Halcyon Neighborhood Association

Thursday, July 26, 2007

HNA E-News: Correction: No ZAB hearing tonight re Mini-Mart


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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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. Correction to Item 12 in Last E-News: No ZAB Hearing on Mini-Mart Tonight

Editor's Introductory Note:

This is just a quick E-News to make sure that no one heads out to a Zoning Adjustments Board meeting unnecessarily this evening. Thanks to Robert Lauriston for calling the error in Tuesday's E-News to my attention.

For those sending in news items: I am unable to fact-check everything that comes in, so if possible please include links so readers can verify the information for themselves.

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

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1. Correction to Item 12 in Last E-News: No ZAB Hearing on Mini-Mart Tonight

Nearby neighbor Robert Lauriston, who pays close attention to Zoning matters, sent in the following correction to item 12 in the last E-News:

I don't think that's correct. The address is 2996 Shattuck (not Telegraph), and while it was tentatively scheduled for the 26th, it is not on the agenda:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning/2007zoning/agenda/072607A45.htm

Also, there's no mention of alcohol in the "pending zoning public matters" file:
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/planning/PermitStatus/LU%20Projects%20Quick%20View.pdf

I just checked with the planner, Fatema Crane. The application does not include alcoholic beverage sales, and there's no hearing currently scheduled.

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12. ZAB hearing on Proposed Mini-Mart/Liquor Store for Telegraph at Ashby,
Thursday, July 26, Council Chambers, 7 p.m.

A neighbor sends the following information [Editor's Note:  HNA does  not
have a position on this application but encourages neighbors to inform
themselves and express their opinion to ZAB members using the contact
information found at the end of the E-News.]

Thought you would find this newsworthy, and hopefully can inform the
neighbors via the newsletter.

I was just at Taqueria La Familia (where I had the best fish taco of my
life, outside of Baja), and there was a petition there to oppose an possible
incoming minimart to our area. Apparently, Chevron at Ashby and Shattuck has
proposed building a 24-hour minimart and liquor store in their location. As
noted on the flyer, it makes the point: What can we expect? More traffic,
noise, crime, trash, drug dealing, and panhandlers.

There is a [Zoning Adjustments Board] meeting at Berkeley City Council
Chambers this Thursday, July 26th, at 7 p.m. regarding this proposition.
This is the first time I've heard of it, and I don't like the sounds of it!
I'm going to try to make the meeting. The taqueria plans to take the
petition there. There aren't a whole lot of signatures. . . . I'd encourage
people to stop by and sign it, and/or make the hearing on Thursday.
Thanks for spreading the word,


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For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007

Dates set as of June 2007 (verify a few weeks before event by checking HNA E-Newsletter):
Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m.-noon (note time change), Work Party in Halcyon Commons park (Halcyon Court at Prince St.)
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,  4:30-7:30 p.m., Halcyon Community Potluck with Live Music, 15th Anniversary of Halcyon Neighborhood Association and 100th Anniversary of Berkeley Parks, Halcyon Commons park (Halcyon Court at Prince St.)
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 <halcyon92@gmail.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.

Link to crime stats:

Link to police bulletins:
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/crimestats/policebulletins.html

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/)/Parks: 981-6660

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 <halcyon92@gmail.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 <halcyon92@gmail.com>. Crime-watch reports and news about neighbors (births, new jobs, announcements re home businesses) 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 Halcyon Safety Walk Listserve: For those who'd like to participate in night-time and daytime safety "dog" walks (dogs not required) to build community and serve as eyes on the street, please reply  to Halcyon Neighborhood Association <halcyon92@gmail.com> indicating your interest, and you will receive an invitation to join. For everyone's safety, be sure to include your full name, address, email, and phone.

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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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

HNA E-News: Work Party Sat. 8/4; Disaster Prep & Crime Watch updates, Volunteer Opportunities, etc.


