The long-shuttered Montclair Firehouse is one step closer to being reclaimed and restored as a community arts center. The project’s nonprofit Board of Directors is organizing another volunteer cleanup program from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 20-21.
Volunteers appear together in the Oakland hills recently after clearing debris, brush and graffiti from the historic Montclair Firehouse, where another cleanup is being organized for Dec. 20-21. (photo courtesy of Rachel Osajima)
“My enduring vision of a broom-swept interior just keeps passing before my eyes,” says Nancy Lehrkind, who is spearheading the renovation of the historic building.
She says the next tasks include graffiti removal from the old stone walls (built by the Works Progress Administration during the FDR years) and more landscaping cleanup. Volunteers will also decorate the beloved storybook station with holiday lights and staff an information booth at next week’s Montclair Village Holiday Stroll.
Several helpers turned out Nov. 21-22 for a pre-Thanksgiving cleanup. In addition to securing the site, the crew pulled weeds, raked leaves and hauled a hefty amount of debris out of the fire station’s interior.
“The building is now fully alarmed with motion detector cameras and lights for the exterior,” says Lehrkind. “With all the work we have done and will be doing, trespassers will not be tolerated.”
The next steps for this community group include obtaining solid bids for the renovation work and continuing its fundraising. For more information on how you can help, see montclairfirehouseartscenter.org online.
Holiday Stroll: Dance troupes, jazz bands and a vendor lane for holiday shopping are this year’s offerings from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 for this year’s Montclair Village Holiday Stroll. This is the 23rd year for this community favorite, and kids can have photos with Santa, make crafts and climb on the Oakland Fire Department’s parade truck. For a schedule and more details, go online to montclairvillage.com.
Musical note: A Montclair Village favorite is the Jazz Education Ensemble, which will playing at the Holiday Stroll. The group, which features students and professional musicians playing together, is now a nonprofit organization and will offer free classes and instruments to low-income students starting in January. Donations of money or musical instruments can be made at jazzeducationensemble.org.
Holiday pies: The hunt is on for the best holiday pie. An unlikely location is your local hardware store, which often carries specialty foods. Stores with pie cases include several of the East Bay’s Ace Hardware shops in Oakland, Lafayette, Moraga and Walnut Creek. Cole Hardware on College Avenue also has a cult pie following.
Honoring Beam’s legacy: Skyline High School alumni are set to honor the memory of legendary Coach John Beam, who was shot and killed on the campus of Laney College last month.
Beam was the defensive coordinator for the Skyline High football team from 1982 to 1987, before serving as head coach from 1987 to 2004. His life and legacy celebration this week will take place at 6 p.m. Friday in Everett & Jones BBQ at Jack London Square.
Ginny Prior can be reached at ginnyprior@hotmail.com and followed on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and at ginnyprior.com.