The suspects are also believed to be responsible for a robbery on Aug. 31 at the 7-Eleven store at 333 E. 14^th Street. 

Investigators identified Oakland residents Kenyatta Fudge, 22, and Ronald Carson, 29, as the suspected robbers. Fudge was arrested without incident after posting bail in Santa Clara County on an unrelated forgery warrant, and is in custody at the SLPD jail, police said. Carson is being held at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on a parole violation, and charges are pending against him for the robberies.

Police ask anyone with additional information to contact the San Leandro Police Department at 510-577-2740, or the anonymous tip line at 510-577-3278.

Officials and the owner of the building say it’s a very exciting prospect and a good fit for the area, bringing in additional nightlife as well as providing a family restaurant during the day and most nights. There are also plans to host community-oriented events on Sundays, such as poetry readings and talent shows. 

Club managers are reportedly planning on spending upwards of $1 million to polish up the venue, which sits next to Newman Park. The building owner envisions opening up the brick wall that faces the park, with windows overlooking the greenery.

However, A CommPre director fears the worst, that clientele of a hip-hop/R&B club would scare people away from the area on Friday and Saturday nights. She said it would be like having Kumbala in the middle of downtown, and that Newman Park would suffer the ignobleness of drunken club patrons who would use it as a restroom or worse.

The Review will attend tomorrow night’s meeting to see if the proposal spurs debate, but we’d love to hear what HayWord readers think.

THE BIG PUMPKIN HEIST

By Ann Romick

“It was a dark and stormy night………” Isn’t that the way mysterious Halloween stories begin?  Well, actually, the storm has come and gone and the heist took place during the daylight hours — about 10 a.m. in the morning of October 27, but it’s a special Halloween story which needs to be shared.

We, who become a little jaded by the bad things touching our lives, could do with a reminder that while there are thoughtless people in the world, there are also those who are good and kind, and willing to take a moment to heal the broken heart of a little boy. (Story continues after jump.)

            The victim, a 95 pound pumpkin was the property of young Robert Clegg of San Lorenzo, but to Robert it was more, so much more than just another Halloween pumpkin. Visiting Grandpa and Grandma Grotting of Redding in early October, 7-year-old Robert, his little sister, Sofia and his mom, Malena, and Aunt Chrissy visited a pumpkin patch for the very first time.

“Yes,” Robert was told, “You may choose from the vines any pumpkin you like.”  Robert looked and looked before choosing the largest one in the patch, which he pulled from the vine, helped load into a wheel barrel, and then into the car. Sofia picked up a tiny white pumpkin which she could carry herself.  “Robert,” said Aunt Chrissy, “Because this pumpkin is so special, I’m going to give it to you for your birthday.”  Robert smiled a broad toothless smile and though to himself, “What could be better than a Halloween-birthday pumpkin?”

            At home, the two pumpkins — the very big pumpkin and the tiny pumpkin —  sat together on Robert’s front porch.  The giant pumpkin was admired by all who saw it. Some of the neighbors asked Robert, “Where did you get such a big pumpkin?”  Robert would tell them all about his special Halloween-birthday gift; he was so proud.

            However, five days before Halloween, while Robert was at school, and his mom and Sofia were doing errands, thieves did their dastardly deed and stole Robert’s Halloween-birthday pumpkin.  Pulling into the drive, Malena noticed immediately the great pumpkin was gone.  How was she ever going to explain the disappearance to her young son?

            That afternoon, on the way home from school, she quietly told him that she had some very bad news which she broke to him as gently as possible.  There were tears, actually there was sobbing – and questions:  “Why would somebody take my pumpkin?” he asked in wonderment, his tender youth having been sheltered from the thoughtlessness and mean-spirited people of the world, until now. Arriving home didn’t help.  There was the empty space on the porch where his prized possession had been.  Now it was gone.

            Still sobbing, he threw himself on his bed.  No number of hugs and kisses consoled his broken heart.  “Mom,” he cried, “what can we do?  Call the police, mom.  Please call the police.” 

            “My heart ached for him,” said Malena and I wondered what I could do.”  Then she had her “light-bulb” moment:  she would call a good friend who was also a Hayward police detective (and also publicity shy so we will call him John).

            “What can I do?” questioned the detective, baffled at first by Malena’s dilemma.  “Just talk to him,” she desperately pleaded.

            Hearing the distressed boy, the Detective John became inspired, explaining to Robert that he would have the entire police force on the lookout for any suspicious-looking culprits carrying extra large pumpkins.  He would put out an APB describing the missing pumpkin, and flyers would be posted everywhere using the photo Malena had taken of Robert choosing his giant pumpkin.  Before Detective John hung up Robert was convinced his pumpkin would be found, but now it became a waiting game.

