Message from the President

Fall 2004MOUNT WASHINGTON IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

This is my first newsletter column as president of the Mt. Washington Improvement Association (MWIA), although those of you who have been visiting the community Web site (www.mwia.org) may have noticed that I am periodically posting columns to communicate current community news and events.

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as your president, and will do everything I can to serve as ably as my predecessors.

For those of you who are members of the Mt. Washington Improvement Association, I thank you for making a commitment to maintaining and improving our neighborhood as a place to live.

For those of you who have not yet joined, I want you to please consider becoming a member. The MWIA is one of the oldest community organizations in the state. Our mission, as stated in our bylaws, is to do everything “legitimate and proper, consistent with [our] non-profit status, for the preservation, betterment, development, and well-being of the Mt. Washington community.”

Through area and block captains, the MWIA works on problems that may arise in an individual area such as a local public safety or zoning issue. In addition, through our committees, we work on issues that confront our entire community: public safety, development, environmental quality, education, slots and the fate of the Pimlico race track, traffic, and the many other issues that affect our neighborhood and our city.

The association also publishes a newsletter for the community, maintains the community Web site, and regularly schedules special events such as the annual picnic at Luckman Park. If you live in the community, I invite you

to become a member and become involved in any of these activities. These are busy times for both the MWIA and the community.

In addition to the continuing controversy over gaming legislation and the fate of the Pimlico race track, the summer has seen some new impetus to reorganize and energize the citizen’s patrol.

Other issues that will be making their way onto the agenda include the mayor’s Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan (SNAP), and development of the Bonnie View and Greenspring quarry sites. Although infrastructure construction has been completed in the Village, there are likely to be other projects in and around our community that will also have an impact on traffic. Historically, the MWIA has taken an active role in supporting the Mt. Washington Elementary School; we welcome and expect to work closely with the school’s new principal in the months ahead.

Finally, let me reiterate something I mentioned in my first on-line column. The MWIA is committed to representing and communicating effectively with residents of Mt. Washington. In the next few months, we will be sending out a community survey, to see how we can do that most effectively.

In the meantime, I hope that you will let me know how we are doing. If you have a concern, a complaint, or a suggestion, please tell me or talk with an area captain. A list of area captains can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. Your thoughts and comments help the association be responsive and truly effective in continuing to make Mt. Washington a wonderful place to live.

Sincerely, Cliff Mitchell

DirectorsPresident: Cliff Mitchell 410-466-0529 Vice President: Deb Kleiner 410-466-2069Vice President: Neal Braman 410-367-6607 Secretary: Maggie Kunz 410-664-9466Treasurer: Carrie Emerson 410-367-5113BoardNeal Braman 410-367-6607David Brown 410-578-1922David Conn 410-466-8462Carrie Emerson 410-367-5113Eva Glasgow 410-542-4764John Hammond 410-367-4055Deb Kleiner 410-466-2069Kirk Kolodner 410-367-3459Maggie Kunz 410-664-9466George Lewis 410-664-2760Cliff Mitchell 410-466-0529Michael Moss 410-542-7455Lu Pierson 410-664-0055Ralph Raphael 410-664-4485Salem Reiner 410-542-8766Leslie Sporn-Symonds 410-542-1892Eileen Tishken 410-664-3656Honorary DirectorsJan Franz 410-664-5254John Mack 410-466-3824Area DirectorTaliya Adelstein 410-367-4539Area Captains1. Erica Outlaw 410-664-81941. Craig Snyder 410-367-78662. Aaron Meisner 410-664-07072. Julie Salsbery 410-664-00543. Ira Kolman 410-664-50784. Roberta Strickler 410-367-86665. Rebecca Saybolt Bainum 410-664-71596. Mac Nachlas 410-542-87667. Rebecca Redett

Following the annual meeting of the Mt. Washington Improvement Association in June, the newly-elected Board of Directors selected Cliff Mitchell as association president. Deb Kleiner and Neal Braman are the new vice presidents, Carrie Emerson was elected treasurer and Maggie Kunz secretary. A list of the full Board and Area Captains appears elsewhere on this page. The Board meets on the third Tuesday of every month, except in July and August. Please check with your area captain or any of the Board members to keep informed. All open meetings will be posted on the MWIA Web site’s community calendar. Just log onto <www.mwia.org>.

