APRIL 1999

Now that Spring has finally arrived, we can at last turn our attention to the really important things in life, like parks, baseball, bike rides, and flowers. . . . And speaking of flowers, how would you like some ideas on how to brighten your home and spruce up the neighborhood? All you have to do is come to our April General Meeting and catch a demonstration from an expert on windowboxes from Home Depot. He'll show you what type of boxes work best, help you choose the appropriate mounting hardware, give suggestions on soil, tell you what plants will thrive under different conditions, and explain how to keep your plants healthy all summer. And best of all, two of you won't even have to pay attention because you'll be the lucky winners of the two door prizes.

Two Saturdays ago, a great event occurred. Ten Butchers Hill residents spent their morning knocking on doors to invite people to join the Association. I found it to be almost evangelical that those volunteers cared enough to spread the word about "Baltimore's Friendliest Neighborhood." Best of all, we got nine new members who have never been part of the Association before. Participating members have always been our strength and I'm looking forward to our most productive year yet.

Councilperson Lois Garey will be stopping by to say "Hello," and will be available after the meeting to chat with you.
--Barry Glassman

They've come from Florida, from Colorado, from Ohio, Lousiana, and even from an assignment in Morocco. Some have come because of job promotions and some to start whole new careers. Some are renting, while others own their first home here. But they have a lot in common with established residents. "I'm a city person" is one theme heard again and again: "When I get to the country, I wonder why nothing is happening." "I like the active community association and the support of my neighbors" is another frequent theme.

In contrasting Butchers Hill with other Baltimore communities, they note Patterson Park, our water views, and nearby places to go like the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, and Canton. "Compared with the other place I lived in the city, this is like a whole new life," says one new neighbor enthusiastically.

Although some admit that other neighborhoods may be prettier, people like the old-fashioned architecture-especially the high ceilings and the wonderful interior detailing that can still be found in Butchers Hill houses. And even the renters appreciate the good real-estate values here.

What don't they like? The lack of parking is mentioned, along with our underlying "crime and grime" problems. But one new neighbor's problem is unique. He "sold" a friend on Butchers Hill, only to find that there weren't any suitable houses available when his friend was ready to move.

How did our new neighbors find out about us? Some worked conventionally through a realtor. Many had been on one of our House Tours or had seen the Newsletter, and one spent hardly any time looking elsewhere in Baltimore: "I came here to visit friends who took me out to meet folks at Simons. After that, I knew I had to live here!"
--Rick Gilmour

BHA COMMITTEE CHAIRS, COMMITTEE REPORTS,
AND APRIL MEETINGS

Education:
Co-chairs Carolyn Boitnott (410-522-4991) and George Larsen (410-327-6817).

Land Use:
Virgil Bartram (410-327-4964).

Legislative Issues:
Jerry Roberson. (410-563-4736). Marketing:
Tuesday, April 13th, 7:00 p.m., 2223 E. Pratt St. Contact: Rick Gilmour (410-342-7061) .
After snow cancelled our regular meeting, the BHA Marketing Committee met March 14th, jointly with Membership. We made final plans for the first Saturday Membership drive, and began detailed planning for the Patterson Park Flea Market on June 19.

Membership:
Jennine Auerbach 410-675-7976 , Heather Smith 410-675-3939, .
The New Member Campaign Kickoff on March 20 was a great success. We had 11 volunteers and got 9 new memberships. The volunteers also generated a lot of interest in the Association and we expect to get more people participating as a result of their efforts. Many neighbors indicated they would come to a meeting and become a member then. We also got lots of e-mail addresses for the e-mail list. Due to our big success, we plan to do the whole thing again Saturday, April 17 beginning at 9:30 AM. Meet at 126 S. Chester St. Call Jennine or Heather if you wish to volunteer.

Streetscape:
Tuesday, April 13th, 8 p.m., 2128 E. Baltimore Street. Carol Richman (410-327-0261 ) and Steve Young (410-342-3842, ).
The April General Meeting will feature a demonstration from an expert on windowboxes from Home Depot. There will be also be a raffle with two door prizes. Volunteers are still needed to look after the corner plantings; please call Steve or Carol. TREES: 120 new trees are expected for Spring planting in Southeast Baltimore neighborhoods. The tentative date for planting is Saturday, April 17th, and volunteers are needed. Come to the April BHA general meeting for more details, or call John Papagni at 410-563-2661, or e-mail: .

Book Club:
The April Book Club meeting will take place at the end of the month; date, place, and book will be announced at the General Meeting and posted on the Association's Web Site. Information: 410-522-6773.

Newsletter:
The deadline for the April Newsletter is Saturday, April 24th. Drop off written items at 103 S. Chester St. Contact Steve (410-342-3842, ; please send e-mail text only, no attached files).

