The life and teachings of Dr. King will be commemorated in a program at the Piedmont Community Hall in Piedmont Main Park on Monday, January 21 from 11:30am to 2:30pm.

The public is invited, and the organizers encourage the public to “Feel free to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share that reflects your family heritage.”

 District Attorney Nancy O’Malley will speak – Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The League of Women Voters of Piedmont will host its annual holiday program and luncheon on Wednesday, December 12.  The public is invited to the program featuring Nancy O’Malley, Alameda County District Attorney, who will discuss crime in Piedmont and in Oakland with its decreased police force and high rate of violent crime, the effect that Proposition 30 public safety funds may have on crime, and how Alameda County will handle the transfer of prisoners from state facilities to county facilities.

The event will take place at 131 La Salle Avenue, Piedmont, with coffee at 10:30am and keynote speaker Nancy O’Malley at 11am.  The free program is followed by the luncheon from 12:15 -1 pm.  Advance reservations for the luncheon are required: send check for $25 payable to LWV Piedmont, to 40 Highland Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611 before December 8.

As Alameda County District Attorney, Nancy O’Malley heads up one of the more progressive, innovative district attorney’s offices in the country and is the first woman to hold this position in Alameda County.

O’Malley is a nationally recognized expert on issues involving violence against women and interpersonal violence.  Among her accomplishments are creating:

•          the Alameda County Family Justice Center for victims of family violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, sexual exploitation of minors and child abuse;

•          a diversion program that treats sexually and commercially exploited minors arrested for prostitution;

•          a restitution program for crime victims that has become a model for the state.

On Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 22, 2012, the annual Turkey Trot 3-mile run/walk will be held on the streets of Piedmont, from 8:30 – 9:30 AM.  Sections of the course will be posted, “No Parking” and vehicles may be towed for violation of the posted signs.  There will be temporary road closures during the race to allow for runner safety.  Drivers are asked to plan accordingly.  Check the Turkey Trot website http://piedmontturkeytrot.com for additional information and to see a map of the course.

PIEDMONT ELECTION FORUM

• Measure A1, Alameda County Oakland Zoo Parcel Tax
• Measure B1, Alameda County Transportation Sales Tax
• Measure Y, City of Piedmont Parcel Tax

The League of Women Voters of Piedmont will host a General Election Forum on Thursday, October 11 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue.  Moderated by Jan Zovickian, the Forum will present both “pro” and “con” positions concerning local ballot measures.  The community is cordially invited to attend and hear the measures evaluated, as well as submit questions to the scheduled speakers.

Bill Hosler and Steve Hollis, members of the Piedmont Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee, will review Measure Y, Piedmont’s Parcel Tax, and the reasons to pass it, followed by Michael Rancer, Chair of the 2011 Piedmont Municipal Tax Review Committee, and Tim Rood, also of the Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee, who will explain reasons to vote against the measure. Time will be granted for audience questions.

Dr. Joel J. Parrott, Executive Director of the Oakland Zoo, will discuss reasons to vote for Measure A1, the Oakland Zoo Parcel Tax, and Laura Baker of the East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will speak against Measure A1 and the Zoo’s expansion plan.

Presenting the reasons to support Measure B1, the Alameda County Transportation Tax, will be Union City Mayor Mark Green, Chair of the Alameda County Transportation Commission, and Christopher J. Pareja, a small business owner and former congressional candidate in District 15, will outline the details for voting against it.

The League welcomes all to attend the Forum in person, or watch the live KCOM-TV broadcast on Channel 27 to learn more about the ballot measures before casting one’s vote on Tuesday, November 6.  Visit www.lwvpiedmont.org for more information.

The City of Piedmont will conduct a neighborhood meeting on Monday, September 24, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers to present the results of a Wildwood Avenue traffic study prepared by Kittelson & Associates, Inc. > Click to read more…

Love Oakland is a group of activist artists, and gardeners who donate their time and skill in an effort to make “Oakland the most beautiful city in the world.” > Click to read more…

 The following  announcement was received from the Piedmont League of Women Voters on proposed state tax measure to help school funding-

An advocacy  forum on Proposition 30 on the November ballot will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Ellen Driscoll Theater, 325 Highland Avenue.  > Click to read more…

Festival, Carnival, Jazz and More-

The 14th Annual Piedmont Harvest Festival will be held on Sunday, September 30 in Piedmont Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  > Click to read more…

FallFest Run/Walk – Saturday, Sept. 29 at 8:30 a.m.-

The Piedmont Unified School District Wellness Center and the Piedmont Educational Foundation have announced the Second Annual FallFest 5K Run/Walk.  Volunteers are needed to help as race course monitors, at water stations, and at registration. > Click to read more…