12 points, 4 rebounds) were team scoring leaders. The Trojans shot 32 percent from the field. The team hosts San Leandro High School next Wednesday.
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Scott: Sports Hall of Fame Inductee continued from front page Castro Valley) is very athlete-friendly. The coaches were always trying to connect with you. Steve always said if you needed to get something done (away from wrestling), he’d give you the time.” After having a U.C. Davis offer pulled back in what turned into a Title IX litigation, Scott wrestled for two years at Lassen College and then three at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. At those stops, she experienced the gamut of relationships between male and female wrestlers, noting, “At Lassen, we were brothers and sisters. There was no camaraderie at Pacific between the boys’ and girls’ teams. The boys would get upset if I beat them.” Injured most of her freshman year at Lassen (which allowed her a fifth year of
competing … as of now.” college eligibility), Scott placed fifth at the nationals as Now 37 and blessed with a sophomore, then went on to three children – daughter take fifth and third, respective- Abaigeal and sons Howard and ly, at the NCAAs in her first Elliot – Scott has been teachtwo years at Pacific before a ing preschool while finishing second-place finish as a senior up work on a master’s degree in 2009 that still rankles her. that will allow her to work with special-ed students. “I had already beaten the girl earlier in the tournament,” Along the way, she has been she noted. “Then I had to both an assistant and later head wrestle her again in the finals. coach at Castro Valley High, She got up one, then every time where her teams four times I got close to getting a point, placed in the Top 4 at North she’d step out of bounds. I Coast Section. She hopes to do should have won.” more coaching in the future. After undergoing surgery on This is the fourth in a a torn posterior lateral corner series of 16 articles profiling the 2024 inductees into the in her knee following her college career, Scott returned Castro Valley Sports Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame to Castro Valley and considered a comeback, working out ceremonies and banquet will with the men’s team at Chabot be held on Sunday, April 21, at College. She became pregnant Redwood Canyon Golf Course. Please contact Patrick Ryken with her first child shortly thereafter, however, and as she at pryken@cv.k12.ca.us for says, “That was the end of me tickets.
in Napa Co. Most weather After today’s rain, a much colder storm moves into Satur- systems so far this season day night and Sunday. Rainfall have been coming up from the southwestern Pacific and have amounts look to be as much After a slow start to the contained milder, sub-tropical rainfall season, many East Bay as an inch, with the higher locations picked up one to two amounts falling in the Oakland air and have not left a lot of snow at Ski rests in the High inches between Christmas and and Berkeley Hills. New Year’s. However, rainfall This storm is coming down Sierra. Snow depths so far are only in the one to two-foot totals into the New Year are the coast from the Gulf of still below normal. Oakland re- Alaska and will be the coldest range or about 10 to 20 percent. corded 3.19 inches of rain since so far this season. Snow is Last year, at this time, there the season began on October 1, likely above 3,500 feet on Mt. were 76 inches of snow on which is only 48 percent of nor- Diablo and on Mt. Hamilton in the ground near Donner Pass. mal. Rainfall at the Hayward the South Bay. The incoming weather system continued from page 2 you and your 2024. What are Airport measured 4.86 inches, could double or triple the snow writing for you all. However, Several inches of snow are your goals? Do you have a almost 90 percent of normal. on the ground. expected on Mt. St. Helena I wanted to make sure that word of the year? If you don’t, when I contribute, I’m able to what do you think it would be? give my best effort. You guys How would that change how deserve at least that much from you approach the year? What me. is something you’ll try that If you want to stay in touch you previously wouldn’t have Standard Synthetic Smog considered in order to achieve more frequently, please sign Oil Change Oil Change Inspection your goals? up for my weekly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/kkcnewsletLooking at past years, when ter. My hope is that as I create I focused on my word of the these disciplines, I’ll have more year, I found myself trying new Includes Free brake & seasonal check up interesting stories to share with things and was able to “think you. So, will you join me on outside of the box.” It changed this journey? how I thought about things, Ok, now I’m curious about as well as how I approached By Mike Pechner
SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
Koo: What Are Your Goals for 2024? different situations. When I compare who I am now with who I was 5 years ago, it’s hard to believe how much I have changed. Actually, even when I look at this time last year, I’m not the same person. Hm. I guess with the new year, you can become a new person. Coach Kev helps people find calm, clarity, and confidence in their life while building discipline. Contact him at kevinkoocoaching@gmail.com, or follow on IG and YouTube @ kevinkoocoaching