BECOME A CASTRO VALLEY BOOKLEGGER 

Orientation Meeting at Castro Valley Library 

In Person Meeting: Monday, August 28th, 10:30 am- 11:30 am OR 

Virtual Zoom Meeting: Saturday, September 9th 10:30 am-11:30 am  

Do you love books? Want to inspire kids to read? If you’re looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity, consider becoming a Booklegger for the Castro Valley Library! 

Bookleggers make magic! Trained volunteers learn storytelling and booktalking strategies that send students running in to the library for the books they hear about. Bookleggers visit K-5 classrooms across the Castro Valley Unified School District to give presentations on books. 

TWO options for the orientation meeting: 

In-person at the Castro Valley Library: Monday, August 28 from 10:30am to 11:30am 

                                                                                                       OR 

Virtually via Zoom: Saturday, September 9 from 10:30am-11:30am 

The orientation will serve as an opportunity to meet current Bookleggers and hear why they love to volunteer, as well as gain information on volunteer and training requirements. After the orientation, there will be 6 trainings which will be held in-person weekly on Mondays from September 11th through October 16th from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Castro Valley Library. Please be available to attend each training session. 

Please register for an orientation meeting @ aclibrary.org – Search events for Bookleggers or call the library @ (510) 667-7900 

The Castro Valley Booklegger Project is a partnership of the Castro Valley Unified School District and the Alameda County Library. 

The stress that family caregivers experience as their loved one declines can be staggering. The constant fluctuation of changing roles, uncertainty about the future, and fatigue may ultimately result in compromised health and family dysfunction. This webinar will focus on understanding the causes of stress, strategies for coping, and the importance of seeking support and utilizing resources.

If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Attend the live webinars for a chance to ask questions of the presenters, or watch recorded versions posted to our website a few days after each presentation.

Register at HopeHospice.com/family. Questions? Call (925) 829-8770.

The League of Women Voters of the Eden Area (LWVEA) invites everyone to its Annual Membership Meeting to be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, 9:30am, over Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81005526445, Meeting ID: 810 0552 6445.

Newly appointed Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Marquez will be our featured speaker during our general membership meeting. Ms. Marquez was appointed to complete the term of Richard Valle, who died on Feb. 8th. She was a member of the Hayward City Council.

Help Improve the County’s Draft Environmental Justice (EJ) Element!

Zoom Community Workshop
Topic: Draft Environmental Justice Element for unincorporated Alameda County
When: May 25, 6-8pm
Where: Zoom. Visit https://www.acgov.org/cda/planning/generalplans/engagement.htm for details
Spanish translation provided
Door prizes: Walmart Gift Card Drawing
Host: Alameda County Planning Department

End-of-life care refers to both the medical care and the emotional support that patients and families receive when death is imminent. While the dying process can vary greatly from individual to individual, this webinar presents general information about what to expect in the final days of life, transitioning to palliative (comfort) care, selecting hospice services, and making funeral arrangements.

If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Attend the live webinars for a chance to ask questions of the presenters, or watch recorded versions posted to our website a few days after each presentation.

Register at HopeHospice.com/family. Questions? Call (925) 829-8770.

Bats, gourds, peaches, ribbons, and monkeys on horses.  These images and many others are frequently and artistically depicted in Chinese art, but what do they mean? 

Using selected objects from the fabulous collections at the Asian Art Museum our presenter will help you understand some of the fascinating and fun meanings and messages hidden in Chinese art.

Join us on Tuesday, April 18 at 6:30 pm for this is a virtual program via Zoom and is designed for adults and teens. Register at www.aclibrary.org to receive the Zoom link. This program is hosted by the Castro Valley Library and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco speaker's bureau.

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.  

Hearing a medical professional confirm that the memory issues you (or a loved one) have been experiencing are, in fact, early symptoms of dementia would understandably be cause for concern. While it may only be natural to think about the worst-case scenario, receiving a dementia diagnosis early on is actually a good thing, giving you and your family more time to plan for the challenges that lie ahead. Our dementia specialists will share resources and strategies to help individuals and families prepare for the inevitable changes a dementia diagnosis will bring.

If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Attend the live webinars for a chance to ask questions of the presenters, or watch recorded versions posted to our website a few days after each presentation.

Register at HopeHospice.com/family. Questions? Call (925) 829-8770.

Understanding your rights and learning to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals are essential in advocating for your loved ones and yourself in a complex healthcare system. Webinar topics will include tips for communicating effectively with healthcare professionals, handling hospitalizations, and understanding the discharge process and follow-up care.

If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Attend the live webinars for a chance to ask questions of the presenters, or watch recorded versions posted to our website a few days after each presentation.

Register at HopeHospice.com/family. Questions? Call (925) 829-8770.

