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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Update 5/18/10

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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. Neighborhood Disaster Prep Drill, Sunday, May 23, 3–5 p.m., Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Editor’s Introductory Note:

Don’t miss out on the HNA Disaster Preparedness Drill this Sunday afternoon (see item a). This is an important way to participate in preparing yourself, your family/household, and your community for a major earthquake. Our incredible Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Dawn Rubin, along with a small committee of neighbors, has spent dozens of hours putting together an interesting, fun, and informative annual drill. The only missing ingredient is YOU showing up. Now is the time to take an afternoon to get ready for the Big One! “A little bit of preparedness goes a long way!”

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

a. Neighborhood Disaster Prep Drill, Sunday, May 23, 3–5 p.m., Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

For the Halcyon Neighborhood disaster drill we have decided to simulate the search and first aid activities that will be required in the first few hours after a major earthquake. When people arrive at 3 p.m. on this Sunday 5/23, they will be assigned to teams and there will be three to five “issue stations” set up to train you in some basic skills. Note: You do not need to have any prior experience to participate in this drill, just a willingness to show up and learn!

NOTE: We are also looking for volunteers to help with predefined roles and can show up at noon on Sunday (bring a lunch) for practice and additional training! This is a great opportunity to learn more about what responding to a disaster will really be like! Contact Halcyon Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Rubin at familyrubin@comcast.net if you can help in this way! Otherwise, just show up for the drill itself! We need you to help keep disaster preparedness alive in the Halcyon Neighborhood!!!

Again, this year we’ve all seen the devastation a major earthquake can cause. It’s important to remember that in Halcyon Neighborhood we live almost on top of a major fault. Scientists say there is an 80 percent chance of a major quake in the next twenty years. WHEN (not if) we have an earthquake, we need to be prepared to survive on our own for at least a week before outside help arrives. Our neighborhood has a basic disaster preparedness plan and a supply cache on Halcyon Court. Come out THIS SUNDAY for our annual drill as we practice setting up an Incident Command Center in Halcyon Commons, using walkie-talkies, and simulating search and first aid activities!

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 5/6/10

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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. Your Help Needed: Work Party in the Park Saturday, May 8, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

2. Planning Meeting This Sunday, May 9, 4:00-5:30 p.m. for 5/23 Neighborhood Disaster Prep Drill

3. Neighborhood Disaster Prep Drill, Sunday, May 23, 3–5 p.m., Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

4. Hidden Gems of Berkeley Bicycle Tour, Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

5. Crime Watch Report: Prowler Photographed, Tips on Avoiding Catalytic Converter & Car Theft

6. BORP at Ed Roberts Campus Requests Neighbors Fill Out Online Survey

7. “Planning Your Claremont Branch Library Project,” Weds., May 12, 6:30 p.m. at 1901 Russell

8. Neighbor Deborah Mikuteit Offers Home Repair Services

9. John Steere Hosting Events on Cooperative Food Gardening, Tues., May 11, and Sat., May 22

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

11. Disaster Prep: CERT Training Videos Available Online

Editor’s Introductory Note:

Don’t forget about HNA’s spring work party in the park this Saturday morning (see item 1); several of our most stalwart volunteers have other commitments, so your participation, for as short or long as you can make it, would make even more of a difference than usual. Plus, as the on-site coordinator, I’d really appreciate some company! Fresh coffee first thing courtesy of Mokka Café, and delicious treats thanks to Whole Foods Market will reward you if you lend a hand.

This E-News edition also contains several items focused on disaster preparedness (2, 3, and 11). Please mark Sunday, May 23, on your calendars to attend our annual HNA disaster preparedness drill (item 3). Having as many neighbors as possible aware of our general plan in event of a big quake will go far toward enabling us to save lives, manage chaos, and support one another.

The next regular E-News is scheduled to come out June 3; email news before then to halcyon92@gmail.com. Happy spring!

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

1. Your Help Needed: Work Party in the Park Saturday, May 8, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Work Party in the Park: Volunteers Needed!

Meet at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Delicious refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Fresh coffee courtesy of Mokka (cafe at Telegraph and Dowling).

* Weeding & light mulching in Halcyon Commons and nearby landscaped barriers (rain or shine)

* Picking up litter from streets in the larger neighborhood (rain or shine)

Many hands make light work: Please lend yours! Even half an hour helps. Children welcome. Bring your own tools if you have them, or use ours if you don’t.

