HNA E-News: Potluck & Safety Walk Tuesday for National Night Out; Play Date for Toddles/Preschoolers Sat. Aug.15; Book Club Sun. Aug. 16; etc.

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

Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter

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

Items appearing in the HNA E-Newsletter are deemed to be of general interest to neighbors but do not necessarily reflect the views of Halcyon Neighborhood Association (HNA), its Steering Committee, or the Editor. The Editor's introductory comments express her personal viewpoint.

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

1. National Night Out Against Crime, Potluck & Safety Walk, This Tuesday, August 4, Halcyon Commons, 6-8:30 p.m.

2. Halcyon Commons Play Dates for Toddlers and Preschoolers (Next Date: Saturday, August 15, 4-5:30 p.m.)

3. Next Halcyon Book Club Meeting, Sunday, Aug. 16th, 4-6 p.m.

4. Halcyon Neighbor Planning Yard Sale, Saturday, August 15 (Others Welcome to Join In)

5. Crime Watch Alert: Robbery on Woolsey Street (near Dana)

6. Another Useful Link with Resources for Pandemic Flu Preparedness

* 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 everyone who helped out with the July 26th work party in Halcyon Commons, including Whole Foods Market and Mokka cafe for their generous donations. We got a lot done in just a couple of hours, and it was nice to have the tai chi practice in the park right after -- a great synergy of taking care of our community common space in a couple of different ways!

A very gratifying development this year in our neighborhood has been the way that neighbors are coming forward to create new kinds of community-building activities -- from the regular tai chi practice in the park to the recently formed Halcyon Book Club (see item 3), and now a new group planning play dates in the park for toddlers and preschoolers (item 2). We hope these grassroots activities will inspire others to take advantage of what you can create right here where you live. As the HNA E-News editor, I'm happy to list these activities whenever I can (allow a bit of lead time since the E-News publication schedule depends on how much news has built up as well as on my volunteer capacity). The E-News now reaches over four hundred subscribers on its direct list, as well as another 150 on the Le Conte listserv, so when you have a neighborhood activity or event to promote you'll reach a lot of potentially like-minded neighbors.

And don't forget about Tuesday's potluck in the park as part of  HNA's participation in the National Night Out Against Crime event (see item 1). Police, firefighters, Councilmember Kriss Worthington, and other city officials will be stopping by. A robust turnout at this annual event lets us show our beat officers and city representatives that our neighborhood is willing to be an active partner in preventing crime, so please come on out!

Happy Summer!

 

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

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

1. National Night Out Against Crime, Potluck & Safety Walk, This Tuesday, August 4, Halcyon Commons, 6-8:30 p.m.

National Night Out Against Crime event

Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince)

6:00-7:30 p.m. Potluck in the park

7:30-8:30 p.m. Walking Tour of the neighborhood

Please bring a food item (and possibly beverage) to share.

Potluck suggestions: Appetizer: N-R * Main Dish: S-Z * Salad: A-G * Dessert H-M

(if not obvious, kindly attach a label with ingredients to alert those with vegetarian and other diets)

We'll share a potluck meal and strategize to fight crime. Our Beat Officers and the Fire Department will stop by sometime during the evening to answer questions and hear concerns, and afte dinner we'll take a walking tour of the larger neighborhood (including a stop at Nomad Cafe to meet up with any East Lorin neighbors who might join us) to identify trouble spots. Children especially welcome!

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

2. Halcyon Commons Play Dates for Toddlers and Preschoolers (Next Date: Saturday, August 15, 4-5:30 p.m.)

Editor's note: Two neighborhood moms, Rose Lynn and Susan, have taken the initiative to begin scheduling some play dates at Halcyon Commons. Even if you can't make the August 15th date, email them so they'll keep you posted on future dates (which I'll also list in the E-News whenever the lead time permits).

