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🌱 Patch AM: What 1926 debates shaped Berkeley’s Civic Center and streets you use today?

Happening soon: Join Us in Remembering the Heroes of Flight 93 on the Berkeley Patch calendar

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Cheers Berkeley! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What 1926 debates shaped Berkeley's Civic Center and streets you use today?
  • What changes does UC Berkeley's new student president want this year?
  • When will driverless Waymo taxis actually start picking up in Berkeley?

Also on today's calendar: Join Us in Remembering the Heroes of Flight 93 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the burglar wear blue gloves? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Hot; breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 92 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Breezy and not as warm, temps: high: 82, low: 61.
  • Friday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 73 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Berkeley, a Look Back: Paper in 1926 urges buying land for civic center (mercurynews.com) — A century‑old Berkeley Daily Gazette editorial urged the city to buy the downtown block that would become today's Civic Center, warning delays would only raise costs. This historical column revisits 1926 debates over taxes, new subdivisions in north Berkeley, worries about "night riders" parking in the hills, park funding frustrations, and proposals for key boulevard stop streets locals still use today.
   

2. 7 questions for UC Berkeley's new student body president (berkeleyside.org) — UC Berkeley's new student body president, Margaret Solomon, is prioritizing mental health resources, affordable housing options, and clearer rules around student protests that many Berkeley undergrads feel directly. She also worries about looming budget cuts, support for undocumented and international students, and creating more welcoming study and lounge spaces across campus, including at the Berkeley Marina where she works as a dock master.
   

3. Waymo gets green light to operate in Berkeley (berkeleyside.org) — Waymo has received state approval to begin operating its self‑driving taxis in Berkeley and the wider East Bay, though the company hasn't announced a launch date yet. The decision could soon bring driverless rides to local streets and may pave the way for Tesla's emerging Robotaxi service, which already shows Berkeley in its app's service map.
   

4. East Bay Times hires Farivar as deputy local editor (talkingbiznews.com) — East Bay readers, including those in Berkeley, will soon see more local and business coverage from the East Bay Times as veteran tech and business journalist Cyrus Farivar joins as deputy local editor. Farivar, a UC Berkeley political economy graduate, brings experience from Forbes, NBC News, and international outlets. His background in investigative and tech reporting should strengthen coverage of regional issues that matter to Berkeley residents.
   

5. New Life Sciences Law & Policy Center Student Fellows Program Aims to Create 'True Thought Leaders' (berkeley.edu) — UC Berkeley Law has launched a Life Sciences Law & Policy Center Student Fellows program that lets J.D. students publish research on issues like digital health devices and drug pricing. The fellowship builds on Berkeley's growing health law offerings and aims to turn students into recognized thought leaders while giving them practical experience writing for a broader public audience.
   

📸 Around Berkeley

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day.
    I thought I'd share a recent video of river otters that I recently had the pleasure of sharing an afternoon with. There's a mom and two kiddos here… (Nextdoor Rose District)
  • Friend is visiting me in Berkeley until the 12th.
    Any suggestions to take them somewhere? We've done most of the big attractions in SF: Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, Pier 39, Lombard, Mission Park,… (Nextdoor Downtown Berkeley)
  • University of California Berkeley posted a job opening for Assistant Director, Athletic Communications - Intercollegiate Athletics (7462U) #70568 - 70568 in Berkeley. Apply here.
  • CSC Generation, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager (Sur La Table) 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: So he wouldn't get caught red handed. (Thank you Vicki B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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