BERKELEY
The Berkeley East Bay-Humane Society (Berkeley Humane) will host what is expected to be the largest free pet vaccine and microchip clinic ever held in the East Bay this weekend. With so many families struggling to access basic veterinary care and many still unaware that this help is available, the community’s support in getting the word out is urgently needed.
As part of Champions for Pet Health: Communities Partnering for Wellness, Berkeley Humane will offer a full weekend of free vaccines and microchips for Bay Area pets. No appointment is required, and hundreds of local animals are expected to attend.
“Families are desperate for affordable pet care right now, and we want every pet who needs help to get it,” said Jeffrey Zerwekh, Berkeley Humane’s executive director. “This is an incredibly positive, community-driven event, and we’re asking everyone to share it widely so no family misses out.”
This historic effort is made possible by La Russa Rescue Champions, the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, Maddie’s Fund and the Bissell Pet Foundation and brings together Berkeley Humane and eight Bay Area partner shelters to deliver free, essential veterinary services to more than 600 pets across five counties.
The clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday in Berkeley Humane’s facilities at 936 Carleton St. in Berkeley. For more details online, visit berkeleyhumane.org/events/champions.
— Berkeley Humane
North Shattuck district’s Joy Village Bazaar set for Dec. 13
The North Shattuck Association is excited to bring you the Joy Village Bazaar, a free, family-friendly holiday celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13. Get excited for a day of crafting, sipping, shopping and snacking to celebrate the holiday season.
The event will feature collage and card-making, cookie decorating, latkes from Saul’s, caroling, hot cider live music and a raffle with fabulous prizes from local merchants. Businesses along North Berkeley’s Shattuck Avenue corridor will have special offers, so this will be the perfect day to do your holiday shopping and enjoy the community festivities.
The former Books Inc. space at 1491 Shattuck Ave. will host free community crafting activities such as cookie decorating, collage and card making. Enjoy books and banter with John Harris and readings with Friends of the Berkeley Library. Berkeley High Jazz will keep your spirits high as you visit the hot cider station. Enter raffles to win gift certificates from neighborhood shops.
Stroll the bustling district for holiday shopping special offers and dining with friends and family. Sing along with the Mistletoe Carolers as they serenade visitors with traditional holiday favorites. Visit ACCI Gallery for wreath making and check out a featured artist holiday pop-up.
The North Shattuck and Vine area of Berkeley offers amazing gifts for everyone on your list. Bring the whole family to create lasting holiday memories together. For more details or to RSVP for crafting, visit northshattuck.org online.
— North Shattuck Association
KENSINGTON
Farmers’ market events planned for Sundays this month
Every Sunday’s a holiday in December at the Kensington Farmers’ Market. Every Sunday through Dec. 21, drop kids’ letters to Santa Claus into the special Letters to Santa Mailbox for a personal reply before Christmas. Rudolph has the keys to Santa’s Subaru and he picks up the letters up right after the farmers’ market closes, then guns it back to the North Pole so you’ll have a personal reply by Christmas Eve.
Also on Sundays through Dec. 21, look for the big Toys for Tots barrel at the entrance to the farmers’ market again this year. Drop new, unwrapped toys, books and sporting equipment, into the barrel so that kids in underserved neighborhoods can celebrate a Merry Christmas.
At 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14, your friends and neighbors, the Kensington Carolers, will deliver their annual holiday performance for which they’ve rehearsed. The Great Space Coaster will kick in on the bandstand at 10:30 a.m. Don’t miss this tradition!
Lastly, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 21, Santa and the Grinch will make their annual last minute visit to the farmers’ market to pose for selfies and take last-minute requests before the sleigh takes off on Christmas Eve. Trombonga at the bandstand will host a special tuba performance of “Hannukah in Santa Monica” by The Grinch. For more information online, visit kensingtonfarmersmarket.org/home.
— Kensington Farmers’ Market
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Bank Foundation spreads holiday cheer to area nonprofits
The holidays are a little bit brighter in Contra Costa County this season, thanks to the support local nonprofits are receiving from Fremont Bank Foundation. Community organizations like Loaves and Fishes in Martinez, Brentwood’s International Orphan Relief Foundation and Walnut Creek’s Trinity Center are among the 2026 grant honorees.
Now more than ever, access to nourishing food is critical. Building on more than two decades of dedication, the Fremont Bank Foundation is stepping up by supporting more than 30 Bay Area organizations with grants for meals, food drives and grocery gift cards. The foundation has consistently answered the call to serve those in need.
“The heart of Fremont Bank is the people in our communities. During the holiday season, some struggle to put a meal on the table,” said Brian Hughes, the foundation’s president and executive director. “For over 20 years, Fremont Bank and our foundation’s ‘Holiday Grant Program’ have provided funding to help our neighbors have that warm meal everyone deserves.”
— Fremont Bank Foundation
To submit an item for the Berkeley Voice and El Cerrito Journal’s “In brief” section, which is now usually published in print on each month’s first Friday, please email it, at least three days before print publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words and include a short headline along with the name of the group or individual to credit for it.