High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Learning at the Library The calendar of special events at Melrose Branch Library reads like a menu of free help for everything from high school to home ownership. Young people from 14 to 20 can practice writing resum?s and interviewing on May 18 and 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. They can use their skills at the Youth Summer Job Fair on Saturday, May 20, from noon to 3 p.m. Students thinking about college can learn about "The College Game" after school on the first and third Friday of each month. Residents ready to settle down on their own can attend the Real Estate/Home Buyer's Workshops on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. On May 15 the topic will be contracts; future sessions will help the home buyer negotiate escrow, disclosure, and inspections. Finally, the new homeowner can curl up with a good book and join the Book Club discussions on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m. A Month of Spring Cleaning Spring cleanup began at Fremont High School on a rainy Saturday morning in March. Sixteen members of Melrose/High Hopes NCPC and Fremont ROTC students collected 17 bags of trash, three shopping carts, a couple of chairs, and a TV. Organizer Laurie Umeh reported that the perimeter of the campus was fairly clean, unlike the other side of Foothill. A week later Maxwell Park School was the cleanup command center and snack bar. Childcare at the school made it possible for 42 adult volunteers to bring 24 kids. I was delighted to meet Sharon Dedert, the dedicated fifth-grade teacher whose room the Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council borrows for its monthly meeting. Earth Day activities on April 22 brought out more neighbors at Courtland Creek Park and along Courtland and Redding near Walgreens. Global Gardening day at Horace Mann School will be May 6. Plant trees and native plants from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring ladders, buckets, gloves, and tools. The Future of High Street As I drive up High St. from Foothill to MacArthur, I see a lot of changes coming. Some make me hopeful; others make me wonder, even worry. Neighbors have expressed opinions about specific plans and have suggested types of businesses that would improve their lives. The community wants to be informed and heard. The eviction of M and W Liquors, spearheaded by Claudia Jimenez of Jean Quan's office, with the active participation of Melrose/High Hopes and Maxwell Park residents, is a victory; and the property owner has asked for suggestions for new tenants. But it will take a lot more work before Fairfax and High is tranquil and inviting. When Jose Ortiz (Manager of Brookdale Recreation Center) told the community of his plans to open a caf? and cell-phone store at hot-spot Virginia and High, the reaction was positive. The new housing units on High and Allendale are looking good. The developer reduced the number of units after hearing neighborhood concerns. But news of plans to open a large Latino market at the old Albertsons property on Bancroft and High brought expressions of concern from members of the Melrose/High Hopes NCPC. December in April One day of sunshine Everybody is smiling Rain, rain GO AWAY Adelle Foley can be reached at jandafoley\@sbcglobal.net.