Join Halcyon Neighborhood
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Halcyon
Neighborhood Association E-News 8/1/11
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Items appearing in the HNA
E-News are deemed to be of general interest to neighbors but do not necessarily
reflect the views of Halcyon Neighborhood Association (HNA), its Steering
Committee, or the Editor. The EditorÕs introductory comments express her personal
viewpoint.
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Contents
1. National Night Out
Against Crime, Tuesday 8/2, Community Potluck & Safety Walk, 6-8:30 p.m.
2. Work Party in Halcyon
Commons & Surrounding Neighborhood, Tuesday 8/23, 1:30–5 p.m.
3. Crime Watch Update: Ice
Cream Truck Turns Out to Be Legitimate
4. Crime Watch Report:
Someone Casing Neighborhood on Fulton Street
5. Crime Watch Report: Theft
at Yellow Emperor Acupuncture Clinic on Shattuck
6. Crime Watch Alert:
Robbery Suspects Focusing on Smartphones
7. Next Drop-In
Progress Meeting at Whole Foods Market, Weds. 8/10, 8:30-9 a.m., Plus Store
Announcements
8. Multi-Household Yard Sale Planned for Saturday,
September 17
9. City of Berkeley Redistricting Packets Now
Available
10. Link about How a Park Helped a Community Weather
the Recession
11. NeighborÕs Sister Looking for a Rental in Larger
Neighborhood
12. Supervisor Keith CarsonÕs Summer 2011 Newsletter
Online
EditorÕs Introductory Note:
This Tuesday is one of the most important events HNA
sponsors: our annual participation in the National Night Out Against Crime. See
item 1 for details on the community potluck, which will include drop-by visits
from police, firefighters, and City officials, followed by a safety walk around
the larger neighborhood. ItÕs a fun way to visit with your neighbors and get to know more of them, which over the years weÕve found
to be one of the most effective ways to increase neighborhood safety. This
issueÕs crime watch alerts (see items 4-6) show why it matters. Your participation
makes a difference. Please come on out!
I also want to put in another plug for those of you
on Facebook to join our growing HNA Facebook group, which is providing a way for neighbors to
share news in between these monthly newsletters. And we continue to welcome
additional participation in our three Yahoo listservs
(disaster preparedness, crime watch, and steering committee). Please email halcyon92@gmail.com with your name, address,
and phone number if youÕre a neighbor who would like to receive an invitation
to join any or all of the listservs.
—Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-News
Editor, halcyon92@gmail.com
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1. National
Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday 8/2, Community Potluck & Safety Walk,
6-8:30 p.m.
HNA is once again participating in National Night Out Against
Crime. Please join us. Your participation in this fun evening is crucial to our
efforts to create a safer, healthier, and friendlier neighborhood!
Tuesday, August
2, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)
6:00-7:30 p.m.:
Community Potluck in the park, with visits from the Police Department, Fire
Department, and City officials (including an invitation to our Council
representatives to stop by)
7:30-8:30 p.m.:
Neighborhood Safety Walk to include the Oakland border and Ed Roberts campus area and identify any problem spots or issues
Delicious Mediterranean appetizers courtesy of Whole Foods Market!
Bring
a dish to share for 8-10 (plus a beverage to share too if possible)
Potluck
suggestions: Salad: R–Z * Main Dish: I–Q * Dessert: A–H
(If not obvious, kindly
attach a label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian
and other diets. ItÕs really helpful if some of you also bring a beverage to
share. Children welcome!)
This event is a great chance to ask questions and introduce
yourselves and your children to police officers and firefighters. ItÕs also an
opportunity to show representatives from the City that weÕre concerned about
crime and willing to work in partnership to help address it.
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2. Work Party
in Halcyon Commons & Surrounding Neighborhood, Tuesday 8/23, 1:30–5
p.m.
EditorÕs
note: On
the afternoon of Tuesday, August 23, weÕll be holding one of our rare weekday
work parties with the help of student volunteers from UC BerkeleyÕs School of
Public Health, which has been featuring a volunteer component as part of its
student orientation the past few years. Are you at home on that Tuesday
afternoon and willing to coordinate one of the weeding teams, or to guide a
graffiti removal team out into the larger neighborhood? Over the years IÕve
learned that our student volunteers are much more productive if we have
neighbors working alongside them, allowing them to feel comfortable with the
tasks at hand. It would be especially helpful to have a neighbor (or two)
willing to take a graffiti removal team out for one or two hours (you donÕt
even have to do the removal yourself; the students provide the labor and mostly
just need someone familiar with the streets, which means they end up covering
more of the neighborhood). We werenÕt able to get to graffiti removal during
our May neighbor-only work party, so thereÕs been some buildup, and weÕll only
get it removed now if one or two of you come forward to guide a crew or crews.
