Halcyon Neighborhood Association

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

HNA E-News: Rally to Support Ashby Flowers, Today, 2/25 at 1:30 in Emeryville; Carbon Monoxide dangers; neighborhood news


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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. Rally in Support of Ashby Flowers, Wednesday, 2/25, 1:30 p.m., 5980 Horton Street, Emeryville (Regional Headquarters of Whole Foods Market)
2. Berkeley Fire Department Seeking to Raise Awareness of Carbon Monoxide Dangers
3. Meeting to Plan South Berkeley Community Arts Faire, Wednesday, March 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Over Sixty Health Center (Sacramento and Alcatraz)
4. Dry Garden Nursery on Shattuck Needs Our Support
5. Mitigations to Ashby Avenue Required as Part of Lawsuit Settlement over Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore
6. Halcyon Neighbor Caleb Dardick Launches Updated Website
7. Whole Foods Market Offering Raw Foods Cooking Class at Cardiac Conference Room, 3030 Telegraph, Friday, March 13, 6-8:30 p.m.
8. Bay Area Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Oakland Coliseum, Thursday, March 19

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2009
* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List
* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information
* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

Editor's Introductory Note:

We had a good meeting earlier this month setting neighborhood dates for 2009 (see the list in the placeholder section toward the end of the E-News). It was great to have the participation of  two new members of our Steering Committee, and a couple more have joined the Steering Committee listserve to track these events and other projects during the course of the year. Check out HNA's Guiding Principles (reproduced toward the end of every E-News) and if you're willing to help share some of the organizing responsibilities, you're welcome to join us. We do most of our work via the listserve rather than at meetings, and this is a relatively simple way you can help us get more done improving and cultivating our neighborhood.

On a personal note, I want to thank the neighbors who have kindly expressed condolences to Susan Hunter and me over the recent death of our beloved dog Cinnabar. He had just marked his fourteenth birthday, and for all those years he was a participant in our neighborhood, from the early days when we were digging up the asphalt to create the site of Halcyon Commons through the park's construction (he's the dog in the mural on the back of the bulletin board in the park), and then through the years by keeping us safe both in our home and by joining in on many of our neighborhood night-time safety dog walks. Susan and I and our remaining dog, Ginger, miss him terribly but remain grateful for his joyful presence in our lives for so many years.

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

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1. Rally in Support of Ashby Flowers, Wednesday, 2/25, 1:30 p.m., 5980 Horton Street, Emeryville (Regional Headquarters of Whole Foods Market)

[HNA received the following press release and background information from Ashby Flowers. Based on input from a wide range of neighbors in response to an announcement in the last edition of the E-News and at our well-attended recent events, HNA has decided to support the renewal of the lease for Ashby Flowers, and we'll be delivering a letter to Whole Foods Market signed by HNA Co-Chairs Nancy Carleton and John Steere stating our position (the letter is currently being reviewed by members of HNA's Steering Committee and will run in a future edition of the E-News). We encourage support of Ashby Flowers, a locally owned business that has been operating at its current site for over fifty years.]

Whole Foods Berkeley's Lease Decision Jeopardizes Neighborhood Small Businesses
What: Rally in support of Ashby Flowers

When: Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Outside Whole Foods Market Regional Headquarters
5980 Horton Street, Emeryville, CA

Who: Whole Foods "stakeholders" and supporters of Ashby Flower Shop, Whole Foods Berkeley's tenant at 3000 Telegraph Ave.

Why: After 60 years, the flower shop at the corner of Ashby and Telegraph avenues in Berkeley, CA, will be forced to close at end of July because Whole Foods Market, the corporation that owns the building in which the shop is located, has declined to renew the family-owned and operated flower shop's lease.

Whole Foods Regional President David Lannon maintains this is a business decision, but he has declined to say how Whole Foods will use the building. But Whole Foods will host a meeting on Wednesday, February 25, at 2 p.m. for the purpose of planning to open a coffee shop in the Ashby Flowers building.

Ashby Flowers to Be Uprooted

After more than 50 years, the flower shop at the corner of Ashby and Telegraph avenues in Berkeley, CA, will be forced to close at end of July because Whole Foods Market, the corporation that owns the building in which the shop is located, has declined to renew the family-owned and operated flower shop's lease.

