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Alfred Twu
@alfredtwu.com
17K followers 2.6K following 6.4K posts
Berkeley Rent Board Commissioner (@alfredtwu.net), California Democratic Party AAPI Caucus & CA Dem Renters Council Board, East Bay architect & commercial artist. Reblue/follow/like does not equal endorsement.
art: http://alfredtwu.com
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Alfred Twu @alfredtwu.com · Nov 21
Thank you Berkeley for electing me to the Rent Stabilization Board and passing BB, the Tenant Protection & Right to Organize Act! Dominique & Xavier from the Right to Housing Slate were also elected.

@averyarbaugh.bsky.social- thank you for your work on our campaigns- we'll get you in next time! ❤️
Picture of Alfred wearing a straw hat, black floral dress with a large collar and bow, and pink blazer. Behind on the wall is a Chinese new year 福 (luck/fortune) decoration above two campaign signs. The top is a Vote Yes on BB for a Better Berkeley, Vote No on CC, Stop the Corporate Con sign. The sign also has a picture of a bee in front of a hexagon shaped house. Below it is a Dominique Walker, Xavier Johnson, Avery Arbaugh, Alfred Twu for Rent Board sign. There is trans flag in the background on the door in the back. Text off to the side says "Thank You Berkeley!" On the top left are the Measure BB results. 29,589 (56%) Yes, 22,245 (44%) No. On bottom right are the Rent Stabilization Board Commissioners - Berkeley results. It says Vote for no more than four (4). Vote counts: Xavier Johnson, 26,950, 19.51% Dominique Walker, 25,573, 18.51% Andy Kelley, 23,354, 16.91% Alfred Twu, 22,919, 16.59% Avery Arbaugh, 19,822, 14.33% Carole Marasovic, 19,543, 14.15%
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyca.gov
Heads up, Berkeley! With Thanksgiving, residents with regular Thursday collections should place their compost/recycling/trash carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.

Those with regular Friday pickups should place carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Reduce waste this Thanksgiving | City of Berkeley
Plan ahead to reduce trash that goes to the landfill. Thursday and Friday pickups on Nov. 27 and 28 will be pushed a day later. Plan ahead to not only reduce what goes from your Thanksgiving table to the landfill, but also, for those with Thursday or Friday pickups, to put out your carts a day later.Residents with regular Thursday collections should place their compost, recycling, and trash carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Friday, November 28. Those with regular Friday pickups should place carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29.
berkeleyca.gov
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
alfredtwu.com
This Friday and Saturday in San Francisco Chinatown - Arts and crafts fair, 11am-5pm, 667 & 800 Grant Ave.
www.cccsf.us/post/makers-...
Maker's Faire
Nov 28-29, 2025
www.cccsf.us
November 27, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
oaklandside.org
The East Bay Regional Park District is waiving fees and organizing group hikes.
East Bay regional parks are free on ‘Green Friday’ after Thanksgiving
The East Bay Regional Park District is waiving fees and organizing group hikes.
oaklandside.org
November 26, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
coyotemedia.org
What's going on in the Bay Area this week? Check out this snapshot of COYOTE's weekly calendar of hand-picked events to get you off the couch!

