HNA News: Free Retrofit Seminar Wednesday 6:30 p.m.; Parks & Rec Commission Approves Halcyon Rejuvenation Project! 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. Free Seminar on Seismic Retrofitting, This Evening, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2701 College

2. Disaster Prep Supply Cache Drill, Sunday, May 6, 4:30-6 p.m. (set-up 3 p.m.)

3. Halcyon Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Plan for BIG Earthquakes (Draft)

4. Get Ready, Berkeley Day 2, Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m.: Volunteers Needed to Drop Disaster Prep Literature Door to Door

5. Sign Up Now to Participate in Huge Multi-Block Yard Sale, Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

6. Halcyon Rejuvenation Project Receives Parks & Rec Commission Approval; on to Civic Arts Commission Tonight!

7. Ashby Arts District Community Development Volunteer/Internship

8. Hidden Gems of Berkeley Bike Tour Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m. (starting at Halcyon Commons)

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007

* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

Editor's Introductory Note:

I am very pleased to report that after a slow start (is there something about April that makes people put everything off until the last possible moment?), we received 85 orders for disaster prep water barrels! Thanks to Dawn Rubin and LeConte Neighborhood Association for helping drum up interest in the final week. Susan Hunter and I have been tracking the orders, and Susan and Mark Foy did the original research to get a good price. Susan will be in touch with the folks with trucks who've volunteered to help with delivery (it will likely take a few weeks for the checks to clear, the order to be placed, and the the shipping to happen). If you didn't include an email with your order, it would be helpful if you could email by reply so we can keep you posted.

We'd like to work with other neighborhood groups to make ordering the water barrels a regular event, so if you missed out this time, keep reading the E-News to learn of future opportunities. As Samuel Hoffman of the Berkeley Fire Department said in an email to me: "Just to put the water issue into perspective, I spoke with one of the EBMUD engineers a few months back. I wanted to know about the condition and status of our city's reservoirs. He had advised me that they had just gone through a twelve-year seismic upgrade and are all in good shape. However, he further advised me that there is over five thousand miles of pipeway to deliver the water to customers. In the event of a 7.0 or greater quake on the Hayward Fault or an 8.0 on the San Andreas, they estimate over four thousand breaks in the system. In other words, yes, those barrels are a good investment!"

 And our neighborhood continues to move forward on the disaster preparedness front. This E-News contains a reminder of the free earthquake retrofit that neighbor Tory Finn has been helping organize (see Item 1) and announces an upcoming neighborhood disaster supply cache drill (see Item 2) and a draft of our Neighborhood Disaster Plan (see Item 3), as well as the City's Get Ready Berkeley Day coming up this Sunday (see Item 4). Also keep an eye on the Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List, which will be a regular placeholder in the E-News. Step by step, we can help motivate one another to keep making progress!

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

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1. Free Seminar on Seismic Retrofitting, Wednesday, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2701 College

Neighbor Tory Finn of Wheeler Street sent the following information about a free seminar on seismic retrofitting:

In a recent Contra Costa Times review, as many as 80% of all seismic retrofits failed to meet basic performance standards. In a much more exhaustive review, which is based on the examination of thousands of existing Berkeley retrofits, Bay Area Retrofit found that the percentage is closer to 95%.

 

To learn more about this troubling statistic and what to do about it, Bay Area Retrofit and Maison Nouveau will provide a unique, in-depth educational seminar or retrofitting in the Bay Area followed by an open question session.  Here's some topics that will be covered:

*  Translating structural reports into plain simple language.

*  An explanation of the foundation and retrofit problems identified in most reports.

*  Evaluating whether a foundation needs to be replaced or not and what to do with conflicting reports.

*  Everything you wanted to know about seismic retrofitting.

*  Recent changes to the Berkeley Transfer Tax Rebate Program.

 

When and Where

April 25, 2007, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Maison Nouveau: 2701 College Avenue (at Derby), Berkeley

Free and open to the public

 

To sign up for the seminar (helpful to us but not necessary) please go to: http://www.maisonnouveaurealty.com/seminars.html

 

To learn more about Bay Area Retrofit please visit: http://bayarearetrofit.com/

 

For more information about the event, call Maison Nouveau at 510-849-9900

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2. Disaster Prep Supply Cache Drill, Sunday, May 6, 4:30-6 p.m. (set-up 3 p.m.)

