HNA E-News: Supplemental Work Party Sunday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Funds Needed; 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. Supplemental Work Party in Halcyon Commons Park, This Sunday, June 8th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

2. HNA Fundraising Appeal for Completion of Boulder Project

3. Concerned about Effects of Alta Bates Parking? Attend Meeting Monday, June 23, 7-9 p.m.

4. Cycles of Change Bike Tour Series Features Cordornices Creek This Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m.

5. La Peña Mural Slated for Refurbishing

* 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:

See items 1 and 2 for ways you can help us complete the final phase of the boulder and paving stone project at the southern end of Halcyon Commons!  We could really use your help!

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

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

1. Supplemental Work Party in Halcyon Commons Park, This Sunday, June 8th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Thanks to some dedicated volunteers, several of whom stayed many extra hours last Sunday, we made good progress on installing the paving stones around the new boulders at the south end of the park as well as accomplishing a lot of weeding and trimming (especially important this time of year to keep lines of sight open to help prevent crime). But we ran out of sand (it takes way more than advertised!) and time and energy, and needed to schedule a supplemental work party for this Sunday to get the remainder of this big volunteer project done.

It would be great to have a few more folks willing to help either move the paving stones and/or place them, or willing to help with some mop-up weeding that we didn't get a chance to finish. While the refreshments won't be as lavish as last weekend, water and treats from Nabolom Bakery will be provided.

Please stop by to help out if you possibly can. As always, even a half hour of your time will make a difference.

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

2. HNA Fundraising Appeal for Completion of Boulder Project

Due to the need for additional sand and paving stones to cover the square footage involved, we had a cost overrun of several hundred dollars on the final phase of our Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project. Our $13,640 grant from the UC Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund covered the vast majority of the costs for installing the metalwork entry at the north end of the park as well as the  improvements at the southern end, but we ran a bit short in covering the expenses for installing the beautiful boulders and surrounding paving stones. Currently these cost overruns are residing on Nancy Carleton's credit card, and we need to get some additional funds on hand to reimburse her.

This would be a good opportunity for those of you who appreciate the difference that our community common space makes in the neighborhood, and who value our neighborhood association and all its efforts, to step up to the plate with a contribution. As you may be aware, we have decided over the years not to have formal membership dues for HNA, to keep participation and involvement at high levels. Of course, occasionally we have expenses, and we encourage donations from time to time to help us meet them. While we pass the hat at some of our community meetings, many neighbors have enjoyed the benefits of our neighborhood association over many years without ever contributing financially. Here's your chance!

There are two ways to contribute: Checks made out to BPFP (Berkeley Partners for Parks) and earmarked Halcyon in the lower left corner are fully tax-deductible and are channeled through our nonprofit sponsor (which withholds 5 percent to cover their administrative costs). Or checks can be made out to HNA directly (these are not tax-deductible, but they allow us to use 100% of the funds for Halcyon projects).

Whether you make out your check to BPFP or to HNA, please send it (or drop it off) to the same location:

Susan Hunter, Treasurer, HNA

3044 Halcyon Court

Berkeley, CA 94705

Please consider chipping in! Thank you!

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

3. Concerned about Effects of Alta Bates Parking? Attend Meeting Monday, June 23, 7-9 p.m.

[Editor's Note:  Peter Shelton, who's active in the Bateman neighborhood and ia a leader of the Inter-neighborhood Hospital Relations Committee, forwarded the following announcement. Please contact him if you'd be interested in attending the June 23 meeting.]

I'm Peter Shelton, leader of the IHRC (inter-neighborhood hospital relations committee) here in Bateman.  You may know that Alta Bates is under certain restrictions regarding parking, traffic and use of the Ashby campus.  One restriction is that each January, an independent consultant measures traffic and parking patterns in the "hospital impact zone," which includes Bateman, some of Willard, and some of LeConte. [Editor's Note: And certainly affects the east side of our Halcyon neighborhood as well.]

The preliminary results are in and indicate that the parking impact on our neighborhoods exceeds the agreed upon limit for the fourth year in a row.  The hospital's agreement with the city requires that the Zoning Adjustment Board now review the hospital's Use Permit. 

We are having a meeting with representatives from the City, Alta Bates, and the traffic consultant on Monday, June 23, probably from 7-9, at a meeting room in the hospital, to review the report and hear and exchange ideas. 

If anyone from your neighborhood is interested in attending, please let me know their contact information so I can keep them posted on the location.

Thank you.

Peter Shelton

<peterashelton@gmail.com>

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

4. Cycles of Change Bike Tour Series Features Cordornices Creek This Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m.

[Editor's Note: HNA Co-Chair John Steere (who also leads the popular Hidden Gems of Berkeley bike tours, is involved in this ride.]

Bike Tours sponsored with Cycles of Change as part of a series of bicycle-based journeys into the heart of the Bay Area. All rides are on the 1st Saturday of the month; start at 10 a.m.; and meet at a BART station.

JUNE 7      Story of an Urban Creek - follow Codornices Creek from its source to its end, exploring secret waterfalls, tracking elusive steelhead trout and learning the art/science of creek restoration. . . .Begin at Berkeley BART - Easy/moderate riding, elevation gain of 200 feet, total 5 miles. A donation to $10 to cover the tour is appreciated, and an additional donation of any amount to Cycles of Change (our non-profit youth bicycle adventures program) or to Sustainable Pacific Rim Cities is requested but not required.

 Download the full schedule http://sustainablepacific.org/biketours_schedule_20080522.pdf.

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

5. La Peña Mural Slated for Refurbishing

An article in today's Berkeley Voice (which apparently also appeared in the Oakland Tribune) discusses plans for refurbishing of La Peña's mural (Shattuck at Prince):

"Berkeley mural will get a face-lift"

http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_9491199?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com

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

For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2008

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

Sunday, June 8, 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

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

* 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.

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

* 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)

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

* 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/

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