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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 10/4/13

 

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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. Halcyon Halloween: Fifth Annual KidsÕ Costume Parade Around the Park, Thurs. 10/31, 5:45 p.m.

2. HNAÕs Big Berkeley Project Work Party in the Park, Saturday, Sat. 10/26, 9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.

3. Progress & More Volunteer Opportunities: Adopt-a-Piece-of-the-Park-and Landscaping Project

4. Crime-Watch Updates & Links

5. Whole Foods Market News: Next Drop-in Progress Meeting on October 31, 8-8:30 a.m.

6. Walking Tour of the (New) Halcyon Neighborhood: Saturday, November 16, ŅCultivating a Sense of Place and a Place for a CommonsÓ

7. Halcyon Neighborhood Featured in City CERT Promotional Video

8. Upcoming Meetings on BerkeleyÕs Parks (South Berkeley Meeting, 10/16, 6-7:30 p.m., South Berkeley Library)

9. NeighborÕs Initiative to Add a Four-Way Stop Sign at Prince and Deakin

10. Excerpts from Councilmember WorthingtonÕs Newsletter re Three Ashby Intersections and the CityÕs 311 Service

11. Neighbor Hosting Fundraiser for La Pe–a Cultural Center, Sat. 10/16, 11 a.m., Fulton Street

 

 

EditorÕs Introductory Note:

 

Please see item 1 for ways to make our Halcyon neighborhood more kid-friendly as Halloween approaches, another fun way to build community! This fall another one of our priorities is giving some extra TLC to our neighborhood-created park, Halcyon Commons, and nearby landscaping features. See item 2 for information about our big fall work party centered around the park, and item 3 for remaining volunteer opportunities for participants in the new Adopt-a-Piece-of-the-Park-and Landscaping Project, which has gotten off to a great start but still has some openings. Many thanks to all of the neighbors who have participated so far. IÕm already noticing the positive changes!

 

HereÕs to a great October in the neighborhood!

 

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

 

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1. Halcyon Halloween: Fifth Annual KidsÕ Costume Parade Around the Park, Thurs. 10/31, 5:45 p.m.

 

EditorÕs note: LetÕs keep moving toward a kid-friendly Halcyon Halloween! Bring your kids to the annual Halloween Parade around the park prior to trick-or-treating (or come provide an audience). See Wheeler Street neighbor Susan SnyderÕs announcement below about the parade. We encourage neighbors to put out some pumpkins and answer the door on Halloween! (Or leave lights out if you donÕt want to participate; although ordinarily we ask that neighbors leave their porch lights on for neighborhood-watch purposes, Halloween is the exception.)

 

Halloween Parade at Halcyon Commons, 10/31

 

Join together with all the neighborhoods ghosts, goblins, witches, dinosaurs, dogs, and heroes to start off Halloween with our annual parade around Halcyon Commons! We'll start to gather at 5:45 p.m., with the parade beginning at 6 p.m. Come and join the parade and then trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. Kid-at-heart neighbors welcome to come cheer the kids on. Questions? Contact Susan at halcyonplaydate@gmail.com

 

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2. HNAÕs Big Berkeley Project Work Party in the Park, Saturday, Sat. 10/26, 9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.

 

BIG Work Party in Halcyon Commons & Surrounds

Saturday, October 26, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (rain or shine!)

Meet at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon Court at Prince Street)

Delicious refreshments (& water) courtesy of Whole Foods Market

Fresh coffee courtesy of Mokka Cafe (Telegraph at Dowling)

 

Chat with neighbors & UC student volunteers from CalÕs Berkeley Project, as well as several volunteers from Whole Foods Market, while we weed, mulch, pick up trash, and remove graffiti in the park and surrounding neighborhood. Please bring weeding and trimming tools (with labels) if you have them (extra tools will be available if you donÕt). LetÕs get our precious common space ready for the winter months!

 

Note: If thereÕs a public area in the larger neighborhood where youÕd especially like to see trash picked up or graffiti removed, please consider volunteering for an hour to lead a student crew out to clean it up! We will have plenty of volunteer help, but we depend on neighborsÕ help to guide the process so we get as much done as possible!

