Halcyon Neighborhood Association

Sunday, July 30, 2006

HNA News: Armed Robbery Last Night, National Night Out Against Crime Tuesday


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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*
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In This Newsletter
1. Crime Watch Report: Armed Robbery Last Night, Telegraph at Prince
2. National Night Out Against Crime: Tuesday, August 1, 6:30-8:30, Halcyon Commons Park

Thanks to a neighbor on Prince Street, we've received speedy word of an armed robbery on Telegraph at Prince last night. Her note in item 1 shows how violating and upsetting such incidents are.

While there are no easy answers, our alertness and willingness to look out for each other *can* make a difference! Of course, it's always harder to quantify the crimes we may be preventing by our calls to police when we notice something suspicious (the neighbor who reported making a call about someone who appeared to be casing out the Halcyon Commons Park neighborhood last week may have prevented a burglary that day, but there's no way to know for sure). But no matter what, we'll be safer if we come together and take action!

So come to the National Night Out Against Crime event Tuesday evening. Meet your neighbors, share prevention tips, and ask questions of the visiting police and firefighters! We are working to set up a beat-wide neighborhood watch structure, starting with a community meeting early this fall. We'll have a chance to set this in motion Tuesday.

(And if anyone has half an hour to spare today to pass out flyers about the National Night Out Against Crime on one of the remaining uncovered blocks, please drop me an email. There are still a few gaps in our coverage. Many, many thanks to those who have already come forward to help; there are close to 1,000 households in our neighborhood, but if we have a good-sized crew, we can reach them all with no one person having to give too much time.)

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

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1. Crime Watch Report: Armed Robbery Last Night, Telegraph at Prince

A Prince Street Neighbor reports:

"I had overnight guests over last night [Saturday, July 29], and as they were walking down Telegraph, heading to turn onto Prince St (to return to my house), they were mugged at gunpoint by two African American men between 25 and 30 years old. Luckily, no one was hurt. This is horribly disturbing. The guests are actually former neighbors of mine, visiting "the old neighborhood." The police weren't much help when called. There wasn't much they could do. But this does make me feel angry and violated. Our neighborhood looks so peaceful, but it isn't. In the last six months there have been a ridiculous number of muggings, robberies, home invasions, and car break-ins. It's really sad that I don't feel safe here in Berkeley anymore."

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2. National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon Court at Prince Street)

6-7:30 p.m. Potluck in Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon at Prince) with visits from Police and Firefighters (children especially encouraged to attend - it's a nice way for them to meet the police and firefighters). There will be a chance to ask questions of visiting officers -- and to help plan a neighborhood-wide beat structure similar to an effective model used in North Oakland.

7:30-8:15: Walking Tour of Neighborhood from Telegraph to Adeline, Ashby to Woolsey (a chance to make note of trouble spots with regard to lighting, etc.)

Please bring a food item (and possibly beverage) to share.
Potluck suggestions: * A-F: Salad * G-K: Appetizer * L-S: Main Dish * T-Z Dessert
HNA will supply the plates/cups/napkins.

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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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Saturday, July 15, 2006

HNA News: Your Response Needed to Receive Disaster Prep Cache, Peet's, Open House, etc.


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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*
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In This Newsletter
1. Your Response Needed for Disaster Prep Supply Cache Application!
2. Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Classes
3. Peet's at Telegraph/Dwight Wins Unanimous ZAB Approval
4. Open House for Townhouse for Sale at 3038-D Halcyon Court, Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
5. Crime Watch Report: Sleeping in Halcyon Commons Park
6. Crime Watch Report: 2nd Floor Burglary July 4, LeConte Neighborhood
7. Willard Community Peace Labyrinth Walk, Sunday, July 16, 3 p.m.
8. Birth Announcement: Léo Born to Mika and Jay on June 28th!

