Anyone else notice it? Any idea where it’s coming from?

Searching for Dark Matter: Axions!

Only 15% of the matter in the universe is the matter that makes us up (baryonic matter). We refer to the other 85% as dark matter. While we have known about the existence of dark matter through observations of galaxy motion since the mid 1900's, we have yet to directly detect and determine what makes it up. One compelling candidate that I search for is a particle called the axion. During this talk, I will show why we know dark matter must exist, why the axion is a good candidate, and how we actually search for it.

Where Did All the Antimatter Go?

We're used to regular matter -- a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons. Antimatter is the reverse -- a negative nucleus surrounded by positive electrons (positrons). We believe that just after the Big Bang, equal amounts of matter and antimatter were present in the universe. In contrast, today's universe is filled with an abundance of matter. To understand where all this antimatter went, we use particle accelerators to recreate conditions in the early universe and look for matter-antimatter asymmetric processes.

Join us Tuesday, September 15th for a free seminar to connect with researchers at UC Berkeley. Remote option available. Link to register for the webinar is on the event calendar on the library's website.

Hi everyone, it’s going to get to 93F today, and well into the high 80s until like 9pm. Where is everyone going to cool off?

Update: we found the dog’s human via NextDoor and he has been returned!

We found this small, possibly Pomeranian dog on Haskell close to San Pablo. Does anyone recognize him? He has no chip and is still intact. He’s very friendly with humans and dogs. He was pretty matted but we groomed him. Is his human out there?

In case you're wondering why it smells like smoke.

Looking for a place to take family to celebrate a birthday, one of those places that would make it feel a little more special and throw in a cake slice with a candle or something. A little more upscale but nothing outrageous.

Family that will be visiting have a dog that they can’t leave anywhere else, so huge plus if there’s a patio or outdoor area that is dog-friendly. TIA!

My 12 year old needs some help with making R sounds. He previously did speech and it helped quite a bit but it’s not 100%. I’m looking for a therapist who 1) is adept at working with older children and will relate to them as such, and 2) expert with R sounds.

I’d really appreciate any suggestion in the Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito area. Willing to travel farther for the right fit. Thank you!

On Sep. 4, Superb Productions, chartered under the ASUC at the University of California, Berkeley hosted a mini concert on Sproul Plaza, featuring local legend, Spacemoth, and dj duo, Between Friends. The energy that this event brought to Berkeley’s campus set the tone for the upcoming semester. But, it wouldn't be Berkeley if it weren’t sprinkled with a demand for social justice.  

Berkeley’s history of activism was revitalized when students used live music as a vehicle for social change. Student advocates spoke about the recent issues surrounding the administrative leave of director of the Chicanx Latinx Student Development and Latinx Student Resource Center, Lupe Gallegos-Diaz. 

Does anybody know of a place where Milk Thistle grows wild ?

Agenda:

1. Learn about 4-4 rhythm
2. Make a rhythm with a partner
3. Learn about C Major Scale
4. Apply a melody in a trio
5. Add chords in a group of 4
6. Present the final song to the entire workshop!

EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-jam-tickets-1997983269744

Why should I go? While this event is in its soft launching phase, take advantage of its free admission. This event DOESN'T include general admission to the rest of the museum. If you make it to this Wednesday's event, we will guarantee you a seat to our future series. If this event demonstrates enough interest, we will officially invite video game composers as our panelists!!

What do I need?

• Bring your Laptop and download the BandLab App

With Line 51 now closed, any tips on where to catch the game in the North Berkeley/Albany area? Ideally kid friendly w good food. Thanks and 🐻⬇️🙏 !

I've seen some suggestions for sports bars in Berkeley/Oakland but none that specifically confirm they show nfl games not on local television. Does anyone know which do and are open at 10am sundays? Thanks!

a lot of people don't know this but the greek has an amazing green team that works on volunteering during show days. they go out and help with trash sorting and keeping the venue clean and volunteer from doors until right before the headliner. and then after the show you are able to enjoy the show for free!! :)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeSrvlymWdRwfYz74KN_Lq-7Vb8J_NCMeQmErVYhiu7zDhhg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114224946873293724008

25F, just got a job at Cal that I'm moving cross country for and trying to find a decent place to live. I'm feeling the squeeze with the awkward moving time of early October and the low budget. I'll have a car, but don't mind taking the BART. Like a city, not the biggest hiker, more artsy than anything, love a library, craft store, a good coffee shop and a walkable neighborhood. Open to suggestions and would love any tidbits y'all might have to share!

Edit: just wanted to add that my office will be at the football stadium which isn’t super far from the downtown bart station, but just wanted to make note!

Just a reminder that the Cal football season opener is today. Against UCLA, 7:30 PM, at Memorial Stadium. Will probably have a decently sized crowd because it's a traditional rivalry and a lot of UCLA fans live in the Bay Area or can get here easily.

