Neighbors, join Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s Facebook group!

 

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News 1/7/15

 

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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. Post-Holiday Neighborhood Progressive Potluck, Sunday, 1/25/15

2. Do Your Part: HNA’s Annual Fundraising Appeal!

3. Until January 19: Order Now for Neighborhood Bulk Discount for Gas-Shutoff Devices!

4. Crime-Watch Update

5. Whole Foods Market News: Next Drop-in Progress Meeting Fri., Jan. 9, 8:15-8:45 a.m.

6. Council to Hear Building Energy Savings Ordinance on Jan. 20

7. East Bay Community Solar Project Bulk Purchase Update

8. Special Session of City Council, January 17, Ed Roberts Campus, 10 a.m.

 

 

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1. Post-Holiday Neighborhood Progressive Potluck, Sunday, 1/25/15

 

Editor’s note: WE STILL NEED TWO HOSTS; please contact Tory Finn through halcyon92@gmail.com if you can participate. The final list of hosting households will be included on a flyer going out the week prior to the potluck (as well as in an E-Reminder), but here’s the general outline to assist in your planning.

 

Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck

Sunday, January 25, 2014, 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.

TBA (needs a host!)

 

Second Course: Salads, 6:20–6:55 p.m.

Special note: Kosher household, vegetarian only please!

3048 Deakin (between Prince and Webster)

 

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

TBA (needs a host!)

 

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

2329 Webster Street (two doors west of Whole Foods)

 

Potluck suggestions:

S-Z: Appetizer * A-F: Salad *G-N: Main Dish * O-R: 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 (and note for Salads to bring only vegetarian offerings this year, since it’s a kosher household). 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 2; your contribution will help us upgrade our neighborhood disaster supply cache, fund two special anniversary projects in Halcyon Commons, and continue to duplicate flyers in 2015)!

 

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2. Do Your Part: HNA’s Annual Fundraising Appeal!

 

Editor’s note: Your contributions are crucial to realizing HNA’s 2015 priorities! Please give generously. So far, we’ve received only a few contributions. These are much appreciated, but we need many more neighbors to pitch in!

 

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:

            * Flyer production

            * Supplies for disaster preparedness drills and other special events in park

            * Supplies for work parties

            * In-fill and replacement plants for Halcyon Commons and nearby landscaped features

            * Graffiti removal peripherals (the City provides most of the materials)

 

And in 2015 we have some special, one-time projects that require financial support:

            * Refurbishing the top three inches of the d.g. (decompressed granite) pathway in Halcyon Commons (Whole Foods Market gave a generous donation that covers about half the cost; we still need to raise another $1,000 and we’ll also need lots of volunteer help next June)

            * Halcyon bird sculpture by local artist Nina Lyons (who lives on Prince Street), already approved by two commissions and the City Council; the sculpture is scheduled to be installed in time for the park’s 20th anniversary in 2016, but we need to raise more funds now for its continued development and eventual production and installation.

 

We also use funds we raise 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 tools 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).

 

We’re asking neighbors who appreciate all that HNA does to improve and beautify our neighborhood, to keep us safer (on both crime-watch and disaster-prep levels), and to facilitate communication and help create a more convivial place to live to give especially generously this year, and do your part.

 

There are three ways you can respond to this appeal:

(1) Make a financial contribution directly to HNA (not tax-deductible, but allows us maximum flexibility) by writing a check made out to “HNA” and mailing or dropping it off in an envelope to HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705;

 

(2) Make a tax-deductible financial contribution by writing a check made out to “Berkeley Partners for Parks” (BPFP, our nonprofit fiscal sponsor), earmarked Halcyon, and mailing or dropping it off in an envelope 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. Please pitch in!

 

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3. Until January 19: Order Now for Neighborhood Bulk Discount for Gas-Shutoff Devices!

 

Editor’s note: Many thanks to neighbor Katrin Wehrheim for arranging for a special discount on gas shutoff devices, which is available through January 19, 2015. Much of the loss of life and property damage after a big quake is because of fire rather than the quake itself; safeguard your family and your property by taking advantage of this special offer!

