❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day, Berkeley. ❤️ Today we celebrate the many forms of love that strengthen our community. May we continue to lead with compassion and care for one another — today and always.

The next Rent Board meeting is this Thurs, Feb 19, at 7pm. Among the items is a discussion on new regulations that will allow certain paperwork and notices to be sent by email, as was first done as a pandemic emergency measure. rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/berkeley-ren...

Help Shape Behavioral Health Services in Berkeley! Tell the City which mental health & substance use disorder services are most important for our community; join a Feb. meeting (in-person or virtual) or complete the survey by March 4 to inform our three-year plan. Learn more: tinyurl.com/BerkBHS26

Celebrate Black History Month this February! Learn more at Berkeley libraries at www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/topics/afric...

My office has put together a list of some of the fun events planned to welcome the Year of the Horse - check them out! Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. For an online version of the list, visit tinyurl.com/BerkLNY2026 or click link in bio.

These and some other dressers are being recalled due to risk of tipping over if not attached to a wall. In general, in the Bay Area, it is recommended that tall furniture be anchored to walls for earthquake safety.

Need help? Walk-in Info Session with Rent Board staff this Monday, Feb 2, at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 11am-12:30pm. rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/services/eve...

At Outreach Committee, we discussed how to promote and expand the Rent Board's translation, interpretation and other language access resources. Big thanks to staff for their research and work!

More discussion this Wednesday on language access at the Berkeley Rent Board Outreach Committee. Details at rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/sites/defaul...

Statement from Mayor Ishii: Berkeley Responds to ICE Violence "I am pleased to announce that Berkeley will be signing on to an amicus brief from local governments across the country in support of Minnesota and the Twin Cities." Full statement: tinyurl.com/ythfpfj7

This shelter in place order will keep residents safe as Berkeley Fire, Berkeley Police, and neighboring agencies protect the area and remove home photography lab chemicals that have become toxic, heat-sensitive, and volatile. Check protect.genasys.com/location?z=1... for when it'll be all-clear.

This month's Climate and Resilience and Habitability Committee will continue discussions on Habitability Rent Adjustments, Energy Rebate Outreach, Capital Improvement Petitions and more! rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/sites/defaul...

What if our vision for our future in our home was this: I'm done hidin', now I'm shinin' like I'm born to be We dreamin' hard, we came so far, now I believe We're goin' up, up, up, it's our moment You know together we're glowin' Gonna be, gonna be golden -Golden, HUNTR/X, KPop

This past Friday, Berkeley's Joint Task Force on Housing, made up of 4 Rent Board Commissioners & 4 City Councilmembers, spoke with a Minneapolis councilmember & passed a resolution in support of efforts for a eviction moratorium for residents unable to work due to federal attacks on their city. 1/

Berkeley parents, here’s your midweek reset: ✅ Playtime for your tots ✅ Live musical storytime ✅ No cost, no registration 🗓️ Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 9:30am - 12:00pm 📍 Frances Albrier Center

Planning a festival in Berkeley in 2026–2027? Apply for up to $7,000 in City funding for free or public events that celebrate community and culture. 📅 Apply by March 11:

And, we're back! The first regular Berkeley City Council meeting of 2026 is tonight - join us or tune in! Tuesday, January 20 | 6 PM In Person: BUSD Board Room, 1231 Addison St. Zoom ID: 161 670 2758 Access the agenda: berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council

At last week's Berkeley Rent Board meeting, Soli Alpert was re-elected as Chair and Dominique Walker re-elected as Vice Chair. We also got an update from staff on Unit Registration. This year, 28.2% of landlords have opted in to paperless billing, up from 21.7% last year. This saves us time!

Now more than ever, we must defend the hard-won accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement, and continue the work further until we get to full equality. City offices are closed today in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and will reopen on Tuesday.

This Thursday's #Berkeley Rent Board meeting is our annual reorganization meeting, with elections for Chair and Vice Chair, as well as committee assignments, in addition to regular business. Agenda is at rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/berkeley-ren...

Happy Makar Sankranti to all celebrating today! Here's to new beginnings!

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.

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.