Federal Hillsider The Monthly Newsletter of the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association June, 2012 1812 Bicentennial Celebration Comes to Our Oh Say Can You See? Neighborhood By John Ginovsky A Star-Spangled Sailabration I have been approached by out-of- towners (their Yankees and Boston caps gave them away) who have eagerly An estimated 1 million visitors are expected to descend on Fells Point, the Inner pointed up to Federal Hill and asked: “Is Harbor and Fort McHenry for the start of the bicentennial celebration of the war that Fort McHenry?” of 1812. This year, major activities will take place from June 13th to 19th. After I’ve disabused them of that, but before the light went entirely out of Baltimore played a significant role in turning their eyes, I added that the huge 15-star, the tide during the war of 1812. The British had 15-stripe flag is indeed a Star-Spangled finished sacking Washington and burning the White Banner replica of War of 1812 fame. House in 1814. They then turned their attention to Baltimore, the last bastion of the young nation’s While the Federal Hill neighborhood resistance. Our national anthem paints the picture hardly ever gets mentioned in recounts of the resistance encountered by the British fleet of that war, a little research unveils a at Ft. McHenry on their way to the city. Please read surprising amount of direct connections the article by John Ginovsky which appears to the right for a more complete (and our community has with the events fascinating) description of these events that started 200 years ago. of that time. In fact, it was a very near thing that prevented 1,200 invading If you have noticed the recent dredging operations in the Inner Harbor, it is being British troops from streaming through done to facilitate the arrival of a huge flotilla. 40 tall ships and naval vessels from our streets toward the center of town. around the world will be visiting, many open for tours. Tall ships from Brazil, Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on the morning Mexico, Indonesia, Portugal, Columbia, Ecuador and the U.S. will be here along of Sept. 14, 1814, the invaders attempted with a number of Class B tall ships including the Lady Maryland and the Pride of an end-around, diversionary attack Baltimore II. Ships will be berthed in the Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Middle River. up the Ferry Branch (what we call the There will also be a number of international naval vessels. Middle Branch) of the Patapsco River. They came sneaking on 20 oar-powered Ships will begin arrival on June 13. On June 14, Flag Day, a welcome celebration will barges, hoping to evade the guns at Fort kick off the activities which will include the start McHenry and then scoot behind the of the Sailabration Village at the Inner Harbor. main American militia and other forces concentrated east of town. A highlight of the festivities will be air shows headlined by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels from 1 They did not reckon with three batteries, to 4 p.m. on June 16 and 17. Ft. McHenry is the or forts, set up for just such an eventuality. best spot for viewing the show.. Here is a secret The main one was Fort Look-Out, - the Blue Angels will be performing a full dress later named Fort Wood, with a circular rehearsal on Friday and Ft. Mchenry should not be earthwork on which 24 cannons were too crowded that day. mounted. You can get a sense of how this was laid out now at Riverside Park. With 1 million people expected during the weeklong celebration,there will be the Another was Fort or Battery Babcock, usual challenges for residents; parking, crowds, traffic, etc. but this one should be a lot a six-gun earthwork. A marker topped of fun. For more info and a complete listing of events, please visit: starspangled200. com. continued on page 3 June, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider - Page 2 INFORMATION PAGE FHNA Committees Consider Getting Involved
Please contact any of the Board members listed nearby and express your interest. You will be welcomed. Federal Hill Neighborhood Association Board of Directors Beautification/Green: Walt Saxon Block Captains: Kelly Sheehan Officers Business Affairs: Jody Martin Community Outreach : Jane Wehrle President: Ryan Hada 443.326.9200 Finance: Claire Bogdanski Vice President: Eric Costello 410.528.1514 Hillsider: Jeannie Malkiewicz Treasurer: Gayle McClure 410.230.9419 Gayle McClure Secretary: Bob Merbler 443.629.0162 Bob O’Donoghue Nicole Quinn Board Members at Large Legislative Affairs: Ryan Hada Liquor Eric Costello Board Member: Bob O’Donoghue 410.783.0174 Membership: Eric Costello Board Member: Ginny Gerhart 443.271.3218 Bob Merbler Board Member: Jody Martin 410.332.0539 Kelly Sheehan Parking: Lamberto Camacho Preservation: Open Bulk Item Pick Up Public Safety: Open You may place up to three items out for collection. One day per Schools Liaison: Jessica Damen month is set aside for this collection. All citizens have to do is call Social: Open 311 and give the following information: Technology: Jennifer Nelson Your address Claire Mullins Your telephone # What 3 items Call 3 or more working days before your scheduled date. If you do not know your day, please call 311. Debris, Bulk Trash, Recycling & You may also schedule a collection at 311 Online. eCycling Drop-off Location: Western Sanitation Yard 701 Reedbird Avenue, 410-396-3367, To Request City Services Mon. – Sat., 9 am – 5 pm (Labor Day/Memorial Day) Call 311 6am to 10pm & 9 am – 7 pm (Memorial Day/Labor Day) or Online 24 hours at For additional locations go to: baltimorecity.gov/Government/ www.baltimore.customerservicerequest.org AgenciesDepartments/PublicWorks/BureauofSolidWaste
