HNA E-News: Saturday Work Party in Park, 9:30-1; Neighbor news; Self-defense strategies May 31; 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 & Surrounding Neighborhood, This Saturday, May 9, 9:30 to 1 p.m.

2. Prince Street Neighbor's Documentary "Children of the Amazon" Showing Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m.

3. Free Monthly Tai Chi Chih Practice at Halcyon Commons Starting Sunday, May 24,  and Sunday, June 28, at 11 a.m.

4. Neighbor Offering Tai Chi Chih Classes in Her Prince Street Garden

5. Free Training on Urban Self-Defense Strategies with Wendy Schlesinger on Sunday, May 31, 2-4 p.m., Halcyon Commons

6. Whole Foods Market Signs 10-Year Lease with Ashby Flowers

7. Disaster Prep Next Step: Excess Flow Gas Safety Valves

* 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:

Many thanks to Ros Harder for a phenomenal job organizing the recent multi-block yard sale.  And thanks to all who helped with flyers, posters, and ads, as well as to HNA Co-Chair John Steere, who went around to collect final $5 payments plus donations midday (and extra thanks to those who made a donation to HNA beyond the $5, which will go toward our neighborhood disaster prep efforts) and Nancy Carleton, who made the flyer and provided logistical support. It was truly a community effort, and many people said during the day what a great neighborhood we live in. While it's always nice to earn a little extra money, of course a lot of effort goes into the amount earned, and the rewards more than the cash are the cleaner home and closets and the nice connections with neighbors and strangers made during the day. So thank you to all who participated.

We have another community-building opportunity to chat with neighbors while improving our neighborhood at this Saturday's work party (see item 1). The care we give to our shared common space is especially important in that it honors a commitment we made during the creation of Halcyon Commons. As many of you know, it took a four-year neighborhood-initiated process from the birth of the idea for putting a park into the center of Halcyon Court, which was once a parking lot, to the construction and planting of the park in 1996, all of which involved much "sweat equity" on the part of neighbors who donated time, energy, and various forms of expertise. Part of our agreement with the City was that we would continue to help with the maintenance of the Commons, and a core group of us has made sure we've honored that commitment faithfully over the years. Since it's always wise to take care of what you've created and to continue to put energy into it, this has been a very positive effort, and anyone who comes to help out becomes part of the ongoing creation of the park as a place that nurtures the connections that keep our neighborhood healthy. So come on out, enjoy good company and the excellent food donated by Whole Foods Market and the fresh coffee donated by Mokka Cafe, and "keep the dream alive!"

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

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1. Work Party in Halcyon Commons & Surrounding Neighborhood, This Saturday, May 9, 9:30 to 1 p.m.

Meet at Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Delicious refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Fresh coffee courtesy of Mokka (cafe at Telegraph & Dowling)

 

Our first spring work party is a bit later than usual, so there are plenty of weeds waiting to be pulled, and with the rain this past week but clear weather forecast for the weekend, it should be a great day for pulling them!

This work party will include:

* Weeding and light mulching in Halcyon Commons and some of the nearby landscaped islands (rain or shine).

* Picking up litter from streets in the larger neighborhood (rain or shine).

* Removing graffiti from as wide an area of our neighborhood as we can reach with available volunteers (rain reschedules).

Many hands make light work: Please lend yours! Even half an hour helps. We have wonderful refreshments to fuel us, so come on out! Children welcome. Bring your own tools if you have them, or use ours if you don't. THANK YOU for helping give our park and our neighborhood some TLC! And if you've noticed graffiti in the public right-of-way in the larger neighborhood, let us know and we'll do our best to clean it up.

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2. Prince Street Neighbor's Documentary "Children of the Amazon" Showing Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m.

Editor's Note: As always, I'm pleased to pass on announcements concerning neighbors' creative efforts and offerings. Here's an upcoming screening of a documentary made by talented Prince Street neighbor Denise Smekhoi.

Children of the Amazon Screening

When: Thursday, May 21 at 7p.m.

Where: Zaentz Media Center, 2600 Tenth Street, 3rd Floor

There will be a Q&A after the screening with filmmaker Denise Zmekhol

Reservations for free seating will be taken after May 1 at http://www.berkeleyfilmscreening.com/Berkeley_Film_Screening/Berkeley_Filmmakers_Screening_Series.html

Journey with Brazilian filmmaker Denise Zmekhol to the heart of the Amazon rainforest in search of the indigenous children she photographed fifteen years ago. Children of the Amazon invites you to see through the eyes of these inspiring, remarkably resilient people whose lives are transformed by a road carved through their forest home by an outside world. From Chief Amir Surui's embattled efforts to stop illegal loggers to the assassination of legendary rubber tapper Chico Mendes, this poetic and visually stunning film engages our senses and sympathies as global issues take on a profound human perspective.

