Fall 2007MOUNT WASHINGTON IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Message From the PresidentDear neighbors,

Last year was a busy one for the MWIA, and my crystal ball tells me that this one will be no different. Let’s take a quick look at the issues confronting our neighborhood; New Business:

• The future of the Pimlico Race Track may be decided in the coming legislative session. Whether the track remains a horse racing venue, becomes a slots parlor, or ceases to exist and becomes a development property, MWIA will be an active voice for the community. Our current position is in support of racing, but not slots at Pimlico; and we encourage the owners to upgrade the facility and make it a family-friendly entertainment venue. If other proposals are brought forward, we will evaluate them and support those that create the least impact on Mt. Washington and have the best impact on Northwest Baltimore.

• The fate of the former Pimlico Middle School may also be decided in the coming year. The preliminary proposal for a Police and Fire Academy at this site is promising, but there is much work to be done. The future of this facility could have a big impact on the west end of Mt. Washington and is something we will follow closely. (See article.)

• Mt. Washington Mills and the Village are both important community amenities and both are looking at changes in the coming year. MWIA will work with the developers and merchants’ association to keep our retail spaces vital and bring conveniences to our community.

• We’re also working on getting regular street sweeping and more road improvements.

Old Business:• The City is moving forward with plans for the Jones

Falls Trail and Western Run Greenway projects. Community input is still being accepted (see article) and the committee is moving forward in working with the Planning Department.

• The Wesley’s expansion may be the biggest change coming to our community. The dramatic build-out

of their campus (see article) will change the nature of Rogers Avenue, but will also finish the job of securing the old UB Fields as a City park. I encourage our neighbors, especially those who live near the fields, to get involved in either the Wesley or the Park committees.

• Our transportation committee continues the slow process of dealing with our ongoing traffic woes. The City has acknowledged the problem and become much more accommodating in recent years. But serious changes to the traffic infrastructure take planning, funding, and ultimately, time. This is a project that will make this list for years to come.

• We are working on reviving the dormant Citizens on Patrol effort. Look for details soon.

Behind the Scenes:• Planning for the Holiday Tree Lighting, Annual Picnic

and Spirit of Mt. Washington Parade are already under way.

• The Friends of Luckman Park are looking forward to rebuilding the pavilion building (already funded) and hosting more events next summer. A “Friends of Northwest Park” is in the planning and formation stage.

• We’ve asked Principal Tom Shepley for his 2007-08 wish list for the Mt. Washington Elementary School.

• Our welcome committee led by Sally Staugaitis stands ready to deliver a fresh cake to new neighbors.

• New treasurer Eric Seaberg is reworking our back office to make MWIA more efficient and, with a little luck, this might even be the year we redo our website.

• And of course… We’re already working on a deal for next year’s Virgin Fest.

Mt. Washington continues to be one of the hottest real estate markets in the City and one of the best places to live in the metro region. We enjoy a good relationship with City Hall and we are slowly seeing improvements to our infrastructure and services. All in all, it’s a good time to live in Mt. Washington.

Mac Nachlas

Legislative UpdateBy Aaron Meisneraaron@meisner.net

The Maryland General Assembly meets every year from January to early April, generally enough time to do what needs to be done for the year. Sometimes an issue arises that requires immediate attention. In this kind of case, the Assembly will meet in “Special Session.” These sessions happen very infrequently, but are threatened constantly. Bringing all of the legislators in from all over the state is expensive and disruptive. Most members have other jobs in the “off season,” and it is with great reluctance that a special session actually occurs. As I write this, there is a lot of chatter about a Special Session to deal with the budget shortfall. It seems that we need to spend around $26 billion and are about $1.5 billion short. Solutions include an increase or expansion of the sales tax, a larger gas tax, the closure of corporate loopholes, an increase in the rate and progressivity of the income tax, and, of course, slot machine gambling. And then you have the idea of spending cuts, which has its own set of challenges. By having these issues decided in the fall, the taxes can begin to be collected in January 2008. Revenue sources passed in the regular session would not generally produce income until 2009. The big challenge, in my view, is that these are extremely complex issues with a lot of moving parts, and not much in the way of consensus. House Speaker Mike Busch and Senate President Mike Miller have been pretty far apart on many of these issues. But their differences on the question of legalizing slot machines is most stark. Miller has long been a darling of the gambling industry and has made no secret of his passion for slots. Busch has been equally stalwart in his opposition. The idea that these two can come to a simple agreement over such a contentious issue seems unlikely. At this point, Miller is still sticking with his idea for slots located at and owned by the racetracks. Busch feels that this would be an undue enrichment of a few well-connected track owners, and that state ownership would be the best formula for the people of Maryland. But state ownership would be to the detriment of track owners, and they (along with Miller) oppose it vigorously. At the end of the day, there just doesn’t seem to be a lot of agreement of the kind that would be needed for a successful special session. I wouldn’t rule anything out completely, but for this to happen would require some significant change in thinking among the major players. In the past, the slots issue has been like snow in Annapolis--everywhere in January, but all melted away by April. This will certainly be the most challenging session for all concerned. The implications for our neighborhood, and really all of Maryland, are very real. The Mt. Washington Improvement Association will continue to monitor the situation and work hard to further the interests of the neighborhood regardless of what happens over this winter.

