OAKLAND

The annual Taste of Montclair Village event will return from 5 to 8 p.m. April 7 in Oakland’s Montclair Village district. This lively celebration invites guests to sample bites and libations — including craft beer and artisan wines — at more than 30 local restaurants and businesses.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Montclair Village Association (MVA), a nonprofit business improvement district that has served the neighborhood for more than 75 years. Ticketed attendees will receive a tasting “passport” granting access to culinary creations from Montclair’s talented chefs, along with beverage samples from local craft producers.

Guests can enjoy their tastings at communal, table-style seating while taking in family-friendly entertainment from the Jazz Education Ensemble, returning this year to provide a festive soundtrack for the evening. Their performance brings together professional jazz musicians and school-age performers for a distinctive mentorship experience.

The event offers fun for all ages. Kids can enjoy crafts, face painting, balloons and more, while strolling guests will discover merchant-hosted activities throughout the district, including special promotions, giveaways and opportunities to meet the business owners and staff who make Montclair unique. Local leaders and MVA representatives will also be on hand to welcome attendees and celebrate the community.

Standard street parking will be available as well as ample paid parking in the Montclair Parking Garage at 6235 La Salle Ave. in Oakland’s Montclair district). For tickets or more details online, visit montclairvillage.com/taste.

— Jody Colley for the MVA

PIEDMONT
Register for passes to community pool opening April 11

The Piedmont community pool’s new aquatics registration portal is now live, and those interested can visit rec.us/piedmont to view initial program offerings and start setting up their household’s account.

This site will be a one-stop shop for all things aquatic – pool passes, swim lessons, water fitness and reservations for the new pool’s two rental facilities. Summer swim lesson schedules and basic information about rental facilities can be viewed now, but specific pass options and rental space booking times will not be published until sales open.

The new system was selected for ease of use, how well it works on smartphones and its support for expanded payment options including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Taking a few minutes to set up an account now can make registration faster and less stressful later. Setting up an account in advance also helps ensure staff have time to verify pool users’ addresses and residency status before program registration opens.

The April 11 opening date marks the start of a ramp-up period. Hours and programming will be more limited at first but will expand over time as programs come online. Information about initial pool hours and other operating details will be shared closer to opening. Visit piedmont.ca.gov/pool online for more details about Piedmont’s newest facility.

— city of Piedmont

EAST BAY
State gubernatorial candidate Bianco addresses GOP club

Chad Bianco, a front-running candidate for California governor, spoke in Oakland at a recent event hosted by the East Bay Republican Club (EBRC).

Bianco detailed plans for reducing crime, homelessness and drug abuse to an audience of about 100 people. Followed by a long question-and-answer session, he also explained his strategies for reducing regulation, improving school outcomes and restoring energy and infrastructure. For more information online, visit eastbayrepublicanclub.org/past-events.php.

— Jeanne Solnderdal, EBRC president

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.