The Rodgers Forge PTA is always interested in the opinion of our members. Over the past few years we have talked about reviewing how the we go about fund raising and what type of fundraisers we should pursue. Please take a few minutes to review the questionnaire and let us know what you would like to see in the future. ... Click here for more.
A message from SPX:
ST. PIUS X CARNIVAL this weekend Friday, April 30th 4pm-11
Sat. May 1st noon - 11 and Sunday noon - 6pm
Rides for all ages!...Games, Music, Food, Silent Auction, Book Room, Collectibles/Clothing
Free Admission and there are specials each day for "All you can Ride" wristbands for the kids.
Great weather predicted....an easy walk from anywhere in the Forge!
http://www.stpius10.org/index.php
The Make-A-Wish Kids' Triathlon at Padonia Park Club, Cockeysville, Maryland gives kids the opportunity to swim, bike and run to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions in their area. This fun and active event not only offers exercise through the triathlon, but athletes are also invited to a wonderful post-race picnic complete with games, prizes, special guests and delicious food. Top finishers and top fundraisers will receive awards and each participant will get a commemorative T-shirt, goodie bag and victory medal.
More info here.
On May 9 at The Walters: Have you ever wanted to learn more about what makes the ancient ritual and traditions of Japanese tea ceremonies so extraordinary? Before introducing tea, three essential ingredients are required: concentration, movement and aesthetic appreciation. Witness the rich and nuanced ritual of an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, as practiced by a professional group of experienced participants. The audience will be privileged to learn all details of preparation and serving of tea, as well as guest’s appropriate conversation methods and the final completion rituals.
Details here.
The annual Stoneleigh Spring Yard Sale will be held this Saturday, May 1, 2010, from 9-12.
Join us for 31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins® and help us honor America's firefighters. The Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation is donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation™ (NFFF).
Participating stores will reduce prices of ice cream scoops to 31 cents*. At some locations, you may also have an opportunity to make a donation to your local fire charities. ... Details and locations here.
I came across this new shop, A-round, the other day. It brought be back to the times when I used to dress like this all the time -- about 20 years and 50 pounds ago. Lots of great vintage clothes and accessories. It's in the same little strip of stores at Shananigans Toy Store and Little Lamb consignments. 410.236.2065. No website yet.
I just received this email:
I live in the 300 block of Overbrook Road and today (around 3 pm), I witnessed my neighbor's bike being stolen from her garage. I'm writing because it happened so fast that by the time I picked up the telephone, the thief was gone - unfortunately, with the bike. The neighbor's garage door had a deadbolt lock, but the thief yanked the door off its frame. She was at home and heard nothing. Is it only happening to houses with tall stockade fences? I don't mean to blame the victim; I'm just trying to understand, and maybe collect statistics.
The principal of West Towson Elementary gave an update to the Armagh Village neighborhood association and information from that was posted on the WTES Facebook page. One of the updates: A traffic light will be installed on Charles at the new school.
The Junior League of Baltimore is pleased to announce our first regional forum on childhood obesity on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Junior League of Baltimore Headquarters at 5902 York Road (just south of Northern Parkway).
The forum will include a panel discussion with local and state experts on childhood obesity. We hope this begins a dialogue and empowers every member of our community to get involved in the fight against childhood obesity.
This forum is open to the public but requires advance registration. Registration deadline is Monday, May 3rd. For more information, click here.
Update: She's home. Thank goodness for microchips and good neighbors who go the distance!
Hi There,
I found an un-collared dog this morning, quite friendly, female, medium-sized - roughly 50 lbs. - shepherd/husky/ with a split brown/blue eye.
I live in Idlewylde. Call Kate at 410-320-8934
Could you please put it in the Flyer, I'd love to get this beautiful dog back to her home.
Thank you!
GBMC’s Volunteer Auxiliary invites all Bargain Hunters to their Spring Nearly New Sale.
Low, Low prices on gently used Spring/Summer clothing for whole family, electronics, housewares, jewelry, linens, books, toys, unique collectibles and so much more.
Hours are May 1, 2: 9a.m.-5p.m.; May 3, 5, 6 : 4p.m.-8p.m. and May 8 Bargain Bag Day: 9a.m.-1p.m.
Free parking. All proceeds benefit GBMC patient services.
For more information: www.gbmc.org/community/volunteers or 410-828-9467.
