December 2011

Seasons Greetings, Everyone who attended our November ArtNight got to see the wide assortment of talented, creative people who reside in our neighborhood. There was a high turn out, and we had fun with the raffle every 10 minutes awarding donated artist works, with proceeds supporting Butchers Hill Black Knights. Thanks to EJ Braida, a member of the executive committee and a jewelry artist, for organizing, and making the evening so successful. I hope you all join us for our Holiday potluck on Sunday, December 4th. It’s a fun opportunity to eat wonderful food provided by all who attend, and begin the season mindful of the great neighborhood you have chosen to make your home. In January we will vote for a new Executive committee. I think it is a promising slate of candidates, and they will continue to serve this neighborhood well. As for parking woes and transportation, things are looking up. RPP (Residential permit parking) has come to a portion of Canton-the area north of the Can Company shopping center, and Fells Point continues the process of incorporating. Zipcar locations are making their way closer to Butchers Hill, allowing us easier access. The newest is at Fleet and Washington St, next to Ale Mary’s. Remember if you chose to sign up, indicate you are a member of the Butchers Hill Assoc., as there is a discount and you receive the ‘best’ rate to utilize the vehicle. www.zipcar.com/bha Wishing you all a safe, healthy and happy Holiday Season. See you in the ‘hood.

-Tori Simms

President, BHA

Butchers Hill Holiday Potluck Sunday, December 4th 5PM - 7PM St. Andrew Church—Chester & Lombard Get into the holiday spirit with your neighbors at the Butchers Hill Holiday Potluck. You’ll have no problems navigating the next holiday neighbor party with a warm, “Hello there, we met at the holiday potluck!…” Festivities are sponsored by the Butchers Hill Executive Committee. Craig Thompson is our wonderful host this year providing the ham, turkey, and beverages. And yes, bring the kids! A children's corner with games and supervision will be provided. Bring a favorite side dish or dessert that serves 6-8. Contact Tori Simms - tori_simms@hermanmiller.com

Fells Point Olde Tyme Christmas Saturday, December 3rd, 9AM - 6PM St. Nick arrives by tugboat at Broadway Pier at 9am, followed by breakfast and photos at Shuckers. At 11:30 it’s story time with Urban Pirates, followed by live music, Victorian Carolers and Gingerbread House making at the visitors center. Wear your dancing shoes and enjoy the holiday vendors on Broadway Square – end the evening with the Tree Lighting at 5pm. See free parking details below.

A Monumental Lighting Thursday, December 1st, 5:30PM-8PM Lighting of the Washington Monument, 600 block N. Charles St., Open House at the Maryland Historical Society, Family Festival at the Walters Art Gallery along with musical performances by area choirs and refreshments from vendors - all topped off at 7:45 by a firework and laser finale choreographed to music. More info call: 1-877-baltimore

Top of Mind

City General Election - Stephanie Rawlings Blake 85% / Alfred Griffin 13%. City reported low voter turnout.

Free Parking in Fells Point for first 3 weekends in December starting Friday 12/2, 8pm - Sunday 8pm. 12/2, 12/3 Hazardous waste drop-off, 2840 Sisson St. 12/22 Winter Solstice 12:30AM 12/18 last day of Baltimore Farmer’s Market (under JFX) Fells Point farmer’s market is closed for the season. Reference “Top of Mind” for news and reminders.

Butchers Hill December 2011 News

Committees

Calendar Reminders 12/26 & 1/2 2012 are federal, state, and city holiday's

observed. All services closed. City schools are closed 12/23 - 1-3. 1/4 BHA officer elections at general meeting

This Month in Baltimore History 1796 December, 18th. Nation’s first Sunday newspaper “The

Monitor”, was published in Baltimore, MD. 1958 Baltimore Colts defeated New York Giants in “sudden

death overtime” for the NFL Championship 23-17.

Crime Prevention Carolyn Boitnott - c.boitnott@verizon.net 410-522-4991

Wednesday 12/21 - 7PM. Held at 2105 E. Baltimore St. Police ask that residents call 410-666-DRUG to report repeated suspected drug activity. Emergency 911.

Butcher’s Hill Citizen’s on Patrol (C.O.P.)

Evan Helfrich, ubik14@netscape.net 410-342-2148

Meeting 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. 7:30PM at the intersection of Patterson Park Ave. and Lombard St.

Education Committee/School 27 Improvement Team

Carolyn Boitnott - c.boitnott@verizon.net 410-522-4991

No meeting this month

Flea Market Committee William White, willilicious@hotmail.com 410-563-7941

No meeting this month

House Tour Committee Dee Lundelius, DeeLundelius@verizon.net, and Sue Noonan, SueNoon@cavtel.net.

