Join Halcyon Neighborhood AssociationÕs Facebook
group!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 1/11/11
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Items appearing in the HNA E-Update 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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Contents
1. Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck,
Sunday, January 23, 5:30-8:45 p.m.!
2. A Message from Retiring HNA
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Trygstad Rubin
3. Shattuck Neighborhood Crime Prevention
Council (SNCPC) Meeting, Thursday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m.
4. More Flyer Distributors Needed for 2011
5. Free Monthly Tai Chi Practice in the Park,
Sunday, January 23, 11 a.m. (with optional training at 10:30 a.m.)
6. Crime Watch Updates: Burglary, Theft of
Catalytic Converter on Prince Street
7. Feedback Sought for 1/13 New YearÕs
Meeting with Reps of Whole Foods Market Plus January Announcement from Whole
Foods
8. A Note to People with Dogs: Please Be
Diligent about Picking Up after Them!
9. BORP Fitness Center Open House, Weds.,
Jan. 26, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
10. Community Announcements: Woman Seeks
Rental; Neighbors Seek Bicycle Tune-Up Person
11. UC ChancellorÕs Community Partnership
Grants: Pre-Applications Due Feb. 9; Community Info Meeting, Weds., Jan. 12
12. Useful Emergency Preparedness Link: Video
on Continuous Chest Compression CPR (a Simpler Alternative to Standard CPR)
EditorÕs Introductory Note:
Start the new year right by attending HNAÕs fabulous
post-holiday progressive potluck (see item 1). This is the same wonderful event
that weÕve held in prior years, with the one added request that you bring along
a contribution to keep HNA funded for 2011. No minimum required, but please
bring some
kind of contribution unless youÕre one of the six neighbors who already
answered our fundraising appeal in November/December. We very much appreciate
those six contributions, but itÕs not enough to keep us doing our important
work; we need everyone to pitch in as your circumstances permit! If you arenÕt
able to make it on January 23, you can 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.
Thank you and Happy 2011, all!
—Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-News Editor, halcyon92@gmail.com
* * * * * * * * * * * *
1.
Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, Sunday, January 23, 5:30-8:45 p.m.!
One of the most popular Halcyon
events of the year! Join your neighbors as we progress from house to house for
a fabulous multi-course dinner; attend one course or all four.
Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, Sunday,
January 23, 2010, 5:30-8:45 p.m.
First Course: Appetizers,
5:30-6:20 p.m.
3020 Wheeler (at Emerson between
Prince & Ashby)
Second Course: Salads, 6:25-7:15
p.m.
3009 Wheeler (between Emerson and
Ashby)
Third & Fourth Courses: Main
Dishes and Desserts, 7:20-8:45 p.m.
2329 Webster Street (two doors
west of Whole Foods)
Potluck suggestions:
T-Z: Appetizer * I-N: Salad * A-H: Main Dish * O-S:
Dessert
Please bring a festive dish for
10-12, and, if possible, a beverage to share as well (it really helps if enough
folks bring beverages too). Children welcome. If not obvious, kindly attach a
label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian and other
diets. Bring the item assigned for your letter to the designated household, or
substitute another suggestion if you won't be attending the course for your
letter.
* In addition, PLEASE bring along
a check or cash contribution to HNA of whatever size (no amount is too small or
large; your contribution will help us upgrade our neighborhood disaster supply
cache plus continue to duplicate flyers in 2011)!
Volunteer(s) Sought to Help Set Up at
Final HostsÕ Household!
Request for neighborly
volunteers: John and Michelle Steere are happy to host dinner and dessert
courses at their home for the Halcyon Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, but
both of us will have recently had operations on our arms that will make it
difficult for either of us to lift anything, so weÕd like to ask a couple
neighbors to come by early (5 p.m.) to spend fifteen or twenty minutes helping
us set the house up for the event. Please call John at 849-1969 if you can help
in this way. Thanks!
* * * * * * * * * * *
2. A
Message from Retiring HNA Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Trygstad Rubin
Hello Everyone,
Those of you who came to the
Fall Celebration in the Park know that I am retiring from my volunteer position
as Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for HNA. I am still hoping others will step
up to take over the work I did for both local crime prevention/reporting and
emergency preparedness. Anyone who is interested is welcome to contact me (familyrubin@comcast.net,
510/843-3793). I will remain on the HNA Steering Committee and continue to help
as time allows. I will also remain active in the crime part of the work in two
ways:
1. I will remain the sector
representative for Halcyon Neighborhood for the Shattuck Neighborhood Crime
Prevention Council (SNCPC).
