docPresident`s Message - Patterson Park Neighborhood Association
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President`s Message - Patterson Park Neighborhood Association
Newsletter Boletín Join our email blast list! Send an email to secretary@ pattersonparkneighbors.org to get on the list. Winter el invierno 2013 www.pattersonparkneighbors.org President’s Message Mensaje del Presidente Dear Neighbors, Thank you for making this another wonderful year of be ing a part of the Patterson Park Neighborhood Association! I had a great time chatting with many of you at our Annual Gala, which raised close to $1,000 for PPNA. More impor tantly though, it was a great opportunity for neighbors to get together, have a good time, and build on our sense of com munity. I think of the Patterson Park Neighborhood as my front yard. If I lived someplace out in “the county” I would have a big yard that I would have to mow, and trees that would drop leaves that I would have to rake, etc. So, since I don’t have any of that, I look at the neighborhood as the big lawn I never had. When you look at things that way, it starts to make a lot more sense to, for example, pick up trash off the street, or help neighbors get plants to decorate their front stoop. If I have to look at the street every day, it benefits me to pick up that trash, or help a neighbor to beautify, because it’s just like I’m improving my own front yard. You’re not just pitching in to help other people out, you’re pitching in to keep your own front yard clean and safe. Kindest regards, David Leibensperger President, PPNA Estimados Vecinos, ¡Gracias por hacer este año un otro año maravilloso de ser parte de la Asociación de Vecinos de Patterson Park! Yo tuve un gran tiempo charlando con muchos de Uds. en nuestra Gala Anual, la cual recaudó casi $1,000 para PPNA. Más im portante aún, fue una oportunidad buena para que los vecinos se unieran, tuvieran un buen tiempo, y aumentaran nuestro sentido de comunidad. Yo pienso en el Vecindario de Patterson Park como mi jardín delantero. Si yo viviera en algún lugar en “el condado”, yo tendría un jardín que tendría que cortar, y árboles que de jarían hojas que yo tendría que rastrillar, etc. Entonces, como no tengo nada de eso, yo veo al vecindario como el jardín grande que nunca tuve. Cuando tú ves las cosas así, empieza a tener más sentido, por ejemplo, recoger la basura de la calle, o ayudar a sus vecinos conseguir plantas para decorar sus es caleras. Si tengo que ver la calle cada día, me beneficia recoger la basura, o ayudar un vecino a hermosear, porque es como si yo estuviera mejorando mi propio jardín delantero. Tú no solo estás dando la mano a ayudar a los demás, estás dando la mano para mantener tu propio jardín delantero limpio y seguro. Saludos cordiales, David Leibensperger Presidente, PPNA PPNA Citizen On Patrol (COP) Walks PPNA Caminatas de Ciudadano en Patrol (COP) Join your neighbors on a Walk on the streets of the neigh borhood with a police officer from our district. These Walks will now be on the third Wednesday of the month. Many neighbors bring their dogs and/or a bag to clean up trash along the way. We hope to schedule special city guests for each walk. The next COP Walks are December 18, January 15, and February19. Meet at 7pm at the corner of Baltimore and Lin wood streets, near the bulletin board. Suggestions as to people you would like to see invited to the walks should be emailed to Safety@pattersonparkneigh bors.org. Únete con tu vecinos en una Caminata por las calles del vecindario con un polícia de nuestro distrito. Ahora estas Caminatas serán el tercer miércoles del mes. Muchos vecinos traen su perros y/o una bolsa para limpiar la basura mientras caminan. Esperamos programar invitados especiales de la ciu dad para cada caminata. Las próximas Caminatas COP serán 18 de diciembre, 15 de enero y 19 de febrero. Nos vemos a las 7 pm en la esquina de las calles Baltimore y Linwood, cerca del tablón de anun cios. Sugerencias al respecto a quién debe ser invitado a las caminatas deben ser enviadas al Safety@ppatersonparkneigh bors.org. 1 2013 PPNA Officers President: David Leibensperger [email protected] VP East: Steve Preston [email protected] VP West: Eric Fitch [email protected] VP South: Leigh Peterson [email protected] VP North: Position Open [email protected] Secretary: Ashley Watson [email protected] Treasurer: Carlos Plazas [email protected] Committee Chairs Greening: Victoria Fitch [email protected] Housing Code Violations: Matt Gonter [email protected] Marketing: Grant Corley [email protected] Newsletter: Ashley Watson, Sarah Kinling & Meagan Tyler [email protected] Safety: Heather Hurley [email protected] The Patterson Park Neighborhood Association is a com munity group of residents living north and northeast of Pat terson Park. We are volunteers dedicated to building com munity spirit, increasing awareness of our neighborhood and improving public safety and sanitation. ¡Bienvenidos! La Asociación de Vecinos de Patterson Park (PPNA, por sus siglas en inglés) es un grupo comunitario compuesto por personas que residen al norte y el noreste de Patterson Park. Somos un grupo de voluntarios dedicados a desarrollar un es píritu de comunidad, promover el reconocimiento de nuestro barrio y de sus recursos y mejorar la seguridad pública y el aseo publico. Colaboramos con los gobiernos municipales y estatal, así como con el departamento de policía, lo que nos ha permitido ser muy activos en nuestra comunidad. Somos un grupo compuesto de una amplia diversidad de personas de todas las edades y grupos raciales que compartimos el deseo de convertir nuestra comunidad en un mejor sitio para vivir y trabajar. Patterson Park Neighborhood Assocation Membership Sanitation: Charles Hoffsommer [email protected] Name: Transportation: Susan Sgroi [email protected] Phone: You can also call your PPNA leaders at 410-497-PPNA (7762). This is a 24-hour voicemail that will be answered Email: PPNA Monthly Meetings Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 