“The holiday shopping, dining and self-care season is a critical time for the viability of small businesses. It was wonderful to work with (former) Mayor Schaaf and the Oakland Police Department in receiving a grant to fund the full-time, on-street safety ambassadors,” Swafford said. “The hope is that the public saw the broad effort to make commercial districts, and in this case the Montclair Village shopping area, places we can come to with a sense of safety.”

Safety ambassadors during the 30-day trial period that ended Saturday were on the streets eight hours a day, seven days a week except for Christmas and New Year’s days. Direct mobile phone numbers were made available to the public for requesting assistance, and flyers explaining safety ambassador services were delivered to merchants. Kevin Gilmore, of Oakland, served as one of the ambassadors. In an interview Jan. 13, the second-to-last-day of the program, he reflected on the experience.

“I come from the inner city, so coming up here was entering a different walk of life,” Gilmore said. “At first, it was touch-and-go if I was going to do it. But once I was up here and felt welcome, it made me want to do it and to live up to their expectations.”

Gilmore downplays his skills when asked what he brought to the position, mentioning only that he has experience in security work.

“To be honest, it was just me being me. It’s not one set skill; I just take my job seriously,” he said. “I know not to judge but to observe and not act on impulse. Like with certain style cars, a person can be judgmental. But coming from the inner-city, I can feel a person out, and 95% of the time, I can use instinct.”

Gilmore’s interactions ran a gamut, from escorting people to vehicles and reminding shoppers to place purchases in trunks instead of on car seats to providing directions to parking locations to reporting suspicious or actual criminal action to Swafford, who then communicated the information to Oakland police.

“I approached one circumstance in a way so the police could get there,” he said. “I can’t say the specifics, but let’s just say security isn’t about putting your hands on people. If you talk to people, if you tell them you don’t have to do this or that, once you make them feel you’re not judging them, it makes a situation way better. There’s no violence.”

Asked if he will participate if the program receives more funding and continues, Gilmore responded in the affirmative.

“Yes, hands down. Why? Because not only from the good business perspective but in the way the community and Dan have welcomed me, I feel comfortable. People in the community say they see a difference. Merchants thank me, and there are even people who come check on me and bring me coffee when I’m working. Just making a little difference along the line, we might make a bigger difference to keep people from hitting on the elderly or other people or doing crimes.”

Swafford said Gilmore was an ideal candidate for a position that required people who are outgoing, able to communicate effectively and quick to establish and reliably maintain relationships with local merchants.

“We leaned on Bay Alarm Company supervisors who knew the people best suited for these posts. We had to move quickly, and so we relied on their partnerships for referrals.”

Montclair Village regularly engages with Bay Alarm for safety patrols in the district. Limor Margalit, Bay Alarm’s director of sales and security agent services, said that in setting up safety ambassador service for Montclair, one of three districts covered by the company, his role centered on working closely with merchants. By addressing their concerns with the on-street presence of a uniformed ambassador during the holiday season, Gilmore said residents and visitors also benefited.

“Long-term merchants told us having a guard trained to help in different situations was important,” Gilmore said. “For people shopping, the guards made them feel safe by walking with them. Escorting someone to a car is just one example of something they did that the police cannot do.”

Swafford walked the shopping district;s streets during the holidays, introducing the ambassadors to owners and staff at key businesses. He held briefings and relied on digital reporting from the ambassadors to receive updates and provide feedback.

“There was an auto burglary and we advised (that) they connect with a neighboring business and relay that to me so I could get any camera images to pull and relay that to OPD,” Swafford said. “That happened on multiple occasions, unfortunately. We also saw shoplifting and theft that spills beyond store security.

“In one case our ambassador provided information that led to an arrest. Proactively, we consulted on casing the neighborhood. Kevin just being present on the street led to deterring crimes and also he reminded people to put items in secure places out of sight.”

Swafford hopes the program will continue.

“I’d love to take the feedback and report what the ambassadors were able to do to the mayor,” he said. “We had boots on the ground, investment in crime reduction and a good partnership with OPD that allowed them to be more efficient. These are the obvious gains. We don’t have the budget for it, so we’ll look to funding from the city of Oakland and put whatever resources we have in the (Montclair) Village toward continuing it.

“Merchants in the area are still struggling, and, to be honest, some might not make it, so we don’t want to see people taking their money out of the area because they don’t feel safe. An investment in this type of program in Oakland’s General Fund will pay for itself with increased economic activity throughout the city. If given the opportunity, that’s how I will present it to city officials.”

