OAKLAND
U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, joined fellow Congressmembers Becca Balint, of Alabama; Joaquin Castro and Lloyd Doggett, of Texas; Sara Jacobs, of California; Pramila Jayapal, of Washington; James McGovern, of Massachusetts; Mark Pocan, of Wisconsin; and Jan Schakowsky, of Illinois, in releasing the following statement, partially quoted below, in support of Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ joint resolutions of disapproval, S.J. Res. 111, 113 and 115, to suspend specific offensive arms transfers to Israel.
“Our Senate colleagues will soon vote on Senator Sanders’ joint resolutions of disapproval, and, if given the opportunity to do so, we would vote in favor of S.J. Res. 111, S.J. Res. 113 and S.J. Res. 115 in the House of Representatives.
“We continue to condemn the tragic killing and hostage taking during Hamas’ brutal October 7th attacks and advocate for a ceasefire that ensures the safe return of all hostages. We also recognize the importance of defensive systems that are designed to meet Israel’s security needs, like the Iron Dome, which will not be impacted by these votes. However, the United States must use all available leverage, including the suspension of offensive weapons transfers, to de-escalate the violence and protect the lives of hostages, including Americans, Palestinian civilians and all those impacted by the ongoing conflict. …
“President-elect Trump’s return to the White House will only embolden Netanyahu and his far-right ministers. A vote for the joint resolutions of disapproval is a vote to politically restrain the Netanyahu government from any forthcoming efforts to formally annex the West Bank and settle parts of Gaza.
“We urge Senators to support these joint resolutions of disapproval to block specific offensive arms sales to Israel, upholding U.S. law that prohibits arms transfers to countries that engage in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights or restrict the delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. The U.S. must use its leverage to safeguard civilian lives, secure a lasting ceasefire, and advance a pathway toward peace.”
For more information online, visit bit.ly/3YYeALV and lee.house.gov/news.
— U.S. Rep. Lee’s office
Yearly Montclair Village Holiday Stroll happening Dec. 12
The Montclair Village Association (MVA) invites you and yours to the 22nd annual Montclair Village Holiday Stroll from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12. Don’t miss this opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones while lighting up the Oakland hills’ Montclair Village district with festive community cheer that connects us and feels good!
“The Holiday Stroll is a festive time shared with families, small businesses, local artists and schools where we all come out to support our community,“ says MVA Board President Virginia Davis, who co-owns local business Yellow Door. “Come kick off the holiday season with shopping, food and entertainment in our charming Montclair Village district.”
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The F&M Bank Family Fun Zone will keep kids of all ages engaged with holiday-themed music and activities in the Holiday Stroll centered around 2050 Mountain Blvd. in Oakland. Winter Wonderland photos can be taken with Santa Claus by a professional photographer from Leah Marie Studio (for $35). Crafting tables to make and take home forever memories will be hosted by Marissa Verson Harrison and Ilan Penson with Red Oak Realty, Montclair Presbyterian Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Show off your holiday spirit with face painting by Lily’s Arte. Enjoy the ambiance with feel-good music curated by DJ Wiley Coyote. Bounce along with a flash mob performance by Jessie N’s Hop Hop Crew. You will be wowed by the dance performances of SASS (Silver & Sensational Squad).
Warm up at the Hospitality Hut serving festive adult drinks, a fundraiser for the Montclair Village Association, a nonprofit serving the community for more than 75 years. For more details online, visit montclairvillage.com/event/holiday-stroll-22nd-annual.
— MVA
Children’s Hospitals programs get $175K boost in funding
The UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ Community Health and Adolescent Mentoring Program for Success (CHAMPS), geared toward increasing diversity across healthcare professions, recently received a $75,000 grant from its longtime community partner, Bank of America.
Bank of America has supported UCSF Benioff for nearly 20 years, and it also donated an additional $100,000 to UCSF Benioff’s mental health initiatives. CHAMPS invites under-resourced high school students into its three-year internship program that combines career planning with clinical shadowing options. The 24-year-old CHAMPS reflects a 99% high school graduation rate for its participants.
— Bank of America
PIEDMONT
City’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony set for Dec. 4
Kick off the winter holiday season with the city of Piedmont and the Piedmont Beautification Foundation (PBF) at Lights Up Piedmont!, the city’s annual holiday light celebration at Piedmont Community Hall at 711 Highland Ave. This year’s event Dec. 4 will begin at 6 p.m. to better accommodate young attendees. Join city and PBF officials for:
• Food and drink: Piedmont Boy Scouts will serve hot cider donated by Piedmont Grocery and hot cocoa courtesy of Heafey-Baum Group. Piedmont Recreation Department staff will serve hot latkes donated by the Chabad Jewish Center.
• Seasonal activities: Enjoy light-themed crafts and games in the courtyard hosted by Piedmont Girl Scouts and the city’s Recreation Department. Attendees can write letters to Santa Claus and pose for photos with Santa inside Community Hall.
• Music, memories and illumination: The program will begin at 6 p.m., emceed by PBF President Patty Dunlap. After a performance from the Piedmont High School Troubadours and remarks from Mayor Jen Cavenaugh, a Make-A-Wish foundation recipient will flip the switch to light up an 80-foot redwood tree, a menorah, Piedmont Park and Community Hall.
Each attendee will receive an electric candle so he or she can join the moment and light up Piedmont together as a community. Now in its third year under this name, Lights Up Piedmont! expands and evolves Piedmont’s beloved holiday tree lighting ceremony, which dates back to 1969, broadening the event to reflect the light-centered celebrations enjoyed by cultures across the globe in the depths of winter.
Lights Up! will take place rain or shine. For more information, visit bit.ly/4fz6PDb online.
— city of Piedmont
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