 

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3. Progress & More Volunteer Opportunities:
Adopt-a-Piece-of-the-Park-and Landscaping Project

 

Thank you all who are helping out with this newly initiated project! Over two-thirds of our pieces of the park and nearby landscaping features have now been adopted, as we move forward with this project to involve more neighbors -- some of whom canÕt make our weekend work parties -- in the care of Halcyon Commons and the nearby planted landscaping islands (the nanopark at Prince and Deakin, the tree island at Halcyon and Webster, and the planted island on Webster near Whole Foods Market).

 

HereÕs the idea: WeÕve divided the park and landscaping into small, manageable chunks, and at your own leisure (perhaps when youÕre there anyhow with your kids or dog), you can fit in five or ten minutes here and there to pull weeds in that area only. Susan and/or HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton will show you the area and point out whatÕs a weed and whatÕs a desired part of the Halcyon Commons plant palette (we donÕt want to lose any more of our base natives accidentally during the weeding process, as has sometimes happened).

 

Our hope is that by making the areas small and manageable, and the task simple and focused, we can maintain better control over the weeds month by month, though weÕll still be having the two big work parties spring and fall, and smaller work parties as needed, to accomplish the larger tasks, including semiannual mulching (see item 2!). Our hope is to get more of our neighborhood engaged in caring for our common greenspace and to make sure that it shows the TLC and respect it deserves in between work parties! As always, whether or not youÕre part of this project, when youÕre passing through, please take the time to pick up stray trash or dog litter and direct it into appropriate bins! This is OUR common space; letÕs take good care of it!

 

Below is the list of park subdivisions; we still need help in the places marked ŅVOLUNTEER NEEDED.Ó Please email halcyon92@gmail.com if youÕre willing to sign up for one of the remaining areas (and fine if you have a roommate, partner, or friend who wants to share the task with you). After you sign up, one of the project coordinators, Nancy Carleton or Susan Hunter, will meet with you for five minutes in the park to show you the outlines of your area and to point out the weeds and the desired plants so youÕre clear on them, and to collect your signature on the annual liability waiver form the city requires from all volunteers (this is a low-risk activity!).

 

Adopt-a-Piece of the Park & Nearby Landscaping

 

Nancy or Susan will contact you prior to your beginning; a liability waiver with the city is required, and there will be clear instructions about weeding and/or other tasks for particular areas. The request is that you spend at least a little time each month; work party volunteers will do the heavier work of deep weeding and mulching and trimming; this is meant primarily as a light supplement of weeding (and sometimes pulling dead leaves or watering), to keep things manageable. THANK YOU!


The asterisks indicate relative levels of difficulty, with one easiest, three more demanding. A) North End of A) Park & Entry***

1. Nancy C.

2. Susan H.

 

B) Tire Swing Interior*

1. Martha U.

 

C) Lilies & Star of Madeira area (opposite tire swing, west side)**

1. Sheena C.

 

D) Redwood area, west side of park*

1. Susan H.

 

E) Redwood area, east side of park**

1. VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

 

F) Bulletin Board area**

1. Melody M. (WFM Team Leader)

 

G) Lily Circle (near bulletin board)*

1. Leslie S.

 

H) Tea Tree & Mahonia Area (east side opposite lawn)**

1. Alexandria G

2. Tim S.

 

I) Planted Corner, west side of main lawn**

1. Green Mission Awareness Group (GMAG) from Whole Foods Market

 

J) Planted Area south of smaller lawn***

1. Anitra G.

2. John H.

 

K) Western side of slate circle (easy to do with kids)*

1. Susan S.

 

L) Eastern side of slate circle (easy to do with kids)**

1. Linda B

 

M) Southeast entry area**

1. VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

 

N) Ceanothus area, south end of park**

1. VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

 

O) Northeast entry area**

1. VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

 

P) Cherry tree watering, south end**

1. Nancy C.

 

Q) Cherry tree weeding, south end, two squares*

1. Nancy C.

 

R) West of arbor / park entry***

1. VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

 

