Enjoy this FREE concert conducted by Kathy Maier and offered by Castro Valley Adult & Career Education. Who doesn’t love the nostalgia of songs from our favorite musicals and films?  The Center for the Arts, located at 19501 Redwood Road, is a cozy venue and parking is easy! The event begins at 7:30 pm. See the CFA website at cvcfa.com for more information.

Linda Smith, City Manager of Orinda, will talk about city budgets and contracting for services. Ms. Smith has extensive experience in city management in Orinda and Dublin. This is the sixth in a series of presentations sponsored by Castro Valley City, Inc.  The speakers will share their experiences in transforming communities for success in the future. The lecture is free and will be held at 6:00 pm at the Castro Valley Library. More information is available at castrovalleycity.com. 

Don’t miss the Bringing Nature Home event on Tuesday March 25, 5:30-8:15pm at the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Church, 22577 Bayview Avenue, Hayward. Come for a native plant cutting and seed swap, to hear about transforming yards into native plant gardens, and discuss ideas for improving where we live/work to welcome birds and butterflies.

The next meeting of the Eden Garden Club will be Monday, March 24, 9:30am at Faith Lutheran Church, 20080 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. The speaker,
Lawrence Lee, a former instructor in Landscape Horticulture at Merritt College will begin at 10:00am. He will give a demonstration on the basics of plant propagation, which will include making more plants through seeds, cuttings, dividing and grafting. He will also have some interesting succulents and plants for sale that he sells at the monthly Alameda Antique Faire. Meetings are free for everyone. Visit: https://edengardenclub.com

Are you a Housing Provider in the
unincorporated areas of Alameda County?

If YES, join us for a complimentary Italian-themed lunch at the newly opened
Glad Tidings New Life Center in Hayward, expertly catered for your enjoyment.

This event is meant to spread the word about our new Housing Provider Resource Center pilot program and create community in the unincorporated areas of Alameda County.

Doors will open at 11:30am for the community to tour the New Life Center. The luncheon will begin at noon.

During the luncheon, we will have local community leaders and organizations share with you the purpose of the Alameda County Housing Provider Resource Center (ACHPRC) and how it is suited to advocate on behalf of property owners.

Featured Presenters and Organizations:

• Paul Taylor- Executive Director of Rental Housing Organization of Southern Alameda County

• Mark Salinas- Hayward Mayor

• Lucy Lopez- CEO Hayward Chamber of Commerce

• Gary Slate- CEO Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce

• Alameda County Healthy Homes Department

• A1 Community Housing Services

Join us on Tuesday, March 18 from 6:30-8:00 for a family workshop focusing on practical strategies for preventing family conflict. As kids grow up, parents audition for the role of (unpaid) consultant. Building trust when there’s a conflict helps you get the job. This workshop shows you how. Bring kids as young as 10, provided they genuinely want to come. You can tell them this is a chance to find out how they can get more of what they want, more of the time, in a way that works for everybody.

 The Castro Valley Library is a branch of the Alameda County Library system. The library is located at 3600 Norbridge Avenue and is wheelchair accessible. The library will provide an ASL interpreter for any event with at least seven working days’ notice. Please call 510-667-7900 or TTY 888-663-0660 or email castrovalley@aclibrary.org.

The San Leandro Garden Club will be meeting Tuesday March 18 at 10:30 a.m..  We meet at the Marina Community Center, 15301 Wicks Blvd., San Leandro.  Our speaker this month is Carol Dixon. Carol is an expert on butterflies and what we can do in our gardens to support them.  Check us out at San Leandro Garden Club@weebly.com.

You’ve heard of a book club. How about a movie club with the San Francisco Chronicle’s long-time film critic Mick LaSalle! Join us on March 16 at 2:30 pm for a discussion of the film A Most Violent Year.

First, watch the film, A Most Violent Year (2014; Rated R) starring Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain and David Oyelowo. (DVDs are available through the Library’s collection and Link Plus. The film is also available to rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV, if you already happen to subscribe to those services.)

Next, consider questions developed by Mick. Questions will be emailed to registrants.

Then, come hear Mick’s take on the film and discuss it with fellow community members on March 16.

Registration is required. For information about this and other events, visit www.aclibrary.org or call 510/667-7900.

The Castro Valley Library, a branch of the Alameda County Library system. The Library will provide an ASL interpreter for any event with at least seven working days’ notice. Please call 510-667-7900 or TTY 888-663-0660.