"A group of five families is getting together for a community yard sale tomorrow (April 24th) from 8am- 12pm. Between the five families, we have 9 boys, so if folks need boys clothes...we’ve got them!! We also have maternity clothes. There is a “ton” of baby stuff...high chairs, car seats, crib mattresses, exersaucers, walkers, and toys, toys, toys...you name it...we have it. Plus, we have household items, CD’s, DVD’s, dishes, etc. We will be located on the 300 block of Stevenson (it’s where Osler meets Stevenson)."
And another one, same day, at 9, 11 & 21 Regester (just off Dumbarton). Tons of toys, kid clothes, baby equipment, books, etc. 8 a.m. to noon.
On Saturday April 24, Baltimore County will host a joint compost bin/rain barrel sale on the parking lot of IKEA in White Marsh, 8352 Honeygo Boulevard. The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Compost bins - valued at $80 - will be available for $35 including tax. Rain barrels - valued at $90 - will be available for $45 including tax. The high-tech barrels include anti-mosquito screens and overflow discharge lines. Compost bins and rain barrels will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cash, check, or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) will be accepted at this event.
Information: 410-887-2904 or 410-887-318
A friend just sent me info about a program in Australia that encourages healthy snacks in the classroom. I think it sounds fabulous. I haven't read all of it and am not sure I would fight to have it incorporated into the actual curriculum (in terms of making it part of the official school lessons) but it would sure be a wonderful thing for kids to do and for the school to implement.
Crunch&Sip is a set break to eat fruit (or salad vegetables) and drink water in the classroom. Students 're-fuel' with fruit or vegetables during the morning or afternoon -assisting physical and mental performance and concentration in the classroom.
Each day students bring fruit or vegetables to school to eat in the classroom at a set time. Each child has a small clear bottle of water in the classroom to drink throughout the day to prevent dehydration.
Through Crunch&Sip, schools demonstrate their commitment to nutrition education in the classroom, by making links with the curriculum and creating a supportive school environment. Read more here.
Examiner: Most people don't worry about meals that are served in our public schools. But should they? According to a recent report by the Associated Press, a group of retired military officers has labeled school lunches "a national security threat." (Read more here.)
My son liked playing with the trains when he was younger, but then we got into the books and I realized those trains are psychotic scheming little so-and-sos.
As you know, Tech Trek ended early because of the lightening storm but you can still support the school and get great deals on fabulous items this Thursday night when the auction will be held in the RFES cafeteria from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Details, including a list of items available and professionally shot photos from the event, can be found on the new Tech Trek site.
Below are a few that I shot with my iPhone:
Rodger gets mauled by fans
Moments before the downpour
Fundraiser for the Hannah More school: Join us on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Gordon Center in Owings Mills for a special performance by the Capitol Steps.
http://www.hannahmore.org/NewsCurrentEvents.html
I was told this weekend that WTES will have pre-K, and someone wrote to me today saying they'd heard the same thing and wondering if it was true. I wrote to Susan Hersheld, the principal of WTES, and this is what she said:
"There will be a Pre-K program at West Towson, one class in the morning for three year olds and one class in the afternoon for four year olds. For more information about the program, registration, and the screening process, please contact Mrs. Ford, at 410-887-3893."
Come to our huge annual celebration of spring! Browse treasures offered inside and out of the church grounds. Featuring a 50-cent room, bargain basement, a jump castle and delicious food (the homemade chili sells out every year!).
Saturday, May 1st from 8:00am-1:00pm
http://www.govanspres.org/govanspres/flea_market
Join Bmore Local at this free screening of the critically acclaimed documentary Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.
The film features the deeply personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to survive in a Wal-Mart world. It's an emotional journey that will challenge the way you think, feel... and shop.
Tuesday, April 27 at 7 pm
St. John's United Methodist Church
2640 St. Paul Street - Charles Village
I went to Kathmandu in Towson last night for the first time. It was delicious and I was kicking myself for not having gone there sooner.
Actually, about 10 years ago my husband and I went to a cafe at that location and while the food was OK, the decor was on the tacky side and we just never went back -- plus we weren't living in the Towson area at the time. I can't remember the name of what it was then. So I'd basically just written off that location in my mind and forgotten about it.
