Michelle Wirzberger, Executive Director of the Midtown Benefits District
Michelle Wirzberger, Execturive Director of the Midtown Benefits District, will be coming to our June meeting this Tuesday, June 2016 to discuss what things Midtown has been up to and to take questions from the community.
The Howard’s Park Dog Park Official Grand Opening
After years of preparation and waiting, the Howard’s Park Dog Park officially opened on Saturday, May 18th, for all of our four legged friends. This first and only Dog Park in Mount Vernon provides an off-leash enclosure and a needed safe space for dogs to just be dogs, along with peaceful place for the people who love dogs to gather.
Found next to the Centre Street Light Rail Station at 310 W. Centre Street, Howard’s Park Dog Park features two enclosures – one for the larger and more energetic dogs in our midst and another for smaller or senior dogs who appreciate the chance to get out in the fresh air. The Park is complete with four levels, two drinking fountains perfect for dogs, a giant log to play on, and, of course, plenty of benches for people to relax.
Howard’s Park Dog Park is the result of over a decade of dreaming, planning, organizing and work lead by generations of volunteers from the Mount Vernon Belvedere Association and the Seton Hill Association working with Baltimore City Parks & Recreation Department. This dedicated group of individuals has continually stepped forward to make our community a better place to live. Opportunities to serve – ensuring the park remains a treasured part of our community still exist. Whether you have an occasional hour to share, an hour a week to serve, or a contribution to make, the MVBA and Seton Hill Association will ensure your generosity is put to good use and deeply valued. Contact the coordinators of the Howard Park Dog Park at dogpark@mvba.org for details, and like the Park’s FB Page facebook.com/MidtownDogPark.
We look forward to seeing you and your best friend out at the park soon!
From the Central District Police Community Relations Council
Commissioner Kevin Davis has made another change to the Command Staff in the Central District. Our Major is now Kevin Jones. Our Acting Captain is Lt. James Rhoden. Lt. Col Bill Marcus has retired however, he will now be working in Central District and said he will see everyone from time to time. As of now, no one has been moved into Lt. Col. Marcus position. Col. Melissa Hyatt and Lt. Col. Osborne Robinson will be filling in.
The Central District CRC meeting will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2016, 6:30 pm at the Central District Station. Commissioner Davis will the guest speaker.
New Bar “Sangria” to Replace Red Maple
After 14 years in business, Red Maple is set to close. The owner is selling the building and his liquor license to a group planning to open a restaurant/bar called “Sangria.” The proprietors of “Sangria” have reached out to the MVBA eager to present their plans for this new establishment to the community at this month’s general body meeting.
The prospective proprietors have also indicated that they will be willing to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the MVBA in regard to their business practices. This is an opportunity for residents to come hear about a new business opening soon in our neighborhood, and to voice any potential concerns they may have, and potential solutions they can come up with, so that we may incorporate these concerns into a Memorandum of Understanding with the proprietors.
Mount Vernon Children’s Park Fundraiser at Poets
The Mt. Vernon Children’s Park on the 800 block of North Calvert Street serves all families that live, work, and visit the neighborhood. Help us raise money to help maintain and improve the park by joining us at Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats for our first fundraiser of 2016! Poets is generously donating a portion of all bar sales (food and drink) to the park.
Date: June 30, 2016
Time: 6pm-9pm
Location: Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats
24 W. Franklin Street, Baltimore, Maryland
Contact the Friends of Mt. Vernon Children’s Park at mountvernonchildrenspark@gmail.com with any questions or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/MountVernonChildrensPark or website mountvernonchildrenspark.org. If you can’t make it to the event but want to contribute, you can donate to the Park Fund via Paypal from our website.
Support Businesses in Trouble Due to Sinkhole on Centre Street
As most of us know, there is ongoing construction to repair a major sinkhole on Center Street. The construction is causing difficult times for businesses all around the area. Some retailers have reported their business is down 60% and they have had to lay off workers. It is important for our community to support the businesses along and around Centre Street.
Please consider supporting Trinacria Cafe at 111 West Centre Street, Flavor at 15 East Centre Street, For Rent Shoes at 515 Cathedral Street, and any other businesses in the area that are not getting the traffic from cars or pedestrians due to construction and congestion.
Update on Distribution of City Trash Cans
For this month of June, Baltimore City has begun providing one free 65-gallon trash (green) can to every residential address that currently receives trash collection service by the City.
If you have not received a trash can yet or erroneously received one for your property, please call 311 to report the issue. Each trash can delivered has an identifying number that is for your individual property. There have been some errors made by the City in the distribution of these cans. Please note that your collection day and pickup location will remain the same.
More information about this effort as well as an informational video is available at http://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov. If you have any questions regarding
regarding these cans, please feel free to send a message to cleanandbeautiful@mvba.org.
Baltimore Pride: Discount for Local Business Wanting to be Vendors.
Baltimore Pride will be the weekend of July 23rd and 24th, with the annual parade and block party happening here in Mount Vernon on the 23rd.
