San Leandro Bytes

Court Decides for Sutter Health in San Leandro Hospital Legal Battle

In a ruling issued today, the First Appellate Court of Appeal decided in favor of Sutter Health in its legal battle with the Eden Township Healthcare District. This means that the fate of San Leandro Hospital could rest with Sutter Health, unless the decision is appealed to and accepted by the California Supreme Court.

Eden Township's legal case rested on an argument that former District CEO George Bischalaney and board member Dr. Francisco Rico had a financial conflict of interest. The court found that "the only reasoned conclusion that can be reached here is that neither of the health care professionals whose actions are in question, Bischalaney or Rico, was afflicted with a conflict of interest that precluded them from participating in the 2008 agreements concerning the general operation and management of the District‘s public hospitals."

World War II Bomb Found at San Leandro Metal Recycler

Photo courtesy of San Leandro Police Department

According to a press release from the San Leandro Police Department, workers at Alco Iron and Metal discovered a World War II bomb in one of three loads of scrap metal.

After police evacuated nearby areas, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad determined that the bomb was inert, with no explosives or firing device.

The words "BOMB" and "AVERAGE WT. 748" were stenciled on the side of the inert bomb. There was no information as to the source of the device and the incident was over in less than two hours.

San Leandro Community Members to be Honored at Monday City Council Meeting

According to a press release issued November 28, 2011, on Monday, December 5, 2011, the San Leandro City Council will present awards to members of the community to recognize their leadership.

The Mayor's Award of Excellence will be presented to Chad Pennebaker, president of the San Leandro Scholarship Foundation for the past six years and a frequent volunteer in San Leandro schools.

The Mayor's Award for Excellence in Business will be presented to J. Patrick Kennedy, the President and founder of OSIsoft, and the force behind Lit San Leandro, a project to create a fiber-optic loop around the City.

In District 1, Deborah Cox will be honored for her work as the President and founder of the San Leandro Education Foundation, President of the Estudillo Homeowners Association, leadership in school groups, including parcel tax and bond campaigns, and her service on the Boards of Leadership San Leandro, PACE, and the California Conservatory Theater.

In District 2, Charles Gilcrest will be honored for his service on the Human Services Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustments. Gilcrest is also President of the Business Association of South San Leandro and the Halcyon Foothill Neighborhood Association. Gilcrest serves as a campaign consultant and ran against Councilmember Ursula Reed in 2008.

In District 3, Lee Thomas will be honored for his service as President of the Floresta Homeowner's Association, on the Human Services Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustments. Thomas also serves on the Shoreline Development Citizen’s Advisory Committee.

In District 4, Marti Lantz will be honored for her service as President of the Washington Homeowners Association, leadership in school groups, and is a Regional Director with Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

In District 5, Anna and John Tandi will be honored for their service as volunteers with Anna on the Board of Friends of San Leandro Creek and involvement at St. Leander Church and school groups and John as a member of the Buon Tempo Club, the Elks Club, and Moose Club.

In District 6, Carole Rinaldi, will honored for her service on the Library-Historical Commission, President of the Marina Faire Homeowner's Association, and the Shoreline Development Citizen's Advisory Committee. Rinaldi has also coordinated the Leadership San Leandro program for the past 15 years.

The awards began in 1999 when former Mayor Shelia Young presented the Mayor's Award of Excellence to Tom Guarino for restarting the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce. The next year Susan Kleebauer received the Mayor's Award for her role in rebuilding the San Leandro Library.

These awards continued until Tony Santos was elected Mayor in 2006. Previous recipients, provided by Community Relations Representative Kathy Ornelas, are listed below.

2000

• District 1 – Ann Hague


• District 2 – Doris Marx


• District 3 – Joe Savio


• District 4 – Eleanor Bolesworth


• District 5 – Marie Lothrop


• District 6 – Bessie Parafina


• Mayor's Award of Excellence – Susan Kleebauer

• District 1 – John Faria


• District 2 – Lucille Kline


• District 3 – Robert Kvam


• District 4 – Madge Basuino


• District 5 – Frank Cerruti


• District 6 – Betty Bailey


• Mayor's Award of Excellence – Dale Reed

• District 1 – Pat Raposo


• District 2 – Mary Bystedt


• District 3 – Barbara Tierney


• District 4 – Barbara Sidari


• District 5 – Bob Grazzini


• District 6 – Ernie Low


• Mayor's Award of Excellence - City Manager Emeritus Wes McClure


• Mayor’s Award of Excellence in Business - Larsen Brothers Lumber Company

• District 1 – Bob Maginnis


• District 2 – Greg Romani


• District 3 – Bill Perras


• District 4 – Evelyn Plate


• District 5 – Denise Bownds Kaplan


• District 6 – Esther Holcomb


• Mayor's Award of Excellence – Martin A. Francis


• Mayor’s Award of Excellence in Business – SL Chamber of Commerce

2004

• District 1 – Sara Zoffada


• District 2 – Harold Kitzmann


• District 3 – Peter DiGregorio


• District 4 – Alban Cayere


• District 5 – Shirley McManus


• District 6 – Audrey Albers


• Youth Leadership Award – Amy Fong


• Mayor's Award of Excellence – Faith Frazier


• Mayor’s Award of Excellence in Business – Ghirardelli Chocolate

• District 1 – John Chovanes


• District 2 – George Hansen and Janice Maldonado


• District 3 – Verna Corum


• District 4 – Simone Shuttleworth


• District 5 – Tim Holmes


• District 6 – Kent Myers


• Youth Leadership Award – Karen Wong


• Mayor's Award of Excellence – Maria and LeVern Cabral


• Mayor’s Award of Excellence in Business – Deadrich Realty

2006

• District 1 – Kathe Frates


• District 2 – The Reverend Sarah Reyes


• District 3 – Caryl Ann Symons


• District 4 – V.I.E.U. – Mission Bay


• District 5 – Patty Silva


• District 6 – Luster Knight


• Youth Leadership Award – Norris Mei


• Mayor's Award of Excellence – Heidi Finberg


• Mayor’s Award of Excellence in Business – Kraft Foods

Friends of the Library Gift Shop Team Wins Trivia Bee

From left to right, Mayor Stephen Cassidy, Trivia Bee winners Saul Schultheis-Gerry, Max Gerry, Michael Gerry, and Councilmembers Jim Prola and Diana Souza

In the end, the Friends of the Library Gift Shop team came up with the name of Netflix's short-lived DVD spinoff (Qwikster) to win Project Literacy's 18th Annual Trivia Bee after a three-way tie. The San Leandro Garden Club took second, followed by the Alameda County Firefighters. Last year's winners, former San Leandro City Manager John Jermanis' family, did not field a team this year,

As in past years, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Kurtz read questions for the first round and Leslie Frates, a San Leandro resident and former professor at Cal State East Bay who has appeared on the television quiz show Jeopardy 14 times, read questions for the second and third rounds. Kathy Kurtz served as the official time keeper. Students from San Leandro High School acted as scorekeepers for each of the thirty teams.

In addition to the Trivia Bee, a raffle featured an Apple iPad, Disneyland tickets, and dozens of other prizes from local businesses and individuals. Funds raised by the Trivia Bee help Project Literacy to provide literacy services to more than 200 adults and 1,500 kids each year.

Thirty teams competed in the annual fundraiser that brings in more than $10,000 each year for Project Literacy. Teams included businesses like State Roofing Systems, California Conservatory Theater, San Leandro Players, the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, and the San Leandro Police Officers Association.

Brian Copeland Gets His Day in San Leandro

In 1972, when Brian Copeland was eight, his family moved from Oakland to San Leandro, California, hoping for a better life. At the time, San Leandro was 99.4 percent white, known nationwide as a racist enclave. This reputation was confirmed almost immediately: Brian got his first look at the inside of a cop car, for being a black kid walking to the park with a baseball bat. That story became the basis for "Not a Genuine Black Man," his solo show that began at The Marsh theater in 2004 and the last performance was more than seven years later at the Marsh Arts Center in Berkeley last month.

Thirty-nine years later, San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy proclaimed October 19, 2011, as Brian Copeland day, honoring him as an ambassador of San Leandro. The text of the proclamation:

WHEREAS, Brian Copeland moved to San Leandro with his family as a small child and has remained a resident, proclaiming "San Leandro is my home town"; and

WHEREAS, Brian Copeland attained celebrity for his work in the news media, as a comedian, and most notably for authoring a poignant book about growing up in San Leandro during a time of discrimination and racism which grew into his highly successful one-man play, "Not A Genuine Black Man"; and

WHEREAS, in telling his story, Brian Copeland has become an ambassador for San Leandro, and demonstrates how one can overcome adversity, how neighbors can become friends, and the change that has occurred within San Leandro communities; and

WHEREAS, for more than twenty years, Brian Copeland has been a champion of the Davis Street Family Resource Center, supporting its programs and services in many ways, most notably by raising thousands of dollars every year for the children's nutrition program to ensure that preschool children in the Center's programs have a hot and nutritious breakfast; and

WHEREAS, Brian Copeland's philanthropy and celebrity have brought acclaim and honor to this community.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Stephen H. Cassidy, Mayor of the City of San Leandro, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proudly proclaim October 19,2011 as "BRIAN COPELAND DAY" in San Leandro.

Copeland's new solo play, "The Waiting Period," will preview at San Francisco's Marsh Theater in November and will open in January. Copeland also is the host of the talk show 7LIVE weekdays at 3pm.

Brian Copeland and son Casey

San Leandro's Second Coffee with the Cops Focuses on Online Information and Recent Incidents

Tuesday morning, San Leandro Police held the second "Coffee with the Cops" meeting with about 15 community members and 11 police officers in a banquet room at Dick's Restaurant.

After a brief introduction by San Leandro Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli, Officer Pete Ballew stated that the $2.4 million COPS grant that San Leandro received in 2010 enabled the hiring of five former San Jose Police officers who were in the process of being trained. This enabled the department to add a bicycle officer , a school resource officer, and two more tactical officers. The COPS grant funds five police officers for three years and requires that San Leandro pays for the fourth year, estimated at $800,000. Ballew noted that the citizen police academy, which always has a waiting list, starts again in March and applications are accepted in December and January. The first teen police academy was launched this summer and had 16 graduates.

Officer Tim DeGrano was next up with a presentation about information available from the police department website. DeGrano explained CodeRed, a service from Emergency Communications Network that allows the police department to "record, send and track personalized messages to thousands of citizens in minutes." DeGrano recounted a use of CodeRed that enabled the capture of a suspect that had fled from police into the Bay-O-Vista neighborhood.

Next DeGrano showed off the new daily log web page that displays the daily dispatch log which includes most police responses since September 12, 2011. Incidents involving domestic violence, sexual assaults, medical responses, and incidents involving children are not included in the daily logs. Each day's log can be downloaded in PDF or Excel format.

DeGrano noted that San Leandro has a full service police department and will respond to barking dog and burglar alarm calls, unlike many cities. When asked if the police should be called for copper thefts, even when unsure of the date of the theft, DeGrano responded, "Absolutely," because there may still be evidence or may be indicative of a pattern.

Certain crime information can also be reported online, but DeGrano noted that crimes that include a suspect should be called in to the police department and not reported online.

When a business owner asked about whether lights should be left on at her business on E. 14th St., DeGrano said that some prefer to leave lights on while others close up everything to hide what they have. DeGrano asked that anyone who has a cash register empty out the cash register in a way that is visible.

DeGrano encouraged the audience to call the police, even for something like speeding cars, because officers may see the speeding cars just by happening to be in the right place in the right time. Officer Rick De Costa noted that one dispatcher will be on the phone taking a report while the other dispatcher is already sending out information to officers.

Spagnoli noted that there are seven beats throughout San Leandro and there are 7 to 15 officers patrolling San Leandro at any given time of day. According to Spagnoli, there are currently 89 officers, including the Police Chief, captains, lieutenants, and sergeants, a dozen detectives and investigators, three officers assigned to the schools, and two crime prevention and community outreach officers.

Officer Doug Calcagno presented a summary of the incident in which Darnell Hutchinson died after being restrained and tased by four San Leandro Police officers outside of Nations on October 9, 2011. Calcagno noted that "The four officers involved in it happen to be probably four of the nicest officers we have in our department." Calcagno summarized the triple homicide that occurred after a party on October 2, 2011, and noted that San Leandro Police are dealing with similar issues that face Oakland when it comes to trust of the police: the unwillingness of people to come forward with information.

Finally, Calcagno summarized the theft and car chase that resulted in the death of two suspects and major injuries to a third suspect involved in a theft from FoodMax.

One resident complimented the police and then said, "I think too many people try to make Oscar Grant a hero when he was nothing but a thug and the cops are getting a bad rap." Calcagno noted that nearby incidents in Oakland and other places reflect on all police departments.

Spagnoli responded to a question about the length of administrative leave by noting that the length of the leave is determined on a case-by-case basis. The administrative leave to ensure that the officers were mentally fit and have been appropriately debriefed.

Spagnoli went on to address questions she has received about tasers. She stated that, "Tasers are a best practice" and noted that tasers can be used to gain control of a suspect when "you can't gain compliance in another way. There's a fallacy out there that tasers kill people and actually, if you read every report that anybody has been killed associated with a taser, is tasers have not been the primary cause of death in any case. Taser International, the company that puts that out, is very active in defending their use of that equipment." According to Spagnoli, the taser can be used with or without darts. "And it's [an] effective tool, really, to maintain control of somebody who is not complying with peace officer's requests." Spagnoli added, the taser "comes in one speed and you can choose anywhere between one and five seconds, meaning it stops after X amount of seconds."

When asked about dealing with mentally ill people, Spagnoli said that there are specially-trained officers who deal with an estimated 1,000 police calls involving mentally ill people.

The next question involved gang activity in San Leandro, which Officer Neil Goodman described as a generational problem with two gangs, Davis Street Locos and Manor Dro Boys splitting San Leandro into north and south at Marina Boulevard. A shooting two years ago at McKinley Elementary involved the Davis Street Locos and resulted in a sentence of 22 years for the shooter because of gang enhancements to the sentence. Goodman said that kids begin in gangs between the ages of 12 and 14 and that the police are working on a diversion program.

The last question was about funding for more police officers and Spagnoli noted that funding at the state and federal level was drying up. Spagnoli said that they were working on a police foundation to raise money for specific programs and to talk to Officer Ballew for more information.

The next Coffee with the Cops is scheduled for November 8, 2011, from 8 to 9am at the Marina Inn, located at 68 Monarch Bay Drive.

Cops Answer Community's Questions during "Coffee with the Cops"

Tuesday morning, San Leandro Police held the first "Coffee with the Cops" meeting with about two dozen community members and 13 police officers at Main Street Bagel.

The meeting was standing room only as San Leandro Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli started by addressing a question about the legality of using medical marijuana in an apartment building where children were present. Spagnoli and other members of the police department answered questions on medical marijuana, the recovery of a gun at the high school, loud car stereos and the Nex Cycle recycling facility at the Bancroft Avenue Safeway parking lot.

In response to a question additional safety measures being implemented in response to the gun incident at San Leandro High School, Spagnoli first stated that an additional School Resource Officer will be assigned to the high school, where there is currently one. She added, "You could actually use 3 or 4 School Resource Officers just at the high school." "We're going to be revisiting our daytime curfew which is the curfew that says that kids need to be in school, right, based on the education code. We know that when kids are out of school, they can become victims of crime or they can commit crimes or they can just be away from school, which is obviously a concern from a public safety standpoint. So, we're working on making some revisions to that ordinance, have some teeth in it, that parents have responsibility."

The San Leandro City Council unanimously adopted a daytime curfew for children on July 30, 2007. It applies between 8am and 3pm on days when school is in session. A similar curfew was already in place between 10pm and 5am.

When Stephen Carbonaro asked Chief Spagnoli about police staffing levels, she said that the department had 89 officers but that "you could have over 100 police officers and that would be great." She then asked Captain Stephen Pricco for the highest number of officers that the police department previously had and Pricco responded that the maximum number of police historically was 94. [Editor's note: San Leandro had 98 police officers in 2000 and 96 officers in 1997 and 1998.]

Spagnoli noted that the implementation of e911 has resulted in thousands more calls to local dispatchers, leading to installation of an automated phone system for callers to San Leandro's local non-emergency number. Prior to implementation of the e911 system, 911 calls went to the California Highway Patrol's dispatch center in Vallejo.

One resident complained about traffic near Muir Middle School, especially parents and children who crossed the street outside of crosswalks.

Near the end of the meeting, Captain Pete Ballew noted that, "last year, in San Leandro, crime was at the lowest level it's been in 30 years, but if you were burglarized last night, it's not the lowest level in 30 years." Ballew noted that robberies and burglaries are up a little bit this year. Detective Isaac Benabou said that burglaries were up largely because of a person who was burglarizing multiple houses each day.

For those who were not able to ask questions, before time ran out, forms were available to submit questions.

Coffee with the Cops was first announced by Chief Spagnoli at a June 30, 2011, Town Hall Meeting. The next Coffee with the Cops is scheduled for October 11, 2011, from 8 to 9am at Dick's Restaurant, located at 3188 Alvarado Street.

Parking Lot to Replace First Interstate Building

Scaffolding surrounding the First Interstate building

Conceptual view of how the new parking lot and entrance will look

After being left vacant for 15 years, Chase has filed demolition plans for the former First Interstate Building located at 1639 E. 14th Street between Chase Bank and Pallen's Martial Arts.

According to the August Community Development Update, Chase acquired the building solely to use the parking lot for its customers. Demolition of the First Interstate building will allow Chase customer to enter the parking lot from E. 14th Street and use it during the Downtown Farmers Market, which currently blocks access to the parking lot. The demolition will also allow Pallen's Martial Arts to make changes to the façade of its building and to use the back door as a fire exit.

Although the site is located in the area of San Leandro's Transit-Oriented Development Strategy, it is not one of the 39 "opportunity sites" identified for development through 2030. Instead, it is in an area categorized as "Multi-Use, Infill Opportunity Districts."

During the demolition, the debris will be separated for recycling.

California Attorney General Files Amicus Brief Supporting Eden Township Healthcare District

On August 10, 2011, the California Attorney General's office, acting on a request by San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy and San Leandro City Attorney Jayne Williams on behalf of the City of San Leandro, filed an amicus curiae or "friend of the court" brief on behalf of Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD) in its legal battle with Sutter Health over the future of San Leandro Hospital.

The amicus brief from the California Attorney General argues that George Bischalaney, then CEO of ETHD, and Dr. Francisco Rico, then an ETHD board member, had a conflict of interest because they "… actively guided the District through contract negotiations with two private healthcare entities, Sutter Health ("Sutter") and Eden Medical Center, Inc. ("EMC"), at the same time they were receiving income from one of those entities (EMC)." After stating that "Section 1090 [of the Government Code] provides that an officer or employee of a state or local public agency may not make a contract in which he or she is financially interested." the brief argues that courts have interpreted Section 1090 to require only a financial interest and not a financial benefit for there to be a conflict-of-interest. The brief concludes, "Insofar as the trial court misapplied the law to the facts in this case, the judgment should be reversed."

The request was sent by fax on July 27, 2011, two days after the San Leandro City Council voted to file its own amicus curiae in support of ETHD.

In its own brief, the City of San Leandro described Sutter's argument that "the interest of the district and respondent Eden Medical Center "EMC" were perfectly aligned" as "sheer sophistry." The City's brief states, "…San Leandro Hospital is far from being an underutilized community resource. It is only when the Sutter views this vital community resource through the lens of private economic gain and profitability that shutting it down for an alternate use rises to a 'highest and best use.'"

The City's brief also makes the same argument about the conflict-of-interest of Bischalaney and Rico by stating "…that no person can, at one and the same time, faithfully serve two masters representing diverse or inconsistent interests with respect to the service performed."

The California Nurses Association's amicus curiae brief, filed on August 8, 2011, states that in 2008, while Bischalaney was CEO for ETHD and as CEO and Director for EMC, Bischalaney received a total of $601,865 in compensation from EMC and Sutter-related organizations. The brief also states that Rico was a 56% owner of Alameda Anesthesia Associates Medical Group, which received $2.2 million from EMC/Sutter each year in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

While there is no guarantee that an amicus curiae brief will affect a court's decision, the amicus filed by the California Attorney General, which is responsible for enforcement of government code on conflict-of-interest, is certain to have supporters of San Leandro Hospital optimistic that the trial court decision will be overturned.