The MWIA is working with other surrounding neighborhoods to formulate legislation to minimize the impact of twilight racing. Our traditional position has been to support the track in ventures that will help it be viable as a racetrack, so long as impact on the community is recognized, minimized, or compensated. For twilight racing we are concerned that the lighting of the track and

parking lots be done in such a way as to minimize the impact on our neighborhood, that extra security be provided when the track is open, and that there be strict rules on how late the track may operate, with penalties for running over.

The MWIA’s Pimlico Committee will be following this and other issues closely. If you are concerned about how the future of Pimlico might impact our neighborhood, please volunteer by sending a note to President@MWIA.org.aaron@meisner.net

A New Synagogue Calls Mt. Washington Home

For the past several months, a new synagogue community has been meeting at the social hall in St. John’s Episcopal Church. “Kol HaLev” (“Voice of the Heart”) has been organized to draw inspiration from the Jewish heritage, shape a contemporary and thoughtful Judaism, and help create lives of meaning and relationship. The new group of some 30+ families – which includes those in their twenties as well as in their eighties with all ages in between — provides accessible opportunities to experience and engage with Jewish practice, thought and culture.

The rabbinic leader, Geoff Basik, takes an exploratory approach to Judaism and holds a very wide understanding of “being Jewish.” “I love the fact that Torah offers questions,” says Basik. “Good questions help us focus on our place and our direction. My goal is to invite people into the questions and the search for answers. I hope that the resources available to us within the Jewish heritage help us ask and answer questions as we move toward living as fully, and meaningfully, as possible.”

For more information, call Shirley Levin at 410-484-1898 or Geoff Basik at 443-956-9462 or visit Kol HaLev’s website in-the-making, http://www.kolhalevmd.org/.

Call for content & Volunteers for the MWIA newsletter

Volunteers are needed to help produce the newsletter. If you can write, design, edit, or project manage, please contact Jill Feinberg, editor at jbfeinberg@comcast.net or 410-466-9225.

The newsletter is published by the Mt. Wash-ington Improvement Association (MWIA) and is mailed to the homes of residents three times a year. The newsletter informs the residents about people, activities, and services in Mt. Washington and the actions of the Board of Directors. The next newsletter will be distributed in winter.

Sunday GardenersVolunteer gardeners meet every Sunday from 9-10 am at a different neighborhood location. Anyone interested in helping to maintain the public gardens around the neighborhood (no experience necessary), contact Alex at alexnones@gmail.com

DirectorsPresident: Mac Nachlas 410-542-8766 Vice President: Aaron Meisner 410-664-0707Secretary: Carol Berkower 410-466-8699Treasurer: Eric Seaberg 410-466-1548

BoardTaliya Adelstein 410-367-4539Jim Carroll 410-466-5133David Conn 410-466-8462Jill Feinberg 410-466-9225Cindy Freeman 410-664-7774Shea Lyda 410-664-6516Linda Panlilio 410-367-3802Salem Reiner 410-664-2349Rebecca Saybolt Bainum 410-664-7159Joe SmithLeslie Sporn-Symonds 410-542-1892Roberta Strickler 410-367-8666Sally Staugaitis 410-664-2212Trent Zivkovich 410-542-5147

Honorary DirectorsJan Franz 410-664-5254John Mack 410-466-3824Cliff Mitchell 410-466-0529

Area DirectorStuart Caplan 410-367-4907Area Captains

1. TBD 2. Liz Hopkins 410-542-09273. Ira Kolman 410-664-50784. Curt McKnight 410-367-50075. Laura Barrientos 443-869-49536. Indira Kotval 410-367-43527. Stephanie Regenold 410-367-0133

Board of Directors

Want more neighborhood news?• Go to the MWIA website at www.mwia.org• To receive email updates from MWIA, visit www.mwia.org and click on “email sign up.” • Join the informal neighborhood chat by writing to mount-washington@googlegroups.com• Check local opinion at www.21209.org

Hummingbirds in Mount WashingtonBy Wendy Olssonrwolsson@verizon.net

Ruby-throated hummingbirds breed in Mt. Washington thanks to our many lush, woodsy yards and feeders that attract these tiny migratory birds. In spring, the hummingbirds’ migration north from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean coincides with the blooming of primary spring nectar sources along their route. These amazing birds are said to be able to fly faster than 30 miles per hour, weigh about as much as a penny, and are important pollinators. Before migration, they double their body mass by eating large amounts of insects. Their migration sometimes takes them across the Gulf of Mexico. According to hummingbird.net, hummingbirds are carnivores and the nectar they drink is actually fuel that powers their fly-catching activity.

Sources at the University of North Carolina say that if food sources are abundant, a breeding male ruby-throated hummingbird may need territories only 50 feet in area. Imagine walking through Mt. Washington and seeing a hummingbird every 50 feet! By planting hummingbird-friendly plants, you can help. As you are doing your fall planting or planning your garden, consider this list of food sources recommended by conservation organizations and Mt. Washington residents:

§ Hostas§ Bee Balm § Obedient Plant § Coral Honeysuckle § Cardinal Flower § Mimosa Tree § Bluebell Bellflower

Do not use pesticides or herbicides around your hummingbird plants. By doing so, you eliminate their most important food source: insects. By providing the right plants, your efforts will be rewarded with lots of activity in the garden and excellent learning opportunities for kids and adults alike in the neighborhood.

