According to the San Leandro Community Action Network's latest e-newsletter, City Council candidate Ursula Reed just picked up some huge support.

Actor Danny Glover has apparently taken a personal interest in Reed's campaign and will be coming to San Leandro on Saturday to speak at a reception for her.

Wondering how this all happened? Her campaign manager, Terrell Santiago, said Glover heard about Reed "through a friend of a friend." After their conversation, Glover, who is known to be pretty politically active, apparently asked what he could do to help.

In addition to coming to support Reed's campaign, Glover will be talking about his upcoming film, which is about Toussaint L'Ouverture, who led the Haitian slave revolt against the French colonial regime in 1791.

Check out the invitation here.

Still think San Leandro is virtually unknown to the outside world? Well, think again.

The city's unconventional marketing campaign to attract folks to downtown, aptly called "I Am San Leandro," apparently is attracting some unconventional interest.

A LiveJournal blogger recently wrote an entry about his fascination with one of the marketing campaign's tools. In the entry, he stated that he had been at a restaurant in Berkeley and noticed a small cut-out of a man used for the "I Am San Leandro" campaign (pictured above). Then he went on to say that he was so fascinated by the cut-out, he decided to name it "San Leandro" because, on the back, it read "I Am San Leandro." The next part is too hilarious to summarize. He went on to say:

I have been carrying him around in my backpack ever since, trying to decide what to do with him, and my current trip to Palm Desert has finally given me the answer. So, much like the Travelling Gnome and other such efforts, I have taken on the wholly unoriginal task of carrying San Leandro with me, taking photos whenever I can be bothered to remember it and hopefully not destroying his fragile paper body in the process. Wish him luck.

Unbeknownst to the blogger, the cut-out is not just some random piece of paper. It is actually a photo of a real person. In fact, it is San Leandro planner Elmer Penaranda. That was supposed to be the whole point of the marketing campaign: to show folks not familiar with San Leandro what the city is all about and that all kinds of people live and work there.

But I guess the blogger didn't quite get that point. Instead, he wrote that he will be taking his "little San Leandro" along with him on various trips for a few "traveling gnome"-type photo ops.

At least San Leandro is getting some props. But it makes one wonder: Are the people this marketing campaign was hoping to target — retailers — getting it?

Contract talks appear to be heating up between San Leandro teachers and the school district. Union leaders have sent this letter to staff at Pleasanton Middle School, where school board member Lisa Hague is a history and journalism teacher.

Teachers at PMS took offense to the letter, as outlined in this e-mail:

To the members of the executive board of SLTA,

The teachers at Pleasanton Middle School received a letter from Brian Kennedy of behalf of the SLTA dated April 21, 2008 (copy attached). The letter is slanderous. It is an example of the least professional behavior I have seen in my eight years of teaching.

Ms. Hague is the hardest working educator that I know. She is an outstanding teacher and communicator. She is one of the strongest teacher-advocates that I know. Her manner is professional at all times.

She is well-respected throughout the Pleasanton Unified School District, including teachers, administrators, union members, and non-union members, like myself.

If this is how the teachers in San Leandro are represented, it is apparent why there is an impasse in the negotiations.

Leni Seymon
Algebra Teacher/Math Department Chair
Pleasanton Middle School

Read more in tomorrow's Daily Review.

I was driving down Sybil Avenue in San Leandro this morning and saw the weirdest thing. Actually, it's the newest addition to East 14th Street — the ZAP electric car dealership.

I saw the itsy bitsy three-wheeled sedans and trucks in the showroom as I was making a turn, and I couldn't help but pull over and check them out.

Turns out ZAP (it stands for Zero Air Pollution), which is based in Santa Rosa, has been open in San Leandro for only a few months now. Right now, the dealership is featuring its XEBRA sedan (pictured above) and truck, as well as its Zapino electric scooter and Zappy — which only can be described as a motorized tricycle-thingy for adults.

A salesman told me to call the general manager for a test drive. But being a reporter, I'll probably decline for the time being so as not to cause a conflict of interest. And just peeking at the little sedan, it looked like my tall frame probably wouldn't even fit in the front seat anyway. But if one of you pays ZAP a visit, make sure to let me know how your experience was.

