Monday, September 28, 2009 9/28/2009 02:48:00 PM

Harford Senior Center is Closing

The Harford Senior Center at 4920 Harford Rd. will be closing on October 30th due to City Budget cuts. This Senior Center has provided services such as free health care, flu shots, social work services, tax aid, a polling station, service to the homeless, and housed the Northeast Food Pantry. I am told that this is the only senior center in the whole Northeast district and many of our neighbors are very concerned about losing it.

The following is a letter written by a Waltherson resident, named Tamara, that you can use as a template to notify your elected officials if you share this concern. Contact information can be found at the bottom of the post. I'd like to thank Sarah Miranda, another Waltherson resident, for forwarding the information along.

Update: Sarah has been urged to tell everybody that since local and state funding is basically nil, we should also involve our federal elected officials and let them know that the only Senior Center/Food Pantry in NE Baltimore is closing. I have added the additional contact info below.

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Addressee
Addressee’s Address




Dear _____________________:

I am disappointed that the City Council is ending its financial support to the Harford Senior Center resulting in the center’s closure. This is especially troubling because the Center hosts and houses the North East Food Pantry, which will also close. The City of Baltimore has an obligation to assist its most vulnerable and least mobile residents and closing this center and the onsite food pantry falls short of this duty. I know that you are empowered to do better. Please lend your support to ensure that this vibrant and important Center remains open to serve the elderly residents of the North East community.

This Center is important because it is the only one of its kind in North East Baltimore. The elderly population that it serves is limited, not only by income, but by health and mobility and would not be able to access that many important services that the Center provides if the plans to close it come to fruition. Additionally the food pantry located within the center serves some of the areas neediest families in a time when an unprecedented number of residents are in need of assistance to meet their most basic need of feeding their families. In response to these economic times everyone needs to change their priorities to ensure that those with the least are protected. Thanks you for your help.

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip

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Contact info:

Congressman John Sarbanes
3rd Congressional District (home to the Senior Center/Food Pantry)
Towson Office
Ste. 303
Towson, MD 21204
Phone 410-832-8890
email through http://sarbanes.house.gov/consituent.asp


Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
2nd Congressional District
District Office
375 W. Padonia Rd.
Ste. 200
Timonium, MD 21093
Phone 410-628-2701
email through http://dutch.house.gov/writedutch_za.shtml


Senator Barbara Mikulski (a strong advocate of record on senior issues!)
Baltimore Office
1629 Thames St.
Ste. 400
Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone 410-962-4510
email through http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm


Senator Benjamin L. Cardin
Baltimore Office
100 S. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone 410-962-4436
email through http://cardin.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Volunteers of America Chesapeake
7901 Annapolis Road
Lanham, MD 20706
Phone: 301-459-2020

Robert Curran, City Council District 3
Room 553, City Hall
100 N. Holliday St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-396-4812
Robert.Curran@baltimorecity.gov (but phone or mail is better)

Nicholas D'Adamo, Jr., City Council District 2
Room 525, City Hall
100 N. Holliday St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-396-4808
Nicholas.D'Adamo@baltimorecity.gov

Mary Pat Clarke, District 14
Room 550, City Hall
100 N. Holliday St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-396-4814
MaryPat.Clarke@baltimorecity.gov

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, City Council President
Room 400, City Hall
100 N. Holliday St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-396-4804
CouncilPresident@baltimorecity.gov

Brandon Scott, Community Outreach Assistant for the City Council President
Phone: 410-396-4804
Brandon.Scott@baltimorecity.gov
(He's a good person to contact because NE Baltimore is his territory!)

Mayor Sheila Dixon
Room 250, City Hall
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: 410-396-3835
mayor@baltimorecity.gov

Kristy Taylor, Liaison for the neighborhoods of Northeast Baltimore
The Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods
Phone: 410-396-4735
Kristy.Taylor@baltimorecity.gov

Baltimore City CERT

We need at least 10 volunteers to start training for a Baltimore City CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) team here in Waltherson.  The mission of the CERT program according to their website is "to prepare Teams of Baltimore City Citizens to identify Vulnerabilities in their communities, to educate their communities in Emergency Preparedness, and to train and respond to major emergencies or disasters within Baltimore City."

With a team, our community would be better equipped if a disaster would occur in the Baltimore area that would overcome traditional city services.  If you are interested in helping, please look over the CERT website and e-mail me to help out.

Friday, September 25, 2009 9/25/2009 03:40:00 PM

NECOP Training moved to Thursday

I previously posted about a NECOP training session which has been rescheduled for Thursday October 1st.

Join us at the Harbel Building (5807 Harford Rd) on Thursday, October 1st at 7:30 PM. A training session will be held from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Please come out and learn about the program.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 9/23/2009 08:37:00 AM

Free Flu Shots

2009-2010 ACE Coalition &
Baltimore City Health Department
Flu Clinic Schedule
Free Flu Shots
Immunize Against the Flu for a Happier, Healthier You!

Medicare Part B Pays for the Flu Shot
Don’t Forget Your Medicare Card
Baltimore City Health Department
Bureau of Child Health & Immunizations
Questions: 410-396-4454

October 2009

Friday, October 2; 9 am - 1 pm
Waxter Center for Senior Citizens
1000 Cathedral St - 21201

Wednesday, October 14; 10 am - 2 pm
Lexington Market
400 W Lexington St - 21201

Wednesday, October 21; 10 am - 4 pm
Baltimore Hebrew
7401 Park Heights Ave - 21208

Saturday, October 24; 10 am - 2 pm
Bethel AME Church
1300 Druid Hill Ave - 21217

Saturday, October 24; 10 am - 2 pm
First Corinthians Baptist Church
3512 Powhatan Ave - 21216

Friday, October 30; 10 am - 4 pm
The Hippodrome Theatre-Roll Up Your Sleeve Event
12 N Eutaw St - 21201

November 2009

Friday, November 6; 10 am - 2 pm
Enoch Pratt Public Library
400 Cathedral St - 21201

Tuesday, November 10; 10 am - 4 pm
Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Warehouse 6th fl
333 W. Camden St - 21201

Thursday, November 19; 10 am - 4 pm
Baltimore Hebrew
7401 Park Heights Ave - 21208

Friday November 20; 9 am - 1 pm
Waxter Center for Senior Citizens
1000 Cathedral St - 21201

December 2009

Wednesday, December 9; 10 am - 4 pm
Palladium
2900 Liberty Heights Ave - 21215

Friday, December 18; 9 am - 1 pm
Waxter Center for Senior Citizens
1000 Cathedral St - 21201

Friday, December 11; 10 am - 2 pm
Enoch Pratt Public Library
400 Cathedral St - 21201

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 9/22/2009 07:48:00 AM

Baltimore City Fire Department Thrill Show

BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL THRILL SHOW

Saturday, October 3, 2009
11:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.
Baltimore City Fire Academy
6720 Pulaski Highway

The Thrill Show is held to promote fire safety and prevention within our communities as well as give the public a “bird’s eye” view and “close up” encounter of the work that our firefighters and EMS personnel perform every day to save lives and protect property in the City of Baltimore. The day will begin with various stunts to include a mock Automobile Fire with patient extrication. This re-enactment will provide an opportunity to actually see the “Jaws of Life” in action by members of our Rescue Team. There will also be a High Rise demonstration by our Special Rescue Operations Team who will perform a straight repel and rescue a victim from a multi-story building, a Firefighter Competition and a Christmas Tree fire. We will also have a Burn Cell demonstration (to se how fires start and rapidly spread), numerous static displays that highlight fire safety literature, Fire Engines and Trucks, Heavy Rescue Unit and specialty equipment along with Dive Team members, BCFD/Johns Hopkins Mobile Safety Center and the Baltimore Police Helicopter.

Additional attractions involve Fire Engine Rides, Emergency Medical Services personnel who perform blood pressure screenings, Hazardous Materials Unit, Moon Bounce and Ball Crawl for kids. There will also be Food and Fun for everyone in attendance.

To showcase additional resources and information, we will have on hand representatives from various City agencies available to provide brochures and literature about their respective agency’s operations and services to the public.

As fire prevention month (October) approaches, we use this time to place greater emphasis on fire safety and prevention and teach you how to protect yourselves, families and home from the dangers of fires.

Each year thousands of lives are claimed and billions of dollars are spent preventing, detecting and containing fires. You to can make a difference by increasing the fire safety measure in your home by following these fire safety tips;

• Properly install “Smoke Detectors” on every level of your home, test them monthly and replace the batteries at least twice a year.

• Create a fire escape plan for you and your family

• Don’t wear loose fit clothing while cooking and never leave food on the stove unattended

• Space heaters require space. Keep at least three feet between you and any heating device

• Kerosene heaters are illegal in Baltimore City and can be confiscated by the appropriate fire department personnel

• Fire places build up creosote in their chimneys and can be potential fire hazards.

Chimney’s should be cleaned and inspected for obstructions and cracks prior to use in order to avoid deadly fires.

The Baltimore City Fire Department would like to recognize and thank Maryland Association for Justice for their continued sponsorship and support. It is with their assistance that we have been able to promote fire safety, prevention and educational programs within our community. The Baltimore City Fire Department invites all City employees, their family’s and friends to join us at this year’s Annual Thrill Show. Please take advantage of this opportunity to learn about fire safety and prevention and meet representatives from your local fire department.