Calendar

SEPTEMBER

Sundays, starting September 30, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Adult Quilting at the Painting WorkshopCreate a full-size quilt or a small pillow, limited only by your time and energy! Learn how to piece together a top, and how to hand-stitch the quilt. Neither a sewing machine or experience are necessary. Great quilts and great friendships grow in this class.410.466.3510 or www.thepaintingworkshop.com

OCTOBER

October 3, 8:00 a.m.Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital’s Charity Gold Tournament, Bulle Rock, 320 Blenheim Lane, Havre de Grace410-578-2681 or e-mail dsadlowski@mwph.org

October 13, 8:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival, finish line- Ravens Parking Lot CMarathon, half-marathon, 5K, kids activities, health and fitness expo. Celebration Village will feature live music, interactive games, food and drink.www.thebaltimoremaraton.com

October 16, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.MWIA Open Board Meeting, Johns Hopkins Mt. Washington Campus, Smith Ave.www.mwia.org

October 19 – 21, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Baltimore Bioneers’07 conference: Cultivating Change. Inspiring Solutions. MICA – Brown CenterOver the course of three days, the 2007 Baltimore Bioneers program will feature an unforgettable array of some of the most insightful, inspiring innovators working to change the region and the world.www.bioneers.org for more information about the conference

October 19, 8:00 p.m.Voices on the Edge: Spoken Word & Music presented by The Poet AllianceCreative Alliance of Patterson Park, Benefitting House of Ruth, 3134 Eastern Ave. Jazz, dance and musical performances set the scene, but spoken word is the star. Ruby Glover, Baltimore’s legendary “First Lady of Jazz” performing with the eclectic Tom Reyes Trio, and a diverse lineup of poets from the Baltimore/ Washington DC corridor: “Black Butterfly” Margaret Locklear, DC’s Lamont Carey (fresh off an appearance on Def Poetry Jam), Adar Ayira, Ms. Tayree, Amanda Fair, Brother Rob, Pamela Johnson, and “Ms. V” Veronica Westlake.

410-276-1651

October 20 – 21, noon – 5:00 p.m.Open Studio Tour, School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street Visitors observe more than 100 of Baltimore’s visual artists in their local studios during this annual tour. 410-396-4641 October 21, 3:30 p.m. Cylburn Chamber Music Series, Cylburn Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Ave.The Cylburn-Trio performing Piano Trio No. 25 in G Major (J. Haydn), Piano Quartet in C Minor (G. Faure), Piano Trio in G Minor (B. Smetana). Pre-Concert Lecture with Jonathan Palevsky at 3:00 p.m.410-367-2217

October 26, 6:30 p.m.Family Movie Night, Mt. Washington Elementary School, 1801 Sulgrave AvenueGreat night of family fun. In an attempt to cater to all age groups, 2-3 different movies will be shown. Movies will be G or PG rated. www.mtwashingtonelementary.com

October 27, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.Irvine Nature Center’s Fall Family HikeBring the family for a leisurely walk in the woods. Explore leaf color change, what animals are doing to prepare for winter, and many other signs of the changing season. Be sure to dress for the outdoors. Space is limited so registration is necessary: 410-484-2413, ext. 10

NOVEMBER

November 3, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Irvine Nature Center’s Excursion Series: Hemlock GorgeTake the family for a walk along a quiet trail to a unique spot in Northern Baltimore County. Located in the Prettyboy Reservoir, this unspoiled setting contains many old hemlocks and other natural finds. Reservations necessary: 410-484-2413, ext. 10

November 4, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Chai’s Annual Weatherization DayChai volunteers can provide assistance to adults 62 and above with installing plastic on windows to reduce energy costs, yard work and raking, minor home repairs and checking smoke detectors. 410-318-8311, ext 10 to sign up for services or to volunteer

November 6General Elections – Don’t forget to vote

November 14, 7:00 p.m.MWES PTO general meeting, 1801 Sulgrave Avenuewww.mtwashingtonelementary.com

November 16, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.Winterfest Jazz 2007, Baltimore Clayworks, 5707 Smith Ave.Live jazz music, wine, hors d’oeuvres and the opportunity to purchase from Winterfest exhibition. 410-578-1919 or www.baltimoreclayworks.org

Traffic Committee Is Re-energized

Concerned about traffic in the neighborhood? Interested in helping to make Mt. Washington more pedestrian- and bicycle- friendly? The Traffic Committee is looking for new committee members to help find and implement concrete solutions to the neighborhood’s traffic problems. If you are interested, please contact Carol Berkower at cberkower@gmail.com or Stephanie Regenold at sregenold@yahoo.com

Northwest Park Committee

MWIA has established a sub-committee, co-chaired by Aaron Meisner and Chris Tufts, to play a leading role in steering the development of this new City park. The sub-committee is charged with soliciting the Mt. Washington community’s interests for this facility and engaging with all the Northwest Park constituent groups to ensure that our interests and concerns are addressed. If you would like to participate in this sub-committee, please contact Chris Tufts at crtufts@comcast.net

November 17, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.St. John’s Holly Daze, 1700 South RoadVendors selling holiday gifts, Christmas trees and greens, baked goods, children’s activities

410-367-7287 or www.saintjohns.ang-md.org

November 18, 5:30 p.m.Annual Mt. Washington Tree Lighting, The Octagon, JHU Mt. Washington campus, Smith Ave.Join your neighbors and friends for holiday cheer and the lighting of the tree. Hosted by the Johns Hopkins University. Visit www.mwia.org for details.

