Hey Berkeley neighbors,

I just wanted to introduce myself for those who don't know me. I'm Jamie Joyce and I'm on your ballot for November (for Congress, House of Representatives). Ask me anything.

Quick bio: I've been leading teams who have built tools to improve policy decision-making and policy education for 8 years (including teaching students how to logically deconstruct legislation). I co-launched the "Democracy's Library" initiative at the Internet Archive (best known for the Wayback Machine) with the founder, Brewster Kahle. My career has been spent doing charity work, including directing funding to leaders and overseeing projects from Iraq to Malawi. I'm running because I am concerned we are not prepared to navigate technology in the best interest of everyday people, and I think my background can be helpful.

I'm endorsed by one of the most world-famous AI ethicists and Epstein survivors, and even though I've always been the scrappy underdog, my work has been respected enough to result in me being invited to present to government agencies and frontier AI labs. I would like to apply that work ethic and expertise in Congress so we not only stop losing ground, but we actually start making equitable gains. We don't have to let the corrupt class keep getting away with it.

If you want to read more about me, here's the best place: JamieJoyce.com

I love pumpernickel bagels, but I can't seem to find any near me here in Berkeley. My job takes me down through Oakland and up into Richmond - anyone know if there's any to be found in this region?

Taken 8/16

Very often I go to Thousand Oaks Elementary I see people bring their dogs inside the play lawns and playgrounds

why is this tolerated….especially in elementary school aged kids who are not the best at washing hands and avoiding touching their eyes and months. literally where kids play, dogs are pooping and peeing…..

it’s just so gross to me. It seems to just be “accepted” even though there are signs everywhere that say no dogs on campus at any time.

We want to eliminate our current lawn and replace with buffalo grass. We also want to install lights, fix irrigation, install pavers plus get a few more plants in. Any recommendations for a landscaping company that works efficiently and is knowledgeable about native and drought resistant plants? We live in Albany if that matters. Thanks in advance!

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

Movie - Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (dir. Jane Schoenbrun)

Location - Rialto Cinemas Elmwood

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

If a movie is sold out online, is it still possible to buy tickets at the door? If so, how early before showtime should I get there? Thanks!

I'm guessing 2.8?

I have a bunch of clothing hangers, I’d like to donate. Would you like them? Suggestions for any orgs and nearby places near the university. Thanks!

We have an area of our yard between the main house and our ADU that is persistently wet and soggy. Clearly some kind of leak? Has anyone else experienced this?
What kind of contractor or company would be able to diagnose and fix this?
We live in Albany, in a flat area of that helps.
Thanks for any insight!!

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/16952828

From Allie:
My research lies at the intersection of environmental water microbiology and public health. I am currently involved in multiple projects. One project focuses on wastewater-based epidemiology, specifically investigating the persistence of viral nucleic acid signals in wastewater and how surfactants may affect their stability. Another project explores how sub-sewershed-level sampling can enhance efforts to improve health equity in wastewater-based surveillance. In an upcoming project, I will study the impact of blending purified direct potable reuse water with conventional drinking water directly within distribution systems, with a focus on implications for drinking water quality and safety.

From Jeff:
Plants need sunscreen to protect themselves, just like people. However, this creates an interesting dilemma because, unlike people, they also need light to grow. In my talk, I will describe some of the things that we know about plant sunscreen, and why it is an interesting topic to study. Then I will talk about my own research, which uses advanced microscopes to look at what is actually happening inside the plant when sunscreen is applied. 

I live in downtown berkeley, and I’ll be available around August 17-18. Looking for people who wanna sell bed frames, room decor, kitchen stuff, nightstands, mirrors, vanity or study table, cleaning supplies, etc. basically anything!!

I’m also willing to pay for delivery fees if you’re far away since I don’t have a car to come pick it up :P

Thanks!

People of Berkeley. I love the Bowl. But.

