HNA E-News: Work Party in Park Sat. 9/20; Celebration in Park 9/28; Tai Chi starting 9/17; more honey; 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. Work Party in Halcyon Commons This Saturday, Sept. 20, 9:30 a.m.-12 noon

2. Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Celebration & Potluck (with Live Music), Sunday, Sept. 28, 4-6:30 p.m.

3. Enhancing Neighborhood Lighting: Order Deadline Oct. 31st

4. Neighborhood Tai Chi Class Offered Starting September 17 (with possibility of Tai Chi Practice in the Park to follow)

5. Latest Harvest of Halcyon Honey Available for Purchase (or Free with Donation to HNA)!

* 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:

We have a work party coming up in Halcyon Commons this weekend (item 1). I hope to see some of you there. We're aiming to get the park in good shape for the big celebration the next weekend (item 2) with some weeding, trimming, sweeping, and graffiti removal.

On the subject of taking good care of the park -- which as most of you know was created by the neighborhood in partnership with the City, with an  commitment from HNA to help with the ongoing maintenance -- please keep an eye out to protect the lawn area. At our request, City staff recently reseeded areas that had become bare patches, and when i returned to town at the end of August the grass looked much better. But already there are some bare patches again, this time clearly the result of digging by dogs. So if you bring your dog(s) to the park, please be mindful both to pick up after them and to keep them from digging or scratching at the turf. It doesn't take long for a lot of damage to be done. Since this relatively small space gets a lot of use over the course of the week, it will only stay nice if we all look out for it, and give gentle reminders to those who might not be paying attention. Let's keep this precious commonly created and used space in good repair so we all can enjoy it!

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

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1. Work Party in Halcyon Commons This Saturday, Sept. 20, 9:30 a.m.-12 noon

Work Party in Halcyon Commons & Surrounds
Saturday, September 20, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon
Meet at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon Court at Prince Street)

Delicious refreshments (& water) courtesy of Whole Foods Market
Fresh coffee courtesy of Mokka Cafe (Telegraph at Dowling)

Chat with neighbors while we weed, trim, pick up trash, and remove graffiti in the park and surrounding neighborhood. Please bring weeding and trimming tools (with labels) if you have them (extra tools will be available if you don't). Let's give our precious common space some TLC to make it ready for our big celebration September 28th!

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2. Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Celebration & Potluck (with Live Music), Sunday, Sept. 28, 4-6:30 p.m.

Come one and all to the

Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Celebration & Potluck!

featuring Live Music by Singer/Songwriter Evelie Posch & Friends
Sunday, September 28, 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Halcyon Commons (Halcyon Court at Prince Street)

Come join in the dedication of new improvements funded by the UC Chancellor's Community Partnership Grant to our grassroots-designed and -built neighborhood park, Halcyon Commons.

4-5 p.m.: Food, music, and conversation; meet your neighbors and more!

5-5:20: Brief Program celebrating the completion of the Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project, with recognition of project partners and statements by officials, including Mayor Tom Bates, Councilmember Kriss Worthington, and HNA Co-Chairs Nancy Carleton and John Steere

5:30-6:30: More food and music: Acoustic Folk by the talented singer/songwriter Evelie Posch & Friends

This event will overlap with the Annual Membership Picnic and Fun Raiser of Berkeley Partners for Parks (http://www.bpfp.org) from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., which will also offer music, food, and fellowship.

Please bring quality food and/or drink to share for at least 8.

Potluck suggestions: Appetizer: T-Z  * Main Dish: L-S * Salad: A-F  * Dessert: G-K

(If not obvious, kindly attach a label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian and other diets.

If so inspired, it's really helpful if you can also bring a beverage to share.) Children welcome!

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3. Enhancing Neighborhood Lighting: Order Deadline Oct. 31st

Those households that have received or will be receiving a copy of our HNA flyer recently may have noticed the order form for discount lighting fixtures on the back side. 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 (or you can install yourself). 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 all dark spots on sidewalks, so our additions will make a difference. ) If you didn't receive a copy of the order form, or have misplaced it, you can get a pdf  of it by emailing jcf2525@gmail.com. Jill is collecting orders for a October 31st deadline, so act now!

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4. Neighborhood Tai Chi Class Offered Starting September 17 (with possibility of Tai Chi Practice in the Park to follow)

[Editor's Note: In the spirit of community-building, neighbor Judith Schwartz is offering T'ai Chi Chih classes in her Prince Street garden beginning this Wednesday, September 17, with hopes that once neighbors learn the forms we can share ongoing practice (free of charge) in Halcyon Commons.What a great idea! Here's Judith's announcement.]

T'ai Chi Chih Neighborhood Class for Beginners

Beginning class starts on Wed. Sept 17th and continues through Oct. 26th, except Oct. 8th.

Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Place: Prince St. between Shattuck and Wheeler

Cost: $100.00 for 6 classes; $90.00

I also have a DVD, which people can purchase for $32.00 to assist their daily practice (option). It is by the teacher of the teachers, Pam Towne. It is very good.

The basic 19 moves and one stance of T'ai Chi Chih can be learned in 6 sessions! The beginning class is designed for beginners, but others can always benefit from going over the details. If someone already knows T'ai Chi Chih and is looking for an intermediate or advanced practice, without instruction, this would not be the class for them. However, at City College, I am always integrating new people into the classes of students who have been doing it for 5, 10, 15 years! If people have learned a different style of Tai Chi or Qigong, they would be considered beginners in T'ai Chi Chih.  It's about learning a new set of movements.

For more information, contact Judith Schwartz, 510-843-2062; www.JudithSchwartz.com

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5. Latest Harvest of Halcyon Honey Available for Purchase (or Free with Donation to HNA)!

[Editor's Note: Neighbor Bruce WIcinas is offering organic neighborhood honey available at a bargain price. If you'd like to use this as an opportunity to contribute to our neighborhood association, those donating $20 or more will receive a complimentary  8 oz. jar of this fine local honey (for contributions of $40 or more, you'll receive the 16 oz size)! (If you'd like to donate to the neighborhood, drop your check made out to HNA/Halcyon Neighborhood Association through the slot at 3044 Halcyon Court or mail to Susan Hunter, Treasurer, 3044-A Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705; otherwise, see the announcement below to buy the honey directly.)

Honey for Sale:

The big honey harvest of the year is just in. Organic, raw honey made from the flowers of your gardens. For sale while it lasts: $6 for 16 oz jars, $3.50 per 8 oz. jar. $.75 credit for returned jars. The Honey Store is open every weekday 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., or by arrangement. Bruce and Noriko's house. Please call or email for the address or to arrange a different time. 848-1797  bwicinas@pacbell.net

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For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2008/2009

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

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

Sunday, September 28, 4-6:30 p.m., Party in the Park to Celebrate Completion of Halcyon Commons Rejuvenation Project (with potluck and live music), Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Saturday, November 15, 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Cal's Berkeley Project Day;  Big Work Party in Halcyon Commons and surrounding neighborhood (weeding, mulching, picking up trash, removing graffiti); meet at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

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>

[Editor's Note: While Councilmember Dona Spring is, sadly, no longer with us, her Council office is still operating and receiving emails at the above address;  although District 4 won't have a vote at Council meetings until a new councilmember is elected in November, then sworn in, Dona's existing staff is still tracking concerns sent their way, so I have not deleted her address from the list.]

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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