July 2008

“What’s the Pulse of the Neighborhood?” In order to be an effective executive committee, we need to have an idea of what the neighborhood is thinking. One means is a chat room. However, the best method is always face to face conversation. When the executive committee (EC) was nominated, a great deal of thought was given to geographic location so the whole neighborhood would be represented. As a result we have EC members living on Lamley, Fairmount, N Collington, S Chester, Baltimore (2), Pratt (3) and even Korea (Remington). All of us, by agreeing to serve on the EC, tacitly agree to hear and act on your concerns and we’re all easy to get in touch with. The next time you see a member of the EC (their names and emails can be found at www.butchershill.org/association/officers.shtml) please share your thoughts and concerns about the ‘hood. You can always reach me at: bglassma@verizon.net.

Parking: The City is still dragging their feet in getting us accurate and exact numbers of how many new parking places would be generated by instituting angle parking. We will not petition the neighborhood until we can present verifiable numbers to all of you. Residential Permit Parking petitions are on hold since we would like to distribute both petitions at once. Also, we’ve added a webpage (butcher-shill.org/parking) with all the latest information.

Volunteers: Always needed of course, but particularly now we need unbiased people willing to circulate parking peti-tions and answer parking questions for those being peti-tioned. Using fact sheets and meetings if necessary, we’ll make sure you have all the information you need. Please contact me at 410-558-1080 if you’re willing to participate or would like to know more.

Picnic: Not sure if you want to be a participating member of the Butchers Hill Association? At least come to the potluck picnic July 9th and meet your neighbors. I guarantee you will not find a nicer and more interesting bunch of people anywhere in Baltimore.

Bylaws: We are doing a comprehensive review of the bylaws and we would appreciate your thoughts. The bylaws can be found at http://butchershill.org/association/ bylaws.shtml

-Barry Glassman
President BHA

A special invitation to join your neighbors at the Annual
BUTCHERS HILL SUMMER PICNIC
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9^TH 6 TO 9 PM
Halcott Square, formerly Duncan Street Park
(Between Pratt and Lombard)

Rain or shine • All ages
Please bring a side dish or dessert to share with your neighbors. For comfort bring your own seating.
BHA will provide: • grilled hamburgers & hotdogs with all the trimmings • ice-cold soda, water, beer & wine

2008 SAVE THE DATES!
Butchers Hill Events:
Fall Flea Market – Saturday, September 13
House Tour - Sunday, October 12
Holiday Potluck – Sunday, December 7

HOMELESS SHELTER COMES TO BUTCHERS HILL

Did you ever wonder what it's like to be run over by a speeding freight train? Now I know...... On June 3rd I got a call from the Mayor's office and was told (as opposed to being asked) that a homeless shelter would be going into the Ralph J. Young Recreation Center, the large building situated between the 2000 blocks of Fairmount and Fayette and adjoining School 27 on Chester Street. The information was very sketchy and to every question I asked I received the same response - "we'll answer all your questions at the public meeting June 12th." The meeting was held and attended by about 50 people. A little more infor-mation was given out at the meeting, but not a whole lot. As I write this on June 21st, here is all the informa-tion that I have been able to gather.

• The shelter will open July 1st and close October 31st. Current residents of the Albermarle Square shelter (diagonal to and across from the Main Post Office on Fayette) will be relocated here. This is happening because the Baltimore City Health Department plans to move their offices from Guilford Avenue to Albermarle Square. Guilford Avenue will then become a temporary shelter on November 1st. In November 2009 a new permanent facility on Falls Way will be completed.
• The shelter will house 75 men and 45 women. Many are employed but have lost their homes. Many others are extremely dysfunctional.
• Three buses will pick up the men and women from various points in the city. The shelter residents will arrive around 7:00pm each evening. At 6:30 each morning, the three buses will take all the residents back from whence they came. This cycle will be repeated every day of the week.
• The city has promised to make repairs to the recreation center showers and roof. We are also trying to get them to upgrade the air conditioning at the rec center and at the school. They also promise to make exterior improvements such as additional landscaping.
• We have been told that the gymnasium and other areas will have the cots stored and everything will be cleaned up by the time the children get to the school.
• An obvious concern is that the children could come in contact with homeless residents who suffer from drug, alcohol, or psychologi-cal problems. The city assures us that the residents will be long gone by time the children arrive and that there will be a strong police presence to ensure there will be no loitering at any time.
• Police presence will be greatly enhanced. A police officer will be posted inside the recreation center from 7:00 pm to 6:30 am. Two additional officers will be posted outside from 7:00 pm until 3:00 am plus regular patrols will go through the neighborhood.
• No one will be allowed to enter the shelter off the street without utilizing the bus transportation provided. Anyone entering or leaving the shelter without using the pre-arranged bus transportation will be barred from the shelter permanently.
• The shelter will be staffed at all times by trained city employees. We will be provided with an emergency phone number to reach them.
• In return for our "cooperation" in this matter, city agencies will address such issues as vacant buildings, lighting, cleaning, rodent abatement, public safety, and other neighborhood concerns (no specifics or ironclad promises).

