Events

BART Board President Melissa Hernandez, BART’s Future

https://www.bart.gov/about/bod/member/district5

A lifelong public servant, Hernandez represents District 5, which encompasses eastern Alameda County communities such as Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore. Her tenure on the BART board began in May 2024 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy, followed by a formal election victory in November 2024. Upon her election as board president in late 2025, she made history as the first Latina to ever lead the agency. 

Before joining BART, Hernandez established herself as a key political figure in the Tri-Valley region, serving as a council member for the City of Dublin for eight years and as its Mayor for four years until mid-2024. Her extensive background in regional transit includes previous roles as chair of the Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) and the Tri-Valley/San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority. 

In 2026, Hernandez is leading BART through a critical period marked by a projected $400 million budget deficit following the exhaustion of emergency pandemic-era funds. Her current priorities focus on securing long-term financial stability for the agency while enhancing system safety, cleanliness, and reliability for riders.

What's Happening in the Local Real Estate Market?

www.yourlenderchris.com

Chris Carr is a California-licensed Mortgage Loan Officer who helps homebuyers and homeowners make confident financing decisions without pressure or jargon. He specializes in purchase loans, refinances, first-time buyers, investment properties, and bridge financing, with a focus on clear strategy, fast communication, and smooth execution from pre-approval to closing. Chris is known for translating market changes into simple, practical guidance so clients and referral partners can move forward with clarity—even in volatile rate environments. He works primarily with clients across the San Francisco Bay Area and is committed to delivering a high-trust experience built on education, transparency, and long-term relationships. When he’s not working with clients, Chris is active in community service through Rotary and local nonprofit fundraising events.

Presentation Overview

Join us for a 2026 real estate market update that breaks down where housing sales and mortgage rates stand now, and what the coming year may bring for buyers, sellers, and homeowners. The market is shifting in real time: mortgage rates are trending with meaningful momentum, but they still experience short-term volatility that can change affordability and buyer behavior quickly. Join us for a talk that connects rate movements to what agents and consumers feel on the ground, showing how even small changes in rates can influence monthly payments, demand, and negotiation dynamics.

Castro Valley Rotary Hosts Fun, Hands-On Mixer at 3Crosses Church

Castro Valley, CA – February 7, 2026 – The Castro Valley Rotary Club invites members and guests to a lively evening mixer on Monday, February 17, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, at Three Crosses Church, 20600 John Dr, Castro Valley.

What’s on the menu?

• Guests will make their own wood-fired pizzas, guided by the culinary team from The Three Crosses.

• A selection of wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

• Beard Papa’s Castro Valley (3295 Castro Valley Blvd) will serve a Rotary-exclusive dessert

 Admission:

$20 per person, which covers pizza-making, drinks, and the special dessert.

This mixer is a great opportunity for Rotarians to connect, enjoy hands-on fun, and support local businesses—all in a warm, community-focused setting.

This interactive leadership game show will feature our Past President, Current President, and President-Elect as contestants, answering real questions about their leadership journey—the unexpected moments, the challenges, and the lessons learned while guiding our Club.

We are especially inviting our Past Presidents to participate as Game Show Judges. Your experience, perspective, and leadership are an essential part of our Club’s legacy. If you are a Past President, we would be honored to have you join the judging panel and help represent the strength and continuity of Rotary leadership. Please register and let us know if you can make it.  

This will be a lively, meaningful, and inspiring meeting filled with laughter, fellowship, and a deeper appreciation for those who step forward to lead.

For more information and to reserve tasting and dinner ticket, click here.

The Castro Valley Rotary Club is proud to present the first round of the Richard D. King Speech Contest at Noon on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Redwood Canyon Golf Course, 17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley This inspiring annual event showcases outstanding local students as they demonstrate their public speaking skills while reflecting on Rotary’s theme and values.

This year’s competition will feature talented high school students from Redwood Christian School and Castro Valley High School, each delivering original speeches that highlight leadership, service, and community impact.

The first-place winner will advance to the Rotary District 5170 Speech Contest, representing the Castro Valley Rotary Club at the district level. In addition to the opportunity to compete regionally, participating students will receive the following cash awards:

• 1st Place — $500.00
• 2nd Place — $250.00
• 3rd Place — $150.00

“We look forward to this event every year because it brings together bright, motivated young leaders who embody Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self,” said the Castro Valley Rotary Club. “Their passion, creativity, and dedication to community truly inspire us.”

