20 May 2025 13:00311Sunnyhills Gem – Solid and Affordable!Auction: 62 Highbrook Drive East Tamaki on Tuesday 20 May 2025 at 1:00PM (unless sold prior) brick and tile home offers the perfect blend of comfort The floor area is120sqm (approx.) and the land area is 1/2 share of 1,200sqm (mol) This Fee Simple title solid home is an ideal choice for first home buyers The sleek kitchen flows seamlessly into the generous dining and living areas thoughtfully crafted for both function and relaxing A heat pump provides year-round warmth and comfort while a large sliding door enhances the indoor-outdoor flow connecting the living area to the private backyard and further elevating the home's overall appeal thoughtfully separated from the main living areas to ensure privacy and peace and a single garage with laundry space add to the home’s functionality The outdoor area is a true highlight — a well-maintained Imagine the potential to customize it to suit your lifestyle Located within walking distance to local schools and close to an array of popular amenities including Pakuranga Plaza Zoned for sought-after schools like Sunnyhills Primary with Saint Kentigern College also within walking distance The motivated vendor has given clear instructions to sell — don’t miss this chance to secure your dream home Call us today for a private viewing or more information See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Get a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life. With no need for quotes from tradies, we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started. Turning 55 is a significant milestone and the students, teachers and community of Sunnyhills School are getting excited about its upcoming jubilee activities. As well as staging 55th anniversary events in early April, pupils of the east Auckland primary school are discovering how its evolved since opening in 1970. “This term all of the students are learning about different aspects of our rich history and will be contributing to the school-wide displays, jubilee activities and presentations,” says long-time Sunnyhills School teacher and convenor of its jubilee committee, Vanessa Cammell. She arrived at Sunnyhills in the early 1990s and when the Times visited the school she was with teacher and team leader Caitlin Davis, who has a daughter Ranger attending; and teacher and board member Stephanie Trembath, who said her first involvement with the primary was when her boys went there as students. They say all the children are getting involved and enjoying the different learning topics for the jubilee. Year 6 students are studying school camps, Year 1 pupils are visiting the Howick Historical Village to get an understanding of the early days of this east Auckland area in the 1900s, while Year 4s are looking at how playing games has evolved through the decades. Year 3s are involved in music and dance, while most of the young ones will also learn of how the local area of Sunnyhills and connecting neighbourhoods and suburbs have developed over more than half a century. Cammell says Sunnyhills Primary is also “reaching out to those who have had a past association with the school and may wish to reconnect – past pupils, parents, staff members and friends of the school”. There are two main jubilee events, says Cammell: The Mix ’n Mingle on the evening of Thursday, April 3; and the Open Day on Friday, April 4. The Mix ’n Mingle, from 6-8pm, is a chance to reminisce, an “opportunity to take a trip down memory lane, reconnect with school friends from the past and maybe even some teachers, view multi-media displays, photos and momentos from 55 years of life at Sunnyhills”, she says. The Open Day, from 10am to 3pm, will provide visitors the chance to “see 21st Century education in action”, says Cammell. “Pop into the classrooms to see the children at work or better still join one of our student-led guided tours to hear about and experience school life in 2025.” There’ll also be a morning tea when guests can meet with teachers or be with their children or grandchildren, and at midday there’s a picnic lunch planned. “Feel free to bring your own lunch and once again enjoy that school lunch eating experience in our vibrant grounds or pick up a pre-ordered picnic lunch,” says Cammell. The special Celebration Assembly at 1.30pm on Open Day in the school hall will “showcase the students and their learning around our theme for the term – titiro whakamuri, kokiri whakamua – look back and reflect, so you can move forward”. The Times is published by Times Media, an independently-owned publishing company based in East Auckland, founded in 1972. Keep informed with the latest breaking news, sports, events & competitions. Our digital papers are emailed twice month on a Thursday. You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/ Sunnyhills School, the primary where the sun shines all the time because it’s in Sunnyhills, celebrates its 55th jubilee in 2025. PJ TAYLOR, with the school’s and parents’ permission, asked students what they’re learning for the anniversary. “The 55th jubilee is like a school birthday. Lots of mums and dads and families will be coming here to visit and celebrate.” “Sunnyhills School started in 1970. My mum and uncle came here as students. I really like learning and playing with my friends.” “Sunnyhills School opened in 1970, and we have been looking through old photographs and working out in what decades they were taken.” “In our class, we have been looking at the old photos and have been working out where in the school they were taken.” “Our theme for this year 2025 is in te reo Maori language: ‘Titiro whakamuri, kokiri whakamua’.” “The English language translation for our theme is: ‘Look back and reflect, so you can move forward together’.” 13 May 2025 18:00412809m²Classic Kiwi CharmThis kind of real estate rarely hits the market - freehold Set in one of East Auckland's most coveted enclaves just moments from the picturesque Rotary Walkway this property serves the lifestyle buyers dream about and a glass of wine under the roses while the kids play Zoned for the prestigious Sunnyhills School and just a stone's throw from St Kentigern - this is blue-chip family territory Lovingly held by the same owners for over thirty years the home has been immaculately maintained with pride and the landscaped gardens are pure serenity-flowering borders and the occasional visit from a native tui Split-level living means privacy and space for the whole family and the versatile floor plan ticks all the right boxes: four bedrooms and a generous double garage with internal access and space for a workshop or investing smart - this is move-in ready with room to add your flair based on a borrower’s individual credit assessment.Canstar's Most Awarded Personal LoanGet a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started In the hours between when Elizabeth Zhong was reported missing and the gruesome discovery of her body in the boot of her own vehicle police twice spotted Freda Tang slowly driving by the businesswoman's East Auckland home When Tang was pulled over minutes later and questioned about the odd behaviour she didn't hold back regarding her resentment towards Zhong jurors were told today as the fourth week of testimony began in the murder trial of Tang's ex-partner "Her life was ruined by Ms Zhong because her family lost nearly $30 million," a police constable reported her saying Prosecutors have alleged Sun broke into Zhong's Sunnyhills home on the night of November 27 and violently attacked her in her bedroom following months of simmering anger as they waged a civil battle over control of their faltering companies Sun had accused Zhong of embezzling funds for personal use while Zhong had filed multiple affidavits saying Sun was threatening her life in the boot of her Land Rover just before 7pm on November 28 roughly eight hours after the 55-year-old had been reported missing The vehicle had been abandoned on the side of the road in the same neighbourhood where both she and the defendant lived in separate houses Sun's ex was seen driving through the neighbourhood at about midday jurors in the High Court at Auckland were told today as prosecutors read aloud agreed facts that summarised the traffic stop The officer who interviewed Tang recalled that she noted to him that she and her ex used to live in Zhong's house with her "Ms Tang said her family are the actual owners [of the house] and that her family and Ms Zhong's family used to run an investment company in 2014 but they got involved in a financial dispute in 2019," the officer said When asked why she was driving by the property who by then was living roughly 30 minutes away in Auckland Central said she noticed an unknown red vehicle parked outside the garage and became curious "Her family has not been in touch with Ms Zhong for 'ages'," the constable noted her telling him "She has not seen Ms Zhong for about a year "She asked what happened and was advised the Police could not disclose that." Jurors also heard today from officers who discovered Zhong's body in her Land Rover which had been found just after 11am that day with blood on its exterior The vehicle was initially put under guard and the exterior was dusted for fingerprints but police left it unattended for over two hours starting at 2.45pm after deciding there wasn't enough evidence at that point to consider it a crime scene Detective Constable Te Morunga was given permission to break a window of the vehicle to gain