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In This IssueHOW THEBOSCO BRONZEWAS BORN, PG 6SUNOL’SWOODFIREPIZZA OVEN, PG 15ROADWAYS INUNINCORPORATEDAREAS WORSEN, PG 30LOCAL ARTISANSENRICH THETOWN, PG 19N . B . B U R K E , I N V E S T I G A T I V E R E P O R T chool board trustees at Sunol Glen Unified School District were notified during publiccomments at the Feb. 20 board meeting that therecall campaign had successfully submitted morethan enough signatures to the Registrar of Voters inits petition to remove Trustees Ryan Jergensen andLinda Hurley in a forthcoming special election. Sixdays later, in a Feb. 26 article published by ThePleasanton Weekly, Jergensen responded to the newsstating, “I understand the Alameda County (RegistrarContinues on page 23ST H E S U N O L I A Nof Voters) has a month to verify signatures as beingfrom legally registered Sunol voters,” he continued, “Ihave heard that recall proponents have been gettingmany people from outside Sunol to sign thepetitions also.”Then, just two days later on Feb. 28, Tim Dupuis withthe Registrar of Voters issued its Certification forboth Recall notices verifying that the signaturescollected were indeed from Sunol voters. Now manyare wondering: Is the narrative of ‘outsiders’ just aconvenient specter?REGISTRAR OF VOTERS SIGNS OFF

This newsletter is published on or around the5th of each month and is available for sale inan online subscription format only, via ourpublishing platform, SimpleBooklet. Currentyear’s back issues, including previous year’sarchives, will also be available for a feethrough SimpleBooklet. The goal of thispublication was, is and will continue to be to“Promote a more informed Sunol.” Oursubscription fees cover our production costs,while our advertising fees are donatedannually to a local organization of ourchoosing. Our objective is to provide access toall Sunolians, both readers and writers. Allsubmissions and contributions are subject toethical fact checking and verification. Allgroups in town are invited to submit monthlycolumns for publication, and we invite stories,comments, letters, photos, inquiries and otherinformation that would be of interest to thecommunity, and all contributions are subjectto approval and/or correction, guidance,delay or refusal. This paper is dedicated toproviding all points of view within thefollowing guidelines: (1) All submissions are tobe respectful, supported by factualinformation (when applicable) and signed; (2)All submissions will be confirmed by theeditor; (3) Space for Letters to the Editor islimited to 250 words maximum. We reservethe right to accept or refuse submissions andedit for context and length. We also reservethe right to refuse advertising that in ouropinion does not reflect the standards orvalues of the newsletter and Managing Team.The opinions expressed, whether by paidadvertisement or editorial content does notnecessarily reflect the views of thisnewspaper. Content submitted may bereprinted and acknowledged without consentin future publications.P R I N C I P A L ’ S C O R N E RMolleen Barnes, Principal & SuperintendentSunol Glen Unified School District T H E S U N O L I A NP A G E 2which are like Smart Boardsand are incrediblyinteractive. We also haveteachers incorporatingiPads into their curriculum,which has seeminglyunlimited capabilities. Bothof these tools, as well asdocument cameras, haveenabled the Sunol Glenstaff to stay abreast oftechnological advances andprovide stimulating andenriching lessons for ourstudents.The Sunol Glen staff iscommitted to providing aneducational experience thatis advantageous to thewhole child, and to ensuringoptimal student success.We are dedicated tocharacter education andheld our annual SchoolRules assemblies for thestudents the first week ofschool. Each month isdedicated to a specificcharacter trait and theteachers provide activitiesto highlight that trait.Respect was celebrated inOctober and Citizenship isbeing celebrated for themonth of November. Wecontinue to challenge ourstudents to be empatheticSunol Glen raced into the2012-2013 school year withboth gusto and glee! As isour norm, the staff workedhard all summer long toensure that the studentswere greeted with warmthand excitement as weembarked into the newschool year. Of course thebig talk around the schoolcentered on the facilityimprovements, mostnotably the track. The kidshave been absolutelydelighted with this newaddition. As one studentstated, “Now I can runaround the field and nottwist my ankle!” Anotherstudent shared, “I get torace my friends and weactually have a real pathnow!” We have also hadquite a few community folkscome down to the schoolduring evenings or onweekends and takeadvantage of the smoothwalking path.In addition to the physicalimprovements of theschool, there have alsobeen some curriculumenhancements, includingthe increased use oftechnology. Many teachersare now using E-Beams,BLAST FROM THE PASTM A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4Continues on next pageEditor-in-ChiefCammie O’Connor,editor@thesunolian.comNeil Davies,Publisher-At-Largepublisher@thesunolian.comGeneral ManagerOpen until filled,manager@thesunolian.comIssue Contributors:Kristen Bobertz, Victoria Christian, & Lisa BallPrincipal’s Corner from April 2012 highlights atime when community members workedtogether for the betterment of the schoolReprinted from April 2012Contributing ReporterN.B. Burke,nb.burke@thesunolian.comGeneral Leads:nb_burke@proton.meSecure email:

Above: Superintendent/Principal MolleenBarnes presents Supervisor Richard Vallewith a Certificate of Appreciation forassisting with a donation of $10,000 fromAlameda County for Sunol Glen School’snew track. Photo reprinted from the April2012 issue of The SunolianP A G E 3M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4T H E S U N O L I A Nand kind. We participated in an Anti-Bullying assembly on October 26[2012], which demonstrated thepower of using “I Statements” to buildself-esteem and to work towardresolution during conflicts.This year’s [2012] motto: “Success isthe Key, in Twenty One/Three” hasbeen embraced by our schoolcommunity as our students deserveour very best each and every day!On behalf of the Sunol Glen staff, wewant to extend our sincerestappreciation to the Sunol Communityfor their generous, continual support,and thank the Sunol Glen SchoolCommunity – it is already movingtoward becoming an exceptionallywonderful year for our students!PRINCIPAL’SCORNERContinuedReprinted from April 2012SUNOL’S 2012-2013 TRACKDEVELOPMENTLooking back in recognition of community memberswho brought needed improvement to the SchoolA Look Back in April of 2012: Sunol Glen FacilitiesManager, Lowell Hoxie, lead a project with the FieldEnhancement Committee, lead by Ben Copeland. Thesephotos captured the team doing the track layout, which wasfollowed by a Community Volunteer Planning Day in whichmany more from the community donated their equipmentand time to this project to provide students at Sunol Glenwith a suitable track surface that is still being today.Above: Track resurfacing project nearing completion in 2012. AllPhotos by Victoria Christian, reprinted from April 2012.Above left group photo: Steve Whitaker, Ben Copeland, MarcBenz, Neil Davies and Ario Ysit.