San Leandro City Council to File Amicus Brief Supporting Keeping San Leandro Hospital Open

At a special meeting held on Monday, July 25, 2011, the San Leandro City Council voted 6-0 (Gregory was absent) to file an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief on behalf of Eden Township Healthcare District in it fight with Sutter Health over San Leandro Hospital.

Councilmember Michael Gregory has spoken out in support of San Leandro Hospital at two Town Halls and a rally and current Mayor Stephen Cassidy has also been vocal in his support of San Leandro Hospital at town Town Halls and during his campaign for Mayor.

However, Monday night marks the first time that the San Leandro City Council has decided to spend money and offer concrete support for keeping San Leandro Hospital open.

According to San Leandro City Attorney Jayne Williams, the law firm of Meyers Nave will prepare the brief at a cost not to exceed $7,500. Williams also stated, "A letter will also be sent to the Attorney General on behalf of the City encouraging the AG [Attorney General] to file an amicus on behalf of the District with respect to the conflict of interest (Government Code 1090) issues that have been raised in the appeal.

The deadline to file an amicus brief is August 8, 2011.

Former San Leandro City Manager Lee Riordan Dies

Former San Leandro City Manager Lee Riordan

Elected officials and city officials who worked with Riordan had nothing but praise for him. John Jermanis, who worked under Riordan, said, "Lee was a great guy; he was highly regarded by his many friends and colleagues and will be missed." Jermanis noted that "he [Riordan] placed an emphasis on disaster training for staff" and also worked with the City Council to establish a reserve fund (later used in 1998 for the Hillside Drive landslides).

Former San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos said of Riordan, "He assisted me in learning about city budgets; I came from the private sector and did not have experience in city budgeting."

Bob Glaze, the former Councilmember for District 4, said, "He was strong but could sit down and help to bring people to consensus. His "can do" attitude was instrumental in the return of the Cherry festival, cherry tree plantings, the cherry symbol of the street signs and the celebration of the city and the people."

Former Mayor Shelia Young said she will "remember him as someone who had a passion for San Leandro and lived it."

Riordan was City Manager when Proposition 13 was passed and when recession drove interest rates to all-time highs. Financing became so prohibitive that a planned multi-story shopping center with underground parking could not be completed, but was salvaged in a public-private deal resulting in the large parking lot and single story buildings known as Washington Plaza Shopping Center.

Projects started while Riordan was City Manager include the Greenhouse Market Place, Parkside apartments, and Marina Square shopping center (formerly Pacific High School). The Marina Inn and the original Tony Lema 18-hole golf course were completed under Riordan's tenure.

After his second retirement, Riordan served as a Range Rider from 1997 until 2003, making "the counsel, experience and support of respected retired City Managers available to active local government Managers and Administrators."

Riordan served as the President of the Municipal Management Association of Northern California in the 1950s and was a member of the Board of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Mayor Stephen Cassidy adjourned the July 5, 2011, meeting of the City Council in memory of Riordan and flags will be flown at half-staff at City facilities for one week. No information about funeral services was available.

Update: Corrected to eliminate Blue Dolphin as construction began in 1965, prior to Riordan's tenure as City Manager.

Wide Support for St. Rose/San Leandro Hospital Merger at Town Hall

Supporters of San Leandro Hospital came out in force to a Town Hall meeting held on May 17, 2011, at the San Leandro Senior Center. Speakers included California State Senator Ellen Corbett, St. Rose Hospital CEO and President Michael Mahoney, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy, Vice Mayor Michael Gregory, and Eden Township Healthcare District Director Carole Rogers.

Under the proposed plan, St. Rose and San Leandro Hospitals would merge operations and be owned by Eden Township Healthcare District. Details on the finances of such a move have not been released and Sutter has not indicated whether it would support such a plan.

If you missed the meeting, here are the speeches, courtesy of Mia Ousley:

California State Senator Ellen Corbett

Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan

Carole Rogers, Eden Township Healthcare District Director

San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy

Michael Mahoney, St. Rose President and CEO

More speeches after the break

Nurse Carol Barazi

Michael Gregory, San Leandro Vice Mayor

Miles Adler, former Eden Medical Center Chief of Staff

Vin Sawhney, Eden Township Healthcare District Director

John Kalafatich (Big John)

County to Adopt Negative Declaration for San Leandro Creek Hazardous Tree Project

In a notice sent out on May 11, 2011, the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District stated its intent to adopt a mitigated negative declaration for the San Leandro Creek Hazardous Tree Management Project. This means that the "significant effects of the project noted in the attached Initial Study have been eliminated or mitigated by revisions to the project so that the potential adverse effects are reduced to a point where no significant effects would occur."

The notice is the start of a 20-day period in which members of the public can review and comment on the Initial Study. The review period ends at 9am on May 31, 2011.

The project has been scaled back from earlier proposals and now involves the removal of 17 trees, pruning of 15 trees, and trimming back two trees in a total of three areas of San Leandro Creek near Huff Avenue (location 1), Cary Drive, Haas Avenue and Bancroft Middle School (location 2), and St. Mary Avenue (location 3). The Initial Study includes photos showing what the areas would like once the project is completed (pages 18-25).

More information about the project previous community meetings can be found at http://www.acgov.org/pwa/SanLeandroCreekTreeHazardous.shtml

If you disagree with the Initial Study's conclusion that there will no "significant adverse impacts," email your comments to jimb@acpwa.org or send them to:

Mr. Kwablah Attiogbe, Environmental Services Manager
Alameda County Flood Control & Water Conservation District
399 Elmhurst Street
Hayward, CA 94544

Alameda County Gives $100K to Operate San Leandro's Senior Center

At its meeting on April 12, 2011, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved a measure that will help fund operations at San Leandro's senior center. The measure, mentioned by Supervisor Wilma Chan at her open house on April 9, allocates $50,000 a year for two years.

San Leandro Proclaims April 10 as Nonito "Flash" Donaire Day

In an event organized by San Leandro School Board trustee Hermy Almonte, Lions Club President Leroy Smith, and State Assembly candidate Jennifer Ong, an absent Nonito Donaire Jr. was honored for his boxing accomplishments and providing inspiration to others. San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy and Vice Mayor Ursula Reed read a proclamation declaring April 10, 2011, as "Nonito Donaire, Jr. Day."

While Donaire Jr. and his father weren't able to make the event, Donaire's brother and fellow boxer Glenn and mother Imelda were on hand to receive proclamations and commendations from a variety of elected officials and their representatives. Representatives from State Senator Ellen Corbett's office, State Assemblymember Mary Hayashi's office, State Assemblymember Fiona Ma's office, and Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan's office all feted Donaire. Finally, Philippine Deputy Consul General Wilfredo Santos thanked the Donaire brothers for "bringing so much honor and glory to the Bay Area Filipino-American community."

Donaire was born in the Philippines but was raised in San Leandro and graduated from San Lorenzo High School. After winning three national amateur championships in 1998, 1999, and 2000, Donaire began to box professionally in 2001. In 2007, Donaire won the IBF and IBO flyweight world titles and went on to win the WBA Super Flyweight Interim World Title in 2009. In February 2011, Donaire defeated Fernando Montiel to win the WBC and WBO bantamweight world titles.

Supervisor Chan Has Plans to Keep San Leandro Hospital Open, Help Fund Senior Center

For San Leandro, Chan said that on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will vote on a measure that would provide $50,000 each of the next two years to help fund the operation of the newly opened San Leandro Senior Center. Chan said she expects the measure to pass, despite a 19th straight year of budget cuts for the County.

On San Leandro Hospital, Chan sounded optimistic, saying "We're working very hard on San Leandro Hospital and I'm happy to tell you too (it's certainly not done) but we have at least two viable plans to keep the hospital open."

Chan said that she was working to rename the street in front of Bayfair Center and noted that the Chamber of Commerce is interested in this as well. San Leandro Bytes followed up with Calderon, who stated that the street in question is Fairmont Drive. The idea is to give Bayfair Center some extra attention by adding its name to exit signs on Interstate 580. Fairmont Drive runs from Hesperian Boulevard to Lake Chabot.

With recent storms causing at least one large branch to fall at San Leandro Creek, Chan stated, "We'll have three public hearings, probably [starting] in the first week of May" concerning trees in San Leandro Creek so that the beauty of the area can be preserved and homeowners can be safe. To date, there have been five community workshops on trees in San Leandro Creek, after an initial meeting in May 2010.

She's also working with the Chamber to match businesses with local schools, noting the financial situation facing local governments, where local services are being cut.

Update: Corrected the name of Chan's staff member.

County Supervisor Wilma Chan Open House on Saturday 4/9

Chan was elected in June 2010 after Alice Lai-Bitker decided not to seek re-election. Chan held the same County Supervisor seat from 1994 until 2000, when she was elected to the California State Assembly, where she served three terms. In 2008, she ran for California State Senate against Loni Hancock and lost.

The open house will be held at Chan's district office at 15903 Hesperian Boulevard in San Lorenzo. RSVP to Gene Calderon at gene.calderon@acgov.org or (510) 278-0367.

Happy Alice Sarafian Day!

San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy proclaimed March 22, 2011, as Alice Sarafian Day at the San Leandro City Council meeting on March 21, 2011.

Sarafian was among those receiving commendations for their service on San Leandro's boards and commissions. Sarafian was appointed to the Human Services Commission in 1984 and has served as the District 1 member and the At-Large member. From 1985 to 1987, Sarafian was the President of the San Leandro League of Women Voters. In 1977, she was Board President of Girls' Inc.

New Census Data Puts San Leandro's 2010 Population at 84,950

Data from the 2010 census indicates that San Leandro's population was 84,950 as of April 2010, an increase of 5,498 or 6.9% from 2000. Alameda County's population increased 4.6% over the last 10 years, while Piedmont and Oakland had slight decreases. Dublin and Emeryville increased by 53.6% and 46.5% respectively.

The population breakdown by race/ethnicity is 29.3% Asian, 27.4% Hispanic or Latino, 27.1% white (non-Hispanic), 11.8% African American, 3.2% two or more races, 0.7% Asian Pacific and Hawaiian, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, and 0.2% other.

Total housing units in San Leandro increased from 31,334 in 2000 to 32,419 in 2010, an increase of 3.5%. Vacant housing units increased 146% from 692 to 1,702. In Alameda County, housing units increased by 7.8% while vacant units increased by 122.5%.

This data was compiled by California's State Data Center, part of the Department of Finance, from U.S. Census reports and data.

San Leandro Civic Pioneer Faith Frazier Dies at 85

Faith Frazier

After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Frazier taught in Hayward, San Leandro, and Oakland for 20 years. Frazier also wrote for The Morning News, a local newspaper, during the 1960s.

In the mid-1950s, Frazier and Harriet Engberg formed the Civic Information and Education Group (CIEG) to encourage women to get involved in city government and run for office.

During the 1960s and 1970, Frazier helped coordinate campaigns with campaign consultants Dave Hauser and Jim Zeno. In 1962, Frazier was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees, where she served until she was elected to the City Council in 1974.

Among her other civic activities:

• Founding member of Bonaire Civic League
• Charter member of San Leandro League of Women Voters
• Charter member of the San Leandro Arts Council
• Founder of Political Action Committee for Excellence (PACE), a group of women that supports women for elective office

Frazier remained active in politics into her 80s, attending the Hayward Demos Fall Fundraiser and endorsing Pauline Cutter for City Council and Measure Z. Her legacy was honored when her name was submitted as a candidate for the name of the new San Leandro High School ninth grade campus.

Funeral services have not yet been released.

More details: A press release from the City of San Leandro and San Leandro Patch coverage.

Editor's Note: Much of the information in this article comes from former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young, who wrote a short biography of Faith Frazier.

San Leandro Improves to a "C" For Efforts to Discourage Smoking

In its 2010 State of Tobacco Control report, the American Lung Association of California gave the City of San Leandro a "C" for its efforts to discourage smoking. The report grades California cities in areas such as smokefree housing, reducing sales of tobacco products, and regulating outdoor smoking.

San Leandro's grade is an improvement from the "F" it received in 2009, and results from action that the San Leandro City Council took in December 2009 to tighten restrictions on smoking in public places, work places, recreational areas and athletic facilities in the city.

Neighboring cities did not improve from two years ago: Alameda received an "F," Hayward received a "C" and Oakland received a "B." Union City and Albany received the highest scores in Alameda County.

Christmas Lights in San Leandro 2010

975 Estudillo Avenue

769 Sybil Avenue

739 Portola Drive

15102 Chapel Court

15118 Chapel Court

15164 Wiley Street

1514 Sagewood Avenue

Skeleton Biker Transforms Into Santa

The 16-foot-tall skeleton biker on Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro has transformed into Santa for the Christmas holidays.

Huge holiday decorations at the house of local realtors Antonio and Alexia Cardenas is becoming an annual tradition. Last year, a haunted castle was built on the Cardenas' lawn.

Student Chess Tournament at Library January 8

Students from Kindergarten to 12th grade will have the opportunity to compete in "The Joy Luck Club" Chess Tournament on January 8, 2011, at the San Leandro Library. The tournament, sponsored by the library and Bay Area Chess, is the first event of The Big Read, San Leandro's city-wide celebration of Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club.”

A $10 registration fee is required for entrants and registration can be completed at the library's information desk. Players must already know how to play chess and children less than 10 years old must bring a parent. Contestants will compete in round-robin format in groups of four. Trophies and certificates will be awarded to winners.

Future events include a read-a-thon of The Joy Luck Club, a Joy Luck Club Lunar New Year Celebration, and a Mother Daughter Dim Sum Lunch & Fashion Show.

The chess tournament will be held from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, January 8 from 10 am to 5 pm at the San Leandro Library at 300 Estudillo Avenue. For more information, call (510) 577-3957.

San Leandro's Big Read is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.

San Leandro Creek Tree Removal Open House on Dec. 7, 2010

According to a flyer from the Alameda County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, an Open House on the San Leandro Creek hazardous tree removal will be held on Tuesday, December 7, 2010.

The flyer states, "The Open House will feature a variety of exhibit stations that will provide an overview of the project, the tree-risk rating system, the environmental review process, schedule, and information on the construction plans."

This is the sixth meeting focusing on the proposed removal of trees considered hazardous from three areas of San Leandro Creek near Huff Avenue, Cary Drive, and St. Marys Avenue. Workshops were previously held on June 22, June 29, July 13, and August 25, 2010, after an initial meeting at the San Leandro Library on May 20, 2010.

The Open House will be held at Bancroft Middle School at 7pm on December 7, 2010. Bancroft Middle School is located at 1150 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro.

For more information, see http://www.acgov.org/pwa/SanLeandroCreekTreeHazardous.shtml.

Encore of Race to Nowhere Tomorrow at Bal Theatre

An encore screening of the documentary film "Race to Nowhere" will take place at the Bal Theatre in San Leandro on Tuesday, November 16, 2010. According to the film's promotional material, it is "about the pressures faced by American schoolchildren and their teachers in a system and culture obsessed with the illusion of achievement, competition and the pressure to perform."

The 85-minute film has local connections, with scenes filmed at Roosevelt Elementary in San Leandro and Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland. Maimone Attia, the film's writer and cinematographer, attended Roosevelt Elementary, Bancroft Middle School, and San Leandro High School.

Writer Maimone Attia and Roosevelt teacher Richard Fishbaugh will be on-hand to introduce the film and participate in a question-and-answer session after the movie.

A review from the Los Angeles Times said ""Race to Nowhere" offers hope in the form of new models. For starters, there's the no-homework movement. Imagine." According to the New York Times, the film "doesn't entirely succeed" in presenting "a single, clear, narrative" but does "admirably convey the complexity of the issue with considerably more compassion than prescription." Oprah.com writes, "The groundbreaking documentary, Race to Nowhere is an investigation into the pressures American children and their teachers face in our achievement-obsessed education system and culture. See if the film is screening in your area. You’ll be inspired to make some changes, big and small, for the health of your kids."

The movie begins at 7pm. The Bal Theatre is located at 14808 East 14th Street in San Leandro. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at the Bal Theatre web site.

Free Whooping Cought Shots Tues. October 26

Davis Street Family Resource Center is offering free whooping cough shots on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, from 3pm to 7pm.

Pertussis, known as whooping cough, was characterized as an epidemic in California in June 2010, by Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health. It is highly contagious and is deadly for young infants. According to the Alameda County Department of Public Health, there have been 275 cases of pertussis this year and no deaths in Alameda County. In California, there have 5,658 cases and 9 deaths, nearly all infants younger than three months.

According to a flyer about the free shots, "You need a whooping cough booster if;"

• You are an adult and have never had a whooping cough booster shot


• You are 10 years or older


• You are new parents or caretaker of a baby younger than one year


• You are a child 7-9 years and missing 1 or more DPaT shots


• You are a child entering 7th through 12th grade you will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school for the 2011-2012 school year"

Davis Street Family Resource Center is located at 3081 Teagarden Street in San Leandro.

New Report Pegs San Leandro With Highest Rate of Tuberculosis in Alameda County

A July 2010 report by the Alameda County Department of Public Health (ACDPH) shows San Leandro with the highest rate of tuberculosis and a high rate of asthma-related emergency room visits. Numerous statistics and comparisons related to a variety of health and well-being measures are included in the report. The report, entitled "The Health of Alameda County Cities and Places" was prepared by the ACDPH and commissioned by Hospital Council of Northern and Central California and generally covers data from 2006 to 2008.

For San Leandro, some of the most interesting findings are the high rate of tuberculosis, the high crime and homicide mortality rate, and the high incidence of asthma.

"The purpose of the report is to inform the hospital community about the health status of county and city residents; to identify gaps in services; and to assist in developing programs that target appropriate population sub-groups and health conditions." The report notes that "communities of color and low-income communities continue to fare poorest on most key health indicators" but does not delve into the root causes for any of the conditions or gaps identified.

The rate of tuberculosis cases in San Leandro was highest in Alameda County with 13.8 cases per 100,000 from 2007 to 2009, compared to the county average of 9.8. In real numbers, that means about 11 cases of tuberculosis in San Leandro, since the population is less than 100,000. San Leandro had the third-highest rate of HIV/AIDS cases, behind Emeryville and Oakland. For sexually-transmitted diseases, San Leandro was well below the county average.

In the crime category, San Leandro has the fourth highest rate of property crime out of the 15 Alameda County cities, behind Berkeley, Emeryville, and Oakland. For violent crime, San Leandro trails only Oakland and Emeryville. San Leandro's rate of assault emergency department visits was second highest, behind Oakland.

One of the more surprising statistics was the homicide mortality by city, with San Leandro's rate of 13.2 per 100,000 second only to Oakland's 23.5 per 100,000. Since the rate is based on where the person resided rather than where the person was killed, this may be skewed by San Leandro residents who were killed elsewhere.

The top three leading causes of death in San Leandro are the same as for Alameda County as a whole: heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Those born in San Leandro have a life expectancy of 81 years, slightly below the 81.4 years for Alameda County as a whole and well below the 88.2 years of Emeryville.

San Leandro Unified School District had the fifth-highest percentage of overweight children (33.6%), behind Emeryville (50.3%), Hayward (38.4%), San Lorenzo (36.4%), and Oakland (36.4%).

San Leandro was below the county average for diabetes mortality, hospitalization for coronary heart disease, and stroke hospitalization, but third highest for stroke mortality. San Leandro had the third-highest rate of asthma emergency visits, behind Oakland and Hayward and the second-highest rate of asthma hospitalization for children less than five years old.

The lung cancer rate for San Leandro was fourth highest, behind Alameda, Oakland, and Livermore, but the mortality rate from lung cancer was third highest. San Lorenzo had the highest rate of colorectal cancer, while San Leandro was below the county average. San Leandro was below the county's rate for both female breast cancer and prostate cancer.

For injuries, San Leandro had a rate of unintentional injury emergency department visits slightly higher than the county average with deaths from unintentional injuries below the county average. Death from motor vehicle accidents in San Leandro was the second-lowest rate in the county.

San Leandro had the fifth-highest rate of teen births, just above the county average.

An estimated 15% of adults and 6% of children in San Leandro don't have health insurance.

The report notes some stark differences between ethnic groups, but not at the city level.

