Are you interested in shaping local policy and serving your community? Apply to serve on a City of Berkeley Board or Commission! Apply today! Visit: mayoradenaishii.com/boards-commissions

Congratulations to Berkeley's new 2026 Youth Poet Laureate, Nolawit Ketema, and Vice Youth Poet Laureate, Rachel Dunn! Both of these talented young poets are Freshmen at BHS. Nolawit and Rachel will be joining us at the next City Council meeting on 1/20. Be sure to tune in or attend in person!

Artists and festival organizers can apply for one-time grants to support their work and strengthen the arts culture of Berkeley. ➡️Festival organizers can apply for up to $7,000 ➡️Individual artists can receive $5,000 for original work and a public presentation. berkeleyca.gov/community-re...

JAN. 19, 10:30 AM - 2 PM: Join Mayor Ishii fora Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spaces are still available for the Cesar Chavez Park cleanup! The event at Dorothy Day House is now FULL. For more info and to sign-up to volunteer, visit: tinyurl.com/MLKDayofService26

City of Berkeley offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Join us for the #PotholeChallenge, January 12-19! We want to see how many potholes we can collectively track down and get fixed in the East Bay. It's a fun, self-paced and practical way to make a difference in our communities. RSVP for the free training at BikeEastBay.org/Pothole-Challenge

NEXT WEEK: Please join me at the 15th Annual Berkeley Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration Monday, January 19, 2026 | 9:00 - 10:30 AM DoubleTree Hotel | 200 Marina Boulevard Purchase tickets: berkeleymlkjrday.org Hope to see you there!

Do you have a scheduling request for Mayor Ishii? If you would like to schedule a meeting or invite the Mayor to an event, please fill out a request form: tinyurl.com/IshiiSchedule Our staff will be in touch once we review your request.

East Bay Park District Launches Community Engagement Grant Pilot Program - $150,000 initiative supports partnerships with Community-Based Organizations to expand public access, equity, and civic engagement.

Yesterday, we celebrated new Measure T1–funded improvements at Ohlone Park - improved lighting and permanent restrooms - to help keep our shared spaces clean, safe, and welcoming. Thank you to Berkeley voters for continuing to invest in our community!

The deadline to apply is TODAY!

Thank you to Berkelium 5419, Berkeley High’s first robotics team, for inviting me to visit with you this week! I had so much fun learning about what you’re working on and getting to see your robots up close. Your creativity and teamwork are inspiring! Learn more: team5419.wixsite.com/team5419

A Statement from Mayor Ishii on yesterday's fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis. tinyurl.com/mw2pmvfk

JAN. 22: Volunteer to count and survey unsheltered residents and collect data that helps shape services, policies, and funding.

Join a conversation with @berkeleypoliceca.bsky.social about how technology supports public safety and criminal investigations. Thursday, January 15, 2026 3 PM - 4 PM BPD Public Safety Building 2100 MLK Jr. Way

GOOD NEWS! Southwest Berkeley will get a new park this year.

Tickets are now on sale for the 15th Annual Berkeley Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration! Monday, January 19, 2026 | 9:00 - 10:30 AM DoubleTree Hotel | 200 Marina Boulevard Purchase tickets: berkeleymlkjrday.org

Happy 2026, Berkeley!! May the year ahead be filled with joy, good health, peace, and light!

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT! Mayor Ishii is looking for a professional individual who is organized and communicative to join her team as the Scheduler and Constituent Services Coordinator, under the role of Assistant to the Mayor. Apply by January 9, 2026! Details: mayoradenaishii.com/job-ann...

Do you have a compostable tree and other holiday decorations? Make sure you know the proper way to dispose of them. Watch this great video from Berkeley Community Media: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzJ...

Happy Kwanzaa, Berkeley! Wishing you a joyous holiday filled with community and connection.

Merry Christmas wishes to all who are celebrating today! May your day be filled with peace and joy.

The Berkeley Holidays Giving Guide is your one-stop destination for spreading joy and giving back this holiday season! Instead of searching for the perfect gift, discover inspiring ways to support the Berkeley nonprofits that make our community thrive all year long.

Have you subscribed to my email list yet? You'll receive my monthly newsletter (The Mayor's Monthly) and important updates & announcements. Sign up by clicking link in bio or visiting: tinyurl.com/MayorIshiiUpdates

Winter is here, and so is cold and flu season! As more of us gather indoors, it's a great time to make sure we are practicing smart health habits: -Stay home if you're sick -Wash your hands often -Mask if appropriate -Keep up to date on vaccinations Let's all do our part for a healthy new year!