DECEMBER

December 1 – 22Clayworks’ Holiday Extravaganza, 5707 Smith AvenueSculpture and functional work by associate artistswww.baltimoreclayworks.org or 410-578-1919

December 6, pre-event festivities at 6:00 p.m., ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Lighting of the Washington Monument, Mount Vernon Place, 600 block of North Charles Street. Entertainment, fireworks and refreshments

December 8, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Irvine Nature Center’s Nature Holiday Craft Workshop Kids, come out to Irvine Nature Center and push the winter doldrums away having fun doing natural craft projects, like making a bird feeder and animal ornaments. For ages 5-11 (with adult)Registration required: 410-484-2413, ext. 10

December 18, 7:30 p.m.MWIA Open Board Meeting, Mt. Washington Elementary School, 1801 Sulgrave Ave.www.mwia.org

JANUARY

January 25, 6:00 p.m.MWES Spaghetti dinner and talent show, 1801 Sulgrave Avenuewww.mtwashingtonelementary.com

Baltimore Bioneers: Cultivating Change. Inspiring Solutions.By Peter Griffith pcgriffith@mac.com

I’m writing this article for the MWIA Newsletter because Al Gore told me to. For my day job, I coordinate a continental-scale assessment of the sources and sinks of greenhouse gases across North America for the U.S. Climate Change Science Program. Last December at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, Mr. Gore applauded the assembled scientists for our efforts to understand what’s happening to the earth’s climate, but challenged us to do more than talk to each other, chiding us to do more to reach the public about facing the very real problems associated with global climate change.

Like a lot of Mt. Washingtonians, I’ve been a conservationist since before Earth Day ever started. I’ve already insulated the attic of my drafty old house; put on storm windows; installed a high- efficiency furnace with a programmable thermostat set no higher than68 degrees; and telecommute at least one day per week. All these things reduce my use of fossil fuels while saving me money.

You’ve probably done these things and more in your own home. That’s acting locally. Very locally. But what can you and I do to have more impact at a community level?

Join me and your fellow Baltimoreans at the Baltimore Bioneers Conference, October 19-21, 2007. Bioneers is an international forum of practical and visionary solutions for restoring the Earth and healing our communities. Our mission is to foster convergence of the social justice movement with the environmental movement in the Chesapeake region. Over the course of three days, the program will feature insightful, inspiring innovators working to change the region and the world. I’m convinced that collaboration across disciplines can solve problems that some think are insurmountable.

Visit www.cultivatingchange.org for more information about the conference.

Annual Tree Lighting at JHU Conference Center

Mt. Washington Campus • The Octagon Building

November 18th at 5:30 p.m.

Holiday cheer and neighborhood fun

Community Meeting Will Address Jones Falls Trail

The City of Baltimore and the Mt. Washington Improvement Association (MWIA) are committed to a continuing dialog on the proposed Jones Falls Trail. As such, a community meeting to discuss the proposed trail will be held on Thursday, October 18 at 7 p.m. at The Wesley, 2211 W. Rogers Ave.

For those interested in seeing the proposed route firsthand, there will be a guided walkthrough on Saturday October 13, at 10:00 a.m. Meet in the parking lot of the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital.

At the October 18 meeting, representatives of the Baltimore City departments of Planning and Recreation & Parks will explain how the currently proposed route was decided and will answer questions about possible alternative routes. The City is not actively researching alternatives, but will consider proposals for alternative routes submitted by citizens.

All questions or proposed alternative routes for the City to consider must be submitted in advance of the meeting to David Conn at dhconn@gmail.com. Any suggested routes should start at or near the Cylburn Arboretum, and conclude at the Mt. Washington light rail station. David is chairing the MWIA committee to study the trail and work with the city. The committee (noted below) comprises both immediate neighbors and community members with expertise in such areas as gardening and horticulture, animal habitats, green design, construction, and city planning.

In May the MWIA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the proposed route and declared it a “desirable amenity that will improve the quality of life in the community.” The Cityhas selected and the MWIA has voted to support the following route.

From Cylburn Avenue, the trail would reach Northern Parkway and turn right to head east (towards the JFX).