Board of Directors New MWIA Officers Elected

The Board of Directors of Baltimore Clayworks

cordially invite Mt. Washington residents and businesses

to an

OPEN HOUSEon Sunday, October 10from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

The reception will be held at Baltimore Clayworks at 5706 Smith Avenue and will include refreshments, demonstrations and some hands-on activities for children

Information will also be available on our new addition to the Pratt Building. It will house our educational and studio programs, will expand our facility, and include an elevator to make the entire building handicap-accessible.

We appreciate the support and encouragement from our neighbors in making this project possible and would like to invite you to a celebration of your support and a preview of our new building. Please join us after or during your visit to the Mt. Washington Wine, Cheese and Jazz Festival on Sunday, October 10 in the Village.

The Mount Washington Resource Guide, published by the improvement association with the help of the Mt. Washington Village Association and the Johns Hopkins University, can be picked up from your area captain. This stylish guide features a brief history of the neighborhood, along with lots of helpful information on schools, recreation, services, local businesses and annual neighborhood events. If you are new to the area, or know someone who is, this Guide is a great introduction to one of Baltimore’s most intriguing neighborhoods.

Resource Guide is Available

OCTOBER1: Cylburn Arboretum, Twilight Garden Tour: 6:30 p.m., reservations 410-367-2217

2: St. Johnʼs Church Rummage Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kelly Ave. & South Rd. Vendors space available ($10 space fee). Refreshments will be available. 410-367-7287

2: Cylburn Arboretum, Breakfast, Bird Walk and Lecture: 8 a.m. -11a.m.. Morning at the Mansion; Family activities, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., Celebration: Anniversary Dinner and Auction, 5:30 p.m., reservations 410-367-2217

3: Luckman Park Big Fall Clean-up and Planting: 9 a.m. Join your neighbors for this fun community project. Merville and Rockwood Aves. Please bring rake or shovel. Call Maggie Kunz at 410-664-9466 or Barbara Halden at 410-367-5654 for more information

3: Cylburn Arboretum, Morning at the Mansion: Family activities: 9:00 a.m. - noon, Afternoon Tea: 2:30 p.m., reservations required.

3: Organ Dedication Recital, St. Johnʼs Episcopal Church: 4 p.m. Works by Richard Lake, Charles Callahan, Charles Marie Widor, and Cesar Franck will be performed. Featured soloists will be Richard Lake and Nancy Stavely. 410-367-7287

9: Cylburn Arboretum, Workday: Make Cylburn Beautiful: 9 a.m. - noon, General clean up at the Arboretum. Volunteers are needed for weeding, pruning, mulching, and general clean up. No experience necessary! Groups are welcome. Please bring work gloves. To volunteer and for information, call 410-396-0180

10: Mt. Washington Village Wine, Cheese, and Jazz Festival: 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Lots of great food and music

16: Baltimore Clayworks and Annual Gala: 7-11 p.m. at JHUʼs Evergreen House. Silent and live auctions, featuring work from nationʼs craft artists. 410-578-1919

16: Cylburn Arboretum, FestiFall: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This family oriented harvest festival includes hayrides, pumpkin painting and some new events. 410-367-2217

17: Luckman Park Lantern Walk: 5 p.m. We will make lanterns at the Luckman Park Rec building and go for a short walk. Call Barbara for details, 410-367-5654

19: MWIA Open Board Meeting: 7:30 – 9 p.m. Check www.MWIA.org for location or call Cliff Mitchell for more information, 410-466-0529

23: Friends of Luckman Park Coffee Hour: 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Luckman Park Rec Center, Merville and Rockwood Aves. Call Barbara for details, 410-367-5654

28: Friends of Luckman Park meeting: 7:30 p.m., Luckman Park Rec Center. Call Barbara at 410-367-5654 or Maggie at 410-664-9466 for information.