access "I located a release button to the rear passenger seat and folded it forward," he told jurors "I reached to the rear of that seat and raised a blanket that was there so I could see into the boot "I saw what appeared to be a bent knee of a human being." He was then tasked with checking for signs of life jurors were shown a photo of the vehicle and Zhong's knee - the detective's vantage point at the time Jurors were then shown increasingly graphic photos as prosecutors questioned Detective Aron Singh about his task that evening uncovering Zhong from underneath multiple blankets and removing her body from the vehicle "I do recall the deceased's hair was quite thick and soaked in blood," he testified No one knew he'd fallen after a guard rail gave way while he was loading containers Family connections run deep at Sunnyhills School and it’s putting the feature spotlight on them as its 55th jubilee celebrations get closer The Times recently visited the east Auckland primary school and reported on the April 3-4 special anniversary activities in the edition of February 28 This story is about long-running family ties there She attended Sunnyhills School as a student and is now a Year 1 teacher there She’s also taught at Elm Park School and Maraetai Beach School and she likes “having Mum as a teacher” there “Sunnyhills School is such a special community and for our family it has been the start of many lifelong friendships,” says Narelle “I’m so thankful to be able to give back to a school that has left me with many precious memories of growing up and now my children will get to experience the same.” Narelle says a lot of former pupils “still remember all of your teachers” who still teaches at Sunnyhills and is the school’s jubilee committee convenor Stefanie Henry is a learning assistant and her children also go to Sunnyhills – Emma in Year 5 Stefanie was working in Emma’s class previously and she enjoys “the fact I went here” has also led to lifelong friendships and “being in classrooms I’d been in [as a pupil] though they’re updated now” “It’s great to give back to a [school] community that has given so much.” but has had three children learn at the school and is its PTA chair Her connection to Sunnyhills goes back to her early life and she enjoys getting involved in all of the school’s community activities and for Mother’s and Father’s Day respectively Laura Traynor has two children at Sunnyhills – Mila in Year 3 Ann-Marie Anderson – “Nana Ann” – was the school’s secretary for 30 years and enrolled her and her children as students “It’s so special to come back and work with teachers that I went to school with.” https://www.times.co.nz/news/sunnyhills-school-jubilee-looking-back-to-move-forward/ https://www.times.co.nz/news/public-opinion-sunnyhills-schools-55th-jubilee/ an independently-owned publishing company based in East Auckland Keep informed with the latest breaking news Our digital papers are emailed twice month on a Thursday My name is Gabriel Hernandez and I’m the head coach for Sunnyhills tennis club, located in the Pakuranga, Auckland area. At Sunnyhills we decided to change our approach to holiday programmes, opting to reach out to our community and offer more for our members and non-members. We put some ideas together and decided to combine multiple sports within our programme, both at the club and at other sports locations. We also introduced some Spanish language lessons for a portion of the day. We’ve run this format over the past couple of years and it’s fair to say it has been extremely successful, not only as it allows kids get to try different sports, like basketball and football, but it is also fantastic for own staff, our young assistants as well as a few native Spanish speakers in our coaching staff. Although the goal is for kids to join our club tennis programs, we’re trying to offer an alternative during the school holidays for the local kids and parents alike. Balance, options and choice are important for kids at this age. We are proud of our Hot Shots Community play programme which is run throughout the year, as well as adults coaching options. These programmes are at the core of our club community, allowing the entire family to enjoy activity at our club. Our coaching team are a big part of our ability to grow our programs. Cayla McInroy is a promising young coach that has recently completed her JDC course run by Tennis New Zealand. Congratulations Cayla We ran a successful community Open Day at the beginning of this year to make up for missing out on Love Tennis in 2021, due to lockdown restrictions. We look forward to being part of Love Tennis this year 2022. Paige Hourigan has triumphed in Lopota, Georgia, winning the doubles title with ... Paige Hourigan is into the final of the doubles draw at the ITF’s W50 tournament... Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic have lost in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Ope... Check your inbox for a confirmation email and enjoy keeping up to date on Tennis New Zealand. Manukau CityEnquiries over $835,000212Enquiries over $835,000Welcome to your new home in the heart of Sunnyhills This delightful two-bedroom home offers the perfect blend of comfort light-filled lounge - the perfect place to relax • Well-designed kitchen that makes meal preparation enjoyable and effortless • Separate laundry area adds extra functionality and convenience • Double bedrooms feature built-in wardrobes • Renovated bathroom adds a touch of stylish refinement perfect for a Sunday afternoon BBQ or quiet place to read in the sun The low-maintenance yard means you can spend more time enjoying your home rather than maintaining it With a single garage and off-street parking there's plenty of space for vehicles and storage Farm Cove Intermediate and Pakuranga College and just moments from the popular Rotary Walkway this location offers both tranquility and accessibility A rare find in a prime area - don't miss this fantastic opportunity Call Simon Davies 021 535 280 or Filicia Kuang 021 130 1891 Pakuranga Rd is blocked off in east Auckland's Sunnyhills due to a crash A man has died and another has been seriously hurt in a crash in east Auckland The two-car crash occurred in Sunnyhills on Pakuranga Rd Police said the man died while being taken to hospital “One other person was injured in the crash and taken to at Middlemore Hospital where they remain in a stable condition,” police said Serious crash investigators are at the scene with enquiries into its cause still ongoing Pakuranga Rd remains blocked and traffic is being diverted Motorists earlier reported seeing a smashed car and that heavy traffic had banked up along Pakuranga Rd The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night Proving that a lot of little labours can grow into lofty results Sunnyhills School students dug deep with their environmental efforts recently Thirty pupils and parent volunteers planted 880 native trees as part of the Trees for Survival programme the school’s education for sustainability teacher “Their work will protect waterways and mitigate climate change [Trees for Survival] empowers children to nurture and grow natives and be active in environmental restoration,” she says “The planting was particularly pleasing this year as not only was it a record number [of trees planted] for the school but the planting will offset more than half of the school’s annual carbon footprint according to new Ministry of Education data.” the benefits were more straightforward to one young environmentalist who simply stated that it was great to be outside planting trees… and getting muddy Sunnyhills’ sustainability specialist programme involves children in a range of initiatives including growing kai, composting, waste audits, pest plant control, bird surveys and growing native trees. More information is accessible via shsenvironmental.blogspot.com. Manukau CityBy Negotiation6221,674m²Explore the Possibilities on 1674m2Set within a park-like landscape this substantial 1674m2 parcel of land promises unparalleled opportunities with flexibility and foresight Whether you are eyeing a strong base to raise your family a large-scale development or boutique housing this property presents the perfect platform for multiple uses in a location that continues to grow in popularity the main house presents bold design elements where character and comfort work in tandem while the separate granny flat is firmly geared for growing or extended families Soaring cathedral ceilings make an immediate impression and a thoughtfully executed renovation streamlines function without compromising the home's authentic identity open plan living effortlessly extends to multiple outdoor areas including a wrap-around covered deck for easy entertaining impressive grounds combine expansive lawns and a private poolside setting offering a backdrop for both relaxation and transformation sought after Saint Kentigern College and Sunnyhills School are close at hand plus the allure of the water's edge only moments away guarantees this position is hard to beat This limited edition property opens the door to vision and ambition - appreciate the opportunity that beckons and get in quick Flexible settlement terms are offered to make this opportunity even more appealing In just a few hours in neighbourhoods across east Auckland there will be masses of little fairies, goblins, witches, monsters, vampires, ghosts, spiders, skeletons and more in search of candy for this year’s Halloween festivities. This afternoon and tonight the following east Auckland houses, streets and other locations are taking part in trick-or-treating or will have Halloween displays: Spears Place, Botany Downs. 