Halcyon Neighborhood Association • Berkeley, CA

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 2/8/11

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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 EditorÕs introductory comments express her personal viewpoint.

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Contents

1. Change in time for Monthly Tai Chi Practice in the Park; February date is Sunday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. (with optional training at 9:30 a.m.)

2. Crime Watch Updates: Three Daytime Burglaries on Emerson; Suspicious Panhandler on Prince & Woolsey; Concerns about Graffiti and Loud Gatherings Outside Church at Telegraph/Prince

3. Upcoming Drop-In Progress Meetings at Whole Foods Market, Weds., 2/16 & 3/2, 8:15-9 a.m.

4. Useful Emergency Preparedness Link: Video on Continuous Chest Compression CPR (a Simpler Alternative to Standard CPR)

5. HNA Dates for Remainder of 2011 up at http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org/#Calendar!

6. Upcoming Adeline/Shattuck Issues on ZAB Agenda for Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.

7. Free Mulch Available from the City of Berkeley, February through October

8. Message from Councilmember Worthington on Parking Enforcement Near Alta Bates & Other Parking Matters

9. Link to Article on Massage Parlor Prostitution on Woolsey Street

10. Link to Current Free CERT/Disaster Preparedness Trainings from City

11. Tips to Prevent Car Break-ins

12. Mark Your Calendars: Big Work Party in Park and Surrounding Neighborhood, Sat., March 5, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

 

 

EditorÕs Introductory Note:

 

Please note that due to new constraints on length from VerticalResponse, the company that generously enables us to send out messages to a large list free of charge, from now on I will only be sending the cover note and the Contents list for each new E-News or E-Update via email. Such messages will serve to let you know that a new E-News is up online at HNAÕs website at http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org/. So please visit the halcyonneighborhood.org website for the information associated with the Contents list above!

 

Many thanks to the dozens of neighbors who attended the post-holiday progressive potluck in January. You are part of what keeps our Halcyon neighborhood growing as a real community! Thanks as well to everyone who made a donation; we raised over $500 ($300 of that came from one very generous couple!), which will help us keep duplicating flyers for the neighborhood as well as make additions to our disaster supply cache. If you werenÕt able to make it on January 23, you can still send or drop off a check made out to HNA (if you need your contribution to be tax-deductible, make it out to our nonprofit sponsor BPFP, earmarked Halcyon) to HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705. Your contribution will help us make a big step forward in our neighborhood preparedness in 2011.

 

Hope youÕre all enjoying the early taste of spring!

 

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

 

 

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1.

1. Change in time for Monthly Tai Chi Practice in the Park; February date is Sunday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. (with optional training at 9:30 a.m.)

 

Free monthly Tai Chi Chih Practice (fourth Sundays at 10 a.m. except alternate dates in February & April)

Sunday, February 13, 10-11 a.m. is the next (with optional training at 9:30 a.m.)

Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Facilitated by Prince Street neighbor Judith Schwartz, 510-843-2062

 

Optional free instruction in Tai Chi Chih basics at 9:30 a.m. before the February 13 practice!

Contact Judith if youÕre a beginner whoÕd like to show up early to learn enough of the basics to practice along with the group at 10 a.m. (Judith will only show up early to offer this free instruction if some folks contact her in advance to say theyÕll be there, so be sure to call if youÕre interested; see contact information above.)

 

EditorÕs note: Judith also offers ongoing classes to teach the Tai Chi forms in her peaceful Prince Street gardens; you can contact her for more information. Note that Judith sometimes has to change the date and/or time for the free community practice given other commitments in her busy life, so please check the HNA website at http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org/ to verify that monthÕs practice!

 

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2. Crime Watch Updates: Three Daytime Burglaries on Emerson; Suspicious Panhandler on Prince & Woolsey; Concerns about Graffiti and Loud Gatherings Outside Church at Telegraph/Prince

 

EditorÕs note: Thanks to the Wheeler Street neighbor who both passed on this news and took the initiative to post a flyer with this information on Wheeler and Emerson Streets!

