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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 2/8/11

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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 Editor’s introductory comments express her personal viewpoint.

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Contents

1. Change in time for Monthly Tai Chi Practice in the Park; February date is Sunday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. (with optional training at 9:30 a.m.)

2. Crime Watch Updates: Three Daytime Burglaries on Emerson; Suspicious Panhandler on Prince & Woolsey; Concerns about Graffiti and Loud Gatherings Outside Church at Telegraph/Prince

3. Upcoming Drop-In Progress Meetings at Whole Foods Market, Weds., 2/16 & 3/2, 8:15-9 a.m.

4. Useful Emergency Preparedness Link: Video on Continuous Chest Compression CPR (a Simpler Alternative to Standard CPR)

5. HNA Dates for Remainder of 2011 up at http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org/#Calendar!

6. Upcoming Adeline/Shattuck Issues on ZAB Agenda for Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.

7. Free Mulch Available from the City of Berkeley, February through October

8. Message from Councilmember Worthington on Parking Enforcement Near Alta Bates & Other Parking Matters

9. Link to Article on Massage Parlor Prostitution on Woolsey Street

10. Link to Current Free CERT/Disaster Preparedness Trainings from City

11. Tips to Prevent Car Break-ins

12. Mark Your Calendars: Big Work Party in Park and Surrounding Neighborhood, Sat., March 5, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

 

 

 

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1.

1. Change in time for Monthly Tai Chi Practice in the Park; February date is Sunday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. (with optional training at 9:30 a.m.)

 

Free monthly Tai Chi Chih Practice (fourth Sundays at 10 a.m. except alternate dates in February & April)

Sunday, February 13, 10-11 a.m. is the next (with optional training at 9:30 a.m.)

Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

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

 

Optional free instruction in Tai Chi Chih basics at 9:30 a.m. before the February 13 practice!

Contact Judith if you’re a beginner who’d like to show up early to learn enough of the basics to practice along with the group at 10 a.m. (Judith will only show up early to offer this free instruction if some folks contact her in advance to say they’ll be there, so be sure to call if you’re interested; see contact information above.)

 

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. Note that Judith sometimes has to change the date and/or time for the free community practice given other commitments in her busy life, so please check the HNA website at http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org/ to verify that month’s practice!

 

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2. Crime Watch Updates: Three Daytime Burglaries on Emerson; Suspicious Panhandler on Prince & Woolsey; Concerns about Graffiti and Loud Gatherings Outside Church at Telegraph/Prince

 

Editor’s note: Thanks to the Wheeler Street neighbor who both passed on this news and took the initiative to post a flyer with this information on Wheeler and Emerson Streets!

 

NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT: On Tuesday 1/25/11 there were three burglaries on Emerson Street between Wheeler  and Shattuck. In addition to forced entry and theft, the intruders vandalized indoor property (i.e., smashed TV and wall). The intruders were spotted around 3-4 p.m. by several witnesses, who described them as three very young African-American teenage boys, well dressed, carrying backpacks. If you have further information about these burglaries, please contact either the police nonemergency number at 981-5900 or, for crimes in progress, call 911 from your landline or 581-5911 from your cell. [Editor’s note: Also please be sure to share details with the neighborhood at halcyon92@gmail.com, so they can be reported in the next E-News!]

 

Editor’s note: A Woolsey Street neighbor reported the following incidents with an overly aggressive panhandler.

 

“[This concerns] someone I have found to be acting a little strangely in the neighborhood for the past several months. I have lived on Woolsey Street for about 2 1/2 years, and about 6 months ago a man started showing up and acting strangely. He has approached twice at night, once while [I was] walking alone from the UC campus, the other while [I was] walking my dog, and now today [2/7] at dusk while I was walking down Telegraph. Each time was either on Prince or Woolsey, and he always has a (seemingly bogus) story about his car being towed and him needing change. When I have told him I had no change, each time he became somewhat frustrated and asked me to go home and look for some. He even claimed he had family in a home on Prince and Deakin, which I’m pretty sure isn't true. I don't think I am someone who gets paranoid, but this person has made me very nervous. I only wanted to tell [neighbors] in case he does this, or anything worse, to anyone else. His description: African American male about 45-55 years, approx 6 ft, short hair, wears thin-rimmed glasses, clean cut, and always starts asking questions in a polite and friendly way. I believe he wears a greenish windbreaker type jacket.”

 

Editor’s note: A Prince Street neighbor submitted this report on 1/23 regarding the area around the church at Telegraph and Prince (and Southside Lofts on the other side of Telegraph).

