Once Upon A Mattress Making Fremont safer I Hate Hamlet Page 39 Page 15 Page 40 The newspaper for the new millennium 510-494-1999 [email protected] www.tricityvoice.com March 19, 2013 Vol. 12 No. 12 BY SARA GIUSTI PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHASHI DESAI, DREAM SNAPS Spring is in the air, and it smells like gulal powder! Holi falls on Wednesday, March 27 this year. Also called The Festival of Colors, Holi is a Hindu holi- day celebrated on the day after the full moon in the Hindu lunar calendar month of Phalgun, usu- ally in late February or March. Holi is one of the most antici- pated holidays, and not only for the good food. Gulal powder (perfumed colored powder) and colored water are tossed on any- body and everybody, regardless of continued on page 17 STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE HEIGHTCHEW A large crowd started to form in front of the Hayward City Hall Rotunda about one hour before the Giants were scheduled to unveil their 2010 and 2012 World Series trophies. Excitement was palpable as people of all ages took advantage of a rare opportunity to have their picture taken with the awards. Hayward Police Lieu- tenant Sheryl Boykins and others on the Hayward Junior Giants staff were on hand to watch as the culmination of their efforts to bring the trophies to a local venue were rewarded by the attendance of approximately 1500 enthusiastic fans. The tro- phy tour has almost completed its tour of 85 cities. After final visits to the World Baseball Classic in San Francisco, Tracy, San Mateo and San Rafael, it will com- plete its journey March 26 in Medford, Oregon. The Junior Giants program has been a great benefit to the local program by pro- viding equipment, uniforms, training and coaching for local youth. SUBMITTED BY ALAN FRANK The Niles Canyon Railway (NCRY) kicks off its spring season with an “all steam weekend,” April 6 and 7. Dedicated volunteers at NCRY have kept the proud steam and rail history of the region alive throughout the year, preserving the magical sounds of steam whistles, the smell of coal smoke and the sight of steel wheels rolling along the rails. Adding to the splendor of riding the rails of history this spring, nature has pre- pared a visual feast of wildflowers along the way. continued on page 16 INDEX Bookmobile Schedule . 26 Sports . 22 Contact Us . 25 Classified. 26 Mind Twisters . 15 Kid Scoop . 27 Editorial/Opinion . 25 Obituary . 32 Protective Services . 8 Arts & Entertainment . 19 Subscribe . 31 Public Notices. 24 Business . 12 It’s a date . 19 Page 2 WHAT’S HAPPENING’S TRI-CITY VOICE March 19, 2013 New study shows earlier use of Gamma Knife radiosurgery can help prevent permanent hearing loss from non-cancerous brain tumor his week is Brain Awareness Week, People in their 40s and 50s tend to be at a global campaign to increase pub- higher risk of having an acoustic neuroma. T lic awareness of the progress and “Acoustic neuromas usually grow benefits of brain research. Event sponsor slowly, with symptoms appearing gradu- the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives ally,” said Dr. Kunwar. states, “disorders of the brain are a major Symptoms may include ringing in the cause of death and disability worldwide” so ear or increasing dizziness and problems “finding ways to prevent, treat, and cure with balance, sometimes accompanied by disorders of the nervous system is a pri- nausea or vomiting. There may also be mary goal of neuroscience research.” hearing loss, usually in one ear, or a feeling Here in the Tri-City area, the latest of pressure in the ear. neuroscience research is having an impact “If you have these symptoms, especially on advanced medical care offered at Wash- hearing loss, ringing in your ear or diffi- ington Hospital’s Taylor McAdam Bell culty with balance, you should see your Neuroscience Institute. One example is a doctor,” recommended Dr. Kunwar. French study of treatment for acoustic Diagnosing an acoustic neuroma can be neuroma, a non-cancerous brain tumor lo- difficult, especially in its early stages, he cated on the main nerve leading from the added. One reason is that the symptoms inner ear to the brain. are similar to those experienced by people Neurosurgeon Sandeep Kunwar, M.D., who have middle or inner ear problems. co-medical director of the Institute’s To check for an acoustic neuroma, doc- Gamma Knife program, reports the study tors perform an ear exam and hearing test. shows Gamma Knife radiosurgery for An MRI, or magnetic resonance image, is acoustic neuroma, when done at an earlier Sandeep Kunwar, M.D., a neurosurgeon and co-medical director of the Gamma Knife Program at Washington taken to confirm the existence, size and lo- stage than recommended previously, can Hospital’s Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute, says