Fake immigration lawyers are scamming Bay Area families. Learn how to protect yourself.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT! Mayor Ishii is looking for a professional individual who is organized and communicative to join her team as the Scheduler and Constituent Services Coordinator, under the role of Assistant to the Mayor. Apply by January 9, 2026! Details: mayoradenaishii.com/job-announcement

1/3: In accordance with the City of Berkeley's reduced service days and upcoming holidays, Mayor Ishii's Office will be closed December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026. Our staff will be checking emails periodically but may not be able to respond to requests immediately.

Beginning January 8: Learn skills to help your community before, during, and after disaster

Helpful tips to reduce your holiday tree waste this season berkeleyca.gov/community-re...

1/5: A Statement From Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii and Councilmembers Rashi Kesarwani, Igor Tregub, and Mark Humbert Regarding the Antisemetic Shooting in Australia

12/18, 5:00 - 6:30 PM: Join the upcoming Berkeley Community Violence Intervention Forum to learn about Year One progress and goals for Year Two of Berkeley’s community violence intervention efforts. This is a virtual event. Register: www.mobilize.us/livefreeusa/...

To all who are celebrating, I send you my warmest wishes for a Happy Hanukkah!

1/2: This partnership between SAHA and UC Berkeley promises to advance the City of Berkeley’s goals of creating more Permanent Supportive Housing and Affordable Housing to meet the needs of our unhoused and low-income community members. news.berkeley.edu/2025/12/11/u...

Remembering Evie Wozniak, active in Berkeley politics and an aide at City Hall www.berkeleyside.org/2025/12/10/e...

So much of our city’s safety and resilience comes from work that happens underground and behind the scenes. Had the chance to go on the Sewer and Corp Yard tour and learn directly from the people who keep Berkeley moving. Grateful to be there!

Ed Roberts, hero of Berkeley’s disability rights movement, gets his first biography www.berkeleyside.org/2025/12/08/i...

The December edition of the Mayor's Monthly is here: tinyurl.com/IshiiMonthlyDec25 Don't miss future news! Subscribe to join my mailing list by clicking link in bio, or visiting: tinyurl.com/MayorIshiiUpdates #BerkeleyMayorsMonthly

1/2: My office had so much fun hosting a holiday party in City Hall! Spirits were bright and it was so nice to share some seasonal cheer with our hard working city staff.

Thank you so much to Healthy Black Families Inc. for the wonderful tour today! Thank you for the important work you do to provide the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to make social systems and policies more equitable for Black people and communities. Learn more: healthyblackfam.org

BEGINNING THIS WEEKEND: The Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair is back for its 42nd year - and staying on Telegraph! December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, & 21 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Soak up some holiday spirit, enjoy live music, and shop for unique handmade gifts. More info: www.telegraphfair.com

If you are a fan of the stickers I hand out at events, check out the Holiday Gift Fair this Thursday...the artist, Cara Goldstein, is one of the many local artists who will be selling their unique goods. www.berkeleyside.org/2025/12/02/h...

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

This Tuesday, Dec. 2, is Giving Tuesday — a day dedicated to uplifting our community through generosity and connection. I encourage everyone to take part! I’d love to hear how you’re giving back —tag me or comment below to share your story or highlight a cause you’re supporting. #GivingTuesday

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

A Thanksgiving message from Mayor Ishii.

If you’re looking for an alternative to shopping this Friday, take a hike! Participate in Green Friday (free park day) at all of the East Bay Regional Parks, which provides healthy and fun ways to enjoy the day after Thanksgiving with family and friends. Learn more: ebparks.org/we-celebrate/gr...

1/2: My team had a wonderful time serving up delicious food at Insight Housing's annual Thanksgiving holiday meal. If you or someone you know is in need of a warm meal, Insight Housing offers community meals every Monday-Friday, 3 pm - 4 pm, at the Hope Center (2012 Berkeley Way).

The Berkeley Rent Board is seeking feedback from tenants, landlords, and property managers about their experience with the Rent Registry. Please respond to the 2025 Berkeley Tenant & Landlord Rent Registry Survey by December 14 to help shape Rent Board services.

The November edition of the Mayor's Monthly is here: tinyurl.com/IshiiMonthlyNov25 Don't miss future news! Subscribe to join my mailing list by clicking link in bio, or visiting: tinyurl.com/MayorIshiiUpdates #BerkeleyMayorsMonthly