Please email halcyon92@gmail.com if youÕre available on
8/23. Delicious refreshments from Whole Foods Market plus a cleaner, better
cared-for neighborhood will be your reward!
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3. Crime
Watch Update: Ice Cream Truck Turns Out to Be Legitimate
EditorÕs note: In the July HNA E-News, I
passed on a report from a neighbor who remembered a warning from the prior year
about a pink ice cream that some in the Bateman neighborhood believed to be
casing the neighborhood; this neighbor had seen a similar truck this summer and
wanted to encourage us to keep an eye on it. After I posted that report, I
received the note below from another Bateman neighbor letting me know that the
ice cream truck turned out to be legitimate (I promptly posted that update on
our Halcyon Neighborhood website, as well as posting the update to our Facebook group and crime watch listserv). And soon after
that, one of my immediate neighbors let me know that her son has purchased ice
cream from the truck too. So the truck is legitimate and really does sell ice
cream. I regret that the report I passed on in good faith (and which was made
in good faith) led to unnecessary concern. At the same time, at our crime watch
meetings the police always tell us to report anything that seems suspicious. If
something turns out not to be a problem, all the better, and in my experience
the Berkeley Police do a good job of handling such reports with sensitivity and
discernment. So please donÕt hesitate to call the Police if you find someoneÕs
behavior suspicious or to share your concerns with your neighbors. And letÕs
also do our best to spread the word when it turns out to be nothing to worry
about! Thank you to the neighbors who helped clarify the matter in this case,
as well as to those who were tracking past reports.
HereÕs the update that was sent by a Bateman
neighbor: ÒI live just east of you in Bateman and wanted to give you a quick update
on #6 [in the July E-News]. The ice cream truck should not be seen as a
threat. He comes through our neighborhood at least a few nights a week and
we have bought ice cream from him and have seen numerous other neighbors doing
the same. There are no signs that he is casing the neighborhood and I
think that original email thread got way out of control before people realized
what they were talking about. None of the thefts that had occurred could
be remotely linked to the truck, and I think we need to be careful about making
assumptions.Ó [Bateman Neighborhood Crime Watch Coordinator Marcy McGaugh has confirmed this neighborÕs statement.]
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4. Crime
Watch Report: Someone Casing Neighborhood on Fulton Street
EditorÕs note: A
Fulton Street neighbor reported the following.
ÒI'm a resident [on Fulton Street], and I
wanted to report some suspicious activity of a man who may have been casing the
neighborhood around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5. He stopped at my
neighbor's house as I was getting in my car, and I overheard him asking for
money to go to UCLA. He seemed suspicious and seemed to be looking into the
house as my neighbor opened the door (my neighbor also found it suspect). IÕve
never seen someone going door-to-door to raise money to go to college. He was
black, maybe around 30, give or take 5 years. I donÕt think he had much facial
hair. He was pretty slender. Maybe 170lbs. Maybe 5'10 to 6'.
I just wanted to alert the neighborhood watch group and get on your email
listserv myself. Next time IÕll be sure to call the police nonemergency number
right away, which is what some police officers recommended I do if I see this
in the future.Ó
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5. Crime
Watch Report: Theft at Yellow Emperor Acupuncture Clinic on Shattuck
EditorÕs note: One
of the staff members at the Yellow Emperor Acupuncture Clinic on Shattuck
reported the following. As a regular client of this wonderful community
resource, which offers sliding-scale acupuncture treatments designed to make
acupuncture affordable, IÕm sorry to hear about this incident.
ÒHey neighbors, just wanted to notify you
all that there was a theft at around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 1, at the
Yellow Emperor Acupuncture Clinic on Shattuck. A middle-aged man of medium
stature with a tan complexion and short brown (or graying?) hair came in,
grabbed a Ònew patientÓ clipboard, told me he was waiting for a friend to join
him, and then emptied our payment box and left while I was busy treating a client.