Whole Foods Regional President David Lannon declined to give a reason for its decision, saying only that it was a local business decision.

According to Libba Letton, a national spokesperson for Whole Foods Market, the natural food chain, which also sells flowers and plants, does not compete with Ashby Flowers. "The store sells pre-made bouquets, plants and herbs. It does not make custom bouquets or do deliveries," she said.

Meanwhile, signs offering custom arrangements, which are posted in the Berkeley store's floral department, contradict Letton's statement.

Owners Iraj Misaghi and Marcy Simon, who sank their life savings into the flower shop when they bought it in 1995, have since expanded the store's customer base and developed business relationships with the area's major businesses and institutions. Among the shop's regular commercial accounts are UC Berkeley, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and Pixar Studios.

"We've worked hard to support our customers and be a good neighbor," says Marcy Simon. "And I realize that times are tough right now. But to build their business on the backs of small local businesses seems to go against the core values that Whole Foods publicizes on its web site."

She added, "Whole Foods won't tell us officially why they won't renew our lease.  But we've learned they plan to put a coffee shop in the space we occupy. So, they kill two birds with one stone:  they get rid of the competition and drive customers away from the three or four independently owned coffee shops that have been here for years."

Ashby Flowers, which supports three families, will be forced to close its doors on July 31st unless Whole Foods recants its decision. A flower shop has occupied the corner of Ashby and Telegraph Avenues since the 1950s.

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2. Berkeley Fire Department Seeking to Raise Awareness of Carbon Monoxide Dangers

[Editor's Note: The following information came via the City of Berkeley's News Page.]

In the last several months, several tragedies and near-tragedies have brought attention to the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Berkeley Fire Department is a leader in carbon monoxide (CO) detection and treatment in Alameda County, but please don't let us prove it - get a carbon monoxide detector for your home and learn more about CO poisoning.

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3. Meeting to Plan South Berkeley Community Arts Faire, Wednesday, March 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Over Sixty Health Center (Sacramento and Alcatraz)

Monday, February 23, 2009
Dear South Berkeley Community Leader,
South Berkeley has outstanding resources and talent to build a large and varied cadre of active residents, working together to improve our community.  This message is to announce a major new initiative to strengthen community participation in South Berkeley, and to request your presence at an important meeting to open this initiative. We are reaching out to invite you to participate in a positive neighborhood-building event in South Berkeley.  New neighborhood groups are forming and old ones are continuing and we know both want to connect. We hope you welcome this opportunity to meet other neighborhood/community leaders to discuss an idea to bring us together. As everyone works in their own areas, we, the leadership, can be far more effective in mobilizing our South Berkeley assets if we develop a stronger mechanism for communication and cooperation, and a plan for outreach to the residents.  We can all benefit and use this idea to encourage more of our neighbors to participate in a Strong South Berkeley.

IDEA:  A neighborhood based, grass roots led Community Arts Faire (with the support and cooperation of Health and Human Services and other city departments).

WHAT: A meeting to discuss and garner neighborhood support from South Berkeley Neighborhood Leaders - IN SOUTH BERKELEY

WHEN:  WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 6:30 TO 8:00 PM

WHERE:  OVER 60 HEALTH CENTER - (Corner of Sacramento and Alcatraz,
second floor conference room (directions below).

FACILITATORS:  Chris Kiefer, Resident/Community Action Team; Lincoln Casimere, Resident/South Berkeley Community Organizer and Angela Gallegos-Castillo, Resident/City Manager's Office-Neighborhood Services (supporting role)

Please contact Chris Kiefer directly to RSVP and for any questions: 
 (510) 915-4313
christie.kiefer@ucsf.edu

AGENDA
1. To present a grass-roots neighborhood- building event (Community Arts Faire) for Fall 2010.
Guiding principles:   All-inclusive neighborhood outreach, Intergenerational / Multi-racial /multi-class,  Positive and productive community spirit, Engagement through the neighborhoods

2. To meet and bring our energies together for linking and collaborating with each other. i.e. communication and coordination among us, increasing our effectiveness on our most important shared issues.

