Halcyon Neighborhood Association • Berkeley, CA

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 8/1/11

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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. National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday 8/2, Community Potluck & Safety Walk, 6-8:30 p.m.

2. Work Party in Halcyon Commons & Surrounding Neighborhood, Tuesday 8/23, 1:30–5 p.m.

3. Crime Watch Update: Ice Cream Truck Turns Out to Be Legitimate

4. Crime Watch Report: Someone Casing Neighborhood on Fulton Street

5. Crime Watch Report: Theft at Yellow Emperor Acupuncture Clinic on Shattuck

6. Crime Watch Alert: Robbery Suspects Focusing on Smartphones

7. Next Drop-In Progress Meeting at Whole Foods Market, Weds. 8/10, 8:30-9 a.m., Plus Store Announcements

8. Multi-Household Yard Sale Planned for Saturday, September 17

9. City of Berkeley Redistricting Packets Now Available

10. Link about How a Park Helped a Community Weather the Recession

11. NeighborÕs Sister Looking for a Rental in Larger Neighborhood

12. Supervisor Keith CarsonÕs Summer 2011 Newsletter Online

 

EditorÕs Introductory Note:

 

This Tuesday is one of the most important events HNA sponsors: our annual participation in the National Night Out Against Crime. See item 1 for details on the community potluck, which will include drop-by visits from police, firefighters, and City officials, followed by a safety walk around the larger neighborhood. ItÕs a fun way to visit with your neighbors and get to know more of them, which over the years weÕve found to be one of the most effective ways to increase neighborhood safety. This issueÕs crime watch alerts (see items 4-6) show why it matters. Your participation makes a difference. Please come on out!

 

I also want to put in another plug for those of you on Facebook to join our growing HNA Facebook group, which is providing a way for neighbors to share news in between these monthly newsletters. And we continue to welcome additional participation in our three Yahoo listservs (disaster preparedness, crime watch, and steering committee). Please email halcyon92@gmail.com with your name, address, and phone number if youÕre a neighbor who would like to receive an invitation to join any or all of the listservs.

 

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

 

 

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1. National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday 8/2, Community Potluck & Safety Walk, 6-8:30 p.m.

 

HNA is once again participating in National Night Out Against Crime. Please join us. Your participation in this fun evening is crucial to our efforts to create a safer, healthier, and friendlier neighborhood!

 

Tuesday, August 2, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

6:00-7:30 p.m.: Community Potluck in the park, with visits from the Police Department, Fire Department, and City officials (including an invitation to our Council representatives to stop by)

7:30-8:30 p.m.: Neighborhood Safety Walk to include the Oakland border and Ed Roberts campus area and identify any problem spots or issues

 

Delicious Mediterranean appetizers courtesy of Whole Foods Market!

 

Bring a dish to share for 8-10 (plus a beverage to share too if possible)

Potluck suggestions: Salad: R–Z * Main Dish: I–Q * Dessert: A–H

(If not obvious, kindly attach a label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian and other diets. ItÕs really helpful if some of you also bring a beverage to share. Children welcome!)

 

This event is a great chance to ask questions and introduce yourselves and your children to police officers and firefighters. ItÕs also an opportunity to show representatives from the City that weÕre concerned about crime and willing to work in partnership to help address it.

 

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2. Work Party in Halcyon Commons & Surrounding Neighborhood, Tuesday 8/23, 1:30–5 p.m.

 

EditorÕs note: On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 23, weÕll be holding one of our rare weekday work parties with the help of student volunteers from UC BerkeleyÕs School of Public Health, which has been featuring a volunteer component as part of its student orientation the past few years. Are you at home on that Tuesday afternoon and willing to coordinate one of the weeding teams, or to guide a graffiti removal team out into the larger neighborhood? Over the years IÕve learned that our student volunteers are much more productive if we have neighbors working alongside them, allowing them to feel comfortable with the tasks at hand. It would be especially helpful to have a neighbor (or two) willing to take a graffiti removal team out for one or two hours (you donÕt even have to do the removal yourself; the students provide the labor and mostly just need someone familiar with the streets, which means they end up covering more of the neighborhood). We werenÕt able to get to graffiti removal during our May neighbor-only work party, so thereÕs been some buildup, and weÕll only get it removed now if one or two of you come forward to guide a crew or crews. Please email halcyon92@gmail.com if youÕre available on 8/23. Delicious refreshments from Whole Foods Market plus a cleaner, better cared-for neighborhood will be your reward!

