Candidate lists finalized - Pleasanton Weekly
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Candidate
lists finalized
Page 5
VOL. XXI, NUMBER 19 • AUGUST 14, 2020 WWW.PLEASANTONWEEKLY.COM
B-movie proves to be good
training ground for filmmakers
Page 12
15 OPINION Sacramento’s war on the suburbs
16 PULSE $4M gambling scheme at Livermore casino
18 SPORTS Dual-sport athletes face tough decision
Page 2 • August 14, 2020 • Pleasanton Weekly
VALLEY VIEWS BY DOLORES FOX CIARDELLI
Help Niles Canyon
Railway stay on track
N iles Canyon Railway is one
more organization that has
suspended activities due
to COVID-19, and it saddens me
to think there are no clackity old
reassemble the locomotive.
“It’s quite a bargain because it is in
pieces,” Henry explained. “Typically
a locomotive that needs to be re-
stored, when it’s all in one piece, will
trains chugging from Sunol to Niles run you half a million dollars. Here,
through the beautiful ravine. it’s also going to cost us half a million
But plenty is happening behind dollars — but spread out over five
the scenes. After all, brush must be years.”
cut from the tracks and the equip- Find information about the orga-
ment does require maintenance, nization, the history of trains locally,
whether the trains run or not. Also, and making donations at www.ncry.
the Pacific Locomotive Association, org.
which operates the railway, is in Henry said mostly the equipment
the midst of acquiring and restor- they purchase — which includes 20
ing Southern Pacific locomotive No. locomotives — is bought at scrape
1744, a five-year project that will value. They also have passenger,
total about $500,000. freight and maintenance cars, as well
Normally volunteers raise money as eight cabooses. I have loved the
with their Sunday train rides, special red cabooses since I was a child in
events and gift shop sales. But of the ‘50s watching trains pass through
course this funding is halted, so the my uncle’s orchards in San Jose.
group is soliciting donations for the I asked Henry if he loved trains as
$30,000 needed to move the two a little boy and the answer was an
final pieces of the locomotive. unequivocal “No!” He said he hated
The Sunol-Niles excursion, a trains growing up in Chicago where
true museum in motion, has about they were ubiquitous. Nonetheless,
45,000 riders each year who come his dad continually made him gifts of
from around the Bay Area and, in- Lionel trains, then set them up in the
deed, all over the world to partake. basement for his own enjoyment.
“Train of Lights” trips during the But when Henry moved to Liver-
holiday are especially popular. more a few decades ago, he commut-
It has been almost 10 years since ed to work through Niles Canyon
I made the train ride, but I well and fell in love with it. He eventually
remember buying tickets at the old checked out Niles Canyon Railway,
Sunol depot then climbing aboard, turned in a volunteer application,
helped by volunteers in vintage and went one Saturday to help out.
dress. The scenery was lovely, and I He was assigned to the track crew —
enjoyed the chatter of the train-en- and was hooked.
thusiast travelers as we were pulled “The people were great,” he re-
along the old Southern Pacific tracks called. “I didn’t know anything about
to Niles by a diesel engine then back building a track, but the group will
with a steam engine. teach you everything to do the job
Last week I called association pres- right and safely.”
ident Henry Baum to get the details He also ended up taking the ACE
of the new fundraising endeavor. train to Silicon Valley for 20 years
Henry, as all train aficionados in my before retiring.
experience, was full of enthusiasm Henry is on a crew working to
for everything railroad. He explained lay track from Sunol to Pleasan-
the purchase of SP No. 1744, a big ton, and the crew is nearing the
undertaking since it is in Colorado bridge at Happy Valley Road. He
and had been disassembled for re- estimates they are about three years
pair. The pieces are gradually being away from reaching Valley Avenue,
shipped to California. behind Richert Lumber, although the
An expert in Colorado will reas- ultimate goal is Bernal.
semble the boiler, making replace- Before that, check out the Sunol-
ments for parts that are in bad Niles train ride when it starts up
shape, which will take three to again. And for now, you might con-
four years. The undercarriage also sider a drive through Niles Canyon
remains in Colorado. But the ten- in your car for a scenic getaway. Q
der and cab are in the Pacific Lo- Editor’s note: Dolores Fox Ciardelli is
comotive Association’s Brightside Tri-Valley Life editor for the Pleasanton
maintenance yard off Niles Canyon Weekly. Her column, “Valley Views,”
Road, where containers also store appears in the paper on the second and
loose parts needed to eventually fourth Fridays of the month.
About the Cover
The recently released horror film, “Death Blood 4,” was filmed mostly in
Pleasanton by two movie makers who grew up here. They say the B-movie is
a love letter to Pleasanton. Photos courtesy of “Death Blood 4.” Cover design
by Paul Llewellyn. Vol. XXI, Number 19
Pleasanton Weekly • August 14, 2020 • Page 3
Streetwise ASKED AROUND DOWNTOWN
How do you feel about the weekend closures of Main Street these days?
Jonathan Hall Amy Shaw
Physical therapist assistant Health care
I really like it. It makes for a great date night. It’s I love how it adds a romantic atmosphere to our
wonderful to be able to enjoy the nice weather and to downtown because there are no cars or noisy motorcycles
see other people enjoying themselves, at a safe social in sight. It is a perfect place to be able to spend quality
distance. time together out and about in a safe environment.
Robert Lieberson Susan Krebs
Surgeon Office manager
I like it because it is very conducive to walking, dining I love it. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the summer and
and people-watching. It has also enabled me to help support the downtown businesses. We are so happy
discover several new, wonderful restaurants I had to be able to get out in a safe way and patronize our local
never been to before. businesses that we gladly over-pay and over-tip.
Mike Friar
Business owner —Compiled by Nancy and Jeff Lewis
I think it’s terrific, so long as everyone is wearing a Have a Streetwise question? Email editor@PleasantonWeekly.com
mask and maintaining a safe social distance. Every
downtown across America should do this as it brings The Pleasanton Weekly is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton,
so much life and vitality to the area. CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rate, USPS 020407. The Weekly is mailed upon request to
homes and apartments in Pleasanton. Print subscriptions for businesses or residents of other communities are $60 per
year or $100 for two years. Go to PleasantonWeekly.com to sign up and for more information.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly,
5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94566. ©2020 by Embarcadero Media.