3. For the leadership of community improvement in South Berkeley (THAT'S YOU!)  to meet each other.

DIRECTIONS:  The Over 60 Health Center is the 3 story gray and white building on the north west corner of Sacramento and Alcatraz.  The sign in front says: "Lifelong Medical Care - Over 60 Health Center."   ENTER by driving or walking down the driveway on the north side of the building, into the garage, then take the elevator to the second floor.

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.
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4. Dry Garden Nursery on Shattuck Needs Our Support

[Editor's Note: The following message was being circulated on a Yahoo listserve related to horticulture, and passed on by a Le Conte neighbor as another local business in need of our support in a tight economy.]

When I visited The Dry Garden nursery on the Berkeley/Oakland border a couple of days ago, Richard, the owner, told me that business lately has been abysmal. Right now the nursery's ability to survive is in question. The Dry Garden is a gem - Richard carries many plants that are very difficult to find elsewhere. He has a great collection of succulents, plants from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, as well as some great citruses. He regularly stocks Buddha's Hand citrus, and some other unusual citrus (vanilla flavored orange, etc.). I encourage you all to patronize this unusual and delightful nursery - it would be tragic if it had to close. Also tell your friends and clients to make a visit. The address is 6556 Shattuck - not far from the Berkeley Bowl. Phone: (510) 547-3564. The nursery is closed on Mondays. Also, Richard, is looking for a cheap, or not expensive, web designer. Please give him a call if you know someone who might qualify.

Thanks,
Gillian Scharff

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5. Mitigations to Ashby Avenue Required as Part of Lawsuit Settlement over Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore

[Editor's Note: Le Conte neighbor Steve Finacom posted the following note on the Le Conte Neighborhood Association listserve; I reprint it here because Ashby Avenue is also the border of the Halcyon neighborhood, and we'd be wise to pay attention to this too.]

Neighbors:

The Berkeley Daily Planet posted Tuesday (Feb. 3) a story noting:

"Caltrans will fund $2 million in improvements to Highway 13 in Berkeley as part of the settlement of a lawsuit by civic activists challenging the state's plans to drill a fourth bore for the Caldecott Tunnel. . . . The Berkeley funds are to be spent on traffic signals and signal timing, and for improvements that make the road safer for cyclists and pedestrians, according to the 11-page agreement filed with the court of Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch. . . . . According to the agreement, "[p]rojects will be selected by the City of Berkeley," with the approval of the Fourth Bore Coalition (FBC) and subject to final approval by Caltrans based on safety and feasibility."


It would be useful to keep an eye on this, since Ashby is one border of our neighborhood.

It would also be useful if any Le Conte residents would have suggestions of Ashby items that might be considered between, say, Adeline and Telegraph. (For instance, a consistent planting of street trees along our rather barren stretch could be a useful traffic calming measure.)

Finally, I can't help but note that 76 years ago Berkeley voluntarily gave up control of Ashby Avenue to the State-which made it, and San Pablo Avenue, State Highways-an action celebrated locally at the time by the City because it meant the State would then pay for street improvements. It has certainly been a mixed bag of results since then.

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6. Halcyon Neighbor Caleb Dardick Launches Updated Website

[Editor's Note: It is always my pleasure to pass on announcements of key events in the lives of neighbors. Here I'm happy to pass on an announcement from Caleb Dardick of Halcyon Court concerning his consulting business, CDA Strategies.]

This year, CDA Strategies is celebrating its ninth anniversary helping clients navigate the complex world of government and public relations, community outreach, communication and advocacy.
To kick-off 2009, I am proud to re-launch my updated website at www.cdastrategies.com, which features a number of new case studies about recent projects.

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7. Whole Foods Market Offering Raw Foods Cooking Class at Cardiac Conference Room, 3030 Telegraph, Friday, March 13, 6-8:30 p.m.

[Editor's Note:  The following announcement was received from Whole Foods Market.]

Forget Cooking! - A Raw Food Cooking Class
Friday, March 13, 6 - 8:30 p.m.   $35

Eating healthy has never been so delicious and easy. After this class you will have the skills to prepare a variety of healthy dishes for daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Basic knife skills and equipment use will also be covered.