NOVEMBER6: Luckman Park Clean up and Coffee: 9 a.m. – noon, Merville and Rockwood Aves. Call Barbara for details, 410-367-5654

20: Cylburn Open House: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Garden Walk, 1 p.m. Workshop: Thanksgiving Floral Arrangements; 11 am, Registration, $25/$20-members. Create a unique floral centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.

20 -- December 23: Clayworks Winterfest 2004. National Invitational Holiday Exhibition of functional and decorative clay art, featuring 30 noted ceramic artists from across the nation. Opening: Saturday, November 20, 6-8 p.m. 410-578-1919

27: Annual Mt. Washington Community Celebration of Lights: 6:30 p.m., Join friends and neighbors for hot chocolate, cookies and seasonal cheer. Octagon Bldg,. Johns Hopkins Univ., Mt. Washington campus. Call for details

DECEMBER1: Bus Trip: Longwood Gardens and Brandywine River Museum. 8:30 a.m., Registration required. $70 ($60 members).

2: A Monumental Occasion: 5:30 p.m. pre-event festivities, ceremony at 7 p.m. Baltimoreʼs aglow for the holiday season with the official lighting of the Washington Monument. Mount Vernon Place at the 600 block of North Charles Street.

4: St. Johnʼs Annual HollyDaze Bazaar and Silent Auction, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family activities, crafts for sale, food, and rummage sale. 410-367-7287

4: Christmas Tree Sales start at St. Johnʼs Episcopal Church, and continue each Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 4/5, 11/12, 18/19) from noon to dusk. Fresh greens, reasonable prices. Kelly Ave. & South Rd., 410-367-7287

4-23: Clayworks HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA! Annual Holiday Sale featuring the works of 20 member artists and invited artists.10% off on Saturdays (Dec. 4, 11, 18)

21: MWIA Open Board Meeting: 7:30 – 9 p.m. Check www.MWIA.org for location or call Cliff Mitchell for more information, 410-466-0529

Calendar

Ralph Rapheal (second from right) with winners of the MWIA Design and Landscape competition Jackie and Scott Fried (left - design) and Ed Hirschmann (right - landscape.) The awards were announced the the association’s annual meeting in June.

MWIA Design & Landscape Competition Winners

Once again, summer has come to an end. As always, it was relatively quiet with not much happening. However, we did have a wonderful lecture series at the TKF-Meyerhoff teaching pavilion. Those who attended learned about the trees of Mt. Washington, green roofs, container gardens with natives and much more. Likewise, the annual summer solstice was a lot of fun. Food and beverages were superb, the conversation stimulating and the weather just perfect.

Presently we are in the process of installing an archway leading into the Mt. Washington Arboretum. The final product will have pillars constructed of natural stone and a metal arch with a sign in the middle reading “Mt. Washington Arboretum.” This fall we also will build a pergola over the TKF bench. Funding for the gateway and the pergola was provided by TKF. Our thanks go out to that wonderful organization.

Thanks also to our very own Mt. Washington Eagle Scouts, who completed a massive clean-up at the

intersection of Kelly Avenue and Cross Country Boulevard. Special thanks to David Austin Hanley, who organized the cleanup. The scouts cleaned out the invasive vegetation, then covered the area – first with cardboard, followed by mulch. They also removed an enormous amount of trash from the woods and even installed a bench at the corner. “What troopers”!

Further thanks to all the dedicated volunteers who come to our Sunday “weed fest.” Volunteers meet every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and spend about an hour weeding and planting in our many Mt. Washington gardens. Think about how much these gardens contribute to the pleasure of living in our wonderful community and then ask yourself whether you can give an hour of your time to maintain these gardens. If you are interested in helping, please contact Jeff Call at 410-664-4205 or Mike Sherlock at 410 367-2265.

