High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Creek to Bay at Courtland Creek

Come on down to Brookdale and Courtland (the first street above High Street) on Saturday, September 18. Grab your gloves, hat, and sunscreen, and join your neighbors from 9 a.m. to noon. Help get the Creek Park ready for autumn.

Melrose Library Open on Saturday!

The biggest news at Melrose Branch is the expanded schedule. Thanks to Measure Q, the branch will once again be open on Saturday, beginning September 11. Stop in from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and let the staff know how much the expanded schedule means, especially to community members with full-time day jobs. At the monthly meeting of the Friends of the library, branch manager Rodrigo Quintanilla introduced us to Antonio and Antoine, teen assistants from Fremont and Skyline High Schools. They have worked hard recycling, helping computer users, cleaning up, fixing books, watering plants, and creating the teen summer reading display. Looking ahead, the PASS after-school homework program will begin on Tuesday, September 7. The branch will also be celebrating Independence Day in several Latin American nations during September. Drop in or call 535-5623 for details.

Registration Forms Online

This fall the Oakland Public Library has joined the nationwide drive to increase voter registration using online forms. I logged onto www.Oaklandlibrary.org to check out the process. I watched different items appear in a box at the upper right hand corner and clicked on "Register to vote \@ your library." The page that opened contained a press release and a link to the American Library Association Web site. A click on that link brought up the forms and instructions. Since a signature is required, you will still have to print, sign, and mail the forms to Sacramento. Make sure to leave plenty of time before the October 18 deadline. While you're at the Oakland Library Web site, take a look at other online services, use the catalog, or reserve a book. If you're having trouble on the Oakland Library site, you can go directly to www.yourvotematters.org/ala.

Walking with the Chief

On Thursday, August 12, Chief Richard Word joined about 55 Maxwell Park residents (many with strollers and/or dogs in tow) on the fifth Neighborhood Walk. Ranging in age from under three months to 82 years, the enthusiastic group snaked around the neighborhood, stopping to invite other neighbors to walk along and attend the Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council meetings. This time, we had a chance to discuss our concerns or point out problem areas to the Chief, who took careful notes. Other neighbors got acquainted and traded dreams "a neighborhood pasta restaurant" or suggestions "a good place for a smog check." Organizer Walter Williams sends out e-mail announcements. Contact him at fotolife\@yahoo.com to get on his list.

Opening Day at the Clubhouse

The Boys and Girls Club on High Street will open its doors to youngsters from 6 to 17 years on Tuesday, September 7, the first day of the new school year. The club will be open from 3 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Thanks to IKON Office Solutions, each child will go home with a book on opening day.

After School at Brookdale Rec

Although much of the fall program at Brookdale Recreation Center is still taking shape, youngsters at least nine years old are welcome to come out for the drill team on Monday and Tuesday, from 6 to 8 p.m. The football program will be set by mid-month, and Healthy Startand soccer should begin by the end of the month. Once school starts, drop by, or call 535-5632, for details and to sign up.

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