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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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. Crime Watch Report: Link to Suspect Photo re Whole Foods Market Robbery
2. Crime Watch Update: More re Robbery Suspect Apprehended
3. Work Party in Halcyon Commons, Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m. to noon
4. National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 7, 6-8:30 p.m., Halcyon Commons Park (Volunteers Needed)
5. Disaster Prep Drill at the Berkeley Marina, Saturday, August 4, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: Sign up Now!
6. Review of Halcyon Neighborhood Disaster Prep Plan for Big Earthquakes
7. Timing of Next Disaster Prep Water Barrel Order: Please Respond
8. Volunteer Opportunity: Additional Flyer Delivery Folks Needed
9. Volunteer Opportunity: Help Plan Party in Park to Celebrate 15th Anniversary of HNA and the Centennial of Berkeley's Parks, Sunday, September 30, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
10. Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteer(s) Needed to Post E-News in Bulletin Board in Park on a Regular Basis
11. Transportation Commission Community Workshop on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Tonight, Tuesday, July 24, 6:30-9:30 p.m.,  2362 Bancroft
12. ZAB hearing on Proposed Mini-Mart/Liquor Store for Telegraph at Ashby, Thursday, July 26, Council Chambers, 7 p.m.
13. Update on Proposals for 3100 Shattuck
14. Useful Berkeley Police Department Links from Dawn Rubin

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007
* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List
* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

Editor's Introductory Note:

Things seem to have been a bit quieter in the neighborhood since the arrest of several robbery suspects -- though, as the robbery at Whole Foods Market attests, we can never afford to let up on our vigilance (see items 1 and 2 for updates). Please be sure to join us on August 7 to be part of the National Night Out Against Crime event (see item 4) to help us keep our neighborhood safe.

Also, in light of Friday's 4.2 earthquake, we're reminded once again of the seismic aly active area we live in. Preparedness is the only responsible course (see items 5, 6, and 7 for ways to get engaged, and review our Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List at the end of the E-News to help strengthen our neighborhood preparedness efforts).

And one last reminder: Please update your address books to reflect the new email for sending in crime watch reports as well as good news: Nancy Carleton/Halcyon Neighborhood Association <halcyon92@gmail.com>.

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

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1. Crime Watch Report: Link to Suspect Photo re Whole Foods Market Robbery

The Berkeley Police Department announced the following:

Two Suspects Rob Local Supermarket
Berkeley, California (Thursday, July 19, 2007) - City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Robbery Detectives need the community's help in identifying the men below. They are responsible for the late evening July 13, 2007, robbery of Whole Foods, located in the 3000 block of Telegraph Ave. [at Ashby]. On July 13, a Whole Foods clerk began scanning the items in one suspect's shopping cart, when he made a threatening demand for cash. The second suspect stood nearby at an adjoining booth. An amount of cash was taken, and both suspects left the store simultaneously. One suspect was subsequently observed by at least one witness running across Telegraph Ave towards the general area of Alta Bates Hospital. Like neighboring cities, the City of Berkeley has experienced a rise in robberies in recent months. Detectives believe the detailed picture above can be instrumental in solving this case. Detectives are asking for the community's help with this investigation. Anyone who may have any information regarding this crime or the identity either of the men in the picture is urged to call the BPD Robbery Detail at (510) 981-5742 (office) or (510) 981-5900 (nonemergency dispatch line).

You can see the photo by going to:
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/department/general/newsandannouncements.html
(click on the July 19 item)

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2. Crime Watch Update: More re Robbery Suspect Apprehended

Serial Robbery Suspect Nabbed
Responsible for Over 30 Cases 
           
Berkeley   California  (Thursday,   July  5 ,  2007)  -  City  of  Berkeley  Police  Department
(BPD)  Robbery  Detectives  have  been  consistent y  challenged  with  a  hefty  investigative caseload in recent months.  In June 28, 2007, their arrest of one gun toting serial  robber may significantly  lighten the  load. 
 
Marvin  Maurice  Johnson,   21,  of  Oakland  confessed  to  using a gun to rob pedestrians in Berkeley,  the  Claremont  and  College  corridor  of  Oakland and several  other  locations. In most cases, he would approach a  one woman, point a gun at her, and make off with the victim's  purse  and  contents.  During  one  of  the  crimes,  the  victim  was  pushing  an  8-month-old baby in a stroller at the time of the robbery. 
 