In Forget Cooking you will learn:
  • Easy ways to get more greens into your diet
  • How to make delicious milks from nuts and seeds
  • How to make creamy vegetable soup in less than 10 minutes
  • How shredding and marinating kale and other leafy greens makes them as tender as cooked, without loss of nutrients
  • How to turn nuts and seeds into protein rich pates
  • How to transform zucchini into delicate angel-hair noodles - its pasta without the starch!
  • The secret ingredient in chocolate mousse that replaces butter, cream and eggs.

Menu: Almond Milk, Cream of Zucchini Soup, Mediterranean Kale Salad, Not Tuna Pate, Zucchini Noodles Marinara, Chocolate Mousse

This class will focus on natural, raw ingredients such as leafy greens and other vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. No meat or dairy products are used.

 Class is held at 3030 Telegraph Ave. in the Cardiac Conference Room, directly across Webster St. from Whole Foods Market.  Call (510)649-1333 x261 to register as space is limited. Payment will be taken the day of the event. Cash is preferred.

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8. Bay Area Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Oakland Coliseum, Thursday, March 19

[Editor's note: The following information was forwarded by the City's Office of Emergency Preparedness.]

The City of Berkeley is working in collaboration with 9 Counties and 3 cities on a Point of Distribution Emergency Preparedness Exercise. The Public Health Preparedness division and the Office of Emergency Services would like to forward this information to you and your neighborhood members about an opportunity to participate as a volunteer in a mass prophylaxis disaster response exercise on March 19 at the Oakland Coliseum. This will be an great opportunity for citizens to see what a possible bioterrorism event response would look like.

A BAY AREA EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE
Focus:  Mass Dispensing
Thursday March 19th, 2009, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Oakland Coliseum Complex (East Arena), 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621
(Take BART or Amtrak and exit at the Coliseum/Oakland stop)
FREE PARKING! FREE REFRESHMENTS!
All participants will get a certificate of community service.
TO SIGN UP CALL: Kathy Dervin  510-981-5361
EMAIL: kdervin@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Must have a valid California ID or be accompanied by someone with a valid ID to participate
1000s of VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED
Come join us in this exciting exercise to prepare for future health emergencies. Giving 4 hours of your time provides us with the support we need to build our efficiency and preparedness. For more information on exercise activities and how you can help, please see contact information above.

NOTE:  No actual medications or vaccines will be distributed during this exercise.

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* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2009

Dates set as of  February 2009 (verify a couple weeks before event by checking HNA E-News; more dates will be added after the 2/8 planning meeting):

Saturday in March or April, date TBD, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Work Party in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) and surrounding neighborhood in coordination with Cal student volunteers from the Berkeley Project
Saturday, April 25,  2009, 10 a.m., T'ai Chi Chih Practice in the Park with Judith Schwartz on World Tai Chi and QiGong Day, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon Court at Prince Street); this will be the beginning of free ongoing neighborhood practice (days/times TBD)
Saturday, May 9, 2009, 10 a.m. - 12:30, Work Party in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)
Sunday, May 31 (tentative date), afternoon (2-4 p.m.), Training in Urban Self-Defense Strategies, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)
Sunday, June 14, 5:30-8 p.m., Community Potluck, location TBD
July date TBD, Neighborhood Rummage Sale to raise money for No. Oakland Crime Prevention Council (with HNA's participation), Bushrod Park, No. Oakland
Sunday, July 26, 2009, 10 a.m. - 12:30, Work Party in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)
Tuesday, August 4, 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
Sunday, September 13, 4-6 p.m., Neighborhood Celebration with Live Music and Potluck in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)
October date TBD, Annual meeting of  No. Oakland Crime Prevention Council (with HNA's participation)
Saturday in November, date TBD,  9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Big Work Party in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) and surrounding neighborhood in coordination with Cal student volunteers from the Berkeley Project
Sunday, December 6, 4-5:30 p.m., HNA Steering Committee meeting to set dates for 2010, John Steere's house, 2329 Webster
Sunday, January 24, 2010, 5:00-8:45 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:  http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police

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

Other City Departments:

City Manager's Office: 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 Jesse Arreguin <JArreguin@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,
Councilmember Laurie Capitelli <LCapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,
Councilmember Susan Wengraf <SWengraf@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 at <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 please!) to HNA E-Newsletter Editor Nancy Carleton at <halcyon92@gmail.com>. Crime-watch reports and news about neighbors (births, new jobs, announcements re home businesses) is especially welcome. Please note that due to the volunteer nature of the endeavor, the E-Newsletter does not typically include "letters to the editor" or "commentary," but will gladly include links to such items written by neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area and published elsewhere (the Berkeley Daily Planet has a large section devoted to opinion).

