Piedmont High School Hosts 54th-Annual Piedmont Bird Calling Show

After a three-year absence, the famed Piedmont Bird Calling Contest is set to return on Thursday, March 30, 7pm, at the new Alan Harvey Theater, 800 Magnolia Ave., on the campus of Piedmont High School.

Under the theme of ‘Maskarade,’ guests are encouraged to show their creativity  and personality through their masks – bird-themed or not.

Created in 1963, the Piedmont Bird Calling Contest grew into an annual event that over the decades has attracted attention both locally and nationally as winners have appeared on ‘The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,’ and ‘Late Night with David Letterman.’ Recently, a former PHS student and participant demonstrated her skills on ‘The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.’ Though the show has changed somewhat over the years, its spirit and traditions were carried on by the many who share in a spirit of innovation.

Students have spent weeks and months perfecting their bird calls and will be judged based on three criteria:

• Authenticity of Call – The judges will act as experts of the Show to certify the authenticity of the call.
• Poise and Delivery – Both stage presence and smoothness of delivery are considered. The beauty and singularity of the bird call are essential.
• Content of Introduction – Contestants must write their own ‘sketches’. It should include pertinent information about their bird. The information should be organized, well-composed, and in good taste. Humor can be a plus or minus, depending on its appropriateness.

Tickets for the Piedmont Bird Calling Show will go on sale on March 2, through ShowTix4U.  General admission tickets will be available for $25. General admission student tickets will be available for $15.
Plan to buy tickets in advance because the one-time performance usually sells out.

Prior to every Bird Calling Contest, high school students are encouraged to submit their artwork for the official Contest poster. This year’s winner is PHS senior, Macie Gard.

Compost Giveaway
Saturday, September 18, 2021
9 am – 12 pm
Piedmont Corporation Yard
898 Red Rock Road, Piedmont, CA

The City of Piedmont, in partnership with Republic Services, is holding a free compost giveaway for residents in advance of the Harvest Festival at the City’s Corporation Yard (898 Red Rock Road) on Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 9 am to 12 pm. All Piedmont households can pick up to two cubic-yards of compost while supplies last. Preorders are not available. Bring shovels, gloves, containers, and proof of residency (driver’s license or current Republic Services bill) to pick up compost. Residents must bag and load the compost themselves. Residents are strongly encouraged to wear masks or face coverings and follow the Alameda County Public Health Department’s COVID-19 guidance. While not required, it is strongly suggested encouraged to fill out the form here to indicate your estimated pick-up time Saturday.

The compost is made from yard trimmings and food waste collected from Republic Services communities participating in curbside organics collection services. Close the loop by using the finished compost, made locally. Mixing compost with your soil adds nutrients to the soil, aids in water retention and pest control, and helps plants thrive! Learn more about the benefits and uses of compost here.

Sign up for email notifications or visit the City’s news and notifications page for postings of giveaway events. For more information, contact Sustainability Program Manager, Alyssa Dykman.

More information on COMPOST –

SB 1383

Short-lived Climate Pollutants: Organic Waste Reductions

What is SB 1383?

In September 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1383 into law. SB 1383 establishes methane reduction targets as part of a larger strategy to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The law establishes a mandated target to achieve a 75% reduction in statewide disposal of organic waste by 2025 and requires the state to increase edible food recovery by 20% for human consumption by 2025. To achieve these targets, the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery (CalRecycle) developed a series of rules for all cities and counties throughout California to implement. The regulations were finalized by CalRecycle in November 2020 and take effect on January 1, 2022.

Why is SB 1383 important?

The state is experiencing the effects of a climate crisis – extreme droughts, increasing number of wildfires, warmer temperatures, and rising sea levels. As a response to the crisis, California has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly those most potent and are short-lived. Methane is such an example. Methane gas is a potent climate pollutant that is released when organic waste, which includes surplus edible food, food scraps, food soiled paper and yard waste, decomposes in a landfill. It is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide and degrades in the atmosphere in approximately 12 years. About 20 percent of statewide methane emissions comes from landfills. In an effort to cut methane emissions, SB 1383 sets targets to reduce organic waste.

What does SB 1383 mean for me?

SB 1383 requires everyone in California to recycle organic waste, including paper, cardboard, yard materials, food scraps, and food-soiled paper.