Cases in the City of Berkeley that Johnson confessed to:
 
June   8   10:48 a.m.    2512 Parker Street
June 11     2:00 p.m.     Woolsey & Bateman
June 23   10:5 6 a.m.     Woolsey & Benvenue
 
Johnson  has  a so  been  identified  as  the  suspect  in  five  robberies  in  the  City of Alameda and  approximate y  25  cases  in  the  City  of Oakland.  Detectives  from  the  three  police departments bl ieve that Johnson is  likely responsible for over 30 cases of robbery.
 
The  Alameda  County  District  Attorney  has  charged  Johnson  with  nine  counts  of  robbery (211PC), which could resu t in 27 years in state prison. 
             
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3. Work Party in Halcyon Commons, Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m. to noon

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). Taking good care of our park is crucial to keeping it a safe and inviting center of our neighborhood. Please lend a hand!

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4. National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 7, 6-8:30 p.m., Halcyon Commons Park

Let's show the City our neighborhood is united to prevent crime and cultivate a strong and safe community! Join us for a fun evening sharing food, information, and crime-prevention strategies. Representatives from the Police and Fire Department as well as other City officials will be stopping by during the course of the evening. There will be special activities for kids.

Tuesday, August 7, National Night Out Against Crime
Children welcome & encouraged to attend!
6-7:30 Potluck in the Park
Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon Court at Prince Street)
Please bring a dish to share (and also a beverage if you're able).
Potluck suggestions: Appetizer: N-R * Main Dish: S-Z * Salad: A-G * Dessert:  H-M
(If not obvious, kindly attach a label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian and other diets.)

7:30-8:30 Safety Walk through the Larger Neighborhood up to BART
starting at Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon at Prince)
(We'll identify problem areas for possible future action.)

Volunteers Needed to Help Set Up, Clean Up, and Plan Children's Activities.
Please contact HNA Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Rubin if you can help: <familyrubin@comcast.net>

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5. Disaster Prep Drill at the Berkeley Marina, Saturday, August 4, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: Sign up Now!

Saturday, August 4
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Berkeley Marina (M dock area/park and classroom)

The training includes deploying hose, radio communications, use of medical equipment, cribbing, fire suppression, use of the 5-gallon backpack/pump, generator set-up and hooking to hydrants.

Three HNA members have signed up so far to attend this City-sponsored Disaster Prep Drill, which will train us in more effectively utilizing the supplies in our Neighborhood Disaster Prep Cache on behalf of the neighborhood. More spaces are available, and the City is making many resources available at this afternoon training. Let's get some more folks from our neighborhood there! Please respond asap to HNA Disaster Supply Cache Coordinator Nancy Carleton at <halcyon92@gmail.com> if you could join us in attending this useful training. The more of us who attend, the better prepared we'll be!

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6. Review of Halcyon Neighborhood Disaster Prep Plan for Big Earthquakes

Draft: Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Plan for BIG Earthquakes:
A) Household Emergency Preparedness:
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.)
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/Logistics
     * Fire Suppression
To suggest revisions to this Draft, please contact HNA Co-Chair and Disaster Supply Cache Coordinator Nancy Carleton at <halcyon92@gmail.com> or 644-0172.

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7. Timing of Next Disaster Prep Water Barrel Order: Please Respond

Our big order of 55-gallon drums for storing water for disaster preparedness earlier this year helped our neighborhood take a big step forward in readying ourselves for infrastructure damage following a big earthquake. A number of you didn't manage to place an order on time and said you'd be interested in the future, and we've talked about organizing another order this fall or next spring, which we would also open up to nearby neighborhood groups (LeConte, Bateman, Willard, Lorin). As before, the cost would be approximately $60 for barrel plus pump.

Since it's A LOT of work to pull this together, we'd like to get a sense of the immediate level of interest to determine whether it's realistic to do this in the fall or better to wait until next spring. Please send a reply email to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton at <halcyon92@gmail.com> if you know you'd like to order a 55-gallon drum this fall.

