Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: A Prescribed Burn Is Taking Place At Angel Island This Week. Here's What To Know

And on the Berkeley Patch calendar - Walnut Creek Oktoberfest: Prost to a Weekend of Brews, Brats & Bavarian Fun! 🥨🍻

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Wednesday September 23rd Patch AM
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Coffee in hand, Berkeley? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Berkeley warned about Angel Island burn smoke drifting across the Bay
  • What Berkeley's new library director plans to change for staff and patrons
  • Berkeley's oldest brewpub is closing—see what's planned before last call

Also on today's calendar: Walnut Creek Oktoberfest: Prost to a Weekend of Brews, Brats & Bavarian Fun! 🥨🍻 and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: Is there anybody completely useless? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 76 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 77, low: 59.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 73 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. A Prescribed Burn Is Taking Place At Angel Island This Week. Here's What To Know (patch.com) — Berkeley residents may notice smoke and a strong odor as state and local fire crews complete a 260-acre prescribed burn on Angel Island this week, with activity visible across the Bay. Berkeley police are asking people not to call 911 about distant smoke from the island, but to report any flames or smoke columns in their own neighborhoods. Officials say the controlled burn reduces wildfire risk while working with air quality regulators to limit health impacts.
   

2. Berkeley's new library leader pledges to listen to staff at delicate moment (berkeleyside.org) — Berkeley's new library services director, Rebecca Alcalá-Veraflor, is stepping into a system with about 150 staff and a recent history of labor-management tension, pledging to listen closely to workers. Drawing on her Bay Area roots and leadership experience in San Francisco, she plans listening sessions and collaborative problem-solving to rebuild morale and keep Berkeley's libraries focused on equity and community service.
   

3. Triple Rock Brewery, the Oldest Brewpub in America, Set to Close (washingtonbeerblog.com) — Berkeley's Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse, widely considered the nation's oldest continuously operating brewpub, will close by the end of 2026 after more than 40 years downtown. Founders John and Reid Martin say they're retiring, but plan to keep Triple Rock open through Cal's fall semester with reunion‑style celebrations, Monkey Head Nights, and throwback events featuring 1980s pricing and archived beers.
   

4. Zoning in on fire safety: Berkeley's strict new EMBER rules target wildfire risks near homes (piedmontexedra.com) — Berkeley homeowners in the hills now face strict "Zone 0" rules requiring them to clear combustible vegetation within 5 feet of homes, decks, and stairs as part of the city's EMBER wildfire-safety initiative. Inspectors are actively checking properties in areas like Grizzly Peak and Panoramic Hill, while the city offers pickups, rebates, and financial assistance to help residents comply and prepare for potential evacuations.
   

5. Man scales locked gate in chilling video after allegedly chasing college student home; then walks free: police (foxnews.com) — A UC Berkeley student was allegedly chased by a homeless man into her secured Walnut Street apartment building, where surveillance video captured him scaling the locked gate. Berkeley police later identified but did not arrest him, citing limits on warrantless misdemeanor arrests, and the case is now under review by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
   

📸 Around Berkeley

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Berkeley, I love you and want to see more of this!
    Stumbled onto this while out walking Sunday afternoon. (Nextdoor North Berkeley)
  • Looking to adopt a dog and/or cat: small/medium, adult/senior, female, neutered, vaccinated and house trained.
    After the death of Stella (Border Collie) last year and recent demise of 15 yo (cat) Stan, my sister and her wife would love to start anew. Perusing… (Nextdoor North Shattuck)
  • Mechanics & Body Shops Marketplace posted a job opening for Automotive Service Advisor/Writer Exceptional Benefits & Retirement Plan in Berkeley. Apply here.
  • Boot Barn posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate (Seasonal) in Emeryville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Berkeley here.

Ok Berkeley! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: No because they can always be used as a bad example! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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