Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How to get your Berkeley child evaluated for special education support
Coming up on the Berkeley Patch calendar: A Midsummer Night's Dream - Free Shakespeare in the Park

What's up Berkeley! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How to get your Berkeley child evaluated for special education support
- Planning a language Ph.D.? Key UC Berkeley deadlines you must know.
- Berkeley researchers: Want up to $15,000 for AI security work?
Also on today's calendar: A Midsummer Night's Dream - Free Shakespeare in the Park and 10 more events.
Today's riddle: Why are elevator jokes so good ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Sunday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 71 and low of 55 degrees.
- Monday: Warmer, temps: high: 81, low: 58.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 85 and low of 64 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Does your Berkeley student have a disability? Here's what to know about BUSD's special education services. (berkeleyside.org) — Families in Berkeley Unified can access a wide range of special education supports, from IEP evaluations starting at age 3 to counseling-enriched programs at Berkeley High and home-based services. This guide walks you through how to request assessments, what services exist at different campuses, how funding and staffing affect programs, and where to find advocacy and parent support groups if your child's needs aren't being met.
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2. Application Information (berkeley.edu) — Prospective graduate students in Berkeley can now prepare applications for UC Berkeley's Ph.D. programs in Hispanic and Romance Languages, with deadlines in mid-December 2026 and early January 2027. The department outlines required statements, writing samples, recommendations, and GPA expectations, emphasizing alignment with Berkeley's Principles of Community and timely submission through the university's online portal.
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3. Cal Cybersecurity Research Fellowship Fall 2026 (berkeley.edu) — UC Berkeley's Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity is offering a Fall 2026 Cal Cybersecurity Research Fellowship of up to $15,000 for campus researchers focused on AI and cybersecurity. Berkeley graduate students, postdocs, and pre-tenure faculty can apply by October 16 with a five-page proposal exploring topics like cognitive firewalls, adversarial defenses, and computational trust models to strengthen AI systems against manipulation.
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4. Large Crowd Anticipated In Berkeley For Cal's Opener Against UCLA (recentlyheard.com) — Cal's home opener against UCLA is expected to pack California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley tonight, with some sections already sold out and special Joe Roth throwback uniforms and rally towels planned. Local fans can still buy tickets, enjoy cool evening temperatures in the low 60s, and watch national ACC Network coverage broadcasting live from campus for this high-profile start to Cal's seven-game home slate.
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5. New Digital Tool Shows How Climate Change Might Disrupt California's Water Supply (berkeley.edu) — UC Berkeley researchers are leading a new statewide COEQWAL project that lets Californians explore how different water policies could affect cities, farms, and ecosystems under climate change. Using an accessible website built on complex state models, the tool helps residents and small organizations understand trade-offs around groundwater limits, river flows, and Delta protections so they can better engage in water decisions.
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📸 Around Berkeley
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Berkeley
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- A Midsummer Night's Dream - Free Shakespeare in the Park →
John Hinkel Park, 41 Somerset Pl, Berkeley
4:00 pm - A Midsummer Night's Dream - Free Shakespeare in the Park →
John Hinkel Park, 41 Somerset Pl, Berkeley
4:00 pm - The Science And Art Of Conversation →
Lamorinda Improv Theater, 2 Orinda Theatre Square, Orinda
7:00 pm - Join Us in Remembering the Heroes of Flight 93 →
3296 Courthouse Pl, Union City
10:00 am - Oddball 2026 - Zydeco Dance Party and Costume Ball →
2288 Fulton St, Berkeley
5:00 pm
Sunday September 6
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
Friday September 11
Saturday September 12
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Water Clean-Up for Reverse Tashlich →
, Berkeley
10:00 am - Fall Equinox Drum Circle (In Person and Live Stream) →
Foundation of the Sacred Stream, 2149 Byron St, Berkeley
8:00 pm - Independence at Home Presents Fall Prevention - a Free Virtual Class →
Online Via Zoom
2:00 pm - Women's Basketball Mania! The story of legendary coach Tara VanDerveer →
Book Society, 2945 College Ave, Berkeley
6:00 pm - Pink Party: A Legally Blonde Preview Night →
Book Society, 2945 College Ave, Berkeley
5:30 pm - Stepping Across: Blavet, Couperin, Rameau, Telemann, Bach →
Saint Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman Street, Berkeley, CA 94709
6:30 pm - Rosh Hashanah Evening Service in Berkeley →
Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St, Berkeley
7:00 pm - Rosh Hashanah Day Services in Berkeley: For Families and Adults! →
Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St, Berkeley
9:00 am
Sunday September 6
Tuesday September 8
Thursday September 10
Friday September 11
Saturday September 12
📣 Berkeley Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Berkeley PatchAM possible:
- Hangout Pizza & Pub — (510) 989-1067
- Cahoots Digital
- Looking Glass Photographic Outfitters — (510) 548-6888
- Accessibility in Practice — (510) 777-6330
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Orson Welles once said "The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.
" This rings true, particularly in this era of digital cameras with endless capability. With all the computing power and image quality we ever… (Nextdoor Rose District) - Found her!
Thank you!!! Lost Dog!! Shiba Inu slipped out of leash around Ohlone park this morning around 8am. If seen, please don't chase. Very friendly with… (Nextdoor North Berkeley)
- University of California Berkeley posted a job opening for Assistant Professor - Critical/Experimental Film and Video Production - Department of Film & Media in Berkeley. Apply here.
- City of Berkeley California posted a job opening for Police Officer (Experienced and Academy Graduates) in Berkeley. 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: Because they work on so many levels ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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