Recycling and Trash Schedule: Set out by 6 a.m. Trash on Wednesday (in cans with tight-fitting lids) Recycling on Friday REMINDER!! Please put your recyclable materials in paper bags, cardboard boxes, City recycle bins or any container clearly marked “recycle”; at the same location as your regular trash. DO NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS. With single stream recycling, we send our materials to a processing facility which uses an automated system to sort and bale recyclables. Federal Hillsider www.federalhillbaltimore.org June, 2012 - Page 3 continued from Page 1 an inordinate amount of time simply to captured and burned four more ships. with old cannon marks the spot now at go north up what’s now Light Street, McComas and Gould Streets, in front of then around to the right on what’s now Two monuments on top of Federal the BGE electric generation plant. The Pratt Street. The man who heroically Hill merit mentioning. One is that third was Fort Covington, a V-shaped took charge, Maj. Gen. Samuel Smith, honoring Lt. Col. George Armistead, 10-gun brick fort that once stood where decisively solved the problem. He had commander of Fort McHenry during the Baltimore Sun headquarters is now. a floating bridge made consisting of the bombardment. The monument itself 30-some scows overlaid with wooden is somewhat historic, having been first The combined fire power directed at the planking, and anchored it between the erected by the city in 1827 on Saratoga barges sharply discouraged the British, foot of Federal Hill and Fells Point. Street. It was dismantled in 1861, then who promptly withdrew. They claimed refurbished and re-erected on Eutaw losing only one barge, although the A Federal Hill shipyard played a Street in 1882. It then graced Federal remains of several were found later. surprising role in the overall conduct of Hill starting in 1886, but was vandalized the War of 1812. Andrew Descandes’ in 1966. It was refurbished once again Speaking of Covington, the street on yard was located approximately where in 1974. the east side of Federal Hill is named the Maryland Science Center is now. On for Brig. Gen. Leonard Covington, a June 12, 1812, newspapers announced The other statue is of Gen. Smith, forgotten hero of the War of 1812. He the launching of the Ultor, which was who commanded the city’s defenses. died from wounds received in the Battle described as being of the xebec design. He served two terms as mayor, and of Crysler’s Farm, in Ontario, in 1813. Even for the time, this was a truly strange then served in Congress for 40 years. looking craft. It had a 70-foot keel with Dedicated in 1918, that statue also Federal Hill itself never came under three masts—the middle one straight bounced around the city until it reached direct fire, but it was an important up and down, the forward one leaning the hill in 1970. observation site. On Sept. 12, the British forward, and the aft one leaning aft. invasion fleet was sighted from there Instead of square rigging, the lateen sails By the way, the cannon that is mounted entering the Patapsco River, and the town were reminiscent of those on Barbary on the north side of the hill? It was was alerted with the firing of three shots Coast pirate vessels. dredged up from the harbor in 1959, from a six-pounder gun. Also, residents and is believed to date from the War of stood on top of the hill through the night As strange as it looked, it was 1812. as Fort McHenry was pounded. (David remarkably effective. It was speedy and Porter Jr., son of the famous signal tower maneuverable enough to evade British One last thing: When all the bombs had owner on the hill, commanded the U.S. blockaders (who undoubtedly were finished bursting in air, and the British frigate Essex, and in August 1814, helped confused by the ship’s silhouette on the fleet and army slunk away, a coastal defend Alexandria, Va., from the British horizon). At first a cargo-carrier, sailing sailboat tied up at the end of Hughes passage down the Potomac River.) to Havana and then back to Long Island, Street, where the Ritz-Carlton condos in 1814 it signed up as a privateer. With are now. There disembarked Francis Prior to the appearance of the British, its speed and two guns, it captured at Scott Key and company, who quickly Federal Hill played a role in building up least four British merchant ships through rode up town to the Indian Queen Hotel, the city’s defenses. As supplies poured the end of the year. In 1815, before news where he jotted down a few lyrics he’d in, transport through the streets was a of the end of the war arrived, the Ultor thought of from the night before. huge problem. Even back then, it took
Featuring: Now serving Zeke’s Coffee - hot or iced SUNDAY BRUNCH 10:30 AM - 2 PM 6 West Cross Street Baltimore, Maryland 21230 410-752-1518 www.sobocafe.net Page 4 - June, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider Upcoming Events - compiled by Nicole Quinn This year’s Federal Hill Jazz & Blues Wine & Art Festival Block Party at 6 p.m. The Pride Festival in Baltimore is held will be bigger and better than ever! Come on down on Sunday, in beautiful Druid Hill park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 3, 11 am to 7 pm, for this fun and FREE event that everyone looks forward to as a kick-off for summer. It all takes June 21 - Federal Hill Third Thursdays. 