I haven't been ignoring this on purpose, but a story that ran last week about Pierre, a 25-year-old African penguin at the California Academy of Sciences who recently got a special wetsuit made for him and a new lease on life, has apparently now turned into the story heard 'round the world.

By now, people all the way from the Bay Area to Iran have heard about this penguin's plight to rejoin his peers at the academy's penguin tank.

What's most interesting about this story, though, is the company that created the penguin wetsuit is Oceanic Worldwide, a dive gear supplier based in none other than San Leandro.

A number of Bay Area cities have recently announced their opposition to state plans to conduct aerial spraying to eradicate the light brown apple moth, even though a study reported there is no link between the pesticide spraying and numerous illness complaints reported last fall.

Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, San Francisco and a slew of other agencies have passed resolutions.

But not San Leandro.

The spraying is not scheduled to occur in San Leandro. But Mayor Tony Santos at the City Council meeting on Monday said he didn't agree with his counterparts in other jurisdictions throughout the region who have voiced their concerns about the spraying. He said many others, including San Leandro residents, have made assumptions about the spraying without scientific evidence that backs up people's claims.

He added that the state health officials responsible for determining whether the spraying is harmful are the only ones who can be trusted at this point because they are the experts.

When Vice Mayor Surlene Grant and Councilman Jim Prola suggested the council look into joining their counterparts in signing a petition to stop the spraying, Santos disagreed, saying he would rather put his faith in the state health officials.

"I can't believe a state agency would use a substance which would harm people," he said.

Prola interjected: "Well, they have before," followed by a few chuckles in the audience.

Here are the candidate statements for the San Leandro City Council race. (The photos of each candidate were taken by staff photographer Mike Lucia while at the San Leandro Community Action Network candidates forum.)

District 2

CHARLES GILCREST
Age: 52
Occupation: Local businessowner, Gilcrest Management Services/City Commissioner, Board of Zoning Adjustments
I am seeking the opportunity to work for you to help create a better future for San Leandro. I was born and raised here, and deeply care about our city. We need to fix our roads. Too often neighborhood streets are ignored, while pavements continue to deteriorate. Together we can create a safer community. More Neighborhood Watch, but also better and interactive crime updates, more community policing, enhanced real-time communication with neighboring forces, and comparable staffing ratios. Downtown BART parking should be increased, not decreased, as we build the Transit Oriented Development. We need to complete the Senior Center and Aquatics Center, and expand transit to reduce traffic. We need to attract and support new and local business, create a stable and self-sustaining shoreline and marina, and partner with the schools, improving both education and recreational opportunities. My service on the Halcyon-Foothill Neighborhood Association Board, San Leandro's Board of Zoning Adjustments and Redevelopment Advisory Committee, SLUSD Bond Oversight Committee, Chamber Board, Davis Street volunteer, and formerly Human Services Commissioner prepared me to serve as your councilmember, so I can help make our city a better home for us all. Please vote Charles Gilcrest for City Council District 2. Thank you.

LINDA PERRY
Age: 55
Occupation: Public policy consultant/San Leandro schools trustee
My education and qualifications are: involvement, experience, leadership and vision. I know the job. I was councilmember and vice mayor from 1988-1996, representing San Leandro on numerous local and regional committees. I have been involved in improving San Leandro for 39 years, appointed to the first San Leandro Youth Advisory Committee at age 16. As a graduate of San Leandro High and California State University, Hayward, I value education. First elected in 1996, I currently serve on the San Leandro Unified School Board and Alameda County School Boards Association. I see first-hand the diverse needs of our young families and children not being addressed by the city. As Halcyon-Foothill Neighborhood Association president, I am a vocal advocate for my neighborhood. I served on the South Area Corridor and Downtown Plan committees. Upcoming district issues include Bayfair Center expansion; BART Transit-Oriented Development; Senior Center; San Leandro Hospital's future; ninth-grade campus; and I-580 soundwalls. I will demand neighborhood input. My priorities are economic development and jobs; working closely with schools; expanding public safety; affordable housing; neighborhood vitality; quality of life: child care, available health care, senior needs, green space, recreation opportunities; transportation; fixing infrastructure; and government responsiveness. Visit www.lindaperry4council.com. Together we can make a better San Leandro. I ask for your support.