But now it's a completely different restaurant and the decor is much better. I got the saag paneer and it was great and the people I was with said they go there all the time. We will definitely become regulars. They don't serve alcohol but you can bring your own (which I actually like b/c it's cheaper). They also deliver, which might be a dangerous thing for me to know.
http://mykathmandukitchen.com/
Sunday, April 18 at 1:30: Pre-K Story Hour: Come listen to "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carlson and learn about the different parts of a plant and how they grow. Afterwards, we will make a flower showing all its parts using lots of different materials.
http://www.baltimoreconservatory.org/Events.php
The more I think about this the more outrageous it seems to me. The school was re-done with windows that barely open and an all-new air conditioning system, but there was just one piece of the system that wasn't purchased yet. So the kids and teachers were left with windows that don't open and no AC.
Can you imagine if your spouse sealed shut your car's windows with the promise of a great AC system and then that system was put on hold and you're stuck with a car with no AC and windows that won't open? I mean, unfreakinbeleivable.
I can't believe parents had to raise such a ruckus to get this done. The people standing in the way for so long should be ashamed.
A message from Ridgely PTA President, Kay Hardisky:
It gives me great pleasure to send you this excerpt from the Budget Message given to the Baltimore County Council by County Executive Jim Smith earlier today.
"The school system's capital budget also includes $10,232,000 dollars to fund the Board of Education's prioritized list of schools able to be retrofitted for air conditioning at a reasonable cost. These schools are Riverview, Randallstown, Glenmar, Harford Hills, Johnnycake, Deep Creek, and Norwood Elementary Schools, Old Court and Ridgely Middle Schools, and Loch Raven Academy."
Hooray!
The Budget still needs to be voted on by the County Council but it seems that all of our hard work has paid off. We couldn't have done it without the hard work and tireless effort of Julie Sugar, Laurie Taylor-Mitchell, Laura Mullen, Carolyn Cook, Sue Battle-McDonald and all of YOU- who wrote letters, sent emails, called and rallied on behalf of the students of Ridgely.
You made a difference!
Thank you,
Kay Hardisky
Ridgely Middle PTA
Nice work, guys! I love a happy ending.
Diana will also have a table at the Healthy Kids Expo tonight at Tech Trek if you want to stop by!
Registration begins at 5:30 and the walk-a-thon starts at 6:30. (The start is very exciting, all the kids line up and countdown -- you won't want to miss that part.)
Forecasters are calling for rain tonight, but it's not likely to start until after Tech Trek is over. Regardless, Tech Trek is on rain or shine!
http://schools.bcps.org/schools/ces/rforge/techtrek.html
Update/clarification: Children who are not about to enter kindergarten might also be able to attend RFES even if zoned for WTES. If the younger sibling of a current RFES fourth grader attends RFES under this policy, then an even younger sibling can also attend RFES even when the oldest child has left RFES. (As long as one sibling as at the school, the younger sibling gets to go there, too.) I really think the affect of this will be negligible in terms of adding students to the school and I think it's great that BCPS tries to keep siblings in the same school and provide some continuity for families.
Below is what I think some people with kids who are currently in fourth grade at RFES will consider to be huge news so I'm including the full email exchange with RFES Principal Susan Deise (who has been great about sharing information with me/the Flyer to help people navigate what's happening next year) to help them better understand the situation.
Kris:
I have attached a letter to parents of fourth graders regarding special permission for your information. Policy 5140 clearly states that siblings are able to attend with a fourth grader. This includes children entering kindergarten next year. Thanks for your patience but I did not want to inform parents until it was clarified by BCPS. Thanks for helping me to keep parents informed. [Click here to see letter.]
Sue Deise
-----
Thanks so much! To clarify (and I know of a family in just such a situation) if a child who is now at RFES but is zoned for WTES next year is in fourth grade this year, he can choose to attend RFES for fifth grade and his sibling (even one entering kindergarten) would also be able to attend RFES next year.
But what happens two years from now when the sibling is going into first grade and the older child is at Dumbarton Middle? Does the younger sibling then transfer to WTES or does the younger child get to remain at RFES for five more years?
Thanks so much for sharing this and letting people know what's going on. As expected, there is a certain level of confusion and apprehension.
Thanks,
Kris
-----
Kris, once the children enter Rodger Forge they remain until they enter middle school. The policy is for the child’s complete elementary experience in one school, unless the family moves into another school system. Again, a great question.
Back by Popular Demand!