S) East of arbor / park entry**

1. VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

 

T) Chestnut tree & rosemary area*

1. VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

 

U) Grandfather Sun Bench & surrounding, incl. oval circle**

1. John & Michelle T-S.

 

V) Planted Island Halcyon at Webster, weeding & watering 1x per week, dry season***

1. Joanna & Scott P.

2. Matthew S.

 

W) Nanopark Prince at Deakin, watering 1x per week, dry season***

1. Bruce W.

 

X) Nanopark Prince at Deakin, weeding**

1. Mary S.

 

Y) Planted Island Webster near Whole Foods, watering***

1. Whole Foods Market Landscape Crew

 

Z) Planted Island Webster near Whole Foods, weeding**

1. VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

 

AA) Sweep periphery of Halcyon Commons park occasionally

1. Green Mission Awareness Group (GMAG) from Whole Foods Market

 

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4. Crime-Watch Updates & Links

 

EditorÕs note: Please note that in our neighborhood we do our best to keep neighbors updated on crime trends as well as to share personal reports when submitted. The hope is that by being informed, we can all be proactive in safeguarding our families and our property. I know it can be alarming to read about crime trends, so I thought IÕd share my own perspective. On a personal level, I donÕt intend to live in fear, and I donÕt want my neighbors to live in fear either; I find that by maintaining awareness and exercising basic urban street smarts, I can relax some and better enjoy our beautiful neighborhood and community. I hope the same proves true for all of you.

 

Our HNA Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=292160762499 often shares breaking crime reports in between E-News editions. If youÕre a neighbor who isnÕt yet part of this closed Facebook group, youÕre missing out (your home and email addresses are required to participate so we can be sure the group is kept safe for neighbors, and we must have your information on file prior to accepting your request). 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 (which can now be done online through the City of Berkeley website for some kinds of crimes: http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/onlinereport/), 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 recent crimes in or near the neighborhood. Thank you, Mikel!

 

8/24 theft, Woolsey and Wheeler
8/24 robbery, Woolsey and Tremont
8/27 vehicle break-in, Woolsey and Deakin
8/28 commercial burglary, Telegraph and Prince
9/2 burglary, Prince and Dana

9/9 vehicle theft, Wheeler and Ashby
9/10 vehicle theft, Essex and Tremont
9/12 vehicle break-in, Emerson and Shattuck
9/13 larceny theft, 66th and Deakin
9/14 burglary, Deakin and Webster
9/15 robbery, Ellsworth and Russell
9/18 burglary, Russell and Wheeler
9/18 robbery, Regent and Ashby
9/21 larceny theft, Telegraph and Dowling
9/21 robbery, Tremont and Woolsey

 

 A neighbor reported the following to our Facebook group:

 

ŅOur car was broke into this morning [September 28] at 5:00 a.m. GPS and camera were taken. WeÕre at Deakin and Webster.Ó

 

The following message is from the Berkeley Police Department

 

2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
TEL: (510) 981-5900, TDD: (510) 981-5799, FAX: (510) 981-5744
Email: police@cityofberkeley.info

 

A few basic crime-prevention measures can significantly reduce crime.

 

We saw a large increase in the targeting of smartphones in the first six months of this year. In 57% of cases, people had their phone visible when approached. The data also showed that robbers prefer targeting lone pedestrians, often at night.

 

When walking, we believe these measures can make a difference:

į         Put your Smartphone in your pocket.

į         Take off your earphones.  

į         Be alert to your surroundings.

į         At night, consider walking with others.

 

With regards to home burglaries, we saw a slight (but encouraging) decrease in burglaries via open door or window. That number is still in the 40% range, so our advice is straightforward:

į         Lock your doors and windows regularly.

 

EditorÕs note: Here are some useful recent links on the crime situation in Berkeley. Again, be careful with your smartphones!

