BERKELEY

As you celebrate the holidays, staff at the city of Berkeley’s Zero Waste Division hope you also take some steps to reduce holiday waste.

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 to 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. If you’re considering a cut tree, know that the city only composts the tree itself. Avoid trees that have been “flocked” — covered with chemicals mimicking snow — as they cannot be composted.

When it’s time to dispose of a compostable tree, you’ll have to remove all lights, decorations, tinsel, plastic bags and plastic tree stands. You’ll also have to cut them into pieces less than 3 feet long to fit inside your green compost cart with the lid closed.

If you don’t have the tools to cut your tree to fit into your cart, you can borrow them for free from the Berkeley Tool Lending Library (bayareane.ws/berktoolibrary) at 1901 Russell St. Trees left on the curb won’t get picked up, as they can damage the city’s side-loader collection trucks.

You may prefer dropping off discarded trees at the city’s Transfer Station (bayareane.ws/berktranstation) at 1201 Second St., off Gilman Avenue, which is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays except for Christmas and New Year’s days, when it’s closed.

For compostable trees, the Transfer Station offers free drop-off in January. Starting Feb. 1, the station will charge $27.75 plus a $3.50 environmental compliance fee. For flocked or plastic trees, the station charges a $38.50 fee plus the $3.50 environmental compliance fee.

— city of Berkeley

EL CERRITO

City’s minimum wage rising to $17.35 an hour on Jan. 1

Starting Jan. 1, the city’s minimum wage will increase from $16.37 per hour to $17.35 per hour. The city minimum wage standards require all employers to pay their employees no less than the minimum wage for all hours worked in the city of El Cerrito, regardless of where the business is headquartered (employees who work less than two hours a week within El Cerrito are exempt).

Each year, the wage will increase based on changes in the local Consumer Price Index. Employers and workers with questions about the El Cerrito minimum wage
ordinance can visit el-cerrito.org/wages or email wages@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.

— city of El Cerrito

ALBANY

Friends of Albany Seniors’ White Elephant Sale Saturday

Join the Friends of Albany Seniors (FOAS) with the return of their annual White Elephant Sale! From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Albany Senior Center at 846 Masonic Ave., they’ll sell tools, kitchen items, knick-knacks, baked goods and much more. All proceeds will go to the FOAS, which supports the Albany Senior Center.

— city of Albany

RICHMOND

Center’s Holiday Arts Festival to return in-person Sunday

The Holiday Arts Festival will return in-person Sunday to the Richmond Art Center. After running for two years as a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival will be back in-person to celebrate its “diamond jubilee” 60th year in Richmond.

The Holiday Arts Festival offers visitors a chance to buy unique gifts from local arts and crafts vendors, experience the center’s open studios, enjoy snacks and beverages and participate in art-making activities for the whole family. The festival will runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4 in the center at 2540 Barrett Ave. in Richmond.

Visitors will be able to shop for local and handmade holiday gifts from more than 50 local, independent artists. Available merchandise will include unique jewelry pieces, art glass, tin boxes, botanical illustrations, upcycled incense holders, crocheted fantastical hats and food preparation items made from repurposed wood. Artisanal goods at the festival will include gourmet chocolates and confections and handmade natural skincare products.

This will be an indoor event, and organizers will do what they can to keep people safe. Face masks will be required in the galleries and indoor public spaces but may be removed in the courtyard. For more details, visit richmondartcenter.org/haf online.

— RAC

To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least three days before publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words, include the name of the group or individual to whom it is to be credited and should include a brief headline.