Halcyon Neighborhood Association • Berkeley, CA | |
Halcyon Neighborhood Association |
The full newsletter (with a bit of formatting) is online at http://www.halcyonneighborhood.org
Neighbors, join Halcyon Neighborhood AssociationÕs Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=292160762499!
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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 9/4/12
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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 20th
Anniversary Celebration: Potluck, Bouncy Castle & Live Jazz in the Park, Sunday,
9/16, 4-6 p.m.
2. Weekday
Afternoon Work Party in the Park,
Thursday, 9/13, 4:30–6 p.m.
3. August Crime-Watch
Report
4. Crime Watch: A
Chance to Meet With Area 3 Commander, Weds. 9/12, 12 noon
5. Crime Watch:
Berkeley Police Department Alert re Robbers Using Craigslist Ads
6. Whole Foods Market
News: Community Meeting, Weds. 9/5, 8:30-9 a.m.
7. Volunteer Task:
Quarterly Flyer Distributors Needed!
8. Berkeley Election
Information
EditorÕs Introductory Note:
On September 16, weÕll be continuing the celebration of the 20th anniversary of HNA with a fun party in the park (see item 1). September 1992 marked the formal birth of HNA at a neighborhood meeting, which was a follow-up to a block party held in the summer of 1992, when the idea for creating a park —Halcyon Commons — where there was then a parking lot gained momentum. For our September 16 celebration, weÕve reserved a bouncy castle (thanks to Alyson Greenlee, who spotted a great deal on GroupOn, and to Bruce Wicinas, whoÕll be getting it set up), and we hope to see as many kids out in the park as were there for National Night Out. In addition, Prince Street neighbor Rob Lyons and his talented group will be performing live jazz — those who heard them last September were clamoring for an encore! So come on out and enjoy another wonderful gathering in the park.
Yours for a healthy, strong, safe community!
—Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-News Editor, halcyon92@gmail.com
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1. HNAÕs 20th Anniversary Celebration: Potluck, Bouncy Castle &
Live Jazz in the Park, Sunday, 9/16, 4-6 p.m.
20th
Anniversary Celebration of Halcyon Neighborhood Association
Community Potluck with LIVE MUSIC from jazz-funk quintet Compared
to What*
Date: Sunday, September 16, 4-6 p.m.
Place: Halcyon
Commons (Halcyon Court at Prince Street)
* Compared to What is a jazz-funk group including longtime
neighbor Rob Lyons (on guitar), Colin Gleason (sax), Pete Muny (bass), and Mike
Spinrad (drums), playing original music that is at once urban, tuneful, funky,
hip — just like our neighborhood!
** Delicious
Mediterranean APPETIZERS and CAKE courtesy of Whole Foods Market!
**
BOUNCY CASTLE for Kids!!!
Come out and celebrate our neighborhood associationÕs 20th
anniversary, along with our one-of-a-kind neighborhood!
Please bring a dish to share for 8–10.
Potluck
suggestions:
Salad: A-G * Appetizer: H-K * Main Dish: L-T * Dessert:
U–Z
(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 & guests
welcome so long as you bring something to share!)
Midway, there will be brief presentations
by HNA Steering Committee members and guests, including Councilmember Kriss
Worthington (to give a City Proclamation honoring HNA). Please join us!
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2. Weekday Afternoon Work Party in the Park, Thursday, 9/13, 4:30–6 p.m.
Weekday Afternoon Work Party in the Park (and Surrounding
Neighborhood)
Meet at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at
Prince), Thursday, Sept. 13, 4:30-6 p.m.
Delicious refreshments courtesy of Whole
Foods Market.
* Weeding in Halcyon
Commons and nearby landscaped barriers
* Picking up litter from
streets in the larger neighborhood
* Graffiti removal in the larger
neighborhood (if we have sufficient help)
We want Halcyon Commons to look its best
for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of HNA on Sunday, September 16 (see item
1), and not everything got done at the work party in August due to a
lower-than-expected turnout. Can you lend a hand for half an hour or so on
Thursday, September 13? Treats and good company will reward you!
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3. August Crime-Watch Report
EditorÕs note: A reminder to join the HNA Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=292160762499 for breaking crime reports in between E-News editions. If youÕre a neighbor who isnÕt yet part of this closed Facebook group, youÕre missing out! Remember, we rely on neighbors to fill in the details of crimes in our neighborhood, so, in addition to being sure to file a Police report, please email halcyon92@gmail.com to pass the word on to your neighbors, or share it on our Facebook page, so we can all stay aware and vigilant!
