Neighborhood Notes: May 2024
/CCA Public Meeting May 2024
The CCA will host a hybrid Public Meeting on May 21 at 6:30 pm. We’re going to fill you in on CCA news and we’ll field some questions, too. Join us in person at the United Evangelical Church at 3200 Dillon Street (enter via East Ave. and go downstairs) or watch online on our FB page. To submit a question in advance, please email info@cantoncommunity.org.
CCA Seeking Grant Writers
The CCA has many projects on deck that require grant funding or a sponsor to complete. Many involve the neighborhood parks as well as traffic calming measures. Several “Greening” grants are available in Baltimore City, but we don’t have enough volunteers to get to all the applications. If you are a grant writer, we’d love your help! Please contact us at info@CantonCommunity.org.
CCP Placemaking Grants
The CCA has applied for multiple grants from the State of Maryland through the Community Health & Safety Works grant program. If approved, the CCA plans to use the funds for the following projects:
Community Placemaking - The CCA intends to utilize the grant for making updates to O'Donnell Square Park. The objective is to create a welcoming and safe space for everyone that promotes inclusivity, art, and community.
Environmental Justice - The grant will be used in two locations: Site 1 is the Canton Library, where the focus is on traffic calming and pedestrian/cyclist safety. Site 2 is Canton's waterfront promenade, where the focus is on mitigating stormwater run-off, preventing litter infiltration into the harbor, and beautification through landscaping and the establishment of rain gardens and a pocket park.
Cameras and Lighting – This grant will be used to expand the CCA Public Safety Camera Project, which aims to install security cameras in strategic locations throughout the community. The goal is not only to deter crime but also to obtain video evidence of criminal activity to aid in solving crimes.
If you are a grant writer, we’d love your help writing future grant applications! Please contact us at info@CantonCommunity.org.
2024 Baltimore City Primary Election
In Baltimore, city voters will cast ballots for mayor, City Council president, members of the City Council, and comptroller. Here are some key dates and deadlines.
May 2 - Early voting begins.
May 7 - Deadline for a registered voter to request a mailed or faxed mail-in ballot. (8 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email)
May 9 - Early voting ends
May 10 Deadline for a registered voter to request an electronic mail-in ballot. (5 p.m. by mail\11:59 p.m. via fax or email)
May 14 - Primary Election Day, mail-in ballot return deadline (in a ballot box, at a polling place, or at a local board of elections office), and deadline to register in person.
May 24 -- Deadline for the local board of elections to receive mail-in ballots by mail.
For more info, check out this helpful article by WBALTV11.
CCA Announces New Parks Committee
The CCA is excited to announce the formation of our new Parks Committee, led by Kurt Hoffman and Alex Yates. Did you know Canton has many parks beyond O’Donnell Square? There’s the Canton Waterfront Park, the Friends of Canton Dog Park, Dypski Park/Playground, and Two Rivers. Not only will the group oversee regular cleanups on the first and third Saturdays of every month, but they are looking to host some events like Movie Nights, a Community Swap, Playground Tour, and a Cornhole Tournament to bring attention to our hidden gem, Two Rivers Park. They will also assist Waterfront Partnership in maintaining the Harris Creek Rain Garden and provide supplementary help at the I Wonder Garden. If you're interested in volunteering to help plan or run an event, or if you'd like to assist with cleanup, we would love to have you on board. Please reach out to us at hofftheprof@gmail.com.
Dypski Park Reservations
Neighbors interested in reserving Dypski Park for a kid’s party or other special event should contact Shawnte Minor and Ashley Bush at BCRP Permits and Special Events at 410-396-7070 or email park.permits@baltimorecity.gov. The office is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and closed on Thursdays. Further details on obtaining a permit can be found at https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/permitshome and https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/private-events.
Friends of Canton Dog Park Update
The Canton Dog Park, located at 3221 Toone Street, provides an off-leash experience in a 2-sided park. One side is for smaller or older dogs, and one is for larger pups.
Since we jump-started the Friends of Canton Dog Park FB page in 2022, we’ve seen an increase in followers of the Facebook group, new pups & parents at the park, and lots of helpful volunteers! We encourage our members to follow the page and send us photos of you and your pups having fun at the park. (Marketing@CantonCommunity.org or tag us @CCA_Baltimore.)