6:45 PM in St. Elizabeth’s Church Hall at Baltimore & Lakewood. (Use the stairs down to the basement hall on Lakewood.) Upcoming Meetings: Holiday Party, Monday, December 9, 2013 Monday, January 13, 2014 Monday, February, 10, 2014 New Neighbors? If you are new to the Patterson Park neighborhood or if you know someone who is, please call Emily at 443-756-6794 or email [email protected]. Each new resident will receive a special welcome packet with information about the neighborhood, the city and a special gift. 2 Welcome! Address: New Neighbor Packet? Yes No Would you like to serve on a committee? If so, which one? Are you interested in volunteering at PPNA events? Yes No Annual dues (January through December) are $10 per person, $5 for seniors and students. Make checks payable to “PPNA” and return form and payment to: P PNA P.O. Box 844 Baltimore, MD 21203 Breathing Peace Mother nature’s arms warmed By colorful patches of human skin. Urgently they break through Among millions of fallen daisies, And open our windows. They beg us to look out wards, They beg us to look inwards. Outside there’s Milagro, but she is my sister. She’s nine years old Each time she inhale, a daisy falls, Each time exhales, a dove is born. Top Left: Neighbors adding their names to the mural. Top Right: Neighbors enjoying Holly’s hot chocolate and snacks. Bottom: Completed mural with residents who came to celebrate. Mural completed on Streeper Thanks to the Baltimore Community Foundations Neigh borhood Grants program, a new mural adorns the corner of Streeper and Fairmount. As increased energy goes into the Fayette and Fairmount Corridors, Banner Neighborhoods will continue working with PPNA to secure funds in the areas of Clean Green Safe and Vibrant. Thanks to Resident lead ers Victoria and Eric Fitch for talking with the store owners and neighbors, involving them in the process, and turning out such a great community celebration for the unveiling of the Mural. On Saturday Nov. 9, residents gathered on Fairmount to socialize, add their names to the piece, and eat yummy snacks from Blacksauce Kitchen. Local resident Holly Warren sup plied hot cocoa and the brochure of the poem, and Banner Neighborhoods worked with Pablo on the community paint ing piece and connected him to the project/concept. The mural is entitled, RESPIRANDO PAZ, or Breath ing Peace. The artist Pablo Machiolo, wrote this poem to ac company his piece. Each dove brings a vein in its beak: To continue sewing patches, To continue warming arms, To continue opening windows, To enable us to look out wards and inwards, And to let us and them breath peace. RESPIRANDO PAZ Brazos de naturaleza abrigados por coloridos parches de piel humana. Con urgencia se abren paso entre millones de margaritas caidas, Y habren nuestras ventanas. Nos ruegan que afuera miremos, Nos ruegan que nos miremos por dentro. Afuera esta Milagro, pero es mi hermana. Tiene nueve años. Cada vez que inhala cae una margarita, Cada vez que exhala nace una Paloma. Cada Paloma trae en su pico una vena. Para Para Para Para Para seguir cociendo parches, seguir abrigando brazos, seguir abriendo ventanas, que miremos y nos miremos, que respiremos y respiren Paz. 3 Friends of Patterson Park Update Hello from the Friends of Patterson Park! We want to take a minute to thank everyone who came out to one of our programs this past year. We capped off our season with a tre mendously successful tree planting in the park on November 16. Now we’re busy planning for upcoming events, including winter programs at the Rec Center with Zumba and cooking classes for kids and adults! As you know, we can’t do what we do without our members. We love to hear your ideas for the park, and we appreciate greatly those who take the time to become official members with a monetary contribution. Through the end of this year we have MD state CITC tax credits available for individual and businesses that make a gift of $500 or more. If you would like to learn more, please call the office at 410-276-3676 or visit us online at www.patterson park.com! We hope to see you in the park (maybe with sleds?) Greening Committee Update The greening committee is assembling a team of neigh bors to work on the Cheaspaeake Bay Foundation large grant to remove all dead/dying trees or stumps in existing tree pits and replace them with new trees. This process started last year when a tree survey was conducted to determine the current state of street trees in the neighborhood. We are looking for volunteers to help with this large undertaking, the majority of work will consist of writing portions of the applications and a handful of meetings to keep everyone on the same page. In addition, the greening committee is supporting 2 small groups of neighbors who are taking on greening projects for their block. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to spearhead this committee in 2014! If you are interested in volunteering for the CBT grant, or want to start a greening project of your own, please contact [email protected]. Ice Skating Rink Open! Dominic “Mimi” DiPietro Family Skating Center, located at 200 S. Linwood Avenue, is a popular center of activity for cold weather activities. The rink features public ice skating sessions, ice hockey, broomball, and sled hockey from October until March. The rink also hosts many of Baltimore’s hockey teams, as well as seasonal special events. The rink is full-sized measuring 200 by 85 feet and is equipped with a warm-up room, fireplace, concession stand and skate shop, which makes this facility the perfect venue for private parties and group rentals. Hours of Operations and Rental Rates Tuesday & Thursday 11am–2pm Wednesday 11am–1pm Friday 7pm–9pm Saturday 3pm–5pm, 7pm–9pm Sunday 3pm–5pm General Admission $4 Skate Rental $2 Group rates & birthday parties available. For more infor mation, contact the rink directly at 410-396-9392. 