| | | | | | | Happy Fall, Berkeley!
The arrival of fall means that it is also the beginning of cold and flu season. Now is a great time to consider the healthy habits that will help protect us and our loved ones from getting sick, including frequent hand-washing, eating well, getting enough sleep, staying home from work/school when sick, wearing a mask when appropriate, and getting vaccinated. Vaccines for the flu, RSV, and COVID-19* are available at many local pharmacies or at your health provider’s office. To find a location nearest you, visit myturn.ca.gov. Berkeley residents may also be able to access free vaccinations at the West Berkeley Family Wellness Center. Learn more.
September is Emergency Preparedness Month - As this morning's earthquake reminds us, we all need to be prepared for the next disaster.. Whether it’s packing a go-bag or signing up for emergency alerts, there are many things we can do to prepare for uncontrollable emergencies like wildfires and earthquakes. Our city’s Disaster Preparedness page provides helpful information and advice to get you started. Additionally, our State Assmblymember, Buffy Wicks, recently held a Wildfire Preparedness Day event for residents of the 14th District, and she has made the recording and resources available on her website. And, below, you can learn more about Earthquake Brace + Bolt Grants available through the City of Berkeley to make your home more earthquake safe.
It’s also Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month - every year, from September 15 through October 15 , we honor the important contributions of Hispanic and Latine people and their diverse cultures that are imbedded in our American story. Berkeley is so fortunate to be a city that includes many residents who are Hispanic and Latine, and we are excited to take this opportunity to celebrate and uplift their histories, traditions, and accomplishments. I encourage you to visit the new exhibit at the Berkeley Historical Society & Museum, Berkeley's Latino Community: 1900 - 2025. The exhibit, which runs through March 2026, explores the dynamic history of the Latino community in Berkeley, highlighting resilience, activism, and cultural contributions.
In community, |
|
| | Adena Ishii Berkeley Mayor
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Get to Know Your City: City Clerk’s Office
Connecting With Community
Small Business Spotlight: Berkeley Student Food Collective
Events Around Town
Resources: Earthquake Brace + Bolt Grants Berkeley Rent Board on Social Media
Save the Date: State of the City Address |
|
| | | | Though one of the city’s smallest offices, the City Clerk’s Office plays a vital role as the backbone connecting residents to their government. Mark Numainville, our City Clerk, has been with the office since 2007 and oversees every aspect of the department—from budget to operations to personnel. Recently, he sat down with our intern, Qing Xu, to talk about the work his office carries out every day.
Much of the Clerk’s Office’s work is governed by state and federal law, including the Public Records Act, the Political Reform Act, the Brown Act, and the Berkeley Election Reform Act. The office publishes City Council agendas, incorporates public feedback on a bi-weekly basis (and whenever special meetings are called), and ensures transparency by maintaining financial and budget records.
Beyond its regular duties, the Clerk’s Office plays a particularly critical role during election season. The team helps administer local municipal elections and monitors campaign finance disclosures to promote fairness and accountability. The office also oversees boards and commissions, making sure positions are filled so the City Council receives informed policy recommendations from these advisory bodies—supporting the functionality of the entire city.
Some fun facts about the city clerk's office include:
• In 2024, Mark and his team were especially proud to have successfully carried out three elections in one year, along with 12 ballot measures.
• The Office has a beloved tradition of dressing up for Halloween and inviting other departments to join them in celebration.
• If Mark had to describe the department as an emoji, it would be the muscle arm emoji 💪, because although small, it is a mighty department vital in holding up the city’s functions.
Thank you to Mark Numainville for his time and to the dedicated staff in the City Clerk’s Office! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY |
|
| Highlights from some of the special events, tours, and meetings Mayor Ishii and staff recently participated in. |
|
| | Mayor Ishii welcomes attendees of the East Bay EDA Global Forum, hosted at the DoubleTree Hotel. |
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Big THANK YOU to our city staff for the great work making improvements to our treasured public space! |
|
|
| | At Delta Sigma Theta’s Farwest Centennial Breakfast event at UC Berkeley - Mayor Ishii presents Farwest Regional Director, Kimberly M. Usher with a proclamation. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | From cafes to manufacturers, Berkeley has no shortage of creative and innovative small businesses that add to the vibrancy of our city.