4pm-8pm. No cars, please park on Gosford Drive. One resident doing it for the neighborhood. 39 Loloma Dive, Half Moon Bay, will be ready for trick or treaters from 5.30pm. 8 Edendale Road, Somerville, will be ready for trick or treaters from 5.30pm. 23 Hinckley Court, Dannemora, ready from 5.30pm. Cuba Apartments, Unit 52, 7 Guys Road, East Tamaki. 21 Triumph Road, Flat Bush, from 4.30ppm onward. Vivian Place, Eastern Beach, by the walkway, very decorated. Corner of Fordyce Avenue and Glenmore Road, Pakuranga. Eastgate Christian Centre, 9 Ben Lomond Crescent, Pakuranga Heights, is running a Light Party starting at 5.30pm and finishing at 7.30pm. Games and prizes suitable for preschoolers and primary school kids. Entry is free. Howick Historical Village, Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Festival of Frights from 3.30pm-8pm (entry costs $18 for adults, $12 for children, and under 12 months is free). And here’s some helpful tips from police to enjoy a safe and fun Halloween: is calling on Auckland Council to seek input from the public on a consent application to build a multi-level apartment block in Sunnyhills “An application for consent has been lodged with Auckland Council to build a three-level apartment block in the quiet suburb of Sunnyhills in Pakuranga This is proposed to replace a single level dairy which currently serves the local community on The Boulevard” said Brown He went on to say “The reality is that under the Unitary Plan zoning of ‘Business – Neighbourhood Centre Zone’ the dairy owner can convert the building into a residential use – it is a restricted-discretionary activity and Auckland Council should notify this to the public for submissions.” He added “Every single dairy in Auckland could be converted into a 13m high apartment block regardless of the nature of the community it is within This could set a precedent which will see development across Auckland which was not intended by the Unitary Plan.” “Sunnyhills is a traditional single house suburb and was built with a covenant to retain this character Whilst change will inevitably happen over time this magnitude of change should be put to the community for feedback” said Brown Sunnyhills Primary School has won the NZ Space Race Award for creation of an immersive Mars project Sunnyhills Primary School teacher Angela Lee was surprised when Kai’s Clan founder Bruce Jackson and colleague Ronel Schodt turned up at a school assembly to announce that the Sunnyhills’ team had won the New Zealand Space Race Award The award-winning Kai’s Clan STEM (science engineering and maths) toolbox integrates features such as collaborative/multiplayer coding artificial intelligence and physical adventure mats with virtual worlds over-laid Sunnyhills students developed 3D characters and coded their own project based on the NASA Mars 2020 ‘Launch of Perseverance’ From landing on Mars to building a habitat dealing with a fire and creating a defence base they boarded their rocket ship and took off from Mars and headed back to earth “There were 50 entries from all over New Zealand It’s really creditable that this primary school is the proud winner,” says Jackson a tech nerd who created Kai’s Clan three years ago congratulated Sunnyhills Primary School for their win “Your project showed true innovation in coding and the incredible use of augmented reality “These exact skills are needed for future STEM careers at NASA I want to encourage you to continue your journey of studying robotics Congratulations on this outstanding achievement.” Smille dessert brand offers cakes and coffee at Nangang Exhibition Center SunnyHills CEO Shih Hung-chang (center) in front of the company’s new cafe at Nangang Exhibition Center 2022TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — SunnyHills opened its first dine-in cafe in Taipei’s Nangang Exhibition Center on Wednesday Simple Kaffa has launched a new fruit tea coffee series these drinks blend the depth of coffee with vibrant fruit aromas harmonized by the elegance of Taiwanese tea store-exclusive dessert and coffee sets will be offered featuring mille-feuille paired with select coffee SunnyHills CEO Shih Hung-chang (施宏漳) said after setting up a pop-up cafe during Computex last year the company decided to establish a permanent store at the venue He said he hopes to capitalize on international travelers attending conferences Shih added that the company plans to open two more locations this year one in a department store and another in a central Taiwan amusement park SunnyHills reported an annual revenue of approximately NT$14 billion (US$427 million) last year ranking among Taiwan’s top three pineapple cake brands A large part of this comes from international visitors purchasing gifts for friends Taiwanese firms join drone exhibit in Germany Tainan to host international orchid conferences in Taiwan ASE to expand advanced chip packaging in Kaohsiung Taiwan dollar hits NT$29 per US dollar triggering currency exchange rush Taipei MRT reminds passengers of drinking water ban Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes off east Taiwan Vietjet flight makes unscheduled landing in Taiwan Four Vietnamese residents found dead in northern Taiwan Central Bank steps in as Taiwan dollar posts strong single-day gain Taiwan ranked 2nd most innovative country in world Taiwan ranks 1st in Asia on World Press Freedom Index US tech earnings spark Taiwan stock market rally Rising Taiwan dollar over Trump tariffs has pros and cons Sunnyhills (S1) [in blue] comfortably won its game against Livewires (T2) on Saturday Times photo Wayne MartinSunnyhills (S1) dominated in its match against Livewires (T2) at the Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre on Saturday Sunnyhills led 32-24 after the second quarter and Livewires tried to keep in touch in the third [43-33] Sunnhills put the hammer down in Q4 adding another 20 while Livewires were held to just 7 in that final quarter Mellons Bay (S1) tops the table with 3 wins from 3 games [point diff 101] Shelly Park (S1) has also won 3 from 3 [diff 78] while Sunnyhills (S1) has won 3 from 4 games [diff 32] Who doesn’t want to slime their principal Sunnyhills School principal Justine Driver stepped up for a jumpathon and slime event fundraiser on Friday The school is raising funds for a covered outdoor learning area (COLA) canopy cover over the court area targets were set to slime teachers and the principal with $15,000 quickly achieved to slime the principal The next target was to get over $20,000 to slime Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown Students spent the morning dressed up in their house colours jumping with skipping ropes to music followed by a community assembly for the slime event and prizegiving the principal and MP were all good sports dressed up to be slimed The school used the Givealittle crowdfunding platform to collect funds and run a class competition which has successfully raised more than $22,000 towards the $500,000 COLA project “Prizes were given out for best dressed child in each year group and participation “The COLA canopy cover will be a great addition and community asset for Sunnyhills learners now and in the future,” said Driver Sunnyhills School students have created a fun new hide and seek game that helps promote bee care The students were excited to welcome beehives to their school recently the beehives form part of their efforts to help create a sustainable future “Did you know most of the plants we need for food rely on pollination by bees?” says Vera Akitson the year five and six students have created Bee Rocks painted like bees and covered in messages about how to care for bees in public spaces in a 3.2 kilometre radius around Sunnyhills School The community is invited to search for the bee rocks they can photograph them and post to Instagram #beesrock and #sunnyhillsschoolbees “Please re-hide the rocks so the fun can continue,” advises Christine Daniel the Sunnyhills Education for Sustainability teacher “It’d be great if everyone planted more flowers for the bees,” says Chloe Crawford “Let’s all help make our suburb a more colourful and sustainable environment!” Manufacturer points finger at Chinese distributor Boxes of SunnyHills pineapple cakes labeled "Taiwan 5444TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Pineapple cake brand SunnyHills (微熱山丘) defended itself Friday after there was online anger at its cake boxes showing the label “Product of Taiwan SunnyHills shut down its branch in Shanghai in 2018 allowing a local company to conduct the marketing and distribution of its products in all of China all export products need to carry the label “Taiwan” before they are exported but the Chinese distributor might have added a new sticker corresponding to Chinese laws Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) noted that not only did the boxes have the wrong name, but they also had simplified characters used in China, but not in Taiwan, per CNA.  