6 to 8pm. Local place on South Charles, between Hamburg and West, and on shops, galleries and boutiques are open late with specials, Cross Street on both sides of Cross Street Market. refreshments & fun. Wine & Cheese tastings held at Big This festival is known for its great music, and this year is no Jim’s in the Cross Street Market - start your weekend early! exception. We’re excited to have two hot New Orleans acts, Honey June 22 - 5pm - Summer Socials at West Shore Park. Live Island Swamp Band and Water music by the Crawdaddies, food trucks,a beer & wine garden, “Wolfman” Washington, along family play area, and more! Bring the entire family down with a good mix of local bands, for the first Summer Social. FREE. For more information: including Cris Jacobs Band, [email protected]. The Players, Ruben Montoya, Dawgone, Community Groove, June 23 - 2nd Annual JugJog, 5K Fun Run and 9th Annual Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and MammoJam Music Festival. Fun run starts at Mothers at 8 more. am. Festival starts at 6 pm at 8 x10. All proceeds go to local organizations such as the Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy Now- Sept: Waterfront Wellness- FREE Fitness classes! Medical Center and Harbor Hospital’s Breast and Cervical Waterfront Partnership is launching Waterfront Wellness, Cancer Center. To purchase tickets and for info go to www. which will run on most Sundays beginning May 20 and mammojam.org. running through September. The series will include FREE wellness classes at West Shore Park, weather-permitting. The series will include yoga, boot camp, barre and Zumba classes suitable for all levels of students and taught by professionals in the wellness industry. These are free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to register email [email protected]. Star-Spangled Sailabration - June 9-10: Honfest 2012. Get out your teasing comb and Wednesday June 13 through Aqua Net, hon! Baltimore’s annual celebration of all things “Bawlmer” takes place along 36th Street in Hampden and pays Tuesday June 19. tribute to the neighborhoods, distinctive dialect and people of Baltimore. Enjoy live music, classic Bawlmer foods and For a full list of event locations and times Hampden’s eclectic merchants, and indulge your bouffant go to: starspangled200.com/events_list cravings and inner hon at the Glamour Lounge. You’ve never seen an event quite like HonFest, and it can only be found in June 13 - Ships Arrive at Harbor, Fells Point and Fort Baltimore. McHenry June 14 - Flag Day - Welcome Ceremony. Free public June 14: Flag Court Dedication ship tours. and Retreat. The South June 15 - Free ship tours. Blue Angels air show practice Harbor Renaissance Group has June 16 - Star Spangled Festival and Aircraft Display. completed the renovation of Ship tours. Blue Angels Airshow. American the flag court atop Federal Hill. Flag Celebration, Concerts and Fireworks. On this Flag Day, the National June 17 - Star Spangled Festival and Aircraft Display. Guard will perform a military Ship tours. Blue Angels Airshow. retreat at this site at 4:30 p.m. Star Spangled Symphony (purchase tickets at June 15: Baltimore Pride 2012. Our Parade and Block Party the Meyerhoff). take place in the heart of historic Mt. Vernon — at the corner of June 18 - 200th Anniversary of the Declaration of War on Charles and Eager Street. There’s plenty of parking and getting Great Britain event. Ship tours. there is easy. Mt. Vernon is just ten blocks north of Baltimore’s June 19 - Parade of Sail departure Inner Harbor. The parade begins at 4 p.m., followed by the Federal Hillsider www.federalhillbaltimore.org June, 2012 - Page 5
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THE VOICE OF SOUTH BALTIMORE Page 6 - June, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider Microchipping Your Pet by Jill Shook, DVM We’ve all seen those heartbreaking read any frequency microchip. Most flyers with pictures of lost pets and shelters and veterinary practices have wonder whether or not they were ever these universal scanners. reunited with their owners. Most pet owners worry about their pet becoming Microchipping is not meant to replace lost and what they would be able to collars or tags. Your pet should have do to find them. Hopefully you’ll a collar with identification tags that never be faced with that situation but are legible and have accurate contact there are measures to consider taking information. Tags and collars can in case you are. Microchipping your however be lost so microchipping Pictured above is Cody Dorsey, Digital pet is one way to help ensure that you is a permanent identification system Harbor’s liaison to FHNA being sworn will be reunited with your pet in the that increases your chances of finding in by Mayor Rawlings-Blake to the unfortunate event they are ever lost. your lost pet. If you are interested Baltimore City Youth Commission. A microchip is a small electronic in having your pet chip, about the size of a grain of rice, microchipped contact implanted just underneath the pet’s skin. your veterinarian. This chip carries a unique identification number that cannot be altered or Jill Shook, DVM can duplicated. When a scanner is passed be found at: over the chip, the chip is activated City Pets Veterinariy by the radiowaves from the scanner. Care and Wellness When the microchip is activated by the 1212 S. Charles St. scanner the identification number can 410.752.7122 be read and is displayed on the screen of the scanner. Once an animal is microchipped the owner and pet information is registered with a database. Once the scanner reads the microchip number the owner contact information can be obtained from the database, the owner can then be contacted and the pet returned to the Mortgages without obstacles. owner. It is very important this contact information be kept current.