The complete 278-page report can be downloaded from http://www.acphd.org/AXBYCZ/Admin/DataReports/cape_00_health_accities_fullrpt.pdf. The overall findings for Alameda County as a whole are contained in the Executive Summary.

Former City Manager Jermanis' Team Wins Trivia Bee

Former San Leandro City Manager John Jermanis' team was the only team to correctly answer all of the last round of questions to win Project Literacy's 17th annual Trivia Bee held on October 15, 2010, at the Marina Community Center. Second place went to the Gift Shop - Friends of the Library Team. After a tie with the Yes on Measure M and Singers & the Chap Next Door teams, the Chapman King team came in third.

As in past years, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Kurtz read questions for the first round and Leslie Frates, a San Leandro resident and former professor at Cal State East Bay who has appeared on the television quiz show Jeopardy 14 times, read questions for the second and third rounds. Kathy Kurtz served as the official time keeper and John Kaplan was the emcee. Students from San Leandro High School acted as scorekeepers for each of the thirty teams.

In addition to the Trivia Bee, a raffle featured a flat-screen television, Disneyland tickets, an iPod Touch, and dozens of other prizes from local businesses and individuals. Funds raised by the Trivia Bee help Project Literacy to provide literacy services to more than 200 adults and 1,500 kids each year.

Thirty teams competed in the annual fundraiser that brings in more than $10,000 each year for Project Literacy. Teams included businesses like State Roofing Systems, California Conservatory Theater, San Leandro Players, the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo, and the San Leandro Police Officers Association.

Among the political teams, Stephen Cassidy for Mayor and Joyce, Our Choice tied in the third round, followed closely by Mayor Tony Santos' team. The Mike Katz for School Board team (that's me) didn't make it past the second round and the Pontificators for Pauline Cutter team didn't make it past the first round. Santos, Cassidy and Katz were members of their teams; Cutter and Starosciak were not.

17th Annual Trivia Bee Friday October 15

Project Literacy's 17th Annual Trivia Bee will be held on Friday, October 15, 2010, at the Marina Community Center. The annual fundraiser for Project Literacy raises more than $10,000 each year and includes a raffle for prizes such as an iPod Touch and tickets to Disneyland.

Dinner starts at 6pm and tickets are available at the door for $30. The trivia competition begins at 7:30pm.

Thirty teams are signed up to compete, including last year's winners, Alameda County Firefighters Local 55. Since this is an election year, political teams include Mayoral candidates Stephen Cassidy, Tony Santos and Joyce Starosciak, City Council candidate Pauline Cutter, School Board candidate Mike Katz (that's me), and the "Yes on Measure M" team, supporting the school bond. Previous winning teams San Leandro Players and Twenty Four Desperate Lost Heroes will also be vying for the top spot.

The Marina Community Center is located at 15301 Wicks Blvd. in San Leandro.

Learn About Ranked Choice Voting Tonight

For the first time in San Leandro, ranked choice (instant runoff) voting will be used to decide which of five candidates becomes the next Mayor in the November 2010 election. If you have questions about ranked choice voting (RCV), there will be a meeting tonight at All Saints Church where you can learn about RCV and have your questions answered.

The meeting starts at 7pm on Wednesday September 29 (tonight). All Saints Church is located at 911 Dowling Avenue in San Leandro, next to Roosevelt Elementary School.

For those who can't make it tonight, you can learn about RCV from a Registrar of Voters representative at the Democratic Headquarters at 7pm on Tuesday, October 5. The Democratic Headquarters is located at 15069 E. 14th Street in San Leandro.

If you prefer using your computer, there is an online webinar offered by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters on Friday, October 8 at 3pm. Click here to register for the webinar.

The Registrar will also hold presentations on RCV on Saturday, October 9, 2010, at the San Leandro Library at 1pm and the Marina Community Center at 11:30am on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. The San Leandro Library is located at 300 Estudillo Avenue and the Marina Community Center is located at 15301 Wicks Boulevard.

All of these events are free. More information about RCV can be found at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters web site. A mockup demonstration of RCV can be found at the DemoChoice web site. There are also some helpful online videos:

Volunteers to Build Playground Saturday at Toyon Park

Volunteers will help build a new playground at Toyon Park on Saturday, September 18, 2010, from 8am to 4pm. Toyon Park is currently the only park in San Leandro without playground equipment, but that will end tomorrow with support from the San Leandro Rotary, KaBOOM!, Amgen, and the City of San Leandro.

Toyon Park is located at 14500 Bancroft Avenue, next to Jefferson Elementary.

For more information, see the City of San Leandro Kaboom web page.

Race to Nowhere Screens at Bal Theatre Monday September 20

The documentary film "Race to Nowhere" will be screened at the Bal Theatre in San Leandro on Monday, September 20, 2010. According to the film's promotional material, it is "about the pressures faced by American schoolchildren and their teachers in a system and culture obsessed with the illusion of achievement, competition and the pressure to perform."

The 85-minute film has local connections, with scenes filmed at Roosevelt Elementary in San Leandro and Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland. Maimone Attia, the film's writer and cinematographer, attended Roosevelt Elementary, Bancroft Middle School, and San Leandro High School.

Director Vicki Abeles and writer Attia will be on-hand to introduce the film and participate in a question-and-answer session after the movie.

A review from the Los Angeles Times said ""Race to Nowhere" offers hope in the form of new models. For starters, there's the no-homework movement. Imagine." According to the New York Times, the film "doesn't entirely succeed" in presenting "a single, clear, narrative" but does "admirably convey the complexity of the issue with considerably more compassion than prescription." Oprah.com writes, "The groundbreaking documentary, Race to Nowhere is an investigation into the pressures American children and their teachers face in our achievement-obsessed education system and culture. See if the film is screening in your area. You’ll be inspired to make some changes, big and small, for the health of your kids."

The screening also serves as a fundraiser for the San Leandro Education Foundation, which will receive a portion of the $9 ticket.

Doors open at 6pm and the movie begins at 7pm. The Bal Theatre is located at 14808 East 14th Street in San Leandro. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at the Bal Theatre web site.

Meeting on San Leandro Creek Tree Removal August 25

According to a notice from the Alameda County Public Works Agency, a public workshop on removing hazardous trees from San Leandro Creek will be held on August 25, 2010.

This is the fifth meeting focusing on the proposed removal of trees considered hazardous from three areas of San Leandro Creek near Huff Avenue, Cary Drive, and St. Marys Avenue. Workshops were previously held on June 22, June 29, and July 13, 2010, after an initial meeting at the San Leandro Library on May 20, 2010.

A specifications document (Specification No. FC 13-37) that was part of a bid proposal for the project stated that a total of 46 trees would be removed: 10 trees from location 1 near Huff Avenue, 11 trees from location 2 near Cary Drive, Haas Avenue and Bancroft Middle School, and 25 from location 3 near St. Marys Avenue.

More information about the project is available from the Alameda County Public Works Agency, including:

• Frequently Asked Questions about San Leandro Creek Tree Removal Project
• Presentation from June 22, 2010 Huff Avenue Meeting
• Summary of June 22, 2010 Huff Avenue Meeting
• Presentation from June 29, 2010 Cary Drive Meeting
• Summary of June 29, 2010 Cary Drive Meeting
• Presentation from July 13, 2010 St. Marys Avenue Meeting
• Summary of July 13, 2010 St. Marys Avenue Meeting
• Draft Tree Risk Assessment for Huff Avenue Project Area

The meeting will be held on August 25, 2010, from 6:30 to 8pm in the Karp Room of the San Leandro Public Library. The San Leandro Public Library is located at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro.

State Water Board Lists Lower San Leandro Creek as Impaired

The 9.3 miles of San Leandro Creek closest to the San Francisco Bay were recently listed by the State Water Resources Control Board as impaired because of trash and the chemical diazinon. Lower San Leandro Creek had already been listed as impaired because of diazinon, but the update to the Clean Water Act now includes trash as a determining factor in whether a waterway is impaired. The trash in Lower San Leandro Creek was attributed to illegal dumping and urban runoff carried by storm sewers. Diazinon is an organophosphate insecticide that was used to control insects such as cockroaches and fleas and was used on golf courses.

Upper San Leandro Creek, on the other hand, supports a cold freshwater habitat and was listed as supporting some beneficial uses. It was not listed as impaired.

Drink at Drakes to Support Education on Friday, August 6

This month, Friday Night tastings at Drakes Brewing on Friday August 6 will help raise money for the San Leandro Education Foundation.

Each Friday Night, Drake's supports a local school or non-profit. Children may accompany their parents. A $5 donation is request and for $15, you get a Drakes glass and three full pours.

Drakes is located at West Gate Center in the area between Wal-Mart and Sports Authority. For more information, see http://drakesbrewing.blogspot.com/

Dowtown BART Station Gets $4.6 Million MTC Grant for Streetscaping

According to a press release issued today from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, a $4.6 million Livable Communities Grant was awarded to improve the pedestrian area on San Leandro Boulevard between Williams Street and the downtown BART station.

The description states,

Construct San Leandro Blvd Streetscape from Williams St. to Davis Street including pedestrian crossings, traffic signals, street lights. Construct bike racks, pedestrian crossings, wayfinding and bus shelter on E 14th St and Downtown Area.

The purpose of the Transportation for Livable Communities program, according to the press release, "is to support community-based transportation projects that bring new vibrancy to downtown areas, commercial cores, neighborhoods and transit corridors, making them places where people want to live, work and visit. Pedestrian- and transit-friendly developments are hallmarks of the program."

Family Night at Farrelly Pool Tonight 6:30pm to 8pm

Supporters of Farrelly Pool have once again organized a series of family nights on Thursday nights to encourage attendance at the pool. This year, the pool was kept open with the help of an anonymous $35,000 donation to cover what San Leandro expects to lose by keeping the pool open. The pool had been slated to close in the summer of 2009 and again this year as a result of City budget cuts.

Farrelly is open for public swimming Monday through Thursday from 6:30pm to 8pm and has grills for barbecues.

Openings are still available for swim lessons at Farrelly throughout the summer. For more information and to enroll, visit http://sanleandrorec.org.

Admission is $5. Farrelly Pool is located next to Roosevelt Elementary at 864 Dutton Avenue in San Leandro.

Third Workshop on San Leandro Creek Tree Removal Will be Held July 13

According to a notice from the Alameda County Public Works Agency, the third public workshop on removing hazardous trees from San Leandro Creek will be held on July 13, 2010.

These workshops are in response to the outcry from San Leandro community members who felt that Alameda County failed to properly the notify neighbors of San Leandro Creek about the tree removal plans. According to the notice, "The third workshop is focused on the area at the end of St. Mary Avenue, and is intended to seek input from area residents on approaches to address tree hazards on District properties in San Leandro Creek." Previous meetings were held on June 22 and June 29, 2010.

After a meeting held at the San Leandro Library on May 20, 2010, Daniel Woldesenbet, the Director of the Alameda County Public Works Agency, sent an email to residents, stating:

This is to inform you that the District has decided to suspend the proposed Hazard Tree Removal Project, and start the process again. In the past we heard a lot more from those who would like the trees removed, and assumed that it was the desire of the overall community. However, from what we heard last night, that assumption was not entirely correct. Therefore, based on the feedback from the community meeting, yesterday evening, I have decided that it would be better to re-start a new process that will better engage community members along the creek. To this end, we will arrange for a series of separate meetings with residents along St. Mary's Avenue, Huff Avenue and Cary Drive.



We will communicate with community members that left contact information yesterday as well as mail out letters advising of the upcoming meetings.



Note: The hazard associated with this trees remains, and the need to address this hazard in a timely manner is essential. As such, we will initiate the community process in the very near future.

The workshop will be held on July 13, 2010, from 7 to 9pm at Bancroft Middle School. Bancroft Middle School is located at 1150 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro.

Pee Wee's is now Papa John's

Pee Wee's Pizza on E. 14th Street has been replaced by Papa John's, a chain of more than 3,000 restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky.

Pee Wee's Pizza had been serving pizza for more than 50 years when it burned down in September 2006. A fundraiser was held weeks later at Tommy Ts to raise money for the owners to rebuild since the property was not insured. For a time, it appeared that the owners were rebuilding.

Papa John's is open every day from 11am to 9:30pm and is located at 2198 E. 14th Street in San Leandro.

First Workshop on San Leandro Creek Tree Removal Will be Held June 22

According to a notice from the Alameda County Public Works Agency, a public workshop on removing hazardous trees from San Leandro Creek will be held on June 22, 2010. [Note: The notice incorrectly states that the meeting is on Thursday, but it is on Tuesday.}

These workshops are in response to the outcry from San Leandro community members who felt that Alameda County failed to properly the notify neighbors of San Leandro Creek about the tree removal plans. According to the notice, "The first meeting is focused on the area near Huff Avenue, and is intended to seek input from area residents on approaches to address tree hazards on District properties in San Leandro Creek."

A request for qualifications/proposal was issued by the Alameda County Public Works Agency in February 2009. That document stated, "It is anticipated that as many as 500 to 1,000 or more [hazardous and non-native] trees will be removed." in three phases over 3 to 5 years in the area from Ramona Way and Interstate 580 in San Leandro. The first phase included three locations at "(1) Huff Avenue, (2) Carey Drive, and (3) St. Mary Avenue."

A subsequent specifications document (Specification No. FC 13-37) that was part of a bid proposal, stated that a total of 46 trees would be removed: 10 trees from location 1 near Huff Avenue, 11 trees from location 2 near Carey Drive, Haas Avenue and Bancroft Middle School, and 25 from location 3 near St. Marys Avenue.

After a meeting held at the San Leandro Library on May 20, 2010, Daniel Woldesenbet, the Director of the Alameda County Public Works Agency, sent an email to residents, stating:

This is to inform you that the District has decided to suspend the proposed Hazard Tree Removal Project, and start the process again. In the past we heard a lot more from those who would like the trees removed, and assumed that it was the desire of the overall community. However, from what we heard last night, that assumption was not entirely correct. Therefore, based on the feedback from the community meeting, yesterday evening, I have decided that it would be better to re-start a new process that will better engage community members along the creek. To this end, we will arrange for a series of separate meetings with residents along St. Mary's Avenue, Huff Avenue and Cary Drive.



We will communicate with community members that left contact information yesterday as well as mail out letters advising of the upcoming meetings.



Note: The hazard associated with this trees remains, and the need to address this hazard in a timely manner is essential. As such, we will initiate the community process in the very near future.

Gary Molitor, a vocal critic of the County's plan, asserts that the County's real goal is to get rid of all Eucalyptus trees in San Leandro Creek. Molitor has formed a group called San Leandro Creek Conservation Group with a web site at http://www.sanleandrocreek.org/. He plans to to "be a continued presences in scrutinizing their [Alameda County Public Works] plans for the creek."

The workshop will be held on June 22, 2010, from 7 to 9pm at Bancroft Middle School. Bancroft Middle School is located at 1150 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro.

Business Fair for Local Businesses on Tuesday, May 18

The Alameda County Redevelopment Agency announced in an undated press release last week that the second annual Mid-County Business Fair will be held on May 18, 2010. This event offers free seminars for small businesses in Hayward, San Leandro, and the surrounding unincorporated areas.

According to the press release, "The fair will offer seminars including Accessing Capital in Challenging Times and Increasing Sales via the Web and E-Networking, along with Peer Networking."

The business fair is sponsored by the Alameda County Redevelopment Agency, the City of Hayward, the City of San Leandro, the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, Hayward Chamber of Commerce, San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, and the Alameda County Small Business Development Center.

Participants can register at http://acsbdc.org/mid-county-fair.

The event will be held from 4:30pm to 7:30pm on May 18, 2010, in the Public Hearing Room, #160 at 224 W. Winton Avenue (part of the Alameda County Building Complex) in Hayward.

For more information, contact Cynthia Battenberg at (510) 577-3352 or Amy McDonough at (415) 215.3399.

San Leandro's Population Tops 83,000

San Leandro's population was estimated at 83,183 as of January 1, 2010, according to a press release issued on April 29, 2010, by the Demographic Research Unit of the California Department of Finance. This is a 0.8% increase from San Leandro's population estimate of 82,531 in January 2009.

San Leandro's growth was less than Alameda County's overall growth rate of 1.1% (1,574,857) and California's growth rate of 1% (38,648,090). The fastest growing city in Alameda County was Dublin with a 1.8% growth rate and the slowest growing cities were Albany and Newark at 0.7%.

City Bicycle Rides on Sunday, May 2

The City of San Leandro and the San Leandro Downtown Association are sponsoring two bicycle rides on Sunday, May 2, 2010, to celebrate healthy and fun transportation.

Bicycle rides start at 11am near The Englander. The family bicycle ride will be relatively flat, last five miles, and includes a tour of the Dunsmuir House Grounds. A more challenging ride will also be available that takes a 13-mile loop around Lake Chabot.

After the rides, food, BBQ, and live music by Delta Wires, Stereo Freakout and Glimpse Trio will be available on Parrott Street between E. 14th Street and Washington Avenue.

For more information, see www.bikesl.org or call 510.357.1370.

Les Miserables at San Leandro High School This Week and Weekend

San Leandro High School's spring musical of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables opened Wednesday, April 21, 2010, and continues with shows each day until Sunday, April 25..

The musical features student and professional musicians as part of a live orchestra. Previous productions have included West Side Story, Little Shop of Horrors and Grease.

Performances are scheduled for April 22, 23, and 24 at 7pm, Saturday, April 24 at 1pm, and Sunday, April 25 at 2pm. Tickets are $7 tonight, $10 Friday and Saturday night, and $8 for the Saturday and Sunday matinees.

San Leandro High School is located at 2200 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro. For tickets or more information contact Jeni Engler at jeniengler@sbcglobal.net.

Donor Saves 2010 Farrelly Pool Swim Season

At Monday night's meeting, the San Leandro City Council will present a resolution accepting a $35,000 donation to operate Farrelly Pool for the 2010 summer swim season. Until that donation, Farrelly had been on the list of facilities and programs to be cut as part of the City's budget reductions.

In 2009, the Farrelly Pool swim season was saved, though reduced, when residents organized and spoke out at City Council meetings. Chief among those credited with saving the pool was Brian Murrell, whose daughter Lucinda was among those who spoke in support of saving the pool. Murrell also organized supporters and researched the history of the pool.

Despite efforts to increase attendance, which included family nights with free entertainment, revenue was not enough to keep the pool off of the budget chopping block for 2010.

However, in March this year, a possible donor indirectly contacted Councilmember Michael Gregory about Farrelly Pool. The donor wanted to know what it would take to keep Farrelly Pool open. Recreation and Human Services staff came up with a number to cover the City's estimated loss for operating the pool on a reduced Monday to Thursday schedule: $35,000.

Soon thereafter, Gregory contacted Murrell, who put together a presentation to help convince the possible donor to fund the swim season at Farrelly. The presentation and information about Farrelly can also be seen at the website Murrell created at http://farrelly.merl.us/.

It was important that the donor make a decision quickly, because the Summer Activity Guide deadline was quickly approaching. If Farrelly Pool was not listed in the Summer Activity Guide, people would not be able to sign up for lessons or know that the pool was open, and the estimate to cover the City's cost would be far too little.

In the end, the donor was convinced and has made a $35,000 donation to keep Farrelly Pool open for the 2010 summer swim season. As he did last year, Murrell is trying to get the word out and get people to sign up for the swim classes and attend the recreational swims Monday to Thursday from 6:30pm to 8pm. Murrell is also looking for a ping pong table and more musicians to provide entertainment on family nights. Information on swim lessons can be found in the Summer Activity Guide.

The San Leandro City Council will meet at 7pm on Monday, April 19, 2010, in the City Council Chamber at 835 E. 14th Street.

Save San Leandro Hospital Billboard Goes Up

Opponents of the closure of San Leandro Hospital recently gained a prominent visual aid to their campaign with a new billboard located nearly across the street from San Leandro Hospital.

The California Nurses Association-funded billboard states, "Don't Let Alameda County and Sutter Close San Leandro Hospital. Tell the Board to Save San Leandro Hospital." CNA Labor Representative Mike Brannan announced that the billboard would go up at the March 22 vigil to save San Leandro Hospital.

The CNA is aware that the billboard should have listed the web site as www.savesanleandrohospital.com and is working on fixing it.