URSULA REED
Occupation: Educator
I will bring a fresh voice to the San Leandro City Council. I respectfully ask for your vote because I believe in the future of our city and I've worked hard to achieve the qualifications, knowledge and abilities to make San Leandro better. As an educator and former school principal, I know how to work with people to accomplish mutual goals. I listen. I bring diverse points of view together to achieve consensus and solve problems. I know how to bring out the best in people. I do not have a hidden or political agenda. I am running for the City Council because I want to make our city a better place to live for my young son, my family and our neighbors. I plan to focus on helping our Police Department prevent and fight crime, keeping fees and taxes low, working for community-oriented economic development, providing increased services for youth and seniors, and helping improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Your vote for me will add a fresh and new voice to our civic deliberations. I pledge to serve with honesty, integrity and a commitment to quality public service. I would be honored to have your support. www.ReedforSanLeandro.com

District 4

JOYCE STAROSCIAK
Occupation: Incumbent/Small-business owner, Starotech
Graduated from San Leandro High School at the top of my class. I hold a BS in engineering with honors from Harvey Mudd College and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech. I've done my homework and am honored to serve you as the City of San Leandro District 4 councilmember. In my time on the council, the city has fully recovered from a $3M budget deficit, returning eight police officer positions, Sunday library hours, the Cherry Festival, and a fully funded reserve account. In District 4, the city saw the opening of the Manor Branch Library and the San Leandro Family Aquatics Center at Washington Manor Park. Through my personal efforts, the Manor Branch Library received over $12,000 in private donations to fill the shelves with new books. Over my term, I have worked to improve communication in District 4 with an e-mail news update, an annual Security Summit, and the revitalization of the Washington Manor Homeowners Association. My vision for San Leandro includes a revitalized Marina Shoreline, improving public safety, attracting more business, and creating safe destinations for youth, seniors, residents and guests. Please cast your vote for Joyce Rutledge Starosciak, District 4 City Councilmember.

LOU FILIPOVICH

Lou Filipovich did not submit a candidate statement.

District 6

WAFAA ABORASHED
Age: 52
Occupation: Grassroots environmental advocate
Graduate of California East Bay University in Sociology. A grassroots environmental advocate, plus president of the Davis West Neighborhood of San Leandro for the past 11 years, and also I am working to protect the environment and reduce negative health impacts for San Leandro citizens. I am a member of the San Leandro Chamber Leadership Program and a Steering Committee member of the following environmental, political and social organizations: Bay Area Health Collaborative, Ditching Dirty Diesel, Environmental Justice Air Quality Coalition, Ambassadors for Peace, chairperson of Women's Interfaith Circle of Services, vice chair of Peacemakers, board member of the United Nations East Bay. I particpate and encourage participation in bringing people together to explore and resolve everyday community concerns. www.Wafaa4SanLeandro.com

HERMY ALMONTE
Occupation: Regional property supervisor
I am a graduate of Alameda County Leadership Academy and was appointed to serve on the Consumer Affairs Commission. I inherited the passion of public service from my grandfather, who was a former councilman. The growing populations of Filipino and Asian communities have "dreams," of equal representation of ALL in the City Council. Some areas in need of immediate attention are: community safety, wheelchair accessibility, bus stops without waiting sheds, crosswalks for children and wheelchair-bound individuals, missing traffic and pedestrian signs, housing for seniors, teachers, working families and people with medical challenges, and a sports complex and leagues. My past and current community services prove my active involvement in the school district and community. Past member, Disaster Action Team-San Francisco, American Red Cross Bay Area; commissioner on the Consumer Affairs Commission of Alameda County; president of English Learner Advisory Committee of San Leandro High Schooll finance chairman of soccer and scouting, Boy Scouts of America of San Leandro; Leo adviser for Leo Club of San Leandro High School; and California Notary Public, second term. ALL residents of the city of San Leandro, I am willing to serve everyone and focus on all areas needing attention! Vote Hermy B. Almonte on June 3!