 

NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT: On Tuesday 1/25/11 there were three burglaries on Emerson Street between Wheeler  and Shattuck. In addition to forced entry and theft, the intruders vandalized indoor property (i.e., smashed TV and wall). The intruders were spotted around 3-4 p.m. by several witnesses, who described them as three very young African-American teenage boys, well dressed, carrying backpacks. If you have further information about these burglaries, please contact either the police nonemergency number at 981-5900 or, for crimes in progress, call 911 from your landline or 581-5911 from your cell. [EditorÕs note: Also please be sure to share details with the neighborhood at halcyon92@gmail.com, so they can be reported in the next E-News!]

 

EditorÕs note: A Woolsey Street neighbor reported the following incidents with an overly aggressive panhandler.

 

Ņ[This concerns] someone I have found to be acting a little strangely in the neighborhood for the past several months. I have lived on Woolsey Street for about 2 1/2 years, and about 6 months ago a man started showing up and acting strangely. He has approached twice at night, once while [I was] walking alone from the UC campus, the other while [I was] walking my dog, and now today [2/7] at dusk while I was walking down Telegraph. Each time was either on Prince or Woolsey, and he always has a (seemingly bogus) story about his car being towed and him needing change. When I have told him I had no change, each time he became somewhat frustrated and asked me to go home and look for some. He even claimed he had family in a home on Prince and Deakin, which IÕm pretty sure isn't true. I don't think I am someone who gets paranoid, but this person has made me very nervous. I only wanted to tell [neighbors] in case he does this, or anything worse, to anyone else. His description: African American male about 45-55 years, approx 6 ft, short hair, wears thin-rimmed glasses, clean cut, and always starts asking questions in a polite and friendly way. I believe he wears a greenish windbreaker type jacket.Ó

 

EditorÕs note: A Prince Street neighbor submitted this report on 1/23 regarding the area around the church at Telegraph and Prince (and Southside Lofts on the other side of Telegraph).

 

ŅSome neighborhood notes on things I have been noticing lately and thought maybe you could pass along the info to the neighborhood: There have been a few homeless people hanging out on the Church steps lately at night. They also seem to be sleeping on the church steps this past week (the church on the corner of Prince and Telegraph). I have heard them making loud noise and yelling; they have been just hanging around the neighborhood at night the past week or so. They also had some kind of a fire going there last night (maybe it was a few large candles); they have been yelling quite a bit and seem to be very busy at night. Yesterday a bunch of graffiti appeared on the South Side Lofts dumpster fence; it seems to match the graffiti that also appeared yesterday on the bench/bus stop in front of the Church on the corner of Prince and Telegraph where they sleep. Last week, a neighbor and I on Prince Street, below Telegraph, saw a man casing the neighborhood in the late afternoon, he was walking up and down peopleÕs driveways eventually walking quickly towards Wheeler. The neighbor I was walking with, spoke to a beat officer, but it was already too late, because the guy had taken off too quickly to be  spotted. I have also seen several young guys walking to and from the Halcyon Commons park late at night this past couple of weeks; they seem to be coming from the park and walking towards Telegraph and making noise on their way etc. Overall it seems there has just been an increase in these types of things lately, seeing more graffiti, homeless, and odd foot traffic in the neighborhood. Especially now that UC Berkeley is back in session, maybe there has just been more activity in general around town. So I wanted to send you a note, hoping you can just send some information out to the Halcyon neighborhood about these things that we need to pay attention to in order to keep our neighborhood clean/safe/quiet, etc.Ó

 

EditorÕs note: HNAÕs neighborhood watch is in transition given Dawn TrygstadÕs RubinÕs retirement as HNAÕs Neighborhood Watch coordinator (Dawn remains active in crime watch as she works to expand community policing along the Berkeley/Oakland Shattuck corridor). Please get involved if you want our ongoing Neighborhood Watch to stay strong! Email halcyon92@gmail.com if youÕd like to join our Yahoo listserv focused on neighborhood watch and night-time safety walks (you must include your full address and phone number to receive an invitation so we can be sure that all participants are trusted neighbors). Also, be sure to report any and all suspicious behavior. If you feel uncomfortable or get a bad gut feeling, call! And note that Halcyon Commons closes at 10 p.m.; anyone in the park after that hour can be asked to move by the police. As we were told long ago by Sergeant Cliff Romig, the philosophy of the Berkeley Police Department is ŅYour level of tolerance will dictate our level of enforcement.Ó If something is making you uncomfortable, itÕs up to you to be the squeaky wheel that makes the calls that then get the attention of our beat officers and results in more frequent patrols.