Alice in Wonderland at Bancroft Opens Thursday

The Bancroft Musical Theatre production of Alice in Wonderland opens Thursday, April 15, 2010, at Bancroft Middle School.

The musical features performances by 50 middle school students in the Disney Broadway production of the classic story. Previous productions have included Peter Pan and Beauty and the Beast.

Performances are scheduled for April 15, 16, and 17 at 7:30pm and Sunday April 18 at 3pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

Bancroft Middle School is located at 1150 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro.

Library Book Sale on Saturday, April 10

The Spring Friends of the San Leandro Library book sale will be held Saturday, April 10, 2010, at the San Leandro Library. More than 10,000 books will be offered for sale, including DVDs and VHS tapes. Categories of books include biographies, childrens, reference, science, science fiction, literature, sociology, history, humor, travel, and many others.

The sale starts at 9am for members of the Friends of the San Leandro Library and at 11am for the public. Friends of the San Leandro Library memberships can be purchased at the door and cost $10 for individuals and $15 for families.

The Friends of the San Leandro Library helps to fund programs and materials at the library such as the Summer Reading Program and carnival for kids, the Adult Summer Reading Program, reference books, and scholarships. For more information, call 510.577.3986.

Davis Street Secures Loan to Buy its Building

The Davis Street Family Resource Center recently received a loan that will enable it "to complete the purchase of the building and immediately reduce agency overhead costs," said Executive Director Rose Padilla Johnson. The loan from the Northern California Community Loan Fund bridges the gap between the $1.7 million Davis Street has already raised and the $2.5 million cost of the building.

Davis Street has been raising money to buy the building for more than a year after a 2008 independent assessment on Davis Street's long-term sustainability recommended a capital campaign to purchase the building. Contributions to the campaign so far have included $500,000 each from the City of San Leandro and the Eden Township Healthcare District, and $100,000 from the Alameda County Behavioral Health Services Agency using Measure A funds, with the remainder from private foundations and local, corporate, and individual donations.

Davis Street is continuing its capital campaign to reach its goal of $3.5 million, which will help pay back the loan and fund capital improvements at the facility.

The Davis Street Family Resource Center serves low income families and individuals in San Leandro and the Eden area by providing family support services, medical and dental care, food, clothing, employment training, transportation, and children's services. For information on the capital campaign, visit https://www.davisstreet.org/Lists/CapitalCampaign/NewForm.aspx. Davis Street is located at 3081 Teagarden Street in San Leandro.

Emergency Preparedness and Fire Safety Workshop Wed. March 31

A workshop on emergency preparedness and fire safety will be conducted by the Alameda County Fire Department at 7:00pm on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at the San Leandro Library.

Topics covered in the workshop will include what to do before, during and after an earthquake, how to build an emergency kit and what items should be included and the proper way to store it. The workshop will also include fire prevention topics such as exit drills in the home, the importance of smoke alarms, kitchen fire safety and how to use a fire extinguisher.

The free workshop will be held in Conference Room B at the San Leandro Library, located at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro. For more information, call 510-618-3490.

Downtown Symposium Tuesday Morning

The City of San Leandro will hold a Downtown Symposium Tuesday March 30, 2010, from 8am until 11am. According to the press release from the city, "Guest speakers include representatives from the City of San Leandro, Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Association, as well as developers and others who are also actively involved in the Downtown’s transformation....Community members are encouraged to attend and learn how to get involved in the reshaping of Downtown San Leandro."

Refreshments will be available. Presentations are scheduled from 8:30am to 10:30am. The event will take place in the Karp Room of the San Leandro Library at 300 Estudillo Avenue. For more information contact Tim Ricard at 510-577-3315.

Estabrook Senior Housing Nears Completion

The Eden Housing Estabrook Senior Housing complex is nearing completion, as can be seen in the above photograph. The 51-unit facility will provide affordable housing for seniors with incomes that are at or below half of the local median income.

Construction started in March 2009 and is expected to be complete in the summer of 2010. Financing for the property included a HUD Section 202 Senior Housing Program construction grant of $7.3 million, a $2 million loan from the City of San Leandro, and a $2 million loan from the City of San Leandro Redevelopment Agency (both approved in July 2007).

The Estabrook Senior Housing is located at the southwest corner of Estabrook Street and E. 14th Street, directly across from McKinley Elementary.

Public Hearing on Bus Rapid Transit Thursday March 25

The San Leandro Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) at its meeting on Thursday, March 25, 2010.

According to a notice from the city, "A.C. Transit has requested the City adopt a Locally Preferred Alternative for their proposed upgrading of the existing 1R bus line along East 14th Street to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). BRT would offer decreased travel times for bus passengers along the corridor by designating bus-only lanes on portions of East 14th Street."

The planning commission will discuss and recommend one of two proposed alternatives: one alternative would have BRT end at the downtown San Leandro BART station and the other would have BRT end at the Bayfair BART station. The complete BRT route goes from San Leandro through Oakland to downtown Berkeley.

BRT requires dedicated or partially-dedicated lanes for buses that make limited stops at elevated platforms. It promises to improve bus transit times, but AC Transit and its consultants acknowledge that it will increase transit times for automobile travel. In previous meetings, San Leandro Councilmembers Jim Prola and Michael Gregory have expressed support for BRT. Mayor Tony Santos has raised a number of concerns about BRT but has not expressed overall opposition to the project.

Concerns had been expressed by community members about the BRT route through downtown San Leandro, where traffic lanes are narrower. More recently, Councilmember Ursula Reed cited the loss of parking spaces along E. 14th Street in her city council district.

For more information about BRT, see the AC Transit web site.

The meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday, March 25, 2010, in the City Council Chambers at 835 E. 14th Street in San Leandro.

Vigil for San Leandro Hospital on Monday

A vigil to save San Leandro Hospital will be held on Monday, March 22, 2010, at 5:30pm. The goal of the vigil is to stop the closure of San Leandro Hospital by Sutter Health and Alameda County.

The Eden Township Healthcare District and Sutter Health are currently locked in a legal battle over the fate of San Leandro Hospital, spearheaded largely by Eden Township Director Carole Rogers.

A rally held in June 2009 featured a number of speakers, including California State Senator Ellen Corbett. A flyer for the event asks supporters of saving the hospital to join with "Eden District Board, California Nurses Association, the San Leandro Hospital nurses, doctors and staff, local residents, patients, seniors, Physicians Organizing Committee, San Leandro Community Action Network, and our community."

Expect to see County Supervisor candidates Wilma Chan and Beverly Johnson at the vigil, since both are proclaiming saving San Leandro Hospital as one of their top priorities.

The vigil will be held at 13847 E. 14th Street, in the parking lot adjacent to the Medical Arts Building and San Leandro Hospital.

Roosepalooza Live Music Benefit Tomorrow at 7pm

The Roosevelt Dad's Club will hold its second "Roosepalooza" fundraiser at 7pm on Saturday, March 13, 2010. The evening of live music will benefit Roosevelt Elementary's Performing Arts Program.

Tickets are $20 each and are available from Rob Rich (510.409-7543), Wes Blair (510.633-2857), or any Roosevelt Dads Club member. There will a full "no-host" bar, so attendees must be 21 or older. Babysitting is available the night of the show at Roosevelt.

The live music line-up includes:

• Pinto Wagon - Acoustic "Pinto-pop" with Roosevelt Dad John Sherwood
• King Cab - Lo-fi Garage Country Band with Roosevelt Dad Ben Decker
• Go Dead - Psychedelic Rock with Roosevelt Dad Jeff Faust
• Van MiniVan - with Roosevelt Dads Al Stichon & Simon Miller

Doors open at 7pm with music starting at 7:15pm. The event will end around 10pm.

The event will be held at the Oakland Zoo's Snow Building, located at 9777 Golf Links Road in Oakland.

Last Chance to Get Local Census Jobs

The U.S. Census local office, which covers San Leandro, Alameda, San Lorenzo, and parts of Oakland and unincorporated Alameda County, will hold its last series of employment tests this week. Workers who qualify and are hired will earn $22 per hour.

The last series of thirty-minute long civil service tests will be held at 11am and 4pm on Wednesday March 10, 2010, and at 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm on Saturday March 13, 2010, at the San Leandro Library at 300 Estudillo Avenue. Sample tests are available at the library or online (español). No appointment is necessary for aspiring workers, but two forms of identification are required. For more details on employment requirements and an application, click here.

For more information, call 510-764-2960.

Fundraiser for Bancroft at Drakes Brewing on Friday

Friday Night tastings are back at Drakes Brewing and this month's tasting on Friday March 5 will help raise money for Bancroft Middle School.

Each Friday Night will support a local school or non-profit. A donation of $5 is requested at the door. Over 21 please, though children may accompany their parents. For $15, you get a Drakes glass and three full pours. Additional drink tokens may be purchased for $3.50 with $1 of that going to Bancroft. Food from Roli Roti will be available for purchase as well. Relax by bringing your own folding chair, and be prepared for some rain because Friday's forecast calls for rain.

Drakes held Beer Festival and Washoes Tournaments in 2007 and 2008 as fundraisers to benefit Roosevelt and Jefferson Elementary schools.

Drakes is located at West Gate Center in the area between Wal-Mart and Sports Authority. For more information, see http://drakesbrewing.blogspot.com/2010/02/next-drakes-friday-march-5th.html.

Student Art Show Opening and Reception March 5

An opening reception for Hero Art: Exhibition of Youth Creativity will be held on Friday, March 5, at the San Leandro Museum and Art Gallery and will feature Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker. The exhibit runs from March 6 to 28 and features the artwork of students from the AP art class at San Leandro High School and students from Roosevelt, Washington, and Monroe elementary schools.

Guests will be treated to a musical performance by students from San Leandro High School and Bancroft Middle School.

The reception will be held from 6 to 8pm at the San Leandro Museum and Art Gallery, which is located at 320 W. Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro. The Arts Council of San Leandro and the San Leandro Public Library are sponsoring the event.

Recovery Funds in San Leandro: Who's Been Stimulated?

According to the recovery.gov web site, San Leandro groups and businesses have received about $20 million in stimulus money. The San Leandro Unified School District received the largest amount, $4.1 million in grants, all but $26,000 from the Department of Education. This money was used mostly to save jobs by filling in budget gaps from reductions in funding by the State of California.

Service West received a $3.2 million loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA), which helped it complete the purchase of a 132,000 square-foot building in San Leandro. Service West installs office furniture and is located at 2054 Burroughs Avenue in San Leandro.

The City of San Leandro received more than $3.1 million in grants from the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, Department of Justice, Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Health and Human Services. $1.6 million from the Department of Transportation will be used to resurface Aladdin, Washington, and Bancroft Avenues, and Springlake Drive.

Building Futures with Women and Children received nearly $2.5 million in grants, most of which was for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. The Recovery.gov web site lists Building Futures by its legal name, Cornerstone Community Development Corporation. Building Futures partnered with Davis Street Family Resource Center for the homeless grants, which are part of the mid-county Housing Resource Center, serving San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, Hayward, and Alameda.

Alameda Applied Sciences Corp. received more than $650,000 in grants from the Department of Energy to develop a "device to provide next generation particle accelerators with potential applications to research, industry, and medicine" and "a high-energy cathodic, arc-based process to deposit an A-15 superconductor onto coupon substrates without requiring high temperature heating of the substrates." Alameda Applied Sciences is located at 626 Whitney Street in San Leandro.

New Comback International Corporation received a $1.1 million loan from the SBA. From the company web site, it's difficult to tell what they do. New Comback is located at 2040 Williams Street.

The dredging of the San Leandro Marina was shown as a $966,969 contract from the Department of the Army to Ahtna Engineering Services, Inc. More than 90,000 cubic yards of dredge spoil was removed in late 2009 as part of the partial dredge to five feet below the average low tide.

The Alameda County Health Care Services Agency received more than $700,000 in grants from the Department of Health and Human Services for capital improvement and to "increase services to health centers."

CellASIC Corporation received an $82,295 grant for work on a device for screening for liver damage. CellASIC is a bioengineering startup located at 2551 Merced Street in San Leandro.

Click here for a list of recipients. However, please note that the list from the recovery.gov web site shouldn't be considered exhaustive since the information reported by agencies and by recipients is frequently different.

Recovery Funds Help New Downtown Asian Restaurant

After receiving a $202,000 Small Business Administration loan, Ming Tasty is putting in a new kitchen and bathrooms and remodeling the dining area in preparation for opening in downtown San Leandro.

The restaurant is located at 1652 E. 14th Street, the previous location of La Cocina de Raquel, Andy & Joes, and Casa Maria #2.

Most Popular 2009 Movie Rentals in San Leandro

According to data from Netflix published by the New York Times, the most popular movies rented in 2009 in San Leandro were The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Changeling, and Slumdog Millionaire. These three movies topped the list of rentals for San Leandro zip codes 94577, 94578, and 94579.

Other movies that made the top ten movie rentals for 2009 were Doubt, Seven Pounds, and Gran Torino. Milk, Twilight, and Burn After Reading made the top ten list in 94577 and 94578, but not in 94579.

The complete list of top ten rentals for each zip code can be seen after the break.

Zip Code: 94577

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button


2. Changeling


3. Slumdog Millionaire


4. Milk


5. Doubt


6. Gran Torino


7. Seven Pounds


8. Burn After Reading


9. Twilight


10. The Wrestler

Zip Code: 94578

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button


2. Changeling


3. Slumdog Millionaire


4. Twilight


5. Seven Pounds


6. Doubt


7. Body of Lies


8. Gran Torino


9. Milk


10. Burn After Reading

Zip Code: 94579

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button


2. Changeling


3. Slumdog Millionaire


4. Body of Lies


5. Gran Torino


6. Doubt


7. Eagle Eye


8. Seven Pounds


9. Valkyrie


10. Righteous Kills

Help Re-Design San Leandro's Siempre Verde Park

The City of San Leandro is encouraging anyone interested in Siempre Verde Park to attend a series of community meetings in January and February as part of an opportunity to receive a state grant that could fund a complete re-design of the park.

The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program of 2008 created a competitive grant program totaling $368 million for under-served California communities. The City of San Leandro intends to submit a grant application for Siempre Verde by the March 1, 2010 deadline. Siempre Verde was chosen based on its location in a densely populated area with small amounts of park space.

Input from the community meetings could result in a complete re-design of the entire park or major modifications such as replacing the bathrooms, re-doing the fields, or essentially anything within reason that comes out of the four community meetings.

The community meetings will be held as follows:

• Wednesday January 20, 2010, from 7 to 8:30pm
• Saturday, January 23, 2010, from 10 to 11:30am
• Thursday, January 28, 2010, from 7 to 9pm
• Wednesday, February 3, 2010, from 7 to 8:30pm

The first two meetings will provide background information and seek community input on what works at the park, what doesn't, and what is desired. The third meeting will take the input from the first meeting to come up with possible designs and the last meeting will present designs to the Recreation and Parks Commission.

All of the meetings will take place at the City Hall South Offices Conference Room at 999 E. 14th St., located behind the California Conservatory Theater.

More information is available from the City web site, including English and Spanish fliers.

Alice Lai-Bitker's State of District 3 Report on Feb. 4, 2010

Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker will present her 6th annual State of District 3 Report to the Community on Thursday, February 4, 2010.

According to a flier for the event, the report will include the following:

• Financial forecast and the impact of the state budget deficit on county programs
• neighborhood revitalization and economic development
• community health and resiliency initiatives
• 2010 priorities and goals

The talk is scheduled for 6:30 to 7:30pm at the Lecture Hall of the San Leandro Library. The San Leandro Library is located at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro.

Attendees should RSVP to Jerl Laws at (510) 272-6693. Those unable to attend can watch it at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/state-of-the-district

Lai-Bitker recently announced she would not seek re-election, so this will be her last annual report.

District 3 includes San Leandro, Alameda, San Lorenzo, Ashland, Hillcrest Knolls and the Fruitvale, San Antonio, Chinatown portions of Chinatown portions of Oakland.

Christmas Lights in San Leandro 2009

769 Sybil Avenue

975 Estudillo Avenue

1171 Oakes Blvd.

739 Portola Dr.

15102 Chapel Ct. There are other decorated houses here, but none quite so elaborate.

Census Looking for Workers

The U.S. Census will hire nearly 1,000 workers for its local office, which covers San Leandro, Alameda, San Lorenzo, and parts of Oakland and unincorporated Alameda County. Workers who qualify and are hired will earn $22 per hour.

Thirty-minute long civil service tests are held at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the San Leandro Library at 300 Estudillo Avenue. Sample tests are available at the library or online (español). No appointment is necessary for aspiring workers, but two forms of identification are required. For more details on employment requirements and an application, click here.

For more information, call 510-764-2960.

Zocalo Holds Fundraiser for Davis Street Family Resource Center

According to a press release issued today, Zocalo Coffeehouse is holding a tree decorating fundraiser for Davis Street Family Resource Center. For donations starting at $5 and ranging up to $500 for the tree topper, you can decorate the very large tree occupying the center of Zocalo. All of the donations benefit Davis Street and Zocalo will match donations up to $5,000, for a total of $10,000 to Davis Street.

According to the press release, "For nearly 40 years the Davis Street Family Resource Center has assisted tens of thousands of families in our community via health clinics, job search, childcare, clothing and food banks, and more. The number of families in need turning to Davis Street has increased 5X in the past year alone and they are straining to support these needs." In late October 2009 through November, Davis Street, together with the San Leandro Unified School District, distributed H1N1 flu vaccine donated by Energy Recovery to San Leandro children and families.

The fundraiser starts today and will continue through the end of the year. Zocalo Coffeehouse is located at 645 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro. Davis Street is located at 3081 Teagarden Street in San Leandro.

Main Library Now has WiFi

The main San Leandro Library now has wireless access for people who like to work at the library with their laptops. According to library staff, the installation of wireless access points was completed in November 2009.

Like the Washington Manor library, which has had wifi since it opened in 2006, wireless internet access is free of charge. To use the wireless network, connect your wireless device to the "San Leandro Library" wireless network. Then open a web browser such as Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, enter any URL (http://www.sanleandrolibrary.org, for example) and you will be presented with a login page. Once you enter an email address to "login," you will be able to use the wireless network.

According to Information Services Manager Rayan Fowler, the main library has eight Bluesocket wireless access points, compared to two at the smaller Manor library. The internet connection is provided by TowerStream.

SLUSD, Davis Street, and Energy Recovery Offering H1N1 Flu Shots

Additional H1N1 flu vaccinations will be available at clinics today (November 19) through Tuesday November 24, supplies permitting at Davis Street Family Resource Center. H1N1 vaccinations are available free of charge.

The vaccine was purchased by San Leandro-based Energy Recovery, Inc., which has partnered with Davis Street and the San Leandro Unified School District to vaccinate San Leandro's at-risk populations.

Vaccinations will be available as follows:

Davis Street Family Resource Center is located at 3081 Teagarden Street in San Leandro.

Those at highest risk from the H1N1 flu, including pregnant women and young children are encouraged to get vaccinations.

Children between six months and nine years old will need a second dose of the vaccine three weeks after their initial vaccination.

The Alameda County Public Health Department will also host free H1N1 Vaccination Clinics, including one in San Leandro on Saturday, December 5, at City Hall at 9:00am.

Free Family Movie Night at Zocalo

The family movie Matilda will be shown on Friday, November 20, 2009, at Zocalo Coffeehouse as a fundraiser for Washington Elementary. The movie, popcorn, and coffee are free, but donations of books and cash are encouraged to support the library at Washington Elementary.

According to the Internet Movie Database, Matilda is the "story of a wonderful little girl, who happens to be a genius, and her wonderful teacher vs. the worst parents ever and the worst school principal imaginable."

The event starts at 7pm and the movie begins at 7:15pm. Zocalo Coffeehouse is located at 645 Bancroft Avenue (near Dutton) in San Leandro. The event is organized by parent Lisa Jackson, who has previously organized similar events.

Legal Documents Filed by Sutter Against Healthcare District

On October 27, 2009, Sutter Health sued the Eden Township Healthcare District for failing to abide by a March 2008 memorandum of understanding that granted Sutter an "unconditional option to purchase" San Leandro Hospital.

These documents were posted to an email list by Eden Township Healthcare District Board Member Carole Rogers and are posted here so that the public can review them.

Click here to see the summons.

Click here to see the Demand for Arbitration.