HNA Steering Committee member Mikel Delgado submitted the following summary of crimes in or near the neighborhood. Thank you, Mikel!
8/4 Vehicle break in/theft Fulton
near Ashby
8/13 Theft/Larceny 3000 block Telegraph
8/16 Commercial Burglary 3000 block Telegraph
Also, on 7/31 and 8/6 cases of Identity theft were
reported in the neighborhood, and there were a few instances of disturbing the
peace over the past few weeks.
8/19 Assault, Ashby near Adeline
8/20 Commercial Burglary, Shattuck and Prince
8/22 Weapons, Telegraph @ Ashby
8/24 Residential burglary, Wheeler near Prince
8/26 Robbery, Emerson near Adeline
We
had an intruder in our home on Wheeler St (near Woolsey) in the middle of the
night last night (August 24, between 2-3 a.m.). I heard noises and whoever it was
took off in the less than a minute before my husband went from our room to the
living room to check it out. Since there was no sign of forced entry, we think
that the front door was not shut/locked properly. A laptop was stolen and also
a grate to the crawl space was taken off (where the wires for direct TV go in).
We have reported it to the police.Ó
A neighbor on Prince Street reported
on Facebook:
A Prince Street neighbor reported to the Le Conte Chat list:
ÒAnother catalytic converter was stolen last night off Fulton Street, just below Shattuck. Toyota Tacoma truck. My husband is following the advice of the muffler shop on Shattuck, and he sprays silver paint on our catalytic converter every six months so it looks new and not amenable to being resold, and, Ôknock on wood,Õ weÕve been okay for the past ten months (ours was stolen last fall).Ó
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4. Crime Watch: A Chance to Meet With Area 3 Commander, Weds. 9/12,
noon
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5. Crime Watch: Berkeley Police Department Alert re Robbers Using
Craigslist Ads
Police Department: Community Crime
Prevention Alert:
Robbers Use Craigslist Ads: Berkeley, CA (August 8,
2012)
The Berkeley Police Department would like to inform the
public of a series of armed robberies that have involved victims responding to
Craigslist advertisements regarding the sale of vehicles. Since June of 2012,
the Berkeley Police Department has received four reports of victims being
robbed via gun after responding to a Craigslist advertisement and is working
with neighboring agencies on potentially similar crimes. The following robberies
have occurred after the victim arrived at a designated meet location.
Date of Occurrence: June 28, 2012, at approximately 9:22
p.m.
3000 block of Wheeler St:
SUSPECTS:
1) Black male, approximately 5Õ8Ó, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and
carrying gun.
2) Black or Hispanic male, 6Õ0Ó, 210 lbs. and wearing a black hooded
sweatshirt.
Date of Occurrence: July 3, 2012, at approximately 9:20 p.m.
2800 block of Piedmont Ave:
SUSPECTS:
1) Black male, 6Õ0Ó, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and carrying a black
handgun gun.
2) Black male, 5Õ8Ó and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.
Date of Occurrence: July 9, 2012, at approximately 10:45 p.m.
The block of 80 Hillcrest Rd:
SUSPECTS:
1) Black male, 5Õ10Ó, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and carrying a black or
silver handgun gun.
2) Hispanic male.
Date of Occurrence: July 31, 2012, at approximately 9:13 p.m.
Hillcrest Rd./Hillcrest Ct.
SUSPECTS:
1) White male, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, and carrying silver handgun
2) Black or Hispanic male, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, and carrying a
silver handgun
The Berkeley Police Department would like to remind and encourage community
members to employ a few crime prevention measures that may help reduce the risk
of becoming a victim.
* Use extra caution when conducting business with unknown individuals or in
unfamiliar locations.
* Please keep all electronics and other valuables out of view and secured.
* Do not carry large amounts of cash on your person.
* Be alert to your surroundings and people around you.
* Be aware of locations and situations, which make you more vulnerable to crime
such as alleys, doorways, parking lots, stairwells and unfamiliar areas.
* Call BPD to report suspicious persons or activity.
If you are the victim of a robbery, immediately call the police. Be sure to
provide the suspect description, direction of flight, any associated vehicles
and vehicle license plate number.
BPD is urging anyone who has information about the Craigslist robberies to
contact the BPD Investigations Division – Robbery Detail at (510)
981-5742 or the 24-hour BPD Non Emergency number of (510) 981-5900.