APRIL BHA GENERAL MEETING:
Wednesday, April 7th. Coffee & cookies, 6:45 p.m. Meeting 7:00 p.m.
St. Andrew's Church hall, corner of Chester & Lombard Streets (entrance on Lombard).
Contact: Barry Glassman, 410-558-1080, bha@charm.net.

APRIL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA:

• A Home Depot demonstration on assembling and maintaining window boxes.
• Councilperson Lois Garey will be available for questions and your comments.
• Presentation of the 1999 Association Budget.
• Open Forum

• Membership: There will be a monthly "knocking on doors" membership drive. First drive was March 20. Volunteers still needed.
• Streetscape: Continuation of planters with two designs-square planters are $57.00/ea. and frost resistant, rolled-rim planters. A count of planters and plants will be given at April meeting. Need for adoptive parents for plants. Speaker for May meeting from Home Depot about flower boxes and plants. Removal of "Sun" newspaper boxes from community being worked on. Fairmount & Duncan St. Park progressing with mural, grading & removal of fence.
• Marketing: Interim budget approval for spending $230 for refrigerator magnets to be distributed at each monthly membership drive. Same income & expenses projected for 1999.
• Vacant houses: Application for disposition of HABC houses in progress. Neighborhood Design Center involved with BHA regarding Castle Street houses. Application for $200,000 grant for vacant houses is in progress.
  
• Speakers: Will Backstrom & Tracy Gosson spoke about house financing and closing costs as well as the "Live Baltimore Program" home buying incentives.

• The BHA has applied for a $200,000 grant from Housing and Community Development. We may know the results of this application by the April meeting. Barry continues to meet with city, state, and federal officials regarding HUD-owned vacant houses.
• The BHA's letter regarding playground equipment for Castle Street Park has been answered by Director Balog. There is unlikely to be immediate money for this equipment, but there is a possibility of some money in the next budget cycle.
• Barry reviewed some provisions of the bylaws regarding who may be a member and how "term limits" operate.
• In brief actions, Evan Helfrick reviewed his research on Liability Insurance for the association and its officers; Alexis Johns described a City program for decorative street lighting; and Rick Gilmour reported on a recent Housing Court case that might have set a bad precedent for Butchers Hill unoccupied properties.
• The Executive Committee will have a special budget meeting on April 1.

Community Events

RALPH YOUNG REC CENTER NEWS: ROLLER SKATING, Friday, April 23rd, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Each kid needs to bring one adult and each adult needs to bring 1-3 kids. You can bring a family member of a neighbor. Please bring your own skates if you have them! The Rec Center is located behind school #27. You can enter the main door off the parking lot of the Woodbourne Center or the rear door off the school playground on the 2000 block of Fairmount Avenue. For more information, call Carolyn at 522-4991.

We'd like to begin a column in May for recognizing our neighborhood youth. Each month will feature kids that do something for the community. If anyone has a kid you think should be recognized, please write up a little background, say what their interests and goals are, and pass it along to Steve Young or Carolyn Boitnott (addresses and phone numbers on opposite page), with your name and a phone number where we can reach you.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

ART EXHIBIT AT SIMON'S PUB & EATERY Come see "Stolen Moments," an exhibit of nature photography from Tony Sweet, a nationally published photographer and jazz musician. There will be an opening reception on Wednesday, April 7, from 6 - 9 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through May 3rd. SIMON'S PUB is located at 2031 E. Fairmount Avenue.

OPEN STUDIO TOUR, SATURDAY, APRIL 24TH, NOON - 5 P.M.
Megin Diamond's handmade sterling tableware & jewelry, showing at the studio of sculptor Al Zaruba, 1601 Guilford Ave., at Federal St.

Neighbor Slim Hunt has good old-fashioned home-made North Carolina SAUSAGE, BARBECUE, and PUDDING for sale. Call Slim at 410-675-6878.

Want to join a monthly VEGETARIAN POTLUCK? Contact Jennine Auerbach @ 410-675-7976 or .

The Church of God, at Baltimore & Chester Sts., will be selling Sunday dinners from their newly renovated community room (Chester St. entrance) every other Sunday afternoon from 1 - 3 p.m., starting April 11th. Carry out or eat in. $6 for adults, $3 for children. Menu will vary; April 11th menu is roast beef dinner. Call 410-327-0177 for more information.

Interested in a possible WINE TASTING PARTY at the Chesapeake Winery on Boston Street? Contact Heather Smith: 410-675-3939;

KITTEN-Female, tabby color, approximately 6 months old, sweet disposition, very affectionate (a "lap" kitty), healthy, free to a good home. Call Kathy at 410-342-6456. Even if you're not interested, would you please tell your friends and spread the word, so we can place her. Thanks.

Moms interested in forming a "Mom's Night Out" club should contact Wendy Hoggard at 410 276-5432.

If you would like to participate in a BHA evening in the private showing rooms of the Senator Theater, please contact Mark Truelove: 410-327-9263

1099