On Tuesday, March 11 the Rotary Club of Castro Valley hosts the Richard King Speech Contest where students from the Castro Valley High School and Redwood Christian School speak on the Four-Way Test. Winners are awarded a cash prize and advance to District-level competitions. A buffet lunch and the speech competition will take place at Redwood Canyon Golf Course (17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley) from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. The buffet lunch is $20, and reservations must be made by 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9 at castrovalleyrotary.org.

The Library welcomes Dr. Pablo Gonzalez from the Department of Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley who will help us understand the lived experiences of Mexican and Mexican-American families in California. This special presentation takes place on Saturday, March 8 at 2 pm. Dr. Gonzalez’s lecture will also help us understand the history of some topics in the featured book for Castro Valley Reads 2025 The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea. Registration is required. For information about this and other events, visit www.aclibrary.org or call 510-667-7900.

The Friends of the San Leandro Library will host a CD Sale on Saturday, March 8 from 10am to 3pm in the Trustees Room at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Avenue, San Leandro. Come check out a large selection of CDs at low, low prices! All CDs are $1 per disc or buy 3 discs get 1 disc free. There will be a few classical LPs/Vinyl for sale too. All proceeds benefit the San Leandro Library’s programs and services. We now accept credit cards!  

On March 7th and 8th, DMT Presents the Sphinx Virtuosi, recognized as one of the nation’s most dynamic and celebrated chamber orchestras. This elite self-conducted ensemble comprises 18 of the country’s top Black and Latinx classical soloists whose performance will transcend boundaries and ignite the soul. Their performances at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre are the only California stop on their 2025 American Form/s tour.

The Sphinx Virtuosi is the flagship ensemble of the Sphinx Organization, a non-profit founded in 1997, that has been at the forefront of reshaping the landscape of classical music. It provides education, artist development, and performance opportunities for underrepresented musicians, helping create a more inclusive and representative future for the arts. The organization has reached over 100 million people worldwide, and its impact has been recognized at the highest levels, including by President Barack Obama, who honored Sphinx for its outstanding contributions to the arts.

The Sphinx Virtuosi is known for its bold and innovative programming, where innovation meets tradition. American Form/s weaves a powerful musical tapestry of American classical traditions, incorporating soul, bluegrass, jazz, blues and ragtime influences. This program is a celebration of the diverse sounds that shape our nation’s musical heritage, offering an unforgettable journey through rhythm, melody and emotion, showcasing the future of classical music. Their annual performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center have drawn widespread acclaim. The Washington Post has praised the ensemble, writing that they bring “immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty” to the stage.

As part of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District’s Arts Access program, the Sphinx Virtuosi will engage in outreach to District youth to inspire the next generation of musicians. The goal is to make classical music accessible to all by bringing world-class talent to conduct workshops at local schools.

Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness the unmatched artistry of the Sphinx Virtuosi live—a night that promises to be both musically stunning and deeply inspiring.  Whether you’re a longtime lover of classical music or a newcomer eager to discover something extraordinary, this concert promises to move, uplift and inspire.

Douglas Morrisson Theatre
Friday, March 7; 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 8; 7:30 pm
22311 N. 3rd Street, Hayward, CA
Tickets: $36 at 510.881.6700 or
https://bit.ly/SphinxDMT

Learn How to Make Cappuccino with A.R.T., Inc. on Saturday, March 1 at 2pm Adobe Art Center, 20395 San Miguel Ave., Castro Valley, FREE Coffee and Cookies with Naima Sarasay.

The East Bay Regional Park District is a major employer of students in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, staffing approximately 300 seasonal positions annually. There are many employment options available for the 2025 summer season at East Bay Regional Parks.

Virtual Youth Job Fair: Saturday, Mar. 1

The East Bay Regional Park District has a wide variety of opportunities for youth, young adults, and students. The Virtual Youth Job Fair is designed for applicants ages 15–24, although the minimum age requirement for most jobs is 16 years old. Resume and interview tips provided. Pre-registration highly recommended.

Virtual Youth Job Fair via Zoom

Saturday, Mar. 1, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

More information and a Zoom registration link can be found at www.ebparks.org/jobs/youth.

Youth and Seasonal Jobs

The East Bay Regional Park District is now accepting applications for summer and seasonal jobs. Spend summer in the great outdoors, build leadership skills in a team environment, and create lasting memories while gaining valuable work experience in the East Bay community.