 

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Smartphone-robberies-send-Berkeley-crime-stats-up-4831761.php

 

And see these links for more on recent crime trends in Berkeley:

 

http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/09/19/council-asks-about-gangs-staffing-more-in-crime-report/?utm_source=Daily+Briefing+subscribers&utm_campaign=17014ebf98-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_aad4b5ee64-17014ebf98-333184121

 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2013/09Sep/Documents/2013-09-17_WS_Item_01_Mid-Year_2013_Crime_Report.aspx

 

WeÕve just passed the third anniversary of the murder of Adolfo ŅFitoÓ Celedon on the western edge of our neighborhood. His fiancˇ still hopes someone will come forward with information to help find the men who killed him: http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-law/berkeley-woman-hopes-justice-cold-case-slaying/nZwLS/?utm_source=Daily+Briefing+subscribers&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=edc3b17db1-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_term=0_aad4b5ee64-edc3b17db1-333184121

 

And I continue to recommend the Berkeley Police DepartmentÕs monthly newsletter: http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Police/Home/BPD_Newsletter.aspx. The fall edition is full of useful information!

 

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5. Whole Foods Market News: Next Drop-in Progress Meeting on October 31, 8-8:30 a.m.

 

EditorÕs note: News from Whole Foods Market about the next drop-in progress meeting open to all neighbors. And many thanks to Whole Foods Market for their support both with our Adopt-a-Piece-of-the-Park Project (see item 3) and for their donations of food and beverages to our work parties (see item 2)! Current Store Team Leader Melody Mestemacher has even adopted a piece of the park herself! Thanks, Mel!

 

Drop-in Progress Meeting, Thursday, October 31, 8-8:30 a.m.

Whole Foods Market (check in at Customer Service)

 

At our meeting in August, we decided to switch to meeting every two months rather than monthly given that the store remodel is complete, meeting attendance has been small, and things are generally going smoothly. The October 31 meeting will allow neighbors a chance to coordinate with Whole Foods Market prior to the busy holiday season in November and December (since itÕs Halloween, feel free to attend in costume!).

 

ŅThese meetings are held at the Community Table at the front of the store, and the purpose is to share our plans for ongoing changes in the store, street litter control, and progress on any of the ongoing issues we discuss [with HNA reps and nearby neighbors]. The Store Team Leader is usually present, 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.Ó

 

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6. Walking Tour of the (New) Halcyon Neighborhood: Saturday, November 16,
ŅCultivating a Sense of Place and a Place for a CommonsÓ

 

EditorÕs note: HNA Co-Chair John Steere will be leading this upcoming Berkeley Historical Society tour (tickets are $8.00 for BHS members or $10 for the general public).

 

Saturday, November 16

Cultivating a Sense of Place and a Place for a Commons: A Walking Tour of the (New) Halcyon Neighborhood.

Led by John Steere

 

Join us on a walking tour of one of BerkeleyÕs oldest neighborhoods and one of its newest as well. Learn how the Halcyon Neighborhood was born, in bringing neighbors together to create a commons out of a parking lot, in building micro-parks, and in planting over a 100 street trees. Find out about other hidden gems of artful houses and gardens and the fascinating residential lore of neighbors whoÕve experienced the changes in Halcyon across five decades. Halcyon is a quiet, quirky, and paradoxical unknown neighborhood, tucked away between some of BerkeleyÕs best known and busiest streets of Ashby, Telegraph, and Shattuck. The tour will be led by John Steere, the co-chair of Halcyon Neighborhood Association, and a couple of long-time residents who will share intriguing stories of its human and natural history -- a place with a unique fabric, even by Berkeley standards.

 

BHS Note: Tours start at 10:00 a.m. and end at approximately 12:00 noon. Sometimes they are slightly longer, so some extra time should be allowed in case the walk meets an informative passerby or dwells at an interesting site. Tours are limited to 30 paying participants unless noted otherwise. Pre-paid reservations are required and tickets are not refundable. Tours are conducted in rain, shine, or Berkeley fog and are wheelchair accessible unless otherwise noted. See http://www.berkeleyhistoricalsociety.org/walks/WOF-2012_Spr.html to order a ticket.