OPINIONEditor-in-ChiefCammie O’Connor,Neil Davies, Publisher-At-LargeT H E S U N O L I A NC O M M U N I T Y M E M B E RSubmit your request to join our Editorial Board tohelp determine this paper’s position on local issues:editor+board@thesunolian.comE D I T O R I A L B O A R DT H E S U N O L I A NEditorial deadline & publication scheduleSubmission guidelines for Opinion (Guest) EssaysSubmission guidelines for Letters to the EditorThe opinions, views, and perspectivesexpressed in articles, editorials, and lettersto the editor within The Sunolian are thoseof the individual authors and do notnecessarily reflect the official stance oropinions of the publication, its editorialboard, or its staff. The Sunolian iscommitted to providing a platform for–andto seeking out–diverse voices and opinions,fostering open dialogue and discoursewithin the community. However, thepublication does not endorse or takeresponsibility for the accuracy or validity ofthe viewpoints expressed by contributors.Readers are encouraged to criticallyevaluate the content and form their owninformed opinions.P A G E 4 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

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Sculpture is the art ofthe intelligence.— P A B L O P I C A S S OSCULPTOR LENA TORITCH BRINGS BOSCO TO LIFEMonument to four-legged MayorT H E S U N O L I A N t all started 9,000 miles away from Sunol, California, with asmall girl named Lena Toritch inSt. Petersburg, Russia. A mastersculptor challenged Lena tostudy the great art masters, tostrive to learn more aboutsculpting, and to develop anartist's eye. She recalled her firstteacher, mentor, and father,Leonid Torich, as someone shewatched and learned fromduring her formative years. Continues on next pageWhile she didn't know it then,she was honing her skill thatwould one day help celebrateSunol's former mayor, Bosco. "My father was a sculptor. I grewup watching him work, and Iremember always drawing andsculpting something," said Lena.In 1995, Lena moved closer toSunol, just 700 miles away, toSalt Lake City, Utah. She focused on creating sculptures in bronzethat brought out the subjectbeing celebrated andremembered. Her talent wasrecognized by many.Creating BoscoLena's work caught the eye oflong-time Sunolian SolveigShearer, who contacted Lena tolearn more about her work.Solveig searched the internet IB Y D I A N A R O H I N IAbove: Lena Toritch stands before Bosco’s statue for theunveiling in downtown Sunol held in December 2008. TopRight: Bosco, Sunol’s unofficial mayor for 14 years, stands inbronze with his sculptor, Lena Toritch. Photos courtesy LenaToritch, at lenatoritch.com.Sunol’s Bosco:P A G E 6 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A Nand was drawn in by Lena's strong connection with nature. "We had a good phone broughtout the subject being celebratedand remembered. Her talentwas recognized by many."I specialize in custom statues,mainly life-size full-body bronzeportraits. I can create amemorial portrait by using only afew photographs. One day, I wascontacted by Solveig, asking if Iever created a dog portraitstatue. They had a very famouscanine who happened to beelected a mayor. I was intrigued,"said Lena. But there was a significant challenge. The dog Bosco was nolonger alive and had no greatreference photos. Photos ofBosco were inadvertently out offocus, at the wrong angle, andvery few in numbers. As a well-known animal lover, creating thisstatue sounded like a lot of funto Lena and led her to acceptthe challenging project readily.Lena had to collect informationby interviewing Sunolians whoknew Bosco. Bosco was a mixed-breed dog, so she had toresearch multiple dog breeds torepresent him accurately."As a Rottweiler and Black labmix, Bosco had a large,impressive head. I knew it had to be the most prominent feature Iwould emphasize in the statue. Iasked Sunolians for tips onBosco's appearance andbehavior that could help medepict his likeness. There weremany useful comments, buteveryone agreed on the bighead and big smile with a rollingtongue. This is what you see inhis bronze statue now," sharedLena.After creating the statue, Sunolheld an unveiling ceremony forBosco downtown. The artisttransported the sculpture fromUtah to California personally.Lena was so happy to be able toattend the unveiling ceremonyContinues on next pageAbove: Bosco, the unofficial mayor of Sunol, CA, took his role asunofficial mayor seriously and could be seen all around townparticipating in activities. Photo courtesy of Solveig ShearerAt right: Lena Toritch celebrates at a gathering in Sunol priorto the unveiling and official installation of Bosco’s sculpture,bottom right. Photos courtesy Lena Toritch, atlenatoritch.com.P A G E 7M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NContinued from previous pageand after-party. The statue justcelebrated its 15th year andshows no signs of wear andtear. In fact, some Sunolians willdecorate Bosco in the smalltown during festive activities.Bunny ears during Easter and aSanta hat during Christmas arecommon on Bosco. Touristsand locals alike can be seentaking photos with Bosco. Hisplace in the community is solid. Lena added, "It was greatmeeting those wonderfulpeople in person. Theirkindness and hospitality wereamazing. They organized aspecial event with heartfeltspeeches about Bosco andanecdotes about his traits. Icould feel how loving andconnected this community was.And they made me feel like Iwas a part of it."Woofy StatusAs many Sunolians know,Bosco, a male dog, ran formayor. It first started as adiscussion between twoSunolians at a bar. As anunincorporated city, Sunoldidn't have an official need for amayor, but this didn't stopSunol from holding an election.What started as a playful barroom challenge became seriousbusiness as Bosco defeated twopeople to win the honorarymayoral election in 1981. Boscowasn't even on the ballot. Hewas a write-in candidate. Boscowas elected and remained sopopular that he served in the role until he died in 1994. Mediaoutlets, including someinternational ones, reported onhis election, and one evenclaimed Sunol as "the wackiesttown in the world," according tothe San Francisco Chronicle.Fourteen years later, a bronzelikeness of Bosco was unveiled inDecember 2008. This statuemeant Sunol's dearly belovedunofficial mayor, Bosco, couldlive forever. A Sculptor's Purpose"Through my art, I help honorprominent individuals andheroes and celebrate cherishedfamily members and belovedfour-legged companions. Everystatue I create is filled with love,hope, and healing. I feel blessed doing that for people," addedLena.With a client lineup including theNational Navy UDT-SEALMuseum, Military Service DogMemorial/ Dogs Queensland,Roswell Park Cancer Institute, USDepartment of Justice, LasdonPark, Arboretum and VeteransMemorial, and the Utah LawEnforcement Memorial, it is clearto say this sculptor's is on amission to connect feelings,sentiment, and purpose with aclient's need. For more information, youcan find Sculptor LenaToritch's website at www.LenaToritch.com, or youcan follow her on Instagram at@lenatoritch.Every statue I create is filledwith love, hope, and healing.— S C U L P T O R L E N A T O R I T C HLeft: One of the fewremaining images of Bosco,Sunol’s Honorary Mayor,shows off his fancy bow tieand big smile. Photo by ArioYsit via Victoria Christian &Courtesy of bayarea.com).Above: Lena Toritch, is on amission to connect feelings,sentiment, and purpose witha client's need. Photocourtesy of Lena Toritch.P A G E 8 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