"MOVE AND GROOVE" SUMMER DANCE CAMPS at Lynne Brick’s Belvedere Square
June 21-25 - Move & Groove - ages 6-9 (9am - 12pm)
June 28-July 2 - Prince/Princess Camp - ages 3-5 - (9am - 12pm)
August 9-13 - Prince/Princess Camp (ages 3-5) - (Time TBA)
August 16-20 - Move & Groove! (ages 6-9) - (Time TBA)
**Cost per week: $129 members/$159 non-members
**Sign up at service desk to reserve a spot (cannot sign up over phone). In next few weeks you will be able to sign up online (www.brickbodies.com).Call 410-433-8200 w/ any questions.
**Any non-member who signs their child up will receive a complimentary one month membership. Must be first time visitor, not have a current membership, and be 25 or older
Move & Groove description:
Ballet, Jazz, Line Dancing, Hip Hop, Go Clubbin', Disco, 50s/60s/70s. Crafts, Games, and more!
Prince/Princess Camp description:
Themes: Nutrition, Exercising (Indoors and Outdoors), Sports, Nature, Colors, Crafts, Games, and more!
Over the course of six hours, participants choose from 24 dance classes ranging from Flamenco to Square Dance, Ballet to Hip Hop - four classes offered every hour.
Dance teachers from around the Baltimore region and as far away as New York City guide participants of all ages and levels of expertise through fun dance classes in disciplines like ballroom, salsa, swing, Irish, tango, Afro Caribbean, hula and belly dancing. One of Monte's doctors, Stephen Yang, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Johns Hopkins and ballroom dance aficionado, will even teach a class.
This year, for the Third Annual Dance for the Cure, we will end this spectacular day of dancing with a special awards ceremony for our top CancerDancers and dance party for everyone with popular emcees and dancers from Glyde Productions.
Proceeds fund efforts to increase public awareness and funding for medical research in esophageal cancer. In 2008 & 2009, the First and Second Annual Dance for the Cure were huge successes - raising nearly $20,000 each year and lots of awareness about this deadly disease.
Find more info here.
April 19 - kindergarten registration
April 20 - new 1st grader registration
http://schools.bcps.org/schools/ces/rforge/
UPDATE: He was found under a neighbor's deck.
"Oskar escaped from the yard (alley of 100 block of Stevenson Lane) this morning APRIL 13th between 7:10-7:20am. HE IS DIABETIC! He has not yet received his insulin this morning. He is a neutered male, long haired black and white (dapple) dachshund. He has a collar with a Banfield rabies tag. He is microchipped. ...."
School gets out three hours early on April 16 because it's assessment day. Also, coincidentally, it's the day of Tech Trek, so they can go home and rest up!
Co-op classes are located in Lutherville and divided according to a child’s age and meets once a week for 2 hours. The class size is limited for each group to 12. An experienced early childhood education teacher is employed to assist in direction the overall program and lead each session. The activities and daily schedule will differ depending on the age of the child, but all children will be involved in the most vital of all activities – play!
Registration opens for prospective members starting April 15 for the Fall semester and December 1 for the Spring semester. Please note, forms postmarked before April 15th and December 1st respectively will not be accepted. See the bottom of this page to print a Fall 2010 registration form. Class fees for the Fall 2010 semester will be $245. Spaces go fast, so please register early. Registration is done on first come, first served basis and is based on the postmark date of the envelope received with your registration form. More info: http://jhtckids.wordpress.com/
Nothing in RF but there was a break in on Dunkirk on the east side of York Road. Entry through unlocked kitchen window. Cautionary tale. Read the report here.
TU says: "The College of Health Professions will stage the third Operation STAT disaster drill at Burdick Hall on Wednesday, April 14. Hundreds of students will volunteer as “victims” of a mock tornado who will be tended to by Towson University students of nursing and other health professions.
Also participating in the drill as an exercise in sharpening and maintaining emergency readiness will be clinicians from the 10th Medical regiment of the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF), a uniformed military agency of volunteers under the Adjutant General of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Mental Hygiene (DHMH). Representatives of the American Red Cross, MD State Police, the mortuary profession, and the mental health professions are expected to take part in the drill. The 58th Troop Command of the Maryland Army National Guard will support the exercise with equipment and supplies.
We are also adding a new component this year that we are excited about which is a Blackhawk helicopter landing and “patient loading” that will take place on a landing zone (LZ) on one of the fields behind the stadium at the Towson Center."