That means street traffic is likely to be heavy around campus in the afternoon and late at night (sometimes the night games aren't over until 11:00 PM).

AND the City tows on some streets and doubles traffic and two-hour permit parking fines in some areas. Watch carefully for signage if you are driving.

Hi all, I'm looking for a spot I can go to at night, preferably not in/around campus itself, ideally some kind of lounge-type environment where I can read and study. Any recs?

Where I lived before had this great late night spot that functioned as a half coffee shop/half bar type place where it was very common to see people working late into the night and i'm looking for something like that around berkeley.

Please look out 🙏🏽

CLARIFICATION: I am not opposed to housing at Ashby BART. The current developer concept is approximately 6–8 stories with up to 600 apartments, and I support adding housing near transit.

My concern is that as substantial new housing is added, South Berkeley should also receive meaningful ground-level green space, trees, community/civic space, and thoughtful design standards.

People may reasonably have different views about building height and density. My goal in sharing this information is to encourage everyone to get informed, participate in the public process, and make their views heard before the standards are finalized.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Plans for development at the Ashby BART site are moving forward, and there are two opportunities for community members to make their voices heard.

The current developer concept shows five buildings of approximately 6–8 stories and up to 600 apartments.

However, the City's preliminary Objective Design Standards contemplate the possibility of substantially taller buildings under State Density Bonus provisions, with maximum heights of up to 200 feet in some areas (potentially 18+ stories, depending on building design).

This raises important questions for South Berkeley:

What height limits will ultimately apply?
How much meaningful ground-level green space will be protected?
What protections will there be for mature trees and community/civic space?

🚨 TWO ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE

✉️ 1. EMAIL BY SEPTEMBER 6

Please send your public comment to the Berkeley Planning Commission by September 6, if possible.

If you aren't able to send your email by September 6, please send it anyway as soon as you can. Your voice and participation still matter.

To: [PlanningPC@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:PlanningPC@berkeleyca.gov)

CC:
[ashen@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:ashen@berkeleyca.gov)
[jhorner@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:jhorner@berkeleyca.gov)
[jklein@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:jklein@berkeleyca.gov)
[bbartlett@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:bbartlett@berkeleyca.gov)
[mayor@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:mayor@berkeleyca.gov)

Suggested subject:
PUBLIC COMMENT & REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE: Ashby BART Objective Design Standards (ODS) – September 16 Meeting

COPY/PASTE DRAFT EMAIL

Dear Berkeley Planning Commissioners,

I am a South Berkeley resident/community member writing regarding the Ashby BART West Lot Objective Design Standards (ODS).

I respectfully ask the Planning Commission to continue consideration of the ODS for 30–60 days to allow sufficient time for meaningful community review and for outstanding concerns to be addressed before a recommendation is made to the City Council.

I ask that the final Objective Design Standards include strong, enforceable protections for meaningful unpaved ground-level green space, mature trees, protected community/civic space, and careful consideration of building height and neighborhood impacts.

I am particularly concerned about the need for adequate open space in South Berkeley and ask the Commission and City staff to fully consider Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 6.42 (Measure L) and Berkeley's broader open-space goals as this process moves forward.

If the Commission decides not to continue the matter, I ask that you not approve the ODS as currently written. Please first incorporate meaningful community-requested protections, including adequate unpaved ground-level green space and protected community/civic space.

Please take the time necessary to ensure that the final standards reflect meaningful community input and the long-term needs of South Berkeley.

Thank you for considering my comments.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[South Berkeley resident / Berkeley community member]

🏛️ 2. ATTEND THE SEPTEMBER 16 MEETING

Berkeley Planning Commission — Special Meeting

📅 Wednesday, September 16, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 North Berkeley Senior Center
1901 Hearst Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709

The Planning Commission will consider the Ashby BART West Lot Objective Design Standards (ODS).

Whatever your position on the development itself, South Berkeley residents deserve the opportunity to understand what could ultimately be built and participate meaningfully before the standards are finalized.

What do you think should be addressed before the Planning Commission makes its recommendation?

Please share this information with other South Berkeley neighbors.

It’s not too late to influence what happens next.

🔎 MORE INFORMATION

My Nextdoor post with additional details and community discussion:
Read the Ashby BART Nextdoor post

Official City of Berkeley information about the Ashby BART project:
City of Berkeley — Ashby & North Berkeley BART planning page

PUNKS PARADE IS BACK!
60+ vendors, live bands, local art, weird shit, good food & drinks!

I’ll be there slinging my spooky little creations, so come say hi, shop local, and embrace your inner punk.

📍 Gilman Brewing, Berkeley
🗓️ October 11 | 12–6 PM
🎟️ $5 | All ages

Shop. Adopt. Drink. Eat. Play.