Another initiative we are hoping to make strides on this year, is bringing Dig Deep Farms to Union City. We hope to break ground this year to have Dig Deep Farms, operated by the Deputy Sheriffs’ Activities League, begin farming produce on the Masonic Homes of California land in Union City. Our office donated $15,000 towards this effort, as it will bring fresh produce and healthier options to District 2.
  
We are honored to continue to serve the people of District 2, and hope we can be of service to you all. As always, for more information about ways to be involved with our office please visit our website at www.acgov.org/bos/district2.
  
Thank you,

This month’s spotlight we highlight the life and legacy of Delmo Della Dora, as we remember him for the many contributions he gave to District 2, after his passing on December 22, 2015.
  
Delmo Della Dora was born and raised in Michigan. He served in the United States Navy during World War II for 18 months as an officer. While stationed in Oklahoma, he met his future wife, Nadine. They married in 1945 at San Francisco City Hall, and moved back to Michigan after Delmo’s release from active duty in 1946. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, followed by his Masters and Doctorate degree in Education from Wayne State University. In 1965, he was invited by the United States Agency for International Development to lead a project in the Somali Republic to develop the first National Teacher Education Center. Upon his return to Michigan two years later, he was assigned five special assignments, including decentralizing the Detroit Public Schools.
  
In 1972, Delmo moved his family to California to become the Principal of Mill Valley Middle School. A year later, Delmo became a professor at California State University, Hayward.  Upon his retirement from California State University, Hayward, Delmo was honored as Professor Emeritus of teacher education and educational leadership.
  
Delmo committed his life to serving the public. He served on the board of St. Rose Hospital, Salvation Army, Ruby’s Place, and was a member of the Hayward Rotary Club for over 32 years. Delmo was also very active more recently with the Hayward Task Force to End Homelessness and Hunger, the Peter Sategna Educational Foundation, and the Eden Area League of Women Voters. In 2008, Delmo was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hayward Volunteer and Recognition Dinner.
  
He brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to every task asked of him. More importantly though, he was a dedicated family man. Delmo and Nadine, who passed away in 2011, had been married for 65 years, had three daughters, and loved being grandparents and great-grandparents. Delmo would have been 90 years old today.
  
Delmo will be fondly remembered as a true gentleman. From all of us in the District 2 office, to all the fortunate ones to know and love Delmo, we send our sincerest condolences.
  
Memorial services for Delmo will be held on Saturday, January 23 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church (2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley).

Our office and the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) cordially invite you to attend a town hall meeting about the I-880 to Mission Boulevard East-West Connector project, sponsored by Alameda CTC.
  
The project will construct an improved east-west connection between I-880 and Route 238 (Mission Boulevard) and is a combination of new roadways, improvements to existing roadways, and improvements to intersections along Decoto Road, Fremont Boulevard, Paseo Padre Parkway, Alvarado-Niles Road and Route 238 (Mission Boulevard).
    
  

Please join us on:
Thursday, February 11 at 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Union City Council Chambers
34009 Alvarado-Niles Road
Union City, CA 94587
  
For more information on the East-West Connector project, go to www.AlamedaCTC.org/projects.

Trained AARP volunteers will be available to prepare income tax returns for low and moderate income individuals and families, with emphasis on serving those over 55. AARP membership is not required, but appointments are required and space is limited.
  

Call (510) 790-6600 for an appointment.
Volunteers will be available to assist on Tuesdays and Thursday from February 2 to April 14.
Tuesday appointments are available from 1 to 3 p.m.
Thursday appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  
What to bring:
In order to prepare your tax return please be sure to bring the following documents with you.