Date: Sunday, May 6, 4:30-6 p.m.

(come early at 3 p.m. if you're interested in helping to set up and create the drill)

Place: 3044-B Halcyon Court, end of driveway (where supply cache is located) and Halcyon Commons Park

Purpose: Inventory contents; practice using walkie-talkies; practice setting up Command Center; including generator and light; create and run through a drill using Incident Command System structure.

Who: All interested neighbors; you do not have to have prior disaster prep experience to participate (some people will even get to wear "Victim needing first aid" tags)!

This is a chance for our neighborhood to familiarize ourselves with the supplies in the disaster supply cache won by HNA based on an application submitted by HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton last year. The main benefit of the cache (which contains neighborhood response supplies, not personal disaster preparedness supplies) is not just the rescue equipment, first aid supplies, and communications tools it contains, which we'll be adding to over time (see the Wish List at the end of the E-News), but the quality of greater organization that it helps us achieve. If we're organized and have even the simplest of plans (see Item 3), we'll save more lives in the event of a catastrophic earthquake.

The Disaster Supply Cache doesn't belong to Nancy Carleton and Susan Hunter, though it's located in their driveway. It's there for all of us, and the drill is an opportunity for the larger community to take ownership of this valuable asset. Come on May 6 to be part of a fun, informal, improvised drill.

Special thanks to Neal Rubin for having set up the generator in advance of the drill - and to Susan Hunter for donating the gasoline.

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3. Halcyon Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Plan for BIG Earthquakes (Draft)

A) Household Emergency Preparedness (follows basic City plan):

1. Make a Family Plan on how to evacuate and where to meet.

2. Choose a Long-Distance Contact for everyone in household to notify.

3. Collect Family Emergency Supplies to last Five to Ten Days.

(Include a minimum of 1 gallon of water per person per day, nonperishable foods, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries, tools, cash, medications, food for pets, etc.)

4. Prepare Your Home to Survive an Earthquake.

(Learn to turn off gas and water; secure hazards such as water heater and heavy furniture; retrofit foundation; etc.)

5. Know Your Neighbors and Organize Your Neighborhood (see B).

B) Halcyon Neighborhood Plan following BIG Quake:

1. Each individual to secure personal household.

(Check safety of family; turn off gas if appropriate - i.e., if there's a fire or danger of fire, or if gas is leaking as detected by smell or gas meter moving faster than usual.)

2. Before leaving, indicate that premises are clear.

 (Indicate that residents are safe & no one needs immediate help by marking front door of house or individual apartment with a GREEN piece of cloth or GREEN paper [color subject to change].)

3. Report to Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon Court at Prince Street).

(Members of the Disaster Supply Cache Team will have opened Cache at end of driveway at 3044-B Halcyon Court.)

4. Follow steps outlined in Disaster Command Binder for setting up an Incident Command System (i.e., batteries in walkie-talkies,  set up Halcyon Command Center near picnic table in Halcyon Commons Park, etc.).

5. Using instructions in Binder, assign Incident Command System Teams:
  * Communications
        * Light Search & Rescue
* Disaster First Aid
    * Support

6. Send teams to check on vulnerable folks and to address immediate needs.

To suggest revisions to this Draft, please contact HNA Co-Chair and Disaster Supply Cache Coordinator Nancy Carleton at <ngc2@mindspring> or 644-0172.

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4. Get Ready Berkeley Day 2, Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m.: Volunteers Needed to Drop Disaster Prep Literature Door to Door

The following information was received from the City's Office of Emergency Services:

Saturday, April 28, 2007 is "Get Ready, Berkeley Day 2," and we need hundreds of volunteers to go door-to-door in City neighborhoods and share the information families need to get ready. How can you help?

 

Who: You and your friends and neighbors

What: Deliver important emergency preparation material door-to-door

When: Saturday, April 28 at 10:00 a.m. sharp

Where: Frances Albrier Community Center in San Pablo Park (2800 Park Street) in Berkeley

Back at Frances Albrier after the walk, the Berkeley Fire Fighters Association is treating all the volunteers to a great BBQ lunch.

To RSVP or get more information, contact Tanya Bustamante at <GetReadyBerkeley07@ci.berkeley.ca.us> or call her at (510) 981-5342. Thank you for being involved in your community. It's people like you who make Berkeley a special place to live.