This week, we've got a boozy plant swap, anti-consumerist Black Friday markets, paper-making, and more. To see the full listings, check out coyotemedia.org!
THU: 11.27 Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Sunrise Gathering on Alcatraz Spend the morning giving thanks "for the survival of our Peoples, sacred places, cultures and ways of life, and to commemorate the 1969 Alcatraz Occupation that sparked the national and international Indigenous Peoples’ movement for justice, rights and truth in history." Alcatraz Island → 4:15am–7:15aM 〰️ $15.50 FRI: 11.28 F#ck Black Friday Market Fundraiser Place Community, Oakland → 12pM–4PM Wow yet another opportunity to yell about how much we hate Black Friday and capitalism, all for a good cause!? Indeed! Quartz is hosting an F×ck Black Friday market to shop small local queer businesses in collaboration with StopCopCityBayArea. Plantsgiving SAT: 11.29 Fire Ecology: From Ashes to Life Black Diamond Mines, Pittsburg → 9:30am–12pm Shall we celebrate the end of fire season (hopefully) together? How about a guided walk through the burnt hills of Black Diamond Mines? Learn how "native plants and animals have adapted to fire, how changing fire seasons are affecting our open spaces, and how wildfire behavior can be modified through fuels management." Propagation, SF → 6pm–11pm Sip on cocktails and win plants (someone hold me back!!!) at a plant themed–bar's annual Plantsgiving. "Come thirsty, come lucky, and leave with a leafy friend guaranteed to outlast your holiday leftovers. 🌱✨" SUN: 11.30 Paste Paper Making Imagine getting a gift and learning that the person not only selected the perfect thing, but made the wrapping paper too? Well you could be that gift giver this season. Learn how to create decorative paste papers with instructor Alexandra Sarette. Rock Paper Scissors Collective, Oakland → 1pm–4pm 〰️ $33.85 MON: 12.01 Día de las Velitas: a Colombian Christmas Brunch Celebration In Colombia, Día de las Velitas marks the beginning of the Christmas season, and families gather to light candles, share food, and celebrate community. And now you can join in no matter how Colombian you might be (or not) — plus, a mini market with additional vendors. Open Test Kitchen, Oakland → 10AM–3pm TUES: 12.02 COYOTE x BFF.fm Holiday Party Come hang out with COYOTE in San Francisco!! We're teaming up with BFF.fm, SF's coolest nonprofit community radio station, to have a little holiday shindig. Live DJ set from DJ NoBe all evening, and a whole lot of baddies to talk to about how we can all build a better media ecosystem in the Bay Area. Casements Bar, SF → 5pm–8PM WED: 12.03 Love Rebels author talk with Kitty Stryker Hear author Kitty Stryker talk about her experiences as a community organizer and street medic, and her new book Love Rebels: How I Learned to Burn It Down Without Burning Out — part memoir, part how–to guide to sustainable activism. Berkeley Public Library, North Branch → 6:30pm
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
calelectricrail.org
Victory! SBCTA is cancelling the ONT Tesla Tunnel project - which would have duplicated BRT with an tunnel for cars - after construction costs escalated to $1-2 B. Time to pivot to electrification and 15 minute service on the San Bernardino line, planning for future multi-use heavy rail to ONT.
ONT Connector Project – Cancel Procurement and Close the Project That the Board, acting as the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority: Cancel the Request for Proposals to shortlist a Design-Build team for the Ontario Connector Project (Project), deallocate unexpended funds previously programmed or planned for the Project, and close out the Project. Presenter: Victor Lopez This item has not received prior policy committee or technical advisory committee review. This item is being presented directly to Board to expedite decision on next steps for the project. SBCTA General Counsel and Procurement Manager have reviewed this item. Item 24, page 599
November 26, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
alfredtwu.net
Find out if there's lead in your building and get it removed with these free services available to owners of buildings built before 1978 in Berkeley and nearby cities at www.achhd.org/programs/pro...
Property Owner Services - Lead Poisoning Prevention Program - Community Development Agency (CDA) - Alameda County
www.achhd.org
November 22, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
alfredtwu.net
This Saturday, Nov 29 is a Cal football game day. See link for details on road closures, bus detours, and parking restrictions. berkeleyca.gov/community-re...
For Cal football game-goers, weigh alternate transportation
Plan ahead: consider walking, biking, or taking public transit to avoid $225 parking fines or towing fees. Home game days in 2025 are September 6, 13; October 4, 17; and November 1, 29. Fans and visit...
berkeleyca.gov
November 26, 2025 at 4:21 PM
alfredtwu.com
Our neighbors to our north are building more homes at one of their BART stations! Looking forward to North Berkeley BART housing breaking ground soon as well.
rebeccaforec.bsky.social Rebecca Saltzman @rebeccaforec.bsky.social · 1d
I’ve never been so excited to see fencing!

Construction is beginning on El Cerrito Plaza BART TOD, replacing parking with 743 homes and hopefully a new library.

The first building will be 100% affordable with 70 homes.

