PIEDMONT

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 #472 will provide solar lanterns in Gaza, due to long frequent power outages. SCM Medical Missions in Seattle will take the lanterns to Gaza. The lanterns include phone chargers and cost $27.50 each.

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

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