Continuing to shine a spotlight on some of those businesses, this month it's District 7: |
|
| Berkeley Student Food Collective |
|
| | Established in 2009, the Berkeley Student Food Collective is dedicated to providing fresh, local, healthy, environmentally sustainable, and ethically produced food at affordable prices to the Berkeley campus and greater community.
The Collective seeks to educate students about nutrition and food systems, empower new leaders, and train youth to work in and manage a sustainable business. Through inclusive, democratic decision-making, they operate a cooperative grocery market that promotes community-building and environmental stewardship.
Berkeley Student Food Collective 2440 Bancroft Way #102
Monday - Friday | 8:30 am - 8:30 pm Saturday & Sunday | 11:30 am - 7:30 pm
|
|
| | National Hispanic Heritage Month Event |
|
| Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM North Berkeley Senior Center | 1901 Hearst Avenue |
|
| | Join the City of Berkeley’s Mental Health Division for a free celebration honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize Latine heritage, culture, and contributions.
This community gathering will feature food, music, dance, and inspiration in a joyful, welcoming setting. Enjoy Latin cuisine, live music, dance performances, resources, raffle prizes, and more!
Let's come together to celebrate diversity and unity in our community. Don't miss out on this vibrant and festive event! |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | 26th Annual Brower Youth Awards |
|
| Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 6:00 PM David Brower Center | 2150 Allston Way |
|
| | Join Earth Island Institute for the 26th Annual Brower Youth Awards Ceremony, honoring young environmental leaders who are making a difference in their communities across North America. Since 2000, BYA is the signature event hosted by the New Leaders Initiative program of the Earth Island Institute.
We will honor each recipient through short videos, speeches, and an audience Q&A. After the ceremony, the celebration continues with a buzzing reception of food, drinks, music, connection, and more. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Indigenous Peoples Day PowWow |
|
| Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM MLK Civic Center Park | 2151 Martin Luther King Junior Way |
|
| | Celebrate this annual holiday with us in honor of all of our ancestors, the people continuing the struggle today, and future generations.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Berkeley Harvest Festival |
|
| Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Cedar Rose Park | 1300 Rose Street |
|
| | Enjoy a full day of free family fun with live music, kids’ activities, food contests, and more. The event features booths from City departments, a seed swap, and a wide variety of entertainment and hands-on experiences for all ages.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and relax to live music from Brilliance of Baycoin Beats, Andre Thierry, Soucano, and DJ Disfunkshun, and check out their Bio at the bottom. Food trucks will be on-site offering a range of food options throughout the day. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | Earthquake Brace + Bolt Grants
Owners of older, wood-framed homes in Berkeley can apply online to qualify for grants to strengthen their homes’ resiliency to major earthquakes.
Owners of these homes – wood-framed, pre-1980 homes with a raised foundation or crawl space under the home – would receive up to $3,000 for this work. Households making less than $89,040 per year can receive $7,000 more.
Rental property owners of homes with four units or less can also qualify. These owners, who do not need to live in one of the units to qualify, can apply to retrofit up to five qualifying rental properties.
These grants would be used to “bolt” the foundation to the frame of house, and when there are walls called "cripple walls" in the crawl space under the house, they are braced with plywood.
Apply by October 1 to enter the lottery. If you are not immediately accepted into the program, you will be placed on a waitlist. Many Berkeleyans have received grants after first being placed on the lottery.
|
|
| | Berkeley Rent Board Now on Social Media
Our friends at the Berkeley Rent Board have recently launched their social media channels to provide Berkeley tenants, landlords, and community members with timely information about housing rights, rent regulations, and Rent Board services.
|
|
| If there are events or resources you would like the Mayor's office to share, please email mm...@berkeleyca.gov. |
|
| | | | View email in browser
Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii · 2180 Milvia Street, 5th Floor · Berkeley, CA 94704 · USA |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
