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Hello Diane,
With the Solano Stroll coming up this weekend, I just wanted to send a quick reminder that I will be walking in the parade and tabling with my staff this Sunday. Come for the food, stay for the warm weather and good vibes! With Council coming back from recess, work at the City level has shifted back into high gear. I will reach out with more updates from the City Council soon but for now, please find some important information below.
As always, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.
Warmly,
Shoshana
| | REMINDER: SOLANO STROLL THIS SUNDAY | Join me at this year’s Solano Stroll to celebrate our local businesses, entertainers, and community organizations. Stop by my office’s tent to share any comments or questions you may have. It’s one of my favorite events of the year, and I look forward to connecting with many of you there! If you’re interested in joining me along the route, please sign up here to volunteer. | CALIFORNIA & ADA - UPDATED TIMELINE | |
Recently, Public Works let us know that their goal is to start constructing safety improvements at Ada/California in September, and complete them before the end of November 2025. Once they conclude final outreach – which has thus far included mailed notices, a community meeting, flyer distribution, a webpage, and an online survey – and the design, they will confirm the construction dates with the community through the project website.
You can still submit feedback by the end of day today (Friday, September 12) by clicking here. As always, you can continue to submit feedback after the survey closes by emailing transpo...@berkeleyca.gov.
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The City of Berkeley is considering zoning updates along three corridors: North Shattuck, College Avenue, and Solano Avenue. These important corridors are vital and lively areas that support commerce and where communities thrive. With increased housing supply, new neighbors could help support our small businesses and find a home in our City.
Our Berkeley Land Use & Development Division has released an online survey to gather more community input about these changes. You can share your thoughts and help ensure these changes reflect our community’s preferences.
Take the Survey here and visit the Corridors Zoning Update Project Website here.
| BUS TRANSPORTATION VIRGINIA-MCGEE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM | |
Starting September 15th, BUSD will be providing bus transportation to the Virginia-McGee Afterschool Program from the following schools:
- Oxford Elementary School
- Rosa Parks Elementary School
- Sylvia Mendez Elementary
If you are interested in registering your TK and Kindergarteners, you can do so here. Additional schools may receive bus transportation opportunities in the future.
| UPPER MARIN AVENUE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT WORK BEGINS | |
Beginning September 15th, the Fire Department will start work on the vegetation control and management portion of the Marin Corridor Safety Project.
They will begin trimming and managing the overgrown vegetation throughout Marin Ave, removing all vegetation and shrubbery within 20 feet of the intersection on all corners. These changes will increase visibility and safety for the pedestrians and bicyclists who use this street.
We are still looking for volunteers to help water the new plants once they are installed by the Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department. If you are interested, please email us at sok...@berkeleyca.gov. The watering schedule will be once a month between September and May, and once a week, from May to September.
| WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE VEGETATION CODE WORKING GROUP | |
As part of the EMBER proposal and to ensure greater clarity in the vegetation management portion of the Fire Code, the City Council voted to create the WUI Vegetation Code Working Group.
Earlier this week, the working group met to discuss existing local amendments for clarity as well as amending the Alternative Materials, Design, and Methods of Construction (AMMR) process. While there is not yet a date set for the next meeting, you can check the official webpage for information regarding future meeting dates, and find the minutes from previous meetings.
| EARTHQUAKE BRACE AND BOLT GRANT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN | |
Owners of older, wood-framed homes in Berkeley and other parts of the state can apply online to enter a lottery to potentially receive a grant of up to $3,000 ($10,000 for low-income households) to retrofit their homes.
You can read more about the requirements and Earthquake retrofitting the state is encouraging here. Apply by October 1, 2025 to enter.
| Don’t forget to check out the Berkeley Public Library’s events calendar. Our libraries host hundreds of events a month. You can check out the full list of offerings here. | EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN | |
Movies in the Park - Inside Out 2
Address: Codornices Park; 1201 Euclid Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94708
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025 | 7:30pm - 11:00pm
Experience the excitement of our summer Movies in the Park Series as we conclude with “Inside Out 2” at the picturesque Codornices Park.
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Music in The Park - Bluegrass Fest
Address: Shorebird Park; 160 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Our music in the park series comes to a close! Come out for the Grand Finale at the Bluegrass Fest hosted at the Berkeley Waterfront!
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Building Your Fire Weather Plan
Address: Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705
Date: Monday, September 15, 2025 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Create a plan to keep your household safe when the risk of wildfire is high. Join our in-person, interactive workshop for guidance and connect with others!
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Big Book Sale
Address: Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St
Dates: Friday, September 19 | 10:00am-4:00pm
Saturday, September 20 | 10:00am-4:00pm
Join the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library and your neighbors at the Big Book Sale! There will be hundreds of 50-cent books, CDs, and DVDs available on the third floor of the Berkeley Public Library.
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What Are Your Roots? Free Lineage Repair Workshop for QTPOC
Address: West Berkeley Family Wellness Center, 1900 Sixth St, Berkeley, CA 94710
Dates: Monday, September 15, 2025 | 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Monday, September 22, 2025 | 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Monday, September 29, 2025 | 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Monday, October 6, 2025 | 5:00pm - 6:30pm
A continuation of the free eight-week in-person workshop on delving deeper into your ancestral healing work. This workshop is designed to help people to connect their intuitive decisions to ancestral patterns and connect energetically to the wisdom in their lineage.
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Berkeley Sun Day Celebration
Address: Willard Park Clubhouse; 2720 Hillegass Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Get tips and resources to help you switch your home and life to clean electric energy. Join with neighbors to start taking meaningful action on climate change!
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Family Emergency Preparedness Workshop at Central Library
Address: Berkeley Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St 3rd Floor Community Meeting Room
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us at the Berkeley Central Library on September 27th for a hands-on Family Emergency Preparedness Workshop, hosted by the City of Berkeley’s Public Health Division and Office of Emergency Services!
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National Hispanic Heritage Month Event
Address: North Berkeley Senior Center; 1901 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 11:00am - 1:30pm
Join us for a free celebration honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize Latinx heritage, culture, and contributions. This community gathering will feature food, music, dance, and inspiration in a joyful, welcoming setting.
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Free Gardening and Cooking Class Series
Address: West Berkeley Family Wellness Center; 1900 Sixth St, Berkeley, CA 94710
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Come join us at the West Berkeley Family Wellness Center for free fun gardening workshops, cooking demonstrations, and food-tasting!
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Family Emergency Preparedness Workshop at Claremont Library
Address: Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Join us at Claremont Library on October 4 for a hands-on Family Emergency Preparedness Workshop, hosted by the City of Berkeley’s Public Health Division and Office of Emergency Services!
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