HNA E-News: Boulders!; Work Party This Sunday; Lighting Project; Crime Watch; etc.

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Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter

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Items appearing in the HNA E-Newsletter are deemed to be of general interest to neighbors but do not necessarily reflect the views of Halcyon Neighborhood Association (HNA), its Steering Committee, or the Editor. The Editor's introductory comments express her personal viewpoint.

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1. Come See the New Boulders & Join Our Work Party in Halcyon Commons Park, Sunday, June 1st, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.!!!

2. East Lorin Neighbors Need Berkeley Neighbor to Help Secure Permit Parking West of Shattuck

3. Lighting Project:  Spot Lighting for Neighborhood Safety Available at a Discount

4. Crime Watch Report: Attempted Bike Theft on Deakin Street

5. Water Supply Management Plan for 2040 Process Underway

* 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:

There are some beautiful new boulders in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince), thanks to the UC Chancellor's Community Partnership Grant we received in 2006. Come check them out, and watch for the paving stones that will soon be placed around them. Better yet, please consider joining us at Sunday's work party (see item 1), even if all you can spare is half an hour! Then you'll have a chance to be part of keeping the park beautiful (and we'll have delicious refreshments donated from Whole Foods and excellent coffee from Cafe Mokka available to reward you for your efforts)!

And don't forget to vote Tuesday!

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

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1. Come See the New Boulders & Join Our Work Party in Halcyon Commons Park, Sunday, June 1st, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.!!!

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

Refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Fresh coffee courtesy of Mokka Cafe (Telegraph at Dowling).

Come see the new boulders installed by neighborhood landscape contractor Scott Parker and his crew (thanks, Scott, Mark, and Chito! and thanks as well to neighbors Susan, Bruce, John, and Nancy for selecting them), with funds for the boulders provided by the UC Chancellor's Community Partnership Grant for the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project (the grant also funded the beautiful animal cutout gateway by artist Amy Blackstone)!  In addition to our usual weeding, trimming, and picking up trash and removing graffiti, we will be prepping the area around the newly installed boulders so that we can add the beautiful paving stones (lovely rounded-edge river stones also funded by the grant) that will surround the boulders in the peace pole area at the southern end of the park. This addition completes a portion of the park that was never fully finished back in 1996 when the park was dedicated; I think you'll agree that the boulders add a great deal of character as they anchor the southeast entry into the park in a special way.

Please bring extra weeding and trimming tools if you have them (extra tools will be available if you don't), as well as shovels (please be sure to LABEL any tools, so that you're sure you get them back; it can get confusing otherwise!).

Taking good care of our park is crucial to keeping it a safe and inviting center of our neighborhood. And Whole Foods Market always generously supplies us with tasty food to fuel us. We're grateful to Mokka Cafe as well for the excellent coffee! Please lend a hand!

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2. East Lorin Neighbors Need Berkeley Neighbor to Help Secure Permit Parking West of Shattuck

An East Lorin neighbor submitted the following announcement.

Help needed from Berkeley resident West of Shattuck on parking issues:

Currently Berkeley streets in close proximity to the Ashby BART station mostly have 2-hour parking restrictions, but several areas do not.  As many of you may have heard, there will be a new facility built in the east Ashby BART parking lot, the Ed Roberts campus for disabled people.  This campus will be attracting more traffic to the area, and combining that with the loss of parking available at Ashby BART due to construction of the campus, an overall large loss of parking will be transferred to area streets.  Unfortunately, the planners of the Ed Roberts campus have not incorporated additional 2-hour parking zones into their overall plan.  In order to preserve parking for area residents in the face of this increase in traffic, we would like to extend 2-hour parking to those streets which do not have it: specifically, certain parts of Woolsey between Adeline and Shattuck, Tremont Street between Woolsey and Emerson, Essex Street between Adeline and Tremont, and the section of Whitney street lying within the city of Berkeley.  Those of us who live near the Ashby BART have also found that areas with no parking restrictions often contribute to area blight by allowing people to park basically inoperative cars for extended periods of time (months, in some cases), and this would be ameliorated by an expansion of 2-hour parking.

Those of us who have banded together to work on this issue are all Oakland residents, but we need a Berkeley resident to serve as the liaison between our neighborhood and the city.  The city will send out petitions which we will go around asking people to sign, to obtain these 2 hr parking zones.  The city will only send the petitions to a Berkeley resident.  Anyone who is willing to help us by receiving the petitions will be greatly appreciated.  Contact Deborah at if you can help at rosurge@gmail.com.

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3. Lighting Project:  Spot Lighting for Neighborhood Safety Available at a Discount

A LeConte Neighborhood Association block captain is stepping forward with a great opportunity to get group discounts on lighting to brighten dark corners of our respective neighborhoods:

Jill Finn, the Block Captain of  2100 Oregon, has launched a project to help residents obtain motion sensitive lights for the front of their homes. She has gotten a quantity discount at $30 for a flexible two bulb unit plus an estimate for installation. Her goal is to have such lights installed throughout LeConte [including Halcyon south of Ahsby] with the result that the sidewalks and driveways will "light up" when people walk by. (The Police Department confirms that "Street Lights" are not intended to prevent dark spots on sidewalks, so our additions will make a difference. ) To get a pdf order form or more information please contact jcf2525@gmail.com.

The order form containing more information on the lighting project will also be disseminated on the flip side of the next HNA flyer going out in early July (rescheduled from late May); keep an eye out!

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4. Crime Watch Report: Attempted Bike Theft on Deakin Street

A Deakin Street neighbor reports:

"No actual theft, but a bicycle (wheel locked to frame, but frame not fastened to immovable object) was taken from our front porch and left in our front hedge (probably when it was discovered that it couldn't be ridden) last month."

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5. Water Supply Management Plan for 2040 Process Underway

Editor's Note: EBMUD Director Andy Katz submitted the following announcement. As the current drought plus water rationing makes clear, water policy is something we're likely to be paying closer attention to in the future. The following lists ways you can provide input.

Water Supply Management Plan 2040

 EBMUD is planning for the future with an update to the Water Supply Management Plan for 2040.  The Board of Directors is weighing several scenarios for meeting our water needs over the next 30 years.  The options include increased water conservation programs, recycled water projects, rationing, desalination, expanding and building new reservoirs, and securing water transfers and groundwater storage. You can find out more information and slideshows here: http://www.ebmud.com/water_&_environment/water_supply/water_supply_management_program/default.htm. 

 

Public comment sessions with the Board of Directors

1) Monday, June 16, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Avenue, Walnut Creek

2) Tuesday, June 17, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

375 11th St., Oakland

A brief presentation will be followed by the opportunity to comment to the Board of Directors.

 

Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday June 24, 8 am or 8:30 am - 11am

375 11th St., Oakland

After public comment, the Board of Directors will select the preferred portfolio for the WSMP 2040 for final environmental review.

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For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2008

Dates set as of  May 2008 (verify a couple weeks before event by checking HNA E-Newsletter):

Sunday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Work Party, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, July 13, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Summer Community Potluck, 2329 Webster (in the garden, then indoors for some neighborhood history)

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;  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 to reach Berkeley emergency from a cell)

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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