All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.
Experience outweighs
uncertainty.
Advice Matters.
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advice you need in an uncertain world. Chase.Henley@ Pleasanton, CA 94588
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© 2020 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. FAS015 CRC 3148731 07/20 CS 9869391 07/20
Page 4 • August 14, 2020 • Pleasanton Weekly
Newsfront
DIGEST Candidate lists finalized in Tri-Valley
D1 Supervisor forum Crowded ballots for city, school and special district elections heading into Nov. 3
The Pleasanton Weekly’s first BY JEREMY WALSH There are also multiple candidates General election information and de- The city of Pleasanton filing
candidate forum of the fall elec-
tion season will be Monday
(Aug. 17) from 6-8 p.m. featur-
ing the two candidates for Alam-
eda County Board of Supervisors
T he candidate lists were so-
lidified for local elections dur-
ing the past week, with some
like the Pleasanton City Council and
mayor races set last Friday while
each for council and school board
seats in the San Ramon Valley, as
well as contested elections for special
district governing boards such as
Livermore Area Recreation and Park
tails on how to register to vote can
also be found there, www.acvote.org.
Pleasanton
The city of Pleasanton will have
deadlines closed on Friday because
all three current office holders are
termed out, and therefore not con-
sidered to be incumbents eligible for
re-election.
District 1: Dublin Mayor David several others like Pleasanton Uni- District and both Tri-Valley seats on its mayoral position and two at-large In the Pleasanton Unified
Haubert and Fremont City Coun-
fied School District Board of Trustees the BART board. City Council seats completely change School District contest, with three
cilman Vinnie Bacon.
The forum will be recorded live had their filing deadline extended to The main candidacy filing dead- hands in the Nov. 3 election because Board of Trustees seats on the bal-
and in-person at Amos Produc- Wednesday after incumbents opted line came and went at 5 p.m. last incumbent Mayor Jerry Thorne and lot, incumbents Steve Maher and
tions studios in Livermore, with not to run. Friday, marking the final chance to council members Karla Brown and Jamie Yee, and challengers Mary Jo
physical-distancing protocols in And the ballots are jam-packed obtain a spot on the ballot for city, Jerry Pentin are termed out of their Carreon (retired teacher/parent),
place for all participants. No au- almost across the board in the school and special district elections positions. Kelly Mokashi (E-learning education
dience will be allowed in the Tri-Valley. — unless an eligible incumbent did Pentin and Brown, however, are professional) and Chong Wang (IT
room because of the COVID-19 Pleasanton voters will have five not file by that time, in which case among the five residents who quali- consultant/parent) all qualified for
pandemic, but citizen questions candidates for mayor, seven for City the timeframe would be extended fied for the mayor ballot. They are the ballot.
will be solicited beforehand. A Council (two seats available) and five by five days for newcomers only (an joined by health engineer/scientist With Arkin pursuing City Council
full recording of the forum will be
for school board (three seats). incumbent could not change their Druthi Ghanta, product manager instead of re-election to the school
available afterward.
The event is a partnership be- In Dublin, two sitting council mind and decide to file). Monith Ilavarasan and digital mar- board, the PUSD filing deadline was
tween the Weekly and the Dublin, members and one newcomer are fac- Dublin City Council and mayor, keting manager Tom Turpel. extended to Wednesday but no ad-
Fremont and Livermore cham- ing off for mayor while there are nine Livermore Valley Joint Unified School There are seven candidates for City ditional residents pursued PUSD
bers of commerce. Publisher Gina candidates for the two City Council District and Dublin San Ramon Ser- Council: Planning Commissioners candidacy.
Channell and editor Jeremy Walsh positions. Plus, two of the three vices District were among the other Nancy Allen and Jack Balch, school
will moderate. To register for the
Livermore
Dublin school board elections will be public agencies required to give pro- board Trustee Valerie Arkin, busi-
livestream or to submit a question contested races. spective candidates until 5 p.m. this nessman and Chamber of Commerce In the city of Livermore, Vice
for review, visit PleasantonWeekly. And in Livermore, two candidates Wednesday to complete nomination Board Chair Randy Brown, Housing Mayor Bob Woerner and Mony Nop,
com/candidate-forum. are running for mayor, one of the two paperwork. Commissioner Zarina Kiziloglu, Eco- a local Realtor and former Livermore
council seats will be contested and The final candidate tallies are avail- nomic Vitality Committee member police officer, will face off on the
Metallica concert five candidates will be on the ballot able online on the Alameda County Chiman Lee and local attorney Jarod
Legendary rock band Metallica for school board (two seats). Registrar of Voters’ Office website. Buna. See CANDIDATES on Page 10
will be the latest act to perform
virtually at the Alameda County
Fairgrounds, with the Bay Area
rockers joining the Encore Drive-
In Nights series on Aug. 29. LVJUSD spotlights new principals Livermore
The concert will be specially
recorded for the drive-in screen Hansen takes reins at East Avenue; Angelo returns to lead Croce cancels
presentation and be broadcast at
drive-up venues across the U.S.
and Canada, like the fairgrounds
BY JULIA BAUM
When students start the new
street
in Pleasanton. There will also be
a special guest performance by
Three Days Grace.
school year at Livermore Valley
Joint Unified School District
on Aug. 25, they will also be
closures
General admission tickets go joined by two new principals. Pleasanton’s weekend
on sale online starting today, with
In a recent statement, Superin- shutdown of Main St.
each ticket purchase representing
one carload of up to six people. tendent Kelly Bowers welcomed
To learn more, visit encorenights. Marni Angelo and Jesse Hansen extends until Labor Day
com. — the new principals at Croce
Elementary and East Avenue Mid- BY JULIA BAUM
Dublin climate plan dle, respectively — as “outstand- The city of Livermore is opting
ing leaders whose focus on rela- Marni Angelo Jesse Hansen to keep downtown streets open to
The comment period recently
opened for public review of a tionships, equity, and academic principal. past eight years, including mid- vehicular traffic again this weekend,
negative declaration for the city excellence support our district’s “While school will look very dle school vice principal and as while neighboring Pleasanton re-
of Dublin’s “Climate Action Plan commitment to preparing each different this year, my focus a high school assistant princi- cently announced the extension of
2030 and Beyond” (CAP 2030) student to contribute and thrive will be to ensure that each pal. Hansen also sees building a its weekend closure of Main Street
draft update. in our changing world.” child feels connected and is strong, supportive community to support outdoor business activ-
Goals outlined in the CAP Angelo and Hansen spent challenged by new learning op- as his primary objective during ity that will now continue through
2030 include to align with the most of the summer preparing portunities and experiences,” the coronavirus pandemic. Labor Day weekend.
