November 2023 edition • Issue No. 22
Produced by the Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council (MPNC)
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Hello neighbors!
Wow, the Camden St. Halloween party was spooktacular! Scroll down to see lots of photos from the event. Thanks to neighbors Ryn Beeley, Heather Skibbins, and Jenna Mirbegian for hosting such a fun and festive event for Maxwell Park.
The High Street Coalition's efforts were featured in the Oaklandside this week under the headline: "The High Street Coalition is cleaning up Oakland, one trash bag at a time." Shout out to this volunteer group of neighbors! Scroll down for details on how to get involved.
We've "fallen back" and got an extra hour of sleep last night. With the end of daylight savings time, the bonus is we'll have more light in the mornings starting tomorrow. The shorter days and early sunsets can leave some of us feeling out of whack; here are some tips to adjust.
The timing of this bi-monthly newsletter will change in 2024. We're moving from publishing in the odd months to the even months; you'll see the next issue in February. Would you like to contribute ideas, article, or photos in the new year? Reach out and let's chat.
Thanks for reading!
In this issue:
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All Halloween photos by Barbara Hartford
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Join the Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council community meeting:
Wednesday, November 8, 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom
Agenda includes:
- Guest Speaker: Mr. Mariano Rojo, Senior Code Enforcement Officer, City of Oakland. He will discuss the status of enforcement actions for the blighted, fire-scarred home on the corner of Monticello and Walnut, plus the reporting and response process of code compliance issues.
- Opportunity to discuss neighborhood-related issues with the MPNC
Register with the button below or at www.maxwellparknc.org.
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Join the MPNC for a Zoom Roundtable
with Mayor Sheng Thao:
Tuesday, November 14, 6-7 p.m.
This meeting– exclusively open to residents of Maxwell Park – is an opportunity to connect with Mayor Thao, discuss local issues, and make your voice heard in shaping the future of our community. Pre-register and submit your questions in advance. Please note that only questions submitted in advance will be considered. Register with the button below or at www.maxwellparknc.org.
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New City Hall NAT
The Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council recently created a new Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) dedicated to activity at City Hall. The City Hall NAT was born out of a desire for positive action and to channel important information to our community. NAT members – including Maxwell Park residents Leslie Heller, Heather MacLean, and Vikki Richardson – review the items brought before the Oakland City Council through its five committees, monitor topics that could impact Maxwell Park, and determine if there are items that the MPNC should address.
The Oakland City Council Committee meetings are as follows:
2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month –
Finance: 9:30 a.m.
Public Works and Transportation: 11:30 p.m.
Community/Economic Development: 1:30 p.m.
Life Enrichment: 4 p.m.
Public Safety: 6 p.m.
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month –
Rules and Legislation:10:30 a.m.
You can access all meeting agendas at: Oakland City Council Agendas.
The typical process for how an item goes to the City Council for a vote is as follows:
- A resolution begins in the Thursday’s Rules and Legislation Committee.
- The resolution is then passed onto a specific committee on Tuesday for discussion.
- Then the resolution is moved to a City Council meeting for a vote the following week.
The timeline from when items are brought to committee and then to a Council vote is swift. In some cases, a vote can happen within four days of a resolution being discussed in the Rules and Legislation Committee. For example, the recent resolution regarding the 300 Flock license plate readers was first heard on a Thursday, skipped going to committee, and rushed to the Council on the following Tuesday.
In October, the Council approved a change in building codes throughout the city along business corridors to allow for taller mixed-use buildings. At the Nov. 7 Council meeting, kiosk parking meters on MacArthur from High St. to May Court and a reaffirmation that the A’s belong in Oakland are expected to be approved.
If you are interested in joining the NAT, please email Vikki Richardson: vikki360@aol.com.
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Cocobreeze: A Friendly Island Oasis
by Vikki Richardson
You may have noticed the waving Caribbean flags and the shimmering banners, or heard the playful island music at the corner of Fairfax and High. That's Cocobreeze, a Caribbean restaurant and bakery, which has turned just another East Oakland city corner into a small island oasis since 2019.
Owner Annabelle Goodridge and her daughter, Merissa Lyons, have worked in the San Francisco and Oakland catering and restaurant scene for twenty years. Chef Ann began her culinary training in Trinidad and Tobago with Merissa by her side. Once in Oakland, Chef Ann continued training at Laney College, opened La Belles on Adeline, and then ran a catering business. Now the mother-daughter duo are in our neighborhood with Merissa spearheading Cocobreeze.
Noticing the lack of superfoods in Oakland, Merissa brought her passion for healthy eating to Cocobreeze. It is the local place to stock up on your superfood juices. Merissa created her Calm-Ade chamomile and lavender tea to help her then five-year-old daughter learn that there really is a bedtime to adhere to. Moving onto juices, Merissa has created a variety of superfood juices including Baobab Tropical, Berry Beautiful, and Radiant Sun, and even a flight of Superfood Seamoss.
