Join Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s new Facebook group!

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Update 6/4/10

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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 Editor’s introductory comments express her personal viewpoint.

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Contents

a. Halcyon Garden Potluck Party, This SUNDAY, June 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

b. Crime Watch Report: Burglary on Wheeler Street, Wednesday, June 2

c. Other Crime Watch Reports: Car Break-ins on Wheeler and Prince

d. Fresh Harvest of Honey from Halcyon Hives

e. Free CERT (emergency preparedness) Classes

Editor’s Introductory Note:

I didn’t expect to be putting out an E-News update so soon, but there are two important items to make sure neighbors are aware of in a timely fashion: First, the Halcyon community potluck is this Sunday (not Saturday), and since a typo on the flyer circulating could cause confusion, this will serve as a reminder of this fun event (see item a). Remember, socializing with your neighbors not only helps us get ready for a disaster, it’s also good on the neighborhood-watch front! Second, within hours of sending out Wednesday’s E-News, I heard of some other recent incidents of crimes in our neighborhood, including a serious burglary that took place that very afternoon (see items b and c). Since it appears that the upswing in crime we often see at this time of year is indeed taking place, it’s important to let neighbors know now so you can take action both to protect yourselves and to watch out for those who live nearby. Please call the police at once if you notice anyone suspicious (using the emergency number for crimes in progress, and the nonemergency number for the rest).

Stay safe!

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

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a. Halcyon Garden Potluck Party, This SUNDAY, June 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Halcyon Garden Potluck Party

Sunday (NOT Saturday!), June 6, 5:30–7:30 p.m., 2329 Webster (near Whole Foods)

Come appreciate the spirit of our community, share neighborhood news and delicious food, and enjoy the company of your neighbors in John & Michelle’s English Garden backyard.

Potluck suggestions: Appetizer: T–Z * Main Dish: A–H * Salad: I–N * Dessert: O–S

(If not obvious, kindly attach a label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian and other diets. If so inspired, it’s really helpful if you can also bring a beverage to share. Children welcome!)

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b. Crime Watch Report: Burglary on Wheeler Street, Wednesday, June 2

Editor’s note: Some of you may have been wondering what was going on with all the police cars on Wheeler and Prince Streets on Wednesday afternoon, June 2. Unfortunately, our every own Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Dawn Rubin, came home to a burglary in process. Here’s her report, along with some good prevention tips:

Per various requests, here is some information.

Sorry to all who’ve been victims of crime recently. I learned from our daytime beat cop, Officer Matthew Meredith, who responded to our home burglary [Wednesday, June 2] with other officers, that he took six (SIX!) reports for auto burglaries on Tuesday (from Monday night). My own car was burglarized a few weeks ago. There is a rash of crime in our area now – this happens every year when the weather gets nice again and the “rats” come out of hiding, but it seems to be worse this year. Note that it also happens again in the fall, when students return and are often easy victims. Don’t leave ANYTHING that might be seen as valuable in your car (e.g. phone chargers, navigation electronics, headsets, change, backpacks, tools), and especially don’t leave things visible, and USE an alarm if you have one.

HOME burglary info:

* In both our case and the next door neighbors’ house a few weeks ago, a FRONT window was smashed and used for entry during the DAY in the early afternoon (2:15 p.m. in our case). A door was used for exit (they found the hidden key for our dead-bolted back door which would otherwise have prevented that easy exit; it appears they scoped out the exit as soon as they got here).

* Items stolen included electronics, cash, jewelry -- the thieves were organized in going through closets, dressers, drawers (night stand and kitchen) and other “typical hiding places.”

* The crimes were FAST -- probably less than ten minutes total.

* At our house we interrupted the crime in process and the police took the two bikes the burglars left (which were likely stolen nearby -- two nice black Marin mountain bikes -- contact familyrubin@comcast.net to find out how to reclaim them). I’m happy to report that they did NOT get our computers (we did lose other things); we’ll be extra vigilant because criminals may go back to a “job” not completed.

* We have no description of the thieves as they were not actually seen. We are hoping that our neighbors’ 24-hour camera will have filmed them riding by on their bikes, but won’t know until the neighbors return from vacation.