A parent of a future WTES student has created a Facebook page for other WTES parents: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=102967096408772&ref=ts
So I just watched The Office Christmas Special (UK), which I hadn't seen in a few years. Brilliant. So I went on youtube and put in Ricky Gervais. I hadn't seen any of his standup before and I am dying. (Totally R rated; not to view with the kids.) I'm going to go watch some more now.
Pitch, Hit and Run Baseball Contest will be held April 17th at Towson's YMCA on West Chesapeake from 10am to 2pm. This is open to all players between 7 to 14 years old. The winners go to the sectionals, then to Camden Yards for the state championships in June. For more info, call 410-494-7778 and go to MLB's Pitch, Hit and Run website.
A few people asked me about registration for West Towson Elementary and I didn't know, so I asked Sue Hershfeld
, who is the incoming principal there. Here's what she said:
Do you know what time school will start and end at WTES?
Now that the boundary decision has been finalized, the Office of Transportation will design the bus routes, which impact the start and end times. I hope to have this information soon.
When is kindergarten registration? Where is registration?
Kindergarten registration will be held in May, at Rodgers Forge. I am working with the administrators at Rodgers Forge and Riderwood to finalize the plans and communicate the date, times, and location to the incoming West Towson families.
Do students who currently attend RFES need to register to go to WTES or does everything just transfer automatically?
According to RULE 5230, “Student records are routinely sent to another Baltimore County public school for students who transfer as a result of promotion or boundary change.”
Sue Hershfeld
Principal
West Towson Elementary
I just received an email from a regular Forge Flyer reader asking if the rumor is true that rising fourth graders who have been redistricted to West Towson have the option of staying at Rodgers Forge Elementary for fifth grade.
Yes.
That is BCPS policy any time there is this type of redistricting. So if your child is in 4th grade at RFES now and you live somewhere that will be zoned for West Towson next year, your child has the option of going to either RFES or WTES. I am pretty sure, though, that the parent would have to find transportation as I don't think there will be buses going to RFES.
County says:
8:25 p.m.: What To Do When The Water Comes Back
Because the water is often cloudy after an outage, many residents wonder what they need to do when it comes back on. Baltimore City's Department of Public works provides information about several simple steps you should take when the water is restored.
7:40 p.m.: BGE Has Restored Power To Pumping StationBGE has restored power to the pumping station. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works, which owns and maintains the metropolitan water system, says it is still working on getting the pumps up and running. It could be hours before all customers have service restored.
Baltimore County emergency management officials stress that conservation remains essential. Tonight, residents should not take showers, do laundry or use water for other non-essential purposes. Unless they conserve, it will take far longer for water to be restored to all businesses and homes in the entire affected area.
PS: Make sure you or your kids haven't left a tap on or open while the water was off. A neighbor works at an insurance firm and just told me about a claim that came in because a kid left the faucet on (with no water coming out) but then the water came back on while everyone was gone and it flooded the house.
And some interesting facts about water and how most of the world lives:
- 884 million people lack access to safe water supplies, approximately one in eight people.
Per Balto County
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Alert/index.html
Sent from my iPhone
Update: Water pressure is fading ...
My daughter's preschool has water but they heard all water in area might be turned off. You might want to fill up some jugs just in case --- that is if you even have water. Might just be a rumor. ... And don't forget the duct tape! :)
Sent from my iPhone
The Diane Rehm show just did an interview with author Peter Lovenheim who has a new book out about neighborhoods and the way people often close themselves off from others. Some of the keys to connected communities, he says, are front porches and front yards as playgrounds. (I didn't hear him mention dodge-ball in the alley, but that is big on our block!) I'm sure sidewalks and on-street parking are also big factors.
No water.
4/7/10 - These schools are closed today due to an area water outage. Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Loch Raven High. Towson High, Dumbarton Middle, Loch Raven Academy, Ridgely Middle, Cromwell Valley, Halstead Academy, Hamptom Elementary, Lutherville Elementary, Pinewood Elementary, Pleasant Plains Elementary, Riderwood Elementary, Ridge Ruxton, Rodgers Forge Elementary, Stoneleigh Elementary, Timonium Elementary.
http://www.bcps.org/status/default.asp
Baltimore Sun reports:
As many as 200,000 Baltimore County residents could be without water Wednesday after an early morning fire in the electrical wires powering a pumping station near Towson Reservoir, according to emergency management officials.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bal-water0407,0,6229700.story
Nothing in RF but some armed robberies and a drunken home break-in in Towson. Read it here.