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

HNA Blog: If you would like to view previous newsletters online (and comment via a blog format, though this is a low-activity blog), please visit http://halcyoncourt.blogspot.com/

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Tuesday, February 03, 2009

HNA E-News: Steering Comm/Disaster Prep Planning Mtg. Sunday, 4-5:30 p.m.; 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. Joint Steering Committee/Disaster Prep Committee Planning Meeting, Sunday, February 8,  2009, 4-5:30  p.m.
2. Ashby Flowers Needs Your Support
3. Proposed HNA Action in Support of Ashby Flowers
4. Adopt a Piece of Halcyon Commons!
5. Crime Watch Report: Car Break-in 2300 Block of Prince
6. Crime Watch Report: Attempted Break-in on Fulton
7. Crime Watch Alert: Help Needed to Catch a Sex Crime Predator
8. Radon Reported in Neighborhood and Link to Information on Testing
9. Bay Area Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Oakland Coliseum, Thursday, March 19
10. Berkeley Visitor's Guide Available Online
11. Link to the Ecology Center's Climate Change Action Project
12. Buy Local Berkeley Suggests Local Economic Stimulus Action

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2009
* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List
* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information
* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

Editor's Introductory Note:

Thanks to all who participated in our hour-long Halcyon neighborhood cleanup on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which was listed as part of the national Day of Service organized through the new USAservice.org site promoted by President Obama. Forty-five adults and children showed up for this hour-long event, generating eighteen bags of trash and removing graffiti from dozens of signs and poles! It was very gratifying to see so many volunteers filled with a renewed dedication to service inspired by Obama's election, along with the recognition that it's going to take all of us to clean up the mess left from the last eight years.

There will be plenty of opportunities to pitch in and be part of the ongoing renewal of our neighborhood during the coming year. Please consider joining us this coming Sunday if you'd like to help plan some of the HNA dates and events for 2009 (see item 1). We could really use a few more community-minded folks to help us plan neighborhood watch,  community potlucks, cleanups, work parties in the park, disaster preparedness events, and more. As the saying goes, "Many hands make light work."

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

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1. Joint Steering Committee/Disaster Prep Committee Planning Meeting, Sunday, February 8,  2009, 4-5:30  p.m.

What: Joint Meeting of HNA Steering Committee and Disaster Prep Commitee
Where: 3044-B Halcyon Court (back unit at end of driveway)
Agenda: Set HNA events/dates for 2009

Please join us for a meeting focused on setting HNA dates for events in 2009 (including neighborhood/park cleanups, community potlucks, tai chi chih in the park, and a likely disaster prep drill). New participants welcome! The scope of what we'll be able to take on this year will depend on the number of neighbors willing to help organize an event or two during the course of the year. Putting on the events is relatively simple if we have enough folks to help, because we already have good information-spreading methods in place (between the E-News, our flyer distribution network, and our park bulletin board).  We need two or three point people per event to move forward with it.

Come if you're interested in helping set the date for an event or two focusing on neighborhood watch (crime watch and/or disaster prep, self-defense training), cleanups, community building (potlucks, music in park, tai chi in the park, a multi-block yard sale, etc.), and/or other neighborhood projects, and you feel in alignment with HNA's Guiding Principles published toward the end of the E-News. Contact <halcyon92@gmail.com> for more information.

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2. Ashby Flowers Needs Your Support
 
[Editor's note: The owners of Ashby Flowers submitted the following information for us to pass on to neighbors. As editor, I have let Whole Foods Market know on three occasions that I will gladly print their perspective on this situation if and when they submit something to me in writing.]

Dear neighbors:

After more than 50 years at the corner of Ashby and Telegraph avenues, Ashby Flowers will be forced to vacate our shop at the end of July. Whole Foods Market has declined to renew our lease.
 
