At last week's Berkeley Rent Board outreach committee, we discussed how to increase the translation of forms and info, and better promote available interpretation services for tenants and landlords seeking help from the Rent Board. Details later this month at the next committee meeting.

Missed the grant info session for artists? You can still watch the January 7 webinar recording to learn how to apply for a $5K Individual Artist Project grant. 🎥: cityofberkeley-info.... Read more and apply by March 4, 2026: berkeleyca.gov/commu...

The #Berkeley Rent Board Outreach Committee meets this Friday! We're discussing expanding outreach and adding materials in more languages so that more tenants and landlords can fully understand their rights and responsibilities. rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/sites/defaul...

Safety tip for e-mobility riders 🚲🛴🛹 🔌⚡Prevent lithium battery fires by using certified parts and charging safely 🔍🔋Never leave batteries charging unattended 🔥📞 If you see damage, overheating, call 9-1-1 if fire starts 🔗 Learn more: berkeleyca.gov/commu... #BatteryFirePrevention #RideSafe

Join us for the California ISO virtual town hall on Feb. 4 2026, for an update on the launch of the Extended Day-Ahead Market.⚡ 💡Learn more about the event, key topics, and how to register in the latest Energy Matters blog: ow.ly/pU7750XTK2X

Join a team of volunteers on Jan 22 to help survey people experiencing homelessness in Berkeley and Alameda County. Make connections with your neighbors while collecting data that informs funding, policy, and services. Learn more and register:

Weather experts warned that the days of rain could elevate the risk of small landslides until the ground dries out.

1/19/2026: Join Mayor Ishii fora Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ▶️Cesar Chavez Park Shoreline Cleanup | 10:30 AM - 2 PM ▶️Meal Distribution & Prep at Dorothy Day House | 2 PM - 6 PM To learn more and register to volunteer, visit: tinyurl.com/MLKDayofService26

Artists and festival organizers can apply for one-time grants to support their work and strengthen the arts culture of Berkeley. berkeleyca.gov/commu... 1/5

New park coming to South Berkeley, which will have community gardens, dog park, playground, and more. Construction will take place this summer. www.berkeleyside.org/2026/01/05/n...

One of the new laws now in effect in California is AB 325. Designed to encourage competition and stop price-fixing, this law bans algorithmic pricing using competitor data. It applies to rent as well as other goods and services. Details: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTe...

Thinking of composting your holiday tree? You can either: -Cut and place the tree in green compost bins (Trees left whole on the curb won't get picked up!) -Discard the tree at the Transfer Station -- for free in the month of January! Learn more:

California tenants can now opt out of a bundled internet service when signing or renewing a lease under AB1414, one of the new state housing laws that went into effect on 1/1/2026. Month-to-month tenants can opt out at any time. Details: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTe...

As we step into a new year, now is the time to focus on a resolution that protects lives and strengthens communities: preparedness. In California, readiness isn’t optional. Building an emergency kit and knowing when and where to evacuate are actions that matter long before an emergency starts.

County offices are open today. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Remember, many new California state laws take effect today!

Heads up: City offices will be closed New Year’s Day, Jan 1. 🌐 Services still available online at:

A #SparetheAir Alert has been issued for January 1. Personal fireworks and residential wood burning are expected to cause localized elevated pollution levels. Light rain and winds are not expected to be sufficient to disperse pollution. Wood burning is banned on New Year's Day.

One of the new laws going into effect is AB414. This law gives tenants who paid security deposit electronically the right to get their deposit back electronically after moving out. It also clarifies deposit returns on leases with multiple tenants Details: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTe...

Keep us in mind for your New Year plans! ✨🚍 ALL BUSES ARE FREE from 8:00 PM on December 31st to 5:00 AM on January 1st. Learn more: https://actransit.us/4pXvkiN Plan your trip: actransit.org/tp

The answer is yes! Many Berkeley residents have already started clearing plants and other flammable objects within 5 feet of their building ahead of the EMBER ordinance going into effect. Learn more in the article 🏠

Many new California state laws take effect on January 1! One of them is AB628, which requires landlords to provide a stove and fridge for new, amended, & extended leases. Some exceptions apply for group housing, etc. Get the details at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTe...

Many new California state laws take effect on January 1! One of them is AB628, which requires landlords to provide a stove and fridge for new, amended, & extended leases. Some exceptions apply for group housing, etc. Get the details at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTe...

Californians, save on gas and electric with the CARE & FERA discount programs! Lots of people are eligible, large households can make over $100,000 and still qualify for discounts.

Wishing a joyful Kwanzaa for everyone celebrating this week!

Merry Xmas from AC Transit! As a reminder, buses are on Sunday schedules and our Downtown Oakland Customer Service Center is closed. ✅ Check Maps & Schedule: actransit.org/maps-schedules ✅ Track your bus with ACT RealTime actransit.org/rt ✅ Call us at 510-891-4777, 9am-5pm

County offices are closed today, Thursday, December 25, for Christmas and will reopen tomorrow, Friday, December 26. Happy holidays!