4 Mums & Pumpkins Submitted by Leigh Peterson After being forced to switch to the rain date of October 17, Mums and Pumpkins took place at the corner entrance to the park (Linwood & Baltimore) with just a few sprinkles. We were able to distribute one mum and one pumpkin to each of the 65 pre-registered residents, who came from all sectors of PPNA. We also collected $571 in donations and dues and recruited seven new members! We hope seeing the mums and pumpkins around the neighborhood brightened the season for you. Please look for ward to our spring beautification project, Bloom Your Block, which is even more fun. If you would like to help with either event or have an idea for a new event you would like to orga nize, please contact Leigh Peterson at VPSouth@Patterson ParkNeighbors.org or call 410-497-PPNA (7762). Join us online! Únase a nosotros en línea! Patterson Park Neighbors on Facebook Patterson Park Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PattersonPark From High School to High-End: 101 Ellwood Gives New Meaning to ‘Back to School’ For Residents of 101 Ellwood Modern Apartments & Lofts near Canton, “back to school” can’t come quick enough! On November 1st, the first residents of 101 Ellwood moved into their new luxury apartment and loft homes in what was formerly Patterson Park High School. The building has been reborn into a commu nity of 140 luxury homes steps away from 138-acre Pat terson Park and walking distance to Canton Square. If the location was not incentive enough, the community boasts a list of amenities that are as unique as the building itself including: a zen courtyard, rooftop deck, fitness center with yoga room and dog washing station. Many would argue the most attractive amenity is the attached parking garage with 146 spaces. Original details were retained from the building’s history. There are hand-painted murals from the school’s library, clas sic wall-sized chalkboards and solid oak book cases accenting various apartment homes. In contrast to, but surprisingly in harmony with, the his torical elements, upgraded finishes were chosen to please today’s discerning lifestyle renter including: wall-size win dows, high ceilings, hardwood floors, ceramic tile, granite counters, solid wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and full-size washers/dryers in every apartment and loft home. With a prime location and spectacular amenities you might expect lofty rents, but instead they are a surprising val ue. Rents begin at $1,200 for a 600-square-foot studio unit and go up to $2,250 for a 1,150-square-foot two bedroom, two-story unit with a loft, a den and two bathrooms. Shaffin Jetha, principal for the developer, Fo cus Development LLC, said, “I think we’re the right product for the marketplace. There is nothing in our price point that is anywhere close to our quality.” If the property’s pre-leasing activity is any indica tion of its future popularity, 101 Ellwood is likely to be downtown Baltimore’s hottest new address. The leas ing pace has been brisk and interest in this unique community remains high. For more information about 101 Ell woodMo dern Apartments & Lofts, visit the property’s website at www.101ellwood.com or contact the leasing office at 410.276.9090. 101 Ellwood is NOW OPEN! Now leasing brand new apartments 101 S. Ellwood Avenue Baltimore 21224 410.220.1550 | 101Ellwood.com Green. Historic. Completely Unique. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/101ellwood Follow us on Twitter: @101ellwood 5 Programa de Audubon conecta mujeres latinas a las plantas y pájaros del Parque Audubon program connects Latino women to Park’s plants and birds Aida Pinto-Medina y Susie Creamer Patterson Park Audubon Center, in partnership with Mis Raíces, a Spanish language parent group from the Patterson Park Public Charter School, planned, designed, and created this canoe habitat with plants native to Maryland. The group repurposed a broken canoe to foster and maintain enhanced habitat for migratory birds and insects from this region. The canoe project has been a great opportunity to demonstrate the direct connection between our local Hispanic community and nature, which reminds them of the natural spaces in their home countries. With Audubon, they have the opportunity to observe the same species of birds and insects grow, live, and migrate through Patterson Park that they have also seen flying in several Latin American countries. Patterson Park Audubon Center is Creating Bird Ambas sadors in an Urban Latino Community in southeast Baltimore City. Collaborating with Mis Raíces, a Spanish language par ent group from the Patterson Park Public Charter School, Audubon’s bilingual education staff has developed a compre hensive, year-long program to connect Latinos and migratory birds, who share similar travel routes along the Americas. The interactive project will build knowledge around priority bird species and their habitat needs, Audubon’s habitat gardens in Patterson Park, bird identification and observation, and the creation of habitat in urban backyards, including the painting and planting of a broken canoe! Through this pioneer project funded by Toyota TogetherGreen, participants will become knowledgeable ambassadors for birds in an urban landscape, and they will increase Baltimore’s bird and insect-friendly, na tive plants by planting habitat at home. Patterson Park Audubon Center, en asociación con Mis Raíces, un grupo de apoyo para los padres de habla Hispana en la escuela Patterson Park Public Charter School, planearon, diseñaron, y crearon este habitat en canoa con plantas nativas de Maryland. El grupo reutilizó la canoa rota para fomentar y mantener espacios adecuados para los insectos y aves migra torias en nuestra región. El trabajo en esta canoa ha sido una gran oportunidad para demostrar la conexión directa entre la comunidad Hispana de nuestro vecindario y la naturaleza que trae a la memoria sus lugares de origen. Con Audubon, tienen la oportunidad de observar que los mismos insectos y aves que crecen, viven, y migran en Patterson Park, las que han observado también en diferentes países de America Latina. Patterson Park Audubon