The full newsletter (with a bit of formatting) is online at http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org

Neighbors, join Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=292160762499!

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 8/6/12

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Items appearing in the HNA E-News are deemed to be of general interest to neighbors but do not necessarily reflect the views of Halcyon Neighborhood Association (HNA), its Steering Committee, or the Editor. The Editor’s introductory comments express her personal viewpoint.

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Contents

1. National Night Out Against Crime: Ice Cream Social in the Park, Tuesday, 8/7, 6:30-8 p.m.

2. Weekday Afternoon Work Party in the Park, Wednesday, 8/22, 1:30–5 p.m.

3. July Crime-Watch Reports in the Neighborhood

4. Whole Foods Market News: Community Meeting Weds. 9/5, 8:30-9 a.m. & Other Updates

5. Local Neighborhood Honey for Sale!

6. Volunteer Task: Quarterly Flyer Distributors Needed!

7. Babysitter Sought

Editor’s Introductory Note:

This September, we’ll be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the formal birth of Halcyon Neighborhood Association (we inaugurated the neighborhood association at a fall meeting that was a follow-up to a block party held in the used-to-be parking lot at the center of Halcyon Court, cleared of cars for the day, during the summer of 1992, so I guess you could say that was the conception, and the fall meeting was the birth, of HNA).

I bring this up in August for a reason. There are four of us — HNA Co-Chair John Steere, HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, Prince Street Block Captain Bruce Wicinas, and me, Nancy Carleton, the other HNA Co-Chair — who’ve been taking on various responsibilities for the neighborhood in every one of those twenty years, and now we have a renewed Steering Committee that’s been active on a variety of fronts. And of course there are dozens and dozens of others who have helped out consistently or during shorter periods for many of those twenty years too. Bottom line, though, for the core four of us, is that it takes a big commitment to stick with something in major ways for that many years. Well, I’ll speak for myself here and say that a crucial part of what will go into my own willingness to keep participating for the next twenty years (or at least the next several!) depends on YOU! Work and care go into every one of HNA’s events during the year, but few are as important as this Tuesday’s National Night Out Against Crime in the park. That’s because this event is one of our major points of connection back to the City departments on which we rely for our safety and well-being: the Police and Fire Departments. As many of you know, there have been at least three major fires in our neighborhood so far this year (we’ll be taking up a collection Tuesday evening for one of the more recent families affected by fire), and there have been burglaries, car break-ins, and other crimes. It is really, really, REALLY important for us to SHOW UP and interact with some of the folks we rely on in those circumstances — including police, fire fighters, and other City representatives — and Tuesday is our best chance all year long.

But the last couple of years, our once-high Halcyon turnout at National Night Out events has fallen. So this year, a few of the members of the HNA Steering Committee have made it really, really easy for you. We’re having an ice cream social, and all you have to do is SHOW UP! No potluck to worry about at the end of a work day, and nothing you have to bring, but there will be delicious and substantial appetizers from Whole Foods Market for those of you who haven’t yet had a chance to grab a bite to eat, and yummy homemade ice cream (including vegan options) to make it fun for everyone of all ages. Yes, I know the Olympics are still going, but for one evening, for one hour, tear yourself away (hint: it’s all pre-recorded anyhow), and if you’re in town bundle up and come on out to Halcyon Commons and do your part to strengthen our neighborhood, and restore the faith of the core team that keeps Halcyon Neighborhood Association going! See item 1 for the details.

Yours for a healthy, strong, safe community!

—Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-News Editor, halcyon92@gmail.com

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1. National Night Out Against Crime: Ice Cream Social in the Park, Tuesday, 8/7, 6:30-8 p.m.

Ice Cream Social in the Park for National Night Out Against Crime

Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Tuesday, August 7, 6:30-8 p.m.

Delicious Middle Eastern appetizers courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Homemade Ice Cream (and nondairy alternative) courtesy of neighborhood volunteers and Whole Foods Market.

Children welcome and encouraged to attend!