Click here to see the Notice of Lis Pendens.

Eden Township Heathcare District to Interview Candidates for Board Seat

The Eden Township Healthcare District will hold meetings on Thursday, November 5 and Tuesday, November 10, 2009, to interview candidates for the seat vacated by Dr. Walter Kran.

Kran abruptly resigned on September 28, 2009. His replacement will have a role in deciding the future of San Leandro Hospital and whether its emergency room remains open.

The meetings will be held at 4pm on November 5 and 5:30pm on November 10 at the Castro Valley Library at 3600 Norbridge Avenue in Castro Valley.

Documentary by Local Filmmakers Airs Tonight on KQED

Going on 13, a documentary by local filmmakers Dawn Valadez and Kristy Guevara-Flanagan about four young East Bay girls airs tonight on public television station KQED at 11pm tonight. The film was shown at Zocalo Coffehouse in August to a packed house.

Valadez lives in San Leandro and works at Davis Street Family Resource Center.

Halloween in San Leandro

Here's a list of Halloween events in San Leandro to entertain the whole family:

Friday, October 30:

Safe Treats, Safe Streets features trick or treating at 30 businesses near the corner of
Dutton Ave. and Bancroft Ave. from 3 to 5 pm. This event is free.

Across town at the Washington Manor Library, the Annual Halloween Extravaganza will be held from 4 to 5:30. The Manor Library is located at 1241 Manor Avenue. This event is free.

Washington Elementary will be transformed into a haunted house on Friday and Saturday from 5 until 8pm. Admission is $5 and goes to support the school. Washington Elementary is located at 250 Dutton Avenue.

October 31:

Alameda County Fire Station #12 will hold an open house from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, October 31. The first 100 kids will receive a free Halloween Fire Safety Treat. You can also enter a raffle to win a ride on a fire truck in a parade by bringing a $10 gift card for the Holiday Toy Drive. The fire station is located at 1065 143rd Avenue.

Mobile Solar Generator to Power Sausage and Suds

A mobile solar generator, dubbed the SolaRover, from Renewables West will help power the Sausage and Suds Food and Music Festival on October 4, 2009.

The trailer-mounted solar panels generate approximately 2 kilowatts of power.

One of the units was on display on Saturday, October 3, in the parking lot outside Ploughman's Restaurant in San Leandro.

Renewables West is a division of Mr. Plastics, a "full-service plastics distribution, fabrication and manufacturing company" that has operated in San Leandro for more than 20 years.

Sausage and Suds Sunday October 4, 2009

The Sausage and Suds Food and Music Festival will be held in downtown San Leandro on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Admission is free and the festival will be held on Parrott Street between E. 14th Street and Washington Avenue, where the Downtown Farmers Market is held each Wednesday. In addition to an array of sausages and beers, the scheduled musical performances include:

There will be a Kids' Green Zone that will feature local singer Asheba at 1pm and 3pm. A rock climbing wall and jumpers will also be available in the kids area.

According to the web site, the Sausage and Suds Food and Music Festival, which was first held in 1997 "was established to celebrate San Leandro's designation as the "Sausage Capital of California," by the California State Legislature."

Former San Leandro City Councilmember Bill Jardin Dies at 85

Former San Leandro City Councilmember Bill Jardin died on September 11, 2009, nearly a month after suffering a stroke. Jardin was 85 years old and is survived by his wife of 66 years, Eleanor. William F. "Bill" Jardin was first elected as the District 5 member of San Leandro City Council in 1982 when he defeated Sylvia Landt. Jardin continued to be active in civic affairs after leaving office and served on the Personnel Relations Board from April 2006 until his death.

Jardin grew up in Oakland and served in World War II in Europe and the Pacific. He moved to San Leandro in 1947, where he worked for 40 years at the telephone company and lived in the same house until he passed away.

As an avid golfer, Jardin served for five years on the Shoreline and Golf Advisory Commission and helped get a bridge built over the creek at the golf course. He was also on the San Leandro Recreation and Parks Commission from 1965 until he was appointed to the East Bay Regional Parks District Board in 1974, where he served for 20 years.

Jardin was also on the Board of Directors for the Classic Philharmonic of Northern California foundation and was active in the Lions and San Leandro Breakfast Club.

His funeral was held on September 24, 2009, and attracted family members from as far away as France and Hong Kong. The funeral was attended by former City Councilmembers Don McGue, Ed Suchman, John Faria, Bob Glaze, and Tony Santos.

Editor's Note: The story was corrected to reflect the correct date of the funeral.

Alameda County Constitutional Convention Town Hall Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Bay Area Council, Repair California and the Alameda County Citizens for Seniors and Persons w/Disabilities (ACCSPD), presents “Repairing California,” a Community Forum and Panel Discussion moderated by Nate Miley, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Fourth District.

Thursday, September 17, 2009
8:45 a.m. Registration | 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Program
Alameda County Administration Building | Board Chambers
1221 Oak Street, 5th Floor (Directions)
Oakland, CA 94612

Repair California is an organization supporting a California constitutional convention.

Friends of San Leandro Library Gives $31K to San Leandro Library

Friends of the San Leandro Library celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday, September 12, 2009, with a luncheon at the San Leandro Library. Most of the group's board members, the San Leandro City Council, and former Mayor Shelia Young were on-hand to honor the occasion along with Library-Historical Commissioners.

The luncheon featured a slide presentation of the history of the group and a proclamation from San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos. Friends of the San Leandro Library also presented the Mayor with a check for $31,000 to honor a promise to provide additional funding to the library if budget cuts to the library were minimized.

Friends of the San Leandro Library raises money for programs and materials at the library such as the Summer Reading Program and carnival for kids, the Adult Summer Reading Program, reference books, and scholarships. The group raises money at two annual book sales, running the library gift shop and Booktique, and the annual Trivia Bee, which will be held on October 16, 2009.

Talk on Child Nutrition at Zocalo Thursday, September 3, 2009

On Thursday, September 3, 2009, the San Leandro Community Action Network will have a talk on child nutrition, focusing on healthy eating habits, weight and eating problems, and body image. The talk will be presented by Kinkini Banerjee, who has a degree in Clinical Nutrition and Public Health Nutrition, and Jill Rodgers-Quaye, a clinical psychologist specializing in eating and anxiety disorders.

The talk is free and will be held at Zocalo Coffeehouse starting at 7pm. Zocalo Coffehouse is located at 645 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro. Free coffee will also be provided.

Fire Dept. Community Forum Tonight

On Monday, August 31, 2009, the Alameda County Fire Department, which serves San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley and Dublin, will hold a community forum at the San Leandro Library.

The Fire Department is asking for your input on what should be the department's priorities, what services are important, your expectations, etc. The Fire Department is developing a five-year plan for how it serves its communities.

The forum will be held from 7pm to 9pm at the San Leandro Library, 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro.

For more information, call Sue Beville at (510) 618-3475 or email sue.beville@acgov.org.

San Leandro Resident Publishes Childrens Book

Local San Leandro resident and former Roosevelt PTA President Cynthia Jaynes Omololu recently published her first book, "When It's Six O'Clock in San Francisco." The children's book shows what children living in time zones across the world are doing throughout the day.

Jaynes Omololu is currently working on her next book, Dirty Little Secrets.

When It's Six O'Clock in San Francisco is available at Diesel Bookstore in Oakland and online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Healthcare District Votes Against Sutter Purchasing San Leandro Hospital

The Eden Township Healthcare District voted against Sutter Health's purchase option of San Leandro Hospital at its meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2009.

Board members Vin Sawhney, Carole Rogers, and Harry S. Dvorsky voted against Sutter Health's purchase option. The Board of Directors also voted to seek legal counsel on possible options. The Board action gives opponents more time in their fight to keep San Leandro Hospital open.

Further discussion of San Leandro Hospital's future will happen at Senator Ellen Corbett's town hall meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2009, at the San Leandro Library. The meeting will start at 6pm. The San Leandro Library is located at 300 Estudillo Avenue.

Hundreds Line Up for Stark Town Hall

More than 300 people lined up for Congressman Pete Stark's town hall meeting today at San Leandro's City Hall. People started lining up at 9am for the 10:30am meeting and those arriving by 10am were unable to get in. Stark's town hall in Fremont was held earlier in the morning with more than 500 people trying to get one of about 250 seats.

Supporters of health care reform appeared to be successful in getting people to the meeting as supporters substantially outnumbered opponents. Questions from the audience were selected randomly, however, and presented more of a balance between supporters and opponents.

Stark's email to constituents about the town hall meetings on August 12, 2009, covered health care reform, protecting the environment, improving mental heath care for young adults, helping working families, and opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Last Family Night at Farrelly Pool Thursday August 13

The last Family Nights at Farrelly Pool of the summer is this Thursday and features Jimmy and the Wave Runners. The group plays its own flavor of Jimmy Buffet tunes, which sounds appropriate for a pool party.

Family nights have been organized by supporters of Farrelly Pool to encourage attendance at the pool and to help keep the pool open next year. The pool had been slated to close for the season as a result of City budget cuts, but supporters lobbied City Hall and managed to keep the pool open, but with reduced hours and increased fees.

Farrelly has grills for barbecues and you are encouraged to bring a picnic and family games.

For more information about Farrelly Pool, see the web site from the campaign to save Farrelly.

Admission is $5 (music included). Farrelly Pool is located next to Roosevelt Elementary at 864 Dutton Avenue in San Leandro.

Summer Movie NIght at Zocalo Sunday August 2

Once again, Lisa Jackson has organized a family movie night at Zocalo Coffeehouse. Jim Henson's The Muppet Movie will be shown at 7pm on Sunday, August 2.

This 1979 live-action musical features characters voiced by Jim Henson and Frank Oz and includes appearances by Mel Brooks, Edgar Bergen, Dom Deluise, Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Jame Coburn, Elliot Gould, and Madeline Kahn.

The movie, popcorn and coffee are free. Bring blankets and pillows for the kids.

Zocalo Coffeehouse is located at 645 Bancroft Avenue near Dutton Avenue in San Leandro.

Free Screening of "Torturing Democracy" on July 2 at Zocalo

The San Leandro Community Action Network (SLCAN) will show the documentary Torturing Democracy as part of its monthly film series on Thursday, July 2, 2009. Award-winning producer Sherry Jones presents a comprehensive documentary—more than 18 months in the making—"tells the inside story of how the U.S. government adopted torture as official policy in the aftermath of 9/11."

“Please watch ‘Torturing Democracy.’ It isn't easy to watch; but what so many innocent (and guilty) individuals were subjected to in your name was unimaginably harder. As readers know, I've been fixated on this since Abu Ghraib. But that documentary made me ill by forcing me again to absorb the enormity of what Bush and Cheney have done—and the urgent, urgent task of repairing the damage. If America is to recover, those responsible must be put on trial. Including the president.”

—Andrew Sullivan, Atlantic Monthly.com

The screening is free and starts at 7pm at Zocalo Coffeehouse at 645 Bancroft Avenue (near Dutton) in San Leandro.

Swimming and Music at Farrelly Pool on Thursdays

Swim to the sounds of jazz music with Herd 'a Cats on Thursday night, June 25, 2009, at Farrelly Pool. Supporters of Farrelly Pool have organized a series of family nights on Thursday nights to encourage attendance at the pool and to help keep the pool open next year. The pool had been slated to close for the season as a result of City budget cuts, but supporters lobbied City Hall and managed to keep the pool open, but with reduced hours and increased fees.

Farrelly has grills for barbecues and you are encouraged to bring a picnic and family games.

For more information about Farrelly Pool, see the web site from the campaign to save Farrelly.

Admission is $5 (music included). Farrelly Pool is located next to Roosevelt Elementary at 864 Dutton Avenue in San Leandro.

Reprieve for San Leandro Hospital?

According to Charles Gilcrest, at this afternoon's meeting of the Government Affairs Committee of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, Eden Medical Center CEO George Bischalaney announced that Sutter Health would exercise its right to provide notice of termination within the next 30 days of its lease at San Leandro Hospital. Sutter Health also sent a letter to the Eden Township Heathcare District stating that it would assign all of its purchase rights to Alameda County or the Alameda County Medical Center.

The agenda for the June 15 meeting of the Eden Township Healthcare District does not include any action item for the Board to vote on, so it appears that there will be no vote at tonight's meeting. However, there is an item on the closed session agenda for discussion of real property negotiations for the San Leandro Hospital property.

Attendees of the Government Affairs Committee meeting included Alice Lai-Bitker representative Shawn Wilson, Eden Medical Center CEO George Bischelaney, San Leandro Councilmembers Michael Gregory and Diana Souza, and former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young.

Activists who want to keep San Leandro Hospital and its emergency room open are discounting these reports and encouraging a big turnout at tonight's meeting.

Tonight's meeting of the Eden Township Healthcare District will take place at 6pm at the San Leandro Library at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro, California.

Coverage in the Daily Review.

Update: Removed information about possible extension of retrofit deadline since it hasn't been confirmed.

County Supervisors Approve the Eden Hospital EIR 5-0

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Sutter Health's environmental impact report (EIR) for Eden Hospital at its meeting on June 9, 2009. Opponents of closing San Leandro Hospital had hoped to use approval of the EIR as leverage in keeping San Leandro Hospital open.

The day before, hundreds of people who support keeping San Leandro Hospital open crowded the San Leandro Library for a meeting of the Eden Township Healthcare District. The meeting is the first of three meetings to be held at the San Leandro Library to discuss the future of San Leandro Hospital. Subsequent meetings will be held at 1pm on Thursday, June 11, 2009, and at 6pm on Monday, June 15, 2009.

Although not originally on the agenda, Prime Healthcare Services CEO Prem Reddy received a standing ovation after presenting his company's proposal to keep San Leandro Hospital open.

More video after the jump.

Prime Healthcare Services Expresses Interest in San Leandro Hospital

In a letter dated May 29, 2009, Prime Healthcare Services has expressed an interest in leasing and operating San Leandro Hospital.

The proposal states that Prime Healthcare would hire most of the employees of the San Leandro Hospital and "assume the existing Collective Bargaining Agreements."

But is Prime Healthcare the type of company that Sutter Health critics want?

Prime Healthcare is run by Prem Reddy, a cardiologist and healthcare entrepreneur. Prime Healthcare was started by Reddy as Desert Valley Medical Group in 1985. It has since acquired 13 hospitals, mostly located in Southern California.

According to published reports, Prime Healthcare has developed a reputation for taking over hospitals that were losing money and turning them around. However, its business practices have attracted the attention of the California Department of Managed Health Care, which filed a lawsuit in July 2008 to stop Prime Healthcare from a practice known as balance billing. According to a press release, the Knox-Keene Act "prohibits Prime’s practices, where the consumer is billed for emergency services which are the responsibility of the health plans." California DMHC Director Cindy Ehnes described Prime Healthcare as a "serial balance biller whose actions have unjustly threatened the credit rating of thousands of Californians.

A July 2007 article in the Los Angeles Times states, " When Reddy's company, Prime Healthcare Services Inc., takes over a hospital, it typically cancels insurance contracts, allowing the hospital to collect steeply higher reimbursements. It has suspended services -- such as chemotherapy treatments, mental health care and birthing centers -- that patients need but aren't lucrative."

Rally to Save San Leandro Hospital Attracts Enthusiastic Crowd

A rally to save San Leandro Hospital sponsored by the Community Coalition to Save San Leandro Hospital was held on June 2, 2009, and attracted more than 100 nurses, doctors, community members, and elected officials.

San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos and San Leandro Councilmembers Jim Prola and Michael Gregory were joined by California State Senator Ellen Corbett and California State Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi's representative Chris Parman. Former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young and former San Leandro School Board Trustee Stephen Cassidy were also on hand to show their support.

Fifteen speakers, including doctors, nurses, community members, and elected officials Gregory and Corbett, spoke out against the possible closure of San Leandro Hospital.

Links to additional videos can be found after the break.

Mike Brannan, Calif. Nurses Association Labor Representative
Rabbi Harry Manhoff of Temple Beth Sholom
Jim Ryder and Kay McVeigh
Carole Rogers, R.N.
Dr. Miles Adler, Former Chief of Staff, Eden Medical Center
Dr. Vin Sawhney
Roxanne Lewis
Jennifer Ball
Subroto Kundu, Neurologist
Steven Rosenthal, Chief of Staff, Eden Medical Center

2009 San Leandro Cherry Festival Schedule and Map

The 2009 Cherry Festival is scheduled for 10am to 6pm on Saturday, June 6, 2009, on West Estudillo Avenue between Hays Street and San Leandro Boulevard. Admission is free.

According to a press release from the City, "The Cherry City Cyclists will provide free valet bicycle parking during the festival at the corner of Davis and Carpentier streets. San Leandro residents are strongly encouraged to walk or bicycle to the festival or take transit to avoid the hassle of traffic and parking."

Other activities include:

• An Alameda County Fire Department pancake breakfast at Station #9, located at 450 Estudillo Avenue, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., cost: $5.
• The City’s first juried art exhibition – called “Images of Northern California” – featuring the works of 20 local artists will be on display at the San Leandro History Museum and Art Gallery.
• The History Museum will also feature a history exhibit focusing on the activities and notable citizens involved with the 1909 Cherry Festival.
• San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos will welcome festival-goers and issue special anniversary proclamations at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage.
• Passport to San Leandro History – A commemorative passport booklet will be available for collecting stamps at 10 historic sites downtown between noon and 4 p.m. Passports booklets can be obtained from the History Museum.
• Casa Peralta tours will be held throughout the day at the historic Casa Peralta site, located at 384 West Estudillo Avenue.
• Living History Activities for kids will be offered at the History Museum courtyard between 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., where children can play old-fashioned games such as bowling hoops and graces, make tin art, rope the museum’s own pet cow (made of plastic and wood!) and create tile rubbings.
• The festival’s Cherry Store will once again offer a variety of cherry-themed items, such as canvas bags, coffee mugs, wine glasses, jewelry and other hand-crafted items. [Receive a free water bottle with purchase of $5 or more (while supply lasts).]

San Leandro Family Bike Ride on Sunday

A group of parents has organized a family bike ride through parts of San Leandro in order to increase bicycle awareness in San Leandro. May is National Bike Month and featured "Bike to School" and "Bike to Work" days to encourage more people to ride bicycles to improve their health and reduce pollution.

According to a study at the University of New South Wales in September 2008, when more people ride bicycles in cities, the number of accidents actually decreases. The study looked at data from "Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, 14 European countries and 68 Californian cities."

Bicycle riders will meet at the Zocalo Coffeehouse parking lot at 9:45am, where the 5.6-mile ride will start and finish. For more information and a map of the route, see http://sites.google.com/site/sanleandrofamiliesride/

Parking at San Leandro BART Stations to Cost $1

The BART Board of Directors voted on May 28, 2009, to start charging $1 per day to park at a number of BART stations, including San Leandro and Bay Fair. The new parking fee begins in July along with a $.25 increase in the minimum BART fare, a 6.1% overall increase in BART fares, and a $2.50 increase for tickets to the San Francisco airport.

The actions were taken to help reduce an expected $54 million deficit.

San Leandro Student Wins Entrepreneur Competition

San Leandro High School student Alejandra Bonilla took first place in the Merrill Lynch/NFTE Bay Area Regional Youth Business Plan competition held May 28, 2009, at the University of San Francisco. As the winner of the competition, Bonilla will represent Northern California in the NFTE National Competition this fall in New York City.

Students from San Leandro High School took first place in the regional competition in 2008 and second place in 2007.

According to a press release, "The Merrill Lynch/NFTE business plan competition was created to inspire entrepreneurship and business ownership from an early age. It offers young entrepreneurs an opportunity to distinguish themselves as future business leaders, rewards their hard work, and exposes them to business professionals and government officials. NFTE awards the cash prizes to the winners to support the most innovative ideas among Bay Area teens and in invest in their long-term success."

Video of Bonilla's presentation:

More Meetings on San Leandro Hospital

Concerned community members will have more opportunities to speak out about the likely closure of San Leandro Hospital when the Eden Township Healthcare District Board, which owns the hospital, holds three meetings in the first half of June.

The lease between Sutter Health and the Eden Township Healthcare District Board expires on July 1, 2010.

