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SLT ARCHIVES • JUNE 2017
San Leandrans March in Pride Parade
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
A group from the San Leandro School District marched in the San Francisco Pride Parade on Sunday, including teachers, students, administrators, board members and the community. They joined hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world who watched colorful floats and musical acts in a celebration of gay rights.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHEN CASSIDY
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Chan Denies Finding of Grand Jury
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
The Alameda County Grand Jury published its annual report on local government last week and found that Supervisor Wilma Chan exceeded her authority and improperly secured a contract for service at Juvenile Hall, though Chan denies any wrongdoing.
Part of the annual Grand Jury Report released last week detailed Chan’s role in securing a contract totaling $128,000 with Oakland-based Acts Full Gospel Church to provide chaplain services at Juvenile Hall in San Leandro.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint and Chan said she has not been told who made the complaint.
The Grand Jury concluded that Chan improperly designated that the church get the contract, a decision that should have just been made by a country department head.
The complaint said that the chaplain services had risen in cost over a four year period from $30,000 to over $100,000. The complaint also alleged that Chan insisted on hiring Acts Full Gospel without an open bidding process, instead saying the church should be awarded the extended contract because the head of the church “has a lot of political clout.”
Chan denies the allegations.
“I never said that and I would never say that,” said Chan.
Chan said that Acts Full Gospel has been providing services to the young people in custody for several years and prior to that they provided religious counseling for adult inmates in Alameda County.
“They were the group that started the program and it has done very well,” said Chan. “The young people respond well to the program.”
The Grand Jury concluded that the county needs a clear policy on political interference in business dealings in general. The grand Jury made a similar finding in its 2014-2015 report, which they reprinted this year.
“A county supervisor does not have the authority to dictate orders to department heads…Many public agencies have rules in place that prohibit political interference. Unfortunately, despite an unambiguous Grand Jury recommendation two years ago, Alameda County does not. The Grand Jury again urges the Board of Supervisors to follow the lead of other government entities by adopting a robust anti-interference policy.”
Chan said she did nothing wrong and that the Board of Supervisors will now be writing a response to the Grand Jury report.
“I was surprised they (the Grand Jury) made such a mistake in their findings,” said Chan. “The contract went through the regular process and was approved by the Board of Supervisors. It’s on the public record.”
The investigation into Chan’s actions was part of the Alameda County Grand Jury’s annual report on local government. The Grand Jury acts as the public watchdog by investigating and reporting on the affairs of local government, then releases a report of its findings each summer.
The 20-member Grand Jury is made up of citizens from all over the county and it’s up to the jury what topics they investigate each year, often acting on tips from the public.
The Grand Jury toured the San Leandro police department’s jail this past fall and found the facility to be operating well.
“The facility is located in an older building (built in 1968) that shows some signs of wear, but otherwise the Grand Jury found it to be in good condition and well-maintained,” the report read.
The Grand Jury made no recommendations to change any operations at the jail.
A large part of the Grand Jury report was devoted to the actions of the Oakland City Council, which the Gand Jury said routinely ignored open government laws by holding closed-session meetings on land deals involving publicly-owned property. The jury said that the city held 45 closed meetings on property developments worth $500 million.
The full 127-page Grand Jury report is available at acgov.org/grandjury.
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East Bay to Celebrate The Fourth
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
There are lots of fun things to do in Alameda County this Independence Day weekend, but San Leandro police remind everyone that fireworks are outlawed in the city.
The celebration starts early at Meek Park (17365 Boston Road, Hayward) on Sunday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The free event will feature food vendors, patriotic arts and crafts, and the music of Johnny Mahalo and the Wild Coconuts. It’s a good idea to bring a picnic blanket.
There will be a “Backyard Barbecue” at Jack London Square in Oakland from noon to 6 p.m. on July 4, with family-friendly entertainment, food, music, and more.
The City of Alameda Mayor’s parade starts at 10 a.m. on July 4 and they expect about 60,000 spectators to line the over 3-mile route.
After the parade, the U.S. Coast Guard will host a festival at Pier 3, Alameda Point. There will be food trucks, kids’ activities and more from noon to 4 p.m.
If you are looking for fireworks, you can catch some a day early if you go to the A’s game on July 3. Oakland takes on the White Sox at 6:05 p.m., followed by a fireworks show after the game.
On July 4 at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, there’s the Red, White and Blues Festival and horse racing during the day, capped off by fireworks at 9 p.m. But get there early, as there is no admission after 6 p.m.
And San Leandro police want to remind everyone that they have a “zero tolerance policy” about fireworks – even those legal in other cities. The SLPD is increasing staffing and patrols over the Independence Day weekend, according to Lt. Isaac Benabou of the San Leandro police.
During the day, single picnic tables at the Marina Park will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. But Marina Park will close at 6 p.m.
Reservations are recommended for large groups and may be made by contacting the city’s Recreation and Human Services Department at 577-3462 or www.sanleandro.org under the recreation department tab.
Banks, post offices, and government offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, as will the San Leandro Times office. BART and AC Transit will be running on Sunday schedules.
CAPTION: The parade in Alameda will begin at 10 a.m. on July 4.
TIMES FILE PHOTO
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Floresta Gardens Couple Fights Fence
BY JIM KNOWLES • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
Diane McCarthy doesn’t want her next-door neighbor to build a fence that would run along her driveway to within 3 feet of the sidewalk.
She says it will block her view. She won’t be able to see somebody coming down the sidewalk – like a kid on a bike.
“It’s a safety issue,” McCarthy said. “I went around the neighborhood and looked. Nobody else has a fence along their driveway.”
There’s even a law against a 6-foot-high fence that close to the street and sidewalk. But McCarthy’s neighbor got an exemption from the law at a hearing before a City of San Leandro zoning enforcement official.
McCarthy and her husband Dennis say that their neighbor got his fence approved because he has City Hall connections. He’s City Councilman Lee Thomas.
“It got approval because he’s a City Councilman,” McCarthy said. “We’ve always tried to be a good neighbor to Lee, but he just said he could do it and went ahead.”
McCarthy said she searched the neighborhood and didn’t find any other house where the fence came out to the front like the one Thomas is planning.
“I asked them to show us another house that had an exemption and they didn’t reply,” she said.
The fence would be build on the side of Thomas’s house, which is on the corner. But the fence would be along the driveway right in front of the McCarthy’s house. As the McCarthy’s point out, looking down the street, there are no high fences in any other front yard blocking the view.
According to the city’s zoning code, a “Fence Modification Permit” is required for a fence or wall taller than three feet if it’s that close to the street side property line. The zoning enforcement official must find that the fence is 1) not detrimental to the adjacent property, 2) compatible with the neighborhood aesthetics, 3) does not create a sight distance hazard, 4) is not detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare.
McCarthy said the fence will violate all those things.
“It’s detrimental, it will block our visibility, I won’t be able to see backing out of the driveway,” McCarthy said. “This will affect us for the rest of our lives.”
To Appeal Will Cost $792
The McCarthys said they were told not to worry because they could appeal, but they say there weren’t told an appeal will cost $792.
“They didn’t tell us that to appeal would cost us our life savings and first born,” McCarthy said.
The hearing was before city Senior Planner Elmer Penaranda and Community Development Director Cynthia Battenberg. Phone calls to them were returned by email from Battenberg, who said, “Findings were made that the proposed fence location does not create sight distance hazards, does not create negative sight distance effects on adjacent properties, that the fence meets aesthetic requirements (three feet of irrigated landscaping required to soften the structure) and that the location of the fence provides clear, open space for the health and safety of the public.”
Battenberg added that the city’s traffic engineer determined that “the fence location is outside the standard 15-foot vision triangle necessary to safely accommodate driveway visibility for vehicles and pedestrians.”
To accommodate the McCarthy’s, a 45 degree angle was notched out of the corner of the fence, Battenberg said.
That notch, which moves the corner of the fence back a couple of feet, gives a little more room to see. But McCarthy says the fence will still block her view to back out of the driveway.
Thomas also replied by email, saying that he and his wife applied and participated in the same fence modification process that is used by residents and businesses in San Leandro, and the neighbors were notified and had the opportunity to express concerns.
Thomas: Engineering Professonals Approved Fence
Thomas said, “Following the city’s established process our application was reviewed by San Leandro’s traffic and engineering professionals, this included a site visit. After careful review, the professionals concluded extending the fence posed no vehicle or pedestrian danger and made a recommendation for approval. Following process, a compliance hearing was held and approval was granted.”
Meanwhile, the McCarthys were still trying to decide this week whether to go through the expense of appealing (today is the deadline to appeal).
The McCarthys still maintain they didn’t get a fair hearing and think the decision was made before they even sat down.
“The deck was stacked,” said Dennis McCarthy.
CAPTION: Diane McCarthy, in her driveway, is trying to stop Lee Thomas from extending his fence behind her out to near the sidewalk.
PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES
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SL Woman Collecting Shoes to Ship to Madagascar
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
San Leandran Tamara Bull Jacinto is collecting shoes for Soles4Souls, a charity that brings footwear to a different disadvantaged area of the world each year.
If she places in the top 10 collectors nationally, she will be able to go to Madagascar and put the shoes on the feet of the people receiving them.
“I want to be part of the team that actually meets the people we are helping, that washes the feet of these people ands sizes them for their shoes,” said Bull Jacinto.
Bull Jacinto works at Alta Bates as a cancer education case coordinator and has a side job at a Brighton Collectibles, a store at Stoneridge Mall. The shoe drive is organized though Brighton, which collects men’s, women’s, and children’s shoes for the national non-profit Soles4Souls.
Bull Jacinto has individually collected more than 1,500 pairs so far and hopes to be selected for the trip to Africa.
“That would be so emotional and so humbling,” said Bull Jacinto. “I imagine that if I get that opportunity, it will become one of the most powerful things I’ve ever done.”
If you want to help Bull Jacinto reach her goal of collecting at least 2,000 shoes, you can drop off your donation at boxes she has at Lynn’s Nails at 925 Manor Boulevard in Washington Manor or the Classy Canine dog salon at 2602 Castro Valley Boulevard in Castro Valley.
Bull Jacinto can also be reached at tamij2010@gmail.com to set up shoe donations. The shoe drive ends this Sunday, July 2.
CAPTION: Tami Bull Jacinto is trying to collect at least 2,000 pairs of used shoes by the end of the weekend for Soles4Souls, a charity that brings footwear to the needy.
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Nude Social Club to Host Open House
BY LINDA SANDSMARK • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
The Sequoians Clothes-Free Club in Castro Valley will hold an open house this Saturday for people who might be interested in joining.
“We are celebrating 70 years as a wonderful place to enjoy nude recreation,” says Social Chair Harriet Neely. “We are a family-friendly membership club.
“We welcome all who find being nude in a social setting a new experience, to come learn more about our ‘Little piece of Paradise.’ It is a wonderful way to escape the pressures of the everyday textile world and find an inner peace.”
Neely says that during the Open House there will be tours for first- time visitors who need not be nude for the introductory tour. Those choosing to stay are expected to be nude on the pool deck and in the common grounds area.
Wraps are appropriate when walking around, if needed. and when hiking.
“Once people decide to stay they seem to become comfortable being nude, since that is what they see all around the area,” Neely adds.
The Sequoians offer many activities, such as Bocce ball, ladder ball, pickle ball, horseshoes, badminton, and just relaxing by the pool. There is also hiking on several trails, and camping for members.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Anyone over 18 is allowed to come on their own. A potluck is held on Saturday nights and all are welcome to stay for it. Those attending the potluck should bring an entrée for themselves plus a side dish for eight to share.
“We just want people to understand that we are here to enjoy the freedom of sun on our bare skin, an acceptance of the human body, and no more than that,” says Neely.
The open house is free to first-time visitors. Anyone planning to stay should bring a towel and sunscreen.
More information, including rules and membership rates, is available at www.sequoians.com, or by calling 582-0194. The club is located at 10200 Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley.
CAPTION: The 80-acre Sequoians Clothes-Free Club in Castro Valley offers a beautiful outdoor recreation area. The club has nearly 700 members and will hold an open house on Saturday for those who want to learn more.
PHOTO BY LINDA SANDSMARK
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Council Passes ‘Relocation Assistance’
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
The City Council passed an ordinance by a 6-to-1 vote Monday night that is designed to provide some one-time assistance to people who are priced out of their homes due to rising rents, but critics of the program say it will do little to solve the problem of affordable housing in San Leandro.
The ordinance allows tenants who are forced out of their homes due to rent increases of 12 percent or more in a year to receive “relocation assistance” in the form of being paid three months rent by their landlords.
But renter advocates say that the ordinance gives landlords a way of paying to get rid of tenants and replace them with tenants who can afford higher rent, which will enable a landlord to easily recoup the costs of the relocation assistance.
Mayor Pauline Cutter cast the sole dissenting vote in creating the “tenant relocation assistance program.” A last-minute change to the ordinance exempted landlords with fewer than four rental units from having to participate in the program and Cutter said she couldn’t support that.
“We set out to do something and actually protect people,” said Cutter, who added that she felt the original purpose of the ordinance was getting obscured and she wanted it to include all rental units.
Councilman Pete Ballew ultimately voted in favor of the ordinance, but said he also wasn’t happy with the small unit exemptions.
“I will support this, not because I like it, but because it is better than nothing,” said Ballew, who added that the council should come back and discuss the exemptions at a later date.
In addition to the push-back from the council, the ordinance also received criticism from tenants, many of whom said that the tenant relocation assistance program does not solve the core problem of the lack of affordable housing in San Leandro.
“This ordinance doesn’t really touch the crux of the issue,” said speaker Jeromey Schafer. “What we are doing is offering assistance after they lose their homes, not before. We are looking at a situation where every renter in this city is going to turn over in the next five or ten years.”
Also under the ordinance, households with seniors over the age of 62, children under the age of 18, or someone with a disability would quality for an extra $1,000. The relocation assistance is capped at a maximum amount of $10,000.
Speaker K. Lee-Figueroa accused the council of turning its back on long-term renters in favor of younger, wealthier residents. She said that the ordinance makes it easy for landlords to pay a one-time fee to kick out an old tenant and raise rates on a new tenant.
“They’ll get rid of all the people except for the tech millennials, and that’s what the city wants,” said Lee-Figueroa.
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Attorneys Lecture City Council on Ethics
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
The city held a special ethics training workshop for City Council members and commissioners last week.
City elected and appointed officials are required by state law to do two hours of ethics training every two years. City Attorney Richard Pio Roda and assistant city attorney Kristopher Kokotaylo gave a presentation on conflicts of interest, bribery, nepotism, and other subjects.
The council learned, for example, that a simple “reply all” between council members on an email can easily violate the Brown Act, the state law that guarantees the public’s right to participate in meetings of a local legislative body.
“Emails are ripe for inadvertent Brown Act violations,” said Pio Roda.
And a recent law means all the emails officials sent discussing city business are subject to government transparency laws, even if they are sent to and from personal email accounts.
In March of this year, the Supreme Court upheld that emails and texts are subject to Public Records Act requests. So if Councilman Smith sends an email to Arts Commissioner Jones inviting him out to dinner and includes a reference to a city matter, the email can be requested to be made public.
“This is a significant change to the Public Records Act,” said Pio Roda. “Please be careful.”
If a person in San Leandro makes such a request, the city attorney would ask that the council member print out the applicable emails and sign under penalty of perjury that they’ve all been turned over. If an official says the email on their personal email account has been deleted, there is little that can be done. But emails on city servers are kept for two years.
Nepotism was discussed in the context of what to do if a member of your family comes before the City Council or a commission on a matter. In some cases, the council member should recuse themselves from the discussion.
Additionally, San Leandro has a nepotism law that says that City Council member’s relatives can’t work for the city, except for temporary jobs such as a summer lifeguard.
The lawyers gave some other examples of where officials can get into trouble – if a matter comes to the council or commission for a vote and there is a conflict of personal interest, the official must recuse themselves. For example, if the contractor being offered a city job was your high school bully or if the person applying for a city grant is your best friend, that’s a conflict of interest, Kokotaylo said.
But there are some exceptions, said Kokotaylo. In most cases, the official shouldn’t vote, but if the council member can “exercise his powers with disinterested skill for the benefit of the public,” then he may be a part of the decision.
For many of the rules of ethics, there seems to be an exception, said Kokotaylo. Council members are told they can’t accept gifts from a single source over $470 in a single year, but they can if they are given from long-time friends or in a “act of neighborliness.”
And the city can’t use taxpayer money to promote an issue like a tax measure on a ballot, but they can send out mailers that tout the services that the tax money would pay for.
There are gray areas, so when in doubt, ask the city attorneys, Kokotaylo said.
All public officials must file what is called “Form 700” to disclose their assets and economic interests. The 700 forms of San Leandro’s officials are available at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall.
“People have the right to request the information,” said Pio Roda. “And believe me, they do request it.”
CAPTION: City Attorney Richard Pio Roda (left) and Assistant City Attorney Kristopher Kokotaylo gave a presentation to the City Council last week.
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County Budget Surpasses $3 Billion
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
Alameda County has a proposed $3.1 billion budget for the upcoming 2017-2018 fiscal year, which required closing a $108.5 million funding gap.
The budget is up about 4 percent ($116 million) from last fiscal year’s budget of $2.9 billion.
Alameda County Administrator Susan Muranishi presented the budget to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors at a special meeting last week. Muranishi said that they avoided cuts to services and staff layoffs, but warned that changes on the federal level could jeopardize some county funding in the near future.
Muranishi said biggest part of the budget gap was $40 million due to Governor Jerry Brown’s initiative to end a state and county cost sharing setup for home health care for the elderly and disabled.
The county was able to close the budget gap in part using $31 million in what they call “fiscal management reward savings,” which is money various departments have saved from previous years, according to Muranishi.
The rest of the budget gap was covered using one-time funding, such as grants and spending reductions, Muranishi said.
Rising property values meant the county received a 7 percent increase in property taxes over the previous year. But high rents and housing payments mean people are struggling to pay for basic services and more people need various forms of public assistance.
Muranishi warned the board that President Trump’s desire to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act would be “devastating” to the county budget, and medical safety-net services are more in demand than ever. The county also anticipates an eventual dip in property tax revenue as the economy slows, she said.
“Our growing reliance on state and federal funding bears careful monitoring,” Muranishi said.
The county also has over $2.7 billion in long-term debt obligations, including $1.6 billion in pensions for retired employees, according to Muranishi.
Muranishi herself will draw a pension of over $500,000 annually for the rest of her life when she retires. She currently has an annual salary, plus benefits, of over $500,000.
Other long-term debts include repairs and construction on the juvenile hall, Santa Rita Jail, county hospitals, and the $95 million in estimated debt still owed Alameda County and the city of Oakland for the 1995 Oakland Coliseum upgrades for the Raiders.
“A structural imbalance between revenue and expenditures remains,” said Muranishi.
The proposed budget will be discussed in a series of public hearings by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors during meetings next week, June 26 though 28. The board is expected to approve the budget at its meeting on June 30.
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Fire Breaks Out at Homeless
Encampment Under I-880
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
The Alameda County Fire Department extinguished a fire at a homeless encampment last Sunday evening at just after 9:30 p.m.
The fire department responded to the area of Hesperian and Lewelling boulevards under the Hesperian roadway near the flood control canal.
They saw a large column of smoke blowing towards I-880 and the California Highway Patrol arrived and performed traffic control on the freeway due to the limit visibility created by the fire, authorities said.
The firefighters had to use metal circular saws to access the area under the road. There were no injures and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
And the fire department also extinguished an unrelated fire at a home on the 2000 block of Evergreen Avenue in San Leandro Saturday morning at just after 8:30 a.m.
The fire was contained to the kitchen and there were no injuries, according to the Alameda County Fire Department.
A woman and her dog were displaced by the fire and they received assistance from the Red Cross.
The cause of the blaze was determined to be an accidental electrical fire, authorities said.
CAPTION: Firefighters used a circular saw to enter under the Hesperian Boulevard overpass in order to extinguish a fire at a homeless encampment last weekend.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ACFD
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Bigge Day for Bikes at McKinley
BY JIM KNOWLES • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
A dozen kids at McKinley Elementary School made it look like Christmas morning as they stepped out the school’s front door.
Lined up in front of them were 12 new bicycles, courtesy of the Bigge Crane Co. of San Leandro.
“Oooh, sick!” said one boy, using the expression of highest praise, as the wide-eyed kids ran down the steps to claim their bicycles.
The Bigge sales department got the bike kits and built the 2-wheelers as part of the company’s program, One Bigge Giving. The company contacted the San Leandro Education Foundation (SLED), and SLED Executive Director Morgan Mack-Rose chose McKinley, saying it’s one of the highest need schools.
McKinley principal Grozelia Ward picked the 12 students to receive the bicycles, plus helmets, because they all had perfect attendance from the beginning of the school year till May 3.
Bigge benefits manager Robin Anglin happened to notice the plaque by McKinley’s front door that reads “1916 – 2016.” She pointed out that Bigge and McKinley both celebrated their centennial last year – the crane company and the school both opened in 1916.
Bigge has its headquarters here in San Leandro. It sells and leases cranes and heavy equipment nationwide, and has played a part in some of the Bay Area’s biggest projects, such as the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge, and the BART connection to the Oakland Airport.
Bigge has helped build power plants and refineries in Northern California, hauled steel for the Golden Gate Bridge and assisted in the recovery after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
CAPTION: McKinley students discovered the brand new bicycles waiting for them when they were called out to the front of the school.
PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES
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Police Say Man Drove Van Toward Them
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
The man shot by two San Leandro police officers last week was not armed, though police say the officers feared for their lives as he allegedly accelerated his van toward them.
Police say Steven England, 40, of Hayward was driving a stolen van in the north area San Leandro when police tried to pull him over. England drove away at a high rate of speed through a residential area before pulling into a private driveway on the 800 block of St. Mary’s Avenue, according to San Leandro police Lt. Isaac Benabou. The driver refused to comply with officers’ orders to exit the van.
After a few minutes, England started the van and drove through the front yard of a residence, damaging a tree and retaining wall, police said.
England then steered the van onto the road, which is a dead-end street, and accelerated towards the officers. The officers told him to stop, but England drove towards the officers in what Benabou said was an “aggressive” manner.
The officers then fired their weapons to stop the threat of being run over, according to Benabou.
England was struck by at least one bullet that hit his hand. Neither officer was injured.
No other details about the shooting are being released at this time because the investigation is ongoing, said Benabou. Evidence in the shooting, including police body camera footage, is being reviewed by the San Leandro police and the district attorney’s office.
England was hospitalized following the shooting but has since been released and is now being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $205,000 bail.
Charges against England include assault with a deadly weapon (the van), evading an officer with willful disregard, and grand theft. His next court date is June 26 at the Hayward Hall of Justice where he is set to enter a plea.
Benabou said that the police have seen an increase in suspects driving their cars towards officers in an attempt to escape.
“We’ve seen a pattern in town,” said Benabou. “There have been four cases recently of people driving in cars towards officers. One person in a stolen car hit a police car last week.”
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Man Shoots Statue of St. Felicitas
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
A man who shot a statue at St. Felicitas Catholic Church was arrested after a struggle with police Saturday afternoon.
Police say the shooting is being investigated as a hate crime.
Police arrived at at the church at 165 Manor Boulevard at 4:50 p.m. and found a person matching that description of the shooter a short distance away, according to Lt. Ted Henderson of the San Leandro police. The man did not comply with orders from the police, Henderson said.
After a struggle, the police pulled a gun out of the suspect’s waistband and took him into custody.
Police identified the suspect as Eric Mullen, 34, of San Leandro. Mullen was arraigned Tuesday on charges including gross negligence, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and resisting arrest. His next court dates is set for today, Thursday, June 15, at the Hayward Hall of Justice.
After Mullen’s arrest, officers searched the area and found that eight rounds had been fired into a statue of St. Felicitas on the church grounds, near the entrance to the school. An additional two rounds ricocheted into a church building, according to police.
Henderson said that no further details will be made public at this time because the investigation is still active.
“There is simply no place and no excuse for vandalism aimed at a place of worship in our society,” said Henderson in a written statement. “The person responsible for this act is in custody and we have no information or evidence that there are any additional threats directed at the church or their congregation.”
The police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the San Leandro Police Department at 577-2740.
Father Eddie Castanas of St. Felicitas said he didn’t want to comment on the shooting until the investigation is complete. He added that the church hasn’t made any decisions on repairs to the statue.
“It’s unfortunate,” said Castanas. “But we are waiting to see how the investigation turns out.”
Worshipers at the morning Mass on Tuesday were philosophical and forgiving of the perpetrator.
“It’s sad, I just can’t believe it,” said parishioner Evelyn Macabago. “Some people need help.”
Lela Hernandez said it’s usually quiet around the church in the Washington Manor neighborhood.