Please mark your calendars. We’re anticipating a fun summer evening in the park, with visits from police, firefighters, and city officials. This event is a crucial part of our neighborhood watch program, so please support it with your presence!

At the event, we’ll be taking up a collection to help out some Deakin Street neighbors who are trying to recover after an electrical fire this summer (they had fallen on hard times, so they were without insurance at the time of the fire); if you’re able, please bring a little cash to contribute.

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2. Weekday Afternoon Work Party in the Park, Wednesday, 8/22, 1:30–5 p.m.

Weekday Afternoon Work Party in the Park (and Surrounding Neighborhood)

Meet at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince), Wednesday, August 22, 1:30-5 p.m.

Delicious refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

* Weeding in Halcyon Commons and nearby landscaped barriers

* Picking up litter from streets in the larger neighborhood

* Graffiti removal in the larger neighborhood (if we have sufficient help)

Many hands make light work: Please lend yours! Even half an hour helps. Children welcome. Bring your own tools if you have them, or use ours if you don’t. We’ll have help from student volunteers from UC’s School of Public Health, and it’s always more fun if we have some neighbors to work alongside them!

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3. July Crime-Watch Reports in the Neighborhood

Editor’s note: A reminder to join the HNA Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=292160762499 for breaking crime reports in between E-News editions. If you’re a neighbor who isn’t yet part of this closed Facebook group, you’re missing out! Remember, we rely on neighbors to fill in the details of crimes in our neighborhood, so, in addition to being sure to file a Police report, please email halcyon92@gmail.com to pass the word on to your neighbors, or share it on our Facebook page, so we can all stay aware and vigilant!

HNA Steering Committee member Mikel Delgado submitted the following summary of crimes in or near the neighborhood. Thank you, Mikel!

Not many crimes to report in the neighborhood this month:
7/14 Assault, Telegraph near Prince
7/17 Felony Theft, Telegraph and Ashby
718 Commercial Burglary, Telegraph and Ashby
7/25 Assault, Telegraph near Woolsey

In addition, a former Halcyon Court neighbor reported on Facebook:

“Hello, last night [July 28] someone tried to break into our house. The back door lock was damaged and frame was damaged. No other information because we moved, but the roommate is still there but was at work. Stay safe out there. Also thanks to whoever watched our house last month when someone was looking in the window.”

An Essex Street neighbor raised the following concern on Facebook:

“We have major concerns on Essex Street lately, due to the increased volume of clientele on the corner marijuana [medical cannabis] club. Since the other one on San Pablo has closed, traffic has increased, parking on our block is impossible, lots of youth smoking pot in their cars, or on the block. The upcoming closing (by the feds) of the Harborview club in Oakland will probably also increase the unpleasantness by a whole lot more, since I believe it is probably the biggest club in the East Bay. Although I am a supporter of medical marijuana, the impact on our neighborhood is pretty bad. Their parking lot only takes four cars, and I think they must have about forty people per hour going in and out.”

[Editor’s note: HNA does its best to work from a spirit of partnership with all local businesses and faith institutions. It would be great if some folks could join our Steering Committee with the goal of improving communication with the businesses on Essex and alleviating some of the concerns raised by the Essex Street neighbor (more were raised in the comments section on the Facebook group page). Email halcyon92@gmail.com if you’d be interested!]

A Prince Street neighbor reported on Facebook:

“From a neighbor on Prince near Halcyon (yesterday Friday 8/3): Just saw what looked like a drug deal across the street . . . called the police and they're sending someone around the neighborhood. Two guys leaning into a silver four-door car with a spoiler on the back."

[Editor’s note: Thank you to the neighbor for taking action and calling the Police. From time to time, dealers try to bring their action here. The more consistently and quickly we take action, the better we can keep it from becoming a regular feature.]

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4. Whole Foods Market News: Community Meeting Weds. 9/5, 8:30-9 a.m. & Other Updates

Editor’s note: News from Whole Foods Market courtesy of Jim Hallock.

Drop-In Progress Meeting

(usually on the first Wednesday of each month; rescheduled this month due to the Fourth of July)

September 5, 8:30-9:00 a.m.

