The spot on Ellis Street where Berkeley’s third parklet is planned. The mural behind, called “Music on Our Minds,” was painted in 2009 by Edythe Boone in collaboration with young people from Youth Spirit Artworks. The mural depicts influential South Berkeley community members, including long-time resident Richie Smith and musicians. Photo: Kathleen Costanza in collaboration with young people from […]
Youth Spirit Artworks
Berkeley finds fund to expand homeless services during wet weather
Volunteers from Night on the Streets Catholic Worker serve food to the homeless. Photo: Matt Werner Berkeley’s homeless population will now have more places to take shelter from the inclement weather after city officials directed extra funds to extend and expand shelter and outreach services. The city has committed to opening a new overnight emergency […]
Friends of Adeline: ‘Our future shall be determined by us’
Community members discussed concerns related to the city’s Adeline Corridor revitalization plan during the third Friends of Adeline community forum, which took place at the Black Repertory Group’s theater Saturday. Photo: Emily Dugdale Community members discussed concerns related to the city’s Adeline Corridor revitalization plan during the third Friends of Adeline community forum, which took […]
Berkeley council meeting ends abruptly during testimony
More than 40 people lined up to discuss short term rentals at the June 9 Berkeley City Council meeting. Many did not get to testify because the meeting ended abruptly when council members could not agree to extend the meeting until midnight. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel The Berkeley City Council meeting ended abruptly Tuesday night after […]
Prayers, songs and lie-in during faith group protest against proposed Berkeley homeless laws
A small group of faith group protesters held a sleep-in on BART Plaza following prayers and speeches. Photo: Ted Friedman An estimated 60 members of faith groups gathered at the Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza Thursday night to protest proposed new laws that they claimed would “criminalize the homeless.” Prayers and speeches were followed by a small number […]
Faith groups to sleep on street to support city’s homeless
A coalition of faith communities will gather on Thursday April 9 at 5 p.m. at Downtown Berkeley BART plaza to demonstrate their support for the city’s homeless population. Some plan to sleep on the plaza overnight. Photo: Emilie Raguso A coalition of faith communities will gather on Thursday April 9 at 5 p.m. at Downtown Berkeley BART plaza to demonstrate their support […]
Youth artists bring vibrant mosaics to Berkeley school
Youth artists created two mosaics to increase visibility at the busy intersection near Malcolm X School . Photo: Natalie Orenstein Two new lively mosaics — one in warm reds and yellows, the other in cool blues and greens — greet passers-by on either end of the Ashby border of Malcolm X Elementary School. It’s the […]
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 […]
Shop Talk: The ins and outs of Berkeley businesses
Image: Youth Spirit Artworks YOUTH SPIRIT ARTWORKS Youth Spirit Artworks is moving a few doors down to a new, bigger location in the Lorin District at 1740 Alcatraz Ave. on Oct 1. Executive Director Sally Hindman said the new spot will be shared with a startup company, but that there will still be a great […]
New talks on homelessness in Berkeley start Thursday
Thursday’s meeting will provide a starting point for discussion on homelessness, proponents say, with an introduction to the causes and state of homelessness from a national, regional and local perspective. Photo: Derrick Coetzee Thursday evening, the Berkeley Task Force on Homelessness will begin a new community-driven process designed to explore homelessness in Berkeley, and how it might be […]
The It List: Five things to do in Berkeley this weekend
Artwork by Sarah Winkler, featured in the Cypress Tree Studios Open House. Photo: Sarah Winkler CYPRESS TREE STUDIOS OPEN HOUSE Spend an afternoon at Cypress Tree Studios this Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The studio’s open house will include artwork by Sarah Winkler, Bob Bechtol, Pat Sonnino, Patricia Bruning, Thomas Richardson, and more, […]
Edy Boone: A life spent inspiring others captured on film
Edy Boone, about whom a film is being made: "She builds bridges between people who don't think they have a commonality" If you have lived in Berkeley for a while, you have probably crossed paths with Edythe Boone. A spry 74-year old with a quick laugh, Boone has worked as a counsellor and as a […]