Utopia in the Hayward Hills

TheÊPiee Features Thursday, July 30, 2009 4 Utopia in "e Hayward Hills Quarry Village is “an e"ort to take advantage of an unexpected oppor- tunity of a lot of vacant land... and to use that land for a sustainable neighborhood. Sustainable for transportation, energy, housing, a"ordability, and community.” specifically to accommodate a car-free lifestyle. With on-site amenities and re- tail businesses and convenient transportation options, such as Alliance: At risk youth and ex-cons help construct buildings while a proposed electric shuttle bus system, and possible car-share working for their high school GED. Photo/ Elbert Marshall services, planners are hop- ing that the future residents An new environmentally-friendly community building venture, called Quarry of Quarry Village will be able to Quarry: ditch their individual cars. In Village, is in the planning stages for Hayward. Contractor Aids Photo/ Rebecca Newman addition to the emphasis on reduced individual car usage, Quar- BY REBECCA NEWMAN reality if the association’s plans ry Village plans include the use of Staff Writer environmentally friendly building Ex-cons, Kids for a development called Quarry ou wake up in the morn- Village come to fruition. methods and architecture. BY ELBERT MARSHALL Ying, and when you leave for According to Lewis, Quarry With the environmental ben- Staff Writer “This program teaches you work or school, instead of get- Village is “an effort to take ad- efits of living in a car-free, or akland contractor, Bruce about commitment and setting a ting in your car, you walk to the vantage of an unexpected op- reduced-car neighborhood, come OCox, 55, is the president goal and seeing it through,” said end of your block and catch a portunity of a lot of vacant land additional benefits: Walking is of The Alliance, a non-profit that Reggie, one of the students in the free shuttle bus that takes you between Cal State Hayward safer and more enjoyable within teaches at-risk kids and ex-felons program. to campus or the BART station and the Hayward BART station the car-free areas designed for responsibility through construc- Reggie is one of Cox’s top stu- in about 8 minutes. and to use that land for a sus- pedestrian use. Children can tion work. dents; he has gone on numerous After work or classes, you tainable neighborhood. Sustain- play outside without danger- Cox’s program is located in construction jobs and assisted catch the shuttle home, and able for transportation, energy, ous traffic being a concern. The West Oakland, tucked away be- with finishing roofs, leveling then in the evening you might housing, affordability, and com- air in the development will be hind the BART station and adja- foundations and installing so- visit the gym, the grocery store, munity.” cleaner with fewer cars and it cent to the Interstate 880. lar panels to reduce the amount or a restaurant all within walk- The plot of land in question is will also be quieter. The program’s objectives are of electricity that must be pur- ing distance. You might spend located north of Carlos Bee Blvd. Not only will Quarry Village to improve employment opportu- chased from utility firms. the evening planning the vaca- and is bordered by Overlook be a cleaner, safer and quieter nities for at-risk youth and ex-fel- “We aren’t just learning how tion you’ll be taking next month Ave. This land was purchased community in which to live, but ons trying to enter the workforce. to behave in public, we’re also with all the money you are sav- by Caltrans for use in a freeway it will probably be less expen- The majority enrolled in the pro- learning a skill that can take us ing now that you are not making project that was subsequently sive too. The community will gram are high school students or many places,” Reggie said. car payments or buying gaso- cancelled. It is due to be sold include housing units ranging those attempting to obtain their The program is headed in line, and your energy bill is next in the next few years, although from studios to 6 bedroom town- GED. The program gives them a a new direction and “Going to nothing because your home is no one knows for sure when it houses, with estimated prices chance to learn how to use tools, Green” will be the new motto. so well-insulated and has solar will be available. Lewis predicts starting at $250,000, according read blueprints and assist at con- Eventually the students will panels on the roof. the sale will occur sometime be- the Quarry Village website. struction sites. learn