 

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7. Halcyon Neighborhood Featured in City CERT Promotional Video

 

EditorÕs note: HNA Disaster Preparedness Coordinator Susan Snyder submitted the following item. Thank you, Susan, for the time youÕve volunteered to help get our neighborhood, and neighbors, better prepared for a big earthquake!

 

Some neighbors are among the stars of the Berkeley CERT Promo video now airing on Berkeley Community Media (Channel 28 and 33). ItÕs airing a few times a week and can be seen on their website. (The footage is from the earthquake drill the year before last and is in there along with CERT Academy footage.) Thank you to everyone who participated and who continues to help our neighborhood be prepared!

https://www.betv.org/shows/berkeley-fire-dept-cert-training

 

 

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8. Upcoming Meetings on BerkeleyÕs Parks (South Berkeley Meeting,
10/16, 6-7:30 p.m., South Berkeley Library)

 

EditorÕs note: This notice was received from the Parks & Waterfront Commission. Note that Halcyon Commons is one of the parks highlighted in the meeting on October 16. Also see http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/09/25/4-community-meetings-planned-on-future-of-berkeley-parks/?utm_source=Daily+Briefing+subscribers&utm_campaign=d96c5ec84e-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_aad4b5ee64-d96c5ec84e-333184121

Dear Neighbors:


BerkeleyÕs new Parks and Waterfront Commission invites the public to three public meetings in October 2013 to discuss ideas for improvements to the CityÕs parks, pools, community centers, marina, and camps. Please come to one of the following Wednesday community meetings and share your ideas about the future of the CityÕs parks and facilities. Childcare will be provided.


October 2: James Kenney Community Center , 1720 Eighth St. , 7-9 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be on parks and facilities in West Berkeley & the Marina (Council Districts 1, 2 &4) including Chavez and Aquatic Parks, West Campus Pools, Rosa Park and Washington Schools Parks, San Pablo Park, Strawberry Creek, Ohlone, Civic Center, mini-parks and others.


October 9: Live Oak Community Center , Fireside Room, 1301 Shattuck Ave. , 7-9 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be on parks and facilities in North Berkeley (Districts 5 & 6), including King Swim Center , Live Oak, John Hinkel, Indian Rock, Great Stoneface, Codornices, Dorothy Bolte, Terrace View, Grizzly Peak and, Thousand Oaks Schools Parks , the residential camps and others.


October 16: South Berkeley Branch Library,1901 Russell at ML King Way
6-7:30 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be on parks and facilities in South Berkeley (Districts 3, 7, & including Willard Park and Willard Swim Center, Oak Park, Monkey Island, Greg Brown, Grove, Bateman Mall, Halcyon Commons, and the LeConte, Malcolm X, and John Muir Schools Parks).

All members of the public are welcome at any of the meetings. The same materials will be presented and discussed. Community members who are unable to attend the public meetings may submit written comments by October 30, 2013, to Roger Miller, Secretary, Parks and Waterfront Commission, 2180 Milvia Street , Berkeley , CA 94704 , or by email at rmiller@cityofberkeley.info.
More information about the CityÕs system of parks and facilities is available at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/PRW/

 

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9. NeighborÕs Initiative to Add a Four-Way Stop Sign at Prince and Deakin

 

EditorÕs note: Deakin Street neighbor Paul Bellman has taken the initiative to get a four-way stop at Prince and Deakin, where there are currently stop signs on Deakin but not on Prince. This situation has led to many close calls over the years, and last month to a serious accident where a car hit a bicyclist, who was sent flying through the air, narrowly escaping a catastrophic injury. HNA has supported four-way stop signs at this corner in the past, and all the feedback weÕve received from neighbors so far favors the four-way stop sign plan. The last time we worked with the Traffic Engineering office on this issue, they added a sign on the existing stop signs on Deakin alerting drivers that cars on Prince werenÕt required to stop, but that doesnÕt seem to have resolved the confusion, or the danger. Please let us know your opinion, and be sure to take individual action if you feel strongly.

 

Hello Neighbors,

IÕve been in contact with our City Councilmember, Kriss Worthington, and he has informed me that the best way to get the city to move on this issue is to have as many people as possible send emails to him asking for a stop sign to be put there.

