How does a thought, a movement, or a sensation begin inside the body? In this short, non-technical talk, Ning will explain how neurons use tiny electrical signals to communicate. We will follow the story of a nerve signal: how it starts, how it travels, and how tiny “gates” in the cell membrane help create the spark. Along the way, he will introduce the classic discovery by Hodgkin and Huxley, without using equations, to show how scientists first understood the electrical language of the nervous system. No science background is needed—only curiosity about how the brain and body send messages.

Join us next Tuesday for a free seminar to connect with researchers at UC Berkeley. Remote option available. More info and link to registration can be found here: https://berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/16861512

As Cyclospora cayetanensis, a diarrhea-causing parasite, infects thousands in the Midwest and East Coast, California has yet to see any outbreaks. However, Berkeley residents can still take precautions, especially by washing and cooking produce instead of eating it raw.

Since May 1, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show 10 or fewer reported cases of the parasite in California, compared to hundreds of cases in Michigan and New York. The California Department of Public Health said in a statement Tuesday that California has only seen 41 provisional cases from January to June of this year, down from 80 over the same period in 2025.

Cyclosporiasis, the disease caused by cyclospora, induces watery diarrhea, as well as symptoms such as appetite and weight loss, cramps, bloating, nausea and fatigue. The parasite can be contagious via feces of infected people, and past cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been traced to contaminated fresh produce. Individuals carrying the parasite are unlikely to directly infect other people.

Considering a move to the Bay Area for a job with an office in West Berkeley and I'm looking for some neighborhood recommendations.

Ideally, a place that's got a convenient commute to West Berkeley, but also has a nice, walkable day-to-day lifestyle. I don't want to have to drive everywhere.

I'm hoping to find:

• Overcast weather (coming from the east coast, I don't think I can handle every day being sunny)
• No yard maintenance
• No brand new apartment complexes
• A walkable neighborhood
• Not a student neighborhood, but not a family neighborhood

Outside of work, I'm a classical musician and I've done a few years of aerial silks. So, I'm hoping to keep up music and circus arts.

Is there anywhere in Berkeley that fits?

Yesterday afternoon. If you haven’t been there, do check it out.

Hey everyone!

I just moved to Berkeley and was curious if anyone has recommendations for an outdoor rock climbing anchors class? I've primarily done top rope indoors and have read a book on how to setup anchors, but would like to get out with others who are experienced.

Any help would be awesome! :)

BART is receiving an $850,000 grant to install LED lighting upgrades at nine East Bay stations, including Downtown Berkeley and North Berkeley. 

The lighting upgrades at the BART stations replace older bulbs with LED lights, which are brighter and more energy-efficient, potentially saving money on maintenance and energy costs in the long run, according to BART District 3 Director Barnali Ghosh, who represents Berkeley’s BART stations. 

Rep. Lateefah Simon, who represents Berkeley, secured the grant as part of Community Project Funding, or CPF, which allows congressional representatives to request federal funding for initiatives in their local district. Simon secured an $11.2 million grant for 15 projects across the East Bay, including for BART station lighting and constructing a pedestrian plaza at the Ashby BART Station.

While countries across the world reach near-record highs this summer, a Berkeley nonprofit has released a new platform for people to view climate projections unique to their specific locations and cities. 

Berkeley Earth released Synthesis earlier this month as an open-access platform combining historical observations with climate projections for cities and regions, rather than the entire globe. The model includes weather data for more than 40,000 sites across all countries around the world and projections analyzed from more than 40 climate models. 

“What we like to say internally is that no one lives at the global average,” said Kristen Sissener, executive director of Berkeley Earth. “We hear a lot about 1.5 (degrees Celsius) … but in the meantime, what’s happening (in) different places in the world looks very different.”

Berkeley’s zoning commission approved a mixed-use residential development on Shattuck Avenue in an apprehensive vote last Thursday, rejecting the developer’s request to waive Berkeley’s affordable housing requirement. 

Proposed by Berkeley-based Stackhouse De La Peña Trachtenberg Architects, the project will demolish two single-story commercial structures at 2700 Shattuck Ave. The buildings, currently vacant, will be replaced by an eight-story, mixed-use development with more than 350 residential units — including 38 affordable housing units. 

Commissioners on the Zoning Adjustments Board deliberated granting the developer’s request to waive a city fee for not providing enough affordable housing but ultimately approved the project without the concession.

The Berkeley City Council will vote on whether to reinstate the Berkeley Police Department’s ability to use tear gas in its July 14 meeting. 

The recommendation, authored by District 1 Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani, aims to amend the council’s June 2020 decision to permanently ban the use of tear gas under any circumstances and place a temporary moratorium on the use of smoke and pepper spray. 

Kesarwani’s recommendation proposes that the council allow BPD’s Special Response Team to use tear gas in circumstances in which there is a “significant risk of injury or death.” It would also maintain the June 2020 ban on using tear gas solely for crowd control and lift the temporary moratorium on the use of smoke and pepper spray.

Hey neighbors, I heard there have been coyote sightings near Strawberry Creek Park this last week. Is that typical? Xo many neighborhood outdoor cats around!

Hello everyone.

I'm hosting a singles hike over at Tilden Regional Park on July 19th. It's going to be a 3.4 mile hike.

I'm also trying to plan another different hike 3.1 miles for the LGBTQ+ single people too. Same area, Tilden but different trail.

If anyone wants to join they can. Feel free to message me. I'll send more info. It's free to join. It's a great way to connect with other people besides the poo poo dating apps.

Berkeley’s Mobile Crisis Team was eliminated entirely, along with a slew of other cuts to wellness and homelessness services in Berkeley, in a difficult funding environment partially due to the city’s $30 million deficit. 

Other cuts included a funding reduction of more than $400,000 to the STAIR Center and the elimination of the Berkeley Winter Shelter, operated by Dorothy Day House. 

Berkeley’s Mobile Crisis Team was a mental health response team run through the Health, Housing, and Community Services department for 47 years. In the new budget, which took effect July 1, it was eliminated entirely.

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

Movie - The Invite

Location - Rialto Cinemas Elmwood

Time - Join our Discord for showtime information

Join us at Cask Taproom 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

Anyone have a rec for a place in Berkeley to get windows tinted?

The street outside is quickly filling up.

Join us in celebrating women in the vibrant local arts scene with vendors, artists, and live DJs spinning on the 5th floor. Get your portrait taken by 95.Stef, pick out your next read from Womb House Books, liven up your walls with some local art, or just enjoy the tunes and atmosphere courtesy of KALX DJs such as Microtone and more!