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April 2007
April is here, finally!!! Spring, Flowers, Cleaning, Planting, and yes, new construction. The focus of this month's meeting will be education on CHAP (Commission for Historic Architecture and Preservation). Fifteen months ago our Association was asked to participate in a plan to poll homeowners of southeast Baltimore as to whether we wanted to participate in the process of becoming a CHAP district. We declined, largely due to the lack of clarity in the process proposed by the city Department of Planning. Why are we revisiting this issue now? Well, many of the issues that were unclear in the past have now been answered. Also, several of our surrounding neighborhoods have completed the process, most notably Fells Point. Also, in the past fifteen months many houses have been renovated in a manner that affects all of us. Both the Land Use Committee and the Executive Committee feel underpowered in solving these issues. Why is CHAP not a good fit our community? Well, for many people this strikes at the core of sovereignty of the homeowner. Should homeowners be restricted in any way that infringes on their rights? Personally, I am of two minds on the issue. I want to give an opportunity at this month's meeting to educate all members of the community on the benefits of CHAP and hopefully many of you will bring your concerns about CHAP to the meeting on Wednesday. I am hoping to have a lively discussion on this very important issue. -Richard Hackett. EXPANDING CHAP DESIGNATION IN BUTCHERS HILL When Butchers Hill began its reincarnation in 1977 houses were renovated one at a time, often with the resident's own labor. Butchers Hill started mainly in the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Baltimore Street and the unit and 100 blocks of North Collington Avenue. Guidelines were put together then to respect and maintain the historic streetscape of the neighborhood. Wood windows and cornices were repaired and painted. Paint was removed from brick fronts. Homeowners spent their Saturday mornings at the Salvage Depot looking for authentic architectural elements missing from their homes. Lombard Street and Pratt Streets were officially added in 1982 and the current boundaries of our neighborhood were mostly set. By 1985 these boundaries became the Butchers Hill federal historic district. Shortly afterwards the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Baltimore Street became a CHAP historic district. In the same way these blocks became the seed blocks for what is now Butchers Hill, I believe Baltimore Street should also be thought as the beginning of a cohesive CHAP district that includes all of Butchers Hill. Butchers Hill is special in that it remains largely historically intact. Our houses were built through a period lasting from post-Civil War to 1912. Canton, Highlandtown and neighborhoods north of the park were built later as the City expanded from around 1900 to 1920. Looking at the list of CHAP neighborhoods including Mount Vernon, Bolton Hill, Ridgely's Delight, Mount Washington and several more, it seems only right that all of Butchers Hill should be included in the list. Over the past months, the Land Use Committee has heard lists of "improvements" people tend to dislike. Major changes like construction of new brick walls in front of the original facades. Most people dislike tall doghouses and decks clearly visible from the street. During the recent housing boom we heard the horror stories of neighborhoods around the country, where houses were demolished to be replaced by much larger houses way out of scale with the rest of the neighborhoods. CHAP review would help protect the character of our current streetscape. Demolition of any house outside the CHAP districts is currently allowed by simply filing for a permit. CHAP status would at least provide a chance for the neighborhood and the CHAP board of commissioners to review any demolition. Re-building front walls would be reviewed for necessity and for details such as style of replacement bricks. Approval would be dependent on compatibility with surrounding houses. This is not to say that improvements or new construction would not be allowed. But we have all seen how the recent boom attracted developers from outside the neighborhood. These developers do not always bother to familiarize themselves with historic construction. The results are almost painfully obvious. Let's take this opportunity while development has slowed to consider becoming CHAP. Perhaps we will decide to follow the Baltimore Street example. -Virgil Bartram. STREETSCAPE COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP The BHA Streetscape Committee will join the City of Baltimore and Mayor Sheila Dixon's Super Spring Sweep Thing 8 on April 21st from 9 to 4. The Department of Public Works will provide gloves, brooms, rakes, and shovels for the cleaning effort, and remove the accumulated debris. We will provide the people and the fun. The Streetscape Committee is looking for block captains to help gather our forces to freshen up Butchers Hill. Our primary focus is on removing litter and dirt, not forgetting our back alleys. What does a block captain need to do? Depending on your style and inclination, perhaps just lead by example by cleaning some part of your block during that time, or perhaps by distributing flyers to invite your neighbors to join you, or perhaps by hosting an informal get-together on our street clean-up event day so that your block neighbors can get to know each other better. Where do we especially need help?
