High Street Neighborhood News

by Adelle Foley

Stop the Sideshows

Jazz Vespers at High Street Presbyterian Church with Kat Parra and her jazz trio. Photo by Rosetta Egan.

 The Melrose High-Hopes NCPC is tired of screeching tires, loud music and even gunfire at midnight, so neighbors are focusing on stopping sideshow activity in Beat 27X. The project began at the June meeting with groups of neighbors identifying problems and solutions and drafting communications at the June meeting. City officials, the DMV, and the OPD were asked to respond. Watch for the results in future columns.  

It’s Our Town/Slow it Down 

For a long time I had a bumper sticker on my door at work. It read “It’s Our Town/Slow it Down.” Early in July I learned how to use a tool that could support that goal. Thanks to Michael Johnson of Councilmember Jean Quan’s office, I found myself in a classroom at the Eastmont police station learning about the history of radar, a little of how it works, and how to use it to measure the speed of vehicles. Police Officer Daniel Tirapelli, the Traffic Division’s expert, walked us through braking distances, the Doppler principle, laws, and how to use a radar gun. Then we gathered outside to try it out. After training, a team of three volunteers can measure speed, log the entries, and make sure that the operation is safe. Radar volunteers can’t issue tickets so we give the license plates and speed to the OPD, which sends out a letter reminding the drivers to slow down—and promising more enforcement.  

Back to Evolving Schools

The new school year brings one school a new name, another an opportunity. The school that emerged from incubation is now officially “Maxwell Park International Academy.” A mixture of old and new staff and students, the new school will be looking for volunteers to help out. Meanwhile, at Melrose Leadership Academy, approval of the plan to grow the middle school at the old Sherman school site into a K-8 Spanish/English immersion school has brought excitement and renewed commitment to the work ahead.   

Good-Bye to Rev. Sally at the Jazz Vespers

We were drawn into the Jazz Vespers at High Street Presbyterian Church by mellow music. By the end of the service Kat Parra and her jazz trio had taken us on a desert caravan, presented music full of energy, and finally brought the audience into the performance. The music delighted the audience, but this time the church had a bittersweet aura. It was the Rev. Sally Juarez’ last service. Rev. Sally has become a moving force in the community as well as the church. Her passion for social justice, particularly for young people, sparked a like response among the church’s High Street Neighbors. Sally is off to Mexico to join her daughter’s family. We wish her well and hope our paths cross again.

 The next Jazz Vespers will be Sunday August 31 at 5 p.m., followed by food and fellowship in the social hall.

 Melrose Branch Reads Up a Storm

The Melrose Branch Library had a banner summer reading program. More than 400 youngsters from elementary school through teenage years curled up with books. They received gifts from finger puppets, coupons, and books to chances in raffles. Drop in or call 535-5623 for information on the remaining summer programs.

A blood red sunrise

Hazy skies turning blue-grey

A thousand fires

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