OAKLAND

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 Shop Safe Oakland Initiative has provided funds for a safety ambassador seven days a week from now through mid-January. The safety ambassador be on the beat Monday through Saturday from 1 to 9:00 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 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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