Laurel/Redwood Heights Neighborhood Council (25X) News

by Kaye Stewart

This was a busy month for the Laurel/Redwood Heights Crime Prevention Council. On February 2 our Parliamentarian Darryl Stewart spoke in front of Oakland's City Council to request additional lighting for 39th Avenue between Bayo and Masterson. Although the request did not go through in the form presented, the publicity landed Darryl on the front page of the East Bay section of the February 11 Tribune. Darryl continues to make headway downtown on this issue and expects to see results in the form of street lights. Thanks to Councilmember Dick Spees' office for their encouraging support. We helped the Laurel Elementary School PTA join the Bret Harte grant-writing collaborative to find funding for next year. Secretary Curtis Buckley is getting closer to formalizing a web page for the Council, which will be linked with other community web sites. Much thanks to Ed Rovera for his technological expertise and encouragement in this area. We accepted an invitation from the Chabot Observatory and Science Center, currently under construction, to serve on their Transportation and Parking Committee. This is a result of our efforts to get the word out about this amazing new $68-million facility being built in our zip code and our desire for the Laurel and Redwood Heights neighborhoods to have a designated stop on one of the shuttle routes now being planned. The Laurel Elementary School YMCA Step Up Program's 10-week session resulted in a project to build ties between schools, youth and their community. Step Up Kids spoke with Enrique Palacio at World Ground Caf? and learned about his campaign for State Assembly. They were also greeted by Councilmember Ygnacio de la Fuente, who discussed the new school planned for the Fruitvale neighborhood and asked what they wanted to see more of at their school. Later, they joined Gerry Goeres, Jeanette Benson, and Steve Ward at the Laurel Community garden (35th Avenue, just above the 580 on-ramp) for planting and clean up. The kids had a great time planting sunflower seeds and bulbs that will be transplanted around the neighborhood this spring. YMCA mentors Carlton Colbert and Waynetta Bush put tons of love and energy into this first Step Up session. Both mentors attended Laurel school and enjoyed coming back to work there. Carlton will move on to work for one of the YMCA's corporate sponsors, and Waynetta will continue as a Step Up mentor at Laurel Elementary. Thanks to Laurel Principal Cheryl Garrett and YMCA Youth Development Director Chris Chatmon for bringing this after-school program to our neighborhood. Please watch the Youth Activities bulletin board at World Ground Caf? for summer youth activities. Be sure to post any related youth information you come across on the board, and as always, we are anxious to hear your thoughts and ideas. We welcome all those who live, work, shop, worship, or send their kids to school in the Laurel or Redwood Heights. Our general meeting is the second Thursday of each month at Laurel Elementary School, 7 p.m., and babysitting is provided. See you there! Questions or concerns can be directed to NSC, Renee Sykes, 535-5691.