Ideally all microchips would conform to the International Organization for Matt Colimore Standardization (ISO) global standard for microchipping, but historically Mortgage Banker this has not been the case. The ISO standard for microchip frequency is 410.308.8722 134.2 kHz. There are microchips, as [email protected] well as scanners, that do not follow NMLS: 194963 these standards. The concern is that Apply online at your convenience: a microchip in a lost pet may not be www.mattcolimore.com detected because not all scanners read © 2012 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their all microchips. There are forward-and- respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank. MD Dept. of Labor, backward compatible, or universal Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058. 1954 Greenspring Drive, Suite 625, Timonium, Maryland 21093. scanners, now available that can Federal Hillsider www.federalhillbaltimore.org June, 2012 - Page 7 SHOUT OUT! A person who makes Federal Hill a better place to live by Bob O’Donoghue This month we have selected an individual Stop by his office sometime and you will plans include size and location of tents, whose contributions to Federal Hill are see dozens of stone sculptures that Rich equipment, electrical, dumpsters, port- considerable, Rich Polan. does in his spare time. If you should share a-pottys, human circulation, back-of- a meal with him at a restaurant, you will house requirements, emergency access, Full Disclosure: I have known Rich for watch him use felt tips, a straight edge parking, etc. They allow the City to over 15 years, have chatted with him he has brought with him and possibly manage the participants, exhibitors and hundreds of times concerning FHNA a coffee cup or salt shaker from the vendors while facilitating the provision matters and worked table to create what of City services for trash, vehicles, crowd part time for him a Rich calls “bar control and emergency vehicles. while back. art”, intricately patterned and His many contributions to the quality After interviewing colorful creations, of life in Federal Hill include the Rich and taking each one unique following: 2 pages of notes, and delightful. Rich I came home and does these while Street Cleaning. Ten years ago, the realized that I am holding his own in parking restrictions on both Charles and not going to fit his conversation and Light Streets to facilitate street cleaning contributions to our enjoying his meal. caused cars to be towed and ticketed neighborhood into Hundreds of these starting at 7 a.m. on both sides of each the available space creations adorn street on both Monday and Thursday in a single issue of the walls of his mornings. This was a real difficulty for the Hillsider. So I am firm and a large parking and many residents suffered going to generalize number can be inconvenience and fines from these and summarize, seen on the walls restrictions. Rich worked for three leaving substantive at Kiku Sushi on years with the business association, the discussions regarding Light Street. Department of Public Works and other each of his specific city agencies to get the situation changed contributions to As an architect, to the present prohibition of one side of future articles. Rich serves each street only once each week and corporate clients starting at 8 a.m. There are many facets with projects from to Rich Polan. He is an New Hampshire Key Highway/Light Street. Rich has architect, businessman, to Puerto Rico. worked continuously with the city traffic neighborhood To these projects, engineers to enhance safety at the Light advocate, artist and he brings not only Street/Key Highway intersection which sculptor. He has also the creativity and has dramatically reduced the number been an advisor and problem solving and severity of accidents. mentor to FHNA skills of the board members for architect but also Noise Abatement. He addressed a many years on all a knowledge and severe noise situation with the Maryland issues related to skill in negotiation, Science Center’s emergency generator parking, trees and construction and and successfully convinced the Center historic preservation. In human relations. to install a very expensive but highly performing each of these roles, Rich can effective sound dampening enclosure. easily jump from one subject to another, He also provides the City of Baltimore all the while displaying a consistent with detailed, accurate and scaled Parking. Rich has mapped every parking optimism, enthusiasm and can-do spirit layouts that provide the basis for space in Federal Hill including 740 that get results. All too often these Artscape, the Book Festival, the residential spaces and 39 non-residential results are achieved long after any other Volvo Around the World Race and the spaces. He has created a conversion plan individual would have gotten frustrated upcoming Sailabration events for the to add 119 additional spaces including and thrown in the towel. Inner Harbor and Fells Point. These continued next page Page 8 - June, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider some additional diagonal parking. “1812” by George C. Daughan Reviewed by Al Freihofer Trees. He has mapped out the 626 As a kid I remember curling up with viewed its upstart former colony and active tree pits and the 105 trees in pictorial accounts of the dawn of the junior rival as a budding ally. Federal Hill Park. He has advocated United States Navy, engrossed in and accomplished lightning protection dramatic paintings and narratives of If you’re looking for both an absorbing and irrigation project for the trees in the Constitution vs. the Guerriere, summer read as well as a way to learn the park and caused hundreds of trees Constitution vs. Java, Chesapeake vs. about the War of 1812 beyond our own to be planted in tree pits throughout the Shannon, and the heroic loss of the significant role here in Baltimore, I highly neighborhood. Essex off the coast of Chile. The big-ship recommend this book. It is wonderfully battles waged on inland lakes such as written and well balanced in both its Preservation. FHNA, in its’ motto says, Champlain and Ontario also fascinated coverage of colorful detailed vignettes “To preserve and promote our historic me, particularly since my favorite