 

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3. Upcoming Drop-In Progress Meetings at Whole Foods Market, Weds., 2/16 & 3/2, 8:15-9 a.m.

 

EditorÕs note: Marketing Team Leader Jim Hallock at Whole Foods Market sent the following notice about three follow-up meetings planned Ņto directly address noise levels, to brainstorm, and to keep interested neighbors apprised of our noise abatement action plan and any other issues that ariseÓ (one of the meetings has already taken place). Neighbors interested in tracking noise abatement issues are especially encouraged to attend, though those with other issues are also welcome. This is also a chance to meet new Store Team Leader Melody Mestemacher, who will be overseeing a store remodel that will be taking place later in the year (details to come)! Thanks to Mel and Jim for offering this additional outreach to the neighborhood!

 

Progress Meetings

Mel [Melody Mestemacher, new Store Team Leader] has asked me to set up a few bi-weekly follow-up meetings for anyone who would like to attend. These meetings will be 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 scheduled for later this year, street litter control, and progress on any of the ongoing issues we discuss [with HNA reps and nearby neighbors] quarterly. Mel 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. The upcoming meetings are scheduled from 8:15 a.m. - 9 a.m. on Wednesday 2/16 and 3/2.

Jim Hallock
Marketing Team Leader

Whole Foods Market Berkeley

3000 Telegraph Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94705

510.649.1333 ext. 261

 

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4. Useful Emergency Preparedness Link: Video on Continuous Chest Compression CPR (a Simpler Alternative to Standard CPR)

 

EditorÕs note: IÕm repeating this link because this is such useful and potentially life-saving information, and much easier to perform than standard CPR.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcbgpiKyUbs&feature=player_embedded

 

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5. HNA Dates for Remainder of 2011 up at http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org/#Calendar!

 

EditorÕs note: Your participation is what keeps our neighborhood safer, better cared for, and more convivial, so please plan on jotting the dates of interest on your calendar now. Making our shared neighborhood a priority in your planning will directly help improve your quality of life here! The link is http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org/#Calendar and we will update the list when there are changes. Thanks to Bruce Wicinas for helping get the calendar up as well as for work on the website as a whole.

 

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6. Upcoming Adeline/Shattuck Issues on ZAB Agenda for Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.

 

EditorÕs note: The following item is from Fulton Street neighbor Lisa BullwinkelÕs FRNA list. Check out the City of BerkeleyÕs website at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning/ for more information.

 

ŅThere are 3 issues at the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) on Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 2134 MLK that relate to our neighborhood. If you can go, great! 

1. To allow retail sales of beer and wine for off-site consumption at WalgreenÕs.

2. To install an ATM inside the liquor store at 3027 Adeline.

3. To establish a music and dance studio with artist residency and office at 3023 Shattuck.

If they all go through we can get enough money to get drunk and dance and play music all night!Ó

 

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7. Free Mulch Available from the City of Berkeley, February through October

 

EditorÕs note: Councilmember Max AndersonÕs office passed on the following information. (Remember that the yard waste we send off in our green bins comes back to the City in the form of compost!)

 

Free compost!

City of BerkeleyÕs Parks Recreation & Waterfront, Marina Division & Public Works

Berkeley residents only

Location: Berkeley Marina (Marina Blvd. across from the Doubletree Hotel

*(please note the new location)

Time & date: The last Saturday of each month

February through October 2011

(except for July, which will be on the 3rd Saturday due to the Kite festival)

*(please note the new day)

2/26, 3/26 4/30, 5/28, 6/25, 7/23, 8/27, 9/24, 10/29 Weather permitting!  

Time: Starting at 8:00 a.m. and lasting until the compost is gone

Pick-ups may load no higher than the lip of their bed & must tarp their loads.

Self-serve: Please bring your shovels, containers and safety gear

First come, first served.

For more information or rain cancellations, call the Berkeley Marina office at (510) 981-6740.

