HNA E-News: Community Potluck Sunday, 5:30-8:00; Crime Watch updates & More

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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. Neighborhood Potluck, Sunday, June 14, 5:30-8 p.m., 3052 Wheeler

2. Crime Watch Report: Thefts from Yard on Deakin Street

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

4. Father's Day/Summer Solstice Ceremony & Labyrinth Walk, Sunday, June 21, 2-4 p.m., Berkeley Marina

5. Chevron at Telegraph & Ashby Planning Remodel/Expansion to include Convenience Store & Car Wash

6. News from Whole Foods Market, including upcoming events

7. City of Berkeley Information on Swine Flu plus Additional Emergency Preparedness Classes

* 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:

Hope to see as many of you as possible at this Sunday's potluck on Leah's patio! Let's keep our neighborhood moving in a good direction by continuing to nurture community connections.

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

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1. Neighborhood Potluck, Sunday, June 14, 5:30-8 p.m., 3052 Wheeler

Summer Neighborhood Potluck!
(a chance to visit with neighbors & build community)
Sunday, June 14, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
3052 Wheeler (between Prince & Essex)

Potluck suggestions: Appetizer: A-F  * Salad: O-T * Main Dish: G-N * Dessert: U-Z

(If not obvious, kindly attach a label with ingredients for your dish to alert those with vegetarian and other diets; bring a beverage to share as well if you're able.)

We've scheduled our potlucks on the early side to make it easier for families with children to attend for as long as you're able. All are welcome, including kids. Come meet new neighbors and reconnect with ones who've been here a while as we chat about what's going on in the neighborhood & beyond.

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2. Crime Watch Report: Thefts from Yard on Deakin Street

A Deakin Street neighbor reports:

" We, too, had a theft while landscaping, when a gate was removed briefly [this was in response to a recent E-News item on thefts taking place when construction or landscaping is permitting access to areas usually closed off].  A bicycle was stolen from our back yard, even though it was locked to the deck.  We would second the recommendation that extra care be taken when things change temporarily in one's yard. . . . And now a separate loss--our power mower disappeared in the last

couple of days.  The gate was closed, but not locked."

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

Editor's Note: The following announcement was received from a neighbor:

"At the World Tai Chi/Qi Gong Day event on Saturday, April 25, 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., including 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 summer. Facilitated by Prince Street neighbor Judith Schwartz, 510-843-2062; www.JudithSchwartz.com "

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4. Father's Day/Summer Solstice Ceremony & Labyrinth Walk, Sunday, June 21, 2-4 p.m., Berkeley Marina

[The following announcement was received from HNA Co-Chairs John Steere and Nancy Carleton, who, wearing different hats, have been involved in the East Bay Labyrinth Project, which is working to bring a labyrinth to the Berkeley Marina.]

Weaving Community and Invoking the Marina Labyrinth
Father's Day/Summer Solstice Ceremony and Labyrinth Walk

Sunday, June 21, 2-4 p.m. on the East Lawn at the Berkeley Marina

From the EBLP Steering Committee & Advisory Circle of Friends: Margie Adam, Nancy Carleton, Chris Castle, Mara Chitayat, John Coveney, Rafael Jesús González, KT Graham, Mary Beth Granberry, Nina Ham, Ellen Lichtig, Brad Smith, John Steere, Sharon Sumner & Alan Tower

You are warmly invited to join the East Bay Labyrinth Project (EBLP) in celebrating the Summer Solstice, Father's Day, and the creation of an 11-Circuit Labyrinth at the Berkeley Marina on the site approved by the City. This FREE event is open to all to cultivate a sense of place, of building community while building a new labyrinth, and of recognizing mystery in our midst. The program will consist of a brief ritual to honor the Solstice and Father's Day, followed by a walk around a temporary labyrinth marking the dimensions of a permanent one for which EBLP is fundraising. Come celebrate this time, this place, and its new-founded purpose!

What/When:  Music, community, ceremony, and labyrinth peace walk, with refreshments catered by La Mediterranee (courtesy of Jen Viegas):

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Volunteers to help lay out pattern of temporary labyrinth (register in advance asap at eastbaylabyrinthproject@gmail.com to participate in this part of the day's celebration; lunch provided).

2 to 4 p.m. program: Ritual invocation and drop-in labyrinth walk. The program will be opened by renowned world musician Alan Tower playing the huaca -- a triple-chambered earthen clay flute with split mouthpiece, a modern hybrid instrument of resonance based on ancient Peruvian whistling vessel -- and with an invocation led by poet/artist Rafael Jesús González, followed by a labyrinth peace walk introduced and facilitated by singer/songwriter Margie Adam.

3:50-4 p.m.:  Closing ritual

Where:  East Lawn of the Berkeley Marina to the east of the Cal Sailing Club parking lot, facing back toward the bicycle/pedestrian bridge with a lovely view of the water and the East Bay hills.
Directions: While heading west, stay on the left side of University shortly after it bears left at its intersection with Marina Boulevard, and look for the temporary sign pointing to the location. Easily accessible by bus, bike, or car.

Why?  For community, for "sacred fun," for mystery, and for bringing our lives into deeper relationship to one another - and because it's an opportunity to create a more conscious relationship with our bioregion by invoking the spirit of the 11-circuit labyrinth at this power spot.

See eblp.bpfp.org for more information about the project. Email eastbaylabyrinthproject@gmail.com to let us know you're coming to the program (2-4 p.m.) (this will help us plan for refreshments), or just show up on the 21st -- with your friends and family! Join our EBLP Facebook Group!