I’ve been working on this project for nearly a decade and couldn’t be happier.
Fenced parking lot at El Cerrito Plaza BART. Fall trees, sun setting. Crosswalk and Ohlone Greenway.
November 26, 2025 at 7:25 AM
alfredtwu.com
Bay Area - spare the air and leave the fireplaces off, help keep the air healthy for everyone!
alfredtwu.net Rent Board Commissioner Alfred Twu @alfredtwu.net · 1d
Spare the Air Day is in effect in the Bay Area this Wednesday 11/26 and Thursday 11/27. Burning wood, including in fireplaces, is prohibited. Help keep our air clean and healthy!
www.sparetheair.org
Wood Burning Prohibited
<p>Wood burning is illegal indoors and outdoors.</p>
www.sparetheair.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:38 AM
alfredtwu.com
A piece of Bay Area queer Asian Pacific Islander history is now available online - San Francisco's GLBT Historical Society has digitized 1988-2004 issues of the Lavender Godzilla newsletter
glbt.i8.dgicloud.com/lavendergodz...
glbt.i8.dgicloud.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
ruemcclammyhand.bsky.social
still seeing a lot of that extremely typical thing where, during this administration, people fixate on the pockets of conservatives among asian americans without referencing any real data so it feels important to keep pointing out how wildly unpopular trump’s policies are among us
harborinstituteoc instagram Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling jobs? Approve Chinese 22% Filipino 41% Indian 16% Korean 18% NHPI 46% Vietnamese 17% Other 33% All AAPI 26% Disapprove Chinese 78% Filipino 59% Indian 82% Korean 82% NHPI 50% Vietnamese 83% Other 65% All AAPI 73% Source: AAPI Data / AP-NORC September-October 2025 Survey harborinstituteoc instagram Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians? approve chinese 25% filipino 41% indian 17% korean 18% NHPI 34% vietnamese 19% other 19% all AAPI 25% disapprove chinese 75% filipino 59% indian 83% korean 82% NHPI 60% vietnamese 81% other 81% all AAPI 75% harborinstituteoc instagram Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling immigration? approve chinese 29% filipino 46% indian 26% korean 27% NHPI 42% vietnamese 19% other 18% all AAPI 29% disapprove chinese 70% filipino 54% indian 74% korean 73% NHPI 53% vietnamese 81% other 82% all AAPI 71% harborinstituteoc: A firm majority of Asian Americans, including those who are Vietnamese, say that Trump has overstepped on immigration, jobs, Palestine, and other key issues for these communities. Advancing immigrant and economic justice isn't just morally right — it's also the popular thing to do, across racial and ethnic lines. Check out the rest of the AAPI Data / AP-NORC survey results on the @aapidata website!
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 PM
alfredtwu.com
Book 1 was excellent and looking forward to Book 2! There's also a fair amount of city planning related bits in the story! 🏙️
magicariot.com Kara Buchanan 🏳️‍⚧️ @magicariot.com · 2d
If you’re looking for books to read over the holidays, or anytime, now’s a good time to get into my queer Portland magical girl novels!

I’m building a whole new original magical girl series here, centered on a trans protagonist. A lot of folks enjoy it, and you might, too!

magicariot.com/buy
A photo of a hand holding paperbacks of "Magica Riot" and "Magica Riot: Full Bloom" on a Portland street corner. "Magica Riot" is primarily purple and features protagonist Claire in her purple and black magical girl costume, while "Full Bloom" is primarily orange and features the characters Iris and Bloom laying on a bed of orange rain lilies.
November 26, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyca.gov

Reduce lithium-ion battery fire risk for electric skateboards 🛹, scooters 🛴, and bikes 🚲

🔋⚡Know how to safely care for, replace, and re-charge lithium batteries, which are common in household devices.

🔗 Community Message: berkeleyca.gov/commu...
1/7
Reduce lithium-ion battery fire risk for electric skateboards, scooters, and bikes | City of Berkeley
Prevent lithium battery fires: use certified parts, do not leave batteries charging unattended, and watch for signs of damage or overheating. Call 9-1-1 if fire starts. Know how to safely care for, replace, and re-charge lithium batteries, which are common in household devices.Berkeley has had eighteen fires linked to lithium-ion batteries involving e-skateboards, e-scooters, and e-bikes since 2023. Although incidents are down in the city, these dangerous fires continue to happen around the region and nation. Simple tips can help keep you and your household safe:
berkeleyca.gov
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyside.org
Felicia Mello, a Berkeley High and Cal grad, will cover UC Berkeley and other East Bay colleges now under threat.
Why Berkeleyside is launching its first-ever higher education beat
Felicia Mello, a Berkeley High and Cal grad, will cover UC Berkeley and other East Bay colleges now under threat.
www.berkeleyside.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyca.gov
New, City Council-approved "Middle Housing" zoning changes encourage construction of new housing units in large swaths of Berkeley.