curl- as well as “big picture” panoramas. lifestyle.” There are several possible up spot as a kid was on Lake George, ways to support this objective. Rich has New York, which flowed north into Lake researched and documented each one Champlain. For me, the War of 1812 and laid his recommendations before the was a coming-of-age story about the previous board and the current one. United States Navy, a small but heroic force that emerged as at least the equal And as a final note, during the years that I of the British combatants that it faced in worked with Rich, I witnessed numerous bravery and skill, if not in numbers. phone calls, meetings and drop in visits by folks looking for help with a business Last month I curled up with a more decision, trying to find an architect, expansive tome, 1812 by George looking for guidance in dealing with C. Daughan, It not only revisits the the city government or just trying to seafaring tales I loved so much as a boy, figure out a way to get things to work. but it also puts the extraordinary naval Rich always had time for each of them war in relief against the scope of the War and always offered them a slice of his of 1812 at-large, a conflict of arguably optimism and can-do spirit. Rich Polan global proportions. Daughan describes is truly a person who makes Federal Hill the run-up to the war in a way that begs a better place to live. comparisons to our recent history (a Book Club discussion of the parallels to Let us know if you have a candidate Iraq and Afghanistan would be a hoot!) who deserves a Shout Out in a future and then relates the dramatic events on Hillsider. fronts from Detroit to the Atlantic, from Canada to New Orleans, and to Europe THAI YUM as well, where Napoleon’s aggressions played a major part in determining Patronize Our Britain’s options during “our” war. Advertisers Along the way, Daughan relates fascinating tales of individual heroics The Federal Hillsider is created and blunders - just the stuff of my “Baltimore’s Best and distributed completely by childhood reading, but much more richly Thai Restaurant” volunteers. The advertisers you see related - interspersed with expositions of Baltimore Sun, Oct., 2010 on these pages provide nearly all of larger strategic decisions and outcomes. the revenue for the neighborhood His thesis that the War of 1812 came at a www.thaiyum.com association. In addition, every pivotal moment which served to unify an 1006 Light St., Federal Hill dollare in excess of printing and emerging country in spirit and common distributions expenses goes back cause is compelling, as is Daughan’s 410.528.2146 into your community. contention that the war soon transformed the way Britain, a true world power, Federal Hillsider www.federalhillbaltimore.org June, 2012 - Page 9 Digital Harbor Swim Club Survives First School Year by Navah Langmeyer
The Digital Harbor Swim Club (DHSC) was established last November and I am thrilled to announce that we made it through our first season intact. With over 30 members and punch-card holders, the club attracted enough initial support to get off the ground. We are now accepting applications for the summer season, running June 18 – August 25. (Information about the summer season is at the end of this article.)
Thanks to DHSC pressure and the efforts of DHHS Principal Brian Eyer, DHHS Athletic Director Lisa Martin, and Baltimore City Councilman Bill Cole, the pool is now maintained year-round, not just during the competitive swimming season. In addition to benefiting the DHSC, this facilitates other groups using the pool. In late March, Team Fight, a triathlon team which raises money for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, started holding weekly training during DHSC sessions. Baltimore Inner City Outings (BICO), a Sierra Club group providing outdoor experiences to Baltimore City youth, is holding regular swimming and kayaking sessions. Lifeguard and SCUBA training offerings are also being pursued. The DHSC has helped make the pool more consistently available to the DHHS population, and provided employment to two students through the school year and into the summer. A DHSC member provided individual coaching to the DHHS swim team, and Team Fight has invited students to participate in training sessions. We hope to set up lifeguard training at the school for students and club members, and continue hiring student guards. The goal is for the DHSC to contribute to the development and improvement of the swimming pool as a school resource.
The summer season runs June 18 – August 25, for 10 weeks, and costs $50. We will have three sessions per week: Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30-8:30, and Saturday mornings 9:00-11:00. Punch cards, costing $55 for 10 swims, are also available and good PHONE: 410-539-7757 throughout the year. Membership fees are non-refundable and memberships are non-transferrable. If the pool has an unscheduled DISCOUNT LIQUORS closure of a week or more, a portion of the membership fee will be BEER - WINE refunded. Free memberships are available in exchange for various volunteer positions with the club. Please contact Kathleen Smith at [email protected] with paying membership and punch card 901 South Charles Street Baltimore Maryland 21230 inquiries, and Navah Langmeyer at [email protected] with Free Delivery with Minimum Order volunteer and all other inquiries. Bring in this ad and receive $1 off a six pack every Monday Page 10 - June, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider Picnic on the Hill to Commemorate 1788 - May 6th - Photos by Gayle McClure Federal Hillsider www.federalhillbaltimore.org June, 2012 - Page 11