Whole Foods Market (check in at Customer Service)

These meetings are held at the Community Table at the front of the store, and the purpose is to share our plans for noise abatement, the store remodel project [taking place in 2012], street litter control, and progress on any of the ongoing issues we discuss [with HNA reps and nearby neighbors]. Mel [Store Team Leader] and I will meet, and anyone is welcome to join us. Of course there will be complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks. Our goal is to follow up immediately on any issues that we hear about, and to hear how the store can be a better neighbor.

Music Events This Summer and Fall

A jazz group that performed on Memorial Day will be back on Labor Day. Here are the remaining music events we have scheduled. All music will be between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Please join us!

August 18

September 3

October 31

Caltopia, Sunday and Monday, August 19 & 20

UC Berkeley campus, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

We welcome UC Berkeley students back, at two fantastic days of fun and freebies. We’ll have a prize wheel, spinning with lots for opportunities for students to win free gifts. Let’s all welcome our students back to town. Go Bears!

Doggie Fashion Show, Saturday, August 25, Noon- 4 p.m.

Is your dog a ham? Does she have a great smile? How about that perfect strut? Come on out and show off your dog at our Doggie Fashion Show! We’ll have live music for those dancin’ dawgs, free treats for dogs and humans, and prizes for the winningest dogs. Fashion show starts at 1:30 p.m. Check our store Facebook page for more info.

Labor Day Celebration, Monday, September 3, 1-5 p.m.

Mark your calendars, and stop by on Labor Day to take a break from all your work. We’ll be serving free refreshments and enjoy an encore performance of some very lively jazz by MB Hanif and the Sound.

Jim Hallock

Community Relations Team Leader

Whole Foods Market Berkeley

3000 Telegraph Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94705

P: 510-649-1333 ext. 260

F: 510-649-1474

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5. Local Neighborhood Honey for Sale!

Editor’s note: We now have at least two households in the neighborhood producing enough local honey to have some to sell from time to time. Here’s an announcement from one of them.

“I just harvested some honey from my hives here in the neighborhood and also from Inverness. The honey from Berkeley is light with floral notes since the bees have been visiting the diverse flowers in our gardens. The honey from Inverness is more aromatic has a caramel finish to it. Bees out there visit a number of native plants including California Bays, blackberries, and huckleberries. Baja Berkeley Honey is $12 per pint (~1.3 lbs), Bobcat Honey from Inverness is $15 per pint (~1.3 lbs). People can contact me (Doug James) at 510-849-1772 or djames@microprop.com. Thanks.”

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6. Volunteer Task: Quarterly Flyer Distributors Needed!

Two of our regular flyer distributors moved out of the neighborhood recently, and a third had a sprained ankle and couldn’t make her delivery route. Fortunately two neighbors stepped in after an announcement went up on the Facebook group, but the third bit of news came too late to locate an alternate. Bottom line, we now have three stretches that need regular coverage: Ashby Avenue, Emerson, and Tremont, and other blocks occasionally need alternates to fill in for regulars who are out of town or injured. Please email halcyon92@gmail.com if you’d be willing to help cover a stretch on a quarterly basis or to serve as an alternate. Each stretch takes about half an hour four times a year (and Jay Migliaccio, our flyer distributor coordinator, will arrange for backup coverage by an alternate if you’re out of town). One more flyer to go this year! Please let us know if you can help in this way as either a regular or an alternate flyer distributor. And thank you to Neelam and Shael for stepping in to help in a pinch! The flyer distribution is crucial to reach out to new neighbors (we live in a high turnover neighborhood), to reach people who don’t have Internet (yes, they still exist!), and to remind people of our most important events. This is a simple way to help out in the neighborhood.

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7. Babysitter Sought

Editor’s note: Some new Prince Street neighbors submitted the following announcement.

“We are new to the neighborhood and live near the Chochmat Halev Mediation Center. We are looking for an occasional evening babysitter for our two-year-old son. It would be for a couple of hours while he is sleeping. Please call Justin @ 760-648-3925 or Beth @ 760-709-6710.”

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