Parking in Berkeley today? Meters are not being enforced for the Dec 25 holiday. No need to pay. Enjoy your visit.

Merry Christmas to all celebrating today!

As 2025 comes to a close, the California ISO is celebrating a year of progress, partnership, and innovation.⚡ Here’s to an even brighter 2026, focused on collaboration and building an even stronger and more reliable grid, together! 💡Read the ISO’s Year in Review: ow.ly/y7Je50XNMYv

If your home or business gets trash, recycling, and compost normally collected on a Thursday or Friday, put your bins out a day later due to Christmas & New Year’s days. Thursday and Friday pickups – on Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1 and 2 – will be pushed a day later. berkeleyca.gov/commu... 1/3

Happy winter solstice to all celebrating!

Explore the highlights of our work in this year’s annual report: berkeleyca.gov/commu... The new Willard Clubhouse is one example we're proud of. With this larger building, we can offer afterschool and camp programs to more children. Check out some beautiful photos of the new space!

Lots of results from this month's #Berkeley Rent Board meeting. We voted to make some changes to Measure BB (rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/laws-regulat...) implementation to address issues that nonprofits and landlords with Section 8 tenants brought up. 1/

The #Berkeley Rent Board meets this Thursday. On the agenda includes updates to regulations that will reduce some penalty fees, and also help bring more federal dollars into our city. Many more items this Thursday - see the full agenda at rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/berkeley-ren...

This week at Alameda Co. Board of Supervisors — last meetings of year: 📌 Mon 12/15 1:30 PM: Personnel, Administration & Legislation (PAL) Committee Meeting • Federal & state legislative updates, incl positions on Public Charge, PFAS, Housing BOOM Act, and SB 684 Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act

Tonight is the first night of Chanukah - wishing a Happy Chanukah to all celebrating!

This is a reminder that the 1st installment of the 2025/26 Secured Property Tax is due tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10, 2025 and becomes delinquent after 5pm; after which a 10% delinquent penalty will be assessed. Learn more: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAALAME/bulletins/3f70ad5

📆 This week at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors: 📌 Monday 12/8, 9:30 AM: Health Committee • Measure A1 Fourth Annual Report • Measure A1 Program Income Expenditure Requirements and Draft Expenditure Plan • Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (con't)

Cold? If your heat or hot water doesn't work - contact your landlord in writing. 冷嗎？如果您的暖氣或熱水故障，請用書面通知您的房東。 rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/resources/ha...

Help support the Women's Daytime Drop-In Center and women and families in need! With community support, they can meet many of the needs of the 5,000 household visits they receive annually 🎁 Wish List: www.womensdropin.org/wish-list

Parents with kids under 5: We see you. Bring your toddlers & preschoolers burn energy with us at the Tots Winter Carnival for a few hours on Dec 6, 10am–1pm. Cost per child: $10 resident/$12 non-resident Pre-registration required:

Frat Row, Panoramic Hill, and Grizzly Peak residents & property owners: the Zone Zero fire safe landscaping regulations go into effect on January 1st. Berkeleyside has a summary of some of the main parts to help protect your home and our city from wildfires. 1/ www.berkeleyside.org/2025/12/05/b...

You don’t have to travel far to make joyful memories; there are so many fun events planned right here in Berkeley for the holiday season! My office created a list of just a few of the holiday festivities taking place - check it out: tinyurl.com/BerkHolidayFun25

THIS WEEKEND: Please join me & Berkeley Food Network (BFN) at our Community Holiday Party! Sun., 12/7 | 12:30 - 2:30 PM BFN | 1925 Ninth St. Celebrate the season, enjoy light refreshments, and learn about BFN's resources. All donations made will directly support BFN. RSVP: tinyurl.com/BFNHoliday

We are so excited about our upcoming Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate Kickoff Party! We will announce the new 2026 Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate and Vice Youth Poet Laureate, have finalist poetry readings, special guests, and refreshments. Join us Tuesday, January 13th, 6-730pm @Central Library.

#Berkeley tenants and landlords: Take the Rent Board Survey, it will help us know where to improve services and outreach in the upcoming year.

📆 This week at the Board of Supervisors: 📌 Thursday 12/4, 2 PM: ACT for All Committee Meeting Update on Impacts of Federal Administration Policies and Budgets on Alameda County Communities: • HUD Homelessness Funding • Public Charge • Food Security See meeting details here: bos.acgov.org/broadcast

This #WorldAIDSDay, we remember those we have lost while renewing efforts to continue advancing preventative measures and treatment, fighting the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, and supporting science that will one day eradicate this virus.

Berkeleyans can enjoy the incoming holiday season with events such as a winter festival, carnival, fun run, dance, school break camps, and a meal with Santa. berkeleyca.gov/commu... 1/4