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Teenagers in Silicon Valley & Milpitas

What’s there to do for teenagers in this town? How do Milpitas and other Silicon Valley cities treat their teenagers?

Commentary

Kids of the Silicon Valley Housing Crisis
Gabriel’s parents paid $1,200 a month for close to two decades. But with the Silicon Valley housing explosion, rents are rapidly rising and the family is now priced out of their neighborhood.

The Most Interesting Teenager In Silicon Valley
During his first semester at USC, Lavingia was contacted by Pinterest’s founders. He dropped out of school to become a founding member of the site.

Pressure to Succeed: Silicon Valley Teens Face Culture of High Expectations
“Having that sort of constant weight of, ‘Oh, I really have to succeed sometimes,’ that can really wear you down.”

The Real Teens of Silicon Valley
Inside the almost-adult lives of the industry’s newest recruits. There’s no official tally of the number of teens who work in tech, but Fontenot estimates that there are as many as a hundred recent high school dropouts working on startups in the city. Some were too distracted by programming projects and weekend hackathons to go to class.

Teen Anxiety in Silicon Valley: How Academic Pressure Affects Mental Health
Everywhere you look, there’s a story about a new teen building the next hot startup. Lists like the Forbes 30 Under 30 (which I was shamelessly on) encourage it. It’s part of the culture. This is where I’m torn.

Teenage Wasteland
Most of the attention given to teenagers in Santa Clara County comes in the form of restrictions driven by law enforcement, instead of what kids really need. Can society ever learn to love its teens? By Traci Hukill.

Civic Groups

Azen Seagulls
The Azen Seagulls strive to share our love for arts and crafts with others. We provide engaging and interactive videos for young kids and teens that will enhance or begin their experience with arts and crafts. Especially with quarantine, we believe it’s the perfect time to explore new things, and we believe that art can take you places! We Upload Videos Every Monday! YouTube Channel.

FLY – Fresh Lifelines for Youth
Since 1998, FLY, a nonprofit organization designed by troubled teens themselves, has been providing programs for more than 1,000 at-risk and disadvantaged youth, their parents and guardians, and community members.
568 Valley Way, Building 4
408-263-2630

Public Allies
Public Allies identifies talented young adults from diverse backgrounds and advances their leadership through full-time, paid apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations, weekly leadership trainings and team service projects. Contact Holly Lim by email.
600 Valley Way, Suite C
408-586-7633

Teen Advisory Board at Milpitas Library
If you’re interested in advocating for Milpitas teens, creating and planning events, and working on a team with like-minded teens, consider sending in an application and email it to rleo@sccl.org. Requirements are that you are in grades 9-12, able to attend a monthly meeting during the school year, and actively go to Milpitas Library.

Youth Advisory Commission
Established to advise the Council on matters pertaining to youth and teens in Milpitas. Commissioners must be in grades 7 through 12 and live in Milpitas. Members and alternates are appointed to one-year terms.

Employment

Milpitas Youth Force (MYF)
Preparing Milpitas teens, ages 15-18, to successfully and confidently enter the workforce by providing new opportunities, goal setting, hands on exposure, breaking down barriers and career soft skill building. Apply in early spring for work over the summer.

Indeed Jobs for Teens within 10 miles of City Center
Teen jobs in Milpitas, CA

Snag a Teen Job in Milpitas, CA
If you’re looking for part time jobs in Milpitas, California or even student jobs and jobs for teens in Milpitas, California, you’ve come to the right place!

Teens: summer jobs to avoid
Many teens are working in unsafe conditions without the proper training or supervision. Too many are injured or killed on the job because they were performing tasks prohibited by federal or state labor laws.

High Schools

Calaveras Hills High School
Our mini-high school serves 220 9-12 students. 1331 East Calaveras Blvd., 408-945-2398.

Milpitas High School
Milpitas High School has a web site to keep teens and their parents abreast with events and activities at the school.

News

The MHS Union Blog
Blog has more up-to-date news than the newspaper below about what is going on in Milpitas High. Also easier to read.

The Union ~ Student Voice of Milpitas High School
Online version of the Milpitas High School Newspaper.

Of Interest

Drivers Ed
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
For teens and others new to driving in California here are links for driving schools, driving test practice sites and safety tips.

