PIEDMONT

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.

Submissions will be featured in the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. celebration mentioned above. The submission deadline is Tuesday, and all submissions will be entered in a raffle for prizes, including $25 gift cards.

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

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