Carrie Kartman’s solo play explores the family dynamics that stopped her from contradicting her mother’s mycological knowledge — and serves as a warning to watch out for death caps this time of year.
Kate Darby Rauch
Freelancer Catherine "Kate" Rauch has been contributing to Berkeleyside for several years. Her work as a journalist has encompassed everything from 10 years as a daily news reporter for the East Bay Times, based in Richmond, to freelancing for a range of news sources including the Washington Post, Newsday, the Seattle Times, SF Chronicle and Oakland Magazine. Kate likes general assignment work and jumping into a variety of topics and stories, but has a background as a health writer, which includes writing for WebMD, Babycenter.com, Caring.com, UC San Francisco Medical Center, Kaiser and Sutter Health. Her awards include a first place in health and science writing from the Washington State Press Association, a first place in spot news from the Peninsula Press Club, and a second place in feature writing from the California Association of Newspaper Publishers. She's also worked as an anthropologist in rural Alaska. She has an MS degree from the Columbia School of Journalism and a BS from UC Berkeley in cultural geography.
Posted inCity
Aging Berkeley waste facility violated laws for treating stormwater, inspections show
The city settled with an environmental nonprofit this month to avoid a lawsuit over stormwater management at its trash and recycling hub. Berkeley has also responded to a notice of violations from the regional water board.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Air quality maps can show different measurements during wildfires. Why?
Depending on whether you look at AirNow or PurpleAir, you might get very different results of the quality of the air in your neighborhood. What’s the deal?
Posted inCommunity
What mask should I wear to protect myself from wildfire smoke?
Masks made of disposable paper and cloth are ineffective at blocking out the fine particulate matter contained in wildfire smoke. The EPA recommends you use a well-fitted N95.
Posted inCommunity
At Death Cafe in the Berkeley library, people laugh, cry and snack
During loosely structured group conversations about death, participants talk of grief, ghosts and all matters end-of-life while sipping tea and nibbling cookies.
Posted inCommunity
How Berkeley residents can prepare to evacuate their pets during a wildfire
Supplies for your pets — including a week’s supply of food, water and any medications — should be part of your emergency kit.
Posted inCity
How to help your Berkeley neighbors before and during a wildfire
Have some time on your hands and a desire to help? Volunteer in your neighborhood or the wider community.
Posted inCrime & Safety
How wildfires affect air quality in the Bay Area and what to do to protect yourself
How do wildfires affect air pollution? How bad is smoke for my health? How do I track air quality and protect myself from smoke?
Posted inCrime & Safety
How seniors and people with disabilities can prepare for wildfires
Issues with mobility, hearing, vision, frailty and intellectual or developmental disabilities make emergency preparedness more challenging. Preparation can help and may save lives.
Posted inCrime & Safety
What Berkeley residents should know about when PG&E will turn off power during fire season
PG&E’s new approach to preventing its electrical equipment from sparking fires is by cutting power immediately — within a tenth of a second — when an object is sensed to have struck a line during strong fire conditions in high risk areas.
Posted inCrime & Safety
How to defend your Berkeley home from wildfire
How do you protect your property? How has guidance changed? What help is available? What if you rent? What do you need to know about fire insurance?
Posted inCrime & Safety
During ‘Extreme Fire Weather,’ Berkeley residents are urged to preemptively evacuate by leaving the hills before a fire starts
The Berkeley Fire Department will declare “Extreme Fire Weather” due to forecasted high winds and low humidity on the highest-risk Red Flag days.
