Happy August Oakenshawe Neighbors,
This month’s Oakenshawe Improvement Association (OIA) Newsletter Update includes:
- OIA Quarterly Meeting Notes: July 2023
- September 9 – OIA Block Party – Fill out the volunteer form
- Contractor Recommendations
- Save the Dates
OIA Quarterly Meeting Notes: Monday, July 17
On Monday, July 17 at 6:30pm, the OIA held its quarterly meeting at the Waverly Library (rescheduled due to heat and wildfire smoke). Below are the meeting minutes:
OIA Quarterly Meeting (July)
Date & Time: Monday, July 17, 2023 from 6:30-7:30pm
- Welcome
- *Note: During the July 17 OIA meeting, attendees took a moment to honor the memory of George Atkinson, a long-time Oakenshawe resident and community stalwart who passed away surrounded by family on July 15. OIA is coordinating with George’s family on ways to formally honor him and his contributions to the neighborhood. Stay tuned for more details to come.
- Odette Update
- Weekly recycling is scheduled to resume in Q1 of 2024.
- Councilmember Odette Ramos introduced the Councilmember Mary Pat Clarke Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) bill to strengthen a tenant’s right of first refusal.
- The Waverly Book Festival is set to return and stay in Waverly long-term
- Councilmember Ramos is working on our list of requests including tree plants and speed cameras on East University Parkway
- BGE is going before the Public Service Commission in August regarding the new high-pressure gas regulators being installed.
- Treasurer’s Report
- $3,000.82 in OIA’s bank account
- Since the beginning of the year we took in $791.48 in revenue at the annual meeting in January and disbursed $986 including $770 in outstanding expenses from last year’s block party on Homewood Terrace.
- Membership & Communications Report
- We now have a block captain for almost every block in the neighborhood (see list below). Kevin Cleary volunteered to serve as the block captain for the Carrollton building.
- John will work with the block captains to start to keep track of any long-term unoccupied or vacant residences in the neighborhood so we can strategize outreach to owners and/or the city.
- Events Report
- The Field Day was wonderful. The parents of children have started respective mom and dads groups that meet periodically on the Greenspace or around the community.
- We need volunteers for the annual block party on Homewood Terrace on September 9. Please fill out this Google Volunteer Form if interested.
- University Outreach and Safety Report
- The committee continues to work with the city to try to improve lighting on East University Park.
- Kevin shared an update and analysis on crime stats around the neighborhood.
- The City is working with the Baltimore Community Mediation Center to conduct outreach on Greenmount and address abandoned homes on Old York Road where illicit drug activity is suspected.
- Councilmember Ramos is working with the Mayor to schedule a walkthrough along Greenmount. More details to come.
- Green Space & Trees Report
- The committee is working on a proposal to merge the Oakenshawe Greenspace group into OIA, which would need to be approved by Baltimore Greenspace INC, the non-profit owner of the Greenspace as well.
- Greenspace mowing is going well thanks to the volunteers.
- Zach is working on a plan and list of those interested in re-establishing a community garden at the Brentwood Orchard.
- Anne is planning another tree walkthrough in the fall and this may be a good opportunity to prune branches for those who are tree certified.
Please reach out if you have any questions or want more information about how to get involved with any of the OIA Committee.
Thank you Summer Spruce Up Volunteers!
Thank you to all the neighbors that came out for the July 22 Oakenshawe Green Space Summer Spruce Up and thanks to Uptown Bakers from the Waverly Farmers Market who contributed delicious muffins and donuts.
OIA Block Party on Homewood Terrace
It’s that time of year again. Start thinking about what dish to bring to the OIA Block Party on Homewood Terrace on Saturday, September 9th from 5 – 9 pm.
The Block Party will have food and fun for people of all ages. The price for attendance is $10 for individuals, and $25 for families. To volunteer for the event, please reach out to OakenshaweNews@gmail.com. Our rain date will be Sunday, September 10th.
OIA will provide grillables and drinks. As is our tradition, every household is encouraged to bring a potluck dish based on your last name alphabetically. If your last name starts with an A-R, please bring a side dish or salad. If your last name starts with a S-Z, please bring a dessert to share.
Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there!
Let the Oakenshawe Improvement Association know if you are willing to loan supplies (coolers, grills, extension cords, trash/recycle bins, canopy/tent) or donate your time to support the block party. We need your help for this great event. Many hands make light work. Please fill out this Google Volunteer Form.
Contractor Recommendations
Have you had a good experience with a contractor, handyman, landscaper or house cleaner? Are you willing to share with your neighbors? The Oakenshawe Improvement Association often gets emails from members asking for suggestions for repairs, home improvements or just help with the yard.
We have created this google doc for folks to add names and contact info for the ones you have liked and recommend. Help your neighbors and help a contractor with new business.Be sure to include your name and contact info!
Save the Dates
Below are some important dates in 2023 that you should add to your calendar.
- Sunday, August 27: EUP Taskforce Community Cleanup
- Saturday, September 9: Annual Oakenshawe Block Party
- Sunday, September 24: EUP Taskforce Community Cleanup
- Monday, October 16: OIA Quarterly Meeting
Community Updates
Time to Start Planning the Oakenshawe Block Party
The OIA Block Party happens the Saturday after Labor Day. Are you interested in helping plan and organize this year’s event? Contact Karen Stokes at karen.stokes2@gmail.com.
Councilmember Ramos Weekly Newsletter
Councilmember Ramos sends out a weekly District 14 newsletter (Oakenshawe falls within Council District 14) that includes updates on legislation in City Council, events, and more. This is a good resource to stay up to date on local news. Sign up for the Councilmember’s weekly newsletter on her website.
Oakenshawe Opines
If you have a local business review, poem, or story for the next newsletter you would like to see featured, submissions can be sent to John Hillegass at johnhillegass@gmail.com. Publication and editing decisions are at the discretion of the OIA Board.
OIA Block Captains
OIA’s Block Captains help communicate with neighbors, especially those who may not be on this newsletter. Thank you to the amazing volunteers listed below. Hopefully, most of you have already met your Block Captain.
| Block | Captain | Block | Captain |
| Barclay | Vanessa Proto | Southway 200-300s | Jessica Kohnen |
| Birkwood | Rachael Edgin | Southway 400s | Shannon Frede |
| Calvert | Laura Urban | EUP 200s | Ed & Karen Stokes* |
| Calvin | Davon Pulliam | EUP Guilford Hall | Need Volunteer |
| The Carrollton | Kevin Cleary | EUP 301-320 | Need Volunteer |
| Guilford Terrace (Even side) | Ben Wright | EUP 321+ | Bethan McGarry |
| Guilford Terrace (Odd side) | Co-Captains: Marcy Feeney & Anne Kern | University Place (Odds) | Robin Prescott |
| Homewood Terrace | Leah Glasheen | University Place (Evens) | Amelia Jamison |
| Oakenshawe Place | Jenny Sorel | Venable | Davon Pulliam** |
*Ed and Karen Stokes have agreed to help temporarily on the 200 block of EUP until we can find a permanent block captain.
**Davon Pulliam has agreed to help temporarily on Venable until we can find a permanent block captain.
If you know anyone who lives on a block without a captain, ask them if they are interested in volunteering or can think of a friendly neighbor who might be interested. Block Captains greet & welcome new neighbors, drop off flyers ahead of quarterly OIA meetings, seek volunteers for events, and gather contact information to keep OIA’s neighbor database up-to-date. If you are interested, please reach out to John at johnhillegass@gmail.com.
On behalf of the OIA Board, we hope you have a wonderful August and we look forward to seeing you at the annual block party on Homewood Terrace on September 9.