ESTELLE CLEMONS
Occupation: Human services manager
San Leandro is a beautiful and diverse city with a landscape that spans from our golden waterfront to our rolling hills. In moving the city of San Leandro forward, we need effective leaders who can advance the priorities of the community and get the job done — I am that public servant. I hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, a master's degree in Behavioral Science, and have over 10 years of practical work experience in local government. I've worked to bring millions of dollars in additional funding from local, state and federal resources to help local government meet the needs of the community by securing funding for infrastructure, parks and recreation, public safety, transit-oriented development, waterfront dredging, and services for seniors and working families. Serving as a San Leandro city councilmember takes leaderhsip, vision and experience. I am that leader that will help move the city of San Leandro foward. With the support of the community, I am committed to 1) increasing public safety; 2) advocating for and ensuring quality education for all children; and 3) supporting smart growth in the area of community and economic development. For leadership and experience that counts, on June 3 cast your vote for Estelle E. Clemons, San Leandro City Council. www.electEstelleClemons.com

JIM PROLA
Age: 65
Occupation: Incumbent
As your councilmember, it has been a pleasure to serve you these past 15 months. San Leandro has been my home for more than 30 years, and my wife and I raised three children here. I hve volunteered as a youth sports coach and as a leader on many community issues, including cleaning up our shoreline and helping establish the city's first shelter for women and children. We've done a lot on the council to move San Leandro forward, but there's more to be done, and that's why I'm running to retain my District 6 council seat. I want to secure our future by creating more programs for children and young families, work with the school district to improve education, increase public safety to better proetect our neighborhoods, continue to advocate for seniors, balance our budget in a tight economy, work with local businesses to ensure they thrive in our city, and preserve San Leandro's small-town atmosphere. I ask you to join with Mayor Tony Santos, County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, and many other residents, and vote for me, Jim Prola, to elect a leader with vision and experience. For more information, please visit www.jimprola.com. Thank you.

MARK TICHY
Occupation: Realtor
I've been a resident in San Leandro for 16 years now, and in that time I've noticed our city is taking a turn for the worse. Just recently, my wife and I opened Chicago Blues Cafe located on East 14th Street. Since opening we've been overwhelmed by all of the regulation that San Leandro imposes on the small-businessperson. San Leandro is not small business-friendly. Change is needed to address the concerns of the small-businessperson. Our community will never change unless we can attract new business. Only then will our city thrive. Over the years, many businesses have avoided San Leandro due to overregulation. The current mayor and City Council members are more interested in filling in our marina for development, rather then addressing the real issues our city faces. Make a difference and vote for a candidate that understands how to support and attract busines back to San Leandro.

Dean Karnazes is at it again. The ultramarathon runner from San Francisco, who last year teamed up with San Leandro-based The North Face to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, is now leading another endurance race. And this time, he's going global.

Karnazes will now attempt to complete the world's five major desert foot races as part of The North Face Desert Grand Slam, the company announced today.

He has already started, as he is currently running the Atacama Desert in Chile. Throughout the rest of the year, he will run the Gobi Desert in China, Death Valley here in California, the Sahara Desert in Africa, and the desolate, arid plateaus of Antarctica.

I remember when I interviewed him over the telephone last year after he finished running the Endurance 50, he didn't even pause when he told me he had just run more than 3,000 miles — in 50 days. And he couldn't wait to get off the phone — not because he wanted the interview to be over, but because he had his running shoes on and couldn't wait to start running again.

If you want to follow Karnazes as he attempts to set another record, go here. Just be prepared to have your running shoes handy, because his endurance is contagious.

The San Leandro Community Action Network will be holding a candidates forum this Friday to give residents an opportunity to see the City Council candidates up close and personal, and hear their platforms. The group asked each candidate (there are 10) to fill out a questionnaire before the forum, and the candidates' answers are now posted on SLCAN's Web site. Some of the interesting questions asked in the questionnaire include:

If you've been by Bayfair Center lately — and, hopefully, you have — you might have noticed that the food court is getting a makeover.

That's exciting news, judging by the fact that for years the food court only had about three restaurants and an awkward layout.

A Madison Marquette executive told me a few months ago that this was going to happen, and that the food court restoration was part of the mall's larger plan to make over the interior of Bayfair — just like the mall has been redone on the outside.

The new food court vendors haven't been disclosed yet, but look forward to a fall 2009 reopening.