Neighborhood Notes: December 2023

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Bmore Cares Community Cooking Crews
Did you know there’s a free community fridge in SE Bmore? It is outside 123 N. Linwood and available to anyone who needs a meal. Our neighbor, Allie Marston, is championing the holiday cooking and donation project called Bmore Cares Community Cooking Crew (SE). If you are interested in helping, please visit this FB group to sign up to shop, cook, donate or drive. This is important to ensure that someone will be bringing something each day. The fridge is also a bit small, so it’s better to spread out the contributions. If you don’t cook and would like to donate groceries or even funds, that is helpful as well. If have any questions, feel free to DM Allie, or if email is more your style: alliemarston@gmail.com. Thanks to all in advance!

 

Community CleanUps
The CCA sends a huge shoutout to the team at Holmes Glorioso Home Group of EXP Realty for picking O'Donnell Square Park as the recipient of their annual Volunteer Day!! The crew did an outstanding job weeding and mulching the park. Thanks to Marianne Mehrer, Stacie DeHaven, Angela Glorioso, Kim Lally Holmes, Audrey Harwood, Julia Brown, and Tyler Malstrom for #GettingNeighborly!

We’d also like to thank the team at Floyd's 99 Barbershop for sponsoring a clean-up of O'Donnell Square Park to prepare for the Canton Day of Giving 2023. Not only did they show up to cleanup, they also gave participants a coupon for a FREE HAIRCUT! Shoutout to CCA Volunteer Kurt Hoffman for organizing!

If you or your business would like to volunteer in our community, please email info@CantonCommunity.org or visit https://www.cantoncommunity.org/volunteer.

Volunteers Needed to aid Church
The United Evangelical Church, 3200 Dillon St., is looking for volunteers to help with some minor repairs and upkeep. Their regular volunteer is injured. They are considering hosting a Volunteer Day to help with the projects. If you’d like to participate please email uecucc@comcast.net or call 410-276-0393.

Public Safety Camera Program
The Canton Community Association was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development: Community Safety Works program to install public safety cameras in the business areas of the neighborhood. The Public Safety Committee, comprised of members from Canton, Brewer’s Hill, Patterson Park, and Butcher’s Hill, has been actively working to identify a camera vendor and locations for installation based on crime data. All contracts, agreements, and process documents are being reviewed by legal counsel to ensure the process is sound. We will have more details to follow and look forward to implementing the program in early 2024. For questions, please contact info@CantonCommunity.org.

Public Safety Resources
The Holidays and crime seem to go hand-in-hand. To protect yourself from porch pirates, auto break-ins, and more, follow the helpful suggestions to reduce theft and increase safety found on our website. You can also use this new service www.PorchPair.com to reserve a delivery spot with a local participating business.

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.

Music on the Square
Music on the Square Concert Series continues with the 2023-2024 season bringing roots music to Canton! Check out the music of Viv & Riley on Friday, December 15 at 7:00 pm. Their music is simultaneously steeped in folk traditions and bursting with contemporary pop joy. $25. Church on the Square is located at 1025 S Potomac Street, Baltimore, MD 21224. Click here for TICKETS.

Shop Small for the Holidays
Support local businesses by shopping small this holiday season. Here are a few to support in our community.

  • Canton Games - Baltimore’s best source for all your gaming and collectible needs. 2101 Essex Street | 410-276-2640 | www.cantongames.com

  • Best Day Ever - a fun gift shop featuring everything you need for a wedding, baby shower, birthday, or housewarming party. 2915 O’Donnell Street | 667-212-3919 | www.bestdayevermd.com

  • Canton Ace Hardware - an employee-owned hardware store stocking household tools, garden supplies, home decor CCA merch & more.  1002 S. Binney Street | 410-327-0404 | www.acehardwaredc.com.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Celebration
The Baltimore Office for the Promotion of the Arts is once again organizing a fireworks show over the Inner Harbor, but this year they are introducing an exciting new element: a drone show choreographed by Image Engineering, a renowned global event company specializing in laser entertainment headquartered in Curtis Bay. Pre-firework entertainment takes place along the Inner Harbor from 8 to 11:45 p.m., followed by the fireworks and drone show that will occur simultaneously at the stroke of midnight.

  • 8 PM: DJ set by Baltimore-based party performer DJ Curtis of C. James Experience.

  • 10-11:45 PM: Soul Cannon, featuring the talents of Eze Jackson, Matt Frazão, Jon Birkholz and Charles Wilson.