In town hall meetings held at San Leandro City Hall on April 29 and May 8, community members expressed frustration at the lack of leadership from local elected officials, concern about San Leandro being without 24-hour emergency room service, and closed-door talks between Alameda County officials and Sutter Health. In meetings on May 11 and May 12, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors discussed San Leandro Hospital, with Supervisors Nate Miley and Scott Haggerty expressing frustration with San Leandro City Councilmembers Michael Gregory and Joyce Starosciak, who were lobbying to keep the hospital open. Opponents of closing San Leandro Hospital have attempted to link an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Castro Valley's Eden Medical Center to the closure of San Leandro Hospital. Supervisors decided to delay a decision on the EIR until their June 9 meeting.

The meetings will be held on June 8, 2009, at 6pm, June 11, 2009, at 1pm, and June 15, 2009, at 6pm. All meetings will be held in the Dave Karp room of the San Leandro Library at 300 Estudillo Avenue.

Documents on San Leandro Hospital, Sutter Health and Eden Township Healthcare District

For those seeking some history on San Leandro Hospital and Sutter Health, San Leandro Bytes is providing these documents:

• Eden Township Hospital District Resolution 359, June 11, 1997 and Resolution 364, December 17, 1997
• Restated Bylaws of Eden Medical Center, November 10, 1997
• Letter dated December 19, 1997 from Sutter Health to Eden Medical Center
• Restated Management Services Agreement Between Eden Hospital Health Services Corp. and Eden Medical Center, January 14, 1998
• Legal Opinion for Sutter Health, January 15, 1998
• Baywood Skilled Nursing Facility Employee and Facility Lease Agreement, January 15, 1998
• Agreement Regarding Approval of Members of the Board of Eden Medical Center, January 15, 1998
• Waiver of Condition Precedent Regarding Survey, January 15, 1998
• Sutter Health Closing Binder, January 15, 1998
• Exhibit 9.5, Required Government Consents, 1998
• Joint Defense Agreement between San Leandro Hospital, Triad Hospitals, Sutter Health, Eden Medical Center and Eden Township Healthcare District, December 10, 2003
• Lease and Hospital Operations Agreement, May 17, 2004
• Eden Township Healthcare District Asset Sale Agreement, May 25, 2004
• Wrap Around Agreement, May 25, 2004
• Eden Township Hospital District Resolution 378, June 2, 2004
• Preclosing and Closing Memorandum for Sale of San Leandro Hospital, June 29, 2004

Local 4-H Kids Receive President's Environmental Youth Award

San Leandro members of the East Hills 4-H Club were awarded the 2008 President's Environmental Youth Award for EPA Region 9 for a video they made entitled "A Plastic Predicament."

San Leandro students Clay Ferguson and Chance Boreczky made the video after they learned about the great Pacific garbage patch, a huge whirlpool of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean.

Ferguson was honored in 2007 as a finalist in the American Humane Association's Be Kind to Animals Kid Contest for fostering kittens. Ferguson also recently spoke before the San Leandro City Council in favor of changing rules that prohibit keeping chickens as pets.

The video was shown to the San Leandro City Council on May 19, 2008, and then to a meeting of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority in September 2008.

Region 9 of the U.S. EPA includes California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii.

Suessical the Musical Opens Tonight at Bancroft Middle School

Bancroft Musical Theatre's production of Suessical the Musical opens tonight at 7:30pm. Past productions have included Peter Pan and Beauty and the Beast.

Tonight's show starts at 7:30pm. Shows on May 8 and May 9 also start at 7:30pm. A 2pm matinee will be held on May 10. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. There is no reserved seating.

Shows are held at Bancroft Middle School, located at 1150 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro.

Downtown Farmers Market Returns Wednesday

The San Leandro Downtown Farmers Market returns Wednesday, May 6, 2009, after taking the winter off.

The Downtown Farmers Market was started a year ago and is held from 4pm to 8pm each Wednesday night. The opening will be marked by a raffle, children's coloring contest, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30pm.

Each Wednesday features a different theme: First Wednesdays are cooking demonstrations, second Wednesdays feature "green" themes, third Wednesdays have family entertainment, and fourth Wednesdays feature wine tastings.

The farmers market is held on Parrott Street, between East 14 Street and Washington Avenue. For more information, click here or call (510) 577-3311.

Grocery Outlet Set to Open While a Starbucks Will Close

By the end of April 2009, San Leandro will see the opening of Grocery Outlet and the closure of one of the eight San Leandro Starbucks locations.

The new Grocery Outlet will open at 2179 E 14th St., in the location previously occupied by the Salvation Army Thrift Store. It is located next to a site that is being developed for affordable senior housing at the corner of Estabrook Street and E. 14th Street, across from McKinley Elementary.

Grocery Outlet had previously sought to occupy the former downtown Albertson's location at 1550 E. 14th Street in August 2006 but was rebuffed by the City Council's designation of the site as an "opportunity" site as part of the Downtown Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy.

As part of its closure of 200 stores across the U.S., the Starbucks location at 1443 E. 14th Street in downtown San Leandro will be closing by the end of the month. The closure was announced by Starbucks in January 2009. The closure should have little impact since there is also a Starbucks located less than 500 feet away in the nearby Safeway store.

SiCKO Screening at Zocalo on Thursday

The San Leandro Community Action Network (SLCAN) will be showing Michael Moore's SiCKO on Thursday, April 2, 2009.

This documentary takes a look at the U.S. health care system and compares it to those of Great Britain, Canada, and France while highlighting the stories of everyday people in their quest for basic health care.

After the film, there will be a discussion about Sutter Health's plans for San Leandro Hospital's emergency room and other services. After Sutter Health purchased San Leandro Hospital in 2004, there has been widespread speculation that it would close the hospital, since Sutter also owns nearby Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley.

Admission is free and the screening begins at 7pm at Zocalo Coffeehouse. Zocalo is located at 645 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro.

Earthquake Workshop at San Leandro Library on Saturday

The City of San Leandro and Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker are sponsoring a free Earthquake Preparedness Fair at the San Leandro Library on Saturday, March 21, 2009.

Representatives from the Alameda County Fire Department, Red Cross, Salvation Army, East Bay MUD, and the US Geological Survey will be on-hand to answer questions and provide information for how to prepare for an earthquake, flood or fire.

A survival kit will be raffled every 30 minutes and emergency supplies will be available for sale at the fair.

The free workshop will be held from 10am to 2pm at the San Leandro Library at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro.

Traffic Crackdown on E. 14th Street

If you're out on E. 14th Street today, make sure you obey all traffic laws. At least four motorcycle officers from the San Leandro Police Department and Alameda County Sheriff Department are pulling over large numbers of vehicles on Thursday, March 19, 2009, on E. 14th Street.

Family Valentine Movie Night at Zocalo

Bring the whole family to a enjoy an animated classic movie for Valentine's Family Movie Night at Zocalo Coffeehouse. Popcorn, and of course, coffee, will be provided at this free event organized by Lisa Jackson.

The event begins at 7pm. Zocalo Coffeehouse is located at 645 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro.

San Leandro Teacher Sets Another Running Record

Bancroft Middle School teacher Jim Sorensen set a new record for the men's elite mile at the 42nd annual Hartshorne Memorial Masters Mile held at Cornell University on Saturday January 24, 2009. With a time of 4 minutes, 17.08 seconds, Sorensen eclipsed the record set in 1993 by John Bermingham and the fastest time in the events history.

Sorensen is 41 years old and has been setting new running records since he turned 40.

Some of his earlier accomplishments have been covered in June 2007 and December 2008.

Second San Leandro Walmart to Open January 14, 2009

San Leandro's second Walmart will open on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at the site of a former Target store. After a ribbon-cutting at 7:30am, the store will open for business at 8am.

In a press release highlighting the store opening, San Leandro Chamber of Commerce President David Johnson states, “The San Leandro Chamber is committed to the vibrancy of our business community, and we welcome Walmart and the more than 300 jobs this store is bringing to our community...We urge San Leandro residents and businesses to ‘Shop San Leandro First!’, supporting our businesses and keeping our tax dollars local, thereby helping to maintain our vital city services.”

Walmart is donating $15,000 to local organizations such as the Davis Street Family Resource Center, Catholic Charities, Boys and Girls Club, Girls, Inc., and the San Lorenzo Unified School District to demonstrate "its support of the area."

Despite the faltering economy, Walmart, the largest U.S. retailer, reported a 1.9% increase in same store sales in December 2008 compared to 2007. Walmart also recently agreed to settle 63 class-action lawsuits that alleged violations of labor laws. The settlements could cost up to $640 million.

The new Walmart is located at 15555 Hesperian Boulevard at the intersection with Lewelling.

Christmas Lights in San Leandro

Arguello Dr. (near Monterey Blvd)

15164 Wiley

15102 Chapel Ct. (near Farnsworth)

1171 Oakes Blvd.

975 Estudillo Ave.

Santa at the Fire House on Saturday, December 20, 2008

Santa Claus will join the Alameda County Firefighters on Saturday, December 20, 2008, for the second annual Santa at the Fire House. For a $10 donation, you can take a picture with Santa on an antique fire engine, have milk with some of San Leandro's Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and listen to firefighters read "A Firefighter’s Night Before Christmas."

Proceeds will go towards the Alameda County Firefighters Holiday Toy Drive and a scholarship in memory of Craig Alaniz, who lost his battle with cancer in January 2008. Alaniz was the inspiration for the first Santa at the Fire House event in 2007.

The event will take place at San Leandro Fire Station #9 at 450 Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro from 11:30am to 3:30pm. For more information or to make a donation call Aisha Knowles at (510) 618-3479 or email aisha.knowles@acgov.org.

San Leandro Teacher Jim Sorensen Named Masters Track & Field Athlete of the Year

San Leandro teacher Jim Sorensen was named Masters Track & Field Athlete of the Year in the Mens 40 to 44-year old category by USA Track & Field (USATF) at its Annual Awards Breakfast on December 6, 2008.

Sorensen set the world masters record for 1,500 meters on June 3, 2007, and the world masters record for 800 meters on June 30, 2007.

Sorensen teaches physical education at Bancroft Middle School in San Leandro, California. San Leandro Bytes previously reported on Sorensen's accomplishments in June 2007.

Last Chance to See Metamophoses at the San Leandro High School Pool

After Saturday night's performance of Metamorphoses was rained out, it will be performed for the last time on Sunday, November 9, 2008. The performance is based on the myths of Ovid and takes places in the pool at San Leandro High School. This unique performance was a hit with audiences, including a standing-room only crowd for the Friday night show. Click here to view scenes from the performance.

Tickets for Metamorphoses are $10 for adults and $7 for students. The performance begins at 7:30pm and doors open at 7pm. The entire performance takes about an hour and there is no intermission. Dress warmly as it is outside. The show is not appropriate for children younger than 13.

Second Kaiser Community Meeting

Artist rendering of Kaiser Permanente's new San Leandro Facility

Kaiser Permanente held a second community meeting at the San Leandro Library on November 6, 2008, to show off its planned development for the former grocery distribution center at the intersection of Marina Boulevard and Interstate 880. The presentation included a two-minute fly-over that incorporated a 3D rendering of the facility superimposed on an aerial photograph of the area.

Construction of the facility is expected to start in 2009 and it should be completed by 2012. The construction is expected to generate 3,000 short-term construction jobs.

Current designs include 263 beds for patients, all single rooms. According to the Kaiser Permanente representative, patients in single rooms have less hospital infections because they have less traffic than shared hospital rooms. The rooms also have accommodations for family, which also results in better outcomes for patients. The emergency room will have 41 beds.

The project will also include 250 residential units.

Attendees of the presentation received bags made from recycled soda bottles containing a flyer showing the proposed facility and a list of groups in San Leandro that received community grants from Kaiser in 2007 and 2008.

Another artist rendering of the new Kaiser Permanente facility in San Leandro.

San Leandro Police Web Site Goes Live

The San Leandro Police Department's new web site at http://www.slpdinfo.org/ was live as of October 22, 2008, although the official kickoff seems to be scheduled for October 24, 2008.

San Leandro Police Chief Dale Attarian plans to publish crime alerts, statistics, and other useful information for San Leandro residents.

For now, the site has little information and is difficult to read because of the background graphics that are used. Clicking on Crime Statistics gets you a "Coming Soon" page while Crime Alerts gets you what appears to be a test entry for someone wandering aimlessly at City Hall.

24 Lost Desperate Heros Wins Trivia Bee Again

24 Desperate Lost Heros made it two in-a-row by winning Project Literacy's 15th Annual Trivia Bee on Friday, October 17, 2008. One of the San Leandro Library teams took second and Katz for Morgan took third, nearly a repeat of last year's result, in which the Katz Team tied with the San Leandro Police Officers Association.

With the passing of Daily Review columnist Ray Orrock in March 2008, question reading was handled by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Kurtz and Leslie Frates, a San Leandro resident and professor who has appeared on the television quiz show Jeopardy 14 times. Kathy Kurtz served as the official time keeper and Sue Kleebauer was the emcee. There were 30 questions in the first round, 20 in the second round and 10 in the last round.

In addition to the Trivia Bee, a raffle featured a flat-screen television, a GPS system, tickets for Disneyland and dozens of other prizes from local businesses and individuals. Funds raised by the Trivia Bee help Project Literacy to provide literacy services to more than 200 adults and 1,500 kids each year.

Thirty teams competed in the annual fundraiser that brings in more than $10,000 each year for Project Literacy. Teams included businesses like State Roofing Systems, candidates (Ursula Reed and Katz for Morgan Mack-Rose), the San Leandro Library, Project Literacy, Alameda County Firefighters, the Kaplan Family, the San Leandro City Council, the Pontificators, and the San Leandro Police Officers Association.

Mayor Santos and the San Leandro City Council were on-hand to present trophies and medals to the top three teams. Also on hand were California State Senator and former San Leandro Mayor Ellen Corbett and California State Assemblymember Mary Hayashi.

Brian Copeland Hits 500 Performances for "Not a Genuine Black Man"

Local San Leandro author, comedian, radio and TV host and performer Brian Copeland will mark another milestone next week when his solo show "Not a Genuine Black Man" has its 500th performance.

That show will take place at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek on Friday, October 24, 2008. "Not a Genuine Black Man" is scheduled to run through November 30, 2008.

Copeland is offering San Leandro residents and their guests tickets for half price when they identify themselves as San Leandro residents when they call 925-943-SHOW (7469) to order tickets.

The show will also benefit the CaroLena Foundation, a non-profit Copeland founded to promote diversity through art, performance, and scholarship. The foundation will award scholarships to help students pay for tuition and books and fund artists doing similar work.

Six shows are scheduled for the Hudson Theatres in Hollywood on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning November 11, 2008. Tickets are available by calling 323-965-9996 or from www.plays411.net.

Copeland's solo show began at The Marsh in San Francisco more than four years ago. It tells the story of growing up black in San Leandro and its poignant story is familiar to anyone who has felt like an outsider. Copeland has performed the show throughout California and even off-Broadway in New York.

San Leandro Crossings Meeting on Monday October 20, 2008

Here's the text of the invitation from Westlake:

Westlake Development Partners, BRIDGE Housing Corporation and BUILD, LLC cordially invite you to attend a community meeting to discuss the proposed San Leandro Crossings Project. This meeting will be the fourth and final of four community meetings designed to present the development concept and to seek input from the community.

The project includes two sites located in the City’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy Area and is being designed to be fully consistent with the City’s recently approved TOD Area requirements.

- Site 1, located at the northeast corner of San Leandro Blvd and Juana Street (site of the current BART East Parking Lot) will include 200 market rate residential units, 5,000 square feet of retail space and 290 associated parking spaces. The residential units will include a mix of studios, one and two bedroom units. The project architect is Thomas P. Cox Architects, Inc.

- Site 2a, 100% of the existing public BART East Parking Lot spaces will be relocated to a new parking structure to be constructed on property owned by Westlake on the west side of the BART station.

- Site 2b, located on the west side of the BART station, will include 100 affordable residential units with a mix of one, two and three bedroom units and 100 associated parking spaces. The project architect is David Baker + Partners Architects.

For further information, please call Gaye Quinn at 415.970.9821.

Click here for a copy of the invitation.

The meeting will be held at 6:30pm on Monday, October 20, 2008, at the San Leandro Library. The San Leandro Library is located at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro.

Drake's Sold to Triple Rock

San Leandro's Drake's Brewing Co. was sold to Berkeley's Triple Rock Brewery on Monday, October 6, 2008, according to published reports.

Roger Lind started Drakes as Lind Brewing in San Leandro in 1989. The Rogers Co. has operated the company since it purchased it in 1999 until its sale to Triple Rock.

In the past few years, Drakes has held a "Beer Festival and Washoes Tournament" that raised funds for Jefferson and Roosevelt Elementary Schools in San Leandro.

Triple Rock proprietor John Martin says that Drake's won't change with the change in ownership. Drake's Brewery is located at 1933 Davis St., Suite 177, in San Leandro.

Free Housing Crisis Workshop on Saturday September 27, 2008

On September 27, 2008, Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker together with Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) and Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) will hold a free workshop on the housing crisis at the San Leandro Library. The workshop is for homeowners facing foreclosure, home buyers, and renters who are renting homes that are in foreclosure.

According to Default Research, there were 218 foreclosures in San Leandro in August 2008, up from 150 during the second quarter of 2008.

The workshop will be held from 10am to 12 pm at the San Leandro Library at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro. Click here for a flyer. For more information and to RSVP for the event, call (510) 278-0367.

San Leandro Library Offers New Digital Audio Books

The San Leandro Library has added Playaway audio books to the cassette tape and CD-ROM audio books it has offered for years. Unlike tapes and CD-ROMs, no separate player is required - each book comes as its own self-contained electronic device, much like an iPod. Users only need a pair of headphones and a library card to listen to the book.

The library currently has 26 Playaway audio books, including classics like The Great Gatsby, The Stranger, 1984, Animal Farm, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to modern titles like Angela's Ashes and The Kite Runner.

Like other audio books, checking out the Playaway audio books is free to library cardholders. The San Leandro Library is located at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro.

Firefighters Over Police in Charity Softball Game

The Alameda County Firefighters defeated the San Leandro Police 16 to 15 in a charity softball game held at Thrasher Park on Saturday, August 23, 2008. The game was a fundraiser for the family of Nels Dan Niemi and American Cancer Society. The San Leandro Police were leading after the originally scheduled for six innings, but the Alameda County Firefighters managed to come back and win after three more innings.

Sausage & Suds Coming on October 5, 2008

The annual Sausage & Suds Music and Food Festival will be held in downtown San Leandro on Sunday, October 5, 2008. It will be held on Parrott Street between E. 14th Street and Washington Avenue.

Library Has Blu-ray Discs for Rental and Checkout

On August 8, 2008, the San Leandro Library began offering movies on high-definition Blu-ray discs in addition to standard DVDs and VHS tapes.

According to Senior Librarian Penny Peck, the library started with 100 discs and more will be added over time. The library's collection currently includes about 120 Blu-ray discs, including multiple copies of some movies. Like DVDs, the newer Blu-ray discs are available for rental at $3 per movie for three days.

Blu-ray discs require a Blu-ray player and will not play on standard DVD players. Blu-ray gets it name from the color of the laser used to read the disc.

The Blu-ray discs are located near the rental books and DVDs at the library to highlight their availability and reduce the potential for theft.

PACE Seeks Candidates for Leadership Scholarship

The Political Action Committee for Excellence (PACE) is seeking female candidates to apply for a full scholarship to the Leadership San Leandro program run by the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce.

PACE is a recipient committee, which is a group that can contribute money in support of (or against) candidates and ballot measures. PACE is composed completely of women and only contributes money to female candidates for office. The goal of PACE is to get more women elected and involved in civic activities. Members of PACE include Councilmembers Surlene Grant, Joyce Starosciak and Diana Souza, California State Senator Ellen Corbett, and former Mayor Shelia Young.

The Leadership San Leandro program consists of a two-day retreat and nine monthly one-day sessions from September to June with the goal of preparing community leaders. The value of the scholarship is estimated at $900.

According to information from PACE, the candidate requirements are:

• Live or work in San Leandro
• Female
• Submit a one-page statement describing yourself, your involvement in the City and/or Civic engagements and why you are interested in participating in the Leadership San Leandro program.
• Attend at least one PACE meeting
• Report back to PACE a summary of the program and provide feedback after completing the program
• Commit to the program attendance requirements

More information about Leadership San Leandro can be found here. Applicants should complete the Leadership San Leandro application and submit it with your one-page statement by August 29, 2008, to Diana Souza, PO Box 1976, San Leandro, CA 94577-0197. Contact Diana Souza for more information.