Neighbor Families:

Please join us to play! Saturday, Aug. 15th from 4-5:30 at Halcyon Commons park (Halcyon Court at Prince Street). We'll have impromptu games for small people. It will be a chance for neighborhood families with toddlers and preschoolers to connect and set up future neighborhood playtimes. Communal snacks are a welcome addition to the good time!  Questions?  Contact Rose Lynn & Susan at halcyonplaydate@gmail.com

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

3. Next Halcyon Book Club Meeting, Sunday, Aug. 16th, 4-6 p.m.

Editor's Note: The first meeting of the Halcyon Book Club went well by all accounts, and they would welcome new members.

Halcyon Book Club

Sunday, August 16, 4-6 p.m.

The book is Wicked, by Gregory Maguire

Please r.s.v.p. to Laura West at <lauragortonwest@yahoo.com> or 847-9320.

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

4. Halcyon Neighbor Planning Yard Sale, Saturday, August 15 (Others Welcome to Join In)

Editor's note: While we didn't receive enough of a response for HNA to sponsor a summer multiblock yard sale, several Halcyon/Webster neighbors are pooling resources to promote a smaller multifamily yard sale on Saturday, August 15.

Dear Neighbors,

I am planning another yard sale for Saturday, August 15th, if anyone else is interested in joining us.  Even though it is a scaled-down version of our normal multiblock neighborhood sale, there are a few houses willing to jump in. We could even group on one street together near Halcyon park ( not in the park though).  So, this is the last call to sign up, and then we will have to place ads, make posters and signs, and distribute them, etc.  So, please contact me by phone at 510-517-0241 to let me know if you are interested.

Thanks, and happy summer,

Susan Hunter

 Halcyon Court

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

5. Crime Watch Alert: Robbery on Woolsey Street (near Dana)

Editor's Note: The following crime alert was forwarded by a Bateman neighbor. Although it happened just outside the boundaries of the Halcyon neighborhood, it's far too close for comfort, and in an area many of us walk through regularly!

"I live on Woolsey, between Dana and Telegraph, and just got this email from our landlord about a neighbor who was robbed on our street. Thought your list would like to hear about it: Last night at 9 p.m. on Woolsey a few houses down from Dana, [a Woolsey neighbor] was attacked by a guy who jumped out of a car (being driven by another person) and grabbed her purse and other belongings after a struggle. Even though she was screaming, no one came to her defense even though many people saw the whole thing. She did get the car type (a large dark brown or maroon older Buick sedan) and a partial license plate number. She said the police said this has happened several times in  that neighborhood recently. . . .  Please be aware of your surroundings and be as careful as you can be."

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

6. Another Useful Link with Resources for Pandemic Flu Preparedness

Editor's note: Another good resource in terms of getting ready for the predicted pandemic flu outbreak (parents with school-aged children are particularly advised to be prepared, since there will likely be periods of school closure).

http://www.newfluwiki2.com/diary/3373/updated-home-care-guidance

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

* For Your Calendar: HNA Dates Scheduled for 2009

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

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, which HNA has been networking with)

Tuesday, August 25, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Work Party in Halcyon Commons (Halcyon at Prince) and surrounding neighborhood with help from Cal student volunteers

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

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

* Disaster Prep Supply Cache Wish List

HNA's Disaster Prep Supply Cache contains items intended to benefit the entire neighborhood in the event of disaster. You can help us have what we need on hand in two ways: (1) Make a tax-deductible financial contribution to Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP, our nonprofit fiscal sponsor), earmarked Halcyon Disaster Prep, which will go toward purchasing additional supplies, and mail or drop off to HNA Treasurer Susan Hunter, 3044 Halcyon Court, Berkeley, CA 94705. (2) Contribute any of the following items in-kind (supplies MUST be new or in GOOD condition):