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5. Sign Up Now to Participate in Huge Multi-Block Yard Sale, Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

HNA Multi-Block Yard Sale

Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

(set up by 9 a.m. recommended; when multiblock yard sales are advertised, dealers come early)

In years past, HNA sponsored several hugely successful multi-block yard sales. Several neighbors have said it's time to do it again! The date is set, but to move forward we need to have at least 20 households signed up in advance (so far, about a dozen have); based on hands raised at the Neighborhood Watch meeting and potluck, there are that many of you out there, so please follow through with your $5 sign-up check (see  below). The reward for early sign-ups is . . . the satisfaction of knowing you helped your neighbors who are working hard to organize this event on everyone's behalf.

* Sale will be advertised widely in locals newspapers and on the web, and we expect a huge turnout.

* Sign up now - $5 checks to HNA required to participate (goes toward ads and flyers). Mail your check (or drop off) to: HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044-A Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705. Or bring your check to HNA's Disaster Supply Cache Drill, Sunday, May 6, 4:30-6 p.m. (see Item 2).

* In addition to being a chance to clear out your closets and garages, this event is a fundraiser for the HNA Disaster Preparedness Fund; on the day of the event, HNA representatives will ask you to contribute 5-10% of your proceeds (or more, if you're feeling generous); all of these funds will go directly toward purchasing supplies for the Halcyon Disaster Supply Cache, which contains materials to support neighborhood-wide Disaster First Aid, Light Search & Rescue, and a Command Center in Halcyon Commons Park following a major disaster (if you wish your contribution to be tax-deductible, you can make your check payable to BPFP -  Berkeley Partners for Parks -  earmarked for Halcyon disaster prep).

* Volunteers are needed to help post flyers and to set up signs at major intersections on the day of the event. Volunteers will also be needed the evening of Friday, June 8 to make the big signs to post at major intersections. Please call or email Susan Hunter <suze208@earthlink.net> or 517-0241 if you're willing to help.

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6. Halcyon Rejuvenation Project Receives Parks & Rec Commission Approval; on to Civic Arts Commission Tonight!

Check out the bulletin board in Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon Court at Prince Street) for site plans and conceptual sketches of the three elements that make up the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project, for which HNA received a UC Chancellor's Community Partnership Grant last summer! Implementation of the three elements will get underway soon, once the project has worked its way through the City process.

Following a presentation by HNA Co-Chairs Nancy Carleton and John Steere, the Parks and Recreation Commission Monday evening voted in favor of the following resolution: "The Parks & Recreation Commission recommends that the City Council accept the gift of the three elements of the 'Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project' - (1) archway at north end of the park with the words HALCYON COMMONS and animal cutouts related to park history; (2) bronze-cast sculpture of halcyon bird (a kingfisher associated with peace), which was planned as part of the original park design; and (3) refurbishment of the south end of the park, including in-fill planting from park plant palette and placement of boulders and flagstone - with a waiver of any permit fees that would otherwise be charged. This gift is funded by the UC Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund and made possible by the generous contribution of 'sweat equity' and professional services on the part of community volunteers, with nonprofit Berkeley Partners for Parks serving as fiscal sponsor."

Tonight, the Civic Arts Commission will consider its recommendation regarding the two elements (1 and 2 from the Parks & Rec resolution) that involve artistic elements. John Steere will be making the presentation. Feel free to attend and support him:

Civic Arts Commission

Wednesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. (John's presentation at 7:30 or 7:45)

North Berkeley Senior Center (MLK at Hearst)

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7. Ashby Arts District Community Development Volunteer/Internship

Vicky Liu of the Mayor's Office, who attended our Neighborhood Watch meeting, sent the following announcement:

The Ashby Arts District is a partnership between eight nonprofit organizations and performance venues in the South Berkeley/North Oakland/Lorin District area including La Peña Cultural Center, Epic Arts, The Shotgun Players at The Ashby Stage, The Black Repertory Group, Nomad Café, Northern California Land Trust, Unconditional Theatre, and the Triptych Gallery. Through collaborative events and programs, we are working to increase awareness of the arts in our neighborhood and to unify the communities we serve. For more information go to: http://www.epicarts.org/ashbyarts/

Position Description:

This position will put you in direct contact with local nonprofit, business leaders, and the South Berkeley Community. You will get the opportunity to get inside of the local community arts scene and work with the people who make it happen. The commitment is 10-20 flex hours per month depending on special events and projects. 3 months minimum commitment preferable. Flexible schedule to be determined.