Please, please, please, if you live in the neighborhood bounded by Telegraph, Ashby, Adeline, and Woolsey, and if you have taken any of the City of Berkeley's CERT (Disaster Prep) courses since 2002, reply to this email and let me know which one! We have a great opportunity to apply for a Disaster Supply Cache, but our chances of winning one of a number being offered depend on our being able to demonstrate that we already have a significant number of trained and skilled people in the neighborhood. Read Item 1 to learn about other categories where your skills may help us win this supply cache, which will improve our neighborhood's readiness in the event of disaster. Thank you for taking a few minutes to respond by replying to this email address! Since many of the members of our Disaster Prep Committee are on vacation, I'm trying to pull this application together in their absence. It will only happen with your help and responsiveness!

Also, be sure to note the schedule of upcoming Community Emergency Response Team trainings, including a rare one on a Wednesday evening (September 20), which is filling fast.

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

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1. Your Response Needed for Disaster Prep Supply Cache Application!

Halcyon Neighborhood Association has a chance to win a free Disaster Supply Cache from the City of Berkeley (the City is spreading a number of these in neighborhoods throughout the City, and the City Council has recently provided funding for another round of distribution to various neighborhoods). LeConte Neighborhood Association has one already for the part of LeConte north of Ashby. It makes sense for there to be one on our side too, but we need to fill in the gaps in our database to have a shot at getting one. Please take the time to respond to the following questions, and send them back to me via email. Thanks for helping make our neighborhood safer!

Please answer these questions by reply email to Nancy Carleton <ngc2@mindspring.com>.

1. Do you live in the neighborhood bounded by Telegraph/Ashby/Adeline/Woolsey?

2. Name/Address/Phone

3. In the past four years (2002-2006), have you taken any of the following CERT courses?
(If you definitely plan to attend one of the upcoming courses listed elsewhere in the newsletter, let me know that too.)
(Disaster First Aid, Fire Suppression, Light Search & Rescue)

4. Do you possess training or experience in any of these additional areas (in the past four years for the CERT courses)?
(CERT Disaster Mental Health, CERT Shelter Operation, CERT Earthquake Retrofitting, Current CPR Certification, Professional Medical Training, Fire Suppression Training, Professional Trauma Counseling Training, Construction Skills Useful in a Disaster, Qualified Ham Radio Operation)

5. Do you have a Willingness or Existing Commitment  to serve as a Disaster Prep Block Captain or Co-Captain for your block?

6. Do you have 3 days' supply of food/water on hand?  Do you have emergency supplies and tools stocked for your household?

7. Other relevant comments/skills:

THANK YOU for sending this back promptly. The application is due July 31, and I need information from people by July 25 to have time to follow up and finish filling it out.

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2. Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Classes             

Basic Emergency Preparedness
Two sessions are being offered; please register for morning or afternoon.
Saturday, July 29, 10:00-12:00
Saturday, July 29, 1:30-3:30
997 Cedar Street       

Disaster Mental Health
Saturday, August 5, 9:00-12:00
997 Cedar Street                               

Light Search & Rescue
Saturday, August 12, 9:00-1:00
997 Cedar Street

Fire Suppression
Saturday, August 26, 9:00-12:00                                           
Berkeley Marina, 201 University Ave.

Also note this announcement from a neighbor on Webster:
For those of us who would like to attend one of the CERT trainings, but can't because of other Saturday commitments, here's our chance. A Disaster First Aid class will be held on Wednesday evening (7 to 10 p.m.), September 20th. Call Dory Ehrlich at 510-981-5506 for more information or to reserve your spot. She expects the class to fill up soon.

Classes are open to everyone who lives or works in Berkeley.
Call Dory Ehrlich at 510-981-5506 for more information or to reserve your spot.

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3. Peet's at Telegraph/Dwight Wins Unanimous ZAB Approval

The following notice from District 7 Councilmember Kriss Worthington was received reporting the unanimous approval by ZAB of a use permit for a new Peet's to open at Dwight at Telegraph (this application received overwhelming support from nearby neighbors).

Dear Neighbors:

The Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) voted 9-0 on a motion by Andy Katz (appointed by Kriss Worthington) to approve the two variances for Peet's Coffee at 2501 Telegraph and to instruct staff to write up the specific findings that Andy and ZAB member Dave Blake stated which are needed to justify such a decision.

