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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 10/5/11

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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. HNAÕs Big Berkeley Project Work Party in the Park, Saturday, October 15, 9 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

2. Halcyon Halloween: Third Annual KidsÕ Costume Parade Around the Park, Monday 10/31, 5:45 p.m.

3. October Events at Whole Foods Market

4. BORP Sponsoring Free Speaker Series on WomenÕs Health At Ed Roberts Campus

5. Police Department Update on Investigation of the Murder of Adolfo Ignacio Caledon Bravo

6. Free Bicycle/Multi-Use Helmets Available for Berkeley Residents

7. Proclamation Honoring HNA on the 15th Anniversary of Halcyon Commons

8. Ongoing Progress Meetings with Whole Foods Market

9. Crime Watch Update: Burglary on Emerson

10. CityÕs Online Service Center and 311 Call Service

11. Berkeley Redistricting Process Continues

 

EditorÕs Introductory Note:

 

Thanks to those who helped make our 15th Anniversary Celebration of Halcyon Commons possible last month, starting with HNA Co-Chair John Steere, who served as the event organizer, and those who helped him plan, set up, and clean up. Despite a rainy morning and early afternoon, the clouds parted and the sun came out so we were able to hold the party in the park itself, and Prince Street neighbor Rob Lyons and his jazz quintet Compared to What performed two lively sets of RobÕs original pieces, prompting calls for a repeat performance another time! Thanks to Prince Street neighbor Marty OÕConnor for flyer design and to Jay Migliaccio and all of our Flyer Distribution Team, who helped get the word out, and to Whole Foods Market for the donation of a delicious cake along with Middle Eastern appetizers (thank you to Prince Street neighbor Mary Stoker for picking up the donation). Councilmember Kriss Worthington presented HNA with a proclamation his office sponsored at the City Council (full text in item 7 below). What a great afternoon!

 

There are a couple of opportunities to continue to grow our Halcyon community in October, first with our annual sponsorship of Berkeley Project Day with a work party in Halcyon Commons (see item 1) and then on Halloween, with the third annual Costume Parade around the park for neighborhood kids (see item 2). Whether you have children or not, please consider what you can do to make Halcyon a Halloween-friendly and kid-friendly neighborhood by putting out a pumpkin or two (or more!) and getting ready for trick-or-treaters on the 31st!

 

Finally, another plug for joining HNAÕs Facebook group if youÕre a Halcyon neighbor and youÕre on Facebook; it has become a valuable resource for sharing information about lost (or found) cats, changes in repaving schedules, updates about events, news about impromptu moving of plants to save them from concrete work, and other news in between the E-News editions: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292160762499/ There are now 74 members, but thatÕs still a lot fewer than the approximately 400 who receive the E-News. The group is a great way to get to know your neighbors a bit better and exchange information. What are you waiting for?

 

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

 

 

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1. HNAÕs Big Berkeley Project Work Party in the Park, Saturday, October 15, 9 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

 

BIG Work Party in Halcyon Commons & Surrounds

Saturday, October 15, 9 a.m.–2:00 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 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!

 

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2. Halcyon Halloween: Third Annual KidsÕ Costume Parade Around the Park, Monday 10/31, 5:45 p.m.

 

EditorÕs note: Wheeler Street neighbor Susan Snyder submitted the following announcement. 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). Put out some pumpkins and answer the door on Halloween (or leave lights out if you donÕt want to participate; though ordinarily we ask that neighbors leave their porch lights on for neighborhood-watch purposes, Halloween is the exception).

 

Halloween Parade at Halcyon Commons

 

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. Questions? Contact Susan at halcyonplaydate@gmail.com

 

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3. October Events at Whole Foods Market

 

EditorÕs Note: Jim Hallock at Whole Foods Market submitted the following announcements.

 

Fair Trade/Whole Trade Celebration Day

Tuesday, October 25, 4-7 p.m.

 

There are so many products that are not only good to eat and good for us, but also are good for the planet and the people who produce them. On this day we celebrate and honor these special products labeled Fair Trade and Whole Trade. In addition, we will honor those products and companies supporting the ÒPoverty Is UnnecessaryÓ Fund, administered by the Whole Planet Foundation to provide microloans to women starting businesses in developing countries. Please come out to support our vendor partners. WeÕll be sampling eight Fair Trade chocolates and plenty of other products, and learn more about how every purchase matters.

 

KidsÕ Halloween Costume Parade

Monday, October 31, 4-7 p.m.

 

All you goblins and ghouls, come out for spooky fun, face painting, music and prizes for the best costume. Free trick-or-treats throughout the store, so bring your own bag or use one of ours! Parents welcome too!

