Neighbors, join Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s Facebook group!

 

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 7/1/14

 

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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. National Night Out Against Crime: Ice Cream Social in the Park, Tues., 8/5, 6:30–8 p.m.

2. Mini Clean-up in the Park, Sunday, Aug. 3, 4-6 p.m.

3. Crime-Watch Updates & Links

4. Whole Foods Market News: Next Drop-in Progress Meeting Weds., July 16, 8:15-8:45 a.m.

5. Neighbors Nina Lyons and Susan Hunter Have Art on Display

6. News from Councilmember Kriss Worthington’s Office

7. Disaster Preparedness News: 10/18 Save the Date, Current Classes

8. Webster Street Neighbors Install “Little Free Library” at Corner of Halcyon and Webster

 

 

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1. National Night Out Against Crime: Ice Cream Social in the Park, Tues., 8/5, 6:30–8 p.m.

 

Editor’s note: Event organizer Tory Finn is looking for another couple of neighbors with ice cream machines, either old-fashioned or modern, willing to make some homemade ice cream to share at the event (one of our faithful frozen dessert makers has to miss the event due to travel plans, although two others will still be churning up some tasty treats, plus Whole Foods Market will be making a donation). It’s a fun way to enjoy the summer ritual of ice cream making, and your neighbors will be forever grateful. Email halcyon92@gmail.com if you’re willing to help out in this way.

 

 

Ice Cream Social in the Park for National Night Out Against Crime

Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Tuesday, August 5, 6:30-8 p.m.

Delicious Middle Eastern appetizers and sheet cake courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Homemade Ice Cream courtesy of neighborhood volunteers (with supplements and nondairy alternative courtesy of Whole Foods Market)

Children welcome and encouraged to attend!

 

We’re anticipating a fun summer evening in the park this evening, with visits from police, firefighters, and city officials. This event is a crucial part of our neighborhood watch program, so bundle up to stay warm and please come out and support it with your presence! 

 

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2. Mini Clean-up in the Park, Sunday, Aug. 3, 4-6 p.m.

 

Mini Work Party in the Park

Meet at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)
SUNDAY, Aug. 3, 4-6 p.m.

Delicious refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

* Weeding in Halcyon Commons and nearby landscaped barriers

* Graffiti removal if we have enough help

 

Many hands make light work: Please lend yours! Even half an hour helps. Children welcome. Bring your own tools if you have them, or use ours if you don’t. We don’t have any student volunteers to help with this work party, so it’s up to us neighbors! We’ll be getting our neighborhood common space spiffed up for our National Night Out Against Crime Ice Cream Social in the Park on August 5 (see item 1).

 

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3. Crime-Watch Updates & Links

 

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 (your home and email addresses plus phone are required to participate so we can be sure the group is kept safe for neighbors, and we require this information prior to accepting your request). Remember, we rely on neighbors to fill in the details of crimes in our neighborhood, so, in addition to filing a police report (which can now be done online through the City of Berkeley website for some kinds of crimes: http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/onlinereport/), 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 recent crimes in or near the neighborhood from May. Thank you, Mikel, for your ongoing work collecting the information!

 

6/3 assault Shattuck and Prince

6/4 assault Shattuck and Ashby

6/6 robbery Prince and Fulton

6/12 theft Shattuck at Prince

6/13 narcotics violation Shattuck and Woolsey

6/15 vehicle break-in/theft Telegraph at Prince

6/18 robbery Telegraph and Ashby

6/20 assault w/ dangerous weapon Telegraph at 66th

6/18 robbery Ashby and Telegraph

 

Editor’s note: I emailed questions about and received additional details on the robberies from Officer Stephanie Polizziani.

 

Re the June 6 robbery at Prince and Fulton:

“Looks like the robbery occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m., and it was via gun. The suspect took the victim’s purse and its contents as she was walking near the intersection of Prince and Fulton. The suspect was described as a black male adult in his 20s, medium build, and wearing dark clothing. The suspect was last seen leaving the area in a white truck. There wasn’t an arrest that night and the case has been forwarded to the detective division for further investigation. Please remind everyone is your group to practice good situational awareness as we enter into the summer months. More and more people are out and about as the weather is nicer, hence making it more attractive for criminals to perpetrate these types of crimes. Practicing good safety skills can make the difference. I always remind the folks in my area to walk in well-lit areas, walk in groups when possible, and to not walk distracted by cellphones and other forms of media.”