(1) The trail would run outside the guardrail parallel to the south side of Northern Parkway. The trail would be a 10-foot wide surface extending from Cylburn Ave. almost to the JFX on-ramp. The Northern Parkway guardrail would remain in place. The elevated portion of the trail will be a 10-foot wide surface extending from Cylburn Ave. to the JFX ramp area. (2) Before the on-ramp of the JFX, the trail would cross Northern Parkway. Here the trail would be an 18-foot-high bridge. The ramp from the bridge would come down on the east side of W. Rogers Ave. (3) The trail would proceed along W. Rogers Avenue to the pediatric hospital. Traffic lanes on W. Rogers Avenue would be narrowed so that the sidewalk on the east side of the street could be expanded to 8-feet. Here, from where the bridge comes down on W. Rogers Ave to just past the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital parking lot, the trail would be the widened sidewalk on the east side of W. Rogers.

(4) The trail would enter the Pediatric Hospital on the northwest side from Rogers Ave. and would enter the woods of the Hospital just past the parking lot. Inside the woods, the trail would be an 8-foot wide surface. The city has said they will adjust the exact route of the trail to remove as few trees as possible, and any large trees they remove will be replaced by 3.5-inch caliper trees at a 3 to 1 ratio. (5) The trail would emerge from the woods at the old MTA stop on Newbury St. (near the bottom of South Rd. and the Kelly Ave. bridge). Here, the trail would cross the parking lot. (6) Then the trail would cross the street at the Kelly Ave./South Rd. intersection at the traffic light. Here, the trail would be the surface of the street. The trail would then turn right to proceed into Mt. Washington Village, presumably on Newbury St., to end at the Light Rail stop.

More precise details would be determined, in consultation with the community, as the City’s design process occurs.

The Hospital has agreed to provide a permanent easement for the trail’s passage. The City will also construct a “universal playground” adjacent to the trail on the hospital’s property, which will accommodate children with disabilities. The playground will be available to the community.

The City will now complete 30% of the design work on the trail, based on the outcome of the October 18 meeting, in order to meet a spring deadline to apply for federal highway funds. Recreation and Parks Director Connie Brown has committed to “open and regular consultation” with the community throughout the design and construction phases.

A detailed map of existing and planned bike trails is available on the City Planning Department’s website http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/planning/images/FinalNetworkMapB.pdf. A section of the proposed trail route can be viewed online at the website of the Jones Falls Trail listserv: http://groups.google.com/group/JonesFallsTrail/files. (Click on “Trail LocationMt. Washington.pdf.”) And a PowerPoint presentation that explains the process by which the City chose the current trail route can be found on the same website (click on “JONES FALLS TRAIL V.PPT”).

Jones Falls Trail Committee• Chair- David Conn - the MWIA point person on the Jones

Falls Trail project, and the primary liaison with the Pediatric Hospital.

• Jane Baldwin - former President of the Cylburn Arboretum, a noted horticulturalist who has extensive experience working with the Departments of Rec & Parks, and Planning.

• Denise Duval - MWIA Board member with a background in city planning who has worked in the City Planning department.

• Jeanette Ezzo - neighbor of the MW Pediatric Hospital. • Julie Gabrielli - an architect who specializes in the use of

“green” materials and design techniques.• Robert Imhoff - Vice President of the MW Pediatric Hospital.• Myles Norin – resident whose property is adjacent to the

largest section of the trail outside of the Pediatric Hospital. • Mike Sherlock - a master gardener and “father” of the

MW Arboretum and the many flower beds around our neighborhood; serving in an advisory capacity.

• Lynn Strott - President of the MW Preservation Trust and an attorney with experience with easements and trusts.

Luckman Park UpdateLuckman Park has been buzzing with activity this year. On April 28 the Spring Clean Up was held and over 20 adults and children joined forces to rake, move mulch and create new planting beds. In May the park suffered from a sewer line break, but it was repaired and a new sidewalk was installed by the end of June.

June and July saw a lot of activity in the Park. The 4th annual Community Yard Sale was held June 10 and by all accounts was a huge success. Many attributed the increased participation to the Sunday scheduling, which allowed nearby Jewish communities to attend. A week later the Mt. Washington Picnic was held in the Park and the crowd enjoyed great food and music by the Slackedelics. Art In The Park, a child-focused art activity day, was held on July 15 and those in attendance participated in mask making, puppetry, food art and more. In addition to these planned activities, 30 children enjoyed an 8-week tennis camp convened at the park tennis courts. The camp was paid for with grant funding.

The final planned event for 2007 was the Fall Clean Up, held in early October and once again, families came out to help. The project for this event was to install new plantings at the Glen Avenue park entrance as this was the area disturbed by the sewer repair.

Luckman Park is a small, wooded park located on Glen Avenue across from the fire station. There are many amenities including the tennis courts mentioned above, a tot lot, swing sets, a jungle gym, gaming tables and picnic shelter. Friends of Luckman Park (FLP) is a small group of dedicated volunteers that help keep the park beautiful by picking up litter, raking and planting. They meet quarterly to plan for events and determine how best to care for the park. If you are interested in joining Friends of Luckman Park or simply participating in a single event or meeting, please contact Shea Lyda at 410-664-6516 or shea_lyda@msn.com..

