Meeting Highlights - May 26, 2020

What's Happening in Pleasanton? Ellen Clark, Community Development Director Over the past year, the Club has had presentations on the economic development in the surrounding cities and communities. Today's presentation focused on the City of Pleasanton with Ellen Clark, Community Development Director since November 2019.
                                                                                    
What's Happening in Pleasanton? 
Ellen Clark, Community Development Director
Over the past year, the Club has had presentations on the economic development in the surrounding cities and communities.  Today's presentation focused on the City of Pleasanton with Ellen Clark, Community Development Director since November 2019.  Ellen started with some statistics regarding the demographics of Pleasanton and followed with recent development trends (see slides below).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ellen then described the major development projects, which included Stoneridge Mall Redevelopment and Johnson Drive EDZ (aka Costco Project).  With the loss of Norstrom's and Sears at the Mall, there is great interest in development that includes housing, new retail, a hotel and other businesses.  The Costco Project has been in the works for many years and is once again facing a legal challenge to the development of the former Clorox site.
Two interesting developments were the Irby Ranch/Sunflower Hill Project and the Workday Campus, which includes Pleasanton Police Department and BART Police substations in the office complex.  The 1.64-acre Sunflower Hill at Irby Ranch affordable housing complex with apartments, community center and other amenities aims to create an inclusive and independent living opportunity for developmentally disabled residents -- a long under-served demographic across the state and country when it comes to affordable housing options.
Watch Ellen Clark's full presentation here. 
Access the PowerPoint presentation here.
Learn more about the City of Pleasanton here.
 
 
 
Restaurant of the Week
Southern Comfort Kitchen
"SoCo Kitchen"
Run by three brothers from New Orleans.
Located at 3571 Castro Valley Blvd
Sweet Treat of the Week
Karin Johnson
Specialty Cakes & Pastries
Located at 20865 Redwood Road
in the Lucky's Shopping Center
 
Check the links for menus and services.
Watch the presentations on the video.
 
Join us in supporting these great local businesses and post your pictures in the
Eden Area Take Out & Delivery
 
Make sure you tell them the Rotary Club of Castro Valley sent you!
 
Castro Valley native Dan Willits (born at Eden Hospital, Castro Valley High School Class of '93) shared a number of interesting facts about his family and himself including:
  • 6 of 7 siblings born at Eden.
  • His parents met at CVHS and Dan also met his wife, Kristy, running cross country and track at CVHS. 
  • Kristie has been active with Castro Valley Soccer and local schools. They have two sons at CVHS.
  • Dan attended Chabot College, San Jose State University, and Cal State Hayward (when it was Hayward).
  • Dan and his brother are partners in Direct Sales Floors since 2006 when they purchased the company from the three partners, one who was their father.
  • Dan loves golf ("not very good"), watching sporting events, and enjoys music from rock to opera.
  • Watch Dan's Member Moment here.  
 
Meeting Announcements/Information w/timing marks
Click here for the meeting video.
 
Very Important Announcement
President Todd Anglin shared that he has been in communication with The Meadows Restaurant at Redwood Canyon regarding the return to in-person lunches possibly in mid-June.  The Restaurant will be implementing major changes to ensure the health and safety of Club members and employees and that comply with all local and state health regulations.  Todd indicated that the Club is taking a "wait and see" approach and will be polling members in the near future.  Please respond to the poll when you receive it.  More details at 14'40" on the video.
 
  • Bernie Kempen provided the Though for the Day, "Wear a mask so you don't pass it on."  (2'29")
  • President Todd shared that he has ordered 300 protective masks (packs of 5) with the State Farm logo.  Contact Todd if you would like a pack. (2'29")
  • Margie Ramos led the Club in the 4 Way Test (3'24")
  • Jim Negri announced that he edited the Zoom videos so that anyone can access just the weekly speaker's presentation.  Use the Speaker Presentation (Zoom) tab at the top of the Club's website. Jim demonstrated how to access the videos as well as the Meeting Highlights, meeting videos, registration for lunch meetings, and the Zoom URL. (4'46)
  • Gary Howard described how the Club is pooling its District Designated Funds (DDF) with the Clubs in Area 4 (Castro Valley,Dublin, Hayward, Livermore & Pleasanton) to support projects to combat the COVID-19 pandemic locally.  By pooling funds and using the District 5170 match plus a contribution from the Rotary Rotary Club of Livermore, Eden Medical Center will receive $15,000.  (More details at 7'40".) 
  • Gary Howard described a joint project with Art. Inc. to record the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on life in Castro Valley with photos.  The Club will work with Art, Inc. to create a display for the the Adobe Center that may include paintings.  The photos will be then be provided to Randy Vanderbilt for his History of Castro Valley Project.  One suggestion was a screen shot of a Rotary.  Play attention to what you are doing while you are on the screen. (10'15")
  • President Todd and Chris Carr shared that the banners celebrating all schools in Castro Valley (public, private, parochial) were put up Sunday by Chris and his sons.  Get down to the Boulevard to see the banners.  If you are interested in making a contribution to to project, please contact President Todd for more information.  (11'30")
  • President Todd shared that the Club purchased an ad in the Forum congratulating the Class of 2020.  A special thanks to Murline Monet for the use of her graphic artist to design the ad.
  • Dan Willits noted that the Castro Valley High School Senior Awards Night will be an online celebration on May 27.  The four Rotary Scholarships will be presented at the event.  Details on the recipients will be included in a future meeting highlights.  (17'30")
  • President Todd closed the meeting with an inspirational video.  Click here to watch it.
Speakers for June 2, 2020
Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi (Castro Valley USD)
Superintendent Dr. Al Hearne II (Redwood Christian Schools)
 
Superintendents Ahmadi and Hearne will describe the challenges that the Castro Valley Unified School District and Redwood Christian Schools had to overcome to implement online learning to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and their plans going forward.  
  • Members and guests may register for the meeting here.
  • To access the meeting via Zoom, click here.