We sank our life savings into this shop when we bought it in 1995. Since then, we've worked hard to support our customers and to be a good neighbor. We count among our customers many residents of the Halcyon neighborhood. We are a small, family-owned and operated business, and this store is our livelihood. In this economy, especially, we cannot afford to be shut down.
 
Some customers have heard that Whole Foods is planning to open a cafe in what is now our flower store. This is unsubstantiated to the extent that the City of Berkeley has neither received any permit requests nor issued any permits to Whole Foods for the building that houses our flower shop.

Meanwhile, Whole Foods won't tell us why they won't renew our lease. We believe it is a bad business decision for Whole Foods, and certainly bad for us and our customers.
 
We could use all the neighborhood support we can get to help Whole Foods change its mind. To help us, please stop by our shop and sign our petition to Whole Foods upper management. In it, we ask Whole Foods to renew our lease.

In addition, tell the Whole Foods Board of Directors How You Really Feel!

Members of corporate boards of directors safeguard the core values of their companies. They are in a position to recommend action when senior employees violate a company's core values. As neighborhood members, you are among the "stakeholders" Whole Foods talks about serving. How does eliminating Ashby Flowers, a business many of you frequent regularly, serve your interests? Did Whole Foods invite your input on this decision? Is Whole Foods acting with the integrity it refers to on its website?

Here's your chance to tell the Whole Foods Board of Directors how you feel about the company's decision not to renew Ashby Flower Shop's lease. What does this say about Whole Foods' support for its local community? Write to the board members at:

Shareholder Services, Whole Foods Market, Inc.
550 Bowie Street, Austin, Texas 78703
512.477.4455

We found email addresses for only a few of the board members, as noted below. If you want to copy Ashby Flowers on  emails you write, do so at ashbyflowers@gmail.com:

John P. Mackey, co-founder of the Company, has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since 1980. Mr. Mackey also served as President from June 2001 to Oct. 2004.

Dr. John B. Elstrott elstrott@tulane.edu   
Dr. John B. Elstrott has served as a director of the Company since 1995. Dr. Elstrott is a Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship and the founding director of the Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship at Tulane University's Freeman School of Business, which was started in 1991.

Hass Hassan has served as a director of the Company since 2005. Mr. Hassan has been a General Partner of Greenmont Capital, an investment firm, since 2006.
 
We thank you for your continued support.
 
Marcy Simon and Iraj Misaghi
Owners, Ashby Flowers,  ashbyflowers@gmail.com

[Editor's note: You can also use the Whole Foods site for the Berkeley store to submit your opinion.]
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/contact_direct.php?tlc=BRK

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3. Proposed HNA Action in Support of Ashby Flowers

Editor's note:  Our HNA Steering Committee is considering sending a letter in support of Ashby Flowers, asking that Whole Foods Market renew the lease of this long-time local business. As many of you know, HNA rarely takes stands on land-use issues because they are so often fraught with controversy, which we intentionally steer clear of so that as many neighbors as possible will feel comfortable participating in our nonpartisan efforts devoted to neighborhood watch, park cleanups, community building, and so forth. As our Guiding Principles (reprinted toward the end of each E-News) state, "HNA only takes stands on larger issues when there is near-unanimity among neighbors." So far, every neighbor we've talked to or heard from by email has indicated support for Ashby Flowers receiving a renewed lease, so this looks like one of those occasions where there's "near-uanimity." If you are a neighbor living in the Halcyon neighborhood (Ashby to Woolsey, Telegraph to Adeline) and you have strong feelings in either direction about the Ashby Flowers situation, please email <halcyon92@gmail.com> by this Friday, February 6, and our Steering Committee will take your opinion into account as we weigh whether to proceed with our planned letter of support. Thanks, Nancy Carleton, HNA Co-Chair

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4. Adopt a Piece of Halcyon Commons!

[Editor's note: HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, one of the main folks who has served as a steward for our neighborhood park over the past fifteen years, hopes to get a few more neighbors involved in her new project, which will allow those who can't always make it to big weekend work parties to help care for our shared common space.]