 

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3. Crime Watch Update: Ice Cream Truck Turns Out to Be Legitimate

 

EditorÕs note: In the July HNA E-News, I passed on a report from a neighbor who remembered a warning from the prior year about a pink ice cream that some in the Bateman neighborhood believed to be casing the neighborhood; this neighbor had seen a similar truck this summer and wanted to encourage us to keep an eye on it. After I posted that report, I received the note below from another Bateman neighbor letting me know that the ice cream truck turned out to be legitimate (I promptly posted that update on our Halcyon Neighborhood website, as well as posting the update to our Facebook group and crime watch listserv). And soon after that, one of my immediate neighbors let me know that her son has purchased ice cream from the truck too. So the truck is legitimate and really does sell ice cream. I regret that the report I passed on in good faith (and which was made in good faith) led to unnecessary concern. At the same time, at our crime watch meetings the police always tell us to report anything that seems suspicious. If something turns out not to be a problem, all the better, and in my experience the Berkeley Police do a good job of handling such reports with sensitivity and discernment. So please donÕt hesitate to call the Police if you find someoneÕs behavior suspicious or to share your concerns with your neighbors. And letÕs also do our best to spread the word when it turns out to be nothing to worry about! Thank you to the neighbors who helped clarify the matter in this case, as well as to those who were tracking past reports.

 

HereÕs the update that was sent by a Bateman neighbor: ÒI live just east of you in Bateman and wanted to give you a quick update on #6 [in the July E-News]. The ice cream truck should not be seen as a threat. He comes through our neighborhood at least a few nights a week and we have bought ice cream from him and have seen numerous other neighbors doing the same. There are no signs that he is casing the neighborhood and I think that original email thread got way out of control before people realized what they were talking about. None of the thefts that had occurred could be remotely linked to the truck, and I think we need to be careful about making assumptions.Ó [Bateman Neighborhood Crime Watch Coordinator Marcy McGaugh has confirmed this neighborÕs statement.]

 

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4. Crime Watch Report: Someone Casing Neighborhood on Fulton Street

 

EditorÕs note: A Fulton Street neighbor reported the following.

 

ÒI'm a resident [on Fulton Street], and I wanted to report some suspicious activity of a man who may have been casing the neighborhood around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5.  He stopped at my neighbor's house as I was getting in my car, and I overheard him asking for money to go to UCLA. He seemed suspicious and seemed to be looking into the house as my neighbor opened the door (my neighbor also found it suspect). IÕve never seen someone going door-to-door to raise money to go to college. He was black, maybe around 30, give or take 5 years. I donÕt think he had much facial hair. He was pretty slender. Maybe 170lbs. Maybe 5'10 to 6'. I just wanted to alert the neighborhood watch group and get on your email listserv myself. Next time IÕll be sure to call the police nonemergency number right away, which is what some police officers recommended I do if I see this in the future.Ó

 

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5. Crime Watch Report: Theft at Yellow Emperor Acupuncture Clinic on Shattuck

 

EditorÕs note: One of the staff members at the Yellow Emperor Acupuncture Clinic on Shattuck reported the following. As a regular client of this wonderful community resource, which offers sliding-scale acupuncture treatments designed to make acupuncture affordable, IÕm sorry to hear about this incident.

 

ÒHey neighbors, just wanted to notify you all that there was a theft at around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 1, at the Yellow Emperor Acupuncture Clinic on Shattuck. A middle-aged man of medium stature with a tan complexion and short brown (or graying?) hair came in, grabbed a Ònew patientÓ clipboard, told me he was waiting for a friend to join him, and then emptied our payment box and left while I was busy treating a client. Please be wary in case heÕs traveling the neighborhood looking for more opportunities.Ó

 

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6. Crime Watch Alert: Robbery Suspects Focusing on Smartphones

 

EditorÕs note: Councilmember Max AndersonÕs office passed on the following community crime alert. While it applies to the City of Berkeley as a whole and not just our neighborhood, it offers practical tips to keep yourself from becoming a victim of this increasingly common crime.