Please be wary in case heÕs traveling the neighborhood looking for more
opportunities.Ó
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6. Crime
Watch Alert: Robbery Suspects Focusing on Smartphones
EditorÕs
note: Councilmember
Max AndersonÕs office passed on the following community crime alert. While it
applies to the City of Berkeley as a whole and not just our neighborhood, it
offers practical tips to keep yourself from becoming a
victim of this increasingly common crime.
Berkeley Police Department
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA
94704
(510) 981-5900,
TDD: (510) 981-5799,
police@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Community Crime Prevention Alert: Robbery
Suspects Focusing on Smartphones
Berkeley, California (Thursday, July 14, 2011)
As was the trend when walkmans and CD players,
then MP3 players and iPods, became popular in the
City of Berkeley community, crime suspects are now focusing increased attention
on smartphones, especially during street robberies,
the iPhone emerging as the most popular. This crime
trend is not unique to Berkeley, as most metropolitan areas throughout the U.S.
have seen an uptrend in the numbers of smartphone and
iPhones stolen. They are taken during robberies, auto
burglaries, burglaries, theft, and when left unattended.
The City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD)
would like to remind and encourage community members to employ a few crime
prevention measures, simple lifestyle changes that can
help reduce your risk as well as discourage those who commit these crimes.
- Be alert to your surroundings and people
around you.
- Do not lend your phone to anyone you do not
know or take it out of your purse, pocket, or bag to give someone the time, if
asked.
- Whenever feasible, walk, jog, or travel with
a friend or friends.
- Walk confidently and at a steady pace.
- DonÕt talk on cell phones or listen to iPods when alone, as they significantly limit awareness.
- Be aware of locations and situations that
make you more vulnerable to crime such as alleys, doorways, parking lots, and
stairwells.
- Call BPD to report suspicious persons or
activity.
- If you are the victim of a robbery,
immediately call the police. An immediate report, including the suspect
description, direction of flight, any associated vehicles, and vehicle license
plate # gives responding officers the best possible chance of locating the
suspect, and ultimately making a successful case.
BPD is urging anyone who may know anything
about this type of crime to call the BPD Investigations Division - Robbery
Detail at (510) 981-5742
or the 24-hour BPD Non Emergency number of (510)
981-5900. If a community member wishes to remain
anonymous, he/she is encouraged to call the Bay Area Crimes Stoppers (BACS) at
(800)-222-TIPS (8477). All calls to BACS are completely confidential. Any
information may be critical to solving this type of crime. Sometimes the
smallest or seemingly insignificant detail can be the key to arresting the
suspect or suspects in any crime.
Media Contact: Sgt. Kusmiss
S6
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Chief of Police Michael K. Meehan
City of Berkeley
Main Line (510) 981-CITY
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7. Next Drop-In
Progress Meeting at Whole Foods Market, Weds. 8/10, 8:30-9 a.m., Plus Store
Announcements
EditorÕs note: Marketing Team Leader Jim Hallock
at Whole Foods Market let us know that Whole Foods Market will be holding a
drop-in progress meeting open to the community on Wednesday 8/10.
Progress Meetings
These
meetings are held at the Community Table at the front of the store, and the
purpose is to share our plans for noise abatement, the store remodel project [now
rescheduled for 2012], street litter control, and progress on any of the
ongoing issues we discuss [with HNA reps and nearby neighbors] quarterly. Mel
and I will meet, and anyone is welcome to join us. Of course there will be
complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks. Our goal is to follow up immediately on
any issues that we hear about, and to hear how the store can be a better
neighbor. This monthÕs meeting is scheduled from 8:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday 8/10.
Noise
Note
that Mel has asked that anyone who had noise complaints to please call the
store immediately, at 649-1333, and ask for the Shift Manager, so we can
identify and stop the noise. Shift Managers are available from around 7:30 a.m.
to midnight. If the noise is before 7:30 a.m., please ask for the Receiving
Dock. If you canÕt reach anyone, please make a note of the time and date, and
call a Shift Manager after 7:30 a.m. You can also email me so we can follow up.
Store Announcements
Hot Summer Sunday, Sunday, August
7, 1-5 p.m.