The friendly restaurant unapologetically serves authentic Caribbean food, using fresh herbs and ingredients to make their tried-and-true dishes and most popular Jamaican patties, Trini doubles, and jerk chicken. The Jamaican patties are like empanadas; offered in spicy beef, curry chicken or vegan- friendly vegetables. The Trini doubles are a common street food from the islands, a fried chickpea dough with spicy or sweet toppings. The jerk chicken is spicy, tender, and moist, with the meat falling off the bones. Also on the menu are several vegan selection and some gluten free items; plus hamburgers and an Impossible burger.
Cocobreeze is not just a restaurant, it's also a mission to support Oakland’s youth and be a hub for the Caribbean community in the East Bay. The mother-daughter team has paired up with Youth Employment Partnership to hire high school student interns, who learn restaurant and business ownership skills. On any given day you can hear the Caribbean accents brightening the corner from the regular guests. This summer they hosted the Caribbean Heritage Awards honoring people who have promoted the Oakland Caribbean community, and connected with Congresswoman Barbara Lee and City Hall to award commendations to several community members.
Cocobreeze is open is open Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays 11 a.m.– 8 p.m. Order online or through a variety of apps. Follow them on Nextdoor; note the Nextdoor Neighborhood Fav status in 2022 and 2023.
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Photos by CocoBreeze restaurant and Barbara Hartford
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High St. Paving Update
The City of Oakland's Department of Transportation announced next steps for the High Street Paving Project, which will install traffic-calming improvements on High Street between MacArthur and Foothill following the repaving of the roadway. Speed cushions are now being installed on High St and Walnut Street. Starting the week of Nov. 6, construction crews will start building concrete medians, which will likely take a few weeks to complete depending on weather conditions. You will see "No Parking" barricades with exact dates and times for median work at the separate locations. The project's improvements include speed cushions, concrete median islands, and pedestrian refuge islands at crosswalks along High Street.
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Street Cleanups Need You
High Street Coalition Clean-ups
🗑WHEN: second and fourth Saturday of every month from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Next cleanup on Saturday, November 11
🗑 WHERE: Walgreens (at High and Redding Streets)
🗑 WHAT: Volunteer litter pickup; sanitized vests 🦺, work gloves🧤, bags, and litter grabbers provided!
👷🏿♀️👨🏽🌾 WHO: All are welcomed! Even if you don't live in the neighborhood!
Follow the High Street Coalition on Nextdoor, Instagram, or email highstreetcoalition@gmail.com to be added to the email distribution list.
MacArthur Boulevard Cleanup
🗑WHEN: first Saturday of every month from 9-10:30 a.m.
🗑 WHERE: Chevron station (formally Shell) (located at Pierson x MacArthur Boulevard). Focus is on cleaning up the stretch of MacArthur Boulevard along I-580 from Mills College to 55th Avenue.
🗑 WHAT: Volunteer litter pickup; sanitized vests 🦺, work gloves🧤, bags, and litter grabbers provided!
👷🏿♀️👨🏽🌾 WHO: All are welcomed! Even if you don't live in the neighborhood!
Follow the group on Nextdoo or join the email mailing list.
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ECO Tip: "Life on Our Planet"
from our neighborhood environmentalist
Actor Morgan Freeman needs no introduction. His famous voice has narrated so many nature documentaries. He was on The View recently to promote his new Netflix series: "Life on Our Planet." Watch his interview. His soothing voice explains what to expect from Climate Change.
p.s. He drives an electric car!
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Music in Maxwell Park
On October 8, the East Bay Fiddlin and Pickin Potlucks held its monthly jam at Maxwell Park. A lot of neighbors came to play, sing, or just listen. There were guitars, mandolins, a tenor recorder, a violin, a harmonica, a dobro, and even a clarinet. It was a gorgeous day in the park. All the regular musicians loved it, and want to return. The group will be back in Maxwell Park the second Sunday in September this coming year. You can check out the group’s upcoming potlucks in the East Bay at pickinpotlucks.com.
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Incident Command Centers
MPERT is proud to announce we now have six emergency neighborhood gathering locations throughout Maxwell Park called incident command centers (ICC). These ICCs are located in sectors: AA, AB, C, D, E, and I. Neighbors can gather at the ICCs to get or offer help during a major emergency. It is the ideal location to store community emergency supplies including radios, crow bar, tarp, and first aid supplies. To find the ICC nearest you, contact mpert.info@gmail.com.
The goal is to identify two ICC locations per sector. Hosting an ICC does not require much work on your end. Your address is listed as an ICC and you give at least one neighbor access to this box for use during an emergency, in case you are not home; but nobody needs to enter your home. Once funding becomes available, MPERT can provide a 3x5 garden storage box for community emergency supplies. If you can host an ICC, please reach out: mpert.info@gmail.com, 510-917-9994.
