2024 Year in Review
In addition to being an election year, 2024 was about building community. Castro Valley gathered to celebrate the Rowell Ranch Rodeo, the Fall Festival, the Light Parade, and the Christmas tree lighting. The Chamber also added its 400th member: Tony Gemignani’s Slice House!
Here’s a monthly breakdown of the major stories that the Castro Valley Forum brought to you:
January:
We started the year looking at challenges facing renters and property owners in the unincorporated areas. The Castro Valley City, Inc. group hosted a forum on the Castro Valley Specific Plan. The Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) reviewed permits, crime statistics, and environmental justice requirements. Long-time Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley (District 4) squared off against challenger Jennifer Esteen in a candidate debate. January also saw our continued series profiling the 2024 Sports Hall of Fame inductees.
February:
Fans of Metallica’s first bassist, Cliff Burton, gathered at The Chabot movie theatre to honor the “Major Rager,” on what would have been his 62nd birthday. The Forum began its informative series before the March California Primary. Chanticleers Theater started its exterior makeover and announced a new artistic director, Christine Plowright. The CV MAC reviewed a $90 million bond for repairing and replacing out-of-date fire stations and equipment.
March:
Voters favored incumbents in this year’s California Primary, with Miley retaining his County Supervisor seat for a seventh consecutive term. State Assembly representative Liz Ortega held a commanding lead in the polls, as did US Congressman Eric Swalwell. Knudsen’s Ice Creamery reopened with a smaller floor plan. The CV MAC discussed housing issues, downtown business plans, and rumblings about converting Rudy’s Donuts into a dentistry.
April:
Two teams and 14 individuals were honored at the 7th biennial Castro Valley Sports Hall of Fame banquet. Castro Valley High School announced the pilot season of its first-ever Girls Flag Football team. The Castro Valley Marketplace announced a series of showcase events, including the first taste of Tony Gemignani’s Slice House pizzas. The old public library on Redwood Road achieved landmark status. The Castro Valley Education Foundation held its annual fundraising program. The CV MAC discussed plans to convert half of the Rite-Aid site into a restaurant.
May:
The Rowell Ranch Rodeo returned for its 102nd year, and Castro Valley native Phoebe Bruns was named the 2024 Miss Rowell Ranch Rodeo Queen. Thousands of people attended the weeklong events. May also saw Ken Carbone's departure from the CV MAC after two decades of service. The Council also discussed the state’s housing requirements and where to add places for people to live. A plan to develop Canyon Middle School’s athletic field was provided for public review.
June:
Tragedy struck the Lake Chabot Public Market after a fire destroyed the building and the small businesses. The family, who owns the building and operates three companies out of the site, pledged to rebuild. Castro Valley high school students received their diplomas. Neighbors near Canyon Middle School sounded off on the school district’s plan to renovate the athletic fields behind the gymnasium.
July:
Castro Valley School of Music owner and audio producer Shane Sharkey was honored in Washington, DC, for his work on the “House of Blues Radio Hour.” CV High School student Cameron “Cam” Carraway participated in over 240+ races nationwide, won championships, and broke track records. Castro Valley MAC declined a Citizen’s Oversight Board for the Sheriff’s Office, and CV Pride celebrated 14 years with more attendees than in past years.
August:
A pending lawsuit removed tables and chairs on the Paseo between the Marketplace and Knudsen’s Creamery Building. Two new faces joined the CV MAC (Xochi Martinez and Ray Davis) to replace Ken Carbone and Al Padro. The Council discussed sidewalk vendors and the crisis of affordable housing. Castro Valley journalism teacher and avid hiker Matt Johanson spent his summer traversing the 2,650-mile Pacific Coast Trail and writing a new comic book.
September:
The 52nd annual Fall Festival, hosted by the Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, saw record crowds (40,000) and lots of family fun. The two-day event included local music and dance performances, local art and food vendors, and dozens of booths. After a 16-year absence, Tony Gemignani is again making pizza in Castro Valley—this time with his Slice House franchise—which opened its doors to the public in September.
October:
Castro Valley High School students celebrated homecoming with their annual parade around Redwood Road and Wilson Avenue. CVHS Freshman Alkaio Thiele landed a starring role in a new Disney TV sitcom. Local mobile home residents and renters call on Alameda County Supervisors to protect them from evictions. The CV MAC reviewed local crime statistics and applications for land use permits. The owner of Rudy’s Donuts property puts up the site for sale for $1.7 million.
November:
Castro Valley voters sounded off about who would represent them starting next year. More than 15,000 people lined Castro Valley Boulevard to watch the annual Light Parade. This year’s theme was “Honoring our Educators & Mentors.” Sulphur Creek Nature Center reopened to the public after its half-million-dollar makeover.
December:
We end the year with the annual tree lighting at the Castro Village Shopping Center, with appearances by vocal and dance groups, the Grinch, and Santa Claus. A portion of the stream between Crescent Avenue and A Street was returned to the Lisjan Nation. And the family behind Rudy’s Donuts calls it quits after 60 years of business.
So, where will 2025 lead us? No one can be sure. But you can always count on the Castro Valley Forum being on your doorstep every week to give you the local perspective. Please support our advertisers.