PIEDMONT

Piedmont’s new community pool will open in April, and the city will announce the official opening date and a schedule of key events this week on Friday. This will include opening dates for pool pass sales, swim lesson sign-ups and party room bookings.

Detailed information about pass pricing, programming and schedules will be published at piedmont.ca.gov/pool — a one-stop destination for all things aquatic. Community members wishing to be notified directly when new information is published can subscribe to email updates at piedmont.ca.gov/poolnews.

A temporary certificate of occupancy was issued on Feb. 6 that allows Piedmont Recreation Department staff to begin moving into the facility. The pool’s first on-site lifeguard training was to take place on Saturday this past weekend.

Two major training phases follow staff move-in. The first is systems training: intensive technical training for the city’s permanent aquatics operations staff covering the facility’s operating systems. It is designed to build deep familiarity with complex new technology and to ensure staff can safely operate and maintain each system.

The second phase is on-site staff training: a multiweek training period for lifeguards and other frontline staff focused on daily operation procedures, including emergency response drills, lifeguard rotations and customer service. These trainings are critical steps in readying the pools to operate safely and provide a high-quality experience for all users.

The city’s Recreation Department is actively recruiting staff for the new pool. Lifeguards and swim instructors are the positions most in need. Both roles offer flexible schedules, with opportunities ranging from five to 20 hours a week. Lifeguard positions start at $19.50 an hour and require certification.

Strong swimmers not yet certified as lifeguards but interested in future roles are strongly encouraged to apply for swim instructor positions, which start at $18 an hour. Learn more about requirements and open positions at piedmont.ca.gov/pooljobs.

— city of Piedmont

OAKLAND
Montclair Village Parking Garage to stay free on Sundays

Though the city of Oakland has passed a new ordinance for charging metered parking from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays, the Montclair Village Parking Garage will remain free of charge on Sundays. All year long, you can continue to enjoy your idyllic Sundays in Montclair and rest assured that these days will remain free of charge for parking.

The Montclair Village Farmer’s Market is open every Sunday, rain or shine, and the farmers show up each week with their bounty of fresh, seasonal produce and locally made food items. Make a whole day of it, by popping into the Egg Shop for brunch, enjoying a brew from Highwire and shopping down the avenue.

If you live locally and want to show off your beloved neighborhood to friends who live elsewhere, remind them that they can spend all of Sunday enjoying Montclair and all its attractions without having to worry about moving their car or paying for parking.

African American visual arts workshop Feb. 18 at library

“Piece by Piece: Celebrating African American Contemporary Art” is a hands-on visual arts workshop that introduces participants to influential African American contemporary artists while encouraging creative interpretation through paper mosaic techniques.

From 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Oakland Public Library’s Montclair Branch, participants will observe iconic works by selected artists and reconstruct visual elements using color, texture and pattern — learning how storytelling, identity and culture are embedded in contemporary art practices. Promising to be fun for all ages, this workshop’s facilitator will be Nichole Talbott, a multimedia artist and founder of Asé Arts.

— Montclair Village Association

College Preparatory School’s book sale Feb. 28, March 1

Celebrate more than 30 years of used books at The College Preparatory School’s renowned annual sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 28 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 1. Shop from thousands of gently used books for adults, teens and children, including many recent and popular titles in excellent condition. With additional media, vinyl, puzzles and a selection of vintage/antique books, there’s something for every age and interest.

Most books are $1 to $3 (special books cost slightly more), and March 1 will feature a sale of $8 per bag of books all day. This sale will be in Buttner Auditorium on the school’s campus at 6100 Broadway, where ample free parking will be available. Email any questions about the book sale to bookfair@college-prep.org.

— The College Preparatory School

Laurel district Lunar New Year celebration set for Feb. 28

An Oakland Laurel district tradition will return Feb. 28 with a procession led by Sifu “Master” Lacey of the Buk Sing Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu Academy of Fremont as they unleash two amazing Lunar New Year lion processions accompanied by drummers, firecrackers and offerings to bring luck and welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.

District businesses will be “blessed” by the Lions for a year of good luck. The Year of the Fire Horse symbolizes speed, bold action, freedom, and intense change, with the fire element adding passion and potential for cultural shifts. Starting at 1:30 p.m. in the Farmer Joe’s parking lot at 3501 MacArthur Blvd. in Oakland’s Laurel district, the Lion Dance procession will visit Laurel businesses along MacArthur from 35th Avenue to High Street.

The procession generally lasts three hours, so there are plenty of opportunities to experience it and explore the district’s restaurants, shops and spas. Bring the whole family at 5 p.m. for a lion dance performance, potluck (bring a favorite dish) and Dr. Feng’s Home Grown Talent Show at Zhi Dao Guan, The Taoist Center, at 3824 MacArthur Blvd.

Admission to the talent show is a donation of a nonperishable food item or cash donation for the Alameda Food Pantry. For overall event details online, visit laureldistrictassociation.org/lny2026.

— Laurel District Association

To submit an item for the Montclarion and Piedmonter’s “In brief” section, which is now usually published in print on each month’s second Friday, please email it, at least three days before print publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words and include a short headline along with the name of the group or individual to credit for it.