“I was surprised there was a shooting, but at least no one got hurt,” said Hernandez.
The real St. Felicitas went though much worse than her statue. According to The Lives of the Saints, Felicitas of Rome was martyred around the year 165 when she refused to renounce her Christianity. But before she died, she watched her seven sons be executed by various means including flagellation, beating, beheading, and being thrown off a precipice.
CAPTION: The statue of St. Felicitas in front of the school had eight bullet holes in it. St. Feicitas herself endured even worse at the hands of some Roman emperor because she refused to renounce her faith.
PHOTO BY AMY SYLVESTRI
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Eric Swalwell Makes a Name For Himself in Washington
BY RANDY SHANDOBIL • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-15-17
Just four years ago Eric Swalwell was an almost unknown congressional newbie with zero clout on Capitol Hill.
But now, the 36 year old is a driving force in the House Intelligence Committee’s Russia-Trump investigation and network news anchors interview the East Bay Congressman nearly every night. Indeed, Swalwell’s star is on the rise.
Swalwell, a Democrat, was born in Iowa, raised in nearby Dublin, and when he’s not in session, he lives in Pleasanton. But his congressional district office is tucked behind Kentucky Fried Chicken on the Boulevard in Castro Valley.
Swalwell wasn’t always enamored with life in the East Bay. After graduating from Dublin High School in 1999, he, like many young people born and raised in the suburbs, wanted to leave his hometown after graduation. He wanted to live and work in a big city with more opportunities.
Back then, Swalwell was a competitive soccer player. He says players from other soccer teams in more upscale East Bay towns such as Pleasanton and San Ramon, were dismissive of Dublin. “I remember, they called us‘Scrublin’.”
The oldest of four brothers, Swalwell grew up in a working-class family. His father, Eric Sr. is a retired police officer. His mother Vicky is an administrative assistant.
As a high school student, Swalwell was interested in journalism, government and law. But it was his skills as a soccer goalie that made higher education affordable and helped Swalwell become the first person in his family to go to college.
He won an athletic scholarship to Campbell University in North Carolina. He played there for two school years, but soccer injuries (two broken thumbs) squashed his dreams of becoming a professional athlete. Those broken bones changed the direction of Swalwell’s life.
Swalwell applied for a summer internship in Washington, D.C. and landed one in the office of former Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, who represented Dublin at the time. His main duties: the relatively menial tasks of opening mail and leading constituent tours. Still, Swalwell caught the bug.
He transferred to the University of Maryland and was about to earn his law degree in 2006 when he reached a turning point. Swalwell had also been working on Martin O’Malley’s campaign for governor,
“I had to decide, do I stay and continue to work for O’Malley. Or do I come home?”
Swalwell reached out to his Dublin High School economics teacher, Tim Sbranti.
Sbanti’s advice: “No, you come home. We need you. We need younger leaders in the city. Try to make where you grew up a better place.”
Sbranti would go on to become the Mayor of Dublin and Swalwell took a job as a prosecutor for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. He prosecuted domestic violence, elder abuse, human trafficking and murder cases.
In 2010, with Sbranti’s encouragement, Swalwell ran for and won a seat on the Dublin City Council. Then, at only 31 years old, Swalwell took a leap some thought was crazy. He decided to run for congress against a 20-term incumbent, Pete Stark.
The 15th Congressional District, which includes Castro Valley, Hayward, Danville, Dublin, San Ramon, Livermore and parts of San Leandro and Fremont, had just been redrawn, and was a bit more moderate than it had been in the past. That made the district a better fit for Swalwell than Stark, because Stark was one of Congress’ most liberal members.
In November 2012 Eric Swalwell defeated a man who had served in the House eight years longer than Swalwell had been alive.
And today, Swalwell’s former teacher, Tim Sbranti works for Swalwell as his Deputy Chief of Staff.
“You’ve got to be nice to your students,” Sbranti says. “You never know, you might work for them one day.”
In January, Swalwell consolidated his Pleasanton and Hayward offices into one bigger office in Castro Valley. With so many communities within the district to choose from, why locate in Castro Valley?
“Geographically it sits in the middle of the district,” says Swalwell “But also Castro Valley is kind of the politically centrist part of the district.”
Deputy Chief of Staff Sbranti elaborates: “Sometimes in the Tri-Valley, the voices tend to be a little more conservative. You go a little further west (Hayward, Union City, Fremont) the voices tend to be a little more progressive. Castro Valley has the perfect blend. A mix of voices on both sides.”
Which gets back to Swalwell’s work on the Russia-Trump investigation. Swalwell says he knows that traffic and housing are the two issues his constituents worry about the most, so he was concerned that some constituents might object to time spent on the investigation. But so far, he says they haven’t.
When he writes or talks about something not Russia related, he says “I get emails, tweets and posts on my Facebook account: you’re off topic. Stay focused on Russia.”
And so, whether he’s in the Capitol or in his district office behind the KFC in Castro Valley, Swalwell does.
Randy Shandobil hosts the podcast ThisGoldenState.com and leads Shandobil Communications. Previously, he was KTVU’s longtime political editor.
CAPTION: Congressman Eric Swalwell appears on one of his almost daily live interviews on national television.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CNN
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Students Paint Downtown Mural
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
A new piece of public art will be installed downtown later this month, a mural painted by students from Lincoln High, San Leandro’s alternative school.
The mural “Spacetime from a Breath of Air,” featuring a young girl blowing bubbles which turn into planets, will be installed near the intersection on Juana Avenue and East 14th Street and was commissioned by the San Leandro Improvement Association (SLIA).
What sets the mural apart from other public art in San Leandro is that the young people who worked on it are former graffiti offenders who were given a chance to channel their creative skills into something more positive via the Big Picture Arts Program.
Big Picture was created by artist Andrew Johnstone, who has a studio in West Oakland, where the Lincoln students created the painting.
Johnstone says that the need to create is a primal instinct and he’s just giving kids a chance to be creative in a way that benefits the community.
“A lot of kids think the only art materials they can use are spray cans and sharpies,” said Johnstone. “This is a new experience for them. My job is to act like a safety net. I take away their fear of failure.”
Johnstone says there’s always been a debate about whether graffiti is art, and people can have any opinion on that, but he tries to teach the kids that destroying property is the opposite of being creative.
“I think graffiti is as valid as any other art style, but vandalism is making a victim from their art and it is not okay,” said Johnstone.
Johnstone is the head designer of “the Man” at the Burning Man art festival and built last year’s Man in part at the Gate 510 on Davis Street in San Leandro. He and a team of volunteer artists guide kids from all over the East Bay on public art projects, stressing that they aren’t there as cops or teachers or social workers, but as fellow artists.
“The idea is treating a social problem,” said Johnstone. “These kids are rebellious and looking for identity. A lot of graffiti is people just writing their name over and over because we are an animal that demands self-expression. But this mural will last for years and years. I told the kids that they’ll be able to take their own kids past it one day and tell them ‘I made that.’ That’s a cool, wonderful thing.”
SLIA was created as a “community benefit district” in 2013 when downtown property owners voted to assess themselves an additional tax to pay for things like street cleaning, security, and public relations. The SLIA collects about $470,000 in tax assessments annually and received a $300,000 loan from the City of San Leandro earlier this year.
The SLIA says they plan on creating more murals downtown using the artistic talents of San Leandro students.
And Johnstone says that the experience doesn’t end for the kids when the projects are completed.
“They are always welcome to come back and paint or hang their art at one of our shows, maybe sell a piece,” said Johnstone. “I’m not saying every one of them is going to become a professional artist, but some just might.”
CAPTION: Lincoln High student Maryssela Kidd worked with fellow students and artist Andrew Johnstone on the mural “Spacetime from a Breath of Air,” which will soon be installed in downtown San Leandro.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW JOHNSTONE
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Police Shoot Driver of Stolen Van
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-08-17
Two San Leandro police officers shot and wounded a suspected car thief early Sunday morning. Police would not say at this time if the man was armed.
Officers spotted a stolen van on the the 800 block of St. Mary’s Avenue at around 3 a.m., and attempted to contact the driver, according to Lt. Isaac Benabou of the San Leandro police.
Benabou said that, because the investigation is ongoing, he couldn’t give details at this time about what led up to the confrontation between the suspect and the officers or whether the suspect had a gun or any other weapon.
Both officers fired their guns at the suspect, who has been identified only as a 40-year-old man. He was hit by at least one bullet and the police rendered medical aid once the suspect was detained, Benabou said.
Detectives are reviewing video from the officers’ body cameras and surveillance footage from the surrounding area. Both officers are cooperating with the investigation, Benabou said.
The suspect is alert and speaking with investigators, Benabou said. The suspect was treated at a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening. Neither police officer was injured.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s crime lab and Alameda County District Attorney’s office, as well as the San Leandro police, are investigating the shooting.
“Most officers work their entire career without having the need to discharge their firearm,” said Benabou in a written statement. “We are fortunate that this incident did not end more tragically for those involved.”
Benabou said more details about the shooting should be made available in the next few days.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call San Leandro police at 577-2740.
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School District Presents $95 Million Budget
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-08-17
The San Leandro School district has a preliminary budget of $95 million for the 2017-2018 school year, balanced with almost $5 million in cuts and adjustments.
Assistant Superintendent Kevin Collins told the school board at its meeting this week that those cuts included $1 million cut from management salaries, as well as large reduction to school supplies and other services.
The largest portion of the budget, $77 million, goes to employee salaries and benefits.
Books and supplies cost $2.8 million, down 11 percent over the past school year’s budget.
The vast majority of the district’s revenue (over $85 million) is allocated by the state. The district also receives $4 million in federal funding and $5.7 million in local funding.
District Maintaining a 3-Percent Reserve
Collins said the district is maintaining a 3 percent reserve as required by the state, but that’s down significant from 2011 when it was 14 percent.
This budget is just about 1 percent larger than the 2016-2017 budget of $94 million, which had $75 million spent on salaries and the same 3 percent held in reserve.
Collins said the new budget isn’t final for a few reasons, including the fact that the state legislature is currently debating its budget, and some more one-time funding for schools may be made available.
“It’s always changing, it’s always a moving target,” said Collins.
There’s also the possibility of additional revenue coming in from the new parcel tax that the district will be asking voters to approve in a mail-in ballot this August.
The new parcel tax the district is asking for would be assessed at $78 per parcel annually for a period of 14 years, which would bring in a total of about $1.5 million annually to the district beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. The parcel tax would replace the school district’s current $39 parcel tax, which is due to end after the upcoming school year.
The school district currently has outstanding bond debt of $325 million and $181 million of that is principal. Of that, the current debt from high-interest Capital Appreciation Bonds is $91 million, and $27.5 million of that is principal.
The district’s 2017-2018 budget is expected to be put to a vote by the school board at their next meeting, June 20 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
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Chabot Dam Retrofit Nearly Done
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-08-17
Work is nearing completion on the seismic upgrades to the Lake Chabot Dam, though a rainy winter has delayed the project by about three months.
Chabot Park in San Leandro and parts of Lake Chabot Regional Park will remain closed through the summer. The work was expected to be completed this July.
The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has been working on an upgrade to the Lake Chabot Dam for over a year. The earthen dam was originally built in the late 1800s and needs state-mandated seismic improvements.
The San Leandro City Council recently got an update from EBMUD on the project, which began in May of 2016 and is now expected to be completed in October.
Concrete Poured to Strengthen Earthen Dam
The seismic work includes drilling into the earthen dam and filling the holes with concrete to strengthen the dam.
That part of the project is complete, so if the Hayward fault goes off tomorrow, the dam would be sound, according to EBMUD engineer Tom Boardman.
“The dam is strong again, stronger that it needs to be,” said Boardman.
Engineers estimated that if a major quake had hit before the upgrade, the dam could have ”slumped” up to five feet and shifted to one side.
The other part of the project is moving mechanical parts and drainage outlets that can release water to the spillway into the hillside so if a quake hits, they won’t be damaged.
But a record rainy season that saw 44 inches of rain at Lake Chabot this winter (the usual is about 25 inches) held up work. The spillway had water flowing from January to May this year, the most since 1980, Boardman said.
That heavy spillage had an unforeseen consequence, Boardman said, as fish “took a slip and slide” down the spillway. Boardman said a team from EBMUD put together a bucket brigade to catch a few of the fish from the base of the spillway and return them to Lake Chabot.
Another project delay was due to hundreds of swallows who built nests under a small bridge in the construction zone. Boardman said they had to wait out mating season before they could move in their heavy equipment via the bridge.
Boardman said that they brought in biologists during the early stages of the project to check on wildlife in the area and they noticed the nesting under the bridge.
“Normally, when you are looking for birds, you look up, but we should’ve looked down under the bridge,” said Boardman. “It slowed us down, but a lot of other work was going on at the same time.”
The seismic upgrade has closed parts of Lake Chabot and Chabot Park off Estudillo to the public for over a year and EBMUD was initially hoping that everything would be open for summer recreation, but the new completion date is October.
“We are in the home stretch of this project,” said Boardman. “This is a really big job and at the end of the day, it’s going to be really good for the community.”
CAPTION: East Bay Municipal Utility District engineer Tom Boardman checks out a newly installed pipeline inside the Lake Chabot Dam.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EBMUD
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City, Tech Leaders Break Ground
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
Officials broke ground last week for the second phase of the San Leandro Tech Campus, and then celebrated at the “Truth Thursday” party under the statue.
The new building is available for lease and will be ready for occupancy by the summer of 2018. The new six-story office building will have about the same amount of space as the first building that opened last October and houses the world headquarters of OSIsoft.
The tech campus is connected to the Lit San Leandro fiber optic loop, features LEED Gold design, and utilizes high-performance building systems and materials to lower operating costs and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
CAPTION: Breaking ground on the new tech building are San Leandro Deputy Community Development Director Tom Liao, Chief Innovation Office Debbie Acosta, Community Development Director Cynthia Battenberg, City Councilman Ed Hernandez, City Councilman Lee Thomas, City Councilwoman Corina Lopez, City Manager Chris Zapata, and Westlake Urban Marketing Director Sunny Tong.
PHOTO BY IRAN RAMIREZ
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Number of Homeless on the Increase
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
The number of homeless people in Alameda County has risen by nearly 40 percent in the past two years, according to a census conducted by EveryOne Home, a non-profit dedicated to ending homelessness.
“This problem is growing,” said Elaine de Coligny, director of EveryOne Home, at a press conference last week.
A total of 5,629 homeless people were counted in the county in the 2017 “point-in-time” count conduced in January by EveryOne Home. That’s up from 4,040 at the last count in 2015.
Men make up 58 percent of homeless people in Alameda County, 49 percent are African American, 30 percent white, and 17 percent Latino.
San Leandro is in the middle of the pack of cities in the county as far as homeless population, with 109 people counted.
The study found 2,761 people in Oakland, followed by Berkeley with 972 and Hayward with 397 and the unincorporated area reported 220. Twenty-one homeless people were counted in Dublin and 18 in Pleasanton, and none in Piedmont.
The county also surveyed 1,228 homeless people in order to find out more about their experience and needs.
According to the survey, the number one cause of homeless is monetary trouble, with 57 percent saying that is keeping them from a permanent residence. Mental health issues caused 12 percent of the homelessness cases and substance abuse caused another 12 percent.
A total of 47 percent said they had some disability that limited their ability to maintain work or housing. The most common self-reported conditions were psychiatric (41 percent), post-traumatic stress disorder (29 percent), and physical disability (27 percent).
Of those surveyed, 58 percent said they had been homeless for a year or more and 61 percent said they had more than one period of homelessness in their lives. Over 80 percent said they lived in Alameda County before becoming homeless.
de Coligny says that affordable housing is the key to ending homelessness in Alameda County. The survey found that 98 percent of homeless people would be interested in moving to permanent adorable housing if they could.
The EveryOne Home report indicates that in Alameda County 15,000 units of housing for homeless people will be necessary in the next 15 years. Another key, according to de Coligny, is to shore up “safety net” services in the community to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.
CAPTION: Homeless people came to the warming shelter at the First Presybterian Church on Bancroft Avenue, which is open on cold or rainy nights in the winter.
TIMES FILE PHOTO
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Report: 10,000 San Leandrans Live in Poverty
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
A new report on human services needs in San Leandro shows that the number of residents living below the poverty line has nearly doubled since the year 2000 – one of several findings that highlighted a gap in social services city and county-wide.
The report found that nearly 10,000 San Leandrans are currently living in poverty.
“The report is stark,” said Jeanette Dong, the city’s human services director. “There are some facts in there that may surprise you.”
The document was prepared for the city by Urban Strategies Council, an Oakland-based research group.
Urban Strategies director Steve Spiker said that San Leandro is in an unique position, as it is a suburb and has less established “safety-net” services than most cities, but an ever-growing number of people in need.
“For one of the first times, we are seeing the majority of people who are living in poverty in suburban areas,” said Spiker. “Many people in quiet suburban neighborhoods don’t want to face the fact that they are in poverty.”
Spiker added that the poverty line is a federally established standard ($12,000 annual income for individuals, $24,600 for a family of four), so the news is even more bleak in San Leandro and the Bay Area where the cost of living is so high.
In San Leandro, 5,000 residents were living in poverty in the year 2000, and the number jumped to 9,400 living in poverty in the year 2015. Of those, minorities had the most individuals in poverty with about 12 percent of African American, Asians, and Latinos below the poverty line, compared to about 7 percent of whites, according to the report.
And the age group with the highest percentage in poverty are those under age 18, with 14 percent under the poverty line. It was also estimated that 228 students in San Leandro schools are homeless, meaning they don’t have an adequate and fixed place to stay at night.
The biggest social service needs in San Leandro are affordable housing and mental health, according to Urban Strategies.
San Leandro residents make up 6 percent of the county’s residents but 12 percent of all psychiatric hospitalizations, a number that Urban Strategies researcher Sarah Marxer called “disproportionately high.”
Marxer said that in San Leandro 35 percent of the population are immigrants, of those 60 percent are Latino and 30 percent are Asian. Alameda County is second only to Los Angeles County as receivers of unaccompanied minors from Central American countries.
The report also indicated that many San Leandrans speak English “less than very well.” The report indicated that almost 80 percent of Asian language speakers over the age of 65 don’t speak English fluently, and neither do almost 60 percent of Spanish speakers in that age group.
“Obviously language access is a key consideration in human services,” said Marxer, who added if people don’t speak English fluently, they need information and services available in the languages they do speak.
There are no easy answers for solving the problems the study outlines, but once the issues have been identified, the next steps are strategizing between service providers, making a prioritized list of needs and looking for funding sources, Striker said.
The City Council said they were surprised at the depth of need in San Leandro.
“Quite honestly, I’m just overwhelmed,” said City Councilwoman Corina Lopez. “We have a lot of work to do and we have to do better. This is very important information to us. This should be impactful for us as we get into a discussion of our budget.”
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City Budget Rises by $40 Million
BY AMY SYLVESTRI • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
San Leandro’s budget for the next fiscal year projects city revenue to be $200 million in 2017/2018 and expenditures of $198 million.
The budget is a $40 million increase from last year’s budget of $160 million in revenue and $156 million in expenses.
The revenue increase is due in part to voters approving five separate tax measures over the past three years. And the city plans expenditures it put off during the economic downturn. Among them will be street repairs, the promise of which the city campaigned on during the push for the recent half-cent sales tax increase.
But about one-quarter of the anticipated necessary maintenance is not yet funded and the city will likely be asking voters for more money soon. In a city budget report authored by City Manager Chris Zapata, he says that the city may ask voters to approve a $20 million bond sometime during the 2018/2019 fiscal year.
“The city faces operating deficits in the future, due primarily to staffing costs,” Zapata writes. “However we will begin planning now so that the City Council may make informed decisions.”
Employee costs do remain one of the largest expenditures in the budget. Finance Director David Baum called the city’s pension obligations “a growing concern.” The city estimates that there are currently $174 million in unfunded pension liabilities.
Of the $200 million budget for next year, $65 million will go to salaries and benefits for current employees.
The city gets over 16 percent ($33 million) of its revenue from sales tax and nearly 15 percent from property tax ($29 million).
About 5 percent ($9.3 million) of the city’s budget this fiscal year will go to debt service. The city has a number of outstanding debts ranging from major contraction projects to LED street lights and leases on cop cars.
Paying Back Loans Plus Interest a Large Part of Budget
Among the debts gradually being paid back are a $43 million loan at 2.6 percent interest for the waster water treatment facility, a $18 million pension bond accruing 4.7 percent interest, and a $27 million bond to fund projects including building a new downtown parking garage and building the senior center.
The city department that takes up most of the budget is the police with 19 percent ($38 million), and the fire department accounts for 12 percent ($24 million), and capital improvements accounts for about 16 percent ($31 million).
In addition to the street repairs, major capital improvement projects in the budget in the new fiscal year include $4.7 million to decommission the marina and $2.3 million to rebuild Farrelly Pool.
Baum’s budget included holding about $32 million in reserve. Revenue exceeds expenses in the current budget, though that is projected to change over the the next few years as spending overtakes revenue in the 2019/2020 fiscal year and beyond.
“The next two years are balanced, but beyond that expenditures exceed revenue,” said Baum. But he added that the city is “pretty conservative” in their revenue estimates and may end up with more money than currently projected.
A detailed look at the city budget is available on the city’s website, www.sanleandro.org. The City Council is expected to discuss the budget further and vote for its approval at their next meeting, June 5 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 835 East 14th Street.
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City Engineer Wins State Award
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
The League of California Cities - Public Works Officers Department honored Keith Cooke, San Leandro’s Director of Engineering and Transportation, with the prestigious James L. Martin Award in March for his significant contributions towards the public works profession.
The James L. Martin Award has been presented annually since 2003 to individuals who demonstrate outstanding contributions to the public works field, including fostering professional development, mentoring others, and active participation in League activities.
“We are so fortunate to have Keith Cooke as our Engineering and Transportation Director,” said San Leandro Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter. “Virtually every neighborhood in San Leandro has benefitted from the important work he has helped execute over the past 22 years.”
Cooke began practicing civil engineering in 1984 and has been with the City of San Leandro since 1994 and became director of the city’s Engineering and Transportation Department in 2015. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of California, Davis and a master’s degree in structural engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He also holds licensure as a professional engineer and represented San Leandro on the Technical Advisory Committee of the Alameda County Transportation Commission from 2003 to 2015.
“Keith is a highly talented and committed San Leandro resident who is respected locally as well as regionally for his professionalism and dedicated public service,” added City Manager Chris Zapata, who appointed Keith to his current position in 2015 after a nationwide recruitment following the retirement of his predecessor, Uche Udemezue. “Keith also has a great track record of shepherding major projects to completion in partnership with community stakeholders, including the development and expansion of the Lit San Leandro fiber optic network.”
“I am humbled that my colleagues at the League of California Cities have honored me as the 2017 James L. Martin Award recipient,” Cooke said. “I hope my service inspires others to volunteer their time and efforts to this worthy cause as we all work to make our cities a better place for everyone.”
CAPTION: City engineer Keith Cooke spoke at a ceremony for the re-opening of San Leandro’s Water Pollution Control Plant in 2016.
TIMES FILE PHOTO
SL Swim Team Tops Chabot
BY ANDREW JOSEPH • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
The San Leandro Drowning Darryls beat Chabot by a score of 666-390 in a home swim meet on Saturday in week four of the East Bay Swim League.
San Leandro star swimmer Tyler LeBoa won all three of his events Saturday, with impressive times of 25.07 in the 50-yard butterfly and 58.47 in the 100-yard individual medley.
The Drowning Darryls are coming off of an undefeated 2016 season, looking to continue the winning streak this year.
Coach Scheberies spoke on the confidence in his team, saying, “We are led by 18 year old Tyler LeBoa who is the winner of our Jeff Engler spirit award and one of the fastest 15-18 boys in the league.
Swimmer’s Goal: To Break League Record
Emily Scheberies is also a stand-out swimmer. She is already swimming at league record times in several individual events and looking to break a relay record with Kaira Willits, Joyen Chau, and Mia Woo.
The standout swimmer LeBoa cites his focus and motivation as he said, “Assistant coach Jeff Engler’s passing away two years ago is my motivation and I step up my performance because of him. He was a huge part of our team that we consider family.”
“The Chabot meet is always a big meet for the Darryls team as the Marlins were one of the last teams that we lost to about 7 years ago,” said Scheberies. “Since then we have been undefeated. They have a lot of good swimmers and it always brings out the best in both teams.”
LeBoa attributes the continued success of the team on their winning streak.
“To keep the legacy going our solid coaching staff makes sure we work hard in practice, which leads to better times in the meets,” LeBoa said.
The meet marks week four, the middle of the season. No meets are scheduled for this Saturday as it’s a bye week for the league. Competition will resume on Saturday, July 8.
CAPTION: The San Leandro Swim Team continued its winning streak with a victory over the Chabot Swim Team on Saturday at the San Leandro High pool.