S U B M I T A R E C I P E& P H O T O :editor+recipes@thesunolian.comDeadline: 4/5/24T H E S U N O L I A NP A G E 9M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

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T H E R I S E O F T H ET H E S U N O L I A NAll photos by Diana RohiniBEHIND THE SCENES OF A THESPIAN COMMUNITYFirst-hand Experience With The Sunol Repertory TheatreTheatre Life“Have a crunch time” was written on a yellow Post-it note attached to a mini chocolate bar sitting onmy House Manager’s chair. It was the firstperformance night of The Rise of The Superheroes,Sunol Repertory Theatre (SRT)’s 41st yearproduction. While it might seem like a simple note,the smile on my face was evidence that I knewbetter. The 9-year-old actress, Sunol resident, andSunol Glen student, Mia Ricard (pictured right),made my night with a small gesture. As the Fox girlwho does all the signs between scenes, Mia and Iare connected for every performance to ensurethe signs line up and cues aren’t missed. We arepartners in this production for better or worse.And it is only week one, and I know it is for thebetter. I wrote a handwritten thank you note andsecretly placed it in her bag to find later. B Y D I A N A R O H I N IContinues on next pageP A G E 1 1M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NWhile I am comfortable in the theater world, I amrelatively new to SRT. Last year, they had ascheduling conflict arise at the last minute for theirHouse Manager position, and I offered to step into help. It was a one-year committee, but it hasturned into so much more. The Thesabian ConnectionsLast year, I struck up a conversation with KlayKunkle, this year’s director along with RobinSpindlet, and discovered we have someoverlapping friends. After describing a wedding heattended in India, I realized it was one of my closefriend’s wedding that I couldn’t attend due to myadvanced pregnancy at the time. We instantlyconnected and spoke about everything frompolitics to travels to our families. I knew in 2023that it wasn’t my last year with SRT. At my Sunol Glen School drop offs, I rarely have achance to chat with other parents at length orbeyond school activities. We are all busy familiesand often run around trying to make our schedulework. When I spend many nights working behindthe scenes with other parents on the SRT cast andcrew, we get to know each other better. Weconnect. We look out for each other. We careabout each other’s children.Volunteer ValuesThere is no debate that SRT has provided me withContinues on next pageAbove Left: Sunol resident Andrew Turnbull manning the complimentary intermission refreshments for the first SRTfor the year, speaking with Pastor Mary Conant of the Little Brown Church. Above Right: Theater kids at the SRT afterparty enjoying some down time (left to right) Rowan Bobertz, Chase Bonderson, Jaqueline Lai, Anoushka Gupta.Above: Cast of SRT’s 2024 production ‘Rise of the Superheroes’. Right: DonnaBlevins as Elementis. She puts the E in Evil!P A G E 1 2 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NContinued from previous pagea way to spend more meaningful timevolunteering with my eldest daughter, Anoushka. My daughter, a former Sunol Glen student, was anusher in 2023 and continues to serve this year asan usher. Last year, she brought her friends tovolunteer alongside her as ushers. This year, weworked to recruit new ushers of all ages, so she isserving alongside new people she doesn’t know.She has made new friends and reconnected witha few current Sunol Glen students, including twomembers of the cast and a member of theorchestra. Additionally, she has made meaningfulconnections with adults too, including SRT’sPatron, Lyndsay Skeegan, and Angel sponsor, theInternational Horsemanship Association’s GeneralManager, Andrew Turnbull. Some friendships maylast many years, and others could impact hercareer trajectory. All are meaningful. The Sunol SpiritWhile I don’t live in Sunol, I am deeply invested in Sunol. SRT helped provide me with deeper rootsin the Sunol community. Attending cast memberand sponsor gatherings, connecting withbusinesses invested in Sunol, and learning aboutthe history of Sunol has been an incrediblejourney. The after-party hosted by Connie DeGrange and Ron Smith brought together the castand crew for a celebration worthy of SRT’s finest.With a fantastic display dedicated to SRT’s history,it was the perfect setting for connecting with oldfriends and making new ones. And this is whatSunol is about. Sunol is about the history, naturalbeauty, and the spirit of its people. SunolRepertory Theatre is a powerful way to connect toSunol. Sunol is SRT and SRT is Sunol.For more information: Order Tickets or make adonation: Online at www.sunol.net/SRT or Call(925) 319-4776 / or Email SRTtickets@gmail.com. Above: Sunol Glen’s music teacher, Maretha Davel,works with Sunol students to provide the productionssoundtrack.Above: Just before each performance, some of the crewand the entire cast in full costume, joins hands behindthe stage and forms a circle. A few things are sharedincluding a dedication, a reminder to have fun, and a peptalk about bringing your all to the show. The show circleis a place for raising energy, getting focused, sharingthoughts and feelings, and coming together as a team. P A G E 1 3M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