2. I am going to work with
the Berkeley Safe Neighborhood Committee and the Berkeley Police Department and
residents and merchants to help create and run a pilot Neighborhood Crime
Prevention Council (NCPC) in Berkeley, very likely in Beat 10, which includes
the western side of Halcyon Neighborhood.
Knowing that we had trouble
scheduling specific dates for neighborhood watch meetings and emergency
preparedness drills for Halcyon Neighborhood for 2011 due to lack of volunteer
support, I want to make sure everyone is invited to a joint meeting of
interested neighbors from Oakland and Berkeley [see item 3 below]. Please do make an effort to attend; the
information is very relevant to us, here and now, given recent gunfire related
to these shrines.
Dawn Trygstad Rubin
EditorÕs note: A
warm round of thanks is due to Dawn for her outstanding work over many years to
strengthen HNAÕs crime watch and our relationship with the police, as well as
to improve our level of disaster preparedness (including hard work on an excellent
emergency drill last year). Thank you so much, Dawn! I know youÕll continue to
participate in many ways, and I hope that a number of neighbors will step up to
the plate to take on some of the tasks you were doing, as well as to support
you in your work to set up a pilot NCPC in Berkeley.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
3. Shattuck
Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (SNCPC) Meeting, Thurs., Jan. 27, 7 p.m.
EditorÕs note: See
retiring Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Trygstad RubinÕs note in item 2
for some context. Attending this meeting would be a great way to get a sense of
how SNCPC works.
WHAT: SNCPC Public Meeting
WHERE: North Oakland Senior Center
(58th & Martin Luther King Jr. Way) (park and enter through parking lot on
58th St. side)
WHEN: Thursday, January 27, 7:00
p.m. (the public meetings usually last about an hour)
TOPIC: Street Memorials and
Shrines and Law Enforcement's policies regarding them.
- Historically, what effect have
they had on a neighborhood and the surrounding city?
- Are they legal on public
property?
- How long will they be allowed to
remain?
- How are they removed and by
whom?
- Advice to the public regarding
these shrines and the people who erect them.
Representatives of OPD, BPD, and
the Oakland Housing Authority PD will be at the meeting to discuss their
agenciesÕ formal policies and practices for dealing with these shrines and to
answer questions from those attending.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
4. More Flyer
Distributors Needed for 2011
EditorÕs note: The
neighborhood volunteers who agree to drop off HNA flyers four or five times
during the course of the year make it possible for us to highlight important
events, share disaster preparedness information, and reach out to new neighbors
and those who donÕt have email. Our flyer distribution network allows us to
reach over 860 households, but only takes each volunteer 20 or 30 minutes to do
a designated stretch. Some of our distributors need to take a break after
several years of service, so we have a few gaps that need coverage. This is a
great way to give back to the neighborhood with a relatively small commitment
of time. Please email halcyon92@gmail.com
if youÕd be willing to take on a stretch for 2011 (or if youÕd be willing to
act as an alternate when a regular distributor is out of town), and IÕll pass
your contact information on to our Flyer Distribution Coordinator, Jay
Migliaccio. This is also a good time to once again say thank-you to the entire
team, including Jay Migliaccio, Dawn Rubin, Mark Foy, and Nancy Carleton, as
well as all the distributors!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
5. Free Monthly
Tai Chi Practice in the Park, Sunday, January 23, 11 a.m. (with optional
training at 10:30 a.m.)
Free monthly Tai Chi Chih Practice (fourth
Sundays at 11 a.m.)
Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at
Prince)
Facilitated by Prince Street
neighbor Judith Schwartz, 510-843-2062;
http://www.judithschwartz.com/
Optional free instruction in Tai Chi Chih
basics at 10:30 a.m. before the January 23 practice!
Contact Judith if youÕre a
beginner whoÕd like to learn enough of the basics to practice along with the
group at 11 a.m. (Judith will only show up at 10:30 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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
6. Crime Watch
Updates: Burglary, Theft of Catalytic Converter on Prince Street
EditorÕs note: A
Prince Street neighbor reported the following incidents affecting a new
neighbor on his block (this neighbor is now joining the E-News list — but
letÕs hope he wonÕt have anything else to report anytime soon!). Everyone,
please remember to email halcyon92@gmail.com
when you experience thefts or burglaries so we can keep the neighborhood
informed (and of course be sure to make a report to the Berkeley Police as
well).