Wang said that with the Lunar New Year approaching, he would choose pineapple cakes from another brand, while online there were calls for a boycott of SunnyHills products. Peru takes down Lima airport ads promoting Taiwan Peru mistakenly labels Taiwan as “China Taipei” at APEC summit Taiwan protests against Chinese pressure on Paris hotel Formosan Association for Public Affairs wants Taiwan to compete at Olympics under own name Taiwan ally Palau accuses China of ramping up interference China protests against Festival Off Avignon inviting Taiwan as guest of honor Half Moon Bay Rotary Club has donated an automated external defibrillator (AED) to Sunnyhills School. An AED is a safe and easy-to-use machine which is used to treat a sudden cardiac arrest.  This life saving equipment is located for easy access for any member of the community to use should an emergency arise nearby. This is the first donation from the Rotary Club to a school and is seen as a vital resource to help protect the community. Principal Justine Driver  says, “At Sunnyhills we live our vision of Learning for Life, now we could potentially be able to help save a life in our community!” Sunnyhills parent, Lorelle Stranaghan initially contacted the school to consider purchasing an AED especially with the hopes that the school pool will be available during the summer months for families to use in the holidays. However, with limited funds available from the school for such an expensive but worthy resource, Lorelle reached out to Richard Wilkie, a member of the Rotary Club and whose wife Ann was a past pupil of Sunnyhills, as a connection for support. It was gumboots galore at Sunnyhills School on Friday. Students and staff participated in the nationwide ‘I am Hope’ – Gumboot Friday event for mental health. New Zealand of the Year, Mike King is the face of the campaign and says “Having depression is like walking through mud every day. So on Friday 5 April 2019, we’re asking you to show your support. Put your gumboots on, give a gold coin, and take a walk in their shoes for just one day.” Gumboot Friday is a fun way for kiwis to join in the mental health conversation, while raising money to provide free and timely counselling for any kid in need. Justine Driver, Sunnyhills Principal, says the day was a huge success. “We were thrilled with the Sunnyhills community support raising $528.60 for this worthy cause,” she says. “Promoting well being for all and developing the whole child is part of the special character of Sunnyhills School.” Photo / SuppliedJudy Tretheway loves the fact that she can drive right up to her front door and that the home she and her husband bought 17 years ago has a full sized But Judy and Gavin’s home at 2/103 Fisher Parade in Sunnyhills, Manukau is no ordinary apartment It’s right on the waterfront at Sunnyhills and there’s no roadway between the property and the water – another huge plus as far as Judy is concerned They were visiting friends further up the road when they saw the sign that four apartments were to be built on this site and since they were already of a mind to sell their large family home they took the plunge and bought 2/103 Fisher Parade “It took a year to build so we had plenty of time to think about what we wanted and customise it,” Judy says What they ended up with was 235 square metres of light elegant space comprising three bedrooms and a study an expansive open plan living area and a spacious covered loggia with its own fireplace All of this is on the waterfront with direct access to the shore and panoramic sea views The aspect provides shelter from the prevailing south west and southerly winds and is beautifully positioned for all day sun “When we are sitting on the deck and the tide is in it’s like being in a boat,” Judy says “We can see the water when we wake up in the morning and it’s with us all day The view at 2/103 Fisher Parade in Sunnyhills Residents have direct access to the water and an uninterrupted view of the harbour and Auckland city beyond “And there’s always something to watch because it’s a busy waterway with yacht racing rowing practice and sometimes bigger boats with intercom and keyless pedestrian access garage and entranceway are at the back of the house and entry to the property is via a covered portico at the street frontage Open the door and the tiled foyer looks straight through to the living room There’s ample room here for a grand piano and a formal dining area and alfresco living is provided by a covered loggia on one side and a deck along the other The expansive open plan living area opens out to a spacious covered loggia with its own fireplace Even the bedrooms have a view of the sea as well as their own decks Sliders can open both of these spaces up to the living area The high-end kitchen has stainless appliances opaque glass fronted cupboards and ample storage The double height counter has casual seating on the living room side The master bedroom has an ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe and an oversized sliding door opens it up to the deck The second and third bedrooms also have their own decks The homeowner says there's always something to watch from the deck because it is a busy waterway and simple tropical planting and a stand of palm trees reinforce the waterfront location and accept that this will be a hard act to follow But a lifestyle change is on the agenda and they have chosen a lifestyle village at Beachlands “We can’t actually see the water as we can here but we can walk to the beach in a couple of clicks.” 2/103 Fisher Parade in Sunnyhills, Manukau, Auckland is for sale by tender The property is being marketed by Anil and Shahina Oberoi of Barfoot &Thompson Sunnyhills Tennis Club is celebrating after becoming the new Women’s Caro Bowl Champion with a nail-biting ending with both Sunnyhills and Bucklands Beach winning three matches each and all of them on straight sets at Koru Tennis Club at Pakuranga Heights on Friday Amid the sea of high-tech wonders at this year’s Computex something other than technology would be offered to visitors: the opportunity to enjoy delicious pastries and tea SunnyHills has been invited to participate at Computex one of the largest computer and technology trade fairs which is to be held in Taipei from June 4 to 7 giving people a chance to “enjoy Taiwanese pastries,” SunnyHills founder Michael Sheu (許銘仁) said Apart from distributing welcome packages filled with pastries to overseas guests SunnyHills would also provide one free pineapple cake and a cup of tea to everyone who visits its lounge This mirrors the unique service offered at SunnyHills’ branches The company wants to showcase “something other than technology” that Taiwan has to offer by demonstrating great hospitality Sheu and Shih are no stranger to this kind of occasion as the duo have had years of experience in the technology industry Sheu is the founder of Asian Information Technology Group which became a part of WPG Holdings in 2009 one year after he established SunnyHills in his hometown in Nantou County with relatives Shih previously worked as a manager at a few technology companies He was Taiwan country manager for Conexant Systems When asked if he specifically sought out individuals with backgrounds in technology to run the brand with him “but the people I know are all tech people.” Sheu spoke of the technology involved in some of the products high-pressure cut from a water jet cutter which ensures that the flavor of banana — a fruit that is difficult to process as its flavor is easily lost when heated — is retained during the cutting process Another example is extending the shelf life of the signature pineapple cakes from 15 days to 45 days by adding a layer of aluminum oxide a material used by some Japanese companies in semiconductor manufacturing The new packaging is also more than 90 percent more efficient in blocking air and moisture compared with the previous packaging and I understand the challenges facing Taiwan’s fruit industry.. but we often end up with a surplus,” Sheu said It is difficult to sell fresh fruit to overseas markets due to storage issues and import regulations Processing fresh fruit would allow it to be stored for longer and can also be turned into various kinds of desserts which could generate high value Sheu said he hopes the brand could introduce Taiwanese fruit to overseas markets in the future In the wealthy district of Minami-Aoyama in Tokyo lies a bakery with unusual architecture that sells Taiwanese cakes, named SunnyHills. Created by the firm Kengo Kuma and Associates in 2013 this three-dimensional construction takes the appearance of an imposing bamboo basket which has a surface area of less than 300 square metres can be visited freely and also offers the chance to try delicious biscuits filled with pineapple Winner of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture for his approach to traditional materials in 2016, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has built his reputation thanks to his modern approach to ancestral methods SunnyHills was constructed using a joining technique named jigoku-gumi whereby the joints are held together without nails or glue Over 5000 metres of wooden slats were used to create a 3D structure to envelop the external walls and the ceiling of the building. ‘Our aim was to create a forest in the busy city centre’, Kengo Kuma explained to Dezeen Owing to different ways of cutting the boards the diamond-shaped recesses reveal multiple layers but primarily reduce the linearity of the architectural project ‘What is characteristic about SunnyHills is the angle of the lattice; unlike the conventional 90 degrees we tried 30 degrees and 60 degrees to combine the pieces’ the Japanese architect added in his interview with Dezeen visitors can move between the two lower floors using staircases with treads of irregular sizes To recreate the feeling of being immersed in the heart of nature patterns of light that imitate the way the sun’s rays penetrate a forest canopy are projected SunnyHills (2013), a project by the firm Kengo Kuma and Associates, can be viewed on its official website.  © Photograph by Daichi Ano, Edward Caruso and Alessio Guarino. CYCL, a Stunning Lakeside Sauna with Mount Fuji Views A Rare Japanese Garden Hidden Within Honen-in Temple in Kyoto Takamasa Yoshizaka, a Pillar of Modern Japanese Architecture Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos, while theft might result in an arm tattoo. The series 'Hysteric Ten' by photographer Sawatari Hajime revisits one of the most sulphurous relationships in Japanese art. Nagisa Oshima made Sada Abe the heroine of his film, defying the codes of 'pinku eiga' that make men the focus of attention. This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka, one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film. What exactly is teamLab, known as an art collective? To find out, we interviewed its founder and chief representative, Toshiyuki Inoko. Police have arrested and charged a man with murder following the violent killing of east Auckland woman Elizabeth (Ying) Zhong. Zhong, 55, was found dead inside her vehicle on November 28 last year. Her Land Rover had been parked in Roadley Avenue, Sunnyhills, a short distance from her three-storey Suzetta Place home. The last confirmed sighting of the businesswoman was at about 4.30pm on November 27. On February 12 Counties Manukau Police publicly announced the arrest of a 47-year-old man in relation to Zhong’s death. He appeared in the Manukau District Court the same day. A court charging document seen by the Times states police believe the man killed Zhong in Sunnyhills between November 27 and November 28 last year. His occupation was not stated on the document. News media reported the man was granted name suppression during his court appearance. He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear next at the Auckland High Court on March 10. Detective inspector Shaun Vickers led the inquiry into Zhong’s killing, named Operated Attina. “We know the community expected police to get on with the investigation and bring about justice for Elizabeth,” Vickers says. “From the outset of this investigation, the team of detectives working on Operation Attina have worked diligently to bring about a result in this case. “We hope this will bring some reassurance to the community and Elizabeth’s family.” Following Zhong’s death, police publicly appealed for sightings of her Land Rover in the days leading up to her disappearance. Investigators conducted an area canvas and spoke to her family, friends, and associates. Members of a specialist police forensics team wearing white hazmat-style suits were seen working in what appeared to be her property’s kitchen as an armed officer stood guard in the driveway. Police have described Zhong’s family as being “devastated” by her death. She was the director of the company Digital Post Limited, which is based in Epsom, central Auckland. Auckland will be sold at auction on November 30 Photo / SuppliedBuilt in the 1960s and maintained impeccably ever since close to the water’s edge at 71 Fisher Parade in Sunnyhills Auckland presents in practically as-new order complete with period Axminster carpet and gold bullion glass Its unique features have been perfectly preserved by generations of the same family and the 320sqm home constitutes an incredibly rare offering with enormous scope for reimagining and modernising The bedrooms are generous – especially the master – and there are numerous living and family spaces while the kitchen and bathroom are especially ripe for renovation Purchasers have the option to buy one or both 69 and 71 Fisher Parade explains that besides renewing the existing home there are many other possibilities allow for multiple multi-level housing on the two sites “The original owner at 71 Fisher Parade bought the 850sqm next-door section at number 69 for more garden and another garage and we’re offering the two properties separately so potential purchasers have the option of buying one “If you wanted to you could use it the same way as the current owners The 320sqm home constitutes an incredibly rare offering with enormous scope for reimagining and modernising She says that a number of similar homes of its era have sold over the past five or six years and have been demolished with new luxury homes built in their places with all-day sun and fantastic views and the coastal Rotary waterfront walkway plus you’re in close proximity to Farm Cove as well.” Rudling suggests that interested parties bring an architect along to talk through the many possibilities and she notes that there is currently a shortage of high-end apartments in the Sunnyhills area The original owner at 71 Fisher Parade bought the 850sqm next-door section at number 69 for more garden and another garage The unique features of 71 Fisher Parade have been perfectly preserved by generations of the same family “Another double site in Fisher Parade has six apartments on it now and they sell anywhere from the high $2 million to $3.5m mark so there is definitely significant demand out there The two properties are zoned for Sunnyhills Primary School Farm Cove Intermediate as well as Pakuranga College and Sancta Maria College Public transport options include the ferry service from Half Moon Bay Marina to the Auckland CBD which can be glimpsed in the distance across the water The agent says interested parties should bring an architect along to talk through the many possibilities Sunrise and sunset are dramatic displays and there is always activity out on Tamaki Estuary and motorway access is close and convenient The neighbourhood is especially popular with young families because there is so much for children to do – enjoying a laid-back kiwi lifestyle Locals describe Sunnyhills as one of east Auckland’s best-kept secrets and properties there tend to be tightly held Sunnyhills will be sold at auction on November 30 Major traffic changes are being implemented at an east Auckland school with the goal of reducing congestion and increasing road safety The work is part of Auckland Transport’s (AT) ‘Safe school streets’ trial and is being carried out locally in partnership with Sunnyhills School in Pakuranga “The changes were installed in the April school holidays and will now be monitored by the project team to assess how it is working particularly during peak school pick-up and drop-off times,” AT spokeswoman Natalie Polley told the Times “The project team will continue to listen to feedback and make changes if required “These changes will help inform longer-term more permanent changes which will be publicly consulted on.” Sunnyhills School principal Justine Driver says the school encourages its pupils to walk or scooter to school as part of its involvement in the Green-Gold Enviro and Travelwise programmes “We are in a safe community and we want to promote as many people as possible coming to school in a sustainable way to reduce the amount of traffic around the school gate.” Driver says AT engineers made temporary changes to the intersections in and around Fordyce Avenue and The Crest last year to see how it went for a single day “Now we have a short-term trial of some initiatives the engineers believe will help to slow down traffic around the school and make it safer for pedestrians “It does look a bit of an eyesore with all the orange cones being set in to the concrete but that is not a long-term solution.” AT wrote to local residents in April saying the trial and changes are “designed to increase safety outside schools reduce the number of vehicles during peak times and encourage more students and their families to walk and cycle to and from school each day” The measures include installation of a temporary roundabout and drop-off and pick-up areas for parents and caregivers but if they work and the community is happy with them Driver says several streets are being narrowed to make them a shorter distance for her pupils to cross “This trial is to improve our parents’ habits when accessing the school so it’s safer for our children “As a principal and for our board of trustees the safety of the children is paramount.” She and her teachers often see motorists pull into driveways or perform three-point turns while children are walking to and from school “Kids are unpredictable and we want to make it as safe as possible we tell people not to park on yellow lines and drop people off and when we do we get abused.” Driver says the changes are also about making the traffic on roads around the school better for locals “We often have driveways of our resident neighbours blocked by cars wanting to pull in and pick up kids as well “This trial includes a drop-and-go so people drive up and there’s no parking at those points “That will help promote dropping off their child who can then safely walk into the school grounds.” Elizabeth Zhong aka Ying Zhong of Sunnyhills has not been seen since Friday afternoon An Auckland businesswoman with multiple company directorships has gone missing in the Manukau area was reported missing from her Sunnyhills home this morning and was last seen on Friday afternoon Several police cars were outside her home in Auckland on Saturday night "Police and Elizabeth's family have concerns for her wellbeing and would like to hear from anyone who may have seen her or who knows where she may be," police said and may be on foot in the Counties Manukau East area "Anyone who can help police locate Elizabeth is asked to call 105 quoting file number 201128/1909." Zhong, who has had health issues recently, was the sole owner and director of two wine-making companies that are now in receivership - Kennedy Point Vineyard on Waiheke Island and Carrick Wines in Central Otago She is also sole owner and director of film production company Digital Post Ltd, Digipost Entertainment and associated companies Digipost offers computer animation and graphics Credits which the company has been involved with include Mosely Its website states: "Digipost is New Zealand's most experienced post production and visual effects company dedicated to bringing to life the creative endeavours of our clients delivering the highest quality services to the film Variety reported that Zhong and Digipost was part of a "three-way development and finance deal" with Tim White's Southern Light Films and Super Entertainment for live action-CGI fantasy film Shelved worth up to $56 million Variety reported the movie was about "two slacker robots who fret about being replaced by humans" which included the involvement of NZ-born director of Shrek Andrew Adamson – would be a New Zealand-China co-production Enid Service compiles a very important list at this time of the year It’s a Christmas lights trail featuring streets and addresses which are lit up for the season It started in about 2004 as the Cadillac Club/American Classic Car Christmas Lights run but in different areas of Auckland each year “In 2014 someone asked on East Auckland Grapevine where the Christmas lights were and I put up a list as we were doing the eastern suburbs that year,” said Enid The list includes big and small displays and is updated regularly “Special thanks for all the efforts of those who have put up lights no matter how large or small.” Not on there? Email Enid servicebe@gmail.com Peacefulness resonates throughout this waterfront family home where a premium overhaul has complemented the house's 1970s architectural origins Owner Nancie Plested says: "I love its privacy and peacefulness And that's the main thing people comment about - the privacy She says her home was built in the 1970s by one of the members of the Moodabe family she took it over from a family member who'd renovated the home after buying it around 2005 directly from the original owners "So this house has never actually been on the market before." admires the sea against a backdrop of the summit of Rangitoto Island projecting above the Pt England Reserve Nancie was drawn to the home's blend of fabulous entertaining facilities bountiful accommodation and handiness to St Kentigern College The spacious family home opens up wide to 2160sq m of grounds finessed by renowned landscaper Ted Smyth Three stepped carports angle into the front of the painted brick home which also has a single internal-access garage with raised potager gardens nearby The seaward side has lots of glass: windows and glass doors highlight a heated pool accented by a big built-in barbecue and a pergola A western lounge is a particularly tranquil spot next to the formal dining room where a chandelier hangs from a sarked wooden ceiling high above The refurbished kitchen with a wall of wide-opening bifold doors includes a double oven which can include everything from scurrying kite-surfers to early-morning St Kents rowing teams The TV room/second lounge shows off brilliant in-built cabinetry added during renovations Nancie uses the neighbouring room (with a laundry and extra toilet off one side) as a painting studio but it'd equally suit an office/study or games room Apparently the four bedrooms side-by-side in a pool-side wing are a legacy of the original owner having four daughters Their floor space will fit larger beds but each also has the alternative of mezzanine beds This wing also has an impeccable family bathroom a substantial "man-space" storage room below and an upper extended bedroom with en suite and walk-through wardrobe and its own seaside vista The upper master suite is a blissful retreat with cabinetry by Paterson Crafted Furniture including a subtle modern unit in front of the bed The walk-through wardrobe is a thing of beauty and a big luxurious bathroom conceals oodles of storage Nancie says she still loves spending time here now the children have gone but the home is now much larger than she needs so it makes sense to downsize Rare plot of land is home to ancient kauri trees As a part of his ongoing film series about Japanese architecture, French architect and filmmaker Vincent Hecht has created this visual exploration of SunnyHills at Minami-Aoyama by Kengo Kuma this pineapple cake shop is built using the traditional Japanese joint technique of “Jiigoku-Gumi.” The wooden latticework is meant to provide visual contrast with the concrete facades of the building’s neighbors You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Fountain Valley captured the championship at the Sunny Hills tournament Some talented Orange County high school boys basketball teams competed in the Summer Series Varsity Tournament at Sunny Hills High School last weekend defeated Yorba Linda 66-62 in the championship game Huntington Beach topped South Torrance 63-56 to capture third place while Valencia took the consolation championship A Sunny Hills team took fifth place while La Habra captured seventh place “Despite many of the top teams not having their main players available due to club events our “Summer Series” Varsity Tournament was a competitive one,” said Sunny Hills Coach and tournament director Joe Ok “Defending 3AA CIF champion La Habra Fountain Valley as well as Yorba Linda and others were without key players during the tournament Yorba Linda jumped out to a double digit lead in the first half led by senior guard Rocco Gaffoglio but Fountain Valley rallied in the second half with precision perimeter shooting from multiple guards on the team Fountain Valley’s style of play is reminiscent of the old Marina teams that head coach Brendan Holmes played on for his father Roger between 2006-2010 “Fountain Valley held off a late Yorba Linda run to win 66-62 in a spirited battle between the players and even spectators in the stands. Fountain Valley has had an impressive summer thus far with Brendan Holmes at the helm also reaching the finals in the Palm Springs Summer Classic Tourney a couple weeks ago.” In one of the most exciting games of the tourney Sunny Hills rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat Beckman 64-55 on Saturday night Sunny Hills was led by guard Raeden Bobadilla (20 points) forward Ze Brien Watkins (13 points) and incoming freshman guard Immanuel Lin Send basketball news to timburt@ocsportszone.com The leading authority for the Architecture & Design community Recharge in a Restored Spanish Farmhouse in Menorca Gazing up at today’s concrete towers, it’s hard to imagine that, a century and a half ago, Tokyo was a city of wood, constructed on a human scale. Kengo Kuma and Associates’s petite cypress-slatted building for SunnyHills is a vision out of that older Tokyo—with a very contemporary twist Almost imme­diately after being asked to design the shop and office to stand on a corner in the res­idential district of Aoyama Kengo Kuma hit upon the idea of a facade composed of thin wooden slats intersecting diagonally like branches in a grove of trees where the distance between columns can be as wide as you like you move away from a human scale.  With wood so you automatically build structures that fit with an anthropomorphic sensibility,” he says I could design a building that soothes the soul.” Supporting a three-story structure with such thin timbers wouldn’t be easy the structural engineer suggested using a Japanese carpentry technique called jigokugumi Traditionally found in the decorative cabinetry for teahouses and temples the joints require no nails or glue yet lock the wooden strips together so tightly in a two-dimensional lattice that they can’t be pulled apart Kuma gave the joints, typically right angles, a more steamlined 30-degree/150-degree configuration, layered the latticework into a three-dimensional grid, and mag­nified it to building scale. Modeled with Rhinoceros and SketchUp software and assembled by hand the in­tricate design was then constructed in Japanese cypress Its pine­apple cake is sold at concrete counters that rise seamlessly from the floor The effect is unlike anything Tokyo’s 19th-century carpenters could have imagined—yet somehow in line with their sensibility Residents of the Sunnyhills Apartments can breathe a sigh of relief – at least for the next 5 years the developer of the historic apartment complex recently renewed the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) contract until 2028 ensuring that 149 of the units there maintain subsidized housing status Residents of the Sunnyhills Apartments spent recent months launching a petition and asking the City of Milpitas for support in retaining their affordable housing The City had conversations with the developer leading to a renewed contract of 5 additional years “I am pleased that after tremendous advocacy efforts residents of Sunnyhills will have some peace of mind with this announcement,” said Milpitas City Councilmember Anthony Phan the renewal allows the city more time to continue working towards a longer-term solution to ensure residents their access toward affordable housing.”  