A Big Thank You to Three Great Neighbors! by Eric Costello, FHNA Vice President On behalf of the FHNA Board; each of my neighbors on with the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance and many Harden, E. Henrietta, and E. Wheeling; and the entire other organizations in Baltimore. Claire was able to work FHNA, I would like to extend an enormous thank you with local business, the city, and the police department to to three of my former colleagues, neighbors, but most ensure that our neighborhood remained safe from crime. importantly, good friends: Lamberto Camacho, Claire Her passion was, is, and will always be making sure our Mullins, and Kelly Sheehan. For the past six months I have neighborhood continues to be a safe and healthy place to had the pleasure to work with each of them on the FHNA raise a family. Board and witness the fantastic things they have done for this neighborhood. Unfortunately, words cannot cover all Kelly Sheehan – many of you may know Kelly from our of their contributions to getting FHNA back on track. meetings. She played a major role in helping to organize our wonderful group of block captain volunteers to increase Lamberto Camacho – as Treasurer was instrumental membership, ensuring timely delivery of the Hillsider, and in conducting an audit of our finances and restoring our making sure that every neighbor’s voice was heard. Kelly’s financial health as a neighborhood association. He worked keen understanding of people and mediation skills allowed tirelessly to improve parking for our neighborhood, assisted us to help establish new partnerships and relationships heavily in the live entertainment discussions, and played a with many of our neighbors we had not been able to reach key role in helping to repair relationships in the business before. community. Please join me in thanking these three great neighbors Claire Mullins - played a major role in helping us for their unique contributions to FHNA over the past six communicate with many of our neighbors on a regular months! basis. She worked hard to help us build relationships
An alert Hillsider reader tells us that tickets are being issued to cars displaying multiple parking stickers
Join us for the 4th of July! Featuring our Topside Crab Feast with the best view of the You’ll need a razor blade Inner Harbor! scraper, rubbing alcohol and Call for details & reservations. some elbow grease to get the old stickers off Page 12 - June, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider
The Hill Street News by Jane Wehrle Summer officially also a time when many of your Dr. Denise Markoff is another arrives in June, but neighbors were hitting the books neighborhood resident who is always many in Federal for final exams. No student worked giving back to both local and international Hill were already any harder this year than Kelly causes. She is looking toward next year taking to the streets Mathieu. I met Kelly when she first when the organization Smiles for Life for fun in May. moved into our neighborhood, but I hopes to fund a dental mission to the The 200 block got to know her better when I had Dominican Republic. Towards that end, of Montgomery the pleasure of working with her on her Federal Hill office, Federal Hill Street was out the Maps on Purpose neighborhood Smiles, is in the middle of its annual in force on May 6th with its annual block mapping project several years ago. Smiles for Life campaign with $285 party extravaganza. This year the festivities Some of you may recall that many professional tooth whitenings. 100% of began at five PM, and folks were still going Baltimore neighborhoods had arts that goes to children’s charities - 50% to strong after nine. Part of the reason was the and history teams that created a local charity and 50% to the Smiles for terrific local band, The Superland Stage area maps that were eventually on Life Foundation (with no administrative Band, whose great renditions had people of exhibit at The Walters. I mention costs). If you’d like more information , all ages up on their feet and moving. One this first association to highlight the visit smilesforlife.org. person even reports a non-neighborhood fact that Kelly Mathieu was part of vehicle that stopped spontaneously to let this venture as a talented, trained, Many of you know that I love to read occupants out to dance. What is always an inspiring artist and designer. She and , of course, if you read and live in amazing food display seemed especially was a vital force behind our project. Federal Hill, you cannot stay out of The impressive this year. Many cited the shrimp That makes her very successful work Book Escape on Light Street. I always see as their favorite. Jeannie Malkiewicz’s this year in an entirely different field someone I know when I drop by, and I’ve famous deviled eggs disappeared in a all that more impressive...especially made many friends there over the years flash. Since some of the revelers had also since she is also a mother, wife, and too. Sophie Chambers said she pestered participated in the multi-neighborhood a constant neighborhood volunteer owner Andrew Stonebarger for a long picnic atop Federal Hill earlier in the and advocate. Hats off to her as she time before she finally convinced him to afternoon, a goodly number of Hill-ites, it has just completed her first year give her a job. In the end, she certainly seems, ate and drank virtually non-stop for of nursing school! Kelly’s giving befriended many of us while she worked approximately seven hours or so. Throw in a lot of credit to her family and is there for over a year, leaving just recently the fact that many also were either running “very happy to tell everyone on the this spring, and she is often back in in and out of homes or checking their smart- planet that daughter Madeline is Federal Hill. She’s an honorary Hill-ite. phones to follow what turned out to be a three.” She testifies that husband She promises to keep in touch with the seventeen inning O’s game. Well, let’s just Jon Mathieu, also a neighborhood neighborhood while she pursues further say it was a pretty impressive and long day volunteer and advocate, is “The Mr. studies. A Vassar graduate, she’s been for the group! Mom of the Century” and the reason accepted to The University of Maryland she always feels she can accomplish School of Social Work graduate program Another group of party animals live on E. anything. She’s attending Johns for this coming fall and already knows Hamburg Street. They are blessed with a no Hopkins University School of that her fall field work placement is at parking situation and a long list of go-getters Nursing and has a job working this a nonprofit that provides mental health who love to get their street’s residents and summer at University of MD in the care to underserved populations. Sophie lots of other neighbors together for some MICU to put her first year skills into is originally