Requirements for Residents: Residents must subscribe to and participate in the City’s recycling and organic waste curbside collection services or self-haul to a recycling or composting facility. The City’s franchise waste hauler, Republic Services, provides trash, recycling, and organic containers to customers for weekly waste collection. Collection service for recyclables and organics is unlimited in volume and provided at no additional cost. Additional or larger carts for recyclables and organics can be ordered by contacting Republic Services at (800)320-8077. Residents that elect to self-haul waste generated at the premises directly to a disposal or processing facility holding all applicable permits to accept the materials. Any resident desiring to do so as a means to satisfying the City’s proposer waste disposal obligation under Municipal Code Section 9.03.010 must obtain a self-hauling permit. The rules for self-haul permits are covered under Municipal Code Section 9.03.060.

Requirements for Businesses: Businesses are required to follow certain rules regarding waste sorting, collection, and education. These rules also apply to: all organization; nonprofits; and all multi-family properties with 5 or more units. Businesses must subscribe to and participate in the City’s recycling and organic waste curbside collection services or self-haul to a recycling or composting facility. The City’s franchise waste hauler, Republic Services, provides trash, recycling, and organic containers to customers for weekly waste collection. Additional or larger carts for recyclables and organics can be ordered by contacting Republic Services at (800)320-8077. Businesses that elect to self-haul waste generated at the premises directly to a disposal or processing facility holding all applicable permits to accept the materials. Any business desiring to do so as a means to satisfying the City’s proposer waste disposal obligation under Municipal Code Section 9.03.010 must obtain a self-hauling permit. The rules for self-haul permits are covered under Municipal Code Section 9.03.060. Businesses must ensure they have adequate access to recycling and organics recycling services for their employees, contractors, customers, and tenants, including supplying and allowing access to an adequate number, size, and location of bins either clearly labeled or the appropriate color (i.e., green for organic waste, blue for recycling, and grey for solid waste). Any new waste bin purchased on or after January 1, 022 must either have the correct colors or labeling. Businesses also must periodically inspect recycling and organic waste bins for contamination and remind employees about proper sorting.  Businesses must provide information to employees, contractors, tenants, and customers about waste diversion requirements and the proper sorting of waste annually. Businesses will also need to provide new residential and commercial tenants with information on how to properly sort waste within 2 weeks of occupation and thereafter on an annual basis. StopWaste provides annual outreach to all business and will create materials to satisfy some of the requirements.

Exemption: Businesses that meet the De Minimis or Physical Space criteria can be exempted from some of the SB 1383 requirements. Businesses will be able to apply for SB 1383 De Minimis and Physical Space waivers. Multi-family properties will only be able to apply for Physical Space waivers. The City may waive certain requirements if a business provides documentation or has evidence demonstrating the following:

1. De Minimis Waiver
   • Business generates two cubic yards or more of waste per week (trash, recycling, and organics) and the organic material subject to recycling or compost generated is less than20 gallons per week per applicable container OR
   • Business generates less than two cubic yards or more of waste per week (trash, recycling, and organics) and the organic material subject to recycling or compost generated is less than 10 gallons per week per applicable container.
   • The City must verify the generation meets the waiver thresholds. If the City receives information at any time of generation above threshold, the jurisdiction shall the rescind waiver.
2. Physical Space Waiver
   • The commercial business or property owner provides documentation or the City has evidence from its staff, hauler, licensed architect, or licensed engineer demonstrating that the premises lack adequate space for any of the container configurations allowed.

How is Piedmont preparing for SB 1383?

Fortunately for Piedmont, we are already well on our way toward compliance with SB 1383 since Piedmont has had mandatory organics waste collection service since 2008. Nonetheless, there are other requirements of SB 1383 that will be implemented.

MLK Jr Celebration 12 – 2:30 p.m. at the Piedmont Veterans Hall

The 22nd annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration will feature speakers U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, U.S. Congresswoman, State Representative Buffy Wicks, and Piedmont Mayor Bob McBain. The celebration is a free and open to the public.

Music will be provided by the Oakland Jazz Workshops and the Oakland Interfaith Youth Choir. Poetry will be presented by the Oakland Youth Poet Laureate Leila Mottley, the Black Sheroes of Young, Gifted and Black, and Together We Slam from Piedmont High School.