 

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8. Message from Councilmember Worthington on Parking Enforcement Near Alta Bates & Other Parking Matters

 

Dear Halcyon folks:

 

The City of Berkeley is working on a pilot project around Alta Bates Hospital to improve consistency of parking enforcement, by addressing the practice whereby some people wipe the chalk marks off their tires and park all day while working, irrespective of the posted parking time limits. Implementation of the LPR project will probably begin approximately around the end of March. To prepare for this, additional Info Technology needs for data storage and analysis are being addressed, including a new server and additional software, which are currently in the works.

 

On the Way (someday)

I am firmly committed to getting the City to allow online purchases of Parking permits. This may involve a February City Council item depending on the City Manager response. For many years IÕve initiated proposals to expand information and services available online, because it makes the City more accessible and usually also saves us money. This is one more obvious step that we need to take.

 

We have been asked to look at other parking changes so we are currently putting info together. We are researching the costs, benefits, and operational issues involved in considering increasing the number of one-day passes as well as allowing exchanges of unused permits. Will update you in a few weeks when we get those estimates.

 

Kriss Worthington

Councilmember

City of Berkeley, District 7

2180 Milvia Street, 5th Floor

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 981-7170 phone

(510) 981-7177 fax

kworthington@cityofberkeley.info

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/council7/

 

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9. Link to Article on Massage Parlor Prostitution on Woolsey Street

 

http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_17086806?nclick_check=1

 

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10. Link to Current Free CERT/Disaster Preparedness Trainings from City

 

EditorÕs note: These informative free trainings fill early, so check out the list for February/March now and sign up. The more of us who are trained, the better weÕll be able to respond to a big earthquake.

 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=57314

 

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11. Tips to Prevent Car Break-ins

 

EditorÕs note: These tips are from the BPD Area 1 Coordinator. Given that we have periodic waves of car break-ins in our neighborhood, weÕd be wise to follow these sensible precautions to reduce the chances that our neighborhood will be a repeat target (thieves return to streets where theyÕve been successful in the past). And donÕt forget to call the police when you notice anyone casing cars, night or day.

 

ŅAlthough it may sound sensible [to avoid leaving valuables in your car], many people continue to leave valuable items inside their parked vehicles. Items most commonly stolen include GPS units, MP3 players, cellular phones, backpacks, gym bags, briefcases, laptop bags, wallets, and purses. If you must leave valuables inside your car, place the items out of sight before you park your car. If a crook is ŌcasingÕ an area for persons parking and sees you pack/hide your valuables under your seat or inside your trunk, it will clue them in that you have something to hide and that they should target your vehicle.Ó

 

Leave no signs of your valuables.

Although they may not be the actual valuable item, leaving charging cradles from MP3 players or loose change in the car may also attract a crookÕs attention.

 

Try to park in busy, well-lit areas.

Auto burglars prefer breaking into cars where they will not be observed or attract notice. Rather than parking in areas where there is little or no one around, try to park in areas where there is lot of vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

 

Secure your vehicle.

Always make sure you lock your vehicle — even if you think you will only be away for a few minutes.  Every week, community members report thefts from their vehicles to the Berkeley Police Department where they did not have their doors locked or they left a window open. Crooks can be as slippery as water — and they too follow the path of least resistance. A crook would much rather burglarize an unlocked vehicle than have to figure out a way to break into one.

 

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12. Mark Your Calendars: Big Work Party in Park and Surrounding Neighborhood, Sat., March 5, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

 

EditorÕs note: Once again weÕll enjoy the help of volunteers from the Berkeley Project as students from UC help us weed in the park and spread mulch. We also hope to do litter pickup and graffiti removal in the larger neighbor, but only if a neighbor (or two or three) steps forward to lead out a student crew (or crews) for an hour (or two or three). Please email halcyon92@gmail.com if youÕre able to take a crew out into the larger neighborhood. If you can help weed or mulch, just show up at Halcyon Commons. Coffee courtesy of Mokka Cafˇ and refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market will keep us well fueled!

