June 2024 edition • Issue No. 25
The newsletter is a resource for connecting neighbors, building community, and sharing neighborhood news and updates from the Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council (MPNC)
|
|
Hello neighbors!
Summer is here! Longer days and warmer weather present lots of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy our community and our neighborhood. When you're out and about, please wave and say hi to your neighbors.
Here are a few upcoming events...
- High Street Coalition Clean-Up: Saturday, June 8, 8:30 a.m., meet at Walgreens on High Street. More info.
- Make Music Day, an international celebration of creating and performing music, is on Friday, June 21, as part of the Live in The Laurel music series. See article below for more details.
- Live in the Laurel, the outdoor free summer concert series is underway. Check out the schedule.
- Juneteenth Celebrations around the City including Hella Juneteenth the Cookout on June 19 and Lakefest Oakland on June 22.
- The Maxwell Park Emergency Response Team is holding an Emergency Preparedness Training on June 22. More details.
- In celebration of Gay Pride Month, the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center is hosting the Rainbow Fair at Lake Merritt on June 9.
- Oakland Gay Men's Chorus summer performance is in honor of Gay Pride Month: “You Can’t Stop the Beat: A Pride Cabaret” on June 22. Tickets here.
- Finally, National Night Out is coming up on Tuesday, August 6. Start planning your block's party now. Register here with the City of Oakland.
On Monday, June 10, 6-8 p.m., members of the MPNC will attend General Assembly: The State of Public Safety in Oakland and Where We Go From Here at Allen Temple Baptist Church (Family Life Center, Mary Morris Rm., 2nd Floor, 8501 International Blvd.) All are invited, register at: https://bit.ly/ATBCBBBON
Thanks for reading! We'll be back with the next issue in early August. In this issue we share:
|
|
Save the date: Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council Community Meeting and MPNC Board Elections
Wednesday, July 10, 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom
Registration details and agenda will be included in the MPNC Updates email in early July and posted at www.maxwellparknc.com.
|
|
|
|
Summer colors in the neighborhood. Photos by Barbara Hartford.
|
|
Photos from our readers...
The neighbors on Camden Avenue held a block party on Saturday, May 18. Camden neighbor Toni Bird shared these fun photos.
Do you have a photo to share? Email it our way.
|
|
Neighborhood Patrol Interest Survey
We are conducting a survey to gauge interest in hiring a neighborhood security patrol to help keep our community safe. Your feedback is crucial in determining the feasibility and scope of this initiative. Only one response per household, unless multiple people in your household will contribute monthly.
Why Participate?
- There's been a recent increase in auto thefts, catalytic converter thefts, home burglaries, and other property crimes in our area.
- The Oakland Police Department (OPD) considers these crimes a lower priority.
- More participation means more patrol hours at a lower cost per household.
|
|
|
Dogs around the neighborhood. Photos by Barbara Hartford.
|
|
National Night Out: Building Stronger Communities Together
by Vikki Richardson, Newsletter Reporter
National Night Out (NNO) has become a tradition in neighborhoods across Northern America, fostering unity, safety, and camaraderie among residents and law enforcement. But do you know how it all began?
Back in 1970 Philadelphia, Matt Peskin was a volunteer with his local community watch program. While searching for articles to fill his own neighborhood newsletter, he discovered the need for a shared platform for neighborhood watches and community programs to exchange information. Peskin's vision led to the creation of the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) in 1981, which laid the groundwork for NNO's in 1984.
Since then, NNO has blossomed into an annual event celebrated by millions, with communities coming together on the first Tuesday of August to strengthen bonds and promote crime prevention. In 2023, over 16,800 communities across the nation registered for block parties and events.
Here in California, 298 enthusiastic cities are members of NNO. According to Oakland’s website, 350 block parties were registered for the 2023 event.
The evolution of NATW continues. The organization is pioneering resources for dog walkers through their Dog Walker Watch program. This initiative empowers dog walkers to effectively observe and report suspicious behavior, further enhancing the safety net within communities.
As we gear up for this year's NNO, let's remember the vision of Matt Peskin, and celebrate our own Community Police Officer (CPO), Officer Sumptner and the Maxwell Park volunteers who have dedicated themselves to building a safer, more connected neighborhood. Whether you're hosting a block party, attending one, or simply spreading the word, your participation makes a difference in strengthening the fabric of Maxwell Park.
Let's join hands (and paws) on August 6 for National Night Out and continue the legacy of building safer, stronger communities together.
|
|
New MPNC Website
The Maxwell Park Neighborbood Council has recently moved to a new website to better serve our community. You can visit our new site here. Please note, we are keeping up the previous site as an archive, so you can still access all our historical content. For the latest updates and information, head over to our new site. Thank you for being part of our neighborhood!
|
|
MPNC Board Nominations Due June 11
The Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council will hold its Board election at the MPNC meeting on Wednesday, July 10 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Nominations for available positions need to be received by June 11. This is a fantastic opportunity for passionate individuals to actively contribute to the growth and well-being of our neighborhood.
