High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Courtland Creek Cleanup

The smell of country

Fennel seeds almost ready

A short walk from home

September 20 was a beautiful morning as about 50 volunteers (half of them under 12) gathered to clean up, weed and prune, chat with neighbors, and munch on the pizza that Jean Quan's office delivered at the end of the morning. The park was only lightly littered, but the crew filled 30 trash bags by including some adjacent streets in the effort. The prize finds were a rusted-out water heater and a 1984 karate championship trophy. The lead organizer, High Street Neighborhood Association's Natalya Nicoloff, thanked city staff, neighbors, Rich Bolecek, and the Discovery Center kids, who produced a new creek sign for the occasion.

NCPC Fol de Rol (and Nominations)

The Melrose/High Hopes NCPC will usher in the holiday season with a potluck "Fol de Rol" on Thursday, November 20. The meeting will also include nomination of 2004 NCPC officers, who will be elected in January. Bring your favorite dish and nominations to Horace Mann School, Ygnacio and Congress, at 7 p.m. Call Robin, 532-2606, about the potluck.

Brookdale Rec: Soccer and Spanish

Brookdale Recreation is planning a girls' soccer team this fall for children in grades three through six. There will also be a class for Spanish-speaking children who can use practice speaking English. The center would consider a similar class for English-speaking children who would like to function in our multilingual world. Drop in or call 535-5632 if you are interested in soccer or language classes.

Reading Readiness at Melrose Branch

Parents of kindergarten-aged children are invited to the Melrose Branch, 48th and Foothill Blvd., on Monday, November 17, from 2:30 to 5:30 for Go Places/Read. Sponsored by Mervyn's, the event will provide training for parents who would like to help their children's reading readiness at home. There will be entertainment and refreshments, as well as backpacks for the children.

That Crossing Guard Looks Familiar

Allendale Elementary was one of 20 Oakland elementary schools participating in the city's sixth annual Walk to School Day on October 9. Celebrity crossing guards Councilmember Desley Brooks, State Administrator of OUSD Randolph Ward, Police Chief Word, and Fire Chief Simon helped children and their families to reach school safely. Oakland's Pedestrian Safety Project Director Tom VanDemark was pleased by the turnout for the event that promotes both health and safety.

A Clubhouse With a Gym

As I walked past 3300 High Street, the construction site smelled like wood, and a new shape emerged. Oakland Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Cal Stanley passed on some good and bad news. The club will be able to build the clubhouse in one phase. As a result, it will open complete with the new gymnasium, but not until early spring.

Adelle Foley can be reached at jasfoley\@aol.com.