Castro Valley has felt the impacts of extreme weather events, including recent flooding, extreme heat, and wildfire smoke. Attend the Virtual Alameda County Community Climate Action Plan Kickoff Workshop (via Zoom) on Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 6–7:30 p.m. to discuss your concerns and inform updates to the County's Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and Safety Element. This interactive Kickoff Workshop will explore the local impacts of extreme heat, wildfires, flooding, and other climate-related hazards, and engage participants to address these issues and support resilient, climate-smart unincorporated communities. Visit www.acgov.org/cda/planning/ccapse.htm to learn more and register

Tiffany Phu, certified college and career counselor and owner of College and Career Champion, will be discussing the wide variety of ways to stand out to college admissions officers and the importance of exploring careers through extracurricular activities. If you are an underclassman and are thinking about your future, join us to learn about college admission and to be aware of activities to avoid and how to prepare for college early in a student's high school journey.
This is an online event. Registrants will receive a Zoom link 30 minutes prior to the event

You are invited to provide input to the Board of Supervisors Transportation and Planning Committee in selecting the preferred project option. This is a hybrid meeting taking place Monday, Nov. 7 at 9:30 am. You can attend virtually: https://zoom.us/j/85889338665 by phone: 1 (888) 475 4499 Webinar ID: 858 8933 8665 or in person: The Alameda County Administration Building, Board of Supervisors Chambers 1221 Oak Street, Room 512, 5th Floor, Oakland.

Option 1: Keep existing on-street parking on both sides of the street. Install shared lane markings for bicycles.

Option 2: Remove on-street parking on one side. Install Class II bike lanes on both sides.

Option 3: Remove on-street parking on both sides. Install buffered Class II bike lanes on both sides.

The Somerset Avenue Sidewalk Improvement Project extends from Stanton Avenue to Redwood Road in Castro Valley where new concrete sidewalks will be constructed. The project is intended to improve pedestrian and bicycle access to Castro Valley High School, Castro Valley Elementary School, Our Lady of Grace School, and the Castro Valley Downtown area. For more info, visit: acpwa.org/projects/2022/Somerset_Ave email: info@acpwa.org or call (510) 670-5480.

The Alameda County Council of the League of Women Voters invites everyone to a free panel discussion on the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s “Dobbs” decision, overturning Roe v. Wade. This one-hour event will be held over Zoom on Thursday, Nov. 3 beginning at 7 pm. The event is titled “Roe v. Wade 2022 and Beyond.” The panelists to be featured include Stacy Cross, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, and Nakia Woods, Project Director of the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom. Please register in advance at this link: http://bit.ly/lwv-roe2022. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing info about joining the webinar. This free community education event is open to all, not just League members.

When facing the incapacity of a loved one, reliance on professionals will ensure that families receive the most accurate information about options and protection. An elder law attorney will share information about establishing powers of attorney, trusts and wills, paying for long-term care and accessing government assistance programs. If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Recordings of past events are available on our website, too. Register at HopeHospice.com/family. Questions? Call (925) 829-8770.

Since dementia dramatically changes the ways that individuals think, perceive, communicate and behave, caring for a loved one with dementia presents a unique set of challenges. Hope Hospice’s dementia specialists will discuss the nature and progression of dementia and the various diseases and conditions that can produce its symptoms. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the ways in which dementia can impact the brain and behavior. If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Recordings of past events are available on our website, too. Register at HopeHospice.com/family. Questions? Call (925) 829-8770.

Throughout 2022, Alameda County is working with the public on an Environmental Justice project that prioritizes the unincorporated communities of Ashland, Cherryland, Hayward Acres, San Lorenzo, and Castro Valley. If you live, work, or go to school in one of these communities, the County wants to hear from you! The project will update the County’s General Plan to respond to health and wellness issues in the priority communities, and public engagement is an essential part of this work.

Join us on Thursday, August 25, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. to share feedback on what will make your communities a healthier environment.

Environmental Justice is the basic right of all people to live, work, play and learn in a healthy and clean environment. As Alameda County works to develop new Environmental Justice policies, you are invited to share your perspective and participate in the improvement of health and wellness conditions in your community.

Virtual with Zoom or phone. www.zoom.us/join. Meeting ID 817 4391 6227 or 1-888-788-0099. More information at: https://www.acgov.org/cda/planning/generalplans/Env-Justice-of-General-Plan.htm

For more information contact (510) 670-5400

Have you ever worried whether some of the memory challenges you or a loved one are experiencing are “normal?” Could they be a sign of something else? As we age, our brains and our bodies undergo changes. We may experience instances where we process information more slowly, or we may have trouble recalling names or dates; these can be examples of typical age-related changes. But what are the indicators that these changes may be due to something more serious such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia? When might it be time to visit the doctor for an evaluation? Hope Hospice’s dementia specialists will discuss these questions and other food for thought. If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Recordings of past events are available on our website, too. Register at HopeHospice.com/family. Questions? Call (925) 829-8770.

No matter how thoroughly one has prepared for the inevitability of death of a loved one, when the time comes it still can be a shock to the system. In this webinar, a marriage and family therapist will discuss the complexities of grief and loss, including anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss. Participants will be provided with coping strategies to help them both during the final stages of life and after their loved one has passed. If you’re caring for an elderly family member, Hope Hospice is here to help with a free education series, now offered as interactive classes through Zoom. Recordings of past events are available on our website, too. Register at HopeHospice.com/family. Questions? Call (925) 829-8770.