 

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Old News Archive  
HNA.E-News.5.May6.2010.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index100506.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
index100515.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA.E-News.2.06.02.2010.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index100602.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
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HNA.E-News.1.Apr5.2010.2.html * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA.E-News.7.8.2010.5.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index100708.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA.E-News.8.2.2010.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
C:\bhsss\halcyon\HNA.E-News.1.Apr5.2010.2.html * * * * * * * * * * * *
index100803.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
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HNA.E-News.9.7-8.2010.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index100908.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
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index101001.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
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HNA.E-Update&News.10.29.2010.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index101029.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-News 11.4.10.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
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HNA E-NewsJan2011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA E-UpdateJan2011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110120.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
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HNAE-NewsFeb82011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110208.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2011

Dates set as of January 2011 (verify a couple weeks before event by checking HNA E-News):

Ongoing, fourth Sundays (except Sun. Feb. 13 & Sat. April 23), 2011 10g11 a.m. Free Tai Chi Chih practice in Halcyon Commons Park, facilitated by neighbor Judith Schwartz (rain cancels)
Saturday, March 5, 2011 9:30 a.m. –3:00 p.m. Work Party in Halcyon Commons & Surrounding Neighborhood with Cal students from Berkeley Project, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon Court at Prince Street)
Saturday, April 23, 2011 10–11a.m. Tai Chi Chih Practice in the Park with Judith Schwartz on World Tai Chi and QiGong Day, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Hot tea courtesy of Mokka Café (Telegraph at Dowling).
Saturday, May 14, 2011 9:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. Work Party in Halcyon Commons & surrounding neighborhood, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Fresh coffee courtesy of Mokka Café (Telegraph at Dowling).
Thursday, May 26 7 p.m. Shattuck Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council General Meeting, North Oakland Senior Center (5714 Martin Luther King Junior Way, between 57th & 58th)
Sunday, June 5, 2011 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Disaster Prep Drill, Halcyon Commons park across from disaster prep cache (Halcyon at Prince) [committee to set up at 3:30 p.m.]
Sunday, June 5, 2011 5:30 ­– 7:30 p.m. Summer Community Garden Potluck, 2329 Webster (John & Michelle’s)
Saturday, July 9, 2011 9:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m. Work Party in Halcyon Commons & surrounding neighborhood, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Fresh coffee courtesy of Mokka Café (Telegraph at Dowling).
Tuesday, August 2, 2011 6:00 –8:30 p.m. See detail National Night Out Against Crime Potluck 6-7:30 p.m.; Safety walk, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) Appetizer platter courtesy of Whole Foods Market.
Weekday afternoon in late August 2011 (date TBD) 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Weeding in Halcyon Commons & Graffiti Removal in Surrounding Neighborhood with student volunteers from UC School of Public Health, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.
Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Big 15th Anniversary of Halcyon Commons Celebration & Potluck in park with live music, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) Appetizer Platter & Cake courtesy of Whole Foods Market.
Weekday night in Sept. 2011 (date TBD) Time TBD SNCPC Annual Meeting, North Oakland Senior Center (5714 Martin Luther King Junior Way, between 57th & 58th)
Monday, October 31, 2011 Time TBD Costume parade around park for kids, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) with possible informal potluck beforehand.
Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 (date to be confirmed) 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Big Mulching Work Party & Graffiti Removal in surrounding neighborhood with Cal students from Berkeley Project, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Fresh coffee courtesy of Mokka Café (Telegraph at Dowling).
Sunday, December 4, 2011 4:30 –6:00 p.m. HNA Planning Meeting to set dates for 2012, 2329 Webster (Steering Committee & Disaster Prep Committee)
Sunday, January 29, 2012 5:30 ­– 9:00 p.m. Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, four locations TBD

*HNA’s Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

HNA’s Halcyon Commons Disaster Prep Supply Cache contains items intended to benefit the entire neighborhood in the event of disaster (primarily first aid, search & rescue, and communications supplies plus items for command center setup in Halcyon Commons). You can help us have what we need on hand in two ways: (1) Make a financial contribution for purchasing additional supplies to HNA (not tax deductible) or to Berkeley Partners for Parks, earmarked Halcyon (BPFP
is our nonprofit fiscal sponsor, so a check through them is tax deductible); mail or drop off your check to HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705. (2) Contribute any of the following items in-kind (supplies MUST be new or in EXCELLENT condition):