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5. Chevron at Telegraph & Ashby Planning Remodel/Expansion to include Convenience Store & Car Wash

[Editor's Note: Please see the attached letter from Chevron's architects forwarded to us by a Bateman neighbor. Chevron plans to remodel the existing gas station and possibly construct a convenience store and car wash. If you have strong feelings about this project (pro or con, or simply suggestions to improve it), please email <halcyon92@gmail.com> so we can get a sense of neighborhood sentiment. At this point, HNA does not have a position on this project, and our Guiding Principles (see the end of each E-News) preclude our taking stands on land-use issues unless there is near-unanimity among neighbors. HNA Co-Chair John Steere is working with  leaders from other neighborhood associations to encourage a neighborhood meeting with the project planners to facilitate neighborhood input. Please contact him at 849-1969 if you'd like to help.]

Dear Neighbor:

Chevron Products Company is proposing to redevelop their facility located at the corner of Telegraph & Ashby in Berkeley. While, at this point, the precise features and configuration of the project have not yet been decided upon, the project could include remodel or removal of the existing steel building; modifications to, or relocation of, the existing canopy;  construction of a new "ExtraMile" convenience store and; a water recycling, self-service car wash.

For those of you not familiar with Chevron's "ExtraMile" stores, they typically operate 24 hours a day and offer a wide variety of convenience household items, as well as fresh baked cookies, dairy products, gourmet coffee, a wide variety of snack products, sodas, water and fresh fruit. Where appropriate and approved by the local jurisdiction, they also offer a variety of domestic and imported beers and wines.

Before we make application to the City for formal consideration of our project proposal, we wanted to solicit your input. We'd like to know what you would like to see Chevron include in our plans. We'd also like to hear any concerns that you might have regarding the scope of the project, hours of operation, noise mitigation, pedestrian access...anything that you think we should know and take into consideration. We would appreciate the opportunity to hear from you. If you think it's appropriate, we would also be more than happy to attend a meeting of your neighborhood group(s) to get your input first hand. Written responses can be sent to my attention at the address above. If you prefer, you can contact me via email or

telephone. My contact info is included below.

Thank you in advance for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Bob Abbott

Project Manager
Tel: (707) 765-1660

bob.abbott@stantec.com

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6. News from Whole Foods Market, including upcoming events

[Editor's note: The following information was received from Nick Heustis with Whole Foods Market, who has graciously been sending updates to HNA to facilitate neighborhood communication with the market.]

Hi everyone,

  Here is my June update for the neighborhood. Overall things have been going very well, there have not been too many issues or situations to report.

 

Updates:

 

There were some complaints about construction noise from the sidewalk on Webster St. last week. This was a surprise to us as well. Apparently it was coordinated by the city without notice to the neighborhood. We agree that it would have been good to get prior notice and have passed that feedback on to the city. For now we are told the work is done, I will pass on any info I receive. We have had some issues lately with representatives from Alice House soliciting donations on the Webster side. They have been blocking the walkway, aggressive and some have actually been urinating on the side of the building. The police have been involved when necessary and we are actively monitoring them. (Some of the representatives are very nice I should add). Last week we re-striped the parking lot and direction arrows which we believe will have a positive impact on traffic congestion coming in and out of our parking lot.
 

Current Donations:

Bag Refund Donations

• Berkeley Unified Gardening and Cooking Program
• Berkeley Partners for Parks

Monthly Donations

• June 6th- Berkeley world music festival
• June 7th- COARE
• June 20th- Craigslist Foundation Non profit Boot camp
• June 22nd- Rising Sun Energy Center- Youth Services

Next 5% Day

• Berkeley Unified Gardening and Cooking Programs- Wednesday, June 24th  - (Come shop with us and support this great program!)

 

Events:   (Please contact me for more info or to register)

 

Featured events- See our calendar for our full listing!  http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/calendars/BRK.html 

Whole Foods Market Berkeley is kicking off the summer season with our inaugural Kids Club Event. We have brought back local favorite Asheba to sing and dance with us as we plant seeds and enjoy the amazing weather. All kids will take home their very own eco pot that will be ready to plant at home.

o       Sunday, June 14th- 11-3 p.m. KIDS CLUB Event: Seed Planting with Asheba!

o       Tuesday, June 16th- Wellness for Life- Raw Salads in a Minute 5:30 p.m.

o       Saturday, June 20th Local Raw Food Celebration- Noon-4 p.m.  FREE

o       Tuesday, June 23rd- Wellness for life- Raw Foods Store Tour  5:30 p.m.

o       Wednesday, June 24th- 5% day for Berkeley Schools Gardening/ Cooking

o       Friday, June 26th- Healing with Raw Foods Cooking Class  $35  6 p.m.

 

Nick Heustis

Marketing and Community Relations Team Leader

Whole Foods Market / 3000 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley CA 94705

(510)649-1333 ext 261

 

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7. City of Berkeley Information on Swine Flu plus Additional Emergency Preparedness Classes

Editor's Note: The following information was received from the Office of Emergency Services:

Please see the City's Public Health Alerts website for information on Swine Flu in the News at the link below:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=38058

Additional CERT classes have been added to our current schedule of classes.  We have added a couple of weekday evening classes into the schedule.  Our schedule is on our OES homepage:

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=3920

Thank you for your leadership in your community in preparing for emergencies.

Khin Chin, Associate Management Analyst

Berkeley Fire Department

Office of Emergency Services

2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Second Floor

Berkeley, CA 94704

510.981.5506 voice

510.981.5579 fax

kchin@ci.berkeley.ca.us

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* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2009

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

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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