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Alfred Twu
@alfredtwu.com
17K followers 2.5K following 6.3K posts
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
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alfredtwu.com
Alfred Twu @alfredtwu.com · Nov 21
Thank you Berkeley for electing me to the Rent Stabilization Board and passing BB, the Tenant Protection & Right to Organize Act! Dominique & Xavier from the Right to Housing Slate were also elected.

@averyarbaugh.bsky.social- thank you for your work on our campaigns- we'll get you in next time! ❤️
Picture of Alfred wearing a straw hat, black floral dress with a large collar and bow, and pink blazer. Behind on the wall is a Chinese new year 福 (luck/fortune) decoration above two campaign signs. The top is a Vote Yes on BB for a Better Berkeley, Vote No on CC, Stop the Corporate Con sign. The sign also has a picture of a bee in front of a hexagon shaped house. Below it is a Dominique Walker, Xavier Johnson, Avery Arbaugh, Alfred Twu for Rent Board sign. There is trans flag in the background on the door in the back. Text off to the side says "Thank You Berkeley!" On the top left are the Measure BB results. 29,589 (56%) Yes, 22,245 (44%) No. On bottom right are the Rent Stabilization Board Commissioners - Berkeley results. It says Vote for no more than four (4). Vote counts: Xavier Johnson, 26,950, 19.51% Dominique Walker, 25,573, 18.51% Andy Kelley, 23,354, 16.91% Alfred Twu, 22,919, 16.59% Avery Arbaugh, 19,822, 14.33% Carole Marasovic, 19,543, 14.15%
Reposted by Alfred Twu
amandalitman.bsky.social
Quick snapshot of the @runforsomething.net candidate sign-ups -- we're building a party of fighters, not folders.
November 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
alfredtwu.com
Berkeley city offices, including the Rent Board, will be closed this Tuesday 11/11/2025 for Veterans Day.
berkeleyrentboard.bsky.social Berkeley Rent Board @berkeleyrentboard.bsky.social · 4d
Berkeley Rent Board will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. Please plan ahead for service needs before the holiday.
November 11, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyca.gov
Milk cartons and coated paper may look recyclable or compostable, but they’re not.

🥛 That plastic lining means gray bin only.

Community message 👇🏼
Sort right, reuse more to help Berkeley cut landfill waste | City of Berkeley
Compost food waste. Recycle clean items. Buy what’s reusable and try to reduce buying what’s designed to be disposed. Berkeleyans know that green and blue bins are for compost and recycling, respectively. But paying attention to the details can divert more from landfills and even impact our climate.Toss more of your pizza boxes, coffee grounds, yard trimmings, and compostable fiber foodware into your green bin – instead of your gray household trash bin. Discard into that gray bin the milk cartons, pet waste, diapers, grease, rocks, and many plastic-looking utensils labeled “compostable.”
berkeleyca.gov
November 8, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyca.gov
Do you live or work near, or commute by foot, bike, bus, or car through Derby and Warring streets in Elmwood?

Join a virtual community meeting to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists at this busy intersection.

📆Wednesday, Nov. 12
⏰6-7:30pm

Community Message:
Nov. 12: Give input to add safeguards at Elmwood intersection | City of Berkeley
Join the virtual workshop and share thoughts on proposals to reduce collisions at the intersection of Derby & Warring streets. Join a virtual community meeting to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists at a busy Elmwood neighborhood intersection. At the November 12 event, City staff will present two proposals to improve the intersection of Derby and Warring Streets. Participants will have time to ask questions and submit feedback after the presentation.
berkeleyca.gov
November 9, 2025 at 1:00 AM
alfredtwu.com
Our neighboring city, Emeryville, is seeking feedback on tenant protections at www.surveymonkey.com/r/emytp
November 10, 2025 at 9:02 PM
alfredtwu.com
ACILEP has confirmed a report of ICE activity in central #Fremont in the Sundale neighborhood today, Sat 11/8/25.

‼️ Know Your Rights and share with others:
🔒 Don’t open the door
🤐 Remain silent
📞 Demand to speak to a lawyer — and call ACILEP at (510) 241-4011
www.facebook.com/ACILEPRRN/po...
Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership - Acilep
🚨 ICE ACTIVITY CONFIRMED – Fremont (Saturday, Nov 8) ACILEP has confirmed an ICE “Knock and Talk” operation is happening today in the Sundale area of Fremont. Agents are reportedly knocking on...
www.facebook.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
sup-nikkifbas.bsky.social
No one should go hungry. Based on a federal court order, CDSS paid out full CalFresh benefits for Californians.

You can also access food by visiting FoodNow.net (English, Spanish & Chinese) or calling the all-languages Alameda Co. Food Bank Helpline: 510 635 3663.

ssa.ocgov.com/press/califo...
California Begins Issuing 100% of November CalFresh Benefits | County of Orange Social Services Agency
California has begun issuing November CalFresh benefits, starting with recipients who normally receive their benefits between the first and seventh of the month. Recipients may already see their usual...
ssa.ocgov.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
rideact.bsky.social
We’re excited to announce that AC Transit has a new and improved mobile app! Download the app today for everything that was offered in the original app, and much more.