The Richard D. King Speech Contest is a long-standing Rotary tradition that encourages youth to explore ethical leadership and the importance of service. The Castro Valley Rotary Club invites community members, families, and supporters to join in celebrating these exceptional students.

The Castro Valley Rotary Club is pleased to announce that Dave Golert of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) will be the featured speaker at its weekly luncheon meeting at Noon on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The event will take place at Redwood Canyon Golf Course, located at 17007 Redwood Road, Castro Valley.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that no child sleeps on the floor. Through community service events and partnerships, SHP builds and delivers beds and bedding to children and families in need. Golert will share insights into the organization’s mission, the regional impact of their programs, and how community members can get involved.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

“We are honored to welcome Dave Golert,” said the Castro Valley Rotary Club. “Sleep in Heavenly Peace exemplifies service and compassion, and we look forward to learning more about how they are transforming lives right here in our community.”

Rotarians, guests, and community members are invited to attend this informative presentation highlighting service, volunteerism, and the power of local engagement.

The Castro Valley Rotary Club invites community members, local business owners, and friends to join its St. Patrick’s Day Evening Mixer on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The celebration will take place at Canyons Barbecue, located at 3341 Castro Valley Blvd, in the heart of Castro Valley.

Canyons Barbeque

Guests will enjoy a special Smoked Corned Beef dinner accompanied by classic barbecue sides, expertly prepared by Canyon’s Barbecue in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. This festive gathering offers the perfect opportunity to connect with Rotarians, network with neighbors, and celebrate the Green Hills of Castro Valley in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

“Our mixers are a wonderful way to get to know the community and share the spirit of Rotary,” said Misti Short, Castro Valley Rotary Club President. “We look forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with great food, great company, and great conversations.”

The event is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.

CVUSD Leaders to Present New Bond Measure Placed on June 2026 Ballot

Castro Valley, CA — On Tuesday, March 24, Superintendent Nia Rashidchi and Trustee Gary Howard will outline the new bond measure that the Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) has placed on the June 2026 ballot. The proposed measure builds on the success of Measure G, which greatly improved schools throughout the district.

Now, years later, an extensive Facilities Master Plan and comprehensive community review have revealed the need for significant new investments to ensure that CVUSD students continue to have access to the highest-quality educational opportunities.

Every campus in the district will benefit from this new bond measure. Highlights of planned improvements include:

• A new music complex, featuring additional classrooms and a much-needed performance venue
• Upgraded athletic fields for Creekside
• More secure entrances at school campuses
• Improved food preparation areas
• New classrooms to support enrollment and modern learning environments
• And many other critical improvements identified through the facilities review process

The complete Facilities Master Plan is available on the district website at cv.k12.ca.us.

The Castro Valley Rotary Club is pleased to announce that Stacy Korsgaden, a nationally recognized insurance expert, will be the featured speaker at its luncheon meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Noon.

Stacy A. Korsgaden

Korsgaden will address the ongoing California Insurance Crisis and share insights from her more than 37 years of experience in the insurance industry. As a longtime licensed insurance professional who has built and operated a full-service California insurance agency serving nearly 8,000 policies, Korsgaden brings a uniquely informed perspective on the challenges facing homeowners, families, and small businesses across the state.

Korsgaden began her career with Farmers Insurance in 1989 and earned national distinction as a President’s Council agent, ranking among the top 150 agents nationwide out of 15,000. She continues to hold an active California Insurance License and is recognized as a subject‑matter expert on the state’s evolving regulatory environment. Her background also includes navigating complex claims, wildfire losses, and direct engagement with state regulators. California’s insurance market has been facing significant strain, with rising premiums, shrinking coverage options, and insurers exiting high-risk regions. Korsgaden has been outspoken about the need for reforms that restore competition, expand consumer options, and strengthen disaster readiness—priorities she outlines through her advocacy work and public speaking.

What’s Happening at the Oakland Zoo?

Nik Dehejia is the Chief Executive Officer of the Oakland Zoo, a role he has held since April 2021. A dedicated leader with nearly two decades of experience at the zoo, he previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, where he was instrumental in transformative projects such as the $80 million California Trail expansion. Beyond his leadership at the zoo, Dehejia is an active member of the Rotary Club of Oakland, having joined in March 2021 to support local social services. 

His professional background is rooted in international public policy and corporate responsibility, including tenures at the World Bank and Levi Strauss & Co.. Dehejia’s civic engagement extends to several regional boards, including Visit Oakland, the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and the Regional Parks Foundation. He holds an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a BA from Vassar College. A resident of Alameda for nearly 30 years, he remains a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation and community equity within the Bay Area.