 

Update from Katrin Wehrheim:

 

Gas-Shutoff update: Last month I had a super quick & easy installation of an excess flow valve and would like to urge everyone to make use of our special neighborhood program -- full info at http://tinyurl.com/halcyon-gas. Fill out the questionnaire, snap a picture of your gas meter, send it over to larry@homesafety1st.com, and just under $400 gets you one of the best “earthquake insurances” I can think of.

 

Some more highlights/comments:

 

* The discount will be available through January 19, 2015, but please order as soon as possible to make sure we reach 25 orders.

 

* homesafety1st.com are specialists -- they usually just work for insurance, so this is a rare opportunity to get what the experts recommend (and usual plumbers don’t offer) -- an excess flow valve, which triggers by any larger gas leak (earthquake or not) and requires no relighting of pilots.

 

* The city’s “free valve” program (http://cityofberkeley.info/GasShutoff) has sadly turned into a bad joke . . . unless you’re so low-income that you can get the plumbing permit fee waived. (I got multiple assurances that permits aren’t needed; yet the city requires permit and CERT training with the application for a “free” valve, at which point you’ll have spent way more money and time than the valve is worth.)

 

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4. Crime-Watch Update

 

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!

 

Thanks to HNA Steering Committee member Mikel Delgado for assembling this list of crimes (from http://www.crimemapping.com/) in and near our neighborhood (Mikel is now including a broader territory in her reports, so take that into account when comparing this with prior reports). Thank you, Mikel!

 

10/26 vehicle stolen, Telegraph & 66th

10/26 robbery near Ashby BART (10 p.m.)

10/29 theft from person, Telegraph & Ashby

10/30 robbery, College & Webster

10/31 vehicle stolen, Shattuck & Russell

11/1 vehicle stolen, 66th & Dana

11/1 forgery, Essex & Tremont

11/2 theft, Prince & Tremont

11/8 theft, Woolsey & Shattuck

11/10 sexual assault, Ashby & Colby

11/11 vehicle stolen, Telegraph & Ashby

11/11 vehicle stolen, Deakin & Webster

11/11 robbery, Alcatraz near Shattuck (7 p.m.)

11/12 vehicle stolen, Shattuck & 65th

11/12 robbery, Alcatraz near Shattuck (noon)

11/12 home burglary, Prince & Dana

11/12 identity theft, Fairview

11/12 assault, Telegraph & Woolsey

11/13 identity theft, Prince & Deakin

11/14 strong arm robbery, Telegraph & 66th

11/17 vehicle stolen, Telegraph & 65th

11/17 burglary, Whitney & Woolsey

11/18 commercial burglary, Colby & Webster

11/19 vehicle stolen, Tremont near Woolsey

11/20 commercial burglary, Telegraph & Ashby

11/21 theft, Telegraph & Woolsey

11/21 theft, Fulton @ Ashby

11/23 theft, Woolsey & Shattuck

11/23 theft, Shattuck @ Prince

11/24 vehicle break-in, Telegraph & Ashby

11/26 vehicle break-in, Wheeler & Prince

11/29 theft, Telegraph & Ashby

11/30 theft, Prince @ Halcyon

11/30 vehicle stolen, Prince & Deakin

 

A neighbor reported the following to our Facebook group:

 

“FYI to all: Someone tried (and failed) to get into the back entrance of our garage two nights ago [Dec. 29]. They didn't get anything (they ignored the kids’ bikes and scooters under the back porch). We're at Wheeler & Emerson. Police report was made.”

 

A neighbor reported the following on Nextdoor Bordertown:

“We had someone come into our house Monday night [Dec. 29] and steal two laptops and a few other items nearby. We think they came in through our basement door and found it unlocked. Two of my roommates were home in the upstairs when it happened. Someone tried to come in again last night around 1:30 a.m., but all doors were locked. We already reported it to the police but wanted to alert neighbors in the Ashby BART area not to leave any doors unlocked, even when you are home.”

 

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5. Whole Foods Market News: Next Drop-in Progress Meeting Fri., Jan. 9, 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.