Lou Fancher is a freelance writer. Contact her at lou@johnsonandfancher.com.

The Piedmont-based nonprofit Lantern Projects continues to bring hope to people in need around the world. Last year they provided lab equipment, water wells, Ukraine relief and more. The holiday cookie exchange raised $10,000. Donors can support any of the “wishes” from the list below.

Wish #463 provides winter hats, gloves and shoes to the Navajo nation in Chinle, Arizona. $24 will buy a beanie and gloves, and $150 will buy work boots for frigid weather.

Wish #464 buys supplies for a refugee camp in Brownsville Texas. $13 to $50 dollars will provide a tent, toiletries and sanitary pads for those not able to get into a shelter.

Wish #465 donations will go toward the purchase a school bus in Namibia, where conditions are hazardous for children to walk to school.

For more information or to donate, visit lanternprojects.org online.

Documentary ‘Through the Night’ to be shown on Jan. 19

The Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Film Series will present a free documentary film at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 titled “Through the Night.”

The 76-minute film discusses the challenges of finding affordable, dependable child care. Led by Kym Johnson, executive director of area child care referral Bananas, a discussion follows film to be shown in the Ellen Driscoll Theater at 325 Highland Ave. in Piedmont. Masks are strongly advised.

MLK commemoration Monday in new Harvey Theater

Piedmont’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday in the new Alan Harvey Theater at 800 Magnolia Ave. in Piedmont. The event is co-sponsored by the city of Piedmont and Piedmont Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee.

In attendance will be Piedmont Mayor Jen Cavenaugh; U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland; Carina Gould, of the Sogorea Te Land Trust; Kate Schatz, the co-author of “Do the Work: An Anti-Racism Activity Book;” and Clayborn Carson, the founder of Stanford University’s MLK Jr. Research and Education Institute. The event also may be viewed on Piedmont’s community access channel, KCOM-TV Channel 27.

Housing Element to be presented Jan. 30 to City Council

The Piedmont Planning Department will bring the sixth cycle of the city’s state-mandated Housing Element to the City Council for adoption at a special meeting Jan. 30. The city will have three years to implement the proposed building programs.

There are several upcoming key dates, for which residents can get more information. See weekly news on the topic at the city’s website, piedmont.ca.gov.

— Linda Davis, correspondent

OAKLAND

Safety ambassadors in Montclair Village through Sunday

The Montclair Village Association (MVA) is grateful to have Kevin Gilmore and Carla Blackmon on the street for us as safety ambassadors in Montclair Village through Sunday. The well being of diners, shoppers and merchants will be the Village Safety Ambassadors’ primary duty. You can call or text them directly for assistance. Contact a safety ambassador to:

• provide an escort to a parked vehicle;
• respond to requests for assistance;
• or help interface with the proper authorities or city staff to assist with incidents or individuals.

Gilmore and Blackmon will report to and be in touch with Oakland police officers regularly and will be on the streets during the day and after dark as an additional safety presence for all of us — in addition to our Bay Alarm security patrols.

— MVA

To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least three days 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 include a brief headline.

On a recent Saturday night when the rain had subsided and neighbors were eager to get out, they came in pairs and parties of four — and even larger — to dine at ACRE. Your first impression may be how warm and inviting the restaurant seems, with soft music playing over the Constellation system by Meyer Sound that offers excellent acoustics for enjoying conversation.

Juicy chickens turn lazily on their spits in a stone oven over a wood-fired hearth that sets the mood as you enter. A minibar stands in the center of the busy dining room to ensure that wine is poured quickly and efficiently for patrons. And as an homage to the rich culinary history of the space, an upstairs wall is covered with photos from the Oliveto days, including framed recipe cards from former Oliveto owner and Montclair resident Bob Klein.

In the kitchen, chef and co-owner Dirk Tolsma is masterfully creating Mediterranean-influenced dishes with ingredients he takes pride in sourcing himself. He rides his bike to the restaurant and the farmers market, celebrating his family roots in Oakland.

“It’s where my mother was raised, so it’s very personal for me to join the storied East Bay restaurant community,” he says.

Tolsma’s resume is impressive, having served as chef de cuisine for the last five years at EPIC Steak in San Francisco, and previously at the prestigious Auberge du Soleil in Napa and Cyrus in Healdsburg.

