High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

The Bricks are Here

As the High Street reporter, I was asked about the status of the bricks that some of us sponsored for the Boys & Girls Club, so I'm delighted to report that most of the bricks arrived at the High Street clubhouse in mid-November. The remaining bricks require clarification of the words or design by the donors. Director of Special Events and Marketing Karin Seid took over this project and is steering it to a successful conclusion. She will be proofing the bricks and hopes to have them installed at the entrance to the club by mid-December.

Snow Gear Wanted

When I talked to site director Maribel Corral, the club was taking a deep breath after the successful spelling bee and was planning for the holiday season. The club will be open all day during school holidays. A partnership with My Front Teeth will help to make sure that all club members get holiday gifts, and the Food Bank will help out with food for kids who rely on meals at school.

The annual snow trip for youngsters with successful first-semester reports will be in January. Once again, the club is asking the community to donate waterproof snow gear for girls and boys from eight to 12 years old. Bring the snowsuits, gloves, scarves, hats, boots, or goggles to the front desk between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. the week of January 2.

Food for Families

The Melrose High/Hopes NCPC is expanding the holiday tradition of providing Thanksgiving food baskets for families at Horace Mann Elementary School. Families selected by the principal and assistant principal range from single mothers with several children to multiple families sharing a single apartment. Orchestrated by Sheila D'Amico and Kayode Powell, community members, Councilmembers Brooks, De La Fuente, and Quan, and our Neighborhood Services Coordinators, Isler's, Penny Saver, and Island Markets all joined in to provide food for four families in boxes decorated by Discovery Center kids. Food for three other families was provided by members of the Oakland Police Dept.

NCPC Election

Congratulations to the new 2007 NCPC officers: President Preston Turner, Vice President Kayode Powell, Secretaries Rosemarie Booth-Bey and Sheila Turner, Treasurer Laurie Umeh, Membership Coordinators Eddy Dunbar and Randy Hughes, and Web Managers Josh Singer and Julie Hughes. To lighten the workload, the NCPC elected two people to some of the offices.

North Pole at Melrose Branch Library

On Friday December 8, Melrose Branch will present Fratello Marionettes. The puppets will star in the North Pole Review, and the audience will learn about the puppets and how they work. All ages will enjoy the 3:30 p.m. show.

Children's Librarian Sharon Senser hopes to start the New Year with a weekly after-school program for eight- to 12-year-olds. Check with Sharon at the branch, or call 535-5623.

High Street Cowboy

Last month I asked if anyone had seen an urban cowboy riding up High Street. Turns out the cowboy, Paris Cartier, saw my column and responded with a letter to the Metro and me. Say hello in person at the monthly Brookdale Park Family Day, and read Mr. Cartier's reply in the "Letters to the Editor" section.

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