Most selective colleges require you to submit an essay or personal statement as part of your application. This is your chance to show the admissions committee who you are and why you’re right for their school. Join us for an overview on how to plan and prepare to write your college essay/personal statement for college admission requirements. Everyone registered for an online program will receive the link to participate in a separate email before the Zoom program begins. This program is free. Registration is required at www.aclibrary.org or by phone at 510-667-7900.

Picking a college major is right up there with life's big decisions. It helps determine what students will learn and who they'll meet, not to mention where they might work and how much they'll earn in the future. It is a huge commitment and can be a difficult choice to make. Join us for a discussion on what to consider when picking your major in college. We will discuss the importance of this decision when applying to college. This program is free. Registration is required at www.aclibrary.org or by phone at 510-667-7900.

Enjoy a live, online event featuring Fire in Paradise authors Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano, both reporters with The Guardian. They’ll share an update on the town of Paradise and discuss the process of writing the book. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from two reporters working at one of the premier publications reporting on climate change. This event will be hosted by the Castro Valley Library on Sunday, April 10 from 3 to 4 pm. An opportunity for audience members to ask questions will follow the conversation. By attending this free event, you can request a tree seedling, while supplies last. Details about tree seedling pick up will be announced to registrants. Dani Anguiano is The Guardian’s west coast breaking news reporter and was a reporter for the Chico Enterprise-Record. She lives in Los Angeles. Alastair Gee is an award-winning editor and reporter at The Guardian who has also written for The New Yorker online, The New York Times, and The Economist. He lives in New York. Their book Fire in Paradise is one of the focus texts for Castro Valley Reads 2022. The book is the dramatic narrative of the 2018 Camp Fire and an unforgettable story of an American town at the forefront of the climate emergency. Register at: aclibrary.org. Questions? call 510-667-7900.

The League of Women Voters Eden Area (LWVEA) will be holding a free program on “Women’s History in the Eden Area” on Monday, March 21,  at 7 pm over Zoom. The Eden Area includes Castro Valley, Hayward, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo. March is designated as Women’s History Month. The question arises as to why and how did this come about. To answer this question, there will be a speaker who was one of the people who worked to see that there would be a month dedicated to the history of women. Molly Murphy MacGregor is the cofounder of the National Women’s History Project, which has expanded and is now the National Women’s History Alliance. Audience members are invited to register at https://bit.ly/33JwwkP   Once you register, you will receive the Zoom link. 

The Alameda County Library will be hosting an online Film Screening and Discussion– “Beyond Recognition” via Zoom tomorrow Thursday, March 17 at 6:30 pm. Follow Corrina Gould, Chochenyo Ohlone, as she advocates for protection of her ancestors’ burial places here in the East Bay. When a community occupation of a sacred site does not prevent its desecration, she embarks on a journey to establish the first women led urban indigenous land trust, along with Johnella LaRose and Indian People Organizing for Change. “Beyond Recognition” is a documentary exploring the questions of Native resilience, cultural preservation, and the power of community led movements. Join us in a discussion with Corrina Gould, founder of Sogorea Te’ land trust, and filmmaker Michelle Steinberg after the screening. Film viewing will be available through Vimeo or through DVD checkout at AC library. Registered participants will receive the Vimeo and Zoom links via email.

To find the right college fit, a lot goes into it.  You need to think about what you need in four different categories: academics, campus culture, financial aid, and career services.  The Princeton Review surveyed students at hundreds of colleges about their experiences on campus and they’ve learned that first and foremost, no two students are exactly alike, and no two schools are exactly alike. Join the Castro Valley Library to discuss what they’ve learned so that high school students can learn helpful information in determining what will be the best fit for them. The program will be hosted virtually via Zoom on Monday, January 24, from 6 pm to 7 pm. Everyone registered for an online program will receive the link to participate in a separate email before the program begins. The program is free and registration is required at www.aclibrary.org or by phone at: 510-667-7900.

With college admissions changing swiftly during COVID, the Castro Valley Library has set up a program to helpyou navigate the new challenges in admissions and testing and gain the most up to date information from the knowledgeable Princeton Review staff. The program is hosted virtually via Zoom Next Tuesday, January 18, from 6 pm to 7 pm. Everyone registered for an online program will receive the link to participate in a separate email before the program begins. The program is free and registration is required at www.aclibrary.org or by phone at: 510-667-7900.

Learn how four authors with ties to Castro Valley got their stories in print and on to library shelves. They’ll share about their writing and publishing processes. Plus, you’ll learn about free writing and publishing tools available from the Alameda County Library. Our featured panelists are C’Anna Bergman-Hill, Rebecca D’Harlingue, Samantha Rajaram, and Rahel Ruiz.Come and be inspired! Attendees will earn a chance to get a free copy of one of the authors’ books! This program is free. Registration is required at www.aclibrary.org. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants 24 hours before the event. 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.