ÒWhen my neighbor and all his
guests were at the park for about fifteen minutes, someone entered his house
and methodically went though all their backpacks, stealing money. My neighbor
had, during that time, not locked the front door in case someone needed to go
back. He figured an absence of such a short time did not warrant careful
locking. But apparently this thief was closely watching, and precisely chose
those fifteen minutes to enter. This happened about a month ago, I think. In a
different incident, someone recently cut out and stole the catalytic converter
from this same neighborÕs pickup truck. He had it parked in the driveway in
front of his house. The thief managed to do this without waking him. About two
weeks ago, I think he said.Ó
* * * * * * * * * * * *
7. Feedback
Sought for 1/13 New YearÕs Meeting with Reps of Whole Foods Market Plus January
Announcement from Whole Foods
EditorÕs note: As most of you know, a few members of our Steering
Committee have been meeting several times a year with the Community Relations
Liaison for Whole Foods Market to pass along neighborsÕ concerns and track
progress on a variety of issues. Please let us know if you have feedback
— positive or negative — that youÕd like us bring up at our meeting
Thursday morning, 1/13, by emailing halcyon92@gmail.com
by Wednesday night 1/12 (please indicate whether itÕs okay to pass on your name
and contact information or if youÕd prefer to remain anonymous). In addition,
IÕd like to again thank Whole Foods Market for supporting our HNA work parties
and special events in the park in past years with generous donations of food
and beverages. We very much appreciate it! This is also a good time to point
out progress made as a result of our past meetings to resolve issues of mutual
concern. In particular, weÕre thrilled that at long last that thereÕs a stop
sign at the exit from the parking lot on Webster, which we hope will contribute
to pedestrian safety, as well as a ÒNo SmokingÓ sign along the Webster Street
frontage. We look forward to continuing to work in the coming year to
facilitate communication and resolve issues as they arise.
Announcement
from Whole Foods Market
Every
January we commit ourselves to try something new, to break a bad habit, or
renew a commitment to staying healthy. To help in this noble endeavor Whole
Foods Market has created all kinds of delicious recipes, the latest information
on nutrition and special dietary needs, as well as some good old friendly
encouragement. Be sure to ask the experts for motivation, information, and
advice at our Health Starts Here Fair, Monday, January 24, 3:30-7:30 p.m. As we
welcome 2011, we renew our pledge to serve the Berkeley community as we have
for the last 20 years . . . in the best way we know how. Happy New Year!
Health
Starts Here Fair
3:30-7:30
p.m.
Monday,
January 24
Ask
our vendors and in-house experts on cleansing, healthy diets, skin and body
care, and all things health. Free samples and workshops. See store signage or
our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/WFMBerkeley?v=app_4949752878)
for more details.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
8. A Note to
People with Dogs: Please Be Diligent about Picking Up after Them!
EditorÕs note: A
Halcyon neighbor recently approached me to voice his upset over the increasing
incidence of poop in the park where children play as well as in the larger
neighborhood. I invited him to write something for the E-News, but he hasnÕt
had a chance yet. When he does, IÕll publish it, but in the meantime it
certainly wonÕt hurt to start getting the message out there that the problem of
poop that hasnÕt been picked up has been getting worse over the past year.
Perhaps this is because not all dog guardians have adapted to the reduced
availability of free plastic bags (not as many people subscribe to newspapers,
and fewer papers come wrapped consistently in plastic, etc.). And there are
likely going to be even fewer free plastic bags given environmental concerns.
So it appears that we dog guardians need to add biodegradable bags to our list
of dog food and other essential supplies for our dogs! A few neighbors try to
stock free bags in the park when theyÕre able, but you canÕt count on this
(again, because theyÕre becoming harder to come by); the bags that are there
are really there primarily for emergencies (we can all slip up from time to
time). Many years ago, HNA experimented with stocking Mutt Mitts in the park,
but the costs were prohibitive, especially since few folks chipped in. In
addition to the observations made by my neighbor about the poop problem, IÕve
also seen new notices in peopleÕs yards reminding us to pick up after our dogs,
and when IÕm walking my dog I often find myself having to pick up after other
peopleÕs dogs. Come on, dog people! We have to do better! Please pick up after
your dogs! That means no matter where they go — in the bushes, on the
grass, in the park, on the sidewalk, in the gutter, etc. LetÕs be good
neighbors! And, remember, if your dogÕs off leash, your responsibility just
goes up to keep an eye on your dog and where your dogÕs poop ends up. And
perhaps we can all consider it good karma to pick up poop some of your
neighbors (hopefully inadvertently) overlooked! I recognize I may be preaching
to the choir here, and the human offenders may not be reading the E-News, so we
may all need to give friendly reminders from time to time to those who donÕt
seem to fulfilling one of the most basic responsibilities of having a dog in an
urban area. Thanks for listening!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
9. BORP Fitness
Center Open House, Weds., Jan. 26, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
EditorÕs note:
The Ed Roberts Campus is open
at last! The invitation below is from the BORP Fitness Center housed there.