 

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4. BORP Sponsoring Free Speaker Series on WomenÕs Health At Ed Roberts Campus

 

EditorÕs note: The following announcement was submitted by Reba Knickerbocker of BORP.

 

Hello BORP Fitness Fans,

 

I am inviting you to join us for a FREE Women's Health Speaker Series on Thursday October 6th and Thursday October 20th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ed Roberts Campus Building in Berkeley, sponsored by the BORP Fitness Studio.

 

These talks, sponsored by the BORP Fitness Studio, feature Dr. Sarah Ferguson and Lani Simpson D.C., C.C.D. presenting on Hormonal Balance (Oct. 6th) and Bone Health (Oct. 20th), and how these two issues can be managed through exercise and nutrition. 

 

I hope you will be able to join us for what will be an informative talk. Please spread the word throughout your network, and thank you for your continued support of the BORP Fitness Studio.

 

See you in class!

 

Reba

 

Reba Knickerbocker

Program Director and Fitness Coordinator

Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP)

3075 Adeline St. Suite 155

Berkeley, CA 94703

510-849-4663 x1319

510-849-4616 fax

email: reba@borp.org

www.borp.org

 

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5. Police Department Update on Investigation of the Murder of Adolfo Ignacio Caledon Bravo

 

City of Berkeley (California, USA) Police Department (BPD) Public Information Officer (PIO) Email UPDATE on Murder of Adolfo Ignacio Celedn Bravo on September 12, 2010

 

The mother, Mar’a de la Luz Bravo, and father, Adolfo Celed—n Sandoval, as well as the and two sisters (Alejandra and Constanza) of Adolfo Ignacio Celedn Bravo have traveled to the United States from Chile to visit the site where a suspect took the life of their beloved son and brother during a robbery on the morning of September 12, 2010 [on Emerson at Adeline]. In addition, with the support of the Consul General of Chile Rolando F. Ortega, they met with the Chief of the City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Michael K. Meehan, the BPD Commander of Detectives — Lieutenant Rico Rolleri and the BPD Homicide Detective Shan Johnson, who is the lead investigator in the case. The group met privately at the Ronald T. Tsukamoto Public Safety Building this morning, Monday October 3, 2011 regarding the status of the investigation. No arrests have been made.

 

The family is also hoping during this visit to keep the memory of their son alive and remind community members about the crime. They have met with some local media reporters and will continue to schedule such interviews until their departure. This evening (Monday, October 3, 2011) at about 6:00 p.m., the family will be planting a tree at the site of the crime in honor of ÒFito.Ó

 

Latest City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Community Media Release - Reward Increases to $20000 in Investigation of 2010 Murder- Adolfo Ignaci.pdf. The most recent Community and Media Release although there have been stories since this was shared.

 

My best,

Mary S-6

 

Sgt. MC Kusmiss

City of Berkeley Police Department

Public Information Officer

Office of the Chief of Police

(510) 981-5780

 

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6. Free Bicycle/Multi-Use Helmets Available for Berkeley Residents

 

EditorÕs note: Councilmember Max AndersonÕs office forwarded the following information. The offer applies to all Berkeley residents, not just District 3 constituents.

 

Dear District 3 Constituent,

 

FREE Bicycle/Multi-Use Helmets for Berkeley Residents!

 

Sponsored by The City of Berkeley Injury Prevention and Chronic Disease Prevention Program and the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

 

CITY OF BERKELEY PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION

1947 Center St., 2nd Floor. Office hours are from 9AM-5PM.

 

LIMIT: ONE (1) PER PERSON NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY

 

Adults/Children will need to come IN PERSON to get fitted and take home a helmet.

Some sizes (Large) are limited. Offer available until supplies run out.

 

Contact: Injury Prevention Program at 510-981-7676 or nxiong@cityofberkeley.info for questions or if you wish to make an appointment.

 

Charlene Washington, Legislative Aide, District 3

Councilmember Max Anderson

2180 Milvia Street, 5th Floor , Berkeley, CA  94704

Tel: 510.981.7130/Fax: 510.981.7133

cwashington@CityofBerkeley.info

 

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7. Proclamation Honoring HNA on the 15th Anniversary of Halcyon Commons

 

EditorÕs note: Thanks to Councilmember Kriss WorthingtonÕs office for sponsoring this proclamation honoring HNA and our creation of Halcyon Commons.

