I Heart Castro Valley

I heart Castro Valley for all of its imperfections.  Actually, the love runs deeper than that.  I wasn’t born and raised here, though I went to high school here.  After high school I promptly left the town, the state, and eventually the country.   My Dad would remind you that the technical term for that is “the sowing of oats of the wild variety.”  At the time, I thought I was saying goodbye to Castro Valley for good.  But I returned. 

People make the place

Having been back in town since 2005, Castro Valley strikes me as the perfect place to raise a family.  Front page news on the Castro Valley Forum recently talked about the controversial “Castro Valley Canoe Sign” and has garnered much debate across the Letters to the Editor pages in following papers.  The comment section on a “canoe sign” story by the was alive with healthy banter and debate.  I love that the controversy over the Canoe Sign gets so many so fired up.  Rumor has it Castro Valley once held the title in the Guinness Book of World Records for the “most fast food restaurants in a 1 mile strip.”  Several years ago, residents voted in favor of a bond measure or two that brought us the beautiful Center for the Arts and the new High School sports stadium. 

Our school system is a magnet: many people have moved here simply because of the fine educational system we have nurtured for so many years.  The Alameda County Redevelopment Agency saw fit to tear up our Boulevard and replace it with a lovely new downtown area that will be more attractive for foot traffic, and less of a “get-me-off-this-580-traffic-jam” thoroughfare.  Part of that plan includes parking improvements for folks who want to spend money in their own community.  Our Chamber of Commerce is alive and doing well – having just absorbed Ashland, Cherryland, and other unincorporated parts of Alameda County to our west.  They tirelessly put together the annual Fall Festival which attracts not only Castro Valley residents, but many of our own Bay Area neighbors.  The Rotary Club of Castro Valley (that I recently joined) works hard on the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade and the Castro Valley Chili Cook Off, both signature Castro Valley events.

Does your town have one of these?

CV Legends is a facebook page devoted to sharing true memories of Castro Valley “lifers.”  Fellow CV Patch blogger Dave Ashton runs the CV Legends page as a repository for funny and random memories of Castro Valley life.  Think of it as a living breathing organic history experiment – all about Castro Valley.  Does your town have one of these?

Passion vs. perfection

I could go on.  There are many more big ticket projects, groups, and organizations that really make me love this town.  My point is that there are so many people in Castro Valley that are passionate about and devoted to something in this town.  So many people, myself included, that just want to squeeze a little more out of this “Census Designated Place” we call home.  None of our organizations, passions, or community leaders are perfect, but isn’t that the point?  Aren’t we here just trying to make it a better place for ourselves and our kids? 

Where the hell have you been?

So, why did I return to Castro Valley?  Two words:  “Julie” and “Angel.”  Back in late 2004, after my oats had been wildly sown, I knew that I wanted to be back in California.  I just didn’t know where.  I soon met the Castro Valley native who actually agreed to marry me (I know, I was shocked too), and her wonderful daughter, Angel.  Turns out we went to high school together, graduated in the same year yet never spoke two words to each other back then.  During our courtship and full of romance I asked Julie, “…where have you been all my life?”  To which she replied, “pretty much within 10 blocks of here, where the hell have you been?”  It was then that I decided that I really wanted to marry this chick.  But was I prepared to become a Step-Dad?  More on that in future posts.