Howdy Neighborhood Folks,
Please join us for the BORP
Fitness Center Open House on Wed, January 26 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.. There will
be refreshments and a raffle to win free classes. The grand prize winner will
receive a 10 class pass! Instructors will also be present to answer any
questions you have regarding the classes they teach. Everyone is welcome, and
please pass the word that the BORP Fitness Center is open to the public and has
some great classes and extraordinary instructors.
Thanks and I look forward to
seeing you there!
Reba Knickerbocker, Fitness
Coordinator
Bay Area Outreach &
Recreation Program (BORP)
3075 Adeline St. Suite 155,
Berkeley, CA 94703
510-849-4663 x1319; reba@borp.org
* * * * * * * * * * * *
10. Community
Announcements: Woman Seeks Rental; Neighbors Seek Bicycle Tune-Up Person
EditorÕs note: When space and scheduling permits, IÕm happy to pass on
one-time requests and announcements from neighbors. Here are a couple submitted
this time.
Friend of Neighbor Seeks Rental
Single woman in early 40s
seeks shared housing or cottage/in-law unit. Looking for a small
community-minded household of 2-3 people with a quiet, drug-free, emotionally
healthy environment. Laundry, private bathroom, and storage for several bikes
preferred. Price range is $750-900/month. Please contact Susan, susanemily2010@gmail.com,
510-594-7704. Thanks!
Neighbors Seek Bicycle Tune-Up Person
Hello Folks,
We recently bought a used
bike. It works pretty well, but could use a tune-up (some gears rattle a
little, chain could use oiling, brakes work, wheels seems fairly true). There
used to be a guy who took his cart to the farmer's market and did a good job
for a very reasonable price. Does anyone know how to contact
him or someone
like him? If so, please contact
Neal and Dawn Trygstad Rubin, familyrubin@comcast.net,
510-843-3793. Thanks!
Dawn & Neal
* * * * * * * * * * * *
11. UC
ChancellorÕs Community Partnership Grants: Pre-Applications Due Feb. 9;
Community Info Meeting, Weds., Jan. 12
EditorÕs note: HNA/Friends
of Halcyon Commons is an affiliate group under the nonprofit umbrella of
Berkeley Partners for Parks, whose Chair sent this note to remind us of the
upcoming grant cycle for the UC ChancellorÕs Community Partnership Grants. If
any neighbors have a great idea for a project to improve the neighborhood,
consider attending the meeting this Wednesday, and/or checking on the
pre-application format the web link given. HNA Co-Chairs Nancy Carleton and
John Steere (who together wrote HNAÕs successful grant application for the
Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project, which funded the archway at the park as
well as improvements at the parkÕs south end a few years back) would be glad to
provide advice and help with HNA and/or BPFP sponsorship if appropriate.
Hi BPFP Partners:
UC has just announced some major
changes to the application process for this next round of UC ChancellorÕs
Grants. We in BPFP hope some of the projects this year are for improvements to
our public green spaces in Berkeley and we would love to help anyone who has an
idea for a project. Tell everyone you know.
Highlights are:
1. Community information meeting
is Wednesday, Jan.
12, 5:30-7:30 at North Berkeley Senior Center
2. This year they have an initial
"pre-application" phase, where a thumbnail outline of your proposed
project is submitted (i.e. 250 words max for Project Summary, 250 words max for
Partnership Summary). You do not necessarily have to have a commitment from
your proposed UC partner at this stage.
3. Pre-applications are due Weds., Feb. 9.
4. From those pre-applications,
they will select 20 or 25 projects and ask for full applications. They will
also help with finding UC partners for those projects that need them.
5. Not all of those 20-25 projects
who submit the full application will get grants.
For more info and to get the
pre-application form, click on:
http://office.chancellor.berkeley.edu/gcr/ccpf.shtml
Thx.
Charlie
Charlie Bowen (Ms), Chair
Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
12. Useful
Emergency Preparedness Link: Video on Continuous Chest Compression CPR (a
Simpler Alternative to Standard CPR)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcbgpiKyUbs&feature=player_embedded
* * * * * * * * * * * *