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Juneteenth in Livermore
Juneteenth, an American holiday celebrated annually on June 19, marks the official end of slavery in the U.S. when the last of the enslaved peoples were emancipated in Texas. While it has historically been celebrated in the African-American community since 1865, it has gained increased recognition in recent years amid the Black Lives Matter movement.
This Saturday in Livermore, three events are planned in honor of Juneteenth, including the second annual Faith and Solidarity Bike Ride and Walk hosted by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
“In an act of solidarity and to spark black culture awareness within our community, while promoting physical, mental, and spiritual health, the Health Ministry, will be organizing a bike ride throughout Livermore to celebrate the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States — Juneteenth,” organizers wrote in a description of the event.
The ride is set to begin at 8:45 a.m. Admission is free but participants are asked to register via Eventbrite (bit.ly/3cMQooC).
Immediately following the bike ride at 10:30 a.m., an outdoor community festival hosted by Tri-Valley for Black Lives, Dublin Inclusion Alliance and the Diablo Black Men’s Group will take place at the St. Charles Borromeo property located at 1315 Lomitas Ave. The family-friendly event will have vendors, food and games, among other activities.
From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, the Tri-Valley Grassroots Organizing (TVGO) collective of community groups will host a Freedom Day garage sale at 4915 Dana Court in Livermore with proceeds benefiting Virginia State House delegates Lashrecse D. Aird and Alex Askew, who are both Black. TVGO adopted the two out-of-state candidates through the Sister District Project, an organization that supports Democrat campaigns with grassroots action to help advance progressive policy.
The garage sale is co-sponsored by Swing Left Tri-Valley, Livermore Indivisible, Tri-Valley for Black Lives and Organizing for Action East Bay Central.
New No. 2 at Valley Link
The Tri-Valley/San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority Board of Directors this month hired Kevin Sheridan as the Valley Link oversight agency’s deputy executive director and program manager.
Sheridan comes to Valley Link with over 20 years of experience working in transportation project delivery. Since 2017, he has been the director of capital projects for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (ACE train). He also previously worked for Caltrans and the San Joaquin County Council of Governments.
“I had the pleasure last week to meet with Kevin and was personally impressed by his skill level, his knowledge, and how passionate he is about this project. He has been working for quite some time in the industry and he is very well respected. I think he will be the person to take us to the finish line on this project,” said Tracy Mayor Pro Tem Veronica Vargas, who serves as Valley Link board chair.
Valley Link Executive Director Michael Tree, who recommended the appointment, said three things stood out about Sheridan during the hiring process.
“First, he is currently overseeing $1.5 billion in rail construction projects for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Authority so he has experience managing projects similar in magnitude to Valley Link,” Tree said. “Second, he has had extensive experience working with Union Pacific (UP) Railroad and that relationship will be vital in developing the part of the project that is in UP right of way.”
“Finally, Kevin managed highway projects while at Caltrans and that experience will be essential in designing the part of the project that falls in the I-580 median,” Tree added.
Vaccine Q&A
The Livermore Public Library and Axis Community Health are hosting an online Q&A later this month about the COVID-19 vaccines.
Axis chief medical officer Dr. Dawnell Moody “will answer questions and provide information about all available COVID-19 vaccines including: how the vaccines work, myths and misconceptions about the vaccines, benefits of getting vaccinated, and Pfizer vaccine for youth 12 to 15 years of age,” organizers said.
The Zoom-based session will run from 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 28. The access link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88417869467. To learn more, visit axishealth.org or livermorelibrary.net.