Silicon Valley De-Bug
A collective of young workers, writers, and artists organizing to improve Silicon Valley.

Recreation

Best fun things for teens near Milpitas
Room escapes, K1 speed, Sky High sports, Golfland, dance studios, and more.

Fun Inside
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
Quiet and active things to do inside. Teen Club information.

India Community Center Main Youth Center
From preschool programs to classes for teens. Learn Bollywood dancing.

India Community Center Table Tennis Center
The ICC Table Tennis program has been growing exponentially since its launch in 2005. In 11 years it has opened North America’s largest dedicated table tennis center and has produced 2012 USA Olympic team members Timothy Wang, Ariel Hsing & Lily Zhang. Team ICC playerLily Zhang and Jiaqi Zheng will also represent USA at 2016 Rio Olympics.

Skatepark at Milpitas Sports Center
A beautiful 20,000-square foot, all-wheel skate experience, with a combination of transition and street terrain.

Teen Center
Temporarily on hold due to Covid restrictions. The Milpitas Teen Center is a safe space that provides services and programs for teens. There will be drop-in activities and classes from 3:30p.m. to 6:30p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, with classes, trips and events on evenings and weekends. See site for calendar. Check Facebook page for news. Teen Center rules.
40 N. Milpitas Blvd. – inside Senior Center.
408-586-3210

Youth Sports
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
This site’s section for public and private sports opportunities for community youth.

Youth Groups

DECA
An association of marketing students. The students run a ship-shaped cart called the TIE-TANIC in the Great Mall. Contact is Tonette Rancadore, at 408-941-9603.

Kids’ Clubs
A GO MILPITAS RESOURCE
From scouting to sport teams, Milpitas has lots of groups for kids and teens.

Sunnyhills Neighborhood History

Please join Executive Producers Donnie Eiland and David Mosqueda for a special virtual viewing of…

54: The Story Of The First Planned Integrated Community In The Country

History of the Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association
Sunnyhills was the first planned racially-integrated community in the United States in 1956, arranged by a Union co-op of the United Auto Workers. Today, Sunnyhills still has one of the highest levels of integration of any neighborhood. More detailed version.

Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association June 2022 Breakfast Meeting

K’Meyer related the story of how the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker social action organization, and the United Auto Workers union cooperated in the early 1950s to build Sunnyhills, an intentionally integrated community, to provide housing for the Black and white workers at the Milpitas Ford factory—one of the first interracial housing developments in the nation. Copies of her book are available from the Neighborhood Association and The Milpitas Historical Society.

The Untold Stories of Sunnyhills, Where History Was Made
By Rhoda Shapiro
February 14, 2019
Story how Milpitas resident Donnie Eiland came up with the idea to film a history of Sunnyhills, the neighborhood he grew up in. Back in January, 2019, Eiland flew Ben Gross’ son, Benjamin Gross, Jr., out from Minnesota to take part in the documentary. During his stay, Benjamin spoke at a couple of community events to share fascinating stories about his father, who passed away in 2012, and what it was like to grow up in Sunnyhills.

Sunnyhills…and The Soviet Union?

After the Kitchen Debate, Ben Gross (senior) had been in constant contact with Walter Reuther (President of the UAW), and asked that Reuther extend an invitation to Khrushchev to visit Sunnyhills. Gross wanted the Soviet leader to see an integrated community with his own eyes.

Khrushchev accepted and, once in Milpitas, made a special stop.

The Grosses threw a barbecue in the backyard to welcome the Premier. Khrushchev, his son, and five other officials came out to their Sunnyhills home. A visit to five different homes in the neighborhood was also set up, so that Khrushchev could witness the integrated neighborhood in action.

The event was not disclosed to the media. In fact, Russian security officials confiscated Benjamin’s camera, which is why no photos of the Premier’s visit exist.

I <3 Ol’ School Milpitas!
For those who grew up in, went to school in, spent time in, or love somebody from Milpitas. Please keep ALL posts about memories of people and events from Milpitas.

History of Milpitas: the 1900s
On January 26, 1954, Milpitas residents incorporated as a city that included the recently built Ford Auto Assembly plant.

