September 2023 edition • Issue No. 21
Produced by the Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council (MPNC)
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Hello neighbors!
We've been loving the positive connections around Maxwell Park this summer, including...
- 20+ National Night Out parties on August 1! Neighbors were out in force socializing, eating, dancing, and enjoying our community. Newsletter photographer, Barbara Hartford, made it to many of the parties and captured fun photos that you'll see throughout the newsletter. Thank you, Barbara!
- A new monthly clean-up initiative along MacArthur Boulevard has begun on the first Saturday of each month. Consider joining neighbors for about an hour once a month to spruce up the MacArthur/Pierson entrance to Maxwell Park. More details below.
- Labor Day potluck and ice cream social on Camden Street; photos below. Neighbors enjoyed ice cream, a potluck, waterworks, and signed up to "adopt a pothole” and help plan the Camden Street Halloween party (it's epic!). If you would like to get on the list for events such as this, or would like to host something similar on your block, please reach out.
Speaking of connections, the City of Oakland is working on the Seminary Avenue Paving/Bike Connection Project, and would like our responses to this survey by September 15. See more details about the project later in the newsletter.
As always, thanks for reading and please reach out if you have any suggestions for building more connections throughout Maxwell Park.
In this issue:
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Labor Day potluck and ice cream social on Camden Street (Photos by Barbara Hartford)
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Join the Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council community meeting:
Wednesday, September 13, 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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Fresh Roast at Café Santana
Burundi Crown Jewel. Sumatra Fair Trade Organic. Oaxaca Medium Roast. These are a few of the coffees on the menu at Café Santana located at 4100 MacArthur Blvd. in the Laurel District since 2015. The café features freshly roasted coffee and green coffee beans from various regions throughout the world – all craft roasted on site – and a variety of savory sandwiches, bagels with fixings, and handmade empanadas (try the sweet corn!). Plus, coffee subscription plans are available with premium coffee delivered to you.
Owner and Oakland resident, Richard Santana, has been brewing coffee for about 17 years. "Coffee is all about nuances, the notes, and the profiles," said Santana. His favorite blend right now is a Guatemalan roast. "It's balanced, chocolatey and creamy; a good choice for new coffee drinkers." The café offers a range of blends: strong bold African roast; mellow, creamy Central America roast; and fruity Ethiopian roast. "We try to source from all over the world. It's our way of bringing the world here."
Aside from serving fresh roasted coffee, community is important to Santana. Community events are held at the café, artwork by local artists hangs on the walls, and Santana sites the students and filmmakers who have crafted their work at the café tables. During the pandemic, he financially helped a group of youth baseball players travel to a tournament in Cuba. "We try to make the café a community hub." said Santana, also a professor at Merritt College.
Día de los Muertos is celebrated each year at Café Santana. "We send energy and gratitude to those who are no longer with us." said Santana. In early October, an altar is created to recognize and remember departed loved ones, and their photos are displayed. Santana invites neighbors to join this observance; stop by Café Santana with photos to be added to the altar in October. And grab a cup of freshly roasted coffee!
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A look inside Café Santana. Top left: Owner Richard Santana. Middle: Barista Curtis. (Photos by Barbara Hartford)
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Seminary Ave. Paving Project Survey
The Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) will repave Seminary Avenue between Foothill Boulevard and Sunnymere Avenue in 2025. Before OakDOT develops an initial design for the full project, they want to decide what bike improvements to include between Camden and Sunnymere. OakDOT needs the community's help to choose a bicycle design that will best improve safety and access on Seminary and that will connect to existing and in-progress recreational pathways on MacArthur around Mills College.
Please take this brief survey to share your feedback: Seminary Bike Connection Survey. Also, please share the survey with your neighbors, especially ones who bike. Once a bike connection is determined, OakDOT will be back in touch for your feedback on a proposed design for the whole project. For more information about the project, please visit The Seminary Avenue Paving Project webpage.
