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Butchers Hill
 

July 2009

                                page 1

A very newsy newsletter this month and very little left for me to write about. I do have a few comments, however.

Crime prevention - Please take careful note of everything in Carolyn’s piece (See pg. 4). I recently visited the SE Precinct for about two hours in the evening and had the opportunity to speak with a number of Baltimore’s finest and observe them at work. Most of them had been working well beyond their eight hours and looked exhausted. They are understaffed, they are dedicated, and often frustrated they can’t do more. As a neighborhood there is a lot we can and should be doing to help them be more efficient. Please do what you can.

The July 8th Pot Luck Picnic - There is no better way to meet your neighbors and since the nicest people in Baltimore live in Butchers Hill, all the more reason to attend. I’ll also be “working the crowd” and am always anxious to hear your thoughts on everything from agendas to zoning.

Newsletter - Dear Patty, thank you for continuing to turn out a wonderful newsletter month after month. We do NOT take you for granted.

Parking Update - Every block on Chester St. has voted for angle parking. The City hoped to do the conversion to one-way and paint the stripes by the end of June. Unfortunately, all the rain has thrown their schedules asunder.

I have 20 copies of the Butchers Hill Master Plan (which incidentally just won the award for the Neighborhood Design Center’s Project of the Year for 2009). I’ll bring a few copies to the picnic and if you think you might be interested in organizing your block for a beautification project, we can talk about it then.                     -Barry Glassman
  President BHA

July 13th begins

ONE Trash, ONE Recycling

Pickup Weekly

Major changes:

Butchers Hill has 3 different collection schedules (see insert). NO MONDAY pickups anywhere.  Strict enforcement of regulations means citations & fines.

Trash:

·      Must be in can with tight fitting lid.

·      NO PLASTIC BAGS collected outside a can.

·      Trash cans must be put out by 6 am, removed from public right of way by 6 am the day after collection.

·      Trash cans may not be stored on public right of way - sidewalks or alleys, even if against building.

·      Cans and lids must be labeled with owner's street address.

Recycle:

·       NO PLASTIC BAGS as container or content.

·       Recycling containers to be reused must be labeled with owner’s street address.

·       Durable plastic items without recycle symbol will not be collected.

For detailed map, schedule, rules and access to further info see Newsletter insert and page 4 for internet links.

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potluck picnic

wednesday, july 8th

Halcott square (duncan st.)

6:30pm

     As tradition has it: in July the Butchers Hill General Meeting is done outside at a BBQ with friends, food and much frolicking.  If this is your idea of a monthly meeting please join us on Wednesday, July 8th at 6:30pm in Halcott Square (the little park on Duncan Street). 

     Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.  Burgers, dogs and drinks are supplied by BHA.  Volunteers’ needed for setup and cleanup (contact Richard Hackett at richhackett@gmail.com).



July Community Calendar & Recycling Schedule

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

June 28

June 29    

June 30

1 

2

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7  

Concert in PP

Swingin Swamis

8 

Potluck Picnic Halcott Square 6:30pm

C.O.P.   7:30 PM

9  Executive

Committee

7PM

Education Committee 7PM

10 

 

 

  RECYCLING

11

 

12

Concert in PP

Rumba Club

 

13

Land Use Committee 7PM

14 

Book Club I

7:30PM

15  

 

16

House Tour Committee 7PM

17

18

19

20  

 

 

21

Concert in PP

Lawnchair

22  Block Reps

& Crime Prevention 7PM

Newsletter Deadline

C.O.P.  7:30 PM

23

 

Flea Market Committee 7PM

24 

 

 

 

  RECYCLING

25

 

26

Concert in PP

Edwin Ortiz

27    

28

 

29

 

 

30

 

31

 

Aug 1

 

 