PHOTO BY ANDREW JOSEPH
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Dodgers Meet Tough Foes in Reno
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
The San Leandro Dodgers youth baseball team picked up some experience against some older teams at the Muckdogs 19u Wood Bat Tournament in Reno over the weekend.
The Dodgers (14-18 year olds) played against mostly college-age teams, finishing 1-4 in the tourney. San Leandro managed an 11-5 win over APS, the one team with players the Dodgers age.
The Dodgers collected 13 hits against APS, including a double and a triple by Jakob Bouhuys, two singles and a double by Cameron Weatherford, a pair of hits by Zion Michael, and a single, double and home run by Scott Anderson.
Rudy Avila, Josh Tanguma and Adrian Robles all singled.
Adrian Enriquez started the game for the Dodgers and Jacob Gurule pitched in relief.
The Bulls beat the Dodgers 10-9 with Weatherford and Bouhuys on the mound for San Leandro. Bouhuys hit two singles and Weatherford singled and doubled to help their own cause. Zion Michael also hit a pair of singles.
Tournament highlights for the Dodgers are homers by Rudy Avila and Scott Anderson. Zion Michael batted .571 for the tourney, Bouhuys batted .545, Weatherford batted .500, and Anderson batted .417.
It was a grueling tournament with the temperature around 103 degrees, and on the artificial turf infield it was 110.
The Dodgers are back at home tonight (Thursday) at San Leandro Ballpark for a game at 6 p.m against Old School Baseball, and on Saturday at 10 a.m. with a double-header against the Marin Wildcats.
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Dodgers Beat Bulls, Fall to Powerhouse Watsonville
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
The San Leandro Dodgers youth baseball team split their games last week with a win over the Blankenship Bulls and a loss to Watsonville.
On Thursday, Jimmy Silva pitched a complete game shutout and chalked up 12 strikeouts for the Dodgers in a 4-0 win over the Blankenship Bulls.
Zion Michael doubled and singled. The rest of the Dodgers seven hits came on singles by Mike Pulido, Cameron Weatherford, Silva, Gabe Fernandez and Justin Hernandez.
Hernandez also worked behind the plate for four innings, and Jovanni Sao came in as catcher for three innings.
On Saturday, the Watsonville Aggies, one of the best teams in the league, beat the Dodgers, 9-7.
The Dodgers got 12 hits, including a single and double by Scott Anderson. Silva had three hits, Adrian Robles hit a pair of singles, and the Dodgers also got hits by Hernandez, Sao, Zack Soto, Coco Sanchez and Brian Gonzalez.
Scott Anderson pitched four innings for the Dodgers and Justin Hernandez pitched three innings in relief.
The Dodgers are heading to the annual Reno Tournament to be played today through Sunday. The next home game will be on Tuesday, June 27, at 6 p.m. versus Alameda at San Leandro Ballpark on Teagarden Street.
CAPTION: San Leandro Dodgers batter Rudy Avila takes a cut at a pitch in a game last week.
PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES
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Future Looks Bright for San Leandro’s Graduating Seniors
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
San Leandro High baseball coach Mike Bungarz announced that seven seniors on this year’s Pirates team all have big plans for the future.
The Pirates baseball team didn’t make the playoffs this year for the first time in the last six seasons, as the Pirates had a lot of new faces on the team this year.
“We coached them hard and the boys gave a great effort,” said Bungarz. “The boys were and are a close group and the coaching staff truly enjoyed each player.
“We will miss these seniors who have meant so much to our program,” Bungarz said. “Our freshman and sophomore class had a nice year on the junior varsity so the future looks bright.”
The seniors’ plans for next year are:
• Tyler Hidalgo will attend Cal State East Bay and study psychology.
• Jordan Woods will attend SF State and major in ethnic studies.
• Ethan Rich has an academic scholarship to UC Santa Barbara.
• Alex Simas will attend San Jose State and major in civil engineering.
• Cris Delgadillo will attend Laney College and pursue baseball.
• Josh Campuzano (2nd team all league) will play baseball at San Joaquin Delta College.
• Alex Perreira (1st team all league) will play baseball at Chabot College.
CAPTION: San Leandro High pitcher Jordan Woods, shown pitching in a game this spring, will be going to San Francisco State next fall.
PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES
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SL Dodgers Swing into Summer Season
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
The San Leandro Dodgers youth baseball team (18 and under) are now 6-4 for the summer season after sweeping the California Warriors in a double-header on Sunday, followed by a loss on Tuesday night to Alameda.
On Tuesday night at San Leandro Ballpark, the Dodgers lost to the Alameda Merchants, 8-4.
The Dodgers got key hits by Josh Tanguma and Jacob Marples. Noah Amaral pitched four innings for the Dodgers, with Marples, Daniel Pasillas and Adrian Enriques pitching in rellief.
In the Sunday double-header, the Dodgers won the first game, 5-4, with a double by Jimmy Silva and hits by Adrian Enriques, Noah Amaral, Rudy Avila and Cameron Weatherford.
Weatherford pitched six innings for the Dodgers, and Amaral pitched the final frame.
In the second game of the twin-bill, Silva doubled for the Dodgers, and Mike Pulido and Weatherford each had a pair of hits to lead the Dodgers to a 12-7 win.
Jakob Bouhuys pitched four and two-thirds innings for San Leandro and Pulido pitched in relief.
On Saturday, the Dodger split a double-header against the Dawgs. The Dodgers took the first game, 6-3, with Coco Sanchez pitching three innings and Daniel Pasillas pitching four innings in relief – with Jimmy Silva catching the full seven innings.
Jacob Marples hit a pair of singles for the Dodgers who got a total of eight hits against the Dawgs.
In the second game, the Dawgs came back to win, 5-4, even though the Dodgers collected 11 hits.
Starting pitcher Enriques was relieved by Tanguma after one and two-thirds innings, and Silva pitched the final three innings.
Both Pasillas and Weatherford hit a pair of singles, and Silva hit a double for the Dodgers.
On Saturday, the Dodgers will host the Watsonville Aggies in a double-header starting at 5 p.m. at San Leandro Ballpark on Teagarden Street.
Next Tuesday, The Dodgers host Redwood City at 7 p.m.
CAPTION: Noah Amaral slides into home plate to score a run for the Dodgers against the Alameda Merchants on Tuesday evening at San Leandro Ballpark.
PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES
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Elvis to Make an Appearance at the Chanticleers in Castro Valley
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
The Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley, presents the comedy Elvis Has Left the Building, opening on Friday, June 30 and running through July 23.
Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and twilight matinees on Sundays at 6 p.m. (No show on July 2). General admission is $25; admission for seniors (60+) students and military is $20. On Bargain Night, July 1, all tickets are $18. For tickets, call SEE-LIVE (733-5483) or go to chanticleers.org for reservations/tickets. See Elvis Presley’s personal manager, “The Colonel” Tom Parker become frantic as he struggles to pay off a gambling debt to a mobster and Elvis’ concert appearance is how he had arranged to pay off his debt and escape harm’s way.
Elvis Has Left the Building is a farce/comedy written by Duke Ernsberger and Virginia Cate. Chanticleers Theatre’s production is directed by Jacob Russell-Snyder with a talented cast of actors, starring Jeffrey W. Tan (The Colonel), Jon A. Gergen (Candy), Marsha Howard (Trudy), Will Mattingly (Roscoe,) and Tyler Jeffreys (Jill).
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 06-29-17
Drums Along the Mohawk at SL Museum
The San Leandro History Museum, 230 W. Estudillo Ave, will screen John Ford’s famous outdoor adventure film, Drums Along the Mohawk, starring Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda (NR, 1939, 104 min.) on Saturday, July 1. The film will be shown at 11:15 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. No charge for admission.
Paradise Community Garden Open House
Come see what your neighbors are growing at Paradise Community Garden’s open house on Saturday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 20095 Mission Blvd. in Hayward. Viviane De Leon Bias will give a talk on Herbal Infusions for Optimal Health from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. This free event is sponsored by Eden Area Food Alliance and Eden Urban Farms. Native plants and handmade pottery will be for sale. For more information, call Rick Hatcher at 909-4077.
4th of July Barbecue Fundraiser
Bethel Community Church, 14235 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro, hosts its annual 4th of July barbecue fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner includes green beans, potato salad, bread and cake. For prices or to place your order or schedule delivery, email Dora at waltonstein@att.net. For deliveries place your order by July 1.
Legos At The Museum
Come to the summer Lego Celebration on Wednesday, July 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the San Leandro History Museum, 320 W. Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro. See the Lego movie The Adventures of Clutch at 1:30 p.m. Clutch is the best builder and explorer in the Lego Universe and he is saving the world one brick at a time. The movie is rated NR and is 1:18 min. long. Legos are be available to build your own adventure. This event is free. For more information, call 577-3992 on Wednesday or Thursday.
San Leandro Toastmasters
The San Leandro Toastmasters meet on Thursday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The group fosters improved communication and public speaking. All levels of speakers from novice to seasoned are welcome.
Boys & Girls Club Benefit
A fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro will be held on Friday, July 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Drakes Brewing Company, 1933 Davis St., Building 177 (by WalMart) in San Leandro. Taste from an array of mico brews and food and hear The Kopi Katz play music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. A $5 donation to the Boys & Girls Club is requested but not required. Brew tasting is $16 and includes a mug and three tokens. For more information, call 483-5581.
Sulphur Creek Nature Center
Explore and identify California’s raptors on Saturday, July 8, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Sulphur Creek Nature Center, 1801 D Street in Hayward. At this exclusive adult nature presentation, Catching the Currents, you will meet Sulphur Creek’s hawks, falcons and eagle. Advance registration is required. To register online visit www.haywardre.org or for more information, call Wendy Winsted at 881-6747. Cost for this program #43159 is $18 per person.
Cupcake Decorating Class at the Library
There will be a cupcake decorating class on Saturday, July 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Manor Branch Library, 1241 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. This class is for teens 16+ and adults. Learn the basics, how to frost, and decorate cupcakes, and take your cupcakes home. Registration is free, space is limited. For more information or to register, call 577-7971.
St. John’s Church Country Hoedown
Polish those boots and shake out them jeans for the upcoming Country Hoedown on Saturday, July 8, at St. John’s Church, 264 E. Lewelling Blvd. in San Lorenzo. No host bar opens at 5:30, dinner at 7:30 and dancing and prizes from 7:30 to 9:30. Dress country casual. The grub will be prepared by Texas Roadhouse. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For tickets, call Pat Forsythe “Marshall” at 278-4161.
Luncheon at the Alta Mira Club
The Alta Mira Club, 561 Lafayette Ave. in San Leandro, will host a salad bar luncheon on Monday, July 10, at noon. Tickets are $15. For reservations, call Carol Lebbrecht at 305-5393.
Sally Lampi Art Demonstration
Sally Lampi will demonstrate her method of mixed media art work at the next meeting of the San Leandro Art Association on Tuesday, July, 11, at 7 p.m. at the San Leandro Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. Admission is free.
The Hot Rods Band at SL Main Library
The Hot Rods Band will bring the energy and excitement of old-time rock ’n’ roll to the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave., on Saturday, July 15, from 2 to 3 p.m. Five talented musicians, performing on the saxophone, electric guitar, piano, bass, vocals and drums, will pay tribute to the Rockin’ Fifties with the songs of Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Ricky Nelson, and Jerry Lee Lewis – and to the Swinging Sixties, with the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Motown. No charge for admission.
Wonderful Worms at Manor Library
Discover the wonderful world of worms on Saturday, July 15, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Manor Branch Library, 1241 Manor Blvd. in San Leandro. Squirm and dig in the garden, learn about worms and why they love dirt. We’ll be making dirt pudding so dress for mess. Best for ages 3 and older. Register on or after July 1. For more information or to register, call 577-7971.
Sons In Retirement Meetings
SIRs, an organization of retired men, meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held at the Wedgewood Center at Metropolitan Golf Links, 10051 Doolittle Dr. in Oakland. Happy Hour starts at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. Great guest speakers. Guests are welcome. Come and meet new friends. For more information, call MEL at 357-0601.
Hayward Area Historical Society
The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) presents Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts through October at the HAHS Museum of History and Culture at 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. This original exhibition explores all the unusual, icky, scandalous, disturbing, awful, discriminatory artifacts in the HAHS collection. The artifacts in this exhibition tell some not-so-great, but very important stories. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chanticleers Theatre
Elvis Has Left The Building runs from June 30 to July 23 at the Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley. Jacob Russell-Snyder directs this comedy taking you back to December 20, 1970 and to the disappearance of Elvis Presley. No one, not even his wily manager, “The Colonel,” knows of his whereabouts. Hi-jinks abound as the Colonel takes desperate measures to replace a man who is irreplaceable. This hilariously funny story will keep you guessing until the end. General admission is $25; admission for seniors (60+), students and military is $20. For more information or tickets, call SEE-LIVE 733-5483 or go to chanticleers.org.
Morrisson Theatre
The Morrisson Theatre Chorus, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward, presents Summer Concert: Flavors of Latin America on Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, July 23, at 2 p.m. The summer concert, directed by Cesar Cancino, will feature the lively, tropical, and romantic rhythms of Latin America. Tickets are $18 for adults; $15 for H.A.R.D. area residents, under 30, over 60; and $12 for youth and students. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday, from 1 to 5 p.m and can be reached at 881-6777. For more information and tickets, visit www.dmtonline.org.
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Check Out San Leandro Artists’ Work at Coffeehouse
BY GINNY MILO • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-22-17
The San Leandro Art Association is having its summer exhibit through July 27 at Zocalo Coffeehouse, 645 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro.
The exhibit includes “Peaceful Communion” by Molly Dolly, who puts in her whimsical and joyful spirit into her art. She’s the art association’s current president and has been a member since 2009.
“I was meditating at the Hayward Senior Center and saw some koi fish in the pond,” Dolly said. “I sketched them, took a picture and continued painting them in my home studio. I like koi fish. They talk to me.”
Jane Tsushima has been a member of the art SLAA since 1975. She’s showing three of her pastel and oil paintings. Ana Marie Rodriguez is exhibiting her “Springtime in the Woods.” It is two watercolor paintings, put together as a collage, cut into strips, and woven into one piece.
Rodriguez says it gives her the feeling and color of spring. You will see that her choice of framing is perfect for her piece and the interplay of colors and perspective is exciting.
John Ries displays his “Night Heron” which showcases his surrealistic approach. It is executed in graphite, essentially black and white and framed in a blue background. Ries wanted to add color because the heron is thinking of the blue sky, hence out of its box. John’s attention to detail has been admired for years and he has been a member since the early 1980s.
Kathy Ries has been a member since 1997 and is a seasoned photographer at SLAA. She loves shiny chrome, and likes the detail, craftsmanship, and artistry of older automobiles. Her “Elegance in Chrome” is a clear testament to that attraction.
The San Leandro Art Association invites everyone to come and see their work, and thanks Zocalo Coffeehouse owner Sara Ubelhart for supporting San Leandro’s artists.
Ginny Milo is a member artist of the San Leandro Art Association and is exhibiting some of her art at the current exhibit at Zocalo.
CAPTION: San Leandro Art Association members Jane Tsushima and Molly Dolly are showing their work this month at the coffeehouse on Bancroft Avenue.
PHOTO BY GINNY MILO
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 06-22-17
Smalltown Society June Gathering
Connect with your community, hear from local artists and advocates, and experience the developing narrative of your neighborhood at the Smalltown Society June Gathering tonight, Thursday, June 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. at 22222 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. The meeting will highlight the work of artist Cherie Zulim, musician Clay Bassard, community advocates Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity and Castro Valley Matters. Bring food and drinks to share. Child care provided. (Contact Terri@firstpreshayward.com to reserve a spot.) For more information, see the website: www.smalltownsociety.com.
Oakland Velocity Baseball Tryouts
Oakland Velocity is forming competitive travel ball teams for the summer season. Tryouts for our 13u-18u summer programs will be held tonight, Thursday, June 22 and June 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bishop O’Dowd High School. For a tryout appointment contact coach Cedric Gilmore at 584-7239 or at www.velocitybaseball.co.
Dimension Barbershop Chorus
The New Dimension Barbershop Chorus will have its open house tonight, Thursday, June 22, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church, 17200 Via Magdalena in San Lorenzo. The chorus has no religious affiliation. All are welcome. Currently, the members come from Hayward, Castro Valley/Eden area, Pleasanton, Oakland and Kensington. Watch, learn or participate as the chorus rehearses, performs and explains the a cappella, barbershop style of singing.
I.D.E.S. of Saint John Hosts Dance
I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will host a dance on Saturday, June 24, at 7 p.m. with music by Victor Silva. Presentation of the queens will take place at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, June 25, a parade will line up in front of the hall at 10 a.m. Mass will be at 11 a.m. at St. Leander’s church, 550 West Estudillo Ave. For more information, call Willie Calvo at 635-6326.
Soroptimist International Flea Market
Soroptimist International of the East Bay will host its fundraiser flea market on Saturday, June 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3841 Somerset Ave. in Castro Valley. Shop and get a great bargain which will support Soroptimist scholarships and local programs that help women and their families. For more information, call 593-7377.
Bay Area Mustang Car Show
The Bay Area Mustang Association (BAMA) will host its annual Ponies & Snakes (Mustangs and Cobras) car show on Sunday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Danville Livery, 400 Sycamore Valley in Danville. The show is sold out with a hundred cars registered. There will be music, an awards ceremony and a raffle with many prizes with proceeds going to a local charity. For more information, call Dave at 566-4532 or check the show web site at www.poniesandsnakes.com or the club web site www.bayareamustangassociation.com.
Marina Women’s Golf Club Play Day
The Marina Women’s Golf Club invites all women interested in making new friends and improving their golf game to a “Play Day” on Tuesday, June 27, at the Marina Golf Course, 13800 Monarch Bay Drive in San Leandro. The day starts with a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. and tee-off time for the free game of golf starts at 9 a.m. To sign-up call Alice Edmondson at 483-6836 or email edmondsons62@comcast.net, or Elaine Chen-Ramirez at 352-1098 or email chenrame@pacbell.net. All levels welcome.
SL Freshman Football Tryouts
Incoming freshmen at San Leandro High School are invited to join the Freshman Football Team. Attend tryouts on Monday and Tuesday, June 26 and June 27, and Friday, June 30 at 3 p.m. at the San Leandro High School weight room. More information can be found online at slhs.net under the athletics tab or by calling coach Ballew at 846-6058.
Hayward Area Historical Society
The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) presents Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts through October at the HAHS Museum of History and Culture at 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. This original exhibition explores all the unusual, icky, scandalous, disturbing, awful, discriminatory artifacts in the HAHS collection. The artifacts in this exhibition tell some not-so-great, but very important stories. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Starting & Growing a Consulting Business
Alameda County SBDC presents Starting and Growing a Successful Consulting Business on Wednesday, June 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hayward City Hall, 777 B Street, conference room 2A. This presentation is free of charge, register online at https://nc.ecenterdirect.com/events/27052. For more information, call Lee Lambert at 208-0410 or email clientservices@acsbdc.org.
Drums Along the Mohawk at SL Museum
The San Leandro History Museum, 230 W. Estudillo Ave, will screen John Ford’s famous outdoor adventure film, Drums Along the Mohawk, starring Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda (NR, 1939, 104 min.) on Saturday, July 1. The film will be shown at 11:15 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. No charge for admission.
Boys & Girls Club Benefit
A fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro will be held on Friday, July 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Drakes Brewing Company, 1933 Davis St., Building 177 (by WalMart) in San Leandro. Taste from an array of mico brews and food and hear The Kopi Katz play music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. A $5 donation to the Boys & Girls Club is requested but not required. Brew tasting is $16 and includes a mug and three tokens. For more information, call 483-5581.
Chanticleers Theatre
Elvis Has Left The Building opens on Friday, June 30 and runs through July 23, at the Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and twilight matinees on Sundays at 6 p.m. (No show on July 2). This funny story will keep you guessing until the end. General admission is $25; admission for seniors (60+), students and military is $20. On Bargain Night, July 1, all tickets are $18. For more information or tickets, call SEE-LIVE 733-5483 or go to chanticleers.org.
4th of July Barbecue Fundraiser
Bethel Community Church, 14235 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro, hosts its annual 4th of July barbecue fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner includes green beans, potato salad, bread and cake. For prices or to place your order or schedule delivery, email Dora at waltonstein@att.net. For deliveries place your order by July 1.
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‘Truth Thursdays’ Meets at SL Tech Campus
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
The San Leandro Improvement Association hosts “Truth Thursdays,” on the fourth Thursday of the month under the “Truth Is Beauty” statue at the OSIsoft building on the San Leandro Tech Campus, 1600 Alvarado St.
Food trucks, beer, wine, and live entertainment will be on hand from 5 to 9 p.m. Bocce ball and other recreational games will be played out on the grass.
Everyone is invited to the event, said San Leandro Improvement Association president Gordon Galvan.
“We invite all of San Leandro, BART commuters, Bay Area residents, and visitors to come and unwind after a long day with some good food, drink and music under Truth is Beauty,” Galvan said.
The San Leandro Improvement Association (SLIA) is a non-profit corporation that’s run by a board consisting of property owners, residents, community members and businesses to improve the downtown. Its operating budget comes from a special tax on downtown property owners that raises around $400,000 a year.
CAPTION: The next “Truth Thursday” party under the Truth Is Beauty statue at the San Leandro Tech Campus will be on Thursday, June 22.
PHOTO BY IRAN RAMIREZ
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 06-15-17
Toastmasters Open House
Toastmasters Division A is having an open house on Friday, June 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Alameda Hospital, 2070 Clinton Ave. in Alameda. Learn about the Toastmasters, enjoy a speech marathon, meet Toastmaster members and network. No charge for admission. Toastmasters has local chapters in San Leandro and throughout the East Bay. For more information, contact Faz Binesh at fbinesh@aol.com or 760-8400, or email Justin Paras at Justin.Paras@gmail.com.
Open Cockpit Day at Oakland Airport
Hop into the cockpit of a famous fighter plane at the Oakland Aviation Museum’s “Open Cockpit Day” on Fathers’ Day, Sunday, June 18, from noon to 4 p.m. at Oakland Airport’s North Field, 8252 Earhart Road in Oakland, just off Doolittle Drive. Visitors can to sit inside aircraft such as the A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair, or a Harrier jump jet with live music, refreshments, and roller derby and drone demonstrations.
SL Democratic Club Fundraiser
The San Leandro Democratic Club is having a fundraiser on Thursday, June 22, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 302 Davis St. in San Leandro. The club is having the fundraiser this month instead of its regular monthly meeting.
Dimension Barbershop Chorus
The New Dimension Barbershop Chorus will hold an open house on Thursday, June 22, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church, 17200 Via Magdalena in San Lorenzo. The chorus has no religious affiliation. All are welcome. Currently, the members come from Hayward, Castro Valley/Eden area, Pleasanton, Oakland and Kensington. Watch, learn or participate as the chorus rehearses, performs and explains the a cappella, barbershop style of singing.
San Leandro Toastmasters
The San Leandro Toastmasters meet on Thursday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The group fosters improved communication and public speaking. All levels of speakers from novice to seasoned are welcome.
I.D.E.S. of Saint John Hosts Dance
I.D.E.S. of Saint John, 1670 Orchard Ave. in San Leandro, will host a dance on Saturday, June 24, at 7 p.m. with music by Victor Silva. Presentation of the queens will take place at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, June 25, a parade will line up in front of the hall at 10 a.m. Mass will be at 11 a.m. at St. Leander’s church, 550 West Estudillo Ave. For more information, call Willie Calvo at 635-6326.
Soroptimist International Flea Market
Soroptimist International of the East Bay will host its fundraiser flea market on Saturday, June 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3841 Somerset Ave. in Castro Valley. Shop and get a great bargain which will support Soroptimist scholarships and local programs that help women and their families. For more information, call 593-7377.
SL Improvement Association
The San Leandro Improvement Association hosts Truth Thursdays on the fourth Thursday of the month under the “Truth Is Beauty” statue at the OSIsoft building on the San Leandro Tech Campus, 1600 Alvarado St. Food trucks, beer, wine, and live entertainment will be on hand from 5 to 9 p.m. Bocce ball and other recreational games will be played out on the grass.
Marina Women’s Golf Club Play Day
The Marina Women’s Golf Club invites all women interested in making new friends and improving their golf game to a “Play Day” on Tuesday, June 27, at the Marina Golf Course, 13800 Monarch Bay Drive in San Leandro. The day starts with a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. and tee-off time for the free game of golf starts at 9 a.m. To sign-up call Alice Edmondson at 483-6836 or email edmondsons62@comcast.net, or Elaine Chen-Ramirez at 352-1098 or email chenrame@pacbell.net. All levels welcome.