 

Berkeley Police Department

2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 981-5900, TDD: (510) 981-5799, police@ci.berkeley.ca.us

 

Community Crime Prevention Alert: Robbery Suspects Focusing on Smartphones

Berkeley, California (Thursday, July 14, 2011)

 

As was the trend when walkmans and CD players, then MP3 players and iPods, became popular in the City of Berkeley community, crime suspects are now focusing increased attention on smartphones, especially during street robberies, the iPhone emerging as the most popular. This crime trend is not unique to Berkeley, as most metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. have seen an uptrend in the numbers of smartphone and iPhones stolen. They are taken during robberies, auto burglaries, burglaries, theft, and when left unattended.

 

The City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) would like to remind and encourage community members to employ a few crime prevention measures, simple lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk as well as discourage those who commit these crimes.

- Be alert to your surroundings and people around you.

- Do not lend your phone to anyone you do not know or take it out of your purse, pocket, or bag to give someone the time, if asked.

- Whenever feasible, walk, jog, or travel with a friend or friends.

- Walk confidently and at a steady pace.

- DonÕt talk on cell phones or listen to iPods when alone, as they significantly limit awareness.

- Be aware of locations and situations that make you more vulnerable to crime such as alleys, doorways, parking lots, and stairwells.

- Call BPD to report suspicious persons or activity.

- If you are the victim of a robbery, immediately call the police. An immediate report, including the suspect description, direction of flight, any associated vehicles, and vehicle license plate # gives responding officers the best possible chance of locating the suspect, and ultimately making a successful case.

 

BPD is urging anyone who may know anything about this type of crime to call the BPD Investigations Division - Robbery Detail at (510) 981-5742 or the 24-hour BPD Non Emergency number of (510) 981-5900. If a community member wishes to remain anonymous, he/she is encouraged to call the Bay Area Crimes Stoppers (BACS) at (800)-222-TIPS (8477). All calls to BACS are completely confidential. Any information may be critical to solving this type of crime. Sometimes the smallest or seemingly insignificant detail can be the key to arresting the suspect or suspects in any crime.

 

Media Contact: Sgt. Kusmiss S6

Public Information Officer (PIO)

(510) 981-5780

Chief of Police Michael K. Meehan

City of Berkeley

Main Line (510) 981-CITY

 

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7. Next Drop-In Progress Meeting at Whole Foods Market, Weds. 8/10, 8:30-9 a.m., Plus Store Announcements

 

EditorÕs note: Marketing Team Leader Jim Hallock at Whole Foods Market let us know that Whole Foods Market will be holding a drop-in progress meeting open to the community on Wednesday 8/10.

 

Progress Meetings

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 [now rescheduled for 2012], 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. This monthÕs meeting is scheduled from 8:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday 8/10.

Noise

Note that Mel has asked that anyone who had noise complaints to please call the store immediately, at 649-1333, and ask for the Shift Manager, so we can identify and stop the noise. Shift Managers are available from around 7:30 a.m. to midnight. If the noise is before 7:30 a.m., please ask for the Receiving Dock. If you canÕt reach anyone, please make a note of the time and date, and call a Shift Manager after 7:30 a.m. You can also email me so we can follow up.

Store Announcements

Hot Summer Sunday, Sunday, August 7, 1-5 p.m.

Stop by for free live music, ice cream, lemonade, and balloons as we celebrate the dog days of summer. ItÕll be a great day to just hang out!

 

Whole Kids Campaign Kickoff, Wednesday, August 17

The new Whole Kids Foundation is dedicated to funding projects for local schools, including improved lunches and school gardens. Help us raise money for this very worthwhile focus during our fund drive August 17-September 13. You can donate at check stands or at our upcoming events. Thanks for your help!

Wellness for Life

Every Tuesday at 5:30 at the Alta Bates Medical Center (across Webster Street). Please call 510-869-6737 to register.