• Social Security card, or comparable documents, for yourself, your spouse, and all dependents.
• Income related documents: W-2 forms, unemployment compensation statements, SSA 1099, 1099R, and other 1098 or 1099 forms showing home mortgage interest or other income.
• Copy of your last year’s tax return (the date on last year’s return is needed to complete the new tax return if you had itemized deductions the previous year and received a refund)
• Be prepared to tell the counselor whether or not you had medical insurance, Medicare, or Medi-Cal last year provided by your work, a pension, or purchased yourself. If you have an exemption from Covered California please bring the exemption number. If you purchased insurance through Covered California, please bring your Form 1095-A. If you received one from your insurer or employer, please bring your form 1095-B or 1095-C.
• Expenses for itemized deductions- this can include income taxes paid in 2015, mortgage interest, medical and dental insurance, unreimbursed medical and dental expenses, donations to charity, mileage to and from medical appointments, mileage driven for charities. To claim property taxes please bring a copy of your 2014 and 2015 property tax bills. To claim auto registration as an expense, please bring a copy of the bill you received from DMV or the receipt issued by the DMV.
• Brokerage statements or other documentation showing the cost basis (purchase price), date purchased and sold, and sale price for all securities or property sold or transferred during the tax year.
• If you receive a pension or annuity from a former employer which you contributed to, please bring the date that you began to receive payments if the 1099-R does not show a taxable amount (in some cases this is required)
• A check with your name printed on it for direct deposit/debit of any refund/balance due.

  
For more information call the Fremont Senior Center at (510) 790-6600.

Join “Get Covered at the Library” events hosted by the Alameda County Libraries. Covered California and Alameda County Libraries have been working together since January 2014 with the help of community clinics, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, and non-profit organizations.
  
Enrollment period closes on January 31, 2016.
  
In District 2 information and enrollment assistance is available at:
  
Union City Library on Thursday, January 21
34007 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City
  
Newark Library on Saturday, January 30
6300 Civic Terrace Avenue, Newark
  
No appointments are necessary and assistance is free! This is a great opportunity to stop by and ask questions, and get enrolled. For more information visit guides.aclibrary.org/health.

The Alameda County Public Works Agency launched its “Prepare for El Niño” website. This new website (www.acgov.org/pwa/info/elnino.htm) provides information on what residents can do to prepare their families and their homes for anticipated El Niño winter storms, including checklists for creating personal emergency plans and emergency kits. The website also features practical safety tips for dealing with storm-related impacts, educational and informational videos, and sandbag locations for residents of unincorporated Alameda County. 
  
During major storm events, the website will be updated with any information of flooding, road closures, or other storm-related issues in unincorporated Alameda County. Anyone interested in receiving email alerts advising of the same information can sign up through the website, too.
  
This website is the most recent proactive effort by the Alameda County Public Works Agency to prepare for anticipated El Niño winter storms. For many months, Public Works Agency crews have been checking storm drains, flood control channels and other drainage areas to ensure that they are clean and functional. Also, on November 4, 2015, the Public Works Agency hosted an El Niño workshop which brought together representatives from Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, multiple fire departments within Alameda County, local city public works agencies, emergency response managers and local community and business organizations.

AC Transit District’s Accessibility Advisory Committee
AC Transit is seeking volunteers who are interested in serving on the District's Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC). Any individual who utilizes AC Transit’s fixed-route service, is a senior or an individual with a disability and/or represents such groups, and is willing to devote the necessary hours to attend meetings of the Committee is eligible for appointment. Along with identifying problems and offering probable solutions and ideas, prospective applicants should also have respect for others, be open to hearing divergent points of view, and commit up to six (6) hours a month to committee-related work.
  
All openings on the committee during calendar year 2016 will be filled from qualified applications received during this recruitment.  The Recruitment Notice and Application may be obtained on the AC Transit Website at http://www.actransit.org/accessibility-advisory-committee-aac/ or from the District Secretary’s Office by calling (510) 891-7209.  Applications must be returned to the AC Transit District Secretary's Office by February 1, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
  

Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Paratransit Advisory and Planning Committee 
  
The Paratransit Advisory and Planning Committee (PAPCO) makes decisions on transportation funding for seniors and people with disabilities to address planning and coordination issues regarding paratransit services in Alameda County. PAPCO members advise Alameda County Transportation Commission on the development and implementation of paratransit programs. All 23 members must be Alameda County residents who use transportation that supports seniors and people with disabilities. Members are appointed for a two-year term, and District 2 currently has one vacancy. PAPCO generally meets on every fourth Monday of the month from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Alameda CTC offices in Oakland. 
  
Click here to download the application and for additional information.