 

Re the June 18 robbery:
“The robbery occurred [at 3:15 p.m. on June 18] at Ashby and Telegraph and was via strong arm. Taken were a purse, its contents, and a cellular phone. Our robbery detectives are working a solid lead in the case. From reading the report, the suspect was described as a black male adult, in his 20s, short, and wearing all dark clothing approached the victim from behind and grabbed her purse. He was last seen fleeing the area in a dark colored car south bound on Telegraph.”

 

A Prince Street neighbor submitted the following report:

 

“Folks might want to keep an eye out for an individual: white, male, medium build (no pot belly), about 5' 10", age 35-40, short hair, maybe thinning at the top. Three days ago [Weds. June 11, my husband saw this person riding a bicycle in the area, and casing houses. He saw him walk up the drive of a house on the block and take away a cat carrier, and then stash that behind the fence at Chochmat Halev. When approached, he rode away very quickly. Tonight [June 14], someone fitting that description walked through the gate, into our yard, and when confronted, muttered that he was ‘looking for a friend.’ Thought folks should know since he seems to be hanging out around here.”

 

Crime-Related News from the BPD

 

Editor’s note: The summer issue of the BPD’s Neighborhood Update is full of news and tips related to crime and public safety.

 

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Police/Level_3_-_General/2014,Issue 1.pdf

 

Editor’s note: Crime prevention tips from the BPD.

 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Police/Home/Crime_Prevention_Measures.aspx

 

Editor’s note: Information from a BPD Nixle update on safeguarding your home while on vacation.

 

If you are going on vacation this summer, fill out a Vacation Watch Form with the Berkeley Police Department to help us better watch over your home. The form asks for emergency contact information, a description of vehicles that will be parked at the residence, descriptions of maintenance work that will be done while you are on vacation, and the names of people who will be checking the property while you and your family are away. 

 

After we receive your completed form, it is distributed to the patrol officers that patrol your neighborhood.  Although this is not a guarantee that you home will be not be damaged or burglarized, it gives you some added protection. If any sign of forced entry or unexpected change occurs, the police officer will refer to the information provided and notify the emergency contacts listed. 

 

We also encourage you to make arrangements with a family member, friend, or neighbor to check on your home while you are away. In addition, we recommend that you have your daily mail and newspaper deliveries stopped while you are away. Try to create the illusion that you are home by getting timers that will turn lights on and off. Lights burning 24 hours a day can signal an empty house.

 

After downloading the form via this link or obtaining the form in person at our Records Unit, residents can submit the Vacation Watch Form to us by mail, fax, or dropping it off at our front counter/Records Unit.

Berkeley Police Department Records Unit (Hours:  Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)

2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704

(510) 981-5750 – Front Counter

(510) 981-5819 - Fax

For full details, view this message on the web: https://local.nixle.com/alert/5209158/?sub_id=1890321

 

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4. Whole Foods Market News: Nickels for Halcyon;
Next Drop-in Progress Meeting Weds., July 16, 8:15-8:45 a.m.

 

Editor’s note: News from Whole Foods Market. If you’d like to be added to the neighbor notification list that Lizzie Brimhall maintains for the neighborhood-WFM meetings (and to notify neighbors when work is being done at the store), please email her at lizzie.brimhall@wholefoods.com.

 

Nickels for Halcyon Commons! Bring Your Own Bag through July 6 and Donate Your Nickel Refund to Refurbishment Projects in Halcyon Commons!

 

Editor’s note: Be sure to bring your own bags, and ask that your refund be donated to Halcyon Commons!

 

Free Events

 

Ongoing: Final Fridays at Oakland Museum of California.

 

Contact Lizzie.Brimhall@wholefoods.com for information about free events.

 

Next Drop-in Progress Meeting, Wednesday, July 16, 8:15-8:45 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 is usually 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.”

 

As always, if there are ever any urgent issues, please call the store at 510-649-1333 and ask for the shift manager on duty. If it’s between 7: 30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Melody, Carlisle, or Curt will be in the store, so always feel free to swing by, too, if you’d like to have a word with us. Call the store during business hours (8 a.m.-10 p.m.) at 649-1333 and ask for a Shift Manager:

Melody.Mestemacher@wholefoods.com

Curt.Sundin@wholefoods.com
Carlisle.Crumley@wholefoods.com

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5. Neighbors Nina Lyons and Susan Hunter Have Art on Display

 

Editor’s note:  Prince Street neighbor Nina Lyons, who will be the artist helping us fulfill our long-held dream of installing a halcyon bird sculpture in Halcyon Commons for the twentieth anniversary of the park in 2016, has some of her sculptures on display (including some birds!) at Taylorblue Design, and Halcyon neighbor (and HNA Treasurer) Susan Hunter has some of her photos on display at Studio 35 in Sonoma. Here are their announcements. And, neighbors, please feel free to email your good news to halcyon92@gmail.com, and I’ll include it in a future E-News edition if space and timing permit.