The reason to send them to Kriss is that he will forward them to the City Manager and six people on their staff, so it will be harder for them to ignore. He said that this issue has been brought up by him before, but the city had determined that not enough people were requesting it. Also, Kriss said that he will keep track of the number of people emailing, and at some point he will contact all the City Councilmembers regarding the issue if nothing is done.

Here is KrissÕs email :
KWorthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us

I realize that we all have extremely busy lives, and I generally refrain from asking for anything from my neighbors, but after witnessing the horrific crash at that intersection I feel like something needs to be done. So I urge each of you to contact as many people as you can to try and get action on this.

Thanks for your time and effort.
Paul Bellman

 

EditorÕs note: And hereÕs one of the original eye-witness accounts of the recent accident, as reported by a neighbor to our Facebook group:

 

ŅI witnessed a car hitting and teenager on his bike this morning at Prince and Deakin. Neither of them saw each other until the kid on the bike was slamming off of the front of the car and bouncing on the ground. Because he was young and didnÕt hit his head, I think he will be all right. The woman driving the car is pretty traumatized. I talked to the police about how bad the intersection is, and they said they have been asking the city to do something about this intersection and have gotten nowhere.Ó

 

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10. Excerpts from Councilmember WorthingtonÕs Newsletter re
Three Ashby Intersections and the 311 Service

 

EditorÕs note: Councilmember Kriss WorthingtonÕs office recently sent out a newsletter with a range of items; IÕve excerpted two of those that seem most relevant to our neighborhood; you can ask to be added to the list to receive the full newsletter at kworthington@cityofberkeley.info

 

Three Ashby intersections, at College, Hillegass, and Telegraph

 

Important information about proposed changes at these three intersections: College & Ashby, Hillegass & Ashby, and Telegraph & Ashby. 

 

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Public_Works/Level_3_-_Transportation/C_AshbyCollege.pdf

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Public_Works/Level_3_-_Transportation/M_AshbyHillegass.pdf

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Public_Works/Level_3_-_Transportation/K_AshbyTelegraph.pdf

 

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Public_Works/Commissions/Commission_for_Transportation/Hwy%2013%20B3-Corridor_TC%20Packet_2013-03-18_reduced.pdf

 

The 311 Call Center 

Anyone within the Berkeley city limits can dial 311 from a landline to reach the Call Center. Call Center phones are answered 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on regular City business days. Calls are answered by customer service representatives who can help most callers complete routine City business without being transferred.

 

The 311 Online Service Center 

The Online Service Center (www.CityofBerkeley.info/onlineservice) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and performs many of the same services as the Call Center, including the ability to report problems such as graffiti, potholes, and illegal dumping.

 

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11. Neighbor hosting Fundraiser for La Pe–a Cultural Center, Sat. 10/16, 11 a.m., Fulton Street

 

EditorÕs note: Fulton Street neighbors Craig and Sudy McCaleb are hosting an event to benefit another of our neighbors, La Pe–a Cultural Center. HereÕs their note.

Dear Halcyon Neighbors:

 

We are neighbors who live on Fulton Street near Prince. For many years weÕve been volunteering with another celebrated neighborhood institution -- La Pe–a  Cultural Center. We hope that many of you have had the opportunity to attend a concert or performance at La Pe–a; or to take your kids to the Saturday morning kidsÕ show, which has been going strong for thirty-five years; or to stop by for a glass of wine or a bite to eat. 

 

La Pe–a is currently engaged in a campaign to ŅBuild our Future.Ó Our old building is in need of significant upgrades, and we are working with an architect to design a new, more open fa¨ade with outdoor dining under umbrellas in front and ADA upgrades to the bathrooms. We hope it will become a neighborhood meeting place for our community and beyond.

 

We will be serving a brunch at our home on Fulton Street on Saturday, October 19, to celebrate La Pe–aÕs fundraising campaign and bring our neighborhood community up to date on the progress. We hope you will join us for a light brunch, a song or two, and good conversation with neighbors. Please RSVP by phone or email.

  

Craig and Sudy McCaleb

510-848-1022

craig@lmi.net

Where: Fulton St.