Sunnyhills United Methodist Church History 1957-1982
Sunnyhills United Methodist Church was officially dedicated in January of 1959. Sunnyhills has been blessed with excellent and varied styles of leadership.

Future of Milpitas-Plans and Projects

Capital Improvement Program
Milpitas will preserve its close-knit community and rich cultural diversity as it moves with innovation into the future by supporting sustainable growth and development, ensuring public safety, enhancing the environment and natural landscape, and nurturing family and community connections. Large document containing plans for Milpitas’ future.

City of Milpitas Bicycle/Pedestrian & Trails Plan
The City of Milpitas is in the process of updating its Trails and Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plans. These plans will provide the City with a vision and action plan to make it safer and more convenient to walk, bike, and roll in Milpitas. Visit MilpitasPhase2.altaplanning.cloud to provide feedback! Visit the interactive map at the link above to comment on proposed recommendations for bicycling and walking in Milpitas. Your feedback will inform recommended improvements around the city and help prioritize future investments.

Milpitas Economic Development
Responsible for helping maintain and promote growth in the City of Milpitas. We move at the speed of business to help keep your project on track and on time. We also take pride in “linking opportunities for commerce and community,” helping our businesses grow and succeed, increasing our job base for residents, and improving the economic well-being and quality of life for all.
408-586-3058
econdev@ci.milpitas.ca.gov

Milpitas Metro Specific Plan
The Milpitas Metro Specific Plan (formerly Transit Area Specific Plan) is a plan for the redevelopment of an approximately 437-acre area in the southern portion of the City that currently includes a number of industrial uses near the Great Mall shopping center. Based on City Council direction, the Draft Preferred Plan currently proposes redevelopment of this area with 7,109 dwelling units, 993,843 square feet of office space, 340 hotel rooms and 287,075 square feet of retail space centered around the proposed Milpitas BART station and the VTA Light Rail system. Update on October 29, 2021 in Milpitas Beat.

Milpitas Metro Specific Plan – Land Use and Density Policies
Agenda Report Attachment prepared for the City Council Meeting on January 19, 2021. This plan was originally scheduled to conclude in April 2021, however it has been extended in order to provide planning and environmental review for housing development in order to comply with RHNA and property owner interest in housing development in the Great Mall Subdistrict.

Milpitas Midtown Specific Plan
This updated Milpitas Midtown Specific Plan (2010) provides a new vision for an approximately 589-acre area of land which is currently undergoing changes related to its growing role as a housing and employment center in Silicon Valley

Milpitas Parks and Recreation Master Plan
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will provide both a long-term vision for the City’s park system, and specific policies and standards to direct day-to-day decisions. It will set forth a framework that will allow the City to respond to new opportunities as they arise, and to ensure that adequate parks, facilities and recreation programs meet the needs of the City’s future residents, employees and visitors.

New McCarthy Creekside Development

Amazon crafts leasing deal for huge Milpitas delivery hub
Hundreds could work at Amazon delivery center in Milpitas in three big industrial buildings.
707, 807, and 907 N. McCarthy Blvd.

Apple signs big industrial lease in Milpitas
Apple Inc. has signed a major lease for nearly 314,000 square feet of industrial manufacturing space at McCarthy Creekside, a brand-new, multiphase development in Milpitas, according to real estate records.
407 N. McCarthy Blvd.

SF Motors Expands its Silicon Valley Footprint with a New R&D Facility for Intelligent Electric Vehicles
Company plans new lab facility in Milpitas dedicated to prototyping and manufacturing of advanced batteries and electric powertrains:
ElectricPowertrain(EPT)Lab and NewProductIntroduction(NPI)Lab
607 N McCarthy Blvd

Major Stores, Entertainment & Services-Great Mall

Anchor stores at the Great Mall in Milpitas, CA.

