HNA E-News: Caroling Safety Walk Sat. 12/22 & Sun 12/23 at 5 p.m.; Willard Labyrinth Solstice Walk, Fri., 6-8; crime watch updates; 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 personal viewpoint.

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1. Joint East Lorin/Halcyon Caroling Safety Walk, Sat. Dec. 22 and Sun. Dec. 23 leaving Halcyon Commons at 4:45 p.m. Sharp (5 p.m. start at  6550 Whitney)

2. Solstice Walk by Candlelight at the Willard Community Labyrinth, Fri. Dec. 21, drop in anytime 6-8 p.m. (Halcyon Walkers leaving at 5:45 p.m.)

3. Feral Cat on Halcyon Court: Do You Know Where It Belongs?

4. Crime Watch Report: East Lorin Robbery Earlier in the Month

5. Crime Watch Report: Car Break-in on Prince Street near Telegraph

6. New Ordinance on Alcohol Sales Passed by Council

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2008

* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

Editor's Introductory Note:

Although I'll send out significant crime alerts if necessary (i.e., concerning any armed robberies i learn of, or burglaries where there's identifying information),  this is likely the last regular HNA E-News of 2007.  Many thanks to each one of you for all you contribute toward making this such a great neighborhood and such a wonderful place to live,  despite the occasional challenges! Please have a happy and safe end to the year and a good start to 2008. And don't forget to add some of our HNA dates for 2008 to your new calendars (see the placeholder toward the end of the E-News)!

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

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1. Joint East Lorin/Halcyon Caroling Safety Walk, Sat. Dec. 22 and Sun. Dec. 23 leaving Halcyon Commons at 4:45 p.m. Sharp (5 p.m. start at  6550 Whitney)

 

After a delightful time walking the streets last Wednesday night with a French film crew in tow (at the last minute, Sgt. Kusmiss of the Berkeley Police Dept. called us with an unusual request: a crew from a French TV station was in town doing a story on policing in the U.S., and specifically in Berkeley), along with delicious cocoa provided by safety walker (and chef) Susan Hunter, we're ready for more fun and variety as we walk! Deborah  Mikuteit, who joins many of our walks and also participates in East Lorin safety walks, is helping to organize the following fun event:

Caroling Safetly Walks

Both Saturday and Sunday late afternoons, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23rd (either day, heavy rain cancels; check first if in doubt)

4:45 p.m.:  Those who'd like company walking over to the caroling from the Halcyon Court end of the neighborhood. We'll leave promptly from the picnic table in the park.

5:00 p.m. Meet at 6550 Whitney (directions below) and head out to walk and sing.

Here's Deborah's invitation:

After our unusual safety walk last week with the French film crew, here's another unique walk plan: a singing safety walk! Actually this will be a group of neighbors who will do Christmas Caroling, walking the streets probably mostly west of Shattuck in the East

Lorin and Halcyon areas there. The walk will double as a safety walk too as we should be stocked with sufficient numbers and spirit to dissuade criminals. Some of us met today to practice singing "standard" carols (we're open to non-English, other faith songs, ethnic songs: come and teach us) and we will meet again to practice this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Pamela's house, 6550 Whitney Street (directions below). You do not have to practice beforehand to participate on Saturday or Sunday, but feel free to join our practice if you're able. Then we will do our Caroling (singing safety walk) on two nights: Saturday Dec. 22nd starting at 5 p.m., and Sunday Dec. 23rd at 5 p.m., both nights again meeting at Pamela's at 6550 Whitney to start. We plan to sing as we walk down the street, stopping at the houses of the elderly and shut-ins. Again, you don't have to come to the practices to carol with us. Come to whichever night you'd like(or both!) and spread song through the streets! Children welcome. Dogs may come too, even if they can't sing. Any questions, call either Pamela at 655-4781 or Deborah at 420-8983 or email me, Deborah at <deb.ratfriend@yahoo.com>.

Directions to 6550 Whitney from area east of Shattuck:  take Woolsey west towards Shattuck. Cross Shattuck.  Continue along Woolsey towards the BART station.  Whitney is the first street after Shattuck, running parallel to Shattuck. It is a one-block long street here, dead-ending into Woolsey. If you reach Tremont, you've gone one block too far.  Pamela's house at 6550 Whitney is approximately in the middle of the block on the east side.  It's a yellow house with some Tibetan prayer flags hanging on the porch.

Susan Hunter, who provided wonderful homemade cocoa will provide cocoa and cookies at some point during the walks.

 

Note: Please email <halcyon92@gmail.com> if you'd like to be added to the Halcyon Safety Walk list to plan future and impromptu walks (the list is solely for planning the walks, and you can select to receive correspondence as a daily digest if you prefer to manage incoming email). We could really use some additional walkers so we can step up our presence as eyes on the street, all while having a good time and building community!

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2. Solstice Walk by Candlelight at the Willard Community Labyrinth, Fri. Dec. 21, drop in anytime 6-8 p.m. (Halcyon Walkers leaving at 5:45 p.m.)

FRIDAY, December 21

Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk by Candlelight, drop by anytime 6-8 p.m., Willard Middle School (Telegraph Ave. between Derby & Stuart, Berkeley). Take a break from the holiday stress to enjoy a quiet walk, hot mulled cider, and nibbles. Free. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. Contact  info@eastbaylabyrinthproject.org, 510-526-7377.

For any of you who'd like to walk over to Willard Middle School  from our neighborhood, join a couple of us for a cross-neighborhood safety walk down Telegraph. Meet at 5:45 p.m. at the picnic table at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon Court near Prince Street), and we'll walk over together. Or, of course, feel free to stop by Willard at the labyrinth near the gardening project at any point up to 8 p.m. for some welcome respite from the end-of-the-year rush.

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3. Feral Cat on Halcyon Court: Do You Know Where It Belongs?

A neighbor on Halcyon Court sent in the following notice:

"A cat seems to be living in our back yard at 3048 Halcyon Ct. It is cream colored, with grey-brown ears, grey-brown shading on the back, and a striped tail. The way it moves suggests it is an older cat. We are concerned that this cat does not have a home. If this
is your cat, please contact Amy at 684-0327. The cat tries to sneak into our house several times a day (and night), and cries for food. We have seen it outside on cold, rainy nights, huddled on our picnic table under the canvas umbrella. Most cats stay inside on nights like that. If we determine that this cat doesn't have a home, we'll take it to the SPCA. If you know anything about this cat, please contact us."