Sponsor a Violin for MWESThe Mt Washington Elementary School (MWES) welcomes new full-time music teacher, Ms. Flaherty. She will be expanding the violin program to cover all ages. We are thrilled to offer the children more exposure to this classic instrument. But it’s expensive and not covered by existing funds.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation for the purchase of approximately 30 violins for our younger students. We need to raise $2,000 to cover these much-needed purchases. Each violin is approximately $65, but any amount over $25 will be accepted.

Checks may be written to: Mt. Washington School PTO, and sent to Mt. Washington Elementary School, #221, 1801 Sulgrave Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21209. You may call Dr. Tom Shepley at (410) 396-6354 if you have questions.

The Mt. Washington Outdoor Classroom Project, an exciting plan to revitalize the asphalt lot at the elementary school, continues to move forward in design development, construction planning, and fundraising. The new design of the space will provide new outdoor performance space and play possibilities for the kids. New landscaping, tree planting, fence replacement, and other aesthetic improvements will beautify our neighborhood and enhance our school.

The proposed renovations include the following additions (subject to total funds raised):

• An archway entrance, decorated with student artwork

• Amphitheater in existing hillside • Perennial garden beds • Large cable climbing structure• Shade and ornamental trees• Paved labyrinth• New signage and landscaping at Kelly and

Lochlea• New vinyl fence • Resurfaced asphalt • Drinking fountain

Construction officially started in August when the Department of Public Works installed new water service to the site for the future installation of a drinking fountain. A contractor has been selected to create the Outdoor Classroom; the initial phase of the project will begin this fall/winter with the construction of the amphitheater, labyrinth, drinking fountain, entryway, and landscaping. Next spring/summer, the asphalt renovation and climbing structure installation will be completed.

Fundraising continues for the Outdoor Classroom Project. At press time, we’ve raised over $162,000 towards the goal of $250K!

Since July 2006, we have received funding from the former Mayor O’Malley Neighborhoods First Capital Grant, the Lockhart Vaughan Foundation, the John J. Leidy Foundation, the Mary and Kathleen Harriman Foundation, the Macht Philanthropic Fund, Alex Brown & Sons Charitable Trust, the Baltimore Community Foundation, Himmelrich Associates, Whole Foods Market, and from many Mt. Washington families. Other grant submissions are pending.

The Penny Drive was a great success last spring! One hundred twelve thousand, seven hundred and eight (112,708) pennies were brought in by the students in piggy banks, plastic baggies, Tootsie rolls containers, and loose in their pockets. Parents matched the pennies with another $1500 to bring the total to $2627 raised from the Penny Drive. Weighing approximately 580 pounds, the penny load required a Brinks truck for delivery from our local

SunTrust branch to their central office for counting. A big thanks to the kids for their enthusiastic participation!

We still need your help to complete this community project. Please make this dream a reality in our neighborhood sooner rather than later by sending a 100% tax-deductible donation to:

The Mt. Washington PTO/Outdoor Classroom1801 Sulgrave Avenue Baltimore, MD 21209

Last spring, the Outdoor Classroom Committee and the PTO worked together to fund and install four new swings at the school’s upper playground. Extremely popular with the kids, the line for the swings wrapped around the fence for the first few weeks!

For more information or an electronic copy of the latest schematic drawing, please contact Becky Redett at rredett@yahoo.com or 410-542-3999.

The Next Generation of Pimlico Middle SchoolMWIA regularly participates in a committee comprised of the Presidents of the community associations in Mt. Washington, Cheswold, Cross Country, Falstaff, and Glenn, that is facilitated by Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc., (CHAI).

One of the more important topics has been the closing of the Pimlico Middle School at Northern Parkway and Park Heights Avenue. Pimlico Middle School was built to accommodate the baby boom and has become too big and outdated to serve the school system well. It closed in June 2007.

There are several ideas for the space: a youth center, administrative offices for Sinai Hospital, and a training academy and magnet high school for current and future police officers and fire fighters. The last idea, proposed by Deputy Mayor Otis Rolley III, has generated the most discussion because of the potential for a high profile police presence in these northwest neighborhoods. Also the extensive fields around the school would be available for cadet training and community use, thus securing the land from future development.

Deputy Mayor Rolley presented this idea last winter and there are many questions to be answered before moving forward. The committee is generally favorable to this plan. As plans emerge, the communities will be notified.

Planning for the expansion and rebuilding of The Wesley Home is well underway. Over the next five years the entire Wesley property, bound by Rogers Avenue, Enslow and Wexford Roads, and the Mt. Washington Pool property, will be transformed into a modern “continuity of care community” while growing to roughly four times its current size.

Like many institutions of its kind, the Wesley realized several years ago that its existing business model would succeed in the 21st century and began looking for ways to expand and remain viable. Although the Wesley has 13 acres of land, zoning constraints limited the number of residents and services.

Several years ago, the Wesley’s management entered into discussions with the City, the University of Baltimore (UB), and the Mt. Washington Improvement Association (MWIA) to try to find a way to remain viable. The answer came in a unique “win-win-win” arrangement for all parties. The Wesley is paying UB for the development rights for their land (the 48 acres of playing fields). UB then leased the fields to Baltimore City to become Northwest Park, which under this agreement, cannot be developed for at least the next 80 years.