BHA Committees and Monthly Meetings

  • Crime Prevention/Block Representatives:  Wednesday, July 22nd, 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: c.boitnott@verizon.net, 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, ubik14@netscape.net.
  • Community Representative, School 27 School Improvement Team:  Carolyn Boitnott, 410-522-4991
  • Education Committee:  Thursday, July 9th, 7PM, at 232 S. Patterson Park Ave..  Time to discuss plans to support the fall reopening of the two schools we support, plus the fall kickoff event.  Contacts:  Tori Simms, Carolyn Boitnott or Martha Del Pizzo.  Contact: Tori Simms, 410-675-4948,  tori.simms@kimball.com.
  • Flea Market Committee:    Thursday, July 23rd, 7PM, at 232 S. Patterson Park Ave. We are looking to add new people to the committee.  If you have any interest in any aspect, all are welcome.  Please contact Tori Simms, 410-675-4948, tori.simms@kimball.com.
  • House Tour Planning Meeting   Thursday, July 16th, 7 PM, 2029 E. Pratt St.  We still have a few openings for homes on the 2009 tour and welcome volunteers for tour planning, promotion and assistance.  Contact Dee at DeeLundelius@verizon.net or Sue at SueNoon@cavtel.net .
  • Community Initiatives:  No meeting this month.  Call Kathy Hackett, ktyhack@gmail.com, 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, “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout.  Book Club II, book and date TBA.  Interested in joining? Please contact:  Anne Puckett, anne_puckett@hotmail.com, 410-675-8765. 
  • Land Use:  Monday, July 13th, 7 PM, at the White House, 27 S. Patterson Park Ave.  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 9th, 7:00 PM, 2002 E. Pratt St.  Contact Barry Glassman, bglassma@verizon.net
  •   Streetscape Committee: No meeting this month! This Committee’s focus is on education and assistance with trash and litter – helping to keep our streets healthy and attractive, free from trash, litter, and animal waste. For trash guidelines, please see www.butchershill.org/about/trash.pdf  Contact Rob Steinberg: rsteinberg@ariba.com or 443-603-9923.
  • Newsletter: Wednesday, July 22nd is the deadline for all articles, ads, and notices for the AUGUST issue of the BHA newsletter.    Contact Patricia Clark: BHAnewsletter@gmail.com

 

There will not be a  Butchers Hill GENERAL MEETING in July

 

“STREET TREE CARE” 

City life is extremely hard on trees: they endure limited rooting areas, pollution and physical damage.  A tree growing in parkland can live for hundreds of years, but that same tree planted in the city between sidewalk and street, may only live for 15 years.  This is why it is so important to give tender loving care to all our trees to enable them to live longer.

Water your tree during dry periods: Young and established trees need to be watered weekly.  A rule of thumb is a gallon of water per inch of tree diameter. Continue watering, as needed, until the leaves drop off in the fall.  Resume watering when new leaves appear in the spring.  If a garden hose is available, run the water at a trickle for 7-10 minutes at the base of the tree avoiding runoff, or puncture holes in a clean five-gallon bucket, place the bucket near     the trunk and fill the bucket allowing the water to seep slowly deep into the ground.  Deep soaking encourages roots to grow deep underground.

Mulching is one of the most beneficial things you can do for any tree.  Mulch adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. Mulch also helps trees retain moisture for roots in the summer and keeps them insulated during the winter. According to current arboricultural standards no more than two to three inches of mulch should be applied and you should keep the mulch a minimum of six inches away from the tree trunk.  Adding too much mulch will inhibit the flow of air and water to the roots. Excess soil and mulch will cause the bark to rot enabling stress to the tree.  Putting mulch against the trunk not only damages the bark but also allows disease and insects to invade. Adding additional soil around the trunk prohibits feeder roots from obtaining oxygen.

Tree Boxes/Edging:  Most of our beautifully planted tree boxes are actually harmful to their host trees.  Baltimore City discourages the construction of heavy tree boxes around the base of a street tree. Not only does this pose a problem for the opening of car doors at the curb but it also encourages filling in with extra soil which interferes with the absorption of air and water into the tree well (see photo above) and creates an environment for future rooting problems called “girdling roots”. (see photo to the right)  Fencing helps trees by discouraging dogs (dog urine is very caustic to both the bark and roots as it accumulates in a tree well) and pedestrians.  Fencing should be minimal and not have an impermeable border at sidewalk level that would keep storm-water from entering the tree box. 

 

 

Butchers Hill Association General Meeting Notes 06/03/2009

General Business:

July Potluck BBQ – The July meeting is the potluck BBQ in Halcott Park on July 8th.  Richard Hackett is chairing the committee and needs help getting ready for the event and also on the night of the potluck.

House Tour – Sue Noonan – There is still a few openings for houses on the House Tour.  If you are interested in volunteering your own house – or a neighbor’s – contact Sue or Dee.  Their contact information is in the newsletter.

