Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Dec. 2

Two Piedmont homes to view on a rainy weekend.

Arabian Nights Dinner at Mezzé This Week

There's a special prix fixe menu at the Lakeshore restaurant through Saturday, plus belly dancing performances.

New Restaurant Watch: Box and Bells on College

James Shyabout's third Oakland eatery will open in January.

Grand Lake Dining: Restaurant Opening Delayed, Celebrity Sighting at Chipotle

Plus more Grand Lake area business news from the most recent "Splash Pad Newsletter."

Carriage Rides, Santa, Caroling on Lakeshore

Lakeshore Avenue will celebrate the holidays with festivities Friday and Saturday, Dec. 21 and 22, from 4 to 6 p.m.

13 Ways to Avoid Online Shopping Scams

Do you know these best practices for avoiding scams and fraud while shopping online?

Piedmont Avenue Tree Lighting on Saturday

Expect Santa, entertainment at Key Route Plaza and shops that will stay open during the evening.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Nov. 25

Just two homes open for viewing today.

East Bay Christmas Tree Farm Open

Many families look forward to cutting their own tree year after year.

Why Do We Call It 'Black Friday'?

According to one popular belief, the reason we call today "Black Friday" is because it's the big shopping day when the ink in business ledgers turns from red to black. That's not the real origin, according to experts.

Alta Bates-Summit Nurses' Strike Continues Today

About 5,000 nurses from 10 hospitals are participating in a two-day strike over benefits and patient care standards.

Black Friday Repression Syndrome: Do You Suffer?

Maybe you've missed the ads — it's a big shopping day next Friday. Do you care? Share your thoughts on Black Friday madness.

Relax ... 2012 Offers Longest Possible Holiday Shopping Season

With "Black Friday" falling on Nov. 23, shoppers can hit the streets for a full 31 days before Christmas.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Nov. 18

A quiet and rainy weekend for househunting, but there's a new listing on El Cerrito Avenue.

Piedmont Homes Sold in October 2012

Fourteen homes closed escrow in Piedmont last month.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Nov. 11

One new listing, one home back on the market.

Fresh Express Spinach in 9 Oz. Bags Recalled for Possible Salmonella Contamination

Some bags of 9 oz. Fresh Express Spinach have been recalled from several nearby supermarkets.

Sprouts & Shutters: New 'Lifestyle' Store Opens, Namaste Yoga Merges, L'Amyx Tea Bar Closes

What's coming, what's leaving? Here’s your monthly roundup of retail, restaurant and other business news and happenings in and near Piedmont.

Piedmont Homes Sold in September 2012

Among the sales: $6.7 million for a home designed by Albert Farr, the early 20th century architect who was also responsible for Piedmont's City Hall.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Nov. 4

Only five homes are open for viewing Sunday, but two of them are new on the market.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Oct. 28

Only three homes open for viewing this week — one has a price reduction.

Piedmont Avenue Celebrates Halloween Saturday

Parade at 11 a.m., trick-or-treating for kids 10 and younger, cartoons, even a costume contest for pets and their people! Note: Piedmont Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic between Rio Vista and Echo avenues from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Barnes and Noble Credit Card Scam Affects Stores in Nearby Cities

Stores in Emeryville, San Jose, on the Peninsula and in Marin County report the tampering .

New Program Training Ace Hardware Employees in Less-Toxic Gardening

Grand Lake Ace Hardware's garden center is among stores participating in a new program to help shoppers choose less-toxic pest management products.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Oct. 21

Seven homes open to view on Sunday, including a new listing on San Carlos Avenue.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Oct. 14

A half dozen homes to view, with several new listings and a big price range.

Village Market Celebrates 60th Anniversary

The family-run grocery in Upper Rockridge — owned by a Piedmont family — celebrates on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 2 to 6 p.m., with food demos, '50s music, face painting and an Oakland fire truck.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Oct. 7

Just three homes open for viewing this weekend, including one new listing — all at the upper end of the price range.

Sprouts & Shutters: What Businesses Are Opening Around Town

A new monthly roundup of retail, restaurant and other business news and happenings in Piedmont and nearby.

What Should Go Here? Share Your Ideas

The former site of Aki Sushi and Grill next to the Wells Fargo on Piedmont Avenue is vacant and for lease. What would you like to see there?

Destino Restaurant to Open This Weekend

The newest restaurant by Gary Rizzo, owner of the late, lamented Somerset on College Avenue, is scheduled to open this weekend on Grand Avenue. Plus more Grand Lake area business news from the October "Splash Pad Newsletter."

Montclair Arts & Crafts Fall Fest Oct. 13-14

Live music and an artists' reception add to the charm of this year’s event.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Sept. 30

Only five open houses this weekend, but they include two new listings.

Trader Joe's Recalls Peanut Butter Over Salmonella Concerns

The company announced Friday that it will take one house brand off shelves and offer refunds. The CDC reports 29 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney from 18 states, possibly linked to the peanut butter.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Sept. 23

Two new listings this week.

Foodie Alert: Author Dinner, Food Truck Fare

STreet fare to fancy fare, now through mid-October.

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Sept. 16

Ten homes open for viewing on Sunday, including two new listings and two homes with reduced asking prices.

Oktoberfest Dinner – A Fundraiser for Alameda County Community Food Bank

Piedmont Open Houses, Sunday, Sept. 9

Seven open houses this weekend, four of them for homes newly on the market.

Piedmont Homes Sold in August 2012

Thirteen homes sold in Piedmont during August, down a bit from the previous month and from the comparable period last year.