THE SEASON OF SAVINGS
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM 5
A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025
YEAR 37
MAC MEETING
INSIDE YOUR
FORUM
CV May Soon Be Home to a Brand-New Park
Love CV Day
Acts of kindness bring community together for Love CV Day
By Amy Sylvestri
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
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Axe of Greatness Bragging rights at stake in coming axe throwing competition
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Muy Delicioso
Simple, tasty recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Monday
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INDEX Classified Ads ........ 8 Coupons ................. 5 Events .................. 4 Homes .................... 6 Obituaries ........... 11 Opinions .............. 10 Our Town ................ 3 Sheriff’s Report .... 3 Sports ................... 12 Weather ................ 2 WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
NO. 18
FLAVOR BEHIND THE FLAMES: Bring your appetite to the Rowell Ranch Rodeo parties next month. Grill masters will cook more than 1,600 New York steaks over a Santa Maria-style open flame for the Wednesday BBQ & Dance, Thursday’s Cowgirl Picnic, and Friday’s Rockin’ Bull Bash.
Taste of Tradition at Rowell Ranch BBQ By Michael Singer
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
As the dust kicks up and boots stomp the ground at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo this year, one aroma cuts through the clamor of cowboys and cattle: the unmistakable, mouthwatering scent of grilling steak. For locals and fans alike, the rodeo isn’t just about bull riding and barrel racing—it’s also about barbecue. For more than 30 years, Joe Paulo and his crew have been the flavor behind the flames. “We’ve always kicked off the rodeo week with a Wednesday night mixer and barbecue,” says Paulo, a longtime rodeo committee member and unofficial BBQ pit boss. “Even as a kid, I remember we’d start the week that way—and we’ve kept the tradition alive ever since.” It all starts with the fire. Specifically, a
Santa Maria-style open flame, where the grill grates move up and down and steaks are seared to perfection over red-hot charcoal. Not just any charcoal, either—Joe estimates it takes nearly a pallet of briquettes to keep the flames going through rodeo week. The kickoff BBQ on Wednesday night is a staple, but the real culinary crescendo comes Saturday after the final rodeo event, when nearly 800 hungry fans make their way up to the BBQ tent for what’s become a standout tradition: a 12-ounce, center-cut choice New York steak, grilled fresh, and served hot off the pit. “We used to do tri-tip, which is kind of the classic rodeo meat,” Joe told the Forum. “But a couple of years ago, we tried New York steaks, and the response was incredible. People loved it, so now it’s all New York, all the time.” see BBQ on back page
Castro Valley may soon be home to a brand-new park, as the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) unanimously approved a Conditional Use Permit application from the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) to build “Valley View Park.” HARD has plans to develop a 24-acre parcel on Sydney Way, surrounded by Carton Avenue, Jennifer Drive, Talbot Land, and Perrich Drive- a residential area.
The tentative plans include an “adventure hill” with play elements that are built into the hillside such as slides, ladders, zip-lines, and ropes. There will also be an offleash dog park, a dedicated zone for nature-based elements, a children’s play is geared toward children aged 3 and under, a bicycle loop track, a workout zone, areas for Day Camps, a picnic area, a restroom, and a sunrise overlook. The site was purchased from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) by HARD in 2013 and the district see MAC on page 11
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EVENT
Local Officials: ‘Get Prepared’
With the rise in wildfires, event speaker and emergency preparedness specialist Ron Halog suggested residents start Earthquakes and wildfires are two of the many risks of learning wildfire precautions, living in the Bay Area, which even if they don’t live in a heavily forested area. is why local officials held an event this past Saturday to ask Halog said residents could residents to get prepared. help guard against both kinds State Assemblymember Liz of disasters by “hardening” Ortega (District 20) hosted the their homes against destruction event that laid out the precau- and signing up for emergency alerts for the community. He tions residents should take suggested signing up for alerts against potential devastation from several counties if your from a major incident like earthquakes. These precautions family is scattered throughout the area. He’s even signed up include not putting heavy for alerts from Hawaii, where items on high shelves and some of his family members knowing how to turn off the gas for your home to prevent live. see PREPARED on page 2 post-quake fires. By Mike McGuire
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM