Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
As I’ve been working on upgrading the Butchers Hill website, and consolidating our social media presence, I’ve found myself reflecting often on messaging and intent. And I was reminded recently that sometimes, even as we make strides to bring in new voices, we need to be conscious of forcing assimilation rather than opening up space to listen. Are we asking new neighbors, or neighbors new to the work of the Association, to
listen to us rather than hearing what they want or need to say? As with everything, there are caveats to giving equal weight to all voices. It’s the paradox of tolerance that drives us to be intolerant of intolerance. But I digress there.The Association needs to bring in money to help meet its goals. And we rely on our neighbors, for the most part, to make that happen. But do all our neighbors know and understand what we do, why we do it, or who inspires us? Would more people be inclined to volunteer their time and their skills, if they saw the value in the Association’s work? These are timeless questions for non-profits. There is always worry about balancing messaging with calls for help and being able to live up to the community’s mission.So, as I mentioned last month, we are releasing a Neighbor Engagement Survey (the link is included at the end of this letter), in part designed to hear back from you as to how we’re doing. Asking if there are better ways to reach you and to get you to come out and volunteer. There are some very basic questions in this survey with which we’re hoping to lay the foundation for more targeted surveys in the future - hopefully small and to the point because no one wants to be inundated. I would be so appreciative if you took some time to go through it.
March 2021
bri mcnamarabha president
And to answer some previously stated questions:What do we do? The BHA does our best to advocate for all our neighbors so they can live in a safe, happy, and healthy environment. We have committees dedicated to making our streets greener, less dangerous from traffic and the bit of crime we experience, and adding some of the charm to “Charm City.”Why do we do it? Many of us see the benefit of active engagement within our community - especially now that we’re spending even more time during our week within it. Personally, I find enjoyment in helping people where I can.Who inspires us? Well, frankly, it’s all of you. We strive to live up to our moniker of “Friendliest Neighborhood in Baltimore” and that starts with caring for the people next door, around the corner, and up the block. Every time I see kids out playing, people walking their dogs or walking to a local amenity, or friends hanging out on a stoop, I’m inspired to do what I can to make this area they chose to live in the best it can be.So, can I ask you to reflect for yourself on what you do, why you do it, and who inspires you? I think y’all might have some interesting answers.Link to the survey: https://forms.gle/tpdWVhQeAmJbZnp49. If you prefer completing a paper survey, please call (267) 521-1737.Be well,Bri McNamara (they/them)
Butchers Hill CookoffWe're working on the details of how to pivot our chili cookoff to pandemic times, but aren't quite ready to announce anything. We are trying to craft an event that will be fun for everyone and also benefit local restaurants. If we are able to get something set up for March, we will send information by email and in social media. Otherwise, check your April newsletter for the announcement of an event then.
March Butchers Hill MeetingWednesday, March 3, 7pm
BHA Committee News & NotesExecutive CommitteeMarch General Meeting \\ Wed. Mar. 3, 2021, 7pm. Use the following details to join the virtual meeting:Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6897540268?pwd=Q29EMVZqTDZaTG5hR0NnajRRNmUrQT09 Meeting ID: 689 754 0268; Passcode: 123One tap mobile:+13017158592,,6897540268#,,,,*123# US (Washington D.C)Dial by your location:+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)Meeting ID: 689 754 0268; Passcode: 123
Crime Prevention CommitteeRights of Crime Victims & Witnesses \\ the Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention and the Maryland State Board of Victim Services created a brochure to advise victims and witnesses of crimes of their rights and of the services available to them. Hopefully no one will ever need the information, but if you do it is a convenient document to have. The brochure is linked to the Butchers Hill website for easy access, butchershill.org. For more information about Crime Prevention Committee activities and about block captains, contact Perry Warren at [email protected].
Land Use CommitteeCHAP Blocks in Butchers Hill \\ The Land Use Committee reminds property owners in the 2100 and 2200 blocks of East Baltimore Street and the 2200 block of East Pratt Street that you live in a City Historic District. All planned exterior work, including painting, must be submitted to CHAP (the Commission on Historical and Architectural Preservation).