These new types of units can range from duplexes to small-scale, multi-family apartments.

Learn more about Middle Housing:
New zoning changes allow faster, cheaper process to build homes | City of Berkeley
Starting November 1, “Middle Housing” zoning changes encourage building more housing units in Berkeley. Berkeley homeowners seeking to build a new backyard unit or bedroom can now apply for permits that cost less, have clearer standards, and can get reviewed faster.Applicants also have a faster process with more certain outcomes to build small apartments in areas previously limited to single-family dwellings by following a checklist of set guidelines.
berkeleyca.gov
November 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyca.gov
Friendly reminder: City offices will be closed, Thursday, Nov. 27 and 28. Regular hours resume Monday, December 1.
City Holidays | City of Berkeley
City offices and facilities are closed on holidays. On reduced service days, certain non-essential services are closed as a cost-savings measure. Please call before visiting. DateReasonFriday, November 7, 2025Reduced Service DayTuesday, November 11, 2025Veterans DayThursday, November 27, 2025Thanksgiving DayFriday, November 28, 2025Thanksgiving HolidayFriday, December 12, 2025Reduced Service DayMonday, December 22-24, 2025Reduced Service DayThursday,
berkeleyca.gov
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
alfredtwu.com
Unless the robot car industry starts self regulating, the ever-increasing number of robo-traffic jams is going to unify both sides of the war on cars in one of the weirdest political coalitions 🙃
aniccia.bsky.social John Berry @aniccia.bsky.social · 3d
Waymo privatized another public street:

Chanel approaching 4th, San Francisco

Possibly queued for a Billie Eilish show at Chase Center ~half mile away.

The light rail train on 4th seen passing in front of this roboherd has more passenger capacity than all of them combined.

OP: .tiktok.renaspam18
November 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM
alfredtwu.com
You don't need a public hearing to put up a bounce house in a Berkeley park, but you will need a reservation - learn more at berkeleyca.gov/community-re...
berkeleyca.gov City of Berkeley @berkeleyca.gov · 3d
Berkeley secret: if you want a chill birthday spot or a low-key hangout, reserve a picnic area or court before everyone else claims it. It’s the grown-up version of calling “dibs,” but official.
Host your event at a Berkeley park or facility | City of Berkeley
From birthdays to weddings, block parties to sports teams—reserve Berkeley parks, courts, and facilities for your next event. Throw a birthday party at James Kenney Park’s pickleball courts. Host a neighborhood potluck with a bounce house at San Pablo Park. Say your vows in the Rose Garden.By working with City staff, you can book various City facilities or temporarily use a variety of public spaces for your events – both big and small.Reserve courts, picnic areas, or sports fields. Close down streets for a party. Rent a community center – or even our camps in the Sierras. Use a City venue for your family reunion, wedding, meeting, or youth sports camp.
berkeleyca.gov
November 24, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyrentboard.bsky.social
Berkeley Rent Board will be closed on Thursday, November 27 through Friday, November 28 in observance of Thanksgiving Holiday. Please plan ahead for service needs before the holiday.
November 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM
alfredtwu.com
Be prepared, know what to do if you hear the Berkeley warning siren
berkeleyca.gov City of Berkeley @berkeleyca.gov · 6d
The City’s outdoor warning system can mean many things:
🔥 wildfire evacuation
🌊 tsunami advisory
☢️ shelter-in-place alert