Community Meeting on Downtown San Leandro BART TOD Development

A community meeting will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2008, to discuss San Leandro Crossings, the first Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project in downtown San Leandro. According to a letter from Westlake Development Partners, the purpose of the meeting "is to introduce the project team, development concept and to gather input from the community that will be used as the planning and design process moves forward."

The development includes two sites: the BART parking lot east of the downtown BART station at San Leandro Boulevard and West Juana Avenue and the empty lot just west of the BART station.

The meeting will be held at 6:30pm in the Karp Room at the San Leandro Library, 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro. For more information, contact Gaye Quinn at 415.970.9821.

For the complete text of the letter, see below:

When: Thursday, August 7, 2008
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: The San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Avenue - Dave Karp Room
For: San Leandro Residents and Interested Parties

Westlake Development Partners LLC, BRIDGE Housing Corporation and BUILD, LLC cordially invite you to attend a community meeting to discuss the proposed San Leandro Crossings Project. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce the project team, development concept and to gather input from the community that will be used as the planning and design process moves forward.

The project includes two sites located in the City's Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy Area and is being designed to be fully consistent with the City's recently approved TOD Area requirements.

Site 1 is located at the northeast corner of San Leandro Blvd and Juana Street (site of the current BART East Parking Lot) will include 200 market rate residential units, 5,000 square feet of retail space and associated parking. The residential units will include a mix of studios, one and two bedroom units. The existing public BART parking spaces will be relocated to a new parking structure to be constructed on property owned by Westlake on the west side of the BART station. The project architect is Thomas P. Cox Architects, Inc.

Site 2 is located on the west side of the BART station and will include 100 affordable residential units with a mix of one, two and three bedroom units and associated parking The project architect is David Baker + Partners Architects.

Light refreshments will be served. For further information, please call Gaye Quinn at 415.970.9821.

San Leandro High Teacher Recognized for Community Service

San Leandro High School history teacher and coach Jack Nelson received the Jefferson Award for public service and was recognized in the July 26, 2008, edition of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Nelson also teaches physical education at John Muir Middle School. Two years ago, Nelson formed a Jefferson Service Group at San Leandro High School. The students volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, and senior centers and pick up trash.

He has raised money for Children's Hospital, the families of two San Leandro High students who were killed in Oakland, a boy who was shot and paralyzed while taking piano lessons in Piedmont, and for San Leandro sports programs. His next fundraiser is a half-marathon and will benefit the Davis Street Family Resource Center.

Two Angry Moms to Screen at San Leandro Library on Wed. July 16

On Wednesday, July 16, 2008, the documentary Two Angry Moms will be shown at the San Leandro Library. The documentary follows Susan Rubin as she tries to get her school district to make its school lunches more healthy. The film was produced by independent filmmaker Amy Kalafa, who shared Rubin's goal of replacing fatty and sugary foods with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Rubin writes, "My hope is that other parents who aren't too pleased about the food and junk food rewards their kids receive at school will be inspired by the film to take action in their own schools. If you’re not angry about what is being served in your kid’s school, maybe you ought to be!"

Two Angry Moms will be shown at 7:30pm at the San Leandro Library at 300 Estudillo Ave. Admission is free but registration is required.

The movie is sponsored by Shaping Youth, Bay Area Parent, the Downtown San Leandro Farmers' Market, and Fresh Approach.

San Leandro Couple Married in Oakland

Weddings are not normally newsworthy, but Tuesday, June 17, 2008, was the first full day that same sex weddings took place in California and San Leandro couple Karen Fernandez and Luz Salcedo were married in Oakland that morning.

The couple celebrated in San Francisco's Castro district, where their photograph was taken by San Francisco Chronicle photographer Noah Berger:

Karen Fernandez is one of the founders of Quality of Life Services, a group that was formed in January 2008 in response to concerns about crime in San Leandro.

Free Wireless in San Leandro

When you want to get out of the house and relax with your laptop, food and ambience, here's a list of the places where wireless Internet access is available for free:

Cafe Americano
2150 Washington Ave
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 895-8044
SSiD/Network Name: 2WIRE385

Cafe Sorriso
1501 Washington Ave
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 351-3605
SSiD/Network Name: Cafe Sorriso

Hilton Garden Inn
510 Lewelling Boulevard
San Leandro, CA 94579
(510) 346-5533
SSiD/Network Name: HGI-OAKSL2 and OAKSL3

Mon Cafe
971 Manor Blvd
San Leandro, CA 94579
(510) 895-5282
SSiD/Network Name: moncafe

Planet Coffee
1423 E 14th St
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 351-5527
SSiD/Network Name: Planet-Coffee

Sabinos
1273 MacArthur Blvd
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 357-5282
SSiD/Network Name: Sabinos

San Leandro Marina Inn
68 San Leandro Marina
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 895-1311
SSiD/Network Name: Marina Inn Lobby

Washington Manor Library
1241 Manor Boulevard
San Leandro, CA 94579
SSiD/Network Name: San Leandro Library
Requires an email address

Zocalo Coffeehouse
645 Bancroft Ave
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 569-0102
SSiD/Network Name: Zocalo Coffeehouse

Free wireless is also advertised at Bayfair Center and Dennys, but San Leandro Bytes was unable to get a usable wireless connection at these locations.

If you don't have a laptop, free Internet access is available on six computers at Kmart at 250 Floresta Blvd:

San Leandro residents can get a library card and use computers at the library to access the Internet.

If you know of other places that offer free wireless Internet access, leave a comment.

2008 Cherry Festival Schedule and Map (May 31, 2008)

The 2008 Cherry Festival is scheduled for 10am to 6pm on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Admission is free.

High School Film Festival at Zocalo on June 5, 2008

The San Leandro Community Action Network (SLCAN) celebrates the multimedia accomplishments of San Leandro High School's student filmmakers with a film festival highlighting the works of the San Leandro Academy for Multimedia (SLAM). These sophomores, juniors, and seniors are learning their core classes through use of digital photography, animation, web design, video production, 3D graphics, and special effects.

Animated shorts depict the reproduction cycle of a cell, Harvey Milk, a clay man who falls into a drawn world, the story of a boy with no name, and a pear dance.

Other films include:

• Memorials for Greg Ballard, Nayanci Gonzalez, Dominique Brown, and Melissa Jackson
• Two public service advertisements (PSAs) on the dangers of smoking
• The dangers of dancing without a belt
• a skateboard taking a ride without its owner
• how to make a tape shoe
• Steven Biko
• Sunkist soda
• a poem by Jason Wong
• an epic struggle for a hotpocket

The films will be shown at Zocalo Coffeehouse at 7pm on June 5, 2008. Zocalo Coffeehouse is located at 645 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro.

Downtown Farmers' Market Opens to Enthusiastic Crowd

The inaugural downtown Farmer's Market opened on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, to an enthusiastic crowd. Strawberries from Watsonville, seafood from Santa Cruz, baked goods from Alameda, Indian food from Hayward, gourmet Italian food from San Francisco, almonds from Modesto, and BBQ from Vallejo were among the variety of offerings. For kids, there was face-painting, balloon animals, and a walking over-sized carrot.

Mayor Tony Santos was joined by California State Senator and former San Leandro Mayor Ellen Corbett, Councilmembers Diana Souza and Joyce Starosciak, and City Manager John Jermanis in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to mark the start of the Farmer's Market.

The Farmers' Market is held on Wednesdays from 4 to 8pm on Parrott Street between E. 14th St. and Washington Avenue and will continue until October 22, 2008. The first Wednesday of the month will feature cooking demonstrations followed by live music, family entertainment, and wine tasting on subsequent Fridays.

For video of the ribbon-cutting, see below:

San Leandro Teacher Picks Up Sponsor for Video Podcast

San Leandro High School teacher Tony Farley has been publishing video podcasts of beautiful natural places since May 2007. Farley combined his job as a teacher in the San Leandro Academy of Multimedia (SLAM) with his love of hiking and the outdoors and now has the backing of On Networks, a producer of a variety of video podcasts.

On Networks provides production assistance and marketing. The assistance from On Networks is most notable in the additional narration. Farley will also get a cut of sales of related DVDs and apparel, when they become available. This will help him fund trips for future episodes farther from home, such as Hawaii. Prior to his current relationship with On Networks, Farley had been courting other possible sponsors, as in this post, "...if someone wants me to come to their neck of the woods, I would be more than happy to come out and do a show that includes something about whatever service they provide."

What is a video podcast? A video podcast is basically a shorter version of something you might see on television. They typically run less than 10 minutes and instead of being produced by major networks, they are usually homemade by enthusiasts. Many video podcasts are available for free and can be accessed using Apple's iTunes or Miro to find and "subscribe." After subscribing to a video podcast, future episodes are downloaded automatically each time you open iTunes or Miro.

So far, Farley's twelve podcasts have focused mainly on California places like Yosemite, Big Sur and Point Reyes with two episodes on Rocky Mountain National Park. Four more episodes have been filmed, but still need to be edited. The podcasts range in size from about 30 megabytes (MB) to 260 MB and all are less than 10 minutes long.

You can subscribe to the video podcasts using iTunes, Miro, and Zune (standard definition only), at http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/beautiful-places-in-hd/. The HD podcasts take longer to download, but they're worth it.

Building Demolished to Make Way for Affordable Senior Housing

Demolition of the last building at former site of Sir Richards Car Store Outlet was completed on May 7, 2008. The site will be developed into a 51-unit senior housing development by Eden Housing. Construction is scheduled to begin this Fall and completed in late fall 2009.

The lot is located at 2121 E. 14th Street.

Safety Group Touts Motion-Activated Lights to Fight Crime

The recently-formed group Citizens for a Safer Leandro is working to fund a pilot project to install motion-activated lights in about 500 to 600 homes in each of San Leandro's six council districts. The group made a presentation at the May 5, 2008, meeting of the San Leandro City Council. The cost of the pilot project is estimated at $5,700, and Councilmember Michael Gregory presented the group with a check for $500 from his empowerment fund at the conclusion of their presentation.

The group hopes that installation of the motion sensors will help reduce crime. Subsidies will be provided for those who can't afford the estimated $20 cost and the group will work with another group to get the motion detectors installed. Their goal is to get the sensors installed by mid-summer and to expand the program to the entire city next year.

During the presentation, one of the group's founders, Connie Stephens (wife of City Councilmember Bill Stephens), noted that San Leandro has had six residents killed during 2008, although it was unclear how these were related to crime in San Leandro, since all but one were killed outside of San Leandro.

Stephens also said she was concerned about students gathering at the library after school and noted that a student ran in front of her car without looking as she was parking during a "disturbance" at the library. Stephens told the City Council, "As I parked and went into the library, there were kids everywhere and I couldn't imagine what was going on...I wasn't so much concerned for myself, but my community and the seniors that have built this community deserve better. I think if I was a senior citizen I would be very intimidated to have to walk through that kind of disturbance."

Coverage at the Daily Review.

The entire presentation is posted below:

Connie Stephens:

Judith Collins and John Kaplan:

Long Wait for $.31 Ice Cream at Baskin Robbins

On April 30, 2008, Baskin Robbins and National Fallen Firefighters' Foundation joined together to honor America's firefighters. Baskin Robbins offered scoops of ice cream for just $.31 while Alameda County Firefighters were on hand to collect donations and hand out plastic firefighter hats to kids.

The line for ice cream stretched halfway through Pelton Center with a wait of more than an hour.

Baskin Robbins is located at 100 Pelton Center Way in San Leandro.

Local Restaurant Featured in San Francisco Chronicle

Sweet Fingers, a Jamaican restaurant on E. 14th Street in San Leandro, was recently featured in the San Francisco Chronicle. The articles states that owner Clive Barnes is from Jamaica and "has been in the food business for more than 15 years."

Reviews at Yelp are mostly positive. Local restaurant reviewer Marga Lacabe likes it as well, but she and the Chronicle both note that the service is leisurely.

Live entertainment includes open mic poetry on Thursday nights, In House Sound System on Friday nights, and a reggae band on Saturday nights.

Sweet Fingers is located at 464 E. 14th St. in San Leandro.

San Leandro Golfer Named WAC Golfer of the Week

Former San Leandro High School student Cristina Corpus was named the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Golfer of the Week for April 7-13, 2008, and San Jose State University's Student-Athlete of the Week. Corpus tied for third, her best college finish, in the Peg Barnard California Collegiate golf tournament at Stanford held April 11-12, 2008. Corpus lead her San Jose State University golf team to a fourth place finish and her fifth top-20 finish of the season.

Corpus was previously named WAC Women's Golfer of the Week for March 3-9, 2008 and WAC Women's Golf Freshman of the Year in 2007.

Bayfair Celebrates 50 Years on Saturday, April 12, 2008

Bayfair Center is celebrating its 50th Anniversary on Saturday, April 12, 2008. Bayfair opened in 1957 at the site of the former Oakland Speedway and was the first two-story open-air mall. The celebration will take place at the center court with the following schedule:

• 9:00am. . . . . . . . . . . . High School Art Contest begins
• 1:00pm. . . . . . . . . . . . Unveiling of Celebrate San Leandro photo exhibit
• 3:00pm. . . . . . . . . . . . The Motown tribute band, Picture Perfect
• 3:00pm. . . . . . . . . . . . Award winning balloon artists and face painters
• 4:00pm. . . . . . . . . . . . Mayor Tony Santos and members of the Chamber of Commerce will preside over a ribbon cutting and commendation followed by the announcement of the Art Contest winners
• 4:30pm. . . . . . . . . . . . Enjoy refreshments by Chevyʼs, Chiliʼs, Fresh Choice, and Jamba Juice and a FREE slice of 50th Anniversary celebration cake for everyone

Prizes will also be given away throughout the day.

For more information, see the Bayfair flyer.

Bonaire Civic League Disbands

At a meeting held on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, the Bonaire Civic League disbanded. The last president, Virginia Boepple, moved away from San Leandro recently and the organization had been inactive for some time.

The Bonaire Civic League was formed in 1953 as the Bonaire Homeowners Association and covers two square miles in the southern-most area of San Leandro. Beckett & Federighi built 699 houses in an area that had been used for cabbage and sugar beet farming to create the Bonaire community.

Former City Councilmember and San Leandro School Board Member Nathan Kleinstein was from Bonaire and served as the Bonaire Civic League President from 1965 to 1967. Former San Leandro City Councilmember and California State Assemblyman Johan Klehs received a scholarship from the Bonaire Civic League in 1970 as a graduating senior.

Continuing that tradition of supporting local schools, the Bonaire Civic League decided to distribute its remaining bank balance by giving $4,000 to scholarships for San Leandro High School students who are residents of Bonaire, $3,500 to the library at Madison Elementary, and the remainder to a local church.

Cherry Festival Returns on May 31, 2008

The Cherry Festival will be held this year in downtown San Leandro, on Saturday, May 31, 2008.

In 2007, the Cherry Festival returned after a three-year hiatus caused by budget cuts. Like last year, the Cherry Festival will be one-day instead of two and will take place downtown. Admission is free. More details as they become available.

Community Air Quality Input Meeting Thursday March 27, 2008

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District will hold a workshop describing its Community Air Risk Evaluation (CARE) Program on Thursday, March 27, 2008, in the Dave Karp toom at the San Leandro Public Library from 6pm to 8pm. The workshop will also describe funding opportunities to reduce air pollution emissions and solicit community concerns and ideas on possible mitigation measures

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (Air District) Community Air Risk Evaluation (CARE) Program estimates health risks associated with exposure to outdoor toxic air contaminants (TACs) in the Bay Area. The CARE Program:

• Has examined TAC emissions from point sources, area sources and on-road and off-road mobile sources with an emphasis on diesel exhaust


• Will guide the development of additional measures to reduce toxic air pollution in areas with the highest health risk


• Will develop and implement mitigation measures to reduce TAC emissions in areas with the highest health risk

• The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Carl Moyer Program) is a state funded program that offers grants to owners of heavy-duty vehicles and equipment in order to reduce air pollution emissions from heavy-duty engines.


• The Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) program is to provide grants to implement the most cost-effective projects in the Bay Area that will decrease motor vehicle emissions, and thereby improve air quality.


• The Goods Movement Program (I Bond) provides grant incentives to owners of equipment to quickly reduce air pollution emissions and health risks caused by freight movement along California’s priority trade corridors.

The San Leandro Public Library is located at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro.

Marina Park Easter Egg Hunt

San Leandro's Annual Easter Egg Hunt was held at Marina Park on Saturday, March 22, 2008. The San Leandro Muncipal Band entertained the crowd while the Easter Bunny (Teresa Glaze) posed for pictures and handed out lollipops.

The egg hunt was divided into five separate areas by age (1-2 year olds, 3-4 year olds, etc.) and children waited with their parents for the whistle to blow, signaling it was time to start.

Despite signs instructing parents not to help their children pick up candy and the admonitions of staff, once the whistle blew, some parents scooped up candy by the handful to fill baskets for their children. Some of these parents carried on, even when asked to stop or leave the area by staff.

San Leandro Company Receives $20 Million in Funding

According to a regulatory filing, ePAC, a San Leandro-based provider of printing and logistics solutions for the high-tech industry, has received $20 million of venture capital in Series C-1 funding from HarbourVest Partners. Menlo Ventures, Investor Growth Capital and Thorner Ventures are investors that have funded ePAC in previous rounds of financing. ePAC received $30.5 million in funding in May 2006. A second round of funding totaled $12.8 million in September 2003.

ePAC is located at 2561 Grant Avenue in San Leandro, but according to its web site, "ePAC is headquartered in Silicon Valley."

Pee Wee's Starts Rebuilding

Pee Wee's Pizza, a fixture on E. 14th Street for more than 50 years, has started rebuilding after it was gutted by a fire on September 5, 2006. The owner, Eddie Tarin, didn't have fire insurance and Tommy T's helped raise some money with a fundraiser three weeks after the fire. Tarin had worked at Pee Wee's as a cook before he purchased the business from the Caselli family, which started Pee Wee's in 1953.

Community Meeting on February 19, 2008, at San Leandro Library

A group called Quality of Life Services of San Leandro has organized a Community Open House partially in response to a meeting held on January 29, 2008, about crime in San Leandro. At that meeting, there was some confusion about whether the meeting was intended for all San Leandro residents, since maps of reported crimes on display at the meeting were only for Estudillo Estates and the area west of Estudillo Estates. The organizer of that meeting, Connie Stephens, indicated that the meeting was intended for all San Leandro residents.

Karen Fernandez was at that meeting and offered to hold another meeting, which has been scheduled for February 19, 2008. She intends to join efforts with HealthySanLeandro Environmental Collaborative to discuss the concerns of San Leandro residents from all neighborhoods.

At the meeting, Lt. Marc DeCoulode of the San Leandro Police Department is scheduled to give an overview of crime definitions. Seventy minutes of the meeting will be allocated for residents to speak about any subject.

The group has started a mailing list, which can be found at http://groups.google.com/group/QualityLifeSL.

The Community Open House will be held on Tuesday, February, 19, 2008, from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the San Leandro Library Lecture Hall at 300 Estudillo Avenue. For more information, contact slcitizens@gmail.com.

Daily Review coverage.

San Leandro Officer Moonlights as Voice Actor

San Leandro Police officer Brian Sommer was featured on the front-page of the Datebook section of the January 31, 2008, San Francisco Chronicle for his work as a voice actor for video games and advertising. There is also a podcast. Sommer has been working as a police officer in San Leandro since 1987.

According to Sommer's web site, he has done voice work for the video games SOCOM 3, America's Army, and Sam and Max. His web site also features samples of his work and a bio that says nothing of his day job in San Leandro.

Free Screening of Made in L.A./Hecho en Los Angeles on Feb. 7 at Zocalo

The San Leandro Community Action Network (SLCAN) continues it monthly film series with a screening of Made in L.A./Hecho en Los Angeles at 7:00pm on Thursday, February 7, 2008.