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4. Crime Watch Report: East Lorin Robbery Earlier in the Month

A neighbor from the East Lorin group forwarded this notice:

"Someone just posted this on the East Lorin e-list: Apparently this crime took place on December 6th, so a couple weeks ago.  We have at least one thug who lives right in our neighborhood , who uses drugs, and who has been witnessed trying to break into a house.  The block where that man lives (1911 Harmon St.) has seen a huge number of burglaries.  He hangs out with several other young black men in front of his house and it wouldn't surprise me if these are the thugs who perpetrated this crime. [Editor's Note: I've been told that the Berkeley Police Department has been contacted about this situation.]

THE REPORT:

Seeing you guys last night reminded me to email you so we can apprise the neighborhood group of the mugging the other night. For the record, this was around 7p.m. on Thursday the 6th. A man in a buisness suit was walking south on Tremont, heading home from the BART station. He was jumped by three young black males who put him in a headlock, claimed to have a gun, and took his wallet. phone etc. A man driving by (name omitted) then noticed the altercation and stopped, and the victim jumped in his truck. They got the license plate number of the car the perps jumped into and called it into the cops as the perps took off. Apparently the victim saw one of the perps run into a house to get his car keys. We don't know which house, but since it seems that our muggers live in our neighborhood, it would make me feel better if we left (witness's) name out of this note to the neighborhood group. Also, I called public works and they promised to fix [a broken streetlight] within 7-10 days. I told them it was a crime issue."

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5. Crime Watch Report: Car Break-in on Prince Street near Telegraph

A Prince Street neighbor reports:

"This is an FYI you might want to send out about a car break-in on Prince between Halcyon and Telegraph Sunday night 12/16. They picked the locks on my car (this has happened before in this neighborhood), but nothing was taken (there wasn't anything to take). So, people should be aware that there's obviously some activity going on and not to leave anything of value in their cars."

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6. New Ordinance on Alcohol Sales Passed by Council

Karl Reeh, President of LeConte Neighborhood Association, included this announcement in a recent LNA Chat Group email:

Dear BAPAC Members, Supporters, and Other Interested Individuals,

For those of you who have not yet heard, we have excellent news from last Tuesday's Council meeting. The Council voted unanimously to support the Alcohol Ordinance! For more information, see the Dec. 11 annotated agenda on the

council website:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/

Second reading is scheduled for January 15, 2008, we will once again be there. Thank you once again for your support on these important issues.

Lori Lott

On behalf of BAPAC

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For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007/Early 2008

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

Sunday, January 13, 2008, 5:30-8:45 p.m., Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, four locations TBA

Sunday, January 27, 2008,  4-6 p.m., Disaster Preparedness Committee meeting  (4-5 p.m. plan spring disaster prep drill;  5-6 p.m., discuss supply cache for west of Shattuck), Wheeler St.

Saturday, February 23, 2008, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (heavy rain reschedules), Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, March 16, 2008,  6-8 p.m., Community Potluck, location TBD

Late March/Early April, date to be announced by Cal's Berkeley Project, Big Work Party in Halcyon Commons and surrounding neighborhood, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, March 30, 2008,  4-6 p.m., Big Disaster Prep Planning Meeting, location TBD

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 8 p.m., Deadline for ordering 55-gallon water barrels, drop off order forms and payment to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton 3044 Halcyon Ct.

Sunday, May 18, 3-5:30 p.m. (setup 2-3 p.m.), Outdoors Neighborhood Watch event with BIG Neighborhood Disaster Prep Drill, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Saturday, May 31, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, June 1 (tentative date), afternoon, Neighborhood Watch Self-Defense Training, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, June 22, 6-8 p.m., Summer Community Potluck, location TBD (someone's backyard/patio)

Saturday, July 26, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,  Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Tuesday, August 5, 6-8:30 p.m., National Night Out Against Crime (Potluck 6-7:30; Safety Walk, 7:30-8:30), Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) and surrounding neighborhood

Saturday, September 20, 9:30 a.m.-12 noon, Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, September 28, 4-7 p.m., Party in the Park to Celebrate Completion of Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project (with potluck and live music), Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Late October/Early November, date to be announced by Cal's Berkeley Project, Big Work Party in Halcyon Commons and surrounding neighborhood, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, October 12, 4-5:30, Big Neighborhood Watch meeting, location TBD

Sunday, November 9, 6-8 p.m. Fall Community Potluck, location TBD

November/December, Sunday afternoon, 4-5:30 p.m., Planning meeting, 2009 dates, date TBD, location TBD

Sunday, January 11, 2009, 5:30-8:45 p.m., 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):

Duct Tape (this is a versatile supply that allows us to improvise with common household items in the event of a disaster: lots needed!); Batteries (AA, C, D), regular & rechargeable; Battery Recharger for AA (LOTS of these needed!), 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; Two-Foot Lengths of 2x4s and 4x4s (good for cribbing and creating fulcrums for removing heavy objects during search & rescue operations).

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:

Berkeley:  www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police

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:  981-6620 (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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* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

HNA is a community group dedicated to stewardship of the Halcyon Neighborhood in South Berkeley (bounded by Telegraph, Ashby, Adeline, and Woolsey). We encourage positive, proactive, partnership-oriented approaches to improving the well-being of our neighborhood, with an emphasis on the following goals:

• Community building (such as regular potlucks, special events in the park, mutual support among neighbors, and multiblock yard sales);
• Ongoing care of Halcyon Commons (a park conceived of and created by the neighbors who founded HNA) under the nonprofit umbrella provided by Berkeley Partners for Parks and in partnership with the City of Berkeley;
• Continued greening and care of the neighborhood (planting trees, cleaning litter off streets, graffiti removal, and helping maintain public landscaped features);
• Strengthening neighborhood watch (crime watch, community safety walks, emergency preparedness, and disaster supply cache);
• Networking with the larger Berkeley community (nearby neighborhood groups, neighborhood businesses, City staff, and elected officials);
• Sharing information and empowering residents to become proactive in addressing neighborhood needs and in expressing individual viewpoints regarding civic affairs (spreading news through meetings, flyers, and the HNA E-Newsletter, and providing contact information).