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Join the Maxwell Park Emergency Response Team
contact list:
email MPERT.info@gmail.com or call/text: 510-917-9994
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Northeastern University Oakland News
Submitted by Renée Jadushlever, Vice President of Campus Administration and Strategic Initiatives
Welcome Nikki Lowy
We are excited to share that Nikki Lowy just joined Northeastern University as the new Director of Community & City Outreach and Programming. Nikki is an Oakland resident and has a background in community development, real estate, and partnerships at organizations including Google, Landed, and the Urban Land Institute. She is thrilled to start working with city and community leaders to explore how Northeastern can be a helpful partner and neighbor, as we enter this next phase of growth and impact in Oakland. Have an idea for a project or questions about what’s happening on campus? Please contact Nikki: g.lowy@northeastern.edu.
Trek Days
On October 17-18, 800 Northeastern students participated in the inaugural Experiential Entrepreneurship Trek Days. Students had a chance to visit Bay Area organizations including Oakland companies Kaiser Permanente, Square (Block), Kapor Center, and ArtHaus, as well as hear from nonprofit and public sector leaders including the Office of Governor Newsom, BART, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The purpose of the treks was to have students interact with industry and community leaders to learn how ideas are developed. The ideas that came out of the Trek days will inform our first Start Summit, a student-led hackathon to benefit the Oakland Community on November 17-18.
Access Policy
While the campus remains open to the public, there is a new access policy on campus to be aware of:
- All vehicle drivers and pedestrians entering campus will be required to present identification
- For the purposes of this policy, acceptable government identification is defined as: state or provincial Driver’s License or Identification Card, Passport or Passport Card, Military ID card, or Permanent Resident Card. College or university-issued ID.
- Dog-walkers will be required to present identification in addition to a pet registration card that can be obtained through the department of public safety. Please contact OaklandSafety@northeastern.edu for more information regarding pet registrations.
- Any campus visitors without identification may be met at the gate by a NU host with a valid NU identification card.
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8 Tips for the Rainy Season
from Martin Kojnok, neighbor and Realtor® in Maxwell Park
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As we enjoy the Fall, it's essential to get our homes ready for the rainy season. Many forecasts are saying we’re in for another wet one, which can be a blessing for our gardens but a potential challenge for our homes. To help you get your property rain-ready, here are eight essential tips to help keep cozy and dry and to protect your home against possible water damage.
- Clean and Prepare Your Gutters: Clear out leaves and debris from your gutters to ensure that rainwater can flow freely and make sure to extend your downspouts away from your foundation. Clogged gutters can lead to water overflow, and pooling water can potentially cause damage to your home's foundation.
- Inspect and Repair Roofs: Examine your roof for any loose or damaged shingles. A well-maintained roof is your first line of defense against heavy rain. Pick up some water proof tarps and sand-bag weights and keep them handy in case of a failure.
- Seal Gaps and Leaks: Check windows and doors for gaps or leaks. Seal any cracks with weatherstripping or caulking to keep the rain outside, where it belongs.
- Upgrade Your Drainage: Ensure that your yard is properly graded so that rainwater naturally flows away from your home. Consider installing a French drain or other drainage solutions if necessary.
- Clean and Maintain Sump Pumps: If you have a sump pump, clean it and test its functionality. A working sump pump can help prevent basement flooding during heavy rain and help protect the structure.
- Inspect Underneath: Check your basement or crawlspace for any signs of water intrusion. Address any issues or have an appropriate professional help mitigate it.
- Secure Outdoor Items: Bring in or secure outdoor furniture and belongings to prevent damage or loss during storms. Secure loose objects in your yard to prevent them from becoming projectiles in high winds.
- Prepare an Emergency Kit: It's always a good idea to be prepared for power outages and other potential weather-related disruptions.
With a little proactive effort, you can enjoy a cozy, dry, and worry-free season and your home will thank you for it!
Martin Kojnok
CORCORAN ICON PROPERTIES
MBA | REALTOR® | DRE 01941661
martin@martinkojnok.com m: 510.593.3370 www.martinkojnok.com
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Suggestions? Feedback?
Is there anything you would like to see in the newsletter? Would you like to be a part of the newsletter team as a content contributor, writer, or photographer? We want the newsletter to be a helpful resource for building community and keeping you informed of what’s happening in Maxwell Park. Please email newsletter editor Annemarie Henning at maxwellparknewsletter@gmail.com with thoughts or interest.
The MPNC is dedicated to improving the quality of life and safety in Maxwell Park (Police Beat 28X). The MPNC consists of a Board of Directors and a number of Neighborhood Action Teams that address neighborhood concerns such as blight, traffic, and emergency preparedness. As an authorized City of Oakland Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council, we work cooperatively with the City Council and Police Department on priority safety issues. New participants are always welcome!
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Please share this newsletter with a neighbor, who can subscribe here. If you have any neighborhood-related concerns or want to get involved as a community volunteer, please reach out to the MPNC.
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