According to the movie web site, "Made in L.A. follows the remarkable story of three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles garment sweatshops as they embark on a three-year odyssey to win basic labor protections from a mega-trendy clothing retailer. In intimate verite style, Made in L.A. reveals the impact of the struggle on each woman’s life as they are gradually transformed by the experience. Compelling, humorous, deeply human, Made in L.A. is a story about immigration, the power of unity, and the courage it takes to find your voice."

Admission is free and the movie will be shown at Zocalo Coffeehouse.

Sarah O'Neal Rush Speaks at San Leandro MK Jr. Celebration

Sarah O'Neal Rush, great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington, spoke today, when we honor the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. The event was held at the Marina Community Center.

Ms. Rush's speech had to be split into three parts. Here are parts two and three.

Town Hall meeting for Washington Manor Residents Thursday January 10, 2008

On Thursday, January 10, 2008, Councilmembers Joyce Starosciak and Diana Souza will hold a Town Hall at the Marina Community Center for Washington Manor residents.

Issues to be discussed include crime, the Washington Manor Middle School gymnasium project, and the activities of the Washington Manor Homeowners Association. Refreshments will be served.

The meeting will start at 6:30pm. The Marina Community Center is located at 15301 Wicks Blvd. in San Leandro.

Turkey Vultures Atop Downtown Buildings Sunday Morning

A group of about 30 turkey vultures makes the trees or Memorial Park and near San Leandro Creek is resting spot most nights. On Sunday morning, December 30, 2007, the turkey vultures tooks to sunning themselves atop the First Presbyterian Church of San Leandro, Santos & Robinson Mortuary, and Wells Fargo Bank.

Turkey vultures atop the First Presbyterian Church of San Leandro

Turkey vultures sunning themselves on Wells Fargo Bank

Turkey vulture atop the Santos & Robinson Mortuary

Pat Bouligny Chosen as Interim CEO of San Leandro Chamber of Commerce

The San Leandro Chamber of Commerce announced today that Pat Bouligny has been chosen as its interim CEO. Bouligny is the President of Bouligny & Associates, which seems to be a human resources consulting firm. Bouligny has served on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of San Francisco Bay Area for six years and is also the current President of the Board. According to her biography, Bouligny was the first African American President of the Bay Area Girl Scouts. She also served on the Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for the Tampa Boys & Girls Club.

Dan Walters, the Chair of the San Leandro Chamber's CEO Search Committee, is also on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of San Francisco Bay Area.

The other members of the Search Committee are Bernard Ashcraft, President Robert Brannan, Burt Boltuch, and President-Elect Rose Padilla Johnson.

Bouligny replaces Diana Gentry, who was CEO just less than a year.

Red Mountain Gets out Some Holiday PR

Red Mountain Retail Group recently placed this sign on the former Albertson's at 1550 E. 14th Street.

Happy Holidays "We can't wait to give the gift of a Grocery Store."

The Albertsons site has been vacant since 2005 and Red Mountain has filed a legal action to force the city to accept Grocery Outlet as the tenant of the property. Red Mountain lost an appeal of its classification as a supermarket before the San Leandro City Council in July 2007. The City Council decision came just days after Red Mountain and Grocery Outlet held a "picnic" at the site, where items from Grocery Outlet were handed out for free and recipients were encouraged to sign a petition in favor of Grocery Outlet.

San Leandro Chamber Announces Nominees for 2008 Board of Directors

The San Leandro Chamber of Commerce recently announced its 2008 Board of Director Nominees for terms that will end in 2010. The nominees are:

• Doug Devlin, TriNet
• Kathe Frates, San Leandro Surgery Center (also represents BASSL)
• Gordon Galvan, Galvan & Associates
• John Gooding, The Quadric Group
• Lathon "Judge" Landis
• Christine Lim, San Leandro Unified School District
• Pat Paddatori, Sanhyd, Inc.
• Terry Rodgers, Fremont Bank
• Dave Tucker, Waste Management
• Mike Tye, Saag's Products
• Rusty Weekes, Comcast

Officers for the 2008 Term:

• President: Rose Padilla Johnson, Davis Street Family Resource Center
• President-Elect: John Johnson, McDermott-Costa
• Past President: Robert Brannan, Lloyd Wise/Marina MediaVision
• Treasurer: Ken Pon, CPA (also represents Downtown Association)
• V.P. Business Development: Cynthia Colmenares, Jack Frost Design
• V.P. Legal Compliance: Burt Boltuch, Law Offices of Burt Boltuch
• V.P. Operations: Mary Corbett
• V.P. Government Affairs: Dan Walters, Copper Harbor Company
• Industrial Roundtable: Dale Reed, Double D Properties

Directors for the Term ending 2008:
African American Business Council Representative
Latino Business Council Representative

Directors with Continuing Terms Not Requiring Election:

• Robert Bernardo, Port of Oakland
• Mike Betts, Betts Spring Company
• Melissa Deadrich, Deadrich Realty
• Carrie Dobert, Alameda County Industries
• Charles Gilcrest, Gilcrest Management Services
• Wil Hardee, Pacific Gas & Electric
• Nora Klebow, Kaiser Permanente
• Jay Laude, McDermott Costa
• Arlene Lum, AT&T (also represents Asian Business Council)
• Cassandra Phelps, Eden Medical Center
• Hank Sullivan, Strategic Solutions (also represents Ambassadors)
Posted by mike at 6:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Davis Street's Rose Padilla Johnson Featured in Oakland Magazine

Rose Padilla Johnson, Executive Director of Davis Street Family Resource Center, is featured in the December 2007 edition of Oakland Magazine as one of its Hometown Heroes. According to the article, Davis Street provides "childcare, food and health care to more than 10,000 low-income residents in East Oakland, San Leandro and Castro Valley." The article notes that "Davis Street was originally founded as a ministry of the First Christian Church in 1970." Johnson joined Davis Street in 1991 and the organization moved into a new office on Teagarden Street in 2002.

Johnson will be President of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and she also serves on the San Leandro Rotary Club.

Johnson has three children and lives in Pleasanton with her husband, former Alameda County Fire Chief Bill McCammon.

Davis Street Family Resource Center is located at 3081 Teagarden Street in San Leandro.

Santa at Zocalo today

Santa is visiting Zocalo today, Sunday, December 2, 2007, until 1pm.

That's right, Santa and Mrs. Claus are at Zocalo right now visiting, having a hot cocoa and meeting children!

With a donation of $5 or a toy to exchange ($5 value max), you can join in on the gift exchange as well!

Come on down and your kids can get a Free Hot Chocolate!

Just head on back to the JavaGym to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus!
There's Christmas music, cookies and snacks.

San Leandro Lights Tree, Greets Santa

Kids decorated cookies with frosting and sprinkles, drank hot chocolate, and created ornaments while Girl Scouts handed out bags with energy-efficient flourescent light bulbs as hundreds gathered to watch the City of San Leandro's tree lighting on a chilly November 30, 2007.

After Mayor Tony Santos welcomed the crowd and introduced the City Council, the St. Felicitas Catholic School Choir peformed a number of Christmas carols for the crowd. The winners of the Gingerbread House contest were announced and were given awards by Mayor Santos and Councilmember Bill Stephens.

The winners were:

• Mommy & Me Category: Lily and Mom Nicole Flaner


• 3-8 year-old Category: Gabriel Riley


• 9-12 year-old Category: Athina Delacruz


• Traditional Adult Category: Peter Cleveland


• Nontraditional Aduly Category: Patricia Millar


• Group Category: Brownie Troop #306 led by Leslie Pestana

After the DC Dancers performed a few numbers, the very tall Christmas tree was lit to the delight of the crowd.

Soon after, Santa Claus arrived on an antique fire engine and sat down to hear what the excited children wanted on Christmas morning.

'Tis the Season in San Leandro

November and December feature a wide array of events for everyone in San Leandro. Below are some of the events from our schools and city.

Friday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 pm, Tree Lighting at City Hall, usually includes arts, crafts, and cookie decorating for the kids

Saturday, Dec. 1 at 5:00 pm, Lighted Boat Parade at the San Leandro Marina Harbor; includes refreshments at 5:00pm and parade at 6:00pm

Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 6:00 pm every night through Dec. 11, Lighting of the Menorah at Temple Beth Sholom at 642 Dolores Ave.

Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7:30pm, Hawaiian Holiday Concert at the San Leandro Main Library (Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at the Main Library)

Friday, Dec. 7 from 5:00 – 9:00pm, Miracle on E. 14th Street at Pelton Plaza

Saturday, Dec. 8 at 9am, Breakfast with Santa at Monarch Bay Golf Course (purchase tickets at the door)

Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 7:30pm, Winter Orchestra/Vocal Concert at San Leandro High School Gym

Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7:30pm, Winter Wind/Jazz Concert at San Leandro High School Gym

Saturday, Dec. 15 from 8am to 12pm, Pancake Breakfast and Santa at Wilson Elementary School

Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7:30pm, Holiday Puppet Show and Santa at the San Leandro Main Library with refreshments and a suprise from Santa for all the kids.

San Leandro highlights some of its residences in a special "Light up the Night" directory published on the San Leandro web site and in the San Leandro Times. In the past, the displays at the houses near the intersection of Chapel Court and Chapel Avenue have been spectacular.

Eden Township Healthcare Board Votes to Give Up Oversight Role

With more than 120 people packed into a conference room at Eden Medical Center for the November 12, 2007, meeting, the Eden Township Healthcare District Board voted 4 to 1 to give up its governing role over Eden Medical Center for a promise by Sutter Health to replace the hospital. Board members Harry Dvorsky, Walter Kram, Rajendra Ratnesar and Frank Rico voted to accept the contract. They all work or have worked as physicians at Eden Medical Center and San Leandro Hospital. Carole Rogers, a former nurse, was the sole vote against the contract. Rogers had motioned to delay the vote pending an opinion by the Attorney General on whether the board could legally remove itself from oversight of the hospital. The motion failed as none of the other board members seconded the motion.

The agreement means that San Leandro Hospital will remain open until 2009, but Sutter can decide to end services at San Leandro Hospital after 2009.

Public comment was limited to two minutes per speaker and a total of 90 minutes. Many of the two dozen advocates were employees and doctors who worked for Eden Medical Center and San Leandro Hospital. A slightly smaller number of opponents of the plan to dissolve the elected board included State Senator Ellen Corbett, and State Assemblymembers Alberto Torrico and Mary Hayashi. A number of speakers reminded the board members of Measure A, which was passed by voters in 1997 and promised to preserve local control with a publicly-elected board.

Eden Medical Center opened in 1954 and needs to be replaced because it doesn't meet current seismic standards.

Daily Review coverage.

New Team Takes Top Prize at 2007 Trivia Bee

The team "Twenty-four Desperate, Lost Heroes" won Project Literacy's 14th Annual Trivia Bee with The Pontificators taking second place at the Marina Community Center on October 19, 2007. For the first time, a tie was awarded for third place to the San Leandro Police Officers' Association and the Mike Katz Team after the two teams matched wits in more "sudden-death" questions than all of the questions in the last round. There were 27 teams competing this year, down from the 30 teams that compete during election years.

As usual, questions were read by Leslie Frates, a San Leandro resident and professor who has appeared on the television quiz show Jeopardy 14 times. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Kurtz was the official Trivia Bee judge and Kathy Kurtz was the official time keeper. There were 30 questions in the first round, 20 in the second round and 10 in the last round.

In addition to the Trivia Bee, a raffle featured prizes supplied by local businesses including a stay at a Bed & Breakfast in Healdsburg, a GPS system, a $100 gift card from Wal-Mart, $50 towards travel on Southwest Airlines, and dozens of other prizes from local businesses and individuals. Funds raised by the Trivia Bee help Project Literacy to provide literacy services to more than 200 adults and 1,500 kids each year. Last year, the Trivia Bee raised more than $14,000.

Members of the San Leandro City Council, including Michael Gregory, Vice Mayor Surlene Grant, Diana Souza, Joyce Starosicak, and Jim Prola were on-hand to present medals and trophies to the top teams. Mayor Tony Santos and Councilmember Bill Stephens are part of a delegation traveling in China and could not attend. Starosciak participated as a member of her own team and Councilmembers Grant, Gregory, and Souza competed as the San Leandro City Council Team.

Free Festival at Washington Elementary on Saturday October 13, 2007

The Kids Save the Planet/Los Niños Salvan el Planeta festival will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2007, at Washington Elementary School. The bilingual festival will include fun and educational festival for families of all ages. Community education booths will include live animals from Sulphur Creek Nature Center, Crab Cove, and Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center. Energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and reusable grocery bags will be given away. Entertainment will include latin dance music, Hawaiian singing and dancing, traditional Aztec dancers and more. Complete all four education stations and register to win a kids Raleigh bike valued at more than $250. For kids five and younger, there will be a tot-lot. There will also be a special visit from California State Senator and former San Leandro Mayor Ellen Corbett. The festival highlights Washington Elementary's recent adoption of a Green School Initiative.

The festival is free and will take place from 11am until 3pm. Washington Elementary is located at 250 Dutton Avenue in San Leandro. For directions and more information, visit www.KidsSaveThePlanet.org or call Morgan at 510.589.8056.

Not a Genuine Black Man in Walnut Creek Starting Thursday

Brian Copeland's one-man show Not a Genuine Black Man starts a month-long run at the Lesher Center for the Arts on Thursday, October 4, 2007. Copeland's show will start at 8:15pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights until October 27, 2007. The October 4, 2007, show is already sold out.

The show chronicles Copeland's life from moving into San Leandro in 1972 at eight years old, the year after San Leandro was named one of the most racist suburbs in America, to his adult struggles. In a monologue that's both funny and poignant, Brian explores how surroundings make us who we are. Copeland has remained in San Leandro, helping to make it one of the most diverse cities in California.

Tickets are on sale for $50 each at tickets.com. The Lesher Center for the Arts is located 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek, just two blocks from the Walnut Creek BART station.

Sausage & Suds Festival Returns to San Leandro on Sunday, October 7, 2007

After a four-year hiatus, the Sausage & Suds Festival returns to downtown San Leandro this Sunday, October 7, 2007. In past years, the San Leandro Downtown Association organized the festival, but this year, the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce is working with the San Leandro Downtown Association to bring back this celebration of San Leandro as the "Sausage Capital of California."

This free event features live music and a variety of food and beers. Thirty varieties of beer will be available in the parking lot the of the Englander Pub. Sausages from locals Aidells and Saag's will be served up by the Englander, Buon Tempo Club, Chicago Blues Cafe, D'Gonzalez Meat Market, and Moe's BBQ on Wheels. Pizza, italian ice, smoothies, and kettle corn will also be served up by other vendors.

Live music and a welcome from San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos will be featured on-stage as follows:

The Sausage & Suds Festival was first held in 1997. Photographs from previous festivals are available here (2002) and here (2003).

The Sausage & Suds Festival will take place in downtown San Leandro on Parrott Street between E. 14th Street and Washington Avenue between 10am and 6pm. Admission is free.

Encore Screening of The Suburban Wall and The Invisible Wall on Thursday, October 4, 2007

On Thursday, October 4, 2007, the San Leandro Community Action Network will show the "The Suburban Wall" and "The Invisible Wall," both documentaries about housing discrimination in San Leandro. This is an encore presentation of these documentaries, which were first screened in March 2007.

Admission and coffee are free and the documentaries will be shown at Zocalo Coffeehouse starting at 7pm. Zocalo is located at 645 Bancroft Avenue.

Kids Events at Cherrytown Kids and Manor Library on Saturday

Cowboy Jared will be at Cherrytown Kids on Saturday, September 29, 2007, from 3pm to 4pm for a kids sing-along.

The Manor Library will have stories, songs, crafts, refreshments, parenting mini-workshops, and a free book for children ages five and under at its Ealry Learning with Families event on Saturday, September 29, 2007, from 11am to 12pm.

Cherrytown Kids is located at 579 Bancroft Ave. and the Manor Library is located at 1241 Manor Blvd.

Halcyon-Foothill Area Community Town Hall on Wednesday, September 19

The Business Association of South San Leandro, the Halcyon Foothill Neighborhood Association and Vice Mayor Surlene Grant are hosting a Community Town Hall at Jefferson Elementary on Wednesday, September 19, 2007.

Police department personnel will be on hand with reports on activities in the area, neighborhood watch tips, and code enforcement procedures. Fire department personnel will provide information on emergency preparedness. There will be reports about current projects at the Bayfair Center, the High School, and the new Ninth Grade Campus.

Bayfair Center has seen a new Staples open in January, an Old Navy open in December 2006, and a new drive-thru Starbucks. Building permits are being reviewed for Jamba Juice at Bayfair and tenant spaces near Target are nearly completed, according to the August 16, 2007, Community Development Update.

The meeting will be held from 6:30pm to 8:00pm and light refreshments will be provided.

Jefferson Elementary is located at 14300 Bancroft Avenue, but the multi-purpose room is located on Lark Street on the back side of the school.

Free Screening of Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price on Thursday, September 6, 2007

The San Leandro Community Action Network (SLCAN) continues it monthly film series with a screening of Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price at 7:00pm on Thursday, September 6, 2007.

According to the movie web site, "The film dives into the deeply personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to fight a goliath. A working mother is forced to turn to public assistance to provide healthcare for her two small children. A Missouri family loses its business after Wal-Mart is given over $2 million to open its doors down the road. A mayor struggles to equip his first responders after Wal-Mart pulls out and relocates just outside the city limits. A community in California unites, takes on the giant, and wins!" The movie received numerous positive reviews, including "Two Thumbs Up" from Ebert and Roeper.

Wal-Mart will be opening a second San Leandro store later this year at 15555 Hesperian Blvd, the location of a former Target store.

Admission is free and the movie will be shown at Zocalo Coffeehouse.

Zocalo Coffeehouse is located at 645 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro.

SLCAN Film Screenings Thursday August 2

On Thursday, August 2, 2007, the San Leandro Community Action Network will show the short films Daddy & Papa and Both My Moms' Names Are Judy.

Daddy & Papa is a one-hour documentary exploring the personal, cultural, and political impact of gay men who make the decision to raise children themselves. Through the stories of four different families, the film delves into some of the particular challenges facing gay men who decide to become dads.

Both My Moms' Names Are Judy was produced as part of an in-service training for elementary school educators and administrators. The film features children with gay parents discussing how they feel about being teased about their parents and how classroom silence about homosexuality affects them. The film is 11 minutes long.

The films will be shown for free starting at 7pm on August 2, 2007, at Zocalo Coffeehouse, which is located at 645 Bancroft Ave. in San Leandro.

Brian Copeland's Show Knows the Way to San Jose

Brian Copeland will perform his one-man show, Not a Genuine Black Man, at the San Jose Stage Company from August 3 to 25, 2007.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $40 and can be purchased from TicketWeb.

The San Jose Stage Company is located at 490 South First Street in San Jose.

Copeland also penned an op-ed piece that appeared in the July 27, 2007, edition of the Los Angeles Times, about Barack Obama's ethnic credentials.

The book derived from the show is on the incoming freshman reading list at CSU East Bay and is part of the reading list for numerous schools.

Copeland has been a San Leandro resident since he moved to San Leandro with his family in 1972.

Forty Years of Mixed Marriages

June 12, 2007, marked the fortieth anniversary of the Loving vs. Virginia decision, which made it illegal for states to prohibit interracial marriages.

To celebrate the anniversary of this landmark Civil Rights case, Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, iPride, and the San Leandro Community Action Network are co-sponsoring a screening of My People are ... Youth Pride in Mixed Heritage at the San Leandro Library.

The movie will be shown on August 4, 2007, from 1 to 2:30pm in the auditorium of the San Leandro Library and will be followed by a panel discussion. The San Leandro Library is located at 300 Estudillo Avenue.

Meeting on I-580 Soundwall July 24, 2007

The Congestion Management Agency will present information about the San Leandro I-580 Soundwalls project at a public meeting on July 24, 2007.

The $5.5 million project will consist of nine sections of 12-foot-tall walls totaling more than 8,000 feet on both sides of Interstate 580 from 141st Avenue to Marlowe Avenue as shown in the graphic below from a November 2006 presentation to the City Council.

The meeting will be held at the Dave Karp room of the San Leandro Library from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The San Leandro Library is located at 300 Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro.

Click here for Daily Review coverage.

Grocery Outlet and Red Mountain Hold Neighborhood Picnic for Community Support July 7, 2007

In a message sent to a local mailing list on Juy 5, 2007, a