MEET THE CANDIDATE – APRIL CHAN:  SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4TH FROM 4:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M. Sponsored by local Bay-O-Vista residents, Garry Offenberg, Teri Schlesinger and Kat Wellman, April is running for re-election for the East Bay Municipal Utility District Water Board, Ward 7.  Come meet her in person and enjoy grilled hot dogs, chips and cookies.  Learn more about her past experience and how she helped stop the Quarry Project and is now working on making sure water hydrants are tested.   Hear her accomplishments to date on the EBMUD Water Board and her goals and objectives for the future.  Please RSVP to Teri at schlest@gmail.com for the location address and other information.  Bring a chair to sit on and be comfortable!

BOVIA BOOK CLUB:  TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6TH @ 7:00 P.M. (via Zoom – link will be emailed to interested parties). The book we are reading is “The Women of Platform Two” by Laura Anthony.  In summary, the book is:

An inspiring novel about the liberating paths blazed by Irish women” (Kirkus Reviews) and how much farther we still have to go.  The Women on Platform Two bridges 1969 and 2023 as a chance meeting at Dublin’s Connolly Station draws nurse Saoirse into Maura’s memories of love turned violent, an unlikely bond with spirited Bernie, and their quiet defiance in a country where contraception was outlawed.

Our Book Club has a wonderful group of people with different perspectives and insights. Our discussions are diverse and interesting, even if you haven’t read the book!  You are welcome to join us!  Please email Kat at katwellman54@gmail.com for more information and the zoom link. 

SAVE CASA PERALTA:  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH @ 4:00 P.M., CITY COUNCIL FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 835 E. 14TH STREET, SAN LEANDRO.  The City of San Leandro is considering demolishing Casa Peralta.  Show your support to Save Casa Peralta and its restoration by attending the Meeting.   For further details, click HERE.

LIVE INTERVIEW – MAJOR JUAN GONZALEZ III – HOSTED BY BRIAN COPELAND:  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9TH @ 7:30 P.M.  (via YouTube Livestream https://www.youtube.com/live/dGSde51HuGA ).  Join host Brian Copeland for an off-the-cuff, casual sit-down interview with San Leandro Mayor Juan Gonzalez. Hear directly from Mayor Gonzalez as he discusses his experience as Mayor, the issues facing San Leandro and his vision for the City’s future.  No formal speeches, just an open and candid conversation. Have a question for the Mayor? Wondering about his plan to open Lake Chabot Road?  Submit questions in advance toCopelandBrianSL@gmail.comor message Brian on social media.

MEET THE CANDIDATE – JUAN GONZALEZ III:  SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10TH FROM 2:00 P.M. TO 4:00 P.M.  Sponsored by local Bay-O-Vista residents, Garry Offenberg, Teri Schlesinger and Kat Wellman, Juan is running for re-election as Mayor of San Leandro.  For 30 years, Juan has served in the community and developed a reputation for being a hard-working ethical visionary who gets the job done by rolling up his own sleeves and motivating others to join the effort. Promises Made. Results Delivered!  Come meet Juan in person and enjoy grilled hot dogs, chips and cookies.  Please RSVP to Teri at schlest@gmail.com for the location address and other information.  Bring a chair to sit on and be comfortable!

BOVIA GARDEN CLUB MEETING:   THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15TH @ 7:00 P.M. (via Zoom – link will be emailed to interested parties).  These are monthly meetings to discuss gardening issues, tips and challenges. We also plan Garden Tours in Bay-O-Vista. It is a wonderful way to meet people in our community who have a wealth of knowledge and love to garden. Novices are more than welcome!  Please email Kat at  katwellman54@gmail.com to join and get the zoom link!

BOVIA CHILI & CORNBREAD CONTEST:  SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH FROM 3:00 P.M. TO 5:00 P.M.  Come join us on Vistagrand Court and bring your best Chili and/or Cornbread.  A popular event from last year, chili and cornbread entries will be judged to see who the new reigning champs will be.  Sample the delicious entries and enjoy the neighborhood camaraderie.