  • Duct Tape (this is a versatile supply that allows us to improvise with common household items in the event of a disaster: lots needed!);
  • Batteries (AA, C, D), regular & rechargeable; Battery Recharger for AA, C, D;
  • Quality Walkie-Talkies with 8-mile range, 22 channels (i.e., Motorola Talkabout T5500 two-way radios);
  • Axes; Crow Bars, Hard Hats;
  • Other Tools for Search & Rescue;
  • Head Lamps; Heavy-duty Flashlights;
  • Bullhorn;
  • Flashcard (for storing neighborhood database to transfer to laptop);
  • First Aid Supplies;
  • Gas Siphon (for extracting gas from cars to run generator);
  • Work Gloves;
  • Large Camping Tents (with ALL parts!);
  • Coleman or similar Gas or Propane Stove;
  • Two-Foot Lengths of 2x4s and 4x4s (good for cribbing and creating fulcrums for removing heavy objects during search & rescue operations).


  • Contact HNA Co-Chair and Cache Coordinator Nancy Carleton at
    halcyon92@gmail.com to contribute supplies.

    Berkeley Police:

    Police Emergency Number:
    911 (from landline);
    981-5911(from cell; preprogram with this number to reach Berkeley emergency from a cell)
    Police Nonemergency Number: 981-5900

    Link to beat maps and a list of beat officers:
    http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/0b15b20282

    In the Halcyon neighborhood: west of Fulton is Beat 10; east of Fulton is Beat 9.

    Link to crime stats, Berkeley:
    http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/42f61d76dd

    Link to police bulletins:
    http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/d1559b4b0f

    Other City of Berkeley Departments:

    City Manager’s Office: Jim Hynes jhynes@ci.berkeley.ca.us 981-2493

    Nonemergency Call Center for Public Services: Dial 311 (you will be
    directed to the appropriate department) to report problems with street
    lights (get the tag number off the pole), blocked storm drains, tree
    branches down, etc.

    Public Works Customer Service: 981-6620 (streets, sidewalks, graffiti,
    sewers, litter, storm drains, street lights)

    Tree Trimming/Planting (Forestry)/Parks: 981-6660

    Written Communication with City Council

    To comment to the City Council, use following email addresses:
    “City Clerk” clerk@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
    “Mayor Tom Bates” Mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
    “Councilmember Linda Maio” LMaio@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
    “Councilmember Darryl Moore” DMoore@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
    “Councilmember Max Anderson” MAnderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
    “Councilmember Jesse Arreguin” JArreguin@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
    “Councilmember Laurie Capitelli” LCapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
    “Councilmember Susan Wengraf” SWengraf@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
    “Councilmember Kriss Worthington” KWorthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
    “Councilmember Gordon Wozniak” GWozniak@ci.berkeley.ca.us

    Representatives for Our Neighborhood

    Councilmember Max Anderson (District 3) 981-7130
    MAnderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us
    West side of Wheeler Street to the west (except for Woolsey between
    Wheeler and Shattuck)

    Councilmember Kriss Worthington (District 7) 981-7170
    KWorthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us
    East side of Wheeler to the east (includes block of Woolsey from
    Wheeler to Shattuck)

    Mayor Tom Bates 981-7100 Mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us

    Zoning Adjustments Board

    To comment to the Zoning Adjustments Board regarding projects on their calendar, email:
    Zoning Adjustments Board zab@ci.berkeley.ca.us
    (It’s best if at all possible to submit your comments 10 days prior to meeting for inclusion in the advance packet to board members, but late submissions will be distributed the evening of the meeting.)


    * Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s Guiding Principles

    HNA is a community group dedicated to stewardship of the Halcyon Neighborhood in South Berkeley (bounded by Telegraph, Ashby, Adeline, and Woolsey). We encourage positive, proactive, partnership-oriented approaches to improving the well-being of our neighborhood, with an emphasis on the following goals:
    * Community building (such as regular potlucks, special events in the park, mutual support among neighbors, and multiblock yard sales);
    * Ongoing care of Halcyon Commons (a park conceived of and created by the neighbors who founded HNA) under the nonprofit umbrella provided by Berkeley Partners for Parks and in partnership with the City of Berkeley;
    * Continued greening and care of the neighborhood (planting trees, cleaning litter off streets, graffiti removal, and helping maintain public landscaped features);
    * Strengthening neighborhood watch (crime watch, community safety walks, emergency preparedness, and disaster supply cache);
    * Networking with the larger Berkeley community (nearby neighborhood groups, neighborhood businesses, City staff, and elected officials);
    * Sharing information and empowering residents to become proactive in addressing neighborhood needs and in expressing individual viewpoints regarding civic affairs (spreading news through meetings, flyers, and the HNA E-News, and providing contact information).
    To fulfill these goals, HNA provides a sanctuary from partisan politics so that neighbors with diverse viewpoints feel welcome to participate. Thus, HNA only takes stands on larger issues when there is near-unanimity among neighbors. By focusing on immediate local concerns, we find we can have a greater impact and get better results from the time we invest. Guided by these principles, HNA invites neighbors who are willing to work together in a spirit of partnership to participate at whatever level makes sense for them. Opportunities for serving on our volunteer Steering Committee and project-oriented committees are available to neighbors who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work together in a nonpartisan spirit. Neighbors are invited to step forward into leadership positions defined by the work they do in accordance with HNA’s primary goals and guiding principles.


    The Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News: The HNA E-News forwards items of general interest to neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area of south Berkeley (HNA’s borders), including announcements about community-building potlucks, greening projects, crime watch, disaster preparedness, and work parties in Halcyon Commons park. If you’re receiving this email, you probably either signed up at a neighborhood event or a neighbor forwarded it to you. Please note that to prevent spam, HNA does not share your email address with third parties. If you wish to be removed from this list, please contact HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton/Halcyon Neighborhood Association at halcyon92@gmail.com. Feel free to pass the HNA E-News on to other neighbors you think might be interested.

    To submit items for the newsletter: Email brief, unformatted content or links (no graphics or attachments please!) to HNA E-News Editor Nancy Carleton at halcyon92@gmail.com. Crime-watch reports and news about neighbors (births, new jobs, announcements about home businesses or creative projects) are especially welcome. Please note that due to the volunteer nature of the endeavor, the E-News does not include “letters to the editor” or “commentary,” but will gladly include links to such items written by neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area and published elsewhere (the
    Berkeley Daily Planet has a large section devoted to opinion). Also, please note that the E-News is typically published the second week of each month; submit your item early if it relates to a future event, and there’s a greater chance it will be included.

    HNA Halcyon Safety Walk & Neighborhood Watch Listserv: For those interested in getting breaking crime-watch news, discussing ways to make our neighborhood safer, and perhaps participating in night-time and daytime safety “dog” walks (dogs not required!) to build community and serve as eyes on the street, please contact halcyon92@gmail.com indicating your interest in this listserv, and you’ll receive an invitation to join. For everyone’s safety, be sure to include your full name, address, email, and phone.

    HNA Disaster Preparedness Listserv: If you’re interested in helping out with neighborhood disaster preparedness, please contact halcyon92@gmail.com indicating your interest, and you’ll receive an invitation to join. For everyone’s safety, be sure to include your full name, address, email, and phone.

    HNA Steering Committee Listserv: If you’re interested in serving on HNA’s Steering Committee in alignment with HNA’s Guiding Principles, email halcyon92@gmail.com to indicate your interest. The Steering Committee conducts most of its business via listserv (with one or two in-person meetings annually); members agree to assist with at least one or two HNA events during the course of the year and to answer Yahoo group polls to aid in planning.

    Halcyon Neighborhood Association Facebook Group: Our HNA Facebook group (http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/36acb93edf/gid=292160762499) gives neighbors fresh opportunities to network, build community, and share ideas about issues of mutual concern. Open to immediate neighbors, friends from nearby neighborhoods, and former neighbors who want to stay in touch.

    HNA Blog: If you would like to view previous newsletters online (and comment via a blog format, though this is a low activity blog), please visit http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/8af94d44a8.

    HNA is an adopt-a-park affiliate with the nonprofit Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP). Thanks to VerticalResponse for the donation of email services for sending the HNA E-News!

    Updated 2011.2.8 22:14:18 • by the b. wicinas "robot" bwicinas@pacbell.net