[In standard fashion the case did not get heard until 9:30 p.m., although speakers were required to appear at 7 p.m..
These long waits as part of our planning process need to be reformed.]
For those who are interested in the next stages in the process, here is a quick rundown:
* The findings will be written up in a staff report that will be presented at the next ZAB meeting.
* After that vote at the ZAB, the staff will issue a Notice of Decision (a.k.a. NOD).
* There is a fourteen-day appeal period after the NOD is mailed.
* If no one appeals, the decision is final.
* If there is an appeal, it will then appear on the City Council agenda, and the City Council will have three options:
1. Schedule the appeal for a Public Hearing, (which would be noticed in a local newspaper).
2. Dismiss the appeal and upholding the ZAB approval.
3. Remand the project back to the ZAB for further consideration.

Kriss Worthington
Councilmember, District 7
City of Berkeley
2180 Milvia St., 5th Floor
Berkeley, CA 94704
p. 510.981.7170
f.  510.981.7177
e. kworthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us

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4. Open House for Townhouse for Sale at 3038-D Halcyon Court, Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Joel and Judy, longtime residents of Halcyon Court - and active participants in our neighborhood's community-building events over the years -  are following through on their threat and moving to New Zealand! They are in the process of getting their townhouse ready to sell (sans Realtor) before they leave at the end of the year. All of us who know them will miss them! They are hoping to sell their condo  on Halcyon Court to some similarly community-minded folks. They will be opening their home for a first viewing on Sunday. Here is Judy's notice about the event:

"Well, the website still has a few kinks, but at least the pictures finally uploaded!  You can click on a picture to get enlargements.  We're aiming for an Open House this Sunday, July 16th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  We won't be ship-shape, but we hope our community-friendly prospective buyers will have the imagination to visualize what it will look like when we've finished the work!

Link to the online flyer: http://www.psychotherapist.org/BerkeleyHome

See you soon!

Judy Lightstone
3038 D Halcyon Court
Berkeley, CA 94705
510) 883-1255

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5. Crime Watch Report: Sleeping in Halcyon Commons Park

A Halcyon Court/Prince Street Neighbor reports:

"I called the police today (July 7) to wake up the 2 people sleeping in the park; it's the second night they did it."

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6. Crime Watch Report: 2nd Floor Burglary July 4, LeConte Neighborhood

A LeConte neighbor forwarded this notice, which is especially worth paying attention to if you often leave your second-floor windows open, thinking they're secure because of the height:

"July 4th there was a residential burglary of a single-family house on the 2300 block of Russell (between Telegraph and Ellsworth). The burglar(s) apparently climbed up to a rear, second story, window, which had been left partially open for a cat to use.   They apparently left through the front door. Small electronic items, CD's, cameras, etc. were stolen. This may have taken place in mid-to-late afternoon on the holiday.  The residents were out of the house part of the day, but not out of town."

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7. Willard Community Peace Labyrinth Walk, Sunday, July 16, 3 p.m.

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk, SUNDAY, JULY 16, at 3 p.m., Willard Middle School (Telegraph Ave. between Derby & Stuart, Berkeley). Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. (Rain cancels.) Contact  info@eastbaylabyrinthproject.org, 526-7377.

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8. Birth Announcement: Léo Born to Mika and Jay June 28th!

Neighbors Mika and Jay of Prince Street share the following joyous announcement:

"Mika and I wanted to let you know that our son Léo has arrived, and he is doing well. Mom and baby are recovering from the arrival.  Here are the stats: June 28th, 1 a.m., 6 lbs 2 oz,19 inches, totally cute!"
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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, July 06, 2006

HNA News: National Night Out Against Crime 8/1, CERT schedule, B&W


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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*
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In This Newsletter
1. National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 1, 6-8:15 p.m.
2. Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Summer Classes 
3. Letter About Black & White Liquors from Dawn Rubin

National Night Out Against Crime is coming soon, and we want a strong turnout from the larger neighborhood to keep us on track with our neighborhood watch activities! In addition to helping us strategize about how to prevent crime, it's a fun way to meet and greet your neighbors. If you aren't already signed up as a regular flyer distributor, please email me to let me know if you could help cover a block (it might not be your own, but it will be nearby); the flyers about National Night Out will be ready around 7/20. We still need a few more regular distributors to cover the neighborhood - it's a small time commitment every couple of months, but makes a big difference in our outreach to those who aren't (yet) receiving the E-newsletter!

