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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