Bed Bath & Beyond
Department store selling domestics merchandise and home furnishings. Shop online.
408-934-1596
Neighborhood 5A near Forever 21 and Dave & Busters
#147

Burlington Coat Factory
Designer and name-brand merchandise at up to 70% off department store prices. Shop online
408-934-0454
Neighborhood 3 near Victorias Secret and Banana Republic
#1400

Century 20 Great Mall
Century 20 Great Mall Milpitas show times.
1010 Great Mall Drive
408-942-7441

DICK’S Sporting Goods
Interactive sporting goods store carrying clothing, equipment & accessories for all major sports & activities. Shop online.
408-503-0370
Neighborhood 1 between Camille La Vie and Gap Outlet
#1200

Group USA
Current season women’s fashions discounted at least 30% from designers such as: Kasper, Jones New York, Donna Ricco, B.C.B.G., and Kenar.
408-935-8787
Neighborhood 1 near Old Navy
#290

Kohl’s Department Store
A Wisconsin-based department store chain that sells home products and apparel for men, women and children.
408-262-4310
Neighborhood 5B near Century Theaters
#1160

LegoLand Discovery Center
Adults must be accompanied by at least one child (aged 17 and under) to visit. Annual pass holders and ticket holders will need to have a reserved time slot to enter.
669-213-0612
870 Great Mall Dr.
Entrance 4
870 – Across from the Dining Pavilion

Marshalls
Brand names for the entire family at 20-60% below department store prices.
408-934-1821
Neighborhood 3 near Victoria’s Secret
#1360

Milpitas Police Sub-Station
Get a fingerprint card for your child.
Mon to Sat: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Sun: 11:00am – 8:00pm
408-586-2590
Neighborhood 5A next to Wells Fargo
#141

Off 5th-Saks Fifth Avenue
Clearing house for Saks post-sale merchandise.
408-945-9650
Neighborhood 2 near Marshalls
#1330

Old Navy
Casual fashions for the entire family at value prices.
408-956-1499
Neighborhood 1 next to Group USA
#1172

Wells Fargo
Full service branch, including ATMs, open 7 days a week.
408-934-9625
Neighborhood 5A near Dave & Buster’s
#140

Other shopping categories at the Great Mall

Shopping Centers in Milpitas

Shopping Centers in Milpitas offer centers of cultural delight! Poking around our shops is like taking a world tour at your own pace for the food and household items you need, while getting style from the world over.

Abel Plaza
N. Abel Street at E. Calaveras Blvd.
Major merchants: Swagat Indian Cuisine, Ta Restaurant

Beresford Square
Stores in this mall sorted by type, including phone numbers.
N. Milpitas Blvd. at W. Calaveras Blvd.
Major merchants: Marina Grocery, CVS,

Banking
Beauty & Fitness
Clothing and Footwear
Education
Groceries
Home Repair
Health
Restaurants

Calaveras Plaza
W. Calaveras Blvd. near Abel St.
Major merchants: Grocery Outlet, FedEx

Fiesta Shopping Center
Dempsey Rd.
Major merchants:

Foothill Square
Jacklin Road near Escuela Parkway
Major merchants: Smart & Final, Dollar Store

Great Mall of the Bay Area
I-680 and I-880. Take Great Mall exit off of I-880.
Major merchants: Marshall’s, Off 5th Ave., Century 20, Old Navy, Burlington Coat Factory, Dave & Busters. How to get to the Great Mall from San Francisco on public transportation. Catch the CalTrain at 700 4th St. and take to Mt. View. Transfer to Light Rail line: “Tasman East/Capitol Light Rail” going east and get off at the Great Mall stop. Map to Great Mall Parkway at Interstate 880 for drivers.

Shopping categories at the Great Mall

McCarthy Ranch Marketplace
McCarthy Blvd.
Major merchants: Wal-Mart, Michaels, Ross

Milpitas Mall Shopping Center
Landess Ave. between I-680 and S. Park Victoria
Major merchants: Seafood City, Seasons Shopping Mall

Milpitas Center Shops & Restaurants
W. Calaveras Blvd. next to Calaveras Plaza
Major merchants: Mil’s Diner, O’Reilly’s, and Goodwill.