Also, FYI, we are rescheduling a Disaster Preparedness/Steering Committee meeting originally on the calendar for this coming Saturday, July 8, 4:30 p.m. Will keep you posted! The date for our next work party in the park is also in flux due to travel plans.

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

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1. National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 1, 6-8:15 p.m.

Halcyon Neighborhood Association intends to participate in the annual National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 1. Please put this on your calendars!

6-7:30 p.m. Potluck in Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon at Prince) with visits from Police and Firefighters
7:30-8:15: Walking Tour of Neighborhood from Telegraph to Adeline, Ashby to Woolsey (a chance to make note of trouble spots with regard to lighting, etc.)

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2. Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Summer Classes              

Disaster First Aid
Saturday, July 8, 9:00-12:00                   
997 Cedar Street

Basic Emergency Preparedness
Two sessions are being offered; please register for morning or afternoon.
Saturday, July 29, 10:00-12:00
Saturday, July 29, 1:30-3:30
997 Cedar Street       

Disaster Mental Health
Saturday, August 5, 9:00-12:00
997 Cedar Street                               

Light Search & Rescue
Saturday, August 12, 9:00-1:00
997 Cedar Street

Fire Suppression
Saturday, August 26, 9:00-12:00                                           
Berkeley Marina, 201 University Ave.                                   

Classes are open to everyone who lives or works in Berkeley.
Call Dory Ehrlich at 510-981-5506 for more information.

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3. Letter About Black & White Liquors from Dawn Rubin

Dawn Rubin, HNA's Neighborhood Watch/Disaster Prep Coordinator, who worked long and hard on the B&W issue, sends this letter (please forgive duplication if you've already seen this on another list).

Dear Neighbors, 
 
Thanks to Mr. Banger for the exemplary improvement he has made in the running of Black & White Liquors. My neighbors and I no longer see loitering or drug-dealing, and the trash situation has improved significantly. If all liquor store owners were as responsive as he has been, the public health issue of oversaturation of liquor stores in South and West Berkeley would be much less of a problem.
 
Thanks also to all the Berkeley city staff and councilmembers and our local media coverage who have made this improvement possible. It is unfortunate that our current city laws require the expensive, time-consuming, and stigmatizing nuisance process for problem liquor stores that have "grandfathered" operating licenses.  I hope that there will soon be a better city ordinance based on the work of BAPAC - Berkeley Alcohol Policy Advocacy Coalition.
 
. . . I pledge to personally make a point of patronizing Black & White Liquors. It's up to all of us neighbors now to support the store and personally ask Mr. Banger to carry the products we would like to see. This is a local small business, so if we want him to carry products of interest to us, it's up to us to buy enough of them to make it profitable for him. Let's make this an example of how a wonderfully diverse neighborhood like ours can work with a business owner to turn a problem into a success story!
 
Finally, I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Banger for his participation in forming the neighborhood group United We Stand and Deliver. This group meets once or twice a month to work on issues related to our neighborhood (South Berkeley to North Oakland along Adeline), ranging from development issues (e.g. Ashby BART and Ed Roberts campus) to improving relations among our diverse population to crime watch to trash clean-up. Although I have not personally attended a meeting due to a regular Wednesday evening conflicting commitment, I have heard good things about the group and encourage you all to participate. To find out more,  visit the store for meeting details.
 
Best to all,
Dawn Rubin
 
P.S. I am copying this e-mail to local  neighborhood list serves; Mr. Warren's email request for help to Mr. Banger in identifying any possible problem patrons was included in the Halcyon E-Newsletter last week.  I am also copying neighbors who have expressed past interest in the B&W issue.

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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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