CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2023
YEAR 35
INSIDE YOUR
FORUM
NO. 43
Student, Community Health Center Business Opens at Castro Valley High School District Update MAC MEETING
By Michael Singer
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Time Travel
Learn how to shape your future with the help of time traveling
Page 2
300 Strong
CVEA Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 300th membership
Page 3
Trick or Treat
Bring the little monsters to Castro Village for a Halloween spectacular
Page 5
INDEX Calendar ................ 4 Classified Ads ......... 8 Crosswords ............. 9 Health & Fitness ... 10 Homes ..................... 6 Obituaries ............. 11 Opinions ............... 11 Our Town ................. 3 Sports .................. 12 Weather .................. 2 WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
On Monday, a crowd of Castro Valley school district and community leaders officially By Amy Sylvestri opened the Tiburcio Vasquez CASTRO VALLEY FORUM Health Center at Castro Valley High School. The center is deThe Castro Valley Municisigned to serve students, their pal Advisory Council (MAC) families, and the general public heard an update on the future seven days a week. of downtown Castro Valley at their Monday night meeting, “The health and wellness of with an overview of the longour students and community is term Castro Valley Business what our district and this new District Specific Plan (CVBDHealth Center stand for. I’m so SP). proud to be a part of this exciting opportunity for everyone,” Decades old, the current said Castro Valley Unified CVBDSP includes land use School District (CVUSD) sulike “core pedestrian retail” perintendent Parvin Ahmadi. in the Village area and central Castro Valley Boulevard, Starting this week, the the “transit village” near the Center will be open for serBART station, and the “profesvices Monday through Friday sional medical district” down between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Lake Chabot Road. Appointments will be available Castro Valley school officials celebrate opening the health center for students and the community. The office will be open Monday through Friday 8am to 5 pm. via text or phone. Students MAC heard summaries of can scan a QR code as they a May community visioning health centers at Tennyson The health center will be enter to check-in. Visitors can workshop for the public and The 1,920-square-foot staffed by qualified healthcare High, Hayward High, and Lo- comments from the Chamber receive physical exams, sports health center includes four gan High Schools. Only Logan of Commerce and the Rotary professionals, including a physicals, immunizations and exam rooms, a small confernurse practitioner, two medical and Castro Valley’s sites are boosters, pharmacy prescrip- ence room, and a lab room Club, which were made at assistants, a receptionist, and a also available to the public. tions, reproductive health ser- stocked with vaccines and meetings over the summer. supervisor. “One of our goals at TVHC vices, and referrals for dental equipment for processing. County staff said that many The center is run through is health equity. And we see and mental health services. There is also a station for participants at the meetings felt it so many times in our youth there were limited commercial weighing infants and another a CVUSD and the TiburSchool officials said there who may not have access to the options in the downtown busicio Vasquez Health Center designed to treat emergency will be a soft opening for traumas. The lobby includes a (TVHC) partnership. The non- health services they need,” said ness district and particularly the first 2-3 weeks to ensure profit community health group TVHC CEO Andrea wanted more dining choices. everything is running smooth- place for patients to check in see CENTER on page 10 also operates school-based and is wheelchair accessible. see MAC on page 11 ly.
Halloween Fun for Sensory-Challenged Kids tions and traditions are ensur- Spectrum Disorder (ASD), One of the ing that everyone, regardless of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity key components their needs or neurodivergent Disorder (ADHD), and others. of an inclusive traits, can fully enjoy the magic Celebrating neurodiversity Halloween event Tricks, treats, and spooky of Halloween! means recognizing and valuing is the considerbeats! these differences by creating ation of sensory Neurodiversity is a term As Halloween festivities input. For ramp up, communities are tak- that acknowledges the natural environments that accomindividuals with sensory sensimodate everyone’s unique differences in how we think, ing an inclusive step forward learn, and process information. needs. Sometimes, that means tivities, traditional Halloween by embracing neurodiversity putting a new spin on long-held festivities’ sights, sounds, and and organizing sensory-friend- It includes a wide range of textures can be overwhelming. traditions. ly events. These new celebra- conditions, including Autism By Jagmeet Kaur Sangha SPECIAL TO THE FORUM
But there are ways to help yourself and your child feel more comfortable while still taking part in all the fun. Consider calm environments or dedicated spaces for downtime. This can help individuals take breaks as needed and recharge themselves from the excitement. Keep lights steady see SENSORY on page 5