Stop by for free live music, ice cream, lemonade,
and balloons as we celebrate the dog days of summer. ItÕll be a great day to
just hang out!
Whole Kids Campaign Kickoff, Wednesday,
August 17
The new Whole Kids
Foundation is dedicated to funding projects for local schools, including
improved lunches and school gardens. Help us raise money for this very
worthwhile focus during our fund drive August 17-September 13. You can donate
at check stands or at our upcoming events. Thanks for your help!
Wellness for Life
Every
Tuesday at 5:30 at the Alta Bates Medical Center (across Webster Street). Please call 510-869-6737 to register.
Fruitopia! Summer Produce Tasting
August 30
What fruit is perfectly
ripe? What is in season right now? Spend an hour with the produce experts from
Whole Foods Market as they guide you through whatÕs ripe, whatÕs great, and
what you just canÕt miss. Since this is one of our most popular classes, we
will move chairs to allow extra folks to join us, but reserve your spot early!
WeÕre very sorry we missed JulyÕs class—weÕll make it up to you on August
30!
Jim
Hallock
Marketing Team Leader
Whole Foods Market Berkeley
3000 Telegraph Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705
510.649.1333 ext. 261
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8. Multi-Household Yard Sale Planned
for Saturday, September 17
EditorÕs note: Halcyon neighborhood (and HNA Treasurer) Susan Hunter
and a couple of interested neighbors have settled on the date of Saturday,
September 17 for their next multi-household yard sale. Whether it expands
beyond the Webster/Halcyon/Prince triangle will depend on your interest.
WeÕve set a date for a fall
multi-family sale: Saturday, September 17. I still have some valuable items to
sell, and IÕd welcome company. (We get bigger turnouts if we sell together.) If
we get at least ten households to participate, it will be another HNA sale ($5
to cover costs from each participating household plus help posting flyers/signs).
Or weÕll do it as a smaller group. Email halcyon92@gmail.com
to let me know if youÕd like to be included!
Susan Hunter
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9. City of Berkeley Redistricting
Packets Now Available
EditorÕs note: Every ten years, Council district lines are tweaked
to keep district population levels roughly equivalent. Any citizen can submit a
plan for redrawn lines by September 30. Even if you donÕt want to get involved
to the extent of submitting a proposal, itÕs worth paying attention since the
changes could affect what district youÕre in. The following announcement is
from the MayorÕs Bates Update.
Residents who wish to submit a plan for new Berkeley City Council
district boundaries are now able to pick up or download them at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/PressReleaseMain.aspx?id=71848. Every 10 years, the City of Berkeley reviews its Council
district boundaries to account for shifts and changes in the population. The redistricting process
is based on the population figures provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
According to the 2010 Census, Berkeley's population is 112,580, an increase of
almost 10,000 people (visit About Berkeley a for summary of Census data). The population shifts within each
district are significant enough to require new district boundaries.
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10. Link about How a Park Helped a
Community Weather the Recession
EditorÕs note: HNA Co-Chair John Steere
recommends the following link, which describes how the creation of a park
helped the community of Greenville, South Carolina weather the recession. http://www.npr.org/2011/07/29/138716091/how-a-park-helped-one-town-weather-the-recession?sc=emaf
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11. NeighborÕs Sister Looking for a
Rental in Larger Neighborhood
EditorÕs
note: A Wheeler Street neighbor submitted
the following item.
SEEKING SHORT-TERM HOUSING: Wheeler Street neighbor
Ros Harder is seeking a house-sit
or rental in Berkeley for her sister Lisa
Rhode, starting August 28 (flexible). From Lisa: ÒI am a professional
woman with two children in the process of relocating to Berkeley. We need
a place to stay for 1-3 months until I can
arrange a more permanent situation. I am responsible, mature, and
flexible. No smoking, no substances, no drama. Excellent references. Please
email lisarhode@gmail.com.Ó
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12. Supervisor Keith CarsonÕs Summer
2011 Newsletter Online
EditorÕs
note: Our county supervisor,
Keith Carson, sent a link to his summer newsletter. You can download the pdf at http://www.keithcarson.org/2011_Summer.pdf
or sign up to be on the notification list at http://www.acgov.org/board/district5/involved.htm. The newsletter contains
emergency preparedness tips, information about increasing access to health care
for low-income uninsured residents of Alameda County, community events, and
more.
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