Neighbors, join Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s Facebook group!

 

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 1/7/13

 

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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. HNA Annual Fundraising Appeal

2. Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, Sunday, January 27, 2013

3. December Crime-Watch Reports

4. Whole Foods Market News: Community Meeting, Weds. 1/9/13, 8:30-9 a.m.

5. Disaster Prep: Upcoming Free Classes & Other News from OES

6.  Improvements at the Shattuck/Prince Intersection

7. Bugs, Rats, Mold & Abandoned Vehicles, Thursday 1/10, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

8. Crime Prevention Alert: Cell Phone Thefts

9.  Community Meeting on City Redistricting, Thursday 1/24, 6-7:30 p.m.

10. Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s Guiding Principles

 

 

 

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1. HNA Annual Fundraising Appeal

 

HNA doesn’t have a formal membership structure or require annual dues because we wanted to keep participation as broad as possible. At the same time, we incur various expenses during the course of a year, including paper for flyers, photocopying and ink cartridges, supplies for events in the park (such as the bouncy castle at this year’s anniversary celebration) and for disaster preparedness drills, and other miscellaneous costs, and by year’s end our coffers are depleted. In addition, each year we raise funds to enable us to supplement and enhance the supplies in our neighborhood disaster preparedness supply shed (these items are intended to benefit the entire neighborhood in the event of disaster and include first aid, search & rescue, and communications supplies plus items for command center setup in Halcyon Commons park; they are not intended to substitute for individual household preparedness, but they will help us save lives and minimize disruption after a large earthquake).

 

There are three ways you can respond to this appeal: (1) Give a financial contribution directly to HNA (not tax-deductible, but allows us maximum flexibility): make the check out to HNA, and mail or drop it off to  HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705; (2) Make a tax-deductible financial contribution with check made out to Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP, our nonprofit fiscal sponsor), earmarked Halcyon Commons, and mail or drop it off to HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705; or (3) Make a direct donation of any of the items listed in our Disaster Supply Cache Wish List found on our HNA website. Contact halcyon92@gmail.com to arrange to drop them off.

 

No contribution is too small (or too large!). Our neighborhood association’s health and vitality depend on your ongoing support! And in the event of a big earthquake, some of our lives may very well depend upon it too. Please pitch in!

 

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2. Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, Sunday, January 27, 2013

 

Editor’s note: HNA Potluck organizer and Steering Committee member Tory Finn sent the following announcement. We hope to see many neighbors for all or part of this fun annual event! A flyer reminding you of all the addresses will be going out later this month.

 

Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, Sunday, January 27, 2012, 5:30-8:45 p.m.

One of the most popular Halcyon events of the year! Join your neighbors as we progress from house to house for a fabulous multi-course dinner; attend one course or all four.

 

First Course: Appetizers, 5:30–6:15 p.m.

2144 Emerson (between Shattuck and Wheeler)

 

Second Course: Salads, 6:20–6:55 p.m.

2141 Emerson (between Shattuck and Wheeler)

 

Third Course: Main Dishes, 7:00–7:45 p.m.

2308 Prince (between Deakin and Halcyon)

 

Fourth Course: Desserts, 7:50–8:45 p.m.

2329 Webster Street (two doors west of Whole Foods)

 

Potluck suggestions:

E-J: Appetizer * K-O: Salad * P-Z: Main Dish * A-D: Dessert

 

Please bring a festive dish for 10-12, and, if possible, a beverage to share as well (it really helps if enough folks bring beverages too). Children welcome. If not obvious, kindly attach a label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian and other diets. Bring the item assigned for your letter to the designated household, or substitute another suggestion if you won’t be attending the course for your letter.

 

* In addition, if you haven’t already donated this year, PLEASE bring along a check or cash contribution to HNA of whatever size (no amount is too small or large — see item 1; your contribution will help us upgrade our neighborhood disaster supply cache, maintain Halcyon Commons, and continue to duplicate flyers in 2013)!

 

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3. December Crime-Watch Reports

 

Editor’s note: Our HNA Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=292160762499 often shares breaking crime reports in between E-News editions. If you’re a neighbor who isn’t yet part of this closed Facebook group, you’re 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!

 

12/1 car break-in, Prince at Wheeler
12/3 car break-in Telegraph at Woolsey

12/7 theft Deakin near Webster
12/14 theft Telegraph at Ashby
12/18 burglary Ashby & Fulton
12/19 robbery Ashby & Wheeler ~9 p.m.

Also 12/17, 12/18, and 12/20 reports of Vandalism: Prince at Telegraph and at Fulton and also Deakin at Ashby
Also note on 12/13 three home burglaries on Alcatraz and Raymond, not technically Halcyon neighborhood but nearby.