Milpitas Square
Barber Lane near McCarthy Ranch Shopping Center
Major merchants: Ranch 99 Market, Mayflower restaurant, New Tung Kee Noodle House

Milpitas Town Center
E. Calaveras Blvd. and Hillview
Major merchants: Safeway, Staples, 24 Hour Fitness, Giorgio’s Italian Restaurant, BevMo

Anchor Stores
Banks & Credit Unions
Grooming
Health & Fitness
Restaurants
Services

Park Victoria Shopping Center
Park Victoria Dr. near East Calaveras Blvd.
Major merchants: Ocean Market

Automobile Services
Banks and Finance
Grooming
Health & Fitness
Restaurants
Services
Shops

Parktown Plaza
Park Victoria Dr. near Landess Ave.
Major merchants: Luckys, Rite Aid Pharmacy

Seasons MarketPlace
Your First One-Stop Filipino Lifestyle Center.
1535 Landess Ave.,
408-586-9800
Major merchants: Seafood City, Goldilocks, Max’s of Manila

Serra Center
E. Calaveras Blvd. near Abbott Ave.
Major merchants: Chili’s, Big Lots

Sunnyhills and City Square
North Milpitas Blvd. near Dixon Landing Rd.
Major merchants: Lion Food Center

Ulferts Center
West Milpitas. Just south of Milpitas Square. Many Asian restaurants and services.
648 – 794 Barber Lane, Milpitas, CA, 95035

Victorian Square Shopping Center
E. Calaveras Blvd. near Park Victoria Dr.
Major merchants:

Meeting Halls for Events in Milpitas

Whether you need a meeting hall for business, a wedding, or large event, there are halls to rent in Milpitas! Unfortunately, Milpitas has no convention center. When you’re planning an event on a short timeline, you don’t have the luxury of thoroughly vetting meeting halls, let alone taking the time to find and select the right venue. GoMilpitas “Meeting Halls” is a directory featuring halls, community centers, venues and halls for hire | Advertise your hall to your local community for free.

Other Possible Large Halls

Hotels
The larger hotels have rooms for fairly large gatherings.

City Park Picnic Areas
Reservations must be made in-person at the Milpitas Community Center, located at 457 E. Calaveras Blvd.

Milpitas Unified School District Facility Rental
In partnering with Facilitron, Milpitas Unified School District has launched custom facility use sites for the district and each school – allowing facility use requests to be submitted at any time. You can view and request all district facilities here. Milpitas Unified School District’s administrative staff will make final decisions on all facility use requests.

Restaurants
The larger ones often have private dining rooms, and the smaller ones may be willing to close down for your event only.

Temporary Policies and Guidelines Police Department Community Room

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Temporary Policies and Guidelines Police Department Community Room

1275 North Milpitas Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035

Reservations: 408-586-2402 or vbejines@ci.milpitas.ca.gov

UPDATED: AUGUST 13, 2021

The Milpitas Police Department’s top priority is to ensure the safety of our guests. Please note that any meeting event in the Police Department Community Room is contingent upon current public health orders and City policy.

Vaccination Requirements

The City of Milpitas will not require guests to show proof of vaccination when entering the Police Department Community Room.

Masks and Face Coverings

Effective Thursday, July 29, 2021, the City of Milpitas requires all City employees and visitors to wear face coverings in indoor settings within City buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Masks will not be provided, and guests must bring their own when entering the building.

Room Capacity Limits

The City of Milpitas Police Department is limiting capacity to 35 guests max until further notice.

Food and Beverages

Food and beverages are not permitted, except for water.

Meeting and Time Limits

Only one reservation is permitted in the Police Department Community Room per day. Until further notice, reservations for the Community Room shall be on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations shall not be confirmed more than sixty (60) days in advance, and groups and individual applicants are limited to no more than two (2) reservations per calendar month.

***These guidelines supercede the Community Room additional guidelines dated July 2020. Public health orders are subject to change at any time, and reservations may be cancelled if the public health orders deem non-essential meetings unsafe.

*I have read and undertand the Novel Coronavirus updated policies and guidelines. I further understand that if my group does not abide by these rules, it may result in our meeting being immediately terminated and may result in not being able to use the room for future use.

On official document, applicant would sign and date. See Reservation contact info above.

Other halls in Milpitas.

Chamber holds first in-person mixer at Outback since Covid Shutdown

Networking Mixer at Outback Steakhouse

July 15 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

We had to show proof of vaccination against COVID, but then we were free to mix and enjoy spare ribs and fries, and drinks of our choices.

