CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024
YEAR 36
NO. 20
MAC MEETING
INSIDE YOUR
FORUM
Ken Carbone Steps Down By Amy Sylvestri
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
AVID Graduates CVHS honors AVID seniors at annual brunch reception
Page 3
Battle of Valley
Canyon Middle School hosts Creekside for soccer competition
Page 5
PHOTO COURTESY OF DARRELL LAVIN/ LAVINPHOTOS.COM
Annual Rowell Ranch Professional Rodeo kicks off its preliminary events tonight.
Howdy Partner, Rowell Ranch Rodeo Returns! By Michael Singer
Senior Q&A
Is there a standard procedure for the ‘reading of a will’?
Page 10
INDEX Calendar ................ 4 Classified Ads ........ 8 Crosswords ............ 9 Homes ..................... 6 Obituaries ............. 11 Opinions ............... 11 Our Town ................. 3 Seniors .................. 10 Sports .................. 12 Weather ................ 2 WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
It is time again to dust off your 10-gallon hats and polish your boots. The annual Rowell Ranch Professional Rodeo kicks off its preliminary events tonight, giving the community a chance to experience the historical sport and an American tradition in action. “The one thing I can say about our sport of rodeo is that we’re not afraid to fly the red, white, and blue and stand up and cheer,” says Rowell Rodeo legend Cindy Rosser. More than 100 years ago, Harry Rowell, “The Rodeo King of the West,” first hosted the rodeo. Today and every year in May, the Cecil Jones Arena is the site of several Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PCRA) sanctioned competitions and one-of-a-kind experiences. “There are activities for the whole family at our rodeo that you can’t find anywhere else,” Joe Paulo, a Rowell Ranch Rodeo star and board member, told the Forum.
One of those activities is the Cowboy Experience, a chance for ticketholders to learn firsthand about the sport of rodeo, the equipment used, and to see the animals up close, which Paulo has been leading for over twenty years. Another “only at the Rowell Rodeo” occasion is the Grand Entry, a procession of the livestock from the grazing hills above the corral led by a downhill burst by Brooke Fagundes with her horse and American flag at her hip. This week will also be the first time people can meet the newly crowned Rodeo Queen, Castro Valley native Phoebe Bruns. “I’ve come full circle,” Bruns told the Forum. “I used to attend the Queen’s ball with my friends when I was five, and now these lifelong friends are coming to support me. I’ve looked up to so many of the Rodeo Queens in the past. Now, it’s my turn to inspire the next generation.” Events kick off tonight with the Cecil Jones Local Team Roping Challenge at 4:00 p.m., followed by the Steak & BBQ Dance starting at 6:00 p.m.
There are now two empty spots on the seven-member Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), as long-time member Ken Carbone announced he was stepping down at the conclusion of Monday night’s meeting. Carbone has been involved in community governance for over 25 years, serving on the MAC and the County Planning Commission. He said the decision to resign has been on his mind for a while, and he wants to focus more on his work and personal life. “I’m really thankful for having an opportunity to be a voice in this community,” said Carbone. “I want you guys to realize the value of the work you’re putting in.” see MAC on page 5
CDA Looks For Places to Add Housing By Mike McGuire
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM
Alameda County’s Community Development Agency (CDA) says it is closer to a plan to add 4,711 units of new housing that the state is requiring them to build in the next eight years in the unincorporated areas, including Castro Valley and Eden. That’s up 2,000 units from the number required in the previous plans. Last week, the Agency finished taking public comments about the county’s Housing Element update and will send its draft plan to the state for its 90-day review. The draft calls for increasing density in some places, including along Castro Valley Boulevard and Fairview. Several dozen public comments were received, and members of the public have another 60 days to make further comments to the state agency considering the plan. The draft reveals proposals to increase the density of new housing built along Castro Valley Boulevard to 60 units per acre, compared with the 40 units per acre proposed in the first draft of the update. see HOUSING on page 4