SEPTEMBER 1997

President's Message:
Sometimes it takes a larger, group effort in order to solve some of the problems we face as a community. This is the purpose of our community association and our committees. At other times, individuals can easily find help to solve problems by calling the Neighborhood Service Center. Come to the September meeting and meet some of the people from the Center who help us make Butchers Hill great. A couple of issues for those of you interested in the bigger picture. During the next two months, the Pratt Library will be holding a series of public hearings on the library's strategic plan. Among other things, the plan calls for the creation of four regional libraries, with the closing of some branch libraries (now two). Also, area residents are organizing around the Inner Harbor East hotel proposal. For information on getting involved with either issue, please call 410-563-1442.
-Clint Roby

HELP IS ON THE WAY!
There are two great sources for help in solving problems that come up in everyday life in the city. One is your friendly neighborhood association committee chairperson or executive committee member, and the other is where the neighborhood association committee chairperson or executive committee member goes when they try to help-the Southeast Neighborhood Service Center!

Center Director Diann Baker and her staff (Michael Mitchell is Assistant Director), as well as representatives of most city agencies (Police, Fire, Health, Public Works, Planning, Housing, Employment), can help with most any problem. Many Butchers Hill residents have met Michael White, who has attended many of our association meetings and has also helped us solve many problems.

Please come to the Butchers Hill Association General Meeting on Wednesday, September 3rd, to meet Ms. Baker and find out how the Southeast Neighborhood Service Center can help you.

Upcoming Events

BHA General Meeting , Wednesday, Sept. 3. St. Andrew's Church, Chester & Lombard Sts. Refreshments, 7:15 p.m. Meeting 7:30 p.m. The following is on the agenda:

• Diann Baker from the Southeast Neighborhood Service Center, along with several representatives from city agencies who are located at SE-NSC, will talk about the information and assistance that can be found there.
• David Smallwood will give an update on events at the Ralph Young Rec. Center.
• Selection of Nominating Committee for BHA officers for 1998.

CRIME & BLOCK REP MEETING, Wednesday, Sept. 10th.. 2105 E. Baltimore St. Contact: Carolyn, 522-4991.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING: Tuesday, September 9th, 7:30 p.m. 8 N. Collington Ave. Call Clint: 563-1442.

DEADLINE for OCTOBER Newsletter: Sept. 19th. Drop off written items at 103 S. Chester Street, or leave message for Steve at 342-3842.

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING, Sept. 17, 7:00 p.m. 2235 E. Baltimore St. Contact: Tracy Gosson, 342-4342.

DINING OUT: Thursday, September 18th, 6 p.m. (or shortly thereafter). Funks Democratic Coffee Spot, 1818 Eastern Avenue.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP, Sept. 25, 7:00 p.m., at 2029 E. Pratt St. September's selection is Catch-22 by Joseph Heller.

STREETSCAPE COMMITTEE MEETING, TBA. Contact: Toni Francfort, 327-4137.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE BUTCHERS HILL HOUSE TOUR, Sunday, October 12th (OUR DAY IN THE SUN!). Call Sue Noonan, 522-6773.

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALSO NEEDED FOR A REALTORS RECEPTION, Wednesday, September 24th at noon, White House in Patterson Park. Call Tracy, 342-4342.

OUR AUGUST DINING OUT at The Morning Edition attracted 29 people who enjoyed wonderful food and great company. This month's Dining Out will be on Thursday, September 18th, at FUNKS DEMOCRATIC COFFEE SPOT, 1818 Eastern Ave, at 6:00 p.m. (or shortly thereafter). We will have a private room on the third floor- special entrees will be offered, plus appetizers. Be sure to save room for their wonderful deserts. Bring your own wine, and stick around for some great straight-ahead jazz that starts around 8:30. Call Barry for reservations at 410-558-1080.

RECAP OF THE AUGUST GENERAL MEETING:

Joel Tolman, a grad student at Williams College, who found Butchers Hill through our Web Page, is doing a project involving the relationships between communities and their housing styles. He attended our August meeting and interviewed some of the residents about what they like about their houses and their neighborhood. When he finishes his study, he will share with us what he found.

Brenda Buote of the Baltimore Sun also attended the meeting. She writes stories about communities in Southeast Baltimore and also about foundations doing interesting projects in the city.

Please remember that BULK TRASH items like mattresses and old furniture go out on the SECOND WEDNESDAY (not the first Wednesday) of the month. The Bulk Trash collectors have occasionally been missing items that were put out on time. If this happens, try calling Mr. Bradshear (spelling?) (he's the supervisor for bulk trash pickup) or Barry Klump, at 410-396-3367. They will see that it is picked up.

PlanBaltimore - Baltimore's Comprehensive Master Plan Public Planning Kickoff meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m., at Polytechnic High School. Participants will have an opportunity to join a number of subcommittees: Housing, Transportation, Public Facilities, Environment, Community Economic Development, and Urban Design.

Ralph Young Recreation Center News : We will be resuming our Butchers Hill Family Nights in October; any adults or youth interested in planning the activities call Carolyn at 522-4991. Congratulations to our Ralph Young 17-and-under Team who won the City championship in the Baltimore Neighborhood Basketball League. The Ralph Young Center is looking for older teens who are interested in helping younger students with homework from 3-4 p.m. at the Center. Volunteers are needed to serve on the Ralph Young Community Advisory Board (just requires a monthly meeting); call Carolyn at 522-4991.

A PICNIC IN THE PARK

Join us for a Meet-Your-Neighbor Barbecue at the White House in Patterson Park on Saturday, Sept. 20th, 5 - 8 p.m. Food and drink will be provided. The barbecue is for BHA members and for Butchers Hill residents who would like to meet their neighbors and join the Association. So come and bring a neighbor! We'll be raffling off some neat Butchers Hill stuff: t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps. Rain date: Sept. 20, 5 p.m.

Do you have a new neighbor? Or a not so new neighbor who could use a new neighbor packet? Call Madelaine at 410-732-8769 or Tracy, 410-342-4342.

There will a Thank You party for Dorothy Dobbin on September 4th at the White House in Patterson Park. Stop by to say thanks and have some ice cream. RSVP to Mary Roby at 410-327-1626.

Butchers Hill is a member of the Community Association Buyers Group which was formed to address the problem of high auto insurance rates in Baltimore City. If you are a paid-in-full BHA member, you are eligible to receive quotes on auto insurance at very competitive rates. CABG has developed partnerships with two major insurance companies, which propose to relieve the insurance problems of many city residents. CABG is also offerring theft deterrent and personal security devices. For quotes and further information, call Les Ransom or Terry Thornton at 410-243-0934 or 410-243-1399.

MORTGAGE & REHAB 6.75% MORTGAGE MONEY AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS OF BUTCHERS HILL (and other PPNI areas)! ANY INCOME! FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR PROPERTY REHABILITATION AFTER SETTLEMENT! CALL PATTERSON PARK NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE FOR MORE DETAILS! 410-522-6966.

Baltimore Book Festival II : September 27th (Sat. 10 am - 8 pm) and 28th (Sunday noon - 6 pm). 600 Block North Charles Street at Mount Vernon Place. Book selling, author signings, literary walking tours, story-telling, cooking demonstrations by superstar chefs, street theatre, and live entertainment. Free.

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