 

In Honor of Halcyon Neighborhood Association on the 15th Anniversary of Halcyon Commons 

 

WHEREAS, in 1992, the desire to create a park in what was then a parking lot led to the founding of Halcyon Neighborhood Association (HNA) and the birth of a new identify for the Halcyon neighborhood; and

 

WHEREAS, a core group of neighborhood leaders — Nancy Carleton, Susan Hunter, Michael Lamb, John Steere, and Bruce Wicinas — formed a Steering Committee that organized more than one hundred community volunteers to design and create Halcyon Commons through a collaborative City-neighborhood partnership; and

 

WHEREAS, under the continuing leadership of HNA Co-Chairs John Steere and Nancy Carleton, subsequent Steering Committee members have played an important role in keeping HNA vital and active for nineteen years, including the fifteen years since Halcyon Commons was dedicated in 1996; and

 

WHEREAS, HNA has consistently practiced a nonpartisan approach to neighborhood organizing that has encouraged participation from hundreds of neighbors across BerkeleyÕs political spectrum, making possible exemplary community building, disaster preparedness, crime watch, greening, and information-sharing efforts, including the often-emulated HNA E-News; and

 

WHEREAS, HNA has faithfully honored its commitment to the City by coordinating five or six work parties a year for the fifteen years since Halcyon Commons was dedicated, involving neighbors as well as UC student volunteers in the ongoing maintenance of the park and nearby landscaped features, including graffiti removal and further greening projects in the larger neighborhood; and

 

WHEREAS, HNA successfully applied for and received a UC Chancellor's Community Partnership grant to make improvements in the park upon its 10th anniversary as part of the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project: and

 

WHEREAS, throughout its fifteen years Halcyon Commons has served as a gathering place for neighbors to come together to create a sense of place; and

 

WHEREAS, HNA and Halcyon Commons have thus served as models for other neighborhood and greening efforts in the City of Berkeley through positively organized community collaboration and partnership,

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Berkeley City Council gratefully acknowledges Halcyon Commons on its 15th Anniversary, along with Halcyon Neighborhood Association and the neighbors who created and have sustained it through the years, for their extraordinary service on behalf of building community and improving quality of life in this South Berkeley neighborhood.

 

Passed by a unanimous vote of the Berkeley City Council on September 20, 2011.

 

8. Ongoing Progress Meetings with Whole Foods Market

 

EditorÕs note: Marketing Team Leader Jim Hallock at Whole Foods Market let us know that Whole Foods Market will continue holding its regular drop-in progress meeting open to the community. ItÕs too late for todayÕs meeting, but there will be another on Wednesday 10/19. Please stop by if you have any concerns. This monthÕs E-News also provides a good opportunity to thank Jim and Store Team Leader Mel Mestemacher for moving quickly to meet concerns raised at our National Night Out Against Crime event about cars exiting the storeÕs driveway on Webster without stopping for pedestrians. In addition to the stop sign installed earlier, they have added a bright watch-for-pedestrians sign, and painted STOP on the pavement. Thank you, Mel and Jim!

 

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 10/19.

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.

Jim Hallock
Marketing Team Leader

Whole Foods Market Berkeley

3000 Telegraph Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94705

510.649.1333 ext. 261

Jim.Hallock@wholefoods.com

 

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9. Crime Watch Update: Burglary on Emerson

 

EditorÕs note: An Emerson Street neighbor submitted the following report.

 

ÒMy new neighbor on Emerson reported a burglary which occurred on Sunday, September 11. The robbers entered through an unsecured rear window.  Remember, a stuck or painted-shut window is NOT secured. I no longer need to remove the removable faceplate from my auto tape deck. A tape deck must be too old school for the thieves to bother with.Ó

 

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10. CityÕs Online Service Center and 311 Call Service

 

EditorÕs note: From Councilmember Darryl MooreÕs newsletter Moore News.

 

The City of Berkeley has been working for the last several years to improve the ways residents do business with the City. Two of the most visible improvements are the Online Service Center and the 311 Call Center.

 

The Online Service Center www.CityofBerkeley.info/onlineservicecenter is a great resource for those on the go. Use it day or night to look up City staff phone numbers, download maps, apply for jobs, pay parking tickets, schedule building inspections, report graffiti, broken sidewalks, potholes and more.

 

You can utilize the same services by calling the 311 Call Center. By calling (510) 981-CITY (2489) or "311," you can talk with Call Center staff and report missed garbage pickups, pay bills, make Public Works reports and more. The Call Center is open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Not sure where to start? Call 981-CITY or email customerservice@cityofberkeley.info.

 

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11. Berkeley Redistricting Process Continues

 

EditorÕs note: According to the City website, six plans for redrawing the Council district lines in Berkeley were submitted by the deadline September 30. Our neighborhood is affected, so neighbors are encouraged to track the process. The link below takes you to the City webpage concerning redistricting. The City Council will hold its first public hearing on the proposals on November 15 (the staff report and analysis of the six proposals will be available on November 3 in the City Council Agenda packet).

 

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=9882

 

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