High Street Neighborhood Newsby Adelle Foley | ||
Neighbors gather at the site where Brandon Morris was killed to mourn and to call for an end to violence. Photos by Adelle Foley.
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Community of Spirit " Outraged and Determined
' When I arrived at the Memorial for Brandon Morris on Friday May 9, the Reverend Gregg Brown of Miracles of Faith Community Church handed me a press release that included a resolution in honor of Brandon, a 20-year-old neighbor who was shot and killed on High St. and Suter on April 28. The Resolution expressed the anguish, outrage, and determination of the faith community, the Maxwell Park and Melrose Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils, relatives, and friends to stand together to prevent further loss of life. The leaders of the NCPCs read the resolution aloud at the May 17 March at the Lake.
' I chatted with Brandon's aunt, who had come in from Corpus Christi, Texas to support her sister. A neighbor from around the corner brought out chairs from her home. Cars stopped respectfully as we crossed High St. singing "Right here on High Street/I'm gonna let it shine…" About 50 people were there, ranging in age from three months to over 70.
' Rev. Gregg encouraged us to let the people who drive down the street, and the politicians who should be there, know we care. We need a vision of power, he said, to enable our community to walk unafraid. "No more. No More. No More." Pastor Ron Thompson of Prayer Tower Church asked for healing in our land. Rev. Cherry spoke of role models like a barber who talks with young men in his chair. Two days before Mother's Day, High St. Presbyterian's pastor, Sally Juarez, said a prayer for mothers who have lost their sons, and sent a wave of love to Brandon's mother, Linda. Then the children came forward, and the crowd prayed for their safety. I looked up and noticed that the site of the homicide was less than a block from Precious Jewels Childcare. A few days later, police Lt. Sharon Williams told a group of neighbors that they can help by working with young people at places like the Boys & Girls Club on High St. I'd add that we can refuse to consider violent death at age 20 business as usual.
Takes a village to
Raise a child. When we lose one
We're all diminished.
A Cool Latin Beat on High Street
' The best jazz deal in town can be found at 1945 High St. in the Julia Morgan Chapel that houses High Street Presbyterian Church's Jazz Vespers. The next vespers will be held on June 29 at 5 p.m., when Kat Parra will present her brand of jazz fusion with an Afro-Latin beat in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. If this performance lives up to the March "Fifth Sunday" Jazz Vespers, the music and finger-food buffet will be worth far more than the requested donation.
Busy Summer at Melrose Branch
' From June to August the Melrose Branch Library will be humming. Summer reading programs for both adults and children—teens are welcome at both—start on June 7, and the Easy English classes (every Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m.) have already begun. Special programs for kids on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. will begin on June 4. Teens can make their own jewelry on June 11 and get a henna tattoo on July 23. See Summer in the Libraries (p. ?) for details and more events.