Owner Chris Padavana along with his staff members were joined by the community in celebratingEden Bicycles’ 10 year anniversary on Saturday.

Eden Bicycles is a local store that sells all kinds of bicycles and bicycle accessories from beginning to elite level. For its 10 year anniversary, it offered freebies, discounts, demos, and a stunt show by American world class mountain bike rider, Jeff Lenosky.

Padavana says his local business is booming despite competition with online businesses and commercial retail stores because of the friendships they develop with patrons.

He adds his business has a sense of “accountability” where customers could comfortably come back to the store if they have a problem with a purchase.

Padavana also says he grew up in Castro Valley since 1981 and has been active in the community by donating to local charities and holding events like the one on Saturday.

Reporter Richgail Enriquez was at the anniversary party and has more on the video report above.

Happy memories of Sim was the main topic at her memorial service. Friends say they remember her as the girl with a big smile, a ray of sunshine that also brought out smiles from others.

Sim’s young life was unexpectedly taken when she was caught in the middle of a shooting rampage at Oikos University on Monday. Aside from Sim, six others, including Union City resident Grace Eunhae Kim, were killed and three injured. Suspect One L. Goh, a former Oikos student, has been arrested and could face the death penalty.

As senseless and tragic the incident may seem, Sim’s family and friends celebrated the brighter moments during the vigil.

Among those in attendance were Sim’s college friends at Oikos and high school friends who attended James Logan High School with her, where she graduated in 2009.

“She is one of those people who is an actual genuinely happy,” said former Logan classmate Ghemie Sangil. “She does have the ability to walk into a room and brighten it up and make everyone smile.”

Congratulations Lolita!!! I’m so touched that you thought of calling me to share the good news.

And advanced 68th birthday this Thursday!!! You are such a gem in our community.

I was lucky enough to interview him and get to know his story when I shot a short video on his 106th birthday last June for Union City Patch. Zendejas was only few months shy of his 107th. I recall his birthday wish last year was to reach 110. But then again, I’m sure he was contented to had lived a full life on this earth. Not everyone can last that long. I for one definitely would like to reach that peak.

Zendejas is surived by his six children, 21 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren.

Below is the video story that shows his zest for life, family, and hard-earned work.

Here’s what one of his great great grand daughters wrote to me:

I just wanted to thank you again for your interest in my grandfather. The day that you spent talking to him and filming him in his garden and among his family was great. And then to take the time and also film him at his birthday party – that was special!

He lived a good, full, and rich life. How many people are fortunate to live so long (106) and be in good health?

Originally posted on: Union City Patch.com

No need to look far and wide, a glamorous piece of history is right here in our own backyard. Become a tourist for a day by visiting the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in downtown Niles Boulevard.

The world renowned museum is famous for preserving and playing hundreds of silent movies from the 1900s — some of which were shot right here in Niles.

In fact, cinema icon, Charlie Chaplin stayed in Niles to shoot his legendary films including the most memorable one, “The Tramp”.

The world’s first western movie star, “Broncho Billy” was also no stranger to the neighborhood.

Niles “Essanay” stems from the production company, Essanay Studios, which held its film production in Niles in the 1910s. During the height of its success, a movie theater was built to hold the screenings of the produced films. Today, that same theater was rebuilt and restored to play the movies made 100 years ago.

Every Saturday night, for a suggested donation of $5, visitors get to relieve the silent movie experience accompanied with live piano music.

The museum/theater is run mostly by volunteers. It receives funding from private and public donations as well as from grants.

Reporter Richgail Enriquez was at one of the screenings and has more on the video report above.

This story also appeared on PBS NEWSHOUR and American Public Media’s Marketplace.

The Philippines’ swelling population is causing fishing villages to embrace birth control for the first time, and not just as a means to plan their families. They also see it as a path to long-term food security, ensuring that future generations enjoy the same abundance of fish.

For more information, visit www.centerforinvestigativereporting.org

ORIGINAL ARTICLE POSTED ON: Newark.Patch.com

Newark spearheaded the MLK Jr. Day a week early to gear up the community in remembering the legendary Civil Rights Leader.

On January 8th, the City of Newark and the Tri-Cities Afro-American Cultural and Historical Society led a tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Junior. The annual tribute is at its 35th year.

Mayor Alan Nagy of Newark and Mayor Mark Green of Union City were among the city leaders in attendance as well as prominent church leaders, school officials, and non-profit organizations.

An array of performers also shared their talents on stage.

Reporter Richgail Enriquez has the highlights of the event in the full video report above.

For its 18th year in a row, Viola Blythe Community Services Center and its director, Debbie Caravalho, gave kids of low income families reasons to look forward to the holidays: presents, food, and a spectaclar live show.

The kids didn’t mind the wait at all, even though it took them hours outside the doors of Schilling Elementary School on Saturday.

Videographer Richgail Enriquez was on scene to report on the unfolding of the special holiday event just for these kids. See the video above to see highlights from the event.

After dinner, the organizations talked about their upcoming events and services. They ended the night with a toast and the way Fiipinos know best how to celebrate, karaoke.

The endeavor was not an easy task. As you may know, wedding videography embodies a whole different way of filming compared to videojournalism. New sorts of challenges and obstacles tested my knowledge, skills, and above all, patience.

The most frustrating stickler of them all was technical glitches during post production. Final Cut Pro won’t work, laptop too slow, and external drive completely crashed on me (Thank God I retrieved the footage!). I think I just broke even from my pay. I didn’t charge much considering this was my first wedding videography gig. But I do hope that the couple knew that I  didn’t lessen the value of my work by charging that low, or lessen the value of wedding videography period!

Eldrick & Francis Wedding Highlights from richgail enriquez on Vimeo.

Luckily, I had a helping hand from my boyfriend, Chris, who although has no professional videography background, stepped to the challenge of shooting the groom and groomsmen’s prepping stage.

My good friend and amazing photographer, Anthony Dimaano, was the photographer of the event. He was busy doing his own thing but it was good to know I had a lifeline during the shoot in case I needed technical help.

Other than that, editing was pretty much all me-and most of my nights and weekends.

Fortunately, the couple loved their video montage-whew!