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6. Whole Foods Market News: Community Meeting, Weds. 9/5, 8:30-9 a.m.
EditorÕs note: News from Whole Foods Market courtesy of Jim Hallock.
Drop-In Progress Meeting
(usually on the first Wednesday of each month)
September 5, 8:30-9:00 a.m.
Whole Foods Market (check in at Customer Service)
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 [taking place in 2012], street litter
control, and progress on any of the ongoing issues we discuss [with HNA reps
and nearby neighbors]. Mel [Store Team Leader] 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.
Jim Hallock
Community Relations Team Leader
Whole Foods Market Berkeley
3000 Telegraph Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705
F: 510-649-1474
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7. Volunteer Task: Quarterly Flyer Distributors Needed!
Four of our regular flyer distributors have moved out of the neighborhood! We are grateful to them for their help while they lived here! We now have four stretches that need regular coverage for quarterly HNA flyers: Ashby Avenue, Emerson, Fulton, and Tremont (or possibly one of the Woolsey stretches). Other blocks occasionally need alternates to fill in for regulars who are out of town or ill. Please email halcyon92@gmail.com if youÕd be willing to help cover a stretch on a quarterly basis or to serve as an alternate. Each stretch takes about half an hour four times a year (and Jay Migliaccio, our flyer distributor coordinator, will arrange for backup coverage by an alternate if youÕre out of town or otherwise unavailable). ThereÕs one more flyer to go this year (going out next week)! Please let us know if you can help in this way as either a regular or an alternate flyer distributor. The flyer distribution is crucial to reach out to new neighbors (we live in a high turnover neighborhood), to reach people who donÕt have Internet (yes, they still exist!), and to remind people of our most important events. This is a simple way to help out in the neighborhood with a minimal commitment of time. Thank you!
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8. Berkeley Election Information
EditorÕs note: HNA is a nonpartisan neighborhood group, and we only take positions on citywide or development issues if there is an overwhelming degree of neighborhood consensus (well into the 90 percent and up category, which happens rarely). Though we donÕt take positions are issues where thereÕs a clear divergence of opinions among neighbors, we do encourage neighbors to become informed and make your individual points of view known to decision makers. One of the best ways you can do this is by voting. And for this fallÕs election, for the first time there will be ranked-choice voting for the mayoral race in addition to council races (two years ago we experienced the first ranked-choice election for council races). So you can cast your vote for the candidate who most closely matches your vision without worrying about throwing the race to someone you donÕt support (you get to rank your top three choices). For more information on local issues, here are some useful links. Happy voting!
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/elections/
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Clerk/Elections/2012_Candidate_Profile_Pages.aspx
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Clerk/Elections/Election__2012_Ballot_Measure_Page.aspx
http://berkeleydailyplanet.com/
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Dates set as of January, 2012 (verify a couple weeks before event by checking HNA E-News):
Weds., Feb.
8, 2012 |
7-8:30 p.m. |
Disaster
Preparedness for Pets (with Shael Barger & Mikel
Delgado); locate TBA upon rsvp to
HNADisasterPrep@gmail.com |
Monday, Feb.
13, 2012 |
7-8:30 p.m. |
First class,
CERT Neighborhood Training Program, Radio
Communications, Location TBA. Advance signup required
(check E-News for details). |
Saturday,
March 17, 2012 |
9:30 a.m.