JMK Investments expressed their desire to terminate the HUD contract and demolish the Sunnyhills Apartments in order to build market-rate units the City of Milpitas stepped in to offer a solution toward preserving the subsidized housing that had been in existence for the past 3 decades; they gave the developer $1.25 million (broken down into 5 payments of $250,000 over 5 years) to be put toward repairs and maintenance in exchange for a 5-year HUD contract renewal the City didn’t put any additional funding into the complex The Beat was told by Interim Housing Lead Alex Andrade who is also the City of Milpitas’ Director of Economic Development but we’ve had multiple dialogues with the property owner over the years and we’re interested in more conversations that result in a long-term partnership with the property owner to benefit the residents of Sunnyhills Apartments,” said Andrade in an interview with The Beat the City had also approved additional funding in the amount of $200,000 for roof replacement at the Sunnyhills Apartments These funds were taken from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) “We wanted residents to be able to have a safe environment,” said Andrade “So the City has put a total of $1.45 million into this program.”   the Sunnyhills Apartment complex was developed in 1971 and 22 of those are considered market-rate “I am incredibly proud of City staff’s work and commitment to preserving affordable housing and improving housing quality for Milpitas residents,” Milpitas City Manager Steve McHarris shared with The Beat in an email There’s no telling what the future has in store for the Sunnyhills Apartments Andrade spoke of how this renewed contract gives the City more time to have further conversations with the developer to determine how to help sustainably preserve affordable housing for residents in the future Milpitas resident Allysson McDonald has been a champion of the cause supporting Sunnyhills residents and advocating for more affordable housing solutions in our community: “I’m relieved that the contract has been finalized But I truly wish that the process was different and that the tenants didn’t have to go through this every 5 years,” said McDonald to the Beat “I just deeply believe that everyone deserves a roof over their heads and that we should be a community with room for people of all different economic means.” © 2025 Copyright All Rights Reserved By milpitasbeat.com and you’re likely to evoke a slew of memories the Sunnyhills neighborhood was where it all happened a kind of engine that set the wheels of a small When Ford Motor Company moved its operations from Richmond to Milpitas in 1954 no one could have foreseen the tremendous growth and evolution that would result Ben Gross was the very first African-American elected to serve as a bargainer for the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 560 As many Ford workers were leaving behind their homes in Richmond to work in Milpitas Gross was appointed to serve as Chair of a Housing Committee and devoted himself to ensuring a smooth transition and adequate housing for all workers Roughly 250 African-Americans would be coming out to Milpitas as at the time African-Americans were typically segregated in their own neighborhoods and housing who would go on to become the first African-American mayor of Milpitas (as well as one of the first in California) played a tremendous role in catapulting the vision of the Sunnyhills development toward a reality deeply shaped and contributed to the area’s blooming landscape America’s ugly history of racism left a large imprint on Gross’s spirit at an early age his father made a deal with a white farmer The elder Gross offered to pick all the cotton in the man’s field in exchange for the man’s donkey Gross spent days of back-breaking labor clearing out the cotton The farmer shot Ben Gross’s father dead Known as one of America’s first integrated communities Sunnyhills was a place where one could see a black family and a white family living next door to one another in harmony — something that was still considered unusual during the 1950s standing in Albert Augustine Park in the Sunnyhills neighborhood recalled the time he spent growing up in the Sunnyhills Neighborhood as a special one marked by community and interconnectedness: “This place was magical his eyes scanning the many homes lining the quiet streets Eiland’s family moved to Milpitas in 1960 Milpitas was really starting to grow and develop Eiland recalled playing outside and looking over his house’s fence to see Milpitas High School being constructed then moved out to Walnut Green Acres behind Thomas Russell Middle School who has so many great memories from his time spent growing up in Sunnyhills has never lost his fascination with the neighborhood along with his sincere interest in people and stories recently set him off on a journey: He’s currently producing a documentary to capture the stories behind how the Sunnyhills neighborhood came to be and all that’s transpired there over the years He began shooting the documentary this past January though his intention to do so stretches back a decade has been taking trips out to Milpitas with a crew in tow to shoot interviews and footage of the neighborhood “I started collecting footage 10 years ago Then I connected with my cousin on Facebook about 6 years ago I would need her services,” said Eiland who grew up in Sunnyhills just down the street from Eiland has also been helping out with the production Eiland refers to Nichols as the project’s Historian since he knows so much about the community’s history “My parents moved into a brand new house which was unheard of back in the fifties for anyone of color,” said Nichols out from Minnesota to take part in the documentary Benjamin spoke at a couple of community events to share fascinating stories about his father and what it was like to grow up in Sunnyhills He spoke of his father’s work as a Civil Rights leader and how he had relationships with prominent figures from the Civil Rights movement The Panthers actually dropped in to the Sunnyhills neighborhood on occasion and crashed in the Gross’ garage which had been converted into a family room Benjamin’s older sister even became friends with Angela Davis recalled his dad being out a lot: “He had meetings every night or there were people over at our house,” said Benjamin who remembered nights when policy decisions got made over drinks and barbecue while all the children ran and played in the background “It was mostly men back then making the decisions But we can’t forget my mother was feisty “I remember her dragging me with her to court one time for some reason the judge admonished her for wearing pants said it was an insult to the judicial system you go stand outside on the steps with an open dress and feel the draft that comes up between your legs And then let’s have this discussion.'” the breakthrough activity at Sunnyhills caught the attention of one Nikita Khrushchev Premier of the Soviet Union from 1958 to 1964 he’d met with then-Vice President Richard Nixon to help fulfill a “cultural agreement” signed in an effort to promote a deeper understanding of one another’s countries Vice President Nixon and Khrushchev engaged in what was called “The Kitchen Debate.” This took place at the American National Exhibition in Moscow where a “model kitchen” was set up as both men went back and forth on communism “The day before Vice President Nixon was going to fly to Moscow to open the ceremonies and show them the housing display he called upon America…telling them to go down on their knees and pray for the Soviet Union to allow its Jewish citizens to be able to leave the Soviet Union,” Benjamin Gross explained “Khrushchev felt insulted,” he added “…There was one thing that really shook up people in America here That’s when Khrushchev looked him in the eye and asked Nixon ‘What is the difference between how you treat your negroes and how we treat our Jewish citizens?'” Khrushchev also commented on the absence of integrated neighborhoods in our country well…he knew he was bearing witness to an opportunity Khrushchev got to work on planning an unrelated trip to the United States Benjamin recalled how word got around that Khrushchev was planning on making a stop at Milpitas’ Ford Motor Plant to get a glimpse of how they ran their notably efficient assembly line Khrushchev had been toying with the idea of starting an assembly plant in Russia 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 The Grosses threw a barbecue in the backyard to welcome the Premier 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 Russian security officials confiscated Benjamin’s camera which is why no photos of the Premier’s visit exist Despite Sunnyhills’ diverse and progressive nature Benjamin was out driving a car that his dad had purchased for him a couple months prior Benjamin was pulled over by a police officer They had run the license plate and found outstanding warrants Benjamin knew he hadn’t been the one to acquire the ticket; it most likely belonged to the car’s previous owner Benjamin was arrested and taken to the county jail I got strip-searched and…felt a finger where no finger should ever go They were trying to look for drugs or weapons,” said Benjamin he called a friend of the family…none other than beloved Milpitas Police Chief James Murray Upon hearing about Benjamin’s parking ticket debacle Chief Murray told him he’d be