        To fulfill these goals, HNA provides a sanctuary from partisan politics so that neighbors with diverse viewpoints feel welcome to participate. Thus, HNA only takes stands on larger issues when there is near-unanimity among neighbors. By focusing on immediate local concerns, we find we can have a greater impact and get better results from the time we invest.

       Guided by these principles, HNA invites neighbors who are willing to work together in a spirit of partnership to participate at whatever level makes sense for them. Opportunities for serving on our volunteer Steering Committee and project-oriented committees are available to neighbors who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work together in a nonpartisan spirit. Neighbors are invited to step forward into leadership positions defined by the work they do in accordance with HNA's primary goals and guiding principles.

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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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HNA E-News: Safety Walk Weds., 9:30-10; Labyrinth Walks 12/16 & 12/21; Crime Watch Updates; 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 personal viewpoint.

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1. Halcyon Safety Walk, Weds., Dec. 12, 9:30-10 p.m., leaving Halcyon Commons at 9:30 Sharp (with Hot Cocoa)

2. Chochmat HaLev Safety Task Force Meeting, Sun. Dec. 16, 9 a.m.

3. Upcoming Willard Labyrinth Walks,  Sun. Dec. 16, 3 p.m.; and Solstice Walk by Candlelight, Fri. Dec. 21, 6-8 p.m.

4. Clarification about (Lack of) Funding for Undergrounding From WNA President Vincent Cassalaina

5 New Stoplight Planned for Shattuck as Woolsey (Response to Concern Raised re Crossing at Prince Street)

6. Crime Watch Report: More Detailed Description of Suspects in Last Weeks Robbery on Prince at Wheeler

7. Crime Watch Report: Robbery on Shattuck at 66th (East Lorin) and OPD Response

8. Interesting Link Concerning Neighborhood Demographics by Zipcode

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2008

* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

Editor's Introductory Note:

In the wake of the robbery on Prince of two of our Chochmat HaLev neighbors last week, we're hoping to step up our safety walks, and Chochmat HaLev is requesting additional police presence during the ten-minute window when people are getting out of  classes or services. But in order to accomplish putting together more walks, we could really use more a critical mass of neighbors willing to take an occasional walk. The walks don't have to be long to be effective, but more frequent random walks would really help. Please respond by reply email to <halcyon92@gmail.com> with your name, phone number, and address if you'd like to receive an invitation to join the Yahoo Group that plans both the walks that get announced in the E-News and impromptu walks (see item 1 for information on this Wednesday's scheduled walk).

Hope to see you tomorrow night or at  another one of our upcoming Safety Walks!

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

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1. Halcyon Safety Walk, Weds., Dec. 12, 9:30-10 p.m., leaving Halcyon Commons at 9:30 Sharp (with Hot Cocoa)

With the mugging a week ago Wednesday at around 9:30 p.m. in mind, the Halcyon Safety Walkers invite concerned neighbors to join them in a walk focusing on Prince and Wheeler this Wednesday evening, from 9:30 to 10 p.m., starting promptly from the picnic table in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince). In the spirit of the season, neighbor (and HNA Treasurer) Susan Hunter will be offering some hot cocoa as we start out. Bring friendly dogs, flashlights, and cellphones preprogrammed with both the police cell emergency number  (510-981-5911) and nonemergency number (510-981-5900). Please email <halcyon92@gmail.com> if you plan to attend or if you'd like to be added to the Halcyon Safety Walk list to plan future and impromptu walks. We could really use some additional walkers so we can step up our presence as eyes on the street, all while having a good time and building community!

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2. Chochmat HaLev Safety Task Force Meeting, Sun. Dec. 16, 9 a.m.

[Editor's Note: Cheryl Bartky, who was one of the victims of last week's robbery, forwarded the following invitation.]

Hello friends,

 

Maurice Abrams and I have scheduled a CHL safety task force meeting for this Sunday Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. at Chochmat HaLev [Prince at Fulton]. We hope you can join us. We plan to brainstorm ways our community can pull together and create more safety as we enter and leave our building.  We'd like to be more involved with the Halcyon neighborhood watch group and so we hope we can all come together. I will request that a notice go out to the CHL community about the meeting.

 

Hope to see you Sunday morning.  Please let me know if you can come, and  please let the Halcyon group know about this meeting in case anyone is available and interested in coming.  And to all of you - please let anyone you know of that would be interested know.  We need as many people involved in this process as possible.  Thank you.

 

Warm Regards to all,

Cheryl Bartky  <sanctuarysuccess@sbcglobal.net>

Chochmat HaLev

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3. Upcoming Labyrinth Walks at Willard,  Sun. Dec. 16, 3 p.m.; and Solstice Walk by Candlelight, Fri. Dec. 21, 6-8 p.m.

SUNDAY, December 16

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m., Willard Middle School (Telegraph Ave. between Derby & Stuart, Berkeley). Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. Contact  info@eastbaylabyrinthproject.org, 510-526-7377.

FRIDAY, December 21

Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk by Candlelight, drop by anytime 6-8 p.m., Willard Middle School (Telegraph Ave. between Derby & Stuart, Berkeley). Take a break from the holiday stress to enjoy a quiet walk, hot mulled cider, and nibbles. Free. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. Contact  info@eastbaylabyrinthproject.org, 510-526-7377.

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4. Clarification about (Lack of) Funding for Undergrounding From WNA President Vincent Cassalaina

[Editor's Note: Vincent Cassaliana, President of Willard Neighborhood Association, forwarded the following clarification about funding for undergrounding (in response to a prior E-News update from a neighbor on solar and undergrounding issues).]

The Willard Neighborhood Assoc. had a presentation on undergrounding utilities a couple of months ago.  The bottom line is that there is no new city/state/PG&E funding for undergrounding utilities in any residential neighborhood.

