HNA News: Upcoming Neighborhood Events, Work Party, Disaster Prep, Potluck, Neighborhood Watch, etc.

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*

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Items appearing in the HNA E-Newsletter 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 own personal viewpoint.

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Items in This E-Newsletter

1. Volunteer Weeding, Mulching & Neighborhood Cleanup, Sat., March 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

2. Disaster Supply Cache Meeting Report and Neighborhood Disaster Plan in Brief

3. Berkeley Partners for Parks Workshop on Starting & Funding Community Projects, March 19, 7-8:30 p.m., Berkeley Public Works Green Room

4. Halcyon Community Potluck, Sunday, March 25, 6-8 p.m., 2125 Essex

5.  HNA's Big Neighborhood-Watch Community Meeting, Sunday, April 15, 4-6 p.m., Chochmat HaLev (Prince at Fulton)

6. Local Business Review: Mokka Café  (3075 Telgraph at Dowling)

7. Multi-Block Yard Sale in May or June, Anyone?

8. For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007

9. City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

Editor's Introductory Note:

We're making good progress fleshing out our neighborhood's disaster preparedness plans (see item 2). Check future E-Newsletters and flyers to see how you can help out. Attending our big Neighborhood Watch meeting on April 15 is one solid step you can take (item 5). As you know, HNA keeps "talk" meetings to a minimum and focuses on action we can take in between. By attending an event just a couple of times a year, you can keep our neighborhood moving forward toward greater safety. And our work parties and potlucks (items 1, 4, and 8) help build community, which also makes for a safer, friendlier neighborhood.

In this newsletter, you'll find a review of a friendly, locally owned neighborhood business which has been supportive of HNA events (item 6). Supporting neighborhood businesses is another way to keep our community healthy and vibrant. If there's a local business you'd like to call your neighbors' attention to (including services you offer yourself), feel free to submit a review or announcement to me at <ngc2@mindspring.com>. And keep those crime watch reports, birth notices, and other news about our neighborhood coming this way!

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

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1. Volunteer Weeding, Mulching & Neighborhood Cleanup, Sat., March 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Halcyon Commons Work Party with help from Cal Students with the Berkeley Project

Meet at Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon Court at Prince Street).

Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market (Telegraph at Ashby)  and Mokka Café (3075 Telegraph).

We'll work in light or moderate rain if the weather so dictates!

Neighborhood volunteers are needed to weed & mulch alongside 15-20 Cal volunteers from the Berkeley Project. Please bring extra weeding tools if you have them (labeled with address) and wheelbarrows or recycle containers to help move mulch (we'll have extras if you don't).

Special thanks to Whole Foods Market for the donation of food and water, to Mokka Café for the donation of coffee, and to the Cal students of the Berkeley Project for volunteering their time to assist us! The more neighbors who show up, the more of the larger neighborhood we'll be able to cover with our cleanup!  We had a great time as neighbors working with student volunteers last November. Let's do it again!

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2. Disaster Supply Cache Meeting Report and Neighborhood Disaster Plan in Brief

Halcyon Neighborhood Association won a Disaster Supply Cache from the City of Berkeley last November, containing items to help our neighborhood set up a command center in the event of disaster. To use it to the fullest, we need to supplement the supplies and get better organized. To this end, 13 neighbors met on March 4  and agreed to keep meeting as the HNA Disaster Preparedness Committee.

Some of the action items that came out of this meeting included:

* Getting a core group signed up to agree to set up a Neighborhood Command Center at Halcyon Commons Park using supplies from Disaster Supply Cache in the driveway at 3044-B Halcyon Court.

* Fleshing out a basic Halcyon Neighborhood Disaster Plan (draft will be posted on the flyer going out in April about the big Neighborhood Watch meeting April 15).

* Creating a list of supplies neighbors can donate to expand the effectiveness of the Disaster Supply Cache (batteries, hard hats, sheets, laptop computer, bullhorn, etc.; list to appear in future E-Newsletters).

* Having a donation box available at all HNA events to collect funds to go toward buying supplemental disaster supplies for the cache.

* Working on the agenda for the disaster preparedness part of the April 15 meeting (inviting the Office of Emergency Services to provide basic personal preparedness information at the meeting).

* Scheduling a Disaster Supply Cache Drill for Sunday, May 6, 4:30-6 p.m., driveway of 3044-B Halcyon Court.

* Scheduling a Disaster Supply Cache Fire Drill for Sunday, Sept. 30, 4:30-5:45, Halcyon Court (meet in Halcyon Commons Park).

Halcyon Neighborhood Disaster Plan, in Brief:

In the event of a big earthquake,

1. Safeguard your family and household [post a signal to indicate if your house is "clear"; color TBD].

2. Turn off your gas.

3. Report to Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon Court at Prince), where a Disaster Command Center will form teams for Light Search & Rescue, Disaster First Aid, Support, and Communications utilizing an Incident Command Structure.