Meanwhile, Sittnick works the front of the house, greeting guests. He’s no stranger to this kind of hands-on hospitality, having managed some of San Francisco’s most celebrated restaurants, including Kuleto’s and Farallon.

“Oliveto had so many loyal guests, and when we came in … we said, ‘Look, we’re going to do exactly the same thing in terms of the emotional connection that we want to make with the neighborhood,’ ” says Sittnick. “We want the locals to be welcomed here. We want this to be their favorite restaurant, and we’re going to go out and meet them … and thank them, and ask them to come back.”

To that end, the atmosphere is welcoming, with tables just close enough together to invite conversation with the party next to you. A full bar around the corner overlooks the busy streetscape below, and two former closets have been turned into cozy alcoves for couples who want a more private dining experience. Downstairs, there’s a bright, airy café serving classic cocktails and specialty pizzas, among other offerings, in a more casual atmosphere.

Throughout the house there’s a notable cheery disposition among the wait staff, something Sittnick says he prioritizes in the hiring process.

“What we looked for first was personality because we can teach people about food and wine and technical service; but you really can’t teach people to like people. You either have it or you don’t.”

Part of the Acre mission statement, he said, is that everything is everyone’s job.

“There’s no person who’s above doing anything within the restaurant that needs to happen in order to help the dining experience be the best it can be.”

To learn more about this much-anticipated restaurant including hours and menu items, visit acrekitchenandbar.com online.

Ginny Prior can be followed on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and at ginnyprior.com. Email her at ginnyprior@hotmail.com.

But Ben has had the most interesting career of all. His entry-level job was at CNN as the “designated John 3:16 tackler.” Let me explain: Back in the 1970s and ’80s, there was a guy called the Rainbow Man who used to insert himself into the picture at televised sports events wearing a multicolored wig and holding a sign reading, “John 3:16” (the Bible passage that reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”). Ben’s job was to tackle him to get him out of the shot.

His next job was as private secretary for Zsa Zsa Gabor. His third job came when he heard that Vin Scully, the great Dodgers announcer, was having trouble setting up his computer. So Ben, a big baseball fan as well as a techno geek, offered to set it up for him.

That led to a friendship and working relationship that had Ben doing a lot of research and writing for Scully and eventually the whole Dodgers organization, for which he set up the first major league team website. And that led in turn to a career as an ace reporter and West Coast producer for Major League Baseball’s website, MLB.com.

He was a welcome visitor at every ballpark in the country. Let me put it this way: He’s on a first-name basis with Sandy Koufax! It doesn’t get any better than that.

But his home base was always Dodger Stadium, and that’s where Ben found a way to indulge his mischievous streak. In the late innings it’s common for fans in the nosebleed seats to move down to the more expensive seats near the field if they see they’re not being used. But it’s technically against the rules.

So Ben would wander through the stadium, and when he spotted a family doing it — usually a father and his kids — he’d tap the guy on the shoulder and say, “Sir, you and your family will have to come with me.”

By the time they got to the elevator, the guy would be sweating bullets. Ben would push the button, and the elevator would descend to the ground floor. When the door opened, they’d find that they were inside the Dodgers dugout — while the game was still going on! Then Ben would hand each kid a brand-new baseball and a sharpie and say, “OK, kids, go get those autographs!” And all the players would sign.

But it all came to a sudden halt five years ago when he and everyone else his age at MLB were laid off and replaced by people 25 years younger. It was more than the loss of a job; it was the loss of a career. And the lost income created strains on his marriage that led to divorce.

And now comes more bad news: Ben has been diagnosed with middle-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Naturally, his brothers are rallying around him (with considerable help from their significant others). They’re trying to provide not only for his medical treatment, but also his living expenses for the rest of his life.

“In the meantime, we’ve created a project for Ben to work on to keep him focused and energized,” says Jon. “He not only loves baseball; his other big passion is sports movies. We’re creating a sports movie website and database with Ben’s old boss for him to watch films, research and provide information that will be part of this website’s database. We shipped him about 40 sports movies last month, and there will be a lot more to come.”

The website is scheduled to go online in April. They’ve also set up a GoFundMe campaign (gofund.me/e5ff381f) to help pay his bills. I know their mom would be proud of all three of them. I sure am.

Martin Snapp can be reached at catman442@comcast.net.

Piedmont’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Jan. 16 in the new Alan Harvey Theater at 800 Magnolia Ave. in Piedmont. The event is co-sponsored by the city of Piedmont and Piedmont Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee.

