I'm starting to see many buildings in the neighborhood update landscaping to meet Berkeley's new fire safety regulations. This one has new planting a few feet away from the building, and plants in flowerpots.

City of Berkeley@berkeleyca.gov · 2d ago

A safer neighborhood could have benefits for all. 🏘️ Join the movement to work collectively to reduce brush, thin trees, and more can help slow wildfire. 🌲🔥 When these efforts are coordinated across a neighborhood, they can break up wildfire pathways. Learn more:

Back-to-school vaccination clinics start tomorrow! Sign up for an appointment: outlook.office.com/b... Whether you go to your family doctor or come to our City clinic, make sure your kid is up-to-date on required vaccines before school starts. Read more: berkeleyca.gov/commu...

I was explaining to someone the words on my necklace and realized that this is sort of the Chinese version of "live laugh love" 😂😂😂

In addition to endorsements, California Democrats also passed resolutions and reaffirmations at this past weekend's conference. Proud to have worked with many others on this one, "Standing Firmly Behind Transgender Youth", calling for defending healthcare, student-athlete protections, and more. 🏳️‍⚧️

And you can look fabulous while doing it! On many issues, from transit to trans rights, a little organizing is all it takes to shift opinion in the party, even in big states like CA. Whether you love spreadsheets or love to dance, we've got a place for you in the @cademocrats.bsky.social party!🌈🌟✅

Jane Natoli 🥑🚲🍍@wafoli.bsky.social · 3d ago

You too can sit in a hotel conference room on a beautiful weekend and help set the direction of the California Democratic Party. I jest but democracy is really about rolling up your sleeve and getting involved at whatever level. Don’t like the results? Go be that change

CA Dem Proposition positions Yes✅ 1 Affordable Housing 2 Rainy day fund 3 School funds 4 Election public financing 5 Recall reform 37 Homeownership 38 Med research 40 Billionaire Tax No❌ 39 Vote suppression 41 blocks Prop40 42 blocks Prop40 43 Restricts taxes 44 Clinic spending reg 45 CEQA changes

Live from the California Democrats conference: our party has endorsed Proposition 40, the Billionaire Tax! @billionairetaxnow.bsky.social

There are more people in the @rideact.bsky.social and @sfmta.com buses in this pic than in all the cars. If we don't pass the Regional Transit Measure this November we're going to have less bus service throughout the Bay and traffic (and air quality) will get worse for all

Dems need to hammer the issue.

Greg Sargent@gregsargent.bsky.social · 4d ago

Remarkable: Dems have now pulled even with the GOP *on immigration* in two new national polls. A third finds Trump 22 points underwater on the the issue, and *32 points* underwater among independents. Trump has absolutely destroyed the GOP advantage on immigration. newrepublic.com/article/2138...

August 1st means Californians can officially use DROP to delete their data from Data Brokers! privacy.ca.gov

privacy.ca.gov

A website brought to you by the California Privacy Protection Agency.

privacy.ca.gov

If you're over 65 or have a weakened immune system, it may be time for a 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s recommended to get a 2nd dose if it’s been 6 months since your 1st dose. Talk to your health care provider or visit MyTurn.cdph.ca.gov to schedule a vaccine appointment.

Need diapers? Looking for breastfeeding support? Want a fun afternoon with the kids? Our WIC-nic event next week has all three. Join us Aug. 7 for free food, diapers, family activities, giveaways, and community resources.

WIC-nic: Free Family-Friendly Picnic | City of Berkeley

Come join us for a free, fun-filled family event celebrating World Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Week on August 7 at George Florence Park! Bring your blankets and your loved ones!Hosted by the City of Berkeley's WIC Program, this free community picnic celebrates World Breastfeeding Week and supports healthy, thriving families. This year's theme, "Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems," highlights the importance of creating lasting support that makes breastfeeding accessible for all families.

berkeleyca.gov

Got questions or comments? On Tuesday, August 4, Berkeley Rent Board staff will be tabling outside 1640 Stuart St from 3-7pm! rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/services/eve...

Tabling at National Night Out

Curious about what the Rent Board does and how we can support you and your neighbors? Stop by our table at this year’s National Night Out to get helpful information about your rights and responsibilit...

rentboard.berkeleyca.gov

Reo's calendar is SO GOOD! I just sent this to people around the fringes of the bay area who might not have heard of this treasure in their midst.

Reo Eveleth@reveleth.com · 7d ago

If you know someone who lives in the Bay Area can you do me a favor? Send them this calendar? I work really hard on it every week and think it's a genuinely useful thing, but I feel like it's so hard to get the word out!!! www.coyotemedia.org/coyote-calen...

Running for office in Alameda County? Want to meet the candidates? Come to the Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus of Alameda County apademcaucus.org general meeting on Thursday, August 13, 6-7:30pm at the San Leandro library.

Thank you to everyone who came to our discussion on Affordability & its impact on the AAPI Community! Assemblymember Patel opened talking about the importance of disaggregated data - separate stats for different ethnicities and communities - as even in wealthier communities, many are struggling. 1/

Alfred Twu@alfredtwu.com · last wk.

