Halcyon Neighborhood Association

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

HNA News: Crime watch success, Ashby BART Task Force nominations, etc.


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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*
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In This Newsletter

1. Crime Watch Success: Police Catch Car Burglary Suspect!
2. Nominations Open for Ashby BART Transit Village Task Force (Due 4/6)
3. Link for Background Information on Ashby BART Transit Village
4. Crime Watch Report: Stolen Car Abandoned on Deakin
5. Crime Watch Report: Mail Stolen on Prince Street at Fulton
6. B&W Liquors Update
7. Perspectives on Adeline Street

A special thanks to those who turned out to help with last Saturday's weeding work party at Halcyon Commons Park, especially in the face of uncertain weather. Even with a small crew, we accomplished a lot. Sometime in the next few weeks, we'll be scheduling an hour-long late afternoon supplemental work party to mop up the tasks the rain kept us from finishing. Thanks too to all who distributed flyers to get the word out, and to Whole Foods Market for supplying  delicious food to keep us well fueled.

Also note our recent crime watch success (see item #1), and let's extend a special thanks to the neighbor who noticed the burglary in progress and called the police promptly -  and to the police for their rapid response and successful pursuit of the suspect!

-Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-Newsletter Editor

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1. Crime Watch Success: Police Catch Car Burglary Suspect!

A neighbor on Prince Street reports:

"I just wanted to report a burglary and apprehension on Prince Street [on Monday, March 27]. The police said that the suspect was breaking into cars on Webster at Halcyon and a call was made [by a neighbor walking a dog] to the police. The police responded rapidly, and they caught the suspect in front of our house at Prince and Deakin. The suspect was arrested on auto burglary charges and violation of parole (for burglary). They said he will probably spend the next 18 months in jail. Just wanted you to know that our neighborhood's watchful eyes and quick response are working!"

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2. Nominations Open for Ashby BART Transit Village Task Force (Due 4/6)

Ed Church, Project Director on the proposed Ashby Transit Village for the SBNDC, passed along the following information concerning submitting nominations for a Task Force related to the project:

Purpose of the Task Force
To pursue implementation of City policies regarding housing, economic revitalization and environmental sustainability as they relate to potential transit-oriented development at the West parking lot of the Ashby BART station, the Berkeley City Council on December 13, 2005, authorized the South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation (SBNDC) to convene a Task Force to conduct a public process to accomplish the following:

* Identify the basic elements of a potential development at the site and the desired qualifications of potential developers
* Make written recommendations to the City Council which can be the basis for Council's issuing an RFQ (Request For Qualifications)
* Review responses to the RFQ and make recommendations to the Council regarding selection of the developer(s).

It is anticipated that this process will take three to six months.  Additional Council guidance includes assuring that genuinely affordable housing is part of the development, that South Berkeley residents and business owners play a significant role, that other Berkeleyans are included, and that the Council will be solicited for its recommendations.

Qualifications for Task Force members include the following:
* Familiarity with  housing, economic, environmental or general South Berkeley issues
* Ability to participate in the public process, which will include night and/or weekend meetings
* Having a residence or business in Berkeley

In constructing the Task Force, the South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation will strive for representativeness and diversity in perspectives and demographics.

Persons will not be considered for membership in the Task Force if they might be hired as consultants to the project, if they might be parties to responding to the RFQ, or if they could have other direct financial interests in the project.

Make a Nomination for the Task Force:

Nominations should include information as to how the nominee meets the Qualifications.  Pertinent professional experience, residence or business information, and personal references can be included.

Please email nominations to Project Director Ed Church at <SoBa@southberkeley.org>, or mail them to SBNDC, 1767 Alcatraz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94703. Nominations must be received no later than April 6, 2006.
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3. Link for Background Information on Ashby BART Transit Village

Neighbors of Ashby BART continue to offer the most complete archives of background material on the Ashby Transit Village proposal:
http://nabart.com/

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4. Crime Watch Report: Stolen Car Abandoned on Deakin

A Webster Street neighbor reports:

"Can you also add to crime alert that a stolen car was abandoned at the corner of [Webster] and Deakin early Sunday morning (March 19).  I talked to the police person as he was doing the write-up."

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5. Crime Watch Report: Mail Stolen on Prince Street at Fulton

A Prince Street neighbor reports:

"I just had some mail theft. Someone stole one of those credit card checks and cashed it. Perhaps it would be good to have the post office come by and tell us what they're doing, and what types of locks we can use -  so that we don't all have to replace our lovely mailboxes."