How can the Streetscape Committee help? In addition to coordination with the city, we can provide flyers, publicity, guidance, support, and encouragement. What can you do to help? Contact Connie Brines at 410-539-2827, or come to the next Streetscape Committee meeting on the 5th at 7:00 pm, 2225 E. Lombard Street. -NO TRASH PICK-UP GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 6th- BHA COMMITTEES AND MONTHLY MEETINGS
_ APRIL BUTCHERS HILL GENERAL MEETING _ Wednesday, April 4th. Coffee & cookies, 6:45 p.m. Meeting 7:00 p.m. St.
Andrew's Church hall, AGENDA: CHAP (Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation); KICK UP YOUR HEELS AND LEARN TO DANCE! Baltimore has a variety of venues offering dance lessons, sure to please beginners and experts. Here are some of the best places to dance in and around Baltimore. Club One is a chic, hip venue. Glass staircases connect the four levels. One offers Wednesday Salsa nights, "Salsa Uno @ One," starting at 7 pm. Salsa classes are at 7:30-9:30 pm, with class levels and content varying each week. For a cover charge of $5 before 7:45 pm or $7 after 7:45 pm dancers can take 2 dance lessons. The 1st lesson at 7:30 is usually a beginner lesson in cha cha, bachata or salsa, and the 2nd lesson at 8:30 is an advanced class of body styling or combinations. Open dance follows classes. Attire is dressy (dress jeans are accepted), no sneakers, t-shirts or baseball hats. One is located at 300 E. Saratoga Street (corner of Guilford and Saratoga). Nightclub hours are Wed. 7 pm to 12:30 am, Fri. 6 pm to 2 am, Thurs., Sat. and Sun. 10 pm to 2 am, closed Mon. and Tues. Cover charge is regularly $10-15. For schedule and lessons call 410-230-0049. Only guests age 21 and over are admitted. Austin Grill is known for its swing dance nights. This Tex-Mex restaurant has a lively bar, and an outstanding menu of authentic salsas, nachos, quesadillas, salads, fajitas, tacos, burritos and more. Swing dancing is a great way to spend an evening, and is a good form of dance to learn for people without much experience. You can swing dance to almost any type of music! No need to bring a partner. Dorry and Sommer Segev of Charm City Swing instruct at the Austin Grill. Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30, Austin Grill hosts free swing dances. Monday nights are free beginner classes from 7:30 to 8. From 8 to 9, classes are an ongoing beginner class, with a $10 fee. Open dancing follows the lessons from 9 to 11 pm. There is no specific dress code. Austin Grill, at 2400 Boston Street in Canton, is open Sunday 11 am to 10:30 pm, Monday through Thursday 11 to 11, and Friday & Saturday, 11 am to midnight. For schedule and lesson information, call 410-534-0606. Gardel's Supper Club hosts "Fusion Fridays," a night of salsa and Latin mix with the area's top Latin DJs, on the 1st floor ($10 cover charge). "Sexxy Salsa Saturdays" feature salsa, meringue, cha cha and bachata to live bands and guest DJs from 9 pm to 2 am. Salsa lessons are offered on the 2nd floor Saturday nights. The usual Saturday lesson schedule is 8 pm beginner/intermediate cha cha and 9 pm beginner/intermediate salsa. Lessons are $10. Sunday evenings at Gardel's are "Tea-Time Tango and Milonga Sundays." Lessons are available, beginner at 4 pm and intermediate at 5 pm. Gardel's Supper Club offers Euro-Latin cuisine, with an extensive wine list. A bar menu is available through-out the evening. It is located at 29 W. Front Street and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, open Wednesday through Friday 5 to 10 pm, Saturday 5 to 11 pm and Sunday 4 to 9 pm. For schedule and lessons call 410-837-3737. Most dance nights are for guests age 21 and over. For country head out to Cancun Cantina! The Cancun Cantina hosts beginner dance lessons 5 nights a week from 7:30 to 9 pm. Free country-dance lessons are offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Dances taught are for couples and individuals. Friday night lessons feature the latest dances. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Sunday nights have salsa lessons for "Hot Latin Sundays." The menu at Cancun Cantina offers soups, appetizers, salads, burgers, wraps, quesadillas, sandwiches and entrees. The dress code is neat and casual -- jeans, cowboy hats and boots. Cancun Cantina is located at 7501 Old Telegraph Rd. in Hanover. It is open Tuesday and Wednesday 3 pm to midnight, Thursday and Friday 3 pm - 2 am, Saturday 6 pm - 2 am and Sunday 7 pm - 2 am; closed Monday. For schedule and lessons call 410-761-6188. Most nights are for ages 21 and over. For dancing variety, try the Havana Club! This nightclub and cigar bar attracts dancers from around the region to learn from the pros. There are free lessons on Wednesday evenings from 9:30 to 11 pm for meringue and salsa. Open dancing with a DJ follows lessons. Thursday nights are "Bounce Back Latin." "Disco Night" is a big hit on Friday. Saturday nights are "With a Twist." Attire every night is casual elegance, no jeans. Havana Club is open Wednesday through Saturday from 6 pm - 2 am. The menu has a variety of soups, tapas, sandwiches, caviar and desserts, in addition to extensive wine and cigar lists. It is located at 600 Water Street next to Power Plant Live!. For schedule and lessons call 410-468-0022. Baltimore has many options for those that want to learn or practice dancing! Get out there and have some fun dancing and enjoying the music. Dancing provides an exciting way to experience the culture and flavor of this region. -Karen Tong. COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD 
Sign up Now to Become a Neighborhood Tree Steward: Attend the City's FREE Neighborhood Tree Steward Training Sessions in April!
Through classroom training and hands-on practice, Tree Stewards learn the basics of tree biology, planting, maintenance techniques and more. Upon completion of training, Tree Stewards make a commitment participate in the planning, planting, and maintenance of trees in their neighborhoods and parks. Sign up for the April Neighborhood Tree Steward Training. If you have questions, contact Jahmilla Wilson, Recreation & Parks: (410) 396-0729, Jahmilla.Wilson@baltimorecity.gov. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF (paint, solvents, batteries, etc.): Polytechnic Institute parking lot, off Cold Spring Lane. Saturday, April 28, 9-3 and Sunday, April 29, 11-4. Flea Market Committee: Plans are moving forward on pace. We need someone to run the Butchers Hill booth (all proceeds go to the Education committee to support the local schools). The April and May BHA meetings will have sign up forms for volunteers. Please put Saturday, May 12 on your calendar. The event is from 9 AM to 3 PM, but volunteers are welcome early for set up and late for tear down. We are changing the drive-in route, so that the cars will only be moving one way, eliminating a lot of confusion towards 9 AM, so more early volunteers to direct traffic are welcome. To sign up for a booth, go to the Butchers Hill web site (www.butchershill.org) under "Events" and all of the forms and specific information are listed there. 15x15 size booths are $20. COMMUNITY DUMPSTER, Thursday, April 19th, unit block S. Chester. For neighborhood residents only. No building materials, refrigerators, water heaters, washers, dryers, stoves, batteries, wet paint, automotive parts (including tires and rims), or hazardous materials. The dumpster generally arrives around 10 AM and leaves around 2 PM. Please fill from the back. The BHA Newsletter now has a new editor, Patty Clark. After many years of meeting deadlines, former editor Steve Young is pleased to retire-thank you, Patty!
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE