Neighbors, join Halcyon Neighborhood Association’s Facebook group!

 

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-News June 2016

 

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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. Work Party in Halcyon Commons, Sat. 6/4, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

2. Goodbye, Mokka!

3. Crime-Watch Update

4. Disaster Prep News

5. Request from Neighborhood Beekeeper

6. Whole Foods Market News: Next Drop-in Progress Meeting Fri., 7/22/16, 8:15-9:00 a.m.

7. 29th Annual Juneteenth Festival 6/19, with Booth with Retiring Councilmember Max Anderson

8. City Hosts Drop Box for Ballots at City Hall

 

 

 

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1. Work Party in Halcyon Commons, Sat. 6/4, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

 

Location: Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) RAIN OR SHINE!

Time Frame: Come anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Sat. 6/4 (even twenty minutes helps!)

Goals: Weed in the park and nearby planted areas; enjoy the company of neighbors

Fuel: Refreshments & lunch courtesy of Whole Foods Market

Fresh-brewed coffee for early arrivals courtesy of a neighborhood volunteer.

 

This work party relies on neighbors (no student volunteers for this one, alas!). If you can help, just show up at Halcyon Commons. Bring your own weeding tools, or we’ll loan you some. Children welcome!

 

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2. Goodbye, Mokka!

 

Editor’s note: HNA Co-Chair John Steere submitted the following item. Our HNA Steering Committee, at our meeting in early May, voted to express special appreciation to Mokka for its years of service in the neighborhood, including donations of fresh coffee to our neighborhood work parties and disaster preparedness exercises. Goodbye, Mokka! We will miss you! Thank you, Mike and Susan! We hope to continue to see you around the neighborhood!

 

Like many of our neighbors, I have been a long-term customer and fan of the soon-to-close Mokka Café. Indeed, its last day of operation was Thursday, June 2. Last week I went by to deliver a thank-you card and an orchid plant from Halcyon Neighborhood Association, and to personally thank Mike and Susan Iida, the owners, for their kindness and commitment to our neighborhood. They seemed to be as gratified as I was for the relationship, for as Mike replied, “One of the major regrets we will have in closing our café is the loss of being part of this wonderful neighborhood. . .  .You’ve been so good to us. And we have been appreciative of how you’ve made us a part of it.” I hope many of you will come down to Mokka’s for its closing party this Friday, June 3, 4-7 p.m. We will miss you, Mokka, for being our neighborhood’s living room and being such a kind and exemplary neighbor! 

 

John Steere, Co-Chair, HNA

 

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3. 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 to join). 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. We don’t want to engage in profiling, so if you include a description, please make it as detailed as possible and avoid generalities.

 

From HNA Steering Committee member Mikel Delgado:

 

Crime update! Sorry somehow another two months have gone by, so I focused on the “big” ones — namely robberies (including a few just outside our neighborhood borders), burglaries, and “car crimes” — if you ever want more info about crime in the neighborhood, check out crimemapping at: http://www.crimemapping.com/home

 

3/7 robbery Adeline & Ashby

3/20 robbery Ashby & Shattuck

3/21 burglary Prince & Deakin

3/26 theft Telegraph & Ashby

3/30 vehicle stolen 66th & Shattuck

4/7 theft Prince & Deakin

4/7 robbery Telegraph & Ashby

4/8 burglary Prince & Halcyon

4/12 vehicle break-in/theft Essex & Shattuck

4/14 vehicle break-in/theft Woolsey & Adeline

4/14 vehicle break-in/theft Essex & Tremont

4/15 vehicle break-in/theft Essex & Shattuck

4/16 theft Telegraph & Ashby

4/25 vehicle theft Telegraph & Ashby

4/28 robbery Telegraph & 65th

4/30 vehicle break-in Telegraph & Ashby

4/30 vehicle break-in Prince & Tremont

4/30 robbery Woolsey & Shattuck

5/1 theft Telegraph & Ashby

5/1 car stolen Fulton & Prince

5/7 burglary Deakin & Ashby

5/9 burglary Woolsey & Wheeler

5/11 burglary Wheeler & Russell

5/11 robbery Alcatraz & College

5/16 vehicle break-in/theft Wheeler & Ashby

5/17 burglary Woolsey & Wheeler

 

A neighbor on Deakin and Woolsey reported on May 23: 

“Hi Neighbors, wanted to let you know we were broken into today while we were both at work. Don’t know what time, but nobody heard anything. They used a shovel to pry open a window, and went through the house looking for jewelry and money it seems. They left the laptop and I guess luckily we don't have a lot of valuables to take. We called the police. Most neighbors weren't around, but one neighbor did notice an ADT security guy knocking on doors. This sucks, but it’s just stuff, and we’re all okay. Share the news with neighbors and keep safe.”

 

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4. Disaster Prep News

 

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

 

Our next CERT Volunteer meeting is June 8, at 7pm at 997 Cedar – Topic: Mosquitoes, Diseases, and Our Own Backyards: Mosquito Threats to Alameda County and What You Can Do about Them

 

Disasters come in a variety of sizes, some as small as a mosquito. On June 8th at 997 Cedar Street, from 7 to 9 p.m., Dr. Eric Haas-Stapleton, Laboratory Director of the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District (http://www.mosquitoes.org), will speak about risks from our local mosquitoes and how we can disrupt mosquito habitats in our own backyards, and provide information about the public health consequences of mosquito-borne diseases. In addition, Dr. Haas-Stapleton will provide updated information about the mosquito that carries the Zika virus. Dr. Haas-Stapleton coordinates the survey of mosquito abundance in Alameda County, assesses the prevalence of diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes to humans, and conducts research on topics related to mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit.

