PIEDMONT

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. Dec. 17 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 Tuesday meeting this week. 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 Dec. 18

The Piedmont Center for the Arts will present a benefit holiday concert at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 18 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

OAKLAND

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

Get the Montclair Village 2022 Holiday Shoppers Guide

Montclair Village merchants welcome you with bells on. Take the Shop Local pledge and enjoy the Village’s charm under the lights, while you check your lists, dine with friends and family or pamper yourself at the district’s beauty and wellness establishments.

Montclair Village offers plenty of opportunities to find unique gifts for all those in your life. The curated Montclair Village 2022 Holiday Shoppers Guide highlights all of the district’s small local businesses and the holiday specials business owners have prepared this season of giving.

View the Montclair Village Association’s (MVA) guide to see special offerings, seasonal menu items and featured holiday gifts. The Shoppers’ Guide is updated weekly at MontclairVillage.com, where you can also sign up to have it sent to your email inbox along with the MVA’s email newsletter.

Montclair Cares Club helps fund business district programs

The Montclair Cares Club is an opportunity for community members to help fund programming in the Montclair Village business district. Membership is $120 a year (the equivalent of $10 a month), and your membership is tax-deductible.

The Montclair Cares Club will create meaningful community connections, support cultural expression and improve the overall quality of life for people in our area. To create improvements reflecting the interests of the community, to Build a Better Village, we’ll need your help. Become a member on the Montclair Village Association’s (MVA) website at MontclairVillage.com.

— MVA

PIEDMONT

Fire Department taking part in Toys for Tots donation drive

The Piedmont Fire Department invites community members to donate toys for children whose families have trouble affording holiday gifts as part of the 75th anniversary Toys for Tots donation drive. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Fire Department and City Hall at 120 Vista Ave. through Friday.

“The Piedmont Fire Department is proud to partner with the Alameda County Marine Toys for Tots Foundation” said Piedmont Fire Chief Dave Brannigan. “Every year the generosity of the Piedmont community brings hope and joy to children throughout Alameda County.”

For more information on donating a toy in Piedmont, contact Fire Capt. Jon Fitzpatrick at 510-420-3030 or jfitzpatrick@piedmont.ca.gov. For information on volunteering, financial donations or requesting a toy, visit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation website at alameda-ca.toysfortots.org.

— city of Piedmont

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