Attention all Park Lovers:  Adopt a Piece of Our Park Plan

I am writing to see if I can get a few more folks to join me in "adopting a piece of the park" to help maintain a small piece of Halcyon Commons (our neighborhood-created park on Halcyon Court near Prince Street). The idea is something you can do on your own time, once a month. I just need a core group of about 8 to 18 people for us to get started. It would take you all of 10-15 minutes to do your area if we had enough people. So far we have three plus me, and some time has gone by since I last wrote a piece about this. So, if I could get four or more additional people to volunteer a very small segment of time, we could have a short first meeting to scope out the areas. I want it to be fun, rather than "work." Simple. Plus it would be great to meet new neighbors in the process.

Please email me at huntersec@gmail.com and join me for coffee & scones upon our first meeting, tbd ( most likely a Saturday or Sunday a.m.).

Thanks again,
Susan Hunter

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5. Crime Watch Report: Car Break-in 2300 Block of Prince

A Prince Street neighbor reports:

"My car was broken into Wednesday night January 28. The passenger side window was broken (closest to the sidewalk). They rifled through the car, but nothing was taken."

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6. Crime Watch Report: Attempted Break-in on Fulton

A Fulton Street neighbor reports:

"Hi all!  Just a brief item about crime. I came home late ( 1130 p.m.) on Sunday 1/18 and found two street barricades and a old black plastic box set up underneath my son's bedroom window (alleyway). He was home alone with our dog. When I questioned him, he said he had heard some rustling about out there, but thought it was my brother who lives behind us in the cottage. The next morning I found his window screen behind the green bin and a small hole in the bottom corner. I reported all this to the police, who were great (as usual!), and told me there have been a fair amount of house and car break-ins in our neighborhood lately. He reinforced the importance of reporting any thing suspicious to the police. Keep your eyes open!"

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7. Crime Watch Alert: Help Needed to Catch a Sex Crime Predator

Berkeley, California (Wednesday, January 28, 2009) City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Sex Crimes detectives need the community's help to nab a predator. Detectives are tracking a series of assaults in which the suspect is focusing on college-aged women who are wearing skirts. In each case, the suspect approaches the victim(s)from behind, lifts their skirts, and tries to penetrate the victim's vagina with his finger. Three of the crimes occurred on Saturday, January 24, 2009 in the south campus area of the City of Berkeley close to the University of California at Berkeley. (UC)

Case #1 1:30 a.m. Channing Way & Piedmont Avenue
Case #2   12:30 a.m. Bowditch Way & Channing Way
Case #3  2:30 a.m. 2400 block of Warring Street

Detectives believe that an incident on October 31, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. at Haste Street and Piedmont Avenue is also related based on the similar M.O. (Modus Operandi) in that case. Due to the fact that the suspect approaches the victims from behind to commit the crime, the victims were unable to get a detailed description of the suspect. The victims have generally described the suspect as:

White male, 20s to 30 years old
5'6"-5'9" tall
Medium build, short dark hair
BPD needs the community's help in catching this suspect. If you were a victim who did not report a similar crime or a witness to any of these crimes, please contact the BPD Sex Crimes Detail at 510-981-5735/5734. If you wish to remain anonymous, please call Bay Area Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. All Bay Area Crime Stoppers calls are completely confidential. For crimes in progress, call 911 or  510- 981-5911 from your cell phone when in the City of Berkeley.

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8. Radon Reported in Neighborhood and Link to Information on Testing

A Prince Street neighbor reports:

My husband and I live in the 2100 block of Prince Street in the bottom level of a two-story house.  We recently had our home tested for Radon (we did two short term tests) and the levels came out just above the action level indicated by the EPA for remediation work to be done.  We had the remediation work completed and retested and our levels fell to background levels.  Radon is usually not considered a problem in the Bay Area, however our levels were too high and show that it can be a hazard in our neighborhood.  The Radon tests are inexpensive and easy to use.  For more information on Radon you can check the EPA website. http://www.epa.gov/radon/ "

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9. Bay Area Emergency Preparedness Exercise at the Oakland Coliseum, Thursday, March 19

[Editor's note: The following information was forwarded by the City's Office of Emergency Preparedness.]

The City of Berkeley is working in collaboration with 9 Counties and 3 cities on a Point of Distribution Emergency Preparedness Exercise. The Public Health Preparedness division and the Office of Emergency Services would like to forward this information to you and your neighborhood members about an opportunity to participate as a volunteer in a mass prophylaxis disaster response exercise on March 19 at the Oakland Coliseum. This will be an great opportunity for citizens to see what a possible bioterrorism event response would look like.

