PIEDMONT

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’s gas-powered water heaters have been replaced with electric ones, and dozens of residents have participated in the city’s induction cooktop lending program. The new community pool is designed as an all-electric facility, and the city, in partnership with Republic Services, has distributed 150 cubic yards of free compost through giveaway events and a self-haul pilot program.

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

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