High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Summer's Coming at Melrose Branch

Everyone in the Melrose Branch community is relieved that the city is planning to keep all branch libraries open despite the serious budget crunch. Instead of organizing support, they can welcome summer.

The PASS homework help program goes on vacation on June 5. Two days later, on Saturday, June 7, youngsters in elementary through middle school can start logging the hours they read. They'll be awarded prizes under a program designed to encourage kids to read when school is out. Preschoolers can participate by "reading" with a parent. Teens can try their hand at documenting their vision of Oakland on film, with the return of the successful photography program. Drop in or call the branch at 535-5623.

Library Assistant Pete Villasenor showed me the Web site that emerged from his Library School assignment. The site features free or low-cost legal services. Users can call a hotline for reference questions or find local services such as Centro Legal de la Raza. A short description of each service is included. Check out this excellent research tool at senna.sjsu.edu/feilitu/usr210ab/legresserv.html. Stop in, use the Melrose Branch computers, and ask Pete about the site.

A Safer Way to Cross the Boulevard

During Pedestrian Safety Week, the Oakland Police Department and the Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project (OPSP) went to Loma Vista and MacArthur to enforce pedestrians' right of way. As we've all noticed, not all drivers stop for pedestrians crossing the street. This time those who sped by were stopped and cited by the police.

Plans for Loma Vista include a traffic light as part of the new streetscape. Even with a light, the OPSP recommends that we leave nothing to chance. Look in all four directions before crossing: left, right, ahead, and behind!

Earth Day and Beyond

An enthusiastic group of neighbors, from tiny to senior, gathered at Courtland Creek Park for spring cleaning. Yolanda Walker was the first to arrive, along with Jamiah, Angelou, and Angnette, ages four to 15. And they were the last to leave. Discovery Center's Rich Bolecek, parents, and children were out in force. Councilmember Jean Quan arrived to cheer us on and provided the very welcome refreshments. High Street Neighborhood Alliance's Laurie Umeh and Natalya Nicoloff, who organized the event, were pleased that the creek and park were relatively free of garbage so some volunteers could concentrate on pruning the plum trees and weeding the garden near Brookdale.

Another group of neighbors has "adopted" the strip of Redding Street along 580 from High Street to Birdsall. Those of us who use that route in and out of Maxwell Park understand the challenge and how great the street could look. "Marvelous Maxwell Park" will be an ongoing effort. The flow of traffic close to the work area has made the group safety conscious. They've enlisted the help of Caltrans, which provided a training session, vests, hats, goggles, gloves, cones, and fabulous pickup sticks. Organizer Jan Heatherington hopes to establish a monthly schedule to keep the trash down and start some planting. Perhaps Walgreen will take the hint and work on their side of the street. For specifics, contact Jan at 534-4978.

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