The Wesley plans to tear down the original Wesley building, which is no longer up to code, and construct a campus of primarily brick buildings that echo the style of the original. The new campus will feature independent living (senior townhouses

and apartments), assisted living, and nursing care. None of these buildings will be higher than the existing building. The plan also features paths, gardens, and underground parking. The main entrance will be off a rebuilt and improved Enslow Road, which will provide the main automotive access to both the Wesley and the Park.

Threshold Development is heading the project and is keeping the community well informed. They presented their plans at the April open MWIA meeting to general approval. It is their hope that many Mt. Washington residents will choose to stay in the neighborhood after selling their homes.

This is a long project that will take years to reach an end. This winter, the development team will ask for a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which will change the zoning of both the Wesley and the UB Fields. MWIA continues to work with City on the details of the PUD and with the State to see if we can extend protection of the fields beyond the 80-year term.

MWIA needs volunteers to work with the City Planning Department and the developers to ensure that the project meets community standards. If you would like to learn more about the Wesley expansion, or would like to volunteer to help the MWIA represent the community in the planning process, please send an email to mwiapresident@gmail.com or send a card to P.O. Box 10404, Baltimore, MD 21209.

WESLEY HOME EXPANSION

Earlier this summer, a group of Mt. Washington neighbors began meeting informally to discuss—loosely paraphrasing Gandhi—how to be the change we want to see in the world. Part grass-roots think tank, part information clearinghouse, and part coffee klatch, the Mount Washington Green Club (MWGC) is devoted to finding ways to tread a little more lightly on the earth, leaving a smaller footprint. MWGC member Mike Siegel researched wind energy for the group then went one step further to negotiate a bulk-rate deal for the neighborhood. His report follows:

We hear a lot these days about carbon footprints. Where something comes from, how we use it, and what happens to it when we’re done with it comprise a product’s lifecycle, and the greenhouse gases generated in the course of that lifecycle are part of its carbon footprint. As consumers, our choices are reflected in our own carbon footprints, or our personal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Our modes of transportation, the temperatures at which we heat and cool our homes, the origins and delivery of our food, what we do with our garbage, the type of clothes we wear, and even our choice to recycle all add or detract from our own carbon footprints.

Unlike traditional modes of energy generation, which are responsible for releasing greenhouse gases and must be considered in calculating our carbon footprints, electricity generated on wind farms is renewable and carbon neutral, with zero emissions of greenhouse gases. Recent changes in the laws regulating Maryland’s power industry allow BGE customers join a national trend by selecting the provider of the electricity delivered to their home by BGE, as well as that provider’s source of energy.

Commerce Energy www.commerceenerg.com, is one of several alternative providers through BGE, and the only one that has completed the rigorous Green e-certification www.green-e.org, an independent renewable energy certification and verification program that allows consumers to identify environmentally superior energy options. Commerce’s Clear Choice 100% Wind program allows a consumer to know with certainty that carbon neutrally generated electricity has been added to the grid on their behalf. Switching to wind is seamless and easy: Your power continues to arrive through existing BGE lines; your lights won’t go out if there’s a calm day at the wind farm in Pennsylvania. But when it comes time for BGE to purchase power, they’ll be buying clean, carbon-neutral energy on your behalf.

Commerce Energy is offering a special rate for a limited time to Mt Washington neighbors, discounted to 13.1 cents/kilowatt hour (kWh) from 13.4 cents, with a 12-month commitment. BGE’s Price to Compare, an average of summer and last year’s winter rates, is 10.77 cents/kWh. For a few cents more, you get the same service and the added peace of mind you are doing your part to make a choice for cleaner environment and healthier planet. Have you ever paid a few cents more for organic bananas? Enjoyed a glass of filtered water? Taken the time to recycle? Here’s your chance to make a choice for a cleaner, more

environmentally sound option on a product none of us can go without that will directly and positively affect the world we live in. The increase in your energy bills (22 percent based on BGE’s average rate) could be easily offset by improving your attic’s insulation, updating drafty windows, lowering the thermostat on your electric hot water heater, switching to a programmable thermostat, purchasing energy star appliances, and changing incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFL’s). Consider that burning a 100-watt bulb 12 hours-a-day for a year requires 438 kWh. Replacing that 100-watt bulb with a 28W CFL reduces that demand by 72 % to just 123 kWh (a savings of $41 based on our 13.1 cent rate) Based on energy industry estimates of coal efficiency, 357 pounds of coal are required just to light that 100-watt bulb. In the course of burning that coal, 956 pounds of carbon dioxide are released into the air, along with 2.5 pounds each of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Or, you could keep that CFL lit for more than three years for the same price, and never release a single pound of carbon dioxide by switching to wind-generated electricity.

The Mount Washington discount is only available by faxing a Residential Letter of Authorization (LOA) to Steve Ritenour at Commerce Energy, (888) 858-8815. You can get an LOA form and/or more information about the Mt. Washington Green Club by dropping an email to tcsemmes@comcast.net.

Newly Formed Green Club has Energy on its Mind

• Over 750 parade goers – largest attendance ever!• Games and crafts for the whole family• The clown was a big success with the younger kids• The Wesley and Whole Foods continue to be great

community partners

MWIA’s 2007 July 4th Parade Best Ever

Chase Boddiford at The Mt. Washington parade enjoying the refreshing watermelon proided by Whole Foods.

