OAKLAND
By now, anyone within shouting distance of the Montclair Egg Shop likely knows that 2024 marks 50 years in business for this iconic Oakland diner.
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All year the shop has been celebrating with commemorative souvenirs, a 90th-birthday bash for the shop’s founder and giveaways of homemade treats as well as holding its first T-shirt design contest.
Now it’s time for the grand finale. The egg shop hatched on Aug. 9, 1974, as the Egg Shop & Apple Press. Exactly 50 years later, they’re throwing a party, and you’re invited to the Montclair Egg Shop’s Golden Anniversary Eggstravaganza from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 9.
This free, family-friendly event will feature music by DJ 212, face painting by Laura Lemon from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., limited-edition anniversary T-shirts by design contest winner Dave Bianco, food, drinks, balloons and more.
The Montclair Egg Shop is at 6126 Medau Place in the Oakland hills’ Montclair Village district. For online details, visit montclaireggshop.com/50-years.
— Kathy Hrastar
PIEDMONT
Dead bird found in park tests positive for West Nile virus
The Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District has reported that a dead bird found in Dracena Park tested positive for West Nile virus. West Nile virus most commonly spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. Follow-up investigation by the Abatement District has not identified any West Nile-positive mosquitoes in the area.
Abatement district technicians have inspected the area where the bird was found, set mosquito traps and searched for potential breeding grounds. Piemdont Public Works staff will continue to coordinate with the abatement district to review the park for areas of concern and take any recommended preventative actions.
If you see a dead bird, call 877-WNV-BIRD or report it online at westnile.ca.gov. Birds are especially vulnerable to West Nile virus. Mosquito districts throughout the state test dead birds for West Nile virus to track where the virus is spreading.
If you have mosquito issues on your property, contact the county Mosquito Abatement District for help at 510-783-7744 or by filling out an online service request.
Take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Avoid areas with mosquitoes during the early morning and at dusk, when they are most active. Use an insect repellent approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If possible, wear long sleeves and pants to decrease areas where they can bite.
This is the first detection of a West Nile virus positive bird in Piedmont for 2024. As of July 12, 13 dead birds testing positive for West Nile virus had been reported in Alameda County. Statewide as of last week, 94 birds had tested positive this year, a small increase compared to the same time last year.
No cases of humans testing positive for West Nile virus in California have been reported so far this year. Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. Around one in five people infected will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting or a rash. Less than 1% will develop serious illness.
For more information about mosquitoes, West Nile virus, or to request abatement district services visit mosquitoes.org or call 510-783-7744.
— city of Piedmont
Adult school offering evening ESL classes starting Aug. 12
Piedmont Adult School is excited to announce the fall 2024 session for its English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. The fall session will run August 12-December 17. These classes are designed to support non-native English speakers by providing essential listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.
Beginning ESL classes will be on Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. starting Aug. 12. Intermediate/Advanced ESL will be on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. starting Aug. 13.
All classes will be in Millennium High School at 800 Magnolia Ave. in Piedmont.
To enroll, call Piedmont Adult School at 510-594-2717 or email pas@piedmont.k12.ca.us. First-time students will be asked to schedule an appraisal test to ensure they are placed in the appropriate class. These classes are state-funded, so all instruction and materials are free to students.
In addition to ESL classes, Piedmont Adult School provides a free adult high school diploma program, Career Technical Education classes and a wide range of fee-based community classes.
— Piedmont Adult School
Candidate nomination period for Nov. 5 election now open
Piedmont residents interested in running for the City Council or Piedmont Unified School District Board of Education can now pick up nomination documents with the city clerk by appointment as of Monday this week. Piedmont voters will elect candidates Nov. 5 to fill two seats on the City Council and three on the Board of Education.
Councilmember Conna McCarthy and Board of Education members Hilary Cooper and Veronica Anderson Thigpen are eligible to run for a second term while Mayor Jen Cavenaugh and Board of Education member Cory Smegal are termed out.
The nomination process can be complicated and filing deadlines are strict, so interested residents should get started as soon as possible. Below are guidelines for Piedmont citizens interested in running.
• Make an appointment to get your candidate documents: Contact City Clerk Anna Brown at CityClerk@piedmont.ca.gov or 510-420-3040 to schedule an appointment. At your appointment, the City Clerk will walk you through the nomination process, reviewing documents, deadlines and rules. Plan to spend 30 to 60 minutes.
• Review the basics of the process online: Prepare for your appointment by reviewing information about running for office on the city website. This will give you an idea of what to expect and an opportunity to identify questions you want to ask during your appointment.
• File your nomination documents by Aug. 9. Nomination documents must be filed in-person at the City Clerk’s office. It’s a good idea to file documents early so you have time to correct any issues.
A list of people who have pulled or filed nomination papers will be available online at piedmont.ca.gov/vote2024. Seats on the City Council and Board of Education are volunteer positions. Find more information online about the November election or running for office at piedmont.ca.gov/elections. Contact the city clerk for any further questions.
— city of Piedmont
Lantern Projects helping residents in Sri Lanka, elsewhere
Recent contributions to Lantern Projects in May and June provided numerous items to those in need in the developing world, including medical supplies, school uniforms, playground equipment, food, dance costumes, school supplies, toilets, water wells, hospital supplies, drinking water, clothing, blankets, oxygen tank and more.
All of the funds received go to the projects, and every donation really helps. Current Lantern Projects (identified by number) include food in Sri Lanka (#498), supplies for refugee camps in Greece (#499), a water tank and supplies in Kenya (#500) and chairs, tables and arts and crafts supplies in Cambodia (#501).
Tax-deductible donations can be sent via check in any amount, identifying the project number and payable to Lantern Projects, to 51 Glen Alpine Road, Piedmont, CA 94611-3522 (include your name and email address). To donate via credit card, lanternprojects.org online.
— Lantern Projects
OAKLAND
U.S. Rep. Lee tests positive for COVID, delays public events
U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, tested positive for COVID-19 last week and postponed all public events until cleared by her doctor. She released the statement below on July 16.
“Yesterday, I learned that I have contracted the latest strain of COVID-19. Fortunately, I feel fine and I am in good spirits. I will remain in isolation and follow the direction of my doctor.
“I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and adhere to public health guidelines as we experience this uptick in cases around California and across the country. This should serve as a reminder that our fight against COVID-19 is not over.”
For California’s latest public health guidelines, visit bit.ly/4bPBwl9 online. For the latest guidelines online from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
— U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee’s office
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