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2. Planning Meeting This Sunday, May 9, 4:00-5:30 p.m. for 5/23 Neighborhood Disaster Prep Drill

Help make the neighborhood disaster preparedness drill planned for May 23 (see item 3) as meaningful as possible by participating in a planning meeting this Sunday afternoon at HNA Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Rubin’s house on Wheeler Street (email familyrubin@comcast.net for address and to let her know you’re coming).

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3. Neighborhood Disaster Prep Drill, Sunday, May 23, 3–5 p.m., Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

This year we’ve all seen the devastation a major earthquake can cause. It’s important to remember that in Halcyon Neighborhood we live almost on top of a major fault. Scientists say there is an 80 percent

chance of a major quake in the next twenty years. WHEN (not if) we have an earthquake, we need

to be prepared to survive on our own for at least a week before outside help arrives. Our neighborhood has a basic disaster preparedness plan and a supply cache on Halcyon Court. Come out May 23rd for our annual drill as we practice setting up an Incident Command Center in Halcyon Commons, using walkie-talkies, and more. To help plan the drill, or if you’d be willing to take on a preassigned role at the drill itself, contact Halcyon Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Rubin at familyrubin@comcast.net.

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4. Hidden Gems of Berkeley Bicycle Tour, Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

HNA Co-Chair John Steere submitted the following announcement:

Hidden Gems of Berkeley Bicycle Tour: The Byways and Treasures of the Northbrae and Westbrae Neighborhoods

The 8th annual Hidden Gems of Berkeley Ride will feature the unique treasures and grassroots greening initiatives of Berkeley’s North and Westbrae neighborhoods, including native and community gardens, paths, and whimsical gifts to the street; unusual cultural and natural features and buildings. Ride begins at the North Berkeley Branch Library (1170 The Alameda at Hopkins). Please bring lunch and water. Updated Hidden Gems of Berkeley maps will be available for a donation of $5. Check out http://www.bpfp.org for more information. Led by John Steere and John Coveney.

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5. Crime Watch Report: Prowler Photographed, Tips on Avoiding Catalytic Converter & Car Theft

A neighbor from the western side of the neighborhood submitted the following report:

“Hi, I wanted to share a picture I got of a suspicious prowler who is entering people's yards without permission and unannounced. Other people in the neighborhood may have had similar experiences with bikes and other items disappearing from their yards. This fellow is mid-twenties, and has a beard and somewhat longish unkempt hair. His bike is in the background of the picture, and he entered the yard while people were in the house without announcing himself.”

[Editor’s note: If you would like the photograph the neighbor took forwarded to you, please email halcyon92@gmail.com.]

A neighbor in the East Lorin neighborhood who has participated frequently in HNA crime watch events submitted the following suggestion:

“As I read the newsletter and on reading about the catalytic converter theft, I thought about a suggestion that I could make, to help protect vehicles from this type of theft/vandalism. There is a product called The Reporter available at Radio Shack for about $75, which is a wireless motion detector that works day or night, and can be set up to either wake you up with a loud beep or series of beeps, or hooked up to a radio or TV to wake you up. All you need to do is place the motion detector in an area where if anyone crawls under your car to saw off your catalytic converter, it would go off and wake you up. (You would place it facing your house so that it won't go off if someone walks down the sidewalk in front of the car.) If you act fast enough you could catch them in the act or prevent the theft. This motion detector can also be placed in the front seat of any vehicle, and used to prevent theft of the vehicle or theft of its contents. I have used one for several years in my car, one in my garage where tools are stored, and one in the back of my truck, and it is quite effective, particularly if combined with other theft-deterrent techniques such as motion detector lights, and/or surveillance cameras. I continue to read about thefts of cars, thefts of contents from cars in East Lorin and Halcyon neighborhoods, and I realize that many if not all of these crimes could be prevented with such a device. My advice: Don't wait until you've had your car stolen to do something to protect it. Spend less now to save yourself from a lot of grief and the unpleasant distress of being victimized.”

