High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Prize-Winning Trash

After an endless rainy season, we were delighted to wake up to a dry Earth Day. About 50 volunteers scaled steep banks, hauled trash out of Courtland Creek, weeded, cut ivy, raked, uprooted volunteer eucalyptus trees, cleared stairways, pruned, and tidied up the park. The older kids pulled out a computer monitor that had been blocking the flow of the water. Other prize trash included two sewing machines, an enormous old lock, a complete wardrobe (with a suitcase), and enough furniture and carpeting for a studio apartment. We're proud of the Discovery Center kids whose amazing loot won the contest sponsored by Councilmember Jean Quan's office. We were also excited to see two birds' nests. And we pondered the meaning of a philosophical graffiti that proclaimed, "I lost myself seeking order."

As we pruned the plum trees, Chris Ralls filled us in on some local history. In December 1992 a group of neighbors planted the first thundercloud plum trees near Congress Street. The parallel rows of trees trace the path of the Key System's K line, which ran down from Leona Heights, through the Courtland turnaround, to downtown and the ferry depot. On my first Earth Day, we planted plum trees in a steady rain, almost ruining my beloved purple boots. In 1997 we dedicated the park during a spring heat wave that forced us to put the cake under the table to keep the icing from melting.

Thanks to Laurie Umeh for coordinating the event, the High Street Neighborhood Alliance for sponsoring the cleanup, Jean Quan's office for providing bagels, fruit, drinks and pizza, and Linda Norman for bringing brownies.

Magnolia Trees at Horace Mann

If you stand on the corner of Ygnacio and Congress Streets, you'll see 15 new Magnolia grandiflora trees planted on Horace Mann Garden Day. Robert Newman of Oakland's Tree Section started the morning with "Tree Staking 101," for those of us unsure of the process. Then we formed crews, put the trees in the ground, secured them, added the redwood chips, and cleaned up. The 40 participants represented a partnership of school kids, parents, teachers, the community, and the tree crew. Organizer Jean Nixon and the Horace Mann Garden Committee planned the event, which ended with refreshments and a group photo.

Summer Reading and Future Plans

When I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon, I found Children's Librarian Sharon Sensor, just back from West Australia, planning for the upcoming summer reading program. Youngsters reading eight hours will win a free book and other prizes. The Melrose Branch events are at 3:30 p.m. each Wednesday, from June 10 through August 9 (see page [?]). This summer, teens are included, and the Second Start program will offer prizes to adults working on individual goals.

Community members interested in the library's future plans are invited to an open house at the Melrose Branch on Saturday, June 10, at 2 p.m. There will be activities for children and refreshments.

Adelle Foley can be reached at jandafoley\@sbcglobal.net.