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8. Volunteer Opportunity: Additional Flyer Delivery Folks Needed

The door-to-door flyers HNA delivers around six times a year help us communicate with neighbors who don't have email, reach out to new neighbors who've just moved here, and add to our E-News list and neighborhood database. Many thanks to those who've been delivering flyers this year! Especially during the summer, when many are vacationing, we need new deliverers and substitutes to fill in. Each delivery segment takes no more than half an hour, and there's always a window of several days for the delivery to take place. Please send a reply email to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton at <halcyon92@gmail.com> if  you're willing to be added to the flyer delivery list. (The next flyer will be ready for delivery starting Saturday and over the following week.) This is a great way to help your neighborhood association out on a regular basis!

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9. Volunteer Opportunity: Help Plan Party in Park to Celebrate 15th Anniversary of HNA and the Centennial of Berkeley's Parks, Sunday, September 30, 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars: Celebration on Sunday, September 30 in Halcyon Commons Park (Halcyon Court at Prince Street)!

This fall will mark the 15th anniversary of the birth of Halcyon Neighborhood Association, which led to the creation of Halcyon Commons Park as well as the many other community-building, disaster-prep, and crime-watch activities of our active group. It will also be the 100th anniversary of Berkeley's Parks System.

We'll be celebrating with a big party/potluck in the park and also hope to include music, activities for kids, etc. If you're willing help plan this fun event, please contact HNA Co-Chair John Steere at  <jsteere@igc.org> or 849-1969.

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10. Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteer(s) Needed to Post E-News in Bulletin Board in Park on a Regular Basis

Not everyone in the neighborhood has email access, and those who don't are disproportionately poor and/or seniors. While we distribute flyers around six times annually to reach some of this population, another possibility someone suggested is posting the E-News in the bulletin board in Halcyon Commons Park as a way to give folks without email a place to check regularly.

For this to happen, we'd need a volunteer or volunteers to print out the E-News and post it in the bulletin board on a regular basis (you'd receive a copy of the key). Although this needn't be a time-consuming job, we do need a volunteer if if it's going to happen: Nancy Carleton, the E-News editor and an HNA Co-Chair, already spends substantial time pulling together the newsletters in addition to her many other volunteer tasks on behalf of HNA; she is not able to add another task to the list.

The HNA E-News comes out on an occasional basis (typically once every week or two, sometimes two times in a week if there's urgent news, such as a crime watch update). This is a task that could be shared if more than one of you is willing. Reply to <halcyon92@gmail.com> to volunteer.

Also, if you know of housebound neighbors without email and are able to print out the E-News and drop it off to them, this would be a wonderful service!

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11. Transportation Commission Community Workshop on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Tonight, Tuesday, July 24, 6:30-9:30 p.m.,  2362 Bancroft

Transit Subcommittee Meeting, Berkeley Transportation Commission
Community Meeting with Southside Residents
6:30 Informal Open House, followed by Community Workshop
Trinity United Methodist Church, 2362 Bancroft

Among the issues on the agenda are routes, service features, and station locations, as well as discussion son benefits and possible mitigations to offset neighborhood impacts.

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12. ZAB hearing on Proposed Mini-Mart/Liquor Store for Telegraph at Ashby, Thursday, July 26, Council Chambers, 7 p.m.

A neighbor sends the following information [Editor's Note:  HNA does  not have a position on this application but encourages neighbors to inform themselves and express their opinion to ZAB members using the contact information found at the end of the E-News.]

Thought you would find this newsworthy, and hopefully can inform the neighbors via the newsletter.
I was just at Taqueria La Familia (where I had the best fish taco of my life, outside of Baja), and there was a petition there to oppose an possible incoming minimart to our area. Apparently, Chevron at Ashby and Shattuck has proposed building a 24-hour minimart and liquor store in their location. As noted on the flyer, it makes the point: What can we expect? More traffic, noise, crime, trash, drug dealing, and panhandlers.