ADMISSION IS FREE TO EVERYONE AND PARKING WILL BE AVAILABLE!!!
“STAY FIRE SMART DON’T GET BURNED”
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK OCTOBER 4-10, 2009

For additional information, contact the Public Information Office at 410-396-5616 or log onto www.baltimorecity.gov-fire

Precautions for Safer Seniors - Stay Safe

Below are some tips for seniors sent out by the City as part of the CGHS Ambassador program.

Make Your Home Safe and Secure


  • Install good locks on doors and windows. Use them! Don't hide keys in mailboxes and planters or under doormats. Instead, leave an extra set of keys with a neighbor or friend.
  • Ask for photo identification from service or delivery people before letting them in. If you are the least bit worried, call the company to verify.
  • Be sure your street address number is large, clear of obstruction, and well- lighted so police and other emergency personnel can find your home quickly.
  • Consider a home alarm system that provides emergency monitoring for burglary, fire and medical emergencies.

Watch Out for Con Artists


  • Don't fall for anything that sounds too good to be true - a free vacation, sweepstakes, prizes, cures for cancer and arthritis, a low risk high- yield investment scheme.
  • Never give your credi card, phone card, Social Security, or bank account number to anyone over the phone. It's illegal for telemarketers to ask for these numbers to verify a prize or gift.
  • Don't let anyone rush you into signing anything- an insurance policy, a sales agreement, a contract. Read it carefully and have someone you trust check it over.
  • Beware of individuals claiming to represent companies, consumer organizations, or government agencies that offer to recover lost money from fraudulent telemarketers for a fee.
  • If you're suspicous, check it out with the police, the Better Business Bureau, or your local consumer protection office. Call the National Consumers League Fraud Information Center at 800- 876-7060.

Note:

The Police Department Host the
Baltimore City Police Explorers Program. This youth group is for children between the ages of 14-21. They work hand and hand with police officers, attend meetings and events and participate in community projects. Meetings are held in each district on Friday nights. For more information pleases give Officer Ward a call at the Northeast District 410-396-2444.  If you happen to live outside the Northeast the other district numbers are below.


Central Dist-410-396-2411..(Off Fields)...Southeast Dist-410-396-2422..(Off. Tracey)....Eastern Dist.-410-396-2433(Off. Amous)...Northwest Dist. 410-396-2466.... (Off. Jackson)...Western Dist..410-396-2477..(Off. Crown)..Southwest Dist..410-396-2488..(Off. Robinson)..Southern Dist..410-396-2499..(Off Vault)

The Eastern District is having a 2 dollar movie night on
September 25, 2009...Contact Officer Amos for Details..at 410-396-2433

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 9/16/2009 08:32:00 AM

NECOP Potluck Cookout

For those participating or interested in NECOP, join us at Burdick Park for a potluck cookout from 1 PM to 4 PM on Saturday, October 17th. Bring some food or drinks you'd like to contribute and relax and enjoy yourself.

NECOP Training

Anyone out there interested in NECOP? Join us at the Harbel Building (5807 Harford Rd) on September 29th at 7:30 PM. A training session will be held from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Please come out and learn about the program.

Thursday, September 10, 2009 9/10/2009 08:14:00 AM

Free Blood Pressure Screenings

The Baltimore City Fire Department is offering free Blood Pressure Screenings during the month of September from 6 PM to 9 PM. Screenings are available at your local Fire Department each day of the week throughout the month of September.

Graffiti Removal - Call to Action

As a follow up to the last post, I've just been informed that through September 19th the City of Baltimore is having a call to action for Graffiti removal as part of the CGHS (Clean-Green-Health-Safe) Ambassador Program. If you see Graffiti, please call 311 and mention the community group Waltherson Improvement Association to participate. Sharing our community organization's name will allow them to track participation and totals for the call to action. As the City mentions in their e-mail, Graffiti is "an unsightly appearance and causes public safety concerns."

This is the first of a series of mini-initiatives from the City to handle a variety of different community issues such as removing graffiti, catching illegal dumpers, exercising more, signing-up residents for smoke detectors, planting trees, etc. Incentives for participation will include free clean-up equipment, up to (8) roll-offs, sporting event tickets or city attractions, recognition in a City newsletter (goes to more than 200 groups), and other incentives from time to time. I'm not sure what the specific incentive may be for the graffiti removal initiative but less graffiti is incentive enough for me.

Thursday, September 3, 2009 9/03/2009 08:37:00 AM

Waltherson Graffiti Removal

Waltherson was featured in an article on the Baltimore Sun's watchdog page about our efforts and occasional difficulties in getting Graffiti removed in our neighborhood.  Remember you can easily report graffiti using 311 by either calling or using their web form

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