Author Archives: Joe Stewart
Dumpster Day
BWCO Community Dumpster
Saturday, July 17th
Location: Gorsuch and Independence
Time: in the am, they do not give us a time, once it is placed it will stay for 4 hours.
Questions: 443-802-4384
Looking for volunteers to oversee the dumpster. Without volunteers, the illegal haulers will fill our dumpster up early.
Great way to meet your neighbors
This dumpster is for Better Waverly residents ONLY
Remember NO stoves, refrigerators, hot water heaters, and other large appliances.
No large building materials, and tires.
Only one more dumpster for the year.
SURVEY
Better Waverly Community Organization Neighborhood Survey
This survey is being conducted by the Better Waverly Community Organization.
The Better Waverly Community Organization (BWCO) was established in 1978 to empower individuals and groups and work in cooperation with community stakeholders to improve the quality of life and strengthen community in the Better Waverly neighborhood of Baltimore. We want your feedback to make our board, and community, stronger.
How long have you been in the neighborhood?
What is your experience with BWCO, if any?
What could BWCO do to improve your block?
Do you have a project that you would want the support of the Board for?
Would you be interested in getting involved with the Board?
If so, what is your name and best contact information?
Please return this survey to online using the link below or email it if you like to
<joestewart31947@comcast.net>. Thank you.
< https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJejcCewHLbDVT9k0_PywzSK6qf1h9SxwuN6KSg0SHPHeaKg/viewform >
Young Adult Community Organizers
MOVIE NIGHT
Featuring: THE BLACK PANTHER (PG-13)
June 19, 2021
In the Better Waverly Sculpture Garden, 808-814 Homestead Avenue
Event starts at 7:00 pm, Movie starts at 8:30 pm
BBQ Food for $3+donations!
Celebrate Juneteenth At Our Awesome Party & Movie Night
Rain Date: June 21
BWCO Zoom Meeting Notes
Better Waverly Community Organization (BWCO) May 11, 2021 Zoom Meeting Notes:
Attending were BWCO officers/directors – Sonja Merchant Jones, William Cannady, Sharon Neely, Joe Stewart and Debra Evans – City Councilperson Odette Ramos, Property Manager PR Jackson, Angie Merchant, Kate Khatib and Najee Haynes-Follins of Red Emma’s, Willie Baker-Bey and Jessi Stevens of the Mayor’s Office Of Homeless Services.
Red Emma’s reported that it hopes to open in the fall of this year in part of their space and then to expand into the rest of their space in early 2022. Red Emma’s is a cooperatively-owned bookstore, coffeeshop, and community center coming to old Early Attic building on 32nd Street and storefront at 3128 Greenmount Avenue. Queries about Red Emma’s can go to <waverly@redemma.org>.
Our councilwoman updated us on city government affairs and constituent concerns.
A presentation on how homeless citizens were being helped was provided. Anyone interested in how homelessness is being addressed in our area can contact <Jessi.Stevens@Baltimorecity.gov> and <Willie.Baker-Bey@baltimorecity.gov> and they can be contacted especially is a homeless person you are aware of is in need.
The local property manager attending the meeting gave his contact information out for anyone interested in knowing about his rental properties in our area. His email address is <Info@bnhinvestments.com>
In Better Waverly business, reports were given on our participation in the Mayor’s Clean Up, on our Dumpster Days and on Better Waverly Mutual Aid. The board agreed to survey residents about how they felt about BWCO and the board agreed to meet in July to develop a plan for holding an election of new directors sometime soon.
There will be another monthly Zoom meeting 6pm Tuesday June 8. An invitation will be circulated before sometime soon.
BWCO MAY MEETING
Better Waverly is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: BWCO Meeting
Time: May 11, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82281103023?pwd=YUZ1eGZyRm04QnlmR3VYY2c0VzFmdz09
Meeting ID: 822 8110 3023
Passcode: 056916
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,82281103023#,,,,*056916# US (Washington DC)
+19292056099,,82281103023#,,,,*056916# US (New York)
Dial by your location
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+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 822 8110 3023
Passcode: 056916
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kewXseKslK
BWCO April 2021 Zoom Meeting Minutes
Better Waverly Community Organization (BWCO) met online April 13, 2001 for its current second Tuesday of the month 6pm Zoom meeting. BWCO will continue for the time being to meet online. The next meeting will be 6pm Tuesday May 11, 2021.
Attending the April meeting from the board were chair Sonja Merchant Jones, treasurer Sharon Neely, secretary Joe Stewart, parliamentarian Will Cannady and member Debra Evans, Better Waverly residents Janna Ohrstrom, Renee D’Souza and Miriam Avins, The Harvest manager Helene Murtha, Oakenshawe resident Haydee Rodriguez, Harwood resident Angela Merchant, Northern District Community Council president Chris Forrest, Northern District Police Major Donald Diehl, Captain Jeffrey Shorter and Sgt. Monica Veney, Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods 14th District liaison Lia Lynch, 14th District Baltimore City Council member Odette Ramos, and from the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office were Gina Clay, Janet Bledsoe and State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
After introductions, there were presentations from Northern District Police, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, City Councilwoman Odette Ramos and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. For the latest annual report and descriptions of all the activities and special programs in the state’s attorney’s office, visit <https://www.stattorney.org>.