Duties Include:
-- find and apply for grants
-- consolidate information for website & calendar
-- promote meeting participation
-- represent district at events
-- neighborhood outreach activities
-- gather information and surveys
-- ensure distribution of district calendars

Application Process:

To apply, please send a letter of interest with availability and or resume to internships@epicarts.org. For more details, contact Epic Arts: (510) 644-2204.

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8. Hidden Gems of Berkeley Bike Tour Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m. (starting at Halcyon Commons)

Hidden Gems of Berkeley
A Magical Mystery Bike Tour of South Berkeley's Vernacular Treasures
 

Sunday May 20, 2007

10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Starting at Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon Court at Prince Street)

This is the fifth year of an inspiring tour of Berkeley's eclectic fabric of gardens, paths, strange and familiar cultural and natural features. . . . This year we'll explore the many and marvelous hidden gems of South Berkeley and the Elmwood: from hidden paths to a stream running through a house, from a butterfly garden to the topiary squirrel, from the fish house to the alligator bench, and many more.  We'll encounter a vernacular side of Berkeley that most people never notice and reveal traces of the former streetcar system that shaped Berkeley's form. 

John Steere and guest historians/guides will conduct this 3-4 mile ride, which will be mostly level and include only minor inclines.  Bring a lunch, snack and water.  The ride will begin at a hidden gem - Halcyon Commons, a small neighborhood-built park - on Halcyon Court, beside Prince Street, one block west of Telegraph.   

A bioregional map of Berkeley depicting scores of these "gems" along with the City's community gardens, parks, creeks, and historic transit system will be available for sale. Historical photos and vignettes will also be included

This Ride is co-sponsored by the Bicycle Friendly Berkeley Coalitio (http://www.BFBC.org)  as a part of Berkeley Bike Month and by Berkeley Partners for Parks  (http://www.BPFP.org) and by Livable Berkeley (http://www.livableberkeley.org/).

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* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007

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

Wednesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. (presentation 7:30), Arts Commission meeeting with agenda item on 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

Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Giant Multi-Block Yard Sale, throughout the neighborhood

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

Saturday, October 27, Fall Mulching in Park with help from Cal volunteers of Berkeley Project

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

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

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* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

HNA's Disaster Prep Supply Cache contains items intended to benefit the entire neighborhood in the event of disaster. You can help us have what we need on hand in two ways: (1) Make a tax-deductible financial contribution to Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP, our nonprofit fiscal sponsor), earmarked Halcyon Disaster Prep, which will go toward purchasing additional supplies, and mail or drop off to HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705. (2) Contribute any of the following items in-kind (supplies MUST be new or in GOOD condition):

Batteries (AA, D), regular & rechargeable; Battery Recharger for AA, D; Quality Walkie-Talkies with 8-mile range, 22 channels (i.e., Motorola Talkabout T5500 two-way radios); Axes; Crow Bars, Hard Hats; Head Lamps; Heavy-duty Flashlights; Bullhorn; Laptop Computer with rechargeable power supply & USB port; Basic Printer (for producing flyers) with Ink Cartridges; Flashcard (for storing neighborhood database to transfer to laptop);  Sheets (freshly laundered or new; good for first aid); Blankets; First Aid Supplies; Gas Siphon (for extracting gas from cars to run generator); 5-Gallon Drums for long-term gas storage; Work Gloves; Large Camping Tents (with all parts!); Coleman or similar Gas or Propane Stove; Shelving for Shed.

Contact HNA Co-Chair and Cache Coordinator Nancy Carleton at <ngc2@mindspring.com> or 644-0172 to contribute supplies.

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* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

Police

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

Police Nonemergency Number: 981-5900

Link to beat maps and a list of beat officers:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/department/beatinfo/beatlineup.html

In Halcyon neighborhood, west of Fulton is Beat 10, east of Fulton is Beat 9.

Other City Departments:

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 low-activity blog), please visit http://halcyoncourt.blogspot.com/

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