SL Freshman Football Tryouts
Incoming freshmen at San Leandro High School are invited to join the Freshman Football Team. Attend tryouts on Monday and Tuesday, June 26 and June 27, and Friday, June 30 at 3 p.m. at the San Leandro High School weight room. More information can be found online at slhs.net under the athletics tab or by calling coach Ballew at 846-6058.
Artful Steps Artists Exhibit
Beautiful, multi-media work created by the Artful Steps artists with disabilities fills both the downstairs and upstairs galleries of the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave., through June 30. Special features in this exhibit include digital art, popular mosaics, original prints and a special My Little Pony project. Artful Step’s mission is to enhance both the artistic abilities and the self-esteem of individuals with developmental disabilities.
San Leandro Art Association Exhibit
Paintings by members of the San Leandro Art Association will be on display through July 31, at Zocalo Coffeehouse, 645 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro.
Hayward Area Historical Society
The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) presents Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts through October at the HAHS Museum of History and Culture at 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. This original exhibition explores all the unusual, icky, scandalous, disturbing, awful, discriminatory artifacts in the HAHS collection. The artifacts in this exhibition tell some not-so-great, but very important stories. Other items may not seem so scandalous now but were at one time. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chanticleers Theatre
Elvis Has Left The Building opens on Friday, June 30 and runs through July 23 at the Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and twilight matinees on Sundays at 6 p.m. (No show on July 2). This funny story will keep you guessing until the end. General admission is $25; admission for seniors (60+), students and military is $20. On Bargain Night, July 1, all tickets are $18. For more information or tickets, call SEE-LIVE 733-5483 or go to chanticleers.org.
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Copeland Brings Top Talents to Town
BY JIM KNOWLES • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-08-17
When Brian Copeland started his series of solo shows in San Leandro it was an experiment – just to see if it would work, live theater in his hometown of San Leandro.
Now in its third year, “The Best of San Francisco Solo Series” is going strong. Copeland has another eight performances lined up for later this year, all hit solo shows.
“This season has already sold more tickets than last year,” Copeland said.
This year’s lineup includes solo shows by Will Durst, Marga Gomez, Don Reed, Julia Jackson, Josh Kornbluth, Al Letson and Copeland will perform his Christmas classic, The Jewelry Box.
Copeland has one criteria for including a show in the series – that it’s been a hit, either at The Marsh Theater, A.C.T., SF Fringe Festival, or the Berkeley Rep.
Tickets are sold for the entire series, not for single shows, and past subscribers were given first shot at tickets.
“Live solo theater is an unique art form,” said Copeland, an actor, comedian, author and radio talk show host on KGO. Copeland’s first solo hit was Not a Genuine Black Man, about his family moving to San Leandro in the 1970s when it was practically an all-white town. The show won numerous awards and he’s performed it all over the world.
The solo series Copeland is producing runs from October through May in the Main Library’s lecture hall, each show running on a Friday and Saturday night and a Sunday matinee.
The success of the series wasn’t a sure thing at the beginning. That first year, Copeland got all the performers to do it as a favor.
As Copeland puts it: “They all said, ‘So you want me to take my show that I did on Broadway and do it at a library in San Leandro? Exactly, how much crack have you been smoking?’ … And then, “OK, I’ll do it for you, but you owe me.”
But now, that’s turned around. Copeland said they’re asking him to be included in the show.
“Then they came and did it,” Copeland said. “The space is wonderful, the Carnegie Lecture Hall at the library. It’s intimate. And the audience is so responsive and appreciative. Everyone just had a great time.
“Now I have performers calling me and begging me to do it. I’ve been able to get some of the biggest stars in the genre to do it.”
The 8-show series would cost $400 in San Francisco, plus transportation and parking, so this show is a bargain, Copeland says. The regular price for the series is $265, or $235 for seniors. But Copeland has an early-bird discount price of $200 for tickets purchased by this Sunday at midnight.
He’s also offering a $100 price for teachers (Saturday night is educators’ night), and a block of free tickets to San Leandro High drama students.
“I want to make a block of tickets available for arts enrichment for students, and for teachers who are underpaid for what they do,” Copeland said.
The eight award-winning shows in the series begin in October with Marga Gomez performing Memory Tricks; followed by Al Letson, Summer in Sanctuary; Brain Copeland, The Jewelry Box; Will Durst, Durst Case Scenario; Don Reed, Can You Did It; Brian Copeland, The Waiting Period;Julia Jackson, Children Are Forever (All Sales Are Final); and Josh Kornbluth, Ben Franklin Unplugged.
More information at bestofsfsolo.com. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com or by calling 800-838-3006.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 06-08-17
Workshop for Democrats
The Alameda County Democratic Party will present a free workshop for Democrats thinking of running for office on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, 1720 Marina Blvd. in San Leandro. Panels will explore personal and family impacts, campaign structure and components, fundraising, legal issues, and first steps. ADA accessible. RSVP required. For more information, call 629-1336 or email info@acdems.org.
Hearing Loss Association Meeting
The Hearing Loss Association will meet on Saturday, June 10, refreshments start at 9:30 a.m. with the program starting at 10 a.m., at the Oakland Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Fabiola Bldg., 3801 Howe St., lower level, room G26. Attorney Steven Derby will return as guest speaker. This meeting will include a potluck lunch, please bring finger food to share at this last meeting before September. Park free on Saturday in the garage across Howe Street. For more information, email athos.artist@att.net or call Kay at 886-4717.
Japanese Community Bazaar
The Eden Japanese Community Center, 710 Elgin St. in San Lorenzo, will have its annual bazaar on Saturday, June 10, from 3 to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with barbecued teriyaki chicken and rib dinner, sushi udon, chicken curry and shaved ice, plus raffle, bingo and games. Swing by, have some food and learn more about the programs the community center offers.
St. Gerard Women’s Club Luncheon
St. Gerard Women’s Club invites everyone to its salad bar luncheon and fashion show, “Hats Off to Fashions,” showcasing vintage attire by the models from Goodwill Bags on Saturday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at at St. John’s Church Hall, 264 E. Lewelling Blvd. in San Lorenzo. A salad bar luncheon starts at noon with a runway show to follow. There will be door prizes and a raffle. Admission is $15. To order tickets in advance call Eva Lowe at 586-0376. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
Join the Marines for Coffee
Don’t be just a former Marine, join other Marines, past and present, once a month on the second Saturday (except in November) at 0900 hours at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1105 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro, following the tradition of “Once a Marine, Always a Marine,” for coffee, doughnuts and friendship. All are welcome. For more information, call Bobby Ferreira at 460-0636.
A Presentation on Who are Sikhs?
Eden Area Interfaith Council and the Guru Granth Sahib Foundation (Sikh Gurdwara /Temple), Hayward invite you to a presentation on the Sikh faith on Sunday, June 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave. in Castro Valley. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Tea and Snacks will be provided.
Happy Stampers Club
If you would enjoy making greeting cards, come join the Happy Stampers. The club meets on the second Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. The rubber stamps and dies and all materials are furnished and beginners are welcome. For more information, call Janie at 483-0389.
Artist Demonstration
Peggy Milovina Meyer, will demonstrate her method of fine art illustrating on Tuesday, June 13, at 7 p.m. at the San Leandro Public Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. Admission is free. Sponsored by the San Leandro Art Association.
Sons In Retirement Meetings
SIRs, an organization of retired men, meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held at the Wedgewood Center at Metropolitan Golf Links, 10051 Doolittle Dr. in Oakland. Happy Hour starts at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon. Great guest speakers. Guests are welcome. Come and meet new friends. For more information, call MEL at 357-0601.
Toastmasters Open House
Toastmasters Division A is having an open house on Friday, June 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Alameda Hospital, 2070 Clinton Ave. in Alameda. Learn about the Toastmasters, enjoy a speech marathon, meet Toastmaster members and network. No charge for admission. Toastmasters has local chapters in San Leandro and throughout the East Bay. For more information, contact Faz Binesh at fbinesh@aol.com or 760-8400, or email Justin Paras at Justin.Paras@gmail.com.
SL Democratic Club Fundraiser
The San Leandro Democratic Club is having a fundraiser on Thursday, June 22, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 302 Davis St. in San Leandro. The club is having the fundraiser this month instead of its regular monthly meeting.
Hayward Area Historical Society
The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) presents Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts through October at the HAHS Museum of History and Culture at 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. This original exhibition explores all the unusual, icky, scandalous, disturbing, awful, discriminatory artifacts in the HAHS collection. The artifacts in this exhibition tell some not-so-great, but very important stories. Other items may not seem so scandalous now but were at one time. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chanticleers Theatre
Elvis Has Left The Building opens on Friday, June 30 and runs through July 23 at the Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave. in Castro Valley. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and twilight matinees on Sundays at 6 p.m. (No show on July 2). This funny story will keep you guessing until the end. General admission is $25; admission for seniors (60+), students and military is $20. On Bargain Night, July 1, all tickets are $18. For more information or tickets, call SEE-LIVE 733-5483 or go to chanticleers.org.
SL Improvement Association
The San Leandro Improvement Association hosts Truth Thursdays,” on the fourth Thursday of the month under the “Truth Is Beauty” statue at the OSIsoft building on the San Leandro Tech Campus, 1600 Alvarado St. Food trucks, beer, wine, and live entertainment will be on hand from 5 to 9 p.m. Bocce ball and other recreational games will be played out on the grass.
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Cherry Festival Music Lineup Showcases Local Talent and National Icons
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
The San Leandroids
Long-time San Leandro residents, The San Leandroids, play all your favorite danceable pop, rock, and new wave hits from the Eighties.
Ramana Vieira Ensemble
Ramana Vieira was born and raised in the Bay Area and a graduate of San Leandro High School.
She received her formal voice and acting training at the American Conservatory of Theater in San Francisco. She has traveled internationally, and was invited to Madeira, Portugal, her parents’ homeland, to perform for the annual wine festival.
When Mariza, the “Voice of Fado” in Portugal, was making a rare West Coast appearance on her spring 2002 tour, Ramana was chosen as her only opening act.
According to the “Mundo Portuguese,” an international Portuguese magazine, Ramana was called the “new voice of Portuguese World Music” and was featured on the front cover of their Jan./Feb. 2001 issue.
Ramona composes her music on the piano and is accompanied by some of the Bay Area’s finest musicains.
Her music is a combination of Portuguese Fados (traditional songs about “fates”) a splash of Flamenco guitar, and captivating rhythms.
Mango Kingz
Mango Kingz is a group of Bay Area guys that joined together to put their own spin on the island reggae sound that has spanned generations.
Through the years, the Mango Kingz have evolved and so has their distinct style. They strive to bring a little bit of that aloha spirit to the mainland, all for the love of a music that they fell in love with on a family vacation.
Over the years they have created their own buzz with their unique mixture of island, roots, and pop reggae, inspired by life on the “island” of the SF Bay Area. With the help of their loyal fanbase, they are now looking to share their positive vibes with the rest of the world.
Their first single, “You Got Me” was released in 2012, blowing up the radio waves in Hawaii. Their follow ups, “Givin It Up,” “Lady Sublime,” and “All Over Again”and their newest “Thumpin’” are introductions to the type of feel-good music you can expect from the Mango Kingz.
The Best Intentions
The Best Intentions is comprised of five talented vocalists. Their unique harmonic, soulful tones and their smooth choreography, have come to be recognized as the signature of the group. Presenting the Original Motown classics, old school, and R&B sound from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s on up.
Chuy Gomez
A Bay Area legend, Chuy Gomez is spinnin’ the biggest hits on the airwaves. He knows all types of music ranging from the classics to today’s hits.
Morris Knight
A love for music has always been the driving force in Morris’ life. This California native was raised in San Diego then moved to Sacramento where his radio career began.
Morris started as an intern then moved to a regular shift working overnights. This gave him enough experience to move to middays on KWIN in Stockton.
His life really changed in 1997, when he got the call from KISS 98.1 and was asked to move to San Francisco to become the PM drive host. Today Morris can be found weekdays, from 3 to 8 p.m. on iHeart80s@103.7. He calls it “the greatest job in the world.”
The Romantics
The original members of The Romantics — Wally Palmar, Jimmy Marinos, Mike Skill and Rich Cole — formally became a band on Valentine’s Day, 1977.
Bred on the mean streets of Detroit’s east side, they were inspired by the British punk invasion and their hometown rock scene. Nearly 30 years later they are still known for having created some of the most influential and beloved rock and roll of all time.
The Romantics cut their teeth on the Detroit sound characterized by the MC5, the Stooges, Bob Seger and the Last Heard, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, the Rationals, SRC, the Underdogs, and infused it with sincerity, irony, spontaneity and, of course, volume. They favored short hair, short songs and popularized red leather suits.
Their musical credo, then and now, was a simple, joyful affirmation, epitomized by the “Hey!...uh-huh!” intro to “What I Like About You,” the unforgettable, high-energy track that still bridges generations, times and musical genres. Their storied history goes something like this:
Wally Palmar, Jimmy Marinos, Mike Skill and Rich Cole – the original Romantics – weren’t punks. They were a response to the nihilism of the U.K. punks.
2011 brought the re-emergence of original bass player, vocalist, Rich Cole. With his addition, the band is able to expand their set list and include more songs from their first two albums, as well as new and unreleased material.
They are now able to focus in more on harmonies and getting back to their original rock sound that established The Romantics from the very beginning.
Currently, Palmar, Skill, Cole, and Elvis are touring and writing songs. In the works are new releases and some surprise unreleased, live recordings.
CAPTION 1: The San Leandroids play danceable ’80s hits.
CAPTION 2: The Best Intentions harmonize with soulful tones and smooth choreography. Below, the Mango Kingz bring their unique mixture of island, roots and pop reggae to the festival.
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Parade Kicks Off Cherry Festival
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
Parade Starts the Day
The Cherry Festival Parade will kick-off the day at 10 a.m. Saturday, starting at the Boys and Girls Club parking lot, and proceeding down San Leandro Boulevard to Estudillo Avenue at the Cherry Festival.
The parade will include floats, music, youth groups, elected officials, and representatives from local schools.
Bike to the Festival & Free Valet Bicycle Parking
Free valet bicyle parking will be available at the festival.
Bike Walk SL will host free valet bicycle parking on Hays Street to encourage you to ride your bike and avoid the hassle of driving and parking.
Farmers’ Market
The Farmers’ Market will have lots of cherries, stone fruits, and cherry-baked goods will be for sale.
BARTable
The Cherry Festival is BARTable with easy access to the San Leandro BART Station just a block away.
Arts and Crafts
Unique and hand-crafted cherry themed items will be available in the artisan section of the festival. Check out the goods for sale from local and specialty artisans.
PUBPARC
The San Leandro Chamber of Commerce will host a PUBPARC with a variety of food trucks from Food Truck Mafia, paired with local craft beer.
Kids’ Zone
Things to do for the kids, including rides, games and face painting and other activities.
Parking
Free parking is available at the Downtown Parking Garage, 122 Estudillo Ave. and the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave.
Directions
The San Leandro Cherry Festival is conveniently located downtown by the historical Casa Peralta.
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Today’s San Leandro Sprang Out of the Orchards
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
The first cherry tree planted in the San Leandro area was at Souther Farm in 1856. So great was the cherry production in San Leandro that the city became known as the “Cherry City.” To this day a cluster of cherries grace the center of the city’s emblem.
The first Cherry Festival took place in 1909, when cherry orchards covered much of San Leandro. Anticipating a bumper crop of cherries for that spring, the Board of Trade and the city’s luminaries decided to hold the community’s first cherry festival on Saturday, June 5, 1909, to promote the city.
Miss Bessie Best, the second daughter of Daniel Best (a prominent San Leandro businessman and inventor), was voted as Queen of the Festival. An estimated 25,000 visitors attended that year – a remarkable figure given the population of San Leandro was just under 3,500 people at the time.
A total of three parades were held throughout the day and 15 tons of cherries were given away. The festival ended with a grand ball.
Cherry Festivals were held throughout most of the early years of the 20th Century, with the exception of the years leading to, during and after WWI.
From 1922 to 1931, San Leandro’s Cherry Festivals included music, dancing, parades and races, and the young woman who sold the most festival tickets earned the title of Cherry Queen.
The festival also had a carnival atmosphere and included a three-ring circus, side shows and four blocks of concessions.
In some years, there was even a Ferris Wheel and a merry-go-round. From 1932 to 1971, the Cherry Festival ceased to exist as San Leandro’s once-extensive cherry orchards slowly gave way to industrial and housing development.
Then, in 1972, the Cherry Festival was revived as the city proudly celebrated its Centennial. The next Cherry Festival was held in 1986, and others were held regularly until 2005.
In 2015, approximately 25,000 people attended – a mix of residents and visitors. The city’s current population is around 89,000 people.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR • 06-01-17
Artful Steps Exhibit
Beautiful, multi-media work created by the Artful Steps artists with disabilities fills both the downstairs and upstairs galleries of the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave., through June 30. Special features in this exhibit include digital art, popular mosaics, original prints and a special My Little Pony project. A reception with refreshments and a fashion show will be held tonight, June 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Karp Room. The event is free and the public is welcome. Artful Step’s mission is to enhance both the artistic abilities and the self-esteem of individuals with developmental disabilities.
San Leandro Art Association Exhibit
Paintings by members of the San Leandro Art Association will be on display through July 31, at Zocalo Coffeehouse, 645 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro.
Readers Roundtable
The San Leandro Readers Roundtable will meet Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. There will be a discussion on The Sympathizer by Vietnamese American professor Viet Thanh Nguyen. All are welcome, and all books discussed are available for purchase in the library’s booktique bookstore.
Read Imagine Design
All ages are invited to join the “Read -Imagine- Design summer reading challenge to earn prizes for reading and doing activities from Saturday, June 3 to Friday, August 4. Sign-ups start on Saturday, June 3 at the San Leandro Public Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. or participate online at www.sanleandrolibrary.org.
Paradise Community Garden & Lunch
Paradise Community Garden will have an open house and pot luck lunch on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 20095 Mission Blvd. in Hayward. Native plants, handmade pottery, and local honey will be for sale. Bring a pot luck dish to share. Free event sponsored by: Eden Area Food Alliance and Eden Urban Farms. For more information, call Rick Hatcher (909-4077.
Workshop for Democrats
The Alameda County Democratic Party will present a free workshop for Democrats thinking of running for office on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, 1720 Marina Blvd. in San Leandro. Panels will explore personal and family impacts, campaign structure and components, fundraising, legal issues, and first steps. ADA accessible. RSVP required. For more information, call 629-1336 or email info@acdems.org.
Hearing Loss Association Meeting
The Hearing Loss Association will meet on Saturday, June 10, refreshments start at 9:30 a.m. with the program starting at 10 a.m., at the Oakland Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Fabiola Bldg., 3801 Howe St., lower level, room G26. Attorney Steven Derby will return as guest speaker. This meeting will include a potluck lunch, please bring finger food to share at this last meeting before September. Park free on Saturday in the garage across Howe Street. For more information, email athos.artist@att.net or call Kay at 886-4717.
Japanese Community Bazaar
The Eden Japanese Community Center, 710 Elgin St. in San Lorenzo, will have its annual bazaar on Saturday, June 10, from 3 to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with barbecued teriyaki chicken and rib dinner, sushi udon, chicken curry and shaved ice, plus raffle, bingo and games. Swing by, have some food and learn more about the programs the community center offers.
St. Gerard Women’s Club Luncheon
St. Gerard Women’s Club invites everyone to its salad bar luncheon and fashion show, “Hats Off to Fashions,” showcasing vintage attire by the models from Goodwill Bags on Saturday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at at St. John’s Church Hall, 264 E. Lewelling Blvd. in San Lorenzo. A salad bar luncheon starts at noon with a runway show to follow. There will be door prizes and a raffle. Admission is $15. To order tickets in advance call Eva Lowe at 586-0376. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
Join the Marines for Coffee
Don’t be just a former Marine, join other Marines, past and present, once a month on the second Saturday (except in November) at 0900 hours at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1105 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro, following the tradition of “Once a Marine, Always a Marine,” for coffee, doughnuts and friendship. All are welcome. For more information, call Bobby Ferreira at 460-0636.
A Presentation on Who are Sikhs?
Eden Area Interfaith Council and the Guru Granth Sahib Foundation (Sikh Gurdwara /Temple), Hayward invite you to a presentation on the Sikh faith on Sunday, June 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave. in Castro Valley. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Tea and Snacks will be provided.
Artist Demonstration
Peggy Milovina Meyer, will demonstrate her method of fine art illustrating on Tuesday, June 13, at 7 p.m. at the San Leandro Public Library, 300 Estudillo Ave. Admission is free. Sponsored by the San Leandro Art Association.
Hayward Area Historical Society
The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) presents Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts through October at the HAHS Museum of History and Culture at 22380 Foothill Blvd. in Hayward. This original exhibition explores all the unusual, icky, scandalous, disturbing, awful, discriminatory artifacts in the HAHS collection. The artifacts in this exhibition tell some not-so-great, but very important stories. Other items may not seem so scandalous now but were at one time. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bayfair Toastmasters
Bayfair Toastmasters is a small, growing club seeking new members who want to learn the art of public speaking. All are welcome to the club’s weekly meetings every Wednesday from noon to 1 a.m. in the Bayfair Mall 2nd floor meeting room above the food court. Come through Entrance 5 facing the Century Theater. For more information, call Noreen at 538-6025 or Wayne at 407-0048.
Home Hit By Car
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
A car drove into a residence on the 1600 block of Grand Avenue last week and first responders were able to free the driver and prop up the damaged building. The single car accident happened just before 10 a.m. on June 19, the fire department said. Struts were used to hold up the structure while the car was removed by a tow truck. Spot shores were installed after the vehicle was removed. There were no injuries to the driver, residents or firefighters, authorities said.
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Man Shot in Mulford Gardens
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
A Hayward man was charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting a man in Mulford Gardens last week.
Officers responded to a call of a disturbance on the 2000 block of West Avenue 135th at around 8 p.m. on June 17 and found a man suffering a single gunshot wound to his abdomen, according to Lt. Benabou of the San Leandro police.
The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived but the subsequent investigation pointed to Noel Mejia, 22, who was found to be an associate of the victim’s neighbor, Benabou said.
Detectives later obtained video surveillance from the area that captured the incident and identified the getaway vehicle as a white Nissan Maxima.
The following day, officers were dispatched to an unrelated hit-and-run collision involving the suspect vehicle.
When officers arrived on the scene, they learned that the occupants had run from the car.
A search of the area was conducted and three people were located, and one of them was Mejia, Benabou said. The other occupants weren’t arrested.
“The swift and thorough work of our officers and detectives led us to the arrest of this dangerous suspect,” said Benabou in a written statement. “Information obtained within the first few hours of any incident is critical to the outcome of the investigation. We are pleased that the suspect is in custody and we are hoping for a full recovery of the victim.”
Mejia is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and his next court appearance is scheduled for July 19.
The district attorney’s office has charged Mejia with attempted murder, robbery, and a special circumstance of prior serious felony.
The victim has been treated and released from a local hospital.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the San Leandro police criminal investigation division at 577-3230 or the department’s anonymous tip line at 577-3278.
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Warnings Issued for Weather, Fire
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
Authorities have issued heat and fire warnings for today, Thursday, which may be extended.
Cal Fire announced that a “red flag warning” fire weather watch has been declared to alert fire departments of the possible onset, of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity.
A red flag warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. A fire weather watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 72 hours.
The type of weather patterns that can cause a watch or warning include low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, the possibility of dry lightning strikes, or any combination of the above.
During heightened fire danger, Cal Fire will place additional firefighters on duty, staff more fire engines and keep more equipment on 24 hours a day to be able to respond to any new fires.
Cal Fire urges Californians to be extremely cautious, especially during periods of high fire danger, as one spark can start a fire.
A heat advisory has also been issued by the National Weather Service for today in anticipation of temperatures well above average.
They encourage people to limit outdoor activities, drink plenty of fluids, give extra care to pets and plants, stay in air conditioned areas, and to beware of rip currents if at the beach.
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Statue Shooting Not a Hate Crime
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
The man who allegedly shot the statue of St. Felicitas last week has been charged with multiple felonies but not with a hate crime, police said this week.
Eric Mullen, 34, of San Leandro was charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with vandalizing religious property, discharging a firearm with gross negligence, resisting arrest, and carrying a concealed firearm after allegedly firing at least nine rounds into the statue and a building at St. Felicitas Catholic Church on June 10.
The crime was initially investigated as a possible hate crime, be not evidence was found to substantiate that charge, according to Lt. Isaac Benabou of the San Leandro police.
Mullen is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $250,000 bail. His next court date is June 26.
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Gas Station Clerk Shot in Robbery, Suspect At Large
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
A man was shot during a gas station robbery last week and is in critical condition. The suspect remains at large.