Looking for a way to do some good local advertising and just do some good? A $500 donation to Tech Trek gets your company's logo on more than 500 t-shirts that kids will be wearing all around Baltimore and Towson (not to mention a huge banner that will be displayed at Tech Trek and then later in the lobby of Rodgers Forge Elementary).
Press release:
As the 2010 Maryland Legislative Session begins to wind-down, the Maryland State election season is ready to heat-up.
On Tuesday evening, Art Buist, a veteran Baltimore radio journalist, and former WYPR reporter/announcer will officially kick-off his campaign to become a Delegate in Maryland’s 42nd District. The announcement will come at a fundraiser with supporters:
Tuesday, April 6th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Stoneleigh Bakery
6805 York Road
Baltimore, MD 21212
Buist said: “I am very happy that a diverse group of people will be joining me for this announcement including: Dr. Peter Beilenson, public health physician and former Candidate for Congress, Vince Gardina, County Councilman, Carl Stokes, City Councilman, Charlie Culbertson, activist on senior issues, and Tracy Miller, former Delegate Candidate in the 42nd.”
Buist, a graduate of the University of Maryland Law School, and a radio journalist who has worked for several radio stations in Baltimore since the 1970's, may be best known for his work at public radio station WYPR. He left the station in July to lay the groundwork for the campaign. For the past 15 years he has divided his professional career between broadcasting and his law practice.
The 42nd District is located in Baltimore County. It includes the entire Towson area, as well as parts of Pikesville, Loch Raven Village, and the Timonium-Lutherville area. Buist is a homeowner in Rodgers Forge.
Each legislative district in Maryland has three elected Delegates. Presently the 42 nd has one Democrat (Steve Lafferty) and two Republicans (Susan Aumann & Bill Frank). Buist is running as a Democrat and fully supports Steve Lafferty for re-election in the District.
E-mail: Art@ArtsFriends.Org - Authority: Friends of Art Buist, Harvey Finkelstein, Treasurer
http://artsfriends.org/
Bingo, featuring Vera Bradley bags and Longaberger baskets. The event also includes raffles, door prizes.
Food & refreshments will be available for purchase.
Friday April 16, 2010
Doors open @ 6pm
Games will begin promptly @ 7pm
Space is limited and reservations are strongly encouraged.
Tickets are $18.00 in advance, $20.00 at the door.
For more information, or to make a reservation, please call (410) 427-7400 or
email TaKisha Williams kijon5@yahoo.com.
St. Pius X School is located at 6432 York Road, Rodgers Forge, Baltimore.
Baltimore County is picking up on its regular schedule as normal.
City details:
http://baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/PublicWorks/PressReleases/tabid/285/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/280/Good_Friday_Holiday_Notice__April_2_2010.aspx
From 10 a.m to 11 a.m.
http://rodgersforgecommunity.blogspot.com/2010/03/here-comes-easter-bunny.html
On or about the week of April 4, 2010, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will institute a long-term temporary closure of the shared-use ramp from the roundabout at Charles Street (MD 139) and Bellona Avenue Extended to westbound I-695 (Baltimore Beltway Outer Loop) as part of SHA’s $38 million project to replace the Charles Street bridge over I-695 and rehabilitate the I-695 bridge over the Baltimore Light Rail tracks. The two-way section of the ramp will remain open for access to all business and medical offices located along Bellona Avenue Extended.
I just received a copy of the legislation that Del. Aumann noted recently in her legislative update and that I touted on the Flyer.
Aumann had said: "This bill will directly affect our district so I wanted to inform you that HB 348 passed the House floor today with a vote of 140-0. This bill requires a public institution of higher education to make reasonable efforts to notify and consult with communities within three miles of a proposed construction site. The public institution must make reasonable efforts to meet with local civic associations, government agencies, and other interested parties regarding the project design and methods to minimize adverse effects on these communities that include noise, traffic, pollution, loss of open space and other detriments."
As a reader pointed out, the amended bill (the one that passed 140-0 and is shown below) removed the language about consultation; all that remains is notice. Not quite the same thing.
(Click the images to read.)