Center está creando embajadores de aves en una comunidad urbana latina en el sector sudeste de Baltimore. En colaboración con Mis Raíces, un grupo de apoyo para padres de habla Hispana en la escuela Patterson Park Public Charter School, el equipo de educadores bilingües de Audubon ha desarrollado un programa exhaustivo de un año que se enfoca en las similitudes de los pasos migrato rios de los Latinos y las aves por sur, centro, y norte América. Este proyecto interactivo tiene diversos enfoques que impar tirá conocimiento sobre las especies de aves de prioridad y las necesidades de su hábitat, los jardines de hábitats en Patterson Park de Audubon, identificación de aves, y observación y la creación de hábitats en los patios urbanos. También pintaron y pusieron plantas en una canoa decorativa! Mediante este proyecto pionero fundado por Toyota TogetherGreen, los participantes se convertirán en sabios embajadores de aves en un paisaje urbano y mantendrán en sus patios plantas nativas que contribuirán al bienestar de aves e insectos beneficiosos. 6 By Aida Pinto-Medina and Susie Creamer Winter Adventures with the Patterson Park Audubon Center To participate or borrow binoculars, please RSVP at 410.558.2473 or [email protected]. Se habla español. URBAN BIRD WATCHING WALKS Friday, December 13 Saturday, December 21 Friday, January 10 Saturday, January 25 Friday, February 14 Saturday, February 22 8-9:30am Audubon experts lead us in search of feathered friends. All ages welcome. Free. No registration required, just arrive ready to explore! Meet at the fountain in Patterson Park. YOUTH BIRD WATCHING Friday, January 31, 8-10am (No school this day.) Join Audubon as citizen scientists! Grades 6-12. Free. No ex perience necessary. Community service hours awarded. Reg istration is required. Meet at the fountain in Patterson Park. TINY TOTS IN PATTERSON PARK Friday, December 20, 10-11am Saturday, December 21, 10-11am Friday, January 10, 10:30-11:30am AM Friday, February 14th, 10:30-11:30 Join Audubon to discover Patterson Park as an outdoor class room. Ages: 2-5. $5 suggested donation per child, with an adult. Registration is required. Meet at the picnic tables by the Boat Lake. WILDLIFE GARDENING WORKSHOP Saturday, February 22, 1-3pm Come learn how to transform your urban dwelling into a na tive wildlife paradise with tips from Audubon experts. Kids’ activities by Banner Neighborhoods. Open to the public. Free. Registration is required. Enoch Pratt Library Patterson Park Branch 158 N. Linwood Ave. A model train garden built by volunteers and housed in Firehouse #41 at 520 S. Conkling Street in Baltimore City. Open to the public and it is free. It is sponsored by CSX, The Baltimore City Fire Department and the Southeast Community Development Corporation. Holidays in Highlandtown HIGHLANDTOWN TRAIN GARDEN & SANTA HOUSE! FREE! Open 11am-5pm Weekends: Nov. 30 & Dec. 1, Dec. 7 & 8, Dec. 14 & 15, and Dec. 21 & 22 Open Daily: Dec. 21–Jan 1 (closed Dec. 25) 520 S. Conkling St. (Conkling St & Eastern Ave) For full holiday schedule visit www.southeastcdc.org. Live Baltimore UNDERSTANDING THE HOMEBUYING PROCESS Wednesday, December 18, 6-7pm Live Baltimore Storefront, 343 N. Charles Street, 21201 There are many steps to purchasing a home, including work ing with real estate agents, home inspectors, title companies and more. Learn how to navigate these steps and make the most out of real estate professionals’ expert advice. This is a free event. Register at LiveBaltimore.com. CITY LIVING STARTS HERE TOUR: INCENTIVE PROGRAM Saturday, January 25 Reservoir Hill Neighborhood (details to come) Join Live Baltimore for the first installment of this new home buying incentive event. Participants in the event become eli gible for a $5,000 down payment and closing cost incentive, to be used toward the purchase of a home anywhere in the city! Get more details and register at LiveBaltimore.com. SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS [email protected] 7 PPNA Annual Gala brought neighbors together for a social fundraising event It’s hard to believe the PPNA Annual Gala has come and gone. The night was full of laughter, drinks, and of course dancing. This year’s gala was successfully pulled together by Erin Johnson, along with the help of Kimmie Frankenfield, Candice Knight, and Steven Preston. This event was gener ously sponsored by 101 Ellwood, The Law Offices of Ste ven H. Heisler, the Baltimore Sports and Social Club, Corina Morga from C.R. Services, The Dominion Group, and Arch and Sarah McKown The theme of the night revolved around the fall colors that could be seen across Patterson Park as the trees reached their peak. With everyone dressed to impress, neighbors and friends mingled amongst each other to help raise funds to benefit neighborhood improvement projects. Such projects in the past have included the greening of the Patterson Park en trance at Baltimore Street and Linwood Avenue, the Potomac Avenue Pocket Park, and most recently the mural at Fair mount Avenue and Streeper Street. Without funds from the gala and the hard work of the PPNA board to raise additional funding, these projects would not be possible. The 2014 Gala will certainly build on the success of this year’s event, so be on the look-out for information and don’t forget you can get involved too! 8 Piñatas Navideñas y Posada at the Creative Alliance Piñatas Navideñas y Posada celebrates and continues the joyous Christmas traditions of the Latino community in Southeast Baltimore from November 23 thru January 18. Working with local Mexican, Bolivian, Honduran, Nicara guan and Colombian tradition bearers, Mis Raíces, Friend of Pattesron Park Consejo Hispano, Breath of God Lutheran Church and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Creative Alliance offers piñata-making workshops, an exhibition, videos and a traditional “posada” procession culminating into a fiesta with song, mariachi, potluck and piñata breaking. For more info about each program, visit: http://www.creativealliance.org/ events/2013/pinatas-navidenas-mis-raices • Piñata Exhibition. Nov 23-Jan 18. Opening reception with food by Marquee Lounge. Friday Nov 23 5-6pm. • Advanced piñata making- full build, suggested 12 yrs and older. Materials included. $10-15 suggested dona tion. Sundays: Dec 8 & 15. 