HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
FRIDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SATURDAY
CVEF SPRING FOR EDUCATION
MUSIC, FOR THE SOUL WITHIN
FESCO SHUFFLE
FAMFEST SPRING
CASTRO VALLEY FORUM A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CASTRO VALLEY SINCE 1989
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2023
YEAR 35
NO. 18
CV SCHOOL BOARD
INSIDE YOUR
‘At-Large’ Election System Dropped
FORUM NEWS
threatens a lawsuit unless the district changes its voting procedure. Although the state law Starting next year, Castro Valley voters will start electing has been in the books since its School Board based on 2002, CVUSD Superintendent which districts they represent Parvin Ahmadi said this threat instead of the current “at-large” of legal action against CVUSD system, following a decision by was initiated because the disthe Board last Thursday. trict has never had a Latino or Hispanic Trustee on its board. The move to a “by-trustee “I’m very proud of the area” election process was diversity of our backgrounds prompted by a letter from a Santa Barbara-based law firm and our experiences within our District,” Ahmadi told the representing a Castro Valley Forum. “The law is there to resident and a “member of a make sure everyone has the protected class” who claims Castro Valley Unified School same opportunity and the right District (CVUSD) is in viola- to vote. I am confident that everyone on the board will tion of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The letter see ELECTION on back page By Michael Singer
CASTRO VALLEY VALLEY FORUM FORUM CASTRO
Fitness Fact Fact Fitness
Super-secret fitness fact you don’t want to hear... but should
Page 22 Page NEWS
Growing Years Years Growing Chabot Elementary School class plants trees and garden
Page 33 Page
SENIORS
Senior Q&A Q&A Senior
Joint tenancy and tenancy in common: How do they differ?
Page 10 10 Page
INDEX INDEX Calendar ................ ................ 55 Calendar Classified Ads Ads ....... ....... 88 Classified Crosswords ........... ........... 99 Crosswords Homes ...................... ...................... 66 Homes Opinions ............... ............... 11 11 Opinions Our Town Town ................. ................. 33 Our Seniors .................. .................. 10 10 Seniors Sheriff’s Report Report ..... ..... 33 Sheriff’s Sports .................. 12 Sports .................. 12 Weather ................ ................ 22 Weather WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM WWW.MYCVFORUM.COM
PHOTO COURTESY COURTESY OF OF PHIL PHIL DOYLE DOYLE /PHILDOYLEPHOTO.COM /PHILDOYLEPHOTO.COM PHOTO
CELEBRATE THE THE COWGIRL COWGIRL SPIRIT: SPIRIT: This This year’s year’s Rowell Rowell Ranch Ranch Cowgirl Cowgirl PicPicCELEBRATE nic will will include include bottomless bottomless mimosas, mimosas, aa silent silent auction, auction, and and aa live live auction auction to to nic support the the women women of of the the community community and and the the Cowgirl Cowgirl Spirit Spirit Scholarship. Scholarship. support
Rowell Ranch Rodeo: Time to Cowgirl Up!
“It’s a wonderful lunch, and it’s so beautiful out there with the big oak trees and CASTRO VALLEY VALLEY FORUM FORUM CASTRO picnic tables,” says Janet Lemmons, owner of the Rowell Saddlery. It’s getting close to Rodeo time, which means it’s time to get tickets to this year’s The luncheon is also a fundraiser to help Cowgirl Picnic. support the Cowgirl Spirit Scholarship, which is awarded every year to any high Every year the Rowell Ranch Rodeo holds a ladies-only luncheon that honors the school senior girl who exhibits strength and cowgirls in the community. The event takes conviction of purpose. “Anyone can apply. You don’t have to place at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park’s Earl have a horse. The only criterion is that you Dawes Picnic Area and starts at 11:00 a.m. on May 18. truly believe in what you’re doing,” Lemmons said. Initially started in 2012, the picnic is a time for the ladies to come together and The scholarship was inspired by Margaret celebrate the cowgirl spirit, with the added M. Rowell, who wrote in her last will and bonus of being served and pampered by testament that she wanted “to continue in the memory of those who have gone down professional local cowboys, ranchers, and the trail ahead of us ...and for those who will firefighters. come after us.” General admission is $75. A table for six people can be reserved for $525. Any busiIn addition to the picnic, the public is ness that wishes to sponsor an entire table invited to attend the BBQ Axe Brew on will get eight lunch tickets with exclusive Friday, May 12, from 5 - 9 p.m. The event seating and special recognition. see RODEO on page 4 By Michael Singer
Body Discovered In Cull Canyon By Mike McGuire
CASTRO VALLEY VALLEY FORUM FORUM CASTRO
Castro Valley residents walking on a remote part of Cull Canyon Road on April 10 noticed a bad smell and saw a barrel that had been dumped in the 10000 block. They called Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies, who realized quickly that the barrel contained human remains, according to department spokesperson Lt. ACSO identified identified Tya Modeste. ACSO the remains remains as as Eric Eric The Sheriff’s Office identhe Gregory of of Oakland Oakland Gregory tified those remains on April 19 as belonging to 46-year-old Eric Gregory of Oakland, who Calls to the Oakland Police had been missing since 2021. Department were not returned in time for publication. Oakland Police homicide inThe Oakland Police had vestigators are taking over the investigation of how he died been actively looking into and how his body ended up in Gregory’s whereabouts and Castro Valley, Modeste said. see BODY on page 2