Tree Rodgers Forge Update/Guest Speakers At March Meeting

On February 22 the RFCA Board agreed to support the recommendation of the Tree Rodgers Forge Committee to send a letter to County Executive Kevin Kamenetz asking for assistance in evaluating the street tree canopy in Rodgers Forge, and developing a plan to restore this canopy for the future benefit of the neighborhood and the environment. We are hopeful for help from County officials. However, with or without County assistance, Tree Rodgers Forge will pursue the development of a strategy for the Forge.

New trees will be planted on Saturday, April 28, the day after Arbor Day and a week after Earth Day. We are working with Blue Water Baltimore, a regional watershed organization, to obtain street trees that can be planted in front of the homes of residents who would like to add new trees or replace trees that have been cut down. Details on how to obtain, plant and maintain trees will follow in the coming weeks. We hope that tree planting can become a regular spring and fall event.

Why trees? Recent editorial and blog posts in the Baltimore Sun describe the reasons Baltimore City is aggressively pursuing a tree planting program, with the strong support of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-city-trees-20120303,0,6438716.story

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bal-study-bmore-other-us-cities-losing-trees-20120227,0,6535989.story

We believe that a similar program would benefit Rodgers Forge, and for that matter the entire county. Trees and watersheds know no political boundaries. An important part of the Tree RF mission is to educate and inform residents about all of the economic, environmental, social and aesthetic benefits of a healthy tree canopy.

As an initial step toward providing information, two speakers have been invited to speak at the next Board meeting on March 14. Debra Lenik, an intern with Blue Water Baltimore, will discuss ways BWB assists communities in obtaining and planting trees. Donald Outen, a staff member at the county Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability, will discuss the extensive data available on the decline of Baltimore County’s urban tree canopy. We hope residents will attend the March 14 Board meeting to hear this discussion.

Utiltity Work - York Rd and Stevenson Late Sunday Night/Monday Morning

Dear Property Owner/Resident:

The City of Baltimore’s Bureau of Water and Wastewater will be performing important utility work in your area. The work to be performed consists of emergency repairs / planned maintenance / urgent need repairs / or planned capital work for the storm, water or sanitary utility.

Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012

Time: 10:30pm - 5:30am (Monday Morning)

Location: 7000-7200 Blocks of York Rd (no businesses or residences should be affected)

Description of Work: Isolating a 36" Main

Contact Person: August Severn 410-396-0275

If water service is interrupted during the performance of this work, you may experience discolored or cloudy water. Once service is restored, it would be beneficial to open a tap in the basement of your property and let the water run. This should clear the water within five to ten minutes.

If you have any questions about this project or if your water does not clear, please call 410-396-3671 Monday thru Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please call 311 (in Baltimore City) or 410-396-5352 (in Baltimore County) for weekend and after-hours concerns or for service requests.

While we endeavor to do everything we can to make operations run smoothly and with minimum disruptions for you and your neighbors, there are times when that will not be possible due to the nature of our work. We do want to hear from you whether it is a suggestion on how we can improve our work or to acknowledge a successful outcome. Thank you in advance for your patience.

GBMC's Spring Nearly New Sale Approaching

BALTIMORE, Md. – March 6, 2012 – The twice-annual Greater Baltimore Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary Nearly New Sale spring dates are quickly approaching.

The Nearly New Sale began more than 50 years ago at the former Hospital for the Women of Maryland, which merged with Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Charity Hospital to form GBMC in 1965. Sales have grown substantially over the years, with the semi-annual event (fall and spring sales) raising approximately $250,000 per year, all of which benefits patient care at GBMC. Previously, funds have been used on such initiatives as expanding emergency services and for improvements in both intensive and pediatric care areas.

Nearly New Public Sale Dates for Spring 2012

Saturday, May 5 & Sunday, May 6, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Monday, May 7, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Half-Price Days: Wednesday, May 9 & Thursday May 10, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Bargain Bag Day*: Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

* (Customers can fill a brown paper grocery bag with any merchandise for $5.00.)

Twice each year, GBMC volunteers devote their time and effort to the hospital's semi-annual Nearly New Sale, a most successful fund-raising event that contributes all of its proceeds back to the healthcare organization. GBMC employees, volunteers, and the general public get an opportunity to buy treasures, trinkets, and necessities from furniture, clothing, jewelry and silver to appliances, sporting goods, toys and games, and much more -- all at nominal prices.

Directions to the Nearly New Sales Building: Enter the GBMC campus via the Charles Street entrance. After passing the gatehouse, take the first left-hand turn, and then take the next left. Proceed to the top of the hill to the parking lot on left. Parking is free for shoppers.

For more information, volunteers for Nearly New can be reached at 410-828-9467. There is also a video up from Nearly New at http://www.gbmc.org/nearlynewsale.

About GBMC

GBMC HealthCare includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center, a 281 bed acute care not-for-profit hospital which opened in 1965 and provides Health, Healing and Hope;; Greater Baltimore Medical Associates, a group of more than 40 multi-specialty physician practices on the hospital’s Towson campus and locations across the region; Greater Baltimore Health Alliance, an alliance of GBMC-employed and private practicing physician partners; Gilchrist Hospice Care, Maryland’s largest hospice organization offering care in-home as well as in a 34-bed inpatient center on the GBMC Towson campus and at a 10-bed inpatient center in Howard County; and the GBMC Foundation, which raises funds to support the organization’s mission. For more information, visit www.gbmc.org