Visit our Website for complete General Meeting notes, newsletters, “moving in” info, BH history, BH Artists, and so much more at www.butchershill.org.

BHA COMMITTEES AND MONTHLY MEETINGS

• Crime Prevention/Block Representatives: Wednesday, July 16th, 7 PM, 2105 E. Baltimore St. The committee meets monthly to share information from our block representatives and to coordinate action. New block representatives wanted; if interested e-mail or call Carolyn, 410-522-4991.
  Police ask that residents call 410-666-DRUG to report repeated suspected drug activity, but always call 911 if you need immediate police response. Protect your car from break-ins, Do not leave anything valuable or tempting in your car, not even a quarter.
• Butchers Hill Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.): Butchers Hill Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) has been regularly patrolling the neighborhood for over six years, and conducts its walk-arounds on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. We meet at 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Patterson Park Ave. and Lombard St. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Evan Helfrich, 410-342-2148.
• Community Representative, School 27 School Improvement Team: Carolyn Boitnott, 410-522-4991.
• Education Committee: Monday, July 14th, 7 PM, 232 S. Patterson Park Ave. If you are interested in supporting either of the elementary schools in the neighborhood, please contact Tori Simms, Carolyn Boitnott or Martha Del Pizzo. Contact: Tori Simms, 410-675-4948.
• Flea Market Committee: Date not set as of this writing. Join us and work on the fall flea market. Contact: Tori Simms, 410-675-4948.
• House Tour Planning Meeting: Monday, July 7th, 7 PM, 2029 E. Pratt St. All are welcome! Call Sue Noonan at 410-522-6773 or Dee Lundelius.
• Membership Committee: No meeting this month. Call Kathy Hackett, 410-327-2447. To request a new neighbor packet email BHAmember@gmail.com. NEW NEIGHBORS: See the Moving In link on our web site: www.butchershill.org
• Book Club: Book Club I – “Light in August" by Wm Faulkner. Book Club II - "Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to promote Peace” by Greg Mortenson. (see calendar above for date and time).Interested in joining? Please contact: Anne Puckett, 410-675-8765.
• Land Use: No meeting this month. The Land Use Committee reminds homeowners in the 2100 and 2200 blocks of E. Baltimore St. and the 2200 block of E. Pratt St. that you live in a City historic district. All exterior work and painting must be submitted to CHAP and Butchers Hill. We're happy to help with any questions. Contact Virgil Bartram: 410-327-4964. CHAP's number is 410-396-4866.
• BHA Executive Committee: Thursday, July 10th, at 7:30 PM, 2002 E. Pratt St. Contact Barry Glassman.
• Streetscape Committee: Thursday, July 17th, 7 PM at 2225 E. Lombard St. The Streetscape Committee’s focus is education and assistance with trash and litter – helping to keep our streets healthy and attractive, free from trash, litter, & animal waste. Contact: Connie Brines, 410-539-2827.
• Newsletter: The deadline for all articles, ads, and notices for the AUGUST issue of the BHA newsletter is Wednesday, July 23rd. Contact Patricia Clark.

? THERE WILL NOT BE A BUTCHERS HILL GENERAL MEETING IN JULY?

FABULOUS GARDEN TOUR

About 200 intrepid garden lovers braved the 100+ heat and enjoyed Butchers Hill's finest gardens. We couldn't have done it without the thirteen lovely gardens belonging to: Athba, Erv & Tish, Dawn & John, Carol & Butch, Andrew & Ulysses, Kathy & Richard, Roxanne & Joe, Sharon & David, Kathy & Peter, Dee & Barry, Cheryl & Tom, Renee and Nancy & Mark.

Adding to many of the gardens was art created by: Athba – mosaics, Megin - tableware and jewelry, Laurel and Jo – jewelry, Erica – photographs, Kirsten – ceramics, Danamarie - children's illustrations, Monica - pottery and Mark - woodturned items.

Volunteers: Allie, Beth, Kathy, Kinni, Leslie, Lynn and Sandy worked on graphics, publicity, advertising and coordinating the event and booklet. I couldn't have done it without each and every individual's contribution. What great neighbors we have!

