Feb 7 2023

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.

 

Sep 14 2021

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.

Jan 14 2019

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

Jul 8 2017

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.

Jun 7 2016

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.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 51st Annual Bird Calling Contest.  Nine teams performed their skits and bird calls in front of the overflow audience.

First Place: Willow Ptarmigan – Maya Guzdar & Kay SIbal

Second Place: Northern Pintail – Anna Campbell & Koyuki Narter

Third Place: Snowy Egret – Drew Collins, Laine Ratzer, & Katie St. Claire

Participants:
MCs – Cade Becker and Elie Docter

Gyrfalcon:   Emma Seevak and Claire Valva
Kookaburra:    Philip Horn and Jeremy Wong
Grey Go-Away-Bird:     Cole Bloomfield, Josef      Crombie Presburg, and Daniel DeBare
Red-Shouldered Hawk:   Maeve Andrews, Tobias Fischer, and Mira Tellegen
American/Caribbean Flamingo:    Vivian Anable Eme, Katherine Irving, Alex Opdyke
Lyrebird:    Grace Foster, Bryn Lawson, and Krystyna Olszewska

Read about the performances and see photos here.

Jun 1 2016

Piedmont Connect’s Garden Ramble was a success.

On May 22nd, Piedmont Connect held their annual garden tour showcasing sustainable private gardens that were both eye-catching and practical. These ‘green’ gardens delighted numerous participants.

Garden ramblers visited examples of sustainable gardening. The self-guided tour was sponsored by Piedmont Connect, a community group supporting local efforts toward stronger environmental stewardship.

The Ramble highlighted a variety of approaches to creating gardens that are sensitive to water and wildlife, with a focus on California natives and other Mediterranean-climate plants that attract beneficial insects and pollinators. Local gardeners created hardscapes using traditional and repurposed ornaments.

Gardens IMG_20160522_114606

For more information, please see Piedmont Connect’s web site.

May 24 2016

City Announces the Volunteer of the Year –

On May 19, 2016, at the City’s annual Volunteer Reception, Carla Betts was presented with the 2016 Civic Volunteer of the Year Award by Mayor Margaret Fujioka. The award is given to a Piedmonter who has made significant cultural, political, health, safety, environmental, recreational, and/or social contributions that have enriched the community.

For nearly 20 years, Carla Betts has been instrumental in organizing Piedmont’s 4th of July parade and the Celebration in the Park, serving as chair of the 4th of July Committee since the year 2000. Annually, thousands of residents come together to celebrate our nation’s independence. Mrs. Betts and her team of dedicated volunteers work tirelessly each year to ensure that the 4th of July celebration is a high quality event, enjoyed by residents of all ages. Carla’s attention to detail and organizational acumen are evident in the parade each year, with a wide variety of neighborhood floats, entries from local groups, and parade favorites such as the Balloon Platoon and the Zenith New Orleans Parade Band participating. Carla was instrumental in organizing the fiftieth anniversary of the 4th of July parade and deserves credit for the phenomenal success of this landmark event.

“Carla Betts exemplifies the spirit of Piedmont, volunteering countless hours each year to ensure that the 4th of July celebration is a success,” said Mayor Margaret Fujioka. “It is my hope that Carla’s example of service and selection as Civil Volunteer of the Year will inspire others to volunteer for the greater good of our community now and in the future.”

Mrs. Betts works behind the scenes each year with the 4th of July Committee to recruit judges and parade participants, ensure the budget for the celebration is managed well, and coordinate with City staff and the press. In addition to her service on the 4th of July Committee, Mrs. Betts, a long time resident of our community, has generously given of her talents over the years including service on the Recreation Commission, as a Scrip Volunteer for the Piedmont Educational Foundation, and in countess other ways.

May 21 2016

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.
May 20 2016

Historic Piedmont Then and Now Walk Focuses on Early 1900’s

The next in a series of popular Piedmont Then and Now walks will take place on Thursday, June 2, and repeated on Saturday, June 4. The walk covering roughly 2 miles begins at 10 a.m. and ends at noon.

Historic Piedmont Then and Now walks are sponsored by the Piedmont League of Women Voters and the Piedmont Historical Society.

This walk will step back in time to the early 1900’s, a time of major growth for the emerging city of Piedmont. It will focus on the achievements of Frank Havens, the real estate maven responsible for developing much of early Piedmont. Havens is credited with creating Piedmont Park, a Victorian pleasure park complete with a clubhouse, gardens and art gallery, as well as building his own grand estate in Wildwood Gardens.

The walk will focus on local residents’ far‐sighted decision to incorporate Piedmont as a city and pursue ambitious construction projects including the combined city hall and fire station, two grade schools, the Oakland Avenue Bridge, a Sunday school and a commercial center – all in just six short years.

The walks are free and open to all but are limited to 30 people. To sign up, email marjb@sbcglobal.net by Friday, May 27. Details of where to meet and the walk route will be provided to those who sign up.

May 18 2016

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