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n 2011, a group of 23 community members came together to embark on a special projectthat would not only bring them closer togetherbut also benefit the entire community. Led byTom Harland, the group decided to build a woodfired oven in the Sunol Depot Gardens (alsoknown as the Sunol Community Park), a uniqueand innovative idea; the ‘Sunol Wood Fired OvenSociety’ was born. There is no other park in theBay Area that has this unique feature, making ourSunol Depot Gardens very unique and one-of-a-kind.The Beginning of a VisionIt all started when longtime Sunol resident TomHarland had a vision of creating a communalspace where people could gather, socialize, andenjoy delicious food together. Harland designedthe oven with the help of Al DuCharme, Jr., whodesigned the unique roof of the oven, and AlDuCharme, Sr., a retired shop teacher whocrafted the metal door; the project quickly beganto take shape.The group of 23 individuals each donated $50towards the construction of the oven andvolunteered their time once a month to build itfrom the ground up. Working together, theymixed concrete, laid fire bricks purchased fromHabitat for Humanity, and carefully crafted theoven with their own hands. It was a labor of lovethat took about 6 months to complete, but theA UNIQUECOMMUNITYPROJECT: WOODFIRED OVEN INTHE PARKIC O M M U N I T Y C O R N E RB Y K R I S T E N B O B E R T ZT H E S U N O L I A NContinues on next pageAbove: This ceramic piece located at the top of the ovenserves as the chimney is also a beautiful piece of art thatwas created by the group and fired in the kiln at Conover(Ron) Smith's house. Photo by Kristen BobertzAbove: Full view of the Sunol Wood Fired Oven Society’s2011 structure located in the Community Park downtownSunol. Photo by Kristen BobertzP A G E 1 5M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A Nend result was well worth it. Thisgroup was the start of the SunolWood Fired Oven Society. A Symbol of Unity andCommunityThe wood fired oven is not just acooking appliance; it is a symbolof unity and community spirit. Itwas designed to bring peopletogether, to foster connections,and to create memorableexperiences for all who use it. TheSunol Wood Fired Oven Societywould love it if the oven was usedmore often and became a hub ofactivity in the park, attractingmore people in the community tocome together.To use the wood fired oven, allyou’d need to do is contactHarland by emailing him atvsunol@comcast.net. “There isactually no fee to use the oven, but it is requested that usersdonate wood for the oven to keepit running,” says Harland. The useof the oven is limited to the variousgroups that are active in Sunol atthis time. Additionally, someonefrom the Sunol Wood Fired OvenSociety will need to be present atthe event to make sure the ovenbeing used properly, soreservations must be made inadvance. A Taste of Italy in the Heart ofthe CommunityThe first firing of the wood firedoven in the park took place inSeptember of 2011, with theAbove Left: Al DuCharme firing up the oven after it was done being built. Above Right: Al DuCharme working on the roofhe designed. There are no bolts in the roof, he designed it especially for this project. Also pictured is Roy Livingston whohas since passed. Above: Pictured from Left to Right are Bob Foster, Norm Torneau, AlDuCharme, and Rob Marshall (who has since passed) working on the oven inthe park laying bricks for the oven.P A G E 1 6 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A Noriginal 23 members and their familieswho had donated and built the oventogether. It was a joyful occasion, filledwith laughter, delicious aromas, and acelebration of finishing the project. Ithas since been used throughout theyears for annual pig roasts started byBud Hall and community picnics. “In Italy, it is common for gardens tohave a wood fired oven that is heatedthroughout the day while people areworking in the garden, ready to beused for a community meal in theevening together,” Harland says. Thewood-fired oven in the park brings thistaste of Italian tradition to the heart ofthe Sunol community, allowingresidents to enjoy the simple pleasureof cooking and sharing food together.On Saturday, April 20th, followingthe monthly park workday, the SunolWood Fired Oven Society will be firingup the oven at lunchtime for ademonstration of the oven and apotluck style meal; they would like toinvite the community to join! Moreinformation to follow - stay tuned!Continued from previous pageAbove: The oven is not only functional, but it's a work of art. Depictedhere is a custom tile depicting an official crest for the Sunol WoodFired Oven Society, established in 2011.Left: Pictured from Left to Right are RobMarshall (has since passed), Jim O'Laughlin,Don Lobdell, and Lisa Ball working on layingbricks. Above: Tom Harland who came up withthe idea, designed and organized the group toget it installed in the park.P A G E 1 7M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

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T H E S U N O L I A NLOCALARTISANSHONOR OHLONETRIBES WITHLATEST DISPLAYA R T C O R N E RB Y K R I S T E N B O B E R T Z n our quaint town, there is a group of talented local artists who cometogether to create stunning art bannersthat adorn the lamp posts down MainStreet. This group was established in2013 by Tom Harland, a longtimeSunolian and gifted artist. “The first year, [we] were assigned animpressionist artist and painted a scenefrom Sunol in this impressionist’s style.”says Connie DeGrange, who has beenpart of this special artist group since2013. The main objective of this initiativeis to showcase the incredible talent thatexists within the community whilebeautifying the town with unique worksof art.The Concept Behind Sunol ArtBannersThe Sunol Art Banner project runs 2-3times a year, with each installmentrevolving around a different theme.Some of the past themes have includedHistoric Buildings of Sunol, ImpressionistArtists and Birds of Sunol. The currenttheme this Spring is the Ohlone Tribe - aspecial tribute to the local NativeAmerican tribe that originally lived in thisarea. These beautiful banners wereinstalled along Main Street at thebeginning of March and will stay up for a IContinues on next pageAbove: Lisa Evans poses with her banner in downtown Sunol once itwas installed on Saturday, March 2nd. Photos by Kristen Bobertzunless otherwise credited.P A G E 1 9M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A Nfew months. One artist in thegroup (this round was curatedby Lisa Evans of Sunol) isresponsible for curating andselecting the theme, and therest of the artists then createtheir pieces based on thiscentral idea. The Creative ProcessBefore diving into their artwork,the artists of the Sunol ArtBanners group often undergo athorough research process togain a deeper understanding ofthe chosen theme. For theOhlone Tribe project, someartists visited places like CoyoteHills and Mission San Jose inFremont to explore artifacts andgather inspiration. KateGraham, one of the artists whopainted a banner with