California Global Warming Solu- for their new responsibilities as Angelo said. “Connection is what makes Livermore’s move to reverse
tions Act and reduce the commu- school leaders and to welcome Angelo replaces former prin- us feel like a community and is course on its previous temporary
nity’s greenhouse gas emissions
students, families and teachers cipal Kendra Helsley, who what allows us to achieve great- street closures started last weekend,
to 40% below 1990 levels by the
year 2030, and help the city real- on their first day of classes, ac- left for Ensley Elementary in ness. This connection is doubly with city officials citing a lack of
ize carbon neutrality by 2045. cording to LVJUSD. Modesto, and holds a master’s important as we face the uncer- physical distancing among residents
The CAP 2030 also outlines That first day of school degree in educational leadership tainties associated with the cur- and losses for local businesses. The
specific strategies for renewable should also feel like a home- from California State University rent pandemic,” Hansen said. downtown streets will remain open
and carbon-free electricity, sus- coming for longtime educator East Bay, as well as a bachelor’s Hansen earned his economics for vehicles this weekend as well.
tainable mobility and land use, Angelo, who taught first and degree in speech and hearing degree from Carleton College “The plan is to have no down-
energy efficiency and electrifica- second grades at Croce for 20 sciences from UC Santa Barbara. before later receiving a master’s town street closures this weekend,
tion, and materials and waste years — two thirds of a career Also a veteran of the class- degree in educational admin- the same as last weekend. Staff will
management. spanning three decades. Angelo room, Hansen brings more than istration from Brandman Uni- continue to remain flexible, moni-
Electronic copies of the draft
is back at Croce after serving 20 years of experience teach- versity. He will take over from tor the situation, and make adjust-
CAP 2030 and initial study/nega-
tive declaration are available at as a teacher-on-special-assign- ing middle and high school Mistee Guzman, who is now ments in future weeks, as need-
www.dublincaupdate.com. Com- ment, an interim vice principal, students, and has worked in principal at Edendale Middle ed,” Tamera LeBeau, city public
ments should be forwarded to and finally as a summer school administration positions for the School in San Lorenzo. Q
Rebecca.Parnes@dublin.ca.gov See STREETS on Page 6
by Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. Q
Pleasanton Weekly • August 14, 2020 • Page 5
NEWSFRONT
Large-scale environmental study planned “decontamination and decommis-
sioning of excess facilities.”
NNSA said the study “will sup-
at Lawrence Livermore Lab port the continued long-term safe
operation of Lawrence Livermore
New study triggered by expected changes over next 15 years Lab, benefiting NNSA, the nation-
al security mission and the local
BY JULIA BAUM requirement by the federal govern- recent re-evaluation, however, that alternatives for continuing Law- community.”
A wide-ranging environmental ment “to re-evaluate the validity of “a new SWEIS was warranted be- rence Livermore Lab activities dur- Members of other federal agen-
review of projects and facilities at a SWEIS every five years,” officials cause changes and updates” are ing the next decade and a half will cies, state and local governments,
Lawrence Livermore National Labo- from NNSA told the Weekly. expected for the laboratory over be analyzed for the study. American Indian tribes, and the
ratory will be conducted, the Na- “If after such a review the NNSA the next 15 years. The No Action Alternative “pro- general public are invited to com-
tional Nuclear Security Administra- concludes the existing SWEIS and Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, Depart- vides a benchmark for comparison ment on the scope and alternatives
tion (NNSA) announced last week. resulting decisions remain valid, ment of Energy under secretary with the environmental effects of of the study. A virtual scoping
Known formally as a site-wide there is no need for a new SWEIS,” and NNSA administrator, said in a the other alternatives,” and would meeting will be held in lieu of in-
environmental impact statement, officials said. statement that the agency “is com- see current operations continue “in person meetings. Information will
or SWEIS, the study fulfills a They concluded after the most mitted to being a good steward of support of assigned missions, with- be posted on the NNSA website
the environment while carrying out out foreseeable new operations and about how to participate in the
our national security missions.” facilities for the next 15 years.” virtual meeting and submit com-
VERY Print or online subscription starts
at only $5/month
“The continued operation of
Lawrence Livermore National Lab-
The Proposed Action Alternative
would “address aging infrastructure
ments, and announced in local
newspapers at least 15 days before
REAL Visit: PleasantonWeekly.com/join
oratory is critical for NNSA’s Stock-
pile Stewardship Program and
concerns.” Everything described
for the No Action Alternative is
the meeting.
The Livermore Lab draft SWEIS
LOCAL reducing global nuclear threats,”
Gordon-Hagerty said.
also included in Proposed Action,
as well as building new facili-
will be prepared following the
scoping period; NNSA expects it
NEWS #PressOn The potential environmental im-
pacts of at least two reasonable
ties and modifying existing ones,
making operational changes, and
will be published by early next
year. Q
STREETS situation, and make adjustments as
needed.”
Continued from Page 5
At the same time that Livermore
information officer, told the Weekly has halted its downtown street
on Tuesday. closures, the city of Pleasanton
More than a month ago, the has extended its “A Weekend on
city of Livermore started closing off Main” experience through Labor
portions of First and K streets to ve- Day weekend “to continue to aid
hicle traffic during the weekend to our downtown businesses in ex-
create more space for social distanc- panding their footprint and making
ing and expand outdoor seating. our community’s shopping, dining
In a statement on Aug. 6, the city and overall downtown experience
said the closures were intended “to safe and successful,” the Pleasanton
support the downtown economy Downtown Association (PDA) an-
and promote public safety” but “un- nounced last week.
fortunately, it was observed that the Main Street will continue to be
street closures were rarely used for closed to vehicular traffic through
social distancing and adversely af- Labor Day weekend from Fridays
fected the downtown businesses.” at 2 p.m. until Sunday nights at
A recent survey of downtown 9 p.m. Parts of Neal and Divi-
businesses found that “only 1 out sion streets will also be closed off
of 4 felt that the street closures were for allowed outdoor dining and
beneficial to their business, with a activity.
majority of the businesses reporting Face masks will be required at
losses,” according to officials. all times except when dining, and
“Since the street closures did not signs will be posted along Main
achieve the intended results, down- Street reminding visitors about the
town streets will remain open (Aug. state and county health orders.