from rural southern New excellent adventures. Their party took place action. Our neighborhood applauds Hampshire but is glad to be living in on May 19th and had attendees of all ages, students like Kelly, whatever your Baltimore near her mother, who grew up including lots of children. One of the area’s field, for all the hard work this past in Sparks and moved back to Maryland in biggest personalities and greatest dads, year. 2005. Marc Muher, was in his element as he led the kids in activities and gave instructions. It’s a sure sign of spring in Federal Hill, Food, music, games, drink, you name it. with summer on the way, when Ms. Over fifty households were represented, Virginia Becker is out on her stoop in including people from Otterbein, other parts the 100 block of Warren Avenue to greet of SoBo, and even from North Baltimore. all the passers by. How many decades has she been doing this now? She seems May was a time of early frolic, but it was continued next page Federal Hillsider www.federalhillbaltimore.org June, 2012- Page 13 especially perky to me these days, for some reason. Though she claims her knees are giving her problems and that she can’t get over to the firehouse as easily as she used to, I hope she knows how much her beautiful flowers and shrubs, her seasonal window decorations, and her playful and disciplinary remarks about her dog, mean to all who stop to chat with her as we walk by. And, yes, she still helps get The Hillsider to the neighborhood every month. And as for parking Federal Hill’s and traffic concerns, Ms. Virginia has seen and knows it all. She’s Premier Jeweler an expert on those. I hope your Memorial Day weekend was great, Since 1898 Ms. Virginia. All of Federal Hill salutes you!! Your Engagement and I’ll be atop Backbone Mountain in Western Maryland as we usher in the month of June. The highest point in Maryland is right down Wedding Band Headquarters the gravel road from our house, and the deer run freely on the cool mountain evenings. I hope all of you had a great holiday weekend Appraisal • Custom Design and that summer brings you time for some relaxation and for making great memories with family and friends. Keep sending me stories to Restringing [email protected], and I’ll be back to see you in Federal Hill soon. Expert Repair of Fine Jewelry Buying Gold & Diamonds The Hillsider is Growing - We Need Your Help 1114 Light St. Federal Hill If you have an article or picture to contribute or simply 410-727-3232 have something you want to get off your chest - write to us at Lic. No. 136 [email protected]
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1200 Light Street Baltimore. MD 21230 443 540 4022 apothecary-wellness.com Federal Hillsider www.federalhillbaltimore.org June, 2012 - Page 15 One of Our Advertisers Performs Beyond Expectations by Bob O’Donoghue I do the graphic design and layout for the The problem persisted and seemed to be cleaned up and some additional memory Hillsider. The May issue was a touch-and- getting worse. I even considered driving to installed. The gentleman there, Agim, go operation for awhile last month. My Ocean City to retrieve my laptop, loading said I would hear from them the following pc had been getting slower and slower for the required software and transferring all Monday. some time with too many apps, not enough of the required files to the laptop. And sure enough, on Monday, Justin, from memory and other things lurking beyond My wife suggested directing an electric Charm City Networks, called and said my ability to diagnose and correct. I had fan towards the system unit – I was my machine would be ready to pick up owned it for a few years and was getting skeptical – but she went ahead and rigged on Tuesday. He said that they were able around to thinking about a replacement. one up. Work then continued while I sat to scavenge a replacement power supply But what started to happen late in April in what felt like a wind tunnel, juggling and memory from their boneyard of old was a new phenomenon - the machine paperweights on documents and continuing pc’s. They also had cleaned up everything, would simply power down while I was in to shut everything down each evening. The even including a virus that had eluded my the middle of something; no warning, no Hillsider at last was uploaded to the printer Norton Antivirus software. files saved; just a black screen and total on May 1st, pretty much on schedule. Tuesday, May 8th, I picked up the pc, silence. I was just getting started on the After it was sent and in production, I brought it home and plugged everything Hillsider layout for the May issue, articles, decided to call our newest Hillsider back in. I am one happy camper – ads and emails had been rolling in and my advertiser, Charm City Networks. On everything is much faster and smoother. machine was threatening to let me down. Saturday, May 5th, I lugged my machine The price they charged me was way beyond My working theory at the time was that down to them on Key Highway, across reasonable, so much so that I am reluctant a fan failure in the power supply was from the Museum of Industry. I explained to disclose it here. causing overheating and the machine was that I was prepared to spring for a new Every computer will be different but the shutting down as a result. For a while, I machine but wondered if the old one might guys at Charm City Networks did a great coped by shutting the pc down whenever serve me a while longer if the overheating job for me. I needed a break or was done for the day. could be corrected, the machine generally Page 16 - June, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider
Special FHNA General Membership Meeting Tuesday, June 19th, 7 pm, Christ Lutheran Church Members will hear proposals for use of the Gran Prix funds and will vote to select the winners
April 21st was our neighborhood clean up day and resi- dents were assissted by this group from Digital Harbor High. According to Jessica Damen, “We had a great day working together around the school, on Cross Street and the basketball court. There were many other vol- unteers from the neighborhood and Kelly Sheehan kept everyone well fed and hydrated. It was very exciting to see the student’s involvement and enthusiasm. Thank you to all who participated!”
