High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

The firecrackers awaken the neighborhood at the crack of dawn Construction at Last at 3300 High Street I don't usually celebrate the installation of a chain link fence, but the fence, construction trailer and "hard hat area" sign in front of 3300 High Street are more than welcome. They mean that the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland has begun to create the new Club House. The project will be completed in two phases: gutting and modernizing the existing building and laying the slab for the gymnasium, and construction of the gymnasium complex. At the same time, the Boys and Girls Club has begun to provide fun with a purpose at the Allendale Recreation Center. The Smart Moves program gives youngsters the skills and awareness to avoid pitfalls of their world, such as alcohol, drugs, and HIV. New Hours at Melrose Branch When I dropped in to chat with Librarian Jane Gonzalez, she had just learned of the new schedules. Although all branches will remain open, their hours will be cut back to five days. To provide access to branches for six days and serve school-age children, by the time this Metro goes to press, Melrose and other smaller branches will be open from Monday through Friday, but closed on Saturday. The "late" evening has been changed to Monday, when closing time will be at 7 p.m. Although other branches (including Dimond) will be open on Saturday, this is bad news for folks who work Monday through Friday and visited the library on the weekend. On a sunnier note, Melrose is hosting teen summer reading, along with the traditional program for elementary- and middle-school children. Teens who read three books and write reviews will receive small prizes and enter a raffle to win gift certificates for music and books. There has also been a good turnout of middle-school and high-school students working as volunteers. They have been cleaning books, helping to coordinate summer reading and monitoring computer signups. Their help is especially important, with the cutbacks in Library Aides and two vacant positions. If Jane could have one wish, it would be a new Children's Librarian for the school year. Special events during August include cartoonist Brandon McKinney (4 p.m., Wednesday, August 6), juggler Dana Smith and her dog (4 p.m., August 13), and a bookmark workshop (3 p.m., Thursday, August 14). Come to Camp at Brookdale Rec The only program with space still open is the shorties camp. For $60 a week, your child (aged 6 to 14) can enjoy five days of camp from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and lunch is provided. Activities include arts and crafts, drama, and trips. Drop by, or call Andrew at 535-5632 A driver I encountered on my way to work inspired a Pedestrian Safety Haiku: Her car barely slows As she leans into the turn But the light is red. Adelle Foley can be reached via e-mail at jasfoley\@aol.com.