[Details to follow in flyer going out the second week of April.]

Next Disaster Prep Committee Meeting, Sunday, March 25, 5:00-5:55 p.m., 3049 Wheeler (Dawn's house)

For more information about the Neighborhood Disaster Supply Cache or to sign up to participate on HNA's Disaster Preparedness Committee, contact HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton <ngc2@mindspring.com> or HNA Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Rubin <FamilyRubin@comcast.net>.

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3. Berkeley Partners for Parks Workshop on Starting & Funding Community Projects, March 19, 7-8:30 p.m., Berkeley Public Works Green Room

Got a dream for your community?

Come to BPFP's Starting & Funding Community Projects

7-8:30 p.m.   on March 19, 2007

Berkeley Public Works Green Room

1326 Allston (beside Strawberry Creek Park) Berkeley

Free and open to all.

If you have an idea for a great neighborhood or community project, a bit of green space, or a new recreation program, get ideas for making your dream come true at a Berkeley Partners for Parks meeting on Starting and Funding Community Projects, which will include a discussion with local grant-givers and experienced citizens’ groups. Find out about the UC Berkeley Community Partnership Grants (deadline April 30), the Northern California Grassroots Fund (deadline every quarter), and others - as well as forming partnerships, finding sponsorship, attracting volunteers, and working with agencies.

Berkeley Partners for Parks is fiscal sponsor for more than 25 citizen groups working on recreation, parks, and the environment. For more information, contact BPFP President (and HNA Co-Chair) John Steere <<jsteere@igc.org>. Or visit: http://www.bpfp.org

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4. Halcyon Community Potluck, Sunday, March 25, 6-8 p.m.
2125 Essex (between Wheeler & Shattuck)

At the home of Nora and Edwin on Essex. A chance to socialize and share neighborhood news. Please bring a potluck item to share. If so inspired, it's really helpful if you can also bring a beverage to share.

Potluck suggestions: Appetizer: G-K * Main Dish: S-Z * Salad: L-R * Dessert: A-F

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5.  HNA's Big Neighborhood-Watch Community Meeting, Sunday, April 15, 4-6 p.m., Chochmat HaLev (Prince at Fulton)

* Note to those who wait until the last minute to file your taxes: Tax Day this year falls on Tuesday, April 17, due to April 15 falling on a Sunday and April 16 being Emancipation Day, a holiday in D.C.

What:   Focus on upgrading household and neighborhood Disaster Preparedness and fine-tuning our Crime Watch efforts; handouts will be available

When:   Sunday, April 15, 4:00-6:00 p.m. (starts & ends promptly)

Where:   Chochmat HaLev (Prince at Fulton)

Who:   Neighbors who live in the Ashby-Telegraph-Woolsey-Adeline quadrant are welcome. We're inviting City Councilmembers, the Mayor's Office, the Office of Emergency Services, and our Beat Officers to provide information and attend.

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6. Local Business Review: Mokka Café  (3075 Telgraph at Dowling)

Halcyon Court neighbor (and HNA Treasurer) Susan Hunter submitted the following review of the recently opened Mokka café on Telegraph Avenue:

Mokka

3075 Telegraph Avenue (at Dowling)

510 848-8909

http://www.mokkacoffee.com (site under construction)

As a coffee lover and a past employee of Peet's coffee, I'm favorably impressed with the new café called Mokka on Telegraph Avenue. Owners Michael and Susan Iida have carefully studied what it takes to perfect espresso and drip coffee making. They did their research well, and followed a trend in Seattle, well known for "latte art," involving the careful roasting of beans and steaming of milk to make a balanced, perfect espresso beverage.  I was sold the first time I had my soy latte there. Their consistency has never faltered, unlike many cafés I've been to over the years. The head barista, Corina, worked in Seattle for five years before joining Mokka, and has since trained all of the Mokka baristas; all of the coffees are 100% organic fair trade.

Michael explained that the espresso technique they use is similar to that of Northern Italy, with a lighter roast and a steaming process that creates "microbubbles." I noticed I could use a spoon to scoop up the foam, much the way I could with a fine sauce. The drip style gives you a chance to sample any of their blends. The Ethiopian drip I had was exceptional. Mokka also offers a variety of  delicious, fresh panini.  The gelato is the best I have tasted, and as close to Florence as you can get.  Even during the busy hours when you might experience a short wait for your beverage, it's  well worth it to obtain an exciting beverage that gets your day underway. I feel happy just anticipating it!  Michael and Susan have also generously donated coffee for some of our neighborhood events.  I hope neighbors will support this worthy locally owned business.

-Susan Hunter

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7. Multi-Block Yard Sale in May or June, Anyone?

