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Halcyon Neighborhood
Association E-News 7/11/11
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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. Neighborhood Sing-along, Sunday 7/17, 4-6
p.m., Wheeler Street
2. Neighborhood
ŌMocktailĶ Party, Tuesday 7/26, 6-7:30 p.m., 2329 Webster Street
3. National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday
8/2, Community Potluck & Safety Walk, 6-8:30 p.m.
4. Remembering Neighbor John Leverick, Saturday
7/30, Noon at Halcyon Commons
5. Emerson Street Neighbor Requests Your
Action on Fan Noise from Smokey JÕs
6. Crime Watch Alert: Suspicious Ice Cream
Truck on Prince Street near Deakin
7. Drop-In Progress Meetings at Whole
Foods Market, Weds. 7/26, 8:30-9 a.m.
8. Prince Street
NeighborÕs Alert Regarding Redistricting Proposal to Create a Supermajority
Student District
9. Neighborhood Honey Available!
10. Interested in Another
Multi-Household Yard Sale in August?
11. Wheeler Street
Neighbor Asks Others to Support Her Clothesline Policy Initiative
12. Crime Watch
Alert: Car Break-in on Shattuck & Car Theft on Fulton
13. Safer Crossing at
Ashby/Deakin Thanks to Webster Street Neighbor
14. Bees Wanted (If
You See a Swarm, Please Contact Bruce Wicinas)
15. BORP Offering New
(and Continuing) Classes!
16. Prince Street
Neighbor Judith Schwartz Offering Tai Chi Classes
EditorÕs
Introductory Note:
Along with the rest of the news in this edition, please note three fun
neighborhood events coming up (items 1, 2, and 3), one of which includes a
crime-watch focus (item 3). A fourth neighborhood gathering is announced in
item 4, which relays the sad news of the death of former Deakin Street neighbor
John Leverick and offers a chance to gather in his memory.
Because of the Independence Day holiday followed by a summer virus last
week, IÕm late in getting this July E-News out. Even in an ordinary month, news
keeps happening in between newsletters. Our HNA Facebook group, now up to 65
members, is starting to come into its own, with a variety of neighbors sharing
news and raising issues. It offers a great space for neighbors to network
directly with one another. If youÕre a Halcyon neighbor or businessperson and
you donÕt want to miss out on late-breaking announcements (and perhaps wish to
share some of your own), please request to join at https://www.facebook.com/groups/292160762499.
And if your interest focuses on crime watch or disaster preparedness, please
make sure to email halcyon92@gmail.com
to request to join the Yahoo group listservs devoted to those topics (include
your email, address, and phone with your request).
IÕm closing this edition of the E-News in memory of John Leverick, who
looked out for the safety of our neighborhood even when his own life took a
turn for the worse.
—Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-News Editor, halcyon92@gmail.com
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1. Neighborhood Sing-along,
Sunday 7/17, 4-6 p.m., Wheeler Street
EditorÕs note: Wheeler Street neighbor Roz Harder submitted
the notice about the following fun neighborhood event, which could become a
tradition. Note that you need to rsvp to get the exact address!
LIKE TO SING? Please join us for a
neighborhood SING-ALONG on Sunday July 17, 4-6 p.m.
Bring along the printed lyrics of at least one song youÕd like to sing,
with a few copies to share around the room. If you have a ŌRise Up SingingĶ book,
please bring that as well. A Woolsey Street neighbor has agreed to
accompany us on the piano, for the songs she
knows or for which YOU can provide sheet
music. Other instruments warmly welcomed!
We will provide
beverages. Feel free to bring something snacky & simple (e.g., grapes, baby
carrots) if you can. Rsvp and/or send questions to Wheeler Street neighbor
Roz Harder at rrahoode@yahoo.com.
If you canÕt make it at this date and time but wish you could, let me know for future reference.
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2. Neighborhood ŌMocktailĶ Party, Tuesday 7/26, 6-7:30 p.m., 2329
Webster Street
EditorÕs
note: John and Michelle Thelen-Steere
are hosting a special community get-together to replace the canceled June
potluck. ŌMocktails,Ķ for
those unfamiliar with the term, are nonalcoholic mixed beverages concocted from
sparking water and various juices. HereÕs MichelleÕs invitation to neighbors.
Perhaps this is the start of another neighborhood tradition?
Greetings, Halcyon neighbors!