* We have an alarm, but had not set it for the short time we were gone yesterday -- oops, please don’t make the same mistake! Thieves often watch a neighborhood to see patterns of behavior and know when people leave. Call the non-emergency phone number (981-5900) to report ANY crime already done, or to report suspicious activity or presence. Trust your gut and call if you don’t know that someone belongs in our area, or if they are sitting in their car outside watching.

* In case of crime in process, cell phones are automatically routed to the CHP; everyone should program the Berkeley emergency number into their cell phone (981-5911). I had done that, and the police arrived within a few short minutes of my call.

* NOTE: Many times police catch thieves down the road but have NO idea what belongs to whom in the stash houses. They suggest you write down serial numbers to all electronics and use an engraver to mark driver’s license numbers on computers, bikes, and other items. Use passwords on phones where possible; Apple and some other manufacturers will confiscate items reported as stolen when the thieves take them in to get access to items blocked with passwords and will then contact the registered owner. Apple serial numbers are available in iTunes at Edit/Preferences/Devices/ hold cursor over item description.

As we’ve seen in the past, neighbors working together with police have a lot of power and influence -- together we can catch these guys, prevent other problems, and create our neighborhood the way we want it to be.

Thanks, everyone. Be well and safe!

Dawn Trygstad Rubin

[Editor’s note: Mark your calendars now for Halcyon Neighborhood’s annual participation in the National Night Out Against Crime event on Tuesday, August 3, when we’ll hold a potluck followed by a night-time safety walk. Police and fire fighters will stop by during the course of the evening, making this a great event to bring kids to for a friendly introduction.]

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c. Other Crime Watch Reports: Car Break-ins on Wheeler and Prince

Editor’s note: As stated in the regular edition of the E-News, car break-ins often come in waves. Please help us break this particular cycle by not leaving anything of value visible in your car!

A neighbor reports:

“My car window was broken and a few dollars in change taken Monday night on Woolsey Street between Deakin and Wheeler.”

A Wheeler Street neighbor reports:

“My brown Hawaiian style visor was stolen from my car a few weeks back. I don’t care much about the $30 in change, but I would LOVE to recover the keys (to my office, my mom-s condo and my gas cap -- none identifiable as to what they open), a Magic Gardens Credit (also not identifiable), my visor clip with sunglasses, and the visor cover. All are probably in some local neighbor’s yard or garbage can.”

[Editor’s note: Email halcyon92@gmail.com if you’ve found any of these items so they can be returned.]

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d. Fresh Harvest of Honey from Halcyon Hives

Prince Street neighbor Bruce Wicinas submitted the following announcement (accidentally omitted from the regular E-News):

Dear Neighbors interested in local raw honey,

We have a very limited supply of just-extracted honey. (The bees have been slackers this spring due to the weather.) Arrangements will be as before:

Pint: $7.00 (No half-pints available.)

$.50 credit for returned jars. (Several of you have credits.)

Limit: 3 pints per customer.

The “Honey Store” is generally open daily, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., or all day Saturday and Sunday. We suggest you phone before coming because we aren’t always here, may have run out, or to learn our address if you have not visited before. 848-1797.

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e. Free CERT (emergency preparedness) Classes

Editor’s note: The following announcement was received just after the regular E-News went out. Since these classes fill up quickly, I wanted to get the news out as soon as possible. Taking one (or more) of these classes is a great way to help your family and our neighborhood get better prepared!

Hi CERT participants,

Hope all is well and that preparedness in your neighborhood and community organizations is continuing to move forward. 

Enrollment is open for our current schedule of CERT classes. See the webpage for instructions on how to enroll and please pass the schedule on to your neighbors who have not yet taken the classes.

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=3920

Thank you,

Khin Chin, Associate Management Analyst, Berkeley Fire Department

Office of Emergency Services

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Join Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s new Facebook group!