No meetings until March 2012

Land Use Committee Virgil Bartram, vbartram@mindspring.com 410-327-4964

Monday, 12/14 - 7PM. Held at the White House, 27 S. Patterson Park Ave.

Community Initiatives Kathy Hackett, ktyhack@gmail.com 410-327-2447

No meeting this month

Book Club Anne Puckett, anne_puckett@hotmail.com 410-675-8765

Book Club Christmas Party, Saturday 12/10.

Executive Committee Tori Simms, tori_simms@hermanmiller.com 410-675-4948

Thursday, 12/15 - 7PM. Held at Tori Simms.

Streetscape Committee Amy Finney, astringer_6@yahoo.com, 443-465-5958, and Betsy Wadsworth, bwads2211@comcast.net , 410-558-1312.

Tuesday, 12/6 - 7 PM. Held at 2211 E. Lombard Street.

December 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

27 28 29 30 1 2 3

4

BHA Holiday

Potluck

5 6

Streetscape 7PM

7 8 9 10

Book Club Party

11 12 13

Newsletter

Deadline

14

Land Use

7PM

15

Executive Committee 7PM

16 17

18

19 20 21

Crime Prevention

7PM

22

Winter Solstice

23 24

25

Christmas Day

26

Christmas day

observed

27 28 29 30 31

New Years Eve

Butchers Hill Holiday Potluck Sunday December 4th, 5PM - 7PM—St. Andrew Church at Chester & Lombard.

Join the BHA community for our holiday potluck celebration. No official meeting this month. For information contact Tori Simms - tori_simms@hermanmiller.com

Crime Prevention Unfortunately this time of year we experience an increase in crime, we can help each other by being alert and reporting any suspicious activity or persons to 911. Recently Sarah posted on our list serve an idea we should all adopt: The Three Second Surveillance, described as if you’re making the bed. Just take a look out the window for 3 seconds to see if anything looks amiss; look up and down the street when you pick up the mail; check out the area around you before getting into your car etc.. In other words be aware of your surroundings. Other things we can do: get to know your neighbors - look out for each other. Do not leave anything in your car. Don’t talk on your cell phone while walking on the sidewalk, and avoid carrying a purse. Watch out for neighbors property when they are not home. Walk around your block regularly, and be alert to mail or package theft. By all means report to the police any car or building break-ins or property theft. Of special note this year, residents need to be aware that there have been three street robberies between mid September to early November along Fairmount between Montford, and Chester involving a handgun. In two instances the gun was displayed not pointed, and the robber asked for the victims money. There are many things we can do to help prevent crime including keeping outdoor lights on, installing motion lights in dark spots, and trimming bushes. The next Crime Prevention Committee meeting is December 21st, 7PM. - Crime Prevention Committee

Our 2nd Annual Art Night Festival was a stunning success with 22 neighborhood artists displaying and selling their creations! Whether it was great art or fabulous wine, everyone had a wonderful time! Of course, added to the excitement was the every-10-minute selection of a raffle winner! Our artists donated prizes, Barry called the winners, and Tom and Dan sold tickets. Thanks to Nancy for setting up the raffle, we collected enough to outfit a Butchers Hill Black Knights youth football player! Special thanks to and Jo for the fabulous refreshment spread! Also to Father Ted Boback and St Andrew Orthodox Church for making Art Night happen. It was a true community celebration. We’ll see everyone the 2nd Wednesday in November next year!

- Community Initiatives

Butchers Hill Black Knights On Sunday, November 13, 2011, our Butchers Hill Black Knights youth football team captured their second straight championship win! They defeated the PPNA Purple Kings in stunning fashion, by a score of 28-22. It costs approximately $275 to outfit a player, and the kids are so appreciative of the community’s help. Anyone interested in making a holiday donation to the Black Knights may contact Coach Lillian Drumgold at lil.drumgold@yahoo.com. The league is part of the Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation (www.bannerneighborhoods.org)

