Buy local in Berkeley and help others do the same

City of Berkeley sent this bulletin at 12/06/2022 08:00 AM PST

December 6, 2022

SERVICES. RESOURCES. COMMUNITY.

News from the City of Berkeley

Buy local in Berkeley and help others do the same

Use a Dec. 8 vendor fair, an online guide, or a year-round Berkeley-focused gift card to find presents that reflect and support the unique merchants of our city.

Buy local at a holiday gift fair in Berkeley, use an online gift guide to find other stores around town, or buy a gift card that encourages others to shop in our city.

At the gift fair, you'll be able to buy items made or offered by Berkeleyans ranging from:

Handmade jewelry from Melissa Joy Manning and Laurel Burch Studios
Spices, coffee, teas, and other delectable treats from Kitchen on Fire, Uncommon Grounds, and Three Stone Hearth
Stained glass art and artisan crafts from Snoring Orange Studio and Fern's Garden
Eco-friendly home goods, toys, and self-care products from the Ecology Center Store

What you wear, how you exercise, and how you furnish your home can all be from Berkeley.

Visit the Berkeley Holidays Gift Guide to find other vendors, use Berkeley Bucks to buy gift cards that can be used at participating local vendors year-round, and find local holiday events and activities at Visit Berkeley!

Shop local at Dec. 8 holiday gift fair

For those who want to experience the holiday spirit in-person, the Holiday Gift Fair is back for the fourth time!

Berkeley Holiday Gift Fair
Hotel Shattuck Plaza, 2086 Allston Way
Thursday, Dec. 8
4:00 - 7:00 pm

There will be 25 local vendors, as well as a complimentary eco-friendly gift-wrapping station, refreshments, and a raffle to win five Berkeley Bucks gift cards ($50 each).

For inspiration, read the Berkeleyside article about some of the local artists, designers, and vendors participating at the gift fair . Sponsored by the City’s Office of Economic Development’s #DiscoveredinBerkeley campaign, the article spotlights local businesses that enrich our community and build a better world.

Other ways to join in holiday festivities and shop local

The Berkeley Holidays Gift Guide includes inspiration from 30 local businesses, including over two dozen women- and minority-owned businesses.

The Berkeley Bucks gift card, which you can also buy at the Gift Fair, can be used anytime at 110 participating Berkeley shops, restaurants, personal service businesses, and entertainment venues.

All of the above ways to support local businesses are brought to you by the City of Berkeley Office of Economic Development, Berkeley Chamber, Visit Berkeley, and business districts citywide.

Help support Berkeley when you celebrate the holidays. Find unique, handmade gifts and experiences at the Gift Fair, use the Berkeley Gift Guide to find other vendors, and buy Berkeley Bucks!

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Help develop an Action Plan to reduce wildfire hazards and risks

Complete a quick survey or come to an upcoming meeting to build out a plan to protect Berkeley from wildfire.

The survey, which follows up on two previous questionnaires, asks you to prioritize strategies and funding and give feedback on the outreach process. Please complete the survey by December 31.

If you missed the previous surveys, there is still time for your input:

Survey 1 focused on awareness of wildfire issues and identifying what folks have already done around their own homes and neighborhoods to reduce the hazard.
Survey 2 offered a framework with 10 types of hazard reduction strategies and asked you to prioritize various programs, projects and activities.

Your continued input will help us develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

Read more at berkeleyca.gov.

Artists sought for two public art projects at Aquatic Park

Calling all professional artists! Submit qualifications to be considered for two separate public art projects: a sculptural art series or a wall project.

The sculptural art series is intended to inspire movement and exploration and would be placed at several locations along the road and trail that loop around the Aquatic Park lagoon.

The wall project – which would be placed on a prominent, large, curved wall near Aquatic Park’s northwest entry path – would translate two-dimensional imagery to tile, mosaic or other permanent material.

Get more details on each project’s application portal: Sculpture and Bay Trail Wall. Professional, practicing artists living in the United States are eligible and must apply by December 12 at 5:00 p.m.

Read more at berkeleyca.gov.

Reduce your holiday tree waste this season

When selecting your tree this holiday season, consider a plan that reduces waste and is made with the City's disposal rules in mind for when the season is over.

Living trees can be rented for the season or planted in your yard after the holidays and avoid waste altogether.

If you decide to buy a cut tree or have other ideas for your holiday tree experience, know how to dispose of it later.

Read more at berkeleyca.gov.