Interfaith dialogue

"Who is Christ? Jesus in Christianity and Islam" will be the topic for this weekend's interfaith dialogue being held at the Muslim Community Center of the East Bay in Pleasanton.

The panel discussion from 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 19) will feature Rev. Andrew Lobban of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Livermore and Dr. Ali Ataie of MCC East Bay. It will be preceded by an interfaith dinner at 5:15 p.m. after the Maghrib sunset prayer at 5 p.m.

"Ahead of the holiday season, this event is intended to show that despite religious differences and worldwide turmoil, people of faith can always find common ground," organizers said. "Join two seasoned interfaith speakers for a Sunday afternoon educational chat that examines the role of Jesus, son of Mary (peace and blessings be upon him), in the Bible and Christian theology and contrasts with his role in the Qur'an and Islamic theology."

For more information, visit mcceastbay.org. The panel will also be livestreamed on the website that evening.

PUSD job fair

The Pleasanton Unified School District is holding a Classified Job Fair on Dec. 6 for people interested in applying for a variety of open positions within the district, including custodial, maintenance, HVAC, grounds, paraprofessionals, coaches, child nutrition, bus drivers, expanded learning and instructional assistants.

The event will begin with an orientation from 10-10:30 a.m. focused on tips for applying to PUSD and standing out in interviews. Then from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be job fair interviews.

The event will take place at PUSD headquarters at 5758 W. Las Positas Blvd. in Pleasanton. People can apply in advance at edjoin.org/pleasanton.

LLNL awards Foster Medal

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory recognized retired U.S. Navy Admiral Richard Mies, who has served on the lab's board of governors since 2004, for his "exceptional and inspirational career dedicated to national security, nuclear deterrence, and scientific innovation," officials said in a statement.

Mies is the eighth recipient of the lab's John S. Foster Jr. Medal, which he received at a recognition ceremony last month. The award, which is named after former LLNL director John Foster who took the position in 1965, includes a citation, a gold medal bearing the likeness of Foster and a $25,000 cash award.

"Dr. Johnny Foster is an icon in our strategic deterrence community, and I am deeply honored and indeed humbled to have been selected for this prestigious award named after him," Mies said. "I have been privileged to have worked closely with many of the past Foster Award recipients and am deeply indebted and grateful to each of them for their mentorship, friendship, and their sustained, distinctive, and selfless service to our Nation."

Prior to his retirement from the Navy in 2002, Mies' 35-year tenure in the armed forces included four years leading the U.S. Strategic Command and serving as a nuclear submarine officer at the time of his retirement.

Since then, Mies has held a number of positions related to national security on private and governmental bodies in addition to his role on the LLNL board of governors.

"Admiral Mies embodies the highest ideals of service to our nation," LLNL Director Kim Budil said. "His dedication to national security and innovation -- and nuclear deterrence in particular -- has had a profound impact. He continues to act as a bridge between the Department of Defense, National Nuclear Security Administration, and the nuclear security enterprise, fostering the highest sense of purpose and commitment to teamwork. We are honored to recognize his remarkable contributions with the 2023 John S. Foster Jr. Medal."