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 6/2/10

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

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Contents

1. Halcyon Garden Potluck Party, This SUNDAY, June 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

2. Neighborhood Disaster Prep Follow-up Meeting, Monday, June 28, 7-8:30 p.m.

3. Two Small Steps toward Greater Personal Disaster Preparedness

4. Crime Watch Update: Car Break-ins on Prince Street

5. Free Monthly Tai Chi Practice in the Park, Sunday, June 27, 11 a.m.

6. Berkeley World Music Festival, This Saturday, June 5, Noon to 9 p.m., on Telegraph Avenue

7. Buckle Up Enforcement Increasing: BPD Press Release

8. For Parents with Small Children: Link to Article on the Ten Biggest Choking Hazards

9. BORP Fitness Center Update: Satellite Classes Plus Facebook Page

10. 2000 Block of Prince Annual Block Party, Saturday, June 12, Noon to 5 p.m.

Editor’s Introductory Note:

Many thanks to the thirty-nine neighbors who turned out for our Halcyon Neighborhood disaster preparedness drill on one of the most beautiful afternoons of the spring, when there were plenty of other temptations. Extra special thanks to HNA’s Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Trygstad Rubin and members of HNA’s Disaster Preparedness Committee for organizing a very successful drill. We plan to continue to improve our level of neighborhood disaster preparedness (see items 2 and 3), and hope everyone receiving this will help us keep moving step-by-step toward that goal! And remember that one of the important ingredients of the neighborhood aspect of disaster preparedness is getting to know your neighbors, including those who live a block or two away. A great opportunity for this will be Sunday’s community potluck (see item 1). We hope to see you there!

Happy voting next Tuesday, June 8 (if you haven’t already mailed in your ballot)!

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

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1. Halcyon Garden Potluck Party, This SUNDAY, June 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Halcyon Garden Potluck Party

Sunday (NOT Saturday!), June 6, 5:30–7:30 p.m., 2329 Webster (near Whole Foods)

Come appreciate the spirit of our community, share neighborhood news and delicious food, and enjoy the company of your neighbors in John & Michelle’s English Garden backyard.

Potluck suggestions: Appetizer: T–Z * Main Dish: A–H * Salad: I–N * Dessert: O–S

(If not obvious, kindly attach a label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian and other diets. If so inspired, it's really helpful if you can also bring a beverage to share. Children welcome!)

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2. Neighborhood Disaster Prep Follow-up Meeting, Monday, June 28, 7-8:30 p.m.

Neighborhood Disaster Prep Follow-up Meeting

Monday, June 28, 7-8:30 p.m. on Wheeler Street

Thanks to everyone who attended the May 23rd disaster preparedness drill! Whether or not you were able to make it, you can help us take the next steps in increasing our level of neighborhood preparedness based on what we learned from the drill. Come to the next HNA Disaster Preparedness Committee meeting at HNA Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Trygstad Rubin’s house on Wheeler Street. You’ll receive the exact address when you email familyrubin@comcast.net to rsvp. Another way to participate in ongoing neighborhood disaster preparedness efforts is to get on our disaster preparedness committee listserv: Email halcyon92@gmail.comto be included.

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3. Two Small Steps toward Greater Personal Disaster Preparedness

Members of the Disaster Preparedness Committee put together a handout for the disaster preparedness drill entitled “12 Easy Steps to Increase Your Disaster Preparedness.” A one-page version of this handout is included on the back of the HNA event flyer currently being distributed door to door. In order to keep reminding everyone of these steps, each HNA E-News will include a reminder of one or two of these simple steps. Here are two really easy ones to get your started! Everyone receiving this E-News could easily take these two steps TODAY!

* Shoes: Put shoes under/near your bed (do this one TODAY!)

* Register with the City: Register with the City of Berkeley’s Emergency Notification System. Easy to do online at http://www.alertregistration.com/berkeley/

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4. Crime Watch Update: Car Break-ins on Prince Street

A Prince Street neighbor submitted the following report:

“My car, which was parked in front of my home [in the 2300 block of Prince], was broken into sometime between Sunday, May 31^st, at 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, June 1^st, at 10:00 a.m. It’s kind of embarrassing to admit that the thieves found nothing worth taking. Shows you how smart they are at selecting cars! It cost me $149 to repair the window. When I made a police report, I was told that four other cars had been broken into in this area during the same time period.”

