High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Nonviolent Living and Jazz Vespers on High Street

' For'a taste of harmony in our community, go to the High Street Presbyterian Church the last weekend in March. On Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pace e Bene will offer their Engage Workshop. They'll teach individuals and organizations to take action for justice and peace through nonviolent options in the midst of violence and injustice. The program is free, and lunch will be provided. To learn more, call Ryan Dowell Baum at 316-5487.

' Then, on Sunday, March 30, alto sax player Pete Yellin will headline the year's first Jazz Vespers held on months with a fifth Sunday. The Jazz Vespers are held in the Church's Julia Morgan chapel, a local treasure on the corner of High Street and Courtland. Come by at 5 p.m. with a donation for music and a finger-food buffet. Call 533-8740 or 533-2366 for more information,

Quality Cars Since 1942

' Last month, when we talked about his late friend Sam Roberts, Jerry Scheberies was so passionate about neighborhood history that I decided to visit him at his used-car lot at 4112 MacArthur Blvd. I discovered that while Jerry loves the neighborhood of his childhood (in the period before I-580 was built), he is also involved with today's young people.'

' When I arrived, the sign on the gate said "Be back about 2:30." Jerry was coaching the Skyline wrestling team. His office includes stickers and crayons for kids. When the youngsters in the photo on his desk come to visit, Jerry closes the gate and they just have fun.'

' There are old-fashioned gas pumps with a per-gallon price of 22.9 cents, Mohawk Gas signs, posters from Jerry's days as a race-car driver, and a photo of the Caldecott Tunnel when it opened in 1918. His father Fred started a used-car business in 1942. and Jerry can draw a map of the businesses of the mid-twentieth century including a barber shop, a coal yard, and Cecil's café and hamburger stand, complete with bookmaking in the back room.'

We'll Miss You, Maribel

' After working in our community for three years, Maribel Corral was more than the Branch Manager of the Anna Marie Whalen clubhouse of the Oakland Boys & Girls Club. She had become one of the family, and we're sad to see her leave. We wish her well at the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department, we're excited for her, and we know that she will continue to serve the families and youth of our city.

Three Local Six-Word Poets

' Franklin Abbott wrote a poem in six words and invited others to try the form. Here are three examples by local bards.'

Jack Foley wrote, "She said yes; he said eeeek."'

Adelle Foley answered, "After so many years truth emerges."

Jan Hetherington's poem: "Cat cuddles. Bliss. Oh, she's gone."

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