There was a special deal struck a number of years ago that let money flow to some neighborhoods for undergrounding,  but that is no longer possible.  The current neighborhoods that are seeing undergrounding are the last of the ones that had initially been approved.

The only money that is available is for undergrounding along major arterials and commercial areas.

We were very disappointed by that news, as the cost to fund the undergrounding is way too high for most homeowners to want to bear on their own.  Maybe if the solar power initiative goes through,  that low interest rate loan structure could be extended to undergrounding too,  but for now there is just no money to subsidize undergrounding.

Whether the City of Berkeley will use the same funding scheme on undergrounding that they do on Solar is a big issue as Solar is an individual decision to spend the money, while undergrounding affects every homeowner on the block whether they want to spend the money or not.

Vincent

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5. New Stoplight Planned for Shattuck as Woolsey (Response to Concern Raised re Crossing at Prince Street)

[Editor's Note: In a recent E-News, a neighbor shared concerns about pedestrian safety at the intersection of Shattuck and Woolsey and suggested some solutions. Another reader, Robert Lauriston, wrote in with the following information.]

"Re pedestrian safety at Prince and Shattuck, as part of the Ed Roberts Campus project, the City is planning to install a traffic light at Woolsey and Shattuck, which will provide a safer pedestrian crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists on the way to BART."

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6. Crime Watch Report: More Detailed Description of Suspects in Last Weeks Robbery on Prince at Wheeler

[Editor's Note: I asked for more detailed descriptions of the three robbers in last Wednesday's robbery of two women on Prince near Wheeler. Here's what one of them provided.]

"Three African American males, early 20s: #1:  Tall, skinny, 6'1'' or 6' 2" or so, wearing baggy pants, and a white hoodie over a watch cap.  White hoodie had a charcoal gray pattern on it made up of bars and "S" type shapes.  He was nervous, a bit jumpy, had a thin oval face, medium-dark complexion, high cheekbones.  He was the one holding a long  round-barreled revolver-type black gun.  This may have been a toy; the round barrel was a foot long at least, and I am not sure that is genuine, but it is better not to take a chance (!) 

#2:  Dark-complected stocky man, maybe 5'8 or 9"--with dark blue or black watch cap or backwards baseball cap.  He had on semi-shiny black zip jacket over a dark sweater, black pants, jacket unzipped.  He went through my pockets saying, "Where's the money--where's the money!" but when I said, "I have nothing," he did not press further, but did take my keys out of my pocket.

#3 was also dark complected, short and stocky, but I did not really get a look at him.

In general, I was looking away from their faces, just by instinct.

A man on the corner of Prince street said they got into a red Pontiac.  A few minutes after the robbery, I saw a red older Pontiac-like car with a sloped cab, with some dents in the body, at least 10 years old I think.  It went around and up Prince, FOLLOWING the police car which had just come.  It turned south on Deakin.  I got a bit off the plate; I ended up with three number/letters but I am not sure what they were now- perhaps H  0  1  though not in that order."

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

7. Crime Watch Report: Robbery on Shattuck at 66th (East Lorin) and OPD Response

[Editor's Note; Nomad Cafe owner Christopher Waters, forwarded the following information from the OPD list:

On Dec 10, 2007, at 8:38 AM, Meeks, James wrote:

Off. J. Jochim (1L11) called in to report a Robbery 211(armed)P.C. that occurred in the 6600 blk of Shattuck Ave at ^:20 [this typo is in the original, so the exact time is unknown] p.m.

 A male adult victim, uninjured, was met at the scene by responding units.  Loss was a wallet, a cell phone and cash.  The suspect was an adult male, armed with a handgun, who fled the scene with the loss on foot.

We are conducting Robbery Suppression Operations five to six days a week for the month of December.  The community is asked to report all suspicious activity to the [Oakland] police, 777-3333 or 777-3211.  If a person observes a crime in progress, call 911 and stay on the line.  Give the best description possible.

Thanks,

Lt. Meeks

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

8. Interesting Link Concerning Neighborhood Demographics by Zipcode

[Editor's Note: Lisa Bullwinkel, who puts together the FRNA neighborhood list, included the following interesting link in a recent message.]

Check out this website for statistical info on your zip code and you can compare with others.  Lowdown on the schools, economics, etc. 94705 is quite interesting.

 -Lisa

http://zipskinny.com/

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

For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007/Early 2008

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

Sunday, January 13, 2008, 5:30-8:45 p.m., Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, four locations TBA

Sunday, January 27, 2008,  4-6 p.m., Disaster Preparedness Committee meeting  (4-5 p.m. plan spring disaster prep drill;  5-6 p.m., discuss supply cache for west of Shattuck), Wheeler St.

Saturday, February 23, 2008, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (heavy rain reschedules), Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, March 16, 2008,  6-8 p.m., Community Potluck, location TBD

Late March/Early April, date to be announced by Cal's Berkeley Project, Big Work Party in Halcyon Commons and surrounding neighborhood, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, March 30, 2008,  4-6 p.m., Big Disaster Prep Planning Meeting, location TBD

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 8 p.m., Deadline for ordering 55-gallon water barrels, drop off order forms and payment to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton 3044 Halcyon Ct.

Sunday, May 18, 3-5:30 p.m. (setup 2-3 p.m.), Outdoors Neighborhood Watch event with BIG Neighborhood Disaster Prep Drill, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Saturday, May 31, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, June 1 (tentative date), afternoon, Neighborhood Watch Self-Defense Training, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, June 22, 6-8 p.m., Summer Community Potluck, location TBD (someone's backyard/patio)

Saturday, July 26, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,  Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Tuesday, August 5, 6-8:30 p.m., National Night Out Against Crime (Potluck 6-7:30; Safety Walk, 7:30-8:30), Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) and surrounding neighborhood

Saturday, September 20, 9:30 a.m.-12 noon, Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, September 28, 4-7 p.m., Party in the Park to Celebrate Completion of Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project (with potluck and live music), Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Late October/Early November, date to be announced by Cal's Berkeley Project, Big Work Party in Halcyon Commons and surrounding neighborhood, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, October 12, 4-5:30, Big Neighborhood Watch meeting, location TBD

Sunday, November 9, 6-8 p.m. Fall Community Potluck, location TBD

November/December, Sunday afternoon, 4-5:30 p.m., Planning meeting, 2009 dates, date TBD, location TBD

Sunday, January 11, 2009, 5:30-8:45 p.m., 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):

Duct Tape (this is a versatile supply that allows us to improvise with common household items in the event of a disaster: lots needed!); Batteries (AA, C, D), regular & rechargeable; Battery Recharger for AA (LOTS of these needed!), 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; Two-Foot Lengths of 2x4s and 4x4s (good for cribbing and creating fulcrums for removing heavy objects during search & rescue operations).