?, Marcella Nichos, Henry Nichols, Tamara Overacker — **?, Marcella Nichols, Henry Nichols, Tamara Overacker**

**Tamara Overacker, Pampered Chef,**
**T.O. Bookkeeping**

**Kelly Yip-Chuan**
**Platinum Realty & Finance Group**

**Anand Kuchibhotla. University of Silicon Andhra**

**Sharon Dyson, St. Elizabeth Knight Sounds**

FasTrak in Milpitas

FasTrak and COVID-19 – FAQs

What should drivers do? To drive in the FasTrak lane or not?

Cash is not being collected at Bay Area bridges due to COVID-19. Use FasTrak to pay your toll. If you do not have FasTrak, you will receive a bill in the mail for the amount of your toll. It is called a violation, but there are no penalties – just pay the toll by mail with a check or online. If you have FasTrak, this change does not apply to you.

The I-680 Sunol Express Lanes are designated lanes that can be used during heavy traffic to bypass congestion. Express lanes are usually located on the far-left side of select major freeway corridors (described below) and are indicated with white descriptive text on the pavement and electronic signage above the roadway.

How the heck do I drive along SR-237 now with the new FasTrak lane?

How to Order a Transponder and Use the SR 237 Express Lanes

Step 1: Order your transponder
Step 2: Set up your account
Step 3: Mount your transponder. Transponder mounting help.
Step 4: Use the Express lanes

About Express Lanes

An Express Lane is a portion of a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, also known as a carpool or diamond lane, that has been converted to a toll lane in order to better manage congestion. VTA monitors its Express Lanes to maintain a minimum speed of 45 mph, based on federal requirement.

Express lanes are marked by large overhead signage, and smaller signs located in the median. The toll amount is posted on a changeable board within the large overhead sign.

VTA currently operates Express Lanes on State Route 237. Learn more about the planning and history of VTA’s Silicon Valley Express Lanes Program and the 237 Express Lanes project page.

How can I enter the FasTrak lane coming from Milpitas?

Entering from Calaveras Blvd. westbound on SR237 will be a real pain, just as currently. You will not be able to get into the FasTrak lane until just slightly after Zanker, and it ends just before Lawrence. About half your commute will still be in heavy traffic. To avoid the congestion, you might try…
Drive north on Milpitas Blvd. to Dixon Landing Rd, and get on 880 south. Get in the HOV lane there as it swings over and onto 237.
Take Tasman. Turn right at Zanker. Enter 237 to right just after 237 overpass. Also good strategy for those heading north on 880 wishing to go west on 237.
Going eastbound on SR 237, there are double white lines west of Zanker Road prior to the 237-880 connector. Express lanes traffic wanting to access I-880 South, McCarthy Boulevard, or Calaveras Boulevard will have to exit the lane at Zanker Road.

FAQs about FasTrak

Questions about FasTrak? The FasTrak team is here to help! If you can’t find the information you’re looking for below, please contact us. Our Customer Service team wants you to get the most out of your FasTrak account.
FasTrak toll tags are also available to order online.

What hours and days is the Express Lanes operational?

SR 237 Express Lanes will now operate from 5:00 am – 8:00 pm weekdays, which is consistent with all other Bay Area Express Lane facilities. At all other times, the lane will be available to regular traffic.
Weekends everyone may drive in any lane they want to, with any number of people. FasTrak will not be in force.

What if I have a qualified clean air vehicle?

Clean air vehicles (CAVs) with valid clean air vehicle decals can travel toll free or at a discounted rate on Bay Area express lanes and state-owned bridges. In order to receive the correct discount, eligible clean air vehicles should use a FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag.
On 237, solo drivers in eligible CAVs will receive a 50% discount off the toll if they use a FasTrak CAV toll tag. The FasTrak CAV toll tag is the only transponder that will communicate the discounted toll rate to roadside toll equipment. Clean air vehicles with two or more people can travel toll free as a carpool, but must use a FasTrak Flex or FasTrak CAV toll tag.

Is it charging me each time it beeps?

No. It detects when you enter and leave the lane, and so charges you for total time spent in the FasTrak lane.

How do I know how much I am being charged?

