Vol 1, issue 1, March 16, 2026
A RECOMMENDED EXCURSION: The Hayward Public Library, a short drive or a medium-long walk from Bellara. It’s street address is 888 C Street. There’s a large, free garage right next to the library with a direct entrance into the Library itself. Don’t want to take the stairs? There’s an elevator right behind where this picture was taken. “Mystery”books are on the third floor. (Submission and Photo by Rick Wise)
Your recommended excursion goes here!
Welcome to The Bellara Buzz.
We've been wanting this for a while — a place that's actually ours. Not a Facebook group tangled in notifications, not a flyer tacked to the mailroom door. Just a clean, simple spot where Bellara residents can share what they know, what they've found, and what's going on.
Whether you've been here since the building opened or just moved in last week, this blog is for you. Post a restaurant recomendation, flag a maintenance issue you've solved — or haven’t, shout out a neighbor who helped you carry groceries. Send us your thoughts, observations, suggestions here. (See submission form at the bottom of the page.) Unclear of what to contribute? Click on the “Submissions Guidelines” tab at the top of this page.
In the Bellara Buzz you’ll find:
o breaking Bellara news (when there is some)
o recommended excursions (with pictures)
o other recommendations, such as a veterinarian , a dentist, etc.
o a tips department
o an online Art Gallery for resident artists
o a Kudos and Gripes department
o And Op/Ed section for guest comments from non-residents
o Letters to the Editor
o a classifieds section where you can post items for free or for sale
o Minutes of the Resident Board’s last meeting
NOTE: This issue is filled with way too many entries by the Editor, Rick Wise. This is your blog. Please contribute! Updates will happen, at least for now, every Sunday. Check back every Monday for the “new edition” of the Bellara Buzz.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: If you can, please scroll through the Buzz on a laptop or desktop computer (or wide tablet.) On a smart phone, things get pushed around in a confusing way.
Breaking News:
Activities Director, Charlie Jacinto, announced Friday March 6 that he is planning in April to open a physical gallery where resident artists of all sorts can display their works. He will be distributing a flyer about this new project to Residents soon.
Recommendations:
VETERINARIANS:
DENTISTS:
Eden Pet Hospital, a medium walk or a short drive from Bellara: 1920 Knox St., Castro Valley, 510-538-6350. (Just before you reach Trader Joe’s.) “Thorough, kind, complete.” — submitted by Rick Wise.
Write your recommendation for a veterinarian, or a warning if your experience was bad…
Write a recommendation of a dentist for the Buzz. Or a warning if your experience was bad….
TIPS:
EASY WAY TO CHECK OUT AND BACK IN: Bellara has integrated with Accushield so that you can check out and back in again from your smart phone. To get the app (if you don’t already have it,) go to the front desk with your phone. Someone there will guide you through the quick steps to install Accushield on that phone. Then, to sign out, you follow the easy-to-see and follow prompts. On the return, you just open the app again and tap on “I Am Home.“ — submitted by Karen Wandvik.
Your tips go here!
ART GALLERY:
BLACK, by Rick Wise
A Gripe: Whoever thought installing refrigerators with the ice section on top should be sentenced to a lifetime of stooping and squats. —submitted by Rick Wise
Op/Ed:
DECEMBER TOMATOES, by Rick Wise
KUDOS AND GRIPES:
Photo by Jenan Wise
Comments, ideas, thoughts by Management, family, or friends on any topic the author thinks is of interest to our community.
Letters to the Editor:
Note: Civility and respect rule here.
An example of a letter which will NOT be printed: “Roxanne Rotwell’s letter last week supporting our war on Iran is just plain stupid. And on top of that, I know for a fact she cheats at bridge.”
An example of a letter which WILL be printed: “I have to disagree with Roxanne Rotwell’s letter last week that supported our war on Iran. Here are three reasons why I think this war is a terrible mistake” etc.
CLASSIFIEDS:
Rick Wise:
After more than 50 years as a Bay Area cinematographer, I pivoted a while back to fine art photography. I find repeatedly that life is full of conflicting strands. These Images are my way to co-here a few of them. Now, at the age of 90, I continue to pursue this visual fugue passion from our new home at Bellara.
Every piece of my work starts out most frequently as a group of photographs that I’ve taken and then, using many Photoshop layers, compressed/blended/offset into a single Image. For anyone looking to honor a loved one, or her/himself, I also offer "Uncommon Portraits."
You can browse through my work at: rickwisedp.com
Free:
For Sale: Art of various sizes and shapes. Printed to canvas. Look at my gallery of work at: www.rickwisedp.com. Then contact me at rickwise35@gmail.comif interested.
List your Free or For-Sale items here.
Contact Us
Send us your comments, suggestions, tips, excursion ideas, anything and everything about your life here at Bellara. See “Submission Guidelines” — a direct link is at the top of this page.