Positions up for Election and Nominated Candidates
- Vice Chair: Assist the Chair in leading meetings, represent the Council when necessary, and contribute to overall decision-making. (nominated candidate: Tom Van de Mark)
- Membership Secretary: Maintain accurate records of membership, manage communications, and support outreach efforts to engage more neighbors. (nominated candidate: Toni Bird)
- Member At-Large #2 and Member At-Large #3: Actively participate in meetings, provide input on community matters, and support various initiatives. (nominated candidates: Jan Hetherington At-Large Member #2, Annemarie Henning At-Large Member #3)
Interested in running or have questions about the roles and responsibilities? Please reach out to José Dorado (joseadorado48@gmail.com) to guide you through the process. If you've ever considered playing a more active role in our community, now is the time! Board members serve for two years. Serving on the MPNC Board is an enriching experience that allows you to make a meaningful impact on the issues that matter most to our community.
|
|
ECO Tip: Spring Treats
from our neighborhood environmentalist
We in the Bay Area are mostly blessed with moderate outdoor temperatures due to our cool friend, the Pacific Ocean. However, summer travels inland away from the coast or during a regional heat dome can make temperatures soar.
Here are a few tools and knowledge to help you stay safe:
|
|
Make Music Day in the Laurel
Make Music Oakland is a live, free musical celebration on Friday, June 21, the longest day of the year. This is Oakland’s first year being part of the international Make Music Day; the focus is on The Laurel District as part of the Live in The Laurel music series.
"Arts access for all is a core element of any community so Friday, June 21 is perfect timing with the Live in the Laurel series to add the Make Music Day component. With Oakland's wonderful and diverse music scene and so many talented artists residing here, I know it could be a really special day. Nothing brings the community together like music does and this day's emphasis is simply celebrating that." says organizer, Danny Tomasello.
Every kind of musician is invited — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion shares their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers. All of it is free and open to the public, from 3-6 p.m. at Communitē Table (4171 MacArthur Blvd.). Entries are being accepted from interested musicians – and venues – to make music and host musicians. If you don’t want to register as a musician to perform, but would like to make music at the event, check out the Listings section as the date nears for where you can join the fun.
|
|
|
Photo by Danny Tomasello.
|
|
Sprucing up the Park Garden
Thanks mostly to park neighbors on Fleming, the small garden at Maxwell Park is now looking quite nice! Five volunteers – Beth Kean, Raleigh McLemore, Vivian DeWoskin, Jon Ward, and Nancy Karigaca – weeded and pruned on Saturday morning, May 18. The many yellow yarrows are now looking fabulous, and the daisies should hopefully get back to their early spring explosion of blooms once they get watered regularly. If you'd like to help out at the park, please contact Nancy at nkarigaca@comcast.net.
|
|
|
The refreshed garden at Maxwell Park. Photo by Barbara Hartford.
|
|
Pierson Weeds Conquered
On Oakland’s Earth Day, April 20, ten volunteers removed 22 bags of green waste from the Pierson Street traffic circle. Volunteers removed weeds of all kinds including huge, very spiny thistles whose seeds had blown over from a nearby curb strip. They dramatically pruned some orange-flowering bushes, leaving some people with rashes. The three olive trees that had once again grown to look like bushes were expertly pruned, and the large rocks are once again visible. Thanks to volunteers Midge Estep, Rich Estep, Meredith Elliott, Mark McGinnis, Cary Latham, Lynn Keller, Robert McGillis, Carolyn Jones, Eva Modica and Nancy Karigaca. To join a future weeding day, email Nancy at nkarigaca@comcast.net.
|
|
|
Photos by Nancy Karigaca.
|
|
Northeastern University Oakland News
Submitted by Renée Jadushlever, Vice President for Campus Administration and Strategic Initiatives
Nikki Lowy, our Director of City and Community Outreach and Programming spoke to Maxwell Park residents at your recent neighborhood meeting. You can find a summary of the initiatives and resources she spoke about on Maxwell Park’s website.
Oakland Opportunity Scholarships
The University is pleased to share that we have offered the Oakland Opportunity Scholarship to 15 graduates of OUSD and, to date, seven have accepted and will begin their freshman year on campus this Fall. These are full scholarships for 4-years and include tuition, room, and board.
- Forty-four Oakland students applied.
- Fifteen scholarships were awarded. Our admissions team had initially targeted up to 10 scholarship recipients, but given the caliber of student applicants, decided to award 15 scholarships.
- Seven students have accepted their scholarships and will be joining us on the Northeastern Oakland campus this fall! (there may be one to two others, pending their decisions in the comings weeks).
- These seven students come from the following high schools: Fremont HS, Life Academy HS, McClymonds HS, Oakland International HS, Oakland Tech HS (2), and Sojourner Truth Academy Independent Study
- Two of these seven students participated in the Upward Bound program on the Northeastern Oakland campus.
For more information, contact oaklandadmissions@northeastern.edu.
Celebrating the Release of Shirley Film
Have you all seen the Netflix film Shirley, about the life and political career of Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm? In 1972, the Congresswoman visited the Mills College campus, at the invitation of student Barbara Lee, who worked actively on Chisolm’s campaign for President. Congresswoman Lee recently visited campus, along with Christina Jackson, the actress who played her in the film, and they spent time in the F. W. Olin Library looking at many archival materials from Chisolm’s visit and also stopped at the places she visited on campus. Channel 2 covered the story, and you can view that interview here.
Guide to Campus: Tip of the Month
Did you know…neighbors are welcome to walk their dogs on campus. All dogs must be kept on-leash and registered annually with the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Dog walkers must also adhere to the campus access policy and present a government-issued ID at the front gate when entering campus. To contact DPS, call 510-430-5555 or email oaklandsafety@northeastern.edu. For more information on policies for service animals and an expanded pet policy, refer to Northeastern’s Service Animal policy.
Juneteenth Celebration: Black Futures (re) Defined: From Discourse to Liberation
Friday, June 14, 12 p.m.–5 p.m., at Lisser Hall (Northeastern Campus)
Join us for a thought-provoking event commemorating Juneteenth, as we delve into the intersection between homelessness, employment outcomes, and solutions for social and economic justice for Blacks in the Bay Area. We will screen the poignant documentary " A Rising Tide," shedding light on the stark realities of those grappling with joblessness and housing instability. Our program will also feature a dynamic panel discussion, interactive learning circles, and key takeaways aimed at galvanizing participants toward meaningful social action. Register here. |
|
Non-Toxic Weed Control
from Martin Kojnok, neighbor and Realtor® in Maxwell Park
Now that summer is nearly upon us, the last throng of those pesky weeds are upon us too. Here’s a quick tip for how to rid yourself of them and manage them year-round: Spray them with high-concentration vinegar.
Vinegar, of varied concentrations is as versatile as baking soda. Though I’d shy from adding it to my toothpaste, it cleans, softens clothes, deodorizes (suprisingly), and - in high concentration will “burn” weeds and vegetation. I use a 30% concentration in my garden where 5% is the norm for food and laundry. (Note: Running a carafe of 5% through your coffee-maker’ll freshen that cup right up! Open the windows!)
Available at Home Depot or Amazon this stuff will start turning your weeds brown in a matter of hours. Within 24-36 hours, your weeds will be shriveled and basically done. It works particularly well on weeds with broader leaves and less well on grasses. Be careful to not spray on anything you’d like to keep around. It's not going to discern between your Trifolium (clover) and your Fragaria (strawberries)!
I particularly like to use it in my backyard because it’s safe for my dog (and for kids). It’s non-toxic, environmentally conscious, and inexpensive. It does make for a yard that smells a little like salad for a day or so, but I think it’s well worth the benefits.
In the rainy months, in between showers, it’s best to manage the peak of weed growth by spraying through every couple of weeks. Vinegar doesn’t kill the roots of many weed species, but it does definitely slow them down. By spraying them once in a while, it will help to reduce the organic matter they produce and will keep your weeds from getting out of hand.
Enjoy the great weather, dwell well my friends, and always feel free to reach out with any home or home sale questions.
Martin Kojnok
CORCORAN ICON PROPERTIES
MBA | REALTOR® | DRE 01941661
martin@martinkojnok.com m: 510.593.3370 www.martinkojnok.com
|
|
Emergency Preparedness Training
Join the Maxwell Park Emergency Response Team (MPERT) on Saturday, June 22 at 10 a.m. for a deep dive on our neighborhood gathering spots (ICCs) and community emergency supplies, to be held at one of our very own ICCs. Most of the ICC hosts will be attending, and we'd love to for many neighbors to join the training.
|
|
Join the Maxwell Park Emergency Response Team
contact list:
email MPERT.info@gmail.com or call/text: 510-917-9994
|
|
|
Keeping our Streets Clean
🗑 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!
High Street Coalition Cleanup
🗑WHEN: second and fourth Saturday of every month from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Next cleanups: June 8, June 22, and July 13
🗑 WHERE: Walgreens (at High and Redding Streets)
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. Next cleanup: July 6
🗑 WHERE: Chevron station (at Pierson and MacArthur Boulevard) Focus is on cleaning up the stretch of MacArthur Boulevard along I-580 from Mills College to 55th Avenue.
Follow the group on Nextdoor or join the email mailing list.
|
|
|
Summer colors in the neighborhood. Photos by Barbara Hartford.
|
|
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? Contact newsletter editor Annemarie Henning at maxwellparknewsletter@gmail.com.
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
