PIEDMONT
The Piedmont Council Boy Scouts of America had its 100th Annual Recognition Event recently, recognizing volunteers who make the Piedmont Scouting program possible.
Among the award recipients was Sue Smegal, who received the highest honor of the evening, the Silver Beaver Award. This award recognizes a volunteer who has made an impact on the lives of youth through outstanding and noteworthy service at the council level. For many years, her service on Piedmont Council BSA’s executive and advisory boards and her continuing service on the Eagle Board of Review has upheld the council’s mission. Sue’s son, Tom Smegal Jr., presented her with the award.
The District Award of Merit recognizes Scouts who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level. The first recipient, Bill Bruin, mentored 27 youths through the rank of Eagle Scout during his tenure and led Troop 6 to continued success. The second recipient, Katy Kobal, has supported the inclusion of girls in Troop 11 and led the Scouting for Food campaign. The President’s Award recognizes individuals who have made a special contribution to Scouting in Piedmont. This year’s honoree was David Ashton, who helped lead the 2020 Christmas Tree Lot effort, which was a great success.
— Piedmont Council BSA
OAKLAND
First Covenant Church kids camp registration now open
First Covenant Church (FCC), Oakland, next to Safeway on Redwood Road, has provided a day camp for kids in the community for more than 40 years. This summer’s camp will be a hybrid of in-person and online days. Campers must be entering grades one through seven; those about to enter grades eight or higher can apply to be counselors. Camp online will consist of a live event webinar (with skits, songs and online interaction) from 9 to 10:45 a.m. and a small-group Zoom session (with games, crafts and snacks) from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Registration is open, so check FCC’s website at oaklandfcc.org for more details and to see clues for what this summer’s theme will be.
— FCC, Oakland
Online author chats to benefit school district libraries
The group Friends of the Oakland Public School Libraries (FOPSL) will host a series of Thursday-evening author chats via Zoom in April to help raise funds to support Oakland public school libraries, including for the purchase of new books, resources for librarians and e-books for the new Oakland Unified School District’s Digital Library.
The Chats will feature Daniel Handler (April 15), the author of seven novels and the “Lemony Snicket” series; Te-Ping Chen (April 22), an Oakland native and author of the acclaimed “Land of Big Numbers;” and Gayle Tsukiyama (April 29) an award-winning author of “The Color of Air.” Tickets are $30 per event or $75 for all three. For tickets and more information, visit fopsl.org/tickets online. FOPSL is dedicated to ensuring that every Oakland public school student has access to quality school library services.
— FOPSL
PIEDMONT
Registration is now open for spring recreation programs
Online registration for residents opened Tuesday for spring recreation programs in Piedmont. Programs of all types will run April 19 through May 28. Girls circle for ages 9 to 13 is structured support to promote resiliency, build skills and allow for genuine self-expression. Middle school girls basketball for grades six through eight features individual and team-based skills, ball handling, footwork and more. Many other programs are offered. Check piedmont.ca.gov/services___departments/recreation online for more classes.
County DA to address League of Women Voters May 6
The League of Woman Voters, Piedmont, is hosting two upcoming programs. There will be an open forum virtual “cocktail party” from 5 to 6 p.m. April 22, at which participants can share their views on topics of the day. From 4 to 5 p.m. May 6, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley will speak on women’s issues. No registration is required for either program, and nonmembers are welcome to join in. For more information, visit lwvpiedmont.org.
— Linda Davis, correspondent
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