This Tuesday, the California Democratic Party Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus will be meeting online - join us for a discussion on how the rising cost of living impacts our communities and what we can do about it. tinyurl.com/cademaapi728

Let #berkeley’s long history of standing with the LGBTQ+ community ring across the Land. And let the Pacific Center for Human Growth be acknowledged for their immense contributions toward a #berkeley we can all call home, for over 50 years. Happy #Pride! 🌈

You heard about it from your neighbor...after it happened. Next time, hear it from us first. Get updates on Berkeley events, projects, public meetings, recreation, grants, jobs, and more. City news straight to your inbox. 📬 Sign up: http://bit.ly/berknews

This Tuesday, the California Democratic Party Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus will be meeting online - join us for a discussion on how the rising cost of living impacts our communities and what we can do about it. tinyurl.com/cademaapi728

Here's another way to see that rent is probably the most important long-term affordability constraint: In a world where rent (shelter) prices increased only as fast as the rest of the economy, purchasing power today would be about 13% higher (measured by wages)

Joe Fish@sadbusdriver.bsky.social · last wk.

Anyway, the chart you should be posting is how rent prices look like compared to wages. Note: This has been going on for a long time! The housing crisis is a long standing issue.

Come visit Out Museum! Currently open Saturdays and by appointment outmuseum.org 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

San Francisco Public Press@sfpublicpress.bsky.social · last wk.

When Xiangqi Chen thought of a Chinese LGBTQ+ history museum six years ago, she was trapped in her Shanghai apartment. Little did she know that one day she would flee country and the museum that she & thousands of supporters dreamed of would find a home in SF's Chinatown.

Ever thought about bringing your neighbors together?🤝 Neighbors who complete a set of wildfire preparedness activities can earn recognition from the National Fire Protection Association, which may also help certain residents get up to a 10% discount on home insurance. 🏘️

Team up with your neighbors and City to reduce wildfire risk | City of Berkeley

Help reduce your neighborhood’s wildfire risk and build a safer Berkeley through community efforts that could lower your home insurance rates. Berkeley residents, especially those in the hills, can team up with neighbors and experts in the Fire Department to reduce wildfire risk—which could create a path to lower insurance rates. It will take a couple of steps:

berkeleyca.gov

Wow! We are planning to swap our gas stove for induction later this summer, and now I’m extra motivated as my wife and kid have minor asthma.

Sammy Roth@sammyroth.bsky.social · 2w ago

Insane new research. Scientists gave asthma patients free electric stoves to replace their gas stoves, then checked to see if symptoms improved. Not only did symptoms improve, ditching gas was *better than medicine.* Details in today's newsletter: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/electric-s...

Being prepared for emergencies starts with one simple step. 📱⚠️ Sign up for emergency alerts. Then go one step further and make sure each member of your household signs up for their AC Alert account so each person can receive alerts. 🔗 Learn more:

Sign up for AC Alert for official emergency information | City of Berkeley

Berkeley uses the County alerting system to send texts, emails, and calls. Getting trusted, timely information is your first step in an emergency. Sign up for — or update your existing account – on Berkeley’s emergency alerting system to quickly know what protective actions you, your family, or your co-workers should take during emergencies.When you sign up for AC Alert, include all your phone numbers, email addresses, and locations of interest to get critical emergency information wherever you are.Make sure each member of your household signs up for their own account so each person can receive alerts.

berkeleyca.gov

Some news outlets, major international ones, cancelled their scheduled interviews with me after they saw the Trump v Barbara vote count. One emailed saying "the danger has passed." Other journos and analysts saw the coming long fight. We're in for many years of slogging w/ birthright citizenship.

patrick mcneil (he/him)@patrickryne.bsky.social · 2w ago

BREAKING: The Senate just confirmed Trump loyalist Benjamin Flowers to the 6th Circuit, marking the 50th lifetime confirmation of Trump's second term. Flowers' record is appalling and should have been disqualifying, but now — at 39 years old — he'll serve for decades on a powerful appellate court.

No government has unlimited money. Every budget is a choice about who matters. The Constitution’s promise to promote the general welfare is not decoration, it is an instruction.

I did illustrations for @infrastructureweak.bsky.social 's detailed look at how a rail line could be built along San Francisco's Geary Blvd to downtown - this article has a couple of them!

Infrastructure Weak@infrastructureweak.bsky.social · 2w ago

Now out! Part 2 on the Geary metro, discussing its East Bay connection, downtown alignment, and yard location.

Is your neighborhood eligible for a vegetation debris bin? 🚛 If you live in a higher-risk area of the Hills and pay a fire district surcharge, you can request a vegetation debris bin. Coordinate with neighbors to help move even larger amounts of cleared vegetation.

Protect your home from wildfire: remove vegetation with City services | City of Berkeley

Get seasonal help disposing of vegetation such as shrubs, brush, tree limbs, wood, and bushes to clear your home of excess and flammable debris. Prepare for wildfire season by using a free City of Berkeley service that will take away shrubs, limbs, brush, and other “hard” vegetation you gather from your property. Residents can sign up online for this service, known as our “Berkeley Chipper Program." Register for a neighborhood chipping event or sign up to get an email when the next nearby event is scheduled.

berkeleyca.gov

Fall is right around the corner! For us adults, I've heard that 2026 vaccines should be available early Fall, as usual.

City of Berkeley@berkeleyca.gov · 2w ago

Back-to-school is almost here! Make sure to check your child's vaccinations before the semester begins. Vaccines help protect your family and reduce the spread of diseases like measles and polio. Before school starts, make sure your child is up to date.

1st of its kind nonprofit built around Kinnar and Hijra leadership, referring to communities of marginalized trans and intersex people in South Asia, San Francisco-based Parivar is facing possible shutdown due to funding cuts.... www.ebar.com/story/168593

South Asian transgender-led organization in San Francisco under financial threat

Amid last fall’s Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, Parivar Bay Area opened its headquarters blocks away from San Francisco City Hall.

ebar.com