 

“Some neighborhood notes on things I have been noticing lately and thought maybe you could pass along the info to the neighborhood: There have been a few homeless people hanging out on the Church steps lately at night. They also seem to be sleeping on the church steps this past week (the church on the corner of Prince and Telegraph). I have heard them making loud noise and yelling; they have been just hanging around the neighborhood at night the past week or so. They also had some kind of a fire going there last night (maybe it was a few large candles); they have been yelling quite a bit and seem to be very busy at night. Yesterday a bunch of graffiti appeared on the South Side Lofts dumpster fence; it seems to match the graffiti that also appeared yesterday on the bench/bus stop in front of the Church on the corner of Prince and Telegraph where they sleep. Last week, a neighbor and I on Prince Street, below Telegraph, saw a man casing the neighborhood in the late afternoon, he was walking up and down people’s driveways eventually walking quickly towards Wheeler. The neighbor I was walking with, spoke to a beat officer, but it was already too late, because the guy had taken off too quickly to be  spotted. I have also seen several young guys walking to and from the Halcyon Commons park late at night this past couple of weeks; they seem to be coming from the park and walking towards Telegraph and making noise on their way etc. Overall it seems there has just been an increase in these types of things lately, seeing more graffiti, homeless, and odd foot traffic in the neighborhood. Especially now that UC Berkeley is back in session, maybe there has just been more activity in general around town. So I wanted to send you a note, hoping you can just send some information out to the Halcyon neighborhood about these things that we need to pay attention to in order to keep our neighborhood clean/safe/quiet, etc.”

 

Editor’s note: HNA’s neighborhood watch is in transition given Dawn Trygstad’s Rubin’s retirement as HNA’s Neighborhood Watch coordinator (Dawn remains active in crime watch as she works to expand community policing along the Berkeley/Oakland Shattuck corridor). Please get involved if you want our ongoing Neighborhood Watch to stay strong! Email halcyon92@gmail.com if you’d like to join our Yahoo listserv focused on neighborhood watch and night-time safety walks (you must include your full address and phone number to receive an invitation so we can be sure that all participants are trusted neighbors). Also, be sure to report any and all suspicious behavior. If you feel uncomfortable or get a bad gut feeling, call! And note that Halcyon Commons closes at 10 p.m.; anyone in the park after that hour can be asked to move by the police. As we were told long ago by Sergeant Cliff Romig, the philosophy of the Berkeley Police Department is “Your level of tolerance will dictate our level of enforcement.” If something is making you uncomfortable, it’s up to you to be the squeaky wheel that makes the calls that then get the attention of our beat officers and results in more frequent patrols.

 

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3. Upcoming Drop-In Progress Meetings at Whole Foods Market, Weds., 2/16 & 3/2, 8:15-9 a.m.

 

Editor’s note: Marketing Team Leader Jim Hallock at Whole Foods Market sent the following notice about three follow-up meetings planned “to directly address noise levels, to brainstorm, and to keep interested neighbors apprised of our noise abatement action plan and any other issues that arise” (one of the meetings has already taken place). Neighbors interested in tracking noise abatement issues are especially encouraged to attend, though those with other issues are also welcome. This is also a chance to meet new Store Team Leader Melody Mestemacher, who will be overseeing a store remodel that will be taking place later in the year (details to come)! Thanks to Mel and Jim for offering this additional outreach to the neighborhood!

 

Progress Meetings

Mel [Melody Mestemacher, new Store Team Leader] has asked me to set up a few bi-weekly follow-up meetings for anyone who would like to attend. These meetings will be 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 scheduled for later this year, 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. The upcoming meetings are scheduled from 8:15 a.m. - 9 a.m. on Wednesday 2/16 and 3/2.

Jim Hallock
Marketing Team Leader

Whole Foods Market Berkeley

3000 Telegraph Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94705

510.649.1333 ext. 261

 

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4. Useful Emergency Preparedness Link: Video on Continuous Chest Compression CPR (a Simpler Alternative to Standard CPR)

 

Editor’s note: I’m repeating this link because this is such useful and potentially life-saving information, and much easier to perform than standard CPR.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcbgpiKyUbs&feature=player_embedded

 

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5. HNA Dates for Remainder of 2011 up at http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org/#Calendar!

 

Editor’s note: Your participation is what keeps our neighborhood safer, better cared for, and more convivial, so please plan on jotting the dates of interest on your calendar now. Making our shared neighborhood a priority in your planning will directly help improve your quality of life here! The link is http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org/#Calendar and we will update the list when there are changes. Thanks to Bruce Wicinas for helping get the calendar up as well as for work on the website as a whole.

 

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6. Upcoming Adeline/Shattuck Issues on ZAB Agenda for Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.

 

Editor’s note: The following item is from Fulton Street neighbor Lisa Bullwinkel’s FRNA list. Check out the City of Berkeley’s website at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning/ for more information.

 

“There are 3 issues at the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) on Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 2134 MLK that relate to our neighborhood. If you can go, great! 

1. To allow retail sales of beer and wine for off-site consumption at Walgreen’s.

2. To install an ATM inside the liquor store at 3027 Adeline.

3. To establish a music and dance studio with artist residency and office at 3023 Shattuck.

If they all go through we can get enough money to get drunk and dance and play music all night!”

