High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Happy Anniversary, High Hopes NCPC On January 21, High Hopes NCPC celebrated its first anniversary. At its second bilingual meeting, the group reviewed the year's achievements and agreed to continue on the same path for the next year, expanding outreach and participation. Neighbors have established ties with community members who share their concerns and partnerships with Horace Mann School, Melrose Library, and merchants, as well as with our Community Policing Officer, Neighborhood Service Coordinator, Patrol Officers, and City Code Inspectors. City staff has been available in both private and group settings. In addition, two streets have been restriped. High Walkability The Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project has chosen High Street as one of three neighborhoods to pilot community involvement in making our streets safer, particularly for children and senior citizens. As a boundary street, High Street borders four active NCPCs, and children cross the busy thoroughfare to reach several schools. The Project invites all interested parties to identify safety problems and solutions. If you would like to be part of this effort, call Adelle Foley at 532-3737. Updates The Friends of Maxwell Park are pleased with the daily use of the facility by young children. But they are concerned with evidence of drug dealing. Neighbors are asked to call Officer Word, 238-2054, #5 (for District 5), #7 (for mailbox 7) regarding any suspicious activity. If your family's new-year resolutions include a renewed focus on homework, the Melrose Library's Homework Assistance Program is there to help elementary and middle school children from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. The library now expects to move to temporary quarters for a year-long upgrade during March or April. Inauguration, Oakland Style Community members up and down High Street celebrated Oakland on January 4, creating the neighborhood experience at the Kaiser Center and sitting at the "kitchen tables" in conversation with newly discovered neighbors. The energy and enthusiasm of the crowds enjoying the art, poetry, performances and discussion reflect a mood of optimism and pride in our city. Three thousand miles from Political craziness Sunlight through the fog. * Here in East Oakland (As the millennium nears) Hope is in the air.