- Karin Brown

News from the Mt. Washington Preservation Trust

In recent months, people walking past Kelly Avenue and South Road may have heard some brighter sounds coming from St. John’s Episcopal Church. That’s because music director Richard Lake has been having a great time practicing on the church’s new Allen digital organ. The recently-installed instrument will get quite a workout on Sunday, October 3 when Lake and organist Nancy Stavely will present a concert of both well known and original works, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Not only will you have an opportunity to hear some great music, but a scale model of the center will also be on display. Everyone is encouraged to attend this recital, which is free of charge. A free-will offering will be collected, with all of the proceeds designated as a gift to the newly conceived Pimlico Arts and Community Center. The center is a joint project of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter and St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pimlico. Parking is available on the church lot, accessed from the southern portion of Newbury Street, near the crest of the Kelly Avenue bridge. Please phone 410-367-7287 for more information.

Organ Recital to be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church

The Mount Washington Elementary School (MWS) is beginning an exciting year with both new leadership and several exciting projects. After a series of interviews, Dr. Tom Shepley was chosen by a committee of parents and teachers to be the new Principal for MWS, which is one of Baltimore’s premier elementary schools. Dr. Shepley is a visionary leader with expertise in reading and school administration. His first few projects include mobilizing the school’s technology, and continuing the teacher-led instructional reform designed to meet outcomes set forth by Maryland’s new curriculum. The school also has a few new surprises to unveil to the community. MWS has received a grant to install a new playground for both its children and the community. The School Improvement Team (SIT) has been working with Baltimore City Department of Parks and Recreation on the design construction of this project. The school is also receiving a ‘face-lift,’ so passers-by should take notice as they make their way through the community this fall. Also, look for the first Tiger Times, a newsletter that will be sent home with the children. It will include a calendar of school events.

The SIT would like to give specific gratitude to our teachers who consistently provide a rich and dynamic learning environment to the children of MWS. This past year’s Maryland State Department of Education test scores placed Mount Washington among some of the highest performing schools in the state. For this, we owe our teachers great thanks. The School Improvement Team meets at the school on the first Thursday of every month at 3:30 p.m. Its meetings are open to the public. Many opportunities are available for community volunteers and business partnerships. Those interested should Bob Pelton at <f-pelton@mail.vjc.edu>.

- Bob Pelton

MWS Is Full of Surprises This Fall

St. John’s Church in Mt. Washington is creating a lending library/resource center for homeschool families during the day. Other community families are welcome to take advantage of this unique opportunity during evenings and weekends. Organizers hope to have the center up and running by the middle of October.

The center will be set up as a lending library with books, videos and educational resource materials. It will be open from 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. for homeschool families and from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. evenings. Weekend hours still to be determined. We will be scheduling classes for art, drama, music, cooking, financial planning, book reviews, parenting, etc.

If you are interested in teaching, planning or organizing any of these types of classes or would like to receive a calendar of events, please call Vivian Kreller at 410-367-7287. There will be modest fees for classes and use of the facility. Proceeds will benefit outreach ministries sponsored by the church.

Lending Library/Homeschool Resource Center to Open

Hazardous Waste Recycling Available This Fall

Are you tired of storing those 10-year-old cans of paint in your basement? How about all of the dead batteries that have been piling up?

These are among the many hazardous waste items that will be collected by the city on Saturday, October 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Poly/Western High School, Falls Road and Cold Spring Lane. Please remember to have a driver’s license to prove you are a city resident.

The Newsletter…This newsletter is published by the Mt. Washington Improvement Association and is mailed to homes of residents four times a year. The newsletter informs residents about people, activities, and services in Mt. Washington and of actions of the Board of Directors. The newsletter accepts news, information and suggestions.

The deadline for the next issue is November 1.Contact: John Hammond, editor: jbhmgh@erols.com or 410-367-4055.