In years past, HNA held an annual multi-block yard sale. Because we advertised in various local media, these sales were always exceptionally well attended. The tradition has fallen by the wayside over the past few years, but Halcyon Court neighbor Susan Hunter would like to see if there's enough interest to revive it. The date for the sale would be late May or early June, after the rainy season is safely behind us. Participants would kick in $5-$10 apiece for the cost of the ads and flyers. Susan would need help posting flyers beforehand and getting larger signs up on major streets the day of the event. Please contact her at Susan Hunter <suze208@earthlink.net> if you'd be interested in participating. The event will be most successful if at least 20 households participate. This is a great way to clear out your closets and garage!

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8. For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007

Dates set as of March 2007 (verify a few weeks before event by checking HNA E-Newsletter):

Saturday, March 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Volunteer Weeding, Mulching & Neighborhood Cleanup, Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, March 25, 5-5:55 p.m., Disaster Preparedness Committee Meeting, 3049 Wheeler

Sunday, March 25, 6-8 p.m., Halcyon Community Potluck, 2125 Essex

Sunday, April 15, 4-6 p.m., Big Neighborhood-Watch Community Meeting, Chochmat HaLev (Prince at Fulton)

Monday, April 23, 7 p.m., presentation at Parks & Recreation Commission meeting re Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project, North Berkeley Senior Center

Sunday, May 6, 4:30-6 p.m., Supply Cache Drill, driveway of 3044-B Halcyon Court and Halcyon Commons Park

Sunday, June 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Work Party in Halcyon Commons Park

Sunday, June 24, 6-8 p.m., Halcyon Community Potluck, location TBD

Saturday, August 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Work Party in Halcyon Commons Park

Tuesday, August 7, 6-8:30 p.m., National Night Out Against Crime, Potluck in Park 6-7:30 p.m., walk through larger neighborhood 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 30, 4:30-5:55 p.m., Disaster Supply Cache Fire Drill, driveway of 3044-B Halcyon and Halcyon Commons Park

Sunday, September 30, 6-8 p.m., Halcyon Community Potluck, location TBD

Sunday, October 28, 4-6 p.m., Big Neighborhood Watch Community Meeting, Chochmat HaLev (to be confirmed)

Late fall, date to be determined, Fall Mulching in Park with help from Cal volunteers of Berkeley Project

Sunday, January 13, 2008, 5-8:30, Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, four locations TBD

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9. City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

Police and Other City Departments:

Police Emergency Number:  911 (from landline) 981-5911(from cell; preprogram with this number)

Police Nonemergency Number: 981-5900

Neighborhood Services Liaison Jim Hynes <jhynes@ci.berkeley.ca.us> 981-2493

Public Works Customer Service: 644-6620 (streets, sidewalks, graffiti, sewers, litter, storm drains, street lights)

Tree Trimming/Planting (Forestry): 644-6566

Written Communication with City Council:

To comment to City Council, cut and paste the following email addresses:

City Clerk <clerk@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Mayor Tom Bates <Mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Linda Maio <LMaio@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Darryl Moore <DMoore@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Max Anderson <MAnderson@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Dona Spring <DSpring@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Laurie Capitelli <LCapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Betty Olds <BOlds@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Kriss Worthington <KWorthington@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,

Councilmember Gordon Wozniak <GWozniak@ci.berkeley.ca.us>

Representatives for Our Neighborhood:

Councilmember Max Anderson (District 3) 981-7130

West side of Wheeler Street to west (except for Woolsey between Wheeler and Shattuck)

Councilmember Kriss Worthington (District 7) 981-7170

East side of Wheeler to east (includes block of Woolsey from Wheeler to Shattuck)

Mayor Tom Bates 981-7100

Zoning Adjustments Board:

To comment to the Zoning Adjustments Board regarding projects on their calendar, email:

Zoning Adjustments Board <zab@ci.berkeley.ca.us>

(best to submit your comments 10 days prior to meeting for inclusion in the advance packet to board members, but late submissions will be distributed the evening of the meeting)

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The Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter:  The HNA E-Newsletter forwards occasional crime-watch notices as well as items of general interest to neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area of south Berkeley (HNA's borders), including announcements about community-building potlucks, greening projects, disaster preparedness meetings, and work parties in Halcyon Commons Park. If you're receiving this email, you probably either signed up at a neighborhood event or a neighbor 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>. Feel free to pass the HNA E-Newsletter on to other neighbors you think might be interested.

To submit items for the newsletter:   Email unformatted content or links (no graphics or attachments) to HNA E-Newsletter Editor Nancy Carleton <ngc2@mindspring.com>. Crime-watch reports and news about neighbors is especially welcome. Please note that due to the volunteer nature of the endeavor, the E-Newsletter does not typically include "letters to the editor" or "commentary," but will gladly include links to such items written by neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area and published elsewhere (the Berkeley Daily Planet has a large section devoted to opinion).

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. [The HNA Listserve is currently inactive but can be revived if enough neighbors show interest.]

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

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