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:

Berkeley:  www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police

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:  981-6620 (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)

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

* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

HNA is a community group dedicated to stewardship of the Halcyon Neighborhood in South Berkeley (bounded by Telegraph, Ashby, Adeline, and Woolsey). We encourage positive, proactive, partnership-oriented approaches to improving the well-being of our neighborhood, with an emphasis on the following goals:

• Community building (such as regular potlucks, special events in the park, mutual support among neighbors, and multiblock yard sales);
• Ongoing care of Halcyon Commons (a park conceived of and created by the neighbors who founded HNA) under the nonprofit umbrella provided by Berkeley Partners for Parks and in partnership with the City of Berkeley;
• Continued greening and care of the neighborhood (planting trees, cleaning litter off streets, graffiti removal, and helping maintain public landscaped features);
• Strengthening neighborhood watch (crime watch, community safety walks, emergency preparedness, and disaster supply cache);
• Networking with the larger Berkeley community (nearby neighborhood groups, neighborhood businesses, City staff, and elected officials);
• Sharing information and empowering residents to become proactive in addressing neighborhood needs and in expressing individual viewpoints regarding civic affairs (spreading news through meetings, flyers, and the HNA E-Newsletter, and providing contact information).

        To fulfill these goals, HNA provides a sanctuary from partisan politics so that neighbors with diverse viewpoints feel welcome to participate. Thus, HNA only takes stands on larger issues when there is near-unanimity among neighbors. By focusing on immediate local concerns, we find we can have a greater impact and get better results from the time we invest.

       Guided by these principles, HNA invites neighbors who are willing to work together in a spirit of partnership to participate at whatever level makes sense for them. Opportunities for serving on our volunteer Steering Committee and project-oriented committees are available to neighbors who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work together in a nonpartisan spirit. Neighbors are invited to step forward into leadership positions defined by the work they do in accordance with HNA's primary goals and guiding principles.

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

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/

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

HNA E-News: Armed Robbert at Prince & Wheeler Last Night

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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 personal viewpoint.

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

Editor's Introductory Note:

This is a quick emergency alert to let folks know that there was an armed robbery on Prince near Wheeler last night at around 9:30 p.m. (see item 1).

One of the victims of the robbery requested that we step up our night-time safety walks. Please email <halcyon92@gmail.com> if you'd like to be added to the listserve that plans the walks (for all our safety, submit your full name, address, phone number, and email if you wish to be part of the Safety Walk listserve). It would especially be valuable to time some of our upcoming walks around the hours that services and events get out at Chochmat.

Although following basic crime prevention tips are no guarantee of your safety, they do help some, so it's still worth remembering to be alert, and to avoid using distracting electronics such as cellphones or iPods while you're out walking. If you have a cellphone, be sure you have the direct line to Berkeley emergency pre-programmed in (see item 2).  And, of course, call the police immediately if you notice anything or anyone suspicious in our neighborhood. We all need to be the eyes on the street and communicate what we notice to the police.

Here's hoping that the rest of the Hanukkah celebration is a quiet and safe one for our good neighbors at Chochmat HaLev!

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

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

1. Crime Watch Alert: Armed Robbery at Prince and Wheeler as Two Women Leave Chochmat HaLev

This report was submitted by a neighbor who works at Chochmat HaLev at Prince between Fulton and Wheeler:

"Armed Robbery 12/5, corner Prince and Wheeler, 9:30-9:40 p.m. Another woman and I were leaving Chochmat and going to her car when we were accosted by 3 black men, one of whom had a huge long-barreled gun. They took her purse, and everything in it, and my keys (I had no purse). We gave descriptions, etc. to the police."

Another worker at Chochmat HaLev gave this description of a recent would-be burglar at Chochmat:

"Also, last week, there was a break-in and attempted burglary at Chochmat. The burglar had entered the hall and was trying to break the door into the office. Someone working at Chochmat interrupted him, and the burglar fled. Description: African-American male, approx. 23 or 24 years old with facial hair and 3-inch-long hair. Approx. 5 foot 8, around 160 pounds. This was also reported to the police."

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

2. Police 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:

Berkeley:  www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police

Link to police bulletins:

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

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

HNA E-News: Halcyon joining East Lorin Walk, 8 p.m. tonight; Crime Watch updates; announcements; 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 personal viewpoint.

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

1. Halcyon Walkers to Once Again Join Up with the East Lorin Walk, Tuesday, Dec. 4, leaving Halcyon Commons at 8 p.m.

2. Talk by Gary Brechin on New Deal Legacy in Berkeley's Parks and Recreational Facilities, Weds., Dec. 5, 7:30-9 p.m., Theatre in Live Oak Park

3. Update on Neighborhood Research into Solar Possibilities (and Undergrounding) from Tony Hill

4. Crime Watch Report: Car Break-in on Deakin near Ashby

5. Crime Watch Report: Robbery on 2000 Block of Prince with Arrest of Suspect

6. Crime Watch Report: East Lorin/BART Flea Market Incident with Flower Thief

7. Crime Watch Report: Attempted Robbery on Tremont at Woolsey

8. Crime Watch Report: Attempted Late-Night "Out of Gas" Scam on Fulton near Ashby

9. Perspective: "I Really Like This Neighborhood!" by Wheeler Street Resident

10.  Prince Street Neighbor Contacts Traffic Engineer Concerning Prince/Shattuck Pedestrian Safety

11.  Celebration of Publication of Karl Linn's Book on Creating Commons, Sunday, Dec. 9, 3-6 p.m.

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2008

* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

Editor's Introductory Note:

Many thanks to those from the Steering Committee and Disaster Preparedness Committee who attended HNA's Sunday planning meeting and mapped out HNA dates for 2008 (some tweaking may occur as the new year unwinds, so check the E-News for updates). Looks like we have a great year ahead  nurturing community, moving disaster preparedness and our neighborhood watch structure forward, and taking care of Halcyon Commons and the surrounding area. The calendar is posted in a placeholder toward the end of each E-News. You might want to jot dates of interest into your calendar for the coming year, and especially save the evening of Sunday, January 13, to join one or all of the stops at our fabulous Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck (we'll progress from house to house enjoying four courses on Wheeler, Deakin, Halcyon, and Webster; details on addresses to follow in flyers and E-News going out in the new year) and the afternoon of Sunday, May 18, when we're planning an exciting hands-on Disaster Preparedness Drill using some of the supplies in our neighborhood Disaster Supply Cache.

Happy Hanukkah to those who are celebrating this week! And to everyone, please stay safe during the holiday season. As you'll see, there have been robberies and attempted robberies nearby (see crime watch items). I also hope you'll keep in mind what a great neighborhood we live in (see Item 11 for a brief reminder). I'm grateful to each one of you for choosing to stay connected through HNA!

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

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

1. Halcyon Walkers to Once Again Join Up with the East Lorin Walk, Tuesday, Dec. 4, leaving Halcyon Commons at 8 p.m.

The East Lorin Neighborhood Association sponsors monthly safety walks meeting at Nomad Cafe at 8:30 p.m. on first Tuesdays (i.e., tonight). Presuming it isn't raining heavily, a few of us will be meeting at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon and Prince) at the picnic table and walking over to meet the East Lorin folks at Nomad. We anticipate being back at Halcyon Court by 9:15 p.m. Please email <halcyon92@gmail> if you'd like to join us. Crime along the Berkeley/Oakland border affects both of our neighborhoods, so it's a great chance to network.

And if you'd like to sign up for the Halcyon Safety Walk listserve, please send your email, name, address, and phone number to <halcyon92@gmail.com> and you'll receive an invitation to join a list where we can plan impromptu walks.

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

2. Talk by Gary Brechin on New Deal Legacy in Berkeley's Parks and Recreational Facilities, Weds., Dec. 5, 7:30-9 p.m., Theatre in Live Oak Park

Editor's Note: HNA Co-Chair John Steere also serves as President of Berkeley Partners for Parks (and HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton was a founding board member and past president of BPFP). John passes on the following announcement:

Wed. Dec. 5, 7:30 to 9 p.m.  "Honoring Our Peacetime Veterans: The New Deal Legacy in Berkeley's Parks and Recreational Facilities."  Presentation by Gray Brechin, PhD, Author (Imperial San Francisco, etc.) and Urban Geographer at the Live Oak Park Center - Theatre in Live Oak Park, 1201 Shattuck Avenue, and the last event in the Berkeley Parks Centennial Calendar sponsored by the Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP).

 

Within less than a decade, New Deal public works agencies such as the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps put millions of men to work creating and improving the nation's public parks and recreational facilities, but their contributions were quickly forgotten after WWII killed those agencies. Gray Brechin will vividly recall them in this talk. He is the Project Scholar for the Living New Deal Project, a collaborative effort to inventory, map, and interpret the great legacy of these agencies on California. He is also a fascinating and engaging speaker, who will reveal the invisible landscape of New Deal accomplishments in Berkeley and seek recollections of long-time residents in the parks so improved. $5-10 donation (benefit for BPFP) at the door.  Contact: John Steere  jsteere@igc.org

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

3. Update on Neighborhood Research into Solar Possibilities (and Undergrounding) from Tony Hill

Editor's Note:  Prince Street neighbor Tony Hill sent along reports on some research on solar installations and undergrounding of utility wires. Here are some excerpts (for Word documents of the full reports, contact Tony Hill  <thill94703@gmail.com>; there's a lot more interesting information there, so be sure to contact him if you'd like to track this issue and receive invitations to future meetings):

Summary of Solar Power Estimates And Undergrounding
     Five estimators came by.
     Big versus small installers
     Government regulations changing and only marginally predictable.
     Payoff in 10 to 15 years
     Guaranteed by everyone for 10 years-especially those in business for 2 years
     Quality of their equipment and installation touted by all.  Info on bad installations not          available.
     All estimators where charming and wanted to help environment.
     Some companies seem to contract everything out.
     Getting Thermal water estimates from same companies problematical.  One problem is that they compete for the same roof area.
     Some companies do roofing others do Solar Thermal still others want to reduce your energy use by more traditional means like fluorescent bulbs and insulation.
     Fancy detailed estimates given showing power and money saving and how calculated.
     No one really wanted to comment meaningfully on the change in technology in the future.

     There is some savings for doing several jobs through one company, but the saving is on the order of 5-10%.  One company just offered me $4000-$5000 discount per job if I got 4 or more homes to sign up.  What does that mean? . . .

Second Summary of Investigation of Neighborhood Solar Power and Utility cable under grounding

        Since our neighborhood meeting in August and my email on that more has developed, and it's time to talk about those developments.  You've all probably seen the articles about city financing of solar power.  For those who haven't seen the articles it's briefly that the city seems all for solar power including the possibility of financing it through increased taxes in the area where the solar hookups are done.   All of this seems good if you like solar power.  Nothing is absolutely settled yet, but it seems like stuff will happen this year. 
    As I mentioned in the previous email whether you do solar photovoltaic or not seems like a strictly personal call.  It's hard to tell if it's a profit motive project, but it seems close.  If $15,000 to go solar seems worth it,  then you should definitely get together with like minded people in the neighborhood as you will get more attention and maybe 20% off the price.  Solar water heaters are also an option and maybe cheaper.

     As I mentioned in the previous email undergrounding of utility cables has about the same cost.  The city seems less likely to pay for this, but they are talking about financing it though raising assessments for the houses in question.  So far there aren't any definite rules, but people claim to be working on them in the Berkeley Public Works Dept.  Lauren Jensen may be in charge. . . .