new skills involved in en- This all sounds too good to be tween 2009 and 2011. Currently, HAPA is seeking “I feel that there’s a communica- vironmentally sustainable con- true, right? While residents will not be investors willing to commit fi- tion gap between the older genera- struction: Cox believes in build- Not according to Sherman forbidden from owning cars, one nancial backing for the project. tion and the younger generation,” ing things that can co-exist with Lewis, president of the Hay- of the main features that will While there are those who are Cox said. “We all have an obligation the environment or will be ben- ward Area Planning Association set Quarry Village apart from skeptical that buyers in this to service our community regardless eficial to society. (HAPA.) This idyllic vision of a conventional housing develop- area is ready to abandon their of our position in life.” “It’s important to know what car-free community could be a ments is that it will be designed car-centric lifestyle, there has been no direct opposition to the Cox is a one-man show: he or- kind of materials are considered project and the City of Hayward ganizes the meetings with The harmful to the environment, be- has been supportive of the idea, Alliance board and he comes up cause they may not affect us; according to Lewis. with the lesson plans for each however, they may affect our If you are interesting finding day. Some students refer to him children,” Cox said. “That’s why out more about Quarry Village, as Clark Kent because so much is it’s important to start now and visit http://quarryvillage.org/in- required of him. change our community one step dex.html at a time.” Baseball Greats Inducted Cooperstown, from page one those roles. barrass Reggie Jackson, a Hall “I am a husband called ‘Rice’. of Famer who was sitting on came a coach and unfortunate- I am a father called ‘dad’,” Rice stage at the time. ly died of a heart attack at the began. He spoke of growing up in Oakland and how he, at first, Why pay full price when you can furnish your home age of 63 in 1978. After mentioning the roles of for a fraction of a cost? Gordon’s daughter, Judy, brother, grandpa and friend, he didn’t want to play baseball. For your home furnishing needs, arts, decor, rugs, and accessories, visit gave the acceptance speech mentioned the role which had Once becoming pro and sign- honoring her father for being brought the crowd together. ing with the Athletics though, a humble man who had many “I am Jim Rice,” he said, he was thrilled to be able to Accepting new and gently-used home furnitures, decor and accessories. skills beyond baseball includ- “called a baseball Hall of Fam- play in front of his family and For estate sales, downsizing, redecorating, reorganizing and de-cluttering ing golf, hunting and fishing. er.” friends in his home town. ideas, call us for preview appointment. He was also a comedian, a ven- Last but certainly not least While Henderson is known Downtown Consignments Hours: for talking in third person and 1098 A St cor Foothill Blvd triloquist, a private pilot and was Rickey Henderson, who Mon-Sat: 10:30a.m.-5:30p.m. served in the Air Force during played for nine teams during had never been known as a Hayward, CA Sun: 12p.m.-5p.m. Phone: 510-889-5900 WWII. his career, most of which were good speech giver, his self- Since Gordon didn’t want a played with the Athletics. He written speech was perfect in funeral, his daughter explained is a 10-time All-Star, was MVP every way. between tears, “we consider in 1990, is considered base- After the ceremony fans Be part of CSUEB! Cooperstown his final resting ball’s best leadoff hitter and flocked back to the main street place forever.” holds many records including in Cooperstown where they Jim Rice, who played his en- the record he’s known best were able to visit the Base- Advertise during the tire career for the Red Sox, is for—most stolen bases. ball Hall of Fame Museum and an 8-time All-Star and former The East Bay native charmed check out the three new in- MVP from 1978. fans with his humor and some ductees’ plaques and displays. Summer and watch In his speech he mentioned expected “Rickey-isms.”. Both Rice and Henderson all the roles he plays in his life Henderson even made a also signed autographs for us grow!! plus the name he is called in point to tell a story and em- fans in the town the next day. Pay Pay $209.00 for 10 weeks, Purchase a box $176.00 for ($20.90 ea.) for 4 weeks for only 8 weeks ($22.00 ea.) , and receive the $99 ($24.75 ea).

Load more