I hope that you all can make it to our HNA-sponsored Summer Mocktails & Merriment
in the Redwood Room at Webster Haven (2329 Webster Street, second house west of
Whole Foods) on Tuesday, July 26, 6-7:30 p.m. B.Y.O.J&Hd'O (Bring your own
juice/sparkling water and hors dÕoeuvres). Wear a summery hat!!!!
:-)
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3. 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 are willing to work in partnership to help address it.
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4. Remembering Neighbor John
Leverick, Saturday 7/30, Noon at Halcyon Commons
EditorÕs note: Deakin Street neighbor Judy Jones submitted
the following announcement, which includes sad news for those of us who were
fond of John.
Neighbors:
There will be an informal gathering on Saturday, July 30, at 12 noon, in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince), to remember
long-time Deakin Street friend and neighbor John Leverick. As some of you may
know, John died in late June. If you would like to bring some food or drink to
share, that would be fine.
For further information please contact: Judy, judeseven@sbcglobal.net,
or Tobias, saibot1005@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Judy
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5. Emerson Street Neighbor
Requests Your Action on Fan Noise from Smokey JÕs
EditorÕs note: Neighbor Donna Argentina submitted the following item about noise from the kitchen fan at newly opened restaurant Smokey JÕs (Shattuck at Emerson) and requests that other nearby neighbors take action to help resolve the situation.
Neighbors:
Since the opening of the Smokey JÕs restaurant on Shattuck, the kitchen
fan located on the roof of the building has been running 24/7. It is
loud and has a high-pitch decibel ring that is heard a block away in either
direction. I have spoken to owner Joshua Kemper three times and he has as yet
offered no solution. I have called the City of Berkeley environmental noise
complaint hotline and registered a complaint over two weeks ago and
still did not get any answer. The constant noise from this fan is ruining the
quality of life for me and
my neighbors on Emerson Street. We need to pressure
the owner of this business and the City to rectify this situation. I
sent an email to the districtÕs city councilmember, Max Anderson, asking for assistance. If you can hear this fan, please
call the city and register a noise complaint, write our city council person,
and/or contact Josh using the contact information listed below.
Thank you
Donna Argentina
donnaargentina@sbcglobal.net
Smokey JÕs located @ 3015 Shattuck Ave
Owner: Joshua Kemper
510-647-8442
City council rep for this district manderson@CityofBerkeley.info
Division of Environmental Health, 1947 Center
St., Third Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704
TEL: (510)
981-5310, FAX: (510) 981-5305, TDD: (510)
981-6903
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
E-mail: envhealth@ci.berkeley.ca.us
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6. Crime Watch Alert:
Suspicious Ice Cream Truck on Prince Street near Deakin
EditorÕs
note: A Prince Street neighbor reported the following,
expressing concern since last year a similar ice cream truck was reported as
casing the Bateman neighborhood.
ŌWeÕre on Prince Street near Deakin, and I heard an ice cream truck
playing ŌTurkey in the StrawĶ tonight (Tuesday, June 21) at about 7:30 p.m.,
just like last year. I remembered a posting by Bateman Neighborhood Watch
Coordinator Marcy McGaugh from last year, and alerted my husband. He ran out
and saw the same color ice cream truck as he had then, which was pink, headed
down Prince Street, past Fulton, toward Shattuck. He didnÕt get a good look,
though, and neither time did he see it clearly, so he canÕt I.D. it. We have a
video camera ready in case we get lucky, though. When we heard it two years
ago, it was on cool days. At least this was a hot day, which is more plausible.
But it seemed very odd that it always came by around dusk, as it did tonight.
When I was a kid the ice cream truck came by in the heat of the day and when
the children were out playing. Perhaps itÕs time for
the adults to revisit their childhood and try to buy some ice cream.Ķ
From October 2010 E-News: Marcy McGaugh, Crime Watch Coordinator for Bateman Neighborhood Association, forwarded the following [September] warning submitted by a Bateman neighbor: ŌHave you noticed a pink truck driving slowly through our neighborhood playing ice cream truck music? He stops occasionally and looks around. My daughter tried to buy ice cream while he was stopped and he does not sell ice cream. When we were gone for a few days last holiday weekend someone dragged my bike out through the window opening in our garage. I have seen this truck trolling our hood several times and decided to follow. He turned down Derby and when I looped around the block he was stopped and looking down someoneÕs driveway. Deciding he was just casing houses I called the Berkeley police. They say the plate is registered in El Sobrante. They also recommend that next time we see the truck we call them and let them know. They would like to check out an ice cream truck that does not actually sell ice cream. If you see or hear this truck I recommend you call the Berkeley Police nonemergency number (510) 981-5900 and let them know where it is.Ķ
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7. Drop-In Progress
Meetings at Whole Foods Market, Weds. 7/26, 8:30-9 a.m.