If you’ve been by lately, you’ll see we have new signs! Now everyone can read the rules and follow them for both the dog’s and pup’s parents’ safety. Also, you’ll notice there is a temporary drain in place to elevate the “lake” problem in the large dog side of the Canton Dog Park. Thank you to our volunteers for the installation. The CCA is in communication with BCRP, DOT, DPW, and Councilmember Cohen’s office to work on a permanent solution. It’s been a very slow process, but we’re not giving up!
To learn more or volunteer with the park’s upkeep, please visit https://www.cantoncommunity.org/parks.
Music on the Square Concert Series
Music on the Square Concert Series continues May 10 with Hubby Jenkins. As a former member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Rhiannon Giddens band, Hubby brings a wealth of experience and talent to his solo performances. Join us for an evening of live roots music in Baltimore’s beautiful and resonant space, Music on the Square! The concert series is held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Church on the Square located at 1025 S. Potomac Street. Tickets $25.
Wine at Sunset
Friends of Patterson Park hosts their annual fundraiser, Wine at Sunset, on Thursday, May 23 from 6-9 pm. This event features wine tastings and small bites from some of Baltimore’s favorite restaurants as well as live music by Rob Fahey – all to benefit Patterson Park! For more info and tickets.
Free Yoga, Abs Core, and Wellness Classes
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Engagement Center (at 1501 South Clinton Street in Canton) has Free Yoga Classes on Mondays from 5-6 pm. The instructor is amazing, and you don’t need CareFirst insurance to participate. Classes and parking are free. Some yoga mats are provided or you can bring your own. Other classes include Relaxation & Meditation, Stretch & Balance, Abs, Core & More, and Zumba. To register please click https://www.carefirst.com/cec/, and select register for a class or event or go to CareFirst Engagement Center Events | Eventbrite.
Canton Library May Events
Check out these events at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Canton located at 1030 S. Ellwood. DETAILS
• Yoga in the Library
It's no secret how good it is to move and exercise as we age. Yoga is a breath-based practice that combines movement in unison with our breath. It is truly for every single body and can be adapted to how one feels on any given day, bringing greater range of motion as well as more strength and flexibility to our joints and muscles. 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. This program is provided in part by the Friends of the Canton Library. Saturdays, May 4-18 from 10:15 am to 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 original artwork. This is a 4-week course, taught by Cachet Currie a member of the North American Quilling Guild. Space is limited to 12 participants. Please call 410-396-8548 to enroll. Adult participants completing the full 4-week session get a complimentary kit. Saturdays, May 4-25 from 3:00 pm 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, May 25, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Hatton Senior Center
Baltimore is home to 13 senior centers which offer different programs and services for older adults. In Canton, the Hatton Senior Senior Center, located at 2825 Fait Ave., is open Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-3:30 pm. Neighbors 55+ can take part in fitness and wellness programs, dining services, and lifelong learning classes. Seniors 60+ are eligible for the “Eating Together Meal” Monday, Tuesday & Thursday at 11:30 am for $2. Advance registration is required. For more information, call 410-396-9025 or email Adrienne.Blumberg@baltimorecity.gov. Look for more details to follow in future Life in Canton e-newsletters.
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
CCA Hybrid Public Meetings 2024
February 20, May 21, September 17, and November 19
Meetings are held at the United Evangelical Church at 3200 Dillon St. and live-streamed on the CCA Facebook page.
CCA Free Community Dumpster Days 2024
March 23, June 1, September 7, November 2
The dumpster will be located near 1011 S. Lakewood Ave, alongside Safeway just north of Boston Street from approximately 9:00 am until noon or until full. Plan to go early, as it usually fills fast.
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 memorialize loved ones and pets. Details on our website.
Community Outreach
The CCA and the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance are committed to fostering communication across our community. To be as inclusive as possible 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, a newsletter, or an email list, or simply hosts a regular meeting where you could distribute a flyer and you would like to participate, please email info@CantonCommunity.org.
CCA Merchandise
Support the CCA and look sharp, too. Buy CCA merchandise including hats, long-sleeve lightweight hoodies, CCA foldable, reusable tote bags, and more available at Canton Ace Hardware at 1022 Binney St.
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.
CCA Committees
CCA committees include Arts, Economic Development, Education, Marketing, Membership, Parks (NEW), Public Safety, Transportation, Social, Sustainability (NEW), and Volunteer. The CCA also oversees the Friends of Canton Dog Park and Friends O’Donnell Square, and partners with Canton Canopy, I Wonder Garden, and the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance. New members are welcomed for all CCA committees. Details can be found on our website at https://www.cantoncommunity.org/committees