This event is jointly sponsored by the PADC (Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee) and the City of Piedmont. More information can be found at http://www.padc.info/home/22nd-annual-20…. Please bring your friends and family to enjoy this day.

Monday, January 21st, 2019, from 12 – 2:30 p.m. at the Piedmont Veterans Hall, 401 Highland Avenue, Piedmont

Fourth of July events in Piedmont started in the Veterans’ Hall at 8 a.m. with the Recreation Department’s Pancake Breakfast assisted by the Piedmont Community Service Crew.  By 10 a.m. most marchers had arrived in their designated post positions.

Piedmont’s 52nd Annual 4th of July celebration in our small town brought thousands of neighbors, friends, and the community at large to line the parade route on Highland Avenue with many arriving well before the 11 a.m. start of the parade.  The previously placed empty viewing chairs lining the parade route on Highland Avenue sidewalks were soon occupied, leaving only standing room available in the sidewalk.

Antique and specialty cars were the most dominant feature of the parade.  The Piedmont Community Band once more provided a musical announcement at the beginning of the parade as the last arrivals hurried toward Highland Avenue.   The groups included numerous musicians – bagpipers, New Orleans Parade Band, the Hamilton float, The W. A. Rose band, Jules Leyhe Family Band, and others.

A special tribute was made to resident and long time Piedmont childcare provider, Ashley Nackley, who is retiring this year. A large group of supporters and beneficiaries of Nackley’s care surprised her by congregating in the parade.

Numerous community based organizations were in the parade: Daughters of the American Revolution, Piedmont Pride, AC Transit, Piedmont League of Women Voters celebrating 70 years, CHIME, Cub Scouts, Oakland Women’s Rowing Club, East Bay SPCA, Camp  Augusta, Piedmont CONNECT, Piedmont Education Foundation, Fairyland, Dress Best for Less, Piedmont Historical Society, Piedmont Mountain Bike Racing Crew, Piedmont Baseball and Softball Foundation, PITS Rugby Club, Piedmont Center for the Arts, Berkeley Humane Society, Trillionaires for Trump, etc.

The parade included Grand Marshals Nancy and Tom Lehrkind, founders of the Piedmont Center for the Arts with their family members. City Council members Mayor Jeff Wieler, and wife Jean, Vice Mayor Bob McBain, with wife Pam and children Leigh and Will, Council member Teddy Gray King with children, Nicholas, Allison and Danny; Council member Tim Rood, and Council member Jennifer Cavenaugh with husband Dan, and children Jackson, Salem and Shelby.

School Board members Sarah Pearson, President, Amal Smith, Vice President, School Board members Doug Ireland and Cory Smegal were each in the parade.

The Piedmont Community Band gathered for their once a year performance.

Straw Hat Band

Aahmes Shrine Mounted Patrol on Tobiano Paint horses

AC Transit 10 foot minibus

Balloon Platoon from Pleasanton

After the parade the side streets were lined with cars as parade goers headed to the park to picnic while listening to the musical group Pride and Joy. There were so many cars some even blocked crosswalks.

No parking tickets were observed as the Police indulged the celebrants

Crosswalks became parking spaces.

Another successful and sold out event for Piedmont High School’s Bird Calling Contest.  The students entertained and mimicked bird calls in the Allan Harvey Theater.

Piedmont Connect’s Garden Ramble was a success.

What started as a lark by a high school teacher in 1963 will soon celebrate its 51st anniversary as one of Piedmont’s most beloved traditions.

The Piedmont High School Bird Calling contest, first organized by science teacher Leonard J. Waxdeck, will celebrate its 51st rendition this spring. Equal parts ornithology, drama, and humor, the contest makes for a delightful evening of light-hearted family entertainment.

This year’s contest will take place on Tuesday, May 24, at 7 pm in the Alan Harvey Theater, located on the Piedmont High School campus, 800 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, Calif.  The contest has sold out.

For more information about the 51st Annual Piedmont High School Bird Calling Contest, contact Piedmont High School at 510.594.2626 or visit http://piedmont.k12.ca.us/phs/campus-life/bird-calling.php.

The community is invited to attend a celebration of community volunteers Thursday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Piedmont Community Center in Main Park on Highland Avenue.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information contact City Clerk John Tulloch at Phone: 510-420-3040
Email: jtulloch@ci.piedmont.ca.us