In attendance will be Piedmont Mayor Jen Cavenaugh; U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland; Carina Gould, of the Sogorea Te Land Trust; Kate Schatz, the co-author of “Do the Work: An Anti-Racism Activity Book;” and Clayborn Carson, the founder of Stanford University’s MLK Jr. Research and Education Institute. The event also may be viewed on Piedmont’s community access channel, KCOM-TV Channel 27.

Submit entries for art and writing showcase by Tuesday

Piedmont’s Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee (PADC) is calling for students to contribute to their art and writing showcase.

The theme for this year is King’s statement that “This call for a worldwide fellowship that lifts neighborly concerns beyond one’s tribe, race, class and nation is in reality a call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all men.”

The PADC’s Ellen Lee said last year, the K-12 students produced a powerful collection of illustrated collages, poetry and essays that were included in the commemoration. A compiled slideshow of the 2022 event is available online at padc.info, as are details on obtaining a submission form.

Beatles tribute concert to be held Sunday at arts center

The In the Tradition Piano Trio will perform a tribute to the Beatles at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, reprising their hits with other songs from the era.

The benefit concert will take place in the Piedmont Center for the Arts at 801 Magnolia Ave. in Piedmont. Tickets are $20 at the door or online at bpt.me/5316993. A photo identification and proof of vaccinations required, as will be face masks and social distancing.

Housing Element to be presented Jan. 30 to City Council

The Piedmont Planning Department will bring the sixth cycle of the city’s state-mandated Housing Element to the City Council for adoption at a special meeting Jan. 30. The city will have three years to implement the proposed building programs.

There are several upcoming key dates, for which residents can get more information. See weekly news on the topic at the city’s website, piedmont.ca.gov.

Christmas trees for disposal will be picked up till Friday

The waste-collection company Republic Services will pick up live, cut-up Christmas trees to be disposed of in Piedmont through Friday. Put undecorated, unflocked trees in green waste carts for pickup at no charge.

— Linda Davis, correspondent

OAKLAND

Safety ambassadors in Montclair Village through Jan. 15

The Montclair Village Association (MVA) is grateful to have Kevin Gilmore and Carla Blackmon on the street for us as safety ambassadors in Montclair Village through Jan. 15. The well being of diners, shoppers and merchants will be the Village Safety Ambassadors’ primary duty. You can call or text them directly for assistance. Contact a safety ambassador to:

• provide an escort to a parked vehicle;
• respond to requests for assistance;
• or help interface with the proper authorities or city staff to assist with incidents or individuals.

Gilmore and Blackmon will report to and be in touch with Oakland police officers regularly and will be on the streets during the day and after dark as an additional safety presence for all of us — in addition to our Bay Alarm security patrols.

— MVA

To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least three days 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 include a brief headline.

Two Delta fishermen might have the right idea. I met Ray Fesmire and Kevin Conrad at Lake Temescal the other day, casting off the dock. It turns out they’d driven all the way from Oakley. “It’s fun to change your life up a bit,” Ray said, adding “it’s beautiful here — restful.”

There’s another reason to fish in our little urban lake — the tasty trout. On this blue-sky day when the prehistoric-looking white pelicans were cruising the water looking more like bird-themed pedal boats, the Delta guys were casting for a kind of fish called lightning trout. Kevin said these striking yellow fish are stocked by a fishery near Lassen and are good eating — like salmon. They also tend to grow big and they put up a pretty good fight on the line.

He says the rainbow trout aren’t as good as you’d catch in a cold stream or river, so they usually throw those back.

A $5 fishing fee (in addition to your state license for 16+ years of age) lets you take home five fish from Lake Temescal — any size. And some of the trout are really big — even 10 pounders — can be pulled from this summertime swimming hole. Fresh trout and fresh air. It sounds like a person can knock off two resolutions at once.

Speaking of nature, I wanted to give a shout-out to local wildlife photographer Jim Roach. His social media posts featuring waterfowl photos are a welcome change from the crime posts so often seen on Nextdoor.

And as you look for outdoor activities, consider a hike in another one of the East Bay Regional Park’s popular Oakland attractions. You may spot a cluster of ladybugs in the grove for good luck or, with the recent rains, the rainbow trout might be swimming up Redwood Creek which is now part of Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park.

Ginny Prior can be followed on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and at ginnyprior.com. Email her at ginnyprior@hotmail.com.

