Happy July Oakenshawe Neighbors,
This month’s Oakenshawe Improvement Association (OIA) Newsletter Update includes:
- July 17 – OIA Quarterly Meeting
- July 22 – Green Space Summer Spruce Up
- September 9 – OIA Block Party – Please Volunteer
- Contractor Recommendations
Join OIA Quarterly Meeting on Monday, July 17
The next OIA quarterly meeting is Monday, July 17 at 6:30pm. Join for updates from the President, Treasurer, and Committees including: Membership & Communications, Events, Greenspace & Trees, and Public Safety & University Engagement.
OIA Quarterly Meeting (July)
Date & Time: Monday, July 17 from 6:30-7:30pm
Location: The Oakenshawe Green Space on Barclay
Bring a chair and bug spray to make sure you are comfortable!
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 $5 for individuals, and $15 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.
Green Space Summer Spruce Up: July 22
Join your neighbors on Saturday, July 22 from 9-11 am caring for Oakenshawe’s Green Space. Have fun and enjoy some lemonade and baked goods to sweeten the deal. Volunteers are needed to:
- weed around trees
- spread mulch around 7 trees
- prune a few bushes
- trim ornamental grasses
- weed the pollinator garden
Speaking of the pollinator garden, go explore it and identify the plants. Whoever submits the names of the most non-invasive or native flowers we should keep and/or the most invasive plants that we should consider removing will be recognized as a pollinator warrior in the next newsletter. Tip: you can get a phone app to help you ID the plants!
Please bring paper yard waste bags, gardening tools (e.g., weeders, rakes, trimmers, shovels, etc.) and protective gear (e.g.,gloves) and your phone (to help identify plants via app).
Contact Louisa Creamer at louisa.creamer@gmail.com with questions or to volunteer for a certain job.
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!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11O2MFdA2L-baXLWVzym8VNKLc1E3FL5zRxBQvJYeWaY/edit?usp=sharing
Save the Dates
Below are some important dates in 2023 that you should add to your calendar.
- Monday, July 17: OIA Quarterly Meeting
- Saturday, July 22: Green Space Spruce Up
- Saturday, July 29: EUP Monthly Cleanup
- Saturday, September 9: Annual Oakenshawe Block Party
- 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: only a couple blocks to go
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 | Need Volunteer | 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 July and we look forward to seeing you around the neighborhood.