OAKLAND/PIEDMONT
Piedmont artist Jane Reed, in conjunction with the Oakland Art Association, has an art show at First Federal Savings & Loan of San Rafael’s branch in Oakland’s Rockridge district at 6058 College Ave (next to Safeway). The exhibit consisting of watercolors of landscapes, animals and flowers is already on view and will run till Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 6 p.m. on Fridays. The Oakland Art Association, a group of about 60 artists founded in 1957, is involved primarily in arranging show venues in public spaces for its members in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
— Jane Reed
PIEDMONT
Group holding book-making workshop Nov. 23 at school
Piedmont Makers is holding a book-making workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at Piedmont Middle School, 740 Magnolia Ave. The cost is $5 per student, and a parent is required for each child in third grade or younger. Bring scissors and decorative paper. Some paper will be provided. Register for the event online at bayareane.ws/2O8ln2F.
Families of preschool-age children asked to take survey
Families with children ages 1 through 5 are encouraged to fill out the preschool programs survey link on the city of Piedmont webpage at piedmont.ca.us. The city’s Recreation Department is seeking input on preschool programming — changes, ideas and improvements. Families who no longer have preschool children also are invited to take the survey. All responses are anonymous, and the survey takes about five minutes.
‘Knock Down the House’ next movie in diversity film series
The Appreciating Diversity Film Series will screen the free new documentary “Knock Down the House” at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, with reception at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Ellen Driscoll Playhouse at 325 Highland Ave. in Piedmont. All are welcome.
“House” traces the bumpy path to politics of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, working as a bartender in the Bronx then launching an underdog campaign and winning a seat in the House of Representatives. Stories of three other determined women highlight the film that won a Sundance Audience Award. The film series is sponsored by the city of Piedmont, Piedmont Unified Adult School and the Piedmont League of Women Voters.
The second free showing is at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at New Parkway Theater, 474 24th St. in Oakland. District 2 City Council member Nikki Fortunato-Bas will discuss her nontraditional path from political activist to elective politics after the screening.
Piedmont Community Orchestra free concert on Sunday
The third free concert by the all-volunteer Piedmont Community Orchestra will be at 4 p.m. Nov. 24 at Piedmont Community Church, 400 Highland Ave. in Piedmont. The winter concert is themed “Giving Thanks for Musical Gifts.”
The program will include works by Haydn, Wagner and “Two Romances” by Clara Schumann, who was a virtuoso pianist and the wife of famed composer Robert Schumann. The concert will last one hour with no intermission. It will be followed by a free reception for the audience and musicians. The concert is sponsored by Piedmont Center for the Arts.
The venue was changed due to the large turnout at the previous concert. Many well-known musicians will play, including Phil Santos and Joe Gold on violin, Sara Rusche on viola, Susanne Rublein on flute, Stuart Gronningen on horn and Roger Raphael on oboe.
Turkey Trot returning for its 18th year this Thanksgiving
Trot, walk or run while the turkey’s in the oven at the 18th annual Piedmont Turkey Trot, open to all on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28. Tickets are $45 for adults and $35 for youth through Nov. 25. Nov. 26-28 prices are $50 for adults and $40 for youth 12 and under. Register at piedmontturkeytrot.com.
Moms with strollers through grandparents are invited to join the 5K run/walk through Piedmont’s picturesque streets.
The event has grown over the years to about 2,000 participants. Prizes are awarded to top finishers overall, as well as top finishers in every age category. The first 1,800 registrants will receive a long-sleeved dry-wick commemorative T-shirt. The Trot benefits Piedmont High cross country and track and field teams and Piedmont’s Athletic Field Preservation Fund. No bikes, inline skates, skateboards, tricycles, scooters or wagons are permitted for safety reasons. Use of ear buds is discouraged, as they could impede any instructions from the Turkey Trot team.
Local Public Safety Power Shutoff called off, city spared
Some Piedmont residents could breathe a sigh of relief Tuesday afternoon after PG&E announced that the utility would not cut off their power Wednesday morning. Electricity to residences, businesses, schools, mobile phone towers and public utilities in the affected area could have been turned off but PG&E officials determined Tuesday that changes in the weather forecast no longer necessitated Public Safety Power Shutoffs in Alameda County, including Piedmont. Update contact information with PG&E by calling 866-743-6589.
Books to be collected for Thanksgiving children’s drive
Donate books to children with the Thanksgiving children’s book drive. Looking for new or gently used children’s or young adult books. Books will be collected from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 27 at Piedmont Veterans Hall, 401 Highland Ave. in Piedmont. Books will go to the East Bay Children’s Book Project and to the Piedmont High School library.
Former deputy attorney general Renne to address LWV
The League of Women Voters of Piedmont is holding a holiday luncheon fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at Piedmont Community Hall, 711 Highland Ave. in Piedmont. The special guest speaker will be Louise Renne, a former California deputy attorney general for 11 years, former supervisor and one-time city attorney for the city and county of San Francisco.
She heads the Renne Public Law Group, which advocates for public agencies, nonprofits and private entities in need of creative legal solutions. She is working on cases involving opioid abuse and e-cigarette dangers for youth. Her talk is at 11 a.m., followed by a Q&A and lunch. The cost for lunch and to hear Renne is $35. To RSVP by Dec. 2, visit bayareane.ws/372wilA.
— Linda Davis, correspondent
OAKLAND
Fifth Dimond Lights Artisan Market scheduled for Dec. 7
The Dimond Lights Artisan Market is back. Dimond Public Art, a committee of the Dimond Improvement Association, is hosting its fifth annual event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Sons of Norway Hall, 2258 MacArthur Blvd. in Oakland. This year we will feature local artists along with music, food and kids activities throughout the day. A pancake breakfast at 10 a.m. will kick off the celebration, the proceeds from which will benefit the Dimond Improvement Association.
The application for artist space can be found at bit.ly/DLAM2019. If you are a musician and would like to perform at Dimond Lights, please indicate your interest bit.ly/DLAMMusic. For more details on the event go to dimondnews.org/events/dec-dimond-lights or email ryanr@dimondnews.org or juliej@dimondnews.org.
— Dimond Public Art
To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least a week before publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words, include the name of the group or individual to whom it is to be credited and should also include a brief headline.