“He could talk about anything,” says Kara Hammond, the owner of Baker & Commons. “He had a wealth of knowledge and read a lot on his cell phone while he was there. He was a very intellectual guy who knew a lot about history, current events and other cultures.

“He saw it as his job, but some days he had an appointment that morning and would show up a little later. When that happened, he was like, ‘Huh, I’m really late to work today,’ but he’d compensate by staying later that afternoon, even after we closed at 6:30. He and I had an interesting relationship. He had his business, and I had mine, and we’d compare notes on the foot traffic: ‘How was your day? ‘Oh, kind of slow today. Not too many people out.’ ”

In the process, he became beloved. For many people, it wasn’t a visit to the Elmwood unless you had a chat with Jeremy. But the sentiment wasn’t universal.

“Some people would complain about him, usually folks from out of town,” says Hammond. “They were appalled. They couldn’t understand why he was there. Some even questioned whether he was legit. But the people in the neighborhood were never bothered by him. He was always nice, always talkative but also kind of quiet. He didn’t intrude himself on you, but he was always there, part of our community.”

Jeremy passed away Dec. 2 at the age of 88. The next day, one of the neighbors named Sadie Radinsky posted a sign on the corner reading, “Rest in Peace, Jeremy Caughlin. Born in the outskirts of Seattle, Washington, to a long line of radical and big-hearted folks, Jeremy was the son of a labor rights attorney, grandson of a Methodist minister and great-grandson of a colonel in the Union Army.

“Jeremy went on to study biology at the University of Washington and later studied kelp, plankton and other sea life in graduate school. He knew an incredible amount about the natural world. He lamented the loss of nature in his once-green hometown but talked about the changes, albeit sad ones, with a twinkle in his eye.

The day after that, someone else placed a chair next to the sign on Jeremy’s corner. And the day after that, another person placed a vase of flowers on the chair. And there they remain, almost a month later. It’s hard to let a good man go.

“Thank you, Jeremy, for the life you brought to this community through your brilliant conversation and genuine heart on this corner all these years,” Radinsky also wrote on the sign. “We will miss you and always remember you.”

Amen.

Martin Snapp can be reached at catman442@comcast.net.

Give the gift of life and hope by participating in a new holiday tradition — a Christmas Eve blood drive hosted by the Piedmont Recreation Department.

The Red Cross will handle the drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the Piedmont Veterans’ Memorial Building at 401 Highland Ave.

City calls attention to its climate sustainability efforts

The city of Piedmont’s climate action newsletter highlights its accomplishments in converting to all-electric infrastructure.

The city was awarded local government’s platinum-level Beacon Spotlight award for sustainability best practices. As of Jan. 3, the city will offer rebates for electrification, such as removal of gas appliances and covering the cost for equipment, installation, labor and applicable permits. Installing a heat pump water heater qualifies for a rebate of $800 or more; a service panel upgrade qualifies for $500 or more; and a central air source heat pump qualifies for $1,500 or more for eligible low-income households.

EBMUD rebate program enables Linda Park’s renovation

The city of Piedmont is celebrating the renovation of Linda Park thanks to an East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) rebate program that encourages water-wise and eco-friendly measures in public parks.

According to the city, this is the first sheet-mulched project in a public park. Linda Park has a smaller new lawn, drip irrigation and mulch, new benches and a picnic table and native plants for landscaping.

— Linda Davis, correspondent

OAKLAND

Montclair welcomes shoppers through Christmas weekend

The holiday spirit in Montclair Village builds as the year ends. Enjoy the bustle and festive atmosphere of the pre-Christmas crowd as businesses and restaurants welcome all celebrants through the weekend.

Look good and feel good as you ring in 2023! CRUFit, Montclair Fitness, and Orange Theory Fitness can help tone you up after the holidays. Au Natural Salon, Feliz Dubois Skincare, Isabelle Gerard, Eleganzza Hair Design, Skin Spirit and others offer beauty treatments for the big night out. Accessorize with style – shop at Mix, Hula Wonderful Clothing and La Rouge Women’s Fashion.

And stock up on the bubbles! Visit Crown Wines and Spirits and Farmstead Cheeses & Wines for some of the best beverages in the business. Montclair Village makes showing up with something for everyone easy. ‘Tis the season for festivities with friends, family and colleagues. Some village holiday hotspots where you may want to book ahead are Perle, Italian Colors, Daughter Thai and Crogan’s. The Montclair farmers’ market vendors will take a break too, as there will no markets on Christmas or New Year’s days.

