High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Welcome Tamar Kirschner to Melrose Library

When I heard that the new children's librarian had started work at the Melrose Branch Library, I dropped by and discovered that Tamar Kirschner has already begun bilingual (English and Spanish) story times. She comes to the Melrose Branch with experience in the PASS (Partners in Achieving School Success) after-school reading program. Stop by to say hello on Tuesday or Wednesday, or try your luck on Saturday.

This year's summer reading program will include a teen reading group as well as the traditional activity for children as young as three years. Come in and sign up, beginning Saturday, June 9.

Throughout the summer, there will be special programs as well. The Puppet Art Theater will present "Tommy's Space Adventure" at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, and the Yo Yo Man will perform at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27.

Wake up to A Chapter a Day

I walked out of the library with a bookmark that invited me to join the OnLine Book Club. Intrigued, I went to the Web site (www.oaklandlibrary.org) and signed up. Soon, a portion of a chapter of a book began to appear on my e-mail every weekday morning. After a week, a new selection began. I deleted some of them, but one had me hooked, so I went to the online catalog to reserve the book. If you prefer e-mail, send a message to Oakland-request\@chapteraday.com, and type the word "JOIN" in the message.

80 Stung During Pedestrian Safety Week

Tom VanDemark reports that the police issued 80 citations at three sites during the Pedestrian Safety Week "stings." A Pedestrian Safety Project staff member and neighborhood traffic safety advocate, Tom himself acted as the decoy at 40th Ave. and Foothill Blvd. He "found it interesting that some drivers drive as if pedestrians do not exist." The school crossing guard (often ignored, even with her flag out), parents walking their children to school, and other pedestrians were happy to see the six motorcycle policemen busy reminding motorists to stop when pedestrians are in the crosswalk.

Brookdale Rec for Future All-Stars

There will be plenty of time for seven- to twelve-year-olds to sharpen their baseball skills this summer at Brookdale Rec Center's Young America Baseball program. Youngsters can play Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. the entire summer for a fee of $15. Vacation activities also include the all-day summer camp and T-ball for first to third graders. Drop in, or call 535-5632 for more information.

A Visit from the Captain

Captain Ron Davis joined the Melrose/High Hopes NCPC May meeting for a discussion of neighborhood concerns and police strategies. NCPC members brought the Area III commander up to date on the status of priority issues identified by the group last year. Davis explained police strategies, and there was an exchange of information and approaches to current issues. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, at Horace Mann School (Congress and Ygnacio).

Adelle Foley can be reached by e-mail at jasfoley\@aol.com