 

Next Drop-in Progress Meeting, FRIDAY, Jan. 9, 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 or tea. 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, Kelly, or Ross will be in the store, so always feel free to swing by too, if you’d like to have a word with us. Or 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

Ross.Burgstead@wholefoods.com

Kelly.Fox@wholefoods.com

 

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6. Council to Hear Building Energy Savings Ordinance on Jan. 20

 

Editor’s note: On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the City Council will hear its second reading of the new Building Energy Savings Ordinance (BESO); the first reading was held in November, and the second reading was originally scheduled for December but delayed due to the Council meeting that was canceled because of protests. BESO would affect every homeowner and property owner in Berkeley, so neighbors are encouraged to inform themselves and contact decision makers on Council if you have suggestions for improvements or strong opinions pro or con. (HNA itself will not be taking a position, because there’s a range of opinions among neighbors.) BESO would require all homes and apartment buildings to have an energy audit on a regular basis (for homes, every ten years); this would involve both a filing fee to register with the City and hundreds of dollars to pay a qualified (private) energy auditor; following the audit, incentives would be made available to reduce the cost of improvements indicated by the audit. The goal is to help Berkeley meet the goals of the 2009 Climate Action Plan (CAP) passed by Berkeley voters. The links below provide some of the basics.

 

http://www.berkeleyside.com/2014/12/04/berkeley-property-owners-to-pony-up-for-energy-audits/

 

http://www.berkeleyside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2014-11-18-Item-38-Replace-the-Residential.pdf

 

http://www.berkeleyside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/BESOCCWorkshop.pdf

 

http://www.berkeleyside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2014-12-16-Item-37-Supplemental-Information.pdf

 

http://www.lwvbae.org/league-news/berkeley-energy-saving-ordinance/

 

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7. East Bay Community Solar Project Bulk Purchase Update

 

Editor’s note: If you were considering solar, here’s an update from the project from a nonprofit that's grouping various neighbors' installation to receive larger discounts.

 

Hi Everyone:

 

I posted on here a few months back about the nonprofit East Bay Community Solar Project, which uses a bulk purchase model to get participants the best possible deal on a solar installation. I’m pleased to report that the project now has 35 people committed to going solar through the project. This means we are within striking distance of the 40-installation threshold that would put the project at tier 3 and get participants the biggest possible discount through the project. If we reach tier 3 it will in many cases mean as much as $1,000 more off the price of an installation. I just wanted post to encourage anyone who was on the fence about participating to sign up for a proposal to see what the numbers would look like for you.

You can sign up for a proposal and learn more about the project at ebcsolarproject.com. Sign-ups for a proposal will be open a few more weeks, though I encourage anyone interested to sign up now. There is no commitment, and you are welcome to take your time deciding whether to move forward.

 

Visit the website to learn more and sign up for a no-commitment proposal at: ebcsolarproject.com

 

Thanks,

Spencer Veale,
Project Coordinator

East Bay Community Solar Project

 

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8. Special Session of City Council, January 17, Ed Roberts Campus, 10 a.m.

 

Editor’s note: The agenda for the special meeting of the City Council on January 17 was sent by Councilmember Anderson’s office. This is the follow-up to the protests last year, and concerns raised about police conduct.

 

SPECIAL MEETING of the BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL

 

Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 10:00 A.M.

Ed Roberts Campus Atrium – 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

 

TOM BATES, MAYOR

Councilmembers:

DISTRICT 1 – LINDA MAIO

DISTRICT 2 – DARRYL MOORE

DISTRICT 3 – MAX ANDERSON

DISTRICT 4 – JESSE ARREGUIN

 DISTRICT 5 – LAURIE CAPITELLI

DISTRICT 6 – SUSAN WENGRAF

DISTRICT 7 – KRISS WORTHINGTON

DISTRICT 8 – LORI DROSTE

 

Worksession:

 

1. Improving Police and Community Relations: Discuss possible ways to improve community and police relations that will result in positive steps the City Council can pursue.

 

A. Public Comment

B. Facilitated Panel Discussion

C. Legislative Panel Discussion (Invited): Congresswoman Lee, State Senator Hancock, Assemblymember Thurmond, and Supervisor Carson

D. City Council Discussion

E. Public Comment

 

Financial Implications: None

 

Contact: Tom Bates, Mayor, 510 981-7100

 

Public Comment – Items on this agenda only

 

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