3-6pm. • Piñata decorating workshop for kids. Materials included. $5-10 suggested donation. Saturday, Dec 14. Noon, 1pm or 2pm. • Posada procession, piñata breaking, potluck, mariachi & fiesta. Screening of documentary “Piñatas Navideñas y Posadas in Southeast Baltimore” w/ discussion. Friday, Dec 20. 6-8pm. Procession starts at Creative Alliance! Final location of fiesta to be determined. Creative Alliance’s Piñatas Navideñas y Posada is support ed by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. Funding for the Maryland State Arts Council is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Patterson Park Charter School Patterson Park Public Charter School Open House Sunday, January 26, 2014 1-3pm. Please RSVP at www. pppcs.org Patterson Park Public Charter School is now accepting applications for the 2014 enrollment lottery. Applications and more information at www.pppcs.org. We recommend you apply before the enrollment lottery on February 27, 2014. Food Pantry Now Open! Patterson Park Public Charter School is pleased to announce its new food pantry! We have partnered with the Maryland Food Bank to bring in food for distribution to students, their families, and the wider community. The pantry is located at 2638 East Baltimore Street. It is open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. You do not need a referral or identification in order to receive food from the pantry, so please come and take advantage of this new and exciting resource! If you need emergency food assistance outside of regular pantry hours or if you would like to make a donation to the pantry, please contact Michael Walter at mwalter@pppcs. org. YOUR AD HERE! Advertise your business to more than 2,500 homes in the Patterson Park area. Email newsletter@ pattersonparkneighbors.org to learn about our affordable rates! 9 Councilman Kraft Update Spanish translation Greetings neighbors! I can’t believe it is already my favor ite time of the year again! Since this summer I have been in discussions with the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Friends of Pat terson Park about possible improvements and projects for the Patterson Park Pool. This includes physical improvements to the pool area as well as programming improvements. The ob jective is to start a committee to move forward on these proj ects. If you are interested in taking a leadership role, please contact my office. You have probably all noticed that the Stormwater legisla tion is now in effect and there is a new fee on your quarterly water bill. This fee will help to keep the Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Bay clean for years to come. You can also do your own part to contribute to a Healthy Harbor and therefore get a credit toward your Stormwater payments. These activities in clude planting trees, participating in neighborhood clean ups, or transforming your impervious surfaces to permeable ones. The credit applications and other helpful information are available at www.cleanwaterbaltimore.org, under the Storm water tab. For the last couple months I have been busy attending public hearings regarding the comprehensive rewrite of our City’s zoning code. This legislation is known as Transform Baltimore. These hearings are a great opportunity for the pub lic to provide testimony and suggest amendments to the new code. For more information you can explore their website and find answers to your questions at www.rewritebaltimore.org. There will be a new round of public hearings and work ses sions next year. I will be sure to share the dates with you all once they are set. As always, please keep in touch with my office if there is anything I can do to help. I can be reached at 410-396-4821 or [email protected]. Be sure to call 311 or 911 if there are urgent matters in your neighborhood. I hope that every one has a safe and joyful holiday season with your friends and family. Here’s to a healthy and happy 2014! ¡¡Saludos vecinos!! ¡No puedo creer que ya es mi parte favorita del año! Desde el verano, he estado en discusiones con el Depar tamento de Recreo y Parques y los Amigos del Patterson Park acerca de mejoramientos posibles y proyectos para la Piscina del Patterson Park. Esto incluye mejoramientos físicos al área de la piscina tanto como mejoras de programación. El obje tivo es iniciar un comité para continuar con estos proyectos. Si te interesa tomar un papel de liderazgo, por favor ponte en contacto con mi oficina. Probablemente, tú has notado que la legislación de Aguas Pluviales ya está en efecta y hay un nuevo costo en su cuenta de agua trimestral. Este costo ayudará a mantener el Inner Harbor y la Bahía Chesapeake para los años por venir. Tú también puedes hacer tu propia parte para contribuir a un Puerto Saludable y por lo tanto, recibir un crédito para sus pa gos de Aguas Pluviales. Estas actividades incluyen sembrando árboles, participando en limpiezas del vecindario, o transfor mando superficies impermeables a unos permeables. Las apli caciones del crédito y otra información útil está disponible en www.cleanwaterbaltimore.org, bajo a etiqueta “Stormwater”. Por el último par de meses, he estado ocupado asistiendo audiencias públicas con respecto a la refundición compren siva del código de zonificación de la Ciudad. Se conoce esta legislación como “Transformar Baltimore”. Estas audiencias son una buena oportunidad para que el público pueda propor cionar testimonio y sugerir enmiendas al nuevo código. Para más información, tú puedes explorar su sitio web y encon trar respuestas a tus preguntas en www.rewritebaltimore.org. Habrá otra ronda de audiencias públicos y sesiones de trabajo el próximo año. Me aseguro a compartir las fechas con Uds. tan pronto que esténprogramadass. Como siempre, por favor mantente en contacto si hay algo que puedo hacer para ayudar. Me puedes alcanzar al 410396-4821 o [email protected]. Asegurate a llamar 311 o 911 si haya asuntos urgentes en tu vecindario. Espero que todo el mundo tenga una temporada de feriados segura y jubilosa. ¡A un 2014 sano y feliz! Improving public spaces in Patterson Park The Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC) helps residents organize and implement improvement projects on neighborhood blocks. Projects should create longlasting curb appeal, improve housing values and form strong connections among neighbors. To learn more about available grant funding or to coor dinate a block meeting, call Agatha So, bi-lingual Community Outreach Coordinator, at 410-342-3234 ext. 28 or email her at [email protected]. 