Security guard in Montclair Village through mid-January

The Montclair Village Association (MVA) has secured funding from the city of Oakland for additional security personnel to ensure a festive and safe shopping atmosphere on the streets of Montclair Village.

The Shop Safe Oakland Initiative has provided funds for a safety ambassador seven days a week from now through mid-January. The safety ambassador is on the beat Monday through Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but will not be present on Christmas or New Year’s days. A direct mobile phone number for the security ambassador will be made available to the public if assistance is requested in any way, such as, for example, an escort to a car.

The program provides a professional and visible presence in the commercial district. Business owners and their staff can also call on the safety ambassador for services such as monitoring any problem individuals and referring an incident to the proper authorities. Montclair Village visitors can also call on the safety ambassador for an escort to a destination in the business district. The ambassador will report to and be in touch with Oakland police officers regularly. Sign up for the MVA’s email newsletter or check the MVA’s website at montclairvillage.com for the ambassador’s cell phone number.

The city of Oakland has also launched the Think Oakland First campaign, a reminder of the importance to shop, dine and support local businesses this holiday season. Your local spending keeps the community vibrant and robust, as was witnessed Dec. 8 during the 20th annual Montclair Village Holiday Stroll.

The Holiday Stroll was a delightful event, as more than 2,000 visitors came to Montclair Village to meet Santa Claus; browse through the stores and businesses offering up holiday treats and special promotions; connect at community booths; make holiday cards; meet first responders and get hands-on time with a fire rig; and donate toys, warm coats and food to charitable organizations.

— MVA

First Covenant offers in-person, online Christmas services

All are welcome to celebrate Christmas at First Covenant Church (FCC) in the Oakland hills. There will be two in-person and online services on Christmas Eve at 4 and 5:30 p.m.

The Christmas Day service will be online-only on Facebook and YouTube all day. FCC is at 4000 Redwood Road in Oakland. Visit oaklandfcc.org online for more details.

— FCC

To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least three days 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 include a brief headline.

Keeping in mind safety, variety, and activities appealing to diverse demographics — age, interests, financial situations and other factors — below is a list of suggestions for ringing in the new year; from ha-ha (comedy acts) to harmony (musical performances) to horticultural or high-horizon illuminations (light shows in outdoor settings). Note that some events are held on the days just before or extending beyond New Year’s Eve.

The Alameda Comedy Club will host Eddie Pepitone on Dec. 30 and 31. Owner Patrick Ford said Pepitone, frequently nicknamed “the Bitter Buddha,” is a force of nature whose standup act switches from social rage to self-doubt in a blink.

Shows are for audiences 18 and older, but youths 15 to 17 attending with their parents are also allowed. Pair Pepitone’s sardonic wit with the venue’s surprising, way-above-burgers-and-beer menu and grab onto humor that’ll keep you buzzing all the way into the new year.

Also at the club, a “2022 Send Off With Johnny Steele And Friends” on Dec. 29 will say sayonara to the year with comedy, music and improv from the much-admired Bay Area-based Steele and his buddies.

Lastly in Alameda, USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum officials and staff will ring in the new year Dec. 31 with their annual New Year’s Eve party, the Hornet’s largest fundraising event of the year. The party will be start at 7:30 p.m and will feature 3 O’Clock Jump, an 18-member big band specializing in danceable jazz from the swing era and later.

There will be multiple dance floors in the large, heated hangar bay, a countdown to midnight, food and drink concessions available for purchase, a silent auction and more. Black ties are optional, and plenty of free parking will be available.

Yoshi’s Oakland will feature two New Year’s shows Dec. 30-31 headlined by jazz/R&B sax player Boney James. Arriving with his new 18th studio album, “Detour,” in hand, James continues to push his way up the charts. During a 30-year career, he’s garnered four Grammy nominations, two NAACP Image Award nominations, and seen more than a dozen of his albums land at No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album lists.

James’ fusion of genres includes blues, soul, roots, classical, art-pop and hip-hop. In Yoshi’s intimate, always-cool vibe space, hustle to hear hot talent because the show Dec. 29 is already sold out. Special tip: the 11 p.m. show on New Year’s Eve offers a champagne toast at midnight.

