The construction site on Allston Way. Photo: Charles Siler Traffic may be rough come school season, but the construction project closing Allston Way outside Berkeley High School is significant: the city’s first major permeable pavement installation. The block of Allston between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street in downtown Berkeley is shut down for construction until mid-November while […]
Charles Siler
Posted inCity
Berkeley appoints first ‘chief resilience officer’
Two community members at Berkeley’s annual city-wide disaster preparedness drill in April 2013. Photo: Emilie Raguso Two community members at Berkeley’s annual city-wide disaster preparedness drill in April 2013. Photo: Emilie Raguso As a city, Berkeley prides itself on being prepared. Officials hope the recent appointment of a “resilience officer” to coordinate city-wide defenses against natural disasters will […]
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley to join National Night Out celebration Tuesday
Community members at a National Night Out event last year. Photo: Emilie Raguso More than 50 Berkeley community organizations and neighborhood groups will host block parties Tuesday night as part of a national campaign to foster community spirit and increase awareness about public safety and disaster preparedness. The events are part of the 31st annual celebration of National […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley councilman faces PR man in ‘soda tax’ debate
Councilman Laurie Capitelli speaks to attendees at a debate on the city’s proposed soda tax at the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Photo: Emilie Raguso Councilman Laurie Capitelli speaks to attendees at a debate on the city’s proposed soda tax at the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Photo: Emilie Raguso Though they were arguing about […]
Posted inCommunity
Ralph Nader speaks at rally to save Berkeley post office
Ralph Nader spoke out against the planned sale of the main Berkeley post office on Allston Way at a rally Tuesday. Photo: Charles Siler Longtime political activist Ralph Nader spoke Tuesday afternoon at a demonstration at the downtown Berkeley post office on Allston Way in support of the on-going fight to stop the U.S. Postal Service from selling the […]
Posted inEvents
The It List: Five things to do in Berkeley this weekend
Octopus kites at the Berkeley Kite Festival in Cesar Chavez Park. Photo: California Travels KITE FESTIVAL The 29th annual Berkeley Kite Fest will take place Saturday and Sunday in César Chavez Park. The free festival will feature kite making and flying lessons, as well as food and craft activities. A traditional Japanese kite-flying team will also […]
Posted inCity, Nature
New drought rules would see Berkeley reduce its water use
A Downtown Berkeley Association employee powerwashes the sidewalk at the corner of Shattuck and Center. Photo: Isabelle Gaston This week the state Water Resources Control Board will consider emergency restrictions on water use that would require the city of Berkeley to impose fines for certain types of outdoor water use. If approved, the Water Board’s drought measures would require […]
Posted inHousing & Development
Construction to begin on 6-story development
The demolition site at 2107 Dwight Way at Shattuck Avenue where a new 6-story mixed use development will be built. Photo: Charles Siler Demolition has begun on the lot at the corner of Shattuck Avenue and Dwight Way, bringing down the building that was home to furniture store Modernaire, which has moved to a new location. In […]
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: The ins and outs of Berkeley businesses
Heirloom’s chicken and wild rice. Photo: Mission Heirloom Café Heirloom’s chicken and wild rice. Photo: Mission Heirloom Café MISSION HEIRLOOM CAFÉ Gluten-free, grain-free and soy-free offerings will be available at Mission Heirloom Café, which opens this fall in North Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto. The restaurant will move into 2085 Vine St. where much-loved vegetarian Chinese restaurant Vegi Food operated until […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley puts sugar tax on November ballot; could be first city in country to take on Big Soda
Dr. Vicki Alexander, co-chair, Berkeley Healthy Child Foundation, at a rally about the sugar tax before the City Council meeting. Photo: Emilie Raguso The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to include a proposal that would tax distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages on the November ballot. The measure, which proposes a 1-cent-per-ounce charge at the […]
Posted inNature
Dog owners beg City of Berkeley to remove dangerous foxtails at César Chávez Park
Mary Barnsdale with her dog Rusty at César Chávez Park. Rusty is wearing a face mask for protection from foxtails. Photo: Charles Siler Berkeley dog owners are pleading with the city to clear the off-leash dog area at César Chávez Park of foxtails, an invasive grass whose barbed seed heads can cause serious injury to […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley sets new minimum wage; up to $12.53 by 2016
Labor advocates and other supporters of a $15 minimum wage at a recent council meeting in Berkeley (file photo). Photo: Emilie Raguso The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to officially adopt the city’s new minimum wage ordinance, setting hourly pay on a course to reach $12.53 by October 2016. The city’s new law will raise Berkeley’s minimum wage to […]