From official newsletter

The Mayor's Monthly: September 2026

Sep 16, 2026, 11:38 PM • Mayor Adena Ishii

Summary

Mayor Adena Ishii's September 2026 newsletter highlights key developments as Berkeley's City Council returns to session. The Mayor introduces two new team members enhancing communications and community engagement. A major upcoming event is the September 23 State of the City address at The Freight, focusing on Berkeley's downtown revival, housing costs, and small business growth. The newsletter also promotes BerkeleyCorps, a volunteer initiative connecting residents with local organizations. Additionally, it spotlights Roses on Adeline, a family-owned small business contributing to neighborhood vitality, and Easy Does It, a nonprofit providing essential services to seniors and people with disabilities.

Key positions and references

Key positions

Support for small business growth
Promotion of community volunteerism
Focus on affordable housing challenges
Advocacy for services aiding seniors and disabled residents

Agenda items and issues mentioned

State of the City Address theme: Doing Business in Berkeley
BerkeleyCorps volunteer initiative
Housing costs and commercial district revitalization
Support for nonprofit services for seniors and disabled

Meetings and events mentioned

State of the City Address on September 23 at The Freight
BerkeleyCorps volunteer opportunities

Full newsletter

Formatted for readability from newsletter text.

** THE MAYOR’S MONTHLY

** September 2026

Back in Session

Fall in Berkeley means Council is back in session, and there’s plenty happening outside the Council chambers, too. My office welcomed two new team members this summer, Francesca Weems and Qing Xu, and I’m excited for you to meet them. BerkeleyCorps (https://us.list-manage.com/hUUq43HP5Lr?e=e10689cfb6&c2id=e2dac0323de66ba1ea45bfe3821a0841) , the volunteer initiative my team launched earlier this year on MLK Day, now has an online home, making it easier to find ways to get involved and give back to our community.

And on September 23, I’ll deliver my second State of the City address at The Freight. I’m looking forward to sharing where we’ve made progress on “Doing Business in Berkeley” and what’s ahead for Berkeley. I hope you’ll join us, and be sure to RSVP (https://us.list-manage.com/Z9kX83qON_g?e=e10689cfb6&c2id=e2dac0323de66ba1ea45bfe3821a0841) to save your spot.

There’s more below, including our usual spotlight on a small business and a nonprofit doing great work right here in Berkeley.

In community,

Adena Ishii

Berkeley Mayor

** IN THIS ISSUE

New Team Member Spotlight:

Francesca Weems

Qing Xu

RSVP to State of the City:

9/23 at The Freight

BerkeleyCorps:

Launches Official Page

Small Business Spotlight: (#SmallBiz)

Roses on Adeline

Nonprofit Spotlight: (#nonprofit)

Easy Does It

** NEW TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Francesca “Fran” Weems

Director of Communications

Fran brings 20+ years of storytelling experience to Mayor Ishii's team. A former broadcast journalist, she spent over a decade in global communications, including as a senior leader at a top PR firm representing multinational, world-renowned brands, and has spoken at the World Economic Forum and Cannes Lions. Fran holds a bachelor’s in mass communications and a master’s in education from UC Berkeley, where she competed on its track and cross-country team. She is a Hawaii native and a proud foster care alum.

Qing Xu

Community Events and Volunteer Coordinator

Qing is a recent UC Berkeley graduate, where she studied Political Science and played the trumpet in the California Marching Band. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, she spent the last few years in Berkeley and worked in social sciences research, constituent engagement, and community outreach. Qing deeply values relationship-building within the city and brings strong coordination and planning skills to the team. In her free time, she enjoys scootering around Berkeley and exploring new cafe spots.

** S () TATE OF THE CITY

Mayor Ishii's 2026 State of the City Address

Mayor Adena Ishii will deliver her second State of the City Address Wednesday, September 23, at The Freight. This year's theme, "Doing Business in Berkeley," covers the city's downtown comeback: housing costs, small business and what's next for Berkeley's commercial districts.

When: Wednesday, September 23. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m. Where: The Freight, 2020 Addison St.

RSVP HERE (https://us.list-manage.com/13kkcmUIQJq?e=e10689cfb6&c2id=e2dac0323de66ba1ea45bfe3821a0841)

** BERKELEYCORPS

Mayor Adena Ishii’s team launched BerkeleyCorps earlier this year on MLK Day of Service to connect residents to volunteer opportunities, bring local organizations together and support new and existing community groups. Since its rollout, the initiative has partnered with four Berkeley-based organizations across three districts and retained more than 65 volunteers.

This month, we unveiled the official BerkeleyCorps page (https://us.list-manage.com/Yf7qt6eqz7M?e=e10689cfb6&c2id=e2dac0323de66ba1ea45bfe3821a0841) on our website. Visit the page to learn more and join the volunteer mailing list for future opportunities.

** SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT ()

From cafes to manufacturers, Berkeley has no shortage of creative, innovative small businesses that add to our city's vibrancy.

Continuing to shine a spotlight on some of those businesses, this month it's District 3:

Roses on Adeline (https://us.list-manage.com/iKm6gxzN1On?e=e10689cfb6&c2id=e2dac0323de66ba1ea45bfe3821a0841) was born from a love of food and the joy of sharing it, inspired by family meals and the energy of a great restaurant or bar. The team treats food as love, art and connection.

A South Berkeley family business, Roses on Adeline is proud to contribute to the growth on Adeline Street and aims to become a true neighborhood staple, bringing welcoming, destination-worthy dining to the East Bay while building a sustainable, joyful workplace for its team.

Roses on Adeline

3218 Adeline Street

Hours

Monday - Wednesday | 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Thursday | 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Friday - Saturday | 4:00 pm - 12:00 am

Sunday | 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm

RECOMMEND A BUSINESS TO SPOTLIGHT IN A FUTURE NEWSLETTER (mailto:mayor@berkeleyca.gov?subject=null&body=null)

** NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT ()

Berkeley is fortunate to be home to a diverse and significant number of nonprofit organizations that provide vital support and services to the community and raise awareness about important issues.

This month, we’re spotlighting an organization in District 3:

Easy Does It (https://us.list-manage.com/B9rxxkfbRM_?e=e10689cfb6&c2id=e2dac0323de66ba1ea45bfe3821a0841) was founded by and for people with disabilities in 1995 to help Berkeley seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes at little cost. What began as a small Berkeley grassroots effort of caregivers and the people they serve has grown into a full agency offering 24/7 emergency attendant care, accessible transportation, wheelchair repair and wheelchair rescue service.

Most services are free or subsidized, and eligibility extends beyond Berkeley to northern Alameda County for Wheelchair Rescue. Case managers help residents find a caregiver, and emergency backup is available if a shift goes uncovered.

RECOMMEND A NONPROFIT TO SPOTLIGHT IN A FUTURE NEWSLETTER (mailto:mayor@berkeleyca.gov?subject=null&body=null)

If there are events or resources you would like the Mayor's office to share, please email fweems@berkeleyca.gov.

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