CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022
YEAR 34 INSIDE YOUR
FORUM NEWS
Want It, Get It To hit your goals, write down all the things you really really want
Page 2 NEWS
Eden Fire Firefighters contain large grass fire that scorched 58 acres
Page 4 SENIORS
Brain Games Boost brain health with cognitive brain training exercises and puzzles
NO. 33
MAC: Crimes; COVID
50 Years Of Fall Festival By Michael Singer
By Amy Sylvestri
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
The year was 1972. Nixon visited China, “The Godfather” debuted, and we were all dancing to the “Crocodile Rock.” It was also the first year a band of dedicated Castro Valley business owners joined together as the Chamber of Commerce to host their first ever Fall Festival. First held in the Castro Village Shopping Center, the Chamber voted to provide a showcase for Castro Valley businesses and artisans while showing off Castro Valley as the “Heart of Good Living.” The event offered attendees a wine-tasting, fashion show, and art exhibit. The success of that first year prompted a second event in 1973, which the Chamber officially named the Fall Festival. “A community and cultural event in Castro Valley has long see FALL on page 4
How much crime happens in Castro Valley? At its Monday night meeting, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) got that question answered during an update from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Frances Gonzales delivered a mid-year review to the board with the most recent complete statistics available for 2021. According to the sheriff’s office, in 2021 there were a total of 2,026 incident reports made in Castro Valley. The most dangerous month was November, with 199 incident reports, compared to 153 in both February 2021 and July 2021. Among the common crimes were simple assault (1,548 incident reports), drug violations (1,448), larceny (385), disorderly conduct (218), car thefts see MAC on back page
PHOTO BY MICHAEL SINGER
SHARING THEIR (VALLEY) VIEWS: Residents were asked to add their thoughts about what to include in the new Valley View Park this past weekend. This 24-acre undeveloped open-space with scenic views of Castro Valley near Carlton Avenue and Sydney Way will have trails for hiking, picnic areas, and meadows that support the local ecosystem. Play structures, sports fields, and other features are being considered. Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) sponsored the third of three in-person community input sessions at the Kenneth Aitken Senior Center. HARD is expected to host an online survey of the plans and take in further public comments before presenting the plan to the Castro Valley MAC in October. HARD says it has $10 million in funding from Measure F1 Bond (2016) already set aside to start the project. Total costs will be determined by how many amenities the community requires. See more photos on our website: mycvforum.com
Castro Valley Man Reflects on Private Eye Career
Page 5 he retired from the State, and in 2012 he opened his own business, Sigler and Associates Longtime Castro Valley res- Investigations. The success of ident Juan Sigler is celebrating this “retirement venture” has 10 years as a private investiga- surprised him. tor, a business that he started “Sometimes I work 30 hours after retiring from a long career a week. I have more than as a Probation Officer and enough work now, and I just Parole Agent. keep getting referrals. These “It was actually my lifelong 10 years have come and gone dream to be an investigator,” so fast, and I treat every case says Sigler. like it’s my first case — and my He started his first career last case. If it’s your first case, in the criminal justice system you want it to be good to prove in 1981 with Alameda County yourself to the person who Probation, followed by the Cal- hired you. And you want your ifornia Youth Authority, where last case to be good because it he worked as a Youth Counse- will be how people remember lor and Parole Agent. In 2009 you,” he says. By Linda Sandsmark
INDEX Calendar .................. 10 Classified Ads ............ 8 Crosswords ............... 9 Homes ........................ 6 Obituaries ................ 11 Opinions .................. 11 Our Town .................... 3 Seniors ....................... 5 Sheriff’s Reports ........ 3 Weather ....................... 2 WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
As a private investigator, Sigler has worked for some high-powered lawyers, most notably prominent civil rights attorney John Burris. Sigler is responsible for obtaining and preparing evidence and information through such methods as computer forensics, surveillance, videos, photos, diagrams, and talking to witnesses. Every aspect of his investigation has to be courtroom- and trialready. “In court, it’s not like Perry Mason, where there’s a surprise witness,” he says. Sigler’s special talent is talking to witnesses. His father see CAREER on page 3
Private Investigator Juan Sigler (center) of Castro Valley is shown here at a 2020 press conference at the trial of Sean Monterrosa, a teenager fatally shot by Vallejo police. With him are prominent lawyers John Burris, left, and Ben Nisenbaum.