Vendor spaces are still available for rent and we would love to encourage more local businesses to take part. To that end, we have negotiated with the organizers of pride a discount for local business who wish to participate. If you are interested, please email Brian Levy at cleanandbeautiful@mvba.org asap as spaces are limited and deadlines fast approaching.
MVBA’s Third Thursday Community Happy Hour at Flavor
Come join your neighbors for drinks, friends, and community! The next monthly third Thursday MVBA happy hour will held at Flavor located at 15 East Centre Street. Festivities are from5:00 – 9:00 on July 21st, the third Thursday of the month. Visit their website at http://www.flavorbaltimore.com/ Flavor is one of the many businesses that have been hurt due to the massive construction on Centre Street. It’s important to support them now!
Flavor is an American bistro specializing in intimate portions and handcrafted cocktails. At Flavor, all food is prepared in their from-scratch kitchen and sourced locally, as often as possible. Flavor specializes in small plates and has happy hour daily from 3:00 – 7:00 Tuesday through Saturday.
MVBA will be organizing a monthly third Thursday at a different venue on the third Thursday of each month. Please visit mvba.org or our Facebook page facebook.com/MVBA1938/ to get updates on Mount Vernon’s monthly third Thursday events.
And many thanks to all who came out to our last third Thursday on June 16th at The Room! https://www.facebook.com/theroom800 It was fun to see old friends in the neighborhood and meet new neighbors as well. And thank you to Andre who was a fantastic host!
Would You Like a Community Garden?
Members of the community have expressed interest in having a community garden. Community gardens can be a beneficial addition to a community by increasing the availability of nutritious foods, strengthening community ties, reducing environmental hazards, reducing food miles and creating a more sustainable system.
If you would be interested in joining the exploratory committee to create a neighborhood garden, please contact Brian Levy at president@mvba.org
Fourth of July Celebration at the Inner Harbor
Greater Baltimore’s biggest Fourth of July celebration returns to the Inner Harbor! Baltimore’s Fourth of July Celebration takes place Monday, July 4, 2016 from 7 to 10pm at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor with live music and celebratory fireworks.
At 7pm, audiences can enjoy live music from the U.S. Navy Band Cruisers as they perform contemporary hits from the Inner Harbor Amphitheater at Pratt and Light streets. The fireworks show, choreographed to patriotic and contemporary music, begins at 9:30pm. The holiday fireworks can be viewed from several locations in downtown and the surrounding areas, including Federal Hill, Locust Point, Fell’s Point, Canton and Harbor East.
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Saturday Morning Yoga in the Park
Every Wednesday evening this summer at 7:00 PM the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy will host performances by a variety of musicians and dancers. All concerts are held in the Mount Vernon Place West Square and are FREE, just bring your blanket or lawn chair. Below is a list of upcoming performances.
Wed. June 22 Swing ‘n’ Samba. Swing ‘n’ Samba plays not only those two styles, but also Latin, blues, ballads and more!
Wed. June 29 The Lexington Brass Quintet.
Wed. July 6 Dance Baltimore: Learn the Flash Mob Dance.
Wed. July 13 African Drums & Dance: Nyame Nti.
Wed July 20 Lyric Opera.
The Conservancy also hosts Saturday morning yoga from 8:30 to 9:45 in the Mount Vernon Place East Square every Saturday May 21 to September 24. Bring your own mat and water bottle. It’s FREE and appropriate for all levels.
Visit mvpconservancy.org/ for a complete list of performances, movies in the park beginning in August and Children’s programming in the park also beginning in August.
Baltimore City Farmers’ Market & Bazaar
Maryland’s largest producers-only market offers an assortment of produce, meats, dairy, breads, flowers, collectibles and crafts on Sundays between April 17, 2016 and December 18, 2016 from 7am to sell out (typically noon). Many Sundays also feature live music performances and cooking demonstrations.
Cooking demonstrations are on tap at the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar! Kevin Brown kicks off weekly cooking demonstrations at the Market from 9:30 to 11:30am. Brown is co-owner and operator of two cafes in the city’s Station North Arts and Entertainment District: Station North Arts Café Gallery and Nancy by SNAC.
Demos are held near the Saratoga Street entrance. Market goers are encouraged to stop by and pick up helpful cooking tips, recipes and delicious samples. Stay tuned for more cooking demonstrations throughout the season.
The market is located below the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday & Saratoga streets. For more information visit promotionandarts.org/events-festivals/baltimore-farmers-market-bazaar.
Centre Stage Tickets On Sale After Renovations
Centre Stage tickets are now on sale for the 2016/17 season after significant renovations. The 2016/17 Season will bring plays from across the world. Beginning in 18th-century France with the scandalous Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a story that has captivated and shocked audiences for 200 years. Then on to ancient China with the fable-turned-theatrical-wonder, The White Snake. Then, forward to 20th-century America with Twisted Melodies, a play with music, about musical legend Donny Hathaway. And ending with a world-premiere adaptation-and Center Stage commission-of Toni Morrison’s Jazz.
