In brief: Schaaf to address League of Women Voters of Piedmont
PIEDMONT
Former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf will address the League of Women Voters of Piedmont (LWVP) on Dec. 1 at the Piedmont Center for the Arts (PCA).
Schaaf will share perspectives about her public service and current passions, followed by a brief question-and-answer session. Schaaf’s talk will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a lunch from Rockridge Market Hall. The PCA is at 801 Magnolia Ave. in Piedmont. Stay updated on this event and other LVWP activities online at lwvpiedmont.org.
— LWVP
OAKLAND
Montclair Village Holiday Stroll returning Dec. 7 this year
The annual free, family-friendly Montclair Village Holiday Stroll will return from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 with lots of holiday fun, including crafts, games and entertainment. The popular Hospitality Hut will also return this year to serve cocoa and adult beverages to get into the holiday spirit while they celebrate and shop in Montclair Village.
The Montclair Village Association (MVA) event will feature three stages filled with performances, a family fun zone, vendors to shop local during the holidays and, of course, Santa Claus.
Also, the MVA’s Montclair Cares Club is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Montclair Village by committing to welcoming 75 new members to the club with a tax-deductible donation to help continue the village’s mission.
Consider donating to the Montclair Cares Club to help make 2024 in the village as joyous as 2023. To donate, join or see more details, visit the MVA online at montclairvillage.com.
— MVA
PIEDMONT
Moraga Canyon Specific Plan workshop slated for Nov. 30
The Moraga Canyon Specific Plan (MCSP) team, made up of Piedmont city staff and JZMK Partners, will host a community workshop in the city’s Veterans Hall starting at 7 p.m. Nov. 30.
The MCSP is an initiative to study all city-owned land in Moraga Canyon with a goal of creating a detailed plan to incorporate 132 units of new housing (60 of which would be reserved for households earning lower incomes), maintain and improve existing city facilities, open space and recreational amenities and improve traffic, pedestrian/bicycle and wildfire safety.
The workshop will include approaches for development in Moraga Canyon. The MCSP community survey, which concluded Oct. 10, received more than over 1,100 responses. This survey marked the first of several opportunities over the next year for community members to inform the plan. Survey results will be presented at the workshop, which citizens interested in attending can RSVP via email at Piedmontishome@piedmont.ca.gov.
Fire Department launches its annual holiday toy drive
As the season of giving approaches, Piedmont residents can help create a brighter holiday for local families in need by donating to the Piedmont Fire Department’s annual holiday toy drive. As of Wednesday this week, donation bins are available at City Hall, the Piedmont Recreation Department and the Piedmont Police Department.
By joining hundreds of other Piedmonters in contributing one or more new, unwrapped toys to this longstanding tradition, you can help ensure every child in our area has a gift to open this holiday season. All toys collected will be distributed to families in Oakland and Alameda County.
Toys dropped off before Dec. 8 will be distributed through the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Toys donated on or after Dec. 8 will be distributed at the annual Three Wise Men toy giveaway in Oakland’s Fruitvale district. Bins will remain out for donations through Dec. 23.
Tuesday’s City Council meeting next week will open with a ceremonial item announcing the toy drive’s launch. Per tradition, each councilmember will place a toy in the donation bins when the meeting starts.
Citizens in attendance are welcome to contribute toys of their own at that time as well. From dolls and action figures to books and board games, every donation makes a difference.
— city of Piedmont
Lantern Projects seeks aid for work in Africa, Afghanistan
August and September contributions to Piedmont group Lantern Projects have provided aid to people in need around the world.
Among the items provided are solar-powered panels and supplies; 68 SIM cards; school supplies; disaster relief supplies; dog sterilization supplies; hygiene kits; food; nursery plant supplies; medical supplies; and two water wells.
The group’s current projects that need funding include school supplies in Tigray, Ethiopia; digital tablets and a solar-powered system in Afghanistan; school uniforms, other supplies and exam fees in Malawi; and the “Elephant/Ivory Project” in Tanzania.
All of the funds Lantern Projects receives go to people in need, and every donation really helps. Also, the group will have an in-person cookie exchange from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6. More details will be forthcoming.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent by checks payable to Lantern Projects in any amount (please identify which project numbers they are to support and include your name and e-mail address) to 51 Glen Alpine Road, Piedmont, CA 94611-3522. To donate online or read about the group’s about current projects, visit lanternprojects.org.
— Lantern Projects
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