At the Oakland hills’ Chabot Space & Science Center, free telescope viewing Dec. 30 will open access to stars, planets and the universe. Three high-power telescopes aimed at the sky praise atmospheric wonder, and a “tree top” view of San Francisco Bay from 1,500 feet adds to the spectacular visuals. Weather in Chabot’s location in Joaquin Miller Park is variable, but if the conditions cooperate, there’s no better way to celebrate marvels on the sky from on the ground.

On New Year’s Eve, the space center’s 23rd annual Balloon Drop will feature hundreds of balloons falling from overhead indoors. “Strokes of midnight” unleash the lofty loads at 11 a.m., noon and 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Required tickets include museum admission. With space limited and often selling out, it’s best to purchase tickets soon.

The majesty of mature cacti and large-scale succulents and trees in Walnut Creek’s 2.5-acre Ruth Bancroft Garden fascinates visitors year-round, but the holiday season’s Garden of D’Lights is simply spectacular. Open on Dec. 30 and from Jan. 3-8 in 2023, the garden that was once part of a 400-acre fruit farm features the projection of colorful lights and lasers that illuminate giant agaves, towering yuccas and other dry garden plants during the holiday season.

The after-sunset experience is surprisingly dramatic: dark shadows contrast the bright or sparkly pink, green, blue, gold, red, orange, purple and multicolored lights that transform familiar plants into something resembling underwater or extraterrestrial creatures. It’s not scary but rather is gorgeous, upbeat and self-paced, making it an especially fun holiday outing for families with children.

People looking for a similar light-centric event west of the Caldecott Tunnel could try the Oakland Zoo’s Glowfari, featuring more than 100 animal-themed lanterns, train rides through a magical wonderland and more.

Nearby in Piedmont, New Year’s Eve will arrive at noon, courtesy of the city’s Recreation Department. The annual 1.5-hour celebration at the Piedmont Veterans Memorial Building on Highland Avenue will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 31 and offer music, crafts, a magic show and, of course, a balloon drop and countdown right before noon. Tickets for the family-friendly event are $10 with children younger than 2 admitted for free.

Another outing designed for families with young children is the Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s “Baby Rave at BACT Berkeley Central.” Proceeds from the daytime New Year’s Eve party will support the organization’s education outreach programs that offer free arts education to more than 25,000 children in Bay Area schools. Free matinees and in-school workshops provide students with opportunities to see or perform live theater. The party invites kids (and adults of all ages) to wiggle and go wild with finger-painting, crafts, dancing, snacks and a New Year’s Day countdown and toasts at midday.

Still looking for more adult-style suggestions? Walnut Creek’s Rooftop Restaurant & Bar will host a dinner party (a $95 ticket includes a $75 food-and-beverage allowance plus tax and tip) and, separately, an NYE After Party ($75) featuring DJ Stevieboy, party favors, dancing and a countdown to the ball drop (at actual midnight).

Also in Walnut Creek, the Boundary Oak Golf Course continues an annual tradition with a New Year’s dinner showcasing Chef Craig’s touch on oysters, shrimp, leg of lamb, prime rib, mushroom risotto and assorted salads and appetizers. The $125 ticket in addition to dinner offers champagne, party hats, noisemakers, DJ Jeno with classic and contemporary music for dancing and New Year’s Eve countdowns to East and West Coast ball drops.

Back over in Oakland, catch some last-of-the-year harmony with Anthony Hamilton and Chante Moore at the Paramount Theatre or grab dinner and get slayed by the always impressive Kenny Washington Quartet, this year presenting “A Big Easy Event” at the Sound Room on the city’s Broadway Auto Row.

Lou Fancher is a freelance writer. Contact her at lou@johnsonandfancher.com.

FYI online

alamedacomedy.com/events/66118
uss-hornet.org/calendar/nye-gala-2022
yoshis.com/events/buy-tickets/boney-james-9/detail
chabotspace.org/calendar/23rd-annual-balloon-drop
ruthbancroftgarden.org/garden-of-dlights
oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/glowfari
bayareane.ws/piedrecdeptevents
bactheatre.org/baby-rave
rooftopwc.com
paramountoakland.org/events/detail/anthony-hamilton
bayareane.ws/kennywashingtonNYE

In an open letter to the Holy Names University community from the office of Mike Groener, HNU’s president, Groener said that “beginning fall 2023, HNU will no longer be able to offer an athletics program.”

