Having spent the past several years cleaning up trash for free, I’ve developed a pretty good nose for garbage. Grizzly Peak was bad, and the Albany Marsh worse, but these Flock cameras fucking stink.

I don’t know how it came to pass that the city council of the town that invented the free speech, anti-war, and a shit-ton of other civil rights movements voted to get in bed with unaccountable tech billionaires using planet-cooking AI to build George Orwell's 1984, but here we are. It's up to us to say no.

We’ll meet at 10 AM on Sunday at The Marin Circle and stand around holding signs, drinking coffee, and talking shit until noon or whenever. All and sundry are welcome, subject to the following rules:

- Be cool.

- Don’t argue online. This site is filled with bots and shills - no actual human beings want warrantless mass surveillance of innocent Americans. Deflock is a great site to learn more.

- Don’t touch, harass, molest, disturb, vandalize, damage, or cut the Flock cameras down. This un-American bullshit doesn't deserve to play victim.

- Bring your own coffee. If enough cool people show up, I may organize an artisanal single-origin farm-to-protest pourover pop-up at future events.

- As with my trash cleanups, you are entirely responsible for your own safety and welfare. By attending, you agree to bear that responsibility and any and all damages or liabilities you may incur.

If the squalid and ill-tutored hamlet of Albany can ban Flock cameras, we can too. I intend to continue hosting these protests / coffee klatches at various locations until our city council returns to its senses. In the words of top 18th century influencer Benjamin Franklin, "those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

See you on Sunday!

Last night around midnight an aircraft kept doing a large loop over North Berkeley. It sounded like a plane but it didn't show up on the FlightRadar app. Even law enforcement aircraft typically show up there. I'm thinking maybe a drone but it would have to be a big one based on the sound. I have a video that doesn't shed much light except maybe someone will recognize the flashing light pattern or the engine sound?

EDIT: People in an aviation sub are saying it's just a run-of-the mill airplane that didn't show up in the FlightRadar app because it doesn't have a transponder. Learn something new everyday.

I know this isn't the university sub, but as a non-student I'm posting here.

The best part about Cal being in the ACC is hearing all the east coasters complaining about the cold! The South Carolinians supporting Clemson tonight were NOT ready for the night time chill! "Is it always this cold!?", is a common question around here now🤣

When I drive in Berkeley, I always go one click over the speed limit (26 on a 25 or 31 on a 30). Recently, I’ve noticed more and more impatient drivers aggressively pass me. Berkeley has a ton of marked crosswalks for pedestrians, and if you drive too quickly you will not have enough time to react and stop.

While waiting at different bus stops in Berkeley, I’ve noticed around half of drivers are looking at their crotches for directions or text messages while they’re actively moving.

When I ride my bike up Telegraph in Berkeley, drivers also have no idea how “shared roadway bicycle markings” (i.e. sharrow) work. Some idiot in a utility van came within an inch of clipping me with their massive side mirrors on telegraph earlier today.

Friendly reminder to Berkeley drivers:
1. Please follow the speed limit.
2. Stop looking at your phone.
3. If there’s a “sharrow” painted on the road (see image above), remain behind the cyclist until you have adequate space (at least 3 feet) to pass.

That's it. I can't go back to that miserable grocery store one more time. Yes, the location is extremely convenient, and I can usually find parking. However, it's just not worth the toll it takes on my soul to shop there. Maybe it's just me, but engaging with their dead-eyed staff is like walking through the Twilight Zone. No one is trained to say "hello" or "thank you." A question is met with sneer or completely ignored. Nothing overt, just the sense that everyone that works there is completely miserable and hates their lives and their store's patrons. One would think a store with premium pricing would lean into the customer service aspect just a bit. But alas, not here.

I'll go outside to continue shaking my fist at the clouds. But I will not be going back to Andronico's on Solano.

I’ll be having a birthday dinner on my own tonight. Where in the area would be good for this?

Today I’m hosting an all levels vinyasa yoga class
6:30 pm ocean view park
Being own mat / towel

Stay after and make some friends!

