HNA News: Work Party Sunday; Night-time "Dog" Walk Tonight; Last Chance to Sign up for Yard Sale; 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. Work Party in Halcyon Commons Park, This Sunday, June 3, 10 a.m.  - 2 p.m.

2. June 3rd Deadline to Sign up for HNA's Multi-Block Yard Sale, Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

3. Night-time Safety "Dog" Walk Tonight, Friday, June 1, 8:30 p.m. (Meet at Halcyon Commons Park, Halcyon at Prince)

4. Celebration of the Life of denise brown, Tonight, Friday, June 1, 6:30 p.m., LeConte School

5. Free Solar Workshop, Thursday, June 7, 7 p.m., Willard Middle School Auditorium

6. City to Begin Collecting and Composting Residential Food Scraps

7. EBMUD Announces a Water Shortage and Asks for Conservation

8. Supervisor Keith Carson to Host Forum on Caring for Aging Parents, Sat., June 2, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Malcolm X Elementary School

9. Councilmember Worthington Sponsoring Consent Calendar Item on Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project for City Council Meeting, Tuesday, June 12

10. Crime Watch Tip: In Emergency, Set Off Car Alarms

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007

* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

Editor's Introductory Note:

Including latecomers, twelve neighbors and five or six dogs came out last Friday for our night-time safety "dog" walk. We'll be doing one again this evening (see item 4). Please join us if you can. We'd like to keep the walks going  if enough people show interest.

On another "taking care of the neighborhood" front, we'll be giving Halcyon Commons and the surrounding streets some TLC this Sunday. If you can spare half an hour, an hour, or more, please come chat with your neighbors while you help out. As always, Whole Foods Market is providing delicious fare to keep us well fueled (thank you, Whole Foods!).

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

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

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

Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Chat with your neighbors while we all help weed, trim, pick up trash, and remove graffiti. Please bring extra weeding and trimming tools if you have them (extra tools will be available if you don't).

Note: It isn't necessary to come for the whole time frame (though of course that's much appreciated too). Many hands make light work, so if you can just spare twenty minutes or half an hour, please stop by.

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2. June 3rd Deadline to Sign up for HNA's Multi-Block Yard Sale, Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sat. June 9 Yard Sale: Set up in Front of Your Home or Apartment

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

In years past, HNA has sponsored several hugely successful multi-block yard sales; it's time to do it again! HNA now includes neighbors living in the area bordered by Ashby, Telegraph, Woolsey, and Adeline. Households in this area are encouraged to participate, but preregistration is required.

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

* Sign up now - $5 checks to HNA required to participate (goes toward ads and flyers). To sign up for the Yard Sale, please make check payable to Halcyon Neighborhood Association (HNA) and drop off with form through the slot in the front door or mail to: Susan Hunter, Treasurer, HNA, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705 (or drop off at the Work Party on Sunday; see item 1). Questions? Email Susan Hunter <huntersec@gmail.com> [note new email!] or call her at 517-0241. Sign up by June 3 to be included on map (include your address, phone, and email with your check).

* In addition to being a chance to clear out closets and garages, this event is a fundraiser for the HNA Disaster Preparedness Fund; on the day of the event, HNA reps 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 setting up a Command Center in Halcyon Commons Park following a major disaster.

* Volunteers needed to help post flyers on poles in this and/or nearby neighborhood the week before; help paint posters for intersections the week before; help set up signs at major intersections Saturday morning, June 9. Email Susan Hunter <huntersec@gmail.com> or call her at 517-0241 if you're willing to help.

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3. Night-time Safety "Dog" Walk Tonight, Friday, June 1, 8:30 p.m. (Meet at Halcyon Commons Park, Halcyon at Prince)

We've started up our Night-time Safety "Dog" Walks again and will keep them up through the summer if enough people participate. This week's walk will focus on Prince Street, where the armed robbery occurred a week ago. We'll meet this evening (Friday) at the picnic table in Halcyon Commons Park at 8:30 p.m. Please arrive promptly if you're planning on joining us, since we'll be setting out right away for our 30- to 40-minute walk, which will proceed in the vicinity of Chochmat HaLev (Prince at Fulton) as their Friday evening services get out.