 

Nina Lyons

Sculptures on display at Taylorblue Design

2911 Claremont Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705

Open House, July 10, 4-7 p.m., with live jazz

http://www.ninalyons.com/Sculpture.html

 

Susan Hunter

Photos on display July 5 to October 5 at Studio 35

Thurs.-Mon. 11-5 (closed Tues./Weds.); Grand Opening July 5-6, 11-5

Studio 35, 35 Patten St., Sonoma, CA 95476

http://shgallery.smugmug.com

 

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6. News from Councilmember Kriss Worthington’s Office

Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from Councilmember Max Anderson’s office.

 

Expedite Permits for Fire Damaged Buildings

On July 1st we need your help in urging the Council expedite permits to rebuild fire damaged properties in order to prevent blight.

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2014/07_Jul/Documents/2014-07-01_Item_17_City_Manager_Referral_Develop.aspx

 

Graffiti Removal Prevention Plan

On July 1st the City Council will determine whether to move forward with graffiti abatement and prevention.
We need your help to prevent graffiti in Berkeley
http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2014/07_Jul/Documents/2014-07-01_Item_18_City_Manager_Referral_Updating.aspx

 

July 4th Celebration

Berkeley Marina
Festivities begin at 12 noon, music, food court and many other fun activities.
Fireworks begin at 9:35 p.m.

http://www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/4th-of-july/

 

July 6th Dalai Lama Birthday Celebration

Come Celebrate the Dalai Lama’s Birthday at the Berkeley Marina
Program is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with food and cultural celebrations.

 

Increasing Construction Penalties

On July 8, the Council will have an opportunity to increase public safety by imposing higher fines for property owners that repeatedly have illegal construction on their property.

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2014/07_Jul/Documents/2014-07-08_Item_36_City_Manager_Referral_Protect_Public.aspx

 

Imposing Fees When Multifamily Properties are Destroyed Due to Fault of Property Owner

We made the motion in an attempt to hold negligent landlords accountable for being at fault for fire’s to their buildings. This should be coming back in a few months for the actual adoption.

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2014/06_Jun/Documents/2014-06-24_Item_56a_Imposing_Fees_HAC.aspx

 

Holocaust Remembrance Day DVD available

Please email or call us for a DVD copy of this year’s event.
We’re happy to mail a free copy.

 

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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7. Disaster Preparedness News: 10/18 Save the Date, Current Classes

 

Editor’s note: Received from HNA’s Disaster Preparedness Coordinator Susan Snyder.

 

Mark your calendars to join HNA neighbors for the Berkeley citywide emergency preparedness exercise! This year’s date is Saturday, October 18, 9-11 a.m. We’ll have training stations and simulations. Volunteers are always appreciated to help make our community safer. Contact Susan Snyder (susan@un-scripted.com) for more information.

 

Editor’s note: Received from the Office of Emergency Services.

 

Volunteer Opportunity - Citywide Exercise Planning Team

The Citywide Emergency Exercise is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2013.  We need volunteers to help make this year’s exercise a success. Planning meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend and to contribute. No experience necessary, just a willingness to pitch in with the effort. We could use help with marketing art & design, experience working with children and pets/animals, and ways to broaden our engagement of the community. If you’re interested in becoming a planning team member or contributing to the effort, send me an email.

 

New classes added to our schedule!

Two rare opportunities to our upcoming training schedule are below.  Visit our schedule of classes page and register: http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=57314

 

Khin Chin, KChin@ci.berkeley.ca.us

CERT Program Manager,
Berkeley Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services 
510.981.5506

 

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8. Webster Street Neighbors Install “Little Free Library” at Corner of Halcyon and Webster

 

Editor’s note: For those who haven’t seen it yet, take a stroll by the southwest corner of Webster at Halcyon to check on the installation of a “Little Free Library,” which offers neighbors the opportunity to share books they’ve enjoyed with one another. Thanks to Joanna and Scott Phoenix for launching the project and hosting the library, to Susan Hunter for constructing it, and to Susan Hunter and Nancy Carleton for donating the materials. See http://littlefreelibrary.org/ for more information on the concept.

 

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