Make sure to attend at least one of these or buy a membership and go to all four. For more information go to http://www.centerstage.org/.
Grace and St. Peters Church
Grace and St. Peter’s Anglo-Catholic Episcopal Church located at the corner of Park Avenue and Monument Street was built in 1852 and is the first brownstone church in Baltimore.
Over the years, Grace and St. Peters has been able to keep up with the basic maintenance of the church facilities and grounds, but finds itself in need of a comprehensive plan for the repair of the failing exterior fence line, repairing the brownstone entrance steps, re-landscaping of the existing landscape, and the installation of a much needed handicap ramp to make the church accessible to its older congregation. The grounds have become overgrown and the fence that encircles the gardens has failed and needs to have footers rebuilt.
This project will cost $35,000 of which 20% has already been collected. The congregation has recently made costly repairs to its 1922 Austin Organ – Opus 1074 and is providing most of the project’s labor.
A Go Fund Me page http://gofundme.com/227k7a4 has been set up to help the 164 year old church raise money for these needed upgrades.
Not only is the church used for services but it’s beautiful acoustics have been the performance venue for the Chamber Orchestra of Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore Concerto Orchestra, Symphony Number One, The Bridge Ensemble, A Colonial Christmas, The Baltimore Consort, Peabody Baroque Ensemble, Peabody Opera, Nola Richardson, Soprano, Organ Historical Society recital tour of Mount Vernon, New and Rarely Heard Music Concert #2 – sponsored by the Career, Development Fund from the Peabody Conservatory, and for various Peabody graduate and undergraduate, organ and harpsichord recitals.
Artscape 2016
Artscape is America’s largest free arts festival, attracting 350,000+ attendees over three days. Artscape features 150+ fine artists; fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars, photography and the Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize; incredible live concerts on outdoor stages, Wyclef Jean is just one of the performers on Friday night; a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, film, experimental music and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; family events such as hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children’s entertainers and street theater; and a delicious, international menu of food and beverages that is available throughout the festival site.
Dates: Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17
HoursFriday: 11am-9pm, Saturday: 11am-9pm, Sunday: 11am-8pm
Artscape After Hours: Friday and Saturday 9pm-11pm
Location: Baltimore, MD
Website: artscape.org
Artscape takes place on Mount Royal Avenue, Cathedral Street, & Charles Street, within Mount Vernon, Bolton Hill, & Station North Arts & Entertainment District neighborhoods. Artscape is held outdoors in tents, and inside the neighborhood’s premier exhibition spaces and performing arts venues. The event is handicapped accessible and FREE and open to the public!
Silent Movie & Organ Concert Series at the Engineers Club
The Garrett-Jacobs Mansion Endowment Fund in partnership with The Engineers Club Presents the 2016 Silent Movie & Organ Concert Series.
Go enjoy a fun-filled afternoon for all ages. On July 10th their Organ Concert Series continues with an organ concert of classic favorites with organist & Artist in Residence, Michael Britt at the console.
All movies and concerts begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion located at 11 West Mount Vernon Place. Tickets are $8 Adults & $4 Children Ages 11 & Under to the General Public Members of The Engineers Club & Friends of the Mansion Admitted Free and tickets are available at the door. Check out their website for other upcoming movies and organ concerts. http://www.esb.org/club/
Join a Committee, Meet Your Neighbors and Improve Our Neighborhood!
The Community Service and Engagement Committee
Meets every other Sunday at 218 E. Preston Street. Please call Matt for entry and for more information at (914) 602-8584 and contact him at corrsecretary@mvba.org for more information.
The Membership Committee
Meets at Indigma on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm. Contact Julie Canard for more information at membership@mvba.org.
The Development Committee
Meets on the first Monday of every month at 6:00 pm. Contact Lance Decker at development@mvba.org.
The Clean & Beautiful Committee
Contact Michele Richter at vicepresident@mvba.org.
The Green Committee & Trees
Contact Andy Smith at trees@mvba.org.
The Dog Park Committee
Contact Samantha Braun or Geoffrey Hart at dogpark@mvba.org.
The Safety Committee
Mets on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 6:00 pm at Spirits of Mount Vernon. Contact Jason Curtis at safety@mvba.org for more information.
Elections schedule
2016 General Presidential / Mayoral Election
Deadline for Voter Registration: October 18, 2016 at 9:00 PM
Early Voting Dates: October 27-Nov. 3, 2016
Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
General Election Day: November 8, 2016
Hours: 7:00 AM- 8:00 PM
New Day Spa Open in The Belvedere
Effleurence Studios Massage & Spa, recently opened inside The Belvedere at 1 E. Chase Street. Owner La’Mar Matthews says it is his hope that you will find Effleurence Studios as a calming reservoir of peace, tranquility, relaxation and comfort.
Effeurence performs all types of massage as well as Reflexology, myofascial, craniosacral, and Dry Cupping treatments. By appointment only, call (443) 226-5719 and ask for La’Mar and be sure to inquire about their specials.
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