The East Bay Daily News had an article about HNA walk last Saturday night:

"Residents patrolling streets: Watch groups to use dogs as deterrents, icebreakers"
http://www.ebdailynews.com/article/2007-5-30-05-30-07-eb-watch

Please join us for tonight's walk! Again, you don't need to have a dog to participate; we only walk if we have at least three or four people participating, and there are typically at least a couple of dogs. The beat officer will be alerted ahead of time that we'll be out there, and we'll have a cell phone with us in case there's anything to report; we don't intend to get in dangerous situations, and we'll use appropriate caution. Please join us in working toward greater neighborhood safety!

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4. Celebration of the Life of denise brown, Tonight, Friday, June 1, 6:30 p.m., LeConte School

We received the following announcement from a neighbor:

denise brown, a community member, neighbor, playwright, teacher at Leconte, most recently a vice principal at BHS, and dear friend, will be remembered in a celebration of her life at Leconte Elementary school, Friday June 1st at 6:30 p.m. There will be excerpts from her plays performed by her former students,dancers, music, food and a plaque dedication on the doors of the auditorium. All are welcome. LeConte School is at 2241 Russell St.

 Thanks, Deborah

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5. Free Solar Workshop, Thursday, June 7, 7 p.m., Willard Middle School Auditorium

We received an announcement of the following event:

Solar Workshop, June 7, 7 p.m., Willard Middle School Auditorium, free
Program will discuss basics of solar power production as well as Federal, State, and installer rebate programs.

SolarCity's mission is to demonstrate leadership and forward-thinking in the East Bay by helping local communities to collectively make a substantial commitment to solar energy. We have chosen solar power because we believe that it is a financially sound decision, and because it is good for our environment: the ultimate "win-win."

The Berkeley and Rockridge Collective Power Program

At the June 7th workshop SolarCity will provide an overall presentation which includes information about Solar Power production and then the Collective Power Program details as well.  We will also have three Solar Consultants on hand to answer specific questions after the presentation.

Program Goals:
1) Convert Berkeley/Rockridge households and small businesses to solar power, totaling a minimum of 250kW
2) Offset a minimum of 3.5 million pounds of carbon over the next 20-30 years using solar power

You can register for the event at:
http://www.solarcity.com/Default.aspx?tabid=219

To take advantage of the special Berkeley and Rockridge Collective Power Program pricing, you must join before July 31, 2007! If you live in the Berkeley

or Rockridge areas and you already know you want to take part, call: 1-888-SOL-CITY (765-2489).

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6. City to Begin Collecting and Composting Residential Food Scraps

The Mayor's Office forwarded the following announcement:

Late this summer you will be receiving a little green pail for your kitchen as the City prepares to begin collecting food scraps from residential customers.  The scraps, which account for nearly a quarter of the average household's waste, will be composted.  You can read more about it in the Daily Californian.

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7. EBMUD Announces a Water Shortage and Asks for Conservation

The Mayor's Office forwarded the following announcement:

After one of the driest winters in the last century, the East Bay Municipal Water District is forecasting only half the usual water runoff into reservoirs.  In response, they have declared a water shortage and asked for significant conservation this year.  Please check out the EBMUD website and take the appropriate steps to reduce your water use.

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8. Supervisor Keith Carson to Host Forum on Caring for Aging Parents, Sat., June 2, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Malcolm X Elementary School

The Mayor's Office forwarded the following announcement:

This Saturday morning, Supervisor Carson is holding an event to help educate and inform people on the legal, health, and housing issues relating to caring for an aging parent.  The event will be held at Malcolm X Elementary School in Berkeley.  For more information or to register, please visit Supervisor Carson's website.

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9. Councilmember Worthington Sponsoring Consent Calendar Item on Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project for City Council Meeting, Tuesday, June 12

CONSENT CALENDAR

June 12, 2007

To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

From: Councilmember Kriss Worthington

Subject: HALCYON COMMONS REJUVENATION PROJECT

RECOMMENDATION
That the Berkeley 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 palette and placement of boulders and flagstone.