 

Editor’s note: Re car break-ins: It’s very important for people to heed the advice never to leave any valuables visible in your car (and remember that something may not look valuable to you, but to a thief a jacket over the seat might have something of value in the pocket). Over the years we’ve seen that car break-ins come in waves. When thieves succeed in stealing valuables in a given area, they keep targeting it. Let's be hypervigilant!

 

A Wheeler Street neighbor submitted the following:

 

“I am a recent resident of the 3000 block on Wheeler Street, just south of Ashby. Last night at around 2:30AM we had a suspicious event where a woman in her 20s or early 30s came to our door and rang the doorbell numerous times. When my roommate answered the door, he said she looked very surprised and, with her hand over her mouth, asked if she could come in for a minute. He said no, and she started to back away from the door. Ten minutes later the doorbell rang again, but he hesitated to answer so he woke my husband and me up. When he finally went to the door, she was gone. We have a feeling and think it may have been something with bad intentions -- maybe they thought it was only girls living in our house (it’s my husband and I, another couple, and two girls upstairs) and was surprised when our roommate answered. She was acting very suspicious and may have had a partner or car waiting in the street. There was something off about it and just wanted to report our suspicions and alert our neighbors in case they experience similar things.”

 

A Deakin Street neighbor reported:

 

“I reside [in the 3000 block of Deakin]. Shortly upon my arrival [in August] I received numerous phone calls re: a certain prisoner at Santa Rosa prison. Assuming it was a wrong phone number, some wrong identity error, I didn’t pay much attention. On September 3 the prison kept sending messages that the prisoner was released from jail at 7:30 and if I feared for my safety I should call 911 or contact the prison. I tried to do this to the latter, but not able to provide the last name of the person released, I received no help. Around 8 p.m., hearing steps on my entrance, I did call the Police. The policeman checked around, he knew the criminal released and sort of reassured me [a family member was out of town at the time]. Unfortunately last December 17 around 9.50 p.m. someone knocked on my front door rather energetically. Frightened, I didn’t answer but went to the back bedroom and started leaving a phone message to [a family member]. Not yet finished, all hell broke loose in my house; it was literally shaking, vibrating even the floor, like through an earthquake. . . . Somebody was kicking my door violently, punching it with fists -- the noise was unbearable!!! Managed to call the Police; he came fast to find my door badly damaged, covered with mud, the part in the wall broken with a one-inch gab, the lock . . . not functioning. The very kind and supportive Sgt. Macintosh stayed quite a while with me, checked with the neighbors, and made sure that I should absolutely leave the house, which I did at midnight. The next day an emergency repair was done to the door. The kind Sgt. Macintosh came in the evening to oversee the situation. I am very grateful for his assistance. I was also advised to inform you about this horrifying for a very old person experience.”

 

Editor’s note: Link to a Berkeleyside article noting an uptick in robberies in Berkeley recently (one of them on Ashby near Shattuck, at the edge of our neighborhood). Be mindful and alert out there (and avoid displaying your electronics)!

 

http://www.berkeleyside.com/2012/12/28/32-robberies-in-recent-30-day-stretch-in-berkeley/

 

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4. Whole Foods Market News: Community Meeting, Weds. 1/9/13, 8:30-9 a.m.

 

Editor’s note: News from Whole Foods Market courtesy of outgoing Community Relations Team Leader Jim Hallock. Jim has just received a promotion to the regional headquarters. Jim, thank you for all you’ve done to move positive community relations to a new level at the Berkeley Whole Foods Market. It has been a delight having you here, and I know other neighbors join me in wishing you well in your new position!

 

Drop-In Progress Meeting, Wednesday, January 9, 8:30-9 a.m.

(usually on the first Wednesday of each month)

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 ongoing changes in the store, street litter control, and progress on any of the ongoing issues we discuss [with HNA reps and nearby neighbors]. The Store Team Leader will be present, 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.

 

Healthy  Living Fair

Saturday, January 19

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

You can do it! Come and get advice, encouragement, and free samples from our vendors and in-house experts on cleansing, healthy diets, skin and body care, and all things healthy.

 

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5. Disaster Prep: Upcoming Free Classes & Other News from OES

 

Editor’s note: The City’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class schedule is now available online at http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=57314. Classes fill quickly so sign up now! HNA currently hosts a disaster supply cache to help Halcyon neighbors east of Shattuck get organized in the event of a disaster, and our Steering Committee would be delighted to help support an application for a similar cache west of Shattuck. Email halcyon92@gmail.com if you’d like to help the part of our neighborhood between Shattuck and Adeline (Ashby to Woolsey) apply for a cache! The following announcement is from the City’s CERT Program Manager Khin Chin. Neighbors are also encouraged to email halcyon92@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining our Halcyon listserv focused on disaster prep.