 

Fruitopia! Summer Produce Tasting

August 30

What fruit is perfectly ripe? What is in season right now? Spend an hour with the produce experts from Whole Foods Market as they guide you through whatÕs ripe, whatÕs great, and what you just canÕt miss. Since this is one of our most popular classes, we will move chairs to allow extra folks to join us, but reserve your spot early! WeÕre very sorry we missed JulyÕs class—weÕll make it up to you on August 30!

Jim Hallock
Marketing Team Leader

Whole Foods Market Berkeley

3000 Telegraph Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94705

510.649.1333 ext. 261

Jim.Hallock@wholefoods.com

 

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8. Multi-Household Yard Sale Planned for Saturday, September 17

 

EditorÕs note: Halcyon neighborhood (and HNA Treasurer) Susan Hunter and a couple of interested neighbors have settled on the date of Saturday, September 17 for their next multi-household yard sale. Whether it expands beyond the Webster/Halcyon/Prince triangle will depend on your interest.

 

WeÕve set a date for a fall multi-family sale: Saturday, September 17. I still have some valuable items to sell, and IÕd welcome company. (We get bigger turnouts if we sell together.) If we get at least ten households to participate, it will be another HNA sale ($5 to cover costs from each participating household plus help posting flyers/signs). Or weÕll do it as a smaller group. Email halcyon92@gmail.com to let me know if youÕd like to be included!

 

Susan Hunter

 

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9. City of Berkeley Redistricting Packets Now Available

 

EditorÕs note: Every ten years, Council district lines are tweaked to keep district population levels roughly equivalent. Any citizen can submit a plan for redrawn lines by September 30. Even if you donÕt want to get involved to the extent of submitting a proposal, itÕs worth paying attention since the changes could affect what district youÕre in. The following announcement is from the MayorÕs Bates Update.

 

Residents who wish to submit a plan for new Berkeley City Council district boundaries are now able to pick up or download them at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/PressReleaseMain.aspx?id=71848. Every 10 years, the City of Berkeley reviews its Council district boundaries to account for shifts and changes in the population. The redistricting process is based on the population figures provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. According to the 2010 Census, Berkeley's population is 112,580, an increase of almost 10,000 people (visit About Berkeley a for summary of Census data). The population shifts within each district are significant enough to require new district boundaries.

 

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10. Link about How a Park Helped a Community Weather the Recession

 

EditorÕs note: HNA Co-Chair John Steere recommends the following link, which describes how the creation of a park helped the community of Greenville, South Carolina weather the recession. http://www.npr.org/2011/07/29/138716091/how-a-park-helped-one-town-weather-the-recession?sc=emaf

 

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11. NeighborÕs Sister Looking for a Rental in Larger Neighborhood

 

EditorÕs note: A Wheeler Street neighbor submitted the following item.

 

SEEKING SHORT-TERM HOUSING: Wheeler Street neighbor Ros Harder is seeking a house-sit or rental in Berkeley for her sister Lisa Rhode, starting August 28 (flexible).  From Lisa: ÒI am a professional woman with two children in the process of relocating to Berkeley. We need a place to stay for 1-3 months until I can arrange a more permanent situation. I am responsible, mature, and flexible. No smoking, no substances, no drama. Excellent references. Please email lisarhode@gmail.com.Ó

 

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12. Supervisor Keith CarsonÕs Summer 2011 Newsletter Online

 

EditorÕs note: Our county supervisor, Keith Carson, sent a link to his summer newsletter. You can download the pdf at http://www.keithcarson.org/2011_Summer.pdf or sign up to be on the notification list at http://www.acgov.org/board/district5/involved.htm. The newsletter contains emergency preparedness tips, information about increasing access to health care for low-income uninsured residents of Alameda County, community events, and more.

 

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* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2011

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

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 30, 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. Family Disaster Preparedness Discussion
email halcyonplaydate@gmail.com for location
Sunday, June 5, 2011 3:00 – 5:0 p.m. Disaster Prep Drill, Halcyon Commons park across from disaster prep cache (Halcyon at Prince)
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 2011.8.2 1:23:7 • by the b. wicinas "robot" bwicinas@pacbell.net