            “Mom,” he asked, relieved, yet still worried, “What if someone is already cutting it up and making pumpkin pies?”  It was all Malena could do to keep from smiling; instead she managed to reassure her small son that everything was going to be all right.

            In hardly any time at all Detective John, back in full uniform for this special caper, stood at the front door, badge gleaming in the sun, trousers impeccably  creased and looking very official.  On the porch was Robert’s giant pumpkin next to the tiny one owned by Sofia.  “I’ve never seen him with a bigger smile,” said Malena looking at her relieved and happy son.  “My heart just melted.” 

            “Is that your pumpkin?” asked the detective.

            “It looks like my pumpkin,” said Robert, “but I think my pumpkin might have been a little taller.”

            Detective John went on to explain that he had seen two teenagers running down the street carrying it, and in their haste they could have pushed down on the top, making it shorter than it had been.   “When they saw me, they put it down and ran off.” 

            Malena could see through her friend’s ploy.  “You know you’ve made our day,” she said, her eyes beginning to puddle.  “Thank you so much.  Let me pay you for the pumpkin,” she quietly insisted. “It must have cost a small fortune.”  

            Palm held up in refusal, the detective replied, “No.  It was my pleasure.  Seeing Robert so happy has actually made my day.”

            Case of the big pumpkin heist:  closed

Starting up above 2nd Street, there’s an overlook with interesting bilingual historical placards about early settlers in the area.

Crossing the bridge, there’s an access staircase that goes down to a platform beside the bridge for a look at the creek and a large street drain output, which had some impressive flow during the major rainstorm on Oct. 13.

The concrete path ends, but a dirt trail continues under the bridge. There’s evidence that homeless people are camping there, and a spray-paint scrawl on the opposite bridge support advises that “Art is OK, Tags no way.”

At Foothill, there’s another access point in De Anza Park. It leads to a short trail and some ground erosion control efforts. Unfortunately, people are still dumping trash there.

Overall, the work looks terrific and will be much enjoyed by those who would like to take a closer look at our main local waterway. Let’s hope dumpers don’t keep treating the creek like a landfill and ruin that. Thanks for the heads up that work is finished, Alex!

However, Hayward Police traffic division Sgt. Jeff Lutzinger said it wasn’t so bad.

“We had some minor congestion, but we get that every day,” Lutzinger said. “For the spontaneousness of the (Bay Bridge) closure, I was surprised we didn’t have bigger problems.”

Lutzinger said he was very worried coming in to work about what the morning traffic would look like.

“I didn’t know what I would get stuck in,” he said. “But if the bridge does not open tomorrow, I only hope things can go as smoothly as they did today.”

Officer Christina Tagle of the California Highway Patrol said that all things considered, Hayward-area freeways “went pretty smoothly. Traffic cleared out and by 9:30 or 10 it was back to normal, and nothing major happened.”

However, Tagle said that doesn’t mean there weren’t a lot more cars on the road. She estimated that it took commuters about twice as long to get through the area. “Plan on giving yourself an extra hour,” she advised. “People just need to be patient.”

Online traffic reports indicated things were getting sticky around 3 p.m., and we will soon see what the afternoon commute brings. There’s also a CHP incident report page that’s useful for finding potential freeway troubles.

Anyone have an eyewitness report, either from a.m. or p.m.? Or suggested alternatives to the main arteries that you’d care to share?

For those not in the know, sofi stands for “specialty outstanding food innovation.” The awards go to products you’ll find on shelves, fridges or freezers at retail stores rather than restaurants.

Now, where to get some of those fine Hayward delectables? Unfortunately, Sukhi’s store finder doesn’t find a samosa source closer than Oakland, and neither product is in their online catalog.

But congratulations to Sukhi, regardless! A very impressive national showing.

Even then, good specimens were a rare find in a scrap yard, and after an exhaustive search, PYP proved to be a veritable treasure chest of old Swedish iron.

Not sure why they closed — the guy at the PYP number confirmed that both Hayward and Milpitas branches are gone, but had no idea why. Seems like an auto recycler would do well during a recession. Will look into it.

With about 70 branches on the list, California has nearly one-fifth of the possible closings. A final list is expected in December, and closings would begin at the earliest in January. The closures will save the Post Office between $20 million and $100 million annually.

Here it is near Foothill Boulevard and City Center Drive.

Here it is at the Grove Street Bridge.

Here it is behind the Meek Mansion.

Want to know how your surrounding area would fare in a 100-year-flood? Here’s a FEMA site where you can punch in your address and get an overview.

And here’s a Daily Review from the mid-1950s, before the San Lorenzo Creek was calmed by dams and culverts.

Let us know if you are aware of any particularly flood prone areas in the greater Hayward area that we should be keeping an eye on.