Looking to expand from Clio’s!

Hi everyone! I've been voting in the Bay Area since 2012, and every election I keep a spreadsheet to track the endorsements of my trusted voter guides and more recently I've started sharing it with friends. 

The spreadsheet:

Over the years, a lot of friends have since moved to different places around the Bay, so this year I turned the spreadsheet into a site that covers all 9 Bay Area counties: https://bayballot.com

For each contest it shows:

• which guides endorse which side, and how many
• each guide's reasoning in its own words, with a link to the source
• a filter for the kinds of guides you trust (newspapers, parties, clubs, unions, advocacy groups, civic groups)

Bay Ballot has 39 voter guides in Alameda county and 118 voter guides across all 9 Bay Area counties. It checks the guides for updates every day.

It makes no endorsements of its own and isn't affiliated with any guide or campaign. It's free, with no ads or accounts, and the code is open source.

If you spot a mistake or see a guide that's missing, tell me here or email [corrections@bayballot.com](mailto:corrections@bayballot.com).

This has been a really fun personal project, and I'd love to keep it up for future elections if you all find it useful!

My CSA sends carrots every week, and we don't go through them fast enough. At this point there are six bunches of carrots in the fridge. Is there a place in Oakland/Berkeley that will take them? Food bank, animal rescue, someone addicted to carrot juice?

Hey Oakland!

I'm an adult woman looking for a basketball trainer or adult clinic to level up my game. I'd consider myself an intermediate player, and my main goals right now are improving my shooting form/consistency and shot creation.

A few details on what I'm looking for:

• Location: Oakland or East Bay preferred, but willing to travel around the Bay Area for the right trainer/group.
• Format: Open to both 1-on-1 coaching and group training/clinics.
• Trainer Preference: Strongly prefer working with a female trainer/coach if possible!

Does anyone have local trainer recommendations, programs, or adult clinics they've had a great experience with? Appreciate any leads!

Hello all! I’m trying to show my husband some of what the spooky season can be in America. I’m thinking a hedge maze, haunted house, trunk or treat or anything in between. I don’t really know what can be really fun to show a foreigner for Halloween and Oakland or the Bay Area MUST have so much to offer!

What is your favorite thing to do to celebrate the season in the area?

Coming from out of state for a long weekend, primarily for the Vulfpeck concert. What else should I do while I'm there?

ETA: Thank you all for the recommendations! Bout to hop on the plane and head that way!

Any suggestions for stylists that do haircuts on pressed hair?

I really need a trim but don’t necessarily want a silk press (I’m in the gym regularly) which usually goes for $160+. I normally wear my hair naturally so out in curls but I’m not a fan of curly cuts at all. Is there any place you really recommend where I can come in with my hair straightened and get a trim? Emphasis on “really recommend“, I’m still recovering mentally from a horrible cut last year.

Willing to leave Oakland to a neighboring city.

i volunteer at cattown on thursdays! checked tomorrow shcedule and its pretty light between 12-3.
so if you have a lunch break, some laughs and kittie snuggs or want a warm buddy on your lap sign up online.

Looking for the best tacos! Restaurant, food trucks, maybe even people walking at their houses!

Gift Article.

​Join us at the MADE for a Y2K-inspired LAN party celebrating old computers, weird games, experimental art, and the joy of being online together, in person.

Created by game designer and vintage-computer rescuer paizley lee (kidgrandma), dead internet theory began with a journey across the country to save a rainbow of colorful iMac g3s. She's since restored the computers and transformed them into an interconnected, playable world inspired by the early internet, full of strange games, hidden mysteries, and little surprises waiting to be discovered. 👾

​On October 17th, the MADE becomes a playground for old machines, strange games, interactive installations, and the people making weird things with technology today.

​Recently featured in the LA Times,* dead internet theory is part digital time capsule, part experimental art party, and part love letter to the weird, creative internet we grew up with.

We want everyone to be able to join us! Admission is pay what you can, with a suggested $10 donation.

​All admission proceeds go toward supporting the artists and crew bringing Dead Internet Theory to Oakland, helping cover their travel, production, and materials. Whatever you can contribute helps make artist-led events like this possible. 

* https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2026-09-22/dead-internet-theory-y2k-party-old-tech

NYT perspective on the case; also a gift article so folks can read it.

October 13th, it turns out, is the date when the sun sets almost perfectly over Alcatraz and between the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge when viewed from the Oakland hills.

We were fortunate that Karl took the night off.

I got a box of produce, oats, rice, polenta, and frozen chicken for free for anyone to pick-up in Coliseum.

I've only lived in Oakland for 4 years and I'm wondering how long careless driving habits have been this common? I wish I wasn't used to how often people will run a red even after stopping or wait in the bike lane at a red to gun it in front of everyone else at the light. Even if it's just to get one car ahead, I've seen plenty cars drive on the wrong side just to weave back in on one lanes like the stretch of Park before you get on the 580. I don't drive that much in Oakland as I used to but I see these things on my daily <10 minute commute at least once a day.

Hey Oak!

I'm putting together a little itinerary to make the most of the rest of October and Halloween around Oakland and the East Bay. I enjoy planning experiences and finding interesting things to do. Figured I'd share what I've come up with and get some input from the community!

Here's what I have planned so far:

- Autumn Lights Festival (Lake Merritt): Planning to visit the Gardens this weekend to check out the illuminated art installations.

- Halloween Evening Stroll (Piedmont Ave): Exploring the neighborhood decorations.

- OMCA Friday Nights / Off the Grid: Museum galleries, food trucks, live music.

- Jack London Square Waterfront Walk: Relaxing waterfront, enjoying the harbor views.

I've also put together a little itinerary checklist to keep everything organized, but there's definitely room for more!

A few things I'd love recommendations on:

1. Hidden gems: Any neighborhood Halloween displays, spooky movie screenings, themed markets, or lesser-known seasonal events worth checking out?

2. Food & treats: Favorite cafes, bakeries, or casual food spots that would pair nicely with these outings?

3. Local tips: Best arrival times, parking suggestions, or anything I should know before visiting Autumn Lights or OMCA?

I'm particularly interested in interactive activities and unique experiences that make for good memories.

I'd love to hear your favorite Oakland October traditions! Feel free to share recommendations below, or shoot me a DM if you'd rather chat or share ideas privately. My DMs are open! 🎃