-2:30 p.m. |
Work Party
in Halcyon Commons & Surrounding Neighborhood with
Cal students from Berkeley Project, Halcyon Commons
(Halcyon Court at Prince Street) |
Wednesday,
March 28, 2012 |
7-8:30 p.m. |
Community
Meeting with Neighborhood Watch Focus (Crime Watch &
Disaster Prep), location TBD |
Wednesday,
April 18, 2012 |
6:30-8 p.m. |
Steering
Committee Meeting, location TBA |
Saturday,
April 28, 2012 |
10-11 a.m. |
World QiGong
Day event, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon Court at Prince
Street) |
Saturday,
May 19, 2012 |
Time TBD |
Participate
in Citywide Disaster Prep Drill, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at
Prince) |
Saturday,
June 2, 2012 |
9:30 a.m. - |
Work Party
in Halcyon Commons & surrounding neighborhood,
Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) |
Thursday,
July 19, 2012 |
5-6:30 p.m. |
Mini Work
Party in Halcyon Commons |
Tuesday,
August 7, 2012 |
6:30- |
National
Night Out Against Crime |
Weekday
afternoon in late August 2012 TBD (likely Tues. 8/21) |
1:30- |
Weeding in
Halcyon Commons & Graffiti Removal in Surrounding
Neighborhood with student volunteers from UC School of
Public Health, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) |
Sunday,
Sept. 16, 2012 |
4:00- |
20th
Anniversary of HNA: Big Celebration & Potluck in
park with live music, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at
Prince) |
Wednesday,
October 31, 2012 |
5:45-6:30
p.m. |
Costume
parade around park for kids, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at
Prince). |
Saturday in
October 2012 TBD (possibly 10/13) |
9 a.m.- |
Big Mulching
Work Party & Graffiti Removal in surrounding
neighborhood with Cal students from Berkeley Project,
Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) |
Sunday,
December 2, 2012 |
5:00 – |
HNA Steering
Committee Meeting to set dates for 2013, location TBA |
Sunday,
January 27, 2013 |
5:30 –
|
Post-Holiday
Progressive Potluck, four locations TBD |
*HNA’s Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List
HNA’s Halcyon Commons Disaster Prep Supply Cache contains items
intended to benefit the entire neighborhood in the event of
disaster (primarily first aid, search & rescue, and
communications supplies plus items for command center setup in
Halcyon Commons). You can help us have what we need on hand in two
ways: (1) Make a financial contribution for purchasing additional
supplies to HNA (not tax deductible) or to Berkeley Partners for
Parks, earmarked Halcyon (BPFP
is our nonprofit fiscal sponsor, so a check through them is tax
deductible); mail or drop off your check to HNA Treasurer Susan
Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705. (2) Contribute any
of the following items in-kind (supplies MUST be new or in
EXCELLENT condition):
Police Emergency Number:
911 (from landline);
981-5911(from cell; preprogram with this number to reach Berkeley
emergency from a cell)
Police Nonemergency Number: 981-5900
Link to beat maps and a list of beat officers:
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/0b15b20282
In the Halcyon neighborhood: west of Fulton is Beat 10; east of Fulton is Beat 9.
Link to crime stats, Berkeley:
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/42f61d76dd
Link to police bulletins:
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/d1559b4b0f
Other City of Berkeley Departments:
City Manager’s Office: Jim Hynes jhynes@ci.berkeley.ca.us 981-2493
Nonemergency Call Center for Public Services:
Dial 311 (you will be
directed to the appropriate department) to report problems with
street
lights (get the tag number off the pole), blocked storm drains,
tree
branches down, etc.
Public Works Customer Service: 981-6620
(streets, sidewalks, graffiti,
sewers, litter, storm drains, street lights)
Tree Trimming/Planting (Forestry)/Parks: 981-6660
Written Communication with City Council
To comment to the City Council, use following email addresses:
“City Clerk” clerk@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
“Mayor Tom Bates” Mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
“Councilmember Linda Maio” LMaio@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
“Councilmember Darryl Moore” DMoore@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
“Councilmember Max Anderson” MAnderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
“Councilmember Jesse Arreguin” JArreguin@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
“Councilmember Laurie Capitelli” LCapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
“Councilmember Susan Wengraf” SWengraf@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
“Councilmember Kriss Worthington” KWorthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us,
“Councilmember Gordon Wozniak” GWozniak@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Representatives for Our Neighborhood
Councilmember Max Anderson (District 3) 981-7130
MAnderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us
West side of Wheeler Street to the west (except for Woolsey
between
Wheeler and Shattuck)
Councilmember Kriss Worthington (District 7) 981-7170
KWorthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us
East side of Wheeler to the east (includes block of Woolsey from
Wheeler to Shattuck)
Mayor Tom Bates 981-7100 Mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Zoning Adjustments Board
To comment to the Zoning Adjustments Board regarding projects on
their calendar, email:
Zoning Adjustments Board zab@ci.berkeley.ca.us
(It’s best if at all possible to submit your comments 10 days
prior to meeting for inclusion in the advance packet to board
members, but late submissions will be distributed the evening of
the meeting.)