Councilwoman Ramos noted many of the things going on around the 14th District and encouraged residents to sign up for her weekly email newsletter by contacting <odette.ramos@baltimorecity.gov>
In motions, the board approved authorizing Better Waverly Mutual Aid to apply for an Abell Foundation grant to help insure Better Waverly residents are not subject to tax sales and authorizing The Harvest (community coop garden on Homestead Street) to apply for a Baltimore Community Foundation grant to make needed improvements.
Better Waverly Clean UP
Are you interested in volunteering to participate in the Mayor’s Spring Clean Up in our Better Waverly neighborhood? Contact Will Cannady, <Willscarcast@gmail.com> and let him know which areas in the community you will working on.
Spring into Action for Mayor Scott’s Cleanup! Mayor Encourages Community Associations, Neighborhood Blocks to Participate. Clean Where You Live on Saturday, April 24
Spring is here! Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Matthew W. Garbark encourage residents to participate in Mayor Scott’s Spring Cleanup: Clean Where You Live on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Throughout the day on Saturday, April 24, residents are urged to participate in the Mayor’s Spring Cleanup by putting on a mask and picking up a broom to clean up loose litter around their properties, alleyways, and curbsides. “I encourage every single one of our community associations, every block, and all of our neighbors to participate in this most important Mayor’s Spring Cleanup. This annual tradition of Baltimoreans coming together to clean up our city is more important than ever,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Through teamwork and community commitment, we can keep Baltimore City clean.”
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the Mayor’s Spring Cleanup activities and services are modified. Residents are urged to practice physical distancing and wear masks during cleaning activities. Spring Cleanup participants who register their cleaning activities can receive bags to support their efforts. DPW will provide up to five bags per individual and/or service request to support local cleaning activities. To register your local cleanup and receive bags, please call 311, visit balt311.baltimorecity.gov, or sign up using the BALT311 mobile app.
The bags will be available at the DPW’s Sanitation Yards located at 111 Kane Street (open 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) and 2840 Sisson Street (open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Bags will be available for pick-up between April 12 – April 23, or until supplies last. Residents must provide the Service Request Number they received when registering with 311 when picking up the bags.
Collected trash and debris must be bagged and placed out with weekly scheduled trash collections for pickup. Residents can also bring bagged trash to the Citizens’ Convenience Drop-Off Centers. Participants who are disposing of collected debris at the Citizens’ Convenience Drop-off Centers must follow the drop-off centers’ guidelines, which do not allow commercial vehicles.
No bulk trash items will be collected and roll-off dumpsters will not be distributed as part of this year’s Spring Cleanup. Stormwater credit applications will not be distributed as part of this year’s modified Spring Cleanup.
BWCO ZOOM MEETING IN APRIL
Better Waverly is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: BWCO Meeting
Time: Apr 13, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85238487173?pwd=enZUZFc1YlIzc1JnOEpMeWRVY0EvUT09
Meeting ID: 852 3848 7173
Passcode: 020487
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,85238487173#,,,,*020487# US (Washington DC)
+19292056099,,85238487173#,,,,*020487# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 852 3848 7173
Passcode: 020487
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbZ0MxkVna
BWCO March Zoom Meeting Notes
Joining BWCO officers/directors Will Cannady, Joe Stewart, Debra Evans, Sharon Neely and Sonja Merchant Jones online were 14th City Council District Member Odette Ramos, Waverly Main Street Vice President Eric Lee, James’ Holyland Vendor James Harrison, and Down and Dirty Make Ready Proprietor Melissa Ham.
In board business a motion passed authorizing Debra Evans to apply for Adopt-A-Lot status for 718-720 East 30th Street space adjacent to 30th & Montpelier Park.
Concerns about where, when and how trash was being put out and the use of cones to save parking spots on city streets will be addressed by providing friendly neighbor reminder letters to residents. The board will also try to produce another paper newsletter to circulate door-to-door sometime in the near future.
Redevelopment plans for 752 E. 30th Street are being looked at with some concerns about its possible use as a rooming house or transitional living home.
Debra Evans urged residents with children and youth to check out the flyers posted for 901 Arts outside 901 Montpelier as activities are ongoing during the pandemic with many or most of them online.
Sharon Neely, serving on the 14th District Covid-19 Work Group from Better Waverly, noted that she and some other volunteers were working to help seniors get vaccine appointments. Contact her if you know a senior in the neighborhood who needs help scheduling their vaccine shots at <sharon.j.neely@gmail.com>.
Eric Lee, now a Better Waverly resident, gave a brief report on the work being done by Waverly Main Street. Odette Ramos updated the board on work she is doing in the district. James Harrison invited residents to visit his Holyland stall at the corner of East 32nd & Greenmount. Melissa Ham invited residents to visit the website for her lawn care business at <www.downanddirtymakeready.com>
The next regularly scheduled second Tuesday monthly meeting of BWCO will be 6pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday April 13, 2021. An invitation and link will go out closer to that date.