Getting Ready for Winter Reminders Before the temperature plummets and snow flakes fall do a little preventive maintenance to make Spring a breeze. Here are some tips: * rake and bag leaves before they become a heavy, frozen, or soggy back-breaking mass. (up to 5 bags of leaves may be put out on your regularly scheduled trash pick-up day until January 30, 2012 or dropped off at the Northwest Citizen’s Convenience Center 2840 Sisson Street,); bags must be clear plastic or labeled “leaves”. * clean from roof gutters to prevent ice dams that can work under siding/roofing material causing interior leaks * disconnect exterior hoses, empty and coil; turn off exterior hose bibs at interior shut-off valve, then open exterior hose bibs to empty residual water * cut back annuals and tender perennials before a frost; take in ceramic pots that may crack due to freezing water * prune shrubs and small trees to contain growth if in containers and to promote a pleasing growth * check outdoor furniture, and cover or remove as appropriate, especially remove items on roof decks that could blow around in winter storms * stock up on eco-friendly snow/ice melt, check your snow shovel and windshield scraper/brush tool * after a snowfall allow time to shovel your sidewalk as the City of Baltimore requires all residents, renters and owner-occupiers alike, to keep their sidewalks free of snow and ice; fines apply for non-compliance * clear storm drains and inlets of snow and ice to allow snow melt to flow away, preventing flooding of intersections and basements * Be advised that no vehicles are allowed to park on roads designated “snow emergency route” during a snow emergency. And don’t forget to stock up on hot chocolate, cider mulling spices and spirit of choice! More at www.baltimorecity.gov “Snow Page” - Streetscape Committee

Monthly Rewind Art Night Festival

C O M M U N I T Y B U L L E T I N B O A R D

Holidays in the Hood on the Hill

Saturday, December17th, 9AM – 5PM 126 N. Madeira Street. Butchers Hill Studios will hold its 2nd Annual Holidays in the Hood on the Hill. This is a juried art show/sale. Come do fabulous last minute holiday shopping and support your local artists! For details checkout our website: http://butchershillstudios.wordpress.com

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BUTCHERS HILL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

NAME: ______________________________________________ PHONE:___________________ EMAIL:_________________________

ADDRESS:_________________________________________________________________________ New Neighbor Packet? ________

Would you like to serve on a committee? ____ Which? ________________ Are you interested in volunteering at BHA events? ____

Annual dues (Jan. thru Dec.) are $10 per person, $6 for seniors and low-income. Make checks payable to the Butchers Hill Association and return form and payment to BHA, 27 South Patterson Park Ave., Baltimore, MD 21231.

City Re-Opens Improved Northeast Citizen’s Convenience Center at, 2840 Sisson Street The Center now features a raised, permanent platform allowing citizens to drive up and easily dispose of their waste into appropriate, trash and recycling containers. Expanded Haz Mat Drop-off Service – The Northeast Center also features a permanent city-wide household hazardous waste drop-off location. Friday, 12/2 and Saturday, 12/3 will be the final hazmat collection days until April 2012. Collection is discontinued during months with potential freezing temperatures. Please visit www.baltimorecity.gov for more details on hours, changes to collection days, materials accepted, and proof of residency requirements.

St. Andrew Annual Cookie Sale Saturday, December 18th, 11AM—till St. Andrews Church on the corner of Lombard and Chester A wide variety of homemade cookies will be available in packaged gift tins, as well as homemade breads and nutrolls. Why spend your valuable time baking when the ladies of St. Andrew have done it for you? We sell out quickly, so please arrive early to make sure you get a tin for your Christmas entertaining. All neighbors are welcome!

311 Smartphone Application This service allows you to report over fifty different service requests including complaints about trash, potholes, graffiti, and malfunctioning traffic signs. Download it today by searching "Baltimore 311" This service can also be reached by dialing “311.”

2012 Executive Committee Election

At the January 4th General Meeting of Butchers Hill Association committee officers will be elected. You must be a BHA member to participate in elections, so submit your membership dues today! Resident nominations have been made, and the following names will be on the ballot: President Heather Norris Gorius VP Greg Matanoski VP Todd Lapointe Treasurer Beth Braun Recording Secretary Tom Crandall Corres. Secretary Tori Simms Parliamentarian Peter Green At Large Judy Steinberg Jeff Carroll Jo Van Wely

Get in your dues! Butchers Hill Association Membership The new year is approaching and it is time for the renewal of annual dues. Butchers Hill is a wonderful place to live, and we aim to support valuable community activities and services you will share with your family and neighbors. Your contributions help make this possible. Visit the Butchers Hill website www.butchershill.org, or contact Kathy Hackett for details. bhamember@gmail.com. Membership application below.

Volunteer Judges Needed 5th-8th graders city-wide will be submitting essays describing alternative modes of transportation for the city of Baltimore. (Goodness knows we need it!) Volunteer judges are asked to give 2-3 hours to review essays and help redeem a winner. Promote child literacy and a healthy environment with a few hours of your time. Contact Laritza - laritza.mdza@gmail.com