ALAMEDA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING:  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22ND @ 2:00 P.M., 1111 BROADWAY, 8TH FLOOR, OAKLAND OR BY LIVE STREAM.  There are just two ACTC meetings remaining in 2026 and we need your help in maintaining our strong presence at both of them. Since February, dozens of community members and NoBigRigs580 volunteers have been attending the monthly ACTC meetings in order to make public comment and voice concerns about the harms that would result from repealing the existing truck ban. The commission is represented by leaders from the City of Oakland and Alameda County as well as representatives from BART, AC Transit and other agencies. These decision makers will play a key role in determining whether future actions will be taken to lift the ban. They need to hear from us at each and every meeting so please join us to show your support and make a public comment.

BOVIA BREAKFAST / LUNCH CLUB:  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23RD @ 1:00 P.M. at Sons of Liberty Alehouse – 150 W. Juana Avenue, San Leandro. Come join the wonderful group of our neighbors for great conversation and a non-hosted delicious meal.  Please RSVP to Kat at katwellman54@gmail.comor call her at 510-427-3173 so we can make sure we reserve enough seats. (Last-minute attendees are welcome!)

BOVIA HALLOWEEN EVENT & PARADE:  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23RD FROM 4:30 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M.  BEINGS AT 2573 LAKEVIEW DRIVE.  Bring the kids in their Halloween finery for a spooktacular event of a “Trunk or Treat” and Halloween Parade.  Capture the Halloween spirit for a howling good time.  For more details, click HERE.  

BOVIA FREE SHREDDING EVENT:  SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 12 NOON.  Save the date – our annual shredding event is coming up soon!  Located at the Benedict Drive Park at Grand Avenue, BOVIA member residences can bring up to a maximum of 4 banker boxes of papers to shred for free.  For non-BOVIA members, the cost is $35 for shredding up to 4 banker boxes.  Click HERE for more information.

FOOD DRIVE FOR DAVIS STREET COMMUNITY CENTER FOOD PANTRY:  SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 12 NOON.  Bring non-perishable food items (preferrable proteins such as canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, canned beans, and/or also dry pasta, canned fruit and vegetables) in non-glass containers to fill Garry Offenberg’s truck.  Garry is the President of the Davis Street Community Center Board of Directors and has set a challenge to break last year’s record and collect more than 1,000 pounds of food items this year.  Please donate if you can and help those greatly in need.  Click HERE for more information.

BOVIA FALL GENERAL MEETING:  TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH @ 7:00 P.M. VIA ZOOM.  Please click HERE to access the “General Meeting” webpage for agenda topics, Zoom link and other specifics.

BOVIA SPIRIT TASTING EVENT:  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH FROM 5:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M.  Do you enjoy a good drinking spirit once in a while.  This event will focus on “Gin”.  Please bring a bottle of your favorite Gin for taste testing and judging.   Please RSVP to Linda Dana at lfd226@sbcglobal.net for location and additional information on the event.

ALAMEDA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING:  THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10TH @ 2:00 P.M., 1111 BROADWAY, 8TH FLOOR, OAKLAND OR BY LIVE STREAM.  CalTrans may be presenting their final report on the I-580 Truck Access Study so it is especially important that we show up en masse for this meeting!  It is last ACTC meeting in 2026, and we need your help in maintaining our strong presence. Since February, dozens of community members and NoBigRigs580 volunteers have been attending the monthly ACTC meetings in order to make public comment and voice concerns about the harms that would result from repealing the existing truck ban. The commission is represented by leaders from the City of Oakland and Alameda County as well as representatives from BART, AC Transit and other agencies. These decision makers will play a key role in determining whether future actions will be taken to lift the ban. They need to hear from us so please join us to show your support and make a public comment.

BOVIA Women’s Walking Group – Come join every Monday and Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. (weather permitting) for a brisk walk around our Bay-O-Vista neighborhood.  The Group meets at the intersection of Longview Drive and Skyview Drive as the starting point.  Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriate for the weather.