PIEDMONT
A group of Piedmont High School students have formed a “More Than Just Me” gift drive that connects individuals, groups and businesses with families dealing with a medical crisis identified by Children’s Hospital Oakland social workers. The high school group provides gift requests to cheer up families, and individuals, groups or businesses wrap and label the gifts. The students will ensure that the gifts are delivered to the families in need before Christmas. Register at morethanjustme.org or email info@morethanjustme.org for details.
Eight-week mindfulness course for parents to start Feb. 2
A course in the elements of mindfulness is being offered for parents facilitated by Piedmont Unified School District board member Sarah Pearson. The course is an in-depth, community-based journey supporting parents in how to meet life’s demands with formal meditation techniques and mindfulness practices to navigate life’s journey.
The eight-week course runs Feb. 2 through March 29, meeting on Sundays from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. There will be a retreat March 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program costs $250. For more information or to register contact srpear@gmail.com.
— Linda Davis, correspondent
OAKLAND
Local talent to perform in ‘Nutcracker’ at the Paramount
Don’t miss an “only in Oakland” production of Graham Lustig’s “The Nutcracker,” featuring the performers of the Oakland Ballet, the musicians of the Oakland Symphony and the voices of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir together on stage in Oakland’s glamorous Paramount Theater decked out in its holiday best. Performances are Dec. 21-22 at 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets are available at oaklandballet.org or the Paramount Box Office.
— Montclair Village Association
Montclair Library to host ‘One Village, One Book’ club
The Montclair branch of the Oakland Public Library invites readers to celebrate the branch’s 90th anniversary and explore our city through the “One Village, One Book” club. The club will discuss books written about or set in Oakland, including fiction and nonfiction from different eras and genres. At the club’s first meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7, we’ll discuss Beth Bagwell’s “Oakland: The Story of a City.”
The club will meet every other month throughout 2020, and future books will be announced on the Friends of Montclair Library website (montclairfriends.org) and Facebook page as they are selected. All meetings will be at the Montclair Library, 1687 Mountain Blvd. in Oakland. For more information about the book club, contact the library at 510-482-7810 or visit the Friends of Montclair Library website.
— Friends of Montclair Library
Montclair Village Association taking donations for plaza
Every dollar makes a huge difference to the Montclair Village Association’s (MVA) drive to fund the new Village Plaza. Your gift, no matter how large or small, makes all the difference to create a safer more vibrant Montclair. Every dollar is used to support the Village Plaza Campaign construction costs and helps match the $480,000 allocated from the Oakland City Council.
So far, 80% of the total construction costs have been secured. The Montclair Village Association has created a campaign for supporters to sponsor sidewalk bricks with a personal message to be placed permanently on the plaza. For more details email info@montclairvillage.com or visit brickorder.com/form/view.php?id=60121.
— MVA
See holiday circle of lights at Mountain View Cemetery
Historic Mountain View Cemetery, at 5000 Piedmont Ave. in Oakland, is holding its annual holiday circle of lights now through New Year’s Day from 5 to 9 p.m. daily. Tours by docents also are conducted monthly highlighting the legends and lore of the cemetery’s historic and influential occupants.
— Linda Davis, correspondent
PIEDMONT
Havens school Dads Club charity poker night on Jan. 10
The Havens Elementary School Dads Club is hosting a charity poker night from 6 to 11 p.m. Jan. 10 at Piedmont Veterans Hall, 401 Highland Ave. in Piedmont. The cost is $80 per person for an early bird combo or $80 at the door. Beginning players are welcome, and there will be a poker tutorial available.
The event includes catered food by Top Dog, a commemorative pint glass, a cigar bar (no cigarettes) and adult spirits. For details email havensdadsclub@gmail.com. Proceeds will support Havens Elementary.
— Linda Davis, correspondent
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