A suspect entered the Chevron gas station at 15201 Washington Avenue at around 8 p.m. on June 4 and approached the counter with a gun and demanded money from the clerk, according to Lt. Isaac Benabou of the San Leandro police.
The employee began to comply and opened the cash register when the suspect shot him. The suspect then grabbed the cash and fled the store.
The clerk was able to call for help and was taken to a local hospital and is listed in critical condition, Benabou said.
Detectives are currently investigating and have video surveillance and other evidence, Benabou said.
The suspect is described as a black male adult, 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-11, about 175-200 pounds, and he was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark colored pants, and white shoes at the time of the shooting.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the San Leandro police at 577-2740.
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Car Goes into Water at the Marina, Occupants Leave Before Cops Arrive
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
People were rescued from a car that crashed into the water at the San Leandro marina Sunday afternoon and were rescued by two passersby.
San Leandro police received reports of a car in the water at around 2 p.m. and when emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found that the occupants of the car had been helped and already left the scene in another vehicle driven by friends.
Witnesses said the car was speeding and the driver lost control before hitting the rocks and leaving the road and going into the water.
The rescuers used a rock to break a car window and help the occupants of the submerged car.
The number of people who were in the car and their identities are not known at this time. Police are investigating the crash.
Police found another car, likely stolen, submerged in the marina back in March and no driver was located in that incident.
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Motorcyclist Killed on I-880
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-08-17
A motorcyclist was killed Tuesday afternoon after crashing into two vans while driving northbound on I-880 just south of the Davis Street exit.
The motorcyclist has been identified as Matthew Newman, 33, of San Ramon and he died at the scene shortly after 4 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said Newman was lane splitting when he hit a Ford van and then a Volkswagen van and was ejected from his motorcycle.
The CHP is investigating the cause of the collision. Neither driver of the vans was injured.
The crash caused a Sig Alert as the two left lanes of I-880 to be closed for around two hours Tuesday which stalled the evening commute.
The CHP is asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to call them at 489-1500.
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Arrests Made in Senior Scam Case
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-08-17
Four people were arrested on the 1600 block of Morgan Avenue last week when San Leandro police served a search warrant at their home.
One suspect had an arrest warrant and was taken into custody and the police obtained a search warrant and made three additional arrests at the home, according to Lt. Isaac Benabou of the San Leandro police department.
Police say the peopel who were arrested are all related and had taken part in various scams against seniors, and were arrested for crimes including theft and preexisting warrants.
Benabou said crimes against seniors are common.
“This is that San Leandro has been experiencing for years,”said Benabou. “When people are nice or maybe a bit naive, they fall for it.”
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Cherryland Teen Rescues Brother
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
A one-alarm fire broke out at at a home on the corner of Cherry Way and Haviland Avenue last Friday just before 9 p.m.
Before firefighters arrived on the scene, Petelo Finau, 18, jumped from a second floor window and used a ladder from a neighbor to rescue his 13-year-old brother on the second floor.
The younger brother was taken to children’s Hospital in Oakland to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire was contained to the first floor but the entire home suffered heavy smoke damage, according to the fire department.
Finau is due to leave for the U.S. Navy in less than two weeks and the Alameda County Fire Department congratulated him and that Good Samaritan for their bravery
No one else was hurt and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
CAPTION: Petelo Finau (left) saved his younger brother from a fire at their family’s Cherryland home last week and Alameda County Fire Department Battalion Chief John Whiting congratulated him on his bravery.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ACFD
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San Leandro Man Allegedly Choked to Death by Nephew
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
A San Leandro man was killed and his nephew has been named as a suspect following an assault outside an Oakland restaurant earlier this month.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s office has charged Trevaughn Soriano, 25, of Concord with the murder of Trevino Thomas, 48. They say that Soriano fought with Thomas outside of a restaurant on the 2700 block of 64th Street on May 17.
The uncle and nephew apparently had coincidentally come to the same restaurant for dinner with their girlfriends, Oakland police said.
The women began arguing and the men intervened and Soriano choked Thomas to death, according to the district attorney’s charges.
Soriano initially fled the scene but turned himself into to police last week.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Oakland police at 238-3821 or the tip line at 238-7950.
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Man Found Dead at Bayfair BART Station, No Foul Play
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
A man was found dead near the Bay Fair BART station shortly before 5:30 a.m. last Thursday, May 25.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office coroner’s bureau has identified him as Troy Je’Vaughn Gilbert-Key, 33.
Gilbert-Key was found in the pedestrian tunnel that leads to the station, according to BART police.
Emergency personnel arrived and tried to revive him but he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of Gilbert-Key’s death is still under investigation, but BART police said they currently do not believe any criminal activity was involved in the death.
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Police Brutality Victim Settles Suit
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
The man who was beaten by Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies as he fled the scene of a crime has received a $5.5 million settlement from the county.
Stanislav Petrov hit a deputy’s patrol vehicle while driving a stolen car and led officers on a high-speed chase from Foothill Boulevard in the unincorporated area into San Fransisco in November 2015. When deputies caught up with him, two of them beat Petrov with their batons over 40 times as he tried to cover his head with his arms.
Surveillance video of the beating caused outrage when it was released by the San Francisco public defenders’ office.
Deputies Luis Santamaria and Paul Weiber were fired from the department and have been arrested and charged with felonies including assault with a deadly weapon.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s office dropped charges against Petrov for the incident involving the Alameda county Sheriff’s Office, but he is currently in prison awaiting trial on unrelated federal gun and drug charges.
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San Leandro Resident Among the Injured in Crash That Killed Teens
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
A San Leandro resident is among those injured in a car crash that killed two teens on Memorial Day in Alameda.
Briana Ortega of Hayward and Simon Sotelo of Union City, both 17, were killed in the crash and six other people were injured.
Some of the injured remain hospitalized, according to Alameda police.
The names of the injured people have not been released.
The crash occurred around 8 a.m. Monday morning when the pick-up truck containing Ortega, Sotelo, and five other occupants in their teens and early 20s collided with a minivan driven by a 40-year-old Oakland woman near the intersection of Park Street and Lincoln Avenue.
Alameda police are investigating the collision and preliminarily believe the pick-up driver ran a red light and may have been speeding.
The pick-up truck rolled several times following the impact, and collided with a light pole and a tree police said.
The minivan drier was treated for non life-threatening injuries.
The other occupants of the truck all remain hospitalized, some in life-threatening condition.
The injured people are being treated at Highland Hospital in Oakland and Eden Hospital in Castro Valley.
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Does Your Plan Make Financial Sense?
BY JASON ALDERMAN • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-29-17
My wife and I survived two major home improvement projects and we’ve got the battle scars to prove it. Like most people feeling cramped for space — thanks to two growing children in our case — we weighed the plusses and minuses of remodeling versus moving to a larger home. Because we live in a great neighborhood with strong local schools, we ultimately decided to stay put and remodel, but everyone’s case is different.
Here are a few considerations to weigh before you decide on a major home improvement or remodeling project:
Wishes vs. Needs
How necessary are the improvements you want? The days when many improvements paid for themselves in increased home value are over for now, especially such strictly cosmetic upgrades as new kitchen cabinets or a bathroom skylight. That doesn’t mean certain projects aren’t worthwhile. For instance:
Repairing a leaky roof or faulty plumbing might spare you from water or mold damage.
Installing attic and wall insulation and energy-efficient windows or replacing older appliances and light fixtures will lower utility bills and may be tax-deductible (visit www.energystar.gov for information on tax credits and rebates).
Budgeting
Gather cost estimates for each job or item and create a chart with columns for high-, medium- and low-cost options. Don’t forget supplies for do-it-yourself projects and always add an extra 20 percent or more for unexpected expenses.
If contracted labor is involved, gather three estimates and carefully check references and business licenses. Also, ask about discounts for grouping multiple projects together.
Financing Options
Ideally, you’ve already established a home improvement savings plan. But if you’re planning to borrow, proceed with caution. Just a few years ago, home values were skyrocketing and many people took out a home equity loan (HEL) or line of credit (HELOC) to tap their home’s equity. But the real estate market’s collapse left many people owing more than their homes were worth.
Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs.
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Pave the Way to a Better Home
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
What’s in these days is enjoying outdoor living rooms, kitchens and more.
An easy and elegant way to bring your home up to style and expand your living area is with colorful, durable concrete pavers. They can improve your family’s quality of life now and your home’s curb appeal when the time comes to sell.
Wherever you put pavers, real estate experts say, it can be easy to recoup the cost when you sell the house.
Many homeowners consider pavers a much more attractive way to go than other pavement systems. They’re also easier to maintain and last longer without needing to be repaired.
Pavers provide a safe, slip-resistant surface in beautiful beige, coral, variegated or darker blended colors, as well as blends with flashed tones to harmonize with a home’s exterior cladding. They can easily be put into patterns that complement the architectural style of your home because there’s such a wide variety of styles available.
Where To Pave
The most popular places to put pavers include:
• Patios: A well-designed patio made of interlocking concrete pavements can enhance the character and value of your home and provide extra entertaining space that can include fire pits, fireplaces, lounging areas and even kitchens.
• Pool decks: Concrete pavers are an excellent way to visually integrate the pool into your landscaping design.
• Walkways: A properly paved walkway can frame your home. To lend more grace to an entrance, walkways should be at least three feet wide and gently curved.
• Driveways: Concrete pavers can add a touch of class that is inviting and durable, while also enhancing your home’s curb appeal.
When choosing a contractor to help design and complete your project, make sure you hire a contractor who is an ICPI Certified Concrete Paver Installer. They are knowledgeable of industry best practices, have passed an exam and possess the required experience.
For more information about concrete pavers, visit www.concretepavers.org.
— North American Precis Synd., Inc.
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Declutter Your Home
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
Here are five simple, effective tips to help you clean out any junk you’ve accumulated — and make some quick cash in the process.
1. Start with storage spaces. Formulate a plan and take it one room at a time, starting with closets, basement, attic and the garage. You’ll need the space as you move through each room and reorganize your items.
If you find that you haven’t used the things in your storage spaces since last year, you can sell them on 5miles, a free local marketplace app.
2. Use the “Four Bucket” method. This makes it simple and efficient to organize your clutter. In every room, evaluate each item and pick one of four buckets:
Store it — If it’s useful and necessary to keep in your home.
Sell it — Make some money off your old items.
Trash it — If it’s worn out or broken, just toss it.
Recycle it — Determine which items, if any, can be recycled.
3. Ruthlessly purge. For some, it can be hard to get rid of old items. However, it’s worth clearing out old junk for the joy of a clear, uncluttered home.
4. Give things a chance. For items that are in good condition, give them a second chance by listing them in the “Free & Donations” category on the 5miles app.
5. Sell as you go. Selling your items can be as simple as snapping a few pictures, writing a quick description, and uploading them to the app.
For more information, visit www.5milesapp.com.
—North American Precis Synd., Inc.
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Power Is a Priority
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-29-17
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a summary of trends indicates that 3.7 million employees now telecommute at least half of their work week. And millions of others are self-emplyed in home-based businesses.
These work trends support an urgent need for undisrupted electricity in the home to reduce lost work time and other avoidable disruptions.
Working from home has a number of employee benefits: The morning commute can’t be beat and every day is casual Friday. And one perk that benefits both employee and employer is that studies show individuals tend to work more productively from a quieter, well-connected environment.
However, when hot weather threatens brown-outs or black-outs, the flow of work from home to corporate office may also be at risk. Formulating a backup plan in the case of a power outage should be a significant part of a home office business model.
Every responsible home office business model should consider a continuous source of power. Home standby generators, like the Guardian series by Generac Power Systems, turn on automatically when utility power goes out and stay on until utility power is restored.
The benefits of installing a backup power system include uninterrupted, continuous power; communications connectivity for all business and home needs; protection for expensive computer equipment; and overall peace of mind.
More than just an inconvenience, a power outage also means productivity losses that can ultimately result in lost income and missed opportunities.
It’s also important to prioritize those items the home office will need in order to stay up and running.
For facts and advice about investing in a reliable backup power system, visit www.Generac.com.
—North American Precis Synd., Inc.
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Stay Safe When Using String Trimmer
BY SAMANTHA MAZZOTTA • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-29-17
To keep your lawn edges neat, a string trimmer (also known as a Weed Whacker, Weed Eater or weed trimmer) doubles as a good edger, and is really affordable: You can purchase an electric trimmer for as little as $40.
For a little more (about $100 on average) you can get a cordless electric trimmer, which eliminates the hassle of dragging around extension cords and the worries about accidentally striking one.
To use the trimmer on lawn edges, angle it slightly downward toward the edge you’re targeting, engage the motor by pressing the control trigger, and ease the whirring string toward the grass until just the tip of the string touches it. Move it along the edge of the grass, trimming it to the same height as the rest of the freshly mowed lawn.
A few safety notes here:
• Always wear long trousers and sturdy, close-toed shoes when doing any lawn work, particularly with power tools and mowers.
• Wear eye protection when using a string trimmer, and maybe gloves, because it’s painful and dismaying to be hit with debris when using this tool.
• Learn to angle the trimmer so that grass and dirt fly away from you. The trimmer guard helps, but doesn’t provide full protection.
• Tell bystanders to move away, or stop trimming when neighbors walk past, starting again when they are clear.
• If you’re using a corded electric trimmer, always be aware of where the cord is, so you don’t accidentally hit it.
• Avoid hitting concrete or brick when using the trimmer. The harder surface quickly destroys the trimming line, meaning you’ll have to replace it sooner.
• Be careful when trimming around shrubs and trees, as the whirring line can damage the bark.
Knowing how to maintain your string trimmer also can save money. Over time, the cutting string will run out — as it’s intended to do. Purchase replacement line as needed, make sure the trimmer is unplugged and remove the spool from the trimmer’s cutting head by turning the trimmer over, removing the fitted cap from the cutting head and lifting out the spool.
Remove the remaining cutting line and discard. Thread the new line into the thread hole or guide notch, and wind it around the spool in the direction of the arrow printed on top of the spool. You can get more details online.
Home Tip: To prevent “scalping” a lawn edge, trim facing outward, toward the pavement (without hitting it), rather than inward toward the lawn.
© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.
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Market Doldrums Slow June Activity
BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-29-17
Seafaring mariners who relied on wind to keep them moving dreaded sailing through the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
Sometimes known as “the itch,” the zone is a belt circling the earth approximately five degrees north and south of the equator. Here, trade winds from the northern hemisphere, blowing southeast, collide with the southern hemisphere’s northeasterly blowing trade winds, effectively canceling each other out.
This band of still air was known to sailors as the Doldrums, and it was not uncommon for ships to be becalmed for days or even weeks at a time.
We have our own doldrums in real estate called “the Month of June.”
Every year, we greet June with no small amount of trepidation, not knowing if we will sail clear through the month with no loss in momentum, or be becalmed for a few weeks, a month or even more.
June 2005 was the first time I saw the doldrum effect. Up until then, the market had been full speed ahead in much the same fashion as our current market. Multiple offers were the norm and homes averaged less than two weeks on the market.
The weekend of June 22nd, 2005, however, everything changed. Inventory spiked in a one week period and the seller’s market turned on its heal overnight and became a buyer’s market.
What causes June’s doldrum effect? Historically, June is the month which averages the highest amount of inventory. As the school year winds down, families looking to relocate get their homes on the market hoping to be in a new location for the coming September.
As homes begin flooding the market, school graduations, Father’s Day and other June events take the focus away from buying a home. Consequently, as inventory climbs, the buyer pool typically hits the pause button.
The effect can be quite dramatic and cause panic attacks in sellers. Used to seeing homes come and go in mere days, it’s a shock to see a sudden, sharp decline in market activity.
This year has been no exception. Many sellers have been caught off guard by homes passing offer deadlines with no contracts. Our advice? Hang tight. Normally, things get back to normal in July as the summer kicks in.
Are we seeing another 2005? No. A market slowdown? While It’s too soon to tell, if this pattern persists into July, then the answer could be… maybe.
Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association at www.ccmgtoday.com.
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Fed Rate Hike Signals Higher Mortgage Rates
BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-22-17
In its fifth rate hike since December 2015, the Federal Reserve raised the Federal interest rate another quarter point on June 14.
The bump comes as no surprise as the Federal Open Market Committee reiterated its desire to increase rates to meet its benchmark target of between 1-1.25 percent “in view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation.”
While we will not see immediate changes in mortgage interest rates, the upward tic in the Fed rate reinforces the reality that higher mortgage rates are inevitable.
Those who are looking to buy at the limits of their credit capability will want to buy sooner than later as higher rates lower their buying potential.
While today’s buyers bemoan upturns in mortgage rates, they need a reminder that interest rates are still at historic lows. When my wife and I bought our first home, rates were over 16 percent.
A mere decade ago, rates fluctuated between 6-8 percent. The difference in purchasing power is amazing: a buyer who currently qualifies for a $400,000 loan with a rate of 4 percent would only qualify for $318,500 if the interest rate was 6 percent. If the rate was 8 percent, the loan drops to $260,250.
To put this into perspective, if this borrower had 20 percent down, at 4 percent they could purchase a property priced up to $500,000. With current Bay Area prices, selection would be very limited.
With rates at 6 percent, that same buyer with a 20 percent down is capped out at $398,125. At this price, the buyer would be looking at commuting from the outward fringes of the Bay Area.
At 8 percent, and assuming prices stay the same, a buyer with 20 percent down would be limited to a purchase of $325,313, dramatically limiting not only location but the type of home as well.
With increased rates, the only option for increasing the amount of purchase would be to boost their down payment. With a 6 percent loan, our buyer would need to augment their down payment to $181,500 (36.3 percent) to buy the same home they could buy if interest rates were 4 percent. If rates were 8 percent, the buyer would need to enlarge their down payment to $239,750 (47.95 percent).
Think current rates are high? It’s a matter of perspective. Rates have been substantially higher before, and there is no guarantee we won’t see higher rates in the future. For those looking to lock in low rates, the time is now.
Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association at www.ccmgtoday.com.
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Keep Hibiscus, Citrus Moist; Prevent Fertilizer Burn
BY BUZZ BERTOLERO • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-22-17
Q: I have a hibiscus and a dwarf lime in pots on a patio with southern exposure. The new growth on both plants are very scraggly and the leaves look deformed. The dwarf lime has very little new growth. I let the soil dry out before I water either plant. Is there anything I can do to bring these two plants back to the lush growth they had when purchased last year?
A: Letting the plants dry out before watering them is a mistake. You need to water more often as your plants are suffering from water stress.
Hibiscus and citrus like to be kept moist; otherwise, they’ll continue to struggle and probably die. You should be watering three times a week, more often when temperatures are in the 80s and every day when it’s 90 and above.
The containers should be filled to the brim and then refilled a second time after the water has percolated through. Also, the bottom of the container should be an inch or so off the ground. This allows air to circulate under the container and helps with preventing dry rot on wooden surfaces.
If it’s in a saucer, I’d still raise it up, and be sure to remove any excess water later in the day. The concern with leaving the water is mosquitoes and West Nile Virus.
I’d also feed them monthly with EB Stone Organics Citrus Food or Hibiscus and Palm Food or a similar fertilizer.
To avoid fertilizer burn, water four hours before fertilizing and immediately afterward.
Osmocote is a very good alternative fertilizer, as it’s only applied twice during the growing season.
With these changes, you should see dramatic results within six to eight weeks.
Q: I’ve been fertilizing my plants with magnesium dulfate, Epson salts, an iron supplement and sulfate of ammonia. Will a buildup of the magnesium be harmful to my plants and/or the soil?
A: You’re brave to be using sulfate of ammonia during the non-rainy season. For most gardeners, sulfate of ammonia is a prelude to a disaster as they end up frying their plants from fertilizer burn.
Today, we have many other choices that are safer to use.
Obviously, you know what you are doing. But back to your question. You didn’t mention the type of plants or how often you’re applying this mixture so my answer is more general in nature than specific.
It’s not necessary to add iron and magnesium with every fertilizing. They’re both secondary elements so plants don’t require tremendous amounts of either. One application in the late winter or early spring is sufficient with a follow-up application in the fall.
The primary elements for plant growth are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, also known as NPK. Sulfate of ammonia is an incomplete fertilizer. It provides nitrogen to plants but is lacking phosphorus and potassium.
You may wish to alternate your feedings with another complete fertilizer. That is one that contains NP and K. Any of the general all-purpose plant foods would work.
Buzz Bertolero is an Advanced California Certified Nursery Professional and Senior Gardening Professional at Sloat Garden Centers. His web address is www.dirtgardener.com. Email questions to dirtgarden@aol.com or go to Facebook.com/Buzz.Bertolero.
CAPTION: Make sure to keep hibiscus plants hydrated by watering three times a week, more often when temperatures are in the 80s and every day when it hits 90°F and above.
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Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites
SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
The California Department of Public Health is urging Californians to eliminate standing water around their homes to help reduce mosquito populations in an effort to prevent Zika and West Nile virus infections.
“As temperatures rise, we will see increased mosquito activity,” said State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Residents should dump out containers that hold standing water in and around their homes and businesses.”
Mosquitoes breed in very small amounts of water. To help keep their numbers down, Californians should frequently check for, and eliminate, water-filled containers, clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes, and dump water from dishes under potted plants. Residents are also urged to report unusual numbers of mosquitoes or day-biting mosquitoes to the local vector control agency.
Californians should also protect themselves from mosquito bites at home and while traveling to areas where the Zika virus is present.
To prevent bites, consistently use mosquito repellent when outside, wear long sleeves and pants, use air conditioning, and make sure window screens will keep mosquitoes out of the home.
Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquito bites and can also be transmitted by both men and women during sex. Most people who are infected with Zika virus do not experience any symptoms but should take precautions to avoid sexual transmission, even if they never had symptoms. Zika symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.
West Nile virus (WNV) is also transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. WNV can cause a deadly infection in humans, and the elderly are particularly susceptible.
WNV symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. More severe symptoms, and even death, can occur. The state’s first human infection of WNV this year was reported last month.
Additional mosquito prevention information is available at www.cdc.gov.
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Avoid These 5 Failures for Buyers
BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-15-17
It’s no secret it is hard for buyers to compete in the current market. We are still seeing limited inventory across the Bay Area and, with the local economy in top gear, the market remains geared towards sellers.
While we all know a market shift is coming, and while many Realtors agree it appears to be imminent, it hasn’t happened yet.
Consequently, buyers that want to get into a home now must still be aggressive.
Here are five epic buyer fails to avoid if you want to complete a purchase in the next few months:
1. Failure To Respond
While some agents deliberately put homes on the market and keep them there for a couple of weekends to get maximum exposure, others are content to allow offers to come in immediately.
Buyers that have not been pre-approved and have all their documentation in place will miss out on the latter types of listings. In fact, we recommend that you don’t look at homes until you are actually ready to write an offer.
See a home you like? Don’t hesitate — if you take time to think about it, it will most likely be gone.
2. Failure To Impress
We recommend buyers write a letter to the sellers if they want to land a specific home. While some sellers are only interested in the bottom line, others want their home going to buyers they believe will care for it the way they did.
I’ve seen buyers land properties even though they were not the strongest offer because the sellers were impressed with their heartfelt letter.
3. Failure To Compete
In hot markets, set your sites lower because multiple offers push prices upwards.
Want to write a lowball offer on a hot property? It’s a total waste of everyone’s time. We recommend that you not look at properties at the top of your price range, but rather 10-15 percent lower. That way, you can compete in a bidding war.
4. Failure to Inspect
While many sellers want to see offers with all contingencies removed, if the seller did not provide current Inspection Reports from reputable inspectors, do not write offers with no inspection contingency.
5. Failure to Persevere
Buyers that succeed often write many offers before landing a contract. Don’t give up! Figure out why you didn’t get the previous property, adjust as necessary and push on. In the current market, Persevere, Persevere, Persevere.
Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general contractor. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association at www.ccmgtoday.com.
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Single-hung Windows Won’t Come Clean
BY SAMANTHA MAZZOTTA • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-08-17
Q: I clean my apartment windows every week, but I can’t clean the outside. If I lift the window and reach around outside, I can just get the bottom part of the window. We’re in an upstairs unit, so I can’t reach them from outside. Any solutions?
A: It sounds like you have single-hung windows, which have a bottom sash that can be lifted up, while the top window is sealed into the frame. Double-hung windows can be opened at either the top or bottom.
Single-hung windows are designed so that the bottom sash can be removed for cleaning or replacement. How they’re removed varies slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but there are a couple of methods that are pretty much the same.
The simplest type to remove, in my opinion, is a sash that has slide-backs along the top so you can easily pull in its top retainer clips and lever the top of the sash out of the frame toward you. From there it can be disengaged from the slider connections at the bottom and maneuvered out of the frame. Or, if you’re just going to clean the outside, you can lever it out until it lies flat, clean it and put it back into place.