8-9),” they added in announcing The PDA said “each establishment
the road reopenings last weekend. should also enforce the wearing of
Noting a recent rise in COVID-19 face coverings” and encouraged pa-
cases both locally and throughout tron sign-ins “to allow for contact-
Alameda County, the use of face tracing in the event of a COVID
masks in Livermore will now be en- exposure.”
forced, the city said. City staff will Four parking lots will be acces-
be around downtown to remind sible on the weekends including
visitors to wear face masks and the library and Civic Center lots
practice social distancing, as well (200 and 400 Old Bernal Ave.), the
as handing out disposable masks to Firehouse Arts Center public lot at
those without one to wear. 4444 Railroad Ave., and the public
Officials remind the public that lot at 500 St. Mary St.
face coverings are required at all As of Tuesday, Alameda Coun-
times, except when eating or drink- ty had 13,664 positive cases of
ing at an outdoor dining table. A COVID-19 on record and 205
first time violation of the face mask deaths caused by the virus, accord-
order can result in a $100 citation. ing to the Alameda County Public
Residents are asked to “please Health Department. Livermore led
wear your face covering to keep the Tri-Valley with 607 cases, fol-
everyone safe and to allow our busi- lowed by Pleasanton with 272 and
nesses to remain open.” The city Dublin with 167. Q
also added that they “will contin- Editor’s note: Weekly editor Jeremy
ue to remain flexible, monitor the Walsh contributed to this story.
Page 6 • August 14, 2020 • Pleasanton Weekly
on your list of
safe places to go
“Stanford Medicine is probably one of the safest places you can be.
We are taking every precaution.”
—Mary Hawn, MD | Chair of the Department of Surgery, Stanford Medicine
At Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare, we are raising standards at all of our locations to
create a safe environment for our patients and staff.
Star
• Employees are tested for COVID-19 using • Waiting rooms and clinics are arranged
QUALITY
RATING methods developed by Stanford Medicine. for physical distancing.
RATED BY THE CENTERS for
MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES • Every individual entering our facilities is • A restricted visitor policy and expanded
Awarded the highest quality given a mask and screened for symptoms access to video visits limit the number of
ranking by the Centers for Medicare of COVID-19. Those with symptoms are people passing through.
& Medicaid Services (CMS) directed to a separate waiting area.
• Patients are tested before all procedures
• Appointment check-in is available through and surgeries and when visiting the
the MyHealth app, reducing patient queues emergency room.
and use of shared devices.
• Enhanced cleaning measures are in place,
• Medical teams have sufficient personal utilizing chemicals and UV light.
protective equipment (PPE), including
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gowns, gloves, and masks.
circulation of airborne contaminants.
We are prepared to provide healthcare through this crisis, with safe in-person care
and convenient video visits.
To learn more about how we are adapting care, visit: stanfordhealthcare.org/resumingcare
Pleasanton Weekly • August 14, 2020 • Page 7
NEWSFRONT
Alameda County’s first West Nile virus case of 2020
confirmed in Dublin
Dead bird discovered on Ash Court tested positive for virus last week
BY JULIA BAUM this year. The majority of them are around the area where the infected repellent with active ingredients and long and loose clothing. While
A dead bird found in Dublin last dead birds (81) and 10 humans, dead bird was found. Fountains, like DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or we are not detecting high numbers
week tested positive for West Nile plus 675 mosquito samples. buckets and tires — “anything that oil of lemon eucalyptus. Door and of mosquitoes in the area where
virus, marking the “first indica- Roughly one in five people who can hold water for more than four window screens should also be in the bird was found, there is an in-
tion of active virus transmission” in contract West Nile virus will expe- days” — are just a few of the types good condition and free of any tears creased risk of West Nile virus with
the county this year, the Alameda rience symptoms including fever, of places where the district said or holes. every mosquito bite,” Clausnitzer
County Mosquito Abatement Dis- headache, vomiting, body aches mosquitoes can breed. Residents can also request mos- added.
trict announced. or rash. Less than 1% will de- “Every effort is being made to quitofish from the district “for their The district also said horses
According to the district, the velop a more serious neurologi- locate areas of standing water where fish ponds, horse troughs, or ne- are “very susceptible to West Nile
body of an American crow was cal illness such as meningitis or mosquitoes may breed including glected swimming pools.” virus” and that vaccines are avail-
recovered on Aug. 5 from the 6800 encephalitis. Adults over 50 and but not limited to catch basins, “Even though this summer is able. Owners should contact their
block of Ash Court in the city of immuno-compromised individu- storm drain systems, and swim- very different from what we nor- veterinarian about vaccination
Dublin, less than a half mile from als are at increased risk of serious ming pools,” officials said. mally experience, West Nile virus is scheduling.