Neighborhood Design Center - The design they did for Butchers Hill is the 2009 Project of the Year.  There will be a ceremony on June25th.  Barry will get copies of the plan so that others can see it.  Contact Barry if you’re interested in helping to implement the plan.

 

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

MAY IN PATTERSON PARK   

PNC Concerts in Patterson Park.  Pagoda Hill, near the intersection of Lombard St. and S. Patterson Park Ave.  6:30-8:30pm.

Tuesday, July 7 – Swingin Swamis.

Rain date 7/8.  Energetic blend of Jazz, Funk, R&B and Soul. 

Sunday, July 12 – Rumba Club  Rain date 7/15  High energy Latin Jazz

Tuesday, July 21 – Lawnchair Rain date 7/22  An alchemy of whiskey fueled honky tonk.

Sunday, July 26 – Edwin Ortiz y su Orquesta La Romana  Rain date 7/29  Voted best salsa orchestra by the DC salsa public 5 yrs. In a row!

Ë Ì Ë

LINKS FOR ONE PLUS ONE

The Streetscape Committee will be available at the picnic to talk about One Plus One and will have Department of Public Works flyers in both English and Spanish.

 http://www.cleanergreenerbaltimore.org - This website has overall program information as well as specifics on what can be recycled.

http://maps.baltimorecity.gov/imap - This is an interactive map that allows you to enter your address and find out what your trash and recycling pick up days are.

SAVE THE DATES
2009 Butchers Hill Events:
Potluck Picnic – Wednesday, July 8
Fall Flea Market – September 19
House Tour -  Sunday, October 18
Holiday Potluck – Sunday, December 6

 

crime prevention committee:

This spring we have had a rash of car break-ins, several house break-ins and most troubling, several assaults, two of which were random attacks by a group of youths.  By working together, we can help prevent crime.

·       Know your neighbors,  adult & youth,  look out for each other, learn names, share phone #s

·       Spend extra time outside, sidewalk sweeping, stoop reading, walking around the block

·       Report suspicious activity to the police or to our crime prevention committee

·       Leave nothing in your car, even a small amount of change can tempt

·       Be sure your windows and doors are locked, even the upper floors

·       Install motion lights in dark areas around your property

How best to report crime or suspicious activity

·       Call 911- if you want the police to come, eg a crime in progress, a person peering into cars, a group hanging at a location for a length of time. Know that the dispatcher prioritizes the calls, so depending on the load and the severity of the circumstance police may not be able to get to your call immediately.

·       Call 666-DRUG for ongoing suspicious behavior,  eg you suspect drug dealing at a certain address.  You will be able to talk to an officer or leave a message for the officer to call you. Be prepared to describe the activity, the time of day it occurs  and  people involved; the intake officer will relay this information for investigation.

·       Call the crime prevention committee chair at (410) 522-4991:  we relay problems to the police and report patterns. If you feel uncertain about a problem, call or come to one of our      monthly meetings.

Call 311 only to report something that has already happened and you wish the police to know or to come and take a report.

                                            Carolyn Boitnott

 

Our current webmaster is unable to devote the time required for the upkeep of the Butchers Hill website. He's been doing it for about six years.  If you have an interest in taking over or helping out, please give Barry a call at  (410) 558-1080 for more details.

 

Want free advertising for your art, craft, or business?  BHA will showcase our diverse Butchers Hill residents and businesses at the Creative Alliance’s free SALSAPOLKALOOZA. This popular 7th annual international street festival is on July 25.  If you live in Butchers Hill or are a business located in Butchers Hill, please contact Megin Diamond at megin@megindiamond.com       or      (410) 935-5237.

 

Visit our website for complete General Meeting notes, newsletters, “moving in” information, Butchers Hill history, Butchers Hill Artists, and so much more at www.butchershill.org

 

The Butchers Hill House Tour committee still has a few openings for homes on the 2009 tour and welcomes volunteers for tour planning, promotion and assistance. Contact Dee Lundelius at Deelundelius@verizon.net or Sue Noonan at Suenoon@cavtel.net.

 

 

 

 

 

Visit our website for complete General Meeting notes, newsletters, “moving in” information, Butchers Hill history, Butchers Hill Artists, and so much more at www.butchershill.org

 
Site Design & Development by karin tracy