The other common type is a sash held in place by removable hardware, like sash stops at the top of the track. After removing or shifting retaining clips, the sash is lifted past its normal opening point and away from its bottom balancers or guides, and then levered out from one side and then the other.
Confused? Do an internet search for videos of single-hung window sash removal until you come across one similar to yours.
With the bottom sash out of the way, you can much more easily reach the outside top of the window to clean it. Doing this weekly may not be fun – lifting the sash out of some windows can be somewhat frustrating, and there’s always a risk of damaging the hardware, like the balancers or sash stops. So, clean the outside windows only a couple of times a year, or when they are noticeably dirty.
What’s the best way to quickly clean windows, especially the grimier outside? Add a little bit of dishwashing liquid to a lot of warm water, and use a big sponge to apply the suds. This loosens dirt much better than ammonia cleaner and paper towels. Swipe away the suds with a window squeegee (available at home-improvement stores or in many home-goods stores), cleaning the blade after each swipe, and wipe the corners of the window with a lint-free rag.
© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.
CAPTION: Using dishwashing liquid in a lot of warm water loosens dirt better than ammonia cleaners.
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Moving Levels for Every Budget
BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-08-17
Like it or not, moving is a part of life and will happen at least a few times during everyone’s lifetime.
At its most basic, moving has five basic components: packing, loading, driving, unloading and unpacking. Last week, we touched on packing, this week we’ll look at the various methods for the actual move.
There are four general options:
1. Basic
Considering the fact that at various phases of your life you may not have many belongings, a basic move infers that you can put everything you own in cars and pickup trucks and make as many trips as necessary to the final destination. This option is perfect for short moves.
2. Rent a truck
When you have more objects than will fit in regular vehicles and cost is an issue, a rented truck is the way to go. While the most popular supplier is U-Haul, there are many other options.
Planning a move out of the local area? Make sure your truck vendor has a vehicle drop off site close to your final destination. Designed to make DIY moves as easy as possible, these trucks can come equipped with dollies and blankets for minimal extra fees.
3. Professional
Don’t want to drive or load a truck yourself? Hire a moving company to load and haul your goods. In its basic form, you pack your belongings and their crew loads and unloads the truck. They will not guarantee anything you personally pack.
Go with their full-service option and they do everything, including packing, unpacking and providing a full guarantee. Some companies provide estimates which can frequently be off the mark. We recommend companies that provide guaranteed flat fees with no additional charges.
4. Moving Containers
If your move involves a truck or trailer, you pay daily fees as long as it houses your goods. If you must wait days or weeks before accessing your new address, fees escalate quickly.
This is one reason moving containers are increasingly popular. They are dropped off at your current home for you to load. Once full, they’re picked up, moved to your final destination and held until you need them. Give the word and they are delivered for you to unload.
Whatever mode you choose, pay careful attention to the costs. There can often be hidden fees and your total can quickly escalate. Plan carefully – and barring any unforeseen accidents, everything should move along smoothly.
Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general contractor. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association at www.ccmgtoday.com.
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Relocation Moves Anxiety to the Next Level
BY CARL MEDFORD, CRS • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-01-17
Of all the activities that occur while buying or selling a home, the most feared is the actual move.
Whether the issue is the act of picking up belongings and carrying them to and from the truck, questions about whether your belongings will fit in your new digs or trying to figure out the best way to facilitate everything… no one I’ve met enjoys the actual move.
Moves can be broken into five basic components: packing, loading, driving, unloading and unpacking. In its most basic form, you do all five steps yourself.
For those who can either afford it or simply don’t have the muscle to handle it themselves, help can be hired to facilitate any of the components.
Pack as much as possible before moving day. Boxes should all be labeled and items you will need first on the other end should be clearly marked. You can either hire packers to help or do it yourself: professionals will assume the liability should something break. Pack it yourself and the responsibility is all yours.
While some like foraging through local stores to get boxes, it’s smart to purchase proper moving boxes. To minimize damage to your belongings, each box should stack properly on top of each other in the truck. The better the boxes fit in the truck, the less likely you will end up with damage, especially on long moves.
Furniture items such as beds need to be broken down into parts and any screws or assembly hardware placed in a Ziploc bag and fastened to the furniture in a fashion that will not cause damage.
If you hire professionals, it’s a simple matter of watching them do it all. If DIY, whether renting a moving truck or rounding up a collection of vehicles, you and anyone you can tempt with free pizza shows up at the appointed time and starts hauling items to the vehicles.
Careful packing is critical: most damage happens while belongings are in transit due to moving about as the vehicles go around corners and encounter bumps.
Once you arrive at your destination, unload the vehicles. Move every box or item directly to the room where it will end up. If you did everything correctly, there will be no damage and, as soon as everything is unpacked and set up, you can settle in and get on with life… in your new home.
Carl Medford is a licensed Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a licensed general contractor. This article is sponsored by the Central County Marketing Association at www.ccmgtoday.com.
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One Ioniq Targets Two Markets
BY STEVE SCHAEFER • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-22-17
With the all-new Ioniq, Hyundai fields a worthy rival for two clean vehicle targets — electric cars and hybrids.
Creating a new model is an expensive undertaking, so why not give it two purposes? The Ioniq is a good looking midsize hatchback that manifests to the eye as a sedan. Perhaps its biggest achievement, besides top-market efficiency ratings, is that it offers a more traditional-looking alternative to its targeted competitors.
The 2017 Ioniq comes as a hybrid or battery-powered all-electric car. A plug-in hybrid will fill out the line next year. This means that the new model is taking on the legendary Prius hybrid and a crop of EVs, led by the groundbreaking Nissan Leaf.
The Ioniq EV, with its EPA 124-mile range, competes directly with the latest model Leaf as well as the Volkswagen e-Golf, BMW i3, and others. While it could be seen as an alternative to the new Chevrolet Bolt, the latter’s EPA 238-mile range leaves it behind.
Hyundai has done a superb job of creating a comfortable, quiet, usable vehicle here without the oddball proportions or styling excesses of the Prius or Leaf. The face features a wide, tall mouth. The hybrid’s is a handsome grille, while the EV is smooth plastic — much like a Tesla minus the pucker. The proportions are somewhat Priuslike, presumably for aerodynamic benefits, and the rear window is split horizontally, just like a Prius. The capacious hatchback provides the same level of usability, as I found carrying musical gear around, although the rear liftover is a bit high.
Inside, a traditional instrument panel displays the information you need. Both cars provide a gauge to see if your battery is being charged or used, and you’re encouraged to drive efficiently. The EV also features the essential range indicator.
The seats look and feel fine, and materials are high quality if just short of luxurious. I preferred the airier beige of my hybrid tester over the black in my EV sample, but both are nicely rendered.
In the software business, there’s something called a “use case.” It helps define what the product or service is used for, and who the customer is. The Ioniq, then, is meant for two different personas.
The first buyer is someone who has some environmental concerns, but wants to get in and drive with no fuss or limitations. The hybrid is perfect, because its 1.6-liter gas engine and 32 Kw electric motor come on or off automatically as conditions require — and all the electricity gets regenerated by slowing down and braking — no need to ever plug in. The combined 139 horsepower moves the car along competently without undue drama or excitement.
The hybrid earns a stellar 55 mpg City, 54 Highway, and 55 overall. I averaged 46.8 mpg, but that’s still excellent. EPA green numbers are 8 for Smog and a perfect 10 for Greenhouse Gas. The 163 grams of CO2 per mile is less than half the output of a normal midsize gasoline-only vehicle.
The other use case the Ioniq addresses is the EV buyer. This person is more of an early adopter (although commercial electrics like the Leaf have been around since 2011). An EV is smooth, quiet, and requires virtually no maintenance. Its great limitation is range. Although research shows that most people don’t drive near the 124 miles an Ioniq EV can go, we tend to want our cars to be ready for anything. That may relegate an electric car to “commuter” status, with a gas vehicle beside it on the driveway. But this EV does everything you’d want, and with the greater torque inherent to electric motors, delivers a satisfying motoring experience.
If a Hybrid is all about maximizing miles per gallon, the EV goal is efficiency. The Ioniq EV gets a laudable 136 MPGe Combined EPA rating (150 City, 122 Highway), very big numbers indeed. The latest Leaf earns 112 MPGe combined, for comparison. The Green scores for the Ioniq EV are perfect 10s, like the Leaf’s.
Both my Black Noir Pearl hybrid and Symphony Air Silver EV were top-of-the-line Limited models, and came with their respective “Ultimate Packages.” Here’s where a buyer in the showroom has a decision to make, as well. The hybrid listed at $31,460 while the EV came in at $36,835. The base Blue model of the hybrid starts at $23,035.
If history is a guide, the Hyundai Ioniq should be successful, with its attractive looks, feature-packed models and competitive pricing. Its two targets are not great volume sellers (yet), but these green-themed cars are aimed at the future. The plug-in hybrid that arrives soon will offer a third option, between the two, with daily all-electric commuting and the freedom to drive anywhere for long trips — in one car. Stay tuned.
CAPTION: The front of the Ioniq Hybrid (top left) is characterized by the Bi-Xenon HID headlights surrounded by C-shaped LED positioning lamps. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric conveys a unique front perspective: without a need for extensive powertrain cooling, the grille is a sleek, clean surface.
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Toyota Ups Prius Prime Performance
BY STEVE SCHAEFER • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-15-17
As “Kleenex” is to tissues, or “Google” is to search engines, “Prius” is to hybrid cars. It’s surprising that “priusing” hasn’t become a verb for “driving efficiently.”
The original Prius had an engine and an electric motor sharing duties to extend the range and efficiency of the gas engine. Braking regenerated the electricity for the small motor. Then, about five years ago, Toyota introduced the plug-in hybrid, which permitted limited all-electric driving, but the EV range was small — about 11 miles. Other manufacturers have since offered cars with a greater range.
So, when the Prius was reimagined for its latest version, not only did the stylists go crazy with the design, they upgraded the plug-in version. Today, renamed the Prius Prime, Toyota’s plug-in hybrid can go up to 25 miles in all EV mode.
That significantly bigger number is the key to getting real value out of a plug-in hybrid. With the Prime, I could drive 18 miles to work on a charge, fill the battery back up there, and head home equally gas free. Charging time from empty is about 5-1/2 hours on standard household current or just 2 hours on a Level 2 240-volt charger, such as the ChargePoint system at my office.
Where a plug-in really shines is when you want to go on a longer trip. I tried this out with a 170-mile round trip to visit my grandkids. We cruised along on electrons until the car switched to hybrid mode and then it swapped power sources the rest of the way. We plugged in at our destination and reclaimed some pure EV miles for the trip home.
The Hybrid Synergy Drive System mates a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine with two electric motors, for a total of 121 horsepower. The 8.8 kwH lithium ion battery pack, more than double that of the previous plug-in, hides beneath the cargo area, leaving 19.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
The official EPA numbers are 54 mpg without plugging in at all. When you do charge up the car, you can get up to 133 MPGe (EPA), which ranks nicely in the world of battery-powered cars (compare to others). You’ll get a nice 8 for Smog and perfect 10 for Greenhouse Gas in the EPA green ratings, too.
For my week, I averaged 70.5 miles per gallon — a truly wonderful achievement. The car, with about 5,000 miles on it, showed an overall average of 100.6 mpg — likely from a lot of electric driving.
The Prius Prime rolls along about as silently as you’d expect in EV mode — and it’s not a whole lot louder in hybrid mode. Extra insulation keeps road and wind noise out.
Select from three levels — Plus, Premium and Advanced. My Magnetic Gray Metallic tester was the Advanced, so it came with a long list of features for efficiency, comfort and enjoyment. See Toyota’s website or visit your dealer to study the details.
The Prime’s styling is significantly different and perhaps a bit more aesthetically pleasing than the regular hybrid’s. The nose gets a sparkling row of headlamps that come with automatic dimming, and features two massive grilles at the lower corners that relates to the look of its hydrogen-powered Mirai brandmate. The rear swaps the regular Prius’ bizarre vertical taillamps for more integrated horizontal ones, and adds a friendly wave to the rear glass and hatch panel. Still quirky, but undeniably a Prius all the way.
Inside, the center-mounted instrument panel controls appear to float above the dash. Most notable is the new 11.5-inch vertical display, which borrows from the Tesla design school. There’s a wealth of information displayed, from navigation to audio selections from the Entune system to loads of data on the environmental performance of this decidedly high-tech ride.
Ignoring the massive screen, essential data is all tucked into the slim center strip just below the windshield. Ironically, the colored head-up display repeats some information right above it.
The seats, in Softex artificial leather, were comfortable for hours of travel, and the black-and-white ambiance of the interior proved restful and easy to live with.
As overall vehicle prices rise, hybrids don’t seem so expensive anymore. The Prime Plus starts at $27,965, the Premium at $29,665, and the Advanced at $33,965, including shipping. My tester had seven extra items, including a universal tablet holder, wheel locks, illuminated door sills, paint protection film, and a glass breakage sensor, and hit $36,305.
While I believe that pure electric vehicles are wonderful, if you live a daily life that combines moderate weekday commuting with occasional longer trips, the Prius Prime may be the ticket. You do have to live with the weird looks, but with up to 640 miles of range, travel opportunities are limitless.
CAPTION: The 2017 Prius Prime measures 6.5 inches longer, 0.6 inches wider and 0.8 inches lower than the model it replaced.
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Fiat Brings Back a Special Spider
BY STEVE SCHAEFER • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-08-17
The Fiat 124 Spider is a small two-passenger roadster, and a beloved classic. What better way to spice up the utilitarian Fiat lineup in America than to bring back this fun machine.
But developing a low-volume convertible from scratch would be too expensive. So, conversations were made with the folks at Mazda, who have, since 1990, sold more than a million MX-5 Miatas. For years, Mazda has provided specialty production for other manufacturers to sweeten its bottom line, so it’s a win-win.
Creating a new 124 Spider had to be much more than slapping a new grille, taillamps and badges on a Miata and calling it Italian. So, the Fiat’s designers at Centro Stile in Turin, Italy crafted a sensuous all-new body. From headlamps and grille to the doors, fenders, trunk and taillamps, the 124 Spider, reborn nearly 50 years after the original one debuted, looks right.
If the Japanese engineering was hidden under the Italian flavored bodywork, that could be OK, but the 124 Spider has an Italian heart, too. The engine in all models is Fiat’s 1.4-liter I4 Multi-Air Turbo, sending 164 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque out to the rear wheels. The 2,476-pound car maintains the MX-5/Miata’s road poise while singing its own unique song. It is not the sweetest ever heard, but there’s enough pep to make the wonderfully balanced, fine-handling platform dance when you take it onto interesting roads.
Sports cars from the middle of the 20th century had simple tops, and this one is both traditional and modern, using the Miata quick-dropping soft lid. Just unhook it from the premium silver header and fling it back. Then, press down to snap it into place. It’s just as easy to just reach back and pull it back up when your ride is over, too.
Driving in the commute grind is surprisingly tolerable in this little car, which has had attention lavished on it to keep it from feeling ordinary. Handing five bucks to the bridge toll-taker is comical, however. The interior feels much like a Miata, with practically no storage for anything — even the trunk is less than 5 cubic feet! But there’s plenty of sweet-smelling leather and premium soft-touch trim throughout. Its personality is different from its sibling under the skin.
Of course, when the weather is nice and you drop the top, everything changes and the sun shines in. Suddenly, the world is fresh and interesting, especially if you’re not behind a giant Diesel truck on the freeway. Little roadsters like this can feel like an extension of you when you’re happily ensconced behind the leather-wrapped steering wheel with its built-in audio controls. Knowing you’ll have lots of ambient noise, the speakers are built right into the headrests.
One of the pleasures of driving a sports car is shifting your own gears, and that’s entirely possible in the 124 Spider. It’s also possible to order up an automatic, and my tester had one ($1,350), much to my initial chagrin. Miata shifting is some of the best there is, and I’d anticipated enjoying that in my test week. But the Japanese six-speed AISIN automatic was perfectly acceptable, although the sound of the engine would have been more sonorous if it had risen happily with each gear change.
The little engine gets reasonable EPA numbers — 25 City, 36 Highway, and 29 Combined. I averaged 28.3 mpg, which is pretty good for a car you’re likely to push a bit. EPA Green Scores are 6 for Smog and 7 for Greenhouse Gas. You’ll spend $250 more for fuel over 5 years than the average new vehicle — so it’s right in the middle.
The graphic pie would show that the 124 Spider (jokingly called the “Fiata” by some characters) is 75 percent Japanese and 20 percent Italian, and is built alongside the Miata in Hiroshima, Japan. There are no U.S. or Canadian parts.
Choose from the Classica to start or upgrade to the Lusso, like my Bronzo Magnetico Titanium test car. The Lusso adds leather seats and moves from 16- to 17-inch alloy wheels. The top level is the Abarth, with a front and rear Bilstein sport suspension, mechanical limited-slip differential, front strut tower bar, Sport Mode selector, and quad chrome-tipped exhausts tuned to turn the Multi-Air into a soaring tenor. It receives numerous styling enhancements, too.
Prices start at $25,990 for the Classica, $28,490 for the Lusso, and $29,190 for the Abarth. My tester, with the $1,495 Safety and Comfort Collection and automatic gearbox, came to $31,335.
It’s exciting to see this iconic model in Fiat showrooms again. Typical of today’s auto industry, it’s a shared effort, but you couldn’t have asked for a better secret sibling.
CAPTION: Paying homage to the original 124 Spider nearly 50 years after its introduction, the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider delivers the ultimate Italian roadster experience.
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Chrysler Re-imagines the Minivan
BY STEVE SCHAEFER • SAN LEANDRO TIMES • 06-01-17
Chrysler invented the minivan way back in 1984. Today, they face stiff competition from other manufacturers, particularly Honda’s Odyssey and Toyota’s Sienna. That means Chrysler needs something special to compete, particularly because minivans still get a bad rap as “soccer mom” cars.
With the Pacifica, Chrysler has transferred the name of a specialty product sold from 2004 to 2008 to what formerly was called the Town and Country. This is a transformed vehicle, re-engineered on a new platform and boasting 115 innovations. It’s also won a bunch of awards already.
The styling is carlike, spread on a larger canvas. Lines that look good on the Chrysler 200 sedan expand into something very unlike the competition’s offerings.
The Pacifica is truly a NAFTA poster child, as an American brand assembled in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with a Mexican engine and a transmission from the U.S. That’s today’s industry reality.
My tester arrived wearing a Dark Cordovan Pearl Coat, complemented by a Black and Deep Mocha interior. These conveyed more richness than you might expect from a minivan, but this was the Limited model. As such, it behaved more like a luxury sedan than a people-hauling appliance.
My Pacifica boasted many upgrades, including a huge panoramic sunroof, heated front and second-row seats, and third-row seats that fold electrically. The front-row chairs have eight dimensions of power adjustment, too, and are firm and supportive in a way you didn’t see in American vehicles before.
The interior, like the body, is the antithesis of the Lexus design philosophy of loading as many edges and lines into the mix as possible. Instead, it’s an organic flow. Inside the car, that means a sweet, smooth, comforting presence. You still get the handy flip-down internal wide-angle mirror that’s been in Chrysler minivans for decades and is ideal for monitoring from the driver’s seat who’s picking on whom back there.
Noteworthy features include the Stow ‘n Vac integrated vacuum, which hides in the left rear panel and is a great idea if you’re carrying little people to whom you’re handing crackers to pacify them on long trips. It would work great for hauling loads of bark from the garden center at Target, too. With up to 140.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, it’s big enough back there to carry 4 x 8 sheets of plywood, so feel free to start those home improvement projects.
My car entertained lavishly with a Harmon Kardon audio system featuring a mind-boggling 20 speakers and a 760-watt amplifier. There’s a small theater in back for the crumb creators, with seatback video screens and a high-definition media interface with Blu-Ray, a DVD player and a USB port for your own personal device. Listen with three-channel headphones and change programs with a remote. This is part of the Uconnect Theater and Sound Group ($2,795).
The Pacifica gets its motivation from the corporate 3.6-liter V6, with a robust 287 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque through a nine-speed automatic. It runs on regular fuel. Despite its 4,330-pound bulk and high 0.30 coefficiency of drag from pushing a box through the air, the minivan earns a respectable 18 City, 28 Highway, and 22 Combined in the EPA fuel economy tests. I averaged 18.7 mpg. Green scores are 6 for Smog and 5 for Greenhouse Gas.
Excitingly, the Pacifica also comes as a plug-in hybrid — the only one of its kind in the industry. You can get up to 33 miles of pure electric range before the engine kicks in. I recently sampled this model briefly, and it is nothing short of awesome. I’ll test it and report on it this summer.
Models start with the LX and move up to the Touring, Touring +, L and L + before topping out with the Limited. The latter actually feels unlimited, with its lengthy list of comfort, convenience and safety features. Besides the usual safety regimen of cameras and alerts, the Advanced Safety Tec Group ($1,995) adds in ParkSense Front and Rear Assist with Stop, the amazing 360-degree surround view camera, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, fully featured Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Lane Departure Plus, rain-sensitive wipers and automatic high-beam headlamps.
If you want a Pacifica like my test car, you’ll need to finance or write a check for $48,280. However, if you’re willing to go without some of the vast array of premium features, the base LX starts at $29,990, including the destination charge. That puts it in the heart of most family budgets in 2017.
Chrysler has delivered a worthy and competitive descendant of the original minivan. With the exclusive plug-in hybrid model as well as a range of gas-only models, this is an automotive event worth celebrating.
CAPTION: The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica was re-engineered from the ground up on an all-new platform, delivering reduced noise, vibration and harshness.
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Fight Dry Eyes; Protect Your Vision
BY JIM MILLER • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-22-17
Dry eyes are a common problem affecting more than a third of middle-aged and older Americans. But you don’t have to put up with it.
There are lifestyle adjustments and multiple treatment options available today to keep your eyes moist and healthy.
Dry Eye Issues
Dry, red, irritated eyes are one of the most common reasons for visits to the eye doctor, but discomfort isn’t the only problem of dry eyes. Light sensitivity and blurred or fluctuating vision are common problems too, and worse yet, dry eyes are more likely to get scratched or infected, which could damage your vision permanently.
The reason people get dry eyes is because they either don’t produce enough tears or produce poor quality tears.
In some cases dry eyes can be triggered by medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid diseases, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome.
It can also be brought on by age (tear production tends to diminish as we get older), eye conditions, eyelid problems, certain medications, environmental factors and even laser and cataract surgery. Dry eyes are also more common in women, especially after menopause.
Lifestyle Adjustments
The first step experts recommend in dealing with dry eyes is to check your lifestyle and surroundings for factors that might be contributing to the problem and make adjustments:
• Avoid blowing air: Keep your eyes away from air vents, hair dryers and fans.
• Blink more: When you’re reading, watching TV, or using a computer, take frequent breaks.
• Avoid irritants: Avoid smoke-filled places and, if you swim, wear goggles.
• Use protection outside: Wear sunglasses that wrap around the sides of your face to protect yourself from sun, glare, wind and dust.
• Check your meds: Antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, beta-blockers, antidepressants, tranquilizers and Parkinson’s medications can all cause dry eyes. If you’re taking any of these, ask your doctor about alternatives.
• Get more omega-3s: Studies show that eating more fish and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (or take a supplement) helps some people.
Treatment Options
If adjusting your environment and habits doesn’t do the trick, there are a variety of OTC artificial tears that can help.
If your dry-eye is persistent, use gel-containing drops like Refresh, Systane and GenTeal. The gel will keep your eyes lubricated for longer periods.
If your dry eye condition is severe and does not improve, your doctor might recommend a simple office procedure that plugs the small openings (tear ducts) that drain tears away from the eyes. Blocking these openings with punctual plugs keeps tears in place longer.
Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
CAPTION: There are a variety of over-the-counter artificial tears that can help relieve dry eyes.
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What Is a Life Estate Deed?
BY GENE L. OSOFSKY, ESQ. • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-22-17
Q: My primary asset is my home, which I purchased about 40 years ago and now own free and clear. I would like to leave it to my children, but in a way that avoids the fuss of a probate or trust administration when I die. Is there some way to do this?
A: Yes, indeed. You might consider leaving it to your children via a Life Estate Deed.
A Life Estate Deed (LED) is a special kind of deed which you would sign and record now, but which would transfer your home to your children effective upon your death, while reserving to you the exclusive right to live in your home during your lifetime. Upon your death, your children’s interest would mature into a full ownership interest
One of the nice features of this LED is that the clearing of title upon your demise is very simple. At that time, your children need only file with the county recorder an affidavit reciting the fact of your death, along with a certified copy of your Death Certificate and other routine transfer documents. There is no probate and no trust administration to deal with.
However, as with many legal matters, there are pros and cons to using this special deed. Here are some of them:
Advantages:
1) Upon your demise, clearing title and confirming ownership in your children is a simple procedure, handled without probate or trust administration.