Download today: actransit.org/app
November 5, 2025 at 3:05 PM
alfredtwu.com
Alameda County Democrats candidate training! Excited to see lots of new faces in the crowd who are planning to run for local office in 2026.

Hayward, San Leandro, & some special districts are going to by-district elections, so lots of opportunities. Stay connected at @alamedacodem.bsky.social
A panel discussion in a LiUNA union Hall, with people sitting at folding tables. There is a stage with orange banners and flags behind it A group of six people standing in front of a California flag. One is wearing a shirt that says don't get mad, get elected, another one wearing a Castro valley Democrats shirt
November 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
alfredtwu.com
Cat videos for public health! 🐈
capublichealth.bsky.social California Department of Public Health @capublichealth.bsky.social · 2d
Purr-fect your movement routine by staying physically active! 🏋️ 💪

Moving your body helps to improve your health and:

💠 Gets your heart rate up

💠 Build muscle

💠 Keeps your bones strong

📲 Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DMCAH/NUPA/Pages/Physical-Activity-as-a-Family.aspx#together
November 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
carterlavin.bsky.social
This holiday season, surprise & delight the train fan in your life with this gift combo

The US Highspeed Rail Boardgame by @alfredtwu.com www.thegamecrafter.com/games/us-hig...

+

If You Want To Win, You've Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy islandpress.org/books/if-you...
A picture of the boardgame "U.S. High Speed Rail" which has an illustration of a high speed rail network map across the United States. And below it is a copy of the book “If You Want To WIn, You’ve Got To Fight: A Guide To Effective Transportation Advocacy” by Carter Lavin. The words “If you want to win” are in all caps, hunter green blocky font that takes up half the page in the upper left-hand corner. The words “You’ve Got to Fight” are a burnt orange of the same size and font. The words connect diagonally across the page. The words “A Guide to effective transportation advocacy” is in black, in smaller font nestled between the block of larger text. Carter’s name is in the lower left corner in black. Behind the words is a stylized, fictionalized metro map that takes up most of the page. The metro map is complex, multi-colored, showing potential expansion plans, transfer stations etc. The book cover background is an off-white. Roughly 6 inches wide, 9 inches tall.
November 8, 2025 at 4:01 PM
alfredtwu.com
A comment we heard from tenant organizers was that in some cases, tenant organizing also helped landlords.

There were some landlords who didn't know that the property manager they hired had allowed their building to decay, until tenants organized and brought the issue to the forefront.
alfredtwu.net Rent Board Commissioner Alfred Twu @alfredtwu.net · 3d
We also received an update on how tenants are organizing using the Right to Organize that was part of Berkeley's Measure BB passed by voters last year. So far, students and seniors are among the groups doing the most organizing. Learn how it works at rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/rights-respo...
rentboard.berkeleyca.gov
November 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
alfredtwu.net
Big day of committee meetings today, working with other Rent Board members and City Council members on issues ranging from responding to current and potential disruptions of federal funding, protecting tenants during heatwaves, and improving in-language outreach to Berkeley's immigrant communities.
Rent Board Committee Highlights Picture of Alfred at a conference table with notebook and computer, wearing hat and lavender blazer Berkeley Rent Board Commissioner Alfred Twu
November 8, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
friedman.house.gov
After unnecessary delays by Trump, I’m relieved that my and my colleagues’ constant advocacy has led to California families finally receiving the critical nutritional support they need.
abc7.com/post/snap-be...
California families starting to see SNAP benefits back on their cards
This comes after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP for the month of November by Friday.
abc7.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyca.gov
Join a virtual community meeting to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists at a busy Elmwood neighborhood intersection. Learn how the City can improve safety at the intersection of Derby and Warring.

📆Wednesday, Nov. 12
⏰6-7:30pm

Community Message: berkeleyca.gov/commu...
1/4
Nov. 12: Give input to add safeguards at Elmwood intersection | City of Berkeley
Join the virtual workshop and share thoughts on proposals to reduce collisions at the intersection of Derby & Warring streets. Join a virtual community meeting to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists at a busy Elmwood neighborhood intersection. At the November 12 event, City staff will present two proposals to improve the intersection of Derby and Warring Streets. Participants will have time to ask questions and submit feedback after the presentation.
berkeleyca.gov
November 7, 2025 at 1:00 AM
alfredtwu.com
Every single corner and every place two different materials meet is another potential leak
stephenjacobsmith.com Stephen Jacob Smith @stephenjacobsmith.com · 4d
One way to reduce condo defect liability: stop forcing architects to design buildings that leak. HCD’s “objective design standards” guide *encourages* making building envelopes more complex, heightening leak and therefore defect lawsuit risk cao-94612.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/documents/Ap...
November 7, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
berkeleyrentboard.bsky.social
Our quarterly newsletter, the Rent Board Review, is out today! Read and subscribe here: conta.cc/4qwpIN3?utm...
In this issue
⭐ A Message from our Executive Director
⭐ A Roundup of State and Local Housing News that Can Impact You
⭐ New and classic Rent Board Resources we want you to know about!
Graphic about Rent Board Fall 2025 Newsletter Out Today, with a call to action to sign up for the email list. An image of a megaphone and a computer with the email newsletter on the screen decorate this graphic.
October 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
alfredtwu.com
In Berkeley, most landlords are required to pay tenants interest on the money collected for the security deposit.