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Bulky Block Party in Maxwell Park
Are you tired of that old couch or mattress taking up valuable space in your garage? Or perhaps you've got a mountain of unwanted items cluttering your home? Well, get ready because the High Street Coalition, in collaboration with the Oakland Public Works, is here to help you declutter and revamp your living space! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 14, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., because that's when the Bulky Block Party is coming to the Walgreens on High Street (3434 High Street).
Residents of Maxwell Park and surrounding neighborhoods are invited to drop off their large, unwanted trash items for FREE! It's an opportunity to clear out your space, guilt-free! But before you start loading up that ancient refrigerator or that oversized chair, there are a few things to keep in mind. The event is strictly for residential waste—no commercial waste (from construction sites, or haul away junk removal services). Hazardous materials like paint, oil, or medical sharps will not be accepted. Finally, this event is for residents only, so businesses, for-hire haulers, contractors, painters, organizations, apartments and condominium managers, clubs, and non-profits are NOT eligible to participate.
The Bulky Block Party is part of the City's #OaktownPROUD campaign, which promotes clean, safe, and sanitary trash disposal practices. Here's how you can show your pride:
- Ensure Proper Trash Service: Make sure you have adequate trash service at your homes and businesses.
- Use Bulky Pickup Service: Take advantage of free waste services like the free annual Bulky Pickup / Drop-off Service.
- Join the Bulky Block Party: Attend the upcoming Bulky Block Party events and take part in the cleanup efforts.
- Report Illegal Dumping: If you spot illegal dumping, don't hesitate to report it to OAK311 via phone (dial 311 or 510-615-5566), email OAK311@oaklandca.gov, report online at 311.oaklandca.gov, or on the free mobile app.
For more information about the Bulky Block Party or to stay updated with the High Street Coalition's events, email highstreetcoalition@gmail.com. Be part of this fantastic event and let's make Oakland even prouder!
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High Street Cleanups Continue
Organized by the High Street Coalition
🗑WHEN: second and fourth Saturday of every month from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Upcoming dates:
Saturday, September 23
Saturday, October 14
Saturday, October 28
🗑 WHERE: Walgreens (located at High and Redding Streets)
🗑 WHAT: Volunteer litter pickup; sanitized vests 🦺, work gloves🧤, bags, and litter grabbers provided! We just need you!
👷🏿♀️👨🏽🌾 WHO: All are welcomed! Even if you don't live in the neighborhood!
To stay updated on the High Street Coalition's efforts, follow HSC on Nextdoor, Instagram, or email highstreetcoalition@gmail.com to be added to the email distribution list.
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Safer Streets Paint Party
On July 22, the neighborhood organization Safer Streets Maxwell Park organized a Paint Party at the intersection of Birdsall and Camden. Participants painted crosswalks in the wide intersection in an effort to reclaim the streets and demonstrate a commitment to community safety. Organizer Toni Bird said the event was spurred on by the tragic killing of Dave Schneider at the intersection, and the question of whether slower streets could have helped prevent the crime. "Community members came together to honor neighbor Dave's memory and participate in making our community feel safer," said Bird.
In collaboration with neighbors and the City of Oakland, Bird is in the process of applying for speed bumps on Birdsall Avenue. "A community filled with families, children, and elders deserves safe streets." The painted crosswalks at the intersection is a short-term step as the long-term safety improvement process moves forward.
Since the July party, neighbors are coming together to catalyze a sense of community in other ways and build connections. "We are all responsible for this place," said Bird. Follow Safer Streets Maxwell Park on Instagram to learn more about their efforts and upcoming pop-up events.
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"Safer Streets" Paint Party on July 22 at the intersection of Camden St. and Birdsall Ave. (Photo courtesy of Toni Bird)
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Let's Beautify MacArthur Boulevard
Are you prepared to roll up your sleeves and create a lasting impact in our neighborhood? Well, you're not alone. Maxwell Park residents James Owen and Yeesheen Yang are leading the way in a fresh monthly clean-up initiative where neighbors unite to combat litter and illegal dumping along the MacArthur/Mills College corridor.