Streetscape CommitteeRecycling \\ REMEMBER: NO PLASTIC BAGS/WRAP or STYROFOAM go into recycling. DPW has updated the city’s single stream recycling “Recycle Right” web tool, taking the guesswork out of recycling and offering a new search function for specific items. Please visit https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/recycle-right to consult this very easy-to-follow guide for plastic, paper, metal, bulk items, and more.Butchers Hill’s pocket parks \\ Thanks to Castle Street Park neighbors Connie and Gemma for providing doggie bag holders and giving park paths some TLC. And Halcott Square neighbor Steve has been overseeing improvements here for decades. This year’s tasks include repairs to park benches, tree pruning to improve health and appearance, new tree and shrub in-fill plantings, and increasing native perennials plantings.Tree canopy \\ Few open tree pits available for planting new trees indicates stump grinding as well as new pits are needed. Streetscape hopes to do both this coming year as maintaining our tree-lined streets is a priority.For more information contact Streetscape Committee co-chairs Betsy Wadsworth [email protected] and Andrew Crummey [email protected].
Garden Tour CommitteeTo celebrate the start of spring, we are starting to plan a virtual garden tour. Are you interested in helping? Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience organizing one; we will learn together. The first meeting of the committee will be Mon., Mar. 15 at 7pm. Use the following Zoom link to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834338261?pwd=K3E2UnFFMTIxYVVXaFNJYTNJYjQ0Zz09.And, if you don’t want to help, but have a garden or indoor green space that you think would be interesting to your neighbors, send an email to [email protected].
Butchers_HillButchersHill Baltimore
Butchers Hill BlocksButchersHill.orgwww
Connect with Butchers Hill
Zoom details for the meeting are listed below under Executive Committee. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Agenda: review and vote on 2021 BHA budget. Guest speakers from Friends of Patterson Park and the Creative Alliance will discuss upcoming activities.
Email the editor ([email protected]) with questions, comments, and submissions, or to receive the newsletter by email.
School NewsCommodore John Rodgers School
Spring Break \\ Begins Mon., Mar. 29 and students return to classes on Tues., Apr. 6.Food Pantry \\ Mar. 11 & 25, 8:30-10:30am in the CJR parking lot off Fairmount Ave; bring your own bag; all are welcome.Fresh Produce Boxes \\ Any family of a student enrolled in a BCPS school may pick up every Thursday, 10am-2pm at Door #2.21st Century Schools Design Team \\ Join to hear about plans for building upgrades to CJR. For meeting links, visit https://baltimore21stcenturyschools.org.Free Legal Clinic \\ Mar. 5, 9-11am and Mar. 17, 3-5pm on Zoom. Join our partners at Maryland Legal Aid. All are welcome! Zoom links available on the CJR Facebook page, facebook.com/thecjrschool.
Patterson Park Public Charter SchoolSpring Break \\ Begins Mon., Mar. 29 and students return to classes on Mon., Apr. 5.
Supplies Bank \\ Donations of new or gently used office or art materials for students can be dropped off at the main office, 27 N. Lakewood Ave.; Mon.-Fri.; 9am-2pm
Produce Boxes Distribution \\Every Tues., 1-4pm, Baltimore St. door.
Clay Hill Public Charter School \\ 6400 E. Pratt St. in the Bayview neighborhood, is still accepting K-3rd grade enrollment applications for the 2021-2022 school year, joinclayhill.org.
February Notes & ActivitiesFriends of Patterson ParkStay up to date \\ To receive weekly news & updates about what is happening in the park, simply text FPPNEWS to 22828.
AudubonVisit patterson.audubon.org for more information and to register for events - note that, due to distancing guidelines for COVID, registration is required for all bird watching walks.Follow on facebook.com/PattersonParkAudubonCenter; @audubon_pattersonpark, and patterson.audubon.org.Bird-friendly Gardening Workshops \\ Wed., Mar. 10, and Tues., Mar. 23 via Zoom; two introductory workshops to explore how to cultivate your space for birds and butterflies. Registration required.Patterson Park Birdwalk \\ Sat., Mar. 27
YouthWorksSummer Jobs Program \\ Deadline to enroll is Fri., Mar. 19 for residents ages 14-21. Go to youthworks.oedworks.com to register as a new or returning perspective YouthWorks participant. YouthWorks will operate a largely virtual program from June 28-Aug. 6, four hours each day, five days per week. Participants will earn $11.75/hour.
Hire from YouthWorks \\ Businesses wishing to hire may go to [email protected] or call (410) 396-6722. Non-profit organizations/community groups interested in workers already funded go to [email protected] or call number above. Support YouthWorks\\ The cost per job placement is $1,800, but ALL contributions are appreciated. Tax-deductible donations to help pay the wages of youth should be made through Baltimore Civic Fund - make checks payable to Baltimore Civic Fund/YouthWorks and mail to: MOED, 101 West 24th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.