2) The home would receive the same favorable tax treatment as a transfer, upon death, via a Living Trust or Will: Your children would receive the home with a tax basis equal to its increased value at your death, thus minimizing any capital gain tax if they later sell the home.
3) Should you ever apply for a Medi-Cal Long Term Care subsidy to help with nursing home expense, the home would be protected from a post-mortem recovery claim for reimbursement.
4) In terms of title insurance, this LED is better than the new Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed, as many title companies are unwilling to insure the transfer of title where the newer, TOD Deed has been used.
Disadvantages:
1) Once the deed is signed and conveyed, you cannot change your mind by revoking the conveyance.
2) Once the deed is executed, you would not be able to obtain a conventional or reverse mortgage secured by the home.
3) Once done, you could not sell the home without agreement of your children and, if sold, the proceeds must be “split.” This restriction could impair your ability to sell the home to help fund your own retirement or long term care expenses.
4) Disputes may arise regarding responsibility for repairs or improvements.
5) If any of your children predecease you, their interest would go as they direct in their own trust or will or, if none, to their heirs-at-law. Thus, you would no longer control the ultimate disposition of their interest.
While many of these disadvantages can be eliminated by creating a formal Living Trust, the trade-off is the greater expense of creating a trust, and the time and expense of a formal, post-mortem trust administration upon your demise.
Before making the decision to use a LED — rather than a Living Trust or Will — it would be wise to seek professional advice from a knowledgeable attorney to make sure that this special deed is right for you.
Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney in Hayward. Visit his website at www.LawyerForSeniors.com.
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High Intensity Interval Training Boosts Metabolism Long-Term
BY CHRIS LALANNE • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-15-17
What is HIIT training? High Intensity Interval Training is an incredibly efficient and effective method of training for achieving maximum results in minimum time.
HIIT workouts include repeated “work” intervals at a relatively high intensity (20 seconds up to 180 seconds at 80-90% effort), followed by periods of “recovery” at low intensity of equal duration or less (at 40-50% effort).
When performed 3 or more days per week, participants can experience dramatic results including fat loss and muscle gain. In addition to the number and length of work/recovery intervals, appropriate movement selection is also very important to ensuring safety and productivity.
Regardless of your current fitness level, when selecting movements to include in your workout, I recommend basic body weight movements to maintain muscle function and balance!
This is an example of a fun, fast-paced 30 minute HIIT workout:
Start a running clock. 3, 2, 1...GO: Warm-up Jog for 2 minutes. Then, immediately burst into a 30 second sprint, followed by 90 seconds walk.
Repeat for 5 rounds. Rest for 2 minutes, hydrate if needed. Then repeat 3 rounds; 40 seconds work, 20 seconds rest. 1. Body Weight Squat, 2. Jumping Jack, 3. Forward lunge, 4. Sit-Up. Then cool-down with 4 minutes of lower back and hip stretches.
HIIT training is mentally engaging and fun while also boosting your metabolism long-term. This is due to a process known as “EPOC”, which stands for “excess post exercise oxygen consumption.” This magic period which can last up to 36 hours after exercise is when the body is restoring itself to pre-exercise levels, and thus using more energy.
What else happens during this “after-burn” period is pretty amazing. The body is forced to adapt quickly and it starts to burn stored fat, increase aerobic capacity, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood pressure.
HIIT training may also be safer than traditional, long, slow, distance training due to a reduction in total training volume. HIIT training allows elite professional and endurance athletes to train more frequently, injury free!
Prior to beginning any exercise program, including the activities described in this article, individuals should seek medical evaluation and clearance to engage in activity.
Not all exercise programs are suitable for everyone. Activities should be carried out at a pace that is comfortable for the user. Users should discontinue participation in any exercise activity that causes pain or discomfort.
Chris LaLanne is the grand nephew of Jack LaLanne and owner of LaLanne Bootcamp in Castro Valley.
CAPTION: High Intensity Interval Training is an efficient and effective method of training for maximum results in minimum time.
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Stroke: Preventable, Treatable
BY DAVID C. BONOVICH, M.D. • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-15-17
Take a deep breath. Take another one.
You’ve just added oxygen to your lungs. Your lungs will take that oxygen and transfer it to your blood. Your blood will then travel throughout your body depositing the oxygen wherever it is needed. All of this happens without you having to direct it, thanks in large part to your brain.
But what would happen if your brain didn’t get the oxygen it needs because a blood vessel that should deliver it is blocked by a clot or has ruptured and spilled its cargo?
This is not a hypothetical scenario
This is exactly what happens when someone has a stroke; an event that occurs every 40 seconds in the United States.
Without oxygen brain cells begin to die, in as quickly as one minute, leading to brain damage. And while the damage occurs in the brain, it disrupts function elsewhere – commonly speech or movement – because the brain controls the body.
If the damage is not treated quickly the stroke will be fatal.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. There is hope however.
Stroke is preventable
Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable, and you can lower your chances of having a stroke. The National Stroke Association recommends that you talk to your doctor about the four “H’s” which are:
• Heredity: Has someone in your family had a stroke, high blood pressure, or heart disease? If yes, you’ll need to take extra precaution to manage your risk factors.
• High Blood Pressure: Sometimes referred to as hypertension, high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke. Healthy diet, exercise and medication can help lower your blood pressure and keep it down.
• Heart Disease: Conditions like atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, valve defects, and enlarged heart chambers increase the risk of stroke; your physician may recommend surgery to lower your risk.
• High Cholesterol: Having your cholesterol checked annually is important because too much cholesterol in your blood can clog arteries and cause a stroke.
Stroke is treatable
Getting immediate treatment – at the right hospital – can preempt death and disability from stroke. The following acronym “FAST” can help you recognize the signs of stroke and act quickly:
Face: Look for an uneven smile or expression, facial droop, or numbness in the face.
Arm: One arm drifts down, displays weakness or feels numb
Speech: Sudden slurred speech, inappropriate words, or inability to speak
Time: Time is critical, call 9-1-1!
Emergency responders will take suspected stroke patients to a specialized stroke center where the quickest possible diagnosis can be made and treatment started.
On average 35 percent of people who recover from a stroke live the rest of their life with no (or minor) impairments. For the remaining survivors, rehabilitation is vital to helping the brain relearn the skills that were lost when the damaged occurred, for example coordinating leg movements in order to walk.
Rehabilitation begins in the acute-care hospital as soon as the patient is stable, often within 24 to 48 hours after the stroke, and may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language therapy and recreational therapy.
Dr. David C. Bonovich is a neurologist and endovascular neuro-interventionalist affiliated with Eden Medical Center.
CAPTION: High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke.
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When Should You Start Taking Social Security Benefits?
BY JIM MILLER • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-08-17
Deciding when to begin collecting your Social Security benefits could be one of the most important retirement-income decisions you’ll make.
The difference between a good decision and a poor one could cost you tens of thousands of dollars over your retirement, so doing your homework and weighing your options now is a wise move.
What to Consider
As you may already know, you can claim Social Security any time between the ages of 62 and 70, but each year you wait increases your benefit by 5 to 8 percent.
But there are other factors you need to take into account to help you make a good decision, like your health and family longevity, whether you plan to work in retirement, along with spousal and survivor benefits.
To help you weigh your claiming strategies, you need to know that Social Security Administration claims specialists are not trained or authorized to give you personal advice on when you should start drawing your benefits. They can only provide you information on how the system works under different circumstances. To get advice you’ll need to turn to other sources.
Web-Based Help
Your first step in getting Social Security claiming strategy advice is to go to SSA.gov/myaccount to get your personalized statement that estimates what your retirement benefits will be at age 62, full retirement age, or when you turn 70. These estimates are based on your yearly earnings that are also listed on your report.
Once you get your estimates, there are many online tools you can turn to that can compare your options so you can make an informed decision.
Some free sites that offer basic calculations include AARP’s Social Security Benefits Calculator (AARP.org/socialsecuritybenefits), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Planning for Retirement tool (ConsumerFinance.gov/retirement) and SSAnalyze that’s offered by United Capital (BedrockCapital.com/ssanalyze).
But if you want a more thorough analysis check out Maximize My Social Security (MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com) or Social Security Choices (SocialSecurityChoices.com), which both charge $40.
These services, which are particularly helpful to married couples as well as divorced or widowed persons, will run scenarios based on your circumstances and show how different filing strategies affect the total payout over the same time frame.
Personal Advice
If you want human help, there are specialized firms and financial advisors that can advise you too.
One such firm is Social Security Solutions (SocialSecuritySolutions.com, 866-762-7526).
They offer several levels of web-based and personalized service (ranging from $20 to $500) including their $125 “Advised” plan that runs multiple calculations and comparisons, recommends a best course of action in a detailed report, and gives you a one-on-one session with a Social Security specialist over the phone to discuss the report and ask questions.
Or, you can get help through a financial planner. Look for someone who is a fee-only certified financial planner (CFP) that charges on an hourly basis and has experience in Social Security analysis.
To find someone, use the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors online directory at NAPFA.org, or try the Garrett Planning Network (GarrettPlanningNetwork.com), which is a network of fee-only advisers that charge between $150 and $300 per hour.
Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior.”
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Seniors Seek Debt Relief
BY GENE L. OSOFSKY, ESQ. • SPECIAL TO THE TIMES • 06-08-17
Q: My wife and I have about $10,000 in credit card debt that we struggle to pay each month. Our incomes are very modest and all from Social Security and my work pension. Is there any way that we can legally avoid paying this debt without dire consequences?
A: Very likely, yes. Generally speaking, income from Social Security, work pensions, VA Benefits and disability income is protected, by federal law, from collection by non-governmental creditors.
If these are your sources of income, you could very well just stop paying and you would still receive your full incomes each month. Indeed, it is not a crime to stop paying a bill, especially if continuing to pay [doing so] would deprive you of the basic necessities of life. Many seniors are both surprised, and relieved, to learn of this.
Although your creditors may be aware that these sources of income are exempt from collection, some may nevertheless attempt, by repeated phone calls, to coerce you into paying these uncollectible bills.
You can easily put a stop to this. Under the federal “Fair Debt Collection Practices Act” you may send a letter to your creditors demanding that they cease all further efforts to communicate with you by mail or phone. The creditors must then immediately cease all further communication.
Such letters should be sent Certified, Return Receipt Requested, so you have proof of mailing. The creditor then has the option of writing off the debt as uncollectible, or filing a lawsuit to obtain a judgment. Unless the debt is large, many creditors just write off the debt and close their file.
What if one of your creditors opts to file a lawsuit and obtain a judgment?
Answer: They still will not be able to go after your income if it is from one of the sources mentioned above. True, if you own a home, they could obtain a judgment and record a lien against your home. But, even then, that is usually not as bad as it sounds: attempting to collect a judgment by foreclosing on an individual’s home is a cumbersome and expensive process, and most creditors would prefer to just record the judgment and then let it just sit there, accruing interest, to be paid out of escrow only when you someday sell or transfer your home or borrow against it.
There are some exceptions to the above: if you owe money for unpaid taxes or other obligations to federal agencies, such as unpaid student loans, they may garnish up to 15 percent of your social security income. But, even here, there are options to avoid collection, upon a proper showing that you need all of your income for your basic necessities.
Another exception is unpaid child or spousal support.
Before deciding upon the best plan in your case, it would be wise to seek legal advice. To aid you, there is a very-low-cost resource available to low-income seniors and the disabled. It is a non-profit law firm called “Help Eliminate Legal Problems for Seniors” (HELPS).
For a very nominal monthly fee, based on a sliding income scale (which can be as low as $5/month, or even for free), they will counsel you, call creditors on your behalf, and help you write “Cease and Desist Letters.”
You may contact them for assistance online at www.HelpsIsHere.org or by calling 1-855-435-7787.
Gene L. Osofsky is an elder law and estate planning attorney in Hayward. Visit his website at www.LawyerForSeniors.com.
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LETTERS • 06-29-17
Says Davis Street Putting Pot Store Needs Ahead of Kids' Safety
Editor:
It will be a sad day for Davis Street Family Resource Center when Rose Johnson and Gordon Galvan go before the Board of Zoning on July 6 and put the needs of their Cannabis dispensary before the needs and safety of the children serviced at Davis Street Family Resource Center.
Rose Johnson is the CEO for Davis Street Family Resource Center and Director of Community Benefits for Davis Street Wellness Center. Gordon Galvan is Board President for Davis Street Family Resource Center and Director of Government Relations for Davis Street Wellness Center.
This will translate into Rose and Gordon’s personal financial interest in Davis Street Wellness Center taking a priority over the Davis Street Family Resource Center’s families and children they serve. On July 6, Rose and Gordon will go before the Board of Zoning and ask for an exception to the ordinance that City Council adopted regarding locations of dispensaries and their own word when they won the second permit for a cannabis dispensary.
The only issue before the Board of Zoning is the location of the dispensary. Davis Street Wellness Center has been provided with information that identifies other locations within the allowed zoning, though disregarded them all.
Let the San Leandro Board of Zoning know that it is not OK to grant a Conditional Use Permit to Davis Street Wellness Center that will allow their Cannabis Dispensary to be located within or right next to Davis Street Family Resource Center. Save our children!
— Diana Souza, San Leandro
'Thrilled' that City Is Being Lectured on Ethics in Politics
Editor:
I was thrilled to read in last week’s paper about the mayor and council getting a long-overdue lecture about ethics in politics.
As you all remember, Mayor Cutter’s daughter was the manager of one of the senior centers in town while her mother sat on the council and then became mayor. This was in clear violation of common sense nepotism and ethics rules but our city manager allowed it to happen knowing full well it was wrong.
When I finally brought it to everyone’s attention, the mayor’s daughter was then made a temp worker so that nepotism charge would not be technically valid… but it really is, and will remain so.
Our city manager called it all “bad optics.” Yes, watching nepotism and corruption play out at city hall is very hard to watch.
Why did Mayor Cutter feel it necessary that her first big act as mayor was to give the city manager a big raise and a $20,000 bonus? It certainly can’t be for all the good fiscal policy that now has us with an unfunded pension obligation of nearly $175 million, right?
So, we can take care of our weak and ineffective nepotism mayor at the next election, but what do we do about our ethically challenged city manager in the meantime?
— Gary Langbehn, San Leandro
Disappointed by Times' coverage of TRAP Ordinance Meeting
Editor:
I was disappointed with the reporter’s coverage of the TRAP ordinance (“Council Passes ‘Relocation Assistance’,” Page 1, The Times, June 22)quoting me that the city and landlords just want millennials here without mentioning I said this will largely displace older persons and people of color who can’t afford the soaring rents that techies can. (Huge raises on $2,000-plus rents won’t cost them a half week’s paycheck or require them to get a second minimum-wage job).
She also missed my point about the city’s presentation on administration and cost of the ordinance. It does not require landlords to inform the city when they engage in evictions falling under its terms.
I commented the city won’t need any administration because if landlords are not required to inform the city when they engage in these evictions, they won’t. Without accountability and hard data, no one will actually know the true numbers of evictions or when they’re happening, thus giving the city and landlords plausible deniability when they can’t produce data to show how miserably the ordinance is failing.
Even worse, the article missed the defining part of the meeting when a landlord asked that owners of four or less units not be included in TRAP. This caused the city to start debating whether the smaller numbers should be included or not. Councilmember Thomas tried to make a motion to exclude these units, but was unable to word it. At that point, the mayor called landlord Silva and real estate investor Stark to the podium, by names, to ask for wording for the motion.
Asking those who will directly benefit from exclusion and the concurrent financial responsibility of a possible $10,000 payment to word a motion is not a blatant conflict of interest, how? And the city attorney present not telling us whether such action is ethical or not, why?
— K. Lee-Figueroa, San Leandro
Climate-Change Doubters 'Facts' Called 'Inaccurate, Incomplete'
Editor:
I agree we should arm ourselves with the facts about climate change and decide for ourselves (“Doubts Human Activity is the Cause of Climate Change, Letters, June 22). Unfortunately, the cited “unreported facts” were inaccurate, incomplete and/or irrelevant to causes of current global climate disruptions. There is no credible natural cause cited by the Heartland Institute or other such groups for the marked warming occurring now.
The Heartland Institute is a group funded by Exxon Mobil, the Koch brothers, and others that promote denial of human activity’s role in climate disruption. This same institute worked with tobacco company Philip Morris in the 1990s to produce reports questioning links between smoking and cancer. The Institute’s role in promoting climate change denial is well documented in the book and film “Merchants of Doubt”.
If you really want accurate, unbiased information about climate science, please rely on credible sources like NASA (climate.nasa.gov/evidence/) and NOAA.
NASA’s website shows Earth’s average surface temperature has risen about 2.0°F since the late 19th century. Most warming occurred in the past 35 years, with 16 of the 17 warmest years on record occurring since 2001. In fact, CO2 increases since industrialization are known to be driven by human activity and fossil fuels, since these carbons have a unique chemical signature different from other carbon sources.
As to the failure of the U.S. to ratify the Kyoto treaty, the scientists who objected to the treaty did so because it did not do enough to slow global climate change.
We can’t allow the Koch Brothers, fossil fuel companies and groups like the Heartland Institute to corrupt our political process and block clean energy solutions. Stepping up to the climate challenge is the right and responsible thing to do, and America can and should be leading the way to a healthy, more secure future. We already have energy technologies to power our economy cleanly and affordably.
We owe it to our kids, grandkids and future generations to protect them by addressing climate change now before it becomes irreversible.
— Renee Harper, San Leandro
'Time to Smarten Up' and Get Back on Your Bike!
Editor:
I am somewhat troubled by a rather sharp drop-off in the use of bicycles. Some 40 years ago, I was almost crippled by back pain. It was growing to the point where I couldn’t stand upright. A friend suggested exercise via bicycling and I took it up. It is somewhat addictive as most forms of exercise and before long my back pain disappeared completely.
Today I find my back to be completely pain free and even undue strain to it only puts me in pain for a day or two and then I am recovered. I am now 72 and think nothing of riding 60 miles in a day over the local hills and across the cities.
I have friends that ride with me in their 80s. Yet I now see young people walking around stooped over like I was, without a clue what to do about it. And doctors not suggesting cycling to strengthen and straighten their backs. Perhaps it’s time to smarten up. Not to mention spend more time not polluting the atmosphere with exhaust fumes.
— Tom Kunich, San Leandro
Calls on Store Employees to Crack Down on Shoplifters
Editor:
I agree with Mark Bryant (“Claims San Leandro Businesses ‘Are Being Shoplifted to Death’,” Letters, June 22) in that San Leandro businesses are shoplifted to death. I have seen it first hand at Safeway on Dutton many times and I also have a friend that works for CVS Downtown and they get ripped off sometimes twice a day that they see!
Unfortunately these corporations won’t allow employees to do anything but observe. I believe employees at all stores need to be trained in how to handle a situation like shoplifting. An example would be to pull out your cell phone and have the Local PD listed in your phone. Call and report the theft immediately with the best possible description you can get. Then let police do the rest.
— Robert Whitehead, San Leandro
8 Million Stories in the Naked City. This Has Been One of Them
Editor:
Rarely does one newspaper offer the solution to a serious crime problem in the same issue. You did it in your issue of June 22. I’m proud of you.
When Mark Bryant claimed in his letter of June 22 that San Leandro businesses “are being shoplifted to death,” he never realized that the solution was right there on the front page.
It was in Linda Sandsmark’s article about the nude social club.
Will our City Council pass a mandatory nude shopping ordinance? This ordinance will make it nearly impossible for shoplifters to conceal loot as well as their privates.
What a great city!
What a great newspaper!
— George Banks, San Leandro
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LETTERS • 06-22-17
Claims San Leandro Businesses ‘Are Being Shoplifted to Death’
Editor:
Other than 1994 to 1996, I have lived here since 1987. I have seen the Staples at Bayfair close over a year ago, the Walgreens at 159th Avenue and East 14th Street close two months ago.
This area cannot support businesses because they are being shoplifted to death.
Yesterday, a guy on a bike pulled in 20 feet from my residence and discarded beeping security alarms from
merchandise that was “liberated” from the Ulta Beauty at Bayfair mall.
Welcome to the ghetto, my friend.
— Mark Bryant, San Leandro
Calls Rep. Swalwell ‘an Overly Ambitious Political Climber’
Editor:
Why did the Times publish (June 15) a puff piece on Congressman Eric Swalwell written by a well-known professional political campaign consultant, Randy Shandobil?
Those of us who have paid attention to Swalwell’s political career see him for what he is, an overly ambitious political climber who, like Leonard Cohen’s dealer, always has his eye out for the next big one.
For several months, Swalwell has been positioning himself for maximum continuous publicity. What opportunity is he after now?
The piece on Swalwell was a cut-and-paste job that provided no new information or insight into Swalwell. The Times should apologize to its readers if it unknowingly bought into Swalwell’s publicity campaign. It should apologize for not being skeptical about Shandobil hawking a piece about Swalwell.
— Howard Beckman, San Lorenzo
Dance Fitness Omitted from Guide But Having ‘Classes All Summer’
Editor:
Barb Creamer Dance Fitness for women was inadvertently omitted from the San Leandro Recreation Department’s activity guide. But I want the ladies of the community to know I will have classes all summer.
You can access class information by going to the City of San Leandro website, then to “Recreation and Human Services” and then click on “Register Online.”
The Rec Department was totally apologetic. My thanks to Ely Hwang and Jacqui Diaz at the Senior Community Center as they have gone above and beyond to make up for the unfortunate mistake, and I appreciate all their efforts.
They encouraged me to join the Cherry Festival Parade and we won the Cherry Festival Award for our spirit and energy.
Our group, The Cherry Bombs, created a fun music video of the parade that is being featured in the City Hall lobby. It captures the essence of our class — real dance, real fun. Please view it if you have the chance.
— Barb Creamer, San Leandro
Calls Climate Change a ‘Hoax, Money-Grab by Charlatans’
Editor:
Global Climate Change (doublespeak for Global Warming) is a fraud, hoax, money-grab by charlatans like Al Gore who has been enriched to more than $600 million perpetrating this scam and nations who stand to gain from the U.S. being soaked for this deception.
Look, Global Cooling did not fly in the late ’70s, so now it’s anthropogenic (man-made) warming of the planet. We have more ice in Antarctica, there are fewer hurricanes, and the sea isn’t rising.
I work in the upper floors of office buildings in San Francisco and have seen no rise in the bay water in the last 40 years.
I am grateful a man of sense is running this country. The real question for those like Bruce Joffe is: What do you have to gain from this sham? Notoriety? A cause? (like Leonardo DiCaprio) Money? How do you benefit?
For facts: Brian Sussman’s book “ClimateGate,” and Jeff Horner’s book “Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming.” They take this ruse apart. For good.
— Corey Anderson, San Leandro
Doubts Human Activity Is the Cause of Climate Change
Editor:
All those who feel as passionately as does Bruce Joffe (Letters, June 15) about Pres. Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. from the Paris Accord on Global Climate Change, should consider the unreported facts critical to the climate change debate.
I am not a “climate change denier” but I do doubt that human activity is its primary driver. For support, I’ve leaned on “Why Scientists Disagree About Global Warming,” first published in 2015 by The Heartland Institute (Heartland.org).
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is at the core of this issue. The IPCC was “mandated by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to define climate change as human-caused and to disregard naturally caused climate change.” It’s irresponsible to disregard the historical record in any scientific inquiry, especially one having such profound consequences. Still, the IPCC went on to its predetermined conclusions and called on the world’s nations to act.
Here are a few pertinent facts.
Ice core records show seven periods over which increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane did not come before but followed temperature increases.
Greenland ice core samples of the last 10,000 years clearly show dozens of warming and cooling cycles. The “most recent” warming cycles were the Minoan, about 3,000 years ago; the Roman, 2,100 years; and the Medieval, 900 years. Each was less warm than its predecessor.
We’re now exiting the Little Ice Age. The samples show that earth’s temperatures at about 1920 were more than 2-1/2 degrees cooler than the top temperatures 8,000 years ago.
The highest average number of days per year in the U.S. in which the temperature topped 100 degrees was in the 1930s. The 2015 average was lower than most years back to the early 1900s.
Ignoring the facts, vested interests and the national media preach that the “science is settled” regarding climate change. If that’s true, why did 31,478 American scientists, including 9,021, with PhD.s, urge our government to reject the 1997 warming agreement written in Kyoto, Japan, and “any other similar proposals”?
Our planet’s climate is continuing its demonstrated history of change. So, amid the clamor to spend hundreds of billions of our dollars to halt a largely natural phenomenon, we should arm ourselves with the facts and then decide what makes sense.
— Fred Reicker, San Leandro
‘Real Climate Change Deniers Are Those Who Think They Can Stop It’
Editor:
Yet another weekly “column” in the San Leandro Times by Bruce Joffe, this time on “Paris Accord on Global Climate Change.”