This includes all homes that have full rent control, as well as housing that is partially covered by the Rent Ordinance

rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/rights-respo...
November 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
transbaycoalition.bsky.social
Ride @bart.gov @sfmta.bsky.social @rideact.bsky.social or other Bay Area transit agencies ? You're about to save a bunch of money with Clipper 2.0! Our trip saving calculator built w/ @seamlessbayareaca.bsky.social & @tsch.uy will show you how much. See for yourself > clipper2.hikingbytransit.com
Clipper 2.0 Savings Calculator
clipper2.hikingbytransit.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
alfredtwu.com
Middle Housing zoning is now in effect in Berkeley! 🏘️
It allows new apartment buildings in most of the city, and also makes expanding existing buildings faster and easier.
berkeleyca.gov City of Berkeley @berkeleyca.gov · 5d
🏘️🏗️ Berkeley homeowners seeking to build a new backyard unit or bedroom can now apply for permits that cost less, have clearer standards, and can get reviewed faster.

Starting November 1, “Middle Housing” zoning changes encourage building more housing in Berkeley.

berkeleyca.gov/commu...
1/5
New zoning changes allow faster, cheaper process to build homes | City of Berkeley
Starting November 1, “Middle Housing” zoning changes encourage building more housing units in Berkeley. Berkeley homeowners seeking to build a new backyard unit or bedroom can now apply for permits that cost less, have clearer standards, and can get reviewed faster.Applicants also have a faster process with more certain outcomes to build small apartments in areas previously limited to single-family dwellings by following a checklist of set guidelines.
berkeleyca.gov
November 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
alfredtwu.com
This is a great article. If Republicans want to fight over healthcare and education - which is what most of their anti-trans attacks end up being around, that is ground that Dems can turn around and crush them on.
katelynburns.com Katelyn Burns @katelynburns.com · 5d
For @msnbc.com I wrote about how Tuesday's election gives Democrats the blueprint for overcoming Republican anti-trans attacks and how thus should settle all the talk about throwing trans people under the bus.

www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | Democrats’ election wins showed they don't need to hide their support for trans rights
Republicans repeated Trump's anti-trans strategy from 2024 and lost big. This should be instructive for Democrats.
www.msnbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
alfredtwu.com
This event is tonight! Come out and support!
alfredtwu.com Alfred Twu @alfredtwu.com · 8d
Join East Bay Stonewall Democrats & local elected officials for our annual fundraiser for Bay Area trans orgs. This year funds go to Parivar Bay Area, El/La Para TransLatinas, & LGBTQ Asylum Project.

This Thurs 11/6, 5-8p, Fluid 510 in downtown Oakland 🏳️‍⚧️ eastbaystonewalldemocrats.org/event-6396020
East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club Trans Awareness Week Fundraiser. Where your local elected officials are your bartenders for the night. Fluid 510. Thursday, November 6th, 5-8pm. Picture of trans flag in background.
November 6, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by Alfred Twu
transnews.network
We are proud to announce we have hired @thefreeradical.org and @davidforbes.bsky.social as our first staff journalists! As a worker-run newsroom, we set wages collectively based on our funds.

Currently, we have about six months of funding. Help us plan our future with a recurring donation today!
Help fund trans journalism with a recurring donation to Trans News Network!
"With your help, I can actually build myself a solid future - one without being left on the streets, wondering where I'm gonna sleep that night." Trans News Network needs your help! Every dollar y...
transnewsnetwork.networkforgood.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
alfredtwu.com
With around ten million people, LA County is larger than most states.

I wonder what other local government services could be developed as public software!
gspeng.bsky.social Dr Grace Peng @gspeng.bsky.social · 5d
LA County developed a publicly owned and open source voting system that supports 18 different languages. It's ADA compliant. (Though a second generation voting machine is coming out to make it easier for low vision and blind voters).
No Diebold, etc. no proprietary black box software
November 6, 2025 at 7:06 AM
alfredtwu.com
Berkeley is having a comic convention this Saturday at the Central library downtown!
berkeleypubliclibrary.org Berkeley Public Library @berkeleypubliclibrary.org · 6d
Check out this action packed schedule for Berkeley Public Library's Comic Con this Saturday @Central:
BPL Comic Con Schedule Comic Con flyer with comic characters opening comic books, sharing books, and generally engaging with books happily. Book covers from the Berkeley Public Library Comic Con representing authors, artists, and more that will be at Central on Saturday, November 8th, 1030am-430pm.
November 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM