Alfred Twu
@alfredtwu.com
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
art: http://alfredtwu.com
New research confirms what many of us see: there's a large internal migration of LGBTQ people in the US, especially trans people, to friendlier states & cities.
Since 11/2024, 9% of all trans people have moved to another state, 43% have considered moving.
www.mapresearch.org/2025-norc-su...
Since 11/2024, 9% of all trans people have moved to another state, 43% have considered moving.
www.mapresearch.org/2025-norc-su...
January 10, 2026 at 7:17 PM
New research confirms what many of us see: there's a large internal migration of LGBTQ people in the US, especially trans people, to friendlier states & cities.
Since 11/2024, 9% of all trans people have moved to another state, 43% have considered moving.
www.mapresearch.org/2025-norc-su...
Since 11/2024, 9% of all trans people have moved to another state, 43% have considered moving.
www.mapresearch.org/2025-norc-su...
San Francisco says Abolish ICE!✊
Large protest took place outside the ICE building tonight on Sansome Street downtown, growing to hundreds of people, followed by a march.
Among the signs, a Minnesota flag.
Indivisible, DSA, unions, and other groups were there. Organize at is.gd/bayareahatesice
Large protest took place outside the ICE building tonight on Sansome Street downtown, growing to hundreds of people, followed by a march.
Among the signs, a Minnesota flag.
Indivisible, DSA, unions, and other groups were there. Organize at is.gd/bayareahatesice
January 8, 2026 at 4:17 AM
San Francisco says Abolish ICE!✊
Large protest took place outside the ICE building tonight on Sansome Street downtown, growing to hundreds of people, followed by a march.
Among the signs, a Minnesota flag.
Indivisible, DSA, unions, and other groups were there. Organize at is.gd/bayareahatesice
Large protest took place outside the ICE building tonight on Sansome Street downtown, growing to hundreds of people, followed by a march.
Among the signs, a Minnesota flag.
Indivisible, DSA, unions, and other groups were there. Organize at is.gd/bayareahatesice
Monterey Park is about 45 minutes by bus from downtown Los Angeles, the best way to plan a visit is to go to one end of the U and walk your way around (there are some blocks where only one side of the street has businesses, so a one-way walk works well).
January 6, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Monterey Park is about 45 minutes by bus from downtown Los Angeles, the best way to plan a visit is to go to one end of the U and walk your way around (there are some blocks where only one side of the street has businesses, so a one-way walk works well).
While there are lots of parking lots in Monterey Park, enough of the buildings downtown are built right up to the sidewalk, with parking either in a side yard or in a garage, that it's still fairly walkable.
January 6, 2026 at 8:28 AM
While there are lots of parking lots in Monterey Park, enough of the buildings downtown are built right up to the sidewalk, with parking either in a side yard or in a garage, that it's still fairly walkable.
You know the food is going to be good when there are in-language placemat ads 👍
January 6, 2026 at 8:22 AM
You know the food is going to be good when there are in-language placemat ads 👍
A Day in Monterey Park 蒙市一日遊 - was in Southern California around New Year and visited this city, one of the first Asian American suburbs.
While the city is built around cars, the shopping districts are next to each other and it was easy to take the bus and walk around, perfect for a day of snacking!
While the city is built around cars, the shopping districts are next to each other and it was easy to take the bus and walk around, perfect for a day of snacking!
January 6, 2026 at 8:12 AM
A Day in Monterey Park 蒙市一日遊 - was in Southern California around New Year and visited this city, one of the first Asian American suburbs.
While the city is built around cars, the shopping districts are next to each other and it was easy to take the bus and walk around, perfect for a day of snacking!
While the city is built around cars, the shopping districts are next to each other and it was easy to take the bus and walk around, perfect for a day of snacking!
Good news for the Santa Clara County Assessor runoff election, the first batch of ballots has Neysa Fligor (endorsed by Democrats, labor unions, and many progressive elected leaders and organizations) with a significant lead!
Thank you to everyone who voted! ✅😍
Thank you to everyone who voted! ✅😍
December 31, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Good news for the Santa Clara County Assessor runoff election, the first batch of ballots has Neysa Fligor (endorsed by Democrats, labor unions, and many progressive elected leaders and organizations) with a significant lead!
Thank you to everyone who voted! ✅😍
Thank you to everyone who voted! ✅😍
Birbs in Downtown Berkeley! 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦
December 30, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Birbs in Downtown Berkeley! 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦
Couple photos from Oakland Chinatown this past weekend - new affordable housing being built right above Lake Merritt BART, and shops along 8th Street. 🏗️🥬🧋
Looking forward to the future traffic safety improvements, currently the streets are way too wide for the amount of traffic.
Looking forward to the future traffic safety improvements, currently the streets are way too wide for the amount of traffic.
December 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Couple photos from Oakland Chinatown this past weekend - new affordable housing being built right above Lake Merritt BART, and shops along 8th Street. 🏗️🥬🧋
Looking forward to the future traffic safety improvements, currently the streets are way too wide for the amount of traffic.
Looking forward to the future traffic safety improvements, currently the streets are way too wide for the amount of traffic.
Welcome to Fabulous San Leandro! 🍒
East Bay weather is the best, it's sunny and in the mid-50s today.
East Bay weather is the best, it's sunny and in the mid-50s today.
December 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Welcome to Fabulous San Leandro! 🍒
East Bay weather is the best, it's sunny and in the mid-50s today.
East Bay weather is the best, it's sunny and in the mid-50s today.
Self-Portrait of the Day - Happy Solstice, everyone!
December 22, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Self-Portrait of the Day - Happy Solstice, everyone!
Here is the draft housing plank for the 2026 CA Dem platform. Not only has this section been reorganized, with lines moved in from other parts of the platform, there's also some new language such as an emphasis on increasing housing production in the opening paragraph.
December 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Here is the draft housing plank for the 2026 CA Dem platform. Not only has this section been reorganized, with lines moved in from other parts of the platform, there's also some new language such as an emphasis on increasing housing production in the opening paragraph.
On the other hand, @sfbayferry.com does make one more fabulous! Got this sticker from their booth at an event! 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🛳️
December 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
On the other hand, @sfbayferry.com does make one more fabulous! Got this sticker from their booth at an event! 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🛳️
This story will explore, what if the nice, mild-mannered trans auntie had a more interesting secret life and happened to be a shark! 🦈🏳️⚧️ 2/
December 20, 2025 at 6:41 PM
This story will explore, what if the nice, mild-mannered trans auntie had a more interesting secret life and happened to be a shark! 🦈🏳️⚧️ 2/
Art of the Day - another sketch for a story idea, 白鯊傳 Madame Shark. Loosely inspired by Chinese folktale Legend of the White Snake, but this one's going to be set in the Bay Area with an added trans layer to it. 🏳️⚧️🦈🌉 1/
December 20, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Art of the Day - another sketch for a story idea, 白鯊傳 Madame Shark. Loosely inspired by Chinese folktale Legend of the White Snake, but this one's going to be set in the Bay Area with an added trans layer to it. 🏳️⚧️🦈🌉 1/
An old Shanghai housing type, the 石庫門 (shikumen) alley townhouse has made it to Portland, Oregon.
(Portland version on the left, Shanghai original on the right from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E...)
The Portland versions are 2-bedroom homes selling for around $250k.
(Portland version on the left, Shanghai original on the right from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E...)
The Portland versions are 2-bedroom homes selling for around $250k.
December 17, 2025 at 6:53 AM
An old Shanghai housing type, the 石庫門 (shikumen) alley townhouse has made it to Portland, Oregon.
(Portland version on the left, Shanghai original on the right from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E...)
The Portland versions are 2-bedroom homes selling for around $250k.
(Portland version on the left, Shanghai original on the right from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E...)
The Portland versions are 2-bedroom homes selling for around $250k.
Stopped by Berkeley's Telegraph Ave fair this past weekend. Lots of arts, crafts, vintage clothing, and more. Come visit next weekend!
December 16, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Stopped by Berkeley's Telegraph Ave fair this past weekend. Lots of arts, crafts, vintage clothing, and more. Come visit next weekend!
New housing being built in Berkeley's Southside neighborhood: Historic house was moved up into the front yard, 13 apartments built in the back.
The lot is a 50' wide, 125' deep lot, a fairly common lot size in the East Bay. While this was built under the old R-S zoning, Middle Housing is similar.
The lot is a 50' wide, 125' deep lot, a fairly common lot size in the East Bay. While this was built under the old R-S zoning, Middle Housing is similar.
December 15, 2025 at 5:38 AM
New housing being built in Berkeley's Southside neighborhood: Historic house was moved up into the front yard, 13 apartments built in the back.
The lot is a 50' wide, 125' deep lot, a fairly common lot size in the East Bay. While this was built under the old R-S zoning, Middle Housing is similar.
The lot is a 50' wide, 125' deep lot, a fairly common lot size in the East Bay. While this was built under the old R-S zoning, Middle Housing is similar.
Here's what it looks like!
December 9, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Here's what it looks like!
This is an idea in Berkeley's San Pablo avenue plan as well - closing off some side streets to reduce traffic and also create public open space.
December 8, 2025 at 7:23 PM
This is an idea in Berkeley's San Pablo avenue plan as well - closing off some side streets to reduce traffic and also create public open space.
Art of the Day - Shark Dance 🦈
December 7, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Art of the Day - Shark Dance 🦈
Putting the trans in the Transbay Terminal! 🚌🏳️⚧️
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA
December 5, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Putting the trans in the Transbay Terminal! 🚌🏳️⚧️
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA
Today, there are three main areas of San Francisco with large Chinese American and other AAPI communities, shaded blue on the map below.
1) Chinatown at the top right
2) Outer neighborhoods like the Richmond, Sunset, Excelsior (the big blue banana at left side)
3) Downtown - more on that later 4/
1) Chinatown at the top right
2) Outer neighborhoods like the Richmond, Sunset, Excelsior (the big blue banana at left side)
3) Downtown - more on that later 4/
December 3, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Today, there are three main areas of San Francisco with large Chinese American and other AAPI communities, shaded blue on the map below.
1) Chinatown at the top right
2) Outer neighborhoods like the Richmond, Sunset, Excelsior (the big blue banana at left side)
3) Downtown - more on that later 4/
1) Chinatown at the top right
2) Outer neighborhoods like the Richmond, Sunset, Excelsior (the big blue banana at left side)
3) Downtown - more on that later 4/