  • 12 AM: Fireworks and drones

For more details about NYE activities, check out Visit Baltimore.

Exchange Club Scholarship Program
The Exchange Club of Highlandtown-Canton is now accepting applications for its 2023-2024 college scholarship program. The scholarship will be awarded to one college-bound high school senior who lives in East or Southeast Baltimore (within zip codes 21224, 21231, 21205, or 21202). The decision of whom to award the scholarship is based on a combination of financial need, demonstration of exemplary citizenship, service, and good character. Applications are accepted through January 31, 2024 for qualifying seniors to apply. The winner will be announced in the Spring of 2024. Link to application: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSds9DEHZ-Ip7L.../viewform. Congratulations to Denmark Woody, Baltimore Polytechnic Class of '23, winner of last year's scholarship!

Canton Library Programs
Join your neighneighbors at the Enoch Pratt Library Canton Branch for these classes in 2024. The library is located at ​​1030 S. Ellwood. Questions, email CNT@prattlibrary.org.

Yoga in the Library
Whether you have had experience taking yoga or not, this chair and standing posture class is for anyone who wishes to explore yoga further or as a beginner. Saturdays, beginning January 6 from 10:15 - 11:15 am.

TranQuillity at Pratt
Quilling is the ancient art of rolling, gluing, and shaping strips of paper into various forms. Come learn quilling and make your own original artwork. Please call 410-396-8548 to enroll. Adult participants completing the full 4-week session get a complimentary kit. Saturdays, January 6 through January 27, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm.

In Stitches Club
Whether you knit, crochet, cross-stitch, needlepoint – or have another favorite craft – bring your work in progress to join us for a morning of crafting, conversation, and camaraderie. Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10:30am to 12:30pm.

Reading Partners
Reading Partners Baltimore is a nonprofit that mobilizes communities to provide students with proven, individualized reading support. They partner with local teachers, parents, and community volunteers to help students become strong, confident readers with a passion for learning. More info and to volunteer.

DPW Leaf and Christmas Tree Collection
Leaf collection season continues through January 22, 2024. Bagged leaves (up to 5 bags) are collected on regularly scheduled trash collection days. Residents can call 311 to schedule special Monday pickups of up to 20 bags of leaves. Read more details about leaf collection. Christmas Tree pick up is also available - info at https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/.

CCA NEWS

How to Support the CCA this Holiday Season

1.) Become a CCA Member
Joining the CCA is a gateway to meeting neighbors and supporting local businesses in our community. Meet awesome people and learn about our neighborhood and how you can engage to not only have fun but help others, too. You’ll also receive a subscription to our monthly e-newsletter, Life in Canton, and some cool CCA merch. Individual memberships start at only $10/year; business memberships at $250. For details, visit https://www.cantoncommunity.org/join-us.

2.) Shop CCA Merchandise – Did you know you can “Shop the CCA” to benefit our community? Check out our cool navy blue and lime merch at Canton Ace Hardware. Select from dog bandanas, baby onesies, limited edition hoodies, and more. Don’t forget to pick up a CCA foldable, reusable tote bag, too. They make a great gift at only 2 for $15! To purchase, email info@CantonCommunity.org.

3.) Volunteer with Us!
Random CCA Merch $20, CCA Membership $10, Volunteering with the CCA, priceless!  To learn about our committees, events, and community volunteer efforts or to become a Block Captain, visit https://www.cantoncommunity.org/committees.

4.) Buy-A-Brick at O’Donnell Square Park or the Canton Dog Park
Support the endowment to maintain O'Donnell Square Park and/or The Friends of Canton Dog Park with the purchase of a commemorative brick. Pay tribute to someone's love of the community or recognize birthdays, anniversaries, birth and wedding dates, businesses, or memorializing loved ones. The cost of a commemorative brick is $100. You may also purchase a replica of your brick with felt backing for an additional $35. We can duplicate previously purchased bricks, too. If you are not sure of the wording on your brick, emailbrick@cantoncommunity.org and we can help. (Note: the program is under transition and new bricks may take several months to be installed.)

CCA Board Election Notice
The CCA will hold its annual Board Elections on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, during the CCA Public Meeting which begins at 6:30 p.m. Board terms are for 2 years, and members attend monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. For more info or questions, email info@cantoncommunity.org.  

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 Facebook.

SAVE THE DATES

CCA Public Meetings 2024
Tuesday February 20
Tuesday May 21
Tuesday September 17
Tuesday November 19