PIEDMONT
The League of Women Voters of Piedmont is forming discussion groups to participate in the 2020 Great Decisions program on world affairs.
Sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association, Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on global matters. The program is a series of eight meetings, lasting about two hours each. Participants receive a Foreign Policy Association briefing book that provides background and context for group discussion. Each session starts with an insightful video created by the Foreign Policy Association, followed by a lively discussion of the week’s topic. Chosen by a panel of foreign policy experts, this year’s topics are:
- Climate Change and the Global Order
- India and Pakistan
- Red Sea Security
- Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
- U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle
- China’s Road into Latin America
- The Philippines and the U.S.
- Artificial Intelligence and Data
The program offers two sessions: Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants can attend either session. The Wednesday session will meet at 40 Highland Ave. starting on Feb. 12. The Thursday session starts Feb. 13, meeting at the Piedmont Police Department Conference Room, 403 Highland Ave. Both sessions meet every other week, with the eighth and final sessions ending May 20 and May 21, respectively.
To RVSP, please visit LWVPiedmont.org online and click the “Great Decisions Discussion Group” link. The program costs $32, and payment via credit card, debit card, PayPal or check is accepted. Checks should be payable to the League of Women Voters Piedmont and sent to Ward Lindenmayer/40 Highland Ave./Piedmont, CA 94611. Please note in the check’s memo section that it is for Great Decisions and indicate whether you prefer to attend daytime or evening sessions. Regardless of which way you pay, please send your email contact to Ward at wardandelaine@comcast.net.
Last year’s Great Decisions program attracted 60 participants, nearly twice as many as in the past. Great Decisions is open to all; being a League member is unnecessary to join. Briefing books are now available for pickup at 40 Highland Ave. in Piedmont. Please sign the sheet when you pick up a book and leave a check in the envelope if you have not previously paid.
— Piedmont LWV
King Day celebration set for Jan. 20 at veterans building
Join the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee (PADC) from 12 to 2:30 p.m. in the Piedmont Veterans Memorial Building at 410 Highland Ave. for this year’s Martin Luther King Day celebration. Events will include inspirational performances by the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company and Oaktown Jazz Workshops. Comments will be made by U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee and David Lai from the King Institute at Stanford University. Tickets are free, but attendees are asked to register on eventbrite. For details visit padc.info/mlk-2020.
— PADC
OAKLAND
Diversity, equity, inclusion talk Jan. 16 at Aurora School
From 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at Aurora School, 40 Dulwich Road in Oakland, the school’s teachers will discuss their students’ recent classroom lessons on gender and race, ability and advocacy, sustainability and social justice. Find out how Aurora’s partnership between school and home fosters students who move through the world with intention. To join the conversation, email rsvp@auroraschool.org.
— Aurora School
Apply by Jan. 31 for Dimond district community grants
The Dimond Improvement Association (DIA) has launched a community grants program to fund projects that advance its mission “to make Oakland’s Dimond district a vibrant, safe and beautiful place for everyone to live, work, shop and play.”
Oakland-based individuals and groups may apply for grants of up to $1,500. Projects may include, but are not limited to, physical installations and improvements, such as art and landscaping; educational, community engagement and service programs; and events. Projects must have a clear public benefit and have a direct impact on the Dimond district. Up to a total of $6,500 will be awarded in this round. Guidelines and an online application form are on the DIA website at dimondnews.org/grants. The due date for applications is Jan. 31. Awards will be announced mid-February and projects must be completed by February 2021. Email grants@dimondnews.org with any questions.
— DIA
PIEDMONT
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
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.