10 Changes coming to Library Square By Steve Preston After only being a resident of Patterson Park for a little over a year, I have watched Library Square, the northern gate way to our neighborhood, transform before my eyes. Plan ning for this triangular park has been in the works for years, thanks in large part to planning guidance from Kim Schaefer of Terra Logos. More recently, neighbors throughout the sec tors of Patterson Park, and even McElderry Park, have joined together for monthly meetings to continue planning for the future of this great space. The first signs of change in Library Square in 2013 began with the addition of the colorful mural along Pulaski, bringing to life a once sterile wall. Future plans include demolition of the vacant building adjacent to the mural, and the addition of a native garden. This work is the result of monthly planning meetings that have taken place at the Enoch Pratt Library to bring together residents, young and old, to truly make this space unique. With all the lights finally working in the park, thanks to the diligent efforts of Banner Neighborhoods, Library Square seems to have a bright future. Additional plans for the square include a future restoration of the Spanish-American War Me morial at the tip of the square, in conjunction with a mass planting around the memorial to take place in the spring of 2014, potential closing of Lakewood Avenue to connect the Neighbors around Library Square clean up the park area. memorial with the rest of Library Square, reconfiguration of walkways to improve the aesthetics of the space, and imple mentation of stormwater management areas to increase the green footprint of out neighborhood. While Library Square continues to flourish with these various improvements, I am excited to announce plans for the Ginny Dobry Garden adjacent to the Enoch Pratt Li brary. This garden will pay homage to a wonderful neighbor and friend who gave her generosity and unbridled spirit to Patterson Park and it’s 2,300 households. The garden will be placed in front of the library to reflect Ginny’s passion for volunteering there and encouraging children from around the neighborhood to open their imaginations to the wonders of literature. Plantings for the garden will provide seasonal inter est, a plethora of color, and most of all, educate and inspire children and adults as they visit the library. Next year looks to be an exciting year for Library Square to really take off! In the mean time, feel free to get involved, donate your time or resources to future planning efforts, or just get out and enjoy this incredible space. Support PPNA! If you enjoy reading this newsletter, please support PPNA by bringing cash or a check to a meeting or event, or sending a check to PO Box 844, Baltimore, MD 21203. 11 Local Author Makes Generous Contribution to Local Association By Meagan Tyler It never ceases to amaze me how many inspiring neigh bors we have in the Patterson Park area. Matthew Galeone is no exception with his awe inspiring story and the charitable fundraising he is doing for our community. Ten years ago when Matt was told he only had months to live, he realized his biggest regret was never having had the opportunity to become a father. The next decade saw Matt overcome his diagnosis and put into play a series of events that included moving to the Patterson Park area, writing his new trilogy, The Champion of Claredon Ditch, and finally realizing his dream of becoming a father. Matt’s book series is a science fiction action trilogy. When Matt began writing The Champion of Claredon Ditch, he set out to create a story that he could send to comic book companies. Over time the book transitioned into a three part novel which explores the themes of loneliness, sacrifice, hero ism and leadership. The series is character and story driven and make the reader feel like they understand what it would feel like to be a superhero. The relatable characters and action packed storyline are perfect for readers who may not think they like the science fiction genre. After having moved to the Patterson Park neighborhood 6 years ago and finishing the series here, Matt wanted to give back to the park, which he said reminds him of a huge town center. Matt will be donating 5% of the royalties he earns from sales of The Champion at Claredon Ditch to The Friends of Patterson Park. When he isn’t writing his next book in the se ries, which is due out in February, Matt can be found enjoying the park with his newly adopted son, Aaron Christopher. As 12 a new, single father to a 5 month old, and a published author, Matt certainly has his hands full. He hopes to watch his son grow and blossom in our neighborhood and learn to enjoy all of the amenities of our amazing park for years to come. The series can be bought on Amazon.com, at any of the numerous book signings Matt will be doing around town or directly from Matt himself. Please contact him via the telephone number provided or his publishing website. www.1strideenterprises. com (443) 869-5573. Pet of the Quarter Re the cipe of Qua rter ! Ginger Molasses Cookies This recipe by Heidi Shenk Tank Fitch of N Linwood Ave. If you have ever been on a COP walk, then you know Tank. He loves leading groups of people