Valley High School. Results from complications. Residents can reduce the risk of still something we need to be con- To learn more about West Nile
tests conducted at the district labo- The district said “dead birds play contracting West Nile and other cerned about,” said General Man- virus, mosquitoes, or to request any
ratory on Aug. 7 were positive for an important role in the district’s mosquito-borne illnesses by dump- ager Ryan Clausnitzer. district services, visit www.mosqui-
the virus. ability to monitor West Nile virus ing or draining standing water on “As we stay closer to home and toes.org or call 510-783-7744. Call
More than 90 cases of West Nile activity in Alameda County” and their property, limiting outdoor ac- spend more time outdoors we wish the Alameda County Public Health
— which is spread to humans and that “public reporting of dead birds tivity at dawn and dusk — when to remind residents to remove Department for information about
animals through the bite of an in- is vital to our surveillance program.” mosquito activity is peak — and standing water from their property West Nile virus symptoms, preven-
fected mosquito and has no cure Mosquito monitoring and larval wearing long pants and long- and protect themselves from mos- tion or testing at 510-267-8001. Q
— have been reported in California control efforts are being ramped up sleeved shirts, as well as insect quito bites by wearing repellent
Tri-Valley Nonprofit Fund donates another
$60,000 to safety-net services
Total contributions reach $120,000; third round of fundraising now underway
BY RIYA CHOPRA Tri-Valley Haven, Senior Support through community contribu- impacts, no matter how small the “We are grateful for the op-
The Tri-Valley Nonprofit Fund Program of the Tri-Valley and tions. Those funds were then community contribution.” portunity to support the TVNF,
(TVNF) completed its second Spectrum Community Services doubled by matching partners The Workday Foundation which aids service providers
round of fundraising earlier this (Meals on Wheels). including Marti and John Sutton, has pledged to be the exclusive that are helping keep families
month, donating $10,000 each in These organizations all “reg- St. Charles Borromeo Church, matching partner for the third healthy, fed and in their homes
unrestricted funds to six local or- ularly address the basic needs Gene Morgan Insurance Agency round of the TVNF’s COVID-19 — which aligns with our goal to
ganizations that have been iden- of vulnerable populations such and Mony Nop Real Estate. relief campaign. They have do- help break the cycle of poverty
tified as key safety-net service as senior citizens, children, the Kathy Young, CEO of the alli- nated the full $30,000 in match- and transform lives,” Varoquiers
providers in the region. disabled, veterans, those living ance, stated that matching part- ing funds. said.
Launched by the Tri-Valley paycheck-to-paycheck, and the ners play a crucial role in sup- “Supporting the needs of our Local small businesses like In-
Nonprofit Alliance in April, the homeless by providing food, porting the TVNF. communities is more important klings Coffee & Tea in Pleasanton
TVNF has now raised a total of clothing, safe housing, behav- “Community members are mo- than ever, including those who are already planning donation
$120,000 throughout the course ioral health assistance, well- tivated to support neighbors,” have been adversely impacted drives and other fundraisers to
of the COVID-19 pandemic. ness checks, transportation and Young explained. “But many are by COVID-19,” said Carrie Va- collect funds for the TVNF, all of
The six organizations that the medical care,” according to the understandably limited in how roquiers, vice president of glob- which will be matched by Work-
fund benefits are Axis Commu- alliance. much they can contribute right al impact and employee life at day. To donate to the fund or find
nity Health, Open Heart Kitch- Of the TVNF’s second round now. The immediate doubling Workday and president of the more information, visit tvnpa.
en, CityServe of the Tri-Valley, donations, $30,000 flowed in mechanism allows for significant Workday Foundation. org/tvnf. Q
PPIE supports schools
Funds going to ‘critically important’
pandemic resources
Donations raised this year by the wellness director and school sup-
Pleasanton Partnerships in Educa- port counselors “to help our stu-
tion Foundation (PPIE) will be used dents positively address feelings of
to fund “critically important” re- isolation and anxiety at this time.”
sources for helping students adapt A math and reading intervention
during the COVID-19 pandemic, specialist will “provide targeted
the foundation recently announced. support to students at all grade lev-
“Our vacation was like no other els for help and enrichment,” while
in history and the opening of school site tech support and librar-
school will be the same. We are ians will support remote learning
all adjusting to this strange new and help students access resources.
world,” Executive Director Steve PPIE also lowered its “ask” for
McCoy-Thompson said. donations this year and gave fam-
ACSO
With company matching and ilies the option of a 10-month
corporate support as well as com- donation plan in Future Fund to
Deputy Rocha laid to rest munity donations, PPIE officials spread their donation over a “more
Family, friends and colleagues honored the life of Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy Oscar Rocha during a said they will fund several posi- manageable period” during school
memorial service with COVID-19 restrictions in place on Aug. 4. Rocha, who worked for the department for tions “which are critically impor- registration earlier this summer.
nearly 25 years, died on July 23 at the age of 57 following a weeks-long battle with COVID-19. He was the first tant during shelter in place to For more information, visit ppie.
ACSO employee to die from the coronavirus. Rocha was buried with full law enforcement honors, and Sheriff help our students stay engaged and org. Q
Gregory Ahern was on-hand at the service to present a U.S. flag to Rocha’s wife, Maureen Ennor Rocha. reach their potential,” including a —Julia Baum
Page 8 • August 14, 2020 • Pleasanton Weekly
NEWSFRONT
Protest calls for end to nuclear Mayors’ Summit goes virtual
weapons on 75th anniversary of BY RIYA CHOPRA
The mayors of Pleasanton, Dub-
mayors Jerry Thorne (Pleasanton),
Karen Stepper (Danville), David
Hiroshima bombing lin, Danville, Livermore and San
Ramon will be gathering for an
Haubert (Dublin), John Marchand
(Livermore) and Bill Clarkson (San
Virtual demonstration critical of LLNL’s focus on weaponry online panel to talk about the cur- Ramon).
rent challenges being faced by the The summit is also a collabora-
Bay Area nuclear war protesters Nagasaki survivor Rev. Nobua- He said for more than half Tri-Valley at noon Aug. 26. tive effort between the chambers
held their annual rally at Law- ki Hanaoka, who was an infant a century, there have been two Moderated by former state as- of commerce of each of the five
rence Livermore National Labo- when the bomb hit and whose doomsday machines, the U.S. semblywoman Catharine Baker, communities; this year, it will be
ratory virtually last week on the mother and sister died in the and Russia, on hair-trigger alert. the summit represents the sole hosted by the Pleasanton Chamber
75th anniversary of the bombing attack. Demonstrators say the Liver- annual opportunity for business of Commerce and livestreamed
of Hiroshima to call for an end to He said he’s been saying that more Lab is central to the in- leaders, city staff and policymakers by Amos Productions. The video
nuclear weapons. for 75 years and says he’s lucky creasing nuclear danger. to hear from all five mayors in the will be available on the Pleasanton
The rally started at 8 a.m. to still be alive. They say that 88% of the fund- Tri-Valley in a public discussion chamber website afterward.