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6. BORP at Ed Roberts Campus Requests Neighbors Fill Out Online Survey

Editor’s note: Reba Knickerbocker, Fitness Coordinator of the BORP Fitness Center, which will open with the Ed Roberts Campus this summer, submitted the following request:

Hello Neighbors:

I am in the process of gathering information regarding classes, days and times convenient for classes, and demographic info pertinent to possible participants of the BORP Fitness Center (BFC):

http://surveys.verticalresponse.com/a/show/422181/1b2c557a0b/0

The BFC will have classes available to people with and without disabilities and we would love to have your input! Just click on the link. There are only 13 questions. Thanks so much for your participation.

—Reba, Fitness Coordinator, BORP Fitness Center

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7. “Planning Your Claremont Branch Library Project,” Weds., May 12, 6:30 p.m. at 1901 Russell

City staff submitted the following announcement:

Design Development Update for the Claremont Branch

at a regular Board of Library Trustees Meeting

1901 Russell @ MLK Jr. Way

Join us as the design team, Gould Evans / Baum Thornley, present more developed drawings of the proposed design, including materials and finishes. We value your input! For accessibility information or other questions, go to http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org or call 510-981-6195.

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8. Neighbor Deborah Mikuteit Offers Home Repair Services

Editor’s note: Neighbor Deborah Mikuteit has participated in HNA crime watch activities for many years. Susan and I have made use of her home repair services and are happy to recommend her. Here’s her announcement. (Other neighbors are welcome to submit brief announcements about their local businesses.)

“I have eighteen years of experience doing a variety of home repairs in the areas of carpentry, electrical, plumbing, tile, sheetrock patching, painting and more. As a creative artist, my specialty is in creative problem solving and bringing to the situation an innovative vision/design: I offer consultation and new ideas. Often old houses need creative approaches to repairs because some “standard approach” won’t work. Then, too, a creative approach can result in something more aesthetically pleasing, or more comfortable. I offer reasonable rates and free estimates and have plenty of references, also photos of past work are available”   

—Deborah Mikuteit, 510-520 2007

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9. John Steere Hosting Events on Cooperative Food Gardening, Tues., May 11, and Sat., May 22

HNA Co-chair John Steere submitted announcements about two upcoming events he is hosting to which neighbors are invited:

Evening Conversation on Cooperative Ventures

Tuesday, May 11, 7:30- 9 p.m.

John Steere's house, 2329 Webster Street

Join us to talk about cooperative food gardening, reducing our carbon footprint (i.e., living more sustainably), and developing other kinds of mutual aid in our neighborhoods. Hundreds of people have been helping each other grow food in front and back yards through Neighborhood Vegetables Garden Work Parties, in which people volunteer together to dig, weed or plant a neighbor's garden. At our May 11 meeting we will have a conversation about how to start cooperative gardening wherever we live, and about other forms of neighborhood sharing. (These can include play groups, babysitting, tutoring, house painting, cooking, furniture moving, editing, massage . . . or anything else we need or want to do.) To initiate the conversation, John will talk briefly about the history of cooperation in Halcyon Neighborhood and the elements of a convivial neighborhood; Laurence Schechtman will talk about Neighborhood Vegetables, and Debra Berliner will talk about the Ecology Center's Carbon Footprint Program. Working together, we can save money, eat better food, cultivate community and friendship, and have more fun.

Cooperative Garden Work Party

Saturday, May 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

John Steere’s garden, 2329 Webster

And on Saturday, May 22, John Steere will host a Garden Work Party (and potluck) in the back yard of 2329 Webster 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  We will build a raised vegetable bed and plant a small native grass lawn. Learn about how to create/craft both, and learn about the values of permacultural design and biointensive gardening. Refreshment and camaraderie will be provided! Come for any portion of it.

Call me at 849-1969 or email jsteere@igc.org to RSVP for the May 22 event.

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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., which features 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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11. Disaster Prep: CERT Training Videos Available Online

Editor’s note: The following link seemed worth passing on, especially in light of our May 23 disaster prep drill (see item 3), offering refreshers for those of us who’ve taken Berkeley’s wonderful CERT classes as well as general information for those who haven’t yet been able to attend an in-person training.