There is a [Zoning Adjustments Board] meeting at Berkeley City Council Chambers this Thursday, July 26th, at 7 p.m. regarding this proposition. This is the first time I've heard of it, and I don't like the sounds of it! I'm going to try to make the meeting. The taqueria plans to take the petition there. There aren't a whole lot of signatures. . . . I'd encourage people to stop by and sign it, and/or make the hearing on Thursday.

Thanks for spreading the word,
Clay

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13. Update on Proposals for 3100 Shattuck

Nearby neighbor Robert Lauriston sends the following update [Editor's Note:  HNA does  not have a position on this project but encourages neighbors to inform themselves and express their opinion to decision makers.]

I got an update on 3100 Shattuck from Aaron Sage in the Planning Dept.

The application was deemed completed on July 4. The city has 30 days (until August 3) to determine whether environmental review (environmental impact report or "negative declaration") is required under the California Environmental Quality Act. I believe that it is required, since in the course of the Ed Roberts Campus environmental review the since the city determined that the property is in a potential National Register of Historic Places historic district.

Tentative dates:

August 2, Landmarks Preservation Commission will comment on proposed demolition. They might also have some comments on the potential CEQA
historical issues. Their comments will be forwarded to the Zoning Adjustments Board, which has the power to grant or deny the application for a demolition permit.

August 16: Design Review Committee will give detailed feedback on the proposed design, including how it fits in with existing buildings, setbacks, preservation of mature trees, materials, colors, and landscaping. Standard procedure is that the applicant makes the suggested changes and comes back at a later meeting with new plans. This can be repeated several times until the DRC is satisfied and forwards its recommendations to the ZAB. The guidelines the DRC uses are on pages 9-15 of this document:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/onlineservice/planning/DR_Basic_Submittal_Packet.pdf

Both the LPC and DRC have public comment periods. You may also submit written comments to the LPC or DRC secretary:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/designreview/default.htm

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks/default.htm

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14. Useful Berkeley Police Department Links from Dawn Rubin

HNA Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Dawn Rubin sends the following comments and links:

People might be interested in what is available on the Berkeley Police website:

The news releases can be interesting - last week they posted pictures of the people they are looking for who robbed Whole Foods (http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/department/general/newsandannouncements.html)

Recent crime info. is available (http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/crimestats/policebulletins.html).  The crime view can be searched for mapping of crimes by type, date range (up to last 6 months) and geographical area (e.g. beat 10 or 1/4 mile from Prince/Fulton corner).  The daily bulletins have some more detail, but are 2 months' worth at most and you have to search through a PDF file for each day.  I usually look them up when I see something on the crime view and want more detail. They are also more current for the last few days so I'll look if I hear about something.

On the online forms page (http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/onlineforms.html), disabled people can register for help during an emergency and anyone can fill out a vacation watch form to get some extra attention from police while they are gone.
There is a regularly posted schedule of beat officers (http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/department/beatinfo/beatlineup.html)

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For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007

Dates set as of June 2007 (verify a few weeks before event by checking HNA E-Newsletter):
Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m.-noon (note time change), Work Party in Halcyon Commons park (Halcyon Court at Prince St.)
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,  4:30-7:30 p.m., Halcyon Community Potluck with Live Music, 15th Anniversary of Halcyon Neighborhood Association and 100th Anniversary of Berkeley Parks, Halcyon Commons park (Halcyon Court at Prince St.)
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

* * * * * * * * * * * *
* 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 <halcyon92@gmail.com> or 644-0172 to contribute supplies.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
* 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.

Link to crime stats:

Link to police bulletins:
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/crimestats/policebulletins.html

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/)/Parks: 981-6660

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)

* * * * * * * * * * * *
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 <halcyon92@gmail.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 <halcyon92@gmail.com>. Crime-watch reports and news about neighbors (births, new jobs, announcements re home businesses) 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 Halcyon Safety Walk Listserve: For those who'd like to participate in night-time and daytime safety "dog" walks (dogs not required) to build community and serve as eyes on the street, please reply  to Halcyon Neighborhood Association <halcyon92@gmail.com> indicating your interest, and you will receive an invitation to join. For everyone's safety, be sure to include your full name, address, email, and phone.