BACKGROUND

The Halcyon Neighborhood Association began in 1992 by transforming a 28-space parking lot in the center of Halcyon Court into a park. A core group of volunteers donated their professional skills and labor through the four-year process of designing Halcyon Commons and getting City approval and funding of $109,000 to create the park in a collaborative City-neighborhood partnership.

        The gift to fund the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project was made possible by the UC Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund. All necessary funds are coming through the Friends of Halcyon Commons account managed by fiscal agent Berkeley Partners for Parks.
       The conception and design of the features of the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project came from two-community design workshops facilitated by experienced group leaders as well as UC graduate student volunteers. Hundreds of residents of the immediate neighborhood and thousands of members of the larger community have received notice over the past year to ensure that park users and neighbors are fully aware and welcome to participate in the visioning and implementation of the project.

        The Halcyon Neighborhood Association (HNA) provided a presentation on April 23, 2007, to the Parks and Recreation Commission on the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project and a presentation to the Civic Arts Commission on April 25, 2007. Following the presentation, the Association requested that the Commissions offer support for the project.

The Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously recommended that the City accept the gift of the three elements of the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project and that the Commission recommend to Berkeley City Council that any permit fees be waived.
  On April 25, 2007, the Civic Arts Commission also unanimously approved the two elements of the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project that involve public art components (the archway and the sculpture). According to the 1999 Percent for Art Resolution and the parent 1985 Visual Arts Ordinance, all public art is approved by the Civic Arts Commission. The Arts Commission also recommended that any permit fees be waived.

        The only element of the project that involves a permit fee is the metalwork archway, because it is over eight feet tall. However, there is no need for a fee waiver as the Acting Director of the Parks Recreation and Waterfront Department, William Rogers, has agreed to pay the permit fee out of carryover funds from the Capital Projects Budget, in recognition of the tremendous job the Friends of Halcyon Commons have done in developing and sustaining Halcyon Commons and because their initiative and work is leading to the rejuvenation of one of our City's parks.
     All that remains to be done to allow for the implementation of the three features of the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project is for the City Council to vote to accept this gift from the Friends of Halcyon Commons/Halcyon Neighborhood Association (fiscal sponsor, Berkeley Partners for Parks).

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
NONE. The group is no longer asking for a permit fee waiver since the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department is handling the fee out of existing funds.

CONTACT PERSON

Councilmember Kriss Worthington, 981-7170.

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10. Crime Watch Tip: In Emergency, Set Off Car Alarms

A street-wise neighbor on Deakin Street passes on the following crime-watch tip:

If you're in danger while out walking through the neighborhood, or if you've been robbed or mugged, you can get your neighbors' immediate attention by bouncing against a relatively new car (almost all newer models have built-in alarm systems). This won't damage the car, but will get people to come to their windows and doors, meaning the chance of someone calling 911 right away or  seeing the perpetrator and therefore being able to give a good description to the police will increase. The noise will also get  thieves to stop whatever they're doing and get away (and if a weapon's involved, they'll often discard it to avoid being caught by the police with it, meaning one less weapon in bad hands). [Editor's Note: If this happens, obviously we'll want to let the Police know so that the weapon is safely retrieved before it falls into someone else's hands.]

 

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* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007

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

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

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

Sunday, June 24, 6-8 p.m., Halcyon Community Potluck, 2116 Emerson (between Wheeler & Shattuck)

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, 4:00-5:55 p.m., Disaster Supply Cache Drill, including 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 (location 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, C, D), regular & rechargeable; Battery Recharger for AA, C, D; Quality Walkie-Talkies with 8-mile range, 22 channels (i.e., Motorola Talkabout T5500 two-way radios); Axes; Crow Bars, Hard Hats; Other Tools for Search & Rescue; Head Lamps; Heavy-duty Flashlights; Bullhorn; Laptop Computer with rechargeable power supply & USB port; 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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