    It's been fun looking into this.  I think we are right on the edge of some big solar changes around here, and $90/ barrel oil doesn't hurt.
         Captaine Solar

         Tony Hill  548-2306

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4. Crime Watch Report: Car Break-in on Deakin near Ashby

An Ashby Avenue neighbor reports:

"On  Saturday 11/24/07, my car was broken into (they broke small back window to get in) and a couple of items were stolen out of my glove compartment.  My car was parked on Deakin near Ashby Ave. It's an old Toyota, and there was nothing of value visible within my car; they just seemed to be taking their chances that there might be something of value after going through it it!!  I was out-of-town when it happened, but i noticedother glass on the curb nearby indicating that another car was also broken into."

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

5. Crime Watch Report: Robbery on 2000 Block of Prince with Arrest of Suspect

A neighbor forwarded the following:

This blurb comes from the Berkeley Daily Planet:

 

"At 7:58 p.m. on Wednesday (Nov. 28) a 17-year-old man was arrested for robbing two other men on the 2000 block of Prince St.  He took a wallet with cash, identification cards, and credit cards."

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

6. Crime Watch Report: East Lorin/BART Flea Market Incident with Flower Thief

An East Lorin neighbor reports:

"In our area we've had a "flower thief" operating, apparently for a few years. She steals flowers and potted plants from people's yards and goes and sells them at the Ashby Flea Market.  A couple weeks ago on a late Sunday afternoon I noticed two people pushing shopping carts down Whitney and Woolsey streets, filled with cut flowers and potted plants.  One of my neighbors recognized one of the pair, the woman, as the same person who'd stolen plants from her yard before. The woman is a short, thin, middle-aged black woman about 50-55 years old with short hair.  Her companion this time was a medium height, medium-build (5'10", 180 lb) black man about 45 years old.  Both wore black vinyl or leather jackets and baseball caps. I called police and a total of 4 police (1 BPD and 3 BART) dealt with the pair at the flea market. They weren't arrested since this time no one witnessed a theft, but hopefully the pair got the message that we're not going to just sit back and wave when they come down our street filling their carts with things they've stolen from our yards."

 

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

7. Crime Watch Report: Attempted Robbery on Tremont at Woolsey

An East Lorin neighbor reports:

"It was reported to me by a neighbor that on Tuesday November 27 at approximately 9:00 p.m. there was an attempted mugging/robbery on Tremont and Woolsey. A neighbor and a friend were walking from the Starry Plough and encountered four young black males on Woolsey. The individuals fanned out in a manner that precluded the neighbors from crossing the street to avoid them. The four followed the neighbors down Tremont and begin saying, "Let's take them, we can take them . . ." in a threatening manner. As the neighbors approached their home and accessed their steps, the four young men stopped and left rather quickly, apparently fearing that the police would be called. In the past, the Woolsey and Prince Street corridors as you leave the BART Station have had problems with muggings and attempted muggings. Please be careful in those areas at night and be aware of your surroundings."

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

8. Crime Watch Report: Attempted Late-Night "Out of Gas" Scam on Fulton near Ashby

[Editor's Note: This is a common scam, though the back stories often expand in different directions.]

A Fulton Street neighbor reports:

"I live on Fulton right off of Ashby and Prince. [Monday night 12/3] at about 11:30 p.m. I was walking to my home, on Fulton towards Ashby, when and a red Miata sport car (95 maybe) drove up next to me and apparently stalled. A medium-shade black man got out and surveyed the car and me. He was about 40-45 years old, 5'9-5'11, 160 lbs. He asked me if UC Berkeley was walking distance. I told him it would take awhile and then he asked me to use my phone to call for help. I told him that if he stood by his car I would make the call. He wanted me to call his parents in Marin and tell them that he would be sleeping in his car because he had run out of gas, and ask them to wire him money in the morning. He said he only had $6 because he was going through a bad divorce settlement. I tried the #, and it did not work. He then pulled out a piece of paper and started to read the "right" number to me. As he did he started walking toward me. I told him to stop and to return to his car. He apologized and said he had no pride right now, and that he was going to sleep in his car. I said I'd try the call again but that he had to keep away from me. He then asked if I could give him a couple of dollars to get gas. I lied and said I had none on me. "Change perhaps?" he said as he started walking toward me again. I backed away and told him to back off at which point he said, "Fine, never mind'

and got into his car, started it and drove away."

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

9. Perspective: "I Really Like This Neighborhood!" by Wheeler Street Resident

[Editor's Note: Ardys, a long-time Wheeler Street resident, sent in the following paragraph, which offers some worthwhile perspective. While it's important to pass on information about criminal activities in our neighborhood so we can all be proactive in crime prevention and seeking solutions, it's also important to remind ourselves of the good things about where we live. Thank you, Ardys, for the reminder! -NC]

I Really Like This Neighborhood!

"I do appreciate hearing about various crimes or possible crimes occurring here. I hear about them due to this neighborhood association, which is one of the big things I love about this neighborhood. Other things I like are the beauty of the neighborhood (we have had tours of the interesting and lovely spots), the friendliness of the neighborhood, and its easy accessibility to public transit. Finally, I really hope that the news of possible crimes and disasters does not cause people to think it is scary here. In fact it is the opposite of scary. Friends of mine have remarked on how the neighborhood 'feels' good."

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10.  Prince Street Neighbor Contacts Traffic Engineer Concerning Prince/Shattuck Pedestrian Safety

[Editor's Note: I'm passing on a copy of this letter in case others wish to weigh in with public officials concerning their thoughts on pedestrian safety at Shattuck and Prince.]

Dear Traffic Engineer:

I and my partner have lived [on] Prince Street for about 18 years. You can imagine how much the traffic has increased over the years. Today [11/27] at 11:30 a.m. I was almost run over by a woman driving a late model white car who wasn't paying attention. Thankfully, I jumped out of the way of her car just in the nick of time. (I made a police report seq # 1391, Tuesday 11/27/07, 11.30). It is time to make it safer for pedestrians trying to cross at the end of our block. Presently there is a single crosswalk on the south corners of Shattuck at Prince. I am making a case for an additional crosswalk on the north corners which is urgently needed.