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6. B&W Liquors Update

Today's Daily Planet (March 28, 2006) has an article on ZAB's decision to declare Black & White Liquors a public nuisance:
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?issue=03-28-06&storyID=23752

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7. Perspectives on Adeline Street

Berkeley resident David Soffa has written two recent pieces in the Daily Planet that comment on the width of Adeline Street in relation to the fate of the Ashby BART parking lot:

Daily Planet, March 3, 2006 ("Ashby-Adeline Intersection Fix Should Be Part of Plan")
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?issue=03-03-06&storyID=23558

Daily Planet, March 28 22006 ("Adeline Should Not Be So Wide")
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?issue=03-28-06&storyID=23765

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The Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter:  The HNA E-Newsletter forwards occasional crime watch notices as well as announcements about events of interest to neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area of south Berkeley, including community-building potlucks, greening projects, disaster preparedness meetings, and work parties in Halcyon Commons Park. If you're receiving this email, either you signed up at a neighborhood event or a neighbor may have forwarded it to you. Please note that to prevent spam, HNA always uses bcc and does not share your email address with third parties. If you wish to be removed from this list, please reply to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton/Halcyon Neighborhood Association <ngc2@mindspring.com>. Please feel free to pass the HNA E-Newsletter on to other neighbors you think might be interested.

HNA Listserve:  If you would like to receive messages (and participate in discussions) on the HNA Listserve, please reply to Halcyon Neighborhood Association <ngc2@mindspring.com> indicating your interest, and you will receive an invitation to join.

HNA Blog:  If you would like to view previous newsletters online (and comment via a blog format), please visit http://halcyoncourt.blogspot.com/

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Wednesday, March 22, 2006

HNA News: Weeding Work Party Sat. 3/25, 10-2, and other newss


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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*
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In This Newsletter

1. Weeding Work Party in Halcyon Commons Park, Sat., 3/25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
2. LeConte Neighborhood Association Report
3. Sunshine Ordinance Meeting Monday, 3/27, 7 p.m., 6th Floor, City Hall
4. Free Emergency Preparedness Class 3/25
5. Car Break-in on Webster Street (between Halcyon and Telegraph)
6. Theft of Mail on Deakin Street

Our HNA work parties not only provide a chance to contribute to keeping Halcyon Commons Park and the surrounding neighborhood in good shape; they offer a chance to meet your neighbors, enjoy refreshments, and build community. They're also a way we honor our commitment to the city to help in the ongoing maintenance of this community-created greenspace. If you can, please stop by this Saturday and lend a hand!
-Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-Newsletter Editor

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1. Weeding Work Party in Halcyon Commons Park, Sat., 3/25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Please join us for spring weeding in Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon Court at Prince Street) this Saturday. If we have enough helpers, we'll also do trash pickup in the surrounding neighborhood and weed the landscaped barrier at Prince and Deakin.

Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Please bring weeding and pruning tools if you have them (some extra tools will be available for those who don't have them).

Children welcome. Heavy rain cancels, but a few sprinkles won't stop us!

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2. LeConte Neighborhood Association Report

Karl Reeh, president of LeConte Neighborhood Association, sends this report from LNA's meeting on March 16:

Despite a downpour beginning at 7 PM, 15 hardy souls made it to the  meeting.
Beat Officer Bartalini (#154) spoke about a rash of broken  windows caused by students on their way home after school. He makes it a point  to be in the area around 3:00 every week day. He has also talked with school  authorities. It was suggested that residents who are home in the afternoon pay  close attention and, if convenient, go out front to garden or do other chores while watching. A mother on our block has been sitting outside with her children and  greeting each group of kids who pass. Another recent act of vandalism on the 2200 and 2300 Block of  Stuart St. has been the smashing of windshields and denting of hoods of parked  cars. Three so far.

Patti Dacey spoke about how changes proposed in the "Structure of  Merit"designation will greatly reduce the chances of saving buildings that have historical significance but were not designed by prominent architects. She will  be drafting a letter for LeConte to submit to the Council.

The owner of Black & White Liquor, Sucha Singe Banger, was in  attendance to encourage residents to shop there and suggest items he should  sell. He will also be participating in another meeting next month which will be  held at the Shotgun Players theater. He agreed to repair his neon sign which is  missing letters.( Further details on the restrictions imposed by ZAB will be sent  later.)