Upcoming EventsRead Across America Day \\ Tues., Mar. 2; established by the National Education Association in 1998 to be celebrated on Dr. Seuss’ birthday—Mar. 2—each year, because as he wrote: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”Employee Appreciation Day \\ Fri. Mar. 5; created to strengthen relationships between employer and employee, and intended as a day for companies to thank employees for their work and efforts throughout the year; Employee Appreciation Day is observed on the first Friday in March.International Women's Day \\ Mon., Mar. 8; this year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge. In 2021 we are far from living in an equal and inclusive world. IWD emphasizes being role models and getting involved. The ten guiding values are: justice, dignity, hope, equality, collaboration, tenacity, appreciation, respect, empathy, and forgiveness. The color purple is the main symbol, with green and white, the colors symbolic of the women’s right to vote movement.National Cherry Blossom Festival \\ Mar. 20-Apr. 11, Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Go to nationalcherryblossomfestival.org for information and the Bloom Watch, which details the stages of bloom as the cherry trees are experiencing them.Creative Alliance \\ Check out the virtual events calendar at creativealliance.org for exciting visual and performance arts, including the Baltimore Filmmaker’s Lounge on the first Wednesday.Orioles Opening Day \\ It's a sure sign of spring! April 1 at Boston; April 8 at Campden Yards.
Neighborhood AppealDo you love living here? Great neighborhoods happen by the magic of those who care. We have two non-profits that care about what makes living here great: the Friends of Patterson Park and the Butchers Hill Association. Our outdoors experience is thanks to their diligence in the greening and cleaning of our parks, streets and sidewalks. Support either/both with a tax-deductible contribution of money and/or time. BHA is a 100% volunteer organization. The Friends of Patterson Park also have teams that maintain the park and encourage membership. BHA is currently engaged in a fund-raising commitment to support the FOPP in renovationg the kitchen of the white house. We encourage contributions from all who can, and ask that you mention your participation as part of the BHA effort. For more information, visit butchershill.org and pattersonpark.com.
Butchers Hill Association MembershipName(s):
Address:
Would you like to serve on a committee and/or volunteer at BHA events?Annual dues (Jan. thru Dec.) are $10 per person, $6 for seniors and low-income. You can pay your Butchers Hill Association dues via PayPal or credit card online. Go to butchershill.org and click "Join BHA," then click "Renew" or "Application." If you want to pay by cash or check, make checks payable to the Butchers Hill Association and send to BHA, 12 N. Collington Ave., Baltimore, MD 21231.
Email:
Phone:
Which:
March 2021
Perry [email protected]
Wed., Mar. 17, 7pmMeeting via ZoomMeets the third Wed.
Crime Prevention
Thurs., Mar. 11, 7pmMeeting via Zoom.Meets the second Thurs.
Executive
Virgil [email protected](410) 327-4964
Mon., Mar. 8, 7pmMeeting via Zoom. Contact chair for details.
Land Use
Betsy [email protected] Crummey [email protected]
Tues., Mar. 2, 7pmMeeting via Zoom.Meets the second Tues..
Streetscape
Butchers Hill Committees & Chairs
No meeting this month.Pat [email protected](410) 327-1610
House Tour
Flea Market No meeting this month.
Mon., Mar. 15, 7pmMeeting via Zoom.
We have a [email protected]
Garden Tour
Save the Dates - 2021March \\ Chili Cookoff
April \\ Spring CleanupMay \\ Garage Sale (?)
June TBD \\ Garden TourJuly \\ Potluck Picnic
September \\ Fall Flea MarketOctober 10 \\ House Tour
November \\ Shop & SchmoozeDecember \\ Holiday Potluck
Dumpster Dates 2021June 5 \\ unit block S. Collington
August 14 \\ unit block N. CollingtonOctober 9 \\ 100 block S. Chester
December 4 \\ 100 block S. Collington
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2Streetscape Com. Mtg.
3BHA General Mtg.
4 5 6
7 8Land Use Com. Mtg.
9 10 11Executive Com. Mtg.
12April Newsletter Deadline
13
14Daylight savings time ends
15Garden Tour Com. Mtg.
16 17Crime Prevention Com. Mtg. St. Patrick's Day
18 19 20First Day of Spring (Vernal Equinox)
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28Palm SundayPassover Begins
29 30 31