through the neighborhood. His favorite toy is a lacrosse ball—you will find him carrying it through the park on a daily basis. In his free time, Tank likes to snuggle, chase the cat and eat chicken. The next time you see him, be sure to say hello. Baby of the Quarter Olivia Rose Byro was born on Monday, November 4, 2013 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz., was 21 inches long, and has dark blue eyes and lots of golden brown hair. Her parents, Ali and Erik, and two dogs have lived in the Patterson Park neighborhood for almost two years. INGREDIENTS • 1 cup softened butter • 1½ cups sugar • 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses • 2 eggs • 2 teaspoons baking soda • 4 cups flour • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 2 ¼ teaspoons ground ginger • 1½ teaspoons ground cloves • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon DIRECTIONS • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. • Cream the butter, sugar and molasses together until smooth. Beat in the eggs. • In a separate bowl, mix the soda, flour, salt, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Slowly mix in the flour and spices to the butter and sugar until the cookie dough is smooth. • Cover the dough and place the bowl in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes. Prep several cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper. Once the dough is a more solid consistency, remove from the fridge. • Fill a small bowl with about 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Using the palm of your hands, shape cookies from the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. Roll the shaped dough in the sugar and place on the line cookie sheet. • Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, rotating the sheets at the halfway mark. After 12 minutes, take the cookie sheets out of the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for about two minutes before placing them on a wire cooling rack. 13 Zipcar has come to Patterson Park! Great news for residents of the Patterson Park area — Zipcar is expanding its “wheels when you want them service” to the neighborhood. Now, residents have convenient access to two new cars, available for reservation by the hour or day for a single fee that includes gas, insurance, 180 free miles per day and parking in a reserved spot. Zipcar, which first launched in Baltimore in 2010, now has more than 180 vehicles in more than 60 locations within the Baltimore area. Patterson Park hosts a Toyota Prius named “Scholle” and a Mazda 3 named “McClaran.” The cars can be found at the intersection of S Linwood Ave and E Pratt St, making Zipcar easily accessible to residents and visitors in the area. Patterson Park Neighborhood Association is excited about this new addition. Members have been working to add alternate transportation options to our neighborhood for years now. While some neighbors are concerned that they are losing 2 parking spaces dedicated to Zipcars, at least 4 PPNA members have already reported giving up their 2nd car in anticipation of the Zipcar option. We have already gained 2 parking spots in the neighborhood! A survey of Baltimore Zipcar drivers reports that without this car-sharing option, they may have purchased an additional car. 86% of respondents claimed they would choose to live in a neighborhood that featured a Zipcar location over one 14 that did not--another bonus for our neighborhood! The PrattLinwood location was chosen since this location has the least amount of houses touching it and does not have street clean ing, a requirement from the city. PPNA has teamed with Zipcar to offer our dues-paying members discounted Zipcar memberships and rates. In stead of paying $60 for an annual membership and a $25 application fee, PPNA members pay only $25 for a first year annual membership and no application fee. Join at zip car.com/balcommunityassoc. Zip car also has many other monthly plans with no annual fee. Project Light Bulb: Brighten Your Block for FREE Proyecto Bombilla: Ilumina Su Cuadra GRATIS Submitted by Leigh Peterson Sometido por Leigh Peterson Would you like a FREE, energy efficient light bulb for your front light with a dusk/dawn sensor? Now imagine if your whole block had these--all the bulbs will turn on at night to keep the street bright, welcoming, and safe at all hours of the day without wasting electricity during the day. If you would like to organize Project Light Bulb on your block, we have ready-made forms for you to distribute to your block. Please contact Leigh Peterson at VPSouth@Patterson ParkNeighbors.org or call 410-497-PPNA (7762). ¿Quieres una bombilla GRATIS y eficiente de la energía para su luz delantera con un sensor de amanecer/atardecer? Ahora imagínate si tu cuadra entera tuviera estos--- todas las bombillas aprenderán por la noche para mantener la calle bril lante, segura y una calle que da la bienvenida durante todas las horas del día sin gastar electricidad durante el día. Si te gustaría organizar Proyecto Bombilla en tu cuadra, tenemos formas ya listas para distribuir a tu cuadra. Por fa vor comuníquese con Leigh Peterson al VPSouth@Patterson ParkNeighbors.org o llame 410-497-PPNA (7762). Rats and Car Engines When I attended my first meeting of the PPNA a resident complained of his inability to park behind his house as rats have repeatedly chewed up the wires, and possibly the hoses, on the engine for his car. He now parks on the street and is disgruntled that PPNA has not eliminated neighborhood rats. His problem is not with the rats, which are almost universal in all cities, but with the manufacturer of his automotive wires. This problem with rats and car engines is not unusual and has to do with the manner in which the wires were pro duced. Tallow is a form of beef fat processed from suet. For hundreds of years it has been used as both a lubricant and a means of frying food. Tallow was used as a lubricant for ammunition in the US Civil War. Until recently it has been a primary lubricant in the steel