Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Beloved Berkeley Business To Close After Nearly 50 Years: Report

You won't want to miss A Community Christmas Eve Service! on the Berkeley Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 18th Patch AM
Thursday December 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Berkeley! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Telegraph Avenue favorite Berkeley Hat Company prepares to close after decades
  • How will a federal antisemitism probe reshape Berkeley’s classrooms?
  • Heading to 6th Street for tonight’s cozy vegan holiday movie night?

Also on today's calendar: A Community Christmas Eve Service! and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Berkeleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Areas of morning fog, with a high of 58 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Friday: An a.m. sprinkle, then rain, temps: high: 59, low: 53.
  • Saturday: A little afternoon rain, with a high of 59 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Beloved Berkeley Business To Close After Nearly 50 Years: Report (patch.com) — Longtime shoppers in Berkeley are saying goodbye to the Berkeley Hat Company, a Telegraph Avenue fixture since 1980 that’s closing after nearly 50 years in business. Known for its huge variety of hats, the shop is running a closing sale through Jan. 31 and the owner plans a sidewalk party to mark its final days in the neighborhood.
   

2. As feds investigate antisemitism at BUSD, some worry about a ‘witch hunt' (berkeleyside.org) — Federal lawmakers are investigating alleged antisemitism in Berkeley Unified schools, and local families are split over whether the district should comply with document requests, citing student privacy and safety. The probe ties into new statewide antisemitism legislation, where Berkeley educators, students, and officials are central figures in debates over free speech, curriculum, and protections for Jewish students.
   

3. Holiday Movie Night (indybay.org) — A community holiday movie night is happening this evening from 5–8 p.m. at 2414 6th Street in Berkeley, with free festive drinks, popcorn, and a vegan treat potluck. Hosted by animal-rights group Direct Action Everywhere, the gathering emphasizes cozy attire, community-building, and a welcoming, conduct-guided space for local residents.
   

4. Berkeley's civilian police oversight director sues police chief over withheld records (berkeleyside.org) — Berkeley’s director of police accountability has sued Police Chief Jen Louis, seeking records tied to a June sweep of a homeless encampment and alleged interference with people recording officers. The case highlights ongoing friction between the Berkeley Police Department, the Police Accountability Board, and city leaders over transparency and oversight powers. A court ruling could shape how police conduct is reviewed in Berkeley going forward.
   

5. Magnitude 3.1 earthquake latest to strike San Ramon area (cbsnews.com) — Light shaking from a magnitude 3.1 earthquake near San Ramon was reported as far away as Berkeley early Tuesday morning, though no damage or injuries occurred. The quake is part of an ongoing swarm along the Calaveras Fault, where at least 17 small quakes have struck since mid-November, including a 3.6 earlier this month.
   

📸 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 ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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 the local businesses for making Berkeley PatchAM possible:

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

  • I saw someone ask: if social media didn’t exist, would you still take pictures of wildlife.
    Here’s my response. A million times yes. Wildlife photography is so much more than social media. It is the excitement of the chase. The trough of… (Nextdoor Rose District)
  • See these little boys (about 4 weeks old now) and other kittens currently or soon to be available for adoption at an adoption event Sunday Dec 21 1-3 pm at Cat Garden Rescue, 2250 Orleans Dr, Pinole.
    (It's a private home so don't be surprised that it's not a business place.) (Nextdoor Rose District)
  • TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for American Airlines Ramp Agent in Berkeley. Apply here.
  • Century Group posted a job opening for Accounting Associate 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: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Berkeley