Gamma Knife radiosurgery is an excellent al- cation of the tumor. lessen the chance of a patient experiencing ternative to surgery and other forms of conventional radiation therapy for some conditions. In addition to When a neurosurgeon determines that permanent hearing damage. benign brain tumors, the Gamma Knife is used to treat malignant tumors, brain aneurysms, epilepsy, neu- the acoustic neuroma should be treated, rovascular diseases, spinal conditions and movement disorders. “Sometimes, people with acoustic neu- options include traditional open surgery or roma have no symptoms, especially in the “Data from this new study indicates radio- fectiveness, we are becoming more aggressive minimally invasive endoscopic micro- early stages. Until now, doctors believed sim- surgery with the Gamma Knife, when done in treating acoustic neuromas.” surgery to remove the tumor. With sur- ply monitoring the tumor was often the best at an earlier stage, increases the likelihood of About 3,000 Americans are diagnosed gery, there is a risk that the patient’s facial strategy,” explained Dr. Kunwar. “But, if the preserving a patient’s hearing,” he continued. with acoustic neuroma each year. This type tumor grows, patients are at risk of being un- “For this reason and because the Gamma of benign tumor represents from 5 percent continued on page 11 able to recover their hearing.” Knife has an excellent record of safety and ef- to 10 percent of all brain tumors in adults. InHealth broadcasts on Comcast Channel 78 in Fremont, Newark and Union City and online at www.inhealth.tv The full schedule of InHealth programs listed below can also be viewed in real time on the Washington Hospital website, www.whhs.com TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY 3/19/13 3/20/13 3/21/13 3/22/13 3/23/13 3/24/13 3/25/13 12:00 PM What Are Your Vital Signs 12:00 AM Telling You? Movement Disorders, Strengthen Your Back! Diabetes Matters: Vacation Heel Problems and Minimally Invasive Hip Parkinson's Disease, Learn to Improve Your 12:30 PM or Travel Plans? Treatment Options Replacement Get Back On Your Feet: Tremors and Epilepsy Back Fitness Varicose Veins and Chronic 12:30 AM New Treatment Options Venous Disease for Ankle Conditions 1:00 PM Minimally Invasive Treat- 1:00 AM ment for Common Washington Women's Women's Health Women's Health Gynecologic Conditions Center: Circulation 101 Conference: Can Lifestyle Voices InHealth: Healthy Minimally Invasive Surgery Conference: Food and Mood: How One Can 1:30 PM Voices InHealth: New for Women - Part 1: Reduce the Risk of Pregnancy for Lower Back Disorders Affect the Other 1:30 AM Surgical Options for Varicose Veins Cancer? (Late Start) Breast Cancer Treatment 2:00 PM Disaster Preparedness 2:00 AM 2:30 PM Shingles Disaster Preparedness Varicose Veins and 2:30 AM Washington Township Washington Township Chronic Venous Disease Washington Township Health Care District Health Care District Important Immunizations Health Care District 3:00 PM Board Meeting Board Meeting for Healthy Adults Board Meeting 3:00 AM February 13th, 2013 February 13th, 2013 February 13, 2013 Your Concerns InHealth: 3:30 PM Senior Scam Prevention 3:30 AM Alzheimer's Disease 4:00 PM Voices InHealth: Update 4:00 AM Raising Awareness About on the Journey to Magnet Stroke Your Concerns InHealth: Turning 65? Get To Status Don't Let Back Pain Pediatric Care – The 4:30 PM Know Medicare Sideline You 4:30 AM Pre-School Years Caring for an Older Adult: Your Concerns InHealth: Everything You Need to 5:00 PM Senior Scam Prevention Voices InHealth: 5:00 AM Know about Caregiving Community Based Senior Demystifying the Radiation Supportive Services Do You Have Sinus Your Concerns InHealth: Oncology Center 5:30 PM Problems? Learn Exercises to Help Senior Scam Prevention Inside Washington Hospital: 5:30 AM Lower Your Blood Pressure Skin Cancer Patient Safety and Slow Your Heart Rate 6:00 PM Voices InHealth: The 6:00 AM Inside Washington Hospital: Legacy Strength Training Pediatric Care Minimally Invasive What You Should System 6:30 PM Surgery for Lower Back Kidney Transplants Know About Carbs and 6:30 AM Disorders Food Labels Washington Township Washington Township Influenza and Other Health Care District Health Care District Heart Healthy Eating Contagious Respiratory Board Meeting Board Meeting 7:00 PM After Surgery and Beyond 7:00 AM Do You Suffer From Conditions March 13th, 2013 March 13th, 2013 Strengthen Your Back! Breathing Problems? (New) (New) 7:30 PM Learn to Improve Your Chronic Obstructive 7:30 AM Back Fitness Raising Awareness About Pulmonary Disease or Voices InHealth: Radiation Stroke Asthma Safety Arthritis: Do I Have 8:00 PM One of 100 Types? 8:00 AM Diabetes Matters: Diabetes Matters: Top Do You Have Sinus Research: Advancing 8:30 PM Problems? Foods for Heart Health