This month's spotlight we highlight the many wonderful people involved with the Niles Stroll and Roll event on Sunday, October 11 and the thousands of people that participated in the unique informal meeting.
  
On October 11, with the help of District 1 Supervisor Scott Haggerty and his office, we held a community meeting on Highway 84 between Sunol and Niles in Fremont. This stretch of road is the study area of a potential multi-use trail. Public participation in providing feedback on the interest and the potential options, was a crucial step in our initiative to have a safe and separate trail for bicyclists and walkers.
  
This event would not have been possible without the great work of many organizations and departments. We sincerely thank the staff and volunteers from the following organizations:

• Alameda County General Services Agency
• Alameda County Public Works Agency
• Alameda County Sheriff’s Office
• Alameda County Transportation Commission- Bike Mobile
• Alameda County Water District
• Alameda Creek Alliance
• CalTrans
• City of Fremont
• East Bay Regional Parks District
• Mike’s Bikes of Pleasanton
• Niles Canyon Railway
• Paramedics Plus
• Republic Services
• San Francisco Public Utility Commission

An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 community members attended the meeting, providing feedback along the road and learning more about the trail options. We thank everyone that attended and enjoyed the car-free opportunity to see this scenic route. This initiative will be ongoing, as the event was just one portion in a long effort to open a multi-use trail. More information about the initiative can be found on the District 2 website.

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to child safety. There are several easy and effective behaviors that parents can share with kids to help reduce their risk of injury.
  
Walk Safely
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. 
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.  Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
  
Trick or Treat With an Adult
Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
  
Drive Extra Safely on Halloween
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. 
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
  
See more at: http://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips#sthash.babdRHDn.dpuf

Traffic. Whether we walk, ride or drive, it is something almost everyone can relate to, especially in the neighborhoods in which we live. In an effort to address concerns such as speeding, cut-through traffic and pedestrian safety, the City of Hayward is developing a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, and it all starts with you.
  
The City of Hayward is hosting a series of public outreach meetings to gather valuable input from Hayward residents, which will help build the foundation of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program.
  
Your insight and first-hand knowledge of traffic issues in your neighborhood will help the City develop and implement a comprehensive, realistic, and flexible program focused on four key components: Education, Enforcement, Engineering and Empowerment. 
  
Please join to provide your feedback and learn more about the effort. 
  
The next meeting will be held at the Matt Jiménez Community Center, 28200 Ruus Road in Hayward on Monday, November 2 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Chicano Latino Education Association presents Raza College Day.
  
Learn about college admissions, financial aid, transferring, and other resources at Chabot College. All potential students and families of students are invited to attend the Annual Raza College Day.
  
Saturday, November 14
Chabot College Student Center, Building 2300
25555 Hesperian Boulevard in Hayward
  
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the program will begin with a welcome at 9 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, but RSVP’s are required.
  
There will be a resource fair, door prizes, and a drawing for a mini iPad. 7th – 12th grade and college students are encouraged to attend.
  
Please RSVP at: https://goo.gl/ThBIqC
  
For more information or to request disability accommodations please call (510) 723-6656 or email chabotclea1987@gmail.com. 

As the anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake passed on October 17, and the small rumblings the County has been feeling more frequently, it is always a good time to be prepared for earthquakes. Federal, State, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.
  
You cannot tell from the initial shaking if an earthquake will suddenly become intense, so always Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately:

• DROP to the ground
• COVER your head and neck with your arms and seek shelter by getting under a sturdy desk or table if nearby
• HOLD ON to your shelter and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops

  
If there is no table or desk near you, drop to the ground and then if possible move to an inside corner of the room. Be in a crawling position to protect your vital organs and be ready to move if necessary, and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
  
These are guidelines for most situations. Read to learn how to protect yourself in other situations and locations by visiting www.earthquakecountry.org/step5.
  
If you are unable to Drop, Cover, and Hold On due to difficulty getting safely to the floor on your own, get as low as possible, protect your head and neck, and move away from windows or other items that can fall on you.
  
If you are in a wheelchair lock your wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops. Always protect your head and neck with your arms, a pillow, a book, or whatever is available.
  
For more information visit www.shakeout.org.

The Alameda County Veterans Service Office will be providing a presentation on resources available, benefits, and important updated information Veterans need.
  
Attend on Wednesday, November 25 at 1 p.m. at the Fremont Main Library for a presentation by Bruce Choy, Veterans Service Officer for Alameda County.
  
The presentation will include:

• How to fill out a successful claim for benefits
• New Veteran designation for Drivers License and State Identification
• New VA Outpatient Clinic and Columbarium in Alameda
• Questions & Answers portion

Where: Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Boulevard, Fremont
When: Wednesday, November 25 at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  
For more information call (510) 577-1926.