Schedule for Future Issues:

Issue Content for Deadline Fall Dec 1 - Jan 31 October 30Winter Feb 1 - May 15 December 27Spring May 15- Aug 31 April 4

www.mwia.org

We’ve got a new sign! And it is visible evidence that the latest round of infrastructure improvements have been completed in the village.

New Sign for Mt. Washington Village News In Brief.....Babysitting Co-opThe Mt. Washington Babysitting Co-op is looking for new families to share in cooperative child care. It’s a win-win arrangement: your children are cared for by experienced parents and you and your children make friends with your neighbors. For more information, contact Catherine Washburn at 410-664-6659 or by e-mail at <catherinewashburn@yahoo.com>.

Scouts Are Thriving in Mt. WashingtonMt. Washington Cub Scout Pack 388 hikes, bikes and helps out in the community. The group meets monthly at St John’s Church at the corner of South and Kelly Ave. Boys in grades 1 - 5 are welcome to join. If you are interested or want to learn more, please contact Cubmaster Dean MacKinnon at 410-664-6659 or by e-mail at <deanmackinnon@comcast.net>.

Leaves, leaves and even more leavesEven though this year’s visit from the 17-year cicada caused some leaves to fall off trees earlier than usual, the annual neighborhood blanket will be largely unaffected. This year, the city’s leaf removal policy will be as in recent years. Bagged leaves will be collected on the second trash collection day of the week, through the end of the year. For those of you who prefer to recycle, leaves will also be collected on selected Sundays from late November into December. If you cannot wait that long and still want to recycle, dumpsters are located at 2840 Sisson Street and 5030 Reisterstown Road. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Additional information on leaf collection for Baltimore City residents is available by dialing 311.

MWIA to Distribute Neighborhood SurveyIn an effort to learn what is most important to you, the MWIA is issuing a survey to everyone who lives in the neighborhood. Topics include education, traffic, recreation, civic life, development, safety and communications. So be on the lookout for this opportunity to tell the improvement association how you think the community can be improved. And remember to please take the time to respond to this survey and keep Mt. Washington the vibrant neighborhood that it is. Your answers will help association leaders respond to your concerns of today and plan for the needs of tomorrow.

Log-on for the Latest News

Are you tired of missing those important community events?

All is takes is one simple bookmark to keep up with neighborhood activities.

And you don’t even have to visit a store. Log onto <www.mwia.org> and add us to your list of favorites. It is a simple way to find out the latest information. Plus there are links to city services

and attractions. You can even find out how to gain entry to the Luckman Park tennis courts! (Just click

on ‘community resources,’ then ‘tennis.’)

The MWIA Web site – it is a one-stop information center!

www.mwia.org

Hope you stargazers didn’t miss the opportunity to catch a glimpse of George Clooney. The film and television star was in Mt. Washington in mid-September filming scenes for his latest movie. The shooting took place in the Founder’s Building located on the Mt. Washington Campus of the Johns Hopkins Institution. In terms of employees coming and going, the St. Pauls Company totally vacated the property by the end of September. Between now and the end of the year, Johns Hopkins will have a total of approximately 200 people on site. In March, the Center for Talented Youth will locate about 120 employees to the Mt. Washington campus with an additional 20 Hopkins employees moving later in the spring. Please note: it is possible that more personnel may move to the facility during the balance of 2005. The majority of persons locating at the site are affiliated with the HopkinsOne, an initiative to update electronic capabilities of the entire Johns Hopkins Institution.