Important facts to consider:

1). Prince Street is a major walk-route for people walking to and from Ashby BART and the neighborhoods east of the station. This is because the stairs at the end of the east BART lot lead directly to Prince Street. Further, Prince Street is a straight shot to Telegraph Avenue.

2). People cross Shattuck at Prince many hours of the day and night beginning in the early hours going to work, during the middle of the day, and the evening coming home and going to and leaving venues such as the Starry Plough and La Pena.

3). Having and additional crosswalk will highlight this intersection as a major crossing point and will make pedestrians more visible.

4). This intersection is the scene of several deaths and many injuries over the years and many many more close calls.

Please take into account this request as priorities are established for traffic safety projects on the Southside. I would like a response to this email as to when this request might be considered and beyond that when the work will be initiated. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Douglas Jame

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11.  Celebration of Publication of Karl Linn's Book on Creating Commons, Sunday, Dec. 9, 3-6 p.m.

 [Editor's Note: Karl Linn inspired some of us on the core committee responsible for creating Halcyon Commons, as he inspired many nationwide. Webster Street neighbors John and Michelle Thelen-Steere are cited in the book for their role in getting Berkeley's Karl Linn Community Garden named after Karl, and HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton is listed in the Acknowledgments for offering consultant services to help Karl's widow Nicole Milner bring Karl's book project to fruition following his death part way through the process.]

Celebration of Karl Linn's Book "Building Commons and Community"

Sunday, Dec. 9, 3-6 p.m., Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar at Bonita

Music and refreshments, program begins at 3:30 p.m.

In this lavishly illustrated book, Karl shares experience and practical wisdom to help people use the resources they find in their own surroundings to create welcoming shared spaces. Copies available at http://www.newvillagepress.net

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For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2007/Early 2008

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

Sunday, January 13, 2008, 5:30-8:45 p.m., Post-Holiday Progressive Potluck, four locations TBA

Sunday, January 27, 2008,  4-6 p.m., Disaster Preparedness Committee meeting  (4-5 p.m. plan spring disaster prep drill;  5-6 p.m., discuss supply cache for west of Shattuck), Wheeler St.

Saturday, February 23, 2008, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (heavy rain reschedules), Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, March 16, 2008,  6-8 p.m., Community Potluck, location TBD

Late March/Early April, date to be announced by Cal's Berkeley Project, Big Work Party in Halcyon Commons and surrounding neighborhood, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, March 30, 2008,  4-6 p.m., Big Disaster Prep Planning Meeting, location TBD

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 8 p.m., Deadline for ordering 55-gallon water barrels, drop off order forms and payment to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton 3044 Halcyon Ct.

Sunday, May 18, 3-5:30 p.m. (setup 2-3 p.m.), Outdoors Neighborhood Watch event with BIG Neighborhood Disaster Prep Drill, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Saturday, May 31, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, June 1 (tentative date), afternoon, Neighborhood Watch Self-Defense Training, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, June 22, 6-8 p.m., Summer Community Potluck, location TBD (someone's backyard/patio)

Saturday, July 26, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,  Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Tuesday, August 5, 6-8:30 p.m., National Night Out Against Crime (Potluck 6-7:30; Safety Walk, 7:30-8:30), Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) and surrounding neighborhood

Saturday, September 20, 9:30 a.m.-12 noon, Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, September 28, 4-7 p.m., Party in the Park to Celebrate Completion of Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project (with potluck and live music), Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Late October/Early November, date to be announced by Cal's Berkeley Project, Big Work Party in Halcyon Commons and surrounding neighborhood, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, October 12, 4-5:30, Big Neighborhood Watch meeting, location TBD

Sunday, November 9, 6-8 p.m. Fall Community Potluck, location TBD

November/December, Sunday afternoon, 4-5:30 p.m., Planning meeting, 2009 dates, date TBD, location TBD

Sunday, January 11, 2009, 5:30-8:45 p.m., 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):

Duct Tape (this is a versatile supply that allows us to improvise with common household items in the event of a disaster: lots needed!); Batteries (AA, C, D), regular & rechargeable; Battery Recharger for AA (LOTS of these needed!), 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; Two-Foot Lengths of 2x4s and 4x4s (good for cribbing and creating fulcrums for removing heavy objects during search & rescue operations).

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:

Berkeley:  www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police

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:  981-6620 (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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* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

HNA is a community group dedicated to stewardship of the Halcyon Neighborhood in South Berkeley (bounded by Telegraph, Ashby, Adeline, and Woolsey). We encourage positive, proactive, partnership-oriented approaches to improving the well-being of our neighborhood, with an emphasis on the following goals:

• Community building (such as regular potlucks, special events in the park, mutual support among neighbors, and multiblock yard sales);
• Ongoing care of Halcyon Commons (a park conceived of and created by the neighbors who founded HNA) under the nonprofit umbrella provided by Berkeley Partners for Parks and in partnership with the City of Berkeley;
• Continued greening and care of the neighborhood (planting trees, cleaning litter off streets, graffiti removal, and helping maintain public landscaped features);
• Strengthening neighborhood watch (crime watch, community safety walks, emergency preparedness, and disaster supply cache);
• Networking with the larger Berkeley community (nearby neighborhood groups, neighborhood businesses, City staff, and elected officials);
• Sharing information and empowering residents to become proactive in addressing neighborhood needs and in expressing individual viewpoints regarding civic affairs (spreading news through meetings, flyers, and the HNA E-Newsletter, and providing contact information).

        To fulfill these goals, HNA provides a sanctuary from partisan politics so that neighbors with diverse viewpoints feel welcome to participate. Thus, HNA only takes stands on larger issues when there is near-unanimity among neighbors. By focusing on immediate local concerns, we find we can have a greater impact and get better results from the time we invest.

       Guided by these principles, HNA invites neighbors who are willing to work together in a spirit of partnership to participate at whatever level makes sense for them. Opportunities for serving on our volunteer Steering Committee and project-oriented committees are available to neighbors who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work together in a nonpartisan spirit. Neighbors are invited to step forward into leadership positions defined by the work they do in accordance with HNA's primary goals and guiding principles.

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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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