 

Upcoming Events

 

Wildfire and Climate Change

Thursday, June 9th, 2016 at 7 p.m., Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, Berkeley

 

Presentations from Berkeley Fire, Berkeley Police, Berkeley Chief Resilience Officer, Moraga/Orinda Fire, East Bay Regional Parks, Sierra Club and Alliance Neighborhood on what they are doing and how you and your community can be better prepared.

 

Hosted by Councilmembers Wengraf, Capitelli and Droste

For more information, call: Councilmember Susan Wengraf @ 510-981-7160

 

Volunteer Opportunities

June 9: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) California Task Force 4 (CA-TF4) is in need of volunteer victims for an upcoming US&R Medical Team Training (MTT) class. This volunteer opportunity is in Mountain View, CA and has a number of requirements that must be met. See the link for information and registration: http://www.usarmedspectraining.org/volunteer/

 

CERT Class Schedule

Click here for the current schedule of classes: http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=57314

  

Khin Chin

CERT Program Manager, Berkeley Fire Department 

Office of Emergency Services 

510.981.5506

 

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5. Request from Neighborhood Beekeeper

 

Editor’s note: I received the following announcement from Prince Street beekeeper Bruce Wicinas.

 

In early June bees continue to swarm, and our neighborhood seems to lie on the flight path of swarms on the move. If you spot a bee swarm settling in a tree or bush in our neighborhood and notify a local beekeeper, it will be promptly collected unless it’s too high above the ground. Please call beekeeper Bruce Wicinas at 925-790-2312 M-F 10-6 or 510-848-1797 or other hours. Bruce has the numbers of other local beekeepers who may also be interested if he’s unable to respond. (If bees are already residing inside a wall or a roof, a specialist or an exterminator is required.)

 

When you see a bee swarm, you are witnessing bee propagation — the natural way, without the aid of humans. In the spring, a vigorous hive produces a new queen. She leaves and takes about half the worker bees with her, leaving the old queen with the existing hive. Assuming the form of a cloud of airborne bees called a swarm, queen and workers seek a new home, settling in the late afternoons and evenings in a temporary bee ball made up of thousands of bees. Swarming bees are typically under the control of powerful pheromones, and will not attack humans or others unless they threaten the queen.

 

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6. Whole Foods Market News: Next Drop-in Progress Meeting Fri., 7/22/16, 8:15-9:00 a.m.

 

Editor’s note: News from Whole Foods Market courtesy of Store Team Leader Melody Mestermacher.

 

Next Drop-in Progress Meeting, Friday, July 22, 8:15-9:00 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 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. We have new shift leaders being trained, so please send an email to the group below so we can follow up appropriately. Always feel free to swing by too, if you’d like to have a word with us.

Melody.Mestemacher@wholefoods.com

Carlisle.Crumley@wholefoods.com

Ross.Burgstead@wholefoods.com

Jack.Douglas@wholefoods.com

 

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7. 29th Annual Juneteenth Festival 6/19, with Booth with Retiring Councilmember Max Anderson

 

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

 

Hello District 3 Constituents:

 

Councilmember Max Anderson will be retiring in November as your District 3 councilperson. This will be a great time to come by our booth to visit with us!! Please share this announcement!

 

29th Annual Berkeley Juneteenth Festival

Sunday, June 19, 2016, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

The Berkeley Juneteenth Festival, held annually in June in South Berkeley’s five-block Alcatraz-Adeline corridor, is produced by Berkeley Juneteenth Association, Inc. (BJAI), a nonprofit organized in 1987, whose mission is: “To promote greater societal growth and community cohesiveness in the City of Berkeley and surrounding environs through educating and involving people of color in historical, family, economic, business, and cultural activities”

 

The Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, freed slaves from southern states in rebellion against the United States during the Civil War. News of the signing did not reach Galveston, Texas until June 19, 1865. On June 19th (shortened to Juneteenth), slaves flooded the streets, rejoicing in their newly discovered freedom. Barbecue smoke filled the air! Dancing feet pounded the ground and voices sung out. This day, Juneteenth, would forever commemorate African American freedom! President Lincoln, had no legal power to singlehandedly terminate the institution of slavery. Congress proposed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, on February 1, 1865, and ratified it on December 6, 1865. Communities nationwide have adopted Juneteenth as an occasion to celebrate African American culture and traditions, and as an opportunity to acknowledge contributions African Americans have made to the fabric of America. Cultural events like Juneteenth, celebrate diversity, and unify our nation when we all celebrate together.

 

Charlene Washington, Legislative Aide, District 3

Councilmember Max Anderson

2180 Milvia Street, 5th Floor , Berkeley, CA 94704

Tel: 510.981.7130/Fax: 510.981.7133

cwashington@CityofBerkeley.info

 

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8. City Hosts Drop Box for Ballots at City Hall

 

Editor’s note: Press release received from the City of Berkeley.

 

NEW 24/7 DROP-OFF BALLOT BOX FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS

 

Berkeley, California (Wednesday, May 25, 2016) - For those who want to save a stamp on their absentee ballot, hand it in themselves, or wait until election day to finish it, Alameda County voters can now drop off their ballot anytime in a secure box in Downtown Berkeley.

 

The ballot box in front of the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Building, 2180 Milvia Street, is just a block from BART, is available 24 hours a day, and will be in service for every election, including the June 7 Presidential Primary.

 

 

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters will retrieve Vote-by-Mail ballots daily, ending with 8:00 p.m. on Election Night. No postage is necessary for a ballots returned to the drop box.

 

The Registrar of Voters has an online map of other drop-off boxes elsewhere in the County.

 

The vote by mail period for opened on May 9 and closes at 8 p.m. on June 7. Previously, the only way to hand in a ballot in Berkeley was during office hours. MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT...Remember to use the return envelope provided and to sign the back of your return envelope!

 

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