When:  Saturday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m.

 

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Old News Archive  
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HNA.E-News&Update.2.06.04.2010.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA.E-News&Update.06.24.2010.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA.E-News&Update.8.23.2010.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA.E-News.9.7-8.2010.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index100908.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA.E-News.10.1.2010.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index101001.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
hna1001.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA.E-Update&News.10.29.2010.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index101029.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-News 11.4.10.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index101104.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-News.12.3.10.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index101203.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-News.01.11.11.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110111.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsJan2011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA E-UpdateJan2011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110120.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
index110205.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAE-NewsFeb82011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110208.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsMarch42011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110304.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsMarch42011B.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110304b.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-AlertPlusLastENews.htm 
index110315.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAENewsApril42011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110404.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-News May 5 2011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110505.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-News June 2011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110601.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAEnewsJuly2011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110711.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
CorrectedHNAEnewsJuly2011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNAE-NewsAugust2011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110802.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAE-NewsSept72011.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index110907.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAE-NewsOct52011.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index111005.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAE-NewsNov32011.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index111103.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAE-NewsDec22011.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index111202.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAE-NewsJan172012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index120117.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
index120118.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAE-NewsFeb012012.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index120202.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAE-NewsMar012012.1.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index120301.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNAENewsMar012012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA E-NewsApril2012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index120416.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsApril2012B.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA E-NewsMay2012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index120510.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsJune2012..htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index120601.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsJuly2012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index120703.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsAugust2012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA E-NewsJuly32012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index120806.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsSeptember2012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index120904.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
index121003.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsOctober2012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA E-NewsDecember2012.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index121210.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsJanuary2013.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index130107.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
index130111.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsFebruary2013.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index130201.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsMarch2013.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index130307.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsApril2013.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index130402.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsMay2013.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index130503.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsMay2013B.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
HNA E-NewsJune2013.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index130530.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsAugust2013.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index130806.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsSept2013.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index130903.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA
HNA E-NewsOct2013B.htm * * * * * * * * * * * *
index131004.htm Halcyon Neighborhood Association Home; Berkeley, CA

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2013

Sunday, January 27, 2013

5:30-8:45 p.m.

Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck (four courses at four households: see E-News for addresses).

Early February, 2013

TBD

Mini Work Party to Plant/Weed in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince). Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Saturday in March TBD by Berkeley Project (possibly 3/16?), 2013

9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.

Work Party in Halcyon Commons & 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).

Saturday, April 27, 2013

9:00-11:30 a.m.

HNA Participation in Citywide Disaster Prep Drill, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) [committee to set up half an hour early].
Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.
Fresh coffee courtesy of Mokka Café (Telegraph at Dowling).

Thursday, June 13, 2013

7:00-8:00 p.m.

HNA Steering Committee Meeting to track progress & plan for second half of 2013, location TBA.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

9:30 a.m. -
1:00 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, July 25, 2013

4:30-6:30 p.m.

Mini Work Party in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince).
Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

6:30-
8:00 p.m.

National Night Out Against Crime: Ice Cream Social in the Park!
Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince).
Appetizer platters courtesy of Whole Foods Market.
Homemade ice cream courtesy of neighborhood volunteers.

Weekday afternoon in late August 2013 TBD by SPH (likely 8/21)

1:30-
5:00 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.

Evening in Fall 2013 TBD

7:00-8:30 p.m.

?Community meeting with crime watch focus? (Depends on Crime Watch Committee deciding to organize it.)

Thursday, October 31, 2013

5:45-6:30 p.m.

Costume Parade around Park for Kids, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince).

Saturday in Oct/Nov 2013 TBD by Berkeley Project (possibly 11/2?)

9:00 a.m.-
2:30 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 8, 2013

5:00 -
6:30 p.m.

HNA Steering Committee Meeting to set dates for 2013, location TBA.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

5:30 -
8:45 p.m.

Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck (four courses at four households: see E-News for addresses 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 2013.10.4 20:3:40 • by the b. wicinas "robot" bwicinas@pacbell.net