Editor’s note: If every car break-in in our neighborhood resulted in nothing of value to take, we’d become less of a target. Unfortunately, too many of us do leave valuables in our cars, often in plain view. Car break-ins tend to come in waves, so a bit of extra vigilance could help break the current cycle: Don’t leave valuables visible in your car, call the police nonemergency number if you notice anyone suspicious appearing to case cars or homes (see our new http://www.HalcyonNeighborhood.org website for the list of useful phone numbers), and please report all crimes, large or small, to both the police and to the E-News (at halcyon92@gmail.com). Over the years, we’ve noticed an upswing in crime in the early summer, so let’s do our best to curtail it!

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5. Free Monthly Tai Chi Practice in the Park, Sunday, June 27, 11 a.m.

Free monthly Tai Chi Chih Practice

Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

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

http://www.judithschwartz.com/

[Editor’s 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.]

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6. Berkeley World Music Festival, This Saturday, June 5, Noon to 9 p.m., on Telegraph Avenue

The following announcement was on the Le Conte Neighborhood Association’s listserv:

“Le Conte Neighborhood Association has decided to help support this major local music festival. Please plan to stroll on Telegraph between noon and 9 p.m. THIS Saturday. For information on specific performers, you can go to http://www.berkeleyworldmusic.org, or call 510-684-8910. There are also links to previous performances in order for you to get a taste of what's available.”

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7. Buckle Up Enforcement Increasing: BPD Press Release

Buckle Up Day or Night: California Seat Belt Ticket increases to $142

Berkeley Police Department (BPD) officers will be looking for unbelted drivers and passengers as part of the statewide 2010 Click It or Ticket mobilization through June 6. This year, fines and fees across California have increased from $132 to $142 for first-time adult seat belt violations. For children under 16, the fine is now $445 for a first-time offense. “Keeping buckled up at all times is the simplest and most effective way to protect you and your family when you’re on the road.” said Chief Michael K. Meehan, “Our officers will be looking out for motorists who are not buckling up, and taking enforcement action.”

“Ultimately, this is about educating the public and keeping our community’s drivers and passengers safe,” he said, “Traffic safety is a priority with the Berkeley Police Department, and we hope that the awareness caused by Click it or Ticket will help save lives and reduce injuries in Berkeley.”

The Click It or Ticket campaign relies on heavy enforcement and public education as a means to save lives and reduce injuries on California’s roadways. In spite of a seat belt usage rate of over 95% statewide, there are still hundreds of thousands of motorists who fail to use their seatbelt, or insure their passengers are using their seat belts. Motorists ejected from vehicles in crashes or roll-overs are up to 35 times more likely to die than restrained occupants. More than 150 local law enforcement agencies statewide and the California Highway Patrol are participating in this year’s Click It or Ticket Mobilization.

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8. For Parents with Small Children: Link to Article on the Ten Biggest Choking Hazards

Editor’s note: While the study cited in this New York Times article is from 2008, the information is still potentially life-saving:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/25bchoke.html?emc=eta1

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9. BORP Fitness Center Update: Satellite Classes Plus Facebook Page

Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from BORP’s Fitness Director (BORP will be opening soon in the new Ed Roberts Campus):

BORP Fitness Center update: We are now offering satellite classes locally while waiting for construction to be done. Here's a link to the fitness center info on our satellite classes. Scroll down this page a bit and look for “Satellite Classes” in red. http://www.borp.org/programs/Fitness_Program.php

We now have a BORP Fitness Center Facebook page! If you are a FB user please visit, leave a post, say hello, and click on the thumbs up “like” button. I am posting weekly fitness tips, info on instructors, and various fitness tidbits. http://www.facebook.com/pages/BORP-Fitness-Center/344041898100?v=wall

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10. 2000 Block of Prince Annual Block Party, Saturday, June 12, Noon to 5 p.m.

A Block Party is being organized by the 2000 Block of Prince Street neighbors (and our newest HNA Steering Committee member Tony Hill), Saturday, June 12, noon to 5 p.m., featuring BBQ, an art show, ice cream, snow cones, salsa lessons, music, a treasure hunt, and more. Contact Tony Hill for information, 548-2306 or thill94703@gmail.com.

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