thebeautiful musical instrumentsused bythe Ohlone Tribe, even went tothe Oakland Museum ofCalifornia to do more researchfor this special project. Thisresearch phase allows theartists to infuse historical andcultural elements into theircreations, resulting in richtapestries of art that trulyreflects the essence of thetheme.Celebrating TogetherOnce the artists havecompleted their banners, theycome together for a privatecelebration and unveiling event.This gathering provides anopportunity for the artists toshowcase their artwork to thecommunity, fostering a sense ofcamaraderie and artisticcollaboration. The unveilingevent is a festiveContinues on next pageAbove: All the beautiful banners, from Left to Right - Tom Harland (not pictured,but his tapestry is), Connie DeGrange, Morgan Mitchell, Annie Thomson, LisaEvans, Lisa Ball, Kate Graham, and Jan Loomis. At Right: Harland's OhlonePeople banner hanging downtown. Bottom Right: Connie DeGrange picturedwith the first tapestry she made from 2013. DeGrange painted Kathleen Elliott'sgreat aunt who first owned the olive grove on the Pleasanton Ridge in Sunol inthe style of Paul Gauguin, a French painter and sculptor.P A G E 2 0 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A Noccasion filled with food, and of course, thebeautiful banners that will line Main Street,creating a vibrant, special and colorful display forall to enjoy. The Artists Behind the BannersThe Sunol Art Banners group is a diverse mix ofartists from various backgrounds and artisticstyles. The artists for the current Ohlone Tribeshowcase include: Lisa Evans, Jan Loomis, LisaOtsuki-Ball, Connie DeGrange, Tom Harland,Morgan Mitchell, Annie Thomson, and KateGraham. Each artist really brings a uniqueperspective and creative vision to the project,resulting in a dynamic and eclectic collection ofartwork that showcases the beauty and diversity ofSunol's artistic community. “I feel so grateful tohave been introduced to this supportive group ofartists who care about the town and support eachother’s art,” says Annie Thomson who is a newSunolian this year. A Community CelebrationThe Sunol Art Banners project not only highlightsthe talent of local artists but also serves as acelebration of community spirit and artisticexpression. By bringing together artists fromdifferent walks of life and backgrounds, thisinitiative fosters a sense of unity and pride withinthe Sunol community. The beautiful banners thatline Main Street serve as a testament to thecreativity and talent that thrives within this smalltown, creating an inspiring and visually stunningdisplay for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.The Sunol Art Banners project is a shining exampleof the power of art to bring people together,celebrate local talent, and beautify oursurroundings. Through their creative endeavorsand collaborative efforts, the artists of Sunol ArtBanners have transformed Main Street into avibrant and colorful gallery that showcases the richartistic heritage of Sunol. So next time you findyourself strolling down Main Street, take a momentto admire the stunning art banners that adorn thelamp posts and appreciate the beauty andcreativity that these talented local artists havebrought to our community.Continued from previous pageAbove: Kate Graham showing her banner.Above: Tom Harland (pictured) braved the rain andwind to install the art banners downtown with LisaEvans and Chris Bobertz. Photo by Lisa EvansAbove: Chris Bobertz hangs a banner while TomHarland looks on. Photo by Lisa EvansP A G E 2 1M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

GOT ANEWS TIP?If you have a lead on a newsworthy story, would like to have your county or town meeting covered, or other general intereststory that includes or covers thetown of Sunol or theunincorporated areas of AlamedaCounty, please share your leads,ideas and information to:editor+leads@thesunolian.com. We always love to share storiesabout what are communitymembers are up to and how theyare improving the local area andlooking out for one another––solet us know!T H E S U N O L I A NPRINT SUBSCRIBERS: VIEW VIDEO BYSCANNING QR CODE ORNAVIGATE ONLINE TOHTTPS://TINYURL.COM/5N7TR2U2P A G E 2 2 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NMeeting to schedule Special ElectionNow that recall petitions have been certified by theRegistrar of Voters, some Sunol residents havereportedly started emailing the board as early as lastFriday (Mar. 1) requesting a special meeting beconvened to determine a date for an upcomingspecial election. The school board must send anorder to the county stating an election will be heldand the county must receive this election order nolater than March 13 at 5pm. They also state that anelection should be held “not less than 88, nor morethan 125, days after the issuance of the electionorder.” While a regularly scheduled school board meeting isalready set for Sunol trustees on March 12–within aday of the required timeframe to respond to countywith an election order–the public’s call to meetsooner might be valid considering the frustrationsthe trustees and members of the community haveexperienced for the past several months at regularboard meetings. An ongoing topic of discussion hasbeen public comment periods and keeping themeeting to a reasonable length of time, so it seemsat odds for the board not to have a special meetingin order to focus solely on a rather clerical, albeitimportant, task that would likely have a positiveimpact upon the community during an intenseperiod of public scrutiny and participation. In previous recent months, the board has called atleast two special meetings. Once on Sept. 20 toapprove a new legal services contract with BobTuerck, an attorney with the California SchoolBoards Association––which at the time, was inaddition to the District’s previously longstandingattorney Joshua Stevens with F3 Law (whom theboard majority later dismissed in December). Next,on Nov. 13, the board called a special meeting toreview and appoint additional Citizen’s BondOversight Committee (CBOC) members, increasingthe committee’s size from 7 to 15. In both instances,members of the community and Trustee Ted Romorepeatedly asked both Jergensen and Hurley whatthe urgency was to call the special meetings.SUNOLIANS FIND WAYS OF SPEAKING UPBoth cheering and jeering are alive and well in the town of SunolContinued from coverRomo, at the November meeting, asked fellowtrustees why they were meeting in light of the factthat the CBOC wouldn’t be gathering again untilFebruary–three months away and with two regularlyscheduled school board meetings in between. Aftersome back and forth, Jergensen responded “I don’tsee this as a waste