Neighborhood Notes: September 2020

Free Mobile Shred-it Day
Neighbors are invited to bring their paperwork and documents for on-site shredding on Saturday, September 19 from 10 am-1 pm at Canton Waterfront Park. All documents will be processed while the Shred-it truck is on-site. Sponsored by Masters Title and Escrow and Cummings & Co - The Blazer Team.

Commemorative Brick Installment

Last month the CCA installed 33 new commemorative bricks in O’Donnell Square Park via our Buy-A-Brick Program. Neighbors also purchased 17 duplicate bricks to take home or share. Funds from the purchases support the endowment to maintain O'Donnell Square Park.

The bricks provide a unique opportunity to pay tribute to the community, a business, a loved one, a special date, or any meaningful moment in time. At the most recent installation on August 8, 2 Black Lives Matter bricks where installed, one at each end of the park in the Potomac and Linwood Avenue flowerbeds.

If you want to contribute to the Friends of O'Donnell Square Park with the purchase of a commemorative brick, visit https://www.cantoncommunity.org/buy-a-brick/purchase. The cost of a commemorative brick is $70. You may also purchase a replica of your brick with felt backing for an additional $35. And, we can duplicate previously purchased bricks, too! If you are not sure of what to say on your brick, email brick@cantoncommunity.org and we can help you find the perfect wording.

O’Donnell Street Traffic Pattern Update
O’Donnell Street is closed to thru traffic between Potomac and Linwood Avenues to allow for extended outdoor dining. Some exceptions apply. Restricted access is available to 1.) Emergency Vehicles  2.) Business Deliveries  3.) City Services  4.) ADA Drop-Off/Pickup and 5.) Permitted Short-Term Retail Parking. No overnight parking is permitted. Vehicles parked in unauthorized zones will be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense. Thank you for your cooperation.

Primary Election Mail-In Ballot
All voters need to request a mail-in ballot if they plan to vote by mail in the 2020 General Election. This is a big departure from the Primary Election when all active voters were automatically mailed a ballot. To request your mail-in ballot, go to https://bit.ly/31jVdPB. You'll need your driver's license or state identification card at hand to fill out all of the details.

New Emergency Feature: Text 9-1-1
Baltimore City has a new 911 system feature; Call if you can, text if you can’t. If you need help, but can't safely speak on the phone or are unable to speak, use your mobile phone to send a text message to 9-1-1. Calling is still the best and fastest way to reach 9-1-1, but you should text if you're deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability.

O’Donnell Square Park Dining Tables

Dining tables are now available in O’Donnell Square Park Thursday-Sunday from 5 pm to dusk. The table set up and cleaning is operated by Tray & Co. and a portion of the proceeds goes to SE Youth & Families Engagement! Strict COVID-19 protocol will be in place, including sanitizing tables between each use. Here are the guidelines for the diners.

* Must be dining to use tables

* Must be seated, no standing around

* Must wear a mask when not eating

* No more than 6 people per table

* Please bus your table and recycle

* Tips encouraged ($5/30 min., $10 60 min.)

* Cashless payment preferred

* Weather contingent

Dypski Park Update
The Dypski Park Renovation Project is moving forward! New bids from contractors are due October 14, 2020, with an estimated start for construction in January or February of 2021. Any questions concerning this project should be directed to Will Andersen at BCRP at 410.396.7948 or William.Andersen@baltimorecity.gov.

Canton Neighbors Voted #1

Baltimore Magazine readers vote Canton Neighbors the Winner for Best Facebook Page in their Best of Baltimore Readers’ Poll 2020. The page, famous for such posts as the “Jump Rump” and “Water for Onesies”, has almost 23k members. To join, check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/canton.neighbors.baltimore. Shout out to the awesome runner up, Baltimore Supper Club!

Recycling Volunteers Needed

Council President Brandon M. Scott is organizing volunteers to help with recycling pick up. If you have access to a pickup truck and want to help, please sign up using this Google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtaN7wDkF9da3TVOGj3PUQxGKByQDORPhcDkPgSxWDfEUSFg/viewform. You can also contact your CCA Block Captain to help coordinate neighbors in Canton. If you don’t know your block captain, please email info@CantonCommunity.org.

HHA Families in Need
Hampstead Hill Academy is raising funds to buy groceries for our students and their families. As the impact of Covid-19 continues many families’ situations have worsened. You can help. Your donation of $50 = 1 week of groceries, but any amount will help. 100% of your donation goes to the families and is carefully hand-delivered by staff volunteers. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Felicia German fgerman@bcps.k12.md.us or Ms. Geri Swann at geriswann@hotmail.com. TO DONATE, visit https://bit.ly/3dXaqdz.

Black-owned Business List

One way to support our neighbors of color is to shop and dine at Black-owned businesses. Use this link (https://bit.ly/2YnvhT7) for a map of Black-owned restaurants in Baltimore City, including the Knotty Pine and Shipyard Pub in Canton.

OPEN / CLOSED

Alma Cocina Latina

After 5 delicious and creative years, Alma Cocina Latina is closing its doors at the Can Company on Boston Street. It appears the owners will reopen in a yet-to-be-announced location. Their FB page reads “Our destination is not confirmed yet. However, our food initiative for the community meals along with @merakitchencollective will continue uninterrupted in a temporary location. Muchas gracias again for these 5.5 years!!”

Fuisine

Chef John Creger opens Manhattan-inspired Fuisine in the former home of the Regal Beagle at 3123 Elliott Street. Diners can expect seasonal, scratch-made offerings like Squid Ink Tagliatelle, Crab Dip Arancini, and a Curry Cauliflower Daiquiri. The soft opening runs September 4-10 featuring a reservation-only, 7-course tasting menu. To make a reservation email chefjohn@fuisinebaltimore.com or visit http://www.fuisinebaltimore.com.