Federal Hillsider The Monthly Newsletter of the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association March, 2012 Improvements Planned for President’s Letter Federal Hill Park By Anna Klein, Mom, Early Childhood Education Expert, SHR Dear Friends & Neighbors, Board Member February has been another exciting month South Harbor Renaissance (SHR), is a non-profit organized by for FHNA. The momentum we have gained, neighbors to improve Federal Hill Park and is working with maintained and continue to build over the past Baltimore City’s Department of Recreation and Parks to design, few months is truly overwhelming. fund and execute a new playground on Federal Hill by summer 2013. At the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association’s meeting First and foremost, the Area 9 parking event and membership drive held on February 21, members of SHR’s Board reported on their Feb 25th was very successful, according to our residents. Even the City progress to date including the community workshop on January officials were pleased with how smoothly it went. We added 45 new 30 that was led by the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC). members, dozens more on renewals, and the feedback we have received from residents has been positive and encouraging. Given the fact that our In consultation with the Department of Recreation and Parks, new leadership team is two months in the making since our Association’s a concept plan was created by local landscape architects recent transition, I can only extend my most sincere gratitude and thanks Hord Coplan Macht to replace the aging equipment in favor to our community volunteers and municipal staff that made this all of a child-centered, parent-friendly experience that also possible. honors Baltimore’s and the Park’s rich history, specifically by incorporating playground staples with miniature historic icons The culmination of literally hundreds of volunteer-hours and our (Federalist Ship, Signal Tower and Fort Federal Hill, B&O aggressive new branding initiatives has proven effective far beyond mere Locomotive). More than two dozen Federal Hill residents and structural reorganization. FHNA is now more organized, transparent, experts contributed ideas to the plan, as well as parents who (continued on page 3) responded to the DBFA survey and the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore funded by a start-up grant from the Goldseker Foundation. Having advertised the January 30 Workshop widely through flyers and emails, SHR presented the concept plan to about forty local residents, and NDC professional volunteers led four break-out sessions to probe what people do and do not want to have in the new playground. NDC’s documentation of the community’s responses was handed out for discussion at the FHNA meeting. SHR welcomes furth+er comments and suggestions on its website www.south-harbor.org. SHR is currently working on restoring the Flag Staff Plaza for special ceremonies while the Maryland Military Monuments Commission and Baltimore City’s Commission for Historical & Architectural Preservation are restoring the George Armistead and Samuel Smith monuments to the east of the Flag Staff area. The goal is that with the City’s and SHR’s joint efforts Federal Hill Park will regain the stature appropriate to its prominence and history. At the same time, it will help to attract and retain residents, especially families, and to build a better Baltimore. Conceptual Design for the childrens playground and flag plaza in Federal Hill Park March, 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: Lamberto Comacho Community Outreach : Jane Wehrle President: Ryan Hada 443.326.9200 Finance: Claire Bogdanski Vice President: Eric Costello 410.528.1514 Hillsider: Jeannie Malkiewicz Treasurer: Lamberto Camacho 202.697.1581 Gayle McClure Secretary: Bob O’Donoghue 410.783.0174 Bob O’Donoghue Nicole Quinn Board Members at Large Legal: Open Legislative Affairs: Ryan Hada Board Member: Kelly Sheehan 410.322.8026 Membership: Eric Costello Board Member: Claire Mullins 410.727.3411 Bob Merbler Board Member: Bob Merbler 443.629.0162 Kelly Sheehan Parking: Lamberto Comacho Preservation: Becky Swanston Bulk Item Pick Up Public Safety: Open You may place up to three items out for collection. One day per Schools Liaison: Jessica Damon month is set aside for this collection. All citizens have to do is call Social: Open 311 and give the following information: Technology: Eric Costello 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 March, 2012 - Page 3 (President’s letter continued from page 1) and inclusive then ever. With your help and dedication, I have no doubt we will soon be regarded as the most effective and productive Want to help with the Hillsider? neighborhood association on the peninsula. The Hillsider ad revenue and volunteer contributions are both steadily increasing each month. Please join us for a meeting on Saturday, March 17th at 10 a.m. in the conference room at YWGC, 1011 Light On the volunteer front, I am pleased to report that the establishment Street. of support committees is now well under way. Vice President Eric Costello has taken the lead on this effort and the progress realized to date is very impressive. Presently, the School Liaison, Preservation, and Beautification Committees are staffed with 8-9 members each with their respective Chairs. Over the next 2-3 weeks, the formation of Social and Public Safety Committees will follow accordingly. In an ongoing effort to complete the staffing of these committees and others on the horizon, I encourage each one of you to join us by volunteering your time and expertise by sending an email outlining your area of interest to [email protected]. Without your contributions, the progress we Things went as smooth as silk at the parking have made thus far would not be possible. Please keep that in mind and pass event on February 25th help our future by getting involved today. Your contributions will not go unnoticed. In closing, I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our next General Membership Meeting on March 20th at Christ Lutheran Church (7PM). Next FHNA General Until then, thank you and take care. Membership Meeting Ryan Hada Tue., March 20th, 7 pm, Christ Lutheran Chuch FHNA President Congratulations!Randee Askin & Heather Perkins \ Randee Askin Heather Perkins cell: 410-615-5313 cell: 443-928-9613 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] 1011 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21230 410-727-0606 Page 4 - March, 2012 www.federalhillbaltimore.org Federal Hillsider Upcoming events: compiled by Nicole Quinn March 7 – ‘New Rescue’ Kick Off Meeting! If you would like to get involved with Rescuing animals, this is the first meeting of a new group and you should be there! The meeting will take place Wednesday, March 7, 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Spoons Coffee Cafe - 2nd floor. March 10th - Gallery 211 Presents: “Inner Thoughts” A series of paintings by Frederick, Maryland artist Johan Lowie. Opening Reception: March 10th, 6-9 PM. The show runs until May 5th. Visit www.johan-lowie.com & johanlowie.wordpress.com/ for a full display of his work. March 11 - Shamrock 5K . There is no race more fun than the Shamrock 5K race! Post- race party immediately following the run, with prizes and awards. The Shamrock 5K race begins at 1:15 p.m. at Charles and Franklin Streets. See www.charmcityrun.com for more information. March 11 - St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Baltimore’s St. Patrick Parade is truly the jewel in Maryland’s emerald crown. The Parade steps off at 2:00 p.m. at the Washington Monument, and continues to Pratt Street and Market Place. March 15 – 3rd Thursday! Shops, galleries, and boutiques will stay open from 6 to 8 pm, offering specials, refreshments, and fun! March 16- Please join the National Society of Pershing Rifles for a Solemn Wreath Laying Honoring the Heroes of the Battle of Baltimore. Followed by a Retreat Ceremony at Federal Hill Park, Baltimore. Please arrive by 4:15PM, Ceremony Begins at 4:30PM Sharp. March 18-March 25 – Baltimore Greek Week. The second annual celebration of Greek history, culture and food. This year’s theme is “The Mediterranean Diet: A Greek Journey through Food.” See www.baltimoregreece.org for more information. March 21st and 22nd - Blood Drive at Digital Harbor High School. For more information call 443.984.1256. March 24 - DigiBall 3.0. Join Honorary Chairperson Governor Martin O’Malley to help “Bridge the Gap” for tuition and fees for outstanding Digital Harbor High School graduates.