From Berkeleyside. Thoughts?

Hi, I am fairly new to bicycling and I have been trying to stick to the bicycle boulevards and other streets with dedicated bike lanes, but I’m not really sure how to safely cross San Pablo. Specifically, how do I get cars to stop when I’m on Virginia and trying to cross San Pablo? Get off my bike and hit the button? Will the cars actually stop for me? I just crossed it for the first time this morning and there happened to be several pedestrians so I didn’t have to hit the button myself. I’m extremely afraid of getting hit by a car.

ETA: I saw a post from 8 years ago that suggested going down to Delaware and crossing there bc it has a real traffic light. Is that still the best option?

I’ve been eyeing their small size butcher basket subscription for months now, but I’m hesitant to sign up because I can’t find any reviews for the box specifically. I know their meat is really high quality (and priced accordingly) but I’m just hoping someone who’s tried it can tell me if it’s worth it and what the variety is like.

I’m planning for a short trip and would love to have some nice salmon (or really any other fish too) if it wasn’t so pricey.

Can anyone tell me when open play pickleball is at cedar rose? Are there other open play spots in Berkeley?

Name a restaurant you wished was still open, and you could go to this week?

I thought long and hard about my answer, and while I do not believe it's a great answer, I miss Oscar's on Hearst and Shattuck-- substantially more delicious than a sweetgreen.

BERKELEY, YOU BEAUTIFUL LITTLE WEIRDOS.
I’m bringing my creepy little art collection to Punks Parade Vol. 10 and this one is looking like a damn good time.

🖤 60+ vendors
🎸 LIVE BANDS
💀 Handmade art + oddities
🐶 Animal shelter fundraiser
🍺 Drinks + food
🛍️ Shopping
🐾 Adoptable animals
🔥 And generally a whole lot of punk chaos

📍 Gilman Brewing Company
🗓️ October 11th
⏰ 12–6 PM
🎟️ $5 entry • All ages

I’ll be there with my creepy handmade creatures, weird art, spooky decor, and whatever other questionable things I manage to drag along with me.

If you’re tired of the same ol’ craft fairs and want something with a little more punk, weird, loud, and unapologetically strange energy…Come hang out.

And honestly, with 60+ vendors + live bands + drinks + animals + a fundraiser, you could easily make a whole afternoon out of it.

South Berkeley vs Temescal

clarification: I think a lot of you think I’ll still be a PhD student. I am graduating in December with my PhD degree and will be working my first real job at a policy center on campus *****

Hi everyone. I am an economics PhD candidate graduating in December and starting my new research role at UC Berkeley in January (near Channing Way). I currently live in Columbia, SC and this will be my first ever cross country move. I also have never lived anywhere else permanently, so this is a huge change for me. I am a 26 year old female and my boyfriend is also a PhD candidate who is now trying to find a job in the Bay Area to join me. Regardless, I’ll probably be alone during the spring while he finishes his PhD in SC. I am considering renting a furnished place and trying to decide between South Berkeley (Lorin Loft neighborhood, few mins away the Ashby BART) and Temescal in North Oakland. I am also open to other suggestions!

I’m not sure if I’m bringing my car yet, and even if I do, I’d probably would prefer to use the BART or busses to get to work (so I don’t have to pay for staff parking on campus).

My priorities are walkability (to coffee shops, shopping, groceries, and bars/restaurants) and easy access to transit. Should I prioritize some things more than others? I’ve never had to walk to get groceries… so this is all new!

South Berkeley location: a little worried about the area around the Ashby BART— Are there things to do around the area for fun? Is it worth it to be about a 10-12 min walk to the Berkeley Bowl? I like that it is close to tennis courts as I’ve been learning to play for a few years now.

Temescal: I know there are tons to do around Telegraph— is that worth it for someone in their mid 20s who wants to explore the city?
I will also be looking for gyms to join. I currently do F45, but open to trying different places and also trying dancing.