Groener cited financial difficulties at the university and said HNU trustees are exploring a partnership with another as-yet-unnamed educational institution. He further stated that the announcement was being made now to give student athletes for HNU’s teams, the Hawks, as much time as possible to explore their options and that HNU staff and Hawks coaches are committed to supporting HNU student athletes through the transition and working with them on their individual paths forward.

To read the full text of Groener’s letter, visit bayareane.ws/hnuathletics online.

— HNU

Security guard in Montclair Village through mid-January

The Montclair Village Association has secured funding from the city of Oakland for additional security personnel to ensure a festive and safe shopping atmosphere on the streets of Montclair Village.

The program provides a professional and visible presence in the commercial district. Business owners and their staff can also call on the safety ambassador for services such as monitoring any problem individuals and referring an incident to the proper authorities. Montclair Village visitors can also call on the safety ambassador for an escort to a destination in the business district. The ambassador will report to and be in touch with Oakland police officers regularly. Sign up for the Montclair Village Association’s (MVA) email newsletter or check the MVA’s website at montclairvillage.com for the ambassador’s cell phone number.

The city of Oakland has also launched the Think Oakland First campaign, a reminder of the importance to shop, dine and support local businesses this holiday season. Your local spending keeps the community vibrant and robust, as was witnessed Dec. 8 during the 20th annual Montclair Village Holiday Stroll. It was a delightful event as more than 2,000 visitors came to Montclair Village to meet Santa Claus; browse through the stores and businesses offering up holiday treats and special promotions; connect at community booths; make holiday cards; meet first responders and get hands-on time with a fire rig; and donate toys, warm coats and food to charitable organizations.

— MVA

First Covenant offers in-person, online Christmas services

All are welcome to celebrate Christmas at First Covenant Church (FCC) in the Oakland hills.  There will be two in-person and online services on Christmas Eve at 4 and 5:30 p.m. The Christmas Day service will be online-only on Facebook and YouTube all day. FCC is at 4000 Redwood Road in Oakland. Visit oaklandfcc.org online for more details.

— FCC

PIEDMONT

Groundbreaking ceremony for new pool set for Saturday

The city of Piedmont invites community members to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Piedmont Community Pool. The ceremony will start at 11 a.m. Saturday on the grounds of the pool site at 777 Magnolia Ave.

The Piedmont City Council voted unanimously to award a contract for construction of the new pool to Wickman Development & Construction at their Dec. 5 meeting. Construction is expected to begin in early 2023, and the new pool could open as soon as summer 2024.

“It took the collective effort of hundreds to reach this point, including current and former councilmembers, city staff, commission and committee volunteers, consultants and, most  important, the community advocates who have tirelessly pursued the vision for an aquatics facility that truly meets Piedmont’s needs, some of whom have been working towards this goal for over two decades” said City Administrator Sara Lillevand. “I hope many community  members will join us on December 17th to celebrate this monumental milestone.”

Originally opened in 1964, Piedmont’s now-closed existing pool had exceeded its useful lifespan and had long lacked adequate space to meet the community’s diverse aquatic, athletic and recreational needs. Although there had been several efforts to explore feasibility of a new facility over the years, work on the pool replacement project began in earnest in 2015, with the development of  the Aquatics Center Conceptual Master Plan.

This vision drew closer to reality in November 2020 with the passage of Measure UU, which authorized the sale of $19.5 million in general obligation bonds to fund the new facility. A sharp rise in construction costs beginning in 2020 further threatened the project’s feasibility, leaving a gap of more than $2 million between project cost estimates and available funds even after the City Council scaled back the original design to include only essential components.

To close the gap, the city has partnered with the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO) to raise $2.1 million for the completion of the pool as designed. As of Tuesday PRFO was nearly halfway to the $2.1 million fundraising goal.

For more information on the project, visit piedmont.ca.gov/newpool. For details on the PRFO’s fundraising, visit prfo.org/piedmont-community-pool.

— city of Piedmont

Arts center to present benefit holiday concert on Sunday

The Piedmont Center for the Arts will present a benefit holiday concert at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, featuring the In the Tradition Piano Trio. Bill Jackman on piano, Anthony Pegram on drums and Rich Trevor on bass will perform pop, blues and jazz songs, including holiday favorites such as “Frosty and Snowman” and others.

The limit is 70 attendees, and face masks and proof of vaccination are required. The center is at 801 Magnolia Ave. in Piedmont. Tickets are $20 at the door or online at bpt.me/5316993.

— Linda Davis, correspondent

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