San Leandro Bytes

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)
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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, and post card invitations sent to local residents, Red Mountain entitlement director Eric Nelson announced a neighborhood picnic at the former Albertson's site at 1550 E. 14th Street (at the intersection with Juana Avenue).

The announcement stated that a "BBQ Will benefit the San Leandro Boy Scouts of America and San Leandro Boys & Girls Club" and will feature prizes, giveaways, and an "appearance by drag racer Chuck Moore and his blown alcohol-fueled Corvette."

Although the email message didn't mention Grocery Outlet or Red Mountain Retail Group, the post card's return address was Red Mountain and the event was listed as being sponsored by Grocery Outlet.

The event is scheduled just two days before a public hearing of Grocery Outlet's appeal before the San Leandro City Council scheduled for 8pm on July 9, 2007. In addition to the free prizes and giveaways, attendees can expect to have plenty of propaganda supporting Grocery Outlet's attempt to open a store at the former Albertson's site.

The event is scheduled for 10am to 3pm.

The Daily Review's blog has more on the postcards sent to some local residents.

Town Hall Meeting #2 on Fate of Marina to be Held July 19, 2007

The second Town Hall meeting on the fate of the boat harbor at the Marina will be held on July 19, 2007, starting at 7 pm at the Marina Community Center.

At the previous Town Hall held on May 24, 2007, about 150 people were divided into six groups to discuss how to address the annual $2 million harbor deficit, necessary improvements, the future of the Marina Shoreline Area, and new land uses, water-related uses, and open space/recreation uses that should be considered.

The City has been unable to come up with the funds needed for ongoing dredging at the Marina and larger boats are now having problems getting to and from the San Francisco Bay from the Marina. The City invites those interested to "Come and learn about the challenges facing the San Leandro harbor and the options being evaluated for its future. Share your ideas, concerns and questions."

Details of previous Marina Committee meetings and presentations from those meetings are available at the web site for the Marina Committee.

The Marina Community Center is located at 15301 Wicks Boulevard.

For more information, call (510) 577-3358.

SLCAN to Show Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible on July 5, 2007

The San Leandro Community Action Network, of which yours truly (Margarita) is a member, is showing Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible, a movie that shows how white activists are coming into consciousness and working intentionally with other white people, as well as people of color, to build a more equitable society. White people have a distinct role in teaching, supporting and encouraging other white people to abandon individual, institutional, and cultural racism.

Discussion with the filmmaker Dr. Shakti Butler will follow after the film.

All are invited to come see it!

Thursday, July 5, 2007
7 PM
Zocalo Coffeehouse
645 Bancroft Ave.

Housing Community Forum at 7pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2007

On Tuesday, June 19, 2007, the Congregations Organizing for Renewal (COR) will hold a community forum on housing at 7pm at St. Leander Church Hall. In an op-ed in the Daily Review, Dennis Davis, a deacon at St. Leander Parish for 25 years, writes that the purpose of the forum is to "ensure that the plan [Downtown Transit-Oriented Development Strategy] includes a range of housing for San Leandro's families." Davis notes that the average family of four cannot afford $550,000 for a median-priced home in San Leandro.

According to its former website, "COR is a faith-based, grassroots community organization made up of fourteen congregations in Hayward, San Lorenzo, San Leandro, Union City, and Fremont." COR seeks "to improve neighborhoods, schools, access to health care, and access to affordable housing."

St. Leander Church Hall is located at 575 W. Estudillo Avenue in San Leandro.

Affordable Senior Housing Project Seeks Parking Exception

According to a notice from the City of San Leandro, Eden Housing is applying for a parking exception and site plan review for an affordable senior housing project at 2121 Estabrook Street at the June 21, 2007, meeting of the Board of Zoning Adjustmentshttp://www.ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/.

Although city regulations require a project of this size to have 34 parking spaces, only 28 parking spaces are planned.

Eden Housing had originally considered an 83-unit project, but after a community meeting where parking and traffic were the main issues raised, Eden Housing conducted a traffic and parking study and decided on a 51-unit project.

The traffic study concluded that the project would add 12 vehicle trips per day to Estabrook Street, which has an average of 2,150 vehicle trips per day and 60 vehicle trips per day to E. 14th Street, which has an average of 13,300 vehicle trips per day.

This is a rendering of the proposed project:

The lot was previously occupied by Sir Richards Car Store Outlet. Previous coverage can be found here.

Project Address: 2103-2179 East 14th Street
(at Estabrook Streeet; Council District 1 see map on back)

Meeting Date/Time: Thursday, June 21, 2007
7:00 P.M.

Meeting Place: City Council Chamber,
835 East 14th Street, San Leandro, CA

Project Description: PLN2007-00020
The applicant is requesting a Parking Exception and Site Plan Review for a proposed residential development for a 51-unit affordable senior housing project at 2121 East 14th Street, at the corner of Estabrook and East 14th Streets. The project is comprised of 50 one-bedroom units, one two-bedroom manager's unit, and common areas such as a community room, offices, library and a landscaped open courtyard. Parking is provided in 28 surface parking stalls. The site is zoned SA-2, South Area 2 Zoning District. The project requires a Parking Exception, as 28 spaces are provided where 34 are required for the Senior Housing project; and a Site Plan Review for the design of the site and structures. Assessor's Parcel Numbers 77-556-53, -54, and a portion of 77-556-57-3; 2103-2179 East 14th Street; Eden Housing, Inc. (applicant) and 1027 A Street, LLC (property owner).

In considering whether to approve the site plan review and parking exception, the Board of Zoning Adjustments must find (in part), that the project will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare of persons residing, or working in, or adjacent to the neighborhood of such use; will not be detrimental to properties or improvements in the vicinity; and will not create adverse impacts on traffic or create demands exceeding the capacity of public services and facilities, which cannot be mitigated.

Environmental Review: This project to construct a 51-unit affordable senior housing apartment on a site that is less than five acres is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Categorical Exemption, Section 15332.

City Contact/Information: Sally Barros, Planner II
(510) 577-3458
sbarros@ci.san-leandro.ca.us