Pacific time on Aug. 6 at www. Historian Gar Alperovitz, a for- ing for the lab is slated for nucle- format. The event is jointly sponsored
hiroshimanagasaki75.org/events mer special assistant in the U.S. ar weapons activity. “This summit will be like no by the Chabot-Las Positas Com-
and was part of a national event State Department, said the deci- Lab spokeswoman Lynda Seav- other we have had,” Baker said in a munity College District, Chevron
called “From Hiroshima to a sion to drop the bombs was not er disagreed with that number. statement. “These five mayors have and Stanford Health Care-Valley-
Healthy Tomorrow: Embracing made to end the war but rather She said that about 67% of the served our Tri-Valley during its Care, with participating sponsor-
Our Common Humanity,” orga- for diplomacy. lab’s $2.3 billion budget for the greatest transformation, challenges ships from Alameda County Fair-
nized by more than 160 groups. Alperovitz said military offi- current fiscal year is spent on and successes. We are going to get grounds, Amos Productions, Black
Virtual programming also oc- cials knew that using the bombs weapons work. If all of the lab’s right to the heart of those experi- Tie Transportation, John Muir
curred last Sunday, the anniver- were not necessary. Japan was national security work is com- ences and what the mayors see for Health and Hoge Fenton.
sary of the bombing of Nagasaki ready to surrender in two weeks, bined, it would be closer to the the Tri-Valley’s future.” To register for the event, visit
75 years ago. he said. 88%. Scheduled to participate are www.pleasanton.org. Q
Estimates of the number of Daniel Ellsberg, best known for The Berkeley City Council last
people killed in the two explo- releasing the Pentagon Papers to week adopted a resolution calling
sions range from 110,000 to quicken the end to the Vietnam for President Trump and Congress to
210,000, according to the Bul- War, said American officials may lead an effort to avoid nuclear war by
letin of the Atomic Scientists, have used the bomb to prompt giving up the option to do so, taking
a non-profit organization that Russia to pull back in Eastern the weapons off hair-trigger alert,
sets the hands of the Doomsday Europe. ending the president’s sole authority
Clock, a measure of how close Demonstrators say President to launch an attack, canceling plans
humanity is to destroying itself. Donald Trump’s administration is to create enhanced weapons in the
The clock is now set at 100 pouring gasoline onto the flames place of the current arsenal, and
seconds to midnight, the closest of a new global arms race. In the pursuing an agreement to eliminate
it has ever been to annihilation. 1960s, Russia imitated the Amer- the weapons among countries with
“Every time I get sick, I say
maybe this is the end,” said
ican buildup of nuclear arms,
Ellsberg said.
nuclear war capability. Q
—Bay City News Service “While other banks
held the door open
PG&E makes changes to website for me, Fremont Bank
for Public Safety Power Shutoffs actually opened doors
Site will include faster loading times, six more languages
BY EMMA HALL Center” website that will pro- forecast. The following criteria,
for my business.”
PG&E recently announced it vide information before shutoffs. according to PG&E, will deter-
is launching an improved emer- Specifically, the new emergency mine if power should be shut off
gency website and customer no- website will be designed as a for safety: Steve Ziganti, 3 Steves Winery
tification for Public Safety Power mobile-first to accommodate mo- • A red flag warning sent by
Shutoffs (PSPS) this wildfire sea- bile experiences. the National Weather Service.
son after difficulties during the The site will be cloud-based to • Low humidity levels that are
initial rollout last year. improve scalability for high traf- 20% or below.
The updates come after last fic levels, according to the com- • Forecast winds that are above
October when PG&E’s website pany. Alongside that, the website 25 mph along with excessive At Fremont Bank, we don’t just say we have
was unavailable due to the sys- will be available in 13 languages wind gusts that are approximate- your back. We prove it by providing access to
tem being overwhelmed with vis- total. Currently, it is only avail- ly 45 mph
real people with actual phone numbers. People
its. According to the utility com- able in English, Spanish, Chi- • The condition of dry fuel on
who can help you get a loan and keep your
pany, the new website will load nese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Ko- the ground and live vegetation.
quicker, being tested six times rean and Russian, but PG&E will • Real-time observation from business open. So far, we’ve helped thousands
the peak traffic of 2019’s PSPS be adding Farsi, Arabic, Hmong, PG&E’s Wildfire Safety Opera- of our small business clients secure essential
events. Khmer, Punjabi and Japanese tions Center and observations funding—even when other banks couldn’t
“We asked our customers and next month. from PG&E field crews. deliver. Switch to Fremont Bank now and let us
stakeholders what are the most PG&E said it will also be up- Notifications will also be im- open new doors for you.
important things that they need grading maps for 2020 to provide proved, according to PG&E. Text
to hear from us during an emer- more precise and accurate de- or email messages will come two
Please join us at fremontbank.com.
gency. We are listening to our tails. The addresses from last year days prior, the day before, or just
customers and acting on what will be redesigned to offer a text before power turns off. Future
we hear,” Laurie Giammona, based “no map” with current and notifications will show the date
PG&E’s senior vice president and future views of power outages. A of the shutoff and the addresses
chief customer officer, said in a newer address lookup tool will that will be affected by shutoff
statement. as well be implemented to help and restoration times. After the
For example, when PG&E calls those to get information faster. shutoff, daily updates will also be
The Fremont Bank Way.
a PSPS due to foreseeable wildfire PG&E said its PSPS will be done provided until power is restored.
conditions, PG&E customers will as a last resort when the most ex- To learn more, visit www.pge.
be directed to a “Safety and Alert treme fire danger conditions are com/pspsupdates. Q Member FDIC | NMLS #478471 | PR-1216B-0720
Pleasanton Weekly • August 14, 2020 • Page 9
NEWSFRONT
CANDIDATES the ballot with two at-large positions was that the Dublin mayor’s seat got those two elections closing on Friday. Howard, a former board member
Continued from Page 5
up for grabs are incumbent Charles the five-day filing extension. City Council District 3 — which had who came out of retirement for a
“Chuck” Rogge and newcomers Ya- After the deadline passed Wednes- the candidacy deadline extended to short-term appointment months ago
ballot for the city’s mayor position, nira Guzmán (career coach/parent), day, Goel and Hernandez had both Wednesday — has four candidates to fill the vacancy created after direc-
which is elected at-large. Kandiss Hewing (human resources qualified for the mayoral ballot, as qualified for the ballot. tor Maddi Misheloff’s death, repre-
Nop and Woerner are vying to specialist), Asa Strout (business ana- did newcomer Regina Pangelinan. Nov. 3 will be San Ramon’s first sents the other seat expiring this year
succeed Mayor John Marchand, who lyst) and Kristie Wang (public policy Nine candidates will be on the election under district-based voting but did not want to run for a full
is terming out. Filing closed last Fri- advocate). ballot for the two City Council seats: for City Council seats. The mayor’s term.
day because Marchand is termed out Shawn Costello, Lucrecia Deleon, position continues to be at-large. The candidacy deadline was also
instead of choosing not to run.