 

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7. Free Mulch Available from the City of Berkeley, February through October

 

Editor’s note: Councilmember Max Anderson’s office passed on the following information. (Remember that the yard waste we send off in our green bins comes back to the City in the form of compost!)

 

Free compost!

City of Berkeley’s Parks Recreation & Waterfront, Marina Division & Public Works

Berkeley residents only

Location: Berkeley Marina (Marina Blvd. across from the Doubletree Hotel

*(please note the new location)

Time & date: The last Saturday of each month

February through October 2011

(except for July, which will be on the 3rd Saturday due to the Kite festival)

*(please note the new day)

2/26, 3/26 4/30, 5/28, 6/25, 7/23, 8/27, 9/24, 10/29 Weather permitting!  

Time: Starting at 8:00 a.m. and lasting until the compost is gone

Pick-ups may load no higher than the lip of their bed & must tarp their loads.

Self-serve: Please bring your shovels, containers and safety gear

First come, first served.

For more information or rain cancellations, call the Berkeley Marina office at (510) 981-6740.

 

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8. Message from Councilmember Worthington on Parking Enforcement Near Alta Bates & Other Parking Matters

 

Dear Halcyon folks:

 

The City of Berkeley is working on a pilot project around Alta Bates Hospital to improve consistency of parking enforcement, by addressing the practice whereby some people wipe the chalk marks off their tires and park all day while working, irrespective of the posted parking time limits. Implementation of the LPR project will probably begin approximately around the end of March. To prepare for this, additional Info Technology needs for data storage and analysis are being addressed, including a new server and additional software, which are currently in the works.

 

On the Way (someday)

I am firmly committed to getting the City to allow online purchases of Parking permits. This may involve a February City Council item depending on the City Manager response. For many years I’ve initiated proposals to expand information and services available online, because it makes the City more accessible and usually also saves us money. This is one more obvious step that we need to take.

 

We have been asked to look at other parking changes so we are currently putting info together. We are researching the costs, benefits, and operational issues involved in considering increasing the number of one-day passes as well as allowing exchanges of unused permits. Will update you in a few weeks when we get those estimates.

 

Kriss Worthington

Councilmember

City of Berkeley, District 7

2180 Milvia Street, 5th Floor

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 981-7170 phone

(510) 981-7177 fax

kworthington@cityofberkeley.info

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/council7/

 

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9. Link to Article on Massage Parlor Prostitution on Woolsey Street

 

http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_17086806?nclick_check=1

 

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10. Link to Current Free CERT/Disaster Preparedness Trainings from City

 

Editor’s note: These informative free trainings fill early, so check out the list for February/March now and sign up. The more of us who are trained, the better we’ll be able to respond to a big earthquake.

 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=57314

 

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11. Tips to Prevent Car Break-ins

 

Editor’s note: These tips are from the BPD Area 1 Coordinator. Given that we have periodic waves of car break-ins in our neighborhood, we’d be wise to follow these sensible precautions to reduce the chances that our neighborhood will be a repeat target (thieves return to streets where they’ve been successful in the past). And don’t forget to call the police when you notice anyone casing cars, night or day.

 

“Although it may sound sensible [to avoid leaving valuables in your car], many people continue to leave valuable items inside their parked vehicles. Items most commonly stolen include GPS units, MP3 players, cellular phones, backpacks, gym bags, briefcases, laptop bags, wallets, and purses. If you must leave valuables inside your car, place the items out of sight before you park your car. If a crook is ‘casing’ an area for persons parking and sees you pack/hide your valuables under your seat or inside your trunk, it will clue them in that you have something to hide and that they should target your vehicle.”

 

Leave no signs of your valuables.

Although they may not be the actual valuable item, leaving charging cradles from MP3 players or loose change in the car may also attract a crook’s attention.

 

Try to park in busy, well-lit areas.

Auto burglars prefer breaking into cars where they will not be observed or attract notice. Rather than parking in areas where there is little or no one around, try to park in areas where there is lot of vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

 

Secure your vehicle.

Always make sure you lock your vehicle — even if you think you will only be away for a few minutes.  Every week, community members report thefts from their vehicles to the Berkeley Police Department where they did not have their doors locked or they left a window open. Crooks can be as slippery as water — and they too follow the path of least resistance. A crook would much rather burglarize an unlocked vehicle than have to figure out a way to break into one.

 

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12. Mark Your Calendars: Big Work Party in Park and Surrounding Neighborhood, Sat., March 5, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

 

Editor’s note: Once again we’ll enjoy the help of volunteers from the Berkeley Project as students from UC help us weed in the park and spread mulch. We also hope to do litter pickup and graffiti removal in the larger neighbor, but only if a neighbor (or two or three) steps forward to lead out a student crew (or crews) for an hour (or two or three). Please email halcyon92@gmail.com if you’re able to take a crew out into the larger neighborhood. If you can help weed or mulch, just show up at Halcyon Commons. Coffee courtesy of Mokka Café and refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market will keep us well fueled!

 

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