Ozzie Vincent from Woolsey Street spoke about an  crime prevention council in North Oakland that has been highly effective. It is  a supplement to Neighborhood Watch which includes a telephone "hotline" so that  crimes that are reported to the police are ALSO recorded locally. This allows  immediate neighbors and coordinators of the council to keep better records for  follow up. Beat officers and merchants are encouraged to participate. (More  later.)

The Office of Emergency Services has announced that it will be  providing more neighborhood training this year. It will also be offering  additional Emergency Supplies to Neighborhood groups that have organized and  taken CERT classes.

A discussion of Ashby/BART development indicated no change.  However, only 15 grants will be made from the 50 or so that have been submitted.  It is hoped that future planning meetings will be held based on what district residents  want before a new grant is applied for.

The Board election was again postponed. Next meeting April  20. To sign onto our regular LeConte "Chat" e-mail go to the following: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lecontechat/

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3. Sunshine Ordinance Meeting Monday, 3/27, 7 p.m., 6th Floor, City Hall

District 7 Councilmember Kriss Worthington has called a meeting to discuss the proposal for a Sunshine Ordinance to make Berkeley's decision-making process more accessible to citizens. The meeting will take place Monday, March 27, at 7 p.m. on the sixth floor of City Hall (2180 Milvia).

Councilmember Worthington's announcement for the meeting reads: "Five years ago, on March 27, 2001, I introduced to the Berkeley City Council a Council item to create a Sunshine Ordinance. It is long overdue. With recent secret events, including but not limited to the secret settlement agreement,it is more obvious that we need a Sunshine Ordinance. (Ironically, the original City council item specified that settlement agreements should be disclosed 10 days before the meeting at which the settlement is to be approved.) Now the City Attorney has offered a draft Sunshine Ordinance which does not include our important original proposals, and also includes some very restrictive language. If the public does not insist on a comprehensive effective Sunshine ordinance, we may get a watered down lowest common denominator version, which will not actually fix any problems. Bring your ideas of what Berkeley can do better to make information available to the public." You can contact Councilmember Worthington at 981-7170 or <kworthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us> for more information.

See also this article in Tuesday's (3/21/06) Daily Planet ("Sun Slow to Shine on Berkeley Government") for more on this issue:
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?issue=03-21-06&storyID=23691

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4. Free Emergency Preparedness Class 3/25

The City of Berkeley has scheduled this free emergency preparedness class:

Disaster First Aid - Saturday, March 25, 9:00-12:00, 997 Cedar Street. Learn how to apply basic first aid techniques, give initial care to the seriously injured, and stabilize victims until other services are available.
To register, or for more information, call 510-981-5506. You can also register on-line at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes.html <http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes.html>.

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5. Car Break-in on Webster Street (between Halcyon and Telegraph)

A Webster Street couple reports that their car was broken into last week; small items were taken and oil was spilled on the interior.

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6. Theft of Mail on Deakin Street

A Deakin Street neighbor reports:

"We had at least a box of checks (two of them forged to our account) and a Christmas present CD stolen from our mailbox.  Who knows what else might have gone?  We've replaced our cute cottagey box with a grim black locking one.  So sad to have to do this."

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The Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter:  The HNA E-Newsletter forwards occasional crime watch notices as well as announcements about events of interest to neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area of south Berkeley, including community-building potlucks, greening projects, disaster preparedness meetings, and work parties in Halcyon Commons Park. If you're receiving this email, either you signed up at a neighborhood event or a neighbor may have forwarded it to you. Please note that to prevent spam, HNA always uses bcc and does not share your email address with third parties. If you wish to be removed from this list, please reply to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton/Halcyon Neighborhood Association <ngc2@mindspring.com>. Please feel free to pass the HNA E-Newsletter on to other neighbors you think might be interested.

HNA Listserve:  If you would like to receive messages (and participate in discussions) on the HNA Listserve, please reply to Halcyon Neighborhood Association <ngc2@mindspring.com> indicating your interest, and you will receive an invitation to join.

HNA Blog:  If you would like to view previous newsletters online (and comment via a blog format), please visit http://halcyoncourt.blogspot.com/

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Thursday, March 09, 2006

HNA News: Disaster Prep Mtg. Sat. 3/11, B&W, etc.