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3. Free Monthly Tai Chi Chih Practice at Halcyon Commons Starting Sunday, May 24,  and Sunday, June 28, at 11 a.m.

The following announcement was received:

"At the World Tai Chi/Qi Gong Day event on Saturday, April 25, nineteen people participated in practicing Tai Chi Chih in the park, with Prince Street neighbor Judith Schwartz as our convener. At the end of the practice, we made plans to gather monthly as a group for a Halcyon Commons Practice of Tai Chi Chih on the fourth Sunday each month at 11 a.m., starting with Sunday,  May 24, and  Sunday, June  28. At that point, we'll see what develops, with the possibility of more regular practice if the interest is there. This practice is free of charge and open to all who have some familiarity with the 20 Tai Chi Chih forms (19 movements and 1 stance). The intention we hold as we practice is sending chi and goodwill to the park, the neighborhood, our city, our country, and the world. Even if you don't yet know the forms or are in the process of learning them, you may enjoy stopping by and watching or joining in for the easier movements. Others are also welcome to come out to the park and engage in yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi Chuan, or whatever your favorite modality might be -- or simply sit in the park and enjoy the passing sights and sounds of spring and summer."

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4. Neighbor Offering Tai Chi Chih Classes in Her Prince Street Garden

Prince Street neighbor Judith Schwartz announces the following:

"I'm offering two 5-week beginning classes teaching the 19 movements and 1 stance of Tai Chi Chih. The schedule will be throughout the month of June, Monday mornings at 11 a.m., and Monday evenings at 6 p.m. The cost will be $75.00 for the five classes; they will be in my garden and will depend upon minimum enrollment of 4 people. For more information, contact Judith Schwartz, 510-843-2062; www.JudithSchwartz.com "

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5. Free Training on Urban Self-Defense Strategies with Wendy Schlesinger on Sunday, May 31, 2-4 p.m., Halcyon Commons

Editor's Note: As many of you are aware, late spring leading into summer sadly and all too often brings an increase in crime. HNA timed this event to help you prepare yourself on a personal level. Be sure to save the date for this informative workshop being sponsored by HNA as part of our Neighborhood Watch efforts. Wendy Schlesinger is a smart, savvy, tough, and inspiring woman who during the course of her eventful life has navigated through all kinds of potentially dangerous situations. She'll share her personal blend of streetwise wisdom and practical knowledge.

Tough Choices about Living as a Gentle Person in an Urban Environment:

Self-Defense Awareness: Neighborhood and Personal

A Training with Wendy Schlesinger sponsored by HNA

Sunday, May 31, 2-4 p.m.

Halcyon Commons (Halcyon Court at Prince Street, a block west of Telegraph)

Free!  (Donations to the nonprofit 401(c)3 Gardens on Wheels Association will gratefully be accepted.)

People of All Ages and Abilities welcome (including children accompanied by adults).

Feel free to bring a chair to sit on if it would make you more comfortable.

Wendy Schlesinger, Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame, Sports and Athletics, speaks about how self-defense begins in the mind. Topics will include: Awareness, Prevention, Presentation of Self, Threat Assessment, General Physical Conditioning (within your abilities), and Self-Defense Skills. There will be some pairing up of attendees to learn a few basic offensive and defensive techniques, but mostly this is an introductory, interactive chat sure to open your mind. Wendy has advised Karl Linn and the Peralta Gardens re personal safety for gardeners in the gardens next to Ohlone Path and has a long history teaching self-defense strategies to women. For those who may wish to further pursue self-defense, there will be a recommendation of Wendy's favorite local martial arts school. Wendy co-founded People's Park and spoke on Founder's Night, April 24th at Ashkenaz, celebrating the 40th Anniversary.

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6. Whole Foods Market Signs 10-Year Lease with Ashby Flowers

Editor's Note: HNA received thanks and appreciation from the owners of Ashby Flowers for our support in helping to persuade Whole Foods Market to renew their lease. The ink is now on the contract. See the following.

http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2009-04-30/article/32806?headline=Ashby-Flowers-Whole-Foods-Agree-to-10-Year-Lease

The following press release was received from Ashby Flowers:

Ashby Flowers Signs New 10-Year Lease in Berkeley;

Whole Foods Reverses Decision to Remove 55-Year-Old Flower Shop from Premises

Ashby Flowers' three month campaign to secure a new lease from Whole Foods Market (WFM) ended successfully this week when the owners of the 55-year-old flower store signed a 10-year lease for the 500-square-foot storefront located at the corners of Ashby and Telegraph avenues in Berkeley, CA.

A neighborhood institution for more than 55 years, Ashby Flowers has been the focus of public attention since January, when owners Iraj Misaghi and Marcy Simon went public with news that WFM had declined to issue the shop a new lease once its old one expires on July 31, 2009. At a rally outside WFM's regional headquarters in Emeryville, CA, in February, the public learned of the grocery chain's intent to replace the flower shop with a coffee shop/café.

