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AROUND TOWN

City, PADC to host annual MLK Day Celebration on Jan. 20
"Separate is Never Equal: Fight Injustice" is the theme of this year's event, with keynote speaker Ericka Huggins.
League of Women Voters of Piedmont to host Open House on Jan. 12
Meet local League leaders and members and learn about program plans and volunteer opportunities for 2025.
The Lake School expanding hours in the 2025-26 school year
The school is holding a TK info night on January 23 and campus tours start January 24.
Who’s that Good Dog?
Flashing his toothy grin, Lucky leaves little to chance.
Save the date: Piedmont Garden Club presents ‘Gardens for a changing planet: Towards a 21st century botanic garden’
All are welcome to attend the January 15 meeting featuring Dr. Ari Novy, President and CEO of the San Diego Botanic Garden.
Piedmont’s Flix Fest aims for laughs on Jan. 8 with ‘Blazing Saddles’
The free film series, sponsored by the Rec Department, is open to anyone over age 18.
Obituary | Harvey James Anderson II
Anderson is remembered for being an accomplished lawyer, dedicated sponsor and mentor, cherished friend and family member, and avid surfer.
The Drink | Cranberry Ginger Mimosa
A festive cocktail for the holidays -- or any time this winter.
The Dish | Momofuku’s Bo Ssam
Festive holiday meal -- Korean-style slow roasted pork shoulder -- that brings down the house.
Introducing: Modern Ed
A new occasional column on timeless etiquette for our changing world.
In Memoriam | Soren Dixon, Jack Nelson, Krysta Tsukahara
Families of the three college students killed in a tragic accident on November 27 share tributes to their loved ones.
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CITY NEWS

Wind advisory in effect for East Bay hills, among other Bay Area regions
Expect gusty winds, up to 50 mph, through Wednesday morning.
New year, new leadership | Here’s how to track City Council and Board of Education meetings in 2025
You can attend regular meetings in person at City Hall or catch the proceedings on KCOM.
The Blotter | Tools stolen from work truck in Piedmont
Unidentified suspect threatens victim with saw.
Photos | City celebrates new elected officials
New mayor and vice mayor elected on Monday night.
Dispose of your holiday tree promptly and safely
Republic Services will collect natural, unflocked trees curbside until January 10.
City asks for feedback on proposed operating standards for new businesses
Help Piedmont determine hours of operation, numbers of employees and more, for businesses allowed along Grand and Highland Avenues.
PRFO thanks donors to community pool project
Still time to donate to the state-of-the-art, all-electric facility.
City Council approves an additional $2.8M for community pool project
This action brings the total project cost to $34.9 million, an increase from the original project budget of $28.9 million.
Piedmont officials share statements and request for privacy on behalf of collision victims’ families
The Dixon, Nelson, and Tsukahara families say they are grateful for the outpouring of community support but do not intend to make further public statements.
City Council approves new EV charging station plans for 29 Wildwood
Councilmembers uphold Planning Commission's recommendation to limit hours of operation.
Off-leash dogs becoming a problem in Piedmont
Police citing violators after warnings.

SCHOOLS

Students invited to submit work to the fourth annual MLK Art and Writing Showcase
Deadline for submissions is January 15.
PHS presents ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ Jan. 30 through Feb. 2
Fun for the whole family with this rollicking musical remake of the classic fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea.
College clubs becoming just as competitive as getting into college
On many California campuses, student clubs now require applications and interviews to assess prospective new members.
New law inspired by ex-lawmaker’s DUI adds to alcohol education in California schools
In addition to the required instruction about alcohol, narcotics and other dangerous drugs, this bill would require additional education about the short- and long-term harms of excessive drinking.
Registration now open for Piedmont Adult School spring session
New classes include: Asian sweets and desserts, poetry, meditation, salsa dancing, and more.
PUSD proposes updating some high school course offerings
Recommendations include a new AP Physics class and Honors designations for upper level performing arts classes.
School Board approves dual enrollment proposal with Peralta Colleges
First step in exploring ways to offer some students college-level classes while still in high school.
What’s at stake for Piedmont schools? Bridging the budget gap
Measure P provides some financial relief, but community donations are critical to preserving excellence in our schools.

SPORTS

Girls basketball | Piedmont goes 3-1 at tournament
Highlanders now 8-1 on season
Boys soccer | Piedmont falls in tight match to Dublin
Boys soccer now 1-4-3 in early season
‘A legend on and off the field’: A’s Rickey Henderson remembered following death at 65
Henderson, an Oakland native, was MLB’s all-time leading run scorer, with 2,295 runs scored.
Youth ultimate frisbee programs start in January
Classes for ages 8 - 14 take place at Havens and Beach Elementary Schools through May.
Boys basketball | Piedmont goes 1-2 at Acalanes tournament
Boys basketball hits winter break at 5-4
Girls soccer | Piedmont ties Las Lomas 1-1
Girls soccer 3-2-1 in first six
Girls basketball | Piedmont routs Campolindo, 65-19
Highlanders now 6-0 heading into break.
Girls Soccer | Versatile Highlanders could be very good
Girls soccer off to strong start to season.
Purple Reign ultimate team makes it to Chilly Bowl championship
Middle school team outperforms but falls to Berkeley's Catch & Release at 5th annual Chilly Bowl.

CALIFORNIA

Oakland leadership shuffle: Jenkins becomes interim mayor, Gallo temp council president
Jenkins takes over for Nikki Fortunato Bas, who was council president and thus interim mayor — after Sheng Thao lost a recall election and left office Dec.
Former Rep. Barbara Lee files her paperwork for upcoming Oakland mayoral election
So far, in addition to Lee, 13 people have filed papers signaling a potential run for mayor.
4 new laws strengthen cities’ abilities to impound vehicles involved in sideshows
Sideshows include impromptu and dangerous displays of donuts and other vehicle stunts that take over entire areas and overwhelm police.
Sierra snowpack levels above average in NorCal, below average in southern Sierras
As of Thursday, there is 24 inches of snow depth in the northern Sierra Nevada, according to the California Department of Water Resources.
Supervisor Keith Carson sends final note to Alameda County District 5 constituents
Nikki Fortunato Bas was elected to fill Carson's spot.
California to launch Amsterdam-style cannabis cafés, blending weed and coffee culture
Local jurisdictions can still decide if and how they want to implement any cannabis cafes.
Berkeley removes penalties in effort to legalize unpermitted accessory dwelling units
Beginning this year, and running through Dec.
Can California keep ICE away from schools? Lawmakers want to try as crackdowns loom
A pair of bills in the Legislature can only delay, not stop, arrests.
‘It’s a clear mandate’: California stiffened penalties for theft — and more changes are coming
A new measure approved by voters in November alongside bills signed by Gov. Newsom should result in a tougher stance on hard drugs, retail theft, and fentanyl.
Newsom pledges to extend CHP partnership with Oakland if city ends non-pursuit policy
Newsom said he wants a decision “now,” and suggested the commission call a special meeting immediately to decide.
Christmas Eve shoplifting is first San Francisco case charged under tough-on-crime law
A San Francisco man with prior convictions is the first to face felony charges under Proposition 36.
Marin County school district settles suits for $17.5M stemming from abuse by tennis coach
The coach, Normandie Burgos, was convicted in 2019 of 60 counts of sexual abuse and was sentenced to 255 years in prison.