of time; I see putting it as apriority continuing what we talked about and tryingto give our citizens the opportunity to have oversightover this bond measure.”Sunol resident and parent, Kristen Bobertz, wasamong many who recently emailed Sunol’s trusteesto request a special meeting take place to issue therequested election order–and in a reply she sharedthat she received from Jergensen was a copy andpasted response––a fairly normal practice fromelected officials in districts or municipalities with alarger constituency than Sunol. Jergensen stated inhis reply to Bobertz that “apparently word is out tohit us with emails to pressure a meeting sooner.”When asked for comment about how sheinterpreted Jergensen’s response, Bobertz replied:“It's what residents are asking for. We each have aright to communicate a request to have a meetingsooner rather than later.”Continues on next pageAbove: Members of the United for Sunol Glen recallcommittee submit recall petition paperwork at theAlameda County Registrar of Voters office on Feb. 20.Photo by Kelly GoldsmithP A G E 2 3M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NAbove: Screenshot of email response from TrusteeJergensen (redacted to remove private details). Left:Original request from resident Kristen Bobertz.Screenshots provided by Kristen BobertzContinued from previous pageSuperintendent Molleen Barnes, when asked aboutaccommodating a special meeting, said via email,“yes, we are always able to accommodate a 'lastminute Special Board meeting' and have done soseveral times in the past.” In regards to her ownavailability and willingness to accommodate such ameeting on any day during the week of Mar. 4-8,Barnes stated, “Yes and yes; we had one Boardmember make this request, however, we were notable to have a quorum and so no Special Boardmeeting has been scheduled for this week at thistime.”Some cheering, jeering without consequencesAlthough Jergensen reads a somewhat lengthy, albeit much needed meeting decorum reminder atthe top of every school board meeting, during theFeb. 20 meeting there was a loud exchange betweenseveral audience members that left many visiblyagitated. Resident Matthew Sylvester called a pointof order from the audience, interrupting a speakercurrently at the podium, pointing out anotheraudience member nearby who he claimed was beingverbally aggressive towards him. Those inattendance became visibly agitated and expresseddismay when Jergensen’s first response to Sylvesterwas “Sorry, let’s not interrupt the speaker, thankyou,” which was then followed by more inattendance speaking out of turn and over one Continues on next pageP A G E 2 4 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NSOME CONCERNS CONTINUE TO GET DISMISSEDSorry, let’s not interrupt thespeaker. Thank you.— R Y A N J E R G E N S E N I N R E S P O N S E T OM A T T H E W S Y L V E S T E R another. Teacher Chris Wheeler, speaking from theaudience, was heard loudly over the rest whilemotioning to Trustee Jergensen, “you need to dosomething about this dude, now,” to whichJergensen responded simply, “I don’t know whatyou’re talking about.”Jergensen went on to suggest that if there was anissue, a person in attendance could simply move tothe other side of the room. Sylvester, speaking about the incident after the fact,said he wished Jergensen had taken the mattermore seriously. “This person was staring me downand posturing at me for half the meeting, and thenwhen I make eye contact with him he says ‘youwanna step outside bitch’. I called a point of orderand Ryan [Jergensen] dismissed–or rather didn’tinquire or seem to care that I was asking for help. Asboard president, he has the power to pause themeeting and inquire about what happened. Hecould have used his authority to remind everyonethat that type of behavior–whether he heard it ornot–is completely unacceptable.”Certainly, Jergensen is no stranger to recognizingthreats and utilizing the power of his BoardPresidency position to clear the meeting room ofdisruptive attendees–as was the case at theSeptember 12th meeting last year when instances ofpublic outcry disrupted the meeting several timesand he gaveled from the daïs to regain control of theaudience, warning that he would clear the room ifnecessary. After successfully quelling the discordduring that packed meeting, Sunol Resident JimO’Laughlin, who had remained standing amongstthose seated, calmly asked Jergensen,”So are yougoing to allow anymore comments?” At that point inthe meeting, almost 4 hours had already transpiredand the crowd had grown frustrated and confusedas to why Jergensen had hand selected commentcards rather than allow commenters to come up inthe order received, as had been the board’s practiceat its previous meetings. O’Laughlin, along witheveryone else however, would not receive ananswer, as Jergensen kept his promise and clearedthe room.Trustee Hurley also hemmed inDuring the Feb. 20 school board meeting theboard was advised on vendor solutions for fullscale livestream and archival options as a means ofresolving issues that Hurley has brought up inprevious meetings. In an article published in thispublication on Feb. 6, it was unclear why Hurleysought the change to Board Bylaw 9324 withouttechnical input, and while that question remains, itwas made somewhat clearer that Hurley’s desiredoutcomes as stated would greatly benefit thedistrict and public as a whole, according to theDistrict’s Technology report. The board wasadvised during the meeting that utilizingprofessional Audio-Visual equipment andpersonnel provided by an outside vendor wouldlikely check all areas of Hurley’s concerns.Jergensen, however, addressing the desire to keepcosts lower than the $24,000 average price for justhalf the board’s meetings which was quoted, said“If the concern is the mic, we can very easily gettwo or three more of these,” and he motioned to the tabletop mics. He also stated, regarding theDistrict’s archival storage, “perhaps we justconsider our archive on YouTube.”But just four weeks earlier at the Jan. 23 meeting,Jergensen had taken a different directionaltogether regarding YouTube, stating at the time:“One issue that we may have with YouTube–it’sgreat that it’s on YouTube right now, but as far as Iunderstand with the uh, legal contract withYouTube, but I think once it’s uploaded they own itand they can decide whether it stays or goes.”Superintendent Molleen Barnes affirmed this legal Continued from previous pageContinues on next pageP A G E 2 5M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A Nissue at the time as well, stating about the use ofYouTube, “And our legal also does not support thatdecision.”The board, however, was advised at