OAKLAND

U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon, D-Oakland, released the statement below over the weekend.

“The president launched a war last night without the consent of Congress. That is unconstitutional and illegal. Three weeks ago, Congressman Jim McGovern brought a War Powers resolution to the House floor to prevent exactly this. It failed 211 to 213. Two votes. I voted for the resolution, which would have directed President Trump to cease hostilities in Venezuela, because I knew this moment was coming.

“Last night, the United States bombed a sovereign nation and seized its president to stand trial in New York. This is illegal under the Constitution. The administration claims this is about drugs. On December 17, the President said on camera that he wants Venezuela’s oil back. His words: ‘They took our oil rights. We want it back.’ This is a war being sold to the American people under false pretenses.

“Almost exactly 36 years ago, the U.S. invaded Panama and arrested Manuel Noriega. 24,000 U.S. troops were sent to Panama. Same ‘justification.’ Same playbook. The UN General Assembly condemned U.S. invasion as a violation of international law. Hundreds of civilians died. We learned nothing. Now the U.S. is committing the same mistakes, invading a nation of 30 million people.

“This administration tells Americans there is no money for housing. No money for health care. No money to feed hungry children. But there is always money for war. Congress must reassert its Constitutional power to declare war and reign in this administration. We must use every tool to hold this president accountable and to defend the principle that in the U.S., we do not let one man choose war.”

— U.S. Rep. Simon’s office

Montclair Cares Club seeks new members to boost district

The Montclair Cares Club (MCC) works to create meaningful community connections, support cultural expression and improve the overall quality of life for people in Oakland’s Montclair Village commercial district.

The club’s immediate focus is to fund and support the safety ambassadors for its Shop Safe program. We also focus on free, family-friendly outdoor events (i.e., the Montclair Beer, Wine & Music Festival, Holiday Stroll, Picnic on the Plaza, outdoor cinema nights, Halloween events and the Montclair Art Walk), including additional community-building activities yet to be launched.

The goal is to include some — or all — of the following features: performances, community connections, supporting our merchants, networking/connecting, youth programs, kids’ activities. art commissions and educational opportunities. In addition to events and social activities, the MCC would lead or support projects in Montclair Village that positively enhance the experience of being there.

The recent development of the new and improved Village Plaza is just one example of how community members — working together — can uplift, connect and create to “Build a Better Village.” An MCC annual membership is $120. Membership will renew yearly but can be canceled anytime and is tax-deductible. For details online, visit montclairvillage.com/cares-club.

— Montclair Village Association

PIEDMONT
Police Department lobby reopens after renovations

The Piedmont Police Department lobby reopened in December after completion of the city’s new 911 dispatch center — Piedmont’s most significant  public safety investment in decades. The $3.1 million, 18-month project, was completed on-budget and leveraged $2.1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding.

While the new dispatch center is the most visible outcome, most of the project focused on strengthening the underlying infrastructure required to support modern public safety operations. Previously, the nearly 80-year-old Police Department building was powered by a 200-amp electrical panel — a capacity more typical of a single-family home than a 24/7 public safety  facility — and lacked dedicated backup power.

This project delivered a modern electrical core designed for today’s public safety operations, including secure, independent backup power, ensuring that the Police Department and dispatch center can remain operational during extended power outages or major emergencies. For more information, visit bit.ly/4su5xAj online.

— city of Piedmont

Piedmont Adult School offers ‘Stages to Aging’ class series

Aging is a universal journey, yet many people feel unprepared for the transitions it brings. Piedmont Adult School this winter is offering “Stages to Aging,” a class series designed to provide clear guidance, practical insight, and confidence as adults plan for their own aging or to support loved ones.

Participants will explore the five stages of aging — from self-sufficiency and interdependence to dependency, crisis management and end-of-life planning. The series focuses on understanding available services, learning how to access resources and making informed decisions at every stage of life. Class sessions will take place at 6 to 7:30 p.m. from Jan. 20 through Feb. 1 and from March 3 through March 24. Both sessions cost $140.

Each class meeting will feature an industry expert addressing a specific aging-related topic. The January–February and March sessions cover different subject matter, allowing participants to benefit from taking one session or both. The course is taught by Jennise Mendoza, who founded STAGES for Life and has worked with older adults for more than 17 years. For more details, call 510-594-2655 or visit bit.ly/4svIncU online.

— Piedmont Adult School

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.