 

Hi CERT Community,

 

Just a notice that more classes have recently been added to the CERT Class schedule.  See the Berkeley CERT website for the current schedule of classes: http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=57314

 

Thank you,

 

Khin Chin

CERT Program Manager

Berkeley Fire Department

Office of Emergency Services

510.981.5506

 

2013 CERT Citywide Exercise

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/cert/exercise/

 

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6.  Improvements at the Shattuck/Prince Intersection

 

Editor’s note: A neighbor posted the following comment to our HNA Facebook group.

 

“Thank you to the city and those who advocated for additional safety measures at the Prince and Shattuck intersection. Hopefully this will decrease if not eliminate the familiar sound of collisions and increase safety for all. It looks like they moved the original crosswalk sign across the street to a more visible spot and added the two signs that sit in the middle of the road [to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians].”

 

Editor’s note: And as I commented on the Facebook thread: “Yes, thanks to all who raised this issue with Council representatives and City departments. Good to see this progress. Here’s hoping it makes a big difference!”

 

 

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7. Bugs, Rats, Mold & Abandoned Vehicles, Thursday 1/10, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

 

Editor’s note:  Received from Councilmember Max Anderson’s office.

 

Happy New Year, District 3 Constituents:

 

Below is a good informational presentation that I thought you may find helpful.

 

Berkeley Community Health Commission (CHC) invites you to a presentation about bugs, rats, mold, and abandoned vehicles. How to get help from the City of Berkeley!

 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2839 Ellis Street at Ashby Avenue.

Center is wheelchair accessible

 

Guest Speakers: Manuel Ramirez from the Environmental Health Division & Brent Nelson from the Housing Division

 

Contact: Dr. J. Berreman, Secretary to the Community Health Commission 510-981-5301

 

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8. Crime Prevention Alert: Cell Phone Thefts

 

Editor’s note: Received from the Berkeley Police Department

 

 The Berkeley Police Department (BPD) is currently investigating several reports of cell phone thefts through the use of a ruse. The suspects are targeting people’s willingness to help others. The suspects will ask to use a victim’s phone usually claiming the need to contact a sick family member. Once the suspect has the phone they drive off in a vehicle stealing the phone.

 

BPD would like to remind and encourage people to employ a few crime prevention measures that can help reduce your risk as well as discourage those who commit these types of crimes:

 

- Don’t lend your phone to anyone you don’t know or take it out of your purse, pocket or bag to give someone the time, if asked.

- Walk with purpose: Project an assertive image that conveys you know where you are going.

- Avoid Isolation: Avoid uninhabited parks, parking lots, garages, and alleyways; stick to well-lit, high-traffic areas.

- Keep a safe distance: Don’t let people get too close, even if they appear to have a reason, such as asking for the time.

- Don’t talk on cell phones or listen to iPods when alone outside as they significantly limit awareness.

- Trust your Instincts: Trusting your own instincts that a situation seems “wrong” can be the best personal safety tool you have.

 

BPD is encouraging anyone to report suspicious persons or activity. In Berkeley dial 911 or (510) 981-5911 from your cell for emergencies and/or crimes in progress. Dial (510) 981-5900 to make a delayed or after the fact report.

 

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9.  Community Meeting on City Redistricting, Thursday 1/24, 6-7:30 p.m.

 

Editor’s note: Received from Acting City Clerk Mark Numainville. At least some parts of the Halcyon neighborhood are likely to be affected by redistricting, so I encourage neighbors to pay attention to the process as it unfolds.

 

Hello,

 

Please see the attached notice regarding a community meeting on the redistricting process in the City of Berkeley. The meeting is being hosted by the League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, and Emeryville. Please share with members of your organization and the community at large.

 

What: Community Meeting on City Redistricting in Berkeley

When: Thursday, January 24, 2013, 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: South Berkeley Senior Center Multi-Purpose Room, 2339 Ellis Street, Berkeley

Who: League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany & Emeryville; City staff from the City Clerk’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Office, and Department of Information Technology

 

For more information about this process, visit www.CityofBerkeley.info/redistricting.

 

Mark Numainville

Acting City Clerk 
City of Berkeley 
2180 Milvia Street 
Berkeley, CA 94704 
(510) 981-6900
clerk@cityofberkeley.info
www.cityofberkeley.info

 

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10. Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s Guiding Principles

 

Editor’s note: A good reminder as we start a new year.

 

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.

 

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