Youth and seasonal positions include:

•  Camp Recreation Leaders

• Day & Overnight Recreation Leader

• Biking Recreation Leader

• Canoe & Kayak Recreation Leader

• Fishing Recreation Leader

•  Gate Attendant/Student Laborer

•  Lifeguard

•  Interpretive Student Aide

•  Public Safety Student Aide

Visit the Park District jobs webpage for more information: www.ebparks.org/jobs

Hill and Valley Club presents Bunco Madness on Saturday March 1st, starting at 10:30 a.m. at the clubhouse, 1808 B Street in Hayward. Tickets include lunch. For info or reservations, please call Pat Keathley at 510-461-1321 or email PKeathley@icloud.com. Door prizes and Bunco prizes will be awarded. Proceeds benefit local charities and our building repair fund.

After decades struggling to protect her ancestor’s burial places, a native woman and her allies occupy a sacred site to protect its desecration.  Attend this screening of this short documentary, as it explores the quest to preserve one’s culture and homeland. RSVP to this free event at https://cvace.link/beyondrecognition. The screening will be held in the multipurpose room at Castro Valley Adult & Career Education, 4430 Alma Avenue, from 6:30- 8:00 pm.

Castro Valley Adult & Career Education offers a Paid Internship Program for adults with disabilities.  Interns will gain paid work experience at local businesses and organizations matched to their interests and skills.  To register and to learn more about it, visit http://cvace.linl./pipnight or contact a Transition Specialist at stridespip@cv.k12.ca.us. The event will be held from 6:00- 7:00 pm at 4430 Alma Avenue, room 12/13 on the upper campus,. Call the school at (510)886-1000, ext. 2221 for additional information.

Numerous programs may help reduce your health care and prescription drug costs if you meet the eligibility requirements.

At this FREE presentation, we will learn about:

• The Medicare program and its costs
• Medi-Cal and the Medicare Savings Programs
• The Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) for prescription drugs
• Eligibility requirements, the application processes, and the benefits

The program is FREE and no reservations are required. The Castro Valley Library is a branch of the Alameda County Library system. The Library is located at 3600 Norbridge Avenue and is wheel chair accessible. For more information, call the Library at 510-667-7900.

The California Highway Patrol and the Castro Valley Library present Start Smart: Teen Driver Program. CHP officers will discuss traffic collision avoidance techniques, collision causing factors, driver/parent responsibilities, and seatbelt usage. Additionally, testimonies will be provided by officers who have investigated fatal collisions involving teens, and by family members who have lost love ones in traffic collisions. The Start Smart program is a driver safety education class which targets new and future licensed teenage drivers between the age of 15 - 19 and their parents/guardians. A parent/guardian is required to attend the class with their teen. Registration is required for this FREE program. To register, call the Library Information Desk at 510-667-7900 or register online at www.aclibrary.org

Faith Lutheran Church, Castro Valley is converting a portion of their lawn into a pollinator garden highway! Round two takes place on February 23, 11am (immediately following our Sunday service). We are hoping for your help in spreading mulch, planting pollinating plants and beautifying our property at 20080 Redwood Road. Wear your grubby pants, bring a pair of gloves (and maybe a trowel or shovel), and let's invite more pollinators into our community!

Join us for a fun-filled family movie night featuring the animated hit Sing! at Castro Valley School of Music on Friday, February 21 from 6 to 8pm (21060 Redwood Rd. Suite 100, Castro Valley). Get ready to cheer for your favorite characters as they chase their dreams in an epic singing competition full of heart and humor. But that’s not all—we’ll have exciting games before the movie! Bring your family, grab some popcorn, and enjoy a night of music, laughter, and community.

Step into the spotlight at Castro Valley School of Music’s Open Mic Night Thursday, February 20, 6pm - 8pm at Castro Valley School of Music (21060 Redwood Rd. Suite 100, Castro Valley). Whether you're a seasoned performer or taking the stage for the first time, this is your chance to showcase your talent in a fun and supportive environment. Sing a song, play an instrument, or even perform a duet—it's all about celebrating music and creativity! Bring your friends, family, and enthusiasm—let’s make it a night to remember!

Join the Rotary Club of Castro Valley for an evening of networking and camaraderie! Meet our Rotarians, learn about our mission, and connect with like-minded community members.

Location: JP's Family Restaurant & Sports Lounge, 3600 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a no-host bar as you mingle and build meaningful connections.