EditorÕs note: Marketing Team Leader Jim Hallock at Whole Foods Market let us know that Whole Foods Market will be holding one drop-in progress meeting open to the community this month, on Wednesday 7/27. Also see http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/berkeley/store-calendar/ for the storeÕs special events in July.
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 7/27.
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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8. Prince Street NeighborÕs Alert Regarding Redistricting Proposal to Create
a Supermajority Student District
EditorÕs note: Prince Street neighbor Yolanda Huang submitted the following to the Le Conte Chat list. The redrawing of the eight City Council district lines to equalize population based on reports from the 2010 Census will be taking place soon. While according to our Guiding Principles HNA doesnÕt take positions on potentially controversial issues unless thereÕs near unanimity among neighbors (and therefore is unlikely to become involved in redistricting specifics), we do encourage all neighbors who have strong opinions one way or the other to contact their elected representatives and make your views known. Council contact information can be found at http://ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=18496.
Today [July 7], in the Daily Cal, thereÕs an article saying that [District
7 City Councilmember] Gordon Wozniak is pushing for redistricting to allow a
student district: http://www.dailycal.org/2011/07/06/student-government-advocates-for-super-majority-student-district/
This
sounds like the push is to turn the South campus area into a separate district,
or somehow shoehorn it into District 7, so that District 7 has a majority of students. Wozniak
is making a motion to push back the Nov. 1 deadline to allow the creation of a
proposed ŌSuper-majority student districtĶ that would be 75-85% students.
This proposal calls for taking the north part of Districts 7 and 8 and
combining it into one district, and the southern part of Districts 7 and 8, and
combining it into a new district. This is the further ghettoization of the
south of campus area. I already phoned Alejandro, Kriss WorthingtonÕs
aide, and told him that the further ghettoization of South Campus
will create greater ruin for the area, that what should be happening is an effort
to diversify South Campus — by encouraging seniors, graduate students,
and families to be part of south of Campus, that the economic failure of
Telegraph Avenue stems from the fact that only students and nobody else shops
on Telegraph. Folks need to call Gordon Wozniak to tell him what you feel about
this Ōsuper studentĶ district.
Yolanda Huang
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9. Neighborhood Honey Available!
EditorÕs note: The following announcement was submitted by a Prince Street neighbor.
I just harvested some more honey
from my hives on Prince Street. The bees have been foraging through our yards
all spring. I am selling pint jars (~1.3 lbs) for $10 each. People interested
in purchasing honey can call me at 510-849-1772
or email: djames@microprop.com.
I am grateful to all my neighbors who provide flowers year round in their
gardens. Our neighborhood honey is sweet and fragrant.
Doug James
Prince Street
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10. Interested in Another Multi-Household Yard Sale in August?
EditorÕs note: Halcyon neighborhood (and HNA Treasurer) Susan Hunter didnÕt get her fill of selling during JuneÕs multiblock yard sale. She asked me to include the following notice.
Whether or not your participated in our successful multi-family June sale, would you be interested in another one in August (likely August 20 or August 27, TBD)? 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). Email halcyon92@gmail.com to let me know if youÕd like to be included!
Susan Hunter
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11. Wheeler Street Neighbor Asks Others to Support Her Clothesline
Policy Initiative
EditorÕs note: Ardys, a Wheeler Street neighbor, wishes to remind us all about using clotheslines to dry our laundry, and submitted the following item to encourage neighbors to contact their councilmembers in support of a ŌUnified Clothesline Policy.Ķ As noted earlier, councilmember contact information can be found at http://ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=18496.
Neighbors:
I would like it if people could speak with their respective council persons about this. Also, if you feel it should
be changed in any way please contact me at firedeer@lmi.net if you wish. The wording
could be easily changed to other locales, other cities, etc.
Clothesline Resolution:
A Comprehensive and Unified Clothesline Policy
WHEREAS, much produced
energy be it electric or gas to dry clothing is increasingly expensive and
harmful to the environment.
WHEREAS,
the City of Berkeley is committed to responsibly using energy.
WHEREAS, the City
of Berkeley sees clotheslines as a way to responsibly dry clothing with wind
and solar energy.
NOW THEREFORE BE
IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Berkeley that the City of
Berkeley adopts the following policy concerning
clotheslines.
1. The City of
Berkeley believes that drying laundry with wind and solar energy should be encouraged.
2. Clotheslines
that dry laundry with wind and solar energy should not be forbidden in apartments,
dormitories, or single family housing in the City of Berkeley.
Thank you,
Ardys of Berkeley
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12. Crime Watch Alert: Car Break-in on Shattuck & Car Theft on
Fulton
EditorÕs note: A Shattuck Street neighbor reported the following incident.
ŌSometime in the early morning (or during sleeping hours) of Friday, May
27, the rear window of our Scion XB, parked in our driveway, was shattered.
Our nearly 4-year-old daughterÕs Specialized Balance Bike (purple) was
taken. Left behind were her helmet and a jogging stroller. It appears nothing
else was taken. Just thought IÕd let you know as part of the ongoing
monitoring of crime in our neighborhood. Also, last fall, we had our small GPS
unit taken from our unlocked car overnight as well. I never got around to
reporting it but I think I should make sure to do it this time.Ķ [EditorÕs
note: It is indeed important to report all crimes, large or small, as
this is the only way Police will know whatÕs happening in our neighborhood, and
such reports can play a role in the resources allocated to certain areas even
if they donÕt result in recovery of stolen items.]
EditorÕs note: A Fulton Street neighbor (just across Ashby from the Halcyon neighborhood) reported the following.
ŌI had my Honda stolen the day after July 4 from out in front of our
house. The BPD got it back for me really fast and it was unharmed. But
keep using those clubs and locking your doors!Ķ
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13. Safer Crossing at Ashby/Deakin Thanks to Webster Street Neighbor
EditorÕs note: Webster Street neighbor Jeanne Panek deserves special thanks for staying on top of a request to get Caltrans to add zebra strips on Ashby at Deakin. See her note here.
ŌFYI. Caltrans responded to my request from last
September, and FINALLY painted zebra stripes for kids walking across Ashby to
Le Conte from our neighborhood. They [have also installed] school zone
signs — the day after school [got] out for the summer. Figures ;-)
I had to bug them to get them to finish the work [she provided a transcript of
emails back and forth]. The good news? The
stripes and signs will last for a LONG time.Ķ
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14. Bees Wanted (If You See a Swarm, Please Contact Bruce Wicinas)
EditorÕs note: Bruce Wicinas and his family are also Prince Street beekeepers, and they currently have an opening in one of their two hives. Bruce submitted the following announcement.
If a bee swarm is sighted in the neighborhood,
please contact us. The swarm needs to be overnighting in a tree, not already
inhabiting a cavity in a building structure. We are on the lookout for a swarm to house in our presently vacant
second backyard hive.
Bruce, 510-848 1797
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15. BORP Offering New (and Continuing) Classes!
EditorÕs note: Reba
Knickerbocker
at BORP, our neighborhoodÕs very own fitness center at the Ed Roberts Campus,
submitted the following.
Neighbors!
The BORP Fitness Studio has added a string of new classes. Come on over
to the Ed Roberts Campus Building and visit one of our exceptional classes. Lots
of Yoga options, in addition to Core Conditioning, Upper Body Strengthening,
and ZUMBA! We have some fantastic new classes appearing on the schedule. New
classes, low fees, fantastic instructors, and an easy connection to public
transportation — it doesnÕt get much better than that.
Always check the BORP website for
details on classes at http://www.borp.org/programs/fitness-program/fitness-center-calendar.
Or visit our online scheduler at https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=13882
for the most up-to-date info on class additions
and/or cancellations.
We are here to offer Every Body a path towards fitness and wellness.
Looking forward to seeing you in class!
Reba
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16. Prince Street Neighbor Judith Schwartz Offering Tai Chi Classes
EditorÕs note: Prince
Street neighbor Judith Schwartz submitted the following announcement.
ŌIÕm extending my beginning Tai Chi Chih class three more Mondays in
July: the 11th, the 18th, the 25th; if anyone who knows the practice and wants
to join us for an evening of the full practice plus instruction, it begins at
6:15 on Mondays, and will be $45.00 for the series. Contact me for registration:
510-843-2062Ķ
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