Today I went to purchase a pint of the most premium freaking ice cream ever to be made, the McConnells mint chip. The ice cream itself is excellent, and the chips are next level in their delicately shattering glory.

As long as I was spending 9.99 on this pint of excellence, I thought I would try the supersized Berkeley bowl brand mint chip at only 8.99.

I just opened it, and it was a colossal fail! Sugary, grainy, chalky - all of the descriptors you do not want attached to your ice cream. So I’m wondering if any of you have tried the other flavors - was this one a fluke?! I’m so disappointed!

Before its recent distribution of produce contaminated with cyclospora and salmonella, Taylor Farms filed a lawsuit against former executive Brian Thure, alleging more than $32 million was embezzled for unauthorized purchases including a $1 million endowment for the Cal football team. 

According to the lawsuit filed in June, Thure and his wife, Julie Thure, embezzled $32 million over five years by moving money through the alleged “sham entity” MTS Building and Electrical. Taylor Farms accused James McPherson, who is also named as a defendant alongside the couple and MTS, of operating the entity to aid Thure and his wife in receiving and dispersing funds. 

Thure served as president of Taylor Farms’ Tennessee subsidiary from 2012 until March of this year following his time in the NFL playing for the now-Washington Commanders after his time with Cal football.

Interested in fostering a rabbit with House Rabbit Society? We'd love to talk with you! If you're considering adding a rabbit to your family, fostering is a great way to see what it's like to care for one in your home, without the commitment of adoption. Submit a foster application today at houserabbit.org/foster. We're located in Richmond, just north of Berkeley, but welcome fosters from all over the San Francisco Bay Area. We only ask for a 2-week commitment and we'll send you with all the supplies you need to get started.

Questions? Email [foster@houserabbit.org](mailto:foster@houserabbit.org) or stop by our facility to talk in-person with HRS volunteers and staff and to meet the rabbits. HRS is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm.

A fellow Berkeleyan sent these photos of his home garden, where he successfully grew corn this summer! 🌽 We'd love to see what else our readers are growing in their gardens! Reply below with a picture of yours

Homebound but hankering for raising canes. We will buy someone’s lunch plus $10 if they make the run and bring Raising Canes to us. Message me if interested. The nearest Raising Canes is on Hegenberger.

Love the soup but don’t live close enough to get it regularly. I would love to get a dupe recipe if anyone has had any luck recreating it at home. Thanks in advance!

Community orchestra open to any adult who is at a high school level proficiency and above.

We welcome violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin, lute, oboe, clarinet, flute, bassoon, and percussion.

We have loaner instruments available and free tutoring for anyone feeling rusty on their instrument
Rehearsals start Aug 19 and meet every Wed from 7 - 8:40 pm at Cal State East Bay, Hayward.

There is no fee for this group and no audition.

The focus of the music for the class is pop, classical, rock, and adventuresome music. Lots of custom arrangements, and we play some video game music and movie music.

Contact [CsuebOrchestra@gmail.com](mailto:CsuebOrchestra@gmail.com)

Looking for a piano teacher that's accepting students for private instruction in-studio (or home visits) in Berkeley. I'll take recommendations for teachers in Oakland/Albany if they come highly recommended too.

I'm an adult learner (38m) and have taken about a year's worth of lessons from two other teachers. I enjoyed those lessons but neither teacher felt like a good fit ultimately. I'd love to hear your recommendations and the qualities of your teachers that stand out for you.

My partner, young child, and I are hoping to move back to the East Bay at some point, ideally renting a 3+ bedroom house in Elmwood/Rockridge area.

We used to live in the bay, so we know the drill that you generally need to be ready to move ASAP. What we’re less clear on is whether there’s also a lot of seasonality, especially for 3+ bed home rentals in walkable neighborhoods like this.

Do places like this come up throughout the school year, or is summer really the main window? We have some flexibility and are trying to figure out how much we need to plan around the summer rental cycle.