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/

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

HNA News: Free Spa Event at Whole Foods, Crime Update, etc.


* * * * * * * * * * * *
Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter*
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Items in This E-Newsletter
1. Whole Foods Market Spa Day, Sunday, July 8, 2-5 p.m., Free
2. Crime Watch Update: Robbery Suspects Apprehended by UC Police
3. Labyrinth Community Peace Walk, Sun., July 15, 3 p.m., Willard Middle School

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007
* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List
* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

Editor's Introductory Note:

Please save the date of Tuesday, August 7 for our annual National Night Out Against Crime event in Halcyon Commons Park! We need to show our strength in this regard more than ever!

Another reminder: Please update your address books to reflect the new email for sending in crime watch reports as well as good news: Nancy Carleton/Halcyon Neighborhood Association <halcyon92@gmail.com>.

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

* * * * * * * * * * * *
1. Whole Foods Market Spa Day, Sunday, July 8, 2-5 p.m., Free

Nick Heustis, Community Relations Liaison for Whole Foods Market sends the Following Announcement:

Cost: Free
Date: Sunday July 8th
Time: 2-5pm

Join Whole Foods Market in Berkeley for a day of relaxation and some well deserved pampering. Vendors will be joining us in providing mini-facials, massage, aromatherapy, natural makeovers, ayurvedic consultations and more. Refreshments will be provided. Experience the joy of natural therapy.

Contact Nick Heustis at (510)649-1333 x261 for more information.

3000 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley CA., 94705   
Location: 3000 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705

* * * * * * * * * * * *
2. Crime Watch Update: Robbery Suspects Apprehended by UC Police

UC Police forwarded the following announcement:

 On Sunday, July 1, 2007, two UCPD Officers were  driving westbound on Channing when they observed  a 2003 four door Mercedes traveling at a high rate of speed in the opposite direction.  The  vehicle then pulled up to the curb in front of 2  Asian UC students standing on the sidewalk, an 18 year old female and a 19 year old male.    A passenger in the vehicle pointed a silver object (which later turned out to be a cell phone) at  the 2 victims and demanded money.  The victims did not comply and the vehicle drove away traveling eastbound on Channing.  The Officers pursued the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.  Upon investigation the 2 suspects were arrested and charged with attempted robbery.  The  victims were not injured during the encounter.  The suspects were identified as:
RANDLE, Jerome J., a Black male, 20 years of age, 5 ft 10 in height, 160 lbs., wearing a white t-shirt.
CHRISTOPHER, James Patrick, a Black male, 21 years of age, 6í5î in height, 202 lbs., wearing a black t-shirt.
 
 If you have any information about this crime, please contact:

 University of California Police Department
Criminal Investigation Bureau
(510) 642-0472 / 8AMñ5PM
(510) 642-6760 / All other times

* * * * * * * * * * * *
3. Labyrinth Community Peace Walk, Sun., July 15, 3 p.m., Willard Middle School

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m., Sun., July 17, Willard Middle School (Telegraph Ave. between Derby & Stuart, Berkeley). Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Contact  info@eastbaylabyrinthproject.org, 526-7377.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007

Dates set as of June 2007 (verify a few weeks before event by checking HNA E-Newsletter):
Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m.-noon (note time change), Work Party in Halcyon Commons park (Halcyon Court at Prince St.)
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, 6-8 p.m., Halcyon Community Potluck with Live Music, 15th Anniversary of Halcyon Neighborhood Association and 100th Anniversary of Berkeley Parks, Halcyon Commons park (Halcyon Court at Prince St.)
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

* * * * * * * * * * * *
* 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 <halcyon92@gmail.com> or 644-0172 to contribute supplies.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
* 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.

Link to crime stats:

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/)/Parks: 981-6660

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)

* * * * * * * * * * * *
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 <halcyon92@gmail.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 <halcyon92@gmail.com>. Crime-watch reports and news about neighbors (births, new jobs, announcements re home businesses) 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 <halcyon92@gmail.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/

* * * * * * * * * * * *