Duct Tape (this is a versatile supply that allows us to improvise with common household items in the event of a disaster: lots needed!); Batteries (AA, C, D), regular & rechargeable; Battery Recharger for AA (LOTS of these needed!), C, D; Quality Walkie-Talkies with 8-mile range, 22 channels (i.e., Motorola Talkabout T5500 two-way radios); Axes; Crow Bars, Hard Hats; Other Tools for Search & Rescue; Head Lamps; Heavy-duty Flashlights; Bullhorn;  Flashcard (for storing neighborhood database to transfer to laptop); Sheets (freshly laundered or new; good for first aid); Blankets; First Aid Supplies; Gas Siphon (for extracting gas from cars to run generator); 5-Gallon Drums for long-term gas storage; Work Gloves; Large Camping Tents (with all parts!); Coleman or similar Gas or Propane Stove; Shelving for Shed; Two-Foot Lengths of 2x4s and 4x4s (good for cribbing and creating fulcrums for removing heavy objects during search & rescue operations).

Contact HNA Co-Chair and Cache Coordinator Nancy Carleton at <halcyon92@gmail.com> or 644-0172 to contribute supplies.

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

* City of Berkeley: Useful Contact Information

Police

Police Emergency Number:  911 (from landline); 981-5911(from cell; preprogram with this number to reach Berkeley emergency from a cell)

Police Nonemergency Number: 981-5900

Link to beat maps and a list of beat officers:

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/police/department/beatinfo/beatlineup.html

In Halcyon neighborhood, west of Fulton is Beat 10, east of Fulton is Beat 9.

Link to crime stats:

Berkeley:  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)

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

* Halcyon Neighborhood Association's Guiding Principles

HNA is a community group dedicated to stewardship of the Halcyon Neighborhood in South Berkeley (bounded by Telegraph, Ashby, Adeline, and Woolsey). We encourage positive, proactive, partnership-oriented approaches to improving the well-being of our neighborhood, with an emphasis on the following goals:

• Community building (such as regular potlucks, special events in the park, mutual support among neighbors, and multiblock yard sales);
• Ongoing care of Halcyon Commons (a park conceived of and created by the neighbors who founded HNA) under the nonprofit umbrella provided by Berkeley Partners for Parks and in partnership with the City of Berkeley;
• Continued greening and care of the neighborhood (planting trees, cleaning litter off streets, graffiti removal, and helping maintain public landscaped features);
• Strengthening neighborhood watch (crime watch, community safety walks, emergency preparedness, and disaster supply cache);
• Networking with the larger Berkeley community (nearby neighborhood groups, neighborhood businesses, City staff, and elected officials);
• Sharing information and empowering residents to become proactive in addressing neighborhood needs and in expressing individual viewpoints regarding civic affairs (spreading news through meetings, flyers, and the HNA E-Newsletter, and providing contact information).

        To fulfill these goals, HNA provides a sanctuary from partisan politics so that neighbors with diverse viewpoints feel welcome to participate. Thus, HNA only takes stands on larger issues when there is near-unanimity among neighbors. By focusing on immediate local concerns, we find we can have a greater impact and get better results from the time we invest.

       Guided by these principles, HNA invites neighbors who are willing to work together in a spirit of partnership to participate at whatever level makes sense for them. Opportunities for serving on our volunteer Steering Committee and project-oriented committees are available to neighbors who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work together in a nonpartisan spirit. Neighbors are invited to step forward into leadership positions defined by the work they do in accordance with HNA's primary goals and guiding principles.

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

The Halcyon Neighborhood Association E-Newsletter:  The HNA E-Newsletter forwards occasional crime-watch notices as well as items of general interest to neighbors in the Ashby/Telegraph/Woolsey/Adeline area of south Berkeley (HNA's borders), including announcements about community-building potlucks, greening projects, disaster preparedness meetings, and work parties in Halcyon Commons Park. If you're receiving this email, you probably either signed up at a neighborhood event or a neighbor forwarded it to you. Please note that to prevent spam, HNA always uses bcc and does not share your email address with third parties. If you wish to be removed from this list, please reply to HNA Co-Chair Nancy Carleton/Halcyon Neighborhood Association 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/

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

--