A BAY AREA EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE
Focus:  Mass Dispensing
Thursday March 19th, 2009, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Oakland Coliseum Complex (East Arena), 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621
(Take BART or Amtrak and exit at the Coliseum/Oakland stop)
FREE PARKING! FREE REFRESHMENTS!
All participants will get a certificate of community service.
TO SIGN UP CALL: Kathy Dervin  510-981-5361
EMAIL: kdervin@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Must have a valid California ID or be accompanied by someone with a valid ID to participate
1000s of VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED
Come join us in this exciting exercise to prepare for future health emergencies. Giving 4 hours of your time provides us with the support we need to build our efficiency and preparedness. For more information on exercise activities and how you can help, please see contact information above.

NOTE:  No actual medications or vaccines will be distributed during this exercise.

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10. Berkeley Visitor's Guide Available Online

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/berkeley/ovg0809/

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11. Link to the Ecology Center's Climate Change Action Project

[Editor's note: Several neighbors have expressed a desire to learn more about the Ecology Center's efforts to help us reduce our carbon footprints. See the following links for more information.]

The Ecology Center's Climate Change Action Project has been featured lately in area news media, including the East Bay Express:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/changing_the_climate_one_person_at_a_time/Content?oid=880868

To find out more, contact:
http://ecologycenter.org/climatechange/

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12. Buy Local Berkeley Suggests Local Economic Stimulus Action

[Editor's note: A neighbor submitted the following excerpt from a recent email from Buy Local Berkeley.]

We're all watching our pennies these days. So, when you do spend, make sure you get the most for your dollar.  Shopping at locally owned, independent businesses provides the greatest economic stimulus to our own community.
 
That's right: You are a walking, talking stimulus package!  For every dollar you spend at a local independent, 58% more of your money gets spent again right here in our region. That means that you are helping your friends and neighbors keep their jobs and funding local charities every time you buy from the cool businesses that make our town unique. You get all that PLUS the actual product or service too?!  What a bargain!
 
Read on to find out just some of the ways we can "self stimulate" right here in Berkeley ...

The Resolution:
"I resolve to increase my support of independent businesses and artists, and I will put my thoughts, actions and dollars behind my local community."
 
The Reward:
By making the Indie Resolution, I am creating a healthier, more thoughtful, and stronger community, economy, and life for myself.
 
The Incentive:
A chance to win $5800 in local gift certificates! Why $5800? Fifty-eight percent more of your money stays in the community when spent at local, independent businesses rather than out-of-town chains. Think about every dollar you spend, and how you can circulate it here, in your community.

How to Participate:
Email your name and mailing address by 2/07/09 tobuylocalberkeley@gmail.com. You will receive an Indie Resolution Journal in the postal service mail in February, along with info on how to identify local, indie businesses. Each month, make at least one journal entry of what you did to support the theme of the month. You will receive a monthly email that explains the theme, and makes suggestions for activities. At the end of the year, mail your Journal back to our sponsoring partner in this effort, The East Bay Express, by 12/31/09, and you will be automatically entered into the drawing.

http://www.buylocalberkeley.com/node/26

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* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2009

Dates set as of  January 2009 (verify a couple weeks before event by checking HNA E-News; more dates will be added after the 2/8 planning meeting):

Sunday, February, 8, 2009, 4-5:30, Joint Steering Committee/Disaster Prep Committee meeting to plan dates/events for 2009, 3044-B Halcyon Court (back unit) (email <halcyon92@gmail.com> if you'd like to participate)
Saturday, April 25,  2009, 10 a.m., T'ai Chi Chih Practice in the Park with Juditth Schwartz on World Tai Chi and QiGong Day, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon Court at Prince Street); this will be the beginning of free ongoing neighborhood practice (days/times 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:  http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police

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

Other City Departments:

City Manager's Office: 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 Jesse Arreguin <JArreguin@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,
Councilmember Laurie Capitelli <LCapitelli@ci.berkeley.ca.us>,
Councilmember Susan Wengraf <SWengraf@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 at <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 please!) to HNA E-Newsletter Editor Nancy Carleton at <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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