Express lanes are free for qualifying carpoolers, vanpool, buses, and other toll-exempt vehicles.
For solo drivers with a FasTrak toll tag, the prices to drive to specific destinations will be posted on signs above the the express lane. The toll on VTA’s State Route 237 Express Lanes varies dynamically based on congestion. Minimum will be $0.30 and the maximum will be $8.00.
The actual toll deducted from your FasTrak deposit will depend on the total distance you travel in the express lane.
Tolls for solo drivers increase with congestion, and decrease with light traffic. But here is an example: the average toll paid by solo drivers in the I-680 Express Lane from Pleasanton to Milpitas in the morning commute period for January 2015 was $3.11, an average of $0.22 per mile over the 14 mile express lane length.

How do they know how many people I really have in my car?

Video cameras on the sign posts
Vigilant police
Setting you make on your tag for 1, 2, or 3+ people. Motorcyclists should leave their setting at 3+.

If I accidentally drive in the FasTrak lane without a transponder what happens?

You will get a bill based on your license plate registration. The price is listed on the overhead signs.

Bay Area FasTrak Facebook Page
This is the official Facebook page of Bay Area FasTrak. FasTrak is an electronic toll collection (ETC) system that allows you to prepay your tolls at all Bay Area toll bridges, eliminating the need to stop at the toll plaza. The system has three components: a toll tag, which is placed inside your vehicle; an overhead antenna, which reads the toll tag and collects the toll; and video cameras to identify toll evaders.hicles per hour than a cash lane.

As you pass through a toll lane, the toll tag is read, and your tolls are deducted from your prepaid toll balance. When you reach your replenishment threshold, your account is replenished automatically, if you opened your account with a credit card. If you opened your account as a cash/check account, then you are responsible for replenishing your account by making regular payments.

The FasTrak system tracks your usage and account balance. A monthly or quarterly statement itemizing your bridge use and account balance will be sent to you through the mail or emailed to you.

What Trauma Victims Need You to Know

A friend, who was badly traumatized by her caregivers in early childhood and cruelty from employers, created this brochure, to be printed two-sided, to be handed to her health providers to help them understand her past, and how it can be triggered by them if they don’t take care to treat her humanely. For more information about Adverse Childhood Experiences check out the ACEs Connection website.

This page is part of our continuing effort to provide support for those who have experienced trauma and may be suicidal and need to find help.

Predictability: Everyone loves surprises! Not. Trauma survivors often prefer predictability because that feels safer.
Space: Allow time for the survivor to calm down and take perspective. Remember that we trauma survivors often have difficulty regulating our emotions and take longer to calm down. Maybe support self-soothing, for example suggesting you both go for a walk, maybe stay well clear! If the survivor is caught up in the fight/flight response you may be mistaken for the enemy.
Perspective: Be aware when ‘the past is intruding into the present.’ Don’t take responsibility for what is not yours… gently. You can own any insensitivity or lack of consideration that has provoked the reaction and yet separate it from whatever past trauma is fueling what would otherwise appear to be a disproportionate response. Remember there is no such thing as ‘over-reacting’ – the reaction is in direct proportion to the pain experienced in the past rather than in response to what’s happening now.
Rid ‘over-reacting,’ ‘over-sensitive,’ ‘over’-anything from your vocabulary.
Language: Don’t refer to ‘your upbringing, your problem, issues, behavior.’ This sounds like judgment or at the very least like the trauma survivor is somehow broken or the problem. Call it for what it is – trauma.
Be kind, loving, patient… But empathetically set limits – you have needs too! It’s okay to talk about when the survivor’s reactions hurt you too. “I love you and I understand how scared/angry/sad you are… and it’s not okay to hurt me.” Whatever our trauma history, we must all learn to be accountable when we hurt others.
Reciprocity: Most of us had parents who lacked skills in listening, empathy, tolerating uncomfortable feelings, empowerment… Give what you also need to receive [because that’s the best way of making sure you get it back. Make sure that you are getting these things somewhere in your life. If the survivor is your friend or romantic partner, be sure that there is a two-way street. However much you love someone who has experienced trauma, it is unhealthy if you become a savior, therapist, or martyr.
Control and choice. Big trigger when a survivor is denied these. Confer, collaborate cooperate. Unilateral moves even when benevolent will not be appreciated! Trauma is about getting hurt when you had no power or control over the situation, and it is immensely activating when the trauma survivor experiences that powerlessness again. If you want one way to ensure one of the fight/flight/freeze/collapse survival responses, taking away control is the way to do it!