the Februarymeeting that implementing ‘off the shelf’ tabletopmics for each board member (as Jergensensuggested) would still require the use of a mixingboard. Employee Elizabeth Harmuth, it was stated,had provided a quote of about $12,000 for thisoption should the board elect not to work with anoutside vendor.At no point during these discussions, however, wasconsideration made that changes to the livestreamequipment, which was acquired through a ‘SunolCommunity Improvement Fund’ grant from theSunol Citizen’s Advisory Committee (SCAC) in 2021,might not be compatible with the grant’s termsand current installation and usage by thecommittee.Also not considered was the current vacancy of theIT Manager role and that the district might be ableto fund an outside vendor option in the interim tolivestream their meetings since they are notcurrently expending that salary. The Feb. 20meeting livestream was voluntarily managed byneighboring district Pleasanton Unified’s Directorof Communications, Patrick Gannon.It may be that these contradictions and extremecost-saving suggestions do not resolve what Hurleyhas continued to bring up–and was at leastpartially the cause for her to seek to amend Bylaw9324 in the first place. As was also reported in ourFeb. 6 issue, even with her unsubstantiated claimsimplicating the former district IT Manager ofaltering video footage as the reason for missingvideo segments–a problem the District says wascaused by network issues, not tampering–Hurleyput forth a compelling need to close technologyloops for archival recordings and video quality ofdistrict meetings according to the meeting report.Public comment changes still forthcomingChanges to public comments seemingly inchedcloser to possible conclusion, however, it does notContinued from previous pageappear that everyone is in agreement. At theFebruary meeting, changes to Board Bylaw 9323were submitted for discussion and severalmembers of the public had feedback to provideregarding the proposed changes. Mostcommenters mentioned the proposed change tomove comment card submission prior to the startof the meeting as cause for concern as thelocation of board meetings on the school’s campuswith a start time of 5:30pm–during rush hourtraffic that deeply impacts the area–was too big aburden for attendees to meet.While Hurley recognized the public’s concernregarding the suggested change to comment cardsubmission, she also noted at the top of theagenda item that “some people are probably notgoing to be happy with whatever, but I’m trying tocome up with what pleases most.”A possible option for holding separate ‘town hall’style meetings for lengthier public comment itemsseemed an agreeable option between Barnes andHurley, however, detailing the expectations of howsuch meetings might work were not well defined. For a District that is primarily interdistrict transfer,requesting parents to travel to the District onanother date and time in order to voice theirconcerns outside of a regularly scheduled boardmeeting might make it seem as if there isn‘t adesire for the board to listen to what parents haveto say during contentious public agenda items. Barnes alluded to past town hall meetings that hadbeen successful for the District during thepandemic and subsequent schoo l closures,however, many parents likely had less hurdles toparticipation due to the fact that those town hallswere held exclusively online during a time whenmany parents were forced out of the workforce tocare for their children in the absence of in personschooling. In light of the town hall style commentperiods that are currently being proposed, aworthy question parents and community membersmight ask is: W hat got them to this point in the firstplace? In the amount of time it would take toschedule and hold a separate town hall meeting,Continues on next pagePLEASANTON STEPS IN TO OVERSEE LIVESTREAMP A G E 2 6 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A Nadding in the additional travel and attendancetime, the board might be better off matching thepractice of neighboring Pleasanton Unified SchoolDistrict and just extend its meeting time whenneeded. Even during the pandemic–considered acontentious period of time for many district schoolboards–PUSD opted to extend its meeting times,such as its meeting on May 21, 2020 which ranfrom 5pm to midnight.Romo had this to say: “In terms of meetings goinglong–it‘s OK to go long. The bylaws...do alreadyhave an end date, uh, end time of 10:30pm, butthe board can extend that if it chooses, so thereare mechanisms in place for all this.“Public comments–for now–has been left for furtherresearch.Continued from previous pageTOWN HALLS PROPOSEDFOR PUBLIC COMMENTSP A G E 2 7M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

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Left to Right: Republican Bob Brunton, Democrat Alex Lee,and Republican Marti Souza CALIFORNIA 24th ASSEMBLYDISTRICT RACEAlameda County SupervisorDavid Haubert is runningunopposed for District 1,covering Dublin, Livermore,Pleasanton, and Sunol. With abackground in sales andentrepreneurship, Haubertserved on the Dublin UnifiedSchool District Board of Trusteesbefore joining the Dublin CityCouncil, where he was Mayor forsix years. As Mayor, he prioritizedfiscal responsibility, job creation,and community development.In his current role as Supervisor,Haubert has focused on COVID-19 response, affordable housing,and homelessness. He securedfunding for homeless servicesand advocated for initiatives liketiny home housing andtransitional housing projects.Haubert has also led a $20 billionbond measure for infrastructureprojects across nine Bay Areacounties. While supportingprojects like the Aramis solarfarm and Monte Vista cemetery,he remains engaged inaddressing issues such as mentalhealth care at Santa Rita Jail.Haubert's leadership reflects acommitment to addressing theneeds of his district andadvancing responsibledevelopment while preservingopen space.P O L I T I C A L B R I E FF R O M O N L I N E R E P O R T SP O L I T I C A L B R I E FB Y N . B . B U R K ERepublican Bob Brunton seeks to break his streak of defeats ashe challenges Democratic incumbent Alex Lee in the California24th Assembly District race, joined by newcomer RepublicanMarti Souza. Lee, the youngest California state lawmaker electedin 82 years, aims to continue his legislative momentum byaddressing housing, transportation, and environmental issues.Brunton, a Certified Financial Planner with extensive businessexperience, emphasizes leadership and practical solutions totackle the state's challenges. Souza, a minister, brings a freshperspective to the race.T H E S U N O L I A NHAUBERT RUNNINGUNOPPOSED INDISTRICT 1P A G E 2 9M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