If you hear it, go online or open the app for clear instructions. Read more 👇
berkeleyca.gov/commu... #BerkeleyReady
City siren will signal an emergency, need to seek information | City of Berkeley
When you hear the outdoor warning system, check the City's online emergency map and AC Alert for more information. If you hear the City of Berkeley’s outdoor warning system—a wailing siren tone followed by a voice message—check the City’s emergency map and alerting systems to find out if you need to evacuate or shelter in place.Once you hear the siren and voice message, take emergency protective action, which would be detailed in our text, email, and online emergency notifications.
berkeleyca.gov
November 23, 2025 at 5:38 PM
alfredtwu.com
Art of the Day - "Then and Now"
Cartoon titled "Then and Now" with two vertical panels. The panels are of two people in a living room, and are a mirror image of each other, with one person on a couch, one on a chair. There is a rugh and a table with a bowl between them. In the back of the room are a TV set on a cabinet, a flowerpot, and a refrigerator. There is a pendant light fixture above. In the front is a dog dish and slippers. The panel on the left is illustrated in groovy 1960s style, with pink ceiling, orange accent wall, and a yellow and green supergraphic on the side wall. A round pendant light hangs from the ceiling with a red-yellow lampshade. The people are wearing brightly colored clothing - one is wearing a yellow dress with orange print and purple tights, the other is wearing a red-brown jacket and green pants. The cup and bowl are electric blue. There is a yellow purse with multicolored diamond pattern on it. The flowerpot in the back is bright yellow and has a plant with lots of leaves and red flowers. The TV is a black and white TV, with a wood case and rabbit ears. The cabinet has wood sides, and the front doors have rounded rectangles painted on in red and yellow. The coffee table is a round hyperbola shape and has a red top. The rug is green with big yellow and orange circles. The couch is red and the chair is a round yellow chair with red inside. The carpet is orange brown, and the dog dish is yellow. The fridge in the back is teal. In the right side panel, everything is gray except the TV which is a color TV. The light pendant above is a round canister downlight. The plant in the flowerpot is thin with small white flowers. The table is square with a white top that matches the white rug below. One person is wearing a black dress and black tights, and a black watch. The other is wearing a black jacket and white pants and gray socks. The couches are light gray, and so is the floor.
November 23, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
ripnewellstreetery.bsky.social
I think a lot about how transportation policy in the 70s was slowly bending towards a multimodal future after freeway revolts and the environmental movement (and how all that progress evaporated with the Reagan admin)
dereksagehorn.bsky.social dereksagehorn.bsky.social @dereksagehorn.bsky.social · 5d
Reading California’s Urban Strategy for California from Spring 1978 (Jerry Brown 1.0 administration).

Struck by this section on transportation funding:

h/t @cafedujord.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 10:51 PM
alfredtwu.com
Want to help make Berkeley nightlife better? Apply to be on the city's new Nightlife Council! tinyurl.com/COBapplyNight
Starting January 2026 - City of Berkeley Nightlife Council - Seeking community members. Fore more details please visit tinyurl.com/COBapplyNight Apply by December 5! All applicants considered. Pink and purple background with text looking like neon lights in front of a brick wall
November 22, 2025 at 9:06 PM
alfredtwu.com
North Bay transit funding measure for improving SMART train service has submitted signatures! 🚃🚃
infrastructureweak.bsky.social Infrastructure Weak @infrastructureweak.bsky.social · 5d
The SMART Initiative team turned in 71,851 signatures from Marin and Sonoma counties to get a sales tax renewal measure onto next year's ballot!

More info at thesmartinitiative.org
Photo (via SMART Initiative campaign update email) of two people kneeling next to five full banker's boxes labeled "SMART SONOMA," which are sitting on the carpeted floor of a government office. The SMART Initiative campaign update email this photo is from captions it "Suzanne and Denny at the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters." Photo of two people standing next to three full banker's boxes labeled "SMART MARIN," which are sitting on a wood office table that has wheels. They're in a different office, with shiny red floor and a map of California State Senate districts on the wall. The SMART Initiative campaign update email this photo is from captions this "Denny and Joanne at the Marin County Registrar of Voters."
November 22, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
rebeccaforec.bsky.social
The first time I visited Berkeley, the Telegraph Fair was happening.

I loved it & thought Telegraph was car free and filled with street vendors all the time.

I was disappointed when I found out it wasn’t permanent.

So glad the festival will continue & look forward to a future car free Telegraph.
alfredtwu.com Alfred Twu @alfredtwu.com · 5d
Big news for #Berkeley: Councilmember @cecilialunaparra.bsky.social and @mayoradenaishii.bsky.social have successfully worked with the Fire Department and other city staff to keep the Telegraph Ave street fair on Telegraph!

Come visit in December!
www.telegraphfair.com
Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair
DECEMBER 6th-7th, 13th-14th, 20th-21st 11AM-6PM
www.telegraphfair.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:08 AM