HNA is a community group dedicated to stewardship of the Halcyon
Neighborhood in South Berkeley (bounded by Telegraph, Ashby,
Adeline, and Woolsey). We encourage positive, proactive,
partnership-oriented approaches to improving the well-being of our
neighborhood, with an emphasis on the following goals:
* Community building (such as regular potlucks, special events in
the park, mutual support among neighbors, and multiblock yard
sales);
* Ongoing care of Halcyon Commons (a park conceived of and created
by the neighbors who founded HNA) under the nonprofit umbrella
provided by Berkeley Partners for Parks and in partnership with
the City of Berkeley;
* Continued greening and care of the neighborhood (planting trees,
cleaning litter off streets, graffiti removal, and helping
maintain public landscaped features);
* Strengthening neighborhood watch (crime watch, community safety
walks, emergency preparedness, and disaster supply cache);
* Networking with the larger Berkeley community (nearby
neighborhood groups, neighborhood businesses, City staff, and
elected officials);
* Sharing information and empowering residents to become proactive
in addressing neighborhood needs and in expressing individual
viewpoints regarding civic affairs (spreading news through
meetings, flyers, and the HNA E-News, and providing contact
information).
To fulfill these goals, HNA provides a sanctuary from partisan
politics so that neighbors with diverse viewpoints feel welcome to
participate. Thus, HNA only takes stands on larger issues when
there is near-unanimity among neighbors. By focusing on immediate
local concerns, we find we can have a greater impact and get
better results from the time we invest. Guided by these
principles, HNA invites neighbors who are willing to work together
in a spirit of partnership to participate at whatever level makes
sense for them. Opportunities for serving on our volunteer
Steering Committee and project-oriented committees are available
to neighbors who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work
together in a nonpartisan spirit. Neighbors are invited to step
forward into leadership positions defined by the work they do in
accordance with HNA’s primary goals and guiding principles.
The Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News: The HNA E-News forwards items of general interest to neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area of south Berkeley (HNA’s borders), including announcements about community-building potlucks, greening projects, crime watch, disaster preparedness, and work parties in Halcyon Commons park. If you’re receiving this email, you probably either signed up at a neighborhood event or a neighbor forwarded it to you. Please note that to prevent spam, HNA does not share your email address with third parties. If you wish to be removed from this list, please contact HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton/Halcyon Neighborhood Association at halcyon92@gmail.com. Feel free to pass the HNA E-News on to other neighbors you think might be interested.
To submit items for the newsletter: Email brief, unformatted
content or links (no graphics or attachments please!) to HNA
E-News Editor Nancy Carleton at halcyon92@gmail.com. Crime-watch
reports and news about neighbors (births, new jobs, announcements
about home businesses or creative projects) are especially
welcome. Please note that due to the volunteer nature of the
endeavor, the E-News does not include “letters to the editor” or
“commentary,” but will gladly include links to such items written
by neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area and
published elsewhere (the
Berkeley Daily Planet has a large section devoted to opinion).
Also, please note that the E-News is typically published the
second week of each month; submit your item early if it relates to
a future event, and there’s a greater chance it will be included.
HNA Halcyon Safety Walk & Neighborhood Watch Listserv: For those interested in getting breaking crime-watch news, discussing ways to make our neighborhood safer, and perhaps participating in night-time and daytime safety “dog” walks (dogs not required!) to build community and serve as eyes on the street, please contact halcyon92@gmail.com indicating your interest in this listserv, and you’ll receive an invitation to join. For everyone’s safety, be sure to include your full name, address, email, and phone.
HNA Disaster Preparedness Listserv: If you’re interested in helping out with neighborhood disaster preparedness, please contact halcyon92@gmail.com indicating your interest, and you’ll receive an invitation to join. For everyone’s safety, be sure to include your full name, address, email, and phone.
HNA Steering Committee Listserv: If you’re interested in serving on HNA’s Steering Committee in alignment with HNA’s Guiding Principles, email halcyon92@gmail.com to indicate your interest. The Steering Committee conducts most of its business via listserv (with one or two in-person meetings annually); members agree to assist with at least one or two HNA events during the course of the year and to answer Yahoo group polls to aid in planning.
Halcyon Neighborhood Association Facebook Group: Our HNA Facebook group (http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/36acb93edf/gid=292160762499) gives neighbors fresh opportunities to network, build community, and share ideas about issues of mutual concern. Open to immediate neighbors, friends from nearby neighborhoods, and former neighbors who want to stay in touch.
HNA Blog: If you would like to view previous newsletters online (and comment via a blog format, though this is a low activity blog), please visit http://cts.vresp.com/c/?BerkeleyPartnersforP/602147a249/9a00c7ec5d/8af94d44a8.
HNA is an adopt-a-park affiliate with the nonprofit Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP). Thanks to VerticalResponse for the donation of email services for sending the HNA E-News!