T H E S U N O L I A NPUDDLES AND TREES AND STOP LIGHTS - OH MY!Above Left: Pooling of rainwater on the Arroyo de la Laguna bridge causing minor flooding across the stretch and concernfor local drivers on Friday, March 1, 2024. Photo by Andrew Turnbull of Inform Sunol. Above Right: A spike in creek levelsfor the Arroyo de la Laguna was recorded on their website, showing the creek about halfway below flood stage.Left: The collapse of the ancient oak tree duringthe weekend rainstorm caused significantdisruption, particularly as it fell across FoothillRoad south of Castlewood Drive inunincorporated Pleasanton early last Sundaymorning. Estimated to be over 200 years old, thetree's collapse blocked the major roadway forseveral hours until crews cleared the debris.Additionally, the incident led to power outages inthe area as the tree also brought down powerlines. PG&E worked until almost 8 p.m. on Sundayto fully restore electricity to the affected area.Photo by CHP DublinLeft: The stoplight at the intersection of Main Stand Niles Canyon/CA-84 is now in workingorder. As of last weekend, there had been severalcomplaints online in a local community Facebookgroup regarding the timing of the lights causingdelays and late-at-night decisions to turn againstthe light as it wouldn’t change, leaving driversfeeling trapped. Resident Connie De Grangereported that “per the Caltrans informationofficer for Alameda County: Happily, we were ableto fix the stop lights at the intersection of MainStreet and Niles Canyon Road (State Route 84) thismorning, Monday, March 4, at approximately 11:41a.m. There was a missing connection in the backof the cabinet. Maintenance staff fixed theconnection and now the detectors are workingproperly.” Photo by Elizabeth HarmuthP A G E 3 0 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

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T E A C H E R   F E A T U R EChristopher Wheeler, Sunol Glen Teacher T H E  S U N O L I A NFROM THE MARINESTO THE CLASSROOM:A JOURNEY OFDEDICATIONEmbarking on a transformative journey frommilitary service to the profession of teaching,Christopher Wheeler’s story is one of resilienceand purpose. Armed with a Bachelor's of ScienceDegree in Business Administration / HumanResource Management from San Jose StateUniversity, Wheeler initially found himself drawn tothe fast-paced world of business startups andtechnology.“My degree and subsequent working experiencesdefinitely helped me understand the importanceof building cohesive, goal oriented teams, workinghard and striving to make things happen,” Wheelerresponded recently via email.Wheeler discovered a new calling as he beganvolunteering in his children's elementary classesand coaching their sports teams. The joy he foundin guiding young minds and celebrating theirvictories sparked a passion for education andmentorship that would define his career. For thepast fifteen years, Wheeler has devoted himself toSunol Glen School, spending thirteen of thoseyears as a dedicated 6th grade teacher. “My firstyears of teaching were hilarious,” Wheeler said, “Iwas so out of my element. Occasionally, my friendswould check in and say things like ’what's the bigdeal, you've managed teams before, these are justkids’ Exactly, they aren’t like grown ups!”As a teacher, Wheeler strives to instill in hisstudents the belief that education is a gift and anopportunity to change both themselves and theworld around them. While teaching 6th grade ishis favorite, he dabbled in grades 3rd and 5th, aswell as 7th and 8th grade Algebra, various Electivecourses and Physical Education. He spent a solidyear substituting in a multitude of classrooms ingrades Kindergarten through 8th trying todetermine his ideal fit. Wheeler was extremelyfortunate to come across Sunol’s 6th Gradeopening and he’s been hanging on ever since.“My favorite part about teaching is giving kids theTop: 2021 Alameda County Teacher of the Year AwardRecipient video. Created by Alameda County Office ofEducation.Above: Previous Sunol Glen School Board Members passed aresolution in 2021 honoring teacher Chris Wheeler. Picturefrom Left to Right are: Mike Picard, Wheeler, Denise Romo,Superintendent Molleen Barnes, and Liz Monti-Hall.Continues on next pagePRINT SUBSCRIBERS: VIEW VIDEO BYSCANNING QR CODE ORNAVIGATE ONLINE TOHTTPS://VIMEO.COM/642815527P A G E 3 2 M A R . 6 ,  2 0 2 4

insight and the perspective thateducation is a gift, it’s exciting, and areal opportunity to change yourselfand the world. My hope is to leavestudents with a drive to pushthemselves, to realize that even ateleven or twelve, they can do somuch more than they are even awareof.”Wheeler went into teaching becausehis early experiences in theclassroom and the field felt natural.He enjoys challenging himself andlearning new things and somehow,he says, the kids pick up on that: “Ifsomething seems cool and fun theywant to ride along. For me it’s a circle.When they get interested or excitedabout school, athletics or daily life itgives me energy, motivation and asense of fulfillment.”Now that his own children are grownand have lives of their own, Wheelersays it’s been exceptionally rewardingto continue the relationship as grownups and peers. “We have been ableto continue exploring the natural andcultural wonders around us, and ourproximity to the ocean and themountains keeps our spirit ofadventure alive and active,” he said.When asked about the challenges ofbeing a teacher, Wheeler mentionedit was hard when kids are strugglingin some way and he is unable toreach them, or help out as much ashe would hope to. “I strive for astrong connection of trust andcamaraderie. If I’m unsuccessful, Iknow I let them down.”Click or scan belowfor our 2024 issuesavailable online:T H E  S U N O L I A NTEACHERFEATUREContinued from previous pageCHECK US OUT ONLINEOur 2024 issues are now available in print andonline. Our online format includes interactive,multimedia and embedded videos, and ispresented as an onscreen, digital, flippablebooklet. Our digital version convenientlyincludes reference links throughout.February, Vol. 7, Special Issuehttps://midd.me/shLWMarch, Vol. 7, Iss. 2https://midd.me/3FVrFebruary, Vol. 7, Iss. 1https://midd.me/QAtZFollow us onFacebook:P A G E 3 3M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4

PRINT SUBSCRIBERS: VIEW VIDEOBY SCANNING QR CODE ORNAVIGATE ONLINE TOHTTPS://TINYURL.COM/57346DEDEd Kinney SpeakerSeries at FirehouseArts Center inPleasantonIn person orvirtual viewingtickets availableonline scan QRcode ornavigate to:https://tinyurl.com/msnc8u9dT H E S U N O L I A NP A G E 3 4 M A R . 6 , 2 0 2 4