School / Community Garden in the Early Planning Phase
by Jessica Damen Nicole Veltre who is an AP biology teacher, has a small grant and permission from Digital Harbor’s prin- cipal to start a school/community garden. We are just at the beginning of the planning stages but have identi- fied goals for the short term. This garden is within the grounds of the Digital Harbor HS playing field a long distance from the nearest water source but, has good light and is fenced in on three sides. We need a site plan. A fence with gate is needed to keep dogs out and also allow access for part of the track field. Water sources and irrigation plans need to be devel- oped Vegetable beds need to be built and planted. Nicole is planning to integrate horticulture science into her biology course this summer and therefore students will be participating from the very beginning. People who wish to get involved with the school/com- munity garden may contact Jessica Damen by email at [email protected]. Federal Hillsider www.federalhillbaltimore.org June, 2012 - Page 17
Federal Hill resident Nancy Cook, pictured Next COPS Walk above with former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey, wants to start a new tradition where Thursday, June 28, 7 p.m. - Meet in front of Porter’s people wear orange on Wednesdays in support Walks are not held if temperature is over 90 at 6 p.m. or a of our team. Code Red Air Quality Advisory has been issued Page 18 - June, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider Plans Announced by Ryan Hada for Awarding of Grand Prix Funds The Baltimore Grand Prix Community award $100.00. A registered voting to the FHNA General Membership. Each Mitigation Fund was required through member may submit multiple applicant will have a maximum of 2 the initial contract with Baltimore proposals. minutes to present and communicate his Racing Development (BRD). The intent or her project to the General Membership. of the fund was to provide direct financial 4. Funds awarded must be disbursed Presentation time will be strictly assistance to the neighborhoods most / paid within (60) days of project enforced to ensure that each applicant directly impacted by race weekend. award / required invoices. Payment has an adequate opportunity to present. for all invoices submitted will be At the conclusion of presentations, a While the contract was silent on the settled within (7) days of submission total of (7) projects will be voted on precise uses of the funds, it was the of receipts to [email protected] by the GM. All project proposals will intention of both the City of Baltimore in the appropriate format specified be printed on ballots and distributed and BRD that the funds be used to in Section VI. to FHNA registered voting members advance “a cleaner, greener, and more in good standing. Registered voting sustainable city.” Timeline and Deadline members will be asked to select a total In line with that mission, the Federal May 22, 2012 – RFP document is of (7) projects to fund initially. Although Hill Neighborhood Association (FHNA) delivered / presented to FHNA General a maximum project proposal cap has has decided to adopt the same ideology Membership at regularly scheduled been set at $1500.00 per proposal, it is and unanimously agree that it is in the General Membership Meeting anticipated that some projects may fall best interest of our community to follow below the $1500.00 maximum cap. If the direction of other neighborhood May 23, 2012 – RFP and project that is indeed the case, additional projects associations, thus allocating the funds for guidelines distributed electronically via will be funded beyond the seven until the the purposes of community beautification email to FHNA General Membership $10,000 is exhausted. with an emphasis on clean and green initiatives. June 1, 2012 – RFP is printed / distributed Disbursement of Funds in the Hillsider along with an application To date, nearly every neighborhood Projects awarded by the FHNA General for project submission. The application that has received BRD CIG funds Membership will be directly funded by form appears on Page 19 of this issue. has spent all or most of its allocation. the FHNA Treasurer within (7) business Sharp-Leadenhall used their funds days of receipt of project invoice(s). June 9, 2012 – RFP deadline. All to support a Green Team initiative All invoices for products / services project proposals must be submitted by providing summer employment for rendered must be submitted via email no later than midnight on June 9, 2012. community youths to engage in clean to [email protected] as a PDF, Proposals submitted after this time and / green activities. Ridgley’s Delight, Microsoft Word document, or JPEG date will not be considered under any Otterbein, Harborway, Harborway (scanned image) attachment. If you have circumstances. All submissions must be East, and Harborwalk used their funds any questions please send them via email delivered by email to: eHillsider@gmail. almost exclusively for greening and to [email protected] or call Gayle com or postmarked by June 9, 2012. parks maintenance projects such as McClure, Treasurer at 410-230-9419. Post address: FHNA, P.O. Box 27112, replacing dead trees, repairing deferred Baltimore, MD, 21230. storm damage, and repairing irrigation systems. June 13, 2012 – All project proposals Special FHNA Project Guidelines reviewed by FHNA Board of Directors to determine project eligibility according General Membership 1. Only project proposals submitted by to pre-established guidelines FHNA registered voting members in Meeting good standing will be considered. June 19, 2012 – Eligible project proposals voted upon by ballot by FHNA Tuesday, June 19th, 7 pm, 2. Proposed projects must be completed General Membership Christ Lutheran Church within official FHNA boundaries specified by FHNA bylaws. Awarding of Projects / Rounds Members will hear proposals for 1 & 2 use of the Grand Prix funds and 3. Maximum project award is limited will vote to select the winners to $1500.00 per proposal. Minimum On June 19, 2012, project sponsors will present all eligible project submissions Federal Hillsider www.federalhillbaltimore.org June, 2012 - Page 19
I Federal Hill Neighborhood Association (FHNA) Grand Prix Community Impact Fund (GPCIF) Green Neighborhood Grant Application (Refer to instructions on Page 3) Applications due / post marked no later than June 09th, 2012 Return to: [email protected]; or P.O. Box 27112, Baltimore, MD 21230
Name: ______Phone: ______Email: ______Address: ______
Project Name: ______
Total Estimated Cost: ______
Description (include other funding to complete project, if any): ______Attach Additional Information if necessary
Location of Project: ______Expected Start Date: ______Expected Completion Date: ______
Signature: ______Date______Page 20 - June, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider
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