Hayward Joys

The many joys of Hayward. 

Last week, in downtown buying some Spiderman comic books at the Bottle and Book House on B Street, I overheard some folks criticizing our city – too boring, not enough to do. Well, the critics don't know Hayward. 

We are really fortunate to live here. So, what I thought we'd do today is take a look at the reasons why we should all feel the joys of living in our Heart of the Bay. 

Yes, yes, I know…we don’t have the wonders of other cities, like a mission, a beach, a boardwalk, a marina, a water park, an amusement park, snow, a vineyard, but that’s ok. We have other things!  

By the way, in case you weren't aware of it, we are the 32nd largest city in California, and the 152nd in the whole United States. Did you also know that a number of years ago, Hayward was named the Most Romantic City in the United States? Is that impressive or what? 

Here is my list of why I am not only thankful, but also proud to be a Haywardian. They are in no specific order, just what has come to mind, while listening to the Rolling Stones and Juanga on my iMac.: 

Listening to great live music at the Bistro, free most nights. 

Shopping at Southland Mall.

James Bond books, and some in Spanish, at The Book Shop.

Playing basketball with Los Chilones de Hayward against Rotary at the Matt Jiménez Boys & Girls Club Center. 

Visiting Cal State Hayward. 

Hayward Chamber of Commerce's Street Parties. 

Eating taquitos at Taquerías Acapulco, Uruapan, Eduardo's, and Arandas. 

Attending Friday morning meetings of the Latino Business Roundtable. 

Taking and/or teaching a class at Chabot College. 

Planning Commission meetings. I used to like them a whole lot more when Edith Looney was around -- her homemade cookies were the best! 

The Rotunda's Art Shows.

The rich diversity of our city, as will be exemplified by the new Cannery Row neighborhood, which will have "paseos," duets, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and, I am hoping, as per Planning Commissioner Bogue's suggestion, Cannery Row Way. 

Driving down B Street. 

Finding out information about our city at www.city-data.com/city/Hayward-California.html, and www.zermeno.com. 

Reading The Daily Review with my morning coffee. 

The murals, especially the one at La Victoria restaurant, Marcos Guerrero's at Cesar E. Chavez Middle School and the one at Winton School. 

The great staff at our city clerk's office. 

Camarones a la diabla at El Cerrito Restaurant City Hall. 

Great photos at the Hayward Historical Museum. 

Running into friends while eating a hot pastrami sandwich and drinking an original Hayward ale at Buffalo Bill's. 

Ana's flowers at the Farmers Market. 

Hayward's historical walks. 

Fried rice at Rickshaw Express. 

Cult and Spanish language movies at Video Z. 

Walking the neighborhoods. 

Drama productions at Mt. Eden High. 

Alaskan rolls at The Naked Fish. 

Great books at the Hayward Public Library Dedicated in Honor of Cesar E. Chavez. 

iMacs at the Computer Center. 

The Altars of the Day of Dead at the Sun Gallery. 

Zucchini bread at the festival. 

Fire station at Main Street. 

Meeting and listening to Hayward residents. 

Dried figs and olives at the Crossroads World Market on Jackson. 

Talking to our future leaders of Tennyson, Hayward and Moreau high schools.

John Sands' sweet creations at GH Demos meetings. 

Classes at the Hayward Recreation Center. 

Escargot at Rue de Main. 

Window shopping, running into friends and buying at Southland. 

Jorge Gonzalez's hat collection at La Espuela Charra on B Street. 

Chianti Supremo at the soon to be expanded Buon Appetito restaurant. 

Kid's handprints at the Kid's Breakfast Club. 

El Cinco de Mayo Festival organized by La Alianza de Hayward.

Espresso at Caffino's. 

Reupholstering furniture at Chevy's Furniture. 

Great frame selection at Eye Spy. 

Professionalism at the Hayward Body Shop. 

Mother's chiles rellenos. 

Ride-alongs with an HPD officer. 

Grupo Tlapalli dance performances directed by my godson Jose Somoza. 

The delicious homemade flan at the Shark Shack on B. CABE events. 

Sesame balls at Mr. Chaus. 

Honoring our city Volunteers at Centennial Hall. 

The five different sauces at La Salsa on B and Watkins. 

CALDO meetings. 

Art shows at HAC and the Sun Gallery. 

La Tequilada at Cafe Flavia's. 

The panoramic view from Stonebrae. 

Fresh guavas at Morelia Market. 

Volunteering. 

Riding the choo-choo train at Kennedy Park. 

Swallows at Chabot College and the Return of the Swallows Festival in early April.

The chips and salsa at Los Dos Hermanos on Mission Boulevard. 

Good bicycles at Cyclepath. 

Varied Latino music at Discoteca Lluvia on A Street. 

Picking blackberries at East Avenue Park. 

Visiting Garin Park. 

Watching soccer at south of 92. 

Fresh tortillas at La Mexicana. 

Shoreline walks. 

Calling Hayward residents from the United Food and Commercial Workers Hall in Hayward. 

Palmeras and empanadas at Panadería Corona. 

Hayward-San Felipe Sister Committee's Shrimp Feed, although this one may no longer happen, unfortunately. 

Hey, and pretty soon, we'll be able to watch movies in our own cinemas downtown. 

Did I metion shopping at our Southland Mall?

How about it? Do you feel it now? I hope that you share the wealth with your friends by going out and experiencing some of these joys together. We do need to share the wealth. Once we work together for our community, we'll have more people willing to work to further improve our city.

Thank you. 
fjzc©23.xi.2005
Hayward on!