Did you know there's a medallion contest?  All local K-12 students are invited to help design the fourth bore medallions, and contribute to Caldecott Tunnel history.  All entries must be post-marked by May 7th.…

The Library is looking for books in good condition, usually published since 2005. Particularly valued are best sellers, trade paperbacks, children's books, and paperback fiction including mystery, adventure, romance and fantasy/science fiction.

Please bring donations inside at the Montclair Branch during normal library hours.  Thanks.

Our Montclair For Obama Voter Registration team has been busy.  Since March, six active volunteers have registered 41 new voters at various Oakland locations. Our team of 11 volunteers will be up and running in May and we're hoping to double our numbers!

On April 21st from 11-1:30pm we will be at Farmer Joe's and CVS Pharmacy on Fruitvale Ave and Fruitvale Village. April 28th from 1-3 at  AgeSong/The Bayside Retirement Community. Next month look for us at Holy Names,…

Some Montclarions have been wondering about would-be burglars.  On the Yahoo board run by the Montclair SIC, neighbors who live south of Thornhill are encouraged to mention any crimes or unusual activity.  When there are unfamiliar people walking or driving around, folks are encouraged to mention them too.  To other commenters, it seems like we're doing a little racial profiling.…

In case you missed it, Oakland hasn't yet sued Piedmont over the approval processes for developing Blair Park. As of Friday, the lawyers appear to be lawyering now.

According to the Montclarion,"Piedmont's City Attorney Tom Curry and Oakland's Deputy City Attorney Kevin Siegel agreed to extend talks to May 18."

Although Piedmont's City Council approved the sports complex plans for Blair Park, this is not fait accompli yet.

The Oakland Heritage Alliance invites everyone to submit nominees for their 2012 OHA Partners In Preservation Awards...by April 1st.

The Award

Each…

The newly trained Montclair For Obama Voter Registration volunteers are eager to sign up new voters.  The group consists of 10 trained volunteers ready to go where needed.

If you would like to join us or know a great location to find potential new voters Email:…

Hello dear neighbors.  I'm affiliated with a wonderful organization, Cultural Homestay International, that I think you should know about.  We're looking for loving families who want to volunteer to host exchange students for the 2012-1213 high school year.  The students range in age from 15-18 and come from Asia, Europe and South America. It's a wonderful opportunity that provides a deep cultural exchange that changes lives.  If you'd like to know more about it, please contact me…

From the Oakland Public Library, there's a pretty amazing contest for teen poets in-the-making...

Do you dream in poetry or write rhymes that move people? Do you know a young person whose talent jumps off the page? The cities of San Francisco and Oakland invite submissions from talented young writers to be considered for the title of Youth Poet Laureate.

Spearheaded by Youth Speaks with Oakland Public Library and a broad group of community partners, the winner (one in each…

The Chabot Space & Science Center is featured in Bay Citizen's How Bay Can You Be? contest now.  Just try to answer the five questions and see how you do:  click here.…

Montclair For Obama is an enthusiastic organization working to re-elect President Obama in 2012. Lots of information on how you can get involved is on our Website: http://montclairforobama.org

Montclair For Obama needs volunteers to help:

• Phone bank at the Montclair Woman’s Cultural Arts Center
• Table at Farmers’ Market, register new voters, recruit volunteers, etc.
• Host…

As you know, the Oakland marathon runners sail right through Montclair. Why not become an official course marshal, cheering them on? Here's more info from Tod Vedock:

The Oakland Running Festival is back again for its third year this March 25th! Last year this event brought in $3 million in revenue to our City and this year it will be even bigger as we will have up to…

Come listen to the Oakland East Bay Symphony this Friday night. If you buy brand-new tickets here (link), then you can save 20 percent.  Remember to enter offer code HEROES20 when ordering online.

Under Conductor Michael Morgan, you can always expect an interesting line-up. This Friday, the "Heroes & Giants" program features one familiar giant and two heroes.  These heroes are European…

Just a sweet reminder that the Bay Bridge is closed Westbound this weekend, from Friday (8pm) through Tuesday (5am).  Assuming no big problems, of course.

Like the olden days, more than 75 years ago, you can take a ferry.  Or else take a BART train.  If you must have your car, then prepare for a long drive over the Richmond or San Mateo bridges!?

Click here for any updates

Have you been burglarized recently, or know someone who has been hit?  Most of the burglars are looking for electronics, which may be worth re-selling.  Today, one Oakland Policeman recovered some goods and they may be yours -- or your neighbors' prized possessions:

On 14 Feb 12 we conducted a search warrant on burglary suspects and recovered laptops (mostly Apple) as stolen property. If you know anyone who has had a laptop or Play Station 3 stolen in a burglary can they…

Here's the scoop. If enough folks vote to help The Ninth Avenue Terminal, then Dwell magazine will donate $10k for renovations.  Vote by clicking here.…

Today, Ferrari announced they are ready and serving espressos from their brand-new espresso bar.  They invite folks all day long, including after dinner.

Montclair is certainly coffee central, and the chains and independents are competing like crazy here. It almost feels like different forms of religious beliefs, no?

But it is still worth visiting any new Village options, and the Italian food chain is ready to accept converts.

You have walked by these Montclair cement planters for years, and now there's an opportunity to take one for yourself. Daniel Swafford, our Montclair Village Association Director, made this recent offer:

A few of the 3' round cement planters you see on the sidewalks of Montclair will be removed and donated to a good home. Inquire how your school, organization, or yard can receive the donation. Preference will be given to charity, but is not a…

Did you hear this news? Today, Montclarion Jill Broadhurst reported a near-crime. Some creep tried to kidnap her son:

A man grabbed (10 year old son) today in front of our garage while (my son) was playing with his skateboard. The man asked (my son) if he wanted some candy and told him to get into his car. Thank goodness (my son) broke free and ran away and locked the garage door. Oakland PD arrived in five minutes, 5 squad cars. Keep watch on your kids. So scary.

For the first two weeks in January, there's a free curbside pick-up of your holiday trees. Remember to pluck them clean, or else you are out of luck.

Alameda County Waste Management will recycle holiday trees for 1-4 unit residences during your regular yard trimmings collection day for the first two weeks of January. Place your clean, green holiday tree at the curb next to your green yard trimmings cart. Remove all tinsel, ornaments, nails and tree stands (metal or wood). Place trees…