sending an officer out to post bail for him The exact amount of money it would’ve cost to cover his bail who was sitting on the other side of a sheet of bullet-proofed glass the sergeant delivered these words: “That’s what happens when you get too uppity It seemed they didn’t appreciate the fact that Benjamin had friends in high places Him calling a Police Chief in a neighboring city to come out to San Jose and post his bail had infuriated them So they’d kept the bail money and made Benjamin unnecessarily spend four nights in jail Benjamin informed his father and Chief Murray about what had happened The San Jose Mercury News wrote an article up about it and news of what happened spread throughout the region “People were outraged,” said Benjamin “And it really led to change in the department.” making this Sunnyhills documentary means getting the opportunity to cross an item off his bucket list he hopes to premiere it at Century Theater at the Great Mall “We’d love for the world to know about Sunnyhills,” said Eiland “This is something I’ve been wanting to put out there for a long time.” their childhoods were marked by a deep sense of purpose That magical time in history will never again be replicated And there’s the legacy that has been built and has reverberated beyond Milpitas and into the world “This has given me an empowerment…that no matter where I go I have Sunnyhills behind me,” said Benjamin I have that solid foundation where I can be bold and brave and know I can change the world and make a difference With every relationship…and every person.” One of the things his father liked to say — in regard to the Civil Rights Movement which helped take down the barriers that were keeping black people from registering to vote — still stands out in Benjamin’s mind: I loved hearing Ben relate these stories and more (Camacho family) now she lives in sunny hills apartments for 40 year now The proud history of Milpitas still includes members of the Ward family a former operating room nurse at SC Valley Medical center I grew up in Milpitas and have fond memories of that time Thank you for this little piece of history on Sunnyhills Milpitas as a whole was such a wonderful place to call home I grew up in the neighborhood of Starlite Homes (1964-2005) off Abbott Avenue and had so many friends in Sunnyhills Since Donnie Eiland has started this documentary and interviewed so many current and former Milpitas Residents I am learning more and more about the awesome place I was fortunate enough to call home Thank you Milpitas Beat and a very special thanks to Donnie Eiland Awesome history of Milpitas… Thanks… I lived on Cortez and had no idea of the racial issues at that time This was a great article and much needed history of our neighborhoods I was captivated by this article as I learned some unknown history to myself I too grew up in the Sunnyhils area and had and uave friends from numerous cultural backgrounds and felt like color was ever an issue I’m proud to have been apart of such a supporting I’m proud and look forward to what is to come of this documentary So very proud to see my uncles Ricky LaVigne and Henry Nichols on the article pictures They like my father in Heaven are OG Sunnyhills my father Lance LaVigne Sr was a Sunnyhills historian and he did tell me Black Panther stories Daddy was proud to be involved in the Black Panther movement That’s two of my uncles Ricky LaVigne and Henry Nichols featured in this article pictures The Balderrama family moved into Sunnyhills in 1954 on Hazen St and I remember standing on my mom’s porch and seeing a cloud of dust behind a column of little yellow vehicles (earth movers) watching them until they rumbled right past our home to being building the homes on the other side of what later was going to be Joseph Weller Elementary School I remember when the lunch auditorium was built a few years later and along with the many families who included Terry Olson Julie Ortiz and Bobby Garza all who graduated from Milpitas High School but worked for Marion Welles who was the daughter of Joesph Weller who donated the land for our future elementary school We all spent summers on the 200 acre Weller Ranch cutting and picking apricots and walnuts while the city was still in its infancy his grandparents’ house was behind Sunnyhills Apartments We jumped the fence in the backyard and landed in Sunnyhills Apartments The area was becoming run down and people I knew were into drugs had lots of good and wonderful people living there I remember a lot of cool people over there one of our required readings is Richard Rothstein’s book “The Color of Law.” This book is an eyeopener of the history of African Americans Sunnyhills and the local and federal government Is there any updated information on the documentary My family moved to Sunnyhills in the early 80s and I grew up on Mazey Street I deeply treasure the rich and diverse community I grew up in and the memories of neighbors Hi Sara, we’re working on the second an hopefully final edit of ’54 now. Is there an email I can reach you at once it’s finished? Here’s a link to the most recent version, I hope to have the final version out before the end of the year. – Donnie ( Executive Producer ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5QKBKrNKGo Where down the road there was a farm and the future street “greathouse drive” was just a cow pasture Even as a kid I kind of wondered in the back of my mind why there was so many different types of people in our neighborhood including our family I thought it was normal until high school and visited different other neighborhoods I also wasn’t aware of all the civil rights and political events that were going on at that time in Milpitas I wish they had taught a little history of Milpitas .The good & bad 2 of my most vivid memories are that in the summer you knew where to get pears almonds when they were ripe to pick off the farmers orchard It seemed like all of the house wifes on the street started learning how to drive and then got a job I never realized how lucky I was to grow up in our Sunnyhills until I left I tried to tell people about it many times When people ask me where I’m from I tell them Sunnyhills We didn’t have much but we were in it together Thanks Bobby…..Sunnyhills is indeed special you were my favorite 2nd baseman growing up in Sunnyhills it’s what I learned growing up in Sunnyhills I have told all my friends if you want to know me Milpitas will forever have a special place in my heart My fondest life memories in life all reside at 750 Coyote St I remember my friend Damu Hasty (May He Rest In Piece) I literally jumped the fence at his house and was right in the middle of Sunnyhills Apartments it did get wild over there with people selling dope but it was still a nice neighborhood because you have good families and good people over there And if weren’t into drugs or committing any crime you had no problems in Sunnyhills or anywhere in Milpitas I’m proud to say that I grew up there […] Informations on that Topic: milpitasbeat.com/the-untold-stories-of-sunnyhills-where-history-was-made/ […] The award-winning esports program at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton was recently featured in a news segment that’s been distributed to PBS stations across California The piece shows how video gaming is engaging students while building computer science skills strengthening communication and collaboration and spotlighting potential career pathways in the STEAM fields — otherwise known as science “Inside California Education: The Gamer Generation — The Rise of E-Sports” originally aired in March on KVIE a public television station in Northern California But you can watch the Sunny Hills High segment above “ESports is rapidly becoming a popular college sport there were only 7 colleges offering varsity eSports teams there are over 170 colleges with more than 5,000 students playing eSports.” the esports club at Sunny Hills began in 2014 Practice sessions enable players to build their skills and try out for spots on the competitive team which squares off against other schools in local Speaking of which, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District campus won the first-ever North America Scholastic Esports Federation championship for its League of Legends play in 2019 With funding from the Samueli Foundation, the North America Scholastic Esports Federation was established in late 2017 with support from the Orange County Department of Education UC Irvine and other partners aiming to leverage the popularity of gaming to promote collaboration Research conducted by UCI over the next two years showed that students who participated in NASEF events were more interested in STEM careers demonstrated greater critical thinking skills and reported higher levels of school engagement UCI has also found natural ties between league activities and state standards for science NASEF, which has developed digital toolkits and curriculum to amplify the educational benefits, was honored as a model public-private partnership in 2019 by the Orange County Business Council For more information on the North America Scholastic Esports Federation, visit www.nasef.org Official Instagram for the Orange County Department of Education | View the OCDE web policy at ocde.us/webpolicy Orange County Department of Education  Website publishing policyNon-discrimination policySocial media policy Thanks for visiting the OCDE Newsroom. 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