SPECIAL THANKS TO: our advertisers. Please help me express our thanks by patronizing their businesses: The Life of Reilly Irish Pub & Restaurant: 2031 E. Fairmount, Long & Foster Real Estate, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Craig Thomson Realtor, Dundalk Florist and Poor Boy's Garden & Pellet, gas & wood Stoves Center (both offered tour gardens discounts), "three..." Restaurant: 2901 E. Baltimore, "salt" new American Tavern: 2127 E. Pratt, Mark Supik & Co.: custom woodturning, aka studio: salon, Megin Diamond Designs, Sharon&Jakob Metz: Realtors, Meyer Seed Co.: 600 S. Caroline St.: garden, seed & pest control, Light Speed Systems: Microsoft computer solutions, Face World: 10918 York Rd.: stylist, Tomcat Enterprises: Apts, Houses Rent & Sell, Kaya Design Corp.: 2035 E. Fairmount: custom design & build. Their ads in the booklet really made this a financial success.

-Joe Rehak, Garden Tour Chair

BHA General Meeting Highlights June 4, 2008
(See http://www.butchershill.org/association/minutes.shtml for the complete set of minutes)

Green Committee – We still have Butchers Hill grocery/ tote bags for sale - $1.50 each.

Flea Market – The spring flea market was a success; took place on the rain date and every volunteer that had signed up showed up on the following week. It was a fabulous day for everyone – there were over 150 vendors. At least 21 have signed up already for the fall flea market.

Mural Project – Final drawing is in. They are now starting the fund-raising phase. BHA supports the mural, but has not made any financial commitments. It is going to be on the wall facing Castle St. Park. The fund-raising target is $35,000.

Karli Swift – The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods – A meeting on June 12th from 6 to 8pm at Commodore John Rogers Elementary School to announce details of a plan to relocate a homeless shelter in the rec center there. It will be overnight only –with the people being bussed in and out. There will be police presence, and there will be discussion around increasing the social services in the area. There will be about 100 beds.

Parking: There was a lively discussion regarding parking. Details can be found in the notes from the meeting on the website. There will also be an information sheet distributed to the neighborhood.

Beth Braun, Recording Secretary BHA

STREETSCAPE COMMITTEE:
DON’T FORGET TO WATER NEIGHBORHOOD TREES

Summer is upon us. Our trees need water – 20 gallons twice a week. That means a slow facet flow for 10 minutes. A quick summer rain shower won’t be enough if it’s hot. In addition to water, our trees love mulch. Wood chips or bark pieces insulates soil, retains moisture, keeps out weeds, prevents soil compaction, and adds an aesthetic touch to the street. Remove any grass or weeds within the tree pit, and then add mulch to a maximum of about three inches but not touching the trunk.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

~ JULY IN PATTERSON PARK~

The PAGODA is open for the season! Open to the public every Sunday 12-6 PM, and during special events.

Free Mercy Music in Patterson Park Concert Series
Produced by WYPR 88.1 and Friends of Patterson Park
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm on Pagoda Hill

• July 8, Tuesday Marianne Matheny-Katz Concert
• July 20, Sunday Orquesta Son de Aqui Concert
• July 29, Tuesday Stykers Posse Concert

~LITTLE ITALY OPEN-AIR FILM FESTIVAL~

9 pm Intersection of High and Stiles Street. FREE Watch the stars under the stars with this movie series. Grab a chair and some vino and relax in a communal outdoor setting.

• July 11, “Moonstruck”
• July 25, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”
• July 18, “Seabiscuit”
• Aug 1, “Hairspray”

July 18-20 ARTSCAPE 2008 http://www.artscape.org
Mt. Royal Avenue and Cathedral streets, midtown Baltimore – this year Artscape expands onto Charles Street

Friday & Saturday from noon to 10 PM
Sunday from noon to 8 PM

Baltimore Playwrights Festival www.baltplayfestival.org

An organization whose purpose is to showcase plays by Maryland playwrights in an annual festival presented by nonprofessional theatre companies.

FLEA MARKET

Start stockpiling those unused, unwanted items to donate for the fall flea market and mark your calendar for Saturday, September 13th to donate some of your time to the cause. July meeting date TBD. Any ideas for improvements, email Tori Simms.

COMMUNITY DUMPSTER, THURSDAY, July 10th, 2200 Block E. Fairmount. 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 use the open end of the dumpster to walk your items inside. Closed toe shoes required to enter the dumpster. Do NOT throw items over the side. There will generally be people inside the dumpster.