The inaugural MacArthur Boulevard neighborhood cleanup on August 5 was a massive success, thanks to the wonderful neighbors who joined in. This is more than just a one-time event; it's the beginning of what we hope will become a regular community practice. So, mark your calendars for the first Saturday of each month from 9-10:30 a.m. The next cleanup is on October 7. Meet up at the Chevron station on Pierson, and let's get to work. No need to bring anything; gloves, pickers, and bags are provided. Bring your enthusiasm and community spirit, and together we can proudly represent Oakland and enhance our neighborhood's appeal! It's time to step out of our homes, connect with our neighbors, and take a stand against the litter and illegal dumping issues that have been affecting our community.
To stay updated on upcoming clean-up events, subscribe to the email list and join the Nextdoor group. Spread the word to your friends and neighbors because together, we can make a significant difference in our community.
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Inaugural MacArthur Boulevard Cleanup on August 5 (Photo by James Owen)
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ECO Tip: Staying Cool on a Hot Day
from our neighborhood environmentalist
Low carbon ways to stay cool on a hot day:
Consider Evaporation
1) Drink water and spritz water on neck, wrists, face.
2) More skin, fewer clothes indoors; hat and light cotton outdoors.
3) Plugin fan at home; perhaps battery neck fan outside.
Consider Food
1) Eat more watery fruits and veggies (electrolytes). Examples: refrigerated cucumber, melons, apple sauce.
2) Eat foods that don’t require heating or cooking.
Consider Home
1) Open windows and drapes at night, close during day.
2) Use cool basement, if you have one.
Consider Resources
1) Visit library, city cool sites, or stores with air conditioning.
2) Sit outside in shade (see Consider Evaporation above).
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2-Way Radio Use in Emergencies
In today's world we rely on cellular service for phone/voice and Internet access to communicate for work and in our daily lives. In the event of a large-scale emergency — for example a major earthquake, wildfire or flood/tsunami — we will require timely information and instructions, and may need assistance from others. However, cellular, Internet and/or landline phone communications may be overloaded or disrupted during and immediately after such a disaster, as was tragically the case with the recent wildfires in west Maui.
In the Maui wildfire disaster, 100% of cellular sites were out of service in six cities in west Maui for four days after the start of the fires on August 9, as the cellular infrastructure was damaged or destroyed by flames. During this time few individuals had reliable cell service to make 911 calls, receive critical evacuation and sheltering information, connect with family and friends, etc. The cellular network failed and there were no backup means to reliably communicate.
This could happen in our Oakland/East Bay area as well. Recognizing this and that 2-way radio services such as FRS (Family Radio Service) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) can provide an alternate and effective means for voice communications, it is recommended for communities to have emergency 2-way radios on-hand and a plan to use them if and when needed.
FRS 2-way radios are ideal for communications among individuals within a community such as a neighborhood group, CERT team, apartment building, organization, hub, etc. For example, neighbors can check in with one another during or after a disaster when the cellular phone network may be overloaded or damaged. And CERT team members can use FRS radios to communicate with their Incident Command Center. The Maxwell Park Emergency Response Team (MPERT) has a number of 2-way radios stored in emergency preparedness boxes around the neighborhood. While these radios can often reach out for a mile or more, in Maxwell Park the hills tend to really limit communication distance.
GMRS 2-way radios have the ability to communicate over a greater distance, and so the Oakland Firesafe Council created GENOAK — a GMRS 2-way emergency radio network to enable anyone in Oakland and adjacent East Bay cities to connect with others to report on threats and incidents, request help, provide status updates, share resources and coordinate volunteers for needed assistance. Critical messages can be passed from GENOAK to Oakland’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) via Amateur radio relays when 911 can't be reached. In Maxwell Park, our 2-way radios will be able to communicate with this network.
HAM radios are another option for communicating with first responders, through community organizations such as Oakland Radio Communications Association.
Contact Raleigh McLemore with MPERT to learn about using FRS or HAM radios within Maxwell Park. Training is available. Also, check out GENOAK (https://www.genoak.org/) to learn how to participate in the Oakland GMRS 2-way radio network.
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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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News from Mills College at Northeastern University
Submitted by Renée Jadushlever, Vice President of Campus Administration and Strategic Initiatives
We welcomed our new and returning students to the campus on Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday, August 31. Nine hundred undergraduate students arrived to their residence halls over that two day period. In addition, we will welcome 150 graduate students (non-residential), bringing our total enrollment to approximately 1,100.
We are hard at work finishing up improvements to the classroom spaces and the TeaShop in preparation for the start of the Fall semester. Many of you visiting campus over the summer, no doubt, have seen the construction work in progress.
During those move-in days, many of the campus parking lots and roads will be closed to allow for easy arrival for the students and their parents.
LAMMPS Phase II Bike Improvements Survey
We were pleased to partner with Maxell Park neighbors from 2005-2020 on the LAMMPS I project. Have you heard about the City’s new survey to continue the project in phase II? As part of the ongoing Laurel Access to Mills, Maxwell Park & Seminary (LAMMPS) Project, whose goal is to connect the campus community and surrounding neighborhoods to the Laurel District, the City is requesting feedback on what bike improvements are desired along Seminary Ave. The survey is open until September 15. Please be sure to fill that survey out to contribute your thoughts.
Fall Farm Festival: Friday, September 15, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Come on down to the Farm and enjoy food, live music and hands-on activities while we celebrate the farm's abundance at this annual fall gathering! Make fire cider, beeswax food wraps, flower wreath crowns, and more! Friends and family welcome!
Creek Care Day: Saturday, September 16, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Come and volunteer to help us restore some sites alongside our Leona Creek! We will potentially be restoring up to three areas and the cemetery in coordination with Oakland’s “Creek to Bay” day. Please RSVP on this form if you are interested in volunteering, food, and t-shirts will be given to volunteers!
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Solid Summer!
from Martin Kojnok, neighbor and Realtor® in Maxwell Park
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July and August saw robust activity however, as is the case in other markets, too, properties are being presented a little later in the season. This is likely due to some uncertainty felt by both buyers and sellers earlier in the year due to wider-reaching economic conditions. Though mortgage interest rates are running higher than they were a couple of years ago, buyers are still active and home values in our area continue to hold steady. In our neighborhood, the handful of sales over the past two months show there’s no uncertainty about Maxwell Park!
Martin Kojnok
CORCORAN ICON PROPERTIES
MBA | REALTOR® | DRE 01941661
martin@martinkojnok.com m: 510.593.3370 www.martinkojnok.com
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Oakland Literacy Coalition Grants
The Oakland Literacy Coalition (OLC) is offering "Reading Everywhere" Action Grants for new literacy projects. Oakland-based community organizations and faith-based organizations that work with preschool through high school age children are encouraged to apply for events in community-based (not school-based) spaces. OLC also welcomes applications from informal neighborhood and/or cultural groups and childcare providers. OLC has a large quantity of new, free, high interest books in different languages and will award up to $500 in Action Grants for accompanying activities. Learn more and apply by September 22.
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Fiddlin & Pickin Potlucks
In the mood for a music jam? The monthly East Bay Fiddlin & Pickin Potlucks event will be held in Maxwell Park on Fleming Avenue on Sunday, October 8 from 12 to 5 p.m. Come listen to or join with groups of musicians playing and singing folk music, blue grass, oldies, and any other kind of acoustic music people feel like playing. All playing abilities are welcome. Bring your own chair plus a food contribution if you’re planning on eating. Questions, contact Nancy at nkarigaca@comcast.net or visit the group online.
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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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