Following an outpouring of support from customers, neighbors, local businesses and institutions, the city of Berkeley and others - and the media attention the decision generated - a WFM representative opened negotiations for a new lease. The lease was finalized today [April 29, 2009].

"We are thrilled we'll be here for at least another 10 years. It's all we ever wanted," Simon said. "Without the support we received from this amazing community we would not have been able to secure this new lease. We are more grateful than we'll ever be able to express for the support we've received from everyone here."

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7. Disaster Prep Next Step: Excess Flow Gas Safety Valves

Editor's Note: The following information was also included on a recent HNA flyer. Don't miss out on this chance to upgrade household and neighborhood preparedness!

As our next step in disaster preparedness, members of the HNA Disaster Prep team have organized a group program for installing Excess Flow Gas Safety Valves. Excess Flow Gas Safety Valves automatically turn off the gas flow in your home in the event of a severe break in your gas line. Many jurisdictions require Excess Flow Gas Safety Valves on all new construction, some require that they be installed on homes at time of sale, and many insurance companies require that they be installed on homes prior to coverage. Group pricing has been arranged for Halcyon neighbors with Home Safety 1st, a reputable company that installs Excess Flow Gas Safety Valves. The valve and installation will cost $295 (a savings of $44); this pricing will be offered through August 15, 2009. Please contact Home Safety 1st directly at 925-743-9758 to schedule an installation and be sure to tell them you are in the Halcyon neighborhood to receive the discount.

Disclaimer: This is a neighbor-to-neighbor recommendation. Some of us have personal experience with Home Safety 1st and have done research on Excess Flow Automatic Gas Safety Valves, but you should engage in due diligence to satisfy yourself that this is the right company, right product, and best price for you. While HNA arranged for the neighborhood discount, none of us has any financial stake in your decision, and Halcyon Neighborhood Association takes no responsibility for the work of Home Safety 1st or for the performance of Excess Flow Gas Safety Valves.

Why should you install an Automatic Gas Shutoff Valve? Without an Automatic Gas Shutoff Valve? If a gas line breaks or becomes disconnected for any reason, the only way to turn off the flow of gas into the home or structure is to:
* Know the location of and have access to the manual gas shutoff valve located on the property.
* Be present when the gas needs to be turned off.
* Have a wrench available to turn the manual gas valve off.
* Have the physical capability to turn off the valve.
* In most cases, a broken gas line can fill up an average two-car garage in less than 6 minutes.

* Timing to get the gas shut off is also important.

What is the difference between an Excess Flow Automatic Gas Safety Valve and a Seismic (earthquake) Valve? Excess Flow Automatic Gas Safety Valves are not motion-sensitive valves or earthquake valves. They work on gas flow rates and pressure. They are not triggered by ground movement, but by the additional flow of gas caused by a break in the gas line or by a disconnected gas line. Seismic Valves (earthquake valves) are triggered by ground movement and have a manual reset after being triggered, and all pilots lights need to be reset, causing most homeowners to call a professional to reset and relight pilots on water heaters, furnaces, stoves, etc. Excess Flow Valves automatically reset when the broken line has been repaired. IMPORTANT: Home Safety 1st wants to reinforce that they install both types of valves but recommend the excess flow valve at the meter whenever possible. There is much more information at http://www.homesafety1st.com/FAQs.html or call Home Safety 1st 925-743-9758.

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* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2009

Dates set as of  April 2009 (verify a couple weeks before event by checking HNA E-News):

Saturday, May 9, 2009, 9:30  a.m. - 1 p.m., Work Party in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, May 31, 2009, 2-4 p.m., Training in Urban Self-Defense Strategies with Wendy Schlesinger, Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Sunday, June 14, 5:30-8 p.m., Community Potluck, 3052 Wheeler Street (on patio)

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

Saturday, August 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. SNCPC Garage Sale at Bushrod Park, Shattuck side between 60th and 59th Streets (Neighborhood Rummage Sale to raise money for  Crime Prevention Council, with HNA's participation)

Sunday, September 13, 4-6 p.m., Neighborhood Celebration with Live Music and Potluck in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

Saturday, October 10,  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

Thursday, October 29, 7 p.m., SNCPC Annual Meeting (elect sector representatives to Crime Prevention Council), North Oakland Sr. Center, 58th St. and MLK Jr. Way (with HNA's participation)

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 about home businesses or creative projects) is especially welcome. Please note that due to the volunteer nature of the endeavor, the E-News 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). Also, please note that the E-News is published as items accumulate and as the editor's time permits rather than on a regular schedule; submit your item early if it relates to a future event, and there's a greater chance it will be included.

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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