Dublin Razi Hansi, Sherry Hu, Michael Mc- Confirmed for the mayoral bal- extended for Livermore Area Rec-
This will be the first election for For the city of Dublin, the may- Corriston, Sri Muppidi, Dawn Plants, lot are sitting City Council mem- reation and Park District with
Livermore City Council under a dis- or’s position and two City Council Kashef Qaadri and Samir Qureshi. bers Dave Hudson and Sabina Zafar two at-large seats up for grabs after
trict-based format, and the city will seats are on the ballot — and both For the Dublin Unified School and newcomers Dinesh Govindarao, incumbent Beth Wilson did file for
have a contested election for District of those races had their candidacy District Trustee Area 1, residents Aparna Madireddi, Susmita Nayak re-election.
3 (southeastern Livermore) but an deadline extended to Wednesday. Dawn Nwamuo (physician/mother) and Sanat Sethy. The filing deadline Five candidates filed in the end
uncontested election for District 4 Sitting council members Arun and Kristin Pelham (educator/par- expired on Friday because Mayor Bill for LARPD Board of Directors: in-
(southwest). Goel and Melissa Hernandez are ent) have been confirmed for the bal- Clarkson is termed out, and therefore cumbent Jan Palajac and challengers
Councilman Robert Carling was running for mayor instead of seek- lot. Current Trustee Amy Miller, who not considered to be an incumbent James E. Boswell, Mike Ralph, Stacey
the only candidate to file for District ing re-election to their City Council lives in Area 1, announced that she eligible for re-election. A. Swanson and Richard Tarbell.
4 before the deadline. seats this fall, resulting in the council will not seek re-election — but since For City Council District 1, sitting For BART Board of Directors
For District 3, newcomers Brittni extension. she was elected at-large in 2016, she Councilman Scott Perkins will face District 5, which includes Pleasan-
Kiick (small business owner) and Mayor David Haubert was thought was technically not considered an off against challenger Luz Gómez. ton, Dublin and Livermore, incum-
Pete Patterson II (medical account to be termed out, but city spokesper- incumbent for candidacy-deadline For the District 3 seat, residents bent John McPartland and newcom-
manager) will be the two candidates son Shari Jackman said last Friday purposes. Varun Kaushal, Reza Majlesi, Sa- ers Steven Dunbar and Mike Wallace
on the ballot. it was determined Haubert actually Incumbent Gabi Blackman and meera Rajwade and Sridhar Verose have filed for the ballot.
Even though Councilman Bob would have been able to serve a newcomer Michael Utsumi (fund- have qualified for the ballot. Pro- And BART District 1, which in-
Coomber chose not to seek re-elec- fourth term as mayor. Under city raiser event coordinator) both filed spective candidates had extra time cludes the San Ramon Valley, has its
tion, there was no deadline extension term limits, Dublin officials are in- papers to run for DUSD Trustee to finish the paperwork because the ballot set with incumbent Debora
because Coomber — like Carling eligible after eight years worth of full Area 4. deadline was extended with Council- Allen and newcomers Emmy Akin
— was elected at-large four years so terms (combined between council And for Trustee Area 3, incumbent man Phil O’Loane opting not to seek and Jamie Salcido running.
he was not considered an incumbent and mayor service), but Haubert Catherine Kuo was uncontested, re-election. The Chabot-Las Positas Com-
under the district-based format. served two days short of two full with no other candidates filing in her The deadline for Danville Town munity College District has four
Livermore Valley Joint Unified years in his lone council term before part of the district. Council was also extended to Board of Trustees seats up for election
School District had five candidates being elected mayor in 2014 — For Sunol Glen Unified School Wednesday afternoon because Vice this year, but the two trustee areas in
qualify for the ballot upon the dead- making Haubert technically still an District, incumbent Denise Kent Mayor Lisa Blackwell decided not to the Tri-Valley are uncontested for the
line. At least one Board of Trustees eligible incumbent this year, accord- Romo was the only candidate to file run for a second term, announcing incumbents: Tim Sbranti for Area 5
seats is guaranteed to change hands ing to Jackman. for the lone Board of Directors seat her decision publicly on the initial and Ed Maduli for Area 7.
after incumbent Chris Wenzel pulled It’s a moot point for Haubert him- on the ballot. deadline morning last Friday.
Runoffs
papers but ultimately opted against self, as he is running for Alameda The city of San Ramon has six Nine candidates have qualified for
seeking another term. County Board of Supervisors instead candidates for mayor and two for the Danville ballot, with the three Tri-Valley ballots will also have
The candidates who will appear on on the Nov. 3 ballot, but the result City Council District 1, with filing in council positions to be elected at- several runoff elections for county,
large: incumbents Newell Arnerich state and federal representative seats.
and Renee Morgan and newcomers • Leading the way on carryover
Mohamed Elsherbini, David Fong, elections will be Alameda County
Nasser Mirzai, PJ Shelton, Turner Board of Supervisors District 1,
Stanton, Allen Timmons and Kevin which represents Dublin and Liver-
Traylor. more in the Tri-Valley, as well as
The San Ramon Valley Unified Fremont and part of Sunol.
School District, which is also in its Advancing to the Nov. 3 general
first election with district-based vot- election after finishing first and sec-
ing, has three candidates each for the ond in the four-candidate primary
Area 2 and Area 3 seats on the ballot. election were Fremont City Council-
The Area 2 ballot was confirmed man Vinnie Bacon and Dublin Mayor
with incumbent Greg Marvel and David Haubert.
challengers Shelley Clark and Pris- • For Alameda County Superior
cilla Graft. Court Department 2, the runoff fea-
The Area 3 election, which had tures civil rights attorney Mark Fickes
its deadline extended with current and trial attorney Elena Condes after
board member Mark Jewett not run- the three-candidate primary. This is
ning for re-election. Residents Laura the bench position opening up with
Bratt, Kumar Nallusamy and Scott the retirement of longtime Judge
Roberts qualified for the ballot. Carol Brosnahan.