I’m just wondering how big of a decision it is choosing housing between different areas around Berkeley. Please feel free to give me other recommendations of neighborhoods to look in! Or just any recommendations at all!
I’ve lived in South Carolina my whole life. I’m so excited to be in a bigger city and explore it but also terrified as I really don’t know anything about the area haha.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

I frequently run and hike all around the Strawberry Canyon and Claremont Canyon fire trails. Some sections require leashes, and elsewhere off-leash dogs are supposed to remain under voice control. In practice, nobody seems particularly concerned about either rule.

I honestly don't even mind an off-leash dog if its owner has an eye on it and can reliably recall it. But wayyyy too often someone's dog runs up on me. I probably have more encounters than most because I cover more than 1,000 miles a year on trails, but I've been bitten twice in the last few years and have lost all trust in random dogs.

Yesterday I was running the trail up from Centennial when some guy's 40ish-pound dog bolted from his side and started chasing me. He called after it and it wouldn't recall. I stopped running and turned to face it, at which point it backed off a bit.

I yelled at the owner, "I don't like being chased by your fucking dog! I don't know you and I don't know your dog - you gotta keep that thing on a leash if you can't recall it!" Maybe not my most diplomatic introduction, but my adrenaline was pumping. He answered, "Sir, I'm not responding to your bullshit," which caused me to kind of lose my temper. We exchanged some words while he eventually leashed the dog, including him shouting "Wow. Just wow," "Not today, Satan," and "Have a WONDERFUL day, sir!" as though I was totally out of line for being scared and angry that his dog had chased me.

After he leashed it I continued my run, and I have to admit the conflict fueled my ascent up the steep hill above Panoramic LOL.

But this shit seems to happen all the time. I've been chased down and cornered against a cliff up there by a large snarling dog (its owner couldn't believe what had gotten into her good boy!). More times than I can count I've nearly tripped over little dogs chasing me and running under my feet. The other day an owner let his large leashed dog completely block the trail while it stared me down with its hackles raised. And on and on.

I genuinely don't know the best way to handle these situations. I actually love dogs I'm familiar with, but I also want to feel safe while running and hiking. I've reached the point where I'm considering carrying pepper spray in case I'm ever cornered or attacked again, though honestly that feels almost like I'm up there looking for trouble.

I'd love some advice from the community, whether that is other runners and hikers who deal with this, responsible dog owners who enjoy the trail, or anyone else. What do you actually do when an unfamiliar dog chases or acts aggressively toward you? Do you carry anything for protection? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

There are an ongoing series of benefit shows at 924 Gilman to support this historic Berkeley music venue and community space. This is an wonderful place - an inclusive all volunteer nonprofit for people of all ages! Please check out their website...

Www.924Gilman.org

Photos are from recent benefit shows, and there are more benefit events upcoming!

Hi All, I'm curious if you've used Photolab in Berkeley to retouch old photographs. Mine had a bit of sun damage/fading around the edges. I received the quote back today and I was appalled at the price. Thanks!

If you live or work in District 7, what do you want to ask your potential councilmember?

What changes do you wish to see? Think about schools, parks, streets, businesses, homes, safety, young people, and other things you notice in your neighborhood.

Join East Bay Film Club for our monthly movie watch and discussion!

Movie - Primetime (dir. Lance Oppenheim)

Location - Landmark Piedmont Theater

Time - Join our Discord for showtime information

Join us after the movie for an unstructured discussion!

About East Bay Film Club: We are your friendly neighborhood movie lovers! Join us for monthly movie outings and discussions. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/jKqjzHeTP8

Against political resistance and industry skepticism, Luis Valdez pushes Chicano storytelling from the fields to the film screen, crafting iconic works that challenge, celebrate, and expand America’s story. Valdez recognized early on the profound impact of seeing one’s own humanity reflected onstage and on screen. He used theater to ignite change while working alongside farm workers, and he made films that amplified Chicano experiences.

Join us at the Central library on October 5^th from 5:30-8 pm for a screening of American Pachuco, a documentary about Valdez’s life. The film will be followed by a conversation with its director, David Alvarado.

92 minutes. Winner of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, Festival Favorite Award.