High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Toward a Walkable City

City Council approved the Pedestrian Master Plan unanimously and adopted it into the City's General Plan. The Plan provides a 20-year vision for pedestrian safety and access, with an emphasis on seniors and youth. Its adoption is another example of Oakland's commitment to a walkable city and the hard work of the Advisory Board and Pedestrian Safety staff. Congratulations all around.

Be a Friend/Bring a Friend

The Friends of Melrose Branch Library reestablished the group early in November. A lively brainstorming session focused on keeping the library's environment safe for the entire community, from young children to teenagers to seniors. The group came up with a list of projects, which would involve having fun while helping the branch. New friends are welcome to the next meetings on Wednesday, December 4, and on January 8 (because the first Wednesday is New Year's Day), at 7 p.m.

Hoops at Brookdale Rec

As the cooler weather sets in, think basketball. Sign-ups will begin early in December for the 2003 program. There still is room for your preschooler to play and learn twice a week at Early birds. School-age youngsters should stop by after school, Monday through Thursday, for the homework club. For information on these programs and other plans for December and January, call 595-5632 or drop in.

Welcome to Our Teen Librarian

When I strolled into the Melrose Branch on a wet Saturday afternoon, the staff was excited about a new colleague, Teen Librarian Rachel Aranowitz. A recent graduate of San Jose State, Rachel will develop teen collections and programs and coordinate with teachers and administration at nearby Fremont High.

Library Aide Marco Frazier, a student at Holy Names, was pulling mint-condition paperbacks out of a shopping bag and thanking a generous neighbor who had brought them in. Marco has been working at the Melrose Branch for the last year while he's studying to be an elementary school teacher. He got right to work preparing the books with a letter (author's last name) and stamp. Library Assistant Pete Villasenor located a book on prostitution in the old west in response to a telephone inquiry, before taking the new paperbacks to be catalogued.

I also learned how to check up on location, hours, and events at the Branch through the Internet. Sign onto www.oaklandlibrary.org. To the right of the streetlight, click on Locations and Hours. Scroll down, and click on Melrose. Admire the photo of the Branch, and take a look at photos of recent events and information about library programs.

Don't Miss the NCPC Election

Melrose/High Hopes NCPC elections will be held Thursday, January 16, at Horace Mann School, Ygnacio and Congress. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

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