• Pleasanton’s representative State
Special districts
Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) led
The Dublin San Ramon Servic- the March ballot and will face off
es District experienced little inter- against runner-up Julie Mobley, a
est, candidacy-wise, in its first elec- Republican.
tion under district-based balloting. • Incumbent District 16 Assem-
Newcomer Marisol Rubio was the blywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-
only candidate to file for DSRSD Orinda) is running against business-
Division 1, and incumbent Director man Joseph Rubay (R-Alamo); they
Rich Halket was uncontested for Di- were the only two candidates on the
vision 3. primary ballot, so each automatically
But no prospective candidates advanced to November.
Virtual visits available came forward for Division 5. As a • U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-
at Bayside Medical Group result, according to DSRSD, the Al- Livermore), who represents most
ameda County Board of Supervisors of the Tri-Valley including Pleasan-
will need to appoint a new director ton, stood comfortably in first place
some time in the future. against six challengers with 56.5%
Incumbent Ed Duarte, whose in the primary election. He is going
DSRSD term is up this year, actu- against Republican Alison Hayden,
genpeds.stanfordchildrens.org ally doesn’t live in any of the three a special education teacher, in No-
divisions on the Nov. 3 ballot so he vember after she garnered 20.1% in
was ineligible to run. Director Pat March for second place. Q
Page 10 • August 14, 2020 • Pleasanton Weekly([WHQGHG7KURXJK
/DERU'D\
30)ULGD\V306XQGD\V
Pleasanton Weekly • August 14, 2020 • Page 11COVER STORY
B-movie proves to be good training
ground for filmmakers Filmmakers Darwin Clark (left) and Chris De Pretis work on Main Street to film “Death Blood 4,”
STORY BY DOLORES FOX CIARDELLI | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ‘DEATH BLOOD 4’ a B-movie that is also a nod to growing up in Pleasanton.
The newly released film “Death of a babysitter. music videos and some B stuff in coworkers who felt the same. The hometown feature was a
Blood 4” is ultra-camp, and it’s fun “My biggest fear is people will Los Angeles.” “At the end of the day it is a silly family affair for De Pretis. Some
as well as being bloody. But strik- watch the movie and take it seri- Five years ago De Pretis and his sci-fi movie, and we could have fun scenes were shot in the home of his
ingly, the sci-fi B-movie pays hom- ously. It’s supposed to be silly and wife Alejandra returned to Pleas- with it,” De Pretis said. parents, Cindy and Matt De Pretis;
age to Pleasanton, filmed almost en- over the top,” De Pretis said. anton, and last year they bought a He partnered with Darwin Clark, his wife Alejandra was co-producer;
tirely here and including highlights Much of the work downtown was home in Livermore. By day, he pro- another Pleasanton native, and the and his sister Tess stars as Cindi
of downtown favorites. done in the middle of the night, duces corporate videos for a com- endeavor took about two years. De Shane.
“I see us having two potential au- but one scene shot earlier drew pany in San Ramon but he wanted Pretis wrote the script at the end of “I thought for that lead role,
diences,” filmmaker Chris De Pretis attention. to make a full-length feature film. 2017, and the two of them scouted even though Tess is not an aspiring
said. “There is the B-movie crowd, “When we filmed at the old gas “I do enjoy campy science fic- out locations. actress, I saw the value in having
and there is the Pleasanton crowd.” station on Main Street, there were tion and horror films from the “What was really humbling about someone I could rely on,” De Pretis
“Feedback has definitely been a people everywhere, and they asked 1980s, and part of me said that the whole process is how much the said. “It was fun for us.”
mixture,” he added, “but we went about it,” De Pretis said. “One kid somebody back in the ‘80s had to community came together to help Auditions were held in two days,
into it knowing full well it wasn’t was on his phone looking for ‘Death go through that effort for me to us out,” De Pretis said. and 80 professional actors came to
for everybody. I have heard some Blood 1, 2 and 3.’” enjoy,” he said. “I thought I could Scenes include Meadowlark read and agreed to perform in ex-
people want more death and more “Death Blood 4” is the one and pay it forward.” Dairy, Lions Wayside Park, the Vet- change for credit.
blood. But reaction has been pretty only of the “series,” although it Also, since the project was a erans Memorial Building, Pleasant “I produced this movie with family
positive from Pleasanton folks.” gives a nod to the imaginary others. learning experience, De Pretis de- Plaza, Inklings Coffee and the old and friends and did the whole thing
The full title is “Death Blood 4: De Pretis, 32, moved to Pleas- cided against subjects that were gas station, although the closest for about $3,100,” De Pretis said.
Revenge of the Killer Nano-Robotic anton as a toddler, went to Vintage personal or serious. video store they could find to use Giraffe Space Studios in Liver-
Blood Virus,” and it tells the story Hills Elementary, Pleasanton Middle “I didn’t want to take something was in Oakland. more lent them a digital cinema
of teen Cindy Shane, who teams and Amador Valley High schools. He I felt strongly about and mess it up De Pretis talked to Pleasanton camera and some scenes were shot
up with a space alien, a pizza boy, a served in the Army, then moved to through my lack of experience,” Police Department ahead of filming there. The climax takes place in
comic store clerk and a talking TV Los Angeles where he studied film. he explained. “I thought making downtown. a parking garage — the structure
to defeat an evil police chief and “I’ve had an interest in being a ‘Death Blood’ a B-movie was a way “I just wanted to let them know Amador Valley High shares with
nano-robots that control humans. filmmaker back from when I was a to work without the pressure to we had a guy dressed up as Big Foot Valley Community Church.
The horror movie even includes teenager and took video courses at reach a certain standard.” and a young lady with a sword,” he The filming was done in 27 days
that old standard — the terrorizing Amador,” he said. “I worked doing Most of the crew members were said with a laugh. the summer of 2018.
Writer/director/producer Chris De Pretis (left) and cinematographer/producer Assistant cameraman Macartney Stevens signals for action to begin with Tess De Pretis as Cindi Shane filming at the
Darwin Clark shoot scenes at Augustin Bernal Park, which plays the part of Video Room in Oakland.
Pleasanton Ridge.
Page 12 • August 14, 2020 • Pleasanton WeeklyYou can also read