News from the Hopkins’ Mt. Washington Campus

Police Offer Crime Prevention Tips to CommunityLt. Cannon, Sgt. Smith and Officer Gibson from Northern District met with community residents in August to present an update on area break-ins and to remind everyone of crime prevention tips. An opportunity was also available for those who wished to sign up for the citizen’s patrol, block watchers (walkers) and e-mail network. Among the many tips they offered are to turn down requests for money from people who say their car broke down or they ran out of gas. Similarly, police advise you not to give work to people who knock on your door. Hiring people off the street puts you and your neighbors at risk, they said. Also, if someone you do not know knocks on your door late at night, dial 911. Likewise, call 911 if you see anything suspicious – you are not bothering police if you think something is not right. Other points to remember are to keep serial numbers of electronic items and take pictures of valuables, especially jewelry. Also, always lock your doors, windows, garages and sheds. And do not forget to let your neighbors know when you will be on vacation and how long you will be away. Phone the Northern District at 410-396-2455 to let them know your house will be unoccupied. Finally, if your cell phone is stolen call the company and report it stolen but don’t cancel the service. Also contact Northern District. If the phone is still activated the police can track the numbers and trace the criminal. Do this for at least a week.

Join the MWIA Citizen’s PatrolThe Mount Washington Improvement Association’s (MWIA) Citizen’s Patrol needs your help! All it takes is a couple of hours in the evening. To schedule a driving time call Ed Fludd at 410-466-1055. Also, learn more about what’s happening in your part of our neighborhood by subscribing to the MWIA Crime Network. Follow these easy steps to receive monthly crime stats and current crime news:*Go to <www.mwia.org>*Click on Improvement Association*Scroll down to Public Safety*Click on MWIA Prevent Crime Mail List

Citizen’s Patrol Coordinator HiredMt. Washington resident Ed Fludd has been hired by the MWIA to serve as coordinator of the Citizen’s Patrol. He is responsible for scheduling drivers for the nightly patrol of the community. Please give Ed a call if you would like to help with this important effort. He can be reached at 410-466-1005.

Fresh Christmas Trees!!!▲ Freshly cut trees and greens ▲

▲ Reasonable prices ▲

▲ St. John’s Church parking lot ▲

▲ Kelly Avenue at South Road ▲(Just off Kelly Avenue by the bridge)

▲ Saturdays and Sundays, ▲December 4 - 5, 11 - 12, 18 - 19

▲ Noon until dusk ▲

▲ 410-367-7287 ▲

Proceeds benefit St. John’s community outreach initiatives.

★❆★❆★❆★❆★

★❆★❆★❆★❆★

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 four Tuesdays of each month.

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

Monday, October 11 Holiday - no pick-upTuesday, October 12 paperMonday, October 25 plastic/metal/glass*Tuesday, October 26 paper

Monday, November 8 plastic/metal/glassTuesday, November 9 paperMonday, November 22 plastic/metal/glassTuesday, November 23 paper

Monday, December 13 plastic/metal/glassTuesday, December 14 paperMonday, December 27 plastic/metal/glassTuesday, December 28 paper

.

Bulk Pick-up: Call 311 or e-mail* DPW three working days before scheduled pick-up date.

October 27 notify DPW by October 22November 24 notify DPW by November 19December 22 notify DPW by December 17

*To e-mail DPW:You may e-mail your request on the City’s 311 CitiStat Web page. Log on to <www.baltimorecity.gov>, click on “311 Services.” A box will ask you to select the type of service you want - select “bulk trash,” then a page will appear with “request this service” in blue hypertext; click it. At the prompt, you should type your street address and click “continue”. A new page will appear asking for a description of what you want picked up, where it is located (on the curb or in the alley). Then click “submit.” You will get an e-mail confirmation from DPW.

Reminders:You may leave three items at your regular trash pick-up site. Bulk items include appliances, furniture, and up to four tires with the rims removed. Do not leave building materials such as sheet rock, siding, wood pieces, or roofing out for bulk pick-up.

Questions? Call 410-396-4515 for questions about solid waste; 410-396-4707 if you have concerns about illegal dumping.

Mixed Paper: Place paper in paper bags or cardboard boxes or tie bundles with string. Can include newspapers, magazines, phone books, ad mail, and cardboard.

*Blue Bag: Rinse bottles and cans, and discard caps. Place in blue plastic bags. Can 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 RateU.S. Postage

PAIDBaltimore, MD

Permit No. 5621Mount Washington Improvement Association

P.O. Box 10404Baltimore, MD 21209

Dated Material- Please Deliver Promptly