industry and has been used as a steel sheet is compressed through steel rollers. As it is difficult to clean up it is being replaced by synthetic lubricants in steel manufacturing. Until 1990 McDonald’s cooked all of their French fries in 93% beef tallow and 3% cotton seed oil. Today they used vegetable oil, although much of this is hydrated vegetable oil which is now considered to be equally, if not more, unhealthy. Tallow is also used as the lubricant in extruding the plastic insulation around some electrical wires. I think it likely that no attempt was made by the manufacturer of the automotive wires in question to wash the tallow from the wires before putting them on the market. If anyone else has suffered this problem I would strongly suggest that they wash the replacement wires in soap and wa ter and rinse them thoroughly before installation. You might also consider running them through a kitty litter box in hopes that they might pick up sufficient residual odor to act as a deterrent, but there are no studies to indicate that this might actually help. Jack Reilly is a private commercial and residential building inspector who has performed over 14,000 home inspections in the last 25 years, with no record of complaint to Angie’s List, the Better Business Bureau or any other consumer protection agency. His web site can be found at: jackreillyassociates.com Retrofit Baltimore & PPNA Partner to Lower Your Energy Bills Submitted by Leigh Peterson As you know our historic homes weren’t built with energy efficiency in mind. This is why PPNA initially wanted to help connect our neighbors with Retrofit Baltimore, a program of the non-profit Civic Works, which has rebates that cover 50% of the cost of any recommended energy improvements for any Baltimore City home. Over the last several months, more than 15 PPNA mem bers have signed up to have an energy audit through Retrofit Baltimore. This audit outlines how you can lower your utility bills by 20-40%, and improve the comfort, health and safety of your home. Then you can decide what recommendations to move forward with through pre-screened contractors or on your own and even apply for low interest financing. Retrofit Baltimore serves as a resource for the commu nity and advocates for homeowners, providing science-based information and support through each step of the energy retrofit process. At the same time, Retrofit Baltimore ensures that your investments in energy efficiency stay local and cre ate family-sustaining jobs. From now on, Retrofit Baltimore will be offering an additional incentive to PPNA members. If you sign up for an energy audit, Retrofit Baltimore will make a $20 donation to PPNA. Now you are saving money, energy, AND helping the neighborhood! For more information, please check out www.retrofitbal timore.org or contact Evie Schwartz, eschwartz@retrofitbal timore.org. Join us online! Únase a nosotros en línea! Patterson Park Neighbors on Facebook 15 Neighborhood Voices: A Conversation About Race Where We Live An intergenerational leadership team, including neighbors from Patterson Park, Baltimore Highland and Highlandtown, presented a second neighborhood-based workshop on race on November 2, at the Southeast Anchor Library. The work shop was open to people of all ages and races, and provided interpretation in Spanish. Building from the first story-telling workshop on race in August at the Creative Alliance, two facil itators from Baltimore Racial Justice Action led the workshop by connecting challenging individual stories and experiences around race with the larger systems of structural and institu tional racism. The workshop attracted nearly 50 participants, including many of our neighbors in Southeast Baltimore. Par ticipants engaged in activities such as The Privilege Walk, a physical demonstration of privilege, and group discussion of ways neighbors see and experience various forms and layers of racism today. This intergenerational leadership team, borne from Com munities for All Ages (CFAA), a collaboration of the orga nizations Southeast CDC, Creative Alliance, and Banner Neighborhoods and neighbors from Patterson Park, Balti more Highland and Highlandtown, will continue this series of workshops on race in 2014. The workshops’ planning team is looking for volunteers and the contributions of neighbors like you! Please contact Agatha So at the Southeast CDC at [email protected] or call her at 410-342-3234 ext. 28 to get involved! Voces del Vecindario: Una Conversación Sobre La Raza Donde Vivimos El 2 de noviembre, un equipo de líderes de varias edades, que incluyeron vecinos de Patterson Park, Baltimore Highland y Highlandtown, presentaron el según taller sobre la raza, en la Biblioteca del Sureste, en Highlandtown. El taller estuvo abi erto a personas de todas las edades y razas, y los organizadores les proporcionaron interpretación en español. El taller creció del primer taller de las historias personales sobre la raza que tenía lugar en agosto en la Creative Alliance. Durante el recién taller, dos facilitadores de Baltimore Racial Justice Action diri gieron los participantes en actividades que conectaron las his torias y experiencias desafiantes sobre la raza con las sistemas más grandes de racismo del estado y institucional. Se presen taron como 50 participantes y muchos de nuestros vecinos en el sureste de Baltimore. Las actividades incluyeron un camino de privilegio, que demostraba el privilegio físicamente, y una discusión de las maneras y experiencias en las que los vecinos sientan y miren las varias formas de racismo hoy. El equipo de líderes creció de Comunidades Para Todas Edades (CFAA), una colaboración de la Southeast CDC, Cre ative Alliance, Banner Neighborhoods, y vecinos de Patterson Park, Baltimore Highland y Highlandtown. Los talleres con tinuaran en el año 2014. ¡Se busquen voluntarios y vecinos para la planificación de talleres futuros! Por favor comuníquese con Agata So de la Southeast CDC a las 410-342-3234 ext. 28 o Agatha@south eastcdc.org para involucrase.