What Joffe fails to mention is that Barack Obama refused to sign these “accords” for seven years, like the previous one in Tokyo, to then sign the Paris Accord in order to dump it on Donald Trump’s lap.
The “Climate Change” concept is like saying “The water is wet.”
This planet started as a ball of fire, then became a hot chemical soup, later came the huge vegetation and big reptiles. The planet has gone through several ice ages and all kind of cataclysms to finally become the host of the human species. Actually, humans presence covers an insignificant period of planet Earth’s life.
The slick environmentalists adopted the concept of “climate change” after several consecutive years of long winters that buried most of the United States in snow which made their “Global Warming” concept not very catchy.
Regardless of what humans do, the life on planet Earth is going to end when our sun runs out of fuel and all of this solar system tumbles in space into a black hole; by that time, humans will have long been gone.
The real climate change deniers are those who think that they can stop it.
By the way, the Alexandria, Virginia shooter was also ideologically trained at the Bernie Sanders’ political campaign headquarters.
— Leo T. West, San Leandro
…And a Final Word from Joffe
Editor:
Badly informed letter writers who criticize the Paris Climate Accord and cheer trump’s withdrawal from it need to open their minds beyond wing-nut fake news sources.
Yes, the Accord is voluntary, but notice that all but two (now three) of the world’s countries have signed onto this agreement. That is a huge accomplishment toward confronting this truly existential threat.
It took 25 years for the world’s countries to understand how serious a threat climate change is, and to recognize that each has a responsibility to reverse this environmental trend.
Yes, it is not enough, not enough if we want to continue living comfortably on planet Earth. That’s why the PCA is designed to revisit each country’s commitment every five years, expecting that the goals, methods and resources will be strengthened as awareness increases and the climate continues to get hotter.
Dismissing the Accord and pretending that climate change is a hoax does not build worldwide resolve and cooperation. It demonstrates stupid self-destruction and puts all of us in greater peril.
— Bruce Joffe, Piedmont
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LETTERS • 06-15-17
Time to Put the Brakes on City’s Current Expenditures
Editor:
The city budget proposed expenses for 2017/2018 are going up 27 percent ($156 million to $198 million) over 2016/2017 and we still have $174 million in unfunded pension liabilities that will “be addressed in the future” per City Manager Chris Zapata.
It’s time to put the brakes on these current expenditures and deal with these future obligations that are not going away and will only increase over time.
My employer gave me a 3 percent increase for 2017/2018 to deal with the cost of living and I think its high time the city council do the same thing and only increase the expenses 3percent from $156 million to $161 million (instead of $198 million) to help deal with the unfunded pension liabilities.
— Brent Heath, San Leandro
Thanks to All Who Made Cherry Festival Parade Such a Success
Editor:
It has been my pleasure to serve as the volunteer Cherry Festival Parade Coordinator for the last four years.
I want to thank all the community groups, businesses, and individuals who contribute so much time and energy to make the parade a success.
I also want to thank the parade spectators. I love seeing the videos and pictures posted on-line, especially the videos of the children screaming in delight as they catch sight of a Disney character or a particularly kid-friendly parade entry.
The parade highlights all the positive energy in our community. Thank you again to everyone who helped make the parade an engaging community event.
— Evelyn Gonzalez, Cherry Festival Parade Coordinator, San Leandro
Trump ‘Creating Damage Between a Disaster and a Catastrophe’
Editor:
In pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Accord on Global Climate Change, and even by threatening to do so, the current president is creating damage somewhere between a disaster and a catastrophe. Obviously, refusal to curb its greenhouse gases by the world’s second biggest polluter (us) will accelerate global warming’s impacts – sea level rise, severe storms, droughts, floods, and extinctions of endangered species.
But that’s not all. The environmental denier is also ceding America’s leadership in the world. No more will other countries follow our lead, or even agree to cooperate with us, having seen that at any time our serial bankruptee can pull out, rescind, and cancel our agreed-upon responsibilities.
But wait, there’s more. We are loosing the competition to lead the next technological revolution, that of sustainable energy production. China now leads in solar, Denmark in wind, Netherlands in tides. America leads in turning backward and inward.
As our planet’s temperature increases, we will suffer more destruction from hurricanes, flooding, drought and fires. The productive jobs not created by committing to sustainable energy will require jobs to clean up debris, fight fires, build seawalls and bury victims.
— Bruce Joffe, Piedmont
Says Trump’s Budget Cuts Are Not Good
Editor:
President Trump has just released his budget and it is not good. It calls for cuts in Medicare, Meals on Wheels, Social Security, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and UNICEF.
However Trump’s budget does allow oil drilling at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The refuge is home of the G’wich People who live their way of life. They care about the water as well as taking care of the animals.
It is a shame that President Trump will support desecrating the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in order to put the interest of the oil companies over the health of the G’wich People.
— Billy Trice Jr., Oakland
Time to Adopt an Eco-Friendly Plant-Based Diet
Editor:
Are you, too, fighting mad about Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord? Then let’s fight back three times a day by adopting an Eco-friendly plant-based diet.
Yes, our diet is pivotal. A 2010 United Nations report blames animal agriculture for 19 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, 38 percent of land use, and
70 percent of global freshwater consumption.
Carbon dioxide is emitted by burning forests to create animal pastures and by fossil fuels combustion to operate farm machinery, trucks, factory farms, and slaughterhouses.
The more damaging methane and nitrous oxide are released from digestive tracts of cattle and from animal waste cesspools, respectively.
In an environmentally sustainable world, meat and dairy products in our diet must be replaced by vegetables, fruits, and grains, just as fossil fuels are replaced by wind, solar, and other pollution-free energy sources.
Each of us has the power to protest Trump’s failure to maintain America’s leadership in moderating climate change, simply and effectively, by what we choose at the grocery store.
— Dennis Roth, San Leandro
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LETTERS • 06-08-17
Wants to Know How Well City Workers Are Faring Compared to Citizens During Difficult Times
Editor:
With reference to your June 1 article, “Report: 10,000 San Leandrans Live in Poverty,” (Page 1, The Times), I would like to suggest the following.
In the past, I have occasionally seen articles on the compensation and pensions of our city employees. Please take the time to publish, annually, a list of the names of city employees and retirees, their current or former position with the city, and their annual compensation.
With so many citizens having very difficult times, I think it would be good to remind our citizens of those who appear to be doing extremely well. I would appreciate your publishing of a list of those, in each list, with the 15 highest annual compensations.
— Raymond Puleo, San Leandro
City Officials Shouldn’t Be Surprised by Homeless Statistics
Editor:
From two articles in your paper:
“The number of homeless people…has risen by nearly 40 percent in the past two years, according to a census conducted by EveryOne Home… de Coligny says that affordable housing is the key to ending homelessness…”.
“The biggest social service needs in San Leandro are affordable housing… according to Urban Strategies.” Their report also included data that 5,000 lived in poverty in 2000, and by 2015 that number was 9,400.
Well, surprise! The figures and percentages coincide with the time frame that landlords were given permission by the city council under the new and improved Rent Review Board ordinance to do away with the $75 rent increases in favor of the landlords’ asking price of 7 percent.
We tenants remember how many of us got dispossessed when we couldn’t financially meet the new increases, even working two minimum-wage jobs.
The council is preparing once again to give away the store to the landlords with the proposed pathetic Tenant Relocation Assistance Program, which would allow landlords to legally dispossess even more tenants by paying them a pittance to be rid of them in order to raise rents even more for incoming tenants.
“The City Council said they were surprised at the depth of need in San Leandro… ‘Quite honestly, I’m just overwhelmed,’ said City Councilwoman Corina Lopez.”
No. Tenants have come before the council and the review board for almost three years now telling you that some of us will become homeless, or be forced to choose between rent and food, if you enact your misguided policies. Proof positive of the negative impacts of your actions is being laid out by two groups – that aren’t tenants! – telling you the same thing. And all you’re doing in response is pretending you’re hearing it for the first time.
— K. Lee-Figueroa, San Leandro
Tired of Leo West’s Complaints
Editor:
He complains about politicians and housing and wages.
Well, if he had any sense at all, Leo would have bought himself a house decades ago.
But no, instead he chooses to live in a trailer park and complain about his mean old landlord raising his rent.
Some of us planned ahead for our “golden years,” worked at a job that provided a pension, invested wisely, and didn’t spend all our free time complaining about Obama.
By the way… Your Golden Boy, (or should I say Orange Boy?) lost to a woman by 2.865 million votes.
Fifty-four percent of voting Americans did not want him in charge of diddly squat.
You do have “free speech” but, as someone once said: “It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt.”
— Ken Kellogg, San Leandro
San Leandro Winter Warming Shelter Provided 2,326 ‘Bed Nights’ to Homeless This Season
Editor:
Thank you for the article on EveryOne Home’s point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness, conducted in January.
Please note that the San Leandro Winter Warming Shelter is hosted by First United Methodist Church, not First Presbyterian Church as is indicated in your article. FUMC has generously hosted the warming shelter for three years running.
This past season, 131 San Leandro residents accessed the program, which was open for 77 nights. The average number served each night was 30, but on several nights the shelter served as refuge for 39. In all, the Warming Shelter provided 2,326 “bed nights,” or nights a space serves an individual. This is indeed a dramatic jump from previous years.
The San Leandro Warming Shelter is funded by the City of San Leandro and Alameda County Social Services and operated by Building Futures. We work closely with Interfaith Homelessness Network/April Showers. The Warming Shelter benefits from the support of San Leandro’s faith community, individuals and businesses.
This winter, caring community members responded heroically to the call for supplies. Donation barrels were hosted by Zocalo Coffeehouse, San Leandro City Hall, San Leandro Police Department and the San Leandro Senior Center.
Volunteers coordinated by IHN/April showers provided dinner every single night the shelter was open.
Cooks/servers included All Saints Episcopal Church Social Justice Committee; Bethel Church; First Presbyterian Church; First United Methodist Church; Moira Fry; Rigatoni’s; Nancy Pretto; Dimas and Barbara Resendez; Noël Moritz; Carol Taylor; Sherry, Joe, and Jackie Silva; Evelyn González; Linda Curtiss; the Varela Family; Kinkini Banerjee and Arjun Akella; and the Bishop O’Dowd Rugby Club.
Again, many thanks for drawing attention to the increasing number of San Leandrans living in poverty and/or experiencing homelessness.
— Liz Varela, Executive Director Building Futures
— Moira Fry, April Showers/Interfaith Homelessness Network
Finding Commonality Instead of Division in Trump World
Editor:
Let’s pause to remember a Donald Trump Moment: When he was nailed for Fake News – by Bill O’Reilly. Trump had re-tweeted a chart of crime statistics, which said 81 percent of white people murdered in 2015 were killed by black people. O’Reilly called this “totally wrong” and noted the correct number is 15 percent. Trump said, “Hey Bill, Bill, am I gonna check every statistic?” Then he said he likes Twitter because “I can get my point of view out there,” thus admitting a racist lie represents his point of view.
Understandably, the white nationalists and KKK liked Trump. But people I respect also voted for him. They understood his faults – one guy said: “of course Mexico paying for the wall was campaign rhetoric.” He knew Trump was lying about this, but Trump’s vision was more important.
The problems, and solutions, Trump sees are big, but straightforward. Build a wall. Cut taxes and regulations. Rewind to about the 1950s, and America will be great again like it was in the ’50s.
This is wishful thinking.
But liberals like me are also wishful thinkers. For instance, we believe we can fund expensive programs by taxing the rich, but there are limits to taxing the rich. We also assumed Hillary would win.
Left and right, Americans are ignoring facts we don’t want to face.
We all need to do better. Conservatives should read the New York Times biweekly, and liberals the Wall Street Journal. In fact, we should each find a politically different “buddy,” and discuss politics. Remember, if you get really stressed and mad about something your “buddy” says, it is likely because you don’t truly know you are right. Admit that to yourself, and listen.
If we all grow and find commonality, we can do much, much better than Trump.
— Maylen Dormon, San Leandro
Attack on National Security Requires Serious Consequences for All of its Perpetrators
Editor:
As news erupted of Trump’s son-in-law seeking a secret communication channel through the Russian embassy, Trump’s national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said he “would not be concerned about” back-channel communications.
When initiated by our government, with approval by the president, they can be useful. When initiated by a private citizen, they may be seditious.
As advisors to the president-elect six weeks before inauguration, Jared Kushner and Michael Flynn were violating the law. They were undermining the authority of our one and only legal president at that time. If he knew about this, and condoned it, Trump would be equally culpable for this treasonous action.
It’s obvious that back-channel communications must be secret, or at least confidential, but that doesn’t mean being withheld from appropriate governmental authorities. By trying to set up a secret channel, and then by not reporting his contacts with Russian government representatives, Kushner was intending to hide something.
Was he trying to arrange secret payoffs from Russian oligarchs to his father-in-law? Or was he simply a “useful fool” naively enabling Putin’s people to influence the American presidency? We don’t know, yet. But this attack on our national security requires severe consequences for all its perpetrators.
— Bruce Joffe, Piedmont
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LETTERS • 06-01-17
Supports Medical Marijuana Store at Davis Wellness Center
Editor:
I am a San Leandro resident writing to express my support for the proposed Davis Wellness Center medical cannabis dispensary.
The dispensary location on Teagarden Street is in San Leandro’s “Green Zone,” established as acceptable areas for medical cannabis dispensaries. Having a medical cannabis dispensary next to a health clinic makes perfect sense to allow card-carrying patients easy and safe access to medical cannabis.
Finally, as an active member of San Leandro’s community and parent of a grade-school child, I know how tight our city budget is and appreciate the potential influx of tens of thousands of dollars in taxes this dispensary will generate for the city of San Leandro to support community programs.
— David Egan, San Leandro
Calls Eden Area MAC Survey ‘Misleading’
Editor:
Don’t be misled!
Look in your mail for a critically important survey from the county arriving before June 12. There is a very misleading statement on the survey that says, “Members of the Eden Area Livability Initiative... considered whether there was a need for a Municipal Advisory Council in the Eden Area,” which would lead you to believe that it was just one idea that somebody threw out there.
The truth is that over the last 10 years, many citizen volunteers in EALI’s Governance Group put in countless hours of research, discussion, painstaking debate, and attempts at other alternatives. In March of 2016, we reached a unanimous decision that an Eden MAC is the best step to improve our local government representation in the unincorporated Eden area.
Do not let those in positions of power and influence deny us of what we have needed for a very long time. We need a local official government forum for our community to have a voice in our future. We need a Municipal Advisory Council like the one Castro Valley has had for over 35 years.
It’s time to turn things around. This is finally within our grasp, so let’s get it done. There are only six questions on the survey. The last two will ask about a MAC. Those of us who have been working on this ask you to please vote “Yes” on question 5 for a single unifying MAC.
— Keith Barros, San Lorenzo
San Leandro Should Take Action on Age Friendly Initiative
Editor:
As the U.S. population ages and people stay healthy and live longer, communities and cities will have to adapt to cater to the growing older population.
According to AARP data, one in three Americans is now 50 years or older and by 2030 one out of every five people in the U.S. will be 65 and older. To cater to the growing older population, communities and cities will have to be prepared to meet their needs.
For this reason, the Age Friendly Initiative is important. Some of the domains that will need to be addressed in this initiative are (1) Senior-friendly housing; (2) Safe outdoor spaces for seniors; (3) Community and health support; (4) Respect and social inclusion; (5) Social participation; and (6) Programs to watch for elder abuse, neglect and fraud.
The World Health Organization, along with AARP, is encouraging cities to pass the Age Friendly Initiative. The cities of Fremont and Berkeley are good examples of cities that are taking action on the initiative.
The City of Fremont has been recognized by AARP for inclusion of some of the domains in its programs for seniors. Additionally, the Age Friendly Berkeley Initiative was born after the Ashby Village Project members and other community members had a number of discussions on the popular book Being Mortal by Atul Gavande.
San Leandro, being a city having a large percentage of older adults, should join other cities in taking action on the Age Friendly Initiative and being forward thinking in its approach to support the growing senior population.
— Bella Comelo, Senior Commissioner, San Leandro
Appreciated Quick Response to Fainting Spell at Library
Editor:
On the morning of Saturday, May 20, I suffered a fainting spell while visiting the San Leandro Public Library. When I opened my eyes, I saw I was surrounded by an array of faces that resembled a meeting at the United Nations. The one thing they all had in common was showing me concern and offering assistance. I want to thank you all.
— Vernon S. Burton, San Leandro
Accuses Democrats of Lacking Courage on Housing, Wages
Editor:
It’s a great satisfaction to witness the bleeding of democrats like Bruce Joffe, Vernon Burton, Guillermo Elenes, Richard Mellor, Kenneth Kellogg, Billy Trice Jr. and others on the pages of the San Leandro Times. These people feel miserable: All of their ridiculous accusations don’t stick on the constitutionally elected President of the United States.
They gather in the San Leandro Democratic Club, or Oakland, to lick their wounds and to listen to Assemblyman Rob Bonta, or other scab-drivers in the State’s Congress, but these writers don’t have the courage to ask the politicians what are they going to do about the housing and the low wages situation in California.
These hypocrites speak and write as if some alien entity was in control of the state; these writers have no shame, their logic is the same logic of Berkeley’s “free-speechers.”
— Leo T. West, San Leandro
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OBITUARIES • 06-29-17
BATTLE, Yvonne C.
MESSINGER, Duane M.
SOUSA, Sidonio R.
STROM, Dane H.
TURNER, Rose
Yvonne C. Battle passed away on June 21, 2017. Yvonne worked for the Oakland Unified School District as a teacher and librarian for many years. Her funeral service was held at St. Benedict Catholic Church on Wednesday, June 28. Interment will take place at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon today, June 29, at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Santos-Robinson Mortuary in San Leandro (510-483-0123, santos-robinson.com).
Duane M. Messinger, born December 31, 1934 and resident of Hayward, passed away unexpectedly on June 10, 2017 at the age of 82. Many knew him as the owner of The Villa in San Lorenzo. Visitations were held on June 26 at Grissom’s Mortuary in San Lorenzo. Funeral Service was held on June 27, also at Grissom’s. Internment at Mt. Eden Cemetery in Hayward. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Grissom’s Mortuary (510-278-2800, www.grissomsmortuary.com).
Sidonio R. Sousa, age 81, passed away May 23, 2017. Born and raised on the island of Pico, Azores, where Sidonio worked as a fisherman. When he arrived in California he worked over 25 years selling fresh fish from his truck on the corner of Orchard & Davis Street in San Leandro. He also owned L&A Fish Market in Newark where he worked with his wife, Maria, and son, George, until his retirement. Services will be private.
Dane H. Strom (May 6, 1959 – June 17, 2017) went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the young age of 58. Dane grew up and went to school in Castro Valley. He and Robin married in 1982, lived in San Leandro, but settled in San Lorenzo in 1991 to raise their family. He worked at Peterson Tractor Co. for 24 years as their painter — and rocked that CAT yellow paint! Dane was a real warrior, living with M.S. for 37 years. He also survived fourth-stage melanoma cancer 12 years ago! Dane is survived by his brother, Daryl; his wife of 35 years, Robin; his sons, Eric (Kim) and Jim (Julie); daughter, Valerie; granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Lillian; and niece, Kristina. You’re invited to his Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Thursday, June 29, at 3Crosses Church in Castro Valley. Services will begin at 3 p.m. in the chapel followed by a dinner reception at the church. Arrangements made by Jess C. Spencer Mortuary, 510-581-9133.
Rose Turner, a resident of San Leandro, passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on June 21, 2017. Visitation begins at 4 p.m. followed by the Vigil/Rosary at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 30, at Holy Sepulchre in Hayward. Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, July 1, at 11 a.m.
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OBITUARIES • 06-22-17
HOUSTON, Cornelius
MOURA, Paul Joseph
PONTES, Rita K.
SUTTON, Anthony Michael
Cornelius Houston passed away on June 6, 2017 after complications related to a stroke. Cornelius was born in Berkeley on October 15, 1955 to James C. and Bernice Houston. He attended Oakland Unified School District public schools and graduated from Castlemont High School in 1974. He later married the love of his life, Saideh Tehrani, in 1980 and from this union two children were born. They moved to Hayward in 1984, where Cornelius became employed at Price Club, the pioneer of the warehouse store. (Price Club merged with rival Costco in 1993.) He obeyed the gospel and was baptized at the East Oakland Church of Christ on March 5, 2005, and he previously served as a Church Trustee. After over 27 years of dedicated service, he retired from Costco. He spent the rest of his years enjoying his children, grandchildren, and other family and friends. Cornelius is preceded in death by his father, James C. Houston; and his younger brother, Larry E. Houston. He leaves his legacy to be carried on by his mother, Bernice Houston; and his two children, Andrew W. Houston and Vanessa D. Smith (husband, Gaylend). He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Soheila Smith and Gaylend Charles Smith III; one sister, Ethel L. Hilburn; two brothers, Horace R. Houston and Kenneth J. Houston, Sr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, and countless other relatives and friends.
Paul Joseph Moura (1941 – 2017) was born, and lived his 76 years, on Blossom Way in San Leandro. He lovingly cared for the rose garden in the middle of the street for over 20 years. He taught 36 years in Oakland public schools and was adored by almost all his students. He touched many lives with his charm, humor and respect for others. He left behind his best friend, Dottie; and his beloved son, Tim. He will be missed by all who knew him. There will be no services as he wanted to go out the way he came in with no fanfare… just lots of love.
Rita K. Pontes (June 8, 1925 – June 16, 2017), a resident of San Leandro, passed away at home with her family and devoted caregivers by her side. She was born in San Jose to Alberto and Zaira Matteucci where she lived until moving to San Leandro in 1935. She graduated from Castlemont High School in 1943. She met her husband, Tony, in 1939. They became engaged in 1942 and married in 1944 in Colorado as he was going off to war. They were married for 68 years. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m today, June 22, at St. Felicitas Catholic Church, 1604 Manor Blvd., in San Leandro. Rita will be laid to rest at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 26.
Anthony Michael Sutton (November 5, 1936 – June 2, 2017) was born in England and came to the U.S. as a young man. He passed away unexpectedly at Kaiser Hospital on June 2, 2017. Tony helped many local residents with their concrete needs. He had a great life with no regrets. He was one of a kind. We shall miss him.
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OBITUARIES • 06-15-17
EWING, Joseph E.
JOURNEAY, James Warren
Joseph E. Ewing (January 30, 1931 – February 26, 2017), a longtime resident of San Leandro, was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Finis Waldo and Josephine Ewing. In 1950, during the Korean War, he joined the Navy and was stationed at Hunters Point in San Francisco. Joe is survived by his wife, Colleen, of 63 years; 4 sons, Joe Jr. (Diane), Ted (Sharon), Don (Sally) and Jim (Michelle); 9 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. Joe led a full and happy life. He will be deeply missed.
James Warren Journeay passed away peacefully at home on June 4th with his wife and dog by his side. He was 76. Jim was born in Berkeley, grew up in Oakland, graduated from Castlemont High School and served in the Army. A resident of Castro Valley for over 50 years, Jim worked at the East Bay Regional Park District where he retired as Fire Captain. A memorial service will be held at Lone Tree Cemetery, 24591 Fairview Ave., in Hayward on Friday, June 16, at 1 p.m. in the open pavilion.
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OBITUARIES • 06-08-17
GALLAGHER, Charles A.
GANN, Jerone Edward
HARTLEY, Steven
ROCHA, Phillip James
SILVEIRA, Jose E.
Charles A. Gallagher, a resident of San Leandro, passed away at the age of 94. Visitation will be Monday, June 12, from noon to 8 p.m. at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. A chapel service celebrating Charles’ life will be on Tuesday, June 13, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510-483-0123, www.santos-robinson.com).
Jerome Edward Gann (December 15, 1961 – May 30, 2017), a resident of Hayward, passed away on May 30, 2017 at age 55. Funeral Liturgy is on Friday, June 9, beginning at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 3433 Somerset Ave., in Castro Valley. Inurnment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 4529 Howe St., in Oakland.
Steven Hartley (March 25, 1952 – April 27, 2017), of San Leandro and Santa Cruz, died unexpectedly in his doctor’s office from a heart attack on April 27, 2017. He was 65.
Phillip James Rocha (July 16, 1955 – March 13, 2017), was laid to rest at the Rockville Cemetery in Fairfield, California.
Jose E. Silveira, a resident of San Leandro, passed at the age of 75. Visitation will be tonight, June 8, from noon to 8 p.m. at Santos-Robinson Mortuary, 160 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. The Vigil Service will also be tonight at 7 p.m. at the mortuary. The Funeral Liturgy will be on Friday, June 9, at St. Leander Church beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Arrangements made by Santos-Robinson Mortuary (510-483-0123, www.santos-robinson.com).
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