Neighborhood Notes: June 2021
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Frederick Douglass Unveiling (Photo)
On Saturday, June 19, 2021, (Juneteenth*) the Canton Community Association, in partnership with the Baltimore National Heritage Area and the Friends of President Street Station, will unveil a set of historic panels commemorating Frederick Douglass’ escape from slavery in 1838. Join us outside at 2809 Boston Street, the site of the former depot (where it was recently discovered by Dr. Raymond Bahr) that Douglass boarded a train to freedom.
The dedication program will include remarks by:
Raymond Bahr, Canton Community Association History Committee
Bradley Alston, Frederick Douglass Scholar and Tour Guide
Shauntee Daniels, Director, Baltimore National Heritage Area
Zeke Cohen, Baltimore City Councilmember
Mark Edelson, President of the Canton Community Association
Local Scholars (TBA)
Event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/3948589411903248
Look for photos from the event and illustrations of the new panels, as well as more information about Frederick Douglass and his connection to Baltimore to follow in the July edition of Life in Canton.
For questions about the unveiling event, contact Dr, Raymond Bahr at 443-864-1095.
Juneteenth Celebration
*Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, TX with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863.
In celebration, the Creative Alliance is hosting “Bask in Freedom” a special live performance by Ray Winder and her band. For details on the free event, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/498408401402669.
Raw & Refined
Canton’s waterfront oasis, Raw & Refined, is open for the season! Enjoy coastal seafood fare with Caribbean and South American influences, craft cocktails & cold beer at the newly expanded deck bar while listening to live entertainment from local musicians. R&R is also available for private events. For more info, visit them at 2723 Lighthouse Point or check out their website at https://www.rawandrefinedbaltimore.com/.
Swim Club
Swim Club at Lighthouse Point in Canton is Baltimore's premier pool club with locally sourced food, craft drinks, live music and more. Individual, Couples and Family memberships are available. To sign up, visit https://swimclubbaltimore.com/.
O’Donnell Square Park Clean Up – 2nd Saturdays
Join CCA Outreach Chair Torbin Green and the Stewards of O'Donnell Square Park every second Saturday of the month to clean and maintain the Park. Baltimore City Recreation and Parks will provide tools (gloves, rakes, trash bags and shovels) and personnel support. See you this month on June 12 at 10:00 a.m. For details, email info@CantonCommunity.org.
Canton Contained Vacation Garden Watering Service
Did you spend the pandemic creating a beautiful urban oasis? Or, maybe you just have a few colorful pots on your stoop… Either way, you wouldn’t leave your pets alone when you go on vacation so the same should apply to your plants. Don’t invest in a beautiful garden only to have it die while you’re off enjoying some R&R. Julie Kichline, the founder of Canton Contained a popular FB group for city container gardeners, offers vacation watering services. Email CantonContained@gmail.com or DM for details.
Beautify Baltimore Brunch Club
This group of volunteers meets every other Sunday morning at a pre-determined block to weed/clean up the area. After that, they gather at a neighborhood restaurant for brunch. What a great way to meet your neighbors and help the community! To learn more about the Beautify Baltimore Brunch Club, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/417651285384444.
Canton Anti-Racism Alliance
The Canton Anti-Racism Alliance is dedicated to affecting long-term, impactful changes in our neighborhood to foster a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming community. The Alliance meets the 4th Tuesday of every month via Zoom. To join, email president@cantoncommunity.org for details. Everyone is welcome!
Volunteer Wanted
Are you super organized? Love a spreadsheet? The CCA needs some help tracking and ordering our merchandise. So, if this is your thing and you have a few hours to volunteer a month, please email info@cantoncommunity.org. Thanks for #GettingNeighborly!
Reporting and Preventing Crime – Tip Line
The Baltimore City Police Department asks neighbors to report crimes via this TIP email: SEDtips@baltimorepolice.org. Security camera footage and photos should be included.
CCA NEWS
Community Outreach
The CCA and the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance are committed to fostering communication across our community and we need your help. To make sure we are reaching neighbors beyond social media we are looking for businesses, organizations, schools, churches, senior and rec centers, etc. to serve as points of distribution for information. If your business or organization has a place to post a flyer, distributes a newsletter, has an email list, etc. and you would like to help facilitate outreach to our neighbors, please email info@CantonCommunity.org.
Block Captains
The CCA is looking for Block Captains to increase communication and help bring about more organization from the ground up. Block Captains also play an important role in the Get Lit Canton project. If you are interested in representing your block, please email info@cantoncommunity.org and put Block Captain in the subject line.
CCA Virtual Public Meetings 2021
August 17 and November 16
CCA Community Dumpster Days 2021
July 17, September 25 and November 6
CCA Committees
CCA committees include Arts, Economic Development, Education, Marketing, Public Safety, Transportation, Social, Membership and Volunteer. The CCA also oversees the Friends of Canton Dog Park and Friends of O’Donnell Square, and partners with Canton Canopy. And, last year the CCA founded a new community committee, the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance. New members are welcomed. Details can be found on our website at https://www.cantoncommunity.org/committees.
Canton Anti-Racism Alliance
The Alliance hosts a virtual meeting the 4th Tuesday of every month to discuss and affect change to help Canton become a more welcoming, diverse, inclusive, equitable and welcoming neighborhood. To learn more email President@CantonCommunity.org.
Marketing
The CCA Marketing Committee meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month. This summer, we are planning a popup event addressing sustainability in our community (Date TBD). We could use a few new members on our team. If you’re interested in learning more or sitting in, please email marketing@cantoncommunity.org.
Membership
The CCA Membership Committee dynamic duo Dorothy and Megan will be reaching out to encourage existing members to renew as well as inviting new neighbors to join. Individual, family, and business memberships are available. To join https://www.cantoncommunity.org/join-us.
CCA Social Media - Follow us!
For the latest information about our neighborhood and other helpful community/city news, please follow our CCA pages on social media. Instagram @CCA_Baltimore and www.facebook.com/CantonCommunityAssociation.
LEGISLATIVE & CITY COUNCIL UPDATES (Office of the Mayor & Baltimore City Council)
• Baltimore City Council Meetings – Upcoming digital council meetings may be viewed on Charm TV at http://www.charmtvbaltimore.com/. The next meetings are scheduled for Monday, June 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 5:00 p.m.
• Free Utility Bill Consultation - The Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland is offering free utility bill consultations. Volunteer attorneys will give residents free legal advice regarding their water, gas, and/or electric bills. Attorneys will advise on issues such as bill disputes, shutoffs, and questions about financial assistance that may be available. If interested in this remote service, call 443-703-3052 to register.
• City Council Covid-19 Resource Map - Mayor Brandon Scott has compiled Baltimore COVID-19 resources into an asset map. Visit bit.ly/bmorecovidmap for an updated list of food sites, health care clinics, and shopping options for seniors & people with compromised immune systems.