The CERT National Program Office is pleased to announce that a new set of CERT training videos has been posted to the national CERT website. The eight new videos are described below. In addition to their primary use by CERT instructors during delivery of the CERT Basic Training course, the videos can used for review by individuals and teams who have completed their basic training. The CERT in Action video can also be used by CERT coordinators/managers to help promote the program. Three of the videos depict effective trainer techniques in demonstrating and coaching CERT skills in the classroom. These are intended for use in the CERT Train-the-Trainer course. To ensure they are accessible to a broad audience, each video is also available in closed-caption format or with Spanish subtitles. Please visit the national CERT website at https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/videos/ to view these eight titles. The videos can be downloaded and viewed at your computer, or copied onto a DVD. Whether for your own use, CERT training in the classroom or for a community preparedness event, we hope you find these new resources useful. 

CERT in Action 

In CERT in Action, a fierce storm has struck the local community. CERT members activate in their neighborhood, set up an Incident Command Post, and assess damage throughout the area. They use their CERT skills to respond to damage and injured victims in the local community center, managing the situation until professional responders are able to arrive. This video provides a useful introduction to the CERT concept for new program participants and others who may be interested in the program. This video will also support the material presented in the CERT Basic Training course Unit 6: CERT Organization. CERT trainers will be able to use the video to start a dialogue about CERT’s use of ICS and other critical features of successful team operations. (Running Time: 19:13 min.) 

CERT Training: Disaster Psychology 

CERT participants, trained to support the first responders during a disaster, will be challenged in many ways during and after response operations. However, if CERT members are prepared for the stress, they will be more successful and helpful during the event and more able to rebound when the crisis is over. This training video provides an overview of stress reactions and strategies for dealing with people under stress during a disaster, including the needs of disaster workers themselves. This video will support the material presented in the CERT Basic Training course Unit 7: Disaster Psychology. It will help CERT members learn more about how to deal effectively in a crisis and how to help others cope. (Running Time: 43:14 min.) 

CERT Training: Safety in the After-Disaster Environment 

CERT members can prepare to work in a post-disaster area by understanding more about the potential hazards, by preparing their own safety kit and by wearing the right gear. The purpose of this training video is to prepare the CERT members for the kinds of hazards they may experience after a disaster and to help them stay safe as they work in the disaster area. This video will support the materials presented in the CERT Basic Training course Unit 5: Light Search and Rescue Operations. CERT trainers will be able to use the materials presented in this video to start a dialogue about the potential challenges CERT members may face. (Running Time: 31:44 min.) 

CERT Triage: Handling Mass Casualty Situations 

Medical triage is the key to doing the most good for the most people whenever there are more victims than rescuers, resources are limited, and time is critical. This training video provides an overview of the medical triage process and portrays the steps that CERT members need to follow to provide victims the most effective lifesaving support available until professional responders arrive on scene. This video will support the materials presented in the CERT Basic Training course Unit 3: Disaster Medical Operations Part 1. CERT trainers will be able to use the material presented in the video to start a dialogue about the potential challenges CERT members may face. (Running Time: 22:44 min.) 

Fire Safety: The CERT Member’s Role 

This training video covers the basics of fire size up, use of extinguishers, and fire safety. Fires are dangerous and can change quickly. As in all CERT operations, the CERT member’s safety is always the number one priority. Safety measures presented in the video include use of protective gear and the proper equipment to extinguish small fires, working with a buddy and a team, planning for safe entry and exit, maintaining a safe distance and position from a fire, and using the P.A.S.S. procedure to operate fire extinguishers. This video will support the materials presented in the CERT Basic Training course Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls. (Running Time: 18:29 min.) 

Demonstrating Victim Carries 

Lt. Gregg Karl of the Arlington County, Virginia, Fire Department demonstrates three different types of victim carries to a class of CERT trainees. This video is recommended for use in the CERT Train-the-Trainer course to demonstrate effective instructional techniques for teaching victim carries. (Running Time: 6:28 min.) 

Demonstrating Head-to-Toe Assessment 

Lt. Byron Dixon of the Arlington County, Virginia, Fire Department demonstrates a head-to-toe assessment for a class of CERT trainees. This video is recommended for use in the CERT Train-the-Trainer course to demonstrate effective instructional techniques for teaching head-to-toe assessments. (Running Time: 5:43 min.) 

Coaching Hands-On Practice: Victim Extrication 

Lt. Gregg Karl of the Arlington County, Virginia, Fire Department walks a group of CERT trainees through a cribbing and leveraging exercise. This video is recommended for use in the CERT Train-the-Trainer course to demonstrate effective instructional techniques for teaching victim extrication. (Running Time: 4:26 min.)

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