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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*
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In This Newsletter

1. Disaster Prep Subcommittee Meeting, Saturday, March 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
2. Links to Articles Related to Seismic Safety
3. ZAB Hearing on B&W Liquors, Thursday, March 9, 7 p.m.
4. Free Emergency Preparedness Classes 3/11 & 3/25
5. Burglary on Wheeler Street (between Woolsey and Prince)

I'm sure that many of you felt at least a couple of the series of earthquakes that shook Berkeley last week. Perhaps it's a timely reminder not to let the lessons of Katrina fade into the background but continue to take advantage of opportunities to increase our level of neighborhood disaster preparedness. To that end, please note the Disaster Prep Subcommittee meeting happening this Saturday afternoon. Block captains are especially encouraged to attend!
-Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair and E-Newsletter Editor

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1. Disaster Prep Subcommittee Meeting, Saturday, March 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Dawn Rubin's Basement Office, 3049 Wheeler (go to right of house to back door to enter)

If you're interested in playing a leading or organizing role in strengthening our neighborhood's disaster preparedness (and following up on some of the good ideas generated at the neighborhood-wide meeting last October) either as a block captain or in some other role, please attend the Disaster Prep Subcommittee meeting Saturday, March 11.

For more information, please contact HNA Crime Watch/Disaster Prep Coordinator Dawn Trygstad Rubin (<familyrubin@comcast.net>, 843-6306).

Discussion will include:
* Practical next steps to move our neighborhood toward greater preparedness
* Water drum project (bulk order of 55-gallon drums)
* Organizing an effective block-by-block structure, including identifying block captains for all blocks
* Sharing information about Oakland's program and available resources through the City of Berkeley
* Brainstorming

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2. Links to Articles Related to Seismic Safety

Daily Cal ("Small Berkeley Earthquakes Could Be Seismic Warning")
http://www.cityofberkeley.info/news/print.asp?id=15677

Contra Costa Times ("False Sense Of Security")
http://www.cityofberkeley.info/news/print.asp?id=15672

Contra Costa Times "Home Inspectors Veterans Of Seismic Safety")
http://www.cityofberkeley.info/news/print.asp?id=15673

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3. ZAB Hearing on B&W Liquors, Thursday, March 9, 7 p.m.

Reminder from HNA Crime Watch/Disaster Prep Coordinator Dawn Rubin: The ZAB meeting to decide conditions for Black & White Liquors is scheduled for March 9, 7 p.m., in the City Council chambers (2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, 2nd Floor);  we need a presence there to emphasize to the Zoning Board members that this is important to our neighborhood. For more information, please contact Dawn (<familyrubin@comcast.net>, 843-6306).

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4. Free Emergency Preparedness Classes 3/11 & 3/25

The City of Berkeley has scheduled these two free emergency preparedness classes:

Light Search and Rescue - Saturday, March 11, 9:00-1:00, 997 Cedar Street. Learn how to identify signs of structural damage, search for victims, apply basic rescue techniques, and remove heavy objects from trapped victims.
Disaster First Aid - Saturday, March 25, 9:00-12:00, 997 Cedar Street. Learn how to apply basic first aid techniques, give initial care to the seriously injured, and stabilize victims until other services are available.
To register, or for more information, call 510-981-5506. You can also register on-line at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes.html <http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes.html>.

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5. Burglary on Wheeler Street (between Woolsey and Prince)

A Wheeler Street neighbor reports:

"We were burglarized on Feb. 13, which I thought might be of interest to the rest of the neighborhood.  Much like the burglary on the 2300 block of Webster, they broke a kitchen window to enter, and left through the back door, leaving it ajar.  We had several items stolen. It sounds like a pattern has developed -  how frightening to think there are people watching our homes and our comings and goings. I wonder if there is anything we can do as a community to put a stop to this so that others don't have to experience it."

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The Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter:  The HNA E-Newsletter forwards occasional crime watch notices as well as announcements about events of interest to neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area of south Berkeley, including community-building potlucks, greening projects, disaster preparedness meetings, and work parties in Halcyon Commons Park. If you're receiving this email, either you signed up at a neighborhood event or a neighbor may have forwarded it to you. Please note that to prevent spam, HNA always uses bcc and does not share your email address with third parties. If you wish to be removed from this list, please reply to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton/Halcyon Neighborhood Association <ngc2@mindspring.com>. Please feel free to pass the HNA E-Newsletter on to other neighbors you think might be interested.

HNA Listserve:  If you would like to receive messages (and participate in discussions) on the HNA Listserve, please reply to Halcyon Neighborhood Association <ngc2@mindspring.com> indicating your interest, and you will receive an invitation to join.

HNA Blog:  If you would like to view previous newsletters online (and comment via a blog format), please visit http://halcyoncourt.blogspot.com/

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