Once again Mt. Washington residents came forward with pride and anticipation as they entered the annual Design Awards Contest. The contest was created to acknowledge Mt. Washington residents who have invested in their property with renovations and improvements. Two categories of design were considered – architecture and landscape design. In 2007 there were 7 entries, all of whom deserve the recognition and admiration of their neighbors.

The contestants and their projects:• Melina Roberts and Rob Anderson converted their two-

apartment house into a single-family home along with new exterior siding, vegetable garden, and a play area for the children.

• Chris and Caroline Tufts rescued the 1880’s carriage house in their back yard and turned it into a combination office/ guest house.

• Laura Laing and Gina Foringer modernized their kitchen and removed walls to create an open and inviting home for their family.

• Andrea Vanko removed exterior shingles, added fresh paint, and several outdoor sitting areas to create a charming cottage-style home.

• Stephen Shapiro and Donna Stark updated the character of their home with a new vestibule and enhanced decking on the back of the house.

• David Sherwood designed and built an aquaduct and water storage facility at the Mt. Washington Arboretum to capture and use rainwater.

• Chris O’Neill and Barbara Sattler landscaped their yard to include a new fish pond, storm water management system, mini orchard, and a major installation of flowers, trees and shrubs.

The Honor Award for Architecture went to Laura Laing and Gina Foringer; while the Honor Award for Landscape Design went to Chris O’Neill and Barbara Sattler. All of the entries were well executed and add to the unique beauty and character of Mt. Washington. Kris Tebay, RLA (formerly of Mt. Washington) and the entire staff of Vincent Greene Architects (three of whom live in Mt. Washington) acted as the Design Award judges.

Contribute to the Mt. Washington Preservation Trust

The Mt. Washington Preservation Trust (MWPT) is dedicated to the preservation of undeveloped land in our area and maintains the beautiful gardens throughout Mt. Washington’s public spaces. MWPT is a tax-deductible, nonprofit organization which is funded by the MWIA, grants, and generous contributions of neighbors. To contribute to the Preservation Trust, please send your tax deductible check to:

MWPTC/O Lynn Strott

6109 Maywood Ave.Baltimore, MD 21209

Mt. Washington Improvement Association dues are only $25. (July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008) Please join today.

Name

Address

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I am interested in volunteering with the MWIA

I am interested in joining the Mt. Washington listserv to receive email updates on MWIA activities

Mail dues to:Mt. Washington Improvement AssociationP.O. Box 10404 Baltimore, MD 21209

Mt. Washington Design Awards

MWIA Open Meetings

• October 16 - 7:00pmat Johns Hopkins Mt. Washington Campus

• December 18 - 7:30 pmat Mt. Washington Elementary School

•www.mwia.org for more information

Mount Washington Improvement Association P.O. Box 10404Baltimore, MD 21209Dated Material- Please Deliver Promptly

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BALTIMORE MDPERMIT NO. 5621

Recycling Calendar:All recyclables will be picked up on the second and fourth Mondays and Tuesdays of each month, regardless of your regular trash collection days.

• Blue bag recyclables (glass, plastic, and cans) will be collected on the second and fourth Mondays of the month.

• Paper will be picked up on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

• Holidays: There will be no pick-up until the next scheduled recycling day.

Monday, October 8 HolidayTuesday, October 9 paperMonday, October 22 plastic/metal/glassTuesday, October 23 paperMonday, November 12 Holiday Tuesday, November 13 paperMonday, November 26 plastic/metal/glassTuesday, November 27 paperMonday, December 10 plastic/metal/glassTuesday, December 11 paperMonday, December 24 plastic/metal/glassTuesday, December 25 Holiday

Mixed Paper: Place paper in paper bags, cardboard boxes, or bundles tied with string. May include newspaper, magazines, phone books, ad mail, and cardboard.

Plastic/Metal/Glass: Rinse bottles and cans and discard caps. Place in blue plastic bags. May include: glass jars and bottles (all colors), aluminum cans, tin cans, steel cans, plastic small mouth containers with #1 or #2, and empty aerosol cans. Styrofoam is not recyclable.

Bulk Pick Up: Call 311 or email DPW (www.baltimorecity.gov, click on 311 services) three working days before scheduled pick up date. You may leave three items at your regular trash pick-up site. Bulk items include appliances, furniture, and up to four tires with rims removed. Do not leave building materials such as sheet rock, siding, wood pieces, or roofing.

Call 410-396-4515 for questions about solid waste. Call 410-396-4707 for concerns about illegal dumping.

Mayor Sheila Dixon410-396-3835mayor@baltimorecity.gov

Councilwoman Rikki Spector410-396-4819rspector@baltimorecitycouncil.com

Senator Lisa Gladden410-841-3697Lisa_gladden@senate.state.md.us

Delegate Jill Carter410-841-3782Jill_carter@house.state.md.us

Delegate Nathaniel Oaks(410) 841-3283

Delegate Sandy Rosenberg410-841-3297Samuel_rosenberg@house.state.md.us

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